Identification of females of the Finnish species of Altica Müller (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae)

The possible use of secondary genitalia (styles and spiculum ventrale) for the identification of females of Altica is investigated. Two identification keys are presented, one using both morphological and secondary genital characters and one using secondary genital characters only. The Finnish species are reviewed: A. cirsii Israelson is deleted, and A. quercetorum saliceti Weise and A. carduorum (Guerin-Meneville) are added to the Finnish list, now comprising 12 species. The geographical and temporal aspects of the distribution of the species in Finland is shown on UTM maps

Exploring the Link between System Integration and Technology Usage

Recent developments in the area of electronic accounting information systems have enabled accounting firms to move their focus from paper-based, mandatory business reporting and book-keeping to value-added services, such as providing cash flow forecasts to their customer companies (typically SMEs). In this study, we explore the usage of cash flow forecasting systems in accounting firms. Drawing on the theories of technology acceptance and usage and empirical data from 108 accounting firms, we find that system integration is a key determinant in explaining the task-technology fit which, in turn, explains the usage of cash flow forecasting systems. Further analysis revealed that frequent users of cash flow forecasting systems relied on commercial, highly integrated solutions, whereas ad hoc users preferred spreadsheet programs

Ehdotus kansainvälisen pelastustoiminnan kehittämiseksi

Sisäministeriö asetti pelastuslaitosten kumppanuusverkoston kanssa yhteisen pelastustoimen uudistushankkeen 15.12.2015. Hankkeen tavoitteena oli kehittää hallitusohjelman mukaisesti pelastustoimen järjestelmää ja helpottaa pelastustoimen järjestämisvastuun siirtymistä kunnilta maakunnille sote- ja maakuntauudistuksen yhteydessä. 1.7.2016 sisäministeriö asetti uudistukselle 14 työryhmää, joista yksi oli kansainvälisen pelastustoiminta -työryhmä. Työryhmässä olivat edustettuina sisäministeriön pelastusosasto, Pelastusopisto, aluehallintovirasto ja pelastuslaitokset. Työryhmän ehdotusten keskeisenä tavoitteena on parantaa Suomen varautumista pelastustoimeen kuuluvan kansainvälisen avun antamiseen ja vastaanottamiseen. Lisäksi tavoitteena on integroida pelastustoimen kansainvälinen toiminta osaksi päivittäistä toimintaa kaikilla tasoilla sekä hyödyntää erityisesti kansainvälisiin tehtäviin koulutettua pelastustoimen henkilöstöä nykyistä paremmin kotimaan valmiudessa. Nykyisessä turvallisuusympäristössä on entistä tärkeämpää varautua käyttämään pelastustoimen erityisresursseja tehokkaasti kansainvälisen avunannon lisäksi myös kotimaan onnettomuustilanteissa. Samoja resursseja voidaan hyödyntää myös tilanteessa, jossa jouduttaisiin pyytämään kansainvälistä apua Suomeen (isäntävaltion tukitoimet, Host Nation Support). Työryhmä ehdottaa, että pelastustoimen erityisresursseja, mukaan lukien henkilöstön osaaminen, kehitetään ensisijaisesti kotimaan tarpeita varten. Samalla tiettyjä valmiuksia kehitetään kansainvälisen pelastustoiminnan tehtäviin tarjottaviksi (vrt. Ruotsin metsäpalot 2018). Työryhmä ehdottaa lisäksi, että kansainvälisen pelastustoiminnan koordinaatiotoiminto perustetaan pelastustoimen 24/7 valtakunnallisen tilannekeskuksen yhteyteen. Hälytysjärjestelyt, logistiset järjestelyt ja varastointi suunnitellaan uudelta pohjalta vuodesta 2020–21 alkaen. Kansainvälisen pelastustoiminnan koulutukset ja harjoitukset integroidaan osaksi Pelastusopiston normaalia täydennyskoulutusohjelmaa ja pelastuslaitosten henkilöstö osallistuu toimintaan samoin perustein kuin muuhunkin täydennyskoulutukseen

Biomarker Profiling by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy for the Prediction of All-Cause Mortality: An Observational Study of 17,345 Persons

Peer reviewe

Genome-wide study for circulating metabolites identifies 62 loci and reveals novel systemic effects of LPA

Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci linked with complex diseases, for which the molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Comprehensive molecular profiling of circulating metabolites captures highly heritable traits, which can help to uncover metabolic pathophysiology underlying established disease variants. We conduct an extended genome-wide association study of genetic influences on 123 circulating metabolic traits quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics from up to 24,925 individuals and identify eight novel loci for amino acids, pyruvate and fatty acids. The LPA locus link with cardiovascular risk exemplifies how detailed metabolic profiling may inform underlying aetiology via extensive associations with very-low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride metabolism. Genetic fine mapping and Mendelian randomization uncover wide-spread causal effects of lipoprotein(a) on overall lipoprotein metabolism and we assess potential pleiotropic consequences of genetically elevated lipoprotein(a) on diverse morbidities via electronic health-care records. Our findings strengthen the argument for safe LPA-targeted intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk

New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.

Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms

A Meta-analysis of Gene Expression Signatures of Blood Pressure and Hypertension

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have uncovered numerous genetic variants (SNPs) that are associated with blood pressure (BP). Genetic variants may lead to BP changes by acting on intermediate molecular phenotypes such as coded protein sequence or gene expression, which in turn affect BP variability. Therefore, characterizing genes whose expression is associated with BP may reveal cellular processes involved in BP regulation and uncover how transcripts mediate genetic and environmental effects on BP variability. A meta-analysis of results from six studies of global gene expression profiles of BP and hypertension in whole blood was performed in 7017 individuals who were not receiving antihypertensive drug treatment. We identified 34 genes that were differentially expressed in relation to BP (Bonferroni-corrected p&lt;0.05). Among these genes, FOS and PTGS2 have been previously reported to be involved in BP-related processes; the others are novel. The top BP signature genes in aggregate explain 5%–9% of inter-individual variance in BP. Of note, rs3184504 in SH2B3, which was also reported in GWAS to be associated with BP, was found to be a trans regulator of the expression of 6 of the transcripts we found to be associated with BP (FOS, MYADM, PP1R15A, TAGAP, S100A10, and FGBP2). Gene set enrichment analysis suggested that the BP-related global gene expression changes include genes involved in inflammatory response and apoptosis pathways. Our study provides new insights into molecular mechanisms underlying BP regulation, and suggests novel transcriptomic markers for the treatment and prevention of hypertension

Genome-wide study for circulating metabolites identifies 62 loci and reveals novel systemic effects of LPA

Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous loci linked with complex diseases, for which the molecular mechanisms remain largely unclear. Comprehensive molecular profiling of circulating metabolites captures highly heritable traits, which can help to uncover metabolic pathophysiology underlying established disease variants. We conduct an extended genome-wide association study of genetic influences on 123 circulating metabolic traits quantified by nuclear magnetic resonance metabolomics from up to 24,925 individuals and identify eight novel loci for amino acids, pyruvate and fatty acids. The LPA locus link with cardiovascular risk exemplifies how detailed metabolic profiling may inform underlying aetiology via extensive associations with very-low-density lipoprotein and triglyceride metabolism. Genetic fine mapping and Mendelian randomization uncover wide-spread causal effects of lipoprotein(a) on overall lipoprotein metabolism and we assess potential pleiotropic consequences of genetically elevated lipoprotein(a) on diverse morbidities via electronic health-care records. Our findings strengthen the argument for safe LPA-targeted intervention to reduce cardiovascular risk.Peer reviewe

A Genome-Wide Screen for Interactions Reveals a New Locus on 4p15 Modifying the Effect of Waist-to-Hip Ratio on Total Cholesterol

Peer reviewe