Linköping University

About: Linköping University is a education organization based out in Linköping, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Thin film. The organization has 15671 authors who have published 50013 publications receiving 1542189 citations.

A systematic review including meta-analysis of work environment and depressive symptoms

Abstract: Background: Depressive symptoms are potential outcomes of poorly functioning work environments. Such symptoms are frequent and cause considerable suffering for the employees as well as financial loss for the employers. Accordingly good prospective studies of psychosocial working conditions and depressive symptoms are valuable. Scientific reviews of such studies have pointed at methodological difficulties but still established a few job risk factors. Those reviews were published some years ago. There is need for an updated systematic review using the GRADE system. In addition, gender related questions have been insufficiently reviewed. Method: Inclusion criteria for the studies published 1990 to June 2013: 1. European and English speaking countries. 2. Quantified results describing the relationship between exposure (psychosocial or physical/chemical) and outcome (standardized questionnaire assessment of depressive symptoms or interview-based clinical depression). 3. Prospective or comparable case-control design with at least 100 participants. 4. Assessments of exposure (working conditions) and outcome at baseline and outcome (depressive symptoms) once again after follow-up 1-5 years later. 5. Adjustment for age and adjustment or stratification for gender. Studies filling inclusion criteria were subjected to assessment of 1.) relevance and 2.) quality using predefined criteria. Systematic review of the evidence was made using the GRADE system. When applicable, meta-analysis of the magnitude of associations was made. Consistency of findings was examined for a number of possible confounders and publication bias was discussed. Results: Fifty-nine articles of high or medium high scientific quality were included. Moderately strong evidence (grade three out of four) was found for job strain (high psychological demands and low decision latitude), low decision latitude and bullying having significant impact on development of depressive symptoms. Limited evidence (grade two) was shown for psychological demands, effort reward imbalance, low support, unfavorable social climate, lack of work justice, conflicts, limited skill discretion, job insecurity and long working hours. There was no differential gender effect of adverse job conditions on depressive symptoms

Marginalized particle filters for mixed linear/nonlinear state-space models

Abstract: The particle filter offers a general numerical tool to approximate the posterior density function for the state in nonlinear and non-Gaussian filtering problems. While the particle filter is fairly easy to implement and tune, its main drawback is that it is quite computer intensive, with the computational complexity increasing quickly with the state dimension. One remedy to this problem is to marginalize out the states appearing linearly in the dynamics. The result is that one Kalman filter is associated with each particle. The main contribution in this paper is the derivation of the details for the marginalized particle filter for a general nonlinear state-space model. Several important special cases occurring in typical signal processing applications will also be discussed. The marginalized particle filter is applied to an integrated navigation system for aircraft. It is demonstrated that the complete high-dimensional system can be based on a particle filter using marginalization for all but three states. Excellent performance on real flight data is reported.

Bisphosphonate Use and Atypical Fractures of the Femoral Shaft

Abstract: A b s t r ac t Methods In Sweden, 12,777 women 55 years of age or older sustained a fracture of the femur in 2008 We reviewed radiographs of 1234 of the 1271 women who had a subtrochan- teric or shaft fracture and identified 59 patients with atypical fractures Data on medications and coexisting conditions were obtained from national registries The relative and absolute risk of atypical fractures associated with bisphosphonate use was estimated by means of a nationwide cohort analysis The 59 case patients were also compared with 263 control patients who had ordinary subtrochanteric or shaft fractures Results The age-adjusted relative risk of atypical fracture was 473 (95% confidence interval (CI), 256 to 873) in the cohort analysis The increase in absolute risk was 5 cases per 10,000 patient-years (95% CI, 4 to 7) A total of 78% of the case patients and 10% of the controls had received bisphosphonates, corresponding to a multivariable- adjusted odds ratio of 333 (95% CI, 143 to 778) The risk was independent of co- existing conditions and of concurrent use of other drugs with known effects on bone The duration of use influenced the risk (odds ratio per 100 daily doses, 13; 95% CI, 11 to 16) After drug withdrawal, the risk diminished by 70% per year since the last use (odds ratio, 028; 95% CI, 021 to 038) Conclusions These population-based nationwide analyses may be reassuring for patients who receive bisphosphonates Although there was a high prevalence of current bisphos- phonate use among patients with atypical fractures, the absolute risk was small (Funded by the Swedish Research Council)

The lysosome: from waste bag to potential therapeutic target

Abstract: Lysosomes are ubiquitous membrane-bound intracellular organelles with an acidic interior. They are central for degradation and recycling of macromolecules delivered by endocytosis, phagocytosis, and autophagy. In contrast to the rather simplified view of lysosomes as waste bags, nowadays lysosomes are recognized as advanced organelles involved in many cellular processes and are considered crucial regulators of cell homeostasis. The function of lysosomes is critically dependent on soluble lysosomal hydrolases (e.g. cathepsins) as well as lysosomal membrane proteins (e.g. lysosome-associated membrane proteins). This review focuses on lysosomal involvement in digestion of intra- and extracellular material, plasma membrane repair, cholesterol homeostasis, and cell death. Regulation of lysosomal biogenesis and function via the transcription factor EB (TFEB) will also be discussed. In addition, lysosomal contribution to diseases, including lysosomal storage disorders, neurodegenerative disorders, cancer, and cardiovascular diseases, is presented.

Worldwide variations in prevalence of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis in children: the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC)

Abstract: Background: As part of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood (ISAAC), prevalence surveys were conducted among representative samples of school children from locations in Europe, Asia, Africa, Australasia, North and South America Subjects: 257,800 children aged 6-7 years from 91 centres in 38 countries, and 463,801 children aged 13-14 years from 155 centres in 56 countries Methods: Written symptom questionnaires were translated from English into the local language for self-completion by the 13-14-year-olds and completion by the parents of the 6-7-year-olds Rhinitis was described as a problem with sneezing, or a runny, or blocked nose when you (your child) DID NOT have a cold or the flu Additional questions were asked about rhinitis associated with itchy-watery eyes, interference with activities and a history of hay fever ever Results: The prevalence of rhinitis with itchy-watery eyes (“rhinoconjunctivitis”) in the past year varied across centres from 08%(to 149% in the 6-7-year-olds and from 14% to 397% in the 13-14-year-olds Within each age group, the global pattem was broadly consistent across each of the symptom categories In centres of higher prevalence there was great variability in the proportion of rhinoconjunctivitis labelled as hay fever The lowest prevalences of rhinoconjunctivitis were found in parts of eastern Europe south and central Asia High prevalences were reported from centres in several regions Conclusion: These results suggest substantial worldwide variations in the prevalence and labelling of symptoms of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis which require further study These differences, if real, may offer important clues to environmental influences on allergy