Epidermal growth factor a61g polymorphism is associated with the age of onset of schizophrenia in male patients.

There is evidence to suggest that dysfunction of dopaminergic neurotransmission in the central nervous system (CNS) plays a role in the etiopathology of schizophrenia. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) gene polymorphism has an impact on EGF production in mononuclear cells, and EGF seems to affect the development of midbrain dopaminergic neurons. The few studies concerning EGF gene polymorphism and schizophrenia have yielded contradictory results. Our aim was to investigate whether EGF gene A61G polymorphism predisposes to schizophrenia, and this polymorphism was therefore studied in 149 schizophrenic patients and in 94 healthy controls using 5' nucleotidase assay (TaqMan). As far as EGF A61G polymorphism was concerned, we detected no significant differences in the allele and genotype frequencies between the patients and the controls. However, the G/G genotype was significantly associated with an earlier age of onset of schizophrenic psychosis in male subjects (P=0.005) as well as in the entire population, but not in female patients (P=0.008 and 0.46, respectively). The average age (+/-SD) of onset of schizophrenia was 20.1+/-3.9 years in male EGF A61G G/G homozygotes and 23.7+/-6.6 (P=0.02) years in other genotypes. In conclusion, EGF gene polymorphism was not associated with the risk of schizophrenia. However, the EGF G/G genotype, which has been suggested to involve abundant production of EGF, was associated with early onset of schizophrenia in male patients.

Occupational hygiene in two combined-drum-and-tunnel composting plants managing source separated biowaste and sludge.

Occupational hygiene was investigated in two Finnish combined-drum-and-tunnel composting plants, Plant A (composting sewage sludge) and Plant B (composting source-separated biowaste), in 1998-2000. The concentrations of viable mesophilic and thermophilic microbes (fungi, bacteria, and actinomycetes), the total number of microbes (viable + dead), endotoxin concentrations, and noise level were determined for each plant. In addition, dust concentrations were investigated in Plant B. In Plant A, working areas were aired before the measurements were taken. Differences in microbe concentrations between the plants were statistically significant. There were more problems with microbes in Plant B, where the working areas were not aired, Also, endotoxins were a problem in Plant B; the threshold value of 200 endotoxin units per cubic meter was exceeded in several measurements.

Association between the C957T polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor gene and schizophrenia.

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the functional C957T single-nucleotide polymorphism of the dopamine D2 receptor (DRD2) gene and the risk for schizophrenia. We therefore conducted a case-control association study of 188 Finnish schizophrenia patients meeting the DSM-IV criteria and 384 healthy controls. The 5' nuclease assay (TaqMan) was used to determine genotypes. A greater proportion of patients with schizophrenia than healthy controls were C-allele carriers (odds ratio 1.5, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.0-2.3, P=0.05). Our results are in agreement with an earlier association study suggesting that the C957T C-allele plays a role in the genetic vulnerability for schizophrenia and support the involvement of the DRD2 gene in schizophrenia pathogenesis.

A method for measuring low-weight carboxylic acids from biosolid compost.

Concentration of low-weight carboxylic acids (LWCA) is one of the important parameters that should be taken into consideration when compost is applied as soil improver for plant cultivation, because high amounts of LWCA can be toxic to plants. The present work describes a method for analysis of LWCA in compost as a useful tool for monitoring compost quality and safety. The method was tested on compost samples of two different ages: 3 (immature) and 6 (mature) months old. Acids from compost samples were extracted at high pH, filtered, and freeze-dried. The dried sodium salts were derivatized with a sulfuric acid-methanol mixture and concentrations of 11 low-weight fatty acids (C1-C10) were analyzed using headspace gas chromatography. The material was analyzed with two analytical techniques: the external calibration method (tested on 11 LWCA) and the standard addition method (tested only on formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, and iso-butyric acids). The two techniques were compared for efficiency of acids quantification. The method allowed good separation and quantification of a wide range of individual acids with high sensitivity at low concentrations. Detection limit for propionic, butyric, caproic, caprylic, and capric acids was 1 mg kg(-1) compost; for formic, acetic, valeric, enanthoic and pelargonic acids it was 5 mg kg(-1) compost; and for iso-butyric acid it was 10 mg kg(-1) compost. Recovery rates of LWCA were higher in 3-mo-old compost (57-99%) than in 6-mo-old compost (29-45%). In comparison with the external calibration technique the standard addition technique proved to be three to four times more precise for older compost and two times for younger compost. Disadvantages of the standard addition technique are that it is more time demanding and laborious.

Mechanical-biological waste treatment and the associated occupational hygiene in Finland.

A special feature of waste management in Finland has been the emphasis on the source separation of kitchen biowaste (catering waste); more than two-thirds of the Finnish population participates in this separation. Source-separated biowaste is usually treated by composting. The biowaste of about 5% of the population is handled by mechanical-biological treatment. A waste treatment plant at Mustasaari is the only plant in Finland using digestion for kitchen biowaste. For the protection of their employees, the plant owners commissioned a study on environmental factors and occupational hygiene in the plant area. During 1998-2000 the concentrations of dust, microbes and endotoxins and noise levels were investigated to identify possible problems at the plant. Three different work areas were investigated: the pre-processing and crushing hall, the bioreactor hall and the drying hall. Employees were asked about work-related health problems. Some problems with occupational hygiene were identified: concentrations of microbes and endotoxins may increase to levels harmful to health during waste crushing and in the bioreactor hall. Because employees complained of symptoms such as dry cough and rash or itching appearing once or twice a month, it is advisable to use respirator masks (class P3) during dusty working phases. The noise level in the drying hall exceeded the Finnish threshold value of 85 dBA. Qualitatively harmful factors for the health of employees are similar in all closed waste treatment plants in Finland. Quantitatively, however, the situation at the Mustasaari treatment plant is better than at some Finnish dry waste treatment plants. Therefore is reasonable to conclude that mechanical sorting, which produces a dry waste fraction for combustion and a biowaste fraction for anaerobic treatment, is in terms of occupational hygiene better for employees than combined aerobic treatment and dry waste treatment.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha --G308A polymorphism in schizophrenia in a Finnish population.

Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) is a proinflammatory cytokine with functions in nerve cell growth, differentiation, and apoptosis. There are several studies showing that a TNF-alpha--G308A promoter polymorphism, which possibly affects TNF-alpha transcription, is associated with schizophrenia, although negative results also exist. Our aim was to investigate the relationship between the TNF-alpha --G308A promoter polymorphism, the risk of schizophrenia, and the age of onset of schizophrenia, and the TNF-alpha -G308A polymorphism was therefore studied in 149 southern Finnish patients with a DSM-IV diagnosis of schizophrenia and in 393 healthy controls. The allele and genotype frequencies did not differ significantly between the patient and control groups (P=0.10 and 0.12, respectively), but the frequency of G/G homozygotes was statistically significantly higher in male patients than in male controls (chi(2)=5.03, d.f.=1, P=0.025) with an odds ratio of 2.00 (95% confidence interval: 1.08--3.70). No such difference was seen in female patients (P=0.79) or in the whole study group (P=0.064). The age of onset of schizophrenia did not differ significantly between the different TNF-alpha genotypes (ANOVA: F=0.45, P=0.64). In conclusion, we did not find a clear association between the TNF-alpha --G308A polymorphism and schizophrenia in the whole study group. However, TNF-alpha --G308A G/G homozygosity was modestly associated with schizophrenia in male patients.

Occupational hygiene in a waste incineration plant.

The Turku incineration plant was renovated in 1995 to meet the emission requirements of modern waste combustion facilities. It treats presorted municipal waste from 170,000 residents in the Turku area. In the plant, the incineration process produces several types of by-products having importance in terms of occupational hygiene. Although not obligated by the law, the management of the plant has a keen interest in occupational hygiene at the plant, which was studied from 1998 to 2001. Concentrations of microbes, endotoxins, and dust and the noise level were investigated in three different working areas. Microbe measurements were conducted with a six-stage impactor and using the CAMNEA method. Especially in the measurements of viable fungi and actinomycetes, the six-stage impactor gave better results than the CAMNEA method. Concentrations of bio-aerosols and the level of noise were high enough in the waste bunker to be occasionally harmful to the health of employees. The endotoxin concentration could also be harmful to health in the combustion area, and the noise level there exceeded the Finnish threshold value of 85dBA. The total number of microbes (viable+dead) was high in a few measurements in the crane room. One reason for these high numbers was prior moisture damage, which was repaired in 2000. The use of ear protectors is advised in the bunker area and in the combustion area. Use of respirators (class P3) is advised in the bunker area to prevent the exposure of employees to bio-aerosols.

Occupational hygiene in a Finnish drum composting plant.

Bioaerosols (microbes, dust and endotoxins) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were determined in the working air of a drum composting plant treating source-separated catering waste. Different composting activities at the Oulu drum composting plant take place in their own units separated by modular design and constructions. Important implication of this is that the control room is a relatively clean working environment and the risk of exposure to harmful factors is low. However, the number of viable airborne microbes was high both in the biowaste receiving hall and in the drum composting hall. The concentration (geometric average) of total microbes was 21.8 million pcs/m3 in the biowaste receiving hall, 13.9 million pcs/m3 in the drum composting hall, and just 1.4 million pcs/m3 in the control room. Endotoxin concentrations were high in the biowaste receiving hall and in the drum composting hall. The average (arithmetic) endotoxin concentration was over the threshold value of 200 EU/m3 in both measurement locations. In all working areas, the average (arithmetic) dust concentrations were in a low range of 0.6-0.7 mg/m3, being below the Finnish threshold value of 5 mg/m3. In the receiving hall and drum composting hall, the concentrations of airborne microbes and endotoxins may rise to levels hazardous to health during prolonged exposure. It is advisable to use a respirator mask (class P3) in these areas. Detected volatile organic compounds were typical compounds of composting plants: carboxylic acids and their esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, and terpenes. Concentrations of VOCs were much lower than the Finnish threshold limit values (Finnish TLVs), many of the quantified compounds exceeded their threshold odour concentrations (TOCs). Primary health effects due VOCs were not presumable at these concentrations but unpleasant odours may cause secondary symptoms such as nausea and hypersensitivity reactions. This situation is typical of composting plants where the workers are exposed to dozens of VOCs simultaneously. The odour units (OU/m3) were measured using olfactometer. The numbers were 23,000 OU/m3 at the output end of the composting drum and 6300 OU/m3 in the exhaust pipe. Inside the composting hall, the number of odour units was 500 and 560 OU/m3.

Ash in composting of source-separated catering waste.

Our earlier experiments in small composters (220 l) indicated the favourable effect of ash from co-incineration of sorted dry waste on the composting of catering waste. The aim of this new study was to clarify further, at a scale of 10 m3, the feasibility of using similar ash as an additive in composting. Source-separated catering waste was mixed with bulking agent (peat and wood chips) and fuel ash from a small (4 MW) district heating power plant. Three compost mixes (CM) were obtained: CM I with 0%, CM II with 10% and CM III with 20 wt.% of fuel ash. These three different mixes were composted in a 10-m3 drum composter as three parallel experiments for 2 weeks each, from January to April 2000. After drum composting, masses were placed according to mixing proportions in separate curing piles. The catering waste fed to the drum was cold, sometimes icy. Even then the temperature rapidly increased to over 50 degrees C. In CM III, the temperature rose as high as 80 degrees C, and after the first week of composting the temperature was about 20 degrees C higher in the CMs II and III than in the CM I. It also improved the oxygen concentrations at the feeding end of the drum and obviously prevented the formation of H2S. No odour problems arose during the composting. Addition of ash increased the heavy metal contents of the composting masses, but the compost was suitable for cultivation or green area construction. Ash clearly decreased the loss of total nitrogen in a time span of 2 years. The lower amounts of nitrogen mean that the amounts applied per hectare can be greater than for normal composts. Measured by mineralization, the breaking down of the organic matter was more rapid in the CM III than in the CM I. Humic acid increased steadily during first 12 months composting, from the initial 39 mg/g organic matter to 115 and 137 mg/g in CMs II and III. Measured by temperature, mineralization and humification the addition of ash appeared to boost the composting. Ash had also other beneficial effects on composting it improved the availability of oxygen in compost mass during the drum composting phase and reduced the formation of odorous gases, especially H2S.

Removal of DEHP in composting and aeration of sewage sludge.

The potential of composting and aeration to remove bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) from municipal sewage sludge was studied with two dewatered sludges: raw sludge and anaerobically digested sludge. Composting removed 58% of the DEHP content of the raw sludge and 34% of that of the anaerobically digested sludge during 85 days stabilisation in compost bins. A similar removal for the anaerobically digested sludge was achieved in a rotary drum in 28 days. Less than 1% of DEHP was removed with the compost leachate. Although DEHP removal was greater from raw sludge compost than anaerobically digested sludge compost, the total and volatile solids removals were on the same level in the two composts. In the aeration of raw sludge at 20 degrees C the DEHP removals were 33-41% and 50-62% in 7 and 28 days, respectively. Both composting and aeration are concluded to have the potential to reduce the DEHP contents typically found in sewage sludges to levels acceptable for agricultural use.

Occupational hygiene in terms of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols at two solid waste management plants in Finland.

Factors affecting occupational hygiene were measured at the solid waste transferring plant at Hyvinkää and at the optic separation plant in Hämeenlinna. Measurements consisted of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and bioaerosols including microbes, dust and endotoxins. The most abundant compounds in both of the plants were aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, esters of carboxylic acids, ketones and terpenes. In terms of odour generation, the most important emissions were acetic acid, 2,3-butanedione, ethyl acetate, alpha-pinene and limonene due to their low threshold odour concentrations. At the optic waste separation plant, limonene occurred at the highest concentration of all single compounds of identified VOCs. The concentration of any single volatile organic compound did not exceed the occupational exposure limit (OEL) concentration. However, 2,3-butanedione as a health risk compound is discussed based on recent scientific findings linking it to lung disease. Microbe and dust concentrations were low at the waste transferring plant. Only endotoxin concentrations may cause health problems; the average concentration inside the plant was 425 EU/m(3) which clearly exceeded the threshold value of 90 EU/m(3). In the wheel loader cabin the endotoxin concentrations were below 1 EU/m(3). High microbial and endotoxin concentrations were measured in the processing hall at the optic waste separation plant. The average concentration of endotoxins was found to be 10,980 EU/m(3), a concentration which may cause health risks. Concentrations of viable fungi were quite high in few measurements in the control room. The most problematic factor was endotoxins whose average measured concentrations was 4853 EU/m(3).

Phytotoxicity of low-weight carboxylic acids.

Presence of low-weight carboxylic acids (LWCAs) can be the reason for phytotoxicity of green manures, treated bio-waste or digestates from biogas production applied to soils. As the phytotoxic concentrations of LWCA are poorly known, this work presents data on six acids (C(1)C(6): formic, acetic, propionic, butyric, valeric, and caproic). Phytotoxicity was measured in acute (72 or 120 h) and subchronic (21 d) assays for seed germination, seedling elongation, and plant growth for garden cress Lepidium sativum and ryegrass Lolium multiflorum. The dose-response relationship was modeled using Weibull model. Results showed a trend that toxicity of LWCA increases with the length of the carbon chain, formic acid (C(1)) being the least and caproic acid (C(6)) the most toxic. EC50 values in the acute seed germination of cress ranged between 1.9 and 4.2mM and for ryegrass between 1.8 and 6.4mM. In subchronic assays EC50 values for germination were in a range from 11 to 46mMkg(-1)dm for cress, and from 18 to 127 mM kg(-1) dm for ryegrass. EC50 values for early seedling growth of cress based on acute assays ranged from 0.7 to 2.3mM and that of ryegrass from 1.2 to 1.8mM. Range of EC50 values for shoot biomass of cress was between 8 and 40 mM kg(-1) dm and of ryegrass between 12 and 93 mM kg(-1) dm.

Differential use of extended and immediate release quetiapine: a retrospective registry study of Finnish inpatients with schizophrenia spectrum and bipolar disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Extended release (XR) and immediate release (IR) quetiapine have differing dosing, titration and plasma concentration profiles. The authors assessed whether the use of quetiapine XR and IR in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SCZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) differ. DESIGN: Retrospective non-interventional registry study. SETTING: Secondary healthcare. PARTICIPANTS: All SCZ and BD (ICD-10 codes F20-F29, F30-F31) patients discharged between June 2008 and June 2010 from a Finnish psychiatric hospital with any use of quetiapine during their inpatient stay. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: Differences in patient characteristics between quetiapine XR and IR users were tested. To assess the profile of XR versus IR patients, logistic regressions were performed. RESULTS: 43 patients used quetiapine XR, 58 used quetiapine IR and 55 used both formulations (n=156). 102 patients were diagnosed with SCZ and 54 with BD, with no significant differences between the quetiapine formulations. The mean daily dose of quetiapine XR was significantly higher than that of quetiapine IR (542 mg vs 328 mg; p<0.001). This was also true for the SCZ subgroup (XR: 593 mg vs IR: 338 mg; p<0.001) and the BD subgroup (XR: 466 mg vs IR: 308 mg; p=0.009). 48% of all quetiapine IR patients used a mean dose of ≤200 mg compared with 2% of XR patients. Injectable antipsychotics were combined with quetiapine IR but not with quetiapine XR (12% vs 0%; p=0.019). At discharge, quetiapine XR was used as monotherapy to a greater extent than IR (79% vs 44%; p=0.003). The odds for quetiapine XR use in hospital were lower with advancing age, substance abuse diagnosis and prior IR use. CONCLUSIONS: Among SCZ and BD inpatients, quetiapine XR was more often used as monotherapy and in significantly higher doses than quetiapine IR. Differential use of the quetiapine formulations appears to depend, at least in part, on patient characteristics.

Composting of bio-waste, aerobic and anaerobic sludges--effect of feedstock on the process and quality of compost.

In-vessel composting of three stocks with originally different degree of organic matter degradation was conducted for: (1) kitchen source-separated bio-waste (BW), (2) aerobic (AS) as well as (3) anaerobic sludges (AnS) from municipal wastewater treatment plant. Composting experiment lasted over a year. The highest activity of the process was in the BW compost. It was implied by the highest temperature, CO(2) release, ammonification and nitrification, intensive accumulation and removal of low-weight carboxylic acids (water- and NaOH-extractable). Between the sludges higher mineralization and CO2 release was in AnS, while ammonification and nitrification were higher in AS compost; no significant difference between sludge composts was noticed for dynamics of pH, conductivity, concentrations of LWCA, and some nutrient compounds and heavy metals. Nitrogen content of the final compost increased in BW, but decreased in AS and AnS. Phytotoxicity of Lepidium sativum was eliminated faster in sludge composts compared to BW compost.

Interleukin-1 beta gene polymorphism and its interactions with neuregulin-1 gene polymorphism are associated with schizophrenia.

Interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) have an important role in development of the central nervous system. Several recent studies suggest that their genetic polymorphisms are associated with schizophrenia. We studied the effects of the IL-1beta gene (IL-1B) -511 and NRG-1 SNP8NRG221533 polymorphisms and their interactions on the risk and age of onset of schizophrenia in 113 Finnish schizophrenic patients and 393 healthy controls. The allele and genotype frequencies of IL-1B and NRG-1 did not differ between schizophrenic patients and healthy controls, but the risk of schizophrenia was more than 10 times higher (odds ratio 10.20, 95% CI 2.53-41.09, p = 0.001) among subjects with the IL-1B 2.2, NRG-1 CC genotypes compared to subjects with the IL-1B 2.2, NRG-1 T-allele carriage. There was also a trend for an association between the interaction between IL-1B and NRG-1 polymorphisms and the age at onset of schizophrenia (chi(2) = 2.80; df = 1; p = 0.09, log rank test). IL-1B-511 allele 1 homozygotes had a significantly higher age of onset than allele 2 carriers (mean age of onset 25.9 +/- 7.7 and 22.7 +/- 5.4 years, t-test: t = 2.46; p = 0.032). Our results suggest that there is an interaction between the IL-1B and NRG-1 genes in schizophrenia. In addition, the IL-1B-511 polymorphism seems to be associated with the age at onset of schizophrenia.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase val108/158met genotype and response to antipsychotic medication in schizophrenia.

Catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT) gene has been investigated as a possible candidate gene in schizophrenia. The most studied polymorphism has been the functional val108/158met polymorphism of this COMT gene. There is also some evidence that this polymorphism could be related to drug response to antipsychotics in schizophrenia. COMT enzyme inactivates dopamine and noradrenaline. Based mainly on the original dopamine theory of schizophrenia, our primary hypothesis was that the maintenance dose of antipsychotics would be higher in patients with the low activity COMT genotype. In this study we evaluated the current daily dosage of antipsychotics in 180 patients with schizophrenia in connection with the COMT genotype. We could not demonstrate any clearly significant effect of this particular COMT genotype in relation to the daily maintenance dosages of antipsychotics in patients with schizophrenia.