| 1. |
- de Jong, R. S., et al.
(författare)
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4MOST : Project overview and information for the First Call for Proposals
- 2019
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Ingår i: The Messenger. - : European Southern Observatory. - 0722-6691. ; 175, s. 3-11
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- We introduce the 4-metre Multi-Object Spectroscopic Telescope (4MOST), a new high-multiplex, wide-field spectroscopic survey facility under development for the four-metre-class Visible and Infrared Survey Telescope for Astronomy (VISTA) at Paranal. Its key specifications are: a large field of view (FoV) of 4.2 square degrees and a high multiplex capability, with 1624 fibres feeding two low-resolution spectrographs (R = λ/Δλ ~ 6500), and 812 fibres transferring light to the high-resolution spectrograph (R ~ 20 000). After a description of the instrument and its expected performance, a short overview is given of its operational scheme and planned 4MOST Consortium science; these aspects are covered in more detail in other articles in this edition of The Messenger. Finally, the processes, schedules, and policies concerning the selection of ESO Community Surveys are presented, commencing with a singular opportunity to submit Letters of Intent for Public Surveys during the first five years of 4MOST operations.
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| 2. |
- Cluver, C. A., et al.
(författare)
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The association of prenatal alcohol exposure on the cognitive abilities and behaviour profiles of 4-year-old children: a prospective cohort study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Bjog-an International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. - : Wiley. - 1470-0328 .- 1471-0528. ; 126:13, s. 1588-1597
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo examine the association of prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE) on cognitive abilities and behaviour profiles of 4-year-old children. DesignProspective cohort study. SettingCape Town, South Africa. PopulationA cohort of 500 children. MethodsChildren from the Safe Passage Study, which prospectively collected PAE, were included. Cognition and behavioural profiles were assessed. Children with and without PAE were compared. Mean scores were compared, with P <= 0.05 considered significant. Results were adjusted for confounding factors. Main outcome measuresThe Kaufman Assessment Battery for children measured intellectual and mental ability; the NEPSY-II instrument assessed neurocognitive performance. The caregiver completed the Preschool Child Behaviour checklist to rate the child's problem behaviours and competencies. ResultsTwo hundred children had no PAE, 117 children had mild to moderate PAE (with no binge episodes), 113 children had heavy PAE (with one or two binge episodes), and 70 children had very heavy PAE (with three or more binge episodes). Women who binge drank had significantly higher rates of smoking, marijuana use, and methamphetamine use. Low to moderate PAE had no effect on cognitive ability and behaviour. Very heavy PAE was associated with problems performing simultaneous as well as sequential functions, lower scores in the language and sensorimotor domain, and more attention and pervasive developmental problems. ConclusionsLow to moderate PAE was not associated with cognitive processing or developmental problems. Women who had many binge drinking episodes during pregnancy were the most at risk for cognitive processing, neurocognitive, and behaviour problems in their children at 4 years of age. Tweetable abstractLow to moderate prenatal alcohol use was not associated with cognitive or behavioural problems in 4-year-olds. Tweetable abstract Low to moderate prenatal alcohol use was not associated with cognitive or behavioural problems in 4-year-olds.
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| 3. |
- Bergman, Lina, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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PROVE-Pre-Eclampsia Obstetric Adverse Events: Establishment of a Biobank and Database for Pre-Eclampsia
- 2021
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Ingår i: Cells. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4409. ; 10:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. The burden of disease lies mainly in low-middle income countries. The aim of this project is to establish a pre-eclampsia biobank in South Africa to facilitate research in the field of pre-eclampsia with a focus on phenotyping severe disease.The approach of our biobank is to collect biological specimens, detailed clinical data, tests, and biophysical examinations, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain, MRI of the heart, transcranial Doppler, echocardiography, and cognitive function tests.Women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia and normotensive controls are enrolled in the biobank at admission to Tygerberg University Hospital (Cape Town, South Africa). Biological samples and clinical data are collected at inclusion/delivery and during the hospital stay. Special investigations as per above are performed in a subset of women. After two months, women are followed up by telephonic interviews. This project aims to establish a biobank and database for severe organ complications of pre-eclampsia in a low-middle income country where the incidence of pre-eclampsia with organ complications is high. The study integrates different methods to investigate pre-eclampsia, focusing on improved understanding of pathophysiology, prediction of organ complications, and potentially future drug evaluation and discovery.
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| 4. |
- Hartmann, S., et al.
(författare)
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Can single-cell and spatial omics unravel the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia?
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Reproductive Immunology. - : Elsevier. - 0165-0378 .- 1872-7603. ; 159
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pre-eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Characterised by the onset of hypertension and proteinuria in the second half of pregnancy, it can lead to maternal end-organ injury such as cerebral ischemia and oedema, pulmonary oedema and renal failure, and potentially fatal outcomes for both mother and fetus. The causes of the different maternal end-organ phenotypes of pre-eclampsia and why some women develop pre-eclampsia condition early in pregnancy have yet to be elucidated. Omics methods include proteomics, genomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics. These omics techniques, previously mostly used on bulk tissue and individually, are increasingly available at a single cellular level and can be combined with each other. Multi-omics techniques on a single-cell or spatial level provide us with a powerful tool to understand the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia. This review will explore the status of omics methods and how they can and could contribute to understanding the pathophysiology of pre-eclampsia.
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| 5. |
- Alatalo, K., et al.
(författare)
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STRONG FAR-INFRARED COOLING LINES, PECULIAR CO KINEMATICS, AND POSSIBLE STAR-FORMATION SUPPRESSION IN HICKSON COMPACT GROUP 57
- 2014
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 795:2, s. 159-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present [C II] and [O I] observations from Herschel and CO(1-0) maps from the Combined Array for Research in Millimeter Astronomy (CARMA) of the Hickson compact group HCG 57, focusing on the galaxies HCG 57a and HCG 57d. HCG 57a has been previously shown to contain enhanced quantities of warm molecular hydrogen consistent with shock or turbulent heating. Our observations show that HCG 57d has strong [C II] emission compared to L-FIR and weak CO(1-0), while in HCG 57a, both the [C II] and CO(1-0) are strong. HCG 57a lies at the upper end of the normal distribution of the [C II]/CO and [C II]/FIR ratios, and its far-infrared (FIR) cooling supports a low-density, warm, diffuse gas that falls close to the boundary of acceptable models of a photon-dominated region. However, the power radiated in the [C II] and warm H-2 emissions have similar magnitudes, as seen in other shock-dominated systems and predicted by recent models. We suggest that shock heating of the [C II] is a viable alternative to photoelectric heating in violently disturbed, diffuse gas. The existence of shocks is also consistent with the peculiar CO kinematics in the galaxy, indicating that highly noncircular motions are present. These kinematically disturbed CO regions also show evidence of suppressed star formation, falling a factor of 10-30 below normal galaxies on the Kennicutt-Schmidt relation. We suggest that the peculiar properties of both galaxies are consistent with a highly dissipative, off-center collisional encounter between HCG 57d and 57a, creating ring-like morphologies in both systems. Highly dissipative gas-on-gas collisions may be more common in dense groups because of the likelihood of repeated multiple encounters. The possibility of shock-induced star-formation suppression may explain why a subset of these HCG galaxies has been found previously to fall in the mid-infrared green valley.
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| 6. |
- Bergman, Lina, et al.
(författare)
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Cerebral perfusion pressure and autoregulation in eclampsia-a case control study
- 2021
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Ingår i: American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. - : Elsevier. - 0002-9378 .- 1097-6868. ; 225:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Dynamic cerebral autoregulation and cerebral perfusion pressure are altered in pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia compared with normotensive pregnancies, but the connections of dynamic cerebral autoregulation, cerebral perfusion pressure, and cerebral complications in preeclampsia remain unclear. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to assess dynamic cerebral autoregulation and cerebral perfusion pressure after delivery in women with eclampsia, in women with preeclampsia both with and without severe features, and in normotensive women. STUDY DESIGN: This was a prospective case control study at a large referral hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. The recruitment of participants was done at diagnosis (cases) or at admission for delivery (controls). Transcranial Doppler examinations with continuous noninvasive blood pressure measurements and end-tidal CO2 monitoring were conducted for cases and controls after delivery. Cerebral perfusion pressure and dynamic cerebral autoregulation index were calculated, and values were compared among groups. RESULTS: We included 16 women with eclampsia, 18 women with preeclampsia with severe features, 32 women with preeclampsia without severe features, and 21 normotensive women with uncomplicated pregnancies. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation was depressed in pregnant women with eclampsia; (autoregulation index, 3.9; interquartile range, 3.1-5.2) compared with all other groups (those with preeclampsia with severe features, autoregulation index, 5.6 [interquartile range, 4.4-6.8]; those with preeclampsia without severe features, autoregulation index, 6.8 [interquartile range, 5.1-7.4]; and normotensive controls, autoregulation index, 7.1 [interquartile range, 6.1-7.9]). Pregnant women with eclampsia had increased cerebral perfusion pressure (109.5 mm Hg; interquartile range, 91.2-130.9) compared with those with preeclampsia without severe features and those with normal blood pressure (84 mm Hg [interquartile range, 73.0-122.0] and 80.0 mm Hg [interquartile range, 67.5-92.0], respectively); furthermore, there was no difference in cerebral perfusion pressure between pregnant women with eclampsia and pregnant women with preeclampsia with severe features (109.5 mm Hg [interquartile range, 91.2-130.9] vs 96.5 mm Hg [interquartile range, 75.8-110.5]). CONCLUSION: Cerebral perfusion pressure and dynamic cerebral autoregulation are altered in eclampsia and may be important in the pathophysiological pathway and constitute a therapeutic target in the prevention of cerebral complications in preeclampsia.
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| 7. |
- Bergman, Lina, 1982, et al.
(författare)
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Cognitive impairment in preeclampsia complicated by eclampsia and pulmonary edema after delivery
- 2021
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Ingår i: Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 100:7, s. 1280-1287
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction We aimed to assess cognitive function in women with preeclampsia stratified by severity, before and after onset of disease. Material and methods Prospective study performed at a referral hospital in Cape Town, South Africa. Pregnant women between 20 and 42 weeks of gestation with eclampsia, pulmonary edema and preeclampsia without severe features, and a normotensive pregnancy were approached. Women were included at diagnosis of preeclampsia or at admission for delivery (women with normotensive pregnancies). Two cognitive assessments, the Cognitive Failure Questionnaire to assess the cognitive function subjectively before inclusion in the study, and Montreal Cognitive Assessment to assess the current cognitive function objectively before discharge from the hospital after delivery, were performed. Results We included 61 women with eclampsia, 28 with preeclampsia complicated by pulmonary edema, 38 with preeclampsia without severe features, and 26 with normotensive pregnancies. There was no difference in cognitive function from early pregnancy between groups. Women with eclampsia and preeclampsia complicated by pulmonary edema scored lower on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment at time of discharge compared with women with normotensive pregnancies. The results were attenuated in pulmonary edema after adjustment for confounders. Conclusions Women with preeclampsia complicated by pulmonary edema and in particular eclampsia had impaired cognitive function after onset of disease compared with women with normotensive pregnancies. The impairment did not seem to be present before onset of disease. Women with preeclampsia without severe features did not have impaired cognitive function.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Hastie, R., et al.
(författare)
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Associations Between Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase-1 and Placental Growth Factor and Disease Severity Among Women With Preterm Eclampsia and Preeclampsia
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA). - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 2047-9980. ; 11:16
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The angiogenic factors soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and placental growth factor (PlGF) are postulated to be pathogenic disease drivers of preeclampsia. If true, then circulating levels should become more deranged with increasing disease severity. Methods and Results We investigated the association between circulating sFlt-1 and PlGF levels and severe adverse maternal outcomes among 348 women with preeclampsia. Compared with 125 women with preeclampsia without severe features, 25 women with preeclampsia and any of hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count syndrome, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or severe renal involvement had sFlt-1 levels that were 2.63-fold higher (95% CI, 1.81-3.82), sFlt-1/PlGF levels that were 10.07-fold higher (95% CI, 5.36-18.91) and PlGF levels that were 74% lower (adjusted fold change, 0.26 [95% CI, 0.18-0.39]). Compared with 125 women with preeclampsia without severe features, 37 with eclampsia had sFlt-1 levels that were 2-fold higher (2.02 [95% CI, 1.32-3.09]), sFlt-1/PIGF levels that were 4.71-fold higher (95% CI, 2.30-9.66) and PIGF levels that were 63% lower (0.43-fold change [95% CI, 0.27-0.68]). Compared with those without severe features, preeclampsia with severe hypertension (n=146) was also associated with altered angiogenic levels (sFlt-1, 1.71-fold change [95% CI, 1.39-2.11]; sFlt/PlGF, 2.91 [95% CI, 2.04-4.15]; PlGF, 0.59 [95%CI 0.47-0.74]). We also found that sFlt-1 and PlGF levels were altered by the number of maternal complications experienced. Conclusions Further angiogenic imbalance among women with preeclampsia is likely a pathogenic disease driver responsible for the life-threatening maternal complications.
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| 10. |
- Hastie, Roxanne, et al.
(författare)
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Predictive Value of the Signs and Symptoms Preceding Eclampsia : A Systematic Review
- 2019
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Ingår i: Obstetrics and Gynecology. - 0029-7844 .- 1873-233X. ; 134:4, s. 677-684
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To estimate the predictive value of signs and symptoms that occur before onset of eclampsia among pregnant women.DATA SOURCES: Electronic databases, including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane, and ClinicalTrials.gov were searched from inception to 2018. Search terms included eclampsia, predict, likelihood ratio, predictive value, and risk.METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION: Abstracts and later full texts were selected for review if a diagnosis of eclampsia was made, a comparator arm included (women without a diagnosis of eclampsia), and predictors of imminent eclampsia reported. Of 2,791 retrieved records, 11 were selected. Significant heterogeneity existed between studies, with differing designs, settings, participants, and signs or symptoms. In total, 28 signs or symptoms were reported, with visual disturbances and epigastric pain most common (six studies), followed by headache (five studies), and any edema (four studies).TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS: Data on study characteristics and predictive value of signs or symptoms were extracted, and, where appropriate, bivariate mixed-effect meta-analysis was applied to raw data. None of the pooled estimates were able to accurately predict eclampsia nor rule out eclampsia in their absence, with moderate specificity (83-94%) and poor sensitivity (29-56%).CONCLUSION: There is a dearth of high-quality studies investigating the predictive value of imminent signs and symptoms of eclampsia. Owing to the small number of studies, heterogeneity, and inconsistent reporting, it is difficult to provide accurate estimates of the predictive value of prodromal symptoms of eclampsia. Of the most commonly reported symptoms-visual disturbances, epigastric pain, and headache-none were able to accurately predict, nor rule out, imminent eclampsia.
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| 11. |
- Van Heerden, P., et al.
(författare)
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Blood pressure as a risk factor for eclampsia and pulmonary oedema in pre-eclampsia
- 2021
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Ingår i: Pregnancy Hypertension-an International Journal of Womens Cardiovascular Health. - : Elsevier BV. - 2210-7789 .- 2210-7797. ; 26, s. 2-7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: We evaluated whether blood pressure and change in blood pressure measurements during pregnancy were associated with eclampsia or pulmonary oedema among women with pre-eclampsia. Study design: Observational study of women with eclampsia, pre-eclampsia complicated by pulmonary oedema and pre-eclampsia without end-organ complications (pre-eclampsia controls) at a large referral center in Cape Town, South Africa. Main outcome measures: Blood pressure measurements at presentation for antenatal care were compared to measurements after a diagnosis of pre-eclampsia. Mean blood pressures and changes in blood pressures were also calculated and compared between groups at different time points. A sub analysis including women who presented for antenatal care before 20 weeks of gestation was performed. Results: When diagnosed with pre-eclampsia, women with pulmonary oedema had increased systolic blood pressures and women with eclampsia had increased diastolic blood pressures compared to pre-eclampsia controls. There were no differences in blood pressure measurements in early pregnancy between women who later developed eclampsia or pulmonary oedema compared to pre-eclampsia controls. Conclusion: Blood pressure measurements in early pregnancy do not seem useful as a risk factor for the development of eclampsia or pulmonary oedema among women diagnosed with pre-eclampsia. Increased systolic or diastolic pressure at diagnosis of pre-eclampsia may be useful as a risk factor for the development of pulmonary oedema or eclampsia. Further research is needed to confirm these findings.
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