| New articles - Uudet artikkelit 24.9.2007 - ISI Web of Knowledge & PubMed Search Alert |
|
Prevalence and prognostic significance of short QT interval in a middle-aged Finnish population Anttonen, O., Junttila, M. J., Rissanen, H., Reunanen, A., Viitasalo, M. and Huikuri, H. V. Circulation. 2007; 116(7): 714-720. Journal Article. IF 10.940 Background - Short- QT syndrome is an inherited disorder characterized by a short QT interval and an increased risk of sudden cardiac death. The clinical significance of a short QT interval observed in a randomly recorded ECG is not known. Therefore, we assessed the prevalence and prognostic significance of a short QT interval in a general population. Methods and Results - QT intervals were measured from the 12- lead ECGs of 10 822 randomly selected middle- aged subjects ( 5658 males, mean age 44 +/- 8.4 years) enrolled in a population study and followed up for 29 +/- 10 years. The end points were all- cause and cardiovascular mortality. In addition to Bazett's method ( corrected QT interval, or QTc), the Fridericia ( QTfc) and nomogram ( QTnc) methods were used to correct the QT interval for heart rate. The cutoff values for short QT intervals were defined as 320 ms ( very short) and 340 ms ( short). The prevalence of QT interval < 320 ms based on QTc, QTfc, and QTnc was 0.10%, 0.08%, and 0.06%, and the prevalence of QT interval < 340 ms was 0.4%, 0.3%, and 0.3%, respectively. The majority of subjects with short QT intervals were males. All- cause or cardiovascular mortality did not differ between subjects with a very short or short QT interval and those with normal QT intervals ( 360 to 450 ms). There were no sudden cardiac deaths, aborted sudden cardiac deaths, or documented ventricular tachyarrhythmias among subjects with a QTfc < 340 ms. Conclusion - A short QT interval does not appear to indicate an increased risk for all- cause or cardiovascular mortality in middle- aged nonreferral, community- based individuals. Borodulin, K., Laatikainen, T., Juolevi, A. and Jousilahti, P. Eur J Public Health. 2007. Journal Article. IF 1.481 BACKGROUND: The aim of this article was to investigate time trends 1972-2002 in leisure time, occupational and commuting physical activity across birth cohorts in Finnish adults. METHODS: The study population comprised 59 028 men and women aged 25-64 years who participated in the FINRISK Study. The first birth cohort was born in 1913 and the last in 1977. Prevalence of physical activity was reported across birth cohorts and study years and change in the prevalence was tested using log-linear regression analysis. RESULTS: The prevalence of leisure-time physical activity increased between 1972 and 2002 from 66% to 77% in men and from 49% to 76% in women. In each study year, the younger people were more active than the older ones. However, within the birth cohorts, physical activity tended to increase with age. The prevalence of physically demanding work decreased from 60% to 38% in men and from 47% to 25% in women and the prevalence of daily commuting activity decreased from 30% to 10% in men and from 34% to 22% in women, in the same time period. In the 1970s and the 80s, the older people had more physically demanding work than the younger ones, but within the birth cohorts, occupational activity decreased with age. CONCLUSION: During the past 30 years, the prevalence of leisure-time physical activity has increased, while the prevalence of occupational and commuting physical activity has decreased. The cross-sectional association of age with different types of physical activity was different from that assessed within the birth cohorts. Bykov, I., Junnikkala, S., Pekna, M., Lindros, K. O. and Meri, S. Clin Immunol. 2007; 124(2): 213-20. Journal Article. IF 3.606 The complement system can provoke but also participate in the repair of liver injury. Here we investigated by microarray analysis the effect of chronic ethanol consumption on hepatic mRNA expression of complement components and acute-phase proteins in complement C3-deficient (C3(-/-)) and wild-type (C3(+/+)) mice. Up-regulation by ethanol of factor B, C1qA-chain and clusterin but down-regulation of factor H, Masp-2, factor D and the terminal components C6, C8alpha and C9 was seen in both strains. Ethanol up-regulated C2 and down-regulated C4bp only in C3(+/+) mice, while in C3(-/-) mice up-regulation of C1qB-chain and vitronectin was observed. The expression of factor B, C6, C1qB and factor I was lower but that of factor D higher in C3(-/-) than in C3(+/+) mice. Ethanol induced mRNA synthesis of many acute-phase proteins including SPARC and lipocalin-2, but reduced the expression of SAP. The induction of early classical and alternative pathway components and suppression of terminal pathway components and soluble regulators may thus contribute to alcohol-induced liver injury. Lipocalin-2 and SPARC emerge as new candidate markers for early detection of liver damage. Patterns of growth among children who later develop type 2 diabetes or its risk factors Eriksson, J. G., Osmond, C., Kajantie, E., Forsen, T. J. and Barker, D. J. Diabetologia. 2006; 49(12): 2853-8. Journal Article. IF 5.247 AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: We studied fetal and childhood growth patterns that are associated with IGT and type 2 diabetes in adult life. METHODS: We examined clinically 2,003 subjects born in Helsinki between 1934 and 1944. They had on average 11 measurements of height and weight between birth and 2 years of age, and seven measurements between 2 and 11 years of age. Glucose tolerance in adult life was assessed by a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test. RESULTS: We identified 311 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 496 with IGT. Both IGT and type 2 diabetes were associated with low birthweight (p < 0.0001 adjusting for current BMI). The risk of these conditions was increased by low weight gain between birth and 2 years. A 1 SD increase in weight at 2 years was associated with an odds ratio for either type 2 diabetes or IGT of 0.76 (95% CI 0.69-0.84). This effect was greatest in people who had low birthweight. Low growth in the first 6 months after birth was a critical period for the development of insulin resistance in later life; other critical periods were associated with slow fetal growth and rapid increase in BMI between age 2 and 11 years. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Low weight gain during infancy increases the risk of IGT and type 2 diabetes. The effect is greater in people who had low birthweight. The first 6 months after birth may be the most critical period for growth, in relation to development of glucose intolerance. European smokefree class competition: a measure to decrease smoking in youth Hanewinkel, R., Wiborg, G., Abdennbi, K., Ariza, C., Bollars, C., Bowker, S., Clemente, M. P., El Fehri, V., Florek, E., Hruba, D., Jensson, V., Lepp, K., Lotrean, L., Nebot, M., Neuberger, M., Ojala, K., Pilali, M., Prost-Heinisch, M. P., Ramala, K., Spruijt, R., Stastny, P., Tamang, E., Touraine, S., Veryga, A. and Vartiainen, E. Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health. 2007; 61(8): 750-750. Letter. IF 2.805 Comparative Genomics of Bordetella pertussis Reveals Progressive Gene Loss in Finnish Strains Heikkinen, E., Kallonen, T., Saarinen, L., Sara, R., King, A. J., Mooi, F. R., Soini, J. T., Mertsola, J. and He, Q. PLoS ONE. 2007; 2(9): e904. Journal Article. BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis is a Gram-negative bacterium that infects the human respiratory tract and causes pertussis or whooping cough. The disease has resurged in many countries including Finland where the whole-cell pertussis vaccine has been used for more than 50 years. Antigenic divergence has been observed between vaccine strains and clinical isolates in Finland. To better understand genome evolution in B. pertussis circulating in the immunized population, we developed an oligonucleotide-based microarray for comparative genomic analysis of Finnish strains isolated during the period of 50 years. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The microarray consisted of 3,582 oligonucleotides (70-mer) and covered 94% of 3,816 ORFs of Tohama I, the strain of which the genome has been sequenced [1]. Twenty isolates from 1953 to 2004 were studied together with two Finnish vaccine strains and two international reference strains. The isolates were selected according to their characteristics, e.g. the year and place of isolation and pulsed-field gel electrophoresis profiles. Genomic DNA of the tested strains, along with reference DNA of Tohama I strain, was labelled and hybridized. The absence of genes as established with microarrays, was confirmed by PCR. Compared with the Tohama I strain, Finnish isolates lost 7 (8.6 kb) to 49 (55.3 kb) genes, clustered in one to four distinct loci. The number of lost genes increased with time, and one third of lost genes had functions related to inorganic ion transport and metabolism, or energy production and conversion. All four loci of lost genes were flanked by the insertion sequence element IS481. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: Our results showed that the progressive gene loss occurred in Finnish B. pertussis strains isolated during a period of 50 years and confirmed that B. pertussis is dynamic and is continuously evolving, suggesting that the bacterium may use gene loss as one strategy to adapt to highly immunized populations. Hinkka, K., Karppi, S. L., Pohjolainen, T., Rantanen, T., Puukka, P. and Tilvis, R. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine. 2007; 39(6): 473-478. Journal Article. IF 2.168 Objective: To study the feasibility and 1-year effects on subjective health and symptoms of a network-based geriatric rehabilitation intervention for frail elderly people. Design: A randomized, controlled trial. Subjects: A total of 741 frail elderly people who lived at home, aged > 65 years, without severe cognitive impairment (Mini Mental State Examination < 18), and eligible to receive Pensioners' Care Allowance (a benefit that is independent of personal income or insurance). The setting included 41 municipalities and 7 rehabilitation centres in Finland. Methods: Over a period of 8 months the intervention group received network-based rehabilitation for 3 in-patient periods (totalling 21 days) at rehabilitation centres and a home visit by a professional. Both groups received standard social and health services locally. Functional Independence Measure, subjective health, common symptoms and pain were assessed at baseline and I-year follow-up. Results: After baseline measurements, 33 of those allocated to rehabilitation withdrew from the study. Of the 343 intervention subjects, 276 attended all 3 in-patient periods. At one year, there were no differences in symptoms between the groups. Subjective health was improved in the intervention group and impaired in the control group (p < 0.01). Conclusion: The network-based geriatric rehabilitation programme was feasible for use among the frail elderly people and improved their subjective health. Hyvarinen, A., Sebastian, A., Pekkanen, J., Larsson, L., Korppi, M., Putus, T. and Nevalainen, A. Arch Environ Occup Health. 2006; 61(4): 149-57. Journal Article. IF 0.279 The authors assessed determinants of ergosterol, 3-OH fatty acids (FAs), and viable microbes in vacuum cleaner dust, and investigated the association between these microbial markers and childhood asthma. The authors studied the homes of 36 children who were new cases of childhood asthma and the homes of 36 controls. Home characteristics explained 34% to 44% of the variation in levels of different microbial groups. Determinants of 3-OH FAs were a lower level of cleanliness, having a fireplace, having livestock, and moisture damage; determinants of viable bacteria were the level of home repair needed and the material used in the building frame of the home. Ergosterol was associated with the presence of livestock and the practice of cleaning rugs outside; viable fungi was associated with the material used in the building frame, visible mold, and the practice of cleaning rugs outside. Exposure to mesophilic actinomycetes was nonsignificantly associated with risk of asthma. The authors concluded that the variation of microbial levels in dust could be explained relatively well by home characteristics, and suggested that exposure to mesophilic actinomycetes may increase the risk of new asthma. Hyyrylainen, H. L., Pietiainen, M., Lunden, T., Ekman, A., Gardemeister, M., Murtomaki-Repo, S., Antelmann, H., Hecker, M., Valmu, L., Sarvas, M. and Kontinen, V. P. Microbiology-Sgm. 2007; 153: 2126-2136. Journal Article. IF 3.139 The Dlt system modulates the density of negative charge in the cell wall of Gram-positive bacteria by substituting anionic polymers (wall and lipoteichoic acids) with D-alanine. The htrA and htrB genes, regulated by the CssRS two-component system (TCS) and encoding membrane-associated protein quality control proteases, were expressed at strongly decreased levels in a mutant with defective Dit (dltD: : miniTn10) as compared to the dlt(+) wild-type strain under a secretion stress condition (hypersecretion of AmyQ alpha-amylase). The level of HtrA protein in the extracellular proteome of the dltD mutant was decreased consistently. Expression from the promoter of the lialHGFSR (yvqlHGFEC) operon (P-lial) is dependent on the LiaRS TCS. The Dlt defect increased the expression from P-lial under two stress conditions, AmyQ hypersecretion and treatment with a cationic antimicrobial peptide (ILL-37), but decreased the expression in vancomycin-treated cells. Furthermore, DIt inactivation enhanced the expression of the YxdJK-regulated yxdL gene in LL-37-treated cells. The increased net negative charge of the cell wall seems to cause varied and opposite effects on the expression of CssRS-, LiaRS- and YxdJK-regulated genes under different stress conditions. The results suggest that TCSs which sense misfolded proteins or peptides are modulated by the density of negative charge in the cell wall. The density of negative charge on the outer surface of the cell membrane did not have a similar effect on TCSs. Johansson, E., Alho, H., Kiiskinen, U. and Poikolainen, K. Health Economics. 2007; 16(7): 739-754. Journal Article. IF 2.030 In this paper, we investigate to what extent alcohol-dependent individuals fare worse in the Finnish labour market, using data from a large Finnish health survey. We used the DSM-IV criteria for alcohol dependence assessed by a composite international diagnostic interview (CIDI). We find that there are substantial disadvantages for alcohol-dependent men and women in the labour market, in the sense that they have lower employment probabilities. Treating alcohol dependence as an exogenous variable, we find that alcohol dependence is associated with decrease in the probability of full-time or part-time work of around 14 percentage points for men and I I percentage points for women. However, accounting for endogeneity increases the negative effect to some 50 percentage points for men and to some 40 percentage points for women. Copyright (C) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Defining thirds of schooling years in population studies Karvanen, J., Veronesi, G. and Kuulasmaa, K. European Journal of Epidemiology. 2007; 22(8): 487-492. Journal Article. IF 1.605 When the schooling years are compared between individuals having different birth years, the steep rise in schooling years in the 20th century must be taken into account. The problem has particular importance in large international population studies, such as the WHO MONICA Project and its successor, the MORGAM Project. We present an algorithm that divides the individuals into three groups on the basis of the schooling years while preserving smooth behavior of the cut-points between consecutive birth years. The usage of method is demonstrated with data from Finland, Italy, Lithuania, and Scotland, which have different patterns of the estimated tertiles of schooling years. Kekkonen, R. A., Vasankari, T. J., Vuorimaa, T., Haahtela, T., Julkunen, I. and Korpela, R. International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism. 2007; 17(4): 352-363. Journal Article. IF 1.019 Heavy exercise is associated with an increased risk of upper respiratory tract infections. Strenuous exercise also causes gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. In previous studies probiotics have reduced respiratory tract infections and GI symptoms in general populations including children, adults, and the elderly. These questions have not been studied in athletes before. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of probiotics on the number of healthy days, respiratory infections, and GI-symptom episodes in marathon runners in the summer. Marathon runners (N = 141) were recruited for a randomized, double-blind intervention study during which they received Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) or placebo for a 3-mo training period. At the end of the training period the subjects took part in a marathon race, after which they were followed up for 2 wk. The mean number of healthy days was 79.0 in the LGG group and 73.4 in the placebo group (P = 0.82). There were no differences in the number of respiratory infections or GI-symptom episodes. The duration of Gl-symptom episodes in the LGG group was 2.9 vs. 4.3 d in the placebo group during the training period (P = 0.35) and 1.0 vs. 2.3 d, respectively, during the 2 wk after the marathon (P = 0.046). LGG had no effect on the incidence of respiratory infections or GI-symptom episodes in marathon runners, but it seemed to shorten the duration of GI-symptom episodes. Keskitalo, K., Knaapila, A., Kallela, M., Palotie, A., Wessman, M., Sammalisto, S., Peltonen, L., Tuorila, H. and Perola, M. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2007; 86(1): 55-63. Journal Article. IF 6.562 Background: Humans have an innate preference for sweet taste, but the degree of liking for sweet foods varies individually. Objective: The proportion of inherited sweet taste preference was studied. A genome-wide linkage analysis was performed to locate the underlying genetic elements in the genome. Design: A total of 146 subjects (32% men, 68% women) aged 18-78 y from 26 Finnish families evaluated the intensity and pleasantness of 3 suprathreshold solutions of sucrose (3.0%, 7.5%, and 18.75%) and plain water and the intensity of filter paper impregnated with 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP). The subjects also reported the pleasantness and the use frequency of 5 sweet foods (chocolate, candy, ice cream, sweet desserts, and sweet pastry) and completed a food-behavior questionnaire that measured their craving for sweet foods. Results: Of the chemosensory functions, the pleasantness rating of the strongest (18.75%) sucrose solution and the intensity rating of PROP yielded the highest heritability estimates (41% and 66%, respectively). The pleasantness and the use frequency of sweet foods (both variables calculated as a mean of ratings for 5 food items) and the craving for sweet foods showed significant heritability (40%, 50%, and 31%, respectively). A logarithm of odds score of 3.5 (P = 0.00003) was detected for use frequency of sweet foods on chromosome 16p11.2 (marker D16S753). Conclusions: Sweet taste preferences are partly inherited. Chromosome 16p11.2 may harbor genetic variations that affect the consumption of sweet foods. Psychosocial resources and depression among chronically ill young adults: Are males more vulnerable? Kiviruusu, O., Huurre, T. and Aro, H. Social Science & Medicine. 2007; 65(2): 173-186. Journal Article. IF 2.749 This population-based study examined the association between chronic illness and depression and the role of psychosocial resources (coping styles, locus of control (LOC) and social support) in this association, among young Finnish adults aged 32. Gender differences in these phenomena were also investigated. The study was based on questionnaire data from a Finnish cohort study. Participants with self-reported chronic illness (e.g. diabetes, asthma, migraine) were grouped together (n = 257) and compared to healthy controls (n = 664). The results showed that the chronically ill males were more depressed than healthy control males. They also used more emotion-focused coping, had a more external LOC and were less often married or cohabiting than healthy males. The association between chronic illness and depression among males attenuated when the effects of emotion-focused coping disposition and LOC were taken into account, indicating a possible mediating role for these resources. Among females no differences were found in depression or psychosocial resources between the chronically ill and healthy control groups. Psychosocial resources, especially LOC, explained the gender difference in the association between chronic illness and depression. Only a few buffering effects of psychosocial resources emerged: an active problem-solving coping disposition among the chronically ill males and perceived social support among the chronically ill females seemed to act as buffers against depression. The results indicated a significant gender disparity in the association between chronic illness and depression among young adults and emphasised the role of psychosocial resources in this context. With regard to prevention we suggest that, chronically ill young adult males should be recognised as a risk group for depression that would probably benefit from guidance in learning more active coping skills and maintaining a sense of personal control in facing chronic physical illness. (c) 2007 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Population-based study of salivary carriage of periodontal pathogens in adults Koenoenen, E., Paju, S., Pussinen, P. J., Hyvonen, M., Di Tella, P., Suominen-Taipale, L. and Knuuttila, M. Journal of Clinical Microbiology. 2007; 45(8): 2446-2451. Journal Article. IF 3.445 Large, general population-based data on carriage rates of periodontal pathogens hardly exist in the current literature. The objectives of the present study were to examine the salivary detection of Aggregatibacter (formerly Actinobacillus) actinomycetemcomitans, Campylobacter rectus, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, and Treponema denticola in a representative sample of the adult population living in southern Finland and to clarify which determinants are associated with the presence of these pathogens in saliva. 16S rRNA-based PCR methods with species-specific primers were employed to determine the presence of the six target bacteria in stimulated saliva samples, which were available from 1,294 subjects aged a:30 years. The age group, gender, level of education, marital status, smoking history, number of teeth, and number of teeth with deepened pockets were included in the statistical analysis. In general, the carriage of periodontal pathogens was common, since at least one of the examined pathogens was found in 88.2% of the subjects. In descending order, the total detection rates were 56.9%, 38.2%, 35.4%, 31.3%, 20.0%, and 13.9% for T. forsythensis, T. denticola, P. gingivalis, C. rectus, A. actinomycetemcomitans, and P. intermedia, respectively. Age per se was strongly associated with the carriage of P. gingivalis (P = 0.000), and the level of education with that of T. denticola (P = 0.000). There was an association between the number of teeth with deepened pockets and carriage of P. gingivalis (P = 0.000), P. intermedia (P = 0.000), T. denticola (P = 0.000), and A. actinomycetemcomitans (P = 0.004). The data suggest that distinct species have a different carriage profile, depending on variables such as age, educational level, and periodontal status. In vivo and in vitro intragenomic rearrangement of TT viruses Leppik, L., Gunst, K., Lehtinen, M., Dillner, J., Streker, K. and de Villiers, E. M. Journal of Virology. 2007; 81(17): 9346-9356. Journal Article. IF 5.341 The in vitro replication of the Torque teno virus (IT virus) tth8 full-length genome and particle formation in a Hodgkin's lymphoma-derived cell line after transfection with cloned viral DNA were demonstrated. Analyses of the transcription patterns of tth8 and tth7 TT virus isolates in a number of lymphoma and T-cell leukemia cell lines indicated differential additional splicing events and intragenomic rearrangement generating open reading frames which could not be deducted from the genomic sequence. We also demonstrated the presence of rearranged TT virus genomes in vivo in sera taken from pregnant mothers whose children later developed childhood leukemia, as well as sera from control mothers. Control experiments using religated cloned genomic tth8 DNA mixed with cellular DNA did not result in such subviral molecules. These subviral isolates ranged from 172 bp to full-length TT virus genomes. Possible in vivo selection for specific rearranged molecules was indicated by the presence of one isolate (561 bp) in 11 serum samples. It remains to be clarified whether selected rearranged subviral components resulting from specific Tr virus types may contribute to the initiation of disease. These data demonstrate new features of Tr viruses suggesting possible similarities to plant viruses of the family Geminiviridae, as well as raise questions about the documented plurality and diversity of anelloviruses. Defining the population-based burden of nosocomial pneumococcal bacteremia Lyytikainen, O., Klemets, P., Ruutu, P., Kaijalainen, T., Rantala, M., Ollgren, J. and Nuorti, J. P. Archives of Internal Medicine. 2007; 167(15): 1635-1640. Journal Article. IF 7.920 Background: The characteristics, risk factors, and outcome of patients with nosocomial pneumococcal bacteremia (NPB) have not been described in large, population-based studies. Methods: All episodes of invasive pneumococcal infections reported by Finnish clinical microbiology laboratories (positive blood or cerebrospinal fluid culture) from January 1, 1995, through December 31, 2002, were linked to data in national health care registries and vital statistics to obtain information on the patient's preceding hospitalizations, comorbidities, and outcome of illness. Pneumococcal bacteremia was defined as nosocomial if the first positive blood culture was obtained more than 2 days after hospital admission, or if the patient had been hospitalized for more than 2 days within 7 days of the first positive blood culture. Results: Information on hospital admission was available for 4217 of 4357 persons (96.8%) with invasive pneumococcal infections. We identified 387 NPBs (9.7%) among 3973 pneumococcal bacteremias. Patients with NPB were older (median age, 67 years vs 52 years; P <. 001) and were more likely to have at least 1 high-risk condition (other than age < 65 years), for which 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended (59.2% vs 34.6%; P <. 001), compared with patients who had community-associated pneumococcal bacteremias. The case fatality proportion at 28 days was higher in patients with NPB than in those with community-associated pneumococcal bacteremias (23.8% vs 10.8%; P <. 001). Pneumococcal serotypes included in 23-valent polysaccharide vaccine and 7-valent conjugate vaccine caused 71.5% and 46.1% of NPBs, respectively. Conclusions: A substantial proportion of pneumococcal bacteremias are health care associated. The high prevalence of conditions for which pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine is recommended provides opportunities for strengthening prevention efforts in these patients at high risk of illness and death. Sahlberg, A. S., Penttinen, M. A., Heiskanen, K. M., Colbert, R. A., Sistonen, L. and Granfors, K. Arthritis Rheum. 2007; 56(8): 2652-62. Journal Article. IF 7.751 OBJECTIVE: To investigate the cause of the enhanced intracellular replication of Salmonella enteritidis in HLA-B27-transfected U937 human monocytic cells and the contribution of HLA-B27 heavy chain (HC) misfolding. METHODS: U937 monocytic cell transfectants stably expressing pSV2neo resistant vector (mock), wild-type HLA-B27, or mutated HLA-B27 HCs with amino acid substitutions in the B pocket were differentiated, infected with S enteritidis, and treated with signaling pathway inhibitors or specific p38 small interfering RNA (siRNA). The numbers of living intracellular bacteria were determined with the colony-forming unit method. To visualize S enteritidis, the bacteria were transformed with green fluorescent protein, and studied by microscopy. RESULTS: Treatment with the p38 MAPK inhibitors or with p38 siRNA enhanced the replication of S enteritidis in U937 transfectants, whereas the other inhibitors had no effect. In mock-transfected cells and in cells expressing the mutated B27 HCs in which the misfolding had been corrected, p38 inhibitors impaired their ability to resist the replication of bacteria (mock, B27.A2B, B27.E45M, and B27.C67A). In contrast, the number of intracellular bacteria was not significantly increased in p38 inhibitor-treated cells expressing misfolded B27 HCs (B27g, B27cDNA, and B27.H9F). CONCLUSION: Our results show that p38 activity plays a crucial role in controlling intracellular S enteritidis in U937 cells. Enhanced replication of bacteria in B27-expressing cells requires that the HCs contain glutamic acid at position 45 and cysteine at position 67. Furthermore, in transfectants expressing misfolded B27 HCs, p38 inhibition had no significant effect on bacterial replication, suggesting that in these cells, the p38 pathway may not function properly. Stenholm, S., Sainio, P., Rantanen, T., Koskinen, S., Jula, A., Heliovaara, M. and Aromaa, A. J Gerontol A Biol Sci Med Sci. 2007; 62(8): 859-65. Journal Article. IF 2.861 BACKGROUND: Our aim was to study the effects of high body mass index (BMI) and physical impairments in midlife on later life walking limitation. METHODS: Primarily middle-aged persons (aged 32-72 years) with no walking limitation at baseline (n = 840) were followed-up for 22 years as a part of the Mini-Finland Follow-up Survey. Incident walking limitation (walking speed < 1.2 m/s or difficulty in walking 0.5 km) was predicted by measured BMI, handgrip strength, squatting test, and self-reported running difficulties. RESULTS: Twenty-one percent of the participants developed walking limitation. After adjustment for multiple potential confounders, high BMI, low handgrip strength, impaired squatting, and running difficulties were significant predictors of incident walking limitation. The odds ratio (OR) of walking limitation was 4.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.32-15.74) for squatting difficulties and 2.39 (95% CI, 1.26-4.55) for major running difficulties as compared to participants with no difficulties. The corresponding ORs for handgrip strength and BMI were 0.56 (95% CI, 0.38-0.81) and 1.39 (95% CI, 1.10-1.75) per an increment of 1 standard deviation. For persons in the highest BMI tertile who had two or more physical impairments, the adjusted risk of walking limitation was 4.5 times higher in comparison to normal weight persons with no physical impairments. CONCLUSIONS: In primarily middle-aged persons, BMI and simple tests of physical impairment strongly predicted the development of walking limitation 22 years later. In addition, physical impairments coexisting with high BMI predisposed to later life walking limitation more than high BMI alone. Therefore, increasing physical fitness by physical activity and promoting weight loss in middle age may prevent mobility limitation and subsequent disability in old age. Association of smoking status with obesity and diabetes among elderly people Sulander, T., Rahkonen, O., Nissinen, A. and Uutela, A. Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics. 2007; 45(2): 159-167. Journal Article. IF 1.136 The present study was aimed to examine associations of current and ex-smoking status with obesity and diabetes among elderly people. Nationwide study of Finnish elderly people based on biennial surveys from 1985 to 1995, were used to study 7482 people aged 65-79 years. Smoking status included non-, ex-light, ex-heavy, current light, and current heavy smokers. Obesity was set as body mass index (BMI) >= 30. Information of smoking, BMI, and diabetes was based on self-reports. Logistic regression was used as the main method of analyses. Compared to non-smokers (reference category), ex-heavy smokers had higher (odds ratio, 1.42; 95% confidence interval: 1.09, 1.85) and current light smokers (OR, 0.46; 95% CI: 0.31, 0.69) lower relative risk of obesity. Current light smokers had also lower and ex-heavy smokers higher rate of diabetes than non-smokers. Ex-heavy smokers had a higher risk of obesity (OR, 1.75; 95% CI: 1.30, 2.36) and- diabetes (OR, 1.48; 95% CI: 1.10, 2.01) than ex-light smokers. Same pattern for current smokers was found. Heavy ex- and current elderly smokers are at risk of obesity and diabetes. Thus, heavy smokers should be emphasized in programs promoting smoking cessation. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved. Tischer, A., Andrews, N., Kafatos, G., Nardone, A., Berbers, G., Davidkin, I., Aboudy, Y., Backhouse, J., Barbara, C., Bartha, K., Bruckova, B., Duks, A., Griskevicius, A., Hesketh, L., Johansen, K., Jones, L., Kuersteiner, O., Lupulescu, E., Mihneva, Z., Mrazova, M., De Ory, F., Prosenc, K., Schneider, F., Tsakris, A., Smelhausova, M., Vranckx, R., Zarvou, M. and Miller, E. Epidemiology and Infection. 2007; 135(5): 787-797. Journal Article. IF 1.809 The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network is to establish comparability of the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe. The designated reference laboratory (RL) for measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) prepared and tested a panel of 151 sera by the reference enzyme immunoassay (rEIA). Laboratories in 21 countries tested the panel for antibodies against MMR using their usual assay (a total of 16 different EIAs) and the results were plotted against the reference results in order to obtain equations for the standardization of national serum surveys. The RL also tested the panel by the plaque neutralization test (PNT). Large differences in qualitative results were found compared to the RL. Well-fitting standardization equations with R-2 >= 0.8 were obtained for almost all laboratories through regression of the quantitative results against those of the RL. When compared to PNT, the rEIA had a sensitivity of 95.3%, 92.8% and 100% and a specificity of 100%, 87.1% and 92.8% for measles, mumps and rubella, respectively. The need for standardization was highlighted by substantial inter-country differences. Standardization was successful and the selected standardization equations allowed the conversion of local serological results into common units and enabled direct comparison of seroprevalence data of the participating countries. Vainikka, K., Chen, J., Metso, J., Jauhiainen, M. and Riekkola, M. L. Electrophoresis. 2007; 28(13): 2267-2274. Journal Article. IF 4.101 A new method was developed for the coating of fused-silica capillaries with human high-density lipoproteins (HDLs) for use in electrochromatography. The HDL particles used for the coating differed in particle shape and composition. Both discoidal and spherical particles formed a monolayer on the inner silica wall as confirmed by atomic force microscopy. The effect of coating conditions, such as HDL concentration and coating time, was investigated with spherical HDL particles. Examination of the influence of pH on the coating stability also allowed the determination of pI values for the HDL particles attached to the capillary wall. The pI values for spherical and discoidal HDL particles were close to 5.0. The repeatabilities of the EOF mobility and the retention factors of the uncharged steroid hormones used as model compounds were exploited in the evaluation of the coating stability. The optimal coating was achieved with 0.1 mg/mL HDL protein and 50 min flushing with coating solution followed by 15 min standing time. Electrochromatography with HDL-coated open tubular capillaries offers a new tool for the study of HDL particle structure and transformations. Relationship between Leptin and C-Reactive Protein in Young Finnish Adults Viikari, L. A., Huupponen, R. K., Viikari, J. S., Marniemi, J., Eklund, C., Hurme, M., Lehtimaki, T., Kivimaki, M. and Raitakari, O. T. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007. Journal Article. IF 5.799 Context Leptin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations are increased in inflammation, and both have been linked to increased risk for cardiovascular diseases. Objective To explore in a population based sample whether the relation between leptin CRP is independent of obesity level and whether genetic causes of CRP elevation contribute to leptin levels. Design Population based study including 1,862 young adults (971 women; 891 men) aged 24 to 39 years. Setting Five centers in Finland. Main Outcome Measures Associations between leptin and CRP adjusted for obesity indices, risk factors, genetic variables and life-style variables. Results Women had 3.0 fold higher median concentrations of leptin (12.5 vs. 4.1 ng/mL) and 1.3 fold higher median concentrations of CRP (0.75 vs. 0.56 mg/L) than men (p<0.0001 in both comparisons). In univariate analyses, CRP and leptin were significantly intercorrelated (r=0.47, p<0.0001 for women, r=0.46, p<0.0001 for men). In multiple regression analysis including age, body mass index, waist circumference, insulin, lipids, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, smoking status and use of oral contraceptives in women, leptin was the main determinant of CRP in men (p<0.0001) and the second most important determinant in women (p<0.0001). A Mendelian randomization test based on genetic variants in the CRP gene (5 SNP's) provided no support for CRP as a causal agent for leptin. Conclusions Leptin, obesity and oral contraceptive use in women were the main factors related to CRP. The relation between leptin and CRP was independent of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Yli-Pirila, T., Huttunen, K., Nevalainen, A., Seuri, M. and Hirvonen, M. R. Environmental Toxicology. 2007; 22(4): 357-367. Journal Article. IF 1.582 Free-living amoebae are ubiquitous environmental protozoa found in both natural and manmade environments, including moisture-damaged buildings. Furthermore, the interaction between amoebae and bacteria has been shown to enhance the virulence and pathogenicity of some bacteria. While the inhabitants of moisture damaged buildings are known to be at risk of suffering adverse health effects, the exact causative agents and mechanisms are still obscure. To examine the possible role of amoebae in the health effects associated with moisture damages, the effects of amoebae on the cytotoxicity and proinflammatory potential of nonpathogenic microbes common in moisture-damaged buildings were investigated. First, two bacterial and three fungal strains were cultured both individually and in coculture with Acanthamoeba polyphaga. Then, mouse RAW264.7 macrophages were exposed to the cocultures as well as the individually grown bacteria, fungi, and amoebae. Finally, cell viability and production of proinflammatory mediators, i.e., nitric oxide (NO), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-alpha), and interleukin 6 (IL-6), were measured in macrophages after the exposure. The results revealed that cocultivation with amoebae increased the cytotoxicity of the bacterium Streptomyces californicus and the fungus Penicillium spinulosum. Moreover, the macrophages produced up to 10 times higher concentrations of NO after the exposure to these cocultures than after the exposure to individually grown microbes. Finally, the production of the cytokines was up to two orders of magnitude higher (IL-6) and up to four times higher (TNF-a) after exposure to the cocultures when compared to individually grown microbes. We conclude that amoebae are able to potentiate the cytotoxicity and proinflammatory properties of certain microbes associated with moisture damages. (C) 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 22: 357-367, 2007. |