| 1. |
- Furuhjelm, Catrin
(författare)
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Can fish oil in pregnancy and lactation alter maternal and infant immunological responses and prevent allergy in the offspring?
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: A connection has been proposed between the increase of allergic disease and the altered composition of fatty acids in the diet in the westernised world. Less oily fish and more vegetable oil are consumed today compared to 50-100 years ago. Programming of the immune responses takes place very early in life and environmental factors, such as fish in the diet, have been suggested to protect from infant allergy.Aim: The general aim of this thesis was to assess the effects of maternal dietary supplementation with ω-3 long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFA), i.e. fish oil, in pregnancy and lactation on the development of allergic symptoms and sensitisation in the infants as well as some immunological markers in mothers and infants.Subjects and methods: This thesis is based on the results from a prospective double-blind placebo-controlled multi-centre trial comprising 145 families. Pregnant women, at risk of having an allergic infant, were recruited at the antenatal clinics and randomised to daily supplementation with 1.6 g eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, C20:5ω-3) and 1.1 g docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, C22:6ω-3) or placebo, starting in the 25th gestational week and continuing through 3.5 months of breastfeeding. Phospholipid fatty acids in maternal and infant plasma were analysed to assess compliance. Maternal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), leukotriene B4 (LTB4) and cytokines along with infant vaccine induced responses and chemokines were analysed with ELISA and Luminex techniques. Clinical outcomes were allergic disease and positive skin prick test/detectable circulating IgE antibodies to common allergens.Results: Phospholipid proportions of ω-3 LCPUFA increased significantly in the ω-3 supplemented women and their infants. Lipopolysaccharide-induced PGE2 secretion from whole blood culture supernatants decreased in a majority of the ω-3-supplemented mothers (p<0.01). The decrease in PGE2 production was more pronounced among non-atopic than atopic mothers. No difference in the prevalence of allergic symptoms was found between the intervention groups. The cumulative incidence of IgE associated eczema and IgE mediated food allergy was though reduced in the ω-3 group during the first two years (OR=0.2 and 0.3 compared to placebo, p<0.05 for both). The cumulative incidence of any IgE associated disease during the first two years of life was 13% in the ω-3 supplemented group compared to 30% in the placebo group (p=0.01, OR 0.3, p<0.05). This effect was most evident in infants of non-allergic mothers. Higher maternal and infant proportions of DHA and EPA were associated with lower prevalence of IgE associated disease (p=0.01-0.05), in a dose dependent manner. In addition, no allergic symptoms as compared to multiple allergic symptoms in the infants, regardless of sensitisation, were related to higher maternal and infant ω-3 LCPUFA status (p<0.05). In infants without, but not with, maternal history of allergy, the ω-3 supplementation was related to lower CC-chemokine ligand 17 (CCL17)/ CXC-chemokine ligand 11 (CXCL11) (Th2/Th1) ratios (p<0.05). Furthermore in non-allergic, but not in allergic infants, ω-3 supplementation was linked with higher Th1-associated CXCL11 levels (p<0.05), as well as increased IgG titres to diphtheria (p=0.01) and tetanus (p=0.05) toxins.Conclusions: A decreased cumulative incidence of IgE associated disease in the infants was found after maternal ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation as well as a reverse dose response relationship between maternal ω-3 LCPUFA status and infant IgE associated disease. Higher plasma proportions of DHA and EPA in were also associated to less severe allergic disease. A tendency towards strengthened Th1 associated response after maternal ω-3 LCPUFA supplementation was indicated in the analysis of maternal and infant immunological markers. These effects, as well as the clinical outcomes, were more pronounced in non-allergic individuals, suggesting gene-by-environment interactions.
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| 2. |
- Herrmann, Björn, 1955-, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison between Abbott m2000 RealTime and Alinity m STI systems for detection of Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, and Mycoplasma genitalium
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : Springer. - 0934-9723 .- 1435-4373. ; 40:10, s. 2217-2220
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The new Abbott Alinity m STI Assay was compared with Abbott m2000 RealTime PCR. For Chlamydia trachomatis, 26 (7.5%) of 347 samples were positive in the Alinity assay and 24 (6.9%) in the m2000 assay. Corresponding figures for Neisseria gonorrhoeae were 23 (6.6%) and 17 (4.9%). For Mycoplasma genitalium, 22 (7.9%) of 279 samples were positive in the Alinity assay and 18 (6.5%) in the m2000 assay, for which DNA extraction was performed on an m2000sp instrument combined with in-house real-time PCR. The Alinity assay has at least the same sensitivity as the m2000 assay. The specificity was evaluated by discrepancy analysis.
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| 3. |
- Malmros, Karin, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of antibiotic treatment guidelines for urinary tract infections in 15 European countries : Results of an online survey
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents. - : Elsevier BV. - 0924-8579 .- 1872-7913. ; 54:4, s. 478-486
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Appropriate antibiotic use for urinary tract infections (UTIs) is important in order to provide effective and safe treatment while minimising the risk of antimicrobial resistance development. This survey was carried out to compare existing national guidelines for UTIs in Europe. Experts in 37 European countries were asked to participate. An electronic questionnaire was used to obtain information on treatment recommendations, factors considered important when setting guidelines, acceptable resistance rates for empirical therapy, evidence grading, and existing resistance surveillance for uropathogens. Treatment guidelines and antimicrobial susceptibility data were collected. In total, 22 experts (59%) responded to the survey. National guidelines were missing in four countries and data were incomplete in three cases. Fifteen national guidelines published between 2004 and 2017 were included in the analysis. Great variability was found between guidelines in the selection of antibiotics, dosing regimens and treatment duration. For example, 10 different antibiotics were recommended as first-line therapy for uncomplicated cystitis. National surveillance data on antimicrobial susceptibility of uropathogens were available in 13 of 15 countries. Resistance epidemiology could not explain the observed differences between guidelines, and comparison of resistance rates was hampered by variations in methods. This study revealed major differences in treatment guidelines for UTIs within Europe, indicating that there are opportunities for improvement. More clinical research and a more systematic and stratified approach to resistance surveillance, including also antibiotics that are currently not available in all countries, is needed.
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| 4. |
- Malmros, Karina, et al.
(författare)
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Diagnostic gastrointestinal markers in primary lung cancer and pulmonary metastases
- 2024
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Ingår i: Virchows Archiv. - 0945-6317. ; 485, s. 347-357
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Histopathological diagnosis of pulmonary tumors is essential for treatment decisions. The distinction between primary lung adenocarcinoma and pulmonary metastasis from the gastrointestinal (GI) tract may be difficult. Therefore, we compared the diagnostic value of several immunohistochemical markers in pulmonary tumors. Tissue microarrays from 629 resected primary lung cancers and 422 resected pulmonary epithelial metastases from various sites (whereof 275 colorectal cancer) were investigated for the immunohistochemical expression of CDH17, GPA33, MUC2, MUC6, SATB2, and SMAD4, for comparison with CDX2, CK20, CK7, and TTF-1. The most sensitive markers for GI origin were GPA33 (positive in 98%, 60%, and 100% of pulmonary metastases from colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and other GI adenocarcinomas, respectively), CDX2 (99/40/100%), and CDH17 (99/0/100%). In comparison, SATB2 and CK20 showed higher specificity, with expression in 5% and 10% of mucinous primary lung adenocarcinomas and both in 0% of TTF-1-negative non-mucinous primary lung adenocarcinomas (25–50% and 5–16%, respectively, for GPA33/CDX2/CDH17). MUC2 was negative in all primary lung cancers, but positive only in less than half of pulmonary metastases from mucinous adenocarcinomas from other organs. Combining six GI markers did not perfectly separate primary lung cancers from pulmonary metastases including subgroups such as mucinous adenocarcinomas or CK7-positive GI tract metastases. This comprehensive comparison suggests that CDH17, GPA33, and SATB2 may be used as equivalent alternatives to CDX2 and CK20. However, no single or combination of markers can categorically distinguish primary lung cancers from metastatic GI tract cancer.
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| 5. |
- Søgaard Jørgensen, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Coevolutionary Governance of Antibiotic and Pesticide Resistance
- 2020
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Ingår i: Trends in Ecology & Evolution. - : Elsevier BV. - 0169-5347 .- 1872-8383. ; 35:6, s. 484-494
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Development of new biocides has dominated human responses to evolution of antibiotic and pesticide resistance. Increasing and uniform biocide use, the spread of resistance genes, and the lack of new classes of compounds indicate the importance of navigating toward more sustainable coevolutionary dynamics between human culture and species that evolve resistance. To inform this challenge, we introduce the concept of coevolutionary governance and propose three priorities for its implementation: (i) new norms and mental models for lowering use, (ii) diversifying practices to reduce directional selection, and (iii) investment in collective action institutions to govern connectivity. We highlight the availability of solutions that facilitate broader sustainable development, which for antibiotic resistance include improved sanitation and hygiene, strong health systems, and decreased meat consumption.
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| 6. |
- Vogt, Hartmut
(författare)
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Early life factors and the long-term development of asthma
- 2012
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Asthma, a huge burden on millions of individuals worldwide, is one of the most important public health issues in many countries. As genetic and environmental factors interact, asthma may be programmed very early in life, perhaps even in utero.The aim of this thesis was to assess the impact of gestational age, cord blood immunoglobulin E (IgE), a family history of asthma, migration, and pertussis immunization in early life on the development of asthma in child and adult populations.As a proxy for asthma disease, dispensed asthma medication was used as the main outcome variable based on data from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register. Data from other national registers were used to control for confounders. Three of our studies were based on national cohorts, and one on a local birth cohort that was initiated in 1974–75.Gestational age had an inverse dose-response relationship with dispensed asthma medication in 6– to 19-year-olds. Odds ratios for dispensed asthma medication increased with degree of prematurity compared with children born in term. Furthermore, asthma medication was more likely to be dispensed among children and adolescents born early term after 37–38 weeks’ gestation than among those at the same age who were born in term.Elevated cord blood IgE and a family history of asthma in infancy were associated with a two- to threefold increased likelihood of dispensed asthma medication and self-reported allergen-induced respiratory symptoms at the age of 32–34 years, but the predictive power was poor.Age at migration had an inverse dose-response relationship with dispensed asthma medication at the age of 6–25 years in adoptees and foreign-born children with foreign-born parents. International adoptees and children born in Sweden to foreign-born parents had three- to fourfold higher rates of asthma medication compared with foreign-born children who were raised by their foreign-born birth parents.No association was found between pertussis immunization in early infancy and dispensed asthma medication in 15-year-olds. The type of vaccine or vaccine schedule did not affect the outcome.Fetal life is a vulnerable period. This thesis strengthens the evidence that every week of gestation is important for lung maturation. Cord blood IgE, however, did not predict the risk of asthma in adults. Furthermore, the study of migrating populations demonstrated that environmental changes at any age during childhood may affect the risk of asthma. Another, important public health message from this thesis is that vaccination against pertussis in early childhood can be considered safe with respect to the long-term development of asthma.
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| 7. |
- Åkerlund, Anna, 1978-, et al.
(författare)
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Blood culture diagnostics : a Nordic multicentre survey comparison of practices in clinical microbiology laboratories
- 2022
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Ingår i: Clinical Microbiology and Infection. - : Elsevier. - 1198-743X .- 1469-0691. ; 28:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Accurate and rapid microbiological diagnostics are crucial to tailor treatment and improve outcomes in patients with severe infections. This study aimed to assess blood culture diagnostics in the Nordic countries and to compare them with those of a previous survey conducted in Sweden in 2013. Methods: An online questionnaire was designed and distributed to the Nordic clinical microbiology laboratories (CMLs) (n = 76) in January 2018. Results: The response rate was 64% (49/76). Around-the-clock incubation of blood cultures (BCs) was supported in 82% of the CMLs (40/49), although in six of these access to the incubators around the clock was not given to all of the cabinets in the catchment area, and 41% of the sites (20/49) did not assist with satellite incubators. Almost half (49%, 24/49) of the CMLs offered opening hours for >= 10 h during weekdays, more commonly in CMLs with an annual output >= 30 000 BCs. Still, positive BCs were left unprocessed for 60-70% of the day due to restrictive opening hours. Treatment advice was given by 23% of CMLs (11/48) in >= 75% of the phone contacts. Rapid analyses (species identification and susceptibility testing with short incubation), performed on aliquots from positive cultures, were implemented in 18% of CMLs (9/49). Compared to 2013, species identification from subcultured colonies (<6 h) had become more common. Conclusions: CMLs have taken action to improve aspects of BC diagnostics, implementing satellite incubators, rapid species identification and susceptibility testing. However, the limited opening hours and availability of clinical microbiologists are confining the advantages of these changes. (C) 2021 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.
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