| 1. |
- Bulanova, Daria, et al.
(författare)
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Antiviral Properties of Chemical Inhibitors of Cellular Anti-Apoptotic Bcl-2 Proteins
- 2017
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Ingår i: Viruses. - : MDPI AG. - 1999-4915. ; 9:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Viral diseases remain serious threats to public health because of the shortage of effective means of control. To combat the surge of viral diseases, new treatments are urgently needed. Here we show that small-molecules, which inhibit cellular anti-apoptotic Bcl-2 proteins (Bcl-2i), induced the premature death of cells infected with different RNA or DNA viruses, whereas, at the same concentrations, no toxicity was observed in mock-infected cells. Moreover, these compounds limited viral replication and spread. Surprisingly, Bcl-2i also induced the premature apoptosis of cells transfected with viral RNA or plasmid DNA but not of mock-transfected cells. These results suggest that Bcl-2i sensitizes cells containing foreign RNA or DNA to apoptosis. A comparison of the toxicity, antiviral activity, and side effects of six Bcl-2i allowed us to select A-1155463 as an antiviral lead candidate. Thus, our results pave the way for the further development of Bcl-2i for the prevention and treatment of viral diseases.
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| 2. |
- Ahola, Virpi, et al.
(författare)
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The Glanville fritillary genome retains an ancient karyotype and reveals selective chromosomal fusions in Lepidoptera
- 2014
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 5, s. 4737-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Previous studies have reported that chromosome synteny in Lepidoptera has been well conserved, yet the number of haploid chromosomes varies widely from 5 to 223. Here we report the genome (393 Mb) of the Glanville fritillary butterfly (Melitaea cinxia; Nymphalidae), a widely recognized model species in metapopulation biology and eco-evolutionary research, which has the putative ancestral karyotype of n = 31. Using a phylogenetic analyses of Nymphalidae and of other Lepidoptera, combined with orthologue-level comparisons of chromosomes, we conclude that the ancestral lepidopteran karyotype has been n = 31 for at least 140 My. We show that fusion chromosomes have retained the ancestral chromosome segments and very few rearrangements have occurred across the fusion sites. The same, shortest ancestral chromosomes have independently participated in fusion events in species with smaller karyotypes. The short chromosomes have higher rearrangement rate than long ones. These characteristics highlight distinctive features of the evolutionary dynamics of butterflies and moths.
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| 3. |
- Beelen, Rob, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of long-term exposure to air pollution on natural-cause mortality : an analysis of 22 European cohorts within the multicentre ESCAPE project
- 2014
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Ingår i: The Lancet. - : Elsevier. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 383:9919, s. 785-795
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Few studies on long-term exposure to air pollution and mortality have been reported from Europe. Within the multicentre European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE), we aimed to investigate the association between natural-cause mortality and long-term exposure to several air pollutants. Methods We used data from 22 European cohort studies, which created a total study population of 367 251 participants. All cohorts were general population samples, although some were restricted to one sex only. With a strictly standardised protocol, we assessed residential exposure to air pollutants as annual average concentrations of particulate matter (PM) with diameters of less than 2.5 mu m (PM2.5), less than 10 mu m (PM10), and between 10 mu m and 2.5 mu m (PMcoarse), PM2.5 absorbance, and annual average concentrations of nitrogen oxides (NO2 and NOx), with land use regression models. We also investigated two traffic intensity variables-traffic intensity on the nearest road (vehicles per day) and total traffic load on all major roads within a 100 m buff er. We did cohort-specific statistical analyses using confounder models with increasing adjustment for confounder variables, and Cox proportional hazards models with a common protocol. We obtained pooled effect estimates through a random-effects meta-analysis. Findings The total study population consisted of 367 251 participants who contributed 5 118 039 person-years at risk (average follow-up 13.9 years), of whom 29 076 died from a natural cause during follow-up. A significantly increased hazard ratio (HR) for PM2.5 of 1.07 (95% CI 1.02-1.13) per 5 mu g/m(3) was recorded. No heterogeneity was noted between individual cohort effect estimates (I-2 p value=0.95). HRs for PM2.5 remained significantly raised even when we included only participants exposed to pollutant concentrations lower than the European annual mean limit value of 25 mu g/m(3) (HR 1.06, 95% CI 1.00-1.12) or below 20 mu g/m(3) (1.07, 1.01-1.13). Interpretation Long-term exposure to fine particulate air pollution was associated with natural-cause mortality, even within concentration ranges well below the present European annual mean limit value.
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| 4. |
- Cesaroni, Giulia, et al.
(författare)
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Long term exposure to ambient air pollution and incidence of acute coronary events : prospective cohort study and meta-analysis in 11 European cohorts from the ESCAPE Project
- 2014
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Ingår i: The BMJ. - : BMJ. - 1756-1833. ; 348, s. f7412-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives To study the effect of long term exposure to airborne pollutants on the incidence of acute coronary events in 11 cohorts participating in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). Design Prospective cohort studies and meta-analysis of the results. Setting Cohorts in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, and Italy. Participants 100 166 people were enrolled from 1997 to 2007 and followed for an average of 11.5 years. Participants were free from previous coronary events at baseline. Main outcome measures Modelled concentrations of particulate matter <2.5 mu m (PM2.5), 2.5-10 mu m (PMcoarse), and <10 mu m (PM10) in aerodynamic diameter, soot (PM2.5 absorbance), nitrogen oxides, and traffic exposure at the home address based on measurements of air pollution conducted in 2008-12. Cohort specific hazard ratios for incidence of acute coronary events (myocardial infarction and unstable angina) per fixed increments of the pollutants with adjustment for sociodemographic and lifestyle risk factors, and pooled random effects meta-analytic hazard ratios. Results 5157 participants experienced incident events. A 5 mu g/m(3) increase in estimated annual mean PM2.5 was associated with a 13% increased risk of coronary events (hazard ratio 1.13, 95% confidence interval 0.98 to 1.30), and a 10 mu g/m(3) increase in estimated annual mean PM10 was associated with a 12% increased risk of coronary events (1.12, 1.01 to 1.25) with no evidence of heterogeneity between cohorts. Positive associations were detected below the current annual European limit value of 25 mu g/m(3) for PM2.5 (1.18, 1.01 to 1.39, for 5 mu g/m(3) increase in PM2.5) and below 40 mu g/m(3) for PM10 (1.12, 1.00 to 1.27, for 10 mu g/m(3) increase in PM10). Positive but non-significant associations were found with other pollutants. Conclusions Long term exposure to particulate matter is associated with incidence of coronary events, and this association persists at levels of exposure below the current European limit values.
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| 5. |
- Comont, David, et al.
(författare)
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UV responses of Lolium perenne raised along a latitudinal gradient across Europe : a filtration study
- 2012
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Ingår i: Physiologia Plantarum. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0031-9317 .- 1399-3054. ; 145, s. 604-618
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Lolium perenne (cv. AberDart) was grown at 14 locations along a latitudinal gradient across Europe (37–68◦N) to study the impact of ultraviolet radiation (UV) and climate on aboveground growth and foliar UV-B absorbing compounds. At each location, plants were grown outdoors for 5 weeks in a replicated UV-B filtration experiment consisting of open, UV-B transparent (cellulose diacetate) and UV-B opaque (polyester) environments. Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy was used to compare plantmetabolite profiles in relation to treatment and location. UV radiation and climatic parameters were determined for each location from online sources and the data were assessed using a combination of ANOVA and multiple regression analyses. Most of the variation in growth between the locations was attributable to the combination of climatic parameters, with minimum temperature identified as an important growth constraint. However, no single environmental parameter could consistently account for the variability in plant growth. Concentrations of foliar UV-B absorbing compounds showed a positive trend with solar UV across the latitudinal gradient; however, this relationship was not consistent in all treatments. The most striking experimental outcome from this study was the effect of presence or absence of filtration frames onUV-absorbing compounds. Overall, the study demonstrates the value of an European approach in studying the impacts of natural UV across a large latitudinal gradient. We have shown the feasibility of coordinated UV filtration at multiple sites but have also highlighted the need for open controls and careful interpretation of plant responses.
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| 6. |
- Dimakopoulou, Konstantina, et al.
(författare)
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Air Pollution and Nonmalignant Respiratory Mortality in 16 Cohorts within the ESCAPE Project
- 2014
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Ingår i: American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine. - : American Thoracic Society. - 1073-449X .- 1535-4970. ; 189:6, s. 684-696
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rationale: Prospective cohort studies have shown that chronic exposure to particulate matter and traffic-related air pollution is associated with reduced survival. However, the effects on nonmalignant respiratory mortality are less studied, and the data reported are less consistent. Objectives: We have investigated the relationship of long-term exposure to air pollution and nonmalignant respiratory mortality in 16 cohorts with individual level data within the multicenter European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE). Methods: Data from 16 ongoing cohort studies from Europe were used. The total number of subjects was 307,553. There were 1,559 respiratory deaths during follow-up. Measurements and Main Results: Air pollution exposure was estimated by land use regression models at the baseline residential addresses of study participants and traffic-proximity variables were derived from geographical databases following a standardized procedure within, the ESCAPE study. Cohort-specific hazard ratios obtained by Cox proportional hazard models from standardized individual cohort analyses were combined using metaanalyses. We found no significant associations between air pollution exposure and nonmalignant respiratory mortality. Most hazard ratios were slightly below unity, with the exception of the traffic-proximity indicators. Conclusions: In this study of 16 cohorts, there was no-association between air pollution exposure and nonmalignant respiratory mortality.
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| 7. |
- Fuks, Kateryna B., et al.
(författare)
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Arterial blood pressure and long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution : an analysis in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE)
- 2014
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives. - : National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS). - 0091-6765 .- 1552-9924. ; 122:9, s. 896-905
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Long-term exposure to air pollution is hypothesized to elevate arterial blood pressure (BP). The existing evidence is scarce and country-specific. OBJECTIVES: We investigated the cross-sectional association of long-term traffic-related air pollution with BP and prevalent hypertension in European populations. METHODS: Fifteen population-based cohorts, participating in the European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects (ESCAPE), were analysed. Residential exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen oxides was modelled with land use regression using a uniform protocol. Traffic exposure was assessed with traffic indicator variables. We analysed systolic and diastolic BP in participants medicated and non-medicated with BP lowering medication (BPLM) separately, adjusting for personal and area-level risk factors and environmental noise. Prevalent hypertension was defined as ≥ 140 mmHg systolic, or ≥ 90 mmHg diastolic BP, or intake of BPLM. We combined cohort-specific results using random-effects meta-analysis. RESULTS: In the main meta-analysis of 113,926 participants, traffic load on major roads within 100 m of the residence was associated with increased systolic and diastolic BP in non-medicated participants (0.35 mmHg [95% CI: 0.02-0.68] and 0.22 mmHg [95% CI: 0.04-0.40] per 4,000,000 vehicles × m/day, respectively). The estimated odds ratio for prevalent hypertension was 1.05 [95% CI: 0.99-1.11] per 4,000,000 vehicles × m/day. Modelled air pollutants and BP were not clearly associated. CONCLUSIONS: In this first comprehensive meta-analysis of European population-based cohorts we observed a weak positive association of high residential traffic exposure with BP in non-medicated participants, and an elevated OR for prevalent hypertension. The relationship of modelled air pollutants with BP was inconsistent.
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| 8. |
- Garriga, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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The Socioeconomic Gradient of Shared Physical Custody in Two Welfare States : Comparison Between Spain and Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Shared Physical Custody. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030684815 - 9783030684785 - 9783030684792 ; , s. 181-206
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- This study contributes to the emerging literature on the diffusion of SPC across social strata, by comparing two national contexts, Sweden and Spain, with different prevalence rates of SPC and with diverging social and gender policies in the early XXI century. We draw on the 2006 and 2014 comparative cross-sectional data from the Spanish and Swedish Health Behaviour in School-Aged Children (HBSC), to test two competitive hypotheses (diffusion and diverging destinies hypotheses) on the association of parental socioeconomic status, children’s living arrangements in separated families and their relative prevalence in a populaiton. We also examine whether such association is modified by the great increase in SPC in both countries between 2006 and 2014. We present empirical evidence that, independently from the context, SPC arrangements are more frequent among parents with higher socioeconomic status and sole-custody arrangements among other parents; however, social inequality in post-separation arrangements differ in the two countries over time. In Spain, we find evidence in favour of the diffusion hypothesis with increases in the prevalence of SPC going hand in hand with the diffusion of SPC across social strata. By contrast, the Swedish data support the diverging destinies hypothesis with increases in SPC producing no variation in its social stratification over time.
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| 9. |
- Haravuori, Henna, et al.
(författare)
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Jokelan ja Kauhajoen ampumissurmille altistuneiden oppilaiden ja opiskelijoiden selviytyminen, tuki ja hoito. : Kahden vuoden seurantatutkimusten loppuraportti
- 2012
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The study explores how the students exposed to the school shootings at Jokela School Centre and the Kauhajoki unit of the Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education (Vocational Education Centre Sedu and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences) have coped with their experiences and how they have received support and care over a follow-up period of two years. The key research questions involve how those who experienced the trauma have recovered, what mental symptoms they have, what mental disorders they have developed and how their functional capacity has been affected. Background factors, the trauma exposure and the support provided are also studied, including their relationship to a good recovery on the one hand and prolonged symptoms on the other. Implementation of the study: Survey forms for the study were circulated at both institutions and in comparison institutions on three occasions: four months after the events, one year after the first survey, and two years after the first survey. Also, more than 200 students were interviewed at Jokela and Kauhajoki. The study was conducted in co-operation with the personnel at the institutions and integrated into the aftercare. Research materials and methods: The study compares data obtained from students at Jokela School Centre to those obtained from students at Pirkkala Upper-Level Comprehensive School and Upper Secondary School, and data obtained from students at the Kauhajoki unit of the Seinäjoki Joint Municipal Authority for Education to those obtained from comparison student group in Kerava. The research materials were also pooled for analyses. The data were collected using assessment forms including questions on background information, academic performance, a posttraumatic symptom survey (the Impact of Event Scale, IES), a general symptom questionnaire (GHQ-12), and questions on substance use, social support, the need for support and care, actual support and care received and whether the latter were adequate. Respondents were also asked about the impact of the media and how stressful they felt the survey to be. Interviews were performed with semistructured instruments to identify possible psychiatric disorders. Findings: The most likely outcome for students exposed to the school shootings was recovering from the shocking events. For the majority, the support from family and friends was significant. Also, immediate crisis help and psychosocial support at the acute stage had reached a significant percentage of the students. These forms of support were adequate to most of those with milder exposure. Those at highest risk of developing symptoms had been provided with acute crisis help indicating that their recognition is possible at an early stage. Most respondents felt that the support they received over the follow-up period had been sufficient. Additional resources for aftercare were phased out during this period, and responsibility for support and care was transferred to primary healthcare and social services. Some ten percent of the students polled continued to exhibit trauma-induced symptoms at the end of the follow-up period. They may need further treatment, particularly psychotherapy and other psychiatric care, for years to come. Being interviewed by reporters was associated with higher risk of trauma-induced symptoms. Also, extensive monitoring of news coverage seemed to correlate with mental symptoms in respondents who had been in the proximity of the events. Respondents did not consider participation in this study to have been unduly stressful; indeed, many felt that it was beneficial for them. The study allowed identification of needs for referral to treatment in some cases, and the students can therefore be considered to have benefited from participating in the study. The summary of findings includes the research team's recommendations on how to provide support and care for those experiencing traumatic events.
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| 10. |
- Haravuori, Henna, et al.
(författare)
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Kauhajoen ampumissurmille altistuneiden opiskelijoiden selviytyminen, tuki ja hoito - Kahden vuoden prospektiivisen seurantatutkimuksen väliraportti.
- 2009
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Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: This follow-up study analyzes the recovery of students traumatized in a school shooting in Kauhajoki, Finland, September 23rd, 2008, and further studies the support and care they have received. The educational institution in Kauhajoki where the shooting occurred is a combination of a Vocational Education Centre Sedu (a multidisciplinary VET institution, branches: Catering and Home Economics, Health and Social Sciences) and Seinäjoki University of Applied Sciences (The Business School branch of Hospitality Management). Students from Kerava were recruited to form a control group. The main study objectives are how the exposed students recover, what kind of psychological symptoms and psychiatric disorders they have, and how they function. Associations between psychological outcomes and background factors are analyzed and the findings are compared to the control students. IMPLEMENTATION: The data were collected using a questionnaire in January 2009, four months after the event. The follow-up phase will continue for two years. The study is carried out in the National Institute for Health and Welfare in co-operation with personnel of the educational institutions. Study is coordinated with aftercare in Kauhajoki. Students will be referred to necessary treatment if their answers in the questionnaire raise a concern. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: All the students who had been enrolled in the Kauhajoki educational institutions were invited to participate in the study. The questionnaire included background information and academic performance. Further, students were asked about their exposure to the shooting and about the immediate support and possible trauma-related psychosocial support or care they received. The Impact of Event Scale (IES) was used to assess posttraumatic distress following critical events and 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) to assess recent changes in a range of psychological and psychosocial symptoms. Items on perceived social support, need and availability of support and care, effects of ideology, effects of media, substance use, dissociation, posttraumatic growth and distress caused by the questionnaire itself were also included. RESULTS: Half of the students in Kauhajoki had been significantly exposed to the events. About one third had general psychological symptoms and two thirds were asymptomatic after four months. The risk for posttraumatic stress disorder was elevated in almost half of the students, which was a significantly higher proportion than observed in control students. The more severe the exposure, the greater amount of posttraumatic distress and general psychological symptoms were observed. Immediate crisis support was offered to a majority of the students. Two thirds of those who accepted the support reported it had helped them. Crisis work within one week of the incident reached two thirds of the students and over two thirds reported it had been helpful. Support was offered more often to the severely exposed. Journalists approached about one half of the students to ask about the events. Three out of four of the approached refused to be interviewed. One third of the students reported feeling worse after being interviewed. Less than one fifth reported the questionnaire as distressing and two thirds were willing to take part in the follow-up. Control students reported questionnaire more often as distressing and willingness to take part in the follow-up was lower. FOLLOW-UP: The questionnaire will be re-administered 12 and 24 months after the first monitoring. Semistructured diagnostical interviews will be utilized also during the follow-up phase
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| 11. |
- Hebal, Hakim, et al.
(författare)
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Inhibition of hyperthermostable xylanases by superbase ionic liquids
- 2020
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Ingår i: Process Biochemistry. - : Elsevier. - 1359-5113 .- 1873-3298. ; 95, s. 148-156
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of enzymes in aqueous solutions of ionic liquids (ILs) could be useful for the enzymatic treatment of lignocellulose. Hydrophilic ILs that dissolve lignocellulose are harmful to enzymes. The toleration limits and enzyme-friendly superbase IL combinations were investigated for the hyperthermophilic Thermopolyspora flexuosa GH10 xylanase (endo-1,4-β-xylanase EC 3.2.1.8) TfXYN10A and Dictyoglomus thermophilum GH11 xylanase DtXYN11B. TfXYN10A was more tolerant than DtXYN11B to acetate or propionate-based ILs. However, when the anion of the ILs was bigger (guaiacolate), GH11 xylanase showed higher tolerance to ILs. 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]OAc), followed by 1,1,3,3-tetramethylguanidine acetate ([TMGH]OAc), were the most enzyme-friendly ILs for TfXYN10A and [TMGH]+-based ILs were tolerated best by DtXYN11B. Double-ring cations and a large size anion were associated with the strongest enzyme inhibition. Competitive inhibition appears to be a general factor in the reduction of enzyme activity. However, with guaiacolate ILs, the denaturation of proteins may also contribute to the reduction in enzyme activity. Molecular docking with IL cations and anions indicated that the binding mode and shape of the active site affect competitive inhibition, and the co-binding of cations and anions to separate active site positions caused the strongest enzyme inhibition.
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| 12. |
- Neugart, Susanne, et al.
(författare)
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A synchronized, large-scale field experiment using Arabidopsis thaliana reveals the significance of the UV-B photoreceptor UVR8 under natural conditions
- 2024
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Ingår i: Plant, Cell and Environment. - : Blackwell Publishing. - 0140-7791 .- 1365-3040.
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study determines the functional role of the plant ultraviolet-B radiation (UV-B) photoreceptor, UV RESISTANCE LOCUS 8 (UVR8) under natural conditions using a large-scale 'synchronized-genetic-perturbation-field-experiment'. Laboratory experiments have demonstrated a role for UVR8 in UV-B responses but do not reflect the complexity of outdoor conditions where 'genotype × environment' interactions can mask laboratory-observed responses. Arabidopsis thaliana knockout mutant, uvr8-7, and the corresponding Wassilewskija wild type, were sown outdoors on the same date at 21 locations across Europe, ranging from 39°N to 67°N latitude. Growth and climatic data were monitored until bolting. At the onset of bolting, rosette size, dry weight, and phenolics and glucosinolates were quantified. The uvr8-7 mutant developed a larger rosette and contained less kaempferol glycosides, quercetin glycosides and hydroxycinnamic acid derivatives than the wild type across all locations, demonstrating a role for UVR8 under field conditions. UV effects on rosette size and kaempferol glycoside content were UVR8 dependent, but independent of latitude. In contrast, differences between wild type and uvr8-7 in total quercetin glycosides, and the quercetin-to-kaempferol ratio decreased with increasing latitude, that is, a more variable UV response. Thus, the large-scale synchronized approach applied demonstrates a location-dependent functional role of UVR8 under natural conditions.
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| 13. |
- Putula, Jaana, et al.
(författare)
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Orexin/hypocretin receptor chimaeras reveal structural features important for orexin peptide distinction
- 2011
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Ingår i: FEBS Letters. - : Wiley. - 0014-5793 .- 1873-3468. ; 585:9, s. 1368-1374
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We wanted to analyze the basis for the distinction between OX(1) and OX(2) orexin receptors by the known agonists, orexin-A, orexin-B and Ala(11), d-Leu(15)-orexin-B, of which the latter two show some selectivity for OX(2). For this, chimaeric OX(1)/OX(2) and OX(2)/OX(1) orexin receptors were generated. The receptors were transiently expressed in HEK-293 cells, and potencies of the agonists to elicit cytosolic Ca(2+) elevation were measured. The results show that the N-terminal regions of the receptor are most important, and the exchange of the area from the C-terminal part of the transmembrane helix 2 to the transmembrane helix 4 is enough to lead to an almost total change of the receptor's ligand profile.
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| 14. |
- Turunen, Merita, et al.
(författare)
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Computer-based cognitive training for older adults : Determinants of adherence
- 2019
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - San Fransisco, USA : Public Library Science. - 1932-6203. ; 14:7, s. 1-12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The possibilities of computer-based cognitive training (CCT) in postponing the onset of dementia are currently unclear, but promising. Our aim is to investigate older adults ' adherence to a long-term CCT program, and which participant characteristics are associated with adherence to the CCT. This study was part of the Finnish Geriatric Intervention Study to Prevent Cognitive Impairment and Disability (FINGER). Participants were 60-77-year-old individuals with increased dementia risk, recruited from previous population-based studies. The participants included in this study (n = 631) had been randomized to receive a multi-domain lifestyle intervention, including CCT. The measure of adherence was the number of completed CCT sessions (max = 144) as continuous measure. Due to a substantial proportion of participants with 0 sessions, the zero inflated negative binomial regression analyses were used to enable assessment of both predictors of starting the training and predictors of completing a higher number of training sessions. Several cognitive, demographic, lifestyle, and health-related variables were examined as potential predictors of adherence to CCT. Altogether, 63% of the participants participated in the CCT at least once, 20% completed at least half of the training, and 12% completed all sessions. Previous experience with computers, being married or cohabiting, better memory performance, and positive expectations toward the study predicted greater odds for starting CCT. Previous computer use was the only factor associated with a greater number of training sessions completed. Our study shows that there is a large variation in adherence to a long-lasting CCT among older adults with an increased risk of dementia. The results indicate that encouraging computer use, and taking into account the level of cognitive functioning, may help boost adherence to CCT.
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| 15. |
- Wang, Meng, et al.
(författare)
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Long-term exposure to elemental constituents of particulate matter and cardiovascular mortality in 19 European cohorts : Results from the ESCAPE and TRANSPHORM projects
- 2014
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Ingår i: Environment International. - : Elsevier BV. - 0160-4120 .- 1873-6750. ; 66, s. 97-106
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Associations between long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality have been widely recognized. However, health effects of long-term exposure to constituents of PM on total CVD mortality have been explored in a single study only. Aims: The aim of this study was to examine the association of PM composition with cardiovascular mortality. Methods: We used data from 19 European ongoing cohorts within the framework of the ESCAPE (European Study of Cohorts for Air Pollution Effects) and TRANSPHORM (Transport related Air Pollution and Health impacts Integrated Methodologies for Assessing Particulate Matter) projects. Residential annual average exposure to elemental constituents within particle matter smaller than 2.5 and 10 pm (PM2.5 and PM10) was estimated using Land Use Regression models. Eight elements representing major sources were selected a priori (copper, iron, potassium, nickel, sulfur, silicon, vanadium and zinc). Cohort-specific analyses were conducted using Cox proportional hazards models with a standardized protocol. Random-effects metaanalysis was used to calculate combined effect estimates. Results: The total population consisted of 322,291 participants, with 9545 CVD deaths. We found no statistically significant associations between any of the elemental constituents in PM2.5 or PM10 and CVD mortality in the pooled analysis. Most of the hazard ratios (HRs) were close to unity, e.g. for PM10 Fe the combined HR was 0.96 (0.84-1.09). Elevated combined HRs were found for PM2.5 Si (1.17, 95% Cl: 0.93-1.47), and S in PM2.5 (1.08,95% Cl: 0.95-1.22) and PM10 (1.09,95% Cl: 0.90-132). Conclusion: In a joint analysis of 19 European cohorts, we found no statistically significant association between long-term exposure to 8 elemental constituents of particles and total cardiovascular mortality.
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