ANTI Contemporary Art Festival 2014 - 2016

Participation, dialogue and exchange: ANTI works with innovative artists on projects that explore and explode urban space. ANTI began life in 2002. Since then we’ve produce 15 editions of ANTI – Contemporary Art Festival and have established a year-round programme of artist residencies and cultural projects and events. In 2014 we established the ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art, one Finland’s richest cultural prizes. Held annually in Kuopio, Finland, the city hosts the festival, projects by artists from around the world inhabit the spaces of public life – homes, shops, city squares, business, forests, lakes – and directly engage communities and audiences in the making and showing of their work. The festival is free to attend. We’ve presented and commissioned some of the world’s most exciting artists from USA, Australia, Mexico, Japan and Europe along with leading artists from Finland, Sweden, Norway and Iceland. We’re proud to support an ever-growing generation of emerging artists, often presenting artists internationally for the first time. Artistic Directors: Johanna Tuukkanen, Gregg Whelan ANTI Festival Manager: Elisa Itkone

Effects of vitamin D2-fortified bread v. supplementation with vitamin D2 or D3 on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D metabolites: an 8-week randomised-controlled trial in young adult Finnish women

AbstractThere is a need for food-based solutions for preventing vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D3(D3) is mainly used in fortified food products, although the production of vitamin D2(D2) is more cost-effective, and thus may hold opportunities. We investigated the bioavailability of D2from UV-irradiated yeast present in bread in an 8-week randomised-controlled trial in healthy 20–37-year-old women (n33) in Helsinki (60°N) during winter (February–April) 2014. Four study groups were given different study products (placebo pill and regular bread=0 µg D2or D3/d; D2supplement and regular bread=25 µg D2/d; D3supplement and regular bread=25 µg D3/d; and placebo pill and D2-biofortified bread=25 µg D2/d). Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D2(S-25(OH)D2) and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3(S-25(OH)D3) concentrations were measured at baseline, midpoint and end point. The mean baseline total serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D=S-25(OH)D2+S-25(OH)D3) concentration was 65·1 nmol/l. In repeated-measures ANCOVA (adjusted for baseline S-25(OH)D as total/D2/D3), D2-bread did not affect total S-25(OH)D (P=0·707) or S-25(OH)D3(P=0·490), but increased S-25(OH)D2compared with placebo (P&lt;0·001). However, the D2supplement was more effective than bread in increasing S-25(OH)D2(P&lt;0·001). Both D2and D3supplementation increased total S-25(OH)D compared with placebo (P=0·030 andP=0·001, respectively), but D2supplementation resulted in lower S-25(OH)D3(P&lt;0·001). Thus, D2from UV-irradiated yeast in bread was not bioavailable in humans. Our results support the evidence that D2is less potent in increasing total S-25(OH)D concentrations than D3, also indicating a decrease in the percentage contribution of S-25(OH)D3to the total vitamin D pool.</jats:p

Characterization, Stability, and In Vivo Efficacy Studies of Recombinant Human CNTF and Its Permeation into the Neural Retina in Ex Vivo Organotypic Retinal Explant Culture Models

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is one of the most studied neuroprotective agents with acknowledged potential in treating diseases of the posterior eye segment. Although its efficacy and mechanisms of action in the retina have been studied extensively, it is still not comprehensively understood which retinal cells mediate the therapeutic effects of CNTF. As with therapeutic proteins in general, it is poorly elucidated whether exogenous CNTF administered into the vitreous can enter and distribute into the retina and hence reach potentially responsive target cells. Here, we have characterized our purified recombinant human CNTF (rhCNTF), studied the protein’s in vitro bioactivity in a cell-based assay, and evaluated the thermodynamic and oligomeric status of the protein during storage. Biological activity of rhCNTF was further evaluated in vivo in an animal model of retinal degeneration. The retinal penetration and distribution of rhCNTF after 24 h was studied utilizing two ex vivo retina models. Based on our characterization findings, our rhCNTF is correctly folded and biologically active. Moreover, based on initial screening and subsequent follow-up, we identified two buffers in which rhCNTF retains its stability during storage. Whereas rhCNTF did not show photoreceptor preservative effect or improve the function of photoreceptors in vivo, this could possibly be due to the used disease model or the short duration of action with a single intravitreal injection of rhCNTF. On the other hand, the lack of in vivo efficacy was shown to not be due to distribution limitations; permeation into the retina was observed in both retinal explant models as in 24 h rhCNTF penetrated the inner limiting membrane, and being mostly observed in the ganglion cell layer, distributed to different layers of the neural retina. As rhCNTF can reach deeper retinal layers, in general, having direct effects on resident CNTF-responsive target cells is plausible

Vitamin D intake, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D status and response to moderate vitamin D3 supplementation: a randomised controlled trial in East African and Finnish women

Insufficient vitamin D status (serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D)0·05 for differences between ethnic groups). In conclusion, high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency existed among East African women living in Finland, despite higher vitamin D intake than their Finnish peers. Moderate vitamin D3 supplementation was effective in increasing S-25(OH)D in both groups of women, and no ethnic differences existed in the response to supplementation.Peer reviewe

Serum parathyroid hormone is related to genetic variation in vitamin D binding protein with respect to total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D in middle-aged Caucasians – a cross-sectional study

Peer reviewe

Low free 25-hydroxyvitamin D and high vitamin D binding protein and parathyroid hormone in obese Caucasians. A complex association with bone?

Background Studies have shown altered vitamin D metabolism in obesity. We assessed differences between obese and normal-weight subjects in total, free, and bioavailable 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D, 25(OH) D-Free, and 25(OH) D-Bio, respectively), vitamin D binding protein (DBP), parathyroid hormone (PTH) and bone traits. Methods 595 37-47-year-old healthy Finnish men and women stratified by BMI were examined in this cross-sectional study. Background characteristic and intakes of vitamin D and calcium were collected. The concentrations of 25(OH) D, PTH, DBP, albumin and bone turnover markers were determined from blood. 25(OH) D-Free and 25(OH) D-Bio were calculated. pQCT was performed at radius and tibia. Results Mean +/- SE (ANCOVA) 25(OH) D-Free (10.8 +/- 0.6 vs 12.9 +/- 0.4 nmol/L; P = 0.008) and 25(OH) DBio (4.1 +/- 0.3 vs 5.1 +/- 0.1 nmol/L; P = 0.003) were lower in obese than in normal-weight women. In men, 25(OH) D (48.0 +/- 2.4 vs 56.4 +/- 2.0 nmol/L, P = 0.003), 25(OH) D-Free (10.3 +/- 0.7 vs 12.5 +/- 0.6 pmol/L; P = 0.044) and 25(OH) D-Bio (4.2 +/- 0.3 vs 5.1 +/- 0.2 nmol/L; P = 0.032) were lower in obese. Similarly in all subjects, 25(OH) D, 25(OH) D-Free and 25(OH) D-Bio were lower in obese (P Conclusions The associations between BMI and 25(OH) D, 25(OH) D-Free, and 25(OH) D-Bio, DBP, and PTH suggest that obese subjects may differ from normal-weight subjects in vitamin D metabolism. BMI associated positively with trabecular bone traits and CSI in our study, and slightly negatively with cortical bone traits. Surprisingly, there was a negative association of free and bioavailable 25(OH) D and some of the bone traits in obese women.Peer reviewe

Pharmacokinetic aspects of retinal drug delivery

Drug delivery to the posterior eye segment is an important challenge in ophthalmology, because many diseases affect the retina and choroid leading to impaired vision or blindness. Currently, intravitreal injections are the method of choice to administer drugs to the retina, but this approach is applicable only in selected cases (e.g. anti-VEGF antibodies and soluble receptors). There are two basic approaches that can be adopted to improve retinal drug delivery: prolonged and/or retina targeted delivery of intravitreal drugs and use of other routes of drug administration, such as periocular, suprachoroidal, sub-retinal, systemic, or topical. Properties of the administration route, drug and delivery system determine the efficacy and safety of these approaches. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic factors determine the required dosing rates and doses that are needed for drug action. In addition, tolerability factors limit the use of many materials in ocular drug delivery. This review article provides a critical discussion of retinal drug delivery, particularly from the pharmacokinetic point of view. This article does not include an extensive review of drug delivery technologies, because they have already been reviewed several times recently. Instead, we aim to provide a systematic and quantitative view on the pharmacokinetic factors in drug delivery to the posterior eye segment. This review is based on the literature and unpublished data from the authors' laboratory.Peer reviewe

Asiakkuuksienhallintajärjestelmän valinta ja sen hyödyntäminen myyjän näkökulmasta

Tämä opinnäytetyö tehtiin HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulun Tutkimus ja kehittämiskeskuksen keväällä 2011 järjestämän Sales IT-projektin puitteissa. Sales IT-projektin tavoitteena oli pienten ICT-alan yritysten myyntitoiminnan parantaminen. Tutkimuksen tavoitteena on antaa lukijalle tietoa CRM-järjestelmistä, eli asiakkuuksienhallintajärjestelmistä, oikean järjestelmän valinnasta ja järjestelmän hyödyntämisestä myyjän näkökulmasta. Tutkija valitsi asiakkuuksienhallintajärjestelmät opinnäytetyönsä aiheeksi koska aihe kiinnosti Sales IT-projektin yhteistyöyritystä, Co Operatoria. CRM on myös tärkeä ja ajankohtainen aihe kaikille yrityksille. Tutkimuksen teoriaosuus käsittää CRM-järjestelmän historian ja erilaisia määritelmiä aiheesta. Lisäksi teoriaosuus kertoo siitä, kuinka CRM-järjestelmä synnyttää asiakasuskollisuutta ja kuinka järjestelmästä on hyötyä myyjän jokapäiväisessä työssä. Teoriaosuudessa kerrotaan myös järjestelmän valitsemisesta ja siitä, millaista järjestelmää on mukava käyttää. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin tutkimusmenetelmänä kvalitatiivista, eli laadullista haastattelututkimusta. Tutkimusta varten haastateltiin kolmea tahoa, Co Operatorin kahta johto-henkilöä, HAAGA-HELIA ammattikorkeakoulun tietotekniikan lehtoria ja Co Operatorin myyjää. Tutkimustuloksista selvisi, että kaikki haastateltavat näkivät CRM:n ajankohtaisena ja tärkeänä aiheena. Myyjän CRM:n pitäisi olla mahdollisimman yksinkertainen ja selkeä. Tässä kohtaa käytettävyys ja visuaalisuus nousivat olennaisimmiksi tekijöiksi, jotka tekevät järjestelmästä nopean ja helppokäyttöisen.This thesis was conducted based on Sales It-project, organized in the spring of 2011 by HAAGA-HELIA University of Applied Sciences’ Research and Development department. Sales It-project’s purpose was to improve sales work of small ICT-companies. The intention of this study was to give its readers information about CRM-systems, meaning customer relationship management systems and how to choose the right system and how to utilize it from the salesman’s perspective. The author chose the topic of customer relationship management because Sales It-project’s partnering company, Co Operator was interested in the subject. CRM is also an important and timely subject for all companies. The theoretical framework comprises of the history of CRM-systems and different definitions on the subject. Moreover, the theoretical framework tells how CRM-systems generate customer loyalty and how a salesman benefits from the system in his daily job. The theoretical framework also gives advice on how to choose the right CRM-system and what kind of a system is easy and comfortable to use. The research methodology was a qualitative interview study. There were three parties interviewed. The parties were two managers of Co Operator, an IT lecturer of HAAGA-HELIA University od Applied Sciences and a Co Operator salesman. The results showed that all the interviewees thought that CRM is a topical and significant subject. A salesman’s CRM should be as simple and clear as possible. For this reason, usability and visual aspects became the most important factors in making the sys-tem quick and easy to use

Ristiinpuetut. Drag king -Jeesus ja muita pervoja Jeesus-esityksiä

Tutkielmani tarkastelee Jeesus-hahmon kuvauksia queer-katseella. Jeesus-hahmolla tarkoitan Jeesusta tekstuaalisena hahmona, kulttuurisena tuotteena ja teatterillisena roolihahmona. Tarkastelen hahmoa lähtökohtaisesti heteronormatiivisen maskuliinisuuden esityksenä, jota aineistoni esitykset kuitenkin rikkovat ja toistavat toisin. Tutkielmani keskittyy Kristiina Puukon drag king –esitykseen Personal Jesus (2010). Peilaan esitystä elokuviin The Last Temptation of Christ (1988) ja The Passion of Christ (2004), valokuvanäyttelyyn Ecce Homo (1998) sekä Helsingin kaupunkiesitykseen Via Crucis (2010). Analyysini teoreettisena pohjana ovat kriittiset (feministiset) sukupuoliteoriat ja queer-teoriat. Tutkielmani voi nähdä kiinnittyvän myös kriittisen miestutkimukseen. Lähtökohtinani ovat Judith Butlerin lanseeraama käsite sukupuolen performatiivisuudesta ja Judith Halberstamin painotus maskuliinisuudesta sukupuolikategorioita ylittävänä määreenä. Queer-tutkimuksen tavoitteita mukaillen pyrin paljastamaan pervoja paikkoja myös heteroseksuaalisen valtakulttuurin sisällä. Tutkielmani esittelee lyhyesti myös drag king – ja burleskitaiteiden sekä tankotanssin historiaa ja nykytilannetta lähinnä Suomessa. Tarkastelen drag king –taidetta viihteellisenä, mutta sukupuolikategorioita rikkovana, kriittisenä taidemuotona. Drag king –taide korostuu Personal Jesus –esityksen analyysissä, jossa sivuan esimerkiksi sitä, kuinka drag king –hahmo konkreettisesti tuotetaan näyttämölle. Väitän, että drag king –esityksen lisäksi myös muissa aineistoni Jeesus-esityksissä puku on tärkeä osa hahmoa. Risti, joka levittäytyy Jeesus-hahmon selän takana, korvaa kuitenkin tarvittaessa kaikki muut tunnetut Jeesuksen ulkoiset merkit. Tavalla tai toisella kaikkien käsittelemieni esitysten Jeesukset ovatkin ristiinpuettuja. Asiasanat:Jeesus-hahmo, sukupuoli, queer, drag king, maskuliisuus, ristiinpukeutumine