1. |
- Glasbey, JC, et al.
(author)
-
- 2021
-
swepub:Mat__t
|
|
2. |
|
|
3. |
- Khatri, C, et al.
(author)
-
Outcomes after perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection in patients with proximal femoral fractures: an international cohort study
- 2021
-
In: BMJ open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 11:11, s. e050830-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Studies have demonstrated high rates of mortality in people with proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, but there is limited published data on the factors that influence mortality for clinicians to make informed treatment decisions. This study aims to report the 30-day mortality associated with perioperative infection of patients undergoing surgery for proximal femoral fractures and to examine the factors that influence mortality in a multivariate analysis.SettingProspective, international, multicentre, observational cohort study.ParticipantsPatients undergoing any operation for a proximal femoral fracture from 1 February to 30 April 2020 and with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection (either 7 days prior or 30-day postoperative).Primary outcome30-day mortality. Multivariate modelling was performed to identify factors associated with 30-day mortality.ResultsThis study reports included 1063 patients from 174 hospitals in 19 countries. Overall 30-day mortality was 29.4% (313/1063). In an adjusted model, 30-day mortality was associated with male gender (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.68 to 3.13, p<0.001), age >80 years (OR 1.60, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.31, p=0.013), preoperative diagnosis of dementia (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.15 to 2.16, p=0.005), kidney disease (OR 1.73, 95% CI 1.18 to 2.55, p=0.005) and congestive heart failure (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.48, p=0.025). Mortality at 30 days was lower in patients with a preoperative diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 (OR 0.6, 95% CI 0.6 (0.42 to 0.85), p=0.004). There was no difference in mortality in patients with an increase to delay in surgery (p=0.220) or type of anaesthetic given (p=0.787).ConclusionsPatients undergoing surgery for a proximal femoral fracture with a perioperative infection of SARS-CoV-2 have a high rate of mortality. This study would support the need for providing these patients with individualised medical and anaesthetic care, including medical optimisation before theatre. Careful preoperative counselling is needed for those with a proximal femoral fracture and SARS-CoV-2, especially those in the highest risk groups.Trial registration numberNCT04323644
|
|
4. |
|
|
5. |
|
|
6. |
|
|
7. |
|
|
8. |
- De Angelis, A., et al.
(author)
-
Science with e-ASTROGAM A space mission for MeV-GeV gamma-ray astrophysics
- 2018
-
In: Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. - : Elsevier. - 2214-4048 .- 2214-4056. ; 19, s. 1-106
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- e-ASTROGAM ('enhanced ASTROGAM') is a breakthrough Observatory space mission, with a detector composed by a Silicon tracker, a calorimeter, and an anticoincidence system, dedicated to the study of the non-thermal Universe in the photon energy range from 0.3 MeV to 3 GeV - the lower energy limit can be pushed to energies as low as 150 keV for the tracker, and to 30 keV for calorimetric detection. The mission is based on an advanced space-proven detector technology, with unprecedented sensitivity, angular and energy resolution, combined with polarimetric capability. Thanks to its performance in the MeV-GeV domain, substantially improving its predecessors, e-ASTROGAM will open a new window on the non-thermal Universe, making pioneering observations of the most powerful Galactic and extragalactic sources, elucidating the nature of their relativistic outflows and their effects on the surroundings. With a line sensitivity in the MeV energy range one to two orders of magnitude better than previous generation instruments, e-ASTROGAM will determine the origin of key isotopes fundamental for the understanding of supernova explosion and the chemical evolution of our Galaxy. The mission will provide unique data of significant interest to a broad astronomical community, complementary to powerful observatories such as LIGO-Virgo-GEO600-KAGRA, SKA, ALMA, E-ELT, TMT, LSST, JWST, Athena, CTA, IceCube, KM3NeT, and LISA.
|
|
9. |
|
|
10. |
|
|
11. |
- Opheim, G., et al.
(author)
-
7T Epilepsy Task Force Consensus Recommendations on the Use of 7T MRI in Clinical Practice
- 2021
-
In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 96:7, s. 327-341
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Identifying a structural brain lesion on MRI has important implications in epilepsy and is the most important factor that correlates with seizure freedom after surgery in patients with drug-resistant focal onset epilepsy. However, at conventional magnetic field strengths (1.5 and 3T), only approximately 60%-85% of MRI examinations reveal such lesions. Over the last decade, studies have demonstrated the added value of 7T MRI in patients with and without known epileptogenic lesions from 1.5 and/or 3T. However, translation of 7T MRI to clinical practice is still challenging, particularly in centers new to 7T, and there is a need for practical recommendations on targeted use of 7T MRI in the clinical management of patients with epilepsy. The 7T Epilepsy Task Force-an international group representing 21 7T MRI centers with experience from scanning over 2,000 patients with epilepsy-would hereby like to share its experience with the neurology community regarding the appropriate clinical indications, patient selection and preparation, acquisition protocols and setup, technical challenges, and radiologic guidelines for 7T MRI in patients with epilepsy. This article mainly addresses structural imaging; in addition, it presents multiple nonstructural MRI techniques that benefit from 7T and hold promise as future directions in epilepsy. Answering to the increased availability of 7T MRI as an approved tool for diagnostic purposes, this article aims to provide guidance on clinical 7T MRI epilepsy management by giving recommendations on referral, suitable 7T MRI protocols, and image interpretation.
|
|
12. |
- Santoro, V., et al.
(author)
-
HighNESS conceptual design report: Volume I
- 2024
-
In: Journal of Neutron Research. - 1023-8166 .- 1477-2655. ; 25:3-4, s. 85-314
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Spallation Source, currently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a multidisciplinary international laboratory. Once completed to full specifications, it will operate the world’s most powerful pulsed neutron source. Supported by a 3 million Euro Research and Innovation Action within the EU Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) has been completed to develop a second neutron source located below the spallation target. Compared to the first source, designed for high cold and thermal brightness, the new source has been optimized to deliver higher intensity, and a shift to longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of cold (CN, 2–20 Å), very cold (VCN, 10–120 Å), and ultracold (UCN, >500 Å) neutrons. The second source comprises a large liquid deuterium moderator designed to produce CN and support secondary VCN and UCN sources. Various options have been explored in the proposed designs, aiming for world-leading performance in neutronics. These designs will enable the development of several new instrument concepts and facilitate the implementation of a high-sensitivity neutron-antineutron oscillation experiment (NNBAR). This document serves as the Conceptual Design Report for the HighNESS project, representing its final deliverable.
|
|
13. |
- Santoro, V., et al.
(author)
-
HighNESS conceptual design report: Volume II. the NNBAR experiment.
- 2024
-
In: Journal of Neutron Research. - 1023-8166 .- 1477-2655. ; 25:3-4, s. 315-406
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A key aim of the HighNESS project for the European Spallation Source is to enable cutting-edge particle physics experiments. This volume presents a conceptual design report for the NNBAR experiment. NNBAR would exploit a new cold lower moderator to make the first search in over thirty years for free neutrons converting to anti-neutrons. The observation of such a baryon-number-violating signature would be of fundamental significance and tackle open questions in modern physics, including the origin of the matter-antimatter asymmetry. This report shows the design of the beamline, supermirror focusing system, magnetic and radiation shielding, and anti-neutron detector necessary for the experiment. A range of simulation programs are employed to quantify the performance of the experiment and show how background can be suppressed. For a search with full background suppression, a sensitivity improvement of three orders of magnitude is expected, as compared with the previous search. Civil engineering studies for the NNBAR beamline are also shown, as is a costing model for the experiment.
|
|
14. |
- Hernández‑Morcillo, Monica, et al.
(author)
-
Scanning the solutions for the sustainable supply of forest ecosystem services in Europe
- 2022
-
In: Sustainability Science. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1862-4057 .- 1862-4065. ; 17:5, s. 2013-2029
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Forests are key components of European multifunctional landscapes and supply numerous forest ecosystem services (FES) fundamental to human well-being. The sustainable provision of FES has the potential to provide responses to major societal challenges, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, or rural development. To identify suitable strategies for the future sustenance of FES, we performed a solution scanning exercise with a group of transdisciplinary forest and FES experts from diferent European regions. We identifed and prioritized ffteen major challenges hindering the balanced provision of multiple FES and identifed a series of potential solutions to tackle each of them. The most prominent challenges referred to the increased frequency and impacts of extreme weather events and the normative mindset regarding forest management. The respective solutions pointed to the promotion of forest resilience via climate-smart forestry and mainstreaming FES-orientedmanagement through a threefold strategy focusing on education, awareness raising, and networking. In a subsequent survey,most solutions were assessed as highly efective, transferable, monitorable, and with potential for being economically efcient. The implementation of the solutions could have synergistic efects when applying the notion of leverage points. Sevenemerging pathways towards the sustainable supply of FES have been identifed. These pathways build on each other and areorganized based on their potential for transformation: (1) shifting forest management paradigms towards pluralistic ecosystem valuation; (2) using integrated landscape approaches; (3) increasing forest resilience; (4) coordinating actions betweenforest-related actors; (5) increasing participation in forest planning and management; (6) continuous, open, and transparentknowledge integration; and (7) using incentive-based instruments to support regulating and cultural FES. These pathwayscan contribute to the implementation of the new EU Forestry Strategy to support the balanced supply of multiple FES.
|
|
15. |
- Santoro, V., et al.
(author)
-
DEVELOPMENT OF A HIGH INTENSITY NEUTRON SOURCE AT THE EUROPEAN SPALLATION SOURCE : THE HIGHNESS PROJECT
- 2022
-
In: Proceedings of the 14th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Applications of Accelerators, AccApp 2021, Embedded with the 2021 ANS Winter Meeting. - 9780894487842 ; , s. 11-20
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Spallation Source (ESS), presently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a multidisciplinary international laboratory that will operate the world’s most powerful pulsed neutron source. Supported by a 3M Euro Research and Innovation Action within the EU Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) is now underway to develop a second neutron source below the spallation target. Compared to the first source, located above the spallation target and designed for high cold and thermal brightness, the new source will provide higher intensity, and a shift to longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of cold (2-20 Å), very cold (VCN, 10-120 Å), and ultra cold (UCN, > 500 Å) neutrons. The core of the second source will consist of a large liquid deuterium moderator to deliver a high flux of cold neutrons and to serve secondary VCN and UCN sources, for which different options are under study. The features of these new sources will boost several areas of condensed matter research and will provide unique opportunities in fundamental physics. Part of the HighNESS project is also dedicated to the development of future instruments that will make use of the new source and will complement the initial suite of instruments in construction at ESS. The HighNESS project started in October 2020. In this paper, the ongoing developments and the results obtained in the first year are described.
|
|
16. |
- Santoro, V., et al.
(author)
-
The HighNESS Project at the European Spallation Source : Current Status and Future Perspectives
- 2024
-
In: Nuclear science and engineering. - 0029-5639 .- 1943-748X. ; 198:1, s. 31-63
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Spallation Source (ESS), presently under construction in Lund, Sweden, is a multidisciplinary international laboratory that, once completed at full specifications, will operate the world's most powerful pulsed neutron source. Supported by a 3 M Euro Research and Innovation Action within the European Union Horizon 2020 program, a design study (HighNESS) is now underway to develop a second neutron source located below the spallation target. Compared to the first source, which is located above the spallation target and designed for high cold and thermal brightness, the new source is being optimized to deliver higher intensity and a shift to longer wavelengths in the spectral regions of cold neutrons (CNs) (2 to 20 & Aring;), very cold neutrons (VCNs) (10 to 120 & Aring;), and ultracold neutrons (UCNs) (> 500 & Aring;). The second source consists of a large liquid deuterium moderator to deliver CNs and serve secondary VCN and UCN sources, for which different options are under study. These new sources will boost several areas of condensed matter research and will provide unique opportunities in fundamental physics. The HighNESS project is now entering its last year, and we are working toward the Conceptual Design Report of the ESS upgrade. In this paper, results obtained in the first 2 years, ongoing developments, and future perspectives are described.
|
|
17. |
- Schouten, Stefan, et al.
(author)
-
An interlaboratory study of TEX86 and BIT analysis of sediments, extracts, and standard mixtures
- 2013
-
In: Geochemistry Geophysics Geosystems. - 1525-2027. ; 14:12, s. 5263-5285
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two commonly used proxies based on the distribution of glycerol dialkyl glycerol tetraethers (GDGTs) are the TEX86 (TetraEther indeX of 86 carbon atoms) paleothermometer for sea surface temperature reconstructions and the BIT (Branched Isoprenoid Tetraether) index for reconstructing soil organic matter input to the ocean. An initial round-robin study of two sediment extracts, in which 15 laboratories participated, showed relatively consistent TEX86 values (reproducibility +/- 3-4 degrees C when translated to temperature) but a large spread in BIT measurements (reproducibility +/- 0.41 on a scale of 0-1). Here we report results of a second round-robin study with 35 laboratories in which three sediments, one sediment extract, and two mixtures of pure, isolated GDGTs were analyzed. The results for TEX86 and BIT index showed improvement compared to the previous round-robin study. The reproducibility, indicating interlaboratory variation, of TEX86 values ranged from 1.3 to 3.0 degrees C when translated to temperature. These results are similar to those of other temperature proxies used in paleoceanography. Comparison of the results obtained from one of the three sediments showed that TEX86 and BIT indices are not significantly affected by interlaboratory differences in sediment extraction techniques. BIT values of the sediments and extracts were at the extremes of the index with values close to 0 or 1, and showed good reproducibility (ranging from 0.013 to 0.042). However, the measured BIT values for the two GDGT mixtures, with known molar ratios of crenarchaeol and branched GDGTs, had intermediate BIT values and showed poor reproducibility and a large overestimation of the true (i.e., molar-based) BIT index. The latter is likely due to, among other factors, the higher mass spectrometric response of branched GDGTs compared to crenarchaeol, which also varies among mass spectrometers. Correction for this different mass spectrometric response showed a considerable improvement in the reproducibility of BIT index measurements among laboratories, as well as a substantially improved estimation of molar-based BIT values. This suggests that standard mixtures should be used in order to obtain consistent, and molar-based, BIT values.
|
|
18. |
- Van Hoovels, L., et al.
(author)
-
IgA rheumatoid factor in rheumatoid arthritis
- 2022
-
In: Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine. - : Walter de Gruyter GmbH. - 1434-6621 .- 1437-4331. ; 60:10, s. 1617-1626
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objectives Rheumatoid factor (RF) is a well-established marker for the diagnosis and classification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Most studies evaluated IgM RF or isotype-nonspecific total RF assays. We evaluated the added value of IgA RF in this context. Methods An international sample cohort consisting of samples from 398 RA patients and 1073 controls was tested for IgA RF with 3 commercial assays. For all RA patients and 100 controls essential clinical and serological data for ACR/EULAR classification were available. Results The sensitivity of IgA RF for diagnosing RA was lower than the sensitivity of IgM RF. Differences in numerical values between IgA RF assays were observed. With all assays, the highest IgA RF values were found in patients with primary Sjogren's syndrome. Double positivity for IgM RF and IgA RF had a higher specificity for RA than either IgM RF or IgA RF. The sensitivity of double positivity was lower than the sensitivity of either IgA RF or IgM RF. Single positivity for IgA RF was at least as prevalent in controls than in RA patients. Adding IgA RF to IgM RF and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA) did not affect RA classification. However, combined positivity for IgA RF, IgM RF and IgG ACPA had a higher specificity and lower sensitivity for RA classification than positivity for either of the antibodies. Conclusions IgA RF showed a lower sensitivity than IgM RF. Combining IgA RF with IgM RF and ACPA did not improve sensitivity of RA classification. Combined positivity (IgA-RF/IgM-RF/ACPA) increased specificity.
|
|
19. |
- Van Hoovels, L., et al.
(author)
-
Multicentre study to improve clinical interpretation of rheumatoid factor and anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies test results
- 2022
-
In: RMD Open. - : BMJ. - 2056-5933. ; 8:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein/peptide antibodies (ACPA) are important biomarkers for diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is poor harmonisation of RF and ACPA assays. The aim of this study was to refine RF and ACPA interpretation across commercial assays. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six total RF isotype-non-specific assays, 3 RF IgM isotype-specific assays and 9 ACPA immunoglobulin G assays of 13 different companies were evaluated using 398 diagnostic samples from patients with RA and 1073 disease controls. RESULTS: Using cut-offs proposed by the manufacturer, there was a large variability in diagnostic sensitivity and specificity between assays. Thresholds of antibody levels were determined based on predefined specificities and used to define test result intervals. Test result interval-specific likelihood ratios (LRs) were concordant across the different RF and ACPA assays. For all assays, the LR for RA increased with increasing antibody level. Higher LRs were found for ACPA than for RF. ACPA levels associated with LRs >80 were found in a substantial fraction (>22%) of patients with RA. CONCLUSION: Defining thresholds for antibody levels and assigning test result interval-specific LRs allows alignment of clinical interpretation for all RF and ACPA assays. © Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2022. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.
|
|
20. |
- Van Hoovels, L., et al.
(author)
-
Standardisation of ACPA tests: evaluation of a new candidate reference preparation
- 2022
-
In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 81:10, s. 1379-1384
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Commercial assays measuring antibodies to citrullinated protein/peptide (ACPA) show poor quantitative agreement. The diagnostic industry has never adopted the International Union of Immunological Societies-Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (IUIS-CDC) ACPA reference standard. Recently, the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) prepared a new candidate ACPA standard (18/204). We evaluated both reference materials using different commercially available ACPA assays. Materials and methods This is an international study in which the NIBSC candidate ACPA standard and the IUIS-CDC ACPA reference material were analysed together with 398 diagnostic samples from individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and in 1073 individuals who did not have RA using nine commercial ACPA assays. Results For both reference materials and samples from individuals with RA and individuals who did not have RA, there were large differences in quantitative ACPA results between assays. For most assays, values for the IUIS-CDC standard were lower than values for NIBSC 18/204 and the IUIS-CDC/NIBSC ratio was comparable for several, but not all assays. When NIBSC 18/204 was used as a calibrator, an improvement in alignment of ACPA results across several of the evaluated assays was obtained. Moreover, NIBSC 18/204 could align clinical interpretation for some but not all assays. Conclusion Adoption of an international standard for ACPA determination is highly desirable. The candidate NIBSC 18/204 standard improved the standardisation and alignment of most ACPA assays and might therefore be recommended to be used as reference in commercial assays.
|
|
21. |
- Baldermann, Andre, et al.
(author)
-
Palaeo-environmental evolution of Central Asia during the Cenozoic : New insights from the continental sedimentary archive of the Valley of Lakes (Mongolia)
- 2021
-
In: Climate of the Past. - : Copernicus GmbH. - 1814-9324 .- 1814-9332. ; 17:5, s. 1955-1972
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Valley of Lakes basin (Mongolia) contains a unique continental sedimentary archive, suitable for constraining the influence of tectonics and climate change on the aridification of Central Asia in the Cenozoic. We identify the sedimentary provenance, the (post)depositional environment and the palaeo-climate based on sedimentological, petrographical, mineralogical, and (isotope) geochemical signatures recorded in authigenic and detrital silicates as well as soil carbonates in a sedimentary succession spanning from ~ 34 to 21 Ma. The depositional setting was characterized by an ephemeral braided river system draining prograding alluvial fans, with episodes of lake, playa or opensteppe sedimentation. Metamorphics from the northern adjacent Neoarchean to late Proterozoic hinterlands provided a continuous influx of silicate detritus to the basin, as indicated by K-Ar ages of detrital muscovite (~ 798-728 Ma) and discrimination function analysis. The authigenic clay fraction is dominated by illite-smectite and "hairy"illite (K-Ar ages of ~ 34-25 Ma), which formed during coupled petrogenesis and precipitation from hydrothermal fluids originating from major basalt flow events (~32-29 and ~ 29-25 Ma). Changes in hydroclimate are recorded in δ18 O and δ13 C profiles of soil carbonates and in silicate mineral weathering patterns, indicating that comparatively humid to semi-arid conditions prevailed in the late(st) Eocene, changing into arid conditions in the Oligocene and back to humid to semi-arid conditions in the early Miocene. Aridification steps are indicated at ~ 34-33, ~ 31, ~ 28 and ~ 23 Ma and coincide with some episodes of high-latitude ice-sheet expansion inferred from marine deep-sea sedimentary records. This suggests that long-term variations in the ocean-atmosphere circulation patterns due to pCO2 fall, reconfiguration of ocean gateways and ice-sheet expansion in Antarctica could have impacted the hydroclimate and weathering regime in the basin. We conclude that the aridification in Central Asia was triggered by reduced moisture influx by westerly winds driven by Cenozoic climate forcing and the exhumation of the Tian Shan and Altai Mountains and modulated by global climate events.
|
|
22. |
- Bernasconi, G, et al.
(author)
-
Do spermathecal morphology and inter-mating interval influence paternity in the polyandrous beetle Tribolium castaneum?
- 2006
-
In: Behaviour. - : Brill. - 1568-539X .- 0005-7959. ; 143:5, s. 643-658
-
Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- In polyandrous insects, postcopulatory sexual selection is a pervasive evolutionary force favouring male and female traits that allow control of offspring paternity. Males may influence paternity through adaptations for sperm competition, and females through adaptations facilitating cryptic female choice. Yet, the mechanisms are often complex, involving behaviour, physiology or morphology, and they are difficult to identify. In red flour beetles (Tribolium castaneum), paternity varies widely, and evidence Suggests that both male and female traits influence the outcome of sperm competition. To test the role of spermathecal morphology and of sperm storage processes on the outcome of sperm competition, we mated each of 26 virgin females with two males. one of which carrying a phenotypic marker to assign offspring paternity. We manipulated the interval between mating with the first and the second male, to create different conditions of sperm storage (overlapping and non-overlapping) in the female reproductive tract. To investigate the role of sperm storage more closely. we examined the relationship between paternity and spermathecal morphology in a subset of 14 experimental females. In addition, we also characterized variation in spermathecal morphology in three different strains, wildtype, Chicago black and Reindeer. No significant influence of the intermating interval was found on the paternity of the focal male, although the direction of the difference was in the expected direction of higher last male paternity for longer intervals. Moreover, paternity was not significantly associated with spermathecal morphology, although spermathecal volume, complexity, and tubule width varied significantly and substantially among individuals in all investigated strains.
|
|
23. |
- Bernasconi, G, et al.
(author)
-
Evolutionary ecology of the prezygotic stage
- 2004
-
In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 1095-9203 .- 0036-8075. ; 303:5660, s. 971-975
-
Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The life cycles of sexually reproducing animals and flowering plants begin with male and female gametes and their fusion to form a zygote. Selection at this earliest stage is crucial for offspring quality and raises similar evolutionary issues, yet zoology and botany use dissimilar approaches. There are striking parallels in the role of prezygotic competition for sexual selection on males, cryptic female choice, sexual conflict, and against selfish genetic elements and genetic incompatibility. In both groups, understanding the evolution of sex-specific and reproductive traits will require an appreciation of the effects of prezygotic competition on fitness.
|
|
24. |
|
|
25. |
- Cippà, Pietro E, et al.
(author)
-
Risk Stratification for Rejection and Infection after Kidney Transplantation.
- 2015
-
In: Clinical Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. - 1555-905X. ; 10:12, s. 2213-2220
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Definition of individual risk profile is the first step to implement strategies to keep the delicate balance between under- and overimmunosuppression after kidney transplantation.
|
|
26. |
- Creary, Lisa E., et al.
(author)
-
Next-Generation Sequencing Identifies Extended HLA Class I and II Haplotypes Associated With Early-Onset and Late-Onset Myasthenia Gravis in Italian, Norwegian, and Swedish Populations
- 2021
-
In: Frontiers in Immunology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 1664-3224. ; 12
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genetic susceptibility to myasthenia gravis (MG) associates with specific HLA alleles and haplotypes at the class I and II regions in various populations. Previous studies have only examined alleles at a limited number of HLA loci that defined only broad serotypes or alleles defined at the protein sequence level. Consequently, genetic variants in noncoding and untranslated HLA gene segments have not been fully explored but could also be important determinants for MG. To gain further insight into the role of HLA in MG, we applied next-generation sequencing to analyze sequence variation at eleven HLA genes in early-onset (EO) and late-onset (LO) non-thymomatous MG patients positive for the acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies and ethnically matched controls from Italy, Norway, and Sweden. For all three populations, alleles and haplotype blocks present on the ancestral haplotype AH8.1 were associated with risk in AChR-EOMG patients. HLA-B*08:01:01:01 was the dominant risk allele in Italians (OR = 3.28, P = 1.83E−05), Norwegians (OR = 3.52, P = 4.41E−16), and in Swedes HLA-B*08:01 was the primary risk allele (OR = 4.24, P <2.2E-16). Protective alleles and haplotype blocks were identified on the HLA-DRB7, and HLA-DRB13.1 class II haplotypes in Italians and Norwegians, whereas in Swedes HLA-DRB7 exhibited the main protective effect. For AChR-LOMG patients, the HLA-DRB15.1 haplotype and associated alleles were significantly associated with susceptibility in all groups. The HLA-DR13–HLA-DR–HLA-DQ haplotype was associated with protection in all AChR-LOMG groups. This study has confirmed and extended previous findings that the immunogenetic predisposition profiles for EOMG and LOMG are distinct. In addition, the results are consistent with a role for non-coding HLA genetic variants in the pathogenesis of MG.
|
|
27. |
|
|
28. |
|
|
29. |
|
|
30. |
|
|
31. |
- Iqbal, Z., et al.
(author)
-
Evidence for a solid phase of dodecahedral C-20
- 2003
-
In: European Physical Journal B. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1434-6028 .- 1434-6036. ; 31:4, s. 509-515
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Evidence is presented for the formation of a solid phase based on the smallest fullerene, C-20, in thin diamond-like carbon films deposited by ultraviolet laser ablation from diamond onto nickel substrates at room temperature in the presence of 10(-4) torr of cyclohexane or benzene. Laser desorption mass spectrometry from the films shows the presence of C-20, C-21 and C-22 species, while micro-Raman spectroscopy and electron diffraction from selected particles together with first principle density-functional calculations, indicate a cubic solid with dodecahedral C-20 Cages as building blocks. Unlike solid C-60 and fully protonated C-20, which are bound by van der Waals forces, the proposed structure is stabilized by linking of the C-20 dodecahedra with bridging carbon atoms at interstitial tetrahedral sites to form a face-centered-cubic lattice with 22 carbon atoms per unit cell.
|
|
32. |
- Kreins, AY, et al.
(author)
-
Human TYK2 deficiency: Mycobacterial and viral infections without hyper-IgE syndrome
- 2015
-
In: The Journal of experimental medicine. - : Rockefeller University Press. - 1540-9538 .- 0022-1007. ; 212:10, s. 1641-1662
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Autosomal recessive, complete TYK2 deficiency was previously described in a patient (P1) with intracellular bacterial and viral infections and features of hyper-IgE syndrome (HIES), including atopic dermatitis, high serum IgE levels, and staphylococcal abscesses. We identified seven other TYK2-deficient patients from five families and four different ethnic groups. These patients were homozygous for one of five null mutations, different from that seen in P1. They displayed mycobacterial and/or viral infections, but no HIES. All eight TYK2-deficient patients displayed impaired but not abolished cellular responses to (a) IL-12 and IFN-α/β, accounting for mycobacterial and viral infections, respectively; (b) IL-23, with normal proportions of circulating IL-17+ T cells, accounting for their apparent lack of mucocutaneous candidiasis; and (c) IL-10, with no overt clinical consequences, including a lack of inflammatory bowel disease. Cellular responses to IL-21, IL-27, IFN-γ, IL-28/29 (IFN-λ), and leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) were normal. The leukocytes and fibroblasts of all seven newly identified TYK2-deficient patients, unlike those of P1, responded normally to IL-6, possibly accounting for the lack of HIES in these patients. The expression of exogenous wild-type TYK2 or the silencing of endogenous TYK2 did not rescue IL-6 hyporesponsiveness, suggesting that this phenotype was not a consequence of the TYK2 genotype. The core clinical phenotype of TYK2 deficiency is mycobacterial and/or viral infections, caused by impaired responses to IL-12 and IFN-α/β. Moreover, impaired IL-6 responses and HIES do not appear to be intrinsic features of TYK2 deficiency in humans.
|
|
33. |
- Ross, Fiona M., et al.
(author)
-
Report from the European Myeloma Network on interphase FISH in multiple myeloma and related disorders
- 2012
-
In: Haematologica. - : Ferrata Storti Foundation (Haematologica). - 1592-8721 .- 0390-6078. ; 97:8, s. 1272-1277
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The European Myeloma Network has organized two workshops on fluorescence in situ hybridization in multiple myeloma. The first aimed to identify specific indications and consensus technical approaches of current practice. A second workshop followed a quality control exercise in which 21 laboratories analyzed diagnostic cases of purified plasma cells for recurrent abnormalities. The summary report was discussed at the EHA Myeloma Scientific Working Group Meeting 2010. During the quality control exercise, there was acceptable agreement on more than 1,000 tests. The conclusions from the exercise were that the primary clinical applications for FISH analysis were for newly diagnosed cases of MM or frank relapse cases. A range of technical recommendations included: 1) material should be part of the first draw of the aspirate; 2) samples should be sent at suitable times to allow for the lengthy processing procedure; 3) most importantly, PCs must be purified or specifically identified; 4) positive cut-off levels should be relatively conservative: 10% for fusion or break-apart probes, 20% for numerical abnormalities; 5) informative probes should be combined to best effect; 6) in specialist laboratories, a single experienced analyst is considered adequate; 7) at least 100 PC should be scored; 8) essential abnormalities to test for are t(4;14), t(14;16) and 17p13 deletions; 9) suitable commercial probes should be available for clinically relevant abnormalities; 10) the clinical report should be expressed clearly and must state the percentage of PC involved and the method used for identification; 11) a retrospective European based FISH data bank linked to clinical data should be generated; and 12) prospective analysis should be centralized for upcoming trials based on the recommendations made. The European Myeloma Network aims to build on these recommendations to establish standards for a common European data base to define subgroups with prognostic significance.
|
|
34. |
- Vickers, Madeleine L., et al.
(author)
-
The ikaite to calcite transformation : Implications for palaeoclimate studies
- 2022
-
In: Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta. - : Elsevier BV. - 0016-7037. ; 334, s. 201-216
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Marine sedimentary ikaite is the parent mineral to glendonite, stellate pseudomorphs found throughout the geological record which are most usually composed of calcite. Ikaite is known to be metastable at earth surface temperatures and pressures, readily breaking down to more stable carbonate polymorphs when exposed to warm (ambient) conditions. Yet the process of transformation of ikaite to calcite is not well understood, and there is an ongoing debate as to the palaeoclimatic significance of glendonites in the geological record. This study uses a combination of techniques to examine the breakdown of ikaite to calcite, outside of the ikaite growth medium, and to assess the palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental significance of stable and clumped isotope compositions of ikaite-derived calcite. Powder X-ray diffraction shows that ikaite undergoes a quasi- solid-state transformation to calcite during heating of samples in air, yet when ikaite transforms under a high temperature differential, minor dissolution-recrystallisation may also occur with the ikaite structural waters. No significant isotopic equilibration to transformation temperature is observed in the resulting calcite. Therefore, in cases of transformation of ikaite in air, clumped and stable isotope thermometry can be used to reconstruct ikaite growth temperatures. In the case of ancient glendonites, where transformation of the ikaite occurred in contact with the interstitial waters of the host sediments over unknown timescales, it is uncertain whether the reconstructed clumped isotope temperatures reflect ikaite crystallisation or its transformation temperatures. Yet clumped and stable isotope thermometry may still be used conservatively to estimate an upper limit for bottom water temperatures. Furthermore, stable isotope along with element/Ca ratios shed light on the chemical environment of ikaite growth. Our data indicate that a range of (bio)geochemical processes may act to promote ikaite formation at different marine sedimentary sites, including bacterial sulphate reduction and anaerobic oxidation of methane. The colours of the ikaites, from light brown to dark brown, indicate a high organic matter content, favouring high rates of bacterial sulphate reduction as the main driver of ikaite precipitation. Highest Mg/Ca ratios are found in the most unstable ikaites, indicating that Mg acts to destabilise ikaite structure.
|
|