Novel Strategies for the Preparation of Glyco-Nanoparticles

Ring opening polymerization and click reaction was used to synthesize thermo-responsive glyco-block copolymers consisting of a polyether block with pendant α-D-mannose groups and random copolymer blocks of poly(glycidyl methyl ether)-poly(epoxyhexane). The thermo-responsive block was synthesized as a random copolymer to decrease the phase transition temperature to usable region. Temperature-responsiveness would enable the polymers to switch between dissolved and aggregated states. Such glycopolymers would be interesting candidates for studying carbohydrate-lectin interactions and drug delivery properties. The synthesized polymers were analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, turbidimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. Both glycopolymers and thermo-responsive copolymers were synthesized. The latter showed good control over the polymerization, leading to clickable azide functionality and desired ratios of monomers in the copolymers. Altering the ratios of glycidyl methyl ether and epoxyhexane in the feed led to variations in the cloud points and glass transition temperatures of the copolymers. The synthesis of glycopolymers proved difficult and could not be initiated using clickable propargyl alcohol. Also, no effective way to purify the glycopolymers initiated using bezyl alcohol was found. Combination of the glycopolymers and thermo-responsive copolymers was attempted using click reaction. A triazole signal was detected using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy suggesting the reaction was successful. However, further studies are required to confirm this

Leikkausjonojen kustannukset : Terveyspalveluseteli jonojen purkamiskeinona

Siirretty Doriast

Preoperative evaluation and treatment consideration of parotid gland tumors

Background: The nature of parotid tumors often remains unknown preoperatively and final histopathology may reveal unexpected malignancy. Still, the use of fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) and imaging varies in the management of these tumors. Methods: We evaluated the preoperative examinations and management of all 195 parotid gland tumors diagnosed within our catchment area of 1.6 million people during 2015. Results: Altogether 171 (88%) tumors were classified as true salivary gland neoplasms. FNAC showed no false malignant findings, but it was false benign in 5 (2.6%) cases. Preoperative MRI was utilized in 48 patients (25%). Twenty (10%) malignancies included 16 salivary gland carcinomas. Pleomorphic adenomas accounted for 52% of all adenomas. For 24 (40%) Warthin tumors, surgery was omitted. Conclusion: The proportion of malignancies was lower than generally presented. Our proposed guidelines include ultrasound-guided FNAC with certain limitations. MRI is warranted in selected cases, but seems unnecessary routinely.Peer reviewe

Inversion of crystallization rates in miscible block copolymers of poly(lactide)-block-poly(2-sopropyl-2-oxazoline)

Miscible block copolymers (BCPs) are rarely studied. When one or both components of such BCPs are semi-crystalline polymers, strong effects on the crystallization behavior can be expected. We present a study of 18 miscible BCPs comprised of poly(lactide) (PLLA, semi-crystalline and PDLLA, amorphous) and poly(2-isopropyl-2-oxazoline) (PiPOx, semi-crystalline) with PiPOx volume fractions of 0.14 <phi(PiPOx) <0.82. All BCPs exhibit a single glass transition and form a homogeneous melt. Mixing has a plasticizing effect on PiPOx and increases its crystallization rates (DSC). In contrast, the crystallization rates of PLLA are dramatically reduced, or in most cases entirely prevented. During isothermal crystallization at 130 degrees C, the crystallization rates of the BCPs were inverted in comparison with those of the parent homopolymers. Crystallization drives the BCPs to phase separate and the formed crystalline structure is that of the parent homopolymers. The fast crystallization of PiPOx confines the observed superstructure. The BCPs were studied on multiple length scales - from the atomic level (WAXS, IR spectroscopy) to the meso level (AFM, SAXS) and the macroscopic superstructure (polarized optical microscopy). A mechanism of the structure evolution is presented.Peer reviewe

InMoov-robotin käsivarsien toteutus

Tiivistelmä. Erilaisia robotteja on käytetty jo kauan aikaa. Ensimmäiset robotit tehtiin teolliseen käyttöön, suurimmaksi osaksi liukuhihnatyöhön. Tällaisten robottien ei tarvitse mukautua ympäristöönsä, vaan ympäristö on rakennettu robotin ympärille. Robotiikan ja tekoälyn kehittyessä mahdollistuu myös täysin uudenlaisten robottien valmistus. Robotit voivat mukautua ympäristöönsä paremmin erilaisia sensoreita hyödyntäen. Nykyään robotteja käytetään monenlaiseen tarkoitukseen lääketieteestä autonomisiin autoihin. Robotit voivat olla kalliita suunnitella ja rakentaa, mutta 3d-tulostuksen mahdollistaman halvemman hinnan kautta myös tavallisilla ihmisillä on mahdollista kehittää protyyppejä. Tässä opinnäytetyössä keskitytään robotin rakentamiseen ja kokeiluun, sekä näissä nopean ja edullisen prototyyppien valmistuksen mahdollisuuksiin sekä ongelmiin. Työssä käytetään pohjana InMoov-robotin valmiita 3d-malleja ja Robot Operating System 2 -kirjastoa robotin ohjaamiseen. Näillä malleilla rakennetaan robotin kädet ja ne liitetään jo olemassa olevaan robottiin. Siinä kerrotaan miten servoa voidaan muokata, ja kuinka hammasrattaiden käyttöä voidaan hyödyntää robotin käsien liikuttamiseen. Verrattuna kaupallisiin robotteihin laadussa on eroja, mutta työn tarkoitus on olla esimerkkinä ja tukena muille, jotka haluavat kokeilla rakentaa robotin prototyyppiä edullisesti. 3d-tulostus mahdollistaa uusien osien tulostamisen helposti ja rikkinäiset osat voidaan vaihtaa. Keskeisiä ongelmia robotin rakentamisessa ovat mekaanisten osien heikkous, huonosti toteutetut johdotukset sekä sekava ohjelmistopuoli. Parannus- ja ratkaisuehdotuksia, toteutettuja ratkaisuja, sekä huomioitavia ja vältettäviä asioita esitetään työssä ja lisäksi pohditaan mahdollisia jatkotutkimuskohteita

Ear canal and middle-ear tumors : a single-institution series of 87 patients

Background Ear canal and middle ear tumors are rare and exhibit variability in histology and clinical manifestation. Surgical resection remains the treatment of choice, but individualized approach is needed to preserve function when possible. Aims/objectives To review the management and outcome of ear canal and middle ear tumors at an academic referral center. Materials and methods Helsinki University Hospital (HUS) patient files were searched for clinically and histologically confirmed ear canal and middle ear tumors over a 14-year period. The minimum follow-up time was 2 years. Results Eighty-seven patients with 88 tumors were identified. There were 20 (23%) benign external auditory canal (EAC), 36 (41%) benign middle ear space (MES), 29 (33%) malignant EAC, and 3 (3%) malignant MES tumors. Most (92%) tumors were managed with primary resection. Thirty-five percent of the operatively managed patients had a residual or a recurrent tumor. Conclusions and significance EAC and MES tumors show great diagnostic and histologic heterogeneity with need for individualized investigative and treatment approaches. In benign tumors, we advocate aggressive local surgical control without sacrificing vital structures. In malignant tumors, we recommend local surgical control with or without adjunct RT.Peer reviewe

The Relationship between Thyroid Function and Depressive Symptoms—the FIN-D2D Population-Based Study

The association between thyroid function and depression is controversial. Both conditions express many similar symptoms, but the studies done give conflicting results. This study draws on a random, population-based sample of 4500 subjects aged 45–75 years old from Finland. The basic clinical study was done in 2007 for 1396 men and 1500 women (64% participation rate). Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (F-T4), and free triiodothyronine (F-T3) were measured in 2013 from frozen samples. The 21-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-21) was applied to assess depressive symptoms (score ≥10 points). The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 17.5% in women and 12.5% in men. In women, the mean levels of TSH, F-T4, and F-T3 without depressive symptoms vs. with the presence of depressive symptoms were 1.92/1.97 mU/L, 13.1/13.1 pmol/L, and 3.91/3.87 pmol/L (NS), respectively. In men, the levels were 1.87/1.94 mU/L, 13.5/13.7 pmol/L, and 4.18/4.12 pmol/L (NS), respectively. In multiple regression analysis, TSH had no relationship to BDI-21 total score. We found no association between depressive symptoms and thyroid values.Peer reviewe

Antinociception by Spinal and Systemic Oxycodone: Why Does the Route Make a Difference?

Background The pharmacology of oxycodone is poorly understood despite its growing clinical use. The discrepancy between its good clinical effectiveness after systemic administration and the loss of potency after spinal administration led the authors to study the pharmacodynamic effects of oxycodone and its metabolites using in vivo and in vitro models in rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were used in hot-plate, tail-flick, and paw-pressure tests to study the antinociceptive properties of morphine, oxycodone, and its metabolites oxymorphone and noroxycodone. Mu-opioid receptor agonist-stimulated GTPgamma[S] autoradiography was used to study G-protein activation induced by morphine, oxycodone, and oxymorphone in the rat brain and spinal cord. Spontaneous locomotor activity was measured to assess possible sedation or motor dysfunction. Naloxone and the selective kappa-opioid receptor antagonist nor-binaltorphimine were used to study the opioid receptor selectivity of the drugs. Results Oxycodone showed lower efficacy and potency to stimulate GTPgamma[S] binding in the spinal cord and periaqueductal gray compared with morphine and oxymorphone. This could relate to the fact that oxycodone produced only weak naloxone-reversible antinociception after intrathecal administration. It also suggests that the metabolites may have a role in oxycodone-induced analgesia in rats. Intrathecal oxymorphone produced strong long-lasting antinociception, whereas noroxycodone produced antinociception with very high doses only. Subcutaneous administration of oxycodone and oxymorphone produced thermal and mechanical antinociception that was reversed by naloxone but not by nor-binaltorphimine. Oxymorphone was more potent than oxycodone, particularly in the hot-plate and paw-pressure tests. Conclusions The low intrathecal potency of oxycodone in rats seems be related to its low efficacy and potency to stimulate mu-opioid receptor activation in the spinal cord

Crystalline cyclophane-protein cage frameworks

open10siCyclophanes are macrocyclic supramolecular hosts famous for their ability to bind atomic or molecular guests via noncovalent interactions within their well-defined cavities. In a similar way, porous crystalline networks, such as metal organic frameworks, can create microenvironments that enable controlled guest binding in the solid state. Both types of materials often consist of synthetic components, and they have been developed within separate research fields. Moreover, the use of biomolecules as their structural units has remained elusive. Here, we have synthesized a library of organic cyclophanes and studied their electrostatic self-assembly with biological metal-binding protein cages (ferritins) into ordered structures. We show that cationic pillar[S]arenes and ferritin cages form biohybrid cocrystals with an open protein network structure. Our cyclophane-protein cage frameworks bridge the gap between molecular frameworks and colloidal nanoparticle crystals and combine the versatility of synthetic supramolecular hosts with the highly selective recognition properties of biomolecules. Such host-guest materials are interesting for porous material applications, including water remediation and heterogeneous catalysis.openBeyeh N.K.; Nonappa; Liljestrom V.; Mikkila J.; Korpi A.; Bochicchio D.; Pavan G.M.; Ikkala O.; Ras R.H.A.; Kostiainen M.A.Beyeh, N. K.; Nonappa, ; Liljestrom, V.; Mikkila, J.; Korpi, A.; Bochicchio, D.; Pavan, G. M.; Ikkala, O.; Ras, R. H. A.; Kostiainen, M. A