| 1. |
- Bjerg, Anders, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Increase in pollen sensitization in Swedish adults and protective effect of keeping animals in childhood
- 2016
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Ingår i: Clinical and Experimental Allergy. - : Wiley. - 0954-7894 .- 1365-2222. ; 46:10, s. 1328-1336
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: To date, most studies of the "allergy epidemic" have been based on self-reported data. There is still limited knowledge on time trends in allergic sensitization, especially among adults.OBJECTIVE: To study allergic sensitization, its risk factors, and time trends in prevalence.METHODS: Within West Sweden Asthma Study (WSAS) a population-based sample of 788 adults (17-60y) underwent skin prick tests (SPT) for 11 aeroallergens 2009-2012. Specific IgE was analyzed in 750 of the participants. Those aged 20-46y (n=379) were compared with the European Community Respiratory Health Survey sample aged 20-46y from the same area (n=591) in 1991-1992.RESULTS: Among those aged 20-46y the prevalence of positive SPT to pollen increased; timothy from 17.1% to 29.0% (p<0.001) and birch from 15.6% to 23.7% (p=0.002) between 1991-1992 and 2009-2012. Measurements of specific IgE confirmed these increases. Prevalence of sensitization to all other tested allergens was unchanged. In the full WSAS sample aged 17-60y any positive SPT was seen in 41.9%, and the dominating sensitizers were pollen (34.3%), animals (22.8%) and mites (12.6%). Pollen sensitization was strongly associated with rhinitis, whereas indoor allergens were more associated with asthma. Growing up with livestock or furred pets decreased the risk of sensitization, adjusted odds ratio 0.53 (0.28-0.995) and 0.68 (0.47-0.98) respectively.CONCLUSION: Pollen sensitization has increased in Swedish adults since the early 1990's, while the prevalence of sensitization to other allergens has remained unchanged. This is one plausible explanation for the increase in rhinitis 1990-2008 in Swedish adults, during which time the prevalence of asthma, which is more associated with perennial allergens, was stable. Contact with animals in childhood seems to reduce the risk of sensitization well into adulthood. One major factor contributing to the rise in pollen allergy is a significant increase in levels of birch and grass pollen over the past three decades.
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| 2. |
- Abugabbara, Marwan, et al.
(författare)
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How to develop fifth-generation district heating and cooling in Sweden? : Application review and best practices proposed by middle agents
- 2023
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Ingår i: Energy Reports. - : Elsevier Ltd. - 2352-4847. ; 9, s. 4971-4983
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sweden has an ambitious plan to fully decarbonise district heating by 2030 and to contribute with negative emissions of greenhouse gases in 2050. The vagaries of the energy market associated with climate, political, and social changes entail cross-sectoral integration that can fulfill these national targets. Fifth-generation district heating and cooling (5GDHC) is a relatively new concept of district energy systems that features a simultaneous supply of heating and cooling using power-to-heat technologies. This paper presents best practices for developing 5GDHC systems in Sweden to reach a consensus view on these systems among all stakeholders. A mixed-method combining best practice and roadmapping workshops has been used to disseminate mixed knowledge and experience from middle agents representing industry professionals and practitioners. Four successful implementations of 5GDHC systems are demonstrated and the important learned lessons are shared. The best practices are outlined for system planning, system modeling and simulation, prevailing business models for energy communities, and system monitoring. A roadmap from the middle agents’ point of view is composed and can be utilised to establish industry standards and common regulatory frameworks. © 2023 The Author(s)
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| 3. |
- Baudin, Maria, 1982-, et al.
(författare)
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Association of Rift Valley fever virus infection with miscarriage in Sudanese women : a cross-sectional study
- 2016
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Ingår i: The Lancet Global Health. - 2214-109X. ; 4:11, s. e864-e871
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Rift Valley fever virus is an emerging mosquito-borne virus that causes infections in animals and human beings in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Outbreaks of Rift Valley fever lead to mass abortions in livestock, but such abortions have not been identified in human bezings. Our aim was to investigate the cause of miscarriages in febrile pregnant women in an area endemic for Rift Valley fever.METHODS: Pregnant women with fever of unknown origin who attended the governmental hospital of Port Sudan, Sudan, between June 30, 2011, and Nov 17, 2012, were sampled at admission and included in this cross-sectional study. Medical records were retrieved and haematological tests were done on patient samples. Presence of viral RNA as well as antibodies against a variety of viruses were analysed. Any association of viral infections, symptoms, and laboratory parameters to pregnancy outcome was investigated using Pearson's χ(2) test.FINDINGS: Of 130 pregnant women with febrile disease, 28 were infected with Rift Valley fever virus and 31 with chikungunya virus, with typical clinical and laboratory findings for the infection in question. 15 (54%) of 28 women with an acute Rift Valley fever virus infection had miscarriages compared with 12 (12%) of 102 women negative for Rift Valley fever virus (p<0·0001). In a multiple logistic regression analysis, adjusting for age, haemorrhagic disease, and chikungunya virus infection, an acute Rift Valley fever virus infection was an independent predictor of having a miscarriage (odds ratio 7·4, 95% CI 2·7-20·1; p<0·0001).INTERPRETATION: This study is the first to show an association between infection with Rift Valley fever virus and miscarriage in pregnant women. Further studies are warranted to investigate the possible mechanisms. Our findings have implications for implementation of preventive measures, and evidence-based information to the public in endemic countries should be strongly recommended during Rift Valley fever outbreaks.FUNDING: Schlumberger Faculty for the Future, CRDF Global (31141), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, the County Council of Västerbotten, and the Faculty of Medicine, Umeå University.
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| 4. |
- Bergqvist, Joakim, et al.
(författare)
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Detection and Isolation of Sindbis Virus from Mosquitoes Captured During an Outbreak in Sweden, 2013
- 2015
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Ingår i: Vector Borne and Zoonotic Diseases. - : Mary Ann Liebert Inc. - 1530-3667 .- 1557-7759. ; 15:2, s. 133-140
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mosquito-borne alphaviruses have the potential to cause large outbreaks throughout the world. Here we investigated the causative agent of an unexpected Sindbis virus (SINV) outbreak during August-September, 2013, in a previously nonendemic region of Sweden. Mosquitoes were collected using carbon dioxide-baited CDC traps at locations close to human cases. The mosquitoes were initially screened as large pools by SINV-specific quantitative RT-PCR, and the SINV-positive mosquitoes were species determined by single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis, followed by sequencing the barcoding region of the cytochrome oxidase I gene. The proportion of the collected mosquitoes was determined by a metabarcoding strategy. By using novel strategies for PCR screening and genetic typing, a new SINV strain, Lovanger, was isolated from a pool of 1600 mosquitoes composed of Culex, Culiseta, and Aedes mosquitoes as determined by metabarcoding. The SINV-positive mosquito Culiseta morsitans was identified by SNP analysis and sequencing. After whole-genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, the SINV Lovanger isolate was shown to be most closely similar to recent Finnish SINV isolates. In conclusion, within a few weeks, we were able to detect and isolate a novel SINV strain and identify the mosquito vector during a sudden SINV outbreak.
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| 5. |
- Calles, Olle, et al.
(författare)
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Anordningar för upp- och nedströmspassage av fisk vid vattenanläggningar : Underlag till vägledning om lämpliga försiktighetsmått och bästa möjliga teknik för vattenkraft
- 2013
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Många kraftverksdammar saknar idag fiskvägar för uppströms vandrande fisk och de flesta för nedströmsvandrande fisk. Litteraturgenomgången visar att passage av fisk via turbinerna ofta ger omfattande skador och dödlighet och därmed inte är en tillfredsställande förvaltningsstrategi. Det bedöms vara tekniskt fullt möjligt att bygga väl fungerande fiskvägar för samtliga förekommande fiskarter i alla svenska vattensystem. I detta dokument ges rekommendationer om hur fiskvägar bör anläggas, designas och skötas för att nå god anlocknings- och passageeffektivitet för såväl uppströms- som nedströmsvandrande fisk. Att relativt många fiskvägar fungerar dåligt beror på att uppföljning, tillsyn och kontroll av deras effektivitet är eftersatt eller ofta helt saknas. Att etablera en fungerande fiskväg är en process som kan ta flera år då successiva justeringar behövs. Det går dock att få till bra passagelösningar, även förbi stora kraftverk med höga dammar.För uppströmsvandring rekommenderas i första hand naturlika fiskvägar, som omlöp, eftersom de passar de flesta arter och storlekar. Omlöpen kan även fungera som nya strömhabitat och därmed ersätta något av de strömhabitat som förlorats. Är det enbart laxfisk eller andra goda vandrare som skall passera kan en teknisk fiskväg vara en godtagbar lösning. Även i områden med branta dalsidor som gör det svårt att anlägga naturlika fiskvägar och i områden med kulturmiljöer kan tekniska fiskvägar vara ett alternativ. Fiskslussar och fiskhisssar har låg effektivitet och kan inte rekommenderas generellt.Väl fungerande fiskpassager bör föra vatten under en stor del av året såvida inte fiskvägen är inriktad på en enskild art med väl kända behov. Naturlika fiskvägar bör, i likhet med naturliga vattendrag, ha en fastställd minsta vattenföring som är tillräcklig för att bevara sträckans habitatvärden.Ett vanligt problem är att det används för lite vatten i fiskvägen för att locka fisken till mynningen i tillräckligt hög utsträckning. Ofta behöver extra lockvatten användas för att få fisken att hitta fiskvägen, eller fiskvägarna eftersom det i breda vatten kan vara nödvändigt att ha flera fiskvägar, och vid behov även flera ingångar till fiskvägarna. Lockvattnet bör minst utgöra 5 % av medelvattenföringen på platsen, men det kan i vissa situationer behövas ännu mer vatten, och vid högflöden bör även lockvattnet öka i paritet med detta. Extra lockvatten behöver inte gå i fiskvägen utan kan ledas till fiskvägens nedre öppning.Vid nedströmspassage skall anpassade låglutande galler, fiskgaller, användas som leder fisken till en eller flera passagemöjligheter. Spaltvidden mellan gallren ska vara sådan att fisken inte passerar, vilket för vissa arter innebär att spaltvidden inte tillåter fysisk passage av fisk, medan det för andra arter räcker att gallret är en beteendemässig barriär. Idealt skall fisken aldrig komma i direkt med gallret utan ledas rätt väg. I mycket stora älvar kan spjälgaller (louvers) vara ett alternativ, men referensexempel saknas i Sverige i dag, alternativet är låglutande fiskgaller. Beteendeavledning (ljus, ljud, el, bubblor) bör endast användas som åtgärd i kombination med en fysisk avledare, eller på de platser där en fysisk avledare av någon anledning bedöms vara omöjlig att uppföra.Utformningen av flyktöppningen är också essentiell för avledarens funktion. För att tillgodose olika arters djuppreferens, kan man antingen placera en flyktöppning i ytan och ytterligare en vid botten (ål). Den vanligaste rekommendationen är att flyktöppningen ska vara successivt avsmalnande, för att åstadkomma en gradvis acceleration utan turbulens. Flyktöppningens, och därmed hela åtgärdens, funktion är beroende av den mängd vatten som tappas i förbipassagen. Enkelt uttryckt, kan man säga att ju mer vatten som tappas genom förbipassagen, desto större sannolikhet att den funkar väl. Internationellt rekommenderas att 2–10 % av det totala flödet används för att säkerställa nedströmspassage, varför rekommendationen är att överdimensionera flyktöppningar för att under åtgärdens driftsättande undersöka vilket flöde som krävs för god funktionDet bör betonas att den rödlistade ålen kräver speciella anpassningar vid varje hinder för dess upp- och nedvandring. Rekommendationer på bra åtgärder ges i dokumentet. Kriterier för anlocknings- och passageeffektivitet (upp- och nedströms) i fiskvägar bör fastställas utgående från förekomst av långvandrare (lax, havsöring, ål, flodnejonöga, havsnejonöga), antalet hinder och den geografiska lokaliseringen av lämpliga habitat. Litteratursammanställningen visar att många befintliga fiskvägar inte fungerar som avsett och bör utvärderas om minsta osäkerhet råder om deras funktion. Utvärderingarna bör ligga till grund för förbättringar av passagerna till dess tillräcklig effektivitet erhålls och resultaten tillställs tillsynsmyndigheten.
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| 6. |
- Chen, H.Y., et al.
(författare)
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Dyslipidemia, inflammation, calcification, and adiposity in aortic stenosis: a genome-wide study
- 2023
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 44:21, s. 1927-1939
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Although highly heritable, the genetic etiology of calcific aortic stenosis (AS) remains incompletely understood. The aim of this study was to discover novel genetic contributors to AS and to integrate functional, expression, and cross-phenotype data to identify mechanisms of AS. Methods and results A genome-wide meta-analysis of 11.6 million variants in 10 cohorts involving 653 867 European ancestry participants (13 765 cases) was performed. Seventeen loci were associated with AS at P ≤ 5 × 10−8, of which 15 replicated in an independent cohort of 90 828 participants (7111 cases), including CELSR2–SORT1, NLRP6, and SMC2. A genetic risk score comprised of the index variants was associated with AS [odds ratio (OR) per standard deviation, 1.31; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26–1.35; P = 2.7 × 10−51] and aortic valve calcium (OR per standard deviation, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.08–1.37; P = 1.4 × 10−3), after adjustment for known risk factors. A phenome-wide association study indicated multiple associations with coronary artery disease, apolipoprotein B, and triglycerides. Mendelian randomization supported a causal role for apolipoprotein B-containing lipoprotein particles in AS (OR per g/L of apolipoprotein B, 3.85; 95% CI, 2.90–5.12; P = 2.1 × 10−20) and replicated previous findings of causality for lipoprotein(a) (OR per natural logarithm, 1.20; 95% CI, 1.17–1.23; P = 4.8 × 10−73) and body mass index (OR per kg/m2, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.05–1.9; P = 1.9 × 10−12). Colocalization analyses using the GTEx database identified a role for differential expression of the genes LPA, SORT1, ACTR2, NOTCH4, IL6R, and FADS. Conclusion Dyslipidemia, inflammation, calcification, and adiposity play important roles in the etiology of AS, implicating novel treatments and prevention strategies. © The Author(s) 2023. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society of Cardiology.
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| 7. |
- Drobni, Peter, et al.
(författare)
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Lactoferrin inhibits human papillomavirus binding and uptake in vitro.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Antiviral Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0166-3542 .- 1872-9096. ; 64:1, s. 63-68
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lactoferrin (LF), a member of the transferrin family, is a bi-globular protein secreted in milk, saliva, tears, seminal fluid, endocervix and vaginal secretions. LF is an important player in the defence against pathogenic microorganisms and has also been shown to have activity against several viruses including herpesvirus, adenovirus, rotavirus and poliovirus. The antiviral activity of LF is directed against the early steps of viral infection and the LF antiviral effect against herpesvirus is mediated through LF binding to the herpesvirus receptor heparan sulfate. Human papillomavirus (HPV) causes genital warts and is a prerequisite for cervical cancer. HPV can also use heparan sulfate on the cell surface as a receptor. We studied the inhibition by LF on HPV entry by incubating HaCaT cells and HPV-16 virus-like particles (VLPs) with either human (HLF) or bovine lactoferrin (BLF). LF inhibited internalization of HPV-16 particles using CFDA-SE-labelled VLPs that only fluoresce after internalisation. By using a western blot assay we also found dose-dependent LF inhibition of HPV-16 VLP binding to the HaCaT cell surface. BLF was a more potent inhibitor of HPV entry than human LF. It was also clear that LF acted early in the HPV uptake process.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Engdahl, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
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The Rift Valley Fever virus protein NSm and putative cellular protein interactions
- 2012
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Ingår i: Virology Journal. - 1743-422X. ; 9, s. 139-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rift Valley Fever is an infectious viral disease and an emerging problem in many countries of Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. The causative virus is predominantly transmitted by mosquitoes and high mortality and abortion rates characterize outbreaks in animals while symptoms ranging from mild to life-threatening encephalitis and hemorrhagic fever are noticed among infected humans. For a better prevention and treatment of the infection, an increased knowledge of the infectious process of the virus is required. The focus of this work was to identify protein-protein interactions between the non-structural protein (NSm), encoded by the M-segment of the virus, and host cell proteins. This study was initiated by screening approximately 26 million cDNA clones of a mouse embryonic cDNA library for interactions with the NSm protein using a yeast two-hybrid system. We have identified nine murine proteins that interact with NSm protein of Rift Valley Fever virus, and the putative protein-protein interactions were confirmed by growth selection procedures and beta-gal activity measurements. Our results suggest that the cleavage and polyadenylation specificity factor subunit 2 (Cpsf2), the peptidyl-prolyl cistrans isomerase (cyclophilin)-like 2 protein (Ppil2), and the synaptosome-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) are the most promising targets for the NSm protein of the virus during an infection.
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| 10. |
- Golovliov, Igor, 1958-, et al.
(författare)
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Long-Term Survival of Virulent Tularemia Pathogens outside a Host in Conditions That Mimic Natural Aquatic Environments
- 2021
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Ingår i: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - : Elsevier. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 87:6, s. 1-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Francisella tularensis, the causative agent of the zoonotic disease tularemia, can cause seasonal outbreaks of acute febrile illness in humans with disease peaks in late summer to autumn. Interestingly, its mechanisms for environmental persistence between outbreaks are poorly understood. One hypothesis is that F. tularensis forms biofilms in aquatic environments. We utilized two fully virulent wild-type strains: FSC200 (Francisella tularensis subsp. holarctica) and Schu S4 (Francisella tularensis subsp. tularensis) and three control strains, the attenuated live vaccine strain (LVS; F. tularensis subsp. holarctica), a Schu S4 DwbtI mutant that is documented to form biofilms, and the low-virulence strain U112 of the closely related species Francisella novicida. Strains were incubated in saline solution (0.9% NaCl) microcosms for 24 weeks at both 4°C and 20°C, whereupon viability and biofilm formation were measured. These temperatures were selected to approximate winter and summer temperatures of fresh water in Scandinavia, respectively. U112 and Schu S4 DwbtI formed biofilms, but F. tularensis strains FSC200 and Schu S4 and the LVS did not. All strains exhibited prolonged viability at 4°C compared to 20°C. U112 and FSC200 displayed remarkable long-term persistence at 4°C, with only 1- and 2-fold log reductions, respectively, of viable cells after 24weeks. Schu S4 exhibited lower survival, yielding no viable cells by week 20. At 24weeks, cells from FSC200, but not from Schu S4, were still fully virulent in mice. Taken together, these results demonstrate biofilm-independent, long-term survival of pathogenic F. tularensis subsp. holarctica in conditions that mimic overwinter survival in aquatic environments.
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