| 1. |
- Niemi, MEK, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 2. |
- Kanai, M, et al.
(author)
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- 2023
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swepub:Mat__t
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| 3. |
- Klionsky, Daniel J., et al.
(author)
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Guidelines for the use and interpretation of assays for monitoring autophagy
- 2012
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In: Autophagy. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1554-8635 .- 1554-8627. ; 8:4, s. 445-544
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In 2008 we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, research on this topic has continued to accelerate, and many new scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Accordingly, it is important to update these guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Various reviews have described the range of assays that have been used for this purpose. Nevertheless, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to measure autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. A key point that needs to be emphasized is that there is a difference between measurements that monitor the numbers or volume of autophagic elements (e.g., autophagosomes or autolysosomes) at any stage of the autophagic process vs. those that measure flux through the autophagy pathway (i.e., the complete process); thus, a block in macroautophagy that results in autophagosome accumulation needs to be differentiated from stimuli that result in increased autophagic activity, defined as increased autophagy induction coupled with increased delivery to, and degradation within, lysosomes (in most higher eukaryotes and some protists such as Dictyostelium) or the vacuole (in plants and fungi). In other words, it is especially important that investigators new to the field understand that the appearance of more autophagosomes does not necessarily equate with more autophagy. In fact, in many cases, autophagosomes accumulate because of a block in trafficking to lysosomes without a concomitant change in autophagosome biogenesis, whereas an increase in autolysosomes may reflect a reduction in degradative activity. Here, we present a set of guidelines for the selection and interpretation of methods for use by investigators who aim to examine macroautophagy and related processes, as well as for reviewers who need to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of papers that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a formulaic set of rules, because the appropriate assays depend in part on the question being asked and the system being used. In addition, we emphasize that no individual assay is guaranteed to be the most appropriate one in every situation, and we strongly recommend the use of multiple assays to monitor autophagy. In these guidelines, we consider these various methods of assessing autophagy and what information can, or cannot, be obtained from them. Finally, by discussing the merits and limits of particular autophagy assays, we hope to encourage technical innovation in the field.
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| 4. |
- Booth, Adam D., et al.
(author)
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A comparison of seismic and radar methods to establish the thickness and density of glacier snow cover
- 2013
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In: Annals of Glaciology. - 0260-3055 .- 1727-5644. ; 54:64, s. 73-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We show that geophysical methods offer an effective means of quantifying snow thickness and density. Opportunistic (efficient but non-optimized) seismic refraction and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) surveys were performed on Storglaciaren, Sweden, co-located with a snow pit that shows the snowpack to be 1.73 m thick, with density increasing from similar to 120 to similar to 500 kg m(-3) (with a +50 kg m(-3) anomaly between 0.73 and 0.83 m depth). Depths estimated for two detectable GPR reflectors, 0.76 +/- 0.02 and 1.71 +/- 0.03 m, correlate extremely well with ground-truth observations. Refraction seismic predicts an interface at 1.90 +/- 0.31 m depth, with a refraction velocity (3730 +/- 190 m s(-1)) indicative of underlying glacier ice. For density estimates, several standard velocity-density relationships are trialled. In the best case, GPR delivers an excellent density estimate for the upper snow layer (observed = 321 +/- 74 kg m(-3), estimated = 319 +/- 10 kg m(-3)) but overestimates the density of the lower layer by 20%. Refraction seismic delivers a bulk density of 404 +/- 22 kg m(-3) compared with a ground-truth average of 356 +/- 22 kg m(-3). We suggest that geophysical surveys are an effective complement to mass-balance measurements (particularly for controlling estimates of snow thickness between pits) but should always be validated against ground-truth observations.
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| 5. |
- Cébe-Suarez, Stéphanie, et al.
(author)
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Orf virus VEGF-E NZ2 promotes paracellular NRP-1/VEGFR-2 coreceptor assembly via the peptide RPPR
- 2008
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In: The FASEB Journal. - : Wiley. - 0892-6638 .- 1530-6860. ; 22:8, s. 3078-3086
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGFs) interact with the receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) VEGFR-1, -2, and -3; neuropilins (NRPs); and heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans. VEGF RTKs signal to downstream targets upon ligand-induced tyrosine phosphorylation, while NRPs and HS act as coreceptors that lack enzymatic activity yet modulate signal output by VEGF RTKs. VEGFs exist in various isoforms with distinct receptor specificity and biological activity. Here, a series of mammalian VEGF-A splice variants and orf virus VEGF-Es, as well as chimeric and mutant VEGF variants, were characterized to determine the motifs required for binding to NRP-1 in the absence (VEGF-E) or presence (VEGF-A(165)) of an HS-binding sequence. We identified the carboxyterminal peptides RPPR and DKPRR as the NRP-1 binding motifs of VEGF-E and VEGF-A, respectively. RPPR had significantly higher affinity for NRP-1 than DKPRR. VEGFs containing an RPPR motif promoted HS-independent coreceptor complex assembly between VEGFR-2 and NRP-1, independent of whether these receptors were expressed on the same or separate cells grown in cocultures. Functional studies showed that stable coreceptor assembly by VEGF correlated with its ability to promote vessel formation in an embryoid body angiogenesis assay.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect access to condoms, chlamydia and HIV testing, and cervical cancer screening at a population level in Britain? (Natsal-COVID)
- 2023
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 99:4, s. 261-267
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate how differential access to key interventions to reduce STIs, HIV and their sequelae changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.Methods: British participants (18-59 years) completed a cross-sectional web survey 1 year (March-April 2021) after the initial lockdown in Britain. Quota-based sampling and weighting resulted in a quasi-representative population sample. We compared Natsal-COVID data with Natsal-3, a household-based probability sample cross-sectional survey (16-74 years) conducted in 2010-2012. Reported unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic and uptake of chlamydia testing/HIV testing/cervical cancer screening were analysed among sexually experienced participants (18-44 years) (n=3869, Natsal-COVID; n=8551, Natsal-3). ORs adjusted for age and other potential confounders describe associations with demographic and behavioural factors.Results: In 2021, 6.9% of women and 16.2% of men reported unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic. This was more likely among participants: aged 18-24 years, of black or black British ethnicity, and reporting same-sex sex (past 5 years) or one or more new relationships (past year). Chlamydia and HIV testing were more commonly reported by younger participants, those reporting condomless sex with new sexual partners and men reporting same-sex partners; a very similar distribution to 10 years previously (Natsal-3). However, there were differences during the pandemic, including stronger associations with chlamydia testing for men reporting same-sex partners; with HIV testing for women reporting new sexual partners and with cervical screening among smokers.Conclusions: Our study suggests differential access to key primary and secondary STI/HIV prevention interventions continued during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic. However, there was not strong evidence that differential access has changed during the pandemic when compared with 2010-2012. While the pandemic might not have exacerbated inequalities in access to primary and secondary prevention, it is clear that large inequalities persisted, typically among those at greatest STI/HIV risk.
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| 8. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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How did the COVID-19 pandemic affect unmet need for condoms at a population level? (Natsal-COVID)
- 2022
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In: Sexually Transmitted Infections. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 1368-4973 .- 1472-3263. ; 98:Suppl. 1, s. A42-A42
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Use of condoms to prevent STIs/HIV and unplanned pregnancy remains important during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it is unknown whether the pandemic affected condom access and which population groups were most impacted.Methods: 6658 participants (18-59y) completed a cross-sectional web survey one-year after the initial British lockdown from 23 March 2020. Quota-based sampling and weighting resulted in a sample that was quasi-representative of the British population. We report the prevalence of unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic among sexually-experienced participants aged 18-44 years (n=2869). Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) quantify associations with demographic and behavioural factors.Results: Overall, 6.9% of women and 16.2% of men reported unmet need for condoms in the past year because of the pandemic. This was more likely to be reported by participants who: were aged 18-24 years vs. 35-44 (AOR: men 2.25 [95%CI:1.26-4.01], women 2.95[1.42-6.16]); were Black or Black British vs. White (men 2.86 [1.45-5.66], women 1.93 [1.03-8.30]); reported same-sex sex vs. not (past five years; men 2.85 [1.68-4.86], women 5.00 [2.48-10.08]); or ≥1 new relationships vs. not (past year, men 5.85 [3.55-9.66], women 6.38 [3.24-12.59]). Men, but not women, reporting STI-related service use (past year) were more likely to report unmet need for condoms compared to men that did not report service use (3.83 [2.18-6.71]).Discussion: Unmet need for condoms because of the pandemic was more likely to be reported by populations at higher risk of adverse sexual health outcomes, including STI/HIV transmission. Improved access to free/low-cost condoms is crucial for all.
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| 9. |
- Dema, Emily, et al.
(author)
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Initial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on sexual and reproductive health service use and unmet need in Britain : findings from a quasi-representative survey (Natsal-COVID)
- 2022
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In: The Lancet Public Health. - : Elsevier. - 2468-2667. ; 7:1, s. e36-e47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has affected sexual and reproductive health (SRH) service use and unmet need, but the impact is unknown. We aimed to determine the proportion of participants reporting sexual risk behaviours, SRH service use and unmet need, and to assess remote sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing service use after the first national lockdown in Britain.METHODS: We used data from the National Surveys of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles (Natsal)-COVID cross-sectional, quasi-representative web survey (Natsal-COVID Wave 1). Adults aged 18-59 years who resided in England, Scotland, or Wales completed the survey between July 29 and Aug 10, 2020, which included questions about the approximate 4-month period after announcement of the initial lockdown in Britain (March 23, 2020). Quota-based sampling and weighting were used to achieve a quasi-representative population sample. Participants aged 45-59 years were excluded from services analysis due to low rates of SRH service use. Among individuals aged 18-44 years, we estimated reported SRH service use and inability to access, and calculated age-adjusted odds ratios (aORs) among sexually experienced individuals (those reporting any sexual partner in their lifetime) and sexually active individuals (those reporting any sexual partner in the past year). Unweighted denominators and weighted estimates are presented hereafter.FINDINGS: 6654 individuals had complete interviews and were included in the analysis. Among 3758 participants aged 18-44 years, 82·0% reported being sexually experienced, and 73·7% reported being sexually active. 20·8% of sexually experienced participants aged 18-44 years reported using SRH services in the 4-month period. Overall, 9·7% of 3108 participants (9·5% of men; 9·9% of women) reported being unable to use a service they needed, although of the participants who reported trying but not being able to use a SRH service at least once, 76·4% of participants also reported an instance of successful use. 5·9% of 1221 sexually active men and 3·6% of 1560 sexually active women reported use of STI-related services and 14·8% of 1728 sexually experienced women reported use of contraceptive services, with SRH service use highest among individuals aged 18-24 years. Sexually active participants reporting condomless sex with new partners since lockdown were much more likely to report using STI-related services than those who did not report condomless sex (aOR 23·8 [95% CI 11·6-48·9]) for men, 10·5 [3·9-28·2] for women) and, among men, were also more likely to have an unsuccessful attempt at STI-service use (aOR 13·3 [5·3-32·9]). Among 106 individuals who reported using STI testing services, 64·4% accessed services remotely (telephone, video, or online). Among 2581 women aged 25-59 years, 2·4% reported cervical screening compared with an estimated 6% in a comparable 4-month period before the pandemic.INTERPRETATION: Many people accessed SRH care during the initial lockdown; however, young people and those reporting sexual risk behaviours reported difficulties in accessing services and thus such services might need to address a backlog of need.
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| 10. |
- Mercer, Andrew
(author)
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A DEM of the 2010 surface topography of Storglaciären, Sweden
- 2016
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In: Journal of Maps. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1744-5647. ; 12:5, s. 1112-1118
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- During the summer of 2010 the surface elevation of Storglaciären in northern Sweden was measured using high-precision GNSS and reflectorless Total Station surveys. The DEM created from these data contain less noise than those created from orthophotographic methods over snow covered glaciers and is therefore smoother, with fewer erroneous features in the data. The principal, though not sole, intended use for the DEM is in the calculation of surface mass balance, which has influenced decisions on what constitutes a functional part of a glacier, leading to the exclusion of features such as snow aprons and perennial ice above the bergschrund. Other peripheral features have changed since the previous, aerial survey from 1999 leading to a reduction in size of approximately 0.17 km(2).
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