16.1.2009

Al-Hello, H., Ylipaasto, P., Smura, T., Rieder, E., Hovi, T. and Roivainen, M.

Journal of Medical Virology. 2009; 81(2): 296-304. Article. IF 2.831

It was shown recently that 15 successive passages of a laboratory strain of the Coxsackie B virus 5 in a mouse pancreas (CBV-5-MPP) resulted in apparent changes in the virus phenotype, which led to the capacity to induce a diabetes-like syndrome in mice. For further characterization of islet cell interactions with a passaged virus strain, a murine insulinoma cell line, MIN-6, was selected as an experimental model. The CBV-5-MPP virus strain was not able to replicate in MIN-6 cells in vitro but required adaptation over a few days for progeny production and the generation of cytopathic effects. In order to determine the genetic characteristics required for virus growth in MIN-6 cells, the whole genome of the MIN-6-adapted virus variant was sequenced, and critical amino acids were identified by comparing the sequence with that of a virus strain passaged repeatedly in the mouse pancreas.

The results of site-directed mutagenesis demonstrated that only one residue, amino acid 94 of VP1, is a major determinant for virus adaptation to MIN-6 cells. J. Med. Virol. 81:296-304, 2009. (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Effect of Regulative European Policies to the Level of DBP Exposure from Normal Use of Consumer Products

Asikainen, A., Vermande, E., Schuur, G., Vardoulakis, S. and Jantunen, M.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S225-S225. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Physical activity, mood and the functioning of daily living A longitudinal study among former elite athletes and referents in middle and old age

Backmand, H. M., Kaprio, J., Kujala, U. M. and Sarna, S.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2009; 48(1): 1-9. Article. IF 1.289

We studied whether factors related to type of sport participated in as young adults and level of and changes in physical activity later in life predict changes in mood as well as functioning during a 6-year follow-up. A cohort of male Finnish former athletes (N = 504), referents (N = 349) was followed up for changes in physical activity, in relation to subsequent self-reported mood and functioning of daily living in 1985, 1995, and 2001. The mean age of the cohort was 68.6 years in 2001. Multinomial logistic regression analysis was used to assess changes in mood and functioning between 1995 and 2001 in relation to baseline values and changes in exposure variables and covariates. A low level of physical activity in 1985 predicted a decrease in physical functioning between 1995 and 2001 in the lowest physical activity compared to the highest quintile as well as poor physical functioning at the end of follow-up in 2001. An increase in physical activity between 1985 and 1995 protected against onset of anxiety between 1995 and 2001.

Physical activity for elderly seems to have an important role in reducing the progress of deficiencies in physical functioning and in preventing onset of anxiety. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Ambient Air Pollution and Daily Mortality Among Survivors of Myocardial Infarction

Berglind, N., Bellander, T., Forastiere, F., von Klot, S., Aalto, P., Elosua, R., Kulmala, M., Lanki, T., Lowel, H., Peters, A., Picciotto, S., Salomaa, V., Stafoggia, M., Sunyer, J. and Nyberg, F.

Epidemiology. 2009; 20(1): 110-118. Article. IF 5.283

Background: Certain subgroups in the general population, such as persons with existing cardiovascular or respiratory disease, may be more likely to experience adverse health effects from air pollution.

Methods: In this European multicenter study, 25,006 myocardial infarction (MI) survivors in 5 cities were recruited from 1992 to 2002 via registers, and daily mortality was followed for 6 to 12 years in relation to ambient particulate and gaseous air pollution exposure. Daily air pollution levels were obtained from central monitor sites, and particle number concentrations were measured in 2001 and estimated retrospectively based on measured pollutants and meteorology. City-specific effect estimates from time-series analyses with Poisson regression were pooled over all 5 cities.

Results: Particle number concentrations and PM, averaged over 2 days (lag 0-1) were associated with increased total nontrauma mortality for patients of age 35 to 74 (5.6% [95% confidence interval, 2.8%-8.5%] per 10,000/cm(3) and 5.1% [1.6%-9.3%] per 10 mu g/m(3), respectively). For longer averaging times (5 and 15 days), carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide were also associated with mortality. There were no clear associations with ozone or sulfur dioxide.

Conclusion: Exposure to traffic-related air pollution was associated with daily mortality in M1 survivors. Point estimates suggest a stronger effect of air pollution in MI survivors than among the general population.

NF-kappa B is transported into the nucleus via a subset of importin a molecules

Fagerlund, R., Melen, K., Can, X. M. and Julkunen, I.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 331-331. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Particulate Air Pollution and Acute Cardiorespiratory Hospital Admissions and Mortality Among the Elderly

Halonen, J. I., Lanki, T., Yli-Tuomi, T., Tiittanen, P., Kulmala, M. and Pekkanen, J.

Epidemiology. 2009; 20(1): 143-153. Article. IF 5.283

Background: It is known that particulate air pollution affects cardiorespiratory health; however, it is unclear which particle size fractions and sources of particles are responsible for the health effects.

Methods: Daily levels of nucleation (<0.03 mu m), Aitken (0.03-0.1 mu m), accumulation (0.1-0.29 mu m), and coarse mode (2.5-10 mu m) particles, particles with diameter <2.5 mu m (PM2.5), and gaseous pollutants were measured at central outdoor measurement sites in Helsinki, Finland between 1998 and 2004. We determined the associations of particles with daily cardiorespiratory mortality and acute hospital admissions among the elderly (>= 65 years). For the analyses we used Poisson generalized additive models and for the source apportionment of PM2.5 we used the EPA positive matrix factorization method.

Results: There was a suggestion of an association of hospital admissions for arrhythmia with Aitken mode particles and PM,., from traffic. Otherwise few associations were observed between various sizes and types of particles and either cardiovascular admissions or mortality. In contrast, most particle fractions had positive associations with admissions for pneumonia and asthma-chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The strongest and most consistent associations were found for accumulation mode particles (3.1%; 95% confidence interval = 0.43-5.8 for pneumonia over the 5-day mean, and 3.8%; 1.3-6.3 for asthma-COPD at lag 0, for an interquartile increase in particles). We also found a positive association of respiratory mortality mainly with accumulation mode particles (5.1%; 1.2-9.0 at lag 0).

Conclusions: All particle fractions including Aitken, accumulation, and coarse mode had especially adverse respiratory health effects among the elderly. Overall associations were stronger for respiratory than for cardiovascular outcomes.

Health Risks of Heavy Metals from Long-Range Transported Air Pollution in Europe

Hanninen, O. O., Kim, R. and Krzyzanowski, M.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S171-S172. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Chemical Compositions Responsible for Inflammation and Tissue Damage in the Mouse Lung by Coarse and Fine Particulate Samples from Contrasting Air Pollution in Europe

Happo, M. S., Hirvonen, M. R., Halinen, A. I., Jalava, P. I., Pennanen, A. S., Sillanpaa, M., Hillamo, R. and Salonen, R. O.

Inhalation Toxicology. 2008; 20(14): 1215-1231. Article. IF 1.831

Inflammation is regarded as an important mechanism in mortality and morbidity associated with exposures of cardiorespiratory patients to urban air particulate matter. We investigated the association of the chemical composition and sources of urban air fine (PM2.5-0.2) and coarse (PM10-2.5) particulate samples with the inflammatory activity in the mouse lung. The particulate samples were collected during selected seasons in six European cities using a high-volume cascade impactor. Healthy C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally instilled with a single dose (10 mg/kg) of the particulate samples. At 4, 12, and 24 h after the exposure, the lungs were lavaged and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was assayed for indicators of inflammation and tissue damage: cell number, total protein, and cytokines (tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha, interleukin [IL]-6, and KC). Dicarboxylic acids and transition metals, especially Ni and V, in PM2.5-0.2 correlated positively and some secondary inorganic ions (NO3-, NH4+) negatively with the inflammatory activity. Total organic matter and SO42- had no consistent correlations. In addition, the soil-derived constituents (Ca2+, Al, Fe, Si) showed positive correlations with the PM2.5-0.2-induced inflammatory activity, but their role in PM10 (2.5) remained obscure, possibly due to largely undefined biogenic material. Markers of poor biomass and coal combustion, i.e., monosaccharide anhydrides and As, were associated with elevated PAH contents in PM2.5 (0.2) and a consistent immunosuppressive effect.

Overall, our results support epidemiological findings that the local sources of incomplete combustion and resuspended road dust are important in urban air particulate pollution-related health effects.

Preterm Birth and Bone Mineral Density in Young Adulthood: The Helsinki Study of Very Low Birth Weight Adults

Hovi, P., Andersson, S., Jarvenpaa, A., Eriksson, J. G., Strang-Karlsson, S., Kajantie, E. and Makitie, O.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2008; 23: S30-S30. Meeting Abstract. IF 6.004

Prevalence, detection and drug treatment of hypertension in a rural Australian population: the Greater Green Triangle Risk Factor Study 2004-2006

Janus, E. D., Bunker, S. J., Kilkkinen, A., Mc Namara, K., Philpot, B., Tideman, P., Tirimacco, R., Laatikainen, T. K., Heistaro, S. and Dunbar, J. A.

Internal Medicine Journal. 2008; 38(12): 879-886. Article. IF 1.570

Background: Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, limited findings are available on its detection and management in rural Australia.

Aim: To assess the prevalence, awareness and treatment of hypertension in a rural South-East Australian population.

Methods: Three cross-sectional surveys in Limestone Coast, Corangamite Shire and Wimmera regions during 2004-2006 using a random population sample (n = 3320, participation rate 49%) aged 25-74 years. Blood pressure was measured by trained nurses. Information on history of hypertension and medication was obtained by questionnaires. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure >= 140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure >= 90 mmHg and/or on antihypertensive drug treatment.

Results: Overall, one-third of participants had hypertension; of these, two-thirds, 54% (95% confidence interval (CI) 47-60) of men and 71% (95% CI 65-77) of women, were aware of their condition. Half of the participants with hypertension were treated and nearly half of these were controlled. Both treatment and control were more common in women (60%, 95% CI 54-67 and 55%, 95% CI 47-64) compared with men (42%, 95% CI 36-49 and 35%, 95% CI 26-44). Monotherapy was used by 55% (95% CI 48-61) of treated hypertensives. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors were the most frequently used class of antihypertensive drugs in men, whereas angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists and diuretics were all widely used among women.

Conclusion: This study emphasizes suboptimal detection and treatment of hypertension, especially in men, in rural Australia.

Risk factors for death in a cohort of patients with and without healthcare-associated infections in Finnish acute care hospitals

Kanerva, M., Ollgren, J., Virtanen, M. J. and Lyytikainen, O.

Journal of Hospital Infection. 2008; 70(4): 353-360. Article. IF 2.470

We evaluated risk factors for death among hospitalised patients with healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) using the McCabe classification and Charlson index to predict mortality. The study consisted of a cohort of 703 patients with HCAIs and 7531 patients without HCAI in acute care hospitals participating in the Finnish national prevalence survey in 2005. We used Centers for Disease Control and Prevention definitions for HCAIs and recorded the McCabe classification for comorbidity. We used the date from the prevalence survey and the patient's national identity code in order to retrieve data from the National, Hospital Discharge Registry on discharge diagnoses (International Classification of Diseases-10 codes) for the Charlson index and the dates of death from the National Population Information System. Of all inpatients, 425 (5.2%) died within 28 days from the prevalence survey date; the death rate was higher in HCAI patients than in those without HCAI (9.8% vs 4.7%, P < 0.001). In the multivariate regression analysis age >65 years, intensive care, McCabe classification and Charlson index, gastrointestinal system infection and pneumonia/other lower respiratory tract infections were independent predictors for death. The survival analysis, when adjusted by McCabe class or Charlson index, showed that HCAI reduced survival only among patients without severe underlying diseases. Certain types of HCAI increased the risk of death. The McCabe classification had advantages over the Charlson index as a predictor of death, because it was easier to collect from a prevalence survey. (c) 2008 The Hospital Infection Society. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

MYO9B polymorphisms in multiple sclerosis

Kemppinen, A., Suvela, M., Tienari, P. J., Elovaara, I., Koivisto, K., Pirttila, T., Reunanen, M., Rautakorpi, I., Hillert, J., Lundmark, F., Oturai, A., Ryder, L., Harbo, H. F., Celius, E. G., Palotie, A., Daly, M., Peltonen, L. and Saarela, J.

Eur J Hum Genet. 2009. IF 4.003

Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the 3' region of myosin IXB (MYO9B) gene have recently been reported to associate with different inflammatory or autoimmune diseases. We monitored for the association of MYO9B variants to multiple sclerosis (MS) in four Northern European populations. First, 18 SNPs including 6 SNPs with previous evidence for association to immune disorders, were tested in 730 Finnish MS families, but no linkage or family-based association was observed. To ensure the power to detect variants with a modest effect size, we further analyzed 10 variants in 899 Finnish cases and 1325 controls, and in a total of 1521 cases and 1476 controls from Denmark, Norway and Sweden, but found no association. Our results thereby do not support a major function of the tested MYO9B variants in MS.European Journal of Human Genetics advance online publication, 14 January 2009; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2008.251.

Do childhood social circumstances affect overweight and obesity in early adulthood?

Kestila, L., Rahkonen, O., Martelin, T., Lahti-Koski, M. and Koskinen, S.

Scand J Public Health. 2009. IF 1.222

AIMS: The aim of the study was to examine the association of childhood circumstances with overweight and obesity in early adulthood, to analyse whether the respondent's education and current circumstances mediate these associations, and to explore whether the respondent's health behaviour affects these associations.

DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional study with retrospective inquiries.

METHODS: The study was based on a representative two-stage cluster sample (N = 1894, participation rate 79%) of young adults aged 18-29 years in Finland in 2000. The outcome measure was three-class body mass index (BMI) (normal weight, overweight, and obesity). Multinomial logistic regression was used as the main statistical tool.

RESULTS: In women, childhood circumstances (low parental education (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 2.43), parental unemployment (RRR = 2.09) and single-parent family (RRR = 1.99)) increased the risk of overweight (25 /= 30) in women in the age-adjusted models, and being bullied at school remained a significant predictor after adjusting for all childhood and current determinants. In both genders, the strong association between parental education and obesity remained significant after adjusting for all other determinants (for the lowest educational category, RRR = 3.56 in women, and RRR = 6.55 in men).

CONCLUSIONS: Childhood factors predict overweight and obesity in early adulthood. This effect is stronger on obesity than on overweight and in women than in men, and it seems to be partly mediated by adult circumstances. The results emphasize the lasting effect of childhood socioeconomic position on adult obesity. When preventive policies are being planned, social circumstances in childhood should be addressed.

Evaluation of As, Cd, Cu and Ni Exposure and Health Risks in People Living Near a Cu-Ni Smelter

Kollanus, V., Pennanen, A., Tuomisto, J. T. and Komulainen, H.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S168-S168. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Tick-borne encephalitis virus proteins PRM and NS1 act as potent inhibitors of cytokine gene expression

Kuivanen, S., Kaukinen, P., Sillapaa, M., De Castillo, N. U., Vaheri, A., Julkunen, L. and Vapalahti, O.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 332-332. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Omega-3 Fatty Acid and Methylmercury Effects on Intelligence Quotient (IQ) in Children Due to Prenatal Fish Exposure

Leino, O. E. and Tuomisto, J. T.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S140-S140. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Effect Modification of Interleukin-6 Response to Ambient Carbon Monoxide Levels by Fibrinogen and Interleukin-6 Polymorphisms

Ljungman, P. L. S., Bellander, T., Schneider, A., Breitner, S., Katsouyanni, K., Forastiere, F., Sunyer, J., Lanki, T., Rosenqvist, M., Cyrys, J., Illig, T., Koenig, W. and Peters, A.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S174-S175. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Underreporting of external cause codes in the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register

Lunetta, P., Impinen, A. and Lounamaa, A.

Scandinavian Journal of Public Health. 2008; 36(8): 870-874. Article. IF 1.222

Background: Hospital discharge data ( HDD) represent one of the most valuable information sources for injury prevention and control.

Objectives: To investigate external code of injury ( E-code) underreporting in the Finnish National Hospital Discharge Register from 1 January 1987 to 31 December 2004.

Material and methods: HDD for discharges with an injury as the main diagnosis were extracted from the FNHDR. The selection was made using codes for nature of injury ( 198721995, ICD-9; 1996-2004, ICD-10). The proportion of injury discharges with a missing E-code was examined by sex, age, hospital districts, type of hospital, duration of hospitalization, and nature of injury.

Results: In 432,549 ( 23.1%) of the recorded 1,868,519 discharges, an E-code was missing. The proportion of the discharges with a missing E-code varied among the above variables. During the period 1987-2004, the overall E-code underreporting decreased from 18.0% to 12.8%. The introduction of the ICD-10 in 1996 was followed by a dramatic increase ( up to 57.5% of all discharges) in E-code underreporting.

Conclusions: More attention ought to be dedicated to teaching and periodic training on the use of E-codes. Educational activities should specifically target the medical doctors, who, in Finland, are responsible for assigning the E-codes.

Multiple intracellular signaling pathways contribute to synergistic TLR ligand-induced cytokine gene expression in human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Makela, S., Strengell, M., Pietila, T., Osterlund, P. and Julkunen, I.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 281-282. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Prospective evaluation of pyrosequencing for the rapid detection of isoniazid and rifampin resistance in clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates

Marttila, H., Makinen, J., Marjamaki, M. and Soini, H.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 2009; 28(1): 33-38. Article. IF 2.309

A pyrosequencing-based method for the rapid detection of isoniazid (INH) and rifampin (RIF) resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis was evaluated in clinical practice. The method can detect the INH resistance-causing katG315 mutation, and all mutations in the RIF resistance-determining rpoB core region, in less than 6 h from cultured isolates. The method was first validated with 42 isolates, and was subsequently prospectively evaluated with 91 isolates, including clinical isolates and external quality control assessment strains, over a period of 2.5 years. The pyrosequencing results of clinical isolates were available, on average, 19 days earlier (median 19 days; range 3-43 days) than conventional susceptibility testing results.

The composite data showed that the sensitivity of pyrosequencing for detecting resistance correctly was 66.7% for INH and 97.4% for RIF. The specificity of pyrosequencing was 100% for both drugs. Acceptable sensitivity for detecting resistance and the rapidness of pyrosequencing make it a valuable tool in the clinical setting.

Developing a Conceptual Model for Risk-Benefit Analysis of Disinfection Byproducts and Microbes in Drinking Water

Merilainen, P., Tuomisto, J. J., Grellier, J., Iszatt, N., Lehtola, M., Nieuwenhuijsen, M. and Vartiainen, T.

Epidemiology. 2008; 19(6): S145-S145. Meeting Abstract. IF 5.283

Effect of a Dissociating Glucocorticoid Receptor Modulator on Bone Cells

Nelo, K., Kiiskila, E., Kallio, E., Ilvesaro, J., Surcel, H. M., Risteli, J., Nissinen, M., Nilsen, A., Jarvelainen, H. A., Scanlan, T. S. and Tuukkanen, J.

Journal of Bone and Mineral Research. 2008; 23: S178-S178. Meeting Abstract. IF 6.004

Point-of-care testing of group A streptococcal antigen: performance evaluated by external quality assessment

Nissinen, A., Stranden, P., Myllys, R., Takkinen, J., Bjorkman, Y., Leinikki, P. and Siitonen, A.

European Journal of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases. 2009; 28(1): 17-20. Article. IF 2.309

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall performance of rapid antigen detection (RAD) in group A streptococcus (GAS) in Finland by using the results of external quality assurance (EQA) samples. We also compared the performance of laboratory professionals to that of nursing professionals.

Around 22,800 EQA results among a total of 383 laboratories and physician's offices were analysed. Vocational data on the personnel who carried out the tests were available for 10,088 EQA samples, 7,428 of which were tested by laboratory technicians and 2,531 by nursing staff. The best overall performance was found with GAS-negative samples: 99% of the reports were correct. In contrast, the overall performance was only 76% when the samples were weakly positive for GAS antigen. The laboratory technicians performed statistically significantly better than the nursing staff, with both strongly positive (correct results 98.9% vs. 95.1%, respectively; p < 0.001) and weakly positive (79.3% vs. 65.3%, respectively; p < 0.001) samples. With negative samples, no difference in performance between the laboratory and nursing staff was found (99.5% vs. 99.0%, respectively). The professional skills of the person performing the RAD test for GAS have a major impact on the sensitivity of the test.

Based on the results of this study, we suggest that EQA-like artificial specimens could be used as a tool to improve and validate the quality of RAD testing in individual testing sites.

The effect of trust and change in trust on self-rated health: A longitudinal study among aging people

Nummela, O., Sulander, T., Rahkonen, O. and Uutela, A.

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2009. IF 1.289

This study examined whether trust predicted subsequent self-rated health over time at 3 years follow-up among aging people, and whether changes in trust were associated with self-rated health. Longitudinal, questionnaire-based data were collected from three age cohorts (born in 1926-1930, 1936-1940, and 1946-1950) living in the Province of Paijat-Hame, southern Finland. The response rate at the baseline in 2002 was 66% (n=2815). The follow-up was carried out in 2005, with 79% of eligible individuals participating (n=2216). Logistic regression analyses were used to derive the results. High trust was a strong predictor for good self-rated health at the follow-up. Adjusting for background variables, however, attenuated the association. In addition, good self-rated health was most common among men with sustained high trust, among women the association was somewhat weaker. Among men improvement in trust was associated with good self-rated health, but this correlation weakened after multiple adjustments. Thus, longitudinally trust is an important contributor to self-rated health among aging people. Moreover, improvement of trust but also the stability of high trust especially among men indicate better self-rated health.

Trust has a positive effect on health and should therefore be seen as a significant element in health promotion.

Induction of IFN responses in influenza B virus-infected human monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Osterlund, P., Strengell, M. and Julkunen, I.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 317-317. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Exposure to environmental tobacco smoke at work, at home, and during leisure time: a cross-sectional population sample

Patja, K., Vainiotalo, S., Laatikainen, T., Kuusimaki, L., Peltonen, K. and Vartiainen, E.

Nicotine Tob Res. 2008; 10(8): 1327-33. IF 2.129

Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is among the most common environmental health risks, with a striking and immediate biological response and increased disease risk. Exposure studies have looked mostly at worksite or home exposures, whereas total exposure levels at the population level are rarely reported. This study examined ETS exposure at work, at home, and during leisure time in a cross-sectional population sample of working-age adults. Our aim was to monitor changes in ETS exposure from 1992 to 2002. More detailed information on duration of exposure, distribution of exposure sites, and patterns of exposure was obtained in 2002. Data were based on Finland's national population chronic disease risk-factor surveys (conducted every 5 years). Total sample size varied from 8,000 to 13,500. The survey includes a self-administered questionnaire about ETS exposure at different sites. The proportion of nonsmoking persons exposed to ETS declined throughout the study period among both men and women. In 2002, 5.9% of male and 3.6% of female nonsmokers were exposed to ETS 1 hour or more per day, whereas 5.8% of men and 1.7% women were exposed less than 1 hour daily. Worksite exposure was more common among younger age groups of both sexes, but nonsmoking women in older age groups received more exposure at home than at worksites. Policy developments on ETS should aim to protect the whole population from ETS in all environments given that health risks from ETS often persist at home and in leisure environments. Total exposure levels should be studied to assess the health impacts of ETS.

Problems in using incidence to analyze risk factors in follow-up studies

Pekkanen, J. and Sunyer, J.

Eur J Epidemiol. 2008; 23(9): 581-4. IF 1.727

The most common practice to analyze epidemiological follow-up studies is to analyze risk factors of new, i.e. incident, cases of disease. However, analysis of incidence assumes that diseases exist in true dichotomies, which is unlikely to be true. It has also recently been shown that in many typical situations it is very difficult to separate the association between risk factors of disease at baseline and during follow-up using analyses of incidence. Situation is especially problematic for diseases that have large misclassification and low incidence, like asthma. We suggest that reliance on analysis of incidence may be a major obstacle into discovering causes of such disease. Only with greater attention into how to define and how to analyze prospective studies are we likely to learn sufficiently of risk factors of such disease to finally arrive at means for their prevention.

The role of type I and type III interferons in Salmonella-infected dendritic cells

Pietila, T. E., Osterlund, P. and Julkunen, I.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 317-317. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in size-segregated particulate matter from six urban sites in Europe

Saarnio, K., Sillanpaa, M., Hillamo, R., Sandell, E., Pennanen, A. S. and Salonen, R. O.

Atmospheric Environment. 2008; 42(40): 9087-9097. Article. IF 2.549

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were investigated in size-segregated particulate samples collected in a series of 7-week sampling campaigns in Europe 2002-2003. The principal objective of the study was to provide new insight into the distribution of PAHs between ultrafine, fine and coarse particle size ranges during different particulate pollution situations in Europe. The samplings were conducted in urban background sites of six cities: Duisburg, Germany (autumn), Prague, Czech Republic (winter), Amsterdam, The Netherlands (winter), Helsinki, Finland (spring), Barcelona, Spain (spring) and Athens, Greece (summer). Particulate samples were collected in 3- and 4-day periods per week using a high volume cascade impactor (HVCI). 32 PAHs were analysed from pooled samples in ultrafine (PM0.2), fine (PM0.2-2.5) and coarse (PM2.5-10) size ranges. The campaigns showed different PAH profiles, not only by concentration but also by detailed PAH composition. The PAH concentrations were high (PM10-PAH 9.9-55 ng m(-3)) in the autumn and winter campaigns compared to spring and summer samples (PM10-PAH 2.9-5.2 ng m(-3)). In Prague, the PAH contribution was the highest in PM0.2, whereas in the five other cities the PAH contribution was the highest in PM0.2-2.5. PAHS with four rings had a large contribution (41-47% of total PAH concentration in PM10) to the total PAHs in each of the campaigns. In cold-season campaigns, the contributions of the 5- and 6-ring PAHs, many of which are suspected carcinogens or genotoxic agents, became prominent in the fine (28-45%) and ultrafine (41-65%) size ranges. The representativeness of benzo[a]pyrene as a marker of total and known carcinogenic PAHs was poorer than that of benzo[k]fluoranthene. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Effects of risk-based multifactorial fall prevention on postural balance in the community-dwelling aged: A randomized controlled trial

Salminen, M., Vahlberg, T., Sihvonen, S., Sjosten, N., Piirtola, M., Isoaho, R., Aarnio, P. and Kivela, S. L.

Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2009; 48(1): 22-27. Article. IF 1.289

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of 12-month risk-based multifactorial fall prevention program on postural control of the aged. Five hundred and ninety-one (97%) eligible subjects were randomized into an intervention group (IG) (n = 293) and a control group (CG) (n = 298).

The effects of the program were measured on standing, dynamic, and functional balance. In standing balance, the velocity moment of semi-tandem standing decreased in IG (median change -0.54 mm(2)/s) but increased in CG (+3.84 mm(2)/s) among all women (p = 0.011) and among the women aged 65-74 years (-1.65 mm(2)/s and +2.80 mm(2)/s, correspondingly) (p=0.008). In a dynamic test, performance distance tended to decrease in IG (-26.54 mm) and increase in CG (+34.10 mm) among all women (p = 0.060). The women aged 75 years or over, showed marginally significant differences between the groups as regards changes in performance time (-2.66 s and -0.90 s) (p = 0.068) and distance (-92.32 mm and +76.46 mm) (p = 0.062) of the dynamic balance test in favor of IG.

Men showed no significant differences in the changes between the groups in any balance measures. (C) 2007 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Analysis of Influenza B Virus NS1 Protein Trafficking Reveals a Novel Interaction with Nuclear Speckle Domains

Schneider, J., Dauber, B., Melen, K., Julkunen, I. and Wolff, T.

Journal of Virology. 2009; 83(2): 701-711. Article. IF 5.332

Many proteins that function in the transcription, maturation, and export of metazoan mRNAs are concentrated in nuclear speckle domains, indicating that the compartment is important for gene expression. Here, we show that the NS1 protein of influenza B virus (B/NS1) accumulates in nuclear speckles and causes rounding and morphological changes of the domains, indicating a disturbance in their normal functions. This property was located within the N-terminal 90 amino acids of the B/NS1 protein and was shown to be independent of any other viral gene product. Within this protein domain, we identified a monopartite importin alpha binding nuclear localization signal. Reverse-genetic analysis of this motif indicated that nuclear import and speckle association of the B/NS1 protein are required for the full replication capacity of the virus. In the late phase of virus infection, the B/NS1 protein relocated to the cytoplasm, which occurred in a CRM1-independent manner. The interaction of the B/NS1 protein with nuclear speckles may reflect a recruitment function to promote viral-gene expression.

To our knowledge, this is the first functional description of a speckle-associated protein that is encoded by a negative-strand RNA virus.

Hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protein downregulates toll-like receptor 7 signalling pathway

Sillanpaa, M., Kaukinen, P. and Julkunen, L.

Cytokine. 2008; 43(3): 299-299. Meeting Abstract. IF 2.169

Sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics are associated with antioxidant intake and the consumption of their dietary sources during pregnancy

Uusitalo, L., Uusitalo, U., Ovaskainen, M. L., Niinisto, S., Kronberg-Kippila, C., Marjamaki, L., Ahonen, S., Kenward, M. G., Knip, M., Veijola, R. and Virtanen, S. M.

Public Health Nutrition. 2008; 11(12): 1379-1388. Article. IF 1.858

Objective: To analyse the associations of selected sociodemographic and lifestyle factors with the intake of antioxidant nutrients and consumption of their main dietary sources among pregnant women.

Design: A population-based cohort study. Dietary intake during pregnancy was assessed by a self-administered FFQ one to three months after the delivery. Setting: Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) Project.

Subjects: Subjects comprised 3730 women (70.1% of those invited) who entered the DIPP Nutrition Study after delivering a child at increased genetic risk for type 1 diabetes at the university hospitals in Oulu and Tampere, Finland, 1997-2002.

Results: All sociodemographic and lifestyle factors studied showed significant associations with antioxidant intake in multiple regression models adjusting for all other factors. Older and more educated women tended to have higher intake of most antioxidants. Parity was positively associated with retinol intake and inversely with vitamin C intake. Smokers had lower intakes of most antioxidants. Only the partner's education was positively associated with high intake of fruits, whereas own education was positively associated with berry consumption. Vegetable consumption was positively associated with partner's education except for women with academic education, who tended to have high vegetable consumption irrespective of partner's education.

Conclusions: Young women, smokers and those with a low education are at risk for low antioxidant intake and non-optimal food choices during pregnancy.

Blood lipid levels in relation to glucose status in European men and women without a prior history of diabetes: The DECODE Study

Zhang, L., Qiao, Q., Tuomilehto, J., Hammar, N., Alberti, K., Eliasson, M., Heine, R. J., Stehouwer, C. D. A. and Ruotolo, G.

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 2008; 83(3): 364-377. Article. IF 1.823

Objective: Dyslipidaemia is present not only in diabetic but also in prediabetic subjects. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between lipid and glucose levels in a large European population without a prior history of diabetes.

Research design and methods: Data from the population-based studies of 8960 men and 10,516 women aged 35-74 years representing 15 cohorts in 8 European countries were jointly analyzed. Multivariate adjusted linear regression analyses with standardized coefficients (beta) were performed to estimate the relationship between lipid and plasma glucose.

Results: In subjects without a prior history of diabetes, positive relationships were shown between fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and total cholesterol (TC) (beta = 0.06 and 0.03, respectively for men and women, p < 0.01), triglycerides (TG) (beta = 0.14 and 0.12, p < 0.001), non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) (beta = 0.06 and 0.03, p < 0.01) and TC to HDL ratio (beta = 0.06 and 0.05,p < 0.001) but a negative trend between FPG and HDL-C (beta = -0.02,p > 0.05 in men and beta = -0.03,p < 0.05 in women). The relationship between lipid and 2-h plasma glucose (2hPG) followed a similar pattern as that for FPG, except that TC was not increased and HDL-C was reduced in both sexes in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).

Conclusions: For cardiovascular prevention, the different lipid patterns between impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and IGT may deserve further attention to evaluate the combined risks of dyslipidaemia and elevated glucose levels below the diagnostic threshold of diabetes. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.