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- Alimohammadi, Mohammad, 1978-
(author)
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Molecular Targets in Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type1 and Their Clinical Implications
- 2009
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Autoimmune diseases occur when the immune system attacks and destroys healthy body tissue. Autoimmunity is known to cause a wide range of disorders, and is suspected to be responsible for many more. Most autoimmune disorders are chronic and cause severe morbidity for the patients, and are also costly for society. A majority of these disorders are today considered as complex diseases with incompletely known etiology. Hence, model systems for studying the pathogenesis of autoimmunity are important to unravel its causes. Autoimmune Polyendocrine Syndrome Type 1 (APS-1), (OMIM 240300), is a rare autoimmune disorder. Patients with APS-1 progressively develop multiple organ-specific autoimmune lesions involving both endocrine and non endocrine tissues. Typical autoimmune disease components in APS-1 are hypoparathyroidism, Addison’s disease, vitiligo, alopecia and type 1 diabetes. The gene preventing APS-1 has been identified and designated Autoimmune Regulator (AIRE). It has been shown that mutations of AIRE cause loss of tolerance to self-structures, resulting in organ-specific autoimmunity. Although APS-1 is a rare syndrome occurring mainly in genetically isolated populations, the disease components of APS-1 are, in isolated forms, not unusual in the general population and affect many patients. Hence, APS-1 is an attractive model disease for studies of molecular mechanisms underlying organ-specific autoimmunity. This thesis concerns investigations in which two novel autoantigens are identified in APS-1 and used in serological diagnosis of the disease. NALP5, is identified as a parathyroid autoantigen - an important finding since autoimmune hypoparathyroidism is one of the cardinal symptoms of APS-1. Additionally, KCNRG is identified as a bronchial autoantigen in APS-1 patients with respiratory symptoms. Finally, studies that compare the immune response in APS-1 patients and the mouse model for APS-1 are presented.
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| 2. |
- Andersson, Therése, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Tissue-specific increases in 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in normal weight postmenopausal women
- 2009
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 4:12, s. e8475-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With age and menopause there is a shift in adipose distribution from gluteo-femoral to abdominal depots in women. Associated with this redistribution of fat are increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Glucocorticoids influence body composition, and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) which converts inert cortisone to active cortisol is a putative key mediator of metabolic complications in obesity. Increased 11betaHSD1 in adipose tissue may contribute to postmenopausal central obesity. We hypothesized that tissue-specific 11betaHSD1 gene expression and activity are up-regulated in the older, postmenopausal women compared to young, premenopausal women. Twenty-three pre- and 23 postmenopausal, healthy, normal weight women were recruited. The participants underwent a urine collection, a subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy and the hepatic 11betaHSD1 activity was estimated by the serum cortisol response after an oral dose of cortisone. Urinary (5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol+5beta-tetrahydrocortisol)/tetrahydrocortisone ratios were higher in postmenopausal women versus premenopausal women in luteal phase (P<0.05), indicating an increased whole-body 11betaHSD1 activity. Postmenopausal women had higher 11betaHSD1 gene expression in subcutaneous fat (P<0.05). Hepatic first pass conversion of oral cortisone to cortisol was also increased in postmenopausal women versus premenopausal women in follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (P<0.01, at 30 min post cortisone ingestion), suggesting higher hepatic 11betaHSD1 activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that postmenopausal normal weight women have increased 11betaHSD1 activity in adipose tissue and liver. This may contribute to metabolic dysfunctions with menopause and ageing in women.
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| 3. |
- Bengtsson, Mats, et al.
(author)
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CELTIC CP5-026 WINNER+, D1.4 Initial Report on Advanced Multiple Antenna Systems
- 2008
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This deliverable captures the first set of best innovative concepts identified in the field of Advanced Multiple Antenna Systems for potential inclusion into the WINNER+ system concept. The concepts consist of promising principles or ideas as well as detailed innovative techniques. For each concept, the associated benefits as well as the corresponding requirements on the system architecture and protocols, measurements and signalling, are considered. The document involves two main tracks: development of new advanced antenna schemes in the context of conventional cellular networks, and a study of coordinated multipoint transmission and reception, where multiple network nodes cooperate to enhance system performance.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Boldi, Mauro, et al.
(author)
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CELTIC CP5-026 WINNER+, D1.8 Intermediate Report on CoMP (Coordinated Multi-Point) and Relaying in the Framework of CoMP.
- 2009
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This deliverable is an intermediate report on CoMP (Coordinated Multi-Point) and on Relaying in the Framework of CoMP. It describes the second set of innovations encompassing concepts about promising principles or ideas as well as detailed innovative techniques in the framework of WINNER+ system concept. For each concept, the associated benefits as well as the corresponding requirements on the system architecture and protocols, measurements and signalling, are considered. Regarding CoMP algorithms, focus is put on schemes with reduced requirements in terms of backhauling considering two categories: “Coordinated Beamforming”, and “Joint Processing”. As for relaying, a relay-assisted interference channel, and a distributed LDPC coding for a Decode and Forward relay are introduced.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Carén, Helena, 1979, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution array copy number analyses for detection of deletion, gain, amplification and copy-neutral LOH in primary neuroblastoma tumors; Four cases of homozygous deletions of the CDKN2A gene.
- 2008
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In: BMC Genomics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2164. ; 9:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background Neuroblastoma is a very heterogeneous pediatric tumor of the sympathetic nervous system showing clinically significant patterns of genetic alterations. Favorable tumors usually have near-triploid karyotypes with few structural rearrangements. Aggressive stage 4 tumors often have near-diploid or near-tetraploid karyotypes and structural rearrangements. Whole genome approaches for analysis of genome-wide copy number have been used to analyze chromosomal abnormalities in tumor samples. We have used array-based copy number analysis using oligonucleotide single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) arrays to analyze the chromosomal structure of a large number of neuroblastoma tumors of different clinical and biological subsets. Results Ninety-two neuroblastoma tumors were analyzed with 50 K and/or 250 K SNP arrays from Affymetrix, using CNAG3.0 software. Thirty percent of the tumors harbored 1p deletion, 22% deletion of 11q, 26% had MYCN amplification and 45% 17q gain. Most of the tumors with 1p deletion were found among those with MYCN amplification. Loss of 11q was most commonly seen in tumors without MYCN amplification. In the case of MYCN amplification, two types were identified. One type displayed simple continuous amplicons; the other type harbored more complex rearrangements. MYCN was the only common gene in all cases with amplification. Complex amplification on chromosome 12 was detected in two tumors and three different overlapping regions of amplification were identified. Two regions with homozygous deletions, four cases with CDKN2A deletions in 9p and one case with deletion on 3p (the gene RBMS3) were also detected in the tumors. Conclusion SNP arrays provide useful tools for high-resolution characterization of significant chromosomal rearrangements in neuroblastoma tumors. The mapping arrays from Affymetrix provide both copy number and allele-specific information at a resolution of 10–12 kb. Chromosome 9p, especially the gene CDKN2A, is subject to homozygous (four cases) and heterozygous deletions (five cases) in neuroblastoma tumors.
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| 8. |
- Carlberg, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Cererovaskulära sjukdomar
- 2009
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In: Diabetes. - : Liber. - 9789147093311 ; , s. 401-410, s. 317-333
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Book chapter (other academic/artistic)
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| 9. |
- Dahlman, Ingrid, et al.
(author)
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A unique role of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 among chemokines in adipose tissue of obese subjects
- 2005
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In: Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism. - : Endocrine Society. - 0021-972X .- 1945-7197. ; 90:10, s. 5834-5840
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Context: Low-grade inflammation in adipose tissue may contribute to insulin resistance in obesity. However, the roles of individual inflammatory mediators in adipose tissue are poorly understood. Objectives: The objective of this study was to determine which inflammation markers are most overexpressed at the gene level in adipose tissue in human obesity and how this relates to corresponding protein secretion. Design: We examined gene expression profiles in 17 lean and 20 obese subjects. The secretory pattern of relevant corresponding proteins was examined in human sc adipose tissue or isolated fat cells in vitro and in vivo in several obese or lean cohorts. Results: In ranking gene expression, defined pathways associated with obesity and immune and defense responses scored high. Among seven markedly overexpressed chemokines, only monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP1) was released from adipose tissue and isolated fat cells in vitro. In obesity, the secretion and expression of MCP1 in adipose tissue pieces were more than 6- and 2-fold increased, respectively, but there was no change in circulating MCP1 levels. There was no net release of MCP1, but there was a net release of leptin, in vivo from adipose tissue into the circulation. Conclusions: Obesity is associated with the increased expression of several chemokine genes in adipose tissue. However, only MCP1 is secreted into the extracellular space, where it primarily acts as a local factor, because little or no spillover into the circulation occurs. MCP1 influences the function of adipocytes, is a recruitment factor for macrophages, and may be a crucial link among chemokines between adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance.
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| 10. |
- Elgh, Eva, et al.
(author)
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Cognitive dysfunction, hippocampal atrophy and glucocorticoid feedback in Alzheimer's disease.
- 2006
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In: Biological Psychiatry. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3223 .- 1873-2402. ; 59:2, s. 155-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The hippocampal formation is damaged early in Alzheimer's disease (AD). An association between temporal lobe volume and cognitive function has been shown in several studies. Increased limbic-hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (LHPA) axis function has been suggested to be related to hippocampal atrophy and cognitive impairment. Our hypothesis was that there is a clear link between hippocampal volume -- notably of the CA1 region -- memory (episodic and visuospatial) and decreased feedback sensitivity in the LHPA axis in AD. METHODS: Sixteen medication-free outpatients with mild to moderate AD were included. Hippocampal volume was measured with magnetic resonance imaging. Dexamethasone suppression tests were performed using .5 mg and .25 mg dexamethasone. Three different components in the neuropsychological battery -- Rey 15 item memory test, Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale (ADAS) word recall and spatial span from Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Revised neuropsychological instrument (WAIS-R NI) -- were found to represent episodic and visuospatial memory. RESULTS: Low hippocampal CA1 volume and high post-dexamethasone cortisol levels in combination were significantly associated with Rey 15 item memory and spatial span test outcomes. No association was found between LHPA feedback and hippocampal volume. CONCLUSIONS: Low hippocampal volume and a disturbed negative feedback in the LHPA axis link to specific cognitive impairments in Alzheimer's disease.
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