Nitrogen isotope analysis of ammonium and glycine

Stable isotope techniques can be used as a tool in nitrogen cycling studies of different ecosystems. The studies are based on measurement of the heavy (15N)- to- light (14N) isotopic ratios of nitrogen in different biospheric pools. Isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) is the most precise technique to use for analysis of nitrogen isotopic ratios. This thesis deals with the development of methods for compound-specific nitrogen isotope analysis of ammonium and glycine in aqueous solutions and soil extracts using Gas Chromatography - Combustion (GC-C) - IRMS. For ammonium, three different techniques were developed: equilibrium headspace analysis, solid phase microextraction (SPME) and the purge and trap (P & T) technique, which were all based on conversion of ammonium to ammonia with subsequent separation of ammonia for analysis. In the SPME and P & T approaches, custom-made absorbents were used for pre-concentration, followed by thermal desorption into the GC-C-IRMS system. For the equilibrium headspace technique, high precision measurements of the nitrogen isotopic ratio were obtained for concentrations above 420 mg N L-1. With further improvements and the use of suitable equipment, the method has the potential to be used for solutions containing ammonium in the low mg N L-1 range. The SPME technique increased the sensitivity by a factor of » 3 compared to the headspace technique, but was less precise. In addition, the NafionÒ material used for absorption showed a memory effect in the desorption step. With the P & T technique a large variation in the measured isotopic value was observed (using solutions containing 2 mg N L-1) which was due to a non-quantitative thermal desorption. However, with further improvements, the P & T technique has the potential to be used for samples containing below 1.0 µg N, which is a much lower amount than that possible with any method used today. A method for determination of the nitrogen isotopic ratio in free glycine in soil extracts was also developed. By a combination of sample pre-concentration and Isotope Dilution Mass Spectrometry (IDMS), it was possible to determine isotopic ratio in soil extracts with a glycine concentration of only 3 µM (0.042 mg N L-1). The precision obtained was sufficient for use with tracer studies and was higher by an order of magnitude than the precision obtained with conventional GC-MS

Chronic fatigue syndromes: real illnesses that people can recover from

The ‘Oslo Chronic Fatigue Consortium’ consists of researchers and clinicians who question the current narrative that chronic fatigue syndromes, including post-covid conditions, are incurable diseases. Instead, we propose an alternative view, based on research, which offers more hope to patients. Whilst we regard the symptoms of these conditions as real, we propose that they are more likely to reflect the brain's response to a range of biological, psychological, and social factors, rather than a specific disease process. Possible causes include persistent activation of the neurobiological stress response, accompanied by associated changes in immunological, hormonal, cognitive and behavioural domains. We further propose that the symptoms are more likely to persist if they are perceived as threatening, and all activities that are perceived to worsen them are avoided. We also question the idea that the best way to cope with the illness is by prolonged rest, social isolation, and sensory deprivation. Instead, we propose that recovery is often possible if patients are helped to adopt a less threatening understanding of their symptoms and are supported in a gradual return to normal activities. Finally, we call for a much more open and constructive dialogue about these conditions. This dialogue should include a wider range of views, including those of patients who have recovered from them

Sjuksköterskors erfarenhet av evidensbaserad omvårdnad : en systematisk litteraturöversikt

Validerat; 20101217 (root

Susceptibility to infections, without concomitant hyper-IgE, reported in 1976, is caused by hypomorphic mutation in the phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) gene

Phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) is an enzyme converting N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate to N-acetylglucosamine-l-phosphate, a precursor important for glycosylation. Mutations in the PGM3 gene have recently been identified as the cause of novel primary immunodeficiency with a hyper-IgE like syndrome. Here we report the occurrence of a homozygous mutation in the PGM3 gene in a family with immunodeficient children, described already in 1976. DNA from two of the immunodeficient siblings was sequenced and shown to encode the same homozygous missense mutation, causing a destabilized protein with reduced enzymatic capacity. Affected individuals were highly prone to infections, but lack the developmental defects in the nervous and skeletal systems, reported in other families. Moreover, normal IgE levels were found. Thus, belonging to the expanding group of congenital glycosylation defects, PGM3 deficiency is characterized by immunodeficiency, with or without increased IgE levels, and with variable forms of developmental defects affecting other organ systems

Susceptibility to infections, without concomitant hyper-IgE, reported in 1976, is caused by hypomorphic mutation in the phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) gene

Phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) is an enzyme converting N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate to N-acetylglucosamine-l-phosphate, a precursor important for glycosylation. Mutations in the PGM3 gene have recently been identified as the cause of novel primary immunodeficiency with a hyper-IgE like syndrome. Here we report the occurrence of a homozygous mutation in the PGM3 gene in a family with immunodeficient children, described already in 1976. DNA from two of the immunodeficient siblings was sequenced and shown to encode the same homozygous missense mutation, causing a destabilized protein with reduced enzymatic capacity. Affected individuals were highly prone to infections, but lack the developmental defects in the nervous and skeletal systems, reported in other families. Moreover, normal IgE levels were found. Thus, belonging to the expanding group of congenital glycosylation defects, PGM3 deficiency is characterized by immunodeficiency, with or without increased IgE levels, and with variable forms of developmental defects affecting other organ systems

Susceptibility to infections, without concomitant hyper-IgE, reported in 1976, is caused by hypomorphic mutation in the phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) gene

Phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) is an enzyme converting N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate to N-acetylglucosamine-l-phosphate, a precursor important for glycosylation. Mutations in the PGM3 gene have recently been identified as the cause of novel primary immunodeficiency with a hyper-IgE like syndrome. Here we report the occurrence of a homozygous mutation in the PGM3 gene in a family with immunodeficient children, described already in 1976. DNA from two of the immunodeficient siblings was sequenced and shown to encode the same homozygous missense mutation, causing a destabilized protein with reduced enzymatic capacity. Affected individuals were highly prone to infections, but lack the developmental defects in the nervous and skeletal systems, reported in other families. Moreover, normal IgE levels were found. Thus, belonging to the expanding group of congenital glycosylation defects, PGM3 deficiency is characterized by immunodeficiency, with or without increased IgE levels, and with variable forms of developmental defects affecting other organ systems

Susceptibility to infections, without concomitant hyper-IgE, reported in 1976, is caused by hypomorphic mutation in the phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) gene

Phosphoglucomutase 3 (PGM3) is an enzyme converting N-acetyl-glucosamine-6-phosphate to N-acetylglucosamine-l-phosphate, a precursor important for glycosylation. Mutations in the PGM3 gene have recently been identified as the cause of novel primary immunodeficiency with a hyper-IgE like syndrome. Here we report the occurrence of a homozygous mutation in the PGM3 gene in a family with immunodeficient children, described already in 1976. DNA from two of the immunodeficient siblings was sequenced and shown to encode the same homozygous missense mutation, causing a destabilized protein with reduced enzymatic capacity. Affected individuals were highly prone to infections, but lack the developmental defects in the nervous and skeletal systems, reported in other families. Moreover, normal IgE levels were found. Thus, belonging to the expanding group of congenital glycosylation defects, PGM3 deficiency is characterized by immunodeficiency, with or without increased IgE levels, and with variable forms of developmental defects affecting other organ systems