Matrix Metalloproteinases as Regulators of Periodontal Inflammation.

Periodontitis are infectious diseases characterized by immune-mediated destruction of periodontal supporting tissues and tooth loss. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are key proteases involved in destructive periodontal diseases. The study and interest in MMP has been fuelled by emerging evidence demonstrating the broad spectrum of molecules that can be cleaved by them and the myriad of biological processes that they can potentially regulate.

Impact of caesarean section on mode of delivery, pregnancy-induced and pregnancy-associated disorders, and complications in the subsequent pregnancy in Germany.

Objectives: To analyze the impact of caesarean section (CS) on mode of delivery, pregnancy-induced and pregnancy-associated disorders, as well as complications in the subsequent pregnancy within German gynecological practices.

Methods: 1,801 women with CS and 1,801 matched women with vaginal delivery (VD) from the IMS Disease Analyzer database were included. The impact of previous CS on the mode of delivery and pregnancy-associated disorders as well as complications prior to or during birth in the subsequent pregnancy were analyzed.

Risk factors and outcomes in "well-selected" vaginal breech deliveries: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: To assess risk factors for adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes in "well-selected" singleton vaginal breech deliveries at term.

Methods: During the time span from January 2008 up to April 2015 a total of 786 singleton term breech deliveries with a planned vaginal delivery were identified in a retrospective observational study at Helsinki University Central Hospital, Finland. The study's end point was a composite of adverse perinatal and neonatal outcomes.

Human neutrophil peptide-1 affects matrix metalloproteinase-2, -8 and -9 secretions of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines in vitro.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of HNP-1 on the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2, -8 and -9 secretions of two oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cell lines (UT-SCC-43A and UT-SCC-43B).

Design: In all experiments, the two OSCC cell lines were incubated with graded concentrations (0, 1, 5, and 10 μg/ml) of HNP-1 for 24 and 48 h. Cell viability was measured using a colorimetric proliferation test and cell death was analyzed with a colorimetric cytotoxicity detection kit.

Diagnostic accuracy for apical and chronic periodontitis biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid: an exploratory study.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the levels and diagnostic accuracy of a set of potential biomarkers of periodontal tissue metabolism in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) from patients with chronic periodontitis (CP) and asymptomatic apical periodontitis ( AAP).

Materials And Methods: Thirty one GCF samples from 11 CP patients, 44 GCF samples from 38 AAP patients and 31 GCF samples from 13 healthy volunteers were obtained (N = 106). Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) -2 and -9 were determined by zymography; levels of MMP-8 by ELISA and IFMA and MPO by ELISA.

Induction of labor in breech presentations at term: a retrospective observational study.

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate whether induction of breech delivery at term is feasible and safe for mother and child compared with spontaneous vaginal breech delivery.

Study Design: A total of 268 singleton term breech deliveries with an attempted vaginal delivery were identified in a single-center retrospective observational study. Out of these, 73 cases had an induction of labor for various medical and obstetric reasons and were compared to 195 spontaneous singleton breech deliveries.

Biomarker development, from bench to bedside.

This review describes studies performed by our group and other laboratories in the field aimed at development of biomarkers not only for cancer but also for other diseases. The markers covered include tumor-associated trypsin inhibitor (TATI), tumor-associated trypsin (TAT), human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and their various molecular forms, their biology and diagnostic use. The discovery of TATI was the result of a hypothesis-driven project aimed at finding new biomarkers for ovarian cancer among urinary peptides.

Aberrant functioning of the putamen links delusions, antipsychotic drug dose, and compromised connectivity in first episode psychosis--Preliminary fMRI findings.

The dopamine theory proposes the relationship of delusions to aberrant signaling in striatal circuitries that can be normalized with dopamine D2 receptor-blocking drugs. Localization of such circuitries, as well as their upstream and downstream signaling, remains poorly known. We collected functional magnetic resonance images from first-episode psychosis patients and controls during an audiovisual movie.

Long-term pulmonary function in children with recessive polycystic kidney disease.

Background: Neonatal autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD) is associated with pulmonary hypoplasia and severe respiratory distress. There is no published information on long-term lung function in ARPKD survivors.

Methods: Pulmonary function tests, including spirometry and diffusion capacity, were performed in a nationwide cohort of Finnish paediatric patients with ARPKD.

The association between autism spectrum disorders and congenital anomalies by organ systems in a Finnish national birth cohort.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with and without intellectual disability (ID) and congenital anomalies (CAs) by organ system. The sample included all children diagnosed with ASD (n = 4441) from the Finnish Hospital Discharge Register during 1987-2000 and a total of four controls per case (n = 17,695). CAs of the eye, central nervous system, and specific craniofacial anomalies were most strongly associated with ASD.

Sleep in children with disruptive behavioral disorders.

This study compared sleep in patients with Conduct Disorder/Oppositional Defiant Disorder (CD/ODD) and normative children and evaluated the associations between sleep and behavioral symptoms in patients. Participants were 30 patients, aged 7 to 12 years, with diagnoses of CD/ODD and their age and gender matched controls. Patients with CD/ODD and their parents reported significantly more sleep problems than did the control children and their parents (p values < 0.

National centralization of biliary atresia care to an assigned multidisciplinary team provides high-quality outcomes.

Background And Aims: Effects of caseload and organization of care on outcomes of biliary atresia (BA) remain unclear. We compared outcomes before and after national centralization of BA treatment in Finland with a population of 5.4 million people and 60,000 live births/year.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risk for major congenital anomalies.

Objective: To estimate the risk of major congenital anomalies after exposure to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during pregnancy.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study based on national population-based registers (years 1996-2006) of births, congenital anomalies, and terminations of pregnancy because of severe fetal anomalies (maintained by National Institute for Health and Welfare, source offspring population n=635,583) and drug reimbursements (Social Insurance Institution) linked by a personal identification number. Offspring exposed to selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors during the first trimester (n=6,976) were compared with unexposed referent offspring.

Motor activity in depressed children.

Background: Motor retardation is a cardinal feature in adult depression. Limited information exists about motor activity in depressed children. The present study evaluated motor activity in depressed children compared to controls and investigated whether motor activity can be linked with the severity of symptoms in depressed children.

HER2 oncogene amplification in extramammary Paget's disease.

Aims: To study HER2 oncogene amplification and over-expression in skin samples of 23 patients with extramammary Paget's disease (EMP). EMP is a rare intra-epidermal adenocarcinoma, which has been reported to over-express the HER2 oncoprotein.

Methods And Results: HER2 gene amplification, detected by chromogenic in-situ hybridization, was found in 43% (10/23) of the lesions.