Insights into the role of molar ratio and added water in the properties of choline chloride and urea-based eutectic mixtures and their cellulose swelling capacity.

Eutectic mixtures and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) are promising green media for the pre-treatment of lignocellulose materials. They can be harnessed for the swelling of cellulose and further facilitate cellulose hydrolysis, derivatization, and production of cellulose-based (nano) materials. Several studies indicated that water can take part in the formation of the nanostructure of DES; however, it is still unclear how additional water influences many important properties and functioning of DES, especially when the molar ratio of compounds differs from the eutectic point composition.

Elevated Anandamide, Enhanced Recall of Fear Extinction, and Attenuated Stress Responses Following Inhibition of Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase: A Randomized, Controlled Experimental Medicine Trial.

Background: Posttraumatic stress disorder, an area of large unmet medical needs, is characterized by persistence of fear memories and maladaptive stress responses. In rodents, elevation of the endocannabinoid anandamide due to inhibition of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) facilitates fear extinction and protects against the anxiogenic effects of stress. We recently reported that elevated anandamide levels in people homozygous for a loss-of-function FAAH mutation are associated with a similar phenotype, suggesting a translational validity of the preclinical findings.

CXCR3 Polymorphism and Expression Associate with Spontaneous Preterm Birth.

Spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB) is a major factor associating with deaths and with lowered quality of life in humans. Environmental and genetic factors influence the susceptibility. Previously, by analyzing families with recurrent SPTB in linkage analysis, we identified a linkage peak close to the gene encoding CXCR3.

Genes Encoding Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGF-A) and VEGF Receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) and Risk for Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is one of the main consequences of prematurity, with notably high heritability. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) and its main receptor, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR-2), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of BPD.

Objective: To study whether common polymorphisms of the genes encoding VEGF-A and VEGFR-2 are associated with BPD.

A study of genes encoding cytokines (IL6, IL10, TNF), cytokine receptors (IL6R, IL6ST), and glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1) and susceptibility to bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Background: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a common chronic lung disease associated with very preterm birth. The major risk factors include lung inflammation and lung immaturity. In addition, genetic factors play an important role in susceptibility to moderate-to-severe BPD.

Polymorphisms of the gene encoding Kit ligand are associated with bronchopulmonary dysplasia.

Unlabelled: Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that affects infants born preterm. Family studies indicate that BPD has a significant genetic component.

Rationale: We assessed the gene encoding Kit ligand (KITLG) as a candidate for genetic predisposition to moderate-to-severe BPD (controls were infants with no or mild BPD).

Allele-specific N-glycosylation delays human surfactant protein B secretion in vitro and associates with decreased protein levels in vivo.

Background: Surfactant protein B (SP-B) is essential for normal lung function, and decreased concentrations of SP-B have a deleterious effect on pulmonary outcome. SP-B levels may correlate with variations in the encoding gene (SFTPB). SFTPB single-nucleotide polymorphism Ile131Thr affects proSP-B N-glycosylation in humans and the glycosylated Thr variant associates with pulmonary diseases.

A potential novel spontaneous preterm birth gene, AR, identified by linkage and association analysis of X chromosomal markers.

Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal mortality and morbidity. In many cases, it has severe life-long consequences for the health and neurological development of the newborn child. More than 50% of all preterm births are spontaneous, and currently there is no effective prevention.

A study of collectin genes in spontaneous preterm birth reveals an association with a common surfactant protein D gene polymorphism.

Introduction: Preterm birth is the major cause of mortality and morbidity in neonates. Intrauterine infection and/or inflammatory response are evident in 60-70% of spontaneous preterm births (SPTBs). Genetic factors significantly increase this risk.

An evolutionary genomic approach to identify genes involved in human birth timing.

Coordination of fetal maturation with birth timing is essential for mammalian reproduction. In humans, preterm birth is a disorder of profound global health significance. The signals initiating parturition in humans have remained elusive, due to divergence in physiological mechanisms between humans and model organisms typically studied.

Mapping a new spontaneous preterm birth susceptibility gene, IGF1R, using linkage, haplotype sharing, and association analysis.

Preterm birth is the major cause of neonatal death and serious morbidity. Most preterm births are due to spontaneous onset of labor without a known cause or effective prevention. Both maternal and fetal genomes influence the predisposition to spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB), but the susceptibility loci remain to be defined.

Primate-specific evolution of noncoding element insertion into PLA2G4C and human preterm birth.

Background: The onset of birth in humans, like other apes, differs from non-primate mammals in its endocrine physiology. We hypothesize that higher primate-specific gene evolution may lead to these differences and target genes involved in human preterm birth, an area of global health significance.

Methods: We performed a comparative genomics screen of highly conserved noncoding elements and identified PLA2G4C, a phospholipase A isoform involved in prostaglandin biosynthesis as human accelerated.

Serum-free, xeno-free culture media maintain the proliferation rate and multipotentiality of adipose stem cells in vitro.

Background Aims: Human adipose stem cells (ASC) are an abundant, readily available population of multipotent progenitor cells that reside in adipose tissue. ASC have been shown to have therapeutic applicability in pre-clinical studies, but a standardized expansion method for clinical cell therapy has yet to be established. Isolated ASC are typically expanded in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS); however, sera and other culturing reagents of animal origin in clinical therapy pose numerous safety issues, including possible infections and severe immune reactions.

Genetic association of SP-C with duration of preterm premature rupture of fetal membranes and expression in gestational tissues.

Background: Surfactant protein (SP) C has been shown to be expressed also outside pulmonary alveoli. Certain SP-C gene (SFTPC) polymorphisms associate with lung diseases and very preterm birth.

Aims: We investigated the association of SFTPC single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs4715 with factors affecting spontaneous preterm birth and characterized the SP-C expression in human and mouse gestational tissues.

Mannose-binding lectin as a risk factor for acute coronary syndromes.

Background: Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a multifunctional protein involved in innate immunity. We tested whether MBL and elevated viral and bacterial antibodies were risk factors for acute coronary events.

Design: Controlled cohort study.

Allergic rhinitis in school-aged children with asthma - still under-diagnosed and under-treated? A retrospective study in a children's hospital.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) and asthma can be considered as manifestations of the same disease entity. The treatment of AR may improve also asthma symptoms. The aim of the study was to evaluate, how often AR is diagnosed and treated in patients with asthma.

Mother's genome or maternally-inherited genes acting in the fetus influence gestational age in familial preterm birth.

Objective: While multiple lines of evidence suggest the importance of genetic contributors to risk of preterm birth, the nature of the genetic component has not been identified. We perform segregation analyses to identify the best fitting genetic model for gestational age, a quantitative proxy for preterm birth.

Methods: Because either mother or infant can be considered the proband from a preterm delivery and there is evidence to suggest that genetic factors in either one or both may influence the trait, we performed segregation analysis for gestational age either attributed to the infant (infant's gestational age), or the mother (by averaging the gestational ages at which her children were delivered), using 96 multiplex preterm families.

Can elevated serum TRACP-5b levels predict stress fractures? A cohort study.

Background And Aims: Stress fracture is a common overuse injury in athletes and military conscripts. The reliable diagnosis of stress fractures is often difficult, however, because it is usually based solely on radiographic findings. Biochemical markers of bone resorption reflect bone degradation and may also reflect the rate of bone loss.

Mortality of Finnish acute psychiatric hospital patients.

Objective: The mortality of psychiatric patients is higher than that of the general population. Earlier studies have typically focused on specific diagnostic categories or causes of death. The aim of this study was to assess the overall mortality in acute psychiatric hospital patients covering all diagnostic groups, with special emphasis on substance abuse.

Botulinum toxin type A injections into the calf muscles for treatment of spastic equinus in cerebral palsy: a randomized trial comparing single and multiple injection sites.

Objective: To investigate the hypothesis that the multiple-site injection technique is associated with better outcomes than the single-point injection method in children with cerebral palsy and spastic equinus gait.

Design: A total of 17 children (nine boys, eight girls ages 1.8-9.

Haplotype analysis of ABCA3: association with respiratory distress in very premature infants.

Background: Adenosine triphosphate (ATP)-binding cassette transporter A3 (ABCA3) gene mutations cause fatal respiratory failure in term infants, but common ABCA3 polymorphisms have remained uncharacterized at the population level.

Aim: To define a subset of tagging single-nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) which capture most of the variation within the ABCA3 gene, and to assess ABCA3 as a novel candidate gene for susceptibility to respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in preterm infants.

Methods: Based on an initial screen, nine tSNPs were selected.

An association of serum vitamin D concentrations < 40 nmol/L with acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men.

Background: The effects of vitamin D in regulating bone mineralization are well documented. The action of vitamin D as a key link between Toll-like receptor activation and antibacterial responses in innate immunity has recently been shown. The data suggest that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infection.

Genes and environment in common neonatal lung disease.

Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) are common, serious lung diseases in preterm infants. Polymorphism of the genes involved in basic lung function and alveolar stability, lung differentiation and pulmonary host defense may influence the risk. Natural selection has refined the genes responsible for cardiopulmonary adaptation and resistance against pneumonia in term and near-term infants.

Psychometric properties of the 20-item toronto alexithymia scale and prevalence of alexithymia in a finnish adolescent population.

The authors assessed, in an adolescent population sample, the internal consistency, test-retest stability, and factor structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and established the frequency of alexithymia in this age-group. Pupils (N=882; age-groups: 14-, 15-, and 16-year-olds) from two secondary schools completed the TAS-20 questionnaire twice, with a 5-week interval, in a classroom survey setting. TAS total and subscale scores and proportion of subjects exceeding the cut-point for alexithymia are reported for boys and girls.

Surfactant protein polymorphisms and neonatal lung disease.

Here, we describe the approach of defining the genetic contribution to disease and discuss the polymorphisms of some genes that are associated with respiratory disease. The common allelic variants of SP-A1, SP-A2, SP-B, SP-C, and SP-D genes are associated with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD), or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis. The main SP-A haplotype, interactively with SP-B Ile131Thr polymorphism and with constitutional and environmental factors, influences the risk of RDS.