| 1. |
- Ohlsson, Lina, et al.
(författare)
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Biomarker selection for detection of occult tumour cells in lymph nodes of colorectal cancer patients using real-time quantitative RT-PCR
- 2006
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Ingår i: British Journal of Cancer. - London : Harcourt Publishers. - 0007-0920 .- 1532-1827. ; 95:2, s. 218-225
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Accurate identification of lymph node involvement is critical for successful treatment of patients with colorectal carcinoma (CRC). Real-time quantitative RT–PCR with a specific probe and RNA copy standard for biomarker mRNA has proven very powerful for detection of disseminated tumour cells. Which properties of biomarker mRNAs are important for identification of disseminated CRC cells? Seven biomarker candidates, CEA, CEACAM1-S/L, CEACAM6, CEACAM7-1/2, MUC2, MMP7 and CK20, were compared in a test-set of lymph nodes from 51 CRC patients (Dukes' A–D) and 10 controls. Normal colon epithelial cells, primary tumours, and different immune cells were also analysed. The biomarkers were ranked according to: (1) detection of haematoxylin/eosin positive nodes, (2) detection of Dukes' A and B patients, who developed metastases during a 54 months follow-up period and (3) identification of patients with Dukes' C and D tumours using the highest value of control nodes as cutoff. The following properties appear to be of importance; (a) no expression in immune cells, (b) relatively high and constant expression in tumour tissue irrespective of Dukes' stage and (c) no or weak downregulation in tumours compared to normal tissue. CEA fulfilled these criteria best, followed by CK20 and MUC2.
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| 2. |
- Ohlsson, Lina, et al.
(författare)
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Detection of Tumor Cells in Lymph Nodes of Colon Cancer Patients Using Real-Time Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction
- 2009
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Ingår i: Colorectal Cancer. - NEW YORK : Springer Netherlands. - 9781402095443 - 9781402095450 ; , s. 257-268
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Bokkapitel (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Colorectal cancer is ranked third in worldwide incidence for women and fourth for men representing ͌ 9% of the world cancer or approximately 1 million new cases for 2002 (Parkin et al., 2005). Two thirds of colorectal cancers are located in the colon and one third in the rectum. At diagnosis approximately one third of all patients with colorectal cancer has lymph node positive disease, one third has lymph node-negative disease, and one third has distant metas-tases (Benson et al., 2004). The principal curative treatment for colorectal cancer is surgery. Adjuvant chemotherapy given to lymph node positive colon cancer patients has been shown to increase the survival rate (Haydon, 2003). In rectal cancer patients preoperative irradiation therapy is given to reduce local recurrences and has also been shown to improve survival (Folkesson et al., 2005). Still with these improved treatment modalities only approximately half the number of patients will survive for 5 years. For example, Swedish results for the time period 1995–1999 show a 5-years relative survival of ≈ 57% for both genders (Birgisson et al., 2005).Tumor stage, based on histopathologi-cal examination of the resected specimen, and perioperative findings predict survival. Relative 5-year survival in Dukes' A (T1-2N0M0, Stage I) is 90–95%, Dukes' B (T3-4N0M0, Stage II) 60–80%, Dukes' C (anyTN1-2M0, Stage III) 40–60% and Dukes' D (anyTN0-2M1, Stage IV) < 5% (Staib et al., 2002). Besides distant metas-tases the most important prognostic indicator is the status of the regional lymphatic field showing presence or absence of tumor cells in regional lymph nodes. Given the importance of correctly identifying Dukes' C patients, i.e., patients with lymph node involvement who are eligible for chemotherapy, we have focused on improving the methods for detecting disseminated tumor cells in regional lymph nodes.
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| 3. |
- Aléx, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Balancing within various discourses--the art of being old and living as a Sami woman.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Health Care for Women International. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0739-9332 .- 1096-4665. ; 27:10, s. 873-92
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this part of the Umeå 85+ Study was to explore how indigenous women narrate their lives and their experience of being old as Sami women. Interviews with 9 old Sami women were analyzed using grounded theory. The categories identified were "reindeer as the basis of life," "longing for significant Sami values," "feeling valued as a Sami woman," and "changing for survival;" these evolved into the core category: "balancing within various discourses-the art of being old and living as a Sami woman." Knowing how to balance provided the ability to make use of available opportunities.
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| 4. |
- Aléx, Lena, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older in the north of Sweden.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Nursing. - : Wiley. - 0962-1067 .- 1365-2702. ; 17:4, s. 451-9
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- AIM: The aim was to analyse the construction of masculinities among men aged 85 and older. BACKGROUND: All societies have a gender order, constructed from multiple ideas of what is seen as feminine and masculine. As the group of men aged 85 and older is increasing in size and their demand for care will increase, we must recognize the importance of studying these men and various discourses of masculinities. DESIGN: Qualitative explorative. METHODS: Qualitative content analysis was used to analyse thematic narratives. Masculinity theories provided the point of departure for the analysis. RESULTS: The analysis coalesced into three masculinities. 'Being in the male centre', developed from subthemes as: taking pride in one's work and economic situation; being in the centre in relation to others; regarding women as sexual objects; and belonging to a select group. 'Striving to maintain the male facade' developed from subthemes as: emphasizing 'important' connections; having feelings of loss; striving to maintain old norms and rejecting the fact of being old. 'Being related' was formulated from subthemes as: feeling at home with domestic duties; being concerned; accepting one's own aging; and reflecting on life. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates the importance of being aware of the existence of multiple masculinities, in contrast to the generally unproblematic and unsubtle particular healthcare approaches which consider men as simply belonging to one masculinity. Relevance to clinical practice. Diverse masculinities probably affect encounters between men and healthcare providers and others who work with an older population and therefore our results are of importance in a caring context.
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| 5. |
- Aléx, Lena, et al.
(författare)
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Constructions of various femininities among the oldest old women.
- 2006
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Ingår i: Health Care for Women International. - Washington, D.C. : Informa UK Limited. - 0739-9332 .- 1096-4665. ; 27:10, s. 853-72
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This study forms part of the Umeå 85+ Study, and the aim was to explore various gendered constructions of femininities among the oldest old women. Femininities are seen as various ways of shaping oneself as a woman in relation to the impact of historical, social, and cultural circumstances. Thematic narratives were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Through interpreting these narratives in the light of gender theories, we were able to discern four femininities: "being connected," "being an actor," "living in the shadow of others," and "being alienated." The oldest old women displayed complex outlooks on femininities, and no femininity was interpreted as being in the center related to the other femininities. Further research is needed in order to disclose the complexity of femininities related to factors such as social class, ethnicity, and financial situation among the oldest old, and to acquire a greater knowledge of various femininities.
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| 6. |
- Aléx, Lena, 1948-, et al.
(författare)
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Shift in power during an interview situation : methodological reflections inspired by Foucault and Bourdieu
- 2008
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Ingår i: Nursing Inquiry. - : Wiley. - 1320-7881 .- 1440-1800. ; 15:2, s. 169-176
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- This paper presents methodological reflections on power sharing and shifts of power in various interview situations. Narratives are said to be shaped by our attempts to position ourselves within social and cultural circumstances. In an interview situation, power can be seen as something that is created and that shifts between the interviewer and the interviewed. Reflexivity is involved when we as interviewers attempt to look at a situation or a concept from various perspectives. A modified form of discourse analysis inspired by subject positioning was used to reflect on power relations in four different interview situations. The analyses indicate that reflection on the power relations can lead to other forms of understanding of the interviewee. The main conclusion that can be drawn from this study is that power relations are created within an interview situation and therefore it is important to be aware of dominant perspectives. Researchers and nurses face the challenge of constantly raising their level of consciousness about power relationships, and discursive reflexivity is one way of doing this. Thus, reflexivity is an important part of the qualitative research process.
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| 7. |
- Bengs, Carita, et al.
(författare)
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Gendered portraits of depression in Swedish newspapers
- 2008
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Ingår i: Qualitative Health Research. - Newbury Park, Calif. : Sage Publications. - 1049-7323 .- 1552-7557. ; 18:7, s. 962-973
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Mass media are influential mediators of information, knowledge, and narratives of health and illness. In this article, we report on an examination of personal accounts of illness as presented in three Swedish newspapers, focusing on the gendered representation of laypersons' experiences of depression. A database search identified all articles mentioning depression during the year 2002. Twenty six articles focusing on personal experiences of depression were then subjected to a qualitative content analysis. We identified four themes: displaying a successful facade, experiencing a cracking facade, losing and regaining control, and explaining the illness. We found both similarities and differences with regard to gendered experiences. The mediated accounts of depression both upheld and challenged traditional gender stereotypes. The women's stories were more detailed, relational, emotionally oriented, and embodied. The portrayal of men was less emotional and expressive, and described a more dramatic onset of depression, reflecting hegemonic patterns of masculinity.
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| 8. |
- Danielsson, Ulla EB, 1947-, et al.
(författare)
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Struck by lightning or slowly suffocating : gendered trajectories into depression
- 2009
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Ingår i: BMC Family Practice. - London : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1471-2296. ; 10:1, s. 56-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: In family practice depression is a common mental health problem and one with marked gender differences; women are diagnosed as depressed twice as often as men. A more comprehensive explanatory model of depression that can give an understanding of, and tools for changing, this gender difference is called for. This study explores how primary care patients experience, understand and explain their depression. Methods: Twenty men and women of varying ages and socioeconomic backgrounds diagnosed with depression according to ICD-10 were interviewed in-depth. Data were assessed and analyzed using Grounded Theory. Results: The core category that emerged from analysis was "Gendered trajectories into depression". Thereto, four categories were identified – "Struck by lightning", "Nagging darkness", "Blackout" and "Slowly suffocating" – and presented as symbolic illness narratives that showed gendered patterns. Most of the men in our study considered that their bodies were suddenly "struck" by external circumstances beyond their control. The stories of study women were more diverse, reflecting all four illness narratives. However, the dominant pattern was that women thought that their depression emanated from internal factors, from their own personality or ways of handling life. The women were more preoccupied with shame and guilt, and conveyed a greater sense of personal responsibility and concern with relationships. Conclusion: Recognizing gendered narratives of illness in clinical consultation may have a salutary potential, making more visible depression among men while relieving self-blame among women, and thereby encouraging the development of healthier practices of how to be a man or a woman.
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| 9. |
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| 10. |
- Gillander Gådin, Katja, et al.
(författare)
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A possible contributor to the higher degree of girls reporting psychological symptoms compared with boys in grade nine?
- 2005
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Ingår i: European Journal of Public Health. - Oxford : Oxford University Press (OUP). - 1101-1262 .- 1464-360X. ; 15:4, s. 380-385
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: It is a recurrent finding that adolescent girls report psychological symptoms in a higher degree compared with boys. The explanations for this difference vary, but the psychosocial school environment has never been a focus in these explanations. The aim of this study was to analyse whether psychosocial factors at school were associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms among boys and girls in grade nine, with a special focus on sexual harassment. Methods: The study was based on a cross-sectional study including 336 pupils (175 girls and 161 boys) in grade nine (about 15 years old), who answered an extensive questionnaire. The non-response rate was negligible (<1%). Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse whether school-related factors (teacher support, classmate support, sexual harassment), body image, and parental support were associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms. Results: Sexual harassment at school was associated with a high degree of psychological symptoms among girls. Conclusions: Sexual harassment must be acknowledged as a negative psychosocial school environmental factor of importance for the high degree of psychological ill-health symptoms among girls compared with boys.
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