liu.seSearch for publications in DiVA
Change search
Refine search result
1234567 1 - 50 of 677
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • oxford
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf
Rows per page
  • 5
  • 10
  • 20
  • 50
  • 100
  • 250
Sort
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
  • Standard (Relevance)
  • Author A-Ö
  • Author Ö-A
  • Title A-Ö
  • Title Ö-A
  • Publication type A-Ö
  • Publication type Ö-A
  • Issued (Oldest first)
  • Issued (Newest first)
  • Created (Oldest first)
  • Created (Newest first)
  • Last updated (Oldest first)
  • Last updated (Newest first)
  • Disputation date (earliest first)
  • Disputation date (latest first)
Select
The maximal number of hits you can export is 250. When you want to export more records please use the Create feeds function.
  • 1.
    Aardal-Eriksson, Elisabeth
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Mobäck, Caroline
    Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Jakobsson, Sandra
    Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry. Germany.
    Hoffmann, Johannes J. M. L.
    Abbott GmbH and Co KG, Germany.
    Iron depletion in blood donors - Have extended erythrocyte and reticulocyte parameters diagnostic utility?2015In: Transfusion and apheresis science, ISSN 1473-0502, E-ISSN 1878-1683, Vol. 53, no 1, p. 76-81Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Blood donation is associated with iron depletion, but donor iron status is not usually investigated, as such tests are cumbersome and costly. It would therefore be desirable to have simple, fast and inexpensive tests that give information on a donors risk of developing iron depletion. In a pilot study we investigated whether novel erythrocyte and reticulocyte parameters can serve this goal. Methods: In regular blood donors extended red cell parameters were measured using the Abbott CELL-DYN Sapphire hematology analyzer and conventional biochemical tests of iron status. Donors were compared with a regionally matched group of non-donating controls. Results: In the controls, the reference ranges of extended RBC parameters were well comparable to published data. Donors had significantly more microcytic RBC than controls (median 0.9 vs 0.6%), lower serum ferritin concentration (median 43 vs 91 mg/L) and higher soluble transferrin receptor/ferritin index (median 1.60 vs 1.27). Overall 18-28% of the donors were iron depleted. Moreover, 3.3% of donors had iron-restricted erythropoiesis. Microcytic RBC and reticulocyte mean cell hemoglobin content predicted iron depletion with 70% and 64% sensitivities and specificities of 72% and 78%, respectively. When combined these two parameters increased the sensitivity to 82%. Conclusions: Our results in Swedish blood donors confirm a high prevalence of iron depletion, despite iron supplementation used by about half of the donors. Microcytic RBC and MCHr appeared to be helpful in identifying iron-depleted donors, who might benefit from iron supplementation. We recommend larger prospective investigations in order to confirm and extend the findings of this pilot study. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • 2.
    Aase, Audun
    et al.
    Norwegian Institute Public Heatlh, Norway.
    Hajdusek, Ondrej
    Academic Science Czech Republic, Czech Republic.
    Oines, Oivind
    Norwegian Vet Institute, Norway.
    Quarsten, Hanne
    Sorlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Norway.
    Wilhelmsson, Peter
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Herstad, Tove K.
    Norwegian Institute Public Heatlh, Norway.
    Kjelland, Vivian
    University of Agder, Norway; Sorlandet Hospital Health Enterprise, Norway.
    Sima, Radek
    Academic Science Czech Republic, Czech Republic.
    Jalovecka, Marie
    Academic Science Czech Republic, Czech Republic.
    Lindgren, Per-Eric
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. County Hospital Ryhov, Sweden.
    Aaberge, Ingeborg S.
    Norwegian Institute Public Heatlh, Norway.
    Validate or falsify: Lessons learned from a microscopy method claimed to be useful for detecting Borrelia and Babesia organisms in human blood2016In: INFECTIOUS DISEASES, ISSN 2374-4235, Vol. 48, no 6, p. 411-419Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background A modified microscopy protocol (the LM-method) was used to demonstrate what was interpreted as Borrelia spirochetes and later also Babesia sp., in peripheral blood from patients. The method gained much publicity, but was not validated prior to publication, which became the purpose of this study using appropriate scientific methodology, including a control group. Methods Blood from 21 patients previously interpreted as positive for Borrelia and/or Babesia infection by the LM-method and 41 healthy controls without known history of tick bite were collected, blinded and analysed for these pathogens by microscopy in two laboratories by the LM-method and conventional method, respectively, by PCR methods in five laboratories and by serology in one laboratory. Results Microscopy by the LM-method identified structures claimed to be Borrelia- and/or Babesia in 66% of the blood samples of the patient group and in 85% in the healthy control group. Microscopy by the conventional method for Babesia only did not identify Babesia in any samples. PCR analysis detected Borrelia DNA in one sample of the patient group and in eight samples of the control group; whereas Babesia DNA was not detected in any of the blood samples using molecular methods. Conclusions The structures interpreted as Borrelia and Babesia by the LM-method could not be verified by PCR. The method was, thus, falsified. This study underlines the importance of doing proper test validation before new or modified assays are introduced.

  • 3.
    Abate, E.
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Elias, D.
    University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
    Getachew, A.
    University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Alemu, S.
    University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Diro, E.
    University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Britton, S.
    Karolinska Hospital, Sweden.
    Aseffa, A.
    Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia.
    Stendahl, Olle
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Schön, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Effects of albendazole on the clinical outcome and immunological responses in helminth co-infected tuberculosis patients: a double blind randomised clinical trial2015In: International Journal of Parasitology, ISSN 0020-7519, E-ISSN 1879-0135, Vol. 45, no 2-3, p. 133-140Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Despite several review papers and experimental studies concerning the impact of chronic helminth infection on tuberculosis in recent years, there is a scarcity of data from clinical field studies in highly endemic areas for these diseases. We believe this is the first randomised clinical trial investigating the impact of albendazole treatment on the clinical and immunological outcomes of helminth co-infected tuberculosis patients. A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of albendazole (400 mg per day for 3 days) in helminth-positive tuberculosis patients was conducted in Gondar, Ethiopia. The primary outcome was clinical improvement (Delta TB score) after 2 months. Among secondary outcomes were changes in the levels of eosinophils, CD4+ T cells, regulatory T cells, IFN-gamma, IL-5 and IL-10 after 3 months. A total of 140 helminth co-infected tuberculosis patients were included with an HIV co-infection rate of 22.8%. There was no significant effect on the primary outcome (Delta TB score: 5.6 +/- 2.9 for albendazole versus 5.9 +/- 2.5 for placebo, P = 0.59). The albendazole-treated group showed a decline in eosinophil cells (P = 0.001) and IL-10 (P = 0.017) after 3 months. In an exploratory analysis after 12 weeks, the albendazole treated group showed a trend towards weight gain compared with the placebo group (11.2 +/- 8.5 kg versus 8.2 +/- 8.7 kg, P = 0.08)). The reductions in eosinophil counts and IL-10 show that asymptomatic helminth infection significantly affects host immunity during tuberculosis and can be effectively reversed by albendazole treatment. The clinical effects of helminth infection on chronic infectious diseases such as tuberculosis merit further characterisation. (C) 2014 Australian Society for Parasitology Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • 4.
    Abate, Ebba
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Belayneh, Meseret
    University of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
    Idh, Jonna
    Vastervik Hospital, Sweden.
    Diro, Ermias
    University of Gondar, Ethiopia.
    Elias, Daniel
    University of Southern Denmark, Denmark.
    Britton, Sven
    Karolinska Hospital, Sweden.
    Aseffa, Abraham
    Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Ethiopia.
    Stendahl, Olle
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Schön, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Asymptomatic Helminth Infection in Active Tuberculosis Is Associated with Increased Regulatory and Th-2 Responses and a Lower Sputum Smear Positivity2015In: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, ISSN 1935-2727, E-ISSN 1935-2735, Vol. 9, no 8, article id e0003994Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background The impact of intestinal helminth infection on the clinical presentation and immune response during active tuberculosis (TB) infection is not well characterized. Our aim was to investigate whether asymptomatic intestinal helminth infection alters the clinical signs and symptoms as well as the cell mediated immune responses in patients with active TB.

    Methodology Consecutive, newly diagnosed TB patients and healthy community controls (CCs) were recruited in North-west Ethiopia. TB-score, body mass index and stool samples were analyzed. Cells from HIV-negative TB patients (HIV-/TB) and from CCs were analyzed for regulatory T-cells (Tregs) and cytokine responses using flow cytometry and ELISPOT, respectively.

    Results A significantly higher ratio of helminth co-infection was observed in TB patients without HIV (Helm+/HIV-/TB) compared to HIV negative CCs, (40% (121/306) versus 28% (85/306), p = 0.003). Helm+/HIV-/TB patients showed significantly increased IL-5 secreting cells compared to Helm-/HIV-/TB (37 SFU (IQR:13-103) versus 2 SFU (1-50); p = 0.02, n = 30). Likewise, levels of absolute Tregs (9.4 (3.2-16.7) cells/mu l versus 2.4 (1.1-4.0) cells/mu l; p = 0.041) and IL-10 secreting cells (65 SFU (7-196) versus 1 SFU (0-31); p = 0.014) were significantly higher in Helm+/HIV-/TB patients compared to Helm-/HIV-/TB patients. In a multivariate analysis, a lower rate of sputum smear positivity for acid fast bacilli, lower body temperature, and eosinophilia were independently associated with helminth infection in TB patients.

    Conclusions Asymptomatic helminth infection is associated with increased regulatory T-cell and Th2-type responses and a lower rate of sputum smear positivity. Further studies are warranted to investigate the clinical and immunological impact of helminth infection in TB patients.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 5.
    Abednazari, Hossin
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. PEAS Institute, Linköping.
    Brudin, Lars
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Physiology in Linköping.
    Almroth, Gabriel
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Drug Research. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Nephrology.
    Nilsson, Ingela
    Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Nayeri, Fariba
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Infectious Diseases.
    Hepatocyte growth factor is a reliable marker for efficient anti-bacterial therapy within the first day of treatment2014In: Advances in Bioscience and Biotechnology, ISSN 2156-8456, E-ISSN 2156-8502, Vol. 5, no 10, p. 823-830Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Rapid diagnosis and choice of appropriate antibiotic treatment might be life-saving in serious infectious diseases. Still the available markers that can evaluate and monitor the diagnosis and treatment are few. Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) has been studied as a potent regenerative factor produced and released during injuries such as infectious diseases. Monitoring of HGF levels might predict therapy results better than C-reactive protein (CRP) within the first day of treatment in pneumonia. For further investigation of previous observations we aimed to study HGF as a first-day marker in over-representing infectious diseases in comparison to procalcitonin (PCT), CRP and body temperature. Fifty-one patients with community acquired infectious diseases were included consequently at admittance and the serum samples were collected before and within 18 - 24 hours of treatment. HGF levels decreased significantly in case of efficient antibiotic therapy and HGF was shown to be better than PCT, CRP and body temperature to evaluate treatment. In patients with pneumonia, monitoring of HGF was most reasonable. HGF might be used as a therapeutic marker within the first day of empiric antibiotic treatment during infection.

  • 6.
    Abuzeid, Nadir
    et al.
    Medical and Aromat Plants Research Institute, Sudan; Omdurman Islamic University, Sudan.
    Kalsum, Sadaf
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Koshy, Richin John
    Larsson, Marie C
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Glader, Mikaela
    Andersson, Henrik
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Raffetseder, Johanna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Pienaar, Elsje
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Eklund, Daniel
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Inflammation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Alhassan, Muddathir S.
    Medical and Aromat Plants Research Institute, Sudan.
    AlGadir, Haidar A.
    Medical and Aromat Plants Research Institute, Sudan.
    Koko, Waleed S.
    Medical and Aromat Plants Research Institute, Sudan.
    Schon, Thomas
    Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Ahmed Mesaik, M.
    University of Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia; University of Karachi, Pakistan.
    Abdalla, Omer M.
    University of Karachi, Pakistan.
    Khalid, Asaad
    Medical and Aromat Plants Research Institute, Sudan.
    Lerm, Maria
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Antimycobacterial activity of selected medicinal plants traditionally used in Sudan to treat infectious diseases2014In: Journal of Ethnopharmacology, ISSN 0378-8741, E-ISSN 1872-7573, Vol. 157, p. 134-139Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Ethnopharmacological relevance: The emergence of multidrug-resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis underscores the need for continuous development of new and efficient methods to determine the susceptibility of isolates of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the search for novel antimycobacterial agents. Natural products constitute an important source of new drugs, and design and implementation of antimycobacterial susceptibility testing methods are necessary to evaluate the different extracts and compounds. In this study we have explored the antimycobacterial properties of 50 ethanolic extracts from different parts of 46 selected medicinal plants traditionally used in Sudan to treat infectious diseases. Materials and methods: Plants were harvested and ethanolic extracts were prepared. For selected extracts, fractionation with hydrophilic and hydrophobic solvents was undertaken. A luminometry-based assay was used for determination of mycobacterial growth in broth cultures and inside primary human macrophages in the presence or absence of plant extracts and fractions of extracts. Cytotoxicity was also assessed for active fractions of plant extracts. Results: Of the tested extracts, three exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on an avirulent strain of Mycobacterium tubercluosis (H37Ra) at the initial screening doses (125 and 6.25 mu g/ml). These were bark and leaf extracts of Khaya senegalensis and the leaf extract of Rosmarinus officinalis L. Further fractions of these plant extracts were prepared with n-hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, n-butanol, ethanol and water, and the activity of these extracts was retained in hydrophobic fractions. Cytotoxicity assays revealed that the chloroform fraction of Khaya senegalensis bark was non-toxic to human monocyte-derived macrophages and other cell types at the concentrations used and hence, further analysis, including assessment of IC50 and intracellular activity was done with this fraction. Conclusion: These results encourage further investigations to identify the active compound(s) within the chloroform fraction of Khaya senegalensis bark. (C) 2014 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

  • 7.
    Ahlstrom, Christina A.
    et al.
    US Geol Survey, AK 99508 USA.
    Bonnedahl, Jonas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Kalmar Cty Hosp, Sweden.
    Woksepp, Hanna
    Kalmar Cty Hosp, Sweden.
    Hernandez, Jorge
    Uppsala Univ, Sweden.
    Olsen, Bjorn
    Uppsala Univ, Sweden.
    Ramey, Andrew M.
    US Geol Survey, AK 99508 USA.
    Acquisition and dissemination of cephalosporin-resistant E.coli in migratory birds sampled at an Alaska landfill as inferred through genomic analysis2018In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 8, article id 7361Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in bacterial pathogens threatens global health, though the spread of AMR bacteria and AMR genes between humans, animals, and the environment is still largely unknown. Here, we investigated the role of wild birds in the epidemiology of AMR Escherichia coli. Using next-generation sequencing, we characterized cephalosporin-resistant E. coli cultured from sympatric gulls and bald eagles inhabiting a landfill habitat in Alaska to identify genetic determinants conferring AMR, explore potential transmission pathways of AMR bacteria and genes at this site, and investigate how their genetic diversity compares to isolates reported in other taxa. We found genetically diverse E. coli isolates with sequence types previously associated with human infections and resistance genes of clinical importance, including blaCTX-M and blaCMY. Identical resistance profiles were observed in genetically unrelated E. coli isolates from both gulls and bald eagles. Conversely, isolates with indistinguishable core-genomes were found to have different resistance profiles. Our findings support complex epidemiological interactions including bacterial strain sharing between gulls and bald eagles and horizontal gene transfer among E. coli harboured by birds. Results suggest that landfills may serve as a source for AMR acquisition and/or maintenance, including bacterial sequence types and AMR genes relevant to human health.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 8.
    Ahmad, Fareed
    et al.
    Hannover Medical Sch, Germany.
    Shankar, Esaki M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia; School Basic Appl Science, India.
    Yong, Yean K.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Tan, Hong Y.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ahrenstorf, Gerrit
    Hannover Medical Sch, Germany.
    Jacobs, Roland
    Hannover Medical Sch, Germany.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Schmidt, Reinhold E.
    Hannover Medical Sch, Germany.
    Kamarulzaman, Adeeba
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ansari, Abdul W.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Negative Checkpoint Regulatory Molecule 2B4 (CD244) Upregulation Is Associated with Invariant Natural Killer T Cell Alterations and Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease Progression2017In: Frontiers in Immunology, E-ISSN 1664-3224, Vol. 8, article id 338Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The CD1d-restricted invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are implicated in innate immune responses against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, the determinants of cellular dysfunction across the iNKT cells subsets are seldom defined in HIV disease. Herein, we provide evidence for the involvement of the negative checkpoint regulator (NCR) 2B4 in iNKT cell alteration in a well-defined cohort of HIV-seropositive anti-retroviral therapy (ART) naive, ART-treated, and elite controllers (ECs). We report on exaggerated 2B4 expression on iNKT cells of HIV-infected treatment-naive individuals. In sharp contrast to CD4-iNKT cells, 2B4 expression was significantly higher on CD4+ iNKT cell subset. Notably, an increased level of 2B4 on iNKT cells was strongly correlated with parameters associated with HIV disease progression. Further, iNKT cells from ARTnaive individuals were defective in their ability to produce intracellular IFN-gamma Together, our results suggest that the levels of 2B4 expression and the downstream co-inhibitory signaling events may contribute to impaired iNKT cell responses.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 9.
    Aira, Naomi
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Andersson, Anna-Maria
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Singh, Susmita K.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Mckay, Derek M.
    University of Calgary, Canada.
    Blomgran, Robert
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Species dependent impact of helminth-derived antigens on human macrophages infected with Mycobacterium tuberculosis: Direct effect on the innate anti-mycobacterial response2017In: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases, ISSN 1935-2727, E-ISSN 1935-2735, Vol. 11, no 3, article id e0005390Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background In countries with a high prevalence of tuberculosis there is high coincident of helminth infections that might worsen disease outcome. While Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) gives rise to a pro-inflammatory Th1 response, a Th2 response is typical of helminth infections. A strong Th2 response has been associated with decreased protection against tuberculosis. Principal findings We investigated the direct effect of helminth-derived antigens on human macrophages, hypothesizing that helminths would render macrophages less capable of controlling Mtb. Measuring cytokine output, macrophage surface markers with flow cytometry, and assessing bacterial replication and phagosomal maturation revealed that antigens from different species of helminth directly affect macrophage responses to Mtb. Antigens from the tapeworm Hymenolepis diminuta and the nematode Trichuris muris caused an anti-inflammatory response with M2-type polarization, reduced macrophage phagosome maturation and ability to activate T cells, along with increased Mtb burden, especially in T. muris exposed cells which also induced the highest IL-10 production upon co-infection. However, antigens from the trematode Schistosoma mansoni had the opposite effect causing a decrease in IL-10 production, M1-type polarization and increased control of Mtb. Conclusion We conclude that, independent of any adaptive immune response, infection with helminth parasites, in a species-specific manner can influence the outcome of tuberculosis by either enhancing or diminishing the bactericidal function of macrophages.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 10.
    Ajileye, Adebisi
    et al.
    Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, England.
    Alvarez, Nataly
    Corp Invest Biol, Colombia; University of Pontificia Bolivariana, Colombia.
    Merker, Matthias
    Research Centre Borstel, Germany; German Centre Infect Research, Germany.
    Walker, Timothy M.
    University of Oxford, England.
    Akter, Suriya
    Institute Trop Med, Belgium.
    Brown, Kerstin
    Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, England.
    Moradigaravand, Danesh
    Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, England.
    Schön, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Andres, Soenke
    Research Centre Borstel, Germany.
    Schleusener, Viola
    Research Centre Borstel, Germany.
    Omar, Shaheed V.
    Centre TB, South Africa.
    Coll, Francesc
    London School Hyg and Trop Med, England.
    Huang, Hairong
    Capital Medical University, Peoples R China.
    Diel, Roland
    University Hospital, Germany.
    Ismail, Nazir
    Centre TB, South Africa.
    Parkhill, Julian
    Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Hinxton, United Kingdom.
    de Jong, Bouke C.
    Institute Trop Med, Belgium.
    Peto, Tim E. A.
    University of Oxford, England.
    Crook, Derrick W.
    University of Oxford, England; Public Health England Microbiol Serv, England.
    Niemann, Stefan
    Research Centre Borstel, Germany; German Centre Infect Research, Germany.
    Robledo, Jaime
    Corp Invest Biol, Colombia; University of Pontificia Bolivariana, Colombia.
    Grace Smith, E.
    Birmingham Heartlands Hospital, England.
    Peacock, Sharon J.
    Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, England; London School Hyg and Trop Med, England; University of Cambridge, England.
    Koeser, Claudio U.
    University of Cambridge, England.
    Some Synonymous and Nonsynonymous gyrA Mutations in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Lead to Systematic False-Positive Fluoroquinolone Resistance Results with the Hain GenoType MTBDRsl Assays2017In: Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, ISSN 0066-4804, E-ISSN 1098-6596, Vol. 61, no 4, article id e02169-16Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In this study, using the Hain GenoType MTBDRsl assays (versions 1 and 2), we found that some nonsynonymous and synonymous mutations in gyrA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis result in systematic false-resistance results to fluoroquinolones by preventing the binding of wild-type probes. Moreover, such mutations can prevent the binding of mutant probes designed for the identification of specific resistance mutations. Although these mutations are likely rare globally, they occur in approximately 7% of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis strains in some settings.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 11.
    Aksenova, Vasilisa
    et al.
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Saint-Petersburg Technological Institute, 26 Moskovsky Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia.
    Turoverova, Lidia
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia.
    Khotin, Mikhail
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia.
    Magnusson, Karl-Eric
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Tulchinsky, Eugene
    Department of Cancer Studies and Molecular Medicine, University of Leicester, RKCSB, LRI, Leicester, UK.
    Melino, Gerry
    Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Saint-Petersburg Technological Institute, 26 Moskovsky Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia; MRC Toxicology Unit, Leicester, UK.
    Pinaev, George P
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia.
    Barlev, Nickolai
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Saint-Petersburg Technological Institute, 26 Moskovsky Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia; Department of Biochemistry, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester, UK.
    Tentler, Dmitri
    Institute of Cytology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Tikhoretsky av., 4, St. Petersburg, Russia; Laboratory of Molecular Pharmacology, Saint-Petersburg Technological Institute, 26 Moskovsky Prospect, St. Petersburg, Russia.
    Correction: Actin-binding protein alpha-actinin 4 (ACTN4) is a transcriptional co-activator of RelA/p65 sub-unit of NF-kB (vol 4, pg 362, 2013)2018In: Oncotarget, E-ISSN 1949-2553, Vol. 9, no 76, p. 34450-34450Article in journal (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    [This corrects the article DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.901.].

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 12.
    Alehagen, Urban
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Lindahl, Tomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Aaseth, Jan
    Innlandet Hospital Trust, Norway; Hedmark University of Coll, Norway.
    Svensson, Erland
    Swedish Def Research Agency, Sweden.
    Johansson, Peter
    Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping. Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Levels of sP-selectin and hs-CRP Decrease with Dietary Intervention with Selenium and Coenzyme Q10 Combined: A Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial2015In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 10, no 9, p. e0137680-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background/Objectives Inflammation and oxidative stress are central in many disease states. The major anti-oxidative enzymes contain selenium. The selenium intake in Europe is low, and supplementation with selenium and coenzyme Q(10) , important anti-oxidants, was evaluated in a previous study. The aim of this study was to evaluate response on the inflammatory biomarkers C-reactive protein, and sP-selectin, and their possible impact on cardiovascular mortality. Subjects/Methods 437 elderly individuals were included in the study. Clinical examination, echocardiography, electrocardiography and blood samples were drawn. The intervention time was 48 months, and median follow-up was 5.2 years. The effects on inflammation/atherosclerosis were evaluated through analyses of CRP and sP-selectin. Evaluations of the effect of the intervention was performed using repeated measures of variance. All mortality was registered, and endpoints of mortality were assessed by Kaplan-Meier plots. Results The placebo group showed a CRP level of 4.8 ng/mL at the start, and 5.1 ng/mL at the study end. The active supplementation group showed a CRP level of 4.1 ng/mL at the start, and 2.1 ng/mL at the study end. SP-selectin exhibited a level of 56.6mg/mL at the start in the placebo group and 72.3 mg/mL at the study end, and in the active group the corresponding figures were 55.9 mg/mL and 58.0 mg/mL. A significantly smaller increase was demonstrated through repeated measurements of the two biomarkers in those on active supplementation. Active supplementation showed an effect on the CRP and sP-selectin levels, irrespective of the biomarker levels. Reduced cardiovascular mortality was demonstrated in both those with high and low levels of CRP and sP-selectin in the active supplementation group. Conclusion CRP and sP-selectin showed significant changes reflecting effects on inflammation and atherosclerosis in those given selenium and coenzyme Q(10) combined. A reduced cardiovascular mortality could be demonstrated in the active group, irrespective of biomarker level. This result should be regarded as hypothesis-generating, and it is hoped it will stimulate more research in the area.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 13.
    Alfredsson, Joakim
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Lindahl, Tomas L
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Gustafsson, Kerstin M
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Janzon, Magnus
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Jonasson, Lena
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Logander, Elisabeth
    Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping. Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Nilsson, Lennart
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Swahn, Eva
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Large early variation of residual platelet reactivity in Acute Coronary Syndrome patients treated with clopidogrel: Results from Assessing Platelet Activity in Coronary Heart Disease (APACHE).2015In: Thrombosis Research, ISSN 0049-3848, E-ISSN 1879-2472, Vol. 136, no 2, p. 335-340Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    INTRODUCTION: There is a large inter-individual variation in response to clopidogrel treatment and previous studies have indicated higher risk of thrombotic events in patients with high residual platelet reactivity (HRPR), but the optimal time-point for testing is not established. The aim of this study was to investigate the optimal time-point for aggregometry testing and the risk of major adverse cardiac events associated with HRPR.

    METHOD AND RESULTS: We included 125 patients with ACS (73 with STEMI, and 71 received abciximab). The prevalence of HRPR varied substantially over time. The rate of HRPR in patients treated and not treated with abciximab were 43% vs 67% (p=0.01) before, 2% vs 23% (p=0.001) 6-8h after, 8% vs 9% (p=0.749) 3days after, and 23% vs 12% (p=0.138) 7-9 days after loading dose of clopidogrel. We found HRPR in 18% of the patients but only four ischemic events during 6months follow-up, with no significant difference between HRPR patients compared to the rest of the population. There were 3 TIMI major bleedings, all of which occurred in the low residual platelet reactivity (LRPR) group.

    CONCLUSION: There is a large variation in platelet reactivity over time, also depending on adjunctive therapy, which has a large impact on optimal time-point for assessment. We found HRPR in almost 1 in 5 patients, but very few MACE, and not significantly higher in HRPR patients. In a contemporary ACS population, with low risk for stent thrombosis, the predictive value of HRPR for ischemic events will probably be low.

  • 14.
    Ali Abdi, Abshir
    et al.
    East Africa University, Somalia.
    Osman, Abdimajid
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Prevalence of common hereditary risk factors for thrombophilia in Somalia and identification of a novel Gln544Arg mutation in coagulation factor V2017In: Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis, ISSN 0929-5305, E-ISSN 1573-742X, Vol. 44, no 4, p. 536-543Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Thrombophilia, commonly manifested as venous thromboembolism (VTE), is a worldwide concern but little is known on its genetic epidemiology in many parts of the globe particularly in the developing countries. Here we employed TaqMan genotyping and pyrosequencing to evaluate the prevalence of known common nucleotide polymorphisms associated with thrombophilia in a Somali population in the Puntland region of Somalia. We also employed next generation sequencing (NGS) to investigate other genetic variants in a Somali patient with deep venous thrombosis (DVT). As expected, we found no existence of factor V Leiden (rs6025) and prothrombin G20210A (rs1799963) in the Somali population. The G allele of ABO [261G/delG] polymorphism (rs8176719) was found at a frequency of 29%, similar to that observed in other African populations. We found the lowest so far reported frequency of MTHFR C677T (rs1801133) polymorphism in the Somali population (T allele frequency 1.5%). A novel and deleterious single nucleotide variation in exon 11 of coagulation factor V (c.1631A amp;gt; G) causing Gln544Arg exchange in factor V was identified in a 29 years old Somali female with DVT. The same patient was heterozygous to VKORC1 Asp36Tyr polymorphism (rs61742245) that predisposes to warfarin resistance. In conclusion, this study shows that common hereditary factors for thromboembolism found in Caucasians are either less frequent or absent in the Somali population-similar to the situation in other Africans. NGS is possibly a better choice to detect genetic risk variants for thrombosis in this ethnic group.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 15.
    Ali Khan, Ghazanfar
    et al.
    Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Berglund, Björn
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Maqbool Khan, Kashif
    College of Pharmacy, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
    Lindgren, Per-Eric
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Fick, Jerker
    Department of Chemistry, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Occurrence and Abundance of Antibiotics and Resistance Genes in Rivers, Canal and near Drug Formulation Facilities – A Study in Pakistan2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 6Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Antibiotic resistance (AR) is a global phenomenon that has severe epidemiological ramifications world-wide. It has been suggested that antibiotics that have been discharged into the natural aquatic environments after usage or manufacture can promote the occurrence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG). These environmental ARGs could serve as a reservoir and be horizontally transferred to human-associated bacteria and thus contribute to AR proliferation. The aim of this study was to investigate the anthropogenic load of antibiotics in Northern Pakistan and study the occurrence of ARGs in selected samples from this region. 19 sampling sites were selected; including six rivers, one dam, one canal, one sewage drain and four drug formulation facilities. Our results show that five of the rivers have antibiotic levels comparable to surface water measurements in unpolluted sites in Europe and the US. However, high levels of antibiotics could be detected in the downstream river in close vicinity of the 10 million city Lahore, 1100, 1700 and 2700 ng L−1 for oxytetracycline, trimethoprim, and sulfamethoxazole respectively. Highest detected levels were at one of the drug formulation facilities, with the measured levels of 1100, 4100, 6200, 7300, 8000, 27000, 28000 and 49000 ng L−1 of erythromycin, lincomycin, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, levofloxacin, oxytetracycline, trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole respectively. ARGs were also detected at the sites and the highest levels of ARGs detected, sulI and dfrA1, were directly associated with the antibiotics detected at the highest concentrations, sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim. Highest levels of both antibiotics and ARGs were seen at a drug formulation facility, within an industrial estate with a low number of local residents and no hospitals in the vicinity, which indicates that the levels of ARGs at this site were associated with the environmental levels of antibiotics.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 16.
    Alkass, Kanar
    et al.
    Division of Forensic Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Saitoh, Hisako
    Department of Legal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan.
    Buchholz, Bruce A
    Center for Accelerator Mass Spectrometry, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California, USA.
    Bernard, Samuel
    Institut Camille Jordan, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France.
    Holmlund, Gunilla
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. National Board of Forensic Medicine, Linköping, Sweden.
    Senn, David R
    Center for Education and Research in Forensics, The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas, USA.
    Spalding, Kirsty L
    Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Druid, Henrik
    Division of Forensic Medicine, Department of Oncology-Pathology, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
    Analysis of radiocarbon, stable isotopes and DNA in teeth to facilitate identification of unknown decedents2013In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 8, no 7, p. e69597-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The characterization of unidentified bodies or suspected human remains is a frequent and important task for forensic investigators. However, any identification method requires clues to the person’s identity to allow for comparisons with missing persons. If such clues are lacking, information about the year of birth, sex and geographic origin of the victim, is particularly helpful to aid in the identification casework and limit the search for possible matches. We present here results of stable isotope analysis of 13C and 18O, and bomb-pulse 14C analyses that can help in the casework. The 14C analysis of enamel provided information of the year of birth with an average absolute error of 1.8±1.3 years. We also found that analysis of enamel and root from the same tooth can be used to determine if the 14C values match the rising or falling part of the bomb-curve. Enamel laydown times can be used to estimate the date of birth of individuals, but here we show that this detour is unnecessary when using a large set of crude 14C data of tooth enamel as a reference. The levels of 13C in tooth enamel were higher in North America than in teeth from Europe and Asia, and Mexican teeth showed even higher levels than those from USA. DNA analysis was performed on 28 teeth, and provided individual-specific profiles in most cases and sex determination in all cases. In conclusion, these analyses can dramatically limit the number of possible matches and hence facilitate person identification work.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 17.
    Alkmin, Diego V.
    et al.
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Perez-Patino, Cristina
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Barranco, Isabel
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Parrilla, Inmaculada
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Vazquez, Juan M.
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Martinez, Emilio A.
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Roca, Jordi
    University of Murcia, Spain.
    Boar sperm cryosurvival is better after exposure to seminal plasma from selected fractions than to those from entire ejaculate2014In: Cryobiology, ISSN 0011-2240, E-ISSN 1090-2392, Vol. 69, no 2, p. 203-210Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Boar bulk ejaculates are now being collected instead of usual sperm-rich fractions (SRF) for artificial insemination purpose. The present study evaluated the influence of holding boar sperm samples before freezing surrounded in their own seminal plasma (SP), from either fractions/portions or the entire ejaculate, on post-thawing sperm quality and functionality. Ejaculates collected as bulk (BE) or as separate (first 10 mL of SRF [P1] and rest of SRF [P2]) from 10 boars were held 24 h at 15-17 degrees C and then frozen. Some bulk ejaculate samples were frozen immediately after collections as Control. In addition, epididymal sperm samples from the same 10 boars were collected post-mortem and extended in SP from P1 (EP1), P2 (EP2) and post SRF (EP3), and also held 24 h before freezing for a better understanding of the influence of SP on boar sperm cryopreservation. The sperm quality (motility, evaluated by CASA, and viability, evaluated by flow cytometry) and functionality (flow cytometry assessment of plasma membrane fluidity, mitochondrial membrane potential and intracellular generation of reactive oxygen species [ROS] in viable sperm) were evaluated at 30, 150 and 300 min post-thaw. Post-thawing sperm quality and functionality of P1 and P2 were similar but higher (p less than0.01) than BE samples. Control samples showed higher (p less than 0.01) post-thaw sperm quality and functionality than BE samples. Post-thawing sperm quality and functionality of EP1 and EP2 were similar but higher (p less than 0.05) than EP3. These results showed that boar sperm from BE are more cryosensitive than those from the SRF, particularly when held 24 h before freezing, which would be attributable to the cryonegative effects exerted by the SP from post SRF.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 18.
    Allan, Douglas W.
    et al.
    University of British Columbia, Canada.
    Thor, Stefan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Transcriptional selectors, masters, and combinatorial codes: regulatory principles of neural subtype specification2015In: WILEY INTERDISCIPLINARY REVIEWS-DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY, ISSN 1759-7684, Vol. 4, no 5, p. 505-528Article, review/survey (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The broad range of tissue and cellular diversity of animals is generated to a large extent by the hierarchical deployment of sequence-specific transcription factors and co-factors (collectively referred to as TFs herein) during development. Our understanding of these developmental processes has been facilitated by the recognition that the activities of many TFs can be meaningfully described by a few functional categories that usefully convey a sense for how the TFs function, and also provides a sense for the regulatory organization of the developmental processes in which they participate. Here, we draw on examples from studies in Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and vertebrates to discuss how the terms spatial selector, temporal selector, tissue/cell type selector, terminal selector and combinatorial code may be usefully applied to categorize the activities of TFs at critical steps of nervous system construction. While we believe that these functional categories are useful for understanding the organizational principles by which TFs direct nervous system construction, we however caution against the assumption that a TFs function can be solely or fully defined by any single functional category. Indeed, most TFs play diverse roles within different functional categories, and their roles can blur the lines we draw between these categories. Regardless, it is our belief that the concepts discussed here are helpful in clarifying the regulatory complexities of nervous system development, and hope they prove useful when interpreting mutant phenotypes, designing future experiments, and programming specific neuronal cell types for use in therapies.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 19.
    Andelin, M.
    et al.
    Department of Medicine, NU Hospital Group, Uddevalla, Sweden..
    Kropff, J.
    Department of Endocrinology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands..
    Matuleviciene, V.
    Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Joseph, J.I.
    Department of Anaesthesiology, Sidney Kimmel Medical College of Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA..
    Attvall, S.
    Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Theodorsson, Elvar
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Hirsch, I.B.
    University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA.
    Imberg, H.
    Statistiska Konsultgruppen, Gothenburg, Sweden..
    Dahlqvist, S.
    Department of Medicine, NU Hospital Group, Uddevalla, Sweden.
    Klonoff, D.
    Diabetes Research Institute, Mills-Peninsula Health Services, San Mateo, CA, USA..
    Haraldsson, B.
    Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden..
    DeVries, J.H.
    Department of Endocrinology, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands..
    Lind, M.
    Department of Medicine, NU Hospital Group, Uddevalla, Sweden Institute of Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden lind.marcus@telia.com..
    Assessing the Accuracy of Continuous Glucose Monitoring (CGM) Calibrated With Capillary Values Using Capillary or Venous Glucose Levels as a Reference.2016In: Journal of Diabetes Science and Technology, E-ISSN 1932-2968, Vol. 10, no 4, p. 876-884Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Using the standard venous reference for the evaluation of continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems could possibly negatively affect measured CGM accuracy since CGM are generally calibrated with capillary glucose and venous and capillary glucose concentrations differ. We therefore aimed to quantify the effect of using capillary versus venous glucose reference samples on estimated accuracy in capillary calibrated CGM.less thanbr /greater thanMethods: We evaluated 41 individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using the Dexcom G4 CGM system over 6 days. Patients calibrated their CGM devices with capillary glucose by means of the HemoCue system. During 2 visits, capillary and venous samples were simultaneously measured by HemoCue and compared to concomitantly obtained CGM readings. The mean absolute relative difference (MARD) was calculated using capillary and venous reference samples.less thanbr /greater thanResults: Venous glucose values were 0.83 mmol/L (15.0 mg/dl) lower than capillary values over all glycemic ranges, P less than .0001. Below 4 mmol/l (72 mg/dl), the difference was 1.25 mmol/l (22.5 mg/dl), P = .0001, at 4-10 mmol/l (72-180 mg/dl), 0.67 mmol/l (12.0 mg/dl), P less than .0001 and above 10 mmol/l (180 mg/dl), 0.95 mmol/l (17.1 mg/dl), P less than .0001. MARD was 11.7% using capillary values as reference compared to 13.7% using venous samples, P = .037. Below 4 mmol/l (72 mg/dl) MARD was 16.6% and 31.8%, P = .048, at 4-10 mmol/l (72-180 mg/dl) 12.1% and 12.6%, P = .32, above 10 mmol/l (180 mg/dl) 8.7% and 9.2%, P = .82.less thanbr /greater thanConclusion: Using capillary glucose concentrations as reference to evaluate the accuracy of CGM calibrated with capillary samples is associated with a lower MARD than using venous glucose as the reference. Capillary glucose concentrations were significantly higher than venous in all glycemic ranges.less thanbr /greater than (© 2016 Diabetes Technology Society.)

  • 20. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Andersson, Anna-Maria
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV coinfection: Effects on innate immunity and strategies to boost the immune response2019Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Tuberculosis (TB) still remains a big threat today, being the leading cause of death by a single infectious agent. The TB epidemic is fueled by HIV along with the increasing drug-resistance which prolongs the already long treatment duration and decreases the success rate for curing TB. In most cases an infection results in latency but HIV patients have a 20-30 times higher risk of developing active TB. There are around 36.9 million people living with HIV globally, with the highest burden in Africa. Although there are effective treatments against the disease, there is no cure for AIDS and the availability of the lifelong treatment is limited in low-income countries were the burden is highest. HIV infection causes an immunodeficiency characterized by the progressive loss of CD4 T cells which increases the risk of opportunistic infections, and infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of TB. Mtb spreads through aerosols from one person with active tuberculosis to a healthy person. Upon inhalation the bacteria are phagocytosed by alveolar macrophages that secrete cytokines and chemokines to recruit more cells, such as dendritic cells, macrophages and lymphocytes, leading to the formation of a granuloma. During a single TB infection the bacteria are usually contained within the granuloma, but HIV can disrupt the stable granuloma, causing a rupture and dissemination of Mtb. This inflammatory site is also beneficial to HIV since it promotes replication of the virus within infected cells. HIV and Mtb are two successful intracellular pathogens able to avoid immune defense mechanisms both of the innate and adaptive immunity in order to persist and replicate. Their virulence factors can manipulate or inhibit cell signaling, phagosome maturation, autophagy, ROS production, apoptosis and antigen presentation, to promote survival. Boosting of immune defenses with host-directed therapies (HDT) has been proposed as a treatment strategy against TB, either alone or adjunctive to the current regimen.

    In this thesis, ways to boost the innate immune responses in Mtb and HIV coinfected macrophages were investigated, along with studies of the effect of HIV on Mtb antigen presentation in coinfected dendritic cells. The initial hypothesis was that autophagy induction through inhibition of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) could suppress Mtb growth in HIV coinfected macrophages. However, during a low grade infection, autophagy induction increased Mtb replication due to a decreased autophagic flux and acidification of Mtb phagosomes. A general autophagic flux was induced, although not localized to the Mtb phagosomes, thus not inducing a xenophagy (autophagy of intracellular pathogens). Other ways of inducing autophagy or boosting the response in coinfected macrophages might be more beneficial and therefore the effect of efferocytosis was investigated. Uptake of apoptotic neutrophils by coinfected macrophages did not induce autophagy but enhanced the control of Mtb by other means. Upon efferocytosis, the macrophages acquired active myeloperoxidase (MPO) from the neutrophils that suppressed Mtb growth. The coinfected macrophages also produced more ROS after efferocytosis. The inhibition of Mtb growth could thus be mediated by MPO and the increased ROS production either directly or indirectly.

    The possibility to boost the innate immunity could prove to be important during an HIV coinfection, when the adaptive immunity is deficient. In addition to the well-known decline in CD4 T cells during the course of HIV progression, we found that HIV infection of dendritic cells inhibited antigen presentation by suppressing the expression of HLA-DR and co-stimulatory molecules on coinfected dendritic cells. Furthermore, HIV reduced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and suppressed antigen processing through inhibition of autophagy. This impaired antigen presentation in coinfected dendritic cells resulted in a decreased activation and response of Mtb-specific CD4 T cells.

    In conclusion, this thesis shows how HIV can manipulate antigen presentation in Mtb coinfected dendritic cells and subsequently inhibit the adaptive immune response. It also contributes to insights on how efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils can boost the innate immune responses during coinfection. Lastly, autophagy induction through mTOR inhibition does not enhance protection against TB. Induction of autophagy should therefore be handled with care, particularly during HIV coinfection. 

    List of papers
    1. Autophagy induction targeting mTORC1 enhances Mycobacterium tuberculosis replication in HIV co-infected human macrophages
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Autophagy induction targeting mTORC1 enhances Mycobacterium tuberculosis replication in HIV co-infected human macrophages
    Show others...
    2016 (English)In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 6, no 28171Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    To survive and replicate in macrophages Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has developed strategies to subvert host defence mechanisms, including autophagy. Autophagy induction has the potential to clear Mtb, but little is known about its effect during controlled tuberculosis and HIV co-infection. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) inhibitors were used to induce autophagy in human macrophages pre-infected with HIV-1(BaL) and infected with a low dose of Mtb (co-infected), or single Mtb infected (single infected). The controlled Mtb infection was disrupted upon mTOR inhibition resulting in increased Mtb replication in a dose-dependent manner which was more pronounced during co-infection. The increased Mtb replication could be explained by the marked reduction in phagosome acidification upon mTOR inhibition. Autophagy stimulation targeting mTORC1 clearly induced a basal autophagy with flux that was unlinked to the subcellular environment of the Mtb vacuoles, which showed a concurrent suppression in acidification and maturation/flux. Overall our findings indicate that mTOR inhibition during Mtb or HIV/Mtb co-infection interferes with phagosomal maturation, thereby supporting mycobacterial growth during low-dose and controlled infection. Therefore pharmacological induction of autophagy through targeting of the canonical mTORC1-pathway should be handled with caution during controlled tuberculosis, since this could have serious consequences for patients with HIV/Mtb co-infection.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    NATURE PUBLISHING GROUP, 2016
    National Category
    Infectious Medicine
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-132355 (URN)10.1038/srep28171 (DOI)000384609100002 ()27302320 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2016-11-12 Created: 2016-11-01 Last updated: 2023-12-28
    2. HIV Interferes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen Presentation in Human Dendritic Cells
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>HIV Interferes with Mycobacterium tuberculosis Antigen Presentation in Human Dendritic Cells
    Show others...
    2016 (English)In: American Journal of Pathology, ISSN 0002-9440, E-ISSN 1525-2191, Vol. 186, no 12, p. 3083-3093Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    HIV coinfection is the most prominent risk factor for progression of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection into active tuberculosis (TB) disease. The mechanisms behind the increased transition from latent to active TB in coinfected individuals have not been well elucidated at the cellular level. We hypothesized that HIV infection contributes to Mtb pathogenesis by interfering with the dendritic cell (DC) mediated immune control. Mtb-antigen processing and presentation are key events in the immune response against TB. Human immature DCs coinfected with HIV/Mtb had decreased expression of human leukocyte antigen antigen D related and the costimulatory molecules CD40, CD80, and CD86. In addition, Mtb-infected DCs triggered a significant release of the proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1 beta, and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, whereas coinfected DCs did not. To assess the DC antigen presentation capacity, we measured interferon-gamma from co-cultures of DCs and autologous Mtb antigen-specific CD4(+) T cells. Interferon-gamma release was significantly reduced when purified protein derivative- and Ag85B-specific CD4(+) T cells had been activated with coinfected DCs compared to Mtb-infected DCs, and this effect was attributed to Mtb antigen processing rather than peptide major histocompatibility complex class II loading. Evaluating autophagy as a measure of vesicular processing and maturation further revealed that HIV efficiently blocks initiation of this pathway during coinfection. Overall, our results demonstrate that HIV impairs Mtb antigen presentation in DCs, thereby suppressing an important cell linking innate and adaptive immune response in TB.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    ELSEVIER SCIENCE INC, 2016
    National Category
    Immunology in the medical area
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-133376 (URN)10.1016/j.ajpath.2016.08.003 (DOI)000389103800003 ()27746182 (PubMedID)
    Note

    Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [521-2012-1807, 348-2013-6588]; Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation [2014-0578]

    Available from: 2016-12-27 Created: 2016-12-22 Last updated: 2022-03-04
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
    Download (png)
    presentationsbild
  • 21.
    Andersson, Anna-Maria
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Andersson, Blanka
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Lorell, Christoffer
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Raffetseder, Johanna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Blomgran, Robert
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Autophagy induction targeting mTORC1 enhances Mycobacterium tuberculosis replication in HIV co-infected human macrophages2016In: Scientific Reports, E-ISSN 2045-2322, Vol. 6, no 28171Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    To survive and replicate in macrophages Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has developed strategies to subvert host defence mechanisms, including autophagy. Autophagy induction has the potential to clear Mtb, but little is known about its effect during controlled tuberculosis and HIV co-infection. Mammalian target of rapamycin complex1 (mTORC1) inhibitors were used to induce autophagy in human macrophages pre-infected with HIV-1(BaL) and infected with a low dose of Mtb (co-infected), or single Mtb infected (single infected). The controlled Mtb infection was disrupted upon mTOR inhibition resulting in increased Mtb replication in a dose-dependent manner which was more pronounced during co-infection. The increased Mtb replication could be explained by the marked reduction in phagosome acidification upon mTOR inhibition. Autophagy stimulation targeting mTORC1 clearly induced a basal autophagy with flux that was unlinked to the subcellular environment of the Mtb vacuoles, which showed a concurrent suppression in acidification and maturation/flux. Overall our findings indicate that mTOR inhibition during Mtb or HIV/Mtb co-infection interferes with phagosomal maturation, thereby supporting mycobacterial growth during low-dose and controlled infection. Therefore pharmacological induction of autophagy through targeting of the canonical mTORC1-pathway should be handled with caution during controlled tuberculosis, since this could have serious consequences for patients with HIV/Mtb co-infection.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 22.
    Andersson, Anna-Maria
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Molecular Medicine and Virology. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Stendahl, Olle
    Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Blomgran, Robert
    Linköping University, Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Division of Inflammation and Infection. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Efferocytosis of Apoptotic Neutrophils Enhances Control of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in HIV-Coinfected Macrophages in a Myeloperoxidase-Dependent Manner2020In: Journal of Innate Immunity, ISSN 1662-811X, E-ISSN 1662-8128, Vol. 12, no 3, p. 235-247Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Tuberculosis remains a big threat, with 1.6 million deaths in 2017, including 0.3 million deaths among patients with HIV. The risk of developing active disease increases considerably during an HIV coinfection. Alveolar macrophages are the first immune cells to encounter the causative agent Mycobacterium tuberculosis, but during the granuloma formation other cells are recruited in order to combat the bacteria. Here, we have investigated the effect of efferocytosis of apoptotic neutrophils by M. tuberculosis and HIV-coinfected macrophages in a human in vitro system. We found that the apo-ptotic neutrophils enhanced the control of M. tuberculosis in single and HIV-coinfected macrophages, and that this was dependent on myeloperoxidase (MPO) and reactive oxygen species in an autophagy-independent manner. We show that MPO remains active in the apoptotic neutrophils and can be harnessed by infected macrophages. In addition, MPO inhibition removed the suppression in M. tuberculosis growth caused by the apoptotic neutrophils. Antimycobacterial components from apoptotic neutrophils could thus increase the microbicidal activity of macrophages during an M. tuberculosis/HIV coinfection. This cooperation between innate immune cells could thereby be a way to compensate for the impaired adaptive immunity against M. tuberculosis seen during a concurrent HIV infection.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 23.
    Andersson, B.
    et al.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Swolin-Eide, D.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Kristroem, B.
    Umeå University, Sweden.
    Gelander, L.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden; Angered Hospital, Sweden.
    Magnusson, Per
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Albertsson-Wikland, K.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Seasonal variations in vitamin D in relation to growth in short prepubertal children before and during first year growth hormone treatment2015In: Journal of Endocrinological Investigation, ISSN 0391-4097, E-ISSN 1720-8386, Vol. 38, no 12, p. 1309-1317Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Purpose This study investigated the relationship between seasonal variations in 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) levels and growth in prepubertal children during both the pretreatment year and the first year of GH treatment. Methods The study included 249 short prepubertal children with a broad range of GH secretion, GH(max) during a 24 h profile median 23; range 1-127 mU/L, 191 boys (mean age +/- SD, 8.6 +/- 2.6 years), 58 girls (7.5 +/- 1.9 years) receiving GH treatment (mean 43 mu g/kg/day; range 17-99 mu g/kg/day). Serum 25(OH) D was measured using an automated IDS-iSYS immunoassay. Results 25(OH) D levels showed seasonal variation, and decreased significantly during GH treatment. 25(OH) D levels at start and first year reduction in 25(OH) D, correlated (-) with the first year growth response during treatment. The degree of GH secretion capacity within our study population of mainly non-GH deficient children and 25(OH) D sufficient (67 +/- 29 nmol/L) had no influence on 25(OH) D levels. Growth during GH treatment were independent of seasonal variations in 25(OH) D. Multiple regression analysis showed that 25(OH) D levels at treatment start, together with auxological data and IGF-binding protein-3(SDS), explained 61 % of the variation in first year gain in height(SDS). Conclusion 25(OH) D levels were associated with first year growth response to GH and may be a useful contribution to future growth prediction models.

  • 24.
    Andersson, Bjorn
    et al.
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Swolin-Eide, Diana
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Magnusson, Per
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Albertsson-Wikland, Kerstin
    University of Gothenburg, Sweden.
    Short-term changes in bone formation markers following growth hormone (GH) treatment in short prepubertal children with a broad range of GH secretion2015In: Clinical Endocrinology, ISSN 0300-0664, E-ISSN 1365-2265, Vol. 82, no 1, p. 91-99Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ObjectivesGrowth hormone (GH) promotes longitudinal growth and bone modelling/remodelling. This study investigated the relationship between levels of bone formation markers and growth during GH treatment in prepubertal children with widely ranging GH secretion levels. MethodsThe study group comprised 113 short prepubertal children (mean ageSD, 937213years; 99 boys) on GH treatment (330 +/- 006g/kg/day) for 1year. Blood samples were taken at baseline and 1 and 2weeks, 1 and 3months, and 1year after treatment start. Intact amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP) and osteocalcin were measured using an automated IDS-iSYS immunoassay system. ResultsIntact amino-terminal propeptide of type I procollagen (PINP), BALP and osteocalcin, increased in the short-term during GH treatment. PINP after 1week (P=000077), and BALP and osteocalcin after 1month (Pless than00001 and P=00043, respectively). PINP levels at 1 and 3months correlated positively, and osteocalcin levels at 1week and percentage change after 1month correlated negatively, with first year growth response. No significant correlations were found between BALP and first year growth. Multiple regression analysis showed that bone marker levels together with auxological data and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 explained the variation in first year growth response to 36% at start, 32% after 2weeks and 48% at 3months. ConclusionShort-term increases in levels of the bone formation markers PINP, BALP and osteocalcin showed different temporal patterns, but all correlated with first year growth response during GH treatment. These markers may be a useful addition to existing prediction models for growth response.

  • 25.
    Andersson, Björn
    et al.
    Institution of Clinical Sciences/Pediatrics, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Swolin-Eide, Diana
    Göteborg Pediatric Growth Research Center (GP-GRC), Department of Pediatrics, Institute of Clinical Sciences, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
    Magnusson, Per
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Albertsson-Wikland, Kerstin
    Department of Physiology/Division of Endocrinology, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, The Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, Göteborg, Sweden.
    Vitamin D status in children over three decades – do children get enough vitamin D?2016In: Bone Reports, ISSN 2352-1872, Vol. 5, p. 150-152Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Vitamin D is a key player in the endocrine regulation of calcium and phosphate metabolism and plays a pivotal role in the acquisition of bone mass during childhood. This study investigated long-term data of vitamin D levels in children and adolescents between 1 and 18 years of age. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was analyzed between 1982 and 2013 in 2048 Swedish Caucasian children (mean age ± SD, 8.59 ± 3.68 years; 1197 boys). Overall, 704 (34%) children had below recommended levels of 50 nmol/L; however, only 63 (3%) had levels below 25 nmol/L, i.e., vitamin D deficiency. No trend for decreased vitamin D levels over time was found in this population, with median 25(OH)D levels of 58.4 nmol/L, minimum–maximum 5.0–159.3 nmol/L. Younger children, independent of gender, had significantly higher levels 25(OH)D.

    Download full text (pdf)
    Vitamin D status in children over three decades – do children get enough vitamin D?
  • 26.
    Andersson, Christoffer R.
    et al.
    Örebro University, Sweden.
    Bergquist, Jonas
    Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Theodorsson, Elvar
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Ström, Jakob
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry. Örebro University, Sweden.
    Comparisons between commercial salivary testosterone enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits2017In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, ISSN 0036-5513, E-ISSN 1502-7686, Vol. 77, no 8, p. 582-586Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Introduction: Measuring testosterone concentrations is of interest both in clinical situations and for research, the latter expanding rapidly during recent years. An increased demand for convenient methods has prompted a number of companies to develop enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits to measure testosterone concentrations in saliva. However, the inter-comparability of kits from different manufacturers have yet to be determined. Aim of study: The aim of this study was to compare commercially available ELISA kits from four different manufacturers (Salimetrics, IBL, DRG and Demeditec). Methods: Saliva was collected from 50 participants (25 men and 25 women). Each sample was analysed by the four ELISA kits. Results: The correlations between the ELISA kits from Demeditec, DRG and Salimetrics were moderate to high with r-values amp;gt;.77; however, proportional errors between the methods calls for caution. The ELISA kit from IBL malfunctioned and no results from this kit was obtained. Conclusions: Results from studies using the ELISA kits from Demeditec, DRG and Salimetrics are generally comparable; however, translation using the formulae presented in the current study could increase the accuracy of these comparisons.

  • 27.
    Andersson, Henrik
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Eklund, Daniel
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Ngoh, Eyler
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Persson, Alexander
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Andersson, Blanka
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Svensson, Kristoffer
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Lerm, Maria
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Blomgran, Robert
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Stendahl, Olle
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Apoptotic neutrophils augment the inflammatory response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection in human macrophages2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 7, p. e101514-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Macrophages in the lung are the primary cells being infected by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) during tuberculosis. Innate immune cells such as macrophages and neutrophils are first recruited to the site of infection, and mount the early immune protection against this intracellular pathogen. Neutrophils are short-lived cells and removal of apoptotic cells by resident macrophages is a key event in the resolution of inflammation and tissue repair. Such anti-inflammatory activity is not compatible with effective immunity to intracellular pathogens. We therefore investigated how uptake of apoptotic neutrophils by Mtb-activated human monocyte-derived macrophages modulates their function. We show that Mtb infection exerts a potent pro-inflammatory activation of human macrophages with enhanced gene activation and release of several cytokines (TNF, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-18 and IL-10). This response was augmented by apoptotic neutrophils. Macrophages containing both Mtb and apoptotic cells showed a stronger cytokine expression than non-infected cells. The enhanced macrophage response is linked to apoptotic neutrophil-driven activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and subsequent IL-1β signalling. We also demonstrate that apoptotic neutrophils not only modulate the inflammatory response, but also enhance the capacity of infected macrophages to control intracellular growth of virulent Mtb. Taken together, these results suggest a novel role for apoptotic neutrophils in the modulation of the macrophage-dependent inflammatory response, which can contribute to the early control of Mtb infection.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 28.
    Andersson, Manne
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden .
    Rubér, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Ekerfelt, Christina
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Inflammation Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Björnsson, Hanna
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Olaison, Gunnar
    University of Copenhagen, Denmark.
    Andersson, Roland
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical Sciences. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. County Hospital Ryhov, Jönköping, Sweden.
    Can New Inflammatory Markers Improve the Diagnosis of Acute Appendicitis?2014In: World Journal of Surgery, ISSN 0364-2313, E-ISSN 1432-2323, Vol. 38, no 11, p. 2777-2783Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The diagnosis of appendicitis is difficult and resource consuming. New inflammatory markers have been proposed for the diagnosis of appendicitis, but their utility in combination with traditional diagnostic variables has not been tested. Our objective is to explore the potential of new inflammatory markers for improving the diagnosis of appendicitis. The diagnostic properties of the six most promising out of 21 new inflammatory markers (interleukin [IL]-6, chemokine ligand [CXCL]-8, chemokine C-C motif ligand [CCL]-2, serum amyloid A [SAA], matrix metalloproteinase [MMP]-9, and myeloperoxidase [MPO]) were compared with traditional diagnostic variables included in the Appendicitis Inflammatory Response (AIR) score (right iliac fossa pain, vomiting, rebound tenderness, guarding, white blood cell [WBC] count, proportion neutrophils, C-reactive protein and body temperature) in 432 patients with suspected appendicitis by uni- and multivariable regression models. Of the new inflammatory variables, SAA, MPO, and MMP9 were the strongest discriminators for all appendicitis (receiver operating characteristics [ROC] 0.71) and SAA was the strongest discriminator for advanced appendicitis (ROC 0.80) compared with defence or rebound tenderness, which were the strongest traditional discriminators for all appendicitis (ROC 0.84) and the WBC count for advanced appendicitis (ROC 0.89). CCL2 was the strongest independent discriminator beside the AIR score variables in a multivariable model. The AIR score had an ROC area of 0.91 and could correctly classify 58.3 % of the patients, with an accuracy of 92.9 %. This was not improved by inclusion of the new inflammatory markers. The conventional diagnostic variables for appendicitis, as combined in the AIR score, is an efficient screening instrument for classifying patients as low-, indeterminate-, or high-risk for appendicitis. The addition of the new inflammatory variables did not improve diagnostic performance further.

  • 29.
    Andersson, Martin O.
    et al.
    Linnaeus University, Sweden; Lund University, Sweden.
    Bergvall, Ulrika A.
    Stockholm University, Sweden; Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden.
    Chirico, Jan
    National Vet Institute SVA, Sweden.
    Christensson, Madeleine
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden.
    Lindgren, Per-Eric
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. County Hospital Ryhov, Sweden.
    Nordstrom, Jonas
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden; Dalarna County Adm Board, Sweden.
    Kjellander, Petter
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden.
    Molecular detection of Babesia capreoli and Babesia venatorum in wild Swedish roe deer, Capreolus capreolus2016In: Parasites & Vectors, E-ISSN 1756-3305, Vol. 9, no 221Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: The epidemiology of the zoonotic tick-transmitted parasite Babesia spp. and its occurrence in wild reservoir hosts in Sweden is unclear. In European deer, several parasite species, including Babesia capreoli and the zoonotic B. venatorum and B. divergens has been reported previously. The European roe deer, Capreolus capreolus, is an important and common part of the indigenous fauna in Europe, as well as an important host for Ixodes ricinus ticks, the vector of several Babesia spp. in Europe. Here, we aimed to investigate the occurrence of Babesia spp. in roe deer in Sweden. Findings: Roe deer (n = 77) were caught and sampled for blood. Babesia spp. was detected with a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene. The prevalence of Babesia spp. was 52 %, and two species were detected; B. capreoli and B. venatorum in 44 and 7.8 % of the individuals, respectively. Infection occurred both in summer and winter. Conclusions: We showed that roe deer in Sweden, close to the edge of their northern inland distributional range, are infected with Babesia spp. The occurrence of B. venatorum in roe deer imply that it is established in Sweden and the zoonotic implication of this finding should be regarded to a greater extent in future.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 30.
    Ansell, Anna
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Neuroscience. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Kankainen, M.
    Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Genome-Scale Biology, Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
    Jönsson, Jan-Ingvar
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Monni, O.
    Institute of Biomedicine, Medical Biochemistry and Developmental Biology, Genome-Scale Biology, Research Program, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland.
    Roberg, Karin
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Neuroscience. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Anaesthetics, Operations and Specialty Surgery Center, Department of Otorhinolaryngology in Linköping.
    Johansson, Ann-Charlotte
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Neuroscience. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Molecular cross-talk between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts2013Manuscript (preprint) (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are one of the main components of the tumor stroma and are known to increase tumor growth and stimulate  invasion and metastasis. Increasing evidence suggests that CAFs may also be an important determinant of the response to various treatments. In this study we aimed to characterize the molecular cross-talk between CAFs and head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells.

    HNSCC cell lines were co-cultured with their patient-matched CAFs for seven days, after which the gene expression of tumor cells was investigated by Affymetrix microarray. 58 protein coding genes were found to be differentially expressed (Q≤0.05) in tumor cells cocultured with CAFs when compared to tumor cells cultured alone. The top functions of these genes were cancer, cellular movement, and embryonic development as analyzed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis. Nine genes were upregulated by ≥1.5-fold while the expression of 35 genes was found to be reduced by ≤ 0.67-fold. Several of the differentially expressed genes have been associated with epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). The change in the expression of POSTN, GREM1, COL1A2, VIM, and MMP7 was verified by qPCR analysis. Moreover, the influence of CAFs on the proliferation, migration and cetuximab sensitivity of tumor cells was investigated, and was found to vary among the tumor cell-CAF pairs.

    In conclusion, we demonstrate that CAF-derived signals cause changes in the expression of multiple genes, several of which are associated with an EMT phenotype of tumor cells. Furthermore, CAFs modulate the proliferation, migration and cetuximab treatment response of tumor cells.

  • 31.
    Appelros, Peter
    et al.
    University of Örebro, Sweden.
    Hals Berglund, Maria
    University Hospital Norrland, Sweden.
    Ström, Jakob O.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry. University of Örebro, Sweden.
    Long-Term Risk of Stroke after Transient Ischemic Attack2017In: Cerebrovascular Diseases, ISSN 1015-9770, E-ISSN 1421-9786, Vol. 43, no 1-2, p. 25-30Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: In the absence of active management, the stroke risk after a transient ischemic attack (TIA) may be high. Almost 10 years ago, the results of the EXPRESS and SOS-TIA studies called for a more rapid management of TIA patients. The purpose of this study was to investigate the other stroke risks in the longer term, after the implementation of a more active approach to TIA. We also wanted to assess the predictive value of the ABCD2 score in this context. Methods: Riksstroke is the national stroke registry in Sweden. Data from Riksstrokes TIA module, and the national cause-of-death register, for the years 2011 and 2012 were used in this study. Stroke occurrence was monitored via Riksstroke. Coxs regression was used for risk evaluation. The predictive value of the ABCD2 score was assessed by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve. Results: A total of 15,068 TIA episodes occurred in 14,102 patients. The follow-up time varied between 0 and 819 days, with an average of 417 days. The mortality for all TIA patients during the follow-up time was 7.1%. Of the unique patients, 545 had one or more strokes (3.9%), corresponding to 34 events per 1,000 person years. Significant risk factors for stroke were: age, previous TIA, atrial fibrillation (AF), oral anticoagulant (OAC) treatment, hypertension treatment, and the ABCD2 items speech impairment, unilateral weakness, and diabetes mellitus. The ABCD2 score correlated with a subsequent stroke, but its predictive value was low. Conclusion: The risk of stroke is low after the acute phase of a TIA, probably lower than in previous studies. This may be due to better secondary prevention in recent years. Several risk factors predict stroke, notably hypertensive treatment, which may be inadequate; and AF, where OACs may be under-used. It is difficult to identify the role of the ABCD2 score in clinical practice. (C) 2016 S. Karger AG, Basel

  • 32.
    Arbring, Kerstin
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Internal Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Department of Acute Internal Medicine.
    Chaireti, Roza
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Local Health Care Services in Central Östergötland, Department of Acute Internal Medicine.
    Janzon, Magnus
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Cardiology in Linköping.
    Uppugunduri, Srinivas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Clinical Chemistry. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    Jansson, Kjell
    Linköping University, Department of Medical and Health Sciences, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Clinical Physiology in Linköping.
    Lindahl, Tomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry.
    First experience of structured introduction of new oral anticoagulants in a Swedish health care district: dabigatran as an alternative to warfarin in atrial fibrillation2013Conference paper (Refereed)
  • 33.
    Armstrong, Andrea
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Mattsson, Niklas
    Sahlgrens University Hospital, Sweden University of Calif San Francisco, CA 94143 USA .
    Appelqvist, Hanna
    Linköping University, Department of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, Chemistry. Linköping University, The Institute of Technology.
    Janefjord, Camilla
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Sandin, Linnea
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Agholme, Lotta
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Olsson, Bob
    Sahlgrens University Hospital, Sweden .
    Svensson, Samuel
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. AlzeCure Fdn.
    Blennow, Kaj
    Sahlgrens University Hospital, Sweden .
    Zetterberg, Henrik
    Sahlgrens University Hospital, Sweden UCL Institute Neurol, England .
    Kågedal, Katarina
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Cell Biology. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Lysosomal Network Proteins as Potential Novel CSF Biomarkers for Alzheimers Disease2014In: Neuromolecular medicine, ISSN 1535-1084, E-ISSN 1559-1174, Vol. 16, no 1, p. 150-160Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The success of future intervention strategies for Alzheimers disease (AD) will likely rely on the development of treatments starting early in the disease course, before irreversible brain damage occurs. The pre-symptomatic stage of AD occurs at least one decade before the clinical onset, highlighting the need for validated biomarkers that reflect this early period. Reliable biomarkers for AD are also needed in research and clinics for diagnosis, patient stratification, clinical trials, monitoring of disease progression and the development of new treatments. Changes in the lysosomal network, i.e., the endosomal, lysosomal and autophagy systems, are among the first alterations observed in an AD brain. In this study, we performed a targeted search for lysosomal network proteins in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Thirty-four proteins were investigated, and six of them, early endosomal antigen 1 (EEA1), lysosomal-associated membrane proteins 1 and 2 (LAMP-1, LAMP-2), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), Rab3 and Rab7, were significantly increased in the CSF from AD patients compared with neurological controls. These results were confirmed in a validation cohort of CSF samples, and patients with no neurochemical evidence of AD, apart from increased total-tau, were found to have EEA1 levels corresponding to the increased total-tau levels. These findings indicate that increased levels of LAMP-1, LAMP-2, LC3, Rab3 and Rab7 in the CSF might be specific for AD, and increased EEA1 levels may be a sign of general neurodegeneration. These six lysosomal network proteins are potential AD biomarkers and may be used to investigate lysosomal involvement in AD pathogenesis.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 34.
    Asghar, Naveed
    et al.
    School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden.
    Lindblom, Pontus
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Melik, Wessam
    School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden.
    Lindqvist, Richard
    Division of Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Haglund, Mats
    Kalmar County hospital.
    Forsberg, Pia
    Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Östergötlands Läns Landsting, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Infectious Diseases. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine.
    Överby, Anna K.
    Division of Virology, Department of Clinical Microbiology, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden.
    Andreassen, Åshild
    Division of Infectious Disease Control, Department of Virology, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway.
    Lindgren, Per-Eric
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Johansson, Magnus
    School of Natural Science, Technology & Environmental Studies, Södertörn University, Huddinge, Sweden / School of Health and Medical Sciences, Örebro University, Örebro, Sweden.
    Tick-borne encephalitis virus sequenced directly from questing and blood-feeding ticks reveals quasispecies variance2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 7, p. e103264-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The increased distribution of the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in Scandinavia highlights the importance of characterizing novel sequences within the natural foci. In this study, two TBEV strains: the Norwegian Mandal 2009 (questing nymphs pool) and the Swedish Saringe 2009 (blood-fed nymph) were sequenced and phylogenetically characterized. Interestingly, the sequence of Mandal 2009 revealed the shorter form of the TBEV genome, similar to the highly virulent Hypr strain, within the 3´ non-coding region (3´NCR). A different genomic structure was found in the 3´NCR of Saringe 2009, as in-depth analysis demonstrated TBEV variants with different lengths within the poly(A) tract. This shows that TBEV quasispecies exists in nature and indicates a putative shift in the quasispecies pool when the virus switches between invertebrate and vertebrate environments. This prompted us to further sequence and analyze the 3´NCRs of additional Scandinavian TBEV strains and controls, Hypr and Neudoerfl. Toro 2003 and Habo 2011 contained mainly a short (A)3C(A)6 poly(A)  tract. A similar pattern was observed for the human TBEV isolates 1993/783 and 1991/4944; however, one clone of 1991/4944 contained an (A)3C(A)11 poly(A) sequence, demonstrating that quasispecies with longer poly(A) could be present in human isolates. Neudoerfl has previously been reported to contain a poly(A) region, but to our surprise the re-sequenced genome contained two major quasispecies variants, both lacking the poly(A) tract. We speculate that the observed differences are important factors for the understanding of virulence, spread, and control of the TBEV.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 35.
    Atterby, Clara
    et al.
    Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Borjesson, Stefan
    National Vet Institute SVA, Sweden.
    Ny, Sofia
    Public Health Agency Sweden, Sweden; Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
    Jarhult, Josef D.
    Uppsala University, Sweden.
    Byfors, Sara
    Public Health Agency Sweden, Sweden.
    Bonnedahl, Jonas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linnaeus University, Sweden; Kalmar County Council, Sweden.
    ESBL-producing Escherichia coli in Swedish gulls: A case of environmental pollution from humans?2017In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 12, no 12, article id e0190380Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ESBL-producing bacteria are present in wildlife and the environment might serve as a resistance reservoir. Wild gulls have been described as frequent carriers of ESBL-producing E. coli strains with genotypic characteristics similar to strains found in humans. Therefore, potential dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes and bacteria between the human population and wildlife need to be further investigated. Occurrence and characterization of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish wild gulls were assessed and compared to isolates from humans, livestock and surface water collected in the same country and similar time-period. Occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish gulls is about three times higher in gulls compared to Swedish community carriers (17% versus 5%) and the genetic characteristics of the ESBL-producing E. coli population in Swedish wild gulls and Swedish human are similar. ESBL-plasmids IncF-and IncI1-type carrying ESBL-genes blaCTX-M-15 or blaCTX-M-14 were most common in isolates from both gulls and humans, but there was limited evidence of clonal transmission. Isolates from Swedish surface water harbored similar genetic characteristics, which highlights surface waters as potential dissemination routes between wildlife and the human population. Even in a low-prevalence country such as Sweden, the occurrence of ESBL producing E. coli in wild gulls and the human population appears to be connected and the occurrence of ESBL-producing E. coli in Swedish gulls is likely a case of environmental pollution.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 36. Order onlineBuy this publication >>
    Bahrampour, Shahrzad
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Genetic mechanisms regulating proliferation and cell specification in the Drosophila embryonic CNS2017Doctoral thesis, comprehensive summary (Other academic)
    Abstract [en]

    The central nervous system (CNS) consists of an enormous number of cells, and large cellular variance, integrated into an elaborate network. The CNS is the most complex animal organ, and therefore its establishment must be controlled by many different genetic programs. Considering the high level of complexity in the human CNS, addressing issues related to human neurodevelopment represents a major challenge. Since comparative studies have revealed that neurodevelopmental programs are well conserved through evolution, on both the genetic and functional levels, studies on invertebrate neurodevelopmental programs are often translatable to vertebrates. Indeed, the basis of our current knowledge about vertebrate CNS development has been greatly aided by studies on invertebrates, and in particular on the Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) model system.

    This thesis attempted to identify novel genes regulating neural cell specification and proliferation in the CNS, using the Drosophila model system. Moreover, I aimed to address how those genes govern neural progenitor cells (neuroblasts; NBs) to obtain/maintain their stemness identity and proliferation capacity, and how they drive NBs through temporal windows and series of programmed asymmetric division, which gradually reduces their stemness identity in favor of neural differentiation, resulting in appropriate lineage progression. In the first project, we conducted a forward genetic screen in Drosophila embryos, aimed at isolating genes involved in regulation of neural proliferation and specification, at the single cell resolution. By taking advantage of the restricted expression of the neuropeptide FMRFa in the last-born cell of the NB lineage 5-6T, the Ap4 neuron, we could monitor the entire lineage progression. This screen succeeded in identifying 43 novel genes controlling different aspects of CNS development. One of the genes isolated, Ctr9, displayed extra Ap4/FMRFa neurons. Ctr9 encodes a component of the RNA polymerase II complex Paf1, which is involved in a number of transcriptional processes. The Paf1C, including Ctr9, is highly conserved from yeast to human, and in the past couple of years, its importance for transcription has become increasingly appreciated. However, studies in the Drosophila system have been limited. In the screen, we isolated the first mutant of Drosophila Ctr9 and conducted the first detailed phenotypic study on its function in the Drosophila embryonic CNS. Loss of function of Ctr9 leads to extra NB numbers, higher proliferation ratio and lower expression of neuropeptides. Gene expression analysis identified several other genes regulated by Ctr9, which may explain the Ctr9 mutant phenotypes. In summary, we identified Ctr9 as an essential gene for proper CNS development in Drosophila, and this provides a platform for future study on the Drosophila Paf1C. Another interesting gene isolated in the screen was worniou (wor), a member of the Snail family of transcription factors. In contrast to Ctr9, whichdisplayed additional Ap4/FMRFa neurons, wor mutants displayed a loss of these neurons. Previous studies in our group have identified many genes acting to stop NB lineage progression, but how NBs are pushed to proliferate and generate their lineages was not well known. Since wor may constitute a “driver” of proliferation, we decided to study it further. Also, we identified five other transcription factors acting together with Wor as pro-proliferative in both NBs and their daughter cells. These “drivers” are gradually replaced by the previously identified late-acting “stoppers.” Early and late factors regulate each other and the cell cycle, and thereby orchestrate proper neural lineage progression.

    List of papers
    1. Novel Genes Involved in Controlling Specification of Drosophila FMRFamide Neuropeptide Cells
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Novel Genes Involved in Controlling Specification of Drosophila FMRFamide Neuropeptide Cells
    Show others...
    2015 (English)In: Genetics, ISSN 0016-6731, E-ISSN 1943-2631, Vol. 200, no 4, p. 1229-1244Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    The expression of neuropeptides is often extremely restricted in the nervous system, making them powerful markers for addressing cell specification . In the developing Drosophila ventral nerve cord, only six cells, the Ap4 neurons, of some 10,000 neurons, express the neuropeptide FMRFamide (FMRFa). Each Ap4/FMRFa neuron is the last-born cell generated by an identifiable and well-studied progenitor cell, neuroblast 5-6 (NB5-6T). The restricted expression of FMRFa and the wealth of information regarding its gene regulation and Ap4 neuron specification makes FMRFa a valuable readout for addressing many aspects of neural development, i.e., spatial and temporal patterning cues, cell cycle control, cell specification, axon transport, and retrograde signaling. To this end, we have conducted a forward genetic screen utilizing an Ap4-specific FMRFa-eGFP transgenic reporter as our readout. A total of 9781 EMS-mutated chromosomes were screened for perturbations in FMRFa-eGFP expression, and 611 mutants were identified. Seventy-nine of the strongest mutants were mapped down to the affected gene by deficiency mapping or whole-genome sequencing. We isolated novel alleles for previously known FMRFa regulators, confirming the validity of the screen. In addition, we identified novel essential genes, including several with previously undefined functions in neural development. Our identification of genes affecting most major steps required for successful terminal differentiation of Ap4 neurons provides a comprehensive view of the genetic flow controlling the generation of highly unique neuronal cell types in the developing nervous system.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Genetics Society of America, 2015
    Keywords
    Drosophila; CNS development; neural cell fate specification; forward genetic screening; FMRFamide
    National Category
    Clinical Medicine
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-121318 (URN)10.1534/genetics.115.178483 (DOI)000359917000020 ()26092715 (PubMedID)
    Available from: 2015-09-16 Created: 2015-09-14 Last updated: 2019-03-13Bibliographically approved
    2. Ctr9, a Key Component of the Paf1 Complex, Affects Proliferation and Terminal Differentiation in the Developing Drosophila Nervous System
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Ctr9, a Key Component of the Paf1 Complex, Affects Proliferation and Terminal Differentiation in the Developing Drosophila Nervous System
    2016 (English)In: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, E-ISSN 2160-1836, Vol. 6, no 10, p. 3229-3239Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    The Paf1 protein complex (Paf1C) is increasingly recognized as a highly conserved and broadly utilized regulator of a variety of transcriptional processes. These include the promotion of H3K4 and H3K36 trimethylation, H2BK123 ubiquitination, RNA Pol II transcriptional termination, and also RNA-mediated gene silencing. Paf1C contains five canonical protein components, including Paf1 and Ctr9, which are critical for overall complex integrity, as well as Rtf1, Leo1, and Cdc73/Parafibromin(Hrpt2)/Hyrax. In spite of a growing appreciation for the importance of Paf1C from yeast and mammalian studies, there has only been limited work in Drosophila. Here, we provide the first detailed phenotypic study of Ctr9 function in Drosophila. We found that Ctr9 mutants die at late embryogenesis or early larval life, but can be partly rescued by nervous system reexpression of Ctr9. We observed a number of phenotypes in Ctr9 mutants, including increased neuroblast numbers, increased nervous system proliferation, as well as downregulation of many neuropeptide genes. Analysis of cell cycle and regulatory gene expression revealed upregulation of the E2f1 cell cycle factor, as well as changes in Antennapedia and Grainy head expression. We also found reduction of H3K4me3 modification in the embryonic nervous system. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis points to additional downstream genes that may underlie these Ctr9 phenotypes, revealing gene expression changes in Notch pathway target genes, cell cycle genes, and neuropeptide genes. In addition, we find significant effects on the gene expression of metabolic genes. These findings reveal that Ctr9 is an essential gene that is necessary at multiple stages of nervous system development, and provides a starting point for future studies of the Paf1C in Drosophila.

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Genetics Society of America, 2016
    Keywords
    neuroblast, lineage tree, cell cycle, epigenetics, terminal differentiation, FlyBook
    National Category
    Genetics
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-132856 (URN)10.1534/g3.116.034231 (DOI)000386581200018 ()27520958 (PubMedID)
    Note

    Funding Agencies|Swedish Research Council [621-2013-5258]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW2011.0165]; Swedish Cancer Foundation [120531]; Swedish Royal Academy of Sciences

    Available from: 2016-12-06 Created: 2016-11-30 Last updated: 2024-01-17
    3. Neural Lineage Progression Controlled by a Temporal Proliferation Program.
    Open this publication in new window or tab >>Neural Lineage Progression Controlled by a Temporal Proliferation Program.
    Show others...
    2017 (English)In: Developmental Cell, ISSN 1534-5807, E-ISSN 1878-1551, Vol. 43, no 3, p. 332-348Article in journal (Refereed) Published
    Abstract [en]

    Great progress has been made in identifying transcriptional programs that establish stem cell identity. In contrast, we have limited insight into how these programs are down-graded in a timely manner to halt proliferation and allow for cellular differentiation. Drosophila embryonic neuroblasts undergo such a temporal progression, initially dividing to bud off daughters that divide once (type I), then switching to generating non-dividing daughters (type 0), and finally exiting the cell cycle. We identify six early transcription factors that drive neuroblast and type I daughter proliferation. Early factors are gradually replaced by three late factors, acting to trigger the type I→0 daughter proliferation switch and eventually to stop neuroblasts. Early and late factors regulate each other and four key cell-cycle genes, providing a logical genetic pathway for these transitions. The identification of this extensive driver-stopper temporal program controlling neuroblast lineage progression may have implications for studies in many other systems.less thanbr /greater than (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

    Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
    Cell Press, 2017
    National Category
    Developmental Biology
    Identifiers
    urn:nbn:se:liu:diva-143117 (URN)10.1016/j.devcel.2017.10.004 (DOI)000414584300011 ()29112852 (PubMedID)
    Note

    Funding agencies: Swedish Research Council [621-2013-5258]; Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation [KAW2011.0165, KAW2012.0101]; Swedish Cancer Foundation [140780, 150633]

    Available from: 2017-11-20 Created: 2017-11-20 Last updated: 2017-11-20Bibliographically approved
    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
    Download (jpg)
    presentationsbild
    Download (pdf)
    omslag
  • 37.
    Bahrampour, Shahrzad
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Gunnar, Erika
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Jönsson, Carolin
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Ekman, Helen
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Thor, Stefan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Neural Lineage Progression Controlled by a Temporal Proliferation Program.2017In: Developmental Cell, ISSN 1534-5807, E-ISSN 1878-1551, Vol. 43, no 3, p. 332-348Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Great progress has been made in identifying transcriptional programs that establish stem cell identity. In contrast, we have limited insight into how these programs are down-graded in a timely manner to halt proliferation and allow for cellular differentiation. Drosophila embryonic neuroblasts undergo such a temporal progression, initially dividing to bud off daughters that divide once (type I), then switching to generating non-dividing daughters (type 0), and finally exiting the cell cycle. We identify six early transcription factors that drive neuroblast and type I daughter proliferation. Early factors are gradually replaced by three late factors, acting to trigger the type I→0 daughter proliferation switch and eventually to stop neuroblasts. Early and late factors regulate each other and four key cell-cycle genes, providing a logical genetic pathway for these transitions. The identification of this extensive driver-stopper temporal program controlling neuroblast lineage progression may have implications for studies in many other systems.less thanbr /greater than (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

  • 38.
    Bahrampour, Shahrzad
    et al.
    Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Hematopoiesis and Developmental Biology. Inst Rech Clin Montreal, Canada; Karolinska Inst, Sweden.
    Jönsson, Carolin
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Thor, Stefan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Univ Queensland, Australia.
    Brain expansion promoted by polycomb-mediated anterior enhancement of a neural stem cell proliferation program2019In: PLoS biology, ISSN 1544-9173, E-ISSN 1545-7885, Vol. 17, no 2, article id e3000163Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    During central nervous system (CNS) development, genetic programs establish neural stem cells and drive both stem and daughter cell proliferation. However, the prominent anterior expansion of the CNS implies anterior-posterior (A-P) modulation of these programs. In Drosophila, a set of neural stem cell factors acts along the entire A-P axis to establish neural stem cells. Brain expansion results from enhanced stem and daughter cell proliferation, promoted by a Polycomb Group (PcG)-amp;gt;Homeobox (Hox) homeotic network. But how does PcG-amp;gt;Hox modulate neural-stem-cell-factor activity along the A-P axis? We find that the PcG-amp;gt;Hox network creates an A-P expression gradient of neural stem cell factors, thereby driving a gradient of proliferation. PcG mutants can be rescued by misexpression of the neural stem cell factors or by mutation of one single Hox gene. Hence, brain expansion results from anterior enhancement of core neural-stem-cell-factor expression, mediated by PcG repression of brain Hox expression.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 39.
    Bahrampour, Shahrzad
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Thor, Stefan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Ctr9, a Key Component of the Paf1 Complex, Affects Proliferation and Terminal Differentiation in the Developing Drosophila Nervous System2016In: G3: Genes, Genomes, Genetics, E-ISSN 2160-1836, Vol. 6, no 10, p. 3229-3239Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    The Paf1 protein complex (Paf1C) is increasingly recognized as a highly conserved and broadly utilized regulator of a variety of transcriptional processes. These include the promotion of H3K4 and H3K36 trimethylation, H2BK123 ubiquitination, RNA Pol II transcriptional termination, and also RNA-mediated gene silencing. Paf1C contains five canonical protein components, including Paf1 and Ctr9, which are critical for overall complex integrity, as well as Rtf1, Leo1, and Cdc73/Parafibromin(Hrpt2)/Hyrax. In spite of a growing appreciation for the importance of Paf1C from yeast and mammalian studies, there has only been limited work in Drosophila. Here, we provide the first detailed phenotypic study of Ctr9 function in Drosophila. We found that Ctr9 mutants die at late embryogenesis or early larval life, but can be partly rescued by nervous system reexpression of Ctr9. We observed a number of phenotypes in Ctr9 mutants, including increased neuroblast numbers, increased nervous system proliferation, as well as downregulation of many neuropeptide genes. Analysis of cell cycle and regulatory gene expression revealed upregulation of the E2f1 cell cycle factor, as well as changes in Antennapedia and Grainy head expression. We also found reduction of H3K4me3 modification in the embryonic nervous system. Genome-wide transcriptome analysis points to additional downstream genes that may underlie these Ctr9 phenotypes, revealing gene expression changes in Notch pathway target genes, cell cycle genes, and neuropeptide genes. In addition, we find significant effects on the gene expression of metabolic genes. These findings reveal that Ctr9 is an essential gene that is necessary at multiple stages of nervous system development, and provides a starting point for future studies of the Paf1C in Drosophila.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 40.
    Balao da Silva, C. M.
    et al.
    University of Extremadura, Spain.
    Ortega Ferrusola, C.
    University of Extremadura, Spain.
    Gallardo Bolanos, J. M.
    University of Extremadura, Spain.
    Plaza Davila, M.
    University of Extremadura, Spain.
    Martin-Munoz, P.
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden.
    Morrell, J. M.
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden.
    Rodriguez-Martinez, Heriberto
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Pena, F. J.
    University of Extremadura, Spain.
    Effect of Overnight Staining on the Quality of Flow Cytometric Sorted Stallion Sperm: Comparison with Tradtitional Protocols2014In: Reproduction in domestic animals, ISSN 0936-6768, E-ISSN 1439-0531, Vol. 49, no 6, p. 1021-1027Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Flow cytometry is considered the only reliable method for the separation of X and Y chromosome bearing spermatozoa in equines. The MoFlo SX DP sorter is highly efficient, allowing the production of foals of the desired sex. However, to achieve acceptable pregnancy rates the currently used protocol requires working with fresh semen obtained close to, or at, the sorting facility. An alternative protocol was tested during two consecutive breeding seasons. Fresh stallion semen was cooled for 20 h, during which staining with Hoechst 33342 took place. On the following day, this sample was flow sorted and compared with spermatozoa from the same ejaculate that had been sexed on the previous day. All sperm parameters evaluated remained unchanged when fresh sorted and refrigerated sorted semen were compared. Pre-sorting storage at 5 degrees C did not alter sperm velocities nor kinetics, viability or membrane permeability, production of reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential or DNA fragmentation index of the sorted sample. The findings open for the possibility of using semen from stallions housed far from the sorting facilities. Processed and stained sperm could be shipped refrigerated on the previous day, sorted and inseminated on the next day.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 41.
    Balao da Silva, C M.
    et al.
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Ortega Ferrusola, C
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Morillo Rodriguez, A
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Gallardo Bolanos, J M.
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Plaza Davila, M
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Morrell, J M.
    Swedish University of Agriculture Science, Sweden .
    Rodriguez Martinez, H
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Tapia, J A.
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Aparicio, I M.
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Pena, F -j.
    University of Extremadura Caceres, Spain .
    Sex sorting increases the permeability of the membrane of stallion spermatozoa2013In: Animal Reproduction Science, ISSN 0378-4320, E-ISSN 1873-2232, Vol. 138, no 3-4, p. 241-251Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    At present, the only repeatable means of selecting the sex of offspring is the Beltsville semen sorting technology using flow cytometry (FC). This technology has reached commercial status in the bovine industry and substantial advances have occurred recently in swine and ovine species. In the equine species, however, the technology is not as well developed. To better understand the changes induced in stallion spermatozoa during the sorting procedure, pooled sperm samples were sorted: sperm motility and kinematics were assessed using computer assisted sperm analysis, sperm membrane integrity was assessed using the YoPro-1 assay, while plasmalemmal stability and lipid architecture were assessed using Merocyanine 540/SYTOX green and Annexin-V, respectively. Lipid peroxidation was also investigated with the probe Bodipy(581/591)-C11. All assays were performed shortly after collection, after incubation and after sex sorting using FC. In order to characterize potential molecular mechanisms implicated in sperm damage, an apoptosis protein antibody dot plot array analysis was performed before and after sorting. While the percentage of total motile sperm remained unchanged, sex sorting reduced the percentages of progressive motile spermatozoa and of rapid spermatozoa as well as curvilinear velocity (VCL). Sperm membranes responded to sorting with an increase in the percentage of YoPro-1 positive cells, suggesting the sorted spermatozoa had a reduced energy status that was confirmed by measuring intracellular ATP content.

  • 42.
    Balcha, Taye T.
    et al.
    Lund University, Sweden Minist Heatlh, Ethiopia .
    Sturegard, Erik
    Clin Microbiol Regional and University of Labs, Sweden .
    Winqvist, Niclas
    Lund University, Sweden Regional Department Infect Disease Control and Prevent, Sweden .
    Skogmar, Sten
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Reepalu, Anton
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Habtamu Jemal, Zelalem
    Oromia Health Bur, Ethiopia .
    Tibesso, Gudeta
    Columbia University, Ethiopia .
    Schön, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious diseases, Kalmar County Hospital, Sweden.
    Bjorkman, Per
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Intensified Tuberculosis Case-Finding in HIV-Positive Adults Managed at Ethiopian Health Centers: Diagnostic Yield of Xpert MTB/RIF Compared with Smear Microscopy and Liquid Culture2014In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 9, no 1, p. 85478-Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Background: Detection of active tuberculosis (TB) before antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is important, but optimal diagnostic methods for use in resource-limited settings are lacking. We assessed the prevalence of TB, evaluated the diagnostic yield of Xpert MTB/RIF in comparison with smear microscopy and culture, and the impact of Xpert results on clinical management in HIV-positive adults eligible for ART at health centers in a region of Ethiopia. Methods: Participants were prospectively recruited and followed up at 5 health centers. Trained nurses collected data on socio-demographic characteristics, medical history and symptoms, and performed physical examination. Two paired morning sputum samples were obtained, and lymph node aspirates in case of lymphadenopathy. Diagnostic yield of Xpert MTB/RIF in sputum was compared with smear microscopy and liquid culture. Results: TB was diagnosed in 145/812 participants (17.9%), with bacteriological confirmation in 137 (16.9%). Among bacteriologically confirmed cases, 31 were smear-positive (22.6%), 96 were Xpert-positive (70.1%), and 123 were culture-positive (89.8%). Xpert MTB/RIF increased the TB detection rate by 64 cases (47.4%) compared with smear microscopy. The overall sensitivity of Xpert MTB/RIF was 66.4%, and was not significantly lower when testing one compared with two samples. While Xpert MTB/RIF was 46.7% sensitive among patients with CD4 cell counts greater than200 cells/mm(3), this increased to 82.9% in those with CD4 cell counts less than= 100 cells/mm(3). Compared with Xpert-positive TB patients, Xpert-negative cases had less advanced HIV and TB disease characteristics. Conclusions: Previously undiagnosed TB is common among HIV-positive individuals managed in Ethiopian health centers. Xpert MTB/RIF increased TB case detection, especially in patients with advanced immunosuppression. An algorithm based on the use of a single morning sputum sample for individuals with negative sputum smear microscopy could be considered for intensified case finding in patients eligible for ART. However, technical and cost-effectiveness issues relevant for low-income countries warrant further study.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 43.
    Balcha, Taye T.
    et al.
    Lund University, Sweden Minist Heatlh, Ethiopia .
    Winqvist, Niclas
    Lund University, Sweden Regional Department Infect Disease Control and Prevent, Sweden .
    Sturegard, Erik
    Clin Microbiol Regional and University of Labs, Sweden .
    Skogmar, Sten
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Reepalu, Anton
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Jemal, Zelalem H.
    Oromia Regional Health Bur, Ethiopia .
    Tibesso, Gudeta
    Columbia University, Ethiopia .
    Schön, Thomas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Department of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, Kalmar County Hospital, Kalmar, Sweden.
    Bjorkman, Per
    Lund University, Sweden .
    Detection of lipoarabinomannan in urine for identification of active tuberculosis among HIV-positive adults in Ethiopian health centres2014In: Tropical medicine & international health, ISSN 1360-2276, E-ISSN 1365-3156, Vol. 19, no 6, p. 734-742Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    ObjectiveTo assess the diagnostic performance of urine lipoarabinomannan (LAM) detection for TB screening in HIV-positive adults in Ethiopia. MethodsTesting for LAM was performed using the Determine TB-LAM lateral flow assay on urine samples from participants in a prospective cohort with baseline bacteriological categorisation for active TB in sputum. Characteristics of TB patients with regard to LAM status were determined. Participants were followed for 6months to evaluate survival, retention in care and incident TB. ResultsPositive LAM results were found in 78/757 participants. Among 128 subjects with definite (confirmed by culture and/or Xpert MTB/RIF) TB, 33 were LAM-positive (25.8%); the respective figure for clinically diagnosed cases was 2/20 (10%). Five of the remaining 43 LAM-positive individuals had died during the 6-month follow-up period, whereas 38 remained in care without clinical signs of TB. The overall sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) were 25.8%, 92.9%, 42.3% and 86.0%, respectively. Among TB patients, LAM positivity was associated with higher WHO clinical stage, lower body mass index (BMI), CD4 cell and haemoglobin levels, and with increased mortality. A combination algorithm of urine LAM testing and sputum smear microscopy detected 49 (38.2%) of definite TB cases; among those with CD4 count 100cells/mm(3), this proportion was 66.7%. ConclusionsThe performance of urine LAM testing for TB detection was poor in this population. However, this was improved among subjects with CD4 count 100cells/mm(3). In combination with sputum microscopy urine, LAM could be considered for targeted TB screening in this subgroup.

  • 44.
    Balkhed Östholm, Åse
    et al.
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Infectious Diseases.
    Tärnberg, Maria
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Nilsson, Maud
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Nilsson, Lennart
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Hanberger, Håkan
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Infectious Diseases.
    Hällgren, Anita
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Heart and Medicine Center, Department of Infectious Diseases.
    Duration of travel-associated faecal colonisation with ESBL-producing Enterobacteriaceae - A one year follow-up study2018In: PLOS ONE, E-ISSN 1932-6203, Vol. 13, no 10Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    In a previous study, we found that 30% of individuals travelling outside Scandinavia acquired extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-PE) in their faecal flora. The aim of this study was to determine the duration of travel-associated faecal colonisation with ESBL-PE, to assess risk factors for prolonged colonisation and to detect changes in antibiotic susceptibility during prolonged colonisation.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 45.
    Balla, Hajnal Zsuzsanna
    et al.
    Orebro Univ, Sweden.
    Theodorsson, Elvar
    Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Region Östergötland, Center for Diagnostics, Department of Clinical Chemistry. Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Clinical Chemistry.
    Ström, Jakob
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences. Orebro Univ, Sweden.
    Evaluation of commercial, wireless dermal thermometers for surrogate measurements of core temperature2019In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical and Laboratory Investigation, ISSN 0036-5513, E-ISSN 1502-7686, Vol. 79, no 1-2Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Extensive research has been devoted to developing methods for assessing core body temperature, and to determine which method is most accurate. A number of wireless dermal thermometers for home use are presently available, but their relation to core body temperature and suitability for use in clinical research has hitherto not been assessed. The current study aimed to evaluate such thermometers by comparing them to the results of a rectal thermometer. Four wireless dermal thermometers for home use (FeverSmart, iThermonitor, Quest Temp Sitter, and Thermochron iButton) were applied to 15 patients during 24 h, and rectal temperature was measured at four occasions. Pearson correlation revealed moderate correlation for the Feversmart (r = 0.75), iThermonitor (r = 0.79), and Thermochron iButton (r = 0.71) systems. The Quest Temp Sitter system malfunctioned repeatedly, and the correlation (r = 0.29) for this method should therefore be assessed with caution. All dermal thermometers rendered lower average temperatures than Terumo c405 (Feversmart -0.70 +/- 0.65 degrees C; iThermonitor -0.77 +/- 0.53 degrees C, Quest Temp Sitter -1.18 +/- 0.66 degrees C, and Thermochron iButton -0.87 +/- 0.65 degrees C). Sensitivity of the dermal thermometers for detecting core temperatures amp;gt;= 38.0 degrees C was low, ranging from 0.33 to 0.6, but improved to 0.60 to 0.80 after adjusting temperatures by the methods average deviation from rectal temperature. The results from the dermal thermometers tested here showed an insufficient correlation to core temperature to be used for core temperature monitoring in clinical research and practice. Unfortunately, other options for non-invasive temperature measurements are few. The two thermometers with the least unsatisfactory performance profile in our evaluations were the Feversmart and iThermonitor systems.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 46.
    Ballantyne, Kaye N.
    et al.
    Erasmus MC University, Netherlands Victoria Police Forens Serv Department, Australia .
    Ralf, Arwin
    Erasmus MC University, Netherlands .
    Aboukhalid, Rachid
    Mohammed V Agdal University, Morocco .
    Achakzai, Niaz M.
    University of Punjab, Pakistan .
    Anjos, Maria J.
    National Institute Legal Medical and Forens Science IP, Portugal .
    Ayub, Qasim
    Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, England .
    Balazic, Joze
    University of Ljubljana, Slovenia .
    Ballantyne, Jack
    University of Central Florida, FL 32816 USA University of Central Florida, FL 32816 USA .
    J. Ballard, David
    Kings Coll London, England .
    Berger, Burkhard
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria .
    Bobillo, Cecilia
    University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Consejo Nacl Invest Cient and Tecn, Argentina .
    Bouabdellah, Mehdi
    Mohammed V Agdal University, Morocco .
    Burri, Helen
    University of Zurich, Switzerland .
    Capal, Tomas
    Institute Criminalist Prague, Czech Republic .
    Caratti, Stefano
    University of Turin, Italy .
    Cardenas, Jorge
    University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain .
    Cartault, Francois
    Site Centre Hospital Felix Guyon, Reunion .
    F. Carvalho, Elizeu
    University of Estado Rio De Janeiro, Brazil .
    Carvalho, Monica
    National Institute Legal Medical and Forens Science IP, Portugal .
    Cheng, Baowen
    Yunnan Prov Department Public Secur, Peoples R China .
    D. Coble, Michael
    NIST, MD 20899 USA .
    Comas, David
    University of Pompeu Fabra, Spain .
    Corach, Daniel
    University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Consejo Nacl Invest Cient and Tecn, Argentina .
    E. DAmato, Maria
    University of Western Cape, South Africa .
    Davison, Sean
    University of Western Cape, South Africa .
    de Knijff, Peter
    Leiden University, Netherlands .
    Corazon A. De Ungria, Maria
    University of Philippines, Philippines .
    Decorte, Ronny
    Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium .
    Dobosz, Tadeusz
    Wroclaw Medical University, Poland .
    M. Dupuy, Berit
    Norwegian Institute Public Heatlh, Norway .
    Elmrghni, Samir
    University of Benghazi, Libya .
    Gliwinski, Mateusz
    Medical University of Gdansk, Poland .
    C. Gomes, Sara
    University of Madeira, Portugal .
    Grol, Laurens
    Netherlands Forens Institute, Netherlands .
    Haas, Cordula
    University of Zurich, Switzerland .
    Hanson, Erin
    University of Central Florida, FL 32816 USA .
    Henke, Juergen
    Institute Blutgruppenforsch LGC GmbH, Germany .
    Henke, Lotte
    Institute Blutgruppenforsch LGC GmbH, Germany .
    Herrera-Rodriguez, Fabiola
    Poder Judicial, Costa Rica .
    R. Hill, Carolyn
    NIST, MD 20899 USA .
    Holmlund, Gunilla
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Honda, Katsuya
    University of Tsukuba, Japan .
    Immel, Uta-Dorothee
    University of Halle Wittenberg, Germany .
    Inokuchi, Shota
    National Research Institute Police Science, Japan .
    A. Jobling, Mark
    University of Leicester, England .
    Kaddura, Mahmoud
    University of Benghazi, Libya .
    S. Kim, Jong
    Supreme Prosecutors Off, South Korea .
    H. Kim, Soon
    National Forens Serv, South Korea .
    Kim, Wook
    Dankook University, South Korea .
    E. King, Turi
    University of Leicester, England .
    Klausriegler, Eva
    Salzburg University, Austria .
    Kling, Daniel
    Norwegian Institute Public Heatlh, Norway .
    Kovacevic, Lejla
    Institute Genet Engn and Biotechnol, Bosnia and Herceg .
    Kovatsi, Leda
    Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece .
    Krajewski, Pawel
    Medical University of Warsaw, Poland .
    Kravchenko, Sergey
    NASU, Ukraine .
    H. D. Larmuseau, Maarten
    Katholieke University of Leuven, Belgium .
    Young Lee, Eun
    Yonsei University, South Korea .
    Lessig, Ruediger
    University of Halle Wittenberg, Germany .
    A. Livshits, Ludmila
    NASU, Ukraine .
    Marjanovic, Damir
    Institute Genet Engn and Biotechnol, Bosnia and Herceg .
    Minarik, Marek
    Genomac Forens Institute, Czech Republic .
    Mizuno, Natsuko
    National Research Institute Police Science, Japan .
    Moreira, Helena
    University of Aveiro, Portugal .
    Morling, Niels
    University of Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Mukherjee, Meeta
    Govt India, India .
    Munier, Patrick
    Site Centre Hospital Felix Guyon, Reunion .
    Nagaraju, Javaregowda
    Centre DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnost, India .
    Neuhuber, Franz
    Salzburg University, Austria .
    Nie, Shengjie
    Kunming Medical University, Peoples R China .
    Nilasitsataporn, Premlaphat
    Royal Thai Police, Thailand .
    Nishi, Takeki
    University of Tsukuba, Japan .
    H. Oh, Hye
    Supreme Prosecutors Off, South Korea .
    Olofsson, Jill
    University of Copenhagen, Denmark .
    Onofri, Valerio
    University of Politecn Marche, Italy .
    U. Palo, Jukka
    University of Helsinki, Finland .
    Pamjav, Horolma
    Minist Public Adm and Justice, Hungary .
    Parson, Walther
    Medical University of Innsbruck, Austria Penn State University, PA 16802 USA .
    Petlach, Michal
    Genomac Forens Institute, Czech Republic .
    Phillips, Christopher
    University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain .
    Ploski, Rafal
    Medical University of Warsaw, Poland .
    P. R. Prasad, Samayamantri
    Centre DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnost, India .
    Primorac, Dragan
    Penn State University, PA 16802 USA University of New Haven, CT USA University of Split, Croatia University of Osijek, Croatia .
    A. Purnomo, Gludhug
    Eijkman Institute Molecular Biol, Indonesia .
    Purps, Josephine
    Charite, Germany .
    Rangel-Villalobos, Hector
    University of Guadalajara CUCienega UdeG, Mexico .
    Rebala, Krzysztof
    Medical University of Gdansk, Poland .
    Rerkamnuaychoke, Budsaba
    Mahidol University, Thailand .
    Rey Gonzalez, Danel
    University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain .
    Robino, Carlo
    University of Turin, Italy .
    Roewer, Lutz
    Charite, Germany .
    Rosa, Alexandra
    University of Madeira, Portugal University of Madeira, Portugal .
    Sajantila, Antti
    University of Helsinki, Finland University of N Texas, TX USA .
    Sala, Andrea
    University of Buenos Aires, Argentina Consejo Nacl Invest Cient and Tecn, Argentina .
    M. Salvador, Jazelyn
    University of Philippines, Philippines .
    Sanz, Paula
    University of Pompeu Fabra, Spain .
    Schmitt, Cornelia
    University of Cologne, Germany .
    K. Sharma, Anil
    Govt India, India .
    A. Silva, Dayse
    University of Estado Rio De Janeiro, Brazil .
    Shin, Kyoung-Jin
    Yonsei University, South Korea .
    Sijen, Titia
    Netherlands Forens Institute, Netherlands .
    Sirker, Miriam
    University of Cologne, Germany .
    Sivakova, Daniela
    Comenius University, Slovakia .
    Skaro, Vedrana
    Genos Ltd, Croatia .
    Solano-Matamoros, Carlos
    University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica .
    Souto, Luis
    University of Aveiro, Portugal .
    Stenzl, Vlastimil
    Institute Criminalist Prague, Czech Republic .
    Sudoyo, Herawati
    Eijkman Institute Molecular Biol, Indonesia .
    Syndercombe-Court, Denise
    Kings Coll London, England .
    Tagliabracci, Adriano
    University of Politecn Marche, Italy .
    Taylor, Duncan
    Forens Science South Australia, Australia Flinders University of S Australia, Australia .
    Tillmar, Andreas
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences. Natl Board Forens Med, Dept Forens Genet and Forens Toxicol, Linkoping, Sweden .
    S. Tsybovsky, Iosif
    State Comm Forens Expertises, Byelarus .
    Tyler-Smith, Chris
    Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, England .
    J. van der Gaag, Kristiaan
    Leiden University, Netherlands .
    Vanek, Daniel
    Forens DNA Serv, Czech Republic Charles University of Prague, Czech Republic .
    Volgyi, Antonia
    Minist Public Adm and Justice, Hungary .
    Ward, Denise
    Forens Science South Australia, Australia .
    Willemse, Patricia
    Leiden University, Netherlands .
    P. H. Yap, Eric
    DSO National Labs, Singapore .
    Y. Y. Yong, Rita
    DSO National Labs, Singapore .
    Zupanic Pajnic, Irena
    University of Ljubljana, Slovenia .
    Kayser, Manfred
    Erasmus MC University, Netherlands .
    Toward Male Individualization with Rapidly Mutating Y-Chromosomal Short Tandem Repeats2014In: Human Mutation, ISSN 1059-7794, E-ISSN 1098-1004, Vol. 35, no 8, p. 1021-1032Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Relevant for various areas of human genetics, Y-chromosomal short tandem repeats (Y-STRs) are commonly used for testing close paternal relationships among individuals and populations, and for male lineage identification. However, even the widely used 17-loci Yfiler set cannot resolve individuals and populations completely. Here, 52 centers generated quality-controlled data of 13 rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs in 14,644 related and unrelated males from 111 worldwide populations. Strikingly, greater than99% of the 12,272 unrelated males were completely individualized. Haplotype diversity was extremely high (global: 0.9999985, regional: 0.99836-0.9999988). Haplotype sharing between populations was almost absent except for six (0.05%) of the 12,156 haplotypes. Haplotype sharing within populations was generally rare (0.8% nonunique haplotypes), significantly lower in urban (0.9%) than rural (2.1%) and highest in endogamous groups (14.3%). Analysis of molecular variance revealed 99.98% of variation within populations, 0.018% among populations within groups, and 0.002% among groups. Of the 2,372 newly and 156 previously typed male relative pairs, 29% were differentiated including 27% of the 2,378 father-son pairs. Relative to Yfiler, haplotype diversity was increased in 86% of the populations tested and overall male relative differentiation was raised by 23.5%. Our study demonstrates the value of RMY-STRs in identifying and separating unrelated and related males and provides a reference database.

    Download full text (pdf)
    fulltext
  • 47.
    Barathan, Muttiah
    et al.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Gopal, Kaliappan
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Mohamed, Rosmawati
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ellegård, Rada
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Saeidi, Alireza
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vadivelu, Jamuna
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ansari, Abdul W.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Rothan, Hussin A.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ram, M. Ravishankar
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Zandi, Keivan
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Chang, Li Y.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vignesh, Ramachandran
    YRG Centre AIDS Research and Educ, India.
    Che, Karlhans F.
    Karolinska Institute, Sweden.
    Kamarulzaman, Adeeba
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Velu, Vijayakumar
    Emory Vaccine Centre, GA USA.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Kamarul, Tunku
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Shankar, Esaki M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Chronic hepatitis C virus infection triggers spontaneous differential expression of biosignatures associated with T cell exhaustion and apoptosis signaling in peripheral blood mononucleocytes2015In: Apoptosis (London), ISSN 1360-8185, E-ISSN 1573-675X, Vol. 20, no 4, p. 466-480Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Persistent hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection appears to trigger the onset of immune exhaustion to potentially assist viral persistence in the host, eventually leading to hepatocellular carcinoma. The role of HCV on the spontaneous expression of markers suggestive of immune exhaustion and spontaneous apoptosis in immune cells of chronic HCV (CHC) disease largely remain elusive. We investigated the peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CHC patients to determine the spontaneous recruitment of cellular reactive oxygen species (cROS), immunoregulatory and exhaustion markers relative to healthy controls. Using a commercial QuantiGenePlex(A (R)) 2.0 assay, we determined the spontaneous expression profile of 80 different pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in persistent HCV disease. Onset of spontaneous apoptosis significantly correlated with the up-regulation of cROS, indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), cyclooxygenase-2/prostaglandin H synthase (COX-2/PGHS), Foxp3, Dtx1, Blimp1, Lag3 and Cd160. Besides, spontaneous differential surface protein expression suggestive of T cell inhibition viz., TRAIL, TIM-3, PD-1 and BTLA on CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and CTLA-4 on CD4+ T cells was also evident. Increased up-regulation of Tnf, Tp73, Casp14, Tnfrsf11b, Bik and Birc8 was observed, whereas FasLG, Fas, Ripk2, Casp3, Dapk1, Tnfrsf21, and Cflar were moderately up-regulated in HCV-infected subjects. Our observation suggests the spontaneous onset of apoptosis signaling and T cell exhaustion in chronic HCV disease.

  • 48.
    Barathan, Muttiah
    et al.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Mohamed, Rosmawati
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Saeidi, Alireza
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vadivelu, Jamuna
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Chang, Li Y.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Gopal, Kaliappan
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ram, Mani R.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ansari, Abdul W.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Kamarulzaman, Adeeba
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Velu, Vijayakumar
    Emory Vaccine Centre, GA USA.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Health Sciences.
    Shankar, Esaki M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Increased frequency of late-senescent T cells lacking CD127 in chronic hepatitis C disease2015In: European Journal of Clinical Investigation, ISSN 0014-2972, E-ISSN 1365-2362, Vol. 45, no 5, p. 466-474Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundHepatitis C virus (HCV) causes persistent disease in similar to 85% of infected individuals, where the viral replication appears to be tightly controlled by HCV-specific CD8+ T cells. Accumulation of senescent T cells during infection results in considerable loss of functional HCV-specific immune responses. Materials and methodsWe characterized the distinct T-cell phenotypes based on the expression of costimulatory molecules CD28 and CD27, senescence markers PD-1 and CD57, chronic immune activation markers CD38 and HLA-DR, and survival marker CD127 (IL-7R) by flow cytometry following activation of T cells using HCV peptides and phytohemagglutinin. ResultsHCV-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from chronic HCV (CHC) patients showed increased expression of PD-1. Furthermore, virus-specific CD4+ T cells of CHC-infected subjects displayed relatively increased expression of HLA-DR and CD38 relative to HCV-specific CD8+ T cells. The CD4+ and CD8+ T cells from HCV-infected individuals showed significant increase of late-differentiated T cells suggestive of immunosenescence. In addition, we found that the plasma viral loads positively correlated with the levels of CD57 and PD-1 expressed on T cells. ConclusionsChronic HCV infection results in increased turnover of late-senescent T cells that lack survival potentials, possibly contributing to viral persistence. Our findings challenge the prominence of senescent T-cell phenotypes in clinical hepatitis C infection.

  • 49.
    Barathan, Muttiah
    et al.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Mohamed, Rosmawati
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vadivelu, Jamuna
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Chang, Li Y.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Saeidi, Alireza
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Yong, Yean K.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ravishankar Ram, M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Gopal, Kaliappan
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Velu, Vijayakumar
    Emory Vaccine Centre, GA 30329 USA.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Shankar, Esaki M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Peripheral loss of CD8(+)CD161(++)TCRV7 center dot 2(+) mucosal-associated invariant T cells in chronic hepatitis C virus-infected patients2016In: European Journal of Clinical Investigation, ISSN 0014-2972, E-ISSN 1365-2362, Vol. 46, no 2, p. 170-180Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    BackgroundMucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells play an important role in innate host defence. MAIT cells appear to undergo exhaustion and are functionally weakened in chronic viral infections. However, their role in chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection remains unclear. Materials and methodsWe investigated the frequency of CD8(+)CD161(++)TCR V7.2(+) MAIT cells in a cross-sectional cohort of chronic HCV-infected patients (n = 25) and healthy controls (n = 25). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were investigated for circulating MAIT cell frequency, liver-homing (CCR5 and CD103), biomarkers of immune exhaustion (PD-1, TIM-3 and CTLA-4), chronic immune activation (CD38 and HLA-DR), and immunosenescence (CD57) by flow cytometry. ResultsThe frequency of MAIT cells was significantly decreased, and increased signs of immune exhaustion and chronic immune activation were clearly evident on MAIT cells of HCV-infected patients. Decrease of CCR5 on circulating MAIT cells is suggestive of their peripheral loss in chronic HCV-infected patients. MAIT cells also showed significantly increased levels of HLA-DR, CD38, PD-1, TIM-3 and CTLA-4, besides CD57 in chronic HCV disease. ConclusionsImmune exhaustion and senescence of CD8(+)CD161(++)TCR V7.2(+) MAIT cells could contribute to diminished innate defence attributes likely facilitating viral persistence and HCV disease progression.

  • 50.
    Barathan, Muttiah
    et al.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Mohamed, Rosmawati
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vadivelu, Jamuna
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Yen Chang, Li
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Vignesh, Ramachandran
    University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
    Krishnan, Jayalakshmi
    CUTN, India.
    Sigamani, Panneer
    CUTN, India.
    Saeidi, Alireza
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Ravishankar Ram, M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    Velu, Vijayakumar
    Emory Vaccine Centre, GA 30329 USA.
    Larsson, Marie
    Linköping University, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Division of Microbiology and Molecular Medicine. Linköping University, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
    Shankar, Esaki M.
    University of Malaya, Malaysia; CUTN, India; University of Malaya, Malaysia.
    CD8+T cells of chronic HCV-infected patients express multiple negative immune checkpoints following stimulation with HCV peptides2017In: Cellular Immunology, ISSN 0008-8749, E-ISSN 1090-2163, Vol. 313Article in journal (Refereed)
    Abstract [en]

    Hepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cells are key to successful viral clearance in HCV disease. Accumulation of exhausted HCV-specific T cells during chronic infection results in considerable loss of protective functional immune responses. The role of T-cell exhaustion in chronic HCV disease remains poorly understood. Here, we studied the frequency of HCV peptide-stimulated T cells expressing negative immune checkpoints (PD-1, CTLA-4, TRAIL, TIM-3 and BTLA) by flow cytometry, and measured the levels of Th1/Th2/Th17 cytokines secreted by T cells by a commercial Multi-Analyte ELISArray (TM) following in vitro stimulation of T cells using HCV peptides and phytohemagglutinin (PHA). HCV peptide stimulated CD4+ and CD8+ T cells of chronic HCV (CHC) patients showed significant increase of CTLA-4. Furthermore, HCV peptide-stimulated CD4+ T cells of CHC patients also displayed relatively higher levels of PD-1 and TRAIL, whereas TIM-3 was up-regulated on HCV peptide-stimulated CD8+ T cells. Whereas the levels of IL-10 and TGF-beta 1 were significantly increased, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-2, TNF-alpha, IL-17A and IL-6 were markedly decreased in the T cell cultures of CHC patients. Chronic HCV infection results in functional exhaustion of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells likely contributing to viral persistence. (C) 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

1234567 1 - 50 of 677
CiteExportLink to result list
Permanent link
Cite
Citation style
  • apa
  • ieee
  • modern-language-association-8th-edition
  • vancouver
  • oxford
  • Other style
More styles
Language
  • de-DE
  • en-GB
  • en-US
  • fi-FI
  • nn-NO
  • nn-NB
  • sv-SE
  • Other locale
More languages
Output format
  • html
  • text
  • asciidoc
  • rtf