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- Sliz, E., et al.
(författare)
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Evidence of a causal effect of genetic tendency to gain muscle mass on uterine leiomyomata
- 2023
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Uterine leiomyomata (UL) are the most common tumours of the female genital tract and the primary cause of surgical removal of the uterus. Genetic factors contribute to UL susceptibility. To add understanding to the heritable genetic risk factors, we conduct a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of UL in up to 426,558 European women from FinnGen and a previous UL meta-GWAS. In addition to the 50 known UL loci, we identify 22 loci that have not been associated with UL in prior studies. UL-associated loci harbour genes enriched for development, growth, and cellular senescence. Of particular interest are the smooth muscle cell differentiation and proliferation-regulating genes functioning on the myocardin-cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 1A pathway. Our results further suggest that genetic predisposition to increased fat-free mass may be causally related to higher UL risk, underscoring the involvement of altered muscle tissue biology in UL pathophysiology. Overall, our findings add to the understanding of the genetic pathways underlying UL, which may aid in developing novel therapeutics.
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| 2. |
- Abazajian, Kevork, et al.
(författare)
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CMB-S4 : Forecasting Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves
- 2022
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Ingår i: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 926:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CMB-S4—the next-generation ground-based cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment—is set to significantly advance the sensitivity of CMB measurements and enhance our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. Among the science cases pursued with CMB-S4, the quest for detecting primordial gravitational waves is a central driver of the experimental design. This work details the development of a forecasting framework that includes a power-spectrum-based semianalytic projection tool, targeted explicitly toward optimizing constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio, r, in the presence of Galactic foregrounds and gravitational lensing of the CMB. This framework is unique in its direct use of information from the achieved performance of current Stage 2–3 CMB experiments to robustly forecast the science reach of upcoming CMB-polarization endeavors. The methodology allows for rapid iteration over experimental configurations and offers a flexible way to optimize the design of future experiments, given a desired scientific goal. To form a closed-loop process, we couple this semianalytic tool with map-based validation studies, which allow for the injection of additional complexity and verification of our forecasts with several independent analysis methods. We document multiple rounds of forecasts for CMB-S4 using this process and the resulting establishment of the current reference design of the primordial gravitational-wave component of the Stage-4 experiment, optimized to achieve our science goals of detecting primordial gravitational waves for r > 0.003 at greater than 5σ, or in the absence of a detection, of reaching an upper limit of r < 0.001 at 95% CL.
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| 3. |
- Rask, Olof, et al.
(författare)
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Prospective registration of symptoms and times to diagnosis in children and adolescents with central nervous system tumors: A study of the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry
- 2022
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Ingår i: Pediatric Blood & Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1545-5009 .- 1545-5017. ; 69:11
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The elapsed time taken to diagnose tumors of the central nervous system in children and adolescents varies widely. The aim of the present study was to investigate such diagnostic time intervals at a national level in Sweden as they correlate with clinical features. Methods Data prospectively accumulated over a 4-year period in the Swedish Childhood Cancer Registry from patients aged 0-18 years were pooled, and diagnostic time intervals were analyzed considering tumor location, tumor type, patient age and sex, initial symptoms, and clinical timelines. All six pediatric oncology centers in Sweden contributed to collection of data. Time points for calculating the total diagnostic interval (TDI) defined as the time from symptom onset to diagnosis were reported in 257 of 319 patients (81%). Results The time from symptom onset to the first healthcare consultation, median 2.6 weeks, did not vary significantly between patients categorized according to tumor type or location. The median TDI was 8.3 weeks for the 4-year study period. Patients with optic pathway glioma (TDI 26.6 weeks), those with tumors of the spinal cord (TDI 25.9 weeks), and those with midline tumors (TDI 24.6 weeks) had the longest lead times. Additionally, older age, too few initial symptoms, and seeking initial redress outside an emergency ward were factors associated with a longer time to diagnosis. Conclusion This study identified several factors associated with delayed diagnosis of central nervous system tumors among Swedish children and adolescents. These novel data ought to help direct future efforts toward clinical improvement.
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| 4. |
- Haavisto, A, et al.
(författare)
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Male Sexual Function after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Childhood: A Multicenter Study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Cancers. - : MDPI AG. - 2072-6694. ; 12:7
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There are many known endocrine complications after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) in childhood including increased risk of biochemical hypogonadism. However, little is known about sexuality in adulthood following childhood HSCT. In this multicenter study, sexual functions and possible risk factors were assessed comprehensively in two national cohorts (Finland and Denmark) of male adult survivors of childhood HSCT. Compared to a healthy control group (n = 56), HSCT survivors (n = 97) reported less sexual fantasies, poorer orgasms, lower sexual activity with a partner and reduced satisfaction with their sex life, even in the presence of normal erectile functions and a similar frequency of autoerotic acts. Of the HSCT survivors, 35% were cohabitating/married and 66% were sexually active. Risk factors for poorer self-reported sexual functions were partner status (not cohabitating with a partner), depressive symptoms, CNS and testicular irradiation. Sexual dysfunction increased by age in the HSCT group with a pace comparable to that of the control group. However, because of the lower baseline level of sexual functions in the HSCT group, they will reach the level of clinically significant dysfunction at a younger age. Hence, male survivors of childhood HSCT should be interviewed in detail about their sexual health beyond erectile functions.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Lynggaard, L. S., et al.
(författare)
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Asparaginase encapsulated in erythrocytes as second-line treatment in hypersensitive patients with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia
- 2022
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Ingår i: British Journal of Haematology. - : Wiley. - 0007-1048 .- 1365-2141. ; 197:6, s. 745-754
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Asparaginase is essential in treating acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL). Asparaginase-related hypersensitivity causes treatment discontinuation, which is associated with decreased event-free survival. To continue asparaginase treatment after hypersensitivity, a formulation of asparaginase encapsulated in erythrocytes (eryaspase) was developed. In NOR-GRASPALL 2016 (NCT03267030) the safety and efficacy of eryaspase was evaluated in 55 patients (aged 1-45 years; median: 6.1 years) with non-high-risk ALL and hypersensitivity to asparaginase conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG-asparaginase). Eryaspase (150 u/kg) was scheduled to complete the intended course of asparaginase (1-7 doses) in two Nordic/Baltic treatment protocols. Forty-nine (96.1%) patients had asparaginase enzyme activity (AEA) >= 100 iu/l 14 +/- 2 days after the first eryaspase infusion [median AEA 511 iu/l; interquartile range (IQR), 291-780], whereas six of nine (66.7%) patients had AEA >= 100 iu/l 14 +/- 2 days after the fourth infusion (median AEA 932 iu/l; IQR, 496-163). The mean terminal half-life of eryaspase following the first infusion was 15.3 +/- 15.5 days. Few asparaginase-related adverse events were reported; five patients (9.1%) developed clinical allergy associated with enzyme inactivation. Replacement therapy was successfully completed in 50 patients (90.9%). Eryaspase was well tolerated, and most patients had AEA levels above the therapeutic target after the first infusion. The half-life of eryaspase confirmed that a 2-week schedule is appropriate.
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| 10. |
- Raisanen, IT, et al.
(författare)
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An aMMP-8 Point-of-Care and Questionnaire Based Real-Time Diagnostic Toolkit for Medical Practitioners
- 2021
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Ingår i: Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland). - : MDPI AG. - 2075-4418. ; 11:4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this cross-sectional study is to propose an efficient strategy based on biomarkers adjunct with an interview/questionnaire covering risk factors for periodontitis for the identification of undiagnosed periodontitis by medical professionals. Active matrix metalloproteinase (aMMP)-8 levels in mouthrinse were analyzed by a point-of-care (PoC)/chairside lateral-flow immunotest, and salivary total MMP-8, total MMP-9 and calprotectin levels were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) and active MMP-9 by gelatin zymography for 149 Greek patients. Patients underwent a full-mouth oral health examination for diagnosis according to the 2018 classification system of periodontal diseases. In addition, patient characteristics (risk factors: age, gender, education level, smoking and body mass index) were recorded. Receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis indicated better diagnostic precision to identify undiagnosed periodontitis for oral fluid biomarkers in adjunct with an interview/questionnaire compared with a plain questionnaire (i.e., risk factors): aMMP-8 AUC (95% confidence interval) = 0.834 (0.761−0.906), total MMP-8 = 0.800 (0.722–0.878), active MMP-9 = 0.787 (0.704–0.870), total MMP-9 = 0.773 (0.687−0.858) and calprotectin = 0.773 (0.687–0.858) vs. questionnaire = 0.764 (0.676–0.851). The findings of this study suggest that oral fluid biomarker analysis, such as a rapid aMMP-8 PoC immunotest, could be used as an adjunct to an interview/questionnaire to improve the precision of timely identification of asymptomatic, undiagnosed periodontitis patients by medical professionals. This strategy appears to be viable for referring patients to a dentist for diagnosis and treatment need assessment.
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