I “Det finns även personer som...”: En transitivitetsanalys av trans*personer i text undersöks tre olika texter. Texterna är från riksdagen, Regeringen och Socialstyrelsen och alla handlar om eller riktar sig till trans*personer i olika utsträckning. Syftet med uppsatsen är att undersöka hur trans*personer skrivs om eller till i texter som kommer från inflytelserika myndigheter och samhällsinstanser. Med utgångspunkt ur den systemisk-funktionella grammatiken samt intersektionella perspektiv på diskriminering görs en transitivitetsanalys som kombineras med den analytiska modellen genderism. Resultaten visar att det grundläggande verkar vara svårt att alls skriva om eller till trans*personer, men att texterna utvecklar ett antal olika metoder för att ändå försöka göra detta. Det sker ofta genom att antingen abstrahera med långa komplicerade omskrivningar, eller försöka hålla ett direkt ’du’-tilltal. Det är tydligt att författarna försöker undvika problematiska kategoriseringar, men det visar sig riskera att leda till bortnämningar istället. Det visade sig också finnas en intressant tendens att både gå emot och samtidigt bekräfta och cementera en cisnormativitet. Den här kandidatuppsatsen skrevs vårterminen 2020 av Jack Ohlson. Handledare var Ulf Larsson.

Master of Arts / Department of Communication Studies / Charles Griffin / The year 2015 provided a hotbed of discussion about trans* identities. Caitlyn Jenner’s public announcement of her identity as transgender shortly followed by Rachel Dolezal unveiling as a woman with Caucasian heritage. Using publically accessible interviews such as the Diane Sawyer interview with Bruce Jenner, both of Matt Lauer’s conversations with Dolezal and Jenner, Melissa Harris-Perry’s interview with Dolezal, as well as two Vanity Fair stories provide a space for a closer examination of how trans* identities are negotiated in a conversational setting. Using Hecht’s (1993) communication theory of identity to investigate how the four proposed frames (personal, enactment, relationship, and communal) operate under the lens of trans* identities in flux. This thesis aims to explore the kinds of linguist framing motifs used by both an exemplar of the transgender community and an individual treading the barrier between Caucasian and black identities, ultimately leading to a discussion about how language confines personal and socially structure identity and identification. The implications of this identity work tangles with the reliance on personal experience as an expression of identity and its persuasive power to impact discourse. The linguistic tropes that confine identity expression inherently impact a community of individuals struggling to navigate trans* identity acceptance in a larger sphere.

Les dysferlinopathies sont des maladies musculaires dues à une déficience en protéine dysferline, codée par le gène DYSF. Dans ce travail de thèse, trois approches thérapeutiques ont été évaluées pour ces pathologies, sur des modèles cellulaires et murins. Un variant transcriptionnel court de la dysferline a été vectorisé dans un AAV8r et injecté dans le modèle murin Bla/J, déficient en dysferline. L’analyse des muscles des animaux traités montre une augmentation de la résistance des fibres musculaires au stress mécanique, mais n’apporte pas de correction histologique. Cette étude souligne également la toxicité de cette miniprotéine. L’anoctamine 5, impliquée dans des pathologies et des activités similaires à la dysferline, a été testée en tant que protéine compensatrice. L’anoctamine 5 surexprimée dans le modèle Bla/J ne permet pas la restauration d’un phénotype normal. La compensation de DYSF par ANO5 n’est donc pas une voie thérapeutique à exploiter pour les dysferlinopathies. Enfin, une thérapie génique par chirurgie de l’ARN dysferline a été évaluée en utilisant le trans-épissage médié par le splicéosome (SMaRT). La preuve de principe de la reprogrammation d’un minigène dysferline a été faite (ARN et protéine trans-épissée obtenus in vitro). L’efficacité du SMaRT dans un contexte endogène s’est en revanche révélée faible, et n’a pas permis la restauration d’une protéine dysferline fonctionnelle dans des myoblastes humains. De plus, l’observation de l’expression de protéines directement à partir du RTM (RNA-trans-splicing molecule) a fait apparaître des limites à l’utilisation du SMaRT pour la thérapie génique, et en particulier pour les dysferlinopathies. / Dysferlinopathies are muscular diseases due to mutations in DYSF gene, inducing dysferlin protein deficiency. In this thesis, three therapeutic approaches have been investigated for these pathologies, on cell or mice models. A short transcriptional dysferlin variant has been injected into Bla/J dysferlin deficient mouse model, using AAV8r vector. Muscle fibers of treated animals displayed an increased resistance to mechanical stress without therapeutic benefit. These experiments also pointed out the toxicity of this strategy. A protein compensation approach has been tested using anoctamin 5, known to be involved in pathologies and activities similar to dysferlin’s ones. AAVr mediated Anoctamin 5 overexpression in Bla/J model does not rescue their muscle phenotype. Overexpression of ANO5 does not seem to be a valuable therapeutic strategy for dysferlin deficiency. Dysferlin RNA surgery was evaluated as a possible genetic therapy using Spliceosome-Mediated RNA Trans-splicing (SMaRT). On a Minigene target, SMaRT is able to induce RNA reprogramming by trans-splicing, and produce the corresponding protein. But efficiency is by far decreased in endogenous context and not good enough to restore functional dysferlin in human myoblasts. Moreover, we described proteins resulting from RNA-trans-splicing molecule (RTM) self-expression, limiting the value of SMaRT as therapeutic strategy, especially for dysferlinopathies.

This study confirmed whether children on the current treatment of choice for HIV infection, Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART), exhibit better immune functioning than children on earlier forms of treatment, including sole exposure to Monotherapy/Combination Therapy (Mono-Combo) and "upgrading" from Mono-Combo to HAART (Conversion). It explored whether HAART protects areas of neuropsychological functioning previously found to be compromised in children perinatally infected with HIV more effectively than these earlier treatments. This study includes a unique population (i.e., predominantly minority, low SES status, and largely bilingual), and controls for a number of treatment variables that have not been previously considered. Using the Neurodevelopmental Model and the literature, it was hypothesized that more global functions (i.e., IQ indices besides processing speed) and functions developing earlier in life (i.e., language) would be less affected than more specific functions developing later in life (i.e., visual-motor integration and processing speed). Treatment groups included Mono-Combo, Converters, and HAART. Participants (N=161, 3 to 20 years) were assessed in language, visual-motor integration, processing speed, and IQ using standardized measures and procedures. Three MANCOVAS and an ANCOVA compared groups on immune and neuropsychological measures using age antiretroviral medications were started and years on antiretroviral medications as covariates. Results showed children on HAART have significantly better immune functioning than the Mono-Combo and Converter groups. Consistent with other studies that have controlled for demographic factors, language functioning was not affected by treatment type. Contrary to expectations, visual-motor integration was also not affected by treatment type. Interestingly, Converters were found to perform worse on processing speed than children only exposed to Mono-Combo or HAART. Consistent with expectations, the other IQ indices (i.e., VCI, POI, and FDI) were not affected by treatment type. Findings support the use of HAART globally to improve immune functioning. However, they also provide evidence that HAART does not more effectively protect areas of neuropsychological functioning previously found to be compromised than these former treatments, even when controlling for agents that cross the blood brain barrier, age medications were started, and years on medications. They also bring into question the possible effect of frequency and timing of regimen changes.

No description available.

Background Many studies in western countries have suggested a positive association between intake of trans fatty acid (TFA) and risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). In Asia, although intake of TFA was relatively low, it evidenced an increasing trend which was accompanied with an increasing prevalence of CVDs among the population. There was currently no systematic review on the relationship between intake of TFA and CVDs in Asian population. This systematic review was aimed to synthesize the association between intake of TFA and the risk of CVDs in Asian population from published literature. Methods Both English and Chinese literature published before 1st January 2014were retrieved from PubMed, Medline, Google scholaand CNKI with a combination of keywords. Studies that reported the associations between intake of TFA and CVD-related risks and those conducted among Asian population were included. The quality of eligible literature included in the review was assessed based on STROBE. Findings regarding the associations between intake of TFA and risk of CVDs were extracted and synthesized through comparing and evaluating the quality of findings across the included studies. Results Of the 378 articles retrieved from the datasets, nine studies were eligible to be included in this systematic review. The nine studies covered six Asian countries including Iran, China, Korea, Japan, Israel and India. Seven of nine studies indicated a positive association between intake of TFA and risk of CVDs while the other two reported no significant association. However, none of the included studies were interventional studies and only one was prospective cohort study. Conclusion The findings that more intake of TFA was associated with increased risk of CVDs in Asian population were consistent with that in the western population. Specific regulations to restrict the use of TFA and interventions to promote public awareness of the health effects of TFA are recommended in Asian countries. Due to limited eligible studies that covered only six Asian countries, there remains cautious to generalize the findings to other Asian countries. / published_or_final_version / Public Health / Master / Master of Public Health

The negative health effects of trans fatty acids from hydrogenated fats on plasma lipid profile have been well documented. However, the mechanisms responsible for these changes remain to be elucidated. Hence the overall objective of the thesis was to examine the effect of consuming different forms of hydrogenated fats on cholesterol and triglyceride metabolism, specifically fractional and absolute synthesis rates of free (FSR-FC and ASR-FC) and esterified (FSR-CE, AER and ER) cholesterol, and the functioning of the ASP pathway. In addition, validation of the newer deuterium incorporation (DI) method for measurement of endogenous cholesterol biosynthesis against the cholesterol precursor assessment approach was also performed. Fourteen moderately hypercholesterolemic (LDL-C ≥ 130 mg.dl-1) postmenopausal women (65--71yrs) participated in this study. Subjects consumed, in random order, each of 6 diets for 5 week periods, separated by washout periods ranging from 2 to 4 weeks in duration. The experimental diets included a baseline (BL) diet (39% kcal fat) and 5 reduced fat diets (30% kcal) where 2/3rd of the fat was either soybean oil (SO), low trans squeeze (SQM), medium trans tub (TM), high trans stick (SM) margarines, or butter (BT). Results obtained from the series of analyses performed demonstrate that: (i) the DI method and levels of some cholesterol precursors correspond as methods for the study of in vivo cholesterol biosynthesis in humans; (ii) elevations in endogenous cholesterol synthesis (FSR-FC and ASR-FC) are not responsible for the increase in circulating cholesterol levels seen after consumption of the high trans SM, and high SFA rich BT and BL diets; (iii) suppression of cholesterol esterification rates on the SM diet may account for the decreased HDL-C levels observed on this diet and finally; (iv) dysfunction of the ASP pathway, with lower ASP and higher FFA levels could be responsible for the higher secretion of hepatic B 100 particles. In conc

It is becoming increasingly evident that the development of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) can largely be regulated by lifestyle and dietary choices. The type of fatty acids regularly consumed may promote or prevent atherogenesis. Flaxseed, the richest plant source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is thought to protect against atherosclerotic disease. However, the mechanism(s) by which flaxseed exerts these anti-atherogenic effects requires further investigation. Alternatively, there are dietary fatty acids that are thought to induce significant deleterious effects upon our cardiovascular health. Epidemiological evidence associates dietary trans fatty acids (TFAs) with atherosclerotic CHD. This evidence has largely focused on the main source of TFAs in the North American diet, industrially hydrogenated vegetable shortening (iTFAs). It is assumed that TFAs stimulate atherosclerosis but the only studies to date have shown no effect of TFAs on atherosclerosis. Even less is known of the impact of naturally occurring TFAs from dairy and meat products of ruminant animals (rTFAs) on atherosclerotic disease. We investigated the effects of flaxseed supplementation on atherosclerosis and vascular function in two animal models, the hypercholesterolemic rabbit and the cholesterol fed, low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr-/-) deficient mouse. New Zealand White rabbits and LDLr-/- mice were fed a diet containing flaxseed in the absence or presence of dietary cholesterol for a period of 6 to 24 weeks. We found that dietary flaxseed inhibits the atherogenic effects of a high cholesterol diet in both animal models. The anti-atherogenic effect was achieved in the mouse model through a capacity to lower circulating cholesterol levels and at a cellular level by inhibiting cell proliferation and inflammation. This reduction is also associated with an improved vascular relaxation response as demonstrated in the rabbit model. We also investigated the effects of consuming TFAs from two sources, industrially hydrogenated iTFAs rich in elaidic TFA (C18:1t-9) or naturally-occurring ruminant rTFAs rich in vaccenic TFA (C18:1t-11), on atherosclerotic development in the LDLr-/- mouse in the presence or absence of elevated dietary cholesterol. Our results demonstrate that consuming iTFAs dose dependently initiates atherosclerotic development but not beyond the effects of dietary cholesterol alone. However, consuming rTFAs rich in vaccenic acid protects against hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in the presence or absence of dietary cholesterol. The effects of combining dietary flaxseed and iTFAs in the diet were also examined in this model. Adding whole ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil (ALA) to diets containing low and high doses of iTFAs completely prevented atherosclerotic development in the absence of dietary cholesterol. Flaxseed was also able to partially prevent atherosclerosis caused by iTFAs and cholesterol. Our results suggest that the omega-3 ALA fatty acid rich content of flaxseed is mainly responsible for the anti-atherogenic effects of flaxseed. Our results highlight potential mechanisms for the beneficial effects of dietary flaxseed and the mixed effects of TFAs on cardiovascular health and underscore the need for further basic and clinical investigations.

Admiration for the work of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia, coupled with the desire to record some key events in the life of the PAOG(Z) have been the key factors that inspired this work. The repetition of mistakes of the past by the current leadership of the church has been worrisome. The negative effect caused by neglecting the history of the Church by some Pentecostal leaders, mostly due to gullibility, disregard, or even ignorance of their history, has in great measure reduced their potential for effectiveness. A true reflection of what constitutes the mission history and missionary methodologies of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia from its inception in 1955 to the present day is vital information for Pentecostal clergy and laity. In this thesis, I have endeavoured to trace the beginnings of the Pentecostal Church and augmenting thereto the challenges and successes. The individual contributions of the missionaries accredited to Zambia and the indigenous leaders are enumerated to enable the reader to observe how the different gifts men and women brought influenced positively the growth of the church. The role of the Pentecostal Bible College in the Pentecostal missions in Zambia has been laid down, since the College has been the nerve centre and exemplar institution of Pentecostal missions in Zambia. Given the problem of poor community participation among some Pentecostal people, the need for a theology of socio-political and economic reconstruction and the need for a change in attitude have been examined. The dissertation closes with a chapter on the various contributions of women to the growth of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God in Zambia. The Pentecostal Church in Zambia has now become the storehouse or rendezvous of all the four shades of Pentecostalisms in the country: Classical, Charismatic, Third Wavers and Fourth Wavers. Classical Pentecostalism emerged almost one hundred years ago in Azusa in California; Charismatics, whose emphasis was on faith, began in the fifties; the Third and Fourth Wavers, whose spiritual focus is individual faith for personal improvement and livelihood, started in the eighties and the nineties. The apparent attempt to amalgamate all these compartments of Pentecostalism into an homogeneous phenomenon is stirring Zambia's Pentecost into a 'syncretism of Pentecostahsms', which I think must not go without mention, for it raises questions such as: What is it to be Pentecostal? Are these Pentecostahsms the same? Obvious they are different! What are the theological and practical implications of these teachings for the spirituality of the people? How do these Pentecostal categories or paradigms affect or bear on the doctrinal unity of the Pentecostal Church in Zambia? Apart from the initial evidence debate, this also, I think, constitutes a serious Pentecostal theological challenge. It is a matter for future inquiry. The future of PAOG(Z) now depends on how the PAOG(Z) church addresses itself to these new challenges. Pentecostal scholars should emerge in Zambia to help tackle these challenges. Could it be that, for now, the direction of PAOG(Z) is difficult to ascertain and should therefore be relegated to scholarly curiosity and activity? The paper terminates with recommendations for the leaderships of the Pentecostal Church in their various jurisdictions. Frankly, if these recommendations are seriously engaged, I suppose the Pentecostal Church will continue to be the church to which the people will come to and its future will be guaranteed. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Missiology))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus in association with Greenwich School of Theology, U.K., 2009

It is becoming increasingly evident that the development of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease (CHD) can largely be regulated by lifestyle and dietary choices. The type of fatty acids regularly consumed may promote or prevent atherogenesis. Flaxseed, the richest plant source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha-linolenic acid (ALA) is thought to protect against atherosclerotic disease. However, the mechanism(s) by which flaxseed exerts these anti-atherogenic effects requires further investigation. Alternatively, there are dietary fatty acids that are thought to induce significant deleterious effects upon our cardiovascular health. Epidemiological evidence associates dietary trans fatty acids (TFAs) with atherosclerotic CHD. This evidence has largely focused on the main source of TFAs in the North American diet, industrially hydrogenated vegetable shortening (iTFAs). It is assumed that TFAs stimulate atherosclerosis but the only studies to date have shown no effect of TFAs on atherosclerosis. Even less is known of the impact of naturally occurring TFAs from dairy and meat products of ruminant animals (rTFAs) on atherosclerotic disease. We investigated the effects of flaxseed supplementation on atherosclerosis and vascular function in two animal models, the hypercholesterolemic rabbit and the cholesterol fed, low density lipoprotein receptor (LDLr-/-) deficient mouse. New Zealand White rabbits and LDLr-/- mice were fed a diet containing flaxseed in the absence or presence of dietary cholesterol for a period of 6 to 24 weeks. We found that dietary flaxseed inhibits the atherogenic effects of a high cholesterol diet in both animal models. The anti-atherogenic effect was achieved in the mouse model through a capacity to lower circulating cholesterol levels and at a cellular level by inhibiting cell proliferation and inflammation. This reduction is also associated with an improved vascular relaxation response as demonstrated in the rabbit model. We also investigated the effects of consuming TFAs from two sources, industrially hydrogenated iTFAs rich in elaidic TFA (C18:1t-9) or naturally-occurring ruminant rTFAs rich in vaccenic TFA (C18:1t-11), on atherosclerotic development in the LDLr-/- mouse in the presence or absence of elevated dietary cholesterol. Our results demonstrate that consuming iTFAs dose dependently initiates atherosclerotic development but not beyond the effects of dietary cholesterol alone. However, consuming rTFAs rich in vaccenic acid protects against hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis in the presence or absence of dietary cholesterol. The effects of combining dietary flaxseed and iTFAs in the diet were also examined in this model. Adding whole ground flaxseed or flaxseed oil (ALA) to diets containing low and high doses of iTFAs completely prevented atherosclerotic development in the absence of dietary cholesterol. Flaxseed was also able to partially prevent atherosclerosis caused by iTFAs and cholesterol. Our results suggest that the omega-3 ALA fatty acid rich content of flaxseed is mainly responsible for the anti-atherogenic effects of flaxseed. Our results highlight potential mechanisms for the beneficial effects of dietary flaxseed and the mixed effects of TFAs on cardiovascular health and underscore the need for further basic and clinical investigations.