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- Dankiewicz, Josef, et al.
(author)
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Hypothermia versus Normothermia after Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest
- 2021
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In: New England Journal of Medicine. - : MASSACHUSETTS MEDICAL SOC. - 0028-4793 .- 1533-4406. ; 384:24, s. 2283-2294
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Hypothermia or Normothermia after Cardiac Arrest This trial randomly assigned patients with coma after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest to undergo targeted hypothermia at 33 degrees C or normothermia with treatment of fever. At 6 months, there were no significant between-group differences regarding death or functional outcomes. Background Targeted temperature management is recommended for patients after cardiac arrest, but the supporting evidence is of low certainty. Methods In an open-label trial with blinded assessment of outcomes, we randomly assigned 1900 adults with coma who had had an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest of presumed cardiac or unknown cause to undergo targeted hypothermia at 33 degrees C, followed by controlled rewarming, or targeted normothermia with early treatment of fever (body temperature, >= 37.8 degrees C). The primary outcome was death from any cause at 6 months. Secondary outcomes included functional outcome at 6 months as assessed with the modified Rankin scale. Prespecified subgroups were defined according to sex, age, initial cardiac rhythm, time to return of spontaneous circulation, and presence or absence of shock on admission. Prespecified adverse events were pneumonia, sepsis, bleeding, arrhythmia resulting in hemodynamic compromise, and skin complications related to the temperature management device. Results A total of 1850 patients were evaluated for the primary outcome. At 6 months, 465 of 925 patients (50%) in the hypothermia group had died, as compared with 446 of 925 (48%) in the normothermia group (relative risk with hypothermia, 1.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94 to 1.14; P=0.37). Of the 1747 patients in whom the functional outcome was assessed, 488 of 881 (55%) in the hypothermia group had moderately severe disability or worse (modified Rankin scale score >= 4), as compared with 479 of 866 (55%) in the normothermia group (relative risk with hypothermia, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.09). Outcomes were consistent in the prespecified subgroups. Arrhythmia resulting in hemodynamic compromise was more common in the hypothermia group than in the normothermia group (24% vs. 17%, P<0.001). The incidence of other adverse events did not differ significantly between the two groups. Conclusions In patients with coma after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest, targeted hypothermia did not lead to a lower incidence of death by 6 months than targeted normothermia. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; TTM2 ClinicalTrials.gov number, .)
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3. |
- Kurth, F, et al.
(author)
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Large-scale analysis of structural brain asymmetries during neurodevelopment : Associations with age and sex in 4265 children and adolescents.
- 2024
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In: Human Brain Mapping. - 1065-9471 .- 1097-0193. ; 45:11, s. e26754-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Only a small number of studies have assessed structural differences between the two hemispheres during childhood and adolescence. However, the existing findings lack consistency or are restricted to a particular brain region, a specific brain feature, or a relatively narrow age range. Here, we investigated associations between brain asymmetry and age as well as sex in one of the largest pediatric samples to date (n = 4265), aged 1-18 years, scanned at 69 sites participating in the ENIGMA (Enhancing NeuroImaging Genetics through Meta-Analysis) consortium. Our study revealed that significant brain asymmetries already exist in childhood, but their magnitude and direction depend on the brain region examined and the morphometric measurement used (cortical volume or thickness, regional surface area, or subcortical volume). With respect to effects of age, some asymmetries became weaker over time while others became stronger; sometimes they even reversed direction. With respect to sex differences, the total number of regions exhibiting significant asymmetries was larger in females than in males, while the total number of measurements indicating significant asymmetries was larger in males (as we obtained more than one measurement per cortical region). The magnitude of the significant asymmetries was also greater in males. However, effect sizes for both age effects and sex differences were small. Taken together, these findings suggest that cerebral asymmetries are an inherent organizational pattern of the brain that manifests early in life. Overall, brain asymmetry appears to be relatively stable throughout childhood and adolescence, with some differential effects in males and females.
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4. |
- Li, S. Y., et al.
(author)
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Universal toxin-based selection for precise genome engineering in human cells
- 2021
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In: Nature Communications. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2041-1723. ; 12:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Prokaryotic restriction enzymes, recombinases and Cas proteins are powerful DNA engineering and genome editing tools. However, in many primary cell types, the efficiency of genome editing remains low, impeding the development of gene- and cell-based therapeutic applications. A safe strategy for robust and efficient enrichment of precisely genetically engineered cells is urgently required. Here, we screen for mutations in the receptor for Diphtheria Toxin (DT) which protect human cells from DT. Selection for cells with an edited DT receptor variant enriches for simultaneously introduced, precisely targeted gene modifications at a second independent locus, such as nucleotide substitutions and DNA insertions. Our method enables the rapid generation of a homogenous cell population with bi-allelic integration of a DNA cassette at the selection locus, without clonal isolation. Toxin-based selection works in both cancer-transformed and non-transformed cells, including human induced pluripotent stem cells and human primary T-lymphocytes, as well as it is applicable also in vivo, in mice with humanized liver. This work represents a flexible, precise, and efficient selection strategy to engineer cells using CRISPR-Cas and base editing systems. Genome engineering in cell lines or human stem cells often has poor efficiency, limiting the development of research and therapeutic applications. Here, the authors use a toxin-based selection system for precise bi-allelic engineering in cells and in vivo.
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5. |
- Strandberg, B., et al.
(author)
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Near-threshold π-photoproduction on the deuteron
- 2020
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In: Physical Review C. - 2469-9985. ; 101:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The first experimental investigation of the near-threshold cross section for incoherent π-photoproduction on the deuteron γd→π-pp is presented. The experimental technique involved detection of the ≈131 MeV γ ray resulting from the radiative capture of photoproduced π-in the target. The total cross section was measured using an unpolarized tagged-photon beam, a liquid-deuterium target, and three very large NaI(Tl) spectrometers. The data are compared to theoretical models that give insight into the elementary reaction γn→π-p and pion-nucleon and nucleon-nucleon final-state interactions.
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6. |
- Wimberger, Sandra, 1987, et al.
(author)
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Simultaneous inhibition of DNA-PK and Pol ϴ improves integration efficiency and precision of genome editing
- 2023
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In: Nature Communications. ; 14:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Genome editing, specifically CRISPR/Cas9 technology, has revolutionized biomedical research and offers potential cures for genetic diseases. Despite rapid progress, low efficiency of targeted DNA integration and generation of unintended mutations represent major limitations for genome editing applications caused by the interplay with DNA double-strand break repair pathways. To address this, we conduct a large-scale compound library screen to identify targets for enhancing targeted genome insertions. Our study reveals DNA-dependent protein kinase (DNA-PK) as the most effective target to improve CRISPR/Cas9-mediated insertions, confirming previous findings. We extensively characterize AZD7648, a selective DNA-PK inhibitor, and find it to significantly enhance precise gene editing. We further improve integration efficiency and precision by inhibiting DNA polymerase theta (Pol ϴ). The combined treatment, named 2iHDR, boosts templated insertions to 80% efficiency with minimal unintended insertions and deletions. Notably, 2iHDR also reduces off-target effects of Cas9, greatly enhancing the fidelity and performance of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Low efficiency of target DNA integration remains a challenge in genome engineering. Here the authors perform large-scale compound library and genetic screens to identify targets that enhance gene editing: they see that combined DNA-PK and Pol ϴ inhibition with potent compounds increases editing efficiency and precision.
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9. |
- Robba, C., et al.
(author)
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Ventilation management and outcomes in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest: a protocol for a preplanned secondary analysis of the TTM2 trial
- 2022
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In: BMJ Open. - : BMJ. - 2044-6055. ; 12:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Introduction Mechanical ventilation is a fundamental component in the management of patients post cardiac arrest. However, the ventilator settings and the gas-exchange targets used after cardiac arrest may not be optimal to minimise post-anoxic secondary brain injury. Therefore, questions remain regarding the best ventilator management in such patients. Methods and analysis This is a preplanned analysis of the international randomised controlled trial, targeted hypothermia versus targeted normothermia after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA)-target temperature management 2 (TTM2). The primary objective is to describe ventilatory settings and gas exchange in patients who required invasive mechanical ventilation and included in the TTM2 trial. Secondary objectives include evaluating the association of ventilator settings and gas-exchange values with 6 months mortality and neurological outcome. Adult patients after an OHCA who were included in the TTM2 trial and who received invasive mechanical ventilation will be eligible for this analysis. Data collected in the TTM2 trial that will be analysed include patients' prehospital characteristics, clinical examination, ventilator settings and arterial blood gases recorded at hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) admission and daily during ICU stay. Ethics and dissemination The TTM2 study has been approved by the regional ethics committee at Lund University and by all relevant ethics boards in participating countries. No further ethical committee approval is required for this secondary analysis. Data will be disseminated to the scientific community by abstracts and by original articles submitted to peer-reviewed journals.
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- Ahlström, A., et al.
(author)
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No major differences in perinatal and maternal outcomes between uninterrupted embryo culture in time-lapse system and conventional embryo culture
- 2023
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In: Human Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press. - 0268-1161 .- 1460-2350. ; 38:12, s. 2400-2411
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY QUESTION: Is embryo culture in a closed time-lapse system associated with any differences in perinatal and maternal outcomes in comparison to conventional culture and spontaneous conception?SUMMARY ANSWER: There were no significant differences between time-lapse and conventional embryo culture in preterm birth (PTB, <37 weeks), low birth weight (LBW, >2500 g) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy for singleton deliveries, the primary outcomes of this study.WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Evidence from prospective trials evaluating the safety of time-lapse incubation for clinical use show similar embryo development rates, implantation rates, and ongoing pregnancy and live birth rates when compared to conventional incubation. Few studies have investigated if uninterrupted culture can alter risks of adverse perinatal outcomes presently associated with IVF when compared to conventional culture and spontaneous conceptions.STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: This study is a Swedish population-based retrospective registry study, including 7379 singleton deliveries after fresh embryo transfer between 2013 and 2018 from selected IVF clinics. Perinatal outcomes of singletons born from time-lapse-cultured embryos were compared to singletons from embryos cultured in conventional incubators and 71 300 singletons from spontaneous conceptions. Main perinatal outcomes included PTB and LBW. Main maternal outcomes included hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (pregnancy hypertension and preeclampsia).PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: From nine IVF clinics, 2683 singletons born after fresh embryo transfer in a time-lapse system were compared to 4696 singletons born after culture in a conventional incubator and 71 300 singletons born after spontaneous conception matched for year of birth, parity, and maternal age. Patient and treatment characteristics from IVF deliveries were cross-linked with the Swedish Medical Birth Register, Register of Birth Defects, National Patient Register and Statistics Sweden. Children born after sperm and oocyte donation cycles and after Preimplantation Genetic testing cycles were excluded. Odds ratio (OR) and adjusted OR were calculated, adjusting for relevant confounders.MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: In the adjusted analyses, no significant differences were found for risk of PTB (adjusted OR 1.11, 95% CI 0.87-1.41) and LBW (adjusted OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.66-1.14) or hypertensive disorders of pregnancy; preeclampsia and hypertension (adjusted OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.67-1.45 and adjusted OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.62-1.53, respectively) between time-lapse and conventional incubation systems. A significantly increased risk of PTB (adjusted OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.08-1.60) and LBW (adjusted OR 1.36, 95% CI 1.08-1.72) was found for singletons born after time-lapse incubation compared to singletons born after spontaneous conceptions. In addition, a lower risk for pregnancy hypertension (adjusted OR 0.72 95% CI 0.53-0.99) but no significant difference for preeclampsia (adjusted OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.68-1.12) was found compared to spontaneous conceptions. Subgroup analyses showed that some risks were related to the day of embryo transfer, with more adverse outcomes after blastocyst transfer in comparison to cleavage stage transfer.LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study is retrospective in design and different clinical strategies may have been used to select specific patient groups for time-lapse versus conventional incubation. The number of patients is limited and larger datasets are required to obtain more precise estimates and adjust for possible effect of additional embryo culture variables.WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Embryo culture in time-lapse systems is not associated with major differences in perinatal and maternal outcomes, compared to conventional embryo culture, suggesting that this technology is an acceptable alternative for embryo incubation.
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12. |
- Allen-Perkins, Alfonso, et al.
(author)
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CropPol : a dynamic, open and global database on crop pollination
- 2022
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In: Ecology. - : Wiley. - 0012-9658 .- 1939-9170. ; 103:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Seventy five percent of the world's food crops benefit from insect pollination. Hence, there has been increased interest in how global change drivers impact this critical ecosystem service. Because standardized data on crop pollination are rarely available, we are limited in our capacity to understand the variation in pollination benefits to crop yield, as well as to anticipate changes in this service, develop predictions, and inform management actions. Here, we present CropPol, a dynamic, open and global database on crop pollination. It contains measurements recorded from 202 crop studies, covering 3,394 field observations, 2,552 yield measurements (i.e. berry weight, number of fruits and kg per hectare, among others), and 47,752 insect records from 48 commercial crops distributed around the globe. CropPol comprises 32 of the 87 leading global crops and commodities that are pollinator dependent. Malus domestica is the most represented crop (32 studies), followed by Brassica napus (22 studies), Vaccinium corymbosum (13 studies), and Citrullus lanatus (12 studies). The most abundant pollinator guilds recorded are honey bees (34.22% counts), bumblebees (19.19%), flies other than Syrphidae and Bombyliidae (13.18%), other wild bees (13.13%), beetles (10.97%), Syrphidae (4.87%), and Bombyliidae (0.05%). Locations comprise 34 countries distributed among Europe (76 studies), Northern America (60), Latin America and the Caribbean (29), Asia (20), Oceania (10), and Africa (7). Sampling spans three decades and is concentrated on 2001-05 (21 studies), 2006-10 (40), 2011-15 (88), and 2016-20 (50). This is the most comprehensive open global data set on measurements of crop flower visitors, crop pollinators and pollination to date, and we encourage researchers to add more datasets to this database in the future. This data set is released for non-commercial use only. Credits should be given to this paper (i.e., proper citation), and the products generated with this database should be shared under the same license terms (CC BY-NC-SA). This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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13. |
- Eliasson, H., et al.
(author)
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Modeling of high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharges with graphite target
- 2021
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In: Plasma sources science & technology. - : IOP Publishing Ltd. - 0963-0252 .- 1361-6595. ; 30:11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The ionization region model (IRM) is applied to model a high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge in argon with a graphite target. Using the IRM, the temporal variation of the various species and the average electron energy, as well as internal parameters such as the ionization probability, back-attraction probability, and the ionized flux fraction of the sputtered species, is determined. It is found that thedischarge develops into working gas recycling and most of the discharge current at the cathode target surface is composed of Ar+ ions, which constitute over 90% of the discharge current, while the contribution of the C+ ions is always small (<5%), even for peak current densities close to 3 A cm(-2). For the target species, the time-averaged ionization probability is low, or 13-27%, the ion back-attraction probability during the pulse is high (>92%), and the ionized flux fraction is about 2%. It is concluded that in the operation range studied here it is a challenge to ionize carbon atoms, that are sputtered off of a graphite target in a magnetron sputtering discharge, when depositing amorphous carbon films.
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- Riggi, Laura, et al.
(author)
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Early-season mass-flowering crop cover dilutes wild bee abundance and species richness in temperate regions : A quantitative synthesis
- 2024
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In: Journal of Applied Ecology. - 0021-8901 .- 1365-2664. ; 61:3, s. 452-464
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Pollinators benefit from increasing floral resources in agricultural landscapes, which could be an underexplored co-benefit of mass-flowering crop cultivation. However, the impacts of mass-flowering crops on pollinator communities are complex and appear to be context-dependent, mediated by factors such as crop flowering time and the availability of other flower resources in the landscape. A synthesis of research is needed to develop management recommendations for effective pollinator conservation in agroecosystems. By combining 22 datasets from 13 publications conducted in nine temperate countries (20 European, 2 North American), we investigated if mass-flowering crop flowering time (early or late season), bloom state (during or after crop flowering) and extent of non-crop habitat cover in the landscape moderated the effect of mass-flowering crop cover on wild pollinator abundance and species richness in mass-flowering crop and non-crop habitats. During bloom, wild bee abundance and richness are negatively related to mass-flowering crop cover. Dilution effects were predominant in crop habitats and early in the season, except for bumblebees, which declined with mass-flowering crop cover irrespective of habitat or season. Late in the season and in non-crop habitats, several of these negative relationships were either absent or reversed. Late-season mass-flowering crop cover is positively related to honeybee abundance in crop habitats and to other bee abundance in non-crop habitats. These results indicate that crop-adapted species, like honeybees, move to forage and concentrate on late-season mass-flowering crops at a time when flower availability in the landscape is limited, potentially alleviating competition for flower resources in non-crop habitats. We found no evidence of pollinators moving from mass-flowering crop to non-crop habitats after crop bloom. Synthesis and applications: Our results confirm that increasing early-season mass-flowering crop cover dilutes wild pollinators in crop habitats during bloom. We find that dilution effects were absent late in the season. While mass-flowering crop cultivation alone is unlikely to be sufficient for maintaining pollinators, as part of carefully designed diverse crop rotations or mixtures combined with the preservation of permanent non-crop habitats, it might provide valuable supplementary food resources for pollinators in temperate agroecosystems, particularly later in the season when alternative flower resources are scarce.
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- Walsh, Roddy, et al.
(author)
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Enhancing rare variant interpretation in inherited arrhythmias through quantitative analysis of consortium disease cohorts and population controls
- 2021
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In: Genetics in Medicine. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1098-3600 .- 1530-0366. ; 23:1, s. 47-58
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Stringent variant interpretation guidelines can lead to high rates of variants of uncertain significance (VUS) for genetically heterogeneous disease like long QT syndrome (LQTS) and Brugada syndrome (BrS). Quantitative and disease-specific customization of American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics/Association for Molecular Pathology (ACMG/AMP) guidelines can address this false negative rate.Methods: We compared rare variant frequencies from 1847 LQTS (KCNQ1/KCNH2/SCN5A) and 3335 BrS (SCN5A) cases from the International LQTS/BrS Genetics Consortia to population-specific gnomAD data and developed disease-specific criteria for ACMG/AMP evidence classes-rarity (PM2/BS1 rules) and case enrichment of individual (PS4) and domain-specific (PM1) variants.Results: Rare SCN5A variant prevalence differed between European (20.8%) and Japanese (8.9%) BrS patients (p = 5.7 x 10(-18)) and diagnosis with spontaneous (28.7%) versus induced (15.8%) Brugada type 1 electrocardiogram (ECG) (p = 1.3 x 10(-13)). Ion channel transmembrane regions and specific N-terminus (KCNH2) and C-terminus (KCNQ1/KCNH2) domains were characterized by high enrichment of case variants and >95% probability of pathogenicity. Applying the customized rules, 17.4% of European BrS and 74.8% of European LQTS cases had (likely) pathogenic variants, compared with estimated diagnostic yields (case excess over gnomAD) of 19.2%/82.1%, reducing VUS prevalence to close to background rare variant frequency.Conclusion: Large case-control data sets enable quantitative implementation of ACMG/AMP guidelines and increased sensitivity for inherited arrhythmia genetic testing.
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- Abrego, Nerea, et al.
(author)
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Airborne DNA reveals predictable spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi
- 2024
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In: Nature. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 631, s. 835-842
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Fungi are among the most diverse and ecologically important kingdoms in life. However, the distributional ranges of fungi remain largely unknown as do the ecological mechanisms that shape their distributions1,2. To provide an integrated view of the spatial and seasonal dynamics of fungi, we implemented a globally distributed standardized aerial sampling of fungal spores3. The vast majority of operational taxonomic units were detected within only one climatic zone, and the spatiotemporal patterns of species richness and community composition were mostly explained by annual mean air temperature. Tropical regions hosted the highest fungal diversity except for lichenized, ericoid mycorrhizal and ectomycorrhizal fungi, which reached their peak diversity in temperate regions. The sensitivity in climatic responses was associated with phylogenetic relatedness, suggesting that large-scale distributions of some fungal groups are partially constrained by their ancestral niche. There was a strong phylogenetic signal in seasonal sensitivity, suggesting that some groups of fungi have retained their ancestral trait of sporulating for only a short period. Overall, our results show that the hyperdiverse kingdom of fungi follows globally highly predictable spatial and temporal dynamics, with seasonality in both species richness and community composition increasing with latitude. Our study reports patterns resembling those described for other major groups of organisms, thus making a major contribution to the long-standing debate on whether organisms with a microbial lifestyle follow the global biodiversity paradigms known for macroorganisms4,5.
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22. |
- Ahlström, Aisling, 1976, et al.
(author)
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A double-blind randomized controlled trial investigating a time-lapse algorithm for selecting Day 5 blastocysts for transfer
- 2022
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In: Human Reproduction. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0268-1161 .- 1460-2350. ; 37:4, s. 708-717
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- STUDY QUESTION Can use of a commercially available time-lapse algorithm for Day 5 blastocyst selection improve pregnancy rates compared with morphology alone? SUMMARY ANSWER The use of a time-lapse selection model to choose blastocysts for fresh single embryo transfer on Day 5 did not improve ongoing pregnancy rate compared to morphology alone. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY Evidence from time-lapse monitoring suggests correlations between timing of key developmental events and embryo viability. No good quality evidence exists to support improved pregnancy rates following time-lapse selection. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION A prospective multicenter randomized controlled trial including 776 randomized patients was performed between 2018 and 2021. Patients with at least two good quality blastocysts on Day 5 were allocated by a computer randomization program in a proportion of 1:1 into either the control group, whereby single blastocysts were selected for transfer by morphology alone, or the intervention group whereby final selection was decided by a commercially available time-lapse model. The embryologists at the time of blastocyst morphological scoring were blinded to which study group the patients would be randomized, and the physician and patients were blind to which group they were allocated until after the primary outcome was known. The primary outcome was number of ongoing pregnancies in the two groups. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS From 10 Nordic IVF clinics, 776 patients with a minimum of two good quality blastocysts on Day 5 (D5) were randomized into one of the two study groups. A commercial time-lapse model decided the final selection of blastocysts for 387 patients in the intervention (time-lapse) group, and blastocysts with the highest morphological score were transferred for 389 patients in the control group. Only single embryo transfers in fresh cycles were performed. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE In the full analysis set, the ongoing pregnancy rate for the time-lapse group was 47.4% (175/369) and 48.1% (181/376) in the control group. No statistically significant difference was found between the two groups: mean difference -0.7% (95% CI -8.2, 6.7, P = 0.90). Pregnancy rate (60.2% versus 59.0%, mean difference 1.1%, 95% CI -6.2, 8.4, P = 0.81) and early pregnancy loss (21.2% versus 18.5%, mean difference 2.7%, 95% CI -5.2, 10.6, P = 0.55) were the same for the time-lapse and the control group. Subgroup analyses showed that patient and treatment characteristics did not significantly affect the commercial time-lapse model D5 performance. In the time-lapse group, the choice of best blastocyst changed on 42% of occasions (154/369, 95% CI 36.9, 47.2) after the algorithm was applied, and this rate was similar for most treatment clinics. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION During 2020, the patient recruitment rate slowed down at participating clinics owing to coronavirus disease-19 restrictions, so the target sample size was not achieved as planned and it was decided to stop the trial prematurely. The study only investigated embryo selection at the blastocyst stage on D5 in fresh IVF transfer cycles. In addition, only blastocysts of good morphological quality were considered for transfer, limiting the number of embryos for selection in both groups: also, it could be argued that this manual preselection of blastocysts limits the theoretical selection power of time-lapse, as well as restricting the results mainly to a good prognosis patient group. Most patients were aimed for blastocyst stage transfer when a minimum of five zygotes were available for extended culture. Finally, the primary clinical outcome evaluated was pregnancy to only 6-8 weeks. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS The study suggests that time-lapse selection with a commercially available time-lapse model does not increase chance of ongoing pregnancy after single blastocyst transfer on Day 5 compared to morphology alone. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S) The study was financed by a grant from the Swedish state under the ALF-agreement between the Swedish government and the county councils (ALFGBG-723141). Vitrolife supported the study with embryo culture dishes and culture media. During the study period, T.H. changed his employment from Livio AB to Vitrolife AB. All other authors have no conflicts of interests to disclose. DATE OF FIRST PATIENT'S ENROLMENT 11 June 2018.
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23. |
- Bakker, F. T., et al.
(author)
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The Global Museum: natural history collections and the future of evolutionary science and public education
- 2020
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In: PeerJ. - : PeerJ. - 2167-8359. ; 8
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Natural history museums are unique spaces for interdisciplinary research and educational innovation. Through extensive exhibits and public programming and by hosting rich communities of amateurs, students, and researchers at all stages of their careers, they can provide a place-based window to focus on integration of science and discovery, as well as a locus for community engagement. At the same time, like a synthesis radio telescope, when joined together through emerging digital resources, the global community of museums (the 'Global Museum') is more than the sum of its parts, allowing insights and answers to diverse biological, environmental, and societal questions at the global scale, across eons of time, and spanning vast diversity across the Tree of Life. We argue that, whereas natural history collections and museums began with a focus on describing the diversity and peculiarities of species on Earth, they are now increasingly leveraged in new ways that significantly expand their impact and relevance. These new directions include the possibility to ask new, often interdisciplinary questions in basic and applied science, such as in biomimetic design, and by contributing to solutions to climate change, global health and food security challenges. As institutions, they have long been incubators for cutting-edge research in biology while simultaneously providing core infrastructure for research on present and future societal needs. Here we explore how the intersection between pressing issues in environmental and human health and rapid technological innovation have reinforced the relevance of museum collections. We do this by providing examples as food for thought for both the broader academic community and museum scientists on the evolving role of museums. We also identify challenges to the realization of the full potential of natural history collections and the Global Museum to science and society and discuss the critical need to grow these collections. We then focus on mapping and modelling of museum data (including place-based approaches and discovery), and explore the main projects, platforms and databases enabling this growth. Finally, we aim to improve relevant protocols for the long-term storage of specimens and tissues, ensuring proper connection with tomorrow's technologies and hence further increasing the relevance of natural history museums.
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- Bratt, E., et al.
(author)
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The STEPSTONES transition program for adolescents with congenital heart disease is effective in improving patient empowerment : a randomized controlled trial
- 2022
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In: European Heart Journal. - : Oxford University Press. - 0195-668X .- 1522-9645. ; 43:Suppl. 2, s. 2745-2745
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Journal article (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Background: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is the most common birth defect, with a global birth prevalence of 8.2 per 1000 new-borns. Improvements in the diagnosis and treatment of children with CHD have resulted in increasing life prospects, with more than 90% surviving into adulthood today. To ensure expert lifetime care, patients need to transfer from paediatric-oriented care to adult-oriented care. At the same time, they need to transition from a dependent child with CHD to an independent adult who can manage living with CHD. Thus, during adolescence, patients with CHD need to acquire knowledge and skills to independently manage their health, while simultaneously experiencing a series of physical, cognitive and social changes. To facilitate this phase, transitional care is needed. However, high-level empirical evidence on the effectiveness of transitional care is scarce.Purpose: To investigate the empowering effect (primary outcome) of a structured person-centred transition programme for adolescents with CHD, and to study the effectiveness on transition readiness, patient-reported health, quality of life, health behaviours, disease-related knowledge, parental uncertainty, and parental perception of transition readiness (secondary outcomes).Methods: The STEPSTONES-CHD trial comprised a hybrid experimental design, in which a randomized controlled trial (RCT) was embedded in a longitudinal, observational study. The trial was conducted in seven CHD centres in Sweden. Two centres were allocated to the RCT-arm, randomising participants to intervention (IG) or control group (CG). The other five centres were intervention-naïve centres and served as contamination check control group (CCCG). Outcomes were measured at the age of 16 y (T0; baseline), 17y (T1) and 18.5y (T2).Results: The change in empowerment from T0 to T2 differed significantly between the IG and CG (mean difference=3.44; 95% CI: 0.27–6.65; p=0.036) in favour for IG. For the secondary outcomes, significant differences in change over time were found in parental involvement (p=0.008), CHD-specific knowledge (p=0.0002), and satisfaction with physical appearance (p=0.039). No differences in primary or secondary outcomes were detected between CG and CCCG, indicating that there was no contamination in the CG.Conclusion: The STEPSTONES-CHD trial demonstrated the effectiveness of a person-centred transition programme in empowering adolescents with CHD. Furthermore, parental involvement, satisfaction with physical appearance and CHD-related knowledge were positively influenced. This trial provides empirical underpinnings for the implementation of transition programmes for afflicted adolescents.
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28. |
- Bychkov, D, et al.
(author)
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Deep learning identifies morphological features in breast cancer predictive of cancer ERBB2 status and trastuzumab treatment efficacy
- 2021
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In: Scientific reports. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 2045-2322. ; 11:1, s. 4037-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The treatment of patients with ERBB2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer with anti-ERBB2 therapy is based on the detection of ERBB2 gene amplification or protein overexpression. Machine learning (ML) algorithms can predict the amplification of ERBB2 based on tumor morphological features, but it is not known whether ML-derived features can predict survival and efficacy of anti-ERBB2 treatment. In this study, we trained a deep learning model with digital images of hematoxylin–eosin (H&E)-stained formalin-fixed primary breast tumor tissue sections, weakly supervised by ERBB2 gene amplification status. The gene amplification was determined by chromogenic in situ hybridization (CISH). The training data comprised digitized tissue microarray (TMA) samples from 1,047 patients. The correlation between the deep learning–predicted ERBB2 status, which we call H&E-ERBB2 score, and distant disease-free survival (DDFS) was investigated on a fully independent test set, which included whole-slide tumor images from 712 patients with trastuzumab treatment status available. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) in predicting gene amplification in the test sets was 0.70 (95% CI, 0.63–0.77) on 354 TMA samples and 0.67 (95% CI, 0.62–0.71) on 712 whole-slide images. Among patients with ERBB2-positive cancer treated with trastuzumab, those with a higher than the median morphology–based H&E-ERBB2 score derived from machine learning had more favorable DDFS than those with a lower score (hazard ratio [HR] 0.37; 95% CI, 0.15–0.93; P = 0.034). A high H&E-ERBB2 score was associated with unfavorable survival in patients with ERBB2-negative cancer as determined by CISH. ERBB2-associated morphology correlated with the efficacy of adjuvant anti-ERBB2 treatment and can contribute to treatment-predictive information in breast cancer.
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33. |
- Hajihoseini, H., et al.
(author)
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Target ion and neutral spread in high power impulse magnetron sputtering
- 2023
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In: Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology. A. Vacuum, Surfaces, and Films. - : American Vacuum Society. - 0734-2101 .- 1520-8559. ; 41:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In magnetron sputtering, only a fraction of the sputtered target material leaving the ionization region is directed toward the substrate. This fraction may be different for ions and neutrals of the target material as the neutrals and ions can exhibit a different spread as they travel from the target surface toward the substrate. This difference can be significant in high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) where a substantial fraction of the sputtered material is known to be ionized. Geometrical factors or transport parameters that account for the loss of produced film-forming species to the chamber walls are needed for experimental characterization and modeling of the magnetron sputtering discharge. Here, we experimentally determine transport parameters for ions and neutral atoms in a HiPIMS discharge with a titanium target for various magnet configurations. Transport parameters are determined to a typical substrate, with the same diameter (100 mm) as the cathode target, and located at a distance 70 mm from the target surface. As the magnet configuration and/or the discharge current are changed, the transport parameter for neutral atoms xi(tn) remains roughly the same, while transport parameters for ions xi(ti) vary greatly. Furthermore, the relative ion-to-neutral transport factors, xi(ti)/xi(tn), that describe the relative deposited fractions of target material ions and neutrals onto the substrate, are determined to be in the range from 0.4 to 1.1.
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38. |
- Laflamme, L, et al.
(author)
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Prevention of suicidal behavior in older people: A systematic review of reviews
- 2022
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In: PloS one. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 17:1, s. e0262889-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Older people have the highest rates of suicide, yet the evidence base on effective suicide preventions in late-life is limited. This systematic review of reviews aims to synthesize data from existing reviews on the prevention and/or reduction of suicide behavior in late-life and evidence for effectiveness of interventions. A systematic database search was conducted in eight electronic databases from inception to 4/2020 for reviews targeting interventions among adults ≥ 60 to prevent and/or reduce suicide, suicide attempt, self-harm and suicidal ideation. Four high quality reviews were included and interventions categorized as pharmacological (antidepressant use: 239 RCTs, seven observational studies) and behavioral (physical activity: three observational studies, and multifaceted primary-care-based collaborative care for depression screening and management: four RCTs). The 2009 antidepressant use review found significant risk reduction for suicide attempt/self-harm (OR = 0.06, 95% CI 0.01–0.58) and suicide ideation (OR = 0.39, 95% CI 0.18–0.78) versus placebo. The 2015 review found an increased risk of attempts with antidepressants versus no treatment (RR = 1.18, 95% CI 1.10–1.27) and no statistically significant change in suicides versus no treatment (RR = 1.06, 95% CI 0.68–1.66) or ideation versus placebo (OR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.14–1.94). Protective effects were found for physical activity on ideation in 2 out of 3 studies when comparing active versus inactive older people. Collaborative care demonstrated significantly less attempts/ideation (OR = 0.80, 95% CI 0.68–0.94) in intervention group versus usual care. The results of this review of reviews find the evidence inconclusive towards use of antidepressants for the prevention of suicidal behavior in older people, thus monitoring is required prior to start, dosage change or cessation of antidepressants. Evidence to date supports physical activity and collaborative management for reduction of suicide ideation, but additional trials are required for a meta-analysis. To build on these findings, continued high-quality research is warranted to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions in late life.
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39. |
- Laivuori, M, et al.
(author)
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Osteoid Metaplasia in Femoral Artery Plaques Is Associated With the Clinical Severity of Lower Extremity Artery Disease in Men
- 2020
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In: Frontiers in cardiovascular medicine. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2297-055X. ; 7, s. 594192-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Lamellar metaplastic bone, osteoid metaplasia (OM), is found in atherosclerotic plaques, especially in the femoral arteries. In the carotid arteries, OM has been documented to be associated with plaque stability. This study investigated the clinical impact of OM load in femoral artery plaques of patients with lower extremity artery disease (LEAD) by using a deep learning-based image analysis algorithm. Plaques from 90 patients undergoing endarterectomy of the common femoral artery were collected and analyzed. After decalcification and fixation, 4-μm-thick longitudinal sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin, digitized, and uploaded as whole-slide images on a cloud-based platform. A deep learning-based image analysis algorithm was trained to analyze the area percentage of OM in whole-slide images. Clinical data were extracted from electronic patient records, and the association with OM was analyzed. Fifty-one (56.7%) sections had OM. Females with diabetes had a higher area percentage of OM than females without diabetes. In male patients, the area percentage of OM inversely correlated with toe pressure and was significantly associated with severe symptoms of LEAD including rest pain, ulcer, or gangrene. According to our results, OM is a typical feature of femoral artery plaques and can be quantified using a deep learning-based image analysis method. The association of OM load with clinical features of LEAD appears to differ between male and female patients, highlighting the need for a gender-specific approach in the study of the mechanisms of atherosclerotic disease. In addition, the role of plaque characteristics in the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions warrants further consideration in the future.
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41. |
- Lundin, M., et al.
(author)
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Diffusely Increased Myocardial Extracellular Volume with or without Focal Late Gadolinium Enhancement: Prevalence and Associations with Left Ventricular Size and Function
- 2022
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In: Journal of Thoracic Imaging. - 0883-5993 .- 1536-0237. ; 37:1, s. 17-25
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Purpose: Myocardial extracellular volume fraction (ECV) using cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) can identify diffuse lesions not detected by late gadolinium enhancement (LGE). We aimed to determine the prevalence of increased ECV and its relation to other CMR findings. Materials and Methods: Consecutive patients (n=609, age median [interquartile range] 53 [39 to 66] y, 62% male) underwent CMR at 1.5 T. Focal lesions on LGE images were noted. ECV in regions without focal LGE findings defined diffuse changes. Pronounced increases in left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume index and LV mass index, and pronounced decreases in LV ejection fraction were defined as >3 SD from the sex-specific mean in healthy volunteers. Results: Of 609 patients without amyloidosis or hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, 8% had diffusely increased ECV and 5% of all patients had diffusely increased ECV without any focal LGE findings. Multivariate analysis showed that a pronounced increase in the LV end-diastolic volume index was associated with increased ECV (P=0.001), but not LGE (P=0.52). A pronounced decrease in LV ejection fraction was associated with the presence of LGE (P<0.001), but not with increased ECV (P=0.41). Conclusions: Eight percent of patients in this clinical cohort with known or suspected heart disease had diffusely increased ECV and 60% of these lacked focal LGE findings. LV size is independently associated with increased ECV, whereas systolic dysfunction is independently associated with LGE. This image-based clinical study demonstrates that ECV-CMR provides additional information negligibly related to the results of LGE imaging, and thereby increases the diagnostic yield of CMR. © 2020 Lippincott Williams and Wilkins. All rights reserved.
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42. |
- Mukama, Trasias, et al.
(author)
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Prospective evaluation of 92 serum protein biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer
- 2022
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In: British Journal of Cancer. - : Springer Nature. - 0007-0920 .- 1532-1827. ; 126, s. 1301-1309
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: CA125 is the best available yet insufficiently sensitive biomarker for early detection of ovarian cancer. There is a need to identify novel biomarkers, which individually or in combination with CA125 can achieve adequate sensitivity and specificity for the detection of earlier-stage ovarian cancer.Methods: In the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort, we measured serum levels of 92 preselected proteins for 91 women who had blood sampled ≤18 months prior to ovarian cancer diagnosis, and 182 matched controls. We evaluated the discriminatory performance of the proteins as potential early diagnostic biomarkers of ovarian cancer.Results: Nine of the 92 markers; CA125, HE4, FOLR1, KLK11, WISP1, MDK, CXCL13, MSLN and ADAM8 showed an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of ≥0.70 for discriminating between women diagnosed with ovarian cancer and women who remained cancer-free. All, except ADAM8, had shown at least equal discrimination in previous case-control comparisons. The discrimination of the biomarkers, however, was low for the lag-time of >9–18 months and paired combinations of CA125 with any of the 8 markers did not improve discrimination compared to CA125 alone.Conclusion: Using pre-diagnostic serum samples, this study identified markers with good discrimination for the lag-time of 0–9 months. However, the discrimination was low in blood samples collected more than 9 months prior to diagnosis, and none of the markers showed major improvement in discrimination when added to CA125.
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43. |
- Nordenskjöld, A., et al.
(author)
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Copy number variants suggest different molecular pathways for the pathogenesis of bladder exstrophy
- 2023
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In: American Journal of Medical Genetics, Part A. - : Wiley. - 1552-4825 .- 1552-4833. ; 191:2, s. 378-390
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bladder exstrophy is a rare congenital malformation leaving the urinary bladder open in the midline of the abdomen at birth. There is a clear genetic background with chromosome aberrations, but so far, no consistent findings apart from 22q11-duplications detected in about 2%–3% of all patients. Some genes are implicated like the LZTR1, ISL1, CELSR3, and the WNT3 genes, but most are not explained molecularly. We have performed chromosomal microarray analysis on a cohort of 140 persons born with bladder exstrophy to look for submicroscopic chromosomal deletions and duplications. Pathogenic or possibly pathogenic microdeletions or duplications were found in 16 patients (11.4%) and further 9 with unknown significance. Two findings were in regions linked to known syndromes, two findings involved the same gene (MCC), and all other findings were unique. A closer analysis suggests a few gene networks that are involved in the pathogenesis of bladder exstrophy; the WNT-signaling pathway, the chromosome 22q11 region, the RIT2 and POU families, and involvement of the Golgi apparatus. Bladder exstrophy is a rare malformation and is reported to be associated with several chromosome aberrations. Our data suggest involvement of some specific molecular pathways.
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44. |
- Ovaskainen, Otso, et al.
(author)
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Global Spore Sampling Project: A global, standardized dataset of airborne fungal DNA
- 2024
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In: Scientific Data. - 2052-4463. ; 11
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Novel methods for sampling and characterizing biodiversity hold great promise for re-evaluating patterns of life across the planet. The sampling of airborne spores with a cyclone sampler, and the sequencing of their DNA, have been suggested as an efficient and well-calibrated tool for surveying fungal diversity across various environments. Here we present data originating from the Global Spore Sampling Project, comprising 2,768 samples collected during two years at 47 outdoor locations across the world. Each sample represents fungal DNA extracted from 24 m3 of air. We applied a conservative bioinformatics pipeline that filtered out sequences that did not show strong evidence of representing a fungal species. The pipeline yielded 27,954 species-level operational taxonomic units (OTUs). Each OTU is accompanied by a probabilistic taxonomic classification, validated through comparison with expert evaluations. To examine the potential of the data for ecological analyses, we partitioned the variation in species distributions into spatial and seasonal components, showing a strong effect of the annual mean temperature on community composition.
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45. |
- Petersson, M., et al.
(author)
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Patient-Reported Symptom Severity in a Nationwide Myasthenia Gravis Cohort Cross-sectional Analysis of the Swedish GEMG Study
- 2021
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In: Neurology. - : Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health). - 0028-3878 .- 1526-632X. ; 97:14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Objectives To describe myasthenia gravis activities of daily living (MG-ADL) in relation to clinical characteristics in a large Swedish nationwide cohort. Methods In a cross-sectional prevalence cohort study, the Genes and Environment in Myasthenia Gravis study, performed from November 2018 through August 2019, patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were invited to submit an extensive 106-item life environment questionnaire, including the MG-ADL score. Patients were classified into early-onset MG (EOMG, <50 years), late-onset MG (LOMG, >= 50 years), or thymoma-associated MG (TAMG). Comparisons of disease-specific characteristics were made between subgroups, sexes, and different MG-ADL scores. Results A total of 1,077 patients were included, yielding a 74% response rate: 505 (47%) were classified as EOMG, 520 (48%) LOMG, and 45 (4%) TAMG. Mean age at inclusion was 64.3 years (SD 15.7) and mean disease duration was 14.6 years (SD 14.0). Complete MG-ADL scores (n = 1,035) ranged from 0p to 18p, where 26% reported a score of 0p. Higher MG-ADL scores were associated with female sex, obesity, and diagnostic delay (odds ratio [OR] 1.62, 1.72, and 1.69; p(adj) = 0.017, 0.013, and 0.008) and inversely correlated with high educational attainment (OR 0.59; p(adj) = 0.02), but not with age at inclusion, disease subtype, or disease duration. Almost half of the population (47%) reported MG-ADL >= 3p, corresponding to an unsatisfactory symptom state. Discussion In this nationwide study, comprising more than 40% of the prevalent MG population in Sweden, almost half of the patients reported current disease symptoms associated with an unsatisfactory symptom state, indicating the need for improved treatment options.
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46. |
- Pinheiro, V. E., et al.
(author)
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Screening and cocktail optimization using experimental mixture design : enzymatic saccharification as a biological pretreatment strategy
- 2021
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In: Biofuels, Bioproducts and Biorefining. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1932-104X .- 1932-1031.
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Biofuels contribute environment-friendly, renewable energy, minimizing dependence on fossil energy. The pretreatment of biomass is a practical step that accelerates and facilitates the hydrolysis of complex materials. This work aimed to screen, select, and study cocktail formulations for biomass hydrolysis, where the enzymes were provided both from a commercial source (Trichoderma reesei, Novozymes®) and through the cultivation of Aspergillus brasiliensis and Aspergillus tamarii Kita. Experimental mixture designs were used to optimize the enzymatic conversion of substrates into simple sugars. A crude extract rich in amylase (AAB) had a significant favorable influence on cornmeal hydrolysis by maximizing the yield of reducing sugars (RS) (173 μmol mL–1). Celluclast™, rich in cellulase, significantly affected the hydrolysis of banana peel, maximizing the RS yield (175 μmol mL–1). Variable degrees of enzyme synergism were evident from statistical analysis of the biomass hydrolysis.
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47. |
- Pontiller, Benjamin, MSc, 1985-, et al.
(author)
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Taxon-Specific Shifts in Bacterial and Archaeal Transcription of Dissolved Organic Matter Cycling Genes in a Stratified Fjord
- 2021
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In: mSystems. - : American Society for Microbiology. - 2379-5077. ; 6:6
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A considerable fraction of organic matter derived from photosynthesis in the euphotic zone settles into the ocean's interior and, as it progresses, is degraded by diverse microbial consortia that utilize a suite of extracellular enzymes and membrane transporters. Still, the molecular details that regulate carbon cycling across depths remain little explored. As stratification in fjords has made them attractive models to explore patterns in biological oceanography, we here analyzed bacterial and archaeal transcription in samples from five depth layers in the Gullmar Fjord, Sweden. Transcriptional variation over depth correlated with gradients in chlorophyll a and nutrient concentrations. Differences in transcription between sampling dates (summer and early autumn) were strongly correlated with ammonium concentrations, which potentially was linked with a stronger influence of (micro-)zooplankton grazing in summer. Transcriptional investment in carbohydrate-active enzymes (CAZymes) decreased with depth and shifted toward peptidases, partly a result of elevated CAZyme transcription by Flavobacteriales, Cellvibrionales, and Synechococcales at 2 to 25 m and a dominance of peptidase transcription by Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales from 50 m down. In particular, CAZymes for chitin, laminarin, and glycogen were important. High levels of transcription of ammonium transporter genes by Thaumarchaeota at depth (up to 18% of total transcription), along with the genes for ammonia oxidation and CO2 fixation, indicated that chemolithoautotrophy contributed to the carbon flux in the fjord. The taxon-specific expression of functional genes for processing of the marine pool of dissolved organic matter and inorganic nutrients across depths emphasizes the importance of different microbial foraging mechanisms over spatiotemporal scales for shaping biogeochemical cycles.IMPORTANCE It is generally recognized that stratification in the ocean strongly influences both the community composition and the distribution of ecological functions of microbial communities, which in turn are expected to shape the biogeochemical cycling of essential elements over depth. Here, we used metatranscriptomics analysis to infer molecular detail on the distribution of gene systems central to the utilization of organic matter in a stratified marine system. We thereby uncovered that pronounced shifts in the transcription of genes encoding CAZymes, peptidases, and membrane transporters occurred over depth among key prokaryotic orders. This implies that sequential utilization and transformation of organic matter through the water column is a key feature that ultimately influences the efficiency of the biological carbon pump.
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49. |
- Rudolph, M., et al.
(author)
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Influence of the magnetic field on the discharge physics of a high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge
- 2022
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In: Journal of Physics D. - : IOP Publishing. - 0022-3727 .- 1361-6463. ; 55:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The magnetic field is a key feature that distinguishes magnetron sputtering from simple diode sputtering. It effectively increases the residence time of electrons close to the cathode surface and by that increases the energy efficiency of the discharge. This becomes apparent in high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharges, as small changes in the magnetic field can result in large variations in the discharge characteristics, notably the peak discharge current and/or the discharge voltage during a pulse. Here, we analyze the influence of the magnetic field on the electron density and temperature, how the discharge voltage is split between the cathode sheath and the ionization region, and the electron heating mechanism in a HiPIMS discharge. We relate the results to the energy efficiency of the discharge and discuss them in terms of the probability of target species ionization. The energy efficiency of the discharge is related to the fraction of pulse power absorbed by the electrons. Ohmic heating of electrons in the ionization region leads to higher energy efficiency than electron energization in the sheath. We find that the electron density and ionization probability of the sputtered species depend largely on the discharge current. The results suggest ways to adjust electron density and electron temperature using the discharge current and the magnetic field, respectively, and how they influence the ionization probability.
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50. |
- Rudolph, M., et al.
(author)
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On the population density of the argon excited levels in a high power impulse magnetron sputtering discharge
- 2022
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In: Physics of Plasmas. - : AIP Publishing. - 1070-664X .- 1089-7674. ; 29:2, s. 023506-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Population densities of excited states of argon atoms in a high power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) discharge are examined using a global discharge model and a collisional-radiative model. Here, the ionization region model (IRM) and the Orsay Boltzmann equation for electrons coupled with ionization and excited states kinetics (OBELIX) model are combined to obtain the population densities of the excited levels of the argon atom in a HiPIMS discharge. The IRM is a global plasma chemistry model based on particle and energy conservation of HiPIMS discharges. OBELIX is a collisional-radiative model where the electron energy distribution is calculated self-consistently from an isotropic Boltzmann equation. The collisional model constitutes 65 individual and effective excited levels of the argon atom. We demonstrate that the reduced population density of high-lying excited argon states scales with (p*)(-6), where p * is the effective quantum number, indicating the presence of a multistep ladder-like excitation scheme, also called an excitation saturation. The reason for this is the dominance of electron impact processes in the population and de-population of high-lying argon states in combination with a negligible electron-ion recombination.
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