| 1. |
- Axelsson Olsson, Diana, et al.
(author)
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Acanthamoeba-Campylobacter coculture as a novel method for enrichment of Campylobacter species
- 2007
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In: Applied and Environmental Microbiology. - 0099-2240 .- 1098-5336. ; 73:21, s. 6864-6869
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this study, we present a novel method to isolate and enrich low concentrations of Campylobacter pathogens. This method, Acanthamoeba-Campylobacter coculture (ACC), is based on the intracellular survival and multiplication of Campylobacter species in the free-living protozoan Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Four of the Campylobacter species relevant to humans and livestock, Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli, C. lari, and C. hyointestinalis, were effectively enriched by the coculture method, with growth rates comparable to those observed in other Campylobacter enrichment media. Studying six strains of C. jejuni isolated from different sources, we found that all of the strains could be enriched from an inoculum of fewer than 10 bacteria. The sensitivity of the ACC method was not negatively affected by the use of Campylobacter-selective antibiotics in the culture medium, but these were effective in suppressing the growth of seven different bacterial species added at a concentration of 10(4) CFU/ml of each species as deliberate contamination. The ACC method has advantages over other enrichment methods as it is not dependent on a microaerobic milieu and does not require the use of blood or other oxygen-quenching agents. Our study found the ACC method to be a promising tool for the enrichment of Campylobacter species, particularly from water samples with low bacterial concentrations.
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| 2. |
- Ekman, Elisabet, 1953-, et al.
(author)
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Drug-induced torsades de pointes : a review of the Swedish pharmacovigilance database
- 2008
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In: Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 1053-8569 .- 1099-1557. ; 17, s. 587-592
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIM: To describe spontaneously reported cases of torsades de pointes (TdP) in Sweden and to investigate if this adverse drug reaction (ADR) was labelled in the summary of product characteristics (SPC) for the drugs implicated. METHODS: Reported cases of TdP 1991-2006 were identified and evaluated with regard to drug use and other possible risk factor. RESULTS: Among a total of 61 788 ADRs, 88 cases of TdP were identified. In these cases, 27 different suspected drugs were implicated. Cardiac drugs were involved in most reports (74%; 65/88), with sotalol being the most frequently suspected drug (57%, 58/88). In addition to drug treatment two or more established risk factors were present in 85% of the cases (75/88). Heart disease (90%; 79/88) was the most common risk factor followed by age over 65 years (72%; 63/88) and female gender (70%; 62/88). TdP or QT prolongation were labelled in the SPC for 33% (9/27) of the drugs implicated in the 88 cases. However, supporting evidence for an association was found elsewhere in 56% (15/27) for the different drugs implicated in the reports. Although citalopram was the third most common suspected drug in the reports (10%; 9/88), TdP was not listed in the SPC. CONCLUSION: TdP is a rarely reported ADR. Several risk factors are often present. In two thirds of the drugs implicated in the reports neither TdP nor QT prolongation was labelled in the SPC. Further investigations are needed regarding the association between citalopram and TdP.
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| 3. |
- Erlingsson, Gissur Ólafur, et al.
(author)
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Public Corruption in Swedish Municipalities : Trouble Looming on the Horizon
- 2008
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In: Local Government Studies. - : Routledge. - 1743-9388 .- 0300-3930. ; 34:5, s. 595-608
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In the 1990s, several public corruption scandals were uncovered in Sweden. This article focuses specifically on local corruption, and our purpose is to examine whether a case can be made that problems of public corruption in Swedish municipalities have increased. By applying instruments from the institutional rational choice framework, we reach the conclusion that there are indeed reasons to suspect that retrenchment initiatives and organisational reforms over the last two decades, often labelled 'new public management', have increased the risk of corruption. Although hard empirical data do not yet exist, the suspicion that public corruption in Swedish municipalities may have become an increasing problem cannot be disregarded. Hence, we conclude by calling for further empirical research in this field.
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| 4. |
- Flemme, Inger, et al.
(author)
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Long-term quality of life and uncertainty in patients living with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator.
- 2005
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In: Heart & lung : the journal of critical care. - St. Louis, MO : Elsevier BV. - 0147-9563 .- 1527-3288. ; 34:6, s. 386-92
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- PURPOSE: This study describes the quality of life (QOL) and uncertainty in patients who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and predicts QOL at long-term follow-up. METHODS: Long-term follow-up was defined as 6.9 years +/- 1 year (range 4.11-8.7 years). QOL was measured with the Quality of Life Index, and uncertainty was measured with the Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale. RESULTS: The overall QOL and health/functioning were unchanged over time. QOL in the socioeconomic (P = .002) and psychologic/spiritual domains (P = .012) decreased in the first year. From baseline to long-term follow-up, the QOL in the family domain (P = .011) and uncertainty (P = .002) decreased. Uncertainty was a predictor of low QOL. CONCLUSION: QOL was reasonably good 6.9 years post-ICD implantation. Patients felt less uncertain once they had passed the first year of their illness.
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| 5. |
- Hjelm, Katarina, et al.
(author)
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Beliefs about health and illness in women managed for gestational diabetes in two organisations.
- 2008
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 24:2, s. 168-192
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim was to explore beliefs about health, illness and health care in women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) managed in two different organisations based on diabetology or obstetrics.Semi-structured interviews were made in two different clinics. clinic A: a specialist diabetes clinic with regular contact with a diabetologist and antenatal care provided by a midwifeclinic B: a specialist maternity clinic providing regular contact with a midwife, a structured programme for self-monitoring of blood glucose and insulin treatment, and a 1-day diabetes class by an obstetrician, a diabetologist, a midwife and a dietician. The clinics were located at two different university hospitals in Sweden.Participants were a consecutive sample of Swedish women diagnosed with GDM; 13 managed in clinic A and 10 managed in clinic B.The findings showed that women described their perceptions of as well-being, being healthy and freedom from disease. All respondents reported a delay in the provision of information about GMD and an information gap about GDM and the management of the condition, from diagnosis until the start of treatment at the specialist clinic. Respondents from clinic A expressed fear about future development of type 2 diabetes. Women from clinic B discussed different causes of GDM, and many claimed that health-care staff informed them that GDM was a transient condition during pregnancy. Respondents from clinic A reported a conflict in their treatment of pregnancy and GDM as two different conditions.Beliefs differed and were related to the health-care model chosen.
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| 6. |
- Hjelm, Katarina, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Beliefs about health and illness postpartum in women born in Sweden and the Middle East.
- 2009
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In: Midwifery. - : Elsevier. - 0266-6138 .- 1532-3099. ; 25:5, s. 564-575
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim was to explore beliefs about health and illness three months postpartum in women born in Sweden and the Middle East, and to study whether they perceive gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) as a prediabetic condition. Methods: an explorative study using semi-structured interviews 3 months postpartum. Interviews were held three months after birth. Consecutive sample of women with GDM; 13 born in Sweden and 14 born in the Middle East. The results showed that irrespective of origin, health was focused on well-being and being able to care for the baby. Many Middle Eastern women did not know how long GDM would last or said that they had been informed by staff about its transience. They worried about still having diabetes mellitus, and the disease directed them to self-monitoring of blood glucose and the desire for health-care staff to verify the disease. They showed tendencies to dietary changes. Swedish-born women feared development of type 2 DM and had undertaken active health-related behaviour. In conlusion, beliefs about health and illness differ, change and affect awareness of risk and self-care practice postpartum. Swedish women showed high risk awareness with changes in life style and the desire for more information to avoid developing DM. Middle Eastern women showed increased risk awareness and sought help from staff in checking whether GDM was present in the postpartum period. For clinical practice it is important to recognise that Middle Eastern women, in contrast to Swedish-born women, have not incorporated the message that GDM is a risk marker for future development of DM. Health professionals have a significant role in supporting women and their families undergoing the transition to motherhood, particularly migrants in a new country. Identifying individual beliefs is of utmost importance. Pre-existing baby health clinics can be developed to address mothers' needs as well as the health of the baby.
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| 7. |
- Hjelm, Katarina, 1958-, et al.
(author)
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Diabetic persons with foot ulcers and their perceptions of hyperbaric oxygen chamber therapy
- 2009
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In: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - Malden, MA, USA : Blackwell Publishing. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 18:14, s. 1975-1985
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- To our knowledge there are no patients" evaluations of diabetes care in a high-technology area like the hyperbaric oxygen chamber. The burden on persons with diabetic foot complications might be increased if adjuvant therapy with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) within a locked airtight vessel is given. Aim: To elucidate how diabetic patients with limb-threatening foot lesions perceive and evaluate content and organisation of treatment in a multi-place hyperbaric oxygen chamber. Design/participants: An explorative study. Participants were included in the HODFU study, a prospective randomised double-blind study, designed to evaluate whether HBOT heals more chronic foot ulcers than placebo treatment with hyperbaric air. Six females and 13 males, aged 44-83 years (Md 70), with diabetic foot ulcers, participated. Method: Focus-group interviews were held by an external evaluator. Results: Management was perceived as well-functioning with competent staff delivering quick treatment in a positive manner and in good co-operation. HBOT sessions, in groups, were described as unproblematic and pleasant, through sharing experiences with others, although time-consuming and tiring. Recognising the responsible physician and communication with other physicians in the health-care chain was perceived as problematic. Placebo treatment, when given, did not reveal any problems; many perceived HBOT as the last resort and respondents had a negative view of future health and expressed fears of new wounds and amputation. Conclusions and implications: From patients" perspective HBOT in the delivered health-care model was perceived as well-functioning, taking into consideration both technical and relational aspects of care in this high-technology environment. Communication with the patient and between different care givers, with a consistent message given and information about who is responsible and to whom one should turn, wherever treated, is the most crucial aspect of the model. Future fears need to be recognised and group interaction can be encouraged to share the burden of disease.
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| 8. |
- Koinberg, Inga-Lill, et al.
(author)
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The usefulness of a multidisciplinary educational programme after breast cancer surgery : A prospective and comparative study
- 2006
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In: European Journal of Oncology Nursing. - London : Elsevier. - 1462-3889 .- 1532-2122. ; 10, s. 273-82
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the study was to compare and evaluate a multidisciplinary educational programme with traditional follow-up visits to a physician after breast cancer surgery in terms of well-being, aspects of self-care and coping ability 1 year after diagnosis. A reduction in the intensity of follow-up after breast cancer surgery is recommended. New follow-up models are being debated and could be of interest. The study design was non-randomised and comparative. Ninety-six consecutively selected women with newly diagnosed breast cancer, classified as stage I or stage II, participated in either a multidisciplinary educational programme (n = 5 0), or traditional follow-up by a physician (n = 4 6). Three questionnaires were used: Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G), a study specific questionnaire regarding self-care aspects (SCA) and Sense of Coherence (SOC). With the exception of physical well-being at baseline there was no significant difference between the groups. The women in the multidisciplinary educational programme increased their physical and functional well-being (P < 0.0 1). The women in traditional follow-up by a physician increased their functional well-being while social/family well-being (P < 0.0 1) decreased over time. There was a statistically significant difference in SOC (P < 0.0 0 1) in the traditional follow-up by a physician between baseline (mean=74.4, SD=12.4) and the 1-year follow up (mean=67.7, SD=11.4). Thus, women in the traditional follow-up by a physician scored lower in the area of SOC 1 year after diagnosis. A multidisciplinary educational programme may be an alternative to traditional follow-up by a physician after breast cancer surgery, but more research is needed about the financial benefits and effectiveness of such a programme.
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| 9. |
- Latorre-Margalef, Neus, et al.
(author)
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Effects of influenza A virus infection on migrating mallard ducks
- 2009
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In: Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Biological Sciences. - : The Royal Society. - 0962-8452 .- 1471-2954. ; 276:1659, s. 1029-1036
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The natural reservoir of influenza A virus is waterfowl, particularly dabbling ducks (genus Anas). Although it has long been assumed that waterfowl are asymptomatic carriers of the virus, a recent study found that low-pathogenic avian influenza (LPAI) infection in Bewick's swans (Cygnus columbianus bewickii) negatively affected stopover time, body mass and feeding behaviour. In the present study, we investigated whether LPAI infection incurred ecological or physiological costs to migratory mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) in terms of body mass loss and staging time, and whether such costs could influence the likelihood for long-distance dispersal of the avian influenza virus by individual ducks. During the autumn migrations of 2002-2007, we collected faecal samples (n = 10 918) and biometric data from mallards captured and banded at Ottenby, a major staging site in a flyway connecting breeding and wintering areas of European waterfowl. Body mass was significantly lower in infected ducks than in uninfected ducks (mean difference almost 20 g over all groups), and the amount of virus shed by infected juveniles was negatively correlated with body mass. There was no general effect of infection on staging time, except for juveniles in September, in which birds that shed fewer viruses stayed shorter than birds that shed more viruses. LPAI infection did not affect speed or distance of subsequent migration. The data from recaptured individuals showed that the maximum duration of infection was on average 8.3 days (s.e. 0.5), with a mean minimum duration of virus shedding of only 3.1 days (s.e. 0.1). Shedding time decreased during the season, suggesting that mallards acquire transient immunity for LPAI infection. In conclusion, deteriorated body mass following infection was detected, but it remains to be seen whether this has more long-term fitness effects. The short virus shedding time suggests that individual mallards are less likely to spread the virus at continental or intercontinental scales.
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| 10. |
- Lindstroem, Marianne, et al.
(author)
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Attitudes towards the Conservation of Biological Diversity - a Case Study in Kristianstad Municipality, Sweden
- 2006
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In: Journal of Environmental Planning and Management. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0964-0568 .- 1360-0559. ; 49:4, s. 495-513
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Human actions towards land, freshwater and oceans have already caused biodiversity to decline. This study aims to investigate attitudes towards the conservation of biological biodiversity among different groups in a Swedish city, Kristianstad. An inquiry including statements measuring attitudes towards the conservation of habitats, animals and plants, to the biological diversity within selected local areas, to global and national areas, and to societal issues, was replied to by 271 persons. Deciduous forests, birds and wild flowers were given highest priority. An area categorized as wetland including lakeshore meadows with a rich bird life was prioritized as most important for conservation while a forest area was chosen as best for recreation. The experts gave lower priority to arable land, urban parks, domestic animals, agricultural and garden plants and to conifer forests compared to the other groups. Knowledge about what people in general value as important could facilitate the future planning of nature areas in the city of Kristianstad.
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