| 1. |
- Andersson, Hans, 1974-
(författare)
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Spelets regler : raggning och flirt på krogen
- 2008
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This thesis focuses on sexualized behaviour in nightclubs and pubs. It describes the patterns of interaction and the rituals characterizing nightlife “clubbing” and “pubbing” environments, and relates these to gender specific norms and ideals. Special focus is on men’s and women’s experiences of, and strategies in, nightlife clubbing environments, as well as on how they regard such behaviours as picking up potential sexual partners (“going on the pull”) and flirting.The study is based on fieldwork conducted in the nightclubs and pubs of Umeå. The fieldwork consisted of fifty nights out, during which data was collected through observations and participant observation. Ten women and nine men between the ages of twenty-one and thirty-two were interviewed individually or in groups.The analysis starts with a description of those behaviours that distinguish the club and pub environment as compared with everyday life. The suspension of everyday norms, allows for the relaxed behaviour associated with “partying”, and not least allowing for strangers to have sexualized encounters.Picking up sexual partners and flirting is analysed at different levels and from different perspectives. The meaning of flirting behaviour is related to discussions of sexual morals. Flirting is seen as a harmless and playful form of behaviour seeped through with notions of love, romance and coupledom. Picking up sexual partners is, on the other hand, behaviour associated with sexual urges, and is thus talked of as a sordid, low-life form of action.The study includes descriptions of mutually appreciated situations of picking-up and flirting behaviour and also its opposite - rejection behaviours, that seek to deflect and break off attempts at sexualized contact. The observations indicate that men and women use different strategies when participating in such events. Women’s behavioural strategies are premised on a rejecting attitude vis-à-vis men, which reflect ideals of respectability and a more restrictive sexual morale for women. Women’s ability to exert discretion and care in her choice of a man, and to reject unsuitable men, is interpreted as an indication of self-control and self-respect.Amongst men, “going on the pull” appears to be associated with notions of “conquering”, which in turn is seen as a form of manly performance. “Going on the pull” gives men an opportunity to prove themselves, but is also a source of a feeling of powerlessness and lack of control – as “pulling” needs to be conducted on women’s terms and conditions.Observations from pubs and clubs in the field, suggest that pretending to reject (token resistance) is a normalized part of women’s strategies. The existence of token resistance reinforces the notion of “a woman’s no means yes” and contributes to the unclear boundaries between rejection and consent. This is evident in situations where women experience unwished-for attentions from men and have difficulty rejecting them.
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| 2. |
- Antoniewicz, Lukasz, et al.
(författare)
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Chronic snus use in healthy males alters endothelial function and increases arterial stiffness
- 2022
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 17:6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Snus usage is commonly touted as a safer alternative to cigarette smoking. However, recent studies have demonstrated possible adverse cardiovascular effects in chronic snus users. The present study evaluates the effects of chronic snus use on vascular function by assessing central arterial stiffness and endothelial vasodilatory function in healthy chronic snus users as compared to matched non-users.Methods and results: Fifty healthy males (24 snus users, 26 age-matched controls) with a mean age of 44 years were included in the study. Arterial stiffness was assessed employing both pulse wave velocity and pulse wave analysis. Endothelial vasodilatory function was measured by venous occlusion plethysmography, utilizing intra-arterial administration of acetylcholine, glyceryl trinitrate and bradykinin to further gauge endothelium-dependent and -independent vasodilatory function. Arterial stiffness was significantly higher in chronic snus users as compared to controls: pulse wave velocity [m/s]: 6.6±0.8 vs 7.1±0.9 resp. (p = 0.026), augmentation index corrected for heart rate [%]: 0.1±13.2 vs 7.3±7.8 resp. (p = 0.023). Endothelial independent vasodilation, i.e. the reaction to glyceryl trinitrate, was significantly lower in snus users as measured by venous occlusion plethysmography.Conclusions: The results of this study show an increased arterial stiffness and an underlying endothelial dysfunction in daily snus users as compared to matched non-tobacco controls. These findings indicate that long-term use of snus may alter the function of the endothelium and therefore reinforces the assertion that chronic snus use is correlated to an increased risk of development of cardiovascular disease.
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| 3. |
- Aspholm-Hurtig, Marina, et al.
(författare)
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Functional adaptation of BabA, the H. pylori ABO blood group antigen binding adhesin.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Science (New York, N.Y.). - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 305:5683, s. 519-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adherence by Helicobacter pylori increases the risk of gastric disease. Here, we report that more than 95% of strains that bind fucosylated blood group antigen bind A, B, and O antigens (generalists), whereas 60% of adherent South American Amerindian strains bind blood group O antigens best (specialists). This specialization coincides with the unique predominance of blood group O in these Amerindians. Strains differed about 1500-fold in binding affinities, and diversifying selection was evident in babA sequences. We propose that cycles of selection for increased and decreased bacterial adherence contribute to babA diversity and that these cycles have led to gradual replacement of generalist binding by specialist binding in blood group O-dominant human populations.
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| 4. |
- Backman, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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All-cause and cause-specific mortality by spirometric pattern and sex - a population-based cohort study
- 2024
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Ingår i: THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RESPIRATORY DISEASE. - : Sage Publications. - 1753-4658 .- 1753-4666. ; 18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Chronic airway obstruction (CAO) and restrictive spirometry pattern (RSP) are associated with mortality, but sex-specific patterns of all-cause and specific causes of death have hardly been evaluated. Objectives: To study the possible sex-dependent differences of all-cause mortality and patterns of cause-specific mortality among men and women with CAO and RSP, respectively, to that of normal lung function (NLF). Design: Population-based prospective cohort study. Methods: Individuals with CAO [FEV1/vital capacity (VC) < 0.70], RSP [FEV1/VC >= 0.70 and forced vital capacity (FVC) < 80% predicted] and NLF (FEV1/VC >= 0.70 and FVC >= 80% predicted) were identified within the Obstructive Lung Disease in Northern Sweden (OLIN) studies in 2002-2004. Mortality data were collected through April 2016, totally covering 19,000 patient-years. Cox regression and Fine-Gray regression accounting for competing risks were utilized to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) adjusted for age, body mass index, sex, smoking habits and pack-years. Results: The adjusted hazard for all-cause mortality was higher in CAO and RSP than in NLF (HR, 95% CI; 1.69, 1.31-2.02 and 1.24, 1.06-1.71), and the higher hazards were driven by males. CAO had a higher hazard of respiratory and cardiovascular death than NLF (2.68, 1.05-6.82 and 1.40, 1.04-1.90). The hazard of respiratory death was significant in women (3.41, 1.05-11.07) while the hazard of cardiovascular death was significant in men (1.49, 1.01-2.22). In RSP, the higher hazard for respiratory death remained after adjustment (2.68, 1.05-6.82) but not for cardiovascular death (1.11, 0.74-1.66), with a similar pattern in both sexes. Conclusion: The higher hazard for all-cause mortality in CAO and RSP than in NLF was male driven. CAO was associated with respiratory death in women and cardiovascular death in men, while RSP is associated with respiratory death, similarly in both sexes.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Backman, Helena, et al.
(författare)
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Lung function trajectories and associated mortality among adults with and without airway obstruction
- 2023
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Ingår i: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. - : American Thoracic Society. - 1073-449X .- 1535-4970. ; 208:10, s. 1063-1074
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: Spirometry is essential for diagnosis and assessment of prognosis in COPD.Objectives: To identify FEV1 trajectories and their determinants, based on annual spirometry measurements among individuals with and without airway obstruction. Furthermore, to assess mortality in relation to trajectories.Methods: In 2002-04, individuals with airway obstruction (AO) (FEV1/VC<0.70, n=993) and age- and sex-matched non-obstructive (NO) referents were recruited from population-based cohorts. Annual spirometries until 2014 were utilized in joint-survival Latent Class Mixed Models to identify lung function trajectories. Mortality data were collected during 15 years of follow-up.Results: Three trajectories were identified among the AO-cases and two among the NO referents. Trajectory membership was driven by baseline FEV1%predicted (%pred) in both groups and additionaly, pack-years in AO and current smoking in NO. Longitudinal FEV1%pred level depended on baseline FEV1%pred, pack-years and obesity. The trajectories were distributed: 79.6% T1AO FEV1-high with normal decline, 12.8% T2AO FEV1-high with rapid decline, and 7.7% T3AO FEV1-low with normal decline (mean 27, 72 and 26 mL/year) among AO-individuals, and 96.7% T1NO FEV1-high with normal decline and 3.3% T2NO FEV1-high with rapid decline (mean 34 and 173 mL/year) among referents. Hazard for death was increased for T2AO (HR1.56) and T3AO (HR3.45) vs. T1AO, and for T2NO (HR2.99) vs. T1NO.Conclusions: Three different FEV1 trajectories were identified among those with airway obstruction and two among the referents, with different outcomes in terms of FEV1-decline and mortality. The FEV1 trajectories among airway obstructive and the relationship between low FVC and trajectory outcome are of particular clinical interest.
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| 7. |
- Björk, Robert G., 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Contrasting effects of wood ash application on microbial community structure, biomass and processes in drained forested peatlands
- 2010
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Ingår i: FEMS Microbiology Ecology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1574-6941 .- 0168-6496. ; 73:3, s. 550-562
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The effects of wood ash application on soil microbial processes were investigated in three drained forested peatlands, which differed in nutrient status and time since application. Measured variables included concentrations of soil elements and phospholipid fatty acids (PLFAs), net nitrogen mineralisation, nitrification and denitrification enzyme activity, potential methane oxidation, methane production and microbial respiration kinetics. Wood ash application had a considerable influence on soil element concentrations. This mirrored a decrease in the majority of the microbial biomarkers by more than one-third in the two oligotrophic peatlands, although microbial community composition was not altered. The decreases in PLFAs coincided with reduced net ammonification and net nitrogen mineralisation. Other measured variables did not change systematically as a result of wood ash application. No significant changes in microbial biomass or processes were found in the mesotrophic peatland, possibly because too little time (1 year) had elapsed since the wood ash application. This study suggests that oligotrophic peatlands can be substantially affected by wood ash for a period of at least four years after application. However, within 25 years of the wood ash application, the microbial biomass seemed to have recovered or adapted to enhanced element concentrations in the soil.
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| 8. |
- Björnson Granqvist, Anna, 1974, et al.
(författare)
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Impaired glomerular and tubular antioxidative defense mechanisms in nephrotic syndrome.
- 2010
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Ingår i: American journal of physiology. Renal physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 1522-1466 .- 1931-857X. ; 299:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The molecular mechanisms behind acquired nephrotic syndrome (NS) are still largely unknown. One possible explanation for the development of proteinuria is oxidative damage to the glomerular cells. Our hypothesis was that the oxidative defense is weakened in NS, and we focused on measurements of the oxidative-antioxidative status in the glomerular and tubular parts of the nephron. Gene expression was analyzed in renal biopsies from patients with NS. In addition, to compare the acute and chronic phases of the disease, we studied puromycin-treated rats. In the biopsy material, the expression of enzymes involved in the antioxidative defense was higher in the tubulointerstitial compartment than in the glomerular cells. Real-time PCR analysis revealed a decreased glomerular expression in nephrotic kidneys for the antioxidant enzymes catalase and glutathione peroxidase-3, and -4. The tubular gene expression was downregulated for catalase, glutathione peroxidase-3, and thioredoxin reductase-1 and -2. The altered gene expression was accompanied by increased lipid peroxidation in urine. In rats, serum concentrations of ascorbyl-free radicals, measured with electron spin resonance, were elevated in the acute phase of the disease, suggesting increased oxidative stress in the circulation. In addition, we saw an increase in the plasma antioxidant capacity combined with a decreased oxidation of proteins in sera from nephrotic rats, but not from humans. In conclusion, there is a marked downregulation of several antioxidative enzymes in nephrotic kidneys, especially in glomerular structures. Our data suggest that oxidative damage to glomerular cells may contribute significantly to the course and prognosis of nephrotic syndrome.
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| 9. |
- Brommage, Robert, et al.
(författare)
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NOTUM inhibition increases endocortical bone formation and bone strength
- 2019
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Ingår i: Bone Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2095-4700 .- 2095-6231. ; 7:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The disability, mortality and costs caused by non-vertebral osteoporotic fractures are enormous. Existing osteoporosis therapies are highly effective at reducing vertebral but not non-vertebral fractures. Cortical bone is a major determinant of non-vertebral bone strength. To identify novel osteoporosis drug targets, we phenotyped cortical bone of 3 366 viable mouse strains with global knockouts of druggable genes. Cortical bone thickness was substantially elevated in Notum(-/-) mice. NOTUM is a secreted WNT lipase and we observed high NOTUM expression in cortical bone and osteoblasts but not osteoclasts. Three orally active small molecules and a neutralizing antibody inhibiting NOTUM lipase activity were developed. They increased cortical bone thickness and strength at multiple skeletal sites in both gonadal intact and ovariectomized rodents by stimulating endocortical bone formation. Thus, inhibition of NOTUM activity is a potential novel anabolic therapy for strengthening cortical bone and preventing non-vertebral fractures.
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| 10. |
- Buvall, Lisa, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Orellanine specifically targets renal clear cell carcinoma
- 2017
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Ingår i: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 8:53, s. 91085-91098
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), arising from the proximal tubule in the kidney, accounts for approximately 85% of kidney cancers and causes over 140,000 annual deaths worldwide. In the last decade, several new therapies have been identified for treatment of metastatic RCC. Although these therapies increase survival time compared to standard care, none of them has curative properties. The nephrotoxin orellanine specifically targets proximal tubular epithelial cells, leaving other organs unaffected. We therefore hypothesized that the selective toxicity of orellanine extends to clear cell RCC (ccRCC) cells since they emanate from proximal tubular cells. Orellanine would thus target both primary and metastatic ccRCC in vitro and in vivo. We found that orellanine induces dose-dependent cell death in proximal tubular cells and in all ccRCC cells tested, both primary and cell lines, with no toxicity detected in control cells. The toxic action of orellanine involve decreased protein synthesis, disrupted cell metabolism and induction of apoptosis. In nude rats carrying human ccRCC xenografts, brief orellanine treatment eliminated more than 90% of viable tumor mass compared to control rats. This identifies orellanine as a potential treatment concept for ccRCC patients on dialysis, due to its unique selective toxicity towards ccRCC.
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