1. |
- Thomas, HS, et al.
(author)
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- 2019
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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. |
- Niemi, MEK, et al.
(author)
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- 2021
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swepub:Mat__t
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4. |
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5. |
- Schael, S, et al.
(author)
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Precision electroweak measurements on the Z resonance
- 2006
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In: Physics Reports. - : Elsevier BV. - 0370-1573 .- 1873-6270. ; 427:5-6, s. 257-454
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report on the final electroweak measurements performed with data taken at the Z resonance by the experiments operating at the electron-positron colliders SLC and LEP. The data consist of 17 million Z decays accumulated by the ALEPH, DELPHI, L3 and OPAL experiments at LEP, and 600 thousand Z decays by the SLID experiment using a polarised beam at SLC. The measurements include cross-sections, forward-backward asymmetries and polarised asymmetries. The mass and width of the Z boson, m(Z) and Gamma(Z), and its couplings to fermions, for example the p parameter and the effective electroweak mixing angle for leptons, are precisely measured: m(Z) = 91.1875 +/- 0.0021 GeV, Gamma(Z) = 2.4952 +/- 0.0023 GeV, rho(l) = 1.0050 +/- 0.0010, sin(2)theta(eff)(lept) = 0.23153 +/- 0.00016. The number of light neutrino species is determined to be 2.9840 +/- 0.0082, in agreement with the three observed generations of fundamental fermions. The results are compared to the predictions of the Standard Model (SM). At the Z-pole, electroweak radiative corrections beyond the running of the QED and QCD coupling constants are observed with a significance of five standard deviations, and in agreement with the Standard Model. Of the many Z-pole measurements, the forward-backward asymmetry in b-quark production shows the largest difference with respect to its SM expectation, at the level of 2.8 standard deviations. Through radiative corrections evaluated in the framework of the Standard Model, the Z-pole data are also used to predict the mass of the top quark, m(t) = 173(+10)(+13) GeV, and the mass of the W boson, m(W) = 80.363 +/- 0.032 GeV. These indirect constraints are compared to the direct measurements, providing a stringent test of the SM. Using in addition the direct measurements of m(t) and m(W), the mass of the as yet unobserved SM Higgs boson is predicted with a relative uncertainty of about 50% and found to be less than 285 GeV at 95% confidence level. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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6. |
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7. |
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- 2017
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In: Physical Review D. - 2470-0010 .- 2470-0029. ; 96:2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)
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8. |
- Acharya, B. S., et al.
(author)
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Introducing the CTA concept
- 2013
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In: Astroparticle physics. - : Elsevier BV. - 0927-6505 .- 1873-2852. ; 43, s. 3-18
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The Cherenkov Telescope Array (CTA) is a new observatory for very high-energy (VHE) gamma rays. CTA has ambitions science goals, for which it is necessary to achieve full-sky coverage, to improve the sensitivity by about an order of magnitude, to span about four decades of energy, from a few tens of GeV to above 100 TeV with enhanced angular and energy resolutions over existing VHE gamma-ray observatories. An international collaboration has formed with more than 1000 members from 27 countries in Europe, Asia, Africa and North and South America. In 2010 the CTA Consortium completed a Design Study and started a three-year Preparatory Phase which leads to production readiness of CTA in 2014. In this paper we introduce the science goals and the concept of CTA, and provide an overview of the project. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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9. |
- Ponnath, L., et al.
(author)
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Measurement of nuclear interaction cross sections towards neutron-skin thickness determination
- 2024
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In: Physics Letters, Section B: Nuclear, Elementary Particle and High-Energy Physics. - 0370-2693. ; 855
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The accuracy of reaction theories used to extract properties of exotic nuclei from scattering experiments is often unknown or not quantified, but of utmost importance when, e.g., constraining the equation of state of asymmetric nuclear matter from observables as the neutron-skin thickness. In order to test the Glauber multiple-scattering model, the total interaction cross section of [Formula presented] on carbon targets was measured at initial beam energies of 400, 550, 650, 800, and 1000 MeV/nucleon. The measurements were performed during the first experiment of the newly constructed R3B (Reaction with Relativistic Radioactive Beams) experiment after the start of FAIR Phase-0 at the GSI/FAIR facility with beam energies of 400, 550, 650, 800, and 1000 MeV/nucleon. The combination of the large-acceptance dipole magnet GLAD and a newly designed and highly efficient Time-of-Flight detector enabled a precise transmission measurement with several target thicknesses for each initial beam energy with an experimental uncertainty of ±0.4%. A comparison with the Glauber model revealed a discrepancy of around 3.1% at higher beam energies, which will serve as a crucial baseline for the model-dependent uncertainty in future fragmentation experiments.
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10. |
- Cheng, THT, et al.
(author)
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Meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies identifies common susceptibility polymorphisms for colorectal and endometrial cancer near SH2B3 and TSHZ1
- 2015
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In: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 5, s. 17369-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- High-risk mutations in several genes predispose to both colorectal cancer (CRC) and endometrial cancer (EC). We therefore hypothesised that some lower-risk genetic variants might also predispose to both CRC and EC. Using CRC and EC genome-wide association series, totalling 13,265 cancer cases and 40,245 controls, we found that the protective allele [G] at one previously-identified CRC polymorphism, rs2736100 near TERT, was associated with EC risk (odds ratio (OR) = 1.08, P = 0.000167); this polymorphism influences the risk of several other cancers. A further CRC polymorphism near TERC also showed evidence of association with EC (OR = 0.92; P = 0.03). Overall, however, there was no good evidence that the set of CRC polymorphisms was associated with EC risk and neither of two previously-reported EC polymorphisms was associated with CRC risk. A combined analysis revealed one genome-wide significant polymorphism, rs3184504, on chromosome 12q24 (OR = 1.10, P = 7.23 × 10−9) with shared effects on CRC and EC risk. This polymorphism, a missense variant in the gene SH2B3, is also associated with haematological and autoimmune disorders, suggesting that it influences cancer risk through the immune response. Another polymorphism, rs12970291 near gene TSHZ1, was associated with both CRC and EC (OR = 1.26, P = 4.82 × 10−8), with the alleles showing opposite effects on the risks of the two cancers.
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11. |
- Kudaibergenova, E., et al.
(author)
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MEASUREMENTS OF THE REACTION CROSS SECTIONS OF NEUTRON-RICH Sn ISOTOPES AT THE R 3 B SETUP
- 2024
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In: Acta Physica Polonica B, Proceedings Supplement. - 1899-2358. ; 17:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A fundamental framework to describe nuclear matter as a function of pressure and nuclear isospin asymmetry is the nuclear Equation of State (EoS). Constraining the parameters of the EoS is one of the central issues in nuclear physics, especially since the slope parameter L has not yet been constrained well experimentally. It has been identified that a precise determination of the neutron-removal cross section in neutron-rich nuclei, which correlates with the neutron-skin thickness, would provide a more precise constraint on L. To this end, an experiment was performed at the R3B setup in the GSI Helmholtzzentrum für Schwerionenforschung GmbH as a part of the FAIR Phase-0 program. The reactions are studied in inverse kinematics with neutron-rich tin isotopes in the mass range of A = 124–134 on carbon targets of different thicknesses. The reaction products have been measured at beam energies of 400–900 MeV/u in a kinematically complete manner. In this communication, the analysis of124Sn+12C at 900 MeV/u is presented. The charge-exchange reactions, resulting processes, and their role in the calculation of other reaction cross sections are discussed.
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12. |
- Lihtar, I., et al.
(author)
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RELATIVISTIC COULOMB EXCITATION OF 124 Sn
- 2024
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In: Acta Physica Polonica B, Proceedings Supplement. - 1899-2358. ; 17:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Coulomb excitation of 124, 128, 130, 132, 134Sn isotopes in the electric field of a Pb target have been studied using the R3B setup as a part of the FAIR Phase-0 program. The experiment was motivated by the possibility of using the nuclear dipole response to infer valuable information on the slope of the symmetry energy of the nuclear equation of state. Measurements were performed in inverse kinematics at relativistic energies of 750 MeV/u and 904 MeV/u. The analysis method and preliminary results for the decay channel with a single outgoing neutron for 124Sn are reported.
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13. |
- Hoshino, Ayuko, et al.
(author)
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Extracellular Vesicle and Particle Biomarkers Define Multiple Human Cancers
- 2020
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In: Cell. - : CELL PRESS. - 0092-8674 .- 1097-4172. ; 182:4, s. 1044-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- There is an unmet clinical need for improved tissue and liquid biopsy tools for cancer detection. We investigated the proteomic profile of extracellular vesicles and particles (EVPs) in 426 human samples from tissue explants (TEs), plasma, and other bodily fluids. Among traditional exosome markers, CD9, HSPA8, ALIX, and HSP90AB1 represent pan-EVP markers, while ACTB, MSN, and RAP1B are novel pan-EVP markers. To confirm that EVPs are ideal diagnostic tools, we analyzed proteomes of TE- (n =151) and plasma-derived (n =120) EVPs. Comparison of TE EVPs identified proteins (e.g., VCAN, TNC, and THBS2) that distinguish tumors from normal tissues with 90% sensitivity/94% specificity. Machine-learning classification of plasma-derived EVP cargo, including immunoglobulins, revealed 95% sensitivity/90% specificity in detecting cancer Finally, we defined a panel of tumor-type-specific EVP proteins in TEs and plasma, which can classify tumors of unknown primary origin. Thus, EVP proteins can serve as reliable biomarkers for cancer detection and determining cancer type.
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14. |
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15. |
- Muscarella, Robert, et al.
(author)
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The global abundance of tree palms
- 2020
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In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 29:9, s. 1495-1514
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimPalms are an iconic, diverse and often abundant component of tropical ecosystems that provide many ecosystem services. Being monocots, tree palms are evolutionarily, morphologically and physiologically distinct from other trees, and these differences have important consequences for ecosystem services (e.g., carbon sequestration and storage) and in terms of responses to climate change. We quantified global patterns of tree palm relative abundance to help improve understanding of tropical forests and reduce uncertainty about these ecosystems under climate change.LocationTropical and subtropical moist forests.Time periodCurrent.Major taxa studiedPalms (Arecaceae).MethodsWe assembled a pantropical dataset of 2,548 forest plots (covering 1,191 ha) and quantified tree palm (i.e., ≥10 cm diameter at breast height) abundance relative to co‐occurring non‐palm trees. We compared the relative abundance of tree palms across biogeographical realms and tested for associations with palaeoclimate stability, current climate, edaphic conditions and metrics of forest structure.ResultsOn average, the relative abundance of tree palms was more than five times larger between Neotropical locations and other biogeographical realms. Tree palms were absent in most locations outside the Neotropics but present in >80% of Neotropical locations. The relative abundance of tree palms was more strongly associated with local conditions (e.g., higher mean annual precipitation, lower soil fertility, shallower water table and lower plot mean wood density) than metrics of long‐term climate stability. Life‐form diversity also influenced the patterns; palm assemblages outside the Neotropics comprise many non‐tree (e.g., climbing) palms. Finally, we show that tree palms can influence estimates of above‐ground biomass, but the magnitude and direction of the effect require additional work.ConclusionsTree palms are not only quintessentially tropical, but they are also overwhelmingly Neotropical. Future work to understand the contributions of tree palms to biomass estimates and carbon cycling will be particularly crucial in Neotropical forests.
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16. |
- O'Mara, TA, et al.
(author)
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Identification of nine new susceptibility loci for endometrial cancer
- 2018
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In: Nature communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 9:1, s. 3166-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Endometrial cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer of the female reproductive tract in developed countries. Through genome-wide association studies (GWAS), we have previously identified eight risk loci for endometrial cancer. Here, we present an expanded meta-analysis of 12,906 endometrial cancer cases and 108,979 controls (including new genotype data for 5624 cases) and identify nine novel genome-wide significant loci, including a locus on 12q24.12 previously identified by meta-GWAS of endometrial and colorectal cancer. At five loci, expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) analyses identify candidate causal genes; risk alleles at two of these loci associate with decreased expression of genes, which encode negative regulators of oncogenic signal transduction proteins (SH2B3 (12q24.12) and NF1 (17q11.2)). In summary, this study has doubled the number of known endometrial cancer risk loci and revealed candidate causal genes for future study.
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17. |
- Potapov, Anton M., et al.
(author)
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Global fine-resolution data on springtail abundance and community structure
- 2024
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In: Scientific Data. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 2052-4463. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Springtails (Collembola) inhabit soils from the Arctic to the Antarctic and comprise an estimated ~32% of all terrestrial arthropods on Earth. Here, we present a global, spatially-explicit database on springtail communities that includes 249,912 occurrences from 44,999 samples and 2,990 sites. These data are mainly raw sample-level records at the species level collected predominantly from private archives of the authors that were quality-controlled and taxonomically-standardised. Despite covering all continents, most of the sample-level data come from the European continent (82.5% of all samples) and represent four habitats: woodlands (57.4%), grasslands (14.0%), agrosystems (13.7%) and scrublands (9.0%). We included sampling by soil layers, and across seasons and years, representing temporal and spatial within-site variation in springtail communities. We also provided data use and sharing guidelines and R code to facilitate the use of the database by other researchers. This data paper describes a static version of the database at the publication date, but the database will be further expanded to include underrepresented regions and linked with trait data.
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18. |
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19. |
- Pilotto, A., et al.
(author)
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Plasma NfL, clinical subtypes and motor progression in Parkinson's disease
- 2021
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In: Parkinsonism & Related Disorders. - : Elsevier BV. - 1353-8020. ; 87, s. 41-47
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: neurofilament light chain (NfL) levels have been proposed as reliable biomarkers of neurodegeneration in Parkinson's disease (PD) but the relationship between plasma NfL, clinical subtypes of PD and motor progression is still debated. Methods: plasma NfL concentration was measured in 45 healthy controls and consecutive 92 PD patients who underwent an extensive motor and non-motor assessment at baseline and after 2 years of follow-up. PD malignant phenotype was defined as the combination of at least two out of cognitive impairment, orthostatic hypotension and REM sleep behavior disorder. PD patients were divided according to the age-adjusted cut-offs of plasma NfL levels into high and normal NfL (H-NfL and N-NfL, respectively). A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the value of plasma NfL as predictor of 2-years progression in PD. Results: NfL was higher in PD patients than in controls (p = 0.037). H-NfL (n = 16) group exhibited more severe motor and non-motor symptoms, higher prevalence of malignant phenotype and worse motor progression (MDSUPDRS-III 11.3 vs 0.7 points, p = 0.003) compared to N-NfL group (n = 76). In linear regression analyses plasma NfL emerged as the best predictor of 2-year motor progression compared to age, sex, disease duration, baseline motor/non-motor variables. Conclusion: increased plasma NfL concentration is associated with malignant PD phenotype and faster motor progression. These findings support the role of NfL assessment as a useful measure for stratifying patients with different baseline slopes of decline in future clinical trials of putative disease-modifying treatments.
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20. |
- Richards, Stephen, et al.
(author)
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Genome Sequence of the Pea Aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum
- 2010
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In: PLoS biology. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1544-9173 .- 1545-7885. ; 8:2, s. e1000313-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aphids are important agricultural pests and also biological models for studies of insect-plant interactions, symbiosis, virus vectoring, and the developmental causes of extreme phenotypic plasticity. Here we present the 464 Mb draft genome assembly of the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum. This first published whole genome sequence of a basal hemimetabolous insect provides an outgroup to the multiple published genomes of holometabolous insects. Pea aphids are host-plant specialists, they can reproduce both sexually and asexually, and they have coevolved with an obligate bacterial symbiont. Here we highlight findings from whole genome analysis that may be related to these unusual biological features. These findings include discovery of extensive gene duplication in more than 2000 gene families as well as loss of evolutionarily conserved genes. Gene family expansions relative to other published genomes include genes involved in chromatin modification, miRNA synthesis, and sugar transport. Gene losses include genes central to the IMD immune pathway, selenoprotein utilization, purine salvage, and the entire urea cycle. The pea aphid genome reveals that only a limited number of genes have been acquired from bacteria; thus the reduced gene count of Buchnera does not reflect gene transfer to the host genome. The inventory of metabolic genes in the pea aphid genome suggests that there is extensive metabolite exchange between the aphid and Buchnera, including sharing of amino acid biosynthesis between the aphid and Buchnera. The pea aphid genome provides a foundation for post-genomic studies of fundamental biological questions and applied agricultural problems.
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21. |
- Abazajian, Kevork, et al.
(author)
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CMB-S4 : Forecasting Constraints on Primordial Gravitational Waves
- 2022
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In: Astrophysical Journal. - : American Astronomical Society. - 0004-637X .- 1538-4357. ; 926:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CMB-S4—the next-generation ground-based cosmic microwave background (CMB) experiment—is set to significantly advance the sensitivity of CMB measurements and enhance our understanding of the origin and evolution of the universe. Among the science cases pursued with CMB-S4, the quest for detecting primordial gravitational waves is a central driver of the experimental design. This work details the development of a forecasting framework that includes a power-spectrum-based semianalytic projection tool, targeted explicitly toward optimizing constraints on the tensor-to-scalar ratio, r, in the presence of Galactic foregrounds and gravitational lensing of the CMB. This framework is unique in its direct use of information from the achieved performance of current Stage 2–3 CMB experiments to robustly forecast the science reach of upcoming CMB-polarization endeavors. The methodology allows for rapid iteration over experimental configurations and offers a flexible way to optimize the design of future experiments, given a desired scientific goal. To form a closed-loop process, we couple this semianalytic tool with map-based validation studies, which allow for the injection of additional complexity and verification of our forecasts with several independent analysis methods. We document multiple rounds of forecasts for CMB-S4 using this process and the resulting establishment of the current reference design of the primordial gravitational-wave component of the Stage-4 experiment, optimized to achieve our science goals of detecting primordial gravitational waves for r > 0.003 at greater than 5σ, or in the absence of a detection, of reaching an upper limit of r < 0.001 at 95% CL.
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22. |
- Davies, Stuart J., et al.
(author)
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ForestGEO: Understanding forest diversity and dynamics through a global observatory network
- 2021
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In: Biological Conservation. - : Elsevier BV. - 0006-3207. ; 253
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ForestGEO is a network of scientists and long-term forest dynamics plots (FDPs) spanning the Earth's major forest types. ForestGEO's mission is to advance understanding of the diversity and dynamics of forests and to strengthen global capacity for forest science research. ForestGEO is unique among forest plot networks in its large-scale plot dimensions, censusing of all stems ≥1 cm in diameter, inclusion of tropical, temperate and boreal forests, and investigation of additional biotic (e.g., arthropods) and abiotic (e.g., soils) drivers, which together provide a holistic view of forest functioning. The 71 FDPs in 27 countries include approximately 7.33 million living trees and about 12,000 species, representing 20% of the world's known tree diversity. With >1300 published papers, ForestGEO researchers have made significant contributions in two fundamental areas: species coexistence and diversity, and ecosystem functioning. Specifically, defining the major biotic and abiotic controls on the distribution and coexistence of species and functional types and on variation in species' demography has led to improved understanding of how the multiple dimensions of forest diversity are structured across space and time and how this diversity relates to the processes controlling the role of forests in the Earth system. Nevertheless, knowledge gaps remain that impede our ability to predict how forest diversity and function will respond to climate change and other stressors. Meeting these global research challenges requires major advances in standardizing taxonomy of tropical species, resolving the main drivers of forest dynamics, and integrating plot-based ground and remote sensing observations to scale up estimates of forest diversity and function, coupled with improved predictive models. However, they cannot be met without greater financial commitment to sustain the long-term research of ForestGEO and other forest plot networks, greatly expanded scientific capacity across the world's forested nations, and increased collaboration and integration among research networks and disciplines addressing forest science.
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23. |
- Enerbäck, Sven, 1958, et al.
(author)
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Acidosis and Deafness in Patients with Recessive Mutations in FOXI1
- 2018
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In: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 1046-6673 .- 1533-3450. ; 29:3, s. 1041-1048
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Maintenance of the composition of inner ear fluid and regulation of electrolytes and acid-base homeostasis in the collecting duct system of the kidney require an overlapping set of membrane transport proteins regulated by the forkhead transcription factor FOXI1. In two unrelated consanguineous families, we identified three patients with novel homozygous missense mutations in FOXI1 (p.L146F and p.R213P) predicted to affect the highly conserved DNA binding domain. Patients presented with early-onset sensorineural deafness and distal renal tubular acidosis. In cultured cells, the mutations reduced the DNA binding affinity of FOXI1, which hence, failed to adequately activate genes crucial for normal inner ear function and acid base regulation in the kidney. A substantial proportion of patients with a clinical diagnosis of inherited distal renal tubular acidosis has no identified causative mutations in currently known disease genes. Our data suggest that recessive mutations in FOXI1 can explain the disease in a subset of these patients.
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24. |
- Needham, E. J., et al.
(author)
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Brain injury in COVID-19 is associated with dysregulated innate and adaptive immune responses
- 2022
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In: Brain. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-8950 .- 1460-2156. ; 145:11, s. 4097-4107
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- COVID-19 is associated with neurological complications including stroke, delirium and encephalitis. Furthermore, a post-viral syndrome dominated by neuropsychiatric symptoms is common, and is seemingly unrelated to COVID-19 severity. The true frequency and underlying mechanisms of neurological injury are unknown, but exaggerated host inflammatory responses appear to be a key driver of COVID-19 severity. We investigated the dynamics of, and relationship between, serum markers of brain injury [neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and total tau] and markers of dysregulated host response (autoantibody production and cytokine profiles) in 175 patients admitted with COVID-19 and 45 patients with influenza. During hospitalization, sera from patients with COVID-19 demonstrated elevations of NfL and GFAP in a severity-dependent manner, with evidence of ongoing active brain injury at follow-up 4 months later. These biomarkers were associated with elevations of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the presence of autoantibodies to a large number of different antigens. Autoantibodies were commonly seen against lung surfactant proteins but also brain proteins such as myelin associated glycoprotein. Commensurate findings were seen in the influenza cohort. A distinct process characterized by elevation of serum total tau was seen in patients at follow-up, which appeared to be independent of initial disease severity and was not associated with dysregulated immune responses unlike NfL and GFAP. These results demonstrate that brain injury is a common consequence of both COVID-19 and influenza, and is therefore likely to be a feature of severe viral infection more broadly. The brain injury occurs in the context of dysregulation of both innate and adaptive immune responses, with no single pathogenic mechanism clearly responsible. Needham et al. reveal elevations in blood biomarkers of brain injury in patients hospitalised with COVID-19. The changes, which were severity-dependent, were associated with dysregulated immune responses including increases in pro-inflammatory cytokines and autoantibodies. Ongoing active brain injury could still be seen months after infection.
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25. |
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26. |
- Ally, M., et al.
(author)
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Cross-sectional and longitudinal evaluation of plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein to detect and predict clinical syndromes of Alzheimer's disease
- 2023
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In: Alzheimer's and Dementia: Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring. - 2352-8729. ; 15:4
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: This study examined plasma glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) as a biomarker of cognitive impairment due to Alzheimer's disease (AD) with and against plasma neurofilament light chain (NfL), and phosphorylated tau (p-tau)181+231.Methods: Plasma samples were analyzed using Simoa platform for 567 participants spanning the AD continuum. Cognitive diagnosis, neuropsychological testing, and dementia severity were examined for cross-sectional and longitudinal outcomes.Results: Plasma GFAP discriminated AD dementia from normal cognition (adjusted mean difference = 0.90 standard deviation [SD]) and mild cognitive impairment (adjusted mean difference = 0.72 SD), and demonstrated superior discrimination compared to alternative plasma biomarkers. Higher GFAP was associated with worse dementia severity and worse performance on 11 of 12 neuropsychological tests. Longitudinally, GFAP predicted decline in memory, but did not predict conversion to mild cognitive impairment or dementia.Discussion: Plasma GFAP was associated with clinical outcomes related to suspected AD and could be of assistance in a plasma biomarker panel to detect in vivo AD.
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27. |
- Bellaver, B., et al.
(author)
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Blood-brain barrier integrity impacts the use of plasma amyloid-beta as a proxy of brain amyloid-beta pathology
- 2023
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 19:9, s. 3815-3825
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION Amyloid-beta (A beta) and tau can be quantified in blood. However, biological factors can influence the levels of brain-derived proteins in the blood. The blood-brain barrier (BBB) regulates protein transport between cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and blood. BBB altered permeability might affect the relationship between brain and blood biomarkers.METHODS We assessed 224 participants in research (TRIAD, n = 96) and clinical (BIODEGMAR, n = 128) cohorts with plasma and CSF/positron emission tomography A beta, p-tau, and albumin measures.RESULTS Plasma A beta(42/40) better identified CSF A beta(42/40) and A beta-PET positivity in individuals with high BBB permeability. An interaction between plasma A beta(42/40) and BBB permeability on CSF A beta(42/40) was observed. Voxel-wise models estimated that the association of positron emission tomography (PET), with plasma A beta was most affected by BBB permeability in AD-related brain regions. BBB permeability did not significantly impact the relationship between brain and plasma p-tau levels.DISCUSSION These findings suggest that BBB integrity may influence the performance of plasma A beta, but not p-tau, biomarkers in research and clinical settings.
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28. |
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29. |
- Boccardi, M., et al.
(author)
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The strategic biomarker roadmap for the validation of Alzheimer's diagnostic biomarkers: methodological update
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 48, s. 2070-2085
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The 2017 Alzheimer's disease (AD) Strategic Biomarker Roadmap (SBR) structured the validation of AD diagnostic biomarkers into 5 phases, systematically assessing analytical validity (Phases 1-2), clinical validity (Phases 3-4), and clinical utility (Phase 5) through primary and secondary Aims. This framework allows to map knowledge gaps and research priorities, accelerating the route towards clinical implementation. Within an initiative aimed to assess the development of biomarkers of tau pathology, we revised this methodology consistently with progress in AD research. Methods We critically appraised the adequacy of the 2017 Biomarker Roadmap within current diagnostic frameworks, discussed updates at a workshop convening the Alzheimer's Association and 8 leading AD biomarker research groups, and detailed the methods to allow consistent assessment of aims achievement for tau and other AD diagnostic biomarkers. Results The 2020 update applies to all AD diagnostic biomarkers. In Phases 2-3, we admitted a greater variety of study designs (e.g., cross-sectional in addition to longitudinal) and reference standards (e.g., biomarker confirmation in addition to clinical progression) based on construct (in addition to criterion) validity. We structured a systematic data extraction to enable transparent and formal evidence assessment procedures. Finally, we have clarified issues that need to be addressed to generate data eligible to evidence-to-decision procedures. Discussion This revision allows for more versatile and precise assessment of existing evidence, keeps up with theoretical developments, and helps clinical researchers in producing evidence suitable for evidence-to-decision procedures. Compliance with this methodology is essential to implement AD biomarkers efficiently in clinical research and diagnostics.
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30. |
- Boyle, P, et al.
(author)
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Need for global action for cancer control
- 2008
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In: Annals of oncology : official journal of the European Society for Medical Oncology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1569-8041. ; 19:9, s. 1519-1521
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)
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31. |
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32. |
- Cooper, Declan L.M., et al.
(author)
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Consistent patterns of common species across tropical tree communities
- 2024
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In: Nature. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 625:7996, s. 728-734
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Trees structure the Earth’s most biodiverse ecosystem, tropical forests. The vast number of tree species presents a formidable challenge to understanding these forests, including their response to environmental change, as very little is known about most tropical tree species. A focus on the common species may circumvent this challenge. Here we investigate abundance patterns of common tree species using inventory data on 1,003,805 trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm across 1,568 locations 1–6 in closed-canopy, structurally intact old-growth tropical forests in Africa, Amazonia and Southeast Asia. We estimate that 2.2%, 2.2% and 2.3% of species comprise 50% of the tropical trees in these regions, respectively. Extrapolating across all closed-canopy tropical forests, we estimate that just 1,053 species comprise half of Earth’s 800 billion tropical trees with trunk diameters of at least 10 cm. Despite differing biogeographic, climatic and anthropogenic histories 7, we find notably consistent patterns of common species and species abundance distributions across the continents. This suggests that fundamental mechanisms of tree community assembly may apply to all tropical forests. Resampling analyses show that the most common species are likely to belong to a manageable list of known species, enabling targeted efforts to understand their ecology. Although they do not detract from the importance of rare species, our results open new opportunities to understand the world’s most diverse forests, including modelling their response to environmental change, by focusing on the common species that constitute the majority of their trees.
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33. |
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34. |
- Pilotto, A., et al.
(author)
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Steroid-Responsive Encephalitis in Coronavirus Disease 2019
- 2020
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In: Annals of Neurology. - : Wiley. - 0364-5134 .- 1531-8249. ; 88:2, s. 423-427
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection has the potential for targeting the central nervous system, and several neurological symptoms have been described in patients with severe respiratory distress. Here, we described the case of a 60-year-old patient with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection but only mild respiratory abnormalities who developed an akinetic mutism attributable to encephalitis. Magnetic resonance imaging was negative, whereas electroencephalography showed generalized theta slowing. Cerebrospinal fluid analyses during the acute stage were negative for SARS-CoV-2, positive for pleocytosis and hyperproteinorrachia, and showed increased interleukin-8 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha concentrations. Other infectious or autoimmune disorders were excluded. A progressive clinical improvement along with a reduction of cerebrospinal fluid parameters was observed after high-dose steroid treatment, thus arguing for an inflammatory-mediated brain involvement related to COVID-19. ANN NEUROL 2020
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35. |
- Therriault, J., et al.
(author)
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Equivalence of plasma p-tau217 with cerebrospinal fluid in the diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease
- 2023
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - 1552-5260. ; 19:11, s. 4967-4977
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTION: Plasma biomarkers are promising tools for Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, but comparisons with more established biomarkers are needed.METHODS: We assessed the diagnostic performance of p-tau(181), p-tau(217), and p-tau(231) in plasma and CSF in 174 individuals evaluated by dementia specialists and assessed with amyloid-PET and tau-PET. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analyses assessed the performance of plasma and CSF biomarkers to identify amyloid-PET and tau-PET positivity.RESULTS: Plasma p-tau biomarkers had lower dynamic ranges and effect sizes compared to CSF p-tau. Plasma p-tau(181) (AUC = 76%) and p-tau(231) (AUC = 82%) assessments performed inferior to CSF p-tau(181) (AUC = 87%) and p-tau(231) (AUC = 95%) for amyloid-PET positivity. However, plasma p-tau(217) (AUC = 91%) had diagnostic performance indistinguishable from CSF (AUC = 94%) for amyloid-PET positivity.DISCUSSION: Plasma and CSF p-tau(217) had equivalent diagnostic performance for biomarker-defined AD. Our results suggest that plasma p-tau(217) may help reduce the need for invasive lumbar punctures without compromising accuracy in the identification of AD.
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36. |
- Westwood, S., et al.
(author)
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Plasma Protein Biomarkers for the Prediction of CSF Amyloid and Tau and F-18 -Flutemetamol PET Scan Result
- 2018
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In: Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1663-4365. ; 10
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Blood biomarkers may aid in recruitment to clinical trials of Alzheimer's disease (AD) modifying therapeutics by triaging potential trials participants for amyloid positron emission tomography (PET) or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) A beta and tau tests. Objective: To discover a plasma proteomic signature associated with CSF and PET measures of AD pathology. Methods: Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) based proteomics were performed in plasma from participants with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and AD, recruited to the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort, stratified by CSF Tau/A beta(42) (n = 50). Technical replication and independent validation were performed by immunoassay in plasma from SCD, MCI, and AD participants recruited to the Amsterdam Dementia Cohort with CSF measures (n = 100), MCI participants enrolled in the GE067-005 study with [F-18]-Flutemetamol PET amyloid measures (n = 173), and AD, MCI and cognitively healthy participants from the EMIF 500 study with CSF A beta(42) measurements (n = 494). Results: 25 discovery proteins were nominally associated with CSF Tau/A beta(42) (P < 0.05) with associations of ficolin-2 (FCN2), apolipoprotein C -IV and fibrinogen f, chain confirmed by immunoassay (P < 0.05). In the GE067-005 cohort, FCN2 was nominally associated with PET amyloid (P < 0.05) replicating the association with CSF Tau/A beta(42). There were nominally significant associations of complement component 3 with PET amyloid, and apolipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein A-I, ceruloplasmin, and PPY with MCI conversion to AD (all P < 0.05). In the EMIF 500 cohort FCN2 was trending toward a significant relationship with CSF A beta(42) (P approximate to 0.05), while both Al AT and clusterin were nominally significantly associated with CSF A beta(42) (both P < 0.05). Conclusion: Associations of plasma proteins with multiple measures of AD pathology and progression are demonstrated. To our knowledge this is the first study to report an association of FCN2 with AD pathology. Further testing of the proteins in larger independent cohorts will be important.
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37. |
- Woo, M. S., et al.
(author)
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14-3-3 ζ/δ-reported early synaptic injury in Alzheimer's disease is independently mediated by sTREM2
- 2023
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In: Journal of Neuroinflammation. - 1742-2094. ; 20:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Synaptic loss is closely associated with tau aggregation and microglia activation in later stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, synaptic damage happens early in AD at the very early stages of tau accumulation. It remains unclear whether microglia activation independently causes synaptic cleavage before tau aggregation appears.Methods We investigated 104 participants across the AD continuum by measuring 14-3-3 zeta/delta (zeta/delta) as a cerebrospinal fluid biomarker for synaptic degradation, and fluid and imaging biomarkers of tau, amyloidosis, astrogliosis, neurodegeneration, and inflammation. We performed correlation analyses in cognitively unimpaired and impaired participants and used structural equation models to estimate the impact of microglia activation on synaptic injury in different disease stages.Results14-3-3 zeta/delta was increased in participants with amyloid pathology at the early stages of tau aggregation before hippocampal volume loss was detectable. 14-3-3 zeta/delta correlated with amyloidosis and tau load in all participants but only with biomarkers of neurodegeneration and memory deficits in cognitively unimpaired participants. This early synaptic damage was independently mediated by sTREM2. At later disease stages, tau and astrogliosis additionally mediated synaptic loss.ConclusionsOur results advertise that sTREM2 is mediating synaptic injury at the early stages of tau accumulation, underlining the importance of microglia activation for AD disease propagation.
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38. |
- Ade, Peter, et al.
(author)
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The Simons Observatory : science goals and forecasts
- 2019
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In: Journal of Cosmology and Astroparticle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 1475-7516. ; :2
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Simons Observatory (SO) is a new cosmic microwave background experiment being built on Cerro Toco in Chile, due to begin observations in the early 2020s. We describe the scientific goals of the experiment, motivate the design, and forecast its performance. SO will measure the temperature and polarization anisotropy of the cosmic microwave background in six frequency bands centered at: 27, 39, 93, 145, 225 and 280 GHz. The initial con figuration of SO will have three small-aperture 0.5-m telescopes and one large-aperture 6-m telescope, with a total of 60,000 cryogenic bolometers. Our key science goals are to characterize the primordial perturbations, measure the number of relativistic species and the mass of neutrinos, test for deviations from a cosmological constant, improve our understanding of galaxy evolution, and constrain the duration of reionization. The small aperture telescopes will target the largest angular scales observable from Chile, mapping approximate to 10% of the sky to a white noise level of 2 mu K-arcmin in combined 93 and 145 GHz bands, to measure the primordial tensor-to-scalar ratio, r, at a target level of sigma(r) = 0.003. The large aperture telescope will map approximate to 40% of the sky at arcminute angular resolution to an expected white noise level of 6 mu K-arcmin in combined 93 and 145 GHz bands, overlapping with the majority of the Large Synoptic Survey Telescope sky region and partially with the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument. With up to an order of magnitude lower polarization noise than maps from the Planck satellite, the high-resolution sky maps will constrain cosmological parameters derived from the damping tail, gravitational lensing of the microwave background, the primordial bispectrum, and the thermal and kinematic Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effects, and will aid in delensing the large-angle polarization signal to measure the tensor-to-scalar ratio. The survey will also provide a legacy catalog of 16,000 galaxy clusters and more than 20,000 extragalactic sources.
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39. |
- Ashton, Nicholas J., et al.
(author)
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The validation status of blood biomarkers of amyloid and phospho-tau assessed with the 5-phase development framework for AD biomarkers
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 48, s. 2140-2156
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose The development of blood biomarkers that reflect Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathophysiology (phosphorylated tau and amyloid-beta) has offered potential as scalable tests for dementia differential diagnosis and early detection. In 2019, the Geneva AD Biomarker Roadmap Initiative included blood biomarkers in the systematic validation of AD biomarkers. Methods A panel of experts convened in November 2019 at a two-day workshop in Geneva. The level of maturity (fully achieved, partly achieved, preliminary evidence, not achieved, unsuccessful) of blood biomarkers was assessed based on the Biomarker Roadmap methodology and discussed fully during the workshop which also evaluated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and positron emission tomography (PET) biomarkers. Results Plasma p-tau has shown analytical validity (phase 2 primary aim 1) and first evidence of clinical validity (phase 3 primary aim 1), whereas the maturity level for A beta remains to be partially achieved. Full and partial achievement has been assigned to p-tau and A beta, respectively, in their associations to ante-mortem measures (phase 2 secondary aim 2). However, only preliminary evidence exists for the influence of covariates, assay comparison and cut-off criteria. Conclusions Despite the relative infancy of blood biomarkers, in comparison to CSF biomarkers, much has already been achieved for phases 1 through 3 - with p-tau having greater success in detecting AD and predicting disease progression. However, sufficient data about the effect of covariates on the biomarker measurement is lacking. No phase 4 (real-world performance) or phase 5 (assessment of impact/cost) aim has been tested, thus not achieved.
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40. |
- Ferrari-Souza, J. P., et al.
(author)
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Astrocyte biomarker signatures of amyloid-beta and tau pathologies in Alzheimer's disease
- 2022
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In: Molecular Psychiatry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1359-4184 .- 1476-5578. ; 27:11, s. 4781-4789
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Astrocytes can adopt multiple molecular phenotypes in the brain of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. Here, we studied the associations of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and chitinase-3-like protein 1 (YKL-40) levels with brain amyloid-beta (A beta) and tau pathologies. We assessed 121 individuals across the aging and AD clinical spectrum with positron emission tomography (PET) brain imaging for A beta ([F-18]AZD4694) and tau ([F-18]MK-6240), as well as CSF GFAP and YKL-40 measures. We observed that higher CSF GFAP levels were associated with elevated A beta-PET but not tau-PET load. By contrast, higher CSF YKL-40 levels were associated with elevated tau-PET but not A beta-PET burden. Structural equation modeling revealed that CSF GFAP and YKL-40 mediate the effects of A beta and tau, respectively, on hippocampal atrophy, which was further associated with cognitive impairment. Our results suggest the existence of distinct astrocyte biomarker signatures in response to brain A beta and tau accumulation, which may contribute to our understanding of the complex link between reactive astrogliosis heterogeneity and AD progression.
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41. |
- Ferreira, P. C. L., et al.
(author)
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Plasma p-tau231 and p-tau217 inform on tau tangles aggregation in cognitively impaired individuals
- 2023
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - 1552-5260. ; 19:10, s. 4463-4474
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- INTRODUCTIONPhosphorylated tau (p-tau) biomarkers have been recently proposed to represent brain amyloid-& beta; (A & beta;) pathology. Here, we evaluated the plasma biomarkers' contribution beyond the information provided by demographics (age and sex) to identify A & beta; and tau pathologies in individuals segregated as cognitively unimpaired (CU) and impaired (CI). METHODSWe assessed 138 CU and 87 CI with available plasma p-tau231, 217(+), and 181, A & beta;42/40, GFAP and A & beta;- and tau-PET. RESULTSIn CU, only plasma p-tau231 and p-tau217(+) significantly improved the performance of the demographics in detecting A & beta;-PET positivity, while no plasma biomarker provided additional information to identify tau-PET positivity. In CI, p-tau217(+) and GFAP significantly contributed to demographics to identify both A & beta;-PET and tau-PET positivity, while p-tau231 only provided additional information to identify tau-PET positivity. DISCUSSIONOur results support plasma p-tau231 and p-tau217(+) as state markers of early A & beta; deposition, but in later disease stages they inform on tau tangle accumulation. HighlightsIt is still unclear how much plasma biomarkers contribute to identification of AD pathology across the AD spectrum beyond the information already provided by demographics (age + sex).Plasma p-tau231 and p-tau217(+) contribute to demographic information to identify brain A & beta; pathology in preclinical AD.In CI individuals, plasma p-tau231 contributes to age and sex to inform on the accumulation of tau tangles, while p-tau217(+) and GFAP inform on both A & beta; deposition and tau pathology.
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42. |
- Gerards, M., et al.
(author)
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Alzheimer's Disease Plasma Biomarkers Distinguish Clinical Diagnostic Groups in Memory Clinic Patients
- 2022
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In: Dementia and Geriatric Cognitive Disorders. - : S. Karger AG. - 1420-8008 .- 1421-9824. ; 51:2, s. 182-192
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Several recent research studies show high performance of blood biomarkers to identify Alzheimer's disease also in the pre-dementia mild cognitive impairment (MCI) stage, but data from the routine clinical care memory clinic setting are needed. Methods: We examined plasma samples of 144 memory clinic patients, including dementia of Alzheimer type (DAT, n = 54), MCI (n = 57), and subjective cognitive decline (SCD, n = 33), who either presented as self-referrals or were referred by general practitioners or neurologists or psychiatrists. The plasma biomarkers, amyloid-beta42 (Ass42), amyloid-beta40 (Ass40), phospho-Tau181 (pTau181), total-tau (tTau), and neurofilament light (NFL), as well as different ratios, were measured using the ultrasensitive single molecule array (Simoa) immunoassay technology. Statistical analysis including Kruskal-Wallis test, linear regression, and receiver operating characteristics analyses was performed. Results: Of the single markers, we observed statistically significant group effects of pTau181 (H(2) = 34.43, p < 0.001) and NFL (H(2) = 27.66, p < 0.001). All individual group comparisons of pTau181 were significant, while the contrast of SCD versus MCI for NFL was not significant. In addition, the ratios of Ass42/Ass40 (H(2) = 7.50, p = 0.02) and pTau181/Ass42 (H(2) = 25.26, p < 0.001) showed significant group effects with significant difference between all groups for pTau181/Ass42 and an SCD versus MCI difference for Ass42/Ass40. PTau181 showed the highest area under the curve of 0.85 for the discrimination of SCD and DAT with a sensitivity of 80% and a specificity of 79% at a cut-off of 12.2 pg/mL. Age influenced Ass42, Ass40, and NFL concentrations. Conclusion: Plasma pTau181 and NFL, as well as the ratios Ass42/Ass40 and pTau181/Ass42, are biomarkers, which can differentiate diagnostic groups in a memory clinic setting outside of research studies.
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46. |
- Leuzy, A., et al.
(author)
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2020 update on the clinical validity of cerebrospinal fluid amyloid, tau, and phospho-tau as biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease in the context of a structured 5-phase development framework
- 2021
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In: European Journal of Nuclear Medicine and Molecular Imaging. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1619-7070 .- 1619-7089. ; 48, s. 2121-2139
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose In the last decade, the research community has focused on defining reliable biomarkers for the early detection of Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. In 2017, the Geneva AD Biomarker Roadmap Initiative adapted a framework for the systematic validation of oncological biomarkers to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) AD biomarkers-encompassing the 42 amino-acid isoform of amyloid-beta (A beta 42), phosphorylated-tau (P-tau), and Total-tau (T-tau)-with the aim to accelerate their development and clinical implementation. The aim of this work is to update the current validation status of CSF AD biomarkers based on the Biomarker Roadmap methodology. Methods A panel of experts in AD biomarkers convened in November 2019 at a 2-day workshop in Geneva. The level of maturity (fully achieved, partly achieved, preliminary evidence, not achieved, unsuccessful) of CSF AD biomarkers was assessed based on the Biomarker Roadmap methodology before the meeting and presented and discussed during the workshop. Results By comparison to the previous 2017 Geneva Roadmap meeting, the primary advances in CSF AD biomarkers have been in the area of a unified protocol for CSF sampling, handling and storage, the introduction of certified reference methods and materials for A beta 42, and the introduction of fully automated assays. Additional advances have occurred in the form of defining thresholds for biomarker positivity and assessing the impact of covariates on their discriminatory ability. Conclusions Though much has been achieved for phases one through three, much work remains in phases four (real world performance) and five (assessment of impact/cost). To a large degree, this will depend on the availability of disease-modifying treatments for AD, given these will make accurate and generally available diagnostic tools key to initiate therapy.
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47. |
- Montoliu-Gaya, Laia, et al.
(author)
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Plasma and cerebrospinal fluid glial fibrillary acidic protein levels in adults with Down syndrome: a longitudinal cohort study
- 2023
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In: eBioMedicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-3964. ; 90
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background The diagnosis of symptomatic Alzheimer's disease is a clinical challenge in adults with Down syndrome. Blood biomarkers would be of particular clinical importance in this population. The astrocytic Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein (GFAP) isa marker of astrogliosis associated with amyloid pathology, but its longitudinal changes, association with other biomarkers and cognitive performance have not been studied in individuals with Down syndrome. Methods We performed a three-centre study of adults with Down syndrome, autosomal dominant Alzheimer's disease and euploid individuals enrolled in Hospital Sant Pau, Barcelona (Spain), Hospital Clinic, Barcelona (Spain) and Ludwig-Maximilians-Universitat, Munich (Germany). Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma GFAP concentrations were quantified using Simoa. A subset of participants had PET 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose, amyloid tracers and MRI measurements. Findings This study included 997 individuals, 585 participants with Down syndrome, 61 Familial Alzheimer's disease mutation carriers and 351 euploid individuals along the Alzheimer's disease continuum, recruited between November 2008 and May 2022. Participants with Down syndrome were clinically classified at baseline as asymp-tomatic, prodromal Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease dementia. Plasma GFAP levels were significantly increased in prodromal and Alzheimer's disease dementia compared to asymptomatic individuals and increased in parallel to CSF A beta changes, ten years prior to amyloid PET positivity. Plasma GFAP presented the highest diagnostic performance to discriminate symptomatic from asymptomatic groups (AUC = 0.93, 95% CI 0.9-0.95) and its con-centrations were significantly higher in progressors vs non-progressors (p < 0.001), showing an increase of 19.8% (11.8-33.0) per year in participants with dementia. Finally, plasma GFAP levels were highly correlated with cortical thinning and brain amyloid pathology. Interpretation Our findings support the utility of plasma GFAP as a biomarker of Alzheimer's disease in adults with Down syndrome, with possible applications in clinical practice and clinical trials.
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48. |
- Morrison, M. S., et al.
(author)
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Ante-mortem plasma phosphorylated tau (181) predicts Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and regional tau at autopsy
- 2022
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In: Brain. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0006-8950 .- 1460-2156. ; 145:10, s. 3546-3557
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In one of the largest studies of its kind, Morrison et al. show that ante-mortem plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) concentrations accurately differentiate brain donors with and without autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease. Blood tests could be a minimally invasive, cost-effective tool for the detection and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease. Blood-based biomarkers such as tau phosphorylated at threonine 181 (phosphorylated-tau(181)) represent an accessible, cost-effective and scalable approach for the in vivo detection of Alzheimer's disease pathophysiology. Plasma-pathological correlation studies are needed to validate plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) as an accurate and reliable biomarker of Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes. This plasma-to-autopsy correlation study included participants from the Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Research Center who had a plasma sample analysed for phosphorylated-tau(181) between 2008 and 2018 and donated their brain for neuropathological examination. Plasma phosphorelated-tau(181) was measured with single molecule array technology. Of 103 participants, 62 (60.2%) had autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease. Average time between blood draw and death was 5.6 years (standard deviation = 3.1 years). Multivariable analyses showed higher plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) concentrations were associated with increased odds for having autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease [AUC = 0.82, OR = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.03-1.11, P < 0.01; phosphorylated-tau standardized (z-transformed): OR = 2.98, 95% CI = 1.50-5.93, P < 0.01]. Higher plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) levels were associated with increased odds for having a higher Braak stage (OR = 1.06, 95% CI = 1.02-1.09, P < 0.01) and more severe phosphorylated-tau across six cortical and subcortical brain regions (ORs = 1.03-1.06, P < 0.05). The association between plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) and Alzheimer's disease was strongest in those who were demented at time of blood draw (OR = 1.25, 95%CI = 1.02-1.53), but an effect existed among the non-demented (OR = 1.05, 95% CI = 1.01-1.10). There was higher discrimination accuracy for Alzheimer's disease when blood draw occurred in years closer to death; however, higher plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) levels were associated with Alzheimer's disease even when blood draw occurred >5 years from death. Ante-mortem plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) concentrations were associated with Alzheimer's disease neuropathology and accurately differentiated brain donors with and without autopsy-confirmed Alzheimer's disease. These findings support plasma phosphorylated-tau(181) as a scalable biomarker for the detection of Alzheimer's disease.
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50. |
- Padovani, A., et al.
(author)
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Is amyloid involved in acute neuroinflammation? A CSF analysis in encephalitis
- 2022
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In: Alzheimers & Dementia. - : Wiley. - 1552-5260 .- 1552-5279. ; 18:11, s. 2167-2175
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Several investigations have argued for a strong relationship between neuroinflammation and amyloid metabolism but it is still unclear whether inflammation exerts a pro-amyloidogenic effect, amplifies the neurotoxic effect of amyloid, or is protective. Methods Forty-two patients with acute encephalitis (ENC) and 18 controls underwent an extended cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) panel of inflammatory, amyloid (A beta 40, 42, and 38, sAPP-alpha, sAPP-beta), glial, and neuronal biomarkers. Linear and non-linear correlations between CSF biomarkers were evaluated studying conditional independence relationships. Results CSF levels of inflammatory cytokines and neuronal/glial markers were higher in ENC compared to controls, whereas the levels of amyloid-related markers did not differ. Inflammatory markers were not associated with amyloid markers but exhibited a correlation with glial and neuronal markers in conditional independence analysis. Discussion By an extensive CSF biomarkers analysis, this study showed that an acute neuroinflammation state, which is associated with glial activation and neuronal damage, does not influence amyloid homeostasis.
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