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In a consecutive series of 51 one-stroke hemiplegics some aspects of sexuality were investigated using structured interviews. Findings were related to treatment with anti-hypertensive drugs. In most subjects the site of brain lesion was visualized by X-ray methods. Moreover, in a sub-sample of 15 consecutive males LH, FSH and prolactin were assessed using standard clinical radioimmunoassay techniques. Serum testosterone including response to HCG-stimulation was also measured. Both in males and females frequency of intercourse and durations of foreplay and of intercourse were markedly reduced. For the males erectile problems were rare before but occurred for the majority after stroke. For the females, but not for the males, orgastic dysfunction was relatively common pre-stroke. After the stroke such dysfunction occurred for 75% of the females and 64% of the males. Partnership sexual drive also decreased. Each of the 15 males hormonally screened had values within the predicted normal and responses to HCG-stimulation were also adequate. Moreover, actual levels of hormones were associated neither with change in sexual function nor with the sexual function per se at the time of the investigation. Thus, in this sample hormonal disarrangement did not appear to be the cause of sexual dysfunction. Surprisingly, no association between erectile dysfunction and use of anti-hypertensive drugs occurred. We believe that sexual dysfunctions in hemiplegics may rather be explained in terms of coping than by endocrine deficits or by anti-hypertensive treatment.

Aspects of sexual function, partnership responsiveness and fulfilment after stroke were, together with sexually performance orientated and stigmatic attitudes, investigated in 51 subjects. Erectile and orgastic spectatoring were frequent after stroke and were in the males significantly associated. Retarded ejaculation occurred for no males before but for 15% after the stroke. Marked decreases in different kinds of caressive behaviour were followed by discontentment and up to and about half the subjects felt that sexual partnership responsiveness had deteriorated. After the stroke the commonly occurring reduction in general sexual satisfaction was significantly associated with symptoms of increased sexual dysfunction, disturbed partnership responsiveness and reduced sexual fulfilment. The high prevalence of sexual maladjustment in stroke victims appears mostly to be psychogenic. Important precipitating factors are performance orientation and sexual stigmatism. Moreover, lack of sexual information and counselling may contribute to deterioration of partnership sexuality.

In 283 students in various branches of the health profession commonly involved in physical medicine and rehabilitation, experiences of sexual life were investigated together with parameters of sexual function and of sexual performance-orientation. The findings were related to attitudes towards sexuality of disabled subjects. Results indicate that sexual performance-orientation, frustration and dysfunction are common features for the students. Sexual performance-orientation was associated with alienation towards the sexuality and the sexual counselling needs of the disabled. It is therefore recommended that the curriculae of these students should include sexual education and possibilities for sexual counselling.

Background As there is incontrovertible evidence of the essential prerequisite of regular physical activity it is also important to understand how different life change events may impact individual's participation in physical activity. Pregnancy and the transition to parenthood have been found to be life change events associated with decreased physical activity among women however, the examination of changes of physical activity in the male parent during this major life change event has been largely neglected in scientific literature and a significant research gap can be found. In the light of this, this longitudinal study aimed to follow changing physical activity patterns among women and med during pregnancy and eight months postpartum compared to pre-pregnancy. Methods The study involved 123 women and 112 men (partners of the women) from the municipality of Karlskrona, Sweden. We measured the self-reported amount of physical activity performed outdoors and indoors before pregnancy (calculated from one month before pregnancy), throughout the entire pregnancy, and eight months postpartum. Results We found similar trends among both women and men in decreasing frequency of physical activity during pregnancy and eight months postpartum as compared to pre-pregnancy, however, overall physical activity levels did not change. Conclusions Our findings contribute new knowledge about changes in men's physical activity patterns from pre-pregnancy to pregnancy and postpartum and is an important contribution in research, as the area is very limited. As couples seem to change activity patterns similarly, it is important to promote family-based physical activity initiatives and encourage couples to be active together during pregnancy and postpartum. Key messages Couples seem to change physical activity patterns similarly during pregnancy and postpartum. as compared to pre-pregnancy. It is important to promote family-based physical activity initiatives and encourage couples to be active together during pregnancy and postpartum.

Background In the light of the growing number of refugees that the world has faced during the last years it is reasonable to suggest that the number with both physiological and mental health needs will raise and result in increased public health challenges. Physical activity with its well documented positive impact on both mental and physical health might be one way for refugees to promote health. The importance of investigating participation in physical activity in this group and the impact it might have on their health and wellbeing cannot be underestimated. Few studies exists in the field and therefore, this study aimed to investigate physical activity in relation to mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees in Sweden. Methods The study was based on the results from a survey, conducted in 2015 - 2016 among newly arrived adult refugees who spoke Arabic, Pashto, Somali or Dari, participated in a mandatory public integration support programme in the Scania region of Sweden and agreed to participate in the survey. Ultimately 681 participants completed the survey (a response rate of 39,5%). Results We found a significant association between physical activity and mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees. Conclusions Newly arrived refugees need to be informed about the importance of prioritising physical activity for their health and wellbeing, regardless of their external circumstances, and supported in their attempts to do so. Key messages There is a significant association between physical activity and mental well-being, vitality, stress and sleep quality among newly arrived refugees. Newly arrived refugees need to be informed about the importance of prioritising physical activity for their health and wellbeing, and supported in their attempts to do so.

We aimed to investigate resource use and its association to cognitive impairment, activities of daily living and neuropsychiatric symptoms in residents of Swedish nursing homes. Data was collected in 2014 from a Swedish national sample of nursing home residents (n=4 831) by proxies. The sample consists of all nursing homes in 35 of 290 randomly selected Swedish municipalities. Mean age was 85 years and 67% were women. Cognitive impairment was associated with a 23 hour per week increase in total resource use versus cognitively intact persons. This was also the case for being dependent in activities of daily living. Being dependent increased the amount of resource use by twenty-five hours per week. The sex of a resident did not influence the resource use. Cognitive impairment and functional dependency increases resource use significantly in nursing homes implying possibilities for differentiation of costs in institutional settings.

Objectives: Follow changing physical activity (PA) patterns among women and men during pregnancy compared to before pregnancy. Study design: Longitudinal study. Methods: The study involved 280 indi ...

The aim of the present investigation was to evaluate the effect of sugar-free chewing gums containing fluoride (F) and urea in an intra-oral experimental caries model. Placebo chewing gums (without any active ingredient) and no gum served as controls. Fifteen subjects participated in a cross-over, single-blind study. Demineralised enamel and dentine blocks were embedded in circular plastic discs and bonded to the buccal surfaces of the lower canines and first premolars. The discs were removed and analysed using transversal microradiography after each of the six 4-week periods during which the subjects used either test or placebo products or no product. The results revealed that frequent use of sugar-free chewing gum is sufficient to inhibit further demineralisation of previously demineralised enamel and dentine specimens in the oral cavity. Comparing F, urea and placebo gums, the data showed that there was little or no difference between the products, except for an inhibitory effect on the chewing side of the dentition after using F chewing gums. Copyright (C) 2002 S. KargerAG, Basel.

This paper reviews current ideas relating to oral fluoride retention after topical applications of various fluoride preparations. The oral fluoride reservoirs, which serve as a store for fluoride, gradually releasing its content into saliva, will be discussed. The present paper also deals with fluoride kinetics in the oral cavity. The answer to the title of the paper has, however, not yet been found but remains a goal for researchers studying caries prophylaxis worldwide in the search for possible ways of increasing and improving oral fluoride retention.

Growth hormone (GH) is important for skeletal growth as well as for a normal bone metabolism in adults. The skeletal growth and adult bone metabolism was studied in mice with an inactivated growth hormone receptor (GHR) gene. The lengths of femur, tibia, and crown-rump were, as expected, decreased in GHR-/- mice. Unexpectedly, GHR-/- mice displayed disproportional skeletal growth reflected by decreased femur/crown-rump and femur/tibia ratios. GHR-/- mice demonstrated decreased width of the growth plates in the long bones and disturbed ossification of the proximal tibial epiphysis. Furthermore, the area bone mineral density (BMD) as well as the bone mineral content (BMC)/body weight were markedly decreased in GHR-/- mice. The decrease in BMC in GHR-/- mice was not due to decreased trabecular volumetric BMD but to a decreased cross-sectional cortical bone area In conclusion, GHR-/- mice demonstrate disproportional skeletal growth and markedly decreased bone mineral content.

This investigation was done to determine the bioavailability of fluoride (F) after toothbrushing associated with different water rinsing procedures. Eight adult subjects participated in four experiments, conducted with a randomised, crossover design: (A) 2 min brushing with an F dentifrice, followed by three quick (3 x 2 s) rinses, each with 10 ml of water; (B) brushing as in A followed by one long-lasting (1 min) rinse with 5 ml of water combined with the toothpaste-saliva mixture; (C) brushing as in A followed by expectoration but without any water rinse afterwards; and (D) ingestion of the toothpaste as a slurry with 100 ml of de-ionized water. Blood samples were collected before and frequently for 6 h after each experiment and analyzed for F content. The area under the plasma F concentration vs. time curves (AUC) was calculated and the degree of F absorption estimated. AUC values obtained in experiment D were assumed to represent 100% F bioavailability. The plasma values recorded during experiment A were not significantly greater than the baseline values, indicating almost no F absorption when 3 quick water rinses were performed after toothbrushing. The degrees of F absorption after one long-lasting water rinse (B) were 7.6 +/- 4.2% and with no water rinse after toothbrushing (C) 23.8 +/- 13.5%, respectively. The results showed that the degree of F absorption after toothbrushing using an F toothpaste is strongly related to the mode of water rinsing.