Swedish Institute

About: Swedish Institute is a government organization based out in Stockholm, Sweden. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 1657 authors who have published 2301 publications receiving 103682 citations. The organization is also known as: Svenska Institutet.

Using a time-geographical diary method in order to facilitate reflections on changes in patterns of daily occupations.

Abstract: Objective and methods: Time-use methodologies have been proposed to be established research techniques when exploring aspects of daily occupations. In this study, two graphs illustrating the time arrangement of occupations as they appear in a continuous sequence were used in order to encourage individuals to reflect on their everyday life. The aim was to investigate the usefulness of a time-geographical diary method (using illustrative graphs) in combination with stimulated-recall interviews, to facilitate reflections on how patterns of daily occupations change over time and the causes that lie behind these changes. The study had a qualitative design. The participants were two working, married mothers, i.e. individuals considered to have highly complex patterns of daily occupations. The data analysis was performed by using thematic content analysis. Results: The results showed that the stimulated-recall interviews, based on the graphs, facilitated new insights that came to light concerning the scope of the participants' daily life. The method enabled the participants to reflect on their patterns of daily occupations and become aware of changes relevant to explain the causes for engaging in occupations the way they did. Conclusions: The method thus seems useful in research and practice for occupational therapists working with individuals with a need to change lifestyle.

19—The Setting of Wool Fabrics—A Theoretical Study

Abstract: A theoretical framework is given for the experimental results obtained by Cednas on the changes in dimensions of set and non-set wool woven fabrics during processing. The resistance to dimensional changes is related to the yarn curvatures. The magnitudes of the dimensional changes during wetting and drying are discussed in terms of change of the set curvature of the yarn. Experimental results are given on the curvature set into hair fibres, and it is shown that the setting results obtained may be explained in terms of an Eyring Flow Element model. Further, it is shown that a similar model serves to describe the dimensional changes of the set and non-set gaberdine fabrics described by Cednas.

Antigenic properties and diagnostic potential of recombinant dobrava virus nucleocapsid protein.

Abstract: Dobrava hantavirus (DOBV) causes severe hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in the Balkan region and has been detected recently also in Russia, Estonia, and Germany. DOBV nucleocapsid protein (N) was produced in insect cells, using the baculovirus expression system (bac-DOBV-N), and in E. coli as a truncated (aa 1-165) glutathione-S transferase fusion protein (DOBV-dN-GST). The antigenic properties of bac-DOBV-N were found identical to native DOBV-N when examined by a panel of hantavirus-specific monoclonal antibodies. Enzyme immunoassays for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies were set up using DOBV recombinant N proteins and compared with those based on recombinant Hantaan and Puumala virus N, using panels of sera collected from DOBV, Hantaan and Puumala virus-infected patients. Full-length N protein (bac-DOBV-N) was found to be a more sensitive antigen than DOBV-dN-GST. The sensitivity values for sera from DOBV-infected patients were 100% for bac-DOBV-N and 86% for DOBV-dN-GST by IgM assays, and 98% for bac-DOBV-N and 88% for DOBV-dN-GST by IgG assays. The specificity values were 100% for bac-DOBV-N and 99% for DOBV-dN-GST by IgM assays, and 100% for both antigens by IgG assays.

Texture-modified meat and carrot products for elderly people with dysphagia: preference in relation to health and oral status.

Abstract: Background: Reduced taste and smell, chewing problems and swallowing dysfunction are common among elderly people and affect perception, food choice and the ability to eat. Objective: To study the preference for texture-modified carrot and meat products in elderly people aiming to meet the needs of people with impaired chewing and/or swallowing. Design: Data were collected using questionnaires focusing on health, oral status and preference for the products. Altogether, 108 elderly people in ordinary housing (OH) and 50 living in special housing (SH) in Malmo (SH-M) and Goteborg (SH-G) participated. Results: 19% had a body mass index 522, predominantly in SH (24%). Stroke was reported by 20% of the subjects in SH. Among those with subjectively experienced difficulties in swallowing (12%), 58% reported coughing, 21% a gurgly voice in association with food intake and 50% obstruction during swallowing. Only 20% with subjective swallowing difficulties had been specifically examined regarding this problem. All the tested products were easy to masticate and swallow. Compared with OH, people in SH-M found the meat products easier to masticate and swallow. Compared with OH, subjects in SH found the carrot products easier to masticate Conclusions: There is a need to develop tasty texture-modified nutritious food products for people with mastication and/or swallowing problems. Possible factors for differences in preference between groups, in this study OH and SH, may be related to health status in general and specifically mastication and swallowing functions. Keywords: carrot product; dysphagia; elderly; health status; meat product; modified texture