Biomedical subjects

P Järvinen

Publications and source records attributed to P Järvinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

High-rate wastewater treatment combining a moving bed biofilm reactor and enhanced particle separation.

Many cities around the world are looking for compact wastewater treatment alternatives since space for treatment plants is becoming scarce. In this paper development of a new compact, high-rate treatment concept with results from experiments in lab-scale and pilot-scale are presented. The idea behind the treatment concept is that coagulation/floc separation may be used to separate suspended and colloidal matter (resulting in > 70% organic matter removal in normal wastewater) while a high-rate biofilm process (based on Moving Bed biofilm reactors) may be used for removing low molecular weight, easily biodegradable, soluble organic matter. By using flotation for floc/biomass separation, the total residence time for a plant according to this concept will normally be < 1 hour. A cationic polymer combined with iron is used as coagulant at low dosages (i.e. 1-2 mg polymer/l, 5-10 mg Fe/l) resulting in low sludge production (compared to conventional chemical treatment) and sufficient P-removal.

Biofilms↗

PubMed2001

Amplification of HER-2/neu and topoisomerase IIalpha in primary and metastatic breast cancer.

Amplification of the HER-2/neu oncogene and amplification of the topoisomerase IIalpha gene are important determinators of the response to chemotherapy in advanced breast cancer. Assays of these genes are usually carried out using primary tumor samples, because biopsies from metastatic lesions are not usually taken. We studied the concordance of Her-2/neu and topoisomerase IIalpha amplification in primary breast tumors and their metastases by immunostaining and DNA in situ hybridization. HER-2/neu amplification, present in 28% of the primary tumors (n = 46), was always associated with amplification in its metastasis. Conversely, no metastases with HER-2/neu amplification were seen without amplification in the primary tumor. Topoisomerase IIalpha gene copy status (amplification/deletion/unaltered) remained generally unchanged in HER-2/neu-positive tumors, but in three cases, the predominant cell population in metastatic tissue was present only as a subpopulation in the primary tumor. We conclude that amplification of HER-2/neu measured in primary tumor reflects the status of metastases. Minor discrepancies between primary and metastatic tumors in topoisomerase IIalpha gene copy status may reflect evolvement of the amplicon structure in successive cell divisions.

Antigens, Neoplasm↗

PubMed1999

Comparison of combination therapy with single-drug therapy in early rheumatoid arthritis: a randomised trial. FIN-RACo trial group.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of rheumatoid arthritis should aim at clinical remission. This multicentre, randomised trial with 2-year follow-up sought evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of combination therapy (sulphasalazine, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, and prednisolone) compared with treatment with a single disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, with or without prednisolone, in the treatment of early rheumatoid arthritis. METHODS: 199 patients were randomly assigned to two treatment groups. 195 started the treatment (97 received combination and 98 single drug therapy). Single-drug therapy in all patients started with sulphasalazine; in 51 patients methotrexate was later substituted. Oral prednisolone was required by 63 patients. The primary outcome measure was induction of remission. Analyses were intention to treat. FINDINGS: 87 patients in the combination group and 91 in the single-therapy group completed the trial. After a year, remission was achieved in 24 of 97 patients with combination therapy, and 11 of 98 with single-drug therapy (p=0.011). The remission frequencies at 2 years were 36 of 97 and 18 of 98 (p=0.003). Clinical improvement (American College of Rheumatology criteria of 50% clinical response) was achieved after 1 year in 68 (75%) patients with combination therapy, and in 56 (60%) using single-drug therapy (p=0.028), while at the 2-year visit 69 and 57 respectively (71% vs 58%, p=0.058) had clinically improved. The frequencies of adverse events were similar in both treatment groups. INTERPRETATION: Combination therapy was better and not more hazardous than single treatment in induction of remission in early rheumatoid arthritis. The combination strategy as an initial therapy seems to increase the efficacy of the treatment in at least a proportion of patients with early rheumatoid arthritis.

Adult↗

PubMed1999

Effects of experimental exposure to triethylamine on vision and the eye.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the effect of triethylamine (TEA) on the cornea and to evaluate the cause of blurred vision. To find the lowest observed effect concentration of exposure to TEA. METHODS: Four people were exposed to TEA for 4 hours at concentrations of 40.6, 6.5, and 3.0 mg/m3. Before and after every exposure, symptoms and ocular microscopy findings were recorded. Binocular visual acuity and contrast sensitivity at 2.5% contrast were also measured. Also, before and after the 40.6 mg/m3 exposure, corneal thickness was measured and ocular dimensions were recorded by ultrasonography, endothelial cells of the cornea were analysed, and serum and lacrimal specimens were collected for the analysis of TEA. RESULTS: After exposure to 40.6 mg/m3 TEA there was a marked oedema in the corneal epithelium and subepithelial microcysts. However, corneal thickness increased only minimally because of the epithelial oedema. The lacrimal concentrations of TEA were, on average (range) 41 (18-83) times higher than the serum TEA concentrations. The vision was blurred in all subjects and visual acuity and contrast sensitivity had decreased in three of the four subjects. After exposure to TEA at 6.5 mg/m3 two subjects experienced symptoms, and contrast sensitivity had decreased in three of the four subjects. There were no symptoms or decreases in contrast sensitivity after exposure to a TEA concentration of 3.0 mg/m3. CONCLUSIONS: TEA caused a marked oedema and microcysts in corneal epithelium but only minor increases in corneal thickness. The effects may be mediated by the lacrimal fluid owing to its high TEA concentration. Four hour exposure to a TEA concentration of 3.0 mg/m3 seemed to cause no effects, whereas exposure to 6.5 mg/m3 for the same period caused blurred vision and a decrease in contrast sensitivity.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Headache and blood pressure among triethylamine-exposed foundry workers.

This study attempted to determine whether cold box core makers exposed to triethylamine in foundries experienced headaches or had elevated blood pressure more often than workers without TEA exposure, as proposed by earlier reports. Forty-one core makers in three foundries and 82 referents were interviewed according to a structured questionnaire, and their blood pressure was measured. TEA exposure was determined from breathing-zone measurements. The 8-h time-weighted average TEA exposure varied between 0.3-60 mg/m3. The core makers did not report that they had the general symptoms of headaches more often than the referents. However, they had mild weekly headaches more often (44% vs. 17%). The core makers also reported headaches more often during the workweeks (45% vs. 19%). It seems likely that TEA exposure provokes mild headache among persons prone to suffer from vascular headaches. There was no difference in the occurrence of severe headaches or in the duration of headaches between the groups. The blood pressures were similar in both groups.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1998

Incidence of cataract operations in Finnish male smokers unaffected by alpha tocopherol or beta carotene supplements.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of alpha tocopherol and beta carotene supplementation on the incidence of age related cataract extraction. SETTING: The Alpha-tocopherol Beta-carotene (ATBC) Study was a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, 2 x 2 factorial trial conducted in south western Finland. The cataract surgery study population of 28,934 male smokers 50-69 years of age at the start. INTERVENTION: Random assignment to one of four regimens: alpha tocopherol 50 mg per day, beta carotene 20 mg per day, both alpha tocopherol and beta carotene, or placebo. Follow up continued for five to eight years (median 5.7 years) with a total of 159,199 person years. OUTCOME MEASURE: Cataract extraction, ascertained from the National Hospital Discharge Registry. RESULTS: 425 men had cataract surgery because of senile or presenile cataract during the follow up. Of these, 112 men were in the alpha tocopherol alone group, 112 men in the beta carotene alone group, 96 men in the alpha tocopherol and beta carotene group, and 105 men in the placebo group. When supplementation with alpha tocopherol and with beta carotene were introduced to a Cox proportional hazards model with baseline characteristics (age, education, history of diabetes, body mass index, alcohol consumption, number of cigarettes smoked daily, smoking duration, visual acuity, and total cholesterol), neither alpha tocopherol (relative risk, RR, 0.91, 95% confidence intervals, CI, 0.74, 1.11) nor beta carotene (RR 0.97, 95% CI 0.79, 1.19) supplementation affected the incidence of cataract surgery. CONCLUSION: Supplementation with alpha tocopherol or beta carotene does not affect the incidence of cataract extractions among male smokers.

Aged↗

PubMed1997

Biological monitoring of triethylamine among cold-box core makers in foundries.

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to assess triethylamine (TEA) exposure in cold-box core making and to study the applicability of urinary TEA measurement in exposure evaluation. METHODS: Air samples were collected by pumping of air through activated-charcoal-filled glass tubes, and pre- and postshift urine samples were collected. The TEA concentrations were determined by gas chromatography. DESIGN: Tea was measured in air and urine samples from the same shift. Breathing-zone measurements of 19 workers in 3 foundries were included in the study, and stationary and continuous air measurements were also made in the same foundries. Pre- and postshift urine samples were analyzed for their TEA and triethylamine-N-oxide (TEAO) concentrations. RESULTS: The TEA concentration range was 0.3-23 mg/m3 in the breathing zone of the core makers. The mean 8-h time-weighted average exposure levels were 1.3, 4.0, and 13 mg/m3 for the three foundries. Most of the preshift urinary TEA concentrations were under the detection limit, whereas the postshift urinary TEA concentrations ranged between 5.6 and 171 mmol/mol creatinine. The TEAO concentrations were 4-34% (mean 19%) of the summed TEA + TEAO concentrations. The correlation between air and urine measurements was high (r = 0.96, P < 0.001). A TEA air concentration of 4.1 mg/m3 (the current ACGIH 8-h time-weighted average threshold limit value) corresponded to a urinary concentration of 36 mmol/mol creatinine. CONCLUSIONS: The TEA exposure levels of foundries and their core makers vary greatly. Stationary air measurements in factories are not sufficient to assess TEA exposure; instead, personal sampling is needed. The biological monitoring of TEA in postshift urine samples provides a practical and accurate method for assessing exposure.

Adult↗

PubMed1997

Contrast sensitivity measurement in evaluations of visual symptoms caused by exposure to triethylamine.

OBJECTIVES: To determine whether blurred vision caused by exposure to triethylamine (TEA) can be detected by the measurement of contrast sensitivity. METHODS: 41 cold box core makers of three foundries and 82 control workers were examined. A detailed ocular and medical history was obtained from the subjects. The contrast sensitivity of the core makers was measured on Monday and Friday of the same week both before and immediately after work and also on a third day, when air samples of TEA were collected. Contrast sensitivity and visual acuity were measured by optotype figures at full contrast, 2.5% contrast, and 0.6% contrast. The changes in contrast sensitivity were used for the analysis. The results of binocular vision and the results of the dominant eye were analysed. Urine specimens for the analysis of TEA were collected on every occasion when contrast sensitivity was measured. RESULTS: 78% of the core makers had had symptoms of blurred vision, and 31% had had trouble driving or working. The breathing zone eight hour time weighted average TEA concentrations were 0.3-60 mg/m3. The mean urinary TEA concentration after the shift was 35 mmol/mol creatinine. Continuous monitoring showed high peaks of TEA leakage at a core making machine. Changes in binocular visual acuity did not differ between the exposed and unexposed workers. The contrast sensitivity decreased in 49% of the core makers and 21% of the controls (P = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The blurred vision caused by exposure to TEA can be documented by measuring contrast sensitivity. The mechanism by which TEA produces symptoms remains an issue of further study.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1995

Occurrence of ankylosing spondylitis in a nationwide series of twins.

OBJECTIVE: To obtain information on the rate of concordance for ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in a population-based series of twins. METHODS: AS cases were identified by record linkage of the population-based Finnish Twin Cohort and the nationwide registry for fully reimbursed medications. A clinical examination was performed to establish concordance for AS. RESULTS: There were 6 monozygotic (MZ) pairs and 20 dizygotic (DZ) pairs with at least 1 member affected by AS. Three MZ pairs and 3 DZ pairs were concordant for the disease. All affected subjects were HLA-B27 positive. The pairwise concordance rate was 50% in MZ twins and 20% in HLA-B27 positive DZ twins (95% confidence intervals 11.8-88.2% and 4.3%-48.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that AS disease expression is largely, but not entirely, genetically based, with a gene or genes other than B27 probably playing a role.

Adult↗

PubMed1995

Residential exposure to magnetic fields generated by 110-400 kV power lines in Finland.

In a specific case, the magnetic field generated in a building by a nearby power line is usually easy to calculate, although the accuracy of these calculations is sensitive to the quality of source information. To be able to study public health dimensions of magnetic field exposure (e.g., risk of cancer), it is necessary to evaluate the size and exposure of the population at risk. Relatively little quantitative information on public exposure to power-frequency magnetic fields of high-voltage power lines is available. This report describes residential exposure to magnetic fields from 110 kV, 220 kV, and 400 kV power lines in Finland at the national level, including 90% of the total line length in 1989. A geographical information system (GIS) was used to identify the buildings located near the power lines. After determining the distances between the lines and the buildings, historical data on load currents of these lines were used to calculate the magnetic fields. The residential magnetic field histories were then linked to the residents by means of a computerized central population register. The data obtained on personal exposure have also been utilized in a nationwide epidemiological study on magnetic field exposure of power lines and risk of cancer. The methods of exposure assessment and results of the number of buildings near 110 kV, 220 kV, and 400 kV power lines, their average annual magnetic fields, and personal exposure to magnetic fields from these lines are described. We found that 15,600 residents lived in an average residential magnetic field > or = 0.1 microT caused by power lines in 1989. The number of these residents increased fivefold during 1970-1989. We estimated that 0.3% of the population was exposed in their residences to an annual average magnetic flux density from 110 kV, 220 kV, and 400 kV power lines higher than 0.1 microT, the level that the background magnetic flux density in general does not exceed in Finnish homes. Thus, the problem of magnetic field exposure generated by high-voltage lines concerns only a relatively small fraction of the total population in Finland. However, the size and exposure of the population at risk remain somewhat arbitrary in practical multisource situations, as the biological interaction mechanism, the concept of harmful dose, and, in particular, the significance of the duration of exposure are unknown.

Child↗

PubMed1994

Twin studies in rheumatic diseases.

Twin studies attract both clinicians and geneticists because of the value of the twin method in helping unravel the genetic predisposition to diseases and the role of environment in their causation. In the field of rheumatology, there are many case reports on twins concordant or discordant for diseases. Interesting as such reports may be, very few generalizations can be made from them. The concordance rate among monozygotic (MZ) twins indicates the maximum level of genetic contribution. Based on studies of systematically compiled twin series, the concordance rate is about 15% for rheumatoid arthritis; the rate is probably of the same order of magnitude for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The fine specificity of antinuclear antibodies of MZ twins at least one of whom is affected by SLE is very similar, despite somatic generation of immune diversity. Up to now, twin studies have provided little information on the role of environmental factors in rheumatic diseases. A notable exception is a case-control study of MZ twins discordant for smoking that reinforced the role of smoking as a cause of lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration.

Arthritis, Rheumatoid↗

PubMed1994

Fall in the prevalence of chronic gastritis over 15 years: analysis of outpatient series in Finland from 1977, 1985, and 1992.

To investigate whether the occurrence of chronic gastritis (and Helicobacter pylori acquisition) has changed in Finland in the past 15 years, the prevalence rates of chronic gastritis in biopsy specimens in consecutive series of outpatients (aged 20 or more) who had undergone diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy in 1977 (702 patients), 1985 (1309 patients), or 1992 (1447 patients) were compared. The prevalences of gastritis in these series were also compared with that in a random sample (438 subjects) of people who underwent endoscopy in 1974-76. It seemed that the prevalence of gastritis was significantly lower in the outpatients in 1992 than in the random endoscopy sample in 1974-76. The reduction was most noticeable in young age groups (20-49 years) in which the decline was 38% (drop from 66% to 41%). In addition, it seemed that the prevalence of gastritis was very dissimilar in different birth cohorts. The prevalence was high (70-80%) in 1977, 1985, and 1992 in the cohorts born at the beginning of the century and lower (40-50%) in those born during later decades. The prevalence rates had remained unchanged in the same cohorts over the 15 years (from 1977 to 1992) suggesting that the people had mainly been infected with H pylori and contracted gastritis before the age of 20. In conclusion, gastritis is a cohort phenomenon and its prevalence has fallen in Finland in the last 15 years. This decrease is caused by a decline of the rate of H pylori acquisition in birth cohorts, particularly in childhood and adolescence (below age of 20).

Age Factors↗

PubMed1993

Analysis of chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges and micronuclei among power linesmen with long-term exposure to 50-Hz electromagnetic fields.

Chromosomal aberrations, sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs), replication indices and micronuclei in peripheral blood lymphocytes were analysed among 27 nonsmoking power linesmen with considerable long-term exposure to 50-Hz electromagnetic (EM) fields, and among 27 nonsmoking telephone linesmen serving as a reference group, pairwise matched with the exposed workers for age and geographical region. Blood samples from the two groups were collected, cultured and analysed in parallel. No differences between the groups were observed on analysis of SCEs, replication indices or micronuclei. However, the mean rate of lymphocytes with chromatid-type breaks was higher among the power linesmen (0.96% gaps excluded, 1.41% gaps included) than among the reference group (0.44% and 0.70%, respectively). The excess of aberrant cells was concentrated among those power linesmen who had worked earlier in their life. Although the interpretation is somewhat complicated by the confounding effect of previous smoking, these results suggest that exposure to 50-Hz EM fields is associated with a slight increase in chromatid breaks.

Adult↗

PubMed1993

Serum eosinophil cationic protein during treatment of asthma in children.

BACKGROUND: Serum eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) is suggested to reflect the degree of bronchial inflammation and hyperreactivity in patients with asthma. We measured serum ECP levels before and 1 and 5 months after treatment with inhaled budesonide (n = 10) or sodium cromoglycate (SCG) (n = 7) in children with asthma. METHODS: The daily dose of budesonide was 800 micrograms/m2 during the first month and 400 micrograms/m2 during the next 4 months. ECP levels were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS: ECP decreased during the 5 months of treatment (p = 0.020 for treatment groups combined; p = 0.049 for the budesonide group; p = NS for the SCG group). The higher the serum ECP level at entry, the more it decreased during treatment, both in the budesonide group (r = -0.697, p < 0.05) and in the SCG group (r = -0.893, p < 0.05). No correlation was found between the ECP level and the ratio of forced expiratory volume in 1 second to forced vital capacity (FEV1%) or between changes in these. However, basal pulmonary function was reduced in 8 of 16 subjects only, and FEV1% did not change significantly in either group. Thus the absence of a correlation is understandable. CONCLUSIONS: The clinical value of the sensitive decrease in serum ECP remains to be established.

Administration, Inhalation↗

PubMed1993

Co-twin control study on cerebral manifestations of systemic lupus erythematosus.

All available twin pairs systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) derived from the Finnish Twin Cohort were studied by clinical evaluation, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), anticardiolipin (aCL), and antineurofilament (ANFA) antibodies. One of the five monozygotic and one of the eight dizygotic pairs were concordant for SLE. 10 of the 15 patients showed clinical neurological abnormalities, and 11 had abnormal MRI of the brain. Altogether, 12 patients were considered to have neuropsychiatric lupus (NPSLE). Seven of the 11 patients with long-term corticosteroid treatment had either central or cortical atrophy. High or moderate aCL level was found in eight patients and two co-twins. Of them, six patients had at least two manifestations of the antiphospholipid syndrome. ANFAs were found in five patients and four co-twins. Five co-twins fulfilled some of the SLE criteria. Of them, three MZ twins and one additional DZ co-twin with no ARA criteria had findings suggesting central nervous system (CNS) involvement. The results indicate that the majority of SLE patients has cerebral abnormalities either as a result of SLE, or concomitant risk factors. The co-twins without clinical SLE often have minor signs of SLE, and even they may have neurological and MRI abnormalities. However, their aCL and ANFA levels seem not to correlate with MRI abnormalities.

Adolescent↗

PubMed1992

Systemic lupus erythematosus and related systemic diseases in a nationwide twin cohort: an increased prevalence of disease in MZ twins and concordance of disease features.

Concordance rates for systemic rheumatic diseases among monozygotic (MZ) and same-sex dizygotic (DZ) twin pairs ascertained from the older (twins born before 1958) and younger (twins born during the period 1958-1986) parts of the Finnish Twin Cohort were studied. Nine MZ pairs and 10 DZ pairs with at least one member affected by systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) were identified. Only one MZ pair was concordant for definite SLE by American Rheumatism Association (ARA) criteria. In addition, two more MZ pairs that fulfilled three ARA criteria may have been concordant. None of the DZ pairs were concordant for SLE. MZ twins also had a higher concordance rate for tests of autoantibodies, but the numbers were small. Other systemic rheumatic diseases were infrequent. The cumulative incidence of systemic rheumatic diseases among MZ twin individuals (1.7/1000) was significantly higher than that among DZ twin individuals (0.7/1000).

Adult↗

PubMed1991

Rheumatoid arthritis in identical twins: a clinical and immunogenetic study of eight concordant pairs derived from a nationwide twin panel.

The nationwide Finnish Twin Cohort was linked with the national Sickness Insurance Register. Eight identical twin pairs concordant for rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fulfilling the American Rheumatism Association criteria were identified. All 16 cases were known to be seropositive. Four pairs had at least one additional first-degree relative with RA, and the prevalence of RA among all the first-class relatives was 9%. HLA-typing was performed for 15 patients representing the eight pairs; six pairs carried the DR4 allele, and three of these pairs were putative homozygotes. Nodules and Sjögren syndrome occurred fairly frequently (in 7 of 16 and 6 of 13 cases examined, respectively), but concordance within pairs was no higher than that expected by chance. The course of the disease was fulminant in one patient and in several others the disease had led to marked joint destructions. The findings pointed out to some intrapair similarity in the progression of the joint damage and in the type of complications caused by gold.

Adult↗

PubMed1990

Intraarticular osmic acid in postinfectious arthritis persisting after treated bacterial arthritis.

We describe 4 patients successfully treated with intraarticular osmic acid for post-infectious arthritis persisting after apparent eradication of bacteria from the infected joint. In addition the bactericidal effect of osmic acid in vitro is demonstrated. We conclude that treatment with osmic acid carries no risk of iatrogenic infection; on the contrary, an antibacterial effect seems likely.

Adult↗