| 1. |
- Randler, C., et al.
(författare)
-
Animal welfare attitudes : Effects of gender and diet in university samples from 22 countries
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Animals. - : MDPI AG. - 2076-2615. ; 11:7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Animal Welfare Attitudes (AWA) are defined as human attitudes towards the welfare of animals in different dimensions and settings. Demographic factors, such as age and gender are associated with AWA. The aim of this study was to assess gender differences among university students in a large convenience sample from twenty-two nations in AWA. A total of 7914 people participated in the study (5155 women, 2711 men, 48 diverse). Participants completed a questionnaire that collected demographic data, typical diet and responses to the Composite Respect for Animals Scale Short version (CRAS-S). In addition, we used a measure of gender empowerment from the Human Development Report. The largest variance in AWA was explained by diet, followed by country and gender. In terms of diet, 6385 participants reported to be omnivores, 296 as pescatarian, 637 ate a vegetarian diet and 434 were vegans (n = 162 without answer). Diet was related with CRAS-S scores; people with a vegan diet scored higher in AWA than omnivores. Women scored significantly higher on AWA than men. Furthermore, gender differences in AWA increased as gender inequality decreased. © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.
|
|
| 2. |
- Budeus, B., et al.
(författare)
-
Human cord blood b cells differ from the adult counterpart by conserved ig repertoires and accelerated response dynamics
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Journal of Immunology. - : The American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 206:12, s. 2839-2851
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Neonatal and infant immune responses are characterized by a limited capability to generate protective Ab titers and memory B cells as seen in adults. Multiple studies support an immature or even impaired character of umbilical cord blood (UCB) B cells themselves. In this study, we provide a comprehensive molecular and functional comparison of B cell subsets from UCB and adult peripheral blood. Most UCB B cells have a mature, naive B cell phenotype as seen in adults. The UCB Ig repertoire is highly variable but interindividually conserved, as BCR clonotypes are frequently shared between neonates. Furthermore, UCB B cells show a distinct transcriptional program that confers accelerated responsiveness to stimulation and facilitated IgA class switching. Stimulation drives extensive differentiation into Ab-secreting cells, presumably limiting memory B cell formation. Humanized mice suggest that the distinctness of UCB versus adult B cells is already reflected by the developmental program of hematopoietic precursors, arguing for a layered B-1/B-2 lineage system as in mice, albeit our findings suggest only partial comparability to murine B-1 cells. Our study shows that UCB B cells are not immature or impaired but differ from their adult mature counterpart in a conserved BCR repertoire, efficient IgA class switching, and accelerated, likely transient response dynamics. © 2021 by TheAmericanAssociation of Immunologists, Inc.
|
|
| 3. |
- Stockfelt, Marit, et al.
(författare)
-
Plasma interferon-alpha is associated with double-positivity for autoantibodies but is not a predictor of remission in early rheumatoid arthritis-a spin-off study of the NORD-STAR randomized clinical trial
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Arthritis Research & Therapy. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1478-6354 .- 1478-6362. ; 23:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The type I interferon (IFN) gene signature is present in a subgroup of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Protein levels of IFN alpha have not been measured in RA and it is unknown whether they associate with clinical characteristics or treatment effect. Methods Patients with early untreated RA (n = 347) were randomized to methotrexate combined with prednisone, certolizumab-pegol, abatacept, or tocilizumab. Plasma IFN alpha protein levels were determined by single molecular array (Simoa) before and 24 weeks after treatment initiation and were related to demographic and clinical factors including clinical disease activity index, disease activity score in 28 joints, swollen and tender joint counts, and patient global assessment. Results IFN alpha protein positivity was found in 26% of the patients, and of these, 92% were double-positive for rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA). IFN alpha protein levels were reduced 24 weeks after treatment initiation, and the absolute change was similar irrespective of treatment. IFN alpha protein positivity was associated neither with disease activity nor with achievement of CDAI remission 24 weeks after randomization. Conclusion IFN alpha protein positivity is present in a subgroup of patients with early RA and associates with double-positivity for autoantibodies but not with disease activity. Pre-treatment IFN alpha positivity did not predict remission in any of the treatment arms, suggesting that the IFN alpha system is distinct from the pathways of TNF, IL-6, and T-cell activation in early RA. A spin-off study of the NORD-STAR randomized clinical trial, NCT01491815 (ClinicalTrials), registered 12/08/2011, .
|
|
| 4. |
|
|
| 5. |
|
|
| 6. |
- Kutty, F. P. A., et al.
(författare)
-
Numerical analysis of slot die coating of nanocellulosic materials
- 2021
-
Ingår i: TAPPICon LIVE 2021. - : TAPPI Press. - 9781713848370 ; , s. 63-73
-
Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- Nanocellulosic coatings as a food-packaging material are of commercial interest due to their non-toxic nature, renewability, and excellent barrier properties. Complex shear-thinning rheology poses challenges in designing and sizing equipment to pump, mix, and process the suspension and actual coating process. This study aims to determine the effectiveness of computation fluid dynamics (CFD) in predicting nanocellulosic suspension flow in light of existing rheological data. We employ and compare three distinct rheological models to characterize the rheology and flow of nanocellulose suspensions through a slot-die coater, where the model parameters are established from existing slot-rheometry measurements. A volume-of-fluid (VoF) based finite volume method is employed to simulate the flow in a slot-die operated in an unconventional metering mode. Results with the Casson model predicts the presence of unyielded regions in the flow, which was not captured using the power-law model. These stagnation regions will incur coatability issues stemming from flow intermittencies and lead to potential defects in the coating layer, including fracture. The results suggest that a rheological model that includes yield stress should be considered while modeling such flows. A need for better rheological data to model nanocellulosic flows, especially at high consistencies and shear-rates, is also highlighted.
|
|
| 7. |
|
|
| 8. |
- Stockfelt, Marit, et al.
(författare)
-
Circulating proteins associated with allergy development in infants-an exploratory analysis
- 2021
-
Ingår i: Clinical Proteomics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1542-6416 .- 1559-0275. ; 18:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background Protein profiles that can predict allergy development in children are lacking and the ideal sampling age is unknown. By applying an exploratory proteomics approach in the prospective FARMFLORA birth cohort, we sought to identify previously unknown circulating proteins in early life that associate to protection or risk for development of allergy up to 8 years of age. Methods We analyzed plasma prepared from umbilical cord blood (n = 38) and blood collected at 1 month (n = 42), 4 months (n = 39), 18 months (n = 42), 36 months (n = 42) and 8 years (n = 44) of age. We profiled 230 proteins with a multiplexed assay and evaluated the global structure of the data with principal component analysis (PCA). Protein profiles informative to allergic disease at 18 months, 36 months and/or 8 years were evaluated using Lasso logistic regression and random forest. Results Two clusters emerged in the PCA analysis that separated samples obtained at birth and at 1 month of age from samples obtained later. Differences between the clusters were mostly driven by abundant plasma proteins. For the prediction of allergy, both Lasso logistic regression and random forest were most informative with samples collected at 1 month of age. A Lasso model with 27 proteins together with farm environment differentiated children who remained healthy from those developing allergy. This protein panel was primarily composed of antigen-presenting MHC class I molecules, interleukins and chemokines. Conclusion Sampled at one month of age, circulating proteins that reflect processes of the immune system may predict the development of allergic disease later in childhood.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
|
|
