48 research outputs found
IÀkkÀiden muistisairaudet tarvitsevat erikoisosaajia
On korkea aika varmistaa, ettÀ hyvinvointialueet sekÀ yliopistosairaalat saavat geriatrian yksiköt ja niihin riittÀvÀt resurssit.</p
Effect of moisture on leaf litter decomposition and its contribution to soil respiration in a temperate forest
The degree to which increased soil respiration rates following wetting is caused by plant (autotrophic) versus microbial (heterotrophic) processes, is still largely uninvestigated. Incubation studies suggest microbial processes play a role but it remains unclear whether there is a stimulation of the microbial population as a whole or an increase in the importance of specific substrates that become available with wetting of the soil. We took advantage of an ongoing manipulation of leaf litter <sup>14</sup>C contents at the Oak Ridge Reservation, Oak Ridge, Tennessee, to (1) determine the degree to which an increase in soil respiration rates that accompanied wetting of litter and soil, following a short period of drought, could be explained by heterotrophic contributions; and (2) investigate the potential causes of increased heterotrophic respiration in incubated litter and 0â5 cm mineral soil. The contribution of leaf litter decomposition increased from 6 ± 3 mg C m<sup>â2</sup> hr<sup>â1</sup> during a transient drought, to 63 ± 18 mg C m<sup>â2</sup> hr<sup>â1</sup> immediately after water addition, corresponding to an increase in the contribution to soil respiration from 5 ± 2% to 37 ± 8%. The increased relative contribution was sufficient to explain all of the observed increase in soil respiration for this one wetting event in the late growing season. Temperature (13°C versus 25°C) and moisture (dry versus field capacity) conditions did not change the relative contributions of different decomposition substrates in incubations, suggesting that more slowly cycling C has at least the same sensitivity to decomposition as faster cycling organic C at the temperature and moisture conditions studied
Botulinum toxin in gastric submucosa reduces stimulated HCl production in rats
BACKGROUND: Botulinum toxin blocks acetylcholine release from nerve endings and acts as a long term, reversible inhibitor of muscle contraction as well as of salivary, sweat gland, adrenal and prostatic secretions. The aim of the present study is to investigate whether gastric submucosal injection of botulinum toxin type A reduces stimulated gastric production of HCl. METHODS: Sixty-four rats were randomized in two groups and laparotomized. One group was treated with botulinum toxin-A 10 U by multiple submucosal gastric injections, while the second group was injected with saline. Two weeks later, acid secretion was stimulated by pyloric ligation and acid output was measured. Body weight, food and water intake were also recorded daily. RESULTS: HCl production after pyloric ligation was found to be significantly lower in botulinum toxin-treated rats (657 ± 90.25 micromol HCl vs. 1247 ± 152. P = 0.0017). Botulinum toxin-treated rats also showed significantly lower food intake and weight gain. CONCLUSIONS: Botulinum toxin type A reduces stimulated gastric acidity. This is likely due either to inhibition of the cholinergic stimulation of gastric parietal cells, or to an action on the myenteric nervous plexuses. Reduction of growth and food intake may reflect both impaired digestion and decreased gastric motility
Characterization of gastric mucosa biopsies reveals alterations in Huntington's Disease
Weight loss is an important complication of Huntington's disease (HD), however the mechanism for weight loss in HD is not entirely understood. Mutant huntingtin is expressed in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and, in HD mice, mutant huntingtin inclusions are found within the enteric nervous system along the GI tract. A reduction of neuropeptides, decreased mucosal thickness and villus length, as well as gut motility impairment, have also been shown in HD mice. We therefore set out to study gastric mucosa of patients with HD, looking for abnormalities of mucosal cells using immunohistochemistry. In order to investigate possible histological differences related to gastric acid production, we evaluated the cell density of acid producing parietal cells, as well as gastrin producing cells (the endocrine cell controlling parietal cell function). In addition, we looked at chief cells and somatostatin-containing cells. In gastric mucosa from HD subjects, compared to control subject biopsies, a reduced expression of gastrin (a marker of G cells) was found. This is in line with previous HD mouse studies showing reduction of GI tract neuropeptides
Assessment and treatment of asylum seekers after a suicide attempt: a comparative study of people registered at mental health services in a Swedish location
Transcriptional Regulation of N-Acetylglutamate Synthase
The urea cycle converts toxic ammonia to urea within the liver of mammals. At least 6 enzymes are required for ureagenesis, which correlates with dietary protein intake. The transcription of urea cycle genes is, at least in part, regulated by glucocorticoid and glucagon hormone signaling pathways. N-acetylglutamate synthase (NAGS) produces a unique cofactor, N-acetylglutamate (NAG), that is essential for the catalytic function of the first and rate-limiting enzyme of ureagenesis, carbamyl phosphate synthetase 1 (CPS1). However, despite the important role of NAGS in ammonia removal, little is known about the mechanisms of its regulation. We identified two regions of high conservation upstream of the translation start of the NAGS gene. Reporter assays confirmed that these regions represent promoter and enhancer and that the enhancer is tissue specific. Within the promoter, we identified multiple transcription start sites that differed between liver and small intestine. Several transcription factor binding motifs were conserved within the promoter and enhancer regions while a TATA-box motif was absent. DNA-protein pull-down assays and chromatin immunoprecipitation confirmed binding of Sp1 and CREB, but not C/EBP in the promoter and HNF-1 and NF-Y, but not SMAD3 or AP-2 in the enhancer. The functional importance of these motifs was demonstrated by decreased transcription of reporter constructs following mutagenesis of each motif. The presented data strongly suggest that Sp1, CREB, HNF-1, and NF-Y, that are known to be responsive to hormones and diet, regulate NAGS transcription. This provides molecular mechanism of regulation of ureagenesis in response to hormonal and dietary changes
Anti-herpes simplex virus activities of sulfomannan oligosaccharide PI-88 and disulfated cyclitols
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) initiates invasion of human cells by binding to the cell surface heparan sulfate (HS) glycosaminoglycan chains. This step is mediated by the viral envelope glycoproteins gC and/or gB. Sulfated polysaccharides are compounds that mimic the structure of HS chains, and therefore are capable of inhibiting HSV attachment to and subsequent infection of cells. However the high molecular weight and associated with it poor tissue-penetrating activity have limited potential antiviral application of sulfated polysaccharides in humans. Here we found that the HS mimetic PI-88, a sulfomannan oligosaccharide of low molecular weight, efficiently reduced, in contrast to conventional sulfated polysaccharides, the cell-to-cell spread of HSV. Analogues of PI-88 with chemical modifications based on the introduction of specific hydrophobic/aromatic group(s) at the reducing end of PI-88 oligosaccharide chain showed enhanced capability to inhibit infection of cells and the cell-to-cell transmission of HSV and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). One of these analogues (denoted 536), prepared by modification of PI-88 with cholestanol group, exhibited in contrast to the parental compound an HSV-inactivating activity. Furthermore, several disulfated cyclitols, identified by screening for an anti-HSV activity of a large number of low molecular weight sulfated compounds, efficiently reduced the cell-to-cell spread of HSV and demonstrated the HSV-inactivating activity.
The second aim of this thesis was to elucidate the molecular basis for viral resistance to PI-88. Variants of HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and type 2 (HSV-2), selected for by virus propagation in cultured cells in the presence of PI-88 were analysed. Many of these variants had a low infectious titer, indicative of a profound impairment in biological activities of the virus in response to continuous pressure from the drug. These variants were substantially resistant to PI-88 presence during their initial infection of cells and/or their cell-to-cell spread. Nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that PI-88 targeted predominantly the viral envelope glycoproteins that comprise mucin-like region(s), i.e., glycoprotein gC of HSV-1 and glycoprotein gG of HSV-2. The deletion of the mucin-like region of HSV-1 gC (amino acids 33-116) or the deletion of whole HSV-2 gG provided the virus with selective advantage to attach to and to infect cells in the presence of PI-88.
In conclusion, we have identified several novel antiviral compounds. One of these compounds, the PI-88 analogue 536, seems to be an attractive candidate for the development of a topical virucide for prevention of genital HSV infections in humans. We have also identified a novel biological function of HSV-2 gG, i.e., its targeting by sulfated oligosaccharides, which suggests involvement of this protein in HSV-2 attachment to cells or in modulation of this step
De smÄ och stora intagna En kvantitativ studie som undersöker personalens uppfattning om mammornas, barnens och personalens förutsÀttningar pÄ anstalt
Denna uppsats behandlar Àmnet barn som bor pÄ anstalt tillsammans med sina mammor i
Sverige. Syftet med vÄr uppsats Àr att, utifrÄn ett anknytnings- och systemteoretiskt
perspektiv, undersöka personalens uppfattning om hur de tycker att det fungerar med barn pÄ
anstalt. Detta med fokus pÄ förutsÀttningar för barnets utveckling, mamman i sin förÀldraroll,
barnets relation till anhöriga pÄ utsidan samt personalens egna förutsÀttningar för att arbeta
med barnen. Uppsatsen Àr gjord med ett bekvÀmlighetsurval hos personalen pÄ en
kvinnoanstalt i GöteborgsomrÄdet dÀr ett projekt av Solrosen som Àr en del av
frivilligorganisationen Göteborgs RÀddningsmission pÄgÄr för att förbÀttra miljön för
mammorna och barnen pÄ anstalten. Studien Àr utförd med kvantitativ metod med enkÀter
med likertskalor med frÄgor om instÀllning, barnens förutsÀttningar, förÀldrarollen, barnens
förutsÀttningar för relationer med anhöriga samt Äsikter om deras egna förutsÀttningar för att
arbeta med barnen pÄ anstalten. Vi har analyserat vÄrt material utifrÄn ett anknytnings- och
systemteoretiskt perspektiv. VÄrt resultat visar pÄ att personalen övergripande Àr positivt
instÀllda till att barnen bor pÄ anstalten dÄ svaren generellt visade att de ansÄg att
förhÄllandena och förutsÀttningarna var ganska bra till bra. NÄgra i personalen ansÄg dock att
miljön pÄ den slutna avdelningen var ganska dÄlig för ett barn samt menade att det ofta
uppkommer dilemman mellan personalen och mammorna angÄende barnuppfostran.
Resultatet visar Àven att personalen generellt har en relativt hög utbildningsnivÄ och anser att
de inte Àr i behov av ytterligare utbildning eller handledning i frÄgor som rör barnen och
mammorna pÄ anstalten. Slutsatserna vi drar av vÄr studie Àr att det Àr positivt för bÄde
mamman och barnet att bo tillsammans pÄ en anstalt, sÄ lÀnge det inte finns nÄgot bÀttre
alternativ till vuxna personer för barnen att bo hos sÄ som en anhörig eller en lÀmplig
familjehemsplacering, och sÄ lÀnge mamman visar pÄ god förÀldraförmÄga och att anstalten Àr
passande, med en öppen eller sÀrskild avdelning. En ytterligare slutsats Àr att det Àr ett viktigt
omrÄde att forska kring dÄ det Àr sÄ eftersatt och att det bör utvecklas mer tydliga riktlinjer
och praxis sÄ att man kan arbeta med barnen pÄ anstalter pÄ bÀsta sÀtt
Hur digitala verktyg och digitala hjÀlpmedel kan frÀmja samhandling och tillgÀnglighet i sÀrskolans undervisning : NÄgra lÀrares tankar kring förutsÀttingar och anvÀndande
Enligt Skolverket ska lÀrare sÀkerstÀlla god och vÀl anpassad undervisning som frÀmjar alla elevers utveckling. FörutsÀttningen för lÀrande och utveckling, enligt specialpedagogiska skolmyndigheten [SPSM], Àr att fÄ kÀnna och uppleva delaktighet. DÄ behöver möjligheterna för det förbÀttras för elever med funktionsnedsÀttning. Syftet med denna studie var att undersöka hur nÄgra lÀrare i sÀrskolan beskriver förutsÀttningar för att anvÀnda digitala verktyg och digitala hjÀlpmedel för att frÀmja samhandling och tillgÀnglighet i undervisningen. Studien hade en kvalitativ ansats och genomfördes med intervjuer av fem lÀrare inom sÀrskola vilka alla arbetar med digitala verktyg och digitala hjÀlpmedel i undervisning. Svaren frÄn intervjuerna analyserades utifrÄn SPSMŽs delaktighetsmodell och med ett resonemang utifrÄn systemteori. Studiens resultat visade att lÀrarna arbetade aktivt med digitala verktyg och digitala hjÀlpmedel i undervisningen till förmÄn för samhandling och tillgÀnglighet, men att det ocksÄ fanns faktorer som begrÀnsade digital delaktighet för eleverna. LÀrarna uppgav att de hade god tillgÄng till digital teknik men att de i viss mÄn saknade handledning, teknisk support och adekvat mjukvara anpassat till respektive elevgrupp
LÀrande för elever med sprÄkstörning
I dagens informationssamhaÌlle har den spraÌkliga foÌrmaÌgan blivit allt viktigare, baÌde i tal och skrift. Just denna betydelsefulla foÌrmaÌga kaÌmpar elever med spraÌkstoÌrning dagligen med. Undervisningen behoÌver av denna anledning utformas, organiseras och anpassas efter de behov som elever med spraÌkstoÌrning har. DaÌrfoÌr har denna studie valt att ta del av den erfarenhet som naÌgra yrkesverksamma i tal- och spraÌkklasser och spraÌkspaÌr besitter kring hur de organiserar undervisningen foÌr att skapa gynnsamma foÌrutsaÌttningar foÌr laÌrande och utveckling foÌr elever med spraÌkstoÌrning. Studien aÌr en kvalitativ studie daÌr yrkesverksamma genom semistrukturerade intervjuer har faÌtt moÌjlighet att dela med sig av sin kunskap kring elever med spraÌkstoÌrning. Resultatet har framfoÌr allt diskuterats utifraÌn ett sociokulturellt perspektiv, men aÌven dilemmaperspektivet har en viktig roll framfoÌr allt i diskussionen kring elevernas delaktighet. Resultatet visar att elever med spraÌkstoÌrning aÌr en heterogen grupp med olika behov. FoÌr att skapa gynnsamma foÌrutsaÌttningar foÌr elever med spraÌkstoÌrning kraÌvs det att de vuxna skapar en laÌrmiljoÌ med tydliga rutiner och struktur oÌver skoldagen, samt kreativitet i utformandet av material och aktiviteter. En stor del av de anpassningar som goÌrs i skolans laÌrmiljoÌ handlar om att kompensera foÌr elevernas begraÌnsade kognitiva funktioner och de svaÌrigheter eleverna staÌlls foÌr i sin skolvardag. Trots att de yrkesverksamma besitter en stor kunskap om spraÌkstoÌrning, saÌ uppstaÌr dilemman kring hur undervisningen ska bedrivas foÌr att passa alla och hur elevernas sjaÌlvkaÌnsla ska haÌllas intakt i foÌrhaÌllande till maÌluppfyllelse och betyg