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- Tehua Lu, Timothy, et al.
(författare)
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An evaluation of the genetic-matched pair study design using genome-wide SNP data from the European population
- 2009
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Ingår i: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 17:7, s. 967-975
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genetic matching potentially provides a means to alleviate the effects of incomplete Mendelian randomization in population-based gene-disease association studies. We therefore evaluated the genetic-matched pair study design on the basis of genome-wide SNP data (309 790 markers; Affymetrix GeneChip Human Mapping 500K Array) from 2457 individuals, sampled at 23 different recruitment sites across Europe. Using pair-wise identity-by-state (IBS) as a matching criterion, we tried to derive a subset of markers that would allow identification of the best overall matching (BOM) partner for a given individual, based on the IBS status for the subset alone. However, our results suggest that, by following this approach, the prediction accuracy is only notably improved by the first 20 markers selected, and increases proportionally to the marker number thereafter. Furthermore, in a considerable proportion of cases (76.0%), the BOM of a given individual, based on the complete marker set, came from a different recruitment site than the individual itself. A second marker set, specifically selected for ancestry sensitivity using singular value decomposition, performed even more poorly and was no more capable of predicting the BOM than randomly chosen subsets. This leads us to conclude that, at least in Europe, the utility of the genetic-matched pair study design depends critically on the availability of comprehensive genotype information for both cases and controls. European Journal of Human Genetics (2009) 17, 967-975; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2008.266; published online 21 January 2009
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| 4. |
- Feuerbacher, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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The Samson phase, β-Mg2Al3, revisited
- 2007
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Ingår i: Zeitschrift fur Kristallographie. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 0044-2968. ; 222:6, s. 259-288
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Al-Mg phase diagram has been reinvestigated in the vicinity of the stability range of the Samson phase, β-Mg2Al3 (cF1168). For the composition Mg38.5Al61.5, this cubic phase, space group Fd3̄m (no 227), a = 28.242(1) Å, V = 22526(2) Å3, undergoes at 214°C a first-order phase transition to rhombohedral β′-Mg2Al3, (hR293), a = 19.968(1) Å, c = 48.9114(8) Å, V = 16889(2) Å3, (i.e. 22519 Å3 for the equivalent cubic unit cell) space group R3m (no 160), a subgroup of index four of Fd3̄m. The structure of the β-phase has been redetermined at ambient temperature as well as in situ at 400°C. It essentially agrees with Samson's model, even in most of the many partially occupied and split positions. The structure of β′-Mg 2Al3 is closely related to that of the β-phase. Its atomic sites can be derived from those of the β-phase by group-theoretical considerations. The main difference between the two structures is that all atomic sites are fully occupied in case of the β′-phase. The reciprocal space, Bragg as well as diffuse scattering, has been explored as function of temperature and the β- to β′-phase transition was studied in detail. The microstructures of both phases have been analyzed by electron microscopy and X-ray topography showing them highly defective. Finally, the thermal expansion coefficients and elastic parameters have been determined. Their values are somewhere in between those of Al and Mg.
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| 5. |
- Gardino, Alexandra K, et al.
(författare)
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Transient Non-native Hydrogen Bonds Promote Activation of a Signaling Protein
- 2009
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Ingår i: Cell. - : Elsevier BV. - 0092-8674 .- 1097-4172. ; 139:6, s. 1109-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- SummaryPhosphorylation is a common mechanism for activating proteins within signaling pathways. Yet, the molecular transitions between the inactive and active conformational states are poorly understood. Here we quantitatively characterize the free-energy landscape of activation of a signaling protein, nitrogen regulatory protein C (NtrC), by connecting functional protein dynamics of phosphorylation-dependent activation to protein folding and show that only a rarely populated, pre-existing active conformation is energetically stabilized by phosphorylation. Using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) dynamics, we test an atomic scale pathway for the complex conformational transition, inferred from molecular dynamics simulations (Lei et al., 2009). The data show that the loss of native stabilizing contacts during activation is compensated by non-native transient atomic interactions during the transition. The results unravel atomistic details of native-state protein energy landscapes by expanding the knowledge about ground states to transition landscapes.
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| 6. |
- Gombert, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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CCL1-CCR8 interactions : an axis mediating the recruitment of T cells and Langerhans-type dendritic cells to sites of atopic skin inflammation.
- 2005
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Ingår i: Journal of Immunology. - : The American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 174:8, s. 5082-91
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Atopic dermatitis represents a chronically relapsing skin disease with a steadily increasing prevalence of 10-20% in children. Skin-infiltrating T cells, dendritic cells (DC), and mast cells are thought to play a crucial role in its pathogenesis. We report that the expression of the CC chemokine CCL1 (I-309) is significantly and selectively up-regulated in atopic dermatitis in comparison to psoriasis, cutaneous lupus erythematosus, or normal skin. CCL1 serum levels of atopic dermatitis patients are significantly higher than levels in healthy individuals. DC, mast cells, and dermal endothelial cells are abundant sources of CCL1 during atopic skin inflammation and allergen challenge, and Staphylococcus aureus-derived products induce its production. In vitro, binding and cross-linking of IgE on mast cells resulted in a significant up-regulation of this inflammatory chemokine. Its specific receptor, CCR8, is expressed on a small subset of circulating T cells and is abundantly expressed on interstitial DC, Langerhans cells generated in vitro, and their monocytic precursors. Although DC maintain their CCR8+ status during maturation, brief activation of circulating T cells recruits CCR8 from intracytoplamic stores to the cell surface. Moreover, the inflammatory and atopy-associated chemokine CCL1 synergizes with the homeostatic chemokine CXCL12 (SDF-1alpha) resulting in the recruitment of T cell and Langerhans cell-like DC. Taken together, these findings suggest that the axis CCL1-CCR8 links adaptive and innate immune functions that play a role in the initiation and amplification of atopic skin inflammation.
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- Hultcrantz, Monica, et al.
(författare)
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Interferons induce an antiviral state in human pancreatic islet cells
- 2007
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Ingår i: Virology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0042-6822 .- 1096-0341. ; 367:1, s. 92-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Enterovirus infections, in particular those with Coxsackieviruses, have been linked to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Although animal models have demonstrated that interferons (IFNs) regulate virus-induced T1D by acting directly on the beta cell, little is known on the human pancreatic islet response to IFNs. Here we show that human islet cells respond to IFNs by expressing signature genes of antiviral defense. We also demonstrate that they express three intracellular sensors for viral RNA, the toll like receptor 3 (TLR3) gene, the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) and the melanoma differentiation-associated gene-5 (MDA-5), which induce type I IFN production in infected cells. Finally, we show for the first time that the IFN-induced antiviral state provides human islets with a powerful protection from the replication of Coxsackievirus. This may be critical for beta cell survival and protection from virus-induced T1D in humans.
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| 8. |
- Meinzer, Ulrich, et al.
(författare)
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Nod2 mediates susceptibility to Yersinia pseudotuberculosis in mice.
- 2008
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Ingår i: PLoS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 3:7, s. e2769-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nucleotide oligomerisation domain 2 (NOD2) is a component of the innate immunity known to be involved in the homeostasis of Peyer patches (PPs) in mice. However, little is known about its role during gut infection in vivo. Yersinia pseudotuberculosis is an enteropathogen causing gastroenteritis, adenolymphitis and septicaemia which is able to invade its host through PPs. We investigated the role of Nod2 during Y. pseudotuberculosis infection. Death was delayed in Nod2 deleted and Crohn's disease associated Nod2 mutated mice orogastrically inoculated with Y. pseudotuberculosis. In PPs, the local immune response was characterized by a higher KC level and a more intense infiltration by neutrophils and macrophages. The apoptotic and bacterial cell counts were decreased. Finally, Nod2 deleted mice had a lower systemic bacterial dissemination and less damage of the haematopoeitic organs. This resistance phenotype was lost in case of intraperitoneal infection. We concluded that Nod2 contributes to the susceptibility to Y. pseudotuberculosis in mice.
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| 10. |
- Pfreundschuh, Michael, et al.
(författare)
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Prognostic significance of maximum tumour (bulk) diameter in young patients with good-prognosis diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma treated with CHOP-like chemotherapy with or without rituximab: an exploratory analysis of the MabThera International Trial Group (MInT) study
- 2008
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Ingår i: The Lancet Oncology. - 1474-5488. ; 9:5, s. 435-444
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The definition and role of bulky disease in young patients (ie, aged 18-60 years) with good-prognosis diffuse large-B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), who have been treated with CHOP (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisolone)-like chemotherapy with or without rituximab, remain controversial. We aimed to assess the effect of maximum tumour diameter (MTD) in these patients. Methods Patients from the MInT (Mabthera International Trial Group) study were eligible. We analysed event-free (EFS) and overall survival (OS) after CHOP-like chemotherapy with or without rituximab, according to MTD, by Martingale residual analyses and Cox regression models. Radiotherapy was given to sites of primary bulky disease according to national standards, and to primary extranodal disease at physician discretion. The primary endpoint was EFS and the secondary endpoint was OS. Analyses were by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials. gov, number NCT 00064116. Findings Of the 824 patients enrolled in the MInT study, the informed-consent form of one patient was missing, leaving 823 patients evaluable for intention-to-treat analysis. Data on MTD of involved sites were available for 802 patients. Martingale residual analysis showed an adverse prognostic effect of MTD on EFS and OS, which increased linearly. In a multivariable analysis with MTD as a linear regression variable, the effect of MTD was significant after CHOP-like treatment alone for EFS (hazard ratio 1.090 [95% CI 1.051-1-130], p<0.0001) and OS (1-119 [1-057-1-184], p=0.0001), and after CHOP-like treatment and rituximab for OS (1-089 [1-003-1-183],p=0.043), but not for EFS (1-044 [0-991-1-099], p=0.103). For CHOP-like treatment alone, 3-year EFS ranged from 78-2% (MTD <5.0 cm, 95% CI 68.3-85.4) to 41.3% (MTD >= 10.0 cm, 31.8-50.4). For CHOP-like treatment and rituximab, 3-year EFS ranged from 83.2% (MTD <5.0 cm, 72.8-89.9) to 72.7% (MTD >= 10.0 cm, 63.8-79.7). With CHOP-like treatment alone, 3-year OS decreased from 92.9% (MTD <5.0 cm, 84.9-96.8) to 73.5% (MTD >= 10.0 cm, 63.9-81.0); for CHOP-like treatment and rituximab, 3-year OS decreased from 98.0% (MTD <5.0 cm, 92.2-99.5) to 85.2% (MTD >= 10.0 cm, 77.0-90.6). For CHOP-like treatment, any cut-off point between 5.0 cm and 10.0 cm separated two populations with a significant EFS difference (p<0.0001 for all log-rank tests) and OS difference (p <= 0.003 for all log-rank tests). For CHOP-like treatment and rituximab, only a cut-off point of 10.0 cm separated two populations with a significant EFS difference (log-rank p=0.047), but any cut-off point of 6.0 cm or more separated two populations with a significant OS difference (log-rank p values 0.0009-0.037). Interpretation Rituximab decreased, but did not eliminate the adverse prognostic effect of MTD in young patients with good-prognosis DLBCL. Due to the linear prognostic effect of MTD on outcome, arbitrary cut-off points for bulky disease can be set between 5.0 cm and 10.0 cm, depending on clinical considerations. Based on this study, a cut-off point of 10.0 cm might be a suitable margin in the rituximab era to delineate those patients with bulky disease. Funding Roche, Basel, Switzerland (M39045).
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