| 1. |
- Abbasi, R., et al.
(author)
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Improved modeling of in-ice particle showers for IceCube event reconstruction
- 2024
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 19:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The IceCube Neutrino Observatory relies on an array of photomultiplier tubes to detect Cherenkov light produced by charged particles in the South Pole ice. IceCube data analyses depend on an in-depth characterization of the glacial ice, and on novel approaches in event reconstruction that utilize fast approximations of photoelectron yields. Here, a more accurate model is derived for event reconstruction that better captures our current knowledge of ice optical properties. When evaluated on a Monte Carlo simulation set, the median angular resolution for in-ice particle showers improves by over a factor of three compared to a reconstruction based on a simplified model of the ice. The most substantial improvement is obtained when including effects of birefringence due to the polycrystalline structure of the ice. When evaluated on data classified as particle showers in the high-energy starting events sample, a significantly improved description of the events is observed.
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| 2. |
- Abbasi, R., et al.
(author)
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Characterization of the astrophysical diffuse neutrino flux using starting track events in IceCube
- 2024
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In: Physical Review D - Particles, Fields, Gravitation and Cosmology. - 2470-0010 .- 2470-0029. ; 110:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A measurement of the diffuse astrophysical neutrino spectrum is presented using IceCube data collected from 2011-2022 (10.3 years). We developed novel detection techniques to search for events with a contained vertex and exiting track induced by muon neutrinos undergoing a charged-current interaction. Searching for these starting track events allows us to not only more effectively reject atmospheric muons but also atmospheric neutrino backgrounds in the southern sky, opening a new window to the sub-100 TeV astrophysical neutrino sky. The event selection is constructed using a dynamic starting track veto and machine learning algorithms. We use this data to measure the astrophysical diffuse flux as a single power law flux (SPL) with a best-fit spectral index of γ=2.58-0.09+0.10 and per-flavor normalization of φper-flavorAstro=1.68-0.22+0.19×10-18×GeV-1 cm-2 s-1 sr-1 (at 100 TeV). The sensitive energy range for this dataset is 3-550 TeV under the SPL assumption. This data was also used to measure the flux under a broken power law, however we did not find any evidence of a low energy cutoff.
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| 3. |
- Kuhle, J., et al.
(author)
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Conversion from clinically isolated syndrome to multiple sclerosis: A large multicentre study
- 2015
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 21:8, s. 1013-1024
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and objective: We explored which clinical and biochemical variables predict conversion from clinically isolated syndrome (CIS) to clinically definite multiple sclerosis (CDMS) in a large international cohort. Methods: Thirty-three centres provided serum samples from 1047 CIS cases with at least two years' follow-up. Age, sex, clinical presentation, T2-hyperintense lesions, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) oligoclonal bands (OCBs), CSF IgG index, CSF cell count, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 (25-OH-D), cotinine and IgG titres against Epstein-Barr nuclear antigen 1 (EBNA-1) and cytomegalovirus were tested for association with risk of CDMS. Results: At median follow-up of 4.31 years, 623 CIS cases converted to CDMS. Predictors of conversion in multivariable analyses were OCB (HR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.71-2.77, p < 0.001), number of T2 lesions (two to nine lesions vs 0/1 lesions: HR = 1.97, 95% CI = 1.52-2.55, p < 0.001; >9 lesions vs 0/1 lesions: HR = 2.74, 95% CI = 2.04-3.68, p < 0.001) and age at CIS (HR per year inversely increase = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.98-0.99, p < 0.001). Lower 25-OH-D levels were associated with CDMS in univariable analysis, but this was attenuated in the multivariable model. OCB positivity was associated with higher EBNA-1 IgG titres. Conclusions: We validated MRI lesion load, OCB and age at CIS as the strongest independent predictors of conversion to CDMS in this multicentre setting. A role for vitamin D is suggested but requires further investigation.
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| 8. |
- Hensiek, A E, et al.
(author)
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Familial effects on the clinical course of multiple sclerosis.
- 2007
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In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 1526-632X .- 0028-3878. ; 68:5, s. 376-83
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Familial factors influence susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) but it is unknown whether there are additional effects on the natural history of the disease. METHOD: We evaluated 1,083 families with > or =2 first-degree relatives with MS for concordance of age at onset, clinical course, and disease severity and investigated transmission patterns of these clinical features in affected parent-child pairs. RESULTS: There is concordance for age at onset for all families (correlation coefficient 0.14; p < 0.001), as well as for affected siblings (correlation coefficient 0.15; p < 0.001), and affected parent-child pairs (correlation coefficient 0.12; p = 0.03) when each is evaluated separately. Concordance for year of onset is present among affected siblings (correlation coefficient 0.18; p < 0.001) but not the parent-child group (correlation coefficient 0.08; p = 0.15). The clinical course is similar between siblings (kappa 0.12; p < 0.001) but not affected parents and their children (kappa -0.04; p = 0.09). This influence on the natural history is present in all clinical subgroups of relapsing-remitting, and primary and secondary progressive MS, reflecting a familial effect on episodic and progressive phases of the disease. There is no concordance for disease severity within any of the considered family groups (correlation coefficients: all families analyzed together, 0.02, p = 0.53; affected sibling group, 0.02, p = 0.61; affected parent-child group, 0.02, p = 0.69). Furthermore, there are no apparent transmission patterns of any of the investigated clinical features in affected parent-child pairs and no evidence for anticipation or effects of genetic loading. CONCLUSION: Familial factors do not significantly affect eventual disease severity. However, they increase the probability of a progressive clinical course, either from onset or after a phase of relapsing remitting disease. The familial effect is more likely to reflect genetic than environmental conditions. The results are relevant for counseling patients and have implications for the design of studies seeking to identify factors that influence the natural history of the disease.
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| 9. |
- Pugliatti, M, et al.
(author)
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A questionnaire for multinational case-control studies of environmental risk factors in multiple sclerosis (EnvIMS-Q)
- 2012
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In: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404 .- 0065-1427 .- 1600-5449. ; 126:SI, s. 43-50
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives - The increasing incidence of multiple sclerosis (MS) worldwide, especially in women, points to the crucial role of environmental and lifestyle risk factors in determining the disease occurrence. An international multicentre case-control study of Environmental Risk Factors In Multiple Sclerosis (EnvIMS) has been launched in Norway, Sweden, Italy, Serbia and Canada, aimed to examine MS environmental risk factors in a large study population and disclose reciprocal interactions. To ensure equivalent methodology in detecting age-related past exposures in individuals with and without MS across the study sites, a new questionnaire (EnvIMS-Q) is presented. Materials and methods - EnvIMS-Q builds on previously developed guidelines for epidemiological studies in MS and is a 6-page self-administered postal questionnaire. Participants are de-identified through the use of a numerical code. Its content is identical for cases and controls including core and population-specific questions as proxies for vitamin D exposure (sun exposure, dietary habits and supplementation), childhood infections (including infectious mononucleosis) and cigarette smoking. Information on possible confounders or effect modifiers is also obtained. EnvIMS-Q was initially drafted in English and subsequently translated into Italian, Serbian, Norwegian, Swedish and French-Canadian. EnvIMS-Q has been tested for acceptability, feasibility and reliability. Results and Conclusions - EnvIMS-Q has shown cross-cultural feasibility, acceptability and reliability in both patients with MS and healthy subjects from all sites. EnvIMS-Q is an efficient tool to ensure proper assessment of age-specific exposure to environmental factors in large multinational population-based case-control studies of MS risk factors.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Sundal, Christina, et al.
(author)
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Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids with phenotype of primary progressive multiple sclerosis
- 2015
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In: European Journal of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 1351-5101 .- 1468-1331. ; 22:2, s. 328-333
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and purpose Hereditary diffuse leukoencephalopathy with spheroids (HDLS) is a devastating, hereditary white matter (WM) disorder with heterogeneous neuropsychiatric features. Colony stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R) mutations were looked for in primary progressive multiple sclerosis (PPMS) patients and the clinical features of a family with a novel CSF1R mutation are reported. Methods CSF1R exons 12−22 in a cohort of 220 PPMS patients from the Swedish and Norwegian national multiple sclerosis registries were sequenced. Results One patient had a novel mutation, c.2562T>A; p.Asn854Lys, in the CSF1R gene. Her symptoms started at the age of 29 years with insidious onset of pyramidal weakness in the left leg. The cerebrospinal fluid examination showed four intrathecal immunoglobulin G bands. A magnetic resonance imaging scan performed 4 years after symptom onset demonstrated patchy deep WM lesions. She was diagnosed as having PPMS and treated with intramuscular interferon beta 1a. Due to slow disease progression, the development of memory decline and cerebellar signs, she was given subcutaneous interferon beta 1a without any benefit. The updated pedigree indicated that five siblings also had the CSF1R gene mutation; one was diagnosed with PPMS. Six more distant relatives also had a neurological disorder; four were clinically diagnosed with PPMS. Conclusions Our study indicates that a chronic course of HDLS may mimic PPMS. Genetic testing for CSF1R gene mutations in PPMS cases with a positive family history of neurological disorders may establish the diagnosis of HDLS.
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| 12. |
- Beecham, Ashley H, et al.
(author)
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Analysis of immune-related loci identifies 48 new susceptibility variants for multiple sclerosis.
- 2013
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In: Nature genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1546-1718 .- 1061-4036. ; 45:11, s. 1353-60
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Using the ImmunoChip custom genotyping array, we analyzed 14,498 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 24,091 healthy controls for 161,311 autosomal variants and identified 135 potentially associated regions (P < 1.0 × 10(-4)). In a replication phase, we combined these data with previous genome-wide association study (GWAS) data from an independent 14,802 subjects with multiple sclerosis and 26,703 healthy controls. In these 80,094 individuals of European ancestry, we identified 48 new susceptibility variants (P < 5.0 × 10(-8)), 3 of which we found after conditioning on previously identified variants. Thus, there are now 110 established multiple sclerosis risk variants at 103 discrete loci outside of the major histocompatibility complex. With high-resolution Bayesian fine mapping, we identified five regions where one variant accounted for more than 50% of the posterior probability of association. This study enhances the catalog of multiple sclerosis risk variants and illustrates the value of fine mapping in the resolution of GWAS signals.
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| 13. |
- Beiske, A G, et al.
(author)
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Health-related quality of life in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis.
- 2007
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In: Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England). - : SAGE Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 13:3, s. 386-92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Common disability scales in multiple sclerosis (MS) are often weighted towards physical disability. Non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue and pain substantially influence wellbeing in MS. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures the broader impact of MS and might indicate less obvious disease burdens. We analysed HRQoL, using the Nottingham Health Profile Part I (NHP-I), among 345 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients participating in a randomized trial of interferon-beta1a (IFN-beta1a), 22 mug subcutaneously weekly, or matching placebo. The results did not reveal any beneficial effect of IFN-beta1a in any outcome measure. NHP-I sub- and sum scores were compared for 217 population controls and correlated with demographic and clinical disease variables. SPMS patients had lower NHP-I sum and all subscores than the controls. Patients experiencing disease progression reported worse NHP-I sum scores. Increased fatigue, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Arm Index scores were independently associated with reduction in several NHP-I subscores. SPMS patients had significantly lower HRQoL than controls and physical disability (EDSS and Arm Index), disease progression and fatigue strongly influenced this. MS.
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| 19. |
- Vattulainen, P., et al.
(author)
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Prevalence of infant outcomes at birth after exposure to interferon beta prior to or during pregnancy : a register-based cohort study in Finland and Sweden among women with MS
- 2019
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : Sage Publications. - 1352-4585 .- 1477-0970. ; 25:Suppl. 2, s. 619-619
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Introduction: Women with multiple sclerosis (MS) are often diagnosed and treated at childbearing age. Systematic reviews and registry studies suggest that MS and interferon-beta (IFNβ) expo-sure might affect birth weight and head circumference.Objectives: To determine the prevalence of categorical measures of birth weight for gestational age (small for gestational age (SGA), large for gestational age (LGA)), low birth weight, and low head circumference in IFNβ exposed and unexposed pregnant women with MS from health registers in Finland and Sweden.Methods: In this cohort study, health register data from Finland (1996-2014) and Sweden (2005-2014) were used to study women with MS 1) dispensed only IFNβ within 6 months prior to date of last menstrual period or during pregnancy (IFNβ-exposed) and 2) without any dispensed MS disease modifying drugs (MSDMDs) (unexposed). The prevalence, with 95% confidence interval (CI), of the following birth outcomes was described for the IFNβ-exposed and the unexposed: SGA, LGA, low birth weight for live births, and low head circumference for infants with full term live birth (at least 37 gestational weeks). For SGA, LGA, and head circumference, national gestational age and sex-specific national references were used. No adjustments for potential confounding factors were performed.Results: Among 666 IFNβ-exposed and 1330 unexposed live births, the prevalence of the infant outcomes were similar between the IFNβ-exposed vs the unexposed. Comparing the exposed vs unexposed, SGA was 2.1% (95%CI 1.2-3.5) vs 2.0% (95%CI 1.3-2.9), and LGA 0.8% (95%CI 0.2-1.7) vs 0.8% (95%CI 0.4-1.5).The prevalence of low birth weight was 3.9% (95%CI 2.6-5.7) among IFNβ-exposed and 4.8% (95%CI 3.7-6.1) among the unexposed live births. Among 619 IFNβ-exposed and 1219 unexposed full term live births, the prevalence of low head circumfer-ence was 1.9% (95%CI 1.0-3.4) among the IFNβ-exposed vs 1.1% (95%CI 0.6-1.8) among the unexposed births.Conclusions: The data from Finnish and Swedish health registers showed no evidence that IFNβ exposure before and during pregnancy affected infant birth weight and head circumference.
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| 20. |
- Andersen, Oluf, 1941, et al.
(author)
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Multicentre, randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, phase III study of weekly, low dose, subcutaneous interferon beta-1a in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
- 2004
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In: JOURNAL OF NEUROLOGY NEUROSURGERY AND PSYCHIATRY. - : BMJ. - 0022-3050 .- 1468-330X. ; 75:5, s. 706-710
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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| 21. |
- Beiske, A. G., et al.
(author)
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Health-related quality of life in secondary progressive multiple sclerosis
- 2007
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In: Multiple Sclerosis Journal. - : SAGE Publications. - 1477-0970 .- 1352-4585. ; 13:3, s. 386-392
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Common disability scales in multiple sclerosis (MS) are often weighted towards physical disability. Non-motor symptoms such as depression, fatigue and pain substantially influence wellbeing in MS. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) measures the broader impact of MS and might indicate less obvious disease burdens. We analysed HRQoL, using the Nottingham Health Profile Part I (NHP-I), among 345 secondary progressive MS (SPMS) patients participating in a randomized trial of interferon-beta 1a (IFN-beta 1a), 22 mu g subcutaneously weekly, or matching placebo. The results did not reveal any beneficial effect of IFN-beta 1a in any outcome measure. NHP-I sub- and sum scores were compared for 217 population controls and correlated with demographic and clinical disease variables. SPMS patients had lower NHP-I sum and all subscores than the controls. Patients experiencing disease progression reported worse NHP-I sum scores. Increased fatigue, Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Arm Index scores were independently associated with reduction in several NHP-I subscores. SPMS patients had significantly lower HRQoL than controls and physical disability (EDSS and Arm Index), disease progression and fatigue strongly influenced this. MS influenced subdimensions such as pain, sleep and emotional reactions. Increased focus on optimizing symptomatic treatment and psychosocial patient care could improve patients' HRQoL.
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| 22. |
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| 23. |
- Flachenecker, P, et al.
(author)
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Multiple sclerosis registries in Europe - results of a systematic survey
- 2014
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In: Multiple sclerosis (Houndmills, Basingstoke, England). - : SAGE Publications. - 1477-0970 .- 1352-4585. ; 20:11, s. 1523-1532
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Identification of MS registries and databases that are currently in use in Europe as well as a detailed knowledge of their content and structure is important in order to facilitate comprehensive analysis and comparison of data. Methods: National MS registries or databases were identified by literature search, from the results of the MS Barometer 2011 and by asking 33 national MS societies. A standardized questionnaire was developed and sent to the registries’ leaders, followed by telephone interviews with them. Results: Twenty registries were identified, with 13 completing the questionnaire and seven being interviewed by telephone. These registries differed widely for objectives, structure, collected data, and for patients and centres included. Despite this heterogeneity, common objectives of the registries were epidemiology ( n=10), long-term therapy outcome ( n=8), healthcare research ( n=9) and support/basis for clinical trials ( n=8). While physician-based outcome measures (EDSS) are used in all registries, data from patients’ perspectives were only collected in six registries. Conclusions: The detailed information on a large number of national MS registries in Europe is a prerequisite to facilitating harmonized integration of existing data from MS registries and databases, as well as comprehensive analyses and comparison across European populations.
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| 25. |
- Westerlind, H., et al.
(author)
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Identity-by-descent mapping in a Scandinavian multiple sclerosis cohort
- 2015
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In: European Journal of Human Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1018-4813 .- 1476-5438. ; 23:5, s. 688-692
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In an attempt to map chromosomal regions carrying rare gene variants contributing to the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS), we identified segments shared identical-by-descent (IBD) using the software BEAGLE 4.0's refined IBD analysis. IBD mapping aims at identifying segments inherited from a common ancestor and shared more frequently in case-case pairs. A total of 2106 MS patients of Nordic origin and 624 matched controls were genotyped on Illumina Human Quad 660 chip and an additional 1352 ethnically matched controls typed on Illumina HumanHap 550 and Illumina 1M were added. The quality control left a total of 441 731 markers for the analysis. After identification of segments shared by descent and significance testing, a filter function for markers with low IBD sharing was applied. Four regions on chromosomes 5, 9, 14 and 19 were found to be significantly associated with the risk for MS. However, all markers but for one were located telomerically, including the very distal markers. For methodological reasons, such segments have a low sharing of IBD signals and are prone to be false positives. One marker on chromosome 19 reached genome-wide significance and was not one of the distal markers. This marker was located within the GNA11 gene, which contains no previous association with MS. We conclude that IBD mapping is not sufficiently powered to identify MS risk loci even in ethnically relatively homogenous populations, or that alternatively rare variants are not adequately present.
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