| 1. |
- Ashar, Foram N., et al.
(författare)
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A comprehensive evaluation of the genetic architecture of sudden cardiac arrest
- 2018
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Ingår i: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 39:44, s. 3961-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims: Sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) accounts for 10% of adult mortality in Western populations. We aim to identify potential loci associated with SCA and to identify risk factors causally associated with SCA.Methods and results: We carried out a large genome-wide association study (GWAS) for SCA (n = 3939 cases, 25 989 non-cases) to examine common variation genome-wide and in candidate arrhythmia genes. We also exploited Mendelian randomization (MR) methods using cross-trait multi-variant genetic risk score associations (GRSA) to assess causal relationships of 18 risk factors with SCA. No variants were associated with SCA at genome-wide significance, nor were common variants in candidate arrhythmia genes associated with SCA at nominal significance. Using cross-trait GRSA, we established genetic correlation between SCA and (i) coronary artery disease (CAD) and traditional CAD risk factors (blood pressure, lipids, and diabetes), (ii) height and BMI, and (iii) electrical instability traits (QT and atrial fibrillation), suggesting aetiologic roles for these traits in SCA risk.Conclusions: Our findings show that a comprehensive approach to the genetic architecture of SCA can shed light on the determinants of a complex life-threatening condition with multiple influencing factors in the general population. The results of this genetic analysis, both positive and negative findings, have implications for evaluating the genetic architecture of patients with a family history of SCA, and for efforts to prevent SCA in high-risk populations and the general community.
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| 2. |
- Islam, Mohammad Mirazul, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of gamma radiation sterilization on the structural and biological properties of decellularized corneal xenografts
- 2019
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Ingår i: Acta Biomaterialia. - : Elsevier. - 1742-7061 .- 1878-7568. ; 96, s. 330-344
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To address the shortcomings associated with corneal transplants, substantial efforts have been focused on developing new modalities such as xenotransplantion. Xenogeneic corneas are anatomically and biomechanically similar to the human cornea, yet their applications require prior decellularization to remove the antigenic components to avoid rejection. In the context of bringing decellularized corneas into clinical use, sterilization is a crucial step that determines the success of the transplantation. Well-standardized sterilization methods, such as gamma irradiation (GI), have been applied to decellularized porcine corneas (DPC) to avoid graft-associated infections in human recipients. However, little is known about the effect of GI on decellularized corneal xenografts. Here, we evaluated the radiation effect on the ultrastructure, optical, mechanical and biological properties of DPC. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that gamma irradiated decellularized porcine cornea (G-DPC) preserved its structural integrity. Moreover, the radiation did not reduce the optical properties of the tissue. Neither DPC nor G-DPC led to further activation of complement system compared to native porcine cornea when exposed to plasma. Although, DPC were mechanically comparable to the native tissue, GI increased the mechanical strength, tissue hydrophobicity and resistance to enzymatic degradation. Despite these changes, human corneal epithelial, stromal, endothelial and hybrid neuroblastoma cells grew and differentiated on DPC and G-DPC. Thus, GI may achieve effective tissue sterilization without affecting critical properties that are essential for corneal transplant survival. (C) 2019 Acta Materialia Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Manti, M., et al.
(författare)
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Excess of ovarian nerve growth factor impairs embryonic development and causes reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in adult female mice
- 2020
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Ingår i: FASEB Journal. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 34:11, s. 14440-14457
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nerve growth factor (NGF) is critical for the development and maintenance of the peripheral sympathetic neurons. NGF is also involved in the ovarian sympathetic innervation and in the development and maintenance of folliculogenesis. Women with the endocrine disorder, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), have an increased sympathetic nerve activity and increased ovarian NGF levels. The role of ovarian NGF excess in the PCOS pathophysiology and in the PCOS-related features is unclear. Here, using transgenic mice overexpressesing NGF in the ovarian theca cells (17NF mice), we assessed the female embryonic development, and the reproductive and metabolic profile in adult females. Ovarian NGF excess caused growth restriction in the female fetuses, and a delayed gonocyte and primary oocyte maturation. In adulthood, the 17NF mice displayed irregular estrous cycles and altered ovarian expression of steroidogenic and epigenetic markers. They also exhibited an increased sympathetic output with increased circulating dopamine, and metabolic dysfunction reflected by aberrant adipose tissue morphology and function, impaired glucose metabolism, decreased energy expenditure, and hepatic steatosis. These findings indicate that ovarian NGF excess leads to adverse fetal development and to reproductive and metabolic complications in adulthood, mirroring common features of PCOS. This work provides evidence that NGF excess may be implicated in the PCOS pathophysiology.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Bedoya-Reina, O. C., et al.
(författare)
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Single-nuclei transcriptomes from human adrenal gland reveal distinct cellular identities of low and high-risk neuroblastoma tumors
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Childhood neuroblastoma has a remarkable variability in outcome. Age at diagnosis is one of the most important prognostic factors, with children less than 1 year old having favorable outcomes. Here we study single-cell and single-nuclei transcriptomes of neuroblastoma with different clinical risk groups and stages, including healthy adrenal gland. We compare tumor cell populations with embryonic mouse sympatho-adrenal derivatives, and post-natal human adrenal gland. We provide evidence that low and high-risk neuroblastoma have different cell identities, representing two disease entities. Low-risk neuroblastoma presents a transcriptome that resembles sympatho- and chromaffin cells, whereas malignant cells enriched in high-risk neuroblastoma resembles a subtype of TRKB+ cholinergic progenitor population identified in human post-natal gland. Analyses of these populations reveal different gene expression programs for worst and better survival in correlation with age at diagnosis. Our findings reveal two cellular identities and a composition of human neuroblastoma tumors reflecting clinical heterogeneity and outcome. Childhood neuroblastoma can be separated into high and low risk groups, with prognosis depending on age at diagnosis. Here, the authors show that low and high risk neuroblastoma tumours are composed of different cell types with different malignancy potential.
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| 7. |
- Chan, Cangel Pui Yee, et al.
(författare)
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Evidence-Based Point-of-Care Diagnostics: Current Status and Emerging Technologies
- 2013
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Ingår i: Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry. - : Annual Reviews. - 1936-1327 .- 1936-1335. - 9780824344061 ; 6, s. 191-211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Point-of-care (POC) diagnostics brings tests nearer to the site of patient care. The turnaround time is short, and minimal manual interference enables quick clinical management decisions. Growth in POC diagnostics is being continuously fueled by the global burden of cardiovascular and infectious diseases. Early diagnosis and rapid initiation of treatment are crucial in the management of such patients. This review provides the rationale for the use of POC tests in acute coronary syndrome, heart failure, human immunodeficiency virus, and tuberculosis. We also consider emerging technologies that are based on advanced nanomaterials and microfluidics, improved assay sensitivity, miniaturization in device design, reduced costs, and high-throughput multiplex detection, all of which may shape the future development of POC diagnostics.
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| 8. |
- Freud, Lindsay R., et al.
(författare)
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Prenatal vs postnatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome: cardiac and noncardiac outcomes through 1 year of age
- 2024
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Ingår i: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. - 0002-9378 .- 1097-6868. ; 230:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is the most common microdeletion syndrome and is frequently associated with congenital heart disease. Prenatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome is increasingly offered. It is unknown whether there is a clinical benefit to prenatal detection as compared with postnatal diagnosis. Objective: This study aimed to determine differences in perinatal and infant outcomes between patients with prenatal and postnatal diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Study Design: This was a retrospective cohort study across multiple international centers (30 sites, 4 continents) from 2006 to 2019. Participants were fetuses, neonates, or infants with a genetic diagnosis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome by 1 year of age with or without congenital heart disease; those with prenatal diagnosis or suspicion (suggestive ultrasound findings and/or high-risk cell-free fetal DNA screen for 22q11.2 deletion syndrome with postnatal confirmation) were compared with those with postnatal diagnosis. Perinatal management, cardiac and noncardiac morbidity, and mortality by 1 year were assessed. Outcomes were adjusted for presence of critical congenital heart disease, gestational age at birth, and site. Results: A total of 625 fetuses, neonates, or infants with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (53.4% male) were included: 259 fetuses were prenatally diagnosed (156 [60.2%] were live-born) and 122 neonates were prenatally suspected with postnatal confirmation, whereas 244 infants were postnatally diagnosed. In the live-born cohort (n=522), 1-year mortality was 5.9%, which did not differ between groups but differed by the presence of critical congenital heart disease (hazard ratio, 4.18; 95% confidence interval, 1.56–11.18; P<.001) and gestational age at birth (hazard ratio, 0.78 per week; 95% confidence interval, 0.69–0.89; P<.001). Adjusting for critical congenital heart disease and gestational age at birth, the prenatal cohort was less likely to deliver at a local community hospital (5.1% vs 38.2%; odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.06–0.23; P<.001), experience neonatal cardiac decompensation (1.3% vs 5.0%; odds ratio, 0.11; 95% confidence interval, 0.03–0.49; P=.004), or have failure to thrive by 1 year (43.4% vs 50.3%; odds ratio, 0.58; 95% confidence interval, 0.36–0.91; P=.019). Conclusion: Prenatal detection of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome was associated with improved delivery management and less cardiac and noncardiac morbidity, but not mortality, compared with postnatal detection.
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| 9. |
- Leung, Doris, et al.
(författare)
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Advancing pedagogy of undergraduate nursing students' cultural awarenessthrough internationalization webinars : A qualitative study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Nurse Education Today. - : Elsevier. - 0260-6917 .- 1532-2793. ; 93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In today's world, nurses increasingly care for individuals from different cultures. Because culturally sensitivecare can improve patient satisfaction in care, nurses need to develop cultural competence in their practice. Todevelop cultural competence, one option is to build cultural awareness by exposing students to nursing practicesin other cultures through online internationalization-at-home activities. However, little is known about theprocess of cultural awareness development through internationalization activities. Therefore, this qualitativestudy aimed to identify the development process of cultural awareness in nursing students, who participated in aseries of internationalization-at-home activities. A total of 31 nursing students from Australia, Hong Kong, andSweden volunteered to participate in student-led learning groups. Groups consisted of two to four students fromeach university, who engaged in four weekly webinars and online reflections about nursing practice based on acase scenario. Data were collected from participants' ongoing reflective journal entries, and after the webinarsended, from three focus groups. A semi-structured interview guide was used to understand how the internationalization-at-home activities impacted their cultural awareness and knowledge of nursing. Data wereanalyzed using interpretive description. Following four levels of thematic analysis (i.e., comprehension,synthesis, theorizing, reconceptualization), we identified four themes in the development of cultural awareness:1) nurturing reciprocity through comparisons of nursing culture; 2) discovering common ethical values of thenursing profession; 3) developing cultural awareness in nursing ideology and practice; and 4) transformingunderstanding of nursing in the context of their healthcare systems. By the end of the internationalizationactivities, students appeared to have developed relational skills to facilitate their own inner dialogue aboutethical ideals of “self” and “other” in the context of being part of the global nursing community. Future researchshould develop and assess teaching strategies that can further facilitate the four themes in cultural awarenessdevelopment.
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| 10. |
- Sattu, Kamaraj, et al.
(författare)
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Phosphoproteomic analysis of anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) downstream signaling pathways identifies signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 as a functional target of activated ALK in neuroblastoma cells
- 2013
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Ingår i: The FEBS Journal. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1742-464X .- 1742-4658. ; 280:21, s. 5269-5282
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Activation of the anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK) receptor tyrosine kinase is a key oncogenic mechanism in a growing number of tumor types. In the majority of cases, ALK is activated by fusion with a dimerizing partner protein as a result of chromosomal translocation events, most studied in the case of the nucleophosmin-ALK and echinoderm microtubule-associated protein-like 4-ALK oncoproteins. It is now also appreciated that the full-length ALK receptor can be activated by point mutations and by deletions within the extracellular domain, such as those observed in neuroblastoma. Several studies have employed phosphoproteomics approaches to find substrates of ALK fusion proteins. In this study, we used MS-based phosphotyrosine profiling to characterize phosphotyrosine signaling events associated with the full-length ALK receptor. A number of previously identified and novel targets were identified. One of these, signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), has previously been observed to be activated in response to oncogenic ALK signaling, but the significance of this in signaling from the full-length ALK receptor has not been explored further. We show here that activated ALK robustly activates STAT3 on Tyr705 in a number of independent neuroblastoma cell lines. Furthermore, knockdown of STAT3 by RNA interference resulted in a reduction in myelocytomatosis neuroblastom (MYCN) protein levels downstream of ALK signaling. These observations, together with a decreased level of MYCN and inhibition of neuroblastoma cell growth in the presence of STAT3 inhibitors, suggest that activation of STAT3 is important for ALK signaling activity in neuroblastoma.
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