Serum-free, xeno-free culture media maintain the proliferation rate and multipotentiality of adipose stem cells in vitro.

BACKGROUND AIMS: Human adipose stem cells (ASC) are an abundant, readily available population of multipotent progenitor cells that reside in adipose tissue. ASC have been shown to have therapeutic applicability in pre-clinical studies, but a standardized expansion method for clinical cell therapy has yet to be established. Isolated ASC are typically expanded in medium containing fetal bovine serum (FBS); however, sera and other culturing reagents of animal origin in clinical therapy pose numerous safety issues, including possible infections and severe immune reactions. METHODS: To identify optimal conditions for ex vivo expansion of ASC, the effects of seven serum-free (SF) and xeno-free (XF) media were investigated with both FBS and allogeneic human serum (alloHS; as a control media). Surface marker expression, proliferation, morphology and differentiation analyzes were utilized for investigating the effects of media on ASC. RESULTS: The proliferation and morphology analysis demonstrated significant differences between ASC cultured in SF/XF culture media compared with serum-containing culture media, with medium prototype StemPro MSC SFM XenoFree providing significantly higher proliferation rates than ASC cultured in media containing serum, while still maintaining the differentiation potential and surface marker expression profile characteristic of ASC. CONCLUSIONS: Looking forward, fully defined XF media formulations will provide the means for the development and approval of safer clinical cell therapy treatments. However, to fully recognize the capacity of these XF culture media, further pre-clinical safety and efficacy studies must be performed.

Mortality of Finnish acute psychiatric hospital patients.

OBJECTIVE: The mortality of psychiatric patients is higher than that of the general population. Earlier studies have typically focused on specific diagnostic categories or causes of death. The aim of this study was to assess the overall mortality in acute psychiatric hospital patients covering all diagnostic groups, with special emphasis on substance abuse. METHODS: The sample consisted of all 18-64-year old patients (n = 3,835) treated or evaluated in the acute wards of the Department of Psychiatry at Tampere University Hospital between the years 1999 and 2003, who were followed-up until the end of the year 2005. We assessed the various causes of death according to background variables in bivariate and multivariate analyses and calculated the standardized mortality ratios (SMRs). RESULTS: During the study period 379 subjects died (9.9% of the sample). Mortality among men was almost twice as high as among women. Of all deaths, 45.6% were considered to be alcohol or drug related. SMR covering all subjects was 6.55. The SMRs for unnatural causes were higher than those for natural causes. The highest SMRs for unnatural causes of death were found in patients with mood disorders and the highest SMRs for natural causes of death in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. Use of coercive measures was associated with increased mortality. CONCLUSION: Mortality among Finnish psychiatric acute hospital patients is considerably higher than in general population. Excessive alcohol consumption plays a major role in causing excess deaths that could be potentially avoided.

Botulinum toxin type A injections into the calf muscles for treatment of spastic equinus in cerebral palsy: a randomized trial comparing single and multiple injection sites.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the hypothesis that the multiple-site injection technique is associated with better outcomes than the single-point injection method in children with cerebral palsy and spastic equinus gait. DESIGN: A total of 17 children (nine boys, eight girls ages 1.8-9.4 yrs; eight hemiplegics, eight diplegics, one quadriplegic; levels I-IV with the Gross Motor Function Classification System) with 25 treated lower limbs were randomized into two groups: a single-point group receiving a standard dose of botulinum toxin A injection into one site and a multiple-points group into two sites on both heads of the gastrocnemius. Active and passive range of movement, selective dorsiflexion, dynamic muscle length (modified Tardieu scale), calf tone (modified Ashworth scale), attainment of anticipated gait pattern (Goal Attainment Scale), and video gait analysis (Observational Gait Scale [OGS]) were assessed before and 1, 2, and 4 mos after intervention. RESULTS: Both groups improved in dynamic muscle length, muscle tone, OGS-total scores and initial foot contact scores and a similar number of children attained their goals on the Goal Attainment Scale. The only significant difference between the groups was observed at 2 mos in passive dorsiflexion with the knee flexed, favoring the single-point group. Though not significantly, the incidence of adverse effects was higher in the multiple-points group. CONCLUSIONS: Using the methods described, no major changes in main outcome measures were associated with the number of injection sites. Issues other than efficacy guide the decision on whether to inject in single or multiple sites when treating spastic equinus with botulinum toxin.

An association of serum vitamin D concentrations < 40 nmol/L with acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men.

BACKGROUND: The effects of vitamin D in regulating bone mineralization are well documented. The action of vitamin D as a key link between Toll-like receptor activation and antibacterial responses in innate immunity has recently been shown. The data suggest that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infection. OBJECTIVE: We aimed to explore whether an association exists between vitamin D insufficiency and acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men. DESIGN: Young Finnish men (n = 800) serving on a military base in Finland were enrolled for this study. Their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in July 2002. They were followed for 6 mo, and the number of days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection were counted. RESULTS: The mean (+/- SD) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 80.2 +/- 29.3 nmol/L (n = 756). Subjects with serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 40 nmol/L (n = 24) had significantly (P = 0.004) more days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection (median: 4; quartile 1-quartile 3: 2-6) than did control subjects (2; 0-4; n = 628; incidence rate ratio 1.63; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.24). We found a significant (P = 0.004) association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the amount of physical exercise before induction into military service. We also found significantly (P < 0.001) lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in subjects who smoked (72.8 +/- 26.6 nmol/L; n = 192) than in control subjects (82.9 +/- 29.7 nmol/L; n = 537). CONCLUSION: Clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation are needed to investigate whether it enhances immunity to microbial infections.

Psychometric properties of the 20-item toronto alexithymia scale and prevalence of alexithymia in a finnish adolescent population.

The authors assessed, in an adolescent population sample, the internal consistency, test-retest stability, and factor structure of the Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20) and established the frequency of alexithymia in this age-group. Pupils (N=882; age-groups: 14-, 15-, and 16-year-olds) from two secondary schools completed the TAS-20 questionnaire twice, with a 5-week interval, in a classroom survey setting. TAS total and subscale scores and proportion of subjects exceeding the cut-point for alexithymia are reported for boys and girls. In confirmatory factor analysis, all estimates except one item were statistically significant; there was no gender difference. The authors conclude that the TAS-20 has good psychometric properties in adolescent samples. Alexithymia rate decreases from early to middle adolescence and remains essentially on a level similar to that among adults.

Bone stress injuries of the ankle and foot: an 86-month magnetic resonance imaging-based study of physically active young adults.

BACKGROUND: No comprehensive studies of bone stress injuries in the ankle and foot based on magnetic resonance imaging findings have been published. PURPOSE: Using magnetic resonance imaging findings to assess incidence, location, and type of bone stress injuries of the ankle and foot in military conscripts with ankle and/or foot pain. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: All patients with ankle or foot pain, negative findings on plain radiography, and magnetic resonance images obtained of the ankle or foot were included in this 86-month study. Magnetic resonance images with bone stress injury findings were re-evaluated regarding location and injury type. Based on the number of conscripts within the hospital catchment area, the person-based incidence of bone stress injuries was calculated. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-one conscripts displayed 378 bone stress injuries in 142 ankles and feet imaged, the incidence being 126 per 100 000 person-years. This incidence represents the stress injuries not diagnosable with radiographs and requiring magnetic resonance images. Of injuries, 57.7% occurred in the tarsal and 35.7% in the metatarsal bones. Multiple bone stress injuries in 1 foot were found in 63% of the cases. The calcaneus and fifth metatarsal bone were usually affected alone. Injuries to the other bones of the foot were usually associated with at least 1 other stress injury. The talus and calcaneus were the most commonly affected single bones. High-grade bone stress injury (grade IV-V) with a fracture line on magnetic resonance images occurred in 12% (talus, calcaneus), and low-grade injury (grade I-III) presented only as edema in 88% of the cases. CONCLUSION: Multiple, various-stage bone stress injuries of the ankle and foot may occur simultaneously in physically active young adults. When considering injuries that were missed by plain radiographs but detected by magnetic resonance imaging, the bones most often affected were the tarsal bones, of which the talus and calcaneus were the most prominent single bones and most common locations for higher grade (IV-V) bone stress injuries. With use of magnetic resonance imaging, early detection and grading of bone stress injuries are available, which enable early and appropriate injury management.

Association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and bone stress fractures in Finnish young men.

UNLABELLED: Low vitamin D level may predict rickets, osteomalacia, or osteoporosis. We examined serum 25(OH)D concentration as a predisposing factor for bone stress fracture in 756 military recruits. The average serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in the group with fracture, suggesting a relationship between vitamin D and fatigue bone stress fracture. INTRODUCTION: Low vitamin D level may predict rickets, osteomalacia, or osteoporosis. Fatigue bone stress fracture is one of the most frequently seen types of overuse injuries in athletes and military recruits. An association was recently shown between vitamin D and BMC. A correlation has also been found between low femoral BMD and stress fractures. We measured serum 25(OH)D concentration in a population sample of military recruits to determine if vitamin D is a predisposing factor for fatigue bone stress fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively followed 800 randomly selected, healthy Finnish military recruits with a mean age of 19 years for developing stress fractures in homogenous circumstances. Blood for serum 25(OH)D concentration was drawn at entry into military service, and the weight, height, body mass index (BMI), muscle strength, and 12-minute running were measured for all subjects. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured with enzyme immunoassay. At end of the 90-day follow-up, 756 subjects completed the study. Subjects without fracture constituted controls. RESULTS: Twenty-two recruits with stress fracture were identified (2.9%), the incidence being 11.6 (95% CI: 6.8-16.5) per 100 person-years. In the final multivariate analysis, the significant risk factor for stress fracture in conscripts was a below median serum 25(OH)D level (75.8 nM), OR being 3.6 (95% CI: 1.2-11.1). No significant associations between BMI (p = 0.255), age (p = 0.216), or smoking (p = 0.851) and bone stress fracture were found in this study population. CONCLUSIONS: A lower level of serum 25(OH)D concentration may be a generally predisposing element for bone stress fractures. Considering the obvious need of additional vitamin D in prevention of stress fractures, the effects of vitamin D fortification of foods and supplementation will be subjects of interest for future research.

Efficacy of clinical supervision: influence on job satisfaction, burnout and quality of care.

AIM: This paper reports a study to determine how supervisees' backgrounds and surrounding infrastructure predict the efficacy of clinical supervision among Finnish nursing staff, their job satisfaction, levels of burnout and perceptions of the quality of care. BACKGROUND: Several studies have described the effects of clinical supervision, but few have focused on evaluating it. Until recently, no studies have examined how clinical supervision evaluations are related to supervisees' backgrounds, surrounding infrastructure or respondents' levels of burnout, job satisfaction and perceptions of the quality of care. METHODS: The survey involved supervisees completing a range of standardized and validated evaluation measures. The respondents were identified from 12 regional, central and university hospitals across Finland (n = 799). The data collection took place from October 2000 to February 2001. FINDINGS: The evaluations varied statistically significantly and were associated with statistically significant variations in the respondents' backgrounds. Clinical supervision infrastructure was also strongly related to evaluation scores. Supervisees' age, education, gender, employment status, area of specialty, working hours, work experience and experience as a supervisor were statistically significant predictors for evaluations of the efficacy of clinical supervision. These evaluations of clinical supervision were also found to predict the respondents' job satisfaction, levels of burnout and assessments of good nursing. CONCLUSION: Nursing staff, especially those who have over 10 years' work experience, work in general care, have a nursing diploma, are non-tenured, work part-time and work 24-hour rotating shifts can benefit from clinical supervision. However, resources need to be invested in supervisor education and nursing staff need to be encouraged to start working in both supervisor and supervisee roles because of the positive effects on job satisfaction and quality of care.

Bone stress injuries causing exercise-induced knee pain.

BACKGROUND: No comprehensive studies of bone stress injuries in the knee based on magnetic resonance imaging findings have been published. PURPOSE: Assess the incidence, location, nature, and patterns of bone stress injuries in the knee in military conscripts with exercise-induced knee pain. STUDY DESIGN: Case series; Level of evidence, 4. METHODS: During a period of 70 months, 1330 patients with exercise-induced knee pain underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee. A total of 1577 knees were imaged; the images with bone stress injury findings were retrospectively reevaluated with respect to location and type of injury. The person-based incidence of bone stress injuries in the knee was calculated, based on the number of conscripts within the hospital's catchment area. RESULTS: Of the 1330 patients, 88 (7%) met the inclusion criteria, and 141 bone stress injuries were found in the 110 knees imaged. The incidence of bone stress injuries was 103 per 100 000 person-years. Of the patients, 25% had bilateral bone stress injuries; 28% had 2 solitary bone stress injuries in the same knee simultaneously, all situated in the femoral condyle and tibial plateau. The most common anatomical location for a bone stress injury was the medial tibial plateau (31%), which was also the most typical location for a more advanced injury. After the commencement of military service, a bone stress injury in the medial tibial plateau caused knee pain earlier than did a bone stress injury elsewhere in the knee (P = .014). CONCLUSION: The incidence of bone stress injuries in the knee with exercise-induced knee pain is relatively high in conscripts. Multiple and bilateral injuries can occur. For accurate diagnosis and to ensure appropriate treatment, magnetic resonance imaging is recommended as a routine imaging method when a physical activity can be regularly associated with the onset of symptoms.

Botulinum toxin treatment of spastic equinus in cerebral palsy: a randomized trial comparing two injection sites.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical relevance of injection site by comparing two different injection techniques in children with cerebral palsy who have spastic equinus gait. DESIGN: A total of 19 children (13 boys, 6 girls; range, 1 yr 6 mos to 7 yrs; nine hemiplegics, eight diplegics, two quadriplegics; levels I to IV with the Gross Motor Function Classification System) participated in the study. The children were randomized into two groups: the proximal group received a botulinum toxin A injection into the proximal part of both heads of the gastrocnemius, and the distal group received a botulinum toxin A injection into the mid-belly of the muscle bulks. A single-point injection of BOTOX, 3 units/kg per site, was used. Assessments of active and passive range of motion, dynamic muscle length (modified Tardieu scale), calf tone (modified Ashworth scale), and video gait analysis (Observational Gait Scale) were performed before treatment and 3, 8, and 16 wks posttreatment. RESULTS: Active and passive dorsiflexion and calf tone in both groups and Observational Gait Scale total scores in the distal group improved at all time points. The median change from baseline values in Observational Gait Scale initial foot contact and total scores at 8 wks showed a significant difference favoring the distal group, but the clinical relevance remained tenuous. CONCLUSIONS: Using the methods described, no major changes in main outcome measures were associated with changing the injection site.

One-year outcome of elderly inpatients with major depressive disorder treated with ECT and antidepressants.

We report the acute response and outcome in 1-year follow-up of 51 elderly depressive inpatients with major depressive disorder treated with electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) (n = 30) and/or antidepressant therapy (n = 21). The patients were assessed at admission, at discharge, and after 1 year according to the Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Clinical Global Impression Scale. The acute response was good. Montgomery and Asberg Depression Rating Scale total scores diminished significantly during index hospitalization within both groups (from 31.6 +/- 8.5, to 8.1 +/- 6.0 in the ECT group and from 28.5 +/- 5.4 to 13.4 +/- 10.6 in the antidepressant group). The 1-year rehospitalization rate for the entire group, however, was 21 of 51 patients (41%), 13 of 30 patients (43%) in the ECT group, and 8 of 21 (38%) in the antidepressant group. Six of 13 patients in the ECT group and 1 of 8 patients in the antidepressant group were rehospitalized during the first month after discharge. The results suggest a good acute therapeutic response to both ECT and antidepressive therapy in elderly patients with MDD. The major finding in this study was the relatively high rehospitalization rate, which emphasizes the need for careful follow-up of the elderly patients who have recovered from a depressive episode.