Discovery of Two Distant Type Ia Supernovae in the Hubble Deep Field North with the Advanced Camera for Surveys

We present observations of the first two supernovae discovered with the recently installed Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS) on the Hubble Space Telescope. The supernovae were found in Wide Field Camera images of the Hubble Deep Field North taken with the F775W, F850LP, and G800L optical elements as part of the ACS guaranteed time observation program. Spectra extracted from the ACS G800L grism exposures confirm that the objects are Type Ia supernovae (SNe Ia) at redshifts z=0.47 and z=0.95. Follow-up HST observations have been conducted with ACS in F775W and F850LP and with NICMOS in the near-infrared F110W bandpass, yielding a total of 9 flux measurements in the 3 bandpasses over a period of 50 days in the observed frame. We discuss many of the important issues in doing accurate photometry with the ACS. We analyze the multi-band light curves using two different fitting methods to calibrate the supernovae luminosities and place them on the SNe Ia Hubble diagram. The resulting distances are consistent with the redshift-distance relation of the accelerating universe model, although evolving intergalactic grey dust remains as a less likely possibility. The relative ease with which these SNe Ia were found, confirmed, and monitored demonstrates the potential ACS holds for revolutionizing the field of high-redshift SNe Ia, and therefore of testing the accelerating universe cosmology and constraining the "epoch of deceleration".Comment: 11 pages, 8 embedded figures. Accepted for publication in Ap

Outcome of major cardiac injuries at a Canadian trauma center

BACKGROUND: Canadian trauma units have relatively little experience with major cardiac trauma (disruption of a cardiac chamber) so injury outcome may not be comparable to that reported from other countries. We compared our outcomes to those of other centers. METHODS: Records of patients suffering major cardiac trauma over a nine-year period were reviewed. Factors predictive of outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-seven patients (11 blunt and 16 penetrating) with major cardiac trauma were evaluated. Injury severity scores (ISS) were similar for blunt (49.6 ± 16.6) and penetrating (39.5 ± 21.6, p = 0.20) injuries. Five of 11 blunt trauma patients, and 9 of 16 penetrating trauma patients, had detectable vital signs on hospital arrival (p = 0.43). Ten patients underwent emergency department thoracotomy and 11 patients had cardiac repair in the operating theatre. Eleven patients survived and 16 died. Survivors had a lower ISS (33.7 ± 15.4) than non-survivors (50.4 ± 20.4; p = 0.03). Two of 11 blunt trauma patients and 9 of 16 penetrating trauma patients survived (p = 0.06). Eleven of 14 patients with detectable vital signs survived; all 13 without detectable vital signs died (p = 0.00003). Ten of eleven patients treated in the operating theatre survived, while only one of the other 16 patients survived (p = 0.00002). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with major cardiac injuries and detectable vital signs on hospital arrival can be salvaged by prompt surgical intervention in the operating theatre. Major cardiac injuries are infrequently encountered at our center but patient survival is comparable to that reported from trauma units in other countries

The effects of signal transducer and activator of transcription three mutations on human platelets

Involvement of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in inflammation is well known. Recently, a role for STAT3 in platelet activation and platelet production has been suggested. Platelets exhibit important immune functions and engagement of STAT3 in platelet physiology may link inflammation and hemostasis. This study investigated the effects of STAT3 loss-of-function mutations and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in STAT3 on glycoprotein VI (GPVI)-mediated platelet activation and platelet numbers in humans. Two cohorts were studied. The first cohort concerned patients with STAT3 loss-of-function mutations. Platelet numbers were investigated in eight patients and GPVI-mediated platelet activation was functionally tested in four patients. Additional experiments were performed to investigate underlying mechanisms. The second cohort concerned 334 healthy volunteers and investigated the consequences of SNPs in STAT3 on GPVI-mediated platelet activation and platelet numbers. Platelet activation was lower in STAT3 loss-of-function patients at baseline and after stimulation of the GPVI receptor, reflected by decreased P-selectin expression. This was independent of gene transcription. Blockade of the adenosine di-phosphate (ADP) pathway resulted in a further decrease of P-selectin expression, particularly in STAT3 loss-of-function patients. In contrast, the SNPs in STAT3 did not influence GPVI-mediated platelet activation. Also, platelet numbers were not affected by STAT3 loss-of-function mutations, nor was there an association with the SNPs. In conclusion, STAT3 signaling does not seem to play a major role in thrombopoiesis. We confirm that STAT3 is involved in GPVI-mediated platelet activation in humans, independent of gene transcription. GPVI-mediated platelet activation is highly dependent on secondary ADP release. Our findings suggest that STAT3 modulation may affect inflammation, hemostasis, and their interaction.</p

Enhancement of biomimetic enzymatic mineralization of gellan gum polysaccharide hydrogels by plant-derived gallotannins

Mineralization of hydrogel biomaterials with calcium phosphate (CaP) is considered advantageous for bone regeneration. Mineralization can be both induced by the enzyme alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and promoted by calcium-binding biomolecules, such as plant-derived polyphenols. In this study, ALP-loaded gellan gum (GG) hydrogels were enriched with gallotannins, a subclass of polyphenols. Five preparations were compared, namely three tannic acids of differing molecular weight (MW), pentagalloyl glucose (PGG), and a gallotannin-rich extract from mango kernel (Mangifera indica L.). Certain gallotannin preparations promoted mineralization to a greater degree than others. The various gallotannin preparations bound differently to ALP and influenced the size of aggregates of ALP, which may be related to ability to promote mineralization. Human osteoblast-like Saos-2 cells grew in eluate from mineralized hydrogels. Gallotannin incorporation impeded cell growth on hydrogels and did not impart antibacterial activity. In conclusion, gallotannin incorporation aided mineralization but reduced cytocompatibility

Objectives, design and main findings until 2020 from the Rotterdam Study

The Rotterdam Study is an ongoing prospective cohort study that started in 1990 in the city of Rotterdam, The Netherlands. The study aims to unravel etiology, preclinical course, natural history and potential targets for intervention for chronic diseases in mid-life and late-life. The study focuses on cardiovascular, endocrine, hepatic, neurological, ophthalmic, psychiatric, dermatological, otolaryngological, locomotor, and respiratory diseases. As of 2008, 14,926 subjects aged 45 years or over comprise the Rotterdam Study cohort. Since 2016, the cohort is being expanded by persons aged 40 years and over. The findings of the Rotterdam Study have been presented in over 1700 research articles and reports. This article provides an update on the rationale and design of the study. It also presents a summary of the major findings from the preceding 3 years and outlines developments for the coming period

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

The Generation R Study Biobank: a resource for epidemiological studies in children and their parents

The Generation R Study is a population-based prospective cohort study from fetal life until young adulthood. The study is designed to identify early environmental and genetic causes of normal and abnormal growth, development and health from fetal life until young adulthood. In total, 9,778 mothers were enrolled in the study. Prenatal and postnatal data collection is conducted by physical examinations, questionnaires, interviews, ultrasound examinations and biological samples. Major efforts have been conducted for collecting biological specimens including DNA, blood for phenotypes and urine samples. In this paper, the collection, processing and storage of these biological specimens are described. Together with detailed phenotype measurements, these biological specimens form a unique resource for epidemiological studies focused on environmental exposures, genetic determinants and their interactions in relation to growth, health and development from fetal life onwards