| 1. |
- Hjorth, Maria, 1978-
(författare)
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Immunological profile and aspects of immunotherapy in type 1 diabetes
- 2010
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic, autoimmune disease caused by a T cell mediated attack on the insulin producing pancreatic ß-cells. Even though reasonable quality of life can be acquired with modern insulin therapy, prevention of acute and late serious complications is facilitated by preservation of residual insulin secretion. Preventing β-cell destruction is therefore an important goal of T1D therapy. Characterisation of immunological changes in the course of T1D is essential for understanding the underlying pathogenic mechanisms and for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic intervention. This thesis aimed to study the immune profile in individuals at increased risk of T1D and in patients diagnosed with the disease. In addition, the immunological effects of treatment with the B vitamin, Nicotinamide, and by antigen-specific immunotherapy using GAD65, have been studied in high-risk individuals and in T1D patients, respectively.We have found that individuals at high risk of T1D had an increased T helper (Th) 1 like immune profile, defined by high secretion of interferon (IFN) -γ. At the time of clinical onset of T1D, the Th1 dominance was diminished. We further demonstrate that children with newly diagnosed T1D had a suppressed Th1 like profile, detected by chemokine and chemokine receptor profile. This was accompanied by an induced population of CCR7+ and CD45RA+ naïve, CD8+cytotoxic T (Tc) cells and a reduced CD45RO+ memory Tc cell pool. It has previously been shown that oral Nicotinamide had no clinical effect in prevention of T1D. However, we found that the treatment was associated with a decreased secretion of IFN-γ. We have previously shown that subcutaneous injections with GAD-alum in T1D children induced a better preservation of endogenous insulin secretion compared with placebo. Here, we demonstrate that the treatment induced an early antigen-specific Th2 and regulatory immune profile. After a few months, and still after more than two years, the recall response to GAD65 was characterised by a broader range of cytokines. GAD-alum treatment also induced a GAD65-specific CD4+CD25highFOXP3+ cell population and reduced the levels of CD4+CD25+ cells. In conclusion, a Th1 like immune profile in pre-diabetic individuals indicates an imbalance of the immune system. At time of clinical onset, and in the period afterwards, reduction of the Th1 associated immune response could be an effect of a suppressed destructive process, selective recruitment of effector T cells to the pancreas or a defective immune regulation. The protective effect of GAD-alum in T1D children seems to be mediated by an early skewing of GAD65-induced responses towards a Th2 phenotype. Further, induction of GAD65-specific T cells with regulatory characteristics might be able to suppress autoreactive responses and inflammation in the pancreas.
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| 2. |
- Tödt, Kristina, 1966-
(författare)
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Fatigue in long-term illness : Influencing factors and functional performance in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and in cancer
- 2024
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Syfte: Avhandlingen studerade sambandet mellan fatigue (trötthet) och valda inverkande faktorer, funktionsförmåga (fysisk och daglig aktivitet och arbetsförmåga) samt med hälsorelaterad livskvalitet (HRQL) vid kroniskt obstruktiv lungsjukdom (KOL) och vid cancer. Metod: Patienter med KOL (n=121, delarbete I-II) och patienter med cancer under pågående strålbehandling (n=457, delarbete III) studerades i tvärsnittsstudier. Canceröverlevare följdes longitudinellt upp sju år efter strålbehandling (n=215, jämfört med 172 matchade icke-cancerreferenter, delarbete IV). Data samlades in genom frågeformulär och kliniska bedömningar. Beskrivande och inferentiell statistik användes.Resultat: Fatigue förekom hos 74% av patienterna med KOL, 72% hos patienterna under cancerbehandling, 58% hos långtids-canceröverlevarna samt 41% av referenterna. Svårare sjukdom och sämre ansträngningsförmåga vid KOL, och samsjuklighet och nedstämdhet vid cancer under strålbehandling var associerat med större sannolikheten för fatigue. Fatigue under tidigare strålbehandling, och nuvarande nedstämdhet, smärta och antal symptom var associerat med fatigue vid uppföljningen. Svår fatigue hade samband med låg fysisk aktivitet vid KOL och fatigue vid strålbehandling med mindre fysisk och daglig aktivitet och sämre HRQL. Under strålbehandling rapporterade patienter med fatigue 60% sjukfrånvaro gentemot 40% utan. Fatigue hade minskat vid uppföljning men var värre än hos referenterna. Fysisk och daglig aktivitet hade förbättrats och var inte sämre än referenternas. Självskattad arbetsförmåga och arbetsprocent var dock lägre. Fatigue och tilltron till sin arbetsförmåga var associerat med självskattad arbetsförmåga hos canceröverlevare som arbetade. Konklusion: Att uppmärksamma fatigue kan underlätta för hälso och sjukvårdspersonal att identifiera och ge stöd till patienter med nedsatt funktionsförmåga samt till canceröverlevare med risk för långvarig fatigue och påverkad arbetsförmåga.
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| 3. |
- Papageorgiou, Asterios
(författare)
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Emerging technologies for climate-neutral urban areas : An Industrial Ecology perspective
- 2021
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The ever-increasing concentration of human activity in urban areas induces environmental problems beyond their boundaries on scales ranging from local to regional to global, such as resource depletion, land degradation, air and water pollution and climate change. Human-induced climate change is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest sustainability challenges of the present century and it is inextricably linked to urbanization. As a response to climate change, urban areas around the world have committed to reach climate neutrality within the next decades. In this context, the deployment of new technologies can have a key role in achieving carbon neutrality in urban areas. As new technologies emerge, it is essential to assess their environmental performance considering the broader systems context in order to ensure that they can indeed contribute to achieving climate neutrality without compromising environmental sustainability.This thesis aims is to provide insight on the environmental performance of emerging technologies that can be deployed in urban areas in order to contribute to achieving climate neutrality. The two technologies in focus are grid-connected solar microgrids and biochar-based systems for treatment of biomass waste and remediation of contaminated soil. The methods applied to conduct the environmental assessments and fulfil the aim of the thesis are: case studies, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), Material and Energy Flow Analysis and Substance Flow Analysis. Moreover, as part of the research efforts, a spreadsheet model based on LCA data was developed.The assessment of the solar microgrid highlighted the importance of using explicit spatial and temporal boundaries when analyzing the environmental performance of energy systems, as it can increase the accuracy of the results. It also revealed that the choice of modeling approach can influence the results of the assessment, which motivates the application of different methodological approaches. Within this context, the assessment showed that in a short-term perspective the integration of a grid-connected urban solar microgrid into the Swedish electricity grid would not contribute to climate change mitigation, as solar electricity from the microgrid would displace grid electricity with lower carbon intensity. The assessment also indicated that operational and structural changes in the microgrid could reduce its climate change impact, albeit not to the extent to generate GHG emission abatements.The assessment of the biochar-based systems showed that these systems have many environmental benefits compared to incineration of waste and landfilling of contaminated soil. They have great potential to contribute to achieving climate neutrality, as they can provide net negative GHG emissions, owing mainly to carbon sequestration in the biochar. Between the two biochar-based systems, a system for on-site remediation can provide additional environmental benefits, as it can lead to more efficient use of resources. However, these systems also entail environmental trade-offs due to increased consumption of auxiliary electricity, while the extent of ecological and human health risks associated with the reuse of biochar-remediated soils is for the moment unknown.
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| 4. |
- Aid, Graham, 1980-
(författare)
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Industrial Ecology Methods within Engagement Processes for Industrial Resource Management
- 2013
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The global use of resources such as materials, energy, and water has surpassed sustainable levels by many accounts. The research presented here was explicitly normative in its aim to improve the understanding of, and make sustainable change toward highly systemic issues of resource management. The core methods chosen to work toward this aim were bottom up action research procedures (including stakeholder engagement processes) and industrial ecology analysis tools. These methods were employed and tested in pragmatic combination through two of the author’s case study projects. The first case study, performed between 2009 and 2012, employed a multi-stakeholder process aimed at improving the cycling of construction and demolition waste in the Stockholm region. The second case study produced a strategic tool (Looplocal) built for facilitating more efficient regional industrial resource networks. While the highly participative aim of the cases required a larger contribution of resources than that of more closed studies, it is arguable that the efficacy of approaching the project aims is improved through their employment.
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| 5. |
- Miafodzyeva, Sviatlana, 1976-
(författare)
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Understanding the Recycling Behaviour of Householders in Multicultural Urban Areas:Case Study Järva, Stockholm
- 2012
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Separating household waste into fractions at source is a common method of household waste collection in most European countries. In 1994 Sweden introduced producer liability legislation for packaging, which requires householders to sort, clean and recycle different types of packaging waste. The recycling behaviour of householders is complex and diverse and has been widely investigated. However, the recycling behaviour of householders living in multicultural urban areas has received less attention. Therefore, little is known about the recycling behaviour and attitudes of the ethnic minorities that comprise a sizeable proportion of many urban populations.This thesis examined recycling behaviour among multicultural householders in the urban area of Järva, north-west Stockholm, Sweden, which is home to a significant proportion of immigrants from different parts of the world. Three practical studies were conducted on the recycling behaviour of householders, with data collected through literature reviews, field screening studies for relevant cases, postal surveys and in-depth interviews with householders.A meta-analysis of studies on householder recycling behaviour published in the period 1990-2010 provided a conceptual framework for explaining recycling behaviour. It also revealed some specific features of the determining factors of recycling behaviour among householders in multicultural urban areas. For example, despite self-reported high levels of environmental concern among multicultural respondents in Järva, recycling behaviour was not determined by this factor but by attitudes towards recycling. The data also showed that the most widespread reason for participating in recycling schemes was acceptance of legal norms. The interview study indicated that providing clear, understandable and easily accessible written information in ethnic languages, supported by “word-of-mouth” information, would probably increase participation by Järva householders in recycling schemes. However, lifestyle and the ethnic origins of householders also influenced their waste generation and recycling behaviour.The methodological improvements presented here can help develop future strategies targeted at increasing the waste management behaviour of the important multicultural urban group, while also ensuring that limited resources are effectively used.
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| 6. |
- Sinha, Rajib, 1983-
(författare)
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Industrial Ecology Approaches to Improve Metal Management : Three Modeling Experiments
- 2014
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- A linear model of consumption − produce-use-dispose − has constantly increased the pressure on the environment in recent decades. There has been a great belief that technology will solve the problem, but in many cases it is only partly contributing to the solution. For a full solution, the root causes of problems need to be identified. The drivers-pressures-state-impact-response (DPSIR) framework allows the drivers of a specific problem to be identified by structuring the causal relations between humans and the environment. A state/ impact-based approach can help identify pressures and drivers, and make what can be considered an end-of-pipe response. Rather than that mainstream approach, this thesis adopts a pressure-based driver-oriented approach, which could be considered a proactive approach to environmental resource management.In physical resource management, material flow analysis (MFA) is one of the tools used for communication and decision support for policy response on resource productivity and pollution abatement. Here, element flow analysis (EFA), a disaggre- gation of MFA for better mass balance, was applied in pollution control and resource management. The pressure-based driver-oriented approach was used to model element flows and thus identify the drivers of problems in order to improve pollution control and resource management in complex systems.In one case study, a source-storage-transport model was developed and applied in five lakes in the Stockholm region to identify the drivers of copper pollution by monitoring the state of the environment through element flow modeling linking diffuse sources and fate in the lakes. In a second case study, a system dynamics modeling approach was applied in dynamic element flow modeling of the global mobile phone product system to investigate the drivers for closing the material flow loop through a sensitivity analysis. In a third case study, causal loop diagram modeling was used for proactive resource management to identify root causes of a problem in a complex system (product systems of physical consumer goods) by qualitatively analyzing unintended environmental consequences of an improvement action.In the case study on lakes in the Stockholm region, the source-transport-storage model proved capable of predicting copper sources through monitoring the sediment copper content in the heavily copper-polluted lakes. The results also indicated how the model could help guide policy makers in controlling copper pollution. The system dynamics study proposed an eco-cycle model of the global mobile phone product system by tuning the drivers, which could lessen the pressures on resources by decreasing the resource demands for production and increasing resource recovery at product end-of- life. The causal loop diagram study showed that a broader systems approach is required to understand and identify the drivers for proactive resource management in a complex system, where improvement actions can lead to unintended consequences.
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