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The article cites a study which examines the spatial occurrence of the beetle, Harminius undulatos in Sweden. It has first analyzed the beetle's occupancy pattern relative to the stand characteristics and the amounts of present and past habitat in the surrounding landscape. It utilized a metapopulation model to predict the probability of occurrence in each forest stand. It has investigated that the dead wood dependent organisms should include habitat dynamics. It has presented that an estimated 82% of the landscape-wide recruitment took place in managed stands which covered 87% of the forest area compared with the 18% in unmanaged stand which covered 13% of the forest area.

Abstract: Forests long subjected to management for timber production contain only a fraction of the volumes of coarse woody debris (CWD) found in pristine forests. This is a threat to many organisms that depend on CWD. Forest management practices have been altered to achieve an increase in the amounts of CWD. Few studies have attempted to analyze the occurrence of CWD at the landscape level. We studied the occurrence of CWD in stands of different ages and management background in a boreal forest landscape in central Sweden. Volume of CWD in unmanaged stands (nature reserves and set-asides) was twice that in managed stands. The composition of CWD was influenced by stand age and management regime. Standing CWD was more common in unmanaged stands than in managed stands. Pine CWD was particularly prevalent in young forest stands (8–59 years of age). Bark-covered CWD was most common on deciduous and spruce wood and uncommon on pine. Bark area in young forest stands was almost 10 times lower than that in other managed stands. Using the age distribution of stands, we estimated the volume and bark area of CWD in the landscape. Recent clear-cuts harvested in accordance with new management guidelines contained more early decay CWD per ha than old managed stands. Young forests covered over half the landscape and had significantly lower volumes of spruce and deciduous CWD compared with other stands. The consequences of these results for biodiversity-oriented forest management are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract 1 To maintain biodiversity in managed spruce forests in Sweden more wind-felled trees must be retained. However, there is concern among forest owners that this may result in higher tree mortality caused by the spruce bark beetle, Ips typographus (L.) (Col. Scolytidae). 2 To simulate wind-felled trees, living spruce trees were cut at spruce stand edges bordering fresh clear-cuttings. Treatments comprised edges with zero, one or five cut trees colonized by I. typographus . Edges with naturally wind-felled trees colonized by I. typographus were also included in the analyses. 3 During the two following summers, the number of trees killed by I. typographus did not differ between edges with and without felled trees, or between edges with one or five felled trees. 4 Within edges with felled trees, there were more killed trees close to the felled trees than at other parts of the edges. Thus, felled trees provided focal points for attacks within edges. 5 It is concluded that small numbers of wind-felled trees colonized by I. typographus may be left near spruce stand edges without increasing the risk of beetle-induced tree mortality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) strains are divided into 6 genotypes and several subtypes. Recent studies reported a change in the relative frequency of genotypes within certain regions. We studied the HCV genotype in 312 Swedish patients with chronic hepatitis C, using a core region primer-specific PCR, and grouped the patients according to parenteral risk factors. The date of infection could be estimated in 127 cases. Genotypes 1a (35%) and 3 (31%) were the most common genotypes, followed by genotype 2 (17%), while only 6% had genotype 1b. Genotype 3 was relatively more frequent among subjects infected sexually or by intravenous drug use. The genotype distribution was different from that in studies from other parts of the world, with a lower frequency of genotype 1 (especially 1b) and a higher frequency of genotype 3. The frequency of genotype 1b has decreased and genotype 3 increased over time. The reasons for a different distribution of genotypes in Sweden, compared with other countries, might be a relatively recent introduction of HCV into the population, or a different pattern of transmission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) is the most common subtype of epithelial ovarian cancer and early detection is challenging. TP53 mutations are a hallmark of HGSOC and detection of these mutations in liquid-based Pap samples could provide a method for early diagnosis. Here we evaluate the use of IBSAFE, an ultra-sensitive droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) method, for detecting TP53 mutations in liquid-based Pap samples collected from fifteen women at the time of diagnosis (diagnostic samples) and/or up to seven years prior to diagnosis (archival samples). We analysed tumours for somatic TP53 mutations with next generation sequencing and were able to detect the corresponding mutations in diagnostic samples from six of eight women, while one patient harboured a germline mutation. We further detected a mutation in an archival sample obtained 20 months prior to the ovarian cancer diagnosis. The custom designed IBSAFE assays detected minor allele frequencies (MAFs) with very high assay sensitivity (MAF = 0.0068%) and were successful despite low DNA abundance (0.17-206.14 ng, median: 17.27 ng). These results provide support for further evaluation of archival liquid-based Pap samples for diagnostic purposes and demonstrate that ultra-sensitive ddPCR should be evaluated for ovarian cancer screening in high-risk groups or in the recurrent setting.

Background: Young adults today have grown up in a society where information and communication technology (ICT) support empowerment and social participation. Young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability are at risk for marginalization by the digital divide. The aim was to map and describe how municipal organizations in Sweden organize support in terms of policy and strategies to enable the use of ICT in social care for adults with a mild-to-moderate intellectual disability., Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey including all municipalities in Sweden (n = 290) was conducted (response rate: 51%, n = 147). Descriptive statistics were used., Results: Findings indicate a lack of organizational support for staff as well as for young adults with mild-to-moderate intellectual disability., Conclusion: Municipalities request more knowledge about strategies for making ICT available. Despite the lack of comprehensive strategies for ICT, some Swedish municipalities have taken the initiative in this area., (© 2016 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Rationale, Aims and Objectives: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) represent a major health problem and previous studies show that nurses can have an active role in promoting medication safety. The aim of this study was to describe and evaluate nurses' self-reported competence and pharmacovigilant activities in clinical practice and also to explore the impact of age, education, workplace and nursing experience on these matters., Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a questionnaire covering areas related to nurses' medication competence, including knowledge, assessment and information retrieval, and pharmacovigilant activities within these areas, for example, the detection and assessment of ADRs. A 45-item questionnaire was 2013 sent out to 296 nurses in different settings and counties in Sweden. They were selected on the basis of having applied to a university course including pharmacovigilance during 2008-2011. One hundred twenty-four had participated in the courses (exposed) and 172 had applied to the courses but not participated (unexposed)., Results: Completed questionnaires were obtained from 75 exposed (60%) and 93 unexposed (54%) nurses. Overall nurses rated themselves high in medication competence but low in pharmacovigilant activities. Significant (P ≤ 0.001) differences between groups were observed regarding medication competence. The exposure of completed dedicated courses in pharmacovigilance was the strongest factor for self-reported medication competence when adjusted for age, other education, workplace and experience. No significant differences between the groups were found regarding the number of pharmacovigilant activities during the 6 months prior to answering the questionnaire., Conclusion: Dedicated university courses improved nurses' self-reported competence in pharmacovigilance but did not increase the number of related activities. Education per se seems to be not sufficient to generate pharmacovigilant activities among nurses., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)

Purpose: To report prevalence, ocular characteristics and coexisting behavioural problems in children and adolescents with optic nerve hypoplasia (ONH), which is a common cause of visual impairment in children in western countries, often associated with neurological or endocrinological problems and where autism has been reported in severe cases with blindness., Methods: This is a population-based cross-sectional study of patients <20 years of age who had been diagnosed with ONH and lived in the county of Stockholm in December 2009. Ophthalmological assessments including fundus photographs with optic disc analyses were made. A questionnaire was used to screen for behaviour and development., Results: The prevalence of ONH in all living children <18 years of age in Stockholm was 17.3/100 000 with a prevalence of visual impairment (<0.3) of 3.9/100 000. In total, 66 patients, median age 9.3 years (0.6-19.4), 36 with bilateral and 30 with unilateral ONH, were included in the current study; 53 were re-examined clinically, group A, and 13 agreed to retrospective analyses of existing medical records, group B. Analyses of the optic discs were made in fundus photographs from 53 patients comparing a semi-automated (Retinal Size Tool) and a manual method (Zeki). There was a strong curvilinear correlation (r(S)  = -0.91 p < 0.0001 for both eyes). Behavioural problems were more common (p < 0.05) in bilateral ONH., Conclusion: Optic nerve hypoplasia is a common ocular malformation with a prevalence of 17.3/100 000 children and adolescents <18 years of age in Stockholm. Unilateral ONH seems as common as bilateral., (© 2013 Acta Ophthalmologica Scandinavica Foundation. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The association between the exposure to oral disease and the outcomes of oesophageal and gastric cancer was examined in a Swedish nationwide inpatient register-based nested case-control study in 1964-2008. The study included 6,156 oesophageal squamous-cell carcinoma cases that were compared with 29,993 controls, 2684 oesophageal adenocarcinoma cases that were compared with 15,036 controls and 38,308 gastric cancer cases that were compared with 99,991 controls. For oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma, the age and sex adjusted odds ratio (OR) among patients with a history of oral disease was 1.3 (95% confidence interval (95% CI): 0.9,-1.9), and 1.1 (95% CI 0.8,-1.7) after adjustment for diseases related to alcohol consumption or tobacco smoking. For oesophageal adenocarcinoma, the age and sex adjusted OR was increased (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1-2.6), and remained increased (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.0-2.4) after adjustment for diseases related to smoking or alcohol consumption, gastroesophageal reflux, obesity and ulcer disease. For gastric cancer, no statistically significantly increased risk was observed (age and sex adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-1.1, and fully adjusted OR 0.9, 95% CI 0.7-1.1). In conclusion, this study supports the hypothesis that oral disease increases the risk of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, but not for oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma or gastric cancer. Further investigations are warranted., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Background: Oesophageal cancer resection carries a risk of nutritional disorders. The aim of this study was to estimate weight change after surgery in a population-based setting and to identify nutritional problems that might correlate with weight loss., Methods: Data were collected through the Swedish Esophageal and Cardia Cancer Register, a nationwide registry of oesophageal cancer surgery. Patients who underwent oesophageal cancer surgery between 2001 and 2004 were followed up until April 2005, and data on patient and tumour characteristics and surgical treatment were collected. Six months after surgery the patients were asked to complete a questionnaire about weight and a health-related quality of life questionnaire (European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC QLQ-C30) with an oesophageal-specific module (EORTC QLQ-OES18))., Results: The response rate to the questionnaire was 76.9 per cent and weight change in 226 patients was analysed. Six months after operation 63.7 per cent had lost more than 10 per cent of their preoperative BMI, and 20.4 per cent had lost more than 20 per cent. Appetite loss, eating difficulties and odynophagia were significantly linked to postoperative weight loss, whereas dysphagia or reflux did not correlate with malnutrition., Conclusion: Malnutrition is a considerable problem after oesophagectomy, and is linked to appetite loss, eating difficulties and odynophagia., (Copyright (c) 2007 British Journal of Surgery Society Ltd.)

Objectives: Previous studies have suggested that abnormal levels of cortisol and testosterone might increase the risk of serious somatic diseases. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a 5-year follow-up study in middle-aged men., Methods: A population-based cohort study conducted in 1995 amongst 141 Swedish men born in 1944, in whom a clinical examination supplemented by medical history aimed to disclose the presence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) (myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke), type 2 diabetes and hypertension were performed at baseline and at follow-up in the year 2000. In addition, salivary cortisol levels were measured repeatedly over the day. Serum testosterone concentrations were also determined. Using the baseline data, an algorithm was constructed, which classified the secretion pattern of cortisol and testosterone from each individual as being normal or abnormal., Results: By the end of follow-up, men with an abnormal hormone secretion pattern (n = 73) had elevated mean arterial pressure (P = 0.003), fasting insulin (P = 0.009) and insulin : glucose ratio (P = 0.005) compared with men with a normal secretion pattern (n = 68). Body mass index, waist circumference, and waist : hip ratio were significantly elevated in both groups. However, the 5-year incidence of CVD, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in men with an abnormal neuroendocrine secretory pattern compared to men with a normal pattern., Conclusions: These data suggest that an abnormal neuroendocrine secretory pattern is prospectively associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular-related events and type 2 diabetes.

Nosocomial spread of HCV and other blood-borne pathogens continues to occur in the Western world despite the screening of blood products. Using molecular and epidemiological methods we investigated an outbreak of HCV involving 3 patients following percutaneous coronary intervention at a Swedish hospital. The most likely mode of transmission was contamination of a multidose vial of saline used for the flushing of intravenous catheters. It may, therefore, be prudent to restrict the use of such vials, in addition to promoting vigorous adherence to standard hygiene procedures in order to prevent the recurrence of similar outbreaks in the future.

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of computerized decision support in the management of patients with open angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension., Method: Based on a Swedish consensus document a computer program was developed, which provided one of 25 different recommendations for appropriate action. In 373 patient visits to seven different eye clinics, the program's recommendations were compared to the actual decisions made by the responsible ophthalmologists., Results: Notable differences were observed between the clinics' management strategies, especially regarding follow-up frequency and start or increase of anti-glaucoma treatment. The program's recommendations conformed with the clinical decisions in 23 to 92% of the cases when a standard management strategy was simulated. The concordance increased to 93 to 100%, when policy differences between the clinics were taken into account., Conclusion: Clinical decision-making in the management of patients with ocular hypertension or open angle glaucoma can be implemented in a computer program. The optimum management protocol remains to be defined.

Primary open angle glaucoma afflicts 1-2% of people over 50 years of age. The diagnosis relies on a number of examinations, many of them performed by ophthalmic nurses, and the care of glaucoma patients has become one of their main tasks. A knowledge-based system for decision support in glaucoma management has been developed and validated. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the influence of computerised decision support on a 'shared care' organisation for the management of glaucoma patients.