| 1. |
- Bénard, A, et al.
(författare)
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Survey of European programmes for the epidemiological surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Euro surveillance : bulletin européen sur les maladies transmissibles = European communicable disease bulletin. - 1560-7917. ; 13:15
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The objective of this investigation was to describe systems for the epidemiological surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis implemented in European countries. In September 2004, a questionnaire, adapted from the evaluation criteria published by the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, was sent to a panel of national correspondents in 35 countries in the European geographical area with knowledge of the epidemiological surveillance systems implemented in their countries. Where necessary, we updated the information until July 2007. Responses were received from 28 countries. Some 16 countries reported routine surveillance for toxoplasmosis. In 12 countries (Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, England and Wales, Estonia, Ireland, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Scotland and Slovakia), surveillance was designed to detect only symptomatic toxoplasmosis, whether congenital or not. Four countries reported surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis, on a regional basis in Italy and on a national basis in Denmark, France and Germany. In conclusion, epidemiological surveillance of congenital toxoplasmosis needs to be improved in order to determine the true burden of disease and to assess the effectiveness of and the need for existing prevention programmes.
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| 2. |
- Bronner, Ulf, et al.
(författare)
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Evaluation of rapid diagnostic tests for malaria in Swedish travellers
- 2011
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Ingår i: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 119:2, s. 88-92
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) for malaria have become valuable tools for the diagnosis of malaria in both endemic and non-endemic areas. During a 7-year period, first the MalaQuick rapid test and then the NOW Malaria test, were evaluated by well-trained laboratory technicians in a university hospital laboratory of parasitology. A total of 635 blood samples were selected from 4731 blood specimens obtained from travellers at the emergency department, at wards and at out-patient clinics. The samples were analysed by microscopy and RDT. Malaria parasites were detected in the blood films of 134 (21%) samples. The sensitivity of the RDT for Plasmodium falciparum was 97.7% (84 of 86 samples) with a negative predictive value of 99.6%. The two false-negative results were associated with low levels of parasitaemia. For non-falciparum species the sensitivity was only 58.3% (28 of 48 samples). Based on the excellent ability of the RDTs to detect P. falciparum infections, we recommend the use of the NOW Malaria test as a complement to microscopy in the laboratory.
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| 3. |
- Byrnes, Andrea, et al.
(författare)
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Gene expression in peripheral blood leukocytes in monozygotic twins discordant for chronic fatigue : no evidence of a biomarker
- 2009
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Ingår i: PLOS ONE. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1932-6203. ; 4:6, s. e5805-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Chronic fatiguing illness remains a poorly understood syndrome of unknown pathogenesis. We attempted to identify biomarkers for chronic fatiguing illness using microarrays to query the transcriptome in peripheral blood leukocytes. METHODS: Cases were 44 individuals who were clinically evaluated and found to meet standard international criteria for chronic fatigue syndrome or idiopathic chronic fatigue, and controls were their monozygotic co-twins who were clinically evaluated and never had even one month of impairing fatigue. Biological sampling conditions were standardized and RNA stabilizing media were used. These methodological features provide rigorous control for bias resulting from case-control mismatched ancestry and experimental error. Individual gene expression profiles were assessed using Affymetrix Human Genome U133 Plus 2.0 arrays. FINDINGS: There were no significant differences in gene expression for any transcript. CONCLUSIONS: Contrary to our expectations, we were unable to identify a biomarker for chronic fatiguing illness in the transcriptome of peripheral blood leukocytes suggesting that positive findings in prior studies may have resulted from experimental bias.
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| 4. |
- Derouin, Francis, et al.
(författare)
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Prevention of toxoplasmosis in transplant patients.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 1469-0691. ; 14:12, s. 1089-101
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Toxoplasmosis is a life-threatening opportunistic infection that affects haematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) and solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Its incidence in these patients is closely related to the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in the general population, which is high in Europe. In SOT recipients, toxoplasmosis results mainly from transmission of the parasite with the transplanted organ from a Toxoplasma-seropositive donor to a Toxoplasma-seronegative recipient. This risk is high in cases of transplantation of organs that are recognized sites of encystation of the parasite, e.g. the heart, and is markedly lower in other SOT recipients. Clinical symptoms usually occur within the first 3 months after transplantation, sometimes as early as 2 weeks post transplant, and involve febrile myocarditis, encephalitis or pneumonitis. In HSCT recipients, the major risk of toxoplasmosis results from the reactivation of a pre-transplant latent infection in seropositive recipients. The median point of disease onset is estimated at 2 months post transplant, with <10% of cases occurring before 30 days and 15-20% later than day 100. Toxoplasmosis usually manifests as encephalitis or pneumonitis, and frequently disseminates with multiple organ involvement. Diagnosis of toxoplasmosis is based on the demonstration of parasites or parasitic DNA in blood, bone marrow, cerebrospinal fluid, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or biopsy specimens, and serological tests do not often contribute to the diagnosis. For prevention of toxoplasmosis, serological screening of donors and recipients before transplantation allows the identification of patients at higher risk of toxoplasmosis, i.e. seropositive HSCT recipients and mismatched (seropositive donor/seronegative recipients) SOT recipients. Preventing toxoplasmosis disease in those patients presently relies on prophylaxis via prescription of co-trimoxazole.
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| 5. |
- Dudarev, Alexey A, et al.
(författare)
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Food and water security issues in Russia I : Food security in the general population of the Russian Arctic, Siberia and the Far East
- 2013
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Ingår i: International Journal of Circumpolar Health. - : International Association of Circumpolar Health Publishers. - 1239-9736 .- 2242-3982. ; 72, s. 1-10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background. Problems related to food security in Russian Arctic (dietary imbalance, predominance ofcarbohydrates, shortage of milk products, vegetables and fruits, deficit of vitamins and microelements,chemical, infectious and parasitic food contamination) have been defined in the literature. But no standardprotocol of food security assessment has been used in the majority of studies.Objectives. Our aim was to obtain food security indicators, identified within an Arctic collaboration,for selected regions of the Russian Arctic, Siberia and the Far East, and to compare food safety in theseterritories.Study design and methods. In 18 regions of the Russian Arctic, Siberia and the Far East, the followingindicators of food security were analyzed: food costs, food consumption, and chemical and biological foodcontamination for the period 2000-2011.Results. Food costs in the regions are high, comprising 2343% of household income. Only 4 out of 10 foodgroups (fish products, cereals, sugar, plant oil) are consumed in sufficient amounts. The consumption of milkproducts, eggs, vegetables, potatoes, fruits (and berries) is severely low in a majority of the selected regions.There are high levels of biological contamination of food in many regions. The biological and chemicalcontamination situation is alarming, especially in Chukotka. Only 7 food pollutants are under regularcontrol; among pesticides, only DDT. Evenki AO and Magadan Oblast have reached peak values in foodcontaminants compared with other regions. Mercury in local fish has not been analyzed in the majority of theregions. In 3 regions, no monitoring of DDToccurs. Aflatoxins have not been analyzed in 5 regions. Nitrateshad the highest percentage in excess of the hygienic threshold in all regions. Excesses of other pollutants indifferent regions were episodic and as a rule not high.Conclusion. Improvement of the food supply and food accessibility in the regions of the Russian Arctic,Siberia and the Far East is of utmost importance. Both quantitative and qualitative control of chemical andbiological contaminants in food is insufficient and demands radical enhancement aimed at improving foodsecurity.
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| 6. |
- Edvinsson, Benjamin, et al.
(författare)
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A prospective study of diagnosis of Toxoplasma gondii infection after bone marrow transplantation.
- 2008
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Ingår i: Acta Pathologica, Microbiologica et Immunologica Scandinavica (APMIS). - : Wiley. - 0903-4641 .- 1600-0463. ; 116:5, s. 345-51
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Active infection with Toxoplasma gondii in immunocompromised transplant recipients can lead to toxoplasmosis, which may have a rapid disease course and in some cases be fatal. It is of paramount importance to diagnose toxoplasmosis at an early stage, and to initiate specific treatment to improve the outcome. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is today the primary diagnostic tool to diagnose toxoplasmosis in immunocompromised patients. Timely diagnosis may, however, be difficult if toxoplasmosis is at first asymptomatic. To investigate the magnitude of toxoplasmosis after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), we conducted a screening study by PCR where 21 autologous and 12 allogeneic BMT recipients were included. Peripheral blood samples were taken one week prior to BMT; thereafter, blood samples were drawn weekly for the first 6 months, and monthly up to one year after BMT. The samples were analyzed by conventional PCR and real-time PCR. T. gondii DNA was detected in peripheral blood from one patient 5 days post allogeneic BMT. There were no clinical signs of toxoplasmosis. Medical records were reviewed and showed a previously undiagnosed eye infection in another allogeneic BMT recipient. These two patients were seropositive for T. gondii. We concluded that monitoring for T. gondii DNA in peripheral blood samples using PCR might be a valuable method for identifying toxoplasma-seropositive stem cell transplant recipients.
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| 7. |
- Edvinsson, B, et al.
(författare)
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Rapid genotyping of Toxoplasma gondii by pyrosequencing
- 2007
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Ingår i: Clinical microbiology and infection : the official publication of the European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. - : Elsevier BV. - 1198-743X .- 1469-0691. ; 13:4, s. 424-429
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)
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| 8. |
- Edvinsson, B, et al.
(författare)
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Real-time PCR targeting a 529-bp repeat element for diagnosis of toxoplasmosis
- 2006
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Ingår i: Clinical Microbiology and Infection. - : Elsevier BV. - 1198-743X .- 1469-0691. ; 12:2, s. 131-136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sensitive and rapid detection of infection with Toxoplasma gondii in transplanted immunocompromised patients is crucial for a good prognosis. Two DNA fragments are used currently for detecting T. gondii infection by PCR, i.e., the B1 gene and a 529-bp repeat element that exists in 200-300 copies/genome. This study investigated whether targeting the 529-bp repeat element gives better sensitivity and accuracy than can be obtained when targeting the B1 gene (35 copies) when concentrations of T. gondii DNA are low. The results demonstrated that detection of the 529-bp repeat element increased diagnostic sensitivity and accuracy. Addition of an internal amplification control did not affect the PCR performance and was useful in order to monitor PCR inhibition by non-specific DNA in the LightCycler instrument. The real-time PCR was used successfully in a clinical context to monitor parasitaemia in the blood of a transplant recipient suffering from toxoplasmosis.
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| 9. |
- Edvinsson, Benjamin, et al.
(författare)
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Toxoplasmosis in immunocompromized patients
- 2009
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Ingår i: Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0036-5548 .- 1651-1980. ; 41:5, s. 368-371
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Infection with the cosmopolitan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is often associated with severe consequences and a high mortality rate in immunocompromized patients. Non-specific symptoms make diagnosis challenging. Monitoring of patients at risk is of value. We here present 8 cases of toxoplasmosis in immunocompromized patients with suggestions for preventive monitoring.
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| 10. |
- Evengård, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Climate change influences infectious diseases both in the Arctic and the tropics : joining the dots
- 2009
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - : Informa UK Limited. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 2
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Climate change is incontestably a phenomenon of global causes and impacts. However, as much as the contribution of different regions and countries to climate change differs, as much differ the impacts. This paper examines the current and potential impact of climate change on infectious diseases in regions that could not be more different: the Arctic and the tropics (The Arctic is the area north of the Arctic Circle (66.6°N), while the tropics lie between the Tropic of Cancer (23.4°N) and the Tropic of Capricorn (23.4°S)). Despite obvious differences in environmental and socio-economic contexts, there are commonalities between these areas, both in the mechanisms through which climate change influences disease transmission and in the adaptation responses health systems can and should mount. We hope that the lessons in this comparison can be distilled both by policy makers and researchers in both regions. The purpose of this article is ‘to join the dots’ and thus stimulate discussion. Inevitably, the different dots (issues) themselves cannot be elaborated on in detail here. For this, we refer the interested reader to a wide-ranging list of references.
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| 11. |
- Evengård, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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CLINF : climate-change effects on the epidemiology of infectious diseases, and the associated impacts on northern societies
- 2021
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Ingår i: Nordic perspectives on the responsible development of the Arctic. - Cham : Springer Nature. - 9783030523237 - 9783030523268 - 9783030523244 ; , s. 49-70
-
Bokkapitel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The research initiative CLINF addresses a central issue in planning for the responsible development of the North: an understanding of the impact of climate change on the geographic distribution and epidemiology of climate sensitive infectious diseases (CSIs), and their associated consequences for Arctic health, economic growth, and societal prosperity. Changes in infectious diseases transmission patterns are a likely consequence of changing climates, a neglected problem that is likely to have a profound effect on northern societies, including indigenous cultures. There is an urgent need to learn more about the complex underlying dynamic relationships, and apply this information to the prediction of future CSI impacts, using more complete, better validated, and integrated data and models. This chapter provides an overview of the thoughts behind the CLINF NCoE (Nordic Centre of Excellence), and the integrative context expressed therein. The most recent findings regarding climate change in the Arctic, as published by IPCC and other global networks, are presented. In the international CLINF consortium of researchers, nine human and 18 animal husbandry diseases have been selected for study due to their potential for being climate sensitive. The human infections were selected by an international consortium of researchers, to represent fundamentally different transmission processes. The main CLINF objectives are the construction of practical tools for the decision-makers who are responsible for the development of northern societies. By contributing to the development of an early warning system for increased risks for CSIs to spread at the local level effective policy responses may be formulated. The overall aim of CLINF is to support the sustainability of Arctic development.
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| 12. |
- Evengård, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Healthy ecosystems for human and animal health : Science diplomacy for responsible development in the Arctic
- 2021
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Ingår i: Polar Record. - : Cambridges Institutes Press. - 0032-2474 .- 1475-3057. ; 57
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Climate warming is occurring most rapidly in the Arctic, which is both a sentinel and a driver of further global change. Ecosystems and human societies are already affected by warming. Permafrost thaws and species are on the move, bringing pathogens and vectors to virgin areas. During a five-year project, the CLINF - a Nordic Center of Excellence, funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers, has worked with the One Health concept, integrating environmental data with human and animal disease data in predictive models and creating maps of dynamic processes affecting the spread of infectious diseases. It is shown that tularemia outbreaks can be predicted even at a regional level with a manageable level of uncertainty. To decrease uncertainty, rapid development of new and harmonised technologies and databases is needed from currently highly heterogeneous data sources. A major source of uncertainty for the future of contaminants and infectious diseases in the Arctic, however, is associated with which paths the majority of the globe chooses to follow in the future. Diplomacy is one of the most powerful tools Arctic nations have to influence these choices of other nations, supported by Arctic science and One Health approaches that recognise the interconnection between people, animals, plants and their shared environment at the local, regional, national and global levels as essential for achieving a sustainable development for both the Arctic and the globe.
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| 13. |
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| 14. |
- Evengård, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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Säker tillgång till mat och vatten prioriterad fråga för Arktis
- 2013
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Ingår i: Läkartidningen. - Stockholm. - 0023-7205 .- 1652-7518. ; 110:05, s. CCF7-
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Tidskriftsartikel (populärvet., debatt m.m.)abstract
- Arktis befinner sig i förändring. Dessa förändringar beror på mänskliga aktiviteter i regionen och på den globala klimatförändringen, som märks först och mest i norr till exempel där den sibiriska tundran övergår i gräsbevuxen terräng. Djur och människor som bor i den här delen av världen är redan påverkade av förändringarna och kommer att förbli så under lång tid framöver. Ursprungsbefolkningar runt om i Arktis samlar sig i protester, nu senast i Kanada. De många ursprungsbefolkningarna i Arktis lever ofta nära naturen och är därför mer sårbara än andra, men även samhällen med god infrastruktur påverkas av miljöförändringar. I Sverige märkte vi nyligen detta, när närmare 100 000 personer i Östersund och Skellefteå med omgivningar vintern 2010–2011 fick koka sitt vatten under månader på grund av att en parasit (Cryptosporidium) kom in i vattnet. Olika slags system behöver kontrolleras regelbundet, så att säkra datatolkningar kan ges till beslutsfattare, för att vidta åtgärder i tid för ökad säkerhet.
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| 15. |
- Evengård, Birgitta, 1952-, et al.
(författare)
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The epidemiology of chronic fatigue in the Swedish Twin Registry
- 2005
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Ingår i: Psychological Medicine. - 0033-2917 .- 1469-8978. ; 35:9, s. 1317-1326
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- CFS-like illness may be more common that previously acknowledged. There is a marked increase in risk by gender. Previous reports that CFS is more prevalent in individuals in certain occupational categories were not confirmed and may have been due to confounding by gender.
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| 16. |
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| 17. |
- Forlenza, Michael J, et al.
(författare)
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Epidemiology of cancer-related fatigue in the Swedish twin registry
- 2005
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Ingår i: Cancer. - : Wiley. - 0008-543X .- 1097-0142. ; 104:9, s. 2022-2031
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A greater proportion of individuals who were listed in a national cancer registry reported experiencing fatigue compared with individuals in the general population.
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| 18. |
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| 19. |
- Furberg, Maria, 1970-, et al.
(författare)
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Facing the limit of resilience : perceptions of climate change among reindeer herding Sami in Sweden
- 2011
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Ingår i: Global Health Action. - Häggeby : Co-Action publishing. - 1654-9716 .- 1654-9880. ; 4:8417, s. 11-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: The Arctic area is a part of the globe where the increase in global temperature has had the earliest noticeable effect and indigenous peoples, including the Swedish reindeer herding Sami, are amongst the first to be affected by these changes.OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of climate change among Swedish reindeer herding Sami.STUDY DESIGN: In-depth interviews with 14 Swedish reindeer herding Sami were performed, with purposive sampling. The interviews focused on the herders experiences of climate change, observed consequences and thoughts about this. The interviews were analysed using content analysis.RESULTS: ONE CORE THEME EMERGED FROM THE INTERVIEWS: facing the limit of resilience. Swedish reindeer-herding Sami perceive climate change as yet another stressor in their daily struggle. They have experienced severe and more rapidly shifting, unstable weather with associated changes in vegetation and alterations in the freeze-thaw cycle, all of which affect reindeer herding. The forecasts about climate change from authorities and scientists have contributed to stress and anxiety. Other societal developments have lead to decreased flexibility that obstructs adaptation. Some adaptive strategies are discordant with the traditional life of reindeer herding, and there is a fear among the Sami of being the last generation practising traditional reindeer herding.CONCLUSIONS: The study illustrates the vulnerable situation of the reindeer herders and that climate change impact may have serious consequences for the trade and their overall way of life. Decision makers on all levels, both in Sweden and internationally, need improved insights into these complex issues to be able to make adequate decisions about adaptive climate change strategies.
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| 20. |
- Garnaud, C., et al.
(författare)
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Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity testing in pregnant women
- 2020
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Ingår i: Clinical Microbiology and Infection. - : Elsevier. - 1198-743X .- 1469-0691. ; 26:9, s. 1155-1160
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: The parasite Toxoplasma gondii can cause congenital toxoplasmosis following primary infection in a pregnant woman. It is therefore important to distinguish between recent and past infection when both T. gondii-specific IgM and IgG are detected in a single serum in pregnant women. Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity testing is an essential tool to help to date the infection. However, interpretation of its results can be complex.Objectives: To review the benefits and limitations of T. gondii-specific avidity testing in pregnant women, to help practitioners to interpret the results and adapt the patient management.Sources: PubMed search with the keywords avidity, toxoplasmosis and Toxoplasma gondii for articles published from 1989 to 2019.Content: Toxoplasma gondii-specific IgG avidity testing remains a key tool for dating a T. gondii infection in immunocompetent pregnant women. Several commercial assays are available and display comparable performances. A high avidity result obtained on a first-trimester serum sample is indicative of a past infection, which occurred before pregnancy. To date, a low avidity result must still be considered as non-informative to date the infection, although some authors suggest that very low avidity results are highly suggestive of recent infections depending on the assay. Interpretation of low or grey zone avidity results on a first-trimester serum sample, as well as any avidity result on a second-trimester or third-trimester serum sample, is more complex and requires recourse to expert toxoplasmosis laboratories. Implications: Although used for about 30 years, T. gondii-specific avidity testing has scarcely evolved. The same difficulties in interpretation have persisted over the years. Some authors have proposed additional thresholds to exclude an infection of <9 months, or in contrast to confirm a recent infection. Such thresholds would be of great interest to adapt management of pregnant women and avoid unnecessary treatment; however, they need confirmation and further studies.
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| 21. |
- Gilbert, Ruth E, et al.
(författare)
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Ocular sequelae of congenital toxoplasmosis in Brazil compared with Europe.
- 2008
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Ingår i: PLoS neglected tropical diseases. - : Public Library of Science (PLoS). - 1935-2735. ; 2:8, s. e277-
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- T. gondii causes more severe ocular disease in congenitally infected children in Brazil compared with Europe. The marked differences in the frequency, size and multiplicity of retinochoroidal lesions may be due to infection with more virulent genotypes of the parasite that predominate in Brazil but are rarely found in Europe.
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| 22. |
- Gollub, Erica L, et al.
(författare)
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Effectiveness of health education on Toxoplasma-related knowledge, behaviour, and risk of seroconversion in pregnancy.
- 2008
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Ingår i: European Journal of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Biology. - : Elsevier BV. - 0301-2115 .- 1872-7654. ; 136:2, s. 137-45
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We conducted a bibliographic literature search using MEDLINE to review the effectiveness of health education on Toxoplasma-related knowledge, behaviour, and risk of seroconversion in pregnant women. We pre-selected studies that used comparative study designs (randomized clinical trial, quasi-experimental design or historical control), that were conducted among pregnant women, and which employed specific, Toxoplasma-related outcome measures: knowledge, behaviour, or Toxoplasma infection rate. Four studies met the inclusion criteria. All had serious methodological flaws. A Belgian study reported a significant decrease in the incidence of Toxoplasma seroconversion after the introduction of intensive counselling for pregnant women about toxoplasmosis. In Poland, a significant increase in knowledge was observed after a multi-pronged, public health educational program was launched. In Canada, an increase in knowledge and prevention behaviours was reported in the intervention group receiving counselling by trained facilitators compared with the control group. In France, no significant changes in risk behaviour were observed following a physician-delivered intervention. This review highlights the weakness of the literature in the area and the lack of studies measuring actual seroconversion. There is suggestive evidence that health education approaches may help reduce risk of congenital toxoplasmosis but this problem requires further study using more rigorous research design and methodology.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
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| 25. |
- Gräns, Hanna, et al.
(författare)
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Reduced levels of oestrogen receptor beta mRNA in Swedish patients with chronic fatigue syndrome.
- 2007
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Ingår i: Journal of Clinical Pathology. - : BMJ. - 0021-9746 .- 1472-4146. ; 60:2, s. 195-8
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- BACKGROUND: Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is an illness with unknown aetiology and pathophysiology. The difference in incidence by sex observed for CFS indicates a role for oestrogen and oestrogen receptors in disease development. Furthermore, an immunomediated pathogenesis has been suggested for CFS, providing an additional connection to oestrogen, which displays immunomodular functions. AIMS: To investigate a possible association of oestrogen receptor (ER) mRNAs and two ERbeta single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with CFS. METHODS: Messenger RNA levels of ERalpha, ERbeta wt and ERbeta cx were investigated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 30 patients with CFS and 36 healthy controls by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Two ERbeta SNPs were scored in the same material. RESULTS: The CFS group showed significantly lower mRNA expression levels of ERbeta wt compared with the healthy control group. No differences were observed for ERalpha or ERbeta cx between patients and controls. There were no significant differences in frequency for the investigated ERbeta SNPs between cases and controls. CONCLUSIONS: The reduced ERbeta wt expression level observed in this study is consistent with an immune-mediated pathogenesis of CFS. Additionally, the observation that ERbeta wt expression is decreased in CFS could provide an entry point to identify interesting, potentially disease-causing, candidate molecules for further study. A possible connection between oestrogen, oestrogen receptors and CFS should be evaluated further.
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