Swedish Institute

About: Swedish Institute is a government organization based out in Stockholm, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 1657 authors who have published 2301 publications receiving 103682 citations. The organization is also known as: Svenska Institutet.

Plasma Viral Load in HIV-1 and HIV-2 Singly and Dually Infected Individuals in Guinea-Bissau, West Africa: Significantly Lower Plasma Virus Set Point in HIV-2 Infection Than in HIV-1 Infection

Abstract: Background The intriguing differences in the natural course, transmissibility, and epidemiological characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and HIV-2 are still insufficiently explained. Differences in plasma viral load are an obvious possibility, but this has been difficult to investigate because of the lack of tests for HIV-2 RNA. Objective To compare plasma HIV RNA load between individuals infected with HIV-1 and HIV-2 in Guinea-Bissau, a West African country with high prevalence and incidence of HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection. Methods A total of 102 participants were recruited from ongoing prospective cohort studies. These included 19 HIV-1 and 29 HIV-2 seroincident cases tested at a median of less than 2 years after seroconversion as well as seroprevalent cases with single (9 HIV-1 cases and 31 HIV-2 cases) or dual (n = 14) infections. Plasma HIV RNA levels were determined by a commercial HIV-1 assay and an experimental HIV-2 assay based on the same principles. Results The viral set point, ie, the semi-equilibrium reached after seronconversion, was 28-fold lower in recent HIV-2 seroconverters than in recent HIV-1 seroconverters (median, 2500 and 70,000 RNA copies per milliliter, respectively;P Conclusions The differences between HIV-1 and HIV-2 infection are likely to be caused by differences in plasma viral set point and load, but the mechanisms through which HIV-2 infection is contained to a higher degree than HIV-1 remain to be identified.

A practical guide for transparency in psychological science

Abstract: The credibility of scientific claims depends upon the transparency of the research products upon which they are based (e.g., study protocols, data, materials, and analysis scripts). As psychology navigates a period of unprecedented introspection, user-friendly tools and services that support open science have flourished. However, the plethora of decisions and choices involved can be bewildering. Here we provide a practical guide to help researchers navigate the process of preparing and sharing the products of their research (e.g., choosing a repository, preparing their research products for sharing, structuring folders, etc.). Being an open scientist means adopting a few straightforward research management practices, which lead to less error prone, reproducible research workflows. Further, this adoption can be piecemeal – each incremental step towards complete transparency adds positive value. Transparent research practices not only improve the efficiency of individual researchers, they enhance the credibility of the knowledge generated by the scientific community.

Diversity and Evolution of the Class A Chromosomal Beta-Lactamase Gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae

Abstract: We investigated the diversity of the chromosomal class A beta-lactamase gene in Klebsiella pneumoniae in order to study the evolution of the gene. A 789-bp portion was sequenced in a panel of 28 strains, representative of three phylogenetic groups, KpI, KpII, and KpIII, recently identified in K. pneumoniae and of different chromosomal beta-lactamase variants previously identified. Three groups of sequences were found, two of them corresponding to the families SHV (pI 7.6) and LEN (pI 7.1), respectively, and one, more heterogeneous, corresponding to a new family that we named OKP (for other K. pneumoniae beta-lactamase). Levels of susceptibility to ampicillin, cefuroxime, cefotaxime, ceftazidime, and aztreonam and inhibition by clavulanic acid were similar in the three groups. One new SHV variant, seven new LEN variants, and four OKP variants were identified. The OKP variants formed two subgroups based on nucleotide sequences, one with pIs of 7.8 and 8.1 and the other with pIs of 6.5 and 7.0. The nucleotide sequences of the housekeeping genes gyrA, coding for subunit A of gyrase, and mdh, coding for malate dehydrogenase, were also determined. Phylogenetic analysis of the three genes studied revealed parallel evolution, with the SHV, OKP, and LEN beta-lactamase families corresponding to the phylogenetic groups KpI, KpII, and KpIII, respectively. This correspondence was fully confirmed for 34 additional strains in PCR assays specific for the three beta-lactamase families. We estimated the time since divergence of the phylogenetic groups KpI and KpIII at between 6 and 28 million years, confirming the ancient presence of the beta-lactamase gene in the genome of K. pneumoniae.

Influence of pH, water activity and temperature on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pulsed electric fields

Abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the influence of pH, water activity (aw) and temperature on the killing effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF). Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae suspended in a model media were subjected to 20 pulses with 4 μs duration in a continuous PEF system, during which the effects of pH (4.0–7.0), aw (1.00–0.94) and inlet temperature (10°C and 30°C) could easily be studied. Electrical field strengths were set to 25 kV/cm for S. cerevisiae and 30 kV/cm for E. coli and the highest outlet temperature was monitored to 44°C. A synergy of low pH values, high temperatures and PEF processing was observed. A drop in pH value from 7.0 to 4.0 resulted in the reduction of E. coli by four additional log units, whereas for S. cerevisiae, the pH effect was less pronounced. Lowering aw seems to protect both E. coli and S. cerevisiae from PEF processing.

Socioeconomic inequalities in breast cancer incidence and mortality in Europe—a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract: Background: Breast cancer is the leading cause of female cancer in Europe and is estimated to affect more than one in 10 women Higher socioeconomic status has been linked to higher incidence but lower case fatality, while the impact on mortality is ambiguous Methods: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on studies on association between socioeconomic status and breast cancer outcomes in Europe, with a focus on effects of confounding factors Summary relative risks (SRRs) were calculated Results: The systematic review included 25 articles of which 8 studied incidence, 10 case fatality and 8 mortality The meta-analysis showed a significantly increased incidence (SRR 125, 117–132), a significantly decreased case fatality (SRR 072, 063–081) and a significantly increased mortality (SRR 116, 110–123) for women with higher socioeconomic status The association for incidence became insignificant when reproductive factors were included Case fatality remained significant after controlling for tumour characteristics, treatment factors, comorbidity and lifestyle factors Mortality remained significant after controlling for reproductive factors Conclusion: Women with higher socioeconomic status show significantly higher breast cancer incidence, which may be explained by reproductive factors, mammography screening, hormone replacement therapy and lifestyle factors Lower case fatality for women with higher socioeconomic status may be partly explained by differences in tumour characteristics, treatment factors, comorbidity and lifestyle factors Several factors linked to breast cancer risk and outcome, such as lower screening attendance for women with lower socioeconomic status, are suitable targets for policy intervention aimed at reducing socioeconomic-related inequalities in health outcomes