Sociodemographic and Behavioural Determinants of a Healthy Diet in Switzerland.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The determinants of a healthy diet have not been studied in Switzerland. This study aimed at assessing the individual and behavioural factors associated with a healthy diet in a Swiss city. METHODS: Cross-sectional, population-based study conducted between 2009 and 2013 (n = 4,439, 2,383 women, mean age 57.5 ± 10.3 years) in Lausanne. Food consumption was assessed using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Two Mediterranean diet scores (classic score and specific for Switzerland) and the Harvard School of Public Health alternate healthy eating index were computed. RESULTS: For all three dietary scores considered, living in couple or having a high education were associated with a healthier diet. An unhealthy lifestyle (smoking, sedentary behaviour) or a high body mass index were associated with an unhealthier diet. Participants born in Italy, Portugal and Spain had healthier diets than participants born in France or Switzerland. Women and elderly participants had healthier diets than men and young participants according to 2 scores, while no differences were found for the Swiss-specific Mediterranean score. CONCLUSIONS: In Switzerland, healthy eating is associated with high education, a healthy lifestyle, marital status and country of origin. The associations with gender and age depend on the dietary score considered.

Non-small cell lung cancer: the prevalence of oncogenic driver mutations in Switzerland

Background. Predictive molecular marker analyses are standard of care in order to select non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients for targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of targetable oncogenic driver mutations including EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, HER2, ALK and ROS1 in Switzerland. Methods. Eight Swiss pathology institutions provided retrospective and anonymized data on their predictive molecular marker results performed on NSCLC from January 2012 to December 2014. Clinico-pathological data were recorded including age, gender, histological NSCLC-subtype and specimen type (biopsy, conventional cytology and cell block, respectively) used for molecular analyses. The prevalence of oncogenic mutations were calculated and compared between the centres. Results. A total of 4187 NSCLC were included into the study. The median age was 67 years and 55% were male patients. The tumor specimens for molecular analysis were mostly derived from biopsies (69%), 26% were from conventional cytology specimens and only in 5% from cell blocks. The most prevalent gene mutation was KRAS with 30.6% (range: 27.3-33.9%), followed by EGFR, BRAF and HER2 mutations in 12.2% (range: 10.2-13.1%), 3.9% (range: 2.5-5.6%) and 1.1% (range: 0.9-4.0%), respectively, without significant differences between the eight centers. Concomitant EGFR and KRAS mutations were detected in only 3/2027 NSCLC. In contrast the prevalence of ALK (mean 6.5%, range: 2.8-11.7%) and ROS1 (mean 2.4%, range: 1.5-6.2%) rearrangements varied significantly between centers. Conclusions. The Prevalence of EGFR, KRAS, BRAF and HER2 mutations are well in line with data from other West European populations. Concomitant EGFR, KRAS, BRAF or HER2 mutations are exceptional. ALK FISH results vary significantly between the eight centres. Concomitant ALK FISH positive results in NSCLC harbouring other oncogenic driver mutation have only been observed in two smaller centres, highlighting the difficulty in ALK-FISH interpretation.

Le rôle des associations de patients face au don d'organes en Suisse romande [Organ donation and the role of patients' associations in Western Switzerland].

In the context of lay mobilization in health-related areas, this article addresses the role and activities of patients' associations in connection with organ donation, on the basis of interviews carried out with thirty members of transplant patients' associations in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. First, we describe the three main categories of activities conducted by these associations. While self-help and public awareness activities are predominant, policy-oriented actions are marginal. Then, we examine the factors likely to explain why these associations have a limited capacity to be active, especially in the public sphere. Such a lack of social visibility is all the more important in the current political context, characterized by the implementation of a national action plan designed to improve organ donation.

Paediatric end-of-life care needs in Switzerland: current practices, and perspectives from parents and professionals. A study protocol.

AIM: To present a protocol for a multi-phase study about the current practice of end-of-life care in paediatric settings in Switzerland. BACKGROUND: In Switzerland, paediatric palliative care is usually provided by teams, who may not necessarily have specific training. There is a lack of systematic data about specific aspects of care at the end of a child's life, such as symptom management, involvement of parents in decision-making and family-centred care and experiences and needs of parents, and perspectives of healthcare professionals. DESIGN: This retrospective nationwide multicentre study, Paediatric End-of-LIfe CAre Needs in Switzerland (PELICAN), combines quantitative and qualitative methods of enquiry. METHODS: The PELICAN study consists of three observational parts, PELICAN I describes practices of end-of-life care (defined as the last 4 weeks of life) in the hospital and home care setting of children (0-18 years) who died in the years 2011-2012 due to a cardiac, neurological or oncological disease, or who died in the neonatal period. PELICAN II assesses the experiences and needs of parents during the end-of-life phase of their child. PELICAN III focuses on healthcare professionals and explores their perspectives concerning the provision of end-of-life care. CONCLUSION: This first study across Switzerland will provide comprehensive insight into the current end-of-life care in children with distinct diagnoses and the perspectives of affected parents and health professionals. The results may facilitate the development and implementation of programmes for end-of-life care in children across Switzerland, building on real experiences and needs. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01983852.

The Peace and Security Council of the African Union : its relationship with the United Nations, African Union and sub-regional mechanisms

Avhandlingen undersöker den Afrikanska Unionens freds- och säkerhetsråd och dess roll i framhävandet och upprätthållandet av fred, säkerhet och stabilitet i Afrika. Detta freds- och säkerhetsråd etablerades formellt 2004 och opererar under den Afrikanska Unionen (AU) som å sin sida upprättades 2002. Den Afrikanska Unionens freds- och säkerhetsråds roll i framhävandet av fred, säkerhet och stabilitet gör rådet till en hörnsten inom ramen för konfliktförebyggande och -hantering, samt konfliktlösning på den afrikanska kontinenten. Den Afrikanska Unionens freds- och säkerhetsråd spelar också en högst viktig roll i implementeringen av ansvaret att beskydda civilbefolkningen i konfliktsituationer. För uppfyllandet av sitt mandat att framhäva och upprätthålla fred, säkerhet och stabilitet i Afrika krävs det att freds- och säkerhetsrådet samarbetar med andra institutioner och mekanismer som handhar internationella och regionala freds- och säkerhetsärenden. Avhandlingen analyserar tre dimensioner av denna typ av relationer som freds- och säkerhetsrådet bör etablera med dessa organ och mekanismer för att kunna utföra sitt mandat effektivt. Först analyseras relationen mellan Afrikanska Unionens freds- och säkerhetsråd och Förenta Nationernas säkerhetsråd som också beskrivs i artikel 17 (1) i protokollet som förde till etablerandet av AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd. Analysen understryker FN:s säkerhetsråd som det organ som bär det primära ansvaret i förhållande till fred och säkerhet, medan AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd fungerar som en kompletterande komponent i sin roll som ett regionalt organ. Avhandlingen fortsätter med att analysera förhållandet mellan AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och andra organ inom AU, samt andra relevanta institutioner som framgår av artikel 10, 18 (1), 19 och 20 i protokollet för rådets etablerande. Avhandlingen diskuterar i detalj hur samarbetet mellan AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och dessa institutioner och organ kunde förstärkas till fördel för effektivt framhävande och upprätthållande av fred och säkerhet i Afrika. Slutligen analyserar avhandlingen samarbetet mellan AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och sub-regionala mekanismer etablerade under regionala ekonomiska gemenskaper som beskrivs i artikel 16 i protokollet för etablerandet av rådet. Avhandlingen diskuterar i detalj rollen för de sub-regionala mekanismerna i den afrikanska freds- och säkerhetsarkitekturen. Avhandlingen diskuterar vidare förhållandet mellan de sub-regionala mekanismerna och den afrikanska stand-by styrkan ASF och förutsättningarna för detta arrangemang att bemöta afrikanska konflikter. Avhandlingen fokuserar också på en harmoniserings- och samarbetsprocess i förhållande till de sub-regionala mekanismerna, de regionala ekonomiska gemenskaperna och den Afrikanska Unionens freds- och säkerhetsråd. Kort sagt beskriver avhandlingen hur förhållandet mellan AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och de ovan nämnda organ och mekanismer har en faktisk och potentiell möjlighet att effektivt bidra till fred, säkerhet och stabilitet i Afrika. Avhandlingen identifierar utmaningarna kring att göra detta till ett fungerande förhållande samtidigt som den genererar både generella och specifika rekommendationer om hur dessa utmaningar bäst kan bemötas. Några av dessa utmaningar utgörs av följande aspekter: konflikten mellan AU:s och FN:s reglemang i bemötandet av freds- och säkerhetsutmaningar; de olika metoderna i FN och AU vid implementeringen av principen av universell jurisdiktion; konflikten mellan de olika mandaten som AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och FN:s säkerhetsråd har i förhållande till implementeringen av principen om intervention; och konflikten mellan lagarna och metoderna i förhållande till AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och de regionala mekanismerna. En av de huvudsakliga rekommendationerna i avhandlingen i bemötandet av de ovan nämnda utmaningarna är att harmonisera de olika systemen för att försäkra att det föreligger ett samordnat bemötande av konflikter i Afrika. Efter att ha identifierat luckorna i AU:s freds- och säkerhetsprotokoll med speciell fokus på förhållandet mellan rådet och de relevanta organen och mekanismerna rekommenderar avhandlingen ett antal tillägg och modifieringar till instrumentet ifråga för att effektivera, stärka och upprätthålla detta förhållande. Avhandlingen föreslår att dessa tillägg och modifieringar skulle företas under 2014 då detta år markerar 10 år efter att AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd etablerades. Idén bakom detta företagandet ligger i att 10 år torde vara en tillfredställande tidsperiod för att mäta hur freds- och säkerhetsrådet har fungerat och hur dess förhållande med de relevanta institutionerna och mekanismerna kunde förbättras. Avhandlingen representerar den bredaste och nyaste studien inom ramen för artikel 16, 17, 18, 19 och 20 i protokollet för AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd och introducerar ett innovativt bemötande av utmaningar till fred, säkerhet och stabilitet på den afrikanska kontinenten. Avhandlingen bidrar till teorin och praxisen i AU:s freds- och säkerhetsråd vilket kan vara av intresse för både forskare och praktiker i folkrätt såväl som i internationella freds- och säkerhetsstudier, speciellt i Afrika.

Open Access at the Nordic Council of Ministers

Presentation at the Nordic Perspectives on Open Access and Open Science seminar, Helsinki, October 15, 2013

St. Catharines and District Council of Women fonds

The St. Catharines and District Council of Women was founded in 1918 and elected as its first president, Mary Malcolmson. In 1910 Mrs. Malcolmson founded North America’s first Girl Guide Association in St. Catharines. The aim of the organization was to work for the betterment of conditions pertaining to the family, community and state. The Council is an umbrella group for various women’s organizations in the area and functions at the provincial, national and international levels and is associated with the United Nations. In the early years the National Council brought in the Victorian Order of Nurses (VON) and started the Women’s Canadian Club. The St. Catharines Council initiated Child Welfare Centres in local churches that grew into the Well Baby Clinics. Women were encouraged to take political office and join committees with much success. In 1929, “Shop at Home” exhibition became an annual event highlighting the services of local merchants. Money raised by the Council was donated to local charities and in 1930 the Council assisted the local Armenian community in building the first Armenian Church in Canada. In 1932 the Council started the Maternal Welfare programme in which Mothers’ Meetings were held weekly with various speakers from the Public Health Department. In 1975 to celebrate International Women’s Year and the 1976 Centennial of the City of St. Catharines, the group sponsored the book Women of Action, 1876-1976, written by two of its members, Lily M. Bell and Kathleen E. Bray. Some time after 1976 the name of the organization changed from St. Catharines Local Council of Women to St. Catharines and District Council of Women. Today the organization functions as an advocacy and educational group.

By-laws of the municipal council of the United Counties of Lincoln and Welland, 1852

By-laws included are numbers 31-34 and deal with school issues, raising funds for the municipality, payment of fees, and remuneration to the sheriff of the municipality.

Agenda for the fifty-third annual meeting of the National Council of Women of Canada, 1946

The National Council of Women of Canada was founded in 1893 in Toronto to address the need for societal reform, such as better education for women and women’s suffrage. The first president was Lady Ishbel Aberdeen, the wife of the Governor General. The group’s early efforts focused on improving conditions for women prisoners, women working in factories, and women immigrants. The efforts of the Council also helped to achieve the passing of the Act to Confer the Electoral Franchise Upon Women in 1918. Members of the Council have advocated for the welfare of children, the family, the community, the environment and equal pay for work of equal value. The Council continues to be concerned with these issues, and presents an annual brief to the Prime Minister and Members of the Cabinet, as well as occasionally serving on special advisory committees.

Peter Partington, MPP for Brock, to Introduce Private Members' Resolution in Support of Wine Council of Ontario

A release from the office of Peter Partington, QC, MPP Brock, stating his support for the Wine Council of Ontario. The resolution is quoted and and there are handwritten notes making slight changes. The document is dated October 25, 1985.

Meat Packers Council of Canada records, 1954-1961

The Meat Packers Council of Canada was originally founded in 1919 in an effort to encourage farmers to produce better quality livestock. Originally known as the Industrial and Development Council of Canadian Meat Packers, charter members included Harris Abattoir Co. Ltd.; William Davies Co. Ltd.; Swift Canadian Co. Ltd.; Gunns Ltd.; Canadian Packing Co. Ltd.; Puddy’s Ltd.; F.W. Fearman Co.; Ingersol Packing Co. Ltd.; Whyte Packing Co. Ltd.; Gallagher-Holman & Lafrance Co. Ltd.; Gordon – Fronside and Fares Packers Ltd.; Wilson Canadian Co. Ltd.; and Armour & Co. Most of these firms were based in Ontario, but the Council’s operations were soon expanded with the opening of a western and eastern field office. The Council was incorporated in 1961. In 1980, the name changed to the Canadian Meat Council.