| 1. |
- Franck, Marina Christina Mikaela, et al.
(författare)
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Urocortin3-expressing neurons in sensory transmission
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Urocortin 3 (UCN3) is a neuropeptide involved in mechanosensation and stress regulation, and Ucn3-Cre neurons have been assigned a role in mechanical itch. Here, we show that Ucn3 marks a population of excitatory neurons in the mouse dorsal horn, divided into two non-overlapping subpopulations expressing protein kinase C g or calretinin/calbindin 2. Chemogenetic activation of spinal Ucn3-Cre neurons evoked a targeted biting/licking behavior towards the corresponding dermatome. Genetic deletion of vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (VGLUT2) in Ucn3-Cre neurons removed the phenotype, showing that the biting/licking behavior is VGLUT2-dependent. Conditional deletion of VGLUT2 did not affect acute thermal or mechanical withdrawal responses, nor thermal withdrawal responses after nerve growth factor-induced hypersensitivity or the prurifensive response to 48/80 or von Frey stimuli applied in nape. Instead, we found that a group of spinal Ucn3 neurons were activated in response to artificial scratching or 48/80-induced itch. Electrophysiological experiments showed that spinal Ucn3 neurons received both glycinergic and GABAergic tonic inhibition, and monosynaptic inputs from both Aβ and C fibers, which could be confirmed by rabies tracing. Spinal Ucn3/Ucn3-Cre neurons thus represent a mechanically sensitive population with several roles in the itch-scratch cycle.
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| 2. |
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| 3. |
- Ceder, Mikaela M., et al.
(författare)
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The glycine receptor alpha 3 subunit mRNA expression shows sex-dependent differences in the adult mouse brain
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Neuroscience. - : Springer Nature. - 1471-2202. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The glycinergic system plays an important inhibitory role in the mouse central nervous system, where glycine controls the excitability of spinal itch- and pain-mediating neurons. Impairments of the glycine receptors can cause motor and sensory deficits. Glycine exerts inhibition through interaction with ligand-gated ion channels composed of alpha and beta subunits. We have investigated the mRNA expression of the glycine receptor alpha 3 (Glra3) subunit in the nervous system as well as in several peripheral organs of female and male mice.Results Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data analysis on the Zeisel et al. (2018) dataset indicated widespread but low expression of Glra3 in vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2, Slc17a6) positive and vesicular inhibitory amino acid transporter (Viaat, Slc32a1)positive neurons of the mouse central nervous system. Highest occurrence of Glra3 expression was identified in the cortex, amygdala, and striatal regions, as well as in the hypothalamus, brainstem and spinal cord. Bulk quantitative real-time-PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated Glra3 expression in cortex, amygdala, striatum, hypothalamus, thalamus, pituitary gland, hippocampus, cerebellum, brainstem, and spinal cord. Additionally, male mice expressed higher levels of Glra3 in all investigated brain areas compared with female mice. Lastly, RNAscope spatially validated Glra3 expression in the areas indicated by the single-cell and bulk analyses. Moreover, RNAscope analysis confirmed co-localization of Glra3 with Slc17a6 or Slc32a1 in the central nervous system areas suggested from the single-cell data.Conclusions Glra3 expression is low but widespread in the mouse central nervous system. Clear sex-dependent differences have been identified, indicating higher levels of Glra3 in several telencephalic and diencephalic areas, as well as in cerebellum and brainstem, in male mice compared with female mice.
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| 4. |
- Doring, Nora, et al.
(författare)
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Primary prevention of childhood obesity through counselling sessions at Swedish child health centres : design, methods and baseline sample characteristics of the PRIMROSE cluster-randomised trial
- 2014
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2458. ; 14:335
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Childhood obesity is a growing concern in Sweden. Children with overweight and obesity run a high risk of becoming obese as adults, and are likely to develop comorbidities. Despite the immense demand, there is still a lack of evidence-based comprehensive prevention programmes targeting pre-school children and their families in primary health care settings. The aims are to describe the design and methodology of the PRIMROSE cluster-randomised controlled trial, assess the relative validity of a food frequency questionnaire, and describe the baseline characteristics of the eligible young children and their mothers. Methods/Design: The PRIMROSE trial targets first-time parents and their children at Swedish child health centres (CHC) in eight counties in Sweden. Randomisation is conducted at the CHC unit level. CHC nurses employed at the participating CHC received training in carrying out the intervention alongside their provision of regular services. The intervention programme, starting when the child is 8-9 months of age and ending at age 4, is based on social cognitive theory and employs motivational interviewing. Primary outcomes are children's body mass index and waist circumference at four years. Secondary outcomes are children's and mothers' eating habits (assessed by a food frequency questionnaire), and children's and mothers' physical activity (measured by accelerometer and a validated questionnaire), and mothers' body mass index and waist circumference. Discussion: The on-going population-based PRIMROSE trial, which targets childhood obesity, is embedded in the regular national (routine) preventive child health services that are available free-of-charge to all young families in Sweden. Of the participants (n = 1369), 489 intervention and 550 control mothers (75.9%) responded to the validated physical activity and food frequency questionnaire at baseline (i.e., before the first intervention session, or, for children in the control group, before they reached 10 months of age). The food frequency questionnaire showed acceptable relative validity when compared with an 8-day food diary. We are not aware of any previous RCT, concerned with the primary prevention of childhood obesity through sessions at CHC that addresses healthy eating habits and physical activity in the context of a routine child health services programme.
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| 5. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Child sexual abuse investigations involving preschool-aged complainants: Which cases are prosecuted?
- 2017
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Ingår i: The European Association of Psychology and Law (EAPL) conference.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Introduction. Child sexual abuse (CSA) cases are notoriously difficult to investigate and prosecute. Previous data from Swedish samples suggest that 10 - 15 % of reported cases are prosecuted, and several studies suggest that prosecution is less likely in investigations involving preschool-aged complainants compared to cases where the complainant is an older child. We aimed to investigate what is required for CSA cases involving preschool-aged complainants to be prosecuted. Method. Data from CSA cases involving preschool-aged children were analyzed (N = 147) using logistic regression. Results. Prosecuted cases were more likely to contain forensic evidence (documentation of abuse, DNA or a corroborative medical examination), while such evidence was not available in any discontinued case. Furthermore, cases were less likely to be prosecuted if there was a custodial dispute between the child’s parents as well as if the family had prior involvement from social services. Cases with more than one complainant were more likely to be prosecuted. Discussion. The results will be discussed in the light of previous research regarding the prosecution of CSA cases and we will offer some guiding suggestions to how these difficult investigations can be facilitated.
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| 6. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Court evaluations of young children's testimony in child sexual abuse cases
- 2018
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Ingår i: Legal and Criminological Psychology. - : Wiley. - 1355-3259. ; 23:2, s. 176-191
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose Prosecutors working with child sexual abuse (CSA) cases involving young children have raised concerns that reliability criteria from the Supreme Court of Sweden are holding children's testimony to impossible standards (e.g., expecting the child's testimony to be long, rich in detail and spontaneous). This study aimed to address these concerns by investigating how District Courts and Courts of Appeal employ said criteria in their testimonial assessments of young child complainants. Methods Court documents from District Courts (n = 100) and Courts of Appeal (n = 45) in CSA cases involving 100 children age 7 years and under were analysed with respect to the courts’ testimonial assessments. Results Testimonial assessments were more frequently referenced in acquitting verdicts and in cases with evidence of low corroborative value. Richness in detail was the most frequently used reliability criterion, followed by spontaneity. Most criteria were used in favour of the children's testimony. However, the length criterion was typically used against the reliability of the children's testimony. Conclusions Our findings confirm prosecutors’ concerns that criteria from the Supreme Court are frequently used in evaluations of young children's testimony. This is troublesome, as some criteria do not correspond to current research on young children's witness abilities. For example, compared to testimony given by older children or adults, testimony provided by a young child is typically not long or rich in detail. We encourage prosecutors to extend their own knowledge on young children's capability as witnesses and present this to the court.
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| 7. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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"It doesn't work at all, that's my experience" : Swedish forensic interviewers' views on interpreter-mediated child interviews
- 2022
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Ingår i: International Journal of Child Abuse & Neglect. - : Pergamon-Elsevier Science Ltd. - 0145-2134 .- 1873-7757. ; 127
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Legal practitioners have expressed concerns regarding the quality of interpreter mediated forensic interviews with child witnesses. Objective: This mixed-methods study aimed to examine Swedish forensic interviewers experiences of conducting child interviews via a language interpreter. Participants and setting: Forty-one forensic interviewers from the Swedish Police Authority with experience conducting interpreter-mediated child interviews participated in a digital survey. Methods: Their responses were analyzed using both qualitative (thematic and content analyses) and quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) approaches. Results: The forensic interviewers general experiences of conducting interpreter-mediated child interviews were negative. Limited access to authorized legal interpreters and doubts regarding the accuracy of interpretation were described as major obstacles in these investigations. The presence of an interpreter could negatively impact childrens disclosure process and limit their chances of expressing their views during legal proceedings. Conclusions: According to Swedish forensic interviewers, the quality of interpreter-mediated child interviews urgently needs to be addressed. Our results are consistent with previous surveys from Australia and the United States, highlighting the international relevance of these topics. Future improvements are vital to ensure that all children are provided an equal right to be heard during criminal investigations, regardless of the native language.
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| 8. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Prosecution of Child Sexual Abuse Cases Involving Preschool-Aged Children: A Study of Swedish Cases from 2010 to 2014
- 2018
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Ingår i: Journal of Child Sexual Abuse. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1053-8712 .- 1547-0679. ; 27:7, s. 832-851
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Alleged child sexual abuse against preschool-aged children is often considered one of the most challenging cases for a prosecutor to handle. The aim of the current study was to examine differences between prosecuted and discontinued cases of alleged sexual abuse of preschool-aged children. Data from Swedish criminal cases of alleged sexual abuse of children ages 2–6 issued from 2010 to 2014 were analyzed (N=130). Prosecuted cases were more likely to contain forensic evidence (documentation of abuse, corroborative DNA evidence, or a corroborative medical examination), or a confession from the suspect, while such evidence was not available in any discontinued case. Furthermore, cases where the child was older, where the prosecutor had decided to conduct an interview with the child, and where there was more than one alleged victim were more likely to be prosecuted. Factors that were associated with a decreased likelihood of prosecution were ongoing custody disputes between parents, foster care placements prior to the abuse, and if the report concerned a boy. Boys and younger children were also less likely to be interviewed. The results suggest that prosecution of sexual abuse cases involving preschool-aged children remains difficult and that there is room for improvements in these investigations.
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| 9. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Prosecutors’ experiences investigating alleged sexual abuse against preschoolers
- 2018
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Ingår i: Annual Conference of the European Association of Psychology and Law 26-29 juni 2018.
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Konferensbidrag (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Objectives: Alleged child sexual abuse (CSA) against preschool-aged children is likely one of the most challenging cases for prosecutors to handle. In cases of alleged CSA, prosecutors are in charge of the preliminary investigation and work together with police and oftentimes, Child Protective Services (CPS). We aimed to examine prosecutors’ experiences processing CSA cases involving preschoolers, their views on the quality of child interviews and collaborating with the police and CPS. Method: 98 experienced child prosecutors took part in a survey regarding their experiences processing cases of alleged CSA involving preschoolers. The responses were analyzed using inferential statistics and thematic analysis. Results: The quality of child interviews was mostly rated as high. The quality of the interview was described as vital to the investigation, and as depending either on the interviewer’s expertise and personality or on the resources available to the police. Collaboration with police was rated as significantly better than collaboration with CPS. One-third of the prosecutors stated that CPS involvement could hamper a criminal investigation, mainly by leaking information to the suspect. The child’s ability and willingness to disclose abuse, alongside with a lack of corroborative evidence and the court’s reliability assessment, were described as the main challenges in the processing of CSA cases involving preschoolers. Conclusions: Investigating and prosecuting CSA cases involving preschoolers remain challenging, but there is room for improvement. CSA cases require an innovative, systematic, and unbiased approach and we encourage further research that can help improve the quality of CSA investigations.
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| 10. |
- Ernberg, Emelie, 1989, et al.
(författare)
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Prosecutors’ experiences investigating alleged sexual abuse against preschoolers
- 2020
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Ingår i: Psychology, Crime and Law. - 1068-316X. ; 26:7, s. 687-709
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Investigating and prosecuting cases of alleged child sexual abuse is challenging, especially if the report concerns a young child. The present study aimed to examine prosecutors’ experiences investigating and prosecuting cases of alleged sexual abuse of pre-schoolers. Ninety-four Swedish child abuse prosecutors participated in a 2017 national survey regarding their work with these cases and their experiences collaborating with police and Child Protective Services (CPS). Their responses were analysed using both quantitative (descriptive and inferential statistics) and qualitative (thematic analysis) approaches. The prosecutors described difficulties eliciting and evaluating testimony from the youngest children, alongside a lack of corroborative evidence, as the main challenges in investigating cases of alleged sexual abuse of pre-schoolers. Some prosecutors reported that an ongoing CPS investigation could negatively affect the criminal investigation. Furthermore, the quality of the investigative child interview was described as paramount to the investigation and as something that could be affected by the interviewer as well as the resources available to the police. Suggestions for future research and potential practical implications for CSA investigations involving pre-schoolers are discussed.
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