| 1. |
- Aamodt, K., et al.
(author)
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The ALICE experiment at the CERN LHC
- 2008
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In: Journal of Instrumentation. - 1748-0221. ; 3:S08002
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Research review (peer-reviewed)abstract
- ALICE (A Large Ion Collider Experiment) is a general-purpose, heavy-ion detector at the CERN LHC which focuses on QCD, the strong-interaction sector of the Standard Model. It is designed to address the physics of strongly interacting matter and the quark-gluon plasma at extreme values of energy density and temperature in nucleus-nucleus collisions. Besides running with Pb ions, the physics programme includes collisions with lighter ions, lower energy running and dedicated proton-nucleus runs. ALICE will also take data with proton beams at the top LHC energy to collect reference data for the heavy-ion programme and to address several QCD topics for which ALICE is complementary to the other LHC detectors. The ALICE detector has been built by a collaboration including currently over 1000 physicists and engineers from 105 Institutes in 30 countries, Its overall dimensions are 16 x 16 x 26 m(3) with a total weight of approximately 10 000 t. The experiment consists of 18 different detector systems each with its own specific technology choice and design constraints, driven both by the physics requirements and the experimental conditions expected at LHC. The most stringent design constraint is to cope with the extreme particle multiplicity anticipated in central Pb-Pb collisions. The different subsystems were optimized to provide high-momentum resolution as well as excellent Particle Identification (PID) over a broad range in momentum, up to the highest multiplicities predicted for LHC. This will allow for comprehensive studies of hadrons, electrons, muons, and photons produced in the collision of heavy nuclei. Most detector systems are scheduled to be installed and ready for data taking by mid-2008 when the LHC is scheduled to start operation, with the exception of parts of the Photon Spectrometer (PHOS), Transition Radiation Detector (TRD) and Electro Magnetic Calorimeter (EMCal). These detectors will be completed for the high-luminosity ion run expected in 2010. This paper describes in detail the detector components as installed for the first data taking in the summer of 2008.
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| 3. |
- Clark, Andrew G., et al.
(author)
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Evolution of genes and genomes on the Drosophila phylogeny
- 2007
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 450:7167, s. 203-218
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Comparative analysis of multiple genomes in a phylogenetic framework dramatically improves the precision and sensitivity of evolutionary inference, producing more robust results than single-genome analyses can provide. The genomes of 12 Drosophila species, ten of which are presented here for the first time (sechellia, simulans, yakuba, erecta, ananassae, persimilis, willistoni, mojavensis, virilis and grimshawi), illustrate how rates and patterns of sequence divergence across taxa can illuminate evolutionary processes on a genomic scale. These genome sequences augment the formidable genetic tools that have made Drosophila melanogaster a pre-eminent model for animal genetics, and will further catalyse fundamental research on mechanisms of development, cell biology, genetics, disease, neurobiology, behaviour, physiology and evolution. Despite remarkable similarities among these Drosophila species, we identified many putatively non-neutral changes in protein-coding genes, non-coding RNA genes, and cis-regulatory regions. These may prove to underlie differences in the ecology and behaviour of these diverse species.
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| 4. |
- Butler, Geraldine, et al.
(author)
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Evolution of pathogenicity and sexual reproduction in eight Candida genomes.
- 2009
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1476-4687 .- 0028-0836. ; 459:7247, s. 657-62
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Candida species are the most common cause of opportunistic fungal infection worldwide. Here we report the genome sequences of six Candida species and compare these and related pathogens and non-pathogens. There are significant expansions of cell wall, secreted and transporter gene families in pathogenic species, suggesting adaptations associated with virulence. Large genomic tracts are homozygous in three diploid species, possibly resulting from recent recombination events. Surprisingly, key components of the mating and meiosis pathways are missing from several species. These include major differences at the mating-type loci (MTL); Lodderomyces elongisporus lacks MTL, and components of the a1/2 cell identity determinant were lost in other species, raising questions about how mating and cell types are controlled. Analysis of the CUG leucine-to-serine genetic-code change reveals that 99% of ancestral CUG codons were erased and new ones arose elsewhere. Lastly, we revise the Candida albicans gene catalogue, identifying many new genes.
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| 5. |
- Gilbert, M. Thomas P., et al.
(author)
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Paleo-Eskimo mtDNA genome reveals matrilineal discontinuity in Greenland
- 2008
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In: Science. - : American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). - 0036-8075 .- 1095-9203. ; 320:5884, s. 1787-1789
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The Paleo- Eskimo Saqqaq and Independence I cultures, documented from archaeological remains in Northern Canada and Greenland, represent the earliest human expansion into the New World's northern extremes. However, their origin and genetic relationship to later cultures are unknown. We sequenced a mitochondrial genome from a Paleo- Eskimo human by using 3400- to 4500- year- old frozen hair excavated from an early Greenlandic Saqqaq settlement. The sample is distinct from modern Native Americans and Neo- Eskimos, falling within haplogroup D2a1, a group previously observed among modern Aleuts and Siberian Sireniki Yuit. This result suggests that the earliest migrants into the New World's northern extremes derived from populations in the Bering Sea area and were not directly related to Native Americans or the later Neo- Eskimos that replaced them.
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| 6. |
- Hedlund, P. O., et al.
(author)
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Parenteral estrogen versus combined androgen deprivation in the treatment of metastatic prostatic cancer : Part 2. Final evaluation of the Scandinavian Prostatic Cancer Group (SPCG) Study No. 5
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Urology and Nephrology. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5599 .- 1651-2065. ; 42:3, s. 220-229
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective. To compare parenteral estrogen therapy in the form of high-dose polyestradiol phosphate (PEP, Estradurin®) with combined androgen deprivation (CAD) in the treatment of prostate cancer patients with skeletal metastases. The aim of the study was to compare anticancer efficacy and adverse events, especially cardiovascular events. Material and methods. In total, 910 eligible patients with T0-4, NX, M1, G1-3 prostate cancer with an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status of 0-2 were randomized to treatment with either PEP 240mg i.m. twice a month for 2months and thereafter monthly, or flutamide (Eulexin®) 250mg t.i.d. per os in combination with either triptorelin (Decapeptyl®) 3.75mg i.m. per month or on an optional basis bilateral orchidectomy. Results. At this final evaluation of the trial 855 of the 910 patients were dead. There was no difference between the treatment groups in terms of biochemical or clinical progression-free survival or in overall or disease-specific survival. There was no difference in cardiovascular mortality, but a significant increase in non-fatal cardiovascular events in the PEP arm (p<0.05) predominantly caused by an increase in ischemic heart and heart decompensation events. There were 18 grave skeletal events in the CAD group but none in the PEP group (p=0.001). Conclusions. PEP has an anticancer efficacy equal to CAD and does not increase cardiovascular mortality in metastasized patients, but carries a significant risk of non-fatal cardiovascular events, which should be balanced against the skeletal complications in the CAD group. It is feasible to use Estradurin in the primary or secondary endocrine treatment of metastasized patients without prominent cardiac risk factors and especially those with osteoporosis. © 2008 Taylor & Francis.
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| 7. |
- Odenstad, A, et al.
(author)
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Does age at adoption and geographic origin matter? A national cohort study of cognitive test performance in adult inter-country adoptees.
- 2008
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In: Psychol Med. - 0033-2917 .- 1469-8978. ; 38:12, s. 1803-14
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Does age at adoption and geographic origin matter? A national cohort study of cognitive test performance in adult inter-country adoptees.Odenstad A, Hjern A, Lindblad F, Rasmussen F, Vinnerljung B, Dalen M.Stress Research Institute, Stockholm University, Sweden.BACKGROUND: Inter-country adoptees run risks of developmental and health-related problems. Cognitive ability is one important indicator of adoptees' development, both as an outcome measure itself and as a potential mediator between early adversities and ill-health. The aim of this study was to analyse relations between proxies for adoption-related circumstances and cognitive development.MethodResults from global and verbal scores of cognitive tests at military conscription (mandatory for all Swedish men during these years) were compared between three groups (born 1968-1976): 746 adoptees born in South Korea, 1548 adoptees born in other non-Western countries and 330 986 non-adopted comparisons in the same birth cohort. Information about age at adoption and parental education was collected from Swedish national registers. RESULTS: South Korean adoptees had higher global and verbal test scores compared to adoptees from other non-European donor countries. Adoptees adopted after age 4 years had lower test scores if they were not of Korean ethnicity, while age did not influence test scores in South Koreans or those adopted from other non-European countries before the age of 4 years. Parental education had minor effects on the test performance of the adoptees - statistically significant only for non-Korean adoptees' verbal test scores - but was prominently influential for non-adoptees. CONCLUSIONS: Negative pre-adoption circumstances may have persistent influences on cognitive development. The prognosis from a cognitive perspective may still be good regardless of age at adoption if the quality of care before adoption has been 'good enough' and the adoption selection mechanisms do not reflect an overrepresentation of risk factors - both requirements probably fulfilled in South Korea.
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| 8. |
- Abs, Roger, et al.
(author)
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Determinants of cardiovascular risk in 2589 hypopituitary GH-deficient adults - a KIMS database analysis.
- 2006
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In: European Journal of Endocrinology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0804-4643 .- 1479-683X. ; 155:1, s. 79-90
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The aim of the present study was to clarify the relationship between GH deficiency (GHD) andsome cardiovascular risk factors and to analyse the effect of GH replacement therapy in a large numberof patients over a prolonged period of time.Design: Data for analysis were retrieved from KIMS (Pfizer International Metabolic Database). Serumconcentrations of total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein(LDL)-cholesterol and triglycerides were obtained from 2589 patients at baseline and from 1206patients after 1 and 2 years of GH replacement therapy. Body mass index (BMI), waist and hip, restingblood pressure and body composition were also measured.Results: At baseline, the unfavourable effects of GHD were most obvious in the lipid profiledemonstrating elevated mean total and LDL-cholesterol, in the increased waist circumference and theelevated BMI. The cholesterol concentration, BMI and body composition were significantly adverselyaffected by a number of factors, including age, sex and the use of anti-epileptic drugs. The therapeuticeffect of GH was essentially uniform across the whole population. GH replacement reduced significantlythe mean total and LDL-cholesterol, the waist circumference and the fat mass and was maintainedduring 2 years.Conclusions: This analysis of a large number of patients confirmed that GHD adults present with anincreased cardiovascular risk. The sustained improvement of the adverse lipid profile and bodycomposition suggests that GH replacement therapy may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease andthe premature mortality seen in hypopituitary patients with untreated GHD.
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| 10. |
- Andersen, I, et al.
(author)
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Does job strain mediate the effect of Socio-economic Group on smoking behaviour? The impact of different health policies in Denmark and Sweden
- 2008
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1651-1905 .- 1403-4948. ; 36:6, s. 598-606
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The aim was to compare the impact of socioeconomic groups (SEG) on the risk of being a daily smoker or quitter, and to investigate whether the potentially mediating effect of psychosocial working conditions was similar in the Danish and the Swedish populations. Methods: The study populations consisted of 10,049 employed participants, aged 18-64 years, 51% women, randomly selected from the general populations in the Oresund region, 1999-2000. Odds ratios (OR) for daily-smokers and "non-quitters'' were computed for two age-groups and two SEGs in gender specific models, stratified by country. The association between SEG, current smoking, quitting, and influence at work, job demand and jobstrain, respectively, was tested by means of logistic regression. Results: The contextual determinants defined by country had a different effect on smoking prevalence among men and women and among age groups. Low influence and job strain seemed to have an effect on smoking among Danish women, but not among Swedish women. The OR of being a daily smoker were higher in men than women among younger Danes, but higher in women than men among Swedes. The prevalence of low influence, high demand and job strain was higher and more socially skewed among the Swedes, but did not mediate the effect of SEG on smoking behaviour. Conclusions: The smoking prevalence was lower and the quit-rates higher among Swedes than Danes. Both countries had social differences in smoking that in absolute terms were rather similar, but in relative terms were higher in Sweden. The mediating effect of psychosocial working conditions was lacking. The determinants of smoking behaviours must be found somewhere else in the social and cultural context.
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| 12. |
- Batty, GD, et al.
(author)
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IQ in early adulthood and later risk of death by homicide: cohort study of 1 million men
- 2008
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In: The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science. - : Royal College of Psychiatrists. - 1472-1465. ; 193:6, s. 461-465
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Risk factors for homicide are emerging; however, the predictive value of IQ, for which there is a strong prima facie case, has yet to be examined.AimsTo examine the association between IQ and risk of death by homicide.MethodA cohort of 968 846 men, aged 18–19 years, were administered an IQ test battery at military conscription and then followed for mortality experience over two decades.ResultsThere were 191 deaths due to homicide during follow-up. In age-adjusted analyses, a high total IQ test score was associated with a reduced rate of homicide (hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation increase in IQ score=0.49, 95% CI 0.42–0.57). A step-wise gradient was apparent across the three IQ groups (P-value for trend 50.001). After adjustment for indicators of socio-economic position and illness at conscription, this gradient was marginally attenuated (HR=0.57, 95% CI 0.49–0.67).ConclusionsHigh IQ test scores in early adulthood were associated with a reduced risk of death by homicide.
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| 21. |
- Eriksson, M, et al.
(author)
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Associations between parents' and 12-year-old children's sport and vigorous activity: the role of self-esteem and athletic competence
- 2008
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In: Journal of physical activity & health. - : Human Kinetics. - 1543-3080 .- 1543-5474. ; 5:3, s. 359-373
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aims of this study were to investigate parent–child physical activity (PA) associations and whether children’s self-esteem or athletic competence mediates such associations.Methods:The study population comprised 1124 12-year-old children and their parents. Parents’ PA was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire and a question about sport participation. Children’s PA was assessed by questions about participation in sport and vigorous activities. The children’s self-esteem and athletic competence were assessed by Harter’s Self-Perception Profile for Adolescents.Results:Parents’ PA was strongly associated with their children’s PA. With 2 active parents, the odds ratio for their children to participate in sport was 3.9 (95% CI = 2.2–6.9, girls) and 8.8 (95% CI = 4.3–18.0, boys) compared with having inactive parents. Athletic competence partly mediated these associations.Conclusions:The family is an important target for interventions to increase PA among children, and it might be important to consider ways to reinforce children’s athletic competence.
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| 29. |
- Gamborg, Michael, et al.
(author)
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Birth weight and systolic blood pressure in adolescence and adulthood : meta-regression analysis of sex- and age-specific results from 20 Nordic studies
- 2007
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In: American Journal of Epidemiology. - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0002-9262 .- 1476-6256. ; 166:6, s. 634-645
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The authors investigated the shape, sex- and age-dependency, and possible confounding of the association between birth weight and systolic blood pressure (SBP) in 197,954 adults from 20 Nordic cohorts (birth years 1910-1987), one of which included 166,249 Swedish male conscripts. Random-effects meta-regression analyses were performed on estimates obtained from age- and sex-stratified analyses within each of the cohorts. There was an inverse association between birth weight and SBP, irrespective of adjustment for concurrent body mass index. The association was linear for males, but for females with a birth weight greater than 4 kg, SBP increased with birth weight (p < 0.01). The association was stronger in the older age groups (p < 0.05), although this could have been a birth cohort effect. The association was stronger among females than among males (p = 0.005) when birth weight was less than or equal to 4 kg. The estimated effect of birth weight on SBP at age 50 years was -1.52 mmHg/kg (95% confidence interval: -2.27, -0.77) in men and -2.80 mmHg/kg (95% confidence interval: -3.85, -1.76) in women. Exclusion of the Swedish conscripts produced nearly identical results. This meta-analysis supports the evidence of an inverse birth weight-SBP association, regardless of adjustment for concurrent body size. It also reveals important heterogeneity in the shape and strength of the association by sex and age.
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| 30. |
- Gudbjartsson, Daniel F., et al.
(author)
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Sequence variants affecting eosinophil numbers associate with asthma and myocardial infarction
- 2009
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 41:3, s. 342-347
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Eosinophils are pleiotropic multifunctional leukocytes involved in initiation and propagation of inflammatory responses and thus have important roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. Here we describe a genome-wide association scan for sequence variants affecting eosinophil counts in blood of 9,392 Icelanders. The most significant SNPs were studied further in 12,118 Europeans and 5,212 East Asians. SNPs at 2q12 (rs1420101), 2q13 (rs12619285), 3q21 (rs4857855), 5q31 (rs4143832) and 12q24 (rs3184504) reached genome-wide significance (P = 5.3 x 10(-14), 5.4 x 10(-10), 8.6 x 10(-17), 1.2 x 10(-10) and 6.5 x 10(-19), respectively). A SNP at IL1RL1 associated with asthma (P = 5.5 x 10(-12)) in a collection of ten different populations (7,996 cases and 44,890 controls). SNPs at WDR36, IL33 and MYB that showed suggestive association with eosinophil counts were also associated with atopic asthma (P = 4.2 x 10(-6), 2.2 x 10(-5) and 2.4 x 10(-4), respectively). We also found that a nonsynonymous SNP at 12q24, in SH2B3, associated significantly (P = 8.6 x 10(-8)) with myocardial infarction in six different populations (6,650 cases and 40,621 controls).
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| 38. |
- Jayne, David R. W., et al.
(author)
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Randomized trial of plasma exchange or high-dosage Methylprednisolone as adjunctive therapy for severe renal vasculitis
- 2007
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In: Journal of the American Society of Nephrology. - 1046-6673. ; 18:7, s. 2180-2188
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Systemic vasculitis associated with autoantibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA) is the most frequent cause of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis. Renal failure at presentation carries an increased risk for ESRD and death despite immunosuppressive therapy. This study investigated whether the addition of plasma exchange was more effective than intravenous methylprednisolone in the achievement of renal recovery in those who presented with a serum creatinine > 500 mu mol/L (5.8 mg/dl). A total of 137 patients with a new diagnosis of ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis confirmed by renal biopsy and serum creatinine > 500 mu mol/L (5.8 mg/dl) were randomly assigned to receive seven plasma exchanges (n = 70) or 3000 mg of intravenous methylprednisolone (n = 67). Both groups received oral cyclophosphamide and oral prednisolone. The primary end point was dialysis independence at 3 mo. Secondary end points included renal and patient survival at 1 yr and severe adverse event rates. At 3 mo, 33 (49%) of 67 after intravenous methylprednisolone compared with 48 (69%) or 70 after plasma exchange were alive and independent of dialysis (95% confidence interval for the difference 18 to 35%; P = 0.02). As compared with intravenous methylprednisolone, plasma exchange was associated with a reduction in risk for progression to ESRD of 24% (95% confidence interval 6.1 to 41%), from 43 to 19%, at 12 mo. Patient survival and severe adverse event rates at 1 yr were 51 (76%) of 67 and 32 of 67 (48%) in the intravenous methylprednisolone group and 51 (73%) of 70 and 35 of (50%) 70 in the plasma exchange group, respectively. Plasma exchange increased the rate of renal recovery in ANCA-associated systemic vasculitis that presented with renal failure when compared with intravenous methylprednisolone. Patient survival and severe adverse event rates were similar in both groups.
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| 41. |
- Kark, M, et al.
(author)
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Growing social inequalities in the occurrence of overweight and obesity among young men in Sweden
- 2005
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In: Scandinavian journal of public health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 33:6, s. 472-477
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aims: The aims of the present study are to investigate time trends and social inequalities in mean body mass index (BMI), overweight, and obesity among 18-year-old men in Sweden from 1970 to 2000 and to explore whether social inequalities in these conditions have increased. Methods: A record linkage was made between the Military Service Conscription Register, Population and Housing Censuses, the Register of Education and the Register of the Total Population. All 1,748,800 males born in 1952—82 who were living in Sweden at the age of 17 years in 1969—99 were eligible for this nationwide study. The study population comprises 1,500,499 18-year-old men with information on BMI (86% of eligible subjects). Results: During the study period from 1970 to 2000, mean BMI increased from 20.89 kg/m2 to 22.49 kg/m2, the prevalence of overweight increased from 6.6% to 13.6% and the prevalence of obesity increased from 1.0% to 3.8%. Mean BMI and the prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher among young men with low-educated mothers than among those with high-educated mothers. A noteworthy finding was that the socioeconomic gap increased over time. Conclusions: Between 1970 and 2000, the prevalence of overweight increased twofold and the prevalence of obesity increased fourfold in this study population. The social inequalities in overweight and obesity have steadily increased among young men in Sweden during the past three decades.
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| 46. |
- Karnehed, N, et al.
(author)
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Obesity in young adulthood and later disability pension: a population-based cohort study of 366,929 Swedish men
- 2007
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In: Scandinavian journal of public health. - : SAGE Publications. - 1403-4948 .- 1651-1905. ; 35:1, s. 48-54
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased threefold among Swedish men during recent decades. Knowledge from Sweden on how obese men manage in working life and become disability pensioners is sparse. The aim of this nationwide and population-based cohort study was to investigate to what extent body mass index (BMI) in young adulthood predicts later disability pension. Method: All Swedish men born 1952—59, who had their weight and height measured at age 18 years in the compulsory military conscription examinations, were followed up longitudinally from 1990 to 2001 with regard to receiving disability pension. Data on own socioeconomic position (1985), education and marital status (1990), parental socioeconomic position (1960), and education (1970) were obtained from censuses. For 366,929 men (81% of the eligible men) the hazard ratio for receiving disability pension was calculated with Cox regression controlling for own education, parental education, childhood and adult socioeconomic position, marital status, morbidity, and type of municipality. Results: Obesity in young adulthood increased the risk for disability pension later in life (1.35, 95% CI 1.19, 1.52) compared with men of normal weight. The relationship between BMI and disability pension was J-shaped with higher risks for underweight (1.14, 95% CI 1.09, 1.20) and obese men. Conclusions: Obese men in Sweden are at higher risk of receiving disability pension. The relationship between BMI and disability pension is J-shaped. An important future task is to estimate the societal costs due to disability pension of obese people.
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