| 1. |
- Hilmarsdóttir, Bylgja, et al.
(author)
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MicroRNA-200c-141 and ∆Np63 are required for breast epithelial differentiation and branching morphogenesis.
- 2015
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In: Developmental Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 1095-564X .- 0012-1606. ; 403:2, s. 150-161
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The epithelial compartment of the breast contains two lineages, the luminal- and the myoepithelial cells. D492 is a breast epithelial cell line with stem cell properties that forms branching epithelial structures in 3D culture with both luminal- and myoepithelial differentiation. We have recently shown that D492 undergo epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when co-cultured with endothelial cells. This 3D co-culture model allows critical analysis of breast epithelial lineage development and EMT. In this study, we compared the microRNA (miR) expression profiles for D492 and its mesenchymal-derivative D492M. Suppression of the miR-200 family in D492M was among the most profound changes observed. Exogenous expression of miR-200c-141 in D492M reversed the EMT phenotype resulting in gain of luminal but not myoepithelial differentiation. In contrast, forced expression of ∆Np63 in D492M restored the myoepithelial phenotype only. Co-expression of miR-200c-141 and ∆Np63 in D492M restored the branching morphogenesis in 3D culture underlining the requirement for both luminal and myoepithelial elements for obtaining full branching morphogenesis in breast epithelium. Introduction of a miR-200c-141 construct in both D492 and D492M resulted in resistance to endothelial induced EMT. In conclusion, our data suggests that expression of miR-200c-141 and ∆Np63 in D492M can reverse EMT resulting in luminal- and myoepithelial differentiation, respectively, demonstrating the importance of these molecules in epithelial integrity in the human breast.
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| 2. |
- Bjornsdottir, Erla, et al.
(author)
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Quality of life among untreated sleep apnea patients compared with the general population and changes after treatment with positive airway pressure
- 2015
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In: Journal of Sleep Research. - : Wiley. - 0962-1105 .- 1365-2869. ; 24:3, s. 328-338
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Obstructive sleep apnea leads to recurrent arousals from sleep, oxygen desaturations, daytime sleepiness and fatigue. This can have an adverse impact on quality of life. The aims of this study were to compare: (i) quality of life between the general population and untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea; and (ii) changes of quality of life among patients with obstructive sleep apnea after 2 years of positive airway pressure treatment between adherent patients and non-users. Propensity score methodologies were used in order to minimize selection bias and strengthen causal inferences. The enrolled obstructive sleep apnea subjects (n = 822) were newly diagnosed with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnea who were starting positive airway pressure treatment, and the general population subjects (n = 742) were randomly selected Icelanders. The Short Form 12 was used to measure quality of life. Untreated patients with obstructive sleep apnea had a worse quality of life when compared with the general population. This effect remained significant after using propensity scores to select samples, balanced with regard to age, body mass index, gender, smoking, diabetes, hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We did not find significant overall differences between full and non-users of positive airway pressure in improvement of quality of life from baseline to follow-up. However, there was a trend towards more improvement in physical quality of life for positive airway pressure-adherent patients, and the most obese subjects improved their physical quality of life more. The results suggest that co-morbidities of obstructive sleep apnea, such as obesity, insomnia and daytime sleepiness, have a great effect on life qualities and need to be taken into account and addressed with additional interventions.
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| 3. |
- Jonsdottir, Sigridur Sia, et al.
(author)
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Pain management and medical interventions during childbirth among perinatal distressed women and women dissatisfied in their partner relationship : A prospective cohort study
- 2019
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 69, s. 1-9
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate possible associations between distress in pregnant women and their use of pain management and medical interventions. Furthermore, we assessed the effects of reported dissatisfaction in relationship with their partner, or weak social support. Design: This was a prospective cohort study. Setting: Women were invited to participate while attending prenatal care at participating Icelandic health care centres. Birth outcome data were obtained from the hospitals where these women gave birth. Participants: Women in this study participated in a research project where 2523 women were screened three times during pregnancy for anxiety and depression. Women who had positive results at screening were invited to a semi-structured interview during pregnancy as well as every fourth woman who had negative results. Five hundred and sixty-two women participated in the interviews and the final sample was 442 women. Measurements: Distress was defined as symptoms of anxiety, stress and depression. The Edinburgh Post-partum Depression Scale (EPDS) and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales (DASS) were used for screening purposes. During the interview, the women answered the Dyadic Adjustment Scale (DAS), the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and the Adverse Experienced Interview (AEI). The main outcome variables that were obtained from the women's childbirth records were: (1) use of pain management, categorized as: epidural analgesia, non-pharmacological pain management, nitrous oxide, pharmacological medication, or no pain management; (2) medical interventions categorized as: induction, stimulation, and episiotomy; and (3) mode of childbirth. A logistic regression analysis, adjusted for significant covariates, was conducted. Findings: A significant association was found between perinatal distress at 16 weeks gestation and use of epidural as single pain management. Overall, distressed women were 2.6 times more likely than non-distressed women to use epidural as a single pain management. They were also less likely to go through childbirth without use of any pain management method. Women who were dissatisfied in their relationship were significantly more likely to undergo induction of childbirth, an episiotomy and/or a vacuum extraction than those who were satisfied in their relationship, regardless if they were distressed or not. No association was found between social support and the outcome variables. Key conclusions: Women with perinatal distress were more likely to use an epidural than non-distressed women. The use of an epidural might help them manage pain and uncertainties related to childbirth. Women who were dissatisfied in their partner relationship may be more likely to undergo induction of childbirth, episiotomy and/or vacuum extraction. Implication for practice: Midwives need to acknowledge the possible association of distress and use of an epidural during childbirth and screen for distress early in pregnancy. It is important to offer counselling and help during pregnancy for expectant parents who are distressed or dissatisfied in their relationship. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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| 4. |
- Jonsdottir, Sigridur Sia, et al.
(author)
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Partner relationship, social support and perinatal distress among pregnant Icelandic women
- 2017
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In: Women and Birth. - : Elsevier. - 1871-5192 .- 1878-1799. ; 30:1, s. e46-e55
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BACKGROUND: It is inferred that perinatal distress has adverse effects on the prospective mother and the health of the foetus/infant. More knowledge is needed to identify which symptoms of perinatal distress should be assessed during pregnancy and to shed light on the impact of women's satisfaction with their partner relationship on perinatal distress.AIM: The current study aimed to generate knowledge about the association of the partner relationship and social support when women are dealing with perinatal distress expressed by symptoms of depression, anxiety and stress.METHODS: A structured interview was conducted with 562 Icelandic women who were screened three times during pregnancy with the Edinburgh Depression Scale and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale. Of these, 360 had symptoms of distress and 202 belonged to a non-distress group. The women answered the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support and the Dyadic Adjustment Scale. The study had a multicentre prospective design allowing for exploration of association with perinatal distress.FINDINGS: Women who were dissatisfied in their partner relationship were four times more likely to experience perinatal distress. Women with perinatal distress scored highest on the DASS Stress Subscale and the second highest scores were found on the Anxiety Subscale.CONCLUSION: Satisfaction in partner relationship is related to perinatal distress and needs to be assessed when health care professionals take care of distressed pregnant women, her partner and her family. Assessment of stress and anxiety should be included in the evaluation of perinatal distress, along with symptoms of depression.
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| 5. |
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| 6. |
- Thorleifsdottir, Ragna Hlin, et al.
(author)
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Patient-reported Outcomes and Clinical Response in Patients with Moderate-to-severe Plaque Psoriasis Treated with Tonsillectomy : A Randomized Controlled Trial
- 2017
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In: Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 0001-5555 .- 1651-2057. ; 97:3, s. 340-345
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with profound effects on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Twenty-nine patients with plaque psoriasis and a history of streptococcal-associated psoriasis exacerbations were randomly assigned to tonsillectomy (n = 15) or control (n = 14) groups and followed for 24 months. Patients were evaluated with the Psoriasis Disability Index, Psoriasis Life Stress Inventory and Psoriasis Area and Severity Index. HRQoL and psoriasis-related stress improved significantly in the tonsillectomy group compared with the control group (p = 0.037 and p = 0.002, respectively), with a mean 50% improvement in HRQoL and a mean 59% improvement in psoriasis-induced stress. Clinical improvement correlated significantly with improved HRQoL (r = 0.297, p = 0.008) and psoriasis-related stress (r = 0.310, p = 0.005). Of the tonsillectomized patients, 87% concluded that the procedure was worthwhile. Tonsillectomy may improve quality of life for selected patients with plaque psoriasis.
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| 7. |
- Thorleifsdottir, Ragna H., et al.
(author)
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Throat Infections are Associated with Exacerbation in a Substantial Proportion of Patients with Chronic Plaque Psoriasis
- 2016
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In: Acta Dermato-Venereologica. - : Medical Journals Sweden AB. - 0001-5555 .- 1651-2057. ; 96:6, s. 788-791
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Streptococcal throat infections are known to trigger or exacerbate psoriasis, and several studies support the benefit of tonsillectomy. To evaluate the potential of tonsillectomy as a treatment, we used a retrospective study-specific questionnaire to assess the proportion of psoriasis patients with sore throat-associated psoriasis exacerbations. Our survey sampled 275 psoriasis patients. Of patients with plaque psoriasis, 42% reported sore throat-associated psoriasis exacerbations, and of patients with confirmed streptococcal infections, 72% reported aggravation. Notably, women and patients with early onset psoriasis were more likely to report psoriasis exacerbation after a sore throat (p< 0.001, p = 0.046, respectively). Other psoriasis aggravation factors were more common in patients with sore throat-associated exacerbations (p < 0.01). Of tonsillectomized patients, 49% reported subsequent improvement and had more frequent sore throat -associated aggravation of psoriasis than patients who did not improve after tonsillectomy (p=0.015). These findings suggest a closer association between sore throats, streptococcal throat infections and plaque psoriasis than reported previously.
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