| 1. |
- Kattge, Jens, et al.
(författare)
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TRY plant trait database - enhanced coverage and open access
- 2020
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Ingår i: Global Change Biology. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 26:1, s. 119-188
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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.
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| 2. |
- Vazquez-Sanchez, Ernesto A., et al.
(författare)
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Heptapeptide HP3 acts as a potent inhibitor of experimental imiquimod-induced murine psoriasis and impedes the trans-endothelial migration of mononuclear cells
- 2020
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Ingår i: Molecular Medicine Reports. - : SPANDIDOS PUBL LTD. - 1791-2997 .- 1791-3004. ; 22:1, s. 507-515
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- During the progression of psoriatic lesions, abundant cellular infiltration of myeloid cells, such as macrophages and activated dendritic cells, occurs in the skin and the infiltrating cells interact with naive lymphoid cells to generate a T helper (Th)1 and Th17 environment. Therapies to treat psoriasis include phototherapy, non-steroidal and steroidal drugs, as well as antibodies to block tumor necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin (IL)-17-A and IL-12/IL-23, which all focus on decreasing the proinflammatory hallmark of psoriasis. The present study obtained the heptapeptide HP3 derived from phage display technology that blocks mononuclear cell adhesion to endothelial cells and inhibits trans-endothelial migrationin vitro. The activity of the heptapeptide in a murine model of psoriasis was also assessed, which indicated that early administration inhibited the development of psoriatic lesions. Therefore, the results suggested that HP3 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for psoriasis.
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| 3. |
- Brito-Zerón, Pilar, et al.
(författare)
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Mortality risk factors in primary Sjögren syndrome : a real-world, retrospective, cohort study
- 2023
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Ingår i: eClinicalMedicine. - : Elsevier. - 2589-5370. ; 61
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundWhat baseline predictors would be involved in mortality in people with primary Sjögren syndrome (SjS) remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the baseline characteristics collected at the time of diagnosis of SjS associated with mortality and to identify mortality risk factors for all-cause death and deaths related to systemic SjS activity measured by the ESSDAI score.MethodsIn this international, real-world, retrospective, cohort study, we retrospectively collected data from 27 countries on mortality and causes of death from the Big Data Sjögren Registry. Inclusion criteria consisted of fulfilling 2002/2016 SjS classification criteria, and exclusion criteria included chronic HCV/HIV infections and associated systemic autoimmune diseases. A statistical approach based on a directed acyclic graph was used, with all-cause and Sjögren-related mortality as primary endpoints. The key determinants that defined the disease phenotype at diagnosis (glandular, systemic, and immunological) were analysed as independent variables.FindingsBetween January 1st, 2014 and December 31, 2023, data from 11,372 patients with primary SjS (93.5% women, 78.4% classified as White, mean age at diagnosis of 51.1 years) included in the Registry were analysed. 876 (7.7%) deaths were recorded after a mean follow-up of 8.6 years (SD 7.12). Univariate analysis of prognostic factors for all-cause death identified eight Sjögren-related variables (ocular and oral tests, salivary biopsy, ESSDAI, ANA, anti-Ro, anti-La, and cryoglobulins). The multivariate CPH model adjusted for these variables and the epidemiological features showed that DAS-ESSDAI (high vs no high: HR = 1.68; 95% CI, 1.27–2.22) and cryoglobulins (positive vs negative: HR = 1.72; 95% CI, 1.22–2.42) were independent predictors of all-cause death. Of the 640 deaths with available information detailing the specific cause of death, 14% were due to systemic SjS. Univariate analysis of prognostic factors for Sjögren-cause death identified five Sjögren-related variables (oral tests, clinESSDAI, DAS-ESSDAI, ANA, and cryoglobulins). The multivariate competing risks CPH model adjusted for these variables and the epidemiological features showed that oral tests (abnormal vs normal results: HR = 1.38; 95% CI, 1.01–1.87), DAS-ESSDAI (high vs no high: HR = 1.55; 95% CI, 1.22–1.96) and cryoglobulins (positive vs negative: HR = 1.52; 95% CI, 1.16–2) were independent predictors of SjS-related death.InterpretationThe key mortality risk factors at the time of SjS diagnosis were positive cryoglobulins and a high systemic activity scored using the ESSDAI, conferring a 2-times increased risk of all-cause and SjS-related death. ESSDAI measurement and cryoglobulin testing should be considered mandatory when an individual is diagnosed with SjS.
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| 4. |
- Fridley, Jason D., et al.
(författare)
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Perspectives on the scientific legacy of J. Philip Grime
- 2023
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Ingår i: Journal of Ecology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0022-0477 .- 1365-2745. ; 111:9, s. 1814-1831
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Perhaps as much as any other scientist in the 20th century, J.P. Grime transformed the study of plant ecology and helped shepherd the field toward international prominence as a nexus of ideas related to global environmental change. Editors at the Journal of Ecology asked a group of senior plant ecologists to comment on Grime's scientific legacy. This commentary piece includes individual responses of 14 scientists from around the world attesting to Grime's foundational role in plant functional ecology, including his knack for sparking controversy, his unique approach to theory formulation involving clever experiments and standardized trait measurements of large numbers of species, and the continued impact of his work on ecological science and policy.
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| 5. |
- Poorter, Lourens, et al.
(författare)
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Functional recovery of secondary tropical forests
- 2021
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS). - 0027-8424 .- 1091-6490. ; 118:49, s. e2003405118-e2003405118
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- One-third of all Neotropical forests are secondary forests that regrow naturally after agricultural use through secondary succession. We need to understand better how and why succession varies across environmental gradients and broad geographic scales. Here, we analyze functional recovery using community data on seven plant characteristics (traits) of 1,016 forest plots from 30 chronosequence sites across the Neotropics. By analyzing communities in terms of their traits, we enhance understanding of the mechanisms of succession, assess ecosystem recovery, and use these insights to propose successful forest restoration strategies. Wet and dry forests diverged markedly for several traits that increase growth rate in wet forests but come at the expense of reduced drought tolerance, delay, or avoidance, which is important in seasonally dry forests. Dry and wet forests showed different successional pathways for several traits. In dry forests, species turnover is driven by drought tolerance traits that are important early in succession and in wet forests by shade tolerance traits that are important later in succession. In both forests, deciduous and compound-leaved trees decreased with forest age, probably because microclimatic conditions became less hot and dry. Our results suggest that climatic water availability drives functional recovery by influencing the start and trajectory of succession, resulting in a convergence of community trait values with forest age when vegetation cover builds up. Within plots, the range in functional trait values increased with age. Based on the observed successional trait changes, we indicate the consequences for carbon and nutrient cycling and propose an ecologically sound strategy to improve forest restoration success.
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| 6. |
- Aaltonen, H. Laura, et al.
(författare)
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Airspace dimension assessment with nanoparticles as a proposed biomarker for emphysema
- 2021
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Ingår i: Thorax. - : BMJ. - 0040-6376 .- 1468-3296. ; 76:10, s. 1040-1043
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Airspace dimension assessment with nanoparticles (AiDA) is a novel method to measure distal airspace radius non-invasively. In this study, AiDA radii were measured in 618 individuals from the population-based Swedish CArdiopulmonary BioImaging Study, SCAPIS. Subjects with emphysema detected by computed tomography were compared to non-emphysematous subjects. The 47 individuals with mainly mild-to-moderate visually detected emphysema had significantly larger AiDA radii, compared with non-emphysematous subjects (326±48 μm vs 291±36 μm); OR for emphysema per 10 μm: 1.22 (1.13-1.30, p<0.0001). Emphysema according to CT densitometry was similarly associated with larger radii compared with non-emphysematous CT examinations (316±41 μm vs 291 μm±26 μm); OR per 10 μm: 1.16 (1.08-1.24, p<0.0001). The results are in line with comparable studies. The results show that AiDA is a potential biomarker for emphysema in individuals in the general population.
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| 7. |
- Beal, Jacob, et al.
(författare)
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Robust estimation of bacterial cell count from optical density
- 2020
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Ingår i: Communications Biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2399-3642. ; 3:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Optical density (OD) is widely used to estimate the density of cells in liquid culture, but cannot be compared between instruments without a standardized calibration protocol and is challenging to relate to actual cell count. We address this with an interlaboratory study comparing three simple, low-cost, and highly accessible OD calibration protocols across 244 laboratories, applied to eight strains of constitutive GFP-expressing E. coli. Based on our results, we recommend calibrating OD to estimated cell count using serial dilution of silica microspheres, which produces highly precise calibration (95.5% of residuals <1.2-fold), is easily assessed for quality control, also assesses instrument effective linear range, and can be combined with fluorescence calibration to obtain units of Molecules of Equivalent Fluorescein (MEFL) per cell, allowing direct comparison and data fusion with flow cytometry measurements: in our study, fluorescence per cell measurements showed only a 1.07-fold mean difference between plate reader and flow cytometry data.
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| 8. |
- Bousquet, Jean, et al.
(författare)
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ARIA digital anamorphosis : Digital transformation of health and care in airway diseases from research to practice
- 2021
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Ingår i: Allergy. European Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0105-4538 .- 1398-9995. ; 76:1, s. 168-190
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Digital anamorphosis is used to define a distorted image of health and care that may be viewed correctly using digital tools and strategies. MASK digital anamorphosis represents the process used by MASK to develop the digital transformation of health and care in rhinitis. It strengthens the ARIA change management strategy in the prevention and management of airway disease. The MASK strategy is based on validated digital tools. Using the MASK digital tool and the CARAT online enhanced clinical framework, solutions for practical steps of digital enhancement of care are proposed.
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| 9. |
- Chan, Kai M. A., et al.
(författare)
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Levers and leverage points for pathways to sustainability
- 2020
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Ingår i: People and Nature. - : Wiley. - 2575-8314. ; 2:3, s. 693-717
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- 1. Humanity is on a deeply unsustainable trajectory. We are exceeding planetary boundaries and unlikely to meet many international sustainable development goals and global environmental targets. Until recently, there was no broadly accepted framework of interventions that could ignite the transformations needed to achieve these desired targets and goals.2. As a component of the IPBES Global Assessment, we conducted an iterative expert deliberation process with an extensive review of scenarios and pathways to sustainability, including the broader literature on indirect drivers, social change and sustainability transformation. We asked, what are the most important elements of pathways to sustainability?3. Applying a social-ecological systems lens, we identified eight priority points for intervention (leverage points) and five overarching strategic actions and priority interventions (levers), which appear to be key to societal transformation. The eight leverage points are: (1) Visions of a good life, (2) Total consumption and waste, (3) Latent values of responsibility, (4) Inequalities, (5) Justice and inclusion in conservation, (6) Externalities from trade and other telecouplings, (7) Responsible technology, innovation and investment, and (8) Education and knowledge generation and sharing. The five intertwined levers can be applied across the eight leverage points and more broadly. These include: (A) Incentives and capacity building, (B) Coordination across sectors and jurisdictions, (C) Pre-emptive action, (D) Adaptive decision-making and (E) Environmental law and implementation. The levers and leverage points are all non-substitutable, and each enables others, likely leading to synergistic benefits.4. Transformative change towards sustainable pathways requires more than a simple scaling-up of sustainability initiatives-it entails addressing these levers and leverage points to change the fabric of legal, political, economic and other social systems. These levers and leverage points build upon those approved within the Global Assessment's Summary for Policymakers, with the aim of enabling leaders in government, business, civil society and academia to spark transformative changes towards a more just and sustainable world.
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| 10. |
- De Luca, Francesca, et al.
(författare)
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Elective one-minute full brain multi-contrast MRI versus brain CT in pediatric patients : a prospective feasibility study
- 2024
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Ingår i: BMC Medical Imaging. - 1471-2342. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Brain CT can be used to evaluate pediatric patients with suspicion of cerebral pathology when anesthetic and MRI resources are scarce. This study aimed to assess if pediatric patients referred for an elective brain CT could endure a diagnostic fast brain MRI without general anesthesia using a one-minute multi-contrast EPI-based sequence (EPIMix) with comparable diagnostic performance. Methods: Pediatric patients referred for an elective brain CT between March 2019 and March 2020 were prospectively included and underwent EPIMix without general anesthesia in addition to CT. Three readers (R1–3) independently evaluated EPIMix and CT images on two separate occasions. The two main study outcomes were the tolerance to undergo an EPIMix scan without general anesthesia and its performance to classify a scan as normal or abnormal. Secondary outcomes were assessment of disease category, incidental findings, diagnostic image quality, diagnostic confidence, and image artifacts. Further, a side-by-side evaluation of EPIMix and CT was performed. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was calculated for EPIMix on T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and ADC images. Descriptive statistics, Fisher’s exact test, and Chi-squared test were used to compare the two imaging modalities. Results: EPIMix was well tolerated by all included patients (n = 15) aged 5–16 (mean 11, SD 3) years old. Thirteen cases on EPIMix and twelve cases on CT were classified as normal by all readers (R1–3), while two cases on EPIMix and three cases on CT were classified as abnormal by one reader (R1), (R1–3, p = 1.00). There was no evidence of a difference in diagnostic confidence, image quality, or the presence of motion artifacts between EPIMix and CT (R1–3, p ≥ 0.10). Side-by-side evaluation (R2 + R4 + R5) reviewed all scans as lacking significant pathological findings on EPIMix and CT images. Conclusions: Full brain MRI-based EPIMix sequence was well tolerated without general anesthesia with a diagnostic performance comparable to CT in elective pediatric patients. Trial registration: This study was approved by the Swedish Ethical Review Authority (ethical approval number/ID Ethical approval 2017/2424-31/1). This study was a clinical trial study, with study protocol published at ClinicalTrials.gov with Trial registration number NCT03847051, date of registration 18/02/2019.
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