Effects of Anacetrapib in Patients with Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease

BACKGROUND: Patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease remain at high risk for cardiovascular events despite effective statin-based treatment of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels. The inhibition of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) by anacetrapib reduces LDL cholesterol levels and increases high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels. However, trials of other CETP inhibitors have shown neutral or adverse effects on cardiovascular outcomes. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 30,449 adults with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive atorvastatin therapy and who had a mean LDL cholesterol level of 61 mg per deciliter (1.58 mmol per liter), a mean non-HDL cholesterol level of 92 mg per deciliter (2.38 mmol per liter), and a mean HDL cholesterol level of 40 mg per deciliter (1.03 mmol per liter). The patients were assigned to receive either 100 mg of anacetrapib once daily (15,225 patients) or matching placebo (15,224 patients). The primary outcome was the first major coronary event, a composite of coronary death, myocardial infarction, or coronary revascularization. RESULTS: During the median follow-up period of 4.1 years, the primary outcome occurred in significantly fewer patients in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (1640 of 15,225 patients [10.8%] vs. 1803 of 15,224 patients [11.8%]; rate ratio, 0.91; 95% confidence interval, 0.85 to 0.97; P=0.004). The relative difference in risk was similar across multiple prespecified subgroups. At the trial midpoint, the mean level of HDL cholesterol was higher by 43 mg per deciliter (1.12 mmol per liter) in the anacetrapib group than in the placebo group (a relative difference of 104%), and the mean level of non-HDL cholesterol was lower by 17 mg per deciliter (0.44 mmol per liter), a relative difference of -18%. There were no significant between-group differences in the risk of death, cancer, or other serious adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease who were receiving intensive statin therapy, the use of anacetrapib resulted in a lower incidence of major coronary events than the use of placebo. (Funded by Merck and others; Current Controlled Trials number, ISRCTN48678192 ; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT01252953 ; and EudraCT number, 2010-023467-18 .)

“She is very manipulative” : A qualitative studie of how Aftonbladet is representing perpetrators in murder cases with one female and one male offender

The aim of this study is to examine how female and male perpetrators are represented in the tabloid Aftonbladet. The study is based on two murder cases that resemble each other. The murders are commited by two perpetrators together, a woman and a man. The questions examined are: How are the perpetrators and victims of news journalism represented in murders commited together by a female and male offender? Which are the similarities and differences between how female and male offenders are represented? We executed a critical discourse analysis of 14 news articles from Aftonbladet, from the time period of the detention to the sentence of the crimes. The result shows that the perpetrators together are represented as well-planned, greedy and evil. The female offender are represented as manipulative, emotional and her actions are correlated to her role as a mother. Furthermore she is placed above the male offender, he becomes submissive. The man is also represented as deviant and has relationship problems with others. The victims are portrayed as helpless and innocent. They are also represented as thoughtful and generous towards their children. The victims’ fear is portrayed in relation to the perpetrators malice.

Once upon a time : An exploratory study about leaders’ use of storytelling to increase ethical competence in multicultural organizations.

Purpose The purpose of our study is to contribute to an understanding of the role of storytelling when increasing ethical competence. The research is related to a multicultural context and from the perspective of leaders with experience of organizational change. Method In order to get closer to our phenomenon, this study applies a deductive approach. The empirial data was contructed by semi-structured interviews with eight leaders. Based on the theory, we have developed eight different propositions on which the interview questions are based. Further on, the empirical data was analyzed with a thematic approach.  Conclusions Our conclusion shows there are different motives for using storytelling among leaders and that it is used on a daily basis, both consciously and unconsciously. Leaders find it easier to communicate and relate to ethical perspectives by placing them in a context through stories. By integrating storytelling in intercultural dialogues, it can increase ethical competence.

Once upon a time : An exploratory study about leaders’ use of storytelling to increase ethical competence in multicultural organizations.

Purpose The purpose of our study is to contribute to an understanding of the role of storytelling when increasing ethical competence. The research is related to a multicultural context and from the perspective of leaders with experience of organizational change. Method In order to get closer to our phenomenon, this study applies a deductive approach. The empirial data was contructed by semi-structured interviews with eight leaders. Based on the theory, we have developed eight different propositions on which the interview questions are based. Further on, the empirical data was analyzed with a thematic approach.  Conclusions Our conclusion shows there are different motives for using storytelling among leaders and that it is used on a daily basis, both consciously and unconsciously. Leaders find it easier to communicate and relate to ethical perspectives by placing them in a context through stories. By integrating storytelling in intercultural dialogues, it can increase ethical competence.

Adaptation to the Baltic Sea – the case of isopod genus Idotea

The three marine isopods of the genus Idotea: I. balthica, I. chelipes and I. granulosa have an important functional role as meso-grazers in the Baltic food web. These meso-grazers are key species in the Fucus belt and in Zostera marina beds and are characterized by top-down effects through impressive feeding rates on filamentous algae as well as through their importance as prey for 23 fish species (bottom-up effects). In the Baltic Sea, the three Idotea spp. show clear habitat segregation, but may also coexist and compete for food and space. The habitat differences are also reflected in their different life history strategies. Whereas I. balthica is more of a generalist and K-selected species, I. chelipes shows characteristics of an r-selected species. The third species, I. granulosa, is displaced by I. balthica to less favorable habitats, why the adversity strategy fits best for this species. A phylogeographic study and reconstruction of demographic history indicated that after the Baltic Sea became a marine habitat, I. granulosa first invaded into the young Baltic Sea from the Atlantic followed by I. balthica and I. chelipes. Small estimated population sizes and the haplotype networks, suggest that I. balthica and I. granulosa have gone through a bottleneck during colonization, losing genetic diversity in Baltic populations. Although Baltic populations of I. chelipes were genetically distinct from populations outside the Baltic Sea, differentiation was ten times lower than in the other two species. Distribution patterns over the past 150 years, showed fairly constant large-scale distributions for the Idotea spp., but changes in distribution could be found. I. chelipes and I. granulosa shifted southwards, probably as a consequence of changes in salinity and temperature reported for the Baltic Sea. In general, the distribution patterns of Idotea spp. seem to be more determined by temperature than by salinity as supported by ecological niche modelling. Predicted distributions under a climate change scenario (ECHAM5) demonstrated a northern shift of Idotea through increased temperature, deeper into the Bothnian Sea. Such distribution changes may have serious consequences, since the endemic narrow wrack, Fucus radicans, today may be protected from intensive grazing pressure through the distribution limit of Idotea to the southern parts of the Bothnian Sea. Demographic analysis demonstrated that all three species live closely to their limits under the Baltic Sea extremes. The obvious change in life history from the North Sea to the Baltic Sea can be a cost of acclimation or adaptation. Whereas I. balthica lives close to its carrying capacity, several local extinctions of I. granulosa have been reported. As a typical r-selected species and with the highest genetic diversity, I. chelipes may have the highest capacity to adapt to further predicted climate changes. Today it is not clear if Idotea spp. are locally adapted to the Baltic extremes or showing phenotypic plasticity in response to abiotic factors, which calls for further studies

Does It Cost More to Be a Female Offender? : A Life-Course Study of Childhood Circumstances, Crime, Drug Abuse, and Living Conditions

In this article, we use a new and rich longitudinal data set, the Stockholm Birth Cohort Study, which allows us to follow a cohort of girls and boys until they reach 48 years of age. We study differences in the social background and adult living conditions among men and women with different experiences of involvement in crime. It is clear that the female cohort members who have been registered for crime have experienced more disadvantaged childhoods than the males registered for offending. The results also indicate that involvement in crime seems to cost more for females, in terms of social exclusion.AuthorCount:2;</p