Opin vísindi

 

Flokkar í Opnum vísindum

Veldu flokk til að skoða.

Niðurstöður 1 - 9 af 9

Nýlega bætt við

Verk
Learning insular nordic languages : Comparative perspectives on migrants’ experiences learning Faroese and Icelandic
(2022) Hoffmann, Lara Wilhelmine; Holm, Anna Elisabeth
This article explores migrants’ language learning experiences in two small language communities in the West Nordic Region. We provide a comparative perspective based on an online survey and ethnographic interviews conducted in Iceland and qualitative research conducted in the Faroe Islands. A major finding from this study is that investment in language learning is a highly situated type of activity, which is contingent on personal circumstances, and on structural conditions. Prevailing language ideologies, such as purism and authenticity, can pose constraints on the language learning process among learners who are initially motivated to learn the language. Results show that many migrants follow a utilitarian approach to learning and perceived usefulness of languages influences participants’ linguistic choices. A lack of opportunities for language learning has been mentioned by learners in both places we investigate.
Verk
Frustrated caring : Family members’ experience of motivating copd patients towards self-management
(2020-11) Sigurgeirsdottir, Jonina; Halldórsdóttir, Sigríður; Arnardottir, Ragnheidur Harpa; Gudmundsson, Gunnar; Bjornsson, Eythor Hreinn; Læknadeild
Aim: The aim of this phenomenological study was to explore principal family members’ experience of motivating patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) towards self-management. Methods: Interviews were conducted with 10 family members (spouses and adult children) of COPD patients. The interviews were audio recorded, transcribed and analyzed thematically. Results: Being a principal family member of a COPD patient is characterized by frustrated caring; wanting the best for him/her and yet carrying a heavier burden than the person feels equipped for, lacking both knowledge about the disease progress and information about available healthcare resources. The situation demands much energy, due to COPD patients’ lack of stamina; family members’ fear of the patient’s possible breathlessness; willingness to help, though sometimes meeting with negative reactions from the patient; and feeling ignored by health professionals (HPs). Family members expressed a need for a formal connection between patient–family–HPs. The increasing burden experienced by patients’ family members is characterized by a sequential process in three phases of the patient’s declining self-management. In the early phase, family and patient are ignorant of COPD yet recognize the patient’s smoking as a risky lifestyle. In the intermediary phase, signs of COPD become evident to the family. The first turning point is when the family first observes the patient’s acute exacerbation. A second turning point is in the advanced phase, when family and patient recognize COPD as a progressive disease, possibly fatal. We also identified family members’ views on COPD patients’ needs, and their own roles, main frustrations and concerns. Conclusion: Family members’ experience of motivating COPD patients towards self-management is a sequential process where the family experiences advancing caring burden and declining self-management by the patient. We propose the establishment of COPD patients’ teams consisting of patient–family–HP, aimed at the patients’ best possible self-management.
Verk
Detection and Early Referral of Patients With Interstitial Lung Abnormalities : An Expert Survey Initiative
(2022-02-01) ILA Study Group; Faculty of Medicine
Background: Interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA) may represent undiagnosed early-stage or subclinical interstitial lung disease (ILD). ILA are often observed incidentally in patients who subsequently develop clinically overt ILD. There is limited information on consensus definitions for, and the appropriate evaluation of, ILA. Early recognition of patients with ILD remains challenging, yet critically important. Expert consensus could inform early recognition and referral. Research Question: Can consensus-based expert recommendations be identified to guide clinicians in the recognition, referral, and follow-up of patients with or at risk of developing early ILDs? Study Design and Methods: Pulmonologists and radiologists with expertise in ILD participated in two iterative rounds of surveys. The surveys aimed to establish consensus regarding ILA reporting, identification of patients with ILA, and identification of populations that might benefit from screening for ILD. Recommended referral criteria and follow-up processes were also addressed. Threshold for consensus was defined a priori as ≥ 75% agreement or disagreement. Results: Fifty-five experts were invited and 44 participated; consensus was reached on 39 of 85 questions. The following clinically important statements achieved consensus: honeycombing and traction bronchiectasis or bronchiolectasis indicate potentially progressive ILD; honeycombing detected during lung cancer screening should be reported as potentially significant (eg, with the Lung CT Screening Reporting and Data System “S-modifier” [Lung-RADS; which indicates clinically significant or potentially significant noncancer findings]), recommending referral to a pulmonologist in the radiology report; high-resolution CT imaging and full pulmonary function tests should be ordered if nondependent subpleural reticulation, traction bronchiectasis, honeycombing, centrilobular ground-glass nodules, or patchy ground-glass opacity are observed on CT imaging; patients with honeycombing or traction bronchiectasis should be referred to a pulmonologist irrespective of diffusion capacity values; and patients with systemic sclerosis should be screened with pulmonary function tests for early-stage ILD. Interpretation: Guidance was established for identifying clinically relevant ILA, subsequent referral, and follow-up. These results lay the foundation for developing practical guidance on managing patients with ILA.
Verk
Phenotypic Displays of Cholinergic Enzymes Associate With Markers of Inflammation, Neurofibrillary Tangles, and Neurodegeneration in Pre- and Early Symptomatic Dementia Subjects
(2022-05-26) Teitsdottir, U.D.; Darreh-Shori, T.; Lund, S.H.; Jonsdottir, M.K.; Snaedal, J.; Petersen, P.H.; Faculty of Medicine; Faculty of Physical Sciences
Background: Cholinergic drugs are the most commonly used drugs for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Therefore, a better understanding of the cholinergic system and its relation to both AD-related biomarkers and cognitive functions is of high importance. Objectives: To evaluate the relationships of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) cholinergic enzymes with markers of amyloidosis, neurodegeneration, neurofibrillary tangles, inflammation and performance on verbal episodic memory in a memory clinic cohort. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 46 cholinergic drug-free subjects (median age = 71, 54% female, median MMSE = 28) were recruited from an Icelandic memory clinic cohort targeting early stages of cognitive impairment. Enzyme activity of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE) was measured in CSF as well as levels of amyloid-β 1-42 (Aβ 42), phosphorylated tau (P-tau), total-tau (T-tau), neurofilament light (NFL), YKL-40, S100 calcium-binding protein B (S100B), and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP). Verbal episodic memory was assessed with the Rey Auditory Verbal Learning (RAVLT) and Story tests. Results: No significant relationships were found between CSF Aβ 42 levels and AChE or BuChE activity ( p > 0.05). In contrast, T-tau ( r = 0.46, p = 0.001) and P-tau ( r = 0.45, p = 0.002) levels correlated significantly with AChE activity. Although neurodegeneration markers T-tau and NFL did correlate with each other ( r = 0.59, p < 0.001), NFL did not correlate with AChE ( r = 0.25, p = 0.09) or BuChE ( r = 0.27, p = 0.06). Inflammation markers S100B and YKL-40 both correlated significantly with AChE (S100B: r = 0.43, p = 0.003; YKL-40: r = 0.32, p = 0.03) and BuChE (S100B: r = 0.47, p < 0.001; YKL-40: r = 0.38, p = 0.009) activity. A weak correlation was detected between AChE activity and the composite score reflecting verbal episodic memory ( r = -0.34, p = 0.02). LASSO regression analyses with a stability approach were performed for the selection of a set of measures best predicting cholinergic activity and verbal episodic memory score. S100B was the predictor with the highest model selection frequency for both AChE (68%) and BuChE (73%) activity. Age (91%) was the most reliable predictor for verbal episodic memory, with selection frequency of both cholinergic enzymes below 10%. Conclusions: Results indicate a relationship between higher activity of the ACh-degrading cholinergic enzymes with increased neurodegeneration, neurofibrillary tangles and inflammation in the stages of pre- and early symptomatic dementia, independent of CSF Aβ 42 levels.
Verk
Multiomics analysis of rheumatoid arthritis yields sequence variants that have large effects on risk of the seropositive subset
(2022-04-25) Sævarsdóttir, Sædís; Stefansdottir, Lilja; Sulem, P.; Thorleifsson, G.; Ferkingstad, E.; Rutsdottir, G.; Glintborg, B.; Westerlind, H.; Gröndal, Gerður María; Loft, I.C.; Sorensen, S.B.; Lie, B.A.; Brink, M.; Arlestig, L.; Arnthorsson, A.O.; Baecklund, E.; Banasik, K.; Bank, S.; Bjorkman, L.I.; Ellingsen, T.; Erikstrup, C.; Frei, O.; Gjertsson, I.; Gudbjartsson, D.F.; Gudjonsson, S.A.; Halldorsson, G.H.; Hendricks, O.; Hillert, J.; Hogdall, E.; Jacobsen, Sø; Jensen, D.V.; Jonsson, Helgi; Kastbom, A.; Kockum, I.; Kristensen, S.; Kristjansdottir, Helga; Larsen, M.H.; Linauskas, A.; Hauge, E.-M.; Loft, A.G.; Lúðvíksson, Björn Rúnar; Lund, S.H.; Markusson, Þorsteinn; Masson, G.; Melsted, P.; Moore, K.H.S.; Munk, H.; Nielsen, K.R.; Norddahl, G.L.; Oddsson, A.; Olafsdottir, T.A.; Olason, P.I.; Olsson, T.; Ostrowski, S.R.; Hørslev-Petersen, K.; Rognvaldsson, S.; Sanner, H.; Silberberg, G.N.; Stefansson, H.; Sørensen, E.; Sørensen, I.J.; Turesson, C.; Bergman, T.; Alfredsson, L.; Kvien, T.K.; Brunak, Sø; Steinsson, K.; Andersen, V.; Andreassen, O.A.; Rantapää-Dahlqvist, S.; Hetland, M.L.; Klareskog, L.; Askling, J.; Padyukov, L.; Pedersen, O.B.V.; Thorsteinsdottir, U.; Jonsdottir, I.; Stefánsson, Kári; Faculty of Medicine; Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science; Faculty of Physical Sciences; Health Sciences
Objectives To find causal genes for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and its seropositive (RF and/or ACPA positive) and seronegative subsets. Methods We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 31 313 RA cases (68% seropositive) and ∼1 million controls from Northwestern Europe. We searched for causal genes outside the HLA-locus through effect on coding, mRNA expression in several tissues and/or levels of plasma proteins (SomaScan) and did network analysis (Qiagen). Results We found 25 sequence variants for RA overall, 33 for seropositive and 2 for seronegative RA, altogether 37 sequence variants at 34 non-HLA loci, of which 15 are novel. Genomic, transcriptomic and proteomic analysis of these yielded 25 causal genes in seropositive RA and additional two overall. Most encode proteins in the network of interferon-Alpha/beta and IL-12/23 that signal through the JAK/STAT-pathway. Highlighting those with largest effect on seropositive RA, a rare missense variant in STAT4 (rs140675301-A) that is independent of reported non-coding STAT4-variants, increases the risk of seropositive RA 2.27-fold (p=2.1×10-9), more than the rs2476601-A missense variant in PTPN22 (OR=1.59, p=1.3×10-160). STAT4 rs140675301-A replaces hydrophilic glutamic acid with hydrophobic valine (Glu128Val) in a conserved, surface-exposed loop. A stop-mutation (rs76428106-C) in FLT3 increases seropositive RA risk (OR=1.35, p=6.6×10-11). Independent missense variants in TYK2 (rs34536443-C, rs12720356-C, rs35018800-A, latter two novel) associate with decreased risk of seropositive RA (ORs=0.63-0.87, p=10-9-10-27) and decreased plasma levels of interferon-Alpha/beta receptor 1 that signals through TYK2/JAK1/STAT4. Conclusion Sequence variants pointing to causal genes in the JAK/STAT pathway have largest effect on seropositive RA, while associations with seronegative RA remain scarce.