Interest and Recruitment in Science: A Reform, Gender and Experience Perspective

AbstractThis paper reports on Swedish results from a worldwide research project concerned with the Interest and Recruitment in Science Education (the IRIS-International study) together with results from a longitudinal national study on girl's views on out of school experience in science and technology in upper secondary education. The studies are framed in the structural situation of the Swedish educational system. The results show that there are reform and policy effects to consider in the discussion of recruiting more students in STEM. Interest in the subject, earlier school experience, achievement and teacher feedback is found to be important for educational choice in STEM. Specifically girls point out societal relevance as important. In addition there are elements outside the school setting with importance for educational choice. Moreover, girls point out visits to a museum and watching films and boys popularized forms of science and computer games. All students consider TV and activities outside school as important for their educational choice in STEM. When trying to implement outside school experience with girls in a longitudinal study in upper secondary education the interplay with school subject teaching is identified as missing. The friction between subject teaching in schools and connections with the surrounding world is proposed as important for future studies

Decoding Abilities in Adolescents with Intellectual Disabilities: The Contribution of Cognition, Language, and Home Literacy.

Decoding abilities in individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are substantially lower than for typical readers. The underlying mechanisms of their poor reading remain uncertain. The aim of this study was to investigate the concurrent predictors of decoding ability in 136 adolescents with non-specific ID, and to evaluate the results in relation to previous findings on typical readers. The study included a broad range of cognitive and language measures as predictors of decoding ability. A LASSO regression analysis identified phonological awareness and rapid automatized naming (RAN) as the most important predictors. The predictors explained 57.73% of the variance in decoding abilities. These variables are similar to the ones found in earlier research on typically developing children, hence supporting our hypothesis of a delayed rather than a different reading profile. These results lend some support to the use of interventions and reading instructions, originally developed for typically developing children, for children and adolescents with non-specific ID. [Abstract copyright: Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s).

Histone Variants and Their Post-Translational Modifications in Primary Human Fat Cells

Epigenetic changes related to human disease cannot be fully addressed by studies of cells from cultures or from other mammals. We isolated human fat cells from subcutaneous abdominal fat tissue of female subjects and extracted histones from either purified nuclei or intact cells. Direct acid extraction of whole adipocytes was more efficient, yielding about 100 µg of protein with histone content of 60% –70% from 10 mL of fat cells. Differential proteolysis of the protein extracts by trypsin or ArgC-protease followed by nanoLC/MS/MS with alternating CID/ETD peptide sequencing identified 19 histone variants. Four variants were found at the protein level for the first time; particularly HIST2H4B was identified besides the only H4 isoform earlier known to be expressed in humans. Three of the found H2A potentially organize small nucleosomes in transcriptionally active chromatin, while two H2AFY variants inactivate X chromosome in female cells. HIST1H2BA and three of the identified H1 variants had earlier been described only as oocyte or testis specific histones. H2AFX and H2AFY revealed differential and variable N-terminal processing. Out of 78 histone modifications by acetylation/trimethylation, methylation, dimethylation, phosphorylation and ubiquitination, identified from six subjects, 68 were found for the first time. Only 23 of these modifications were detected in two or more subjects, while all the others were individual specific. The direct acid extraction of adipocytes allows for personal epigenetic analyses of human fat tissue, for profiling of histone modifications related to obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, as well as for selection of individual medical treatments

Immune cells lacking Y chromosome show dysregulation of autosomal gene expression

Funder: Kjell och Märta Beijers Stiftelse (SE)Funder: Hjärnfonden; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100003792Funder: Cancerfonden; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100002794Funder: Vetenskapsrådet; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100004359Funder: Alzheimerfonden; doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.13039/501100008599Funder: Konung Gustaf V:s och Drottning Victorias Frimurarestiftelse (SE)Funder: Science for Life Laboratory (SE)Funder: Fundacja na rzecz Nauki Polskiej (PL)Funder: Uppsala UniversityAbstract: Epidemiological investigations show that mosaic loss of chromosome Y (LOY) in leukocytes is associated with earlier mortality and morbidity from many diseases in men. LOY is the most common acquired mutation and is associated with aberrant clonal expansion of cells, yet it remains unclear whether this mosaicism exerts a direct physiological effect. We studied DNA and RNA from leukocytes in sorted- and single-cells in vivo and in vitro. DNA analyses of sorted cells showed that men diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease was primarily affected with LOY in NK cells whereas prostate cancer patients more frequently displayed LOY in CD4 + T cells and granulocytes. Moreover, bulk and single-cell RNA sequencing in leukocytes allowed scoring of LOY from mRNA data and confirmed considerable variation in the rate of LOY across individuals and cell types. LOY-associated transcriptional effect (LATE) was observed in ~ 500 autosomal genes showing dysregulation in leukocytes with LOY. The fraction of LATE genes within specific cell types was substantially larger than the fraction of LATE genes shared between different subsets of leukocytes, suggesting that LOY might have pleiotropic effects. LATE genes are involved in immune functions but also encode proteins with roles in other diverse biological processes. Our findings highlight a surprisingly broad role for chromosome Y, challenging the view of it as a “genetic wasteland”, and support the hypothesis that altered immune function in leukocytes could be a mechanism linking LOY to increased risk for disease

The need for a new church handbook? A comparison between earlier handbooks and the new proposed handbook 2012

In 2010 the Church of Sweden initiated a project to elaborate a new handbook for church services and church documents. This handbook draft was ready to be tested in 2012. The first Sunday of Advent 2012 the church launched an extensive trial for the draft for the new handbook; this handbook draft will now be tested in a selected variety of Swedish parishes until Judgment Sunday 2013. Upon which the Church of Sweden will evaluate and respond to the comments and reactions from the Swedish congregations in terms of the handbooks proposal. My main goal with this paper is that I’m hoping to be able to examine where the need for a new handbook for church services originates. Does it come from the Swedish Church, from the churches and members of the Swedish congregations or do they originate from the surrounding community? This is a question which doesn’t necessarily have an answer to it. To investigate this, I will mainly use the Swedish Church handbook 1942, the Swedish church handbook 1986, the proposed new church handbook 2012 and the comments on the handbook draft 2012. Furthermore, I will examine the Church Sweden's processes around the new handbook proposal and the community around each handbook. The goal with this is to try to find out about what goes on within the Swedish church and out in the Swedish society in the drafting of the various handbooks. In this way I hope to find a clue as to what may be behind the Swedish Church’s handbook proposals 2012

Characterization and development of techniques for sample collection of exhaled particles

Drogpartiklar i utandningsluft är ett nytt forskningsområde med stora möjligheter att utvecklas för sjukdomsdiagnostik. En stor fördel är att provtagning kan utföras med större enkelhet och att proceduren kan upplevas som mindre integritetskränkande än till exempel blod- och urinprov. Det övergripande syftet med det här examensarbetet var att undersöka egenskaperna hos en apparat för provtagning vid namn SensAbues, som är framtagen för att samla in partiklar i utandningsluft för drogtestning. En del av syftet var att undersöka den variation som existerar i resultaten från tidigare forskning kring droganalys via utandningsprov. Examensarbetet utfördes utifrån litteraturstudier samt sex experiment. Utifrån teori och resultat ges rekommendationer på förändringar och förbättringar på provtagaren. Experiment I-III var relaterade till SensAbues egenskaper. De egenskaper som undersöktes var provtagarens flödesmotstånd (experiment I), hur partiklarna fördelar sig över provtagaren (experiment II) samt partikelstatistik gällande utandade partiklar samt provtagarens insamlingseffektivt (experiment III). I experiment IV-VI undersöktes anledningen till tidigare resultats variation, där det framförallt var tre hypoteser som låg som grund för experimentuppställningarna: 1) Att ökat flödesmotstånd skulle stimulera partikelbilandet och därmed öka koncentrationen av utandade drogpartiklar (experiment IV). 2) Att en speciell andningsmanöver skulle stimulera partikelbilandet och därmed öka koncentrationen av utandade drogpartiklar (experiment V). 3) Att partiklar från munhålan, som till exempel saliv, kontaminerar filtret vilket är anledningen till variationen i tidigare resultat (experiment VI). Resultaten från experiment I visar att det mesta flödesmotståndet sitter i provtagarens munstycke. I experiment II undersöktes spridningen av metadonpartiklar över provtagarens olika delar. Resultatet visar att det förekommer stor spridning och det verkar som att endast en liten del, cirka 3 % av metadonpartiklarna som andas ut fastnar i filtret, det vill säga den del som analyseras i laboratoriet. I experiment II går det inte att dra några slutsatser om provtagarens effektivitet, det vill säga hur stor andel av utandade metadonpartiklar som fångas upp av provtagaren, detta undersöks i experiment III. I experiment III undersöks provtagarens effektivitet och resultaten visar att provtagaren fångar upp cirka 99 % av utandade partiklar (alla utandade partiklar, ej drogpartiklar) Resultaten i experiment IV visade att ökat flödesmotstånd inte verkar ha någon betydelse för partikelkoncentrationen (generellt utandade partiklar, ej drogpartiklar). Resultaten i experiment V visade inte på att den speciella andningsmanövern bidrar till ökad koncentration av utandade drogpartiklar jämfört med vanlig provtagning. Det mest troliga skälet till tidigare forsknings varierande resultat är att partiklar från munhålan kontaminerar filtret, vilket visas i resultatet från experiment VI. Utifrån resultaten i experiment I-VI ges rekommendationer för utveckling av provtagaren.Analysis of drug particles in exhaled air is a new research area with great potential for medical diagnoses. A major advantage is that sampling can be performed much easier and that the procedure may be perceived as less intrusive than, for example, blood or urine samples. The overall aim of this thesis work was to investigate some of the properties of a sampler named SensAbues, which is designed to collect particles in exhaled air. Another part of the purpose was to examine the variation in the results of previous research related to drugs through expiration. The work was based on literature studies and six separate experiments. Experiments I-III was related to SensAbues properties. The properties examined were the sampler's flow resistance (experiment I), how the particles are distributed over the sampler (experiment II) and particle statistics regarding exhaled particles and the sampler's collection effectiveness (experiment III). In experiments IV-VI previous research results variety was examined based on primarily three hypotheses: 1) Increased resistance would stimulate the amount of exhaled particles and thereby increase the concentration (experiment IV). 2) That a special breathing maneuver would stimulate the amount of exhaled particles and thereby increase the concentration (experiment V). 3) That particles from the oral cavity, such as saliva, would contaminate the filter and explain the variation in previous research results (experiment VI). The results from experiment I show that most of the flow resistance is located in the sampler's nozzle. In experiment II it shows that there is a great distribution of methadone particles over the sampler's different parts. Only a small part, about 3% of methadone particles exhaled trapped in the filter, which is the part that is analyzed in the laboratory. In experiment II, it is not possible to draw any conclusions about the sampler's efficiency, this examined in experiment III. In experiment III the sampler's effectiveness is examined and the results show that the sampler captures approximately 99% of exhaled particles (all exhaled particles, not drug particles). Results in experiment IV showed that the increased flow resistance does not seem to have any bearing on the particle concentration (generally exhaled particles, not drug particles). The results of experiment V did not show that the particular breathing maneuver contributes to increased concentration of exhaled drug particles compared with normal breathing. The most likely reasons for the variation in previous research are that particles from the mouth contaminate the filter, as shown in the results of experiment VI. Experiments I-VI leads to recommendations for further development of the sampler

Autoimmune hepatitis : life, death and in-between

Background Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that is overrepresented in women (75% of cases). Studies have described a 10-year survival after diagnosis near to that of the general population, but less is known about the long-term survival. The inflammation in AIH causes fibrotic tissue to form in the liver and about 1/3 of AIH patients have cirrhosis at diagnosis. Studies have shown that treatment of the underlying liver disease can reverse fibrosis, and sometimes even cirrhosis, but only a few studies have examined the response to treatment in AIH. AIH affects all ages and some women will have cirrhosis during pregnancy, which is a risk factor for an adverse outcome. Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the true risk for HCC in cirrhotic AIH patients is not known. Aim To study the epidemiology of AIH in Sweden, the causes of death and the risk of cancer for AIH patients, the efficacy of medical treatment on fibrosis and cirrhosis, and outcomes for the mother and child in pregnancy. Material and methods A cohort of 634 AIH patients was established at the Swedish University hospitals. Prevalence and incidence were calculated, and a relative survival analysis was performed in which survival after AIH diagnosis was compared to that of the general population. Causes of deaths were retrieved from the Cause of Death Registry. The Cancer Registry was used to calculate standard incidence ratios (SIR) and compare cancer risk to that of the general population. Two hundred fifty-eight liver biopsies from 101 patients were analyzed by a single pathologist and classified according to the Ishak grading and staging system. Liver histology was stratified according to the temporal changes of fibrosis stage, and groups were compared. A questionnaire was answered by 138 women with AIH about medication, pregnancies, disease behavior during and after pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes. Results The incidence and prevalence of AIH were 1.2/100 000 and 17.3/100 000 respectively. The relative survival started to decline after 4 years compared to the reference population, and was even more pronounced after 10 years. Men were diagnosed (33.5 years versus 48.0 years, p<0.001) and died (59.7 versus 75.4 years, p=0.002) at a younger age than women. Patients with cirrhosis at diagnosis had an inferior survival (p<0.001). Liver-related death was the most common cause of death (32.7%). Among AIH patients a higher incidence of cancer was found compared with that of the general Swedish population, SIR of 2.08 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.68-2.55). SIR for non-melanoma skin cancer was 9.87 (95% CI 6.26-14.81) and hepatobiliary cancer was 54.55 (95% CI 19.92-99.99). HCC was found in 4% of the cirrhotic patients and the incidence rate was 0.3% per year. A reduction of fibrosis stage from first to last biopsy was common (62.4% of patients) and patients on a continuous glucocorticoid medication more often had a decreased fibrosis stage than those with withdrawal attempts (p=0.002). One hundred children were born by 58 women with AIH, of which 23 women had 43 children after diagnosis of cirrhosis. Malformations were reported in 3%, and pre-term births (<week 38) in 22% of the pregnancies. Cirrhotic women gave birth without more complications than others, but with a higher frequency of caesarean sections than non-cirrhotic women (p=0.047). Conclusion Contrary to previous reports, AIH patients’ life expectancy was significantly inferior to that of the control population already 4 years after onset of disease, and liver disease was the most common cause of death. AIH patients had an overall enhanced risk for cancer, mainly from an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and HCC. However, the annual risk of HCC was only 0.3% in cirrhotic patients. Histological improvement of liver fibrosis was common in AIH. The proportion of pre-term births was high, but overall pregnancy and childbirth appear to be safe in AIH, even in compensated cirrhosis.

Yrkeskunnandets styrka och skörhet : En essä om erfarenheter inom vården

In this thesis the core of the nursing professional skill will be portrayed through the opportunities of the essay writing. Thus the tacit knowledge, which is at the verge of erosion in a zeitgeist where medical care shall be cost-efficient and where development is mainly based on scientific research, will be articulated. Scientific articulation of knowledge has gained increasing importance on the expense of the practical knowledge. Healthcare professional skill requires a refind ability of judgment, which absorbs its nourishment from both scientific knowledge and the proven proficiency expertise. Professional skill expresses itselfs through action, especially through the acting in unexpected incident. Experience is developed into knowledge through reflection. I want to awaken the reader’s thoughts about the road to professional skill, how it is affected by the context we are living in as well as to illustrate the strength and fragility of the professionalism over time. I also want to provide the practitioners with a broader opportunity to independently be able to evaluate the quality of their own practice.  

Autoimmune hepatitis : life, death and in-between

Background Autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) is a chronic autoimmune liver disease that is overrepresented in women (75% of cases). Studies have described a 10-year survival after diagnosis near to that of the general population, but less is known about the long-term survival. The inflammation in AIH causes fibrotic tissue to form in the liver and about 1/3 of AIH patients have cirrhosis at diagnosis. Studies have shown that treatment of the underlying liver disease can reverse fibrosis, and sometimes even cirrhosis, but only a few studies have examined the response to treatment in AIH. AIH affects all ages and some women will have cirrhosis during pregnancy, which is a risk factor for an adverse outcome. Cirrhosis is also a risk factor for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but the true risk for HCC in cirrhotic AIH patients is not known. Aim To study the epidemiology of AIH in Sweden, the causes of death and the risk of cancer for AIH patients, the efficacy of medical treatment on fibrosis and cirrhosis, and outcomes for the mother and child in pregnancy. Material and methods A cohort of 634 AIH patients was established at the Swedish University hospitals. Prevalence and incidence were calculated, and a relative survival analysis was performed in which survival after AIH diagnosis was compared to that of the general population. Causes of deaths were retrieved from the Cause of Death Registry. The Cancer Registry was used to calculate standard incidence ratios (SIR) and compare cancer risk to that of the general population. Two hundred fifty-eight liver biopsies from 101 patients were analyzed by a single pathologist and classified according to the Ishak grading and staging system. Liver histology was stratified according to the temporal changes of fibrosis stage, and groups were compared. A questionnaire was answered by 138 women with AIH about medication, pregnancies, disease behavior during and after pregnancy, and pregnancy outcomes. Results The incidence and prevalence of AIH were 1.2/100 000 and 17.3/100 000 respectively. The relative survival started to decline after 4 years compared to the reference population, and was even more pronounced after 10 years. Men were diagnosed (33.5 years versus 48.0 years, p<0.001) and died (59.7 versus 75.4 years, p=0.002) at a younger age than women. Patients with cirrhosis at diagnosis had an inferior survival (p<0.001). Liver-related death was the most common cause of death (32.7%). Among AIH patients a higher incidence of cancer was found compared with that of the general Swedish population, SIR of 2.08 (95% Confidence Interval (CI) 1.68-2.55). SIR for non-melanoma skin cancer was 9.87 (95% CI 6.26-14.81) and hepatobiliary cancer was 54.55 (95% CI 19.92-99.99). HCC was found in 4% of the cirrhotic patients and the incidence rate was 0.3% per year. A reduction of fibrosis stage from first to last biopsy was common (62.4% of patients) and patients on a continuous glucocorticoid medication more often had a decreased fibrosis stage than those with withdrawal attempts (p=0.002). One hundred children were born by 58 women with AIH, of which 23 women had 43 children after diagnosis of cirrhosis. Malformations were reported in 3%, and pre-term births (<week 38) in 22% of the pregnancies. Cirrhotic women gave birth without more complications than others, but with a higher frequency of caesarean sections than non-cirrhotic women (p=0.047). Conclusion Contrary to previous reports, AIH patients’ life expectancy was significantly inferior to that of the control population already 4 years after onset of disease, and liver disease was the most common cause of death. AIH patients had an overall enhanced risk for cancer, mainly from an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer and HCC. However, the annual risk of HCC was only 0.3% in cirrhotic patients. Histological improvement of liver fibrosis was common in AIH. The proportion of pre-term births was high, but overall pregnancy and childbirth appear to be safe in AIH, even in compensated cirrhosis.