PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

M Rajala

Publications and source records attributed to M Rajala.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2000

Filamin 2 (FLN2): A muscle-specific sarcoglycan interacting protein.

Mutations in genes encoding for the sarcoglycans, a subset of proteins within the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex, produce a limb-girdle muscular dystrophy phenotype; however, the precise role of this group of proteins in the skeletal muscle is not known. To understand the role of the sarcoglycan complex, we looked for sarcoglycan interacting proteins with the hope of finding novel members of the dystrophin-glycoprotein complex. Using the yeast two-hybrid method, we have identified a skeletal muscle-specific form of filamin, which we term filamin 2 (FLN2), as a gamma- and delta-sarcoglycan interacting protein. In addition, we demonstrate that FLN2 protein localization in limb-girdle muscular dystrophy and Duchenne muscular dystrophy patients and mice is altered when compared with unaffected individuals. Previous studies of filamin family members have determined that these proteins are involved in actin reorganization and signal transduction cascades associated with cell migration, adhesion, differentiation, force transduction, and survival. Specifically, filamin proteins have been found essential in maintaining membrane integrity during force application. The finding that FLN2 interacts with the sarcoglycans introduces new implications for the pathogenesis of muscular dystrophy.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1997

Dystrobrevin and dystrophin: an interaction through coiled-coil motifs.

Dystrobrevin, a dystrophin-related and -associated protein, has been proposed to be important in the formation and maintenance of the neuromuscular junction. Dystrobrevin coprecipitates with both the acetylcholine receptor complex as well as the dystrophin glycoprotein complex. Although the nature of dystrobrevin's association with the dystrophin glycoprotein complex remains unclear, it is known that dystrobrevin binds directly to the syntrophins, a heterologous group of dystrophin-associated proteins. Using the yeast two-hybrid system to identify protein-protein interactions, we present evidence for the heterodimerization of dystrobrevin directly with dystrophin. The C terminus of dystrobrevin binds specifically to the C terminus of dystrophin. We further refined this site of interaction to these proteins' homologous coiled-coil motifs that flank their respective syntrophin-binding sites. We also show that the interaction between the dystrobrevin and dystrophin coiled-coil domains is specific and is not due to a nonspecific coiled-coil domain interaction. From the accumulated evidence of protein-protein interactions presented here and elsewhere, we propose a partially revised model of the organization of the dystrophin-associated glycoprotein complex.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed1986

The influence of an electrostatic precipitator and a mechanical filter on Rn decay products.

In the present work the effect of an HEPA filter and an electrostatic precipitator on the behaviour of Rn decay products has been studied in laboratory conditions. Both filters were found to decrease the equilibrium factor of progeny and increase the unattached fraction of decay products. In a clean air they also decreased the activity of unattached progeny. An electrostatic precipitator was found to produce condensation nuclei which were observable when no other particle sources were present. The ozone produced by the corona discharge of the filter probably has a great effect on the production of these submicron particles. The impurities of the air were found to grow the particles and thus their influence on the behaviour of Rn decay products became in some cases significant.

Air Pollution, Radioactive↗
PubMed1985

The control of radon progeny by air treatment devices.

The effect of air treatment devices on the behaviour of radon decay products has been studied in laboratory conditions. An HEPA filter and an electrostatic precipitator were used. Both of the filters were found to decrease the equilibrium factor of daughters and increase the unattached fraction of decay products. In a clean air they also decreased the activity of unattached daughters. The effect of the devices on the health risk caused by radon progeny was estimated by dosimetric calculations. The results corresponding to different models show considerable discrepancy, mainly due to different assumptions about the influence of unattached decay products on the dose.

Air↗
PubMed1985

Reproducibility of a clinical screening method for assessing gingival inflammation, pockets and plaque retentions.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reproducibility of the Periodontal Treatment Need System (PTNS), when plaque retentions were examined separately. A sample of 8000 persons was drawn to represent the Finnish population aged 30 yr and over. The first clinical examination (total sample) was made by a specially trained expanded-duty dental auxiliary (EDDA). During the second examination (2-6 months later), 20% of the total sample was reexamined by a dentist, and of those, every 6th patient was examined by the EDDA. Reproducibility of the PTNS was assessed as intra- and interexaminer agreement and was calculated using Cohen's kappa and weighted kappa. The intraexaminer weighted kappa values were 0.67 +/- 0.05 for the PTNS and 0.48 +/- 0.15 for plaque retentions. The interexaminer weighted kappa values between the PTNS registrations were 0.77 +/- 0.05 and 0.74 +/- 0.12 in plaque retentions when examinations were made within 1 day, and 0.53 +/- 0.05 and 0.37 +/- 0.07, respectively, when the interexaminer registrations were made with an interval of 2-6 months between them. The kappa values for intra- and interexaminer reliability reflect quite high reproducibility.

Adult↗
PubMed1985

Smoking and periodontal disease in the Finnish population aged 30 years and over.

The aim of this study, which was part of the Mini-Finland Oral Health Survey, was to evaluate the effect of smoking on periodontal condition in the Finnish adult population. A representative sample was drawn from the population aged 30 years and over. The total number of subjects was 8000, 90% of whom participated in the clinical examination. Periodontal diagnoses were made according to the modified Periodontal Treatment Need System (PTNS). Information about age, toothbrushing, and smoking habits was collected by personal interviews. When the sample was divided into two groups (with and without periodontal pockets), the overall risk ratio (RR) was 1.39 and was slightly higher for men than for women. A log-linear model was used to study simultaneous associations and interactions between smoking, periodontal disease, and some background factors. In this model, smoking had not significantly affected the periodontal condition.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Dental caries in the adult population in Finland: I. Prevalence of dental caries.

The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of untreated dental caries in the adult population aged 30 years and over in Finland according to sex, age, region of living, and socioeconomic status. The level of untreated caries per subject also was studied and population estimates were made for prevalence and level of untreated caries. The representative sample used in this study included 5028 dentate subjects. Data were collected using interviews and clinical examination. The prevalence of untreated caries was 55% in women, and the figure for men was 67%. In eastern Finland the figures for women and men differed significantly. The mean number of decayed teeth was 2.5 per person. Men had more decayed teeth per person than women did. The number decreased significantly with increasing socioeconomic status. The data presented in the study provide a reliable picture of the occurrence of untreated dental caries in Finnish adults and form the basis for further analyses.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Normative and subjective need and utilization of complete denture services.

The need for complete denture treatment was compared to utilization of complete denture services. To estimate the need for complete denture treatment we used data from the Mini-Finland Survey which included 3620 persons who were edentulous in one or both jaws. Data about utilization of services was obtained through questionnaires sent to samples of dentists and special dental technicians. Utilization of services was 21.8% of the need assessed with professional criteria and 17.7% of the subjective need. Compared to the subjectively assessed need, utilization of complete denture services was highest among young women and lowest among men aged 60-69 yr. Subjective need for denture services was highest in older groups. From these results we conclude that certain barriers prevent patients from seeking care; and as these barriers are reduced, use of complete denture services may increase.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Prevalence of oral mucosal lesions associated with wearing removable dentures in Finnish adults.

Of a representative sample of 8000 persons aged 30 and over living in Finland, 3875 users of removable dentures were examined. The condition of the oral mucosa was recorded during clinical examinations. The prevalence of oral mucosal lesions associated with removable dentures was analyzed according to age, sex, place of residence, geographical region of living, and type and location of prosthesis. Lesions were found in about 50% of the denture wearers. Women were affected more often than men. The prevalence of lesions decreased with age and differed slightly according to region of living and place of residence. Compared with the wearing of partial dentures, wearing complete dentures increased the risk of lesions. Only one of the 72 denture users who wore a denture with metallic base plate had oral mucosal lesions associated with wearing a denture.

Adult↗
PubMed1984

Oral hygiene, dental visits and age of denture for prevalence of denture stomatitis.

A representative sample of Finnish denture wearers (n = 3875) aged 30 or over were examined clinically and interviewed about their oral hygiene habits, use of dental services and possible prosthetic treatment during last visit to a dentist. Of these denture wearers, over 80% brushed their dentures at least once a day, and 16% visited a dentist at least once in 2 yr. For denture stomatitis the age-standardized risk ratio decreased with brushing frequency in women and increased in men. For frequency of dental visits the prevalence of denture stomatitis increased in both men and women when visits were made over 2-yr intervals. The prevalence of denture stomatitis was higher in the group with dentures over 1 yr old. It seems that the oral hygiene measures as they are generally carried out and regular dental visits are not effective enough methods in preventing denture stomatitis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Periodontal treatment need of the Finnish population aged 30 years and over.

A representative sample (n = 8000) was drawn from the population aged 30 years and over, registered as living in Finland. Periodontal disease status was recorded according to the modified Periodontal Treatment Need System (PTNS). Plaque retentions were examined separately. Of the subjects with four or more teeth 3.4% had a healthy periodontal status, while 10.2% of the jaw quadrants were healthy. Plaque retentions were found in 96.6% of the subjects and 90.9% of the jaw segments. Periodontal treatment need was calculated in three ways and was 195 +/- 111 (S.D.) min when the calculation was based on WHO recommendations (1978). Number of teeth, age, sex, caries and filling scores, and education explained about 30% of the treatment need when tested by multiple linear regression analysis.

Adult↗
PubMed1983

Prevalence of retained roots in the Finnish adult population.

The prevalence of retained roots among Finnish adults was evaluated by examining a representative sample of 8000 Finnish adults aged 30 or older. The participation percentage was 89.6. Retained root was recorded when more than half the height of the tooth surfaces had been destroyed by caries. The reproducibility coefficient (kappa) for clinical recordings of retained roots was 0.79 for intraexaminer cases and 0.65 for interexaminer cases. Fifteen percent of the subjects had one or more retained roots. Prevalence was twice as great among males as among females. The mean number of retained roots was 0.4 per subject. Of all teeth in the mouth, 4.4% had only the roots left. On the population level, some 343000 adult Finns were estimated to have at least one retained root.

Adult↗