Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element that is involved in several physiological functions in mammals. Mostly, Se is bound to proteins, many of them with enzymatic functions. A group of seleno-depending enzymes, glutathione peroxidases (GSH-Px?s), are important as antioxidants and protects against free radicals. The activity of GSH-Px is strongly regulated by Se storage in the liver.

 Genotyping can be used to link genetic variation among individuals to certain diseases or conditions. Some known disorders and states that are dependent on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) are lactose intolerance, venous thrombosis, hereditary hemochromatosis and the difference in sensibility among people to metabolise drugs.In this project a new kit, TaqManÒ Sample-to-SNP KitÔ for extraction of DNA and preparation of the extract for genotyping with real-time PCR and allelic discrimination, was evaluated. QIAamp® DNA Blood Biorobot® MDx Kit was used as the reference method.The purpose of the comparison was to find a method that makes DNA extraction from blood samples cheaper and faster, but with the same reliability as the reference procedure.The results of the evaluation showed a complete agreement of the genotype results between the methods tested, which means that the new method was as reliable as the reference method. The costs of reagents and material would be reduced with 52% if the new method is adopted, that alone would result in a cost reduction of 144 000SEK a year with a sample volume of 650 samples/month. The time for DNA extraction would also be reduced with the new procedure. .

This paper analyses the character judge Holden in Cormac McCarthys novel Blood Meridian through an ethical perspective. The author uses several methods to analyze the character ethically, such as the western-genre, McCarthys authorship, evil as an ethical term and Friedrich Nietzsche's theory the Übermensch. The author then uses a selective group of scenes and chapters from the novel to highlighting the distinctive ethical characteristic of judge Holden. The author finds judge Holden to be the very principle of violence and blood shedding, defending and distributing these principles in his words and his actions throughout the novel. Triumphantly proclaiming his victory, judge Holden embodies the principle that whoever has the power to perform any action has then the moral right to do so.

Sahlgrenska Academyat University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinical NutritionAbstractTitle: Trans fatty acids from ruminants - and its effect on blood lipidprofile in healthy men and womenAuthor: Sophie Berg and Sara KarlssonSupervisor: Henriette PhilipsonExaminer: Anna WinkvistProgramme: Dietician study programme, 180/240 ECTSType of paper: Examination paper, 15 hpDate: May 23, 2012BackgroundCardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death in Sweden. It is well known that thereis a link between high consumption of industrial trans fatty acids and cardiovascular disease, buthow natural trans fatty acids affect us remains uncertain.ObjectiveThe purpose of this article is to, based on the currently available scientific evidence, concludewhether an intake of trans fatty acids from ruminants generates an effect on the bloodlipid profile of healthy men and women.Search strategyRCT articles were obtained through searches in databases such as PubMed, The CochraneLibrary, and Scopus. Keywords used were "ruminants" AND "Cholesterol" AND "Trans FattyAcids" and "ruminants" AND "Blood Lipids" AND "Trans Fatty Acids".Selection criteriaInclusion criteria were RCT studies conducted on healthy people who did not receive medicationfor hyperlipidemia. Moreover, the results were to be based on fasting blood samples, where atleast ten hours of fasting preceded the analysis of the blood lipids.Data collection and analysisThe search generated eight studies. These were graded according to SBU:s Granskningsmall förrandomiserad kontrollerad prövning, after which four studies were selected.

Background: Peripheral arterial disease (PAD), as a consequence of atherosclerosis in the arteria of the limbs, affects one of ten Swedes older than 65. PAD can develop slowly and silently, and involves an increased risk for cardiac infarction and stroke. Measurement of the patient´s ankle blood pressure and calculation of the ankle-brachial index is an evidence-based method to discover PAD. Objective: To investigate how district nurses and general practitioners perceive this method of examination and experience possible obstacles to why it is not more commonly applied at primary health care centres. Method: Data collected by semi-structured interviews have been processed by qualitative content analysis with a manifest onset.

Sahlgrenska Academyat University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinical NutritionAbstractTitle: Whole fat versus low-fat dairy products for primary prevention of cardiovascular disease. A systematic review.Author: Josefine Lindqvist, Robin Järnmark, Mathilde OhlinSupervisor: Mette AxelsenExaminer: Anna WinkvistProgramme: Dietician study programme, 180/240 ECTSType of paper: Examination paper, 15 hpDate: 2014-04-09BackgroundResearch indicates that dairy products seems to have a protective impact on the incidence of cardiovascular disease regardless fat content. Paradoxically the Nordic nutrition recommendations recommend an exchange of full fat dairy product to low-fat dairy products.ObjectiveThe aim of this review is to investigate whether the variation in fat content of dairy products have any bearing on the onset of cardiovascular disease. With regard to common risk markers for cardiovascular disease the outcome measures hypertension, hyperlipidemia and weight gain is examined.Search strategyThe searches were made in the databases Medline (23/1-14) and Scopus (6/2-14).Selection criteriaRestrictions: Human Studies, Adults, Randomized Controlled Trials, English.Data collection and analysisTwo RCTs were included. Validation of the separate studies was performed with SBU's review template for individual studies and GRADE was used for summarizing the evidence of outcome measuresMain resultsThe two included studies examined the outcome measures blood pressure, weight and blood lipids.

Sahlgrenska Academy at University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinical NutritionAbstractTitle: Changes in blood pressure by replacing regular coffee with decaffeinated coffee,in healthy, normotensive subjectsAuthor: Linnéa Adolfsson and Hillevi Pilgren SautterSupervisor: Lena HulthénExaminer: Anna WinkvistProgramme: Dietician study programme, 180/240 ECTSType of paper: Examination paper, 15 ECTSDate: April 12, 2012Background Hypertension is a risk factor for developing cardiovascular disease, which is themost common cause of premature death. Contributing factors to hypertension are genetics,lifestyle and nutrition. Earlier studies have shown that coffee may increase blood pressure.Objective To investigate the scientific basis whether replacing regular coffee with decaffeinatedcoffee would affect blood pressure in healthy, normotensive subjects.Search strategy Searches have been done in databases; PubMed and Scopus in February 2012.Keywords used were: ?coffee blood pressure?, ?coffee cardiovascular disease?, ? kaffeblodtryck?, ?kaffe hjärtkärlsjukdom?, ?coffee and decaffeinated coffee?, ?decaffeinated coffeeand blood pressure?, ?decaffeinated coffee and cardiovascular disease? and ?exchangedecaffeinated coffee?.Selection criteria Studies with healthy, normotesive subjects, >15 years old, BMI < 30, morethan one week of intervention, randomized controlled trails and human trials were included.Only trials using caffeine from coffee versus decaffeinated coffee and studies in English andSwedish were accepted. Exclusion criteria were other interventions such as weight loss, changesin diet, medications or stress tests.Data collection and analysis Studies were selected after inclusion and exclusion criteria.

I denna studie har jag undersökt hur historiebruket i form av reproduktion av kulturarv ser ut i populärkulturen, närmare bestämt HBOs populära tv-serie True Blood och kopplar samman detta med hur vi ser på det föränderliga förflutna och därmed utvecklar vårt historiemedvetande. Uppsatsen står på tre ben och vilar på perspektiv där det första behandlar att man genom att se på reproduktionen av kulturarv kan finna samtidens idéer kring vad som är viktigt (meningsbärande), hur populärkulturen imiterar och återanvänder myter och därför kan anses vara en historisk källa värd att fokusera på samt historia som identitetskapande. Det teoretiska ramverket består av Judith Butlers teorier kring den heterosexuella matrisen och performativitet samt Gayle S Rubins teorier om sexualitet som någonting historiskt konstruerat. Uppsatsen ämnar öka kunskapen om betydelsen av hur historia som kulturarv i form av historiebruk förmedlas via populärkultur, närmare bestämt i tv-serien True Blood och hur detta hör ihop med hur vi uppfattar det föränderliga förflutna. Undersökningen tar fasta på hur stor del av rollfigurernas beteende i tv-serien True Blood som härstammar från deras historiska bakgrund och hur detta spelar in i utformandet av deras personligheter som tolkas ur ett genusperspektiv.

The main objective of this research was to study how increased arterial oxygenation by the use of Pulsed Inhaled Nitric-Oxide (PiNO) influenced the metabolic and cardiovascular parameters on horses undergoing acute abdominal surgery because of colic. The parameters blood lactate, blood glucose, pH and heart rate were evaluated before and during anesthesia and closely after recovery. The study showed that blood lactate concentrations decreased significantly during anaesthesia in horses treated with PiNO compared to non-treated horses. It was also seen that the lactate concentration decreased most in horses with the highest levels before PiNO treatment. Since enhanced oxygen extraction ratio was evident in the PiNO group, improved oxygen delivery to the tissue may be a possible explanation for the improved situation.

Flowcytometric technology has been widely used for measurement of the absolute numbers of T-lymphocytes subsets in Human Immunodeficiency virus (HIV), defining the disease state, monitoring antiviral treatment, and identifying any risk for opportunistic infections. A manual preparing of the samples is required. More recently an automated and enclosed blood cell counting, Celldyn Sapphire has been introduced. In this study the performance of the Flow cytometer EPICS XL as a reference method for analysis of CD3+, CD4+ and CD8 T-lymphocytes was evaluated with blood from 40 individual?s samples.

The purpose of this trial was to evaluate the possibility to use sampling of faeces, urine and plasma, and measurements of blood pressure as methods of discovering hypomagnesemia in horses, as well as the application handiness of these methods. The most commonly used method of checking the magnesium status of a horse is to analyze samples of serum or plasma. The trial was of a switch-back design, in which the horses were used as their own controls. The animal material was five Swedish warm blooded trotters between six to ten years old, and weighing between 485-620 kg. The trial consisted of three periods that were two months each.

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of this review was to describe the effects of low carbohydrate diets in people with diabetes type 2. Methods: Review. An article search was made in the databases PubMed and Medline. The search resulted in 17 studies. After review and analysis of the studies main results five categories were highlighted; bloodsugar levels, HbA1c, weight, lipid levels and antidiabetic medications.

Sahlgrenska Academyat University of GothenburgDepartment of Internal Medicine and Clinical NutritionAbstractTitle: Coconut fat?s effect on blood lipids - A systematic overviewAuthor: Linnéa Hult and Sandra WestlingSupervisor: Fredrik BertzExaminer: Ingrid LarssonProgramme: Dietician study programme, 180/240 ECTSType of paper: Examination paper, 15 hpDate: 2013-04-11Background: Coconut fat has recently been praised in the media. Amongst other things,coconut oil has been said to lower cholesterol (1, 2). This despite the fact that coconut oilcontains of 92 % saturated fat, which strong scientific evidence support raises the blood lipidsand thus increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (3).Objective: To examine the scientific evidence for how blood lipids in adults are affected byan intake of coconut fat compared to an intake of other kind of fats.Search strategy: PubMed and Scopus have been used in the literary search. Keywords usedwere "coconut fat", "coconut oil", "plasma lipids" and cholesterol [MeSH].Selection criteria: Human studies of RCT or cohort type, published since 1983.

Today dairy farmers in Sweden are obligated to have lights turned on during night time in addition to the mandatory daylight inlet. This presents a cost for the production but many argue that it can be economically beneficial, especially in loose housing of dairy cows. In loose housing and even more so in herds with automatic milking, well functioning cow traffic during all hours of the day is crucial to optimise production. In order to keep the cow traffic flowing, lights may be an important management tool. It is also perceived among farmers with tied up stall that night light decreases the incidents of cows accidental stepping on their own or neighbours udders.

There is a shortage of organs available for donation worldwide. There have been several campaigns to try to increase the numbers of registrered donors. The topic has been brought to the forefront but more work is still needed to distribute information to the public.The aim of this literature review was to examine what influences people in their decision to donate their organs or not, and what role nurses play in providing the most current information available. The study found that there was several different reasons given for not donating their organs. A great number of people were convinced that their religion was against organ donation.