| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Kindmark, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
-
Genome-wide pharmacogenetic investigation of a hepatic adverse event without clinical signs of immunopathology suggests an underlying immune pathogenesis
- 2008
-
Ingår i: The Pharmacogenomics Journal. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1470-269X .- 1473-1150. ; 8:3, s. 186-195
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One of the major goals of pharmacogenetics is to elucidate mechanisms and identify patients at increased risk of adverse events (AEs). To date, however, there have been only a few successful examples of this type of approach. In this paper, we describe a retrospective case–control pharmacogenetic study of an AE of unknown mechanism, characterized by elevated levels of serum alanine aminotransferase (ALAT) during long-term treatment with the oral direct thrombin inhibitor ximelagatran. The study was based on 74 cases and 130 treated controls and included both a genome-wide tag single nucleotide polymorphism and large-scale candidate gene analysis. A strong genetic association between elevated ALAT and the MHC alleles DRB1*07 and DQA1*02 was discovered and replicated, suggesting a possible immune pathogenesis. Consistent with this hypothesis, immunological studies suggest that ximelagatran may have the ability to act as a contact sensitizer, and hence be able to stimulate an adaptive immune response.
|
|
| 3. |
- De Craemer, M, et al.
(författare)
-
Applying the Intervention Mapping protocol to develop a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to increase European preschool children's physical activity levels : the ToyBox-study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Obesity Reviews. - : Wiley. - 1467-7881 .- 1467-789X. ; 15:Suppl 3, s. 14-26
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although sufficient physical activity is beneficial for preschoolers' health, activity levels in most preschoolers are low. As preschoolers spend a considerable amount of time at home and at kindergarten, interventions should target both environments to increase their activity levels. The aim of the current paper was to describe the six different steps of the Intervention Mapping protocol towards the systematic development and implementation of the physical activity component of the ToyBox-intervention. This intervention is a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention implemented across six European countries. Based on the results of literature reviews and focus groups with parents/caregivers and kindergarten teachers, matrices of change objectives were created. Then, theory-based methods and practical strategies were selected to develop intervention materials at three different levels: (i) individual level (preschoolers); (ii) interpersonal level (parents/caregivers) and (iii) organizational level (teachers). This resulted in a standardized intervention with room for local and cultural adaptations in each participating country. Although the Intervention Mapping protocol is a time-consuming process, using this systematic approach may lead to an increase in intervention effectiveness. The presented matrices of change objectives are useful for future programme planners to develop and implement an intervention based on the Intervention Mapping protocol to increase physical activity levels in preschoolers.
|
|
| 4. |
- De Miguel-Etayo, P., et al.
(författare)
-
Reliability of anthropometric measurements in European preschool children : the ToyBox-study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Obesity Reviews. - : Wiley. - 1467-7881 .- 1467-789X. ; 15:Suppl 3, s. 67-73
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ToyBox-study aims to develop and test an innovative and evidence-based obesity prevention programme for preschoolers in six European countries: Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain. In multicentre studies, anthropometric measurements using standardized procedures that minimize errors in the data collection are essential to maximize reliability of measurements. The aim of this paper is to describe the standardization process and reliability (intra- and inter-observer) of height, weight and waist circumference (WC) measurements in preschoolers. All technical procedures and devices were standardized and centralized training was given to the fieldworkers. At least seven children per country participated in the intra- and inter-observer reliability testing. Intra-observer technical error ranged from 0.00 to 0.03 kg for weight and from 0.07 to 0.20 cm for height, with the overall reliability being above 99%. A second training was organized for WC due to low reliability observed in the first training. Intra-observer technical error for WC ranged from 0.12 to 0.71 cm during the first training and from 0.05 to 1.11 cm during the second training, and reliability above 92% was achieved. Epidemiological surveys need standardized procedures and training of researchers to reduce measurement error. In the ToyBox-study, very good intra- and-inter-observer agreement was achieved for all anthropometric measurements performed.
|
|
| 5. |
- González-Gil, E. M., et al.
(författare)
-
Reliability of primary caregivers reports on lifestyle behaviours of European pre-school children : the ToyBox-study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Obesity Reviews. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1467-7881 .- 1467-789X. ; 15:Suppl 3, s. 61-66
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reliable assessments of health-related behaviours are necessary for accurate evaluation on the efficiency of public health interventions. The aim of the current study was to examine the reliability of a self-administered primary caregivers questionnaire (PCQ) used in the ToyBox-intervention. The questionnaire consisted of six sections addressing sociodemographic and perinatal factors, water and beverages consumption, physical activity, snacking and sedentary behaviours. Parents/caregivers from six countries (Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain) were asked to complete the questionnaire twice within a 2-week interval. A total of 93 questionnaires were collected. Test-retest reliability was assessed using intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Reliability of the six questionnaire sections was assessed. A stronger agreement was observed in the questions addressing sociodemographic and perinatal factors as opposed to questions addressing behaviours. Findings showed that 92% of the ToyBox PCQ had a moderate-to-excellent test-retest reliability (defined as ICC values from 0.41 to 1) and less than 8% poor test-retest reliability (ICC < 0.40). Out of the total ICC values, 67% showed good-to-excellent reliability (ICC from 0.61 to 1). We conclude that the PCQ is a reliable tool to assess sociodemographic characteristics, perinatal factors and lifestyle behaviours of pre-school children and their families participating in the ToyBox-intervention.
|
|
| 6. |
- Heath, Simon C., et al.
(författare)
-
Investigation of the fine structure of European populations with applications to disease association studies
- 2008
-
Ingår i: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 16:12, s. 1413-1429
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An investigation into fine-scale European population structure was carried out using high-density genetic variation on nearly 6000 individuals originating from across Europe. The individuals were collected as control samples and were genotyped with more than 300 000 SNPs in genome-wide association studies using the Illumina Infinium platform. A major East-West gradient from Russian (Moscow) samples to Spanish samples was identified as the first principal component (PC) of the genetic diversity. The second PC identified a North-South gradient from Norway and Sweden to Romania and Spain. Variation of frequencies at markers in three separate genomic regions, surrounding LCT, HLA and HERC2, were strongly associated with this gradient. The next 18 PCs also accounted for a significant proportion of genetic diversity observed in the sample. We present a method to predict the ethnic origin of samples by comparing the sample genotypes with those from a reference set of samples of known origin. These predictions can be performed using just summary information on the known samples, and individual genotype data are not required. We discuss issues raised by these data and analyses for association studies including the matching of case-only cohorts to appropriate pre-collected control samples for genome-wide association studies.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Li, Hui, et al.
(författare)
-
Simple plant and microbial exudates destabilize mineral-Associated organic matter via multiple pathways
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science and Technology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0013-936X .- 1520-5851. ; 55:5, s. 3389-3398
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Most mineral-Associated organic matter (MAOM) is protected against microbial attack, thereby contributing to longterm carbon storage in soils. However, the extent to which reactive compounds released by plants and microbes may destabilize MAOM and so enhance microbial access, as well as the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. Here, we tested the ability of functionally distinct model exudates-ligands, reductants, and simple sugars-To promote microbial utilization of monomeric MAOM, bound via outer-sphere complexes to common iron and aluminum (hydr)oxide minerals. The strong ligand oxalic acid induced rapid MAOM mineralization, coinciding with greater sorption to and dissolution of minerals, suggestive of direct MAOM mobilization mechanisms. In contrast, the simple sugar glucose caused slower MAOM mineralization, but stimulated microbial activity and metabolite production, indicating an indirect microbially-mediated mechanism. Catechol, acting as reductant, promoted both mechanisms. While MAOM on ferrihydrite showed the greatest vulnerability to both direct and indirect mechanisms, MAOM on other (hydr)oxides was more susceptible to direct mechanisms. These findings suggest that MAOM persistence, and thus longterm carbon storage within a given soil, is not just a function of mineral reactivity but also depends on the capacity of plant roots and associated microbes to produce reactive compounds capable of triggering specific destabilization mechanisms.
|
|
| 9. |
- Mouratidou, T, et al.
(författare)
-
Tools, harmonization and standardization procedures of the impact and outcome evaluation indices obtained during a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to prevent obesity in early childhood : the ToyBox-study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Obesity Reviews. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1467-7881 .- 1467-789X. ; 15:Suppl 3, s. 53-60
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ToyBox-intervention is a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention targeting multiple lifestyle behaviours in preschool children, their teachers and their families. This intervention was conducted in six European countries, namely Belgium, Bulgaria, Germany, Greece, Poland and Spain. The aim of this paper is to provide a descriptive overview of the harmonization and standardization procedures of the baseline and follow-up evaluation of the study (and substudies). Steps related to the study's operational, standardization and harmonization procedures as well as the impact and outcome evaluation assessment tools used are presented. Experiences from the project highlight the importance of safeguarding the measurement process to minimize data heterogeneity derived from potential measurement error and country-by-country differences. In addition, it was made clear that continuing quality control and support is an important component of such studies. For this reason, well-supported communication channels, such as regular email updates and teleconferences, and regular internal and external meetings to ensure smooth and accurate implementation were in place during the study. The ToyBox-intervention and its harmonized and standardized procedures can serve as a successful case study for future studies evaluating the efficacy of similar interventions.
|
|
| 10. |
- Pil, L, et al.
(författare)
-
Establishing a method to estimate the cost-effectiveness of a kindergarten-based, family-involved intervention to prevent obesity in early childhood : the ToyBox-study
- 2014
-
Ingår i: Obesity Reviews. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1467-7881 .- 1467-789X. ; 15:Suppl 3, s. 81-89
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Overweight and obesity in children are recognized as a major health problem. The ToyBox-intervention was developed with the aim of preventing obesity in pre-schoolers. Because it is increasingly important to inform policy makers not only on the effects of prevention interventions, but also on their costs and cost-effectiveness, our purpose was to establish a method to estimate the cost-effectiveness of the ToyBox-intervention. In order to estimate the long-term impact of the ToyBox-intervention on health and societal costs, extrapolations of the intervention effect will be conducted to predict children's weight status (based on the body mass index) at adult age. Effects of the adult weight status on the prevalence of obesity-related complications will be modelled through a Markov model, with a total time horizon of 70 years and a cycle length of 1 year. The model will be conducted in six European countries participating in the ToyBox-intervention, based on country-specific economic and epidemiological data. This study describes the methodological rationale and implementation of an analytic model to examine the cost-effectiveness of the ToyBox-intervention for six European countries, in order to inform decision-makers on the value for money of this intervention in the prevention of obesity in pre-schoolers.
|
|
