Utility of the 6-Min Walk Test for Assessing Physical Performance in Pediatric Heart Transplant Recipients.

Background: Physical performance capacity (PPC) of pediatric heart transplant (HT) recipients is reportedly low to normal, and longitudinal follow-up of these patients is recommended. However, no recommendation for a follow-up method is available. In this study, the correlation between the 6-min walk test (6MWT), various clinical parameters, and a physical performance test set was evaluated to develop a simple follow-up tool for PPC.

Compartmental modeling for blood flow quantification from dynamic O-water PET images of humans: a systematic review.

Dynamic positron emission tomography (PET) can be used to non-invasively estimate the blood flow of different organs via compartmental modeling. Out of different PET tracers, water labeled with the radioactive O isotope of oxygen (half-life of 2.04 min) is freely diffusable, and therefore, very well-suited for blood flow quantification.

Intracellular concentration of ADA2 is a marker for monocyte differentiation and activation.

Adenosine, a critical molecule regulating cellular function both inside and outside cells, is controlled by two human adenosine deaminases: ADA1 and ADA2. While ADA1 primarily resides in the cytoplasm, ADA2 can be transported to lysosomes within cells or secreted outside the cell. Patients with ADA2 deficiency (DADA2) often suffer from systemic vasculitis due to elevated levels of TNF-α in their blood.

The use of the surgical pleth index to guide anaesthesia in gastroenterological surgery: a randomised controlled study.

The measurement of nociception and the optimisation of intraoperative antinociceptive medication could potentially improve the conduct of anaesthesia, especially in the older population. The Surgical Pleth Index (SPI) is one of the monitoring methods presently used for the detection of nociceptive stimulus. Eighty patients aged 50 years and older who were scheduled to undergo major abdominal surgery were randomised and divided into a study group and a control group.

Hierarchical MoS@NiFeCo-Mo(doped)-Layered Double Hydroxide Heterostructures as Efficient Alkaline Water Splitting (Photo)Electro-catalysts.

Designing cost-effective electrocatalysts with fast reaction kinetics and high stability is an outstanding challenge in green hydrogen generation through overall water splitting (OWS). Layered double hydroxide (LDH) heterostructure materials are promising candidates to catalyze both oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the two OWS half-cell reactions. This work develops a facile hydrothermal route to synthesiz hierarchical heterostructure MoS@NiFeCo-LDH and MoS@NiFeCo-Mo(doped)-LDH electrocatalysts, which exhibit extremely good OER and HER performance as witnessed by their low IR-corrected overpotentials of 156 and 61 mV with at a current density of 10 mA cm under light assistance.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration on three nationwide survey and register data in Finland during 2000-2017.

Purpose: To evaluate time trends in the incidence and prevalence of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) and its treatments, associated factors, and effects on vision in Finland during 2000-2017.

Methods: We used three nationwide health examination surveys representing the Finnish population aged 30 years or older. All three surveys were linked to the national care register covering nAMD diagnoses and intravitreal injections between 2000 and 2017.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Vaccination Is Associated With Increased Odds of Preterm Birth.

Aim: To analyse whether respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination during pregnancy increases the odds of preterm birth.

Methods: A rapid review and meta-analysis was performed. The main outcome was the risk of preterm (gestational week less than 37) birth.

4-O-Methylglucaric Acid Production from Xylan with Uronic Acid Oxidase and Comparison to Glucaric Acid from Glucose.

This study describes an enzymatic pathway to produce high purity 4-O-methylglucaric acid from xylan, an underutilized fraction of lignocellulosic biomass. Beechwood xylan was enzymatically hydrolysed using a commercial xylanase and an α-glucuronidase from Amphibacillus xylanus to form 4-O-methylglucuronic acid, which was then purified by anion exchange chromatography and subsequently oxidized to 4-O-methylglucaric acid using a recombinantly produced uronic acid oxidase from Citrus sinensis. Enzymatic oxidation with uronic acid oxidase afforded 95 % yield in 72 hours which is considerably higher than yields previously achieved using a glucooligosaccharide oxidase from Sarocladium strictum.

Societal costs of decreased visual acuity: A Finnish cohort study with 15 years of registry data follow-up.

Purpose: To examine what direct and indirect societal costs are associated with decreased visual acuity (VA).

Methods: Nationally representative sample of 8028 Finnish adults aged 30 years or older with survey data and clinical examination including VA assessment was evaluated. These data were linked with multiple national registers to capture health care services utilization during 1999-2013.

Advancing the research on management of global airway disease: insights from a post hoc analysis.

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug-exacerbated respiratory disease (N-ERD) frequently coexist, forming a complex multimorbid condition often referred to as "global airway disease." This concept reflects shared pathophysiological mechanisms of eosinophilic inflammation and underscores the need for integrated treatment strategies targeting both upper and lower airway manifestations (1). The burden of severe CRSwNP, asthma, and N-ERD is substantial, particularly in terms of reduced quality of life, recurrent exacerbations, revision endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESS), and healthcare utilization (2).

Development and Validation of the Family and Community Nursing Advanced Practice Scale.

Aim: To develop and test a Family and Community Nursing-Advanced Practice Scale.

Design: A cross-sectional and methodological scale validation design, following classical test theory.

Methods: Three phases, the first of which involved scale development, including item generation.

Factors associated with individual-level changes in BMI as a result of COVID-19 in the general- and migrant-origin populations in Finland.

Aims: There is limited information on changes in body mass index (BMI) due to the COVID-19 pandemic among persons of migrant origin. The aim of the present study was to examine factors associated with changes in BMI among the general- and migrant-origin populations in Finland.

Methods: Longitudinal data to explore individual-level changes in self-reported BMI among migrant-origin persons ( = 3313) were obtained from the FinMonik Survey conducted in 2018 and the MigCOVID Survey conducted 2020-2021.

Return to work after lumbar microdiskectomy - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Study Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To investigate evidence on the prevalence and timeline of RTW after lumbar microdiskectomy.

Summary Of Background Data: While lumbar microdiskectomy is a widely used and well-studied procedure, there is lack of evidence on the postoperative prevalence and schedule of return to work after this type of surgery.

Solvent-Responsive Glass Transition Behavior of Polyelectrolyte Complexes.

Polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their unique physicochemical properties and potential applications as smart materials. Herein, the glass transitions of PECs solvated with varying alcohols are investigated in poly(diallyldimethylammonium)/poly(acrylic acid) (PDADMA/PAA) complexes by using modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC). Solvents with one or two hydroxyl groups are selected to examine the effect of PAA-solvent interactions on the glass transition temperature ( ).

Prognostic analysis of acute type A aortic dissection after different surgical interventions: a cohort study.

Background: Acute type A aortic dissection (ATAAD) requires emergency surgery, but the choice of primary surgery remains controversial. It is believed that simple ascending aorta replacement may lead to higher postoperative survival rate, while the Sun procedure [frozen elephant trunk (FET) + total arch replacement (TAR)] performed in the first stage may obtain better long-term results. The study aimed to compare the outcome of ATAAD patients who underwent the Sun procedure with those without TAR + FET.

Examining the prevention approach in National Dementia Plans from European and North American countries.

Objectives: This paper aims to provide a comprehensive review of National Dementia Plans (NDPs) from selected European and North American countries, focusing on the distinct prevention strategies outlined and the approaches employed for reducing dementia risk.

Method: The sample consisted of 16 NDPs from Austria, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Spain, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. These NDPs were retrieved from the Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) database, with regular updates checked on official governmental websites.

A transdisciplinary, comparative analysis reveals key risks from Arctic permafrost thaw.

Permafrost thaw poses diverse risks to Arctic environments and livelihoods. Understanding the effects of permafrost thaw is vital for informed policymaking and adaptation efforts. Here, we present the consolidated findings of a risk analysis spanning four study regions: Longyearbyen (Svalbard, Norway), the Avannaata municipality (Greenland), the Beaufort Sea region and the Mackenzie River Delta (Canada) and the Bulunskiy District of the Sakha Republic (Russia).

Higher cardiorespiratory fitness levels attenuate but do not negate the heightened risk of sudden cardiac death due to obesity: A prospective cohort study.

Background: Higher levels of CRF have been demonstrated to attenuate or negate the adverse cardiovascular impacts of other risk factors. We aimed to assess the interplay between body mass index (BMI), CRF and sudden cardiac death (SCD) risk.

Methods: Body mass index was calculated based on guideline recommendations and CRF assessed using a respiratory gas exchange analyzer during clinical exercise testing at baseline in 2308 men aged 42-61 years of age.

Contrasting Seasonal Distribution Patterns of Two Boreal Aerial Hawking Bat Species in Finland.

Climate change poses significant consequences for temperate bat species, potentially altering their distribution ranges and generating novel interactions among species sharing similar ecological niches. Recent observations suggest distribution range expansion in the Palearctic aerial hawking bat, , prompting an investigation into its interaction with , a northern Palearctic species overlapping with the previous in many ecological characteristics. This study examines the spatiotemporal variations between the two boreal bat species to form an evidence-based background onto which future research on, e.

Predisposed vulnerabilities and survival among the Finnish soldiers of World War II: historical life course approach.

In this methodological paper we propose a historical life course approach to analyze soldiers' predispositions to experience war-related violence and stress and to respond to it. We argue that a closer quantitative inspection of pre-war and wartime factors will help to understand the various causes leading to different exposures to stress and violence during the war, which have consequently had different outcomes for the war survivors' later lives. Our methodology is designed for a rich data source, the Finnish Army in World War II Database (FA2W,  = 4,253), but is generally also applicable to other case studies.

Fungal Planet description sheets: 1697-1780.

Novel species of fungi described in this study include those from various countries as follows: , from accumulated snow sediment sample. , on leaf spots of . , on submerged decaying wood in sea water, on , as endophyte from healthy leaves of .

Parental depression and emotional feeding practices are associated with a tendency towards overeating in preadolescents.

Background: Children's eating behaviors, including a tendency towards overeating, are strongly influenced by the family. Children prone to overeating are at a high risk of excessive weight gain, which can lead to further adverse health outcomes. Therefore, identifying factors that contribute to overeating is crucial for promoting healthy weight development.

Enhancement of Thermal, Mechanical, and Oxidative Properties of Polypropylene Composites with Exfoliated Hexagonal Boron Nitride Nanosheets.

This study investigates the enhancement of polypropylene (PP) composites through the incorporation of exfoliated hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanosheets. The preparation process involved exfoliating h-BN in a liquid phase using a high-pressure homogenizer, followed by the coating of PP pellets with the exfoliated nanosheets using an acoustic mixer. Melt extrusion was then employed to fabricate h-BN-reinforced PP composite films.

Characterization of Photo-Cross-Linked Polyethylene Pipes for Geothermal Energy Storage.

This study investigates the morphology and thermo-mechanical properties of cross-linked polyethylene (PEX) pipes for potential use in high-temperature borehole thermal energy storage systems. Particular attention is given to a novel type of PEX pipe produced through photoinitiated cross-linking (PEX-e). Two formulations, PEX-e1 and PEX-e2, were analyzed and compared to peroxide-cross-linked polyethylene (PEX-a) and non-cross-linked bimodal polyethylene (PE100) pipes.