Neurogenic and angiogenic actions of electroconvulsive seizures in adult rat brain

In the current thesis, the neurogenic and angiogenic response to electroconvulsive seizure (ECS)-treatment was investigated in the adult rat brain. ECS-treatment is an animal model for the antidepressant treatment electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), which is considered to be the most effective antidepressant treatment modality today, however with not yet fully understood modes of action. Depression, which is a common and devastating illness has recently been proposed to be caused by a decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and cellular plasticity in general, possibly due to elevated levels of the stress hormone cortisol, manifesting itself as a reduction in hippocampal volume. In the current thesis, ECS-treatment was shown to be able to oppose stress hormone-induced decrease in hippocampal neurogenesis and also induce proliferation of non-neuronal cells. A large majority of these cells were identified as being endothelial cells, and neurogenesis and angiogenesis in response to ECS-treatment seemingly occurred in concert. In addition to neurogenesis, ECS-treatment induced strong neuronal activation in the hypothalamus, co-localising with a strong angiogenic response. Endothelial cells have been shown to influence neuronal and glial function and we hypothesise that the increase in hypothalamic endothelial cell proliferation could for example influence neuroendocrine signaling. Besides possibly influencing neuronal and glial function, endothelial cells are building blocks of blood vessels. We detect a strong angiogenic response in the hippocampus, which in fact results in a 16% increase in vessel length in the molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. This finding has important implications for the trophic actions of ECS-treatment. In addition to counteracting decreases in neurogenesis, ECS-treatment increase the vascularization of a structure that has been shown to be vulnerable to stress and decrease in size in depressed patients. Understanding this angiogenic response and possibly being able to stimulate it by other means than ECS-treatment could possibly lead to the development of new and more effective antidepressant treatments

Retrieval of forest stem volume using VHF SAR

The ability to retrieve forest stem volume using CARABAS (coherent all radio band sensing) SAR images (28–60 MHz) has been investigated. The test site is a deciduous mixed forest on the island of Öland in southern Sweden. The images have been radiometrically calibrated using an array of horizontal dipoles. The images exhibit a clear discrimination between the forest and open fields. The results show that the dynamic range of the backscattering coefficient among the forest stands is higher than what has been found with conventional SAR using microwave frequencies. The backscatter increases with increasing radar frequency. This work shows an advantage compared to higher frequencies for stem volume estimation in dense forests

Are team sport games more motivating than individual exercise for middle-aged women? a comparison of levels of motivation associated with participating in floorball and spinning

The aim of this study was to investigate the levels of motivation associated with participation in floorball (indoor hockey) and spinning, and how levels of motivation predicted continuation. A sample of 66 middleaged women participated in a 12-week intervention of either floorball or spinning. They filled out the Sport Motivation Scale in week 2 and week 11 of the intervention, and data on their continuation six and 12 months after the intervention was also collected. A repeated measures MANOVA showed that participants in the floorball group had higher levels of intrinsic and self-determined extrinsic motivation for the activity during the intervention period, suggesting that floorball is a more motivating activity. In addition, extrinsic motivation the introjected regulation increased in both groups during the intervention period. Intrinsic motivation, as well as extrinsic motivation introjected regulation, predicted participants’ continuation six and 12 months after the intervention, suggesting that motivation as viewed in a Self-Determination Theory perspective is important for continuation

Thrombus aspiration during ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.

To access publisher's full text version of this article. Please click on the hyperlink in Additional Links field.The clinical effect of routine intracoronary thrombus aspiration before primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is uncertain. We aimed to evaluate whether thrombus aspiration reduces mortality.We conducted a multicenter, prospective, randomized, controlled, open-label clinical trial, with enrollment of patients from the national comprehensive Swedish Coronary Angiography and Angioplasty Registry (SCAAR) and end points evaluated through national registries. A total of 7244 patients with STEMI undergoing PCI were randomly assigned to manual thrombus aspiration followed by PCI or to PCI only. The primary end point was all-cause mortality at 30 days.No patients were lost to follow-up. Death from any cause occurred in 2.8% of the patients in the thrombus-aspiration group (103 of 3621), as compared with 3.0% in the PCI-only group (110 of 3623) (hazard ratio, 0.94; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.72 to 1.22; P=0.63). The rates of hospitalization for recurrent myocardial infarction at 30 days were 0.5% and 0.9% in the two groups, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.34 to 1.07; P=0.09), and the rates of stent thrombosis were 0.2% and 0.5%, respectively (hazard ratio, 0.47; 95% CI, 0.20 to 1.02; P=0.06). There were no significant differences between the groups with respect to the rate of stroke or neurologic complications at the time of discharge (P=0.87). The results were consistent across all major prespecified subgroups, including subgroups defined according to thrombus burden and coronary flow before PCI.Routine thrombus aspiration before PCI as compared with PCI alone did not reduce 30-day mortality among patients with STEMI. (Funded by the Swedish Research Council and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01093404.).Swedish Research Council, Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, Terumo Medical Corporation, Medtronic, Vascular Solutions, Swedish Heart-Lung Foundation/20100178/ B0010401 Biotronik, Stentys, Abbott Vascular, St. Jude Medical, Boston Scientific, EPS Vascular, Cardiac Dimensions, AstraZeneca, Edwards Lifesciences

Copenhagen consensus statement 2019: physical activity and ageing

From 19th to 22nd November 2018, 26 researchers representing nine countries and a variety of academic disciplines met in Snekkersten, Denmark, to reach evidence-based consensus about physical activity and older adults. It was recognised that the term ‘older adults’ represents a highly heterogeneous population. It encompasses those that remain highly active and healthy throughout the life-course with a high intrinsic capacity to the very old and frail with low intrinsic capacity. The consensus is drawn from a wide range of research methodologies within epidemiology, medicine, physiology, neuroscience, psychology and sociology, recognising the strength and limitations of each of the methods. Much of the evidence presented in the statements is based on longitudinal associations from observational and randomised controlled intervention studies, as well as quantitative and qualitative social studies in relatively healthy community-dwelling older adults. Nevertheless, we also considered research with frail older adults and those with age-associated neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease, and in a few cases molecular and cellular outcome measures from animal studies. The consensus statements distinguish between physical activity and exercise. Physical activity is used as an umbrella term that includes both structured and unstructured forms of leisure, transport, domestic and work-related activities. Physical activity entails body movement that increases energy expenditure relative to rest, and is often characterised in terms of intensity from light, to moderate to vigorous. Exercise is defined as a subset of structured physical activities that are more specifically designed to improve cardiorespiratory fitness, cognitive function, flexibility balance, strength and/or power. This statement presents the consensus on the effects of physical activity on older adults’ fitness, health, cognitive functioning, functional capacity, engagement, motivation, psychological well-being and social inclusion. It also covers the consensus on physical activity implementation strategies. While it is recognised that adverse events can occur during exercise, the risk can be minimised by carefully choosing the type of activity undertaken and by consultation with the individual’s physician when warranted, for example, when the individual is frail, has a number of co-morbidities, or has exercise-related symptoms, such as chest pain, heart arrhythmia or dizziness. The consensus was obtained through an iterative process that began with the presentation of the state-of-the-science in each domain, followed by group and plenary discussions. Ultimately, the participants reached agreement on the 30-item consensus statements

Hur reagerar de fyra stora?

Bakgrund och problem: För att kunna uppfylla syftet med revisionen är det nödvändigt att revisorn är oberoende. Den reglering som finns gällande oberoendet har diskuterats under en lång tid och på senare år har flera förändringar skett, framförallt internationellt sett. Även i Sverige är förändringar på gång och i maj 2006 antog riksdagen ett förslag från regeringen som träder ikraft den 1 januari 2007. Den nya lagen innebär att en revisionsbyrå inte längre får ge yrkesmässigt biträde vid bokföringen till ett större företag om samma byrå även tillhandahåller revisionen till företaget. Detta kan medföra att revisionsbyråerna kan tvingas göra sig av med konsultations eller revisionsuppdrag. Syfte: Att undersöka vilken påverkan de skärpta jävsreglerna har på revisorsbyråerna samt klargöra hur de nya reglerna kommer att påverka oberoendet. Vi avser även att undersöka om det finns några uttalade strategier för hur revisionsbyråerna ska bemöta reglerna. Avgränsningar: Uppsatsen undersöker enbart vilken påverkan de nya reglerna har på revisionsbyråerna och inte hur de påverkar mottagarna av tjänsterna. Endast revisionsbyråer i Göteborg kommer att undersökas på grund av kostnads och tidsskäl. Metod: Uppsatsen har en kvalitativ ansats. Intervjuer har genomförts med revisorer från de fyra stora revisionsbyråerna. Byråerna fick svara på frågor om påverkan, oberoendet och vilka eventuella strategier de har för att bemöta reglerna. Empirin har analyserats med hjälp av den framtagna referensramen och är inriktad på att urskilja eventuella likheter och skillnader mellan respondenternas svar. Vi har försökt att besvara varför dessa uppkommer. Resultat och slutsatser: De nya reglerna får en liten påverkan på revisionsbyråerna då de har få kombiuppdrag inom den träffade kategorin företag. Av denna anledning finns inte några utarbetade aktiva strategier framtagna. Det faktiska oberoendet får inte någon förändring utan det som förbättras är det synliga oberoendet till ett pris av längre tidsåtgång. Förslag till fortsatt forskning: Det vore intressant att i framtiden undersöka de verkliga effekterna av de nya reglerna och inte bara tänkbara scenarion. Även hur mottagarna av revisionen påverkas skulle vara intressant. En ytterliggare aspekt att undersöka är om det finns skillnader för påverkan på olika slags orter

Individual sportathletes' perceived sources of self-efficacy.

Syftet med föreliggande studie var att kartlägga källor till self-efficacy hos individuella idrottare med hjälp av self-efficacy teorin och pyramid för prestation. Följande frågeställningar har besvarats: (A) vilka källor använder individuella idrottare vid hög self-efficacy (B) Vilka källor använder individuella idrottare vid låg self-efficacy? och (C) Vilken är relationen mellan self-efficacy och prestation? Tio semistrukturerande intervjuer genomfördes på tio individuella idrottare (5 manliga och 5 kvinnliga) i ålder 18-27 år. Resultaten visade att tidigare erfarenheter var den största källan till ökat self-efficacy. Uttryck som "tränat bra innan" och "bra förberedelse" använder intervjupersonerna för att beskriva denna källa. "Prestationsångest" och "press på mig själv" utryckdes bland intervjupersonerna i det känslomässiga tillståndet som var den största källan vid lågt self-efficacy. I sambandet mellan self-efficacy och prestation kan ett mönster presenteras, högt self-efficacy ger framgångsrik prestation och lågt self-efficacy ger misslyckad prestation.The purpose of this study was to examine the sources to self-efficacy among individual sportathletes based on self-efficacy theory and the high performance pyramid.  The objectives were to examine: (A) sources individual sportathletes uses in high self-efficacy (B) sources of individual athletes in low self-efficacy (C)  the relationship between self-efficacy and performance. Ten semi-structured interviews were conducted with ten individual athletes (five men and five women) in age 18 - 27. The results showed that past experience was the major source of high self-efficacy with expressions such as "trained well before" and "good preparation" used the most by the participants. "Performance anxiety" and "external pressure” were the largest source of low self-efficacy. Examining the relationship between self-efficacy and performance revealed two pattern, high self-efficacy in 90 % cases is associated with successful performance and low self-efficacy in 80% cases is associated with poor performance

The need for speed : A study of how a new digital tool can affect B2B relationships

The technological development that we have seen in the last decades has resulted in a more digitized business environment and affected industries from an innovative and competitive perspective. The digital transition is an ongoing process and it creates opportunities and challenges for businesses globally. Digital transitions can have consequences for different aspects within a company, from the top management all the way to their customer relations. This study is concentrated on the latter, namely customer relations in a business-to-business context within the sportswear industry. The purpose of this degree project is to develop a deeper understanding about how perceived usefulness of a new digital tool affects the behavioral intention to use it based on a relationship marketing perspective. The study specifically investigates key account managers in a business-to-business context from the sportswear company Athics. By investigating perceived usefulness of 3D Virtual Prototypes by the key account managers’ behavioral intention to use, we managed to explain whether this technology would be accepted or rejected by the managers. None of the key account managers had previous experience with 3D Virtual Prototypes. The degree project had a qualitative method where we interviewed eight key account managers from the product division Athics Footwear through semi-structured interviews. The study takes a deductive approach. The ontological and epistemological stances are interpretivism and constructionism. After reviewing the literature on relationship marketing and technology acceptance model, we formed a conceptual model to get a deeper understanding of their relation to each other. This model was reconstructed once the empirical findings were analysed due to new findings. The revised model contributes to research on relationship marketing and technology acceptance. The findings show that Athics key account managers have a positive attitude towards using 3D Virtual Prototypes and intend to use it once Athics implements this new technology. They believe that 3D Virtual Prototypes can affect relationship strength directly and perceive it as useful in creating long-lasting relationships with their business-to-business customers. However, the study’s result shows that relationship performance will only be affected by sales performance. Implying that 3D Virtual Prototypes can still be perceived as useful but from a different cause. Moreover, the study’s result shows that by implementing 3D virtual prototypes customers will get more involved in the process of developing a shoe. Therefore, we consider customer involvement as a new finding and an important factor in relationship marketing when implementing a new digital tool. The key account managers perceive the digital tool to be more useful towards larger accounts due to their innovative and collaborative side. Smaller accounts are more challenging since they express a more conservative mindset by being less collaborative and perceive innovations as a higher risk.

The need for speed : A study of how a new digital tool can affect B2B relationships

The technological development that we have seen in the last decades has resulted in a more digitized business environment and affected industries from an innovative and competitive perspective. The digital transition is an ongoing process and it creates opportunities and challenges for businesses globally. Digital transitions can have consequences for different aspects within a company, from the top management all the way to their customer relations. This study is concentrated on the latter, namely customer relations in a business-to-business context within the sportswear industry. The purpose of this degree project is to develop a deeper understanding about how perceived usefulness of a new digital tool affects the behavioral intention to use it based on a relationship marketing perspective. The study specifically investigates key account managers in a business-to-business context from the sportswear company Athics. By investigating perceived usefulness of 3D Virtual Prototypes by the key account managers’ behavioral intention to use, we managed to explain whether this technology would be accepted or rejected by the managers. None of the key account managers had previous experience with 3D Virtual Prototypes. The degree project had a qualitative method where we interviewed eight key account managers from the product division Athics Footwear through semi-structured interviews. The study takes a deductive approach. The ontological and epistemological stances are interpretivism and constructionism. After reviewing the literature on relationship marketing and technology acceptance model, we formed a conceptual model to get a deeper understanding of their relation to each other. This model was reconstructed once the empirical findings were analysed due to new findings. The revised model contributes to research on relationship marketing and technology acceptance. The findings show that Athics key account managers have a positive attitude towards using 3D Virtual Prototypes and intend to use it once Athics implements this new technology. They believe that 3D Virtual Prototypes can affect relationship strength directly and perceive it as useful in creating long-lasting relationships with their business-to-business customers. However, the study’s result shows that relationship performance will only be affected by sales performance. Implying that 3D Virtual Prototypes can still be perceived as useful but from a different cause. Moreover, the study’s result shows that by implementing 3D virtual prototypes customers will get more involved in the process of developing a shoe. Therefore, we consider customer involvement as a new finding and an important factor in relationship marketing when implementing a new digital tool. The key account managers perceive the digital tool to be more useful towards larger accounts due to their innovative and collaborative side. Smaller accounts are more challenging since they express a more conservative mindset by being less collaborative and perceive innovations as a higher risk.