| 1. |
- van Bragt, JJMH, et al.
(författare)
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Characteristics and treatment regimens across ERS SHARP severe asthma registries
- 2020
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Ingår i: The European respiratory journal. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 1399-3003 .- 0903-1936. ; 55:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Little is known about the characteristics and treatments of patients with severe asthma across Europe, but both are likely to vary. This is the first study in the European Respiratory Society Severe Heterogeneous Asthma Research collaboration, Patient-centred (SHARP) Clinical Research Collaboration and it is designed to explore these variations. Therefore, we aimed to compare characteristics of patients in European severe asthma registries and treatments before starting biologicals.This was a cross-sectional retrospective analysis of aggregated data from 11 national severe asthma registries that joined SHARP with established patient databases.Analysis of data from 3236 patients showed many differences in characteristics and lifestyle factors. Current smokers ranged from 0% (Poland and Sweden) to 9.5% (Belgium), mean body mass index ranged from 26.2 (Italy) to 30.6 kg·m−2 (the UK) and the largest difference in mean pre-bronchodilator forced expiratory volume in 1 s % predicted was 20.9% (the Netherlands versus Hungary). Before starting biologicals patients were treated differently between countries: mean inhaled corticosteroid dose ranged from 700 to 1335 µg·day−1 between those from Slovenia versus Poland when starting anti-interleukin (IL)-5 antibody and from 772 to 1344 µg·day−1 in those starting anti-IgE (Slovenia versus Spain). Maintenance oral corticosteroid use ranged from 21.0% (Belgium) to 63.0% (Sweden) and from 9.1% (Denmark) to 56.1% (the UK) in patients starting anti-IL-5 and anti-IgE, respectively.The severe asthmatic population in Europe is heterogeneous and differs in both clinical characteristics and treatment, often appearing not to comply with the current European Respiratory Society/American Thoracic Society guidelines definition of severe asthma. Treatment regimens before starting biologicals were different from inclusion criteria in clinical trials and varied between countries.
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| 4. |
- Dagnegård, H.H., et al.
(författare)
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Survival after aortic root replacement with a stentless xenograft is determined by patient characteristics
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery. - : Mosby Inc.; Elsevier Inc.. - 0022-5223 .- 1097-685X. ; 164:6, s. 1712-1724
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: Our objective was to examine intermediate-term survival and reinterventions in unselected patients, stratified according to indication, who received a Freestyle (Medtronic Inc, Minneapolis, Minn) bioprosthesis as a full aortic root replacement. Methods: Data from medical records were retrospectively collected for patients who had aortic root replacement using Freestyle bioprostheses between 1999 and 2018 at 6 North-Atlantic centers. Survival status was extracted from national registries and results stratified according to indication for surgery. Results: We included 1030 implantations in 1008 patients with elective indications for surgery: aneurysm (39.8%), small root (8.3%), and other (13.8%), and urgent/emergent indications: endocarditis (26.7%) and Stanford type A aortic dissection (11.4%). Across indications, 46.3% were nonelective cases and 34.0% were reoperations. Median age was 66.0 (interquartile range, 58.0-71.8) years and median follow-up was 5.0 (interquartile range, 2.6-7.9) years. Thirty-day mortality varied from 2.9% to 27.4% depending on indication. Intermediate survival for 90-day survivors with elective indications were not different from the general population standardized for age and sex (P = .95, 83, and .16 for aneurysms, small roots, and other, respectively). In contrast, patients with endocarditis and type A dissection had excess mortality (P < .001). Freedom from valve reinterventions was 95.0% and 94.4% at 5 and 8 years, respectively. In all, 52 patients (5.2%) underwent reinterventions, most because of endocarditis. Conclusions: At intermediate term follow-up this retrospective study provides further support for the use of the Freestyle bioprosthesis in the real-world setting of diverse, complex, and often high-risk aortic root replacement and suggests that outcome is determined by patient and disease, rather than by prosthesis, characteristics. © 2021 The Authors
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| 5. |
- Manfredi, L, et al.
(författare)
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A bioinspired autonomous swimming robot as a tool for studying goal-directed locomotion
- 2013
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Ingår i: Biological Cybernetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-1200 .- 1432-0770. ; 107:5, s. 513-527
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The bioinspired approach has been key in combining the disciplines of robotics with neuroscience in an effective and promising fashion. Indeed, certain aspects in the field of neuroscience, such as goal-directed locomotion and behaviour selection, can be validated through robotic artefacts. In particular, swimming is a functionally important behaviour where neuromuscular structures, neural control architecture and operation can be replicated artificially following models from biology and neuroscience. In this article, we present a biomimetic system inspired by the lamprey, an early vertebrate that locomotes using anguilliform swimming. The artefact possesses extra- and proprioceptive sensory receptors, muscle-like actuation, distributed embedded control and a vision system. Experiments on optimised swimming and on goal-directed locomotion are reported, as well as the assessment of the performance of the system,which shows high energy efficiency and adaptive behaviour. While the focus is on providing a robotic platform for testing biological models, the reported system can also be of major relevance for the development of engineering system applications.
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| 6. |
- Wallen, K. E., et al.
(författare)
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Integrating team science into interdisciplinary graduate education : an exploration of the SESYNC Graduate Pursuit
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2190-6483 .- 2190-6491. ; 9:2, s. 218-233
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Complex socio-environmental challenges require interdisciplinary, team-based research capacity. Graduate students are fundamental to building such capacity, yet formal opportunities for graduate students to develop these capacities and skills are uncommon. This paper presents an assessment of the Graduate Pursuit (GP) program, a formal interdisciplinary team science graduate research and training program administered by the National Socio-Environmental Synthesis Center (SESYNC). Quantitative and qualitative assessment of the program’s first cohort revealed that participants became significantly more comfortable with interdisciplinary research and team science approaches, increased their capacity to work across disciplines, and were enabled to produce tangible research outcomes. Qualitative analysis of four themes—(1) discipline, specialization, and shared purpose, (2) interpersonal skills and personality, (3) communication and teamwork, and (4) perceived costs and benefits—encompass participants’ positive and negative experiences and support findings from past assessments. The findings also identify challenges and benefits related to individual personality traits and team personality orientation, the importance of perceiving a sense of autonomy and independence, and the benefit of graduate training programs independent of the university and graduate program environment.
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| 12. |
- Wallen-Mackenzie, A, et al.
(författare)
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Nurr1-RXR heterodimers mediate RXR ligand-induced signaling in neuronal cells
- 2003
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Ingår i: Genes & development. - : Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. - 0890-9369 .- 1549-5477. ; 17:24, s. 3036-3047
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The retinoid X receptor (RXR) is essential as a common heterodimerization partner of several nuclear receptors (NRs). However, its function as a bona fide receptor for endogenous ligands has remained poorly understood. Such a role would depend on the existence of RXR activating ligands in vivo and on the ability of such ligands to influence relevant biological functions. Here we demonstrate the presence of endogenous RXR ligands in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) and show that they can activate heterodimers formed between RXR and the orphan NR Nurr1 in vivo. Moreover, RXR ligands increase the number of surviving dopaminergic cells and other neurons in a process mediated by Nurr1-RXR heterodimers. These results provide evidence for a role of Nurr1 as a ligand-independent partner of RXR in its function as a bona fide ligand-activated NR. Finally, our findings identify RXR-Nurr1 heterodimers as a potential target in the treatment of neurodegenerative disease.
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| 20. |
- Bimpisidis, Zisis, et al.
(författare)
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The NeuroD6 Subtype of VTA Neurons Contributes to Psychostimulant Sensitization and Behavioral Reinforcement
- 2019
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Ingår i: eNeuro. - : SOC NEUROSCIENCE. - 2373-2822. ; 6:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reward-related behavior is complex and its dysfunction correlated with neuropsychiatric illness. Dopamine (DA) neurons of the ventral tegmental area (VTA) have long been associated with different aspects of reward function, but it remains to be disentangled how distinct VTA DA neurons contribute to the full range of behaviors ascribed to the VTA. Here, a recently identified subtype of VTA neurons molecularly defined by NeuroD6 (NEX1M) was addressed. Among all VTA DA neurons, less than 15% were identified as positive for NeuroD6. In addition to dopaminergic markers, sparse NeuroD6 neurons expressed the vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) gene. To achieve manipulation of NeuroD6 VTA neurons, NeuroD6(NEX)-Cre-driven mouse genetics and optogenetics were implemented. First, expression of vesicular monoamine transporter 2 (VMAT2) was ablated to disrupt dopaminergic function in NeuroD6 VTA neurons. Comparing Vmat2(Cre)(lox/lox;NEX-) conditional knock-out (cKO) mice with littermate controls, it was evident that baseline locomotion, preference for sugar and ethanol, and place preference upon amphetamine-induced and cocaine-induced conditioning were similar between genotypes. However, locomotion upon repeated psychostimulant administration was significantly elevated above control levels in cKO mice. Second, optogenetic activation of NEX-Cre VTA neurons was shown to induce DA release and glutamatergic postsynaptic currents within the nucleus accumbens. Third, optogenetic stimulation of NEX-Cre VTA neurons in vivo induced significant place preference behavior, while stimulation of VTA neurons defined by Calretinin failed to cause a similar response. The results show that NeuroD6 VTA neurons exert distinct regulation over specific aspects of reward-related behavior, findings that contribute to the current understanding of VTA neurocircuitry.
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| 23. |
- Brannon, A Rose, et al.
(författare)
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Molecular Stratification of Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma by Consensus Clustering Reveals Distinct Subtypes and Survival Patterns.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Genes & cancer. - : Sage. - 1947-6027 .- 1947-6019. ; 1:2, s. 152-163
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the predominant RCC subtype, but even within this classification, the natural history is heterogeneous and difficult to predict. A sophisticated understanding of the molecular features most discriminatory for the underlying tumor heterogeneity should be predicated on identifiable and biologically meaningful patterns of gene expression. Gene expression microarray data were analyzed using software that implements iterative unsupervised consensus clustering algorithms to identify the optimal molecular subclasses, without clinical or other classifying information. ConsensusCluster analysis identified two distinct subtypes of ccRCC within the training set, designated clear cell type A (ccA) and B (ccB). Based on the core tumors, or most well-defined arrays, in each subtype, logical analysis of data (LAD) defined a small, highly predictive gene set that could then be used to classify additional tumors individually. The subclasses were corroborated in a validation data set of 177 tumors and analyzed for clinical outcome. Based on individual tumor assignment, tumors designated ccA have markedly improved disease-specific survival compared to ccB (median survival of 8.6 vs 2.0 years, P = 0.002). Analyzed by both univariate and multivariate analysis, the classification schema was independently associated with survival. Using patterns of gene expression based on a defined gene set, ccRCC was classified into two robust subclasses based on inherent molecular features that ultimately correspond to marked differences in clinical outcome. This classification schema thus provides a molecular stratification applicable to individual tumors that has implications to influence treatment decisions, define biological mechanisms involved in ccRCC tumor progression, and direct future drug discovery.
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| 24. |
- Cangiano, L, et al.
(författare)
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Role of apamin-sensitive k(ca) channels for reticulospinal synaptic transmission to motoneuron and for the afterhyperpolarization
- 2002
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Ingår i: Journal of neurophysiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0022-3077 .- 1522-1598. ; 88:1, s. 289-299
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Single motoneurons and pairs of a presynaptic reticulospinal axon and a postsynaptic motoneuron were recorded in the isolated lamprey spinal cord, to investigate the role of calcium-dependent K+ channels (KCa) during the afterhyperpolarization following the action potential (AHP), and glutamatergic synaptic transmission on the dendritic level. The AHP consists of a fast phase due to transient K+ channels (fAHP) and a slower phase lasting 100–200 ms (sAHP), being the main determinant of spike frequency regulation. We now present evidence that the sAHP has two components. The larger part, around 80%, is abolished by superfusion of Cd2+ (blocker of voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels), by intracellular injection of 1,2-bis-( 2-aminophenoxy)-ethane- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA; fast Ca2+ chelator), and by apamin (selective toxin for KCa channels of the SK subtype). While 80% of the sAHP is thus due to KCa channels, the remaining 20% is not mediated by Ca2+, either entering through voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels or released from intracellular Ca2+ stores. This Ca2+-independent sAHP component has a similar time course as the KCa portion and is not due to a Cl− conductance. It may be caused by Na+-activated K+ channels. Glutamatergic excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) evoked by single reticulospinal axons give rise to a local Ca2+ increase in the postsynaptic dendrite, mediated in part by N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. The Ca2+ levels remain elevated for several hundred milliseconds and could be expected to activate KCa channels. If so, this activation should cause a local conductance increase in the dendrite that would shunt EPSPs following the first EPSP in a spike train. We have tested this in reticulospinal/motoneuronal pairs, by stimulating the presynaptic axon with spike trains at different frequencies. We compared the first EPSP and the following EPSPs in the control and after blockade with apamin. No difference was observed in EPSP amplitude or shape before and after apamin, either in normal Ringer or in Mg2+-free Ringer removing the voltage-dependent block of NMDA receptors. In conclusion, the local Ca2+ entry during reticulospinal EPSPs does not cause an activation of KCa channels sufficient to affect the efficacy of synaptic transmission. Thus the integration of synaptic signals at the dendritic level in motoneurons appears simpler than would otherwise have been the case.
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| 25. |
- Chadwick, D., et al.
(författare)
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Digital inclusion and participation of people with intellectual disabilities during COVID-19 : A rapid review and international bricolage
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities. - : Wiley. - 1741-1122 .- 1741-1130. ; 19:3, s. 242-256
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The COVID-19 pandemic has meant a rapid transfer of everyday activities to the online world. Information and communication technologies (ICTs) have become more embedded than ever in people's lives. This investigation addresses how this change has affected the lives of people with intellectual disabilities (ID). A two-step design was used. A rapid review was conducted on empirical studies published between January 2019 and June 2021. Search terms related to ID, ICT use and COVID-19. A qualitative international bricolage was also conducted corresponding to author nationalities. Data gathered from the review and bricolage were analysed separately using thematic analysis and relationally synthesised. Digital solutions to provide access to COVID-19 information and guidance seemed inadequate but were seldom empirically studied. Digital poverty, literacy and exclusion remain significant issues for people with ID internationally. People and their carers experienced reduced and removed service provision, loneliness and impoverished daily lives during the pandemic; amelioration of which was facilitated by digital solutions. One solution often used was videoconferencing. Prior experience of digital participation, adequate finances, connection, support and digital literacy mentoring for both people with ID and those providing services and support facilitated digital inclusion. Digital exclusion during COVID-19 was exacerbated by sociopolitical, structural, individual and support-related barriers. Although awareness of digital exclusion appears to have been raised, the extent to which this has led to action and change remains unclear. Despite digital exclusion and digital participation benefitting continuation of life, social and emotional well-being and autonomy, COVID-19 has not provided the impetus to eradicate digital poverty for people with ID. Governmental support, digital education, creativity and problem solving are required to enable people with ID the human right to be included in the digital world at this essential time and into the future.
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| 26. |
- Dorrepaal, E, et al.
(författare)
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Are growth forms consistent predictors of leaf litter quality and decomposability across peatlands along a latitudinal gradient?
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Ecology. - : Wiley. - 1365-2745 .- 0022-0477. ; 93:4, s. 817-828
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Plant growth forms are widely used to predict the effects of environmental changes, such as climate warming and increased nitrogen deposition, on plant communities, and the consequences of species shifts for carbon and nutrient cycling. We investigated whether the relationship between growth forms and patterns in litter quality and decomposition are independent of environmental conditions and whether growth forms are as good as litter chemistry at predicting decomposability. We used a natural, latitudinal gradient in NW Europe as a spatial analogue for future increases in temperature and nitrogen availability. Our screening of 70 species typical of Sphagnum-dominated peatlands showed that leaf litters of Sphagnum mosses, evergreen and deciduous shrubs, graminoids and forbs differed significantly in litter chemistry and that the ranking of the growth forms was independent of the region for all litter chemistry variables. Differences among growth forms were usually larger than differences related to the environmental gradient. After 8 and 20 months incubation in outdoor, Sphagnum-based decomposition beds, growth forms generally differed in decomposability, but these patterns varied with latitude. Sphagnum litters decomposed slower than other litters in all regions, again explaining its high representation in organic deposits of peatlands. Forb litters generally decomposed fastest, while the differences among the other growth forms were small, particularly at higher latitudes. Multiple regression analyses showed that growth forms were better at predicting leaf litter decomposition than chemical variables in warm-temperate peatlands with a high N-load, but less so in the subarctic, low-N region. Our results indicate that environmental changes may be less important in determining ecosystem leaf litter chemistry directly than are their indirect effects through changes in the relative abundance of growth forms. However, climatic and nutritional constraints in high-latitude peatlands promote convergence towards nutrient-efficient plant traits, resulting in similar decomposition rates of vascular growth forms despite differences in litter chemistry. The usefulness of the growth-form concept in predicting plant community controls on ecosystem functioning is therefore somewhat limited.
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| 27. |
- Edfors, R., et al.
(författare)
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Use of proteomics to identify biomarkers associated with chronic kidney disease and long-term outcomes in patients with myocardial infarction
- 2020
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Ingår i: Journal of Internal Medicine. - : Wiley. - 0954-6820 .- 1365-2796. ; 288:5, s. 581-592
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) have poor outcomes following myocardial infarction (MI). We performed an untargeted examination of 175 biomarkers to identify those with the strongest association with CKD and to examine the association of those biomarkers with long-term outcomes. Methods A total of 175 different biomarkers from MI patients enrolled in the Swedish Web-System for Enhancement and Development of Evidence-Based Care in Heart Disease Evaluated According to Recommended Therapies (SWEDEHEART) registry were analysed either by a multiple reaction monitoring mass spectrometry assay or by a multiplex assay (proximity extension assay). Random forests statistical models were used to assess the predictor importance of biomarkers, CKD and outcomes. Results A total of 1098 MI patients with a median estimated glomerular filtration rate of 85 mL min(-1)/1.73 m(2)were followed for a median of 3.2 years. The random forests analyses, without and with adjustment for differences in demography, comorbidities and severity of disease, identified six biomarkers (adrenomedullin, TNF receptor-1, adipocyte fatty acid-binding protein-4, TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand receptor 2, growth differentiation factor-15 and TNF receptor-2) to be strongly associated with CKD. All six biomarkers were also amongst the 15 strongest predictors for death, and four of them were amongst the strongest predictors of subsequent MI and heart failure hospitalization. Conclusion In patients with MI, a proteomic approach could identify six biomarkers that best predicted CKD. These biomarkers were also amongst the most important predictors of long-term outcomes. Thus, these biomarkers indicate underlying mechanisms that may contribute to the poor prognosis seen in patients with MI and CKD.
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| 28. |
- Elihn, Karine, et al.
(författare)
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Exposure to Ultrafine Particles in Asphalt Work
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1545-9624 .- 1545-9632. ; 5, s. 771-779
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 29. |
- Eriksson, Mikael, et al.
(författare)
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MAX4, a 3 GeV light source with a flexible injector
- 2002
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Ingår i: 8th European Particle Accelerator Conference. ; , s. 686-687
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- The MAX4 ring is intended to be the future user facility at MAXlab. The high-brilliance 3 GeV storage ring, equipped with small gap, short period superconducting undulators, demonstrates a high mean brilliance over a wide photon energy spectrum. The ring itself is defined from the routine operation of the small gap insertion devices, which is reflected in the small aperture of the ring magnets. The development of future light sources, like the free electron laser and energy recovery systems, opens up new challenging possibilities to create high brilliance, short pulse radiation. This development is today far from being mature, a strong development of new ideas and techniques will most probably take place during the next decade(s). The MAX4 full-energy injector is constructed to incorporate these future developments. The proposed 3 GeV energy recovery race-track microtron will open up the possibility of topping up injection and to deliver Fourier transform limited spontaneous as well as coherent radiation up to the hard X-ray spectral region
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| 45. |
- He, S, et al.
(författare)
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Fibrin Network Porosity and Endo-/Exogenous Thrombin Cross-talk
- 2021
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Ingår i: Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1098-9064 .- 0094-6176. ; 47:087, s. 775-786
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The earliest assessment of fibrin network porosity used a liquid permeation system and confocal 3D microscopy, which was later replaced by scanning electron microscopy. Although the methods have extensively been applied in studies of health or disease, there remains debate on the choice of a proper clotting trigger. In this review, we assess published data and convey our opinions with regard to several issues. First, when the coagulation process is initiated by recombinant tissue factor (rTF) and phospholipids, the fibrin network porosity is regulated by the endogenous thrombin based on enzymatic activations of multiple coagulants. If purified thrombin (1.0 IU/mL) is employed as the clotting trigger, fibrin network porosity may be affected by exogenous thrombin, which directly polymerizes fibrinogen in plasma, and additionally by endogenous thrombin stemming from a “positive feedback loop” action of the added thrombin. Second, with use of either endogenous or exogenous thrombin, the concentration and clotting property of available fibrinogen both influence the fibrin network porosity. Third, in the assay systems in vitro, exogenous thrombin but not rTF-induced endogenous thrombin seems to be functional enough to activate factor XIII, which then contributes to a decrease in the fibrin network porosity. Fourth, fibrin network porosity determines the transport of fibrinolytic components into/through the clots and therefore serves as an indicator of the fibrinolysis potential in plasma.
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| 50. |
- He, S, et al.
(författare)
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The Clotting Trigger Is an Important Determinant for the Coagulation Pathway In Vivo or In Vitro-Inference from Data Review
- 2021
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Ingår i: Seminars in thrombosis and hemostasis. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1098-9064 .- 0094-6176. ; 47:061, s. 63-73
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Blood coagulation comprises a series of enzymatic reactions leading to thrombin generation and fibrin formation. This process is commonly illustrated in a waterfall-like manner, referred to as the coagulation cascade. In vivo, this “cascade” is initiated through the tissue factor (TF) pathway, once subendothelial TF is exposed and bound to coagulation factor VII (FVII) in blood. In vitro, a diminutive concentration of recombinant TF (rTF) is used as a clotting trigger in various global hemostasis assays such as the calibrated automated thrombogram, methods that assess fibrin turbidity and fibrin viscoelasticity tests such as rotational thromboelastometry. These assays aim to mimic in vivo global coagulation, and are useful in assessing hyper-/hypocoagulable disorders or monitoring therapies with hemostatic agents. An excess of rTF, a sufficient amount of negatively charged surfaces, various concentrations of exogenous thrombin, recombinant activated FVII, or recombinant activated FIXa are also used to initiate activation of specific sub-processes of the coagulation cascade in vitro. These approaches offer important information on certain specific coagulation pathways, while alterations in pro-/anticoagulants not participating in these pathways remain undetectable by these methods. Reviewing available data, we sought to enhance our knowledge of how choice of clotting trigger affects the outcome of hemostasis assays, and address the call for further investigations on this topic.
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