| 1. |
- Attauabi, Mohamed, et al.
(author)
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Influence of Genetics, Immunity and the Microbiome on the Prognosis of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD Prognosis Study) : the protocol for a Copenhagen IBD Inception Cohort Study
- 2022
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ Publishing Group Ltd. - 2044-6055. ; 12:6, s. e055779-e055779
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction: Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic, inflammatory diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. We have initiated a Danish population-based inception cohort study aiming to investigate the underlying mechanisms for the heterogeneous course of IBD, including need for, and response to, treatment.Methods and analysis: IBD Prognosis Study is a prospective, population-based inception cohort study of unselected, newly diagnosed adult, adolescent and paediatric patients with IBD within the uptake area of Hvidovre University Hospital and Herlev University Hospital, Denmark, which covers approximately 1 050 000 inhabitants (~20% of the Danish population). The diagnosis of IBD will be according to the Porto diagnostic criteria in paediatric and adolescent patients or the Copenhagen diagnostic criteria in adult patients. All patients will be followed prospectively with regular clinical examinations including ileocolonoscopies, MRI of the small intestine, validated patient-reported measures and objective examinations with intestinal ultrasound. In addition, intestinal biopsies from ileocolonoscopies, stool, rectal swabs, saliva samples, swabs of the oral cavity and blood samples will be collected systematically for the analysis of biomarkers, microbiome and genetic profiles. Environmental factors and quality of life will be assessed using questionnaires and, when available, automatic registration of purchase data. The occurrence and course of extraintestinal manifestations will be evaluated by rheumatologists, dermatologists and dentists, and assessed by MR cholangiopancreatography, MR of the spine and sacroiliac joints, ultrasonography of peripheral joints and entheses, clinical oral examination, as well as panoramic radiograph of the jaws. Fibroscans and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans will be performed to monitor occurrence and course of chronic liver diseases, osteopenia and osteoporosis.Ethics and dissemination: This study has been approved by Ethics Committee of the Capital Region of Denmark (approval number: H-20065831). Study results will be disseminated through publication in international scientific journals and presentation at (inter)national conferences.
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| 2. |
- Kjeld, Thomas, et al.
(author)
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Cardiac hypoxic resistance and decreasing lactate during maximum apnea in elite breath hold divers
- 2021
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In: Scientific Reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Breath-hold divers (BHD) enduring apnea for more than 4 min are characterized by resistance to release of reactive oxygen species, reduced sensitivity to hypoxia, and low mitochondrial oxygen consumption in their skeletal muscles similar to northern elephant seals. The muscles and myocardium of harbor seals also exhibit metabolic adaptations including increased cardiac lactate-dehydrogenase-activity, exceeding their hypoxic limit. We hypothesized that the myocardium of BHD possesses similar adaptive mechanisms. During maximum apnea 15O-H2O-PET/CT (n = 6) revealed no myocardial perfusion deficits but increased myocardial blood flow (MBF). Cardiac MRI determined blood oxygen level dependence oxygenation (n = 8) after 4 min of apnea was unaltered compared to rest, whereas cine-MRI demonstrated increased left ventricular wall thickness (LVWT). Arterial blood gases were collected after warm-up and maximum apnea in a pool. At the end of the maximum pool apnea (5 min), arterial saturation decreased to 52%, and lactate decreased 20%. Our findings contrast with previous MR studies of BHD, that reported elevated cardiac troponins and decreased myocardial perfusion after 4 min of apnea. In conclusion, we demonstrated for the first time with 15O-H2O-PET/CT and MRI in elite BHD during maximum apnea, that MBF and LVWT increases while lactate decreases, indicating anaerobic/fat-based cardiac-metabolism similar to diving mammals.
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| 3. |
- Liposits, Gabor, et al.
(author)
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Quality of Life in Vulnerable Older Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer Receiving Palliative Chemotherapy : The Randomized NORDIC9-Study
- 2021
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In: Cancers. - : MDPI. - 2072-6694. ; 13:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quality of life data from randomized trials are lacking in older patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). In the randomized NORDIC9-study, reduced-dose S1+oxaliplatin (SOx) showed superior efficacy compared to full-dose S1 monotherapy. We hypothesized that treatment with SOx does not result in inferior quality of life. Patients with mCRC aged ≥70 years and that were not a candidate for standard combination chemotherapy were included and randomly assigned to receive either S1 or SOx. The EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed at baseline, after 9, and 18 weeks. The primary endpoint was global Quality of Life (QoL) at 9 weeks. For statistical analysis, a non-inferiority design was chosen applying linear mixed effects models for repeated measurements. The results were interpreted according to statistical significance and anchor-based, clinically relevant between-group minimally important differences (MID). A total of 160 patients aged (median (Interquartile range (IQR))) 78 years (76–81) were included. The QLQ-C30 questionnaire was completed by 150, 100, and 60 patients at baseline, at 9, and 18 weeks, respectively. The difference at 9 weeks in global QoL was 6.85 (95%CI—1.94; 15.65) and 7.37 (0.70; 14.05) in the physical functioning domain in favor of SOx exceeding the threshold for MID. At 18 weeks, the between-group MID in physical functioning was preserved. Dose-reduced combination chemotherapy may be recommended in vulnerable older patients with mCRC, rather than full-dose monotherapy.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Nielsen, Roni, et al.
(author)
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Cardiovascular Effects of Treatment With the Ketone Body 3-Hydroxybutyrate in Chronic Heart Failure Patients
- 2019
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In: Circulation. - : LIPPINCOTT WILLIAMS & WILKINS. - 0009-7322 .- 1524-4539. ; 139:18, s. 2129-2141
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Myocardial utilization of 3-hydroxybutyrate (3-OHB) is increased in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). However, the cardiovascular effects of increased circulating plasma-3-OHB levels in these patients are unknown. Consequently, the authors' aim was to modulate circulating 3-OHB levels in HFrEF patients and evaluate: (1) changes in cardiac output (CO); (2) a potential doseresponse relationship between 3-OHB levels and CO; (3) the impact on myocardial external energy efficiency (MEE) and oxygen consumption (MVO 2); and (4) whether the cardiovascular response differed between HFrEF patients and age-matched volunteers.METHODS: Study 1: 16 chronic HFrEF patients (left ventricular ejection fraction: 37 +/- 3%) were randomized in a crossover design to 3-hour of 3-OHB or placebo infusion. Patients were monitored invasively with a Swan-Ganz catheter and with echocardiography. Study 2: In a doseresponse study, 8 HFrEF patients were examined at increasing 3-OHB infusion rates. Study 3 to 4: 10 HFrEF patients and 10 age-matched volunteers were randomized in a crossover design to 3-hour 3-OHB or placebo infusion. MEE and MVO 2 were evaluated using 11C-acetate positron emission tomography.RESULTS: 3-OHB infusion increased circulating levels of plasma 3-OHB from 0.4 +/- 0.3 to 3.3 +/- 0.4 mM (P< 0.001). CO rose by 2.0 +/- 0.2 L/min (P< 0.001) because of an increase in stroke volume of 20 +/- 2 mL (P< 0.001) and heart rate of 7 +/- 2 beats per minute (bpm) (P< 0.001). Left ventricular ejection fraction increased 8 +/- 1% (P< 0.001) numerically. There was a dose-response relationship with a significant CO increase of 0.3 L/min already at plasma-3-OHB levels of 0.7 mM (P< 0.001). 3-OHB increased MVO 2 without altering MEE. The response to 3-OHB infusion in terms of MEE and CO did not differ between HFrEF patents and age-matched volunteers.CONCLUSIONS: 3-OHB has beneficial hemodynamic effects in HFrEF patients without impairing MEE. These beneficial effects are detectable in the physiological concentration range of circulating 3-OHB levels. The hemodynamic effects of 3-OHB were observed in both HFrEF patients and age-matched volunteers. 3-OHB may potentially constitute a novel treatment principle in HFrEF patients.
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| 6. |
- Nilbert, Mef, et al.
(author)
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The power of empirical data; lessons from the clinical registry initiatives in Scandinavian cancer care
- 2020
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In: Acta Oncologica. - 0284-186X. ; 59:11, s. 1343-1356
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: In Scandinavia, there is a strong tradition for research and quality monitoring based on registry data. In Denmark, Norway and Sweden, 63 clinical registries collect data on disease characteristics, treatment and outcome of various cancer diagnoses and groups based on process-related and outcome-related variables. Aim: We describe the cancer-related clinical registries, compare organizational structures and quality indicators and provide examples of how these registries have been used to monitor clinical performance, develop prediction models, assess outcome and provide quality benchmarks. Further, we define unmet needs such as inclusion of patient-reported outcome variables, harmonization of variables and barriers for data sharing. Results and conclusions: The clinical registry framework provides an empirical basis for evidence-based development of high-quality and equitable cancer care. The registries can be used to follow implementation of new treatment principles and monitor patterns of care across geographical areas and patient groups. At the same time, the lessons learnt suggest that further developments and coordination are needed to utilize the full potential of the registry initiative in cancer care.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
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| 9. |
- Arthur, Rhonda, et al.
(author)
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Serum glucose, triglycerides, and cholesterol in relation to prostate cancer death in the Swedish AMORIS study
- 2019
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In: Cancer Causes and Control. - : Springer. - 0957-5243 .- 1573-7225. ; 30:2, s. 195-206
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Lifestyle-related conditions such as obesity are associated with prostate cancer progression, but the associations with hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia are unclear. This study, therefore, aims to examine the association of glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol with prostate cancer death. Methods: From the Swedish AMORIS cohort, we selected 14,150 men diagnosed with prostate cancer between 1996 and 2011 who had prediagnostic measurements of serum glucose, triglycerides, and total cholesterol. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regressionmodels were used to determine the hazard ratios for death in relation to the aforementioned metabolic markers. Results: Using clinical cut-off points, a non-significant positive association was observed between glucose and prostate cancer death. When compared to those with glucose in the lowest quartile, those in the highest quartile had greater risk of prostate cancer death (HR 1.19; 95% CI 1.02-1.39). However, neither total cholesterol nor triglycerides were associated with prostate cancer death. Glucose and triglycerides were positively associated with overall, cardiovascular, and other deaths. Hypercholesterolemia was only associated with risk of CVD death. Conclusion: Our results suggest that glucose levels may influence prostate cancer survival, but further studies using repeated measurements are needed to further elucidate how glucose levels may influence prostate cancer progression.
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| 10. |
- Beck, Ingela, et al.
(author)
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Translation and cultural adaptation of the integrated palliative care outcome scale for use in Sweden
- 2016
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In: Palliative Medicine.
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Patient-reported outcome measurements are important for measuring changes in patients’ health over time, evaluating the quality of care given, and improving the quality of care service. The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is one such measure, capturing clinically important physical, psychological, social, and existential aspects of patients’ palliative care needs. When patients are unable to complete the IPOS questionnaire themselves with or without assistance, a staff version is also available.Aim: To translate and culturally adapt the IPOS Patient and Staff versions for use in the Swedish context.Method: The process comprised forward and backward translations, cultural adaptation, and expert group reviews. To validate the resulting Swedish version of IPOS, cognitive interviews were conducted with 13 patients and 15 staff from various care contexts.Preliminary results: The Swedish expert group changed some words and grammar due to minor discrepancies in the back translation process. The participants in the cognitive interviews responded positively overall to the questionnaire. Deteriorating health and not having Swedish as the native language did not cause problems in completing the questionnaire. After the first round of cognitive interviews, problematic questions and answer options were rephrased, and redundant text was deleted.Conclusion: The Swedish IPOS (Patient and Staff versions) has been validated linguistically and culturally, and is now available for clinical use. The next final step in the validation process will be to test the psychometric performance of the Swedish questionnaires.
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| 11. |
- Beck, Ingela, et al.
(author)
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Translation and cultural adaptation of the integrated palliative care outcome scale for use in Sweden
- 2016
-
In: Palliative Medicine. - : SAGE Publications. - 0269-2163 .- 1477-030X.
-
Conference paper (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Patient-reported outcome measurements are important for measuring changes in patients’ health over time, evaluating the quality of care given, and improving the quality of care service. The Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) is one such measure, capturing clinically important physical, psychological, social, and existential aspects of patients’ palliative care needs. When patients are unable to complete the IPOS questionnaire themselves with or without assistance, a staff version is also available. Aim: To translate and culturally adapt the IPOS Patient and Staff versions for use in the Swedish context. Method: The process comprised forward and backward translations, cultural adaptation, and expert group reviews. To validate the resulting Swedish version of IPOS, cognitive interviews were conducted with 13 patients and 15 staff from various care contexts. Preliminary results: The Swedish expert group changed some words and grammar due to minor discrepancies in the back translation process. The participants in the cognitive interviews responded positively overall to the questionnaire. Deteriorating health and not having Swedish as the native language did not cause problems in completing the questionnaire. After the first round of cognitive interviews, problematic questions and answer options were rephrased, and redundant text was deleted. Conclusion: The Swedish IPOS (Patient and Staff versions) has been validated linguistically and culturally, and is now available for clinical use. The next final step in the validation process will be to test the psychometric performance of the Swedish questionnaires.
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| 12. |
- Beck, Ingela, et al.
(author)
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Translation and cultural adaptation of the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale including cognitive interviewing with patients and staff
- 2017
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In: BMC Palliative Care. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1472-684X. ; 16:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: To expand our clinical and scientific knowledge about holistic outcomes within palliative care, there is a need for agreed-upon patient-reported outcome measures. These patient-reported outcome measures then require translation and cultural adaptation, either from country-specific languages to English, or the other way around. The aim of this study was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) to the Swedish care context.METHODS: Swedish versions of IPOS Patient and IPOS Staff were developed and culturally adapted using recommended guidelines including cognitive interviews with patients (n = 13) and staff (n = 15) from different care contexts including general and specialised palliative care.RESULTS: The comprehension and judgement difficulties identified in the pre-final patient and staff versions were successfully solved during the cognitive interviewing process. IPOS was well accepted by both patients and staff, none of the questions were experienced as inappropriate, and all questions were judged important.CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we translated and culturally adapted the patient and staff versions of IPOS, and demonstrated face and content validity and acceptability of the scale through cognitive interviewing with patients and staff within residential care facility, surgical and specialised palliative home care units. Cognitive interviewing in parallel with patients and staff in rounds, with tentative analysis in between, was a suitable method for identifying and solving challenges with comprehension and evaluation in the pre-final version of IPOS. The Swedish IPOS is now available for use in a variety of clinical care settings.
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| 13. |
- Berglund, Anders, et al.
(author)
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Social differences in lung cancer management and survival in South East England : a cohort study
- 2012
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 2:3, s. e001048-
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:To examine possible social variations in lung cancer survival and assess if any such gradients can be attributed to social differences in comorbidity, stage at diagnosis or treatment.DESIGN:Population-based cohort identified in the Thames Cancer Registry.SETTING:South East England.PARTICIPANTS:15 582 lung cancer patients diagnosed between 2006 and 2008.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Stage at diagnosis, surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and survival.RESULTS:The likelihood of being diagnosed as having early-stage disease did not vary by socioeconomic quintiles (p=0.58). In early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer, the likelihood of undergoing surgery was lowest in the most deprived group. There were no socioeconomic differences in the likelihood of receiving radiotherapy in stage III disease, while in advanced disease and in small-cell lung cancer, receipt of chemotherapy differed over socioeconomic quintiles (p<0.01). In early-stage disease and following adjustment for confounders, the HR between the most deprived and the most affluent group was 1.24 (95% CI 0.98 to 1.56). Corresponding estimates in stage III and advanced disease or small-cell lung cancer were 1.16 (95% CI 1.01 to 1.34) and 1.12 (95% CI 1.05 to 1.20), respectively. In early-stage disease, the crude HR between the most deprived and the most affluent group was approximately 1.4 and constant through follow-up, while in patients with advanced disease or small-cell lung cancer, no difference was detectable after 3 months.CONCLUSION:We observed socioeconomic variations in management and survival in patients diagnosed as having lung cancer in South East England between 2006 and 2008, differences which could not fully be explained by social differences in stage at diagnosis, co-morbidity and treatment. The survival observed in the most affluent group should set the target for what is achievable for all lung cancer patients, managed in the same healthcare system.
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| 14. |
- Bergsteinsson, Hjörleifur G., et al.
(author)
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Heat load forecasting using adaptive temporal hierarchies
- 2021
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In: Applied Energy. - : Elsevier BV. - 0306-2619. ; 292
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Heat load forecasts are crucial for energy operators in order to optimize the energy production at district heating plants for the coming hours. Furthermore, forecasts of heat load are needed for optimized control of the district heating network since a lower temperature reduces the heat loss, but the required heat supply at the end-users puts a lower limit on the temperature level. Consequently, improving the accuracy of heat load forecasts leads to savings and reduced heat loss by enabling improved control of the network and an optimized production schedule at the plant. This paper proposes the use of temporal hierarchies to enhance the accuracy of heat load forecasts in district heating. Usually, forecasts are only made at the temporal aggregation level that is the most important for the system. However, forecasts for multiple aggregation levels can be reconciled and lead to more accurate forecasts at essentially all aggregation levels. Here it is important that the auto- and cross-covariance between forecast errors at the different aggregation levels are taken into account. This paper suggests a novel framework using temporal hierarchies and adaptive estimation to improve heat load forecast accuracy by optimally combining forecasts from multiple aggregation levels using a reconciliation process. The weights for the reconciliation are computed using an adaptively estimated covariance matrix with a full structure, enabling the process to share time-varying information both within and between aggregation levels. The case study shows that the proposed framework improves the heat load forecast accuracy by 15% compared to commercial state-of-the-art operational forecasts.
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| 15. |
- Biasin, Elisa, et al.
(author)
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Femtosecond X-Ray Scattering Study of Ultrafast Photoinduced Structural Dynamics in Solvated[Co(terpy)2]2$
- 2016
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In: Physical Review Letters. - : American Physical Society (APS). - 1079-7114 .- 0031-9007. ; 117:1
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We study the structural dynamics of photoexcited [Co(terpy)2]2+ in an aqueous solution with ultrafast x-ray diffuse scattering experiments conducted at the Linac Coherent Light Source. Through direct comparisons with density functional theory calculations, our analysis shows that the photoexcitation event leads to elongation of the Co-N bonds, followed by coherent Co-N bond length oscillations arising from the impulsive excitation of a vibrational mode dominated by the symmetrical stretch of all six Co-N bonds. This mode has a period of 0.33 ps and decays on a subpicosecond time scale. We find that the equilibrium bond-elongated structure of the high spin state is established on a single-picosecond time scale and that this state has a lifetime of ∼7 ps.
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| 16. |
- Bjursten, Henrik, et al.
(author)
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Once after a full moon : acute type A aortic dissection and lunar phases
- 2022
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In: Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery. - : Oxford University Press. - 1569-9293 .- 1569-9285. ; 34:1, s. 105-110
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVES: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) is a rare but severe condition, routinely treated with emergent cardiac surgery. Many surgeons have the notion that patients with ATAAD tend to come in clusters, but no studies have examined these observations. This investigation was undertaken to study the potential association between the lunar cycle and the incidence of ATAAD.METHODS: We collected information on 2995 patients who underwent ATAAD surgery at centres from the Nordic Consortium for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection collaboration. We cross-referenced the time of surgery with lunar phase using a case-crossover design with 2 different definitions of full moon (>99% illumination and the 7-day full moon period).RESULTS: The period when the moon was illuminated the most (99% definition) did not show any significant increase in incidence for ATAAD surgery. However, when the full moon period was compared with all other moon phases, it yielded a relative risk of 1.08 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00-1.17, P = 0.057] and, compared to waxing moon, only the relative risk was 1.11 (95% CI 1.01-1.23, P = 0.027). The peak incidence came 4-6 days after the moon was fully illuminated.CONCLUSIONS: This study found an overrepresentation of surgery for ATAAD during the full moon phase. The explanation for this is not known, but we speculate that sleep deprivation during full moon leads to a temporary increase in blood pressure, which in turn could trigger rupture of the aortic wall. While this finding is interesting, it needs to be corroborated and the clinical implications are debateable.
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| 17. |
- Bocci, Matteo, et al.
(author)
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Infection of Brain Pericytes Underlying Neuropathology of COVID-19 Patients.
- 2021
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In: International journal of molecular sciences. - : MDPI AG. - 1422-0067 .- 1661-6596. ; 22:21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A wide range of neurological manifestations have been associated with the development of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection. However, the etiology of the neurological symptomatology is still largely unexplored. Here, we used state-of-the-art multiplexed immunostaining of human brains (n = 6 COVID-19, median age = 69.5 years; n = 7 control, median age = 68 years) and demonstrated that expression of the SARS-CoV-2 receptor ACE2 is restricted to a subset of neurovascular pericytes. Strikingly, neurological symptoms were exclusive to, and ubiquitous in, patients that exhibited moderate to high ACE2 expression in perivascular cells. Viral dsRNA was identified in the vascular wall and paralleled by perivascular inflammation, as signified by T cell and macrophage infiltration. Furthermore, fibrinogen leakage indicated compromised integrity of the blood-brain barrier. Notably, cerebrospinal fluid from additional 16 individuals (n = 8 COVID-19, median age = 67 years; n = 8 control, median age = 69.5 years) exhibited significantly lower levels of the pericyte marker PDGFRβ in SARS-CoV-2-infected cases, indicative of disrupted pericyte homeostasis. We conclude that pericyte infection by SARS-CoV-2 underlies virus entry into the privileged central nervous system space, as well as neurological symptomatology due to perivascular inflammation and a locally compromised blood-brain barrier.
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| 18. |
- Bruder, CEG, et al.
(author)
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High resolution deletion analysis of constitutional DNA from neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) patients using microarray-CGH
- 2001
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In: Human Molecular Genetics. - Oxford, United Kingdom : Oxford University Press. - 0964-6906 .- 1460-2083. ; 1, s. 271-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Neurofibromatosis type 2 (NF2) is an autosomal dominant disorder whose hallmark is bilateral vestibular schwannoma. It displays a pronounced clinical heterogeneity with mild to severe forms. The NF2 tumor suppressor (merlin/schwannomin) has been cloned and extensively analyzed for mutations in patients with different clinical variants of the disease. Correlation between the type of the NF2 gene mutation and the patient phenotype has been suggested to exist. However, several independent studies have shown that a fraction of NF2 patients with various phenotypes have constitutional deletions that partly or entirely remove one copy of the NF2 gene. The purpose of this study was to examine a 7 Mb interval in the vicinity of the NF2 gene in a large series of NF2 patients in order to determine the frequency and extent of deletions. A total of 116 NF2 patients were analyzed using high-resolution array-comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) on an array covering at least 90% of this region of 22q around the NF2 locus. Deletions, which remove one copy of the entire gene or are predicted to truncate the schwannomin protein, were detected in 8 severe, 10 moderate and 6 mild patients. This result does not support the correlation between the type of mutation affecting the NF2 gene and the disease phenotype. This work also demonstrates the general usefulness of the array-CON methodology for rapid and comprehensive detection of small (down to 40 kb) heterozygous and/or homozygous deletions occurring in constitutional or tumor-derived DNA.
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| 19. |
- Carlsson, Per-Inge, 1959-, et al.
(author)
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GJB2 (Connexin 26) gene mutations among hearing-impaired persons in a Swedish cohort
- 2012
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In: Acta Oto-Laryngologica. - London, United Kingdom : Informa Healthcare. - 0001-6489 .- 1651-2251. ; 132:12, s. 1301-1305
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Conclusion: The most common mutation in the Swedish population was Connexin 26 (C×26) 35delG, which indicates that the percentage of Swedish persons with C×26 mutations and polymorphisms in the GJB2 gene among non-syndromic hearing-impaired (HI) persons is comparable to the rest of Europe. The results strongly support a Swedish policy to offer all children with diagnosed hearing impairment genetic tests for the C×26 35delG mutation.Objectives: The aim of the present study was to search for mutations in the GBJ2 gene among Swedish persons with non-syndromic hearing impairment to further clarify how common these mutations are in Sweden, one of the northernmost countries in Europe.Methods: Seventy-nine patients with non-syndromic hearing impairment participated in the study. For 87% of the participants, a pure tone audiogram showed a severe or profound hearing impairment. Dried blood spots on filter paper, taken at 3-5 days of age in the Swedish nationwide neonatal screening programme for congenital disorders and saved in a biobank, were used for the molecular genetic analyses.Results: The total number of subjects with one or two pathologic mutations or a mutation of unknown consequence found in the GJB2 gene was 28 of 79 (35%). Nineteen (19) persons (24%) were homozygotes for the 35delG mutation.
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| 20. |
- Chowdhury, Simon, et al.
(author)
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Causes of death in men with prostate cancer : an analysis of 50,000 men from the Thames Cancer Registry.
- 2013
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In: BJU International. - : Wiley. - 1464-4096 .- 1464-410X. ; 112:2, s. 182-189
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: To investigate causes of death in a UK cohort of patients with prostate cancer.PATIENTS AND METHODS: We examined causes of death in a UK cohort of 50,066 men with prostate cancer diagnosed between 1997 and 2006 reported to the Thames Cancer Registry (TCR) and followed-up to the end of 2007. The underlying cause of death was taken from the death certificate. Uptake of PSA screening was low in the UK during the period studied. We examined the relationship between cause of death and patient characteristics at diagnosis including age, cancer stage, and treatment (≤6 months of diagnosis).RESULTS: In all, 20,181 deaths occurred during the period; 49.8% recorded as being due to prostate cancer, 17·8% to cardiovascular disease, 11·6% to other cancers, and 20·7% to other causes. Irrespective of age, cancer stage, or treatment ≤6 months of diagnosis, prostate cancer was an important cause of death ranging from 31·6% to 74·3% of all deaths in different subgroups.CONCLUSION: For men with prostate cancer diagnosed in a setting where uptake of PSA screening is low, our findings challenge the belief that prostate cancer is not an important cause of death.
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| 21. |
- Clarberg, Petrik, et al.
(author)
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Wavelet Importance Sampling: Efficiently Evaluating Products of Complex Functions
- 2005
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In: ACM Transactions on Graphics. - : Association for Computing Machinery (ACM). - 0730-0301 .- 1557-7368. ; 24:3, s. 1166-1175
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We present a new technique for importance sampling products of complex functions using wavelets. First, we generalize previous work on wavelet products to higher dimensional spaces and show how this product can be sampled on-the-fly without the need of evaluating the full product. This makes it possible to sample products of high-dimensional functions even if the product of the two functions in itself is too memory consuming. Then, we present a novel hierarchical sample warping algorithm that generates high-quality point distributions, which match the wavelet representation exactly. One application of the new sampling technique is rendering of objects with measured BRDFs illuminated by complex distant lighting - our results demonstrate how the new sampling technique is more than an order of magnitude more efficient than the best previous techniques. Copyright
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| 22. |
- Connolly, David, et al.
(author)
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Heat Roadmap Europe : Combining district heating with heat savings to decarbonise the EU energy system
- 2014
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In: Energy Policy. - London : Elsevier. - 0301-4215 .- 1873-6777. ; 65, s. 475-489
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Six different strategies have recently been proposed for the European Union (EU) energy system in the European Commission’s report, Energy Roadmap 2050. The objective for these strategies is to identify how the EU can reach its target of an 80% reduction in annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2050 compared to 1990 levels. None of these scenarios involve the large-scale implementation of district heating, but instead they focus on the electrification of the heating sector (primarily using heat pumps) and/or the large-scale implementation of electricity and heat savings. In this paper, the potential for district heating in the EU between now and 2050 is identified, based on extensive and detailed mapping of the EU heat demand and various supply options. Subsequently, a new ‘district heating plus heat savings’ scenario is technically and economically assessed from an energy systems perspective. The results indicate that with district heating, the EU energy system will be able to achieve the same reductions in primary energy supply and carbon dioxide emissions as the existing alternatives proposed. However, with district heating, these goals can be achieved at a lower cost, with heating and cooling costs reduced by approximately 15%. © 2013 Elsevier Ltd.
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| 23. |
- Connolly, David, et al.
(author)
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Heat Roadmap Europe 2050 : Second Pre-study for the EU27
- 2013
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Many strategies have already been proposed for the decarbonisation of the EU energy system by the year 2050. These typically focus on the expansion of renewable energy in the electricity sector and subsequently, electrifying both the heat and transport sectors as much as possible. In these strategies, the role of district heating has never been fully explored system, nor have the benefits of district heating been quantified at the EU level. This study combines the mapping of local heat demands and local heat supplies across the EU27. Using this local knowledge, new district heating potentials are identified and then, the EU27 energy system is modelled to investigate the impact of district heating. The results indicate that a combination of heat savings, district heating in urban areas, and individual heat pumps in rural areas will enable the EU27 to reach its greenhouse gas emission targets by 2050, but at a cheaper price than a scenario which focuses primarily on the implementation of heat savings.
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| 24. |
- Connolly, David, et al.
(author)
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Heat Roadmap Europe 2050 : First Pre-study for the EU27
- 2012
-
Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This pre-study presents the findings concerning a considerable outlined expansion of the district heating sector within the current EU27 member states until 2050. Heat deliveries are presumed to grow by a factor of 2.1 until 2030 and by a factor of 3.3 until 2050.The current energy policy context is that the latest energy communication from the European Commission (Energy Roadmap 2050) contains only a very modest growth in the future for district heating systems and additional industrial heat use from industrial CHP plants. A small increase is foreseen for industrial demands, while heat deliveries to the residential and service sectors are expected to decrease. In total, the heat delivered is expected to increase by less than one per cent per year, giving a total increase of 20% until 2030 and of 40% until 2050.In this prestudy, more ambitious growth rates are assessed for district heating in the EU27 between 2010 and 2050. The chosen methodology in this pre-study contains a combination of hour-by-hour energy modelling of the EU27 energy system and mapping of local conditions, which is essential for district heating analysis. However, the link between these two actions has not been fully utilised in this pre-study due to the limited working time available: The mapping action has only indicated the input to the energy modelling action.
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| 25. |
- Connolly, David, et al.
(author)
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The role of district heating in decarbonising the EU energy system and a comparison with existing strategies
- 2013
-
In: Book of Abstracts.
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many strategies have already been proposed for the decarbonisation of the EU energy system by the year 2050. These typically focus on the expansion of renewable energy in the electricity sector and subsequently, electrifying both the heat and transport sectors as much as possible. In these strategies, the role of district heating has never been fully explored system, nor have the benefits of district heating been quantified at the EU level. This study combines the mapping of local heat demands and local heat supplies across the EU27. Using this local knowledge, new district heating potentials are identified and then, the EU27 energy system is modelled to investigate the impact of district heating. The results indicate that a combination of heat savings, district heating in urban areas, and individual heat pumps in rural areas will enable the EU27 to reach its greenhouse gas emissions targets by 2050, but at a cheaper price than a scenario which focuses primarily on the implementation of heat savings.
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| 26. |
- Coupland, Victoria H, et al.
(author)
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Hospital volume, proportion resected and mortality from oesophageal and gastric cancer : a population-based study in England, 2004-2008
- 2013
-
In: Gut. - : BMJ. - 0017-5749 .- 1468-3288. ; 62:7, s. 961-966
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE:This study assessed the associations between hospital volume, resection rate and survival of oesophageal and gastric cancer patients in England.DESIGN: 62 811 patients diagnosed with oesophageal or gastric cancer between 2004 and 2008 were identified from a national population-based cancer registration and Hospital Episode Statistics-linked dataset. Cox regression analyses were used to assess all-cause mortality according to hospital volume and resection rate, adjusting for case-mix variables (sex, age, socioeconomic deprivation, comorbidity and type of cancer). HRs and 95% CIs, according to hospital volume, were evaluated for three predefined periods following surgery: <30, 30-365, and >365 days. Analysis of mortality in relation to resection rate was performed among all patients and among the 13 189 (21%) resected patients.RESULTS:Increasing hospital volume was associated with lower mortality (p(trend)=0.0001; HR 0.87, 95% CI 0.79 to 0.95 for hospitals resecting 80+ and compared with <20 patients a year). In relative terms, the association between increasing hospital volume and lower mortality was particularly strong in the first 30 days following surgery (p(trend)<0.0001; HR 0.52, (0.39 to 0.70)), but a clinically relevant association remained beyond 1 year (p(trend)=0.0011; HR 0.82, (0.72 to 0.95)). Increasing resection rates were associated with lower mortality among all patients (p(trend)<0.0001; HR 0.86, (0.84 to 0.89) for the highest, compared with the lowest resection quintile).CONCLUSIONS:With evidence of lower short-term and longer-term mortality for patients resected in high-volume hospitals, this study supports further centralisation of oesophageal and gastric cancer surgical services in England.
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| 27. |
- Dehghannejad, Mahdieh, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution Reflection Imaging for the Planning of a Double Train-track Tunnel in the City of Varberg, Sweden
- 2016
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A newly developed broadband MEMs-based seismic landstreamer system was employed for the planning of a double train-track tunnel in the city of Varberg, southwest Sweden. In addition to the refraction analysis and velocity tomographic modeling, reflection processing of the data was considered given the good quality of the data and realization of reflections in some raw shot gathers. Bedrock is strongly reflective in most cases and only at occasions when reaches near the surface it disappears in the reflection section. Bedrock undulation is clearly noticeable in most reflection sections and at one occasion it appears to be strongly diffractive. The diffraction signature is now known to be associated with a buried water tank used in fire emergency situations. Reflection seismic data greatly complements tomographic models and may support a deep bedrock at where the tunnel is planned to be excavated in the downtown Varberg.
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| 28. |
- Dehghannejad, Mahdieh, 1979-, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution reflection seismic imaging for the planning of a double-train-track tunnel in the city of Varberg, southwest Sweden
- 2017
-
In: Near Surface Geophysics. - : EUROPEAN ASSOC GEOSCIENTISTS & ENGINEERS. - 1569-4445 .- 1873-0604. ; 15:3, s. 226-240
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A newly developed broadband digital-based seismic landstreamer system was employed for the planning of a double-train-track tunnel in the city of Varberg, southwest Sweden. Twenty-five seismic profiles, totalling more than 7.5 km of data, were acquired using a 2-to 4-m receiver and source spacing. At places where it was not possible to move the streamer such as road crossings, wireless recorders connected to 28-Hz geophones were used. In addition to the earlier refraction data analysis and first-break traveltime tomographic modelling, reflection processing of the data was considered in this study, given the realisation of reflections in raw shot gathers and their good quality. Bedrock is strongly reflective in most cases but is not evident in the sections when it gets near the surface. Bedrock undulation is noticeable in most reflection sections, and at one occasion, strong diffraction is observed in the bedrock or near to it. The diffraction is originated, not known during the survey, from a 400-m3 cylindrical (of about 3-m-height and 13-m-diameter) concrete-made fire-protection water tank situated in the bedrock and used in emergency situations. Reflection seismic data greatly complement the tomographic models and support deep bedrock where the excavation of the tunnel is planned in downtown Varberg. This interpretation implies different reinforcements and tunnel construction methods (e.g., roofed concrete) at this section of the tunnel. In addition, weakness zones associated with fracture systems are inferred from the reflection characteristics and in conjunction with the velocity models requiring verification by additional boreholes.
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| 29. |
- Di Marco, P., et al.
(author)
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Performance analysis and optimization of TCP over adaptive wireless links
- 2006
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In: Personal, Indoor and Mobile Radio Communications, 2006 IEEE 17th International Symposium on <em> </em>. - : IEEE. - 1424403294 ; , s. 1-6
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- This paper proposes an analytical framework for performance evaluation of TCP (transport control protocol) over adaptive wireless links. Specifically, we include adaptation of power, modulation format and error recovery strategy, and incorporate some features of wireless fading channels. This framework is then used to pursue joint optimization through maximization of an objective functional, that expresses a trade-off between achievable throughput and energy costs. A set of numerical results is reported, and it is seen that hybrid ARQ schemes may provide significant benefits in the optimization framework.
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| 30. |
- Ekerman, Petrus, 1697-1783
(author)
-
Dissertatio gradualis, de honore agriculturæ apud veteres Romanos, quam ex consensu ampl. facult. philos. in regia academia Upsaliensi, præside ... Petro Ekerman ... publico bonorum examini modeste committit, Johannes Henr. Möller, Stockholmiensis. In auditorio Gust. majori ad diem [XVI.] Junii, anni MDCCXLIII. Horis, ante meridiem, solitis.
- 1743
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)
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| 31. |
- Engholm, Gerda, et al.
(author)
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Colorectal cancer survival in the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom : Excess mortality risk analysis of 5 year relative period survival in the period 1999 to 2000
- 2007
-
In: International Journal of Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0020-7136 .- 1097-0215. ; 121:5, s. 1115-1122
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A deficit in colorectal cancer survival in Denmark and in the UK compared to Sweden, Norway and Finland was found in the EUROCARE studies. We set out to explore if these differences still exist. Patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer as their first invasive cancer at age 15-89 in the period 1994-2000 were identified using data from 11 cancer registries in the UK and from four Nordic countries. Five-year relative period survival using deaths in 1999-2000 following cancers diagnosed in 1994-2000 was analysed with excess mortality risk modelling. Follow-up time since diagnosis with age as an effect-modifier in the first half year was the most important factor with the highest excess risk of death immediately after diagnosis and with higher age and decreasing with length of follow-up. Variations between countries were bigger in the first half year following diagnosis than in the interval 0.5-5 years with about 30% higher risk in UK and Denmark. The differences between countries are still substantial and the order has not changed, even if the five year relative survival has improved since the EUROCARE studies. Patient management, diagnostics, and comorbidity likely explain the excess deaths in UK and Denmark during the first 6 months. The effect of stage and quality of management and treatment should be examined in population based studies with detailed patient information. Use of more detailed age-intervals than conventionally applied in survival studies proved to be important in statistical modelling and is recommended for future studies.
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| 32. |
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| 33. |
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| 34. |
- Ferraguti, Martina, et al.
(author)
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Environmental, geographical and time-related impacts on avian malaria infections in native and introduced populations of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), a globally invasive species
- 2023
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In: Global Ecology and Biogeography. - : Wiley. - 1466-822X .- 1466-8238. ; 32:5, s. 809-823
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: The increasing spread of vector-borne diseases has resulted in severe health concerns for humans, domestic animals and wildlife, with changes in land use and the introduction of invasive species being among the main possible causes for this increase. We explored several ecological drivers potentially affecting the local prevalence and richness of avian malaria parasite lineages in native and introduced house sparrows (Passer domesticus) populations. Location: Global. Time period: 2002–2019. Major taxa studied: Avian Plasmodium parasites in house sparrows. Methods: We analysed data from 2,220 samples from 69 localities across all continents, except Antarctica. The influence of environment (urbanization index and human density), geography (altitude, latitude, hemisphere) and time (bird breeding season and years since introduction) were analysed using generalized additive mixed models (GAMMs) and random forests. Results: Overall, 670 sparrows (30.2%) were infected with 22 Plasmodium lineages. In native populations, parasite prevalence was positively related to urbanization index, with the highest prevalence values in areas with intermediate urbanization levels. Likewise, in introduced populations, prevalence was positively associated with urbanization index; however, higher infection occurred in areas with either extreme high or low levels of urbanization. In introduced populations, the number of parasite lineages increased with altitude and with the years elapsed since the establishment of sparrows in a new locality. Here, after a decline in the number of parasite lineages in the first 30 years, an increase from 40 years onwards was detected. Main conclusions: Urbanization was related to parasite prevalence in both native and introduced bird populations. In invaded areas, altitude and time since bird introduction were related to the number of Plasmodium lineages found to be infecting sparrows.
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| 35. |
- Fiorenzi, Marco, et al.
(author)
-
Enhancing TCP over HSDPA by cross-layer signalling
- 2007
-
In: GLOBECOM 2007: 2007 IEEE GLOBAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CONFERENCE. - 9781424410422 ; , s. 5362-5366
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A comprehensive performance evaluation of a cross-layer solution to increase users' downlink data rates over HSDPA is provided. The solution consists of a proxy entity between a server and the Radio Network Controller, and cross-layer signalling from the base station to the proxy. The performance of the solution is evaluated though a detailed ns-2 simulator environment, which includes all HSDPA features, as well as some existing TCP enhancing protocols widely adopted for internet traffic over wireless links. Numerical results show that the proxy significantly increases the users' throughput, while also improving the utilization of the radio resources.
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| 36. |
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| 37. |
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| 38. |
- Frisén, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Gender role behavior, sexuality, and psychosocial adaptation in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to CYP21A2 deficiency
- 2009
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In: J Clin Endocrinol Metab. - : The Endocrine Society. ; 94:9, s. 3432-9
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- CONTEXT: Gender-atypical behavior has been described in young girls as well as in women with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) due to a CYP21A2 deficiency. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to assess health-related, psychosexual, and psychosocial parameters and correlate the results to CYP21A2 genotype. DESIGN AND PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-two Swedish women with CAH and age-matched controls completed a 120-item questionnaire and a validated quality of life instrument [psychological general well-being (PGWB) formula] to identify psychosexual and psychosocial parameters. The patients were divided into four CYP21A2 genotype groups. RESULTS: The women with CAH held more male-dominant occupations (30%) compared to controls (13%) (P = 0.04), especially those in the null genotype group (55%) (P = 0.006). They also reported a greater interest in rough sports (74%) compared to controls (50%) (P = 0.007). Eight women with CAH (14%) reported a prime interest in motor vehicles, compared to none of the controls (P = 0.002). Non-heterosexual orientation was reported by 19% of women with CAH (P = 0.005), 50% in the null genotype group (P = 0.0001), 30% in I2 splice (NS), and 5% in I172N (NS). PGWB total score did not differ between patients and controls. CONCLUSION: We identified increased gender-atypical behavior in women with CAH that could be correlated to the CYP21A2 genotype. This speaks in favor of dose-dependent effects of prenatal androgens on the development of higher brain functions. The impact of the disease on upbringing and interpersonal relationships did not correlate with disease severity, indicating that other factors, such as coping strategies, are important for psychosocial adaptation. This illustrates the need for psychological support to parents and patients.
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| 39. |
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| 40. |
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| 41. |
- Gkanatsiou, Eleni, et al.
(author)
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Characterization of monomeric and soluble aggregated Aβ in Down's syndrome and Alzheimer's disease brains.
- 2021
-
In: Neuroscience letters. - : Elsevier BV. - 1872-7972 .- 0304-3940. ; 754
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The major characteristics of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are amyloid plaques, consisting of aggregated beta amyloid (Aβ) peptides, together with tau pathology (tangles, neuropil treads and dystrophic neurites surrounding the plaques), in the brain. Down's syndrome (DS) individuals are at increased risk to develop AD-type pathology; most DS individuals have developed substantial pathology already at the age of 40. DS individuals have an extra copy of chromosome 21, harbouring the amyloid precursor protein gene (APP). Our aim was to investigate the Aβ peptide pattern in DS and AD brains to investigate differences in their amyloid deposition and aggregation, respectively. Cortical tissue from patients with DS (with amyloid pathology), sporadic AD and controls were homogenized and fractionated into TBS (water soluble) and formic acid (water insoluble) fractions. Immunoprecipitation (IP) was performed using a variety of antibodies targeting different Aβ species including oligomeric Aβ. Mass spectrometry was then used to evaluate the presence of Aβ species in the different patient groups. A large number of Aβ peptides were identified including Aβ1-X, 2-X, 3-X, 4-X, 5-X, 11-X, and Aβ peptides extended N terminally of the BACE1 cleavage site and ending at amino 15 in the Aβ sequence APP/Aβ(-X to 15), as well as peptides post-translationally modified by pyroglutamate formation. Most Aβ peptides had higher abundance in AD and DS compared to controls, except the APP/Aβ(-X to 15) peptides which were most abundant in DS followed by controls and AD. Furthermore, the abundancies of AβX-40 and AβX-34 were increased in DS compared with AD. Aβ1-40, Aβ1-42, and Aβ4-42 were identified as the main constitutes of protofibrils (IP'd using mAb158) and higher relative Aβ1-42 signals were obtained compared with samples IP'd with 6E10+4G8, indicating that the protofibrils/oligomers were enriched with peptides ending at amino acid 42. All Aβ peptides found in AD were also present in DS indicating similar pathways of Aβ peptide production, degradation and accumulation, except for APP/Aβ(-X to 15). Likewise, the Aβ peptides forming protofibrils/oligomers in both AD and DS were similar, implying the possibility that treatment with clinical benefit in sporadic AD might also be beneficial for subjects with DS.
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| 42. |
- Grip, Lena, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Journalism as Livelihood : gender, space and mobility
- 2015
-
Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite a large body of research on how journalistic work has changed in the past few decades, very little attention has been paid to what journalists do outside work (e.g. their lifestyles, personal networks, family situations, overall work and life situation), nor to how journalists negotiate their work lives and their private lives, despite the fact that such factors also may have an impact on the ability of journalists to fulfil some kind of public/democratic function. Such questions are arguably becoming more and more salient as journalistic work is becoming more mobile, more contingent, and more insecure.In this paper we propose a multi-disciplinary approach to analyzing the interplay between journalistic work and lifestyles/life situation that combines intersectional feminist theories and methods in human geography with media studies through the concept of livelihood (rather than paid work, profession, occupation, etc.) at the center. We argue that this concept better captures aspects of mobility, place restraints, contingency and mutual interrelation between the public and private spheres in relation to journalistic work. The livelihood concept provides a tool for critically analyzing the gendered spaces and mobilities of journalism and the consequences for men’s and women’s daily life.
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| 43. |
- Gron, Kurt J., et al.
(author)
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Archaeological cereals as an isotope record of long-term soil health and anthropogenic amendment in southern Scandinavia
- 2021
-
In: Quaternary Science Reviews. - : Elsevier BV. - 0277-3791. ; 253
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Maintaining soil health is integral to agricultural production, and the archaeological record contains multiple lines of palaeoclimatic and palaeoenvironmental proxy evidence that can contribute to the understanding and analysis of long-term trajectories of change that are key for contextualizing 21st century global environmental challenges. Soil is a capital resource and its nutrient balance is modified by agricultural activities, making it necessary to ensure soil productivity is maintained and managed through human choices and actions. Since prehistory this has always been the case; soil is a non-renewable resource within a human lifetime. Here, we present and interpret carbon and nitrogen isotope analysis of charred cereals from southern Scandinavia. Anthropogenic effects on soils are evident from the initiation of farming 6000 years ago, as is amendment to counteract its effects. The earliest cereals were planted on pristine soils, and by the late Neolithic, agriculture extensified. By the Iron Age it was necessary to significantly amend depleted soils to maintain crop yields. We propose that these data provide a record of soil water retention, net precipitation and amendment. From the start of the Neolithic there is a concurrent decrease in both Δ13C and δ15N, mitigated only by the replacement of soil organic content in the form of manure in the Iron Age. The cereal isotopes provide a record of trajectories of agricultural sustainability and anthropogenic adaptation for nearly the entire history of farming in the region.
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| 44. |
- Gustafsson, Johanna T, et al.
(author)
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Cigarette smoking, antiphospholipid antibodies and vascular events in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
- 2015
-
In: Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases. - : BMJ. - 0003-4967 .- 1468-2060. ; 74:8, s. 1537-1543
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: Smoking can induce autoantibodies in persons who are genetically predisposed to rheumatoid arthritis. We investigated the association between smoking and antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL) in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a question not previously addressed. Further, we explored the relationship between smoking, aPL and vascular events (arterial and venous, VE).METHODS: In this cross-sectional study, clinical evaluation and questionnaire data were collected from 367 prevalent SLE patients. At the same time, we measured aPL (anticardiolipin (aCL), anti-β2 glycoprotein-1 (aβ2GP1) antibodies IgG/IgM/IgA, and lupus anticoagulant (LA)), and a large set of other SLE-associated autoantibodies for comparison. Association analyses using logistic regression models with smoking, (ever, former and current with never as reference) and antibody status as outcome variable were performed. As a secondary outcome, we investigated the associations between aPL, smoking and VE.RESULTS: In multivariable-adjusted models ever, and in particular former, cigarette smoking was associated with the most pathogenic aPL; LA, aCL IgG and aβ2GP1 IgG. Other SLE-associated autoantibodies were not associated with smoking. The combination of smoking and aPL was strongly associated with VE. We noted a positive interaction between smoking-LA and smoking-'triple aPL' positivity for previous VE.CONCLUSIONS: We investigated a large set of commonly occurring autoantibodies in SLE, but only aPL were positively associated with a history of smoking. This association was especially apparent in former smokers. Among ever regular smokers who were aPL positive, we observed a strikingly high frequency of former VE. The underlying mechanisms and temporality between smoking, aPL and VE need further investigations.
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| 45. |
- Hadad, Ronza, 1984-, et al.
(author)
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A Chlamydia trachomatis 23S rRNA G1523A variant escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 assay (Hologic) was widespread across Denmark in July-September 2019
- 2020
-
In: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley-Blackwell Publishing Inc.. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 128:6, s. 440-444
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexually transmitted infection globally, and nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are recommended for highly sensitive and specific diagnosis. In early 2019, the Finnish new variant of Chlamydia trachomatis (FI-nvCT) was identified. The FI-nvCT has a C1515T mutation in the 23S rRNA gene, making it escaping detection in the Aptima Combo 2 (AC2; Hologic) NAAT, and the FI-nvCT has been subsequently reported in Sweden and Norway. In the present study, we investigated the presence of the FI-nvCT and other AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutants in July-September 2019 in Denmark. The FI-nvCT was present but rare in Denmark. However, another AC2 diagnostic-escape CT mutant (with a 23S rRNA G1523A mutation) was found to be widespread across Denmark, accounting for 95% (76/80) of AC2 diagnostic-escape nvCT samples from five Danish CT-diagnostic laboratories. This nvCT-G1523A has previously only been detected in one single sample in the United Kingdom and Norway, respectively. It is vital to monitor the continued stability of the NAAT targets in local, national and international settings and monitor as well as appropriately analyse incidence, unexplained shifts in diagnostics rates, and/or annual collections of samples diagnosed as negative/equivocal using NAATs with different target(s). Furthermore, diagnostic CT NAATs with dual target sequences are crucial and fortunately, an updated Hologic AC2 assay including one additional target sequence is in advanced development.
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| 46. |
- Haldrup, Kristoffer, et al.
(author)
-
Ultrafast X-Ray Scattering Measurements of Coherent Structural Dynamics on the Ground-State Potential Energy Surface of a Diplatinum Molecule
- 2019
-
In: Physical Review Letters. - 0031-9007. ; 122:6
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We report x-ray free electron laser experiments addressing ground-state structural dynamics of the diplatinum anion Pt2POP4 following photoexcitation. The structural dynamics are tracked with <100 fs time resolution by x-ray scattering, utilizing the anisotropic component to suppress contributions from the bulk solvent. The x-ray data exhibit a strong oscillatory component with period 0.28 ps and decay time 2.2 ps, and structural analysis of the difference signal directly shows this as arising from ground-state dynamics along the PtPt coordinate. These results are compared with multiscale Born-Oppenheimer molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrate how off-resonance excitation can be used to prepare a vibrationally cold excited-state population complemented by a structure-dependent depletion of the ground-state population which subsequently evolves in time, allowing direct tracking of ground-state structural dynamics.
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| 47. |
- Hederstierna, Christina, et al.
(author)
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The prevalence of Connexin 26 mutations in the Swedish population
- 2005
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In: Audiological Medicine. - : Informa Healthcare. - 1651-386X .- 1651-3835. ; 3:3, s. 154-158
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mutations in GJB2, the gene encoding the protein Connexin 26, have been shown to account for as much as 50% of autosomal recessive, non-syndromic childhood hearing loss (ARNSHL). Early, correct diagnosis and intervention have greatly improved the possibilities for these children in learning and developing language skills. In recent years, many reports from varied parts of the world have described the local scene of mutations in Connexin 26. The prevalence differs with geographic location and assessment procedures. Mutations in Connexin 26 have until recently been identified in very few cases in Sweden, Norway and Denmark, and nationwide population samples have not been studied in the Scandinavian countries. In this study we present the results of a large nationwide and a regional study of the prevalence of the 35delG, L90P and 167delT mutations of the GJB2 gene in Sweden. A total of 2052 samples (dried blood spots) were analysed. 1501 samples were collected representing all of Sweden and 551 samples from northern Sweden. The allele frequencies in Sweden were found to be 35delG, 0.83%; L90P, 0.30%; and 167delT, 0%. The prevalence of mutations in Connexin 26 in Sweden seems to be comparable to that in other northern European countries.
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| 48. |
- Holmberg, Lars, et al.
(author)
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National comparisons of lung cancer survival in England, Norway and Sweden 2001-2004 : differences occur early in follow-up
- 2010
-
In: Thorax. - : BMJ. - 0040-6376 .- 1468-3296. ; 65:5, s. 436-441
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND Countries with a similar expenditure on healthcare within Europe exhibit differences in lung cancer survival. Survival in lung cancer was studied in 2001-2004 in England, Norway and Sweden. METHODS Nationwide cancer registries in England, Norway and Sweden were used to identify 250 828 patients with lung cancer from England, 18 386 from Norway and 24 886 from Sweden diagnosed between 1996 and 2004, after exclusion of patients registered through death certificate only or with missing, zero or negative survival times. 5-Year relative survival was calculated by application of the period approach. The excess mortality between the countries was compared using a Poisson regression model. RESULTS In all subcategories of age, sex and follow-up period, the 5-year survival was lower in England than in Norway and Sweden. The age-standardised survival estimates were 6.5%, 9.3% and 11.3% for men and 8.4%, 13.5% and 15.9% for women in the respective countries in 2001-2004. The difference in excess risk of dying between the countries was predominantly confined to the first year of follow-up. The relative excess risk ratio during the first 3 months of follow-up comparing England with Norway 2001-2004 varied between 1.23 and 1.46, depending on sex and age, and between 1.56 and 1.91 comparing England with Sweden. CONCLUSION Access to healthcare and population awareness are likely to be major reasons for the differences, but it cannot be excluded that diagnostic and therapeutic activity play a role. Future improvements in lung cancer management may be seen early in follow-up.
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| 49. |
- Holmberg, Lars, et al.
(author)
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Season of diagnosis and prognosis in breast and prostate cancer
- 2009
-
In: Cancer Causes and Control. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0957-5243 .- 1573-7225. ; 20:5, s. 633-670
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Patients with breast or prostate cancer diagnosed during the summer season have been observed to have better survival. The extent to which this is due to biological and/or health care system related factors is unclear. METHODS: Using the Swedish Cancer Register and clinical databases, we analyzed overall survival by month of diagnosis among the incident cases of breast (n = 89,630) cancer and prostate (n = 72,375) cancer diagnosed from 1960 to 2004. We retrieved data on tumor stage from 1976 for breast cancer and 1997 for prostate cancer. Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate relative risk of survival by the season of diagnosis. RESULTS: There was a higher hazard ratio of death in men and women diagnosed with cancer in the summer with a relative hazard of 1.20 (95% confidence interval 1.15-1.25) for July for prostate cancer and 1.14 (95% confidence interval 1.09-1.19) for August for breast cancer when compared to being diagnosed in January. This difference coincided with a lower mean number of cases diagnosed per day, and a higher proportion of advanced cases diagnosed in the summer. This pattern of presentation was stronger in the later years. CONCLUSION: The difference in stage distribution explains the seasonal variation in prognosis seen in this study. The variation may be because of structure of the health care system and a strong tradition of vacationing from mid June to mid August. Thus, the health care infrastructure and the late presentation of symptomatic disease may influence cancer survival studied by season of diagnosis substantially.
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| 50. |
- Hønge, Bo L., et al.
(author)
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T-cell and B-cell perturbations are similar in ART-naive HIV-1 and HIV-1/2 dually infected patients
- 2019
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In: AIDS. - 0269-9370. ; 33:7, s. 1143-1153
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: HIV-2 may slow progression of a subsequently acquired HIV-1 infection through cross-neutralizing antibodies and polyfunctional CD8 T cells. We hypothesized that HIV-1/2 dually infected patients compared with HIV-1-infected patients had more preserved immune maturation subsets and less immune activation of T and B cells. METHODS: ART-naive patients with HIV-1 (n = 83) or HIV-1/2 dual (n = 27) infections were included in this cross-sectional study at an HIV clinic in Guinea-Bissau. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were analyzed by flow cytometry according to T-cell maturation and activation, regulatory T-cell fraction, and B-cell maturation and activation. RESULTS: HIV-1/2 dually infected patients had lower levels of HIV-1 RNA compared with patients with HIV-1 infection, but the levels of total HIV RNA (HIV-1 and HIV-2) were similar in the two patient groups. T-cell maturation, and proportions of regulatory T cells (FoxP3+) were also similar in the two groups. HIV-1/2 dually infected patients had higher proportions of CD4 and CD8 T cells positive for the activation marker CD38, but there was no difference in other T-cell activation markers (CD28, CTLA-4, PD-1). HIV-1/2 dually infected patients also had higher proportions of IgM-only B cells and plasmablasts. CONCLUSION: HIV-1/2 was not associated with less immune perturbations than for HIV-1 infection.
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