| 1. |
|
|
| 2. |
- Andersson, Linda, et al.
(författare)
-
Exploration of body weight in 115 000 young adult dogs of 72 breeds
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- High body weight (BW), due to large size or excess body fat, has been associated with developmental and metabolic alterations, and degenerative diseases in dogs. Study objectives were to determine mean BW in young adult dogs of different breeds, including changes over a 10-year period. Body weight data from the official Swedish hip dysplasia screening program were used, including data from dogs screened at 1-2.5 years of age, in breeds with >= 15 individual observations/year during 2007-2016. Mean BW per breed and sex was established from 114 568 dogs representing 72 breeds. Estimates of breed BW showed significant change in 33 (45%) breeds over the 10-year period. Body weight increased in five breeds (2-14% change) and decreased in 26 breeds (1-8% change). In two breeds, BW increased in male and decreased in female dogs. This observational study provides extensive breed BW data on young adult dogs. The change in breed BW, noted in almost half of the breeds, could be due to changes either in size or in body fat mass. In certain breeds, the change in BW over time might have an impact on overall health. Studies with simultaneous evaluation of BW and body condition over time are warranted.
|
|
| 3. |
- Brauner, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
-
Distinct phenotype and function of NK cells in the pancreas of nonobese diabetic mice.
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Journal of Immunology. - : American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 184:5, s. 2272-2280
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known about target organ-infiltrating NK cells in type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases. In this study, we identified NK cells with a unique phenotype in the pancreas of NOD mice. Pancreatic NK cells, localized to the endocrine and exocrine parts, were present before T cells during disease development and did not require T cells for their infiltration. Furthermore, NK cells, or NK cell precursors, from the spleen could traffic to the pancreas, where they displayed the pancreatic phenotype. Pancreatic NK cells from other mouse strains shared phenotypic characteristics with pancreatic NK cells from NOD mice, but displayed less surface killer cell lectin-like receptor G1, a marker for mature NK cells that have undergone proliferation, and also did not proliferate to the same extent. A subset of NOD mouse pancreatic NK cells produced IFN-gamma spontaneously, suggesting ongoing effector responses. However, most NOD mouse pancreatic NK cells were hyporesponsive compared with spleen NK cells, as reflected by diminished cytokine secretion and a lower capacity to degranulate. Interestingly, such hyporesponsiveness was not seen in pancreatic NK cells from the nonautoimmune strain C57BL/6, suggesting that this feature is not a general property of pancreatic NK cells. Based on our data, we propose that NK cells are sentinel cells in a normal pancreas. We further speculate that during inflammation, pancreatic NK cells initially mediate proinflammatory effector functions, potentially contributing to organ-specific autoimmunity, but later become hyporesponsive because of exhaustion or regulation.
|
|
| 4. |
- Chondrelli, Niki, et al.
(författare)
-
Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis strain affects transcriptomic response in liver but not skin in latitudinal populations of the common toad (Bufo bufo)
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Nature. - 2045-2322. ; 14
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is a fungal pathogen that has decimated amphibian populations worldwide for several decades. We examined the changes in gene expression in response to Bd infection in two populations of the common toad, Bufo bufo, in a laboratory experiment. We collected B. bufo eggs in southern and northern Sweden, and infected the laboratory-raised metamorphs with two strains of the global panzoonotic lineage Bd-GPL. Differential expression analysis showed significant differences between infected and control individuals in both liver and skin. The skin samples showed no discernible differences in gene expression between the two strains used, while liver samples were differentiated by strain, with one of the strains eliciting no immune response from infected toads. Immune system genes were overexpressed in skin samples from surviving infected individuals, while in liver samples the pattern was more diffuse. Splitting samples by population revealed a stronger immune response in northern individuals. Differences in transcriptional regulation between populations are particularly relevant to study in Swedish amphibians, which may have experienced varying exposure to Bd. Earlier exposure to this pathogen and subsequent adaptation or selection pressure may contribute to the survival of some populations over others, while standing genetic diversity in different populations may also affect the infection outcome.
|
|
| 5. |
- Christiansson, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
-
The Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors Imatinib and Dasatinib Reduce Myeloid Suppressor Cells and Release Effector Lymphocyte Responses
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Molecular Cancer Therapeutics. - : American Association for Cancer Research. - 1535-7163 .- 1538-8514. ; 14:5, s. 1181-1191
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immune escape mechanisms promote tumor progression and are hurdles of cancer immunotherapy. Removing immunosuppressive cells before treatment can enhance efficacy. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) may be of interest to combine with immunotherapy, as it has been shown that the inhibitor sunitinib reduces myeloid suppressor cells in patients with renal cell carcinoma and dasatinib promotes expansion of natural killer-like lymphocytes in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In this study, the capacity of dasatinib and imatinib to reduce myeloid suppressor cells and to induce immunomodulation in vivo was investigated ex vivo. Samples from CML patients treated with imatinib (n = 18) or dasatinib (n = 14) within a Nordic clinical trial (clinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00852566) were investigated for the presence of CD11b(+)CD14(-)CD33(+) myeloid cells and inhibitorymolecules (arginase I, myeloperoxidase, IL10) as well as the presence of natural killer cells, T cells (naive/memory), and stimulatory cytokines (IL12, IFN gamma, MIG, IP10). Both imatinib and dasatinib decreased the presence of CD11b(+)CD14(-)CD33(+) myeloid cells as well as the inhibitory molecules and the remaining myeloid suppressor cells had an increased CD40 expression. Monocytes also increased CD40 after therapy. Moreover, increased levels of CD40, IL12, natural killer cells, and experienced T cells were noted after TKI initiation. The presence of experienced T cells was correlated to a higher IFNg and MIG plasma concentration. Taken together, the results demonstrate that both imatinib and dasatinib tilted the immunosuppressive CML tumor milieu towards promoting immune stimulation. Hence, imatinib and dasatinib may be of interest to combine with cancer immunotherapy. (C) 2015 AACR.
|
|
| 6. |
- Cortazar-Chinarro, Maria, 1985-, et al.
(författare)
-
Latitudinal MHC variation and haplotype associated differential survival in response to experimental infection of two strains of Bd-GPL in common toads
- 2024
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- While both innate and adaptive immune system mechanisms have been implicated in resistance against the chytrid fungusBatrachochytrium dendrobatitis, studies on the role of specific MHC haplotypes onBdinfection are rare. Here, we studied latitudinal variation in MHC Class IIB loci along a latitudinal gradient from southern to northern Sweden in common toads,Bufo bufo. Swedish toad populations had fewer MHC Class IIB haplotypes compared to a previous study of populations in Britain. Furthermore, we found MHC diversity to decline from south to the north within Sweden. The low diversity may compromise the ability of northern populations to fight emerging disease, such as the chytrid fungusBd. In a laboratory experiment, we infected newly metamorphosed toads with two strains of the Global Pandemic Lineage of the fungus (Bd-GPL) and compared survival with sham controls. We foundBd-infected toads had lower survival compared to controls. Survival was dependent onBd-strain and whether experimental toads where collected in the south or the north of Sweden with lower survival in northern individuals. MHC diversity was lower in toads of northern origin, all northern animals being monomorphic for a single MHC haplotype, whereas we found seven different haplotypes in southern animals. Survival of infected animals was dependent on bothBd-strain and MHC haplotype suggesting differential infection dynamics depending on bothBd-strain and host MHC characteristics.
|
|
| 7. |
- Cortazar-Chinarro, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
Major Histocompatibility Complex Variation and Haplotype Associated Survival in Response to Experimental Infection of Two Bd-GPL Strains Along a Latitudinal Gradient
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-701X. ; 10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While both innate and adaptive immune system mechanisms have been implicated in resistance against the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), studies on the role of specific MHC haplotypes on Bd infection are rare. Here, we studied variation in MHC Class IIB loci in the common toad Bufo bufo along a latitudinal gradient across Sweden. In general, Swedish toad populations had few MHC Class IIB haplotypes and MHC diversity declined from south (13 haplotypes) to the north (four haplotypes). The low diversity may compromise the ability of northern populations to fight emerging disease, such as Bd. In a laboratory experiment, we infected newly metamorphosed toads with two strains of the Global Pandemic Lineage of the fungus (Bd-GPL) and compared survival with sham controls. Bd-infected toads had lower survival compared to controls. Moreover, survival was dependent on the Bd-strain and northern toads had lower Bd-mediated survival than southern individuals. MHC diversity was lower in northern toads. All northern experimental animals were monomorphic for a single MHC haplotype, whereas we found seven different haplotypes in southern experimental animals. In southern toads, survival was dependent on both Bd-strain and MHC haplotype suggesting differential infection dynamics depending on both Bd-strain and host immune system characteristics.
|
|
| 8. |
- Eltahir, mohmo394, et al.
(författare)
-
Profiling of donor-specific immune effector signatures in response to rituximab in a human whole blood loop assay using blood from CLL patients
- 2021
-
Ingår i: International Immunopharmacology. - : Elsevier. - 1567-5769 .- 1878-1705. ; 90
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rituximab is widely used in the treatment of haematological malignancies, including chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL), the most common leukaemia in adults. However, some patients, especially those with high tumour burden, develop cytokine release syndrome (CRS). It is likely that more patients will develop therapy linked CRS in the future due to the implementation of other immunotherapies, such as CAR T-cell, for many malignancies. Current methods for CRS risk assessment are limited, hence there is a need to develop new methods. To better recapitulate an in vivo setting, we implemented a unique human whole blood "loop" system to study patient-specific immune responses to rituximab in blood derived from CLL patients. Upon rituximab infusion, both complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC) profiles were evident in CLL patient blood, coincident with CLL cell depletion. Whereas B cell depletion is induced in healthy persons in the blood loop, only patients display B cell depletion coupled with CRS. With the exception of one donor who lacked NK cells, all other five patients displayed variable B cell depletion along with CRS profile. Additionally, inhibition of CDC or ADCC via either inhibitors or antibody Fc modification resulted in skewing of the immune killing mechanism consistent with published literature. Herein we have shown that the human whole blood loop model can be applied using blood from a specific indication to build a disease-specific CRS and immune activation profiling ex vivo system. Other therapeutic antibodies used for other indications may benefit from antibody characterization in a similar setting.
|
|
| 9. |
- Fisher, Matthew C., et al.
(författare)
-
Development and worldwide use of non-lethal, and minimal population-level impact, protocols for the isolation of amphibian chytrid fungi
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP. - 2045-2322. ; 8
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Parasitic chytrid fungi have emerged as a significant threat to amphibian species worldwide, necessitating the development of techniques to isolate these pathogens into culture for research purposes. However, early methods of isolating chytrids from their hosts relied on killing amphibians. We modified a pre-existing protocol for isolating chytrids from infected animals to use toe clips and biopsies from toe webbing rather than euthanizing hosts, and distributed the protocol to researchers as part of the BiodivERsA project RACE; here called the RML protocol. In tandem, we developed a lethal procedure for isolating chytrids from tadpole mouthparts. Reviewing a database of use a decade after their inception, we find that these methods have been applied across 5 continents, 23 countries and in 62 amphibian species. Isolation of chytrids by the non-lethal RML protocol occured in 18% of attempts with 207 fungal isolates and three species of chytrid being recovered. Isolation of chytrids from tadpoles occured in 43% of attempts with 334 fungal isolates of one species (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis) being recovered. Together, these methods have resulted in a significant reduction and refinement of our use of threatened amphibian species and have improved our ability to work with this group of emerging pathogens.
|
|
| 10. |
- Frygner-Holm, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Pretend Play as an Intervention for Children With Cancer : A Feasibility Study
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Journal of Pediatric Oncology Nursing. - : Sage Publications. - 1043-4542 .- 1532-8457. ; 37:1, s. 65-75
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Children with cancer suffer from symptoms and burdensome treatments that often cause distress to children and their families. Mortality is one aspect of cancer diagnosis, while another is the quality of life and well-being during and after the treatment. By supporting children's communication, self-efficacy and coping ability in the care situation, children are given the possibilities for increased independence and participation and are allowed to develop an influence over their care. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of an adult-facilitated pretend play intervention for children with cancer. Five children with ongoing treatment for cancer were invited to a play intervention that consisted of six to eight sessions of structured pretend play aimed at increasing participation, independence, and well-being. A mixed method design was used to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of the play intervention. Measures were collected before and after interventions, and in conjunction with every play session. Results suggest that the children enjoyed the play intervention. Findings indicate small improvements regarding self-efficacy in care situations and equal or increased quality of life for participants. A main finding was that no adverse events or increased worrying was reported in conjunction with play sessions. Therefore, the intervention is regarded as safe, feasible, and acceptable as reported by participants and their primary caregivers and a possible means of increasing participation and independence in children with a cancer diagnosis.
|
|
| 11. |
- Gatenholm, Paul, 1956, et al.
(författare)
-
Effect of cultivation conditions on the structure and morphological properties of BNC biomaterials with a focus on vascular grafts
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Bacterial NanoCellulose: A Sophisticated Multifunctional Material. - Boca Raton : CRC Press. - 9781439869925 ; , s. 19-42
-
Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- 20 New materials that are not thrombogenic and have mechanical properties that mimic the native blood vessel are in very great demand. Nanocellulose produced by the bacteria Gluconacetobacter xylinus is a biomaterial that has gained interest in the field of tissue engineering because of its unique properties, such as great mechanical strength, high water content (around 99%), and the ability to be shaped into three-dimensional structures during biosynthesis. The fabrication process of bacterial nanocellulose (BNC) vascular grafts is very unique because the material synthesis and product formation takes place simultaneously. The bio mechanical performance, which includes rupture pressure and compliance along with biological response (endothelialization, blood compatibility, etc.), is dependent on the morphology of a fibrillar network. The network formation is affected by cellulose assembly and bacteria motion, proliferation rate, and other factors. An understanding of the effects of cultivation conditions on BNC network formation is therefore of great importance.
|
|
| 12. |
- Gehlin, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Religion och fredsbyggande
- 2017. - 2
-
Ingår i: Om krig och fred : Introduktion till freds- och konfliktstudier - Introduktion till freds- och konfliktstudier. - Lund : Studentlitteratur AB. - 9789144115740 ; , s. 321-334
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 13. |
- Godskesen, Tove, et al.
(författare)
-
YouTube as a source of information on clinical trials for paediatric cancer
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Information, Communication and Society. - : Taylor & Francis. - 1369-118X .- 1468-4462. ; 26:4, s. 716-729
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known about the information parents of children with cancer find when searching for clinical trials information on YouTube. Thus, this study aimed to analyse the content, quality and reliability of YouTube videos focused on clinical trials for paediatric cancer. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used, and YouTube was searched using the phrases ‘clinical trials for children with cancer’ and ‘paediatric cancer clinical trials’. Videos that met inclusion criteria were assessed using the instruments Global Quality Scale and DISCERN. About half of the examined videos were in the GQS excellent-quality group and exhibited a total of 84,804 views. The mean time for videos was 5.7 minutes, they originated from the US or UK, were uploaded after 2016, and had a cancer centre/foundation or children hospital as video source. Half of them were focusing on early experimental trials and had a positive tone. Twenty percent were classified as useful without serious shortcomings, almost 50% as misleading with serious shortcomings, and 30% as inappropriate sources of information. In conclusion, most YouTube videos on paediatric cancer trials are not very informative and fall short of what could ethically be required regarding their facilitation of informed decision-making.
|
|
| 14. |
- Halvarsson, Peter, et al.
(författare)
-
Gastrointestinal parasite community structure in horses after the introduction of selective anthelmintic treatment strategies
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Veterinary Parasitology. - 0304-4017 .- 1873-2550. ; 326
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A relatively new method to study the species richness and diversity of nematode parasites in grazing animals is to perform deep sequencing on composite samples containing a mixture of parasites. In this work, we compared species composition of strongyles in two groups of horses as a function of egg count and age, based on a DNA barcoding approach. Faecal egg counts and larval cultures were obtained from nearly 300 horses, i.e., domestic horses (n = 167) and trotters (n = 130) sampled nationwide. The second internal transcribed spacer region (ITS2) of strongyle nematodes in the larval cultures was first amplified using barcoded universal primers and then sequenced on the PacBio platform. Subsequently, bioinformatic sequence analysis was performed using SCATA to assign operational taxonomic units (OTU). Finally, species occurrence and composition were assessed using R. ITS2 sequences were found in the majority (89%) of larval samples. Sequencing yielded an average of 140 (26 to 503) reads per sample. The OTUs were assigned to 28 different taxa, of which all but three could be identified as species. The average relative abundance of the seven most abundant species (all Cyathostominae) accounted for 87% of the combined data set. The three species with the highest prevalence in both horse groups were Cyathostomum catinatum, Cylicocyclus nassatus and Cylicostephanus calicatus, and they were frequently found in different combinations with other species regardless of horse group. Interestingly, this result is largely consistent with a previous Swedish study based on morphological analysis of adult worms. In addition, two migratory strongylids (Strongylus vulgaris and S. edentatus) occurred in few domestic horses and trotters. Except for C. minutus and C. nassatus, which decreased with age, and C. catinatum and S. vulgaris, which increased, no specific trends were observed with respect to horse age. Taken together, these results are broadly consistent with data obtained before the introduction of selective targeted treatment in Sweden in 2007. All in all, our results suggest that this treatment strategy has not led to a significant change in strongyle nematode community structure in Swedish horses. The study also confirms that nemabiome analysis in combination with diversity index analysis is an objective method to study strongyle communities in horses.
|
|
| 15. |
- Höglund, Anna T, 1960-, et al.
(författare)
-
Parent Perceptions of a Pretend Play Intervention for Their Children With Cancer
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Nursing Research. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 1682-3141 .- 1948-965X. ; 31:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundAlthough the rate of survival in childhood cancer today is close to 85%, a cancer diagnosis can still turn the world upside down for both children and parents. Often, children in oncology care are frustrated about their inability to control events and activities around them. Therapeutic pretend play has been suggested as a means to encourage children to express and handle emotions in a safe environment.PurposeThis study was developed to describe and explore parents' experiences of a pretend play intervention that consisted of six to eight play sessions with a play facilitator administered to their children undergoing cancer treatment.MethodsA descriptive qualitative method was used, including individual interviews with 15 parents.ResultsThree main categories were developed, including (a) experiences of joining the project, (b) perceptions of the play intervention, and (c) reflections on effects and implications, with subcategories evolved for each category. The parents experienced that the play sessions helped improve their children's communication skills and made them more capable of participating in their care. They appreciated that the intervention focused on the child's well-being and saw it as a positive break in their child's cancer treatment. It also helped them better reflect on their own situation.Conclusions/Implications for PracticeAccording to the parents' experiences, pretend play can be a helpful tool for improving children's participation in their cancer care that strengthens their autonomy, emotional repertoire, and communication skills. However, the results also highlighted that some of the children did not fully understand the information provided about this study, which weakened the validity of their consent to participate. Thus, more work is needed on developing age-appropriate information to obtain participation consent from children. In addition, more knowledge is needed regarding how to appropriately include children with cancer in research in an ethically acceptable way.
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
|
|
| 18. |
|
|
| 19. |
- Höglund, Jacob, et al.
(författare)
-
Low neutral and immunogenetic diversity in northern fringe populations of the green toad Bufotes viridis : implications for conservation
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Conservation Genetics. - : Springer Nature. - 1566-0621 .- 1572-9737. ; 23, s. 139-149
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genetic variation is often lower at high latitudes, which may compromise the adaptability and hence survival of organisms. Here we show that genetic variability is negatively correlated with northern latitude in European green toads (Bufotes viridis). The result holds true for both putatively neutral microsatellite variation and supposedly adaptive MHC Class IIB variation. In particular, our findings have bearing on the conservation status of this species in Sweden, on the northern limit of its distribution where local populations are small and fragmented. These genetically impoverished populations are closely related to other populations found around the Baltic Sea basin. The low neutral and adaptive variation in these fringe populations compared to population at central ranges confirms a pattern shared across all other amphibians so far studied. In Sweden, the situation of green toads is of concern as the remaining populations may not have the evolutionary potential to cope with present and future environmental challenges.
|
|
| 20. |
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
- Jin, Y. K., et al.
(författare)
-
A Dual-Promoter Gene Orchestrates the Sucrose-Coordinated Synthesis of Starch and Fructan in Barley
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Molecular Plant. - : Elsevier BV. - 1674-2052 .- 1752-9867. ; 10:12, s. 1556-1570
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sequential carbohydrate synthesis is important for plant survival because it guarantees energy supplies for growth and development during plant ontogeny and reproduction. Starch and fructan are two important carbohydrates in many flowering plants and in human diets. Understanding this coordinated starch and fructan synthesis and unraveling how plants allocate photosynthates and prioritize different carbohydrate synthesis for survival could lead to improvements to cereals in agriculture for the purposes of greater food security and production quality. Here, we report a system from a single gene in barley employing two alternative promoters, one intronic/exonic, to generate two sequence-overlapping but functionally opposing transcription factors, in sensing sucrose, potentially via sucrose/glucose/fructose/trehalose 6-phosphate signaling. The system employs an autoregulatory mechanism in perceiving a sucrose-controlled trans activity on one promoter and orchestrating the coordinated starch and fructan synthesis by competitive transcription factor binding on the other promoter. As a case in point for the physiological roles of the system, we have demonstrated that this multitasking system can be exploited in breeding barley with tailored amounts of fructan to produce healthy food ingredients. The identification of an intron/exon-spanning promoter in a hosting gene, resulting in proteins with distinct functions, adds to the complexity of plant genomes. ERYSTWYTH, WALES, V123, P453
|
|
| 23. |
- Johansson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Maskinhyvlade stickspån
- 2014
-
Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- hantverk kulturvård stickspån spiller tunnspån hyvlad spån
|
|
| 24. |
- Kärvemo, Simon, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of host species and environmental factors on the prevalence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in northern Europe
- 2018
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 13:10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) poses a major threat to amphibian populations. To assist efforts to address such threats, we examined differences in Bd host infection prevalence among amphibian species and its relations to both local environmental factors in breeding habitats and landscape variables measured at three scales (500, 2000 and 5000 m radii) around breeding sites in southernmost Sweden. We sampled 947 anurans of six species in 31 ponds and assessed their infection status. We then examined correlations of infection prevalence with canopy cover, pond perimeter and pH (treated as local-scale pond characteristics), and the number of ponds, area of arable land, area of mature forest, number of resident people and presence of sea within the three radii (treated as landscape variables). The Bd infection prevalence was very low, 0.5-1.0%, in two of the six anuran species (Bufo bufo and Rana temporaria), and substantially higher (13-64%) in the other four (Bombina bombina, Bufotes variabilis, Epidalea calamita, Rana arvalis). In the latter four species Bd infection prevalence was positively associated with ponds' pH (site range: 5.3-8.1), and negatively associated with areas of mature forest and/or wetlands in the surroundings. Our results show that the infection dynamics of Bd are complex and associated with host species, local pond characteristics and several landscape variables at larger spatial scales. Knowledge of environmental factors associated with Bd infections and differences in species' susceptibility may help to counter further spread of the disease and guide conservation action plans, especially for the most threatened species.
|
|
| 25. |
- Lindberg Bromley, Sara, 1980-
(författare)
-
Keeping Peace while Under Fire : The Causes, Characteristics and Consequences of Violence against Peacekeepers
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Peacekeepers are widely viewed as being at growing risk of direct and deliberate violence. Attacks are recorded in many and diverse contexts, targeting interventions deployed by both the United Nations and other organisations. This dissertation seeks to advance the understanding of such violence, studying its causes, characteristics and consequences. The impact of deliberate violence against peacekeepers can be severe; it often extends past those immediately affected and impacts interveners’ ability to accomplish their aims. As a topic of scientific inquiry, however, violence against peacekeepers has only recently seen a growth in interest, and systematic study has so far been sparse. This dissertation makes a number of theoretical and empirical contributions to this emerging area of research. The dissertation contains four individual essays. To set the stage and provide foundations for further studies, Essay I specifies key concepts and maps the research field to date. It promotes a wider, and arguably more theoretically appropriate, conceptualisation of violence against peacekeepers than used in earlier studies. Essay II presents new, systematically collected event data on violence against UN and non-UN peacekeepers deployed to conflict-affected countries in sub-Saharan Africa between 1989 and 2009. Patterns from the data demonstrate that, while widely prevalent, violence against peacekeepers is not ubiquitous to peacekeeping and displays considerable variation within and across interventions. Drawing on this novel data, Essay III provides one of the first systematic studies on the time-varying determinants of rebel attacks on peacekeepers, showing its occurrence to be closely linked to rebel performance on the battlefield. Finally, Essay IV explores how operating in a challenging security environment can affect peacekeepers’ ability to perform core mission functions, drawing on the case of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA). The analysis illustrates how such an environment may expose and further constrain already limited capabilities and willingness for robust and armed action in UN peacekeeping operations. Taken together, the essays advance our understanding of the causes, characteristics and consequences of violence against peacekeepers.
|
|
| 26. |
|
|
| 27. |
- Ljungström, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparison of Four Diagnostic Methods for Detection and Relative Quantification of Haemonchus contortus Eggs in Feces Samples
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Veterinary Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-1769. ; 4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We compared four methods for identification of Haemonchus contortus eggs. With increased trade in animals within and between countries and continents, it has become important to correctly identify H. contortus eggs in fecal samples. To validate the outcome of diagnostic tests, sheep feces (n = 38) were collected from naturally infected flocks in Sweden. Subsamples were analyzed with (a) McMaster egg counting; (b) differential counting of eggs after staining with peanut agglutinin (PNA); (c) detection of DNA following amplification by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR); and (d) loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). Differences between similar tests (microscopic and molecular) and SD (+/- SD) were analyzed with Bland-Altman plots and Spearman rank correlation. Strongylid egg counts ranged from 200 to 12,100 eggs per gram (epg) (mean epg +/- SD = 1,278 +/- 2,049). Microscopy showed presence of H. contortus eggs in 27 (73%) unstained samples and in 28 (76%) samples stained with PNA, whereas 29 samples (78%) tested positive in LAMP and 34 (91%) in qPCR analysis. The cycle threshold (Ct) values with LAMP ranged between 13 and 38 (mean +/- SD = 21 +/- 7), and those in qPCR between 25 and 49 (mean +/- SD = 33 +/- 6). In the LAMP and qPCR analyses, seven (19%) and three (8%) samples, respectively, had a cycle threshold (Ct) >35, whereas no reactions were observed in eight (22%) and three (8%) samples, respectively. There was good agreement between the diagnostic tests based on microscopic examination and DNA detection, although the molecular tests were more sensitive. The bias between the microscopy methods (-4.2 +/- 11) was smaller than for the molecular tests (-9.8 +/- 10). The observed ranking in terms of test sensitivity was: McMaster counting by conventional microscopy < PNA < LAMP < qPCR. In conclusion, H. contortus can be identified by McMaster counting, without major mistakes regarding false positive results. However, molecular methods provide the capacity to diagnose H. contortus eggs with increased accuracy. This is essential when animals are investigated in quarantine or in studies evaluating anthelmintic treatment efficacy. These methods could also be applied to fecal samples from wildlife to investigate nematode transmission between wildlife and livestock.
|
|
| 28. |
- Martin-Garcia, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Comparing minimum number of individuals and abundance from non-invasive DNA sampling and camera trapping in the red fox (Vulpes vulpes)
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Biodiversity and Conservation. - : Springer. - 0960-3115 .- 1572-9710. ; 32:6, s. 1977-1998
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Applying the most appropriate sampling method is essential for estimating population size. Sampling methods and techniques to estimate abundance may be limited by environmental characteristics, species traits, specific requirements of the techniques, or the economic resources to carry out the sampling. Thus, evaluating multiple sampling methods in monitoring populations is essential for establishing effective conservation strategies. In this study, we compare two of the most commonly used sampling methods with the red fox (Vulpes vulpes) as the type species. On the one hand, we compared the minimum number of individuals (NI) detected by camera trapping, identifying individuals by morphological characteristics with the minimum number of individuals detected by DNA faeces and a set of 16 microsatellites. On the other hand, we estimated abundance by performing an N-mixture model using information from camera-traps to study the relationship between abundance and the minimum number of individuals detected. Results showed that the minimum NI provided by camera trapping was slightly higher than that of DNA faecal genotyping, with 23.66 and 19 individuals, respectively. In addition, abundance and NI detected by camera trapping showed a positive relationship. In contrast, there was a non-significant negative relationship between NI detected by faecal DNA and abundance estimates. Our results suggest using the minimum number of photo-identified individuals as a reliable index to study variation in red fox abundance when other advanced methods cannot be implemented in the study of population size. However, it is necessary to improve the methods of faecal sampling to study the relationship with camera-trap data.
|
|
| 29. |
- Meurling, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Body size mediates latitudinal population differences in response to Bd infection in two amphibian species
-
Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), is a generalist pathogen which has caused amphibian population declines worldwide. In many species Bd infection causes the disease chytridiomycosis, leading to high mortality. However, infection may cause sub-lethal fitness effects even in species that are resistant or tolerant to Bd. Moreover, populations of the same species may differ in their sensitivity to Bd, but the factors behind this variation are poorly understood. Here we exposed two common North European amphibians (moor frog Rana arvalis, common toad Bufo bufo) from two latitudinally divergent regions to two different BdGPL strains in a laboratory experiment. We found that Bd exposure lowered survival in both species, but this effect was much stronger in B. bufo. Moreover, survival was lower in the northern region in both species, this difference again being much stronger in B. bufo. Northern individuals were smaller in both species and the survival difference between regions was size mediated with smaller individuals being more sensitive to Bd. We discuss potential additional factors contributing to this result. Bd exposure also led to sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced growth in both species suggesting that even individuals surviving the infection may have reduced fitness mediated by reduction if body size. However, we did not detect any differences in amphibian responses to the two Bd strains.
|
|
| 30. |
- Meurling, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Body size mediates latitudinal population differences in the response to chytrid fungus infection in two amphibians
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Oecologia. - : Springer. - 0029-8549 .- 1432-1939. ; 204:1, s. 71-81
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Factors behind intraspecific variation in sensitivity to pathogens remain poorly understood. We investigated how geographical origin in two North European amphibians affects tolerance to infection by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd), a generalist pathogen which has caused amphibian population declines worldwide. We exposed newly metamorphosed individuals of moor frog Rana arvalis and common toad Bufo bufo from two latitudinal regions to two different BdGPL strains. We measured survival and growth as infections may cause sub-lethal effects in fitness components even in the absence of mortality. Infection loads were higher in B. bufo than in R. arvalis, and smaller individuals had generally higher infection loads. B. bufo had high mortality in response to Bd infection, whereas there was little mortality in R. arvalis. Bd-mediated mortality was size-dependent and high-latitude individuals were smaller leading to high mortality in the northern B. bufo. Bd exposure led to sub-lethal effects in terms of reduced growth suggesting that individuals surviving the infection may have reduced fitness mediated by smaller body size. In both host species, the Swedish Bd strain caused stronger sublethal effects than the British strain. We suggest that high-latitude populations can be more vulnerable to chytrids than those from lower latitudes and discuss the possible mechanisms how body size and host geographical origin contribute to the present results.
|
|
| 31. |
- Meurling, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Occurrence of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis in Sweden : higher infection prevalence in southern species
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. - : Inter-Research Science Center. - 0177-5103 .- 1616-1580. ; 140, s. 209-218
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) has caused worldwide declines in amphibian populations. While Bd is widespread in southern and central Europe, its occurrence and distribution in northernmost Europe is mostly unknown. We surveyed for Bd in breeding anurans in Sweden by sampling 1917 amphibians from 101 localities and 3 regions in Sweden (southern, northern and central). We found that Bd was widespread in southern and central Sweden, occurring in all 9 investigated species and in 45.5% of the 101 localities with an overall prevalence of 13.8%. No infected individuals were found in the 4 northern sites sampled. The records from central Sweden represent the northernmost records of Bd in Europe. While the proportion of sites positive for Bd was similar between the southern and central regions, prevalence was much higher in the southern region. This was because southern species with a distribution mainly restricted to southernmost Sweden had a higher prevalence than widespread generalist species. The nationally red-listed green toad Bufotes variabilis and the fire-bellied toad Bombina bombina had the highest prevalence (61.4 and 48.9%, respectively). Across species, Bd prevalence was strongly positively, correlated with water temperature at the start of egg laying. However, no individuals showing visual signs of chytridiomycosis were found in the field. These results indicate that Bd is widespread and common in southern and central Sweden with southern species, breeding in higher temperatures and with longer breeding periods, having higher prevalence. However, the impact of Bd on amphibian populations in northernmost Europe remains unknown.
|
|
| 32. |
- Meurling, Sara, 1977-
(författare)
-
The response in native wildlife to an invading pathogen: Swedish amphibians and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis
- 2019
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Emerging infectious diseases are causing mortality and declines in wildlife populations globally. My thesis aims to get as clear a picture as possible of the effect the invasive chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis has on the Swedish amphibian community.In Paper I I performed a large-scale survey testing for the presence of Bd in three regions in Sweden (Southern, Central and Northern). I sampled 1917 amphibians from 101 localities and found that Bd was widespread in southern and central Sweden, occurring in all nine investigated species and in 45.5 % of the sampled sites with an overall prevalence of 13.8%. I found a positive correlation between the temperature at spawning for each species and species prevalence. Species that require higher temperatures for egg-laying are distributed in the southern parts of the country, which led to a higher prevalence in the southern region.In Paper II, I investigated which local environmental factors in breeding habitats, landscape structure and amphibian community affect the occurrence and prevalence of Bd among breeding sites in southern Sweden. Bd prevalence in the four species with the highest prevalence (Bombina bombina, Bufotes variabilis, Epidalea calamita and Rana arvalis) was higher in ponds surrounded by less mature forest, few wetlands, and higher pH.In Papers III and IV, I looked at species and population differences in responses to Bd infection. I performed an infection experiment described in Paper III, where I exposed individuals from two common Swedish species (moor frog R. arvalis and common toad Bufo bufo) originating from two regions (north and south) with two different strains of Bd (from Sweden and the UK). I found that infection led to lower survival and growth in both species, more so in B. bufo than in R. arvalis. Small size proved to be a strong determinant of survival. As individuals from the northern population were significantly smaller than the southern ones, this may have led to the northern populations being more affected by Bd infection. In Paper IV, I studied variation in MHC Class IIB loci in B. bufo along a latitudinal gradient across Sweden. Variation in MCH genes decreased from south to north. Also, differences in survival from the experiment in Paper III could be explained by MHC haplotypes. I found that survival in the southern region was dependent on both Bd-strain and MHC haplotype.
|
|
| 33. |
- Modig, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
GP's Adherence to Guidelines for Cardiovascular Disease among Elderly: A Quality Development Study.
- 2012
-
Ingår i: The Scientific World Journal. - : Hindawi Limited. - 2356-6140 .- 1537-744X. ; 2012
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Evidence-based guidelines should in most cases be followed also in the treatment of elderly. Older people are often suboptimally treated with the recommended drugs. Objectives: To describe how well general practitioners adhere to current guidelines in the treatment of elderly with cardiovascular disease and evaluate local education as a tool for improvement. Method: Data was collected from the medical records of patients aged ≥65, who visited a primary health care center in Sweden 2006 and had one or more of the following diagnoses: hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, chronic atrial fibrillation, or prior stroke. Local education was organized and included feed-back to the patient's doctor and discussion about regional guidelines. Repeated measurements were performed in 2008. Results and Conclusion:The adherence to guidelines was low. Approximately one-third of the patients with hypertension reached target blood pressure, stroke patients more often. More patients with heart failure were treated with angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor than in other European countries, but still only 60%. Half of the patients with chronic atrial fibrillation were treated with Warfarin, although more than two-thirds had a CHADS(2) score indicating the need. Educational efforts appeared to increase the adherence and hence should be encouraged.
|
|
| 34. |
- Norberg Wieslander, Kajsa, et al.
(författare)
-
Research ethics committee members’ perspectives on paediatric research : a qualitative interview study
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Research Ethics. - 1747-0161 .- 2047-6094. ; 0:0
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Research ethics committees (RECs) have a crucial role in protecting children in research. However, studies on REC members’ perspectives on paediatric research are scarce. We conducted a qualitative study to explore Swedish scientific REC members’ perspectives on ethical aspects in applications involving children with severe health conditions. The REC members considered promoting participation, protecting children and regulatory adherence to be central aspects. The results underscored the importance of not neglecting ill children’s rights to adapted information and participation. REC members supported a contextual and holistic approach to vulnerability and risk, which considers the child’s and parents’ psychological wellbeing and the child’s integrity, both short and long term. The ethical complexity of paediatric research requires continuous ethical competence development within RECs.
|
|
| 35. |
- Norbäck, Kajsa, et al.
(författare)
-
Ethical concerns when recruiting children with cancer for research : Swedish healthcare professionals' perceptions and experiences.
- 2023
-
Ingår i: BMC Medical Ethics. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1472-6939. ; 24:1, s. 23-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Research is crucial to improve treatment, survival and quality of life for children with cancer. However, recruitment of children for research raises ethical challenges. The aim of this study was to explore and describe ethical values and challenges related to the recruitment of children with cancer for research, from the perspectives and experiences of healthcare professionals in the Swedish context. Another aim was to explore their perceptions of research ethics competence in recruiting children for research.METHODS: An explorative qualitative study using semi-structured interviews with key informants. Seven physicians and ten nurses were interviewed. Interviews were analysed using inductive qualitative content analysis.RESULTS: The respondents' ethical challenges and values in recruitment mainly concerned establishing relationships and trust, meeting informational needs, acknowledging vulnerability, and balancing roles and interests. Ensuring ethical competence was raised as important, and interpersonal and communicative skills were highlighted.CONCLUSION: This study provides empirical insight into recruitment of children with cancer, from the perspectives of healthcare professionals. It also contributes to the understanding of recruitment as a relational process, where aspects of vulnerability, trust and relationship building are important, alongside meeting informational needs. The results provide knowledge on the complexities raised by paediatric research and underpin the importance of building research ethics competence to ensure that the rights and interests of children with cancer are protected in research.
|
|
| 36. |
- Norbäck, Kajsa, et al.
(författare)
-
Recruiting children with cancer to research : A qualitative interview study exploring ethical values and challenges among Swedish health care professionals and researchers
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Pediatric Blood & Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1545-5009 .- 1545-5017. ; 69, s. s555-s555
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Background and Aims: Research remains crucial to improve treatment, survival, and quality of life for children with cancer. However, recruitment of children to research raises ethical challenges. This study aimed to explore ethical values and challenges in recruitment of children with cancer to research, among health care professionals and researchers in Sweden. Another aim was to explore health care professionals and researcher’s perceptions of ethical competence in the context of recruiting children to research.Methods: An explorative qualitative design, using semi-structured interviews with seven pediatric oncologists and ten nurses. Interviews were analyzed with inductive qualitative content analysis.Results: The analysis resulted in five categories: Establishing relationships and trust, Meeting informational needs, Acknowledging vulnerability, Balancing roles and interests, and Ensuring ethical competence. Health care professionals and researchers described care-based, research-based and children’s rights-based ethical values in recruitment. Further, they reported ethical challenges related to informed consent, vulnerability, and shared decision-making. They relied on research ethical principles and regulations but also reasoned from ethics of care and virtue ethics perspectives.Conclusions: Health care professionals and researchers are guided by care-and research ethical values, and report ethical challenges in recruitment. There is a need to highlight ethical aspects of pediatric research. Promoting research ethical competence among health care professionals and researchers may reduce moral distress and ensure ethical quality in pediatric research.
|
|
| 37. |
- O'Hanlon, Simon J., et al.
(författare)
-
Recent Asian origin of chytrid fungi causing global amphibian declines
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 360:6389, s. 621-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Globalized infectious diseases are causing species declines worldwide, but their source often remains elusive. We used whole-genome sequencing to solve the spatiotemporal origins of themost devastating panzootic to date, caused by the fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, a proximate driver of global amphibian declines. We traced the source of B. dendrobatidis to the Korean peninsula, where one lineage, BdASIA-1, exhibits the genetic hallmarks of an ancestral population that seeded the panzootic. We date the emergence of this pathogen to the early 20th century, coinciding with the global expansion of commercial trade in amphibians, and we show that intercontinental transmission is ongoing. Our findings point to East Asia as a geographic hotspot for B. dendrobatidis biodiversity and the original source of these lineages that now parasitize amphibians worldwide.
|
|
| 38. |
- Palmqvist, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of rye inclusion in dog food on fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids
- 2023
-
Ingår i: BMC Veterinary Research. - 1746-6148. ; 19
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundRye intake has been associated with beneficial effects on health in human interventions, possibly due to dietary fiber in rye. In dogs, few studies have explored the effects on health of dietary fiber in general, and rye fiber in particular. The aim of this study was to investigate how inclusion of rye, compared with wheat, influenced fecal microbiota composition, short chain fatty acids (SCFA) and apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) in dogs. Six male Beagle dogs (mean age 4.6 years, SEM 0.95 years; mean body weight 14.6 kg, SEM 0.32 kg) were fed three experimental diets, each for 21 days, including an adaptation period of six days and with 2-2.5 months between diet periods. The diets were similar regarding energy and protein, but had different carbohydrate sources (refined wheat (W), whole grain rye (R), or an equal mixture of both (RW)) comprising 50% of total weight on a dry matter (DM) basis. The diets were baked and titanium dioxide was added for ATTD determination. Fecal samples were collected before and in the end of each experimental period. Fecal microbiota was analyzed by sequencing 16S rRNA gene amplicons and fecal SCFA by high-performance liquid chromatography. Crude protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber, and gross energy (GE) in food and feces were analyzed and ATTD of each was determined. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were applied in data evaluation.ResultsFaecal microbiota composition, differed depending on diet (P = 0.002), with samples collected after consumption of the R diet differing from baseline. This was primarily because of a shift in proportion of Prevotella, which increased significantly after consumption of the R diet (P < 0.001). No significant differences were found for SCFA, but there was a tendency (P < 0.06) for higher molar proportions of acetic acid following consumption of the R diet. The ATTD of crude protein, crude fat, neutral detergent fiber, and GE was lower after consumption of the R diet compared with the other diets (P < 0.05).ConclusionsConsumption of the R diet, but not RW or W diets, was associated with specific shifts in microbial community composition and function, but also with lower ATTD.
|
|
| 39. |
- Palmqvist, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of whole-grain cereals on fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acids in dogs: a comparison of rye, oats and wheat
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - 2045-2322. ; 13
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Dietary fiber in dog food is reported to promote healthy gut microbiota, but few studies have investigated the effects of whole-grain cereals, which contain a variety of fiber types and other bioactive compounds. The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of diets containing whole-grain rye (RYE), oats (OAT) and wheat (WHE) on fecal microbiota and short-chain fatty acid production. Eighteen dogs were fed three experimental diets, each for four weeks, in a cross-over design. Fecal samples were collected at the end of each diet period. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene amplicons showed that family Lachnospiraceae and genus Bacteroides were the gut microbial groups most affected by diet, with lowest relative abundance following consumption of RYE and a trend for a corresponding increase in genus Prevotella_9. Fecal acetate and propionate concentrations were higher after consumption of RYE compared with OAT. In conclusion, rye had the strongest effect on gut microbiota and short-chain fatty acids, although the implications for dog gut health are not yet elucidated.
|
|
| 40. |
- Portelius, Erik, 1977, et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of tau in cerebrospinal fluid using mass spectrometry.
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Journal of proteome research. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1535-3893 .- 1535-3907. ; 7:5, s. 2114-20
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The neurodegenerative disorder Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia in the elderly. The presence of neurofibrillary tangles, consisting of hyperphosphorylated tau protein, is one of the major neuropathologic characteristics of the disease, making this protein an attractive biomarker for AD and a possible target for therapy. Here, we describe an optimized immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry method that enables, for the first time, detailed characterization of tau in human cerebrospinal fluid. The identities of putative tau fragments were confirmed using nanoflow liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry. Nineteen tryptic fragments of tau were detected, of which 16 are found in all tau isoforms while 3 represented unique tau isoforms. These results pave the way for clinical CSF studies on the tauopathies.
|
|
| 41. |
- Riggare, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Patients are doing it for themselves : A survey on disease-specific knowledge acquisition among people with Parkinson's disease in Sweden.
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Health Informatics Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1460-4582 .- 1741-2811.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Effective self-management is key to living well with Parkinson's disease and one important aspect is disease-specific knowledge. This article explores how people with Parkinson's disease in Sweden (1) acquire disease-specific knowledge and (2) use Parkinson's disease-related healthcare. Data were collected through an online survey, which had 346 respondents (16-87 years old, median age: 68 years, 51% male; time since diagnosis: 0-31 years, median time: 7 years). Our results show that disease-specific knowledge is mainly found online, especially for women with Parkinson's disease and people with Parkinson's disease of working age, that most people with Parkinson's disease in Sweden see their neurologist for 1 h or less per year and only one in two people with Parkinson's disease has regular contact with other Parkinson's disease-related healthcare professionals. We also find that people with Parkinson's disease reporting higher levels of specific knowledge also are more likely to be satisfied with the amount of time they get with their neurologist, regardless of the amount of time.
|
|
| 42. |
- Ringmark, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
Quantification of normetanephrine in canine urine using ELISA: evaluation of factors affecting results
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation. - : SAGE Publications. - 1040-6387 .- 1943-4936. ; 34, s. 28-35
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Catecholamine release increases in dogs with pheochromocytomas and in situations of stress. Although plasma catecholamines degrade rapidly, their metabolites, normetanephrine (NME) and metanephrine (ME), are stable in acidified urine. Our aim was to verify a human urine ELISA kit for the quantification of NME and ME in canine urine and to determine the effects on metabolite stability of sampling time (morning or midday) and day (ordinary or day spent in a clinic). We analyzed 179 urine samples from 17 healthy dogs. For NME, the mean intra-assay CV was 6.0% for all samples and 4.3% for the canine control; inter-assay CVs were 3.3, 3.8, and 12% for high and low concentration human urine positive controls supplied in the ELISA kit and a positive canine control, respectively; spike-recovery was 90-101%. For ME, mean intra-assay CV was 6.5% for samples and 9.0% for the canine control; inter-assay CVs were 12.7, 7.2, and 22.5% for high and low concentration human urine positive controls supplied in the ELISA kit and a positive canine control, respectively; spike-recovery was 85-89%. Dilution recovery was unsatisfactory for both metabolites. Based on our verification results, NME was selected for remaining analyses. We found no effect on NME concentrations of acidification or room temperature storage for up to 24 h. The NME:creatinine ratio was higher after the first of 3 clinic days compared to the same morning (111.2 +/- 5.5 vs. 82.9 +/- 5.3; p < 0.0001), but not on the other days. NME verification results were generally superior to ME. Dilution studies were unsatisfactory for both metabolites. Given that NME was stable without acidification at room temperature, urine samples can be collected at home. The clinic environment can cause higher NME:creatinine ratios, especially in unaccustomed dogs.
|
|
| 43. |
- Roswall, Pernilla, et al.
(författare)
-
Microenvironmental control of breast cancer subtype elicited through paracrine platelet-derived growth factor-CC signaling
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Nature Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-170X .- 1078-8956. ; 24, s. 463-473
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Breast tumors of the basal-like, hormone receptor-negative subtype remain an unmet clinical challenge, as there is high rate of recurrence and poor survival in patients following treatment. Coevolution of the malignant mammary epithelium and its underlying stroma instigates cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to support most, if not all, hallmarks of cancer progression. Here we delineate a previously unappreciated role for CAFs as determinants of the molecular subtype of breast cancer. We identified paracrine crosstalk between cancer cells expressing platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-CC and CAFs expressing the cognate receptors in human basal-like mammary carcinomas. Genetic or pharmacological intervention of PDGF-CC activity in mouse models of cancer resulted in conversion of basal-like breast cancers into a hormone receptor-positive state that enhanced sensitivity to endocrine therapy in previously resistant tumors. We conclude that specification of breast cancer to the basal-like subtype is under microenvironmental control and is therapeutically actionable.
|
|
| 44. |
- Springett, Jane, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
-
Närsjukvård : bakgrund, erfarenheter och pilotstudie
- 2005
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Närsjukvård är ett centralt begrepp i ett förändringsarbete som för genomförs i nordöstra Skåne för att utveckla hälso- och sjukvårdsväsendet. Det ingår därmed som en av de centrala delarna av Region Skånes vision om hälso- och sjukvård: Skånsk livskraft – vård och hälsa. Syftet med denna rapport är att ge en bakgrund till begreppet (Del A) och att presentera en del preliminära rön beträffande hur olika aktörer i nordöstra Skåne uppfattar begreppet (Del B). Del A ger en översikt kring ursprunget till begreppet Närsjukvård inom ramen för de förändringar i hälso- och sjukvården som sker i Sverige i stort. Den beskriver sedan vilka slags förändringar som har planerats på politisk nivå och som nu håller på att genomföras under detta paraplybegrepp, nationellt, regionalt och lokalt. För detta syfte används statliga dokument och publicerade utvärderingsstudier i stor utsträckning som källmaterial. Denna del ska därför inte ses som en heltäckande översikt. Del B inriktas på att belysa hur långt förverkligandet av idén om Närsjukvård har kommit inom regionen. Avsnittet är en kartläggning av olika aktörers förståelse av Närsjukvård i den nordöstra delen av Region Skåne. Forskningsfrågorna inriktades på hur folk pratade om Närsjukvård, det vill säga på hur de förstod och använde begreppet.
|
|
| 45. |
- Springett, Jane, et al.
(författare)
-
Närsjukvård : bakgrund, erfarenheter och pilotstudie
- 2005
-
Bok (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Närsjukvård är ett centralt begrepp i ett förändringsarbete som för genomförs i nordöstra Skåne för att utveckla hälso- och sjukvårdsväsendet. Det ingår därmed som en av de centrala delarna av Region Skånes vision om hälso- och sjukvård: Skånsk livskraft – vård och hälsa. Syftet med denna rapport är att ge en bakgrund till begreppet (Del A) och att presentera en del preliminära rön beträffande hur olika aktörer i nordöstra Skåne uppfattar begreppet (Del B). Del A ger en översikt kring ursprunget till begreppet Närsjukvård inom ramen för de förändringar i hälso- och sjukvården som sker i Sverige i stort. Den beskriver sedan vilka slags förändringar som har planerats på politisk nivå och som nu håller på att genomföras under detta paraplybegrepp, nationellt, regionalt och lokalt. För detta syfte används statliga dokument och publicerade utvärderingsstudier i stor utsträckning som källmaterial. Denna del ska därför inte ses som en heltäckande översikt. Del B inriktas på att belysa hur långt förverkligandet av idén om Närsjukvård har kommit inom regionen. Avsnittet är en kartläggning av olika aktörers förståelse av Närsjukvård i den nordöstra delen av Region Skåne. Forskningsfrågorna inriktades på hur folk pratade om Närsjukvård, det vill säga på hur de förstod och använde begreppet.
|
|
| 46. |
- Stratmann, Svea, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
-
Genomic characterization of relapsed acute myeloid leukemia reveals novel putative therapeutic targets
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Blood Advances. - : American Society of Hematology. - 2473-9529 .- 2473-9537. ; 5:3, s. 900-912
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Relapse is the leading cause of death of adult and pediatric patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Numerous studies have helped to elucidate the complex mutational landscape at diagnosis of AML, leading to improved risk stratification and new therapeutic options. However, multi-whole-genome studies of adult and pediatric AML at relapse are necessary for further advances. To this end, we performed whole-genome and whole-exome sequencing analyses of longitudinal diagnosis, relapse, and/or primary resistant specimens from 48 adult and 25 pediatric patients with AML. We identified mutations recurrently gained at relapse in ARID1A and CSF1R, both of which represent potentially actionable therapeutic alternatives. Further, we report specific differences in the mutational spectrum between adult vs pediatric relapsed AML, with MGA and H3F3A p.Lys28Met mutations recurrently found at relapse in adults, whereas internal tandem duplications in UBTF were identified solely in children. Finally, our study revealed recurrent mutations in IKZF1, KANSL1, and NIPBL at relapse. All of the mentioned genes have either never been reported at diagnosis in de novo AML or have been reported at low frequency, suggesting important roles for these alterations predominantly in disease progression and/or resistance to therapy. Our findings shed further light on the complexity of relapsed AML and identified previously unappreciated alterations that may lead to improved outcomes through personalized medicine.
|
|
| 47. |
|
|
| 48. |
|
|
| 49. |
- Stratmann, Svea, 1989-, et al.
(författare)
-
Transcriptomic analysis reveals proinflammatory signatures associated with acute myeloid leukemia progression
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Blood Advances. - : American Society of Hematology. - 2473-9529 .- 2473-9537. ; 6:1, s. 152-164
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Numerous studies have been performed over the last decade to exploit the complexity of genomic and transcriptomic lesions driving the initiation of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). These studies have helped improve risk classification and treatment options. Detailed molecular characterization of longitudinal AML samples is sparse, however; meanwhile, relapse and therapy resistance represent the main challenges in AML care. To this end, we performed transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing of longitudinal diagnosis, relapse, and/or primary resistant samples from 47 adult and 23 pediatric AML patients with known mutational background. Gene expression analysis revealed the association of short event-free survival with overexpression of GLI2 and IL1R1, as well as downregulation of ST18. Moreover, CR1 downregulation and DPEP1 upregulation were associated with AML relapse both in adults and children. Finally, machine learning–based and network-based analysis identified overexpressed CD6 and downregulated INSR as highly copredictive genes depicting important relapse-associated characteristics among adult patients with AML. Our findings highlight the importance of a tumor-promoting inflammatory environment in leukemia progression, as indicated by several of the herein identified differentially expressed genes. Together, this knowledge provides the foundation for novel personalized drug targets and has the potential to maximize the benefit of current treatments to improve cure rates in AML. ß 2022 by The American Society of Hematology. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0), permitting only noncommercial, nonderivative use with attribution. All other rights reserved.
|
|
| 50. |
- Strese, Sara, et al.
(författare)
-
In vitro and in vivo anti-leukemic activity of the peptidase-potentiated alkylator melflufen in acute myeloid leukemia
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Oncotarget. - : Impact Journals, LLC. - 1949-2553. ; 8:4, s. 6341-6352
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The novel aminopeptidase potentiated alkylating agent melflufen, was evaluated for activity in acute myeloid leukemia in a range of in vitro models, as well as in a patient derived xenograft study. All tested AML cell lines were highly sensitive to melflufen while melphalan was considerably less potent. In the HL-60 cell line model, synergy was observed for the combination of melflufen and cytarabine, an interaction that appeared sequence dependent with increased synergy when melflufen was added before cytarabine. Also, in primary cultures of AML cells from patients melflufen was highly active, while normal PBMC cultures appeared less sensitive, indicating a 7-fold in vitro therapeutic index. Melphalan, on the other hand, was only 2-fold more potent in the AML patient samples compared with PBMCs. Melflufen was equally active against non-malignant, immature CD34(+) progenitor cells and a more differentiated CD34(+) derived cell population (GM14), whereas the stem cell like cells were less sensitive to melphalan. Finally, melflufen treatment showed significant anti-leukemia activity and increased survival in a patient derived xenograft of AML in mice. In conclusion, melflufen demonstrates high and significant preclinical activity in AML and further clinical evaluation seem warranted in this disease.
|
|
