Effects of a Mediterranean diet on blood pressure: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials and observational studies

Objective: To conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis investigating effects of MedDiet on blood pressure in randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and associations of MedDiet with risk of hypertension in observational studies. Methods: PubMed, The Cochrane Library and EBSCOhost were searched from inception until January 2020 for studies that met the following criteria: 1) participants aged ≥18 years, 2) RCTs investigating effects of a MedDiet versus control on BP, 3) Observational studies exploring associations between MedDiet adherence and risk of hypertension. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted. Meta-regression and subgroup analyses were performed for RCTs to identify potential effect moderators. Results: Nineteen RCTs reporting data on 4137 participants and 16 observational studies reporting data on 59,001 participants were included in the meta-analysis. MedDiet interventions reduced systolic and diastolic BP by a mean -1.4 mmHg (95% CI: -2.40 to -0.39 mmHg, p=0.007, I2=53.5%, Q=44.7, τ2=1.65, df=19) and -1.5 mmHg (95% CI: -2.74 to -0.32 mmHg, p=0.013, I2=71.5%, Q=51.6, τ2=4.72, df=19) versus control, respectively. Meta-regression revealed that longer study duration and higher baseline systolic BP was associated with a greater decrease in BP, in response to a MedDiet (p<0.05). In observational studies, odds of developing hypertension were 13% lower with higher versus lower MedDiet adherence (95% CI: 0.78 to 0.98, p=0.017, I2=69.6%, Q=41.1, τ2=0.03, df=17). Conclusions: Data suggest that MedDiet is an effective dietary strategy to aid BP control, which may contribute towards the lower risk of CVD reported with this dietary pattern. This study was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42019125073. KEY WORDS: Mediterranean diet, blood pressure, hypertension, cardiovascular diseas

Gameplay Progression : Om skapandet av en jämn progression av spelmoment till dataspelet Testament

Det här arbetets slutgiltiga uppgift har varit att skapa ett första utkast till enövergripande plan för en jämn fördelning av spelmoment för spelet Testament, ett spel som utvecklas för Svenska Kyrkan med syfte att användas inom konfirmandundervisning. Med spelmoment menas exempelvis story, miljö, utrustning och liknande. Arbetet ger inledningsvis en kort översikt över hur leveldesignen inom dataspel har utvecklats och går därefter in på det mer specifika området gameplay progression, utvecklat av Mike Lopez, som ger en översyn över vad som krävs för att skapa ett spel med en jämn fördelning av spelmoment.Därefter används denna metod för att analysera det redan befintliga spelet The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, för att testa Lopez metod, innan arbetet med att skapa en egen plan tar vid. Resultatet av uppsatsen har nått målet med en övergripande plan för en jämnfördelning av spelmoment för spelet Testament, en plan som dock kommer att behöva ses över och omarbetas under det att utvecklingen av det faktiska spelet tar vid, men som ger en bra överblick över vilka delar som fungerar väl och vilka som kan behöva extra arbete i den stundande utvecklingen

Mediterranean inspired diet and cardiovascular health. Experimental and clinical studies

Cardiovascular diseases cause the majority of morbidity and mortality in the western countries. Inadjunct, the worldwide prevalence of overweight and obesity is a growing problem not onlyamong adults but also among children and adolescents. In the Mediterranean countries theincidence of cardiovascular disease is less common and the difference in diet is one possibleexplanation. The purpose of the present studies was to evaluate the effect of a Mediterraneaninspired diet concerning blood lipid levels, vascular function and inflammation, in healthy subjectsand to investigate whether obese adolescents at young age already have risk factors such asincreased left ventricular myocardial mass (LVM). In addition, to get further insight into themechanisms behind vascular vasomotion, blood flow and arterial pressure responds were studiedin terms of interacting influence between the nitric oxide- and endothelin-systems.The endothelial mechanistic study was performed according to two separate protocols, one inhealthy subjects and another in experimental animals. Venous occlusion plethysmography wasused in humans to determine forearm blood flow and Sprague-Dawley rats were instrumentedwith indwelling catheters and systemic blood pressure was recorded in a conscious state. Thedietary intervention study, in healthy subjects with a normal lipid profile, lasted for four weeks. Itwas conducted in a cross-over design with Mediterranean inspired diet and a normal Swedishdiet, respectively. Blood lipids and vascular function in terms of forearm blood flow, carotid arteryelasticity, oxidative stress and inflammation were assessed and the results after each dietcompared. In paper IV obese adolescents and lean age-matched controls were investigated forblood pressure, lipid levels and LVM using magnetic resonance imaging.Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Apo-B and triglycerides fell by of 17% (p&lt;0.001), 22%(p&lt;0.001), 16% (p&lt;0.001) and 17% (p&lt;0.05), respectively after the Mediterranean inspired diet.No difference in vascular function was observed between the two diets. A reduction in whiteblood cells and platelets was observed after the Mediterranean inspired diet compared to theSwedish.An increase in LVM as well as elevated insulin- and triglyceride levels and blood pressure wereseen in the obese adolescents. The HDL-cholesterol level was also reduced. However, onlysystolic blood pressure and body mass index remained independent factors determining LVM.We found that diet is of great importance even in subjects with normal lipid levels. AMediterranean inspired diet would be of even greater importance for individuals at increased riskfor cardiovascular disease although the events may appear many years later. Lifestyle changesneed to be emphasized when fighting overweight, obesity and cardiovascular disease

Blå flickor men blåare pojkar : En undersökning om hur könsrollerna porträtteras i Leksakskataloger 2014 -2015

The purpose of this qualitive content analysis is to examine and analyse how children are visualized in toy catalogs, depending on their gender, 2014 - 2015.   It is important to observe how advertisement maintains the gender stereotypes norms of our society, since it has a major impact on our self-image and identity. Especially when it comes to children, who absorb everything and also because it is during the childhood the socialization process begins.   It is common that toy stores and toy catalogs distinguish boy toys from girl toys, based on the toy’s colour, form and function. This phenomena has become a topic of public discussion in recent years. Therefore, the two large toy companies, BR-leksaker and Toys “R” Us, claim to have published gender neutral toy catalogs by changing the gender roles and letting boys and girls play together with the same toys.   In order to gain more knowledge of toys impact on gender roles, we studied previous research by scientist in the field of gender, e.g. Almqvist, Butler and Connell. By using a qualitative method with a semiotic perspective, we found recurrent underlying aspects in the advertisements, by the selection of twelve pictures. The studies result implies that the studied toy catalogs are not yet equal, although a certain level of progress can be ascertained. Not even the three most equal advertisements visualized girls and boys equally, because of details such as stereotypical hairstyles, accessories and clothing. Furthermore, the study shows that girls are portrayed with boy toys than vice versa, which implies that boys are to a greater extent regarded as abnormal. 

The Reclaim game

Material for printing the game Reclai

Treatment with sorafenib and sunitinib in renal cell cancer: a Swedish register-based study.

Sorafenib and sunitinib are used for renal cell carcinoma (RCC). The objective was to study the treatment duration and time to death in Swedish RCC patients on sorafenib or sunitinib as first-line or monotherapy or as sequential therapy. Patients with an RCC diagnosis were identified in the Swedish Cancer Register. Information on treatment with sorafenib and sunitinib was collected from the Swedish Prescribed Drug Register, and time of death from the Cause of Death Register. Outcome measures were duration of treatment and time to death on sorafenib or sunitinib as first-line or monotherapy and sequential therapy (sorafenib-sunitinib versus sunitinib-sorafenib). Poisson regression models were used to estimate hazard ratios (HR) with 95\ua0% confidence intervals (CI). No difference was observed for sorafenib (n\ua0=\ua0123 patients) versus sunitinib (n\ua0=\ua0261 patients) in treatment duration (HR 1.00; CI 0.80-1.24) or risk for death (HR 1.30; CI 0.91-1.85) when used as first-line or monotherapy. The same applied for sequential therapy with sorafenib-sunitinib (n\ua0=\ua043 patients) versus sunitinib-sorafenib (n\ua0=\ua054 patients), HR 1.47 (CI 0.71-3.02) and HR 2.01 (CI 0.86-4.68), respectively. There was a difference between the two treatments in how the duration of first-line treatment influenced the duration of second-line treatment and time to death, in favor of starting with sorafenib. In conclusion, no difference was detected between sorafenib and sunitinib in the duration of treatment or time to death when used as first-line or monotherapy. The impact of the duration of first-line treatment differed between the two sequences, and the results indicated that sorafenib as first-line treatment is a favorable choice