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J Nuutinen

Publications and source records attributed to J Nuutinen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Detecting the subregion proceeding to infarction in hypoperfused cerebral tissue: a study with diffusion and perfusion weighted MRI.

Diffusion and perfusion weighted MRI have been widely used in ischaemic stroke. We studied 17 patients in whom ischaemic areas showed an ischaemic core, an area of infarct growth and hypoperfused but ultimately surviving tissue. Apparent diffusion coefficients (ADC) were measured on days 1, 2, and 8 in the three subregions and in contralateral control areas. Cerebral blood flow (CBF), cerebral blood volume (CBV), and mean transit time (MTT) were measured in these regions on day 1 perfusion maps. On day 1, the ischaemic core had very low ADC and CBF and increased MTT. The ADC in the ischaemic core gradually increased during the week. The area of infarct growth on day 1 had slightly but significantly decreased ADC (96% of control, P=0.028), moderately decreased CBF and increased MTT. On day 1 the hypoperfused but surviving tissue had slightly but significantly increased ADC (103% of control, P=0.001), mildly decreased CBF and increased CBV and MTT. The ADC of the area of infarct growth decreased to the same level as in the ischaemic core on days 2 and 8. That of surviving tissue was still above normal on day 2 (103% of control), but had returned to the normal level by day 8. Measurement of ADC combined with perfusion MRI may help distinguish different subregions in acutely hypoperfused brain.

Aged↗
PubMed2003

Colored moderately thermophilic bacteria in paper-machine biofilms.

Biofilms cause several problems in papermaking. This report describes a microbiological survey of colored biofilms in six paper and board machines, including two case studies of outbreaks of colored slimes in which the causative bacteria were found. A total of 95 pink-, red-, orange- or yellow-pigmented strains were isolated. Nearly all (99%) of the strains grew at 52 degrees C, 72% grew at 56 degrees C, but only 30% grew at 28 degrees C, indicating that most of the strains were moderately thermophilic. Biofilm formation potential and biocide susceptibility of the strains were analyzed with a microtiter plate assay. In the presence of 5 ppm of methylene bisthiocyanate or 2,2-dibromo-3-nitrilopropionamide in paper-machine water, 55 strains formed biofims. Moreover, 39 strains increased biofilm production by 5-753% in the presence of biocide, suggesting that biocide concentrations inhibitory to planktonic but not to surface-attached cells may actually promote biofouling. The cells may have inactivated a portion of the biocides, as the cell density in this assay was high, corresponding to the highest cell densities occurring in the circulating waters. Four groups of colored bacteria that were isolated from several mills were identified. Pink-pigmented Deinococcus geothermalis and red-pigmented Meiothermus silvanus occurred as common primary biofilm-formers in paper machines. This report is the first description of the involvement of Meiothermus species in red-slime formation in the paper industry. The third group of bacteria (putative new species related to Roseomonas) contained strains that were not biofilm formers, but which were commonly found in slimes of neutral or alkaline machines. The fourth group contained red-pigmented biofilm-forming strains representing a novel genus of alpha- Proteobacteria related to Rhodobacter. Many colored paper-machine bacteria are species previously known from microbial mats of hot springs. Some characteristics of the bacterial groups are described here in order to facilitate their recognition in future cases of colored-slime outbreaks in the paper industry.

Biofilms↗
PubMed2003

Changes in abdominal subcutaneous fat water content with rapid weight loss and long-term weight maintenance in abdominally obese men and women.

OBJECTIVE: Insulin resistance decreases blood flow and volume in fat tissue. We hypothesised that fat tissue nutritive blood flow and volume, and thereby water content, would increase during weight loss and weight maintenance in obese persons. DESIGN: Longitudinal clinical intervention with a 9-week very-low-calorie diet (VLCD) followed by one year of weight maintenance. SUBJECTS: Obese men (n=13) and women (n=14) with the metabolic syndrome. MEASUREMENTS: Water content of abdominal subcutaneous fat tissue as estimated by a sensor on the skin surface measuring the dielectric constant at 300 MHz. Anthropometric measures of fatness and fat distribution. Biochemical measures related to insulin resistance. RESULTS: Subjects lost 14.5+/-3.4% of body weight during the VLCD, and generally sustained this weight loss during weight maintenance. Insulin sensitivity as estimated by an index (qualitative insulin sensitivity check index) increased during the VLCD, and remained increased throughout weight maintenance. The dielectric constant increased from 23.3+/-2.3 to 25.0+/-2.1 (P<0.001) during the VLCD, and further to 27.8+/-1.9 (P<0.001) during weight maintenance, indicating an increase in the water content of subcutaneous fat. The increase in subcutaneous fat water content did not correlate with weight loss and other measures of adiposity during the VLCD, but there was an inverse correlation that strengthened in significance from baseline to 6, 9 and 12 mo (r=-0.32 to -0.64, P=0.079-0.002). Increases in subcutaneous fat water content also correlated with improvements in insulin sensitivity at 6, 9 and 12 months of weight maintenance (r=0.34-0.54, P=0.094-0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Water content of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue increases with weight loss in obese persons with the metabolic syndrome, and may reflect increased subcutaneous fat tissue nutritive blood flow. The increase in water content correlates with the increase in insulin sensitivity, suggesting that weight loss and consequent improved insulin sensitivity could mediate the increase in abdominal subcutaneous fat hydration.

Abdomen↗
PubMed2002

Thermomonas haemolytica gen. nov., sp. nov., a gamma-proteobacterium from kaolin slurry.

Four aerobic, gram-negative bacterial strains isolated from kaolin slurry used in the production of paper were subjected to a polyphasic analysis and characterization to determine their taxonomic position. Analysis of the 16S rDNA sequences of the four strains revealed that they represent a new lineage within the gamma-Proteobacteria, related to the genera Xanthomonas, Pseudoxanthomonas, Stenotrophomonas, Luteimonas, Xylella and Rhodanobacter. Analysis of the quinone system, the polyamines, the fatty acids and the polar lipids revealed a combination of characteristics that is unique and not described for the phylogenetic relatives. The four strains contain a ubiquinone Q-8, spermidine as the major polyamine, diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol and phosphatidylethanolamine as the predominant polar lipids, and a fatty acid profile with predominantly iso-branched fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was determined to be within the narrow range 67.1-68.7 mol%. Determination of DNA relatedness, as well as riboprint band patterns and amplified fragment length polymorphism profiles, clearly demonstrated that the four strains are members of a single species. Antibiotic-susceptibility patterns were identical for the four strains. Although showing a high degree of similarites in physiological and biochemical patterns, each of the four strains could be distinguished from the others on the basis of a few biochemical characteristics. On the basis of the estimates of phylogenetic relationships derived from the 16S rDNA sequence analyses, the observed chemotaxonomic characteristics and other phenotypic traits, a new genus, Thermomonas gen. nov., and species, Thermomonas haemolytica sp. nov., are proposed for the strains A50-7-3T (= DSM 13605T = LMG 19653T), B 50-7-1 (= DSM 13598 = LMG 19655), D50-7-1 (= DSM 13610 = LMG 19656) and B50-8-1 (= DSM 13599 = LMG 19654), with strain A50-7-3T as the type strain.

Base Composition↗
PubMed2001

Diffusion and perfusion MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke: a comparison to SPECT.

Diffusion (DWI) and perfusion (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging are relatively new methods of clinical imaging that probably can detect infarcted (DWI) and hypoperfused but still salvageable tissue (PWI) in acute human stroke. Forty-six acute stroke patients were imaged within 24 h of ictus, on the second day and after a week. SPECT was also performed on 23 patients in the acute phase (first or second day). On the first day, mean volume of hypoperfused tissue was significantly greater (P<0.001) than the infarcted tissue. The initial hypoperfusion volume correlated significantly with the final infarct size (P<0.001). The initial perfusion-diffusion mismatch correlated significantly with the infarct growth (P< or =0.001). The hypoperfusion volumes measured from PWI and SPECT correlated significantly (P<0.001). In conclusion, combined DWI and PWI is a powerful tool in evaluating the hemodynamics of acute ischemic stroke and can predict the infarct growth during 1 week.

Aged↗
PubMed2001

Mechanisms of biofilm formation in paper machine by Bacillus species: the role of Deinococcus geothermalis.

Mechanisms for the undesired persistence of Bacillus species in paper machine slimes were investigated. Biofilm formation was measured for industrial Bacillus isolates under paper machine wet-end-simulating conditions (white water, pH 7, agitated at 45 degrees C for 1-2 days). None of the 40 tested strains of seven Bacillus species formed biofilm on polished stainless steel or on polystyrene surfaces as a monoculture. Under the same conditions, Deinococcus geothermalis E50051 covered all test surfaces as a patchy thick biofilm. The paper machine bacilli, however, formed mixed biofilms with D. geothermalis E50051 as revealed by confocal microscopy. Biofilm interactions between the bacilli and the deinococci varied from synergism to antagonism. Synergism in biofilm formation of D. geothermalis E50051 was strongest with Bacillus coagulans D50192, and with the type strains of B. coagulans, B. amyloliquefaciens or B. pumilus. Two B. licheniformis, one B. amyloliquefaciens, one B. pumilus and four B. cereus strains antagonized biofilm production by D. geothermalis. B. licheniformis D50141 and the type strain of B. licheniformis were the strongest antagonists. These bacteria inhibited deinococcal growth by emitting heat-stable, methanol-soluble metabolite(s). We conclude that the persistence of Bacillus species in paper machine slimes relates to their ability to conquer biofilms formed by primary colonizers, such as D. geothermalis.

Bacillus↗
PubMed2001

In vitro and in vivo responses to the recombinant bovine dander allergen Bos d 2 and its fragments.

BACKGROUND: About one in every four cases of occupational rhinitis recorded in Finland is animal-induced. Bovine allergens are the most important in this respect and the largest patient group consists of dairy farmers. Allergen immunotherapy, if proven effective, safe and feasible, would be ideal for their treatment. The development of recombinant allergens has offered new potential therapeutic prospects. Fragments of recombinant Bos domesticus (Bos d 2) allergen could be suitable for this purpose because they are recognized by T cells but their IgE-binding capacity is attenuated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to verify whether the potential of the two fragments of recombinant Bos d 2 (corresponding to amino acids 1-131 and 81-172) to induce immediate allergic reaction in a shock organ (nose) was decreased compared to the complete recombinant allergen, which would be an advantageous property for a preparation intended for allergen immunotherapy. METHODS: The study group consisted of 10 dairy farmers with cow-induced allergic rhinitis. We used the IgE titres against native Bos d 2 measured by indirect IgE ELISA to characterize the level of sensitization and compared the IgE titres in the rhinitis patients with 12 cow-sensitized asthmatic farmers and 12 healthy students. In vitro reactivity against recombinant Bos d 2 and its two fragments was studied by indirect IgE ELISA and in vivo reactivity by nasal provocation tests. RESULTS: The IgE titres against native Bos d 2 of patients with rhinitis tended to be lower than the titres of asthmatics. The healthy students did not exhibit any detectable IgE reactivity to native Bos d 2. In the patients with rhinitis, there was no statistically significant difference between IgE responses against native and recombinant Bos d 2, whereas with both in vitro and in vivo, the reactivity to both fragments of recombinant Bos d 2 was lower than the reactivity to the complete recombinant allergen. CONCLUSIONS: Due to the decreased in vivo capacity to induce immediate allergic reactions, the fragments may be better tolerated in allergen immunotherapy than the complete allergen.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Paranasal sinus mucormycosis: a report of two cases.

Mucormycosis of the nose and paranasal sinuses is a rare invasive fungal infection, which often has a very fulminant course and characteristic clinical findings. The patients are usually immunocompromised, with diabetic ketoacidosis being the commonest underlying disorder. In some immunocompetent patients, the disease is associated with local predisposing factors, such as chronic sinusitis. Although the prognosis has improved in recent decades, the disease can still be fatal. The underlying disease is an important determinant of prognosis and correction of the metabolic disorder, if present, is essential. Herein we report two cases: one of our patients was immunocompetent but had earlier suffered from polypous rhinosinusitis whereas the other had mild adult-type diabetes. Both patients were successfully treated with surgical debridement and amphotericin B.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Radiotherapy treatment planning and long-term follow-up with [(11)C]methionine PET in patients with low-grade astrocytoma.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility of [(11)C]-methionine positron emission tomography (MET PET) in radiotherapy (RT) treatment planning and long-term follow-up in patients with low-grade glioma. PATIENTS: Thirteen patients with low-grade astrocytoma and 1 with anaplastic astrocytoma underwent sequential MET PET and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) before and 3, 6, 12, and 21-39 months after RT, respectively. Ten patients were studied after initial debulking surgery or biopsy and 4 in the recurrence phase. METHODS: A total of 58 PET scans were performed. After transmission scanning, a median dose of 425 MBq of MET was injected intravenously and emission data was acquired 20 min after injection for 20 min. The uptake of MET in tumor area was measured as standardized uptake value (SUV) and tumor-to-contralateral brain SUV ratios were generated to assess irradiation effects on tumor metabolism. Functional imaging with PET was compared with concurrent MRI in designing the RT planning volumes and in assessment of response to RT during a median follow-up time of 33 months. RESULTS: In 12 patients (86%), tumor area was clearly discernible in the baseline PET study. In the remaining 2 patients with a suspected residual tumor in MRI, PET showed only a diffuse uptake of MET interpreted as negative in the original tumor area. In the dose planning of RT, MET PET was helpful in outlining the gross tumor volume in 3 of 11 cases (27%), whereas PET findings either coincided with MRI (46%) or were less distinctive (27%) in other cases. In quantitative evaluation, patients with a low tumor SUV initially had significantly better prognosis than those with a high SUV. Tumor-to-contralateral brain uptake ratios of MET discriminated well patients remaining clinically stable from those who have since relapsed or died of disease. CONCLUSION: Quantitative MET PET has prognostic value at the time of initial treatment planning of low-grade glioma. Some patients may benefit of RT volume definition with MET PET, which seems to disclose residual tumor better than MRI in selected cases. Stable or decreasing uptake of MET in tumor area after RT during follow-up seems to be a favorable sign.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Isolated sphenoid sinus diseases: report of 39 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To detail the underlying pathological conditions, symptoms, signs, and outcomes of patients with isolated sphenoid sinus involvement. DESIGN: A retrospective survey. SETTING: An academic referral center of a university hospital. PATIENTS: All 39 patients, aged 7 to 85 years, treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland, from 1988 through 1997 for isolated sphenoid sinus disease. RESULTS: Sinusitis was characterized as acute in 26 patients, subacute in 5 (including 1 pyocele), and chronic in 8 (including 2 fungal infections). No tumors were found. Isolated sinus cysts were excluded from the study. Headache, the main symptom in 32 patients (82%), was localized most commonly on the vertex. Other common complaints were rhinitis, dizziness, eye symptoms, and fever. In 2 patients, the finding was occult. Eight patients (21%) presented with cranial nerve deficits, and 1 patient had an intracranial complication. Sinus irrigation was performed in 16 patients (41%) and sphenoidotomy was performed in 10 (26%). Fifteen patients (38%) were treated with antibiotic drugs alone. Within 3 months, 31 (84%) of 37 patients had recovered from the illness; 5 still experienced headaches despite having normalized radiographic findings; and 1 had permanent unilateral visual loss. Two patients were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Sphenoid sinus opacity is mostly inflammatory in origin. Despite the benign nature of the disease, there is a risk of complications with high morbidity and mortality. Early and, if necessary, aggressive therapy to guarantee drainage of the sinus is recommended.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

Radiobiological depth of subcutaneous induration.

The incidence of subcutaneous induration in 23 breast cancer patients with postmastectomy radiotherapy was investigated. The patients were treated with three different radiotherapy schedules 7. 9-9.8 years ago. The incidence was correlated with the biological effective dose (BED) at different depths from the skin surface and a best fit was obtained using an alpha/beta ratio of 2 Gy. The most representative depth at which to assess dose for subcutaneous induration was 2 mm which is near the subcutaneous fat/dermis interface.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Experience in qualitative and quantitative FDG PET in follow-up of patients with suspected recurrence from head and neck cancer.

We evaluated positron emission tomography (PET) with 2-[fluorine-18]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG) in the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer, and compared visual and quantitative interpretation of PET images for their accuracy in the identification of tumour recurrence. Sixty-two FDG PET studies were performed in 56 patients having a total of 81 lesions, which were clinically suspected for recurrent carcinoma of the head and neck. The PET images were interpreted visually, and tracer uptake was quantitated as the standardised uptake value adjusted to body weight (SUV). Sensitivity of visual interpretation of the PET images for the presence of malignancy ranged from 84 to 95%, and specificity from 84 to 93%, respectively, depending on the selected scheme for grading of the lesions. Malignant lesions accumulated significantly more FDG than the benign ones (the median SUVs were 6.8 and 3.3, respectively, P<0.001). However, there was a wide overlap of the FDG uptake values between these two groups. Hence, the highest accuracy of quantitative analysis in correct identification of tumour recurrence (75% at Receiver Operating Curve analysis) was inferior to that of visual analysis (89%). FDG PET is feasible for the detection of recurrent head and neck cancer. Although quantitation of FDG uptake using SUV shows significantly higher tracer concentrations for malignant than benign lesions, the wide overlap of individual SUVs between these two groups is a serious concern in diagnostic evaluation. Therefore, in clinical practice it may be preferable to identify the presence of tumour recurrence within this patient group by qualitative interpretation of the PET images.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Prognostic value of the expression of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, p16 and prb, and Ki-67 labelling in high grade astrocytomas treated with radiotherapy.

Cumulative inactivation of tumor suppressor genes and/or amplification of oncogenes lead to progressively more malignant astrocytic tumors. We have analyzed the significance of tumor suppressor genes p53, p21, p16 and retinoblastoma protein (pRb) and proliferative activity for survival in 77 high grade astrocytic tumors. After operation, the patients--25 anaplastic astrocytomas (AA) and 52 glioblastomas (GBs)--were treated with similar radiotherapy. The expression of the suppressor genes and the proliferative activity were analyzed immunohistochemically. p53 immunopositivity was found in 44% of AAs and 46% of GBs. Tumors with aberrant p53 expression had lower proliferation indices than p53 immunonegative tumors. Neither p53 expression nor p21 immunonegativity (52% of AAs and 48% of GBs) correlated with survival. p16 immunostaining was negative in 16% of AAs and in 44% of GBs, and it correlated inversely with survival in both uni- and multivariate analyses. pRb immunostaining was negative only in 8% of both AAs and GBs and the absence of p16 and pRb were mutually exclusive. Ki-67 labelling index (LI) was significantly higher in GBs (26.8%) than in AAs (20.3%), and in multivariate analysis it was an independent prognostic factor for survival. In 48% of AAs Ki-67 LI exceeded 20% and this subset of AAs had similar prognosis as GB. In high grade astrocytic tumors p16 immunonegativity was an independent indicator of poor prognosis in addition to the previously established patient's age, histopathology and Ki-67 LI. Furthermore, there was a subset of AAs with a high proliferation rate (> 20%) in which the histopathological hallmarks of GB were lacking, but which had similarly dismal prognosis as GB.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Lip cancer in Northern Finland: changing incidence and clinical characteristics.

A population-based survey was conducted in 35 municipalities in Northern Finland to assess the incidence of lip cancer as well as the patient and tumour characteristics in cases diagnosed between 1983 and 1997. A total of 96 new patients emerged. The age-standardised incidence (per 100,000 years) of lip cancer in men decreased from 4.8 in 1983-1987 to 1.4 in 1993-1997. The incidences in women were 0.30 to 0.36, respectively. The median age of the patients increased from 66 to 73 years through the years. Overall, 90% of the patients had at least one of the known risk factors, namely rural domicile, outdoor occupation or smoking. The median duration of symptoms also remained the same, as did the median size and location of the tumour at diagnosis. In contrast, spread to regional lymph nodes became rare during the period.

Age Factors↗
PubMed2000

Cerebral hemodynamics in human acute ischemic stroke: a study with diffusion- and perfusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging and SPECT.

Nineteen patients with acute ischemic stroke (<24 hours) underwent diffusion-weighted and perfusion-weighted (PWI) magnetic resonance imaging at the acute stage and 1 week later. Eleven patients also underwent technetium-99m ethyl cysteinate dimer single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) at the acute stage. Relative (ischemic vs. contralateral control) cerebral blood flow (relCBF), relative cerebral blood volume, and relative mean transit time were measured in the ischemic core, in the area of infarct growth, and in the eventually viable ischemic tissue on PWI maps. The relCBF was also measured from SPECT. There was a curvilinear relationship between the relCBF measured from PWI and SPECT (r = 0.854; P < 0.001). The tissue proceeding to infarction during the follow-up had significantly lower initial CBF and cerebral blood volume values on PWI maps (P < 0.001) than the eventually viable ischemic tissue had. The best value for discriminating the area of infarct growth from the eventually viable ischemic tissue was 48% for PWI relCBF and 87% for PWI relative cerebral blood volume. Combined diffusion and perfusion-weighted imaging enables one to detect hemodynamically different subregions inside the initial perfusion abnormality. Tissue survival may be different in these subregions and may be predicted.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Early serial SPET in acute middle cerebral artery infarction.

The size and severity of perfusion defects in acute cerebral ischaemia on single photon emission tomographic (SPET) images may provide useful information regarding long-term (> 3 month) stroke outcome. A decreased predictive value has been reported with delayed SPET more than 24 h after stroke onset. We examined 20 patients with acute middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarctions using serial 99Tcm-ECD or 99Tcm-HMPAO SPET (SPET 1 one day and SPET 2 three days after stroke onset). Neurological (NIH, SSS) and functional (Barthel, Rankin) scores were calculated simultaneously and 3 months poststroke. The two SPET scans correlated equally well with the severity of functional and neurological deficits evaluated 3 months after stroke onset. In comparison to clinical assessment, the prognostic value of SPET was relatively better on the first day than the third day. Crossed cerebellar diaschisis correlated with early SPET deficits, but did not predict functional outcome. Our results suggest that SPET, either with 99Tcm-ECD or 99Tcm-HMPAO, can be used to predict stroke outcome in acute MCA infarction up to 72 h poststroke without significant interference from luxury perfusion.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2000

Combined perfusion- and diffusion-weighted MR imaging in acute ischemic stroke during the 1st week: a longitudinal study.

PURPOSE: To compare findings with different magnetic resonance (MR) perfusion maps in acute ischemic stroke. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Combined diffusion-weighted (DW) and perfusion-weighted (PW) MR imaging was performed in 49 patients with acute (<24 hours) stroke, on the 1st and 2nd days and 1 week after stroke. Volumes of hypoperfused tissue on maps of relative cerebral blood volume (rCBV), relative cerebral blood flow (rCBF), and mean transit time (MTT) were compared with the volume of infarcted tissue at DW imaging. RESULTS: The mean infarct volume increased from 41 to 65 cm(3) between the 1st and 2nd days (P: <.001; n = 49). On the 1st day, all perfusion maps on average showed hypoperfusion lesions larger than the infarct at DW imaging (P: <.001; n = 49). MTT maps showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBF maps, which showed significantly (P: <.001) larger hypoperfusion lesions than did rCBV maps. The sizes of the initial perfusion-diffusion mismatches correlated significantly with the extent of infarct growth (0.479 < r < 0.657; P: </=.001). The hypoperfusion volume on the initial rCBV maps correlated best with the final infarct size at 1 week (r = 0.891; P: <.001). CONCLUSION: Combined DW and PW imaging is a powerful tool in evaluating the hemodynamics of acute ischemic stroke.

Acute Disease↗