| 1. |
- Bernal, Ximena E., et al.
(författare)
-
Empowering Latina scientists
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 363:6429, s. 825-826
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
|
|
| 2. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(författare)
-
TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
-
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.
|
|
| 3. |
- Hudson, Lawrence N, et al.
(författare)
-
The database of the PREDICTS (Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems) project
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Ecology and Evolution. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 2045-7758. ; 7:1, s. 145-188
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The PREDICTS project-Projecting Responses of Ecological Diversity In Changing Terrestrial Systems (www.predicts.org.uk)-has collated from published studies a large, reasonably representative database of comparable samples of biodiversity from multiple sites that differ in the nature or intensity of human impacts relating to land use. We have used this evidence base to develop global and regional statistical models of how local biodiversity responds to these measures. We describe and make freely available this 2016 release of the database, containing more than 3.2 million records sampled at over 26,000 locations and representing over 47,000 species. We outline how the database can help in answering a range of questions in ecology and conservation biology. To our knowledge, this is the largest and most geographically and taxonomically representative database of spatial comparisons of biodiversity that has been collated to date; it will be useful to researchers and international efforts wishing to model and understand the global status of biodiversity.
|
|
| 4. |
- Carraminana, Albert, et al.
(författare)
-
Rationale and Study Design for an Individualized Perioperative Open Lung Ventilatory Strategy in Patients on One-Lung Ventilation (iPROVE-OLV)
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Journal of Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anesthesia. - : W B SAUNDERS CO-ELSEVIER INC. - 1053-0770 .- 1532-8422. ; 33:9, s. 2492-2502
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The aim of this clinical trial is to examine whether it is possible to reduce postoperative complications using an individualized perioperative ventilatory strategy versus using a standard lung-protective ventilation strategy in patients scheduled for thoracic surgery requiring one-lung ventilation. Design: International, multicenter, prospective, randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: A network of university hospitals. Participants: The study comprises 1,380 patients scheduled for thoracic surgery. Interventions: The individualized group will receive intraoperative recruitment maneuvers followed by individualized positive end-expiratory pressure (open lung approach) during the intraoperative period plus postoperative ventilatory support with high-flow nasal cannula, whereas the control group will be managed with conventional lung-protective ventilation. Measurements and Main Results: Individual and total number of postoperative complications, including atelectasis, pneumothorax, pleural effusion, pneumonia, acute lung injury; unplanned readmission and reintubation; length of stay and death in the critical care unit and in the hospital will be analyzed for both groups. The authors hypothesize that the intraoperative application of an open lung approach followed by an individual indication of high-flow nasal cannula in the postoperative period will reduce pulmonary complications and length of hospital stay in high-risk surgical patients. (C) 2019 Published by Elsevier Inc.
|
|
| 5. |
- Kehoe, Laura, et al.
(författare)
-
Make EU trade with Brazil sustainable
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 364:6438, s. 341-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
|
|
| 6. |
- Akinci, Muge, et al.
(författare)
-
Subjective cognitive decline and anxious/depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic : what is the role of stress perception, stress resilience, and β-amyloid?
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Alzheimer's Research and Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1758-9193. ; 14:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic may worsen the mental health of people reporting subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and therefore their clinical prognosis. We aimed to investigate the association between the intensity of SCD and anxious/depressive symptoms during confinement and the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Two hundred fifty cognitively unimpaired participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and SCD-Questionnaire (SCD-Q) and underwent amyloid-β positron emission tomography imaging with [18F] flutemetamol (N = 205) on average 2.4 (± 0.8) years before the COVID-19 confinement. During the confinement, participants completed the HADS, Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), and an ad hoc questionnaire on worries (access to primary products, self-protection materials, economic situation) and lifestyle changes (sleep duration, sleep quality, eating habits). We investigated stress-related measurements, worries, and lifestyle changes in relation to SCD. We then conducted an analysis of covariance to investigate the association of SCD-Q with HADS scores during the confinement while controlling for pre-confinement anxiety/depression scores and demographics. Furthermore, we introduced amyloid-β positivity, PSS, and BRS in the models and performed mediation analyses to explore the mechanisms explaining the association between SCD and anxiety/depression. Results: In the whole sample, the average SCD-Q score was 4.1 (± 4.4); 70 (28%) participants were classified as SCD, and 26 (12.7%) were amyloid-β-positive. During the confinement, participants reporting SCD showed higher PSS (p = 0.035) but not BRS scores (p = 0.65) than those that did not report SCD. No differences in worries or lifestyle changes were observed. Higher SCD-Q scores showed an association with greater anxiety/depression scores irrespective of pre-confinement anxiety/depression levels (p = 0.002). This association was not significant after introducing amyloid-β positivity and stress-related variables in the model (p = 0.069). Amyloid-β positivity and PSS were associated with greater HADS irrespective of pre-confinement anxiety/depression scores (p = 0.023; p < 0.001). The association of SCD-Q with HADS was mediated by PSS (p = 0.01). Conclusions: Higher intensity of SCD, amyloid-β positivity, and stress perception showed independent associations with anxious/depressive symptoms during the COVID-19 confinement irrespective of pre-confinement anxiety/depression levels. The association of SCD intensity with anxiety/depression was mediated by stress perception, suggesting stress regulation as a potential intervention to reduce affective symptomatology in the SCD population in the face of stressors.
|
|
| 7. |
- Alves, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
-
Human genetic structure in Northwest France provides new insights into West European historical demography
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Nature. - 2041-1723. ; 15
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The demographical history of France remains largely understudied despite its central role toward understanding modern population structure across Western Europe. Here, by exploring publicly available Europe-wide genotype datasets together with the genomes of 3234 present-day and six newly sequenced medieval individuals from Northern France, we found extensive fine-scale population structure across Brittany and the downstream Loire basin and increased population differentiation between the northern and southern sides of the river Loire, associated with higher proportions of steppe vs. Neolithic-related ancestry. We also found increased allele sharing between individuals from Western Brittany and those associated with the Bell Beaker complex. Our results emphasise the need for investigating local populations to better understand the distribution of rare (putatively deleterious) variants across space and the importance of common genetic legacy in understanding the sharing of disease-related alleles between Brittany and people from western Britain and Ireland.
|
|
| 8. |
- Ashton, Nicholas J., et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of pre-analytical procedures on blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's pathophysiology, glial activation, and neurodegeneration.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Alzheimer's & dementia (Amsterdam, Netherlands). - : Wiley. - 2352-8729. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We tested how tube types (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA], serum, lithium heparin [LiHep], and citrate) and freeze-thaw cycles affect levels of blood biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology, glial activation, and neuronal injury.Amyloid beta (Aβ)42, Aβ40, phosphorylated tau181 (p-tau181), glial fibrillary acidic protein, total tau (t-tau), neurofilament light, and phosphorylated neurofilament heavy protein were measured using single molecule arrays.LiHep demonstrated the highest mean value for all biomarkers. Tube types were highly correlated for most biomarkers (r>0.95) but gave significantly different absolute concentrations. Weaker correlations between tube types were found for Aβ42/40 (r=0.63-0.86) and serum t-tau (r=0.46-0.64). Freeze-thaw cycles highly influenced levels of serum Aβ and t-tau (P<.0001), and minor decreases in EDTA Aβ40 and EDTA p-tau181 were found after freeze-thaw cycle 4 (P<.05).The same tube type should be used in research studies on blood biomarkers. Individual concentration cut-offs are needed for each tube type in all tested biomarkers despite being highly correlated. Serum should be avoided for Aβ42, Aβ40, and t-tau. Freeze-thaw cycles>3 should be avoided for p-tau181.
|
|
| 9. |
- Brugulat-Serrat, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
APOE -ε4 modulates the association between regional amyloid deposition and cognitive performance in cognitively unimpaired middle-aged individuals
- 2023
-
Ingår i: EJNMMI Research. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2191-219X. ; 13:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To determine whether the APOE-ε4 allele modulates the relationship between regional β-amyloid (Aβ) accumulation and cognitive change in middle-aged cognitively unimpaired (CU) participants. Methods: The 352 CU participants (mean aged 61.1 [4.7] years) included completed two cognitive assessments (average interval 3.34 years), underwent [18F]flutemetamol Aβ positron emission tomography (PET), T1w magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as APOE genotyping. Global and regional Aβ PET positivity was assessed across five regions-of-interest by visual reading (VR) and regional Centiloids. Linear regression models were developed to examine the interaction between regional and global Aβ PET positivity and APOE-ε4 status on longitudinal cognitive change assessed with the Preclinical Alzheimer’s Cognitive Composite (PACC), episodic memory, and executive function, after controlling for age, sex, education, cognitive baseline scores, and hippocampal volume. Results: In total, 57 participants (16.2%) were VR+ of whom 41 (71.9%) were APOE-ε4 carriers. No significant APOE-ε4*global Aβ PET interactions were associated with cognitive change for any cognitive test. However, APOE-ε4 carriers who were VR+ in temporal areas (n = 19 [9.81%], p = 0.04) and in the striatum (n = 8 [4.14%], p = 0.01) exhibited a higher decline in the PACC. The temporal areas findings were replicated when regional PET positivity was determined with Centiloid values. Regionally, VR+ in the striatum was associated with higher memory decline. As for executive function, interactions between APOE-ε4 and regional VR+ were found in temporal and parietal regions, and in the striatum. Conclusion: CU APOE-ε4 carriers with a positive Aβ PET VR in regions known to accumulate amyloid at later stages of the Alzheimer’s disease (AD) continuum exhibited a steeper cognitive decline. This work supports the contention that regional VR of Aβ PET might convey prognostic information about future cognitive decline in individuals at higher risk of developing AD. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02485730. Registered 20 June 2015 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02485730 and ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:NCT02685969. Registered 19 February 2016 https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02685969.
|
|
| 10. |
- Brugulat-Serrat, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Enhancing the Sensitivity of Memory Tests: Reference Data for the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test and the Logical Memory Task from Cognitively Healthy Subjects with Normal Alzheimer's Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Levels.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. - 1875-8908. ; 84:1, s. 119-128
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cognitive performance of a given individual should be interpreted in the context of reference standards obtained in cognitively healthy populations. Recent evidence has shown that removing asymptomatic individuals with biomarker evidence of Alzheimer's disease pathology from normative samples increases the sensitivity of norms to detect memory impairments. These kind of norms may be useful for defining subtle cognitive decline, the transitional cognitive decline between normal cognition and mild cognitive impairment.The present study aims to provide norms for the Free and Cued Selective Reminding Test (FCSRT) and the Logical Memory subtest of the Wechsler Memory Scale-IV in a sample of individuals aged 50-70 years with normal levels of amyloid-β and tau cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers.The sample was composed of 248 individuals from the ALFA+ study with negative amyloid-β and tau CSF biomarker levels. Regression-based norms were developed, including adjustments for age, education, and sex when applicable.We found that education was associated with the performance in all the variables of both tests while age had a marginal effect only in the delayed free recall of the FCSRT. Sex was also related to the performance in the FCSRT, with women outperforming men. Equations to calculate z-scores and normative percentile tables were created. As compared with previously published norms the reference data presented were more sensitive but less specific, as expected.The use of the norms provided in this work, in combination with the already published conventional norms, may contribute to detecting subtle memory impairment.
|
|
| 11. |
- Ekholm, Jennifer, et al.
(författare)
-
Full-scale aerobic granular sludge for municipal wastewater treatment – granule formation, microbial succession, and process performance
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science: Water Research & Technology. - 2053-1419. ; :8, s. 3138-3154
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) plants have gained growing interest and application due to their low energy demand, small footprint, and low operational costs. However, the fulfilment of strict discharge limits for nitrogen and phosphorus, vast seasonal temperature variations, and large peaks in influent flows may pose challenges to the implementation of AGS. Moreover, the knowledge about microbial community assembly and process performance under varying environmental conditions in full-scale reactors is still limited. In this study, the first implementation of the AGS process in the Nordic countries was assessed. In two full-scale AGS reactors with different seeding sludges, the start-up was associated with rapid changes in microbial community composition in both, but only successful granulation in one. As a consequence, the non-granulated reactor was eventually reseeded with biomass from the better granulated reactor. This resulted in a convergence of the microbial communities in the two reactors with the maintenance of stable sludge concentrations (6–8 g L−1) with large granules (50–80% with diameter >2 mm) and fast settling of biomass (SVI30/SVI10 of 0.9–1). Immigration from the influent wastewater was a minor factor affecting the microbial community once the granules had formed, while the seasonal variations in environmental factors were identified as important. Key guilds of AOB (Nitrosomonas), NOB (mainly Ca. Nitrotoga), PAOs (mainly Tetrasphaera), and GAOs (mainly Ca. Competibacter) varied considerably in abundance throughout the study period. After 15 months, stable organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal were attained with low effluent concentrations. During the start-up, the BOD7/N ratio, influent flow, and temperature were important factors influencing the performance of the AGS.
|
|
| 12. |
- Ekholm, Jennifer, 1992, et al.
(författare)
-
Full-scale aerobic granular sludge for municipal wastewater treatment - granule formation, microbial succession, and process performance
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 2053-1419 .- 2053-1400. ; 8:12, s. 3138-3154
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Aerobic granular sludge (AGS) plants have gained growing interest and application due to their low energy demand, small footprint, and low operational costs. However, the fulfilment of strict discharge limits for nitrogen and phosphorus, vast seasonal temperature variations, and large peaks in influent flows may pose challenges to the implementation of AGS. Moreover, the knowledge about microbial community assembly and process performance under varying environmental conditions in full-scale reactors is still limited. In this study, the first implementation of the AGS process in the Nordic countries was assessed. In two full-scale AGS reactors with different seeding sludges, the start-up was associated with rapid changes in microbial community composition in both, but only successful granulation in one. As a consequence, the non-granulated reactor was eventually reseeded with biomass from the better granulated reactor. This resulted in a convergence of the microbial communities in the two reactors with the maintenance of stable sludge concentrations (6-8 g L-1) with large granules (50-80% with diameter >2 mm) and fast settling of biomass (SVI30/SVI10 of 0.9-1). Immigration from the influent wastewater was a minor factor affecting the microbial community once the granules had formed, while the seasonal variations in environmental factors were identified as important. Key guilds of AOB (Nitrosomonas), NOB (mainly Ca. Nitrotoga), PAOs (mainly Tetrasphaera), and GAOs (mainly Ca. Competibacter) varied considerably in abundance throughout the study period. After 15 months, stable organic matter, nitrogen, and phosphorus removal were attained with low effluent concentrations. During the start-up, the BOD7/N ratio, influent flow, and temperature were important factors influencing the performance of the AGS.
|
|
| 13. |
- Falcon, Carles, et al.
(författare)
-
Time-encoded ASL reveals lower cerebral blood flow in the early AD continuum
- 2024
-
Ingår i: ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION Cerebral blood flow (CBF) is reduced in cognitively impaired (CI) Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. We checked the sensitivity of time-encoded arterial spin labeling (te-ASL) in measuring CBF alterations in individuals with positive AD biomarkers and associations with relevant biomarkers in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals. METHODS We compared te-ASL with single-postlabel delay (PLD) ASL in measuring CBF in 59 adults across the AD continuum, classified as CU amyloid beta (A beta) negative (-), CU A beta positive (+), and CI A beta+. We sought associations of CBF with biomarkers of AD, cerebrovascular disease, synaptic dysfunction, neurodegeneration, and cognition in CU participants. RESULTS te-ASL was more sensitive at detecting CBF reduction in the CU A beta+ and CI A beta+ groups. In CU participants, lower CBF was associated with altered biomarkers of A beta, tau, synaptic dysfunction, and neurodegeneration. DISCUSSION CBF reduction occurs early in the AD continuum. te-ASL is more sensitive than single-PLD ASL at detecting CBF changes in AD.
|
|
| 14. |
- Ferrando, Carlos, et al.
(författare)
-
Individualised, perioperative open-lung ventilation strategy during one-lung ventilation (iPROVE-OLV) : a multicentre, randomised, controlled clinical trial
- 2024
-
Ingår i: The Lancet Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier. - 2213-2600 .- 2213-2619. ; 12:3, s. 195-206
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background It is uncertain whether individualisation of the perioperative open-lung approach (OLA) to ventilation reduces postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing lung resection. We compared a perioperative individualised OLA (iOLA) ventilation strategy with standard lung-protective ventilation in patients undergoing thoracic surgery with one-lung ventilation. Methods This multicentre, randomised controlled trial enrolled patients scheduled for open or video-assisted thoracic surgery using one-lung ventilation in 25 participating hospitals in Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, and Ecuador. Eligible adult patients (age >= 18 years) were randomly assigned to receive iOLA or standard lung-protective ventilation. Eligible patients (stratified by centre) were randomly assigned online by local principal investigators, with an allocation ratio of 1:1. Treatment with iOLA included an alveolar recruitment manoeuvre to 40 cm H2O of end-inspiratory pressure followed by individualised positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) titrated to best respiratory system compliance, and individualised postoperative respiratory support with high-flow oxygen therapy. Participants allocated to standard lungprotective ventilation received combined intraoperative 4 cm H2O of PEEP and postoperative conventional oxygen therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 postoperative days, including atelectasis requiring bronchoscopy, severe respiratory failure, contralateral pneumothorax, early extubation failure (rescue with continuous positive airway pressure, non-invasive ventilation, invasive mechanical ventilation, or reintubation), acute respiratory distress syndrome, pulmonary infection, bronchopleural fistula, and pleural empyema. Due to trial setting, data obtained in the operating and postoperative rooms for routine monitoring were not blinded. At 24 h, data were acquired by an investigator blinded to group allocation. All analyses were performed on an intention-to-treat basis. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03182062, and is complete. Findings Between Sept 11, 2018, and June 14, 2022, we enrolled 1380 patients, of whom 1308 eligible patients (670 [434 male, 233 female, and three with missing data] assigned to iOLA and 638 [395 male, 237 female, and six with missing data] to standard lung-protective ventilation) were included in the final analysis. The proportion of patients with the composite outcome of severe postoperative pulmonary complications within the first 7 postoperative days was lower in the iOLA group compared with the standard lung-protective ventilation group (40 [6%] vs 97 [15%], relative risk 0 center dot 39 [95% CI 0 center dot 28 to 0 center dot 56]), with an absolute risk difference of -9 center dot 23 (95% CI -12 center dot 55 to -5 center dot 92). Recruitment manoeuvre-related adverse events were reported in five patients. Interpretation Among patients subjected to lung resection under one-lung ventilation, iOLA was associated with a reduced risk of severe postoperative pulmonary complications when compared with conventional lung-protective ventilation. Funding Instituto de Salud Carlos III and the European Regional Development Funds. Copyright (c) 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 15. |
- Ferrando, Carlos, et al.
(författare)
-
The accuracy of postoperative, non-invasive Air-Test to diagnose atelectasis in healthy patients after surgery : a prospective, diagnostic pilot study
- 2017
-
Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 7:5
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To assess the diagnostic accuracy of peripheral capillary oxygen saturation (SpO(2)) while breathing room air for 5 min (the 'Air-Test') in detecting postoperative atelectasis. Design Prospective cohort study. Diagnostic accuracy was assessed by measuring the agreement between the index test and the reference standard CT scan images. Setting Postanaesthetic care unit in a tertiary hospital in Spain. Participants Three hundred and fifty patients from 12 January to 7 February 2015; 170 patients scheduled for surgery under general anaesthesia who were admitted into the postsurgical unit were included. Intervention The Air-Test was performed in conscious extubated patients after a 30 min stabilisation period during which they received supplemental oxygen therapy via a venturi mask. The Air-Test was defined as positive when SpO(2) was >= 96% and negative when SpO(2) was >= 97%. Arterial blood gases were measured in all patients at the end of the Air-Test. In the subsequent 25 min, the presence of atelectasis was evaluated by performing a CT scan in 59 randomly selected patients. Main outcome measures The primary study outcome was assessment of the accuracy of the Air-Test for detecting postoperative atelectasis compared with the reference standard. The secondary outcome was the incidence of positive Air-Test results. Results The Air-Test diagnosed postoperative atelectasis with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.90 (95% CI 0.82 to 0.98) with a sensitivity of 82.6% and a specificity of 87.8%. The presence of atelectasis was confirmed by CT scans in all patients (30/30) with positive and in 5 patients (17%) with negative Air-Test results. Based on the Air-Test, postoperative atelectasis was present in 36% of the patients (62 out of 170). Conclusion The Air-Test may represent an accurate, simple, inexpensive and non-invasive method for diagnosing postoperative atelectasis.
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
- Gonzalez-Ortiz, Fernando, et al.
(författare)
-
A novel ultrasensitive assay for plasma p-tau217: Performance in individuals with subjective cognitive decline and early Alzheimer's disease.
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - 1552-5279. ; 20:2, s. 1239-1249
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology among individuals with mild cognitive changesand those experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) remains challenging. Plasma phosphorylated tau 217 (p-tau217) is one of the most promising of the emerging biomarkers for AD. However, accessible methods are limited.We employed a novel p-tau217 immunoassay (University of Gothenburg [UGOT] p-tau217) in four independent cohorts (n=308) including a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker-classified cohort (Discovery), two cohorts consisting mostly of cognitively unimpaired (CU) and mild cognitively impaired (MCI) participants (MYHAT and Pittsburgh), and a population-based cohort of individuals with SCD (Barcelonaβeta Brain Research Center's Alzheimer's At-Risk Cohort [β-AARC]).UGOT p-tau217 showed high accuracy (area under the curve [AUC]=0.80-0.91) identifying amyloid beta (Aβ) pathology, determined either by Aβ positron emission tomography or CSF Aβ42/40 ratio. In individuals experiencing SCD, UGOT p-tau217 showed high accuracy identifying those with a positive CSF Aβ42/40 ratio (AUC=0.91).UGOT p-tau217 can be an easily accessible and efficient way to screen and monitor patients with suspected AD pathophysiology, even in the early stages of the continuum.
|
|
| 18. |
- Gonzalez-Ortiz, Fernando, et al.
(författare)
-
A novel ultrasensitive assay for plasma p-tau217: performance in individuals with subjective cognitive decline and early Alzheimer's disease.
- 2023
-
Ingår i: medRxiv : the preprint server for health sciences.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology among cognitively unimpaired individuals and those experiencing subjective cognitive decline (SCD) remains challenging. Plasma p-tau217 is one of the most promising of the emerging biomarkers for AD. However, accessible methods are limited.We employed a novel p-tau217 immunoassay (UGOT p-tau217) in four independent cohorts (n=308) including a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarker-classified cohort (Discovery), two cohorts consisting mostly of cognitively unimpaired participants (MYHAT and Pittsburgh), and a population-based cohort of individuals with SCD (β-AARC).UGOT p-tau217 showed high accuracy (AUC= 0.80-0.91) identifying Aβ pathology, determined either by Aβ positron emission tomography or CSF Aβ42/40 ratio. In individuals experiencing SCD, UGOT p-tau217 showed high accuracy identifying those with a positive CSF Aβ42/40 ratio (AUC= 0.91).UGOT p-tau217 can be an easily accessible and efficient way to screen and monitor patients with suspected AD pathophysiology, even in the early stages of the continuum.
|
|
| 19. |
- Gustavsson, David J.I., et al.
(författare)
-
Long-term stability of partial nitritation-anammox for treatment of municipal wastewater in a moving bed biofilm reactor pilot system
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Science of the Total Environment. - : Elsevier BV. - 0048-9697 .- 1879-1026. ; 714
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © 2019 Nitrogen removal from the mainstream of municipal wastewater with partial nitritation-anammox (PNA) would be highly beneficial with regard to the uses of energy and organic carbon. However, the challenges of process instability, low nitrogen removal rates (NRR) and unwanted aerobic nitrite oxidation need to be solved to reach large-scale implementation. Here, we have operated pilot-scale moving bed biofilm reactors (MBBRs) for mainstream treatment, together with sidestream treatment of sludge liquor from anaerobic digestors, for over 900 days to investigate process stability, reactor performance and microbial community structure at realistic conditions. The MBBR biofilm contained stable and high relative abundances of anammox bacteria (10–32%) consisting of two major Brocadia sp. populations, and several populations of aerobic ammonia-oxidising bacteria (AOB) within Nitrosomonas sp. (0.2–3.1%), as assessed by 16S rDNA amplicon sequencing. In addition, nitrite-oxidising bacteria (NOB) consisting of Nitrospira sp. (0.4–0.8%) and Nitrotoga sp. (up to 0.4%) were present. Nitrogen was removed at a peak rate of 0.66 g N m−2 d−1 (0.13 kg N m−3 d−1) with a nitrate production over ammonium consumption of 15% by the NOB, at operation with continuous aeration at 15 °C. However, during most periods with continuous aeration, the NRR was lower (≈ 0.45 g N m−2 d−1), with larger relative nitrate production (≈40%), presumably due to problems to maintain stable residual ammonium concentrations during wet-weather mainstream flows. Changing reactor operation to intermittent aeration decreased the NRR but did not help in suppressing the NOB. The study shows that with MBBRs, stable mainstream PNA can be attained at realistic NRR, but with need for post-treatment of nitrate, since effective NOB suppression was hard to achieve.
|
|
| 20. |
- Jiménez-Balado, Joan, et al.
(författare)
-
DNA methylation and stroke prognosis : an epigenome-wide association study
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Clinical Epigenetics. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1868-7083. ; 16:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and aimsStroke is the leading cause of adult-onset disability. Although clinical factors influence stroke outcome, there is a significant variability among individuals that may be attributed to genetics and epigenetics, including DNA methylation (DNAm). We aimed to study the association between DNAm and stroke prognosis.Methods and resultsTo that aim, we conducted a two-phase study (discovery-replication and meta-analysis) in Caucasian patients with ischemic stroke from two independent centers (BasicMar [discovery, N = 316] and St. Pau [replication, N = 92]). Functional outcome was assessed using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) at three months after stroke, being poor outcome defined as mRS > 2. DNAm was determined using the 450K and EPIC BeadChips in whole-blood samples collected within the first 24 h. We searched for differentially methylated positions (DMPs) in 370,344 CpGs, and candidates below p-value < 10–5 were subsequently tested in the replication cohort. We then meta-analyzed DMP results from both cohorts and used them to identify differentially methylated regions (DMRs).After doing the epigenome-wide association study, we found 29 DMPs at p-value < 10–5 and one of them was replicated: cg24391982, annotated to thrombospondin-2 (THBS2) gene (p-valuediscovery = 1.54·10–6; p-valuereplication = 9.17·10–4; p-valuemeta-analysis = 6.39·10–9). Besides, four DMRs were identified in patients with poor outcome annotated to zinc finger protein 57 homolog (ZFP57), Arachidonate 12-Lipoxygenase 12S Type (ALOX12), ABI Family Member 3 (ABI3) and Allantoicase (ALLC) genes (p-value < 1·10–9 in all cases).DiscussionPatients with poor outcome showed a DMP at THBS2 and four DMRs annotated to ZFP57, ALOX12, ABI3 and ALLC genes. This suggests an association between stroke outcome and DNAm, which may help identify new stroke recovery mechanisms.
|
|
| 21. |
- Karacic, Sabina, 1987, et al.
(författare)
-
Subsea tunnel reinforced sprayed concrete subjected to deterioration harbours distinct microbial communities
- 2018
-
Ingår i: Biofouling. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0892-7014 .- 1029-2454. ; 34:10, s. 1161-1174
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Deterioration of concrete is a large societal cost. In the Oslofjord subsea tunnel (Norway), deterioration of sprayed concrete and corrosion of reinforcing steel fibres occur under biofilm formed at sites with intrusion of saline groundwater. In this study, the microbial community structure, in situ environmental gradients and chemical composition of the biofilms were examined at three tunnel sites. Ammonia- and nitrite-oxidising microorganisms, in particular Nitrosopumilus sp., and iron-oxidising bacteria within Mariprofundus sp., were omnipresent, together with a diversity of presumably heterotrophic bacteria. Alpha- and beta diversity measures showed significant differences in richness and community structure between the sites as well as over time and null-models suggested that deterministic factors were important for the community assembly. The superficial flow of water over the biofilm had a strong effect on oxygen penetration in the biofilm and was identified as one major environmental gradient that varied between the sites, likely being important for shaping the microbial communities. © 2019, © 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
|
|
| 22. |
- Liebana, Raquel, 1986, et al.
(författare)
-
Stability of nitrifying granules exposed to water flux through a coarse pore mesh.
- 2015
-
Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The study of the strength and stability of aerobic granules is essential for the application of aerobic granular sludge membrane bioreactors (AGMBR). In this study, a coarse pore nylon mesh membrane was used to study the differences in compressibility and breakage of 78 aerobic granules submitted to different water fluxes. Confocal laser scanning microscopy was employed to investigate the distribution of extracellular polymeric substances of cryosectioned granules. The tested granules were able to withstand fluxes much higher than those typically applied in MBRs, with pressures ranging from 0.2 to 4.5 kN m-2 before breakage. Cells, β-polysaccharides and proteins were present in higher abundance in the outer layers, while calcium ions were abundant in the outer- as well as the inner layers of the granule. The results shows that the use of coarse pore meshes operated at very high flux is a feasible technique for biomass separation in AGMBR.
|
|
| 23. |
- López-Martos, David, et al.
(författare)
-
Awareness of episodic memory and meta-cognitive profiles: associations with cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers at the preclinical stage of the Alzheimer’s continuum
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - 1663-4365. ; 16
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction: The lack of cognitive awareness, anosognosia, is a clinical deficit in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) dementia. However, an increased awareness of cognitive function, hypernosognosia, may serve as a marker in the preclinical stage. Subjective cognitive decline (SCD) might correspond to the initial symptom in the dynamic trajectory of awareness, but SCD might be absent along with low awareness of actual cognitive performance in the preclinical stage. We hypothesized that distinct meta-cognitive profiles, both hypernosognosia and anosognosia, might be identified in preclinical-AD. This research evaluated the association between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers and the awareness of episodic memory, further exploring dyadic (participant-partner) SCD reports, in the preclinical Alzheimer’s continuum. Methods: We analyzed 314 cognitively unimpaired (CU) middle-aged individuals (mean age: 60, SD: 4) from the ALFA+ cohort study. Episodic memory was evaluated with the delayed recall from the Memory Binding Test (MBT). Awareness of episodic memory, meta-memory, was defined as the normalized discrepancy between objective and subjective performance. SCD was defined using self-report, and dyadic SCD profiles incorporated the study partner’s report using parallel SCD-Questionnaires. The relationship between CSF Aβ42/40 and CSF p-tau181 with meta-memory was evaluated with multivariable regression models. The role of SCD and the dyadic contingency was explored with the corresponding stratified analysis. Results: CSF Aβ42/40 was non-linearly associated with meta-memory, showing an increased awareness up to Aβ-positivity and a decreased awareness beyond this threshold. In the non-SCD subset, the non-linear association between CSF Aβ42/40 and meta-memory persisted. In the SCD subset, higher Aβ-pathology was linearly associated with increased awareness. Individuals presenting only study partner’s SCD, defined as unaware decliners, exhibited higher levels of CSF p-tau181 correlated with lower meta-memory performance. Discussion: These results suggested that distinct meta-cognitive profiles can be identified in preclinical-AD. While most individuals might experience an increased awareness associated with the entrance in the AD continuum, hypernosognosia, some might be already losing insight and stepping into the anosognosic trajectory. This research reinforced that an early anosognosic profile, although at increased risk of AD-related decline, might be currently overlooked considering actual diagnostic criteria, and therefore its medical attention delayed.
|
|
| 24. |
- López-Martos, David, et al.
(författare)
-
Reference Data for Attentional, Executive, Linguistic, and Visual Processing Tests Obtained from Cognitively Healthy Individuals with Normal Alzheimer's Disease Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarker Levels.
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Alzheimer's disease : JAD. - 1875-8908. ; 95:1, s. 237-249
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Conventional neuropsychological norms likely include cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals with preclinical Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology (amyloid-β, tau, and neurodegeneration) since they are based on cohorts without AD biomarkers data. Due to this limitation, population-based norms would lack sensitivity for detecting subtle cognitive decline due to AD, the transitional stage between healthy cognition and mild cognitive impairment. We have recently published norms for memory tests in individuals with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarker levels.The aim of the present study was to provide further AD biomarker-based cognitive references covering attentional, executive function, linguistic, and visual processing tests.We analyzed 248 CU individuals aged between 50-70 years old with normal CSF Aβ, p-tau, and neurodegeneration (t-tau) biomarker levels. The tests included were the Trail Making Test (TMT), Semantic Fluency Test, Digit and Symbol Span, Coding, Matrix Reasoning, Judgement of Line Orientation and Visual Puzzles. Normative data were developed based on regression models adjusted for age, education, and sex when needed. We present equations to calculate z-scores, the corresponding normative percentile tables, and online calculators.Age, education, and sex were associated with performance in all tests, except education for the TMT-A, and sex for the TMT-B, Coding, and Semantic Fluency. Cut-offs derived from the current biomarker-based reference data were higher and more sensitive than standard norms.We developed reference data obtained from individuals with evidence of non-pathologic AD biomarker levels that may improve the objective characterization of subtle cognitive decline in preclinical AD.
|
|
| 25. |
- Milà-Alomà, Marta, et al.
(författare)
-
CSF Synaptic Biomarkers in the Preclinical Stage of Alzheimer Disease and Their Association With MRI and PET: A Cross-sectional Study.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Neurology. - 1526-632X. ; 97:21
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To determine whether CSF synaptic biomarkers are altered in the early preclinical stage of the Alzheimer continuum and associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) risk factors, primary pathology, and neurodegeneration markers.This cross-sectional study was performed in the Alzheimer's and Families (ALFA+) cohort, comprising middle-aged cognitively unimpaired participants. CSF neurogranin and growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) were measured with immunoassays, and synaptosomal-associated protein-25 (SNAP-25) and synaptotagmin-1 were measured with immunoprecipitation mass spectrometry. AD CSF biomarkers β-amyloid (Aβ)42/40, phosphorylated tau (p-tau), and total tau and the neurodegeneration biomarker neurofilament light chain (NfL) were also measured. Participants underwent structural MRI and fluorodeoxyglucose and Aβ PET imaging. General linear modeling was used to test the associations between CSF synaptic biomarkers and risk factors, Aβ pathology, tau pathology, and neurodegeneration markers.All CSF synaptic biomarkers increased with age. CSF neurogranin was higher in females, while CSF SNAP-25 was higher in APOE ε4 carriers. All CSF synaptic biomarkers increased with higher Aβ load (as measured by CSF Aβ42/40 and Aβ PET Centiloid values), and it is important to note that the synaptic biomarkers were increased even in individuals in the earliest stages of Aβ deposition. Higher CSF synaptic biomarkers were also associated with higher CSF p-tau and NfL. Higher CSF neurogranin and GAP-43 were significantly associated with higher brain metabolism but lower cortical thickness in AD-related brain regions.CSF synaptic biomarkers increase in the early preclinical stages of the Alzheimer continuum even when a low burden of Aβ pathology is present, and they differ in their association with age, sex, APOE ε4, and markers of neurodegeneration.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT02485730.
|
|
| 26. |
|
|
| 27. |
- Modin, Oskar, 1980, et al.
(författare)
-
A relationship between phages and organic carbon in wastewater treatment plant effluents
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Water Research X. - : Elsevier BV. - 2589-9147. ; 16
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With stringent effluent requirements and the implementation of new processes for micropollutant removal, it is increasingly important for wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) to understand the factors affecting effluent quality. Phages (viruses infecting prokaryotes) are abundant in the biological treatment processes. They can contribute to organic carbon in the treated effluent both because they are organic in nature and occur in the effluent and because they cause lysis of microorganisms. Today very little is known about the effects of phages on effluent quality. The goal of this study was, therefore, to determine the relationship between phages and organic carbon in WWTP effluents. We also examined the diversity, taxonomy, and host-association of DNA phages using metagenomics. Effluent samples were collected from four WWTPs treating municipal wastewater. Significant differences in both organic carbon and virus-like particle concentrations were observed between the plants and there was a linear relationship between the two parameters. The phage communities were diverse with many members being taxonomically unclassified. Putative hosts were dominated by bacteria known to be abundant in activated sludge systems such as Comamonadaceae. The composition of phages differed between the WWTPs, suggesting that local conditions shape the communities. Overall, our findings suggest that the abundance and composition of phages are related to effluent quality. Thus, there is a need for further research clarifying the association between phage dynamics and WWTP function.
|
|
| 28. |
- Modin, Oskar, 1980, et al.
(författare)
-
Hill-based dissimilarity indices and null models for analysis of microbial community assembly
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Microbiome. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2049-2618. ; 8:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundHigh-throughput amplicon sequencing of marker genes, such as the 16S rRNA gene in Bacteria and Archaea, provides a wealth of information about the composition of microbial communities. To quantify differences between samples and draw conclusions about factors affecting community assembly, dissimilarity indices are typically used. However, results are subject to several biases, and data interpretation can be challenging. The Jaccard and Bray-Curtis indices, which are often used to quantify taxonomic dissimilarity, are not necessarily the most logical choices. Instead, we argue that Hill-based indices, which make it possible to systematically investigate the impact of relative abundance on dissimilarity, should be used for robust analysis of data. In combination with a null model, mechanisms of microbial community assembly can be analyzed. Here, we also introduce a new software, qdiv, which enables rapid calculations of Hill-based dissimilarity indices in combination with null models.ResultsUsing amplicon sequencing data from two experimental systems, aerobic granular sludge (AGS) reactors and microbial fuel cells (MFC), we show that the choice of dissimilarity index can have considerable impact on results and conclusions. High dissimilarity between replicates because of random sampling effects make incidence-based indices less suited for identifying differences between groups of samples. Determining a consensus table based on count tables generated with different bioinformatic pipelines reduced the number of low-abundant, potentially spurious amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) in the data sets, which led to lower dissimilarity between replicates. Analysis with a combination of Hill-based indices and a null model allowed us to show that different ecological mechanisms acted on different fractions of the microbial communities in the experimental systems.ConclusionsHill-based indices provide a rational framework for analysis of dissimilarity between microbial community samples. In combination with a null model, the effects of deterministic and stochastic community assembly factors on taxa of different relative abundances can be systematically investigated. Calculations of Hill-based dissimilarity indices in combination with a null model can be done in qdiv, which is freely available as a Python package (https://github.com/omvatten/qdiv). In qdiv, a consensus table can also be determined from several count tables generated with different bioinformatic pipelines.
|
|
| 29. |
- Pelkmans, Wiesje, et al.
(författare)
-
Astrocyte biomarkers GFAP and YKL-40 mediate early Alzheimer's disease progression.
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Alzheimer's & dementia : the journal of the Alzheimer's Association. - 1552-5279. ; 20:1, s. 483-93
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We studied how biomarkers of reactive astrogliosis mediate the pathogenic cascade in the earliest Alzheimer's disease (AD) stages.We performed path analysis on data from 384 cognitively unimpaired individuals from the ALzheimer and FAmilies (ALFA)+ study using structural equation modeling to quantify the relationships between biomarkers of reactive astrogliosis and the AD pathological cascade.Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) amyloid beta (Aβ)42/40 was associated with Aβ aggregation on positron emission tomography (PET) and with CSF p-tau181 , which was in turn directly associated with CSF neurofilament light (NfL). Plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) mediated the relationship between CSF Aβ42/40 and Aβ-PET, and CSF YKL-40 partly explained the association between Aβ-PET, p-tau181 , and NfL.Our results suggest that reactive astrogliosis, as indicated by different fluid biomarkers, influences the pathogenic cascade during the preclinical stage of AD. While plasma GFAP mediates the early association between soluble and insoluble Aβ, CSF YKL-40 mediates the latter association between Aβ and downstream Aβ-induced tau pathology and tau-induced neuronal injury.Lower CSF Aβ42/40 was directly linked to higher plasma GFAP concentrations. Plasma GFAP partially explained the relationship between soluble Aβ and insoluble Aβ. CSF YKL-40 mediated Aβ-induced tau phosphorylation and tau-induced neuronal injury.
|
|
| 30. |
- Persson, Frank, 1970, et al.
(författare)
-
Community structure of partial nitritation-anammox biofilms at decreasing substrate concentrations and low temperature
- 2017
-
Ingår i: Microbial Biotechnology. - : Wiley. - 1751-7907 .- 1751-7915. ; 10:4, s. 761-772
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Partial nitritation-anammox (PNA) permits energy effective nitrogen removal. Today PNA is used for treatment of concentrated and warm side streams at wastewater treatment plants, but not the more diluted and colder main stream. To implement PNA in the main stream, better knowledge about microbial communities at the typical environmental conditions is necessary. In order to investigate the response of PNA microbial communities to decreasing substrate availability, we have operated a moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR) at decreasing reactor concentrations (311–27 mg-N l−1 of ammonium) and low temperature (13°C) for 302 days and investigated the biofilm community using high throughput amplicon sequencing; quantitative PCR; and fluorescence in situ hybridization. The anammox bacteria (Ca. Brocadia) constituted a large fraction of the biomass with fewer aerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and even less nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB; Nitrotoga, Nitrospira and Nitrobacter). Still, NOB had considerable impact on the process performance. The anammox bacteria, AOB and NOB all harboured more than one population, indicating some diversity, and the heterotrophic bacterial community was diverse (seven phyla). Despite the downshifts in substrate availability, changes in the relative abundance and composition of anammox bacteria, AOB and NOB were small and also the heterotrophic community showed little changes in composition. This indicates stability of PNA MBBR communities towards decreasing substrate availability and suggests that even heterotrophic bacteria are integral components of these communities.
|
|
| 31. |
|
|
| 32. |
- Piculell, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
The inhibitory effects of reject water on nitrifying populations grown at different biofilm thickness
- 2016
-
Ingår i: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 104:1 Nov, s. 292-302
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Suppression of nitrite oxidizing bacteria (NOB) is of vital importance to achieve successful, energy efficient, mainstream anammox processes for wastewater treatment. In this study, biofilm carriers from a fully nitrifying MBBR system, fed with mainstream wastewater, were temporarily exposed to reject water from sludge dewatering, to evaluate this as a possible strategy to inhibit NOB and achieve nitrite production under realistic conditions. Two different carrier types were compared, in which biofilm thickness was maintained at approximately 400 and 50 mm, respectively, and reject treatment was tested at different exposure time and loading rates. Reject exposure almost always resulted in an increased nitrite production in the thinner biofilm, and overall, nitrifiers growing in the thin biofilm were more sensitive than those grown in the thicker biofilm. The effect from reject exposure remained in the systems for four days after returning to mainstream operation, with nitrite production gradually increasing for three days. Increased concentrations of free ammonia correlated with reject exposure and may be the cause of inhibition, although other factors cannot be excluded.
|
|
| 33. |
- Rosenqvist, Tage, et al.
(författare)
-
Inoculation with adapted bacterial communities promotes development of full scale slow sand filters for drinking water production
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Water Research. - 1879-2448. ; 253
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Gravity-driven filtration through slow sand filters (SSFs) is one of the oldest methods for producing drinking water. As water passes through a sand bed, undesired microorganisms and chemicals are removed by interactions with SSF biofilm and its resident microbes. Despite their importance, the processes through which these microbial communities form are largely unknown, as are the factors affecting these processes. In this study, two SSFs constructed using different sand sources were compared to an established filter and observed throughout their maturation process. One SSF was inoculated through addition of sand scraped from established filters, while the other was not inoculated. The operational and developing microbial communities of SSFs, as well as their influents and effluents, were studied by sequencing of 16S ribosomal rRNA genes. A functional microbial community resembling that of the established SSF was achieved in the inoculated SSF, but not in the non-inoculated SSF. Notably, the non-inoculated SSF had significantly (p < 0.01) higher abundances of classes Armatimonadia, Elusimicrobia, Fimbriimonadia, OM190 (phylum Planctomycetota), Parcubacteria, Vampirivibrionia and Verrucomicrobiae. Conversely, it had lower abundances of classes Anaerolineae, Bacilli, bacteriap25 (phylum Myxococcota), Blastocatellia, Entotheonellia, Gemmatimonadetes, lineage 11b (phylum Elusimicrobiota), Nitrospiria, Phycisphaerae, subgroup 22 (phylum Acidobacteriota) and subgroup 11 (phylum Acidobacteriota). Poor performance of neutral models showed that the assembly and dispersal of SSF microbial communities was mainly driven by selection. The temporal turnover of microbial species, as estimated through the scaling exponent of the species-time relationship, was twice as high in the non-inoculated filter (0.946 ± 0.164) compared to the inoculated filter (0.422 ± 0.0431). This study shows that the addition of an inoculum changed the assembly processes within SSFs. Specifically, the rate at which new microorganisms were observed in the biofilm was reduced. The reduced temporal turnover may be driven by inoculating taxa inhibiting growth, potentially via secondary metabolite production. This in turn would allow the inoculation community to persist and contribute to SSF function.
|
|
| 34. |
- Sánchez-Benavides, Gonzalo, et al.
(författare)
-
Amyloid-β positive individuals with subjective cognitive decline present increased CSF neurofilament light levels that relate to lower hippocampal volume.
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Neurobiology of aging. - : Elsevier BV. - 1558-1497 .- 0197-4580. ; 104, s. 24-31
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neurofilament light chain (NfL) is an axonal protein that when measured in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) serves as a biomarker of neurodegeneration. We aimed at investigating the association among CSF NfL, presence of Subjective Cognitive Decline (SCD) and hippocampal volume, and how CSF amyloid-β (Aβ) modifies these associations. We included 278 cognitively unimpaired participants from the Alfa+ cohort (78 SCD and 200 Controls). Linear models accounting for covariates (age, gender, and mood) were used to test the association between CSF NfL and SCD status, and between CSF NfL and bilateral hippocampal volumes. Interactions with Aβ were also explored. Individuals with SCD had higher CSF NfL and lower CSF Aβ42/40 than Controls. There was a significant interaction between SCD and CSF-Aβ42/40 levels. Stratified analyses showed a significant association between SCD and NfL only in Aβ+ individuals. Higher CSF NfL was significantly associated with lower hippocampal volume specifically in Aβ+ individuals with SCD. The presence of SCD in Aβ+ individuals may represent an early symptom in the Alzheimer's continuum related to incipient neurodegeneration.
|
|
| 35. |
- Suárez-Barraza, Manuel F., et al.
(författare)
-
In search of “Muda” through the TKJ diagram
- 2016
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Quality and Service Sciences. - 1756-669X. ; 8:3, s. 377-394
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Muda is a Japanese term literally meaning futility, uselessness, idleness, superfluity, waste, wastage or wastefulness. The term was introduced by the Japanese engineer Taiichi Ohno of Toyota Motor Corporation in the 1960s. Therefore, reducing and minimizing Muda is an effective way to increase the operational efficiency and productivity of an organization’s processes. In turn, the technique known as the affinity or TKJ diagram represents a practical way of sorting data or ideas into groups classified by common patterns; it can be regarded as one of the new seven tools of quality. The purpose of this paper is to discover Muda by applying the affinity or TKJ diagram in Mexican organizations. Design/methodology/approach: An exploratory qualitative study was conducted. Using theoretical sampling, the authors identified and analyzed data from a kaizen training course. Each course workshop was organized by the Universidad de las Americas Puebla and consulting firm “Mi Empresa”, and given to employees of various organizations in various sectors over three years from January 2012 to January 2015. Findings: The research provided the first evidence of Muda in Mexican organizations. The Muda of Ohno’s classification was confirmed, but new common patterns of Muda in twenty-first-century organizations also arose. Furthermore, the TKJ diagram proved to be an effective tool of quality to detect it. Research limitations/implications: This paper has the same limitations as all other qualitative research, including analysis subjectivity and questionable generalization of findings. It is also important to highlight the seven KJ diagrams, a seemingly abundant figure. However, it is a small sample for the number of companies and processes to be found in Mexico. Practical implications: This paper may prove to be valuable for practitioners and managers involved in the operations and continuous improvement fields. Getting to know Muda in organizations is of great importance for continuously improving organizational processes. This classification will allow greater insight and easier detection. Originality/value: The study contributes to the limited existing literature on total quality management, lean thinking and kaizen, and subsequently disseminates this information to provide impetus, guidance and support toward improving the quality of organizational processes.
|
|
| 36. |
- Suarez, Carolina, et al.
(författare)
-
Biofilm colonization and succession in a full-scale partial nitritation-anammox moving bed biofilm reactor
- 2024
-
Ingår i: Microbiome. - 2049-2618. ; 12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Partial nitritation-anammox (PNA) is a biological nitrogen removal process commonly used in wastewater treatment plants for the treatment of warm and nitrogen-rich sludge liquor from anaerobic digestion, often referred to as sidestream wastewater. In these systems, biofilms are frequently used to retain biomass with aerobic ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and anammox bacteria, which together convert ammonium to nitrogen gas. Little is known about how these biofilm communities develop, and whether knowledge about the assembly of biofilms in natural communities can be applied to PNA biofilms.RESULTS: We followed the start-up of a full-scale PNA moving bed biofilm reactor for 175 days using shotgun metagenomics. Environmental filtering likely restricted initial biofilm colonization, resulting in low phylogenetic diversity, with the initial microbial community comprised mainly of Proteobacteria. Facilitative priority effects allowed further biofilm colonization, with the growth of initial aerobic colonizers promoting the arrival and growth of anaerobic taxa like methanogens and anammox bacteria. Among the early colonizers were known 'oligotrophic' ammonia oxidizers including comammox Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas cluster 6a AOB. Increasing the nitrogen load in the bioreactor allowed colonization by 'copiotrophic' Nitrosomonas cluster 7 AOB and resulted in the exclusion of the initial ammonia- and nitrite oxidizers.CONCLUSIONS: We show that complex dynamic processes occur in PNA microbial communities before a stable bioreactor process is achieved. The results of this study not only contribute to our knowledge about biofilm assembly and PNA bioreactor start-up but could also help guide strategies for the successful implementation of PNA bioreactors. Video Abstract.
|
|
| 37. |
- Suarez, Carolina, et al.
(författare)
-
Disturbance-based management of ecosystem services and disservices in partial nitritation-anammox biofilms
- 2022
-
Ingår i: npj Biofilms and Microbiomes. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2055-5008. ; 8:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The resistance and resilience provided by functional redundancy, a common feature of microbial communities, is not always advantageous. An example is nitrite oxidation in partial nitritation-anammox (PNA) reactors designed for nitrogen removal in wastewater treatment, where suppression of nitrite oxidizers like Nitrospira is sought. In these ecosystems, biofilms provide microhabitats with oxygen gradients, allowing the coexistence of aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. We designed a disturbance experiment where PNA biofilms, treating water from a high-rate activated sludge process, were constantly or intermittently exposed to anaerobic sidestream wastewater, which has been proposed to inhibit nitrite oxidizers. With increasing sidestream exposure we observed decreased abundance, alpha-diversity, functional versatility, and hence functional redundancy, among Nitrospira in the PNA biofilms, while the opposite patterns were observed for anammox bacteria within Brocadia. At the same time, species turnover was observed for aerobic ammonia-oxidizing Nitrosomonas populations. The different exposure regimens were associated with metagenomic assembled genomes of Nitrosomonas, Nitrospira, and Brocadia, encoding genes related to N-cycling, substrate usage, and osmotic stress response, possibly explaining the three different patterns by niche differentiation. These findings imply that disturbances can be used to manage the functional redundancy of biofilm microbiomes in a desirable direction, which should be considered when designing operational strategies for wastewater treatment.
|
|
| 38. |
- Suarez, Carolina, et al.
(författare)
-
Metagenomic evidence of a novel family of anammox bacteria in a subsea environment
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Environmental Microbiology. - : Wiley. - 1462-2912 .- 1462-2920. ; 24:5, s. 2348-2360
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Bacteria in the order 'Candidatus Brocadiales' within the phylum Planctomycetes (Planctomycetota) have the remarkable ability to perform anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox). Two families of anammox bacteria with different biogeographical distributions have been reported, marine Ca. Scalinduaceae and freshwater Ca. Brocadiaceae. Here we report evidence of three new species within a novel genus and family of anammox bacteria, which were discovered in biofilms of a subsea road tunnel under a fjord in Norway. In this particular ecosystem, the nitrogen cycle is likely fuelled by ammonia from organic matter degradation in the fjord sediments and the rock mass above the tunnel, resulting in the growth of biofilms where anammox bacteria can thrive under oxygen limitation. We resolved several metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) of anammox bacteria, including three Ca. Brocadiales MAGs that could not be classified at the family level. MAGs of this novel family had all the diagnostic genes for a full anaerobic ammonium oxidation pathway in which nitrite was probably reduced by a NirK-like reductase. A survey of published molecular data indicated that this new family of anammox bacteria occurs in many marine sediments, where its members presumably would contribute to nitrogen loss.
|
|
| 39. |
- Suarez, Carolina
(författare)
-
Microbial communities in anammox and nitrifying biofilms
- 2017
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Excess of nitrogen in water bodies causes eutrophication. One important source of nitrogen is the effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Nitrogen in wastewater is most commonly removed by nitrification-denitrification. During nitrification-denitrification, aerobic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) oxidize ammonium to nitrite, which is in turn oxidized to nitrate by their syntrophic partners; aerobic nitrite oxidizing bacteria. Heterotrophic denitrifiers can then convert the nitrate to harmless nitrogen gas. Partial-nitritation anammox (PNA) is an alternative process for nitrogen removal which is today used for treatment of warm and concentrated sidestreams (reject water after anaerobic sludge digestion) at WWTPs, with potential to be used also for the mainstream of wastewater. PNA relies on bacteria capable of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) using nitrite as electron acceptor. Together with AOB they convert ammonia to nitrogen gas. To increase retention of biomass in bioreactors, bacteria are often grown in biofilms, microbial communities attached to a surface. The overall aim of this thesis was to study nitrifying- and anammox communities in biofilms, using moving bed biofilm reactors as a model system. Reactor performance, microbial community dynamics and biofilm structure of PNA reactors operated a low temperature or low ammonium concentration were studied, showing community stability, but process instabilities. Differences in composition and ribosomal content between reject- and mainstream communities were investigated, showing that both abundance and bacterial activity are important for explaining differences in process rates. Basic question about biofilm ecology were also studied. Here, for the first time, predation of anammox bacteria in biofilms was demonstrated. Furthermore, it was shown how biofilm thickness influences nitrifying communities and biofilm functions, with differences in community composition and ecosystem function. Together these results help to unravel the link between community composition and bioreactor function for anammox and nitrifying biofilms, which can lead to development of new technologies and strategies for N-removal in wastewater.
|
|
| 40. |
- Suarez, Carolina, et al.
(författare)
-
Novel and unusual genes for nitrogen and metal cycling in Planctomycetota- and KSB1-affiliated metagenome-assembled genomes reconstructed from a marine subsea tunnel
- 2023
-
Ingår i: FEMS microbiology letters. - 0378-1097 .- 1574-6968. ; 370
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Oslofjord subsea road tunnel is a unique environment in which the typically anoxic marine deep subsurface is exposed to oxygen. Concrete biodeterioration and steel corrosion in the tunnel have been linked to the growth of iron- and manganese-oxidizing biofilms in areas of saline water seepage. Surprisingly, previous 16S rRNA gene surveys of biofilm samples revealed microbial communities dominated by sequences affiliated with nitrogen-cycling microorganisms. This study aimed to identify microbial genomes with metabolic potential for novel nitrogen- and metal-cycling reactions, representing biofilm microorganisms that could link these cycles and play a role in concrete biodeterioration. We reconstructed 33 abundant, novel metagenome-assembled genomes (MAGs) affiliated with the phylum Planctomycetota and the candidate phylum KSB1. We identified novel and unusual genes and gene clusters in these MAGs related to anaerobic ammonium oxidation, nitrite oxidation, and other nitrogen-cycling reactions. Additionally, 26 of 33 MAGs also had the potential for iron, manganese, and arsenite cycling, suggesting that bacteria represented by these genomes might couple these reactions. Our results expand the diversity of microorganisms putatively involved in nitrogen and metal cycling, and contribute to our understanding of potential biofilm impacts on built infrastructure.
|
|
| 41. |
- Suarez, Carolina, et al.
(författare)
-
Predation of nitritation–anammox biofilms used for nitrogen removal from wastewater
- 2015
-
Ingår i: FEMS Microbiology Ecology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1574-6941 .- 0168-6496. ; 91:11, s. artikel nr fiv124-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Predation is assumed to be a major cause of bacterial mortality in wastewater treatment plants (WWTP). Grazing on the slowly growing autotrophic ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and anaerobic ammonium oxidizing bacteria (AMX) may result in loss of biomass, which could compromise nitrogen removal by the nitritation–anammox process. However, predation, particularly of anaerobic AMX, is unknown. We investigated the presence of protozoa, AOB and AMX and the possible predation in nitritation–anammox biofilms from several WWTPs. By fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), predator and prey were localized in intact biofilm cryosections. Different broad morphological types of protozoa were found at different biofilm depths. Large variations in abundance of protozoa were seen. One reactor showed a predation event of amoeba-like protozoa, forming grazing fronts reaching deep biofilm regions that were dominated by the anaerobic AMX. Both AOB and AMX were grazed by the amoeba, as revealed by FISH–CLSM. Hence, even AMX, living in the deeper layers of stratified biofilms, are subjected to predation. Interestingly, different colocalization was observed between the amoeba-like protozoa and two different Ca. Brocadia AMX sublineages, indicating different grazing patterns. The findings indicate that predation pressure can be an important factor regulating the abundance of AOB and AMX, with implications for nitrogen removal from wastewater.
|
|
| 42. |
- Suarez, Carolina, 1984, et al.
(författare)
-
Thickness determines microbial community structure and function in nitrifying biofilms via deterministic assembly
- 2019
-
Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322 .- 2045-2322. ; 9:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Microbial biofilms are ubiquitous in aquatic environments where they provide important ecosystem functions. A key property believed to influence the community structure and function of biofilms is thickness. However, since biofilm thickness is inextricably linked to external factors such as water flow, temperature, development age and nutrient conditions, its importance is difficult to quantify. Here, we designed an experimental system in a wastewater treatment plant whereby nitrifying biofilms with different thicknesses (50 or 400 mu m) were grown in a single reactor, and thus subjected to identical external conditions. The 50 and 400 mu m biofilm communities were significantly different. This beta-diversity between biofilms of different thickness was primarily caused by deterministic factors. Turnover (species replacement) contributed more than nestedness (species loss) to the beta-diversity, i.e. the 50 mu m communities were not simply a subset of the 400 mu m communities. Moreover, the two communities differed in the composition of nitrogen-transforming bacteria and in nitrogen transformation rates. The study illustrates that biofilm thickness alone is a key driver for community composition and ecosystem function, which has implications for biotechnological applications and for our general understanding of biofilm ecology.
|
|
| 43. |
- Suárez-Calvet, Marc, et al.
(författare)
-
Novel tau biomarkers phosphorylated at T181, T217 or T231 rise in the initial stages of the preclinical Alzheimer's continuum when only subtle changes in Aβ pathology are detected.
- 2020
-
Ingår i: EMBO molecular medicine. - : EMBO. - 1757-4684 .- 1757-4676. ; 12:12
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Alzheimer's disease (AD), tau phosphorylation in the brain and its subsequent release into cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood is a dynamic process that changes during disease evolution. The main aim of our study was to characterize the pattern of changes in phosphorylated tau (p-tau) in the preclinical stage of the Alzheimer's continuum. We measured three novel CSF p-tau biomarkers, phosphorylated at threonine-181 and threonine-217 with an N-terminal partner antibody and at threonine-231 with a mid-region partner antibody. These were compared with an automated mid-region p-tau181 assay (Elecsys) as the gold standard p-tau measure. We demonstrate that these novel p-tau biomarkers increase more prominently in preclinical Alzheimer, when only subtle changes of amyloid-β (Aβ) pathology are detected, and can accurately differentiate Aβ-positive from Aβ-negative cognitively unimpaired individuals. Moreover, we show that the novel plasma N-terminal p-tau181 biomarker is mildly but significantly increased in the preclinical stage. Our results support the idea that early changes in neuronal tau metabolism in preclinical Alzheimer, likely in response to Aβ exposure, can be detected with these novel p-tau assays.
|
|
| 44. |
- Warmenhoven, Noelle, et al.
(författare)
-
CSF glial biomarkers are associated with cognition in individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease
- 2024
-
Ingår i: ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: We examined whether baseline glial markers soluble triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (sTREM2), chitinase 3-like protein 1 (YKL-40), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and plasma GFAP are associated with cognitive change in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). METHODS: A total of 353 CU (mean age 60.9 years) participants were included (mean follow-up time 3.28 years). Linear regression models with cognition as outcome were used. We also tested whether amyloid beta (A beta) status modified these associations. RESULTS: Higher baseline CSF sTREM2 was associated with a positive global cognition (Preclinical Alzheimer's Cognitive Composite) rate of change, and better memory and executive outcomes, independently of AD pathology. Higher baseline plasma GFAP was associated with a decline on attention rate of change. Stratified analyses by A beta status showed that CSF sTREM2 and YKL-40 were positively associated with executive functioning in amyloid negative (A beta-) individuals. DISCUSSION: Our results suggest that a TREM2-mediated microglial response may be associated with better longitudinal cognitive performance.
|
|
| 45. |
-
- 2019
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
|
|
