| 21. |
- Dimitrakopoulou, Vasiliki I., et al.
(författare)
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Interactions between genome-wide significant genetic variants and circulating concentrations of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D in relation to prostate cancer risk in the National Cancer Institute BPC3
- 2017
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Ingår i: American Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0002-9262 .- 1476-6256. ; 185:6, s. 452-464
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified over 100 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with prostate cancer. However, information on the mechanistic basis for some associations is limited. Recent research has been directed towards the potential association of Vitamin D concentrations and prostate cancer, but little is known about whether the aforementioned genetic associations are modified by Vitamin D. We investigated the associations of 46 GWAS-identified SNPs, circulating concentrations of 25-hydroxyVitamin D (25 (OH)D), and prostate cancer (3,811 cases, 511 of whom died from the disease, compared with 2,980 controls- from 5 cohort studies that recruited participants over several periods beginning in the 1980s). We used logistic regression models with data from the National Cancer Institute Breast and Prostate Cancer Cohort Consortium (BPC3) to evaluate interactions on the multiplicative and additive scales. After allowing for multiple testing, none of the SNPs examined was significantly associated with 25(OH)D concentration, and the SNP-prostate cancer associations did not differ by these concentrations. A statistically significant interaction was observed for each of 2 SNPs in the 8q24 region (rs620861 and rs16902094), 25(OH)D concentration, and fatal prostate cancer on both multiplicative and additive scales (P ≥ 0.001). We did not find strong evidence that associations between GWASidentified SNPs and prostate cancer are modified by circulating concentrations of 25(OH)D. The intriguing interactions between rs620861 and rs16902094, 25(OH)D concentration, and fatal prostate cancer warrant replication.
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| 22. |
- Doering, Sabrina, et al.
(författare)
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Anxiety symptoms preceding suicide: A Swedish nationwide record review.
- 2024
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Ingår i: Journal of Affective Disorders. - 0165-0327 .- 1573-2517. ; 355, s. 317-324
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The literature on the relationship between anxiety and suicidal behaviors is limited and findings are mixed. This study sought to determine whether physicians noted anxiety symptoms and suicidality in their patients in the weeks and months before suicide.Data were derived from a nationwide medical record review of confirmed suicides in Sweden in 2015. Individuals with at least one documented physician consultation in any health care setting during 12months before suicide (N=956) were included. Clinical characteristics were compared between decedents with and without a notation of anxiety symptoms. Odds ratios were calculated to estimate associations between anxiety symptoms and suicidality in relation to suicide proximity.Anxiety symptoms were noted in half of individuals 1week before suicide. Patients with anxiety were characterized by high rates of depressive symptoms, ongoing substance use issues, sleeping difficulties, and fatigue. After adjustment for mood disorders, the odds of having a notation of elevated suicide risk 1week before death were doubled in persons with anxiety symptoms. Associations were similar across time periods (12months - 1week). Two-thirds had been prescribed antidepressants at time of death.Data were based on physicians' notations which likely resulted in underreporting of anxiety depending on medical specialty. Records were not available for all decedents.Anxiety symptoms were common in the final week before suicide and were accompanied by increases in documented elevated suicide risk. Our findings can inform psychiatrists, non-psychiatric specialists, and GPs who meet and assess persons with anxiety symptoms.
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| 23. |
- Ekmark-Lewén, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Reduction of brain stem pathology and transient amelioration of early cognitive symptoms in transgenic mice treated with a monoclonal antibody against α-synuclein oligomers/protofibrils
- 2023
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Ingår i: AGING BRAIN. - : Elsevier. - 2589-9589. ; 4
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Immunotherapy against alpha-synuclein (alpha-syn) is a promising novel treatment strategy for Parkinson's disease (PD) and related alpha-synucleinopathies. We have previously shown that systemic treatment with the monoclonal oligomer/protofibril-selective antibody mAb47 targeting cytotoxic alpha-syn leads to reduced central nervous system levels of such species as well as an indication of reduced late-stage symptoms in aged (Thy-1)-h[A30P] alpha-syn transgenic mice. Here, we performed an early-onset long-term treatment study with this antibody to evaluate effects on brain pathology and behavioral outcomes in the same mouse model. Compared to the placebo group, the treatment strongly reduced phosphorylated alpha-syn (pS129 alpha-syn) pathology in the upper brain stem. Moreover, a preserved recognition memory and risk assessment behavior could be seen in antibody-treated mice at six months of age, even although these effects were no longer significant at eleven months of age. Importantly, no evidence of inflammatory responses or other potential toxic effects was seen with the treatment. Taken together, this study supports the strategy to target alpha-syn oligomers/protofibrils with monoclonal antibodies to counteract early symptoms and slow down the progression of PD and other alpha-synucleinopathies.
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| 24. |
- Exarchou, Sofia, et al.
(författare)
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Mortality in patients with psoriatic arthritis in Sweden: a nationwide, population-based cohort study
- 2024
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Ingår i: ANNALS OF THE RHEUMATIC DISEASES. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 83:4, s. 446-456
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- ObjectivesTo compare all-cause mortality and causes of death between patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) and the general population in Sweden.MethodsAdults with at least one main PsA diagnosis (International Classification of Diseases-10: L40.5/M07.0-M07.3) from outpatient rheumatology/internal medicine departments 2001-2017 were identified from the National Patient Register. Each case was matched to five population comparator-subjects on sex/county/age at the case's first arthritis diagnosis. Follow-up ran from 1 January 2007, or from first PsA diagnosis thereafter, until death, emigration or 31 December 2018. Mortality was assessed overall, and stratified by sex and duration since diagnosis (diagnosis before/after 1 January 2007), using matched Cox proportional hazard regression (excluding/including adjustments for comorbidity) or Breslow test, as appropriate. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) of death, overall and stratified by sex/duration since diagnosis/age, as well as causes of death in PsA cases and comparator-subjects were also described.ResultsAll-cause mortality was elevated in PsA (HR: 1.11 (95% CI: 1.07 to 1.16); IRR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.13 to 1.22)), mainly driven by increased risks in women (HR: 1.23 (95% CI: 1.16 to 1.30)) and cases with longer time since diagnosis (HR: 1.18 (95% CI: 1.12 to 1.25)). IRR of death were significantly increased for all ages except below 40 years, with the numerically highest point-estimates for ages 40-59 years. When adjusted for comorbidity, however, the elevated mortality risk in PsA disappeared. Causes of death were similar among PsA cases/comparator-subjects, with cardiovascular disease and malignancy as the leading causes.ConclusionsMortality risk in PsA in Sweden was about 10% higher than in the general population, driven by excess comorbidity and with increased risks mainly in women and patients with longer disease duration.
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| 25. |
- Fraixedas, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Substantial decline of Northern European peatland bird populations : Consequences of drainage
- 2017
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Ingår i: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207. ; 214, s. 223-232
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Northern European peatlands are important habitats for biological conservation because they support rich biodiversity and unique species compositions. However, historical management of peatland habitats has had negative consequences for biodiversity and their degradation remains a major conservation concern. Despite increasing awareness of the conservation value of peatlands, the statuses and ecological requirements of peatland species have remained largely understudied. Here, we first analysed temporal trends of Northern European peatland birds to document the status of their populations using bird data from five different countries. Second, we used Finnish monitoring data to assess habitat preferences of peatland bird species, hence helping to target conservation to the most relevant habitat types. There was a general decline of 40% in Northern European peatland bird population sizes in 1981–2014 (speed of decline 1.5%/year) largely driven by Finland, where populations declined almost 50% (2.0% annual decline). In Sweden and Norway, peatland bird populations declined by 20% during 1997–2014 (1.0% annual decline). In contrast, southern populations in Estonia and Latvia, where the majority of open peatlands are protected, showed a 40% increase during 1981–2014 (1.0% annual increase). The most important habitat characteristics preferred by common peatland species in Finland were openness and low tree height, while wetness proved to be an important feature for waders. Drainage of peatlands had clear negative effects on the densities of many species, with the only exception of rustic bunting, which specializes on edge habitats. Our findings call for more effective conservation actions in Northern European peatland habitats, especially in Finland where peatland drainage represents a major threat to biodiversity.
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| 26. |
- Friedman, Mikaela, et al.
(författare)
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Engineering and characterization of a bispecific HER2 x EGFR-binding affibody molecule
- 2009
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Ingår i: Biotechnology and applied biochemistry. - 0885-4513 .- 1470-8744. ; 54, s. 121-131
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- HER2 (human epidermal-growth-factor receptor-2; ErbB2) and EGFR (epidermal-growth-factor receptor) are overexpressed in various forms of cancer, and the co-expression of both HER2 and EGFR has been reported in a number of studies. The simultaneous targeting of HER2 and EGFR has been discussed as a strategy with which to potentially increase efficiency and selectivity in molecular imaging and therapy of certain cancers. In an effort to generate a molecule capable of bispecifically targeting HER2 and EGFR, a gene fragment encoding a bivalent HER2-binding affibody molecule was genetically fused in-frame with a bivalent EGFR-binding affibody molecule via a (G(4)S)(3) [(Gly(4)-Ser)(3)]-encoding gene fragment. The encoded 30 kDa affibody construct (Z(HER2))(2)-(G(4)S)(3)-(Z(EGFR))(2), with potential for bs (bispecific) binding to HER2 and EGFR, was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized in terms of its binding capabilities. The retained ability to bind HER2 and EGFR separately was demonstrated using both biosensor technology and flow-cytometric analysis, the latter using HER2- and EGFR-overexpressing cells. Furthermore, simultaneous binding to HER2 and EGFR was demonstrated in: (i) a sandwich format employing real-time biospecific interaction analysis where the bs affibody molecule bound immobilized EGFR and soluble HER2; (ii) immunofluorescence microscopy, where the bs affibody molecule bound EGFR-overexpressing cells and soluble HER2; and (iii) a cell-cell interaction analysis where the bs affibody molecule bound HER2-overexpressing SKBR-3 cells and EGFR-overexpressing A-431 cells. This is, to our knowledge, the first reported bs affinity protein with potential ability for the simultaneous targeting of HER2 and EGFR. The potential future use of this and similar constructs, capable of bs targeting of receptors to increase the efficacy and selectivity in imaging and therapy, is discussed.
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| 27. |
- Fröcklin, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Fish Traders as Key Actors in Fisheries : Gender and Adaptive Management
- 2013
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Ingår i: Ambio. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0044-7447 .- 1654-7209. ; 42:8, s. 951-962
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper fills an important gap towards adaptive management of small-scale fisheries by analyzing the gender dimension of fish trade in Zanzibar, Tanzania. We hypothesize that gender-based differences are present in the fish value chain and to test the hypothesis interviews were performed to analyze: (i) markets, customers, and mobility, (ii) material and economic resources, (iii) traded fish species, (iv) contacts and organizations, and (v) perceptions and experiences. Additionally, management documents were analyzed to examine the degree to which gender is considered. Results show that women traders had less access to social and economic resources, profitable markets, and high-value fish, which resulted in lower income. These gender inequalities are linked, among others, to women’s reproductive roles such as childcare and household responsibilities. Formal fisheries management was found to be gender insensitive, showing how a crucial feedback element of adaptive management is missing in Zanzibar’s management system, i.e., knowledge about key actors, their needs and challenges.
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| 28. |
- Fröcklin, Sara, et al.
(författare)
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Seaweed mariculture as a development project in Zanzibar, East Africa : A price too high to pay?
- 2012
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Ingår i: Aquaculture. - : Elsevier BV. - 0044-8486 .- 1873-5622. ; 356, s. 30-39
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Seaweed mariculture has been promoted as a development project in tropical countries and Zanzibar, Tanzania, is commonly presented as a successful story. However, the results of the present research provide a nuanced picture of the activity identifying serious health problems among farmers. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with female seaweed farmers (n=140) and non-seaweed farmers (n=140) in Zanzibar to evaluate health and working conditions. In-depth interviews with additional 28 female seaweed farmers were performed to deepen the understanding of the working conditions and related problems. The research was undertaken at seven different locations to cover areas where seaweed is extensively executed during August to September 2009 and May to June 2010. Seaweed farmers considered their health significantly poorer than non-seaweed farmers with fatigue, musculoskeletal pain, hunger, respiratory problems, eye related problems, injuries from hazardous animals and sharp shells in the water and allergies as the most serious issues (p<0.05). Income was further reported below the extreme poverty line. Since seaweed farming affects thousands of households in the tropics these results should encourage changes towards better working conditions and sustainability.
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| 29. |
- Fröcklin, Sara, 1981-
(författare)
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Women in the Seascape : Gender, Livelihoods and Management of Coastal and Marine Resources in Zanzibar, East Africa
- 2014
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Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- All over the world, coastal populations depend on, and influence, the environment in pursue of their livelihoods. Managing the environment, while meeting the growing demand for marine resources, is a challenge. It further requires knowledge about all actors. Women's contribution is often overlooked in research, policy and management of marine and coastal resources. This thesis aims to reduce this gap; a gender analysis is applied to differentiate women and men's access and use of the seascape and to address key gender issues in coastal livelihoods in Zanzibar, Tanzania. Paper I shows that men are typically engaged in fisheries and have access to the whole seascape, whereas women engage in less economically viable activities, such as seaweed farming and invertebrate harvesting, in near-shore areas. A limitation for women to reach the whole seascape is a general lack of boat transport, swimming skills and fishing gear. Paper II analyzes occupational health within seaweed farming and shows that women seaweed farmers suffer from a variety of problems, such as eye infections, musculoskeletal pains, respiratory problems and fatigue, because of poor working conditions. Paper III addresses social and ecological aspects of invertebrate harvesting. This activity lacks proper management and over a five-year period (2005 to 2010), invertebrate abundance and species richness have decreased. It also reveals gender disparities in access to invertebrate collecting grounds and species of higher economic value. Paper IV examines gender within fish trade; women traders have less access to markets, high-value fish, a diverse customer-base, cold-storing facilities and fish trade associations. Income data shows that women's income is always lower. The management system is found to be androcentric and this thesis thus argues for the need to look at the "bigger picture"; the whole seascape, both men and women, and their interests should be considered in coastal and marine management.
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| 30. |
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