Off-label and unlicensed drug prescribing in three paediatric wards in Finland and review of the international literature.

Objectives: In paediatric pharmacotherapy, many drugs are prescribed to be given in ways and for conditions not approved in the marketing authorization (MA). Thus, off-label prescribing of drugs with no MA is widespread in paediatric wards. However, drug MA status and clinical practices differ across countries.

A practice-based study of the variation of diagnostics of dental caries in new and old patients of different ages.

Data mining of digital dental records provides possibilities for analysing the variation between dentists when diagnosing caries. A total of 71,317 male and 82,302 female subjects visited the health centres in Vantaa and Kemi during the 'digital era' (1994-2005). As subjects were classified as 'new patients' at the first examination, all re-examinations of the same subjects thereafter by the same dentist produced 'old patients'.

Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells undergo nemosis and induce keratinocyte wound healing utilizing the HGF/c-Met/PI3K pathway.

We previously showed cell-cell contacts of human dermal fibroblasts to induce expression of the hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF) in a process designated as nemosis. Now we report on nemosis initiation in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Because BMSCs are being used increasingly in cell transplantation therapy we aimed to demonstrate a functional effect and benefit of BMSC nemosis for wound healing.

Patterns of drug use and factors associated with polypharmacy and excessive polypharmacy in elderly persons: results of the Kuopio 75+ study: a cross-sectional analysis.

Background: Although the increasing use of drugs in elderly persons has raised many concerns in recent years, the process leading to polypharmacy (PP) and excessive polypharmacy (EPP) remains largely unknown.

Objective: To describe the number and type of drugs used and to evaluate the role of different factors associated with PP (i.e.

Changes in alcohol consumption and drinking patterns during 11 years of follow-up among ageing men: the FinDrink study.

Background: Alcohol consumption is often reported to decrease with ageing. We investigated alcohol consumption and drinking patterns in an ageing population-based male sample during an 11-year follow-up period.

Methods: This study with baseline and two follow-up examinations (at 4 and 11 years) included 1516 randomly selected participants, aged 42, 48, 54 and 60 years from Eastern Finland.

Intracrine androgenic apparatus in human bone marrow stromal cells.

It was suggested that human mesenchymal stromal cells might contain an intracrine enzyme machinery potentially able to synthesize the cell's own supply of dihydrotestosterone (DHT) from dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) pro-hormone produced in the adrenal cortex in the reticular zone, which is unique to primates. Indeed, 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3beta-HSD) and 5alpha-reductase enzyme proteins were expressed in resting mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in vitro. However, the 'bridging' enzymes 17beta-HSDs, catalysing interconversion between 17beta-ketosteroids and 17beta-hydroxysteroids, were not found in resting MSCs, but 17beta-HSD enzyme protein was induced in a dose-dependent manner by DHEA.

Biomechanical and skeletal muscle determinants of maximum running speed with aging.

Purpose: Aging diminishes the ability to run fast, but the specific mechanisms responsible for this deterioration remain largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the age-related decline in sprint running ability through a cross-sectional examination of biomechanical and skeletal muscle characteristics in 77 competitive male sprinters aged 17-82 yr.

Methods: Ground reaction force (GRF) and kinematic stride cycle parameters were measured during the maximum-velocity phase using a 9.

Persistence with statin therapy in diabetic and non-diabetic persons: a nation-wide register study in 1995-2005 in Finland.

Persistence with statin therapy was studied among 562 598 new statin users in 1995-2005 in Finland. Discontinuation was most likely during the first year. Persons with diabetes (15.

A decision framework for possible remediation of contaminated sediments in the River Kymijoki, Finland.

Background, Aim, And Scope: The paper describes the spatial contamination of the River Kymijoki, South-Eastern Finland, and the coastal region of the Gulf of Finland with PCDD/Fs and mercury. The findings of ecotoxicologial and human health studies are also reported, including environmental and human risk assessments. Sediments from the River Kymijoki, draining into the Gulf of Finland, have been heavily polluted by the pulp and paper industry and by chemical industries.

Contamination of River Kymijoki sediments with polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans and mercury and their transport to the Gulf of Finland in the Baltic Sea.

Kymijoki, the fourth largest river in Finland, has been heavily polluted by pulp mill effluents as well as the chemical industry. Up to 24,000 ton of wood preservative, chlorophenol known as Ky-5, was manufactured in the upper reaches of the river, an unknown amount of which was discharged into the river between 1940 and 1984. Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) occurred as impurities in the final Ky-5 product.

The first functional study of MLH3 mutations found in cancer patients.

The MLH3 gene is one of the five mismatch repair (MMR) genes associated with hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). Eighteen different inherited MLH3 mutations have been reported as pathogenic in an international mutation database. In several cases, a mutation was found in a patient without a family history suggestive of inherited cancer susceptibility.

Risk drinking behavior among psychotropic drug users in an aging Finnish population: the FinDrink study.

Psychotropic drug use and alcohol consumption is increasing among aging Finns. Alcohol use is not recommended with benzodiazepines and some other psychotropic medicines. Concomitant use may lead to accidents and other serious consequences.

Effects of combined strength and sprint training on regulation of muscle contraction at the whole-muscle and single-fibre levels in elite master sprinters.

Aim: This study aims at examining the effects of progressive strength and sprint training on regulation of muscle contraction at the whole-muscle and single-fibre levels in older sprint-trained athletes.

Methods: Eleven men (52-78 years) were randomized to a training (EX, n = 7) or control (CTRL, n = 4) group. EX participated in a 20-week programme that combined sprint training with heavy and explosive strength exercises, while CTRL maintained their usual run-based training schedules.

Developing a tool for the preparation of GMP audit of pharmaceutical contract manufacturer.

Outsourcing is rapidly growing in the pharmaceutical industry. When the manufacturing activities are outsourced, control of the product's quality has to be maintained. One way to confirm contract manufacturer's GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) compliance is auditing.

Long-term persistence with statin therapy: a nationwide register study in Finland.

Background: Preventive statin therapy is often recommended as lifelong treatment.

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze persistence with statin therapy over a decade of use and to identify factors associated with its discontinuation.

Methods: Persistence with therapy among new users of statins in 1995 was followed up until December 31, 2005, in Finland using the nationwide drug reimbursement register.

A national study of eHealth standardization in Finland--goals and recommendations.

The role of standards is constantly increasing in health services, electronic health records, and eHealth applications. There are many areas of standardization which affect the healthcare work and health information systems. On a national level, the organization of the development and support for standardization should be a key priority.

Computed online determination of life-long mean index values for carious, extracted, and/or filled permanent teeth.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to develop and test a data-mining system for the online determination of mean DS, M, and FS or DMFS values per subject at different ages from electronic patient records at two health centers to see if there are north-south differences in oral health in Finland.

Material And Methods: The mean index values were determined at two health centers using the codes of dental charts and progress notes of electronic dental records during the digital era of more than 10 years in a total of 153,619 subjects of all ages. Extracted teeth, as well as sound, carious, and restored tooth surfaces, were recorded from the dental charts.

Functional COMT Val158Met polymorphism, risk of acute coronary events and serum homocysteine: the Kuopio ischaemic heart disease risk factor study.

Background: The role of circulating levels of total homocysteine tHcy in the development of coronary heart disease (CHD) is still under debate. One reason for conflicting results between previous studies on homocysteine and heart diseases could be consequence of different interactions between homocysteine and genes in different study populations. Many genetic factors play a role in folate-homocysteine metabolism, like functional polymorphism (Val108Met) in the Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene.

Dioxin concentrations in sediments of the Baltic Sea--a survey of existing data.

Recent survey results for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs, dioxins) in Baltic Sea sediments from Finland, Sweden and Denmark were merged with previously published Baltic Sea data. Regional distribution of concentration levels, differences in congener patterns, and temporal changes in sediment profiles were examined. One of the main objectives was to study if any major point sources for different PCDD/F congeners could be identified on a regional scale, based on sediment records.

Conditional nuclear localization of hMLH3 suggests a minor activity in mismatch repair and supports its role as a low-risk gene in HNPCC.

DNA mismatch repair (MMR) mechanism contributes to the maintenance of genomic stability. Loss of MMR function predisposes to a mutator cell phenotype, microsatellite instability (MSI) and cancer, especially hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer (HNPCC). To date, five MMR genes, hMSH2, hMSH6, hMLH1, hPMS2, and hMLH3 are associated with HNPCC.

Snail-dependent and -independent epithelial-mesenchymal transition in oral squamous carcinoma cells.

Disappearance of E-cadherin is a milestone for epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), found both in carcinomas and in some fibrotic diseases. We have studied the mechanisms of EMT in oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells isolated from primary tumor (43A) and its recurrent tumor (43B). Whereas the cells from primary carcinoma displayed a typical phenotype of squamous epithelial cells including E-cadherin and laminin-332 (laminin-5), cells from recurrent tumor expressed characteristics of dedifferentiated, EMT-experienced tumors.