| 1. |
- Palm, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Digitalisering och arbetsmiljö
- 2020
-
Ingår i: Framtidens arbetsmiljö – trender, digitalisering och anställningsformer. - 9789198596151 ; , s. 33-80
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)
|
|
| 2. |
|
|
| 3. |
- Aronsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Growth of pulsed electric field exposed Escherichia coli in relation to inactivation and environmental factors
- 2004
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Food Microbiology. - 0168-1605 .- 1879-3460. ; 93:1, s. 1-10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Pulsed electric fields (PEF) have been proven to inactivate microorganisms during nonthermal conditions and have the potential to replace thermal processing as a method for food preservation. However, there is a need to understand the recovery and growth of survivors and potentially injured microorganisms following PEF processing. The purpose of this investigation was to study the growth of Escherichia coli at 10°C following exposure to electrical field strengths (15, 22.5 and 30 kV/cm) in relation to inactivation and the amount of potentially sublethally injured cells. One medium was used as both a treatment medium and an incubation medium, to study the influence of environmental factors on the inactivation and the growth of the surviving population. The pH (5.0, 6.0 and 7.0) and water activity (1.00, 0.985 and 0.97) of the medium was varied by adding HCl and glycerol, respectively. Growth was followed continuously by measuring the optical density. The time-to-detection (td) and the maximum specific growth rate (?max) were calculated from these data. Results showed that the PEF process did not cause any obvious sublethal injury to the E. coli cells. The number of survivors was a consequence of the combination of electrical field strength and environmental factors, with pH being the most prominent. Interestingly, the ?max of subsequent growth was influenced by the applied electrical field strength during the process, with an increased ?max at more intense electrical field strengths. In addition, the ?max was also influenced by the pH and water activity. The td, which could theoretically be considered as an increase in shelf life, was found to depend on a complex correlation between electrical field strength, pH and water activity. That could be explained by the fact that the td is a combination of the number of survivors, the recovery of sublethal injured cells and the growth rate of the survivors. © 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.
|
|
| 4. |
- Aronsson, Kristina, 1973
(författare)
-
Inactivation, Cell Injury and Growth of Microorganisms Exposed to Pulsed Electric Fields Using a Continuous Process
- 2002
-
Doktorsavhandling (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Pulsed electric fields (PEF) is a proven technology to inactivate microorganisms under non-thermal conditions. The PEF technology has a potential as a "quality friendly" alternative to traditional methods of food preservation. The PEF method involves the application of short pulses of high electric field strength to a food product (or another medium) which is placed between two electrodes. Microbial cells which are exposed to electric fields for a period of time respond by structural changes of the cell membrane, leading to cell inactivation. To obtain high quality food products, also safe for consumption, an understanding of the mechanism of microbial inactivation is necessary. This study provides evidence that permeabilization is involved in the inactivation of vegetative cells of microorganisms. Increased membrane permeabilization corresponds to a higher number of cells being inactivated. Apparently, PEF does not cause sublethal injury to bacterial cells. The critical factors determining microbial inactivation by PEF can essentially be classified as process parameters, microbial characteristics, and factors stemming from the cell environment. In this study, the PEF effect was found to be highly species dependent, with yeast cells being more sensitive than bacterial cells. Among the bacterial species, the Gram positive genera were the least affected. Greater microbial inactivation could be achieved by an increase in any one of the process parameters evaluated in this study, such as electric field strength, pulse duration, number of pulses and process temperature. A non-linear model, which includes electric field strength, pulse duration and number of pulses as independent variables, was shown to describe the kinetics of PEF inactivation well. The microbial inactivation is also significantly affected by environmental factors in the surrounding media, such as pH and aw. The PEF effect is significantly enhanced at lower pH values. The effect of changing the aw was less pronounced; however, it seems to have a slightly protective effect, giving a better survival at lower aw values. To predict the shelf life of a PEF processed product, it is important to understand subsequent recovery and growth of survivors during product storage and distribution. In this study, the growth following exposure to PEF was found to be linked to environmental factors as well as process factors, with a higher growth rate resulting from more severe treatment conditions. The number of surviving cells was found to be the most important factor determining time-to-detection.
|
|
| 5. |
- Aronsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in relation to membrane permeabilization and subsequent leakage of intracellular compounds due to pulsed electric field processing
- 2005
-
Ingår i: International Journal of Food Microbiology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0168-1605 .- 1879-3460. ; 99:1, s. 19-32
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Membrane permeabilization, caused by pulsed electric field (PEF) processing of microbial cells, was investigated by measurement of propidium iodide (PI) uptake with flow cytometry. Inactivation of Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua and Saccharomyces cerevisiae was determined by viable counts, and leakage of intracellular compounds, such as ATP and UV-absorbing substances, was measured in the extracellular environment. Electrical field strength and pulse duration influenced membrane permeabilization of all three tested organisms of which S. cerevisiae was the most PEF sensitive, followed by E. coli and L. innocua. It was shown by viable counts, PI uptake and leakage of intracellular compounds that L. innocua was the most resistant. Increased inactivation corresponded to greater numbers of permeabilized cells, which were reflected by increased PI uptake and larger amounts of intracellular compounds leaking from cells. For E. coli and L. innocua, a linear relationship was observed between the number of inactivated cells (determined as CFU) and cells with permeated membranes (determined by PI uptake), with higher number of inactivated cells than permeated cells. Increased leakage of intracellular compounds with increasing treatment severity provided further evidence that cells were permeabilized. For S. cerevisiae, there was higher PI uptake after PEF treatments, although very little or no inactivation was observed. Results suggest that E. coli and L. innocua cells, which took up PI, lost their ability to multiply, whereas cells of S. cerevisiae, which also took up PI, were not necessarily lethally permeabilized. © 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 6. |
- Aronsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Inactivation of microorganisms using pulsed electric fields : The influence of process parameters on Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies. - 1466-8564 .- 1878-5522. ; 2:1, s. 41-54
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study examines the killing effect of pulsed electric fields (PEF) on four organisms suspended in a model medium. Escherichia coli, Listeria innocua, Leuconostoc mesenteroides and Saccharomyces cerevisiae differ in size, shape and cell wall construction. The electric field strength, pulse duration and number of pulses were varied in the ranges of 25-35 kV/cm, 2-4 ?s and 20-40 pulses, respectively. The results showed that S. cerevisiae was the most sensitive organism with a 6-log reduction, followed by E. coli with a 5.4-log reduction, when they were exposed to 30 kV/cm, and 20 pulses with 4 ?s duration. The most resistant organisms were L. innocua and L. mesenteroides with only a 3-log reduction, however, by increasing the parameters to 35 kV/cm and 40 pulses with 4 ?s pulse duration; marked viability reductions of 8 and 7 log, respectively, were observed. Heat, which is generated during the process, has limited killing effect on the cells, hence the observed reduction can be ascribed to the PEF treatment. Although transmission electron microscopy of PEF treated cells did not confirm membrane damage, observations suggest that PEF treatments have profound direct or indirect effects on the intracellular organisation of microorganisms. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
|
|
| 7. |
- Aronsson, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Influence of pH, water activity and temperature on the inactivation of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae by pulsed electric fields
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies. - 1466-8564 .- 1878-5522. ; 2:2, s. 105-112
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)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 ?s 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. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.
|
|
| 8. |
- Aronsson, Maria, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of a tight control regime with monthly follow-up on remission rates and reported pain in early rheumatoid arthritis
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Musculoskeletal Care. - : Wiley. - 1557-0681 .- 1478-2189. ; 21:1, s. 159-168
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To determine whether a tight control (TC) regime with monthly consultations to the physician for the first 6 months, could increase remission rate and improve reported pain of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods: In this single-centre, TC study, with monthly visits to the physician, a cohort of 100 patients with early RA was consecutively included. They were compared with a reference cohort of 100 patients from the same clinic that had been conventionally managed. The patients were followed for 2 years. Results: The patients in the TC cohort had lower 28- joints disease activity score (DAS28) at three, six, 12 and 24 months, compared with the conventionally managed cohort, p <= 0.001. At 12 months, 71% in the TC cohort versus 46% in the conventional cohort were in remission (DAS28 < 2.6) and at 24 months 68% versus 49% respectively, p < 0.05. The TC cohort reported less pain at three, six, 12 and 24 months, p < 0.001. Multiple logistical regression analyses adjusted for, respectively, age, disease duration, pharmacological treatment, DAS28 and visual analogue scale pain at inclusion, revealed that participation in the TC cohort had an independent positive association with remission at 12 and 24 months and with acceptable pain at 24 months. Conclusion: The intensive follow-up schedule for patients with early RA improved remission and led to improvement in reported pain and physical function. The positive effect of a TC regime in early disease may be due to increased empowerment, developed by meeting health professionals frequently.
|
|
| 9. |
|
|
| 10. |
- Berggren, Ulf, 1948, et al.
(författare)
-
Tobacco use is associated with more severe alcohol dependence, as assessed by the number of DSM-IV criteria, in Swedish male type 1 alcoholics.
- 2007
-
Ingår i: Alcohol and alcoholism (Oxford, Oxfordshire). - : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 0735-0414 .- 1464-3502. ; 42:3, s. 247-51
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: A high smoking prevalence has been reported in treatment-seeking alcohol-dependent individuals. It has also been suggested that alcohol-dependent individuals who smoke may have a more severe course and greater severity of their alcoholism. METHODS: This study evaluated the impact of tobacco use in 108 Swedish male type 1 alcohol-dependent individuals, recruited by advertisement in a local daily newspaper. They were sub-grouped into smokers (N = 50), snuffers (N = 12) and tobacco nonusers (N = 46). The number of criteria for the diagnosis of alcohol dependence was used to assess the severity of alcohol dependence. RESULTS: The smokers were significantly younger compared to the tobacco non-using group, and also younger at their onset of excessive alcohol consumption. Both smokers and snuffers fulfilled significantly more DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence than tobacco nonusers. Furthermore, significantly higher proportions of smokers and snuffers fulfilled the criteria no 2 (experiencing withdrawal syndrome) and no 7 (continuing to use alcohol despite problems). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that not only smoking, but also snuffing, is associated with greater severity of alcohol dependence, as reflected by the greater number of DSM-IV criteria.
|
|
| 11. |
- Eger, Katrien, et al.
(författare)
-
The effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on severe asthma care in Europe : will care change for good?
- 2022
-
Ingår i: ERJ Open Research. - : European Respiratory Society (ERS). - 2312-0541. ; 8:2
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has put pressure on healthcare services, forcing the reorganisation of traditional care pathways. We investigated how physicians taking care of severe asthma patients in Europe reorganised care, and how these changes affected patient satisfaction, asthma control and future care. Methods In this European-wide cross-sectional study, patient surveys were sent to patients with a physician-diagnosis of severe asthma, and physician surveys to severe asthma specialists between November 2020 and May 2021. Results 1101 patients and 268 physicians from 16 European countries contributed to the study. Common physician-reported changes in severe asthma care included use of video/phone consultations (46%), reduced availability of physicians (43%) and change to home-administered biologics (38%). Change to phone/video consultations was reported in 45% of patients, of whom 79% were satisfied or very satisfied with this change. Of 709 patients on biologics, 24% experienced changes in biologic care, of whom 92% were changed to home-administered biologics and of these 62% were satisfied or very satisfied with this change. Only 2% reported worsening asthma symptoms associated with changes in biologic care. Many physicians expect continued implementation of video/phone consultations (41%) and home administration of biologics (52%). Conclusions Change to video/phone consultations and home administration of biologics was common in severe asthma care during the COVID-19 pandemic and was associated with high satisfaction levels in most but not all cases. Many physicians expect these changes to continue in future severe asthma care, though satisfaction levels may change after the pandemic.
|
|
| 12. |
|
|
| 13. |
- Hedlund, Malin, et al.
(författare)
-
Type I IFN system activation in newborns exposed to Ro/SSA and La/SSB autoantibodies in utero
- 2020
-
Ingår i: RMD Open. - : BMJ. - 2056-5933. ; 6:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: In utero exposure of the fetus to Ro/La autoantibodies may lead to congenital heart block (CHB). In the mother, these autoantibodies are associated with activation of the type I interferon (IFN)-system. As maternal autoantibodies are transferred to the fetus during pregnancy, we investigated whether the type I IFN-system is activated also in newborns of anti-Ro/La positive mothers, and whether fetal IFN activation is affected by maternal immunomodulatory treatment.METHODS: Blood drawn at birth from anti-Ro/La positive mothers, their newborns and healthy control pairs was separated into plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). PBMC were analysed directly or cultured. mRNA expression was analysed by microarrays, cell surface markers by flow cytometry, and IFNα levels by immunoassays.RESULTS: We observed increased expression of IFN-regulated genes and elevated plasma IFNα levels not only in anti-Ro/La positive women, but also in their newborns. CD14+ monocytes of both anti-Ro/La positive mothers and their neonates showed increased expression of Sialic acid-binding Ig-like lectin-1, indicating cellular activation. Notably, the IFN score of neonates born to mothers receiving immunomodulatory treatment was similar to that of controls, despite persistent IFN activation in the mothers. In both maternal and neonatal PBMC, IFNα production was induced when cells were cultured with anti-Ro/La positive plasma.CONCLUSIONS: Ro/La autoantibody-exposed neonates at risk of CHB have signs of an activated immune system with an IFN signature. This study further demonstrates that neonatal cells can produce IFNα when exposed to autoantibody-containing plasma, and that maternal immunomodulatory treatment may diminish the expression of IFN-regulated genes in the fetus.
|
|
| 14. |
- Lindgren, M., et al.
(författare)
-
Simulation of the temperature increase in pulsed electric field (PEF) continuous flow treatment chambers
- 2002
-
Ingår i: Innovative Food Science & Emerging Technologies. - 1466-8564 .- 1878-5522. ; 3:3, s. 233-245
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The application of intense pulsed electric fields (PEF) in foods is intended to be a non-thermal method to inactivate microorganisms. However, it is well known that an increase in temperature is present in this process due to ohmic heating, where the pulsed electric field energy input is transformed into heat. The aim of this study was to investigate the computer modeled temperature increase in the outflow for different flow-through PEF treatment chamber designs. Given equal experimental conditions, the temperature increase is indicative of the PEF dose, and a more uniform temperature profile is thus indicative of a more homogeneous PEF treatment. The radial distribution of the temperature increase was simulated in computer models of four different chambers. The temperature increase was found to be more homogeneous in the treatment chambers making use of a decrease in the insulator diameter, i.e. a design letting the insulators and electrodes intersect at angles close to 90°. The maximum temperature increase was found close to the wall, where the flow velocity is low. Cooling of the electrodes and electric insulators is recommended to avoid too high a temperature increase. The minimum temperature increase found was 29% of the calculated average in the worst case studied here. The minimum PEF dose to which the food was subjected would thus is less than the intended dose, since the food clearly was not subjected to the intended electric field strength during the intended exposure time. This is an important result in terms of food safety in the sense that a minimum PEF treatment should be guaranteed. The microbiological inactivation was experimentally evaluated using two of the treatment chamber designs. The result is consistent with the simulations and shows a small increase in inactivation and less needed energy input giving less average temperature increase for the chamber implementing a contraction of the diameter of the insulating spacer. © 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
|
|
| 15. |
- Lundgren, Markus, et al.
(författare)
-
Analgesic antipyretic use among young children in the TEDDY study : No association with islet autoimmunity
- 2017
-
Ingår i: BMC Pediatrics. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2431. ; 17:1
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The use of analgesic antipyretics (ANAP) in children have long been a matter of controversy. Data on their practical use on an individual level has, however, been scarce. There are indications of possible effects on glucose homeostasis and immune function related to the use of ANAP. The aim of this study was to analyze patterns of analgesic antipyretic use across the clinical centers of The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young (TEDDY) prospective cohort study and test if ANAP use was a risk factor for islet autoimmunity. Methods: Data were collected for 8542 children in the first 2.5 years of life. Incidence was analyzed using logistic regression with country and first child status as independent variables. Holm's procedure was used to adjust for multiplicity of intercountry comparisons. Time to autoantibody seroconversion was analyzed using a Cox proportional hazards model with cumulative analgesic use as primary time dependent covariate of interest. For each categorization, a generalized estimating equation (GEE) approach was used. Results: Higher prevalence of ANAP use was found in the U.S. (95.7%) and Sweden (94.8%) compared to Finland (78.1%) and Germany (80.2%). First-born children were more commonly given acetaminophen (OR 1.26; 95% CI 1.07, 1.49; p = 0.007) but less commonly Non-Steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) (OR 0.86; 95% CI 0.78, 0.95; p = 0.002). Acetaminophen and NSAID use in the absence of fever and infection was more prevalent in the U.S. (40.4%; 26.3% of doses) compared to Sweden, Finland and Germany (p < 0.001). Acetaminophen or NSAID use before age 2.5 years did not predict development of islet autoimmunity by age 6 years (HR 1.02, 95% CI 0.99-1.09; p = 0.27). In a sub-analysis, acetaminophen use in children with fever weakly predicted development of islet autoimmunity by age 3 years (HR 1.05; 95% CI 1.01-1.09; p = 0.024). Conclusions: ANAP use in young children is not a risk factor for seroconversion by age 6 years. Use of ANAP is widespread in young children, and significantly higher in the U.S. compared to other study sites, where use is common also in absence of fever and infection.
|
|
| 16. |
|
|
| 17. |
- Magnusson, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
-
C-14 in spent ion-exchange resins and process water from nuclear reactors – A method for quantitative determination of organic and inorganic fractions
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0236-5731 .- 1588-2780. ; 275:2, s. 261-273
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A method of separately quantifying organic and inorganic 14C compounds present in spent ion-exchange resins and process water from nuclear power reactors has been developed. Extraction of carbon compounds is accomplished by means of acid stripping (inorganic 14C) and subsequent wet oxidation (organic 14C) or by N2 purging in combination with a catalytic furnace (oxidized and reduced gaseous compounds) with organic and inorganic 14C species collected separately. Recovery experiments on simulated samples spiked with 14C-labeled sodium carbonate, sodium acetate and sodium formate, showed extraction yields of 94–98%. The sample-specific procedures were also tested on authentic samples of spent resins and reactor water with good results. Validation and reliability of the procedures are presented and the method is compared to previous methods reported in the literature.
|
|
| 18. |
|
|
| 19. |
- Magnusson, Åsa, et al.
(författare)
-
Characterization of C-14 in Swedish light-water reactors
- 2008
-
Ingår i: Health Physics. - 1538-5159. ; 95:2, s. 110-121
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents the results of a 4-y investigation of C-14 in different waste streams of both boiling water reactors (BWRs) and pressurized water reactors (PWRs). Due to the potential impact of C-14 on human health, minimizing waste and releases from the nuclear power industry is of considerable interest. The experimental data and conclusions may be implemented to select appropriate waste management strategies and practices at reactor units and disposal facilities. Organic and inorganic C-14 in spent ion exchange resins, process water systems, ejector off-gas and replaced steam generator tubes were analyzed using a recently developed extraction method. Separate analysis of the chemical species is of importance in order to model and predict the fate of C-14 within process systems as well as in dose calculations for disposal facilities. By combining the results of this investigation with newly calculated production rates, mass balance assessments were made of the C-14 originating from production in the coolant. Of the C-14 formed in the coolant of BWRs, 0.6-0.8% was found to be accumulated in the ion exchange resins (core-specific production rate in the coolant of a 2,500 MWth BWR calculated to be 580 GB(q) GW(e)(-1) y(-1)). The corresponding value for PWRs was 6-10% (production rate in a 2,775 MWth PWR calculated to be 350 GBq GW(e)(-1) y(-1)). The C-14 released with liquid discharges was found to be insignificant, constituting less than 0.5% of the production in the coolant. The stack releases, routinely measured at the power plants, were found to correspond to 60-155% of the calculated coolant production, with large variations between the BWR units.
|
|
| 20. |
|
|
| 21. |
|
|
| 22. |
- Palmér, Cecilia, et al.
(författare)
-
Effective communications on invasive alien species : Identifying communication needs of Swedish domestic garden owners
- 2023
-
Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Management. - 0301-4797 .- 1095-8630. ; 340
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Invasive alien species threaten biodiversity with domestic gardens acting as a major pathway for the introduction of alien species. Even though the Nordic region is not currently a hotspot for biological invasions, the number of invasions in the Nordic area has been predicted to increase due to climate change. Given a time lag between introduction and invasion, many non-invasive horticultural alien species already introduced into gardens may become invasive in the future. This study aimed to identify the communication needs of Swedish garden owners regarding their management of invasive alien species. A survey among domestic garden owners, informed by topic specialists and local area experts, and interviews with garden owners were conducted in three different bio-climatic areas in a latitudinal gradient across Sweden. The questions targeted invasive alien species and their relations to biodiversity loss and climate change, as well as measures taken to control these species. Analysing the survey data collected in relation to measures taken to control invasive species, Bayesian Additive Regression Tree (BART) modelling was used to identify geographically varying communication needs of the domestic garden owners. In all study areas, the garden owners' measures taken to control invasive alien species were correlated with their strength of beliefs in having experienced local biodiversity loss. A majority of the garden owners were, moreover, uncertain about the impact of climate change on the invasiveness of alien species. In addition, the garden owners' capacity for identifying invasive alien species was often in need of improvement, in particular with respect to the species Impatiens glandulifera, Reynoutria japonica and Rosa rugosa. The results suggest that the evidence-based guidelines for effective communications we developed, have the potential to help communicators meet the local communication needs of garden owners across Sweden, in relation to the management of invasive alien garden species.
|
|
| 23. |
- Starck, Göran, et al.
(författare)
-
Anterior to posterior hippocampal MRS metabolite difference is mainly a partial volume effect.
- 2010
-
Ingår i: Acta radiologica. - : SAGE Publications. - 1600-0455 .- 0284-1851. ; 51:3, s. 351-359
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The concentration of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) in hippocampus, as measured with magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and the ratio of NAA/(choline (Cho) + creatine (Cr)) are valuable tools in the lateralization of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). MRS of hippocampus is also increasingly used to study certain psychiatric and degenerative diseases. However, the reliability of such measurements of hippocampus has been questioned. PURPOSE: To re-evaluate MRS imaging data from prior control subjects with regard to variation of metabolite concentrations in hippocampus from anterior to posterior and the partial volume (R)contribution to the measurements from adjacent tissue. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twelve healthy subjects, mean age 33 years, were studied with MRS imaging. The measurement volume was angled along the temporal horns and metabolite concentration images were reconstructed at the MR system. Regions of interest (ROIs) in the anterior, medial, and posterior parts of both hippocampi were evaluated. Signal normalization to the total MRS signal from all ROIs permitted pooling of individual data with different and unknown signal scaling. One subject was re-examined with a high resolution three-dimensional (3D) volume of the brain for evaluation of partial volumes in the MRS examination. RESULTS: Overall, there were significantly lower concentrations of NAA in the anterior parts, and of (Cho+Cr) in the posterior parts, while the NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio in the posterior parts of the mesial temporal lobes was significantly higher. Hippocampus accounted for one-half, one-third, and one-quarter of the anterior, middle, and posterior ROIs, respectively. The NAA/(Cho+Cr) ratio thus showed a reverse relationship to the relative volume of hippocampal tissue within the ROI. CONCLUSION: Metabolite concentrations in the mesial temporal lobe obtained with MRS imaging represent the mean value of hippocampus and a considerable amount of adjacent tissue. To assess the hippocampus alone, an actual voxel well below 1 cm(3) and a sub-centimeter slice thickness are required.
|
|
| 24. |
- Taloyan, Marina, et al.
(författare)
-
Sickness presenteeism predicts suboptimal self-rated health and sickness absence : a nationally representative study of the Swedish working population
- 2012
-
Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 7:9
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Earlier studies have suggested that sickness presenteeism (SP) may be a risk factor for future health problems. The purpose of the present study was to test this in a nationally representative prospective study of Swedish workers.METHODS: Prospective cohort with a representative sample of the Swedish working population surveyed in 2008 and 2010. Odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression.RESULTS: Those who reported more than 7 days of SP had higher risk of suboptimal SRH compared to those who reported no SP (OR = 5.95; 95% CI 4.98-7.12), also after adjustment for confounders (OR = 1.64; 95% CI 1.30-2.06). Those who reported 1-7 days of SP also had an increased risk before and after adjustments. Inclusion of self-rated physical and psychological work capacity did not attenuate the associations, whereas of emotional exhaustion attenuated the ORs to non-significance for both outcomes, indicating that the health consequences associated with SP are largely related to mental health.CONCLUSION: The results strengthen earlier findings suggesting that SP can be a risk factor for future suboptimal general health and sickness absence, particularly through mental health problems. This indicates that asking about SP could yield important information for employers, occupational health practitioners and GPs, possibly leading to more timely intervention that could decrease the risk of future sickness absence and more serious health problems, especially in the mental domain. Further studies of the possible causal pathways between SP and future health development are also warranted, especially since going to work is often seen as desirable also for those with poor health.
|
|
| 25. |
- Teär Fahnerhjelm, Kristina, et al.
(författare)
-
Belysning och utveckling av undersökningsrum : Multifunktionsrum i sjukvården
- 2012
-
Rapport (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Employees in an eye hospital spend many hours in semidarkness or darkness performing visually demanding activities that can cause fatigue and eye strain. As preparation for the planning of a new eye hospital, this project was initiated in order to produce knowledge of how to improve lighting in examination rooms. Current light conditions at S:t Erik Eye Hospital were assessed including questionnaires to employees/patients, and measurements of luminance, space analyses and energy consumption. Visits to other prominent eye hospitals and a literature review were performed. The questionnaires revealed that eyestrain problems were common in eye care professionals, especially in women. Working in dark rooms increased the subjective feeling of fatigue. Many, but not all, lacked daylight. The general lighting system was often insufficient with poor light distribution, shadows, and a colour temperature that in general was too low. Improvements included possibilities to regulate inflow of daylight, installation of remote controls, and timing and level of adaptation to different light levels. These improvements have been tested in a real scale installation that used the latest technology in terms of artificial lighting, a lighting control systems and a novel solution to control daylight. Five different light scenarios were preinstalled and evaluated by professionals and patients. A majority reported an improvement compared with traditional solutions. Current and actual energy consumption was monitored. Simulations of future consumption points to a possible energy reduction by 50 %, using new lighting technology, daylight and optimal room design. With improved logistics, new buildings and new work organization, energy savings can be even higher, around 70 %.
|
|
| 26. |
- Vikhoff-Baaz, Barbro, et al.
(författare)
-
Lateralisation with magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging in temporal lobe epilepsy: an evaluation of visual and region-of-interest analysis of metabolite concentration images.
- 2001
-
Ingår i: Neuroradiology. - 0028-3940. ; 43:9, s. 721-7
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We carried out spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) on nine consecutive patients with temporal lobe epilepsy being assessed for epilepsy surgery, and nine neurologically healthy, age-matched volunteers. A volume of interest (VOI) was angled along the temporal horns on axial and sagittal images, and symmetrically over the temporal lobes on coronal images. Images showing the concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and of choline-containing compounds plus creatine and phosphocreatine (Cho + Cr) were used for lateralisation. We compared assessment by visual inspection and by signal analysis from regions of interest (ROI) in different positions, where side-to-side differences in NAA/(Cho + Cr) ratio were used for lateralisation. The NAA/ (Cho + Cr) ratio from the different ROI was also compared with that in the brain stem to assess if the latter could be used as an internal reference, e. g., for identification of bilateral changes. The metabolite concentration images were found useful for lateralisation of temporal lobe abnormalities related to epilepsy. Visual analysis can, with high accuracy, be used routinely. ROI analysis is useful for quantifying changes, giving more quantitative information about spatial distribution and the degree of signal loss. There was a large variation in NAA/ (Cho + Cr) values in both patients and volunteers. The brain stem may be used as a reference for identification of bilateral changes.
|
|
| 27. |
- Yang, Jimin, et al.
(författare)
-
Factors associated with longitudinal food record compliance in a paediatric cohort study.
- 2015
-
Ingår i: Public Health Nutrition. - 1475-2727. ; :Jun 19, s. 1-10
-
Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Non-compliance with food record submission can induce bias in nutritional epidemiological analysis and make it difficult to draw inference from study findings. We examined the impact of demographic, lifestyle and psychosocial factors on such non-compliance during the first 3 years of participation in a multidisciplinary prospective paediatric study.
|
|
