| 1. |
- Cachim, Afonso, et al.
(författare)
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Measuring adherence to inhaled control medication in patients with asthma : Comparison among an asthma app, patient self-report and physician assessment
- 2023
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Ingår i: Clinical and Translational Allergy. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7022. ; 13:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundPrevious studies have demonstrated the feasibility of using an asthma app to support medication management and adherence but failed to compare with other measures currently used in clinical practice. However, in a clinical setting, any additional adherence measurement must be evaluated in the context of both the patient and physician perspectives so that it can also help improve the process of shared decision making. Thus, we aimed to compare different measures of adherence to asthma control inhalers in clinical practice, namely through an app, patient self-report and physician assessment.MethodsThis study is a secondary analysis of three prospective multicentre observational studies with patients (≥13 years old) with persistent asthma recruited from 61 primary and secondary care centres in Portugal. Patients were invited to use the InspirerMundi app and register their inhaled medication. Adherence was measured by the app as the number of doses taken divided by the number of doses scheduled each day and two time points were considered for analysis: 1-week and 1-month. At baseline, patients and physicians independently assessed adherence to asthma control inhalers during the previous week using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS 0–100).ResultsA total of 193 patients (72% female; median [P25–P75] age 28 [19–41] years old) were included in the analysis. Adherence measured by the app was lower (1 week: 31 [0–71]%; 1 month: 18 [0–48]%) than patient self-report (80 [60–95]) and physician assessment (82 [51–94]) (p < 0.001). A negligible non-significant correlation was found between the app and subjective measurements (ρ 0.118–0.156, p > 0.05). There was a moderate correlation between patient self-report and physician assessment (ρ = 0.596, p < 0.001).ConclusionsAdherence measured by the app was lower than that reported by the patient or the physician. This was expected as objective measurements are commonly lower than subjective evaluations, which tend to overestimate adherence. Nevertheless, the low adherence measured by the app may also be influenced by the use of the app itself and this needs to be considered in future studies.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Neves, Ana Luisa, et al.
(författare)
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Determinants of the Use of Health and Fitness Mobile Apps by Patients With Asthma : Secondary Analysis of Observational Studies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Medical Internet Research. - : JMIR Publications. - 1438-8871. ; 23:9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Health and fitness apps have potential benefits to improve self-management and disease control among patients with asthma. However, inconsistent use rates have been reported across studies, regions, and health systems. A better understanding of the characteristics of users and nonusers is critical to design solutions that are effectively integrated in patients' daily lives, and to ensure that these equitably reach out to different groups of patients, thus improving rather than entrenching health inequities. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the use of general health and fitness apps by patients with asthma and to identify determinants of usage. Methods: A secondary analysis of the INSPIRERS observational studies was conducted using data from face-to-face visits. Patients with a diagnosis of asthma were included between November 2017 and August 2020. Individual-level data were collected, including age, gender, marital status, educational level, health status, presence of anxiety and depression, postcode, socioeconomic level, digital literacy, use of health services, and use of health and fitness apps. Multivariate logistic regression was used to model the probability of being a health and fitness app user. Statistical analysis was performed in R. Results: A total of 526 patients attended a face-to-face visit in the 49 recruiting centers and 514 had complete data. Most participants were <= 40 years old (66.4%), had at least 10 years of education (57.4%), and were in the 3 higher quintiles of the socioeconomic deprivation index (70.1%). The majority reported an overall good health status (visual analogue scale [VAS] score>70 in 93.1%) and the prevalence of anxiety and depression was 34.3% and 11.9%, respectively. The proportion of participants who reported using health and fitness mobile apps was 41.1% (n=211). Multivariate models revealed that single individuals and those with more than 10 years of education are more likely to use health and fitness mobile apps (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.22, 95%CI 1.05-4.75 and aOR 1.95, 95%CI 1.12-3.45, respectively). Higher digital literacy scores were also associated with higher odds of being a user of health and fitness apps, with participants in the second, third, and fourth quartiles reporting aORs of 6.74 (95%CI 2.90-17.40), 10.30 (95%CI 4.28-27.56), and 11.52 (95%CI 4.78-30.87), respectively. Participants with depression symptoms had lower odds of using health and fitness apps (aOR 0.32, 95%CI 0.12-0.83). Conclusions: A better understanding of the barriers and enhancers of app use among patients with lower education, lower digital literacy, or depressive symptoms is key to design tailored interventions to ensure a sustained and equitable use of these technologies. Future studies should also assess users' general health-seeking behavior and their interest and concerns specifically about digital tools. These factors may impact both initial engagement and sustained use.
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| 4. |
- Almeida, Teresa, et al.
(författare)
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Isc1p plays a key role in hydrogen peroxide resistance and chronological lifespan through modulation of iron levels and apoptosis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Molecular biology of the cell. - 1939-4586. ; 19:3, s. 865-76
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The inositolphosphosphingolipid phospholipase C (Isc1p) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae belongs to the family of neutral sphingomyelinases that generates the bioactive sphingolipid ceramide. In this work the role of Isc1p in oxidative stress resistance and chronological lifespan was investigated. Loss of Isc1p resulted in a higher sensitivity to hydrogen peroxide that was associated with an increase in oxidative stress markers, namely intracellular oxidation, protein carbonylation, and lipid peroxidation. Microarray analysis showed that Isc1p deficiency up-regulated the iron regulon leading to increased levels of iron, which is known to catalyze the production of the highly reactive hydroxyl radicals via the Fenton reaction. In agreement, iron chelation suppressed hydrogen peroxide sensitivity of isc1Delta mutants. Cells lacking Isc1p also displayed a shortened chronological lifespan associated with oxidative stress markers and aging of parental cells was correlated with a decrease in Isc1p activity. The analysis of DNA fragmentation and caspase-like activity showed that Isc1p deficiency increased apoptotic cell death associated with oxidative stress and aging. Furthermore, deletion of Yca1p metacaspase suppressed the oxidative stress sensitivity and premature aging phenotypes of isc1Delta mutants. These results indicate that Isc1p plays an important role in the regulation of cellular redox homeostasis, through modulation of iron levels, and of apoptosis.
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| 5. |
- Ambros, Inge M, et al.
(författare)
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A multilocus technique for risk evaluation of patients with neuroblastoma.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Clinical cancer research : an official journal of the American Association for Cancer Research. - 1078-0432. ; 17:4, s. 792-804
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Precise and comprehensive analysis of neuroblastoma genetics is essential for accurate risk evaluation and only pangenomic/multilocus approaches fulfill the present-day requirements. We present the establishment and validation of the PCR-based multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) technique for neuroblastoma.
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| 6. |
- Boonen, Annelies, et al.
(författare)
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EULAR Points to Consider (PtC) for designing, analysing and reporting of studies with work participation as an outcome domain in patients with inflammatory arthritis
- 2021
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 80:9, s. 1116-1123
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Clinical studies with work participation (WP) as an outcome domain pose particular methodological challenges that hamper interpretation, comparison between studies and meta-analyses.OBJECTIVES: To develop Points to Consider (PtC) for design, analysis and reporting of studies of patients with inflammatory arthritis that include WP as a primary or secondary outcome domain.METHODS: The EULAR Standardised Operating Procedures were followed. A multidisciplinary taskforce with 22 experts including patients with rheumatic diseases, from 10 EULAR countries and Canada, identified methodologic areas of concern. Two systematic literature reviews (SLR) appraised the methodology across these areas. In parallel, two surveys among professional societies and experts outside the taskforce sought for additional methodological areas or existing conducting/reporting recommendations. The taskforce formulated the PtC after presentation of the SLRs and survey results, and discussion. Consensus was obtained through informal voting, with levels of agreement obtained anonymously.RESULTS: Two overarching principles and nine PtC were formulated. The taskforce recommends to align the work-related study objective to the design, duration, and outcome domains/measurement instruments of the study (PtC: 1-3); to identify contextual factors upfront and account for them in analyses (PtC: 4); to account for interdependence of different work outcome domains and for changes in work status over time (PtC: 5-7); to present results as means as well as proportions of patients reaching predefined meaningful categories (PtC: 8) and to explicitly report volumes of productivity loss when costs are an outcome (PtC:9).CONCLUSION: Adherence to these EULAR PtC will improve the methodological quality of studies evaluating WP.
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| 7. |
- Charchar, Fadi J., et al.
(författare)
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Lifestyle management of hypertension : International Society of Hypertension position paper endorsed by the World Hypertension League and European Society of Hypertension
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Hypertension. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 0263-6352 .- 1473-5598. ; 42:1, s. 23-49
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hypertension, defined as persistently elevated systolic blood pressure (SBP) >140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) at least 90 mmHg (International Society of Hypertension guidelines), affects over 1.5 billion people worldwide. Hypertension is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) events (e.g. coronary heart disease, heart failure and stroke) and death. An international panel of experts convened by the International Society of Hypertension College of Experts compiled lifestyle management recommendations as first-line strategy to prevent and control hypertension in adulthood. We also recommend that lifestyle changes be continued even when blood pressure-lowering medications are prescribed. Specific recommendations based on literature evidence are summarized with advice to start these measures early in life, including maintaining a healthy body weight, increased levels of different types of physical activity, healthy eating and drinking, avoidance and cessation of smoking and alcohol use, management of stress and sleep levels. We also discuss the relevance of specific approaches including consumption of sodium, potassium, sugar, fibre, coffee, tea, intermittent fasting as well as integrated strategies to implement these recommendations using, for example, behaviour change-related technologies and digital tools.
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| 8. |
- Dahlqvist, Per, et al.
(författare)
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Pseudoacromegaly : A Differential Diagnostic Problem for Acromegaly With a Genetic Solution
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of the Endocrine Society. - : The Endocrine Society. - 2472-1972. ; 1:8, s. 1104-1109
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Acromegaly is usually not a difficult condition to diagnose once the possibility of this disease has been raised. However, a few conditions present with some aspects of acromegaly or gigantism but without growth hormone (GH) excess. Such cases are described as "pseudoacromegaly" or "acromegaloidism". Here we describe a female patient investigated for GH excess at 10 years of age for tall stature since infancy (height and weight > +3 standard deviations) and typical acromegalic features, including large hands/feet, large jaw, tongue, hoarse deep voice, and headache. Results of radiography of the sella turcica and GH response at an oral glucose tolerance test and insulin-arginine- thyrotrophin-luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone test were normal. Ethinylestradiol and medroxyprogesterone were given for 2 years; this successfully stopped further height increase. Although the patient's growth rate plateaued, coarsening of the facial features and acral enlargement also led to investigations for suspicion of acromegaly at 23 and 36 years of age, both with negative results. On referral at the age of 49 years, she had weight gain, sweating, sleep apnea, headaches, joint pain, and enlarged tongue. Endocrine assessment again showing normal GH axis was followed by genetic testing with a macrocephaly/overgrowth syndrome panel. A denovo mutation in the NSD1 gene (c.6605G>C; p.Cys2202Ser) was demonstrated. Mutations affecting the same cysteine residue have been identified in patients with Sotos syndrome. In summary, Sotos syndrome and other overgrowth syndromes can mimic the clinical manifestations of acromegaly or gigantism. Genetic assessment could be helpful in these cases.
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| 9. |
- de Abreu, Murilo S., et al.
(författare)
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Dopamine and serotonin mediate the impact of stress on cleaner fish cooperative behavior
- 2020
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Ingår i: Hormones and Behavior. - : ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE. - 0018-506X .- 1095-6867. ; 125
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stress is known to modulate behavioral responses and rapid decision-making processes, especially under challenging contexts which often occur in social and cooperative interactions. Here, we evaluated the effects of acute stress on cooperative behavior of the Indo-Pacific cleaner wrasse (Labroides dimidiatus) and the implications of pre-treatment with monoaminergic compounds: the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor - fluoxetine, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist - WAY-100,635, the D-1 receptor agonist - SKF-38393, and the D-1 receptor antagonist - SCH-23390. We demonstrated that stress decreased the predisposal to interact and increased cortisol levels in cleaners, which are alleviated by fluoxetine and the dopaminergic D-1 antagonist. Overall, our findings highlight the crucial influence of stress on cooperative behavior.
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| 10. |
- Elsik, Christine G., et al.
(författare)
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The Genome Sequence of Taurine Cattle : A Window to Ruminant Biology and Evolution
- 2009
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 324:5926, s. 522-528
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To understand the biology and evolution of ruminants, the cattle genome was sequenced to about sevenfold coverage. The cattle genome contains a minimum of 22,000 genes, with a core set of 14,345 orthologs shared among seven mammalian species of which 1217 are absent or undetected in noneutherian (marsupial or monotreme) genomes. Cattle-specific evolutionary breakpoint regions in chromosomes have a higher density of segmental duplications, enrichment of repetitive elements, and species-specific variations in genes associated with lactation and immune responsiveness. Genes involved in metabolism are generally highly conserved, although five metabolic genes are deleted or extensively diverged from their human orthologs. The cattle genome sequence thus provides a resource for understanding mammalian evolution and accelerating livestock genetic improvement for milk and meat production.
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| 11. |
- Gao, Hong, et al.
(författare)
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The landscape of tolerated genetic variation in humans and primates
- 2023
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 380:6648
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Personalized genome sequencing has revealed millions of genetic differences between individuals, but our understanding of their clinical relevance remains largely incomplete. To systematically decipher the effects of human genetic variants, we obtained whole-genome sequencing data for 809 individuals from 233 primate species and identified 4.3 million common protein-altering variants with orthologs in humans. We show that these variants can be inferred to have nondeleterious effects in humans based on their presence at high allele frequencies in other primate populations. We use this resource to classify 6% of all possible human protein-altering variants as likely benign and impute the pathogenicity of the remaining 94% of variants with deep learning, achieving state-of-the-art accuracy for diagnosing pathogenic variants in patients with genetic diseases.
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| 12. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
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Ingår i: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant traits-the morphological, anatomical, physiological, biochemical and phenological characteristics of plants-determine how plants respond to environmental factors, affect other trophic levels, and influence ecosystem properties and their benefits and detriments to people. Plant trait data thus represent the basis for a vast area of research spanning from evolutionary biology, community and functional ecology, to biodiversity conservation, ecosystem and landscape management, restoration, biogeography and earth system modelling. Since its foundation in 2007, the TRY database of plant traits has grown continuously. It now provides unprecedented data coverage under an open access data policy and is the main plant trait database used by the research community worldwide. Increasingly, the TRY database also supports new frontiers of trait-based plant research, including the identification of data gaps and the subsequent mobilization or measurement of new data. To support this development, in this article we evaluate the extent of the trait data compiled in TRY and analyse emerging patterns of data coverage and representativeness. Best species coverage is achieved for categorical traits-almost complete coverage for 'plant growth form'. However, most traits relevant for ecology and vegetation modelling are characterized by continuous intraspecific variation and trait-environmental relationships. These traits have to be measured on individual plants in their respective environment. Despite unprecedented data coverage, we observe a humbling lack of completeness and representativeness of these continuous traits in many aspects. We, therefore, conclude that reducing data gaps and biases in the TRY database remains a key challenge and requires a coordinated approach to data mobilization and trait measurements. This can only be achieved in collaboration with other initiatives.
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| 13. |
- Kuderna, Lukas F. K., et al.
(författare)
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A global catalog of whole-genome diversity from 233 primate species
- 2023
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 380:6648, s. 906-913
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The rich diversity of morphology and behavior displayed across primate species provides an informative context in which to study the impact of genomic diversity on fundamental biological processes. Analysis of that diversity provides insight into long-standing questions in evolutionary and conservation biology and is urgent given severe threats these species are facing. Here, we present high-coverage wholegenome data from 233 primate species representing 86% of genera and all 16 families. This dataset was used, together with fossil calibration, to create a nuclear DNA phylogeny and to reassess evolutionary divergence times among primate clades. We found within-species genetic diversity across families and geographic regions to be associated with climate and sociality, but not with extinction risk. Furthermore, mutation rates differ across species, potentially influenced by effective population sizes. Lastly, we identified extensive recurrence of missense mutations previously thought to be human specific. This study will open a wide range of research avenues for future primate genomic research.
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| 14. |
- Kuderna, Lukas F. K., et al.
(författare)
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Identification of constrained sequence elements across 239 primate genomes
- 2024
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Nature. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 625:7996, s. 735-742
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Noncoding DNA is central to our understanding of human gene regulation and complex diseases1,2, and measuring the evolutionary sequence constraint can establish the functional relevance of putative regulatory elements in the human genome3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Identifying the genomic elements that have become constrained specifically in primates has been hampered by the faster evolution of noncoding DNA compared to protein-coding DNA10, the relatively short timescales separating primate species11, and the previously limited availability of whole-genome sequences12. Here we construct a whole-genome alignment of 239 species, representing nearly half of all extant species in the primate order. Using this resource, we identified human regulatory elements that are under selective constraint across primates and other mammals at a 5% false discovery rate. We detected 111,318 DNase I hypersensitivity sites and 267,410 transcription factor binding sites that are constrained specifically in primates but not across other placental mammals and validate their cis-regulatory effects on gene expression. These regulatory elements are enriched for human genetic variants that affect gene expression and complex traits and diseases. Our results highlight the important role of recent evolution in regulatory sequence elements differentiating primates, including humans, from other placental mammals.
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| 15. |
- Marques Duarte da Paz, Ana Marta
(författare)
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Water content measurement in woody biomass : using dielectric constant at radio frequencies
- 2008
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Licentiatavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The will for replacement of fossil fuels increased the use of woody biomass as fuel in heating and power plants. An important parameter for the use woody biomass as fuel is the water content of biomass as it influences the heating value and thereby the combustion control and pricing. Currently, water content is determined using the gravimetric method by drying samples in an oven. This method is neither fast nor representative, as the water content can vary largely in different parts of the container which raised the need to develop sensors that are able to measure water content of biomass on-line and in a representative way.This thesis presents results from studies on the measurement of water content of woody biomass with radio frequency. Included are the study on the influence of temperature in the measurements, the use of dielectric mixing models to explain the dielectric behavior of woody biomass and the application of the measurement principle to full-scale. It was found that varying temperature between 1 and 62 °C did not influence the prediction of water content in biomass. It was possible to explain the behavior of the dielectric constant of woody biomass with a model with physical basis using empirically obtained parameters. Application of the principle to full-scale had positive results but larger prediction error than laboratory-scale measurements.
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| 16. |
- Marques, Marta, et al.
(författare)
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The Pep4p vacuolar proteinase contributes to the turnover of oxidized proteins but PEP4 overexpression is not sufficient to increase chronological lifespan in Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- 2006
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Ingår i: Microbiology. - : Microbiology Society. - 1350-0872 .- 1465-2080. ; 152:12, s. 3595-3605
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Turnover of damaged molecules is considered to play a key role in housekeeping of cells exposed to oxidative stress, and during the progress of ageing. In this work, global changes in the transcriptome were analysed during recovery of yeast cells after H2O2 stress. Regarding induced genes, those associated with protein fate were the most significantly over-represented. In addition to genes encoding subunits of the 20S proteasome, genes related to vacuolar proteolysis (PEP4 and LAP4), protein sorting into the vacuole, and vacuolar fusion were found to be induced. The upregulation of PEP4 gene expression was associated with an increase in Pep4p activity. The induction of genes related to proteolysis was correlated with an increased protein turnover after H2O2-induced oxidation. Furthermore, protein degradation and the removal of oxidized proteins decreased in Pep4p-deficient cells. Pep4p activity also increased during chronological ageing, and cells lacking Pep4p displayed a shortened lifespan associated with higher levels of carbonylated proteins. PEP4 overexpression prevented the accumulation of oxidized proteins, but did not increase lifespan. These results indicate that Pep4p is important for protein turnover after oxidative damage; however, increased removal of oxidized proteins is not sufficient to enhance lifespan
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| 17. |
- Martínez-Sanz, Marta, et al.
(författare)
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Composition and rheological properties of microalgae suspensions : Impact of ultrasound processing
- 2020
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Ingår i: Algal Research. - : Elsevier B.V.. - 2211-9264. ; 49
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In this study the rheological properties of aqueous suspensions of three microalgae species, Nannochloropsis gaditana, Scenedesmus almeriensis and Spirulina platensis, were investigated as a function of solids content, and related to their composition and microstructure. In addition, the impact of ultrasound processing on their structuring ability was also studied. The less rigid character of the Spirulina platensis cell walls (with very low carbohydrate contents) and the presence of extracellular components promoted cell-cell interactions, yielding suspensions which showed a shear thinning behaviour at lower concentrations than Nannochloropsis gaditana and Scenedesmus almeriensis. It is noteworthy that the three species showed different viscoelastic properties at 25 wt.% total solids. Spirulina platensis suspensions showed a more elastic behaviour and lower frequency dependence, characteristic of weak gels, whilst Nannochloropsis gaditana and Scenedesmus almeriensis behaved more like viscous liquids. The ultrasound treatment did not affect the cell wall integrity, but it promoted the release of intracellular components (some of which could have been partially degraded) and disrupted physical interparticle interactions in Nannochloropsis gaditana and Scenedesmus almeriensis. This has an impact on the rheological properties, increasing the viscosity of Nannochloropsis gaditana suspensions, whilst the viscosity of Scenedesmus almeriensis suspensions was reduced. The outcomes of this work give insights into the exploitation of these microalgae species in soft materials for food, pharma and other technological applications.
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| 18. |
- Mayén, Ana-Lucia, et al.
(författare)
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Hepatic steatosis, metabolic dysfunction and risk of mortality : findings from a multinational prospective cohort study
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMC Medicine. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1741-7015. ; 22:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and metabolic syndrome (MetS) are implicated in the aetiology of non-communicable diseases. Our study aimed to evaluate associations between NAFLD and MetS with overall and cause-specific mortality.METHODS: We used dietary, lifestyle, anthropometric and metabolic biomarker data from a random subsample of 15,784 EPIC cohort participants. NAFLD was assessed using the fatty liver index (FLI) and MetS using the revised definition. Indices for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) were calculated. The individual associations of these indices with overall and cause-specific mortality were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). As a subobjective, risk associations with adaptations of new classifications of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD) were also assessed.RESULTS: Among the 15,784 sub-cohort participants, a total of 1997 deaths occurred (835 due to cancer, 520 to CVD, 642 to other causes) over a median 15.6 (IQR, 12.3-17.1) years of follow-up. Compared to an FLI < 30, FLI ≥ 60 was associated with increased risks of overall mortality (HR = 1.44, 95%CI = 1.27-1.63), and deaths from cancer (HR = 1.32, 95%CI = 1.09-1.60), CVD (HR = 2.06, 95% CI = 1.61-2.63) or other causes (HR = 1.21, 95%CI = 0.97-1.51). Mortality risk associations were also elevated for individuals with MAFLD compared to those without. Individuals with MetS were at increased risk of all mortality endpoints, except cancer-specific mortality. MASLD and MetALD were associated with higher risk of overall mortality.CONCLUSIONS: Our findings based on a prospective cohort suggest that individuals with hepatic steatosis or metabolic dysfunction have a higher overall and cause-specific mortality risk.
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| 19. |
- Rocha, João Victor, et al.
(författare)
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Trends, geographical variation and factors associated with the use of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in Portugal (2013–2018): a retrospective analysis of administrative data
- 2022
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 12:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims The arrival of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies represented a treatment shift for several ophthalmological disorders and led to an increasing number of patients undergoing intravitreal injections. The aims of this observational study were to assess the expansion of anti-VEGF intravitreal injections in the Portuguese National Health System (NHS) and to identify factors correlated with geographical variations in episode rates.Methods Administrative database on discharge from Portuguese NHS hospitals was analysed for annual values and rates of intravitreal anti-VEGF injections at a national and regional level, between 2013 and 2018.Results The number of episodes of anti-VEGF treatment and patients treated increased 16% and 9% per year, respectively, between 2013 and 2018. During the study period around 72% of patients were treated in the Metropolitan areas of Lisbon and Porto and in the Central region. Intravitreal anti-VEGF treatment rates in 2018 were 560 per 100 000 population and presented high variability between municipalities. Higher anti-VEGF treatment rates at the municipality level were associated with shorter distances between their residence and the hospital. At the hospital level, higher ratio of ophthalmologists and higher organisational level were associated with higher anti-VEGF treatment rates.Conclusion The number of episodes and patients treated with anti-VEGF injections has been growing in recent years. Proximity to healthcare, more access to ophthalmologists and hospitals with higher organisational levels are associated with higher anti-VEGF treatment rates. Improving access is crucial to reduce regional discrepancies and ensure optimal treatment frequency, which may improve health outcomes.
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| 20. |
- Teixeira, Pedro J., et al.
(författare)
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Classification of Techniques Used in Self-Determinationheory-Based Interventions in Health Contexts : An Expert Consensus Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Motivation Science. - Washington, DC : American Psychological Association (APA). - 2333-8113 .- 2333-8121. ; 6:4, s. 438-445
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- While evidence suggests that interventions based on self-determination theory can be effective in motivating adoption and maintenance of health-related behaviors, and in promoting adaptive psychological outcomes, the motivational techniques that comprise the content of these interventions have not been comprehensively identified or described. The aim of the present study was to develop a classification system of the techniques that comprise self-determination theory interventions, with satisfaction of psychological needs as an organizing principle. Candidate techniques were identified through a comprehensive review of self-determination theory interventions and nomination by experts. The study team developed a preliminary list of candidate techniques accompanied by labels, definitions, and function descriptions of each. Each technique was aligned with the most closely-related psychological need satisfaction construct (autonomy, competence, or relatedness). Using an iterative expert consensus procedure, participating experts (N = 18) judged each technique on the preliminary list for redundancy, essentiality, uniqueness, and the proposed link between the technique and basic psychological need. The procedure produced a final classification of 21 motivation and behavior change techniques (MBCTs). Redundancies between final MBCTs against techniques from existing behavior change technique taxonomies were also checked. The classification system is the first formal attempt to systematize self-determination theory intervention techniques. The classification is expected to enhance consistency in descriptions of self-determination theory-based interventions in health contexts, and assist in facilitating synthesis of evidence on interventions based on the theory. The classification is also expected to guide future efforts to identify, describe, and classify the techniques that comprise self-determination theory-based interventions in multiple domains. © 2020, American Psychological Association.
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| 21. |
- Tryfona, Theodora, et al.
(författare)
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Grass xylan structural variation suggests functional specialization and distinctive interaction with cellulose and lignin
- 2023
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Ingår i: The Plant Journal. - : Wiley. - 0960-7412 .- 1365-313X. ; 113:5, s. 1004-1020
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Xylan is the most abundant non-cellulosic polysaccharide in grass cell walls, and it has important structural roles. The name glucuronoarabinoxylan (GAX) is used to describe this variable hemicellulose. It has a linear backbone of β-1,4-xylose (Xyl) residues that may be substituted with α-1,2-linked (4-O-methyl)-glucuronic acid (GlcA), α-1,3-linked arabinofuranose (Araf), and sometimes acetylation at the O-2 and/or O-3 positions. The role of these substitutions remains unclear, although there is increasing evidence that they affect the way xylan interacts with other cell wall components, particularly cellulose and lignin. Here, we used substitution-dependent endo-xylanase enzymes to investigate the variability of xylan substitution in grass culm cell walls. We show that there are at least three different types of xylan: (i) an arabinoxylan with evenly distributed Araf substitutions without GlcA (AXe); (ii) a glucuronoarabinoxylan with clustered GlcA modifications (GAXc); and (iii) a highly substituted glucuronoarabinoxylan (hsGAX). Immunolocalization of AXe and GAXc in Brachypodium distachyon culms revealed that these xylan types are not restricted to a few cell types but are instead widely detected in Brachypodium cell walls. We hypothesize that there are functionally specialized xylan types within the grass cell wall. The even substitutions of AXe may permit folding and binding on the surface of cellulose fibrils, whereas the more complex substitutions of the other xylans may support a role in the matrix and interaction with other cell wall components.
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| 22. |
- Urbanič, Gorazd, et al.
(författare)
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Riparian Zones—From Policy Neglected to Policy Integrated
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Environmental Science. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2296-665X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Riparian zones are vital areas of interaction between land and rivers and are often degraded by several pressures such as urbanisation, intensive agriculture and river engineering works. 2. This policy brief provides five key policy messages and recommendations to be considered by policy-makers, scientists, managers, and stakeholders to enhance riparian zone management. 3. Adopting an integrated socio-economic and environmentally dynamic view will ensure the sustainable management of riparian zones. 4. In light of climate change, it is critically important to conserve and/or restore the ecological integrity of riparian zones. 5. European Union Directives and national-scale legislation and regulations need updating to ensure coordinated implementation of riparian zone-related policies. 6. Stakeholder knowledge exchange, policy co-creation and adaptive management are key to enhancing riparian zone functions.
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| 23. |
- van der Meer, Dennis, et al.
(författare)
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Association of Copy Number Variation of the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 Region With Cortical and Subcortical Morphology and Cognition
- 2020
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Ingår i: JAMA psychiatry. - : American Medical Association (AMA). - 2168-6238 .- 2168-622X. ; 77:4, s. 420-430
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Importance: Recurrent microdeletions and duplications in the genomic region 15q11.2 between breakpoints 1 (BP1) and 2 (BP2) are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders. These structural variants are present in 0.5% to 1.0% of the population, making 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 the site of the most prevalent known pathogenic copy number variation (CNV). It is unknown to what extent this CNV influences brain structure and affects cognitive abilities.Objective: To determine the association of the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 deletion and duplication CNVs with cortical and subcortical brain morphology and cognitive task performance.Design, Setting, and Participants: In this genetic association study, T1-weighted brain magnetic resonance imaging were combined with genetic data from the ENIGMA-CNV consortium and the UK Biobank, with a replication cohort from Iceland. In total, 203 deletion carriers, 45 247 noncarriers, and 306 duplication carriers were included. Data were collected from August 2015 to April 2019, and data were analyzed from September 2018 to September 2019.Main Outcomes and Measures: The associations of the CNV with global and regional measures of surface area and cortical thickness as well as subcortical volumes were investigated, correcting for age, age2, sex, scanner, and intracranial volume. Additionally, measures of cognitive ability were analyzed in the full UK Biobank cohort.Results: Of 45 756 included individuals, the mean (SD) age was 55.8 (18.3) years, and 23 754 (51.9%) were female. Compared with noncarriers, deletion carriers had a lower surface area (Cohen d = -0.41; SE, 0.08; P = 4.9 × 10-8), thicker cortex (Cohen d = 0.36; SE, 0.07; P = 1.3 × 10-7), and a smaller nucleus accumbens (Cohen d = -0.27; SE, 0.07; P = 7.3 × 10-5). There was also a significant negative dose response on cortical thickness (β = -0.24; SE, 0.05; P = 6.8 × 10-7). Regional cortical analyses showed a localization of the effects to the frontal, cingulate, and parietal lobes. Further, cognitive ability was lower for deletion carriers compared with noncarriers on 5 of 7 tasks.Conclusions and Relevance: These findings, from the largest CNV neuroimaging study to date, provide evidence that 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 structural variation is associated with brain morphology and cognition, with deletion carriers being particularly affected. The pattern of results fits with known molecular functions of genes in the 15q11.2 BP1-BP2 region and suggests involvement of these genes in neuronal plasticity. These neurobiological effects likely contribute to the association of this CNV with neurodevelopmental disorders.
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| 24. |
- Vasiliu, Anca, et al.
(författare)
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Tuberculosis incidence in foreign-born people residing in European countries in 2020
- 2023
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Ingår i: Eurosurveillance. - : European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC). - 1025-496X .- 1560-7917. ; 28:42
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: European-specific policies for tuberculosis (TB) elimination require identification of key populations that benefit from TB screening.Aim: We aimed to identify groups of foreign-born individuals residing in European countries that benefit most from targeted TB prevention screening.Methods: The Tuberculosis Network European Trials group collected, by cross-sectional survey, numbers of foreign-born TB patients residing in European Union (EU) countries, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom (UK) in 2020 from the 10 highest ranked countries of origin in terms of TB cases in each country of residence. Tuberculosis incidence rates (IRs) in countries of residence were compared with countries of origin.Results: Data on 9,116 foreign-born TB patients in 30 countries of residence were collected. Main countries of origin were Eritrea, India, Pakistan, Morocco, Romania and Somalia. Tuberculosis IRs were highest in patients of Eritrean and Somali origin in Greece and Malta (both > 1,000/100,000) and lowest among Ukrainian patients in Poland (3.6/100,000). They were mainly lower in countries of residence than countries of origin. However, IRs among Eritreans and Somalis in Greece and Malta were five times higher than in Eritrea and Somalia. Similarly, IRs among Eritreans in Germany, the Netherlands and the UK were four times higher than in Eritrea.Conclusions: Country of origin TB IR is an insufficient indicator when targeting foreign-born populations for active case finding or TB prevention policies in the countries covered here. Elimination strategies should be informed by regularly collected country-specific data to address rapidly changing epidemiology and associated risks.
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| 25. |
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