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| 2. |
- Andersson, John, 1979-
(författare)
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Air pollution and dementia in a low exposure setting : the role of noise, olfaction, and theapoe gene
- 2023
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Previous research indicates an association between air pollution exposure, and risk of dementia. Still, a number of factors that may play a role in this association remain to be explored. In addition, while most studies on air pollution and brain health have taken place in highly exposed large urban areas, the studies included in this thesis are conducted in an area with relatively low levels of air pollution and road traffic noise.The overall aim of this thesis is to investigate possible mechanisms - more specifically the role of noise, olfaction and the APOE-ε4 allele - in the association between air pollution and dementia, in a low exposure area. Because olfactory deficits have been linked to air pollution, and can be an early sign of dementia, an additional aim is to examine associations between exposure to air pollution and olfactory function.Methods: Participants were drawn from the Betula project – a prospective cohort study – in Umeå, Sweden. Modelled data on concentrations of nitrogenoxides (NOx), fine particle matter (PM2.5) and levels of road traffic noise, were matched with participants residential address at baseline. PM2.5 levels at the day of testing were obtained from a measuring station in the vicinity of the test location. Data on dementia diagnoses, APOE status, olfactory functions, and covariates, were drawn from the Betula project. Dementia assessment was primarily based on medical records, and conducted by a geropsychiatrist. Odor identification was assessed using the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test, and odor detection threshold by “sniffin’ sticks”. APOE genotype was determined by DNA analyses of blood samples.Study I. Where there is pollution, there is also often noise. In addition, exposure to noise can increase the risk of dementia. The aim of study I was to investigate the individual and combined effect of noise and air pollution on risk of dementia. The results showed an association between NOx and dementia. However, noise from road traffic did not contribute to this association.Study II. Olfactory deficits can be an early sign of dementia and might also becaused by air pollution. Olfactory receptor cells in the nasal cavity are exposed to inhaled air, and the olfactory bulb is one of the areas of the brain most affectedby air pollution. The APOE-ε4 allele is important to consider, as it is a risk factor for both dementia and declining olfactory functions. The aim of study II was to investigate the role of olfaction and the APOE-ε4 allele in the association between air pollution and dementia. Stratified analyses showed that associations between PM2.5 and dementia persisted only among APOE-ε4 carriers, and those with poor odor identification ability.Study III. The olfactory system may be vulnerable to air pollution, and olfactory dysfunction is an early sign of dementia. In addition, the moderating effect of odor identification ability found in study II, could be explained by air pollution increasing the risk of olfactory functions and dementia independent of each other. Thus, the aim of study III was to investigate the associations between PM2.5 (both long term exposure, and concentrations on the day of testing), and odor identification and detection. A positive association was observed between longterm air pollution exposure and odor identification ability. No association was found between long term air pollution exposure and odor detection, or between short term exposure and either olfactory outcome.Conclusion: Low levels of long-term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of dementia. APOE-ε4 carriers, and those with poor odor identification ability, seem particularly vulnerable. No residual confounding from road traffic noisewas found, suggesting that air pollution is the main component in the association between traffic related exposures and dementia in low-exposure areas. The positive association between air pollution and odor identification might be explained by socioeconomic status, and the links between olfaction and semantic memory.
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| 3. |
- Andersson, John, et al.
(författare)
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Pm2.5 and dementia in a low exposure setting : the influence of odor identification ability and APOE
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's Disease. - : IOS Press. - 1387-2877 .- 1875-8908. ; 92:2, s. 679-689
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Growing evidence show that long term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of dementia.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PM2.5 exposure and dementia in a low exposure area, and to investigate the role of olfaction and the APOE ε4 allele in these associations.Methods: Data were drawn from the Betula project, a longitudinal study on aging, memory, and dementia in Sweden. Odor identification ability was assessed using the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test (SOIT). Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a dispersion-model and matched at the participants’ residential address. Proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios.Results: Of 1,846 participants, 348 developed dementia during the 21-year follow-up period. The average annual mean PM2.5 exposure at baseline was 6.77 µg/m3, which is 1.77 µg/m3 above the WHO definition of clean air. In a fully adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, APOE, SOIT, cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, and education) each 1 µg/m3 difference in annual mean PM2.5-concentration was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.23 for dementia (95% CI: 1.01–1.50). Analyses stratified by APOE status (ε4 carriers versus non-carriers), and odor identification ability (high versus low), showed associations only for ε4 carriers, and for low performance on odor identification ability.Conclusion: PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of dementia in this low pollution setting. The associations between PM2.5 and dementia seemed stronger in APOE carriers and those with below average odor identification ability.
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| 4. |
- Andersson, John, et al.
(författare)
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PM2.5 and Dementia in a Low Exposure Setting : The Influence of Odor Identification Ability and APOE
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. - 1387-2877. ; 92:2, s. 679-689
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Growing evidence show that long term exposure to air pollution increases the risk of dementia. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate associations between PM2.5 exposure and dementia in a low exposure area, and to investigate the role of olfaction and the APOE ɛ4 allele in these associations. METHODS: Data were drawn from the Betula project, a longitudinal study on aging, memory, and dementia in Sweden. Odor identification ability was assessed using the Scandinavian Odor Identification Test (SOIT). Annual mean PM2.5 concentrations were obtained from a dispersion-model and matched at the participants' residential address. Proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios. RESULTS: Of 1,846 participants, 348 developed dementia during the 21-year follow-up period. The average annual mean PM2.5 exposure at baseline was 6.77μg/m3, which is 1.77μg/m3 above the WHO definition of clean air. In a fully adjusted model (adjusted for age, sex, APOE, SOIT, cardiovascular diseases and risk factors, and education) each 1μg/m3 difference in annual mean PM2.5-concentration was associated with a hazard ratio of 1.23 for dementia (95% CI: 1.01-1.50). Analyses stratified by APOE status (ɛ4 carriers versus non-carriers), and odor identification ability (high versus low), showed associations only for ɛ4 carriers, and for low performance on odor identification ability. CONCLUSION: PM2.5 was associated with an increased risk of dementia in this low pollution setting. The associations between PM2.5 and dementia seemed stronger in APOE carriers and those with below average odor identification ability.
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| 5. |
- Andersson, John, et al.
(författare)
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Road traffic noise, air pollution, and risk of dementia : results from the Betula project
- 2018
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Ingår i: Environmental Research. - : Elsevier. - 0013-9351 .- 1096-0953. ; 166, s. 334-339
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is growing evidence for a negative impact of traffic-related air pollution on risk of dementia. However, the contribution of noise exposure to this association has been rarely examined.Objective: We aimed to investigate the individual and combined effect of noise and air pollution on risk of dementia.Methods: Data on dementia incidence over a 15 year period was obtained from the Betula project, a longitudinal study on health and ageing. Estimates of annual mean levels of nitrogen oxides (NOx) at the participants’ residential address were obtained using a land-use regression model. Modelled data provided road traffic noise levels (Leq. 24 h) at the participants’ residential address at baseline. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to calculate hazard ratios (HR).Results: Of 1721 participants at baseline, 302 developed dementia during the follow up period. Exposure to noise levels (Leq. 24 h) > 55 dB had no significant effect on dementia risk (HR 0.95; CI: 0.57, 1.57). Residing in the two highest quartiles of NOx exposure was associated with an increased risk of dementia. The risk associated with NOx was not modified by adjusting for noise. Moreover, we found no significant interaction effects between NOx and road traffic noise on dementia risk.Conclusion: We found no evidence that exposure to road traffic noise, either independently or in combination with traffic air pollution, was associated with risk of dementia in our study area. Our results suggest that pollution should be considered the main component in the association between traffic related exposures and dementia.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Leif, et al.
(författare)
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ZBED6 : the birth of a new transcription factor in the common ancestor of placental mammals
- 2010
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Ingår i: Transcription. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2154-1272 .- 2154-1264. ; 1:3, s. 144-148
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A DNA transposon integrated into -the genome of a primitive mammal some 200 million years ago and, millions of years later, it evolved an essential function in the common ancestor of all placental mammals. This protein, now named ZBED6, was recently discovered because a mutation disrupting one of its binding sites, in an intron of the IGF2 gene, makes pigs grow more muscle. These findings have revealed a new mechanism for regulating muscle growth as well as a novel transcription factor that appears to be of major importance for transcriptional regulation in placental mammals.
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| 7. |
- Awad, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Lower cognitive performance among long-term type 1 diabetes survivors : A case-control study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of diabetes and its complications. - : Elsevier. - 1056-8727 .- 1873-460X. ; 31:8, s. 1328-1331
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) have an increased risk of cognitive dysfunction. The cognitive decrement is believed to depend on macro- and microvascular complications and long disease duration. Some patients do not develop these complications, but still report cognitive symptoms. We examined if long-standing T1D without complications is associated with lower cognitive performance.METHODS: A group of patients (n=43) with long-standing T1D (>30years) without micro- or macro vascular complications was compared with a non-diabetic control group (n=86) on six cognitive tests which probed episodic memory, semantic memory, episodic short-term memory, visual attention and psychomotor speed. Each patient was matched with two controls regarding age, gender and education. A linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the data.RESULTS: The mean age was 57years and mean duration was 41years. Patients with diabetes had lower diastolic blood pressure but BMI, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure and smoking did not differ between groups. Patients had lower results than non-diabetic controls in episodic short-term memory (p<0.001) and also lower values on a test that mirrors visual attention and psychomotor speed (p=0.019).CONCLUSIONS: Long-standing T1D was associated with lower cognitive performance, regardless of other diabetes-related complications.
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| 8. |
- Bentham, James, et al.
(författare)
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A century of trends in adult human height
- 2016
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Ingår i: eLIFE. - 2050-084X. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.522.7) and 16.5 cm (13.319.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
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| 9. |
- Bentham, James, et al.
(författare)
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A century of trends in adult human height
- 2016
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Ingår i: eLIFE. - : eLife Sciences Publications Ltd. - 2050-084X. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Being taller is associated with enhanced longevity, and higher education and earnings. We reanalysed 1472 population-based studies, with measurement of height on more than 18.6 million participants to estimate mean height for people born between 1896 and 1996 in 200 countries. The largest gain in adult height over the past century has occurred in South Korean women and Iranian men, who became 20.2 cm (95% credible interval 17.5–22.7) and 16.5 cm (13.3– 19.7) taller, respectively. In contrast, there was little change in adult height in some sub-Saharan African countries and in South Asia over the century of analysis. The tallest people over these 100 years are men born in the Netherlands in the last quarter of 20th century, whose average heights surpassed 182.5 cm, and the shortest were women born in Guatemala in 1896 (140.3 cm; 135.8– 144.8). The height differential between the tallest and shortest populations was 19-20 cm a century ago, and has remained the same for women and increased for men a century later despite substantial changes in the ranking of countries.
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| 10. |
- Bolin, Marie, et al.
(författare)
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Prediction of Preeclampsia by Combining Serum Histidine-Rich Glycoprotein and Uterine Artery Doppler
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Hypertension. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0895-7061 .- 1941-7225. ; 25:12, s. 1305-1310
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPreeclampsia is associated with both maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG) is a protein interacting with angiogenesis, coagulation, and inflammatory responses, processes known to be altered in preeclamptic pregnancies. Significantly lower levels of HRG have been demonstrated as early as in the first trimester in women later developing preeclampsia compared with normal pregnancies. The aim of this study was to investigate whether the combination of HRG and uterine artery Doppler ultrasonography can be used as a predictor of preeclampsia.MethodsA total of 175 women were randomly selected from a case-control study; 86 women had an uncomplicated pregnancy and 89 women later developed preeclampsia. Blood samples and pulsatility index (PI) were obtained from both cases and controls in gestational week 14.ResultsHRG levels were significantly lower in women who developed preterm preeclampsia compared with controls, but not for women developing preeclampsia in general. PI was significantly higher in the preeclampsia group compared with controls, especially in preterm preeclampsia. The combination of HRG and PI revealed a sensitivity of 91% and a specificity of 62% for preterm preeclampsia.ConclusionsThe combination of HRG and uterine artery Doppler may predict preterm preeclampsia in early pregnancy.
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