| 1. |
- Ahrné, Karin, et al.
(author)
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Tillstånd och trender för arter och deras livsmiljöer – rödlistade arter i Sverige 2015
- 2015
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Reports (other academic/artistic)abstract
- 2015 års upplaga av den svenska rödlistan är den fjärde i ordningen. Den är baserad på IUCN:s rödlistningskriterier och revideras vart femte år. I rödlistan bedöms risken som enskilda arter av djur, växter och svampar löper att försvinna från Sverige. Bedömningen utförs av ArtDatabankens medarbetare i samverkan med över 100 externa experter, indelade i 14 expertkommittéer för olika organismgrupper. Under arbetet med 2015 års rödlista har tillstånd och trender bedömts för 21 600 arter och 1 318 lägre taxa (apomiktiska arter, underarter och varieteter), sammanlagt ca 22 900 taxa. Av de bedömda arterna klassificerades 2 029 som hotade (kategorierna CR, EN och VU) och 4 273 som rödlistade (inkluderar även kategorierna NT, RE och DD). Förhållandet mellan antalet rödlistade och antalet bedömda arter ar 19,8 %, vilket är ungefär samma värde som 2010 och 2005. I denna rapport jämförs antalet och andelen rödlistade arter mellan olika organismgrupper, biotoper, substrat och påverkansfaktorer. Texten ar indelad i en allmän del och åtta kapitel inriktade på olika landskapstyper. Landskapstyperna utgör en grov indelning av landets miljöer enligt följande kategorier: Skog, Jordbrukslandskap, Urbana miljöer, Fjäll, Våtmarker, Sötvatten, Havsstränder och Havsmiljöer. Skogen och jordbrukslandskapet är de artrikaste landskapstyperna med 1 800 respektive 1 400 arter som har en stark anknytning dit, och ytterligare flera hundra arter som förekommer där mer sporadiskt. De faktorer som påverkar flest rödlistade arter i Sverige är skogsavverkning och igenväxning, som båda utgör ett hot mot vardera ca 30 % av de rödlistade arterna. Avverkning minskar arealen av skog där naturliga strukturer och naturlig dynamik upprätthålls, och den orsakar därmed förlust av livsmiljöer. Igenväxning orsakas av ett antal faktorer, bland annat upphörande hävd (bete och slåtter), gödsling, trädplantering och brist på naturliga störningsregimer som t.ex. regelbundna översvämningar kring vattendrag och sjöar. Andra viktiga påverkansfaktorer är fiske, torrläggning av våtmarker, tillbakagång hos värdarter (främst alm och ask som drabbats av invasiva svampsjukdomar), klimatförändringar och konkurrens från invasiva arter. IUCN:s rödlisteindex beräknas för ett urval av de bedömda organismgrupperna. Rödlisteindex visar att skillnaderna mellan rödlistorna från 2000, 2005, 2010 och 2015 är små. Ett par undantag finns dock. Groddjur och stora däggdjur har fått en något förbättrad situation sedan 2000. Totalt förefaller det ändå som att trycket mot Sveriges artstock har förblivit relativt konstant under de senaste 15 åren.
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| 2. |
- Bohman, Karin, 1983-
(author)
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What is music education? : discursive construction and legitimisation of theory and practice in a Swedish upper secondary school
- 2024
-
Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The overall purpose of this thesis is to describe and discuss the discursive constructions and legitimisations of Music and Music theory in Swedish upper secondary school context. Thereby, this thesis is part of the construction and debate concerning theory vs practice in Music education. The study is based on classroom observations and interviews with teachers and students. The study is conducted during two consecutive autumn semesters, where the first autumn observations are conducted in the Music subject Ensemble, and the second semester in the Music theory subject Aural skills and music theory as well as Ensemble. The results and analysis show that Music and Music theory are predominantly differently constructed, through the discourses permeating the courses within the subjects. Ensemble, as a Music subject, is constructed through musical practice, and only activities that are not directly related to playing – as an activity – need legitimisation, whereas Music theory as a subject appear as continuously legitimised through its connotations to the Music subject. The Ensemble course is constructed as the nucleus around which other parts of the education pivots, including courses in Music theory. Through the analysis of events, event series, regularities and condition of possibility (Foucault, 1970), present thesis demonstrates that expressions of resistance and challenge for the regulatory discourses within the two subjects endure. However, discourse flexes and bends though continue to permeate the regular events and thus also the condition of possibility. External context and professional culture (Ball et al., 2012), is viewed as entailing discursive rooms and views that construct both theory and practice. External context, such as genres of music outside of ensemble education, and the teachers’ professional cultures as musicians permeates the discursive construction of the ensemble subject as well as teacher identity. In conclusion, Music and Music theory as subjects in upper secondary education, as they appear in the context of this study, can hence be viewed as two points on a balance-board, where the weight of discursive power vii shifts from one side to the other dependent on within which discursive (class)room they are taught.
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| 3. |
- Boswinkel, Milou, et al.
(author)
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Utilizing MRI, [18F]FDG-PET and [89Zr]Zr-DFO-28H1 FAP-PET tracer to assess inflammation and fibrogenesis in a reproducible lung injury rat model : a multimodal imaging study
- 2023
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In: Frontiers in Nuclear Medicine. - 2673-8880. ; 3
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: Accurate imaging biomarkers that indicate disease progression at an early stage are highly important to enable timely mitigation of symptoms in progressive lung disease. In this context, reproducible experimental models and readouts are key. Here, we aim to show reproducibility of a lung injury rat model, by inducing disease and assessing disease progression by multi-modal non-invasive imaging techniques at two different research sites. Furthermore, we evaluated the potential of fibroblast activating protein (FAP) as an imaging biomarker in the early stage of lung fibrosis. Methods: An initial lung injury rat model was set up at one research site (Lund University, Lund, Sweden) and repeated at a second site (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands). To induce lung injury, Sprague-Dawley rats received intratracheal instillation of bleomycin as one single dose (1,000 iU in 200 µL) or saline as control. Thereafter, longitudinal images were acquired to track inflammation in the lungs, at 1 and 2 weeks after the bleomycin challenge by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and [18F]FDG-PET. After the final [18F]FDG-PET scan, rats received an intravenous tracer [89Zr]Zr-DFO-28H1 (anti-FAP antibody) and were imaged at day 15, to track fibrogenesis. Upon termination, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) was performed to assess cell and protein concentration. Subsequently, the biodistribution of [89Zr]Zr-DFO-28H1 was measured ex vivo and the spatial distribution in lung tissue was studied by autoradiography. Lung sections were stained, and fibrosis assessed using the modified Ashcroft score. Results: Bleomycin-challenged rats showed body weight loss and increased numbers of immune cells and protein concentrations after BAL compared with control animals. The initiation and progression of the disease were reproduced at both research sites. Lung lesions in bleomycin-exposed rats were visualized by MRI and confirmed by histology. [18F]FDG uptake was higher in the lungs of bleomycin-challenged rats compared with the controls, similar to that observed in the Lund study. [89Zr]Zr-DFO-28H1 tracer uptake in the lung was increased in bleomycin-challenged rats compared with control rats (p = 0.03). Conclusion: Here, we demonstrate a reproducible lung injury model and monitored disease progression using conventional imaging biomarkers MRI and [18F]FDG-PET. Furthermore, we showed the first proof-of-concept of FAP imaging. This reproducible and robust animal model and imaging experimental set-up allows for future research on new therapeutics or biomarkers in lung disease.
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| 4. |
- Ferm Almqvist, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
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Collaborative learning as common sense : structure, roles and participation amongst doctoral students and teachers in music education – beyond communities of practice
- 2017
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In: Visions of Research in Music Education. - New Jersey : The New Jersey Music Educators Association. - 1938-2065. ; 29:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The article communicates an investigation ofhow collaborative learning is constituted in a PhD-course, namely Collaborative learning in music educational settings. The course was organized and run in a way that wished to investigate, develop and encourage collaborative learning among students and teachers at postgraduate level. Material produced and analysed included logbooks, assignments, peer-response, after-thoughts, and a Facebook discussion-thread. The results are presented as descriptions of the constituent parts of collaborative learning occurring in the “rooms” of the course. The results show the importance of structure as well as awareness when it comes to roles and kinds of participation.
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| 5. |
- Ferm, Cecilia, et al.
(author)
-
Collaborative learning as common sense: structure, roles and participation amongst doctoral students and teachers in music education : beyond communities of practice
- 2017
-
In: Visions of Research in Music Education. - : New Jersey Music Educators Association. - 1938-2065. ; 29
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The article communicates an investigation of how collaborative learning is constituted in a PhD-course, namely Collaborative learning in music educational settings. The course was organized and run in a way that aimed to investigate, develop and encourage collaborative learning among students and teachers in the third circle. Material produced and analysed included log-books, assignments, peer-response, after-thoughts, and a Facebook discussion-thread. The results are presented as descriptions of the constituent parts of collaborative learning occurring in the “rooms” of the course. The results show the importance of structure as well as awareness when it comes to roles and kinds of participation.
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| 6. |
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| 7. |
- Glader, Pernilla, et al.
(author)
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Cigarette smoke extract modulates respiratory defence mechanisms through effects on T-cells and airway epithelial cells.
- 2006
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 100:5, s. 818-827
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (CCPD) is a disease primarily caused by cigarette smoking, which in turn has been shown to affect the susceptibility to and progression of airway infections. The question addressed in this study was how components from cigarette smoke could affect the defence mechanisms of T-cells and epithelial cells, and thereby contribute to the development of the COPD pathology. T-cells and monocytes were isolated from buffycoats from healthy donors and T-cell responses studied in response to cigarette smoke extract (CSE). Activation level (CD25 expression), proliferation (BrdU incorporation) and intracellular expression of the cytotoxic markers granzyme-b and TIA-1 were determined using flowcytometry. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells were obtained from Cambrex and differentiated in air-liquid interface cultures. After exposure to CSE barrier function (trans-epithelial electric resistance, TEER), MUC5AC and interleukin-8 production were measured. T-cell activation, proliferation and expression of the cytotoxic proteins granzyme-b and TIA-1 were significantly reduced in response to 0.5-1% of CSE. The epithelial cells were more resistant to CSE and responded at doses 20 times higher than T-cells. The expression of interteukin-8 and MUC5AC was significantly increased after exposure to 15% and 30% CSE and TEER was largely unaffected at 30% CSE but clearly reduced at 40% CSE. This study shows that mechanisms, in both T-cells and airway epithelial cells, involved in the defence against infectious agents are modulated by CSE. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 8. |
- Glader, Pernilla, et al.
(author)
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Systemic CD4+ T-cell activation is correlated with FEV(1) in smokers.
- 2006
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In: Respiratory Medicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 1532-3064 .- 0954-6111. ; 100:6, s. 1088-1093
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The inflammation of the lungs in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterised by increased numbers of macrophages, neutrophils and T-cells. Decline in lung function in these patients has been correlated to the number of CD8+ T-cells present in the lung as well as to a decline in the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T-cells. Although systemic components are likely to be present, circulating lymphocyte populations in COPD patients have not been well characterised. This study aimed at correlating lung function to expression of five different T-cell activation markers on peripheral blood CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells in COPD patients and matched smokers. Furthermore, proportions of lymphocyte populations and degree of systemic T-cell activation in COPD patients were compared to that in smokers and never-smokers. Peripheral blood lymphocytes from six never-smokers, eight smokers and 17 smokers with COPD were analysed using flowcytometry. The number of lymphocytes per millilitre was higher in smokers than in never-smokers. No differences were found between the three groups in regard to proportions of lymphocyte populations, but the number of CD4+ T-cells in smokers was higher than in both never-smokers and COPD patients. The degree of T-cell activation was similar in all patient groups; however, a clear correlation between CD69 expression on CD4+ T-cells and lung function (FEV1% of predicted) was found when examining current smokers, with or without COPD. Elevated numbers of CD69+ CD4+ T-cells in blood thus seem to be protective against airway obstruction in smokers while still exposed to cigarette smoke, the main inducer of COPD.
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| 9. |
- Mahmutovic Persson, Irma, et al.
(author)
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Imaging Biomarkers and Pathobiological Profiling in a Rat Model of Drug-Induced Interstitial Lung Disease Induced by Bleomycin
- 2020
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In: Frontiers in Physiology. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 1664-042X. ; 11
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A large number of systemically administered drugs have the potential to cause drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DIILD). We aim to characterize a model of DIILD in the rat and develop imaging biomarkers (IBs) for detection and quantification of DIILD. In this study, Sprague–Dawley rats received one single dose of intratracheal (i.t.) bleomycin and were longitudinally imaged at day 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 post dosing, applying the imaging techniques magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT). Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed for total protein and inflammatory cells. Lungs were saved for further evaluation by gene analysis using quantitative-PCR and by histology. Lung sections were stained with Masson’s-Trichrome staining and evaluated by modified Ashcroft score. Gene expression profiling of inflammatory and fibrotic markers was performed on lung tissue homogenates. Bleomycin induced significant increase in total protein concentration and total cell count in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), peaking at day 3 (p > 0.001) and day 7 (p > 0.001) compared to control, respectively. Lesions measured by MRI and PET signal in the lungs of bleomycin challenged rats were significantly increased during days 3–14, peaking at day 7. Two subgroups of animals were identified as low- and high-responders by their different change in total lung volume. Both groups showed signs of inflammation initially, while at later time points, the low-responder group recovered toward control, and the high-responder group showed sustained lung volume increase, and significant increase of lesion volume (p < 0.001) compared to control. Lastly, important inflammatory and pro-fibrotic markers were assessed from lung tissue, linking observed imaging pathological changes to gene expression patterns. In conclusion, bleomycin-induced lung injury is an adequate animal model for DIILD studies and for translational lung injury assessment by MRI and PET imaging. The scenario comprised disease responses, with different fractions of inflammation and fibrosis. Thereby, this study improved the understanding of imaging and biological biomarkers in DIILD and lung injury.
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| 10. |
- Mahmutovic Persson, Irma, et al.
(author)
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Imaging biomarkers in animal models of drug-induced lung injury : A systematic review
- 2021
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI AG. - 2077-0383. ; 10:1, s. 1-30
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- For drug-induced interstitial lung disease (DIILD) translational imaging biomarkers are needed to improve detection and management of lung injury and drug-toxicity. Literature was reviewed on animal models in which in vivo imaging was used to detect and assess lung lesions that resembled pathological changes found in DIILD, such as inflammation and fibrosis. A systematic search was carried out using three databases with key words “Animal models”, “Imaging”, “Lung disease”, and “Drugs”. A total of 5749 articles were found, and, based on inclusion criteria, 284 papers were selected for final data extraction, resulting in 182 out of the 284 papers, based on eligibility. Twelve different animal species occurred and nine various imaging modalities were used, with two-thirds of the studies being longitudinal. The inducing agents and exposure (dose and duration) differed from non-physiological to clinically relevant doses. The majority of studies reported other biomarkers and/or histological confirmation of the imaging results. Summary of radiotracers and examples of imaging biomarkers were summarized, and the types of animal models and the most used imaging modalities and applications are discussed in this review. Pathologies resembling DIILD, such as inflammation and fibrosis, were described in many papers, but only a few explicitly addressed drug-induced toxicity experiments.
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| 11. |
- Mahmutovic Persson, Irma, et al.
(author)
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In vivo MRI and PET imaging in a translational ILD mouse model expressing non-resolving fibrosis and bronchiectasis-like pathology after repeated systemic exposure to bleomycin
- 2024
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In: Frontiers in Medicine. - 2296-858X. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Methods: Drug-induced interstitial lung disease (ILD) is crucial to detect early to achieve the best treatment outcome. Optimally, non-invasive imaging biomarkers can be used for early detection of disease progression and treatment follow-up. Therefore, reliable in vivo models are warranted in new imaging biomarker development to accelerate better-targeted treatment options. Single-dose bleomycin models have, for a long time, served as a reference model in fibrosis and lung injury research. Here, we aimed to use a clinically more relevant animal model by systemic exposure to bleomycin and assessing disease progression over time by combined magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.C57BL/6 mice received bleomycin (i.p. 35iU/kg) or saline as control twice per week for 4 weeks. Mice were monitored until 2 weeks after cessation of bleomycin administration (w4 + 1 and w4 + 2), referred to as the resting period. MRI scans were performed in weeks 3 and 4 and during the resting weeks. [18F]FDG-PET was performed at the last week of dosing (w4) and 2 weeks after the last dosing (w4 + 2). Lung tissue sections were stained with Masson’s trichrome and evaluated by modified Ashcroft scoring. Lung volume and lesion volumes were assessed using MRI, as well as 3D mapping of the central airways.Results and discussion: Bleomycin-challenged mice showed increased lung weights (p < 0.05), while total lung volume was unchanged (w4 and onward). Histology analysis demonstrated fibrotic lesions emanating from the distal parts of the lung. Fibrosis progression was visualized by MRI with significantly increased high signal in bleomycin-exposed lungs compared to controls (p < 0.05). In addition, a significant increase in central airway diameter (p < 0.01) was displayed in bleomycin-exposed animals compared to controls and further continued to dilate as the disease progressed, comparing the bleomycin groups over time (p < 0.05–0.001). Lung [18F]FDG uptake was significantly elevated in bleomycin-exposed mice compared to controls (p < 0.05).Conclusion: Non-invasive imaging displayed progressing lesions in the lungs of bleomycin-exposed mice, using two distinct MRI sequences and [18F]FDG-PET. With observed fibrosis progression emanating from distal lung areas, dilation of the central airways was evident. Taken together, this chronic bleomycin-exposure model is translationally more relevant for studying lung injury in ILD and particularly in the context of DIILD.
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| 12. |
- Mahmutovic Persson, Irma, et al.
(author)
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Longitudinal Imaging Using PET/CT with Collagen-I PET-Tracer and MRI for Assessment of Fibrotic and Inflammatory Lesions in a Rat Lung Injury Model
- 2020
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In: Journal of Clinical Medicine. - : MDPI AG. - 2077-0383. ; 9:11, s. 1-21
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Non-invasive imaging biomarkers (IBs) are warranted to enable improved diagnostics and follow-up monitoring of interstitial lung disease (ILD) including drug-induced ILD (DIILD). Of special interest are IB, which can characterize and differentiate acute inflammation from fibrosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate a PET-tracer specific for Collagen-I, combined with multi-echo MRI, in a rat model of DIILD. Rats were challenged intratracheally with bleomycin, and subsequently followed by MRI and PET/CT for four weeks. PET imaging demonstrated a significantly increased uptake of the collagen tracer in the lungs of challenged rats compared to controls. This was confirmed by MRI characterization of the lesions as edema or fibrotic tissue. The uptake of tracer did not show complete spatial overlap with the lesions identified by MRI. Instead, the tracer signal appeared at the borderline between lesion and healthy tissue. Histological tissue staining, fibrosis scoring, lysyl oxidase activity measurements, and gene expression markers all confirmed establishing fibrosis over time. In conclusion, the novel PET tracer for Collagen-I combined with multi-echo MRI, were successfully able to monitor fibrotic changes in bleomycin-induced lung injury. The translational approach of using non-invasive imaging techniques show potential also from a clinical perspective.
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| 13. |
- Persdotter, Sofia, et al.
(author)
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Cooperative inhibitory effects of budesonide and formoterol on eosinophil superoxide production stimulated by bronchial epithelial cell conditioned medium
- 2007
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In: International Archives of Allergy and Immunology. - : S. Karger AG. - 1423-0097 .- 1018-2438. ; 143:3, s. 201-210
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Improved asthma control by combinations of inhaled glucocorticosteroids (GCs) and long-acting beta(2)-agonists (LABAs) includes a reduced frequency and severity of exacerbations. In view of the association of exacerbations with increased airway inflammation, the question has arisen as to whether LABAs are able to complement the known anti- inflammatory activity of GCs. To address this, we studied the effects of a LABA, formoterol (FORM), and a GC, budesonide (BUD), alone and in combination, on bronchial epithelial cell-mediated eosinophil superoxide production in vitro. Methods: We employed 2 experimental approaches. First, superoxide production by human eosinophils incubated with conditioned medium (CM) from human bronchial epithelial cells cultured for 24 h with vehicle, BUD, FORM or BUD + FORM was measured (Epi/Eos assay). Second, eosinophils were stimulated with vehicle-CM to which the drugs were added (Eos assay). Superoxide production was determined as the superoxide dismutase-inhibitable reduction of ferricytochrome C. Results: CM increased eosinophil superoxide generation (p < 0.01) and epithelial-derived granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor was the mediator responsible. In both assays, FORM dose-dependently inhibited eosinophil superoxide similarly and in the same concentration range as BUD. The BUD + FORM combination was more effective than BUD alone, and it completely inhibited CM-induced superoxide production in the Epi/Eos assay, suggesting complementary effects of both drugs on bronchial epithelial cells and eosinophils. Conclusions: The cooperative, inhibitory effects of BUD and FORM on eosinophils and bronchial epithelial cells, in terms of their effects on eosinophil superoxide production, may represent a possible mechanism for the enhanced anti-inflammatory efficacy of BUD and FORM combination therapy of asthma. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel
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| 14. |
- Subramaniyam, Devipriya, et al.
(author)
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C-36 peptide, a degradation product of alpha1-antitrypsin, modulates human monocyte activation through LPS signaling pathways.
- 2006
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In: International Journal of Biochemistry & Cell Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1878-5875 .- 1357-2725. ; 38:4, s. 563-575
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT), a major endogenous inhibitor of serine proteases, plays an important role in minimizing proteolytic injury to host tissue at sites of infection and inflammation. There is now increasing evidence that AAT undergoes post-translational modifications to yield by-products With novel biological activity. One Such molecule, the C-terminal fragment of AAT, corresponding to residues 359-394 (C-36 peptide) has been reported to stimulate significant pro-inflammatory activity in monocytes and neutrophils in vitro. In this study we showed that C-36 peptide is present in human lung tissue and mimics the effects of lipopolysaccharide (LIPS), albeit with lower magnitude, by inducing monocyte cytokine (TNF alpha, IL-I beta) and chemokine (IL-8) release in conjunction with the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappa B). Using receptor blocking antibodies and protein kinase inhibitors, we further demonstrated that C-36, like LPS, utilizes CD14 and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) receptors and enzymes of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways to stimulate monocyte TNF alpha release. The specificity of C-36 effects were demonstrated by failure of a shorter peptide (C-20) to elicit biological activity and the failure of C-36 to inhibit M/CD28-stimulated IL-2 receptor expression or proliferation in T-cells which lack TLR4 and CD14. We suggest that C-36 mediates its effects though the activation of LPS signaling pathways. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 15. |
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| 16. |
- von Wachenfeldt, Paula, 1968-
(author)
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Le paradis perdu et retrouvé : Étude de l'innocence et de la culpabilité dans l'oeuvre d'Albert Camus
- 2003
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- The aim of this dissertation is to investigate a recurrent idea that dominates the works of Albert Camus, namely the search for man’s innocence. A study of this notion, however, will to the same extent require an examination of guilt, since the signification of the first depends on the second and since both exist in Camus. The notion of innocence in Albert Camus’ works L’Étranger, Caligula, Le Malentendu, La Peste, La Chute, L’Exil et le Royaume, Les Justes and the posthumous novel Le Premier Homme appears in three different dimensions: ethical, theological and as a state of virginity. The first dimension refers to the state of the accused man who is not guilty of a given crime, the second represents the state of the first man before sin, according to Christian principles, and the third dimension is to be found particularly in the purity of a child and all acts beyond good and evil. Through an analysis of the novels, the plays and the short stories of Camus, it is possible to establish that all the main characters are struggling to find either their own innocence or mankind’s in general. However, their search collides with two different types of guilt, whose significance can be identified thanks to the definitions given by Paul Ricœur, namely ethical-legal (éthico-juridique) and psycho-theological (psycho-théologique) guilt. The first sense of this concept regards the connection between penalty and responsibility, while the second concerns the Christian consciousness of original sin. Moreover, it may be seen that the question of innocence in Camus strongly implicates the question of happiness which is clearly revealed in the plays Caligula and Le Malentendu. This investigation indicates that innocence and happiness belong together, i.e. to be happy “l’homme camusien” has to first feel his innocence. There is another crucial point observed in this thesis: the impact that the unfinished novel Le Premier Homme has on understanding Camus’ thought and all his previous production. For it is in this last, autobiographic novel that one can discover the source of all the needs that have been haunting his writing throughout his life. It is in Le Premier Homme in particular that the thirst for innocence investigated in this dissertation is finally extinguished. And this takes place via a return to the simplicity of the world of Camus’ childhood and the relationship to nature, beyond any philosophical or religious language.
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| 17. |
- Vuorela, Mikko, et al.
(author)
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Further evidence for the contribution of the RAD51C gene in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility.
- 2011
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In: Breast cancer research and treatment. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1573-7217 .- 0167-6806. ; 130:3, s. 1003-1010
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- RAD51C, a RAD51 paralogue involved in homologous recombination, is a recently established Fanconi anemia and breast cancer predisposing factor. In the initial report, RAD51C mutations were shown to confer a high risk for both breast and ovarian tumors, but most of the replication studies published so far have failed to identify any additional susceptibility alleles. Here, we report a full mutation screening of the RAD51C gene in 147 Finnish familial breast cancer cases and in 232 unselected ovarian cancer cases originating from Finland and Sweden. In addition, in order to resolve whether common RAD51C SNPs are risk factors for breast cancer, we genotyped five tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms, rs12946522, rs304270, rs304283, rs17222691, and rs28363312, all located within the gene, from 993 Finnish breast cancer cases and 871 controls for cancer associated variants. Whereas, none of the studied common SNPs associated with breast cancer susceptibility, mutation analysis revealed two clearly pathogenic alterations. RAD51C c.-13_14del27 was observed in one familial breast cancer case and c.774delT in one unselected ovarian cancer case, thus confirming that RAD51C mutations are implicated in breast and ovarian cancer predisposition, although their overall frequency seems to be low. Independent identification of the very recently reported RAD51C c.774delT mutation in yet another patient originating from Sweden suggests that it might be a recurrent mutation in that population and should be studied further. The reliable estimation of the clinical implications of carrying a defective RAD51C allele still requires the identification of additional mutation positive families.
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| 18. |
- Öfverholm, Anna, et al.
(author)
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Extended genetic analysis and tumor characteristics in over 4600 women with suspected hereditary breast and ovarian cancer
- 2023
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In: BMC Cancer. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1471-2407. ; 23:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundGenetic screening for pathogenic variants (PVs) in cancer predisposition genes can affect treatment strategies, risk prediction and preventive measures for patients and families. For decades, hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) has been attributed to PVs in the genes BRCA1 and BRCA2, and more recently other rare alleles have been firmly established as associated with a high or moderate increased risk of developing breast and/or ovarian cancer. Here, we assess the genetic variation and tumor characteristics in a large cohort of women with suspected HBOC in a clinical oncogenetic setting.MethodsWomen with suspected HBOC referred from all oncogenetic clinics in Sweden over a six-year inclusion period were screened for PVs in 13 clinically relevant genes. The genetic outcome was compared with tumor characteristics and other clinical data collected from national cancer registries and hospital records.ResultsIn 4622 women with breast and/or ovarian cancer the overall diagnostic yield (the proportion of women carrying at least one PV) was 16.6%. BRCA1/2 PVs were found in 8.9% of women (BRCA1 5.95% and BRCA2 2.94%) and PVs in the other breast and ovarian cancer predisposition genes in 8.2%: ATM (1.58%), BARD1 (0.45%), BRIP1 (0.43%), CDH1 (0.11%), CHEK2 (3.46%), PALB2 (0.84%), PTEN (0.02%), RAD51C (0.54%), RAD51D (0.15%), STK11 (0) and TP53 (0.56%). Thus, inclusion of the 11 genes in addition to BRCA1/2 increased diagnostic yield by 7.7%. The yield was, as expected, significantly higher in certain subgroups such as younger patients, medullary breast cancer, higher Nottingham Histologic Grade, ER-negative breast cancer, triple-negative breast cancer and high grade serous ovarian cancer. Age and tumor subtype distributions differed substantially depending on genetic finding.ConclusionsThis study contributes to understanding the clinical and genetic landscape of breast and ovarian cancer susceptibility. Extending clinical genetic screening from BRCA1 and BRCA2 to 13 established cancer predisposition genes almost doubles the diagnostic yield, which has implications for genetic counseling and clinical guidelines. The very low yield in the syndrome genes CDH1, PTEN and STK11 questions the usefulness of including these genes on routine gene panels.
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