| 1. |
- Gio-Batta, Monica, et al.
(author)
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Low Concentration of Fecal Valeric Acid at 1 Year of Age Is Linked with Eczema and Food Allergy at 13 Years of Age : Findings from a Swedish Birth Cohort
- 2022
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In: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. - : S. Karger. - 1018-2438 .- 1423-0097. ; , s. 398-408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) are abundant bacterial metabolites in the gut, with immunomodulatory properties. Hence, they may influence allergy development. Previous studies have linked fecal SCFA pattern during infancy with allergy. However, the association of SCFAs to allergic outcomes in adolescence is not well established. Here, we examined how the fecal SCFA pattern at 1 year of age related to allergy at 13 years of age.Methods: Levels of 8 SCFAs in fecal samples collected at 1 year of age from 110 children were quantified using gas chromatography. The same individuals were evaluated at 13 years of age for allergic symptoms, allergy diagnosis and allergy medication by questionnaire, and for sensitization using skin prick test against egg, milk, fish, wheat and soy, cat, dog, horse, birch, and timothy grass.Results: The concentration of fecal valeric acid at 1 year of age was inversely associated with eczema at 13 years of age (OR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-1.0, p = 0.049) and showed a trend for inverse association with food allergy at 13 years of age (OR 0.6, 95% CI: 0.4-1.0, p = 0.057). In a sub-group analysis of children with eczema at 1 year of age, a higher concentration of fecal valeric acid was linked with reduced risk of their eczema remaining at 13 years of age (OR 0.2, 95% CI: 0.0-1.5), although this latter analysis did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.12).Conclusions: Our findings lend further support to the notion of early childhood as a critical period when allergy may be programmed via the gut microbiota. Higher levels of fecal valeric acid may be characteristic of a protective gut microbiota and/or actively contribute to protection from eczema and food allergy.
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| 2. |
- Granlund, Margareta, et al.
(author)
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Antimicrobial resistance in colonizing group B Streptococci before the implementation of a Swedish intrapartum antibiotic prophylaxis program.
- 2010
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In: European journal of clinical microbiology & infectious diseases : official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1435-4373 .- 0934-9723. ; 29:10, s. 1195-201
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The prevalence of antibiotic resistance and their genetic determinants in colonizing group B streptococci (GBS) sampled in a Swedish nationwide survey was examined. In five GBS isolates (1.3%), kanamycin/amikacin resistance and the presence of the aphA-3 gene was identified. Three of these isolates carried the aad-6 gene and were streptomycin-resistant. Screening with kanamycin and streptomycin 1,000-μg disks enabled a rapid and easy detection of these isolates. In all, 312/396 (79%) GBS were tetracycline-resistant and 95% of the examined isolates harbored the tetM gene. Among the 22 (5.5%) GBS resistant to erythromycin and/or clindamycin, the ermB gene was detected in nine isolates (41%) and erm(A/TR) in ten isolates (45%). A high level of erythromycin and clindamycin resistance with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) >256mg/L was found in four serotype V isolates that harbored ermB. The erythromycin/clindamycin resistance was distributed among all of the common serotypes Ia, Ib, II, III, IV, and V, but was not present in any of the 44 serotype III isolates associated to clonal complex 17. Screening for penicillin resistance with 1-μg oxacillin disks showed a homogenous population with a mean inhibition zone of 20mm. A change in the present oxacillin breakpoints for GBS is suggested.
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| 3. |
- Håkansson, Stellan, et al.
(author)
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Group B streptococcal carriage in Sweden : a national study on risk factors for mother and infant colonisation
- 2008
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In: Acta Obstetricia et Gynecologica Scandinavica. - Stockholm : Wiley. - 0001-6349 .- 1600-0412. ; 87:1, s. 50-58
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background. To study group B streptococcus (GBS) colonisation in parturients and infants in relation to obstetric outcome and to define serotypes and antibiotic resistance in GBS isolates acquired. Methods. A population-based, national cohort of parturients and their infants was investigated. During 1 calendar week in 2005 all women giving birth (n=1,754) were requested to participate in the study. Results. A total of 1,569 mother/infant pairs with obstetric and bacteriological data were obtained. Maternal carriage rate was 25.4% (95% confidence interval (CI): 23.3-27.6). In GBS-positive mothers with vaginal delivery and no intrapartum antibiotics, the infant colonisation rate was 68%. Some 30% of infants were colonised after acute caesarean section, and 0% were colonised after an elective procedure. Duration of transport of maternal recto/vaginal swabs of more than 1 day impeded culture sensitivity. Infant mMales were more frequently colonised than females (76.9 versus 59.8%, odds ratio (OR): 2.16; 95% CI: 1.27-3.70), as were infants born after rupture of membranes ≥24 h (p =0.039). Gestational age, birth weight and duration of labor did not significantly influence infant colonisation. Some 30% of parturients with at least one risk factor for neonatal disease received intrapartum antibiotics. The most common GBS serotypes were type III and V. Some 5% of the isolates were resistant to clindamycin and erythromycin, respectively. Conclusions. Maternal GBS prevalence and infant transfer rate were high in Sweden. Males were more frequently colonised than females. The sensitivity of maternal cultures decreased with the duration of sample transport. Clindamycin resistance was scarce. The use of intrapartum antibiotics was limited in parturients with obstetric risk factors for early onset group B streptococcal disease.
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| 4. |
- Karlsson, Anna, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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The effect of tinzaparin on biomarkers in FIGO stages III-IV ovarian cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy – the TABANETOC trial: study protocol for a randomized clinical multicenter trial
- 2024
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In: Acta Oncologica. - Uppsala : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 580-585
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Tinzaparin, a low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), has shown anti-neoplastic properties in animal models and in in vitro studies of human cancer cell lines. The reduction of CA-125 levels during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) co-varies with the prognosis; the larger the decrease in CA-125, the better the prognosis.Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the potential anti-neoplastic effects of tinzaparin by investigating changes in serum CA-125 levels in advanced EOC patients who receive NACT.Material and methods: This is an open randomized multicenter pilot trial. Forty patients with EOC selected to receive NACT will be randomized 1:1 to receive daily addition of tinzaparin or no tinzaparin. The processing and treatment of the patients will otherwise follow the recommendations in the Swedish National Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer. Before every cycle of chemotherapy, preoperatively, and 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy, a panel of biomarkers, including CA-125, will be measured.Patients: Inclusion criteria are women aged 18 years or older, World Health Organization performance status 0–1, histologically confirmed high-grade serous, endometrioid or clear cell EOC, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III-IV. In addition, a CA-125 level of ≥ 250 kIE/L at diagnosis. Exclusion criteria are contraindications to LMWH, ongoing or recent treatment with unfractionated heparin, LMWH, warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants.Interpretation: This study will make an important contribution to the knowledge of the anti-neoplastic effects of tinzaparin in EOC patients and may thus guide the planning of a future study on the impact of tinzaparin on survival in EOC.
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| 5. |
- Karlsson, Anna, et al.
(author)
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The effect of tinzaparin on biomarkers in FIGO stages III-IV ovarian cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy - the TABANETOC trial: study protocol for a randomized clinical multicenter trial
- 2024
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In: ACTA ONCOLOGICA. - : Medical Journals Sweden. - 0284-186X .- 1651-226X. ; 63, s. 580-585
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Tinzaparin, a low-molecular weight heparin (LMWH), has shown anti-neoplastic properties in animal models and in in vitro studies of human cancer cell lines. The reduction of CA-125 levels during neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) co-varies with the prognosis; the larger the decrease in CA-125, the better the prognosis. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the potential anti-neoplastic effects of tinzaparin by investigating changes in serum CA-125 levels in advanced EOC patients who receive NACT. Material and methods: This is an open randomized multicenter pilot trial. Forty patients with EOC selected to receive NACT will be randomized 1:1 to receive daily addition of tinzaparin or no tinzaparin. The processing and treatment of the patients will otherwise follow the recommendations in the Swedish National Guidelines for Ovarian Cancer. Before every cycle of chemotherapy, preoperatively, and 3 weeks after the last cycle of chemotherapy, a panel of biomarkers, including CA-125, will be measured. Patients: Inclusion criteria are women aged 18 years or older, World Health Organization performance status 0-1, histologically confirmed high-grade serous, endometrioid or clear cell EOC, International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) stages III-IV. In addition, a CA-125 level of >= 250 kIE/L at diagnosis. Exclusion criteria are contraindications to LMWH, ongoing or recent treatment with unfractionated heparin, LMWH, warfarin or non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants. Interpretation: This study will make an important contribution to the knowledge of the anti-neoplastic effects of tinzaparin in EOC patients and may thus guide the planning of a future study on the impact of tinzaparin on survival in EOC.
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| 6. |
- Nilsson, Sigrid, 1997-
(author)
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Vasomotor Symptoms, Cardiovascular Risk and the Role of Physical Activity in Midlife Women
- 2023
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: The menopausal transition is, for most women, accompanied by hot flushes and night sweats (i.e., vasomotor symptoms, VMS). VMS has been associated with a worsened cardiovascular risk profile, but whether VMS constitutes an independent risk marker for developing subclinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is still uncertain. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) contributes more to systemic low-grade inflammation than abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT), enhancing atherosclerosis development. Physical activity is an effective behavioral strategy to maintain and improve cardiovascular health. Whether a resistance training intervention (RTI) could reduce low-grade inflammation and VAT volume in postmenopausal women with VMS remains unclear, and whether the RTI-associated effects could be maintained over time requires further investigation.Material and Methods: This thesis is based on three studies. Study 1 was conducted on a subset of participants from the cross-sectional population-based Swedish CArdioPulmonary BioImage Study (SCAPIS), including women 50-64 years of age. The women underwent comprehensive cardiovascular assessments and completed an extensive female-specific questionnaire. VMS was assessed on a 4-point scale. Subclinical ASCVD was detected via coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA), computed tomography (CT), and carotid ultrasound. Study 2 is a sub-study of 65 postmenopausal women with VMS and low physical activity, randomized to either three days/week of an RTI or unchanged physical activity for 15 weeks. Women underwent anthropometric measurements, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and blood sampling at baseline and after 15 weeks. During the last followup contact in Study 2 after two years, 35 women agreed to attend an additional clinic visit to reevaluate cardiovascular risk markers, marking the inception of Study 3.Results: Of 2995 women included in Study 1, 14.2% reported severe VMS (n = 425), 18.1% moderate VMS (n = 543), and 67.7% no or mild VMS (n = 2027). Current or previous severe VMS, but not moderate VMS, was significantly associated with CCTA-detected coronary atherosclerosis, with odds ratio (OR) before and after multivariable adjustment 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.08 – 1.72 and 1.33, 95% CI 1.02 – 1.72, respectively. This association was only present for >5 years durations of severe VMS or when the onset of severe VMS occurred before menopause. Adjustment for menopausal hormone therapy strengthened the association for women with severe VMS >5 years (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.16 – 2.40). Women compliant with an RTI had compared to a control group (CG), decreased adiponectin (p < 0.01), ASAT (p < 0.01), VAT (p < 0.01), total abdominal adipose tissue (TAAT) (p < 0.01) and fat ratio (p <0.001). Furthermore, an RTI reduced moderate to severe VMS frequency to six months post-intervention compared to a CG, but did neither contribute to preserved cardiovascular health markers nor improved health-related quality of life (HRQoL) after two years compared to a CG.Conclusions: There is a need for extra vigilance regarding cardiovascular risk factors in the group of women suffering from severe VMS. Implementing a 15-week RTI in these women could counteract the VAT redistribution and alter the frequency of moderate to severe VMS with maintained effects up to six months.
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| 7. |
- Spetz, Anna-Lena, et al.
(author)
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Functional gene transfer of HIV DNA by an HIV receptor-independent mechanism
- 1999
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In: Journal of Immunology. - : American Association of Immunologists. - 0022-1767 .- 1550-6606. ; 163:2, s. 736-742
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- HIV-1 enters target cells mainly via binding to CD4 and its coreceptors. The presence of HIV-1 in CD4(-) cells suggests, however, that there exist other mechanisms for viral entry, Here it is reported that HIV-1 DNA may be transferred from one cell to another by uptake of apoptotic bodies in a CD4-independent way. This was investigated by coculturing CD4(-), chemokine receptor CCR5(-) and CXCR4(-) human fetal fibroblasts with apoptotic HIV-1-infected HuT78 cells or apoptotic PBMC isolated from HIV-1-infected patients. After 2 wk of coculture, fibroblasts contained HIV-1 DNA and expressed HIV-1 proteins p24 and gp120, Transfer of HIV-1 DNA was verified by coculturing fibroblasts with apoptotic bodies derived from cells infected with a defective HIV-1 virus. These cells contain one integrated copy of a reverse transcriptase (RT)-negative HIV-1 strain (8E5/LAV RT- cells) and consequently cannot produce free virus, Intracellular HIV-1 gag DNA was detected in both fibroblasts and dendritic cells after coculture with apoptotic 8E5/LAV RT- cells. Transfer of viral DNA after uptake of apoptotic bodies mag explain HIV-1 infection of CD4(-) cells in vivo and furthermore may be relevant for Ag presentation.
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Wingbrant, Helena, 1977-
(author)
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Development of high temperature SiC based field effect sensors for internal combustion engine exhaust gas monitoring
- 2003
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Licentiate thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- While the car fleet becomes increasingly larger it is important to lower the amounts of pollutants from each individual diesel or gasoline engine to almost zero levels. The pollutants from these engines predominantly originate from high NOx emissions and particulates, in the case when diesel is utilized, and emissions at cold start from gasoline engines. One way of treating the high NOx levels is to introduce ammonia in the diesel exhausts and let it react with the NOx to form nitrogen gas and water, which is called SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction). However, in order to make this system reduce NOx efficiently enough for meeting future legislations, closed loop control is required. To realize this type of system an NOx or ammonia sensor is needed. The cold start emissions from gasoline vehicles are primarily due to a high light-off time for the catalytic converter. Another reason is the inability to quickly heat the sensor used for controlling the air-to-fuel ratio in the exhausts, also called the lambda value, which is required to be in a particular range for the catalytic converter to work properly. This problem may be solved utilizing another, more robust sensor for this purpose.This thesis presents the efforts made to test the SiC-based field effect transistor (SiC-FET) sensor technology both as an ammonia sensor for SCR systems and as a cold start lambda sensor. The SiC-FET sensor has been shown to be highly sensitive to ammonia both in laboratory and engine measurements. As a lambda sensor it has proven to be both sensitive and selective, and its properties have been studied in lambda stairs both in engine exhausts and in the laboratory. The influence of metal gate restructuring on the linearity of the sensor has also been investigated. The speed of response for both sensor types has been found to be fast enough for closed loop control in each application.
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