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P1 and Pk are glycosphingolipid antigens synthesized by the A4GALT-encoded α1,4-galactosyltransferase, using paragloboside and lactosylceramide as acceptor substrates, respectively. In addition to the compatibility aspects of these histo-blood group molecules, both constitute receptors for multiple microbes and toxins. Presence or absence of P1 antigen on erythrocytes determines the common P1 (P1+
Predictability of extreme changes in the Arctic Ocean freshwater content and the associated release into the subpolar North Atlantic up to one decade ahead is investigated using a CMIP5-type global climate model. The perfect-model setup consists of a 500 year control run, from which selected 10 year long segments are predicted by initialized, perturbed ensemble predictions. Initial conditions for
Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether white matter microstructure is altered in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and if so, whether such alterations differed between patients with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods: Structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed in 64 female SLE patients (mean age 36.9 years, range
The global cobalt cycle in society was modelled using an integrated systems dynamics model, WORLD6, integrating several earlier system dynamics models developed by the authors. The COBALT sub-model was used to assess the long-term sufficiency of the available extractable cobalt and address the effect of different degrees of recycling on cobalt supply. The extraction of cobalt is mostly dependent o
Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type of lung cancer. Both environmental and genetic risk factors contribute to lung carcinogenesis. We conducted a genome-wide interaction analysis between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and smoking status (never- versus ever-smokers) in a European-descent population. We adopted a two-step analysis strategy in the discovery stage: we first cond
Agricultural intensification is one of the main causes for the current biodiversity crisis. While reversing habitat loss on agricultural land is challenging, increasing the farmland configurational heterogeneity (higher field border density) and farmland compositional heterogeneity (higher crop diversity) has been proposed to counteract some habitat loss. Here, we tested whether increased farmland
Objective: To investigate the inflammatory biomarker signature associated with classical orthostatic hypotension (OH). Methods: A cross-sectional study including 778 patients with unexplained syncope and/or orthostatic intolerance undergoing head-up tilt test (HUT) and supine blood sampling. Of these, 98 met diagnostic criteria of classical OH and 181 demonstrated normal haemodynamic response duri
Aims: Previous studies have shown that dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP)-4 inhibition lowers glucagon levels whereas sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT-2) inhibition increases them. This study evaluated the extent of these opposite effects in a direct comparative head-to-head study. Methods: In a single-centre, randomized study with a cross-over design, 28 metformin-treated patients with type 2 diabet
Landscape heterogeneity is an important driver of biodiversity in agroecosystems. However, the functional heterogeneity of agricultural landscapes, taking into account the different resources that habitat patches can provide to species, has rarely been studied. In this study, we explored the effect of landscape-scale nest availability provided by permanent grasslands on wild bee communities. Wild
Pseudouridylation (Ψ) is the most abundant and widespread type of RNA epigenetic modification in living organisms; however, the biological role of Ψ remains poorly understood. Here, we show that a Ψ-driven posttranscriptional program steers translation control to impact stem cell commitment during early embryogenesis. Mechanistically, the Ψ “writer” PUS7 modifies and activates a novel network of t
Context Emerging evidence has related the gut microbiome and circulating metabolites to human obesity. Gut microbiota is responsible for several metabolic functions, and altered plasma metabolome might reflect differences in the gut microbiome. Objective To identify a plasma metabolite profile associated with body mass index (BMI) in a general population and investigate whether such metabolite pro
Circulating vitamin B6 levels have been found to be inversely associated with lung cancer. Most studies have focused on the B6 form pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PLP), a direct biomarker influenced by inflammation and other factors. Using a functional B6 marker allows further investigation of the potential role of vitamin B6 status in the pathogenesis of lung cancer. We prospectively evaluated the assoc
Sugar sweetened beverages (SSB), artificially sweetened beverages (ASB), juice, coffee and tea has been associated with risk of metabolic disease. High consumption of these beverages may be associated with certain characteristics of the overall diet that would be important to take into account when analysing beverage-disease associations. Here, we investigate five beverages and their association w
-Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) is a marker of subclinical atherosclerosis that can predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) events over traditional risk factors. This study examined the BCAR1-CFDP1-TMEM170A locus on chromosome 16, associated with cIMT and coronary artery disease in the IMPROVE cohort, to identify the functional variant.
In this study, the relation between fruit and vegetable consumption and mortality was investigated within the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition. Survival analyses were performed, including 451,151 participants from 10 European countries, recruited between 1992 and 2000 and followed until 2010. Hazard ratios, rate advancement periods, and preventable proportions to respec
A plethora of peptides are generated intracellularly, and most peptide-human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-I interactions are of a transient, unproductive nature. Without a quality control mechanism, the HLA-I system would be stressed by futile attempts to present peptides not sufficient for the stable peptide-HLA-I complex formation required for long term presentation. Tapasin is thought to be central
The importance of the home environment increases with age. Perceived aspects of home influence life satisfaction, perceived health, independence in daily activities and well-being among very old people. However, research on health and perceived aspects of home among senior citizens in earlier phases of the aging process is lacking. Therefore, the main aim was to explore whether perceived aspects o
