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There is a global concern regarding boys' poor engagement in literacy activities. It is suggested that boys enjoy ways of learning that are active and have explicit goals. Readers' theater (RT) provides an active and collaborative means of practicing oral reading fluency, with a clear goal of performing for an audience at the end of training. In the context of an intervention study for struggling readers in grades 3 and 4 (9-10 years old), we investigated whether boys benefit more than girls from the goal to perform in readers' theater in terms of reading fluency development, engagement, and retrospective perception of their learning. We found that girls slightly outperformed boys in expressive reading and showed higher engagement in RT. Girls were also more interested in drama and more likely to participate in the study. However, boys showed a larger reduction in RT-related disaffection over time. In addition, boys in the goal-oriented program reported learning to act and immerse themselves in the text more often than boys in the practice-oriented RT. In contrast, girls reported learning these skills also in the practice-oriented RT. We conclude that the goal to perform in RT may be particularly helpful in engaging boys in RT.

There is increasing attention on the retention of international students, with many stakeholders desiring to keep international students for long-term economic growth. This study examined the factors affecting international students choosing to stay in Finland 5 years after initial enrollment, with particular focus on the role graduation plays in students staying or leaving. Tracking 11 years of entering cohorts for 5 years across national (Finland) data registries, we found evidence of an inverse relationship between graduation, degree type, and the probability of staying: The higher the degree level, the less likely an international student is to stay after graduation. We conclude that while graduation is a key metric and discussion point in national and institutional policy, our findings suggest focusing on improving international students' ability to integrate into a host country's labor market and promotion of an environment conducive for international students' families, more than graduation, would produce higher stay rates of international students.

This conceptual paper advances the notion of "English as corporate language" in the multilingual reality of multinational companies (MNC) with novel insights from the English as lingua franca (ELF) paradigm of sociolinguistics. Inspired by Goffman, Erving. 1959. "The presentation of self in everyday life." New York: Doubleday. dramaturgical metaphor of social life, we develop the notion of English as corporate language by making a distinction between the frontstage official language used in corporate communication and backstage working language used in interactions among MNC employees. We argue that the former approaches the notion of English as a native language and the latter represents ELF in the business domain (BELF); they are different in terms of understanding language competence, multilingualism and role of language in building legitimacy. Our conclusions imply first, that the frontstage English may not always be accessible to the backstage BELF users, due to which employees may feel disadvantaged or disempowered. Second, the use of formal language testing in recruitment and performance appraisal may transform into a gate-keeping mechanism that leads to power inequalities. In our recommendations, we call for an emancipatory language policy accepting different standards of English for different positions and adopting ideas of the Plain Language initiative to better reach all MNC employees.

When effective treatments against neurodegenerative diseases become a reality, it will be important to know the age these pathologies begin to develop. We investigated alpha‐synuclein pathology in brain tissue of the Tampere Sudden Death Study—unselected forensic autopsies on individuals living outside hospital institutions in Finland. Of 562 (16–95 years) participants, 42 were positive for Lewy‐related pathology (LRP). The youngest LRP case was aged 54 years, and the frequency of LRP in individuals aged ≥50 years was 9%. This forensic autopsy study indicates LRP starts already in middle age and is more common than expected in the ≥50 years‐of‐age non‐hospitalized population. ANN NEUROL 2024;95:843–848 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The 'Tasty School' is a tailored teacher‐delivered food education model for primary schools in Finland. The aim of the current study was to investigate the feasibility of the Tasty School model in primary schools. Furthermore, the aim was to assess changes during the intervention in the class teachers' perspectives and experiences related to food education and school dining. Methods: The method involved a quasi‐experimental study with intervention and control groups. A total of 130 class teachers from 15 intervention and 10 control schools from five municipalities in Finland participated in the study during one school year. The theoretical framework of acceptability was utilised to evaluate feasibility using frequencies. The comparison data were analysed using a mixed‐effects model for repeated measures to account for the intervention effects and selected standardising effects. Results: Teachers reported that the model was highly acceptable and easily integrated into the school environment. Support from principals and colleagues was the most important facilitator of food education, and lack of time was the barrier. Teachers in the intervention schools were more likely to consider school meals healthy after the intervention, and they reported having sufficient materials and supplies for food education. Conclusions: The Tasty School was shown to be a feasible model for food education in primary schools. The current study especially found that the commitment of the whole school and principals' role are crucial in the implementation of food education. The factors that support the implementation must be strengthened, and efforts must be made to reduce the barriers. Key points: The Tasty School was shown to be a feasible model for food education in primary schools.The commitment of the whole school and principal's role are crucial in the implementation of food education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Schools can be an effective arena for food education. The Tasty School is a tailored teacher-driven food education model that provides tools for implementing food education in primary schools. This study aimed to investigate the effects of the Tasty School model on pupils' eating patterns and experiences. We also aimed to assess the implementation strength of the Tasty School.Design: A quasi-experimental study was conducted during one school year 2019-2020 in fifteen intervention and ten control schools. The intervention schools implemented the Tasty School food education model. The pupils completed web-based baseline and follow-up questionnaires in class during a school day. The principals were interviewed after the intervention. The data were analysed using a mixed-effects model for repeated measures, accounting for the implementation strength and selected standardisation effects.Setting: A total of twenty-five general Finnish primary schools.Participants: 1480 pupils from grades 3-6 (age 8-12 years) from five municipalities in Finland.Results: Percentages of pupils eating a balanced school meal increased in schools where food education was actively implemented (P = 0·027). In addition, pupils' experience of social participation in school dining strengthened in schools where the Tasty School model was implemented (5-point scale mean from 2·41 to 2·61; P = 0·017).Conclusions: Healthy eating patterns can be promoted by the active implementation of food education in primary schools. The Tasty School model offers a promising tool for developing healthy eating patterns and increasing social participation among pupils not only in Finland, but also potentially in other countries as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study evaluates the development of national supply security. The aim of the paper was to examine the supply security of solid domestic fuels for Finnish combined heat and power plants (CHP) in a domestic fuel disruption. The consumption of wood fuels has increased in recent decades and discussion of supply security has become important nationally. On the other hand, the consumption of peat and coal has been replaced by biomass, which has created questions over its sustainable availability regionally and nationally. The study utilised a questionnaire targeting major combined heat and power plants utilising domestic fuels located around Finland. The response rate of questionnaire was as high as 88%, which reflected the importance attached to the subject. The most significant concern was that economical operating conditions for peat should be ensured, or wood fuels will face difficulties in securing the energy supply by itself. However, the CHP plants were prepared to increase the use of wood fuels, for example by developing logistical systems, investing in fuel terminals and intensifying cooperation with fuel suppliers. Topic of the study is also important internationally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Association of physiological recovery with nutrition has scarcely been studied. We investigated whether physiological recovery during sleep relates to eating habits, i.e., eating behaviour and diet quality. Methods: Cross-sectional baseline analysis of psychologically distressed adults with overweight (N = 252) participating in a lifestyle intervention study in three Finnish cities. Recovery measures were based on sleep-time heart rate variability (HRV) measured for 3 consecutive nights. Measures derived from HRV were 1) RMSSD (Root Mean Square of the Successive Differences) indicating the parasympathetic activation of the autonomic nervous system and 2) Stress Balance (SB) indicating the temporal ratio of recovery to stress. Eating behaviour was measured with questionnaires (Intuitive Eating Scale, Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Health and Taste Attitude Scales, ecSatter Inventory™). Diet quality was quantified using questionnaires (Index of Diet Quality, Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test Consumption) and 48-h dietary recall. Results: Participants with best RMSSD reported less intuitive eating (p = 0.019) and less eating for physical rather than emotional reasons (p = 0.010) compared to those with poorest RMSSD; participants with good SB reported less unconditional permission to eat (p = 0.008), higher fibre intake (p = 0.028), higher diet quality (p = 0.001), and lower alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) compared to those with poor SB, although effect sizes were small. In subgroup analyses among participants who reported working regular daytime hours (n = 216), only the associations of SB with diet quality and alcohol consumption remained significant. Conclusions: Better nocturnal recovery showed associations with better diet quality, lower alcohol consumption and possibly lower intuitive eating. In future lifestyle interventions and clinical practice, it is important to acknowledge sleep-time recovery as one possible factor linked with eating habits. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT01738256, Registered 17 August 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increase in international student mobility raises questions of how many international students choose to stay in their host country and the reasons why some stay and others leave. This study examines factors affecting international students to stay in Finland three years after graduation. Tracking 13 (years) graduating cohorts across national (Finland) data registries, we find family ties and labour market opportunities relate to an increased probability an international student stays in Finland three years after graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Low socio-economic position (SEP) is a risk factor for multiple health outcomes, but its molecular imprints in the body remain unclear.Methods: We examined SEP as a determinant of serum nuclear magnetic resonance metabolic profiles in ∼30 000 adults and 4000 children across 10 UK and Finnish cohort studies.Results: In risk-factor-adjusted analysis of 233 metabolic measures, low educational attainment was associated with 37 measures including higher levels of triglycerides in small high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and lower levels of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), omega-3 fatty acids, apolipoprotein A1, large and very large HDL particles (including levels of their respective lipid constituents) and cholesterol measures across different density lipoproteins. Among adults whose father worked in manual occupations, associations with apolipoprotein A1, large and very large HDL particles and HDL-2 cholesterol remained after adjustment for SEP in later life. Among manual workers, levels of glutamine were higher compared with non-manual workers. All three indicators of low SEP were associated with lower DHA, omega-3 fatty acids and HDL diameter. At all ages, children of manual workers had lower levels of DHA as a proportion of total fatty acids.Conclusions: Our work indicates that social and economic factors have a measurable impact on human physiology. Lower SEP was independently associated with a generally unfavourable metabolic profile, consistent across ages and cohorts. The metabolites we found to be associated with SEP, including DHA, are known to predict cardiovascular disease and cognitive decline in later life and may contribute to health inequalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and aims: Previous studies have shown that prescription opioid use is more common in socio‐economically disadvantaged communities in the United States. This study examined the area and individual‐level determinants of prescription opioid use in Finland during the period 1995–2016. Design Logistic regression analysis using nation‐wide data on filled opioid‐related prescriptions dispensed at Finnish pharmacies and covered by National Health Insurance. Opioid consumption was linked, using personal identification codes, to population‐based data maintained by Statistics Finland, which records individual background and area‐level characteristics. Setting and participants: Working‐age population aged between 15 and 64 years in Finland during the periods 1995–2007 (n = 4 315 409) and 2009–16 (n = 4 116 992). Measurements Annual prescription opioid use was measured using defined daily doses (DDD) and whether people used opioids during a year. Findings Prescription opioid use increased in Finland from 1995 to 2016 (from less than 1 to 7%), but the increase was explained by the change in the treatment of codeine‐based opioids in National Health Insurance. The area‐level unemployment rate was positively correlated with the share of opioid users at the municipal level (r = 0.36; P < 0.001). In comparison with being employed, being outside the labour force was associated with increased opioid use in 1995–2007 [odds ratio (OR) = 2.22, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 2.10–2.36] and non‐codeine opioid use in 2009–16 (OR = 2.16, 95% CI = 2.06–2.27), but not with codeine opioid use in 2009–16. Conclusions: Prescription opioid use in Finland appears to be more common among low socio‐economic status people, similar to the United States and the United Kingdom. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focuses on the residents of Old Rauma and their experiences of living in a World Heritage site and living, working and recreating in historic buildings. The aim is to trace residents' divergent frames of reference and values about heritage, as understanding resident-constructed meanings are essential for the management of an international convention that applies to privately owned properties. Our research identifies three community groups in Old Rauma, and suggests that the community networks of Old Rauma are potentially useful for promoting conservation. World Heritage Site like Old Rauma would benefit if there were forums for communication and social learning where different approaches to managing the conservation area could be shared. A more profound knowledge of local values, needs, community dynamics and locally developed, practical conservation methods would support governance and advisory bodies in their work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To assess if arthroscopic partial meniscectomy (APM) is superior to placebo surgery in the treatment of patients with degenerative tear of the medial meniscus.Methods: In this multicentre, randomised, participant-blinded and outcome assessor-blinded, placebo-surgery controlled trial, 146 adults, aged 35-65 years, with knee symptoms consistent with degenerative medial meniscus tear and no knee osteoarthritis were randomised to APM or placebo surgery. The primary outcome was the between-group difference in the change from baseline in the Western Ontario Meniscal Evaluation Tool (WOMET) and Lysholm knee scores and knee pain after exercise at 24 months after surgery. Secondary outcomes included the frequency of unblinding of the treatment-group allocation, participants' satisfaction, impression of change, return to normal activities, the incidence of serious adverse events and the presence of meniscal symptoms in clinical examination. Two subgroup analyses, assessing the outcome on those with mechanical symptoms and those with unstable meniscus tears, were also carried out.Results: In the intention-to-treat analysis, there were no significant between-group differences in the mean changes from baseline to 24 months in WOMET score: 27.3 in the APM group as compared with 31.6 in the placebo-surgery group (between-group difference, -4.3; 95% CI, -11.3 to 2.6); Lysholm knee score: 23.1 and 26.3, respectively (-3.2; -8.9 to 2.4) or knee pain after exercise, 3.5 and 3.9, respectively (-0.4; -1.3 to 0.5). There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in any of the secondary outcomes or within the analysed subgroups.Conclusions: In this 2-year follow-up of patients without knee osteoarthritis but with symptoms of a degenerative medial meniscus tear, the outcomes after APM were no better than those after placebo surgery. No evidence could be found to support the prevailing ideas that patients with presence of mechanical symptoms or certain meniscus tear characteristics or those who have failed initial conservative treatment are more likely to benefit from APM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To describe facilitators and barriers in relation to the growth of nurse prescribing competence from the perspective of the nurses studying in a prescribing programme. Background The number of nurses enrolled in a nurse prescribing programme is rapidly increasing in Finland. However, few studies on nurse prescribing education are available and therefore research is needed, particularly from the point of view of nurses studying in the programme. Design The descriptive, qualitative study used the text of student online learning diaries as data during a 14-month prescribing programme. The sample consisted of 31 nurses, public health nurses or midwives enrolled in a prescribing programme at a university of applied sciences. The data were analysed using the inductive analysis method. Results The growth of nurses' prescribing competence was facilitated by learning clinical examination of the patient, networking with peers, receiving support from the workplace and supervisors, doctors' positive attitude towards nurse prescribing and being able to apply competencies directly to nursing practice. The barriers to the growth of nurses' prescribing competence were unclear job description, incomplete care plans and concerns about how consultation with doctors will be organised and realised. Conclusions The results show that, for the purpose of developing the new role and position of nurse prescribers, educators and nursing managers must invest more in staff awareness of nurse prescribing education and also offer more support to nurse prescribers in their workplaces. Relevance to clinical practice The results of this study can be used especially in countries where nurse prescribing education is only in the process of being planned or has just been started. Heads of nursing and educators in prescribing education will benefit from the results when creating expanded job descriptions for nurses and supporting networking between students during the period of training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this paper is to discuss the requirements and challenges of pyrolysis oil's transportation in Finland. Pyrolysis oil is a new type of renewable liquid fuel that can be utilised in applications such as heat and electricity production. It has never been transported on a large scale in Finland. Possible options are transport by road, rail and waterway. The most significant requirements in its transportation are created by acidity and high density of pyrolysis oil, which impose requirements for the materials and transport equipment. The study described here shows that constant domestic transportation of pyrolysis oil is most reasonably operated with tank trucks. Rail-based transport may have potential for domestic fixed routes, and transport by water could be utilised in exporting. All transportation methods have limitations and advantages relative to each other. Ultimately, the production site and end-user's locations will determine the most suitable transport method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies suggest that mild winters decrease overwinter survival of small mammals or coincide with decreased cyclicity in vole numbers, whereas other studies suggest non-significant or positive relationships between mild winter conditions and vole population dynamics. We expect for the number of voles to be higher in the rich and low-lying habitats of the coastal areas than in the less fertile areas inland. We assume that this geographical difference in vole abundances is diminished by mild winters especially in low-lying habitats. We examine these relationships by generalized linear mixed models using prey remains of breeding tawny owls Strix aluco as a proxy for the abundance of voles. The higher number of small voles in the coastal area than in the inland area suggest that vole populations were denser in the coastal area. Vole populations of both areas were affected by winter weather conditions particularly in March, but these relationships differed between areas. The mild ends of winter with frequent fluctuations of the ambient temperature around the freezing point ('frost seesaw') constrained significantly the coastal vole populations, while deep snow cover, in general after hard winters, was followed by significantly lowered number of voles only in the inland populations. Our results suggest that coastal vole populations are more vulnerable to mild winters than inland ones. We also show that tawny owl prey remains can be used in a meaningful way to study vole population dynamics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stress-related eating may be a potential factor in the obesity epidemic. Rather little is known about how stress associates with eating behavior and food intake in overweight individuals in a free-living situation. Thus, the present study aims to investigate this question in psychologically distressed overweight and obese working-aged Finns. The study is a cross-sectional baseline analysis of a randomized controlled trial. Of the 339 study participants, those with all the needed data available (n = 297, 84% females) were included. The mean age was 48.9 y (SD = 7.6) and mean body mass index 31.3 kg/m(2) (SD = 3.0). Perceived stress and eating behavior were assessed by self-reported questionnaires Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Intuitive Eating Scale, the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire, Health and Taste Attitude Scales and ecSatter Inventory. Diet and alcohol consumption were assessed by 48-h dietary recall, Index of Diet Quality, and AUDIT-C. Individuals reporting most perceived stress (i.e. in the highest PSS tertile) had less intuitive eating, more uncontrolled eating, and more emotional eating compared to those reporting less perceived stress (p < 0.05). Moreover, individuals in the highest PSS tertile reported less cognitive restraint and less eating competence than those in the lowest tertile (p < 0.05). Intake of whole grain products was the lowest among those in the highest PSS tertile (p < 0.05). Otherwise the quality of diet and alcohol consumption did not differ among the PSS tertiles. In conclusion, high perceived stress was associated with the features of eating behavior that could in turn contribute to difficulties in weight management. Stress-related way of eating could thus form a potential risk factor for obesity. More research is needed to develop efficient methods for clinicians to assist in handling stress-related eating in the treatment of obese people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Controversy surrounds the effect of alcohol consumption on the development of dementia and cognitive impairment. We investigated the association between consumption of different alcoholic beverages and β-amyloid (Aβ) aggregation in the brain, 1 of the neuropathological lesions of Alzheimer's disease. Methods: In total, 125 males of the Helsinki Sudden Death autopsy Series were included with an age range at death 35 to 70 years. The consumption of alcohol, Aβ aggregation in the brain, and Apolipoprotein E (APOE) genotype were assessed. Relatives answered a questionnaire to gather alcohol consumption history, and Aβ was visualized by implementing immunohistochemical staining of brain sections. Aβ immunoreactivity (IR) was assessed in a dichotomized (yes/no) fashion and as a stained area fraction (%). APOE genotype was assessed in DNA extracted from paraffin-embedded cardiac muscle samples. Results: Increased age (p = 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 1.09, confidence interval [CI] = 1.04 to 1.15) was associated with higher prevalence of Aβ-IR. Beer drinking decreased (p = 0.024; OR = 0.35, CI = 0.14 to 0.87) the prevalence of Aβ-IR and was associated with a significantly lower extent of Aβ- IR (p = 0.022). The amount of alcohol consumed was not linked with Ab aggregation and neither was spirit nor wine consumption. Conclusions: Beer consumption may protect against Aβ aggregation in brain. Further studies are necessary to fully understand the effects of alcohol on Aβ pathology seen in brain tissue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThe Patient Insurance Centre in Finland reimburses patients who sustained injuries associated with medical and dental care without having to demonstrate malpractice. The aim was to analyse all dental injuries claimed through the Patient Insurance Centre over a 12-year period in order to identify factors affecting reimbursement of claims.MethodsThis study investigated all dental patient insurance claims in Finland during 2000–2011. The injury cases were grouped as (K00–K08) according to the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10). Calendar year, claimant’s age and gender, dental disease group and health service sector were the explanatory factors and the outcome was the decision of a claim. Multiple logistic regression modelling was used in the statistical analyses.ResultsThe total number of decisions related to dental claims at the PIC in 2000–2011 was 7662, of which women claimed a clear majority (72%). Diseases of the pulp and periapical tissues (K04) and dental caries (K02) were the major disease groups (both 29%). Of the claims 40% were eligible for reimbursement, 27% were classified as insignificant or unavoidable injuries and 32% were rejected for other reasons. The proportion of reimbursed claims declined during the period. Patients from the private sector were more likely to be eligible for compensation than were those from the public sector (OR = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.71–2.10).ConclusionsThe number of dental patient insurance claims in Finland clearly rose, while the proportion of reimbursed claims declined. More claims received compensation in the private sector than in the public sector. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The focus of the paper was on discussing the challenges and possibilities of promoting and utilising various renewable energy sources at the regional level. National obligations and the rising prices of fossil fuels have put pressure on energy producers and end users to start utilising renewable energy sources. South-East Finland has one of Europe's highest forest industry concentrations, and renewable energy sources such as wood fuels are utilised widely. The study utilises earlier regional studies and statistics as well as new results from this study. These results are combined into regional potentials which are presented by regional energy balance. The analyses provide important background information for decision making. The various regions of Finland have different operational environments and local participants need motivation and activation regarding these local possibilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study investigated whether mindfulness and psychological flexibility, independently and together, explain intuitive eating. The participants were overweight or obese persons (N = 306) reporting symptoms of perceived stress and enrolled in a psychological lifestyle intervention study. Participants completed self-report measures of psychological flexibility; mindfulness including the subscales observe, describe, act with awareness, non-react, and non-judgment; and intuitive eating including the subscales unconditional permission to eat, eating for physical reasons, and reliance on hunger/satiety cues. Psychological flexibility and mindfulness were positively associated with intuitive eating factors. The results suggest that mindfulness and psychological flexibility are related constructs that not only account for some of the same variance in intuitive eating, but they also account for significant unique variances in intuitive eating. The present results indicate that non-judgment can explain the relationship between general psychological flexibility and unconditional permission to eat as well as eating for physical reasons. However, mindfulness skills—acting with awareness, observing, and non-reacting—explained reliance on hunger/satiety cues independently from general psychological flexibility. These findings suggest that mindfulness and psychological flexibility are interrelated but not redundant constructs and that both may be important for understanding regulation processes underlying eating behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background Free nutritionally balanced school lunches are offered to all schoolchildren in basic education in Finland in each school day. Having school lunch on a regular basis has been found to reflect overall eating patterns. However, skipping part of or even the entire lunch is common. The present study investigated the determinants of the regular consumption of a nutritionally balanced school lunch among schoolchildren, with special reference to the role of sense of coherence ( SOC). Methods In total, 887 children (457 girls and 424 boys), aged 10-17 years from three municipalities in Eastern Finland, filled in a web-based questionnaire in class during a school day and reported eating patterns, body height and weight and perception of body image. SOC was measured by using the 13-item scale. The statistical analysis was carried out with logistic regression modelling and the chi-squared test. Results In addition to female gender, frequent shared family meals, perception of body image as appropriate and younger age, SOC was a significant determinant of regularly eating a nutritionally balanced school lunch in the final multivariate modelling. Strong SOC was also associated with more regular meal frequency and health-promoting snack choices. Conclusions To promote healthy eating patterns among school-aged children, special attention should be paid to children with weak SOC because they may need specific support and encouragement. They might lack sufficient belief in their own capability and/or do not have adequate support from their family to influence their eating and other lifestyle patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cluster of variants in the fat mass and obesity-associated (FTO) gene are associated with the common form of obesity. Well-documented dietary data are required for identifying how the genetic risk can be modified by dietary factors. The objective of the present study was to investigate the associations between the FTO risk allele (rs9939609) and dietary intake, and to evaluate how dietary intake affects the association between FTO and BMI in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study during a mean follow-up of 3·2 years. A total of 479 (BMI >25 kg/m2) men and women were genotyped for rs9939609. The participants completed a 3 d food record at baseline and before every annual study visit. The average intakes at baseline and during the years 1, 2 and 3 were calculated. At baseline, the FTO variant rs9939609 was not associated with the mean values of total energy intake, macronutrients or fibre. At baseline, a higher BMI by the FTO risk genotype was detected especially in those who reported a diet high in fat with mean BMI of 30·6 (sd 4·1), 31·3 (sd 4·6) and 34·5 (sd 6·2) kg/m2 for TT, TA and AA carriers, respectively (P =0·005). Higher BMI was also observed in those who had a diet low in carbohydrates (P =0·028) and fibre (P =0·015). However, in the analyses adjusted for total energy intake, age and sex, significant interactions between FTO and dietary intakes were not found. These findings suggest that the association between the FTO genotype and obesity is influenced by the components of dietary intake, and the current dietary recommendations are particularly beneficial for those who are genetically susceptible for obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses a study of a large, population-based cohort in Finland to replicate the association of common genetic variants with QT interval, confirm the relationship between QT interval and sudden cardiac death (SCD) and explore the association between a score reflecting the joint influence of the variants and risk of SCD. It strongly replicates the association between common genetic variants and the QT interval and suggests a relationship between said variants in aggregate and SCD.

Inorganic nitrogen (N) loading was simulated by the catchment scale INCA-N model from two large river basins with contrasting land use. The main aim was to analyze the timing and origin of inorganic N loading and the effectiveness of different water protection methods. Predicted changes in precipitation and temperature increases the nutrient load from catchments to water bodies in future climate. The total inorganic N load from the forested Simojoki river basin located in northern Finland was about 5% of that from the Loimijoki river basin in south western Finland. In the Loimijoki river basin agriculture dominated inorganic N loading. When applying realistic water protection methods (limits on manure spreading) the simulated inorganic N load from the river basin decreased by 11%. With more drastic methods (no manure spreading + catch crop) a decrease up to 34% was achieved. In the Simojoki river basin there were several equally significant sources, so suitable combinations of different water protection measures would be the most efficient way to decrease the inorganic N load. As the inorganic N load may be composed of very different sources, depending on land use in the river basin, efficient allocation of water protection measures requires detailed analysis of different sources of loading. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The apolipoprotein E (APOE) ɛ4 allele is associated with elevated cholesterol and risk of atherosclerosis. However, its role in ischemic stroke (IS) remains controversial. We investigated a possible link between IS or the severity of intracranial atherosclerosis and the APOE promoter polymorphisms −219G/T and +113G/C, involved in regulating APOE transcription. We genotyped subjects from a multicentric Belgian case–control study, including 237 middle-aged patients with IS due to small- or large-vessel atherosclerotic stroke and 326 ethnicity- and gender-matched controls and a Finnish autopsy series of 1004 non-stroke cases, who had received a quantitative score of atherosclerosis in the circle of Willis. The APOE ɛ4+ genotype did not associate with IS, but was related to more severe intracranial atherosclerosis score in men (5.4 vs 4.6, P=0.044). Within the most common APOE ɛ3/ɛ3 genotype group, the risk of IS associated with the G-allele of the tightly linked −219G/T (OR=6.2; 95% CI: 1.6–24.3, P=0.009) and +113G/C (OR=7.1; 95% CI: 1.7–29.9, P=0.007) promoter polymorphisms. There was no difference in the severity of intracranial atherosclerosis between −219G/G genotype carriers and non-carriers. This study suggests a multifaceted role of apoE on the risk of cerebrovascular diseases. The APOE ɛ4+ genotype did not predict the risk of IS but was associated with severity of subclinical intracranial atherosclerosis in men on the autopsy study. In contrast, the promoter variants were significant predictors of IS, suggesting that quantitative rather than qualitative variation of apoE is related to IS.European Journal of Human Genetics (2008) 16, 955–960; doi:10.1038/ejhg.2008.27; published online 27 February 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenase (COX) catalyzes formation of prostaglandins that contribute to the inflammation in atherosclerosis. Our objective was to study whether the functional C variant of the -7675G → C polymorphism in the human COX-2 gene associates with the severity of coronary atherosclerosis measured at the coronary artery level. The Helsinki sudden death study autopsy material (n = 300) comprised of Finnish men who died suddenly. The area of atherosclerotic lesions in the coronary arteries was quantitated, and coronary narrowing was measured. The occurrence of myocardial infarction (MI) was assessed. Genotyping was by restriction endonuclease analysis. Men carrying the minor C allele had larger areas of complicated lesions (P = .024) and a higher number of coronary arteries that had over 50% stenosis (P = .036) compared to men representing the common GG genotype. The COX-2 polymorphism was not associated with MI. Our data suggest that COX-2 may be involved in plaque growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: An increased level of serum C-reactive protein (CRP) is a known prognostic factor for acute coronary events and sudden cardiac death, and it is associated with coronary calcification. CRP is expressed in coronary arteries, but its role in the development of coronary plaques is unclear. Aim: To investigate CRP immunoreactivity in relation to the severity of coronary artery disease and plaque morphology in human left anterior descending coronary arteries (LAD). Methods: A prospective, consecutive autopsy series of 66 patients (mean age 63.4 years) in Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland. Results: CRP immunoreactivity was seen in 59% of the cases. In logistic regression analysis with age, sex and body mass index as confounders, CRP immunoreactivity in LAD was associated with <50% stenosis and plaque calcification. All three cases with acute coronary thrombosis due to rupture or erosion of the plaque showed a clear immunopositive reaction. CRP-positive cells were never detected in normal arteries, but were often found in early fibrous plaques (75%) and almost invariably present in the shoulder area of plaques with necrotic core (96%). CRP immunoreactivity adjacent to calcified areas in more stable plaques (71%) was less consistent with one-third of these plaques showing no immunoreactivity. Conclusions: CRP immunoreactivity is associated with the progression of atherosclerosis, and especially with unstable coronary plaques. The immunoreactivity could cease at the stable calcified stages of atherosclerosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the Finnish randomized study of prostate cancer screening. Aim of study to evaluate the effect of population-based screening on the mortality from prostate cancer; Secondary endpoints of the trial; Details of the methods and design of the Finnish screening study.

The lignification process in mature Norway spruce [Picea abies (L.) H. Karsten] xylem cell walls was studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM)–immunogold detection with a polyclonal antibody raised against a specific lignin substructure, dibenzodioxocin. The study reveals for the first time the exact location of this abundant eight-ring structure in the cell wall layers of wood. Spruce wood samples were collected in Southern Finland at the time of active growth and lignification of the xylem cell walls. In very young tracheids where secondary cell wall layers were not yet formed, the presence of the dibenzodioxocin structure could not be shown at all. During secondary cell wall thickening, the dibenzodioxocin structure was more abundant in the secondary cell wall layers than in the middle lamella. The highest number of gold particles revealing dibenzodioxocin was in the S2+S3 layer. Statistically significant differences were found in the frequency of gold particles present in various cell wall layers. For comparison, wood sections were also cut with a cryomicrotome for light and fluorescence microscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sequence variation in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) may cause slight differences both in the functioning of the respiratory chain and in free radical production, and an association between certain mtDNA haplogroups and longevity has been suggested. In order to determine further the role of mtDNA in longevity, we studied the frequencies of mtDNA haplogroups and haplogroup clusters among elderly subjects and controls in a Finnish population. Samples were obtained from 225 persons aged 90–91 years (Vitality 90+) and from 400 middle-aged controls and 257 infants. MtDNA haplogroups were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphism. The haplogroup frequencies of the Vitality 90+ group differed from both those of the middle-aged controls (P=0.01) and the infants (P=0.00005), haplogroup H being less frequent than among the middle-aged subjects (P=0.001) and infants (P=0.00001), whereas haplogroups U and J were more frequent. Haplogroup clusters also differed between Vitality 90+ and both the middle-aged subjects (P=0.002) and infants (P=0.00001), the frequency of haplogroup cluster HV being lower in the former and that of UK and WIX being higher. These data suggest an association between certain mtDNA haplogroups or haplogroup clusters and longevity. Furthermore, our data appear to favour the presence of advantageous polymorphisms and support a role for mitochondria and mtDNA in the degenerative processes involved in ageing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of orlistat (Xenical™) treatment on body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE) during a 2 y weight-reduction programme in obese Finns. SUBJECTS: Of initially 96 obese subjects who participated in the weight-reduction programme, those 72 subjects (13 men, 59 women, body mass index (BMI) 35.9±3.9 kg/m², age 43.4±6.0 y, mean±s.d.) with the complete set of data for 2 y were included in the study. DESIGN: After a 4-week lead-in period, subjects were randomized with either orlistat 120 mg t.i.d. or placebo t.i.d. in conjunction with a mildly hypoenergetic balanced diet for 1 y. This was followed by I y double-blind period with the subjects within each treatment group re-assigned to receive orlistat 120 mg t.i.d. or placebo t.i.d. in conjunction with a weight maintenance diet. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition and REE were measured after an overnight fast by a bioelectrical impedance method and indirect calorimeter, respectively. The measurements were performed at the beginning and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months. RESULTS: During the first year, the orlistat-treated group had greater reduction of body weight and fat mass but not of fat-free mass or REE as compared to placebo. During the second year, orlistat treatment was associated with smaller regain of body weight and fat mass with no significant differences in the changes of fat-free mass or REE as compared to placebo. CONCLUSION: In addition to better weight loss and maintenance of reduced weight, orlistat treatment is associated with beneficial changes in body composition but with no excess decrease in resting energy expenditure as compared to that achieved during placebo with a dietary therapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evaluates public support for artists in Finland. Importance of the State in the continuation and existence of traditional art fields in Finland; Problems encountered in the research project; Definition of art and an artist; Aims and measures of public support; Role of the National Arts Council in the distribution of artist grants.

Reactions to harassment of victims of bullying were studied. One issue was, what kind of behavior on the part of the victim is likely to a) make the others start or continue bullying or b) diminish bullying or put an end to it. AItogether 573 pupils (286 girls, 287 boys) from 11 Finnish schools served as subjects: 67 of them (33 girls, 34 boys) were identified as victims of bullying. Both peer- and self-evaluations were used as methods of the study. Three subscales, describing counteraggressive, helpless, and nonchalant behavioral responses to bullying were established on the basis of peer-evaluations of the victims' behavior. Three different subtypes of victims (the Counteraggressive, the Help- less, and the Nonchalant) were identified. Helplessness and nonchalance were found to be typical responses of the girl victims, while boy victims tended In react In bullying with counteraggression or nonchalance. The victims' self-evaluations of their behavior supported these views. Helplessness and counteraggression in the case of girl victims and counteraggression in the case of boy victims were perceived as making the bullying start or continue. The absence of helplessness in the case of girl victims, and nonchalance as well as the absence of counteraggression in the case of boy victims were perceived as making the bullying diminish or stop. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The study aimed to evaluate the risk of pleural plaques according to the degree of past exposure to asbestos, type of amphibole asbestos, and smoking, as well as to estimate the aetiologic fraction of asbestos as a cause of plaques among urban men.Methods: The occurrence and extent of pleural plaques were recorded at necropsies of 288 urban men aged 33 to 69 years. The pulmonary concentration of asbestos and other mineral fibres was analysed with scanning electron microscopy. The probability of past exposure was estimated from the last occupation.Results: Pleural plaques were detected in 58% of the cases and their frequency increased with age, probability of past occupational exposure to asbestos, pulmonary concentration of asbestos fibres, and smoking. The risk of both moderate and widespread plaques was raised among asbestos exposed cases, and the risk estimates were higher for widespread plaques than for moderate plaques. The age adjusted risk was higher for high concentrations of crocidolite/amosite fibres than for anthophyllite fibres. The aetiologic fraction of pulmonary concentration of asbestos fibres exceeding 0.1 million fibres/g was 43% for widespread plaques and 24% for all plaques. The median pulmonary concentrations of asbestos fibres were about threefold greater among cases with widespread plaques than among those without plaques. No increased risk of pleural plaques was associated with raised total concentrations of non-asbestos fibres.Conclusion: The occurrence of pleural plaques correlated closely with past exposure to asbestos. The risk was dependent on the intensity of exposure. Due to methodological difficulties in detecting past exposures to chrysotile and such low exposures that may still pose a risk of plaques, the aetiologic fractions calculated in the study probably underestimate the role of asbestos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The StopDia study is based on the convincing scientific evidence that type 2 diabetes (T2D) and its comorbidities can be prevented by a healthy lifestyle. The need for additional research is based on the fact that the attempts to translate scientific evidence into actions in the real-world health care have not led to permanent and cost-effective models to prevent T2D. The specific aims of the StopDia study following the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, and Maintenance (RE-AIM) framework are to 1) improve the Reach of individuals at increased risk, 2) evaluate the Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the digital lifestyle intervention and the digital and face-to-face group lifestyle intervention in comparison to routine care in a randomized controlled trial (RCT), and 3) evaluate the Adoption and Implementation of the StopDia model by the participants and the health care organizations at society level. Finally, we will address the Maintenance of the lifestyle changes at participant level and that of the program at organisatory level after the RCT.Methods: The StopDia study is carried out in the primary health care system as part of the routine actions of three provinces in Finland, including Northern Savo, Southern Carelia, and Päijät-Häme. We estimate that one fifth of adults aged 18-70 years living in these areas are at increased risk of T2D. We recruit the participants using the StopDia Digital Screening Tool, including questions from the Finnish Diabetes Risk Score (FINDRISC). About 3000 individuals at increased risk of T2D (FINDRISC ≥12 or a history of gestational diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance) participate in the one-year randomized controlled trial. We monitor lifestyle factors using the StopDia Digital Questionnaire and metabolism using laboratory tests performed as part of routine actions in the health care system.Discussion: Sustainable and scalable models are needed to reach and identify individuals at increased risk of T2D and to deliver personalized and effective lifestyle interventions. With the StopDia study we aim to answer these challenges in a scientific project that is fully digitally integrated into the routine health care.Trial Registration: ClinicalTials.gov . Identifier: NCT03156478 . Date of registration 17.5.2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Internal motivation and good psychological capabilities are important factors in successful eating-related behavior change. Thus, we investigated whether general acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) affects reported eating behavior and diet quality and whether baseline perceived stress moderates the intervention effects. Methods: Secondary analysis of unblinded randomized controlled trial in three Finnish cities. Working-aged adults with psychological distress and overweight or obesity in three parallel groups: (1) ACT-based Face-to-face (n = 70; six group sessions led by a psychologist), (2) ACT-based Mobile (n = 78; one group session and mobile app), and (3) Control (n = 71; only the measurements). At baseline, the participants’ (n = 219, 85% females) mean body mass index was 31.3 kg/m2 (SD = 2.9), and mean age was 49.5 years (SD = 7.4). The measurements conducted before the 8-week intervention period (baseline), 10 weeks after the baseline (post-intervention), and 36 weeks after the baseline (follow-up) included clinical measurements, questionnaires of eating behavior (IES-1, TFEQ-R18, HTAS, ecSI 2.0, REBS), diet quality (IDQ), alcohol consumption (AUDIT-C), perceived stress (PSS), and 48-h dietary recall. Hierarchical linear modeling (Wald test) was used to analyze the differences in changes between groups. Results: Group x time interactions showed that the subcomponent of intuitive eating (IES-1), i.e., Eating for physical rather than emotional reasons, increased in both ACT-based groups (p =.019); the subcomponent of TFEQ-R18, i.e., Uncontrolled eating, decreased in the Face-to-face group (p =.020); the subcomponent of health and taste attitudes (HTAS), i.e., Using food as a reward, decreased in the Mobile group (p =.048); and both subcomponent of eating competence (ecSI 2.0), i.e., Food acceptance (p =.048), and two subcomponents of regulation of eating behavior (REBS), i.e., Integrated and Identified regulation (p =.003, p =.023, respectively), increased in the Face-to-face group. Baseline perceived stress did not moderate effects on these particular features of eating behavior from baseline to follow-up. No statistically significant effects were found for dietary measures. Conclusions: ACT-based interventions, delivered in group sessions or by mobile app, showed beneficial effects on reported eating behavior. Beneficial effects on eating behavior were, however, not accompanied by parallel changes in diet, which suggests that ACT-based interventions should include nutritional counseling if changes in diet are targeted. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov ( NCT01738256 ), registered 17 August, 2012. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Finland, it is estimated that forest biomass will be the main source of bioenergy when meeting the national target of 38% renewable from final energy consumption by 2020. Achieving this target means that concrete actions on increasing the use of renewable energy have to take place in regional level. The aim of this was to introduce a questionnaire study, which highlights concrete local possibilities and challenges in utilization of forest biomass. Volume of regional forest biomass business and production prices was also studied. The questionnaire was sent for actual participants operating in forest biomass production, supply, and end-use. This study gives information about operation methods and bottlenecks in forest biomass markets for all stakeholder groups interested in use and production of forest biomass. Opinions, valuable references, and concrete examples could be applied into practice by actual actors working with forest biomass. Background information for this kind of study is sufficient data about regional use and availability of forest biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eating behaviour tendencies, emotional eating (EE), uncontrolled eating (UE) and cognitive restraint (CR), are associated with various indicators of physical and mental health. Therefore, it is important to understand these tendencies in order to design interventions to improve health. Previous research has mostly examined eating behaviour tendencies individually, without considering typical combinations of these tendencies or their manifestation in well-being and food choices. This study aimed to understand the interactive occurrence of EE, UE and CR in two independent populations. Finnish (n = 1060) and German (n = 1070) samples were segmented on the basis of their responses to a modified Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R15). Well-being, coping strategies and food consumption habits of the segments were studied. Segmentation revealed four segments: "Susceptible", "Easy-going", "Rational" and "Struggling". These segments were similar in both countries with regard to well-being, coping strategies and food choices. EE and UE co-occurred, and these tendencies were mainly responsible for differentiating the segments. Members of the "Rational" and "Easy-going" segments, who had low scores for EE and UE, tended to experience vitality and positive emotions in life, and contentment with their eating. By contrast, the "Susceptible" and "Struggling" segments, with more pronounced tendencies towards EE and UE, experienced lower levels of vitality and less frequently positive emotions, applied less adaptive coping strategies and experienced more discontent with eating. The results of the current study suggest that it is possible to identify segments, with differing eating habits, coping strategies and well-being on the basis of the eating behaviour tendencies EE, UE and CR. We discuss possible viewpoints for the design of interventions and food products to help people towards psychologically and physiologically healthier eating styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabet. Med. 29, e126-e132 (2012) Abstract Aims To assess the effect of lifestyle intervention on depressive symptoms during a 36-month randomized clinical trial designed to prevent Type 2 diabetes. Methods A total of 522 middle-aged participants, who were overweight or obese and had impaired glucose tolerance, were randomized to the lifestyle intervention or control group in the Finnish Diabetes Prevention Study. The intervention group received individualized counselling aimed at reducing weight and increasing physical activity. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Depression Inventory among a subgroup of 140 participants. Results On study entry, the mean Beck Depression Inventory scores ± sd were 6.8 ± 5.6 in the intervention group and 6.7 ± 5.5 in the control group. Beck Depression Inventory scores reduced during the intervention study: the mean ± sd (95% CI) reduction was 0.90 ± 4.54 (−1.99 to −0.19) scores in the intervention group and 0.75 ± 4.47 (−1.80 to 0.31) in the control group, with no difference between the groups. In a stepwise linear multivariate regression analysis, the variables with the strongest associations with the change in Beck Depression Inventory scores were baseline Beck Depression Inventory scores, marital status, weight change and change of total energy intake ( R2 = 0.209, P < 0.001). Conclusions Participation in the study lowered depression scores, with no specific group effect. Among the lifestyle changes, particularly successful reduction of body weight was associated with the greater reduction of depressive symptoms. Thus, regardless of the intensity of the treatment, the success in executing alterations in one's lifestyle and behaviour is associated with beneficial changes in mood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the HIV virus in medicolegal necropsies in Helsinki, Finland. Contraction of HIV virus through blood transfusions and homosexual behavior; Observation of suicides in men negative with HIV virus.

Women are believed to be protected from coronary heart disease (CHD) by the effects of estrogen but detailed studies on the vessel wall level are missing. We aimed to measure sex differences in atherosclerosis during the premenopausal and postmenopausal periods directly at the coronary arteries. We analyzed statistics for sex differences in CHD mortality in Finland in 2020. Coronary atherosclerosis was measured using computer-assisted morphometry in 10-year age groups of 185 white Caucasian women and 515 men from the Tampere Sudden Death Study. CHD mortality was rare in both women and men before 50 years of age. After 50 years of age, male mortality increased rapidly, with women reaching equal levels in the oldest age groups. In the autopsy series, there were no differences in fatty streak, fibrotic or calcified plaque areas, nor in the plaque area or stenosis percentage in coronary arteries between premenopausal women and men in the same age group. The plaque area remained 25 % smaller in both coronaries in postmenopausal women aged 51–70 years compared to men. In the oldest postmenopausal group (≥70 years), plaque area reached the level of men. In the postmenopausal period, coronary stenosis in the left anterior descending (LAD) artery remained lower among women. We did not detect any major sex-difference in coronary atherosclerosis in the premenopausal period when women are considered to be protected from CHD. However, in line with CHD mortality statistics, postmenopausal women showed a slower speed of coronary atherosclerosis development compared to men. [Display omitted] • Premenopausal women are suggested to be protected from CHD due to the effects of estrogen. • By measuring atherosclerosis at the vessel wall, we found no sex difference in atherosclerosis before 50 years of age. • In the postmenopausal period, women's atherosclerosis lagged behind the progression in men up to 70 years of age. • After 70 years, women's atherosclerosis extent and severity reached the level of men. • Besides estrogen, sex differences in CHD risk factors or possible sex-specific genetic effects probably play a role. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between eating behaviour and dietary factors has been studied narrowly in children. Therefore, we investigated whether eating frequency and food consumption are influenced by eating behaviour in a population sample of 406 children aged 6-8 years. We assessed features of eating behaviour by the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire and dietary factors by a 4-day food record. The results showed that enjoyment of food was directly associated with a number of main meals (p = 0.041) and consumption of vegetables (p = 0.041), cheese (p = 0.005), and meat (p = 0.002). Food responsiveness was directly associated with consumption of fruit and berries (p = 0.013) and meat (p = 0.016). Desire to drink was directly associated with consumption of fat-containing milk (p = 0.002) and inversely associated with consumption of skimmed milk (p = 0.001). Food fussiness was inversely associated with a number of main meals (p = 0.013) and consumption of vegetables (p < 0.001), cheese (p = 0.001), and meat (p = 0.027). Satiety responsiveness was inversely associated with consumption of vegetables (p = 0.031), cheese (p = 0.010), and meat (p < 0.001) and directly associated with consumption of candies and chocolate (p = 0.026). Slowness in eating was inversely associated with consumption of meat (p = 0.018). Where sex differences existed the associations tended to be observed mostly in girls but not in boys. Our study shows that enjoyment of food and food responsiveness are directly associated with consumption of protein-rich foods and vegetables, fruit and berries, whereas food fussiness and satiety responsiveness are inversely associated with consumption of these foods. Assessment of eating behaviour can help in identifying children with various dietary needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Ageing is characterized by chronic low-grade inflammation and the expected lifespan may be affected by several immunological and inflammatory mediators. In this study, we investigated whether the functional Tyr402His polymorphism (rs1061170) on complement factor H (CFH) gene, which is a key inflammatory downregulator, modulates the longevity of 491 nonagenarians in the Vitality 90+ study. Logistic regression analysis and Kaplan–Meier method with the log rank test were used to examine the effect of the CFH Tyr402His polymorphism on 4-year mortality. After follow-up, we observed that risk factor-adjusted mortality was significantly higher among the carriers of CFH 402His allele compared to non-carriers (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.19–2.67, p =0.005) and that the survival curves of CFH 402His carriers and non-carriers deviated significantly (p =0.016). We propose that the increased mortality is inflammation-related and mediated by aberrant complement regulation by the CFH 402His variant. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]