Tracing teachers' perceptions of entanglement of digitally-mediated educational activities and learning environments: a practice-oriented method

School spaces, technologies, and educational activities shape each other reciprocally. This mixed-methods study (i) developed a methodological framework for tracing the interdependence between school spaces, digital instruments, and teachers' practices in their use, and (ii) created practice-based knowledge about the relations of teachers' perceptions of educational activities to school spaces in order to acknowledge architects and educational practitioners in designing learning environments that support educational renewal. We participated in the construction process of a new general upper-secondary school building in Finland, taking into consideration the school's operating culture and teachers' pedagogic needs (social aspects), as well as the mediation of school spaces by digitalization and national curriculum reformation (material aspects). The data were collected through a teacher survey (n = 31), teacher interviews (n = 10), and the analysis of group notes that teachers (n = 39) generated in a participatory workshop. The results revealed that teachers consider it critical in the design of new learning environments to foster a collaborative and multidisciplinary school culture that emphasizes learners' wellbeing and inclusion, as well as utilizing readily-available digital instruments with basic-level functionality. The developed methodological framework appeared suitable for visualizing (with radar charts) the sociomaterial interdependence of school spaces, digital instruments, and teachers' personal and collective pedagogical activities. We argue that teachers' perceptions of school spaces, digital instruments, and pedagogic practices entanglement consolidates learning environments design from an educational point of view and should be taken into consideration when constructing new school buildings.

Risk Assessment for the Transmission of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-Cov) on Aircraft: A Systematic Review

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) causes a potentially fatal respiratory disease. Although it is most common in the Arabian Peninsula, it has been exported to 17 countries outside the Middle East, mostly through air travel. The Risk Assessment Guidelines for Infectious Diseases transmitted on Aircraft (RAGIDA) advise authorities on measures to take when an infected individual travelled by air. The aim of this systematic review was to gather all available information on documented MERS-CoV cases that had travelled by air, to update RAGIDA. The databases used were PubMed, Embase, Scopus and Global Index Medicus; Google was searched for grey literature and hand searching was performed on the EU Early Warning and Response System and the WHO Disease Outbreak News. Forty-seven records were identified, describing 21 cases of MERS that had travelled on 31 flights. Contact tracing was performed for 17 cases. Most countries traced passengers sitting in the same row and the two rows in front and behind the case. Only one country decided to trace all passengers and crew. No cases of in-flight transmission were observed; thus, considering the resources it requires, a conservative approach may be appropriate when contact tracing passengers and crew where a case of MERS has travelled by air.

Ketone body 3-hydroxybutyrate as a biomarker of aggression

Human aggression is a complex behaviour, the biological underpinnings of which remain poorly known. To gain insights into aggression biology, we studied relationships with aggression of 11 low-molecular-weight metabolites (amino acids, ketone bodies), processed using ¹H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. We used a discovery sample of young adults and an independent adult replication sample. We studied 725 young adults from a population-based Finnish twin cohort born 1983-1987, with aggression levels rated in adolescence (ages 12, 14, 17) by multiple raters and blood plasma samples at age 22. Linear regression models specified metabolites as the response variable and aggression ratings as predictor variables, and included several potential confounders. All metabolites showed low correlations with aggression, with only one-3-hydroxybutyrate, a ketone body produced during fasting-showing significant (negative) associations with aggression. Effect sizes for different raters were generally similar in magnitude, while teacher-rated (age 12) and self-rated (age 14) aggression were both significant predictors of 3-hydroxybutyrate in multi-rater models. In an independent replication sample of 960 adults from the Netherlands Twin Register, higher aggression (self-rated) was also related to lower levels of 3-hydroxybutyrate. These exploratory epidemiologic results warrant further studies on the role of ketone metabolism in aggression.

Quality of Life Impact of an Adjuvanted Recombinant Zoster Vaccine in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older

Background

To determine the efficacy of an adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine in reducing the herpes zoster (HZ) burden of illness, HZ burden of interference with activities of daily living, and HZ impact on quality of life.

Methods

The assessments were integrated in two Phase III trials, ZOE-50 (NCT01165177) and ZOE-70 (NCT01165229). HZ burden of illness and HZ burden of interference with activities of daily living were assessed by the Zoster Brief Pain Inventory (ZBPI) instrument and quality of life by the EuroQol-5 Dimension (EQ-5D) utility index and the SF-36 health survey. We report the ZOE-50 results and a pooled analysis of patients aged 70 years and older from the trials combined.

Results

The estimated vaccine efficacy in reducing HZ burden of illness and HZ burden of interference was greater than 90% in both the ZOE-50 and the pooled ZOE-70 analysis. In confirmed HZ cases, adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine reduced the maximal ZBPI worst-pain score in the pooled ZOE-70 analysis (p = .032) and the maximal ZBPI average-pain scores in both the ZOE-50 (p = .049) and the pooled ZOE-70 analysis (p = .043). In breakthrough HZ cases, trends for diminished loss of quality of life compared with placebo-recipient HZ cases were observed, with differences up to 0.14 on the EQ-5D index at time points during the 4 weeks following HZ onset.

Conclusions

Adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine reduced the HZ burden of illness significantly, particularly due to its very high vaccine efficacy in preventing HZ. For breakthrough HZ cases, the results suggest that the adjuvanted recombinant zoster vaccine mitigated severity of HZ-related pain, burden of interference with activities of daily living, and recipients’ utility loss.

Life events as predictors for depression in men and women: A Finnish twin study

Background

Depression is more common in women than in men, but reasons for the sex/gender difference are not fully known. We analyzed sex/gender differences in the association of past life events (LE) with depression, and if the associations are independent of genetic liability.

Methods

In the 2011 survey of the Finnish Twin Cohort (participation 72%, n = 8410, 45% men, mean age 60 yrs), depression was assessed using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) scale (cut off value ≥20) showing depression in 13% (11% in men, 15% in women). LE were assessed as negative, positive, and serious (traffic accident, other accident, fire and natural catastrophe, physical abuse, sexual abuse, violent crime, and parental divorce) ones in childhood and/or in adulthood. Pearson’s chi-squared test and age- and sex-adjusted logistic regressions were used to model the strength of associations. The effect of familial factors was tested using conditional logistic regression in 176 genetically identical (MZ) twin pairs (38% male) discordant for depression.

Results

Women experienced more both negative LE (50%/42%, p < 0.001) and positive LE (60%/40%, p < 0.001) than men. Accidents, physical abuse and violent crime were reported more by men, but women reported more sexual abuse (14%/1%, p < 0.01). All LEs were associated with depression (adjusted Odds Ratios [OR] from 1.24, 95% Confidence Intervals [CI] 1.09 - 1.42 to OR 6.91, 95% CI 3.88 - 12.30). Women with physical abuse or violent crime in childhood or in adulthood were more vulnerable for depression than men. High magnitude of negative LEs in both sexes, low rates of positive LE in women, and physical abuse in women remained significantly associated with depression within MZ pairs suggesting independence from familial factors and genetic liability.

Conclusions

We found sex difference in LE prevalence and in vulnerability for depression. These do not appear to be accounted for by familial effects.

Key messages

We found differences between women and men in life event prevalence and in vulnerability for depression. Differences in life experiences and exposures between women and men should be considered in prevention and treatment of depression.

Gender and psychological distress: contribution of work-family balance

Background

Women suffer from psychological distress more often than men. Our aim was to investigate the potential contribution of work-family balance to this gender difference.

Methods

Questionnaire data from the nationally representative 2013 Finnish Regional Health and Well-being Study (target population all adults aged 20 years or over, n = 88 377, response rate 53%), was restricted in the current analysis to those who were working and who had minor children (n = 26 442). Psychological distress was assessed using the Mental Health Index (MHI-5, cut off value < =52). Participants answered six questions on balancing work and family demands (yes/no). We used logistic regression adjusted for age, education and marital status.

Results

Women reported more distress than men (12.4% and 10.2% respectively, p = 0.000). We found statistically significant interactions between gender and two work-family demands (both p = 0.010): “I sometimes neglect my family when I am wholly absorbed in my work” was associated with distress in women (OR = 1.29, 95%CI 1.11-1.49), but not in men (OR = 0.95, 95%CI 0.79-1.14). “I feel inadequacy as a parent” had stronger association with distress in men (OR = 3.07, 95%CI 2.56-3.69) than in women (OR = 2.31, 95%CI 2.00-2.65). Both men and women had less psychological distress if they reported stopping thinking about their work at home or having more energy to be with the children when they also went to work. Correspondingly, they had more psychological distress if they felt they were neglecting home issues because of work or found hard to concentrate on work because of home issues. Common-law marriage was associated with psychological distress in women (OR = 1.43, 95%CI 1.22-1.68), but not in men (OR = 1.11, 95%CI 0.91-1.36).

Conclusions

Women felt distress about neglecting family due to being absorbed in their work while men did not. Feelings of inadequacy as a parent were associated with distress more in men.

Key messages

Both women and men struggle to coordinate work and family, but expectations how job is divided may differ by gender. Actions to improve coordination between working life and family life are needed, both within families and by political decisions.

Immunogenicity and Safety of a Measles-Mumps-Rubella Vaccine Administered as a First Dose to Children Aged 12 to 15 Months: A Phase III, Randomized, Noninferiority, Lot-to-Lot Consistency Study

BACKGROUND

MMR II (M-M-R II [Merck & Co, Inc.]) is currently the only measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine licensed in the United States. A second MMR vaccine would mitigate the potential risk of vaccine supply shortage or delay. In this study, we assessed the immunogenicity and safety of another MMR vaccine (MMR-RIT [Priorix, GlaxoSmithKline]) compared with those of the MMR II in 12- to 15-month-old children who received it as a first dose.

METHODS

In this phase III, observer-blinded, noninferiority, lot-to-lot consistency clinical trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT01702428), 5003 healthy children were randomly assigned to receive 1 dose of MMR-RIT (1 of 3 production lots) or MMR II along with other age-recommended routine vaccines. We evaluated the immunogenicity of all vaccines in terms of antibody concentrations (by using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay or electrochemiluminescence assay) and/or seroresponse rates 43 days after vaccination. We also assessed the reactogenicity and safety of the vaccines.

RESULTS

Immunoresponses after vaccination with MMR-RIT were robust and noninferior to those after vaccination with the MMR II. Immunogenicity of the 3 production lots of MMR-RIT was consistent; more than 97% of the children had a seroresponse to MMR components. The coadministered vaccines elicited similar immunoresponses in the MMR-RIT and MMR II groups. Both MMR vaccines resulted in comparable reactogenicity profiles, and no safety concerns were detected.

CONCLUSIONS

If licensed, the MMR-RIT could provide a valid option for the prevention of measles, mumps, and rubella in children in the United States and would reduce potential risks of a vaccine shortage.

Prospective association between tobacco smoking and death by suicide: a competing risks hazard analysis in a large twin cohort with 35-year follow-up

BACKGROUND

The relationship between smoking and suicide remains controversial.

METHOD

A total of 16 282 twin pairs born before 1958 in Finland and alive in 1974 were queried with detailed health and smoking questionnaires in 1975 and 1981, with response rates of 89% and 84%. Smoking status and dose, marital, employment, and socio-economic status, and indicators of psychiatric and somatic illness were assessed at both time points. Emergent psychiatric and medical illness and vital status, including suicide determined by forensic autopsy, were evaluated over 35-year follow-up through government registries. The association between smoking and suicide was determined in competing risks hazard models. In twin pairs discordant for smoking and suicide, the prospective association between smoking and suicide was determined using a matched case-control design.

RESULTS

Smokers had a higher cumulative suicide incidence than former or never smokers. Heavy smokers had significantly higher suicide risk [hazard ratio (HR) 3.47, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.31-5.22] than light smokers (HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.61-3.23) (p = 0.017). Compared with never smokers, smokers, but not former smokers, had increased suicide risk (HR 2.56, 95% CI 1.43-4.59), adjusting for depressive symptoms, alcohol and sedative-hypnotic use, and excluding those who developed serious somatic or psychiatric illness. In twin pairs discordant for smoking and suicide, suicide was more likely in smokers [odds ratio (OR) 6.0, 95% CI 2.06-23.8].

CONCLUSIONS

Adults who smoked tobacco were more likely to die by suicide, with a large, dose-dependent effect. This effect remained after consideration of many known predictors of suicide and shared familial effects, consistent with the hypothesis that exposure to tobacco smoke increases the risk of suicide.

Neuregulin signaling pathway in smoking behavior

Understanding molecular processes that link comorbid traits such as addictions and mental disorders can provide novel therapeutic targets. Neuregulin signaling pathway (NSP) has previously been implicated in schizophrenia, a neurodevelopmental disorder with high comorbidity to smoking. Using a Finnish twin family sample, we have previously detected association between nicotine dependence and ERBB4 (a neuregulin receptor), and linkage for smoking initiation at the ERBB4 locus on 2q33. Further, Neuregulin3 has recently been shown to associate with nicotine withdrawal in a behavioral mouse model. In this study, we scrutinized association and linkage between 15 036 common, low frequency and rare genetic variants in 10 NSP genes and phenotypes encompassing smoking and alcohol use. Using the Finnish twin family sample (N=1998 from 740 families), we detected 66 variants (representing 23 LD blocks) significantly associated (false discovery rate P<0.05) with smoking initiation, nicotine dependence and nicotine withdrawal. We comprehensively annotated the associated variants using expression (eQTL) and methylation quantitative trait loci (meQTL) analyses in a Finnish population sample. Among the 66 variants, we identified 25 eQTLs (in NRG1 and ERBB4), 22 meQTLs (in NRG3, ERBB4 and PSENEN), a missense variant in NRG1 (rs113317778) and a splicing disruption variant in ERBB4 (rs13385826). Majority of the QTLs in blood were replicated in silico using publicly available databases, with additional QTLs observed in brain. In conclusion, our results support the involvement of NSP in smoking behavior but not in alcohol use and abuse, and disclose functional potential for 56 of the 66 associated single-nucleotide polymorphism.

Immunogenicity and safety of primary and booster vaccination with 2 investigational formulations of diphtheria, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens in a hexavalent DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib combination vaccine in comparison with the licensed Infanrix hexa

Safety and immunogenicity of 2 investigational formulations of diphtheria, tetanus and Haemophilus influenzae type b antigens of the combined diphtheria-tetanus-acellular pertussis-hepatitis B-inactivated poliomyelitis-Hib vaccine (DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib) were evaluated in a Primary (NCT01248884) and a Booster vaccination (NCT01453998) study.

In the Primary study, 721 healthy infants (randomized 1:1:1) received 3 doses of DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib formulation A (D_AT_APa-HBV-IPV/Hib), or B (D_BT_BPa-HBV-IPV/Hib) or the licensed DTPa-HBV-IPV/Hib vaccine (Infanrix hexa, GSK; control group) at 2, 3, 4 months of age. Infants were planned to receive a booster dose at 12–15 months of age with the same formulation received in the Primary study; however, following high incidence of fever associated with the investigational formulations in the Primary study, the Booster study protocol was amended and all infants yet to receive a booster dose (N = 385) received the licensed vaccine.

In the Primary study, non-inferiority of 3-dose vaccination with investigational formulations compared with the licensed vaccine was not demonstrated due to anti-pertactin failing to meet the non-inferiority criterion. Post-primary vaccination, most infants had seroprotective levels of anti-diphtheria (100% of infants), anti-tetanus antigens (100%), against hepatitis B (≥ 97.5% across groups), polyribosyl-ribitol-phosphate (≥ 88.0%) and poliovirus types 1–3 (≥ 90.5%). Seropositivity rates for each pertussis antigen were 100% in all groups.

Higher incidence of fever (> 38°C) was reported in infants receiving the investigational formulations (Primary study: 75.0% [A] and 72.1% [B] vs 58.8% [control]; Booster study, before amendment: 49.4% and 46.6% vs 37.4%, respectively).

The development of the investigational formulations was not further pursued.

Gene-environment interplay in depressive symptoms: moderation by age, sex, and physical illness

BACKGROUND

Numerous factors influence late-life depressive symptoms in adults, many not thoroughly characterized. We addressed whether genetic and environmental influences on depressive symptoms differed by age, sex, and physical illness.

METHOD

The analysis sample included 24 436 twins aged 40-90 years drawn from the Interplay of Genes and Environment across Multiple Studies (IGEMS) Consortium. Biometric analyses tested age, sex, and physical illness moderation of genetic and environmental variance in depressive symptoms.

RESULTS

Women reported greater depressive symptoms than men. After age 60, there was an accelerating increase in depressive symptom scores with age, but this did not appreciably affect genetic and environmental variances. Overlap in genetic influences between physical illness and depressive symptoms was greater in men than in women. Additionally, in men extent of overlap was greater with worse physical illness (the genetic correlation ranged from near 0.00 for the least physical illness to nearly 0.60 with physical illness 2 s.d. above the mean). For men and women, the same environmental factors that influenced depressive symptoms also influenced physical illness.

CONCLUSIONS

Findings suggested that genetic factors play a larger part in the association between depressive symptoms and physical illness for men than for women. For both sexes, across all ages, physical illness may similarly trigger social and health limitations that contribute to depressive symptoms.

Efficacy of the Herpes Zoster Subunit Vaccine in Adults 70 Years of Age or Older

BACKGROUND

A trial involving adults 50 years of age or older (ZOE-50) showed that the herpes zoster subunit vaccine (HZ/su) containing recombinant varicella-zoster virus glycoprotein E and the AS01B adjuvant system was associated with a risk of herpes zoster that was 97.2% lower than that associated with placebo. A second trial was performed concurrently at the same sites and examined the safety and efficacy of HZ/su in adults 70 years of age or older (ZOE-70).

METHODS

This randomized, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial was conducted in 18 countries and involved adults 70 years of age or older. Participants received two doses of HZ/su or placebo (assigned in a 1:1 ratio) administered intramuscularly 2 months apart. Vaccine efficacy against herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia was assessed in participants from ZOE-70 and in participants pooled from ZOE-70 and ZOE-50.

RESULTS

In ZOE-70, 13,900 participants who could be evaluated (mean age, 75.6 years) received either HZ/su (6950 participants) or placebo (6950 participants). During a mean follow-up period of 3.7 years, herpes zoster occurred in 23 HZ/su recipients and in 223 placebo recipients (0.9 vs. 9.2 per 1000 person-years). Vaccine efficacy against herpes zoster was 89.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 84.2 to 93.7; P<0.001) and was similar in participants 70 to 79 years of age (90.0%) and participants 80 years of age or older (89.1%). In pooled analyses of data from participants 70 years of age or older in ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 (16,596 participants), vaccine efficacy against herpes zoster was 91.3% (95% CI, 86.8 to 94.5; P<0.001), and vaccine efficacy against postherpetic neuralgia was 88.8% (95% CI, 68.7 to 97.1; P<0.001). Solicited reports of injection-site and systemic reactions within 7 days after injection were more frequent among HZ/su recipients than among placebo recipients (79.0% vs. 29.5%). Serious adverse events, potential immune-mediated diseases, and deaths occurred with similar frequencies in the two study groups.

CONCLUSIONS

In our trial, HZ/su was found to reduce the risks of herpes zoster and postherpetic neuralgia among adults 70 years of age or older. (Funded by GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals; ZOE-50 and ZOE-70 ClinicalTrials.gov numbers, NCT01165177 and NCT01165229 .).

Safety and immunogenicity of an intramuscular quadrivalent influenza vaccine in children 3 to 8 y of age: A phase III randomized controlled study

A quadrivalent, inactivated, split-virion influenza vaccine containing a strain from both B lineages (IIV4) has been developed, but its safety and immunogenicity in young children has not been described. This was a phase III, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled, multi-center study to examine the immunogenicity and safety of IIV4 in children 3–8 y of age (EudraCT no. 2011-005374-33). Participants were randomized 5:1:1 to receive the 2013/2014 Northern Hemisphere formulation of IIV4, an investigational trivalent comparator (IIV3) containing the B/Victoria lineage strain, or the licensed Northern Hemisphere IIV3 containing the B/Yamagata lineage strain. Participants who had not previously received a full influenza vaccination schedule received 2 doses of vaccine 28 d apart; all others received a single dose. 1242 children were included. For all 4 strains, IIV4 induced geometric mean haemagglutination inhibition titres non-inferior to those induced by the IIV3 comparators. For both B strains, geometric mean antibody titres induced by IIV4 were superior to those induced by the IIV3 with the alternative lineage strain. Similar proportions of participants vaccinated with IIV4 and IIV3 reported solicited injection-site reactions, solicited systemic reactions, and vaccine-related adverse events. A single vaccine-related serious adverse event, thrombocytopenia, was reported 9 d after vaccination with IIV4 and resolved without sequelae. In conclusion, in children aged 3–8 y who received one dose or 2 doses 28 d apart, IIV4 had an acceptable safety profile, was as immunogenic as IIV3 for the shared strains, and had superior immunogenicity for the additional B strain.

Role of overlapping genetic and environmental factors in the relationship between early adolescent conduct problems and substance use in young adulthood

AIMS

To determine (1) the prospective associations of conduct problems during early adolescence with tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use in young adulthood and (2) to what extent these associations are due to overlapping genetic versus environmental influences.

DESIGN

A prospective twin study using biometric twin modelling.

SETTING

Finland.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 1847 Finnish twins (943 males and 904 females) were interviewed in early adolescence, 73% of whom (n = 1353, 640 males and 713 females) were retained in young adulthood.

MEASUREMENTS

Symptom counts of conduct disorder (CD) criteria were obtained from a semi-structured clinical interview in early adolescence [age 14-15 years, mean = 14.2, standard deviation (SD) = 0.15]. Frequency of alcohol, tobacco and cannabis use was obtained from a semi-structured clinical interview in young adulthood (age 19.9-26.6 years, mean = 22.4, SD = 0.7).

FINDINGS

We found modest to moderate phenotypical correlations (r = 0.16-0.35) between early adolescent CD symptoms and substance use in young adulthood. In males, the phenotypical correlations of CD symptoms with all three substance use variables are explained largely by overlapping genetic influences. In females, overlapping shared environmental influences predominantly explain the phenotypical correlation between CD symptoms and tobacco and cannabis use.

CONCLUSIONS

Conduct disorder symptoms in early adolescence appear to moderately predict substance use in early adulthood. In males, genetic influences seem to be most important in explaining the relationship between conduct disorder symptoms and substance use whereas in females, shared environmental influences seem to be most important.

Genome-wide association study of lifetime cannabis use based on a large meta-analytic sample of 32 330 subjects from the International Cannabis Consortium

Cannabis is the most widely produced and consumed illicit psychoactive substance worldwide. Occasional cannabis use can progress to frequent use, abuse and dependence with all known adverse physical, psychological and social consequences. Individual differences in cannabis initiation are heritable (40-48%). The International Cannabis Consortium was established with the aim to identify genetic risk variants of cannabis use. We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association data of 13 cohorts (N=32 330) and four replication samples (N=5627). In addition, we performed a gene-based test of association, estimated single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability and explored the genetic correlation between lifetime cannabis use and cigarette use using LD score regression. No individual SNPs reached genome-wide significance. Nonetheless, gene-based tests identified four genes significantly associated with lifetime cannabis use: NCAM1, CADM2, SCOC and KCNT2. Previous studies reported associations of NCAM1 with cigarette smoking and other substance use, and those of CADM2 with body mass index, processing speed and autism disorders, which are phenotypes previously reported to be associated with cannabis use. Furthermore, we showed that, combined across the genome, all common SNPs explained 13-20% (P<0.001) of the liability of lifetime cannabis use. Finally, there was a strong genetic correlation (rg=0.83; P=1.85 × 10(-8)) between lifetime cannabis use and lifetime cigarette smoking implying that the SNP effect sizes of the two traits are highly correlated. This is the largest meta-analysis of cannabis GWA studies to date, revealing important new insights into the genetic pathways of lifetime cannabis use. Future functional studies should explore the impact of the identified genes on the biological mechanisms of cannabis use.

Ca(2+) -activated K(+) current is essential for maintaining excitability and gene transcription in early embryonic cardiomyocytes

AIM

Activity of early embryonic cardiomyocytes relies on spontaneous Ca(2+) oscillations that are induced by interplay between sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) - Ca(2+) release and ion currents of the plasma membrane. In a variety of cell types, Ca(2+) -activated K(+) current (IK(Ca) ) serves as a link between Ca(2+) signals and membrane voltage. This study aimed to determine the role of IK (Ca) in developing cardiomyocytes.

METHODS

Ion currents and membrane voltage of embryonic (E9-11) mouse cardiomyocytes were measured by patch clamp; [Ca(2+) ]i signals by confocal microscopy. Transcription of specific genes was measured with RT-qPCR and Ca(2+) -dependent transcriptional activity using NFAT-luciferase assay. Myocyte structure was assessed with antibody labelling and confocal microscopy.

RESULTS

E9-11 cardiomyocytes express small conductance (SK) channel subunits SK2 and SK3 and have a functional apamin-sensitive K(+) current, which is also sensitive to changes in cytosolic [Ca(2+) ]i . In spontaneously active cardiomyocytes, inhibition of IK (Ca) changed action and resting potentials, reduced SR Ca(2+) load and suppressed the amplitude and the frequency of spontaneously evoked Ca(2+) oscillations. Apamin caused dose-dependent suppression of NFAT-luciferase reporter activity, induced downregulation of a pattern of genes vital for cardiomyocyte development and triggered changes in the myocyte morphology.

CONCLUSION

The results show that apamin-sensitive IK (Ca) is required for maintaining excitability and activity of the developing cardiomyocytes as well as having a fundamental role in promoting Ca(2+) - dependent gene expression.

Quantitative application of Monte Carlo simulation in Fire-PSA

In a power plant a fire cell forms the basic subunit. Since the fire is initially located there, the full-scale time dependent fire simulation and estimation of target response must be performed within the fire cell. Conditional, time dependent damage probabilities in a fire cell can now be calculated for arbitrary targets (component or a subsystem) combining probabilistic (Monte Carlo) and deterministic simulation. For the latter a spectrum from simple correlations up to latest computational fluid dynamics models is available. Selection of the code is made according to the requirements from the target cell. Although calculations are numerically heavy, it is now economically possible and feasible to carry out quantitative fire-PSA for a complete plant iteratively with the main PSA. From real applications examples are shown on assessment of fire spread possibility in a relay room, and potential of fire spread on cables in a tunnel.

Self-reported life satisfaction and alcohol use: a 15-year follow-up of healthy adult twins

AIMS

To study the bidirectional relationships between life satisfaction (LS) and alcohol use.

METHODS

Health questionnaires were administered in 1975, 1981 and 1990 to a population-based sample of healthy Finnish twins aged 18-45 at baseline (n = 14,083). These included a LS scale and three indicators for adverse alcohol use: binge drinking, passing out and high consumption (women/men ≥400/800 g/month). In longitudinal analyses, logistic regression, pair-wise case-control analyses and growth models were applied.

RESULTS

All alcohol indicators increased the age-adjusted risk of becoming dissatisfied regardless of study period [binge drinking odds ratio (OR)(1975-1990 )= 1.29; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.12-1.50; high consumption OR(1975-1990 )= 1.60; 1.29-1.99 and passing out OR(1981-1990 )= 2.01; 1.57-2.57]. Also, the dissatisfied had an increased subsequent risk for adverse alcohol use. The risk for passing out due to drinking (OR(1975-1990 )= 1.50; 1.22-1.86) was increased regardless of study period, while high consumption (OR(1975-1981 )= 1.97; 1.40-2.77; OR(1981-1990 )= 2.48; 1.50-4.12) and binge drinking (OR(1975-1981 )= 1.37; 1.12-1.67) showed some variation by the study period. Predictions remained after multiple adjustments. Longitudinally, high consumption predicted dissatisfaction somewhat more strongly than vice versa. The change/levels within the whole range of LS and alcohol consumption were only slightly associated in the entire study population.

CONCLUSION

Life dissatisfaction and adverse alcohol use reciprocally predict each other prospectively. The heavier the alcohol use the stronger the relationship.

Prospective relationships of ADHD symptoms with developing substance use in a population-derived sample

BACKGROUND

Clinically ascertained reports suggest that boys and girls with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) may differ from each other in their vulnerability to substance use problems.

METHOD

A total of 1545 Finnish adolescents were assessed for DSM-IV-based ADHD symptoms by their parents and classroom teachers using standardized rating scales at age 11-12 years. At age 14, substance use disorders and psychiatric co-morbidity were assessed with the Semi-Structured Assessment for the Genetics of Alcoholism, providing DSM-III-R/DSM-IV diagnoses for Axis I disorders. At age 17.5, substance use was assessed by multi-item questionnaire.

RESULTS

Although baseline ADHD symptoms were less common among females, they were more predictive of adverse substance use outcomes once conduct disorder and previous substance use were controlled for. Only in females were baseline ADHD symptoms significant predictors of alcohol abuse and dependence and illicit drug use at age 14. At the age of 17.5, parents' reports of inattentiveness and hyperactivity were significant predictors for frequent alcohol use in both sexes, but they were more predictive of frequent alcohol and illicit drug use in girls. Impulsivity in teachers' ratings predicted frequent alcohol use and illicit drug use in boys. Parental reports of inattentiveness in their 11-/12-year-old daughters were a consistent predictor for illicit drug use across adolescence.

CONCLUSIONS

Inattentiveness and hyperactivity may be more predictive of alcohol use disorders and maladaptive patterns of alcohol and illicit drug use among girls than boys. The importance of these behavioural symptoms should be assessed further in the community, as they could jeopardize adolescents' successful transitioning into adult roles.

Maternal vitamin D status affects bone growth in early childhood--a prospective cohort study

In this prospective study, 87 children were followed up from birth to 14 months with data on maternal vitamin D status during the pregnancy. Postnatal vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status but only partly eliminated the differences in bone variables induced by maternal vitamin D status during the fetal period.

INTRODUCTION

Intrauterine nutritional deficits may have permanent consequences despite improved nutritional status postnatally. We evaluated the role of prenatal and postnatal vitamin D status on bone parameters in early infancy.

METHODS

Eighty-seven children were followed from birth to 14 months. Background data were collected with a questionnaire and a 3-day food record. At 14 months bone variables were measured with peripheral computed tomography (pQCT) from the left tibia. Serum 25-OHD and bone turnover markers were determined. Findings were compared with maternal vitamin D status during pregnancy.

RESULTS

The children were divided into two groups based on vitamin D status during pregnancy. Despite discrepant S-25-OHD at baseline (median 36.3 vs. 52.5 nmol/l, p < 0.001), the values at 14 months were similar (63 vs. 66 nmol/l, p = 0.58) in Low D and High D. Serum 25-OHD increased more in Low D (p < 0.001) despite similar total intake of vitamin D (mean 12.3 μg/day). In Low D, tibial bone mineral content (BMC) was lower at birth but BMC gain was greater (multivariate analysis of variance [MANOVA]; p = 0.032) resulting in similar BMC at 14 months in the two groups. In High D, tibial total bone cross-sectional area was higher at baseline; the difference persisted at 14 months (MANOVA; p = 0.068). Bone mineral density (BMD) and ΔBMD were similar in the two groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Postnatal vitamin D supplementation improved vitamin D status but only partly eliminated the differences in bone variables induced by maternal vitamin D status during the fetal period. Further attention should be paid to improving vitamin D status during pregnancy.

Glycaemic index values in the Finnish food composition database: an approach to standardised value documentation

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES

The glycaemic index (GI) is used to describe the blood glucose-raising potential of carbohydrate-containing foods. Only a few descriptions of the addition of GI values to national food composition databases (FCDBs) exist. We tested whether the value documentation framework established within the European Food Information Resource (EuroFIR) Network could be used for GI values when adding them to the Finnish FCDB.

METHODS

The list of foods requiring GI values was based on the National FINDIET 2007 Survey data and extended with foods encoded in a food-frequency questionnaire used in other nationally representative studies. The minimum quality of GI measurements was verified when gathering values from various sources, using earlier defined criteria. If a measured GI value for a food was directly available, or could be imputed or estimated, the value was added to the Finnish FCDB and documented using core standard vocabularies of EuroFIR. The GI values of composite foods were calculated using recipe calculation software.

RESULTS

A total of 2210 foods required a GI value. GI values for 1322 foods were available and added to the FCDB. The remaining 888 foods were composite foods and received a GI value through recipe calculation. The standard vocabularies describing the origin of the GI values, the methods used in their derivation and their qualitative characteristics were suitable for GI values.

CONCLUSIONS

GI values can be added to FCDBs and documented using terms similar to those used for traditional food composition data. Standardised value documentation may provide transparency for GI database compilation processes.

Smoking strongly predicts disability retirement due to COPD: the Finnish Twin Cohort Study

No previous studies on the association of smoking behaviour with disability retirement due to register verified chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exist. This 30-yr follow-up study examined how strongly aspects of cigarette smoking predict disability retirement due to COPD. The study population consisted of 24,043 adult Finnish twins (49.7% females) followed from 1975 to 2004. At baseline the participants had responded to a questionnaire. Information on retirement was obtained from the Finnish pension registers. Smoking strongly predicted disability retirement due to COPD. In comparison to never-smokers, age adjusted hazard ratio (HR) for current smokers was 22.0 (95% CI 10.0-48.5) and for smokers with ≥ 12 pack-yrs was 27.3 (95% CI 12.6-59.5). Similar estimates of risk were observed in within-pair analyses of twin pairs discordant for disability retirement due to COPD. Among discordant monozygotic pairs those with disability pension due to COPD were more often current smokers. The effect of early smoking onset (< 18 yrs) on the risk of disability retirement due to COPD remained after adjustment for the amount smoked (HR 1.70, 95% CI 1.08-2.68). Smoking strongly predicts disability retirement due to COPD. Preventive measures against disability retirement and other harmful consequences of tobacco smoking should receive greater emphasis.

Detection of human norovirus from frozen raspberries in a cluster of gastroenteritis outbreaks

We describe a cluster of norovirus outbreaks affecting about 200 people in Southern Finland in September and October 2009. All outbreaks occurred after consumption of imported raspberries from the same batch intended for the catering sector. Human norovirus genotype GI.4 was found in frozen raspberries. The berries were served in toppings of cakes in separate catering settings or mixed in curd cheese as a snack for children in a daycare center. The relative risk for consumption of the berry dish was 3.0 (p <or= 0.05) at the daycare centre. Human norovirus GI.4 was also detected in samples from two patients, and in berries. Both shared identical partial capsid sequences. Based on the results of epidemiological, trace-back and laboratory investigations it was concluded that one particular batch of frozen raspberries was the source of all outbreaks.

Detection of human norovirus from frozen raspberries in a cluster of gastroenteritis outbreaks

We describe a cluster of norovirus outbreaks affecting about 200 people in Southern Finland in September and October 2009. All outbreaks occurred after consumption of imported raspberries from the same batch intended for the catering sector. Human norovirus genotype GI.4 was found in frozen raspberries. The berries were served in toppings of cakes in separate catering settings or mixed in curd cheese as a snack for children in a daycare center. The relative risk for consumption of the berry dish was 3.0 (p ≤ 0.05) at the daycare centre. Human norovirus GI.4 was also detected in samples from two patients, and in berries. Both shared identical partial capsid sequences. Based on the results of epidemiological, trace-back and laboratory investigations it was concluded that one particular batch of frozen raspberries was the source of all outbreaks.

Botulism and hot-smoked whitefish: a family cluster of type E botulism in France, September 2009

A family cluster of three cases of type E botulism were identified in south-east France in September 2009. The suspected food source of infection was a vacuum packed hot-smoked whitefish of Canadian origin purchased by the family during a visit to Finland and consumed several weeks later in France on the day prior to symptom onset. No leftover fish was available to confirm this hypothesis. Vacuum packed hot-smoked whitefish has previously been associated with cases of type E botulism in multiple countries, including Finland, Germany, the United States and Israel.

Preventive child-focused family work: development of instrument in adult psychiatry

It is well-known that a parent's mental disorder has a significant psychosocial influence on the development of her or his children. This study reports the development process and psychometric testing of the preventive child-focused family work (PCF-FW) questionnaire in adult psychiatric settings. The PCF-FW instrument was developed to measure support for parenting, dependent children and family relationships in order to promote child development and mental health in adult psychiatry. A 133-item PCF-FW questionnaire was developed; the content validity, construct validity and reliability of the instrument were ensured by expert review, pilot test and internal consistency. The final instrument was distributed to all nurses (n= 608), including registered nurses (n= 373) and practical mental health nurses (n= 235), working in 45 adult psychiatric units in five university hospitals in Finland. Some 51% of all nurses responded. Correlation variables in each subscale varied between 0.1 and 0.8. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were 0.55-0.95 in each subscale, demonstrating the moderate to excellent internal consistency of the instrument. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the entire instrument was 0.94. In spite of some caveats, such as possible response biases, the present study suggests that the PCF-FW instrument is a valid and reliable tool for studying preventive child-focused family working in adult psychiatry.

Stopping insulin treatment in middle-aged diabetic patients with high postglucagon plasma C-peptide. Effect on glycaemic control, serum lipids and lipoproteins

We studied the successfulness of stopping insulin treatment in middle-aged diabetic patients aged 45-64 with a high postglucagon C-peptide level and the effects of this change on glycaemic control, serum lipids and lipoproteins. Insulin treatment was successfully stopped in 15 of our 22 patients who satisfied the inclusion criteria for the study and were selected on the basis of a computer file including practically all diabetic patients treated with insulin in the Kuopio University Central Hospital region (population base 250,000 inhabitants). Insulin therapy was restarted in seven patients during the first 3 months after discharge. During the following 9 months insulin therapy was restarted in another three patients so that after a 1-year follow-up period half of the diabetic patients whose insulin therapy was stopped had been switched back to insulin. Insulin therapy was seldom successfully stopped if the postglucagon C-peptide value was under the limit of 1.0 nmol/l. Glycaemic control did not change during the follow-up, although there was a significant weight loss in diabetic patients. No changes were observed in serum lipids or lipoproteins with the exception of LDL cholesterol, which showed a significant reduction during the 3-month follow-up. In conclusion, insulin therapy can often be successfully stopped in patients with postglucagon C-peptide over the limit of 1.0 nmol/l without worsening of glycaemic control and without unfavourable changes in serum lipid and lipoprotein levels.

Efficacy of dietary instructions in newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Comparison of two different patient education regimens

Eighty consecutive newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients were randomly allocated into two groups to compare two different patient education regimens. One group received individual dietary instructions by a nurse and the other a short, written leaflet given by a doctor. The principal aim of the dietary instructions was weight reduction. A significant weight loss and improvement in the control of diabetes occurred in both groups, and these changes were similar in the two groups. At the end of one year's follow-up, however, only 25% of the patients were satisfactorily controlled (fasting blood glucose less than or equal to 6.0 mmol/l). The degree of weight loss correlated only weakly with the improvement in the metabolic control. The degree of obesity and insulin secretion capacity as measured at the beginning of the study did not predict the improvement of glycaemic control during the study. At the end of the study a significant improvement was observed in serum lipids of patients with good control (fasting blood glucose less than or equal to 6.0 mmol/l) or weight loss (greater than 5 kg). In conclusion, both brief, written and individual dietary instructions induced a significant weight loss as well as improved glucose and lipid metabolism in newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients, but satisfactory metabolic control was achieved only in a minority of the patients.

Effect of correction of hyperglycemia on left ventricular function in non-insulin-dependent (type 2) diabetics

Systolic time intervals (STI) were recorded in 33 newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetics (19 men, 14 women, aged 44-64 years) before and after 3-8 months' dietary therapy. The mean (+/- SD) fasting blood glucose was 11.1 +/- 2.6 mmol/l before treatment and 7.8 +/- 1.8 at the second examination (p less than 0.001). Concomitantly with the decline in blood glucose concentration, the heart rate corrected pre-ejection period (PEP) decreased from 139 +/- 11.9 to 135 +/- 14.4 msec (mean +/- SD) (p less than 0.05), the heart rate corrected left ventricular ejection time (LVET) increased from 400 +/- 15.1 to 410 +/- 20.7 msec (p less than 0.0025) and the PEP/LVET ratio decreased from 0.39 +/- 0.06 to 0.36 +/- 0.06 (p less than 0.005). When the diabetics were divided into two groups according to the degree of the decline in blood glucose concentration, only those whose fasting blood glucose decreased by greater than or equal to 3 mmol/l showed significant changes in STI. No significant changes were observed in the mean heart rate or systolic blood pressure during the treatment. Cardiac dysfunction occurring in untreated non-insulin-dependent diabetics may be caused by metabolic factors and it may be reversed at least partially by correction of hyperglycemia.

Do nurses working in adult psychiatry take into consideration the support network of families affected by parental mental disorder?

The aim of this study was to gain information about registered and practical mental health nurses' activities concerning support network of families affected by parental mental illness. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire distributed to all 608 practical and registered mental health nurses working in adult psychiatric units in five Finnish university hospitals. A total of 311 nurses returned completed questionnaires (response rate 51%). Sixty per cent (n = 222) of registered nurses and 36% (n = 88) of practical mental health nurses responded. Information about family relationships and socio-economic situation was gathered regularly by all nurses. The nurses' individual characteristics, such as being a parent, further family education and use of family-centred care, were significantly related to their activeness in discussing the family's support network with the parents. Discussing family relationships and families support networks forms part of patient care in adult psychiatric nursing with families with dependent children (under 18 years of age). Nurses can work directly with the parents to aid them to strengthen their support network for themselves and their children.

Adhesion of Escherichia coli in urinary tract infection

In individuals prone to urinary tract infections the intestine is colonized by E. Coli strains that possess a combination of properties determining virulence. Such an E. coli strain may colonize the vaginal and periurethral area and ascend the urinary tract. The ability to attach to the mucosal surface is thought to be essential for E. coli to colonize and to remain in the urinary tract. Most E. coli from patients with urinary tract infection show one or both of two adherence properties. One may depend on the recognition by type 1 fimbriae of mannose-containing residues in the urinary slime. It is measured as mannose-sensitive haemagglutination and is found on most E. coli strains. The second adherence property is detected as attachment to human urinary tract epithelial cells and as mannose-resistant agglutination of human erythrocytes. This may depend on the recognition of globo-series glycolipids in the epithelial cell surface. Possession of this adherence factor is strongly related to virulence. Most strains from patients with acute pyelonephritis and cystitis have this property but it is rare in strains from patients with asymptomatic bacteriuria and strains from normal faeces. Local antibodies may interfere with bacterial attachment, thus possibly preventing the colonization that precedes urinary tract infection or modifying an established infection. Vaginal antibodies are known to coat E. coli from the stools. Antibodies in the urine of patients with acute pyelonephritis inhibit attachment of the infecting strain to uroepithelial cells. Antibodies directed against several bacterial surface structures, for example O antigen and fimbriae, are likely to inhibit attachment by steric hindrance or agglutination. The role of antibodies in adhesion-mediating structure such as fimbriae in susceptibility to and the outcome of human urinary tract infection remains to be investigated.

Serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations and risk of advanced beta cell autoimmunity in children with HLA-conferred susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The aim of our study was to assess the associations of serum alpha- and gamma-tocopherol concentrations with the risk of advanced beta cell autoimmunity in children with HLA-conferred genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus.

METHODS

A case-control study with 108 cases with advanced beta cell autoimmunity and 216 matched control participants nested within the birth cohort of the Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention Project. A serum sample for vitamin E analyses was collected from all the children in the cohort at the age of 1 year and thereafter at 12 month intervals. For each case-control group, all the repeated serum samples up to the age of seroconversion to autoantibody positivity in the case were analysed. A conditional logistic regression model was used to determine potential associations between seroconversion and serum tocopherol concentrations.

RESULTS

Serum alpha- or gamma-tocopherol concentrations were not significantly associated with the risk of advanced beta cell autoimmunity. The odds ratio (95% CI) for micromol/l increase in serum concentration of the first-year sample was 0.97 (0.92-1.03) for alpha-tocopherol and 1.10 (0.70-1.74) for gamma-tocopherol. However, there was an interaction between high values of gamma-tocopherol at the age of 1 year and the time of seroconversion (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

It seems unlikely that high concentrations of alpha- or gamma-tocopherol protect against advanced beta cell autoimmunity in young children.

Activation of Ca(2+)-dependent protein kinase II during repeated contractions in single muscle fibres from mouse is dependent on the frequency of sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca(2+) release

AIM

To investigate the importance and contribution of calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity on sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) Ca(2+)-release in response to different work intensities in single, intact muscle fibres.

METHODS

CaMKII activity was blocked in single muscle fibres using either the inhibitory peptide AC3-I or the pharmacological inhibitor KN-93. The effect on tetanic force production and [Ca(2+)](i) was determined during work of different intensities. The activity of CaMKII was assessed by mathematical modelling.

RESULTS

Using a standard protocol to induce fatigue (50x 70 Hz, 350 ms duration, every 2 s) the number of stimuli needed to induce fatigue was decreased from 47 +/- 3 contractions in control to 33 +/- 3 with AC3-I. KN-93 was a more potent inhibitor, decreasing the number of contractions needed to induce fatigue to 15 +/- 3. Tetanic [Ca(2+)](i) was 100 +/- 11%, 97 +/- 11% and 67 +/- 11% at the end of stimulation in control, AC3-I and KN-93 respectively. A similar inhibition was obtained using a high intensity protocol (20x 70 Hz, 200 ms duration, every 300 ms). However, using a long interval protocol (25x 70 Hz, 350 ms duration, every 5 s) no change was observed in either tetanic [Ca(2+)](i) or force when inhibiting CaMKII. A mathematical model used to investigate the activation pattern of CaMKII suggests that there is a threshold of active CaMKII that has to be surpassed in order for CaMKII to affect SR Ca(2+) release.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that CaMKII is crucial for maintaining proper SR Ca(2+) release and that this is regulated in a work intensity manner.

Bone morphogenetic protein 7 expression associates with bone metastasis in breast carcinomas

BACKGROUND

We recently showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 (BMP7) is overexpressed in primary breast tumors. Here we explored the clinical significance of BMP7 expression in breast cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 483 breast cancer patients with complete clinicopathological information and up to 15 years of follow-up. Samples contained 241 lobular carcinomas, 242 ductal carcinomas, and 40 local recurrences. BMP7 protein expression was determined using immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

BMP7 was expressed in 47% of the primary tumor samples and 13% of the local recurrences. The primary tumors expressed BMP7 more often than the corresponding local recurrences (P = 0.004). BMP7 expression was dependent on the tumor subtype; 57% of the lobular carcinomas but only 37% of the ductal carcinomas were BMP7 positive (P = 0.0001). BMP7 expression was associated with accelerated bone metastasis formation (P = 0.040), especially in ductal carcinomas (P = 0.033), and multivariate analysis confirmed that BMP7 is an independent prognostic indicator for early bone metastasis development (P = 0.032).

CONCLUSION

BMP7 is clearly associated with bone metastasis formation and thus might have clinical utility in identification of patients with increased risk of bone metastasis. This is the first time that bone inducing factor BMP7 has been linked to the bone metastasis process in breast cancer.

Estimation of plant sterol and cholesterol intake in Finland: quality of new values and their effect on intake

The Finnish national food composition database Fineli®was updated with recent analytical values for plant sterols (PS) (sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, avenasterol, brassicasterols and stanols) and cholesterol. The quality of the new analytical data was assessed. The aims of the present study were: (1) to compare the effect of old and new database values on PS and cholesterol intakes based on average per capita food consumption data; (2) to estimate the current intake and major sources of these compounds in various population groups according to the national FINDIET 1997 survey data. The intake of total PS was 305 mg/d for men and 237 mg/d for women. The respective intakes for cholesterol were 284 mg/d and 201 mg/d. Women had a higher density of PS in their diets than men, whereas the cholesterol density in the diets did not differ between genders. Cereals, margarine, vegetables and vegetable oils were the main food sources of PS. Meat, meat products and eggs were the main sources of cholesterol. A 9 % greater PS intake estimate was obtained with the new PS database compared with the old PS database, probably due to minor methodological differences between the new and old analyses. Notable changes in analytical methods suggest a lower value (−19 %) for cholesterol intake calculated from the new database compared with the old one. We conclude that researchers can have confidence in the new values for PS and cholesterol, because systematic evaluation of the new analytical values showed them to be of high quality.

Hope and schizophrenia: an integrative review

The purpose of this article is to describe the current status of research on hope and schizophrenia. The CINAHL database was used to identify the articles that met the criteria. The searches were conducted using the terms 'hope', 'hope instillation (IOWA NIC)', 'hope (IOWA NOC)', 'schizophrenia' and their combinations. The findings were limited to research articles. In addition, Pub Medical database was used by searching the words 'hope' and 'schizophrenia' from the fields 'title' or 'abstract'. Four new articles were found. The data consist of 17 articles on hope and schizophrenia published in peer-reviewed journals, which were analysed using content analysis. Existing research has focused on people with schizophrenia (n = 8), significant others (n = 4), staff (n = 2), hope-engendering interventions (n = 2) and treatment evaluation related to hope (n = 2) in the care of people with schizophrenia. Different data collection methods have been used in these studies. The most common method was interview (n = 9), followed by questionnaires (n = 8) and observation (n = 1). Most studies used quantitative methods (n = 9). Hope is considered a positive factor in the life of a person living with schizophrenia, in significant others as well as in staff members. Existing research provides evidence of the following themes: factors associated with hope and factors contributing to hope in people with schizophrenia; hope from the perspective of significant others of people with schizophrenia; staff hopefulness and factors contributing to their hope, hope-engendering interventions and treatment evaluation in regard to hope. Based on this review, research evidence of hope in the context of schizophrenia is quite scant and limited, even though the importance of hope in schizophrenia has been underlined in research reports and the literature. It is clear that hope is important to people with schizophrenia, their significant others and the healthcare personnel caring for them. It is therefore also important to study hope among these people.

A randomized, double-blind study of the safety, transmissibility and phenotypic and genotypic stability of cold-adapted influenza virus vaccine

BACKGROUND

Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV; FluMist) is a trivalent vaccine containing cold-adapted influenza vaccine viruses that infect and replicate in cells lining the nasopharynx to induce immunity. Recovery of viruses (shedding) is measured by culture of nasal specimens. Shedding of vaccine viruses is not equated with transmission because transmission requires more virus than is detected in many nasal swabs. Previous studies with LAIV did not detect transmission to close contacts. The primary objective of this study was to estimate the probability of transmission to placebo contacts in a day care setting.

METHODS

One hundred ninety-seven healthy children aged 9 to 36 months attending day care were randomized to receive vaccine or placebo. Postvaccination viral shedding, safety, genotype and phenotype of shed viruses and probability of transmission were assessed.

RESULTS

Eighty percent of 98 vaccine recipients shed at least one vaccine strain. No clinically significant differences in solicited adverse events attributable to vaccine occurred; safety profiles were similar in both groups. Vaccine virus isolates retained their phenotypic characteristics (cold adaptation and temperature sensitivity) and did not revert at nucleotides known to confer an attenuating phenotype. There was one confirmed transmission of a vaccine strain to a single placebo recipient. According to the Reed-Frost model, the calculated probability of transmission to a child after contact with a single vaccinated child was 0.58% (95% confidence interval, 0-1.7%). There was no increased reactogenicity or other safety concerns in the recipient child.

CONCLUSIONS

Young children in a day care setting had a high rate of shedding and a low rate of transmission. No clinically significant illness occurred among children who received vaccine or placebo or in the child to whom the vaccine virus was transmitted.

Pathogenic bacteria and viruses in induced sputum or pharyngeal secretions of adults with stable asthma

BACKGROUND

Respiratory infections are well known triggers of asthma exacerbations, but their role in stable adult asthma remains unclear.

METHODS

103 asthmatics and 30 control subjects were enrolled in the study. Sputum was induced by inhalation of 3% NaCl solution. Oropharyngeal swab specimens were obtained from the posterior wall of the oropharynx. Respiratory specimens were analysed by RT-PCR for rhinovirus, enterovirus and respiratory syncytial virus and by PCR for adenovirus, Chlamydia pneumoniae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Bordetella pertussis.

RESULTS

Sputum samples from two of the 30 healthy controls (6.7%), five of 53 patients with mild asthma (9.4%), and eight of 50 with moderate asthma (16.0%) were positive for rhinovirus. Rhinovirus positive asthmatic subjects had more asthma symptoms and lower forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV(1)) (79% predicted) than rhinovirus negative cases (93.5% predicted; p = 0.020). Chlamydia pneumoniae PCR was positive in 11 healthy controls (36.6%), 11 mild asthmatics (20.8%), and 11 moderate asthmatics (22%), and PCR positive asthmatics had lower FEV(1)/FVC than negative cases (78.2% v 80.8%, p = 0.023). Bordetella pertussis PCR was positive in 30 cases: five healthy controls (16.7%), 15 mild asthmatics (28.3%), and 10 moderate asthmatics (20%). Bordetella pertussis positive individuals had lower FEV(1)/FVC (77.1% v 80.7%, p = 0.012) and more asthma symptoms than B pertussis negative cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Rhinovirus, C pneumoniae, and B pertussis are found in the sputum or pharyngeal swab specimens of asthmatic subjects without concurrent symptoms of infection or asthma exacerbation, as well as in some healthy controls. Positivity is associated with lower lung function and more frequent asthma symptoms.

Snacks as an element of energy intake and food consumption

BACKGROUND

An increasing frequency of snacks has been observed in meal pattern studies. Snacks can alter the diet because of their high-energy density and low-nutrient content or on the contrary.

OBJECTIVE

The prominence of snacks in energy intake and food consumption was assessed.

DESIGN

Dietary data were collected for 2007 adults by using a computer-assisted 48-h dietary recall in the national FINDIET 2002 survey. Energy intakes and food consumption were aggregated for snacks and for main meals.

RESULTS

Daily energy was mostly derived from main meals comprising traditional mixed dishes, milk and bread. However, a snack-dominating meal pattern was observed in 19% of men and 24% of women. This meal pattern was associated with urbanization in both genders and with physical work in men. Higher sucrose intake and lower intake of micronutrients were typical of the snack-dominating meal pattern compared to the others.

CONCLUSIONS

As snacks appear to have a higher energy density and a lower content of micronutrients than main meals, a snack-dominating meal pattern is inadvisable. However, further studies are needed to examine the association between meal pattern and health status.

Role of adiposity hormones in the mouse during fasting and winter-acclimatization

The influence of fasting and winter-acclimatization (cold and short-day acclimatization) on mouse plasma leptin, ghrelin, growth hormone (GH) and melatonin concentrations was determined from blood samples taken at mid-day and midnight. A 16-h fast decreased the plasma leptin but almost doubled the plasma ghrelin concentrations which contribute to energy saving, appetite stimulation and, in the case of leptin, to inhibition of reproduction. Winter-acclimatization did not affect plasma ghrelin concentrations, whereas leptin decreased to the same level as in fasting. The low leptin concentrations possibly enable an increased caloric intake for the purpose of thermogenesis. Fasting and winter-acclimatization seemed to abolish the diurnal leptin rhythm, but had no effect on that of ghrelin. Plasma melatonin concentration correlated negatively with ghrelin, suggesting a possible role for melatonin in the regulation of ghrelin concentration. SNS-activity and insulin appear to be the main regulators of leptin plasma concentration in the mouse, rather than melatonin as in some seasonal mammals. Interestingly, endogenous ghrelin did not stimulate GH secretion, which is a well-documented reaction to exogenous ghrelin injections.