Rubella cataract in vitro: Sensitive period of the developing human lens.

The clinically known sensitive period of rubella cataract was studied in vitro by infecting 79 human eye rudiments from embryos aged 4-10 wk with rubella virus. The course of the infection was followed by histological and indirect immunofluorescence methods. Of the rudiments, 12 pairs were in the lens placode or open-lens-vesicle stage, 40 already had closed lens vesicles and in another 27 closed-stage pairs an incision was made in the lens capsule before infection to allow the virus to enter the lens. Uninfected controls differentiated well in vitro for 4-6 wk. The eye rudiments infected in the open-lens-vesicle stage showed lens fiber destruction and viral antigens within the lens. No damage or viral antigens were detected in rudiments infected in the closed stage unless the lens capsule was incisedmwhen this was done, however, fiber damage ensued and viral antigens appeared. The lens capsule was concluded to form a protective barrier around the sensirive fibers at the time of closure of the lens vesicle, confirming the earlier hypothesis and clinical findings.

TRAIL pathway components and their putative role in granulosa cell apoptosis in the human ovary.

Extensive apoptotic oocyte reduction occurs during fetal ovarian development. The regulatory pathways responsible for oocyte selection to programmed cell death are, however, poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the potential involvement of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and its death receptors TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R2/DR5 and decoy receptors TRAIL-R3/DcR1 and TRAIL-R4/DcR2 in the apoptotic process characterizing human fetal and adult ovaries. For this purpose, in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry were applied to human fetal and adult ovarian samples to study the mRNA and protein expression of TRAIL pathway components, and a human granulosa cell tumor-derived cell line (KGN) was used to elucidate functional effects of TRAIL on apoptosis. TRAIL was expressed in human fetal ovary from the 11th week until term. The pro-apoptotic TRAIL-R2/DR5 and the anti-apoptotic TRAIL-R4/DcR2 were also expressed in human ovaries throughout the fetal period. Among the different ovarian cell types, these TRAIL pathway components were mainly localized in the oocytes, and their expression increased towards term. Expression of TRAIL-R1/DR4 and TRAIL-R3/DcR1 was negligible in all of the fetal ovaries studied. Adult ovaries expressed TRAIL, TRAIL-R2/DR5, TRAIL-R3/DcR1 and TRAIL-R4/DcR2 in granulosa cells and oocytes of small primary/secondary follicles as well as in granulosa and theca cells of more developed antral follicles. In KGN cells, TRAIL efficiently induced apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, and this was blocked by a caspase inhibitor. The results indicate a role of the TRAIL pathway components in the regulation of granulosa cell apoptosis in in vitro and suggest that these factors may have a role in regulating ovarian apoptosis also in vivo.

Retrotransposon BARE-1: expression of encoded proteins and formation of virus-like particles in barley cells

Retrotransposons are ubiquitous and major components of plant genomes, and are characteristically retroviral-like in their genomic structure and in the major proteins encoded. Nevertheless, few have been directly demonstrated to be transcribed or reverse transcribed. The BARE-1 retrotransposon family of barley (Hordeum vulgare) is highly prevalent, actively transcribed, and contains well conserved functional regions. Insertion sites for BARE-1 are highly polymorphic in the barley genome. Here we show that BARE-1 is translated and the capsid protein (GAG) and integrase (IN) components of the predicted polyprotein are processed into polypeptides of expected size. Some of the GAG sediments as virus-like particles together with IN and with BARE-1 cDNA. Reverse transcriptase activity is also present in gradient fractions containing BARE-1 translation products. Virus-like particles have also been visualized in fractions containing BARE-1 components. Thus BARE-1 components necessary for carrying out the life cycle of an active retrotransposon appear to be present in vivo, and to assemble. This would suggest that post-translational mechanisms may be at work to prevent rapid genome inflation through unrestricted integration.

Prevalence of disability in three birth cohorts at old age over time spans of 10 and 20 years.

The prevalence of disability at the age of 75+ measured by the Katz Index of Activities of Daily Living (ADL) was compared among three birth cohorts: those born < or = 1903 (n = 348), those born < or = 1913 (n = 586), and those born < or = 1923 (n = 758). Significant risk factors for disability were female sex and age; the cohort effect was not significant. The prevalence rates of disability were 29.0% (95% CI 24.2-33.8), 34.8% (30.9-38.7), and 28.8% (25.5-32.0) for the first, second, and third cohorts. In the age group 75-79 years the rates were 20.1% (95% CI 13.8-26.4), 25.5% (20.2-30.7), and 14.4% (10.6-18.1). The change was due to the declining disability of women. The distributions in the three cohorts based on the numbers of ADL limitations did not differ. As far as the whole aged populations were concerned, longer life was not accompanied by improving health.

The demand for physicians in Finland. Results from a specialty-based assessment of future development and need for service.

This paper presents a nation-wide planning project conducted in cooperation with the specialists' associations, the Finnish Medical Association and the Speciality Commission of the National Board of Health. An estimation of the demand for physicians in primary care, in various specialties and in non-hospital sectors is reported and discussed. As a result of the study, a reduction in the number of admissions to medical schools is recommended. An increase in postgraduate educational efforts, in research and development, and in continuing medical education should be the result of resources, thus made available.

Measures of equity and efficiency in medical manpower planning. A prediction of internists needed in the Finnish national health service.

Several difficulties regarding manpower planning in health care based on need for service can be demonstrated. Easily obtainable utilisation numbers do not directly reflect demand or need for service, nor can they be used as an approximation of morbidity. Epidemiological studies, on the other hand, do not reveal "non-clinical" demand factors. Unmet demand cannot automatically be interpreted as undersupply or lack of resources. Planning according to predicted need has furthermore been severely handicapped by a nongrowing economy; it is rather asking for development through reallocation of resources. Consequently, another approach was chosen in this study - a prediction of internists needed in the Finnish national health service to ensure an equal supply and an efficient provision of services. Equity between regions was measured as number of specialists' positions, hospital admissions and out-patient visits per population. The number of admissions and visits per specialist's position was used as a measure of system efficiency. A density of specialists equal to the national mean in all regions would require a 21% increase in specialists' positions. A sensitivity analysis according to different levels of service supply as well as improved efficiency projected a 23-127% growth.

[Morphogenetic cellular interactions]. / Morfogeneticheskie kletochnye vzaimodeistviia.

Morphogenetic cell interactions are considered during different periods of embryogenesis. The evidence is given which established that the determination of cells of the early mammalian embryos appeared to be due to their position and relations with the other cells. Morphogenetic cell interactions are heterogenous by their biological importance: there are both directive and permissive interactions. The cells might be multipotent and choose one of many paths of development what requires directive interactions, or they might be already "canalized" in a certain type of differentiation and their development requires, mainly, permissive interactions. Possible mechanisms of transmission of the morphogenetic stimuli to the reacting cells are analyzed.

[In vitro determination of the biological activity of the electrophoretic fractions of embryonic tissue extracts]. / Opredeleneie in vitro biologicheskoi aktivnosti élektroforeticheskikh fraktsii ékstraktov iz émbrional'nykh tkanei.

The possibility of direct combining the protein fractions after electrophoresis in polyacrylamide gel (PAAG) with the ectoderm of avian embryos in vitro was shown. The extract of eye vesicle of 30-33 hrs chick embryos were subjected to electrophoresis in 20% PAAG in capillaries (diameter 300 mu). The columns of PAAG were cut in equal parts and these pieces with protein fractions were combined with the trunk ectoderm of 2 days old chick embryos. The preliminary analysis has shown that some fractions of the eye vesicle exert a selective neutralizing effect on the trunk ectoderm (formation of neural tubes). The PAAG itself had no toxic or inducing effect on the trunk ectoderm cells. The lens-inducing effect of the eye vesicle fractions was not observed.

Attached to the web--harmful use of the Internet and its correlates.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: The aim of this study was to test the validity of the Finnish version of the Internet Addiction Test and the correlates of harmful use of the Internet. METHODS: One thousand eight hundred and twenty-five students (45.5% men and 54.5% women, mean age 24.7 years, S.D.=5.7) filled in a web-based questionnaire including IAT, reasons for use of the Internet, distress, social support, and substance use. RESULTS: Men had a statistically significantly higher mean score on the IAT than women. Subjects with self-reported use of cannabis had higher mean score on the IAT compared to non-users (39.5 [11.3] vs 35.8 [10.8]). The total IAT score was associated with "adult entertainment" (OR=1.07, 95%CI: 1.06-1.08, P<0.001), "playing games" (OR=1.05, 95%CI: 1.04-1.06, P<0.001), "chatting" (OR=1.07, 95%CI: 1.06-1.08, P<0.001) and "discussion" (OR=1.08, 95%CI: 1.07-1.09, P<0.001) as reasons for Internet use. The IAT score had a significant negative correlation with social support (r=-0.24, P<0.001) and a significant positive correlation with the CAGE score (r=0.18, P<0.001). Using factor analysis, we found a single factor solution with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.92. CONCLUSIONS: The IAT seems to provide a valid measurement of harmful use of the Internet, as the score was significantly associated with variables tapping psychopathology.

Postgraduate and continuing medical education in Finland.

In this paper, postgraduate and continuing medical education in Finland is described and analyzed. Especially, the contacts with health care policy of Finland are analyzed and presented. First, the roots of CME in basic medical education and its goals are shown. Secondly, the advanced professional medical education (specialization) is presented. Thirdly, the scientific postgraduate system of studies is analyzed. Finally, the system of continuing, complementary medical education and its organization is presented. It is stressed that the CME has close connections with the health care policy in a country. Some problems in this respect are presented.

A project in physical education for handicapped and health-risk groups.

An interdisciplinary project concerning the physical education and culture of handicapped and health-risk groups, conducted during the years 1976 to 1980 under the auspices of the Finnish Society for Research in Sports and Physical Education, is reported in this paper. The concept of special group used in connection with the project is relative and describes the groups of people who do not receive the normal services in the field of physical activities. The goals of the project were not only to provide these services but also to study the problems connected with the use and supply of these services for these groups. The project approached its goals from the point of view not only of the individuals concerned but also of the organizations involved. The project was conducted in two towns and one rural community in Finland. Twenty-eight groups were formed in these communities, comprising about 500 participants. Of these, 350 regularly took part in the exercises. About 250 participants and 28 group leaders were studied in more detail. The decision-making and administrative processes at both local and national levels were analyzed. The project resulted in considerable increased activity of the persons taking part in the exercises, most of whom reported favorable results. Most group leaders also gave positive responses when asked about the results of the project. The project also effected a change in the decision-making processes at local and national levels, as more resources were allocated for these purposes than before the project. In this sense, the project fulfilled its original mission as a change agent.

Protocollagen proline hydroxylase of the mouse uterus during pregnancy and post-partum involution.

1. The protocollagen proline hydroxylase in mouse uterus was found to be similar to that in other animal sources in its subcellular distribution and cofactor requirements. 2. The activities of this enzyme in uterine tissue from non-pregnant mice were comparable with those in various embryonic tissues. 3. In the second half of pregnancy the protocollagen proline hydroxylase activity increased markedly. 4. After parturition the activity of this enzyme decreased rapidly, reaching normal non-pregnant values at 24h post partum. The results suggest a good correlation between the synthesis of collagen and the activity of protocollagen proline hydroxylase.

Transfilter lens induction in avian embryo.

The directive influence of the optic vesicle during lens induction of 2-day chick embryos was studied in vitro. Trunk ectoderm was chosen for the responding tissue. This uncommitted ectoderm formed distinct lentoid bodies when grown together with the optic vesicle. Crystallin synthesis was demonstrated in the lentoids with fluorescein labelled antiserum. By interposing filters of different thicknesses and pore sizes between the interacting tissues, three questions were put forward: (1) Whether the intimate contact between the interactants was essential for induction, (2) how far the inductive influence of the optic vesicle extended, and (3) what was the smallest pore through which the inductive influence could penetrate. The inductive influence reached across a Millipore filter with a thickness of 100 micrometer. It also penetrated a dialyzer membrane, allowing passage of molecules with molecular weights (MW) of less than 12,000 daltons. It was concluded that the directive, inductive signal(s) passing from the optic vesicle, diffused in the extracellular space as far as 100 micrometer and had a molecular weight of less than 12,000 daltons.