| 1. |
- Andersson, Therése, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Tissue-specific increases in 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 in normal weight postmenopausal women
- 2009
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 4:12, s. e8475-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- With age and menopause there is a shift in adipose distribution from gluteo-femoral to abdominal depots in women. Associated with this redistribution of fat are increased risks of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Glucocorticoids influence body composition, and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11betaHSD1) which converts inert cortisone to active cortisol is a putative key mediator of metabolic complications in obesity. Increased 11betaHSD1 in adipose tissue may contribute to postmenopausal central obesity. We hypothesized that tissue-specific 11betaHSD1 gene expression and activity are up-regulated in the older, postmenopausal women compared to young, premenopausal women. Twenty-three pre- and 23 postmenopausal, healthy, normal weight women were recruited. The participants underwent a urine collection, a subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsy and the hepatic 11betaHSD1 activity was estimated by the serum cortisol response after an oral dose of cortisone. Urinary (5alpha-tetrahydrocortisol+5beta-tetrahydrocortisol)/tetrahydrocortisone ratios were higher in postmenopausal women versus premenopausal women in luteal phase (P<0.05), indicating an increased whole-body 11betaHSD1 activity. Postmenopausal women had higher 11betaHSD1 gene expression in subcutaneous fat (P<0.05). Hepatic first pass conversion of oral cortisone to cortisol was also increased in postmenopausal women versus premenopausal women in follicular phase of the menstrual cycle (P<0.01, at 30 min post cortisone ingestion), suggesting higher hepatic 11betaHSD1 activity. In conclusion, our results indicate that postmenopausal normal weight women have increased 11betaHSD1 activity in adipose tissue and liver. This may contribute to metabolic dysfunctions with menopause and ageing in women.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Bilén, Anna-Karin, et al.
(author)
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Miljökvalitetsmålen 2016 : Årlig uppföljning av miljökvalitetsmålen
- 2016
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- I Blekinge bedöms inte något miljökvalitetsmål vara möjligt att nå till år 2020. För att kunna lämna över ett hållbart samhälle till nästa generation krävs förebyggande arbete, ef?????????????????r. Ambitionerna måste öka och miljöfrågorna prioriteras högre på den politiska agendan.De mål som rör biologisk mångfald och bevarande av kulturmiljö följer enneutral eller negativ trend. I odlingslandskapet leder färre lantbrukare ochbrist på betesdjur till igenväxning av hagmarker. Livsmiljöer försvinner och????????????????????????????????????????,främst möte insekter.För att god ekologisk status ska uppnås i vattendragen behövs ny vattenlagstiftning och mer resurser för tillsyn. I Blekinges kustvatten är övergödning ett stort miljöproblem och det krävs kraftfulla åtgärder för att minska näringsläckaget. Arbetet med vattenförsörjningsplaner behöver fortsätta för att trygga framtida dricksvattenförsörjning. De senaste årens fynd av PFAS i dricksvatten visar på vikten av att skydda vattentäkter, genomföra riskbedömningar och undersöka förekomst av föroreningar.Obalans mellan den tätbefolkade kusten och den glesbyggda landsbygden är en utmaning i länet. Byggandet vid kusten ställer krav på en hänsynsfull bebyggelseutveckling som tydligt beaktar miljökvalitetsmålen.Internationella överenskommelser om kemikalier och minskade utsläpp till luft och vatten är nödvändigt för att uppnå uppsatta mål. Dessutom behövs en omställning till ett samhälle som baseras på förnybar energi. För att skapa en hållbar framtid måste vi förändra vår livsstil och vår attityd till konsumtion. Lokala och regionala åtgärder såsom arbete för en giftfri förskola och minskade utsläpp av mikroplaster är steg i rätt riktning.Minskad biologisk mångfald påverkar tillsammans med klimatförändringar, övergödning och miljögifter många av de ekosystemtjänster som vi är beroende av för mänsklig välfärd och en hållbar samhällsutveckling. Det pågår insatser som förbättrar tillståndet i miljön, men det går för långsamt. Det krävs mer resurser och modiga politiska beslut för att möjliggöra en hållbar framtid, den framtid som vi är skyldiga våra barn!
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| 4. |
- Borgström, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Structure–Activity Relationships in Salinomycin : Cytotoxicity and Phenotype Selectivity of Semi-synthetic Derivatives
- 2017
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In: Chemistry - A European Journal. - : Wiley. - 0947-6539. ; 23:9, s. 2077-2083
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ionophore salinomycin has attracted attention for its exceptional ability to selectively reduce the proportion of cells with stem-like properties in cancer cell populations of varying origin. Targeting the tumorigenicity of such cells is of interest as they are implicated in recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance. Structural derivatives of salinomycin are thus sought after, both as tools for probing the molecular mechanism(s) underlying the observed phenotype effects, and for improving selectivity and activity against cancer stem cells. Synthetic strategies for modification of each of the directly accessible functional groups of salinomycin are presented and the resulting library of analogues was investigated to establish structure–activity relationships, both with respect to cytotoxicity and phenotype selectivity in breast cancer cells. 20-O-Acylated derivatives stand out by exhibiting both improved selectivity and activity. Mechanistically, the importance of the ionophore properties of salinomycin is highlighted by a significant loss of activity by modifications directly interfering with either of the two primary ion coordinating motifs in salinomycin, the C11 ketone and the C1 carboxylate.
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| 5. |
- Borgström, Björn, et al.
(author)
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Synthetic modification of salinomycin: selective O-acylation and biological evaluation
- 2013
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In: Chemical Communications. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 1364-548X .- 1359-7345. ; 49:85, s. 9944-9946
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Salinomycin has found renewed interest as an agent for prevention of cancer recurrence through selectively targeting cancer stem cells. Strategies for generation of improved salinomycin analogs by individual modification of its hydroxyl groups are presented. An evaluation of the dose-response effects of the resulting library on breast cancer cell lines shows that acylation of the C20 hydroxyl can be used to improve IC50 values down to one fifth that of salinomycin.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Hatakka, Mathias, 1974-, et al.
(author)
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Moving beyond rhetoric - a study of (under-) representation in ICT4D research
- 2022
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In: Fourteenth Annual AIS SIG Global Development Pre-ICIS Workshop. - : Association for Information Systems. - 9780997617696
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- While decolonialization of knowledge production is not a new concern, the debate in ICT4D has gained traction following a growing attention to the issue in ICT4D journals and conferences. This paper aims to contribute to this debate by analyzing underrepresentation of Global South -based scholars in ICT4D research output. The study aspires to provide a foundation for critical self-examination of our research practices. The study is a literature review of papers published in the top three ICT4D journals and ICT4D papers published in the top IS journals over 10 years (2011-2020). The findings show that most of the papers are published from authors in countries ranked as very high- or high development with a significant lower representation of authors from countries ranked as low development. Moreover, there is, despite the field’s acknowledgement of the concern, no substantial improvement over the studied time period. While we do not argue that we have a solution for the continuation of historical patterns of underrepresentation of colleagues based in the Global South, we end the paper with offering some suggestions on how to move forward.
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| 8. |
- Hedenmark, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Umestan och marknaden för lokaler i Umeå
- 2005
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Avsikten med uppsatsen är att undersöka effekterna av en utbudschock på lokalmarknaden. En utbudschock är en kraftig störning av marknadens jämvikt som följd av ett stort och plötsligt ökat utbud. Den påverkar lokalmarknaden men även de till den relaterade fastighets- och byggmarknaderna. Eftersom hyreskontrakt ofta har långa löptider och fastighetsmarknaden även har andra inbyggda trögheter sker marknadernas anpassning, även utan utbudschocker, mot en ny jämvikt vanligen långsamt. När efterfrågan reagerar långsamt på förändringar i utbudet blir utfallet sänkta marknadshyror eller ett ökat antal vakanser. Ett annat syfte med denna uppsats är att studera hur olika åtgärder eller brist på åtgärder från olika aktörer till följd av regementets nedläggning kan ha påverkat lokalmarknadens utveckling i Umeå. Olika policyalternativ kommer därvid att studeras.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
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| 12. |
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| 13. |
- Hindorf, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Time dependence of the activity concentration ratio of red marrow to blood and implications for red marrow dosimetry.
- 2002
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In: Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1097-0142 .- 0008-543X. ; 94:4 Suppl, s. 1235-1239
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The method for red marrow dosimetry in radioimmunotherapy, in the absence of specific activity uptake in red marrow, is based on the activity measured in the blood or plasma. The activity concentration ratio of red marrow to blood is then assumed to be constant. The aim of the current study was to determine whether this ratio varies with time after injection. METHODS: Measurements were carried out with both animals and patients.Tumor-bearing rats were intravenously injected with iodine-131-, iodine-125-, indium-111-, or rhenium-188-labeled BR96, a chimeric immunoglobulin G1 monoclonal antibody. (All were chelate-labeled, except for iodine-131, which was iodogen-labeled.) Measurements were made of the activity concentration in blood and bone marrow at different points in time after injection, and the ratio of activity concentration in red marrow and blood as a function of time postinjection (RMBLR[t)]) was calculated. For patients treated with iodine-131-labeled monoclonal antibody (LL2, Immunomedics Inc., Morris Plains, NJ; anti-CD22; immunoglobulin G2 isotype of mouse origin), blood samples were drawn and scintillation camera images taken at different times after injection. The red marrow activity concentration in the sacrum was determined by activity quantification from regions of interest. The activity concentration in blood was also measured. The RMBLR(t) was calculated based on these data. RESULTS: For both patients and rats, the RMBLR(t) was increased 72 hours after injection. Furthermore, it was found that the use of a constant RMBLR can lead to an over- or underestimation of the absorbed dose in bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate the difficulty in using fixed values of the activity concentration ratio of red marrow to blood for dosimetry.
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| 14. |
- Huang, Xiaoli, et al.
(author)
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Breast cancer stem cell selectivity of synthetic nanomolar-active salinomycin analogs.
- 2016
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In: BMC Cancer. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2407. ; 16:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been invoked in resistance, recurrence and metastasis of cancer. Consequently, curative cancer treatments may be contingent on CSC selective approaches. Of particular interest in this respect is the ionophore salinomycin, a natural product shown to be 100-fold more active against CSCs than clinically used paclitaxel. We have previously reported that synthetic salinomycin derivatives display increased activity against breast cancer cell lines. Herein we specifically investigate the CSC selectivity of the most active member in each class of C20-O-acylated analogs as well as a C1-methyl ester analog incapable of charge-neutral metal ion transport. METHODS: JIMT-1 breast cancer cells were treated with three C20-O-acylated analogs, the C1-methyl ester of salinomycin, and salinomycin. The effects of treatment on the CSC-related CD44(+)/CD24(-) and the aldehyde dehydrogenase positive (ALDH(+)) populations were determined using flow cytometry. The survival ability of CSCs after treatment was investigated with a colony formation assay under serum free conditions. The effect of the compounds on cell migration was evaluated using wound-healing and Boyden chamber assays. The expression of vimentin, related to mesenchymal traits and expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin, related to the epithelial traits, were investigated using immunofluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: Treatment with each of the three C20-acylated analogs efficiently decreased the putative CSC population as reflected by reduction of the CD44(+)/CD24(-) and ALDH(+) populations already at a 50 nM concentration. In addition, colony forming efficiency and cell migration were reduced, and the expression of the epithelial markers E-cadherin and β-catenin at the cell surface were increased. In contrast, salinomycin used at the same concentration did not significantly influence the CSC population and the C1-methyl ester was inactive even at a 20 μM concentration. CONCLUSIONS: Synthetic structural analogs of salinomycin, previously shown to exhibit increased activity against cancer cells, also exhibited improved activity against CSCs across several assays even at nanomolar concentrations where salinomycin was found inactive. The methyl ester analog of salinomycin, incapable of charge-neutral metal ion transport, did not show activity in CSC assays, lending experimental support to ionophoric stress as the molecular initiating event for the CSC effects of salinomycin and related structures.
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| 15. |
- Huang, Xiaoli, et al.
(author)
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Semisynthesis of SY-1 for Investigation of Breast Cancer Stem Cell Selectivity of C-Ring-Modified Salinomycin Analogues.
- 2014
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In: ACS Chemical Biology. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1554-8937 .- 1554-8929. ; 9:7, s. 1587-1594
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Salinomycin, a naturally occurring polyether ionophore was recently found to selectively reduce the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells, a phenotype associated with breast cancer stem cells. Subsequent studies from our group showed that chemical modification of the allylic C20 hydroxyl of salinomycin, located at the C-ring, can enhance the activity of derivatives against breast cancer cells over 5-fold compared to the native structure. Access to C-ring-modified salinomycin analogues is thus of interest from both a mechanistic and a synthetic perspective. Here, we report efficient strategies for gram scale synthesis of the natural product SY-1 (20-deoxy salinomycin), and a saturated analogue, 18,19-dihydro SY-1, for a comparative in vitro investigation of the biological profiles of these compounds with that of salinomycin. Across several assays, the deoxygenated structures required higher concentrations to elicit similar cellular responses to that of salinomycin. Similarly to salinomycin, SY-1 or 18,19-dihydro SY-1 treatment was found to reduce the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells with essentially complete selectivity up to ∼IC25. Importantly, the proportion of CD44(+)/CD24(-) cells showed a pronounced U-shaped dose response curve for salinomycin and its derivatives, but not for paclitaxel. The concentration for maximum response in this assay followed differences in IC50 for salinomycin and its analogues, which emphasizes the importance of taking concentration dependence into account when comparing effects on the CD44(+)/CD24(-) phenotype. Small differences in the global conformation within the triad of compounds investigated together with differences in activity across assays emphasize the importance of substitution at C20 for the activity of salinomycin and its derivatives.
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| 16. |
- Huang, Xiaoli, et al.
(author)
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The Molecular Basis for Inhibition of Stemlike Cancer Cells by Salinomycin
- 2018
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In: ACS Central Science. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2374-7943 .- 2374-7951. ; 4:6, s. 760-767
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tumors are phenotypically heterogeneous and include subpopulations of cancer cells with stemlike properties. The natural product salinomycin, a K+-selective ionophore, was recently found to exert selectivity against such cancer stem cells. This selective effect is thought to be due to inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway, but the mechanistic basis remains unclear. Here, we develop a functionally competent fluorescent conjugate of salinomycin to investigate the molecular mechanism of this compound. By subcellular imaging, we demonstrate a rapid cellular uptake of the conjugate and accumulation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). This localization is connected to induction of Ca2+ release from the ER into the cytosol. Depletion of Ca2+ from the ER induces the unfolded protein response as shown by global mRNA analysis and Western blot analysis of proteins in the pathway. In particular, salinomycin-induced ER Ca2+ depletion up-regulates C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP), which inhibits Wnt signaling by down-regulating β-catenin. The increased cytosolic Ca2+ also activates protein kinase C, which has been shown to inhibit Wnt signaling. These results reveal that salinomycin acts in the ER membrane of breast cancer cells to cause enhanced Ca2+ release into the cytosol, presumably by mediating a counter-flux of K+ ions. The clarified mechanistic picture highlights the importance of ion fluxes in the ER as an entry to inducing phenotypic effects and should facilitate rational development of cancer treatments.
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| 17. |
- Johansson, Ida, et al.
(author)
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High-resolution genomic profiling of male breast cancer reveals differences hidden behind the similarities with female breast cancer
- 2011
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In: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-7217 .- 0167-6806. ; 129:3, s. 747-760
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Male breast cancer (MBC) is extremely rare and poorly characterized on the molecular level. Using high-resolution genomic data, we aimed to characterize MBC by genomic imbalances and to compare it with female breast cancer (FBC), and further to investigate whether the genomic profiles hold any prognostic information. Fifty-six fresh frozen MBC tumors were analyzed using high-resolution tiling BAC arrays. Significant regions in common between cases were assessed using Genomic Identification of Significant Targets in Cancer (GISTIC) analysis. A publicly available genomic data set of 359 FBC tumors was used for reference purposes. The data revealed a broad pattern of aberrations, confirming that MBC is a heterogeneous tumor type. Genomic gains were more common in MBC than in FBC and often involved whole chromosome arms, while losses of genomic material were less frequent. The most common aberrations were similar between the genders, but high-level amplifications were more common in FBC. We identified two genomic subgroups among MBCs; male-complex and male-simple. The male-complex subgroup displayed striking similarities with the previously reported luminal-complex FBC subgroup, while the male-simple subgroup seems to represent a new subgroup of breast cancer occurring only in men. There are many similarities between FBC and MBC with respect to genomic imbalances, but there are also distinct differences as revealed by high-resolution genomic profiling. MBC can be divided into two comprehensive genomic subgroups, which may be of prognostic value. The male-simple subgroup appears notably different from any genomic subgroup so far defined in FBC.
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| 18. |
- Kahlert, Maria, et al.
(author)
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New molecular methods to assess biodiversity. Potentials and pitfalls of DNA metabarcoding: a workshop report
- 2019
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In: Research Ideas and Outcomes. - : Pensoft Publishers. - 2367-7163. ; 5
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- This report presents the outcome of the joint work of PhD students and senior researchers working with DNA-based biodiversity assessment approaches with the goal to facilitate others the access to definitions and explanations about novel DNA-based methods. The work was performed during a PhD course (SLU PNS0169) at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) in Uppsala, Sweden. The course was co-organized by the EU COST research network DNAqua-Net and the SLU Research Schools Focus on Soils and Water (FoSW) and Ecology - basics and applications. DNAqua-Net (COST Action CA15219, 2016-2020) is a network connecting researchers, water managers, politicians and other stakeholders with the aim to develop new genetic tools for bioassessment of aquatic ecosystems in Europe and beyond. The PhD course offered a comprehensive overview of the paradigm shift from traditional morphology-based species identification to novel identification approaches based on molecular markers. We covered the use of molecular tools in both basic research and applied use with a focus on aquatic ecosystem assessment, from species collection to the use of diversity in environmental legislation. The focus of the course was on DNA (meta)barcoding and aquatic organisms. The knowledge gained was shared with the general public by creating Wikipedia pages and through this collaborative Open Access publication, co-authored by all course participants.
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| 19. |
- Klintman, Marie, et al.
(author)
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The Prognostic Value of Mitotic Activity Index (MAI), Phosphohistone H3 (PPH3), Cyclin B1, Cyclin A, and Ki67, Alone and in Combinations, in Node-Negative Premenopausal Breast Cancer
- 2013
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In: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 8:12
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Proliferation, either as the main common denominator in genetic profiles, or in the form of single factors such as Ki67, is recommended for clinical use especially in estrogen receptor-positive (ER) patients. However, due to high costs of genetic profiles and lack of reproducibility for Ki67, studies on other proliferation factors are warranted. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of the proliferation factors mitotic activity index (MAI), phosphohistone H3 (PPH3), cyclin B1, cyclin A and Ki67, alone and in combinations. In 222 consecutive premenopausal node-negative breast cancer patients (87% without adjuvant medical treatment), MAI was assessed on whole tissue sections (predefined cut-off >= 10 mitoses), and PPH3, cyclin B1, cyclin A, and Ki67 on tissue microarray (predefined cut-offs 7th decile). In univariable analysis (high versus low) the strongest prognostic proliferation factor for 10-year distant disease-free survival was MAI (Hazard Ratio (HR)=3.3, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.8-6.1), followed by PPH3, cyclin A, Ki67, and cyclin B1. A combination variable, with patients with MAI and/or cyclin A high defined as high-risk, had even stronger prognostic value (HR=4.2, 95% CI: 2.2-7). When stratifying for ER-status, MAI was a significant prognostic factor in ER-positive patients only (HR=7.0, 95% CI: 3.1-16). Stratified for histological grade, MAI added prognostic value in grade 2 (HR=7.2, 95% CI: 3.1-38) and grade 1 patients. In multivariable analysis including HER2, age, adjuvant medical treatment, ER, and one proliferation factor at a time, only MAI (HR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.1-6.7), and cyclin A (HR=2.7, 95% CI: 1.2-6.0) remained independently prognostic. In conclusion this study confirms the strong prognostic value of all proliferation factors, especially MAI and cyclin A, in all patients, and more specifically in ER-positive patients, and patients with histological grade 2 and 1. Additionally, by combining two proliferation factors, an even stronger prognostic value may be found.
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| 20. |
- Kochukhova, Olga, et al.
(author)
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Antenatal steroids and neurodevelopment in 12‐year‐old children born extremely preterm
- 2022
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 111:2, s. 314-322
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimTo investigate neurodevelopmental outcome in 12-year-old children born very preterm in relation to perinatal, neonatal and socioeconomic variables. To examine whether previously described positive effects of antenatal steroids on cognition persist at 12 years.MethodsProspective cohort, 78 children with gestational ages 22.7–31.9 weeks, born in 2004–2007 and examined at 12 years of age with cognitive, motor and visual motor integration tasks and compared to an age-matched control group (n = 50). Two preterm subgroups were studied: very preterm children (28–31 gestational weeks, n = 53) and extremely preterm children (22–27 gestational weeks, n = 25).ResultsThe preterm children had significantly lower scores on all cognitive, motor and visual motor integration tasks than the controls. Gestational age and maternal education influenced associations differently in the two preterm subgroups. Also, severe retinopathy of prematurity demonstrated strong associations to outcome. In the extremely preterm group, administration of antenatal steroids was associated with better cognition, basic attention, word generation and motor skills.ConclusionAt 12 years of age, very preterm children born in the 2000s still have deficits across several neurodevelopmental domains compared to term-born peers. Administration of antenatal steroids has long-lasting associations to cognition and motor skills in extremely preterm-born children.
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| 21. |
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| 22. |
- Lindén, Ola, et al.
(author)
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131I-labelled anti-CD22 MAb (LL2) in patients with B-cell lymphomas failing chemotherapy. Treatment outcome, haematological toxicity and bone marrow absorbed dose estimates.
- 2002
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In: Acta Oncologica. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1651-226X .- 0284-186X. ; 41:3, s. 297-303
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The experience with radioimmunotherapy in B-cell lymphomas using the rapidly internalizing antibody, anti-CD22 (LL2), is limited. In this study we investigated the efficacy and toxicity of 131I-labelled-LL2 for radioimmunotherapy in patients with B-cell lymphomas that failed one or two cytostatic regimens. Eleven patients were treated with one or repeated cycles of 131I-anti-CD22 antibody, 1330 MBq/m2 (36 mCi/m2). Six of the 11 treated patients demonstrated an objective response, three of them with complete remission. All follicular (3 patients) and transformed lymphomas (2 patients) responded compared to one of four diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. Two out of six responders exhibited event-free survival (EFS), which was comparable with or longer than the EFS following primary anthracycline-containing chemotherapy. Non-haematological toxicity was mild. Haematological toxicity was associated with pretreatment clinical characteristics but not with estimated absorbed bone marrow doses. Objective remission following treatment with 131I-anti-CD22 can be achieved in patients with various subtypes of B-cell lymphomas, failing standard chemotherapy. Follicular or transformed lymphomas seem particularly responsive. Haematological toxicity seems to be dependent on the functional status of the bone marrow before radioimmunotherapy.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Lindén, Ola, et al.
(author)
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Single tumor cell uptake and dosimetry of technetium-99m Fab ' anti-CD22 in low-grade B-cell lymphoma
- 2002
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In: Cancer. - : Wiley. - 1097-0142 .- 0008-543X. ; 94:4, s. 1270-1274
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND. A patient with follicular lymphoma was investigated with 0.5 mg Fab' anti-CD22 labeled with 1100 MBq technetium-99m (Tc-99m). A computed tomography scan performed a week later revealed regression. This unexpected response prompted an investigation of single cell dosimetry of low-energy electron emitters. METHODS. Another patient with low-grade, unclassifiable B-cell lymphoma with a low expression of CD22 was injected with Tc-99m anti-CD22. Blood samples were drawn 30 minutes, 4 hours, and 24 hours after injection. Lymphoma cells (CD19+) and T cells (CD3+), which served as control cells, were separated using a flow cytometer. The radioactivity of the two cell Populations was Measured in an NaI(Tl) well-type detector. The mean uptake per cell and absorbed dose were calculated. The CD22 expression of the patient's cells and of a B-cell lymphoma cell line (Raji) were assessed by flow cytometry for die extrapolation of the absorbed dose from the patient's cells to a cell line with higher CD22 expression. RESULTS. The average number of Tc-99m atoms per CD19+ and CD3 cell 4 hours postinjection were 5.4 and 0.054, respectively. Depending on the assumed ratio between antibody and CD22 molecules (1:2 or 1:1), the CD22 expression on the patient's cells and Raji cells varied from 2800 to 5700 and from 37,000 to 74,000 per cell, respectively. The average absorbed dose per cell ranged from 4 x 10(-7) to 0.1 grays (Gy). CONCLUSIONS. It seems feasible to assess the mean single tumor cell uptake of Tc-99m targeted by Fab' anti-CD22 in a patient's lymphoma using sorted cell populations, thereby allowing single cell dosimetry. Extrapolation of the absorbed dose from Tc-99m to cells with higher CD22 expression was made and under certain conditions absorbed doses of 0.1 Gy were obtained, indicating the potential relevance of low-energy elCancer 2002;94:1270-4.
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| 26. |
- Maria, Grafström, 1978-, et al.
(author)
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Informerad eller kunnig? Utvärdering av insatser för information och kommunikation om bistånd 2010-2020
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Det svenska biståndets informations- och kommunikationsarbete styrs av Strategin för informations- och kommunikations-verksamhet, inklusive genom organisationer i det civila samhället (Infokom-strategin). Denna utvärdering undersöker hur väl insatserna har uppfyllt strategins övergripande mål om att stärka den svenska allmänhetens kunskap om svenskt utvecklingssamarbete. Det gäller både de insatser som har genomförts under den föregående strategin (2010–2016) och den nuvarande (2016–2022). Insatserna utförs av Sida och svenska civilsamhällesorganisationer. Rapporten fokuserar på tidsperioden 2010–2020 och syftar till att utveckla förståelsen för i vilken grad och hur olika typer av insatser har bidragit till målet samt hur strategin kan utvecklas i framtiden för att mer effektivt bidra till stärkt kunskap. Allmänhetens kunskap om svenskt utvecklingssamarbete påverkas av en mångfald av samverkande faktorer. Infokom-insatsernas effekter på den svenska allmänhetens kunskapsnivå måste därmed analyseras i en vidare kontext. Den studerade tioårsperioden kännetecknas av betydande kontextuella förändringar som påverkar analysen av troliga effekter. De slutsatser vi utvecklar i rapporten är därför med nödvändighet av diskuterande karaktär. En viktig utgångspunkt för utvärderingen är särskiljandet av information och kunskap. För att information ska omvandlas till kunskap på individnivå krävs aktiv bearbetning. Vi lyfter fram tre kontextuella faktorer som har varit särskilt betydelsefulla för infokom-insatsernas förutsättningar att stärka individers kunskap: 1) den politiska kontexten och retoriken kring biståndsfrågor under tidsperioden, 2) mediebilden av biståndet, och 3) den svenska allmänhetens informationsinhämtning och nyhetsvanor. Utvärderingens slutsatser baseras på empiriskt material bestående av en webbpanelundersökning, intervjuer med personer som arbetat med infokom-insatser, en analys av medierapportering om biståndsfrågor, dokumentstudier samt redan tillgängliga data (opinions- och nyhetsvanemätningar). Utvärderingen består av två delar – en bredare kartläggning av det brokiga insatslandskapet, vilken ger en överblick av insatsernas genomförare, omfattning, målsättningar, målgrupper, kanaler, teman och aktiviteter, och djupgående fallstudier av sex strategiskt valda insatser som genomförts under hela eller delar av den studerade tidsperioden: Internationella/Globala Torget på Bok- och Biblioteksmässan, Sida Alumni, UNDP Sverige, Forum Syd/Civ, Diakonia och WWF Youth Sweden. Sidas årliga opinionsmätningar visar att den svenska allmänhetens kunskap om tillståndet i världen och kännedom om de Globala målen har ökat under den studerade perioden. Även svenskarnas självskattade kunskap och kännedom om bistånd har ökat. Det är dock tveksamt om dessa resultat kan ses som kunskap i någon fördjupad form. Det är vidare inte möjligt att dra slutsatser om huruvida enskilda insatser – eller ens insatser sammantaget – har haft någon avgörande effekt på den samlade kunskapen om bistånd hos den svenska allmänheten. Våra fallstudier visar dock att de sex insatser som studerats närmare till stor del lyckats med att sprida information om svenskt bistånd till sina målgrupper. Insatserna, vilka bland annat innefattar fysiska och digitala föreläsningar och seminarier, webbsidor, utbildningsmaterial, mediearbete och studieresor, har i hög utsträckning uppnått sina mål vad gäller informationsspridning. Det är alltså tydligt att de studerade infokom-insatserna i hög grad lyckats med att tillgängliggöra information. Frågan är dock i vilken utsträckning denna information har bearbetats av mottagarna och resulterat i ökad kännedom och/eller stärkt kunskap om svenskt utvecklingsarbete. Vår analys av kontextuella faktorer pekar på att den politiska styrningen av biståndskommunikationen, medie-logikens krav på korta, snabba och aktuella budskap samt svenskarnas rörelse mot digital nyhetskonsumtion och minskande intresse för biståndsfrågor har satt ramarna för infokom-insatsernas förutsättningar att stärka kunskap. Vad gäller insatsernas utformning är det tydligt att interaktiva komponenter främjar ett aktivt deltagande och reflekterande, vilket stödjer kunskapsutveckling på individnivå. Kunskapseffekterna av infokom-insatser som saknar interaktion – digital eller fysisk – är svårbedömda, särskilt i de fall där intressenivån hos mottagarna är okänd. Vi bedömer dock att det är mer sannolikt att dessa insatser bidragit till ökad kännedom snarare än djupare kunskap. Givet att den andel som vill veta mer om biståndsfrågor har minskat under perioden 2010–2020 så har det blivit svårare att nå ut med information som på ett eller annat sätt bearbetas av mottagarna. Insatser som innefattar skolarbete, vilket stimulerar till aktivitet och engagemang, kan vara ett bra sätt att nå målgruppen unga som har ett relativt lågt intresse och engagemang för biståndsfrågor. Sammantaget visar vår analys av centrala faktorer som förklarar infokom-insatsernas kunskapseffekter att: Medierapporteringens format och innehåll innebär begränsade möjligheter att bidra till stärkt kunskap om biståndsfrågor via nyhetsartiklar och annat medieinnehåll. Även om biståndsaktörer med stark och tydlig profil samt koppling till aktuella händelser kan få genomslag i medierna så begränsas möjligheten att bidra till kunskap av medierapporteringens fokus på korta budskap, och betydande skillnader mellan olika målgruppers konsumtion av nyheter. Medierapportering kan dock bidra till informationsspridning och därmed i förlängningen ökad kännedom om biståndsfrågor. Medan ökad kännedom om något kan skapas genom att sprida och tillgängliggöra information så kräver kunskapsutveckling att mottagaren involveras, engageras eller aktiveras. Insatser som innehåller fysiska möten, interaktion eller reflektion har därför bättre förutsättningar att bidra till kunskapsmålet. En kombination av kanaler och metoder för infokom-insatser kan stötta och berika varandra. Pressarbete och digitala satsningar kan vara centrala för att över tid utveckla kunskap om de kombineras med aktiviteter som främjar interaktion mellan biståndets aktörer och den svenska allmänheten. Om insatser utvärderas löpande och genom en kombination av kvantitativa utfallsmått och kvalitativa analyser så stärks möjligheten till lärande hos utförarna. Ett fördjupat lärande kring resultat och vad som fungerar bättre och sämre kan i sin tur förbättra möjligheterna att bidra till kunskapsmålet. Inför arbetet med kommande strategi pekar vår analys mot vikten av en fortsatt bred ansats där debatt, analys och granskning ges utrymme. Frågornas bredd och komplexitet kräver en mångfald av perspektiv och angreppssätt. Infokom-insatserna handlar i många fall om att engagera målgrupper i en dialog om biståndsfrågor och ökad kunskap kräver ofta någon form av interaktion eller aktivitet, och särskilt i de fall där målgruppen är ointresserad av biståndsfrågor Rapporten visar att intresset för biståndsfrågorna hos svenskarna minskat under den undersökta perioden. Om kunskapsmålet ska bibehållas och uppfyllas så krävs en bättre förståelse för, och mer forskning kring, vad som ligger bakom det sjunkande intresset. För att utveckla lärandet hos utförarna av infokom-insatser kring hur intresse och kunskap skapas krävs vidare att enskilda insatser utvärderas regelbundet och djupgående samt med särskilt fokus på hur intresse uppkommer och bibehålls. Här kan till exempel löpande dialog och samrådsgrupper spela en viktig roll.
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| 27. |
- Montgomery, Cecilia
(author)
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Early identification of motor problems in very preterm infants : An evaluation of the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants
- 2021
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Infants born very preterm are at risk of adverse neurodevelopment. It is important to identify motor problems early to initiate interventions aiming at ameliorating outcomes. Evaluating motor development in high-risk infants is a complex task. There is a need for assessment methods for early identification of abnormal motor performance. The aim of this thesis was to evalute the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants (SOMP-I) method for early identification of motor problems in very preterm children and to investigate early motor performance in relation to neonatal characteristics, cerebral imaging and later outcome. Level of motor development and quality of motor performance was assessed at 2, 4, 6, and 10 months’ of corrected age. Study I validated the revised SOMP-I, and compared early motor performance in 111 very preterm infants with 72 full-term infants. The preterm infants were more delayed and had more quality deficits than the term infants, and the groups had different motor trajectories. We concluded that convergent validity and discriminant validity of the SOMP-I was supported and facilitated early identification of infants with atypical motor development.Study II investigated SOMP-I results in relation to motor outcome (Bayley-III motor index at 2.5 years) in 98 very preterm children. The 28 children with delayed development had significantly poorer SOMP-I scores in infancy. We concluded that level and quality of motor performance were significant markers of later motor problems and quality became more significant with increasing age. Study III investigated early motor performance (SOMP-I), in relation to neurodevelopment and motor competence at 12 years (Movement ABC-2) in 78 very preterm children. At all assessment ages, there were significant associations between SOMP-I and MABC-2 scores. At 6 and 10 months, SOMP-I level and quality scores separately explained unique variance of the MABC-2 scores at 12 years. Study IV explored the relation between neonatal cerebral MRI (morphology, apparent diffusion coefficient, regional brain volumes) and 4-month motor performance (SOMP-I), in relation to 2-year motor outcome in 66 very preterm infants (11 with motor problems). SOMP-I results correlated with several MRI measures and with motor outcome. The level of motor performance had the highest predictive value for motor outcome. Overall conclusion: The two SOMP-I domains, level and quality, explain unique variances towards later motor outcomes, meaning that the two separate domains give added value to the motor assessment and are useful markers of motor outcome in very preterm infants.
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| 28. |
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| 29. |
- Montgomery, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants : Level and quality associated with later motor development
- 2021
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 110:1, s. 307-313
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimThe aim of this study was to investigate the level of motor development and the quality of motor performance during the first 10 months in relation to the Bayley Scales of Infant Development—third edition (Bayley-III) motor index at 2.5 years.MethodsChildren born very preterm from a population-based study (n = 113) were assessed with the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants (SOMP-I) at 2, 4, 6 and 10 months corrected age and the Bayley-III motor index at 2.5 years corrected age (n = 98). Logistic regressions were performed to investigate the independent association of each SOMP-I domain to Bayley-III motor index.ResultsThere were significant associations between the SOMP-I-scores and Bayley-III motor index per every assessment age. At 4 months, both level and quality were independently associated with a later motor outcome, OR for level was 1.26 (95% CI = 1.08-1.50, P = .002) and for quality, 0.75 (95% CI = 0.63-0.90, P = .002). Quality was independently associated with the Bayley-III motor index at 6 and 10 months: OR 0.080 (95% CI = 0.67-0.95 P = .010) and 0.79 (95% CI = 0.64-0.97, P = .026).ConclusionBoth SOMP-I domains, level and quality, are markers to identify motor problems early. Quality became more important with age.
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| 30. |
- Montgomery, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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The Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants has convergent and discriminant validity in preterm and term infants
- 2017
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : Wiley. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 106:5, s. 740-748
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: Methods are needed to evaluate the level of early motor development and quality of motor performance in infants. We examined the convergent and discriminant validity of the Structured Observation of Motor Performance in Infants (SOMP-I) for evaluating the level of motor development and quality of motor performance in preterm and term infants.METHODS: A regional cohort of 111 preterm infants with a gestational age of <32 weeks and 72 healthy term born infants were assessed with the SOMP-I, at two, four, six and 10 months of corrected age. Convergent validity was analysed with a mixed model analysis of the motor performance over time. Discriminant validity was analysed with the Mann-Whitney U-test in groups with different neonatal characteristics.RESULTS: Convergent validity was supported, as the level of motor development increased with age and the quality of motor performance improved over time. The method discriminated for both level and quality between the preterm and the term infants. The preterm infants demonstrated different quality deficits regardless of the level of motor development.CONCLUSION: Convergent validity and discriminant validity of the SOMP-I were supported in preterm and term infants and facilitates early identification of infants with atypical motor development.
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| 31. |
- Saber, Amanj, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Assessment of in Vitro and in Vivo Transfection Efficiency of the Biodegradable Polymer Chitosan in the Inner Ear
- 2010
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In: The Journal of International Advanced Otology. - : European Academy of Otology and Neurotology and the Politzer Society. - 1308-7649. ; 6:3, s. 307-315
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Sensorineural hearing loss is a significant problem worldwide and a condition that is not completely cured by currently available therapy. Gene therapy of the inner ear offers an exciting alternative and it has been suggested that this therapeutic modality could be used in treatment aiming at preventing, reversing or managing cochlear disorders. Because of their desired properties as an alternative to the viral vectors, non-viral vectors have been extensively explored for gene delivery. One example is chitosan, a biodegradable cationic polymer.Objective: To evaluate the in vitro and in vivo transfection efficiency of chitosan as a non-viral gene carrier for gene delivery to cells of the inner ear.Materials and Methods: Organotypic cultures of the hearing organ, the organ of Corti, were prepared from postnatal day 2 rats, and exposed to chitosan carrying plasmid DNA (pDNA) encoding for green fluorescent protein (GFP) for 24-48 hours. The in vivo transfection efficiency was tested at two time points, at one day or seven days after infusing chitosan/pDNA polyplexes through osmotic pumps into the cochlea of adult guinea pigs (n=41). The tissue was then processed for anti-GFP immunostaining (in vitro and in vivo) and RT-PCR (in vivo).Results: The in vitro assessment showed prominent GPF transfection after 24-48 hours, while the in vivo GFP transfection in the inner ear was inconsistent and did not show good correlation with the in vitro transfection. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the using chitosan as a carrier for the in vivo transfection, is associated with varying and in consistent degree of transfection.
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| 32. |
- Setänen, Sirkku, et al.
(author)
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Using different definitions affected the reported prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment in children born very preterm
- 2021
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In: Acta Paediatrica. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0803-5253 .- 1651-2227. ; 110:3, s. 838-845
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AimWe investigated the impact of varying definitions on the prevalence of neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) in children born very preterm at 6.5 years of age.MethodsCognitive development and neurosensory impairments were assessed in 91 children (40/51 girls/boys) born <32 gestational weeks, in 2004-2007 in Uppsala county, Sweden. The results were compared with data from a reference group of 67 children born full term. The prevalence of NDI in the present cohort was reported according to definitions used by seven contemporary studies of children born very or extremely preterm.ResultsThe prevalence of severe NDI varied from 2% to 23% depending on the definition used. The prevalence of cognitive impairment varied from 2% (−3 SD according to test norms) to 16% (−2 SD according to control group), the prevalence of cerebral palsy from 0% (severe) to 9% (any) and the prevalence of severe visual impairment from 0% (blindness) to 1% (visual acuity < 0.3). There were no children with severe hearing impairment.ConclusionA high variability in definitions affects the reporting of the prevalence of NDI in long-term follow-up studies of very or extremely preterm born children. There is a need for a better consensus to enable comparisons across studies.
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| 33. |
- Srokowski, Cathy Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Naturally occurring short splice variant of CYLD positively regulates dendritic cell function
- 2009
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In: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 1528-0020 .- 0006-4971. ; 113:23, s. 5891-5895
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Deubiquitination of NF-kappa B members by CYLD is crucial in controlling the magnitude and nature of cell activation. The role of the naturally occurring CYLD splice variant in dendritic cell (DC) function was analyzed using CYLDex7/8 mice, which lack the full-length CYLD (flCYLD) transcript and overexpress the short splice variant (sCYLD). Bone marrow-derived DCs from CYLDex7/8 mice display a hyperactive phenotype in vitro and in vivo and have a defect in establishing tolerance with the use of DEC-205-mediated antigen targeting to resting DCs. The combination of sCYLD overexpression and lack of flCYLD in CYLDex7/8 DCs leads to enhanced NF-kappa B activity accompanied by an increased nuclear translocation of the I kappa B molecule Bcl-3, along with nuclear p50 and p65. This suggests that, in contrast to flCYLD, sCYLD is a positive regulator of NF-kappa B activity, and its overexpression induces a hyperactive phenotype in DCs. (Blood. 2009; 113: 5891-5895)
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| 34. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Anti-corruption efforts in national ICT policies : A study of policy environments in Sub-Saharan Africa
- 2019
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In: ICT4D 2019. - Cham : Springer. - 9783030183998 - 9783030184001 ; , s. 520-531
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Many countries in Sub-Saharan Africa suffer from endemic corruption, which disrupts development efforts. Although ICTs is no magic wand, several studies indicate that ICT can serve as an important tool for combatting corruption by increasing transparency, and enable citizens to hold public officials accountable. Anti-corruption efforts are however dependent on strong political will and rule of law to be successful. A policy typically contains description of government intentions formulated into concrete objectives, as well as the rationale behind government targets. Furthermore, policies guide programmatic responses. The aim of this study is to explore how ICTs’ anti-corruption potential have been understood at the policy level over time in ICT policies from nine Sub-Saharan African countries between 2000 and 2018. The study concludes that although there are signs of a growing understanding of ICTs as a multi-purpose tool for anti-corruption towards the end of the period, most policies fail to produce a comprehensive and explicit narratives as well as statements affirming political will. The policy environment’s development trajectory, albeit positive, thus leaves room for improvement in terms highlighting ICTs potential contributions.
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| 35. |
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| 36. |
- Strand, Cecilia
(author)
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Blogging: A New Tool for Coping and Accessing Psycho-Social Support for People Living with HIV?
- 2011. - 1
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In: E-Health Communities and Online Self-Help Groups: Applications and Usage. - Hershey : IGI Global. - 9781609608668 ; , s. 106-120
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Upon learning about an HIV-positive status, the individual is often faced with immense psychological stress. Besides coming to terms with a life-threatening disease, fears of stigma and discrimination are often attributed as stressors. The purpose of this chapter is to explore blogging as a tool to cope with a lifelong and highly stigmatized disease such as HIV/AIDS. A literature review and content analysis of six HIV-positive individuals’ blogs indicate that blogging can be regarded as a tool for coping with HIV and potentially a form of self-administered therapy. Due to the ephemeral nature of blogs, the case blogs were revisited after 7 months to determine if they had been maintained. The fact that all six were still being updated regularly indicates that the bloggers found blogging about HIV/AIDS beneficial in one or several ways.
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| 37. |
- Strand, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Can the concept “political opportunity structure” inform M4D research?
- 2014
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Mobile phone acquisition and usage in Sub-Saharan Africa has seen a tremendous growth over the past decade. In the wake of this expansion, the technology has often been ascribed the role of a potential transformer in diverse areas, such as governance and democratization, civil society mobilization, transparency and anti-corruption. A reoccurring theme in much of the literature, is a taken for granted causality between access to mobile technology and civil society participation and ultimately empowerment of the same connected citizens.Although social movement theory have long recognized the importance of the political context as a key determining factor for the emergence of social movements, their impact and their longevity, few scholars have paid attention to the concepts of "political opportunity structure" in relation to M4D (Mobile Communication for Development). The following paper will explore how this concept can inform our understanding of when and where, i.e., under what socio-political conditions mobile technology seem to become a mobiliser and tool to claim space to participate in political processes. The paper will attempt to conceptualize how perceived political opportunity, and indeed constraints could be understood in relation to M4D. The paper departs from an assumption that mobile phones contains a transformative potential, but argues that whether it become enlisted as a tool by social actors is dependent on their understanding of the medium and parameters such as, but not limited to, the receptiveness of the formal political system, the existence of allies within government or the formal political system, the expected monetary and personal costs for social mobilization as well as likely outcomes of collective action. The research argues that existing political institutions should not be treated as epiphenomenal, but rather seen as important structures warranting attention, in order to understand mobiles as a tool for participation.
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| 38. |
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| 39. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Challenging the legacy of the past and present intimate colonialization - a study of Ugandan LGBT plus activism in times of shrinking communicative space
- 2023
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In: Information, Communication and Society. - : Routledge. - 1369-118X .- 1468-4462. ; 26:12, s. 2488-2505
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Through a mixed-methods approach consisting of a directed content analysis of five established LGBT+ organizations' use of Twitter and Facebook during a month in 2022, and semi-structured qualitative interviews with social media content producers, the study attempts to understand the role of self-controlled social media spaces in challenging the Uganda society's logics of oppression. The results indicate that self-controlled spaces are not used for disrupting the basis for repression - the local logic of oppression - or its cocoon of collective post-colonial amnesia. Nor were spaces used for re-constructive engaging with transnational and development partners' unwitting impact on global south actors' agency and legitimacy. Instead, with a few exceptions, spaces displayed a conspicuous uniform human rights advocacy rhetoric, and Western identity labels summarized in the LGBT+ acronym. The interviews with social media content producers suggest that the LGBT+ community's dependency on international support may sway actors into what we call performative visibility, in self-controlled spaces. The study concludes that future analysis of Global South based activist's use of social media spaces' affordances including its potential for supporting de-colonialization efforts, must approach use as relational to actors' dependency on key resources such as funding and protection through affiliation.
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| 40. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-
(author)
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Challenging the local logics of oppression in times of post-colonial amnesia – a study of Ugandan LGBT+ activism in digital media spaces
- 2024
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In: Information Technology for Development. - : Routledge. - 0268-1102 .- 1554-0170. ; , s. 1-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Against the backdrop of an increasingly repressive environment, the study explores to what degree five established LGBT+ organizations use self-controlled digital spaces, Twitter and Facebook, during one month in 2022 to expose and challenge constructs that rationalize oppression of Ugandan LGBT+. The analysis revealed that digital media spaces were not used to challenge the local logics of oppression or contemporary processes sustaining oppression. Instead, spaces, often displaying a conspicuously uniform Western sexual rights language, focused on providing digital services and/or notification of offline services to the community and promoting the individual organization. The adoption of Western sexual rights campaign language, including using LGBT+ as identity labels to communicate Ugandan same-sex desires and gender identities, could be explained by the community’s dependency on international resources. The study’s contribution lies in its astute reminder – that the realization of digital spaces’ emancipatory potential is dependent on the political economy of the activists' context.
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| 41. |
- Strand, Carina, et al.
(author)
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Combination of the proliferation marker cyclin A, histological grade, and estrogen receptor status in a new variable with high prognostic impact in breast cancer
- 2012
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In: Breast Cancer Research and Treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0167-6806 .- 1573-7217. ; 131:1, s. 33-40
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Global gene expression profiles, consisting mainly of genes associated with proliferation, have been shown to subdivide histological grade 2 breast cancers into groups with different prognosis. We raised the question whether this subdivision could be done using a single proliferation marker, cyclin A. Furthermore, we combined cyclin A (CA), histological grade (G), and estrogen receptor-ER (E) into a new variable, CAGE. Our aim was to investigate not only the prognostic importance of cyclin A alone but also the value of the combination variable CAGE. In 219 premenopausal node-negative patients, cyclin A was assessed using immunohistochemistry on tissue microarrays. High cyclin A was defined as above the seventh decile of positive cells. Only 13% of the patients received adjuvant systemic therapy. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to model the impact of the factors on distant disease-free survival (DDFS). Cyclin A divided histological grade 2 tumors into two groups with significantly different DDFS (hazard ratio [HR]: 15, P < 0.001). When stratifying for ER status, cyclin A was a prognostic factor only in the ER positive subgroup. We found that CAGE was an independent prognostic factor for DDFS in multivariate analysis (HR: 4.1, P = 0.002), together with HER2. CAGE and HER2 identified 53% as low-risk patients with a 5-year DDFS of 95%. A new prognostic variable was created by combining cyclin A, histological grade, and ER (CAGE). CAGE together with HER2 identified a large low-risk group for whom adjuvant chemotherapy will have limited efficacy and may be avoided.
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| 42. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-
(author)
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Cross-media Studies as a Method to Uncover Patterns of Silence and Linguistic Discrimination of Sexual Minorities in Ugandan Print Media
- 2018
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In: Exploring Silence and Absence in Discourse. - Cham : Springer Nature. - 9783319645797 - 9783319645803 ; , s. 125-157
-
Book chapter (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Ugandan sexual minorities have historically experienced varying degrees of explicit discriminatory coverage in traditional media outlets as well as denial of voice in matters of direct concern to the LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bi-, Trans-, Queer and Intersexuals) community. This study approached the question whether social media can open up new spaces for Ugandan minorities to counter exclusion from discourse production processes with ensuing exclusion and discursive discrimination. Through a cross-media research design, where the two largest daily newspapers, the privately owned the Daily Monitor and the state-run New Vision, are analyzed and positioned against the main sexual minority network’s Twitter flow, the study finds that sexual minorities are seldom provided space for self-representation in print media; an exclusion that enables other discursive discrimination to come into existence. Despite its much lower audience and user base in the Ugandan contexts, Twitter provided a much-needed space for active resistance against prevalent homophobic discourses.
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| 43. |
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| 44. |
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| 45. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Disinformation campaigns about LGBTI+ people in the EU and foreign influence
- 2021
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The purpose of this briefing is to give a concise overview of disinformation, misinformation and propaganda campaigns about LGBTI+ persons and rights, originating from or being supported and/or multiplied by actors outside the EU. Based on a review of existing literature, the briefing examines the main narratives used, supported and circulated, as well as which actors or group of actors are involved. Where available, information on methods, funding and impacts on European values is provided. The main narratives identified include negative othering, opposing a ‘gender ideology’, ‘heteroactivism’, restoring a ‘natural’ order, ‘colonialism’ and child safety. The briefing concludes that there is a need for more research, further harmonisation of legal frameworks, the scrutiny of financial flows and strengthened capacity to detect disinformation, misinformation, propaganda and hate speech.
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| 46. |
- Strand, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Existing and promising theoretical approaches to understanding ICTs contribution to anti-corruption efforts : A Literature Review
- 2019
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In: Electronic Governance and Open Society.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two theories, often presented as bifurcated, dominate attempts to understand corruption in the social sciences: collective action and principal-agent. Both theories seek to ex-plain when and why corruption happens, as well as how it can be addressed. With the ICT4D field often criticized for being undertheorized, the following study explores which theories are drawn upon to understand ICTs as an anticorruption tool in developing countries. Through a literature review of 20 years of IS and ICT4D research the study analyses 19 peer reviewed journal articles’ theoretical under-pinning together with methodology and theoretical contributions. The results find that even if a few studies declare some, often only cursory, theoretical underpinnings and influences, they in-fallibly fail to present a theoretically informed analytical framework detailing ICTs contribution to anti-corruption, or the lack thereof. Furthermore, with most of the papers containing no theoretical references, the field is still clearly struggling with theory. The article discusses the benefits with appropriating theory, such as principle-agent and collective action as well as more critical approaches to un-pack ICTs contribution to anti-corruption efforts.
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| 47. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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Existing and promising theoretical approaches to understanding ICTs contribution to anti-corruption efforts : A Literature Review
- 2020
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In: Electronic Governance and Open Society. - Cham : Springer. ; , s. 73-87
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two theories, often presented as bifurcated, dominate attempts to understand corruption in the social sciences: collective action and principal-agent. Both theories seek to ex-plain when and why corruption happens, as well as how it can be addressed. With the ICT4D field often criticized for being under-theorized, the following study explores which theories are drawn upon to understand ICTs as an anti-corruption tool in developing countries. Through a literature review of 20 years of IS and ICT4D research the study analyses 19 peer reviewed journal articles’ theoretical under-pinning together with methodology and theoretical contributions. The results find that even if a few studies declare some, often only cursory, theoretical underpinnings and influences, they in-fallibly fail to present a theoretically informed analytical framework detailing ICTs contribution to anti-corruption, or the lack thereof. Furthermore, with most of the papers containing no theoretical references, the field is still clearly struggling with theory. The article discusses the benefits with appropriating theory, such as principle-agent and collective action as well as more critical approaches to un-pack ICTs contribution to anti-corruption efforts
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| 48. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-
(author)
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Factors associated with high media coverage of the HIV epidemic in Lesotho
- 2010
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In: African Journal of AIDS Research. - : National Inquiry Services Center (NISC). - 1608-5906 .- 1727-9445. ; 9:3, s. 225-233
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Regional studies show that Lesotho outperforms other countries in southern Africa in terms of awarding coverage to HIV and AIDS. Through qualitative interviews, this study examines the motivations, experiences, and perceived challenges among media workers, which could explain the high coverage. While a high level of personal commitment seems to be the outcome of interrelated factors — such as media workers’ personal experience of the country’s high HIV prevalence and high mortality rate — Lesotho’s political leadership and various government initiatives, notably the unique ‘Know Your Status’ campaign, were singled out as a key factor behind the high coverage. Moreover, journalists and editors are often consciously exploiting the mass media’s potential agendasetting function in order to raise attention to HIV and AIDS. Although covering the HIV epidemic has become significantly easier in Lesotho because of government efforts, government and public officials are simultaneously identified as the main obstacle to more comprehensive coverage.
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| 49. |
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| 50. |
- Strand, Cecilia, 1972-, et al.
(author)
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“Fake News” on Sexual Minorities is “Old News” : Study of Digital Platforms as Spaces for Challenging Inaccurate Reporting on Ugandan Sexual Minorities
- 2019
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In: Ecquid Novi. - : Taylor & Francis. - 0256-0054 .- 1942-0773. ; 40:4, s. 77-95
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For sexual minorities in Africa, fake news is nothing new. However, with the arrival of self-controlled digital platforms, sexual minorities are presented with new ways to counter coverage that misrepresents the community. Inspired by affordance theory and agenda-setting theory, this study explores whether self-controlled digital platforms are used to challenge false media reports on sexual minorities in Uganda, and if so, to what extent. Through a cross-media research design, the largest English-language daily newspaper, the government-owned New Vision, is analysed and positioned against the main sexual minority network's (SMUG’s) public Facebook and Twitter accounts at two points in time in 2013/2014 and in 2018. The study finds that, although social media channels afford direct engagement with false media reports, the platforms are under-utilised as spaces regarding countering false reporting on LGBTQIs. Furthermore, this lack of engagement with the media was found to be stable over time.
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