| 1. |
- Brugnara, Y., et al.
(författare)
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A collection of sub-daily pressure and temperature observations for the early instrumental period with a focus on the "year without a summer" 1816
- 2015
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Ingår i: Climate of the Past. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1814-9324 .- 1814-9332. ; 11:8, s. 1027-1047
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The eruption of Mount Tambora (Indonesia) in April 1815 is the largest documented volcanic eruption in history. It is associated with a large global cooling during the following year, felt particularly in parts of Europe and North America, where the year 1816 became known as the "year without a summer". This paper describes an effort made to collect surface meteorological observations from the early instrumental period, with a focus on the years of and immediately following the eruption (1815–1817). Although the collection aimed in particular at pressure observations, correspondent temperature observations were also recovered. Some of the series had already been described in the literature, but a large part of the data, recently digitised from original weather diaries and contemporary magazines and newspapers, is presented here for the first time. The collection puts together more than 50 sub-daily series from land observatories in Europe and North America and from ships in the tropics. The pressure observations have been corrected for temperature and gravity and reduced to mean sea level. Moreover, an additional statistical correction was applied to take into account common error sources in mercury barometers. To assess the reliability of the corrected data set, the variance in the pressure observations is compared with modern climatologies, and single observations are used for synoptic analyses of three case studies in Europe. All raw observations will be made available to the scientific community in the International Surface Pressure Databank.
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| 2. |
- Kaukonen, M, et al.
(författare)
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A missense variant in IFT122 associated with a canine model of retinitis pigmentosa
- 2021
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Ingår i: Human genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-1203 .- 0340-6717. ; 140:11, s. 1569-1579
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a blinding eye disease affecting nearly two million people worldwide. Dogs are affected with a similar illness termed progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). Lapponian herders (LHs) are affected with several types of inherited retinal dystrophies, and variants in PRCD and BEST1 genes have been associated with generalized PRA and canine multifocal retinopathy 3 (cmr3), respectively. However, all retinal dystrophy cases in LHs are not explained by these variants, indicating additional genetic causes of disease in the breed. We collected DNA samples from 10 PRA affected LHs, with known PRCD and BEST1 variants excluded, and 34 unaffected LHs. A genome-wide association study identified a locus on CFA20 (praw = 2.4 × 10–7, pBonf = 0.035), and subsequent whole-genome sequencing of an affected LH revealed a missense variant, c.3176G>A, in the intraflagellar transport 122 (IFT122) gene. The variant was also found in Finnish Lapphunds, in which its clinical relevancy needs to be studied further. The variant interrupts a highly conserved residue, p.(R1059H), in IFT122 and likely impairs its function. Variants in IFT122 have not been associated with retinal degeneration in mammals, but the loss of ift122 in zebrafish larvae impaired opsin transport and resulted in progressive photoreceptor degeneration. Our study establishes a new spontaneous dog model to study the role of IFT122 in RP biology, while the affected breed will benefit from a genetic test for a recessive condition.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Pól, J., et al.
(författare)
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Spatial distribution of glycerophospholipids in the ocular lens
- 2011
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 6:4
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Knowledge of the spatial distribution of lipids in the intraocular lens is important for understanding the physiology and biochemistry of this unique tissue and for gaining a better insight into the mechanisms underlying diseases of the lens. Following our previous study showing the spatial distribution of sphingolipids in the porcine lens, the current study used ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOFMS) to provide the whole lipidome of porcine lens and these studies were supplemented by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) of the lens using ultra-high resolution Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry (FTICR MS) to determine the spatial distribution of glycerophospholipids. Altogether 172 lipid species were identified with high confidence and their concentration was determined. Sphingomyelins, phosphatidylcholines, and phosphatidylethanolamines were the most abundant lipid classes. We then determined the spatial and concentration-dependent distributions of 20 phosphatidylcholines, 6 phosphatidylethanolamines, and 4 phosphatidic acids. Based on the planar molecular images of the lipids, we report the organization of fiber cell membranes within the ocular lens and suggest roles for these lipids in normal and diseased lenses.
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| 5. |
- Junker, Robert R., et al.
(författare)
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Covariation and phenotypic integration in chemical communication displays : Biosynthetic constraints and eco-evolutionary implications
- 2018
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Ingår i: New Phytologist. - : Wiley. - 0028-646X .- 1469-8137. ; 220:3, s. 739-749
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chemical communication is ubiquitous. The identification of conserved structural elements in visual and acoustic communication is well established, but comparable information on chemical communication displays (CCDs) is lacking. We assessed the phenotypic integration of CCDs in a meta-analysis to characterize patterns of covariation in CCDs and identified functional or biosynthetically constrained modules. Poorly integrated plant CCDs (i.e. low covariation between scent compounds) support the notion that plants often utilize one or few key compounds to repel antagonists or to attract pollinators and enemies of herbivores. Animal CCDs (mostly insect pheromones) were usually more integrated than those of plants (i.e. stronger covariation), suggesting that animals communicate via fixed proportions among compounds. Both plant and animal CCDs were composed of modules, which are groups of strongly covarying compounds. Biosynthetic similarity of compounds revealed biosynthetic constraints in the covariation patterns of plant CCDs. We provide a novel perspective on chemical communication and a basis for future investigations on structural properties of CCDs. This will facilitate identifying modules and biosynthetic constraints that may affect the outcome of selection and thus provide a predictive framework for evolutionary trajectories of CCDs in plants and animals.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Raty, S., et al.
(författare)
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Non-invasive electrical brain stimulation for vision restoration after stroke: An exploratory randomized trial (REVIS)
- 2021
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Ingår i: Restorative Neurology and Neuroscience. - : IOS Press. - 0922-6028 .- 1878-3627. ; 39:3, s. 221-235
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Occipital strokes often cause permanent homonymous hemianopia leading to significant disability. In previous studies, non-invasive electrical brain stimulation (NIBS) has improved vision after optic nerve damage and in combination with training after stroke. Objective: We explored different NIBS modalities for rehabilitation of hemianopia after chronic stroke. Methods: In a randomized, double-blinded, sham-controlled, three-armed trial, altogether 56 patients with homonymous hemianopia were recruited. The three experiments were: i) repetitive transorbital alternating current stimulation (rtACS, n=8) vs. rtACS with prior cathodal transcranial direct current stimulation over the intact visual cortex (tDCS/rtACS, n=8) vs. sham (n = 8); ii) rtACS (n = 9) vs. sham (n = 9); and iii) tDCS of the visual cortex (n = 7) vs. sham (n = 7). Visual functions were evaluated before and after the intervention, and after eight weeks follow-up. The primary outcome was change in visual field assessed by high-resolution and standard perimetries. The individual modalities were compared within each experimental arm. Results: Primary outcomes in Experiments 1 and 2 were negative. Only significant between-group change was observed in Experiment 3, where tDCS increased visual field of the contralesional eye compared to sham. tDCS/rtACS improved dynamic vision, reading, and visual field of the contralesional eye, but was not superior to other groups. rtACS alone increased foveal sensitivity, but was otherwise ineffective. All trial-related procedures were tolerated well. Conclusions: This exploratory trial showed safety but no main effect of NIBS on vision restoration after stroke. However, tDCS and combined tDCS/rtACS induced improvements in visually guided performance that need to be confirmed in larger-sample trials.
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| 9. |
- Robciuc, A., et al.
(författare)
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Ceramides in the pathophysiology of the anterior segment of the eye
- 2013
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Ingår i: Current Eye Research. - : Informa Healthcare. - 0271-3683 .- 1460-2202. ; 38:10, s. 1006-1016
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Sphingolipid (SL) research reached a peak in the past years. Yet this positive trend was not evident for eye research as the relative number of studies centered on SLs is decreasing. Our aim is to encourage the inclusion of SL metabolites in studies of ocular pathophysiology by summarizing recent findings and current awareness concerning ceramides in the anterior segment of the eye.Methods: Review of literature relating to ceramides as bioactive lipids and the extent to which their particular nature was investigated in ocular pathophysiology.Results: Ceramides are rare but indispensable lipids that influence cellular responses through their effects on membrane biophysical properties or direct interaction with target proteins. Their biological significance is increased by variability and adaptability as there are tens of enzymes designed to modulate their function. The eye offers a set of unique environments where ceramides or other SLs have not been extensively studied. Not surprisingly, ceramides were associated with apoptosis in the metabolically active tissues, while little is known about its effects on the biophysical properties of the tears or lens lipids. More so, there are still aspects of the ocular homeostasis control where SLs contribution has not been investigated to date (e. g. pathogen aggression).Conclusions: Ceramides and SL metabolism still receive increasing attention and have proven to be a significant metabolite in many research fields (e. g. cancer, stress response and inflammation) and there are yet many questions that they will aid answer. With the present work, we seek to increase awareness of these lipids also in eye research and to highlight their importance as common regulators of various diseases.
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| 10. |
- Robciuc, A., et al.
(författare)
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Hyperosmolarity-induced lipid droplet formation depends on ceramide production by neutral sphingomyelinase 2
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Lipid Research. - : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 0022-2275 .- 1539-7262. ; 53:11, s. 2286-2295
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hyperosmolarity (HO) imposes a remarkable stress on membranes, especially in tissues in direct contact with the external environment. Our efforts were focused on revealing stress-induced lipid changes that precede the inflammatory cytokine response in human corneal epithelial cells exposed to increasing osmolarity. We used a lipidomic analysis that detected significant and systematic changes in the lipid profile, highly correlated with sodium concentrations in the medium. Ceramides and triglycerides (TGs) were the most-responsive lipid classes, with gradual increases of up to 2- and 3-fold, respectively, when compared with control. The source of ceramide proved to be sphingomyelin hydrolysis, and neutral sphingomyelinase 2 (NSM2) activity showed a 2-fold increase 1 h after HO stress, whereas transcription increased 3-fold. Both TG accumulation and IL-8 secretion were shown to be dependent on ceramide production by specific knock-down of NSM2. In HCE cells, diglyceride acyltransferase 1 was responsible for the TG synthesis, but the enzyme activity had no effect on cytokine secretion. Hence, NSM2 plays a key role in the cellular response to hyperosmolar stress, and its activity regulates both cytokine secretion and lipid droplet formation.
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| 11. |
- Blichner, Sara M., 1989-, et al.
(författare)
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Process-evaluation of forest aerosol-cloud-climate feedback shows clear evidence from observations and large uncertainty in models
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - 2041-1723. ; 15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Natural aerosol feedbacks are expected to become more important in the future, as anthropogenic aerosol emissions decrease due to air quality policy. One such feedback is initiated by the increase in biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions with higher temperatures, leading to higher secondary organic aerosol (SOA) production and a cooling of the surface via impacts on cloud radiative properties. Motivated by the considerable spread in feedback strength in Earth System Models (ESMs), we here use two long-term observational datasets from boreal and tropical forests, together with satellite data, for a process-based evaluation of the BVOC-aerosol-cloud feedback in four ESMs. The model evaluation shows that the weakest modelled feedback estimates can likely be excluded, but highlights compensating errors making it difficult to draw conclusions of the strongest estimates. Overall, the method of evaluating along process chains shows promise in pin-pointing sources of uncertainty and constraining modelled aerosol feedbacks.
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| 12. |
- Falck, Emma, et al.
(författare)
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Interaction of fusidic acid with lipid membranes: Implications to the mechanism of antibiotic activity
- 2006
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Ingår i: Biophysical Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1542-0086 .- 0006-3495. ; 91:5, s. 1787-1799
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have studied the effects of cholesterol and steroid-based antibiotic fusidic acid (FA) on the behavior of lipid bilayers using a variety of experimental techniques together with atomic-scale molecular dynamics simulations. Capillary electrophoretic measurements showed that FA was incorporated into fluid 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine membranes. Differential scanning calorimetry in turn showed that FA only slightly altered the thermodynamic properties of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) bilayers, whereas cholesterol abolished all endotherms when the mole fraction of cholesterol (X-chol) was > 0.20. Fluorescence spectroscopy was then used to further characterize the influence of these two steroids on DPPC large unilamellar vesicles. In the case of FA, our result strongly suggested that FA was organized into lateral microdomains with increased water penetration into the membrane. For cholesterol/DPPC mixtures, fluorescence spectroscopy results were compatible with the formation of the liquid-ordered phase. A comparison of FA and cholesterol-induced effects on DPPC bilayers through atomistic molecular dynamics simulations showed that both FA and cholesterol tend to order neighboring lipid chains. However, the ordering effect of FA was slightly weaker than that of cholesterol, and especially for deprotonated FA the difference was significant. Summarizing, our results show that FA is readily incorporated into the lipid bilayer where it is likely to be enriched into lateral microdomains. These domains could facilitate the association of elongation actor-G into lipid rafts in living bacteria, enhancing markedly the antibiotic efficacy of FA.
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| 13. |
- Hintikka, E. -L., et al.
(författare)
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Mycotoxins in the ventilation systems of four schools in Finland
- 2009
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Ingår i: World Mycotoxin Journal. - 1875-0796. ; 2:4, s. 369-379
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Some fungal species have been listed as a problem causing fungi in indoor air and most of this group are known to produce mycotoxins. So far, mycotoxins have been found in building materials and in samples representing settled indoor air dust, as well in air samples from industrial or agricultural environments. The present paper presents the results of a mycological study and mycotoxin analyses of dust collected from mechanical ventilation systems in four school buildings in southern Finland. The aim of this work was to answer the question 'Are there mycotoxins in ventilation systems and if so, from where do they originate?' A total of 40 mycotoxins representing indoor and outdoor sources alike were screened in this study, while cultivable fungi were screened using four different cultivation media. Mycotoxins were present in all ventilation systems studied, both in the supply and the exhaust systems examined. The mycotoxins found included satratoxins, verrucarol, trichodermol, enniatins, beauvericin, penicillic acid, sterigmatocystin, chaetoglobosin A, and aflatoxins B-1. The mycotoxins were present in minute quantities (pg-ng/g or pg-ng/cm(2)). The fungal genera associated with respective mycotoxins were found in most of the same sources. Since much the same mycotoxins could be established in both exhaust and supply air systems, it would appear that the mycotoxins found in the schools studied do not for the most part originate from sources within the building but are either normal artefacts of incoming supply air or concentrate or are perhaps produced within the ventilation systems due to infrequent changing of filters and maintenance/cleaning of ventilation ducts and associated parts of the systems.
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| 14. |
- Holopainen, Päivi, et al.
(författare)
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Candidate gene region 2q33 in European families with coeliac disease.
- 2004
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Ingår i: Tissue antigens. - : Wiley. - 0001-2815 .- 1399-0039. ; 63:3, s. 212-22
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Chromosome region 2q33 harbours a cluster of genes, CTLA-4, CD28, ICOS and closely located PD-1, all related to immune activation and considered as promising candidate genes for susceptibility to coeliac disease (CD). We present here the results of a genetic linkage and association analysis of nine markers located in this gene region in a large combined European material of 796 families with CD from Finland, Sweden, Norway, UK, France and Italy. The joint analysis supports earlier findings that this susceptibility locus, assigned as CELIAC3, merits further studies. Nominally significant linkage to CD was found in 314 families including affected sib pairs. Each of the five populations showed weak associations to several marker alleles, but the analysis revealed, however, no conclusive evidence for a primary functional gene or gene variant present in the total set of families. The results suggest that the CD risk due to 2q33 gene region is complex and may involve more than one susceptibility allele, which possibly differ from other autoimmune diseases.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- Holopainen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
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Sustainable management of migratory European ducks : finding model species
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Wildlife Biology. - : Nordic Council for Wildlife Research (NKV). - 0909-6396 .- 1903-220X.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Eurasian migratory duck species represent a natural resource shared between European countries. As is evident throughout human harvest history, lack of coordinated management and monitoring at appropriate levels often leads to ‘the tragedy of the commons’, where shared populations suffer overexploitation. Effective management can also be hampered by poor understanding of the factors that limit and regulate migratory populations throughout their flyways, and over time. Following decades of population increase, some European duck populations now show signs of levelling off or even decline, underlining the need for more active and effective management. In Europe, the existing mechanisms for delivering effective management of duck populations are limited, despite the need and enthusiasm for establishing adaptive management (AM) schemes for wildlife populations. Existing international legal agreements already oblige European countries to sustainably manage migratory waterbirds. Although the lack of coordinated demographic and hunting data remains a challenge to sustainable management planning, AM provides a robust decision-making framework even in the presence of uncertainty regarding demographic and other information. In this paper we investigate the research and monitoring needs in Europe to successfully apply AM to ducks, and search for possible model species, focusing on freshwater species (in contrast to sea duck species) in the East Atlantic flyway. Based on current knowledge, we suggest that common teal Anas crecca, Eurasian wigeon Mareca penelope and common goldeneye Bucephala clangula represent the best species for testing the application of an AM modelling approach to duck populations in Europe. Applying AM to huntable species with relatively good population data as models for broader implementation represents a cost effect to develop AM on a European flyway scale for ducks, and potentially other waterbirds in the future.
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| 17. |
- Holopainen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
-
Sustainable management of migratory European ducks : finding model species
- 2018
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Eurasian migratory ducks are a natural resource shared between multiple European countries. Due to lack of flyway-level management and monitoring, there is a risk of “the tragedy of the commons” arising, where populations are overexploited. Effective management may also be hindered by a poor understanding of the factors that limit and regulate migratory populations throughout their flyways, and over time. Following decades of population increase, some European duck populations now show signs of levelling off or even decline, underlining the need for more active management. In Europe, we lack effective common tools to manage duck populations, despite the need and enthusiasm for establishing flyway-level adaptive management (AM) schemes for migratory birds. There are several international legal agreements (e.g. EEC Birds Directive, AEWA) that oblige European countries to sustainably manage migratory birds and their habitats. Although the lack of coordinated demographic and hunting data remains a challenge to sustainable management planning for waterfowl, AM provides a robust decision-making framework even in the presence of uncertainty.We investigate the research and monitoring needs in Europe to successfully apply AM to ducks, and search for possible model species, focusing on freshwater duck species. Our geographical focus is NW Europe (excluding Russia), the area utilized by ducks in the East-Atlantic flyway. Based on current knowledge and their wide distribution, we suggest that Common Teal Anas crecca, Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelopeand Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangulawould be the best species for testing the application of an AM modelling approach for ducks in Europe. Applying AM to huntable species with relatively good population data as models for broader implementation represents a cost effective way of starting to develop AM on a European flyway scale for ducks and other harvested waterbirds.
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| 18. |
- Holopainen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
-
Sustainable management of migratory European ducks : finding model species
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Wildlife Biology. - : Nordic Council for Wildlife Research. - 0909-6396 .- 1903-220X.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Eurasian migratory duck species represent a natural resource shared between European countries. As is evident throughout human harvest history, lack of coordinated management and monitoring at appropriate levels often leads to ‘the tragedy of the commons’, where shared populations suffer overexploitation. Effective management can also be hampered by poor understanding of the factors that limit and regulate migratory populations throughout their flyways, and over time. Following decades of population increase, some European duck populations now show signs of levelling off or even decline, underlining the need for more active and effective management. In Europe, the existing mechanisms for delivering effective management of duck populations are limited, despite the need and enthusiasm for establishing adaptive management (AM) schemes for wildlife populations. Existing international legal agreements already oblige European countries to sustainably manage migratory waterbirds. Although the lack of coordinated demographic and hunting data remains a challenge to sustainable management planning, AM provides a robust decision-making framework even in the presence of uncertainty regarding demographic and other information. In this paper we investigate the research and monitoring needs in Europe to successfully apply AM to ducks, and search for possible model species, focusing on freshwater species (in contrast to sea duck species) in the East Atlantic flyway. Based on current knowledge, we suggest that common teal Anas crecca, Eurasian wigeon Mareca penelope and common goldeneye Bucephala clangula represent the best species for testing the application of an AM modelling approach to duck populations in Europe. Applying AM to huntable species with relatively good population data as models for broader implementation represents a cost effect to develop AM on a European flyway scale for ducks, and potentially other waterbirds in the future.
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| 19. |
- Holopainen, Sari, et al.
(författare)
-
Sustainable management of migratory European ducks : finding model species
- 2018
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Eurasian migratory ducks are a natural resource shared between multiple European countries. Due to lack of flyway-level management and monitoring, there is a risk of “the tragedy of the commons” arising, where populations are overexploited. Effective management may also be hindered by a poor understanding of the factors that limit and regulate migratory populations throughout their flyways, and over time. Following decades of population increase, some European duck populations now show signs of levelling off or even decline, underlining the need for more active management. In Europe, we lack effective common tools to manage duck populations, despite the need and enthusiasm for establishing flyway-level adaptive management (AM) schemes for migratory birds. There are several international legal agreements (e.g. EEC Birds Directive, AEWA) that oblige European countries to sustainably manage migratory birds and their habitats. Although the lack of coordinated demographic and hunting data remains a challenge to sustainable management planning for waterfowl, AM provides a robust decision-making framework even in the presence of uncertainty. We investigate the research and monitoring needs in Europe to successfully apply AM to ducks, and search for possible model species, focusing on freshwater duck species. Our geographical focus is NW Europe (excluding Russia), the area utilized by ducks in the East-Atlantic flyway. Based on current knowledge and their wide distribution, we suggest that Common Teal Anas crecca, Eurasian Wigeon Mareca penelopeand Common Goldeneye Bucephala clangulawould be the best species for testing the application of an AM modelling approach for ducks in Europe. Applying AM to huntable species with relatively good population data as models for broader implementation represents a cost effective way of starting to develop AM on a European flyway scale for ducks and other harvested waterbirds.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Neira, Waldir, et al.
(författare)
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Dystrophia Helsinglandica : corneal morphology, topography and sensitivity in a hereditary corneal disease with recurrent erosive episodes
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the morphology, corneal topography and sensitivity in individuals with Dystrophia Helsinglandica. This autosomal dominant corneal disease is characterized by recurrent corneal erosive episodes and progressive subepithelial fibrosis not significantly affecting visual acuity. Methods: The corneas of nine affected and nine unaffected individuals were examined using slit‐lamp biomicroscopy, in‐vivo confocal microscopy, and videokeratography. Corneal mechanical sensitivity was also measured using a noncontact esthesiometer. Results: Slit‐lamp biomicroscopy revealed that the affected individuals represented different stages of corneal changes, from a nearly normal cornea to subepithelial fibrosis of the central cornea. Corneal changes in affected individuals did not significantly decrease the best spectacle‐corrected visual acuity. In‐vivo confocal microscopy detected morphological changes in the epithelium and stroma. Subepithelial opacity formation including altered keratocytes could be found in the anterior stroma in all affected eyes. With the exception of two eyes (one affected and one unaffected), all videokeratographies showed irregular astigmatism. Corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in affected individuals (p ≤0.01). Age and corneal sensitivity showed no correlation. Conclusion: The main morphological findings in affected individuals were discrete and progressive subepithelial fibrosis, in the in‐vivo confocal microscope corresponding to optically dense extracellular matrix and activated keratocytes. Subbasal nerve morphology was changed in the affected family members who also showed a decreased corneal sensitivity. The findings were per se not specific to the disease. The changes probably reflect a healing response to erosive events on the corneal surface influenced by the genotype.
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| 22. |
- Neira, Waldir, et al.
(författare)
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Dystrophia Helsinglandica - corneal morphology, topography and sensitivity in a hereditary corneal disease with recurrent erosive episodes
- 2010
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Ingår i: ACTA OPHTHALMOLOGICA. - : Blackwell Publishing Ltd. - 1755-375X .- 1755-3768. ; 88:4, s. 401-406
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The aim of this study was to describe the morphology, corneal topography and sensitivity in individuals with Dystrophia Helsinglandica. This autosomal dominant corneal disease is characterized by recurrent corneal erosive episodes and progressive subepithelial fibrosis not significantly affecting visual acuity. Methods: The corneas of nine affected and nine unaffected individuals were examined using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) and videokeratography. Corneal mechanical sensitivity was also measured using a non-contact esthesiometer. Results: Slit-lamp biomicroscopy revealed that the affected individuals represented different stages of corneal changes, from a nearly normal cornea to subepithelial fibrosis of the central cornea. Corneal changes in affected individuals did not significantly decrease the best spectacle-corrected visual acuity. In vivo confocal microscopy detected morphological changes in the epithelium and stroma. Subepithelial opacity formation including altered keratocytes could be found in the anterior stroma in all affected eyes. With the exception of two eyes (one affected and one unaffected), all videokeratographies showed irregular astigmatism. Corneal sensitivity was significantly lower in affected individuals (p = 0.01). Age and corneal sensitivity showed no correlation. Conclusion: The main morphological findings in affected individuals were discrete and progressive subepithelial fibrosis, in the in vivo confocal microscope corresponding to optically dense extracellular matrix and activated keratocytes. Subbasal nerve morphology was changed in the affected family members who also showed a decreased corneal sensitivity. The findings are per se not specific to the disease. The changes probably reflect a healing response to erosive events on the corneal surface influenced by the genotype.
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| 23. |
- Patra, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Under the influence of alcohol: The effect of ethanol and methanol on lipid bilayers
- 2006
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Ingår i: Biophysical Journal. - : Elsevier BV. - 1542-0086 .- 0006-3495. ; 90:4, s. 1121-1135
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Extensive microscopic molecular dynamics simulations have been performed to study the effects of short-chain alcohols, methanol and ethanol, on two different fully hydrated lipid bilayer systems (POPC and DPPC) in the fluid phase at 323 K. It is found that ethanol has a stronger effect on the structural properties of the membranes. In particular, the bilayers become more fluid and permeable: ethanol molecules are able to penetrate through the membrane in typical timescales of similar to 200 ns, whereas for methanol that timescale is considerably longer, at least of the order of microseconds. A closer examination exposes a number of effects due to ethanol. Hydrogen-bonding analysis reveals that a large fraction of ethanols is involved in hydrogen bonds with lipids. This in turn is intimately coupled to the ordering of hydrocarbon chains: we find that binding to an ethanol decreases the order of the chains. We have also determined the dependence of lipid-chain ordering on ethanol concentration and found that to be nonmonotonous. Overall, we find good agreement with NMR and micropipette studies.
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Rantamäki, Antti H., et al.
(författare)
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Human tear fluid lipidome : from composition to function
- 2011
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science. - 1932-6203. ; 6:5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have explored human aqueous tear fluid lipidome with an emphasis to identify the major lipids. We also address the physiological significance of the lipidome. The tears were analysed using thin layer chromatographic, enzymatic and mass spectrometric techniques. To emphasize the physiological aspect of the lipidome, we modelled the spreading of the non-polar tear fluid lipids at air-water interface in macroscopic scale with olive oil and egg yolk phosphatidylcholine. Based on enzymatic analysis the respective concentrations of choline-containing lipids, triglycerides, and cholesteryl esters were 48±14, 10±0, and 21±18 µM. Ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time of flight mass spectrometry analysis showed that phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine were the two most common polar lipids comprising 88±6% of all identified lipids. Triglycerides were the only non-polar lipids detected in mass spectrometric analysis i.e. no cholesteryl or wax esters were identified. The spreading experiments show that the presence of polar lipids is an absolute necessity for a proper spreading of non-polar tear fluid lipids. We provide evidence that polar lipids are the most common lipid species. Furthermore, we provide a physiological rationale for the observed lipid composition. The results open insights into the functional role of lipids in the tear fluid and also aids in providing new means to understand and treat diseases of the ocular surface.
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| 26. |
- Ruokonen, Suvi-Katriina, et al.
(författare)
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Distribution of local anesthetics between aqueous and liposome phases
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Chromatography A. - : Elsevier BV. - 0021-9673 .- 1873-3778. ; 1479, s. 194-203
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Liposomes were used as biomimetic models in capillary electrokinetic chromatography (EKC) for the determination of distribution constants (K-D) of certain local anesthetics and a commonly used preservative. Synthetic liposomes comprised phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylglycerol phospholipids with and without cholesterol. In addition, ghost liposomes made from red blood cell (RBC) lipid extracts were used as pseudostationary phase to acquire information on how the liposome composition affects the interactions between anesthetics and liposomes. These results were compared with theoretical distribution coefficients at pH 7.4. In addition to 25 degrees C, the distribution constants were determined at 37 and 42 degrees C to simulate physiological conditions. Moreover, the usability of five electroosmotic flow markers in liposome (LEKC) and micellar EKC (MEKC) was studied. LEKC was proven to be a convenient and fast technique for obtaining data about the distribution constants of local anesthetics between liposome and aqueous phase. RBC liposomes can be utilized for more representative model of cellular membranes, and the results indicate that the distribution constants of the anesthetics are greatly dependent on the used liposome composition and the amount of cholesterol, while the effect of temperature on the distribution constants is less significant.
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| 27. |
- Sormunen, Piia, et al.
(författare)
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Capturing stakeholder values : Stakeholder values, stakeholder preferences and requirements for the life cycle design process
- 2009
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The objective of Task 2.3 was to create a framework for capturing the values of different stakeholders over the life cycle of a building. The framework should work as a method for capturing goals and preferences of all stakeholders and add value to the client and constructor as well as to the society and citizens. Another goal was to create a list of value groups, values, requirements and parameters to serve as a checklist for value mapping in a design project. The framework acts as an incentive for model-based working to enable evaluation of design performance and open collaboration between all stakeholders. It presents a process during which the needs and preferences that add value to society/citizens, clients/users, and the construction sector over the life cycle of a building are captured. These stakeholder values for a facility and process are translated into requirements and attributes for the specific business case to give a clear set of design targets for the life cycle design process. In the purposes of this task, briefing is proposed as the main procedure for identifying and capturing stakeholder values. Briefing is the process in which the client’s needs, wishes and ambitions are identified, expressed and clarified in the building process. The briefing process is an integral part of the design process. It is iterative and moves from the general to the particular. Strategic briefing deals with the business case, stakeholders and project goals. Operational briefing concerns functional requirements derived from the strategic briefing. Technical briefing specifies in technical terms the consequences of the functional requirements. The briefing methods and its tools must support a top-down systems approach. The Concurrent Design Method, originally a space-born design methodology developed and used by the European Space Agency (ESA), is chosen to support the briefing process of the framework. This method ensures collaborative work where the various stakeholders interact and influence each other’s values and proposals when in sessions concurrently working on the same IT-based platform. The design work is done in collocated sessions with all stakeholders involved and present, creating an integrated design and enabling good communication and exchange of information between team members. The concurrent design method was applied by the task group in three one-day workshops with the Swedish Post head office in Stockholm as the case building. The sessions resulted in a list of all the value groups, values, requirements and parameters that were exchanged, discussed and added during the sessions. From this list, an exemplary list of value groups, values, requirements and parameters was created. This set of generalized values can be recommended to serve as a checklist for value mapping in further projects. The work in the concurrent design sessions is based on assumptions in the briefs and the results of the sessions are fed back into the briefs and can even affect the initial goals. The method was found to be very supportive for the briefing process. Because the method is iterative, it can successively contribute to a mutual, better understanding of the total project. The task group can therefore recommend it for application as a tool for briefing support. To test the created framework two studies were made: one to proof that the framework efficiently captures the stakeholder values and one to to demonstrate the detection of contradictory goals and values. The results of these studies are presented in Part 2 of this report. The work done in T2.3 is the first part of the global life cycle process, which goes from the capture of the client’s values to the evaluation of the performance of the project. The results of Task 2.3 will be further used in InPro Task 2.4 “Life Cycle Design Processes” and Task 1.3 “Key Performance Indicators”. Lists of requirements and parameters were delivered for the different life cycle processes (LCD) of InPro Task 2.4: energy performance, facility management & maintenance, enviReport – Capturing Stakeholder Values, Values, Preferences and Requirements ■ May 2009 5/45 ronmental performance & materials, cost management and project planning. These lists were placed in quality gates of different life cycle processes in order to verify and evaluate the implementation of the stakeholder values. Task 1.3 will use proposed parameters as performance indicators. The goal of the Deliverable D10 (An Evaluation Framework for Early Design based on Key Performance Indicators) is to detail the method to highlight the Key Performance Indicators, i.e. to classify and prioritise the more relevant parameters, in order to evaluate the performance of the design and of the building, and in order to compare the client’s expected requirements with the real life cycle processes. These KPI give common and reliable hypothesis, with which each actor can carry out its design, and which help taking decision with an accurate quality level to reach.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
- Virtanen, Annele, et al.
(författare)
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An amorphous solid state of biogenic secondary organic aerosol particles
- 2010
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 467:7317, s. 824-827
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Secondary organic aerosol (SOA) particles are formed in the atmosphere from condensable oxidation products of anthropogenic and biogenic volatile organic compounds (VOCs)(1-7). On a global scale, biogenic VOCs account for about 90% of VOC emissions(1,8) and of SOA formation (90 billion kilograms of carbon per year)(1-4). SOA particles can scatter radiation and act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, and thereby influence the Earth's radiation balance and climate(1,2,5,9,10). They consist of a myriad of different compounds with varying physicochemical properties, and little information is available on the phase state of SOA particles. Gas-particle partitioning models usually assume that SOA particles are liquid(1,5,11), but here we present experimental evidence that they can be solid under ambient conditions. We investigated biogenic SOA particles formed from oxidation products of VOCs in plant chamber experiments and in boreal forests within a few hours after atmospheric nucleation events. On the basis of observed particle bouncing in an aerosol impactor and of electron microscopy we conclude that biogenic SOA particles can adopt an amorphous solid-most probably glassy-state. This amorphous solid state should provoke a rethinking of SOA processes because it may influence the partitioning of semi-volatile compounds, reduce the rate of heterogeneous chemical reactions, affect the particles' ability to accommodate water and act as cloud condensation or ice nuclei, and change the atmospheric lifetime of the particles(12-15). Thus, the results of this study challenge traditional views of the kinetics and thermodynamics of SOA formation and transformation in the atmosphere and their implications for air quality and climate.
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| 31. |
- Wiedmer, S. K., et al.
(författare)
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Chromatographic lipid profiling of stress-exposed cells
- 2012
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Ingår i: Journal of Separation Science. - : Wiley-VCH Verlagsgesellschaft. - 1615-9306 .- 1615-9314. ; 35:15, s. 1845-1853
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lipidomics is an emerging field of science not only due to its integral part of cell biology and biophysics but also due to the key role of lipids in the modulation of membrane physical properties, signaling, and cell death regulation. The aim of this study was to characterize changes in N-palmitoyl ceramide concentration and in the global lipid profile in macrophages challenged by oxidized low-density lipoprotein and nutrient deprived hepatocytes. For this purpose, a quantitative targeted method based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for the determination of total N-palmitoyl ceramide concentrations in the cellular membranes of cells under stress was used. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry was applied for the comprehensive profiling of lipids. In essence, we found that both models of cellular stress caused an increase in N-palmitoyl ceramide levels. In addition, increased levels of other ceramides were observed as well as up- and down-regulation of several other lipid species.
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| 32. |
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