| 1. |
- Aevarsson, Arnthór, et al.
(author)
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Going to extremes - a metagenomic journey into the dark matter of life
- 2021
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In: FEMS Microbiology Letters. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1574-6968. ; 368:12
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Virus-X-Viral Metagenomics for Innovation Value-project was a scientific expedition to explore and exploit uncharted territory of genetic diversity in extreme natural environments such as geothermal hot springs and deep-sea ocean ecosystems. Specifically, the project was set to analyse and exploit viral metagenomes with the ultimate goal of developing new gene products with high innovation value for applications in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, medical, and the life science sectors. Viral gene pool analysis is also essential to obtain fundamental insight into ecosystem dynamics and to investigate how viruses influence the evolution of microbes and multicellular organisms. The Virus-X Consortium, established in 2016, included experts from eight European countries. The unique approach based on high throughput bioinformatics technologies combined with structural and functional studies resulted in the development of a biodiscovery pipeline of significant capacity and scale. The activities within the Virus-X consortium cover the entire range from bioprospecting and methods development in bioinformatics to protein production and characterisation, with the final goal of translating our results into new products for the bioeconomy. The significant impact the consortium made in all of these areas was possible due to the successful cooperation between expert teams that worked together to solve a complex scientific problem using state-of-the-art technologies as well as developing novel tools to explore the virosphere, widely considered as the last great frontier of life.
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| 2. |
- Benoni, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Relative and absolute cancer risks among Nordic kidney transplant recipients-a population-based study
- 2020
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In: Transplant International. - : WILEY. - 0934-0874 .- 1432-2277. ; 33:12, s. 1700-1710
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) have an increased cancer risk compared to the general population, but absolute risks that better reflect the clinical impact of cancer are seldom estimated. All KTRs in Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and Finland, with a first transplantation between 1995 and 2011, were identified through national registries. Post-transplantation cancer occurrence was assessed through linkage with cancer registries. We estimated standardized incidence ratios (SIR), absolute excess risks (AER), and cumulative incidence of cancer in the presence of competing risks. Overall, 12 984 KTRs developed 2215 cancers. The incidence rate of cancer overall was threefold increased (SIR 3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2-3.4). The AER of any cancer was 1560 cases (95% CI: 1468-1656) per 100 000 person-years. The highest AERs were observed for nonmelanoma skin cancer (838, 95% CI: 778-901), non-Hodgkin lymphoma (145, 95% CI: 119-174), lung cancer (126, 95% CI: 98.2-149), and kidney cancer (122, 95% CI: 98.0-149). The five- and ten-year cumulative incidence of any cancer was 8.1% (95% CI: 7.6-8.6%) and 16.8% (95% CI: 16.0-17.6%), respectively. Excess cancer risks were observed among Nordic KTRs for a wide range of cancers. Overall, 1 in 6 patients developed cancer within ten years, supporting extensive post-transplantation cancer vigilance.
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| 3. |
- Kim, B. J., et al.
(author)
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The effect of Sr additions on Al–Cu–Si ternary eutectic alloys for a high-ductility bimodal microstructure
- 2022
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In: Materials Science & Engineering. - : Elsevier. - 0921-5093 .- 1873-4936. ; 833
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Al–Cu–Si ternary eutectic alloys with a bimodal eutectic structure exhibit a good combination of strength and plasticity owing to the multiscale hierarchical microstructure. Previous studies have reported that bimodal eutectic structures can be successfully prepared by rapid solidification at a cooling rate of greater than 102 °C/s. In the present study, a bimodal eutectic structure was successfully prepared at a cooling rate of less than 10 °C/s by adding a small amount of Sr to Al–Cu–Si ternary eutectic alloys. Additions of Sr led to a notable modification of the microstructure from a mixed eutectic structure to a bimodal eutectic structure. Samples with the bimodal eutectic structure showed greater hardness, strength, and elongation than samples with mixed eutectic structure. In particular, the elongation increased significantly from 6% to 28%. The additions of Sr changed the microstructure of the Al–Si phase from needles to globular shapes, which are finely dispersed all through the microstructure. These results indicate that the improved mechanical properties with the addition of Sr can mainly be attributed to the development of a multiscale hierarchical microstructure with fine eutectic cells.
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| 4. |
- Liu, Z., et al.
(author)
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Enhanced ductility and strength in a cast Al–Mg alloy with high Mg content
- 2021
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In: Materials Science & Engineering. - : Elsevier. - 0921-5093 .- 1873-4936. ; 806
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cast Al–Mg alloys with high Mg content have attracted considerable interest as a result of exceptionally low mass density and enhanced Mg solid-solution strengthening effect. However, poor ductility in this class of cast Al–Mg alloys originating from the increased amount of brittle Al3Mg2 phase presents a challenge. This work aims to improve ductility of a cast Al-10 wt%Mg alloy by prolonging time and/or increasing temperature during solid-solution treatment, hence minimizing the amount of the Al3Mg2 phase. The amounts of Al3Mg2 decrease and the concentrations of solute Mg increase with prolonging time and/or increasing temperature, improving both ductility and strength. Solid-solution treatment at 425 °C for 9 h or at 438 °C for 3 h induces complete dissolution of the Al3Mg2 phase, achieving an average uniform elongation of ~27% accompanied by an average 0.2% offset yield strength of ~186 MPa. The mechanisms improving both ductility and strength are discussed.
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| 5. |
- Seljestad, G. W., et al.
(author)
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"A cleaner break": Genetic divergence between geographic groups and sympatric phenotypes revealed in ballan wrasse (Labrus bergylta)
- 2020
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In: Ecology and Evolution. - : Wiley. - 2045-7758. ; 10:12, s. 6120-6135
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Capture and long-distance translocation of cleaner fish to control lice infestations on marine salmonid farms has the potential to influence wild populations via overexploitation in source regions, and introgression in recipient regions. Knowledge of population genetic structure is therefore required. We studied the genetic structure of ballan wrasse, a phenotypically diverse and extensively used cleaner fish, from 18 locations in Norway and Sweden, and from Galicia, Spain, using 82 SNP markers. We detected two very distinct genetic groups in Scandinavia, northwestern and southeastern. These groups were split by a stretch of sandy beaches in southwest Norway, representing a habitat discontinuity for this rocky shore-associated benthic egg-laying species. Wrasse from Galicia were highly differentiated from all Scandinavian locations, but more similar to northwestern than southeastern locations. Distinct genetic differences were observed between sympatric spotty and plain phenotypes in Galicia, but not in Scandinavia. The mechanisms underlying the geographic patterns between phenotypes are discussed, but not identified. We conclude that extensive aquaculture-mediated translocation of ballan wrasse from Sweden and southern Norway to western and middle Norway has the potential to mix genetically distinct populations. These results question the sustainability of the current cleaner fish practice.
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| 6. |
- Tjernberg, Anna Rockert, et al.
(author)
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Celiac disease and complement activation in response to Streptococcus pneumoniae
- 2020
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In: European Journal of Pediatrics. - : Springer. - 0340-6199 .- 1432-1076. ; 179:1, s. 133-140
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Individuals with celiac disease (CD) are at increased risk of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The aim of this study was to explore whether the complement response to Streptococcus pneumoniae differed according to CD status, and could serve as an explanation for the excess risk of IPD in CD. Twenty-two children with CD and 18 controls, born 1999-2008, were included at Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden. The degree of complement activation was evaluated by comparing levels of activation products C3a and sC5b-9 in plasma incubated for 30 min with Streptococcus pneumoniae and in non-incubated plasma. Complement analyses were performed with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pneumococcal stimulation caused a statistically significant increase in C3a as well as sC5b-9 in both children with CD and controls but there was no difference in response between the groups. After incubation, C3a increased on average 4.6 times and sC5b-9 22 times in both the CD and the control group (p = 0.497 and p = 0.724 respectively). Conclusion: Complement response to Streptococcus pneumoniae seems to be similar in children with and without CD and is thus unlikely to contribute to the increased susceptibility to invasive pneumococcal disease in CD.
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