| 1. |
- Abdalla, E., et al.
(författare)
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Cosmology intertwined : A review of the particle physics, astrophysics, and cosmology associated with the cosmological tensions and anomalies
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. - : Elsevier BV. - 2214-4048 .- 2214-4056. ; 34, s. 49-211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The standard Λ Cold Dark Matter (ΛCDM) cosmological model provides a good description of a wide range of astrophysical and cosmological data. However, there are a few big open questions that make the standard model look like an approximation to a more realistic scenario yet to be found. In this paper, we list a few important goals that need to be addressed in the next decade, taking into account the current discordances between the different cosmological probes, such as the disagreement in the value of the Hubble constant H0, the σ8–S8 tension, and other less statistically significant anomalies. While these discordances can still be in part the result of systematic errors, their persistence after several years of accurate analysis strongly hints at cracks in the standard cosmological scenario and the necessity for new physics or generalisations beyond the standard model. In this paper, we focus on the 5.0σ tension between the Planck CMB estimate of the Hubble constant H0 and the SH0ES collaboration measurements. After showing the H0 evaluations made from different teams using different methods and geometric calibrations, we list a few interesting new physics models that could alleviate this tension and discuss how the next decade's experiments will be crucial. Moreover, we focus on the tension of the Planck CMB data with weak lensing measurements and redshift surveys, about the value of the matter energy density Ωm, and the amplitude or rate of the growth of structure (σ8,fσ8). We list a few interesting models proposed for alleviating this tension, and we discuss the importance of trying to fit a full array of data with a single model and not just one parameter at a time. Additionally, we present a wide range of other less discussed anomalies at a statistical significance level lower than the H0–S8 tensions which may also constitute hints towards new physics, and we discuss possible generic theoretical approaches that can collectively explain the non-standard nature of these signals. Finally, we give an overview of upgraded experiments and next-generation space missions and facilities on Earth that will be of crucial importance to address all these open questions.
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| 2. |
- Balercia, G., et al.
(författare)
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Thyroid function in Klinefelter syndrome: a multicentre study from KING group
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0391-4097 .- 1720-8386. ; 42:10, s. 1199-1204
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- - Purpose: The prevalence and the etiopathogenesis of thyroid dysfunctions in Klinefelter syndrome (KS) are still unclear. The primary aim of this study was to evaluate the pathogenetic role of hypogonadism in the thyroid disorders described in KS, with the scope to distinguish between patients with KS and hypogonadism due to other causes (Kallmann syndrome, idiopathic hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, iatrogenic hypogonadism and acquired hypogonadotropic hypogonadism after surgical removal of pituitary adenomas) called non-KS. Therefore, we evaluated thyroid function in KS and in non-KS hypogonadal patients. Methods: This is a case–control multicentre study from KING group: Endocrinology clinics in university-affiliated medical centres. One hundred and seventy four KS, and sixty-two non-KS hypogonadal men were enrolled. The primary outcome was the prevalence of thyroid diseases in KS and in non-KS. Changes in hormonal parameters were evaluated. Exclusion criterion was secondary hypothyroidism. Analyses were performed using Student’s t test. Mann–Whitney test and Chi-square test. Results: FT4 was significantly lower in KS vs non-KS. KS and non-KS presented similar TSH and testosterone levels. Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) was diagnosed in 7% of KS. Five KS developed hypothyroidism. The ratio FT3/FT4 was similar in both groups. TSH index was 1.9 in KS and 2.3 in non-KS. Adjustment for differences in age, sample size and concomitant disease in multivariate models did not alter the results. Conclusions: We demonstrated in KS no etiopathogenic link to hypogonadism or change in the set point of thyrotrophic control in the altered FT4 production. The prevalence of HT in KS was similar to normal male population, showing absence of increased risk of HT associated with the XXY karyotype. © 2019, Italian Society of Endocrinology (SIE).
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| 3. |
- Arcopinto, M., et al.
(författare)
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Growth Hormone Deficiency Is Associated with Worse Cardiac Function, Physical Performance, and Outcome in Chronic Heart Failure: Insights from the TOSCA. GHD Study
- 2017
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Ingår i: Plos One. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 12:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Although mounting evidence supports the concept that growth hormone (GH) deficiency (GHD) affects cardiovascular function, no study has systematically investigated its prevalence and role in a large cohort of chronic heart failure (CHF) patients. Aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of GHD in mild-to-moderate CHF and to explore clinical and functional correlates of GHD. One-hundred thirty CHF patients underwent GH provocative test with GHRH+arginine and accordingly categorized into GH-deficiency (GHD, n = 88, age = 61.6 +/- 1.1 years, 68% men) and GH-sufficiency (GHS, n = 42, age = 63.6 +/- 1.5 years, 81% men) cohorts. Both groups received comprehensive cardiovascular examination and underwent Doppler echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and biochemical and hormonal assay. GHD was detected in roughly 30% of CHF patients. Compared to GHD, GHS patients showed smaller end-diastolic and end-systolic LV volumes (-28%, p=.008 and -24%, p=.015, respectively), lower LV end-systolic wall stress (-21%, p=.03), higher RV performance (+18% in RV area change, p=.03), lower estimated systolic pulmonary artery pressure (-11%, p=.04), higher peak VO2 (+20%, p=.001) and increased ventilatory efficiency (-12% in VE/VCO2 slope, p=.002). After adjusting for clinical covariates (age, gender, and tertiles of LV ejection fraction, IGF-1, peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, and NT-proBNP), logistic multivariate analysis showed that peak VO2 (beta = -1.92, SE = 1.67, p=.03), VE/VCO2 slope (beta = 2.23, SE = 1.20, p=.02) and NT-proBNP (beta = 2.48, SE = 1.02, p=.016), were significantly associated with GHD status. Finally, compared to GHS, GHD cohort showed higher all-cause mortality at median follow-up of 3.5 years (40% vs. 25%, p<.001, respectively), independent of age, sex, NT-proBNP, peak VO2 and LVEF. GH deficiency identifies a subgroup of CHF patients characterized by impaired functional capacity, LV remodeling and elevated NT-proBNP levels. GHD is also associated with increased all-cause mortality.
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| 4. |
- D'Assante, R., et al.
(författare)
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Myocardial expression of somatotropic axis, adrenergic signalling, and calcium handling genes in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
- 2021
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Ingår i: Esc Heart Failure. - : Wiley. - 2055-5822. ; 8:2, s. 1681-1686
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aims Limited data are available regarding cardiac expression of molecules involved in heart failure (HF) pathophysiology. The majority of the studies have focused on end-stage HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) without comparison with healthy subjects, while no data are available with regard to HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). HFpEF is a condition whose multiple pathophysiological mechanisms are still not fully defined, with many proposed hypotheses remaining speculative due to limited access to human heart tissue. This study aimed at evaluating cardiac expression levels of key genes of interest in human biopsy samples from patients affected with HFrEF and HFpEF in order to possibly point out distinct phenotypes. Methods and results Total RNA was extracted from left ventricular cardiac biopsies collected from stable patients with HFrEF (n = 6) and HFpEF (n = 7) and healthy subjects (n = 9) undergoing elective cardiac surgery for valvular replacement, mitral valvuloplasty, aortic surgery, or coronary artery bypass. Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of genes involved in somatotropic axis regulation [IGF-1, IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R), and GH receptor (GHR)], in adrenergic signalling (GRK2, GRK5, ADRB1, and ADRB2), in myocardial calcium handling (SERCA2), and in TNF-alpha. Patients with HFrEF and HFpEF showed reduced serum IGF-1 circulating levels when compared with controls (102 +/- 35.6, 138 +/- 11.5, and 160 +/- 13.2 ng/mL, P < 0.001, respectively). At myocardial level, HFrEF showed significant decreased GHR and increased IGF-1R expressions when compared with HFpEF and controls (0.54 +/- 0.27, 0.94 +/- 0.25, and 0.84 +/- 0.2, P < 0.05 and 1.52 +/- 0.9, 1.06 +/- 0.21, and 0.72 +/- 0.12, P < 0.05, respectively), while no differences in the local expression of IGF-1 mRNA were detected among the groups (0.80 +/- 0.45, 0.97 +/- 0.18, and 0.63 +/- 0.23, P = 0.09, respectively). With regard to calcium handling and adrenergic signalling, HFrEF displayed significant decreased levels of SERCA2 (0.19 +/- 0.39, 0.82 +/- 0.15, and 0.87 +/- 0.32, P < 0.01) and increased levels of GRK2 (3.45 +/- 2.94, 0.93 +/- 0.12, and 0.80 +/- 0.14, P < 0.01) and GRK5 (1.32 +/- 0.70, 0.71 +/- 0.14, and 0.77 +/- 0.15, P < 0.05), while no significant difference was found in ADRB1 (0.66 +/- 0.4, 0.83 +/- 0.3, and 0.86 +/- 0.4) and ADRB2 mRNA expression (0.65 +/- 0.3, 0.66 +/- 0.2, and 0.68 +/- 0.1) when compared with HFpEF and controls. Finally, no changes in the local expression of TNF-alpha were detected among groups. Conclusions Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction and HFpEF patients with stable clinical condition display a distinct molecular milieu of genes involved in somatotropic axis regulation, calcium handling, and adrenergic derangement at a myocardial level. The unique opportunity to compare these results with a control group, as reference population, may contribute to better understand HF pathophysiology and to identify novel potential therapeutic targets that could be modulated to improve ventricular function in patients with HF.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Accardo, G., et al.
(författare)
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Management of cardiovascular complications in Klinefelter syndrome patients
- 2019
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Ingår i: Expert Review of Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1744-6651 .- 1744-8417. ; 14:2, s. 145-152
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: Klinefelter syndrome (KS), also known as 47, XXY, shows increased mortality when compared with mortality rates among the general population. Cardiovascular, hemostatic, metabolic diseases are implicated. Moreover, cardiac congenital anomalies in KS can contribute to the increase in mortality. Areas covered: In this study, we have systematically reviewed the relationships between KS and the cardiovascular system and the management of cardiovascular complication. In summary, patients with KS display increased cardiovascular risk profile, characterized by increased prevalence of metabolic alterations including dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus (DM), and abnormalities in biomarkers of cardiovascular disease. KS subjects are characterized by subclinical abnormalities in endothelial function and in left ventricular (LV) systolic and diastolic function, which–when associated with chronotropic incompetence–may negatively influence cardiopulmonary performance. Moreover, KS patients appear to be at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease, due to thromboembolic events with high prevalence of recurrent venous ulcers, venous insufficiency, recurrent venous and arterial thromboembolism leading to deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism. Expert opinion: Considering the unequivocal finding of increased mortality of KS patients, we suggest a periodic cardiovascular follow up in specialized centers with multidisciplinary care teams that comprise endocrinologists and cardiologists dedicated to KS syndrome. © 2019, © 2019 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
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| 7. |
- Arcopinto, M., et al.
(författare)
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Hormone replacement therapy in heart failure
- 2015
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Ingår i: Current Opinion in Cardiology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0268-4705. ; 30:3, s. 277-284
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose of review Despite major advances in medical treatments, survival rates of chronic heart failure (CHF) have not significantly changed in the past 50 years, making it imperative to search for novel pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic targets. In this article, we summarize the current knowledge regarding the possibility to treat such anabolic deficiencies with hormone replacement therapy (HRT). Mounting evidence supports the concept that CHF is a disease characterized not only by excessive neurohormonal activation but also by a reduced anabolic drive that carries functional and prognostic significance. The recent demonstration of overall beneficial effects of HRT in CHF may pave the way to slow the disease progression in patients with coexisting CHF and hormone deficiencies. The hypothesis is to identify a considerable subset of CHF patients also affected with hormone deficiency and to treat them with HRT. Single or multiple HRT may in theory be performed in CHF. Such a novel approach may improve left ventricular architecture, function, and physical capacity as well as quality of life. Larger randomized, controlled trials are needed to confirm this working hypothesis.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Bull, Philip, et al.
(författare)
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Beyond ΛCDM : Problems, solutions, and the road ahead
- 2016
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Ingår i: Physics of the Dark Universe. - : Elsevier BV. - 2212-6864. ; 12, s. 56-99
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Despite its continued observational successes, there is a persistent (and growing) interest in extending cosmology beyond the standard model, Lambda CDM. This is motivated by a range of apparently serious theoretical issues, involving such questions as the cosmological constant problem, the particle nature of dark matter, the validity of general relativity on large scales, the existence of anomalies in the CMB and on small scales, and the predictivity and testability of the inflationary paradigm. In this paper, we summarize the current status of Lambda CDM as a physical theory, and review investigations into possible alternatives along a number of different lines, with a particular focus on highlighting the most promising directions. While the fundamental problems are proving reluctant to yield, the study of alternative cosmologies has led to considerable progress, with much more to come if hopes about forthcoming high-precision observations and new theoretical ideas are fulfilled.
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| 10. |
- Jawak, Shridhar D., et al.
(författare)
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SIOS's Earth Observation (EO), Remote Sensing (RS), and Operational Activities in Response to COVID-19
- 2021
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Ingår i: Remote Sensing. - : MDPI. - 2072-4292. ; 13:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Svalbard Integrated Arctic Earth Observing System (SIOS) is an international partnership of research institutions studying the environment and climate in and around Svalbard. SIOS is developing an efficient observing system, where researchers share technology, experience, and data, work together to close knowledge gaps, and decrease the environmental footprint of science. SIOS maintains and facilitates various scientific activities such as the State of the Environmental Science in Svalbard (SESS) report, international access to research infrastructure in Svalbard, Earth observation and remote sensing services, training courses for the Arctic science community, and open access to data. This perspective paper highlights the activities of SIOS Knowledge Centre, the central hub of SIOS, and the SIOS Remote Sensing Working Group (RSWG) in response to the unprecedented situation imposed by the global pandemic coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) disease 2019 (COVID-19). The pandemic has affected Svalbard research in several ways. When Norway declared a nationwide lockdown to decrease the rate of spread of the COVID-19 in the community, even more strict measures were taken to protect the Svalbard community from the potential spread of the disease. Due to the lockdown, travel restrictions, and quarantine regulations declared by many nations, most physical meetings, training courses, conferences, and workshops worldwide were cancelled by the first week of March 2020. The resumption of physical scientific meetings is still uncertain in the foreseeable future. Additionally, field campaigns to polar regions, including Svalbard, were and remain severely affected. In response to this changing situation, SIOS initiated several operational activities suitable to mitigate the new challenges resulting from the pandemic. This article provides an extensive overview of SIOS's Earth observation (EO), remote sensing (RS) and other operational activities strengthened and developed in response to COVID-19 to support the Svalbard scientific community in times of cancelled/postponed field campaigns in Svalbard. These include (1) an initiative to patch up field data (in situ) with RS observations, (2) a logistics sharing notice board for effective coordinating field activities in the pandemic times, (3) a monthly webinar series and panel discussion on EO talks, (4) an online conference on EO and RS, (5) the SIOS's special issue in the Remote Sensing (MDPI) journal, (6) the conversion of a terrestrial remote sensing training course into an online edition, and (7) the announcement of opportunity (AO) in airborne remote sensing for filling the data gaps using aerial imagery and hyperspectral data. As SIOS is a consortium of 24 research institutions from 9 nations, this paper also presents an extensive overview of the activities from a few research institutes in pandemic times and highlights our upcoming activities for the next year 2021. Finally, we provide a critical perspective on our overall response, possible broader impacts, relevance to other observing systems, and future directions. We hope that our practical services, experiences, and activities implemented in these difficult times will motivate other similar monitoring programs and observing systems when responding to future challenging situations. With a broad scientific audience in mind, we present our perspective paper on activities in Svalbard as a case study.
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| 11. |
- Ong, Ken K., et al.
(författare)
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Pregnancy Insulin, Glucose, and BMI Contribute to Birth Outcomes in Nondiabetic Mothers
- 2008
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Ingår i: Diabetes Care. - : American Diabetes Association. - 0149-5992 .- 1935-5548. ; 31:11, s. 2193-2197
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE - We investigated the effects of normal variations in maternal glycemia on birth size and other birth outcomes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS - Women in two unselected birth cohorts, one retrospective (n = 3,158) and one prospective (n = 668), underwent an oral glucose challenge at 28 weeks of gestation. In the retrospective study, glycemia was linked to routine birth records. In the prospective study, offspring adiposity was assessed by skinfold thickness from birth to age 24 months. RESULTS - In the retrospective study, within the nondiabetic range (2.1-7.8 mmol/l), each 1 mmol/l rise in the mother's 60-min glucose level was associated with a (mean +/- SEM) 2.1 +/- 0.8% (P = 0.006) rise in absolute risk of assisted vaginal delivery, a 3.4 +/- 0.8% (P < 0.0001) rise in emergency cesarean delivery, a 3.1 +/- 0.7% (P < 0.0001) rise in elective cesarean delivery, and a 46 +/- 8 g (P < 0.0001) increase in offspring birth weight. in the prospective study, fetal macrosomia (birth weight >90th centile) was independently related to the mother's fasting glucose (odds ratio 2.61 per + 1 mmol/l [95% CI 1.15-5.93]) and prepregnancy BMI (1.10 per +1 kg/m(2) [1.04-1.18]). The mother's higher fasting glycemia (P = 0.004), lower insulin sensitivity (P = 0.01), and lower insulin secretion (P = 0.02) were independently related to greater offspring adiposity at birth. During postnatal follow-up, the correlation between the mother's glycemia and offspring adiposity disappeared by 3 months, whereas prepregnancy BMI was associated with offspring adiposity that was only apparent at 12 and 24 months (both P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS - Prepregnancy BMI, pregnancy glycemia, insulin sensitivity, and insulin secretion all contribute to offspring adiposity and macrosomia and may be separate targets for intervention to optimize birth outcomes and later offspring health.
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