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- Gracias, J., et al.
(författare)
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Cerebrospinal fluid concentration of complement component 4A is increased in first episode schizophrenia
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Schizophrenia risk has been associated with the complement component 4 (C4) genes. Here the authors show that C4A is elevated in individuals with schizophrenia. Postsynaptic density is reduced in schizophrenia, and risk variants increasing complement component 4A (C4A) gene expression are linked to excessive synapse elimination. In two independent cohorts, we show that cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) C4A concentration is elevated in patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP) who develop schizophrenia (FEP-SCZ: median 0.41 fmol/ul [CI = 0.34-0.45], FEP-non-SCZ: median 0.29 fmol/ul [CI = 0.22-0.35], healthy controls: median 0.28 [CI = 0.24-0.33]). We show that the CSF elevation of C4A in FEP-SCZ exceeds what can be expected from genetic risk variance in the C4 locus, and in patient-derived cellular models we identify a mechanism dependent on the disease-associated cytokines interleukin (IL)-1beta and IL-6 to selectively increase neuronal C4A mRNA expression. In patient-derived CSF, we confirm that IL-1beta correlates with C4A controlled for genetically predicted C4A RNA expression (r = 0.39; CI: 0.01-0.68). These results suggest a role of C4A in early schizophrenia pathophysiology.
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- Cremaschi, Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalences of autoimmune diseases in schizophrenia, bipolar I and II disorder, and controls
- 2017
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Ingår i: Psychiatry Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-1781 .- 1872-7123. ; 258, s. 9-14
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous studies on the relationship between autoimmune diseases, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder are mainly based on hospital discharge registers with insufficient coverage of outpatient data. Furthermore, data is scant on the prevalence of autoimmune diseases in bipolar subgroups. Here we estimate the self-reported prevalences of autoimmune diseases in schizophrenia, bipolar disorder type I and II, and controls. Lifetime prevalence of autoimmune diseases was assessed through a structured interview in a sample of 9076 patients (schizophrenia N = 5278, bipolar disorder type I N = 1952, type II N = 1846) and 6485 controls. Comparative analyses were performed using logistic regressions. The prevalence of diabetes type 1 did not differ between groups. Hyperthyroidism, hypothyroidism regardless of lithium effects, rheumatoid arthritis, and polymyalgia rheumatica were most common in bipolar disorder. Systemic lupus erythematosus was less common in bipolar disorder than in the other groups. The rate of autoimmune diseases did not differ significantly between bipolar subgroups. We conclude that prevalences of autoimmune diseases show clear differences between schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, but not between the bipolar subgroups. © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
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- Isgren, Ellinor, 1987, et al.
(författare)
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Are agricultural extension systems ready to scale up ecological intensification in East Africa? A literature review with particular attention to the Push-Pull Technology (PPT)
- 2023
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Ingår i: Food Security. - 1876-4517. ; 15, s. 1399-1420
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Agricultural extension, or advisory services, have a key role to play in supporting farmers' learning and adoption of new practices and technologies. This paper analyses gaps and needs which require addressing in order for extension systems to more effectively contribute to the upscaling of ecological intensification approaches in East African smallholder agriculture. Our starting point is the push-pull technology (PPT), a promising approach. PPT originated in East Africa and is being continuously improved through cycles of interdisciplinary and participatory experimentation. Despite well-documented benefits to farmers and the environment, more institutional support from agricultural extension systems (AES) is needed for PPT to realise significant impact on poverty reduction, food security, and sustainability. Departing from this assessment, we review literature on AES in five East African countries. After clarifying the AES characteristics that ecological intensification requires, emphasising the capacity to embrace complexity, we identify four thematic areas that are in urgent need of attention: first, widely recognised problems with access and inclusiveness have seen welcome innovation but remain substantial. Second, information and communication technologies provide many benefits and new possibilities, but expectations must be tempered. Third, pluralistic AES present coordination challenges that risk undermining and misdirecting extension. Finally, the political-economic underpinnings of extension require critical scrutiny and strategic interventions. While many challenges threaten extension effectiveness broadly, we highlight implications for ecological intensification approaches like PPT. Our insights thus speak to the broader question of how to design and implement extension for sustainable agricultural development in East Africa.
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- Moberg, Christina, et al.
(författare)
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De unga gör helt rätt när de stämmer staten
- 2022
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Ingår i: Aftonbladet. - 1103-9000.
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- 1 620 forskare och lärare i forskarvärlden: Vi ställer oss bakom Auroras klimatkrav
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- Ramö Isgren, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The association between maternal body mass index and serial plasma oxytocin levels during labor
- 2023
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE. - 1932-6203. ; 18:8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo evaluate the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and plasma oxytocin (OT) levels at different OT infusion rates in labor.MethodsA prospective observational study analyzing serial plasma samples in laboring women with OT infusion. The women were categorized into three groups, women with non-obesity (BMI 18.5-29.9, n = 12), obesity (BMI 30.0-34.9, n = 13), and morbid obesity (BMI = 35.0, n = 15). Plasma OT was analyzed using tandem mass spectrometry.ResultsExcept for a low positive correlation between OT levels and BMI and significantly increased plasma OT levels in women with morbid obesity at the OT infusion rate of 3.3 mU/min, no significant differences in OT levels between the BMI groups were found. Further, the inter-individual differences in OT levels were large and no dose-dependent increase of OT levels was seen.ConclusionsOther factors than plasma OT levels may be more likely to determine the clinical response of OT infusion in women with obesity. Perhaps the observed clinical need and individual response would be a better predictor of plasma OT levels than a pre-determined OT infusion rate. The OT dosage guidelines for labor augmentation should be individualized according to clinical response rather than generalized.
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- Röösli, M., et al.
(författare)
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Interventions to Reduce Pesticide Exposure from the Agricultural Sector in Africa: A Workshop Report
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. - : MDPI AG. - 1660-4601. ; 19:15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite the fact that several cases of unsafe pesticide use among farmers in different parts of Africa have been documented, there is limited evidence regarding which specific interventions are effective in reducing pesticide exposure and associated risks to human health and ecology. The overall goal of the African Pesticide Intervention Project (APsent) study is to better understand ongoing research and public health activities related to interventions in Africa through the implementation of suitable target-specific situations or use contexts. A systematic review of the scientific literature on pesticide intervention studies with a focus on Africa was conducted. This was followed by a qualitative survey among stakeholders involved in pesticide research or management in the African region to learn about barriers to and promoters of successful interventions. The project was concluded with an international workshop in November 2021, where a broad range of topics relevant to occupational and environmental health risks were discussed such as acute poisoning, street pesticides, switching to alternatives, or disposal of empty pesticide containers. Key areas of improvement identified were training on pesticide usage techniques, research on the effectiveness of interventions targeted at exposure reduction and/or behavioral changes, awareness raising, implementation of adequate policies, and enforcement of regulations and processes.
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