| 1. |
- Sandling, Johanna K., et al.
(författare)
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A candidate gene study of the type I interferon pathway implicates IKBKE and IL8 as risk loci for SLE
- 2011
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Ingår i: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 19:4, s. 479-484
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease in which the type I interferon pathway has a crucial role. We have previously shown that three genes in this pathway, IRF5, TYK2 and STAT4, are strongly associated with risk for SLE. Here, we investigated 78 genes involved in the type I interferon pathway to identify additional SLE susceptibility loci. First, we genotyped 896 single-nucleotide polymorphisms in these 78 genes and 14 other candidate genes in 482 Swedish SLE patients and 536 controls. Genes with P<0.01 in the initial screen were then followed up in 344 additional Swedish patients and 1299 controls. SNPs in the IKBKE, TANK, STAT1, IL8 and TRAF6 genes gave nominal signals of association with SLE in this extended Swedish cohort. To replicate these findings we extracted data from a genomewide association study on SLE performed in a US cohort. Combined analysis of the Swedish and US data, comprising a total of 2136 cases and 9694 controls, implicates IKBKE and IL8 as SLE susceptibility loci (P(meta)=0.00010 and P(meta)=0.00040, respectively). STAT1 was also associated with SLE in this cohort (P(meta)=3.3 × 10(-5)), but this association signal appears to be dependent of that previously reported for the neighbouring STAT4 gene. Our study suggests additional genes from the type I interferon system in SLE, and highlights genes in this pathway for further functional analysis.
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| 2. |
- Eriksson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Effects of Supply Chain Strategy on Stump Fuel Cost: A Simulation Approach
- 2014
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Ingår i: International Journal of Forestry Research. - : Hindawi Limited. - 1687-9368 .- 1687-9376. ; 2014
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- In Sweden, stump fuel extraction for energy purposes is not a well-established practice and this major resource is currently leftin the forest. The stump fuel supply chain is both challenging and complex, due to distance between resource and end user,material bulkiness, and the number of subprocesses involved. This study examined the impact of different aspects such as sitecharacteristics, fuel quality, biomass losses, andmachine performance on fuel cost. Two systems, including transport of comminutedand uncomminuted fuel, were studied. Discrete-event simulation was used to model systems and to analyse the dynamics ofthe supply chain and its various components. For a distance of 10 km, transportation of uncomminuted fuel gave the lowestcosts. For distances from 30 to 70 km, site size (odt) determined whether to comminute or not before transport. For longerdistances, comminution before transport proved to be necessary. Well-planned stump storage was shown to reduce the deliverycosts significantly, while highmoisture content (>45%) had detrimental effects on system costs per unit energy delivered. However,the most influential parameters were productivity level and site characteristics (distance and site size).
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| 3. |
- Eriksson, Anders, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of delivery strategies for forest fuels applying a model for Weather-driven Analysis of Forest Fuel Systems (WAFFS)
- 2017
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Ingår i: Applied Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-2619 .- 1872-9118. ; 188, s. 420-430
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Earlier studies have highlighted the importance of quality and quantity in forest fuel supply chains, since these parameters affect product value and handling properties, but both are constantly changing over time. Great monetary losses can be incurred if forest fuel material has to be delivered to end-users in non-optimal condition, e.g. to meet seasonal fuel demand with its large short-term variations. Thus earlier studies have also highlighted the importance of more information on the forest fuel supply chain. This paper describes development of a model for Weather-driven Analysis of Forest Fuel Systems (WAFFS) that can be used when analysing forest fuel supply chains and that accounts for both active machine activities and passive activities such as quality changes during storage. The aim was to develop a methodology that can be used to evaluate forest fuel supply chain scenarios and analyse various delivery strategies under different conditions. Application of WAFFS to evaluate delivery strategies for forest fuels showed that system improvements were possible when the right biomass was delivered at the right time. The WAFFS model gives an overview of biomass actually stored at different geographical locations and places (heaps or windrows) in terms of both quality and quantity. Delivery strategies actively prioritising biomass storage proved capable of delivering more energy when most needed, thereby improving yearly machine utilisation for contractors in the supply chain. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Alexandersson, Elin, et al.
(författare)
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Extended automated quantification algorithm (AQuA) for targeted 1H NMR metabolomics of highly complex samples: application to plant root exudates
- 2023
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Ingår i: Metabolomics. - 1573-3882 .- 1573-3890. ; 20
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Introduction The Automated Quantification Algorithm (AQuA) is a rapid and efficient method for targeted NMR-based metabolomics, currently optimised for blood plasma. AQuA quantifies metabolites from 1D-H-1 NMR spectra based on the height of only one signal per metabolite, which minimises the computational time and workload of the method without compromising the quantification accuracy.Objectives To develop a fast and computationally efficient extension of AQuA for quantification of selected metabolites in highly complex samples, with minimal prior sample preparation. In particular, the method should be capable of handling interferences caused by broad background signals.Methods An automatic baseline correction function was combined with AQuA into an automated workflow, the extended AQuA, for quantification of metabolites in plant root exudate NMR spectra that contained broad background signals and baseline distortions. The approach was evaluated using simulations as well as a spike-in experiment in which known metabolite amounts were added to a complex sample matrix.Results The extended AQuA enables accurate quantification of metabolites in 1D-H-1 NMR spectra with varying complexity. The method is very fast (< 1 s per spectrum) and can be fully automated.Conclusions The extended AQuA is an automated quantification method intended for 1D-H-1 NMR spectra containing broad background signals and baseline distortions. Although the method was developed for plant root exudates, it should be readily applicable to any NMR spectra displaying similar issues as it is purely computational and applied to NMR spectra post-acquisition.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Bartek, Louise, et al.
(författare)
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Environmental benefits of circular food systems: The case of upcycled protein recovered using genome edited potato
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Cleaner Production. - : Elsevier BV. - 0959-6526 .- 1879-1786. ; 380
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Although essential in the human diet, large quantities of available protein are currently lost or under-utilized within the food system, including protein rich side streams from conventional potato starch production. By using the genome editing technique CRISPR-Cas9, conventional starch potato cultivars can be upgraded to facilitate high-value recovery of potato protein fit for human consumption. In turn, this could support the nessecary transition towards more circular food systems. The aim of this study was to assess what environmental benefits could be gained by shifting from conventional protein recovery practice to a novel approach using genome edited potato. Our results, using consequential life cycle assessment, showed that the novel protein recovery scenario provided substantial environmental savings for every ton potato starch produced, with a reduction in global warming impact, terrestrial acidification, land use and ecosystem damage of −720 kgCO2eq, −13 kgSO2eq, −760 m2a crop eq, and −1.1 × 10−5 species.yr respectively. The potential environmental benefits of using genome edited potato were maintained even when simulating reduced tuber yield, increased production inputs, and substitution of various protein sources. Although currently limited by EU legislation and technical maturity, high-value protein recovery from food side streams holds a promising potential to support sustainable production and circularity within the food system.
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| 7. |
- Berg, Åke, et al.
(författare)
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Assessing agri-environmental schemes for semi-natural grasslands during a 5-year period: can we see positive effects for vascular plants and pollinators?
- 2019
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Ingår i: Biodiversity and Conservation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0960-3115 .- 1572-9710. ; 28, s. 3989-4005
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- An important function of agri-environmental schemes (AES) is to change management of pastures to better conserve biodiversity. However, the effects of most AES on biodiversity are poorly understood, especially when it comes to effects of AES management over time. The main aim of this study is to investigate if the species richness and abundance of grassland specialists of vascular plants and two important insect pollinator groups (bumblebees and butterflies) differ over time (5 years) in pastures with AES management (two value levels; general values and special values) and pastures without AES management. We also investigate if local vegetation characteristics and landscape composition relate to species richness in semi-natural grasslands. Using data from more than 400 sites we found that species richness of vascular plants (grassland specialists) was higher in pastures with AES management (for special and general values) compared to those without AES, which implies that these schemes do have value of the conservation of plant diversity. However, species richness and abundance of butterflies (grassland specialists) and bumblebees (all species) did not differ significantly among the three AES categories. We found no evidence that the type of AES management caused any changes in species richness of plants, butterflies or bumblebees during the 5 year period of our investigation. It appears that AES management that encourages uniform and minimum levels of grazing can have both positive and negative effects on biodiversity. For example, pollinators may benefit from a lower grazing intensity that could increase flower richness and heterogeneity in vegetation height. However, low grazing intensity may lead to increased cover of trees and shrubs, which can have negative effects for both insect pollinators and vascular plants. The effects of landscape composition were weak and only species richness of bumble bees were associated with landscape composition. Designing management regimes to maintain suitably heterogeneous vegetation layer, and continued long-term monitoring of biodiversity will be critical for safeguarding culturally and functionally important semi-natural grasslands.
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| 8. |
- Buratovic, Sonja, et al.
(författare)
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Developmental effects of fractionated low-dose exposure to gamma radiation on behaviour and susceptibility of the cholinergic system in mice
- 2016
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Ingår i: International Journal of Radiation Biology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0955-3002 .- 1362-3095. ; 92:7, s. 371-379
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: To investigate whether neonatal exposure to fractionated external gamma radiation and co-exposure to radiation and nicotine can affect/exacerbate developmental neurotoxic effects, including altered behavior/cognitive function and the susceptibility of the cholinergic system in adult male mice. Materials and methods: Neonatal male Naval Medical Research Institute (NMRI) mice were irradiated with one 200 mGy fraction/day and/or exposed to nicotine (66 μg/kg b.w.) twice daily on postnatal day (PND) 10, 10–11, 10–12 or 10–13 (nicotine only). At 2 months of age the animals were tested for spontaneous behavior in a novel home environment, habituation capacity and nicotine-induced behavior. Results: Fractionated irradiation and co-exposure to radiation and nicotine on three consecutive days disrupted behavior and habituation and altered susceptibility of the cholinergic system. All observed effects were significantly more pronounced in mice co-exposed to both radiation and nicotine. Conclusions: The fractionated irradiation regime affects behavior/cognitive function in a similar manner as has previously been observed for single-dose exposures. Neonatal co-exposure to radiation and nicotine, during a critical period of brain development in general and cholinergic system development in particular, enhance these behavioral defects suggesting that the cholinergic system can be a target system for this type of developmental neurotoxic effects.
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| 9. |
- Buratovic, Sonja, 1986-, et al.
(författare)
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Effects on adult cognitive function after neonatal exposure to clinically relevant doses of ionising radiation and ketamine in mice
- 2018
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Ingår i: British Journal of Anaesthesia. - : ELSEVIER SCI LTD. - 0007-0912 .- 1471-6771. ; 120:3, s. 546-554
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Radiological methods for screening, diagnostics and therapy are frequently used in healthcare. In infants and children, anaesthesia/sedation is often used in these situations to relieve the patients' perception of stress or pain. Both ionising radiation (IR) and ketamine have been shown to induce developmental neurotoxic effects and this study aimed to identify the combined effects of these in a murine model. Methods: Male mice were exposed to a single dose of ketamine (7.5 mg kg(-1) body weight) s.c. on postnatal day 10. One hour after ketamine exposure, mice were whole body irradiated with 50-200 mGy gamma radiation (Cs-137). Behavioural observations were performed at 2, 4 and 5 months of age. At 6 months of age, cerebral cortex and hippocampus tissue were analysed for neuroprotein levels. Results: Animals co-exposed to IR and ketamine displayed significant (P <= 0.01) lack of habituation in the spontaneous behaviour test, when compared with controls and single agent exposed mice. In the Morris Water Maze test, co-exposed animals showed significant (P <= 0.05) impaired learning and memory capacity in both the spatial acquisition task and the relearning test compared with controls and single agent exposed mice. Furthermore, in co-exposed mice a significantly (P <= 0.05) elevated level of tau protein in cerebral cortex was observed. Single agent exposure did not cause any significant effects on the investigated endpoints. Conclusion: Co-exposure to IR and ketamine can aggravate developmental neurotoxic effects at doses where the single agent exposure does not impact on the measured variables. These findings show that estimation of risk after paediatric low-dose IR exposure, based upon radiation dose alone, may underestimate the consequences for this vulnerable population.
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| 10. |
- Buratovic, Sonja, et al.
(författare)
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Neonatal exposure to a moderate dose of ionizing radiation causes behavioural defects and altered levels of tau protein in mice
- 2014
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Ingår i: Neurotoxicology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0161-813X .- 1872-9711. ; 45, s. 48-55
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Medical use of ionizing radiation (IR) has great benefits for treatment and diagnostic imaging, butprocedures as computerized tomography (CT) may deliver a significant radiation dose to the patient.Recently, awareness has been raised about possible non-cancer consequences from low dose exposure toIR during critical phases of perinatal and/or neonatal brain development.In the present study neonatal NMRI mice were whole body irradiated with a single dose of gammaradiation (0; 350 and 500 mGy) on postnatal day 10 (PND 10). At 2 and 4 months of age, mice of bothsexes were observed for spontaneous behaviour in a novel home environment. The neuroproteinsCaMKII, GAP-43, synaptophysin and total tau in male mouse cerebral cortex and hippocampus wereanalysed 24 h post-irradiation and in adults at 6 months of age exposed to 0 or 500 mGy on PND 10.A significantly dose-response related deranged spontaneous behaviour in 2- and 4-month-old micewas observed, where both males and females displayed a modified habituation, indicating reducedcognitive function. The dose of 350 mGy seems to be a tentative threshold. Six-month-old male miceshowed a significantly increased level of total tau in cerebral cortex after irradiation to 500 mGy compared to controls. This demonstrates that a single moderate dose of IR, given during a defined criticalperiod of brain development, is sufficient to cause persistently reduced cognitive function. Moreover, anelevation of tau protein was observed in male mice displaying reduced cognitive function.
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