Effects of aging of polyethylene microplastics and polystyrene nanoplastics on antibiotic resistance gene transfer during primary sludge fermentation.

The increasing presence of nano and microplastics (NPs/MPs) in wastewater treatment plants and their inevitable accumulation in the sludge has raised serious concerns in recent years. This study investigated the effects of pristine and aged polyethylene microplastics (PEMPs), polystyrene nanoplastics (PsNPs), and their mixtures on the primary sludge fermentation process. Pristine MPs/NPs (150 μg/L and 2 g/L for PsNPs and PEMPs, respectively) underwent two weeks of weathering in the presence of humic and alginic acids.

Impact of polystyrene nanoplastics on primary sludge fermentation under acidic and alkaline conditions: Significance of antibiotic resistance genes.

As a part of industrial or commercial discharge, the influx of nanoplastics (NPs) to the wastewater treatment plants is inevitable. Consequently, it has become a must to understand the effects of these NPs on different unit processes. This study aimed to investigate the impact of three different concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PsNPs) on the fermentation of primary sludge (PrS), implemented in batch anaerobic bioreactors, at pH 5 and 10, considering the pH-dependent nature of the fermentation process.

Evaluation of an on-farm culture system for the detection of subclinical mastitis pathogens in dairy cattle.

The purpose of this observational study was to compare the performance of a novel on-farm culture (OFC) test with the reference method (RM) in identifying pathogens, and in particular , associated with subclinical mastitis (SCM) in dairy cattle. The OFC test (Mastatest HiSCC; Mastaplex Limited) for SCM uses a cartridge with 2 × 12 wells allowing 1 sample to be analyzed in duplicate (24 wells) or 2 samples analyzed simultaneously, each in 12 wells. Results of the milk analyses are reported hierarchically ( → coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) → other gram positive or coliform/gram negative → no bacteria present) and emailed within 24 h.

Abuse of social care clients committed by nurses and other social service employees-Analysis of employees' reports.

Aim: The aim of the study was to describe the alleged abuse of social care clients committed by nurses and other social services employees and actions as well as sanctions that followed the alleged abuse.

Design: A retrospective study using a descriptive qualitative analysis.

Methods: The data comprised mandatory reports made by social service employees under the Social Welfare Act.

Automated assessment of Ki-67 proliferation index in neuroendocrine tumors by deep learning.

The Ki-67 proliferation index (PI) is a prognostic factor in neuroendocrine tumors (NETs) and defines tumor grade. Analysis of Ki-67 PI requires calculation of Ki-67-positive and Ki-67-negative tumor cells, which is highly subjective. To overcome this, we developed a deep learning-based Ki-67 PI algorithm (KAI) that objectively calculates Ki-67 PI.

The Host GTPase Arf1 and Its Effectors AP1 and PICK1 Stimulate Actin Polymerization and Exocytosis To Promote Entry of Listeria monocytogenes.

is a foodborne bacterium that causes gastroenteritis, meningitis, or abortion. induces its internalization (entry) into some human cells through interaction of the bacterial surface protein InlB with its host receptor, the Met tyrosine kinase. InlB and Met promote entry through stimulation of localized actin polymerization and exocytosis.

Decreasing trend in the incidence of serious pneumonias in Finnish children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: Children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) may be predisposed to serious pneumonia due to modern disease-modifying anti-rheumatic treatment. In this nationwide retrospective study with clinical data, we describe the pneumonia episodes among children with JIA.

Methods: Patients under 18 years of age with JIA and pneumonia during 1998-2014 were identified in the National Hospital Discharge Register in Finland.

Real-world efficacy of bezlotoxumab for prevention of recurrent Clostridium difficile infection: a retrospective study of 46 patients in five university hospitals in Finland.

Reports on real-world experience on efficacy of bezlotoxumab (BEZ) has been lacking thus far. We retrospectively studied the efficacy and safety of BEZ in preventing the recurrence of Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) in five university hospitals in Finland. Seventy-three percent of our 46 patients remained free of recurrence in the following 3 months and the performance remained as 71% effective also among immunocompromised patients.

Pain interference and associated factors in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

: Pain is a common and distressing feature of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). Pain interference (PI) is underexplored in long-term conditions such as JIA. The aim of this study was to explore the factors associated with PI in young adults with JIA.

Disability and health-related quality of life are associated with restricted social participation in young adults with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Objectives: To describe a cohort of Finnish juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients, to recognize those young adults who are at risk of becoming socially restricted by their long-term rheumatic disease, and to assess which areas of self-rated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) are associated with the emergence of restricted social participation.

Methods: A total of 195 young adults with JIA completed questionnaires addressing demographics, health behaviour, physical activity, functional ability, HRQoL, depressive symptoms, and self-esteem. Patients were classified as having non-restricted social participation if they were engaged in studying, working, maternity leave, or military service, and restricted social participation if they were unemployed or on disability pension.

The Finnish version of the Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR).

The Juvenile Arthritis Multidimensional Assessment Report (JAMAR) is a new parent/patient-reported outcome measure that enables a thorough assessment of the disease status in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA). We report the results of the cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the parent and patient versions of the JAMAR in the Finnish language. The reading comprehension of the questionnaire was tested in ten JIA parents and patients.

Fear of Injections and Needle Phobia Among Children and Adolescents: An Overview of Psychological, Behavioral, and Contextual Factors.

The purpose of this clinical update is to provide an overview of the fear of needles and needle phobia in children and adolescents including characteristics and diagnosis, prevalence and epidemiology, etiological factors, and treatment options. Needle-related fear and needle phobia present as significant needle-related distress and avoidance behavior. The etiology is biopsychosocial.

Pneumonia in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis in Finland 1999-2014: a nationwide retrospective register linkage study.

Objectives: To compare the incidence of pneumonia in children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) to the aged-matched general population and to evaluate the use of anti-rheumatic medication among children with JIA and pneumonia.

Methods: The National Hospital Discharge Register collects data on ICD-diagnoses of hospital patients in Finland. From this register, patients with JIA under 18 years of age with pneumonia from 1999 through 2014 were identified.

An outbreak of human metapneumovirus in a rehabilitation center for alcoholics in Tampere, Finland.

Reports of respiratory tract infections in a rehabilitation center for alcoholics triggered the epidemiological investigations in Tampere, Finland. Twenty-nine out of 40 residents (attack rate 73%) and four members of staff fulfilled the case criteria: cough; worsening of dyspnea; or rhinitis with or without fever. Ten cases were hospitalized, one needed treatment in the intensive care unit.

Host endoplasmic reticulum COPII proteins control cell-to-cell spread of the bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes.

Listeria monocytogenes is a food-borne pathogen that uses actin-dependent motility to spread between human cells. Cell-to-cell spread involves the formation by motile bacteria of plasma membrane-derived structures termed 'protrusions'. In cultured enterocytes, the secreted Listeria protein InlC promotes protrusion formation by binding and inhibiting the human scaffolding protein Tuba.

Bloodstream infections among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis: a prospective study from the onset of disease.

Objectives: To describe the incidence and nature of bloodstream infections (BSI) among children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) followed-up prospectively from disease onset.

Methods: The Social Insurance Institution's (SII) national register on individuals with reimbursement for medication of chronic diseases was used to identify children with JIA from 2004 through 2011 and their medications. The National Infectious Disease Register (NIDR) collects data of all blood culture positive samples from all microbiology laboratories in Finland.

The frequency and outcome of uveitis in patients with newly diagnosed juvenile idiopathic arthritis in two 4-year cohorts from 1990-1993 and 2000-2003.

Objectives: To retrospectively compare the frequency and outcome of uveitis between two cohorts of patients with newly-onset juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) separated by a 10 year interval.

Methods: The diagnosis of JIA was made in 239 patients in 1990-1993 and in 240 patients in 2000-2003 by paediatric rheumatologists at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland. An ophthalmologist examined all the patients regularly and diagnosed uveitis.

Beware of the biologicals--hospitals may die: the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland (1951-2010).

The first patient entered the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola, Finland in July 1951. From that point on, the hospital helped patients suffering from rheumatic disorders. Specialists in the hospital actively developed treatments and published a large number of scientific articles in international journals.

[Medical treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis].

Although etiology of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is currently not known, better understanding of immunologic pathways of inflammation and the development of new therapies with biologic agents have remarkably improved the treatment of JIA. However, approximately 30% of the patients with JIA do not seem to response adequately to conventional anti-rheumatic drugs but the arthritis runs a continuously active course and may lead to the evolution of erosions. Such patients benefit from biologic agents, of which the longest clinical experience comes from anti-TNF therapies.

Long-term efficacy of adalimumab in the treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term effects of adalimumab, a tumor necrosis factor alpha antagonist, in the treatment of uveitis associated with juvenile idiopathic arthritis.

Methods: Adalimumab was initiated in 94 patients with juvenile idiopathic arthritis to treat active arthritis and/or active associated uveitis. In 18 patients, therapy was discontinued after a short period because of inefficacy or side effects.

First-year purchases of disease-modifying drugs of incident patients with chronic juvenile arthritis in Finland.

Objectives: To establish a nationwide overview on drug treatment of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), which is the most frequent form of chronic arthritis (JA) in children and adolescents. The emphasis is on the first 12 months after diagnosis, and any changes in medication practices during the early years of the present millennium are registered.

Methods: The Social Insurance Institution (SII) in Finland keeps a national register on individuals granted with a special reimbursement for medication of defined chronic diseases.

Out of Tibet: Pliocene woolly rhino suggests high-plateau origin of Ice Age megaherbivores.

Ice Age megafauna have long been known to be associated with global cooling during the Pleistocene, and their adaptations to cold environments, such as large body size, long hair, and snow-sweeping structures, are best exemplified by the woolly mammoths and woolly rhinos. These traits were assumed to have evolved as a response to the ice sheet expansion. We report a new Pliocene mammal assemblage from a high-altitude basin in the western Himalayas, including a primitive woolly rhino.