Simplified sample handing in mass spectrometry based protein research - focus on protein phosphorylation

The human genome comprises roughly 20 000 protein coding genes. Proteins are the building material for cells and tissues, and proteins are functional compounds having an important role in many cellular responses, such as cell signalling. In multicellular organisms such as humans, cells need to communicate with each other in order to maintain a normal function of the tissues within the body. This complex signalling between and within cells is transferred by proteins and their post-translational modifications, one of the most important being phosphorylation. The work presented here concerns the development and use of tools for phosphorylation analysis. Mass spectrometers have become essential tools to study proteins and proteomes. In mass spectrometry oriented proteomics, proteins can be identified and their post-translational modifications can be studied. In this Ph.D. thesis the objectives were to improve the robustness of sample handling methods prior to mass spectrometry analysis for peptides and their phosphorylation status. The focus was to develop strategies that enable acquisition of more MS measurements per sample, higher quality MS spectra and simplified and rapid enrichment procedures for phosphopeptides. Furthermore, an objective was to apply these methods to characterize phosphorylation sites of phosphopeptides. In these studies a new MALDI matrix was developed which allowed more homogenous, intense and durable signals to be acquired when compared to traditional CHCA matrix. This new matrix along with other matrices was subsequently used to develop a new method that combines multiple spectra from different matrises from identical peptides. With this approach it was possible to identify more phosphopeptides than with conventional LC/ESI-MS/MS methods, and to use 5 times less sample. Also, phosphopeptide affinity MALDI target was prepared to capture and immobilise phosphopeptides from a standard peptide mixture while maintaining their spatial orientation. In addition a new protocol utilizing commercially available conductive glass slides was developed that enabled fast and sensitive phosphopeptide purification. This protocol was applied to characterize the in vivo phosphorylation of a signalling protein, NFATc1. Evidence for 12 phosphorylation sites were found, and many of those were found in multiply phosphorylated peptidesSiirretty Doriast

Psychosocial work environment and leisure-time physical activity: the Stormont Study

Background: Research findings are equivocal on relations between the psychosocial work environment and leisure-time physical activity (LTPA). This might be partly due to studies having focused on a restricted set of psychosocial dimensions, thereby failing to capture all relevant domains. Aims: First, to examine cross-sectional associations between seven psychosocial work environment domains and LTPA in a large sample of UK civil servants. Second, to profile LTPA and consider this in relation to UK government recommendations on physical activity. Method: in 2012, Northern Ireland Civil Service employees completed a questionnaire including measures of psychosocial working conditions (Management Standards Indicator Tool) and LTPA. We applied bivariate correlations and linear regression analyses to examine relations between psychosocial working conditions and LTPA. Results: Of ~26,000 civil servants contacted, 5,235 (20%) completed the questionnaire. Twenty-four per cent of men and 17% of women reported having undertaken ≥30 minutes of physical activity on five or more days in the past week. Job control (-0.08) and peer support (-0.05) were weakly but significantly negatively correlated with LTPA in men. Job role (-0.05) was weakly but significantly negatively correlated with LTPA in women. These psychosocial work characteristics accounted for 1% or less of the variance in LTPA. Conclusions: Longitudinal research to examine cause-effect relations between psychosocial work characteristics and leisure-time physical activity might inform the potential for psychosocial job redesign to increase employees’ physical activity during leisure time

Preparedness for Mass Gatherings: Factors to Consider According to the Rescue Authorities

Background: Mass gatherings cause a need for multi-authority preparedness in order to ensure the safety of the event participants and to minimize delays in response for emergencies. Rescue authorities are key players in the pre-planning phase; however, their own point of view regarding all aspects of preparedness for mass gatherings is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate what factors, according to the rescue authorities, need to be considered when preparing for mass gatherings. Method: Semi-structured thematic interviews were carried out with the rescue authorities involved in the mass gathering planning process (n = 15). The transcribed material was analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: Three main categories emerged from the interviews: (1) co-operation in the pre-planning phase, (2) factors to be noted in the emergency plan, and (3) actions during the event. These categories were divided into 11 generic categories, which were further divided into 42 sub-categories. Conclusion: Rescue authorities recognized various factors considering preparedness for mass gatherings. Knowledge considering the dispersion of operative workload during the event needs further investigation in order to facilitate the effective use of limited operative resources

Migrants face Barriers to Obtaining Electronic Identification : A population-based Study Among Older Russian-speakers in Finland

As digital technologies continue to transform health care and health systems, they will continue to have a lasting impact on health services. Many health and social care services have rapidly become ‘digital by default’. The electronic identification (e-ID) technology is needed for secure authentication to digital services. Recent studies have shown that the ‘digital divide’ is prominent between ethnic minorities and the majority populations and between older and younger adults. Inequalities related to not having an e-ID, which is in many countries required to access digital health services, remain under-researched. Moreover, there is a lack of knowledge of the use of digital services among older migrants. This study analyses general socio-demographic as well as migration specific factors that may be associated with not having an e-ID among older migrants. We used the Care, Health and Ageing of Russian-speaking Minority in Finland (CHARM) study, which is a nationally representative survey of community-dwelling Russian-speaking adults aged ≥ 50 years living in Finland (N = 1082, 57% men, mean age 63.2 years, standard deviation 8.4 years, response rate 36%). Our results showed that 21% of older Russian-speakers did not have an e-ID. Our regression analysis showed that older age and poorer economic situation were associated with a lower probability of having an e-ID. In addition, we found an association between not speaking local languages and not having an e-ID. This may relate to private banks regulating the requirements for obtaining the most common e-ID method, online banking ID. We argue that for individuals who are already in vulnerable positions, current e-ID practices might pose yet another obstacle to obtaining the health services they need and are entitled to.Peer reviewe

Intrarater reliability of the Abilitator-a self-report questionnaire on work ability and functioning aimed at the population in a weak labour market position : a test-retest study

Objectives The Abilitator is a patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) of work ability and functioning of those in a weak labour market position. It covers items for work ability and self-rated health, for example, and summary scales for social, psychological, cognitive and physical functioning, as well as everyday skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intrarater test-retest reliability, internal consistency and basic psychometric properties of the Finnish version of the Abilitator. Design, setting and outcome The test-retest study was conducted in European Social Fund projects in 2018-2019. The participants completed two Abilitator questionnaires over 7-14 days. The internal consistency analysis was based on data collected in 2017-2019 in services for the long-term unemployed. The reliability was assessed using correlations (r, r(s) , intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC)), agreement with Bland-Altman analysis and internal consistency with Cronbach's alpha. Participants The test-retest study had 67 participants (52% men, mean age 43.9 years) and the internal consistency study 10 923 (48% men, mean age 38.58 years), respectively. Of all the participants, 80% had been unemployed for over a year. Results The test-retest r or r(s) ranged from 0.71 to 0.93 and ICC from 0.74 to 0.93 for the items and summary scales. An exception was the life satisfaction item, with an r(s) of 0.60 and ICC of 0.45. A statistically significant difference was observed in the summary scale for social functioning (t=-2.01, p=0.049). Agreement was observed for all variables except social functioning. Alphas for summary scales ranged from 0.74 to 0.91. Conclusions The Finnish version of the Abilitator is a reliable PROM for the target group and has acceptable to excellent intrarater test-retest reliability and internal consistency, apart from the life satisfaction item. Further testing is needed for the social functioning summary scale.Peer reviewe

Preparedness for Mass Gatherings: Factors to Consider According to the Rescue Authorities

Background: Mass gatherings cause a need for multi-authority preparedness in order to ensure the safety of the event participants and to minimize delays in response for emergencies. Rescue authorities are key players in the pre-planning phase; however, their own point of view regarding all aspects of preparedness for mass gatherings is not well known. The aim of this study was to investigate what factors, according to the rescue authorities, need to be considered when preparing for mass gatherings. Method: Semi-structured thematic interviews were carried out with the rescue authorities involved in the mass gathering planning process (n = 15). The transcribed material was analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results: Three main categories emerged from the interviews: (1) co-operation in the pre-planning phase, (2) factors to be noted in the emergency plan, and (3) actions during the event. These categories were divided into 11 generic categories, which were further divided into 42 sub-categories. Conclusion: Rescue authorities recognized various factors considering preparedness for mass gatherings. Knowledge considering the dispersion of operative workload during the event needs further investigation in order to facilitate the effective use of limited operative resources

Preparedness for mass gatherings : Planning elements identified through the Delphi process

Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s)Background: Mass gatherings create a need for careful pre-planning and preparedness due to their impact on authorities' resources and potential delays in response for emergencies. The aim of this study was to investigate all aspects of preparedness for mass gatherings from a multi-sector expert board's point of view. Method: Delphi-process was carried out involving experts from rescue service, emergency medical services, event organizers and on-site medical care providers. The Delphi questionnaire for Round 1 was based on previous research. The criterion for consensus was set at minimum 80% agreement in any of the three categories: important, neutral, and not important. Mean values were calculated using a five-point Likert scale. New claims were constructed from the results of open-ended questions. Results: The expert board found consensus in 50 out of 55 claims. Consensus percentages ranged from 100% to 53% and the mean values from 4.96 to 3.29 after the final, Round 3. Based on the results, authorities need to prepare for mass gatherings with additional operative resources. However, the focus of their preparedness should be outside of the event area itself. Regarding on-site medical care, in the largest and high-risk mass gatherings medical care should be provided by professionals rather than by volunteer based service. Conclusion: The multi-sector expert board found consensus on the majority of claims regarding preparedness for mass gatherings. The results of this study can be utilized in harmonization of practices and operative resources planning. Predicting authorities’ workload requires further research in order to enable more accurate resource deployment.Peer reviewe

Perceived human factors from the perspective of paramedics - a qualitative interview study

Background The work environment in prehospital emergency medical care setting is dynamic and complex and includes many stressors. However, little is known about the perceived human factors from the perspective of paramedics. In this study, we investigated, from the perspective of paramedics, what are the human factors, and how are they linked to prehospital emergency medical care? Methods Data were collected through semi-structured interviews (n = 15) with Finnish paramedics. The material was analyzed using inductive content analysis. Results Three main categories of human factors were identified. The first main category consisted of factors related to work which were divided into two generic categories: "Challenging organizational work environment" and "Changing external work environment." The second main category comprised factors related to paramedics themselves and were divided into three generic categories: "Issues linked to personality," "Personal experiences", and "Factors resulting from personal features." The third main category described that paramedics have difficulties in understanding and describing human factors. Conclusion This study revealed numerous factors that can affect paramedics' work in the EMS setting. Increased knowledge about human factors in the EMS setting provides organizations with the opportunity to develop procedures that can support paramedics' cognitive and physical work. Human factors in different situations can be addressed to improve occupational and patient safety.Peer reviewe

The influence of market deregulation on fast food consumption and body mass index : a cross-national time series analysis

Peer reviewe

Patients Seeking Retreatment after Community Paramedic Assessment and Treatment: Piloting a Community Paramedic Unit Program in Southwest Finland

Community paramedic (CP) units are becoming more popular in enhancing a person’s access to the need for care assessment and treatment in acute but non-life-threatening health issues. Simultaneously CP units can reduce the strain on emergency departments (EDs) by treating patients effectively at home. The efficacy of CP units is proven in previous studies, but the details of conditions patients seek retreatment at the ED after a CP unit visit are largely unknown. This study aimed to categorize CP unit patients (n = 229) seeking retreatment after a CP unit visit and investigate links between CP unit actions and patients seeking retreatment. The study was based on a data set from a six-month CP unit pilot program in Finland. The main results show that 82% of the patients assessed and treated by the CP unit did not seek retreatment. Low back symptoms and nausea were the main problems patients presented to the ED within 96 h after the CP visit. On-call physician consultation (p = 0.335) or CP unit treatment time (p = 0.629) were not associated with the frequency of ED presentation. Further studies are needed in order to investigate which types of emergency medical missions are the most suitable for CP units. The findings of this study support the effectiveness of community paramedicine programs