| 1. |
- Grandin, Anna, 1973-, et al.
(författare)
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Potential use of native fungal strains for assisted uranium retention
- 2015
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Ingår i: Minerals Engineering. - : Elsevier BV. - 0892-6875 .- 1872-9444. ; 81, s. 173-178
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Uranium-stabilizing ligands can be useful complexing agents for uranium in aqueous solution. The discovery of novel ligand candidates for selective uranium capture in artificial and natural waters could provide scope for their use in water remediation and metal recovery from low- and high grade ores. In this study we used seven fungal strains, isolated from shale waste, to monitor the uranium retention capacity from an aqueous solution. After four weeks of incubation, suspensions containing the fungal strains were filtered, and up to 100% of the total uranium inventory was removed from a 10 mg L-1 solution. Approximately 70% of the total uranium removal is attributed to complexation and/or adsorption by particles in the malt extract and some 10% is adsorbed by the fungal biomass. The additional 20% uranium removed could be related to the excretion of fungal metabolites. From 58% to 90% of the uranium is removed within ten minutes. The formation of colloidal/particulate uranium is proposed to be controlled by organic ligands in the culture medium and organic ligands excreted by the fungi where phosphorus moieties seem to be important. Membrane fouling by the hydrocarbons is also suggested to contribute to a loss of uranium from the aqueous phase.
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| 2. |
- Lundgren, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Analgesic antipyretic use among young children in the TEDDY study : No association with islet autoimmunity
- 2017
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Ingår i: BMC Pediatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2431. ; 17:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The use of analgesic antipyretics (ANAP) in children have long been a matter of controversy. Data on their practical use on an individual level has, however, been scarce. There are indications of possible effects on glucose homeostasis and immune function related to the use of ANAP. The aim of this study was to analyze patterns of analgesic antipyretic use across the clinical centers of The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) prospective cohort study and test if ANAP use was a risk factor for islet autoimmunity. Methods: Data were collected for 8542 children in the first 2.5 years of life. Incidence was analyzed using logistic regression with country and first child status as independent variables. Holm's procedure was used to adjust for multiplicity of intercountry comparisons. Time to autoantibody seroconversion was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model with cumulative analgesic use as primary time dependent covariate of interest. For each categorization, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used. Results: Higher prevalence of ANAP use was found in the U.S. (95.7%) and Sweden (94.8%) compared to Finland (78.1%) and Germany (80.2%). First-born children were more commonly given acetaminophen (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07, 1.49; p = 0.007) but less commonly Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.78, 0.95; p = 0.002). Acetaminophen and NSAID use in the absence of fever and infection was more prevalent in the U.S. (40.4%; 26.3% of doses) compared to Sweden, Finland and Germany (p < 0.001). Acetaminophen or NSAID use before age 2.5 years did not predict development of islet autoimmunity by age 6 years (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99-1.09; p = 0.27). In a sub-analysis, acetaminophen use in children with fever weakly predicted development of islet autoimmunity by age 3 years (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09; p = 0.024). Conclusions: ANAP use in young children is not a risk factor for seroconversion by age 6 years. Use of ANAP is widespread in young children, and significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other study sites, where use is common also in absence of fever and infection.
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| 3. |
- Mattsson, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Developmental exposure to a mixture of perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) affects the thyroid hormone system and the bursa of Fabricius in the chicken
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2045-2322. ; 9:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Perfluoroalkyl acids (PFAAs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants and eggs and nestlings of raptors and fish-eating birds often contain high levels of PFAAs. We studied developmental effects of a mixture of ten PFAAs by exposing chicken embryos to 0.5 or 3 μg/g egg of each compound in the mixture. Histological changes of the thyroid gland were noted at both doses and increased expression of mRNA coding for type III deiodinase was found at 0.5 μg/g egg. Serum concentrations of the free fraction of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were reduced by the PFAA mixture at 3 µg/g egg, which is in line with a decreased synthesis and increased turnover of thyroid hormones as indicated by our histological findings and the decreased mRNA expression of type III deiodinase. The relative weight of the bursa of Fabricius increased at a dose of 3 μg/g egg in females. The bursa is the site of B-cell development in birds and is crucial for the avian adaptive immune system. Analysis of plasma and liver concentrations of the mixture components showed differences depending on chain length and functional group. Our results highlight the vulnerability of the thyroid hormone and immune systems to PFAAs.
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| 4. |
- Neubeck, Anna, et al.
(författare)
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Effect of Nickel Levels on Hydrogen Partial Pressure and Methane Production in Methanogens
- 2016
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 11:12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hydrogen (H-2) consumption and methane (CH4) production in pure cultures of three different methanogens were investigated during cultivation with 0, 0.2 and 4.21 mu M added nickel (Ni). The results showed that the level of dissolved Ni in the anaerobic growth medium did not notably affect CH4 production in the cytochrome-free methanogenic species Methanobacterium bryantii and Methanoculleus bourgensis MAB1, but affected CH4 formation rate in the cytochrome-containing Methanosarcina barkeri grown on H-2 and CO2. Methanosarcina barkeri also had the highest amounts of Ni in its cells, indicating that more Ni is needed by cytochrome-containing than by cytochrome-free methanogenic species. The concentration of Ni affected threshold values of H-2 partial pressure (pH(2)) for all three methanogen species studied, with M. bourgensis MAB1 reaching pH(2) values as low as 0.1 Pa when Ni was available in amounts used in normal anaerobic growth medium. To our knowledge, this is the lowest pH(2) threshold recorded to date in pure methanogen culture, which suggests that M. bourgensis MAB1 have a competitive advantage over other species through its ability to grow at low H-2 concentrations. Our study has implications for research on the H-2-driven deep subsurface biosphere and biogas reactor performance.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Alizadeh Khameneh, Mohammad Amin, 1983-
(författare)
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Optimal Design in Geodetic GNSS-based Networks
- 2017
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- An optimal design of a geodetic network helps the surveying engineers maximise the efficiency of the network. A number of pre-defined quality requirements, i.e. precision, reliability, and cost, of the network are fulfilled by performing an optimisation procedure. Today, this is almost always accomplished by implementing analytical solutions, where the human intervention in the process cycle is limited to defining the requirements. Nevertheless, a trial and error method can be beneficial to some applications. In order to analytically solve an optimisation problem, it can be classified to different orders, where an optimal datum, configuration, and optimal observation weights can be sought such that the precision, reliability and cost criteria are satisfied.In this thesis, which is a compilation of six peer-reviewed papers, we optimised and redesigned a number of GNSS-based monitoring networks in Sweden by developing new methodologies. In addition, optimal design and efficiency of total station establishment with RTK-GNSS is investigated in this research.Sensitivity of a network in detecting displacements is of importance for monitoring purposes. In the first paper, a precision criterion was defined to enable a GNSS-based monitoring network to detect 5 mm displacements at each network point. Developing an optimisation model by considering this precision criterion, reliability and cost yielded a decrease of 17% in the number of observed single baselines implying a reliable and precise network at lower cost. The second paper concerned a case, where the precision of observations could be improved in forthcoming measurements. Thus a new precision criterion was developed to consider this assumption. A significant change was seen in the optimised design of the network for subsequent measurements. As yet, the weight of single baselines was subject to optimisation, while in the third paper, the effect of mathematical correlations between GNSS baselines was considered in the optimisation. Hence, the sessions of observations, including more than two receivers, were optimised. Four out of ten sessions with three simultaneous operating receivers were eliminated in a monitoring network with designed displacement detection of 5 mm. The sixth paper was the last one dealing with optimisation of GNSS networks. The area of interest was divided into a number of three-dimensional elements and the precision of deformation parameters was used in developing a precision criterion. This criterion enabled the network to detect displacements of 3 mm at each point.A total station can be set up in the field by different methods, e.g. free station or setup over a known point. A real-time updated free station method uses RTK-GNSS to determine the coordinates and orientation of a total station. The efficiency of this method in height determination was investigated in the fourth paper. The research produced promising results suggesting using the method as an alternative to traditional levelling under some conditions. Moreover, an optimal location for the total station in free station establishment was studied in the fifth paper. It was numerically shown that the height component has no significant effect on the optimal localisation.
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| 7. |
- Alizadeh Khameneh, Mohammad Amin, et al.
(författare)
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Optimisation of GNSS Networks - Considering Baseline Correlations
- 2017
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Ingår i: Survey review - Directorate of Overseas Surveys. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0039-6265 .- 1752-2706. ; , s. 1-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- By considering GNSS observations one can perform optimisation according to some pre-defined criteria and come up with the best location of receivers and optimum number of baselines. In practice, it is quite common to neglect the effect of correlations between baselines, and instead assume single-baseline adjusted data in the optimisation procedure. However, in each session of observation usually more than two receivers are simultaneously taking data from a number of common GNSS satellites, implying that the single or double difference observations are correlated. Our study designs an optimal observation plan for a GPS network in Skåne in southern Sweden, with the aim of determining possible displacements. Assuming three receivers in each session of observations leads to correlation between the GPS baselines, and consequently a fully populated weight matrix for each session of observation. A bi-objective optimisation model of precision and reliability is chosen to optimise the variance factor of each session, and eventually, design an observation plan. It is shown in this study that observing 6 out of 10 possible sessions are sufficient to enable the network to detect a 5 mm displacement at each station. Assuming that the double difference phase observations are uncorrelated changes the observation plan by retaining 2 more sessions. However, defining the weight matrix based on the double difference observations requires the correlations to be taken into account, and neglecting them leads to incorrect results.
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| 8. |
- Alizadeh Khameneh, Mohammad Amin, et al.
(författare)
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Optimization of GNSS Deformation Monitoring Networks by Considering Baseline Correlations
- 2016
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Ingår i: FIG Working Week 2016 Proceedings.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- In the study of deformations of man-made constructions or in geodynamics one usually needs to carefully monitor fixed objects attached to the deformable body. The purpose is to use precise observations to build up an accurate, reliable and possibly low-cost network around the objects to study their motion in short- or long-time intervals and to estimate the possible displacements or deformations among those objects. Frequently, such studies are performed to prevent unwanted disasters (e.g. due to earthquakes and landslides as well as the progressive or abrupt destruction of large-scale structures). This study is concerned with designing an optimal GNSS network to monitor possible deformations of a geodetic network.By considering GNSS observations one can perform the optimization according to some pre-defined criteria and come up with the best location of receivers and optimum number of baselines. In practice, it is quite common to neglect the effect of correlations between baselines, and instead use single-baseline adjusted data in the optimisation procedure. However, in each session of observation usually more than two receivers are simultaneously taking data from a number of common GNSS satellites. This procedure inevitably leads to between-baseline correlations. Our study designs an optimal observation plan for a GNSS monitoring network with the aim of determining possible displacements and deformations. The developed methodology will be tested on a simulated network with five points, where three receivers simultaneously take data from four satellites.
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| 9. |
- Barman, Malin, 1983, et al.
(författare)
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Nutritional impact on Immunological maturation during Childhood in relation to the Environment (NICE): a prospective birth cohort in northern Sweden
- 2018
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Ingår i: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055 .- 2044-6055. ; 8:10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2018. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ. INTRODUCTION: Prenatal and neonatal environmental factors, such as nutrition, microbes and toxicants, may affect health throughout life. Many diseases, such as allergy and impaired child development, may be programmed already in utero or during early infancy. Birth cohorts are important tools to study associations between early life exposure and disease risk. Here, we describe the study protocol of the prospective birth cohort, 'Nutritional impact on Immunological maturation during Childhood in relation to the Environment' (NICE). The primary aim of the NICE cohort is to clarify the effect of key environmental exposures-diet, microbes and environmental toxicants-during pregnancy and early childhood, on the maturation of the infant's immune system, including initiation of sensitisation and allergy as well as some secondary outcomes: infant growth, obesity, neurological development and oral health.METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The NICE cohort will recruit about 650 families during mid-pregnancy. The principal inclusion criterion will be planned birth at the Sunderby Hospital in the north of Sweden, during 2015-2018. Questionnaires data and biological samples will be collected at 10 time-points, from pregnancy until the children reach 4 years of age. Samples will be collected primarily from mothers and children, and from fathers. Biological samples include blood, urine, placenta, breast milk, meconium, faeces, saliva and hair. Information regarding allergic heredity, diet, socioeconomic status, lifestyle including smoking, siblings, pet ownership, etc will be collected using questionnaires. Sensitisation to common allergens will be assessed by skin prick testing and allergic disease will be diagnosed by a paediatrician at 1 and 4 years of age. At 4 years of age, the children will also be examined regarding growth, neurobehavioural and neurophysiological status and oral health.ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The NICE cohort has been approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Umeå, Sweden (2013/18-31M). Results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed journals and communicated on scientific conferences.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Ek, Stina, et al.
(författare)
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Risk Factors for Injurious Falls in Older Adults : The Role of Sex and Length of Follow-Up
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of The American Geriatrics Society. - : Wiley. - 0002-8614 .- 1532-5415. ; 67:2, s. 246-253
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: To identify sex-specific associations between risk factors and injurious falls over the short (<4 years) and long (4-10 years) term.DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study between 2001 and 2011.SETTING: Swedish National Study on Aging and Care, Kungsholmen, Sweden.PARTICIPANTS: Community-dwelling adults aged 60 and older (N = 3,112).MEASUREMENTS: An injurious fall was defined as a fall that required inpatient or outpatient care. Information was collected on participant and exposure characteristics using structured interviews, clinical examinations, and physical function tests at baseline.RESULTS: The multivariate model showed that, in the short term, living alone (hazard ratio (HR)=1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.13-2.96), dependency in instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) (HR=2.59, 95% CI=1.73-3.87), and previous falls (HR=1.71, 95% CI=1.08-2.72) were independently associated with injurious falls in women. Low systolic blood pressure (HR=1.96, 95% CI=1.04-3.71), impaired chair stands (HR=3.00, 95% CI=1.52-5.93), and previous falls (HR=2.81, 95% CI=1.32-5.97) were associated with injurious falls in men. Long-term risk factors were underweight (HR=2.03, 95% CI=1.40-2.95), cognitive impairment (HR=1.49, 95% CI=1.08-2.06), fall-risk increasing drugs (HR=1.67, 95% CI=1.27-2.20 for >= 2 drugs), and IADL dependency (HR=1.58, 95% CI=1.32-5.97) for women and smoking (HR=1.71, 95% CI=1.03-2.84), heart disease (HR=2.20, 95% CI=1.5-3.24), impaired balance (HR=1.68, 95% CI=1.08-2.62), and a previous fall (HR=3.61, 95% CI=1.98-6.61) for men.CONCLUSION: Men and women have different fall risk profiles, and these differences should be considered when developing preventive strategies. Some risk factors were more strongly predictive of injurious falls over shorter than longer periods and vice versa, suggesting that it may be possible to identify older men and women at short-and long-term risk of injurious falls.
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| 12. |
- Fages, Anne, et al.
(författare)
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Metabolomic profiles of hepatocellular carcinoma in a European prospective cohort.
- 2015
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Ingår i: BMC Medicine. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1741-7015. ; 13:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the most prevalent form of liver cancer, is difficult to diagnose and has limited treatment options with a low survival rate. Aside from a few key risk factors, such as hepatitis, high alcohol consumption, smoking, obesity, and diabetes, there is incomplete etiologic understanding of the disease and little progress in identification of early risk biomarkers.
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| 13. |
- Innala, Lena, 1060-, et al.
(författare)
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Co-morbidity in patients with early rheumatoid arthritis - inflammation matters
- 2016
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Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : BioMed Central. - 1478-6362. ; 18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) suffer from co-morbidities that contribute to a shortened lifespan. Inflammation is important for the development of cardiovascular disease, but little is known on its relationship with other co-morbidities. We investigated the role of inflammation for the development of new comorbidities in early RA. Methods: Since 1995, all patients with early RA in Northern Sweden are included in a prospective study on comorbidities, with a total of 950 patients being included. At the time for this study, 726 had been ill for >= 5 years. Data on co-morbidities, clinical and laboratory disease activity and pharmacological therapy were collected from patient records and further validated using a questionnaire at RA onset (T0) and after 5 years (T5). Results: Of the patients, 53.2 % of the patients had one or more co-morbidity at onset, the commonest being: hypertension (27.3 %), obstructive pulmonary disease (13.9 %), diabetes (8.0 %), hypothyroidism (6.3 %) and malignancy (5.0 %). After 5 years, 41.0 % had developed at least one new co-morbidity, the most common being: hypertension (15.1 %), malignancy (7.6 %), stroke/transient ischemic accident (5.1 %), myocardial infarction (4.3 %) and osteoporosis (3.7 %). Age at disease onset, a raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at inclusion, previous treatment with glucocorticoids (GC; p < 0.001 for all), extra-articular RA (Ex-RA; p < 0.01), DAS28 (area under the curve) at 24 months (p < 0.05), previous smoking at inclusion (p = 0.058) and male gender (p < 0.01) were associated with a new co-morbidity overall at T5. Treatment with biologics (p < 0.05) reduced the risk. In multiple logistic regression modelling, ESR (p = 0.036) at inclusion was associated with a new co-morbidity after 5 years, adjusted for age, sex, smoking and GC treatment. In a similar model, Ex-RA (p < 0.05) was associated with a new co-morbidity at T5. In a third model, adjusted for age and sex, a new pulmonary co-morbidity was associated with a smoking history at inclusion (p < 0.01), but not with ESR. Conclusion: There was substantial co-morbidity among early RA patients already at disease onset, with considerable new co-morbidity being added during the first five years. Measures of disease activity were associated with the occurrence of a new co-morbidity indicating that the inflammation is of importance in this context.
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| 14. |
- Javanmardi, Niloufar, et al.
(författare)
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Low Frequency ALK Hotspots Mutations In Neuroblastoma Tumours Detected By Ultra-deep Sequencing: Implications For ALK Inhibitor Treatment
- 2019
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The ALK tyrosine kinase receptor is oncogenically activated in neuroblastoma. Whereas numerous ALK fusion genes have been reported in different malignancies, in neuroblastoma ALK is mainly activated through point mutations. Three hotspot residues (F1174, F1245, and R1275) account for 85% of mutant ALK seen in neuroblastoma. In a cohort of 105 Swedish neuroblastoma cases of all stages, these hotspot regions were re-sequenced (> 5000X). ALK mutations were detected in 16 of 105 patients (range of variant allele fraction: 2.7-60%). Mutations at the F1174 and F1245 hotspot were observed in eleven and three cases respectively. ALK mutations were also detected at the I1171 and L1240 codons in one tumor each. No mutations were detected at R1275. Sanger sequencing could confirm ALK status for all mutated samples with variant allele fraction above 15%. Four of the samples with subclonal ALK mutation fraction below this would have gone undetected relying on Sanger sequencing only. No distinct mutation spectrum in relation to neuroblastoma tumours genomic subtypes could be detected although there was a paucity of ALK mutations among 11q-deleted tumors. As ALK mutations status opens up an excellent opportunity for application of small molecule inhibitors targeting ALK, early and sensitive detection of ALK alterations is clinically important considering its potential role in tumour progression.
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| 15. |
- Johnsson Harrie, Anna, 1972-, et al.
(författare)
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Lärarstudenters historiekunskaper och ämneskonception
- 2018
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Ingår i: Nordidactica. - Karlstad : CSD Karlstad. - 2000-9879. ; :2018:2, s. 49-77
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Supporting students to master the transition from secondary school to university is a challenge that occupies educators in many countries. In order to support the students in effective ways, we need to know what subject conceptions and subject knowledge they bring to academic studies. In this study, the authors draw on questionnaire data from 462 student teachers in Sweden. The questionnaires were filled in the first week the students studied history at university. Among the students, some trained to be history teachers at primary and elementary school, whereas others trained to be history teachers at secondary school. The results indicate there are both similarities and differences between the student groups. Those training to become history teachers at primary and elementary school identified with the teacher profession but less so with the subject of history. Those studying to become history teachers at secondary school tended to identify with the subject but less so with the teacher profession. Most students argued that history is important in order to understand the present. All student groups manifested knowledge about “time-spaces” of the past, i.e. they were able to show a rough chronological framework. A minority among the students manifested a chaotic chronological order. Among students studying to become teachers at secondary school, there is a tendency that they have weaker knowledge about older history and Nordic history as compared to modern history and Swedish and world history.
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| 16. |
- Kaaks, Rudolf, et al.
(författare)
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Lag Times between Lymphoproliferative Disorder and Clinical Diagnosis of Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia : A Prospective Analysis Using Plasma Soluble CD23
- 2015
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Ingår i: Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. - 1055-9965 .- 1538-7755. ; 24:3, s. 538-545
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a chronic disease that often progresses slowly from a precursor stage, monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL), and that can remain undiagnosed for a long time. Methods: Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer cohort, we measured prediagnostic plasma sCD23 for 179 individuals who eventually were diagnosed with CLL and an equal number of matched control subjects who remained free of cancer. Results: In a very large proportion of CLL patients' plasma sCD23 was clearly elevated 7 or more years before diagnosis. Considering sCD23 as a disease predictor, the area under the ROC curve (AUROC) was 0.95 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.90-1.00] for CLL diagnosed within 0.1 to 2.7 years after blood measurement, 0.90 (95% CI, 0.86-0.95) for diagnosis within 2.8 to 7.3 years, and 0.76 (95% CI, 0.65-0.86) for CLL diagnosed between 7.4 and 12.5 years. Even at a 7.4-year and longer time interval, elevated plasma sCD23 could predict a later clinical diagnosis of CLL with 100% specificity at > 45% sensitivity. Conclusions: Our findings provide unique documentation for the very long latency times during which measurable B-cell lymphoproliferative disorder exists before the clinical manifestation of CLL. Impact: Our findings have relevance for the interpretation of prospective epidemiologic studies on the causes of CLL in terms of reverse causation bias. The lag times indicate a time frame within which an early detection of CLL would be theoretically possible. (c) 2014 AACR.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Karlsson, Stefan, 1957-, et al.
(författare)
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Comparison of MP AES and ICP-MS for analysis of principal and selected trace elements in nitric acid digests of sunflower (Helianthus annuus)
- 2015
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Ingår i: Talanta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0039-9140 .- 1873-3573. ; 135, s. 124-132
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The use of nitrogen as plasma gas for microwave plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (MP AES) is an interesting development in analytical science since the running cost can be significantly reduced in comparison to the inductively coupled argon plasma. Here, we evaluate the performance of the Agilent 4100 MP AES instrument for the analysis of principal metals (Ca, K, Mg, and Na), lithogenic metals (Al, Fe, and Mn) and selected trace metals (As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn) in nitric acid plant digests. The digests were prepared by microwave-assisted dissolution of dry plant material from sunflower (Helianthus annuus) in concentrated nitric acid. Comparisons are made with analysis of the same solutions with ICP-MS (Agilent 7500cx) using the octopole reaction system (ORS) in the collision mode for As, Fe, and V.The limits of detection were usually in the low μg L-1 range and all principal and lithogenic metals were successfully determined with the MP AES and provided almost identical results with the ICP-MS. The same applies for the selected trace metals except for As, Co and Mo where the concentrations were below the detection limit with the MP AES. For successful analysis we recommend that (i) only atom lines are used, (ii) ionization is minimized (e.g. addition of CsNO3) and (iii) the use of internal standards should be considered to resolve spectral interferences.
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| 19. |
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| 20. |
- Kronqvist, Nina, et al.
(författare)
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Efficient protein production inspired by how spiders make silk
- 2017
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Ingår i: Nature Communications. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2041-1723. ; 8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Membrane proteins are targets of most available pharmaceuticals, but they are difficult to produce recombinantly, like many other aggregation-prone proteins. Spiders can produce silk proteins at huge concentrations by sequestering their aggregation-prone regions in micellar structures, where the very soluble N-terminal domain (NT) forms the shell. We hypothesize that fusion to NT could similarly solubilize non-spidroin proteins, and design a charge-reversed mutant (NT star) that is pH insensitive, stabilized and hypersoluble compared to wildtype NT. NT star-transmembrane protein fusions yield up to eight times more of soluble protein in Escherichia coli than fusions with several conventional tags. NT star enables transmembrane peptide purification to homogeneity without chromatography and manufacture of low-cost synthetic lung surfactant that works in an animal model of respiratory disease. NT star also allows efficient expression and purification of non-transmembrane proteins, which are otherwise refractory to recombinant production, and offers a new tool for reluctant proteins in general.
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| 21. |
- Lyngfelt, Anna, 1965, et al.
(författare)
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Att tolka och skriva text i skolans olika ämnen.
- 2015
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Ingår i: Del 1 i Modulen: Att tolka och skriva text i skolans alla ämnen, Läs- & skrivportalen.. - Stockholm : Skolverket.
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)
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| 22. |
- Pin, Elisa, et al.
(författare)
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Array-based profiling of proteins and autoantibody repertoires in CSF
- 2019
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Ingår i: Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Proteomics. - New York, NY : Humana Press Inc.. ; , s. 303-318
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Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Protein profiling enabled through affinity proteomics represents a powerful strategy for analysis of complex samples such as human body fluids. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is the proximal fluid of the central nervous system and is commonly analyzed in the context of neurological diseases. Through the presence of brain-derived proteins, this fluid can offer insight into the physiological state of the brain. Here, we describe multiplex and flexible protein and autoantibody profiling approaches using suspension bead arrays. Through minimal sample processing, these methods enable high-throughput analysis of hundreds of samples and proteins in one single assay and thereby provide powerful approaches for discovery of disease-associated proteins and autoantigens.
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| 23. |
- Ragnarsson, Susanne, 1966-
(författare)
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Att klara skolan när huvudet dunkar och kroppen värker : en studie om återkommande smärta och skolprestation bland skolbarn
- 2019
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Bakgrund Återkommande smärta är ett av de vanligaste folkhälsoproblemen bland skolbarn. Den höga förekomsten är ingen ny kunskap, trots det finns det lite beskrivet hur smärtan påverkar barnens funktion och då särskilt om det får konsekvenser för barnens skolprestationer.Syfte Det övergripande syftet med avhandlingen var att studera och värdera evidensen för ett samband mellan återkommande smärta och skolprestation. Detta utifrån smärtans frekvens, lokalisation och utbredning, samt utifrån både subjektiva och objektiva mått på skolprestation. Därutöver studerades möjlig modertorer och mediatorer .Metod Processen delades in i två steg. Steg 1 utgjordes av en systematisk litteraturöversikt (delstudie 1) som studerade den tillgängliga evidensen för sambandet mellan återkommande smärta och skolprestation bland skolbarn mellan 4 och 18 år. Samtliga delar med urval, dataextraktion, kvalitets- och evidensbedömningar utfördes systematisk. Några av de kunskapsluckor som upptäcktes i steg 1 blev grunden till Steg 2 som utgjordes av delstudie 2 och 3. Dessa studier baserades på en longitudinell totalpopulationsstudie från Umeå “The Study of Health in School-aged children from Umeå”. Urvalet bestod av 1524 respektive 1567 barn. Oberoende variabeln var återkommande smärta och beroende variablerna var upplevda problem med skolprestation, meritvärde och gymnasiebehörighet. I studie 2 och 3 analyserades data med hjälp av logistisk och linjär regression.Resultat Steg 1: av 6 387 identifierade studier inkluderades 21 studier varav 13 kunde verifiera samband mellan återkommande smärta och nedsatta skolprestationer. Sammantaget fann översikten begränsat evidens för ett samband mellan återkommande smärta och objektiv skolprestation, samt otillräcklig evidens för ett samband mellan återkommande smärta och subjektiv skolprestation. Brister i de enskilda studiernas kvalitet och design bidrog till den låga evidensen. Steg 2: visade att smärta i årskurs 6 fördubblande oddsen för upplevda problem med skolprestation i årskurs 9, vilket gällde vid olika smärtfrekvenser, lokalisationer och antal smärtställen. Skolfrånvaro, koncentrations och sömnproblem kunde inte mediera sambandet mellan återkommande smärta och upplevda problem med skolprestation. Dessutom sågs ett samband mellan återkommande smärta i veckan i årskurs 6 och meritvärde i årskurs 9. Däremot fanns inget samband mellan smärta i årkurs 6 och gymnasiebehörighet, förutom bland flickor med magsmärta. Skolfrånvaro, koncentrationsproblem och upplevda skolprestation medierade delvis sambandet mellan smärta i årskurs 6 och lägre meritvärde i årskurs 9.Slutsats Resultaten indikationer att återkommande smärta kan predicerar nedsatta betyg och en upplevelse av problem med att prestera i skolan. Resultatet kan lägga till grund för prioriteringar av preventiva insatser i skolan och inom hälso-och sjukvården och kan också bidra med underlag inför utvecklandet av insatser riktade till barn med återkommande smärta.
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| 25. |
- Sjöberg, Linnea, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of depression : Comparisons of different depression definitions in population-based samples of older adults
- 2017
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Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 221, s. 123-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Depression prevalence in older adults varies largely across studies, which probably reflects methodological rather than true differences. This study aims to explore whether and to what extent the prevalence of depression varies when using different diagnostic criteria and rating scales, and various samples of older adults. Methods: A population-based sample of 3353 individuals aged 60-104 years from the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Kungsholmen (SNAC-K) were examined in 2001-2004. Point prevalence of depression was estimated by: 1) diagnostic criteria, ICD-10 and DSM-IV-TR/DSM-5; 2) rating scales, MADRS and GDS-15; and 3) self-report. Depression prevalence in sub-samples by dementia status, living place, and socio-demographics were compared. Results: The prevalence of any depression (including all severity grades) was 4.2% (moderate/severe: 1.6%) for ICD-10 and 9.3% (major: 2.1%) for DSM-IV-TR; 10.6% for MADRS and 9.2% for GDS-15; and 9.1% for selfreport. Depression prevalence was lower in the dementia-free sample as compared to the total population. Furthermore, having poor physical function, or not having a partner were independently associated with higher depression prevalence, across most of the depression definitions. Limitations: The response rate was 73.3% and this may have resulted in an underestimation of depression. Conclusion: Depression prevalence was similar across all depression definitions except for ICD-10, showing much lower figures. However, independent of the definition used, depression prevalence varies greatly by dementia status, physical functioning, and marital status. These findings may be useful for clinicians when assessing depression in older adults and for researchers when exploring and comparing depression prevalence across studies.
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| 26. |
- Sjöberg, Marina, et al.
(författare)
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Being acknowledged by others and bracketing negative thoughts and feelings : Frail older people's narrations of how existential loneliness is eased
- 2019
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Ingår i: International Journal of Older People Nursing. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1748-3735 .- 1748-3743. ; 14:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to describe how EL was eased, as narrated by frail older people. BACKGROUND: Existential loneliness (EL) is an unavoidable part of the human condition. It is a complex phenomenon that has been described as disconnection from life. If EL is acknowledged in the care of older people, the experience of EL can be reduced. DESIGN: In this qualitative study, we used an exploratory and descriptive design. METHODS: The study was based on 22 narrative interviews with frail older people, 76 to 101 years old, who were receiving long-term care and services. We analysed the data using conventional content analysis. RESULTS: Being acknowledged by others, that is, being the focus of others' concern, eased the experience of EL, as did encountering intimacy and having meaningful exchanges of thoughts and feelings. Further, EL was pushed into the background and eased when participants could bracket negative thoughts and feelings, that is, when they could adjust and accept the present situation, view life in the rear-view mirror, be in contact with spiritual dimensions and withdraw and distract themselves. CONCLUSION: Existential loneliness can be eased by experiencing meaningful togetherness with others and oneself when something else comes to the forefront, pushing EL to the background. Frail older peoples' opportunities to ease EL may be facilitated by health care staff (HCS) providing person-centred care and create possibilities for solitary time and meaningful togetherness. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: If frail older people's ongoing processes of adjusting and accepting their situation are understood and confirmed by people in their environment, for example, by nurses, family and friends, the experience of living a meaningful life can be supported, which, in turn, can ease EL.
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| 27. |
- Sjöberg, Marina, et al.
(författare)
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Being disconnected from life : meanings of existential loneliness as narrated by frail older people
- 2018
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Ingår i: Aging & Mental Health. - : Routledge. - 1360-7863 .- 1364-6915. ; 22:10, s. 1357-1364
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: This study illuminated the meanings of existential loneliness (EL) as narrated by frail older people. Method: Data were collected through individual narrative interviews with 23 people 76–101 years old receiving long-term care and services. A phenomenological hermeneutical analysis was performed, including a naive reading and two structural analyses as a basis for a comprehensive understanding of EL. Result: Four themes were identified related to meanings of EL: (1) being trapped in a frail and deteriorating body; (2) being met with indifference; (3) having nobody to share life with; and (4) lacking purpose and meaning. These intertwined themes were synthesized into a comprehensive understanding of EL as ‘being disconnected from life’. Conclusion: Illness and physical limitation affects access to the world. When being met with indifference and being unable to share one’s thoughts and experiences of life with others, a sense of worthlessness is reinforced, triggering an experience of meaninglessness and EL, i.e. disconnection from life. It is urgent to develop support strategies that can be used by health care professionals to address older people in vulnerable situations, thereby facilitating connectedness.
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| 28. |
- Sjöberg, Marina, et al.
(författare)
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Being disconnected from life : Meanings of existential loneliness as narrated by frail older people
- 2019
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Konferensbidrag (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Background Unmet existential needs can lead to feelings of existential loneliness that in turn has an impact on health and wellbeing. There is limited knowledge about frail old people’s experience of existential loneliness. Such knowledge is important in order to guide health professionals to discover and encounter older people’s needs. Therefore, the aim of the study was to illuminate the meanings of existential loneliness as narrated by frail old people. Method The study had a qualitative descriptive design based on 23 narrative interviews with frail older people (>75 years) in different care contexts such as; primary health care center specializing in older people, municipal home care, residential care facilities, hospital ward, and specialized palliative care. A phenomenological hermeneutical analysis was used. Result The findings showed that existential loneliness meant being trapped in a frail and deteriorating body, being met with indifference, having nobody to share life with, and lacking purpose and meaning. The intertwined themes synthesized into a comprehensive understanding of existential loneliness as “being disconnected from life”. Conclusion Illness and physical limitation affects access to the world. When being met with indifference and being unable to share one’s thoughts and experiences of life with others, a sense of worthlessness is reinforced, triggering an experience of meaninglessness and EL, i.e. disconnection from life. It is urgent to develop support strategies that can be used by health care professionals to address older people in vulnerable situations, thereby facilitating connectedness.
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| 29. |
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| 30. |
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| 31. |
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
- Sjöberg, Rickard L, et al.
(författare)
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Role of monoamine-oxidase-A-gene variation in the development of glioblastoma in males : a case control study
- 2019
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Ingår i: Journal of Neuro-Oncology. - : Springer. - 0167-594X .- 1573-7373. ; 145:2, s. 287-294
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The Mono-amine oxidase-A (MAO-A) enzyme is involved in the degradation and regulation of catecholamines such as serotonin, dopamine, epinephrine and nor-epinephrine. Preclinical studies suggest that this enzyme may contribute to an environment favorable for growth of malignant glioma. The MAO-A gene is located on the X-chromosome and has at least one functional genetic polymorphism. The aim of the present study was to explore possible effects of MAO-A genotype on development of glioblastoma in males.Methods: Genotypes for 437 glioma cases and 876 population-based controls from the Swedish Glioma International Case–Control study (GICC) were compared. We analyzed the germline DNA using the Illumina Oncoarray. We selected seven single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in the MAO-A gene, and imputed genotypes based on data from the 1000 genomes project. We used 1579 male glioblastoma cases and 1875 controls comprising the whole GICC cohort for subsequent validation of findings.Results: The rs144551722 SNP was a significant predictor of development of glioblastoma in males (p-value = 0.0056) but not in females even after correction for multiple testing. We conducted haplotype analysis to confirm an association between MAO-A gene and risk of glioblastoma (p-value = 0.016). We found similar results in the validation sample.Conclusions: These results suggest the possibility of a role for the MAO-A enzyme and the MAO-A gene in the development of glioblastoma in males.
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| 34. |
- Smith, Laura B., et al.
(författare)
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Psychological manifestations of celiac disease autoimmunity in young children
- 2017
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Ingår i: Pediatrics. - : American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). - 0031-4005 .- 1098-4275. ; 139:3
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psychological symptoms can be associated with celiac disease; abstract however, this association has not been studied prospectively in a pediatric cohort. We examined mother report of psychological functioning in children persistently positive for tissue transglutaminase autoantibodies (tTGA), defined as celiac disease autoimmunity (CDA), compared with children without CDA in a screening population of genetically at-risk children. We also investigated differences in psychological symptoms based on mothers' awareness of their child's CDA status. METHODS: The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young study followed 8676 children to identify triggers of type 1 diabetes and celiac disease. Children were tested for tTGA beginning at 2 years of age. The Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist assessed child psychological functioning at 3.5 and 4.5 years of age. RESULTS: At 3.5 years, 66 mothers unaware their child had CDA reported more child anxiety and depression, aggressive behavior, and sleep problems than 3651 mothers of children without CDA (all Ps ≤ .03). Unaware-CDA mothers also reported more child anxiety and depression, withdrawn behavior, aggressive behavior, and sleep problems than 440 mothers aware of their child's CDA status (all Ps ≤.04). At 4.5 years, there were no differences. CONCLUSIONS: In 3.5-year-old children, CDA is associated with increased reports of child depression and anxiety, aggressive behavior, and sleep problems when mothers are unaware of their child's CDA status. Mothers' knowledge of their child's CDA status is associated with fewer reports of psychological symptoms, suggesting that awareness of the child's tTGA test results affects reporting of symptoms.
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| 35. |
- Spinelli, Angela, et al.
(författare)
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Prevalence of Severe Obesity among Primary School Children in 21 European Countries
- 2019
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Ingår i: Obesity Facts. - : S. Karger. - 1662-4025 .- 1662-4033. ; 12:2, s. 244-258
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The World Health Organization (WHO) European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) was established more than 10 years ago to estimate prevalence and monitor changes in overweight and obesity in children aged 6-9 years. Since then, there have been five rounds of data collection in more than 40 countries involving more than half a million children. To date, no comparative studies with data on severe childhood obesity from European countries have been published.OBJECTIVES: The aim of this work was to present the prevalence of severe obesity in school-aged children from 21 countries participating in COSI.METHOD: The data are from cross-sectional studies in 21 European WHO member states that took part in the first three COSI rounds of data collection (2007/2008, 2009/2010, 2012/2013). School-aged children were measured using standardized instruments and methodology. Children were classified as severely obese using the definitions provided by WHO and the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF). Analyses overtime, by child's age and mother's educational level, were performed in a select group of countries.RESULTS: A total of 636,933 children were included in the analysis (323,648 boys and 313,285 girls). The prevalence of severe obesity varied greatly among countries, with higher values in Southern Europe. According to the WHO definition, severe obesity ranged from 1.0% in Swedish and Moldovan children (95% CI 0.7-1.3 and 0.7-1.5, respectively) to 5.5% (95% CI 4.9-6.1) in Maltese children. The prevalence was generally higher among boys compared to girls. The IOTF cut-offs lead to lower estimates, but confirm the differences among countries, and were more similar for both boys and girls. In many countries 1 in 4 obese children were severely obese. Applying the estimates of prevalence based on the WHO definition to the whole population of children aged 6-9 years in each country, around 398,000 children would be expected to be severely obese in the 21 European countries. The trend between 2007 and 2013 and the analysis by child's age did not show a clear pattern. Severe obesity was more common among children whose mother's educational level was lower.CONCLUSIONS: Severe obesity is a serious public health issue which affects a large number of children in Europe. Because of the impact on educational, health, social care, and economic systems, obesity needs to be addressed via a range of approaches from early prevention of overweight and obesity to treatment of those who need it.
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| 36. |
- Törn, Carina, et al.
(författare)
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Complement gene variants in relation to autoantibodies to beta cell specific antigens and type 1 diabetes in the TEDDY Study
- 2016
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Ingår i: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 6
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A total of 15 SNPs within complement genes and present on the ImmunoChip were analyzed in The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) study. A total of 5474 subjects were followed from three months of age until islet autoimmunity (IA: n = 413) and the subsequent onset of type 1 diabetes (n = 115) for a median of 73 months (IQR 54-91). Three SNPs within ITGAM were nominally associated (p < 0.05) with IA: rs1143678 [Hazard ratio; HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.66-0.98; p = 0.032], rs1143683 [HR 0.80; 95% CI 0.65-0.98; p = 0.030] and rs4597342 [HR 1.16; 95% CI 1.01-1.32; p = 0.041]. When type 1 diabetes was the outcome, in DR3/4 subjects, there was nominal significance for two SNPs: rs17615 in CD21 [HR 1.52; 95% CI 1.05-2.20; p = 0.025] and rs4844573 in C4BPA [HR 0.63; 95% CI 0.43-0.92; p = 0.017]. Among DR4/4 subjects, rs2230199 in C3 was significantly associated [HR 3.20; 95% CI 1.75-5.85; p = 0.0002, uncorrected] a significance that withstood Bonferroni correction since it was less than 0.000833 (0.05/60) in the HLA-specific analyses. SNPs within the complement genes may contribute to IA, the first step to type 1 diabetes, with at least one SNP in C3 significantly associated with clinically diagnosed type 1 diabetes.
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