Characterisation of the RNA Virome of Nine Ochlerotatus Species in Finland

RNA viromes of nine commonly encountered Ochlerotatus mosquito species collected around Finland in 2015 and 2017 were studied using next-generation sequencing. Mosquito homogenates were sequenced from 91 pools comprising 16–60 morphologically identified adult females of Oc. cantans, Oc. caspius, Oc. communis, Oc. diantaeus, Oc. excrucians, Oc. hexodontus, Oc. intrudens, Oc. pullatus and Oc. punctor/punctodes. In total 514 viral Reverse dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) sequences of 159 virus species were recovered, belonging to 25 families or equivalent rank, as follows: Aliusviridae, Aspiviridae, Botybirnavirus, Chrysoviridae, Chuviridae, Endornaviridae, Flaviviridae, Iflaviridae, Negevirus, Partitiviridae, Permutotetraviridae, Phasmaviridae, Phenuiviridae, Picornaviridae, Qinviridae, Quenyavirus, Rhabdoviridae, Sedoreoviridae, Solemoviridae, Spinareoviridae, Togaviridae, Totiviridae, Virgaviridae, Xinmoviridae and Yueviridae. Of these, 147 are tentatively novel viruses. One sequence of Sindbis virus, which causes Pogosta disease in humans, was detected from Oc. communis from Pohjois-Karjala. This study greatly increases the number of mosquito-associated viruses known from Finland and presents the northern-most mosquito-associated viruses in Europe to date.     

Effect of sampling site on fatty acid composition of human breast adipose tissue

The effect of sampling site and proximity of malignant tumor on the relative fatty acid composition of human breast adipose tissue was studied in 10 cases of breast cancer. The four anatomic quadrants of breast did not statistically significantly differ from each other in relation to any of the 30 fatty acids studied. Proximity of the malignant tumor did not affect the relative fatty acid composition of fat when compared with more distant sampling sites. Representative samples of breast adipose tissue for fatty acid composition analysis can be obtained from tissue adjacent to the tumor.     

Performance of a novel real-time respirator seal integrity monitor on firefighters: Simulated workplace pilot study

Millions of workers, including firefighters, use respiratory protective device. The key aspect in assuring the intended protection level of a respirator is its fit. However, even if the respirator originally fits well, the faceseal may be breached during its use. Until now, there have been no practically viable, inexpensive means to monitor the performance of a respirator during actual use. A novel Respirator Seal Integrity Monitor (ReSIM) was developed and recently evaluated on manikins by our team. The objective of this study was to evaluate the ReSIM effectiveness on respirator-wearing firefighters exposed to aerosols while performing simulated routine operational activities. Initially, 15 subjects were recruited for the study. Following a preliminary investigation that resulted in modifications in the ReSIM prototype and testing protocol, a subset of nine firefighters was chosen for a full-scale evaluation. The testing was conducted in a 24.3-m³ exposure chamber using NaCl as the challenge aerosol. Controlled faceseal leaks were established by opening a solenoid valve for 10, 15, or 20?sec. Leaks were also established as the tested firefighter slightly repositioned the respirator on his/her face. During the testing, the ReSIM measured particles inside a full-face elastomeric respirator with a 72.7% leak detection sensitivity (probability of correct leak identification) and an 84.2% specificity (probability of correct identification of the intervals which are absent of any leak). After adjusting for false negatives and persistent false positives, sensitivity and specificity increased to 83.6% and 92.2%, respectively. The factors causing minor limitations in leak detection sensitivity and specificity can be attributed to variability among subjects, moisture’s effect on the particle sensor, and some in-mask sampling bias. In conclusion, the ReSIM can promptly detect the breach in a respirator faceseal with high sensitivity and specificity. Due to its capability to alert the wearer of possible overexposure to hazardous aerosols, the ReSIM concept has a remarkable potential to be applied in various working environments, where respirators are used.     

Sex hormone-binding globulin and insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-1 as indicators of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular risk, and mortality in elderly men

Two binding proteins, SHBG and IGF-binding protein-1 (IGFBP-1), are both down-regulated by insulin and therefore could serve as potential indicators of the metabolic syndrome and hyperinsulinemia-related cardiovascular risk. We compared serum SHBG and IGFBP-1 as potential markers of abnormal glucose tolerance, the metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular risk factors, and total, cardiovascular, and coronary heart disease mortality in elderly men. Of the original cohort of 1711 men, 524 were alive on January 1, 1989, and 413 participated in the 30-yr examination, of whom 335 men, aged 70-89 yr, formed the study group for the present analysis. Low SHBG and IGFBP-1 were both associated with an increased prevalence of abnormal glucose tolerance and the metabolic syndrome, but only SHBG was associated with diabetes mellitus. SHBG was less influenced by body mass index than IGFBP-1. Low SHBG indicated increased cardiovascular and coronary disease mortality; the association remained after adjustment for abnormal glucose tolerance, but not after adjustment for prevalent cardiovascular disease. IGFBP-1 had no association with mortality. It is concluded that low SHBG is a better indicator of increased cardiovascular mortality than low or high IGFBP-1.     

Hereditary hemochromatosis gene (HFE) mutations C282Y, H63D and S65C in patients with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

BACKGROUND: Hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), a common autosomal recessive disease, leads to excessive iron accumulation in some organs, including the heart. It is therefore not surprising that cardiomyopathy is one of the most severe complications of HH. The HFE gene defects have been thought to contribute to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (IDCM) in some patients, even though the results of genotype analyses have so far been contradictory. Hence we set out here to evaluate the prevalence and potential role of HFE mutations in patients with IDCM. METHODS: A total of 91 IDCM patients and 102 controls were subjected to HFE mutation analyses, in which C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations were determined for each patient. We also analyzed the impact of the C282Y and H63D mutations on the left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and New York Heart Association (NYHA) functional classes. RESULTS: The prevalences of heterozygosity for the C282Y, H63D and S65C mutations in the IDCM patients were 13.2%, 22.0% and 2.2%, respectively. LVEDD was significantly higher (P=0.037) in those with the C282Y mutation at the end of the follow-up period than in those with no mutation. CONCLUSIONS: Our data showed no significant deviations in C282Y, H63D and S65C mutation frequencies between the IDCM patients and controls, suggesting that these mutations do not increase the risk of IDCM. Heterozygosity for the C282Y mutation may nevertheless be a modifying factor contributing to LV dilatation and remodeling.     

Mildronate: cardioprotective action through carnitine-lowering effect

Mildronate [3-(2,2,2-trimethylhydrazinium)propionate dihydrate] ameliorates cardiac function during ischemia by modulating myocardial energy metabolism. Biochemical and pharmacological evidence supports the hypothesis that the mechanism of action of mildronate is based on its regulatory effect on carnitine concentration, whereby mildronate treatment shifts the myocardial energy metabolism from fatty acid oxidation to the more favorable glucose oxidation under ischemic conditions. Because mildronate treatment prepares cellular metabolism and membrane structures to survive ischemic stress conditions, it is possible that mildronate could be regarded as an agent of pharmacological preconditioning.