University of Turku

About: University of Turku is a education organization based out in Turku, Finland. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Galaxy. The organization has 16296 authors who have published 45124 publications receiving 1505428 citations. The organization is also known as: Turun yliopisto & Åbo universitet.

Adhesion and aggregation properties of probiotic and pathogen strains

Abstract: Autoaggregation has been correlated with adhesion, which is known to be a prerequisite for colonization and infection of the gastrointestinal tract by many pathogens. The coaggregation properties of probiotic strains with pathogens as well as their ability to displace pathogens are of importance for therapeutic manipulation of the aberrant intestinal microbiota. Consequently, the ability to aggregate and coaggregate are desirable properties for probiotics in health-promoting foods. Aggregation assays and bacterial adhesion to hydrocarbons (BATH test) demonstrated significant differences in cell surface properties among the tested commercial probiotic strains. Hydrophobicity increased when the cells were heat-inactivated. All probiotic strains tested showed aggregation abilities with the pathogen strains tested, but the results were strain-specific and dependent on time and incubation conditions. Our results indicate that the ability to autoaggregate, together with cell-surface hydrophobicity and coaggregation abilities with pathogen strains can be used for preliminary screening in order to identify potentially probiotic bacteria suitable for human or animal use.

Study of 300,486 individuals identifies 148 independent genetic loci influencing general cognitive function

Abstract: General cognitive function is a prominent and relatively stable human trait that is associated with many important life outcomes. We combine cognitive and genetic data from the CHARGE and COGENT consortia, and UK Biobank (total N = 300,486; age 16-102) and find 148 genome-wide significant independent loci (P < 5 × 10-8) associated with general cognitive function. Within the novel genetic loci are variants associated with neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders, physical and psychiatric illnesses, and brain structure. Gene-based analyses find 709 genes associated with general cognitive function. Expression levels across the cortex are associated with general cognitive function. Using polygenic scores, up to 4.3% of variance in general cognitive function is predicted in independent samples. We detect significant genetic overlap between general cognitive function, reaction time, and many health variables including eyesight, hypertension, and longevity. In conclusion we identify novel genetic loci and pathways contributing to the heritability of general cognitive function.

Predicting entrepreneurial behaviour: a test of the theory of planned behaviour

Abstract: This article contributes to the occupational choice literature pertaining to entrepreneurship by applying the Theory of Planned Behaviour (TPB) to predict entrepreneurial behaviour. Originating from social psychology, the TPB posits that intention, a function of behavioural beliefs, is a significant predictor of subsequent behaviour. In spite of an established stream of scholarship explaining the formation of entrepreneurial intentions, empirical research has not yet employed longitudinal data to examine whether the intention to start a business measured at one point of time translates into subsequent entrepreneurial behaviour. This article provides a full test of the TPB in the prediction of business start-up intentions and subsequent behaviour based on two-wave survey data (2006 and 2009) from the working-age population in Finland. The econometric results support the predictions outlined in the TPB: attitude, perceived behavioural control and subjective norms are significant predictors of entrepreneuria...