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Biomedical subjects

E Eriksson

Publications and source records attributed to E Eriksson.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

A methodology for ranking and hazard identification of xenobiotic organic compounds in urban stormwater.

The paper presents a novel methodology (RICH, Ranking and Identification of Chemical Hazards) for ranking and identification of xenobiotic organic compounds of environmental concern in stormwater discharged to surface water. The RICH method is illustrated as a funnel fitted with different filters that sort out problematic and hazardous compounds based on inherent physico-chemical and biological properties. The outcomes of the RICH procedure are separate lists for both water phase and solid phase associated compounds. These lists comprise: a justified list of compounds which can be disregarded in hazard/risk assessments, a justified list of stormwater priority pollutants which must be included in hazard/risk assessments, and a list of compounds which may be present in discharged stormwater, but cannot be evaluated due to lack of data. The procedure was applied to 233 xenobiotic organic chemicals (XOCs) of relevance for stormwater. Of these 233 compounds, 121 compounds were found to be priority pollutants with regard to solids phases (i.e. suspended solids, soil, or sediments) when stormwater is discharged to surface water and 56 compounds were found to be priority pollutants with regard to the water phase. For 11% of the potential stormwater priority pollutants the screening procedure could not be carried out due to lack of data on basic physico-chemical properties and/or data on bioaccumulation, resistance to biodegradation, and ecotoxicity. The tiered approach applied in the RICH procedure and the focus on the phases relevant for monitoring or risk assessment in the aquatic environment refines the list of "compounds of concern" when compared to the outcome of existing classification schemes. In this paper the RICH procedure is focused on effects in the aquatic environment exemplified with xenobiotic organic compounds (XOCs) found in urban stormwater, but it may be transferred to other environmental compartments and problems. Thus, the RICH procedure can be used as a stand-alone tool for selection of potential priority pollutants or it can be integrated in larger priority setting frameworks.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗
PubMed2006

The programmable adult Codman Hakim valve is useful even in very small children with hydrocephalus. A 7-year retrospective study with special focus on cost/benefit analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting is the most commonly used method for the treatment of paediatric hydrocephalus. The programmable valve with the ability to adjust the opening pressure non-invasively has made it easier to find exactly the right opening pressure for each child and reduce the risk of over- or under-drainage. The aim of this investigation was to study our clinical experience with the adult Codman Hakim programmable valve in children, with reference to complications and economic impact. METHODS: A seven-year retrospective study of 122 hydrocephalic children (aged from children born prematurely to 15 years old) shunted with the adult Codman Hakim programmable valve was performed. RESULTS: The programmable valve was the first shunt in 76 children and in 14 after prior ventricular drainage. The remaining 46 had different non-programmable systems as their first shunt. The most common reason for changing to a programmable valve was over-drainage. With the programmable valve, catheter-related complications, e.g. proximal (36%) or distal obstructions (30%), were the main reasons for surgical revision. Non-invasive pressure adjustment was performed in 73% of the children. Among the children with the programmable valve as their first shunt, 57 (75%) were adjusted, 12 (21%) had severe symptoms of over-drainage and would have required urgent surgical change of the valve if it had not been adjustable. A resetting of the opening pressure after MRI was found in 38% and accidental resetting occurred in 4%. Programmable valves are about twice as expensive as non-programmable valves. We estimated the increased cost of the valve and compared it with the savings from a reduction in the number of re-operations. The total cost for the programmable valve (as the primary shunt) in our study was less than that for expected re-operations due to over- or under-drainage when using non-programmable valves. CONCLUSION: The programmable valve was easy to handle; only one size was required and the adjustment made it possible to achieve an optimal intraventricular pressure with a lower total cost, reduced hospital stay as well as an increased quality of life for the children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Prevalence of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) 0157 in Swedish dairy herds.

A prevalence study of verotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157 (VTEC O157) was performed in 371 randomly selected dairy herds distributed throughout Sweden. Faecal and manure samples were collected and analysed by immunomagnetic separation and culturing. Data were recorded for each herd regarding herd size, age of sampled animals and whether, in addition to cattle, the farm kept other animals. VTEC O157 was isolated from 33 (8.9%) of the 371 investigated herds. The prevalence was higher (23.3%) in Halland county than in the rest of Sweden (P > 0.01). Halland was also the county in Sweden that during the study period had the highest incidence of human VTEC O157 cases. VTEC O157 was not detected on any farm in northern Sweden. Identified risk factors, in the multivariate analyses, for herds being VTEC O157 positive were herd size, geographical localization, presence of pigs on the farm and median age of sampled animals.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Virulence genes in verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli strains isolated from humans and cattle.

Verocytotoxigenic Escherichia coli (VTEC) causing diarrhoea, haemorrhagic colitis and haemolytic-uremic syndrome usually have additional traits such as the adhesin intimin and a large plasmid that seems to increase virulence. There are, however, isolates of VTEC causing serious symptoms that do not harbour these traits. In the present study we have used PCR with primers detecting adhesin genes other than eaeA, namely fimA, papC, sfaD/sfaE and daaE. We have also used PCR to detect the genes hlyA and iutA that besides the plasmid-borne gene E-hly possibly support the bacterial access to iron. The aim of the study was to identify and compare the presence of virulence genes in VTEC isolates of human and cattle origin. The main finding was that the absence of E-hly might be compensated for by the gene iutA coding for aerobactin or hlyA coding for alpha-haemolysin as 94% of the human VTEC isolates had at least one of these genes. Interestingly, only 45% of VTEC isolated from cattle had any of these genes. We propose that this might be the reason for the relatively low incidence of symptomatic VTEC infections among humans in relation to the high number of VTEC among cattle.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

Chemical hazard identification and assessment tool for evaluation of stormwater priority pollutants.

Assessment of chemical hazards is a critical issue, which have to be dealt with when evaluating different strategies for sustainable handling of stormwater. In the present study, a methodology for identifying the most critical and representative chemical pollutants was developed. A list of selected stormwater priority pollutants (SSPP-list) is the out-put from the procedure. Two different strategies for handling of stormwater were considered; discharge into a surface water recipient and infiltration. However, the same methodology can be used for other types of wastewater and other strategies for handling and treatment. A literature survey revealed that at least 656 xenobiotic organic compounds (XOCs) could be present in stormwater. In the next step, 233 XOCs were evaluated with respect to the potential for being hazardous towards either aquatic living organisms or humans, or causing technical or aesthetical problems. 121 XOCs were found have at least one of these negative effects, while 26 XOCs could not be assessed due to the lack of data. The hazard assessment showed that 40 XOCs had a PEC/PNEC ratio above one., e.g. they should be considered as priority pollutants. The final step is the expert judgement, which resulted in a final SSPP-list containing 16 selected priority pollutants.

Rain↗
PubMed2004

Association between the estrogen receptor beta gene and age of onset of Parkinson's disease.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential contribution of genetic variants in the estrogen receptor beta gene to the aetiology of Parkinson's disease (PD). Several lines of evidence from human and animal studies suggest a protective role for estrogen in PD. Recently the estrogen receptor beta subtype was reported to be an important mediator of estrogen actions in the nigrostriatal dopamine system. Two single nucleotide polymorphisms at position 1730 and 1082 in the ER beta gene were genotyped, using pyrosequencing, in 260 patients with PD and 308 controls recruited from the Swedish population. Neither of the two estrogen receptor beta polymorphisms was associated with an increased risk for PD. However, the G allele of the A1730G polymorphism was more frequent in patients with an early age of onset than in patients with a late age of onset of PD (P = 0.006). Patients carrying the GG genotype had an odds ratio of 2.2 for having an early onset of PD compared to non-carriers. In conclusion, our results indicate that genetic variation in the estrogen receptor beta gene may influence the age of onset of PD.

Adult↗
PubMed2004

Intracerebroventricular administration of the angiotensin II receptor antagonist saralasin reduces respiratory rate and tidal volume variability in freely moving Wistar rats.

The possible importance of intra-individual variations in respiratory rate and tidal volume has recently gained interest in psychiatric research, as a result of the observations that patients with panic disorder or premenstrual dysphoric disorder display enhanced respiratory variability as compared to controls. Although the role of brain neurotransmitters in the regulation of breathing has been extensively studied, as yet data on the central regulation of respiratory variability is sparse. Prompted by previous studies indicating that angiotensin II (ANG II) may influence ventilation as well as anxiety, we have studied the effect of intracerebroventricular administration of an ANG II receptor antagonist, saralasin, on respiratory variability in unrestrained, freely moving male Wistar rats. Treatment with saralasin, 5 mug dissolved in 1 mul saline followed by 9 mul saline in each lateral cerebral ventricle, did not influence tidal volume, but markedly reduced tidal volume variability (p=0.0005), as compared to saline injections (10 mul). Respiratory rate was reduced by saralasin (p=0.02), and there was also a non-significant tendency for a reduction in respiratory rate variability. Both minute volume (p=0.005) and volume/10 s variability (p=0.0006) were reduced. It is suggested that ANG II in the brain of Wistar rats may regulate respiratory rate and tidal volume variability.

Angiotensin Receptor Antagonists↗
PubMed2004

Molecular epidemiology and population genetics of Salmonella subspecies diarizonae in sheep in Norway and Sweden.

Fifty-four isolates of Salmonella enterica subsp. diarizonae (IIIb) in Norway, Sweden, England, the United States, France and Australia were characterized by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE). This study focuses on serovar 61:k:1,5,(7) [S. IIIb 61:k:1,5,(7)] isolated from sheep. Digestion of the bacterial DNA with restriction enzyme XhaI yielded 15 distinct PFGE profiles comprising 12-16 fragments in the range 48.5-630.5 kbp. Four different profiles were identified in Norwegian sheep isolates and a single profile in Swedish isolates. The spatial and temporal distribution of profiles is discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed2004

Causes behind a human cheese-borne outbreak of gastrointestinal listeriosis.

In a previous paper, we reported an outbreak of gastrointestinal listeriosis due to consumption of fresh cheese made from raw milk and manufactured on a summer farm. The aim of the present study was to investigate why the cheese harbored Listeria monocytogenes. To our knowledge, this is the first documented outbreak of listeriosis caused by raw milk cheese where the human epidemic strain has been cultured from a dairy animal, whose milk has been used for cheese production. The conditions on a summer farm can hardly fulfil the requirements for hygienic and strictly controlled conditions necessary for safe processing of fresh cheese.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Asymptomatic shunt malfunction detected fortuitously by observation of papilloedema.

Significant shunt malfunction is nearly always followed by headache, nausea, vomiting, lethargy and/or visual disturbances. In many cases there are also signs of raised intracranial pressure on computed tomography (CT). In six hydrocephalic, shunt dependent children (8-14,5 years) with no or slight symptoms shunt malfunction was detected because of papilloedema. The oedema was detected in three children at routine check up, in two at regular visual check up and in one at an ophthalmological examination because of slight headache. At neurological examination five had no new symptoms, but one was ataxic. In five patients a CT scan was done, three showed slight ventricular dilatation. Splayed sutures were found in two children. At shunt revision the measured intracranial pressure was increased, varying between 25-52 cm H(2)O. In five children the oedema disappeared after shunt-revision without any visual reduction, but in one the visual deficit did not improve. Older children can have shunt malfunction leading to increased intracranial pressure, with no or discrete symptoms and no obvious ventricular dilatation but with asymptomatic papilloedema. Ophthalmoscopy can therefore be of great value at routine check up in these children.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2003

Survey of Campylobacter species, VTEC O157 and Salmonella species in Swedish wildlife.

Samples collected from 791 wild animals (Canada geese, roe deer, hares, moose, wild boar and gulls) shot during hunting were examined for verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli (VTEC) O157, and thermophilic Campylobacter and Salmonella species. With the exception of one positive isolate from a wild boar, VTEC O157 was not isolated from any of the animals. Salmonella species were isolated only from the gulls, of which 4 per cent were estimated to be positive. Thermophilic Campylobacter species were commonly isolated from all the species except deer.

Animals↗
PubMed2003

Predictive factors for home deaths among cancer patients in Swedish palliative home care.

Five palliative home care teams participated in a prospective Swedish study that included 221 palliative cancer patients. All patients with incurable malignant disease that were admitted and died during 1999 were included. On admission, demographic data were recorded. When patients, despite ongoing home care, were referred to institutional care, doctors and nurses involved were interviewed about the reasons for this. After the patients' death next of kin involved in the care were interviewed according to a questionnaire. Approximately half of the patients died at home. The reasons for referral showed a wide diversity and included both social and psychosocial factors, medical emergencies and problems related to symptom control. A preference for dying at home and not living alone were shown to be the strongest predictors of home death (p = 0.001). However, 35% of patients living alone died at home. Interestingly enough, Karnofsky performance index (KPI) at admission was significantly lower for those dying at home, despite similar mean time of care. The understanding of impending death was significantly more common among the families of those patients dying at home.

Death↗
PubMed2003

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 in the Swedish pig population.

Verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (VTEC O157:H7) was detected in two of 2446 individual faecal samples collected from pigs slaughtered at five Swedish slaughterhouses, indicating a prevalence of 0.08 per cent, with a 95 per cent confidence interval from 0 to 0.16 per cent Four Swedish VTEC O157:H7-positive farms which kept ruminants and pigs were studied by repeated faecal sampling; VTEC O157:H7 was isolated from the ruminants and pigs on all the farms and the same strains were present in the pigs and the ruminants. On one of the farms, the organism persisted in the pig population for 11 months. On all four farms, management practices which might have influenced the isolation rate in pigs were identified. A group of young VTEC O157:H7-positive pigs was moved from one of the VTEC O157:H7-positive farms to a fattening herd where there were no ruminants. The number of VTEC O157:H7-positive faecal samples decreased gradually and after nine weeks the pigs were all negative; at slaughter none of the pigs was VTEC O157:H7-positive.

Abattoirs↗
PubMed2003

Serotonin transporter gene polymorphisms and platelet [3H] paroxetine binding in premenstrual dysphoria.

The purpose of this study was to investigate if women with premenstrual dysphoria differ from controls with respect to the number of platelet serotonin transporters, and with respect to three polymorphisms in the gene coding for the serotonin transporter: a 44 base pair insertion/deletion in the promoter region, a variable number of tandem repeats in the second intron, and a single nucleotide polymorphism in the 3' untranslated region. Also, the possible relationship between the three polymorphisms and platelet serotonin transporter density was analyzed. The density of platelet [(3)H]paroxetine binding sites was significantly lower in women with premenstrual dysphoria than in controls, but patients and controls did not differ with respect to allele or genotype frequency for any of the three polymorphisms examined. A significant association between the number of platelet serotonin transporters and the promoter polymorphism was observed, subjects being homozygous for the short (deletion) variant having higher platelet serotonin transporter density than subjects carrying the long (insertion) allele. The results support the assumption that serotonin-related psychiatric disorders-such as premenstrual dysphoria-may be associated with a reduction in platelet [(3)H]paroxetine binding, but argue against the notion that this reduction is due to certain variants of the serotonin transporter gene being more common in patients than in controls.

Adolescent↗