Performance of Hemochron ACT-LR and ACT+ Test Cuvettes in Monitoring Low to Moderate Heparin Concentrations: An In Vitro Study.

Objectives: According to the manufacturer, the Hemochron ACT-LR cuvette is designated for heparin concentrations of 0 to 2.5 IU/mL, while the optimal concentration range for the ACT+ cartridge is 1 to 6 IU/mL. We hypothesized that at low to moderate heparin concentrations, the ACT-LR is more reliable than the ACT+.

Comparison of balloon catheter, oral misoprostol, or combination of both for cervical ripening in late-term and post-term nulliparous women: A Finnish randomized controlled multicenter pilot trial.

Introduction: Nulliparous women beyond term have high rates of induction failure. The aim of this study was to compare delivery outcomes for balloon catheter, misoprostol, and combination of both in nulliparous late- and post-term women with unfavorable cervices. We intended to explore whether the combination strategy has lower cesarean section rate and is as safe as either method alone.

Patients' Experiences of Healthcare Professionals' Competence in Digital Counselling in Healthcare Settings-A Qualitative Systematic Review.

Aim: To critically appraise and synthesise qualitative evidence about patients' experiences of healthcare professionals' competence in digital counselling in healthcare settings.

Design: A qualitative systematic review.

Methods: The review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of qualitative evidence.

Factors influencing nurses and nursing students' attitudes towards vaccinations: A cross-sectional study.

Background: Vaccination hesitancy remains the main obstacle to improving vaccination coverage. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccination coverage among healthcare professionals is essential. It is crucial to study the vaccination attitudes of healthcare professionals as they significantly influence the vaccination attitudes and behaviour of the rest of the population.

Haemoglobin levels are associated with echocardiographic measures in a Finnish midlife population.

Background: Within normal variation, higher haemoglobin (Hb) levels are associated with unhealthier body composition, adverse metabolism and cardiovascular disease (CVD)-related mortality. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) is a direct, well validated and reproducible echocardiographic measure for the evaluation of cardiac contractile function, providing additional prognostic value for prediction of a variety of cardiac events. This study investigated the relation between Hb levels and cardiac function measures, including GLS, in a Finnish midlife population.

An increase in paediatric arthroscopy in Europe: Experience of the EPOS Sport Study Group.

Purpose: Paediatric musculoskeletal injuries in association with increased participation in sports activities continue to increase. Arthroscopy is recognized as a safe and effective procedure in children. This study aims to identify trends in European paediatric sports centres over 20 years.

Postmortem analyses of myocardial microRNA expression in sepsis.

Background: Sepsis can lead to myocardial depression, playing a significant role in sepsis pathophysiology, clinical care, and outcome. To gain more insight into the pathophysiology of the myocardial response in sepsis, we investigated the expression of microRNA in myocardial autopsy specimens in critically ill deceased with sepsis and non-septic controls.

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective observational study, we obtained myocardial tissue samples collected during autopsy from adult patients deceased with sepsis (n = 15) for routine histological examination.

Mental disorder symptoms and diagnoses are differently associated with labour market attachment and registered income until midlife: The Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966.

Background: Both the symptoms and diagnoses of mental health disorders affect individuals' occupational status and income. However, studies that compare the impact of differences between symptoms and diagnoses on occupational outcomes are lacking.

Aims: This study aimed to compare labour market attachment and income until midlife between individuals with different histories of mental disorder symptoms and diagnoses.

Characteristics of Type 1 Diabetes Among Patients Carrying the Protective HLA-DQB1*06:02 Allele.

We set out to examine in an observational study characteristics of type 1 diabetes at the time of diagnosis among paediatric patients carrying the protective HLA class II DQB1*06:02 allele. We compared characteristics of type 1 diabetes among 5530 Finnish children aged 0-14 years diagnosed between 2003 and 2018. Seventy-five children with type 1 diabetes carried the DQB1*06:02 allele.

GLS2 links glutamine metabolism and atherosclerosis by remodeling artery walls.

Metabolic dysregulation, including perturbed glutamine-glutamate homeostasis, is common among patients with cardiovascular diseases, but the underlying mechanisms remain largely unknown. Using the human MESA cohort, here we show that plasma glutamine-glutamate ratio is an independent risk factor for carotid plaque progression. Mice deficient in glutaminase-2 (Gls2), the enzyme that mediates hepatic glutaminolysis, developed accelerated atherosclerosis and susceptibility to catastrophic cardiac events, while Gls2 overexpression partially protected from disease progression.

Clinical gerontological nursing competence among licensed practical nurses in healthcare services-A descriptive cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study aimed to describe self-assessed clinical gerontological nursing competence and its associated factors among licensed practical nurses.

Design: A descriptive cross-sectional design was adopted for the study.

Methods: Data were collected in Autumn 2023 from 394 licensed practical nurses working in healthcare services for older people in one well-being services county in Finland.

Temporal change in minimum mortality temperature under changing climate: A multicountry multicommunity observational study spanning 1986-2015.

Background: The minimum mortality temperature (MMT) or MMT percentile (MMTP) is an indicator of population susceptibility to nonoptimum temperatures. MMT and MMTP change over time; however, the changing directions show region-wide heterogeneity. We examined the heterogeneity of temporal changes in MMT and MMTP across multiple communities and in multiple countries.

Epilepsy care pathway: The Finnish model.

Objective: Integrated care pathways are essential for consistent, effective epilepsy care, offering equal access and quality regardless of socioeconomic status. They must align with the WHO Global Action Plan on Epilepsy, ensuring best practices and cost-effective management. We describe the Finnish national epilepsy care pathway, which includes multiple levels of care, from initial diagnosis to long-term care for all types of epilepsy, with a specific focus on rare and complex cases integrated with the European Reference Network (ERN) for Rare and Complex Epilepsies EpiCARE.

Genome-wide meta-analysis conducted in three large biobanks expands the genetic landscape of lumbar disc herniations.

Given that lumbar disc herniation (LDH) is a prevalent spinal condition that causes significant individual suffering and societal costs, the genetic basis of LDH has received relatively little research. Our aim is to increase understanding of the genetic factors influencing LDH. We perform a genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) of LDH in the FinnGen project and in Estonian and UK biobanks, followed by a genome-wide meta-analysis to combine the results.

Sex estimation from humeral and femoral head diameters using CT-scans of living Finns.

This study used 155 computed tomography (CT) scans of Finns (81 males, 74 females) for creating population-specific sectioning points from femoral and humeral head diameters for the purposes of sex estimation. The study included four measurements: vertical and transverse diameter of the femoral head and vertical and transverse diameter of humeral head. All the measured dimensions were sexually dimorphic and the following sectioning points were calculated: Femur: vertical diameter 46.

Genome-Wide Association Study of Temporomandibular Disorder-Related Pain in Finnish Populations.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are multifactorial musculoskeletal pain and dysfunctions in temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and masticatory muscles. Genetic factors play a role in TMD-related pain, but only a few genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have been conducted.

Objective: The aim of this GWAS was to explore genetic factors associated with painful TMD in Finnish populations.

Social services and healthcare personnel's digital competence profiles: A Finnish cross-sectional study.

Background: Recent research has highlighted the deficiencies and variations in the digital competences of social services and healthcare personnel. Yet there is a shortage of data regarding how the personnel use digital devices and solutions and their attitudes towards digitalisation. Hence, a systematic investigation into digital devices and solutions in healthcare is warranted.