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- Benedet Perea, Susana, 1972, et al.
(author)
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Cloning of two Atlantic salmon growth hormone receptor isoforms and in vitro ligand-binding response.
- 2006
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In: Fish Physiology and Biochemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0920-1742 .- 1573-5168. ; 31:4, s. 315-329
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Two isoforms of the full-length cDNA of the growth hormone receptor (GHR) of the Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar; ss) were cloned by a PCR approach using RACE. Respectively, the cDNA sequences of ssGHR isoforms 1 and 2 are 2654 and 2608 nucleotides long, with 1782 and 1773 nucleotide ORFs. The resulting coded proteins are 594 and 590 aa long, with 19 and 20 aa signal peptides. The two isoforms share 86% protein and 87% cDNA sequence similarity. Isoform 1 is most similar to other salmonid GHR isoforms 1 while isoform 2 is most similar to salmonid GHR isoforms 2 (93–95%). Similarity with other teleost species was lower (37–44%). The bioactivity of the cloned ssGHR was tested by transfecting the ssGHR isoform 1 cDNA into CHO-K1 hamster cells, incubating with recombinant salmon GH (sGH) or native ovine prolactin (oPRL), and measuring cell proliferation by the MTT assay. The ssGHR-transfected cells significantly increased proliferation when stimulated by sGH at all concentrations. oPRL stimulated ssGHR-transfected cells at higher concentrations due to receptor cross reaction. ssGHR isoforms 1 and 2 contain a single transmembrane domain and the typical conserved motifs found in other teleost GHRs, including four paired cysteine residues and five potential N-glycosylation sites in the extracellular domain, Box I and Box II, as well as seven potential tyrosine phosphorylation sites in the intracellular domain. However, in salmonids, these motifs differ from those of other teleosts, and could be responsible for differentiated hormone binding, signal transduction and response.
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| 2. |
- Blomgren, K. J., et al.
(author)
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Interviewer variability - quality aspects in a case-control study
- 2006
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In: Eur J Epidemiol. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0393-2990 .- 1573-7284. ; 21:4, s. 267-77
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Quality assurance and quality control are important for the reliability of case-control studies. Here we describe the procedures used in a previously published study, with emphasis on interviewer variability. To evaluate risk factors for acute pancreatitis, information including previous diagnoses and medication was collected from medical records and by telephone interviews from 462 cases and 1781 controls. Quality assurance procedures included education and training of interviewers and data validity checks. Quality control included a classification test, annual test interviews, expert case validation, and database validation. We found pronounced variations between interviewers. The maximal number of interviews per day varied from 3 to 9. The adjusted average (95% CI) number of diagnoses captured per interview of cases was 4.1 (3.8-4.3) and of controls 3.5 (3.4-3.7) (excluding one deviating interviewer). For drugs, the average (95% CI) number per interview was 3.9 (3.7-4.1) for cases and 3.3 (3.2-3.4) for controls (excluding one deviating interviewer). One of the fourteen interviewers deviated significantly from the others, and more so for controls than for cases. This interviewer's data ;were excluded. Nonetheless, data concerning controls more frequently needed correction and supplementation than for cases. Erroneous coding of diagnoses and medication was also more frequent among controls. Thus, a system for quality control of coding practices is crucial. Variability in interviewers' ability to ascertain information is a possible source of bias in interview-based case-control studies when "blinding" cannot be achieved.
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| 3. |
- Nilsson, Lena, 1956-, et al.
(author)
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Age and gender do not influence the ability to detect respiration by photoplethysmography
- 2006
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In: Journal of clinical monitoring and computing. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1387-1307 .- 1573-2614. ; 20:6, s. 431-436
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective The non-invasive technique photopl- ethysmography (PPG) can detect changes in blood volume and perfusion in a tissue. Respiration causes variations in the peripheral circulation, making it possible to monitor breaths using an optical sensor attached to the skin. The respiratory-synchronous part of the PPG signal (PPGr) has been used to monitor respiration during anaesthesia, and in postoperative and neonatal care. Studies addressing possible differences in PPGr signal characteristics depending on gender or age are lacking.Methods We studied three groups of 16 healthy subjects each during normal breathing; young males, old males and young females, and calculated the concordance between PPGr, derived from a reflection mode PPG sensor on the forearm, and a reference CO2 signal. The concordance was quantified by using a squared coherence analysis. Time delay between the two signals was calculated. In this process, we compared three different methods for calculating time delay.Results Coherence values ≥0.92 were seen for all three groups without any significant differences depending on age or gender (p = 0.67). Comparison between the three different methods for calculating time delay showed a correlation r = 0.93.Conclusions These results demonstrate clinically important information implying the possibility to register qualitative PPGr signals for respiration monitoring, regardless of age and gender.
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| 4. |
- Rosborg, Ingegerd, et al.
(author)
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Concentrations of inorganic elements in 20 municipal waters in Sweden before and after treatment--links to human health.
- 2006
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In: Environmental geochemistry and health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0269-4042 .- 1573-2983. ; 28:3, s. 215-29
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The water chemistry of 20 municipal water treatment plants in southern Sweden, representing various bedrock situations, and water qualities, were investigated. Four water samples, raw and treated, were collected from each plant and analyzed by predominantly ICP-OES and ICP-MS at four occasions from June to December, 2001. The concentrations of Ca, Mg, K, Na, HCO(3) and a number of micronutrients, varied considerably in treated waters from the studied plants (ranges; Ca: 9.1-53.7 mg L(-1), Mg: 1.4-10.9 mg L(-1), K: 1.1-4.8 mg L(-1), Na; 5.4-75.6 mg L(-1), HCO(3): 27-217 mg L(-1)). The elimination of Fe and Mn from raw water was efficient in all treatments investigated, giving concentrations in treated waters below the detection limits at some plants. Softening filters gave waters with Ca-concentrations comparable to the softest waters in this study. Adjustment of pH by use of chemicals like lye, soda or lime, modified the consumer water composition significantly, besides raising the pH. It was estimated that drinking water contributed to approximately 2.2-13% of the daily Ca uptake, if the gastrointestinal uptake efficiency from food and water was estimated to be around 50%. The corresponding figures for Mg was 1.0-7% and for F 0-59%. None of the studied elements showed any significant time trends in raw or treated waters during the follow-up period. The concentrations of potentially toxic metals such as Al, Pb and U were low and did not indicate risks for adverse health effects (ranges; Al: 0.5-2.3 microg L(-1), Pb: 0-0.3 microg L(-1), U: 0.2.5 microg L(-1)).
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