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GWAS for systemic sclerosis identifies multiple risk loci and highlights fibrotic and vasculopathy pathways

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease that shows one of the highest mortality rates among rheumatic diseases. We perform a large genome-wide association study (GWAS), and meta-analysis with previous GWASs, in 26,679 individuals and identify 27 independent genome-wide associated signals, including 13 new risk loci. The novel associations nearly double the number of genome-wide hits repo

Decellularization and antibody staining of mouse tissues to map native extracellular matrix structures in 3D

The extracellular matrix (ECM) is a major regulator of homeostasis and disease, yet the 3D structure of the ECM remains poorly understood because of limitations in ECM visualization. We recently developed an ECM-specialized method termed in situ decellularization of tissues (ISDoT) to isolate native 3D ECM scaffolds from whole organs in which ECM structure and composition are preserved. Here, we p

Insights from intralocus tactical conflict : adaptive states, interactions with ecology and population divergence

Alternative reproductive tactics (ARTs) have improved our understanding of the evolution of adaptive variation; for instance, their study has led us to understand that the best phenotype (e.g. large and flashy) for a tactic that uses one mating behavior (e.g. court females) is often not the best phenotype (e.g. small and inconspicuous) for a tactic that uses a different mating behavior (e.g. chase

Cartilage Oligomeric Matrix Protein Associates With a Vulnerable Plaque Phenotype in Human Atherosclerotic Plaques

Background and Purpose- Extracellular matrix proteins are important in atherosclerotic disease by influencing plaque stability and cellular behavior but also by regulating inflammation. COMP (cartilage oligomeric matrix protein) is present in healthy human arteries and expressed by smooth muscle cells. A recent study showed that transplantation of COMP-deficient bone marrow to apoE-/- mice increas

Factoring out glue-code in systems of IoT devices: the PalCom architecture model

We present an architecture for distributed, heterogeneous systems where there is a clear separation of concerns for Computation, Coordination, Configuration. The computation part is often implemented in traditional programming code, and packaged as services. The other concerns might need to be addressed much later and by other people in separate organisations, or even by end users. In this paper w

Gender and age differences in symptoms and health-related quality of life in patients with atrial fibrillation referred for catheter ablation

Background: Primary indication for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) is to reduce symptoms and improve health-related quality of life (HRQoL). There are data showing differences between the genders and between younger and older patients. To evaluate this, we studied a large Scandinavian cohort of patients referred for catheter ablation of AF. Methods: Consecutive patients filled out th

Large loss of CO2 in winter observed across the northern permafrost region

Recent warming in the Arctic, which has been amplified during the winter1–3, greatly enhances microbial decomposition of soil organic matter and subsequent release of carbon dioxide (CO2)4. However, the amount of CO2 released in winter is not known and has not been well represented by ecosystem models or empirically based estimates5,6. Here we synthesize regional in situ observations of CO2 flux f

Analysis of Mortality among Neonates and Children with Spina Bifida : An International Registry-Based Study, 2001-2012

Background: Medical advancements have resulted in better survival and life expectancy among those with spina bifida, but a significantly increased risk of perinatal and postnatal mortality for individuals with spina bifida remains. Objectives: To examine stillbirth and infant and child mortality among those affected by spina bifida using data from multiple countries. Methods: We conducted an obser

Thylakoid membrane–based photobioelectrochemical systems : Achievements, limitations, and perspectives

During the few past decades, intensive efforts have been focused toward optimizing ‘wiring’ of thylakoid membranes (TMs) to conductive surfaces for their further application for light-energy conversion and production of an electron flow. This review summarizes recent progress and current state of photobioelectrodes and systems based on TMs. We consider various electrode materials and surface modif

Preparation of colloidal molecules with temperature-tunable interactions from oppositely charged microgel spheres

The self-assembly of small colloidal clusters, so-called colloidal molecules, into crystalline materials has proven extremely challenging, the outcome often being glassy, amorphous states where positions and orientations are locked. In this paper, a new type of colloidal molecule is therefore prepared, assembled from poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM)-based microgels that due to their well docum

Biochemical performance modelling of non-vegetated and vegetated vertical subsurface-flow constructed wetlands treating municipal wastewater in hot and dry climate

Wastewater treatment and subsequent effluent recycling for non-drinking purposes such as irrigation contributes to the mitigation of the pressure on freshwater resources. In this study, two vertical sub-surface flow constructed wetland (VSSF-CW) pilot plants were operated to treat municipal wastewater and their effluents were reused for irrigation purposes. One of the wetlands was vegetated with P

Predominant mechanisms for the removal of nickel metal ion from aqueous solution using cement kiln dust

The experimental methodology achieved in the present study signified that the adsorption and precipitation were main mechanisms occurred together in the removal of nickel from aqueous solution by sorption using cement kiln dust (CKD) byproduct as sorbent. Finding the contribution of each mechanism in the removal process and derivation an analytical model for finding the portion of precipitation we

Assessment of ventricular repolarization instability in terms of T-wave alternans induced by head-down bed-rest immobilization

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effects of different durations of simulated microgravity exposure on ventricular repolarization (VR) in terms of T-wave alternans (TWA) as well as to test whether an increase in VR heterogeneity could be detected once normal gravity was restored. APPROACH: A total of 63 healthy volunteers were recruited in several head-down bed-rest (HDBR) experiments in the context of the

Effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in Swedish children may be negatively impacted by BMI and serum fructose

In regions where sunlight exposure is limited, dietary vitamin D intake becomes important for maintaining status. However, Swedish children have been shown to have deficient or marginal status during the winter months even if the recommended dietary intake is met. Since low vitamin D status has been associated with several disease states, this study investigated the metabolic changes associated wi

C-12 vs C-3 substituted bile salts : An example of the effects of substituent position and orientation on the self-assembly of steroid surfactant isomers

Biomolecule derivatives are transversally used in nanotechnology. Deciphering their aggregation behavior is a crucial issue for the rational design of functional materials. To this end, it is necessary to build libraries of selectively functionalized analogues and infer general rules. In this work we enrich the highly applicative oriented collection of steroid derivatives, by reporting a rare exam

Impact of a national guideline on use of knee arthroscopy : An interrupted time-series analysis

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of the Swedish health authority recommendation against the use of knee arthroscopy in patients aged ≥40 years with knee osteoarthritis (OA).DESIGN: Interrupted time series analysis.SETTING: Public health care in Skåne region.PARTICIPANTS: Patients aged ≥40 years who underwent knee arthroscopy from January 2010 to December 2015.INTERVENTION(S): National guideline's r

Determination of 13C-enrichment in bacterial fatty acids using chemical ionization mass spectrometry with negative ion detection

Saturated, monoenoic and β-hydroxysubstituted fatty acids, 13C-labelled at the carboxyl group, were prepared from natural or synthetic unlabelled analogues. The synthetic route involves decarboxylation of the unlabelled fatty acid to the next lower iodide, displacement of iodide for [13C]cyanide and hydrolysis. The fatty acids were converted to their pentafluorobenzyl esters and analysed by select

Recycling of fecal pellets in isopods : Microorganisms and nitrogen compounds as potential food for Oniscus asellus L

The isopod Oniscus asellus was fed wood pieces. The fecal pellets produced during 6 days were reingested twice. Both fresh and ageing pellets were examined for microorganisms and nitrogen compounds including proteins and bacterial cell wall compounds, d-alanine and diaminopimelic acid. In old pellets, the plate counts of fungi decreased but that of bacteria as well as the concentrations of protein

Pollination by deceit, floral sex ratios and seed set in dioecious Rubus chamaemorus L.

Male and female flowers of the dioecious perennial herb Rubus chamaemorus L. are similar in general appearance. However, female flowers are somewhat smaller, do not produce any pollen, and contain very small amounts of nectar. Syrphids and bumblebees, which are important pollinators of R. chamaemorus, showed a strong preference for male flowers. Male flowers were also less often rejected by flower

Model system for studies of microbial dynamics at exuding surfaces such as the rhizosphere.

An autoclavable all-glass system for studying microbial dynamics at permeable surfaces is described. Standard hydrophobic or hydrophilic membranes (46-mm diameter) of various pore sizes were supported on a glass frit through which nutrient solutions were pumped by a peristaltic pump. The pump provided a precisely controlled flow at speeds of 0.5 to 500 ml of defined or natural cell exudates per h,