A Longitudinal Study Evaluating the Effects of Interferon-Alpha Therapy on Cognitive and Psychiatric Function in Adults with Chronic Hepatitis C

Objective: To prospectively evaluate for changes in objective cognitive performance (attention, memory, and executive function) and psychiatric symptom severity (depression, anxiety, fatigue, and pain) in patients before, during and after interferon-alpha based therapy (IFN) for chronic hepatitis C virus infection (HCV). Methods: 33 HCV+ adults were evaluated two months before IFN initiation (baseline), three months into IFN, and six months following IFN termination (IFN+ Group). 31 HCV+ adults who did not undergo IFN therapy were evaluated at baseline and six months later (IFN− Group). At each evaluation, participants completed the Neuropsychological Assessment Battery (NAB) Attention, Memory and Executive Functions Modules, the Beck Depression Inventory, Second Edition (BDI), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Inventory (GADI), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), and Brief Pain Inventory (BPI). Results: Compared with the IFN− Group, the IFN+ Group experienced significantly (p b 0.050) increased symp-toms of depression, anxiety, fatigue and pain during IFN therapy relative to baseline. In the IFN+ Group, psychi-atric symptoms generally returned to baseline levels following IFN termination. Sustained viral response was associated with significantly lower depression and fatigue. No significant changes in cognitive performance were observed. Conclusions: During IFN, patients with HCV evidence significantly increased psychiatric symptoms, including symptoms of depression, anxiety, fatigue and pain. These psychiatric symptoms are generally short-term and remit following IFN termination, with increased benefit if viral clearance is achieved. However, IFN is not associated with significant declines in objective cognitive performance during or following IFN

Application Of Transactional Theory To Maltreated Children In Residential Treatment

Children and adolescents in the child welfare system tend to face a series of stressful events leading up to their residential placements, and many display severe psychopathology and have multiple abuse histories. Transactional theory (SpaccareUi, 1994) is a framework that has relevance for conceptualizing and researching stress and cognitive attributions of children placed in residential care systems. Applying transactional theory to children in residential care would provide much-needed descriptive data, inform future research and help guide treatment planning

The Swedish benchmarking report on continuity of supply

This paper presents the results of the annual evaluation of the reliability in local electricity networks in Sweden. A distinction is made in SAIFI and SAIDI for rural, suburban and urban networks. The values are significantly higher for rural than for urban networks; also the spread between network operators is higher for rural networks. Data is also presented on the number of very-long interruptions and on the investment and running costs by the network operators. Whereas the running costs remain constant, the investments have increased almost three-fold since 2004.Upprättat; 2011; 20110613 (matbol)</p

Voltage quality regulation in Sweden

This paper presents the voltage-quality requirements set by the Swedish energy regulator. Requirements have been set for harmonics, unbalance, slow voltage variations, voltage dips, voltage swells and rapid voltage changes, which are all discussed in this paper. This paper further discusses recommended measurement methods for verification of compliance with the requirements and the way in which voltage-quality regulation takes place in practice.Upprättat; 2011; 20110613 (matbol)</p

The Swedish government inquiry on smart meters and intelligent networks

The Energy Markets Inspectorate has conducted an inquiry on smart grids during 2010 and submitted the resulting report to the Swedish government. The inquiry has identified a number of barriers against the introduction of new technology and a number of proposals are made to remove the barriers: an independent council to gather and spread knowledge on smart grids; incentives for network operators to create new services and increase network performance; an action plan for the future development of the electricity network; a new structure of network tariffs to reduce peak loads and price peaks; and functionality requirements on information to customers to allow them to actively participate in the market.Upprättat; 2011; 20110613 (matbol)</p