Apolipoprotein E polymorphism is associated with both carotid and coronary atherosclerosis in patients with coronary artery disease

Background and aimsApolipoprotein E (apoE) polymorphism plays a significant role in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to examine the association between apoE polymorphism and carotid intima-media thickness (IMT), and severity and extent of coronary artery disease (CAD).Methods and resultsB-mode ultrasound and quantitative coronary angiography (QCA) were used to assess carotid, and coronary artery atherosclerosis in 91 patients with clinically suspected CAD referred for cardiac catheterization. Two apoE phenotype groups were defined: apoE3 (E3/E3) and apoE4 (including E4/E3, E4/E4 phenotypes). Maximum IMT was higher in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.022). The global atheroma burden index was similarly higher in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.033). ApoE4 subjects had higher levels of apolipoprotein B (apoB) (p = 0.008), triglycerides (p = 0.006), remnant lipoprotein-cholesterol (RLP-C) (p = 0.023), and lipoprotein(a) [(Lp(a)] (p = 0.041) than apoE3 subjects. The mean LDL particle size was smaller in the apoE4 group than in the apoE3 group (p = 0.041).ConclusionsApoE polymorphism was associated with both carotid and coronary atherosclerosis. Patients with the apoE4 isoform had an increased carotid IMT and a more severe and extensive CAD than patients with the apoE3 isoform.     

Motivational Orientation of People Participating in Vocational Rehabilitation

Purpose The task of vocational rehabilitation is to support the employee’s chances of continuing in working life. The study aimed to examine the motivational orientation of people participating in vocational rehabilitation and to find out what characteristics of the clients, their life situation, and their beliefs and perceptions were associated with it. Methods A mail questionnaire was answered by 839 rehabilitation clients who had received an affirmative rehabilitation decision under the earnings-related pension scheme 12 months earlier (response rate 67 %). Two variables depicting motivational orientation were formed, i.e., motivation for continuing in working life and motivation for participating in vocational rehabilitation. Logistic regression analyses were applied in examining the factors associated with each motivation variable. Results The results indicate that the two motivational orientations can be regarded as partly separate and partly overlapping constructs. The rehabilitation clients’ motivational orientations were associated with their experiences and their perceptions on environmental factors and future possibilities, both those that precipitated the application for rehabilitation and those that are important in their current life situation and their perceived future possibilities. Conclusions In the planning of individual rehabilitation processes there is a clear need to sort out what factors may hide behind the client’s weak contextual or situational motivation. In the course of the rehabilitation process, it is important to discuss these factors in order to alleviate the clients’ uncertainty towards change and enhance their motivation to participate in rehabilitation and re-think their future prospects of returning to work.     

The degree of fetal metformin exposure does not influence fetal outcome in gestational diabetes mellitus

The purpose of the study was to examine in vivo placental transfer of metformin, its association with neonatal outcome in metformin-treated gestational diabetes (GDM) patients, and influence of metformin exposure on maternal glycemic control and weight gain. Two hundred and seventeen GDM patients were randomized to metformin or insulin in Turku University Hospital, Finland. Metformin concentrations were determined by mass spectrometry in maternal serum at 36 gestational weeks (gw) and at birth, and in umbilical cord blood. Main outcome measures were birth weight, gw at birth, umbilical artery pH and neonatal hypoglycemia, maternal weight gain, HbA1c and fructosamine concentration. Median umbilical cord/maternal serum metformin concentration ratio was 0.73. There were no differences in birth weight measured in grams or SD units (p = 0.49), or gw at birth (p always ≥0.49) between insulin- and metformin-treated patients stratified by trough metformin concentration tertiles measured at 36 gw. Rate of neonatal hypoglycemia (p = 0.92) and umbilical artery pH value (p = 0.78) was similar in insulin- and metformin-treated patients stratified by cord metformin concentration tertiles. Maternal glycemic control was similar in metformin concentration tertiles at 36 gw. Maternal weight gain was 223 g greater per week (p = 0.038) in the lowest metformin tertile compared to other tertiles combined. Maternal and fetal exposure to metformin is similar. Maternal or fetal metformin concentrations do not predict maternal glycemic control or neonatal outcome, but low maternal exposure may lead to greater maternal weight gain.     

Characterization of Organosolv Lignins and Their Application in the Preparation of Aerogels

The production of novel materials and value-added chemicals from lignin has received considerable attention in recent years. Due to its abundant occurrence in nature, there is a growing interest in utilizing lignin as a feedstock for functional materials production, for example aerogels. Much like in the synthesis of phenol-based resins, the vacant ortho positions of the aromatic rings in lignin can crosslink with formaldehyde and form polymeric gels. After drying the hydrogels with supercritical CO₂, highly porous aerogels are obtained. Current study focuses on the preparation and thorough parametrization of organosolv lignins from different types of lignocellulosic biomass (aspen, pine, and barley straw) as well as their utilization for the preparation of lignin-5-methylresorcinol-formaldehyde aerogels. The thorough structural characterization of the obtained aerogels was carried out by gas adsorption, IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. The obtained lignin-based monolithic mesoporous aerogels had specific surface areas and total pore volumes in the upward ranges of 450 m²/g and 1.4 cm³/g, respectively.