| 1. |
- Beery, Thomas, et al.
(författare)
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Disconnection from nature : Expanding our understanding of human–nature relations
- 2023
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Ingår i: People and Nature. - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 2575-8314. ; 5:2, s. 470-488
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The human relationship with nature is a topic that has been explored throughout human history. More recently, the idea of connection to nature has merged as an important transdisciplinary field of study. Despite increased scholarly attention to connection to nature, the notion of disconnection from nature remains undertheorized and understudied. In this perspective article, we argue for a more comprehensive understanding of disconnection from nature to strengthen theories of human-nature relationships that goes beyond individual relationships and considers social and collective factors of disconnection, including institutional, socio-cultural and power dimensions. Drawing on case insights, we present the ‘wheel of disconnection’ to illustrate how disconnections from nature manifest across individual or societal meaning-making processes, thereby problematizing existing research that seeks to create dualisms between human positive and negative impacts on the environment in isolation from cultural or political contexts. We do not seek to discount research or important practical efforts to foster an individual's connection to nature by elevating disconnection. Instead, we hope that creating greater awareness and understanding of disconnection will be able to guide opportunities going forward for strengthening a connection to nature along a continuum from the individual to the social. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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| 2. |
- Dyrskjot, Lars, et al.
(författare)
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Prognostic Impact of a 12-gene Progression Score in Non-muscle-invasive Bladder Cancer : A Prospective Multicentre Validation Study
- 2017
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Ingår i: European Urology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0302-2838 .- 1873-7560. ; 72:3, s. 461-469
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Progression of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) to muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) is life-threatening and cannot be accurately predicted using clinical and pathological risk factors. Biomarkers for stratifying patients to treatment and surveillance are greatly needed. Objective: To validate a previously developed 12-gene progression score to predict progression to MIBC in a large, multicentre, prospective study. Design, setting, and participants: We enrolled 1224 patients in ten European centres between 2008 and 2012. A total of 750 patients (851 tumours) fulfilled the inclusion and sample quality criteria for testing. Patients were followed for an average of 28 mo (range 0-76). A 12-gene real-time qualitative polymerase chain reaction assay was performed for all tumours and progression scores were calculated using a predefined formula and cut-off values. Outcome measurements and statistical analysis: We measured progression to MIBC using Cox regression analysis and log-rank tests for comparing survival distributions. Results and limitations: The progression score was significantly (p < 0.001) associated with age, stage, grade, carcinoma in situ, bacillus Calmette-Guerin treatment, European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer risk score, and disease progression. Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that patients molecularly classified as high risk experienced more frequent disease progression (hazard ratio 5.08, 95% confidence interval 2.2-11.6; p < 0.001). Multivariable Cox regression models showed that the progression score added independent prognostic information beyond clinical and histopathological risk factors (p < 0.001), with an increase in concordance statistic from 0.82 to 0.86. The progression score showed high correlation (R-2 = 0.85) between paired fresh-frozen and formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumour specimens, supporting translation potential in the standard clinical setting. A limitation was the relatively low progression rate (5%, 37/ 750 patients). Conclusions: The 12-gene progression score had independent prognostic power beyond clinical and histopathological risk factors, and may help in stratifying NMIBC patients to optimise treatment and follow-up regimens. Patient summary: Clinical use of a 12-gene molecular test for disease aggressiveness may help in stratifying patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer to optimal treatment regimens.
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| 3. |
- Fanti, Stefano, et al.
(författare)
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EAU-EANM Consensus Statements on the Role of Prostate-specific Membrane Antigen Positron Emission Tomography/Computed Tomography in Patients with Prostate Cancer and with Respect to [177Lu]Lu-PSMA Radioligand Therapy
- 2022
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Ingår i: European Urology Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 2588-9311. ; 5:5, s. 530-536
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) is useful for selected clinical indications in patients with prostate cancer (PCa) but it may have broader clinical utility owing to the emergence of lutetium-177-PSMA-617 ([177Lu]Lu-PSMA) therapy. However, robust data regarding the impact of PSMA PET/CT on patient management and treatment are lacking, and in many areas, the role of next-generation imaging has not been defined. OBJECTIVE: To assess expert opinion on the use of PSMA-based imaging and therapy to develop interim guidance. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A panel of 21 PCa experts from various disciplines received thematic topics and relevant literature. A questionnaire to assess proposed guidance statements regarding PSMA PET/CT and [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy was developed for completion remotely in a first e-Delphi round. A subsequent panel discussion was conducted during a 1-d meeting, which included a second Delphi round. OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS AND STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Panellists voted anonymously on statements using a nine-point Likert scale from 1 = strongly disagree to 9 = strongly agree. Median scores were calculated and consensus was assessed using methods proposed by the Research and Development (RAND) corporation. RESULTS AND LIMITATIONS: Statements were developed to cover the following topics: PSMA PET/CT utility, clinical use, and choice of tracer; patient selection; and management of patients receiving [177Lu]Lu-PSMA for metastatic PCa. Consensus was reached for 33/36 statements. In-group bias is a potential limitation, as some statements were rephrased during discussions at the 1-d meeting. CONCLUSIONS: Adoption of PSMA PET/CT as an imaging tool to guide [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy should be supported by indications for appropriate use. PATIENT SUMMARY: A panel of experts in prostate cancer reached a consensus for the majority of statements proposed regarding the role of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-based imaging and therapy, particularly the use of PSMA-based imaging in patients suitable for [177Lu]Lu-PSMA therapy and the need to perform PSMA-based imaging before considering patients as candidates for this therapy.
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| 4. |
- Hedegaard, Jakob, et al.
(författare)
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Comprehensive Transcriptional Analysis of Early-Stage Urothelial Carcinoma
- 2016
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Ingår i: Cancer Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 1535-6108 .- 1878-3686. ; 30:1, s. 27-42
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is a heterogeneous disease with widely different outcomes. We performed a comprehensive transcriptional analysis of 460 early-stage urothelial carcinomas and showed that NMIBC can be subgrouped into three major classes with basal-and luminal-like characteristics and different clinical outcomes. Large differences in biological processes such as the cell cycle, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and differentiation were observed. Analysis of transcript variants revealed frequent mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in chromatin organization and cytoskeletal functions. Furthermore, mutations in well-known cancer driver genes (e.g., TP53 and ERBB2) were primarily found in high-risk tumors, together with APOBEC-related mutational signatures. The identification of subclasses in NMIBC may offer better prognostication and treatment selection based on subclass assignment.
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| 5. |
- Kroon, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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Chronotherapy with a glucokinase activator profoundly improves metabolism in obese Zucker rats
- 2022
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Ingår i: Science translational medicine. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1946-6234 .- 1946-6242. ; 14:668
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Circadian rhythms play a critical role in regulating metabolism, including daily cycles of feeding/fasting. Glucokinase (GCK) is central for whole-body glucose homeostasis and oscillates according to a circadian clock. GCK activators (GKAs) effectively reduce hyperglycemia, but their use is also associated with hypoglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic steatosis. Given the circadian rhythmicity and natural postprandial activation of GCK, we hypothesized that GKA treatment would benefit from being timed specifically during feeding periods. Acute treatment of obese Zucker rats with the GKA AZD1656 robustly increased flux into all major metabolic pathways of glucose disposal, enhancing glucose elimination. Four weeks of continuous AZD1656 treatment of obese Zucker rats improved glycemic control; however, hepatic steatosis and inflammation manifested. In contrast, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods robustly reduced hepatic steatosis and inflammation in addition to improving glycemia, whereas treatment timed to fasting periods caused overall detrimental metabolic effects. Mechanistically, timing AZD1656 to feeding periods diverted newly synthesized lipid toward direct VLDL secretion rather than intrahepatic storage. In line with increased hepatic insulin signaling, timing AZD1656 to feeding resulted in robust activation of AKT, mTOR, and SREBP-1C after glucose loading, pathways known to regulate VLDL secretion and hepatic de novo lipogenesis. In conclusion, intermittent AZD1656 treatment timed to feeding periods promotes glucose disposal when needed the most, restores metabolic flexibility and hepatic insulin sensitivity, and thereby avoids hepatic steatosis. Thus, chronotherapeutic approaches may benefit the development of GKAs and other drugs acting on metabolic targets.
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| 6. |
- Kroon, Tobias, et al.
(författare)
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PPARγ and PPARα synergize to induce robust browning of white fat in vivo
- 2020
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Ingår i: Molecular Metabolism. - : Elsevier BV. - 2212-8778. ; 36
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) are key transcription factors that regulate adipose development and function, and the conversion of white into brown-like adipocytes. Here we investigated whether PPARα and PPARγ activation synergize to induce the browning of white fat. Methods: A selection of PPAR activators was tested for their ability to induce the browning of both mouse and human white adipocytes in vitro, and in vivo in lean and obese mice. Results: All dual PPARα/γ activators tested robustly increased uncoupling protein 1 (Ucp1) expression in both mouse and human adipocytes in vitro, with tesaglitazar leading to the largest Ucp1 induction. Importantly, dual PPARα/γ activator tesaglitazar strongly induced browning of white fat in vivo in both lean and obese male mice at thermoneutrality, greatly exceeding the increase in Ucp1 observed with the selective PPARγ activator rosiglitazone. While selective PPARγ activation was sufficient for the conversion of white into brown-like adipocytes in vitro, dual PPARα/γ activation was superior to selective PPARγ activation at inducing white fat browning in vivo. Mechanistically, the superiority of dual PPARα/γ activators is mediated at least in part via a PPARα-driven increase in fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Combined treatment with rosiglitazone and FGF21 resulted in a synergistic increase in Ucp1 mRNA levels both in vitro and in vivo. Tesaglitazar-induced browning was associated with increased energy expenditure, enhanced insulin sensitivity, reduced liver steatosis, and an overall improved metabolic profile compared to rosiglitazone and vehicle control groups. Conclusions: PPARγ and PPARα synergize to induce robust browning of white fat in vivo, via PPARγ activation in adipose, and PPARα-mediated increase in FGF21. © 2020 The Authors
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| 7. |
- Poh, Norman, et al.
(författare)
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Benchmarking Quality-dependent and Cost-sensitive Score-level Multimodal Biometric Fusion Algorithms
- 2009
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Ingår i: IEEE Transactions on Information Forensics and Security. - Piscataway, N.J. : IEEE Press. - 1556-6013 .- 1556-6021. ; 4:4, s. 849-866
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Automatically verifying the identity of a person by means of biometrics (e.g., face and fingerprint) is an important application in our day-to-day activities such as accessing banking services and security control in airports. To increase the system reliability, several biometric devices are often used. Such a combined system is known as a multimodal biometric system. This paper reports a benchmarking study carried out within the framework of the BioSecure DS2 (Access Control) evaluation campaign organized by the University of Surrey, involving face, fingerprint, and iris biometrics for person authentication, targeting the application of physical access control in a medium-size establishment with some 500 persons. While multimodal biometrics is a well-investigated subject in the literature, there exists no benchmark for a fusion algorithm comparison. Working towards this goal, we designed two sets of experiments: quality-dependent and cost-sensitive evaluation. The quality-dependent evaluation aims at assessing how well fusion algorithms can perform under changing quality of raw biometric images principally due to change of devices. The cost-sensitive evaluation, on the other hand, investigates how well a fusion algorithm can perform given restricted computation and in the presence of software and hardware failures, resulting in errors such as failure-to-acquire and failure-to-match. Since multiple capturing devices are available, a fusion algorithm should be able to handle this nonideal but nevertheless realistic scenario. In both evaluations, each fusion algorithm is provided with scores from each biometric comparison subsystem as well as the quality measures of both the template and the query data. The response to the call of the evaluation campaign proved very encouraging, with the submission of 22 fusion systems. To the best of our knowledge, this campaign is the first attempt to benchmark quality-based multimodal fusion algorithms. In the presence of changing image quality which may be due to a change of acquisition devices and/or device capturing configurations, we observe that the top performing fusion algorithms are those that exploit automatically derived quality measurements. Our evaluation also suggests that while using all the available biometric sensors can definitely increase the fusion performance, this comes at the expense of increased cost in terms of acquisition time, computation time, the physical cost of hardware, and its maintenance cost. As demonstrated in our experiments, a promising solution which minimizes the composite cost is sequential fusion, where a fusion algorithm sequentially uses match scores until a desired confidence is reached, or until all the match scores are exhausted, before outputting the final combined score. © 2009 IEEE.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- van Kessel, Kim E. M., et al.
(författare)
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Molecular Markers Increase Precision of the European Association of Urology Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Progression Risk Groups
- 2018
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Ingår i: Clinical Cancer Research. - : AMER ASSOC CANCER RESEARCH. - 1078-0432 .- 1557-3265. ; 24:7, s. 1586-1593
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) recommend risk stratification based on clinicopathologic parameters. Our aim was to investigate the added value of biomarkers to improve risk stratification of NMIBC. Experimental Design: We prospectively included 1,239 patients in follow-up for NMIBC in six European countries. Fresh-frozen tumor samples were analyzed for GATA2, TBX2, TBX3, and ZIC4 methylation and FGFR3, TERT, PIK3CA, and RAS mutation status. Cox regression analyses identified markers that were significantly associated with progression to muscle-invasive disease. The progression incidence rate (PIR = rate of progression per 100 patient-years) was calculated for subgroups. Results: In our cohort, 276 patients had a low, 273 an intermediate, and 555 a high risk of tumor progression based on the EAU NMIBC guideline. Fifty-seven patients (4.6%) progressed to muscle-invasive disease. The limited number of progressors in this large cohort compared with older studies is likely due to improved treatment in the past two decades. Overall, wild-type FGFR3 and methylation of GATA2 and TBX3 were significantly associated with progression (HR = 0.34, 2.53, and 2.64, respectively). The PIR for EAU high-risk patients was 4.25. On the basis of FGFR3 mutation status and methylation of GATA2, this cohort could be reclassified into a good class (PIR = 0.86, 26.2% of patients), a moderate class (PIR = 4.32, 49.7%), and a poor class (PIR = 7.66, 24.0%). Conclusions: We conclude that the addition of selected biomarkers to the EAU risk stratification increases its accuracy and identifies a subset of NMIBC patients with a very high risk of progression. (C) 2018 AACR.
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| 10. |
- Viborg Lindskrog, Sia, et al.
(författare)
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An integrated multi-omics analysis identifies prognostic molecular subtypes of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The molecular landscape in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is characterized by large biological heterogeneity with variable clinical outcomes. Here, we perform an integrative multi-omics analysis of patients diagnosed with NMIBC (n=834). Transcriptomic analysis identifies four classes (1, 2a, 2b and 3) reflecting tumor biology and disease aggressiveness. Both transcriptome-based subtyping and the level of chromosomal instability provide independent prognostic value beyond established prognostic clinicopathological parameters. High chromosomal instability, p53-pathway disruption and APOBEC-related mutations are significantly associated with transcriptomic class 2a and poor outcome. RNA-derived immune cell infiltration is associated with chromosomally unstable tumors and enriched in class 2b. Spatial proteomics analysis confirms the higher infiltration of class 2b tumors and demonstrates an association between higher immune cell infiltration and lower recurrence rates. Finally, the independent prognostic value of the transcriptomic classes is documented in 1228 validation samples using a single sample classification tool. The classifier provides a framework for biomarker discovery and for optimizing treatment and surveillance in next-generation clinical trials.
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