Salmonella Isolated from Animals and Feed Production in Sweden Between 1993 and 1997

This paper presents Salmonella data from animals, feedstuffs and feed mills in Sweden between 1993 and 1997. During that period, 555 isolates were recorded from animals, representing 87 serotypes. Of those, 30 serotypes were found in animals in Sweden for the first time. The majority of all isolates from animals were S. Typhimurium (n = 91), followed by S. Dublin (n = 82). There were 115 isolates from cattle, 21 from broilers, 56 from layers and 18 from swine. The majority of these isolates were from outbreaks, although some were isolated at the surveillance at slaughterhouses. The number of isolates from the feed industry was similar to that of the previous 5-year period. Most of those findings were from dust and scrapings from feed mills, in accordance with the HACCP programme in the feed control programme. It can be concluded that the occurrence of Salmonella in animals and in the feed production in Sweden remained favourable during 1993–97

Contaminants and minerals in foods for infants and young children. Part 3, Risk and benefit management

In the present survey the National Food Agency (NFA) analysed and assessed contaminants and minerals in infant formulae and certain foods for children. The analysed items cover the relevant products from all producers present in the Swedish market in spring 2011. In total 92 different products were analysed for arsenic, cadmium and lead unintentionally present in foods, so-called contaminants, as well as the essential minerals manganese, iron and copper

Determinants of serum concentrations of organochlorine compounds in Swedish pregnant women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND: We performed a cross-sectional study of associations between personal characteristics and lipid-adjusted serum concentrations of certain PCB congeners and chlorinated pesticides/metabolites among 323 pregnant primiparous women from Uppsala County (age 18–41 years) sampled 1996–1999. METHODS: Extensive personal interviews and questionnaires about personal characteristics were performed both during and after pregnancy. Concentrations of organochlorine compounds in serum lipids in late pregnancy were analysed by gas chromatography. Associations between personal characteristics and serum levels of organochlorine compounds were analysed by multiple linear regression. RESULTS: Participation rate was 82% (325 of 395 women). Serum concentrations of PCB congeners IUPAC no. 28, 52, 101, 105 and 167, and o, p'-DDT and -DDE, p, p'-DDT and -DDD, oxychlordane, and γ- and α-HCH were in many cases below the limit of quantification (LOQ). No statistical analysis of associations with personal characteristics could be performed for these substances. Concentrations of PCB congeners IUPAC no. 118, 138, 153, 156 and 180, HCB, β-HCH, trans-nonachlor and p, p'-DDE increased with increased age and were highest in women sampled early during the 4 year study period. This shows that older women and women sampled early in the study had experienced the highest life-time exposure levels, probably mainly during childhood and adolescence. The importance of early exposures was supported by lower PCB concentrations and higher β-HCH and p, p'-DDE concentrations among women born in non-Nordic countries. Moreover, serum concentrations of certain PCBs and pesticide/metabolites were positively associated with consumption of fatty fish during adolescence, and concentrations of CB 156, CB 180 and p, p'-DDE increased significantly with number of months women had been breast-fed during infancy. Short-term changes in bodily constitution may, however, also influence serum concentrations, as suggested by negative associations between concentrations of organochlorine compounds and BMI before pregnancy and weight change during pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Although some of the associations could be caused by unknown personal characteristics confounding the results, our findings suggest that exposures to organochlorine compounds during childhood and adolescence influence the body burdens of the compounds during pregnancy

Chemical cues and pheromones in the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus)

Chemical cues and pheromones guide decisions in organisms throughout the animal kingdom. The neurobiology, function, and evolution of olfaction are particularly well described in insects, and resulting concepts have driven novel approaches to pest control. However, aside from several exceptions, the olfactory biology of vertebrates remains poorly understood. One exception is the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which relies heavily upon olfaction during reproduction. Here, we provide a broad review of the chemical cues and pheromones used by the sea lamprey during reproduction, including overviews of the sea lamprey olfactory system, chemical cues and pheromones, and potential applications to population management. The critical role of olfaction in mediating the sea lamprey life cycle is evident by a well-developed olfactory system. Sea lamprey use chemical cues and pheromones to identify productive spawning habitat, coordinate spawning behaviors, and avoid risk. Manipulation of olfactory biology offers opportunities for management of populations in the Laurentian Great Lakes, where the sea lamprey is a destructive invader. We suggest that the sea lamprey is a broadly useful organism with which to study vertebrate olfaction because of its simple but well-developed olfactory organ, the dominant role of olfaction in guiding behaviors during reproduction, and the direct implications for vertebrate pest management

Population ecology of the sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) as an invasive species in the Laurentian Great Lakes and an imperiled species in Europe

The sea lamprey Petromyzon marinus (Linnaeus) is both an invasive non-native species in the Laurentian Great Lakes of North America and an imperiled species in much of its native range in North America and Europe. To compare and contrast how understanding of population ecology is useful for control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in Europe, we review current understanding of the population ecology of the sea lamprey in its native and introduced range. Some attributes of sea lamprey population ecology are particularly useful for both control programs in the Great Lakes and restoration programs in the native range. First, traps within fish ladders are beneficial for removing sea lampreys in Great Lakes streams and passing sea lampreys in the native range. Second, attractants and repellants are suitable for luring sea lampreys into traps for control in the Great Lakes and guiding sea lamprey passage for conservation in the native range. Third, assessment methods used for targeting sea lamprey control in the Great Lakes are useful for targeting habitat protection in the native range. Last, assessment methods used to quantify numbers of all life stages of sea lampreys would be appropriate for measuring success of control in the Great Lakes and success of conservation in the native range

Föräldrars upplevelser och erfarenheter av att ha ett barn med cancer : En kvalitativ litteraturöversikt

Introduktion: Varje år drabbas cirka 370 barn av cancer. Utöver det sjuka barnet kommer föräldrarna påverkas känslomässigt och socialt. Föräldrarollen till ett sjukt barn kan vara svår att hantera och känslor som stress, oro och ångest är vanligt förekommande. Även efter avslutad behandling upplever föräldrar stressymptom och det tar lång tid innan familjen återhämtat sig från den kris de gått igenom. Vårdpersonalen har en central roll i omvårdnaden av hela familjen.  Syfte: Att beskriva föräldrars upplevelser och erfarenheter relaterat till vården av sitt cancersjuka barn under behandling samt upp till fem år efter avslutad behandling. Metod: En litteraturöversikt innehållande tio kvalitativa originalartiklar. Artiklarna hämtades från PubMed och CINAHL och kvalitetsgranskades med hjälp av SBU’s mall “bedömning av studier med kvalitativ metod” (Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering [SBU], 2020).  Resultat: Föräldrar till cancersjuka barn upplevde psykisk-, ekonomisk- samt social påverkan under barnets cancerbehandling, samt upp till fem år efter avslutad behandling. De upplevde känslor såsom stress, ångest, oro och nedstämdhet. Deras ekonomiska situation förändrades då utgifter tillkom och arbetstider reducerades. Relationer med partner, familj samt vänner förändrades. Vårdens inverkan på föräldrarna var betydande och information samt delaktighet i sitt barns cancerbehandling ansågs värdefullt för föräldrarnas hälsa. Slutsats: När ett barn drabbas av cancer påverkas föräldrarna psykiskt, fysiskt, ekonomiskt och socialt. Vårdens bemötande och agerande kan påverka föräldrars hälsa under barnets cancerbehandling. Introduction: Every year about 370 children get a cancer diagnosis, and the parents will be affected. The parental role after diagnosis can be difficult to handle and emotions such as stress, worry and anxiety are common. Even after treatment, many parents experience stress symptoms and it takes time before the family recovers from the crises. The healthcare staff has a central role in the care of the whole family.  Objective: To describe parents' perceptions and lived experiences related to the care of their child with cancer during treatment and up to five years post treatment.  Method: A literature review of ten qualitative original articles. The articles were from PubMed and CINAHL and was reviewed with the help of SBU’s template “assessment of studies with qualitative method” (Statens beredning för medicinsk och social utvärdering [SBU], 2020).  Results: Parents of children with cancer experienced psychological, financial and social effects during their child’s cancer treatment and up to five years post treatment. They experienced emotions such as stress, anxiety, worry and depression. Their financial situation changed as expenses increased and working hours decreased. Relationships with partner, family and friends changed. The impact the healthcare staff had on the parents was significant.  Conclusion: When a child suffers from cancer, the parents are affected psychologically, physically, financially and socially. The care and actions of the healthcare staff can affect the parents' health during the child's cancer treatmen