Association between infant swimming and rhinovirus-induced wheezing.

AIM Infant swimming has been considered as a risk factor for wheezing, but the role that respiratory viruses play is unclear. We explored the effects of infant swimming on the risk of all wheezing illnesses and wheezing associated with rhinoviruses. METHODS We followed up a birth cohort of 1827 children until 17 months of age, collecting data on infant swimming, other risk factors and physician-diagnosed bronchiolitis or recurrent wheezing. Viral diagnostics were performed in a subset of children with all respiratory tract infections. RESULTS Data on infant swimming were obtained for 1038 children, with viral follow-up for 635 children. At least one wheezing illness was documented in 45/469 (9.6%) swimming children versus 39/569 (6.9%) nonswimming children (p = 0.11), and rhinoviruses were associated with wheezing in 11/296 (3.7%) swimming children versus 4/339 (1.2%) nonswimming children (p = 0.04). In adjusted logistic regression analyses, swimming had an odds ratio of 1.71 (p = 0.05) for bronchiolitis and 3.57 (p = 0.06) for rhinovirus-associated wheezing. An association between infant swimming and rhinovirus-associated wheezing was detected for children with atopic eczema (p = 0.006). CONCLUSION There may be a link between infant swimming and rhinovirus-induced wheezing illnesses in atopic infants.</p

Heritability of Bullying and Victimization in Children and Adolescents: Moderation by the KiVa Antibullying Program

Objective: Bullying affects approximately a quarter of schoolchildren and is associated with numerous adverse outcomes. Although distinct risk factors for bullying and victimization have been identified, few studies have investigated the genetic and environmental underpinnings of bullying and victimization. The aims of this study were twofold: first, to examine the contributions of genetic and environmental factors to bullying and victimization, and second, to analyze whether the KiVa antibullying program moderated the magnitude of these contributions by comparing estimates derived from the KiVa versus control groups.Method: The sample comprised students from schools that participated in the evaluation of the KiVa antibullying program in Finland during 2007-2009. Bullying and victimization were measured using peer nominations by classmates. The sample for the twin analyses comprised of 447 twins (107 monozygotic and 340 dizygotic twins) aged 7-15.Results: Genetic contributions accounted for 62% and 77% of the variance in bullying and in victimization at pre-intervention, respectively. There was a post-intervention difference in the overall role of genetic and environmental contributions between the intervention and the control group for bullying and victimization, with non-shared environmental effects playing a lesser role (and genes a larger role) in the intervention than in the control group context.Conclusions: This study replicates previous findings on the genetic underpinnings of both bullying and victimization, and indicates that a school-based antibullying program reduces the role of non-shared environmental factors in bullying and victimization. The results indicate that prevention and intervention efforts need to target both environmental and (heritable) individual level factors to maximize effectiveness

Appendiceal neoplasm risk associated with complicated acute appendicitisa population based study

PurposeAppendiceal tumors are rare, but high neoplasm rates have been reported at interval appendectomy after periappendicular abscess. Non-operative management of uncomplicated acute appendicitis has shown promising results. The data on appendiceal tumor incidence and presentation among acute appendicitis patients is limited, especially in patient cohorts differentiating between uncomplicated and complicated acute appendicitis. Objective was to assess appendiceal tumor incidence and tumor association to appendicitis in patients with uncomplicated and complicated acute appendicitis.MethodsThis nationwide population-based registry study was conducted from 2007 to 2013. The Finnish Cancer Registry and the National Institute for Health Registry were used to combine data on all appendiceal tumors and acute appendicitis diagnosis with medical reports evaluated at eight study hospitals.ResultsAltogether, 840 appendiceal tumors were identified, and out of these, 504 patient reports were reviewed, including 472 patients in this study. Tumor was diagnosed at appendectomy for suspected acute appendicitis in 276 patients (58%). In the whole study, histologically acute appendicitis and tumor were both present in 53% (n=250), and out of these, 41% (n=102) were complicated and 59% (n=148) uncomplicated acute appendicitis. The associated tumor risk was significantly higher in complicated acute appendicitis compared with uncomplicated cases (3.24% vs. 0.87%, pPeer reviewe

Factors Affecting European Farmers’Participation in Biodiversity Policies

This article reports the major findings from an interdisciplinary research project that synthesises key insights into farmers’ willingness and ability to co-operate with biodiversity policies. The results of the study are based on an assessment of about 160 publications and research reports from six EU member states and from international comparative research.We developed a conceptual framework to systematically review the existent literature relevant for our purposes. This framework provides a common structure for analysing farmers’ perspectives regarding the introduction into farming practices of measures relevant to biodiversity. The analysis is coupled and contrasted with a survey of experts. The results presented above suggest that it is important to view support for practices oriented towards biodiversity protection not in a static sense – as a situation determined by one or several influencing factors – but rather as a process marked by interaction. Financial compensation and incentives function as a necessary, though clearly not sufficient condition in this process

The Finnish psychiatric birth cohort consortium (PSYCOHORTS) - content, plans and perspectives

Background: Psychiatric disorders tend to be developmental, and longitudinal settings are required to examine predictors of psychiatric phenomena. Replicating and combining data and results from different birth cohorts, which are a source of reliable data, can make research even more valuable. The Finnish Psychiatric Birth Cohort Consortium (PSYCOHORTS) project combines birth cohorts in Finland. Aim: The aim of this paper is to introduce content, plans and perspectives of the PSYCOHORTS project that brings together researchers from Finland. In addition, we illustrate an example of data harmonization using available data on causes of death. Content: PSYCOHORTS includes eight Finnish birth cohorts. The project has several plans: to harmonize different data from birth cohorts, to incorporate biobanks into psychiatric birth cohort research, to apply multigenerational perspectives, to integrate longitudinal patterns of marginalization and inequality in mental health, and to utilize data in health economics research. Data on causes of death, originally obtained from Finnish Cause of Death register, were harmonized across the six birth cohorts using SAS macro facility. Results: Harmonization of the cause of death data resulted in a total of 21,993 observations from 1965 to 2015. For example, the percentage of deaths due to suicide and the sequelae of intentional self-harm was 14% and alcohol-related diseases, including accidental poisoning by alcohol, was 13%. Conclusions: PSYCOHORTS lays the foundation for complex examinations of psychiatric disorders that is based on compatible datasets, use of biobanks and multigenerational approach to risk factors, and extensive data on marginalization and inequality

Envisioning the future of water in Europe - the SCENES project

The aim of this article is to describe the background and main elements of the SCENES project (Water Scenarios for Europe and Neighbouring States) together with the approach for selecting, constructing and evaluating water scenarios up to 2050. SCENES is a multi-faceted integrated project that aims to address the complex questions about the future of Europe’s water resources. It takes an integrated approach by combining and balancing the many dimensions of Europe’s water futures, including hydrological, ecological, economic, cultural, social, climatic, financial and other dimensions. The project is implemented in three phases. In the first phase (fast-track) largely extant scenarios are selected, and readily available information on drivers and policies information assembled and run through an existing quantitative model of pan-European water availability. In the second phase more refined scenarios are developed at both the pan-European and regional scales, with scenario panels providing ‘enriched’ scenarios. The third phase involves a synthesis of the information and dissemination of the project outputs to external stakeholders and end-users. In the SCENES project an evaluation of the participatory scenario processes is carried out giving us new information on the functioning of the science-policy interface, and on the challenges the European water management may confront in the future

Assessing the cost, effectiveness and acceptability of best management farming practices: a pluridisciplinary approach

International audienceThe AgriBMPWater project has been imagined and built in a pluridisciplinary approach and framework, with the study of the object "BMPs" by several disciplines at the same time (hydrology, economy, sociology, geography and agronomy). The knowledge of the object in each discipline is deepened by a fertile multi-field contribution: disciplines borders have been broken down, allowing crossbreeding between different scientific fields. This crossbreeding becomes necessary as sustainability in agriculture and livestock production gathers together very different and evolving notions. Moreover, crossbreeding between scientific findings and on-farm application contributed to enrich the analysis

Projet AgriBMPWater: atelier intermédiaire

[Departement_IRSTEA]GT [TR1_IRSTEA]31 - RURAMEN / TERREAUInternational audienceAgriBMPWater is an european research project of the 5th RTD Framework program (key action : Sustainable Mnagement and Quality of Water). An intermediate workshop took place at the Institute für Kultur Technik (IKT) of Petzenkirschen in Austria (in January; 25-28 2001) between the workpackage leaders and the coordinator. This report presents the conlusions of the main discussed topics : scientific discussions and working organisation for each workpackage, project management and task deadlines.AgriBMPWater est un projet européen de recherche dans le cadre du cinquième programme RTD. Cet atelier a eu lieu à l'Institut Technique et Culturel en Autriche pendant 3 jours. Ce bilan présente les conclusions des principaux sujets de discussion : discussions scientifiques organisation de travail, gestion de projet et délais de tâche

Maintaining privacy on post-natal wards: A study in five European countries

Aim. To describe how mothers&apos; privacy is maintained on post-natal wards in five European countries: Finland, Spain, Greece, Germany and Scotland [United Kingdom (UK)]. Background. Privacy is an important concept in nursing and nursing ethics. Empirical studies in this field, however, are few. In this study, privacy is defined as comprising both physical and social-informational dimensions and both the perceptions of mothers and professional were investigated. Methods. The data were collected by a questionnaire from mothers (n=1192) and midwife/nursing staff (n=952). Results. The results revealed differences both between the different countries and between patients&apos; and professionals&apos; views. Mothers in Finland, Germany and Scotland felt their privacy was maintained better than mothers in Greece and Spain. The differences in staff perceptions are less clear-cut. Different background factors emerge as statistically significant in different countries. Conclusion. Empirical studies in privacy are important and give ideas about the problems in nursing practice. Future analyses should look also at other areas of nursing