1,134 research outputs found
Low incidence of toxoplasma infection during pregnancy and in newborns in Sweden
To estimate the burden of disease due to congenital toxoplasmosis in Sweden the incidence of primary infections during pregnancy and birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis in 40978 children born in two regions in Sweden was determined. Women possibly infected during pregnancy were identified based on: 1, detection of specific IgG based on neonatal screening of the phenylketonuria (PKU) card blood spot followed by retrospective testing of stored prenatal samples to detect women who acquired infection during pregnancy and follow up of their children to 12 months; 2, detection of specific IgM on the PKU blood spot. The birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis was 0·73/10000 (95% CI 0·15â2·14) (3/40978). The incidence of primary infection during pregnancy was 5·1/10000 (95% CI 2·6â8·9) susceptible pregnant women. The seroprevalence in the southern part was 25·7% and in the Stockholm area 14·0%. The incidence of infection during pregnancy was low, as the birth prevalence of congenital toxoplasmosis. Neonatal screening warrants consideration in view of the low cost and feasibility
HÄllbart vÀxtskydd. Analys av olika strategier för att minska riskerna med kemiska vÀxtskyddsmedel
Risker som Àr förknippade med kemiska vÀxtskyddsmedel kan sammanfattas i fem omrÄden: risker för anvÀndare, risker för rester i livsmedel samt i yt- och grundvatten och risker för natursystemet (t.ex. förlorad biodiversitet). De viktigaste fördelarna med vÀxtskyddsmedel Àr att de bidrar till skördeökningar och att de förbÀttrar möjligheten till stabila skördenivÄer, oavsett ÄrsmÄn.
Det finns olika strategier för att hantera vÀxtskyddet i dagens jordbruk och beroende pÄ vilken strategi som vÀljs förÀndras riskerna som Àr förknippade med anvÀndningen av vÀxtskyddsmedel. Syftet med MAT 21-projektet HÄllbart VÀxtskydd har varit att analysera den miljömÀssiga hÄllbarheten i olika vÀxtskyddsstrategier med hjÀlp av konkreta exempel. Ambitionen Àr att ge vÀgledning om genomförandet av politiska miljömÄl, tolkning av miljöanalyser och utveckling av kvalitets- och miljöledningssystem i livsmedelsföretag.
I projektet har en varierad vÀxtföljd setts som en viktig förebyggande ÄtgÀrd för att minska riskerna med vÀxtskyddsmedel. En diversifierad vÀxtföljd bidrar till att reducera vissa typer av ogrÀs och till att minska trycket av mÄnga svampsjukdomar. Mekanisk ogrÀsreglering ger tillsammans med förebyggande ÄtgÀrder möjligheter att minska anvÀndningen av vÀxtskyddsmedel. Exempel pÄ tekniska lösningar som kan minska riskerna Àr bandsprutning i kombination med radrensning eller ny bredsprutningsteknik med lufttillsats vilket reducerar vindavdriften vid en applikation med vÀxtskyddsmedel.
För att analysera riskerna som Ă€r förknippade med vĂ€xtskyddsmedel anvĂ€ndes modellen PRI-Farm som Ă€r en riskindikatormodell utvecklad av Kemikalieinspektionen. I modellen poĂ€ngsĂ€tts faktorer för fara och exponering vid applikation av vĂ€xtskyddsmedel. Farofaktorerna utrycker belastningen av de inneboende egenskaperna hos preparatens aktiva substans som persistens, bioackumulering och rörlighet. Exponeringsfaktorerna beaktar applikationsmetod, anvĂ€nd dos, markegenskaper och spruttidpunkt. Resultaten vĂ€gs samman i en poĂ€ngsumma (ett miljöriskindex), dĂ€r risk för transport till yt- och grundvatten vĂ€ger tungt. Ăven ett hĂ€lsoriskindex kan berĂ€knas, vilket inte gjorts i denna studie. Modellen kan inte anvĂ€ndas för att kvantifiera risker utan Ă€r i stĂ€llet ett verktyg för att kunna göra jĂ€mförande bedömningar mellan olika strategier för vĂ€xtskyddsinsatser, identifiera problemanvĂ€ndningar eller för att visa pĂ„ risktrender över tiden.
För att analysera andra miljöeffekter (t.ex. klimatpÄverkan och energianvÀndning) anvÀndes metodiken för livscykelanalys (LCA). Detta Àr en metod som anvÀnds för att göra miljöbedömningar av produkter och tjÀnster. Man genomför berÀkningar för produktens potentiella bidrag till olika miljöeffekter, sÄsom vÀxthuseffekt och försurning, och man summerar Àven den förbrukning av viktiga resurser som produkten givit upphov till. Tanken Àr att dessa berÀkningar skall kunna ge information som kan leda till att man kan minska miljöpÄverkan frÄn en viss produkt pÄ ett effektivt sÀtt. Resultaten kan ocksÄ ge vÀgledning vid val mellan produkter som Àr likvÀrdiga i övrigt.
I fallstudien av den allsidiga vÀxtodlingsgÄrden jÀmfördes ocksÄ nulÀget med ett scenario dÀr gÄrden lades om till ekologisk produktion. I detta alternativ anvÀndes inga kemiska vÀxtskyddsmedel. OmlÀggningen till ekologisk produktion pÄverkade Àven andra miljöeffekter, förutom riskerna med vÀxtskyddsmedel. En negativ effekt av det ekologiska scenariot var att grödan kepalök fick utgÄ p.g.a. att risken bedömdes som för stor för ett stort skördebortfall utan tillgÄng pÄ fungicider. PÄ grund av en lÀgre skördenivÄ i ekologisk produktion behövdes en betydligt större yta för att producera en given mÀngd livsmedel. I en ekonomisk analys jÀmfördes nulÀget pÄ den allsidiga vÀxtodlingsgÄrden med ett ekologiskt scenario. Resultatet var likvÀrdigt för de tvÄ alternativen. För att ekologisk odling skall vara en ekonomiskt lyckad satsning pÄ gÄrdar i intensiva slÀttbygder med odling av specialgrödor Àr det, med dagens nivÄ pÄ miljöstödet för ekologisk produktion, helt nödvÀndigt att det finns ett bra merpris för produkterna.
I en fallstudie av en allsidig vÀxtodlingsgÄrd jÀmfördes nulÀget med ett scenario dÀr olika strategier testades som minskade riskerna med vÀxtskyddsmedel utan att skördenivÄn Àndrades nÀmnvÀrt. Detta scenario (kallat BÀsta Möjliga Teknik) innebar anvÀndning av mekanisk och/eller termisk behandling som alternativ till konventionell bekÀmpning i vissa grödor samt medvetna val av vÀxtskyddsmedel som hade mindre dÄliga miljöegenskaper. Fallstudien visade pÄ flera olika möjligheter till att reducera riskerna i konventionell drift. Eftersom gÄrden i studien hade mÄnga radodlade specialgrödor bedömdes bandsprutning kombinerat med radrensning vara en intressant förbÀttring. Att vÀsentligt reducera anvÀndningen av fungicider i potatis och lök utan att Àventyra skördenivÄn bedömdes som mycket svÄrt i konventionell drift, Àven med bÀsta odlingsteknik.
I fallstudien av den allsidiga vÀxtodlingsgÄrden jÀmfördes ocksÄ nulÀget med ett scenario dÀr gÄrden lades om till ekologisk produktion. Detta alternativ minskar riskerna med vÀxtskydds-medel radikalt men pÄverkar Àven andra miljöeffekter. För mÄnga grödor minskade energianvÀndning, liksom utslÀpp av vÀxthusgaser vid en övergÄng till ekologisk odling. En negativ effekt av det ekologiska scenariot var att grödan kepalök fick utgÄ p g a att risken bedömdes som för stor för ett betydande skördebortfall utan tillgÄng till fungicider. Ur miljö- och resurssynpunkt var den mest negativa effekten att det ekologiska scenariot krÀvde mycket större yta för att producera en given mÀngd livsmedel. I en ekonomisk analys jÀmfördes nulÀget pÄ den allsidiga vÀxtodlingsgÄrden med ett ekologiskt scenario. Resultatet var likvÀrdigt för de tvÄ alternativen. För att ekologisk odling skall vara en ekonomiskt lyckad satsning pÄ gÄrdar i intensiva slÀttbygder Àr det helt nödvÀndigt att det finns ett bra merpris för produkterna.
Studien visar att det finns flera olika strategier för att minska riskerna med anvÀndningen av vÀxtskyddsmedel. En varierad vÀxtföljd Àr en grundlÀggande förutsÀttning i alla odlingssystem och inom detta omrÄde finns det mycket gammal kunskap som behöver vÀckas till liv. Miljöanalyserna visar ocksÄ att mÄnga tekniska lösningar, som leder till minskat behov av vÀxtskyddsmedel, kan tillÀmpas utan att andra miljöeffekter pÄverkas nÀmnvÀrt. Att vÀlja bort vÀxtskyddsmedel som har mindre goda miljöeffekter Àr en strategi som förefaller ha stor potential för att minska riskerna. PRI-Farm kan bli ett viktigt beslutsstöd i lantbrukets arbete för bÀttre produktval och sÀkrare vÀxtskydd. Ekologisk produktion har goda förutsÀttningar att bli en viktig strategi för minskade risker i de utökade vattenskyddsomrÄden som kommunerna nyligen har beslutat om. För att denna strategi skall bli lyckosam krÀvs att marknaden fortsÀtter att öka för ekologiska produkter i Sverige, sÄ att produkternas merpris tillsammans med samhÀllets stöd via miljöersÀttningsprogram fortsÀtter att betala merkostnaden för denna produktionsform
Comparison between interstitial laser thermotherapy and excision of an adenocarcinoma transplanted into rat liver.
The aim of this study was to compare interstitial laser thermotherapy with excision of a liver tumour. A dimethylhydrazine-induced adenocarcinoma was transplanted (implanted if not stated otherwise) into the left lateral lobe of the rat liver, and treatment was performed 8 days later. In the main experiment, rats were treated with resection of the tumour-bearing lobe or underwent interstitial laser thermotherapy, which was performed at a steady-state temperature of 46 degrees C for 30 min, 3 mm from the tumour margin. The incidence and extent of intraperitoneal spread was smaller after laser thermotherapy than after resection of the tumour-bearing lobe, with no difference in local control. Metastatic spread after resection of the median liver lobe was similar to that observed after sham procedures for thermotherapy or resection, suggesting that the advantage of thermotherapy was not due to a difference in surgical trauma. Additional studies showed that laser thermotherapy reduced intraperitoneal spread when treatment was suboptimal or in a tumour inoculation model and suggested that immunological mechanisms might be involved. It is concluded that interstitial laser thermotherapy reduces spread of liver tumour compared with resection
Sedimentary mechanisms of a modern banded iron formation on Milos Island, Greece
An Early Quaternary shallow submarine hydrothermal iron formation (IF) in the Cape Vani sedimentary basin (CVSB) on Milos Island, Greece, displays banded rhythmicity similar to Precambrian banded iron formation (BIF). Sedimentary, stratigraphic reconstruction, biogeochemical analysis and micro-nanoscale mineralogical characterization confirms the Milos rocks as modern Precambrian BIF analogues. Spatial coverage of the BIF-type rocks in relation to the economic grade Mn ore that brought prominence to the CVSB implicates tectonic activity and changing redox in the deposition of the BIF-type rocks. Field-wide stratigraphic and biogeochemical reconstruction demonstrates two temporal and spatially isolated iron deposits in the CVSB with distinct sedimentological character. Petrographic screening suggest the previously described photoferrotrophic-like microfossil-rich IF (MFIF), accumulated on basement andesite in a ~â150âm wide basin, in the SW margin of the basin. A strongly banded non-fossiliferous IF (NFIF) caps the Mn-rich sandstones at the transition to the renowned Mn-rich formation. Geochemical evidence relates the origin of the NFIF to periodic submarine volcanism and water column oxidation of released Fe(II) in conditions apparently predominated by anoxia, similar to the MFIF. This is manifested in the lack of shale-normalized Ce anomalies. Raman spectroscopy pairs hematite-rich grains in the NFIF with relics of a carbonaceous material carrying an average ÎŽ13Corg signature of ~ââ25ââ°. However, a similar ÎŽ13Corg signature in the MFIF is not directly coupled to hematite by mineralogy. The NFIF, which post dates large-scale Mn deposition in the CVSB, is composed primarily of amorphous Si (opal-SiO2â·ânH2O) while crystalline quartz (SiO2) predominates the MFIF. An intricate interaction between tectonic processes, changing redox, biological activity and abiotic Si precipitation, formed the unmetamorphosed BIF-type deposits
The Swedish challenge â interdisciplinarity, collaboration and integration for research and development in organic farming
Organic farming is an example of the integration of non-monetary valued goals (as for example environmental concerns and animal welfare) in a market driven production. The main tool is the use of certification of the production. In this perspective organic farming becomes an interesting model for the entire food system. Current fast structural changes in Swedish agricultural primary production with decreasing numbers of farmers and an increasing size of farms on the one hand and increasing market competition and decreasing food prices on the other hand are well known realities. Reports on the decreasing capacity of the global ecosystems to generate non-monetary valued life supporting ecosystem services also emphasize the role of agriculture to fulfil these functions (Millennium Assessment, 2005). Multifunctional agriculture, making use of ecosystem services for biomass production, collective utilities and new workplaces, is highlighted.
In order to play an important role on these issues, the sustainable development of organic farming requires research covering a wide scope of aspects, from environmental issues in the farm and food production system to questions about ethics, precaution and feedback at different levels. Knowledge from different disciplines, areas and perspectives need to be integrated. Scarce resources for research and development, along with the historical development of organic farming (to a substantial part based on experiential learning and knowledge) highlight the importance of relevance and validity in organic research
Chromite oxidation by manganese oxides in subseafloor basalts and the presence of putative fossilized microorganisms
Chromite is a mineral with low solubility and is thus resistant to dissolution. The exception is when manganese oxides are available, since they are the only known naturally occurring oxidants for chromite. In the presence of Mn(IV) oxides, Cr(III) will oxidise to Cr(VI), which is more soluble than Cr(III), and thus easier to be removed. Here we report of chromite phenocrysts that are replaced by rhodochrosite (Mn(II) carbonate) in subseafloor basalts from the Koko Seamount, Pacific Ocean, that were drilled and collected during the Ocean Drilling Program (ODP) Leg 197. The mineral succession chromite-rhodochrosite-saponite in the phenocrysts is interpreted as the result of chromite oxidation by manganese oxides. Putative fossilized microorganisms are abundant in the rhodochrosite and we suggest that the oxidation of chromite has been mediated by microbial activity. It has previously been shown in soils and in laboratory experiments that chromium oxidation is indirectly mediated by microbial formation of manganese oxides. Here we suggest a similar process in subseafloor basalts
Chronological changes of incidence and prognosis of children with asymptomatic congenital cytomegalovirus infection in Sapporo, Japan
BACKGROUND: Chronological changes of the incidence of congenital cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and the longitudinal prognosis in children with asymptomatic congenital infection were investigated. METHODS: Congenital CMV infection, as demonstrated by isolation of the virus within the first week of life, was diagnosed in infants born in Sapporo, Japan, during the 26-year period between 1977 and 2002. RESULTS: Congenital infection was diagnosed in 37 (0.31%) of 11,938 infants. Thirty-two infants were (86.5%) asymptomatic and 5 (13.5%) were symptomatic at birth. CONCLUSIONS: Although a decrease in the total incidence of congenital CMV infection has been seen in recent years, screening of congenital infection at birth seems to be necessary to detect late-onset neurodevelopmental sequelae
Relationship Between Ljungan Virus Antibodies, HLA-DQ8, and Insulin Autoantibodies in Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Children
Environmental factors, including viral infections, may explain an increasing and fluctuating incidence of childhood type 1 diabetes (T1D). Ljungan virus (LV) isolated from bank voles have been implicated, but it is unclear whether LV contributes to islet autoimmunity, progression to clinical onset, or both, of T1D. The aim was to test whether LV antibodies (LVAb) were related to HLA-DQ and islet autoantibodies in newly diagnosed T1D patients (n = 676) and controls (n = 309). Patients, 0-18 years of age, diagnosed with T1D in 1996-2005 were analyzed for LVAb, HLA-DQ genotypes, and all seven known islet autoantibodies (GADA, IA-2A, IAA, ICA, ZnT8RA, ZnT8WA, and ZnT8QA). LVAb at 75th percentile, defined as cut off, was 90 (range 6-3936) U/mL and 4th quartile LVAb were found in 25% (170/676) of which 64% were < 10 (n = 108, p < 0.0001), and 27% were < 5 (n = 45; p < 0.0001) years old. The 4th quartile LVAb in children < 10 years of age correlated to HLA DQ2/8, 8/8, and 8/X (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, in the group with 4th quartile LVAb, 55% were IAA positive (p = 0.01) and correlation was found between 4th quartile LVAb and IAA in children < 10 years of age (p = 0.035). It is concluded that 1) LVAb were common among the young T1D patients and LVAb levels were higher in the younger age groups; 2) 4th quartile LVAb correlated with IAA; and 3) there was a correlation between 4th quartile LVAb and HLA-DQ8, particularly in the young patients. The presence of LVAb supports the notion that prior exposure to LV may be associated with T1D
Feasibility, reliability and validity of the health-related quality of life instrument Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D) among school-aged children and adolescents in Sweden
Background
This study was conducted in a general population of schoolchildren in Sweden, with the aim to assess the psychometric properties of a generic preference-based health related quality of life (HRQoL) instrument, the Swedish Child Health Utility 9D (CHU9D), among schoolchildren aged 7â15 years, and in subgroups aged 7â9, 10â12 and 13â15 years.
Methods
In total, 486 school aged children, aged 7â15 years, completed a questionnaire including the CHU9D, the Pediatric quality of life inventory 4.0 (PedsQL), KIDSCREEN-10, questions on general health, long-term illness, and sociodemographic characteristics. Psychometric testing was undertaken of feasibility, internal consistency reliability, testâretest reliability, construct validity, factorial validity, concurrent validity, convergent validity and divergent validity.
Results
The CHU9D evidenced very few missing values, minimal ceiling, and no floor effects. The instrument achieved satisfactory internal consistency (Cronbachâs Alfaâ>â0.7) and strong testâretest reliability (râ>â0.6). Confirmatory factor analyses supported the proposed one-factor structure of the CHU9D. For child algorithm, RMSEAâ=â0.05, CFIâ=â0.95, TLIâ=â0.94, and SRMRâ=â0.04. For adult algorithm RMSEAâ=â0.04, CFIâ=â0.96, TLIâ=â0.95, and SRMRâ=â0.04. The CHU9D utility value correlated moderately or strongly with KIDSCREEN-10 and PedsQL total scores (râ>â0.5â0.7). The CHU9D discriminated as anticipated on health and on three of five sociodemographic characteristics (sex, age, and custody arrangement, but not socioeconomic status and ethnic origin).
Conclusions
This study provides evidence that the Swedish CHU9D is a feasible, reliable and valid measure of preference-based HRQoL in children. The study furthermore suggests that the CHU9D is appropriate for use among children 7â15 years of age in the general population, as well as among subgroups aged 7â 9, 10â12 and 13â15 years
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