Publikationer från Umeå universitet
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Matrix metalloproteinase-9 mediates endothelial glycocalyx degradation and correlates with severity of hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome
No full textHemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS) caused by Puumala virus (PUUV) leads to vascular dysfunction contributing to acute kidney injury (AKI) and pulmonary complications. The endothelial glycocalyx (eGLX) is crucial for vascular integrity, and its degradation may exacerbate disease severity. In this study, we examined the association between eGLX degradation and renal and pulmonary dysfunction in 44 patients with laboratory-confirmed PUUV infection. We measured plasma levels of eGLX degradation markers—syndecan-1, heparan sulfate, soluble thrombomodulin, and albumin—and found that these correlated with severe AKI and the need for oxygen therapy. In vitro experiments showed that matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and heparanase can degrade eGLX components, but albumin at physiological concentrations can mitigate this degradation and protect endothelial barrier function. These findings indicate that eGLX degradation contributes to HFRS pathogenesis and suggest that targeting the eGLX could be a therapeutic strategy to improve patient outcomes
ATt belysa närståendes erfarenheter av att vårda personer med Alzheimers sjukdom i hemmet
No full textI Sverige lever mellan 130 000 och 150 000 personer med en demenssjukdom och varje år diagnostiseras cirka 20 000 personer med en ny sjukdom. Den vanligaste formen av demens är Alzheimers sjukdom. Alzheimers sjukdom är en progressiv sjukdom som med tiden leder till försämring av både kognitiva och fysiska förmågor såsom allvarlig minnesförlust, nedsatt språklig förmåga och svårigheter att känna igen nästående. I sjuldomens slutfas blir den drabbade ofta helt beroende av andra för sin dagliga omsorg
Thermo-hydrodynamic characteristics of hybrid nanofluids for chip-level liquid cooling in data centers : a review of numerical investigations
No full textThe growth of computing power in data centers (DCs) leads to an increase in energy consumption and noise pollution of air cooling systems. Chip-level cooling with high-efficiency coolant is one of the promising methods to address the cooling challenge for high-power devices in DCs. Hybrid nanofluid (HNF) has the advantages of high thermal conductivity and good rheological properties. This study summarizes the numerical investigations of HNFs in mini/micro heat sinks, including the numerical methods, hydrothermal characteristics, and enhanced heat transfer technologies. The innovations of this paper include: (1) the characteristics, applicable conditions, and scenarios of each theoretical method and numerical method are clarified; (2) the molecular dynamics (MD) simulation can reveal the synergy effect, micro motion, and agglomeration morphology of different nanoparticles. Machine learning (ML) presents a feasible method for parameter prediction, which provides the opportunity for the intelligent regulation of the thermal performance of HNFs; (3) the HNFs flow boiling and the synergy of passive and active technologies may further improve the overall efficiency of liquid cooling systems in DCs. This review provides valuable insights and references for exploring the multi-phase flow and heat transport mechanisms of HNFs, and promoting the practical application of HNFs in chip-level liquid cooling in DCs
Fatty acid biomarkers reveal landscape influences on linkages between aquatic and terrestrial food webs
No full textStream and riparian habitats are meta-ecosystems that can be strongly connected via the emergence of aquatic insects, which form an important prey subsidy for terrestrial consumers. Anthropogenic perturbations that impact these habitats may indirectly propagate across traditional ecosystem boundaries, thus weakening aquatic-terrestrial food web linkages. We investigated how algal production, aquatic invertebrates, and terrestrial spiders influence cross-ecosystem connectivity in temperate streams across four European catchments with varying levels of human disturbance. We used fatty acid biomarkers to measure putative aquatic linkages to riparian spiders. Variation-partitioning analysis indicated that aquatic insect dispersal traits explained a relatively large proportion of variability in the fatty acid profile of spiders. Trophic connectivity, as measured by the proportion of the polyunsaturated fatty acid eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and the ratio of EPA to its chemical precursor, alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), was positively associated with abundances of “aerial active” dispersing aquatic insects. However, this positive influence was also associated with changes in environmental context and arachnid beta diversity. Structural equation modeling disentangled how aquatic insect communities influence trophic connectivity with riparian predators after accounting for biological and environmental contingencies. Our results show how subsidies of stream insects are a putative source of essential fatty acids for adjacent terrestrial food webs. Catchment-wide impacts indirectly propagated to the local scale through impacts on aquatic invertebrate communities, thus affecting stream-riparian food webs. Increased riparian tree cover enhanced stream insect subsidies via dispersal traits despite reducing aquatic primary production through shading. Consequently, ecosystem properties such as woody riparian buffers that increase aquatic-terrestrial trophic connectivity have the potential to affect a wide range of consumers in modified landscapes
Safety and efficacy in sclerotherapy of testicular hydro/spermatocele with 25 versus 50 mL Ethanol 99.5%; a randomised controlled phase II study
No full textOBJECTIVE: To investigate the dose-dependent safety and efficacy of using Ethanol 99.5% as a sclerosing agent when treating hydro- and spermatoceles. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study (EUDRA-CT 2020-004630-38) was conducted as an open randomised multicentre study where symptomatic hydro- or spermatocele patients were randomised to sclerotherapy with 25- or 50-mL Ethanol 99.5%. The procedure was carried out at four Swedish outpatient clinics. An 8 F pigtail catheter was inserted after local anaesthetics of the skin, the fluid was drained and the randomised dose of Ethanol was instilled. After 30 min, the Ethanol was evacuated. Absorption was measured before and after instillation with a breathalyser and with a blood alcohol test before evacuation. Patients were followed-up by phone on days 1, 2, 3, 4, 30 and 90 after the procedure to capture any complications. RESULTS: A total of 64 patients were included in this study. None had a significant absorption of alcohol (≥ 0.2‰). The rate of complications was 18%. The number of serious complications needing intervention was 5%. The overall success rate, defined as light or no remaining discomfort, of the treatment regardless of dose was 79%. There was no difference between the different regimens with regards to complications and the success rate, but this study is underpowered in regard to those analysis. CONCLUSIONS: No systemic absorption of Ethanol 99.5% occurred regardless of dose, when used as a sclerosing agent for hydro- and spermatoceles with a 79% cure rate. The efficacy and risks of complications are comparable to other sclerosants
Open anterior mesh repair vs modified open anterior mesh repair for groin hernia in women a randomized clinical trial
No full textImportance: Most women in low- and middle-income countries lack access to laparoscopic methods for groin hernia repair; therefore, an open technique through which both inguinal and femoral hernias can be treated is needed. This could be an option in the absence or inability to use laparoscopic methods. Objective: To determine the safety and effectiveness of open anterior mesh (OAM) repair compared with modified open anterior mesh (MOAM) repair, which includes opening the transversalis fascia and covering the femoral canal with a mesh flap. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a parallel, 2-arm, double-blind, randomized clinical trial conducted in Northern Uganda, in East Africa, at 2 public hospitals between October 2019 and February 2023. Included in the study were adult women 18 years and older with a primary groin hernia, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class I or II, and the ability to give informed consent. Interventions: OAM in the control arm and MOAM in the intervention arm. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was groin hernia recurrence 1 year postoperatively. Results: A total of 200 participants (mean [SD] age, 52.7 [14.0] years) were included in the study; 99 (49.5%) were allocated to OAM repair, and 101 (50.5%) were allocated to MOAM repair. Nearly 45% of the participants (89 of 200) had a femoral hernia; therefore, 35 of 99 participants (35.4%) in the control arm received the intervention procedure. One year postoperatively, the overall recurrence was 5.6% (11 of 195 participants), and the intention-to-treat analysis showed that 4 of 97 participants (4.1%) in the control arm and 7 of 98 participants (7.1%) in the intervention arm had recurrence (absolute difference = -3.0 percentage points; 95% CI, -9.5 to 3.4; P = .36). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this randomized clinical trial demonstrate that the MOAM repair was a good option for groin hernia repair in women in low-resource settings. Femoral hernias were very common in the study population, and exposure of the femoral canal was essential to detect these hernias
What is inflation? : A study concerning the term “inflation” in media.
No full textThis is a qualitative, comparative study that contains elements of case studies, it uses a theory-driven approach. The study compares different examples of how inflation is presented in media articles. The study has analyzed the language used in news articles that wrote about the definition of inflation, either directly or indirectly. Two English and two Swedish news sites have been studied. Four economic schools have been used to create a coding schedule investigating what definitions of inflation are used in the articles, as well as what the relation between cause and effect is in the definitions. The economic schools used were keynesianism, neo-keynesianism, monetarism and Austrian economics. The study uses “the pictures in our heads” theory as well as agenda setting theory to argue how media can affect society at large. Aftonbladet used the neo-keynesian definition of inflation. New York Times used the neo-keynesian definition when writing about the democrats’ view, and monetarism when it described the republicans’ perspective. They also mentioned economic concepts associated with Keynesianism. Samnytt used the neo-keynesian definition of inflation, but their other economic arguments were closer to monetarism and Austrian economics. The article from Epoch Times was written by a self-proclaimed Austrian economist, he argued for the Austrian school’s definition of inflation and only brought up the other theories to debunk them. This study argues that media has the possibility to affect how citizens understand concepts that they haven’t encountered before, as well as being able to affect which political questions are seen as most important in a democratic election. The definition of inflation logically affects how citizens believe it appears, as well as who is responsible for issues with inflation and how it best can be fought. Through this influence over citizens, media can indirectly affect the results of democratic elections
Crisis and change : – a qualitative content analisys of annual reports
No full textThis study examines how three Swedish listed companies, Volvo, Ericsson and Sandvik articulated and responded to the external pressures of the 2008 financial crisis in their 2009 annual reports. By applying a qualitative content analysis of CEOs’ statements and management reports, the study identifies signs of transformation pressure, strategic responses to the crisis, concrete changes in resources and staffing, and the companies’ expressed outlook for the future. The findings show that while all three firms were affected by the external pressures, they emphasized different strategies to secure their positions: cost reductions, restructuring, investments in innovation and the maintenance of financial stability. The analysis show that annual reports not only functions as financial documents but also as rhetorical tools to frame organizational challenges and legitimize strategic decisions. The study thereby contributes to an understanding of how transformation pressure can be observed on a micro level, trough companies’ own narratives during a time of economic crisis
Is LEADER locally led and sustainable? : An idea analysis of governance and sustainable development
No full textIn an increasingly chaotic world, more protectionist subjects gain more attention. However, sustainable rural development is becoming increasingly more important for sustainable environmental transition and social justice in Sweden and in the EU. LEADER is a model which seeks to promote locally led sustainable rural development to ensure a socially just transition of the rural area in the EU. However, ideas on what LEADER is seem to differ. This paper analyses Swedish ideas of governance and sustainability in the context of LEADER in Sweden. The idea of LEADER and its promoted values is found to change depending on analyzing the purpose of LEADER or its implementation. A lack of focus on environmental sustainability overall can be found, as well as a stark focus on economic sustainability in the idea of LEADERs implementation in Sweden. This raises the question whether the present Swedish ideas of LEADER can coexist with the models' inherent ideas of being locally led and sustainable in its development of rural areas
Female leadership in male-dominated security sector
No full textStudien behandlade kvinnligt ledarskap inom säkerhetssektorn, en sektor som traditionellt varit mansdominerad och präglats av könsstereotypa föreställningar om makt och auktoritet. Syftet var att undersöka hur kvinnliga ledare upplevde och hanterade de normer och maktstrukturer som påverkade deras möjligheter till inflytande och karriärutveckling. Tre forskningsfrågor formulerades: hur kvinnliga ledare upplevde könsnormer inom sina organisationer, vilka hinder de stötte på samt vilka strategier de använde för att hantera dessa utmaningar. För att besvara frågorna användes en kvalitativ ansats genom en webbenkät som riktades till kvinnor i ledande positioner inom organisationer verksamma i säkerhetssektorn. Totalt deltog 22 kvinnliga ledare. Den tematiska analysen visade att könsnormer påverkade både hur ledarskap utövades och uppfattades. Flera strukturella hinder identifierades, däribland informella nätverk, omedvetna bias i chefsurval och svårigheter att erkännas som expert. Samtidigt framkom att kvinnliga ledare utvecklade en mängd strategier för att navigera dessa hinder, såsom strategisk synlighet, investering i kompetens och stöd till andra kvinnor. Studien visade att ledarskap inom säkerhetssektorn fortfarande formades av manligt kodade ideal, men också att kvinnliga ledare visade en hög grad av medvetenhet, motståndskraft och förändringsvilja. Resultaten betonade behovet av strukturella förändringar i karriärsystem och organisationskultur samt ett ökat fokus på inkluderande ledarskap och jämställdhetsarbete