PubMed Health⌕ Search

Biomedical subjects

P Saarinen

Publications and source records attributed to P Saarinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2001

Suicidal ideation in the Finnish general population. A 12-month follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: The epidemiology of suicidal ideation has remained a relatively unstudied area. The aim of this study was to investigate the incidence, prevalence and persistence of and recovery from suicidal ideation in a sample of the Finnish general population. METHODS: Postal questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) were mailed to the study subjects (n = 1,593) at baseline and on follow-up after 12 months. The suicidality item of BDI was used to screen suicidal ideation. RESULTS: The 12-month incidence (4.6%) and prevalence of suicidal ideation (14.7%) were higher in men than in women (3.1% and 9.2%, respectively). Sixty-nine per cent of those men and 59% of those women who had suicidal ideation at baseline continued to have suicidal thoughts on follow-up. Suicidal ideation and the severity of depression associated strongly. Over half of the men and women who had persistent suicidal ideation had not visited any health services for help with psychological distress during the 12-month follow-up period. Daily smoking associated with a decreased probability of recovery from suicidal ideation. CONCLUSIONS: Suicidal ideation is common and persistent at the population level. Seeking professional help for depression with suicidal tendencies is disproportionately low in relation to the high prevalence of suicidal ideation.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Effect of somatic comorbidity on alleviation of depressive symptoms.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether somatic comorbidity (SC) impedes recovery from depression. METHOD: The study design was naturalistic. Diagnosis of depression was confirmed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-III-R (SCID). Changes in the symptom scales for those patients with somatic comorbidity (n = 75) were compared with corresponding changes in depressive patients without somatic comorbidity (n = 41) in a 6-month follow up. RESULTS: Measured on the Hamilton and Beck scales, recovery rates of those with SC was only slightly lower to that of the others. The difference was statistically significant only in relation to the Hamilton scale. Forty-four per cent of those with SC and 42% of the other patients recovered from their depression (BDI score < 10 on follow up). Logistic regression analysis showed no independent association between recovery and somatic comorbidity. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate somatic comorbidity has only a minor effect on recovery from depression.

Adult↗
PubMed1999

Gender differences in living skills and global assessment of functioning among outpatients with schizophrenia.

OBJECTIVE: The aims of this paper are to study skills in personal and domestic activities, and their associations with Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) scale scores among outpatients with schizophrenia, and to study the impact of depressive mood on functional capacity in schizophrenia. METHOD: Three hundred and two outpatients with DSM-III-R schizophrenia completed the 13-item Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and a questionnaire relating to their sociodemographic characteristics, and living and working conditions. Staff members completed the GAF scale and a questionnaire relating to the patient's medical history and current treatment. This questionnaire also included the staff's assessments on patient's skills in six personal or domestic activities (personal hygiene, homemaking, management of financial affairs, shopping, decision-making, getting about). RESULTS: Fifty-six percent of men and 33% of women (p < 0.001) with schizophrenia did not have independent skills in at least one personal or domestic activity but there was no difference in the mean GAF score between men and women. In men, the GAF score was independently and positively associated with all living skills studied and in women with homemaking, management of financial affairs, and decision-making, respectively. The BDI scores were not independently associated with functioning in personal and domestic activities except with getting about in women. CONCLUSIONS: The GAF scale is a simple and time-saving measure for assessing overall living skills among outpatients with schizophrenia. However, assessments on the GAF scale may be biased towards poor functioning in women. Moreover, psychosocial functioning and depression should be evaluated separately.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1998

Risk factors for suicidal ideation in psychiatric patients.

Sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for suicidal ideation have been less studied than risk factors for parasuicide and suicide. No reports on associations between therapy satisfaction and suicidal ideation among psychiatric patients have been published. In this study we compared a group of patients with suicidal ideation (n = 84) with a randomly selected group of nonsuicidal patients (n = 166) in community-based psychiatric services. Patients with suicidal ideation felt a need for psychiatric treatment more often than nonsuicidal patients. They were also more likely to receive antidepressive medication, and weekly therapy sessions were more common among them. A wish to change therapist (OR 15.6, 95% CI 3.6-67.8), hopeless future orientation (OR 14.8, 95% CI 4.5-48.9), severe depression as evaluated by the Beck Depression Inventory (OR 14.0, 95% CI 4.3-45.2) and dysthymia (OR 12.8, 95% CI 1.7-97.3) were the factors most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in multivariate analysis. A wish to change therapist is an expression of therapy dissatisfaction, which may therefore be among the factors most strongly associated with suicidal ideation in psychiatric patients. To help prevent suicidality among psychiatric patients special attention to therapy factors is needed.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1998

Debt and suicidal behaviour in the Finnish general population.

We studied the significance of debt as a risk factor for suicidal ideation and suicide attempts in a nation-wide sample (n = 4868) of the Finnish general population. Those experiencing difficulties in repaying their debts more often than others (37 vs. 16%, P<0.001) had a probable minor mental disorder (GHQ-12 score > or =3). Nevertheless, difficulties in repaying debts were found to be a factor independently associated with suicidal ideation (OR, 2.8; 95% CI, 1.9-4.2). The clinical implication of these findings is that individuals experiencing difficulties in repaying their debts may require psychiatric evaluation as well as socio-economic counselling.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1997

Adenosine inhibits DNA synthesis stimulated with TSH, insulin, and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate in rat thyroid FRTL-5 cells.

Adenosine has been shown to modulate cell proliferation in FRTL-5 thyroid cells, although the mechanisms by which this interaction occurs is still unclear. In the present study we investigated the effects of adenosine on the 3H-thymidine incorporation, cell cycle kinetics, and expression of the transcription factor c-Fos in cells stimulated via three different mitogenic pathways, i.e., by thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) [adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate(cAMP)], insulin (tyrosine kinase), or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (protein kinase C). Addition of adenosine to cells grown in medium containing hormones and serum did not inhibit the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. If adenosine was added to hormone-deprived cells together with any of the tested mitogens, the stimulation of the 3H-thymidine incorporation was inhibited in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibition was significantly lower when the cells were preincubated with TSH or insulin for 48 h. Flow cytometric studies showed that adenosine evoked an inhibition of the cells in the G0/G1 phase. Submaximal doses of adenosine (10 nM-10 microM) were able to induce c-Fos expression in FRTL-5 cells. However, the mitogen-induced expression of c-Fos was not reduced by maximal dose of adenosine (100 microM). The effect of adenosine on DNA synthesis was not dependent on pertussis toxin-sensitive G-proteins. In addition, adenosine A1- or A2- receptor antagonists did not block the effect of adenosine. The effect of adenosine was abolished by treatment of the cells with adenosine deaminase, suggesting that the observed effect was not mediated by a metabolite of adenosine. The results suggest that adenosine is an effective blocker of mitogen-evoked DNA synthesis of FRTL-5 cells, provided that adenosine is administered simultaneously with the mitogen.

Adenosine↗
PubMed1997

Sphingosine 1-phosphate mobilizes sequestered calcium, activates calcium entry, and stimulates deoxyribonucleic acid synthesis in thyroid FRTL-5 cells.

Sphingosine 1-phosphate (SPP) potently mobilizes sequestered calcium and is a mitogen in several cell types. In the present investigation, we have evaluated the effect of SPP on intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) and synthesis of DNA in thyroid FRTL-5 cells. SPP rapidly and transiently mobilized sequestered calcium and stimulated entry of extracellular calcium. The entry of calcium, but not the mobilization, was in part inhibited by pretreatment with pertussis toxin (Ptx), and by activation of protein kinase C. SPP did not stimulate the production of inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate. SPP stimulated the incorporation of 3H-thymidine in a time- and dose-dependent manner. The effect was not inhibited by Ptx. Furthermore, SPP stimulated the activation of the proto-oncogene c-fos. SPP rapidly tyrosine-phosphorylated an approximately 66 kDa protein. This phosphorylation persisted for at least 1 h. Pretreatment of the cells with genistein abolished the SPP-evoked tyrosine phosphorylation, and attenuated the SPP-evoked increase in [Ca2+]i. Furthermore, the SPP-evoked activation of Na+-H+ exchange was inhibited by genistein. The phosphorylation was not attenuated by pretreatment of the cells with Ptx. SPP per se did not affect cellular cAMP levels but attenuated the TSH-evoked increase in cAMP. As the effect of SPP might be due to activation of phospholipase D, we tested whether phosphatidic acid (PA) mobilized calcium or stimulated the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. PA mobilized sequestered calcium but did not stimulate calcium entry. PA very modestly enhanced the incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Our results suggest, that SPP stimulates DNA synthesis and activates entry of calcium in FRTL-5 cells. The effect on calcium entry appears to be dependent, at least in part, on one or several tyrosine kinases.

Animals↗
PubMed1996

Patterns of matrix metalloproteinase and TIMP-1 expression in chronic and normally healing human cutaneous wounds.

The present study was carried out to characterize the patterns of expression of matrix metalloproteinases or their tissue inhibitor (TIMP-1) in normally healing, acute vs. chronic, skin wounds. In situ hybridization was performed to localize collagenase, stromelysin-1, stromelysin-2, matrilysin, urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and TIMP-1 mRNAs in 14 chronic venous ulcers and 10 normally healing wounds, representing different time points after wounding. Surgical wounds, made in piglets harvested at several time points, were studied as controls. Collagenase, stromelysin-1 and -2, as well as uPa, were expressed in keratinocytes in both acute and chronic wounds, while epithelial TIMP-1 mRNA was not detected in any chronic wound biopsies studied. However, TIMP-1 was expressed at the epithelial edges of both acute human and pig wounds. Our results suggest that the balance between metalloenzymes and their inhibitor TIMP-1, is disturbed, in poorly healing wounds.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Plasma high density lipoproteins HDL2, HDL3 and postheparin plasma lipases in relation to parameters of physical fitness.

A number of studies has shown that the plasma levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL) are increased by regular aerobic exercise. The plasma HDL, particularly HDL2, is regulated by the activity of 2 endothelial lipases, viz. lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL), which both can be assayed in postheparin plasma. In the present study the plasma levels of HDL2 and HDL3 cholesterol and the postheparin plasma lipase activities were related to parameters of physical fitness obtained from a pulse conducted maximal bicycle ergometer test. There was a significant positive correlation between HDL2 cholesterol and physical fitness (r = 0.52, P less than 0.01). On the other hand, the postheparin plasma hepatic lipase activity showed a significant negative correlation to physical fitness (r = -0.57, P less than 0.01). The HDL2 cholesterol was inversely correlated with the HL activity (r = 0.57, P less than 0.001). Application of partial correlation analysis to the data showed that the relationship between HDL2 cholesterol and fitness disappeared by keeping the HL activity constant whereas the correlation between HDL2 and HL was not influenced by fitness. The relation of HDL2 to fitness was independent in body fat and basal plasma insulin level; in addition the relationship between HL and fitness was not accounted for by body fatness. No relationship was found between physical fitness and LPL activity or between HDL3 and fitness. The results support the hypothesis that hepatic endothelial lipase has a role in the regulation of plasma HDL2 cholesterol and that the activity of this enzyme decreases upon increase of physical fitness.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Familial and sporadic thyroglobulin deficiency with goitre and hypothyroidism.

The thyroid proteins and iodocompounds were analysed in the thyroid tissue of 4 patients with nontoxic goitre. Subtotal thyroidectomy was performed for tracheal compression. The thyroid components were labelled with a trace amount of 125I before operation. One patient had congenital goitre and hypothyroidism with cretinoid features. Three other patients belonged to the same family. Two had congenital goitre, one of them with subclinical and biochemical hypothyroidism. There was a range of thyroglobulin (TG) deficiency ranging from virtual absence of TG in the most affected patient to 17% of normal in the least affected one. There seemed to be an inverse relationship between TG content and clinical signs. Also with decreasing TG more iodocompounds were found in the 3-8 S region on gradient centrifugation. In the most affected patient all the radioactivity was in the 3-8 S region, in the least affected one it was all found in the 19 S and 27 S regions. The other patients had an intermediate pattern. The 3-8 S fraction contained albumin, IgG and some material which reacted like TG on immunoelectrophoresis except for the least affected patient. The iodine content was normal whereas the iodination of TG was low-normal or low. Iodotyrosines and iodothyronines were found in all glands analysed on column chromatography but only in the most heavily affected patient did the ratio iodotyrosines/iodothyronines seem to be elevated. Evidently TG was not necessary for hormone formation in this gland but the efficiency of the matrix seemed not to suffice for normal hormone production.

Adult↗
PubMed1981

Increase in thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) in lysinuric protein intolerance.

The common occurrence of increased serum PBI concentration in patients with lysinuric protein intolerance (LPI) was elucidated by further studies. The reason was found to be an increase in the concentration of thyroid binding globulin (TBG), concomitantly with an increase in the binding capacity of TBG. The concentrations of serum thyroxine and triiodothyronine were elevated, whereas the free thyroxine index remained normal. The free triiodothyronine index was slightly increased. The binding capacity of thyroid hormone binding pre-albumin (TBPA) was significantly decreased. The concentrations of reverse triiodothyronine (3,3',5'-T3) and of 3,3'-diiodothyronine were normal. In all patients serum lactic acid dehydrogenase activities and ferritin concentrations were elevated. The reason for the almost constant increase in TBG remains obscure. It may be related to the primary disorder of LPI, a defect in diaminoacid transport.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Evidence for the role of hepatic endothelial lipase in the metabolism of plasma high density lipoprotein2 in man.

Previous animal studies have shown that the heparin-releasable hepatic lipase (HL) is located on the luminal surface of the liver endothelial cells and may have a function in the removal of high density lipoprotein lipids from plasma. We therefore examined the relationship between plasma HDL levels and the HL activity of postheparin plasma in a group of young, very fit men who were living under strictly controlled comparable conditions (military academy studients). HDL2 cholesterol, HDL2 phospholipid and HDL2 protein concentrations each showed a highly significant negative correlation with postheparin HL activity. A similar but slightly lower inverse relationship was also present between total HDL lipids and HL activity, whereas no correlation could be observed between any of the HDL3 lipids and HL activity. The cholesterol/protein ratio of HDL2 correlated negatively with the HL activity. These results support the hypothesis that the hepatic endothelial lipase has a physiological role in the degradation and removal of circulating HDL2.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Suppression of the TSH response to TRH by thyroxine therapy in differentiated thyroid carcinoma patients.

Absent response of serum thyrotrophin (TSH) after stimulation with 200 micrograms synthetic thyrotrophin-releasing hormone (TRH) was used as a criterion of adequate suppression of TSH in the treatment of thyroid carcinoma patients with thyroxine. The mean causing total suppression of the response was 223 micrograms of thyroxine per day. At this dose level about 40% of the patients had serum thyroxine concentrations above the upper reference interval and only 10% had elevated triiodothyronine concentrations. In some patients the TSH response to TRH varied between absent and low normal when tested at long intervals. The ideal dose of thyroxine is obviously slightly higher than the smallest one causing total suppression of the TSH response to TRH, i.e. about 250 micrograms a day. The individual dose must be found using the TRH stimulation test because serum thyroid hormone levels cannot be used as a guideline for adequate dosage. In some patients the thyroid remnant of apparently normal thyroid tissue was not totally suppressed although the thyroxine dose was definitely above the level causing suppression of the response to TRH.

Adenocarcinoma↗
PubMed1979

Labetalol and pindolol in the treatment of hypertension: a comparative study.

Labetalol, a new hypotensive drug with both alpha- and beta-adrenoceptor antagonist properties, was compared with pindolol in a double blind cross-over study lasting 15 weeks. Both drugs caused a significant drop on blood pressure in both the standing and the supine position. The effect was seen after only two weeks treatment. The effect on the pulse rate was moderate. Three patients on pindolol (but none on labetalol) had to withdraw from the trial for medical reasons. In general the side effects recorded for labetalol and pindolol were mild. No postural hypotension was noticed with the moderate doses used in the study. Labetalol seems to be at least as effective as pindolol in mild to moderate hypertension.

Adult↗