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Early Development of Spinal Deformities in Children Severely Affected with Spinal Muscular Atrophy after Gene Therapy with Onasemnogene Abeparvovec—Preliminary Results
No full textSpinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare genetic disorder, with the most common form being 5q SMA. Survival of children with severe SMA is poor, yet major advances have been made in recent years in pharmaceutical treatment, such as gene-therapy, which has improved patient survival. Therefore, clinical problems, such as the development of spinal deformities in these genetically treated SMA children represent an unknown challenge in clinical work. In a retrospective case series, the development of spinal deformities was analyzed in 16 SMA children (9 male, 7 female) treated with onasemnogene abeparvovec in two institutions during the years 2020 to 2022. Ten out of sixteen patients had a significant kyphosis, and nine out of sixteen patients had significant scoliosis, with the mean curvature angles of 24 ± 27° for scoliosis, and 69 ± 15° for kyphosis. Based on these preliminary data, it can be assumed that early-onset kyphosis presents a clinical challenge in gene-therapy-treated SMA children. Larger datasets with longer follow-up times need to be collected in order to verify these preliminary observations.</p
Adult learning and social inequalities – Processes of equalisation or cumulative disadvantage?
No full text
Adult learning is an increasingly important form of education in globalised and aging societies. While current policy recommendations tend to focus on increasing participation rates, the authos of this article argue that higher participation rates do not necessarily lead to lower social/educational inequalities in participation. The aim of this paper is to examine the relationship between social inequalities and adult learning by exploring cross-national patterns of participation in different adult
learning activities and the consequences of participation on individual labour market trajectories. The empirical basis of the paper is an analysis of 13 country studies (as well as two cross-national analyses) brought together by the international comparative research project ‘‘Education as a lifelong process – comparing educational trajectories in modern societies’’ (eduLIFE). Despite wide variations in participation rates across countries, mechanisms of social/educational inequality in engagement in
job-related adult learning tend to be relatively similar across countries, in particular with regard to non-formal learning. Effects tend most frequently to be a presence of cumulative advantage, though in some countries a certain degree of equalisation is noticeable with regard to formal adult education. The authors conclude that it is relatively clear that currently almost no country is truly able to reduce social inequalities through adult learning. Their recommendation is that public policy makers should place greater emphasis on making adult learning more accessible (in terms of entry requirements, affordability as well as motivation) to underrepresented groups, in particular those who are educationally disadvantaged.</p
Dissolution of Bioactive Glass S53P4 in Continuous Flows of Tris Bufer and Lactic Acid
No full textIn vitro dynamic dissolution of bioactive glass S53P4 particles was studied in a cascade of three reactors. Tris buffer (pH 7.40) and lactic acid (pH 2.00) with flow rates of 0.2 and 0.04 ml/min were fed through the reactors for 24 h. The increased ion concentrations in Tris inflows to the second and third reactors decreased the dissolution of the particles. However, the normalised surface-specific mass loss rate decreased from the first to the third reactor and with decreasing flow rate. No distinct differences were observed in the reaction layers on the particles in the three consecutive reactors. This implied that the ions released in the previous reactors contributed to the reaction layers formed in the following reactors. Highly incongruent dissolution with similar dissolution rates of sodium, calcium, and phosphorus occurred with the two flow rates in lactic acid. Although a thick silica-rich layer formed on the particles, the low pH prevented calcium phosphate layer precipitation. The results imply that S53P4 particles in an implant react at different rates depending on their location but form similar reaction layer morphologies independent of their location in physiological solutions (pH 7.4). On the other hand, S53P4 particles exposed to acidic solutions with a pH < 5 likely dissolve incongruently, leaving a slowly dissolving Si-rich layer. In such an environment, the dissolution rates of Na, Ca, and P are independent of the location of the S53P4 particle in the implant. Thus, the pH and fluid flow are critical factors for the dissolution of S53P4 bioactive glass particles.</p
COVID-19-tutkimuskatsaus 2/2022
No full textKoronakriisiin liittyviä ajankohtaisia tutkimustuloksia maailmalta ja Suomesta. Koronapandemia on synnyttänyt ennennäkemättömän globaalin tutkimusponnistuksen. Kriisiin liittyvää tieteellistä tutkimustietoa on jo paljon ja sitä julkaistaan jatkuvasti kiihtyvällä tahdilla. Samaan aikaan tutkimustiedolle on myös suuri kysyntä. COVID-19-tutkimuskatsaus on valtioneuvoston kanslian elokuussa 2020 käynnistämä toimintamalli, joka koostaa koronakriisiin liittyviä uusimpia tutkimustuloksia maailmalta ja Suomesta tiiviisti ja informatiivisesti valmistelijoiden ja päätöksentekijöiden käyttöön. Katsauksen tavoitteena on vahvistaa ajankohtaisen tutkimustiedon välittymistä päätöksentekijöiden tietoon ja luoda näkymää viimeisimpään tutkimukseen.</p
A game-based approach to promoting adaptive rational number knowledge
No full textAdaptive expertise is a highly sought after, but difficult to achieve, outcome of mathematics education. Many teaching methods appear to support the development of adaptive expertise only in a small proportion of students. Game-based learning environments may be useful for supporting adaptive expertise. Therefore, we carried out a quasi-experimental classroom intervention to examine the possibility of using a game-based learning environment to promote adaptive rational number knowledge, a potential indicator of adaptive expertise in the domain of rational numbers. The Number Line Elaboration and Exploration learning environment relied on the increasing elaboration of the number line analogy as a means for students to explore connections between multiple aspects of rational number knowledge. Our results show the game-based learning environment was successful in promoting adaptive rational number knowledge. These results provide directions for the development and examination of how learning environments may be able to support adaptive expertise
Insights From Observations and Large‐Scale Field Experiments on Vole Population Cycles in Northern Europe: A 40‐Year Study of Predator–Prey Interactions
No full textThe mechanisms driving 3–5-year population cycles of voles involve delayed density-dependent feedback on vole populations. The key drivers of this feedback include prolonged periods of food depletion or predation mortality over more than one phase of the cycle. We review observational and experimental data gathered between the 1970s and 2010s on vole population fluctuations and the responses of their avian and mammalian predators in west-central Finland, focusing on studies that have investigated these drivers. Least weasels and stoats were the main predators of voles, causing 77% of all kills, while 22% were killed by avian predators. The numbers of least weasels tracked vole densities with a 9–12-month lag, which resulted in delayed density-dependent kill rates of voles in winter. Experimental reduction of small mustelids and avian predators in unfenced areas (each 2.5–3 km2) prevented the cyclic decline of vole densities in the subsequent summer, whereas in areas with only least weasel reduction and in control areas, a decline in vole densities occurred. In another field experiment, the reduction of both mustelid and avian predator densities increased the autumn density of Microtus voles fourfold during the low phase of the cycle, accelerated the increase twofold, increased the autumn density of voles twofold in the peak phase, and delayed the initiation of decline. Our unique experimental results suggest that the collective impact of both mustelid and avian predators is a likely mechanistic explanation for high-amplitude population cycles of voles in North Europe. In these highly seasonal environments with short summers, a shortage of high-quality winter food may be the directly density-dependent factor stopping the growth of vole populations. This allows predators to catch up with prey densities and impose population decline and prolong the low phase of the cycle in a delayed density-dependent manner
Kuntatason analyysi lapsiperheiden sosiaalihuollon peruspalveluiden ja lastensuojelun erityispalveluiden yhteydestä
No full text Analyysissä tarkasteltiin sosiaalihuoltolain mukaisten lapsiperhepalveluiden asemaa osana lastensuojelujärjestelmää. Tutkimusaineisto muodostui Sotkanet – tilasto- ja indikaattoripankin kuntakohtaisista lapsiköyhyyttä, lastensuojelun avohuollon asiakkuuksia ja kodin ulkopuolisia sijoituksia sekä sosiaalihuoltolain mukaista kotipalvelua ja perhetyötä kuvaavista indikaattoreista vuosilta 2020– 2022 (N = 293). Tutkimusmenetelminä käytettiin moderaatio- ja mediaatioanalyysiä. Mediaatiomallinnus osoitti lapsiköyhyyden yhteyden avohuollon asiakasmääriin kulkevan epäsuorasti SHL-kotipalvelun kautta. Tulosten mukaan lapsiköyhyydellä on taipumus lisätä SHL-kotipalvelun osuutta, mikä puolestaan johtaa avohuollon asiakasmäärään vähenemiseen. Moderaatiomallinnuksen mukaan lapsiköyhyyden yhteys kodin ulkopuolisiin sijoituksiin on ehdollinen SHL-perhetyöstä. Kunnan lapsiköyhyyden ollessa matala suuren SHL-perhetyön kunnissa on enemmän sijoituksia kuin pienen SHL-perhetyön kunnissa, mutta ero kaventuu lapsiköyhyyden kasvaessa. Analyysi siis osoitti sosiaalihuoltolain mukaisen perhetyön ja kotipalvelun toimivan keskenään eri tavoin. Kaiken kaikkiaan sosiaalihuoltolain mukaisten lapsiperhepalvelujen merkitys lapsiköyhyyden ja lastensuojelun välisessä yhteydessä on kuitenkin vähäinen, joka osoittaa sosiaalihuoltolakia koskevan uudistuksen ennaltaehkäisevän tavoitteen heikkoa toteutumista. Olennaista olisi kohdentaa riittävästi resursseja perustasolle eli tässä tapauksessa ennaltaehkäiseviin sosiaalihuoltolain mukaisiin lapsiperhepalveluihin, etenkin kotipalveluun. Lisäksi suotavaa olisi velvoittaa hyvinvointialueita tarjoamaan sosiaalihuoltolain mukaista perhetyötä jo varhaisessa vaiheessa. </p
Enhanced levels of IL-6 and PAI-1 and decreased levels of MMP-3 in cytomegalovirus seropositive patients with prior myocardial infarction
No full textBackgroundEfforts to understand atherosclerosis, a major cause of ischemic heart disease, have linked several lifestyle factors to increased risk for developing cardiovascular disease. Some studies suggest that cytomegalovirus (CMV), a widely prevalent herpesvirus, is reactivated in atherosclerotic plaques and associated with higher cardiovascular mortality risk. We aimed to explore whether CMV seropositivity and CMV-IgG antibody levels correlate with relevant biomarkers in a cohort of patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and matched controls.Methods and resultsWe analyzed a dataset from 324 survivors of MI treated in Stockholm between 1996 and 2001. Blood samples collected three months after MI were used to measure protective Apo B100 autoantibodies, metabolic, and inflammatory biomarkers. CMV serology was performed on stored serum samples. Correlation analyses were conducted between biomarkers and CMV serostatus in 324 patients and age- and sex-matched controls. While CMV seroprevalence was equal, the CMV-IgG levels were higher in controls. Among various factors examined, CMV seropositive MI patients had elevated levels of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and interleukin-6, along with lower levels of MMP-3, than CMV seronegative MI patients. CMV-IgG levels correlated positively with PAI-1 levels in patients. Although CMV seropositivity was associated with increased proinsulin levels, there was no correlation with diabetes diagnosis.ConclusionsOur findings suggest an enhanced inflammatory and prothrombotic state in CMV seropositive patients after MI. Notably, patients had lower levels of CMV IgG than controls.</div
Universal Credit: Welfare reform and mental health
No full textThe UK Universal Credit (UC) welfare reform simplified the benefits system whilst strongly incentivising a return to sustainable employment. Exploiting a staggered roll-out, we estimate the differential effect of unemployment under UC versus the former system on mental health. Groups with fewer insurance possibilities – single adults and lone parents – experience a mental health deterioration of 8.4-13.9% standard deviations which persists into the subsequent year. For couples, UC partially or fully mitigates mental health consequences of unemployment. Exploring mechanisms, for single adults and lone parents, reduced benefit income and strict job search requirements dominate any positive welfare effects of the reduced administrative burden of claiming benefits
Energetic particle acceleration and transport with the novel Icarus plus PARADISE model
No full textWith the rise of satellites and mankind’s growing dependence on technology, there is an increasing awareness of space weather phenomena related to high-energy particles. Shock waves driven by coronal mass ejections (CMEs) and corotating interaction regions (CIRs) occasionally act as potent particle accelerators, generating hazardous solar energetic particles (SEPs) that pose risks to satellite electronics and astronauts. Numerical simulation tools capable of modelling and predicting large SEP events are thus highly demanded. We introduce the new Icarus + PARADISE model as an advancement of the previous EUHFORIA + PARADISE model. Icarus, based on the MPI-AMRVAC framework, is a three-dimensional magnetohydrodynamic code that models solar wind configurations from 0.1 au onwards, encompassing transient structures like CMEs or CIRs. Differing from EUHFORIA’s uniform-only grid, Icarus incorporates solution adaptive mesh refinement (AMR) and grid stretching. The particle transport code PARADISE propagates energetic particles as test particles through these solar wind configurations by solving the focused transport equation in a stochastic manner. We validate our new model by reproducing EUHFORIA + PARADISE results. This is done by modelling the acceleration and transport of energetic particles in a synthetic solar wind configuration containing an embedded CIR. Subsequently, we illustrate how the simulation results vary with grid resolution by employing different levels of AMR. The resulting intensity profiles illustrate increased particle acceleration with higher levels of AMR in the shock region, better capturing the effects of the shock.</p