| 1. |
- Larsson, Simon, 1982, et al.
(author)
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Contextualizing negative attitudes to wildlife and wildlife governance in the moral economy of Swedish farmers
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Conservation Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2673-611X. ; 3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conflicts over managing large carnivores have been prominent in Sweden in recent decades. The most significant controversies are related to wolves, but the bear, lynx, and wolverine are also included. While the state and environmental organizations make efforts to guarantee a viable population of the large protected carnivores, farmers generally have a negative attitude towards large carnivores and a low level of trust in wildlife governance. Based on 22 in-depth interviews, 37 telephone questionnaires with Swedish farmers, and an analysis of 111 applications for protective hunting, this paper aims to demonstrate how these farmers’ perspectives on large carnivores can be explained by moral (sense of right and wrong) and moral economy (a system of obligations related to values and relations intervening with political views and financial decisions). The paper argues that farming, in addition to being an economic activity, is integrated with values, heritage, and relations to other human beings and animals. Farmers understand these values to be threatened by large carnivores, especially by wolves. The paper contextualizes negative sentiments, conflicts, protests, and also illegal hunting of large carnivores in relation to a sense of morals, sense of fairness, meanings, traditions, and mechanisms of daily life. We argue that this perspective provides a lens through which to interpret the conflict between farmers on the one side and the state and animal rights activists on the other. Such interpretation has consequences for understanding the legitimacy of government, shifting the focus from the processes of political governance (predominant in liberal political philosophy) to legitimacy tied to collective notions of social goods.
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| 2. |
- Bahnan, Wael, et al.
(author)
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Spike-Dependent Opsonization Indicates Both Dose-Dependent Inhibition of Phagocytosis and That Non-Neutralizing Antibodies Can Confer Protection to SARS-CoV-2
- 2022
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In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-3224. ; 12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Spike-specific antibodies are central to effective COVID19 immunity. Research efforts have focused on antibodies that neutralize the ACE2-Spike interaction but not on non-neutralizing antibodies. Antibody-dependent phagocytosis is an immune mechanism enhanced by opsonization, where typically, more bound antibodies trigger a stronger phagocyte response. Here, we show that Spike-specific antibodies, dependent on concentration, can either enhance or reduce Spike-bead phagocytosis by monocytes independently of the antibody neutralization potential. Surprisingly, we find that both convalescent patient plasma and patient-derived monoclonal antibodies lead to maximum opsonization already at low levels of bound antibodies and is reduced as antibody binding to Spike protein increases. Moreover, we show that this Spike-dependent modulation of opsonization correlate with the outcome in an experimental SARS-CoV-2 infection model. These results suggest that the levels of anti-Spike antibodies could influence monocyte-mediated immune functions and propose that non-neutralizing antibodies could confer protection to SARS-CoV-2 infection by mediating phagocytosis.
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| 3. |
- Ghalwash, Mohamed, et al.
(author)
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Islet autoantibody screening in at-risk adolescents to predict type 1 diabetes until young adulthood : a prospective cohort study
- 2023
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In: The Lancet Child and Adolescent Health. - 2352-4642. ; 7:4, s. 261-268
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Screening for islet autoantibodies in children and adolescents identifies individuals who will later develop type 1 diabetes, allowing patient and family education to prevent diabetic ketoacidosis at onset and to enable consideration of preventive therapies. We aimed to assess whether islet autoantibody screening is effective for predicting type 1 diabetes in adolescents aged 10−18 years with an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes. Methods: Data were harmonised from prospective studies from Finland (the Diabetes Prediction and Prevention study), Germany (the BABYDIAB study), and the USA (Diabetes Autoimmunity Study in the Young and the Diabetes Evaluation in Washington study). Autoantibodies against insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and insulinoma-associated protein 2 were measured at each follow-up visit. Children who were lost to follow-up or diagnosed with type 1 diabetes before 10 years of age were excluded. Inverse probability censoring weighting was used to include data from remaining participants. Sensitivity and the positive predictive value of these autoantibodies, tested at one or two ages, to predict type 1 diabetes by the age of 18 years were the main outcomes. Findings: Of 20 303 children with an increased type 1 diabetes risk, 8682 were included for the analysis with inverse probability censoring weighting. 1890 were followed up to 18 years of age or developed type 1 diabetes between the ages of 10 years and 18 years, and their median follow-up was 18·3 years (IQR 14·5–20·3). 442 (23·4%) of 1890 adolescents were positive for at least one islet autoantibody, and 262 (13·9%) developed type 1 diabetes. Time from seroconversion to diabetes diagnosis increased by 0·64 years (95% CI 0·34–0·95) for each 1-year increment of diagnosis age (Pearson's correlation coefficient 0·88, 95% CI 0·50–0·97, p=0·0020). The median interval between the last prediagnostic sample and diagnosis was 0·3 years (IQR 0·1–1·3) in the 227 participants who were autoantibody positive and 6·8 years (1·6–9·9) for the 35 who were autoantibody negative. Single screening at the age of 10 years was 90% (95% CI 86–95) sensitive, with a positive predictive value of 66% (60–72) for clinical diabetes. Screening at two ages (10 years and 14 years) increased sensitivity to 93% (95% CI 89–97) but lowered the positive predictive value to 55% (49–60). Interpretation: Screening of adolescents at risk for type 1 diabetes only once at 10 years of age for islet autoantibodies was highly effective to detect type 1 diabetes by the age of 18 years, which in turn could enable prevention of diabetic ketoacidosis and participation in secondary prevention trials. Funding: JDRF International.
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| 4. |
- Groß, Rüdiger, et al.
(author)
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Macromolecular Viral Entry Inhibitors as Broad-Spectrum First-Line Antivirals with Activity against SARS-CoV-2
- 2022
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In: Advanced Science. - : Wiley. - 2198-3844. ; 9:20
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Inhibitors of viral cell entry based on poly(styrene sulfonate) and its core–shell nanoformulations based on gold nanoparticles are investigated against a panel of viruses, including clinical isolates of SARS-CoV-2. Macromolecular inhibitors are shown to exhibit the highly sought-after broad-spectrum antiviral activity, which covers most analyzed enveloped viruses and all of the variants of concern for SARS-CoV-2 tested. The inhibitory activity is quantified in vitro in appropriate cell culture models and for respiratory viral pathogens (respiratory syncytial virus and SARS-CoV-2) in mice. Results of this study comprise a significant step along the translational path of macromolecular inhibitors of virus cell entry, specifically against enveloped respiratory viruses.
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| 5. |
- Hylander, Terese, et al.
(author)
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Intralymphatic immunotherapy of pollen-induced rhinoconjunctivitis: a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.
- 2016
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In: Respiratory Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1465-9921 .- 1465-993X. ; 17:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Allergen-specific immunotherapy represents the only disease-modifying treatment for allergic diseases. We and others have previously demonstrated that intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT), a less time-consuming alternative to conventional subcutaneous immunotherapy (SCIT), is safe and effective. However, this has recently been disputed. The aim of this study was therefore to expand our previous trial, further assessing the safety and efficacy of ILIT.
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| 6. |
- Izadi, Arman, et al.
(author)
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Subclass-switched anti-Spike IgG3 oligoclonal cocktails strongly enhance Fc-mediated opsonization
- 2023
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In: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490. ; 120:15
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Antibodies play a central role in the immune defense against SARS-CoV-2. Emerging evidence has shown that nonneutralizing antibodies are important for immune defense through Fc-mediated effector functions. Antibody subclass is known to affect downstream Fc function. However, whether the antibody subclass plays a role in anti-SARS-CoV-2 immunity remains unclear. Here, we subclass-switched eight human IgG1 anti-spike monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to the IgG3 subclass by exchanging their constant domains. The IgG3 mAbs exhibited altered avidities to the spike protein and more potent Fc-mediated phagocytosis and complement activation than their IgG1 counterparts. Moreover, combining mAbs into oligoclonal cocktails led to enhanced Fc- and complement receptor-mediated phagocytosis, superior to even the most potent single IgG3 mAb when compared at equivalent concentrations. Finally, in an in vivo model, we show that opsonic mAbs of both subclasses can be protective against a SARS-CoV-2 infection, despite the antibodies being nonneutralizing. Our results suggest that opsonic IgG3 oligoclonal cocktails are a promising idea to explore for therapy against SARS-CoV-2, its emerging variants, and potentially other viruses.
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| 7. |
- Larsson, Anthony, et al.
(author)
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Welfare services in an era of digital disruption : How digitalization reshapes the health care market
- 2019. - 1st
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In: Digital Transformation and Public Services : Societal Impacts in Sweden and Beyond. - Oxon : Routledge. - 9780429319297 - 9780367333430 ; , s. 33-57
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Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This chapter examines public and private actors’ reactions to the emergent use of telemedicine on the Swedish primary health care market. The purpose is to investigate how the industry change, brought on by technological advancements, affects the actors’ perception of their roles in the market and, in particular, their roles in relation to each other. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with representatives from the 1) public sector, 2) private telemedicine companies, and 3) private industry organizations. The results indicate that both the public and private sector anticipate telemedicine to carry a significant future impact on the health care market and its dynamics. Nevertheless, the perceived potential of influencing the new market frames differed between the different actors. The results also indicated that increased collaborative efforts can be expected to emerge due to the rise of telemedicine. Still, the different actors perceived various obstacles toward this development. The study concludes by suggesting several practical implications for the public as well as the private sector.
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| 8. |
- Larsson, Matilda, et al.
(author)
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Melt processability and thermomechanical properties of blends based on polyhydroxyalkanoates and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate)
- 2016
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In: RSC Advances. - 2046-2069. ; 6:50, s. 44354-44363
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The limited thermal stability of polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) hinders their wide applicability, and methods to improve the processability of these biopolyesters are needed for efficient processing, e.g. by melt extrusion. In the present study we have shown by isothermal gravimetry, dynamic rheology and molecular weight analysis that the thermal stability of the PHAs at the processing temperature can be dramatically improved by simply washing the materials in a 1 mM aqueous HCl solution. Hence, the thermal decomposition temperature increased by up to 50 °C after the treatment. Subsequently, treated poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-4-hydroxybutyrate) were blended with different amounts of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) by melt extrusion in order to further enhance the processability and thermomechanical properties. Microscopy of freeze fractured samples of the biodegradable blends showed phase separated blends with poor interfacial adhesion. Melt rheology and dynamic mechanical analysis results indicated a phase inversion between 60 and 80 wt% of the respective PHA. After adding dicumyl peroxide during the extrusion, the interfacial adhesion improved significantly, and the dynamic shear and tensile storage modulii increased with increasing content of the peroxide. The results of the present study demonstrate that an acid wash may significantly improve processability of PHAs, and that combinations of blending and reactive extrusion can be employed to further enhance and tune the thermomechanical properties of the materials.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Larsson, Olivia, et al.
(author)
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Novel strategies for the treatment of grass pollen-induced allergic rhinitis
- 2016
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In: Expert Opinion on Biological Therapy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1471-2598 .- 1744-7682. ; 16:9, s. 1143-1150
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Allergic rhinitis (AR) affects over 20% of the population of Europe and the United States. Allergen immunotherapy (AIT) is currently the only form of treatment that affects symptoms and modifies the progression of disease. Established forms of AIT include subcutaneous (SCIT) and sublingual (SLIT) immunotherapy and are widely effective, yet only 2-9% of eligible patients undergo therapy, likely due to the long duration of treatment. As a result, novel, faster forms of AIT are currently under development. Areas covered: This article provides an overview of AR and summarises the efficacy and mechanisms of established forms of AIT, highlighting the current drawbacks. We discuss novel strategies of AIT that have been developed in an attempt to tackle these limitations, including epicutaneous, intradermal and intralymphatic immunotherapy (ILIT), focusing on ILIT, the treatment that has been most comprehensively assessed. Expert opinion: Current strategies to treat AR suffer from a poor safety profile and, importantly, lack of adherence. ILIT is a faster and safer form of AIT, with a treatment regime of only 12 weeks. Further validation is required, but ILIT, with its short and comparatively inexpensive protocol, has the potential to offer disease-modifying therapy to a larger number of patients.
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