Engaging the history of religions – from an Islamic studies perspective

The future and relevance of the history of religions discipline in the Swedish context has been discussed lately. This article is a response to this debate from an Islamic studies perspective. The authors argue that the history of religions discipline may become more relevant if a more self-critical approach is adopted, an interdisciplinary attitude upheld, and if there is an openness to learn from other disciplines studying religion such as Islamic studies. Moreover, a reflection on ‘history’ in the history of religions is necessary if elitism and a too narrow definition of the discipline are to be avoided. Furthermore, the article addresses the question as to whether or not scholarly engagement in disseminating findings in public should be an intellectual and moral requirement

Regeneration of long-distance peripheral nerve defects after delayed reconstruction in healthy and diabetic rats is supported by immunomodulatory chitosan nerve guides

Background: Delayed reconstruction of transection or laceration injuries of peripheral nerves is inflicted by a reduced regeneration capacity. Diabetic conditions, more frequently encountered in clinical practice, are known to further impair regeneration in peripheral nerves. Chitosan nerve guides (CNGs) have recently been introduced as a new generation of medical devices for immediate peripheral nerve reconstruction. Here, CNGs were used for 45 days delayed reconstruction of critical length 15 mm rat sciatic nerve defects in either healthy Wistar rats or diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats; the latter resembling type 2 diabetes. In short and long-term investigations, we comprehensively analyzed the performance of one-chambered hollow CNGs (hCNGs) and two-chambered CNGs (CFeCNGs) in which a chitosan film has been longitudinally introduced. Additionally, we investigated in vitro the immunomodulatory effect provided by the chitosan film. Results: Both types of nerve guides, i.e. hCNGs and CFeCNGs, enabled moderate morphological and functional nerve regeneration after reconstruction that was delayed for 45 days. These positive findings were detectable in generally healthy as well as in diabetic Goto-Kakizaki rats (for the latter only in short-term studies). The regenerative outcome did not reach the degree as recently demonstrated after immediate reconstruction using hCNGs and CFeCNGs. CFeCNG-treatment, however, enabled tissue regrowth in all animals (hCNGs: only in 80% of animals). CFeCNGs did further support with an increased vascularization of the regenerated tissue and an enhanced regrowth of motor axons. One mechanism by which the CFeCNGs potentially support successful regeneration is an immunomodulatory effect induced by the chitosan film itself. Our in vitro results suggest that the pro-regenerative effect of chitosan is related to the differentiation of chitosan-adherent monocytes into pro-healing M2 macrophages. Conclusions: No considerable differences appear for the delayed nerve regeneration process related to healthy and diabetic conditions. Currently available chitosan nerve grafts do not support delayed nerve regeneration to the same extent as they do after immediate nerve reconstruction. The immunomodulatory characteristics of the biomaterial may, however, be crucial for their regeneration supportive effects

cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Type I Is Implicated in the Regulation of the Timing and Quality of Sleep and Wakefulness

Many effects of nitric oxide (NO) are mediated by the activation of guanylyl cyclases and subsequent production of the second messenger cyclic guanosine-3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP). cGMP activates cGMP-dependent protein kinases (PRKGs), which can therefore be considered downstream effectors of NO signaling. Since NO is thought to be involved in the regulation of both sleep and circadian rhythms, we analyzed these two processes in mice deficient for cGMP-dependent protein kinase type I (PRKG1) in the brain. Prkg1 mutant mice showed a strikingly altered distribution of sleep and wakefulness over the 24 hours of a day as well as reductions in rapid-eye-movement sleep (REMS) duration and in non-REM sleep (NREMS) consolidation, and their ability to sustain waking episodes was compromised. Furthermore, they displayed a drastic decrease in electroencephalogram (EEG) power in the delta frequency range (1–4 Hz) under baseline conditions, which could be normalized after sleep deprivation. In line with the re-distribution of sleep and wakefulness, the analysis of wheel-running and drinking activity revealed more rest bouts during the activity phase and a higher percentage of daytime activity in mutant animals. No changes were observed in internal period length and phase-shifting properties of the circadian clock while chi-squared periodogram amplitude was significantly reduced, hinting at a less robust oscillator. These results indicate that PRKG1 might be involved in the stabilization and output strength of the circadian oscillator in mice. Moreover, PRKG1 deficiency results in an aberrant pattern, and consequently a reduced quality, of sleep and wakefulness, possibly due to a decreased wake-promoting output of the circadian system impinging upon sleep

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Engaging the History of Religion - from an Islamic studies perspective

The future and relevance of the history of religions discipline in the Swedish context has been discussed lately. This article is a response to this debate from an Islamic studies perspective. The authors argue that the history of religions discipline may become more relevant if a more self-critical approach is adopted, an interdisciplinary attitude upheld, and if there is an openness to learn from other disciplines studying religion such as Islamic studies. Moreover, a reflection on ‘history’ in the history of religions is necessary if elitism and a too narrow definition of the discipline are to be avoided. Furthermore, the article addresses the question as to whether or not scholarly engagement in disseminating findings in public should be an intellectual and moral requirement

Människors upplevelser av det goda mötet med vårdpersonal

Validerat; 20101217 (root

Parents' experiences of care when their children are cared for in a pediatric department

Inledning: Att vara på sjukhus med sitt akut sjuka barn är för många föräldrar en traumatisk upplevelse. Betydelsen av ett professionellt bemötande är av stor vikt för hur upplevelsen av vårdtiden blir. Syftet var att beskriva föräldrars upplevelser av vården när deras barn vårdades på en pediatrisk avdelning.Metod: För att besvara syftet och få en djupare förståelse för föräldrars upplevelse valdes en kvalitativ metod med semistrukturerade intervjuer. Totalt inkluderades åtta föräldrar i studien. Intervjuerna transkriberades och analyserades enligt tematisk analysmetod. Fynd: Analysen resulterade i tre teman: 1. Omvårdnadens olika uttryck: Genom att bli bemött med respekt och bli sedd som förälder upplevdes en trygghet i vården av barnet. 2: Föräldrars utsatthet: Att vara förälder till ett sjukt barn innebär en sårbarhet, och Sjukhusmiljö: Samtliga föräldrar uttryckte en tacksamhet över sjukvårdens olika resurser. Konklusion: Kompetent personal och ett gott bemötande är enligt föräldrar viktiga faktorer för att uppleva trygghet i vården. Det är av stor vikt att personal besitter god kompetens och vidareutbildas för att erhålla och bibehålla denna. En anpassning av sjukhusmiljö för barn och familjer, t.ex. i form av lekterapi, är av stor betydelse.Introduction: To stay in the hospital with a critically ill child is for many parents a traumatic experience. The professionals´ approach has a great impact on how the actual treatment time is experienced. Purpose: The purpose was to describe parents' experience of care when their children were being cared for in a paediatric ward. Method: A qualitative approach with semi- structured interviews was chosen to answer the purpose, and get a deeper understanding of parents' experience. A total of eight parents were included in the study. The interviews were transcribed and analysed with thematic analysis. Findings: The analysis resulted in three themes: 1. Different expressions of nursing care: Parents wanted to be treated with respect, and be seen as a parent which in return made them feel confident in the care of the child. 2. Parental exposure: Being the parent of a sick child means vulnerability and 3 Hospital environment: All the parents in this study expressed a gratitude for the healthcare resources. Conclusion: Skilled personnel and a good attitude are key factors when experiencing confidence in health care. It is vital that staff possess good skills and further training to obtain and maintain this. It is also important with an adaptation of the hospital environment for children and families, such as in the form of play therapy