Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon sorption and bacterial community composition of biodegradable and conventional plastics incubated in coastal sediments.

Resistant to degradation, plastic litter poses a long-term threat to marine ecosystems. Biodegradable materials have been developed to replace conventional plastics, but little is known of their impacts and degradation in marine environments. A 14-week laboratory experiment was conducted to investigate the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to conventional (polystyrene PS and polyamide PA) and bio-based, biodegradable plastic films (cellulose acetate CA and poly-L-lactic acid PLLA), and to examine the composition of bacterial communities colonizing these materials.

Do wastewater treatment plants act as a potential point source of microplastics? Preliminary study in the coastal Gulf of Finland, Baltic Sea.

This study on the removal of microplastics during different wastewater treatment unit processes was carried out at Viikinmäki wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The amount of microplastics in the influent was high, but it decreased significantly during the treatment process. The major part of the fibres were removed already in primary sedimentation whereas synthetic particles settled mostly in secondary sedimentation.

The mussel caging approach in assessing biological effects of wastewater treatment plant discharges in the Gulf of Finland (Baltic Sea).

Biological effects of wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents were investigated in Baltic mussels (Mytilus trossulus) caged for one month 800m and 1100m from the WWTP discharge site and at a reference site 4km away. Significant antioxidant, genotoxic and lysosomal responses were observed close to the point of the WWTP discharge. Passive samplers (POCIS) attached to the cages indicated markedly higher water concentrations of various pharmaceuticals at the two most impacted sites.

cyst viability and germling survival in light vs. dark at a constant low temperature.

Both observations and models suggest that large-scale coastal blooms of in the Gulf of Maine are seeded by deep-bottom cyst accumulation zones ("seed beds") where cysts germinate from the sediment surface or the overlying near-bottom nepheloid layers at water depths exceeding 100 m. The germling cells and their vegetative progeny are assumed to be subject to mortality while in complete darkness, as they swim to illuminated surface waters. To test the validity of this assumption we conducted laboratory investigations of cyst viability and the survival of the germling cells and their vegetative progeny during prolonged exposure to darkness at a temperature of 6 °C, simulating the conditions in deep Gulf of Maine waters.

Prothrombin activation fragment 1 + 2 as a marker of coagulation activation in cord blood collection for banking.

There have been efforts to increase the quality of cord blood (CB) collections aimed at banking and transplantation. Yet, the effect of CB collection techniques on haemostatic activation is scarcely studied, despite the unique nature of the neonatal haemostatic system. The aim of this study was to explore coagulation system and platelet (PLT) activation during CB collection at a national CB bank.

Systematically missing confounders in individual participant data meta-analysis of observational cohort studies.

One difficulty in performing meta-analyses of observational cohort studies is that the availability of confounders may vary between cohorts, so that some cohorts provide fully adjusted analyses while others only provide partially adjusted analyses. Commonly, analyses of the association between an exposure and disease either are restricted to cohorts with full confounder information, or use all cohorts but do not fully adjust for confounding. We propose using a bivariate random-effects meta-analysis model to use information from all available cohorts while still adjusting for all the potential confounders.

Internal ecosystem feedbacks enhance nitrogen-fixing cyanobacteria blooms and complicate management in the Baltic Sea.

Eutrophication of the Baltic Sea has potentially increased the frequency and magnitude of cyanobacteria blooms. Eutrophication leads to increased sedimentation of organic material, increasing the extent of anoxic bottoms and subsequently increasing the internal phosphorus loading. In addition, the hypoxic water volume displays a negative relationship with the total dissolved inorganic nitrogen pool, suggesting greater overall nitrogen removal with increased hypoxia.

An unfavorable combination of Factor V Leiden with age, weight, and blood group causes high risk of pregnancy-associated venous thrombosis: a population-based nested case-control study.

Introduction: Hereditary and acquired risk factors increase the risk for thrombosis among pregnant women. Few risk estimates are, however, well established. The aim of the present study was to assess risk for pregnancy-associated venous thrombosis of factor V Leiden (FVL), FII G20210A, FV A4070G, MTHFR C677T, TFPI C536T, PROC T38853G, FXIII V34L, blood group, age, and body mass index (BMI), and their interactions and public health impact.

Genetic background of type I protein C deficiency in Finland.

In contrast to other populations the usually rare type II form of protein C deficiency is as common in Finland as type I deficiency. We recently reported that a single mutation explained virtually all cases of type II protein C deficiency in Finland, indicating strong founder effect. We now investigated in the same population the genetic background of type I protein C deficiency.

Plasma fibrinogen level and the risk of major cardiovascular diseases and nonvascular mortality: an individual participant meta-analysis.

Context: Plasma fibrinogen levels may be associated with the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke.

Objective: To assess the relationships of fibrinogen levels with risk of major vascular and with risk of nonvascular outcomes based on individual participant data.

Data Sources: Relevant studies were identified by computer-assisted searches, hand searches of reference lists, and personal communication with relevant investigators.

Intraventricular haemorrhage in very-low-birthweight preterm infants: association with low prothrombin activity at birth.

Aim: To determine the occurrence of intraventricular haemorrhage (IVH) and its association with coagulation factors at birth in preterm neonates born before 30 wk gestation.

Methods: 38 neonates (median gestational age 27 wk, range 24-29 wk; median birthweight (BW) 933 g, range 515-1760 g) admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were studied. Blood samples for coagulation factors were taken within 2 h after birth.

The effects of aprotinin and tranexamic acid on thrombin generation and fibrinolytic response after cardiac surgery.

Background: Thrombin formation during cardiac surgery could result in disordered hemostasis and thrombosis. The aim of the study was to examine the effects of aprotinin and tranexamic acid on thrombin generation and fibrinolytic activity in patients undergoing cardiac surgery.

Methods: Data were collected prospectively from 60 patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Hemostatic factors as predictors of stroke and cardiovascular diseases: the FINRISK '92 Hemostasis Study.

We carried out a prospective cohort study to determine whether the plasma levels of fibrinogen, plasminogen, factor VII and lipoprotein (a) are predictors of ischemic stroke and all cardiovascular disease (CVD) events. The FINRISK '92 Hemostasis Study included a random sample of 2372 participants, who were followed-up from winter 1992 to 31 December 2001. During the follow-up, 75 ischemic stroke and 145 coronary events occurred.

Development of selected coagulation factors and anticoagulants in preterm infants by the age of six months.

The development of the coagulation and anticoagulation system in preterm infants was assessed, with special emphasis on extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants and haemorrhagic or other complications after birth. Coagulation factors II (prothrombin), V (FV), VII (FVII) and X (FX) were analysed at birth and at a corrected age of six months. In addition, antithrombin (AT), protein C (PC) and protein S (PS) were measured at six months, and DNA samples were tested for Factor V Leiden (R506Q).

Hydroxyethyl starch as a priming solution for cardiopulmonary bypass impairs hemostasis after cardiac surgery.

Unlabelled: We investigated the influence of hydroxyethyl starch (HES) as a priming solution for the cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit on postoperative hemostasis in 45 patients undergoing elective coronary artery bypass grafting. In a randomized sequence, 20 mL/kg of low-molecular-weight HES (HES 120; molecular weight 120,000 daltons), high-molecular-weight HES (HES 400; molecular weight 400,000 daltons), or 4% human albumin (ALB) was used as the main component of the CPB priming solution. The thromboelastographic values indicating the speed of solid clot formation (alpha-angle) and the strength of the fibrin clot (maximum amplitude and shear elastic modulus) were decreased up to 2 h after CPB in both HES groups.

Association of markers of systemic inflammation, C reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and fibrinogen, with socioeconomic status.

Study Objective: Systemic inflammation may play an important part in the development of cardiovascular disease. It has also been shown that socioeconomic status predicts cardiovascular events independently of established risk factors. The aim of this study was to analyse the association of three sensitive markers of systemic inflammation: C reactive protein (CRP), serum amyloid A protein (SAA), and fibrinogen, with socioeconomic status.

Infant stroke and beta-2-glycoprotein 1 antibodies: six cases.

Unlabelled: The binding of autoimmune anticardiolipin antibodies to phospholipid has been shown to require a plasma cofactor, beta-2-glycoprotein 1 (beta2-GPI). Antibodies against beta2-GPI are associated with both venous and arterial thrombosis in adults and have been suggested as a new antiphospholipid syndrome marker. We present six children with cerebral thrombosis at the age of 0-12 months, who had IgG antibodies to beta2-GPI (titers 26, 29, 31, 39, 101 and 109 SGU, when 20 SGU was the cut-off).

Effects of gestational age and prenatal and perinatal events on the coagulation status in premature infants.

Objective: To study prospectively the effects of prematurity and perinatal events on the coagulation status of premature infants.

Patients And Main Outcome Measures: Blood samples from premature infants born before 37 gestational weeks were taken for analysis of coagulation factors II, V, VII, and X and platelet count.

Results: A total of 125 premature infants, 71 boys, were studied at the median postnatal age of 40 minutes (range 12-100).

Beta-2-glycoprotein I antibodies in patients with thrombosis.

The laboratory diagnosis of antiphospholipid antibody syndrome currently requires two consecutive positive results in either lupus anticoagulant or anticardiolipin antibody assays. Antibodies against beta-2-glycoprotein I (abeta2-GPI) are suggested as a new marker for the syndrome. The inclusion of abeta2-GPI in the official diagnostic criteria has so far been precluded owing to lack of an international standard and also technical difficulties.

Factor V Leiden and prothrombin gene mutation may predispose to paradoxical embolism in subjects with patent foramen ovale.

The role of paradoxical embolism through patent foramen ovale as a mechanism of cryptogenic stroke is controversial. If a venous source of emboli is relevant, prothrombotic states should be associated with patent foramen ovale and cryptogenic stroke. We assessed the occurrence of several prothrombotic states (factor V Leiden, prothrombin G20210A, deficiencies in protein S, protein C and antithrombin, lupus anticoagulant, anticardiolipin antibodies, elevated factor VIII, resistance to activated protein C) and classical risk factors for venous thrombosis in 57 adult patients with cryptogenic stroke and patent foramen ovale and in 104 matched controls.

The association of sensitive systemic inflammation markers with bronchial asthma.

Background: Airway inflammation is a characteristic feature of bronchial asthma. Previous studies have shown an increased local inflammatory activity in the airway mucosa of asthma patients.

Objectives: To analyze the association of asthma with three sensitive markers of systemic inflammation, C-reactive protein, serum amyloid-A (SAA), and plasma fibrinogen.

Hemostatic factors as predictors of coronary events and total mortality: The FINRISK '92 Hemostasis Study.

The role of hemostatic factors as predictors of coronary heart disease (CHD) and total mortality is poorly understood. Therefore, we carried out a prospective cohort study in Finland. In 1992, a random population sample of 2378 men and women aged 45 to 64 years was investigated and then followed up until December 31, 1998.

Utility of the Arg/Gln polymorphism of the factor VII (FVII) gene, serum lipid levels and body mass index in the prediction of the FVII:C and FVII:Ag in North Karelia; a cross-sectional and prospective study.

The arginine/glutamine (Arg/Gln) polymorphism of the factor VII (FVII) gene is associated with variation in coagulation activity (FVII:C) and antigen concentration (FVII:Ag) of the FVII protein. We estimated frequency distributions of the Arg and Gln alleles and respective genotypes in North Karelia, and evaluated the utility of this polymorphism, serum lipids, and body mass index (BMI) in the prediction of the distributions of FVII:C and FVII:Ag in a cross-sectional study and in a prospective cohort study. The sample comprised 203 males and 262 females (aged 45-64 years) who were seen twice, in 1992 and 1995.

Weight change and blood coagulability and fibrinolysis in healthy obese women.

Objectives: To study the effect of weight loss and subsequent weight maintenance or weight regain on the activities of FVII and plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) and the concentration of fibrinogen over 12 months in obese women consuming a hypoenergetic, low-fat diet with or without orlistat. In addition, the relation between the changes of the activities of PAI-1 and FVII with the changes of other cardiovascular risk factors were examined.

Methods And Procedures: Design-a 12-month randomized double-blind weight reduction trial of placebo and orlistat.