Adolescent social capital: An intergenerational resource?

INTRODUCTION

There is abundant literature about the benefits of social capital in youth, but less is known of the origins of social capital. This study explores whether adolescents' social capital is shaped by their parents' social capital, their family's socioeconomic status (SES), and the socioeconomic profile of their neighborhood.

METHODS

The study uses cross-sectional survey data gathered from 12 to 13-year-old adolescents and their parents (n = 163) in Southwest Finland. For the analysis, adolescents' social capital was disaggregated into four dimensions: social networks, social trust, tendency to receive help, and tendency to provide help. Parents' social capital was measured both directly (parents' self-reports) and indirectly (adolescents' perceptions of their parents' sociability). The associations with the hypothesized predictors were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

RESULTS

The results suggest that social capital is not directly intergenerationally transmissible the way some biologically heritable traits are. Yet, parents' social capital shapes youngsters' perception of their sociability, and that, in turn, predicts each dimension of adolescents' social capital. Family SES is positively related to young people's reciprocal tendency, but the pathway flows indirectly through parents' social capital and adolescents' perception of parents' sociability. Conversely, a disadvantaged socioeconomic neighborhood is directly negatively associated with adolescents' social trust and tendency to receive help.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that, in the studied Finnish, relatively egalitarian context, social capital is (at least partly) transmissible from parents to children, not directly, but indirectly through the mechanism of social learning.

Association of isolated T inversion and sudden cardiac death – etiology and gender differences

Background

Inferolateral T wave inversion has been associated with increased risk of mortality and sudden cardiac death (SCD) in general population. However, the association between isolated T inversion and SCD is still unclear.

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine whether isolated T inversion associates with SCD, and find out possible gender differences.

Methods

FinGesture Study has systematically collected clinical data and medico-legal autopsy data from 5,869 consecutive SCD victims (mean age 64.9±12.4 yrs.) in Northern of Finland between years 1998 and 2017. Previously recorded electrocardiograms (ECG) were available and analyzed in 1,101 subjects. The control group consisted of 7,217 subjects representative of Finnish general population (mean age 51.5±12.4 yrs.). T inversion was interpreted isolated if there was at least two T inversions ≥−0.1 mV in at least two contiguous leads, and there were no ECG signs of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) defined by Sokolow-Lyon criteria or bunchle brand block (BBB) attached to it.

Results

In a current study, isolated T inversion was more common finding among SCD victims compared to general population: isolated T inversion in any leads 10.9% vs. 0.9% (SCD vs. general population, p<0.001), laterally 7.7% vs. 0.1% (p<0.001), inferiorly 3.2% vs. 0.5% (p<0.001) and anteriorly 2.9% vs. 0.4% (p<0.001). Particularly, isolated T inversion seemed to assoaciate with ischemic SCD taking into account that 61.5% of the total isolated T inversions were seen in ischemic SCD victims (p=0.018). In addition, 62.1% of the inferior isolated T inversions (p=0.023) and 61.7% of the lateral isolated T inversions (p=0.031) were in ischemic SCD victims versus 37.9% and 38.3% in non-ischemic SCD victims, respectively. The prevalence of isolated T inversion in any lead was also higher among male SCD victims compared to female victims (12.8% vs. 8.2%, p<0.001, respectively). There was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of LVH and strain changes between the populations. Among bundle branch blocks left BBB was predictably more typical in SCD victims (5.8% vs. 0.5%, p<0.001).

Conclusion

We noticed an association between isolated T inversion and SCD. The association was most prominent in males and in those with ischemic etiology of SCD.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): The Finnish Medical Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research

Calculated beam quality correction factors for ionization chambers in MV photon beams

The beam quality correction factor, [Formula: see text], which corrects for the difference in the ionization chamber response between the reference and clinical beam quality, is an integral part of radiation therapy dosimetry. The uncertainty of [Formula: see text] is one of the most significant sources of uncertainty in the dose determination. To improve the accuracy of available [Formula: see text] data, four partners calculated [Formula: see text] factors for 10 ionization chamber models in linear accelerator beams with accelerator voltages ranging from 6 MV to 25 MV, including flattening-filter-free (FFF) beams. The software used in the calculations were EGSnrc and PENELOPE, and the ICRU report 90 cross section data for water and graphite were included in the simulations. Volume averaging correction factors were calculated to correct for the dose averaging in the chamber cavities. A comparison calculation between partners showed a good agreement, as did comparison with literature. The [Formula: see text] values from TRS-398 were higher than our values for each chamber where data was available. The [Formula: see text] values for the FFF beams did not follow the same [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] relation as beams with flattening filter (values for 10 MV FFF beams were below fits made to other data on average by 0.3%), although our FFF sources were only for Varian linacs.

P4168Ischemic sudden cardiac deaths among victims under 50 years - Characteristics and autopsy findings

Background

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) is one of the most prevalent cause of death in Western countries representing nearly 20% of total mortality. About 70–80% of SCDs are due to coronary artery disease (CAD). Especially among young victims, whose first cardiac event is often SCD, decent risk prediction and prevention strategies are sadly lacking.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics and autopsy findings of ischemic sudden cardiac deaths among young victims under the age of 50 years.

Methods

The study population is derived from Fingesture study, consisting of prospectively collected consecutive victims of SCD in Northern Finland among whom post-mortem examinations were performed between years 1998–2017 (n=5,869). According to Finnish law, all unexpected deaths undergo medico-legal autopsy. All post-mortem examinations included histological examinations, as well as a toxicology investigation was carried out if needed. Information about the victims was collected from autopsy data, death certificates, medical records, standardized questionnaire to the closest family members of the victims and police reports about the conditions of the death. 10% off all SCDs occurred among victims aged under 50 years (607 victims).

Results

CAD was the most common underlying cause of SCD among young victims (265 victims, 44%), followed by obesity related (102 victims, 17%) and alcoholic cardiomyopathy (67 victims, 11%). The mean age of ischemic SCD victims was 44±4 years and they were mostly men (89%). 90% of victims had no history of CAD prior to death and 34% of these had a myocardial scar at autopsy indicating previously unrecognized MI. 26% of SCDs occurred during physical activity. Hypertrophied hearts (59%) and myocardial fibrosis (83%) were common findings among young ischemic SCD victims. 27% of victims had a history of heavy drinking and alcohol was found in toxicology investigations in 35% of victims. At least one cardiovascular risk factor (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, obesity) was present in 51% of cases.

Conclusions

CAD was the most common cause of SCD among victims under 50 years. Most ischemic SCDs among young occurred without previously diagnosed CAD, and yet severe findings were seen at autopsy.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Sigrid Juselius Foundation, Finnish Foundation for Cardiovascular Research, Aarne Koskelo Foundation

P3511Gender differences in electrocardiographic risk markers of heart failure

Background

Heart failure (HF) is one the leading causes of hospitalization in the Western world. Women have a lower rate of HF hospitalization and mortality compared to men. Role of 12-lead electrocardiography (ECG) as a risk marker of future HF in women is not well known.

Purpose

We studied the association of standard 12-lead ECG and clinical risk factors to HF hospitalization in women and in men separately from a large middle aged general population sample with a long-term follow-up.

Methods

Standard 12-lead ECG markers were analyzed from 10,864 subjects (48.8% women, N=5,215) of the prospective Mobile Clinic Study, and their predictive value for HF hospitalization was analyzed.

Results

During the follow-up (29.6±11.2 yrs.), a total of 1,743 subjects had HF hospitalization; out of these, 861 were women (49.4%). Several baseline characteristics, such as age, body mass index, blood pressure, and history of prior cardiac disease predicted the occurrence of HF both in women and men (P<0.001 for all). After adjusting for baseline variables, ECG sign of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) (P<0.001), and atrial fibrillation (P<0.001) were the only baseline ECG variables that predicted the future HF in women. In men, HF was predicted by fast heart rate (P=0.008), T wave inversions (P<0.001), abnormal Q waves (P=0.002), and atrial fibrillation (P<0.001). Statistically significant gender interactions in prediction of HF were observed in ECG sign of LVH (P<0.001), inferolateral T wave inversions (P=0.005), and heart rate (P=0.012).

Conclusions

ECG sign of LVH predicts future HF in middle-aged women independently, and T wave inversions and elevated heart rate are associated with HF hospitalization in men in.

Acknowledgement/Funding

Finnish Cultural Foundation, The University of Oulu Scholarship Foundation, Juho Vainio Foundation

Mechanisms of photoinduced magnetization in Pr0.6Ca0.4MnO3 studied above and below charge-ordering transition temperature

We report the effect of photonic field on the electronic and magnetic structure of a low bandwidth manganite [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text]MnO₃ (PCMO) thin film. In particular, the present study confirmed a mechanism that was recently proposed to explain how optical excitation can bias or directly activate the metamagnetic transition associated with the colossal magnetoresistance (CMR) effect of PCMO. The transition is characterized by a shift in the dynamic equilibrium between ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic clusters, explaining how it can be suddenly triggered by a sufficient external magnetic field. The film was always found to support some population of FM-clusters, the proportional size of which could be adjusted by the magnetic field and, especially in the vicinity of a thermomagnetic irreversibility, by optical excitation. The double exchange mechanism couples the magnetic degrees of freedom of manganites to their electronic structure, which is further coupled to the ion lattice via the Jahn-Teller mechanism. In accordance, it was found that producing optical phonons into the lattice could lower the free energy of the FM phase enough to significantly bias the CMR effect.

Dirty limit scattering behind the decreased anisotropy of doped YBa2Cu3O7-δ thin films

We measured the resistivity of pulsed-laser-deposited BaCeO3 (BCO)-doped YBCO thin films containing spherical BCO particles in fields up to 30 T. The average diameter of the particles depends on the dopant concentration being below 4 nm in all the samples. Raised values of the upper critical field, Bc2, were observed in all the samples. Additionally, the parameter γ, describing the electron mass anisotropy, decreased from 6.2 in the undoped sample to 3.1 in the 8 wt.% BCO-doped sample. These results can be explained by the increased number of defects decreasing the mean free path of electrons and thus lowering the coherence length, which in turn increases Bc2.

The low-temperature magnetostructure and magnetic field response of Pr0.9Ca0.1MnO3: the roles of Pr spins and magnetic phase separation

With the goal of elucidating the background of photoinduced ferromagnetism phenomena observed in the perovskite structured (Pr,Ca) manganites, the low-temperature magnetostructure of the material Pr0.9Ca0.1MnO3 was revised using cold neutron powder diffraction, SQUID magnetometry and ab initio calculations. Particular emphasis was placed on determining the presence of nanoscale magnetic phase separation. Previously published results of a canted A-AFM average ground state were reproduced to a good precision both experimentally and theoretically, and complemented by investigating the effects of an applied magnetic field of 2.7 T on the magnetostructure. Explicit evidence of nanoscale magnetic clusters in the material was obtained based on high-resolution neutron diffractograms. Along with several supporting arguments, we present this finding as a justification for extending the nanoscale magnetic phase separation model of manganites to the material under discussion despite its very low Ca doping level in the context of the model. In the light of the new data, we also conclude that the low temperature magnetic moment of Pr must be ca. 300% larger than previously thought in this material, close to the high spin value of 2μB per formula unit.

Concern or confidence? Adolescents' identity capital and future worry in different school contexts

This present study investigated the roles identity capital and school's socio-economic status have on adolescent worry about future education, employment, and social status. The 354 participants were 14- to 15-year-old students from affluent (56.8%) and disadvantaged (43.2%) Finnish lower secondary schools. Structural equation modelling was used to test the hypothesis that a higher level of family-related identity capital is connected to a lower level of future worry, and that this connection is mediated through intrapersonal forms of identity capital, specifically academic self-concept and general self-efficacy. Adolescent future worry was also examined across school status with an independent samples t-test. The findings suggest that, in the relatively equal societal context in Finland, adolescents are rather confident about their future education, employment, and social status regardless of the socio-economic status of the school they attend, and when their level of identity capital is high the future worry decreases further.

Lung transplantation with donation after circulatory determination of death donors and the impact of ex vivo lung perfusion

The growing demand for suitable lungs for transplantation drives the quest for alternative strategies to expand the donor pool. The aim of this study is to evaluate the outcomes of lung transplantation (LTx) with donation after circulatory determination of death (DCDD) and the impact of selective ex vivo lung perfusion (EVLP). From 2007 to 2013, 673 LTx were performed, with 62 (9.2%) of them using DCDDs (seven bridged cases). Cases bridged with mechanical ventilation/extracorporeal life support were excluded. From 55 DCDDs, 28 (51%) underwent EVLP. Outcomes for LTx using DCDDs and donation after neurological determination of death (DNDD) donors were similar, with 1 and 5-year survivals of 85% and 54% versus 86% and 62%, respectively (p = 0.43). Although comparison of survival curves between DCDD + EVLP versus DCDD-no EVLP showed no significant difference, DCDD + EVLP cases presented shorter hospital stay (median 18 vs. 23 days, p = 0.047) and a trend toward shorter length of mechanical ventilation (2 vs. 3 days, p = 0.059). DCDDs represent a valuable source of lungs for transplantation, providing similar results to DNDDs. EVLP seems an important technique in the armamentarium to safely increase lung utilization from DCDDs; however, further studies are necessary to better define the role of EVLP in this context.

Cytological monitoring of peripheral blood, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and transbronchial biopsy specimens during acute rejection and cytomegalovirus infection in lung and heart--lung allograft recipients

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Acute rejection and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are important complications after lung and heart--lung transplantation. We sought to investigate whether acute rejection and CMV infection demonstrated as CMV antigenemia had an effect on the cell profiles of peripheral blood (PB), bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BAL-F), or TBB histology.

PATIENTS AND DESIGN

In this prospective study, composition of cells in PB, BAL-F, and TBB samples from 20 lung or heart-lung transplantation patients were analyzed during episodes of acute rejection or CMV antigenemia. Rejection was graded according to the International Society for Heart and Lung Transplantation criteria. As controls, samples with no evidence of rejection or infection were used. To evaluate the effect of time on cellular findings, samples were divided into three groups according to time after transplantation: 1--30, 31--180, and more than 180 d after transplantation.

RESULTS

Acute rejection was associated with mild blood basophilia (p<0.05; specificity 94%, sensitivity 42%). In BAL-F during rejection, the number of basophils (p<0.05), eosinophils (p<0.05), and lymphocytes (p<0.05; specificity 77%, sensitivity 64%) was increased compared to controls during the post-operative month 1. Later-occurring rejections were associated with increased amounts of neutrophils in BAL-F (p<0.05; specificity 82%, sensitivity 74%). In TBB histology, acute rejections were associated with perivascular and/or peribronchial infiltration of lymphocytes (p<0.001) and plasma cells (p<0.05) compared to controls. In our patients receiving gancyclovir prophylaxis, CMV antigenemia did not significantly alter the cell profiles in PB and BAL-F nor the inflammatory cell picture in TBB histology.

CONCLUSION

TBB histology remains the 'gold standard' for diagnosing rejection in lung and heart-lung transplantation patients, as the inflammatory cell findings in TBB specimens are highly specific for rejection. The cellular changes associated with rejection, mild PB basophilia and increased proportions of lymphocytes in early- and neutrophils in later-occurring rejection, observed in BAL-F cannot be considered specific for rejection, but may warrant clinical suspicion of rejection.