| 1. |
- Joyce, J. J., et al.
(författare)
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Dual nature of the 5f electrons in plutonium materials
- 2006
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Ingår i: Physica. B, Condensed matter. - : Elsevier BV. - 0921-4526 .- 1873-2135. ; 378-80, s. 920-924
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The electronic structure of select Pu materials is examined by means of photoemission (PES) and model calculations. We present the first photoemission results and electronic structure calculations for the material PuIn3. Results for Pu materials, including the cubic delta-phase metal and the superconductor PuCoGa5, give indication of the 5f electrons exhibiting both localized and itinerant character. These new results for PuIn3 place this compounds also in the 5f dual nature category. The dual nature of the Pu 5f electrons demarks the boundary between localized and itinerant 5f character in the actinides. The photoemission data for delta-Pu, PuIn3 and PuCoGa5 are compared against model calculations. The calculations are a mixed level model (MLM) which is a multi-electron extension of the generalized gradient approximation. Using the MLM, one obtains good agreement for the volume and total energy minimum with 4 of 5 Pu 5f electrons localized. The calculations also agree well with the PES spectra. Other computational schemes and interpretations are also reviewed.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Eriksson, Anna-Lena, 1971, et al.
(författare)
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SHBG gene promoter polymorphisms in men are associated with serum sex hormone-binding globulin, androgen and androgen metabolite levels, and hip bone mineral density.
- 2006
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Ingår i: The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. - : The Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 91:12, s. 5029-37
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CONTEXT: SHBG regulates free sex steroid levels, which in turn regulate skeletal homeostasis. Twin studies have demonstrated that genetic factors largely account for interindividual variation in SHBG levels. Glucuronidated androgen metabolites have been proposed as markers of androgenic activity. OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to investigate whether polymorphisms in the SHBG gene promoter [(TAAAA)(n) microsatellite and rs1799941 single-nucleotide polymorphism] are associated with serum levels of SHBG, sex steroids, or bone mineral density (BMD) in men. DESIGN AND STUDY SUBJECTS: We conducted a population-based study of two cohorts of Swedish men: elderly men (MrOS Sweden; n congruent with 3000; average age, 75.4 yr) and young adult men (GOOD study; n = 1068; average age, 18.9 yr). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured serum levels of SHBG, testosterone, estradiol, dihydrotestosterone, 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol glucuronides, androsterone glucuronide, and BMD determined by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. RESULTS: In both cohorts, (TAAAA)(n) and rs1799941 genotypes were associated with serum levels of SHBG (P < 0.001), dihydrotestosterone (P < 0.05), and 5alpha-androstane-3alpha,17beta-diol glucuronides (P < 0.05). In the elderly men, they were also associated with testosterone and BMD at all hip bone sites. The genotype associated with high levels of SHBG was also associated with high BMD. Interestingly, male mice overexpressing human SHBG had increased cortical bone mineral content in the femur, suggesting that elevated SHBG levels may cause increased bone mass. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that polymorphisms in the SHBG promoter predict serum levels of SHBG, androgens, and glucuronidated androgen metabolites, and hip BMD in men.
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| 4. |
- Eriksson, Ola, et al.
(författare)
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Municipal Solid Waste Management from a Systems Perspective
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 13:3, s. 241-252
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Different waste treatment options for municipal solid waste have been studied in a systems analysis. Different combinations of incineration, materials recycling of separated plastic and cardboard containers, and biological treatment (anaerobic digestion and composting) of biodegradable waste, were studied and compared to landfilling. The evaluation covered use of energy resources, environmental impact and financial and environmental costs. In the study, a calculation model ( ) based on methodology from life cycle assessment (LCA) was used. Case studies were performed in three Swedish municipalities: Uppsala, Stockholm, and Älvdalen. The study shows that reduced landfilling in favour of increased recycling of energy and materials lead to lower environmental impact, lower consumption of energy resources, and lower economic costs. Landfilling of energy-rich waste should be avoided as far as possible, partly because of the negative environmental impacts from landfilling, but mainly because of the low recovery of resources when landfilling. Differences between materials recycling, nutrient recycling and incineration are small but in general recycling of plastic is somewhat better than incineration and biological treatment somewhat worse. When planning waste management, it is important to know that the choice of waste treatment method affects processes outside the waste management system, such as generation of district heating, electricity, vehicle fuel, plastic, cardboard, and fertiliser.
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| 5. |
- Friedman, Mikaela, et al.
(författare)
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Directed evolution to low nanomolar affinity of a tumor-targeting epidermal growth factor receptor-binding affibody molecule
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Molecular Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0022-2836 .- 1089-8638. ; 376:5, s. 1388-1402
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The epidermal growth factor receptor 1 (EGFR) is overexpressed in various malignancies and is associated with a poor patient prognosis. A small, receptor-specific, high-affinity imaging agent would be a useful tool in diagnosing malignant tumors and in deciding upon treatment and assessing the response to treatment. We describe here the affinity maturation procedure for the generation of Affibody molecules binding with high affinity and specificity to EGFR. A library for affinity maturation was constructed by rerandomization of selected positions after the alignment of first-generation binding variants. New binders were selected with phage display technology, using a single oligonucleotide in a single-library effort, and the best second-generation binders had an approximately 30-fold improvement in affinity (K(d)=5-10 nM) for the soluble extracellular domain of EGFR in biospecific interaction analysis using Biacore. The dissociation equilibrium constant, K(d), was also determined for the Affibody with highest affinity using EGFR-expressing A431 cells in flow cytometric analysis (K(d)=2.8 nM). A retained high specificity for EGFR was verified by a dot blot assay showing staining only of EGFR proteins among a panel of serum proteins and other EGFR family member proteins (HER2, HER3, and HER4). The EGFR-binding Affibody molecules were radiolabeled with indium-111, showing specific binding to EGFR-expressing A431 cells and successful targeting of the A431 tumor xenografts with 4-6% injected activity per gram accumulated in the tumor 4 h postinjection.
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| 6. |
- Furmark, Tomas, et al.
(författare)
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A link between serotonin-related gene polymorphisms, amygdala activity, and placebo-induced relief from social anxiety
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Neuroscience. - 0270-6474 .- 1529-2401. ; 28:49, s. 13066-74
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Placebo may yield beneficial effects that are indistinguishable from those of active medication, but the factors underlying proneness to respond to placebo are widely unknown. Here, we used functional neuroimaging to examine neural correlates of anxiety reduction resulting from sustained placebo treatment under randomized double-blind conditions, in patients with social anxiety disorder. Brain activity was assessed during a stressful public speaking task by means of positron emission tomography before and after an 8 week treatment period. Patients were genotyped with respect to the serotonin transporter-linked polymorphic region (5-HTTLPR) and the G-703T polymorphism in the tryptophan hydroxylase-2 (TPH2) gene promoter. Results showed that placebo response was accompanied by reduced stress-related activity in the amygdala, a brain region crucial for emotional processing. However, attenuated amygdala activity was demonstrable only in subjects who were homozygous for the long allele of the 5-HTTLPR or the G variant of the TPH2 G-703T polymorphism, and not in carriers of short or T alleles. Moreover, the TPH2 polymorphism was a significant predictor of clinical placebo response, homozygosity for the G allele being associated with greater improvement in anxiety symptoms. Path analysis supported that the genetic effect on symptomatic improvement with placebo is mediated by its effect on amygdala activity. Hence, our study shows, for the first time, evidence of a link between genetically controlled serotonergic modulation of amygdala activity and placebo-induced anxiety relief.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Lorentzon, Mattias, 1970, et al.
(författare)
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Association between physical activity and BMD in young men is modulated by catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) genotype: the GOOD study
- 2007
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Ingår i: J Bone Miner Res. - : Wiley. - 0884-0431 .- 0884-0431 .- 1523-4681. ; 22:8, s. 1165-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this large population-based study in young men, we show that the COMT val158met polymorphism modulates the association between physical activity, aBMD (DXA), and trabecular vBMD (pQCT). INTRODUCTION: Peak BMD is an important predictor of future risk of osteoporosis and is largely determined by genetic factors but also by environmental factors, among which physical activity (PA) is a strong contributor. Estrogens are believed to influence the mechanical strain signal generated by bones subjected to mechanical loading. Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) is involved in the degradation of estrogens. A functional polymorphism in the COMT gene (val158met), results in a 60-75% difference in enzyme activity between the val (high activity = H) and met (low activity = L) variants. The aim of this study was to determine if the COMT val158met polymorphism modulates the association between PA and BMD in young men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The Gothenburg Osteoporosis and Obesity Determinants (GOOD) study consists of 1068 men (age, 18.9 +/- 0.6 yr). Areal BMD (aBMD) was measured by DXA, whereas cortical and trabecular volumetric BMD (vBMD) were measured by pQCT. Study subjects were genotyped and classified as COMT(LL), COMT(HL), or COMT(HH). The amount (h/wk) of PA was determined through questionnaires. RESULTS: Using a linear regression model (including age, height, weight, smoking, and calcium intake as covariates), significant interactions between the COMT genotype and PA were seen for aBMD at all sites and for trabecular vBMD in both the radius and the tibia. The difference in adjusted aBMD and trabecular vBMD between high (>or=4 h/wk) and low PA (<4 h/wk) was greater in COMT(LL) subjects than in subjects homozygous for the COMT(HH) (total body aBMD: COMT(LL) 4.2% versus COMT(HH) 1.5%, p = 0.02; lumbar spine aBMD: COMT(LL) 7.8% versus COMT(HH) 3.9%, p = 0.04; tibia trabecular vBMD: COMT(LL) 7.1% versus COMT(HH) 1.0%, p < 0.01). The COMT polymorphism was associated with aBMD, at all sites and with trabecular vBMD in the low-PA subjects, but not in their high-PA counterparts. CONCLUSIONS: We show that the COMT val158met polymorphism modulates the association between PA, aBMD, and trabecular vBMD, suggesting that this polymorphism is of importance for BMD in subjects with a low level of PA.
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| 9. |
- Orlova, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Tumor imaging using a picomolar affinity HER2 binding affibody molecule
- 2006
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Ingår i: Cancer Research. - 0008-5472 .- 1538-7445. ; 66:8, s. 4339-48
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The detection of cell-bound proteins that are produced due to aberrant gene expression in malignant tumors can provide important diagnostic information influencing patient management. The use of small radiolabeled targeting proteins would enable high-contrast radionuclide imaging of cancers expressing such antigens if adequate binding affinity and specificity could be provided. Here, we describe a HER2-specific 6 kDa Affibody molecule (hereinafter denoted Affibody molecule) with 22 pmol/L affinity that can be used for the visualization of HER2 expression in tumors in vivo using gamma camera. A library for affinity maturation was constructed by re-randomization of relevant positions identified after the alignment of first-generation variants of nanomolar affinity (50 nmol/L). One selected Affibody molecule, Z(HER2:342) showed a >2,200-fold increase in affinity achieved through a single-library affinity maturation step. When radioiodinated, the affinity-matured Affibody molecule showed clear, high-contrast visualization of HER2-expressing xenografts in mice as early as 6 hours post-injection. The tumor uptake at 4 hours post-injection was improved 4-fold (due to increased affinity) with 9% of the injected dose per gram of tissue in the tumor. Affibody molecules represent a new class of affinity molecules that can provide small sized, high affinity cancer-specific ligands, which may be well suited for tumor imaging.
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| 10. |
- Ovchinnikova, Olga, et al.
(författare)
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T-Cell Activation Leads to Reduced Collagen Maturation in Atherosclerotic Plaques of Apoe−/− Mice
- 2009
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Ingår i: American Journal of Pathology. - : Elsevier. - 0002-9440 .- 1525-2191. ; 174:2, s. 693-700
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rupture of the collagenous, fibrous cap of an atherosclerotic plaque commonly causes thrombosis. Activated immune cells can secrete mediators that jeopardize the integrity of the fibrous cap. This study aimed to determine the relationship between T-cell-mediated inflammation and collagen turnover in a mouse model of experimental atherosclerosis. Both Apoe(-/-) x CD4dnT beta RII mice with defective transforming growth factor-beta receptors in T cells (and hence released from tonic suppression of T-cell activation) and lesion size-matched Apoe(-/-) mice were used. Picrosirius red staining showed a lower content of thick mature collagen fibers in lesions of Apoe(-/-) x CD4dnT beta RII mice, although both groups had similar levels of procollagen type I or M mRNA and total collagen content in lesions. Analysis of both gene expression and protein content showed a significant decrease of lysyl oxidase, the extracellular enzyme needed for collagen cross-linking, in aortas of Apoe(-/-) - CD4dnT beta RII mice. T-cell-driven inflammation provoked a selective and limited increase in the expression of proteinases that catabolize the extracellular matrix. Atheromata of Apoe(-/-) - CD4dnT beta RII mice had increased levels of matrix metalloproteinase-13 and cathepsin S mRNAs and of the active form of cathepsin S protein but no increase was detected in collagen fragmentation. our results suggest that exaggerated T-cell-driven inflammation limits collagen maturation in the atherosclerotic plaque while having little effect on collagen degradation.
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