PKy8~xxrefs.MYD+A4|?Skov, R. Gudlaugsson, O. Hardardottir, H. Harthug, S. Jakobsen, T. Kolmos, H. J. Olsson-Liljequist, B. Peltonen, R. Tveten, Y. Vuopio-Varkila, J. Ahren, C.2008wProposal for common Nordic epidemiological terms and definitions for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)495-502+Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases406-7ArticleThe recent increase in the incidence of methicllin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in all the Nordic countries prompted the Scandinavian Society for Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (SSAC) to create the 'SSAC Working Party on MRSA' with the objective to identify methods to keep the invasive MRSA infections in the Nordic countries below 1%. The lack of common definitions was recognized as a major obstacle for a joint Nordic effort to combat MRSA. The aim of this publication is to present proposals for epidemiological definitions of individual cases, for how to report MRSA frequency per country, and for communication of MRSA strain characteristics between the countries.://000257148100008Skov, Robert Gudlaugsson, Olafur Hardardottir, Hjordis Harthug, Stig Jakobsen, Trond Kolmos, Hans Jorn Olsson-Liljequist, Barbro Peltonen, Reijo Tveten, Yngvar Vuopio-Varkila, Jaana Ahren, Christina 0036-5548ISI:0002571A |?%Suokas, J. Suominen, K. Lonnqvist, J.2008VPsychological distress and attitudes of emergency personnel towards suicide attempters144-146Nordic Journal of Psychiatry622ArticleEmergency personnel attitudes towards suicide attempters are important because they have a key role in the management of these patients. We examined the association between staff members' psychological distress and the attitudes towards suicide attempters. We also compared the attitudes towards suicide attempters among emergency personnel between a general and a psychiatric hospital. The Understanding Suicidal Patients (USP) Questionnaire and the 12-item version of General Health Questionnaire were given to all staff in the emergency rooms of a general hospital and a psychiatric hospital (n=151). There was a general tendency among emergency room staff to view attempted suicide patients positively and sympathetically. However, there were clear differences in staff attitudes between the two hospitals: those working in the general hospital expressed more negative attitudes than those in the psychiatric hospital. No evidence emerged of association between staff members' psychological distress and negative attitudes towards suicide attempters. There was no association between psychological distress and negative attitudes towards suicide attempters.://000257070300008.Suokas, Jaana Suominen, Kirsi Lonnqvist, Jouko 0803-9488ISI:00025707{A |?!Niiranen, T. Jula, A. Kantola, I.2008Home blood pressure is a stronger predictor of mortality than clinic blood pressure in the Finnish population: Preliminary data from the Finn-HOME studyS11-S11Journal of Hypertension26Meeting AbstractJun://000257197000049*Niiranen, T. Jula, A. Kantola, I. Suppl. 1 0263-6352ISI:00025719  @|?\Hu, G. Tuomilehto, J. Pukkala, E. Hakulinen, T. Antikainen, R. Vartiainen, E. Jousilahti, P.2008cJoint effects of coffee consumption and serum gamma-glutamyltransferase on the risk of liver cancer129-136 Hepatology481ArticleJulTOnly three Japanese prospective studies have suggested an inverse association between coffee drinking and liver cancer risk. No prospective studies on the association between serum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT) and liver cancer risk have been reported. We aimed to determine the single and joint associations of coffee consumption and serum GGT with the risk of primary liver cancer. Study cohorts included 60,323 Finnish participants who were 25-74 years of age and free of any cancer at baseline. During a median follow-up period of 19.3 years (interquartile range: 9.3-29.2 years), 128 participants were diagnosed with an incident liver cancer. The multivariable-adjusted (age, sex, alcohol consumption, education, smoking, diabetes and chronic liver disease at baseline and during follow-up, and body mass index) hazards ratios of liver cancer in participants who drank 0-1, 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and >= 8 cups of coffee daily were 1.00, 0.66, 0.44, 0.38, and 0.32 (P for trend = 0.003), respectively. Further adjustment for serum GGT in subgroup analysis affected the results only slightly. The multivariable-adjusted and coffee-adjusted hazard ratio of liver cancer for the highest versus the lowest quartile of serum GGT was 3.13 (95% confidence interval = 1.22-8.07). The multivariable-adjusted inverse association between coffee consumption and liver cancer risk persisted when stratified by baseline factors: age more/less than 50 years, current smoker/never smoked/ever smoked, alcohol drinker/never drinker, obese/nonobese, and the highest/lowest three quartiles; of serum GGT. A combination of very low coffee consumption and high level of serum GGT was associated with nearly nine-fold increased risk. Conclusion: Coffee drinking has an inverse and graded association with the risk of liver cancer. High serum GGT is associated with an increased risk of liver cancer.://000257301100017oHu, Gang Tuomilehto, Jaakko Pukkala, Eero Hakulinen, Timo Antikainen, Ritta Vartiainen, Erkki Jousilahti, Pekka 0270-9139ISI:00025730 2 #@|?Collings, A. Hoyssa, S. Fan, M. Kahonen, M. Hutri-Kahonen, N. Marniemi, J. Juonala, M. Viikari, J. S. A. Raitakari, O. T. Lehtimaki, T. J.2008Allelic variants of upstream transcription factor 1 associate with carotid artery intima-media thickness - The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study 1158-1164Circulation Journal727ArticleJulBackground Polymorphisms of the upstream transcription factor 1 (USF1) have been associated with familial combined hyperlipidemia and coronary heart disease. The impact of this gene on subclinical atherosclerosis is unknown. Associations of 3 allelic variants of the USF1 gene and their haplotypes with carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT), carotid artery compliance (CAC) and brachial artery flow mediated dilatation (FMD) were studied in a population of Finnish healthy young adults. Methods and Results The study population comprised 2,281 individuals participating in the Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns study. IMT, CAC and FMD values were measured by ultrasound examination. Genotypes were analysed using the 5' nuclease assay. A significant difference in IMT was found for usf1s1 (rs3737787) and usf1s8 (rs2516838) genotypes (p-values 0.046 and 0.021, respectively). Moreover, there was a significant difference between groups in haplotype 1 and haplotype 2 for IMT (p-values 0.011 and 0.028 respectively). In multivariate stepwise linear regression models adjusted by age, sex, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, smoking, C-reactive protein, glucose, high- and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterols and triglycetides there were significant associations for the usf1s1 minor genotype AA to predict low IMT (p=0.038) and usf1s8 minor genotype GG to predict high IMT (p=0.003). There was also a significant association for haplotype 2 to predict low IMT in the otherwise similar multivariate model (p=0.006). No associations were found for polymorphisms and CAC, FMD or serum lipids. Conclusions The rs2516838 and rs3737787 polymorphisms of USF1 influence the carotid artery IMT, which is a new finding.://000257223400020Collings, Auni Hoyssa, Salla Fan, Meng Kahonen, Mika Hutri-Kahonen, Nina Marniemi, Jukka Juonala, Markus Viikari, Jorma S. A. Raitakari, Olli T. Lehtimaki, Terho J. 1346-9843ISI:00025722 @|??Turpeinen, A. A. Ylonen, N. von Willebrand, E. Basu, S. Aro, A.2008uImmunological and metabolic effects of cis-9, trans-11-conjugated linoleic acid in subjects with birch pollen allergy112-119British Journal of Nutrition1001ArticleJulWAnimal studies suggest that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may modulate the immune response, while studies in healthy human subjects have shown little effect and results are controversial. However, the effects of CLA may be more prominent in situations of immune imbalance, such as allergy. We studied the effects of the natural CLA isomer, cis-9, trans-11-CLA, on allergy symptoms and immunological parameters in subjects with birch pollen allergy. In a randomised, placebo-controlled study, forty subjects (20-46 years) with diagnosed birch pollen allergy received 2g CLA/d in capsules, which contained 65.3 % cis-9, trans-11-CLA and 8-5 % trans-10, cis-12-CLA (n 20), or placebo (high-oleic acid sunflower-seed oil) (n 20) for 12 weeks. The supplementation began 8 weeks before the birch pollen season and continued throughout the season. Allergy symptoms and use of medication were recorded daily. Lymphocyte subsets, cytokine production, immunoglobulins, C-reactive protein, lipid and glucose metabolism and lipid peroxidation were assessed before and after supplementation. The CLA group reported a better overall feeling of wellbeing (P<0.05) and less sneezing (P<0.05) during the pollen season. CLA supplementation decreased the in vitro production of TNF-alpha (P<0.01), interferon-gamma (P<0.05) and IL-5 (P<0.05). Total plasma IgE and birch-specific IgE concentrations did not differ between groups, whereas plasma IgA (P<0.05), granulocyte macrophage colony-stimulating factor (P<0.05) and eosinophil-derived neurotoxin (P<0.05) concentrations were lower after CLA supplementation. Urinary excretion of 8-iso-PGF(2 alpha), a major F-2-isoprostane (P<0.01), and 15-keto-dihydro-PGF(2 alpha), a primary PGF(2 alpha) metabolite (P< 0.05), increased in the CLA group. The results suggest that cis-9, trans-11-CLA has modest anti-inflammatory effects in allergic subjects.://000257116700014JTurpeinen, Anu A. Ylonen, Niina von Willebrand, Eva Basu, Samar Aro, Antti 0007-1145ISI:000257@|?ZKarpanoja, P. Nyberg, S. T. Bergman, M. Voipio, T. Paakkari, P. Huovinen, P. Sarkkinen, H.2008Connection between trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use and resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis 2480-2485%Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy527ArticleJulThe association between trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use and resistance among the major respiratory tract pathogens was investigated by comparing regional consumption of the drug to regional resistance in the following year in 21 central hospital districts in Finland. A total of 23,530 Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates, 28,320 Haemophilus influenzae isolates, and 14,138 Moraxella catarrhalis isolates were tested for trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole susceptibility during the study period (1998-2004). Among the S. pneumoniae isolates, a statistically significant connection was found between regional consumption and resistance. No statistically significant connection was found between regional trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole use and resistance among H. influenzae and M. catarrhalis isolates. According to our results, it seems that only in pneumococci can the development of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole resistance be influenced by restricting its use. However, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole remains an important antimicrobial agent because of its reasonable price. Hence, resistance to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole among these pathogens needs continuous monitoring.://000257183400028sKarpanoja, Pauliina Nyberg, Soja T. Bergman, Miika Voipio, Tinna Paakkari, Pirkko Huovinen, Pentti Sarkkinen, Hannu 0066-4804ISI:000257@|?4Haanpera, M. Forssten, S. D. Huovinen, P. Jalava, J.2008Typing of SHV extended-spectrum beta-lactamases by pyrosequencing in Klebsiella pneumoniae strains with chromosomal SHV beta-lactamase 2632-2635%Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy527ArticleJulhIn Klebsiella pneumoniae, the cooccurrence of chromosomal and plasmid-mediated beta-lactamases can hinder their accurate molecular detection. We developed a fast and reliable method that allows the typing of isolates carrying more than one SHV gene. The method is based on pyrosequencing the DNA sequence corresponding to amino acid positions 35, 238, and 240.://000257183400046@Haanpera, Marjo Forssten, Sofia D. Huovinen, Pentti Jalava, Jari 0066-4804ISI:0002571;+@|? [Wehkalampi, K. Silventoinen, K. Kaprio, J. Dick, D. M. Rose, R. J. Pulkkinen, L. Dunkel, L.2008QGenetic and environmental influences on pubertal timing assessed by height growth417-423!American Journal of Human Biology204ArticleJul-AugfSecular trends towards earlier puberty, possibly caused by new environmental triggers, provide a basis for periodic evaluation of the influence and interaction of genetic and environmental effects on pubertal timing. In such studies, a practical marker that reflects timing of puberty in both genders needs to be used. We investigated genetic and environmental influences on pubertal timing by using change in the relative height between early and late adolescence (HD:SDS, height difference in standard deviations) as a new marker of pubertal timing. HD:SDS correlated well with age at peak height velocity in a population of men and women with longitudinal growth data. In 2,309 twin girls and 1,828 twin boys, HD:SDS was calculated between height SDs at age 11.5 and 17.5, and 14.0 and 17.5 years, respectively. Quantitative genetic models for twin data were fitted to estimate the genetic contribution to HD:SDS. We also investigated whether the same genetic factors influenced individual differences between HD:SDS and development of secondary sex characteristics prospectively collected by pubertal development scale (PDS). Genetic effects contributed to 86 and 82% of the variance in HD:SDS in girls and boys, respectively, when using the same model including additive genetic and specific environmental factors. In girls, 30% and in boys, 49% of the genetic factors affecting PDS and HD:SDS were the same. Future comparison of the results of periodic evaluations allows estimation of possible changes in the effects of environment on timing of puberty. In such studies, HD:SDS can be used as a practical marker of pubertal timing.://000257099700005vWehkalampi, Karoliina Silventoinen, Karri Kaprio, Jaakko Dick, Danielle M. Rose, Richard J. Pulkkinen, Lea Dunkel, Leo 1042-0533ISI:0002570|? _Kestila, L. Martelin, T. Rahkonen, O. Joutsenniemi, K. Pirkola, S. Poikolainen, K. Koskinen, S.2008GChildhood and current determinants of heavy drinking in early adulthood460-469Alcohol and Alcoholism434ArticleJul-AugAims: To explore the association of parental education, childhood living conditions and several adversities with heavy drinking in early adulthood, and to analyze the effect of the respondent's current circumstances on these associations. Method: The analyses were conducted in a sample of 1234 adults aged 18-29 years participating in the Finnish Health 2000 Survey (65% of the original representative two-stage cluster sample, N = 1894). The outcome measure was heavy drinking measured by g/week for pure alcohol (for men >= 280 g/week and for women >= 140 g/week). Results: 8% of young adult men and 5% of women were heavy drinkers. In both genders, parental alcohol problems and other childhood adversities, poor own education, and unemployment status increased the risk of heavy drinking. The impact of childhood on heavy drinking was partly independent and partly mediated by adult characteristics, in particular, for both genders, low level of education. Conclusions: Childhood adversities are associated with heavy drinking in early adulthood among both genders. Childhood social circumstances as well as low educational level and unemployment should be taken into account in planning preventive policies to tackle the harms caused by excessive alcohol use at the individual and population level.://000257168700013rKestila, Laura Martelin, Tuija Rahkonen, Ossi Joutsenniemi, Kaisla Pirkola, Sami Poikolainen, Kari Koskinen, Seppo 0735-0414ISI:0002571687000132.092 997000051.805 834000464.3901834000284.3901167000142.339 34000202.373 110001710.734 70000494.364 03000080.752 481000081.2092#$F7 Pointon, J. J. Chapman, K. Harvey, D. Sims, A. M. Bradbury, L. Laiho, K. Kauppi, M. Kaarela, K. Tuomilehto, J. Brown, M. A. Wordsworth, B. P.2008nToll-like Receptor 4 and CD14 Polymorphisms in Ankylosing Spondylitis: Evidence of a Weak Association in Finns J Rheumatol 2008/07/18Jul 15OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of CD14 and Toll-like receptor (TLR4) with ankylosing spondylitis (AS). METHODS: A promoter variant in CD14 and 2 coding polymorphisms in TLR4 were investigated in UK and Finnish families with AS and in a UK case-control study. A metaanalysis of published TLR4 and CD14 studies was performed. RESULTS: In the Finnish study the CD14-260bp T variant showed an association (p = 0.006), and the common 2-marker TLR4 haplotype showed a weak association (global p = 0.03), with AS. No associations were seen in the UK based studies or in the metaanalyses. CONCLUSION: CD14 and TLR4 showed an association with AS in the Finns only.186341466The Journal of rheumatology J Rheumatol. 2008 Jul 15;.0315-162X (Print)3.151From the University of Oxford Institute of Musculoskeletal Sciences, Botnar Research Centre, Oxford, UK; Diamantina Institute for Cancer, Immunology and Metabolic Medicine (DI), University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia; Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola; Department of Musculoskeletal Medicine, Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere; National Public Health Institute; University of Helsinki, Helsinki; and South Ostrobothnia Central Hospital, Seinajoki, Finland.08/13/0 $ |7 wAl-Hello, H. Paananen, A. Eskelinen, M. Ylipaasto, P. Hovi, T. Salmela, K. Lukashev, A. N. Bobegamage, S. Roivainen, M.2008An enterovirus strain isolated from diabetic child belongs to a genetic subcluster of echovirus 11, but is also neutralised with monotypic antisera to coxsackievirus A91949-59 J Gen Virol89Pt 8 2008/07/18Aug!An enterovirus strain (designated D207) isolated from a Slovakian diabetic child and originally serotyped as coxsackievirus A9 (CAV-9) was found to cause rapid cytolysis coinciding with severe functional damage of the surviving cells in primary cultures of human pancreatic islets. This finding prompted us to clone the isolate for full-length genome sequencing and molecular characterization as the prototype strain of CAV-9 is known to cause only minimal damage to insulin-producing beta-cells. Based on capsid-coding sequence comparisons, the isolate turned out to be echovirus 11 (E-11). Phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that E-11/D207 was closely related to a specific subgroup B of E-11 strains known to cause uveitis. To study further antigenic properties of isolate E-11/D207 and uveitis-causing E-11 strains, neutralization experiments were carried out with CAV-9- and E-11-specific antisera. Unlike the prototype strains, the isolate E-11/D207 and uveitis-causing E-11 strains were well neutralized with both CAV-9- and E-11-specific antisera. Attempts to identify recombination of the capsid coding sequences as a reason for double-reactivity using the Simplot analysis failed to reveal major transferred motifs. However, peptide scanning technique was able to identify antigenic regions of capsid proteins of E-11/D207 as well as regions cross-reacting with an antiserum raised to CAV-9. Thus, double specificity of E-11/D207 seems to be a real characteristic shared by the phylogenetically closely related virus strains in the genetic subgroup B of E-11.18632967Al-Hello, Haider Paananen, Anja Eskelinen, Mervi Ylipaasto, Petri Hovi, Tapani Salmela, K Lukashev, Alexander N Bobegamage, Shubhada Roivainen, Merja England The Journal of general virology J Gen Virol. 2008 Aug;89(Pt 8):1949-59.0022-1317 (Print)3.120LEnterovirus Laboratory, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.+89/8/1949 [pii] 10.1099/vir.0.83 p _F7 bLappalainen, M. H. Roponen, M. Hyvarinen, A. Nevalainen, A. Laine, O. Pekkanen, J. Hirvonen, M. R.2008Exposure to environmental bacteria may have differing effects on tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-6-producing capacity in infancyClin Exp Allergy 2008/07/18Jun 23Background Our previous study showed an association between increased concentration of endotoxin in house dust and elevated IFN-gamma responses in neonates. The impact of other microbial agents on immune responses in infancy is poorly known. Objective To examine whether stimulated cytokine responses of mothers and their children are associated with concentrations of other microbial markers in addition to endotoxin in house dust samples. Methods Mitogen-stimulated production of IFN-gamma, IL-4, IL-6 and TNF-alpha was measured in cord blood and in peripheral blood of mothers (n=29) and their children (n=29) 3 months after birth. Gas chromatography mass spectrometric analysis was applied to measure the concentrations of ergosterol (marker of fungal biomass), muramic acid (indicating the presence of Gram-positive bacteria) and 3-hydroxy fatty acids (C(10:0)-C(14:0), indicating the presence of Gram-negative bacteria) in house dust. Endotoxin was determined with Limulus assay. Results Significant mother-to-child correlations were observed in stimulated production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 3 months after birth. 3-hydroxy fatty acid (C(10:0)-C(14:0)) levels in bed dust were inversely associated with the production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 in blood samples of mothers and their 3-month-old children. High concentrations of muramic acid in floor dust were related to increased production of TNF-alpha and IL-6 at the age of 3 months. In contrast to endotoxin, none of the other microbial markers were significantly associated with enhanced IFN-gamma-producing capacity from birth to 3 months. Conclusions Exposure to Gram-negative bacteria and their components may be associated with down-regulated immune responses in early infancy, indicated as an impaired production of pro-inflammatory cytokines following mitogen stimulation. Gram-positive bacteria and their constituents seem to have opposite effects. Of the measured markers, exposure to bioactive endotoxin appears to have the strongest impact on T-helper type 1 responses.18631349Clinical and experimental allergy : journal of the British Society for Allergy and Clinical Immunology Clin Exp Allergy. 2008 Jun 23;.1365-2222 (Electronic)3.729VDepartment of Environmental Health, National Public Health Institute, Kuopio, Finland.4CEA3054 [pii] 10.1111/j.1365-2222.2008.03 8|73Heikkinen, H. Jallinoja, P. Saarni, S. I. Patja, K.2008kThe impact of smoking on health-related and overall quality of life: A general population survey in Finland1199-207Nicotine Tob Res107 2008/07/17JulwThe objective of the study was to examine the association between overall and health-related quality of life and smoking in men and women of discrete smoking groups in Finland. The design was a Health 2000 Survey, conducted in Finland 2000-2001. The setting and participants were a two-stage, stratified, nationally representative cluster sample that comprised 8,028 persons aged 30 or over living in mainland Finland. Health-related quality of life was measured by the 15D questionnaire; and overall quality of life was assessed by a single question measure capturing the respondent's own perception and estimation of his/her quality of life. The present study showed that daily smokers had both lower health-related and overall quality of life than never-smokers among the Finnish adult population. Health-related quality of life profiles showed that daily smokers did worse than never-smokers in a considerable number of the health dimensions. The effects of smoking were observed not only through health: the daily smokers registered significantly lower ratings of overall quality of life compared with never-smokers, too. Both the health-related and overall quality of life of ex-smokers approached those of never-smokers. The results of the present study suggest that improved health is not the only benefit of smoking cessation; better quality of life and more fulfilling everyday living can also be expected. As the major health consequences of smoking usually manifest themselves only after several years of smoking, both health-related and overall quality of life measurements could be used as an intervention tool for motivating people to quit.18629730Heikkinen, Hanne Jallinoja, Piia Saarni, Samuli I Patja, Kristiina England Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco Nicotine Tob Res. 2008 Jul;10(7):1199-207.1462-2203 (Print)2.129yNational Public Health Institute (KTL), Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, Helsinki, Finland./794991807 [pii] 10.1080/146222008021F7NMiettinen, M. Veckman, V. Latvala, S. Sareneva, T. Matikainen, S. Julkunen, I.2008Live Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Streptococcus pyogenes differentially regulate Toll-like receptor (TLR) gene expression in human primary macrophages J Leukoc Biol 2008/07/16Jul 14Macrophages are phagocytes that recognize bacteria and subsequently activate appropriate innate and adaptive immune responses. TLRs are essential in identifying conserved bacterial structures and in initiating and mediating innate immune responses. In this work, we have characterized TLR gene expression in human monocyte-derived macrophages in response to stimulation with two live Gram-positive bacteria, a human commensal and probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG), and an important human pathogen Streptococcus pyogenes. LGG and S. pyogenes enhanced TLR2 expression in macrophages. LGG and S. pyogenes also required TLR2 for NF-kappaB activation. Only pathogenic S. pyogenes was able to up-regulate TLR3 and TLR7 gene expression. This up-regulation was dependent on IFN-alpha/beta, as neutralizing anti-IFN-alpha/beta antibodies reduced S. pyogenes-induced TLR3 and TLR7 mRNA expression. Our results show that despite similarities, TLR responses of macrophages differ for a Gram-positive probiotic and a pathogen. Our data suggest that macrophages can discriminate between probiotic and pathogenic bacteria by IFN-mediated TLR gene regulation.186259099Journal of leukocyte biology J Leukoc Biol. 2008 Jul 14;.0741-5400 (Print)4.128aDepartment of Viral Diseases and Immunology, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland.+jlb.1206737 [pii] 10.1189/jlb.120F7\Uusi-Rauva, K. Luiro, K. Tanhuanpaa, K. Kopra, O. Martin-Vasallo, P. Kyttala, A. Jalanko, A.2008lNovel interactions of CLN3 protein link Batten disease to dysregulation of fodrin-Na(+), K(+) ATPase complex Exp Cell Res 2008/07/16Jun 28BJuvenile neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis (JNCL, Batten disease) is the most common progressive neurodegenerative disorder of childhood. CLN3, the transmembrane protein underlying JNCL, is proposed to participate in multiple cellular events including membrane trafficking and cytoskeletal functions. We demonstrate here that CLN3 interacts with the plasma membrane-associated cytoskeletal and endocytic fodrin and the associated Na(+), K(+) ATPase. The ion pumping activity of Na(+), K(+) ATPase was unchanged in Cln3(-/-) mouse primary neurons. However, the immunostaining pattern of fodrin appeared abnormal in JNCL fibroblasts and Cln3(-/-) mouse brains suggesting disturbances in the fodrin cytoskeleton. Furthermore, the basal subcellular distribution as well as ouabain-induced endocytosis of neuron-specific Na(+), K(+) ATPase were remarkably affected in Cln3(-/-) mouse primary neurons. These data suggest that CLN3 is involved in the regulation of plasma membrane fodrin cytoskeleton and consequently, the plasma membrane association of Na(+), K(+) ATPase. Most of the processes regulated by multifunctional fodrin and Na(+), K(+) ATPase are also affected in JNCL and Cln3-deficiency implicating that dysregulation of fodrin cytoskeleton and non-pumping functions of Na(+), K(+) ATPase may play a role in the neuronal degeneration in JNCL.186210456Experimental cell research Exp Cell Res. 2008 Jun 28;.1090-2422 (Electronic)3.695Department of Molecular Medicine, National Public Health Institute and FIMM, Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland, Biomedicum, PO 104, 00251 Helsinki, Finland.=S0014-4827(08)00243-7 [pii] 10.1016/j.yexcr.2008.06 |7ZMetsala, J. Kilkkinen, A. Kaila, M. Tapanainen, H. Klaukka, T. Gissler, M. Virtanen, S. M.2008cPerinatal factors and the risk of asthma in childhood--a population-based register study in Finland170-8Am J Epidemiol1682 2008/05/31Adult Anti-Asthmatic Agents/therapeutic use Apgar Score Asthma/ epidemiology Birth Weight Case-Control Studies Child Child, Preschool Delivery, Obstetric/methods Female Finland/epidemiology Humans Infant Infant, Newborn Infant, Premature Infant, Small for Gestational Age Male Maternal Age Multivariate Analysis Parity Pregnancy Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects Risk Factors Smoking/adverse effects Statistics, NonparametricJul 15UThe aim of the study was to assess whether perinatal factors are associated with the risk of asthma in childhood in a register-based, nested case-control study in Finland. All children born between January 1, 1996, and April 30, 2004, who were entitled to a special reimbursement for antiasthmatic drugs (i.e., had diagnosed asthma by 2006 and had purchased inhaled corticosteroids or montelukast at least once), were identified (n = 21,038). For each case, one matched control child was selected. The associations between perinatal factors, derived from the Finnish Medical Birth Register, and the risk of asthma were analyzed by conditional logistic regression. In the final multivariate model, maternal asthma, young age, smoking, previous miscarriages, and a high number of previous deliveries, as well as cesarean section, low gestational age, and low ponderal index, were associated with an increased risk of asthma in children diagnosed before the age of 3 years. Among children diagnosed at the age of 3 years or later, maternal asthma, low gestational age, and low ponderal index were associated with an increased risk, and a high number of previous deliveries was associated with a decreased risk of asthma. In conclusion, perinatal factors play a role in the development of asthma in childhood, but the etiology may differ in early and late-onset asthma.18511427Metsala, Johanna Kilkkinen, Annamari Kaila, Minna Tapanainen, Heli Klaukka, Timo Gissler, Mika Virtanen, Suvi M Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't United States American journal of epidemiology Am J Epidemiol. 2008 Jul 15;168(2):170-8. Epub 2008 May 28.1476-6256 (Electronic)5.285Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. johanna.metsala@ktl.fi%kwn105 [pii] 10.1093/aje/kw |7Marttila-Ichihara, F. Turja, R. Miiluniemi, M. Karikoski, M. Maksimow, M. Niemela, J. Martinez-Pomares, L. Salmi, M. Jalkanen, S.2008CMacrophage mannose receptor on lymphatics controls cell trafficking64-72Blood1121 2008/04/250Animals Antigen Presentation Antigens, Neoplasm B-Lymphocytes/immunology/physiology Cell Adhesion Cell Line, Tumor Cell Movement Dendritic Cells/immunology/pathology Female Lectins, C-Type/deficiency/genetics/ physiology Lymphatic Metastasis Lymphatic System/cytology/ physiology Macrophages/immunology/ physiology Male Mannose-Binding Lectins/deficiency/genetics/ physiology Melanoma, Experimental/immunology/pathology/secondary Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Mice, Knockout Receptors, Cell Surface/deficiency/genetics/ physiology T-Lymphocytes/immunology/physiologyJul 1cMacrophage mannose receptor (MR) participates in pathogen recognition, clearance of endogenous serum glycoproteins, and antigen presentation. MR is also present on lymphatic vessels, where its function is unknown. Here we show that migration of lymphocytes from the skin into the draining lymph nodes through the afferent lymphatics is reduced in MR-deficient mice, while the structure of lymphatic vasculature remains normal in these animals. Moreover, in a tumor model the primary tumors grow significantly bigger in MR(-/-) mice than in the wild-type (WT) controls, whereas the regional lymph node metastases are markedly smaller. Adhesion of both normal lymphocytes and tumor cells to lymphatic vessels is significantly decreased in MR-deficient mice. The ability of macrophages to present tumor antigens is indistinguishable between the 2 genotypes. Thus, MR on lymphatic endothelial cells is involved in leukocyte trafficking and contributes to the metastatic behavior of cancer cells. Blocking of MR may provide a new approach to controlling inflammation and cancer metastasis by targeting the lymphatic vasculature.18434610Marttila-Ichihara, Fumiko Turja, Raisa Miiluniemi, Mari Karikoski, Marika Maksimow, Mikael Niemela, Jussi Martinez-Pomares, Luisa Salmi, Marko Jalkanen, Sirpa Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't United States Blood Blood. 2008 Jul 1;112(1):64-72. Epub 2008 Apr 23.1528-0020 (Electronic)10.896MediCity Research Laboratory and Department of Medical Microbiology, Turku University and National Public Health Institute, Turku, Finland.=blood-2007-10-118984 [pii] 10.1182/blood-2007-10-L|7;Erkkila, L. Saario, E. Laitinen, K. Saikku, P. Leinonen, M.2008cIntragastric primary infection sensitizes to lung reinfection in a Chlamydia pneumoniae mouse model2503-9Vaccine2620 2008/04/25^Animals Antibodies, Bacterial/analysis/blood Blood/immunology Chlamydophila Infections/ immunology Chlamydophila pneumoniae/ growth & development/ immunology Female Immunoglobulin A/analysis Immunoglobulin G/blood Liver/microbiology Lung/immunology/microbiology/pathology Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Pneumonia, Bacterial/ immunology Stomach/ microbiologyMay 12The most frequently used infection route in Chlamydia pneumoniae animal models is intranasal (i.n.), while the intragastric (i.g.) infection route has not been studied previously. The aim of the present study was to examine the course of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in mice infected via the i.g. route and to compare the outcome of i.n. reinfection in these mice to i.n. reinfection of primarily i.n. infected mice. C57BL/6JBom mice were used, and the infection was monitored using chlamydial culture, C. pneumoniae PCR and histological examination of several tissues, and antibody measurements. C. pneumoniae was able to disseminate from the gastrointestinal tract to other organs, and i.g. inoculation led to an immunological response. In addition, the primary i.g. challenge made mice more susceptible to i.n. reinfection. In conclusion, the results suggest that the nature of the immune response to a previous C. pneumoniae infection affects the outcome of reinfection.18433949Erkkila, Leena Saario, Elise Laitinen, Kirsi Saikku, Pekka Leinonen, Maija Netherlands Vaccine Vaccine. 2008 May 12;26(20):2503-9. Epub 2008 Apr 3.0264-410X (Print)3.377pNational Public Health Institute, Department of Child and Adolescent Health, Oulu, Finland. leena.erkkila@ktl.fi?S0264-410X(08)00306-X [pii] 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.d|7Palmu, A. Jokinen, J. Kilpi, T.2008yImpact of different case definitions for acute otitis media on the efficacy estimates of a pneumococcal conjugate vaccine2466-70Vaccine2620 2008/04/19Child, Preschool Haemophilus influenzae/ immunology/isolation & purification Humans Infant Otitis Media/microbiology/ prevention & control Pneumococcal Infections/microbiology/ prevention & control Pneumococcal Vaccines/ immunology Vaccines, Conjugate/immunologyMay 12:Considerably higher vaccine efficacy estimate for clinical acute otitis media (AOM) has been obtained for the 11-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine with protein D of Haemophilus influenzae as a carrier (PncPD11) in the POET study than for the 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PncCRM7) in the Finnish Otitis Media (FinOM) Vaccine Trial. We recalculated PncCRM7 efficacy from the FinOM data using a case definition for AOM very close to the POET definition and a definition giving an incidence for AOM in the control group comparable to that obtained in the POET study. The different case definitions had only a slight impact on the vaccine efficacy estimates compared to the original case definitions. We were not able to show that the differences between the study results would be due to the case definitions used.18420315Palmu, Arto Jokinen, Jukka Kilpi, Terhi Finnish Otitis Media Study Group Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Netherlands Vaccine Vaccine. 2008 May 12;26(20):2466-70. Epub 2008 Mar 31.0264-410X (Print)3.377yNational Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland; Tampere School of Public Health, Tampere, Finland. arto.palmu@ktl.fi?S0264-410X(08)00316-2 [pii] 10.1016/j.vaccine.2008.0 N ?|7_Jarvinen, T. M. Harjutsalo, V. Kinnunen, L. Miettinen, M. E. Tuomilehto-Wolf, E. Tuomilehto, J.2008A population-specific diabetogenic haplotype HLA-A2,Cw1,B56,DR4,DQ8 is associated with high birthweight in Finnish diabetic families207-13 Genes Immun93 2008/02/15Birth Weight/ genetics Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1/ genetics Female Finland Genetic Predisposition to Disease/ genetics Genotype HLA-A2 Antigen/ genetics Haplotypes/genetics Humans Infant, Newborn Linear Models Male Maternal Age Sex FactorsAprPChildren with type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility HLA genotypes are shown to have an increased birthweight. We investigated to what extent T1D-predisposing HLA haplotypes were associated with increased birthweight. A total of 1255 Finnish children comprising those with T1D and their non-diabetic siblings were investigated. A total of 342 children and their non-diabetic parents were HLA genotyped. Birthweight data were obtained from the national Medical Birth Registry. The population-specific diabetogenic haplotype HLA-A2,Cw1,B56,DR4,DQ8 was associated with high birthweight (P=0.0280) in families with a diabetic offspring. Other T1D-predisposing HLA haplotypes showed nonsignificant tendency with high birthweight. More infants with a birthweight >or=4000 g were born in families with a T1D offspring than in the general Finnish population (P=0.0139). The previously observed direct association between birthweight and T1D risk may be mediated through the modulating effects that T1D susceptibility HLA genes have on weight. High birthweight and subsequent weight gain may accelerate the ongoing pancreatic autoimmune process in genetically susceptible individuals. The high proportion of infants having a birthweight >or=4000 g in families with a diabetic offspring raises a concern of potential adverse health outcomes that high birthweight can have.18273034Jarvinen, T M Harjutsalo, V Kinnunen, L Miettinen, M E Tuomilehto-Wolf, E Tuomilehto, J Comparative Study Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't England Genes and immunity Genes Immun. 2008 Apr;9(3):207-13. Epub 2008 Feb 14.1476-5470 (Electronic)4.088Diabetes Unit, Department of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease Prevention, National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, Finland. tiina.m.jarvinen@helsinki.fi)gene20083 [pii] 10.1038/gene.200 n105 [doi]eng 118984 [doi]eng054.x [doi]Eng .016 [doi]Eng 8.3 [doi]eng474-0 [doi]eng 6737 [doi]Eng 724 [pii]Eng63142 [doi]eng 03.034 [doi]eng3.013 [doi]engPK8k8I/**refs.FRM 0B< !// !HPRIMARYyearIndex 6ByP/) idreference_type text_stylesauthoryear title pages secondary_title volume numbernumber_of_volumessecondary_authorplace_published publishersubsidiary_authoredition keywords type_of_workdate2)  abstractlabelurltertiary_titletertiary_author notes isbn custom_1 custom_2 custom_3 custom_4alternate_titleaccession_number call_number short_title custom_5 custom_6sectionoriginal_publicationH) reprint_editionreviewed_itemauthor_addressimagecaption custom_7 electronic_resource_number link_to_pdf translated_author translated_titlename_of_databasedatabase_providerresearch_notes language access_datelast_modified_date !! 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