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The enteric nervous system (ENS) in mammals forms from neural crest cells during embryogenesis and early postnatal life. Nevertheless, multipotent progenitors of the ENS can be identified in the adult intestine using clonal cultures and in vivo transplantation assays. The identity of these neurogenic precursors in the adult gut and their relationship to the embryonic progenitors of the ENS are currently unknown. Using genetic fate mapping, we here demonstrate that mouse neural crest cells marked by SRY box-containing gene 10 (Sox10) generate the neuronal and glial lineages of enteric ganglia. Most neurons originated from progenitors residing in the gut during mid-gestation. Afterward, enteric neurogenesis was reduced, and it ceased between 1 and 3 months of postnatal life. Sox10-expressing cells present in the myenteric plexus of adult mice expressed glial markers, and we found no evidence that these cells participated in neurogenesis under steady-state conditions. However, they retained neurogenic potential, as they were capable of generating neurons with characteristics of enteric neurons in culture. Furthermore, enteric glia gave rise to neurons in vivo in response to chemical injury to the enteric ganglia. Our results indicate that despite the absence of constitutive neurogenesis in the adult gut, enteric glia maintain limited neurogenic potential, which can be activated by tissue dissociation or injury.

Gastrointestinal motor dysfunction persists in a large number of children subjected to surgical treatment for Hirschsprung's disease, indicating abnormalities in the remaining intestine. The aim of the study was to detect possible alterations in frequency and topographic distribution of enteric neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal in an experimental model (the lethal spotted mouse displaying a short rectal aganglionosis) for Hirschsprung's disease. Specimens from the intestinal tract from homozygous (aganglionic) and heterozygous (healthy littermates) were examined using histochemistry, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry. In ileum and colon, ie, regions proximal to the aganglionosis, changes in the expression of neuropeptides and neuronal nitric oxide synthase and in the number of enteric neurons and interstitial cells of Cajal could be detected in homozygous versus heterozygous mice. The described changes are suggested to contribute to the dysmotility remaining after surgical resection of the aganglionic segment in Hirschsprung's disease.

There is no consensus on the treatment of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), and practice seems to vary between centres. The main purpose of the present study was to survey current practice in Scandinavia. Thirteen paediatric surgical centres serving a population of about 22 million were invited, and all participated. One questionnaire was completed at each centre. The questionnaire evaluated management following prenatal diagnosis, intensive care strategies, operative treatment, and long-term follow-up. Survival data (1995-1998) were available from 12 of 13 centres. Following prenatal diagnosis of CDH, vaginal delivery and maternal steroids were used at eight and six centres, respectively. All centres used high-frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV), nitric oxide (NO), and surfactant comparatively often. Five centres had extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) facilities, and four centres transferred ECMO candidates. The majority of centres (7/9) always tried HFOV before ECMO was instituted. Surgery was performed when the neonate was clinically stable (11/13) and when no signs of pulmonary hypertension were detected by echo-Doppler (6/13). The repair was performed by laparotomy at all centres and most commonly with nonabsorbable sutures (8/13). Thoracic drain was used routinely at seven centres. Long-term follow-up at a paediatric surgical centre was uncommon (3/13). Only three centres treated more than five CDH patients per year. Comparing survival in centres treating more than five with those treating five or fewer CDH patients per year, there was a tendency towards better survival in the higher-volume centres (72.4%) than in the centres with lower volume (58.7%), p =0.065.

The aim of this study was to evaluate quality and sensory variation in wild boar meat in comparison to pork. Meat quality in wild boar is expected to vary more compared to pork due to different feeding environment, age and gender. In order to be able to promote wild boar meat as a sustainable high-quality product, there is a need to evaluate the variation in meat quality attributes, including technological, compositional and sensory/texture aspects. We evaluated carcass characteristics, pH, colour, lipid profile and sensory aspects of wild boar meat of different age and gender and compared them with pork. Wild boars had lower carcass weight (p = <0.0001) and higher ultimate pH (p = 0.0063) compared to domestic pigs. Intramuscular fat content had a tendency to be higher in wild boar meat (p = 0.1010), as well as the proportion of nutritional valuable n-3 FA (p = 0.0029). The colour of pork was more pink (p = 0.0276) and pale (p = <0.0001) compared to meat from wild boar. Meat from wild boar gilts received the highest sensory scores. Based on these findings, we suggest that meat from younger animals could be sold in different cuts directly while meat from older animals might be more suitable for the production of sausage.

For patients' entire families, it can be challenging to live with cancer during the palliative stage. However, a sense of coherence buffers stress and could help health professionals identify families that require support. Therefore, the short version of the Family Sense of Coherence Scale (FSOC-S) was translated, culturally adapted, and validated in a Swedish sample. Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the FSOC-S into Swedish was conducted in accordance with the World Health Organization's Process for Translation and Adaptation of Research Instruments guidelines. Participants were recruited from two oncology clinics and two palliative centers in Sweden. Content validity was supported by experts (n = 7), persons with cancer (n = 179), and family members (n = 165). Homogeneity among items was satisfactory for persons with cancer and family members (item-total correlations were 0.45‒0.70 and 0.55‒0.72, respectively) as well as internal consistency (ordinal alpha = 0.91 and 0.91, respectively). Factor analyses supported unidimensionality. FSOC-S correlated (rs > 0.3) with hope, anxiety, and symptoms of depression, which supported convergent validity. The test-retest reliability for items ranged between fair and good (kw = 0.37‒0.61). The FSOC-S has satisfactory measurement properties to assess family sense of coherence in persons with cancer and their family members. FSOC-S could be used to identify family members who experience low levels of perceived family sense of coherence which provides health care professionals with insight into families' needs and ability to live with cancer in the palliative stage.