University of Gothenburg

About: University of Gothenburg is a education organization based out in Gothenburg, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 23855 authors who have published 65241 publications receiving 2606327 citations. The organization is also known as: Göteborg University & Gothenburg University.

Genome-wide association and large-scale follow up identifies 16 new loci influencing lung function

Abstract: Pulmonary function measures reflect respiratory health and are used in the diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. We tested genome-wide association with forced expiratory volume in 1 second and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity in 48,201 individuals of European ancestry with follow up of the top associations in up to an additional 46,411 individuals. We identified new regions showing association (combined P < 5 × 10(-8)) with pulmonary function in or near MFAP2, TGFB2, HDAC4, RARB, MECOM (also known as EVI1), SPATA9, ARMC2, NCR3, ZKSCAN3, CDC123, C10orf11, LRP1, CCDC38, MMP15, CFDP1 and KCNE2. Identification of these 16 new loci may provide insight into the molecular mechanisms regulating pulmonary function and into molecular targets for future therapy to alleviate reduced lung function.

Investigating the relationship between biodiversity and ecosystem multifunctionality: Challenges and solutions

Abstract: Extensive research shows that more species-rich assemblages are generally more productive and efficient in resource use than comparable assemblages with fewer species. But the question of how diversity simultaneously affects the wide variety of ecological functions that ecosystems perform remains relatively understudied, and it presents several analytical and empirical challenges that remain unresolved. In particular, researchers have developed several disparate metrics to quantify multifunctionality, each characterizing different aspects of the concept, and each with pros and cons. We compare four approaches to characterizing multifunctionality and its dependence on biodiversity, quantifying 1) magnitudes of multiple individual functions separately, 2) the extent to which different species promote different functions, 3) the average level of a suite of functions, and 4) the number of functions that simultaneously exceed a critical threshold. We illustrate each approach using data from the pan-European BIODEPTH experiment and the R multifunc package developed for this purpose, evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, and implement several methodological improvements. We conclude that a extension of the fourth approach that systematically explores all possible threshold values provides the most comprehensive description of multifunctionality to date. We outline this method and recommend its use in future research.

Physical activity and muscle training in the elderly.

Abstract: Most elderly people have some kind of regular daily activity, usually closely connected to their daily habits. A six-graded scale for classification of physical activity is presented. Persons with a low physical activity also usually perceive their physical strain as rather light or moderate. There is a reduction with age in muscle volume, muscle strength, and aerobic capacity which are rather parallel. From a muscular point of view there are only moderate qualitative changes up to the ages around 70; at higher ages there will be a tendency to more marked changes in muscle structure. The maximal aerobic power as well as muscle strength can be increased by physical training also in the elderly. At least up to the ages around 70 there will be an adaptation in muscle structure and enzymatic capacity. In very well-trained 70-year-old men high levels of oxidative enzymes are found together with high maximal aerobic power capacity. A positive attitude should be taken towards physical exercise for prevention and rehabilitation also in the elderly.