Transdermal oestradiol and exercise in androgen deprivation therapy (ESTRACISE): protocol.

Objective: To report the protocol of a study evaluating the efficacy of transdermal oestradiol (E2) gel in reducing the adverse effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT), specifically on sexual function, and to assess the utility of E2 in combination with supervised exercise.

Study Design And Methods: The primary endpoint of this open-label Phase IIA randomized controlled trial is the efficacy of transdermal E2 gel. Secondary endpoints include: (i) the occurrence of ADT-induced adverse effects; (ii) the safety and tolerability of E2; (iii) the impact of E2 with or without exercise on physical, physiological, muscle, and systemic biomarkers; and (iv) quality of life.

Circulating metabolome landscape in Lynch syndrome.

Circulating metabolites systemically reflect cellular processes and can modulate the tissue microenvironment in complex ways, potentially impacting cancer initiation processes. Genetic background increases cancer risk in individuals with Lynch syndrome; however, not all carriers develop cancer. Various lifestyle factors can influence Lynch syndrome cancer risk, and lifestyle choices actively shape systemic metabolism, with circulating metabolites potentially serving as the mechanical link between lifestyle and cancer risk.

Platinum-based drugs induce phenotypic alterations in nucleoli and Cajal bodies in prostate cancer cells.

Purpose: Platinum-based drugs are cytotoxic drugs commonly used in cancer treatment. They cause DNA damage, effects of which on chromatin and cellular responses are relatively well described. Yet, the nuclear stress responses related to RNA processing are incompletely known and may be relevant for the heterogeneity with which cancer cells respond to these drugs.

Nuclear Organization in Response to Stress: A Special Focus on Nucleoli.

In this chapter, we discuss the nuclear organization and how it responds to different types of stress. A key component in these responses is molecular traffic between the different sub-nucleolar compartments, such as nucleoplasm, chromatin, nucleoli, and various speckle and body compartments. This allows specific repair and response activities in locations where they normally are not active and serve to halt sensitive functions until the stress insult passes and inflicted damage has been repaired.

Reticulation pattern without honeycombing on high-resolution CT is associated with the risk of disease progression in interstitial lung diseases.

Background: The disease course of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is progressive and occasionally, other types of interstitial lung disease (ILD) may progress similarly to IPF. This study aimed to evaluate risk factors for disease progression within 24 months in patients with various ILDs.

Methods: This prospective study obtained 97 patients with a suspected ILD who underwent a transbronchial lung cryobiopsy.

Several specific high-resolution computed tomography patterns correlate with survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Evidence of honeycombing in high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) is a recognized risk factor for shortened survival in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but few studies have evaluated the feasibility of exploiting other specific patterns for predicting survival. The aim of this study was to examine the extent of specific HRCT patterns in IPF and determine whether they correlate with clinical features, pulmonary function tests (PFT), and survival.

Methods: Both the presence and extent of specific HRCT patterns, such as traction bronchiectasis, honeycombing, architectural distortion, reticulation, emphysema, and ground glass opacity, in 129 HRCT examinations were scored semi-quantitatively in three zones of each lung.

Structural Brain Imaging Phenotypes of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's Disease (AD) Found by Hierarchical Clustering.

A hierarchical clustering algorithm was applied to magnetic resonance images (MRI) of a cohort of 751 subjects having a mild cognitive impairment (MCI), 282 subjects having received Alzheimer's disease (AD) diagnosis, and 428 normal controls (NC). MRIs were preprocessed to gray matter density maps and registered to a stereotactic space. By first rendering the gray matter density maps comparable by regressing out age, gender, and years of education, and then performing the hierarchical clustering, we found clusters displaying structural features of typical AD, cortically-driven atypical AD, limbic-predominant AD, and early-onset AD (EOAD).

Comparison of disease progression subgroups in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial pneumonia with an unpredictable course. The aims of this study were to retrospectively re-evaluate a cohort of patients with IPF according to the 2011 international IPF guidelines and 1) to characterize the subgroups of patients when classified according to their observed survival times and 2) to evaluate whether Composite Physiologic Index (CPI), Gender-Age-Physiology (GAP) Index or clinical variables could predict mortality.

Methods: Retrospective data was collected and patients were classified into subgroups according to their observed lifespans.

Primary reconstruction of orbital fractures using patient-specific titanium milled implants: the Helsinki protocol.

Preoperative virtual planning and the use of patient-specific implants enable exact reconstruction of orbital fractures. We present our results and experience of reconstruction of isolated orbital fractures with patient-specific implants, according to the Helsinki protocol, in 15 patients who were followed up for at least three months postoperatively. The mean (range) difference between the positions of virtually planned, and postoperative, implants was 1.

Underlying and immediate causes of death in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: The most common cause of death of patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) has been reported to be the lung disease itself and mortality from IPF appears to be increasing. However, the causes of death in patients with IPF taking into account differences between genders and smoking histories as well as disease progression, have not been previously explored.

Methods: Retrospective data from hospital register and death certificates from national database of IPF patients treated in Kuopio University Hospital (KUH) from 2002 to 2012 were collected.

Low free 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high vitamin D binding protein and parathyroid hormone in obese Caucasians. A complex association with bone?

Background: Studies have shown altered vitamin D metabolism in obesity. We assessed differences between obese and normal-weight subjects in total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D, 25(OH)DFree, and 25(OH)DBio, respectively), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone traits.

Methods: 595 37-47-year-old healthy Finnish men and women stratified by BMI were examined in this cross-sectional study.

Several high-resolution computed tomography findings associate with survival and clinical features in rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease.

Objective: To compare the presence and extent of several high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) observations in different subtypes of rheumatoid arthritis-related interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD) and to examine associations between radiological findings, hospitalization, age, RA duration, pulmonary function tests (PFT) and survival.

Materials And Methods: HRCTs from 60 RA-ILD patients were independently evaluated and re-categorized into usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP), nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP), organizing pneumonia (OP), diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) and unclassified subtypes by two radiologists. The presence and extent, which was reported using a semi-quantitative scoring system, of e.

Effect of smoking and comorbidities on survival in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Background: Cigarette smoking has been associated with the risk of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF). Certain comorbidities have been associated with reduced survival although some studies have indicated that current smokers have a longer survival than ex-smokers. Comorbidities in relation to smoking history have not been previously analyzed.

Are risk predicting models useful for estimating survival of patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease?

Background: Risk predicting models have been applied in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but still not validated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). The purpose of this study was to test the suitability of three prediction models as well as individual lung function and demographic factors for evaluating the prognosis of RA-ILD patients.

Methods: Clinical and radiological data of 59 RA-ILD patients was re-assessed.

Variable course of disease of rheumatoid arthritis-associated usual interstitial pneumonia compared to other subtypes.

Background: In rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD), occurring in 10 % of patients with patients with RA, usual interstitial pattern (UIP) has shown to associate with poor prognosis but more detailed data about the course of the disease in different subtypes is limited. Our aim was to compare the disease course of patients with RA-ILD categorized into either UIP or other types of ILDs.

Methods: Clinical and radiological information of 59 patients with RA-ILD were re-assessed and re-classified into UIP or non-UIP groups, followed by a between-group comparison of demographic data, lung function, survival, cause of death and comorbidities.

Development and validation of an interview-administered FFQ for assessment of vitamin D and calcium intakes in Finnish women.

Increased vitamin D fortification of dairy products has increased the supply of vitamin D-containing products with different vitamin D contents on the market in Finland. The authors developed a ninety-eight-item FFQ with eight food groups and with a question on supplementation to assess dietary and supplemental vitamin D and Ca intakes in Finnish women (60ºN). The FFQ was validated in subgroups with different habitual vitamin D supplement use (0-57·5 µg/d) against the biomarker serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) and against 3-d food records (FR) (n 29-67).

Effect of vitamin D, calcium and multiple micronutrients supplementation on lipid profile in pre-menopausal Bangladeshi garment factory workers with hypovitaminosis D.

Elevated total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in sera are both well-known risk factors of coronary heart disease. Adequate vitamin D status is important for optimal function of many organs and tissues of our body. There is continuing controversy about the effect of adequate vitamin D consumption on serum lipids and lipoproteins.

Automated immunoassays for the autoantibodies to carbamylated or citrullinated telopeptides of type I and II collagens.

Background: The aim of the study was to describe automated immunoassays for autoantibodies to homocitrulline or citrulline containing telopeptides of type I and II collagen in various disease categories in an early arthritis series.

Methods: Serum samples were collected from 142 patients over 16 years of age with newly diagnosed inflammatory joint disease. All samples were analyzed with an automated inhibition chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA) using four different peptide pairs, each consisting of a biotinylated antigen and an inhibiting peptide.

Associations among total and food additive phosphorus intake and carotid intima-media thickness--a cross-sectional study in a middle-aged population in Southern Finland.

Background: Dietary phosphorus (P) intake in Western countries is 2- to 3-fold higher than recommended, and phosphate is widely used as a food additive in eg. cola beverages and processed meat products. Elevated serum phosphate concentrations have been associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and CVD itself in several studies in patients with renal dysfunction and in a few studies in the general population.

Calcium intake in health maintenance - a systematic review.

Background: Calcium (Ca) is an essential nutrient for the human body. Despite lively research, there is uncertainty about Ca requirements in terms of desirable health outcomes including an upper intake level above which the potential for harm increases.

Objectives: The aim was to conduct a review to update requirements and desirable or harmful health effects of Ca on the current scientific evidence.

Mono- and polyphosphates have similar effects on calcium and phosphorus metabolism in healthy young women.

Purpose: Phosphate (Pi) salts, often mono- (MP) or polyphosphates (PP), are commonly used as additives in the food industry. Previous studies have shown that the effects of MP and PP on calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism may differ. The aim of this study was to determine whether the effects of MP and PP salts differ on markers of Ca and P metabolism in young women.

Associations of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids with bone mineral density in elderly women.

Background/objectives: Significance of dietary fatty acids on bone health is not clear, and the evidence is controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and bone mineral density (BMD) among elderly women.

Subjects/methods: Subjects (n=554) were drawn from the Kuopio OSTPRE Fracture Prevention Study.

Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and secondary hyperparathyroidism during winter in pre-menopausal Bangladeshi and Somali immigrant and ethnic Finnish women: associations with forearm bone mineral density.

Secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT) is one of the outcomes of vitamin D deficiency that negatively affects bone metabolism. We studied the ethnic differences in vitamin D status in Finland and its effect on serum intact parathyroid hormone (S-iPTH) concentration and bone traits. The study was done in the Helsinki area (60°N) during January-February 2008.