| 1. |
- Vuorinen, V., et al.
(author)
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Modelling aerosol transport and virus exposure with numerical simulations in relation to SARS-CoV-2 transmission by inhalation indoors
- 2020
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In: Safety Science. - : Elsevier BV. - 0925-7535. ; 130
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We provide research findings on the physics of aerosol and droplet dispersion relevant to the hypothesized aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 during the current pandemic. We utilize physics-based modeling at different levels of complexity, along with previous literature on coronaviruses, to investigate the possibility of airborne transmission. The previous literature, our 0D-3D simulations by various physics-based models, and theoretical calculations, indicate that the typical size range of speech and cough originated droplets (d⩽20μm) allows lingering in the air for O(1h) so that they could be inhaled. Consistent with the previous literature, numerical evidence on the rapid drying process of even large droplets, up to sizes O(100μm), into droplet nuclei/aerosols is provided. Based on the literature and the public media sources, we provide evidence that the individuals, who have been tested positive on COVID-19, could have been exposed to aerosols/droplet nuclei by inhaling them in significant numbers e.g. O(100). By 3D scale-resolving computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, we give various examples on the transport and dilution of aerosols (d⩽20μm) over distances O(10m) in generic environments. We study susceptible and infected individuals in generic public places by Monte-Carlo modelling. The developed model takes into account the locally varying aerosol concentration levels which the susceptible accumulate via inhalation. The introduced concept, ’exposure time’ to virus containing aerosols is proposed to complement the traditional ’safety distance’ thinking. We show that the exposure time to inhale O(100) aerosols could range from O(1s) to O(1min) or even to O(1h) depending on the situation. The Monte-Carlo simulations, along with the theory, provide clear quantitative insight to the exposure time in different public indoor environments.
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| 2. |
- Garde, A. H., et al.
(author)
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Effects of lifestyle factors on concentrations of salivary cortisol in healthy individuals
- 2009
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Clinical & Laboratory Investigation. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1502-7686 .- 0036-5513. ; 69:2, s. 242-250
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Objective . Salivary cortisol is widely used in occupational health research. However, many ordinary daily activities can influence the concentrations of cortisol and the interpretation of field studies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of lifestyle factors on salivary cortisol in everyday settings. Material and methods . Healthy employees participated in one or more sub-studies on the effect of eating a vegetable salad versus protein-rich mid-day meal (n=40), drinking coffee and smoking (n=12), drinking alcohol (n=32), awakening at different times (n=29) and exercising (n=21). Cortisol in saliva was measured by radioimmunoassay (RIA). Results . When eating a mid-day meal, salivary cortisol was increased by 10 % (CI -1 % to 24 %) 1 h after eating compared to before eating in the case of both types of meal. Salivary cortisol increased by 80 % (CI 9 % to 199 %) after exercising compared to before exercise. The relative awakening response was approximately 100 % when using an alarm clock on both work-days and days off. However, the awakening response was 39 % (CI 10 % to 75 %) on a day off with spontaneous awakening. No effects of alcohol, coffee or smoking were observed. Discussion . In field studies, the biological variation in salivary cortisol may be reduced by restricting physical exercise and in collecting pre-meal samples. However, the protein content of food and moderate consumption of alcohol had no effect on concentrations of cortisol. Differences in relative awakening responses on work-days and days off are related to time and mode of awakening.
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| 3. |
- Hedberg, Suzanne, et al.
(author)
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BEST: Bypass equipoise sleeve trial; rationale and design of a randomized, registry-based, multicenter trial comparing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass with sleeve gastrectomy
- 2019
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In: Contemporary Clinical Trials. - : Elsevier BV. - 1551-7144 .- 1559-2030. ; 84
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Laparoscopic gastric bypass (LGBP) is a well-documented surgical intervention for severe obesity. Recently, laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) has gained increased popularity. Short-term follow-up in limited-sized randomized trials comparing LGBP and LSG show no major differences in weight-loss, adverse events, or effect on comorbidities; however, there is a lack of sufficiently powered, pragmatic, randomized controlled trials comparing the mid- and long-term results of the two methods. Method: BEST is a randomized, registry-based, multicenter trial comparing LGBP and LSG. The trial has two primary outcomes; rates of substantial complications (SC) and total body weight loss. We hypothesize that patients treated with LSG will experience 35% fewer substantial complications during the 5-year follow-up compared to patients treated with LGBP, and that the efficacy of LSG will remain within a non-inferiority margin of 5% in terms of weight loss. Our sample size calculation, using data from the Scandinavian Obesity Surgery Registry (SOReg), shows a power of 80% for SC and > 95% for weight loss at p < .025 with a total of 2100 included patients. The design of the trial will also enable comparisons within several relevant patient subgroups. Conclusions: As a large-sized, pragmatic, randomized trial, BEST will provide robust data comparing LGBP with LSG by generating long-term results on weight loss and SC's, as well as secondary outcomes and comparisons within patient subgroups. The use of a well-established registry for registration of all data facilitates a large multicenter trial, and combines the strengths of registry studies with those of a randomized trial. Clinical Trials registry: NCT 02767505. © 2019 Elsevier Inc.
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| 4. |
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| 5. |
- Allamani, Allaman, et al.
(author)
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Contextual Determinants of Alcohol Consumption Changes and Preventive Alcohol Policies : A 12-Country European Study in Progress 2011
- 2011
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In: Substance Use & Misuse. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1082-6084 .- 1532-2491. ; 46:10, s. 1288-1303
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Beginning with France in the 1950s, alcohol consumption has decreased in Southern European countries with few or no preventive alcohol policy measures being implemented, while alcohol consumption has been increasing in Northern European countries where historically more restrictive alcohol control policies were in place, even though more recently they were loosened. At the same time, Central and Eastern Europe have shown an intermediate behavior. We propose that country-specific changes in alcohol consumption between 1960 and 2008 are explained by a combination of a number of factors: (1) preventive alcohol policies and (2) social, cultural, economic, and demographic determinants. This article describes the methodology of a research study designed to understand the complex interactions that have occurred throughout Europe over the past five decades. These include changes in alcohol consumption, drinking patterns and alcohol-related harm, and the actual determinants of such changes
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| 6. |
- Almerud Österberg, S, et al.
(author)
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Knowledge of heart disease risk in patients declining rehabilitation
- 2010
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In: British Journal of Nursing. ; 19:5, s. 288-293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Participation in cardiac rehabilitation programmes (CRPs) allows patients to increase their knowledge of the importance of established risk factors to help them maintain healthy lifestyle changes after coronary heart disease (CHD).Aim: To explore perceived importance and knowledge of known risk factors for CHD among non-attendees in CRPs.Method: Consecutive non-attendees in CRPs (n=106) answered a questionnaire focusing on patients' attitudes towards risk factors and cardiac rehabilitation.Results: The non-attendees lacked knowledge of non-physical characteristics such as depression and social isolation. They also had poor knowledge about biological causes and hereditary factors. However, those who said they knew enough about CHD to prevent recurrent illness did have sufficient knowledge about the established risk factors.Conclusion: There is a lack of knowledge about social isolation and depression and their importance in the development of CHD among the non-attendees. They show greater knowledge about biological risk factors than the importance of companionship, joy and happiness. CHD and loneliness are intimately correlated, so creating a sense of belonging must not be underestimated as a measure to prevent CHD.
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| 7. |
- Bell, S., et al.
(author)
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METefnet : Developments in metrology for moisture in materials
- 2015
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In: 17th International Congress of Metrology, CIM 2015. - Les Ulis, France : EDP Sciences.
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Conference paper (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Bien que les mesures de teneur en eau soient largement utilisées dans l'industrie, les considérations métrologiques quant à cette mesure ne sont pas complètement abouties de sorte à fournir des mesures fiables et traçables au SI. Afin de remédier à ceci, le projet de recherche conjoint, Joint Research Project SIB64 “METefnet – Metrology for moisture in materials”, est actuellement en cours, et contribue au programme européen de recherche en métrologie European Metrology Research Programme. Le projet METefnet a pour objectifs de développer et d'améliorer l'approche métrologique de ce sujet. Ceci inclus notamment: le travail sur de nouvelles méthodes de référence pour évaluer la fraction massique en eau, l'amélioration des mesures mettant en œuvre la méthode primaire de type titration Karl Fischer, le développement de nouveaux matériaux de référence certifiés présentant une très bonne stabilité et permettant une traçabilité au SI, le développement de nouveaux étalons de transfert, la réalisation d'études visant à quantifier et réduire les effets liés à la prise d'échantillon, son transport et sa manipulation, le développement d'une nouvelle méthode pour étalonner les instruments mesurant l'humidité de surface, et l'amélioration des méthodes d'estimation d'incertitudes de ces mesures. Ce travail, réalisé dans le domaine de la métrologie de l'humidité au sein des matériaux, couvre à la fois le mesurande décrit comme étant spécifiquement la teneur en eau, seule, dans les matériaux, mais également un mesurande plus large pouvant inclure l'eau ainsi que d'autres liquides ou composés organiques volatiles; ceci afin de bien mettre en exergue la différence qui peut être observée entre ces deux mesurandes. Le projet global a pour objectif de soutenir une action de dissémination et de traçabilité au système SI des mesures de teneur en eau dans les matériaux avec une exactitude optimale et de développer une infrastructure métrologique cohérente pour ce type de mesures. Le travail technique ainsi que les dernières avancées vous sont ainsi présentées.
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| 8. |
- Bixo, L, et al.
(author)
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Association Between Inter-Recti Distance and Impaired Abdominal Core Function in Post-Partum Women With Diastasis Recti Abdominis
- 2022
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In: Journal of abdominal wall surgery : JAWS. - : Frontiers Media SA. - 2813-2092. ; 1, s. 10909-
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background and Aim: The definition and management of Diastasis Recti Abdominis (DRA) is under debate. This study aimed to understand the correlation between the post-partum inter-recti distance (IRD) and functional impairments associated with core instability, with the hypothesis that IRD could serve as a proxy for core instability symptoms and constitute a tool in decision-making for DRA treatment.Material and Methods: A cohort of post-partum women with abdominal core instability symptoms combined with DRA were studied. The size of IRD was measured with ultrasonography and cross-sectionally analysed against functional impairments registered with the self-report Disability Rating Index (DRI), which grades the ability to perform 12 different daily activities.Results: A total of 224 women were included in the study. In univariable analysis, IRD was associated with impairment of the activities running (p = 0.007), heavy work (p = 0.036) and exercise/sports (p = 0.047), but not with dressing, walking, sitting for long periods, standing bent over a sink, carrying a suitcase, making a bed, light manual labour or heavy lifting. No significant correlations were seen in the multivariable analysis when adjustments were made for BMI and parity.Conclusion: IRD and post-partum functional impairments had no significant correlation in multivariable analysis. The post-partum core instability condition is complex and probably associated with more factors than solely the IRD. The IRD alone does not seem to be a sufficient proxy for decision-making regarding optimal treatment. A more complete instrument to assess the post-partum abdominal core is warranted.
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| 9. |
- Carter, N, et al.
(author)
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EUROQUEST - A questionnaire for solvent related symptoms: Factor structure, item analysis and predictive validity
- 2002
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In: NeuroToxicology. - 1872-9711 .- 0161-813X. ; 23:6, s. 711-717
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The study evaluates the factor structure and predictive validity of the symptom questionnaire EUROQUEST (EQ) that had been developed with the goal of simplifying the evaluation of health effects associated with long-term solvent exposure. The EQ was added to the normal evaluation procedures for 118 male patients with suspected solvent-induced toxic encephalopathy (TE) referred to seven Swedish clinics of occupational medicine during an 18-month period. EQ was also completed by 239 males from a random sample of 400 Swedish males aged 25-64 years selected from the general population and a sample of 559 occupationally active male spray painters aged 25-64 years. Factor and item analyses of EQ responses were performed. Ordinary least square regression analysis was used to evaluate sensitivity and correlation to evaluate the specificity of EQ and the separate components. Questions concerning memory and concentration symptoms alone showed better sensitivity than the other five EQ dimensions singly or combined for the entire EQ and for a subset of questions approximating Q16, a widely used organic solvent symptom screening questionnaire. However, the diagnosis of TE required information in addition to exposure and responses to EQ and Q16-like questions. The results indicate that the subset of EQ questions concerning memory and concentration might replace the more cumbersome EQ and less sensitive Q16 in screening for TE, although none of the screening instruments alone replaces current clinical diagnostic procedures. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.
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| 10. |
- Claesson, A., et al.
(author)
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Unmanned aerial vehicles (drones) in out-of-hospital-cardiac-arrest
- 2016
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine. - : BioMed Central (BMC). - 1757-7241. ; 24:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: The use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) prior to EMS arrival can increase 30-day survival in out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) significantly. Drones or unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) can fly with high velocity and potentially transport devices such as AEDs to the site of OHCAs. The aim of this explorative study was to investigate the feasibility of a drone system in decreasing response time and delivering an AED. Methods: Data of Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates from historical OHCA in Stockholm County was used in a model using a Geographic Information System (GIS) to find suitable placements and visualize response times for the use of an AED equipped drone. Two different geographical models, urban and rural, were calculated using a multi-criteria evaluation (MCE) model. Test-flights with an AED were performed on these locations in rural areas. Results: In total, based on 3,165 retrospective OHCAs in Stockholm County between 2006-2013, twenty locations were identified for the potential placement of a drone. In a GIS-simulated model of urban OHCA, the drone arrived before EMS in 32 % of cases, and the mean amount of time saved was 1.5 min. In rural OHCA the drone arrived before EMS in 93 % of cases with a mean amount of time saved of 19 min. In these rural locations during (n = 13) test flights, latch-release of the AED from low altitude (3-4 m) or landing the drone on flat ground were the safest ways to deliver an AED to the bystander and were superior to parachute release. Discussion: The difference in response time for EMS between urban and rural areas is substantial, as is the possible amount of time saved using this UAV-system. However, yet another technical device needs to fit into the chain of survival. We know nothing of how productive or even counterproductive this system might be in clinical reality. Conclusions: To use drones in rural areas to deliver an AED in OHCA may be safe and feasible. Suitable placement of drone systems can be designed by using GIS models. The use of an AED equipped drone may have the potential to reduce time to defibrillation in OHCA.
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