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- Sindi, S., et al.
(författare)
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Multimodal Preventive Trial for Alzheimer’s Disease : MIND-ADmini Pilot Trial Study Design and Progress
- 2022
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Ingår i: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. - : Serdi-Editions. - 2274-5807 .- 2426-0266. ; 9:1, s. 30-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Interventions simultaneously targeting multiple risk factors and mechanisms are most likely to be effective in preventing cognitive impairment. This was indicated in the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER) testing a multidomain lifestyle intervention among at-risk individuals. The importance of medical food at the early symptomatic disease stage, prodromal Alzheimer’s disease (AD), was emphasized in the LipiDiDiet trial. The feasibility and effects of multimodal interventions in prodromal AD are unclear. Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility of an adapted FINGER-based multimodal lifestyle intervention, with or without medical food, among individuals with prodromal AD. Methods: MIND-ADmini is a multinational proof-of-concept 6-month randomized controlled trial (RCT), with four trial sites (Sweden, Finland, Germany, France). The trial targeted individuals with prodromal AD defined using the International Working Group-1 criteria, and with vascular or lifestyle-related risk factors. The parallel-group RCT includes three arms: 1) multimodal lifestyle intervention (nutritional guidance, exercise, cognitive training, vascular/metabolic risk management and social stimulation); 2) multimodal lifestyle intervention+medical food (Fortasyn Connect); and 3) regular health advice/ care (control group). Primary outcomes are feasibility and adherence. Secondary outcomes are adherence to the individual intervention domains and healthy lifestyle changes. Results: Screening began on 28 September 2017 and was completed on 21 May 2019. Altogether 93 participants were randomized and enrolled. The intervention proceeded as planned. Conclusions: For the first time, this pilot trial tests the feasibility and adherence to a multimodal lifestyle intervention, alone or combined with medical food, among individuals with prodromal AD. It can serve as a model for combination therapy trials (non-pharma, nutrition-based and/or pharmacological interventions).
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- Anderson, M. E., et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of generic chiral liquid chromatography screens for pharmaceutical analysis
- 2003
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Ingår i: Journal of Chromatography A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9673 .- 1873-3778. ; 1005:02-jan, s. 83-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Two different automated generic liquid chromatography screens for the separation of chiral compounds of pharmaceutical interest have been evaluated. The test set comprised 53 chemically diverse chiral compounds involving 55 enantiomeric pairs from the pharmaceutical industry (i.e. starting materials, synthetic intermediates and drug substances). The first screen utilised four polysaccharide-based columns with five mobile phases and showed enantioselectivity for 87% of the test compounds. The second screen employed three macrocyclic glycopeptide columns with two mobile phases and showed enantioselectivity for 65% of the test compounds. Merging of the two screening procedures resulted in an enantioselectivity for 96% of the chiral compounds. It is anticipated that the systematic use of the automated chiral HPLC screens described in this report will substantially reduce the necessary time for method development of pharmaceutically related chiral analytical methods.
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- Becher, Paul G., et al.
(författare)
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Chemical signaling and insect attraction is a conserved trait in yeasts
- 2018
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Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; , s. 2962-2974
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Yeast volatiles attract insects, which apparently is of mutual benefit, for both yeasts and insects. However, it is unknown whether biosynthesis of metabolites that attract insects is a basic and general trait, or if it is specific for yeasts that live in close association with insects. Our goal was to study chemical insect attractants produced by yeasts that span more than 250 million years of evolutionary history and vastly differ in their metabolism and lifestyle. We bioassayed attraction of the vinegar fly Drosophila melanogaster to odors of phylogenetically and ecologically distinct yeasts grown under controlled conditions. Baker's yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the insect-associated species Candida californica, Pichia kluyveri and Metschnikowia andauensis, wine yeast Dekkera bruxellensis, milk yeast Kluyveromyces lactis, the vertebrate pathogens Candida albicans and Candida glabrata, and oleophilic Yarrowia lipolytica were screened for fly attraction in a wind tunnel. Yeast headspace was chemically analyzed, and co-occurrence of insect attractants in yeasts and flowering plants was investigated through a database search. In yeasts with known genomes, we investigated the occurrence of genes involved in the synthesis of key aroma compounds. Flies were attracted to all nine yeasts studied. The behavioral response to baker's yeast was independent of its growth stage. In addition to Drosophila, we tested the basal hexapod Folsomia candida (Collembola) in a Y-tube assay to the most ancient yeast, Y. lipolytica, which proved that early yeast signals also function on clades older than neopteran insects. Behavioral and chemical data and a search for selected genes of volatile metabolites underline that biosynthesis of chemical signals is found throughout the yeast clade and has been conserved during the evolution of yeast lifestyles. Literature and database reviews corroborate that yeast signals mediate mutualistic interactions between insects and yeasts. Moreover, volatiles emitted by yeasts are commonly found also in flowers and attract many insect species. The collective evidence suggests that the release of volatile signals by yeasts is a widespread and phylogenetically ancient trait, and that insect-yeast communication evolved prior to the emergence of flowering plants. Co-occurrence of the same attractant signals in yeast and flowers suggests that yeast-insect communication may have contributed to the evolution of insect-mediated pollination in flowers.
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| 12. |
- Bloniecki, V, et al.
(författare)
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Digital Screening for Cognitive Impairment - A Proof of Concept Study
- 2021
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Ingår i: The journal of prevention of Alzheimer's disease. - : SERDI. - 2426-0266 .- 2274-5807. ; 8:2, s. 127-134
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Due to an ageing demographic and rapid increase of cognitive impairment and dementia, combined with potential disease-modifying drugs and other interventions in the pipeline, there is a need for the development of accurate, accessible and efficient cognitive screening instruments, focused on early-stage detection of neurodegenerative disorders. Objective: In this proof of concept report, we examine the validity of a newly developed digital cognitive test, the Geras Solutions Cognitive Test (GCST) and compare its accuracy against the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA). Methods: 106 patients, referred to the memory clinic, Karolinska University Hospital, due to memory complaints were included. All patients were assessed for presence of neurodegenerative disorder in accordance with standard investigative procedures. 66% were diagnosed with subjective cognitive impairment (SCI), 25% with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and 9% fulfilled criteria for dementia. All patients were administered both MoCA and GSCT. Descriptive statistics and specificity, sensitivity and ROC curves were established for both test. Results: Mean score differed significantly between all diagnostic subgroups for both GSCT and MoCA (p<0.05). GSCT total test time differed significantly between all diagnostic subgroups (p<0.05). Overall, MoCA showed a sensitivity of 0.88 and specificity of 0.54 at a cut-off of <=26 while GSCT displayed 0.91 and 0.55 in sensitivity and specificity respectively at a cut-off of <=45. Conclusion: This report suggests that GSCT is a viable cognitive screening instrument for both MCI and dementia.
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| 13. |
- Bloniecki, Victor, et al.
(författare)
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The Geras Solutions Cognitive Test for Assessing Cognitive Impairment : Normative Data from a Population-Based Cohort
- 2023
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Ingår i: The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease. - : Springer. - 2274-5807 .- 2426-0266. ; 2:10, s. 207-211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: There is a need for the development of accurate, accessible and efficient screening instruments, focused on early-stage detection of neurocognitive disorders. The Geras Solutions cognitive test (GSCT) has showed potential as a digital screening tool for cognitive impairment but normative data are needed.Objective: The aim of this study was to obtain normative data for the GSCT in cognitively healthy patients, investigate the effects of gender and education on test scores as well as examine test-retest reliability.Methods: The population in this study consisted of 144 cognitively healthy subjects (MMSE>26) all at the age of 70 who were earlier included in the Healthy Aging Initiative Study conducted in Umea, Sweden. All patients conducted the GSCT and a subset of patients (n=32) completed the test twice in order to establish test-retest reliability.Results: The mean GSCT score was 46.0 (+/- 4.5) points. High level of education (>12 years) was associated with a high GSCT score (p = 0.02) while gender was not associated with GSCT outcomes (p = 0.5). GSCT displayed a high correlation between test and retest (r(30) = 0.8, p <0.01).Conclusion: This study provides valuable information regarding normative test-scores on the GSCT for cognitively healthy individuals and indicates education level as the most important predictor of test outcome. Additionally, the GSCT appears to display a good test-retest reliability further strengthening the validity of the test.
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| 14. |
- Chakraborty, Amrita, et al.
(författare)
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Yeast and fruit fly mutual niche construction and antagonism against mould
- 2022
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Ingår i: Functional Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0269-8463 .- 1365-2435. ; 36:7, s. 1639-1654
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A goal in insect–microbe ecology is to understand the mechanisms regulating species associations and mutualistic interactions. The spotted wing drosophila Drosophila suzukii develops in ripening fruit, unlike other drosophilids that typically feed on overripe fruit, and is associated with the yeast Hanseniaspora uvarum. We hypothesized that D. suzukii and H. uvarum engage in niche construction leading to a mutualistic relation, facilitating the exploitation of fruit and berries as larval substrate. We show that H. uvarum proliferates on both ripe and on unripe raspberries, mediates attraction of D. suzukii larvae and adult flies, enhances egg-laying in mated females and is a sufficient food substrate to support larval development. Moreover, H. uvarum suppresses the antagonistic grey mould, Botrytis cinerea in collaboration with D. suzukii larvae, and produces less ethanol than baker's yeast. H. uvarum thus creates favourable conditions for D. suzukii larval development, which is susceptible to ethanol and grey mould. D. suzukii, on the other hand, vectors H. uvarum to suitable substrates such as raspberries, where larval feeding activity enhances growth of H. uvarum. Larval feeding also helps to suppress B. cinerea, which otherwise outcompetes H. uvarum on raspberry, in the absence of fly larvae. In conclusion, H. uvarum enhances D. suzukii larval development on unripe berries, and D. suzukii promotes H. uvarum dispersal and growth on berries. Yeast and fly modify their shared habitat in reciprocal niche construction and mutual interaction. Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
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- Hagman, Jennifer Ricci, et al.
(författare)
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Use of a recombinant deacetylase to convert A1 red blood cells to the acquired B phenotype for quality control purposes
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Ingår i: Blood Transfusion. - 1723-2007.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background - Correct blood group typing is the cornerstone of transfusion medicine. In patients whose gastrointestinal wall is compromised, bacterial enzymes can cause deacetylation of blood group A, converting N-acetylgalactosamine to galactosamine, which resembles the B-defining galactose. This acquired B (acqB) phenomenon, first described 1959, can lead to blood grouping errors. Herein, we explore the possibility of producing acqB red blood cells (RBCs) by enzymatic conversion, for quality control purposes.Materials and methods - A1 RBCs along with group B and O control RBCs were subjected to enzymatic digestion by bacterially derived deacetylase, FpGalNAcDeAc. RBCs were tested with monoclonal anti-A, anti-B, acquired-B-reactive anti-B (ES4 clone), and a panel of donor plasmas. Standard serological techniques were used. RBCs were subsequently frozen by a glycerolisation method, stored at −80 oC, and thawed for testing to evaluate stability.Results - Specific deacetylation of A antigen was achieved at both enzyme concentrations. Enzymatically modified A1 RBCs reacted 1-3+ with clone ES4 but not with other anti-B reagents. Group B and O RBC controls reacted as expected. Crossmatch testing revealed 1-3+ reactions in 17/26 group A plasma with modified RBCs but not with untreated controls. Furthermore, 2/3 group AB plasmas reacted strongly with the modified RBCs. The acqB phenotype was maintained upon freezing/thawing.Discussion - Using a recombinant deacetylase, we demonstrated the feasibility of creating acqB RBCs from donor A1 RBCs, thus providing a reagent for quality assurance of monoclonal anti-B. These RBCs can be frozen once treated, providing a reliable source of this unusual but clinically important phenotype.
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| 20. |
- Hagman, Karl, et al.
(författare)
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On the potential roles of ticks and migrating birds in the ecology of West Nile virus
- 2014
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Ingår i: Infection Ecology & Epidemiology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 2000-8686. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes are the primary vectors of West Nile virus (WNV). Ticks have, however, been suggested to be potential reservoirs of WNV. In order to investigate their role in the spread of the virus, ticks, which had been collected from birds migrating northwards from Africa to Europe, were analyzed for the potential presence of WNV-RNA.METHODS: On the Mediterranean islands Capri and Antikythira a total of 14,824 birds were captured and investigated from which 747 ticks were collected.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Most of the identified ticks (93%) were nymphs and larvae of Hyalomma marginatum sensu lato, most of which were or appear to be Hyalomma rufipes. Of these ticks 729 were individually screened for WNV-RNA. None of the ticks was found to be WNV positive. Thus, there was no evidence that Hyalomma marginatum s.l. ticks play a role in the spread of WNV from Africa to Europe.
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| 21. |
- Hagman, P. Olle G.
(författare)
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Automatic quality sorting of Picea abies logs with a gamma ray log scanner
- 1993
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Forest Research. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0282-7581 .- 1651-1891. ; 8:1-4, s. 583-590
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A quality index for quality sorting of Norway spruce (Picea abies) has been developed. The quality index expresses the expected mean quality of the centerboards from the log. This quality index is based on property variables obtained when using a gamma ray scanner. A multivariate calibration method, PLS (partial least squares models in latent variables), was used. A training set of 2 000 graded centerboards coming from 1 000 selected spruce logs was used to create the model between measured property variables and the expected quality output. The model is tested with crossvalidation within the training set, and expected precision of aim is 65% overall correct classification and a 70% correct classification for dimensions 150 to 225 mm. It can be utilized when sorting logs automatically with respect to the quality of the center boards.
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- Hallgren, Line, et al.
(författare)
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A First Attempt to Implement a Swirl Blade in Production of Ingots
- 2010
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Ingår i: ISIJ International. - : Iron and Steel Institute of Japan. - 0915-1559 .- 1347-5460. ; 50:12, s. 1763-1769
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant trials were carried out to test if it would be possible to place a ceramic swirl blade in the runner channel during filling of ingots The initial experiments showed that no production disturbances were found More specifically no problems with unusual refractory wear or cracks in the refractory were found Thus it was concluded that the use of swirl blade has a potential in the future to be used to influence the initial filling conditions Also mathematical modeling was done in order to illustrate how it was possible to improve the layout of the runner system in order to increase the potential for use of swirl for the current plant conditions The results showed that the meniscus was not dampened as much when the swirl blade is positioned in a horizontal direction in the runner channel compared to the results of a previous physical modeling study where the swirl blade was placed in a vertical direction just before the steel entered the mold However if a horizontally positioned swirl blade is used in combination with an inlet with an angle of 15 degrees the hump height at the initial filling stage can be lowered from 100 to 58 mm compared to a case without a swirl blade This illustrates the potential to apply mold powder closer to the bottom without risking reoxidation due to reactions with steel and mold powder
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| 23. |
- Iregren, A, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on the nervous system in different groups of workers exposed to aluminium
- 2001
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Ingår i: Occupational and Environmental Medicine. ; 58, s. 453-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE - To investigate possible neurotoxic effects in groups of aluminium pot room and foundry workers, aluminium welders, and a small group of workers exposed to aluminium in the production of flake powder.METHODS - Exposure to aluminium was evaluated with aluminium concentrations in blood and urine as well as a questionnaire. The groups exposed to aluminium were compared with a group of mild steel welders. Neurotoxic effects were studied with mood and symptom questionnaires and several psychological and neurophysiological tests.RESULTS - The pot room and foundry workers showed very low aluminium uptake as their aluminium concentrations in blood and urine were close to normal, and no effects on the nervous system were detected. The group of workers exposed to flake powder had high concentrations of aluminium in blood and urine, even higher than those of the aluminium welders. However, aluminium could not be shown to affect the functioning of the nervous system in flake powder producers. Although significant effects could not be shown in the present analysis of the data on welders, the performance of the welders exposed to high concentrations of aluminium was affected according to the analyses in the original paper from this group.CONCLUSIONS - For the pot room and foundry workers no effects related to the exposure to aluminium could be found. For the group of flake powder producers exposed for a short term no effects on the nervous systems were evident despite high levels of exposure. Due to the high concentrations of aluminium in the biological samples of this group, measures to reduce the exposure to aluminium are recommended, as effects on the central nervous system might develop after protracted exposures. However, this assumption needs to be verified in further studies.
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