Cytokine expression in rhinovirus- vs respiratory syncytial virus-induced first wheezing episode and its relation to clinical course

Rhinovirus (RV) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are common causes of bronchiolitis. Unlike an RSV etiology, an RV etiology is associated with a markedly increased risk of asthma. We investigated the cytokine profiles of RV- and RSV-induced first wheezing episode and their correlation with prognosis. We recruited 52 sole RV- and 11 sole RSV-affected children with a severe first wheezing episode. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated during acute illness and 2 weeks later and stimulated in vitro with anti-CD3/anti-CD28. Culture medium samples were analyzed for 56 different cytokines by multiplex ELISA. Recurrences were prospectively followed for 4 years. In adjusted analyses, the cytokine response from PBMCs in the RV group was characterized by decreased expression of interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1RA), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and increased expression of eosinophil chemotactic protein 2 (eotaxin-2), thymus- and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), and epithelial-derived neutrophil-activating peptide 78 (ENA-78) in the acute phase and increased expression of fractalkine in the convalescent phase compared to those in the RSV group. An analysis of the change in cytokine expression between study points revealed an increased expression of fractalkine and IL-1β and decreased expression of I-309 (CCL1) and TARC in the RV group compared to those in the RSV group.. Considering hospitalization time, a significant non-adjusted group × cytokine interaction was observed in the levels of interferon gamma (IFN-γ), macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), IL-1RA, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), indicating that a higher expression of cytokine was associated with shorter hospitalization time in the RSV group but not in the RV group. A significant interaction was also found in interleukin 6 (IL-6), but the cytokine response was not associated with hospitalization time in the RSV or RV group. In the RV group, increased expression of I-309 (CCL1) and TARC was associated with fewer relapses within 2 months, and decreased expression of interleukin 13 (IL-13) and increased expression of I-309 (CCL1) were associated with less relapses within 12 months. Differences in cytokine response from PBMCs were observed between RV- and RSV-induced first severe wheezing episode. Our findings also reveal new biomarkers for short- and medium-term prognosis in first-time wheezing children infected with RV or RSV

Helsinki Identities – film narrative at a planning tool of new urban districts

HELSINKI IDENTITIES - FILM NARRATIVE AS A PLANNING TOOL OF URBAN DISTRICTS Urban areas are in a continuous stage of transformation. Research project ‘Helsinki Identities: Film Narrative as a Planning Tool of New Urban Districts (HIDE)’ sets out to respond to this challenge by developing new ways to identify and document local historical and social elements in urban districts. We examine how narrative methods could be used in order to create or strengthen unique cultural identity that arises from the user experience. Overall, HIDE –project aims to contribute to the discussion on design processes and methodologies by creating a multidisciplinary narrative framework for the purpose of translating the historical and social elements of urban districts into strength for its development. Hide-project works on two cases and we draw from design processes of screenwriting, scenography and service design as well as from urban sociology in order to recover and reinterpret meanings related to the sites and to foster a constructive sense of place identity and identification there. As an outcome there are research articles, conference presentations and suggestions and material for the authorities and actors of City of Helsinki for further development procedures. The project is a co-project of Aalto University and City of Helsinki 2013-2015.HELSINKI-IDENTITEETTEJÄ - ELOKUVAKERRONTA UUSIEN KAUPUNGIOSIEN SUUNNITTELUTYÖKALUNA Kaupunginosat ovat jatkuvassa muutoksen tilassa. Helsinki-identiteettejä –elokuvakerronta kaupunginosien suunnittelutyökaluna -hankkeessa (HIDE) tutkitaan, miten kaupunkikuvaan voidaan tuottaa käyttäjäkokemuksesta nousevia kerronnallisia elementtejä, jotka puolestaan nostavat esiin kaupunginosien kulttuurista identiteettiä. HIDE –hankkeessa rakentuu poikkitieteellinen narratiivinen viitekehys, jossa kaupunginosien historialliset ja sosiaaliset elementit muuntuvat kaupunkisuunnittelun voimavaraksi. HIDE–hankkeessa käytetään käsikirjoittamisen, muotoilun ja lavastustaiteen metodeja. Hankkeen tuotoksina syntyy tieteellisiä artikkeleita, konferenssiesitelmiä, sekä ehdotuksia ja materiaalia tulevien kehittämistoimenpiteiden pohjaksi Helsingin kaupungin eri toimijoille. Hanke on Aalto-yliopiston ja Helsingin kaupungin yhteishanke vuosina 2013-2015.Peer reviewe

Atopic asthma after rhinovirus-induced wheezing is associated with DNA methylation change in the SMAD3 gene promoter

Abstract Children with rhinovirus-induced severe early wheezing have an increased risk of developing asthma later in life. The exact molecular mechanisms for this association are still mostly unknown. To identify potential changes in the transcriptional and epigenetic regulation in rhinovirus-associated atopic or nonatopic asthma, we analyzed a cohort of 5-year-old children (n = 45) according to the virus etiology of the first severe wheezing episode at the mean age of 13 months and to 5-year asthma outcome. The development of atopic asthma in children with early rhinovirus-induced wheezing was associated with DNA methylation changes at several genomic sites in chromosomal regions previously linked to asthma. The strongest changes in atopic asthma were detected in the promoter region of SMAD3 gene at chr 15q22.33 and introns of DDO/METTL24 genes at 6q21. These changes were validated to be present also at the average age of 8 years.Peer reviewe