Assessment of Attention Deficits in Adolescent Offspring Exposed to Maternal Type 1 Diabetes

The aim of this study was to examine the potential association between intrauterine exposure to maternal diabetes and attention deficits in the offspring.Adolescent offspring of a prospectively followed cohort of women with type 1 diabetes (n = 269) and a control group from the background population (n = 293) participated in a follow-up assessment in 2012-2013. We used scores from Conners Continuous Performance Test II to assess attention and based on a principal component analysis we evaluated scores on five different attention factors: focused attention, vigilance, hyperactivity/impulsivity, sustained attention and response style.A higher frequency of the exposed offspring had a parent/self-reported use of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) medication compared to the control group (2.2% vs. 0.0%, p = 0.01). Clinical significant differences between adolescents exposed to maternal diabetes and unexposed controls were not found in either single scores on Conners Continuous Performance Test or on any of the five attention factors identified.Exposure to maternal type 1 diabetes did not seem to increase the risk of attention deficits in the adolescent offspring. However, a higher self-reported use of ADHD medication in the exposed group could suggest a difference in attention not revealed by the applied test

ULTRA-SHORT-PERIOD PLANETS IN K2 WITH COMPANIONS: A DOUBLE TRANSITING SYSTEM FOR EPIC 220674823

Two transiting planets have been identified orbiting K2 target EPIC 220674823. One object is an ultra-short-period planet (USP) with a period of just 0.57 days (13.7 hr), while the other has a period of 13.3 days. Both planets are small, with the former having a radius of R_(p1) = 1.5 R⊕ and the latter R_(p2) = 2.5 R⊕. Follow-up observations, including radial velocity (with uncertainties of 110 m s−1) and high-resolution adaptive optics imagery, show no signs of stellar companions. EPIC 220674823 is the 12th confirmed or validated planetary system in which a USP (i.e., having an orbital period less than 1 day) is accompanied by at least one additional planet, suggesting that such systems may be common and must be accounted for in models for the formation and evolution of such extreme systems

Beliefs, barriers and preferences of European overweight women to adopt a healthier lifestyle in pregnancy to minimize risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus: an explorative study

Introduction: Overweight and obese women are at high risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Lifestyle programs might help curb the GDM risk. We explored beliefs, perceived barriers and preferences regarding lifestyle changes among overweight European pregnant women to help inform the development of future high quality lifestyle interventions. Methods: An explorative mixed methods, two-staged study was conducted to gather information from pregnant European women (BMI≥25kg/m2). In three European countries (Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom) interviews were conducted, followed by questionnaires in six other European countries (Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Italy, Poland, Spain). Content analysis, descriptive and chi square statistics were applied (p<0.05). Results: Women preferred to obtain detailed information about their personal risk. The health of their baby was major motivating factor. Perceived barriers for physical activity included pregnancy-specific issues such as tiredness and experiencing physical complaints. Insufficient time was a barrier more frequently reported by women with children. Abstaining from snacking was identified as a challenge for the majority of women, especially for those without children. Women preferred to obtain support from their partner, as well as health professionals and valued flexible lifestyle programs. Conclusions: Healthcare professionals need to inform overweight pregnant women about their personal risk, discuss lifestyle modification and assist in weight management. Lifestyle programs should be tailored to the individual, taking into account barriers experienced by overweight first-time mothers and multipara women

TESS Discovery of an ultra-short-period planet around the nearby M dwarf LHS 3844

Data from the newly-commissioned \textit{Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite} (TESS) has revealed a "hot Earth" around LHS 3844, an M dwarf located 15 pc away. The planet has a radius of $1.32\pm 0.02$ $R_\oplus$ and orbits the star every 11 hours. Although the existence of an atmosphere around such a strongly irradiated planet is questionable, the star is bright enough ($I=11.9$, $K=9.1$) for this possibility to be investigated with transit and occultation spectroscopy. The star's brightness and the planet's short period will also facilitate the measurement of the planet's mass through Doppler spectroscopy.Comment: 10 pages, 4 figures. Submitted to ApJ Letters. This letter makes use of the TESS Alert data, which is currently in a beta test phase, using data from the pipelines at the TESS Science Office and at the TESS Science Processing Operations Cente

The Legal and Ethical Framework Governing Body Donation in Europe - 2nd update on Current Practice.

BACKGROUND In 2008, members of the TEPARG provided first insights into the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. In 2012, a first update followed. This paper is now the second update on this topic and tries to extend the available information to many mor European contries. METHODS For this second update, we have asked authors from all European countries to contribute their national perspectives. By this inquiry, we got many contributions compiled in this paper. When we did not get a personal contribution, one of us (EB) searched the internet for relevant information. RESULTS Perspectives on the legal and ethical framework governing body donation in Europe. CONCLUSIONS We still see that a clear and rigorous legal framework is still unavailable in several countries. We found national regulations in 18 out of 39 countries; two others have at least federal laws. Several countries accept not only donated bodies but also utilise unclaimed bodies. These findings can guide policymakers in reviewing and updating existing laws and regulations related to body donation and anatomical studies

Traumapotilaan golden hour Kainuun ensihoidossa : Tutkimus traumapotilaan golden hour:n toteutumisesta sekä siihen vaikuttavista tekijöistä Kainuun ensihoidossa

Tutkimuksen tarkoituksena oli kuvailla Kainuun ensihoidon laatua traumapotilaiden hoidossa. Opinnäytetyömme on tehty yhteistyössä Kainuun sosiaali- ja terveydenhuollon kuntayhtymän ensihoidon kanssa. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena oli hyödyntää tutkimusta Kainuun ensihoidossa traumapotilaiden hoidon kehittämisessä. Tutkimuksemme on toteutettu kvantitatiivisena ja retrospektiivisena tutkimuksena. Aineiston keräämiseen käytimme valmista tiedonkeruupohjaa, johon keräsimme 391 ensihoitotehtävän tiedot. Analysoimme tutkimuksen tulokset Excel- ja SPSS-ohjelmilla. Tutkimuksen perusteella 50 % (N= 196) traumapotilaista pääsi kultaisen tunnin aikana lopulliseen hoitopaikkaan. Keskimäärin ensihoitajilla kului kohteessa 21 minuuttia, joka on yli suositellun 10 minuutin. Tutkimuksen mukaan 15 %:lla (N= 58) ensihoitotehtävistä kuljetus päästiin aloittamaan 10 minuutin sisällä. Tutkimuksessa kävi ilmi, että mitä enemmän kohteessa tehtiin hoitotoimenpiteitä, sitä pidempi kohteessa oloaika oli. Tutkimuksessa kävi ilmi, että ensihoitotehtävien kokonaisajasta suurin osa kului matkalla potilaan luokse ja potilaan kuljettamiseen hoitolaitokseen. Tämä selittyy Kainuun alueen pitkillä välimatkoilla. Ensihoitotehtävien kokonaisaika kasvoi huomattavasti, mikäli potilas jatkokuljetettiin Kainuun keskussairaalasta yliopistolliseen sairaalaan Ouluun. Ensihoitotehtävillä, joissa potilas jatkokuljetettiin, aikaa kului merkittävästi keskussairaalassa potilaan tilan stabilointiin ennen jat-kokuljetuksen aloittamista. Tutkimme myös vaikuttaako ensihoitotehtävien kokonaisaikaan eri viranomaisjohtajuudet. Tutkimuksen perusteella voidaan todeta, että poliisijohtoisilla ensihoitotehtävillä kohteessa oloaika oli keskimäärin kaikista lyhyin. Opinnäytetyötämme voidaan hyödyntää ensihoidon laadun kehittämiseksi Kainuun ensihoidossa sekä henkilöstön ammattitaidon ylläpitämiseksi. Tutkimustuloksia voidaan käyttää simulaatiokoulutuksen suunnittelun tukena, jolloin tunnistetaan mahdolliset kehittämishaasteet ensihoitajien toiminnassa. Traumapotilaiden lopullinen hoito tapahtuu aina sairaalassa, jossa on mahdollista saada mm. leikkaushoitoa. Jotta traumapotilas saa parasta mahdollista hoitoa, tulee ensihoidossa pyrkiä mahdollisimman nopeaan kuljetukseen, jolla pyritään turvaamaan traumapotilaan nopea sairaalahoitoon pääsy.Purpose of this study was to describe the quality of emergency care in Kainuu in trauma patients care. Our thesis is made in co-operation with emergency care centre of Kainuu. Objective of the study was to exploit research in developing of care for trauma patients in emergency care of Kainuu. Our study is implemented as a quantitative and retrospective research. For collecting the material, we used ready data collection sheet which we gathered the information of 391 alarms. We analyzed the result of the research by using Excel- and SPSS-programs. Based on the study 50% (N= 196) of trauma patients were transported in the final sequel care facility during the golden hour. Paramedics spent approximately 21 minutes on scene which is over than the recommended 10 minutes. According to the study in 15% (N= 58) of the alarms transportation was achieved to start within 10 minutes. The study showed that the on-scene time was the longer the more procedures were accomplished in the destination. The study also showed that most of the time on the alarms were spent by travelling to the patient and transporting the patient to care facility. This is explained by the long distances of the area of Kainuu. The total time of alarms was highly increased if the patient was sequel transported from central Hospital of Kainuu to University Hospital in Oulu. In alarms which the patient was sequel transported, significant amount of time was spent in central Hospital stabilizing the patient before continuing the transport. We also investigated if authority leaderships affect to the total time spent on alarms. The study lightened out that in those alarms which was lead by police, the on-scene time was averagely shortest. Our thesis can be utilized in developing the quality of emergency care in Kainuu and maintaining the professionality of personnel. Results of the study can be used as a support of simulation education which allows to identify the possible developing challenges in the action of paramedics. The final care of trauma patients always occurs at hospital where multiple procedures are availa-ble. To guarantee that the patient receives best care, must emergency care always strive to quick transportation which secures that patients gets quickly the care they need

COX-2 Induces Breast Cancer Stem Cells via EP4/PI3K/AKT/NOTCH/WNT Axis

Cancer stem-like cells (SLC) resist conventional therapies, necessitating searches for SLC-specific targets. We established that cyclo-oxygenase(COX)-2 expression promotes human breast cancer progression by activation of the prostaglandin(PG)E-2 receptor EP4. Present study revealed that COX-2 induces SLCs by EP4-mediated NOTCH/WNT signaling. Ectopic COX-2 over-expression in MCF-7 and SKBR-3 cell lines resulted in: increased migration/invasion/proliferation, epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), elevated SLCs (spheroid formation), increased ALDH activity and colocalization of COX-2 and SLC markers (ALDH1A, CD44, β-Catenin, NANOG, OCT3/4, SOX-2) in spheroids. These changes were reversed with COX-2-inhibitor or EP4-antagonist (EP4A), indicating dependence on COX-2/EP4 activities. COX-2 over-expression or EP4-agonist treatments of COX-2-low cells caused up-regulation of NOTCH/WNT genes, blocked with PI3K/AKT inhibitors. NOTCH/WNT inhibitors also blocked COX-2/EP4 induced SLC induction. Microarray analysis showed up-regulation of numerous SLC-regulatory and EMT-associated genes. MCF-7-COX-2 cells showed increased mammary tumorigenicity and spontaneous multiorgan metastases in NOD/SCID/IL-2Rγ-null mice for successive generations with limiting cell inocula. These tumors showed up-regulation of VEGF-A/C/D, Vimentin and phospho-AKT, down-regulation of E-Cadherin and enrichment of SLC marker positive and spheroid forming cells. MCF-7-COX-2 cells also showed increased lung colonization in NOD/SCID/GUSB-null mice, an effect reversed with EP4-knockdown or EP4A treatment of the MCF-7-COX-2 cells. COX-2/EP4/ALDH1A mRNA expression in human breast cancer tissues were highly correlated with one other, more marked in progressive stage of disease. In situ immunostaining of human breast tumor tissues revealed co-localization of SLC markers with COX-2, supporting COX-2 inducing SLCs. High COX-2/EP4 mRNA expression was linked with reduced survival. Thus, EP4 represents a novel SLC-ablative target in human breast cancer. Stem Cells 2016;34:2290–2305

Genome-wide association and HLA fine-mapping studies identify risk loci and genetic pathways underlying allergic rhinitis

Allergic rhinitis is the most common clinical presentation of allergy, affecting 400 million people worldwide, with increasing incidence in westernized countries1,2. To elucidate the genetic architecture and understand the underlying disease mechanisms, we carried out a meta-analysis of allergic rhinitis in 59,762 cases and 152,358 controls of European ancestry and identified a total of 41 risk loci for allergic rhinitis, including 20 loci not previously associated with allergic rhinitis, which were confirmed in a replication phase of 60,720 cases and 618,527 controls. Functional annotation implicated genes involved in various immune pathways, and fine mapping of the HLA region suggested amino acid variants important for antigen binding. We further performed genome-wide association study (GWAS) analyses of allergic sensitization against inhalant allergens and nonallergic rhinitis, which suggested shared genetic mechanisms across rhinitis-related traits. Future studies of the identified loci and genes might identify novel targets for treatment and prevention of allergic rhinitis