| 1. |
- Bauer, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Exploratory study of ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation and age of onset of bipolar disorder
- 2023
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Bipolar Disorders. - 2194-7511. ; 11:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundSunlight contains ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation that triggers the production of vitamin D by skin. Vitamin D has widespread effects on brain function in both developing and adult brains. However, many people live at latitudes (about > 40 N or S) that do not receive enough UVB in winter to produce vitamin D. This exploratory study investigated the association between the age of onset of bipolar I disorder and the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production in a large global sample.MethodsData for 6972 patients with bipolar I disorder were obtained at 75 collection sites in 41 countries in both hemispheres. The best model to assess the relation between the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production and age of onset included 1 or more months below the threshold, family history of mood disorders, and birth cohort. All coefficients estimated at P <= 0.001.ResultsThe 6972 patients had an onset in 582 locations in 70 countries, with a mean age of onset of 25.6 years. Of the onset locations, 34.0% had at least 1 month below the threshold for UVB sufficient for vitamin D production. The age of onset at locations with 1 or more months of less than or equal to the threshold for UVB was 1.66 years younger.ConclusionUVB and vitamin D may have an important influence on the development of bipolar disorder. Study limitations included a lack of data on patient vitamin D levels, lifestyles, or supplement use. More study of the impacts of UVB and vitamin D in bipolar disorder is needed to evaluate this supposition.
|
|
| 2. |
- Escartin, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Reactive astrocyte nomenclature, definitions, and future directions
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Nature Neuroscience. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1097-6256 .- 1546-1726. ; 24, s. 312-325
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Reactive astrocytes are astrocytes undergoing morphological, molecular, and functional remodeling in response to injury, disease, or infection of the CNS. Although this remodeling was first described over a century ago, uncertainties and controversies remain regarding the contribution of reactive astrocytes to CNS diseases, repair, and aging. It is also unclear whether fixed categories of reactive astrocytes exist and, if so, how to identify them. We point out the shortcomings of binary divisions of reactive astrocytes into good-vs-bad, neurotoxic-vs-neuroprotective or A1-vs-A2. We advocate, instead, that research on reactive astrocytes include assessment of multiple molecular and functional parameters-preferably in vivo-plus multivariate statistics and determination of impact on pathological hallmarks in relevant models. These guidelines may spur the discovery of astrocyte-based biomarkers as well as astrocyte-targeting therapies that abrogate detrimental actions of reactive astrocytes, potentiate their neuro- and glioprotective actions, and restore or augment their homeostatic, modulatory, and defensive functions. Good-bad binary classifications fail to describe reactive astrocytes in CNS disorders. Here, 81 researchers reach consensus on widespread misconceptions and provide definitions and recommendations for future research on reactive astrocytes.
|
|
| 3. |
|
|
| 4. |
- Wacker, A, et al.
(författare)
-
Secondary structure determination of conserved SARS-CoV-2 RNA elements by NMR spectroscopy
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Nucleic acids research. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1362-4962 .- 0305-1048. ; 48:22, s. 12415-12435
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The current pandemic situation caused by the Betacoronavirus SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV2) highlights the need for coordinated research to combat COVID-19. A particularly important aspect is the development of medication. In addition to viral proteins, structured RNA elements represent a potent alternative as drug targets. The search for drugs that target RNA requires their high-resolution structural characterization. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, a worldwide consortium of NMR researchers aims to characterize potential RNA drug targets of SCoV2. Here, we report the characterization of 15 conserved RNA elements located at the 5′ end, the ribosomal frameshift segment and the 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR) of the SCoV2 genome, their large-scale production and NMR-based secondary structure determination. The NMR data are corroborated with secondary structure probing by DMS footprinting experiments. The close agreement of NMR secondary structure determination of isolated RNA elements with DMS footprinting and NMR performed on larger RNA regions shows that the secondary structure elements fold independently. The NMR data reported here provide the basis for NMR investigations of RNA function, RNA interactions with viral and host proteins and screening campaigns to identify potential RNA binders for pharmaceutical intervention.
|
|
| 5. |
- Mduma, E., et al.
(författare)
-
Etiology of severe invasive infections in young infants in rural settings in sub-Saharan Africa
- 2022
-
Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 17:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Serious invasive infections in newborns are a major cause of death. Lack of data on etiological causes hampers progress towards reduction of mortality. This study aimed to identify pathogens responsible for such infections in young infants in sub-Saharan Africa and to describe their antibiotics resistance profile. METHODS: Between September 2016 and April 2018 we implemented an observational study in two rural sites in Burkina Faso and Tanzania enrolling young infants aged 0-59 days old with serious invasive infection. Blood samples underwent blood culture and molecular biology. RESULTS: In total 634 infants with clinical diagnosis of serious invasive infection were enrolled and 4.2% of the infants had a positive blood culture. The most frequent pathogens identified by blood culture were Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus, followed by Escherichia coli. Gram-negative isolates were only partially susceptible to first line WHO recommended treatment for neonatal sepsis at community level. A total of 18.6% of the infants were PCR positive for at least one pathogen and Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were the most common bacteria detected. Among infants enrolled, 60/634 (9.5%) died. Positive blood culture but not positive PCR was associated with risk of death. For most deaths, no pathogen was identified either by blood culture or molecular testing, and hence a causal agent remained unclear. Mortality was associated with low body temperature, tachycardia, respiratory symptoms, convulsions, history of difficult feeding, movement only when stimulated or reduced level of consciousness, diarrhea and/or vomiting. CONCLUSION: While Klebsiella pneumonia and Staphylococcus aureus, as well as Escherichia coli were pathogens most frequently identified in infants with clinical suspicion of serious invasive infections, most cases remain without definite diagnosis, making more accurate diagnostic tools urgently needed. Antibiotics resistance to first line antibiotics is an increasing challenge even in rural Africa.
|
|
| 6. |
- Schnieders, R, et al.
(författare)
-
1H, 13C and 15N chemical shift assignment of the stem-loop 5a from the 5'-UTR of SARS-CoV-2
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Biomolecular NMR assignments. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1874-270X .- 1874-2718. ; 15:1, s. 203-211
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The SARS-CoV-2 (SCoV-2) virus is the causative agent of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. It contains a positive sense single-stranded RNA genome and belongs to the genus of Betacoronaviruses. The 5′- and 3′-genomic ends of the 30 kb SCoV-2 genome are potential antiviral drug targets. Major parts of these sequences are highly conserved among Betacoronaviruses and contain cis-acting RNA elements that affect RNA translation and replication. The 31 nucleotide (nt) long highly conserved stem-loop 5a (SL5a) is located within the 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) important for viral replication. SL5a features a U-rich asymmetric bulge and is capped with a 5′-UUUCGU-3′ hexaloop, which is also found in stem-loop 5b (SL5b). We herein report the extensive 1H, 13C and 15N resonance assignment of SL5a as basis for in-depth structural studies by solution NMR spectroscopy.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Clemente, P, et al.
(författare)
-
ANGEL2 phosphatase activity is required for non-canonical mitochondrial RNA processing
- 2022
-
Ingår i: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 13:1, s. 5750-
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Canonical RNA processing in mammalian mitochondria is defined by tRNAs acting as recognition sites for nucleases to release flanking transcripts. The relevant factors, their structures, and mechanism are well described, but not all mitochondrial transcripts are punctuated by tRNAs, and their mode of processing has remained unsolved. Using Drosophila and mouse models, we demonstrate that non-canonical processing results in the formation of 3′ phosphates, and that phosphatase activity by the carbon catabolite repressor 4 domain-containing family member ANGEL2 is required for their hydrolysis. Furthermore, our data suggest that members of the FAST kinase domain-containing protein family are responsible for these 3′ phosphates. Our results therefore propose a mechanism for non-canonical RNA processing in metazoan mitochondria, by identifying the role of ANGEL2.
|
|
| 9. |
- Cresswell, J. A., et al.
(författare)
-
Measurement of maternal functioning during pregnancy and postpartum: findings from the cross-sectional WHO pilot study in Jamaica, Kenya, and Malawi
- 2020
-
Ingår i: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2393. ; 20:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BackgroundThe World Health Organization's definition of maternal morbidity refers to "a negative impact on the woman's wellbeing and/or functioning". Many studies have documented the, mostly negative, effects of maternal ill-health on functioning. Although conceptually important, measurement of functioning remains underdeveloped, and the best way to measure functioning in pregnant and postpartum populations is unknown.MethodsA cross-sectional study among women presenting for antenatal (N=750) and postpartum (N=740) care in Jamaica, Kenya and Malawi took place in 2015-2016. Functioning was measured through the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS-12). Data on health conditions and socio-demographic characteristics were collected through structured interview, medical record review, and clinical examination. This paper presents descriptive data on the distribution of functioning status among pregnant and postpartum women and examines the relationship between functioning and health conditions.ResultsWomen attending antenatal care had a lower level of functioning than those attending postpartum care. Women with a health condition or associated demographic risk factor were more likely to have a lower level of functioning than those with no health condition. However, the absolute difference in functioning scores typically remained modest.ConclusionsFunctioning is an important concept which integrates a woman-centered approach to examining how a health condition affects her life, and ultimately her return to functioning after delivery. However, the WHODAS-12 may not be the optimal tool for use in this population and additional components to capture pregnancy-specific issues may be needed. Challenges remain in how to integrate functioning outcomes into routine maternal healthcare at-scale and across diverse settings.
|
|
| 10. |
- Grätz, Lukas, et al.
(författare)
-
NanoBiT‐ and NanoBiT/BRET‐based assays allow the analysis of binding kinetics of Wnt‐3a to endogenous Frizzled 7 in a colorectal cancer model
- 2023
-
Ingår i: British Journal of Pharmacology. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0007-1188 .- 1476-5381.
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background and PurposeWnt binding to Frizzleds (FZD) is a crucial step that leads to the initiation of signalling cascades governing multiple processes during embryonic development, stem cell regulation and adult tissue homeostasis. Recent efforts have enabled us to shed light on Wnt–FZD pharmacology using overexpressed HEK293 cells. However, assessing ligand binding at endogenous receptor expression levels is important due to differential binding behaviour in a native environment. Here, we study FZD paralogue, FZD7, and analyse its interactions with Wnt-3a in live CRISPR-Cas9-edited SW480 cells typifying colorectal cancer.Experimental ApproachSW480 cells were CRISPR-Cas9-edited to insert a HiBiT tag on the N-terminus of FZD7, preserving the native signal peptide. These cells were used to study eGFP-Wnt-3a association with endogenous and overexpressed HiBiT-FZD7 using NanoBiT/bioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) and NanoBiT to measure ligand binding and receptor internalization.Key ResultsWith this new assay the binding of eGFP-Wnt-3a to endogenous HiBiT-FZD7 was compared with overexpressed receptors. Receptor overexpression results in increased membrane dynamics, leading to an apparent decrease in binding on-rate and consequently in higher, up to 10 times, calculated Kd. Thus, measurements of binding affinities to FZD7 obtained in overexpressed cells are suboptimal compared with the measurements from endogenously expressing cells.Conclusions and ImplicationsBinding affinity measurements in the overexpressing cells fail to replicate ligand binding affinities assessed in a (patho)physiologically relevant context where receptor expression is lower. Therefore, future studies on Wnt–FZD7 binding should be performed using receptors expressed under endogenous promotion.
|
|
