Background: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency is a hereditary disorder that predisposes to emphysema. A cohort of severe (PiZZ) and moderate (PiSZ) AAT-deficient newborn infants was identified by the Swedish national neonatal AAT screening program in 1972–1974 and has been followed-up since birth. Our aim was to study whether the cohort has signs of emphysema in pulmonary function tests (PFTs)

Background and Aims: Incisional hernia development is a frequent long-term sequel after open abdomen treatment. This report describes a novel technique, the vacuum-assisted wound closure and permanent onlay mesh–mediated fascial traction for temporary and final closure of the open abdomen, with the intention to decrease incisional hernia rates. Primary aim was to evaluate incisional hernia develop

Medication packaging is essential to provide patients with guidance and correct use of their medicines for effective treatment. This research aims to increase knowledge about the medication packaging innovation process and its uptake towards patient‐centered packaging design. The study applied a qualitative research approach based on data from 25 in‐depth interviews with stakeholders involved in m

Background: Father's health is important for mothers and unborn/newborn children and knowledge about expectant fathers’ health in relation to lifestyle and psychosocial aspects is essential. Aims: To determine sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, self-reported health and sense of coherence among fathers and partners in relation to their risk for depression and anxiety in early pregnancy. Method

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are regarded as alternative energy sources because they are environment friendly and deliver no harmful emission. As its reliability and power generating efficiency is largely influenced by the temperature distribution, it is necessary to improve the temperature uniformity which is crucial in PEMFCs. To this end, this numerical study presents an attempt

Many bird populations in temperate regions have advanced their timing of breeding in response to a warming climate in recent decades. However, long-term trends in temperature differ geographically and between seasons, and so do responses of local breeding populations. Data on breeding bird phenology from subarctic and arctic passerine populations are scarce, and relatively little data has been rec

For a given number α ϵ (0, 1) and a 1-periodic function f, we study the convergence of the series Σ∞ n=1f(x+nα)/n, called one-sided Hilbert transform relative to the rotation x → x + α mod 1. Among others, we prove that for any non-polynomial function of class C2 having Taylor-Fourier series (i.e. Fourier coefficients vanish on ℤ-), there exists an irrational number α (actually a residual set of α

The hydrocarbon pattern in the floral scent of Yucca species was found to comprise a group of unbranched, mid-chain alkanes, alkenes, and an alkadiene. In Y. reverchonii, highly dominant (Z)-8-heptadecene is accompanied by (6Z,9Z)-6,9-heptadecadiene and heptadecane as minor components and by traces of other saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons with similar chain length. Some of these volatiles p

There is an increasing interest in modelling and control of integrated urban wastewater systems (UWS). Nevertheless, given the multiple interactions between the sub-systems–catchment, sewer system, wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) and receiving water system–the selection of effective control handles for improving receiving water quality is a major challenge. In this paper, a systematic study to i

Type 2 diabetes mellitus is associated with an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease, but the mechanism through which diabetes contributes to cardiovascular disease development remains incompletely understood. In this study, we compared the association of circulating regulatory T cells, naïve T cells, effector memory T cells or central memory T cells with cardiovascular disease in patients with

With timely allocated movement phases, mobile organisms can match their space-use with the seasonality of the environment and thereby optimise their resource utilisation over time. Long-distance avian migrants are known to move with the seasonal dynamics on an annual basis, but how individuals respond to seasonality within their tropical non-breeding range has been less studied. Here we analyse th

To meet complex needs in persons and families within specialist palliative care, care team members are expected to work together in performing a comprehensive assessment of patient needs. Team type (how integrated team members work) and team maturity (group development) have been identified as components in team effectiveness and productivity. The aim of the study reported in this paper was to ide

Using an experimental design, this paper tackles the question of the framing impact of metaphors by focusing on the opportunity to implement a basic income (BI) system in a given polity. We take advantage of the preliminary stage of the BI debate in Belgium to study the influence of discursive strategies on the opinion formation process of individuals, since carefully choosing the arguments employ

This cross-sectional study examined psychological mechanisms in order to increase knowledge regarding mental illness amongst 561 over-indebted individuals in Sweden. Differences were explored between individuals with probable clinical depression and/or anxiety and individuals without probable clinical depression and/or anxiety, considering objective measures of the debt, financial strain, coping s

Dokumentering av olika slag har blivit ett vardagligt inslag för anställda i en rad offentliga verksamheter. Standardisering och digitalisering av välfärdstjänster utgör ett slags dokumenterande praktik. Redovisningskrav gällande kvalitet, effektivitet, transparens och säkerhet utgör en annan. Syftet med standardiserad dokumentation är önskan om att kunna mäta utfall samt öka kvaliteten – båda ses

Background and Aims: The optimal extent of mesenteric resection in colon cancer surgery remains elusive. The aim was to assess the impact on perioperative morbidity and oncological outcome depending on the height of central vessel ligation in sigmoid resection for adenocarcinomas. Material and Methods: All cases of stage I–III sigmoid cancers, operated on with locally radical resections (2007–2009

Background: The prevailing diagnostic criteria for CKD are age-independent, but have been challenged in light of the eGFR decline associated with normal aging. The stages of CKD communicate magnitude of risk of ESRD, cardiovascular morbidity, and mortality. Aims: This study aims to provide more insight into the morbidity and mortality associated with eGFR levels corresponding to the current CKD st