Pre-treatment and extraction techniques for recovery of added value compounds from wastes throughout the agri-food chain

The enormous quantity of food wastes discarded annually force to look for alternatives for this interesting feedstock. Thus, food bio-waste valorisation is one of the imperatives of the nowadays society. This review is the most comprehensive overview of currently existing technologies and processes in this field. It tackles classical and innovative physical, physico-chemical and chemical methods of food waste pre-treatment and extraction for recovery of added value compounds and detection by modern technologies and are an outcome of the COST Action EUBIS, TD1203 Food Waste Valorisation for Sustainable Chemicals, Materials and Fuels

Mid Sweden University Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare Back to work: evaluation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with emphasis on mental symptoms; A two-year follow up

This is a published version of a paper published in Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare. Citation for the published paper: Sjöström, R., Asplund, R., Alricsson, M. (2012) Background: The aim of this investigation was to analyze temporal changes in anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with musculoskeletal pain for a period of up to 2 years after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, in relation to sick-listing (registered with The Swedish Social Insurance Agency [Forsakringskassan] for sickness benefit). Methods: Ten persons with full-time sick leave (absence from work for medical reasons) (group 1) and 49 with part-time or no sick leave (group 2) at the end of the 2-year study period participated. It was shown in a previous study that group 1 had higher pain rating and higher subjective physical disability than group 2, with little or no improvement during and after rehabilitation. In the present study, all participants were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a self-rated stress test. Results: Participants with full-time sick leave during the study period (group 1) showed improved stress levels but no change in anxiety and depression levels. Anxiety, depression, and stress changed more favorably in participants with part-time or no sick leave than in those with full-time sick leave. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that investigation and appropriate treatment of psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are important in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorders

Patients' Experiences of a Stress-Management Programme in Primary Care

Introduction: Stress and stress-related ill health have a multifactorial impact; both on physical and mental health. To better meet this category of patients a primary care unit started a stress-management programme using cognitive behavioural therapy and basic body awareness therapy. Purpose: To describe participant's experiences of a primary care stress-management programme using cognitive behavioural therapy and basic body awareness therapy. Methods: In a qualitative study, a semi-structured interview guide was used in individual interviews with 9 people, all women aged 41-57, working or on sick leave, who had enrolled in the stress-management programme. The material was analysed through qualitative content analysis. Results: The analysis resulted in the theme "Process of change for a sustainable everyday living". The participants described having gained awareness of the symptoms of their stress, knowledge and tools to manage their stress, ways to relax, awareness of their body, and the means to develop better habits and to change their behaviour. Fundamental in the material was the importance of participants' identification with the others in the group. Conclusion: The participants started a process of change with new knowledge and growth, but they encountered difficulties and obstacles. Behavioural change is a time-consuming process

Evaluation of a Health-Management Course for Recently Settled Immigrants

This study aims to evaluate an intervention, consisting of nine weeks of health-management course, combined with social and working life orientation and language instruction for recently settled immigrants in Sweden. One hundred one participants in the intervention groups and 48 participants in the control group participated. The intervention consisted of a health management course combined with social and working life orientation and the control group participated in the regular local authority program for social and working life orientation. Measurement instruments were health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and registration of work rate. Several participants in the groups were in work, primarily in subsidized employment, after six months. Recently settled men were employed to a greater extent than the women, where poorer physical and mental health could be observed among women in this study. Participants in the intervention and the control groups had maintained HRQoL from pre-intervention to six months post-intervention. More studies investigating the participants experiences of the health-managing course but also more homogenous measurements in studies for recently settled immigrants are needed

Back to work : evaluation of a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program with emphasis on mental symptoms; A two-year follow up

Background: The aim of this investigation was to analyze temporal changes in anxiety, depression, and stress in patients with musculoskeletal pain for a period of up to 2 years after a multidisciplinary rehabilitation program, in relation to sick-listing (registered with The Swedish Social Insurance Agency [Forsakringskassan] for sickness benefit). Methods: Ten persons with full-time sick leave (absence from work for medical reasons) (group 1) and 49 with part-time or no sick leave (group 2) at the end of the 2-year study period participated. It was shown in a previous study that group 1 had higher pain rating and higher subjective physical disability than group 2, with little or no improvement during and after rehabilitation. In the present study, all participants were evaluated with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scale and a self-rated stress test. Results: Participants with full-time sick leave during the study period (group 1) showed improved stress levels but no change in anxiety and depression levels. Anxiety, depression, and stress changed more favorably in participants with part-time or no sick leave than in those with full-time sick leave. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that investigation and appropriate treatment of psychological symptoms, including anxiety and depression, are important in multidisciplinary rehabilitation of patients with musculoskeletal disorder