High throughput, small scale methods to characterise the growth of marine fungi

Various marine fungi have been shown to produce interesting, bioactive compounds, but scaling up the production of these compounds can be challenging, particularly because little is generally known about how the producing organisms grow. Here we assessed the suitability of using 100-well BioScreen plates or 96-well plates incubated in a robot hotel to cultivate eight filamentous marine fungi, six sporulating and two non-sporulating, to obtain data on growth and substrate (glucose, xylose, galactose or glycerol) utilisation in a high throughput manner. All eight fungi grew in both cultivation systems, but growth was more variable and with more noise in the data in the Cytomat plate hotel than in the BioScreen. Specific growth rates between 0.01 (no added substrate) and 0.07 h-1 were measured for strains growing in the BioScreen and between 0.01 and 0.27 h-1 for strains in the plate hotel. Three strains, Dendryphiella salina LF304, Penicillium chrysogenum KF657 and Penicillium pinophilum LF458, consistently had higher specific growth rates on glucose and xylose in the plate hotel than in the BioScreen, but otherwise results were similar in the two systems. However, because of the noise in data from the plate hotel, the data obtained from it could only be used to distinguish between substrates which did or did not support growth, whereas data from BioScreen also provided information on substrate preference. Glucose was the preferred substrate for all strains, followed by xylose and galactose. Five strains also grew on glycerol. Therefore it was important to minimise the amount of glycerol introduced with the inoculum to avoid misinterpreting the results for growth on poor substrates. We concluded that both systems could provide physiological data with filamentous fungi, provided sufficient replicates are included in the measurements

Clinical experience of magnetic resonance imaging in patients with cardiac pacing devices : unrestricted patient population

Background Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with cardiac pacing devices has become available despite previously being considered absolutely contraindicated. However, most institutional safety protocols have included several limitations on patient selection, leaving MRI unavailable for many patients. Purpose To evaluate the first 1000 MRI examinations conducted on patients with cardiac pacing devices at Helsinki University Hospital for any potential safety hazards and also to evaluate the long-term functionality of the safety protocol in "real-life" clinical practice. Material and Methods A total of 1000 clinically indicated MRI scans were performed with a 1.5-T MRI scanner according to the safety protocol. The following information was collected from the electronic medical record (EMR): patients' date of birth; sex; pacing device generator model; date of MRI scan; date of the latest pacing device generator implantation; and the body region scanned. The EMR of these patients was checked and especially searched for any pacing device related safety hazards or adverse outcomes during or after the MRI scan. Results Only one potentially dangerous adverse event was noted in our study group. In addition, patients with abandoned leads, temporary pacing devices, and newly implanted pacing device generators were scanned successfully and safely. Conclusion MRI scans can be performed safely in patients with cardiac pacing devices if the dedicated safety protocol is followed.Peer reviewe

Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Screening for Cardiac Sarcoidosis in Patients With Atrioventricular Block Requiring Temporary Pacing

Background Some myocardial diseases, such as cardiac sarcoidosis, predispose to complete atrioventricular block. The European Society of Cardiology Guidelines on cardiac pacing in 2021 recommend myocardial disease screening in patients with conduction disorder requiring pacemaker with multimodality imaging, including cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging. The ability of CMR imaging to detect myocardial disease in patients with a temporary pacing wire is not well documented. Methods and Results Our myocardial disease screening protocol is based on using an active fixation pacing lead connected to a reusable extracorporeal pacing generator (temporary permanent pacemaker) as a bridge to a permanent pacemaker. From 2011 to 2019, we identified 17 patients from our CMR database who underwent CMR imaging with a temporary permanent pacemaker for atrioventricular block. We analyzed their clinical presentations, CMR data, and pacemaker therapy. All CMRs were performed without adverse events. Pacing leads induced minor artifacts to the septal myocardial segments. The extent of late gadolinium enhancement in CMR imaging was used to screen patients for the presence of myocardial disease. Patients with evidence of late gadolinium enhancement underwent endomyocardial biopsy. If considered clinically indicated, also 18-F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography and extracardiac tissue biopsy were performed if sarcoidosis was suspected. Eventually, 8 of 17 patients (47.1%) were diagnosed with histologically confirmed granulomatous inflammatory cardiac disease. Importantly, only 1 had a previously diagnosed extracardiac sarcoidosis at the time of presentation with high-degree atrioventricular block. Conclusions CMR imaging with temporary permanent pacemaker protocol is an effective and safe early screening tool for myocardial disease in patients presenting with atrioventricular block requiring immediate, continuous pacing for bradycardia.Peer reviewe

Tahdistinpotilaan turvallinen magneettikuvaus on mahdollista

Teema : Magneettikuvau

Cardiac manifestations in Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis patients

Introduction Finnish gelsolin amyloidosis (AGel amyloidosis) is an inherited systemic amyloidosis with well-known ophthalmological, neurological and cutaneous symptoms. Additionally, cardiomyopathies, conduction disorders and need of cardiac pacemakers occur in some patients. This study focuses on electrocardiographic (ECG) findings in AGel amyloidosis and their relation to cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) changes. We also assessed whether ECG abnormalities were associated with pacemaker implantation and mortality. Materials and methods In this cohort study, 51 genetically verified AGel amyloidosis patients (mean age 66 years) without cardiac pacemakers underwent 12-lead ECG and CMR imaging with contrast agent in 2017. Patients were followed-up for 3 years. Results Conduction disturbances were found in 22 patients (43%). Nine (18%) presented with first-degree atrioventricular block, six (12%) with left anterior hemiblock, seven (14%) with left or right bundle branch block and two (4%) with non-specific intraventricular conduction delay. Low QRS voltage was present in two (4%) patients. Late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) concentrating on the interventricular septum and inferior parts of the heart was present in 19 (86%) patients with conduction abnormalities. During the follow-up, only one patient received a pacemaker, and one patient died. Discussion Conduction disorders and septal LGE are common in AGel amyloidosis, whereas other ECG and CMR findings typically observed in most common cardiac amyloidosis types were rare. Septal pathology seen in CMR may interfere with the cardiac conduction system in AGel amyloidosis, explaining conduction disorders, although pacemaker therapy is rarely required.Peer reviewe

Practical Scale Modification of Oleogels by Ultrasonic Standing Waves

Lipid-based materials, such as substitutes for saturated fats (oleogels) structurally modified with ultrasonic standing waves (USW), have been developed by our group. To enable their potential application in food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics, practical and economical production methods are needed. Here, we report scale-up of our procedure of structurally modifying oleogels via the use of USW by a factor of 200 compared to our previous microfluidic chamber. To this end, we compared three different USW chamber prototypes through finite element simulations (FEM) and experimental work. Imaging of the internal structure of USW-treated oleogels was used as feedback for successful development of chambers, i.e., the formation of band-like structures was the guiding factor in chamber development. We then studied the bulk mechanical properties by a uniaxial compression test of the sonicated oleogels obtained with the most promising USW chamber, and sampled local mechanical properties using scanning acoustic microscopy. The results were interpreted using a hyperelastic foam model. The stability of the sonicated oleogels was compared to control samples using automated image analysis oil-release tests. This work enabled the effective mechanical-structural manipulation of oleogels in volumes of 10-100 mL, thus paving the way for USW treatments of large-scale lipid-based materials.Peer reviewe

A multidimensional adapted process model of teaching

In the present study, we aimed to specify the key competence domains perceived to be critical for the teaching profession and depict them as a comprehensive teacher competence model. An expert panel that included representatives from seven units providing university-based initial teacher education in Finland carried out this process. To produce an active construction of a shared understanding and an interpretation of the discourse in the field, the experts reviewed literature on teaching. The resulting teacher competence model, the multidimensional adapted process model of teaching (MAP), represents a collective conception of the relevant empirical literature and prevailing discourses on teaching. The MAP is based on Blömeke et al.’s, Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 223, 3–13, (<a title="Blömeke, S., Gustafsson, J., & Shavelson, R. (2015). Beyond dichotomies: Competence viewed as a continuum. Zeitschrift für Psychologie, 223, 3–13. https://doi.org/10.1027/2151-2604/a000194 ." href="https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11092-021-09373-9#ref-CR14">2015) model which distinguishes among teacher competences (referring to effective performance of teachers’ work), competencies (knowledge, skills, and other individual competencies underlying and enabling effective teaching), and situation-specific skills of perceiving, interpreting, and making decisions in situations involving teaching and learning. The implications of the MAP for teacher education and student selection for initial teacher education are discussed. </p

Opiskelijoiden ostokäyttäytyminen hedelmät ja vihannekset -osastolla

Opinnäytetyön tavoitteena oli saada ensisijaista tietoa kuluttajien osto- ja kulutuskäyttäytymisestä päivittäistavarakauppojen hedelmät ja vihannekset – osastolla. Tutkimuskohteeksi kuluttajista valittiin opiskelijat. Opinnäytetyön kyselytutkimuksen kohderyhmä rajattiin Laurea-ammattikorkeakoulun kolmeen paikallisyksikköön, jotka olivat Tikkurila, Kerava ja Hyvinkää. Työn teoreettinen viitekehys koostuu kahdesta osiosta, joissa tarkastellaan päivittäistavarakaupan kilpailukeinoja, kuluttajan ostokäyttäytymistä ja siihen vaikuttavia tekijöitä sekä kuluttajan ostoprosessia. Opinnäytetyön kvantitatiivisen eli määrällisen tutkimuksen empiirinen aineisto kerättiin 26.1.2011 – 9.2.2011 välisenä aikana. Kyselytutkimus toteutettiin sähköistä e-lomaketta käyttäen ja linkki tutkimukseen välitettiin sähköpostilla tutkimuksen kohderyhmälle. Tutkimustuloksien analysointiin käytettiin SPSS 19.0 tilastointiohjelmaa ja tulkintojen avuksi tehdyt pylväsdiagrammit sekä taulukot tehtiin Microsoft Excel - taulukkolaskentaohjelmaa käyttäen. Opiskelijoiden ostokäyttäytyminen hedelmät ja vihannekset - osastolla tutkimukseen osallistui yhteensä 574 Laurea-ammattikorkeakouluopiskelijaa. Tutkimuksessa saatujen tulosten mukaan opiskelijat käyttävät eri päivittäistavarakauppaketjuista eniten S-ryhmää sekä Keskoa. Eri ketjujen hedelmät ja vihannekset – osaston kokonaislaadusta parhaiten on onnistunut vastaajien mielestä Keskon ketju. Kyselytutkimukseen osallistuneet pitävät päivittäistavarakauppojen hedelmät ja vihannekset – osastoa tärkeimpänä tekijänä, verrattaessa kauppojen eri osastojen vaikutusta onnistuneeseen ostokokemukseen. Tämän tutkimuksen tulosten perusteella voidaan myös tehdä johtopäätös, että hedelmät ja vihannekset ovat opiskelijoille tärkeitä. Erityisesti luomutuotteita ja lähiruokaa toivottiin kovasti lisää ruokakauppojen valikoimiin, mutta niiden hintaa pidetään yleisesti liian kalliina. Kyselylomakkeessa kysyttiin vastaajilta myös palautetta sekä omia kehitysehdotuksia hedelmät ja vihannekset – osastolle. Avoimissa vastauksissaan opiskelijat kiinnittivät runsaasti huomiota hedelmien ja vihannesten tuoreuteen, laatuun, hintaan, luomutuotteisiin ja lähiruokaan. Vastauksien perusteella hedelmät ja vihannekset – osastoilta löytyy liian paljon huonokuntoisia tuotteita eikä niitä kerätä riittävän nopeasti ja tarkasti pois.Students purchase behavior in fruit and vegetables – section The main goal of this thesis was to get primary information about consumers´ buying and consuming behavior in grocery shops at the unit of fruits and vegetables. We chose students as research subject´s out of all consumers. The Target group for the thesis’ questionnaire was defined into three Laurea’s local units: Tikkurila, Kerava and Hyvinkää. The theoretical subtext of the thesis consists of two parts, which review competitive weapons of perishable, consumer’s buying behavior and the factors affecting it and consumer’s purchasing process. The thesis’ quantitative research material was collected between 26th January 2011 – 9th February 2011. The Questionnaire was carried out by using an electronic form and the link to the form was sent by e-mail to the target group. To analyze the results we used SPSS 19.0 software and bar charts and scales supporting constructions was made with Microsoft Excel. 574 students of Laurea participated in the study. According to the results of this study, students use mostly S-group and Kesko from all different grocers’ chain. The overall quality was best in Kesko. Students consider the fruit and vegetable section most important when comparing stores’ different units’ influence on a successful buying experience. On the grounds of this study can be drawn a conclusion, that fruits and vegetables are important to students, and there is a growing demand for organic and local food to the selections in stores, but their price is considered too high. In the questionnaire there was also a possibility to give feedback and development suggestions to the unit of vegetables and fruits. In the open answers the students paid a lot of attention to freshness, quality and price of the vegetables and fruits, and also to organic and local food. According to the questionnaire there can be found too many deteriorated products in the unit and they are not disposed of fast enough

Development of microtiter plate scale CRISPR/Cas9 transformation method for Aspergillus niger based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoprotein complexes

Abstract Background The CRISPR/Cas9 is currently the predominant technology to enhance the genome editing efficiency in eukaryotes. Established tools for many fungal species exist while most of them are based on in vivo expressed Cas9 and guide RNA (gRNA). Alternatively, in vitro assembled Cas9 and gRNA ribonucleoprotein complexes can be used in genome editing, however, only a few examples have been reported in fungi. In general, high-throughput compatible transformation workflows for filamentous fungi are immature. Results In this study, a CRISPR/Cas9 facilitated transformation and genome editing method based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoprotein complexes was developed for the filamentous fungus Aspergillus niger. The method was downscaled to be compatible with 96-well microtiter plates. The optimized method resulted in 100% targeting efficiency for a single genomic target. After the optimization, the method was demonstrated to be suitable for multiplexed genome editing with two or three genomic targets in a metabolic engineering application. As a result, an A. niger strain with improved capacity to produce galactarate, a potential chemical building block, was generated. Conclusions The developed microtiter plate compatible CRISPR/Cas9 method provides a basis for high-throughput genome editing workflows in A. niger and other related species. In addition, it improves the cost-effectiveness of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing methods in fungi based on in vitro assembled ribonucleoproteins. The demonstrated metabolic engineering example with multiplexed genome editing highlights the applicability of the method