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- Dowling, Damian K., et al.
(author)
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Effects of cytoplasmic genes on sperm viability and sperm morphology in a seed beetle : Implications for sperm competition theory?
- 2007
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In: Journal of Evolutionary Biology. - : Wiley. - 1010-061X .- 1420-9101. ; 20:1, s. 358-368
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Sperm competition theory predicts that sperm traits influencing male fertilizing ability will evolve adaptively. However, it has been suggested that some sperm traits may be at least partly encoded by mitochondrial genes. If true, this may constrain the adaptive evolution of such traits because mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is maternally inherited and there is thus no selection on mtDNA in males. Phenotypic variation in such traits may nevertheless be high because mutations in mtDNA that have deleterious effects on male traits, but neutral or beneficial effects in females, may be maintained by random processes or selection in females. We used backcrossing to create introgression lines of seed beetles (Callosobruchus maculatus), carrying orthogonal combinations of distinct lineages of cytoplasmic and nuclear genes, and then assayed sperm viability and sperm length in all lines. We found sizeable cytoplasmic effects on both sperm traits and our analyses also suggested that the cytoplasmic effects varied across nuclear genetic backgrounds. We discuss some potential implications of these findings for sperm competition theory.
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| 3. |
- Huijben, Jilske A, et al.
(author)
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Quality indicators for patients with traumatic brain injury in European intensive care units : a CENTER-TBI study.
- 2020
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In: Critical Care. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1364-8535 .- 1466-609X. ; 24:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to validate a previously published consensus-based quality indicator set for the management of patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at intensive care units (ICUs) in Europe and to study its potential for quality measurement and improvement.METHODS: Our analysis was based on 2006 adult patients admitted to 54 ICUs between 2014 and 2018, enrolled in the CENTER-TBI study. Indicator scores were calculated as percentage adherence for structure and process indicators and as event rates or median scores for outcome indicators. Feasibility was quantified by the completeness of the variables. Discriminability was determined by the between-centre variation, estimated with a random effect regression model adjusted for case-mix severity and quantified by the median odds ratio (MOR). Statistical uncertainty of outcome indicators was determined by the median number of events per centre, using a cut-off of 10.RESULTS: A total of 26/42 indicators could be calculated from the CENTER-TBI database. Most quality indicators proved feasible to obtain with more than 70% completeness. Sub-optimal adherence was found for most quality indicators, ranging from 26 to 93% and 20 to 99% for structure and process indicators. Significant (p < 0.001) between-centre variation was found in seven process and five outcome indicators with MORs ranging from 1.51 to 4.14. Statistical uncertainty of outcome indicators was generally high; five out of seven had less than 10 events per centre.CONCLUSIONS: Overall, nine structures, five processes, but none of the outcome indicators showed potential for quality improvement purposes for TBI patients in the ICU. Future research should focus on implementation efforts and continuous reevaluation of quality indicators.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The core study was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02210221, registered on August 06, 2014, with Resource Identification Portal (RRID: SCR_015582).
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| 4. |
- Huser, Brian
(author)
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Drinking water treatment residual as a ballast to sink Microcystis cyanobacteria and inactivate phosphorus in tropical lake water
- 2021
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In: Water Research. - : Elsevier BV. - 0043-1354 .- 1879-2448. ; 207
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The combination of a low dose of coagulant with a ballast that can inactive phosphorus (P) in lake sediment-a technique known as "flock and lock"-is one method for restoration of eutrophic lakes. The effectiveness of a drinking water treatment residual (DWTR) as a ballast in flock and lock was assessed using assays of eutrophic lake water from Thailand dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa cyanobacteria colonies by measuring changes in chlorophyll-a, pH, and zeta potential. P sorption isotherms were developed from long-term batch equilibrium experiments; desorption of nutrients and metals was assessed via leaching experiments; and morphological changes to cellular structure were assessed using scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that combining DWTR with a low dose of aluminum sulfate (0.6-4.0 mg Al/L) effectively sank 74-96% of Microcystis, with DWTR dose (50-400 mg/L), initial chlorophyll-a concentration (92-976 mu g/L), pH (7.4-9.3), and alkalinity (99-108 ppm CaCO3) identified as factors significantly associated with sinking efficacy. P sorption capacity of the DWTR (7.12 mg/g) was significantly higher than a local soil (0.33 mg/g), enabling the DWTR to inactivate P in lake sediment. Desorption of Al, Fe, Ca and N from the DWTR was estimated to contribute to a marginal increase in concentrations of those compounds in the water column of a small shallow lake (1.2, 0.66, 53.4, and 0.07 mu g/L, respectively) following a simulated application. Therefore, pre-treated DWTRs may be a viable alternative ballast in the flock and lock approach to lake restoration, supplementing or replacing modified local soils or lanthanum modified clays.
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| 5. |
- Lövheim, Hugo, et al.
(author)
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Relationship between antipsychotic drug use and behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in old people with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care.
- 2006
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In: International psychogeriatrics. - 1041-6102 .- 1741-203X. ; 18:4, s. 713-726
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) commonly occur among cognitively impaired people in geriatric care. BPSD are often managed with antipsychotic drugs, despite the associated serious health risks. The aim of the present study was to discover factors associated with the use of antipsychotics.METHODS: A cross-sectional study in all geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden, which included 2017 residents aged 65 years and over with cognitive impairment (mean age was 83.5 years). Data were collected from prescription records and observations made by care staff of BPSD among residents during the preceding week. A multivariate regression model was constructed to find factors independently associated with antipsychotic drug use.RESULTS: Eleven factors were independently associated with the use of antipsychotics. Aggressive, verbally disruptive and wandering behavior, hallucinatory and depressive symptoms, male sex, living in a group dwelling for people with dementia, imposed mental workload, the ability to rise from a chair, activities of daily living (ADL) dependency and lower age all correlated significantly.CONCLUSIONS: Antipsychotic drug treatment of old people with cognitive impairment in geriatric care is common, and determined not only by the patient's symptoms but also by factors related more closely to the caregiver and the caring situation. These findings raise important questions about the indications for drug treatment in relation to the patient's quality of life.
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| 6. |
- Lövheim, Hugo, et al.
(author)
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Sex differences in the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia.
- 2009
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In: International psychogeriatrics. - 1041-6102 .- 1741-203X. ; 21:3, s. 469-475
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: When a person has dementia, non-cognitive behaviors and symptoms might constitute a greater problem than the cognitive decline itself. Male or female sex might be a predisposing factor for certain types of behavior disturbances and symptoms. The aim of the present analysis was to explore the correlation between sex and the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia. METHOD: A total of 3395 people with cognitive impairment (1056 men and 2339 women) were selected from two large cross-sectional surveys of those in geriatric care settings, conducted in 1982 and 2000 in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. Symptoms were assessed using the Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS), and prevalence was compared using multivariate logistic regression. Drug data were obtained from prescription records. RESULTS: For 17 out of 39 behaviors and symptoms, the prevalence differed significantly between men and women. Men more often exhibited aggressive behavior and regressive behaviors, and women more often exhibited depressive symptoms. There were no sex differences for passiveness and hallucinations. The prevalence of antipsychotic drug use was higher among men (35.5% compared to 28.9%, p < 0.001) and antidepressant drug use higher among women (30.1% compared to 25.6%, p = 0.006). The prevalence of use of anxiolytics, hypnotics and sedatives did not differ. CONCLUSION: There are some differences in the prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia between men and women. These different symptom profiles might possibly explain some of the differences found in the pharmacological treatment of men and women with a dementia disorder.
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| 9. |
- Wagner, Karin, 1959
(author)
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En analys av GenoChoice av Virgil Wong
- 2005
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In: Linköping Electronic Conference Proceedings. - 1650-3740.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Som en trovärdig webbsajt för ett sjukhus ter sig detta satiriska nätkonstverk, där besökaren får lämna sin DNA-kod och beställa ett skräddarsytt barn och minimera dess genetiska defekter efter en fastställd prislista. Konstnären utnyttjar mediets interaktivitet och sin kunskap om webbdesignens konventioner, för att dra in besökaren i verket. GenoChoice fokuserar på etiska frågor om reproduktion och tänjer på gränserna för vår tillit till vetenskapen. Hur skapas vetenskaplig auktoritet, både vad det gäller medicin och datateknik? Vilka beslut måste föräldrar vara beredda att fatta i framtiden? Är verkets scenario så osannolikt eller är det på gränsen till möjligt redan nu? Analysen av detta verk tar upp dessa frågor och belyser det samtidigt i ljuset av annan samtidskonst.
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