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Evaluering af velfærdsteknologi i plejeboliger iAarhus kommune i 2015

WNT/β-catenin signaling endows cancer cells with proliferative capacity and immune-evasive functions that impair anti-cancer immunosurveillance by conventional, cytoxtoic T cells. However, the impact of dysregulated WNT signalling on unconventional, tissue-resident T cells, specifically in colon cancer is unknown. Here, we show that cancer cells in Apc-mutant mouse models escape immunosurveillance from gut-resident intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) expressing γδ T cell receptors (γδTCRs). Analysis of late-stage tumors from mice and humans revealed that γδIELs are largely absent from the tumor microenvironment, and that butyrophilin-like (BTNL) molecules, which can critically regulate γδIEL through direct γδTCR-interactions, are also downregulated. We could attribute this to β-catenin stabilization, which rapidly decreased expression of the transcription factors, HNF4A and HNF4G, that we found to bind promoter regions of Btnl genes, thereby driving their expression in normal gut epithelial cells. Indeed, inhibition of β-catenin signaling restored Btnl1 gene expression and γδ T cell infiltration into tumors. These observations highlight an immune-evasion mechanism specific to WNT-driven colon cancer cells that disrupts γδIEL immunosurveillance and furthers cancer progression.

This article reports on the findings from a qualitative, longitudinal study on lay perceptions of opportunity structures among young adults in Denmark. Previous research suggests that people often underestimate the extent of inequality and that rising inequality aggravates misperceptions. Our study deepens the understanding of the multi-layered processes that form meritocratic beliefs, and it identifies key factors at the macro-, meso- and micro-level. A macro-level factor that proved influential was a cultural script revolving around the Danish lay concept, social arv [social inheritance]. At the meso level, the factor of reference groups in socio-economic heterogeneous schools was instrumental for formations of inequality perceptions, but in dissimilar ways depending on micro-level subjective factors. Overall, the participants viewed the free educational system in Denmark as part of a welfare system that equalises opportunity structures in principle, while the majority simultaneously exhibited a nuanced awareness of social forces negating meritocracy in practice.

Key points Reduced vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression prompts skeletal muscle atrophy.Atrophy occurs through catabolic processes, namely the induction of autophagy, while anabolism remains unchanged.In response to VDR‐knockdown mitochondrial function and related gene‐set expression is impaired. In vitro VDR knockdown induces myogenic dysregulation occurring through impaired differentiation.These results highlight the autonomous role the VDR has within skeletal muscle mass regulation. Abstract Vitamin D deficiency is estimated to affect ∼40% of the world's population and has been associated with impaired muscle maintenance. Vitamin D exerts its actions through the vitamin D receptor (VDR), the expression of which was recently confirmed in skeletal muscle, and its down‐regulation is linked to reduced muscle mass and functional decline. To identify potential mechanisms underlying muscle atrophy, we studied the impact of VDR knockdown (KD) on mature skeletal muscle in vivo, and myogenic regulation in vitro in C2C12 cells. Male Wistar rats underwent in vivo electrotransfer (IVE) to knock down the VDR in hind‐limb tibialis anterior (TA) muscle for 10 days. Comprehensive metabolic and physiological analysis was undertaken to define the influence loss of the VDR on muscle fibre composition, protein synthesis, anabolic and catabolic signalling, mitochondrial phenotype and gene expression. Finally, in vitro lentiviral transfection was used to induce sustained VDR‐KD in C2C12 cells to analyse myogenic regulation. Muscle VDR‐KD elicited atrophy through a reduction in total protein content, resulting in lower myofibre area. Activation of autophagic processes was observed, with no effect upon muscle protein synthesis or anabolic signalling. Furthermore, RNA‐sequencing analysis identified systematic down‐regulation of multiple mitochondrial respiration‐related protein and genesets. Finally, in vitro VDR‐knockdown impaired myogenesis (cell cycling, differentiation and myotube formation). Together, these data indicate a fundamental regulatory role of the VDR in the regulation of myogenesis and muscle mass, whereby it acts to maintain muscle mitochondrial function and limit autophagy., Key points Reduced vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression prompts skeletal muscle atrophy.Atrophy occurs through catabolic processes, namely the induction of autophagy, while anabolism remains unchanged.In response to VDR‐knockdown mitochondrial function and related gene‐set expression is impaired. In vitro VDR knockdown induces myogenic dysregulation occurring through impaired differentiation.These results highlight the autonomous role the VDR has within skeletal muscle mass regulation.

Digital story grammar (DSG) is a methodology that combines narrative theory and computerised text analysis. The methodology offers new ways of identifying patterns in narrative identity work and ex...

The ways in which humans narratively make sense of their lives shape how they navigate the future. At least, that is what prominent philosophers like Sartre, Ricoeur and MacIntyre proposed. Philosophically this idea has roots in the long-standing thesis of mimesis; like art imitates life and life imitates art in the Aristotelian sense, so do life and stories imitate each other (Bruner, 1987). Despite the tenacity of the idea, relatively little research has explored the relationship empirically. How does narrative sense-making shape prospective social action? How can we best study the interplay between stories told and lives lived? What kind of methodologies can provide the means for social scientists to address questions concerning the future? In this special issue of International Journal of Social Research Methodology we turn our attention to these challenges in recognition of how fundamentally important these questions are. If stories actually shape what we do, then not only individual life trajectories but also collective futures depend upon it.

Sexual relations are a recurrent theme in drug treatment that aims for a holistic inclusion of concerns considered important in young people's lives. Nevertheless, it remains understudied how counselors attend to this theme. To investigate the discourses on sexual relations in drug treatment for young people provided by the Scandinavian welfare state of Denmark. Drawing on qualitative interviews with 16 counselors the analysis first identifies three discourses that legitimize sexual relations as a theme in drug treatment by linking the theme to a) pleasure, b) risks, and c) problems. These discourses legitimize the theme by constructing sexual relations as part of the good life, as potentially harmful, or as related to past trauma triggering present problems. Second, the analysis identifies a gendered storyline on sexual relations in exchange economies, e.g., sugar dating, described by some counselors as “prostitution-like” behavior. The gendered storyline is almost exclusively linked to young women's behavior and produces a gendered shame by indicating deviant femininity. Simultaneously, the storyline taboos how the young men may experience vulnerable sexual relations in exchange economies. Alternative discourses can provide a broader repertoire of subject positions to the benefit of all genders. Background:Sexual relations are a recurrent theme in drug treatment that aims for a holistic inclusion of concerns considered important in young people's lives. Nevertheless, it remains understudied how counselors attend to this theme.Aim:To investigate the discourses on sexual relations in drug treatment for young people provided by the Scandinavian welfare state of Denmark.Analysis:Drawing on qualitative interviews with 16 counselors the analysis first identifies three discourses that legitimize sexual relations as a theme in drug treatment by linking the theme to a) pleasure, b) risks, and c) problems. These discourses legitimize the theme by constructing sexual relations as part of the good life, as potentially harmful, or as related to past trauma triggering present problems. Second, the analysis identifies a gendered storyline on sexual relations in exchange economies, e.g., sugar dating, described by some counselors as “prostitution-like” behavior.Findings:The gendered storyline is almost exclusively linked to young women's behavior and produces a gendered shame by indicating deviant femininity. Simultaneously, the storyline taboos how the young men may experience vulnerable sexual relations in exchange economies.Conclusion:Alternative discourses can provide a broader repertoire of subject positions to the benefit of all genders.

The dominant cultural narrative of sex-selling involves female sellers and male buyers, consistent with governing notions of sexual desire and sexual performance more generally. Likewise, needing and receiving care is conventionally coded as feminine. Analysis of semi-structured qualitative interviews with 21 cisgender male sex sellers in Denmark leads us to consider how storylines and discursive boundaries having to do with sex work, sexuality, gender, and care shape narrative imagination in ways that inhibit the participation of male sex sellers in programs that provide the kind of care they may need. Respondents described different experiences of and pathways into sex work. However, both respondents who enjoyed selling sex as well as respondents who suffered found it difficult to imagine themselves as participants in service-providing programs. Rather, they deemed programs designed to provide care and support to sex sellers the exclusive province of women. The paper clarifies the importance of cultivating narrative imagination among male sex sellers, policymakers and care providers in order to develop and deliver more adequate policies and effective programs for male sex sellers in need of care.

The concern that public support may spur dependency has been voiced throughout the history of welfare states. Nevertheless, little research examines the experience of welfare state dependency in th...

Aim: This study examined the ways in which citizens who have self-identified as having problem drug use experienced welfare state encounters in Denmark and considered the findings in the context of...

Objective The Vitamin D receptor (VDR) has been positively associated with skeletal muscle mass, function and regeneration. Mechanistic studies have focused on the loss of the receptor, with in vivo whole-body knockout models demonstrating reduced myofibre size and function and impaired muscle development. To understand the mechanistic role upregulation of the VDR elicits in muscle mass/health, we studied the impact of VDR over-expression (OE) in vivo before exploring the importance of VDR expression upon muscle hypertrophy in humans. Methods Wistar rats underwent in vivo electrotransfer (IVE) to overexpress the VDR in the Tibialis anterior (TA) muscle for 10 days, before comprehensive physiological and metabolic profiling to characterise the influence of VDR-OE on muscle protein synthesis (MPS), anabolic signalling and satellite cell activity. Stable isotope tracer (D2O) techniques were used to assess sub-fraction protein synthesis, alongside RNA-Seq analysis. Finally, human participants underwent 20 wks of resistance exercise training, with body composition and transcriptomic analysis. Results Muscle VDR-OE yielded total protein and RNA accretion, manifesting in increased myofibre area, i.e., hypertrophy. The observed increases in MPS were associated with enhanced anabolic signalling, reflecting translational efficiency (e.g., mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR-signalling), with no effects upon protein breakdown markers being observed. Additionally, RNA-Seq illustrated marked extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, while satellite cell content, markers of proliferation and associated cell-cycled related gene-sets were upregulated. Finally, induction of VDR mRNA correlated with muscle hypertrophy in humans following long-term resistance exercise type training. Conclusion VDR-OE stimulates muscle hypertrophy ostensibly via heightened protein synthesis, translational efficiency, ribosomal expansion and upregulation of ECM remodelling-related gene-sets. Furthermore, VDR expression is a robust marker of the hypertrophic response to resistance exercise in humans. The VDR is a viable target of muscle maintenance through testable Vitamin D molecules, as active molecules and analogues., Highlights • Increased vitamin D receptor (VDR) expression stimulates skeletal muscle hypertrophy. • Anabolic signalling, ribosomal biogenesis, and muscle protein synthesis are enhanced. • Coordinated upregulation of extracellular remodelling related gene-sets. • VDR expression correlates with resistance exercise induced hypertrophy in humans.

Background:\ud Despite increases in diagnostics and effective treatments, over 300,000 men die from prostate cancer highlighting the need for specific and differentiating biomarkers. AR phosphorylation associates with castrate-resistance, with pARser213 promoting transcriptional activity. We hypothesise that combined pARser81 and pARser213 reduces survival and would benefit from dual-targeting androgen-dependent and Akt-driven disease.\ud \ud Methods:\ud Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were performed on matched hormone-naive and castrate-resistant prostate cancer samples. TempO-Seq gene profiling was analysed using DESeq2 package. LNCaP-AI cells were stimulated with DHT or EGF. WST-1 assays were performed to determine effects of Enzalutamide and BKM120 on cell viability.\ud \ud Results:\ud Following the development of castrate-resistance, pARser81 expression reduced and pARser213 expression increased. Castrate-resistance pARser81 expression was not associated with survival but high pARser213 expression was associated with reduced survival from relapse. Combined high pARser81 and pARser213 was associated with reduced survival from relapse. pARser81 expression was induced by 10 nM DHT or 10 nM EGF and pARser213 expression was induced by treatment with 10 nM EGF in LNCaP-AI cells. Cell viability was reduced following treatment with 10 nM Enzalutamide and 10 nM BKM120. Eight genes were differentially expressed between hormone-naive and castrate-resistant tumours and twenty-five genes were differentially expressed between castrate-resistant tumours with high and low pARser213 expression.\ud \ud Conclusion:\ud Combined pARser81 and pARser213 provides a novel prognostic biomarker for castrate-resistant disease and a potential predictive and therapeutic target for prostate cancer. Further studies will be required to investigate the combined effects of targeting AR and PI3K/AKT signalling.

Through a conceptualization of timely care defined as the right care at the right time, this article analyzes the challenges involved in synchronizing the needs of vulnerable youth with the care pr...

Previous research has critiqued conventional anger management programmes for disregarding participants’ values honouring masculine performances of being tough, risk-seeking and capable of violence. Conversely, the Danish programme subjected to case study in this paper, represents a liberal approach that endorses such values while still encouraging participants to reform their behaviour. We investigate this approach as a frame for participants’ storytelling, that is, narrative presentations of past, present and future selves. Detailed narrative analysis demonstrates the counsellor’s conveyance of a non-judgmental attitude, which indicates expectations that participants value practices such as fighting and using illegal drugs. We explain how the approach emerges as a gendered and classed frame which some participants may not align with, specifying how a participant who is unable or unwilling to adopt expectations may struggle to present as properly masculine. The study demonstrates that therapy which seeks to accommodate particular forms of masculinities may unintentionally marginalise some participants.

Objectives: This review evaluates the evidence on the effects of functional family therapy (FFT) on drug abuse reduction for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use. Data and Analysis: We followed Campbell Collaboration guidelines to conduct a systematic review of randomized and nonrandomized trials. Results: The search yielded two studies that met inclusion criteria. Only one study provided numerical results on the effect of FFT on drug use reduction. Conclusions: There is insufficient evidence to allow any conclusion to be drawn on the effect of FFT for young people in treatment for nonopioid drug use. There is a need for more research and particularly for more methodologically rigorous studies in the field of treatment for young drug users.

The concept of co-production suggests a collaborative production of public welfare services, across boundaries of participant categories, for example professionals, service users, peer-workers and volunteers. While co-production has been embraced in most European countries, the way in which it is translated into everyday practice remains understudied. Drawing on ethnographic data from Danish community mental health services, we attempt to fill this gap by critically investigating how participants interact in an organisational set-up with blurred boundaries between participant categories. In particular, we clarify under what circumstances the blurred boundaries emerge as believable. Theoretically, we combine Lamont and Molnar's (2002) distinction between symbolic boundaries and social boundaries with Goffman's (1974) microanalysis of "principles of convincingness". The article presents three findings: (1) co-production is employed as a symbolic resource for blurring social boundaries; (2) the believability of blurred boundaries is worked up through participants' access to resources of validation, knowledge and authority; and (3) incongruence between symbolic and social boundaries institutionalises practices where participants merely act 'as if' boundaries are blurred. Clarification of the principles of convincingness contributes to a general discussion of how co-production frames the everyday negotiation of symbolic and social boundaries in public welfare services.

Obesity and type 2 diabetes lead to dramatically increased risks of atherosclerosis and CHD. Multiple mechanisms converge to promote atherosclerosis by increasing endothelial oxidative stress and up-regulating expression of pro-inflammatory molecules. Microvesicles (MV) are small ( PPin vitro.MV from HFD-fed rats induced significant ROS (PP= 0·0275), indicative of a pro-inflammatory MV phenotype in this model of obesity. These findings confirm that this is a useful model to further study the mechanisms by which diet can influence MV release and subsequent effects on cardio-metabolic health.

A popular notion refers to laughter as “the best medicine,” and a stream of psychological research encourages treatment providers to use humour as a therapeutic tool. However, remarkably few studies have investigated client perspectives on professionals' use of humour in everyday practice. Drawing on ethnographic data from fieldwork in two Danish drug treatment institutions for young people, this paper begins to fill this gap in the existing research. Analyzing the use of humour in naturally occurring, informal situations wherein professionals joke, use irony and tell funny stories, this paper suggests that the use of humour by professionals – despite their allegedly good intentions – may at times be problematic, even offensive for clients. Furthermore, as the young people who turn to drug treatment are socially vulnerable and dependent on the professionals, the paper illuminates how they find their opportunities for objecting to the professionals' use of humour limited. The paper concludes that p...

This publication is a Campbell Systematic Review of the effect of Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) for treating abuse of cannabis, amphetamine, ecstasy or cocaine (referred to here as non‐opioid drugs) among young people aged 11‐21 years. The misuse of prescription drugs and the use of ketamine, nitrous oxide and inhalants such as glue and petrol are not considered in this review. After a rigorous search of the literature, five randomized controlled studies with samples of 83‐450 participants were identified. Three studies were conducted by MDFT program developers, one study was conducted by an independent investigator with the program developer as a co‐author, and one study was conducted by independent investigators. Four studies were performed in the US, while the other was performed across five European countries. There is evidence that MDFT is slightly more effective in treating young people's drug abuse than other treatments; however, the difference is small. Furthermore, none of the five included studies could be characterised as a robust randomised controlled trial with a low risk of bias on all assessed domains. One study provided insufficient information on core issues for the risk of bias to be assessed and therefore we find reason to question the validity of this study. Well‐designed, randomized controlled trials within this population are needed. More research is also required to identify factors which modify the effect of MDFT and to identify which particular youth subgroups may be most likely to respond. Key messages PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY This publication is a Campbell Systematic Review of the effect of Multidimensional Family Therapy (MDFT) for treating abuse of cannabis, amphetamine, ecstasy or cocaine (referred to here as non‐opioid drugs) among young people aged 11‐21 years. The misuse of prescription drugs and the use of ketamine, nitrous oxide and inhalants such as glue and petrol are not considered in this review. Youth drug abuse is a severe problem worldwide and recent reports describe ominous trends of youth drug abuse and a lack of effective treatment. This review is concerned with drug abuse that is severe enough to warrant treatment. It focuses on young people who are receiving MDFT specifically for non‐opioid drug abuse. MDFT is a manual‐based, family‐oriented treatment, designed to eliminate drug abuse and associated problems in young people's lives. MDFT takes a number of risk and protective factors into account; the approach acknowledges that young people's drug abuse is linked to dimensions such as home life, friends, school and community (Liddle et al., 2004). MDFT aims to modify multiple domains of functioning by intervening with the young person, family members, and other members of the young person's support network (Austin et al., 2005). MDFT is thus based on a number of therapeutic alliances, with the young drug abuser, his or her parents and other family members, and sometimes with school and juvenile justice officials. After a rigorous search of the literature, five randomized controlled studies with samples of 83‐450 participants were identified. Three studies were conducted by MDFT program developers, one study was conducted by an independent investigator with the program developer as a co‐author, and one study was conducted by independent investigators. Four studies were performed in the US, while the other was performed across five European countries. We used meta‐analytic procedures to summarise the available evidence on the effects of MDFT in comparison with other interventions on drug abuse, education, family functioning, risk behavior and retention in treatment. In this review, we interpret a value of the standardised mean difference, SMD=0.20 as a small effect size, in line with the general practice (Cohen, 1988). We note, however, the possibility that such a value might actually represent a larger effect if it is equivalent to a large reduction in the percentage of days a youth uses drugs, but we cannot comment further as we were unable to analyse the absolute effect of MDFT given that no studies comparing MDFT to no other treatment were available. The findings are as follows: – On drug abuse: Based on the available evidence we conclude that MDFT has an effect on drug abuse reduction compared to other treatments, although the difference is small. – On education: There is insufficient evidence to conclude whether MDFT has an effect on education compared to other treatments. – On family functioning: There is no available evidence to conclude whether MDFT has an effect on family functioning compared to other treatments. – On risk behavior and other adverse effects: There is no available evidence to conclude whether MDFT has an effect on risk behavior and other adverse effects compared to other treatments. – On treatment retention: MDFT may result in improved treatment retention in young drug abusers compared to other interventions The evidence found was limited as only five studies were included, and two studies had significant amounts of missing data. The evidence was very limited in terms of the outcomes reported on education, family functioning and risk behavior, and was insufficient for firm conclusions to be drawn on the effectiveness of the treatment with regard to such outcomes. There is evidence that MDFT is slightly more effective in treating young people's drug abuse than other treatments; however, the difference is small. Furthermore, none of the five included studies could be characterised as a robust RCT with a low risk of bias on all assessed domains. One study provided insufficient information on core issues for the risk of bias to be assessed and therefore we find reason to question the validity of this study. Well‐designed, randomized controlled trials within this population are needed. More research is also required to identify factors which modify the effect of MDFT and to identify which particular youth subgroups may be most likely to respond. Executive summary/Abstract BACKGROUND Youth drug abuse is a severe problem worldwide, and the use of cannabis, amphetamine, ecstasy and cocaine (referred to here as non‐opioid drugs) is strongly associated with a range of health and social problems. This review focuses on drug abuse that is severe enough to warrant treatment. The population of interest is young people who are receiving MDFT specifically for non‐opioid drug abuse. MDFT is a manual‐based family therapy approach that focuses on individual characteristics of the young person, the parents, and other key individuals in the young person's life, as well as on the relational patterns contributing to the drug abuse and other problem behaviors. A variety of therapeutic techniques are used to improve the young person and the family's behaviors, attitudes, and functioning across the variety of domains. MDFT aims to reorient the young person and his/her family towards a more functional developmental trajectory based on key principles that include: 1) Individual biological, social, cognitive, personality, interpersonal, familial, developmental, and social ecological aspects can all contribute to the development, continuation, worsening and chronicity of drug problems; 2) The relationships with parent(s), siblings and other family members are fundamental domains of assessment and change; 3) Change is multifaceted, multi‐determined and relates to the youths' cognitive and psychosocial developmental stages; 4) Motivation is not assumed, but is malleable; and motivating the young person and his or her family members about treatment participation and change is a fundamental therapeutic task; 5) Multiple therapeutic alliances are required to create a foundation for change; and 6) Therapist responsibility and attitude is fundamental to success (Liddle, 2010). OBJECTIVES The main objectives of this review are to evaluate the current evidence on the effects of MDFT on drug abuse reduction for young people (aged 11‐21 years) in treatment for non‐opioid drug abuse, and if possible to examine moderators of drug abuse reduction effects, specifically analysing whether MDFT works better for particular types of participants. SEARCH STRATEGY An extensive search strategy was used to identify qualifying studies. Searches were run in October 2014. A wide range of electronic bibliographic databases were searched along with government and policy databanks, grey literature databases, citations in other reviews and the included primary studies, hand searching in relevant journals, and Internet searches using Google. We also maintained correspondence with researchers in the field of MDFT. No language or date restrictions were applied to the searches. SELECTION CRITERIA To be eligible for inclusion, studies must: have involved a manual‐based outpatient MDFT drug treatment for young people aged 11‐21 years enrolled for non‐opioid drug abuse; have used experimental, quasi‐experimental or non‐randomized controlled designs; have reported at least one of the following eligible outcome variables: abstinence, reduction of drug abuse, family functioning, education or vocational involvement, retention, risk behavior or any other adverse effect; not have focused exclusively on treating mental disorders; and have had MDFT as the primary intervention. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS The literature search yielded a total of 6,519 references, of which 170 studies were deemed potentially relevant and retrieved for eligibility determination. Of these, 16 papers describing five unique studies were included in the final review. Metaanalysis was used to examine the effects of MDFT on drug usage (measured by both frequency and problem severity), on education and on treatment retention. It was not possible to perform a meta‐analysis on family functioning, risk behavior or other adverse effects, nor was it possible to assess moderators of drug abuse reduction effects, or whether MDFT works better for particular types of participants. RESULTS Not all the studies provided data that enabled the calculation of comparable effect sizes on the different outcomes. Two studies had two comparison groups with different individuals, and we performed separate analyses including the different control groups where these two studies provided relevant outcome measures. The most conservative effects for the different outcomes are reported in the following. All outcomes are measured as decreases; hence a negative effect size favours MDFT. Meta‐analysis of the five included studies showed a small effect (around 30 percent of a standard deviation for the different control combinations) of MDFT for reduction in youth drug abuse problem severity at 6 months post‐intake (SMD=‐0.30 (95% CI ‐0.53 to ‐0.07, p=0.01 compared to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), peer group, treatment as usual (TAU), multifamily educational therapy (MEI) and Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (ACRA)). At 12 months post‐intake meta‐analysis of the five included studies showed a small effect (around 20 percent of a standard deviation for the different control combinations) of MDFT for reduction in youth drug abuse problem severity (SMD=‐0.23 95% CI ‐0.39 to ‐0.06, p=0.007 compared to CBT, peer group, TAU, adolescent group therapy (AGT) and ACRA). Pooled results of the four studies providing data on drug abuse frequency reduction favoured MDFT. The effect of MDFT for youth drug abuse frequency reduction was small at 6 months post‐intake (overall around 20 percent of a standard deviation for the different control combinations) (SMD = ‐0.24; 95% CI ‐0.43 to ‐0.06; p=0.01 compared to CBT, peer group, TAU and MET/CBT5). It was not statistically significant at 12 month follow‐up compared to CBT, peer group, TAU and MET/CBT5/ACRA. Two studies reported on school grades as an outcome, providing data at 6 months post‐intake only. Meta‐analysis favored MDFT when the controls used in the analysis were peer group and MEI (SMD = ‐0.47; 95% CI ‐0.92, ‐0.01; p=0.05). It was not statistically significant when the comparisons used in the analysis were peer group and AGT. We extracted data on retention from all five included studies. Meta‐analysis favoured MDFT for retention of participants for all the different control combinations (OR = 0.44; 95% CI 0.21 to 0.94; p=0.03 compared to CBT, peer group, TAU, AGT and MET/CBT5). Overall the results indicated that retention may be positively affected by structured MDFT treatment compared to less structured control conditions. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS The available data support the hypothesis that, compared with certain other active treatments, MDFT reduces the severity of drug abuse among youth. The treatments MDFT was compared against in the included studies were Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), peer group, treatment as usual (TAU), adolescent group therapy (AGT)/multifamily educational therapy (MEI) and Motivational Enhancement Therapy/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (MET/CBT5)/Adolescent Community reinforcement approach (ACRA). Furthermore, the available data support the hypothesis that there is a reduction in the frequency of drug abuse when treating young drug abusers with MDFT compared to CBT, peer group, TAU and MET/CBT5/ACRA at 6 months post‐intake, but the effect is not statistically significant 12 months after intake. The number of studies providing data that allowed calculation of an effect size for drug abuse reduction was limited, however, and this should be considered when interpreting these results. The conclusions that can be drawn about MDFT as an effective treatment for young drug abusers compared to other treatments would be more convincing if more studies were available. The pooled effect sizes are small and confidence intervals are often close to zero. The statistically significance of the pooled results on severity of drug abuse among youth 6 months post‐intake is sensitive to the removal of studies with methodological weaknesses. Overall, the results also indicate that retention may be positively affected by structured MDFT treatment compared to CBT, peer group, TAU, AGT/MEI and MET/CBT5/ ACRA which are all less‐structured control conditions. However, the results must be interpreted with caution as two studies stand out from the others; here the effect sizes are large, confidence intervals are wide, and the estimated between study variation is relatively large. The main conclusion of this review is that there is insufficient firm evidence of the effectiveness of MDFT, especially with regard to moderators of drug abuse reduction effects, and whether MDFT works better for particular types of participants. While additional research is needed, the review does, however, offer support that MDFT treatment to young non‐opioid drug abusers reduce their drug abuse somewhat more than CBT, peer group, TAU, AGT/MEI and MET/CBT5/ACRA.

Professionals who provide drug treatment to young people regularly encounter what they conceive to be inauthentic client claims, that is, claims not in accordance with reality. Earlier research demonstrates how authenticity remains a key concern within drug treatment, but it has not sufficiently explained how professionals account for and distinguish between different types of inauthenticity. Building on the sociology of storytelling, this study opens up the category of inauthenticity through a narrative analysis and makes a novel contribution by identifying the following three distinctive stories that professionals activate to make sense of inauthenticity: (1) professionals routinely refer to what this study labels the story of institutional conformism, portraying institutionalized clients who have developed a habit of saying the “right” things rather than the “real” things, (2) in the somewhat taboo story of ulterior motives, clients are interpreted as making inauthentic claims because they want to obtain something externally from drug treatment (e.g., avoid prison or work training programs), and (3) the story of disorders explains inauthenticity as a result of pathology. The study illuminates how professionals assert narrative control through storytelling and how specific stories carry specific consequences and may ultimately contribute to the exclusion of some clients from treatment.

Inbreeding is expected to increase the variability in size and shape within populations. The distinct effects of inbreeding on size and shape suggest that they are governed by different developmental pathways. One unresolved question is whether the non-allometric shape component is partially unconstrained developmentally and therefore whether shape is evolvable. In the present study, we utilized a mass outbred population of Drosophila melanogaster maintained at standard laboratory conditions. Eight lines with equivalent expected levels of inbreeding (F a 0.67) were obtained by restricting the size of each population to two pairs for nine generations. Nine landmarks were measured on Drosophila wings of the inbreed lines and compared with those of the mass population. Wing landmarks comprise an excellent model system for studying evolution of size and shape. Landmark measurements were analyzed with a Procrustes generalized least squares procedure. To visualize global shape changes among samples, we reconstructed the mean shape and the shape changes related to both the allometric and non-allometric components. An increased variability in the non-allometric shape component was found with inbreeding. This indicated that shape was not entirely developmentally constrained, and therefore that shape appears to be evolvable. © 2011 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2011, 102, 626-634.

Aim The aim of the article is to critically reflect on the harm reduction approach used in Danish substance abuse treatment. Data The article is based on qualitative interviews with staff at treatment institutions in Copenhagen. Themes and Conclusions Three themes are addressed. First, our data indicate that low-threshold methadone treatment is difficult to combine with a long-term goal of abstinence. In fact, many harm reduction proponents among staff are directly opposed to treatment models in which abstinence is a goal. Second, we illustrate how the development of harm reduction measures is embedded in a socio-political trend focusing on a combined “autonomization/responsibilization” of social clients. This focus on clients as autonomous and responsible subjects clashes with another central conception among staff: the idea that heroin addicts are slaves to their substance use and hence cannot be treated as fully rational human beings. Third, the article analyses the relationship between harm reduction and social integration. Although social integration of substance abusers is part of the rationale behind harm reduction measures, this goal is difficult to reach with a group of clients as marginalized as the ones in focus.

Addiction research has demonstrated how recovering individuals need narratives that make sense of past drug use and enable constructions of future, non-addict identities. However, there has not been much investigation into how these recovery narratives actually develop moment-to-moment in drug treatment. Building on the sociology of storytelling and ethnographic fieldwork conducted at two drug treatment institutions for young people in Denmark, this article argues that studying stories in the context of their telling brings forth novel insights. Through a narrative analysis of both 'the whats' (story content) and 'the hows' (storying process) the article presents four findings: (1) stories of change function locally as an institutional requirement; (2) professional drug treatment providers edit young people's storytelling through different techniques; (3) the narrative environment of the drug treatment institution shapes how particular stories make sense of the past, present and future; and (4) storytelling in drug treatment is an interactive achievement. A fine-grained analysis illuminates in particular how some stories on gender and drug use are silenced, while others are encouraged. The demonstration of how local narrative environments shape stories contributes to the general understanding of interactive storytelling in encounters between professionals and clients in treatment settings.

We characterized 59 canine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the endangered Italian wolf (Canis lupus) population, which were discovered by resequencing sequence-tagged-site (STS) DNA sequences that are known to contain SNPs in domestic dogs. Dog SNPs were usually found also in wolves. Additional SNPs unique in dogs or wolves were discovered, which is important for detecting hybrids between dogs and wolves. We developed new primer sets and analysed 15 SNPs by Pyrosequencing. The characterized SNPs will provide an important addition to the genetic markers that are currently available for studying wild populations of canids.

Several genetic factors are assumed to influence developmental instability (DI). One is the level of heterozygosity, with higher levels often being associated with decreased DI; another is genetic incompatibility in hybrids, which in several cases has been shown to increase DI. The genus Bacillus includes species which have both amphigonic heterozygous reproducing populations and homozygous parthenogenetic reproducing populations (B. rossius rossius and B. r. redtenbacheri). Furthermore, Bacillus includes hybrid parthenogenetic species, which have very high levels of almost fixed heterozygosities (B. atticus, B. whitei, B. lynceorum). We investigated the phenotypic variance (σ2p) and the impact of hybridization and level of heterozygosity on DI in females from these populations and species of Bacillus. DI was estimated as fluctuating asymmetry (FA) for three bilateral traits: the labial palpus, the maxillary palpus and the antenna. For the labial palpus and maxillary palpus we found, in general, a lower level of DI in the amphigonic females compared with parthenogenetic counterparts from the same species and with parthenogenetic females from the three hybrid species. A higher DI of the antenna was found in the hybrid species when compared with both parthenogenetic and amphigonic populations of the nonhybrid species, suggesting that the genes controlling antenna development are located on the sex chromosomes. The development of the investigated bilateral characters in the hybrid species seemed to be affected more by factors relating to genetic incompatibilities as a consequence of hybridization than by the stabilizing force of increased heterozygosity. Only few differences in σ2p were observed, supporting the possibility that the observed differences in DI are related mainly to internal genetic factors. © 2006 The Linnean Society of London, Biological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2006, 87, 249–259.

In addition to five pairs of euchromatic chromosomes common to all individuals, three different morphological types of heterochromatic chromosomes were found in Hydrotaea meridionalis: Two acrocentric chromosomes of different length and a smaller submetacentric chromosome that occur in different combinations. The most common type, the larger of the acrocentric chromosomes, occurred as a pair in 149 out of 197 larvae. Mother‐offspring combinations revealed that the larvae progeny of several mothers carried morphologically only the common karyotype. Despite existing morphological variation in karyotypes the same karyotypes were found in male and female adult flies. This observation is interpreted by an autosomal sex‐determining mechanism. As there was also found a sex‐specific karyotype in males, a simple hypothesis to explain the observed distribution of karyotypes among sexes is suggested: one male locus located on one of the autosomes with a dominant heterogametic sex determination mechanism. Only in homozygous recessives for that locus is sex determined by the independent XX/XY sex‐determining system.

Allele frequencies at 12 allozyme loci are presented together with the karyotypes of six Hydrotaea species, H. irritans, H. meridionalis, H. velutina, H. pellucens, H. pandellei, and H. meteorica. For these six, and two further species, H. albipuncta and H. borussica, the allozyme data are used to construct phylogenetic trees. Relatedness as estimated on basis of these trees was then compared to similarity in karyotype and morphology. Conclusions based on allozymes, karyotype, and morphology, were mainly qualitatively similar. Genetic analyses and morphology coincided to the conclusion that H. irritans, H. pandellei, and H. pellucens belong to one group of closely related species, and that H. albipuncta and H. meteorica were least related to the other species analysed and also rather distinct from each other. Finally, the three species, H. meridionalis, H. borussica, and H. velutina were equally different from each other and the irritans-subgroup when judged by allozyme data, but based on karyotype and morphology, H. meridionalis and H. borussica, but not H. velutina, could be considered as part of the irritans subgroup.

Rhodotorula mucilaginosa produces the siderophore rhodotorulic acid (RA) when grown in iron-limited conditions. R. mucilaginosa grew at rates between 0.10 and 0.19 h(-1) in iron-restricted conditions, depending on the carbon source, and at 0.23 h(-1) in iron-sufficient conditions. In bioreactors inoculated with iron-starved pre-cultures, initial specific growth rates in batch culture were dependent on the iron concentration. The critical dilution rate (Dcrit, at which steady state cultures cannot be sustained) in continuous cultures was also dependent on the iron concentration and was lower than mu(max) in batch culture. Sucrose was the best carbon source for RA production [287+/-11 micromol (g biomass)(-1)] and production could be further increased by supplementing the medium with the precursors acetate [460+/-13 micromol (g biomass)(-1)], ornithine [376+/-6 micromol (g biomass)(-1)], or both [539+/-15 micromol (g biomass)(-1)]. Citric acid was an effective suppresser of RA production. RA was produced in a growth rate dependent manner and was optimally produced at pH 6.5.

Professionals who provide drug treatment to young people seek to approach clients as agents of change, i.e., highlight clients' agency and ownership of treatment plans. On the basis of ethnographic data from two treatment institutions in Denmark, this article investigates how everyday interaction organizes clients' experiences in ways that alternately support and contradict this professional ambition. Notably, findings indicate that talk and material arrangements “backstage” make professionals, not clients, appear as the real agents of change. Clients are increasingly encouraged to participate in meetings “backstage,” where treatment is organized, but, contrary to intentions, clients may experience participation as debasing rather than empowering.

Insulin resistance (IR) in skeletal muscle is a prerequisite for type 2 diabetes and is often associated with obesity. IR also develops alongside muscle atrophy in older individuals in sarcopenic obesity. The molecular defects that underpin this syndrome are not well characterized, and there is no licensed treatment. Deletion of the transforming growth factor-β family member myostatin, or sequestration of the active peptide by overexpression of the myostatin propeptide/latency-associated peptide (ProMyo) results in both muscle hypertrophy and reduced obesity and IR. We aimed to establish whether local myostatin inhibition would have a paracrine/autocrine effect to enhance glucose disposal beyond that simply generated by increased muscle mass, and the mechanisms involved. We directly injected adeno-associated virus expressing ProMyo in right tibialis cranialis/extensor digitorum longus muscles of rats and saline in left muscles and compared the effects after 17 days. Both test muscles were increased in size (by 7 and 11%) and showed increased radiolabeled 2-deoxyglucose uptake (26 and 47%) and glycogen storage (28 and 41%) per unit mass during an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test. This was likely mediated through increased membrane protein levels of GLUT1 (19% higher) and GLUT4 (63% higher). Interestingly, phosphorylation of phosphoinositol 3-kinase signaling intermediates and AMP-activated kinase was slightly decreased, possibly because of reduced expression of insulin-like growth factor-I in these muscles. Thus, myostatin inhibition has direct effects to enhance glucose disposal in muscle beyond that expected of hypertrophy alone, and this approach may offer potential for the therapy of IR syndromes.

Acute intracerebroventricular administration of the antihyperglycaemic agent metformin (0.25-1 mg) elicits sympathoinhibitory responses in spontaneously hypertensive rats. However, cardiovascular actions of chronic intracerebroventricular metformin administration are unknown. To define the dose-response relationship during chronic intracerebroventricular metformin administration, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, and locomotor activity were measured continuously by radiotelemetry in 40 normotensive rats. After a 10 day control period, an intracerebroventricular cannula was implanted and connected to an osmotic minipump which delivered metformin in the following doses: 0 [saline]. 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 mg/day. LD50 was 1.5 mg/day. Metformin, 1 mg/day attenuated the nocturnal, physiological increase in mean arterial pressure (-7.3 +/- 1.6% versus before metformin), produced behavioural changes and tended to increase locomotor activity. Lower doses of intracerebroventricular metformin (0.1 and 0.01 mg/day) did not affect mean arterial pressure, heart rate or locomotor activity. In conclusion, chronic intracerebroventricular administration of high dose metformin (1.0 mg/day) attenuates the nocturnal, physiological increase in mean arterial pressure. These findings are compatible with a toxic, sympathoinhibitory action of high doses of metformin intracerebroventricularly.

Oestradiol–enriched food (25 mg kg-1 oestradiol) fed for 91 days to small eels (2 or 7 g) with undifferentiated gonads (UD) significantly favoured development of gonads with the macroscopic appearance of ovaries (♀-gonads) during the next 8 months. Fifty-four and 51% of control eels and 75 and 78% ofoestradiol-treated eels developed ♀-gonads. Minced porcine testicular tissue fed to 2-g eels for up to 371 days had effects similar to oestradiol-enriched food (68% with ♀-gonads), whereas feeding for only 91 days had no effect during the next 8 months. Oestradiol-enriched food was also fed to larger eels with already macroscopically differentiated gonads (30–70 g; 95% with ♀-gonads, 5% with ♀-gonads). After 27 days significantly more eels with a ♀-gonad or with a mixture of ovary-like and testis-like regions in the gonads (♂+♀-gonads) were found. After 96 days there were 44% with ♀-gonads, 40% with ♂+♀-gonads and 16% with ♀-gonads. Oestradiol thus had a feminizing effect, not only on morphologically undifferentiated gonads but also on morphologically differentiated ♀-gonads. The presence of sex steroid hormones or their precursors in porcine testicular tissue may also exert a feminizing influence. In all experiments the hormone-fed groups showed a tendency (not significant) towards increased growth rate. In small eels early rapid growth and differentiation of ♀-gonads were clearly correlated, both in hormone treated and in control eels. Otherwise no correlation was found between growth rate and gonadal sex.

Inspired by social problems theory, this article analyzes the "formula story" of harm reduction in a Danish addiction-treatment context. In Denmark, very few opiate addicts are in drug-free therapeutic treatment. Instead, they are offered methadone (often on a permanent basis) accompanied by practical help in tackling the negative social, economic, and health-related consequences of their drug use. The aim of this article is to show how the formula story of harm reduction-and first and foremost the idea that opiate addiction is an incurable condition-tends to work as a self-fulfilling prophesy. Opiate addicts entering the treatment system risk being "made up" as chronic addicts regardless of how they themselves look upon their own addiction problem and notwithstanding that many of them have not given up their hope of becoming drug-free. The article is based on two types of data: (1) file records (gathered in 2007) describing the addiction problems and treatment careers of clients enrolled at outpatient treatment centers in Copenhagen, and (2) qualitative interviews (conducted in 2006) with 30 methadone-program participants at the centers. The analysis is qualitative and the empirical results cannot necessarily be generalized to other methadone-maintenance programs. Yet the theoretical message of the article is applicable to all treatment institutions and social problems work in general. Definitions and categorizations of clients are not innocent, and naming people and their problems is the same as changing them.