| 1. |
- Berthold, Anne, et al.
(författare)
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Cultivation Methods of Spirochetes from Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu Lato Complex and Relapsing Fever Borrelia
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Visualized Experiments. - : MyJove Corporation. - 1940-087X. ; 2022:189
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The Borrelia consists of three groups of species, those of the Lyme borreliosis (LB) group, also known as B. burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) and recently reclassified into Borreliella, the relapsing fever (RF) group Borrelia, and a third reptile-associated group of spirochetes. Culture-based methods remain the gold standard for the laboratory detection of bacterial infections for both research and clinical work, as the culture of pathogens from bodily fluids or tissues directly detects replicating pathogens and provides source material for research. Borrelia and Borreliella spirochetes are fastidious and slow growing, and thus are not commonly cultured for clinical purposes; however, culture is necessary for research. This protocol demonstrates the methodology and recipes required to successfully culture LB and RF spirochetes, including all recognized species from B. burgdorferi s.l. complex including B. afzelii, B. americana, B. andersonii, B. bavariensis, B. bissettii/bissettiae, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (s.s.), B. californiensis, B. carolinensis, B. chilensis, B. finlandensis, B. garinii, B. japonica, B. kurtenbachii, B. lanei, B. lusitaniae, B. maritima, B. mayonii, B. spielmanii, B. tanukii, B. turdi, B. sinica, B. valaisiana, B. yangtzensis, and RFspirochetes, B. anserina, B. coriaceae, B. crocidurae, B. duttonii, B. hermsii, B. hispanica, B. persica, B. recurrentis, and B. miyamotoi. The basic medium for growing LB and RF spirochetes is the Barbour-Stoenner-Kelly (BSK-II or BSK-H) medium, which reliably supports the growth of spirochetes in established cultures. To be able to grow newly isolated Borrelia isolates from tick-or host-derived samples where the initial spirochete number is low in the inoculum, modified Kelly-Pettenkofer (MKP) medium is preferred. This medium also supports the growth of B. miyamotoi. The success of the cultivation of RF spirochetes also depends critically on the quality of ingredients.
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| 2. |
- Bharate, Jaideep B., et al.
(författare)
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K2S2O8-mediated coupling of 6-amino-7-aminomethyl-thiazolino-pyridones with aldehydes to construct amyloid affecting pyrimidine-fused thiazolino-2-pyridones
- 2021
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Ingår i: Organic and biomolecular chemistry. - : The Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1477-0520 .- 1477-0539. ; 19:44, s. 9758-9772
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We herein present the synthesis of diversely functionalized pyrimidine fused thiazolino-2-pyridones via K2S2O8-mediated oxidative coupling of 6-amino-7-(aminomethyl)-thiazolino-2-pyridones with aldehydes. The developed protocol is mild, has wide substrate scope, and does not require transition metal catalyst or base. Some of the synthesized compounds have an ability to inhibit the formation of Amyloid-β fibrils associated with Alzheimer's disease, while others bind to mature amyloid-β and α-synuclein fibrils.
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| 3. |
- Blom, Lisa, et al.
(författare)
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Little All Children in Focus (Little ACF), evaluation of a parental support program for parents of children aged 1–2 years : study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
- 2023
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Ingår i: Trials. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1745-6215. ; 24:1
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Child health and development can be promoted by strengthening and supporting parents. Research on parental support programs based on positive psychology and a health-promoting approach aimed at all parents, and in particular parents of infants is limited. All Children in Focus (ACF) is a parental support program that has been evaluated in a randomized trial in parents of children 3–12 years. The ACF is based on health promotion aiming to increase parents’ confidence and child’s well-being. In the current study, we will study the effects of a revised version of the ACF called Little ACF adapted to parents with children aged 1–2 years.Methods: The study includes a randomized controlled trial (RCT) taking place at several Child Health Centers (CHCs) in Sweden. The RCT will evaluate the efficacy of Little ACF (intervention) in comparison with four digital lectures about child development and parenting (active control). Parents are recruited at the 10-, 12-, or 18-month visits to CHC by CHC-nurses. Data to assess changes in parental competencies and child socio-emotional development are collected through online questionnaires completed by parents at five time points: baseline, post-intervention, after 6 and 12 months, and when the child is 3 years old.Discussion: The paper describes a study protocol of a randomized controlled trial evaluating the effects of a parental support program during infancy. Several issues related to the methodology and implementation are discussed.Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05445141. Registered on 6 July 2022.
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| 4. |
- Bryhn, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Kunskapsunderlag om möjliga icke-torskfiskerelaterade åtgärder för att torskbestånd ska bevaras och återhämta sig i svenska vatten
- 2020
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Rapport (refereegranskat)abstract
- Torsk (Gadus morhua) är en viktig art för marina ekosystem i Sverige, där den har en strukturerande och reglerande funktion i relation till andra arter. Torsken har under historiens gång även spelat en viktig roll för samhället i Sverige inom dess nuvarande gränsers område (Bohuslän har t.ex. inte alltid tillhört Sverige), som en målart för fiske. Samtliga torskbestånd som återfinns i havsområdena runt Sverige har nu dålig status och det internationella havsforskningsrådet ICES rekommenderar låg eller ingen fångst, beroende på bestånd. Utöver riktat fiske påverkas dock torsken av en rad andra faktorer som exempelvis bifångster i annat fiske, syrebrist, klimatförändringar, predatorer, parasiter, bottenpåverkan av trålning, förlust av uppväxtmiljöer, födobrist, tiaminbrist och giftiga ämnen. Denna rapport diskuterar möjligheter att skydda och bevara torsken på sätt som kan komplettera begränsningar i det riktade torskfisket. Torskens situation är komplex och rapporten är därför skriven utifrån ett ekosystemperspektiv för att möjliggöra en bredare ansats i förvaltningen av torskbestånd i svenska vatten, där alla relevanta påverkansfaktorer bör beaktas. Det bör poängteras att denna rapport inte har gjort någon ny utredning av påverkansfaktorernas effekter, utan har istället gjort en litteratursammanställning och en kvalitativ analys. Vi har ändå valt att lyfta fram vissa åtgärder som särskilt potentiellt betydelsefulla - en samlad kvalitativ expertbedömning som rangordnar olika åtgärders effektivitet för återuppbyggnad per bestånd, se avsnitt 6 i rapporten.
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| 5. |
- Bryhn, Andreas, et al.
(författare)
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Which factors can affect the productivity and dynamics of cod stocks in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak?
- 2022
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Ingår i: Ocean and Coastal Management. - : Elsevier BV. - 0964-5691 .- 1873-524X. ; 223
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Stocks of Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat and Skagerrak (N. Europe) have been strongly exploited for decades bringing them into an enduringly depleted status. Scientific cod stock related advice for targeted and mixed fisheries is provided on an annual basis by the International Council for Exploration of the Sea. This advice forms a basis for ministerial decisions on, e.g., the total allowable catch and management plans. Despite measures to reduce fishing-induced mortality of cod, such as catch and effort restrictions, increased gear selectivity, closed areas and seasons, clear signs of recovery are yet to be seen. Thus, traditional advice for the management of these stocks may have to be complemented by advice on supporting measures focusing on other pressures hampering the recovery of cod. The present study elaborates on potential supportive measures for cod stock recovery in the Baltic Sea, Kattegat, and Skagerrak (including local populations where applicable), based on current knowledge. The list of measures presented here is the outcome of in-depth discussions on the state-of-the-art knowledge, among cod experts and further with stakeholders with the aim to follow principles of ecosystem-based fisheries management. Following the identification of different pressures on and prerequisites for the separate stocks, the listed measures differ between stocks and include cod bycatch mortality reduction, alterations in fisheries affecting food sources for cod, restocking, protection of juvenile habitats, and reduced predation. The literature review and the list of measures are intended to provide decision-support for managers and policymakers aiming to provide conditions for the cod stocks to recover.
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| 6. |
- Curtis, Michael W., et al.
(författare)
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Identification of amino acid domains of Borrelia burgdorferi P66 that are surface exposed and important for localization, oligomerization, and porin function of the protein
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2235-2988. ; 12
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- P66, a bifunctional integral outer membrane protein, is necessary for Borrelia burgdorferi to establish initial infection and to disseminate in mice. The integrin binding function of P66 facilitates extravasation and dissemination, but the role of its porin function during murine infection has not been investigated. A limitation to studying P66 porin function during mammalian infection has been the lack of structural information for P66. In this study, we experimentally characterized specific domains of P66 with regard to structure and function. First, we aligned the amino acid sequences of P66 from Lyme disease-causing Borrelia and relapsing fever-causing Borrelia to identify conserved and unique domains between these disease-causing clades. Then, we examined whether specific domains of P66 are exposed on the surface of the bacteria by introducing c-Myc epitope tags into each domain of interest. The c-Myc epitope tag inserted C-terminally to E33 (highly conserved domain), to T187 (integrin binding region domain and a non-conserved domain), and to E334 (non-conserved domain) were all detected on the surface of Borrelia burgdorferi. The c-Myc epitope tag inserted C-terminally to E33 and D303 in conserved domains disrupted P66 oligomerization and porin function. In a murine model of infection, the E33 and D303 mutants exhibited decreased infectivity and dissemination. Taken together, these results suggest the importance of these conserved domains, and potentially P66 porin function, in vivo.
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| 7. |
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| 8. |
- Hallman, David, 1979-, et al.
(författare)
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Working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak in Sweden: effects on 24-h time-use in office workers
- 2021
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer. - 1471-2458. ; 21
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered national recommendations encouraging people to work from home (WFH), but the possible impact of WFH on physical behaviors is unknown. This study aimed to determine the extent to which the 24-h allocation of time to different physical behaviors changes between days working at the office (WAO) and days WFH in office workers during the pandemic.Methods: Data were collected on 27 office workers with full-time employment at a Swedish municipal division during the COVID-19 outbreak in May–July 2020. A thigh-worn accelerometer (Axivity) was used to assess physical behavior (sedentary, stand, move) during seven consecutive days. A diary was used to identify periods of work, leisure and sleep. 24-h compositions of sedentary, standing and moving behaviors during work and non-work time were examined using Compositional data analysis (CoDA), and differences between days WAO and days WFH were determined using repeated measures ANOVA.Results: Days WFH were associated with more time spent sleeping relative to awake, and the effect size was large (F = 7.4; p = 0.01; ηp2 = 0.22). The increase (34 min) in sleep time during WFH occurred at the expense of a reduction in work and leisure time by 26 min and 7 min, respectively. Sedentary, standing and moving behaviors did not change markedly during days WFH compared to days WAO.Conclusion: Days working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden were associated with longer duration of sleep than days working at the office. This behavioral change may be beneficial to health.
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| 9. |
- Heiden, Marina, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Mismatch between actual and preferred extent of telework: cross-sectional and prospective associations with well-being and burnout
- 2023
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Ingår i: BMC Public Health. - : Springer. - 1471-2458. ; 23
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: This study aimed to determine whether telework mismatch, i.e., lack of fit between actual and preferred extent of telework, is cross-sectionally and prospectively associated with well-being and burnout.Methods: A questionnaire was sent to employees in a Swedish manufacturing company in November 2020 (baseline) and September 2021 (follow-up). It contained questions about well-being (WHO-5 Well-Being Index) and burnout (Copenhagen Psychosocial Questionnaire III), as well as the preferred extent of telework and extent of telework performed. Telework mismatch was calculated as the difference between the actual and preferred extent of telework. Change in mismatch over time was categorized as 1) less mismatch at follow-up than at baseline, 2) more mismatch at follow-up, and 3) identical levels of mismatch at baseline and follow-up. Multivariate and univariate analyses of variance were used to determine the effects of mismatch and change in mismatch over time on baseline ratings and changes in ratings of well-being and burnout. All analyses were performed with and without adjustment for age, sex, marital status, children, type of employment, commuting time and extent of telework performed.Results: The response rate was 39% at baseline (n=928, 67% men, mean(SD) age: 45(11) years) and 60% at follow-up (n=556, 64% men, mean(SD) age: 46(11) years). A cross-sectional association was found between telework mismatch and well-being, showing that employees who teleworked more than they would like reported worse well-being than those who teleworked less than they would like. No statistically significant association was found between telework mismatch and burnout. The ability of telework mismatch at baseline to predict changes in well-being or burnout over 10 months was small and non-significant. No association was found between change in telework mismatch over the 10-month period and corresponding changes in well-being or burnout.Conclusion: Our results suggest that telework should be thoughtfully practiced in companies/organizations to avoid negative consequences for employees who already telework more than they prefer. Studies are needed to determine how long-term changes in match between preferred and actual extent of telework is associated with employee well-being, including how the association is modified by the nature of the job and the work environment.
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| 10. |
- Heiden, Marina, 1974-, et al.
(författare)
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Productivity, Well-Being and Work-Family Conflict in Mandatory Telework during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 2021
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Ingår i: Proceedings of the International Ergonomics Association Conference 2021.
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Konferensbidrag (refereegranskat)abstract
- SUMMATIVE STATEMENT Results from an ongoing questionnaire study on telework during the COVID-19 pandemic show that mandatory telework (as opposed to voluntary), but not the extent of telework, is associated with poor well-being and more family-to-work conflict.KEYWORDS: Corona, survey, telecommutingPROBLEM STATEMENT Most of what is known today about attitudes and preferences regarding telework is based on studies where telework is an available option in certain occupational groups (Allen, et al., 2015). During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, many organizations have implemented telework to an unprecedented extent, with employees being required or strongly recommended to work from home, in order to reduce the spread of the virus and protect people at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19. This means that more employees are now teleworking, and for long periods of time, not by choice, but by necessity. Some of these employees have previous experience of telework, and some have not.When telework is not voluntary, recommendations for how to arrange telework based on previous findings may not apply. Studies of consequences of telework, and whether they differ between voluntary and mandatory telework, may contribute to a better understanding of how recommendations should look, and how they should be implemented.RESEARCH OBJECTIVE/QUESTION The aim of this study is to determine the association between telework practice (i.e., extent of telework, previous experience of telework, and whether telework is mandatory or voluntary) and self-reported productivity, well-being and work-family conflict.METHODOLOGY In an ongoing survey among employees in private and public organizations, an electronic questionnaire was distributed between June and December 2020 to 2859 employees, of which 1157 responded. The questionnaire addressed the extent of telework performed now, whether it was mandatory or voluntary, previous experience of telework, productivity (Haapakangas, et al., 2018), well-being (Winther Topp, et al., 2015), and work-family conflict (Carlson, et al., 2000). It also included questions about satisfaction with IT tools/support and number of work hours per week (actual hours as well as hours according to the employment contract).The questionnaire data have been analyzed using linear regression to determine the association between the extent of telework (in hours/week) and the outcomes productivity, well-being and work-family conflict (i.e., work-to-family conflict and family-to-work conflict). In the regression models, previous experience of telework (≥ 1 year) and whether telework was mandatory were also included as predictors. The analyses were performed with and without adjustment for satisfaction with IT tools/support and actual working hours relative to working hours according to the employment contract.RESULTSThe results showed that the extent of telework had a marginal effect on all outcomes. Employees who had teleworked for less than 1 year reported less work-to-family and family-to-work conflict than employees who had more than 1 year of telework experience. Whether telework was mandatory appeared to have no association with productivity ratings, but mandatory telework was associated with poorer well-being and more family-to-work conflict.When the regression models were adjusted for satisfaction with IT tools/support and actual working hours relative to working hours according to the employment contract, associations between telework practice and outcomes remained largely the same. Satisfaction with IT tools/support had a large effect on productivity, well-being and work-to-family conflict. Working longer hours (i.e., working more hours than according to the employment contract) was associated with increased productivity but also more work-to-family conflict. DISCUSSIONThe association between mandatory telework, poor well-being and more family-to-work conflict could possibly be explained by reduced autonomy at work. When it is not possible to decide when to telework and which work tasks to perform during telework, telework may not offer the opportunities to achieve better work-life balance that voluntary telework does. Reasonably, this effect would be stronger among more experienced teleworkers.CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that the extent of telework performed during the COVID-19 pandemic does not affect self-rated productivity, well-being and work-family conflict. Mandatory telework, however, was associated with poor well-being and more family-to-work conflict, compared to voluntary telework. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTSThe study was conducted within the research program Flexible Work: Opportunity and Challenge funded by the Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and Welfare (reg. no. 2019-01257) and AFA Insurance (reg. no. 200244). REFERENCESAllen, T.D., Golden, T.D., & Shockley, K.M. (2015). How effective is telecommuting? Assessing the status of our scientific findings. Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 16(2), 40–68.Carlson, D.S., Kacmar, K.M., & Williams, L.J. (2000). Construction and initial validation of a multidimensional measure of work–family conflict. Journal of Vocational Behavior, 56, 249-276.Haapakangas, A., Hallman, D.M., Mathiassen, S.E., & Jahncke, H. (2018). Self-rated productivity and employee well-being in activity-based offices: The role of environmental perceptions and workspace use. Building and Environment, 145, 115-124.Winther Topp, C., Dinesen Østergaard, S., Søndergaard, S., & Bech, P. (2015). The WHO-5 Well-Being Index: a systematic review of the literature. Psychotherapy and Psychosomatics, 84(3), 167-176.
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