| 1. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(författare)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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Ingår i: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 2. |
- Stockfelt, Marit, et al.
(författare)
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Plasma interferon-alpha protein levels during pregnancy are associated with lower birth weight in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Rheumatology (Oxford, England). - 1462-0332.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Adverse pregnancy outcomes are more common in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) compared with healthy women, but we lack prognostic biomarkers. Plasma interferon alpha (IFNα) protein levels are elevated in a subgroup of pregnant women with SLE, but whether this is associated with pregnancy outcomes is unknown. We investigated the relationship between IFNα, adverse pregnancy outcomes and the presence of autoantibodies in SLE pregnancy.We followed 76 women with SLE prospectively. Protein levels of IFNα were quantified in plasma collected in the 2nd and 3rd trimester with single-molecule array. Positivity for antinuclear and antiphospholipid antibodies was assessed during late pregnancy with multiplexed bead assay. Clinical outcomes included the adverse pregnancy outcomes small for gestational age (SGA), preterm birth, and preeclampsia.During SLE pregnancy, women with SGA infants compared with those without had higher levels of plasma IFNα protein, and IFNα positivity was associated with lower birth weight of the infant. Preterm birth was associated with autoantibodies against chromatin. IFNα protein levels associated positively with autoantibodies against chromatin, Smith/ribonucleoprotein (SmRNP) and RNP, but negatively with phospholipid antibodies.Elevated IFNα protein in plasma of women with SLE is a potential risk factor for lower birth weight of their infants. The association between IFNα and lower birth weight warrants further investigation regarding the pathophysiological role of IFNα during SLE pregnancy.
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| 3. |
- Ståhl, Göran, et al.
(författare)
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National inventory of landscapes in Sweden (NILS) : scope, design, and experiences from establishing a multi-scale biodiversity monitoring system
- 2011
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Ingår i: Environmental Monitoring & Assessment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0167-6369 .- 1573-2959. ; 173:1-4, s. 579-595
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The landscape-level and multiscale biodiversity monitoring program National Inventory of Landscapes in Sweden (NILS) was launched in 2003. NILS is conducted as a sample-based stratified inventory that acquires data across several spatial scales, which is accomplished by combining aerial photo interpretation with field inventory. A total of 631 sample units are distributed across the land base of Sweden, of which 20% are surveyed each year. By 2007 NILS completed the first 5-year inventory phase. As the reinventory in the second 5-year phase (2008-2012) proceeds, experiences and insights accumulate and reflections are made on the setup and accomplishment of the monitoring scheme. In this article, the emphasis is placed on background, scope, objectives, design, and experiences of the NILS program. The main objective to collect data for and perform analyses of natural landscape changes, degree of anthropogenic impact, prerequisites for natural biological diversity and ecological processes at landscape scale. Different environmental conditions that can have direct or indirect effects on biological diversity are monitored. The program provides data for national and international policy and offers an infrastructure for other monitoring program and research projects. NILS has attracted significant national and international interest during its relatively short time of existence; the number of stakeholders and cooperation partners steadily increases. This is constructive and strengthens the incentive for the multiscale monitoring approach.
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| 4. |
- Torell, Agnes, 1993, et al.
(författare)
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Low CD4+T cell count is related to specific anti-nuclear antibodies, IFNα protein positivity and disease activity in systemic lupus erythematosus pregnancy.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Arthritis research & therapy. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 26:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lymphopenia, autoantibodies and activation of the type I interferon (IFN) system are common features in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We speculate whether lymphocyte subset counts are affected by pregnancy and if they relate to autoantibody profiles and/or IFNα protein in SLE pregnancy.Repeated blood samples were collected during pregnancy from 80 women with SLE and 51 healthy controls (HC). Late postpartum samples were obtained from 19 of the women with SLE. Counts of CD4+and CD8+T cells, B cells and NK cells were measured by flow cytometry. Positivity for anti-nuclear antibodies (ANA) fine specificities (double-stranded DNA [dsDNA], Smith [Sm], ribonucleoprotein [RNP], chromatin, Sjögren's syndrome antigen A [SSA] and B [SSB]) and anti-phospholipid antibodies (cardiolipin [CL] and β2 glycoprotein I [β2GPI]) was assessed with multiplexed bead assay. IFNα protein concentration was quantified with Single molecule array (Simoa) immune assay. Clinical data were retrieved from medical records.Women with SLE had lower counts of all lymphocyte subsets compared to HC throughout pregnancy, but counts did not differ during pregnancy compared to postpartum. Principal component analysis revealed that low lymphocyte subset counts differentially related to autoantibody profiles, cluster one (anti-dsDNA/anti-Sm/anti-RNP/anti-Sm/RNP/anti-chromatin), cluster two (anti-SSA/anti-SSB) and cluster three (anti-CL/anti-β2GPI), IFNα protein levels and disease activity. CD4+T cell counts were lower in women positive to all ANA fine specificities in cluster one compared to those who were negative, and B cell numbers were lower in women positive for anti-dsDNA and anti-Sm compared to negative women. Moreover, CD4+T cell and B cell counts were lower in women with moderate/high compared to no/low disease activity, and CD4+T cell count was lower in IFNα protein positive relative to negative women. Finally, CD4+T cell count was unrelated to treatment.Lymphocyte subset counts are lower in SLE compared to healthy pregnancies, which seems to be a feature of the disease per se and not affected by pregnancy. Our results also indicate that low lymphocyte subset counts relate differentially to autoantibody profiles, IFNα protein levels and disease activity, which could be due to divergent disease pathways.
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| 5. |
- Torell, Agnes, 1993, et al.
(författare)
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Low-density granulocytes are related to shorter pregnancy duration but not to interferon alpha protein blood levels in systemic lupus erythematosus.
- 2023
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Ingår i: Arthritis research & therapy. - : BMC. - 1478-6362 .- 1478-6354. ; 25
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An increased risk of pregnancy complications is seen in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), but the specific immunopathological drivers are still unclear. Hallmarks of SLE are granulocyte activation, type I interferon (IFN) overproduction, and autoantibodies. Here we examined whether low-density granulocytes (LDG) and granulocyte activation increase during pregnancy, and related the results to IFNα protein levels, autoantibody profile, and gestational age at birth.Repeated blood samples were collected during pregnancy in trimesters one, two, and three from 69 women with SLE and 27 healthy pregnant women (HC). Nineteen of the SLE women were also sampled late postpartum. LDG proportions and granulocyte activation (CD62L shedding) were measured by flow cytometry. Plasma IFNα protein concentrations were quantified by single molecule array (Simoa) immune assay. Clinical data were obtained from medical records.Women with SLE had higher LDG proportions and increased IFNα protein levels compared to HC throughout pregnancy, but neither LDG fractions nor IFNα levels differed during pregnancy compared to postpartum in SLE. Granulocyte activation status was higher in SLE relative to HC pregnancies, and it was increased during pregnancy compared to after pregnancy in SLE. Higher LDG proportions in SLE were associated with antiphospholipid positivity but not to IFNα protein levels. Finally, higher LDG proportions in trimester three correlated independently with lower gestational age at birth in SLE.Our results suggest that SLE pregnancy results in increased peripheral granulocyte priming, and that higher LDG proportions late in pregnancy are related to shorter pregnancy duration but not to IFNα blood levels in SLE.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Andersson, Åsa, Professor, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on serum protein levels from one bout of high intensity interval training in individuals with axial spondyloarthritis and controls
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background: Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily affecting the axial skeleton causing pain, inflammation, and stiffness. Individuals with axSpA are at greater risk of developing cardiovascular disease, which can be counteracted by physical activity. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has been shown to improve cardiovascular health, but the effect on disease activity and the level of inflammation in axSpA has been less studied. With the aim of investigating how levels of inflammatory cytokines, myokines, and protein markers for bone metabolism are acutely affected by one bout of HIIT, we studied serum from individuals with axSpA and healthy controls (HC).Methods: Ten participants with axSpA and 11 age- and sex-matched HC performed a single HIIT bout on a cycle ergometer: 4x4 minutes intervals with three minutes active rest in between. Blood samples were taken before and one hour after the HIIT bout. Serum proteins (IL-6, IL-17, IL-18, TNFa, CXCL-10, VEGF-A, BDNF, DKK-1, osteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, BMP-7, CRP) were analyzed with a Luminex system or ELISA. Descriptive data are presented as mean with standard deviation. A two-way ANOVA was used for comparisons.Results: A main effect from baseline to one hour post HIIT showed that both groups had a significant increase in serum levels (pg/ml) of IL-6: axSpA 2.2 (3.0) to 3.2 (1.8) and HC 0.4 (0.4) to 1.9 (2.0), p=0.03. VEGF-A (pg/ml) was significantly lower in the axSpA group: 159 (138) vs. HC 326 (184), p=0.03, but was not affected by the HIIT bout. BMP-7 (ng/ml) increased in both groups after the HIIT: axSpA 61.6 (13.1) to 75.2 (20.0) and HC 64.6 (20.8 to 75.0 (17.8), p<0.001. For the other proteins analyzed, there were no significant differences in serum concentrations between individuals with axSpA and HC, or within the two groups before and after one bout of HIIT.Conclusions: One acute bout of HIIT significantly increases the serum concentrations of IL-6 and BMP-7 after 1 hour in both individuals with axSpA and HC.© Research Square 2024
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Åsa, Professor, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
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Serum Protein Response To A Single High-Intensity Interval Training Bout – Comparison Between Individuals With Spondyloarthritis And Healthy Controls
- 2022
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - London : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81:Suppl 1, s. 780-781
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting mainly the axial skeleton. To decrease the risk of cardiovascular comorbidity, aerobic training is recommended as a part of disease management in patients with axSpA. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) interventions are, in addition to other recommended treatments, believed to positively affect the disease activity (1). However, the knowledge about the acute effects of HIIT on the inflammatory process at the molecular level is less studied. Understanding the acute HIIT effects on cytokines and additional serum proteins in axSpA is important for further long-term HIIT interventions and recording of the effect of HIIT on the axSpA disease profile.ObjectivesTo study the acute effects on serum proteins, such as cytokines, myokines, and inflammatory- and bone-related proteins, in response to a single bout of HIIT, and to compare the levels between baseline and post-HIIT in patients with axSpA and healthy controls (HC).MethodsThe pilot study included twenty-one participants (10 female, 11 male), mean (SD) age 40 (7) years, ten with axSpA, and eleven age and sex matched HC, who performed a single HIIT on a cycle ergometer consisting of 4x4 minutes interval (90% heart rate, HR-max) with three minutes active rest in between (70% of HR-max). Disease activity (BASDAI, 0-10) in patients with axSpA was 1.6 (0.8). Health status EuroQol (EQ5D, 0-1) were 0.87 (0.11) for axSpA, and 0.93 (0.10) for HC. The groups were well matched with no difference in baseline data for weight, BMI, EQ5D, blood pressure or aerobic capacity.Blood samples were taken before (baseline) and one hour after the single HIIT. The following serum proteins were analyzed on a Luminex MAGPIX System (Luminex corporation, Austin, TX USA): Interleukin (IL)-6, IL-17, IL-18, TNFαAGPIX System (Luminex corporatiosteoprotegerin, osteocalcin, osteopontin, and FGF-23. A three-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to detect differences between groups, between sexes, and before and after a HIIT bout in a 2(group)*2(sex)*2(time) design. For main effects or interactions significant at p≤0.05, simple effect t-tests were used to determine the specific effects.ResultsA group main effect (p=0.048) showed that the serum level of IL-6 was increased one hour after the HIIT session primarily in the HC, 0.4 pg/ml (SD±0.4) at baseline vs. post-HIIT 1.8 (2.0). The concentration of the cytokines/chemokine IL-17, IL-18, TNFα group main effect (p=0.048) showed that the serum level of IL-6 was increased one hour after the HIIT session primarily in30) in VEGF-A showed that the axSpA group had significantly lower VEGF-A at baseline, 159 pg/ml (138) vs 326 (184) in the control group (which might be due to anti-inflammatory medication). A sex main effect (p=0.029) was observed from baseline to post-HIIT for the bone hormone osteocalcin, with a more pronounced decrease of serum osteocalcin in women with axSpA, 14.0 ng/ml (8.3) vs. post HIIT 13.2 (6.9). Moreover, the level of the multifunctional protein osteopontin was significantly lower (sex main effect, p=0.021) in women, 10.7 ng/ml (7.0) vs. men 20.4 (10.1), post-HIIT.ConclusionThis pilot study shows that one bout of HIIT influences the expression of proteins involved in inflammation and metabolism, and that sex is an important factor in the response to HIIT. The results should be followed up in longer intervention studies including higher numbers of participants.References[1]Sveaas, S. H. et al. (2019). High intensity exercise for 3 months reduces disease activity in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): a multicentre randomised trial of 100 patients. British journal of sports medicine, 54(5), 292-297.Disclosure of InterestsÅsa Andersson: None declared, Emma Haglund Consultant of: Novartis, Emma Berthold: None declared, Elisabeth Mogard Consultant of: Novartis, Anna Torell: None declared, M Charlotte Olsson: None declared
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