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Introduction: Previous studies have shown that military field training (MFT) has effects on warfighters' hormonal responses, neuromuscular performance, and shooting accuracy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the changes in body composition, upper and lower body strength, serum hormone concentrations of testosterone (TES) and cortisol (COR), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and shooting accuracy during prolonged MFT.Methods: Serum hormone concentrations, isometric strength of the upper and lower extremities, and shooting performance were measured four times during the study: before MFT (PRE), after 12 d (MID), at the end of MFT (POST) and after 4 d recovery (RECO). The study was approved by the Finnish Defence Forces and was granted ethical approval by the Ethical Committee of the University of Jyväskylä.Results: There was no change in prone shooting score between the measuring points. In the standing position, however, there was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) decrease from PRE 58.2 ± 12.3 points to MID 45.2 ± 10.4 points. Also POST 61.4 ± 10.8 points and RECO 56.8 ± 13.6 points were significantly (p ≤ 0.001) higher than MID 45.2 ± 10.4 points. Serum hormone concentrations of TES and IGF-1 decreased significantly during MFT. In COR and SHBG concentrations, significant increases were observed during MFT. Individual changes in lower body strength and changes in shooting standing score between the measurement points (PRE-MID/POST/RECO) correlated significantly (r = 0.332, p = 0.031; r = 0.335, p = 0.025; r = 0.489, p = 0.001, respectively). The similar finding was observed with changes in upper body strength and changes in standing shooting between the PRE and RECO measurement points (0.339, p = 0.010). The changes in COR and the changes in prone shooting showed a positive correlation in all measurement points (r = 0.531, p ≤ 0.001; r = 0.337, p = 0.024; r = 0.572, p ≤ 0.001). The changes in IGF-1 correlated negatively (r = -0.325, p = 0.038) with shooting prone between the PRE and MID measurement points. The changes in shooting standing and the changes in TES between PRE and POST correlated negatively (r = -0.378, p = 0.010).Conclusion: In this study, we observed a decrease in leg strength from the PRE to MID measurements. When the physical load requirements during the MFT decreased after the MID measurements, leg strength increased. In addition, the shooting score from the standing position decreased from the PRE to MID measurements and improved significantly from the MID to POST measurements. The prone shooting score did not show any significant changes during the study period. Significant positive correlations were found between the changes in standing shooting score and the changes in strength for the legs and upper body. There was a positive correlation between the changes in serum COR concentrations and changes in standing shooting score. Altogether, the present study showed that the prolonged MFT has adverse effect on the strength levels and the shooting ability in warfighters. This shows that ensuring warfighters get an appropriate amount of rest while performing their duties is important. Shooting from a prone position was not affected by the changing workloads and this result indicated that soldiers should shoot from a prone position, whenever possible, especially when fatigued. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Delayed motor developmental milestones have been reported to be associated with schizophrenia in previous studies, but no study has examined the relationship between early motor developmental milestones and schizotypy. We have examined this relationship in a prospective birth cohort.In the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966, data on 9 early motor developmental milestones were collected prospectively from visits to child welfare centers, and data on adult schizotypy were collected through a questionnaire (N = 4557–4674). Positive schizotypy was measured by the Perceptual Aberration Scale (PAS), negative schizotypy was measured by Physical Anhedonia Scale (PhAS) and Social Anhedonia Scale (SAS). Three related scales were included: Schizoidia Scale (SCHD), Hypomanic Personality Scale (HPS), and Bipolar II Scale (BIP2). We examined the milestone–schizotypy associations before and after excluding cases of schizophrenia from this population-based sample. Hierarchical regression analyses adjusted for covariates and separately for both genders were performed. In men, each extra month of delay in achievement of touching thumb with index finger, sitting unsupported, standing up, walking with support, or walking unsupported was associated with an increase in PAS, PhAS, or SCHD scores, or decrease in BIP2 score (P <.05). In women, each extra month of delay in achievement of turning from back to tummy was associated with an increase in PhAS and SAS scores (P <.05). Schizotypy is associated with delayed motor developmental milestones in early-life, but there is some heterogeneity with regards to types of milestones and gender. These findings suggest delayed motor development confers risk across the continuum of schizophrenia syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Decline in both telomere length and physical fitness over the life course may contribute to increased risk of several chronic diseases. The relationship between telomere length and aerobic and muscular fitness is not well characterized. We examined whether there are cross-sectional associations of mean relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with objective measures of aerobic fitness, muscle strength, and muscle endurance, using data on 31-year-old participants of the Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 (n = 4,952-5,205, varying by exposureoutcome analysis). Aerobic fitness was assessed by means of heart rate measurement following a standardized submaximal step test; muscular fitness was assessed by means of a maximal isometric handgrip strength test and a test of lower-back trunk muscle endurance. Longer LTL was associated with higher aerobic fitness and better trunk muscle endurance in models including adjustment for age, sex, body mass index, socioeconomic position, diet, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity level, and C-reactive protein. In a sex-stratified analysis, LTL was not associated with handgrip strength in either men or women. LTL may relate to aspects of physical fitness in young adulthood, but replication of these findings is required, along with further studies to help assess directions and causality in these associations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Higher vitamin D status, lower adiposity, and longer telomere length are each reportedly associated with lower risk of several chronic diseases and all-cause mortality. However, direct relationships between vitamin D status (measured by circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration), adiposity, and telomere length are not well established. We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of associations of 25(OH)D and body mass index (BMI; weight (kg)/height (m)2) with mean relative leukocyte telomere length (LTL) using data gathered on 5,096 participants from Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 at age 31 years (1997). 25(OH)D was not associated with LTL in either basic or confounder/mediator-adjusted models. BMIwas inversely associated with LTL after adjustment for potential confounding by age, sex, socioeconomic position, physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol intake, and use of oral contraceptives (per 1-unit increase in BMI, mean difference in LTL = -0.4%, 95% confidence interval: -0.6, -0.2). The BMI-LTL association was also independent of 25(OH)D and was attenuated slightly, but remained, after adjustment for C-reactive protein, a marker of low-grade inflammation (mean difference in LTL = -0.3%, 95% confidence interval -0.6, -0.1). These findings suggest that vitamin D status is unlikely to be an important determinant of LTL, at least by young adulthood. Inflammation may partly mediate associations of adiposity with LTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. Many cytokines involved in RA activate the Janus kinase–signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) pathways. Therapeutic drugs that inhibit these pathways are being developed for RA. To investigate disease-related alterations in the activity of JAK-STAT pathways in RA, we studied the expression and activation of STAT1 and STAT3 in unstimulated and cytokine-stimulated cells and determined the levels of circulating cytokines. Methods. The expression of STAT1 and STAT3 mRNA in peripheral blood (PB) and SF T cells and monocytes was studied in RA patients and healthy volunteers by RT-PCR. Basal and cytokine (IFN-γ, IL-6, IL-10)-induced STAT phosphorylation was analysed in PB T cells and monocytes using multicolour flow cytometric analysis. Results. STAT3 mRNA levels were up-regulated in both PB and SF T cells and monocytes from RA patients. STAT1 expression was elevated in SF monocytes. The levels of phospho-STAT3 in resting PB T cells and monocytes were significantly higher in patients with RA than in healthy volunteers. IL-6 levels were elevated in RA plasma and correlated with the level of STAT3 phosphorylation in CD4+ T cells and monocytes. IL-6-mediated STAT3 activation was deregulated in T cells from RA patients. IL-6-induced phosphorylation of STAT3 was decreased in CD4+ T cells from patients with high plasma IL-6 levels and constitutive STAT3 phosphorylation. Conclusion. The results suggest that IL-6 induces hyperactivation of STAT3 in circulating immune cells in active RA, and this subsequently desensitizes the IL-6 response in T cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. T helper 17 (Th17) and mast cells produce IL-17A in RA and critically contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. However, the complete IL-17 cytokine profile in RA is unknown. The aim of the study was to systematically study the expression of IL-17 family cytokines in RA.Methods. The expression of all IL-17 cytokines in RA synovium and pannus as well as in the synovium of OA was determined using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). IL-17A and IL-17B were immunostained. Peripheral blood neutrophils were analysed for IL-17B. The effect of IL-17B alone or in combination with TNF-α was tested in vitro on fibroblasts and endothelial cells.Results. In all tissues IL-17B was the most expressed IL-17 family cytokine, found in lining but most strongly expressed in human neutrophil elastase containing polymorphonuclear cells. This pattern was distinct from that of IL-17A, which was found in mast cell tryptase immunoreactive cells. Circulating neutrophils contained IL-17B, verifying the in vivo results. Fibroblasts up-regulated the expression of IL-17RB, a putative receptor of IL-17B, after TNF-α stimulation. IL-17B significantly enhanced TNF-α-induced production of G-CSF and IL-6 in fibroblasts.Conclusion. IL-17B, which is present in synovium, may contribute to the pathogenesis of RA. IL-17B can enhance the effects of TNF-α on the production of cytokines and chemokines that control immune cell trafficking and neutrophil homeostasis in the inflamed tissues. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background. There are scarce studies of the long-term associations between leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) in midlife and phenotypic frailty in old age. Methods. We studied healthy Caucasian men of high socioeconomic status (N = 514), who had participated in health checkups during the 1960s (the Helsinki Businessmen Study, Finland). In 1974, they were examined with questionnaires and clinical examinations, and LTPA was collapsed into three categories: low (n = 87), moderate (n = 256), and high (n = 171). In 2000, at mean age of 74, survivors were assessed for physical activity and frailty phenotype using the modified Fried criteria validated in our cohort. Four criteria were used: (a) weight loss > 5% from midlife or current body mass index < 21kg/m2, (b) physical inactivity, (c) low vitality, and (d) physical weakness. Responders with 3–4, 1–2, and zero criteria were classified as frail, prefrail, and nonfrail, respectively. Results. The prevalence of frailty was 16.1%, 10.2%, and 4.7% in the low, moderate, and high LTPA groups, respectively. Higher midlife LTPA was significantly related to lower prevalence of both frailty and prefrailty in old age. After adjusting for baseline age, smoking, body mass index, blood pressure, and alcohol, the risk of frailty was 80% lower in the high LTPA group compared with the low LTPA group (odds ratio = 0.20; 95% confidence interval 0.07–0.55). This finding was supported by the relationships between the change of physical activity and frailty in old age. Conclusions. In this socioeconomically homogenous male cohort, higher physical activity since midlife was strongly associated with less frailty in old age. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective. A large number of genes, including several not previously implicated in SLE susceptibility, have recently been identified or confirmed by genome-wide association studies (GWAS). In this study, we sought to replicate some of these results in Finnish SLE patients (n = 275) and control individuals (n = 356).Methods. We genotyped 32 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 12 of the best-supported GWAS-identified SLE genes and loci. We further investigated gene–gene interactions between the loci included in the study.Results. The strongest evidence of association was found at the IRF5-TNPO3 locus, with the most significant P-value being 2.0 × 10−7 and an odds ratio of 1.95 (95% CI 1.51, 2.50). Association between SLE and TNFAIP3, FAM167A-BLK, BANK1 and KIAA1542 was also confirmed, although at a lower significance level and contribution to individual risk. No significant association was found with 1q25.1, PXK, ATG5, ICA1, XKR6, LYN and SCUBE1. Furthermore, no significant gene–gene interactions were detected.Conclusion. Replication of previous GWAS findings across diverse populations is of importance to validate these associations and to get a better understanding of potential genetic heterogeneity between populations in SLE susceptibility. Our results attest the importance of B-cell receptor pathway and IFN signalling in SLE pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Timing of bud burst and frost damage risk for leaves of Betula spp. in response to climatic warming in Finland was examined with two models. In the first model, ontogenetic development in spring was triggered by an accumulation of chilling temperatures. The second model assumed an additional signal from the light climate. The two models gave radically different estimates of frost damage risk in response to climate warming. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: The prevalence of helicobacter antibodies increases with age and, in many developed countries, is highest in people born before 1940. Data on very old subjects are, however, limited. In this study we wanted to determine whether the age-related increase in the seroprevalence of H. pylori infection continues even in the oldest age group alive in Finland, the centenarians.Methods: Sera from 173 subjects (93% of all centenarians alive in Finland in 1991) were available for the present study. IgG and IgA antibodies against H. pylori were determined by an in-house enzyme immunoassay. To estimate the influence of atrophic gastritis on the prevalence of helicobacter antibodies, serum pepsinogen I (PG I) concentrations and parietal cell antibodies (PCAs) were measured by an enzyme immunoassay and indirect immunofluorescence, respectively.Results: The prevalence of helicobacter antibodies in Finnish centenarians was 66%. Low PG I values (<28 microg/l) were found in 36% and positive PCAs in 16% of the subjects studied. The prevalence of PCAs was especially high (50%) in H. pylori-negative subjects with low PG I values, suggesting severe gastric atrophy.Conclusions: The age-related increase in H. pylori seroprevalence did not continue in the oldest age group alive in Finland. This may be explained partly by a relatively high frequency of atrophic gastritis (as suggested by low PG I values) in H. pylori-negative centenarians, but other factors--such as selective H. pylori-related mortality--may also have contributed to the fairly low seroprevalence (66%) observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This cross-sectional analysis examined associations between alcohol intake and subjective health in a random sample (n = 6, 040) drawn from the general population aged 25–64 years in Finland in 1992. Self-reported health was good for 3, 375 persons and average or poor (suboptimal) for 2, 665 persons. Crude odds ratios suggested a U-shaped pattern between alcohol intake and suboptimal health. The pattern took more of a J-shape after data were controlled for sex, age, education, marital status, lack of close friends, being on a disability pension, smoking, being an ex-drinker, and having decreased one's alcohol intake during the past 12 months because of health problems. An interaction was found between alcohol and smoking. The pattern of alcohol odds ratios showed a J-shaped association among never smokers, and a similar pattern was suggested among ex-smokers and current smokers. Among never smokers, the lowest risk was found at the alcohol consumption level of 100–199 g/week (odds ratio (OR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CO 0.38–0.89). The highest risk was found among persons who regularly smoked ≥20 cigarettes per day and drank ≥300 g/week (OR = 4.44, 95% Cl 2.36–8.36). The risk for ex-drinkers did not differ from that for lifelong abstainers (OR = 0.89, 95% Cl 0.62–1.28), but persons who had decreased their alcohol intake during the past 12 months because of health problems had a higher risk (OR = 1.21, 95% Cl 1.05–1.39). The authors conclude that moderate alcohol intake is related to a self-perception of good health. Am J Epidemiol 1996; 144: 346–50. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Limited data exist on the associations between muscle performance and work ability measures in working age adults. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article offers information on child and adolescent lifestyle programs in the European Union (EU). A program coordinated by the World Health Organization and the EU called the Cross-National Study on Health Behavior in School-Aged Children was designed as the first ever national health survey of young people in Lithuania. A school-based survey focused on alcohol use among adolescents was conducted in Finland in 2003, aiming to increasing knowledge of negative alcohol-related consequences for youth.

Discusses a study of mutations of genes involved in hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer of Finnish patients. Occurrence of mutations; Collection of blood samples from patients; Distribution of questionnaires for the patients; Differences in dichotomous variables; Frequency of mutations in patients; Family history of breast cancer as indicator of mutations.

Investigates the association between an increased waist to hip ratio (WHR) and the occurrence of diabetes in middle-aged Finnish subjects with impaired glucose tolerance. Use of multivariate logistic regression analysis; Information on central obesity; Effect of high WHR on risk of obtaining diabetes.