1. |
- Abelev, B., et al.
(author)
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Technical Design Report for the Upgrade of the ALICE Inner Tracking System
- 2014
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In: Journal of Physics G: Nuclear and Particle Physics. - : IOP Publishing. - 0954-3899 .- 1361-6471. ; 41:8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- LICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is studying the physics of strongly interacting matter, and in particular the properties of the Quark–Gluon Plasma (QGP), using proton–proton, proton–nucleus and nucleus–nucleus collisions at the CERN LHC (Large Hadron Collider). The ALICE Collaboration is preparing a major upgrade of the experimental apparatus, planned for installation in the second long LHC shutdown in the years 2018–2019. A key element of the ALICE upgrade is the construction of a new, ultra-light, high-resolution Inner Tracking System (ITS) based on monolithic CMOS pixel detectors. The primary focus of the ITS upgrade is on improving the performance for detection of heavy-flavour hadrons, and of thermal photons and low-mass di-electrons emitted by the QGP. With respect to the current detector, the new Inner Tracking System will significantly enhance the determination of the distance of closest approach to the primary vertex, the tracking efficiency at low transverse momenta, and the read-out rate capabilities. This will be obtained by seven concentric detector layers based on a 50 μm thick CMOS pixel sensor with a pixel pitch of about 30×30 μm2. This document, submitted to the LHCC (LHC experiments Committee) in September 2013, presents the design goals, a summary of the R&D activities, with focus on the technical implementation of the main detector components, and the projected detector and physics performance.
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2. |
- Ho, Joshua W. K., et al.
(author)
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Comparative analysis of metazoan chromatin organization
- 2014
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 512:7515, s. 449-U507
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genome function is dynamically regulated in part by chromatin, which consists of the histones, non-histone proteins and RNA molecules that package DNA. Studies in Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster have contributed substantially to our understanding of molecular mechanisms of genome function in humans, and have revealed conservation of chromatin components and mechanisms(1-3). Nevertheless, the three organisms have markedly different genome sizes, chromosome architecture and gene organization. On human and fly chromosomes, for example, pericentric heterochromatin flanks single centromeres, whereas worm chromosomes have dispersed heterochromatin-like regions enriched in the distal chromosomal 'arms', and centromeres distributed along their lengths(4,5). To systematically investigate chromatin organization and associated gene regulation across species, we generated and analysed a large collection of genome-wide chromatin data sets from cell lines and developmental stages in worm, fly and human. Here we present over 800 new data sets from our ENCODE and modENCODE consortia, bringing the total to over 1,400. Comparison of combinatorial patterns of histone modifications, nuclear lamina-associated domains, organization of large-scale topological domains, chromatin environment at promoters and enhancers, nucleosome positioning, and DNA replication patterns reveals many conserved features of chromatin organization among the three organisms. We also find notable differences in the composition and locations of repressive chromatin. These data sets and analyses provide a rich resource for comparative and species-specific investigations of chromatin composition, organization and function.
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3. |
- Pham, M. K., et al.
(author)
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A new reference material for radionuclides in the mussel sample from the Mediterranean Sea (IAEA-437)
- 2010
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In: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0236-5731 .- 1588-2780. ; 283:3, s. 851-859
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A new Reference Material (RM) for radionuclides in mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis) from the Mediterranean Sea (IAEA-437) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. Four radionuclides (K-40, U-234, U-238, and Pu239+240) have been certified, and information values on massic activities with 95% confidence intervals are given for nine radionuclides (Cs-137, Pb-210(Po-210), Ra-226, Ra-228, Th-228, Th-230, Th-232, U-235, and Am-241). Results for less frequently reported radionuclides (Sr-90, I-129, Pu-238, Pu-239, and Pu-240) are also reported. The RM can be used for quality assurance/quality control of the analysis of radionuclides in mussel samples, for the development and validation of analytical methods and for training purposes. The material is available in 200 g units.
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5. |
- Daleke-Schermerhorn, Maria H., et al.
(author)
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Decoration of Outer Membrane Vesicles with Multiple Antigens by Using an Autotransporter Approach
- 2014
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 80:18, s. 5854-5865
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) are spherical nanoparticles that naturally shed from Gram-negative bacteria. They are rich in immunostimulatory proteins and lipopolysaccharide but do not replicate, which increases their safety profile and renders them attractive vaccine vectors. By packaging foreign polypeptides in OMVs, specific immune responses can be raised toward heterologous antigens in the context of an intrinsic adjuvant. Antigens exposed at the vesicle surface have been suggested to elicit protection superior to that from antigens concealed inside OMVs, but hitherto robust methods for targeting heterologous proteins to the OMV surface have been lacking. We have exploited our previously developed hemoglobin protease (Hbp) autotransporter platform for display of heterologous polypeptides at the OMV surface. One, two, or three of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis antigens ESAT6, Ag85B, and Rv2660c were targeted to the surface of Escherichia coli OMVs upon fusion to Hbp. Furthermore, a hypervesiculating Delta tolR Delta tolA derivative of attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium SL3261 was generated, enabling efficient release and purification of OMVs decorated with multiple heterologous antigens, exemplified by the M. tuberculosis antigens and epitopes from Chlamydia trachomatis major outer membrane protein (MOMP). Also, we showed that delivery of Salmonella OMVs displaying Ag85B to antigen-presenting cells in vitro results in processing and presentation of an epitope that is functionally recognized by Ag85B-specific T cell hybridomas. In conclusion, the Hbp platform mediates efficient display of (multiple) heterologous antigens, individually or combined within one molecule, at the surface of OMVs. Detection of antigen-specific immune responses upon vesicle-mediated delivery demonstrated the potential of our system for vaccine development.
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6. |
- Petri, Michelle, et al.
(author)
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Derivation and validation of the systemic lupus international collaborating clinics classification criteria for systemic lupus erythematosus
- 2012
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In: Arthritis and Rheumatism. - : Wiley. - 1529-0131 .- 0004-3591. ; 64:8, s. 2677-2686
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective The Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics (SLICC) group revised and validated the American College of Rheumatology (ACR) systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) classification criteria in order to improve clinical relevance, meet stringent methodology requirements, and incorporate new knowledge regarding the immunology of SLE. Methods The classification criteria were derived from a set of 702 expert-rated patient scenarios. Recursive partitioning was used to derive an initial rule that was simplified and refined based on SLICC physician consensus. The SLICC group validated the classification criteria in a new validation sample of 690 new expert-rated patient scenarios. Results Seventeen criteria were identified. In the derivation set, the SLICC classification criteria resulted in fewer misclassifications compared with the current ACR classification criteria (49 versus 70; P = 0.0082) and had greater sensitivity (94% versus 86%; P < 0.0001) and equal specificity (92% versus 93%; P = 0.39). In the validation set, the SLICC classification criteria resulted in fewer misclassifications compared with the current ACR classification criteria (62 versus 74; P = 0.24) and had greater sensitivity (97% versus 83%; P < 0.0001) but lower specificity (84% versus 96%; P < 0.0001). Conclusion The new SLICC classification criteria performed well in a large set of patient scenarios rated by experts. According to the SLICC rule for the classification of SLE, the patient must satisfy at least 4 criteria, including at least one clinical criterion and one immunologic criterion OR the patient must have biopsy-proven lupus nephritis in the presence of antinuclear antibodies or antidouble-stranded DNA antibodies.
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7. |
- Pham, M. K., et al.
(author)
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Certified Reference Material IAEA-446 for radionuclides in Baltic Sea seaweed
- 2014
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In: Applied Radiation and Isotopes. - : Elsevier BV. - 0969-8043 .- 1872-9800. ; 87, s. 468-474
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A Certified Reference Material (CRM) for radionuclides in seaweed (Fucus vesiculosus) from the Baltic Sea (IAEA-446) is described and the results of the certification process are presented. The K-40, Cs-132, U-234 and Pu239+240 radionuclides were certified for this material, and information values for 12 other radionuclides (Sr-90, Tc-99, Pb-210 (Po-210), Ra-226, Ra-228, Th-228, Th-230, Th-232, U-235, U-238, Pu-239 and Pu-240) are presented. The CRM can be used for Quality Assurance/Quality Control of analysis of radionuclides in seaweed and other biota samples, as well as for development and validation of analytical methods, and for training purposes. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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8. |
- Pham, M N., et al.
(author)
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Fasting and meal-stimulated residual beta cell function is positively associated with serum concentrations of proinflammatory cytokines and negatively associated with anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines in patients with longer term type 1 diabetes
- 2013
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In: Diabetologia. - : Springer Verlag (Germany). - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 56:6, s. 1356-1363
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Cytokines may promote or inhibit disease progression in type 1 diabetes. We investigated whether systemic proinflammatory, anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines associated differently with fasting and meal-stimulated beta cell function in patients with longer term type 1 diabetes. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanThe beta cell function of 118 patients with type 1 diabetes of duration of 0.75-4.97 years was tested using a standardised liquid mixed meal test (MMT). Serum samples obtained at -5 to 120 min were analysed by multiplex bead-based technology for proinflammatory (IL-6, TNF-alpha), anti-inflammatory (IL-1 receptor antagonist [IL-1RA]) and regulatory (IL-10, TGF-beta(1-3)) cytokines, and by standard procedures for C-peptide. Differences in beta cell function between patient groups were assessed using stepwise multiple regression analysis adjusting for sex, age, duration of diabetes, BMI, HbA(1c) and fasting blood glucose. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanHigh fasting systemic concentrations of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-alpha were associated with increased fasting and stimulated C-peptide concentrations even after adjustment for confounders (p andlt; 0.03). Interestingly, increased concentrations of anti-inflammatory/regulatory IL-1RA, IL-10, TGF-beta(1) and TGF-beta(2) were associated with lower fasting and stimulated C-peptide levels (p andlt; 0.04), losing significance on adjustment for anthropometric variables. During the MMT, circulating concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-alpha increased (p andlt; 0.001) while those of IL-10 and TGF-beta(1) decreased (p andlt; 0.02) and IL-1RA and TGF-beta(2) remained unchanged. less thanbrgreater than less thanbrgreater thanThe association between better preserved beta cell function in longer term type 1 diabetes and increased systemic proinflammatory cytokines and decreased anti-inflammatory and regulatory cytokines is suggestive of ongoing inflammatory disease activity that might be perpetuated by the remaining beta cells. These findings should be considered when designing immune intervention studies aimed at patients with longer term type 1 diabetes and residual beta cell function.
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9. |
- Ståhlman, Marcus, 1975, et al.
(author)
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Clinical dyslipidaemia is associated with changes in the lipid composition and inflammatory properties of apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins from women with type 2 diabetes.
- 2012
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In: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1432-0428 .- 0012-186X. ; 55:4, s. 1156-66
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims/hypothesis The aim of this study was to use lipidomics to determine if the lipid composition of apolipoprotein-B-containing lipoproteins is modified by dyslipidaemia in type 2 diabetes and if any of the identified changes potentially have biological relevance in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes. Methods VLDL and LDL from normolipidaemic and dyslipidaemic type 2 diabetic women and controls were isolated and quantified with HPLC and mass spectrometry. A detailed molecular characterisation of VLDL triacylglycerols (TAG) was also performed using the novel ozone-induced dissociation method, which allowed us to distinguish vaccenic acid (C18:1 n-7) from oleic acid (C18:1 n-9) in specific TAG species. Results Lipid class composition was very similar in VLDL and LDL from normolipidaemic type 2 diabetic and control participants. By contrast, dyslipidaemia was associated with significant changes in both lipid classes (e.g. increased diacylglycerols) and lipid species (e.g. increased C16:1 and C20:3 in phosphatidylcholine and cholesteryl ester and increased C16:0 [palmitic acid] and vaccenic acid in TAG). Levels of palmitic acid in VLDL and LDL TAG correlated with insulin resistance, and VLDL TAG enriched in palmitic acid promoted increased secretion of proinflammatory mediators from human smooth muscle cells. Conclusions We showed that dyslipidaemia is associated with major changes in both lipid class and lipid species composition in VLDL and LDL from women with type 2 diabetes. In addition, we identified specific molecular lipid species that both correlate with clinical variables and are proinflammatory. Our study thus shows the potential of advanced lipidomic methods to further understand the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes.
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10. |
- Thorfinn, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Bioreactor optimization of tissue engineered rabbit flexor tendons in vivo
- 2012
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In: JOURNAL OF HAND SURGERY-EUROPEAN VOLUME. - : SAGE Publications (UK and US). - 1753-1934 .- 2043-6289. ; 37E:2, s. 109-114
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Tissue-engineered rabbit flexor tendons reseeded with cells are stronger in vitro after culture in a bioreactor. It is not known whether this effect persists in vivo. Tenocytes from New Zealand white rabbits were seeded onto rabbit rear paw flexor tendons that were deprived of cells and exposed to cyclic strain in a bioreactor. Reseeded constructs that were kept unloaded in a medium for 5 days were used as controls. The tendons were implanted to bridge a zone II defect in the rabbit. After explantation 4 weeks later, the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elastic modulus (EM) were determined. Tendon constructs that were exposed to cyclic strain had significantly improved UTS and EM. Histology showed that cellularity was increased in the bioreactor tendons.
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