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PubMed2005

The prevalence of Trichinella infection in domestic dogs in Finland.

In this study, we examined the prevalence of Trichinella infection in domestic dogs in Finland, which is known to have a high prevalence of Trichinella infection in sylvatic hosts. Altogether 727 dog serum samples were tested serologically by ELISA with ES-antigen in dilutions 1:50, 1:100, 1:200, and 1:400. Additionally, muscle samples from 102 dogs' front leg extensors were tested parasitologically by HCl-pepsin-digestion. The tested dogs originated from the University Veterinary Hospital (244 of the sera and all of the parasitologically tested muscle samples) and from a serum bank of the National Veterinary and Food Research Institute (465 serum samples), representing healthy dogs mostly from southern Finland. As negative controls, we tested sera from 18 experimental dogs known to be negative for Trichinella infection. Trichinella spp. was isolated from one dog (1%) with a low infection intensity. High OD% were found in both groups of serum samples. Of the hospitalized dogs, 4.9% were classified positive, and 8.6% of the healthy dogs were classified positive (7.3% in total). The sex or breed of the tested dogs did not correlate with the positive results, but the age correlated positively in the serum bank group. The serological results suggest that dogs may be exposed to Trichinella spp. in Finland; however, confirmation of low-level infections requires confirmation by direct testing methods.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2005

Mechanical-biological waste treatment and the associated occupational hygiene in Finland.

A special feature of waste management in Finland has been the emphasis on the source separation of kitchen biowaste (catering waste); more than two-thirds of the Finnish population participates in this separation. Source-separated biowaste is usually treated by composting. The biowaste of about 5% of the population is handled by mechanical-biological treatment. A waste treatment plant at Mustasaari is the only plant in Finland using digestion for kitchen biowaste. For the protection of their employees, the plant owners commissioned a study on environmental factors and occupational hygiene in the plant area. During 1998-2000 the concentrations of dust, microbes and endotoxins and noise levels were investigated to identify possible problems at the plant. Three different work areas were investigated: the pre-processing and crushing hall, the bioreactor hall and the drying hall. Employees were asked about work-related health problems. Some problems with occupational hygiene were identified: concentrations of microbes and endotoxins may increase to levels harmful to health during waste crushing and in the bioreactor hall. Because employees complained of symptoms such as dry cough and rash or itching appearing once or twice a month, it is advisable to use respirator masks (class P3) during dusty working phases. The noise level in the drying hall exceeded the Finnish threshold value of 85 dBA. Qualitatively harmful factors for the health of employees are similar in all closed waste treatment plants in Finland. Quantitatively, however, the situation at the Mustasaari treatment plant is better than at some Finnish dry waste treatment plants. Therefore is reasonable to conclude that mechanical sorting, which produces a dry waste fraction for combustion and a biowaste fraction for anaerobic treatment, is in terms of occupational hygiene better for employees than combined aerobic treatment and dry waste treatment.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

Changes in summer temperature and heat-related mortality since 1971 in North Carolina, South Finland, and Southeast England.

Three climatically diverse regions were studied to determine the impact of temperature change on heat-related mortality from 1971 to 1997. Median regressions showed that May-August temperatures in North Carolina rose by 1.0 degrees C (95% CL 0.0-2.0 degrees C) from 23.5 degrees C (74.3 degrees F), were unchanged in South Finland at 13.5 degrees C (56.3 degrees F), and rose in Southeast England 2.1 degrees C (0.3-4.0 degrees C) from 14.9 degrees C (58.8 degrees F). After determining for each region the daily temperature (as a 3 degrees C band) at which the mortality was the lowest, annual heat-related mortality was obtained as excess mortality per million at temperatures above this. Annual heat-related mortality per million (among the population at risk, aged 55+) fell in North Carolina by 212 (59-365) from 228 (140-317) to only 16 (not significant, NS); fell in South Finland by 282 (66-500) from 382 (257-507) to 99 (NS); and fell in Southeast England by 2.4 (NS) from 111 (41-180) to 108 (41-176). The falls in North Carolina and South Finland remained significant after allowances were made for changes in age, sex, and baseline mortality. Increased air conditioning probably explains the virtual disappearance of heat-related mortality in the hottest region, North Carolina, despite warmer summers. Other lifestyle changes associated with increasing prosperity probably explain the favorable trends in the cooler regions.

Aged↗
PubMed1997

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers, dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and biphenyls in seals and sediment from the Gulf of Finland.

Polychlorinated diphenyl ethers (PCDEs), 2,3,7,8-substituted polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were analyzed in seals from the Gulf of Finland and in sediments from the Gulf of Finland and near Gotland. The sediments included one surface core from both sampling sites. The seal material consisted of 14 ringed seals and 6 grey seals that all were found dead and examined for pathology. The main aims were to scrutinize levels and patterns of PCDEs for the first time in seals from the Baltic Sea and to estimate whether chlorinated compounds mentioned have an influence on an exceptional high mortality that occurred among ringed seals in the Gulf of Finland in late 1991. The concentrations of 50 congeners of tetra- through deca-CDEs analyzed ranged from < 0.3 to 62 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in seal blubber, but in the sediments PCDEs were non-detectable (tetra- through hepta-CDEs < 0.1 ng/g dry weight (dw)). In ringed seals with good nutritional status, the concentrations of almost all PCDE congeners were greater in two adult females than in specimens of younger age groups. The concentrations of PCDDs and PCDFs as TCDD-equivalents exceeded those of the coplanar (non-ortho) PCBs in sediments, whereas non- and monoortho PCBs constituted greater toxic loads as those calculated for PCDDs and PCDFs in seals. However, the levels revealed do not explain the high mortality of ringed seals.

Adipose Tissue↗
PubMed1998

Heavy metal contamination in surface sediments in the Gulf of Finland and comparison with the Gulf of Bothnia.

Concentrations of heavy metals in sediments of the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia were studied during 1991-1993. Most of the concentrations reported are for the surface sediments, with background concentrations from deeper downcore included for comparison. The metals studied were mercury, lead, cadmium, zinc, copper, iron, lithium, vanadium, titanium, arsenic, chromium, nickel, manganese and aluminium. The new values for the Gulf of Finland are compared with concentrations for the Gulf of Bothnia. Explanations for the differences in values are suggested and distribution patterns are described. Concentrations of all elements are clearly higher in the easternmost part of the Gulf of Finland and throughout the Gulf the values of total organic carbon, aluminium, chromium, manganese and cadmium are higher in the surface sediments than in the Gulf of Bothnia.

Baltic States↗
PubMed1998

Chromium in the environment of Finland.

This paper focuses upon the use, import and release of chromium to the environment of Finland. In addition, the behavior of trivalent and hexavalent chromium in soils has been briefly reviewed. In Finland, consumption of chromium compounds occurs in the following pattern: stainless steel > leather tanning > metal plating > chemicals. The emission of chromium has decreased from 114 t in 1979 to 28 t in 1995. The highest release of chromium continues to be from ferrochromium and stainless steel plants. From these facilities, 85% of slag and dusts are used by a secondary facility to recover valuable metal. In the industrial areas, the oxidizing behavior of chromium (III) is still unknown. In this study, the leachability of chromium (VI) to ground water and its effects on terrestrial and aquatic species in Finland are discussed.

Chromium↗
PubMed1996

Decreased fertility in Britain compared with Finland.

BACKGROUND: There has been much interest in the apparent decrease in semen quality. Because the evidence for such a decrease is open to criticism, a different type of evidence is needed. Finland seems to have escaped this decrease, as well as other disorders of the male reproductive tract, notably testicular cancer. If there has been a true decrease, the implications for fertility are unknown. METHODS: The most sensitive functional measure of fertility is time to pregnancy (TTP); this can be studied retrospectively at group level with a high degree of validity. To test the hypothesis that Finnish men are more fertile than British men, TTP distributions from published Finnish studies and data from Britain were compared. Two comparisons were made: a pair of antenatal studies, and a pair of cross-sectional studies. FINDINGS: In both comparisons, fertility was statistically significantly greater in Finland than in Britain. The findings did not seem to be due to methodological problems; in particular, the results could not be attributed to differences in frequency of intercourse, since this would have had the opposite effect on sperm concentration and on TTP. INTERPRETATION: The previously reported difference in sperm counts between Finland and elsewhere in northwest Europe (including Britain) is probably not artefactual, suggesting that the reported world-wide decline in semen quality is also real. Reasons for the "Finnish exception" may include maternal smoking, which used to be lower in Finnish women than elsewhere, and which might affect developing make offspring.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Preventing the spread of maedi-visna in sheep through a voluntary control programme in Finland.

The sheep disease maedi-visna (MV) was introduced into Finland in 1981 and had spread to eight flocks in the southwestern part of the country when first detected in a survey in 1994. Six more seropositive flocks were subsequently traced, bringing the total to 14. MV has a notifiable disease status in Finland that provides for official restrictive measures to which all infected herds are subject. These measures are withdrawn once the seropositive animals and their progeny are culled and the flock has showed negative signs in the test done twice, or after total culling. A voluntary control programme was initiated in January 1995 to extend official control efforts. The programme furnishes a guideline for culling, restrictions on contacts, and a timetable for testing the flock to attain MV-free status. Seven flocks of the 14 were slaughtered either immediately or after a period under restrictive measures. One flock finished sheep production after four years under restrictive measures. Selective culling and repeated testing was attempted with the other six flocks, three of which attained MV-free status. One flock finished sheep production after two years in the control programme, the other two dropped out of the programme when the restrictive measures were withdrawn. It was concluded that the control programme was salient in eradicating MV from Finland and that serological monitoring of the situation must be continuous.

Animal Husbandry↗
PubMed1997

Sterilization in Finland: from eugenics to contraception.

The purpose of this paper was to describe the transition of sterilization in Finland from an eugenic tool to a contraceptive. Historical data were drawn from earlier reports in Finnish. Numbers of and reasons for sterilizations since 1950 were collected from nationwide sterilization statistics. Prevalence, characteristics of sterilized women, and women's satisfaction with sterilizations were studied from a 1994 nationwide survey (74% response rate). Logistic regression was used for adjustments. In the first half of the 20th century, eugenic ideology had influence in Finland as in other parts of Europe, and the 1935 and 1950 sterilization laws had an eugenic spirit. Regardless of this, the numbers of eugenic sterilizations remained low, and in practice, family planning was the main reason for sterilization. Nonetheless, prior to 1970 not all sterilizations were freely chosen, because sterilizations were sometimes used as a precondition for abortion. Female sterilizations showed remarkable fluctuation over time. Male sterilizations have been rare. The reasons stipulated by the law did not explain the numbers of sterilizations. In a 1994 survey, 9% of Finnish women reported they were using sterilization as their current contraceptive method (n = 189). Compared to women using other contraceptive methods, sterilized women were older, had had more births and pregnancies, and came from lower social classes. Sterilized women were satisfied with their sterilization, but there were women (8.5%) who regretted it. In conclusion, sterilizations have been and are likely to continue to be an important family planning method in Finland. The extreme gender ratio suggests a need for promoting male sterilizations, and women's expressed regrets suggest consideration of a higher age limit.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Increasing homicide rate in Finland accompanied by decreasing seasonality over the period 1957-95.

Homicide is recognized as a global public health problem. Finland has the highest overall homicide rate of the Nordic countries in comparisons over short time periods. Using the 39-year time series of homicide incidents in Finland from 1957-95, we analyzed the trend in homicide rate. In addition, we explored for the first time over the time trend in the seasonal variation of homicide and compared seasonal statistics over eight successive time periods. The present study revealed that there has been steadily increasing trend in homicides in Finland since 1950s. At the same time, the seasonality of homicide has decreased markedly. The peaks in homicide rates occurred commonly during summer and the troughs during winter.

Finland↗
PubMed1999

Results of biomonitoring analyses in Biomonitoring Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland in 1997.

In 1997 a total of 4848 results of 47 different analytes from blood or urine specimens, were performed in the Finnish Institute of Occupational Health, Biomonitoring Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland. The results of these service analyses were registered in a database with additional information concerning the worker and the work place. The biomonitoring register, containing one or more results of about 30,000 workers, enables the follow-up of chemical exposure on individual or working group levels. In general, the levels of chemicals or their metabolites in biological specimens have been slowly but continuously declined in Finland during the last decade. In 1997 the decrease in the levels of heavy metals was particularly important. The most problematic organic solvent in Finland is styrene. Styrene exposures have remained in unacceptable levels in work places and still in 1997 more than a third of the workers analysed had very high concentrations of styrene metabolites in their urine. In most major analyte groups studied, there were workers whose exposure level exceeded the Finnish biomonitoring action level (BAL), and in about half of the specimens the level exceeded the upper reference limits (URL), of the non-exposed persons.

Air Pollutants, Occupational↗
PubMed1998

Exploitation of autopsy in determining natural cause of death: trends in Finland with special reference to the diagnostics of ischemic heart diseases and cerebrovascular diseases in middle-aged males, 1974-1993.

Finnish mortality statistics show a marked decrease in coronary disease mortality especially among middle-aged males during the last 20 to 25 years. At the same time, the overall autopsy rate in deaths due to natural, non-violent causes has diminished in Finland. National mortality statistics are based on medical information given in death certificates. How often are the causes of death based on autopsy and is there any definitive trend? Possible changes in cause-of-death determination practices may have contributed to the mortality changes observed. In this study, deaths due to ischemic heart diseases (IHD) and cerebrovascular diseases (CVD) from 1974 to 1993 in Finland were compared with natural deaths, i.e. all of the deaths due to natural causes, in regard to use of autopsy. It was found that IHD-diagnosis as the underlying cause-of-death was, unlike natural deaths and CVD in particular, increasingly based on autopsy. It is thus concluded that the recent decline in coronary disease mortality among middle-aged men in Finland cannot be explained by any deterioration in cause-of-death examination practices.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Increasing prevalence of asthma but not of chronic bronchitis in Finland? Report from the FinEsS-Helsinki Study.

To assess the prevalence of asthma, chronic bronchitis and respiratory symptoms, and to calculate risk factors for them, we performed a postal survey in Helsinki, the capital of Finland. During the spring of 1996, questionnaires were mailed to a random sample of 8000 individuals aged 20-69. The total response rate was 76%, with 6062 complete answers. The prevalence of having ever had asthma was 7.2%, physician-diagnosed asthma was 6.6% and physician-diagnosed chronic bronchitis was 3.7%. Asthma was significantly more common among women than men, but no gender differences existed in prevalence of chronic bronchitis. The most common respiratory symptom was sputum production when coughing, reported by 27%. During the previous 12 months, wheezing had occurred in 20% and attacks of shortness of breath in 13% of subjects. Generally, the prevalence of different respiratory symptoms were significantly higher among smokers. The most important risk factor for asthma was a family history of asthma (Odds ratio:OR 3.3). Multivariate analysis revealed that being a member of the socioeconomic group, manual workers, was associated with a significantly increased risk for chronic productive cough (OR 1.7), and for wheezing during the previous 12 months (OR 1.7). Manual workers of both genders had the highest prevalence of asthma, chronic productive cough and wheezing during the previous 12 months. The prevalence of asthma in Helsinki was higher than previously found in Finland, and was at a similar level to that of other Nordic countries. In contrast, prevalence of chronic bronchitis was lower than previously shown in Finland.

Adult↗
PubMed2003

The incidence of type 1 diabetes among children in Finland--rural-urban difference.

The aim of the study was to investigate the incidence of type 1 diabetes among children aged 14 years or under according to the level of urbanization of the place of residence of children at the time of diagnosis in Finland during 1987 to 1996. The analysis was carried out using a Bayesian approach and GIS. The incidence was the highest in the rural heartland areas while the increase in incidence was sharpest in urban areas. The level of urbanization seems to explain only a part of the spatial variation in the incidence in Finland. It is possible that some environmental risk factors for type 1 diabetes have been more prevalent in rural heartland areas than in the rest of the country. These factors might have increased in urban environments in Finland particularly during the first half of 1990s.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1999

The changing picture of hip fractures: dramatic change in age distribution and no change in age-adjusted incidence within 10 years in Central Finland.

The objective of this study was to find out if the age-standardized incidence of hip fractures has changed in 10 years in Central Finland. Patients with acute hip fracture admitted to Jyväskylä Central Hospital in 1982-1983 (n = 317) and in 1992-1993 (n = 351) were selected from the hospital discharge register and from contemporaneous records of the Department of Anesthesiology and the ward of traumatology. Earlier studies in Finland have indicated that there has been an increase in incidence rates. The results of this study show no change in the age-standardized incidence of hip fractures of men and women during the last 10 years. However, because of the change in the age distribution of the population, the number of hip fractures has increased by 11%. The mean age of the hip fracture patients increased from 75.4 years in 1982-1983 to 78.4 years in 1992-1993. In 1982-1983, 18.0% of the patients were > or =85 years. The corresponding figure in 1992-1993 was 30.2%. Therefore, we summarize that there has been a dramatic change in age distribution and no change in age-adjusted incidence within the last 10 years in central Finland.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2001

Regional variation in the incidence of schizophrenia in Finland: a study of birth cohorts born from 1950 to 1969.

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether there is regional variation in the incidence of schizophrenia and if so. whether it is caused by urban-rural differences, larger spatial clustering, or both. To control for the effect of migration, we examined regional variation in the incidence according to place of birth. METHODS: Finnish birth cohorts born from 1950 to 1969 were followed in the National Hospital Discharge Register from 1969 until 1991, and all cases of schizophrenia (ICD-8 or ICD-9 295) were identified (N = 14828). Forty-eight of the 559 municipalities were classified as urban and 25% of the Finnish population lived in these municipalities in 1960. For the analysis of spatial clustering, municipalities were grouped into 57 functional small-areas. We used Poisson regression model with the number of births of individuals who later developed schizophrenia as a response variable, and place of birth (urban/rural), birth cohort (1950-54, 1955-9, 1960-64, and 1965-9), functional small-area units, and sex as response variables. RESULTS: The incidence was slightly higher among the rural-born in the oldest birth cohort. In the other cohorts, it was higher among the urban-born, and the difference between urban and rural born increased in the youngest cohorts. Significant spatial clustering of schizophrenia was observed in eastern Finland. CONCLUSIONS: Urban birth is a risk factor for schizophrenia in Finland in cohorts born since 1955. However, genuine spatial clustering of schizophrenia in eastern Finland was also observed, possibly caused by genetic isolation.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2005

Genetic variation, occurrence of mating types and different forms of Pyrenophora teres causing net blotch of barley in Finland.

The amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) was used to study genetic variation in Pyrenophora teres causing net blotch of barley in Finland. The mean similarity was 93% between all isolates and a bit higher within two distinct populations based on 175 AFLP markers. Despite the high genetic similarity, 70 unique AFLP genotypes were identified among 72 isolates. Most of the genetic variation (68.5%) was observed within a field population and a smaller portion (30.3%) between them. Significant genetic differentiation (Fst = 0.308, P < 0.001) was identified between field populations. However only 1.2% of the variation was observed between mating types within a field and a lack of genetic differentiation (Fsc = 0.017, P = 0.087) was observed. The occurrence of the form of blotch (spot type, f. sp. maculata, or net type, P. teres f. sp. teres) was identified with specific PCR. All isolates were found to be of the net type. The existence of both mating types (MAT1 and MAT2) was identified for the first time in Finland and the ratio of the two mating types was almost 1:1 in both locations. The evolutionary potential and the possibility of sexual reproduction of P. teres occurring in Finland are discussed.

Ascomycota↗
PubMed1999

Finland's first anaesthesia revealed by newspapers.

BACKGROUND: According to the literature on the history of anaesthesia, Finland's first anaesthesia was given on March 8, 1847 for a ligature of an aneurysm of the subclavian artery. It has, however, not been possible to verify the date with certainty. We therefore wanted to find out whether newspapers might give additional information and how this exceptionally important medical invention had been received by the Finnish newspapers. METHODS: Microfilms of the 10 newspapers which appeared in Finland in 1847 were studied at the Helsinki University library. RESULTS: The first report which made reference to English newspapers was published on February 10 by "Borgå Tidning". On March 6, "Helsingfors Tidningar" wrote that two anaesthesias had already been given in Helsinki; the first of them for a difficult varicose veins operation and the second for an exarticulation of a shoulder. But there was no information regarding the dates of the operations. Fortunately, both operations had been recorded in the patient diary of the clinic, although without any information about the anaesthesia. According to the diary, Johan August Orn was operated for varicose veins on February 16 and Anders Gustaf Henrikson had his right arm exarticulated on March 3. Both patients recovered. In total, only six pieces of news on anaesthesia were found. CONCLUSIONS: Finland's first anaesthesia was given on February 16, 1847, which is three weeks earlier than had been previously assumed.

Amputation, Surgical↗