| 1. |
- Ejlertsson, Jörgen, et al.
(författare)
-
Effects of co-disposal of wastes containing organic pollutants with municipal solid waste : a landfill simulation reactor study
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Advances in Environmental Research. - 1093-0191 .- 1093-7927. ; 7:4, s. 949-960
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Different phases of the life cycle of a landfill receiving municipal solid waste (MSW) were monitored in landfill simulation reactors (LSRs) with the aim of investigating the effects of co-disposal of wastes containing organic pollutants (OPs) with MSW. Two LSRs out of four filled with well-characterised MSW received waste materials containing OPs. These included two types of plasticised PVC flooring materials, freon-blown insulation and phosphorus- and nitrogen-based flame-protected materials. Each of the two LSRs was operated under acid fermentative and neutral methanogenic conditions, respectively as were their corresponding controls, i.e. without extra OP. The methanogenic consortia degrading MSW were hampered by the addition of wastes containing OPs, probably due to the presence of Freon R11 and its degradation product, R21. The concentrations of R11 and R21 ranged between 0.1 and 1800 mg m super(-3) depending on the biogas production rate in the OP-amended LSRs. Losses of butylbenzyl- (26%) and bis(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate (15%) from one of two flooring materials was observed, whereas the other remained unaffected. Methanogenic conditions favoured the loss of plasticisers as compared to acidogenic conditions. Total phosphorus was significantly higher in the OP-spiked LSRs, which indicated a transformation of the non-halogenated flame-retardants.
|
|
| 2. |
- Fu, Huamei, 1979, et al.
(författare)
-
The two neutrophil members of the formylpeptide receptor family activate the NADPH-oxidase through signals that differ in sensitivity to a gelsolin derived phosphoinositide-binding peptide
- 2004
-
Ingår i: BMC cell biology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2121. ; 5:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The formylpeptide receptor family members FPR and FPRL1, expressed in myeloid phagocytes, belong to the G-protein coupled seven transmembrane receptor family (GPCRs). They share a high degree of sequence similarity, particularly in the cytoplasmic domains involved in intracellular signaling. The established model of cell activation through GPCRs states that the receptors isomerize from an inactive to an active state upon ligand binding, and this receptor transformation subsequently activates the signal transducing G-protein. Accordingly, the activation of human neutrophil FPR and FPRL1 induces identical, pertussis toxin-sensitive functional responses and a transient increase in intracellular calcium is followed by a secretory response leading to mobilization of receptors from intracellular stores, as well as a release of reactive oxygen metabolites. RESULTS: We report that a cell permeable ten amino acid peptide (PBP10) derived from the phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) binding region of gelsolin (an uncapper of actin filaments) blocks granule mobilization as well as secretion of oxygen radicals. The inhibitory effect of PBP10 is, however, receptor specific and affects the FPRL1-, but not the FPR-, induced cellular response. The transient rise in intracellular calcium induced by the active receptors is not affected by PBP10, suggesting that the blockage occurs in a parallel, novel signaling pathway used by FPRL1 to induce oxygen radical production and secretion. Also the FPR can activate neutrophils through a PBP10-sensitive signaling pathway, but this signal is normally blocked by the cytoskeleton. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that the two very closely related chemoattractant receptors, FPR and FPRL1, use distinct signaling pathways in activation of human neutrophils. The PIP2-binding peptide PBP10 selectively inhibits FPRL1-mediated superoxide production and granule mobilization. Furthermore, the activity of this novel PBP10 sensitive pathway in neutrophils is modulated by the actin cytoskeleton network.
|
|
| 3. |
- Ingemansson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
-
Årsrapport 2003 Hydrografi och växtplankton : Hallands kustvattenkontrollprogram
- 2004
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- HYDROGRAFIÅr 2003 blev ett varmt år med undantag av februari och oktober. Oktober blev hela 3,5 grader kallare än normalt och i genomsnitt kyligare än november vilket är ovanligt. Mycket stora nederbördsmängder kom i slutet av april och maj medan februari-mars och september var torra månader.Den kyliga inledningen av året medförde lägre ytvattentemperaturer än normalt under januari – mars. Ytsalthalten varierade stort under årets inledning, framförallt i mars-april. Under februari var utflödet genom Öresund stort med låga ytsalthalter som följd. En försvagning av Baltiska strömmen från mitten av mars tillsammans med ett kraftigt väderomslag runt den 30 mars resulterade i att ytsalthalter över det normala uppmättes 31 mars.Låga närsalthalter och höga klorofyll-a-halter uppmättes i början av mars eftersom vårblomningen av plankton kommit igång och förbrukat närsalterna i vattnet. I samband med högre ytsalthalter den 31 mars uppmättes också högre halter av oorganiskt fosfor och kväve eftersom vatten från större djup tillfälligt nådde närmare ytan. Även vid majmätningen var halterna kväve och kisel förhöjda, till följd av landavrinning efter kraftig nederbörd i slutet av april. Enligt Naturvårdsverkets bedömningsgrunder var närsaltsituationen bra och visade endast liten eller ingen avvikelse från jämförvärdena.Under 2003 var syreförhållandena i bottenvattnet vid flera tillfällen sämre än normalt. Under sensommaren och hösten uppvisade flertalet stationer syrgashalter under 4 ml/l. Årsminimum, 1.43 ml/l, detekterades i bottenvattnet vid Anholt i september. VÄXTPLANKTONI Laholmsbukten nådde vårblomningen sitt maximum mellan provtagningarna i mars och april, medan den var nära sitt maximum vid Nidingen vid marsprovtagningen. Vårblomningen dominerades av Skeletonema costatum, som nådde upp till cellkoncentrationer av 50 miljoner celler/L. Efter vårblomningen följde en period med flagellater av olika slag. I juni utvecklades mindre blomningar av ”sommardiatoméer”, samtidigt som potentiellt giftiga dinoflagellater av släktet Dinophysis uppträdde i Laholmsbukten. Under sommaren fanns också den potentiellt giftiga dinoflagellaten Prorocentrum minimum vid Nidingen. Sensommaren och början av hösten karaktäriserades av en fattig planktonflora, men i Laholmsbukten fanns det ändå relativt mycket av de stora dinoflagellaterna Ceratium. I oktober märktes höstblomningen av diatoméer med bland annat det potentiellt giftiga diatomésläktet Pseudonitzschia. Under november och december avtog växtplanktonkoncentrationerna vid båda provtagningsstationerna, även om artantalet var relativt stort. Antalet växtplanktonarter/identifieringsgrupper var ungefär detsamma 2003 som 2002 i Laholmsbukten. Vid Nidingen var antalet något lägre 2003. Under 2003 registrerades 132 arter/identifieringsgrupper i Laholmsbukten och 134 arter/identifieringsgrupper vid Nidingen.Tolv arter av potentiellt skadliga växtplankton förekom under året, men orsakade inte några kända störningar. Den största risken har utgjorts av dinoflagellatsläktena Alexandrium, Fragilidium och Dinophysis, som förekom i celltätheter över angivna gränsvärden i mars och juni-december.Klorofyllkoncentrationerna ökade under en kort period i samband med vårblomningen i marsoch det högsta uppmätta värdet låg strax under 12 mg/m3. Under sommaren låg halterna kring 2 mg/m3 eller under, för att under hösten öka till 3-7 mg/m3.
|
|
| 4. |
- Karlsson, Anna, 1967, et al.
(författare)
-
Different glycosphingolipid composition in human neutrophil subcellular compartments.
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Glycoconjugate journal. - 0282-0080. ; 18:3, s. 231-43
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The binding of a number of carbohydrate-recognizing ligands to glycosphingolipids and polyglycosylceramides of human neutrophil subcellular fractions (plasma membranes/secretory vesicles of resting and ionomycin-stimulated cells, specific and azurophil granules) was examined using the chromatogram binding assay. Several organelle-related differences in glycosphingolipid content were observed. The most prominent difference was a decreased content of the GM3 ganglioside in plasma membranes of activated neutrophils. Gangliosides recognized by anti-VIM-2 antibodies were detected mainly in the acid fractions of azurophil and specific granules. Slow-migrating gangliosides and polyglycosylceramides with Helicobacter pylori-binding activity were found in all acid fractions. A non-acid triglycosylceramide, recognized by Gal(alpha)4Gal-binding Escherichia coli, was detected in the plasma membrane/secretory vesicles but not in the azurophil and specific granules. Although no defined roles of glycosphingolipids have yet been conclusively established with respect to neutrophil function, the fact that many of the identified glycosphingolipids are stored in granules, is in agreement with their role as receptor structures that are exposed on the neutrophil cell surface upon fusion of granules with the plasma membrane. Accordingly, we show that neutrophil granules store specific carbohydrate epitopes that are upregulated to the plasma membrane upon cell activation.
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Rydén, Anna, 1957, et al.
(författare)
-
Severe obesity and personality: a comparative controlled study of personality traits.
- 2003
-
Ingår i: International journal of obesity and related metabolic disorders : journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0307-0565. ; 27:12, s. 1534-40
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The primary purpose was to assess personality trait differences between the severely obese seeking treatment and a mainly non-obese reference group. We also investigated gender differences and differences between obese patients and obese not seeking treatment. METHOD: Personality traits were assessed using 7 of 15 scales from the Karolinska Scales of Personality (KSP): Somatic Anxiety, Muscular Tension, Psychastenia, Psychic Anxiety, Monotony Avoidance, Impulsiveness, and Irritability. Patients from the Swedish Obese Subjects (SOS) intervention study (n=3270, ages 37-57, 71% women) and the SOS reference study (n=1135, 54% women) completed the survey. Data presented in this study were gathered prior to treatment. Significance tests and effects sizes were calculated. RESULTS: Although statistically significant differences were found between obese patients and reference subjects on nearly all personality traits, effect sizes were at most moderate. Of the three scales with moderate effects sizes, differences on Somatic Anxiety and Psychastenia could be traced to items tapping condition-specific symptoms, e.g., problems with sweating and breathing as indicators of Somatic Anxiety. Moderate differences on the Impulsiveness scale (men alone) could not be explained by item composition. Further, the obese patients differed from obese in the reference group, and both obese and reference women reported significantly higher levels on Somatic Anxiety, Muscular Tension and Psychic Anxiety compared to men (effect size: small). CONCLUSIONS: Our results provided no evidence of a general obese personality profile, instead considerable heterogeneity in personality traits was observed across our obese samples (treatment seekers vs non-seekers, men vs women) and generally only small differences were noted compared to a reference study population. Further research is needed to investigate if the somewhat elevated levels of Impulsiveness, particularly among male obese patients, is affected by weight loss. When assessing personality traits in diseased groups consideration should be given to possible confounding from, e.g., somatic symptoms.
|
|
| 7. |
- TIGERSTRÖM, ANNA KATARINA, 1976, et al.
(författare)
-
Functional split and crosslinking of the membrane domain of the beta subunit of proton-translocating transhydrogenase from Escherichia coli
- 2003
-
Ingår i: Biochemistry. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 0006-2960 .- 1520-4995. ; 42, s. 10998-11003
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Proton pumping nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase from Escherichia coli contains an alpha subunit with the NAD(H)-binding domain I and a beta subunit with the NADP(H)-binding domain III. The membrane domain (domain II) harbors the proton channel and is made up of the hydrophobic parts of the alpha and beta subunits. The interface in domain II between the alpha and the beta subunits has previously been investigated by cross-linking loops connecting the four transmembrane helices in the alpha subunit and loops connecting the nine transmembrane helices in the beta subunit. However, to investigate the organization of the nine transmembrane helices in the beta subunit, a split was introduced by creating a stop codon in the loop connecting transmembrane helices 9 and 10 by a single mutagenesis step, utilizing an existing downstream start codon. The resulting enzyme was composed of the wild-type alpha subunit and the two new peptides beta1 and beta2. As compared to other split membrane proteins, the new transhydrogenase was remarkably active and catalyzed activities for the reduction of 3-acetylpyridine-NAD(+) by NADPH, the cyclic reduction of 3-acetylpyridine-NAD(+) by NADH (mediated by bound NADP(H)), and proton pumping, amounting to about 50-107% of the corresponding wild-type activities. These high activities suggest that the alpha subunit was normally folded, followed by a concerted folding of beta1 + beta2. Cross-linking of a betaS105C-betaS237C double cysteine mutant in the functional split cysteine-free background, followed by SDS-PAGE analysis, showed that helices 9, 13, and 14 were in close proximity. This is the first time that cross-linking between helices in the same beta subunit has been demonstrated.
|
|
| 8. |
- Almkvist, Jenny, 1971, et al.
(författare)
-
Activation of the neutrophil nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase by galectin-1.
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Journal of immunology (Baltimore, Md. : 1950). - 0022-1767. ; 168:8, s. 4034-4041
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Galectins are a group of lactose-binding proteins widely distributed in nature. Twelve mammalian galectins have so far been identified, but their functions are to a large extent unknown. In this work we study galectin-1 in its interaction with human neutrophils, with regard to both cell surface binding and activation of the superoxide-producing NADPH-oxidase. We show that galectin-1 is able to activate the neutrophil NADPH-oxidase, provided that the cells have been primed by extravasation from the blood into the tissue, an activation pattern that is similar to that of galectin-3. Using in vitro priming protocols, the galectin-1 responsiveness was found to correlate to granule mobilization and galectin-1 binding to the cells, suggesting the presence of granule-localized receptors that are up-regulated to the cell surface upon priming. By galectin-1 overlay of fractionated neutrophils we identified potential galectin-1 receptor candidates localized in the membranes of the secretory vesicle and gelatinase granules. The binding of galectin-1 and galectin-3 to neutrophil proteins was compared, as were the dose dependencies for activation by the two lectins. The results suggest that, although similarities are found between the two galectins, they appear to activate the NADPH-oxidase using different receptors. In conclusion, galectin-1 appears to have proinflammatory functions, mediated through activation of the neutrophil respiratory burst.
|
|
| 9. |
- Almkvist, Jenny, 1971, et al.
(författare)
-
Galectins as inflammatory mediators.
- 2004
-
Ingår i: Glycoconjugate journal. - 0282-0080. ; 19:7-9, s. 575-81
-
Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Over the last decade a vast amount of reports have shown that galectin-1 and galectin-3 are important mediators of inflammation. In this review we describe how the galectins may be involved in several parts of the inflammatory process, including the recruitment of neutrophils into an infected tissue and the recognition and killing of bacteria by activation of the tissue destructive phagocytic respiratory burst. During bacterial infection or aseptic inflammatory processes, galectins are produced and released by e.g. infected epithelium, activated tissue-resident macrophages and endothelial cells. These extracellular galectins may facilitate binding of neutrophils to the endothelium by cross-linking carbohydrates on the respective cells. Further the galectins improve binding of the neutrophil to the extracellular matrix proteins laminin and fibronectin, and are potential chemotactic factors, inducing migration through the extracellular matrix towards the inflammatory focus. When the cells encounter bacteria, galectin-3 could function as an opsonin, cross-linking bacterial lipopolysaccharide or other carbohydrate-containing surface structures to phagocyte surface glycoconjugates. Both galectin-1 and galectin-3 have the capacity to induce a respiratory burst in neutrophils, provided that the cells have been primed by degranulation and receptor upregulation. The reactive oxygen species produced may be destructive to the invading micro-organisms as well as to the surrounding host tissue, pointing out the possible role of galectins, not only in defence toward infection, but also in inflammatory-induced tissue destruction.
|
|
| 10. |
- Almkvist, Jenny, 1971, et al.
(författare)
-
Lipopolysaccharide-induced gelatinase granule mobilization primes neutrophils for activation by galectin-3 and formylmethionyl-Leu-Phe.
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Infection and immunity. - 0019-9567 .- 1098-5522. ; 69:2, s. 832-7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We have earlier shown that galectin-3, a lactose-binding mammalian lectin that is secreted from activated macrophages, basophils, and mast cells, induces activation of the NADPH oxidase in exudated but not in peripheral blood neutrophils (A. Karlsson, P. Follin, H. Leffler, and C. Dahlgren, Blood 91:3430-3438, 1998). The alteration in responsiveness occurring during extravasation correlated with mobilization of the gelatinase and/or specific granules to the cell surface, indicating a role for mobilizable galectin-3 receptors. In this study we have investigated galectin-3-induced NADPH oxidase activation, measured as superoxide production, in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-primed neutrophils. Upon galectin-3 challenge, the LPS-primed cells produced superoxide, both extracellularly and intracellularly. A primed extracellular response to formylmethionyl-Leu-Phe (fMLF) was also achieved. The exposure of complement receptors 1 and 3 as well as the formyl peptide receptor on the cell surface was markedly increased after LPS treatment, indicating that granule fusion with the plasma membrane had occurred. Further assessment of specific markers for neutrophil granules showed that the LPS treatment had mobilized the gelatinase granules but only a minor fraction of the specific granules. We thus suggest that the mechanism behind LPS priming lies at the level of granule (receptor) mobilization for galectin-3 as well as for fMLF.
|
|
