Finnish Subjects Research Articles

Iron status in Dutch and Finnish blood donor and general populations: A cross-cohort comparison study.

Blood donors are at risk of developing iron deficiency (ID) (ferritin <15 μg/L, World Health Organization definition). Blood services implement different strategies to mitigate this risk. Although in Finland risk group-based iron supplementation is in place, no iron supplementation is provided in the Netherlands. We aim to describe differences in ferritin levels and ID prevalence in donor and general populations in these countries. Six cohorts, stratified based on sex, and for women age, in the Netherlands and Finland were used to evaluate differences in ferritin levels and ID between donor populations (Donor InSight-III and FinDonor 10,000) and general populations (Prevention of Renal and Vascular End-Stage Disease [PREVEND], FinRisk 1997 and Health 2000) and newly registered Dutch donors. Multivariable logistic regression was used to quantify associations of various explanatory factors with ID. In total, 13,443 Dutch and 13,933 Finnish subjects were included. Donors, except for women aged ≤50 years old in Finland, had lower median ferritin levels compared with the general population and new donors. Dutch regular blood donors had higher or similar prevalence of ID as compared with the Dutch general population, including new donors. In contrast, Finnish donors showed similar prevalence of ID compared with the general population, except for a markedly lower prevalence in ≤50-year-old women who routinely receive iron supplements when donating. Iron status in blood donors differs from that in the general population. The Finnish blood service donor management policy, for example, iron supplementation for risk groups, seemingly protects young female blood donors from developing ID.

Diagnoses and prescription patterns among users of medications for obstructive airway diseases in Finland

BackgroundAsthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are common diseases mostly treated in primary care. However, the usage patterns of drugs for obstructive airway diseases (R03 drugs) at the national level are not known.ObjectiveThe aims of this study were to describe (1) for which diagnoses each class of R03 drugs were used, (2) the usage pattern of different drug classes for asthma and COPD, and (3) how often these medications were used without a diagnosis of asthma or COPD in Finland.MethodsWe sent questionnaires that included questions on physician-diagnosed asthma and COPD to a random sample of 2000 Finnish subjects who had been dispensed R03 medications in the previous year. Details of R03 medications dispensed were retrieved from national registries.ResultsAltogether, 803 subjects (40.6%) responded. Of these, 61.6% had asthma, 5.7% had both asthma and COPD, 5.1% had COPD, and 27.5% had neither asthma nor COPD. Among subjects with asthma or asthma and COPD, inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) were the most frequently dispensed class of drugs (93.7% and 97.8%, respectively). Even among subjects with COPD, ICS were dispensed as frequently (68.3%) as long-acting bronchodilators (70.7%). Antileukotrienes were dispensed mainly to asthmatic individuals only (18.4%) but far less frequently than ICS. The use of theophylline and roflumilast was rare.ConclusionsR03 medications are dispensed far more frequently for asthma than for COPD and often also for subjects without asthma or COPD. In line with guidelines, asthma is treated mainly with ICS, but there seems to be overuse of ICS for COPD.

The causal relationship between thyroid function, autoimune thyroid dysfunction and lung cancer: a mendelian randomization study

BackgroundThe role of thyroid hormones in cancers has been discussed in observational studies; however, the causal relationship between them remains controversial.MethodsThe SNPs associated with hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism were selected from a FinnGen biobank of 342,499 (190,879 females and 151,620 males) Finnish adult subjects. Data from the Thyroidomics Consortium on 72,167 individuals were used to assess genetically determined thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (FT4). Lung cancer, lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung cancer GWAS data from the International Lung Cancer Consortium(ILCCO). Six different Mendelian randomization (MR) Methods, including Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR-Egger, Simple mode, MR-Pleiotropy Residual Sum and Outlier methods (MR-PRESSO), Weighted mode and Weighted median were used to Two-Sample MR analysis. IVW was used as the primary estimate. Sensitivity analyses were examined via four aspects (Cochran’s Q-test, MR Egger intercept analysis, Funnel plot and Leave-one-out sensitivity test).ResultsThe OR of hypothyroidism on lung cancer was 0.918 (95% CI, 0.859–0.982; p = 0.013) in MR analysis with IVW method. No evidence for effects of hyperthyroidism, TSH and FT4 on lung cancer risk was found via six MR methods. Meanwhile, there was no evidence for effects of lung cancer on hypothyroidism through six MR methods. Lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung carcinoma were further analyzed on the basis of lung cancer. The OR of hypothyroidism on lung adenocarcinoma was 0.893(95% CI, 0.813–0.981; p = 0.019), the OR of hypothyroidism on squamous cell lung cancer was 0.888(95%CI,0.797–0.990, p = 0.032) in MR analysis with IVW method.ConclusionIn summary, hypothyroidism genetically had a protective causal association with lung cancer. Furthermore, hypothyroidism had protective effects both on lung adenocarcinoma and squamous cell lung cancer. Further work is needed to elucidate the potential mechanisms.

Lower hemoglobin levels associate with higher baroreflex sensitivity and heart rate variability.

The aim of this study was to cross-sectionally examine whether hemoglobin (Hb) levels within the normal variation associate with heart rate variability (HRV) measures and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS). The study population included 733 Finnish subjects of the OPERA cohort (aged 41-59 yr, 53% males, 51.7% treated for hypertension) of whom HRV was measured from a standardized 45-min period and whose Hb levels were within the Finnish reference intervals. The low Hb tertile (mean Hb, 135 g/L) had an overall healthier metabolic profile compared with the high Hb tertile (mean Hb, 152 g/L). BRS was higher in the low Hb tertile compared with the high Hb tertile (P < 0.05). R-R interval (RRi) and standard deviation (SD) of the RRi (SDNN)index were the longest in the low Hb tertile regardless of posture. Of the spectral components of HRV, HF power was the highest in the low Hb tertile regardless of posture (P < 0.05). In a stepwise logistic regression model, BRS associated negatively with Hb levels after adjusting for covariates (B = -0.160 [-0.285; -0.035]). Similar associations were observed for SDNNindex when lying down (B = -0.105 [-0.207; -0.003]) and walking (B = -0.154 [-0.224; -0.083]). For HF power negative associations with Hb levels were observed when lying down (B = -0.110 [-0.180; -0.040]), sitting (B = -0.150 [-0.221; -0.079]), and in total analysis (B = -0.124 [-0.196; -0.053]). Overall, lower Hb levels associated independently with healthier cardiac autonomic function.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Heart rate variability (HRV) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS), which can be measured noninvasively, can predict cardiac and metabolic diseases. Our findings show that within normal variation subjects with lower hemoglobin (Hb) levels have an overall healthier HRV profile and increased cardiac parasympathetic activity in middle age, independent of age, sex, smoking status, and key metabolic covariates. These findings support our previous findings that Hb levels can be used in assessing long-term risks for cardiometabolic diseases.

Antibody avidity to pertussis toxin after acellular pertussis vaccination and infection

ABSTRACT Pertussis toxin (PT) is a unique virulence factor of Bordetella pertussis, and therefore a key component of acellular pertussis vaccines. Although immunity after infection seems to persist longer than after vaccination, the exact mechanisms are not fully known. In this study the overall binding strength (avidity) of anti-PT IgG antibodies was compared after acellular booster vaccination and infection, as a parameter to evaluate long-lasting protection. Danish and Finnish serum samples from a total of 134 serologically confirmed patients and 112 children who received acellular booster vaccines were included in this study. The concentration of anti-PT IgG was first determined by ELISA, followed by two separate ELISAs to evaluate antibody avidity: either with a dilution series of urea as a bond-breaking agent of antibody and antigen binding and a constant anti-PT IgG concentration between the samples or with a constant dilution ratio of sera and detergent. In addition to urea, the use of diethylamine and ammonium thiocyanate as disruptive agents were first compared between each other. A strong Spearman correlation (R > 0.801) was noted between avidity and concentration of anti-PT IgG antibodies if a constant serum dilution method was used, and avidity was noted to be higher in patients in comparison to vaccinees in Denmark, but not in Finland. However, no correlation between antibody concentration and avidity was found if a constant anti-PT IgG concentration was used (R = −0.157). With this method, avidity after vaccination was significantly higher in comparison to that after infection in both Danish and Finnish subjects (p < 0.01). A shorter time since the latest booster vaccination was found to affect avidity positively on the next PT-antigen exposure with either vaccination or infection.

Single nucleotide polymorphisms in pigmentation‐related dopachrome tautomerase and melanocortin‐1 receptor genes are associated with wet age‐related macular degeneration in a Finnish cohort

AbstractPurpose: Melanin in intracellular organelles, melanosomes, protects the retinal pigment epithelium from ultraviolet radiation and oxidative stress (OS). However, despite the role of OS in the development of age‐related macular degeneration (AMD), the effect of pigmentation‐related genes on the risk of AMD onset is unclear.Methods: Finnish wet AMD patients and control subjects were genotyped for selected pigmentation‐related genes. 26 selected variants for tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase‐related protein 1 (TYRP1), dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), melanocortin‐1 receptor (MC1R), microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), and orthodenticle homeobox‐2 (OTX2) were analysed using the Sequenom iPlex platform (Sequenom, Hamburg, Germany). Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to find genetic associations.Results: An intronic variant rs1407995 (T &gt; C) of the DCT gene and a two base pair deletion variant rs3212351 (AT &gt; del) in the regulatory region of the MC1R gene were associated with wet AMD in a crude recessive model (OR = 3.250, 95% CI = 1.036–10.195, p = 0.043 and OR = 1.714, 95% CI = 1.004–2.924, p = 0.048, respectively). The age‐ and gender‐adjusted recessive model revealed a stronger association of rs1407995 to AMD (OR = 4.514, 95% CI = 1.300–15.669, p = 0.018), whereas rs3212351 was no longer statistically significant (OR = 1.612, 95% CI = 0.923–2.819, p = 0.093).Conclusions: Several mutations in DCT and MC1R genes are known to associate with the blond or red hair phenotype with increasing ratio of red pro‐oxidant pheomelanin to protective brown eumelanin pigments. Furthermore, MC1R has been linked to the regulation of ocular inflammation, another key event in the pathogenesis of AMD. In conclusion, two polymorphisms in genes regulating melanin production and oxidative balance in pigmented cells were observed in a Finnish cohort evoking interest in their role in AMD onset.

Myopia: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Myopia severity has a profound impact on visual impairment in later life. A patient's final level of myopia may be lowered by myopia control, but also by delaying onset. Here, we evaluate the influence of the age of onset on the final recorded level of myopia. Data were extracted from: (1) Three prospective cohort studies of myopia progression in East Asia and the United States where the final recorded level of myopia is presented as a function of the established age of onset. (2) Four retrospective studies of myopia progression in Finland, India, the Netherlands and China and two cross-sectional studies in Argentina and the UK where the age of onset was based on self-report of age at first spectacle prescription. (3) A cohort study of Finnish subjects originally recruited for a clinical trial and followed into adulthood. Subjects were divided into five groups according to age at recruitment that was used as a surrogate for the age of onset. Final recorded level of myopia was plotted as a function of age of onset for all studies. Among the three East Asian studies, the slopes are between 0.68 and 0.97 D/year, meaning that each later year of onset is associated with between 0.68 and 0.97 less myopia at the final recorded refraction. For six of the seven non-East Asian studies, the slopes are substantially flatter, with slopes between 0.23 and 0.50 D/year. By contrast, the slope for the Finnish study was 0.87 D/year. Increasing age of final recorded refraction tended to be associated with higher levels of myopia. Among East Asians, delaying the onset of myopia by 1 year has the potential to lower the final myopia level by 0.75 D or more-equivalent to 2-3 years of myopia control with existing modalities. The benefit is lower, but meaningful, among non-East Asians.

Validation of the cough phenotype TBQ among elderly Finnish subjects.

BackgroundPhenotypes can be utilised in the clinical management of disorders. Approaches to phenotype disorders have evolved from subjective expert opinion to data-driven methodologies. A previous cluster analysis among working-age subjects with cough revealed a phenotype TBQ (triggers, background disorders, quality-of-life impairment), which included 38% of the subjects with cough. The present study was carried out to validate this phenotyping among elderly, retired subjects with cough.MethodsThis was an observational cross-sectional study conducted via email among the members of the Finnish Pensioners’ Federation (n=26 205, 23.6% responded). The analysis included 1109 subjects with current cough (mean±sd age 72.9±5.3 years; 67.7% female). All filled in a comprehensive 86-item questionnaire including the Leicester Cough Questionnaire. Phenotypes were identified utilising k-means partitional clustering.ResultsTwo clusters were identified. Cluster A included 75.2% of the subjects and cluster B 24.8% of the subjects. The three most important variables to separate the clusters were the number of cough triggers (mean±sd 2.47±2.34 versus 7.08±3.16, respectively; p<0.001), Leicester Cough Questionnaire physical domain (5.38±0.68 versus 4.21±0.81, respectively; p<0.001) and the number of cough background disorders (0.82±0.78 versus 1.99±0.89 respectively; p<0.001).ConclusionThe phenotype TBQ could be identified also among elderly, retired subjects with cough, thus validating the previous phenotyping among working-age subjects. The main underlying pathophysiological feature separating the phenotype TBQ from the common cough phenotype is probably hypersensitivity of the cough reflex arc.

The Perceptions of Student Teachers of Online Pedagogical Courses and Assessment Practices in Finnish Subject Teacher Education

The purpose of this case study was to explore how student teachers at the University of Helsinki perceived pedagogical courses in emergency remote teaching. The dataset consists of the responses of 79 students to an online questionnaire and interviews with five students. Descriptive statistics, multiple linear regression analysis, and content analysis were used to analyze the data. The students pointed out that, on average, teachers have mastered the pedagogy of remote teaching well, although older teachers had more challenges than younger teachers. The quality of teaching was reported as being high. Teachers’ pedagogical knowledge was the strongest predictor of successful remote teaching. In terms of assessment, teachers mostly used essays and other written assignments to assess students’ achievement. According to most students, the assessment practices were implemented successfully. The results provide insights for developing remote teaching in teacher education.

Epigenetic Differences in Long Non-coding RNA Expression in Finnish and Russian Karelia Teenagers With Contrasting Risk of Allergy and Asthma.

BackgroundPreviously, we investigated skin microbiota and blood cell gene expression in Finnish and Russian teenagers with contrasting incidence of allergic conditions. The microbiota and transcriptomic signatures were distinctly different, with high Acinetobacter abundance and suppression of genes regulating innate immune response in healthy subjects.ObjectiveHere, we investigated long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) expression profiles of blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy and allergic subjects, to identify lncRNAs that act at the interphase of microbiome-mediated immune homeostasis in allergy/asthma.MethodsGenome-wide co-expression network analyses of blood cell lncRNA/mRNA expression was integrated with skin microbiota profiles of Finnish (69) and Russian (75) subjects. Selected lncRNAs were validated by stimulation of cohort-derived PBMCs and a macrophage cell model with birch pollen allergen (Betv1) or lipopolysaccharide, respectively.ResultsFinnish and Russian PBMCs were differentiated by 3,818 lncRNA transcripts. In the Finnish subjects with high prevalence of allergy and asthma, a subset of 37 downregulated lncRNAs (including, FAM155A-IT1 and LOC400958) were identified. They were part of a co-expression network with 20 genes known to be related to asthma and allergic rhinitis (R > 0.95). Incidentally, all these 20 genes were also components of pathways corresponding to cellular response to bacterium. The Finnish and Russian samples were also differentiated by the abundance of 176 bacterial OTU (operational taxonomic units). The subset of 37 lncRNAs, associated with allergy, was most correlated with the abundance of Acinetobacter (R > +0.5), Jeotgalicoccus (R > +0.5), Corynebacterium (R < −0.5) and Micrococcus (R < −0.5).ConclusionIn Finnish and Russian teenagers with contrasting allergy and asthma prevalence, epigenetic differences in lncRNA expression appear to be important components of the underlying microbiota-immune interactions. Unraveling the functions of the 37 differing lncRNAs may be the key to understanding microbiome-immune crosstalk, and to develop clinically relevant biomarkers.

Differences in cardiometabolic risk profiles between Chinese and Finnish older adults with glucose impairment and central obesity

BackgroundObesity and ethnicity play important roles in cardiovascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to compare cardiometabolic risk profiles between Chinese and Finnish older adults of central obesity with prediabetes or T2DM.MethodsStudy subjects were 60–74 years old and originated from two population samples. The Finnish subjects came from the Kuopio Ischemic Heart Disease (KIHD) study (n = 1089), and the Chinese subjects came from the Shanghai High-risk Diabetic Screen (SHiDS) study (n = 818). The KIHD and SHiDS studies used similar questionnaires to determine participants’ baseline characteristics regarding the history of medication use and diseases and lifestyle factors. All study subjects participated in glucose tolerance tests and anthropometry assessments, including waist circumference measurements.ResultsAmong study subjects of central obesity with prediabetes (n = 298), fasting and 2-h glucose, and fasting insulin and insulin resistance were significantly higher in Chinese than in Finnish (p < 0.0001–0.016). In addition, triglyceride (TG) level was higher and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) and LDL to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) ratio were lower in Chinese than in Finnish (p < 0.0001–0.003). Among subjects of central obesity with T2DM (n = 251), Chinese subjects had significantly less proportions of antihypertensive, glycaemic control medication, and statin users as well as lower level of physical activity (p < 0.0001 for all), while higher blood pressure (p = 0.002 for systolic blood pressure and p < 0.0001 for diastolic blood pressure), TG levels (p < 0.05) and HDL (p = 0.002) than the Finnish counterparts. There were no differences in β-cell function (HOMA-β) between Chinese and Finnish both in prediabetes and T2DM.ConclusionsOur results indicated that Chinese and Finnish older adults of central obesity with prediabetes and T2DM had similar β-cell function. However, Chinese individuals with prediabetes are prone to insulin resistance. Meanwhile, lipid metabolism dysfunction is also different between Chinese and Finnish. Chinese older adults of central obesity with prediabetes showed higher TG, but Finnish showed higher LDL and LDL/HDL. Strategic for T2DM prevention and treatment should be ethnically specific.

Prevalence and long-term prognostic implications of prolonged QRS duration in left ventricular hypertrophy: a population-based observational cohort study

ObjectivesECG left ventricular hypertrophy (ECG-LVH) has been associated with left ventricular dysfunction and adverse prognosis, but little is known about the prevalence and prognostic significance of different levels of QRS...

Higher hemoglobin levels are an independent risk factor for adverse metabolism and higher mortality in a 20-year follow-up

The aim of this study was to cross-sectionally and longitudinally examine whether higher hemoglobin (Hb) levels within the normal variation associate with key components of metabolic syndrome and total and cardiovascular mortality. The study included 967 Finnish subjects (age 40–59 years) followed for ≥ 20 years. The focus was on Hb levels, cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) and mortality rates. Higher Hb levels associated positively with key anthropometric and metabolic parameters at baseline. At the follow-up similar associations were seen in men. The highest Hb quartile showed higher leptin levels and lower adiponectin levels at baseline and follow-up (p < 0.05) and lower plasma ghrelin levels at baseline (p < 0.05). Higher baseline Hb levels associated independently with prevalence of type 2 diabetes at follow-up (p < 0.01). The highest Hb quartile associated with higher serum alanine aminotransferase levels (p < 0.001) and independently with increased risk for liver fat accumulation (OR 1.63 [1.03; 2.57]) at baseline. The highest Hb quartile showed increased risk for total (HR = 1.48 [1.01; 2.16]) and CVD-related mortality (HR = 2.08 [1.01; 4.29]). Higher Hb levels associated with an adverse metabolic profile, increased prevalence of key components of metabolic syndrome and higher risk for CVD-related and total mortality.

The Obesity Risk SNP (rs17782313) near the MC4R Gene Is Not Associated with Brain Glucose Uptake during Insulin Clamp-A Study in Finns.

The melanocortin system is involved in the control of adiposity through modulation of food intake and energy expenditure. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs17782313 near the MC4R gene has been linked to obesity, and a previous study using magnetoencephalography has shown that carriers of the mutant allele have decreased cerebrocortical response to insulin. Thus, in this study, we addressed whether rs17782313 associates with brain glucose uptake (BGU). Here, [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (PET) data from 113 Finnish subjects scanned under insulin clamp conditions who also had the rs17782313 determined were compiled from a single-center cohort. BGU was quantified by the fractional uptake rate. Statistical analysis was performed with statistical parametric mapping. There was no difference in age, BMI, and insulin sensitivity as indexed by the M value between the rs17782313-C allele carriers and non-carriers. Brain glucose uptake during insulin clamp was not different by gene allele, and it correlated with the M value, in both the rs17782313-C allele carriers and non-carriers. The obesity risk SNP rs17782313 near the MC4R gene is not associated with brain glucose uptake during insulin clamp in humans, and this frequent mutation cannot explain the enhanced brain glucose metabolic rates in insulin resistance.

Resistin is a risk factor for all-cause mortality in elderly Finnish population: A prospective study in the OPERA cohort.

Resistin is a small, cysteine-rich proinflammatory molecule that is primarily secreted by peripheral blood mononuclear cells and macrophages in humans. Previous studies have shown resistin to participate in various pathological processes including atherosclerosis and cancer progression but not many studies have assessed the role of resistin as a risk factor for all-cause mortality. The objective of this prospective study was to evaluate whether resistin predicts mortality among elderly Finnish people. The study population consisted of 599 elderly (71.7 ± 5.4 years) patients and the follow-up was approximately six years. A thorough clinical examination including anthropometric and other clinical measurements such as blood pressure as well as various laboratory parameters (including resistin) was conducted at baseline. After the follow-up, 65 (11%) of the patients died. Resistin was a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality (HR 3.02, 95% CI: 1.64-5.56, p<0.001) when the highest tertile was compared to the lowest. Resistin remained as a significant risk factor even after adjusting for various covariates such as age, sex, systolic blood pressure, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, medications (antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, glucose-lowering), hsCRP and leisure time physical activity. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis for resistin demonstrated area under the curve (AUC) of 0.656 (95% CI: 0.577-0.734), p<0.001 and an optimal cutoff value of 12.88 ng/ml. Our results indicate that resistin is a significant risk factor for all-cause mortality among elderly Finnish subjects, independent from traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Prognostic significance of negative T-waves and low amplitude T-waves in the general population

Abstract Background Negative T-waves are associated with sudden cardiac death (SCD) in the general population. Whether also low amplitude T-waves link to SCD risk in the general population is unknown. Purpose We investigated the prognostic significance of T-wave abnormalities in a general population cohort. Methods We evaluated the ECGs of 6584 Finnish general population subjects aged ≥30 years (mean age 51.2±13.9, 45.6% men) and classified them according to the T-wave morphology to 3 classes: 1) negative T-waves (negative T-wave with amplitude ≥0.1mV in ≥2 of the leads I, II, aVL, V4-V6), 2) low amplitude T-waves (negative or positive T-wave with amplitude &amp;lt;0.1mV and amplitude ratio of T-wave and R-wave ≤10% in ≥2 of the leads I, II, aVL, V4-V6), and 3) normal T-waves (not meeting the criteria for negative or low amplitude T-waves). Subjects were followed for 10 years for the occurrence of SCD, cardiac death, or death from any cause. Results A total of 239 subjects (3.5%) had negative T-waves, 869 (12.7%) low amplitude T-waves, and 5746 (83.8%) normal T-waves. The Table shows the baseline characteristics. Subjects with T-wave abnormalities were older and had more often cardiovascular morbidities than subjects with normal T-waves. Cardiovascular morbidities were most common in subjects with negative T-waves. After adjusting for multiple clinical factors, negative T-waves (HR 3.91; 95% CI 2.30–6.64) and low amplitude T-waves (HR 1.80; 95% CI 1.13–2.86) were associated with SCD, when compared to normal T-waves. Furthermore, both negative T-waves and low amplitude T-waves associated with cardiac death (HR 2.34; 95% CI 1.75–3.13 and HR 1.49; 95% CI 1.17–1.91, respectively) and death from any cause (HR 1.85; 95% CI 1.50–2.27 and HR 1.45; 95% CI 1.24–1.70, respectively). The Figure displays the survival plots for SCD according to T-wave group. Conclusion In addition to negative T-waves, low amplitude T-waves also associate with SCD risk in the general population. Focus should be also placed on these minor T-wave abnormalities in the future. Kaplan-Meier plot Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: Foundation. Main funding source(s): Finnish Medical Foundation, Aarne Koskelo Foundation

Finnish subject teachers’ beliefs anduse of information and communication technology in Home Economics

Finnish subject teachers’ beliefs anduse of information and communication technology in Home Economics

Interleukin 17F gene variations showed no association with BCG osteitis risk after newborn vaccination

Interleukin-17 (IL-17) family cytokines promote the host defence against mycobacterial infections. We have previously shown an association between IL17A variations and Bacillus Calmette-Guérin(BCG) osteitis. This paper evaluates the association of three IL17F polymorphisms with BCG osteitis after newborn vaccination. IL17F rs763780, rs11465553 and rs7741835 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were studied in 132 adults, who presented with BCG osteitis in infancy. The genotypes and minor allele frequencies (MAFs) were compared between cases and Finnish population-based controls (N=99) from the 1000 Genomes Project, and MAFs were compared between cases and allele data of Finnish subjects from the large Genome Aggregation Database. There were no significant differences between former BCG osteitis patients and population-based controls in the IL17F rs763780 (wild 84.4% vs 84.8%), rs11465553 (86.4% vs 91.9%) or rs7741835 (65.7% vs 67.7%) genotypes. Homozygous variant genotypes were only present in 1.5%, 0.8% and 3.8% of cases, respectively. Likewise, MAFs of the three IL17F SNPs did not substantially differ from those of 11252, 11939 and 1371 Finnish subjects, respectively, from the available Genome Aggregation Database. IL17F rs763780, rs11465553 and rs7741835 variations showed no association with the risk of BCG osteitis after newborn vaccination.

The prognostic significance of T-wave inversion according to ECG lead group during long-term follow-up in the general population.

BackgroundInverted T waves in the electrocardiogram (ECG) have been associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality. The pathophysiology and prognostic significance of T‐wave inversion may differ between different anatomical lead groups, but scientific data related to this issue is scarce.MethodsA representative sample of Finnish subjects (n = 6,354) aged over 30 years underwent a health examination including a 12‐lead ECG in the Health 2000 survey. ECGs with T‐wave inversions were divided into three anatomical lead groups (anterior, lateral, and inferior) and were compared to ECGs with no pathological T‐wave inversions in multivariable‐adjusted Fine–Gray and Cox regression hazard models using CHD and mortality as endpoints.ResultsThe follow‐up for both CHD and mortality lasted approximately fifteen years (median value with interquartile ranges between 14.9 and 15.3). In multivariate‐adjusted models, anterior and lateral (but not inferior) T‐wave inversions associated with increased risk of CHD (HR: 2.37 [95% confidence interval 1.20–4.68] and 1.65 [1.27–2.15], respectively). In multivariable analyses, only lateral T‐wave inversions associated with increased risk of mortality in the entire study population (HR 1.51 [1.26–1.81]) as well as among individuals with no CHD at baseline (HR 1.59 [1.29–1.96]).ConclusionsThe prognostic information of inverted T waves differs between anatomical lead groups. T‐wave inversion in the anterior and lateral lead groups is independently associated with the risk of CHD, and lateral T‐wave inversion is also associated with increased risk of mortality. Inverted T wave in the inferior lead group proved to be a benign phenomenon.

Relation of intraventricular conduction delay to risk of new-onset heart failure and structural heart disease in the general population.

Intraventricular conduction delays (IVCDs) are hallmarks of heart failure (HF) and structural heart disease (SHD) but their prognostic value for HF and SHD is unclear. Relation of eight IVCDs and the incidence of first-time HF or SHD was studied in a nationally representative random sample of 6080 Finnish subjects aged≥30years (mean age 52.1, SD 14.5years) who participated in the health examination including 12-lead ECG. During 16.5years' follow up, half of the subjects with left bundle branch block (LBBB) and one third of the subjects with non-specific IVCD developed HF. After controlling for known clinical risk factors the hazard ratio (HR) for new-onset HF for LBBB was 3.29 (95% confidence interval 1.93-5.63, P<0.001) and 3.53 for non-specific IVCD (1.65-7.55, P=0.001). In corresponding analysis, LBBB predicted SHD with HR 2.60 (1.21-5.62, P=0.015). Excluding subjects with history of heart disease, including coronary heart disease, did not have impact on results. Right bundle branch block and other IVCDs displayed no relation to endpoints. LBBB and non-specific IVCD were associated with more than three-fold risk of new-onset HF. Furthermore, LBBB was associated with novel SHD. Their presence should alert clinician even in subjects free from any known heart disease.