Self-Rated Mental Stress and Exercise Training Response in Healthy Subjects

Purpose: Individual responses to aerobic training vary from almost none to a 40% increase in aerobic fitness in healthy subjects. We hypothesized that the baseline self-rated mental stress may influence to the training response. Methods: The study population included 44 healthy sedentary subjects (22 women) and 14 controls. The laboratory controlled training period was 2 weeks, including five sessions a week at an intensity of 75% of the maximum heart rate for 40 min/session. Self-rated mental stress was assessed by inquiry prior to the training period from 1 (low psychological resources and a lot of stressors in my life) to 10 (high psychological resources and no stressors in my life), respectively. Results: Mean peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) increased from 34 ± 7 to 37 ± 7 ml kg−1 min−1 in training group (p < 0.001) and did not change in control group (from 34 ± 7 to 34 ± 7 ml kg−1 min−1). Among the training group, the self-rated stress at the baseline condition correlated with the change in fitness after training intervention, e.g., with the change in maximal power (r = 0.45, p = 0.002, W/kg) and with the change in VO2peak (r = 0.32, p = 0.039, ml kg−1 min−1). The self-rated stress at the baseline correlated with the change in fitness in both female and male, e.g., r = 0.44, p = 0.039 and r = 0.43, p = 0.045 for ΔW/kg in female and male, respectively. Conclusion: As a novel finding the baseline self-rated mental stress is associated with the individual training response among healthy females and males after highly controlled aerobic training intervention. The changes in fitness were very low or absent in the subjects who experience their psychological resources low and a lot of stressors in their life at the beginning of aerobic training intervention

Two novel direct SPIO labels and in vivo MRI detection of labeled cells after acute myocardial infarct

Background: Acute myocardial infarction (AMI) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Cellular decay due hypoxia requires rapid and validated methods for possible therapeutic cell transplantation. Purpose: To develop direct and rapid superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) cell label for a large-animal model and to assess in vivo cell targeting by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in an experimental AMI model. Material and Methods: Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMNCs) were labeled with SPIO particles using two novel direct labeling methods (rotating incubation method and electroporation). Labeling, iron incorporation in cells and label distribution, cellular viability, and proliferation were validated in vitro. An AMI porcine model was used to evaluate the direct labeling method (rotating incubation method) by examining targeting of labeled BMMNCs using MRI and histology. Results: Labeling (1 h) did not alter either cellular differentiation potential or viability of cells in vitro. Cellular relaxation values at 9.4 T correlated with label concentration and MRI at 1.5 T showing 894% signal reduction compared with non-labeled cells in vitro. In vivo, a high spatial correlation between MRI and histology was observed. The extent of macroscopic pathological myocardial changes (hemorrhage) correlated with altered function detected on MRI. Conclusion: We demonstrated two novel direct SPIO labeling methods and demonstrated the feasibility of clinical MRI for monitoring targeting of the labeled cells in animal models of AMI.Peer reviewe

Efficacy of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine, RotaTeq®, in Finnish infants up to 3 years of age: the Finnish Extension Study

Rotavirus Efficacy and Safety Trial (REST) enrolled nearly 70,000 infants, of whom more than 23,000 were from Finland. REST determined the efficacy of the pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RV5) against rotavirus-related hospitalisations and emergency department (ED) visits in the first year after vaccination. Finnish infants initially in REST transitioned into the Finnish Extension Study (FES), where they were followed for rotavirus-related hospitalisations and ED visits through their second year of life and beyond. FES identified 150 (31%) additional rotavirus gastroenteritis (RVGE) cases beyond those identified in REST in the Finnish participants. Overall, RV5 reduced RVGE hospitalisations and ED visits, regardless of the rotavirus serotype, by 93.8% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 90.8–95.9%) for up to 3.1 years following the last vaccine dose. Vaccine efficacy against combined hospitalisations and ED visits between ages 4 months to 11 months, 12 months to 23 months, and 24 months to 35 months was 93.9% (95% CI: 89.1–96.9%), 94.4% (95% CI: 90.2–97.0%), and 85.9% (95% CI: 51.6–97.2%), respectively. The reduction of hospitalisations and ED visits due to any acute gastroenteritis, rotavirus or not, was 62.4% (95% CI: 57.6–66.6%) over the entire follow-up period. The results from FES confirm that RV5 induces high and sustained protection against rotavirus-related hospitalisations and ED visits, and has a very substantial impact on all gastroenteritis-related hospitalisations and ED visits into the third year of life in Finnish children

Organising in the Anthropocene: An Ontological Outline for Ecocentric Theorising

As a response to anthropogenic ecological problems, a group of organisation scholars have acknowledged the importance of ecocentric theorising that takes materiality and non-human objects seriously. The purpose of this article is to examine the philosophical basis of cocentric organisation studies and develop an ontological outline for ecocentric theorising in the Anthropocene. The paper identifies the central premises of ecocentric organisations from the previous literature, and complements the theory with a set of ontological qualities common to all objects. The study draws on recent advances in object-oriented and ecological philosophies to present three essential qualities of objects, namely autonomy, uniqueness, and intrinsicality. The paper discusses how these qualities are critical in reclaiming the lost credibility and practical relevance of ecocentrism in both organisational theory and the sustainability sciences in general. To organise human activities in a sustainable manner in the new geological era, a new ontology is needed that not only includes materiality and non-humans in the analysis, but also leads to an ecologically and ethically broader understanding of ecospheric beings and their relationships

Wildlife Estates -tunnus ja kokemuksia suomalaisilta tiloilta

Wildlife Estates on Euroopan maanomistajajärjestön koordinoima ja EU:n tukema ohjelma, jonka tavoitteena on edistää luonnon monimuotoisuuden säilymistä ekologisesti kestävällä luonnonvarojen käytöllä ja hoidolla. Tarkoituksena on luoda sellaisten tilojen verkosto, joissa noudatetaan kestävän luonnon- ja riistanhoidon periaatteita, sillä maanomistajat, viljelijät ja metsästäjät ovat tärkeässä asemassa luonnon monimuotoisuuden suojelussa. Ohjelmasta myönnettävä tunnus on osoitus siitä, että sen saaja tekee aktiivista luonnon- ja riistanhoitotyötä alueellaan. Wildlife Estates -ohjelma on toiminut vuodesta 2003 lähtien ja tunnuksen saaneiden tilojen määrä on kasvanut tasaisesti koko ajan. Tämän opinnäytetyön tarkoituksena on esitellä Wildlife Estates -ohjelmaa sekä herättää kiinnostusta sitä kohtaan. Lisäksi opinnäytetyössä selvitetään jo tunnuksen saaneiden suomalaisten tilojen kokemuksia. Janakkalassa sijaitsevaa Wanantaan kartanoa käsitellään työssä tarkemmin. Tutkimusmenetelmäksi tässä työssä valikoitui kvalitatiivinen eli laadullinen tutkimus, joka toteutettiin teemahaastatteluna. Haastattelututkimuksessa selvitettiin tilojen intressejä hakea tunnusta, kokemuksia hakuprosessista ja mallitilana toimimisesta, tunnuksen tuomaa hyötyä ja kaupallista arvoa sekä kehitysideoita. Vastausprosentti osoittautui tutkimuksessa hyväksi, kun kahdeksasta tunnuksen saaneesta tilasta kuusi osallistui tutkimukseen. Tutkimustuloksista ilmenee, että suhtautuminen ja kokemukset Wildlife Estates -ohjelmaa kohtaan ovat pääasiassa positiivisia. Enimmäkseen tunnusta haetaan, koska halutaan ulkopuolista tunnustusta tehdylle työlle luonnon, riistan ja monimuotoisuuden hyväksi. Tunnuksen hakemisen koettiin olevan opettavainen prosessi ja rohkaisevan ajattelemaan tilan hoitoa uudella tavalla. Tunnuksella ei nähdä olevan juurikaan kaupallista arvoa Suomen olosuhteissa. Tutkimuksen myötä syntyi hyvä yleiskuva tilojen kokemuksista tutkittavasta aiheesta. Haastattelujen perusteella kehitettävää ilmenee lähinnä tunnuksen myöntämisen jälkeisessä yhteydenpidossa. Tilat kaipaavat tiiviimpää yhteistyötä ja tiedon vaihtoa Wildlife Estates -organisaation ja toisten tunnuksen saaneiden tilojen kesken. Haastateltavien kokemukset olivat hyvin samansuuntaisia ja korkean vastausprosentin perusteella tutkimuksen tulokset edustavat hyvin tutkittavan joukon näkökantaa. Tulevaisuudessa tilojen määrän lisääntyessä on mahdollista tutkia suurempaa joukkoa ja tällöin on paremmat edellytykset tehdä myös kvantitatiivista eli määrällistä tutkimusta.Wildlife Estates is a program coordinated by European Landowners Organization and supported by the European Union. The aim of the program is to promote the preservation of biodiversity by means of using and managing natural resources in an ecologically sustainable way. The purpose is to form a network of estates which follow the principles of sustainable nature management and game keeping, for landowners, farmers and hunters play an important part in preserving the biodiversity of nature. Estates can apply and receive Wildlife Estates Label which indicates that these estates work actively for nature management and game keeping in their area. The Wildlife Estates Program was started in 2003 and since then the number of the label receiving estates has been growing steadily all the time. The aim of this thesis is to introduce the Wildlife Estates Program and to rouse interest in it. In addition the experiences by the Finnish estates which have received the label earlier will be introduced. The study focuses on the Wanantaka Estate in Janakkala. A qualitative research carried out as thematic interviews was chosen to the method of this study. This interview research studied the reasons of the estates for applying the label, their experiences about the application process and their work as model estates, the use and commercial value brought by the label, and development ideas. There was a good answering percent as six of eight estates which had been granted the label took part in the research. The research shows that the attitudes to and the experiences about the Wildlife Estates Program are mainly positive. The main reason why the label is applied for is to get outward recognition to the work the estates have done for the biodiversity of nature and game. Those interviewed said that the application for the label was an instructive process and encouraged them to think about the maintenance of the estate in a new way. The label seems to have little commercial value in Finland. This research gave a good overview about the experiences of the estates. The interviews indicated that there is a need to improve communication after the labels have been granted. The estates hope for closer cooperation and exchanging information with the Wildlife Estates Organization and with other estates which have received the label. The experiences of those interviewed are very much alike and the high answering percent indicates that the results represent well the views of the population which was interviewed. In the future when the number of the estates increases, it will be possible to interview a greater population and that will make it possible to do quantitative research

Supikoira linnunpesien saalistajana suomalaisessa maatalousmaisemassa

Supikoiran Nyctereutes procyonoides on todettu aiheuttavan huomattavaa vahinkoa alkuperäiselle lajistolle, ja se on listattu yhdeksi sadasta haitallisimmasta vieraslajista Euroopassa. Kesäkuussa 2017 supikoira liitettiin EU:n haitallisten vieraslajien luetteloon eli ns. mustalle listalle. Supikoiran ravinnon käyttöä on selvitetty useissa tutkimuksissa ja on havaittu, että sillä voi olla vaikutusta eri lajien esiintymisrunsauteen. Tutkimustulokset ovat kuitenkin olleet vaihtelevia. Tutkitulle tiedolle supikoiran ravinnon käytöstä ja vaikutuksesta muuhun lajistoon on lisätarvetta. Tässä pro gradu -työssä selvitettiin supikoiran osuutta maassa pesivien lintujen pesien saalistajana koepesien avulla. Vaikka koepesät eivät vastaa täysin oikeiden pesien predaatiota, voidaan tuloksia kuitenkin käyttää indeksinä supikoiran pesäpredaatiosta. Tutkimuksessa analysoitiin supikoiratiheyden vaikutusta (indeksi) supikoiran koepesillä käynteihin. Lisäksi aineisto mahdollisti supikoirien pesillä käyntien spatiaalisen ja temporaalisen mallinnuksen. Tutkimuksessa käytettiin riistakameroita, jotka ovat mahdollistaneet uudenlaisia tapoja tutkia riistaeläinten saalistuskäyttäytymistä. Tutkimuksen aineisto on kerätty Etelä-Suomessa vuosina 2015–2017. Aineisto käsittää 20 alueelta kerätyn, yhteensä 168 koepesän aineiston. Kullekin alueelle perustettiin kahdeksan keinopesää, joissa käytettiin fasaanin Phasianus colchicus munia. Pesien saalistusta tutkittiin pellon reunaan nähden kohtisuoraan olevalla 400 metrin vyöhykkeellä, joka sijoittui 150 metriä metsän ja 250 metriä pellon puolelle. Koepesien paikat olivat satunnaistettuja ja pesät tehtiin fasaaneille ja puolisukeltajasorsille tyypillisiin pesimisympäristöihin tutkimusvyöhykkeellä. Jokaiselle pesälle asennettiin riistakamera kuvaamaan pesällä käyntejä. Kamerat olivat kahdeksan päivän ajan kuvaamassa, minkä jälkeen ne haettiin pois ja tiedot kirjattiin ylös. Aineiston mallinnus tehtiin R-ohjelmalla käyttäen yleistettyä lineaarista sekamallia. Tutkimuksen aikana 33,3 % koepesistä ryöstettiin. Ryöstetyistä pesistä 21,4 % oli supikoiran saalistamia. Tulosten perusteella supikoiran pesäpredaation osuus vaihtelee vuosittain. Supikoiran tuhoamien pesien määrä vaikuttaisi korreloivan positiivisesti havaittujen supikoiratiheys-indeksien suhteen. Supikoiran lisäksi varislinnut olivat merkittäviä pesien tuhoajia. Tulosten perusteella supikoira näyttäisi hyödyntävän maatalousympäristöä monipuolisesti saalistaessaan. Se ryösti pesiä niin pelto- kuin metsäalueella, joskin näiden alueiden välisellä reunavyöhykkeellä saalistus oli odotettua vähäisempää. Tulokset tukevat käsitystä supikoirasta joustavana petona. Sille on generalistina ominaista hyödyntää erilaisia ympäristöjä ruuan etsintään ja käyttää ravintoa vaihtelevasti, joten myös linnunmunien osuus ravinnossa voi vaihdella vuosittain.It has been found out that the raccoon dog Nyctereutes procyonoides causes considerable damage to native species, and it has been included among one of the hundred worst invasive alien species in Europe. In June 2017 the raccoon dog was included in the list of invasive alien species of the European Union concern, the so-called black list. The diet of the raccoon dog has been dealt with in several studies, and it has been found out that it may have an effect on the density of different species. The findings of the studies, however, have varied. There is a need to study further the results of the research on the diet of the raccoon dog and its influence on other species. In this thesis master's thesis, the role of the raccoon dog was studied as a predator of ground nesting birds' nests by means of artificial nests. Although artificial nests do not fully correspond to the predation of real nests, the results can, however, be used as an index on the nest predation by the raccoon dog. The study analysed the influence of raccoon dog density (index) on the visits in the artificial nests by the raccoon dog. The data also facilitated the spatial and temporal modelling of nest predations by the raccoon dog. In this research trail cameras were used, which have made new ways possible to study the predation behaviour of game species. The data of this study was collected in 2015–2017 in Southern Finland. The data consists of data collected from altogether 168 artificial nests in 20 areas. In each area eight artificial nests were founded, in which pheasant Phasanius colchicus eggs were used. Nest predation was studied in a 400-meter zone perpendicularly to the side of the field, located 150 meters on the field side and 250 meters on the forest side. The locations of the artificial nests were chosen randomly, and the nests were founded in nesting surroundings typical of pheasants and dabbling ducks in the research zone. A trail camera was placed by each nest to photograph the visits at the nests. The cameras were photographing for eight days, after which they were taken away and the data was recorded. The modelling of the data was made by means of R-program using generalized linear mixed model. During the research 33,3 % of the artificial nests were predated. 21,4 % of the robbed nests were predated by the raccoon dog. According to the results of the study the part of nest predation by the raccoon dog varies yearly. The number of nests destroyed by the raccoon dog seems to have a positive correlation to found raccoon dog density indexes. Beside the raccoon dog corvids were remarkable nest predators. According to the results of this study the raccoon dog seems to utilize agricultural landscape in a many-sided way when predating. It robbed nests both in field and forest areas, though there was less predation in the edge zone between these areas than expected. The results support the understanding that the raccoon dog is a flexible predator. As a generalist it typically exploits various environments when looking for food and uses food in different ways, so the part of bird eggs in the diet may vary yearly

All-cause and suicide mortalities among adolescents and young adults who contacted specialised gender identity services in Finland in 1996–2019: a register study

Background All-cause and suicide mortalities of gender-referred adolescents compared with matched controls have not been studied, and particularly the role of psychiatric morbidity in mortality is unknown.Objective To examine all-cause and suicide mortalities in gender-referred adolescents and the impact of psychiatric morbidity on mortality.Methods Finnish nationwide cohort of all &lt;23 year-old gender-referred adolescents in 1996–2019 (n=2083) and 16 643 matched controls. Cox regression models with HRs and 95% CIs were used to analyse all-cause and suicide mortalities.Findings Of the 55 deaths in the study population, 20 (36%) were suicides. In bivariate analyses, all-cause mortality did not statistically significantly differ between gender-referred adolescents and controls (0.5% vs 0.3%); however, the proportion of suicides was higher in the gender-referred group (0.3% vs 0.1%). The all-cause mortality rate among gender-referred adolescents (controls) was 0.81 per 1000 person-years (0.40 per 1000 person-years), and the suicide mortality rate was 0.51 per 1000 person-years (0.12 per 1000 person-years). However, when specialist-level psychiatric treatment was controlled for, neither all-cause nor suicide mortality differed between the two groups: HR for all-cause mortality among gender-referred adolescents was 1.0 (95% CI 0.5 to 2.0) and for suicide mortality was 1.8 (95% CI 0.6 to 4.8).Conclusions Clinical gender dysphoria does not appear to be predictive of all-cause nor suicide mortality when psychiatric treatment history is accounted for.Clinical implications It is of utmost importance to identify and appropriately treat mental disorders in adolescents experiencing gender dysphoria to prevent suicide

Carbon dioxide permeability of building materials and their impact on bedroom ventilation need

This research determined the carbon dioxide permeabilities of different materials and cellulose-insulated wall structures without a vapour barrier as well as the CO2 balance of bedroom air. Material tests have indicated that the CO2 permeabilities of building materials correlate closely with their water vapour permeabilities. Thus, the more permeable the external wall structures are, the bigger their impact on the CO2 content of indoor air. Yet, higher permeability allows more water vapour to pass through the structures, which make them more at-risk for condensation and mould growth. Some calculations on the CO2 balance of bedroom air were also made which indicated that the need of ventilation is not reduced by the use of gas permeable structures.acceptedVersionPeer reviewe