Showing papers by "University of Turku published in 1997"
TL;DR: In this article, the luminescence properties of 41 different Eu(III) and Tb(III), chelates that were synthesized with the purpose of developing new markers for chemical and biochemical applications were measured in aqueous solution and their suitability for labels in time resolved immunoassays were evaluated.
1,466 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the number and weight-averaged molecular weights of different isolated humic fractions and organic matter from natural water samples were measured using high-performance size-exclusion chromatography (HPSEC).
892 citations
TL;DR: This study provides evidence that in addition to overt necrosis, a subset of myocytes undergo apoptosis during ischemia-reperfusion injury and may provide a new target for cardioprotection during evolving AMI in humans.
Abstract: Background After reopening of the infarct-related coronary artery, cardiomyocytes continue to die during reperfusion. The mechanisms of cell death have been subject to debate. We studied whether an apoptotic type of cell death occurs in human acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Methods and Results We studied myocardial samples of eight patients who died of AMI and had patent infarct-related arteries at autopsy. Six of the patients had received initially successful thrombolysis. Extensive formation of DNA strand breaks, the typical biochemical feature of apoptosis, was detected with the use of the in situ DNA end-labeling method. Apoptotic cardiomyocytes were observed particularly in the border zones of histologically infarcted myocardium, whereas very few apoptotic cells were present in the remote noninfarcted myocardium. Internucleosomal fragmentation was confirmed by agarose gel electrophoresis of DNA isolated from the representative myocardial areas. Conclusions This study provides evidence that in addi...
792 citations
TL;DR: The role of MMPs and TIMPs in human skin based on new observations on the regulation of the expression of M MPs, on their substrate specificily, and MMP expression in physiologic and pathologic conditions of skin involving matrix remodeling are discussed.
Abstract: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc-dependent endopeptidases collectively capable of degrading essentially all extracellular matrix components. These enzymes can be produced by several different types of cells in skin such as fibroblasts, keratinocytes, macrophages, endothelial cells, mast cells, and eosinophils and their activity can be specifically inhibited by TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases), which bind to active MMPs with 1:1 stoichiometry. In general, MMPs are not constitutively expressed in skin but are induced temporarily in response to exogenous signals such as various cytokines, growth factors, cell matrix interactions and altered cell-cell contacts. At present, more evidence is accumulating that MMPs play an important role in proteolytic remodeling of extracellular matrix in various physiologic situations, including developmental tissue morphogenesis, tissue repair, and angiogenesis. On the other hand, MMPs play an important pathogenetic role in excessive breakdown of connective tissue components, e.g. in rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, chronic ulcers, dermal photoageing, and periodontitis, as well as in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. In this review we discuss the role of MMPs and TIMPs in human skin based on new observations on the regulation of the expression of MMPs, on their substrate specificity, and MMP expression in physiologic and pathologic conditions of skin involving matrix remodeling. Furthermore, therapeutic modalities based on regulating MMP activity will be reviewed.
598 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that FSH is more important for female than for male fertility, and questions the essential role of FSH for the initiation of spermatogenesis, and shows a clear-cut reduction in ligand binding and signal transduction by the mutated receptor.
Abstract: Gonadal function is controlled by the two pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). While LH mainly regulates gonadal steroidogenesis, FSH is considered essential for folliculogenesis in the female and spermatogenesis in the male. We recently discovered that an inactivating point mutation in the FSH receptor (R) gene causes a recessively inherited form of hypergonadotropic ovarian failure in homozygous females. This 566C-->T mutation, predicting an alanine to valine substitution, is located in exon 7 of the FSHR gene, in the region encoding the extracellular domain of the receptor molecule. Functional testing showed a clear-cut reduction in ligand binding and signal transduction by the mutated receptor. Hence, lack of FSH function is incompatible with ovarian follicular maturation and female fertility. In the male, FSH is generally considered essential for the pubertal initiation of spermatogenesis and maintenance of quantitatively normal sperm production in adults. We report here the first characterization of males homozygous for an inactivating FSHR mutation. They have variable degrees of spermatogenic failure, but, surprisingly, do not show azoospermia or absolute infertility. These results question the essential role of FSH for the initiation of spermatogenesis, and demonstrate that FSH is more important for female than for male fertility.
527 citations
TL;DR: Hyperactivity, lack of coordination, and seizures in β3-deficient mice are consistent with reduced presynaptic inhibition in spinal cord and impaired inhibition in higher cortical centers and/or pleiotropic developmental defects.
Abstract: γ-Aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABAA-Rs) mediate the bulk of rapid inhibitory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system. The β3 subunit is an essential component of the GABAA-R in many brain regions, especially during development, and is implicated in several pathophysiologic processes. We examined mice harboring a β3 gene inactivated by gene targeting. GABAA-R density is approximately halved in brain of β3-deficient mice, and GABAA-R function is severely impaired. Most β3-deficient mice die as neonates; some neonatal mortality, but not all, is accompanied by cleft palate. β3-deficient mice that survive are runted until weaning but achieve normal body size by adulthood, although with reduced life span. These mice are fertile but mothers fail to nurture offspring. Brain morphology is grossly normal, but a number of behaviors are abnormal, consistent with the widespread location of the β3 subunit. The mice are very hyperactive and hyperresponsive to human contact and other sensory stimuli, and often run continuously in tight circles. When held by the tail, they hold all paws in like a ball, which is frequently a sign of neurological impairment. They have difficulty swimming, walking on grids, and fall off platforms and rotarods, although they do not have a jerky gait. β3-deficient mice display frequent myoclonus and occasional epileptic seizures, documented by electroencephalographic recording. Hyperactivity, lack of coordination, and seizures are consistent with reduced presynaptic inhibition in spinal cord and impaired inhibition in higher cortical centers and/or pleiotropic developmental defects.
463 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the peer networks of children with different participant roles (such as victim, bully, assistant, reinforcer of bully, defender of victim, outsider) were explored.
Abstract: This study looked at how the social constellations in school classes relate to bullying problems. Using peer-evaluation questionnaires, the peer networks of children with different participant roles (such as victim, bully, assistant of bully, reinforcer of bully, defender of victim, outsider) were explored. The subjects were 459 sixth-grade-children (218 girls, 241 boys), aged 11 to 12 years, in Finland. The main findings were: 1) Children who tended to behave in either similar or complementary participant roles in situations of bullying formed networks with each other. The individual child’s behavior in bullying situations was strongly connected to how the members of his:her network behaved in such situations. 2) Bullies, assistants, and reinforcers belonged to larger networks than did defenders, outsiders and victims. 3) Children outside the networks were most often victims. It was concluded that behavior in bullying situations can be said to be one feature around which the peer networks in school classes are organized. Thus prevention, as well as intervention strategies against bullying should focus not only on individual children, but also on the wider social context of the class.
368 citations
TL;DR: Removal of intact α6 protein from cerebellar granule cells allowed perturbations in other subunit levels to be studied and provided genetic evidence for a specific association between the α6 and δ subunits.
Abstract: Cerebellar granule cells express six GABAA receptor subunits abundantly (alpha1, alpha6, beta2, beta3, gamma2, and delta) and assemble various pentameric receptor subtypes with unknown subunit compositions; however, the rules guiding receptor subunit assembly are unclear. Here, removal of intact alpha6 protein from cerebellar granule cells allowed perturbations in other subunit levels to be studied. Exon 8 of the mouse alpha6 subunit gene was disrupted by homologous recombination. In alpha6 -/- granule cells, the delta subunit was selectively degraded as seen by immunoprecipitation, immunocytochemistry, and immunoblot analysis with delta subunit-specific antibodies. The delta subunit mRNA was present at wild-type levels in the mutant granule cells, indicating a post-translational loss of the delta subunit. These results provide genetic evidence for a specific association between the alpha6 and delta subunits. Because in alpha6 -/- neurons the remaining alpha1, beta2/3, and gamma2 subunits cannot rescue the delta subunit, certain potential subunit combinations may not be found in wild-type cells.
329 citations
TL;DR: A model is described that merges the two mechanisms, predicts both patterns, and thereby shows how the two general, but formerly disconnected, patterns are interrelated.
Abstract: Two patterns in the distribution of species have become firmly but independently established in ecology: the species-area curve, which describes how rapidly the number of species increases with area, and the positive relation between species' geographical distribution and average local abundance. There is no generally agreed explanation of either pattern, but for both the two main hypotheses are essentially the same: divergence of species along the ecological specialist-generalist continuum and colonization- extinction dynamics. A model is described that merges the two mechanisms, predicts both patterns, and thereby shows how the two general, but formerly disconnected, patterns are interrelated.
319 citations
TL;DR: How several strains of genetically engineered mice may be utilized to elucidate the physiological functions of the receptor subtypes and the properties of future subtype-selective drugs is described.
314 citations
TL;DR: It was shown that about half of the preadolescents complaining of musculoskeletal pain at least once a week at baseline had persistent pain symptoms at follow‐up, and the prognosis of widespread pain in pread adolescents was almost the same as the previous findings in adults.
Abstract: A 1-year follow-up study of 1756 third- and fifth-grade schoolchildren was conducted with a structured pain questionnaire to assess the prevalence and persistence of self-reported musculoskeletal pain symptoms and disability caused by pain. At follow-up, 1626 (92.7%) children participated in the study. Pain at least once a week persisted in 270 (52.4%) of the 564 children who reported musculoskeletal pain at least once a week in at least one part of the body at baseline. Of the regional pain symptoms, neck pain had highest persistence and, in girls, significantly more than in boys. Persistence of pain was not related to school grade. Widespread pain, determined as in the criteria for fibromyalgia, was found in 132 children (7.5%) and persisted in 35 children (29.7%, 95% CI 21.9–38.4) at follow-up. Disability was more severe in children with pain symptoms in more than one area. This study showed that about half of the preadolescents complaining of musculoskeletal pain at least once a week at baseline had persistent pain symptoms at follow-up. The prognosis of widespread pain in preadolescents was almost the same as the previous findings in adults.
TL;DR: The results suggest that MMP‐13 plays an important role in the extracellular matrix remodeling during fetal bone development both via endochondral and intramembranous ossification.
Abstract: Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) is a novel matrix metalloproteinase, the expression of which has so far only been documented in human breast carcinomas and osteoarthritic cartilage. In this study we have examined the expression of MMP-13 during human fetal development. Northern blot hybridizations revealed abundant expression of MMP-13 mRNAs in total RNA from fetal cartilage and calvaria at gestational age of 15 weeks. By in situ hybridization MMP-13 transcripts were detected in chondrocytes of hypertrophic cartilage in vertebrae of the spinal column and in the dorsal end of ribs undergoing ossification, as well as in osteoblasts and periosteal cells below the inner periosteal region of ossified ribs. In contrast, no expression of MMP-13 could be detected in osteoclasts. Furthermore, expression of MMP-13 mRNA was detected in osteoblasts and fibroblasts primarily on the inner side of calvarial bone of the skull at 16 weeks of gestation. Expression of MMP-13 mRNA by primary human fetal chondrocytes in culture was enhanced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) and inhibited by bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2). No expression of MMP-13 mRNA could be noted in other fetal tissues, including the skin, lungs, neural tissue, muscle, and liver. These results suggest that MMP-13 plays an important role in the extracellular matrix remodeling during fetal bone development both via endochondral and intramembranous ossification.
TL;DR: The results suggest that MMP-13 can be induced in skin during wound repair after altered cell-matrix interactions, and Collagenase-1 is critical for re-epithelialization, and M MP-13 most likely plays a role in the remodeling of collagenous matrix in chronic wounds.
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that the main part of cTnI in serum collected from acute myocardial infarction patients is presented in the complex from CTnC, which results in a significant decrease of the interaction of mAbs with TnI.
Abstract: Fourteen monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) against human cardiac troponin I (cTnI) were generated by commonly used experimental techniques. All these antibodies, as well as antibody 414 (HyTest), were specific for human cTnI. Fifteen antibodies thus obtained were tested in a sandwich cTnI immunofluorescence assay (altogether 196 combinations). Ten pairs giving the highest sensitivity were selected for further investigation. The effect of TnI–TnC complex formation on antibody interaction with antigen was analyzed. The formation of TnI–TnC complex results in a significant decrease of the interaction of mAbs with TnI for seven of 10 analyzed pairs of antibodies. Using two pairs of cTnI-specific mAbs, one that recognized only free cTnI but not cTnI complexed with cTnC, and another that could be used for measurement of total cTnI (free cTnI and cTnI in complex with cTnC), we demonstrated that the main part of cTnI in serum collected from acute myocardial infarction patients is presented in the complex form. We concluded that effective and reliable immunological detection of TnI is possible only when antibodies used for assay development recognize both free TnI and TnI complexed with other troponin components.
TL;DR: By constructing a six-parameter bright two-soliton solution of the integrable coupled nonlinear Schrodinger equation (Manakov model) using the Hirota method, the solitons exhibit certain inelastic collision properties, which have not been observed in any other $(1+1)$-dimensional soliton system so far as discussed by the authors.
Abstract: By constructing the general six-parameter bright two-soliton solution of the integrable coupled nonlinear Schr\"odinger equation (Manakov model) using the Hirota method, we find that the solitons exhibit certain novel inelastic collision properties, which have not been observed in any other $(1+1)$-dimensional soliton system so far In particular, we identify the exciting possibility of switching solitons between modes by changing the phase However, the standard elastic collision property of solitons is regained with specific choices of parameters
TL;DR: This paper presents a meta-analyses of the immune system’s response to central nervous system transplants using a probabilistic approach and shows clear patterns in response to treatment-side effects.
Abstract: IP: 54.70.40.11 On: Sat, 08 Dec 2018 03:07:20 Journal of General Virology (1997), 78, 1–11. Printed in Great Britain . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Specific expression of M MP-13 by SCC cells in vitro and in vivo strongly suggests a role for MMP-13 in the high invasion capacity of S CC cells.
Abstract: Squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) of the head and neck are malignant tumors with high capacity to invade and metastasize. We have examined expression of the new collagenase, collagenase-3 (MMP-13), in SCCs of the head and neck. MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 22 of 29 SCC cell lines: in 14 of 15 primary SCC cell lines and in 8 of 14 SCC cell lines from recurrent tumors or metastases. MMP-13 mRNAs were expressed by all 6 cell lines from highly invasive primary tumors and in all 4 cell lines from small aggressive tumors. Using in situ hybridization, MMP-13 mRNAs were detected in 15 of 17 SCC tumor samples. In most tumors, MMP-13 was expressed by tumor cells at the invading front of the tumors, but in a subset of SCCs, MMP-13 mRNA was also expressed by stromal fibroblasts. No MMP-13 expression was detected in intact skin or oral mucosa. MMP-13 mRNA levels in SCC cells were enhanced by transforming growth factor-beta, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, transforming growth factor-alpha, and keratinocyte growth factor. Specific expression of MMP-13 by SCC cells in vitro and in vivo strongly suggests a role for MMP-13 in the high invasion capacity of SCC cells.
TL;DR: It is proposed that stromal components are involved in the regulation of L HCII phosphorylation in vivo, and inhibition of LHCIIosphorylation under increasing irradiance results from reduction of the thiol groups in the LHC II kinase.
TL;DR: In vivo experiments showed that glasses in the investigated system are bioactive when they contain 14-30 mol % alkali oxides, 14- 30 mol % alkenes, and < 59 mol % SiO2, and glass containing potassium and magnesium bonded to bone in a similar way as bioactive glasses developed so far.
Abstract: The bioactivity, i.e., bone-bonding ability, of 26 glasses in the system Na2O-K2O-MgO-CaO-B2O3-P2O5-SiO2 was studied in vivo. This investigation of bioactivity was performed to establish the compositional dependence of bioactivity, and enabled a model to be developed that describes the relation between reactions in vivo and glass composition. Reactions in vivo were investigated by inserting glass implants into rabbit tibia for 8 weeks. The glasses and the surrounding tissue were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), light microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDXA). For most of the glasses containing < 59 mol % SiO2, SEM and EDXA showed two distinct layers at the glass surface after implantation, one silica-rich and another containing calcium phosphate. The build-up of these layers in vivo was taken as a sign of bioactivity. The in vivo experiments showed that glasses in the investigated system are bioactive when they contain 14-30 mol % alkali oxides, 14-30 mol % alkaline earth oxides, and < 59 mol % SiO2. Glasses containing potassium and magnesium bonded to bone in a similar way as bioactive glasses developed so far.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: High uptake of FDG in untreated head and neck cancer is associated with advanced disease, and may portend poor survival, and aggressive treatment approaches should be considered for patients presenting with a tumor with high uptake.
Abstract: The aim of this prospective study was to investigate if high uptake of 18 F-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) is associated with aggressiveness in head and neck cancer and low probability of survival. Methods: Thirty-seven patients with squamous-cell carcinoma of the head and neck underwent FDG-PET in the fasting state before cancer treatment. FDG uptake in primary tumor was quantitated as the standardized uptake value of FDG normalized to the predicted lean body mass (SUV lean n = 37) and as the graphically determined metabolic rate for FDG (rMR FDG , n = 34). Paraffin-embedded tumor samples were used for histologic evaluation, and expression of cytokeratin and Ki-67 antigen were assessed by immunohistochemistry. Results: Interobserver agreement for the determination of quantitative uptake of FDG in tumors was excellent (r 2 = 0.996, p < 0.00001), and all 37 primary tumors were visualized. A high uptake of FDG as assessed by SUV lean was associated with a higher than the median mitotic count (p = 0.01), absence of keratinization (p = 0.03), low or moderate histological grade of differentiation (p = 0.046) and advanced stage (p = 0.03), but not with Ki-67 expression (p = 0.11). The overall survival of patients with a SUV lean lower than or equal to the median value (9.0) was clearly better in univariate analysis than that of patients with a SUV lean higher than the median (3-yr survival 73% versus 22%, relative risk of death (RR) 4.2, 1.6-11.0). However, in a multivariate analysis the only independent predictors of survival were the mitotic count (RR 4.0, 1.4-11.7) and stage (3.8, 1.2-12.2). Conclusion: High uptake of FDG in untreated head and neck cancer is associated with advanced disease, and may portend poor survival. Aggressive treatment approaches should be considered for patients presenting with a tumor with high uptake of FDG.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: A peptide sequence with a high degree of specificity for PSA is identified and improved K(m)s and k(cat)s over previously used substrates are determined and it should be possible to use the HSSKLQ peptide as a carrier to target peptide-coupled prodrugs for selective activation within sites of PSA-secreting, metastatic prostate cancer cells and not within the blood or other nonprostatic normal tissues.
Abstract: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a serine protease secreted by both normal prostate glandular cells and prostate cancer cells. The major proteolytic substrates for PSA are the gel-forming proteins in semen, semenogelin (Sg) I and II. On the basis of the PSA cleavage map for Sg I and II, a series of small peptides (i.e., < or = 7 amino acids) was synthesized and coupled at the COOH terminus to 7-amino-4-methyl coumarin. Using these fluorescently tagged substrates, K(m)s and k(cat)s were determined for PSA hydrolysis, and the substrates were also tested for activity against a panel of purified proteases. Previously, a variety of chymotrypsin substrates have been used to assay the enzymatic activity of PSA. The present studies have identified a peptide sequence with a high degree of specificity for PSA (ie., no detectable hydrolysis by chymotrypsin) and improved K(m)s and k(cat)s over previously used substrates. On the basis of these parameters, the best peptide substrate for PSA has the amino acid sequence HSSKLQ. Using PC-82 human prostate cancer xenografts and human prostate tissues, this PSA substrate was used to document that prostate cancer cells secrete enzymatically active PSA into the extracellular fluid but that once in the blood, PSA is not enzymatically active. On the basis of this information, it should be possible to use the HSSKLQ peptide as a carrier to target peptide-coupled prodrugs for selective activation within sites of PSA-secreting, metastatic prostate cancer cells and not within the blood or other nonprostatic normal tissues.
TL;DR: Results indicate that hK2 is responsible for the activation of proPSA, a finding that may be very important for understanding of the role of these two kallikreins in the reproductive system and in prostate cancer biology.
TL;DR: GATA-4 and GATA-6 play distinct roles in follicular development and luteinization, and the established role of other Gata-binding proteins in hematopoetic cell differentiation and apoptosis is proposed.
Abstract: Two members of the GATA-binding family of transcription factors, GATA-4 and GATA-6, are expressed in the vertebrate ovary. To gain insight into the role of these factors in ovarian cell differentiation and function, we used in situ hybridization to determine the patterns of expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 in mouse ovary during development and in response to hormonal stimulation. GATA-4 messenger RNA (mRNA) was first evident in the ovary around the time of birth. In the adult ovary, abundant GATA-4 mRNA was detected in granulosa cells of primary and antral follicles, with lesser amounts of GATA-4 message detected in theca cells, germinal epithelium, and interstitial cells. Little or no GATA-4 mRNA was found in corpus luteum. GATA-6 message exhibited a different distribution in the ovary, with abundant expression evident in both granulosa cells and corpora lutea. Stimulation of 3-week-old females with PMSG or estrogen enhanced follicular expression of GATA-4 and GATA-6 transcripts. Subsequent induction of o...
TL;DR: Marked variability was seen in occurrence among the different age groups of children with dilated cardiomyopathy, suggesting that different pathophysiologic mechanisms, and possibly etiologies, may exist in different agegroups.
Abstract: Although idiopathic cardiomyopathies are prognostically important and are a common indication for cardiac transplantation in all age groups, the incidence and age distribution of idiopathic cardiomyopathies in a well-defined pediatric population have been poorly characterized. A retrospective study was carried out in Finland in 1980-1991 to obtain information on the epidemiology of childhood cardiomyopathies. The medical records of all patients aged birth to 20 years with cardiomyopathy from the five university hospitals and 16 central hospitals covering the entire country were reviewed. Moreover, data on causes of death from the Finnish National Census Bureau were examined. Of the 808 potential cases screened, 118 infants, children, and adolescents, representing an average age-specific population of 1.4 million, were definitely identified as having idiopathic cardiomyopathy. The average annual occurrence of new cases was 0.65 per 100,000 population (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.53-0.79). If the 15 cases diagnosed only after death during the 12-year study period were included, the occurrence increased to 0.74 per 100,000 population per year. Fifty-six new cases of dilated cardiomyopathy and 40 new cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy were diagnosed during the study period, giving average annual occurrences of 0.34/100,000/year (95% CI 0.26-0.44) and 0.24/100,000/year (95% CI 0.17-0.33) for new cases of dilated and hypertrophic cardiomyopathies, respectively. At the end of 1991, the prevalence of dilated cardiomyopathy was 2.6/100,000 (95% CI 1.8-3.6) and that for hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was 2.9/100,000 (95% CI 2.0-4.0). The number of new cases of dilated cardiomyopathy per year increased over the study period, whereas the annual occurrence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy remained relatively constant. Marked variability was seen in occurrence among the different age groups of children with dilated cardiomyopathy, suggesting that different pathophysiologic mechanisms, and possibly etiologies, may exist in different age groups.
TL;DR: It is shown that prolactin acts as a direct growth and differentiation factor for human prostate, as measured by changes in DNA synthesis and epithelial morphology of organ cultures, and the existence of an autocrine/paracrine loop of Prolactin in the human prostate is supported.
Abstract: Prolactin is widely expressed in different tissues, and it is presumed to have both local and systemic actions. In males it is known to influence reproductive functions but the significance and mechanisms of prolactin action in male accessory reproductive tissues are poorly understood. Here we show that prolactin acts as a direct growth and differentiation factor for human prostate, as measured by changes in DNA synthesis and epithelial morphology of organ cultures. Furthermore, we report the expression in human prostate of a short prolactin receptor form in addition to the long form, based upon ligand cross-linking studies and RT-PCR analysis of mRNA expression. The highest density of prolactin receptors was detected in the secretory epithelial cells by immunohistochemistry. Finally, we report that prolactin is locally produced in human prostate epithelium, as evidenced by marked prolactin immunoreactivity in a significant portion of prostate epithelial cells, with parallel expression of prolactin mRNA in human prostate. Collectively, these data provide significant support for the existence of an autocrine/paracrine loop of prolactin in the human prostate and may shed new light on the involvement of prolactin in the etiology and progression of neoplastic growth of the prostate.
TL;DR: Stroke patients with AF are at high risk of death both at the acute phase of stroke and during the subsequent year after the first acute stroke event.
Abstract: Background and Purpose Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a risk factor for stroke. This study was undertaken to determine the influence of AF on the mortality of stroke patients and on the causes of death after a stroke event. Methods Patients with first ischemic stroke who were 35 to 74 years old and registered in the FINMONICA stroke register during 1982 through 1992 were analyzed (n=6912). There were 642 patients with AF (9.3%) (mean age, 67 years) and 6270 patients without AF (90.3%) (mean age, 63 years). The association between AF and stroke mortality was investigated by use of logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models. Results Mortality was higher in the AF group both at 28 days (19.5% versus 14.4%, P<.001) and 1 year after the attack (30.5% versus 21.8%, P<.001). After adjustment for age and sex, the odds ratio for 28-day case fatality (AF versus non-AF) was 1.27 (95% CI, 1.03 to 1.56; P=.003), and that for 1-year mortality was 1.36 (95% CI, 1.14 to 1.63; P<.001). In the proportional hazard...
TL;DR: The quality of professional self‐reflection and identity formation during the preclinical training are described on the basis of two qualitative materials – learning logs and identity status interviews.
Abstract: Critical thinking, readiness for self-reflection and professional development have recently been emphasized as important goals of medical education. However, little is known about the developmental processes through which a medical student elaborates his or her personal experiences during the training, and about the way he or she gradually develops a professional identity. How does the student identify the opportunities and alternatives offered by the profession and finally commit to the professional values and goals he or she finds personally important? In order to grasp the essential characteristics of the personal development process in depth, qualitative, process-oriented and individually tailored methods are warranted. In this paper, the quality of professional self-reflection and identity formation during the preclinical training are described on the basis of two qualitative materials--learning logs and identity status interviews. Four types of learning log reports on the early patient contact course could be identified: 'committed reflection', 'emotional exploration', 'objective reporting' and 'diffuse reporting'. At the end of the preclinical training, the identity status of several students could still be characterized as diffuse or giving rise to only very tentative professional considerations.
TL;DR: An editorial concerning a newly proposed photobiological term, the standard erythema dose (SED), is presented to stimulate discussion about what appears to be a more useful measure of erythemogenic ultraviolet radiation.
Abstract: Editor’s comment: Four colleagues from Europe and North America have written this editorial concerning a newly proposed photobiological term, the standard erythema dose (SED). This editorial is presented to stimulate discussion about what appears to be a more useful measure of erythemogenic ultraviolet radiation. We understand that this proposal is under consideration by the American Society for Photobiology and the European Society for Photobiology.
TL;DR: A review of the non-microbial salivary parameters with respect to their possible association with caries activity is presented and it seems that instead of measuring individual parameters, the assessment of saliva's functional properties is more important for clinical purposes.
Abstract: A review of the non-microbial salivary parameters with respect to their possible association with caries activity is presented. The parameters are limited to those which already are or at least in the near future will obviously be simple enough, also for clinical purposes. Salivary flow rate is undoubtedly the most important single parameter since the cariostatic activity or efficacy of practically all other salivary parameters depends on the flow rate. Flow rate as such has no linear association with dental caries but there seems to exist an individual "threshold" limit which is decisive for enhanced caries activity. This threshold limit varies among different individuals and therefore the so-called normal values for unstimulated or stimulated flow rate are more reliable on a population level than among individuals for screening purposes. In any individual a regular and longitudinal follow-up of the flow rate is of higher clinical value than only a single cross-sectional measurement. Salivary buffer effect has only a weak negative association with caries activity and again, this effect is of greater clinical significance on a population level. Since the decisive processes in caries attack occur within or under the dental plaque, the buffering effect of saliva is limited and obviously more important to screen for erosion-than caries-prone individuals. Although important for dental health, none of the salivary antimicrobial agents as such has shown any strong association with caries activity. The only ones with some evidence of a regulatory role are secretory IgA antibodies, hypothiocyanite ions, and agglutinins. However, the data are controversial and it seems that instead of measuring individual parameters, the assessment of saliva's functional properties (such as the ability to aggregate bacteria, prevent their adhesion to hydroxyapatite or sugar metabolism etc.) is more important for clinical purposes. Of the parameters involved in de- and remineralization process, only salivary fluoride content has some association with caries susceptibility but its diagnostic or predictive value is questionable.