| 1. |
- Schael, S., et al.
(författare)
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Electroweak measurements in electron positron collisions at W-boson-pair energies at LEP
- 2013
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Ingår i: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 532:4, s. 119-244
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the electron positron collider LEP at CERN from 1995 to 2000 are reported. The combined data set considered in this report corresponds to a total luminosity of about 3 fb(-1) collected by the four LEP experiments ALEPH, DELPHI, 13 and OPAL, at centre-of-mass energies ranging from 130 GeV to 209 GeV. Combining the published results of the four LEP experiments, the measurements include total and differential cross-sections in photon-pair, fermion-pair and four-fermion production, the latter resulting from both double-resonant WW and ZZ production as well as singly resonant production. Total and differential cross-sections are measured precisely, providing a stringent test of the Standard Model at centre-of-mass energies never explored before in electron positron collisions. Final-state interaction effects in four-fermion production, such as those arising from colour reconnection and Bose Einstein correlations between the two W decay systems arising in WW production, are searched for and upper limits on the strength of possible effects are obtained. The data are used to determine fundamental properties of the W boson and the electroweak theory. Among others, the mass and width of the W boson, m(w) and Gamma(w), the branching fraction of W decays to hadrons, B(W -> had), and the trilinear gauge-boson self-couplings g(1)(Z), K-gamma and lambda(gamma), are determined to be: m(w) = 80.376 +/- 0.033 GeV Gamma(w) = 2.195 +/- 0.083 GeV B(W -> had) = 67.41 +/- 0.27% g(1)(Z) = 0.984(-0.020)(+0.018) K-gamma - 0.982 +/- 0.042 lambda(gamma) = 0.022 +/- 0.019. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 2. |
- Adrian-Martinez, S., et al.
(författare)
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A first search for coincident gravitational waves and high energy neutrinos using LIGO, Virgo and ANTARES data from 2007
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; :6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We present the results of the first search for gravitational wave bursts associated with high energy neutrinos. Together, these messengers could reveal new, hidden sources that are not observed by conventional photon astronomy, particularly at high energy. Our search uses neutrinos detected by the underwater neutrino telescope ANTARES in its 5 line configuration during the period January - September 2007, which coincided with the fifth and first science runs of LIGO and Virgo, respectively. The LIGO-Virgo data were analysed for candidate gravitational-wave signals coincident in time and direction with the neutrino events. No significant coincident events were observed. We place limits on the density of joint high energy neutrino - gravitational wave emission events in the local universe, and compare them with densities of merger and core-collapse events.
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| 3. |
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| 4. |
- Acharya, B. S., et al.
(författare)
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Introducing the CTA concept
- 2013
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Ingår i: Astroparticle physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0927-6505 .- 1873-2852. ; 43, s. 3-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a new observatory for very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays. CTA has ambitions science goals, for which it is necessary to achieve full-sky coverage, to improve the sensitivity by about an order of magnitude, to span about four decades of energy, from a few tens of GeV to above 100 TeV with enhanced angular and energy resolutions over existing VHE gamma-ray observatories. An international collaboration has formed with more than 1000 members from 27 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. In 2010 the CTA Consortium completed a Design Study and started a three-year Preparatory Phase which leads to production readiness of CTA in 2014. In this paper we introduce the science goals and the concept of CTA, and provide an overview of the project. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 5. |
- Actis, M., et al.
(författare)
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Design concepts for the Cherenkov Telescope Array CTA : an advanced facility for ground-based high-energy gamma-ray astronomy
- 2011
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Ingår i: Experimental astronomy. - : Springer. - 0922-6435 .- 1572-9508. ; 32:3, s. 193-316
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has had a major breakthrough with the impressive results obtained using systems of imaging atmospheric Cherenkov telescopes. Ground-based gamma-ray astronomy has a huge potential in astrophysics, particle physics and cosmology. CTA is an international initiative to build the next generation instrument, with a factor of 5-10 improvement in sensitivity in the 100 GeV-10 TeV range and the extension to energies well below 100 GeV and above 100 TeV. CTA will consist of two arrays (one in the north, one in the south) for full sky coverage and will be operated as open observatory. The design of CTA is based on currently available technology. This document reports on the status and presents the major design concepts of CTA.
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| 6. |
- Ageron, M., et al.
(författare)
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ANTARES : The first undersea neutrino telescope
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nuclear Instruments and Methods in Physics Research Section A. - : Elsevier. - 0168-9002 .- 1872-9576. ; 656:1, s. 11-38
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ANTARES Neutrino Telescope was completed in May 2008 and is the first operational Neutrino Telescope in the Mediterranean Sea. The main purpose of the detector is to perform neutrino astronomy and the apparatus also offers facilities for marine and Earth sciences. This paper describes the design, the construction and the installation of the telescope in the deep sea, offshore from Toulon in France. An illustration of the detector performance is given. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Bousquet, J, et al.
(författare)
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Severe chronic allergic (and related) diseases: a uniform approach--a MeDALL--GA2LEN--ARIA position paper
- 2012
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Ingår i: International archives of allergy and immunology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0097 .- 1018-2438. ; 158:3, s. 216-231
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Concepts of disease severity, activity, control and responsiveness to treatment are linked but different. Severity refers to the loss of function of the organs induced by the disease process or to the occurrence of severe acute exacerbations. Severity may vary over time and needs regular follow-up. Control is the degree to which therapy goals are currently met. These concepts have evolved over time for asthma in guidelines, task forces or consensus meetings. The aim of this paper is to generalize the approach of the uniform definition of severe asthma presented to WHO for chronic allergic and associated diseases (rhinitis, chronic rhinosinusitis, chronic urticaria and atopic dermatitis) in order to have a uniform definition of severity, control and risk, usable in most situations. It is based on the appropriate diagnosis, availability and accessibility of treatments, treatment responsiveness and associated factors such as comorbidities and risk factors. This uniform definition will allow a better definition of the phenotypes of severe allergic (and related) diseases for clinical practice, research (including epidemiology), public health purposes, education and the discovery of novel therapies.
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| 11. |
- Roy, Sushmita, et al.
(författare)
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Identification of functional elements and regulatory circuits by Drosophila modENCODE.
- 2010
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Ingår i: Science (New York, N.Y.). - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 330:6012, s. 1787-1797
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- To gain insight into how genomic information is translated into cellular and developmental programs, the Drosophila model organism Encyclopedia of DNA Elements (modENCODE) project is comprehensively mapping transcripts, histone modifications, chromosomal proteins, transcription factors, replication proteins and intermediates, and nucleosome properties across a developmental time course and in multiple cell lines. We have generated more than 700 data sets and discovered protein-coding, noncoding, RNA regulatory, replication, and chromatin elements, more than tripling the annotated portion of the Drosophila genome. Correlated activity patterns of these elements reveal a functional regulatory network, which predicts putative new functions for genes, reveals stage- and tissue-specific regulators, and enables gene-expression prediction. Our results provide a foundation for directed experimental and computational studies in Drosophila and related species and also a model for systematic data integration toward comprehensive genomic and functional annotation.
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| 12. |
- Brophy, D F, et al.
(författare)
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Monitoring rFVIIa 90 μg kg(-1) dosing in haemophiliacs: comparing laboratory response using various whole blood assays over 6 h.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Haemophilia. - : Wiley. - 1351-8216. ; 17:5, s. 949-957
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Summary. Recombinant FVIIa is a haemostatic agent administered to patients with severe FVIII or FIX deficiency with inhibitors. Although rFVIIa is effective at stopping bleeding, a reliable assay to monitor its effect is lacking. To characterize the pharmacokinetics and global coagulation effects of rFVIIa for 6 h following a IV dose of 90 μg kg(-1) . Ten non-bleeding subjects with severe FVIII or FIX deficiency were infused with a single-dose of rFVIIa 90 μg kg(-1) body weight and blood was collected before and at 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 6 h postdose. Global haemostasis was characterized throughout the study utilizing whole blood analyses (Hemodyne HAS, TEG, ROTEM). The clearance and half-life of factor FVII:C was estimated as 39.0 ± 8.8 mL h(-1) kg(-1) and 2.1 ± 0.2 h respectively. There was good inter-assay agreement with respect to clot initiation parameters (R, CT and FOT) and these parameters all fell to a mean of approximately 9 min following rFVIIa dosing. The platelet contractile force (PCF) and clot elastic modulus (CEM) were positively correlated to FVII:C (P < 0.0001), and these parameters were dynamic throughout the 6-h period. The MA and MCF did not correlate to FVII:C nor did they significantly change during the study. Prothrombin F1 + 2 significantly increased following rFVIIa dosing (P < 0.001), but remained steady throughout the study. There was no change in D-dimer concentrations over time. The FOT, R and CT characterized clot initiation following rFVIIa dosing. The PCF and CEM were correlated to FVII:C and characterized the dynamics of platelet function and clot strength over the rFVIIa dosing interval. The clinical significance of these findings needs additional study.
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| 13. |
- Evangelou, Evangelos, et al.
(författare)
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A meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies novel variants associated with osteoarthritis of the hip
- 2014
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 73:12, s. 2130-2136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis with a clear genetic component. To identify novel loci associated with hip OA we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) on European subjects. Methods We performed a two-stage meta-analysis on more than 78 000 participants. In stage 1, we synthesised data from eight GWAS whereas data from 10 centres were used for 'in silico' or 'de novo' replication. Besides the main analysis, a stratified by sex analysis was performed to detect possible sex-specific signals. Meta-analysis was performed using inverse-variance fixed effects models. A random effects approach was also used. Results We accumulated 11 277 cases of radiographic and symptomatic hip OA. We prioritised eight single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) for follow-up in the discovery stage (4349 OA cases); five from the combined analysis, two male specific and one female specific. One locus, at 20q13, represented by rs6094710 (minor allele frequency (MAF) 4%) near the NCOA3 (nuclear receptor coactivator 3) gene, reached genome-wide significance level with p=7.9x10(-9) and OR=1.28 (95% CI 1.18 to 1.39) in the combined analysis of discovery (p= 5.6x10(-8)) and follow-up studies (p=7.3x10(-4)). We showed that this gene is expressed in articular cartilage and its expression was significantly reduced in OA-affected cartilage. Moreover, two loci remained suggestive associated; rs5009270 at 7q31 (MAF 30%, p=9.9x10(-7), OR=1.10) and rs3757837 at 7p13 (MAF 6%, p=2.2x10(-6), OR=1.27 in male specific analysis). Conclusions Novel genetic loci for hip OA were found in this meta-analysis of GWAS.
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| 14. |
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| 15. |
- Kerkhof, H. J. M., et al.
(författare)
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Recommendations for standardization and phenotype definitions in genetic studies of osteoarthritis: the TREAT-OA consortium
- 2011
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Ingår i: Osteoarthritis and Cartilage. - : Elsevier BV. - 1063-4584. ; 19:3, s. 254-264
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To address the need for standardization of osteoarthritis (OA) phenotypes by examining the effect of heterogeneity among symptomatic (SOA) and radiographic osteoarthritis (ROA) phenotypes. Methods: Descriptions of OA phenotypes of the 28 studies involved in the TREAT-OA consortium were collected. We investigated whether different OA definitions result in different association results by creating various hip OA definitions in one large population based cohort (the Rotterdam Study I (RSI)) and testing those for association with gender, age and body mass index using one-way ANOVA. For ROA, we standardized the hip-, knee- and hand ROA definitions and calculated prevalence's of ROA before and after standardization in nine cohort studies. This procedure could only be performed in cohort studies and standardization of SOA definitions was not feasible at this moment. Results: In this consortium, all studies with SOA phenotypes (knee, hip and hand) used a different definition and/or assessment of OA status. For knee-, hip- and hand ROA five, four and seven different definitions were used, respectively. Different hip ROA definitions do lead to different association results. For example, we showed in the RSI that hip OA defined as "at least definite joint space narrowing (JSN) and one definite osteophyte" was not associated with gender (P=0.22), but defined as "at least one definite osteophyte" was significantly associated with gender (P=3 x 10(-9)). Therefore, a standardization process was undertaken for ROA definitions. Before standardization a wide range of ROA prevalence's was observed in the nine cohorts studied. After standardization the range in prevalence of knee- and hip ROA was small. Conclusion: Phenotype definitions influence the prevalence of OA and association with clinical variables. ROA phenotypes within the TREAT-OA consortium were standardized to reduce heterogeneity and improve power in future genetics studies. (C) 2010 Osteoarthritis Research Society International. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 16. |
- Ding, Ding, et al.
(författare)
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Perceived neighborhood environment and physical activity in 11 countries : Do associations differ by country?
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1479-5868. ; 10:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Increasing empirical evidence supports associations between neighborhood environments and physical activity. However, since most studies were conducted in a single country, particularly western countries, the generalizability of associations in an international setting is not well understood. The current study examined whether associations between perceived attributes of neighborhood environments and physical activity differed by country. Methods: Population representative samples from 11 countries on five continents were surveyed using comparable methodologies and measurement instruments. Neighborhood environment x country interactions were tested in logistic regression models with meeting physical activity recommendations as the outcome, adjusted for demographic characteristics. Country-specific associations were reported. Results: Significant neighborhood environment attribute x country interactions implied some differences across countries in the association of each neighborhood attribute with meeting physical activity recommendations. Across the 11 countries, land-use mix and sidewalks had the most consistent associations with physical activity. Access to public transit, bicycle facilities, and low-cost recreation facilities had some associations with physical activity, but with less consistency across countries. There was little evidence supporting the associations of residential density and crime-related safety with physical activity in most countries. Conclusion: There is evidence of generalizability for the associations of land use mix, and presence of sidewalks with physical activity. Associations of other neighborhood characteristics with physical activity tended to differ by country. Future studies should include objective measures of neighborhood environments, compare psychometric properties of reports across countries, and use better specified models to further understand the similarities and differences in associations across countries.
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| 17. |
- Speliotes, Elizabeth K, et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide association analysis identifies variants associated with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease that have distinct effects on metabolic traits.
- 2011
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Ingår i: PLoS genetics. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1553-7404. ; 7:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) clusters in families, but the only known common genetic variants influencing risk are near PNPLA3. We sought to identify additional genetic variants influencing NAFLD using genome-wide association (GWA) analysis of computed tomography (CT) measured hepatic steatosis, a non-invasive measure of NAFLD, in large population based samples. Using variance components methods, we show that CT hepatic steatosis is heritable (∼26%-27%) in family-based Amish, Family Heart, and Framingham Heart Studies (n=880 to 3,070). By carrying out a fixed-effects meta-analysis of genome-wide association (GWA) results between CT hepatic steatosis and ∼2.4 million imputed or genotyped SNPs in 7,176 individuals from the Old Order Amish, Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility-Reykjavik study (AGES), Family Heart, and Framingham Heart Studies, we identify variants associated at genome-wide significant levels (p<5×10(-8)) in or near PNPLA3, NCAN, and PPP1R3B. We genotype these and 42 other top CT hepatic steatosis-associated SNPs in 592 subjects with biopsy-proven NAFLD from the NASH Clinical Research Network (NASH CRN). In comparisons with 1,405 healthy controls from the Myocardial Genetics Consortium (MIGen), we observe significant associations with histologic NAFLD at variants in or near NCAN, GCKR, LYPLAL1, and PNPLA3, but not PPP1R3B. Variants at these five loci exhibit distinct patterns of association with serum lipids, as well as glycemic and anthropometric traits. We identify common genetic variants influencing CT-assessed steatosis and risk of NAFLD. Hepatic steatosis associated variants are not uniformly associated with NASH/fibrosis or result in abnormalities in serum lipids or glycemic and anthropometric traits, suggesting genetic heterogeneity in the pathways influencing these traits.
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| 18. |
- Adams, Marc A., et al.
(författare)
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Patterns of neighborhood environment attributes related to physical activity across 11 countries : a latent class analysis
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1479-5868. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Neighborhood environment studies of physical activity (PA) have been mainly single-country focused. The International Prevalence Study (IPS) presented a rare opportunity to examine neighborhood features across countries. The purpose of this analysis was to: 1) detect international neighborhood typologies based on participants' response patterns to an environment survey and 2) to estimate associations between neighborhood environment patterns and PA. Methods: A Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was conducted on pooled IPS adults (N=11,541) aged 18 to 64 years old (mean=37.5 +/- 12.8 yrs; 55.6% women) from 11 countries including Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Hong Kong, Japan, Lithuania, New Zealand, Norway, Sweden, and the U. S. This subset used the Physical Activity Neighborhood Environment Survey (PANES) that briefly assessed 7 attributes within 10-15 minutes walk of participants' residences, including residential density, access to shops/services, recreational facilities, public transit facilities, presence of sidewalks and bike paths, and personal safety. LCA derived meaningful subgroups from participants' response patterns to PANES items, and participants were assigned to neighborhood types. The validated short-form International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) measured likelihood of meeting the 150 minutes/week PA guideline. To validate derived classes, meeting the guideline either by walking or total PA was regressed on neighborhood types using a weighted generalized linear regression model, adjusting for gender, age and country. Results: A 5-subgroup solution fitted the dataset and was interpretable. Neighborhood types were labeled, "Overall Activity Supportive (52% of sample)", "High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities (16%)", "Safe with Active Transport Facilities (12%)", "Transit and Shops Dense with Few Amenities (15%)", and "Safe but Activity Unsupportive (5%)". Country representation differed by type (e. g., U. S. disproportionally represented "Safe but Activity Unsupportive"). Compared to the Safe but Activity Unsupportive, two types showed greater odds of meeting PA guideline for walking outcome (High Walkable and Unsafe with Few Recreation Facilities, OR=2.26 (95% CI 1.18-4.31); Overall Activity Supportive, OR=1.90 (95% CI 1.13-3.21). Significant but smaller odds ratios were also found for total PA. Conclusions: Meaningful neighborhood patterns generalized across countries and explained practical differences in PA. These observational results support WHO/UN recommendations for programs and policies targeted to improve features of the neighborhood environment for PA.
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| 19. |
- Agersø, H, et al.
(författare)
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Recombinant human factor VIIa (rFVIIa) cleared principally by antithrombin following IV administration in haemophilia patients.
- 2011
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Ingår i: Journal of Thrombosis and Haemostasis. - : Elsevier BV. - 1538-7933 .- 1538-7836. ; 9:2, s. 333-338
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: The objective of the present study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and the clearance pathways of rFVIIa after intravenous administration to haemophilia patients. Methods: Ten severe haemophilia patients were included in the study; all patients were intravenously administered a clinical relevant dose of 90 μg/kg (1.8 nmol/kg) rFVIIa. Blood samples were collected consecutively to describe the pharmacokinetics of rFVIIa. All samples were analysed using three different assays: a clot assay to measure the activity (FVIIa:C), an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) to measure the antigen levels (FVII:Ag), and a EIA (FVIIa-AT) to measure the FVIIa antithrombin III (AT) complex. Pharmacokinetic parameters were evaluated both by use of standard non-compartmental methods and by use of mixed effects methods. A population pharmacokinetic model was used to simultaneously model all three datasets. The total body clearance of rFVIIa:C was estimated to be 38 mL/h/kg. The rFVII:AT complex formation was responsible for 65% of the total rFVIIa:C clearance. The initial and the terminal half-life of rFVIIa:C was estimated to be 0.6 and 2.6 hours, respectively. The formation of rFVII-AT complex were able to explain the difference observed between the rFVIIa:C and the rFVII:Ag concentration. The non-compartmental analysis resulted in almost identical parameters.
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| 20. |
- Andersen, Gregers Stig Tig, et al.
(författare)
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The DEXLIFE study methods : identifying novel candidate biomarkers that predict progression to type 2 diabetes in high risk individuals
- 2014
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Ingår i: Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. - : Elsevier. - 0168-8227 .- 1872-8227. ; 106:2, s. 383-389
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) is rapidly increasing worldwide and T2D is likely to affect 592 million people in 2035 if the current rate of progression is continued. Today, patients are diagnosed with T2D based on elevated blood glucose, either directly or indirectly (HbA1c). However, the information on disease progression is limited. Therefore, there is a need to identify novel early markers of glucose intolerance that reflect the underlying biology and the overall physiological, metabolic and clinical characteristics of progression towards diabetes. In the DEXLIFE study, several clinical cohorts provide the basis for a series of clinical, physiological and mechanistic investigations in combination with a range of--omic technologies to construct a detailed metabolic profile of high-risk individuals across multiple cohorts. In addition, an exercise and dietary intervention study is conducted, that will assess the impact on both plasma biomarkers and specific functional tissue-based markers. The DEXLIFE study will provide novel diagnostic and predictive biomarkers which may not only effectively detect the progression towards diabetes in high risk individuals but also predict responsiveness to lifestyle interventions known to be effective in the prevention of diabetes.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Cheng, Xiaoxiao, et al.
(författare)
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Structure and Interactions of the Human Programmed Cell Death 1 Receptor
- 2013
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Ingår i: Journal of Biological Chemistry. - : American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. - 0021-9258 .- 1083-351X. ; 288:17, s. 11771-11785
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- PD-1, a receptor expressed by T cells, B cells, and monocytes, is a potent regulator of immune responses and a promising therapeutic target. The structure and interactions of human PD-1 are, however, incompletely characterized. We present the solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based structure of the human PD-1 extracellular region and detailed analyses of its interactions with its ligands, PD-L1 and PD-L2. PD-1 has typical immunoglobulin superfamily topology but differs at the edge of the GFCC' sheet, which is flexible and completely lacks a C '' strand. Changes in PD-1 backbone NMR signals induced by ligand binding suggest that, whereas binding is centered on the GFCC' sheet, PD-1 is engaged by its two ligands differently and in ways incompletely explained by crystal structures of mouse PD-1.ligand complexes. The affinities of these interactions and that of PD-L1 with the costimulatory protein B7-1, measured using surface plasmon resonance, are significantly weaker than expected. The 3-4-fold greater affinity of PD-L2 versus PD-L1 for human PD-1 is principally due to the 3-fold smaller dissociation rate for PD-L2 binding. Isothermal titration calorimetry revealed that the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction is entropically driven, whereas PD-1/PD-L2 binding has a large enthalpic component. Mathematical simulations based on the biophysical data and quantitative expression data suggest an unexpectedly limited contribution of PD-L2 to PD-1 ligation during interactions of activated T cells with antigen-presenting cells. These findings provide a rigorous structural and biophysical framework for interpreting the important functions of PD-1 and reveal that potent inhibitory signaling can be initiated by weakly interacting receptors.
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| 24. |
- Dainiak, N, et al.
(författare)
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First global consensus for evidence-based management of the hematopoietic syndrome resulting from exposure to ionizing radiation
- 2011
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Ingår i: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1938-744X .- 1935-7893. ; 5:3, s. 202-212
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective:Hematopoietic syndrome (HS) is a clinical diagnosis assigned to people who present with ≥1 new-onset cytopenias in the setting of acute radiation exposure. The World Health Organization convened a panel of experts to evaluate the evidence and develop recommendations for medical countermeasures for the management of HS in a hypothetical scenario involving the hospitalization of 100 to 200 individuals exposed to radiation. The objective of this consultancy was to develop recommendations for treatment of the HS based upon the quality of evidence.Methods:English-language articles were identified in MEDLINE and PubMed. Reference lists of retrieved articles were distributed to panel members before the meeting and updated during the meeting. Published case series and case reports of individuals with HS, published randomized controlled trials of relevant interventions used to treat nonirradiated individuals, reports of studies in irradiated animals, and prior recommendations of subject matter experts were selected. Studies were extracted using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. In cases in which data were limited or incomplete, a narrative review of the observations was made. No randomized controlled trials of medical countermeasures have been completed for individuals with radiation-associated HS. The use of GRADE analysis of countermeasures for injury to hematopoietic tissue was restricted by the lack of comparator groups in humans. Reliance on data generated in nonirradiated humans and experimental animals was necessary.Results:Based upon GRADE analysis and narrative review, a strong recommendation was made for the administration of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor or granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor and a weak recommendation was made for the use of erythropoiesis-stimulating agents or hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.Conclusions:Assessment of therapeutic interventions for HS in humans exposed to nontherapeutic radiation is difficult because of the limits of the evidence.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:202-212)
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| 25. |
- Dainiak, N, et al.
(författare)
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Literature review and global consensus on management of acute radiation syndrome affecting nonhematopoietic organ systems
- 2011
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Ingår i: Disaster medicine and public health preparedness. - : Cambridge University Press (CUP). - 1938-744X .- 1935-7893. ; 5:3, s. 183-201
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives:The World Health Organization convened a panel of experts to rank the evidence for medical countermeasures for management of acute radiation syndrome (ARS) in a hypothetical scenario involving the hospitalization of 100 to 200 victims. The goal of this panel was to achieve consensus on optimal management of ARS affecting nonhematopoietic organ systems based upon evidence in the published literature.Methods:English-language articles were identified in MEDLINE and PubMed. Reference lists of retrieved articles were distributed to conferees in advance of and updated during the meeting. Published case series and case reports of ARS, publications of randomized controlled trials of relevant interventions used to treat nonirradiated individuals, reports of studies in irradiated animals, and prior recommendations of subject matter experts were selected. Studies were extracted using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation system. In cases in which data were limited or incomplete, a narrative review of the observations was made.Results:No randomized controlled trials of medical countermeasures have been completed for individuals with ARS. Reports of countermeasures were often incompletely described, making it necessary to rely on data generated in nonirradiated humans and in experimental animals. A strong recommendation is made for the administration of a serotonin-receptor antagonist prophylactically when the suspected exposure is >2 Gy and topical steroids, antibiotics, and antihistamines for radiation burns, ulcers, or blisters; excision and grafting of radiation ulcers or necrosis with intractable pain; provision of supportive care to individuals with neurovascular syndrome; and administration of electrolyte replacement therapy and sedatives to individuals with significant burns, hypovolemia, and/or shock. A strong recommendation is made against the use of systemic steroids in the absence of a specific indication. A weak recommendation is made for the use of fluoroquinolones, bowel decontamination, loperamide, and enteral nutrition, and for selective oropharyngeal/digestive decontamination, blood glucose maintenance, and stress ulcer prophylaxis in critically ill patients.Conclusions:High-quality studies of therapeutic interventions in humans exposed to nontherapeutic radiation are not available, and because of ethical concerns regarding the conduct of controlled studies in humans, such studies are unlikely to emerge in the near future.(Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2011;5:183–201)
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| 26. |
- Evangelou, Evangelos, et al.
(författare)
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Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies confirms a susceptibility locus for knee osteoarthritis on chromosome 7q22
- 2011
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Ingår i: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 1468-2060 .- 0003-4967. ; 70:2, s. 349-355
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent form of arthritis and accounts for substantial morbidity and disability, particularly in older people. It is characterised by changes in joint structure, including degeneration of the articular cartilage, and its aetiology is multifactorial with a strong postulated genetic component. Methods A meta-analysis was performed of four genome-wide association (GWA) studies of 2371 cases of knee OA and 35 909 controls in Caucasian populations. Replication of the top hits was attempted with data from 10 additional replication datasets. Results With a cumulative sample size of 6709 cases and 44 439 controls, one genome-wide significant locus was identified on chromosome 7q22 for knee OA (rs4730250, p = 9.2 x 10(-9)), thereby confirming its role as a susceptibility locus for OA. Conclusion The associated signal is located within a large (500 kb) linkage disequilibrium block that contains six genes: PRKAR2B (protein kinase, cAMP-dependent, regulatory, type II, beta), HPB1 (HMG-box transcription factor 1), COG5 (component of oligomeric golgi complex 5), GPR22 (G protein-coupled receptor 22), DUS4L (dihydrouridine synthase 4-like) and BCAP29 (B cell receptor-associated protein 29). Gene expression analyses of the (six) genes in primary cells derived from different joint tissues confirmed expression of all the genes in the joint environment.
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| 27. |
- Fransén, Erik, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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Computational modeling of activity dependent velocity changes in peripheral C-fibers
- 2011
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Initiation and propagation of action potentials along unmyelinated C-fibers are the first steps of the pain pathway. Propagation velocity and its fiber class-specific activity-dependent slowing (ADS) is intimately linked to fibre excitability. In chronic pain patients, ADS alterations have been suggested to reflect increased excitability, possibly underlying clinical pain. Due to their small diameter, peripheral axons of nociceptors in patients are not accessible for intraaxonal recordings of their ion channel properties. We have therefore constructed a model of a C-fibre to study the relationship between ion channel composition and velocity changes as well as excitability. Ion channels are modeled from data of DRG somata using a Hodgkin-Huxley formalism (Na currents: TTX-sensitive, Nav1.8, Nav1.9, K currents: Kdr, A-type, Kv7.3, non-specific cationic: HCN). Moreover, ion pumps (Na/K-ATPase) and concentrations of intra and extraaxonal sodium and potassium are also included. The geometry and temperature of the fibre represents a section of the superficial branch and the deeper parent and is represented by a multicompartmental structure where each compartment contains passive as well as ion channel and pump elements. Using parameter estimation techniques, we optimized ion channel and pump expression pattern such that basic electrophysiological characteristics of the action potential and its velocity matched the experimental data. Moreover, we have also replicated activity dependent slowing. In ongoing work, we extend optimization to also include recovery cycles. The model will be used to study hypothesis of the relationship between individual ion channel subtypes and axonal excitability related to pain, generating independent information on impact of selective neuronal targets.
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| 28. |
- Fransén, Erik, 1962-, et al.
(författare)
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Differences in action potential propagation in mechanosensitive and insensitive C-nociceptors - a modeling approach
- 2012
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- C-fibers, unmyelinated afferent axons, convey information from the periphery of the nervous system to the spinal cord. They transmit signals originating from noxious stimulation evoking the sensations of itch and pain in the central nervous system. Different classes of C-fibers are characterized by functional, morphological and biochemical characteristics. In pain studies, a classification into mechano-insensitive (CMi) and mechano responsive fibers (CM) has proven useful as changes in proportions and response characteristics of these fibers have been observed in neuropathy patients (Weidner et al. 1999, 2000; Orstavik 2003, 2010). In this study, using computational modeling of a C-fiber, we have studied the possible contribution of different ion channel subtypes (Na-TTXs, Nav1.8, Nav1.9, Kdr, KA, KM, K(Na), h) as well as the Na/K-ATPase pump to conductive properties of C-fibers. In particular we investigated mechanisms that could generate the fiber-specific differences between CM and CMi fibers with regard to activity dependent slowing (ADS) and recovery cycles (RC). In our study we represent the axon by three cylindrical sections, one representing the peripheral thin end (branch, 2.5 cm), one the central part (parent, 10 cm) and a conical section between these (0.5 cm). In total 730 compartments are used. Temperature is set to 32 degrees C in branch and 37 degrees in parent sections. We represent variable ion concentrations of Na and K intra axonally, periaxonally and extracellularly, from which reversal potentials are calculated. We use ion channel models based on Hodgkin Huxley formalism. An ion pump (Na/K-ATPase) is included. We find that TTX-sensitive Na and Nav1.8 have the strongest influence on action potential conduction velocity as is expected since these are the major components of the rising phase of the action potential. Preliminary observations indicate that a small subset of Na and K currents play a key role in determining differences in activity dependent velocity changes (ADS) in the two fiber classes. We plan to also study contributions from morphological characteristics (superficial branch lengths) to activity dependent differences between the fiber classes (Schmidt et al. 2002). We further intend to investigate candidate ion channels which could play a role in changing the functional characteristics of a CMi fiber to that of a CM fiber. Our studies may provide insights into ionic changes underlying changes in the excitability of C-fibers associated with pain.
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| 29. |
- Jurgens, Catherine A., et al.
(författare)
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beta-Cell Loss and beta-Cell Apoptosis in Human Type 2 Diabetes Are Related to Islet Amyloid Deposition
- 2011
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Ingår i: American Journal of Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9440 .- 1525-2191. ; 178:6, s. 2632-2640
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Amyloid deposition and reduced beta-cell mass are pathological hallmarks of the pancreatic islet in type 2 diabetes; however, whether the extent of amyloid deposition is associated with decreased beta-cell mass is debated. We investigated the possible relationship and, for the first time, determined whether increased islet amyloid and/or decreased beta-cell area quantified on histological sections is correlated with increased beta-cell apoptosis. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded human pancreas sections from subjects with (n = 29) and without (n = 39) diabetes were obtained at autopsy (64 +/- 2 and 70 +/- 4 islets/subject, respectively). Amyloid and beta cells were visualized by thioflavin S and insulin inununolabeling. Apoptotic beta cells were detected by colabeling for insulin and by TUNEL. Diabetes was associated with increased amyloid deposition, decreased beta-cell area, and increased beta-cell apoptosis, as expected. There was a strong inverse correlation between beta-cell area and amyloid deposition (r = -0.42, P < 0.001). beta-Cell area was selectively reduced in individual amyloid-containing islets from diabetic subjects, compared with control subjects, but amyloid-free islets had beta-cell area equivalent to islets from control subjects. Increased amyloid 'deposition was associated with beta-cell apoptosis (r = 0.56, P < 0.01). Thus, islet amyloid is associated with decreased beta-cell area and increased beta-cell apoptosis, suggesting that islet amyloid deposition contributes to the decreased beta-cell mass that characterizes type 2 diabetes.
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| 30. |
- Krementsov, Dimitry N, et al.
(författare)
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Studies in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis do not support developmental bisphenol a exposure as an environmental factor in increasing multiple sclerosis risk
- 2013
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Ingår i: Toxicological Sciences. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1096-6080 .- 1096-0929. ; 135:1, s. 91-102
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Multiple sclerosis (MS), a demyelinating immune-mediated central nervous system disease characterized by increasing female penetrance, is the leading cause of disability in young adults in the developed world. Epidemiological data strongly implicate an environmental factor, acting at the population level during gestation, in the increasing incidence of female MS observed over the last 50 years, yet the identity of this factor remains unknown. Gestational exposure to bisphenol A (BPA), an endocrine disruptor used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics since the 1950s, has been reported to alter a variety of physiological processes in adulthood. BPA has estrogenic activity, and we hypothesized that increased gestational exposure to environmental BPA may therefore contribute to the increasing female MS risk. To test this hypothesis, we utilized two different mouse models of MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) in C57BL/6J mice (chronic progressive) and in SJL/J mice (relapsing-remitting). Dams were exposed to physiologically relevant levels of BPA in drinking water starting 2 weeks prior to mating and continuing until weaning of offspring. EAE was induced in adult offspring. No significant changes in EAE incidence, progression, or severity were observed with BPA exposure, despite changes in cytokine production by autoreactive T cells. However, endocrine disruption was evidenced by changes in testes development, and transcriptomic profiling revealed that BPA exposure altered the expression of several genes important for testes development, including Pdgfa, which was downregulated. Overall, our results do not support gestational BPA exposure as a significant contributor to the increasing female MS risk.
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
- Meltzer, E, et al.
(författare)
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Clinically relevant effect of a new intranasal therapy (MP29-02) in allergic rhinitis assessed by responder analysis
- 2013
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Ingår i: International archives of allergy and immunology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0097 .- 1018-2438. ; 161:4, s. 369-377
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- <b><i>Background:</i></b> It is unclear what constitutes a clinically meaningful response for allergic rhinitis (AR) outcomes. The objectives of these post hoc analyses were (1) to define a clinically meaningful response using novel efficacy analyses (including a responder analysis), and (2) to compare the efficacy of MP29-02 [a novel intranasal formulation of azelastine hydrochloride (AZE) and fluticasone propionate (FP)] with commercially available FP, AZE and placebo in seasonal AR (SAR) patients, using these novel analyses. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> 610 moderate-to-severe SAR patients (≥12 years old) were randomized into a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 14-day, parallel-group trial. Change from baseline in the reflective total nasal symptom score (rTNSS) over 14 days was the primary outcome. Post hoc endpoints included the sum of nasal and ocular symptoms (rT7SS), efficacy by disease severity and by predominant nasal symptom, and a set of responder analyses. <b><i>Results:</i></b> MP29-02 most effectively reduced rT7SS (relative greater improvement: 52% to FP; 56% to AZE) and both nasal and ocular symptoms irrespective of severity. More MP29-02 patients achieved a ≥30, ≥50, ≥60, ≥75 and ≥90% rTNSS reduction, which occurred days faster than with either active comparator; MP29-02 alone was superior to placebo at the ≥60% (or higher) threshold. One in 2 MP29-02 patients achieved a ≥50% rTNSS reduction and 1 in 6 achieved complete/near-to-complete response. Only MP29-02 was consistently superior to placebo for all patients, whatever their predominant symptom. <b><i>Conclusions:</i></b> MP29-02 provided faster and more complete symptom control than first-line therapies. It was consistently superior irrespective of severity, response criteria or patient-type, and may be considered the drug of choice for moderate-to-severe AR. These measures define a new standard for assessing relevance in AR.
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| 33. |
- Petersson, Marcus E., et al.
(författare)
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Differential Axonal Conduction Patterns of Mechano-Sensitive and Mechano-Insensitive Nociceptors - A Combined Experimental and Modelling Study
- 2014
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 9:8, s. e103556-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Cutaneous pain sensations are mediated largely by C-nociceptors consisting of both mechano-sensitive (CM) and mechano-insensitive (CMi) fibres that can be distinguished from one another according to their characteristic axonal properties. In healthy skin and relative to CMi fibres, CM fibres show a higher initial conduction velocity, less activity-dependent conduction velocity slowing, and less prominent post-spike supernormality. However, after sensitization with nerve growth factor, the electrical signature of CMi fibres changes towards a profile similar to that of CM fibres. Here we take a combined experimental and modelling approach to examine the molecular basis of such alterations to the excitation thresholds. Changes in electrical activation thresholds and activity-dependent slowing were examined in vivo using single-fibre recordings of CM and CMi fibres in domestic pigs following NGF application. Using computational modelling, we investigated which axonal mechanisms contribute most to the electrophysiological differences between the fibre classes. Simulations of axonal conduction suggest that the differences between CMi and CM fibres are strongly influenced by the densities of the delayed rectifier potassium channel (Kdr), the voltage-gated sodium channels Na(V)1.7 and Na(V)1.8, and the Na+/K+-ATPase. Specifically, the CM fibre profile required less K-dr and Na(V)1.8 in combination with more Na(V)1.7 and Na+/ K(+)AT-Pase. The difference between CM and CMi fibres is thus likely to reflect a relative rather than an absolute difference in protein expression. In support of this, it was possible to replicate the experimental reduction of the ADS pattern of CMi nociceptors towards a CM-like pattern following intradermal injection of nerve growth factor by decreasing the contribution of Kdr (by 50%), increasing the Na+/K+-ATPase (by 10%), and reducing the branch length from 2 cm to 1 cm. The findings highlight key molecules that potentially contribute to the NGF-induced switch in nociceptors phenotype, in particular NaV1.7 which has already been identified clinically as a principal contributor to chronic pain states such as inherited erythromelalgia.
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| 34. |
- Postmus, Iris, et al.
(författare)
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Pharmacogenetic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of LDL cholesterol response to statins.
- 2014
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Ingår i: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 5
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Statins effectively lower LDL cholesterol levels in large studies and the observed interindividual response variability may be partially explained by genetic variation. Here we perform a pharmacogenetic meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies (GWAS) in studies addressing the LDL cholesterol response to statins, including up to 18,596 statin-treated subjects. We validate the most promising signals in a further 22,318 statin recipients and identify two loci, SORT1/CELSR2/PSRC1 and SLCO1B1, not previously identified in GWAS. Moreover, we confirm the previously described associations with APOE and LPA. Our findings advance the understanding of the pharmacogenetic architecture of statin response.
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| 35. |
- Ramseier, Christoph A, et al.
(författare)
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Consensus Report: 2nd European Workshop on Tobacco Use Prevention and Cessation for Oral Health Professionals.
- 2010
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Ingår i: International dental journal. - 0020-6539. ; 60:1, s. 3-6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Tobacco use has been identified as a major risk factor for oral disorders such as cancer and periodontal disease. Tobacco use cessation (TUC) is associated with the potential for reversal of precancer, enhanced outcomes following periodontal treatment, and better periodontal status compared to patients who continue to smoke. Consequently, helping tobacco users to quit has become a part of both the responsibility of oral health professionals and the general practice of dentistry. TUC should consist of behavioural support, and if accompanied by pharmacotherapy, is more likely to be successful. It is widely accepted that appropriate compensation of TUC counselling would give oral health professionals greater incentives to provide these measures. Therefore, TUC-related compensation should be made accessible to all dental professionals and be in appropriate relation to other therapeutic interventions. International and national associations for oral health professionals are urged to act as advocates to promote population, community and individual initiatives in support of tobacco use prevention and cessation (TUPAC) counselling, including integration in undergraduate and graduate dental curricula. In order to facilitate the adoption of TUPAC strategies by oral health professionals, we propose a level of care model which includes 1) basic care: brief interventions for all patients in the dental practice to identify tobacco users, assess readiness to quit, and request permission to re-address at a subsequent visit, 2) intermediate care: interventions consisting of (brief) motivational interviewing sessions to build on readiness to quit, enlist resources to support change, and to include cessation medications, and 3) advanced care: intensive interventions to develop a detailed quit plan including the use of suitable pharmacotherapy. To ensure that the delivery of effective TUC becomes part of standard care, continuing education courses and updates should be implemented and offered to all oral health professionals on a regular basis.
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
- Wang, Thomas J., et al.
(författare)
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Metabolite profiles and the risk of developing diabetes
- 2011
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Ingår i: Nature Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-170X .- 1078-8956. ; 17:4, s. 83-448
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Emerging technologies allow the high-throughput profiling of metabolic status from a blood specimen (metabolomics). We investigated whether metabolite profiles could predict the development of diabetes. Among 2,422 normoglycemic individuals followed for 12 years, 201 developed diabetes. Amino acids, amines and other polar metabolites were profiled in baseline specimens by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Cases and controls were matched for age, body mass index and fasting glucose. Five branched-chain and aromatic amino acids had highly significant associations with future diabetes: isoleucine, leucine, valine, tyrosine and phenylalanine. A combination of three amino acids predicted future diabetes (with a more than fivefold higher risk for individuals in top quartile). The results were replicated in an independent, prospective cohort. These findings underscore the potential key role of amino acid metabolism early in the pathogenesis of diabetes and suggest that amino acid profiles could aid in diabetes risk assessment.
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