Retinal diseases in dogs

An array of different retinal disorders is present as a threat in quite a number of dog breeds. These often lead to profound visual impairment or blindness. Many of the disorders are genetic, and they are, in Sweden as well as in other countries, subject to breeding programmes. The anatomy of the eye and the retina, as well as current examination techniques (ophthalmoscopy, electroretinography (ERG) and genetic analysis) are described. The more common retinal disorders encountered in dogs in Sweden are discussed: retinal dysplasia, generalized progressive retinal dystrophy, retinal pigment epithelial dystrophy, collie eye anomaly, sudden acquired retinal degeneration, retinal detachment and choroiditis. The possibly affected breeds are listed. The value of diagnostic findings is discussed and current advances on the subject in ophthalmologic research are accounted for

Optic nerve hypoplasia: Risk factors and epidemiology.

OBJECTIVES: To study the epidemiology of optic nerve hypoplasia. DESIGN AND METHODS: Children with optic nerve hypoplasia and visual impairment were identified through the Swedish Register of Visually Impaired Children. Pre- and perinatal characteristics were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry and by scrutinizing pregnancy and delivery records. Clinical characteristics of children with optic nerve hypoplasia are described. The following risk factors were studied: maternal age, parity, maternal smoking, gestational duration, birth weight, delivery method, Apgar score, maternal disease during pregnancy, drugs used in early pregnancy. RESULTS: Young maternal age, first parity, maternal smoking, preterm birth and factors associated with preterm birth were risk factors for optic nerve hypoplasia. There was an indicated association with the use of fertility drugs and antidepressant drugs. CONCLUSIONS: Optic nerve hypoplasia is apparently associated not only with other anomolies, notably of the central nervous system, but also with signs of general disturbance in fetal development

Spectral Doppler ultrasound in the major arteries of normal conscious immature micropigs

Spectral waveform analysis of blood flow velocity in the major arteries of six healthy, conscious immature micropigs was determined using Doppler ultrasonography. Doppler spectral tracings were recorded from the external iliac artery, femoral artery, and renal arcuate artery. Tracings were also taken from three parts of the common carotid artery and two parts of the abdominal aorta. Spectral Doppler parameters included peak systolic velocity, early diastolic velocity, peak systolic velocity-to-end diastolic velocity ratio, resistive index, and pulsatility index. In addition, the diameter of major arteries and indirect blood pressure were measured. These results from spectral Doppler analysis in major arteries may be useful as reference ranges in the future studies of vascular hemodynamics in immature micropigs

Increasing body mass index at diagnosis of diabetes in young adult people during 1983-1999 in the Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden (DISS).

Objective. To study trends in body mass index (BMI) at diagnosis of diabetes in all young Swedish adults in the age range of 15-34 years registered in a nation-based registry. Design. The BMI was assessed at diagnosis in diabetic patients 15-34 years of age at diagnosis, for a period of 17 years (1983-1999). Islet cell antibodies (ICA) were measured during three periods (1987-1988, 1992-1993 and 1998-1999). Setting. A nationwide study (Diabetes Incidence Study in Sweden). Subjects. A total of 4727 type 1 and 1083 type 2 diabetic patients. Main outcome measures. Incidence-year specific BMI adjusted for age, gender and time of diagnosis (month). Results. Body mass index at diagnosis increased significantly both in type 1 (21.4 ± 3.6 to 22.5 ± 4.0; P < 0.0001) and in type 2 (27.4 ± 6.8 to 32.0 ± 6.0; P < 0.0001) diabetic patients, also when adjusted for age, gender and month of diagnosis. A similar significant increase in BMI was found in type 1 diabetic patients and in type 2 diabetic patients in the periods 1987-1988, 1992-1993 and 1998-1999; years when ICA were assessed and considered in the classification of diabetes. Despite this increase in BMI, there was no increase in the incidence of diabetes in young-adult people in Sweden. Conclusion. Body mass index at diagnosis of diabetes in subjects 15-34 years of age has substantially increased during 1983-1999 in Sweden when adjusted for age, gender and month of diagnosis

On visual impairment in Swedish children

Knowledge of the epidemiology of visual impairment in children forms one of the cornerstones in paediatric ophthalmology. To gain an overview of the situation in Sweden an epidemiological study was performed. Totally 2373 visually impaired children were found, giving an age-specific prevalence of 10,9/10 000. Childhood blindness (i.e. vision <0,05) was seen in 25%. Male/female ratio was 1,20. Additional impairments were present in 60%. Aetiologies were prenatal in 64%, peri-/neonatal in 20%, infantile/juvenile in 7% and unknown in 9%. The most frequent disorders were cerebral visual impairment, non-hereditary optic atrophy, retinal dystrophy (as a general entity), congenital hypoplasia of the optic nerve and congenital cataract. To produce a pilot-study regarding visual and social outcome, a study from 1980 was revisited. The same inclusion-criteria as in the nation-wide study were used, which reduced the material from initially 219 to 128 individuals. A comparison to the current findings in the larger study showed only minor differences, with the exception of peri-/neonatal aetiologies, which had increased. At follow-up 59% were still visually impaired, 23% had improved their vision to 0,3 or above, 13% were deceased. All deceased had additional impairments. The best prognosis was found in albinism and congenital nystagmus. Sociologically was found statistically significant lower frequency of living with a partner, while educational level was significantly higher and rate of employment did not differ regarding the persons without further impairments, diagnosed as visually impaired in their youth, compared to an age-specific control group of 3150

Situation Unplanned!? : On the Use of "Structural Plans" in Swedish Municipalities

Detta examensarbete studerar fenomenet strukturplaner, ett informellt planverktyg som används inom fysisk planering i vissa svenska kommuner. Då strukturplanerna inte omfattas av gällande plan- och bygglagstiftning och inte heller granskas aktivt av överprövande myndigheter uppstår vissa frågeställningar kring planerna. Arbetet syftar till att fylla den observerade kunskapsluckan gällande hur strukturplaner uppstår, hur de påverkar den formella planprocessen, hur de förhåller sig till andra planer i kommunerna som tillämpar strukturplaner samt hur de bör behandlas ur ett framtidsperspektiv. Genom fallstudier av ett urval av tillgängliga strukturplaner skapas en grundläggande förståelse för innehållet i planerna. Denna innehållsanalys följs sedan upp med semistrukturerade intervjuer av kommunalpolitiker samt sakkunniga tjänstepersoner eller tidigare anställda tjänstepersoner aktiva inom planprocessen i kommuner som tillämpar strukturplaner eller motsvarande planinstrument. Genom intervjuerna ges en bredare uppfattning om hur strukturplaner eller motsvarande informella planinstrument tillämpas i praxis i olika kommuner samt vilka tankar intervjudeltagarna har kring informell fysisk planering. Intervjusvaren utgör sedan grund för resultatdelen och den kommande analysen. Resultaten från intervjuprocessen målar upp en bild av en planlagstiftning som är så omfattande och tidskrävande i sin natur att kommuner väljer att frångå befintliga lagförankrade processer till förmån för effektivare alternativ. En avsaknad av flexibilitet i lagstiftningen och ett behov av att kunna planlägga mer visionärt och strukturellt än befintliga formella planverktyg tillåter läggs fram som anledningar till att strukturplaner har inrättats. Strukturplanerna förankras i majoriteten av fallen politiskt i kommunfullmäktige eller kommunstyrelse och används sedan som grundläggande dokument i kommande detaljplaneprocess. Planernas effektivitet grundas i att det inte föreligger krav för processens utformning då strukturplanerna saknar lagförankring. Ett normalt planförfarande ställer krav på samråd med sakägare och medborgardialog samt länsstyrelsens granskning av den tilltänkta planen. Dessa steg i den formella planprocessen syftar till att skapa en demokratisk process som skall både skapa allmännytta samtidigt som den enskilda individen skyddas. Kommunerna befinner sig i en sits där demokratiska processer vägs mot effektivitet och insparade kostnader. Denna studie finner i att användandet av strukturplaner påverkar den formella planprocessen med en möjlig rättsosäkerhet då strukturplaner inrättas utan att ta hänsyn till väsentliga steg i den formella planprocessen för att sedan användas som underlag för juridiskt bindande detaljplanering. Planerna nyttjas på ett sätt som kan liknas vid fördjupningar av översiktsplan eller planprogram, planer som vid tillfällen påvisats direkt konkurrera med strukturplanerna. Slutligen bör användandet av informella planinstrument i så stor mån som möjligt begränsas för att värna om den enskilda individens rätt till skydd och en demokratisk process inom kommunal fysisk planering. Vidare bör den formella planlagstiftningen ses över för att överblicka möjliga effektivitetshöjande förändringar, i denna process måste dock allmänhetens rättssäkerhet säkerställs.This thesis studies the phenomenon of structural plans, an informal planning institute used in physical planning in a number of Swedish municipalities. As the structural plans are not covered by current planning and building legislation, nor are they actively reviewed by review authorities, certain issues arise regarding the plans. The work aims to fill the observed knowledge gap regarding how structural plans arise, how they affect the formal planning process, how they relate to other plans in the municipalities that apply structural plans and how they should be treated from a future perspective. Through case studies of a selection of available structural plans, a basic understanding of the content of the plans is created. This content analysis is then followed up with semi-structured interviews of municipal politicians as well as expert officials or previously employed officials active in the planning process in municipalities that apply structural plans or equivalent planning instruments. The interviews provide a broader view of how structural plans or corresponding informal planning instruments are applied in practice in different municipalities and what thoughts the interview participants have about informal physical planning. The interview results then form the basis for the results part and the forthcoming analysis. The results from the interview process paint a picture of a planning legislation that is so extensive and time-consuming in nature that municipalities choose to deviate from existing statutory processes in favor of more efficient alternatives. A lack of flexibility in legislation and a need to be able to plan more visionary and structurally than existing formal planning tools allow is presented as reasons why structural plans have been established. The structural plans are in most cases politically anchored in the municipal council or municipal board and are then used as basic documents in the forthcoming detailed planning process. The effectiveness of the plans is based on the fact that there are no requirements for the design of the process as the structural plans have no legal basis. A normal planning procedure requires consultation with stakeholders and citizen dialogue as well as the county administrative board's review of the proposed plan. These steps in the formal planning process aim to create a democratic process that will both create public benefit while protecting the individual. The municipalities are in a position where democratic processes are weighed against efficiency and saved costs. This study finds that the use of structural plans affects the formal planning process with legal uncertainty. The uncertainty arises when structural plans are established without considering the significant steps in the formal planning process and then used as a basis for legally binding detailed planning process. The plans are used in a way that can be compared to in-depth studies of general plans or plan programs, plans that on occasions have been shown to directly compete with the structural plans. The study concludes that use of informal planning instruments should be limited as much as possible to safeguard the individual's right to protection and a democratic process in municipal spatial planning. Further the formal planning legislation should be reviewed in order to overview possible efficiency increasing changes, however this must be done whilst ensuring the legal security of the public

Situation Unplanned!? : On the Use of "Structural Plans" in Swedish Municipalities

Detta examensarbete studerar fenomenet strukturplaner, ett informellt planverktyg som används inom fysisk planering i vissa svenska kommuner. Då strukturplanerna inte omfattas av gällande plan- och bygglagstiftning och inte heller granskas aktivt av överprövande myndigheter uppstår vissa frågeställningar kring planerna. Arbetet syftar till att fylla den observerade kunskapsluckan gällande hur strukturplaner uppstår, hur de påverkar den formella planprocessen, hur de förhåller sig till andra planer i kommunerna som tillämpar strukturplaner samt hur de bör behandlas ur ett framtidsperspektiv. Genom fallstudier av ett urval av tillgängliga strukturplaner skapas en grundläggande förståelse för innehållet i planerna. Denna innehållsanalys följs sedan upp med semistrukturerade intervjuer av kommunalpolitiker samt sakkunniga tjänstepersoner eller tidigare anställda tjänstepersoner aktiva inom planprocessen i kommuner som tillämpar strukturplaner eller motsvarande planinstrument. Genom intervjuerna ges en bredare uppfattning om hur strukturplaner eller motsvarande informella planinstrument tillämpas i praxis i olika kommuner samt vilka tankar intervjudeltagarna har kring informell fysisk planering. Intervjusvaren utgör sedan grund för resultatdelen och den kommande analysen. Resultaten från intervjuprocessen målar upp en bild av en planlagstiftning som är så omfattande och tidskrävande i sin natur att kommuner väljer att frångå befintliga lagförankrade processer till förmån för effektivare alternativ. En avsaknad av flexibilitet i lagstiftningen och ett behov av att kunna planlägga mer visionärt och strukturellt än befintliga formella planverktyg tillåter läggs fram som anledningar till att strukturplaner har inrättats. Strukturplanerna förankras i majoriteten av fallen politiskt i kommunfullmäktige eller kommunstyrelse och används sedan som grundläggande dokument i kommande detaljplaneprocess. Planernas effektivitet grundas i att det inte föreligger krav för processens utformning då strukturplanerna saknar lagförankring. Ett normalt planförfarande ställer krav på samråd med sakägare och medborgardialog samt länsstyrelsens granskning av den tilltänkta planen. Dessa steg i den formella planprocessen syftar till att skapa en demokratisk process som skall både skapa allmännytta samtidigt som den enskilda individen skyddas. Kommunerna befinner sig i en sits där demokratiska processer vägs mot effektivitet och insparade kostnader. Denna studie finner i att användandet av strukturplaner påverkar den formella planprocessen med en möjlig rättsosäkerhet då strukturplaner inrättas utan att ta hänsyn till väsentliga steg i den formella planprocessen för att sedan användas som underlag för juridiskt bindande detaljplanering. Planerna nyttjas på ett sätt som kan liknas vid fördjupningar av översiktsplan eller planprogram, planer som vid tillfällen påvisats direkt konkurrera med strukturplanerna. Slutligen bör användandet av informella planinstrument i så stor mån som möjligt begränsas för att värna om den enskilda individens rätt till skydd och en demokratisk process inom kommunal fysisk planering. Vidare bör den formella planlagstiftningen ses över för att överblicka möjliga effektivitetshöjande förändringar, i denna process måste dock allmänhetens rättssäkerhet säkerställs.This thesis studies the phenomenon of structural plans, an informal planning institute used in physical planning in a number of Swedish municipalities. As the structural plans are not covered by current planning and building legislation, nor are they actively reviewed by review authorities, certain issues arise regarding the plans. The work aims to fill the observed knowledge gap regarding how structural plans arise, how they affect the formal planning process, how they relate to other plans in the municipalities that apply structural plans and how they should be treated from a future perspective. Through case studies of a selection of available structural plans, a basic understanding of the content of the plans is created. This content analysis is then followed up with semi-structured interviews of municipal politicians as well as expert officials or previously employed officials active in the planning process in municipalities that apply structural plans or equivalent planning instruments. The interviews provide a broader view of how structural plans or corresponding informal planning instruments are applied in practice in different municipalities and what thoughts the interview participants have about informal physical planning. The interview results then form the basis for the results part and the forthcoming analysis. The results from the interview process paint a picture of a planning legislation that is so extensive and time-consuming in nature that municipalities choose to deviate from existing statutory processes in favor of more efficient alternatives. A lack of flexibility in legislation and a need to be able to plan more visionary and structurally than existing formal planning tools allow is presented as reasons why structural plans have been established. The structural plans are in most cases politically anchored in the municipal council or municipal board and are then used as basic documents in the forthcoming detailed planning process. The effectiveness of the plans is based on the fact that there are no requirements for the design of the process as the structural plans have no legal basis. A normal planning procedure requires consultation with stakeholders and citizen dialogue as well as the county administrative board's review of the proposed plan. These steps in the formal planning process aim to create a democratic process that will both create public benefit while protecting the individual. The municipalities are in a position where democratic processes are weighed against efficiency and saved costs. This study finds that the use of structural plans affects the formal planning process with legal uncertainty. The uncertainty arises when structural plans are established without considering the significant steps in the formal planning process and then used as a basis for legally binding detailed planning process. The plans are used in a way that can be compared to in-depth studies of general plans or plan programs, plans that on occasions have been shown to directly compete with the structural plans. The study concludes that use of informal planning instruments should be limited as much as possible to safeguard the individual's right to protection and a democratic process in municipal spatial planning. Further the formal planning legislation should be reviewed in order to overview possible efficiency increasing changes, however this must be done whilst ensuring the legal security of the public

Nordic Fascism : Investigating the Political Project Behind Bollhusmötet

This thesis investigates the political project behind the infamous tennis hall meeting, commonly referred to as Bollhusmötet, that took place in February of 1939 in Uppsala, Sweden. Gathering in the local tennis hall, the members of the Uppsala Student Union decided to send a resolution to the Swedish king protesting the reception of Jewish refugees into Sweden in the wake of the 1938 November Pogrom. The protest was widely influential, spurring similar resolutions at other universities and arguably influencing Swedish refugee policy on a national level. The event itself was orchestrated by a group of nationalist students as part of a political project aiming to establish a Nordic power bloc with Sweden as the central power. This political milieu rejected the geopolitics of both England and Germany to promote a specific form of Nordic fascism. Antisemitism was a central part of their ideology, both regarding short- and long-term goals, and antisemitism was also the ultimate motive behind the tennis hall meeting. The architects of these events joined the mainstream conservative milieu in 1940 as part of a strategy to abolish the Swedish political system from within and restructure the Swedish state according to a fascist model bearing many similarities to national socialism