Variations of Arterial Responses in vitro in Different Sections of Rat Main Superior Mesenteric Artery

Abstract: We examined the control of vascular tone in rat main superior mesenteric artery. Three standard rings (3 mm in length) of the mesenteric artery were cut, beginning 5 mm, 13 mm and 21 mm distally from the mesenteric arteryaorta junction. In noradrenaline-precontracted rings, relaxations to acetylcholine in the absence and presence of the cyclooxygenase inhibitor diclofenac, did not differ in the studied sections. However, the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, N^G-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester, attenuated the diclofenac-resistant responses to acetylcholine more effectively in the proximal than the distal section. Glibenclamide, an inhibitor of ATP-sensitive K⁺ channels, diminished relaxations evoked by acetylcholine only in the distal section, whereas the inhibitor of Ca²⁺ activated K⁺ channels, apamin, attenuated the responses in all sections. Furthermore, relaxation sensitivity to nitroprusside and isoprenaline was lower in the proximal than distal section. Arterial contractile sensitivity to noradrenaline and potassium chloride was higher, while the maximal contractile force generation was lower in the proximal than the distal part. In conclusion, in different sections of rat main superior mesenteric artery considerable variability was observed in vasoconstrictor and vasodilator responses, as well as in the contribution of endothelial nitric oxide and endothelium-mediated hyperpolarization to vasodilation. Therefore, the present results emphasize the fact that only corresponding vessel segments should be used when investigating the control of arterial tone.     

Health-related quality of life among patients with major depression

The study compared health-related quality of life in 165 patients with major depression and 165 randomly selected and with age- and gender-matched controls from a population sample. Health-related quality of life was measured with the self-report questionnaire (RAND-36), which consists of eight dimensions. Overall, perceived quality of life was broadly reduced among depressive outpatients, and as compared with the control group, significant impairment was observed for all eight dimensions of health-related quality of life. Accompanying somatic diseases causing disability had no additional impact on the reduction of quality of life in depressive patients. Depression per se impairs an individual's functioning ability in a number of ways. It has a significant effect not only on mental well-being but also on perceived physical functioning and bodily pain, and even on general health perceptions. Major depression seems to explain the broad decline in the quality of life among depressive patients.     

Health-related quality of life among patients with major depression

The study compared health-related quality of life in 165 patients with major depression and 165 randomly selected and with age- and gender-matched controls from a population sample. Health-related quality of life was measured with the self-report questionnaire (RAND-36), which consists of eight dimensions. Overall, perceived quality of life was broadly reduced among depressive outpatients, and as compared with the control group, significant impairment was observed for all eight dimensions of health-related quality of life. Accompanying somatic diseases causing disability had no additional impact on the reduction of quality of life in depressive patients. Depression per se impairs an individual's functioning ability in a number of ways. It has a significant effect not only on mental well-being but also on perceived physical functioning and bodily pain, and even on general health perceptions. Major depression seems to explain the broad decline in the quality of life among depressive patients.     

The impact of a self-help pamphlet on reducing risk drinking among 30- to 49-year-old men in Helsinki, Finland

This study evaluates the impact of a self-help pamphlet designed to support self-control of drinking. It was conducted in Helsinki, Finland, in 2001 and 2002 and focused on men between 30 and 49 years of age. The respondents were randomly selected in an intervention and a control area and compared with each other before and after the intervention using independent samples (N = 4418) The results support previous findings showing that interventions like this serve as a supplement to other prevention and early treatment measures. Although the results were encouraging, there is a need for more in-depth studies in the field.     

Depression and anxiety in early pregnancy and risk for preeclampsia

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether depression and anxiety in early pregnancy are associated with preeclampsia in an unselected nulliparous population. METHODS: In this prospective population-based study during pregnancy at outpatient maternity clinics in the Helsinki metropolitan area, depression was assessed by a Finnish modification of the short form of the Beck Depression Inventory and anxiety by one established question. Preeclampsia was defined as elevated blood pressure (BP) (more than 140/100 mmHg) and proteinuria (0.3 g during 24 hours or more). Age, smoking, alcohol consumption, marital status, socioeconomic status, and bacterial vaginosis were analyzed as potentially confounding factors in a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Six hundred twenty-three consecutive nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies were studied at ten to 17 (median 12) weeks' gestation and at delivery. Of them, 28 (4.5%) women developed preeclampsia. Depression (mean Beck score 4.5, range 3-17) was observed in 185 (30%), women and anxiety was observed in 99 (16%) in early pregnancy. In multivariate analysis, after adjustment for potentially confounding factors, depression was associated with increased risk (odds ratio [OR] 2.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1, 5.4) for preeclampsia, as was anxiety (OR 3.2; 95% CI 1.4, 7.4). Either depression or anxiety, or both, were associated with increased risk (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.4, 6.9) for preeclampsia. Bacterial vaginosis together with depression was associated with increased risk (OR 5.3; 95% CI 1.8, 15.0) for preeclampsia. CONCLUSION: Depression and anxiety in early pregnancy are associated with risk for subsequent preeclampsia, a risk further increased by bacterial vaginosis.     

Prevalence of mental disorders among adults in Finland: basic results from the Mini Finland Health Survey

The Mini Finland Health Survey was an extensive epidemiological study of the Finnish population aged 30 or over; the prevalence of mental disorders was one aspect studied. Prevalence of symptoms in the General Health Questionnaire as well as the prevalence of self-perceived and clinically assessed mental disorders was studied. The total prevalence of clinically assessed mental disorders was 17.4%, 14.8% in the men and 19.5% in the women. A definite disorder was observed for 11.7% of the subjects. About half of the subjects suffering from a mental disorder according to clinical assessment also reported a self-perceived disorder. Of various diagnoses, the most common were phobic and anxiety neurosis (6.2%) and neurotic depression (4.6%). The prevalence of schizophrenia was 1.3%. The highest prevalence was found in the ages 50 to 64 years. The prevalence of psychoses was highest in northern and eastern Finland, and that of neuroses in southern Finland.     

Continuous glucose monitoring versus self-monitoring of blood glucose in the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE: To compare Continuous Glucose Monitoring System (CGMS) with self-monitoring of plasma glucose (SM) in detecting patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) needing antidiabetic drug treatment. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Pregnant women at 22-34 gestational weeks had at least two abnormal high values out of three in OGTT. Patients were randomly allocated to have CGMS) (n=36) or SM (n=37). Dietary counselling was similar in both groups. Patients tested their plasma glucose 5 times per day. Need of antidiabetic treatment was determined using the following cut-off values: fasting plasma glucose >5.5mmol/L twice or >5.5mmol/l once and postprandial value>7.8mmol/l, or postprandial value at least twice above 7.8mmol/l. RESULTS: In 11 out of 36 patients (31%) monitored with CGMS) antihyperglycemic drug therapy was introduced (8/36 insulin only, 2/36 metformin only, 1/36 insulin+metformin) whereas only 3/37 (8%) in the self-monitoring group were drug-treated (difference between groups, p=0.0149). There were no statistically significant differences between the groups regarding maternal age, pre-pregnancy BMI, HbA1c, gestational weeks at delivery, rate of pregnancy-induced hypertension, rate of caesarean section, infant birth weight or neonatal hypoglycaemia. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous glucose monitoring system detects a markedly higher proportion of GDM mothers needing antihyperglycemic medication compared with self-monitoring of plasma glucose. Further large-scale studies are needed to evaluate whether CGMS) guided initiation of antihyperglycemic therapy results in less macrosomia and perinatal complications related to GDM.     

Depression and disability pension in Finland

During the period 1987-1994 there has been a threefold increase in disability pensions granted to individuals with affective disorders in Finland. Possible reasons for this development include a deep economic recession, changes in the diagnostic system, and better recognition of affective disorders. Against this background, it seems relevant to ask why, over the same period, the functional capacity of depressive patients has markedly deteriorated, causing an increase in disability pensions, despite the fact that many new drugs and other treatments have become available.     

Parental substance abuse and risks to children’s safety,health and psychological development

Abstract

Aims: This study looks at the connection between parents’ substance abuse and their 0–6 years old children’s somatic and psychological health. Methods: A retrospective population-based cohort study based on Finnish health care and social welfare registers. The participants were all children born in Finland in 1997 (N?=?58,667) and 2002 (N?=?55,146) and their biological parents. Children were followed up for hospitalisations because of injuries, somatic illness and psychiatric disorders. The association between hospitalisations and parents’ substance abuse as well as living with the abusing parent were estimated using logistic regression. Findings: Children’s hospitalisations for all reasons were more prevalent if the mother or the father had a substance abuse problem. Mother’s substance abuse increased the children’s risk of hospitalisations for somatic illness (OR?=?1.34) and psychiatric disorders (OR?=?1.33, father’s substance abuse increased the risk of hospitalisation because of psychiatric disorders (OR?=?1.18). The risks were even higher if both parents were substance abusers. Conclusions: Parents’ substance abuse can cause a variety of harms to children, which may be related to unsafe environment, long-standing stress, and non-adequate responding to the child’s needs. Multi-professional work with substance abusing parents and their children is crucial in order to reduce children’s risks for poor health.