Fyrar och navigering

Fyrar och navigering Innehållsförteckning – Inledaren: Älska hemester av Pia Prost – Notiser – Navigering på Östersjön – lotsar, sjökort, farleder och fyrar av Pia Prost – Varningseldar i skärgården av Marcus Lepola – Att ta ner solen – ett hantverk med anor av Cecilia Lundberg – Flykt till Sydösterbotten i karta från 1532 av Anders Moliis-Mellberg – Imponerande frivilliginsatser inom Finlands Fyrsällskap av Fred Rosbäck – En vecka som talkoarbetare på Märkets fyr Lena Långbacka – Ett mäktigt sken från Sastmola i söder till Sälgrund i norr av Mia Henriksson – Nattlampan av Siv Skogman – Fiskefyrar restaureras på Åland av Lars Gottberg – Läsarnas fyrar – Besök Finlands fyrar! – Lotsarnas vardag på Rönnskärs lotsstation av Iris Sjöberg – Modern utbildning med långa anor av Cecilia Lundberg – Navigering nu och i framtiden Irina Wahlström & Magnus Hellström – En båtfarares (näst)bästa vän – sjöscouternas hamnbok av Nina Söderlund – Jungfrudanserna – en gåta som fortfarande gäckar oss av Thomas Rosenberg – 100 år av scouting och seglatser med Scoutkåren Pojkarna av Peter Rönnberg Bokhörnan: – Med kärlek till Pörtö skärgård – Fängslande fyrar i praktfull bok – Skärinytt – Sista bilde

Synergetic Effects of Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor and Cognitive Training on Spatial Learning and Survival of Newborn Hippocampal Neurons

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor (G-CSF) is an endogenous hematopoietic growth factor known for its role in the proliferation and differentiation of cells of the myeloic lineage. Only recently its significance in the CNS has been uncovered. G-CSF attenuates apoptosis and controls proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. G-CSF activates upstream kinases of the cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), which is thought to facilitate the survival of neuronal precursors and to recruit new neurons into the dentate gyrus. CREB is also essential for spatial long-term memory formation. To assess the role and the potential of this factor on learning and memory-formation we systemically administered G-CSF in rats engaged in spatial learning in an eight-arm radial maze. G-CSF significantly improved spatial learning and increased in combination with cognitive training the survival of newborn neurons in the hippocampus as measured by bromodeoxyuridine and doublecortin immunohistochemistry. Additionally, G-CSF improved re-acquisition of spatial information after 26 days. These findings support the hypothesis that G-CSF can enhance learning and memory formation. Due to its easy applicability and its history as a well-tolerated hematological drug, the use of G-CSF opens up new neurological treatment opportunities in conditions where learning and memory-formation deficits occur

An original phylogenetic approach identified mitochondrial haplogroup T1a1 as inversely associated with breast cancer risk in BRCA2 mutation carriers

Introduction: Individuals carrying pathogenic mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes have a high lifetime risk of breast cancer. BRCA1 and BRCA2 are involved in DNA double-strand break repair, DNA alterations that can be caused by exposure to reactive oxygen species, a main source of which are mitochondria. Mitochondrial genome variations affect electron transport chain efficiency and reactive oxygen species production. Individuals with different mitochondrial haplogroups differ in their metabolism and sensitivity to oxidative stress. Variability in mitochondrial genetic background can alter reactive oxygen species production, leading to cancer risk. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that mitochondrial haplogroups modify breast cancer risk in BRCA1/2 mutation carriers. Methods: We genotyped 22,214 (11,421 affected, 10,793 unaffected) mutation carriers belonging to the Consortium of Investigators of Modifiers of BRCA1/2 for 129 mitochondrial polymorphisms using the iCOGS array. Haplogroup inference and association detection were performed using a phylogenetic approach. ALTree was applied to explore the reference mitochondrial evolutionary tree and detect subclades enriched in affected or unaffected individuals. Results: We discovered that subclade T1a1 was depleted in affected BRCA2 mutation carriers compared with the rest of clade T (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.34 to 0.88; P = 0.01). Compared with the most frequent haplogroup in the general population (that is, H and T clades), the T1a1 haplogroup has a HR of 0.62 (95% CI, 0.40 to 0.95; P = 0.03). We also identified three potential susceptibility loci, including G13708A/rs28359178, which has demonstrated an inverse association with familial breast cancer risk. Conclusions: This study illustrates how original approaches such as the phylogeny-based method we used can empower classical molecular epidemiological studies aimed at identifying association or risk modification effects.Peer reviewe

31st Annual Meeting and Associated Programs of the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC 2016) : part two

Background The immunological escape of tumors represents one of the main ob- stacles to the treatment of malignancies. The blockade of PD-1 or CTLA-4 receptors represented a milestone in the history of immunotherapy. However, immune checkpoint inhibitors seem to be effective in specific cohorts of patients. It has been proposed that their efficacy relies on the presence of an immunological response. Thus, we hypothesized that disruption of the PD-L1/PD-1 axis would synergize with our oncolytic vaccine platform PeptiCRAd. Methods We used murine B16OVA in vivo tumor models and flow cytometry analysis to investigate the immunological background. Results First, we found that high-burden B16OVA tumors were refractory to combination immunotherapy. However, with a more aggressive schedule, tumors with a lower burden were more susceptible to the combination of PeptiCRAd and PD-L1 blockade. The therapy signifi- cantly increased the median survival of mice (Fig. 7). Interestingly, the reduced growth of contralaterally injected B16F10 cells sug- gested the presence of a long lasting immunological memory also against non-targeted antigens. Concerning the functional state of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs), we found that all the immune therapies would enhance the percentage of activated (PD-1pos TIM- 3neg) T lymphocytes and reduce the amount of exhausted (PD-1pos TIM-3pos) cells compared to placebo. As expected, we found that PeptiCRAd monotherapy could increase the number of antigen spe- cific CD8+ T cells compared to other treatments. However, only the combination with PD-L1 blockade could significantly increase the ra- tio between activated and exhausted pentamer positive cells (p= 0.0058), suggesting that by disrupting the PD-1/PD-L1 axis we could decrease the amount of dysfunctional antigen specific T cells. We ob- served that the anatomical location deeply influenced the state of CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes. In fact, TIM-3 expression was in- creased by 2 fold on TILs compared to splenic and lymphoid T cells. In the CD8+ compartment, the expression of PD-1 on the surface seemed to be restricted to the tumor micro-environment, while CD4 + T cells had a high expression of PD-1 also in lymphoid organs. Interestingly, we found that the levels of PD-1 were significantly higher on CD8+ T cells than on CD4+ T cells into the tumor micro- environment (p < 0.0001). Conclusions In conclusion, we demonstrated that the efficacy of immune check- point inhibitors might be strongly enhanced by their combination with cancer vaccines. PeptiCRAd was able to increase the number of antigen-specific T cells and PD-L1 blockade prevented their exhaus- tion, resulting in long-lasting immunological memory and increased median survival

"Jag skulle behöva kunna mer än vad jag gör" - : några pedagogers tankar och erfarenheter kring IKT i klassrumsundervisningen

Syftet med vår studie var att undersöka några pedagogers tankar och erfarenheter kring IKT (informations- och kommunikationsteknik) i klassrumsundervisningen. Vi ville ta reda på pedagogernas syfte med IKT-arbetet i undervisningen, hur pedagogerna arbetar med IKT för att främja elevernas lärande samt vilka påverkansfaktorer på IKT-användningen pedagogerna beskriver. Enligt våra tidigare erfarenheter används inte datorn i så stor utsträckning i tidigare åren, därför var det av stort intresse för oss att få en förståelse för tidigarelärares pedagogiska synsätt kring IKT i undervisningen. Metoden som användes bestod av kvalitativa halvstrukturerade intervjuer för att samla in data. Respondenterna bestod av tre klasslärare i år 1-3, en speciallärare tillika IT-resurs samt två rektorer. Studien genomfördes i två närliggande kommuner i Mellansverige. Intervjusvaren analyserades och redovisades i form av porträtt av respondenterna och utifrån de fyra teman som framträdde; fördelar med IKT, svårigheter/hinder, utbildning/fortbildning samt IKT och barn i behov av särskilt stöd.   Studiens resultat visar att den stora fördelen som respondenterna upplever är att de lättare kan individualisera undervisningen. De respondenter som arbetar med metoden ”Skriva sig till läsning” ser de största fördelarna och minst hinder för IKT-användningen i undervisningen. De anser att problem med tekniken är det största hindret för IKT-användningen. Majoriteten av respondenterna menar att bristen på utbildning/fortbildning inom IKT är ett problem och påverkar IKT-användningen i undervisningen. Alla respondenter är överens om att IKT är ett bra verktyg för barn i behov av särskilt stöd

Sparandedirektivet : En uppsats om direktivets effekter i Sverige

Sparandedirektivets syfte är att effektivisera beskattningen av ränta på sparande inom EU genom att räntan ska beskattas i betalningsmottagarens hemviststat. Direktivet gäller endast fysiska personer och gränsöverskridande räntebetalningar. Syftet ska uppnås genom ett utbyte av information medlemsstaterna emellan. I stället för att utbyta information kan en medlemsstat välja att ta ut källskatt på ränta och vidarebefordra en viss del av källskatten till betalningsmottagarens hemviststat. De svenska bankernas kontrolluppgiftsskyldighet för begränsat skattskyldiga sparare har i och med direktivets införande utvidgats. Bankerna skickar uppgifterna till Skatteverket som i sin tur vidarebefordrar dem till behörig myndighet i spararens hemviststat. Direktivet innehåller ett undantag, de minimis-regeln, som innebär att medlemsstaterna om de vill får undanta vissa ränteinkomster som härrör från fondföretag. Syftet är att undanta aktiefonder som måste investera i fordringar av likviditetsskäl. Regeringen har valt att inte införliva undantaget i svensk lag. Detta medför enligt vår åsikt en konkurrensnackdel för de svenska fondbolagen. På grund av Regeringens beslut måste dessa bolag, för att kunna sälja sina fonder inom EU, kunna redovisa hur stor del av en utdelning som hänför sig till ränta. Kan de inte göra detta betraktas hela beloppet som ränta och omfattas därmed av kontrolluppgiftsskyldighet. Sparandedirektivet har implementerats i svensk lag genom en paragraf i lagen om självdeklarationer och kontrolluppgifter (LSK) som stadgar att direktivet gäller som svensk lag. Utöver detta har ett antal ändringar införts i LSK. Vi anser att implementeringen kan strida mot direktivet som föreskriver att medlemsstaterna ska anta de lagar och förordningar som krävs för att uppfylla direktivets föreskrifter. Vi anser inte att LSK på ett tillfredsställande sätt har anpassats till direktivet eftersom LSKs regler ibland överlappar direktivet och ibland motsäger det. LSK innehåller två undantag från kontrolluppgiftsskyldigheten. Dessa undantag strider mot direktivet som inte innehåller några dylika undantag. Vi anser dock att undantagen är rimliga eftersom de undantar konton utan betydelse för informationsutbytet och att liknande undantag bör införlivas i direktivet. Med anledning av sparandedirektivets införande har de svenska bankerna, i rollen som betalningsombud, föranletts merarbete och kostnader. Kostnaderna har uppstått bland annat då bankerna har ändrat sina datasystem för att kunna uppfylla direktivets kontrolluppgiftsskyldighet. De har även fått komplettera sin information om begränsat skattskyldiga kunder. Skatteverket är den behöriga myndigheten i Sverige och ska således vidarebefordra de uppgifter om personer som är begränsat skattskyldiga i Sverige som lämnas av betalningsombuden. Eftersom Sverige sedan tidigare har ett väl utbyggt kontrolluppgiftssystem och har deltagit i informationsutbytet inom OECD har sparandedirektivets införande inte medfört särskilt stora kostnader för Skatteverket. Sparandedirektivet förväntas leda till ökade skatteintäkter för de stater vars obegränsat skattskyldiga personer placerar sina tillgångar utomlands. Emellertid finns det risk för att dessa personer placerar sina tillgångar i andra typer av sparande eller placerar tillgångarna i stater som inte omfattas av direktivet för att undgå beskattning. Vi anser därför att det finns risk för att sparandedirektivet blir ett slag i luften.The aim of the Savings Taxation Directive is to ensure an effective taxation of income from savings in the form of interest payments within the EU. This shall be done through taxation of the interest payment in the Member State where the beneficial owner, the saver, has his residence. The directive is only applicable on individuals and on cross-border payments. The aim shall be achieved through an exchange of information between the Member States. Instead of exchanging information, a Member State can choose to levy a withholding tax. A certain amount of that tax shall be transferred to the Member State of residence of the beneficial owner. The obligation for Swedish banks to forward statements of earnings concerning foreign savers has been extended through the directive. The banks sends the information to the Swedish tax authority which then forwards the information to the competent authority in the savers state of residence. The directive contains an exception, the de minimis rule, that states that Member States can choose to exempt certain interest payments deriving from Undertakings for the Collective Investment of Transferable Securities (UCITS). The aim of the exception is to give the Member States a possibility to exclude undertakings which invest mainly in equity but which must hold some debt for liquidity purposes. The Swedish Government has chosen not to implement the exception into Swedish law. In our opinion, this leads to a competitive disadvantage for Swedish UCITS. Due to the Governments’ decision, the Swedish UCITS must, in order to be able to sell their products within the EU, be able to show the interest part of a dividend. If this cannot be done, the entire amount is considered as interest and must be reported as such. The directive has been implemented into Swedish law through a paragraph in the Law of Self Assessment and Statement of Earnings. It states that the Savings Taxation Directive shall be applied as Swedish law. Besides the implementation, some parts of the law have been changed. We think that the implementation may be in breach of the directive, which states that Member States must pass laws and decrees necessary to fulfill the regulations in the directive. We do not think that the Swedish law has been adjusted to the directive in a sufficient way since the Swedish law sometimes overlap the directive and sometimes contradict it. The Swedish law contains two exceptions from the obligation to give statements of earnings. These exceptions breach the directive since the directive does not contain any exceptions of this kind. However, we think that the exceptions are reasonable since they exempt bank accounts which are of no importance for the exchange of information stated in the directive. Similar exceptions should therefore in our opinion be included in the directive. The implementation of the Savings Taxation Directive has caused the Swedish banks, in their role as paying agents, supplementary work and costs. The costs have occurred when the banks have had to adopt their computer systems in order to fulfil the criteria in the directive. The banks also had to complete their information about foreign savers who are liable to tax in Sweden. The Swedish tax authority is the competent authority in Sweden and shall therefore report the information, concerning foreign tax payers, that is forwarded by the paying agents. Sweden had, even before the implementation of the directive, a well functioning system for statements of earnings. The state also participates in the exchange of information that takes place within the OECD. Therefore, the implementation of the directive has not caused any costs of importance for the Swedish tax authority. It is expected that the Savings Taxation Directive will give rise to increased tax revenues for the Member States whose tax payers invest abroad. However, there is a risk that these savers invest in other products or transfer their assets to states that are not within the scope of the directive in order to avoid taxation. Because of this, we think that the Savings Taxation Directive might be a waste of effort

Is a nappy change stressful to neonates?

Objectives: Infants in neonatal intensive care (NICU infants) are often cared for in a stressful environment that includes potentially painful or stressful interventions. The aim was to investigate whether NICU infants have different pattern of stress and pain responses than healthy newborns when challenged by a non-painful everyday care routine. Methods: NICU infants born at 23-38 weeks gestation (n=39) were compared to healthy fullterm newborns (n=30). Cortisol concentrations in saliva were determined before and 30 min after a standardised nappy change. The premature infant pain profile (PIPP) and the neonatal infant pain scale (NIPS) were evaluated before, during, directly after, 3 min after, and 30 min after the nappy change. The investigation was performed on two different occasions, first between postnatal days 2-7 and then between postnatal days 10-18. Results: NICU infants had higher median baseline salivary cortisol levels compared to full-term newborns on both occasions (17.1 nmol/L vs. 6.2 nmol/L p < 0.01 and 8.5 nmoL/L vs. 2.4 nmoL/L p < 0.01, respectively). Salivary cortisol decreased-in response to the second nappy change in NICU infants (p=0.01). NICU infants had higher PIPP scores during both nappy changes (p < 0.001 for both occasions) and more sustained increases in PIPP and NIPS up to 30 min after the nappy changes compared to full-term newborns. Conclusions: NICU infants have higher baseline salivary cortisol than healthy full-term newborns. There is a change in baseline cortisol. by age in both groups. Full.-term infants as well as NICU infants show an increased pain response to a standardised nappy change