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National-level educational administrators constantly face the question of how to ensure that the basic education system successfully meets complex local, national, international, and global challenges, and what is the best way to initiate and drive systemic changes in education amid such complexity and to create value for society. Studies have shown that participative approaches to reform leadership are beneficial; however, in practice, participative incentives are randomly used in national reform contexts. In this article, we present a Finnish case of national participative leadership regarding the Finnish Core Curriculum Reform of 2014 (hereafter FCCR2014). We interviewed key leaders in the FCCR2014 process (n = 23) and analyzed the data from social, personal, interpersonal, and organizational viewpoints with this question in mind: How did administrators responsible for leading the reform develop and lead the participative FCCR2014 process? Sub questions were: (1) What were their goals in developing and leading the reform, and (2) how did they succeed in developing and leading the reform in line with their goals--what was effective and what was not? The results show how participative leadership in a national curriculum reform calls for top leaders to include stakeholders, build and support strong and open collaboration processes, take the risk of losing some of their control, reject strict dichotomizations between strategy formulation and implementation, and consider change leadership a responsible act of giving stakeholders a fair chance to participate in the decision-making that affects their lives. Key aspects to participative leadership included building participation, not quasi-participation; building coherence in complexity--together; and fitting change to the education system with responsible leadership.

As part of citizenship education, the prevention of radicalization and extremism through education (PVE-E) is an urgent initiative of global educational policy. According to research, radicalized individuals, despite the ideology held, have mindsets that challenge equality and social justice. In this light, this study examines the intergroup mindsets of Finnish students aged 16-19 in vocational institutions through a mixed methods research survey (n = 383). Three distinct intergroup mindsets were found in a profile analysis. The findings demonstrate that the intergroup mindsets of the students are predominantly egalitarian, open-minded, and inclusive. However, there are also students whose mindsets are anti-egalitarian and pro-dominance, and for whom Finnishness is a marker of borders and social exclusion. If intensified and manipulated, the views of these youth may become radicalized with serious implications for national security and societal cohesion. We argue that in PVE-E, the focus on critical thinking must be complemented with transformative approaches that support the development of mindsets based on social justice and equality.

BACKGROUND: It is unknown whether dietary intake of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) modifies the cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk associated with a family history of CVD. We assessed interactions between biomarkers of low PUFA intake and a family history in relation to long-term CVD risk in a large consortium. METHODS: Blood and tissue PUFA data from 40 885 CVD-free adults were assessed. PUFA levels ≤25th percentile were considered to reflect low intake of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and eicosapentaenoic/docosahexaenoic acids (EPA/DHA). Family history was defined as having ≥1 first-degree relative who experienced a CVD event. Relative risks with 95% CI of CVD were estimated using Cox regression and meta-analyzed. Interactions were assessed by analyzing product terms and calculating relative excess risk due to interaction. RESULTS: After multivariable adjustments, a significant interaction between low EPA/DHA and family history was observed (product term pooled RR, 1.09 [95% CI, 1.02-1.16]; P=0.01). The pooled relative risk of CVD associated with the combined exposure to low EPA/DHA, and family history was 1.41 (95% CI, 1.30-1.54), whereas it was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.16-1.33) for family history alone and 1.06 (95% CI, 0.98-1.14) for EPA/DHA alone, compared with those with neither exposure. The relative excess risk due to interaction results indicated no interactions. CONCLUSIONS: A significant interaction between biomarkers of low EPA/DHA intake, but not the other PUFA, and a family history was observed. This novel finding might suggest a need to emphasize the benefit of consuming oily fish for individuals with a family history of CVD.

Abstract The human gut microbiota is central in regulating all facets of host physiology, and in early life it is thought to influence the host’s immune system and metabolism, affecting long-term health. However, longitudinally monitored cohorts with parallel analysis of faecal samples and health data are scarce. In our observational study we describe the gut microbiota development in the first 2 years of life and create a gut microbiota wellbeing index based on the microbiota development and health data in a cohort of nearly 1000 infants using clustering and trajectory modelling. We show that infants’ gut microbiota development is highly predictable, following one of five trajectories, dependent on infant exposures, and predictive of later health outcomes. We characterise the natural healthy gut microbiota trajectory and several different dysbiotic trajectories associated with different health outcomes. Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides appear as early keystone organisms, directing microbiota development and consistently predicting positive health outcomes. A microbiota wellbeing index, based on the healthy development trajectory, is predictive of general health over the first 5 years. The results indicate that gut microbiota succession is part of infant physiological development, predictable, and malleable. This information can be utilised to improve the predictions of individual health risks.

AIMS - The aims were to compare past-year at-risk and problem gambling (ARPG) and other at-risk behaviours (computer gaming, risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking) by age and gender, and to explore how ARPG is associated with risky alcohol consumption, tobacco smoking, poor mental health and loneliness in males and females. DESIGN - Data from respondents aged 15-28 (n = 822) were derived from a cross-sectional random sample of population-based data (n = 4484). The data were collected in 2011-2012 by telephone interviews. The Problem Gambling Severity Index (PGSI, score≥2) was used to evaluate ARPG. Prevalence rates for risk behaviours were compared for within gender-specific age groups. Regression models were gender-specific. RESULTS - The proportion of at-risk and problem gamblers was higher among males than females in all age groups except among 18-21-year-olds, while frequent computer gaming was higher among males in all age groups. The odds ratio (95% CI) of being a male ARPGer was 2.57 (1.40-4.74) for risky alcohol consumption; 1.95 (1.07-3.56) for tobacco smoking; 2.63 (0.96-7.26) for poor mental health; and 4.41 (1.20-16.23) for feeling lonely. Likewise, the odds ratio (95% CI) of being a female ARPGer was 1.19 (0.45-3.12) for risky alcohol consumption; 4.01 (1.43-11.24) for tobacco smoking; 0.99 (0.18-5.39) for poor mental health; and 6.46 (1.42-29.34) for feeling lonely. All 95% CIs of ARPG correlates overlapped among males and females. CONCLUSIONS - Overall, past-year at-risk and problem gambling and computer gaming seem to be more common among males than females; however, for risky alcohol consumption similar gender differences were evident only for the older half of the sample. No clear gender differences were seen in correlates associated with ARPG.

Knowledge of scientific inquiry (SI) is considered essential to the development of an individual's Scientific Literacy (SL) and therefore, SI is included in many international science education reform documents. Two previous large scale international studies assessed the SI understandings of students entering middle school and secondary students at the end of their formal K-12 science education. The purpose of this international project was to use the VASI-E to collect data on what primary level students have learned about SI in their first few years of school. This study adds to previous research to bridge the landscape of SI understandings now with representation from primary, middle and high school samples. A total of 4,238 students from 35 countries/regions spanning six continents participated in the study. The results show that globally, primary students are not adequately informed about SI for their age group. However, when compared with the students in the previous international studies (grades seven and 12), the primary students' understandings were surprisingly closer to the levels of understanding of SI of the secondary school students than those in the seventh grade study.

Abstract Background In familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF) at least two biological relatives are affected. Patients with FPF have diverse clinical features. Research question We aimed to characterize demographic and clinical features, re-evaluate high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) scans and histopathology of surgical lung biopsies, assess survival and investigate the suitability of risk prediction models for FPF patients. Study design A retrospective cohort study. Methods FPF data (n = 68) were collected from the medical records of Oulu University Hospital (OUH) and Oulaskangas District Hospital between 1 Jan 2000 and 11 Jan 2023. The inclusion criterion was pulmonary fibrosis (PF) (ICD 10-code J84.X) and at least one self-reported relative with PF. Clinical information was gathered from hospital medical records. HRCT scans and histology were re-evaluated. Results Thirty-seven (54.4%) of the patients were men, and 31 (45.6%) were women. The mean ages of the women and men were 68.6 and 61.7 years, respectively (p = 0.003). Thirty-seven (54.4%) patients were nonsmokers. The most common radiological patterns were usual interstitial pneumonia (UIP) (51/75.0%), unclassifiable (8/11.8%) and nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP) (3/4.4%). Pleuroparenchymal fibroelastosis (PPFE) was observed as a single or combined pattern in 13.2% of the patients. According to the 2022 guidelines for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), the patients were categorized as UIP (31/45.6%), probable UIP (20/29.4%), indeterminate for UIP (7/10.3%) or alternative diagnosis (10/14.7%). The histopathological patterns were UIP (7/41.2%), probable UIP (1/5.9%), indeterminate for UIP (8/47.2%) and alternative diagnosis (1/5.9%). Rare genetic variants were found in 9 patients; these included telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT, n = 6), telomerase RNA component (TERC, n = 2) and regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 (RTEL1, n = 1). Half of the patients died (n = 29) or underwent lung transplantation (n = 5), with a median survival of 39.9 months. The risk prediction models composite physiology index (CPI), hazard ratio (HR) 1.07 (95.0% CI 1.04–1.10), and gender-age-physiology index (GAP) stage I predicted survival statistically significantly (p

Abstract It has been described that many puppy owners experience a state called puppy blues involving stress, worry, anxiety, strain, frustration, or regret. While puppy blues is a commonly used term among dog owners, the term is nearly nonexistent in scientific literature. In turn, analogous phenomenon, postpartum affective disturbance of infant caregivers, is well described in the literature. This study aimed to develop and validate the first questionnaire to evaluate puppy blues. The methodology involved generating scale items based on a qualitative review of 135 pilot survey responses from people who had experienced distress during the puppy period, conducting exploratory factor analysis for the final scale items from a dataset of 1801 answers from Finnish dog owners (92% women), and collecting test-retest data from 265 individuals to assess the consistency of the measurement of items and factor structure across time. In addition, we collected an independent sample of 326 owners of 1–2-year-old dogs who answered the survey both regarding puppy period and current moment. The results indicate that the scale is a valid and reliable tool for measuring dog owners’ negative experiences and feelings related to puppyhood. We discovered three factors that describe different aspects of puppy blues: Frustration, Anxiety, and Weariness, which accounted for a significant proportion of the variance in puppy blues. The study demonstrated good internal consistency and consistency across two independent samples for the three identified factors. The test-retest reliability of the factors was good. Responses for the current timeframe compared to puppyhood experiences revealed significantly lower current scores across all factors for the current period, validating that the scale captures distress during puppyhood that diminishes over time. Interestingly, we found a fading affect bias where recollections of the experiences in the puppy period became more positive with time. Our findings shed light on the characteristics of puppy blues and provide a useful retrospective tool for measuring it.

Tämä väitöskirja tarkastelee uutismedian, yleisöjen ja sosiaalisen median alustojen välistä vuorovaikutteista suhdetta portinvartijateorian valossa hyödyntäen julkaisun jälkeisen portinvartijuuden teoriaa. Tutkimus siis tarkastelee sitä, mitä tapahtuu uutisille niiden julkaisemisen jälkeen, ja kuinka yleisöt ja uutismedia ovat vuorovaikutuksessa digitaalisessa uutisympäristössä. Työ on laadullisesti orientoitunut artikkeliväitöskirja joka muodostuu kolmesta empiirisestä osatutkimuksesta. Väitöskirjatutkimuksen perusteella esitetään, että nykyisessä digitaalisessa uutisympäristössä tulisi puhua jaetusta portinvartijuuden vallasta sekä julkaisun jälkeisestä portinvartijuudesta. Tutkimus osoittaa ettei uutismedia ole enää ainoa portinvartija digitaalisessa uutisympäristössä, vaan se jakaa portinvartijuuden valtaa iteratiivisessa vuorovaikutuksessa sosiaalisen median alustojen ja yleisöjen kanssa. Uutisia ja portinvartijuutta muovaavat julkaisemisen jälkeen useat erilaiset tekijät, kuten yleisöt, sosiaalisen median alustat, regulaatio (laki ja etiikka), sekä erilaiset käytännöt kuten esimerkiksi vuorovaikutuskäytännöt. Tutkimuksen tuloksena todetaan, että uutismedioilla ja yleisöillä on molemmilla mahdollisuus vuorovaikutuksen keinoin huolehtia sosiaalisen median keskusteluista niin, että vihapuhe ja muu negatiivinen keskustelu jäisi vähäiseksi. Lisäksi tutkimus nostaa esiin sen, että uutismedioiden kannattaisi huomioida sosiaalisen median alustoja ja niillä tapahtuvaa toimintaansa myös visuaalisesta näkökulmasta, sillä uutiset saavat yhä useammin visuaalisia muotoja. Lainsäädännön näkökulmasta tutkimus nostaa esiin, että uutismedioiden olisi tärkeää huomioida EU:n digisäädöksien kehitystä ja sovellettavuutta omalla toimintakentällään. Tällä väitöskirjatyöllä on ollut vaikutusta myös journalismin etiikan saralla, sillä sen tuloksia koskien journalismin toimintaa sosiaalisen media alustoilla on hyödynnetty Journalistin ohjeiden päivitystyössä (2023–2024).

Abstract Background Intestinal botulism is primarily reported in small babies as a condition known as infant botulism. The condition results from the ingestion of environmental or foodborne spores of botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) producing Clostridia, usually Clostridium botulinum, and subsequent spore germination into active botulinum neurotoxinogenic cultures in the gut. It is generally considered that small babies are susceptible to C. botulinum colonization because of their immature gut microbiota. Yet, it is poorly understood which host factors contribute to the clinical outcome of intestinal botulism. We previously reported a case of infant botulism where the infant recovered clinically in six weeks but continued to secrete C. botulinum cells and/or BoNT in the feces for seven months. Case presentation To further understand the microbial ecology behind this exceptionally long-lasting botulinum neurotoxinogenic colonization, we characterized the infant fecal microbiota using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing over the course of disease and recovery. C. botulinum could be detected in the infant fecal samples at low levels through the acute phase of the disease and three months after recovery. Overall, we observed a temporal delay in the maturation of the infant fecal microbiota associated with a persistently high-level bifidobacterial population and a low level of Lachnospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae and Ruminococcaceae compared to healthy infants over time. Conclusion This study brings novel insights into the infant fecal composition associated with intestinal botulism and provides a basis for a more systematic analysis of the gut microbiota of infants diagnosed with botulism. A better understanding of the gut microbial ecology associated with infant botulism may support the development of prophylactic strategies against this life-threatening disease in small babies.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prevalent in the infant gut microbiota and make up the intestinal resistome, representing a community ARG reservoir. This study focuses on the dynamics and persistence of ARGs in the early gut microbiota, and the effect of early exposures therein. We leveraged 2,328 stool metagenomes from 475 children in the HELMi cohort and the available parental samples to study the diversity, dynamics, and intra-familial sharing of the resistome during the first two years of life. We found higher within-family similarity of the gut resistome composition and ARG load in infant-mother pairs, and between spouses, but not in father-infant pairs. Early gut microbiota composition and development correlated with the ARG load; Bacteroides correlated positively and Bifidobacterium negatively with the load, reflecting the typical resistance levels in these taxa. Caesarean delivered infants harbored lower ARG loads, partly reflecting the scarcity of Bacteroides compared to vaginally delivered. Exposure to intrapartum or post-natal antibiotics showed only modest associations with the ARG load and composition, mainly before 12 months. Our results indicate that the resistome is strongly driven by the normal development of the microbiota in early life, and suggest importance of longer evolution of ARGs over effects of recent antibiotic exposure.

AbstractDigital fluency is a central 21st-century competence. Schools are responsible for ensuring that all students cultivate sophisticated sociodigital competences and mindsets needed for studying and collaborating through and around technology and overcoming digital challenges encountered. Although some schools have successfully integrated digital technologies into traditional schoolwork, students are not provided sufficient structured training in creative and academic practices of using digital technologies. This study explored changes before and after the COVID-19 pandemic in Finnish primary and middle school students’ perceived sociodigital study practices, competences, mindsets, and profiles. Participants were asked to respond to the Sociodigital Practices Inventory (SDPi), which assessed their sociodigital study practices, competences, and mindset. The participants consisted of 947 cohort 1 students (5th grade in 2019 and 6th grade in 2020) and 771 cohort 2 students (7th grade in 2019 and 8th grade in 2020). The results revealed subtle changes in students’ perceptions regarding schools’ digital practices; primary school students experienced an increase in basic practices while middle schoolers experienced a decrease in perceived advanced practices. Both boys’ and girls’ self-evaluated academic sociodigital competences increased from 2019 to 2020, while their artistic and technical competences decreased. Primary school boys’ sociodigital mindsets increased, while that of middle school girls decreased. The analyses revealed four latent profiles of digital fluency: Inexperienced, Enthusiastic, Humble, and Driven. We propose that it is vital to build a multidimensional view of students’ digital fluency by exploring interrelations between their sociodigital practices, competences, mindsets, and profiles.

Whether the human fetus and the prenatal intrauterine environment (amniotic fluid and placenta) are stably colonized by microbial communities in a healthy pregnancy remains a subject of debate. Here we evaluate recent studies that characterized microbial populations in human fetuses from the perspectives of reproductive biology, microbial ecology, bioinformatics, immunology, clinical microbiology and gnotobiology, and assess possible mechanisms by which the fetus might interact with microorganisms. Our analysis indicates that the detected microbial signals are likely the result of contamination during the clinical procedures to obtain fetal samples or during DNA extraction and DNA sequencing. Furthermore, the existence of live and replicating microbial populations in healthy fetal tissues is not compatible with fundamental concepts of immunology, clinical microbiology and the derivation of germ-free mammals. These conclusions are important to our understanding of human immune development and illustrate common pitfalls in the microbial analyses of many other low-biomass environments. The pursuit of a fetal microbiome serves as a cautionary example of the challenges of sequence-based microbiome studies when biomass is low or absent, and emphasizes the need for a trans-disciplinary approach that goes beyond contamination controls by also incorporating biological, ecological and mechanistic concepts.