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P Niemelä

Publications and source records attributed to P Niemelä.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2007

Do elevated temperature and CO2 generally have counteracting effects on phenolic phytochemistry of boreal trees?

Global climate change includes concomitant changes in many components of the abiotic flux necessary for plant life. In this paper, we investigate the combined effects of elevated CO2 (720 ppm) and temperature (+2 K) on the phytochemistry of three deciduous tree species. The analysis revealed that elevated CO(2) generally stimulated increased carbon partitioning to various classes of phenolic compounds, whereas an increase in temperature had the opposite effect. The combined effects of both elevated CO2 and temperature were additive, i.e., canceling one another's individual effects. Obviously, the effects of global climate change on leaf chemistry must simultaneously consider both temperature and CO2. If these results are generally applicable, then the counteracting effect of the temperature is likely to play a major role in alpine, boreal, and arctic zones in determining the balance between populations of plants and herbivores.

Betula↗
PubMed1998

Attitudes towards genetic testing: analysis of contradictions.

A survey study was conducted among 1169 people to evaluate attitudes towards genetic testing in Finland. Here we present an analysis of the contradictions detected in people's attitudes towards genetic testing. This analysis focuses on the approval of genetic testing as an individual choice and on the confidence in control of the process of genetic testing and its implications. Our analysis indicated that some of the respondents have contradictory attitudes towards genetic testing. It is proposed that contradictory attitudes towards genetic testing should be given greater significance both in scientific studies on attitudes towards genetic testing as well as in the health care context, e.g. in genetic counselling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1995

Attitudes toward genetic testing among the general population and relatives of patients with a severe genetic disease: a survey from Finland.

In the present study we explore the attitudes of the Finnish population toward genetic testing by conducting a questionnaire study of a stratified sample of the population as well as of family members of patients with a severe hereditary disease, aspartylglucosaminuria (AGU). The questionnaire evaluated attitudes toward gene tests in general and also respondents' preparedness to undergo gene tests for predictive testing, carrier detection, prenatal diagnosis, and selective abortion, in theoretical situations. The results of the study indicate that both the Finnish population in general and family members of AGU patients have a favorable attitude toward genetic testing. However, a commonly expressed reason against testing was that test results might lead to discrimination in employment or insurance policies. Based on the responses, we predict that future genetic testing programs will most probably be met with a high acceptance rate by the Finnish population.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1993

Evaluation of the relationship between social status and reproductive performance in farmed blue foxes.

An experimental cage system was designed for evaluating the association of social status and reproductive performance in blue foxes under fur-farm conditions. The present test cage apparatus consisted of 6 small cages and 1 large cage that were connected. The small cages were utilized for males of different social status and the large cage for females coming on heat. The results showed that this type of testing apparatus can be used for evaluating a female's acceptance of males of different social rank. The locomotor activity of males significantly depended on their social status; thus the most active individuals in the test were the most dominant, and vice versa. Females most often accepted higher-ranking males. Juvenile males were the least dominant and also the least accepted by females. Urination activity was not necessarily related to dominance.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

The first abortion - and the last? A study of the personality factors underlying repeated failure of contraception.

The causes leading to a second abortion were outlined in a psychological study comparing 30 women expecting a second abortion with 29 women who had successfully prevented conception after a first abortion. It was found that both groups improved their contraceptive practices after the first abortion. However, while the latter group continued with their improved practices, the former group went back to the earlier inefficient or non-existent contraceptive behavior. The inability to improve contraception in the long run was not related to differences in educational level or knowledge about contraceptive techniques but to the developmental level of personality structures. The women expecting their second abortion rated lower in control of impulsivity, emotional balance, realism, self-esteem and stability of life as well as capacity for more integrated personal relationships. The differences in personality development and consequently in the capacity for long-term contraception were found to be due to growth conditions in childhood.

Abortion, Legal↗
PubMed1979

Cost-benefit analysis of posterior fusion of the lumbosacral spine.

In this study the cost-benefit ratio of posterior fusion of the lumbosacral spine was assessed. The calculations were based on 118 operated patients, followed up for an average of 4.8 years. Costs were calculated using the average costs of treatment at central hospitals, visits to the outpatient department and travelling. The costs for one patient exceeded on average 5,569 US dollars. The economic benefits derived from the operations were estimated by the work output of those 36 patients who postoperatively returned to their previous or a corresponding occupation. The postoperative work output was estimated using the coefficients for known causes of retirement (emigration, mortality, disability). The benefits of one lumbosacral fusion amounted on average to 16,075 US dollars. Fusion of the lumbosacral spine prove to be profitable at a cost-benefit ratio of 1 : 2.9. If the selection of patients for operation could be made so as to guarantee that working capacity is restored by operative treatment, the cost-benefit ratio might be improved to 1 : 9.5. It is emphasized that cost-benefit analyses of surgical procedures are important from the standpoint of principles of treatment and priority of operations. This study deals with economic aspects only. The medical aspects of the present material have been presented in two previous papers.

Cost-Benefit Analysis↗
PubMed1978

Costs and benefits of measles vaccination in Finland.

Measles vaccination is fairly beneficial. During the third year after launching of the vaccination programme, cumulative benefits accuring from vaccination outweigh the cumulative costs of vaccination. This conclusion is based on a study of the vaccination programme in Finland. According to the vaccination programme, all 1-year-old infants in Finland are vaccinated. The duration of the period under survey has been set at 25 years, the measuring unit is the Finnish mark and the price level is that of the year 1975. When comparing costs and benefits, these are converted to present day monetary values. Vaccination costs per vaccinated infant amount to 32 marks, and in total during the period 1975--1999 they will amount to about 34 million marks according to an interest rate of 9% and to about 41 million marks according to an interest rate of 6% in current monetary value. Benefits gained by vaccination, compared with costs, are manifold. The benefits of one vaccination have been estimated at 230 marks. In total, benefits during the period 1975--99 constitute ca 117 million marks at an interest rate of 9%, and ca 159 million marks at an interest rate of 6% in current monetary value, without any deduction for vaccination costs. The net gain of vaccination--with a deduction of vaccination costs--is ca 84 million marks at an interest rate of 9%, and ca 118 million marks at an interest rate of 6% in current monetary value.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed1976

Cost-benefit analysis of synovectomy of the knee.

The subject of this study was the cost-benefit ratio of synovectomy of the knee. Synovectomy of the knee is the most common operation at the Rheumatism Foundation Hospital, Heinola. In 1973 it accounted for 8.8% of all orthopedic operations performed. The survey material comprises 225 synovectomies of the knee performed on 208 patients. The age and sex distribution of the patients has been obtained from the material for 1973. The second series consists of 181 patients who underwent synovectomy of the knee during the period 1960-65 and who were re-examined in 1970-75. From the said material, data have been obtained on the postoperative professional working activity of patients and on the number of other hospital treatments given to these patients. These coefficients have been transferred to relate to the year 1973. Of those patients who underwent an operation in 1973, 70.9% were women and 29.1% were men. Their average age at the time of operation was 41 years. Their working age was 24 years on average. The operation and related total patient treatment inclusive of other orthopedic operations constitute a vital measure of the preservation of the patient's working ability. Cost-benefit analysis was the research method employed. The year 1973 was chosen as the period for investigagion. Costs due to synovectomy of the knee amounted in 1973 to about 1.6 million marks. Total costs averaged 7000 marks per operation. The greatest potential benefits accruing from synovectomies of the knee prove to be multiple as compared with with costs. Reckoned according to different rates of interest (6% and 9%) maximum benefits are about 8.2-9.8 million marks. As compared with costs, benefits are approx. 5.2-6.2 times as great. Maximum net benefits per one operation are about 43770 marks. Operations can be regarded as economically justifiable even in those cases where it is possible to preserve working ability for a period of 10 years for 10% of the patients. Furthermore, the effect of non-quantified benefits should also be considered.

Adult↗