| 1. |
- Hartley, Philippa, et al.
(författare)
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SKA Science Data Challenge 2: analysis and results
- 2023
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Ingår i: Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society. - 0035-8711 .- 1365-2966. ; 523:2, s. 1967-1993
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) will explore the radio sky to new depths in order to conduct transformational science. SKAO data products made available to astronomers will be correspondingly large and complex, requiring the application of advanced analysis techniques to extract key science findings. To this end, SKAO is conducting a series of Science Data Challenges, each designed to familiarize the scientific community with SKAO data and to drive the development of new analysis techniques. We present the results from Science Data Challenge 2 (SDC2), which invited participants to find and characterize 233 245 neutral hydrogen (H i) sources in a simulated data product representing a 2000 h SKA-Mid spectral line observation from redshifts 0.25-0.5. Through the generous support of eight international supercomputing facilities, participants were able to undertake the Challenge using dedicated computational resources. Alongside the main challenge, 'reproducibility awards' were made in recognition of those pipelines which demonstrated Open Science best practice. The Challenge saw over 100 participants develop a range of new and existing techniques, with results that highlight the strengths of multidisciplinary and collaborative effort. The winning strategy - which combined predictions from two independent machine learning techniques to yield a 20 per cent improvement in overall performance - underscores one of the main Challenge outcomes: that of method complementarity. It is likely that the combination of methods in a so-called ensemble approach will be key to exploiting very large astronomical data sets.
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| 2. |
- Baenas, Isabel, et al.
(författare)
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Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown in Eating Disorders : A Multicentre Collaborative International Study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Nutrients. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6643. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. The COVID-19 lockdown has had a significant impact on mental health. Patients with eating disorders (ED) have been particularly vulnerable. Aims. (1) To explore changes in eating-related symptoms and general psychopathology during lockdown in patients with an ED from various European and Asian countries; and (2) to assess differences related to diagnostic ED subtypes, age, and geography. Methods. The sample comprised 829 participants, diagnosed with an ED according to DSM-5 criteria from specialized ED units in Europe and Asia. Participants were assessed using the COVID-19 Isolation Scale (CIES). Results. Patients with binge eating disorder (BED) experienced the highest impact on weight and ED symptoms in comparison with other ED subtypes during lockdown, whereas individuals with other specified feeding and eating disorders (OFSED) had greater deterioration in general psychological functioning than subjects with other ED subtypes. Finally, Asian and younger individuals appeared to be more resilient. Conclusions. The psychopathological changes in ED patients during the COVID-19 lockdown varied by cultural context and individual variation in age and ED diagnosis. Clinical services may need to target preventive measures and adapt therapeutic approaches for the most vulnerable patients.
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| 3. |
- Fernández-Aranda, Fernando, et al.
(författare)
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COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES) : Analysis of the impact of confinement in eating disorders and obesity—A collaborative international study
- 2020
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Ingår i: European Eating Disorders Review. - : Wiley. - 1072-4133 .- 1099-0968. ; 28:6, s. 871-883
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to have a serious and complex impact on the mental health of patients with an eating disorder (ED) and of patients with obesity. The present manuscript has the following aims: (1) to analyse the psychometric properties of the COVID Isolation Eating Scale (CIES), (2) to explore changes that occurred due to confinement in eating symptomatology; and (3) to explore the general acceptation of the use of telemedicine during confinement. The sample comprised 121 participants (87 ED patients and 34 patients with obesity) recruited from six different centres. Confirmatory Factor Analyses (CFA) tested the rational-theoretical structure of the CIES. Adequate goodness-of-fit was obtained for the confirmatory factor analysis, and Cronbach alpha values ranged from good to excellent. Regarding the effects of confinement, positive and negative impacts of the confinement depends of the eating disorder subtype. Patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and with obesity endorsed a positive response to treatment during confinement, no significant changes were found in bulimia nervosa (BN) patients, whereas Other Specified Feeding or Eating Disorder (OSFED) patients endorsed an increase in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology. Furthermore, AN patients expressed the greatest dissatisfaction and accommodation difficulty with remote therapy when compared with the previously provided face-to-face therapy. The present study provides empirical evidence on the psychometric robustness of the CIES tool and shows that a negative confinement impact was associated with ED subtype, whereas OSFED patients showed the highest impairment in eating symptomatology and in psychopathology.
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| 4. |
- Aevarsson, Arnthór, et al.
(författare)
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Going to extremes - a metagenomic journey into the dark matter of life
- 2021
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Ingår i: FEMS Microbiology Letters. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1574-6968. ; 368:12
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)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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| 5. |
- Alqahtani, Fulwah Y, et al.
(författare)
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Capsule Independent Antimicrobial Activity Induced by Nanochitosan against Streptococcus pneumoniae
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polymers. - : MDPI AG. - 2073-4360. ; 13:17, s. 1-13
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Streptococcus pneumoniae remains a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia, meningitis, and other diseases, contributing significantly to high morbidity and mortality worldwide. Although it responds to antibiotics, their use is becoming limited due to the rise in antibiotic resistance, which necessitates the development of new therapeutics. Nanotechnology is used to counteract antimicrobial resistance. In this regard, polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) made of natural, biodegradable, biocompatible, and cationic polymers such as Chitosan (CNPs) exhibit wide-spectrum antimicrobial activity. Therefore, this study aimed to prepare CNPs, characterize their physiochemical characteristics: particle size (PZ), polydispersity index (PDI), and zeta potential (ZP), and investigate their antimicrobial activity against Streptococcus pneumoniae TIGR4 (virulent serotype 4) and its capsular mutant (∆cps).METHODS: CNPs were prepared at 1, 2.5, and 5 mg/mL concentrations using the ion gelation method. Then, PZ, PDI, and ZP were characterized using a Zetasizer. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to visualize the CNP's morphology. Broth and agar dilution methods were used to assess their antimicrobial activity. Cytotoxicity of prepared NPs on A549 cells and their effect on pneumococcal hemolysis were also investigated.RESULTS: Spherical CNPs were produced with PZ ranging from 133.3 nm ± 0.57 to 423 nm ± 12.93 PDI < 0.35, and ZP from 19 ± 0.115 to 27 ± 0.819. The prepared CNPs exhibited antibacterial activity against TIGR4 and its capsule mutant with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC90) of 0.5 to 2.5 mg/mL in a non-acidic environment. The hemolysis assay results revealed that CNPs reduced bacterial hemolysis in a concentration-dependent manner. Their mammalian cytotoxicity results indicated that CNPs formed from low concentrations of Chitosan (Cs) were cytocompatible.CONCLUSION: Nanochitosan particles showed anti-pneumococcal activity regardless of the presence of capsules. They resulted in a concentration-dependent reduction in bacterial hemolysis and were cytocompatible at a lower concentration of Cs. These findings highlight the potential of CNPs in the treatment of pneumococcal diseases.
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| 6. |
- Challis, Pontus, et al.
(författare)
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Factors associated with the increased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis in extremely preterm infants in Sweden between two population-based national cohorts (2004-2007 vs 2014-2016)
- 2024
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Ingår i: Archives of Disease in Childhood-Fetal and Neonatal Edition. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1359-2998 .- 1468-2052. ; 109, s. 87-93
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective To investigate potential risk factors behind the increased incidence of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC) in Swedish extremely preterm infants.Design Registry data from two population-based national cohorts were studied. NEC diagnoses (Bell stage >= II) were validated against hospital records.Patients All liveborn infants <27 weeks of gestation 2004-2007 (n=704) and 2014-2016 (n=895) in Sweden.Main outcome measures NEC incidence.Results The validation process resulted in a 28% reduction of NEC cases but still confirmed a higher NEC incidence in the later epoch compared with the earlier (73/895 (8.2%) vs 27/704 (3.8%), p=0.001), while the composite of NEC or death was lower (244/895 (27.3%) vs 229/704 (32.5%), p=0.022). In a multivariable Cox regression model, censored for mortality, there was no significant difference in early NEC (0-7 days of life) between epochs (HR=0.9 (95% CI 0.5 to 1.9), p=0.9), but being born in the later epoch remained an independent risk factor for late NEC (>7 days) (HR=2.7 (95% CI 1.5 to 5.0), p=0.001). In propensity score analysis, a significant epoch difference in NEC incidence (12% vs 2.8%, p<0.001) was observed only in the tertile of infants at highest risk of NEC, where the 28-day mortality was lower in the later epoch (35% vs 50%, p=0.001). More NEC cases were diagnosed with intramural gas in the later epoch (33/73 (45.2%) vs 6/26 (23.1%), p=0.047).Conclusions The increase in NEC incidence between epochs was limited to cases occurring after 7 days of life and was partly explained by increased survival in the most extremely preterm infants. Misclassification of NEC is common.
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| 7. |
- Farooqi, Aijaz, et al.
(författare)
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One-year survival and outcomes of infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation in Sweden 2004-2007, 2014-2016 and 2017-2019
- 2024
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Ingår i: Archives of Disease in Childhood-Fetal and Neonatal Edition. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1359-2998 .- 1468-2052. ; 109:1, s. 10-17
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectiveTo explore associations between perinatal activity and survival in infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of gestation in Sweden. Design/SettingData on all births at 22 and 23 weeks' gestational age (GA) were prospectively collected in 2004-2007 (T1) or obtained from national registers in 2014-2016 (T2) and 2017-2019 (T3). Infants were assigned perinatal activity scores based on 3 key obstetric and 4 neonatal interventions. Main outcomeOne-year survival and survival without major neonatal morbidities (MNM): intraventricular haemorrhage grade 3-4, cystic periventricular leucomalacia, surgical necrotising enterocolitis, retinopathy of prematurity stage 3-5 or severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia. The association of GA-specific perinatal activity score and 1-year survival was also determined. Results977 infants (567 live births and 410 stillbirths) were included: 323 born in T1, 347 in T2 and 307 in T3. Among live-born infants, survival at 22 weeks was 5/49 (10%) in T1 and rose significantly to 29/74 (39%) in T2 and 31/80 (39%) in T3. Survival was not significantly different between epochs at 23 weeks (53%, 61% and 67%). Among survivors, the proportions without MNM in T1, T2 and T3 were 20%, 17% and 19% for 22 weeks and 17%, 25% and 25% for 23 weeks' infants (p>0.05 for all comparisons). Each 5-point increment in GA-specific perinatal activity score increased the odds for survival in first 12 hours of life (adjusted OR (aOR) 1.4; 95% CI 1.3 to 1.6) in addition to 1-year survival (aOR 1.2; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.3), and among live-born infants it was associated with increased survival without MNM (aOR 1.3; 95% CI 1.1 to 1.4). ConclusionIncreased perinatal activity was associated with reduced mortality and increased chances of survival without MNM in infants born at 22 and 23 weeks of GA.
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| 8. |
- Hassan, Mujtaba, et al.
(författare)
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Benzimidazole–galactosides bind selectively to the Galectin-8 N-Terminal domain : Structure-based design and optimisation
- 2021
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Ingår i: European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0223-5234. ; 223
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have obtained the X-ray crystal structure of the galectin-8 N-terminal domain (galectin-8N) with a previously reported quinoline–galactoside ligand at a resolution of 1.6 Å. Based on this X-ray structure, a collection of galactosides derivatised at O3 with triazole, benzimidazole, benzothiazole, and benzoxazole moieties were designed and synthesised. This led to the discovery of a 3-O-(N-methylbenzimidazolylmethyl)–galactoside with a Kd of 1.8 μM for galectin-8N, the most potent selective synthetic galectin-8N ligand to date. Molecular dynamics simulations showed that benzimidazole–galactoside derivatives bind the non-conserved amino acid Gln47, accounting for the higher selectivity for galectin-8N. Galectin-8 is a carbohydrate-binding protein that plays a key role in pathological lymphangiogenesis, modulation of the immune system, and autophagy. Thus, the benzimidazole-derivatised galactosides represent promising compounds for studies of the pathological implications of galectin-8, as well as a starting point for the development of anti-tumour and anti-inflammatory therapeutics targeting galectin-8.
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| 9. |
- Hassan, Mujtaba, et al.
(författare)
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Structure-Guided Design of d -Galactal Derivatives with High Affinity and Selectivity for the Galectin-8 N-Terminal Domain
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACS Medicinal Chemistry Letters. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1948-5875. ; 12:11, s. 1745-1752
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Galectin-8 is a carbohydrate-binding protein that plays a crucial role in tumor progression and metastasis, antibacterial autophagy, modulation of the immune system, and bone remodeling. The design, synthesis, and protein affinity evaluation of a set of C-3 substituted benzimidazole and quinoline d-galactal derivatives identified a d-galactal-benzimidazole hybrid as a selective ligand for the galectin-8 N-terminal domain (galectin-8N), with a Kd of 48 μM and 15-fold selectivity over galectin-3 and even better selectivity over the other mammalian galectins. X-ray structural analysis of galectin-8N in complex with one benzimidazole- and one quinoline-galactal derivative at 1.52 and 2.1 Å together with molecular dynamics simulations and quantum mechanical calculations of galectin-8N in complex with the benzimidazole derivative revealed orbital overlap between a NH LUMO of Arg45 with electron rich HOMOs of the olefin and O4 of the d-galactal. Such overlap is hypothesized to contribute to the high affinity of the d-galactal-derived ligands for galectin-8N. A (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-(3- carboxymethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-sulfophenyl)-2H-tetrazolium) (MTS) assay evaluation of the d-galactal-benzimidazole hybrid and an analogous galactoside derivative on a panel of cell lines with MTS assay showed no effect on cell viability up to 100 μM concentration. A subsequent functional assay using the MDA-MB-231 cell line demonstrated that the d-galactal-benzimidazole hybrid and the analogous galactoside derivative reduced the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-6 (IL-6) and IL-8 in a dose-dependent manner. Therefore, these compounds represent potential probes for galectin-8N pharmacology investigations and possibly promising leads for the design and synthesis of potent and selective galectin-8 inhibitors as potential antitumor and anti-inflammatory agents.
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| 10. |
- Shekhar, Sudhanshu, et al.
(författare)
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Treatment of Mouse Infants with Amoxicillin, but Not the Human Milk-Derived Antimicrobial HAMLET, Impairs Lung Th17 Responses
- 2023
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Ingår i: Antibiotics. - : MDPI AG. - 2079-6382. ; 12:2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Emerging evidence suggests differential effects of therapeutic antibiotics on infant T cell responses to pathogens. In this study, we explored the impact of the treatment of mouse infants with amoxicillin and the human milk-derived antimicrobial HAMLET (human alpha-lactalbumin made lethal to tumor cells) on T cell responses to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Lung cells and splenocytes were isolated from the infant mice subjected to intranasal administration of amoxicillin, HAMLET, or a combination of HAMLET and amoxicillin, and cultured with S. pneumoniae to measure T cell responses. After in-vitro stimulation with S. pneumoniae, lung cells from amoxicillin- or amoxicillin plus HAMLET-treated mice produced lower levels of Th17 (IL-17A), but not Th1 (IFN-γ), cytokine than mice receiving HAMLET or PBS. IL-17A/IFN-γ cytokine levels produced by the stimulated splenocytes, on the other hand, revealed no significant difference among treatment groups. Further analysis of T cell cytokine profiles by flow cytometry showed that lung CD4+, but not CD8+, T cells from amoxicillin- or HAMLET plus amoxicillin-treated mice expressed decreased levels of IL-17A compared to those from HAMLET-exposed or control mice. Collectively, these results indicate that exposure of infant mice to amoxicillin, but not HAMLET, may suppress lung Th17 responses to S. pneumoniae.
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