| 1. |
- Sarwar, Nadeem, et al.
(author)
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Interleukin-6 receptor pathways in coronary heart disease : a collaborative meta-analysis of 82 studies
- 2012
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In: The Lancet. - New York, NY, USA : Elsevier. - 0140-6736 .- 1474-547X. ; 379:9822, s. 1205-1213
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Persistent inflammation has been proposed to contribute to various stages in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease. Interleukin-6 receptor (IL6R) signalling propagates downstream inflammation cascades. To assess whether this pathway is causally relevant to coronary heart disease, we studied a functional genetic variant known to affect IL6R signalling. Methods: In a collaborative meta-analysis, we studied Asp358Ala (rs2228145) in IL6R in relation to a panel of conventional risk factors and inflammation biomarkers in 125 222 participants. We also compared the frequency of Asp358Ala in 51 441 patients with coronary heart disease and in 136 226 controls. To gain insight into possible mechanisms, we assessed Asp358Ala in relation to localised gene expression and to postlipopolysaccharide stimulation of interleukin 6. Findings: The minor allele frequency of Asp358Ala was 39%. Asp358Ala was not associated with lipid concentrations, blood pressure, adiposity, dysglycaemia, or smoking (p value for association per minor allele >= 0.04 for each). By contrast, for every copy of 358Ala inherited, mean concentration of IL6R increased by 34.3% (95% CI 30.4-38.2) and of interleukin 6 by 14.6% (10.7-18.4), and mean concentration of C-reactive protein was reduced by 7.5% (5.9-9.1) and of fibrinogen by 1.0% (0.7-1.3). For every copy of 358Ala inherited, risk of coronary heart disease was reduced by 3.4% (1.8-5.0). Asp358Ala was not related to IL6R mRNA levels or interleukin-6 production in monocytes. Interpretation: Large-scale human genetic and biomarker data are consistent with a causal association between IL6R-related pathways and coronary heart disease.
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| 2. |
- Zheng, Hou-Feng, et al.
(author)
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Whole-genome sequencing identifies EN1 as a determinant of bone density and fracture
- 2015
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 526:7571, s. 112-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The extent to which low-frequency (minor allele frequency (MAF) between 1-5%) and rare (MAF <= 1%) variants contribute to complex traits and disease in the general population is mainly unknown. Bone mineral density (BMD) is highly heritable, a major predictor of osteoporotic fractures, and has been previously associated with common genetic variants(1-8), as well as rare, population specific, coding variants(9). Here we identify novel non-coding genetic variants with large effects on BMD (n(total) = 53,236) and fracture (n(total) = 508,253) in individuals of European ancestry from the general population. Associations for BMD were derived from whole-genome sequencing (n = 2,882 from UK10K (ref. 10); a population-based genome sequencing consortium), whole-exome sequencing (n = 3,549), deep imputation of genotyped samples using a combined UK10K/1000 Genomes reference panel (n = 26,534), and de novo replication genotyping (n = 20,271). We identified a low-frequency non-coding variant near a novel locus, EN1, with an effect size fourfold larger than the mean of previously reported common variants for lumbar spine BMD8 (rs11692564(T), MAF51.6%, replication effect size510.20 s.d., P-meta = 2 x 10(-14)), which was also associated with a decreased risk of fracture (odds ratio = 0.85; P = 2 x 10(-11); ncases = 98,742 and ncontrols = 409,511). Using an En1cre/flox mouse model, we observed that conditional loss of En1 results in low bone mass, probably as a consequence of high bone turnover. We also identified a novel low frequency non-coding variant with large effects on BMD near WNT16 (rs148771817(T), MAF = 1.2%, replication effect size +10.41 s.d., P-meta = 1 x 10(-11)). In general, there was an excess of association signals arising from deleterious coding and conserved non-coding variants. These findings provide evidence that low-frequency non-coding variants have large effects on BMD and fracture, thereby providing rationale for whole-genome sequencing and improved imputation reference panels to study the genetic architecture of complex traits and disease in the general population.
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| 3. |
- Becker, Joel, et al.
(author)
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Resource profile and user guide of the Polygenic Index Repository
- 2021
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In: Nature Human Behaviour. - : Nature Research (part of Springer Nature). - 2397-3374. ; 51:6, s. 694-695
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Polygenic indexes (PGIs) are DNA-based predictors. Their value for research in many scientific disciplines is growing rapidly. As a resource for researchers, we used a consistent methodology to construct PGIs for 47 phenotypes in 11 datasets. To maximize the PGIs’ prediction accuracies, we constructed them using genome-wide association studies—some not previously published—from multiple data sources, including 23andMe and UK Biobank. We present a theoretical framework to help interpret analyses involving PGIs. A key insight is that a PGI can be understood as an unbiased but noisy measure of a latent variable we call the ‘additive SNP factor’. Regressions in which the true regressor is this factor but the PGI is used as its proxy therefore suffer from errors-in-variables bias. We derive an estimator that corrects for the bias, illustrate the correction, and make a Python tool for implementing it publicly available. © 2021, The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.
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| 4. |
- Bekele, Maheteme, et al.
(author)
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Tumor and immune cell profiling in breast cancer using highly multiplexed imaging mass cytometry single-cell technology demonstrates tumor heterogeneity and immune phenotypic abnormality in Ethiopian women
- 2020
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In: Cancer Research. - : American Association for Cancer Research. - 0008-5472 .- 1538-7445. ; 80:21 Suppl.
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Tumor heterogeneity represents a complex challenge to cancer treatment, disease recurrence, and patient survival. Imaging mass cytometry (IMC) is an emerging proteomic tool for cancer profiling in tumor tissue samples. IMC enables digital image analysis by multiplexed immunostaining of cells and proteins within tissue and preserves spatial relations within tumor environment. We have applied IMC based approach to study the heterogeneity of invasive breast carcinoma protein expression pattern in formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissues.Methods: A total of 10 region of interest (ROI) derived from 5 patients with primary invasive breast carcinoma representing three molecular subclasses (HR+/HER2-,HER2+/HR- and TNBC) were stained with a 30-marker IMC metal labeled antibody panel (α-SMA, EGFR, p53, CD33, CD16, CD163, CD11b, PDL1, CD31, CD45, D44,Vimentin, FoxP3, CD4, ECadherin, CD68, CD20, CD8a, Cytokeratin7, PD1, GranzymeB, Ki67, ColTypeI, CD3, CD45RO, HLADR, DARC & CD11c). Tissue imaging was done by quantifying the abundance of bound antibody with a Hyperion IMC. MCD Viewer was used for visualization purpose and to export raw 16-bit tiff images for segmentation on CellProfiler. Segmentation masks were combined with the individual tiff files to extract single-cell information from each individual image. HistoCAT was applied to perform unbiased clustering of cell populations using the PhenoGraph algorithm and clustered cell populations was overlaid on t-SNE plot. The relative marker expression was used to generate heat-maps and each cluster was manually assigned a phenotype based on its expression profile.Results: The t-SNE generated from each ROI revealed different distinct cell populations and we report the presence of diverse tumor and immune cell populations in our samples. The (min, max) number of PhenoGraph clustered tumor cell populations in HR+/HER2-, HER2+ and TNBC Cases were (5,8) (7,9) and (5,7) respectively. Similarly, the (min, max) number of PhenoGraph clustered immune cell populations in HR+/HER2-, HER2+ and TNBC Cases were (5,8) (7,9) and (5,7) respectively. We also document the presence of inter and intra-tumor heterogeniety in expression of PD1 and PDL1 in all the tumor subtypes studied. Additionally, we report a phenotypic abnormality in the immune cell populations identified with dual or triple markers expression of the canonical CD antigens of T-Cells, B-Cells and macrophages.Conclusion: The current study demonstrates high-dimensional visualization with the simultaneous analysis of epithelial, immune, and stromal components using IMC can be used to explore cell populations in tumor tissue to quantify tumor heterogeneity or identification of novel clustering patterns that has potential for translational research and clinical practice. Significance: This study presents the potential of Imaging Mass Cytometry and single cell analysis algorithms in multiplex high throughput tumor tissue studies.
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| 5. |
- Bergström, Ann-Kristin, et al.
(author)
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Contrasting plankton stoichiometry and nutrient regeneration in northern arctic and boreal lakes
- 2018
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In: Aquatic Sciences. - : Springer. - 1015-1621 .- 1420-9055. ; 80:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Contrasting carbon: nitrogen: phosphorus (C: N: P) stoichiometry between phytoplankton and zooplankton affect consumer growth and phytoplankton nutrient limitation via nutrient recycling by zooplankton. However, no study has assessed how regional differences in terrestrial loadings of organic matter affect plankton N: P stoichiometry and recycling in systems with low N deposition and N-limited phytoplankton. We address this question by using data from 14 unproductive headwater arctic and boreal lakes. We found that boreal lakes had higher lake water-and seston C, N and P concentrations than arctic lakes, whereas seston C: N, C: P and N: P ratios did not differ among regions. Boreal zooplankton were also richer in N and P relative to C, with lower somatic N: P ratios, compared to arctic lakes. Consequently, the estimated N: P imbalances between seston and zooplankton were negative in arctic lakes, indicating zooplankton feeding on phytoplankton of suboptimal N content, resulting in low consumer driven N: P recycling (medians arctic sub-mid and high altitude lakes: 11 and 13). In boreal lakes, estimated N: P imbalance did not differ from zero, with a seston N: P stoichiometry matching the N: P requirements of zooplankton, which resulted in higher consumer driven N: P recycling (median 18). Our results imply that regional climate induced catchment differences, through enhanced terrestrial nutrient inputs, affect plankton stoichiometry by raising consumer N: P recycling ratio and changing zooplankton from being mainly N-(arctic) to NP co-limited (boreal). Browning of lakes, in regions with low N deposition, may therefore promote large-scale regional changes in plankton nutrient limitation with potential feedbacks on pelagic food webs.
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| 6. |
- Bergström, Ann-Kristin, et al.
(author)
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N-limited consumer growth and low nutrient regeneration N:P ratios in lakes with low N deposition
- 2015
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In: Ecosphere. - 2150-8925 .- 2150-8925. ; 6:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Nutrient limitation of primary producers and their consumers can have a large influence on ecosystem productivity. The nature and strength of nutrient limitation is driven both by external factors (e.g., nutrient loading) and internal processes (e.g., consumer-driven nutrient regeneration). Here we present results from a field study in 10 low productive headwater lakes in northern subarctic Sweden, where nitrogen (N) deposition is low and phytoplankton is primarily N-limited. We assessed the carbon:nitrogen:phosphorus (C:N:P) stoichiometry of seston and zooplankton and estimated the N:P ratio of consumer-driven nutrient regeneration. Based on stoichiometric models, the estimated elemental imbalances between seston and zooplankton suggest that zooplankton were mainly N-limited and regenerated nutrients with low N:P ratios (median 11.9, atomic ratio). The predicted N:P regeneration ratios were consistent with results from phytoplankton nutrient limitation bioassays in mid-summer, i.e., the N:P regeneration was predicted to be low when phytoplankton were N-limited, and high when phytoplankton were P-limited. During other seasons, when water discharge was high, nutrient loading from the surrounding catchments apparently had the strongest effect on phytoplankton nutrient limitation. We propose that lakes with higher N:P ratios than the open ocean is an effect of N deposition, that N-limitation of consumers and phytoplankton is further enhanced by low nutrient regeneration N:P ratios, and that in the absence of N deposition, lake and ocean N:P stoichiometry are similar.
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| 7. |
- Bergström, Ann-Kristin, et al.
(author)
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Nitrogen deposition and warming – effects on phytoplankton nutrient limitation in subarctic lakes
- 2013
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In: Global Change Biology. - Hoboken, NJ : Wiley-Blackwell. - 1354-1013 .- 1365-2486. ; 19:8, s. 2557-2568
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of this study was to predict the combined effects of enhanced nitrogen (N) deposition and warming on phytoplankton development in high latitude and mountain lakes. Consequently, we assessed, in a series of enclosureexperiments, how lake water nutrient stoichiometry and phytoplankton nutrient limitation varied over the growingseason in 11 lakes situated along an altitudinal/climate gradient with low N-deposition (<1 kg N ha1yr1) in northern subarctic Sweden. Short-term bioassay experiments with N- and P-additions revealed that phytoplankton inhigh-alpine lakes were more prone to P-limitation, and with decreasing altitude became increasingly N- andNP-colimited. Nutrient limitation was additionally most obvious in midsummer. There was also a strong positivecorrelation between phytoplankton growth and water temperature in the bioassays. Although excess nutrients wereavailable in spring and autumn, on these occasions growth was likely constrained by low water temperatures. Theseresults imply that enhanced N-deposition over the Swedish mountain areas will, with the exception of high-alpinelakes, enhance biomass and drive phytoplankton from N- to P-limitation. However, if not accompanied by warming,N-input from deposition will stimulate limited phytoplankton growth due to low water temperatures during largeparts of the growing season. Direct effects of warming, allowing increased metabolic rates and an extension of thegrowing season, seem equally crucial to synergistically enhance phytoplankton development in these lakes.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Blomqvist, Per, et al.
(author)
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Characterisation of fire generated particles : BRANDFORSK project 700-061, FireTechnology, SP Report 2010:01
- 2010
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Characterisation of fire generated particlesThe present project has examined the question of distribution patterns of important chemical compounds between gas phase and particle phase. It has also, in some cases, addressed the question of the distribution of individual particle-associated species between the different size-ranges of particles produced in a fire. The chemical compounds studied were hydrogen chloride (HCl), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and isocyanates.The steady-state tube furnace, ISO/TS 19700, was chosen as the physical fire model in order to study the production of particles from different types of fire exposure. Three different fire types were investigated: oxidative pyrolysis, well-ventilated flaming fires and vitiated post flashover. Two materials were chosen for investigation, PVC-carpet and wood board, based on their prevalence fire exposure scenarios and their chemical composition. The particle production from the two materials investigated varied both concerning the amounts produced and the particle size distributions. The production of particles on a mass basis was generally significantly lower from the wood board compared with the PVC-carpet. The tests with the PVC-carpet showed that relatively large particles are produced from all combustion conditions examined. The tests made with the wood board show preferably predisposition towards the production of small-sized particles during flaming combustion.The analysis of PAHs in the tests with the PVC-carpet showed that volatile PAHs were dominate during all types of combustion. However, when the toxicity of the individual species was taken into account, the relative importance between volatile and particle associated PAHs changed. From the tests with the wood board material (OSB) it was noted that the highest yields of total PAHs were found from under ventilated conditions, and the volatile part of the total PAH dominated for this material as well. The yields found from the well-ventilated tests were very low. Toxicity weighted data showed that the particle associated part dominated the toxicity both for under ventilated and well-ventilated conditions.A study made of the presence of chlorine on particles showed that it is clear that the major part of the HCl produced during combustion of the PVC-carpet is present in the gas phase. Chlorine was found associated with particulates but these results were, however, inconclusive due to the difficulty in determining the source of the chlorine found in the soot fractions studied.The low polyurethane (PUR) content and the substantial degradation of the PUR in the tests resulted in no or very small amounts of quantifiable isocyanate dimers (i.e. high molecular species). Monoisocyanates such as ICA and MIC dominated in the emitted degradation products. These kinds of monoisocyanates are volatile compounds and almost exclusively present in the gas phase.
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| 10. |
- Blomqvist, Per, et al.
(author)
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Detailed study of distribution patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and isocyanates under different fire conditions
- 2014
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In: Fire and Materials. - : Wiley. - 0308-0501 .- 1099-1018. ; 38:1, s. 125-144
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This study has examined the distribution patterns between gas phase and particle phase of some chemical compounds produced in fires. It has also addressed the question of the distribution of individual particle-associated species between the different size-ranges of particles. The chemical compounds studied and discussed in this paper are polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and isocyanates. The steady-state tube furnace, ISO/TS 19700, was chosen as the physical fire model in order to study the production of particles from different types of fire exposure, that is, oxidative pyrolysis, well-ventilated flaming fires and under-ventilated flaming post-flashover fires. Two materials were chosen for investigation, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) carpet and a wood board. The particle production from the two materials investigated varied concerning both the amounts produced and the particle size distributions. The analysis of PAHs showed that volatile PAHs were generally dominant. However, when the toxicity of the individual species was taken into account, the relative importance between volatile and particle-associated PAHs shifted the dominance to particle-bound PAH for both materials. The substantial degradation in the tests of the low polyurethane content of the PVC carpet, and the (4,4′-methylenediphenyl diisocyanate)-based binder in the wood board resulted in no or very small amount of quantifiable diisocyanates.
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