Publikationer från Uppsala Universitet
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Dressed for the Weather : Tawny Owl Feather Adaptations Across a Climatic Gradient
No full textPopulations are presumed to be adapted to local environmental conditions via natural selection, with gene flow breaking up local adaptations. In birds, various aspects of feathers may reflect local adaptation. For example, the insulation capacity of feathers could be greater in colder regions, while colour variation may also play a role in adapting to local environmental conditions since darker feathers are known to absorb more heat than lighter ones. We studied feather properties (plumulaceous part of the feather, density of barbs and barbules) of tawny owl, Strix aluco, across nine populations covering a large part of the species' European range (9-52 individuals per population) as well as their plumage colour, scored as dark (brown) versus light (grey) morphs. We compared these traits' phenotypic divergence (PST) with the divergence expected based on genetic drift (FST) inferred using eight microsatellites. The FST was low (0.022; 95% CI 0.005-0.039), and most feather structures' phenotypic divergence (PST) exceeded the FST. However, phenotypic divergence in plumage colour was low and not significant, implying a limited role of natural selection in shaping variation in plumage colouration at large spatial scales. Between-population differentiation in feather properties was more pronounced in ventral feathers than dorsal feathers. In colder populations, the plumulaceous part of the dorsal feathers, but not the ventral feathers, was larger (implying greater insulation). Although proper evaluation hinges on understanding how insulative properties confer a fitness advantage in a given environment, our findings imply that properties of avian feathers may reflect local adaptation, possibly related to climate
Impact of liberal preoperative clear fluid fasting regimens on the risk of pulmonary aspiration in children (EUROFAST) : an international prospective cohort study
No full textBackground Preoperative fasting regimens designed to minimise the risk of pulmonary aspiration have undergone significant changes, but unequivocal evidence of the safety of reducing clear fluid fasting has been lacking. We compared the risk of pulmonary aspiration in children using three different recommendations for clear fluid fasting. Methods In this prospective multicentre cohort study, centres with >1000 paediatric anaesthesia cases per year were eligible. Regurgitation events, whether they were transient or led to consequences affecting postoperative care, were reported in detail. All centres also reported the number of anaesthetised children per year and which preoperative fasting regimen they used. Results The 31 participating centres contributed a total of 306 900 anaesthetic procedures. The incidence of confirmed pulmonary aspiration was 1.18:10 000 in the sip-til-send group, 0.96:10 000 in the >= 1 h group, and 1.83:10 000 in the control group. There was no mortality as a result of aspiration. The 95% confidence intervals of the differences in confirmed pulmonary aspiration between the control group and the >= 1 h clear fluid fasting and the sip-til-send group were -0.344 to 3.76 and -1.48 to 3.63, respectively. Both sip-til-send and >= 1 h clear fluid fasting were statistically noninferior to >= 2 h clear fluid fasting regarding the incidence of confirmed aspiration, transient regurgitation, and regurgitation leading to escalation of care or intensive care. Conclusions The study provides evidence for the safety of reducing preoperative fasting time for clear fluids in children aged <16 yr from 2 h to <= 1 h. <ol> </ol>
Embodied Faith : A study of medieval church choirs in Gotland
No full textThe purpose of this study is to answer the questions: What are the reasons for building a church choir with, or without, an apse? Were the two choir forms used in parallel or sequentially in Gotland? The primary material used includes "Sveriges kyrkor – Konsthistoriskt inventarium" and existing theories about the design of medieval choirs. The method employes Panofsky's iconology. Previous research has shown that apse and flat-ended choirs have coexisted in medieval Sweden. Regional preferences for either choir type have been found, but no preference has been demonstrated for Gotland. However, this thesis shows that the preference for apse choirs in Gotland was very strong during the 12th century, but a turning point occurred around the year 1200, after which almost no apses were built, and many existing apses were removed. These results are relevant for understanding the regional differences why apsidal or flat-ended choirs were chosen. Apsidal choirs have existed since the early Christian basilica, theories explaining why they stopped being built includes liturgical changes. Perhaps the need of changing the liturgy stemmed from the much challenging times, the Christianity lost Jerusalem to the Arabs and faced the rise of Islam.
Deutsche Glaubensbewegung in Sweden? : Jakob Wilhelm Hauer’s Swedish Connections and the Evolution of "German Belief" During the Interwar Period
No full textThis article aspires to contribute to the understanding of the transnational dynamics of the Deutsche Glaubensbewegung, a core actor in the völkisch-religious movement in the early years of Nazi Germany. The aim is to analyze its leader, Jakob Wilhelm Hauer’s Swedish connections, how they evolved over time, and how they were part of the evolution of “German belief,” as interpreted by the Deutsche Glaubensbewegung. The article presents three main points. First, Hauer’s attempt to spread the ideas of his movement to Sweden relied on the Swedish contacts he made in the 1920s, mostly through an unofficial German–Swedish network of academic liberal theologians. Second, Hauer’s ambition to implement the ideas of his movement in Sweden failed primarily due to theological rather than political differences. Third, Hauer’s Swedish connections illustrate the necessity of considering transnational and non-national context categories in the study of radical-nationalist milieus. In extension, the article demonstrates how the binary between religion and politics could be transcended in transnational exchanges in the European political climate of the 1930s
Beats, betong och business : Stockholms Hip-hop i förändring
No full textThis thesis explores how Stockholm has evolved into the central hub of Swedish hip-hop, focusing specifically on how sound functions as a carrier of identity, space, and commercialization. Rather than offering a quantitative mapping of data such as streaming numbers or sales figures, the study emphasizes the cultural and discursive dimensions of hip-hop, with a particular focus on sonic expression. It traces the genre's evolution from the synthetic, club-oriented beats of the 1980s to the emotionally charged, autotuned trap productions of the 2020s. These shifts reflect a broader negotiation between locality, global genre norms, and commercial pressures. Through historical analysis and detailed musical case studies of artists such as Leila K, The Latin Kings, Adam Tensta, Kartellen, Yasin, and Einár, the thesis demonstrates how sonic components such as beat structures, production techniques, rhythmic patterns, and vocal aesthetics embody specific urban experiences and articulate notions of authenticity and marginality. A central concept in this analysis is the “Stockholm sound,” interpreted not only as an aesthetic phenomenon but also as a form of cultural mapping and identity construction. The study also highlights the influence of digital platforms like Spotify, TikTok, and YouTube, showing how algorithmic structures shape not only the distribution but also the sonic ideals of the genre. Music is increasingly optimized for virality and platform compatibility. This contributes to the codification of certain sonic elements such as slow trap beats, autotune, and minimal production as signifiers of both authenticity and local belonging. Ultimately, the Stockholm sound emerges as a dynamic and multifaceted construct. It operates as a product of place, a cultural resource, and a commercial strategy. As such, it functions both as a reflection of urban identity and as a contested sonic space where meaning, power, and cultural belonging are constantly negotiated
Brain macrophages and pial fibroblasts promote inflammation in a hypomyelination model
No full textMany neurological diseases remain difficult to treat, necessitating further elucidation of their pathogenesis. Conditional inactivation of Pdgfra in Nestin-expressing cells leads to the depletion of platelet-derived growth factor receptor-alpha+ (PDGFRα+) oligodendroglial lineage cells responsible for myelination, resulting in forebrain hypomyelination and severe, progressive neurological deficits in neonatal mice. The present study examined the cerebral cortex of these mice to better understand the mechanisms underlying such progressive neurological deficits, that are often observed in refractory neurological diseases. Histological and single-cell RNA sequencing analyses showed that, following activation of meningeal border-associated macrophages (BAMs), PDGFRα+ fibroblasts that escaped gene inactivation were extensively recruited from the meninges into the hypomyelinated subpial cerebral cortex. Transcriptional reprogramming suggested that these fibroblasts originated from the pial fibroblast lineage and adopted a myofibroblast-like transcriptional phenotype. The recruited fibroblasts established stable cell-cell interactions with activated brain macrophages, including BAMs and microglia, accompanied by signaling pathways associated with chronic, tissue-damaging inflammation. Subsequently, inflammatory cortical lesions emerged, characterized by glial activation, angiogenesis, and neuronal oxidative stress. Treatment with a PDGFRα-neutralizing antibody significantly reduced fibroblast recruitment and mitigated glial activation and angiogenesis. These findings suggest that meningeal BAMs and pial fibroblasts are key contributors to the formation of tissue-damaging subpial cortical lesions. The interactions between brain macrophages and pial fibroblasts may contribute to the mechanisms underlying chronic and progressive neurological deficits and represent potential therapeutic targets for refractory neurological diseases
Impact of a smartphone application for appropriate antibiotic prescribing at three tertiary hospitals : an international, multicentre stepped-wedge cluster randomized trial
No full textObjectives: Smartphone applications (apps) for antibiotic prescribing have been studied in observational studies. Here, we assessed whether the use of a smartphone app increased appropriate antibiotic therapy (AAT) in hospitals. Methods: An antibiotic stewardship app (Firstline.org) was populated with local guidelines and tested in a stepped-wedged cluster randomized trial in three hospitals in the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland. Defined clusters were randomized per hospital for the intervention (use of app) or standard of care. Primary outcome was AAT assessed by chart review in 15 random patients per cluster per intervention period. Secondary outcomes included clinical outcomes and user analytics. A questionnaire identifying barriers to app use was disseminated. Multivariable multilevel logistic models with time periods as fixed effects to adjust for time trend and treatment as fixed effects were employed to estimate the odds ratio of treatment. Results: Twelve clusters in the Netherlands (1085 patients) were included, 12 in Sweden (362 patients) and 8 in Switzerland (653 patients). Overall, AAT was not increased (2.0% [95% CI,-5.92% to 9.97%]) in the intervention arm compared with control across the three centres. Mean frequency of app use by cluster was associated with an AAT increase (1.9% [95% CI, 1.18-2.62%]) across study centres; 3.2% in the Netherlands (p < 0.01), 2.8% in Switzerland (p < 0.01), and remained similar in Sweden (0.4%; p 0.46). No difference was found for the other secondary outcomes. Main barriers for app use reported in the questionnaire were easily forgetting using the app and having other tools to help prescribing antibiotics. Discussion: Overall, the introduction of a stewardship app did not significantly increase AAT, but a prespecified secondary analysis of app use frequency was associated with a small but significant improvement of AAT. Variable uptake of the app, coexisting routes to guidelines and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic during the trial likely had an impact on the results
Regular postexercise sauna bathing does not improve heart rate variability : A multi-arm randomized controlled trial
No full textRegular exercise has been shown to increase heart rate variability (HRV) for different populations. Acute and short-term studies using heat therapy and sauna bathing have also shown HRV improvements. However, long-term adaptations in HRV to regular exercise and sauna bathing remain unexplored. In this 1:1:1 multi-arm trial, sedentary participants (n = 38) aged 49 ± 9 years with at least one CVD risk factor were randomly assigned to regular exercise and 15-min postexercise sauna (EXS), regular exercise only (EXE), or control (CON) group, for an 8-week intervention. Indices of HRV (RR interval, RMSSD, SDNN, resting heart rate [HR], HRMAX-HRMIN, high frequency power [HFP], and low frequency power [LFP]) were measured before (PRE) and after (POST) the trial. Compared to CON, EXE increased the time-domain measure of HRMAX-HRMIN (p = 0.003), and elicited significantly smaller decreases in the frequency-domain measure of LFP (p = 0.022). There were no statistically significant differences between EXS and EXE for any of the HRV indices measured. Eight weeks of regular exercise conferred positive changes in both time- and frequency-domain measures of HRV. However, adding regular sauna bathing postexercise offered no additional benefits to HRV over regular exercise alone
Expedited Procedures in the Multilateral Investment Court: Efficiency & Consistency
No full textThe ongoing ISDS reform, under UNCITRAL Working Group III with a substantial input from the EU, has recently proposed for the establishment of a Multilateral Investment Court (MIC) with an appellate mechanism. Simultaneously, expedited arbitration procedures have gathered significant academic interest in the recent decades. While extensive literature exists on both the MIC development and expedited procedures, their intersection remains relatively unexplored. This dissertation bridges this research gap by analyzing how the best practices from different expedited procedures and EU treaties could be used to establish expedited MIC procedures. Adopting a doctrinal methodology, the research identifies the prominent models and trends in different expedited procedures, accesses their compatibility with the objectives of MIC, and finally proposes a suitable model to attain (cost and time) efficiency and consistency both for the first-tier and appellate proceedings in MIC. By doing so, the study contributes some recommendations for the development of expedited MIC procedures
Comparative Analysis of Lysophosphatidic Acid Levels in Fibromyalgia and Other Painful Conditions in Female Patients
No full textBackground: Previous work found a decrease in lysophosphatidylcholines (LPCs) in fibromyalgia (FM) serum, prompting the hypothesis that this decrease could be due to increased conversion of LPC to lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) through autotaxin (ATX). LPA has pronociceptive functions, and increased LPA levels could modulate FM pain. Methods: This study quantified LPA levels in serum and lumbar cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum ATX levels in FM patients, comparing with healthy controls (HCs), osteoarthritis (OA), degenerative disc disease (DDD) and lumbar disc herniation (LDH) patients. Results: We found increased serum LPA levels in FM and OA patients, with no changes in FM lumbar CSF. Unexpectedly, a positive correlation between serum LPA and conditioned pain modulation was observed in FM patients, while LPA levels were correlated with pain intensity and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Scores in OA. Serum ATX levels in FM patients were comparable to those in HC but correlated significantly with FM LPA levels (in one cohort), as well as with pain duration and the maximal weekly pain intensity. Conclusions: This study suggests that increased LPA levels play distinct roles in FM and OA patients. In FM, LPA levels were linked to less impaired inhibitory pain pathways, while LPA levels in OA correlated with pain intensity and knee-related impairment. ATX levels in FM serum are associated with pain intensity and duration. These findings underscore the complex role of LPA and ATX in FM pathophysiology. Future studies are essential to clarify LPA's specific roles and to develop therapies. Significance Statement: This study provides novel insights into the role of LPA in FM and other chronic pain conditions. Although ATX levels were unchanged in FM, a positive correlation between serum ATX and LPA supports the role of ATX in LPA conversion. These findings suggest complex lipid dysregulation in FM, with LPA potentially modulating pain pathways. Further research is needed to clarify LPA's role and its potential as a biomarker or therapeutic target.De tre sista författarna delar sistaförfattarskapet.</p