Perceived Changes in Communication as an Effect of STN Surgery in Parkinson's Disease: A Qualitative Interview Study

The aim of the present study was to explore four individuals' perspective of the way their speech and communication changed as a result of subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation treatment for Parkinson's disease. Interviews of two men and two women were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged as a result of the analysis. The first theme included sub-themes describing both increased and unexpected communication difficulties such as a more vulnerable speech function, re-emerging stuttering and cognitive difficulties affecting communication. The second theme comprised strategies to improve communication, using different speech techniques and communicative support, as well as trying to achieve changes in medical and stimulation parameters. The third theme included descriptions of mixed feelings surrounding the surgery. Participants described the surgery as an unavoidable dramatic change, associated both with improved quality of life but also uncertainty and lack of information, particularly regarding speech and communication changes. Despite negative effects on speech, the individuals were generally very pleased with the surgical outcome. More information before surgery regarding possible side effects on speech, meeting with a previously treated patient and possibly voice and speech therapy before or after surgery are suggested to facilitate the adjustment to the new speech conditions

Suomalaiset sanomalehdet uskonnollisen maiseman tuottajina : uskontojournalismi Helsingin Sanomissa, Ilkassa, Kalevassa ja Karjalaisessa vuosina 2007-2011

Pääkirjoitus.Uskonnon ja median tutkimuksen alueella on puhuttu viime vuosina paljon uskonnon aiempaa voimakkaammasta näkyvyydestä länsimaisessa uutismediassa. Erityisesti New Yorkin terrori-iskujen syyskuussa 2001 on katsottu vaikuttaneen siihen, että journalismissa on alettu uudella tavalla kiinnittää huomiota uskontoon. Uskontoon kohdistuvan mediahuomion määrä näyttääkin kasvaneen, mutta selvittämättä on, mistä tarkalleen puhutaan, kun puhutaan uskonnosta journalismissa. Artikkelissa tarkastelemme määrällisesti suomalaista uskontoa koskevaa journalistista kirjoittelua viiden vuoden ajalta neljän sanomalehden osalta. Aineistomme osoittaa, että suomalaisen journalismin tuottama uskonnollinen maisema rakentuu hyvin erillisistä osasista. Lehtien osastot ja journalismin käytännöt tuottavat jaon, joissa paikalliset, valtakunnalliset ja globaalit uskontoa koskevat aiheet pidetään tiukasti erillään. Artikkelin lopussa pohdimme, millainen suhde lehtien tuottamalla uskonnollisella maisemalla on suomalaisen yhteiskunnan uskonnolliseen maisemaan ja uskonnon merkitykseen suomalaisessa yhteiskunnassa.Peer reviewe

Herpes Simplex Virus Seroprevalence among Pregnant Finnish Women and Their Spouses—A Six-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study

The aim was to evaluate the herpes simplex virus (HSV) seroprevalence and seroconversion among 285 pregnant women and their 120 male spouses in Finland during a six-year follow-up (FU) between 1998–2008. We also studied the effect of sexual habits, pregnancy, and other demographic factors on the acquisition of HSV infection. Combined HSV-1 and HSV-2-IgG antibodies were assessed in the first baseline serum samples with an indirect enzyme immunoassay method. The individuals with seronegative or borderline HSV serology at baseline were additionally tested using their latest FU serum sample available. The overall HSV seroprevalence during the FU was 58.9% (168/285) among the women and 53.3% (64/120) among their spouses. The seroconversion rate was 11.4% (15/132) and 12.5% (8/64) among women and their spouses, respectively. Both spouses were HSV seropositive in 39.2% (47/120). To determine the HSV-2 seroprevalence, we also tested all HSV-seropositive participants using HSV-2-specific antigen. HSV-2 seropositivity was detected in 10.9% (44/405) of the participants. The age (p = 0.006) and history of genital warts (p = 0.006) of the women were associated with combined HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 seropositivity, while a younger age was related to HSV seroconversion (p = 0.023). Among the male spouses, HSV seropositivity was associated with the practice of oral sex (p = 0.033). To conclude, women of childbearing age acquire primary HSV infections and the presence of HSV in oral epithelium is common among HSV-seropositive individuals

Herpes Simplex Virus Seroprevalence among Pregnant Finnish Women and Their Spouses-A Six-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study

The aim was to evaluate the herpes simplex virus (HSV) seroprevalence and seroconversion among 285 pregnant women and their 120 male spouses in Finland during a six-year follow-up (FU) between 1998-2008. We also studied the effect of sexual habits, pregnancy, and other demographic factors on the acquisition of HSV infection. Combined HSV-1 and HSV-2-IgG antibodies were assessed in the first baseline serum samples with an indirect enzyme immunoassay method. The individuals with seronegative or borderline HSV serology at baseline were additionally tested using their latest FU serum sample available. The overall HSV seroprevalence during the FU was 58.9% (168/285) among the women and 53.3% (64/120) among their spouses. The seroconversion rate was 11.4% (15/132) and 12.5% (8/64) among women and their spouses, respectively. Both spouses were HSV seropositive in 39.2% (47/120). To determine the HSV-2 seroprevalence, we also tested all HSV-seropositive participants using HSV-2-specific antigen. HSV-2 seropositivity was detected in 10.9% (44/405) of the participants. The age (p = 0.006) and history of genital warts (p = 0.006) of the women were associated with combined HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 seropositivity, while a younger age was related to HSV seroconversion (p = 0.023). Among the male spouses, HSV seropositivity was associated with the practice of oral sex (p = 0.033). To conclude, women of childbearing age acquire primary HSV infections and the presence of HSV in oral epithelium is common among HSV-seropositive individuals

Kaksivuotisen esiopetuksen kokeilu : Väliraportti

Kaksivuotisen esiopetuksen kokeilu toteutetaan satunnaistettuna kenttäkokeiluna 148 kunnassa. Siihen osallistuu noin 35 000 vuosina 2016 ja 2017 syntynyttä lasta, jotka on arvottu kokeilu- ja verrokkiryhmiin. Kokeilun toteutus ja arviointi on edennyt suunnitellusti ja sen yhteydessä on rakennettu toimintamalleja, joita on mahdollista hyödyntää myös muiden yhteiskunnallisten kokeiluiden toteuttamisessa. Kaksivuotisen esiopetuksen kokeilun vaikutuksista saadaan tietoa vuonna 2025. Tätä väliraporttia kirjoitettaessa on kuitenkin jo mahdollista todeta, että tekemissämme kyselyissä havaittiin kuntien siirtävän päteviä varhaiskasvatuksen opettajia muista tehtävistä kaksivuotisen esiopetuksen ryhmiin. Kokeilu vaikutti myös lasten oppimisympäristöön siten, että kokeiluryhmät oli muodostettu verrokkiryhmiä useammin pelkästään 5-vuotiaista tai 5- ja 6-vuotiaista lapsista. Lisäksi tarkastelemme lasten taustaominaisuuksien ja alkuarvioinneissa arvioitujen sosioemotionaalisten taitojen ja akateemisten perustaitojen välistä yhteyttä