Purpose of review To review the findings and methodological strengths and limitations of studies of breathlessness using population-based or routinely collected data, including the novel methodology of the registry-based randomized controlled trial (R-RCT). Recent findings Breathlessness severe enough to restrict activity is common and increases in the last months of life both among elderly in the

This article is a report of the fourth meeting of the Harmonising Outcome Measures for Eczema (HOME) initiative held in Malmö, Sweden on 23–24 April 2015 (HOME IV). The aim of the meeting was to achieve consensus over the preferred outcome instruments for measuring patient-reported symptoms and quality of life for the HOME core outcome set for atopic eczema (AE). Following presentations, which inc

Obese individuals are more likely to develop heart failure. Yet, once heart failure is established, the impact of overweight and obesity on prognosis and survival is unclear. The purpose of this joint scientific statement of the European Association for the Study of Obesity and the European Society of Hypertension is to provide an overview on the current scientific literature on obesity and heart

Introduction: The aim of this study is to report the current status of ovarian tissue cryopreservation among alternatives for fertility preservation in the Nordic countries. Material and methods: A questionnaire was sent to 14 Nordic academic reproductive centers with established fertility preservation programs. It covered fertility preservation cases performed up to December 2014, standard proced

In the light of the constitutional legal developments by the Court of Justice of the European Union (hereinafter referred to as ‘the Court of Justice’ or ‘the CJEU’) as regards protection of fundamental rights, subsequently accepted by the authors of the Treaties (see Article 6.3 TEU), the Court can today be correctly described as the constitutional court of the EU. Against this backdrop, the CJEU

In this paper the topology optimization problem is solved in a finite strain setting using a polyconvex hyperelastic material. Since finite strains is considered the definition of the stiffness is not unique. In the present contribution, the objective of the optimization is minimization of the end-displacement for a given amount of material. The problem is regularized using the phase-field approac

The localized deformation patterns developed during in-plane compression and folding of paperboard have been studied in this work. X-ray post-mortem images reveal that cellulose fibres have been reoriented along localized bands in both the compression and folding tests. In folding, the paperboard typically fails on the side where the compressive stresses exists and wrinkles are formed. The in-plan

Is there a Nordic approach to international law? I argue that a substantive Nordic approach to international law is absent today, and go on to explore, in an essayistic form, why the question of a Nordic international law would emerge today and how the craving for Nordic identity might be overcome. In a first step, I look into select evidence relating to the use of force, to international recognit

Increased biological understanding of cancer diseases has resulted in a paradigm shift in the medical treatment of cancer. Despite encouraging advances, most cancer types are still incurable and cancer is the second most common cause of death in developed countries.The high price of cancer drugs is a major challenge to equal access and puts heavy strains on public health care payers. After sharp i

Background: There is an intense debate about the cost of cancer and the value of new treatments. However, there is limited data on the cost of cancer in the European Union (EU) and how costs relate to the burden of disease. This paper presents new estimates on the development of the cost of cancer in the EU 1995–2014, with a focus on the major cost components: total health expenditure, cancer drug

In a new report, the Swedish Institute for Health Economics (IHE) compares the cancer situation in EU28 plus Norway and Switzerland. The report builds on a previous comparative study conducted in 2005 and provides a comprehensive view of the development of cancer in Europe over the past two decades. The report shows that the number of people diagnosed with cancer continue to increase in Europe, up

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important protein for neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. In this thesis the role of BDNF, in suicidal behaviour was investigated with focus on possible risk factors for suicidal behaviour such as avoidant focused coping, dysfuntional personality traits like impulsiveness and hyperactivity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis. Paper I: The aBrain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important protein for neuroplasticity and neurogenesis. In this thesis the role of BDNF, in suicidal behaviour was investigated with focus on possible risk factors for suicidal behaviour such as avoidant focused coping, dysfuntional personality traits like impulsiveness and hyperactivity of the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) axis.Paper I: The as

Open access is a well-known externality problem in fisheries causing excess capacity and overfishing. Due to global warming, externality problems from CO2 emissions have gained increased interest. With two externality problems, a first-best optimum can be achieved by using two regulatory instruments. However, solving the open-access externality problem also affects CO2 emissions. By using a bio-ecOpen access is a well-known externality problem in fisheries causing excess capacity and overfishing. Due to global warming, externality problems from CO2 emissions have gained increased interest. With two externality problems, a first-best optimum can be achieved by using two regulatory instruments. However, solving the open-access externality problem also affects CO2 emissions. By using a bio-ec

Health care as any other public service is subject to many potentially conflicting objectives and many actors. Over time, the traditional goal of health care systems of distributive justice has been accompanied by other objectives and health care reforms have developed accordingly. One type of reform in countries with publicly funded health care has evolved around replacing monopolistic state prov

Background: Policy implementation in the context of health systems is generally difficult and the Kenyan health sector situation is not an exception. In 2005, a new health sector strategic plan that outlines the vision and the policy direction of the health sector was launched and during the same year the health sector was allocated a substantial budget increment. On basis of these indications of

Background: The choice between different attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) medications depends on different drug attributes. Economic evaluations of drugs often disregard the utility of other attributes compare with the drugs' efficacy. Aims: The aim of this study was to assess patient's preferences and elicit willingness-to-pay (WTP) for different drug attributes in the treatment of