A kinematic game for stroke upper arm motor rehabilitation - a person centred approach

This report describes the possibilities of information and communication technology (ICT) in stroke care, addressing a person-centered care approach. Attention is paid to user involvement, design, videogames, and communication between health care professionals mutually as well as with patients, and how to share performance data with an electronic health record. This is the first step towards a supportive ICT system that facilitates interoperability, making healthcare information and services available to citizen’s across organizational boundaries.Peer Reviewe

High sensitivity gas spectroscopy of porous, highly scattering solids

We present minimalistic and cost-efficient instrumentation employing tunable diode laser gas spectroscopy for the characterization of porous and highly scattering solids. The sensitivity reaches 3 x 10(-6) (absorption fraction), and the improvement with respect to previous work in this field is a factor of 10. We also provide the first characterization of the interference phenomenon encountered in high-resolution spectroscopy of turbid samples. Revealing that severe optical interference originates from the samples, we discuss important implications for system design. In addition, we introduce tracking coils and sample rotation as new and efficient tools for interference suppression. The great value of the approach is illustrated in an application addressing structural properties of pharmaceutical materials

Associations between oxytocin-related genes and autistic-like traits.

Oxytocin has repeatedly been shown to influence human behavior in social contexts; also, a relationship between oxytocin and the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been suggested. In the present study, we investigated single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the oxytocin gene (OXT) and the genes for single-minded 1 (SIM1), aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator 2 (ARNT2) and cluster of differentiation 38 (CD38) in a population of 1771 children from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study in Sweden (CATSS). Statistical analyses were performed to investigate any association between SNPs and autistic-like traits (ALTs), measured through ASD scores in the Autism-Tics, ADHD and other Co-morbidities inventory. Firstly, we found a statistically significant association between the SIM1 SNP rs3734354 (Pro352Thr) and scores for language impairment (p = .0004), but due to low statistical power this should be interpreted cautiously. Furthermore, nominal associations were found between ASD scores and SNPs in OXT, ARNT2 and CD38. In summary, the present study lends support to the hypothesis that oxytocin and oxytocin neuron development may have an influence on the development of ALTs and suggests a new candidate gene in the search for the pathophysiology of ASD.The Swedish Research CouncilThe Swedish Research Council for Health, Working Life and WelfareThe Swedish Brain FoundationSvenska Sällskapet för Medicinsk Forskning (SSMF)Fredrik and Ingrid Thurings stiftelseÅke Wibergs stiftelseÅhlén-stiftelsenJeanssons-stiftelsenMagnus Bergvalls stiftelseSöderström-Königska stiftelsenMärta Lundqvists stiftelsethe Novo Nordisk FoundationAccepte

Comparing associations of handgrip strength and chair stand performance with all-cause mortality—implications for defining probable sarcopenia: the Tromsø Study 2015–2020

Background Widely adopted criteria suggest using either low handgrip strength or poor chair stand performance to identify probable sarcopenia. However, there are limited direct comparisons of these measures in relation to important clinical endpoints. We aimed to compare associations between these two measures of probable sarcopenia and all-cause mortality. Methods Analyses included 7838 community-dwelling participants (55% women) aged 40–84 years from the seventh survey of the Tromsø Study (2015–2016), with handgrip strength assessed using a Jamar + Digital Dynamometer and a five-repetition chair stand test (5-CST) also undertaken. We generated sex-specific T-scores and categorised these as “not low”, “low”, and “very low” handgrip strength or 5-CST performance. Cox Proportional Hazard regression models were used to investigate associations between these two categorised performance scores and time to death (up to November 2020 ascertained from the Norwegian Cause of Death registry), adjusted for potential confounders including lifestyle factors and specific diseases. Results A total of 233 deaths occurred (median follow-up 4.7 years) with 1- and 5-year mortality rates at 3.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.1, 4.6) and 6.3 (95% CI 5.5, 7.2) per 1000 person-years, respectively. There was poor agreement between the handgrip strength and 5-CST categories for men (Cohen’s kappa [κ] = 0.19) or women (κ = 0.20). Fully adjusted models including handgrip strength and 5-CST performance mutually adjusted for each other, showed higher mortality rates among participants with low (hazard ratio [HR] 1.22, 95% CI 0.87, 1.71) and very low (HR 1.68, 95% CI 1.02, 2.75) handgrip strength compared with the not low category. Similar associations, although stronger, were seen for low (HR 1.88, 95% CI 1.38, 2.56) and very low (HR 2.64, 95% CI 1.73, 4.03) 5-CST performance compared with the not low category. Conclusions We found poor agreement between T-score categories for handgrip strength and 5-CST performance and independent associations with mortality. Our findings suggest that these tests identify different people at risk when case-finding probable sarcopenia. As discussions on an international consensus for sarcopenia definitions proceed, testing both handgrip strength and chair stand performance should be recommended rather than viewing these as interchangeable assessments

Forskningsverksamhet och försöksstallar inom nöt- och lammköttsproduktion i Wales, Irland, Skottland och Danmark

SLU:s forskningsstation för nöt- och lammköttsproduktion är belägen på Götala gård utanför Skara. Här bedrivs utfodringsförsök till nöt och lamm baserat på vall och bete kompletterat med huvudsakligen inhemska kraftfodermedel, där syftet är att ta fram nöt- och lammkött av hög kvalitet. Djurens välfärd och lantbrukarens ekonomi står i centrum för vår forskning. Under 2010 kommer projektering utföras för nya försöksstallar för nöt och får. För att utbyta erfarenheter med forskare inom nöt- och lammproduktion och få idéer till smarta byggnadslösningar och utfodringsanläggningar i försöksstallar besökte vi under 2009 IBERS, Aberystwyth i Wales, Teagasc Grange Beef Research Centre på Irland och SAC Animal Breeding & Development Team i Skottland. I Danmark besökte vi Tjele gods, Forskningscenter Foulum och Kvaegbrugets Forsogscentrum (KFC). Forskningen i Wales, Irland och Skottland hade blivit mer inriktad mot mera tvärvetenskaplig forskning med klimat och miljö som viktiga faktorer. De nybyggda stallarna på IBERS och SAC var stora ljusa, luftiga fribärande hallar, där större delen av väggarna bestod av vindvävsgardiner. Man hade satsat på breda foderbord, flexibla boxstorlekar och fantastiska hanteringsanläggningar för sortering, vägning och behandling av djur. Det var imponerande att se deras foderhantering med många silor i olika storlekar och allt under tak. Fullfoder var vanligt och medförde en rationell utfodring. De datastyrda utfodringskrubborna, av både den holländska och brittiska modellen, krävde både tillsyn och skötsel för att fungera. Det blir också en stor mängd data att hantera vid användning av dem. På Tjele gods i Danmark hade man satsat på en enkel byggnad, med djurhantering i fokus. Mycket av arbetet gjordes maskinellt för att spara arbetskraft. Foderanläggningen på Foulum gav möjlighet till stor flexibilitet när det gäller att hantera många fodermedel och olika foderblandningar. Fodret utfodrades i de olika stallarna med hjälp av förarlösa robottruckar. Försöksstallet för mjölkkor var isolerat och inrett med liggbås och skrapade fodergångar. Här gavs möjlighet att genomföra försök med många behandlingar under exakt samma stallbetingelser. Stallet var utrustat med individuell utfodring av grovfoder. Kraftfoder fanns i automater där de kunde ha fyra olika foder samtidigt. Den dammsugare som användes för att tömma foderkrubborna ansågs helt nödvändig för en rationell foderhantering. All data från försöksstallarna registrerades automatiskt och samlades in till en gemensam databank, varifrån forskarna kunde hämta information. All datafiltrering sysselsatte fem datatekniker. Det som forskarna på Foulum skickade med oss som råd inför vår projektering, var att tänka på att ta till ordenligt när det gäller utrymmen, så att foder- och djurhantering blir rationell. KFC var en mycket välskött försöksgård som ägdes av näringen. Eftersom de höll på att slutföra en om- och tillbyggnation av ladugården var det extra intressant för oss att se och höra hur de tänkt vid projekteringen. De hade t.ex. gått ifrån gummimattor i mjölkkostallets fodergångar och satsat på betongspalt och gödselrobot, för att få torrare miljö och därmed bättre klövhälsa. Efter att ha prövat många olika sorter liggunderlag i liggbåsen hade man satsat på en 18 cm tjock madrass med små luftfyllda gummibollar, vilken höll formen bra. En självgående strövagn på räls för spån över liggbåsen, samt även en för halm i ungdjurs-avdelningen sparade mycket arbete. Även på KFC tillämpades individuell utfodring till alla mjölkkor och de hade 2-2,5 kor/ fodertråg. Utfodring gjordes fyra gånger per dag. I ungdjursstallet var det två fodertråg per tio djur och utfodringen gjordes två gånger per dag. Fodergrindar vid varje fodertråg var nödvändigt hos ungdjuren för att inte djuren skulle bli undanknuffade när de åt. Personalen påpekade att den individuella utfodringen kräver mycket datatekniskt arbete för att installation och funktion ska bli användarvänlig. Diskussionen med forskare och försökspersonal har varit oerhört värdefull och gett oss mycket att tänka på inför vår egen planering av nya försöksstallar. Det viktigaste att tänka på vid projektering, enligt våra kollegor både på Brittiska öarna och i Danmark, är flexibilitet, väl tilltagna ytor och en genomtänkt logistik. Det ger förutsättningar för stallar med god forsknings- och arbetsmiljö samt en god djurvälfär

Control and femtosecond time-resolved imaging of torsion in a chiral molecule

We study how the combination of long and short laser pulses, can be used to induce torsion in an axially chiral biphenyl derivative (3,5-difluoro-3',5'-dibromo-4'-cyanobiphenyl). A long, with respect to the molecular rotational periods, elliptically polarized laser pulse produces 3D alignment of the molecules, and a linearly polarized short pulse initiates torsion about the stereogenic axis. The torsional motion is monitored in real-time by measuring the dihedral angle using femtosecond time-resolved Coulomb explosion imaging. Within the first 4 picoseconds, torsion occurs with a period of 1.25 picoseconds and an amplitude of 3 degrees in excellent agreement with theoretical calculations. At larger times the quantum states of the molecules describing the torsional motion dephase and an almost isotropic distribution of the dihedral angle is measured. We demonstrate an original application of covariance analysis of two-dimensional ion images to reveal strong correlations between specific ejected ionic fragments from Coulomb explosion. This technique strengthens our interpretation of the experimental data.Comment: 11 pages, 9 figure

Onsala Space Observatory – IVS Technology Development Center Activities during 2017–2018

We give a brief overview of the technical development related to geodetic VLBI done during 2017 and 2018 at the Onsala Space Observatory

Effects of DAPAgliflozin on CARDiac substrate uptake, myocardial efficiency, and myocardial contractile work in type 2 diabetes patients—a description of the DAPACARD study

Background: Diabetes increases the risk for cardiovascular (CV) events. It has recently been shown that the use of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors leads to a reduction in CV outcomes in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including mortality and heart failure hospitalization. The exact mechanisms of how SGLT2 inhibitors lead to this CV risk reduction remain incompletely understood. The study of DAPAgliflozin on CARDiac substrate uptake, myocardial efficiency and myocardial contractile work in type 2 diabetes patients (DAPACARD) (NCT03387683) explores the possible effects of dapagliflozin, an SGLT2 inhibitor, on cardiac work, metabolism, and biomarker levels.Methods: DAPACARD is an international, randomized, double-blind trial that aims to examine the effects of dapagliflozin versus matching placebo in 52 patients with T2DM that are on stable metformin therapy prior to and during the 6 weeks of treatment. The primary efficacy endpoint is change in global longitudinal strain of the left ventricle (GLSLV) measured with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) between baseline (pre-treatment) and end of study (on-treatment). The secondary endpoint is the corresponding change in myocardial efficiency measured as external left ventricular work divided by total left ventricular work, which is estimated using [11C]-acetate clearance using positron emission tomography (PET).Conclusion: The DAPACARD study is an extensive investigation of cardiac function and metabolism, by advanced imaging with PET and MRI, as well as biomarkers, performed in order to further explore how the SGLT2 inhibitor dapagliflozin could influence cardiovascular outcomes in patients with T2DM.</p

Antisocial behavior and polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene : findings in two independent samples

Importance: The quantitative genetic contribution to antisocial behavior is well established, but few, if any, genetic variants are established as risk factors. Emerging evidence suggests that the neuropeptide oxytocin may modulate interpersonal aggression. Objective: To investigate whether single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene are associated with the expression of antisocial behavior. Design, setting, and participants: A discovery sample, including both sexes, was drawn from the Child and Adolescent Twin Study of Sweden (CATSS; n=2,372), and a sample from the Twin Study of Child and Adolescent Development (TCHAD; n=1,232) was used for replication. The participants were assessed for antisocial behavior, measured as continuous traits. Eight single nucleotide polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene, selected on previous associations with social and antisocial behavior, were then genotyped in the participants of CATSS. Significant polymorphisms were subsequently genotyped in TCHAD for replication. Main outcomes and measures: Participants completed self-assessment questionnaires – Life History of Aggression (available only in CATSS), and Self-Reported Delinquency (available in both samples) – designed to capture antisocial behavior. Results: In the discovery sample, the rs7632287 AA genotype was associated with higher frequency of antisocial behavior in boys, and this was then replicated in the second sample. In particular, overt aggression (directly targeting another individual) was strongly associated with this genotype in boys (p=6.2x10-7 in the discovery sample). Meta-analysis of the results for antisocial behavior from both samples yielded p=2.5x10-5. Furthermore, an association between rs4564970 and Life History of Aggression (p=0.00013) survived correction in the discovery sample, but there was no association with the Self-Reported Delinquency in the replication sample. Conclusions and relevance: We conclude that the rs7632287 and rs4564970 polymorphisms in the oxytocin receptor gene may independently influence antisocial behavior in adolescent boys. Further replication of our results will be crucial to understanding how aberrant social behavior arises, and supports the oxytocin receptor as one potential target in the treatment of aggressive antisocial behavior.Swedish Research CouncilSwedish Research Council for Working Life and Social ResearchThe Society of Swedish Literature in FinlandSöderström-Königska FoundationAccepte