| 1. |
- Gudbjartsson, Daniel F., et al.
(författare)
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Sequence variants affecting eosinophil numbers associate with asthma and myocardial infarction
- 2009
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 41:3, s. 342-347
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Eosinophils are pleiotropic multifunctional leukocytes involved in initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses and thus have important roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Here we describe a genome-wide association scan for sequence variants affecting eosinophil counts in blood of 9,392 Icelanders. The most significant SNPs were studied further in 12,118 Europeans and 5,212 East Asians. SNPs at 2q12 (rs1420101), 2q13 (rs12619285), 3q21 (rs4857855), 5q31 (rs4143832) and 12q24 (rs3184504) reached genome-wide significance (P = 5.3 x 10(-14), 5.4 x 10(-10), 8.6 x 10(-17), 1.2 x 10(-10) and 6.5 x 10(-19), respectively). A SNP at IL1RL1 associated with asthma (P = 5.5 x 10(-12)) in a collection of ten different populations (7,996 cases and 44,890 controls). SNPs at WDR36, IL33 and MYB that showed suggestive association with eosinophil counts were also associated with atopic asthma (P = 4.2 x 10(-6), 2.2 x 10(-5) and 2.4 x 10(-4), respectively). We also found that a nonsynonymous SNP at 12q24, in SH2B3, associated significantly (P = 8.6 x 10(-8)) with myocardial infarction in six different populations (6,650 cases and 40,621 controls).
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| 2. |
- Dieppe, Paul, et al.
(författare)
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Variations in the pre-operative status of patients coming to primary hip replacement for osteoarthritis in European orthopaedic centres
- 2009
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Ingår i: BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2474. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Total hip joint replacement (THR) is a high volume, effective intervention for hip osteoarthritis (OA). However, indications and determinants of outcome remain unclear. The 'EUROHIP consortium' has undertaken a cohort study to investigate these questions. This paper describes the variations in disease severity in this cohort and the relationships between clinical and radiographic severity, and explores some of the determinants of variation. Methods: A minimum of 50 consecutive, consenting patients coming to primary THR for primary hip OA in each of the 20 participating orthopaedic centres entered the study. Pre-operative data included demographics, employment and educational attainment, drug utilisation, and involvement of other joints. Each subject completed the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC - Likert version 3.1). Other data collected at the time of surgery included the prosthesis used and American Society of Anaesthesiologists (ASA) status. Preoperative radiographs were read by the same three readers for Kellgren and Lawrence (K&L) grading and Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) atlas features. Regression analyses were carried out. Results: Data from 1327 subjects has been analysed. The mean age of the group was 65.7 years, and there were more women (53.4%) than men. Most (79%) were ASA status 1 or 2. Reported disease duration was 5 years or less in 69.2%. Disease in other joint sites was common. Radiographs were available in 1051 subjects and the K&L grade was 3 or 4 in 95.8%. There was much more variation in clinical severity (WOMAC score); the mean total WOMAC score was 59.2 (SD 16.1). The radiographic severity showed no correlation with WOMAC scores. Significantly higher WOMAC scores (worse disease) were seen in older people, women, those with obesity, those with worse general health, and those with lower educational attainment. Conclusion: 1. Clinical disease severity varies widely at the time of THR for OA. 2. In advanced hip OA clinical severity shows no correlation with radiographic severity. 3. Simple scores of pain and disability do not reflect the complexity of decision-making about who should have a THR.
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| 3. |
- Sneddon, Alan A, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of a conjugated linoleic acid and omega-3 fatty acid mixture on body composition and adiponectin
- 2008
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Ingår i: Obesity. - : Wiley. - 1930-739X .- 1930-7381. ; 16:5, s. 1019-1024
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study aimed to determine the effect of supplementation with conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) plus n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3 LC-PUFAs) on body composition, adiposity, and hormone levels in young and older, lean and obese men. Young (31.4 +/- 3.9 years) lean (BMI, 23.6 +/- 1.5 kg/m(2); n = 13) and obese (BMI, 32.4 +/- 1.9 kg/m(2); n = 12) and older (56.5 +/- 4.6 years) lean (BMI, 23.6 +/- 1.5 kg/m(2); n = 20) and obese (BMI, 32.0 +/- 1.6 kg/m(2); n = 14) men participated in a double-blind placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study. Subjects received either 6 g/day control fat or 3 g/day CLA (50:50 cis-9, trans-11: trans-10, cis-12) and 3 g/day n-3 LC-PUFA for 12 weeks with a 12-week wash-out period between crossovers. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fasting adiponectin, leptin, glucose, and insulin concentrations were measured and insulin resistance estimated by homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In the younger obese subjects, CLA plus n-3 LC-PUFA supplementation compared with control fat did not result in increased abdominal fat and raised both fat-free mass (2.4%) and adiponectin levels (12%). CLA plus n-3 LC-PUFA showed no significant effects on HOMA-IR in any group but did increase fasting glucose in older obese subjects. In summary, supplementation with CLA plus n-3 LC-PUFA prevents increased abdominal fat mass and raises fat-free mass and adiponectin levels in younger obese individuals without deleteriously affecting insulin sensitivity, whereas these parameters in young and older lean and older obese individuals were unaffected, apart from increased fasting glucose in older obese men.
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| 4. |
- Tait, Karen, et al.
(författare)
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Disruption of quorum sensing in seawater abolishes attraction of zoospores of the green alga Ulva to bacterial biofilms.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Environ Microbiol. - 1462-2912. ; 7:2, s. 229-40
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Zoospores of the eukaryotic green seaweed Ulva respond to bacterial N-acylhomoserine lactone (AHL) quorum sensing signal molecules for the selection of surface sites for permanent attachment. In this study we have investigated the production and destruction of AHLs in biofilms of the AHL-producing marine bacterium, Vibrio anguillarum and their stability in seawater. While wild type V. anguillarum NB10 was a strong attractor of zoospores, inactivation of AHL production in this strain by either expressing the recombinant Bacillus lactonase coding gene aiiA, or by mutating the AHL biosynthetic genes, resulted in the abolition of zoospore attraction. In seawater, with a pH of 8.2, the degradation of AHL molecules was temperature-dependent, indicating that the AHLs produced by marine bacterial biofilms have short half-lives. The Ulva zoospores sensed a range of different AHL molecules and in particular more zoospores settled on surfaces releasing AHLs with longer (>six carbons) N-linked acyl chains. However, this finding is likely to be influenced by the differential diffusion rates of AHLs from the experimental surface matrix. Molecules with longer N-acyl chains, such as N-(3-oxodecanoyl)- L-homoserine lactone, diffused more slowly than those with shorter N-acyl chains such as N-(3-hydroxy-hexanoyl)- L-homoserine lactone. Image analysis using GFP-tagged V. anguillarum biofilms revealed that spores settle directly on bacterial cells and in particular on microcolonies which we show are sites of concentrated AHL production.
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| 5. |
- Tsofliou, Fotini, et al.
(författare)
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Modulation of Fasted and Postprandial Plasma Lipids in Healthy Volunteers by a Dietary Mixture of Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Conjugated Linoleic Acid
- 2009
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Ingår i: Journal of Food Lipids. - : Wiley. - 1065-7258 .- 1745-4522. ; 16:4, s. 499-513
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Effects of a dietary combination of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLAs) on fasting and postprandial plasma lipids was investigated in healthy volunteers with different ages and body mass index (BMI). Lean (BMI 20-26 kg/m2) and obese (BMI 29-35 kg/m2), young (20-37 years) and older (50-65 years) men consumed 3 g/day each of CLA and n-3-PUFA or 6 g/day control oil for 12 weeks in a double-blinded, placebo-controlled, randomized crossover study. In older lean subjects, CLA/n-3-PUFA supplementation reduced fasting nonesterified fatty acids (NEFAs) concentrations compared with the control oil (P < 0.05). However, in older obese subjects, CLA/n-3-PUFA increased fasting low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P < 0.05) and postprandial total cholesterol levels (P < 0.05). In young lean subjects, CLA/n-3-PUFA reduced postprandial NEFA levels (P < 0.05) whereas in young obese subjects, postprandial total cholesterol and triacylglycerols were lowered (both P < 0.05). Therefore, a dietary combination of CLA together with n-3-PUFA may have favorable effects on plasma lipids in young and older lean men but detrimental effects in older obese men. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS This study suggests that where individuals consume a combination of both omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid supplements in order to obtain potential additive beneficial effects of each lipid on adiposity and health, this particular fatty acid combination may have harmful effects on plasma lipid biomarkers of cardiovascular disease in older obese men.
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| 6. |
- Ursu, Marian F, et al.
(författare)
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Interactive TV Narratives : Opportunities, Progress and Challenges
- 2008
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Ingår i: ACM Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications (TOMCCAP). - : Transactions on Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Applications (TOMCAAP). - 1551-6857 .- 1551-6865. ; 4:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper is motivated by the question whether television should do more than simply offer interactive services alongside (and separately from) traditional linear programmes, in the context of its dominance being seriously challenged and threatened by interactive forms of screen media entertainment. It suggests: yes. Interactive narrativity, i.e. the ability to interact with (and influence) stories whilst they are being told, represents one clear development-path for interactive television. The capabilities of computing technology are ripe for exploring this new form of storytelling, from creation to commercial distribution. The paper starts with looking at the relationship between narrativity and interactivity in the current context of screen media, and identifies clear signs of interest from certain European public broadcasters in interactive TV narratives. It then presents in detail four recent experimental interactive TV productions in the genres of drama, news, and documentary, developed in collaboration with public broadcasters, which illustrate the potential and richness of this new form of storytelling, but also highlight new technological capabilities necessary for such productions. A number of essential technological requirements are then discussed in more detail in the final part. The paper suggests that the ShapeShifting Media Technology, employed in the implementation of the four productions, has made significant advances both at the technological and the creative ends in supporting the development of interactive TV narrativity, but, however, that further developments are required before being able to answer questions such as “would end users want such a form of screen media entertainment?” and “would it be effective for both end-users and producers?”
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| 7. |
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