Aggregation of dispersed rod-like particles like nanocellulose can improve the strength and rigidity of percolated networks but may also have a detrimental effect on the foamability. However, it should be possible to improve the strength of nanocellulose foams by multivalent ion-induced aggregation if the aggregation occurs after the foam has been formed. Lightweight and highly porous foams based

AIMS: Hemiarthroplasty of the hip is usually carried out through either a direct lateral or posterior approach. The aim of this prospective observational study was to determine any differences in patient-reported outcomes between the two surgical approaches.PATIENTS AND METHODS: From the Swedish Hip Arthroplasty Register we identified patients of 70 years and above who were recorded as having had

Nursing homes are a setting in which death and dying is common. How death and dying is articulated and the actions that take place in a nursing home constitute a discourse that guides the staff in their work. The aim of this study was to explore the discourse of death and dying in nursing homes from the perspective and understanding of the staff. The study draws on Foucault’s discourse analysis. D

Gene therapy for inherited retinal diseases has been shown to ameliorate functional and structural defects in both animal models and in human clinical trials. X-linked retinoschisis (XLRS) is an early-age onset macular dystrophy resulting from loss of an extracellular matrix protein (RS1). In preparation for a human clinical gene therapy trial, we conducted a dose-range efficacy study of the clini

BACKGROUND: Routine thrombus aspiration during primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) did not reduce the primary composite endpoint in the "A Randomised Trial of Routine Aspiration ThrOmbecTomy With PCI Versus PCI ALone in Patients With STEMI Undergoing Primary PCI" (TOTAL) trial. We aimed to analyse a similar endpoint in "The Thrombus Aspira

OBJECTIVE: It has been proposed that remission should be maintained throughout the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA); however, the evidence supporting this is limited. Physical function measured by the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is a major outcome in RA, and HAQ is shown to be one of the strongest predictors of longterm outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the physic

Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ABU) is highly prevalent among elderly patients. It can be difficult to distinguish ABU from symptomatic urinary tract infection (UTI) in this population, which leads to unnecessary antibiotic treatment. Urinary heparin-binding protein (U-HBP) and urinary interleukin-6 (U-IL-6) have previously been studied as diagnostic markers for UTI. In this study, biomarkers were meas

OBJECTIVE: According to prevailing consensus, patients with mechanical symptoms are those considered to most likely benefit from arthroscopic surgery. The aim of this study was to determine the value of using patients' pre-operative self-reports of mechanical symptoms as a justification surgery in patients with degenerative meniscus tear/knee disease.DESIGN: Pragmatic prospective cohort of 900 con

Syftet med denna masteruppsats var att få fördjupad förståelse för svåra samtal som läkare upplever och beskriver dem. Djupintervjuer med öppna frågor genomfördes med 10 yrkesverksamma läkare med erfarenhet av svåra samtal med patienter och närstående och som hade anmält sig för att delta i kursen ”De nödvändiga samtalen”. Materialet analyserades med tematisk analys. Totalt identifierades nio temaThe aim of this master dissertation was to gain a deeper understanding of the breaking of bad news through narration of the lived experiences of doctors. In-depth interviews using open questions were conducted with ten professionally active medical doctors who had 1) experience of breaking bad news and 2) applied to participate in a communications course. The data was analyzed using thematic analy

This thesis examines how environmental treaties, also referred to as multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs), can enhance the protection of the environment during armed conflicts of both international and non-international character. The examination also covers the immediate aftermath of armed conflicts. Most of the previous research has focused on the application of the law of armed conflict

According to current models of hematopoiesis, lymphoid-primed multi-potent progenitors (LMPPs) (Lin(-)Sca-1(+)c-Kit(+)CD34(+)Flt3(hi)) and common myeloid progenitors (CMPs) (Lin(-)Sca-1(+)c-Kit(+)CD34(+)CD41(hi)) establish an early branch point for separate lineage-commitment pathways from hematopoietic stem cells, with the notable exception that both pathways are proposed to generate all myeloid

AIM: To prospectively validate two mathematical models for calculating the likelihood of endometrial malignancy in patients with postmenopausal bleeding (PMPB), sonographic endometrial thickness (ET) ≥4.5 mm and no fluid in the uterine cavity.METHODS: This is a prospective observational diagnostic validation study performed in a PMPB clinic in a university hospital. Of 860 consecutive patients, 35

OBJECTIVE: The diagnostic accuracy of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers for Alzheimer's disease (AD) must be improved before widespread clinical use. This study aimed to determine whether CSF Aβ42/Aβ40 and Aβ42/Aβ38 ratios are better diagnostic biomarkers of AD during both predementia and dementia stages in comparison to CSF Aβ42 alone.METHODS: The study comprised three different cohorts (n = 1

Lobbyists are working in an ambivalent atmosphere. In Brussels, lobbying is an activity occupying about 20 000 people on a daily basis. They are trying to influence the legislative outcomes from the work of the about 15 000 politicians and employees of the EU institutions (Coen 2007). On one hand the lobbyists are wanted and needed by the politicians and their civil servants. Previous research tel

We report on the study of six similar buildings built in an area of Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1971, which are now in urgent need of renovation. However, the owner of the buildings - a municipal housing company did not achieve a financially viable renovation of the pilot project. This meant that renovation on a similar basis for the remaining five buildings would not be possible. For this reason the h

AbstractBoth men and women with end stage renal disease (ESRD) often suffer from infertility. The reason for this is multifactorial and includes sexual dysfunction, psychological factors and hormonal disturbances. The hypothalamic-pituitary gonadal axis is altered already at moderate reduction in kidney function. Hyperprolactinemia and testosterone deficiency due to Leydig cell impairment have bee