Kvinnliga offer och manliga monster : en kritisk diskursanalys av hur svensk media framställer kvinnliga och manliga mördare

Many societies in the world have norms regarding gender roles, more specifically roles that determine how a person identifying with a specific gender are supposed to be and act. This essay contextualizes this phenomenon when using Norman Fairclough’s critical discourse analysis on two newspapers in Sweden to acknowledge whether the gender roles are present in the discussion of male and female murderers. The empirical material consists of ten articles from the newspapers Expressen and Aftonbladet, two of the biggest newspapers in Sweden. In the analysis I present quotes from these articles to show that there are different descriptions of male and female murderers, appearing mostly through the thorough search for explanations as to why the female murderers committed the deed. The articles concerning male murderers lacked similar investigations and showed instead a murderer who acted solely out of aggression. In the discussion the results from the textual analysis are connected to the social discourse where I discuss why the articles are written this way with the help of the theorist Raewyn Connell and her book Gender. Further I reach the conclusion that the journalists write in different ways about male and female murderers because the female gender role is not compatible with aggression (which is an attribute connected with the deed of murder) while the male gender role is, and later I discuss that this way of writing could affect the power relations between females and males in society. Key words: Women, men, murderers, media, gender roles, critical discourse analysis

Lactic acid bacteria in silage : growth, antibacterial activity and antibiotic resistance

Ensiling is a method that has been known for hundreds of years and been used in Sweden since 18th century. Ensiling is a better way to preserve forage than hay making because the method is not as rain sensitive. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) are the organisms responsible for the preservation; they ferment Water Soluble Carbohydrates (WSC) under anaerobic conditions and produce lactic acid, which lowers the pH. These conditions inhibit growth of other microorganisms. To control the ensiling process, improve quality and to inhibit non-wanted microorganisms, LAB can be used as additives in silage making. The aim of this study was to follow two strains of LAB, Lactobacillus plantarum M14 and L. coryniformis Si3, in silage during 90 days to see how they grow, and also, after 90 days see if they have improved the quality of the silage. Both strains were labelled with selectable antibiotic resistance markers, and used to inoculate grass-dominated crop in mini silos. The growth of the labelled strains was followed on agar plates containing antibiotics and with PCR. After 60 days, a contamination of both labelled strains was discovered in the control silo. Further investigation showed that the contamination had been present since the packing of the silos, which calls for a revision of the methods used to inoculation and packing. Following the growth of the labelled strains showed differences between them but both strains were able to outgrow the epiphytic flora and probably dominate the fermentation. When using LAB as feed additives or starter culture in silage, antibacterial properties in addition to antifungal properties are desirable. Four strains of LAB were tested against one strain of Clostridium butyricum and three strains of C. turybutyricum with the agar well method. All of the four strains tested were able to inhibit two or more clostridial strains. Antibiotic resistance can be transferred from non-pathogenic bacteria like LAB to pathogenic bacteria and thereby cause problems in the human and veterinary medicine. It is important that LAB strains that are going to be used as feed additives do not carry resistance genes that can be transferred. The occurrence of antibiotic resistance among LAB was determined with three different methods and culture media in this study. The epiphytic flora of grass was screened against six antibiotics. LAB from the culture collection of Department of Microbiology, SLU were screened against antibiotics in different concentrations and finally four strains of LAB were tested with VetMIC™ plates to determine their MIC value of 16 antibiotics. There are differences between the methods used but it can be seen that almost all strains tested seems to be resistant to or have high MIC values for tetracycline often exceeding the breakpoint. Similarly, the MIC values for chloramphenicol were close to the breakpoint. Tetracycline and streptomycin seems to be the two antibiotics most affected by method and media. It is very important to find a method and media suitable for testing antibiotic resistance among LAB in a way that can be repeated and also reliable in laboratories all over the world

Kvinnors förutsättningar att vara fysiskt aktiva under graviditet. En kvantitativstudie av aktivitetsnivå och påverkande faktorer

Att vara fysiskt aktiv under graviditet är viktigt för kvinnans hälsa. Förutom lägre viktökning minskar det risken för graviditetsdiabetes, högt BT och akut kejsarsnitt. Dock möter enligt endast 27% rekommendationerna på måttlig intensitet ≥150 min/v. Fåtal studier existerar i svensk kontext, ingen kvantitativ, vilka faktorer kvinnor anger hindrar och främjar dem. Kunskap som skulle hjälpa till att bättre möta deras behov och utmaningar till aktivitet. Syfte: att studera fysiska aktivitetsförändringar under graviditeten och faktorerna som inverkar på förändringen hos svenska gravida kvinnor Metod: Enkätstudie med retroperspektiv ansats distribuerad till gravida i tredje trimestern via barnmorskemottagning och sociala medier. Enkäten innehöll 19 frågor. Alla, förutom bakgrundsfrågor, var segmenterade i före graviditet och i trimesterperioderna. Statistisk analys Mann-Whitney U-test och Wilcoxons tecken- rangtest samt deskriptivt i frekvenstabeller. Resultat: 32 kvinnor, ålder 31.5 (SD 3.8), 60% skattade hälsan mycket bra före graviditet, 28% under, samt 9% mycket dåligt. Gravida med barn skattade hälsan sämre under graviditet jämfört med förstföderskorna. Fysiska aktivitetsnivån minskade från 81% före till 38% i T3. Inaktiv tid i mer än 10h ökade från 28% till 59% i T3. Dominerande hindren var graviditetssymtom och trötthet, i T3 angav flera okunskap jämfört med före. Hälsa och att träning ger energi, motiverade kvinnorna före graviditet medan under var det hälsa och förebyggande effekter av graviditetssymtom. Deltagarna önskar mer individuellt stöd och kunskap för att vara mer aktiv under graviditeten. Slutsats: Gravida behöver mer stöd i hur fysisk aktivitet kan anpassas till gravitetens förändrade situation och för ökad trygghet till att vara aktiv

Inhibition of mTOR signaling impairs rat embryo organogenesis by affecting folate availability

Mechanistic target of rapamycin (MTOR) is essential for embryo development by acting as a nutrient sensor to regulate cell growth, proliferation and metabolism. Folate is required for normal embryonic development and it was recently reported that MTOR functions as a folate sensor. In this work, we tested the hypothesis that MTOR functions as a folate sensor in the embryo and its inhibition result in embryonic developmental delay affecting neural tube closure and that these effects can be rescued by folate supplementation. Administration of rapamycin (0.5 mg/kg) to rats during early organogenesis inhibited embryonic ribosomal protein S6, a downstream target of MTOR Complex1, markedly reduced embryonic folate incorporation (−84%, P< 0.01) and induced embryo developmental impairments, as shown by an increased resorption rate, reduced embryo somite number and delayed neural tube closure. These alterations were prevented by folic acid administered to the dams. Differently, although an increased rate of embryonic rotation defects was observed in the rapamycin-treated dams, this alteration was not prevented by maternal folic acid supplementation. In conclusion, MTOR inhibition during organogenesis in the rat resulted in decreased folate levels in the embryo, increased embryo resorption rate and impaired embryo development. These data suggest that MTOR signaling influences embryo folate availability, possibly by regulating the transfer of folate across the maternal–embryonic interface.Fil: Higa, Romina Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Rosario, Fredrick. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Powell, Theresa. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Jansson, Thomas. University of Colorado; Estados UnidosFil: Jawerbaum, Alicia Sandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

PMMA Third-Body Wear after Unicondylar Knee Arthroplasty Decuples the UHMWPE Wear Particle Generation In Vitro

Introduction. Overlooked polymethylmethacrylate after unicondylar knee arthroplasty can be a potential problem, since this might influence the generated wear particle size and morphology. The aim of this study was the analysis of polyethylene wear in a knee wear simulator for changes in size, morphology, and particle number after the addition of third-bodies. Material and Methods. Fixed bearing unicondylar knee prostheses (UKA) were tested in a knee simulator for 5.0 million cycles. Following bone particles were added for 1.5million cycles, followed by 1.5million cycles with PMMA particles. A particle analysis by scanning electron microscopy of the lubricant after the cycles was performed. Size and morphology of the generated wear were characterized. Further, the number of particles per 1 million cycles was calculated for each group. Results. The particles of all groups were similar in size and shape. The number of particles in the PMMA group showed 10-fold higher values than in the bone and control group (PMMA: 10.251 x 10(12); bone: 1.145x10(12); control: 1.804x10(12)). Conclusion. The addition of bone or PMMA particles in terms of a third-body wear results in no change of particle size and morphology. PMMA third-bodies generated tenfold elevated particle numbers. This could favor an early aseptic loosening

Critical role of mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ signaling in regulating early pregnancy decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth

STUDY QUESTION: What are the consequences of inhibiting mTOR, the mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), and the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) and PPARδ pathways in the early post-implantation period on decidual function, embryo viability and feto-placental growth in the ratγ SUMMARY ANSWER: mTOR inhibition from Days 7 to 9 of pregnancy in rats caused decidual PPARγ and PPARδ upregulation on Day 9 of pregnancy and resulted in embryo resorption by Day 14 of pregnancy. PPARγ and PPARδ inhibition differentially affected decidual mTOR signaling and levels of target proteins relevant to lipid histotrophic nutrition and led to reduced feto-placental weights on Day 14 of pregnancy. WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Although mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ are nutrient sensors important during implantation, the role of these signaling pathways in decidual function and how they interact in the early post-implantation period are unknown. Perilipin 2 (PLIN2) and fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), two adipogenic proteins involved in lipid histotrophic nutrition, are targets of mTOR and PPAR signaling pathways in a variety of tissues. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: Rapamycin (mTOR inhibitor, 0.75 mg/kg, sc), T0070907 (PPARγ inhibitor, 0.001 mg/kg, sc), GSK0660 (PPARδ inhibitor, 0.1 mg/kg, sc) or vehicle was injected daily to pregnant rats from Days 7 to 9 of pregnancy and the studies were performed on Day 9 of pregnancy (n = 7 per group) or Day 14 of pregnancy (n = 7 per group). PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: On Day 9 of pregnancy, rat decidua were collected and prepared for western blot and immunohistochemical studies. On Day 14 of pregnancy, the resorption rate, number of viable fetuses, crown-rump length and placental and decidual weights were determined. MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: Inhibition of mTOR in the early post-implantation period led to a reduction in FABP4 protein levels, an increase in PLIN2 levels and an upregulation of PPARγ and PPARδ in 9-day-pregnant rat decidua. Most embryos were viable on Day 9 of pregnancy but had resorbed by Day 14 of pregnancy. This denotes a key function of mTOR in the post-implantation period and suggests that activation of PPAR signaling was insufficient to compensate for impaired nutritional/survival signaling induced by mTOR inhibition. Inhibition of PPARγ signaling resulted in decreased decidual PLIN2 and FABP4 protein expression as well as in inhibition of decidual mTOR signaling in Day 9 of pregnancy. This treatment also reduced feto-placental growth on Day 14 of pregnancy, revealing the relevance of PPARγ signaling in sustaining post-implantation growth. Moreover, following inhibition of PPARδ, PLIN2 levels were decreased and mTOR complex 1 and 2 signaling was altered in decidua on Day 9 of pregnancy. On Day 14 of pregnancy, PPARδ inhibition caused reduced fetoplacental weight, increased decidual weight and increased resorption rate, suggesting a key role of PPARδ in sustaining post-implantation development. LARGE SCALE DATA: Not applicable. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This is an in vivo animal study and the relevance of the results for humans remains to be established. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: The early post-implantation period is a critical window of development and changes in the intrauterine environment may cause embryo resorption and lead to placental and fetal growth restriction. mTOR, PPARγ and PPARδ signaling are decidual nutrient sensors with extensive cross-talk that regulates adipogenic proteins involved in histotrophic nutrition and important for embryo viability and early placental and fetal development and growth. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): Funding was provided by the Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica de Argentina (PICT 2014-411 and PICT 2015-0130), and by the International Cooperation (Grants CONICET-NIH-2014 and CONICETNIH- 2017) to A.J. and T.J. The authors have no conflicts of interest.Fil: Roberti, Sabrina Lorena. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Higa, Romina Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: White, Verónica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; ArgentinaFil: Powell, Theresa L.. State University of Colorado at Boulder; Estados UnidosFil: Jansson, Thomas. State University of Colorado at Boulder; Estados UnidosFil: Jawerbaum, Alicia Sandra. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Medicina. Centro de Estudios Farmacológicos y Botánicos; Argentin

Contrast-enhanced magnetomotive ultrasound imaging (CE-MMUS) for colorectal cancer staging : assessment of sensitivity and resolution to detect alterations in tissue stiffness

A key challenge in the treatment of colorectal cancer is identification of the sentinel draining lymph node. Magnetomotive ultrasound, MMUS, has identified lymph nodes in rat models: superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) accumulated in the lymph are forced to oscillate by an external magnetic field; the resulting axial displacement is recovered allowing structure delineation with potential to indicate alterations in tissue stiffness, but it is limited by small vibration amplitudes. We propose CE-MMUS using SPION loaded microbubbles (SPION-MBs) to enhance sensitivity, reduce toxicity, and offer additional diagnostic or perfusion information. Laser doppler vibrometry measurements was performed on SPION containing tissue mimicking material during magnetic excitation. These measurements show a vibration amplitude of 279 ± 113 μm in a material with Young's modulus of 24.3 ± 2.8 kPa, while the displacements were substantially larger, 426 ± 9 μm, in the softer material, with a Young's modulus of 9.6 ± 0.8 kPa. Magnetic field measurement data was used to calibrate finite element modelling of both MMUS and CE-MMUS. SPION-MBs were shown to be capable of inducing larger tissue displacements under a given magnetic field than SPIONs alone, leading to axial displacements of up to 2.3x larger. A doubling in tissue stiffness (as may occur in cancer) reduces the vibration amplitude. Thus, there is potential for CE-MMUS to achieve improved stiffness sensitivity. Our aim is to define the potential contribution of CE-MMUS in colorectal cancer diagnosis and surgical guidance

Increase in the Tibial Slope Reduces Wear after Medial Unicompartmental Fixed-Bearing Arthroplasty of the Knee

Introduction. Unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee in patients with isolated medial osteoarthritis gives good results, but survival is inferior to that of total knee prosthesis. Knees may fail because positioning of the prosthesis has been suboptimal. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the tibial slope on the rate of wear of amedial fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods. We simulated wear on a medial fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee prosthesis (Univation) in vitro with a customised, four-station, and servohydraulic knee wear simulator, which exactly reproduced the walking cycle (International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14243-1: 2002(E)). The medial prostheses were inserted with 3 different posterior tibial slopes: 0 degrees, 4 degrees, and 8 degrees (n = 3 in each group). Results. The wear rate decreased significantly between 0 degrees and 4 degrees slope from 10.4 (SD 0.62) mg/million cycles to 3.22 (SD 1.71) mg/million cycles. Increasing the tibial slope to 8 degrees did not significantly change the wear rate. Discussion. As an increase in the tibial slope reduced the wear rate in a fixed-bearing prosthesis, a higher tibial slope should be recommended. However, other factors that are influenced by the tibial slope (e.g.,the tension of the ligament) must also be considered

Increase in the Tibial Slope Reduces Wear after Medial Unicompartmental Fixed-Bearing Arthroplasty of the Knee

Introduction. Unicompartmental arthroplasty of the knee in patients with isolated medial osteoarthritis gives good results, but survival is inferior to that of total knee prosthesis. Knees may fail because positioning of the prosthesis has been suboptimal. The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the tibial slope on the rate of wear of amedial fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee arthroplasty. Materials and Methods. We simulated wear on a medial fixed-bearing unicompartmental knee prosthesis (Univation) in vitro with a customised, four-station, and servohydraulic knee wear simulator, which exactly reproduced the walking cycle (International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 14243-1: 2002(E)). The medial prostheses were inserted with 3 different posterior tibial slopes: 0 degrees, 4 degrees, and 8 degrees (n = 3 in each group). Results. The wear rate decreased significantly between 0 degrees and 4 degrees slope from 10.4 (SD 0.62) mg/million cycles to 3.22 (SD 1.71) mg/million cycles. Increasing the tibial slope to 8 degrees did not significantly change the wear rate. Discussion. As an increase in the tibial slope reduced the wear rate in a fixed-bearing prosthesis, a higher tibial slope should be recommended. However, other factors that are influenced by the tibial slope (e.g.,the tension of the ligament) must also be considered