Effects of socialising piglets on sow and piglet performance and behaviour of entire male piglets

Entire male pigs show more aggressive behaviour and mounting than female pigs. By sorting growing pigs into male and female pens, at least half of the pigs are protected from the aggressive behaviour and mounting of the entire males. Mixing of unknown pigs provokes them to perform such behaviours which increase the risk for injuries. The idea behind socialising piglets is to create groups of piglets from several litters that become familiar with each other and thus show less aggressive behaviour and mounting later, when housed together after weaning. The effect of socialising piglets on animal welfare was studied on 24 sows and their 235 piglets. Male piglets were not castrated. Sows were housed in individual farrowing pens without crates. A small door was opened between two adjacent pens at a piglet age of two weeks for half of the litters (12 litters), and the other half was regarded as a control (12 litters). At weaning, control piglets were kept in groups of eight litter mates whereas socialised piglets were kept in groups of either eight entire males or eight females from two litters. Sow weight, body condition and health were recorded together with nursing events and social behaviour of piglets (aggressive, mounting, contact). There was no effect of socialisation on udder lesions or sows' relative change in body reserves. Socialised and control piglets did not differ in daily weight gain before weaning, but socialised piglets tended to have higher growth rate during the week after weaning (P = 0.07). The day after opening between pens, skin lesions were more common among socialised piglets (as compared to control piglets at the same age, P = 0.02) but at weaning, skin lesions were more common among control piglets than socialised piglets (P = 0.01). Almost all lesions were mild. No aggressive behaviour of sows towards piglets was observed. No difference between control and socialised piglets in social behaviour was seen before weaning. The frequency of aggressive and mounting behaviours was low after weaning for both socialised and control piglets, but socialised piglets showed more contact behaviour (P = 0.02). Socialised entire males showed as little aggressive and mounting behaviour as females. Nursing frequency was not affected by piglet socialisation and cross-suckling was rare. Based on the performance of piglets and sows, nursing frequency, and health of piglets and sows, we conclude that socialising entire male piglets (and their sisters) improve piglet welfare without any negative effect on the sows.

Best clinical practice guidance for conscious sedation of children undergoing dental treatment: an EAPD policy document

BACKGROUND

Due to fear and/or behaviour management problems, some children are unable to cooperate for dental treatment using local anaesthesia and psychological support alone. Sedation is required for these patients in order for dentists to be able to deliver high quality, pain-free dental care. The aim of this guideline is to evaluate the efficacy and relative efficacy of conscious sedation agents and dosages for behaviour management in paediatric dentistry and to provide guidance as to which sedative agents should be used.

METHODS

These guidelines were developed using a multi-step approach adapted from that outlined by the National Institute for Clinical Excellence (NICE (2020) Developing NICE Guidelines: the manual. https://www.nice.org.uk/process/pmg20/chapter/introduction#main-stages-of-guideline-development . Accessed 7 Oct 2020). Evidence for this guideline was provided from a pre-existing Cochrane review (Ashley et al. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 12:CD003877, 2018) supplemented by an updated search and data extraction up to May 2020.

RESULTS

Studies were from 18 different countries and had recruited 4131 participants overall with an average of 70 participants per study. Ages ranged from 0 to 16 years with an average age of 5.6 years across all included studies. A wide variety of drugs or combinations of drugs (n = 38) were used and delivered orally, intranasally, intravenously, rectally, intramuscularly, submucosally, transmucosally or by inhalation sedation. Twenty-four different outcome measures for behaviour were used. The wide range of drug combinations and outcome measures used greatly complicated description and analysis of the data.

CONCLUSION

Oral midazolam is recommended for conscious dental sedation. Midazolam delivered via other methods or nitrous oxide/oxygen sedation could be considered, but the evidence for both was very low.

Kinetic studies of galectin-10 release from eosinophils exposed to proliferating T cells

Galectin-10 is involved in the T cell suppressive activity of regulatory T cells and eosinophils alike. We have identified a subpopulation of T cell suppressive eosinophils that express CD16 on the surface and contain more galectin-10 compared with conventional CD16-negative eosinophils. Our main goal was to determine how the intracellular protein galectin-10 is released from eosinophils when exposed to proliferating T cells and if such release could be inhibited. Confocal microscopy and imaging flow cytometry were used to study the release of galectin-10 from eosinophils incubated with polyclonally activated T cells. T cell proliferation was monitored by measurement of the incorporation of [³ H]-thymidine. Initially, galectin-10-containing synapses formed between eosinophils and T cells. Subsequently, the plasma membrane of eosinophils began to disintegrate and cap-like accumulations of galectin-10 budded on the eosinophil cell surface. Lastly, eosinophil extracellular traps composed of nuclear DNA and galectin-10 were freed. It was solely the CD16-expressing suppressive eosinophils that formed synapses and eosinophil extracellular traps containing galectin-10. Dissolution of the extracellular traps by DNase I partly abrogated the T cell suppression exerted by eosinophils. Extracellular trap formation has mainly been associated with anti-bacterial defense, but we show a new putative function of these cellular formations, as mediators of T cell suppression by enabling the release of galectin-10 from eosinophils.

Mannose is an insulin-regulated metabolite reflecting whole-body insulin sensitivity in man

Mannose is a glucose-associated serum metabolite mainly released by the liver. Recent studies have shown several unexpected pleiotropic effects of mannose including increased regulatory T cells (Tregs), prevention of auto-immune disease and ability to reduce growth of human cancer cells. We have previously shown in large cohorts that elevated serum mannose levels are associated with future development of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease. However, potential direct effects of mannose on insulin sensitivity in vivo or in vitro are unknown. We here show that administration of mannose (0.1 g/kg BW twice daily) for one week in man did not elicit negative effects on meal-modified glucose tolerance, markers of inflammation or insulin levels. Tregs number and insulin signaling in human liver cells were unchanged. These data suggest that mannose is a marker, and not a mediator, of insulin resistance. To verify this, we examined serum mannose levels during long-term euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamps in non-diabetic and T2D individuals. Mannose was reduced by insulin infusion in proportion to whole-body insulin sensitivity. Thus, mannose is a biomarker of insulin resistance which may be useful for the early identification of diabetic individuals with insulin resistance and increased risk of its complications.

Dentinogenesis imperfecta type II in Swedish children and adolescents

Background

Dentinogenesis imperfecta (DGI) is a heritable disorder of dentin. Genetic analyses have found two subgroups in this disorder: DGI type I, a syndromic form associated with osteogenesis imperfecta (OI), and DGI type II, a non-syndromic form. The differential diagnosis between types I and II is often challenging. Thus, the present cross-sectional study had two aims: to (i) investigate the prevalence and incidence of DGI type II among Swedish children and adolescents and (ii) search out undiagnosed cases of DGI type I by documenting the prevalence of clinical symptoms of OI in these individuals. We invited all public and private specialist pediatric dental clinics (n = 47) in 21 counties of Sweden to participate in the study. We then continuously followed up all reported cases during 2014−2017 in order to identify all children and adolescents presenting with DGI type II. Using a structured questionnaire and an examination protocol, pediatric dentists interviewed and examined patients regarding medical aspects such as bruising, prolonged bleeding, spraining, fractures, hearing impairment, and family history of osteoporosis and OI. Joint hypermobility and sclerae were assessed. The clinical oral examination, which included a radiographic examination when indicated, emphasized dental variables associated with OI.

Results

The prevalence of DGI type II was estimated to be 0.0022% (95% CI, 0.0016–0.0029%) or 1 in 45,455 individuals. Dental agenesis occurred in 9% of our group. Other findings included tooth retention (17%), pulpal obliteration (100%), and generalized joint hypermobility (30%). Clinical and radiographic findings raised a suspicion of undiagnosed OI in one individual, a 2-year-old boy; he was later diagnosed with OI type IV.

Conclusions

These results show a significantly lower prevalence of DGI type II than previously reported and point to the importance of excluding OI in children with DGI.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13023-018-0887-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Cervical Cytology Biobanking in Europe

A cervical cytology biobank (CCB) is an extension of current cytopathology laboratory practice consisting in the systematic storage of Pap smears or liquid-based cytology samples from women participating in cervical cancer screening with the explicit purpose to facilitate future scientific research and quality audit of preventive services. A CCB should use an internationally agreed uniform cytology terminology, be integrated in a national or regional screening registry, and be linked to other registries (histology, cancer, vaccination). Legal and ethical principles concerning personal integrity and data safety must be respected strictly. Biobank-based studies require approval of ethical review boards.

A CCB is an almost inexhaustible resource for fundamental and applied biological research. In particular, it can contribute to answering questions on the natural history of HPV infection and HPV-induced lesions and cancers, screening effectiveness, exploration of new biomarkers, and surveillance of the short- and long-term effects of the introduction of HPV vaccination. To understand the limitations of CCB, more studies are needed on the quality of samples in relation to sample type, storage procedures, and duration of storage.

Allergic disease in 8-year-old children is preceded by delayed B cell maturation

BACKGROUND

We previously reported that exposure to a farming environment is allergy-protective, while high proportions of neonatal immature/naïve CD5⁺ B cells and putative regulatory T cells (Tregs) are risk factors for development of allergic disease and sensitization up to 3 years of age.

OBJECTIVE

To examine if B and T cell maturation are associated with allergic disease and farming environment over the first 8 years in life.

METHODS

In the prospective FARMFLORA study, including both farming and non-farming families, 48 of 65 children took part in the 8-year follow-up study. Various B and T cell maturation variables were examined in blood samples obtained at several occasions from birth to 8 years of age and related to doctors' diagnosed allergic disease and sensitization, and to farming environment.

RESULTS

We found that the incidence of allergic disease was lower among farmers' compared to non-farmers' children during the 8-year follow-up period, and that farmers' children had higher proportions of memory B cells at 8 years of age. Moreover, a high proportion of neonatal CD5⁺ B cells was a risk factor for and may predict development of allergic disease at 8 years of age. A high proportion of Tregs was not protective against development of these conditions.

CONCLUSION AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

High proportions of neonatal naïve B cells remained as a risk factor for allergic disease in school-aged children. Thus, the accelerated B cell maturation observed among farmers' children may be crucial for the allergy-protective effect of a farming environment.

Postoperative wound infections after a proctectomy--Patient experiences

Poor perineal wound healing and infections after proctectomy surgery cause a significant proportion of physical and psychological morbidities, such as pain, leakage, and abscesses. In the long run, some of these symptoms will lead to extended periods of hospitalization. These kinds of postoperative complications are also associated with delays in possible chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study was to describe patient experiences of perineal wound infections following proctectomy due to rectal cancer, and the importance of the communication with and the self-care support from the nurse for these patients. Five women and five men (61-87 years, median age 71 years) were included and interviewed. A qualitative content analysis of the interviews was carried out and the following main categories emerged: "Managing postoperative complications," "Being independent," "Feeling safe," and "Accepting the situation." A perineal wound infection after a proctectomy is devastating for the individual patient. The limitations and changes to the patients' lives turn into new daily routines, which force them to find new ways to live and to accept the situation. For many of them, the infections remained for several months and, sometimes, for years. The ability to lead an independent life is drastically reduced, but through continuity in care it is possible to create a feeling of safety. Information, communication, and self-care support are all important and valuable factors for recovery. Specialized care containing an action plan is therefore needed in clinical practice to reduce the number of perineal wound infections postoperatively and should be initiated when the patient is discharged from the ward and continue until recovery.

High proportions of FOXP3(+) CD25(high) T cells in neonates are positively associated with allergic sensitization later in childhood

Background

The role of FOXP3⁺ regulatory T cells in the prevention against sensitization and allergy development is controversial.

Objective

We followed 65 newborn Swedish children from farming and non-farming families from birth to 3 years of age and investigated the relation between CD4⁺ T cell subsets in blood samples and development of sensitization and allergic disease.

Methods

The proportions of FOXP3⁺CD25^high, CTLA-4⁺CD25⁺, CD45RO⁺, HLA-DR⁺, CCR4⁺ or α4β7⁺ within the CD4⁺ T cell population were examined by flow cytometry of blood samples at several time-points. Mononuclear cells were isolated from blood and stimulated with birch allergen, ovalbumin or the mitogen PHA, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF, IFN-γ, IL-5 and IL-13 were measured. A clinical evaluation regarding the presence of allergen-specific IgE and allergy was performed at 18 and 36 months of age.

Results

Multivariate discriminant analysis revealed that children who were sensitized at 18 or 36 months of age had higher proportions of FOXP3⁺CD25^high T cells at birth and at 3 days of life than children who remained non-sensitized, whereas allergy was unrelated to the neonatal proportions of these cells. The proportions of CTLA-4⁺CD25⁺ T cells were unrelated to both sensitization and allergy. The association between higher proportions of FOXP3⁺CD25^high T cells and sensitization persisted after exclusion of farmer's children. Finally, a farming environment was associated with lower proportions of FOXP3⁺CD25^high T cells in early infancy and to a more prominent T cell memory conversion and cytokine production.

Conclusion & Clinical Relevance

Our results indicate that high proportions of FOXP3⁺CD25^high T cells in neonates are not protective against later sensitization or development of allergy.

Peanut allergy is common among hazelnut-sensitized subjects but is not primarily the result of IgE cross-reactivity

BACKGROUND

Hazelnut and peanut are botanically unrelated foods, but patients are often sensitized and allergic to both, for reasons that are not well understood.

METHODS

To investigate molecular cosensitization and cross-reactivity to peanut in hazelnut-sensitized individuals, children (n = 81) and adults (n = 80) were retrospectively selected based on sensitization to hazelnut. IgE to hazelnut extract, Cor a 1, 8, 9 and 14, to peanut extract, Ara h 1, 2, 3, 8 and 9, and to Bet v 1 was determined by ImmunoCAP. Allergy to hazelnut and peanut was established by DBPCFC and/or detailed clinical history. Patients were either tolerant or displayed subjective or objective symptoms to either food. IgE cross-reactivity between hazelnut and peanut storage proteins was assessed by reciprocal ImmunoCAP inhibition experiments.

RESULTS

Of the 161 hazelnut-sensitized subjects, 109 (68%) were also sensitized to peanut, and 73 (45%) had clinical expression of allergy to peanut that was not associated with the presence or severity of hazelnut allergy. Instead, it was associated with IgE reactivity to peanut storage proteins, in particular Ara h 2. No cross-reactivity could be detected between Ara h 2 and Cor a 14, and 2 of 13 subjects displayed extensive cross-reactivity between 11S globulins; in plasma of both individuals, Ara h 3 almost completely inhibited IgE binding to Cor a 9.

CONCLUSIONS

Peanut allergy is not primarily the result of IgE cross-reactivity to hazelnut storage proteins. IgE to Cor a 14 and Ara h 2 may serve as useful markers of primary sensitization to hazelnut and peanut, respectively.

Nitric oxide synthase and possible redox partners in Bacillus cereus

Nitric oxide synthase (NOS), a BH4-dependent heme-enzyme, is the only enzyme that specifically produces NO in mammals. NO is produced by the NOS homodimer in two multistep reaction cycles involving electron transfer from a reducing domain to the heme active site. The importance of NO in mammals is due to its function in signalling, vasodilation and immune response. Some bacterial species also contain NOS-encoding genes, but these bacterial NOSs are differently organized – they contain no reducing domain – and their functions and mechanism are not fully resolved [1]. Bacterial NOSs are potential drug targets, because of their role in protection against antibiotics and oxidative stress in some pathogenic bacterial species (e.g. Bacillus anthracis) [2]. Flavodoxins (Flds) have been shown to be relevant redox partners for bacterial NOSs [3], but the specificity of the interaction between NOS and Flds remains poorly understood. We have investigated the NOS protein system in Bacillus cereus, whose genome encodes NOS and two Flds, by combining crystallographic and spectroscopic methods. So far the structures of the two Flds have been solved to 0.98 Å and 2.75 Å resolution, while NOS has been solved to 2.9 Å resolution. An important part of the study has been to investigate the effect of synchrotron X-ray radiation on the oxidation state and structure of the Flds, due to their radiation sensitive cofactor flavin mononucleotide (FMN). The high-resolution (0.98 Å), oxidized structure of one Fld indicates that X-rays induce structural changes around the FMN cofactor. Another important part of the study has been to gain further insight into the specificity and flexibility of the interactions between ferredoxin/flavodoxin-NADP+ reductases, Flds and NOS in Bacillus cereus, as well as the possible mechanism of bacterial NOSs.

Prevention of mortality induced by perinatal asphyxia: Hypothermia or glutamate antagonism?

Perinatal asphyxia was induced by keeping pups-containing uterus horns, removed by hysterectomy, in a 37°C or a 30°C water bath. Asphyxia for a period of 21-22 min at 37°C led to a 97% mortality within the first 20 min period following delivery. When the asphyctic period was extended to more than 22 min all the pups died following delivery. When the asphyxia was induced at 30°C, 100% of the delivered pups survived and were accepted by surrogate mothers. The protective effect of hypothermia could be observed even when the pups-containing uterus horns were exposed to a 45-46 min asphyctic period. Pretreatment with dizocilpine (0.2 mg/kg s.c.), or 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(f)quinoxaline (NBQX) (3-30 mg/kg s.c.), administered to the mothers one hour before hysterectomy, reduced slightly the mortality induced by a 21-22 min asphyctic period at 37°C. An increase in survival following a 22-23 min asphyctic period could only be observed after the highest dose of NBQX.

Measurement of CSF dynamics with oscillating pressure infusion

INTRODUCTION

Infusion tests are used to diagnose and select patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) for shunt surgery. The test characterizes cerebrospinal fluid dynamics and estimates parameters of the cerebrospinal fluid system, the pressure-volume index (PVI) and the outflow conductance (Cout). The Oscillating Pressure Infusion (OPI) method was developed to improve the test and reduce the investigation time. The aim of this study was to evaluate the new OPI method by comparing it with an established reference method.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (age 71.2 ± 8.9 years) with communicating hydrocephalus underwent a preoperative lumbar infusion investigation with two consecutive infusion protocols, reference (42 min) and new (20 min), that is, 94 infusion tests in total. The OPI method estimated Cout and PVI simultaneously. A real-time analysis of reliability was applied to investigate the possibility of infusion time reduction.

RESULTS

The difference in Cout between the methods was 1.2 ± 1.8 μl/s/kPa (ΔRout = -0.8 ± 3.5 mmHg/ml/min), P < 0.05, n = 47. With the reliability analysis, the preset 20 min of active infusion could have been even further reduced for 19 patients to between 10 and 19 min. PVI was estimated to 16.1 ± 6.9 ml, n = 47.

CONCLUSIONS

The novel Oscillating Pressure Infusion method produced real-time estimates of Cout including estimates of reliability that was in good agreement with the reference method and allows for a reduced and individualized investigation time.

Pseudovirion-binding and neutralizing antibodies to cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPV) correlated with the presence of HPV DNA in skin

Whereas the antibody response to the anogenital human papillomaviruses (HPVs) is known to be mainly type-specific, correlated with the presence of viral DNA and mainly directed to conformational epitopes of the virion, it is not known if this applies also to the antibody response to cutaneous HPVs. For 434 non-immunosuppressed patients with skin lesions (squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma of the skin, actinic keratosis and benign skin lesions), we compared HPV DNA status with seroreactivity to HPV pseudovirions (PsV) and to GST-L1 fusion proteins from HPV types -5, -6, -15, -16, -32 and -38. Biopsies from the skin lesions were tested for the presence of HPV DNA using three different PCR methods, with typing by sequencing. Serum samples from subjects with HPV DNA-positive biopsies and randomly selected serum samples from subjects with HPV DNA-negative biopsies were also tested with neutralization assays with HPV5, -38 and -76 PsV. Agreement of the three serological methods varied from poor to moderate. Type-specific seroprevalences among patients positive for the same type of HPV DNA (sensitivity of serology) was improved with the PsV-based method (mean of 40 %, maximum 63 %) compared with the GST-L1 method (mean of 20 %, maximum of 25 %). Neutralization was the most sensitive assay for HPV38 (50 %). In summary, cutaneous HPVs also appear to induce a type-specific antibody response that correlates with the presence of HPV DNA and that can be detected with improved sensitivity using PsV-based serology.

Component-resolved in vitro diagnosis of carrot allergy in three different regions of Europe

BACKGROUND

Carrot is a frequent cause of food allergy in Europe. The objective of this study was to evaluate a panel of carrot allergens for diagnosis of carrot allergy in Spain, Switzerland and Denmark.

METHODS

Forty-nine carrot allergic patients, 71 pollen allergic but carrot-tolerant patients and 63 nonatopic controls were included. Serum IgE to carrot extract, recombinant carrot allergens (rDau c 1.0104; rDau c 1.0201; rDau c 4; the isoflavone reductase-like proteins rDau c IFR 1, rDau c IFR 2; the carrot cyclophilin rDau c Cyc) were analyzed by ImmunoCAP.

RESULTS

The sensitivity of the carrot extract-based test was 82%. Use of the recombinant allergens increased the sensitivity to 90%. The Dau c 1 isoforms were major allergens for Swiss and Danish carrot allergic patients, the profilin rDau c 4 for the Spanish patients. The rDau c IFR 1 and rDau c IFR 2 were recognized by 6% and 20% of the carrot allergics, but did not contribute to a further increase of sensitivity. Among pollen allergic controls, 34% had IgE to carrot extract, 18% to each of rDau c 1.0104, rDau c 1.0201 and rDau c 4, 8% to rDau c IFR 1 and 7% to rDau c IFR 2. Sensitization to rDau c Cyc occurred in one carrot allergic patient and one nonatopic control.

CONCLUSION

Component-resolved in vitro analyses revealed a significant difference in IgE sensitization pattern between geographical regions and in the prevalence of sensitization to carrot components between carrot allergic and carrot-tolerant but pollen sensitized patients.

Prospective study of human papillomavirus seropositivity and risk of nonmelanoma skin cancer

Cutaneous human papillomaviruses (HPVs) have been associated with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in case-control studies, but there are limited data from prospective studies assessing whether virus exposure predicts risk of future cancer development. Two major biobanks, the Southern Sweden Microbiology Biobank (1971-2003) and the Janus Biobank (1973-2003) in Norway, containing samples from 850,000 donors, were searched for incident skin cancer for up to 30 years using registry linkages. Altogether, 2,623 donors with samples taken before diagnosis of SCC or basal cell carcinoma (BCC) of the skin were identified. Prediagnostic samples and samples from 2,623 matched controls were tested for antibodies against 33 types of HPV. Baseline seropositivity to HPV types in genus β species 2 was associated with SCC risk (odds ratio = 1.3, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 1.7); this was also the case for samples taken more than 18 years before diagnosis (odds ratio = 1.8, 95% confidence interval: 1.1, 2.8). Type-specific persistent seropositivity entailed elevated point estimates for SCC risk for 29 HPV types and decreased point estimates for only 3 types. After multiple hypothesis adjustment, HPV 76 was significantly associated with SCC risk and HPV 9 with BCC risk. In summary, seropositivity for certain HPV types was associated with an increased risk for future development of SCC and BCC.

Prevalence of sleep problems and pain among the elderly in Sweden

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

Sleep problems and pain are common among the elderly and have been shown to affect quality of life. The objectives were to determine the prevalence of sleep problems and pain among the elderly and to compare the two factors in relation to age and gender.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional study based on baseline material collected by the Swedish National Study on Aging and Care in Blekinge (SNAC-Blekinge).

SETTING

The data were gathered from questionnaires distributed between the years 2001 and 2003 in the municipality of Karlskrona, Sweden.

PARTICIPANTS

The participants comprised 1402 Swedish men and women aged 60-96.

RESULTS

Of all the participants 70 percent met the criteria for sleep problems and 62 percent indicated some experience of pain during the preceding 4 weeks. Both sleep problems and pain were more frequent among women than men and sleep problems tended to be more common with increasing age. Among the participants who experienced pain during the preciding 4 weeks 77 percent suffered from sleep problems.

CONCLUSIONS

Sleep problems and pain are common among older people. Furthermore it is common to suffer from sleep problems when pain has been experienced during the preciding 4 weeks.

Sorption of Some Fission Products and Actinides in Concrete Systems

The sorption of some actinides (Th, U, Np, Pu and Am) and fission products (I, Cs) was measured on two types of Standard Portland cements as well as on samples from old (70 years) hydro power dam constructions using a batch technique. Pore water compositions were analysed, and artificial pore water solutions were used as aqueous phases in the experiments. Measurements were also performed on five other concrete types (not reported in detail in this paper) to illustrate the effects of the cement matrix composition on the sorption behaviour of the radionuclides.

The sorption of actinides in the trivalent (americium), tetravalent (thorium) pentavalent (neptunium) and hexavalent (uranium) states was high in all the studied concrete systems.

Generally, the sorption of cesium was low due to the low exchange capacity of the cement and the high concentration of competing cations in the pore waters.

The sorption of iodine was much higher than in most silicate minerals of geologic origin.

The differences between the various concrete systems were generally minor in terms of their sorbing capacities.

Properties and Mobilities of Actinide Colloids in Geologic Systems

The interaction between radionuclides in solution and exposed geologic media, e.g. in connection with underground storage of radioactive waste, is largely determined by the chemical properties of the system. The mobility of radionuclides in contact with low-capacity minerals would depend on the chemical state of the element (e.g. degree of hydrolysis, formation of organic and inorganic complexes, etc.). Particularly for the actinides in their lower oxidation states (III, IV), however, would a formation of colloid particles be feasible in the groundwater environment. These colloids could be either true radiocolloids, i.e. aggregates of the radionuclide itself, or pseudocolloids, i.e. colloid material already present in the groundwater, onto which the radionuclide has sorbed. These colloidal particles may be very poorly sorbed on water exposed geologic media in comparison with radionuclides in true solution. Studies on the formation and properties of some actinide colloids (Am, Np, Pu) are discussed in this paper.

Cervical cytology biobanks as a resource for molecular epidemiology

A cervical cytology biobank (CCB) is an extension of current cytopathology laboratory practice consisting in the systematic storage of Pap smears or liquid-based cytology samples from women participating in cervical cancer screening with the explicit purpose of facilitating future scientific research and quality audit of preventive services. A CCB should use an internationally agreed uniform cytology terminology, be integrated in a national or regional screening registry, and linked to other registries (histology, cancer, and vaccination). Legal and ethical principles concerning personal integrity and data safety must be respected strictly. Biobank-based studies require approval from ethical review boards. A CCB constitutes a nearly inexhaustible resource to perform fundamental and applied biologic research. In particular, it can contribute in answering questions on the natural history of HPV infection and HPV-induced lesions and cancers, screening effectiveness, exploration of new biomarkers, and surveillance of short- and long-term effects of the introduction of HPV vaccination. To understand the limitations of CCB, more studies are needed on quality of samples in relation to sample type, storage procedures, and duration of storage.

Biobanks collected for routine healthcare purposes: build-up and use for epidemiologic research

The routine health services collect large amount of samples for biobanking, particularly in clinical laboratory medicine, mainly for clinical diagnostic purposes. These samples provide a large-scale and clinically relevant biobanking infrastructure that can be used for research if these conditions apply. There must be a system for database management that can obtain data on clinical endpoints, vital status, and additional required information via registry linkages. There must be an appropriate ethical system for handling consent for research use. There should be an active effort to optimize the usefulness of clinical biobanks also for research use. Major steps in this direction include measures to stop the ongoing discarding of old samples, reformatting to minimize pick-up times, external quality assurance and formal accreditation of biobanks, building of a dedicated high-quality database that is regularly used for registry linkages, and considerations on whether usefulness and accessibility for research can be optimized by extended saving or pre-treatment of samples. Systematic clinical biobanking could become a major asset for clinical research and public health if biobanking is considered as a routine part of everyday clinical practice, and the science of biobanking is considered an essential part of the science of laboratory medicine.

The interface of population-based cancer registries and biobanks in etiological and clinical research--current and future perspectives

BACKGROUND

The availability of quality assured, population-based cancer registries and biobanks with high quality samples makes it possible to conduct research on large samples sets with long follow-up within a reasonable time frame. Defined quality for both cancer registries and biobanks is essential for enabling high quality biobank-based research. Recent networking projects have brought these infrastructures together to promote the combined use of cancer registries and biobanks in cancer research.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this report we review the current status and future perspectives of cancer registries and biobanks and how the interface between them should be developed to optimally further cancer research.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Major conclusions for future improvements are that the research exploiting cancer registries and biobanks, and the research that is building and optimising the infrastructure, should evolve together for maximally relevant progress. Population-based and sustainable biobanks that continuously and consecutively store all samples ("Biological registries") under strict quality control are needed. There is also a need for increased education, information and visibility of the interdisciplinary sciences required for optimal exploitation of these resources.