190942 research outputs found
Sort by
Periodontitis Home Screening with Mouth Rinse Cut-Off 20 Ng/mL aMMP-8 Test and Mobile Application
No full textBackground: In this study, we describe a method by which a patient can independently assess their own periodontitis risk, for example, at home, with a mobile application. The aim of the study is to use active matrix metalloproteinase aMMP-8 mouth rinse cut-off 20 ng/mL point-of-care testing (POCT) and a polynomial function to reveal patients’ statistical risk of periodontitis. Methods: The polynomial function presented in this study was modeled with multiple logistic regression and the function estimates the risk of periodontitis using a probability measure. To investigate variables associated with periodontitis, we used data from adult patients visiting dental clinics in Thessaloniki, Greece. Results: The research results revealed that with appropriate information it is possible to obtain sufficient accuracy about a patient’s potential risk of periodontitis. The function for estimating risk of periodontitis is PERIORISK = (1 + e−(3.392×X1+0.002×X2+1.858×X3−9.151))−1, where X1 = aMMP-8 test result and tobacco smoking status, X2 = age × waist circumference and X3 = patient’s individual and parental history of diabetes. Conclusions: The prediction of periodontitis risk using an aMMP-8 test and a polynomial function seems to be a useful, non-invasive, safe-to-use and cost-effective tool for all people. Overall, in the model created, mouth rinse cut-off 20 ng/mL aMMP-8 test result, age, waist circumference, tobacco smoking status and patient’s individual and parental history of diabetes were found to be good factors explaining the risk of periodontitis
Beneficial mutualistic fungus Suillus luteus provided excellent buffering insurance in Scots pine defense responses under pathogen challenge at transcriptome level
No full textBackgroundMutualistic mycorrhiza fungi that live in symbiosis with plants facilitates nutrient and water acquisition, improving tree growth and performance. In this study, we evaluated the potential of mutualistic fungal inoculation to improve the growth and disease resistance of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) against the forest pathogen Heterobasidion annosum.ResultsIn co-inoculation experiment, Scots pine seedlings were pre-inoculated with mutualistic beneficial fungus (Suillus luteus) prior to H. annosum infection. The result revealed that inoculation with beneficial fungus promoted plant root growth. Transcriptome analyses revealed that co-inoculated plants and plants inoculated with beneficial fungus shared some similarities in defense gene responses. However, pathogen infection alone had unique sets of genes encoding pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins, phenylpropanoid pathway/lignin biosynthesis, flavonoid biosynthesis, chalcone/stilbene biosynthesis, ethylene signaling pathway, JA signaling pathway, cell remodeling and growth, transporters, and fungal recognition. On the other hand, beneficial fungus inoculation repressed the expression of PR proteins, and other defense-related genes such as laccases, chalcone/stilbene synthases, terpene synthases, cytochrome P450s. The co-inoculated plants did not equally enhance the induction of PR genes, chalcone/stilbene biosynthesis, however genes related to cell wall growth, water and nutrient transporters, phenylpropanoid/lignin biosynthesis/flavonoid biosynthesis, and hormone signaling were induced.ConclusionS. luteus promoted mutualistic interaction by suppressing plant defense responses. Pre-inoculation of Scots pine seedlings with beneficial fungus S. luteus prior to pathogen challenge promoted primary root growth, as well as had a balancing buffering role in plant defense responses and cell growth at transcriptome level.Peer reviewe
University students' experiences of fully online teaching and learning environment -differences among learning profiles
No full textThis mixed-method study explores university students’ experiences of fully online teaching-learning environments and their relations to students’ approaches to learning profiles. Altogether 504 students from different faculties completed questionnaire measuring approaches to learning and responded to an open-ended question about their experiences with online teaching-learning environment. A mixed-method approach was chosen to provide a comprehensive understanding of students’ experiences by combining quantitative measures of learning profiles with qualitative insights into their perceptions. The qualitative responses were analysed using content analysis, while students’ learning profiles were identified using K-means clustering and differences between the profiles were examined with a chi square test. The results show that fully online teaching was experienced rather positively, and it was considered convenient. However, most of the learning experiences were negative making online studying and learning challenging. Three approaches to learning profiles emerged from the data. Deep and organised students clearly had more positive experiences of online learning and studying than the Unorganised and deep students. The All-high students experienced online teaching most positively while they had more challenges in learning. The results show that the implementation of fully online teaching has not supported enough collaboration and communality, leading to various challenges. Additionally, there is a pressing need for better-designed assignments, more constructive feedback from teachers, and enhanced support for students' study practices. These findings underscore the importance of viewing online teaching and learning as a holistic experience that profoundly influences students' academic success and overall educational journey.Peer reviewe
The protective PLCγ2-P522R variant mitigates Alzheimer’s disease-associated pathologies by enhancing beneficial microglial functions
No full textAbstract Background Phospholipase C gamma 2, proline 522 to arginine (PLCγ2-P522R) is a protective variant that reduces the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Recently, it was shown to mitigate β-amyloid pathology in a 5XFAD mouse model of AD. Here, we investigated the protective functions of the PLCγ2-P522R variant in a less aggressive APP/PS1 mouse model of AD and assessed the underlying cellular mechanisms using mouse and human microglial models. Methods The effects of the protective PLCγ2-P522R variant on microglial activation, AD-associated β-amyloid and neuronal pathologies, and behavioral changes were investigated in PLCγ2-P522R knock-in variant mice crossbred with APP/PS1 mice. Transcriptomic, proteomic, and functional studies were carried out using microglia isolated from mice carrying the PLCγ2-P522R variant. Finally, microglia-like cell models generated from human blood and skin biopsy samples of PLCγ2-P522R variant carriers were employed. Results The PLCγ2-P522R variant decreased β-amyloid plaque count and coverage in female APP/PS1 mice. Moreover, the PLCγ2-P522R variant promoted anxiety in these mice. The area of the microglia around β-amyloid plaques was also increased in mice carrying the PLCγ2-P522R variant, while β-amyloid plaque-associated neuronal dystrophy and the levels of certain cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-1β, were reduced. These alterations were revealed through [18F]FEPPA PET imaging and behavioral studies, as well as various cytokine immunoassays, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses, and immunohistochemical analyses using mouse brain tissues. In cultured mouse primary microglia, the PLCγ2-P522R variant reduced the size of lipid droplets. Furthermore, transcriptomic and proteomic analyses revealed that the PLCγ2-P522R variant regulated key targets and pathways involved in lipid metabolism, mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and inflammatory/interferon signaling in acutely isolated adult mouse microglia and human monocyte-derived microglia-like cells. Finally, the PLCγ2-P522R variant also increased mitochondrial respiration in human iPSC-derived microglia. Conclusions These findings suggest that the PLCγ2-P522R variant exerts protective effects against β-amyloid and neuronal pathologies by increasing microglial responsiveness to β-amyloid plaques in APP/PS1 mice. The changes observed in lipid/fatty acid and mitochondrial metabolism revealed by the omics and metabolic assessments of mouse and human microglial models suggest that the protective effects of the PLCγ2-P522R variant are potentially associated with increased metabolic capacity of microglia
Reinhold Niebuhrin myyttinen realismi
No full textKristillinen realismi on ollut merkittävä osa Yhdysvaltojen teologista, sosiaalieettistä ja poliittista traditiota 1920-luvulta lähtien. Karl Paul Reinhold Niebuhr (1892-1971) on kristillisen realismin merkittävin edustaja.
Kristillisen realismin pyrkimyksenä on esittää todellisuutta vastaava (korrespondenssi) ja sisäisesti johdonmukainen (koherenssi) käsitys inhimillisestä todellisuudesta, sen ideaalisista mahdollisuuksista ja reaalisista rajoituksista.
Tässä tutkimuksessa selvitettiin Reinhold Niebuhrin käsitys myyttisestä kristillisestä realismista analysoimalla hänen pääteoksensa The Nature and Destiny of Man I-II keskeisten käsitteiden merkitykset ja niiden väliset suhteet. Metodina käytettiin systemaattista käsite- ja rakenneanalyysiä.
Niebuhrin kristillisen realismin ydinkysymys on ideaalisen ja reaalisen suhde. Pääkäsitteitä ovat agapistinen rakkaus (agapistic love, agapé), egoistinen rakkaus (egoistic love, egoism), keskinäinen rakkaus (mutual love, brotherhood) ja oikeudenmukaisuus (justice, equal justice).
Niebuhrin kristillisen realismin keskus on ideaalinen lähimmäisen tarpeisiin vastaava lahjoittava rakkaus, agape. Egoistinen rakkaus on agapistisen rakkauden vääristymä. Keskinäinen rakkaus ja oikeudenmukaisuus ovat agapistisen ja egoistisen rakkauden sekoituksia. Pääkäsitteiden suhde toisiinsa on dialektinen. Agapistinen ja egoistinen rakkaus voidaan abstrahoida historiallisista realiteeteista ja ilmaista puhtaina ideaalityyppeinä vain myyttisesti.
Niebuhrin kristillinen realismi on pragmatistista ja myyttistä realismia. Todellisuutta vastaava (korrespondenssi) kuvaus on mahdollista vain paradoksaalisten ja dialektisten myyttien avulla. Myytit kuvaavat historialliseen elämään sisältyviä merkityksiä ja tulkintahorisontteja, todellisuuden eri aspektien ideaalityyppejä.
Tärkeimmät myytit ovat raamatulliset kertomukset luomisesta, lankeemuksesta ja lunastuksesta. Luomis- ja lunastusmyytit kuvaavat puhdasta agapistisen rakkauden ideaalia ja lankeemusmyytti puhdasta egoismia. Myyteistä yhdessä muodostuva sosiaalista todellisuutta vastaava (korrespondenssi) realistinen ja sisäisesti johdonmukainen (koherenssi) kokonaiskuva on paradoksaalinen.
Agapistista ja egoistista rakkautta ilmaisevia myyttejä yhdistää agapistista rakkautta egoistisen rakkauden oloissa ilmaiseva lunastusmyytti, joka perustuu todelliseen historiaan. Lunastusmyytti ilmaisee Niebuhrin ajattelun teologisen keskuksen, agapistisen rakkauden egoistisen rakkauden kontekstissa. Lunastusmyytin keskuksena oleva "Kristuksen risti" ilmaisee, kuinka ideaalinen agapistinen rakkaus ilmenee reaalisesti egoismin oloissa uhrautuvana ja paradoksaalisesti tappion kautta voittavana rakkautena.
Tutkimus jäsentyy seuraavasti. Johdantoa seuraavassa tutkimuksen toisessa luvussa analysoidaan Niebuhrin etiikan pääkäsitteiden sisällöt. Kolmannessa luvussa kuvataan, kuinka Niebuhrin myyttinen ja dialektinen ajattelutapa strukturoi ideaalisten pääkäsitteiden suhdetta toisiinsa ja reaaliseen todellisuuteen. Neljännessä luvussa yhdistetään päälukujen tulokset ja kuvataan Niebuhrin myyttinen ja dialektinen kristillinen realismi. Lopuksi Reinhold Niebuhrin myyttinen ja dialektinen kristillinen realismi tiivistetään kahteen piirrokseen
Preterm birth and risk of bone fractures during childhood and early adulthood
No full textPeople born preterm have reduced BMD, subnormal peak bone mass, and an increased risk of osteoporosis. Whether this translates to increased risk of bone fractures is uncertain. We assessed fracture risk from childhood to early adulthood in relation to gestational age and sex by conducting a nationwide register-linkage cohort study comprising all 223 615 liveborn (January 1987–September 1990) singletons (9161, 4.1%; preterm) in Finland. Cox regression models provided hazard ratios (HRs) for fracture diagnosis in public specialty health care in both first and recurrent event settings during the whole follow-up (0–29 years) and during different age periods (0–4, 5–9, 10–29 years). Gestational age was considered categorical (full-term, 39–41 weeks; reference). A total of 39 223 (17.5%) children or young adults had at least 1 fracture. In analyses not stratified by sex, only extremely preterm birth (<28 completed weeks’ gestation) was associated with risk of bone fracture at 0–29 years (adjusted HR [aHR]: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.28–0.74) compared with those born full-term. Among females, gestational age was unrelated to fracture risk at 0–29 years. Among males, extremely and very preterm (28–31 weeks) birth was associated with lower risk of fracture at 0–29 years compared with those born full-term (aHR: 0.38 [95% CI: 0.21–0.71] and 0.75 [95% CI: 0.59–0.95], respectively). Restricting the analyses to the individuals without severe medical condition(s) attenuated the associations. However, the fracture risk varied according age and sex: at 10–29 years, moderately preterm (32–33 weeks) females and extremely and very preterm males had a lower risk (aHR: 0.63 [0.43–0.94], 0.35 [0.17–0.69], and 0.74 [0.57–0.95], respectively), while late-preterm birth (34–36 weeks) was associated with a 1.6-fold higher risk among females at 0–5 years, and a 1.4-fold risk among males at 5–10 years. Analyses on recurrent fractures showed a similar pattern. Children and young adults, in particular males, born extremely or very preterm may have fewer bone fractures; this is partly explained by severe medical conditions in this group.Individuals born preterm have lower BMD and higher rates of osteoporosis than those born at term. Lower BMD and osteoporosis are risk factors for bone fractures. However, it remains unclear whether people born preterm have an increased risk of bone fractures. We used the nationwide Finnish health care registers to study this. Contrary to what we expected, we found that those born extremely preterm (before 28 weeks of pregnancy) have a lower risk of fractures compared with those born at term. The risk of bone fractures among other preterm subgroups did not differ from those born at term, but the risks varied according to the sex, age, and health condition of the individual. Hence, the study suggests that, although prematurity serves as a well-established risk factor for a range of health challenges, propensity to bone fractures appears not to be increased in people born preterm.Peer reviewe
Eating disorders among people with and without type 1 diabetes : incidence and treatment in a nationwide population-based cohort
No full textAims/hypothesis: Eating disorders are over-represented in type 1 diabetes and are associated with an increased risk of complications, but it is unclear whether type 1 diabetes affects the treatment of eating disorders. We assessed incidence and treatment of eating disorders in a nationwide sample of individuals with type 1 diabetes and diabetes-free control individuals. Methods: Our study comprised 11,055 individuals aged <30 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 1998–2010, and 11,055 diabetes-free control individuals matched for age, sex and hospital district. We ascertained incidence of eating disorders from hospital records using Poisson regression. Eating disorder treatment was assessed by new prescriptions for psychotropic medications and hospital treatment for eating disorders. Results: During a mean follow-up of 13.1 years, there were 175 incident cases of eating disorders among individuals with type 1 diabetes and 75 among the control individuals (adjusted incidence rate ratio 2.35; 95% CI 1.80, 3.09). The prescription of psychotropic medications was similar among eating disorder patients with and without type 1 diabetes. However, those with type 1 diabetes received outpatient hospital treatment for their eating disorder less often than those without diabetes (mean 3.32 vs 5.33 outpatient care visits per year [adjusted difference 1.24; 95% CI 0.39, 2.08]). Conclusions/interpretation: People with type 1 diabetes are more likely to be diagnosed with eating disorders than their diabetes-free peers. However, they receive less outpatient hospital treatment for their eating disorders despite their greater risk for major adverse health outcomes. These findings emphasise the need for targeted eating disorder treatment for people with type 1 diabetes.Peer reviewe
Habituation or sensitization? Short-term adjustment of flight initiation distance in incubating common eiders
No full textHighlights
• The use of prior experience in guiding prey escape decisions has been overlooked.
• We repeatedly measured flight initiation distance of incubating common eiders.
• Individuals differed in their response to repeated human approaches.
• Birds in poor condition, laying early or with large clutches became more sensitized.
• Females were less prone to being sensitized under high adult predation risk
Fyysinen aktiivisuuden hyödyt elämänlaadun ja fyysisen toimintakyvun kannalta rintasyöpäpotilailla
No full textBreast cancer (BC) is the most common cancer type in women, affecting over two million women every year. The annual incidence in Finland is approximately 5000 new cases, and the 5-year overall survival rate (OS) is approximately 92%. Five years after the diagnosis, the overall survival rate is above 90% in the Nordic countries. Also, patients with metastatic BC (MBC) live longer due to treatment developments.
The overall quality of life (Qol) and the physical activity (PA) decrease after the cancer diagnosis and remain lowered after the cancer treatment. Sufficient PA levels and regular exercise training throughout life have positive effects besides cancer prevention on cancer morbidity, patients' Qol levels, and on improving the daily functioning. The crucial aims of physical rehabilitation in many chronic diseases are improving the functional capacity, supporting independent daily living, reducing burdensome symptoms, and enhancing the overall Qol. However, these needs as part of cancer rehabilitation remain globally unmet and underutilized.
The study aims were to investigate the Qol, PA, and physical functioning in early BC (EBC) and metastatic BC (MBC) patients. Furthermore, the feasibility and effects of physical exercise intervention during and after the treatments on early-stage BC and MBC populations.
The main findings brought out the reduced PA and Qol levels (more detailed in physical-, role-, and social functioning) at all BC stages, and especially in MBC compared to healthy controls. The symptom burden was higher in MBC. The overall PA levels reduced during cancer treatment in the MBC population, and the patients’ physical functioning was found to be impaired. However, guided exercise training intervention was feasible and effective during and after the cancer treatment. The adherence to physical exercise intervention was high in both EBC and MBC patient groups. Higher PA levels during the treatments helped reduce fatigue, improve the Qol and physical fitness, and support physical functioning.
Physical activity during the cancer trajectory helps support the Qol and physical functioning in EBC and MBC. Physical exercise rehabilitation should be implemented into standard cancer care to prevent the reduction in physical functioning, to alleviate the symptom burden, and further to improve the Qol during and after cancer care.Rintasyöpää sairastavien naisten elämänlaatu ja fyysinen aktiivisuus vähenevät diagnoosin jälkeen. Syövän jälkeenkin sekä elämänlaatu, että fyysinen aktiivisuus jäävät alemmalle tasolle kuin terveillä, mikä voi heikentää potilaiden päivittäistä toimintakykyä. Suuremmalla fyysisen aktiivisuuden määrällä ja säännöllisellä kuntoliikunnalla on todettu vaikuttavuutta rintasyövän ehkäisyssä ja syöpäkuolleisuudessa. Säännöllinen liikunta syövän hoidon aikana edistää fyysistä toimintakykyä ja tukee elämänlaatua. Liikunnallisen kuntoutuksen tavoitteita ovat itsenäisen toimintakyvyn säilyttäminen, sairaudesta johtuvien oireiden lievittäminen, sekä elämänlaadun tukeminen ja parantaminen. Syöpäpotilaiden kuntoutustarpeet ovat kuitenkin edelleen maailmanlaajuisesti heikosti tunnistettuja, eikä fyysisen kuntoutuksen keinoja hyödynnetä riittävän monipuolisesti osana syöpäkuntoutusta.
Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli selvittää fyysisen aktiivisyyyden vaikutuksia rintasyöpäpotilaiden elämänlaatuun, kuntoon ja fyysiseen toimintakykyyn. Lisäksi tutkimuksissa selvitettiin liikuntaharjoittelun mahdollisuuksia ja vaikutuksia syövän hoidon aikana levinnyttä rintasyöpää sairastavilla sekä hoidon jälkeen varhaisessa rintasyövässä.
Rintasyöpäpotilaiden elämänlaatu ja fyysinen toimintakyky ovat heikentyneet. Oirekuormittuneisuus on haastavampaa edennyttä syöpää sairastavilla, ja erityisesti fyysinen, sosiaalinen ja vastuista suoriutumiseen liittyvä elämänlaatu ovat heikentyneet. Potilaat kärsivät uupumisesta, vaihdevuosioireista ja kivusta. Liikunta sekä hoitojen aikana että niiden jälkeen tukee rintasyöpää sairastavan elämänlaatua, fyysistä kuntoa ja toimintakykyä kaikissa sairauden vaiheissa. Aktiivisen liikunnallisen kuntoutuksen tulisi olla osa rintasyöpäpotilaan hoitoa tukemassa elämänlaatua, oirehallintaa sekä fyysistä toimintakykyä.ei saavutettavaVäitöskirjan yhteenveto-osa on saavutettav
Assessing the potential causal effects of 1099 plasma metabolites on 2099 binary disease endpoints
No full textMetabolites are small molecules that are useful for estimating disease risk and elucidating disease biology. Here, we perform two-sample Mendelian randomization to systematically infer the potential causal effects of 1099 plasma metabolites measured in 6136 Finnish men from the METSIM study on risk of 2099 binary disease endpoints measured in 309,154 Finnish individuals from FinnGen. We find evidence for 282 putative causal effects of 70 metabolites on 183 disease endpoints. We also identify 25 metabolites with potential causal effects across multiple disease domains, including ascorbic acid 2-sulfate affecting 26 disease endpoints in 12 disease domains. Our study suggests that N-acetyl-2-aminooctanoate and glycocholenate sulfate affect risk of atrial fibrillation through two distinct metabolic pathways and that N-methylpipecolate may mediate the putative causal effect of N6,N6-dimethyllysine on anxious personality disorder.Peer reviewe