Multiparameter imaging reveals clinically relevant cancer cell-stroma interaction dynamics in head and neck cancer.

Epithelial tumors are characterized by abundant inter- and intra-tumor heterogeneity, which complicates diagnostics and treatment. The contribution of cancer-stroma interactions to this heterogeneity is poorly understood. Here, we report a paradigm to quantify phenotypic diversity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) with single-cell resolution.

TSPO is a potential independent prognostic factor associated with cellular respiration and p16 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Treatment resistance and relapse are common problems in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Except for p16, no clinically accepted prognostic biomarkers are available for HNSCC. New biomarkers predictive of recurrence and survival are crucial for optimal treatment planning and patient outcome.

Epidemiological Study of p16 Incidence in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma 2005-2015 in a Representative Northern European Population.

The incidence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) has increased globally. Our research goal was to study HNSCC incidence in a representative Northern European population and evaluate the utility of the HPV surrogate marker p16 in clinical decision-making. All new HNSCC patients diagnosed and treated in Southwest Finland from 2005-2015 ( = 1033) were identified and analyzed.

Exposure to alcohol and overall survival in head and neck cancer: A regional cohort study.

Background: There is a paucity of knowledge regarding the association of alcohol use with overall survival (OS) of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

Methods: All 1033 patients treated for new HNSCC in Southwest Finland regional referral center of Turku University Hospital in 2005-2015. Cox regression analysis was used.

Primary Amine Oxidase of Escherichia coli Is a Metabolic Enzyme that Can Use a Human Leukocyte Molecule as a Substrate.

Escherichia coli amine oxidase (ECAO), encoded by the tynA gene, catalyzes the oxidative deamination of aromatic amines into aldehydes through a well-established mechanism, but its exact biological role is unknown. We investigated the role of ECAO by screening environmental and human isolates for tynA and characterizing a tynA-deletion strain using microarray analysis and biochemical studies. The presence of tynA did not correlate with pathogenicity.

The fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene variant rs9939609 predicts long-term incidence of cardiovascular disease and related death independent of the traditional risk factors.

Objective And Methods: The impact of the rs9939609 FTO variant on cardiovascular events was investigated in the 19-year follow-up of subjects recruited to the OPERA study.

Results: A total of 212 cardiovascular disease (CVD) and 152 coronary heart disease (CHD) events or deaths occurred during follow-up. The logistic regression analysis revealed that among the AA genotype the incidence of CHD (OR 1.

Comparative Burden of Influenza A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B Infections in Children Treated as Outpatients.

Background: Few studies have directly compared the clinical impact of different types and subtypes of influenza viruses in children.

Methods: In a prospective study of respiratory infections in preenrolled cohorts of children ≤13 years of age, we compared the clinical features and the overall burden of illness between outpatient children with A/H1N1, A/H3N2 and B infections. The data were derived from structured medical records filled out by study physicians and from daily symptom diaries filled out by the parents throughout the follow-up period.

Fat mass- and obesity-associated gene Fto affects the dietary response in mouse white adipose tissue.

Common variants of human fat mass- and obesity-associated gene Fto have been linked with higher body mass index, but the biological explanation for the link has remained obscure. Recent findings suggest that these variants affect the homeobox protein IRX3. Here we report that FTO has a role in white adipose tissue which modifies its response to high-fat feeding.

Long telomeres in blood leukocytes are associated with a high risk of ascending aortic aneurysm.

Ascending aortic aneurysm is a connective tissue disorder. Even though multiple novel gene mutations have been identified, risk profiling and diagnosis before rupture still represent a challenge. There are studies demonstrating shorter telomere lengths in the blood leukocytes of abdominal aortic aneurysm patients.

Plasma levels of antibodies against oxidized LDL are inherited but not associated with HDL-cholesterol level in families with early coronary heart disease.

Objective: Oxidized low-density lipoproteins (oxLDL) and antibodies against them (anti-oxLDLs) are thought to play a central role in atherosclerosis. One proposed antiatherosclerotic mechanism for HDL is to prevent oxidation of LDL. This study examined whether plasma HDL-cholesterol (HDL-C) is related to plasma anti-oxLDL levels.

Elevated messenger RNA expression and plasma protein levels of osteopontin and matrix metalloproteinase types 2 and 9 in patients with ascending aortic aneurysms.

Objective: Ascending aortic aneurysms result from a degenerative process in the aortic wall, characterized by the loss of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers. We hypothesized that there would be changes in plasma protein and aortic tissue messenger RNA levels of osteopontin, matrix metalloproteinase type 2, matrix metalloproteinase type 9, and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases type 1 in ascending aortic aneurysm samples.

Methods: Plasma, aortic tissue, and aortic mRNA samples were collected from patients with an ascending aortic aneurysm or an abdominal aortic aneurysm and from control individuals.

Monitoring the performance of hip fracture treatment in Finland.

Introduction: This article in the supplement on the PERFormance, Effectiveness, and Costs of Treatment episodes (PERFECT)-project aims to measure the performance and quality of hip fracture treatment by analysing annual trends and regional differences in developed performance indicators.

Material And Methods: The PERFECT Hip Fracture Database contains all hip fracture patients identified from the Hospital Discharge Register in Finland since 1999. Follow-up data from several administrative registers were also linked to the database.

Modeling the length of the care episode after hip fracture: does the type of fracture matter?

Background And Aims: Hip fractures are common events that require intensive operative hospital care and a lengthy rehabilitation. The effect of hip fracture type on successful rehabilitation is not well known. The aim of this study is to model and compare the length of the care episodes between intra- and extracapsular hip fractures in Finland.

Effect of cognitive impairment on basic activities of daily living in hip fracture patients: a 1-year follow-up.

Background And Aims: To compare changes in basic self-care activities in various cognitive groups of hip fracture patients by the Katz Index of Independence in activities of daily living (ADL).

Methods: 117 community-dwelling elderly subjects with acute hip fracture (age 67-92 years), referred to the geriatric unit of Jyväskylä Central Hospital for rehabilitation, participated in the study. Basic self-care activities were evaluated by the Katz ADL Index and cognition by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE).

Effects of phosphatidylethanol on mouse adipocyte differentiation and expression of stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1.

Background: Phosphatidylethanol (PEth) is an aberrant phospholipid formed in vivo only in the presence of ethanol. In circulation PEth is associated with lipoproteins and is transferred from one lipoprotein to another. Lipoprotein-associated PEth affects endothelial and smooth muscle cells of blood vessels, but its effects on other cell types have not been explored.

Increased incidence of hip fractures. A population based-study in Finland.

In Central Finland, the age-specific incidence of hip fractures did not change between the years 1982-1983 and 1992-1993 though the total number of hip fractures increased by 11% due to population aging. The objective of this study was to define the current hip fracture rates and the characteristics of patients with hip fracture. The population at risk consisted of 240,000 persons living in the Central Finland Health Care District.

Post-operative degree of mobilization at two weeks predicts one-year mortality after hip fracture.

Background And Aims: Although several investigations have tested physical activity a few months or one year after hip fracture, only a few have assessed physical activity shortly after hip fracture. The aim of this study was to evaluate how physical function two weeks after hip fracture operation predicts 12-month mortality. This was a prospective study of hip fracture patients with one-year follow-up, carried out in Jyväskylä Central Hospital in Finland.

Life situation of spinal cord-injured persons in Central Finland.

Study Design: Individual interview and questionnaire of a regional spinal cord-injured (SCI) population.

Objective: Local health care centres are mainly responsible for the SCI patients health care and rehabilitation after initial hospitalization in Finland. The purpose of the present study was to study aspects of the SCI patients life situation and their opinion of the health care services after 1 year since the injury.

Randomized, double-blind, clinically controlled trial of intranasal calcitonin treatment in patients with hip fracture.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the short-term outcome of intranasal calcitonin treatment of elderly hip fracture patients on pain, bone loss, functional recovery, and length of hospital stay. In addition, we wanted to compare the effect of calcitonin with placebo on fusion of hip fractures treated with internal fixation using a screw or a nail. In a randomized, double-blind, clinically controlled trial, 260 independently living patients (aged 65 years or older) with acute hip fracture were randomly assigned to intranasal calcitonin 200 IU daily for 3 months or matching placebo nasal spray.

Intensive geriatric rehabilitation of hip fracture patients: a randomized, controlled trial.

We determined the effect of geriatric rehabilitation of hip fracture patients on mortality, length of hospital stay, and functional recovery. In a randomized, controlled intervention study, 243 community dwelling hip fracture patients over 64 years of age were randomly assigned to 2 rehabilitation groups. The intervention group (n = 120) was referred to a geriatric ward for team rehabilitation, and the controls (n = 123) to local hospital wards for standard care.

Threefold increased risk of hip fractures with rheumatoid arthritis in Central Finland.

Objectives: To evaluate the impact of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) on the incidence of hip fractures.

Methods: All patients with acute hip fractures admitted to Jyväskylä Central Hospital in 1991-93 (n=517) were selected from the hospital discharge register. Medical records of these patients were studied retrospectively for RA fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria.