| 1. |
- Berndt, Sonja I., et al.
(författare)
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Genome-wide meta-analysis identifies 11 new loci for anthropometric traits and provides insights into genetic architecture
- 2013
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Ingår i: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 45:5, s. 501-U69
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Approaches exploiting trait distribution extremes may be used to identify loci associated with common traits, but it is unknown whether these loci are generalizable to the broader population. In a genome-wide search for loci associated with the upper versus the lower 5th percentiles of body mass index, height and waist-to-hip ratio, as well as clinical classes of obesity, including up to 263,407 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 4 new loci (IGFBP4, H6PD, RSRC1 and PPP2R2A) influencing height detected in the distribution tails and 7 new loci (HNF4G, RPTOR, GNAT2, MRPS33P4, ADCY9, HS6ST3 and ZZZ3) for clinical classes of obesity. Further, we find a large overlap in genetic structure and the distribution of variants between traits based on extremes and the general population and little etiological heterogeneity between obesity subgroups.
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| 2. |
- Hepburn, Lucy, et al.
(författare)
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A Spaetzle-like role for nerve growth factor beta in vertebrate immunity to Staphylococcus aureus
- 2014
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Ingår i: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 346:6209, s. 641-646
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Many key components of innate immunity to infection are shared between Drosophila and humans. However, the fly Toll ligand Spaetzle is not thought to have a vertebrate equivalent. We have found that the structurally related cystine-knot protein, nerve growth factor β (NGFβ), plays an unexpected Spaetzle-like role in immunity to Staphylococcus aureus infection in chordates. Deleterious mutations of either human NGFβ or its high-affinity receptor tropomyosin-related kinase receptor A (TRKA) were associated with severe S. aureus infections. NGFβ was released by macrophages in response to S. aureus exoproteins through activation of the NOD-like receptors NLRP3 and NLRP4 and enhanced phagocytosis and superoxide-dependent killing, stimulated proinflammatory cytokine production, and promoted calcium-dependent neutrophil recruitment. TrkA knockdown in zebrafish increased susceptibility to S. aureus infection, confirming an evolutionarily conserved role for NGFβ-TRKA signaling in pathogen-specific host immunity.
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| 3. |
- Killela, Patrick J., et al.
(författare)
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TERT promoter mutations occur frequently in gliomas and a subset of tumors derived from cells with low rates of self-renewal
- 2013
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - : Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. - 1091-6490 .- 0027-8424. ; 110:15, s. 6021-6026
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Malignant cells, like all actively growing cells, must maintain their telomeres, but genetic mechanisms responsible for telomere maintenance in tumors have only recently been discovered. In particular, mutations of the telomere binding proteins alpha thalassemia/mental retardation syndrome X-linked (ATRX) or death-domain associated protein (DAXX) have been shown to underlie a telomere maintenance mechanism not involving telomerase (alternative lengthening of telomeres), and point mutations in the promoter of the telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) gene increase telomerase expression and have been shown to occur in melanomas and a small number of other tumors. To further define the tumor types in which this latter mechanism plays a role, we surveyed 1,230 tumors of 60 different types. We found that tumors could be divided into types with low (<15%) and high (>= 15%) frequencies of TERT promoter mutations. The nine TERT-high tumor types almost always originated in tissues with relatively low rates of self renewal, including melanomas, liposarcomas, hepatocellular carcinomas, urothelial carcinomas, squamous cell carcinomas of the tongue, medulloblastomas, and subtypes of gliomas (including 83% of primary glioblastoma, the most common brain tumor type). TERT and ATRX mutations were mutually exclusive, suggesting that these two genetic mechanisms confer equivalent selective growth advantages. In addition to their implications for understanding the relationship between telomeres and tumorigenesis, TERT mutations provide a biomarker that may be useful for the early detection of urinary tract and liver tumors and aid in the classification and prognostication of brain tumors.
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| 4. |
- Schoultz, Ida, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Indomethacin-induced translocation of bacteria across enteric epithelia is reactive oxygen species-dependent and reduced by vitamin C
- 2012
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Ingår i: American Journal of Physiology - Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. - : American Physiological Society. - 0193-1857 .- 1522-1547. ; 303:5, s. G536-G545
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Schoultz I, McKay CM, Graepel R, Phan VC, Wang A, Soderholm J, McKay DM. Indomethacin-induced translocation of bacteria across enteric epithelia is reactive oxygen species-dependent and reduced by vitamin C. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 303: G536-G545, 2012. First published June 14, 2012; doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00125.2012.-The enteric epithelium must absorb nutrients and water and act as a barrier to the entry of luminal material into the body; this barrier function is a key component of innate immunity. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced enteropathy occurs via inhibition of prostaglandin synthesis and perturbed epithelial mitochondrial activity. Here, the direct effect of NSAIDs [indomethacin, piroxicam (cyclooxygenase 1 and 2 inhibitors), and SC-560 (a cyclooxygenase 1 inhibitor)] on the barrier function of human T84 epithelial cell line monolayers was assessed by transepithelial electrical resistance (TER) and internalization and translocation of a commensal Escherichia coli. Exposure to E. coli in the presence and absence of drugs for 16 h reduced TER; however, monolayers cotreated with E. coli and indomethacin, but not piroxicam or SC-560, displayed significant increases in internalization and translocation of the bacteria. This was accompanied by increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, which was also increased in epithelia treated with E. coli only. Colocalization revealed upregulation of superoxide synthesis by mitochondria in epithelia treated with E. coli + indomethacin. Addition of antioxidants (vitamin C or a green tea polyphenol, epigallocathechin gallate) quenched the ROS and prevented the increase in E. coli internalization and translocation evoked by indomethacin, but not the drop in TER. Evidence of increased apoptosis was not observed in this model. The data implicate epithelial-derived ROS in indomethacin-induced barrier dysfunction and show that a portion of the bacteria likely cross the epithelium via a transcellular pathway. We speculate that addition of antioxidants as dietary supplements to NSAID treatment regimens would reduce the magnitude of decreased barrier function, specifically the transepithelial passage of bacteria.
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| 5. |
- Thompson, Paul M., et al.
(författare)
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The ENIGMA Consortium : large-scale collaborative analyses of neuroimaging and genetic data
- 2014
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Ingår i: BRAIN IMAGING BEHAV. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1931-7557 .- 1931-7565. ; 8:2, s. 153-182
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis (ENIGMA) Consortium is a collaborative network of researchers working together on a range of large-scale studies that integrate data from 70 institutions worldwide. Organized into Working Groups that tackle questions in neuroscience, genetics, and medicine, ENIGMA studies have analyzed neuroimaging data from over 12,826 subjects. In addition, data from 12,171 individuals were provided by the CHARGE consortium for replication of findings, in a total of 24,997 subjects. By meta-analyzing results from many sites, ENIGMA has detected factors that affect the brain that no individual site could detect on its own, and that require larger numbers of subjects than any individual neuroimaging study has currently collected. ENIGMA's first project was a genome-wide association study identifying common variants in the genome associated with hippocampal volume or intracranial volume. Continuing work is exploring genetic associations with subcortical volumes (ENIGMA2) and white matter microstructure (ENIGMA-DTI). Working groups also focus on understanding how schizophrenia, bipolar illness, major depression and attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affect the brain. We review the current progress of the ENIGMA Consortium, along with challenges and unexpected discoveries made on the way.
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| 6. |
- Wallon, Conny, et al.
(författare)
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Eosinophils Express Muscarinic Receptors and Corticotropin-Releasing Factor to Disrupt the Mucosal Barrier in Ulcerative Colitis
- 2011
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Ingår i: Gastroenterology. - : Elsevier Science B.V. Amsterdam. - 0016-5085 .- 1528-0012. ; 140:5, s. 1597-1607
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND andamp; AIMS: Altered intestinal barrier function has been implicated in the pathophysiology of ulcerative colitis (UC) in genetic, functional, and epidemiological studies. Mast cells and corticotropinreleasing factor (CRF) regulate the mucosal barrier in human colon. Because eosinophils are often increased in colon tissues of patients with UC, we assessed interactions among mast cells, CRF, and eosinophils in the mucosal barrier of these patients. METHODS: Transmucosal fluxes of protein antigens (horseradish peroxidase) and paracellular markers (51Cr-EDTA, fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran 4000) were studied in noninflamed, colonic mucosal biopsy samples collected from 26 patients with UC and 53 healthy volunteers (controls); samples were mounted in Ussing chambers. We also performed fluorescence and electron microscopy of human tissue samples, assessed isolated eosinophils, and performed mechanistic studies using in vitro cocultured eosinophils (15HL-60), mast cells (HMC-1), and a colonic epithelial cell line (T84). RESULTS: Colon tissues from patients with UC had significant increases in permeability to protein antigens compared with controls. Permeability was blocked by atropine (a muscarinic receptor antagonist), alpha-helical CRF(9-41) (a CRF receptor antagonist), and lodoxamide (a mast-cell stabilizer). Eosinophils were increased in number in UC tissues (compared with controls), expressed the most M2 and M3 muscarinic receptors of any mucosal cell type, and had immunoreactivity to CRF. In coculture studies, carbachol activation of eosinophils caused production of CRF and activation of mast cells, which increased permeability of T84 epithelial cells to macromolecules. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a neuroimmune intercellular circuit (from cholinergic nerves, via eosinophils to mast cells) that mediates colonic mucosal barrier dysfunction in patients with UC. This circuit might exacerbate mucosal inflammation.
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| 7. |
- Wang, Arthur, et al.
(författare)
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Targeting mitochondria-derived reactive oxygen species to reduce epithelial barrier dysfunction and colitis
- 2014
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Ingår i: American Journal of Pathology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0002-9440 .- 1525-2191. ; 184:9, s. 2516-2527
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Epithelial permeability is often increased in inflammatory bowel diseases. We hypothesized that perturbed mitochondrial function would cause barrier dysfunction and hence epithelial mitochondria could be targeted to treat intestinal inflammation. Mitochondrial dysfunction was induced in human colon-derived epithelial cell lines or colonic biopsy specimens using dinitrophenol, and barrier function was assessed by transepithelial flux of Escherichia coil with or without mitochondria-targeted antioxidant (MTA) cotreatment. The impact of mitochondria-targeted antioxidants on gut permeability and dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis in mice was tested. Mitochondrial superoxide evoked by dinitrophenol elicited significant internalization and transtocation of E. coil across epithelia and control colonic biopsy specimens, which was more striking in Crohn's disease biopsy specimens; the mitochondria-targeted antioxidant, MitoTEMPO, inhibited these barrier defects. Increased gut permeability and reduced epithelial mitochondrial voltage-dependent anion channel expression were observed 3 days after DSS. These changes and the severity of DSS-colitis were reduced by MitoTEMPO treatment. In vitro DSS-stimulated IL-8 production by epithelia was reduced by MitoTEMPO. Metabolic stress evokes significant penetration of commensal bacteria across the epithelium, which is mediated by mitochondria-derived superoxide acting as a signaling, not a cytotoxic, molecule. MitoTEMPO inhibited this barrier dysfunction and suppressed colitis in DSS-colitis, likely via enhancing barrier function and inhibiting proinflammatory cytokine production. These novel findings support consideration of MTAs in the maintenance of epithelial barrier function and the management of inflammatory bowel diseases.
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| 8. |
- Yang, Jian, et al.
(författare)
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FTO genotype is associated with phenotypic variability of body mass index
- 2012
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Ingår i: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 490:7419, s. 267-272
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is evidence across several species for genetic control of phenotypic variation of complex traits(1-4), such that the variance among phenotypes is genotype dependent. Understanding genetic control of variability is important in evolutionary biology, agricultural selection programmes and human medicine, yet for complex traits, no individual genetic variants associated with variance, as opposed to the mean, have been identified. Here we perform a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies of phenotypic variation using similar to 170,000 samples on height and body mass index (BMI) in human populations. We report evidence that the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs7202116 at the FTO gene locus, which is known to be associated with obesity (as measured by mean BMI for each rs7202116 genotype)(5-7), is also associated with phenotypic variability. We show that the results are not due to scale effects or other artefacts, and find no other experiment-wise significant evidence for effects on variability, either at loci other than FTO for BMI or at any locus for height. The difference in variance for BMI among individuals with opposite homozygous genotypes at the FTO locus is approximately 7%, corresponding to a difference of similar to 0.5 kilograms in the standard deviation of weight. Our results indicate that genetic variants can be discovered that are associated with variability, and that between-person variability in obesity can partly be explained by the genotype at the FTO locus. The results are consistent with reported FTO by environment interactions for BMI8, possibly mediated by DNA methylation(9,10). Our BMI results for other SNPs and our height results for all SNPs suggest that most genetic variants, including those that influence mean height or mean BMI, are not associated with phenotypic variance, or that their effects on variability are too small to detect even with samples sizes greater than 100,000.
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| 9. |
- Zhang, Mengmeng, et al.
(författare)
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Hybrid feedback design for subsonic and transonic airfoils and wings
- 2014
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Ingår i: 52nd AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting - AIAA Science and Technology Forum and Exposition, SciTech 2014. - National Harbor : American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- A hybrid inverse/optimization method for subsonic/transonic airfoil and wing shapedesign is presented with application to a range of airfoil and wing cases, in preparation forthe test cases defined for the Special Session of SciTech 2014. The method is hybrid in thesense that it combines the traditional inverse design technique with an optimization pro-cedure that determines the optimum target pressure distribution. This paper emphasizesthe first part, the development of SCID, the Surface Curvature Inverse Design method,the theory upon which it is based, including many of the details involved with shocks,smoothing and cross flow. The application of SCID to wing design poses many challenges,and how they are met is discussed in the context of a number of inverse design test casesfor airfoils and wings. The procedure works well for airfoils, whereas twist optimizationfor transonic wings remains a challenge. The real benchmarks for our hybrid approach arethe three Optimization Discussion Group design problems. Solutions are presented for thedrag minimization of the NACA airfoil along with the wing twist optimization problem,and conclusions are drawn from the results obtained. Work has started on the drag mini-mization of the CRM wing in transonic flight, and final results will be presented in a futurepaper.
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| 10. |
- Zhang, Mengmeng, et al.
(författare)
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Investigating the piaggio avanti design using CEASIOM
- 2014
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Ingår i: 29th Congress of the International Council of the Aeronautical Sciences, ICAS 2014. - 3932182804
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- In early steps of aircraft design the unification of configuration definition is important to avoid user-input errors. Also coupling with each other can strengthen different tools with different specifications simultaneously provided that the geometry definition is transferred with minimum data loss. This is vitally useful especially when geometry data is transferred in order to perform high- fidelity analysis. This paper reports the analysis for the pitch control of a three-lifting-surface aircraft Piaggio Avanti using CEASIOM, a tool- chain software for aircraft preliminary design, with the baseline configuration coming from the conceptual design code AAA, linked by a common name-space CPACS for the means of data collaboration.
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| 11. |
- Zhang, Mengmeng, et al.
(författare)
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Variable fidelity methods and surrogate modeling of critical loads on X-31 aircraft
- 2013
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Ingår i: 51st AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting including the New Horizons Forum and Aerospace Exposition 2013. - Reston, Virigina : American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics. - 9781624101816
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents a method for effcient creation of the aerodynamic database for the X-31 experimental aircraft, from low fidelity (Euler) and high fidelity (RANS) CFD. The challenge is to obtain good data for extreme flight conditions. A co-Kriging interpolation model for aerodynamic moments, forces and span loads is used, with an additional decision support system (DSS) using Proper Orthogonal Decomposition for data reduction.
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