The role of probiotics in Helicobacter pylori infection

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is a major cause of chronic gastritis and peptic ulcer disease, and it is also designated as a class-I carcinogen for stomach cancer. The role of probiotics in the treatment of gastrointestinal infections is increasingly documented as an alternative or complement to antibiotics, with the potential to decrease the use of antibiotics or reduce their adverse effects. These studies were conducted to investigate the role of probiotics in the treatment of H. pylori infection. Various aspects included: an investigation of the effects of a probiotic combination consisting of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus LC705, Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and Bifidobacterium breve Bb99 or B. lactis Bb12 as a supplementation to H. pylori eradication therapy, with special reference to tolerability, effectiveness, and microbiota alterations following the treatment; discovering the role of probiotics in vivo with H. pylori infected and uninfected patients, as well as with an in vitro model of H. pylori infection. The probiotic combination therapy was able to reduce significantly the total symptom score, which takes into account both the frequency and the severity of the adverse effects, during the eradication treatment. The supplementation did not improve the success of the eradication treatment significantly, though some difference was seen in the eradication percentages (91% vs. 79%). The quantities of predominant bacterial groups were altered significantly following the triple treatment. Probiotics slightly counteracted the effects of anti-H. pylori treatment, monitored as significantly less alterations in the total numbers of aerobes and lactobacilli/enterococci group bacteria. After probiotic intervention, L. rhamnosus GG adhered to a minority of the patients upper gastrointestinal mucosa, but all of the probiotics survived well through the gastrointestinal tract transit with and without antimicrobial treatment. Probiotic intervention decreased gastrin-17 levels in H. pylori infected patients and appeared to decrease the 13C-urea breath test values. In in vitro Caco-2 cell line experiments, probiotics inhibited H. pylori adhesion to intestinal epithelial cells. Both L. rhamnosus strains, P. freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS and the combination inhibited the H. pylori-induced acute cell leakage. Simultaneously, both L.rhamnosus strains and the combination transiently improved the epithelial barrier function. The pro-inflammatory effects prevailed when the probiotics were used in combination. According to this series of studies, probiotic combination could have some potential in reducing adverse effects induced by H. pylori eradication treatment and beneficial effects on H. pylori infected subjects.

Properties of Ammonium Nitrate based fertilisers

The text is divided into three parts; Properties, Application and Safety of Ammonium Nitrate (AN) based fertilisers. In Properties, the structures and phase transitions of ammonium and potassium nitrate are reviewed. The consequences of phase transitions affect the proper use of fertilisers. Therefore the products must be stabilised against the volume changes and consequent loss of bulk density and hardness, formation of dust and finally caking of fertilisers. The effect of different stabilisers is discussed. Magnesium nitrate, ammonium sulphate and potassium nitrate are presented as a good compromise. In the Application part, the solid solutions in the systems (K+,NH4+)NO3- and (NH4+,K+)(Cl-,NO3-) are presented based on studies made with DSC and XRD. As there are clear limits for solute content in the solvent lattice, a number of disproportionation transitions exist in these process phases, e.g., N3 (solid solution isomorphous to NH4NO3-III) disproportionates to phases K3 (solid solution isomorphous to KNO3-III) and K2 (solid solution isomorphous to KNO3-II). In the crystallisation experiments, the formation of K3 depends upon temperature and the ratio K/(K+NH4). The formation of phases K3, N3, and K2 was modelled as a function of temperature and the mole ratios. In introducing chlorides, two distinct maxima for K3 were found. Confirmed with commercial potash samples, the variables affecting the reaction of potassium chloride with AN are the particle size, time, temperature, moisture content and amount of organic coating. The phase diagrams obtained by crystallisation studies were compared with a number of commercial fertilisers and, with regard to phase composition, the temperature and moisture content are critical when the formation and stability of solid solutions are considered. The temperature where the AN-based fertiliser is solidified affects the amount of compounds crystallised at that point. In addition, the temperature where the final moisture is evaporated affects the amount and type of solid solution formed at this temperature. The amount of remaining moisture affects the stability of the K3 phase. The K3 phase is dissolved by the moisture and recrystallised into the quantities of K3, which is stable at the temperature where the sample is kept. The remaining moisture should not be free; it should be bound as water in the final product. The temperatures during storage also affect the quantity of K3 phase. As presented in the figures, K3 phase is not stable at temperatu¬res below 30 °C. If the temperature is about 40 °C, the K3 phase can be formed due to the remaining moisture. In the Safety part, self-sustaining decomposition (SSD), oxidising and energetic properties of fertilisers are discussed. Based on the consequence analysis of SSD, early detection of decomposition in warehouses and proper temperature control in the manufacturing process is important. SSD and oxidising properties were found in compositions where K3 exists. It is assumed that potassium nitrate forms a solid matrix in which AN can decompose. The oxidising properties can be affected by the form of the product. Granular products are inherently less oxidising. Finally energetic properties are reviewed. The composition of the fertiliser has an importance based on theoretical calculations supported by experimental studies. Materials such as carbonates and sulphates act as diluents. An excess of ammonium ions acts as a fuel although this is debatable. Based on the experimental work, the physical properties have a major importance over the composition. A high bulk density is of key importance for detonation resistance.

Genetic aspects of outcome in kidney transplantation: cytokine and thrombosis associated candidate genes and gene expression biomarkers

Kidney transplantation (Tx) is the treatment of choice for end stage renal disease. Immunosuppressive medications are given to prevent an immunological rejection of the transplant. However, immunosuppressive drugs increase e.g. the risk of infection, cancer or nephrotoxicity. A major genetic contributors to immunological acceptance of the graft are human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes. Also other non-HLA gene polymorphisms may predict the future risk of complications before Tx, possibly enabling individualised immunotherapy. Graft function after Tx is monitored using non-specific clinical symptoms and laboratory markers. The definitive diagnosis of graft rejection however relies on a biopsy of the graft. In the acute rejection (AR) diagnostics there is a need for an alternative to biopsy that would be an easily repeatable and simple method for regular use. Frequent surveillance of acute or subclinical rejection (SCR) may improve long-term function. In this thesis, associations between cytokine and thrombosis associated candidate genes and the outcome of kidney Tx were studied. Cytotoxic and co-stimulatory T lymphocyte molecule gene expression biomarkers for the diagnosis of the AR and the SCR were also investigated. We found that polymorphisms in the cytokine genes tumor necrosis factor and interleukin 10 (IL10) of the recipients were associated with AR. In addition, certain IL10 gene polymorphisms of the donors were associated with the incidence of cytomegalovirus infection and occurrence of later infection in a subpopulation of recipients. Further, polymorphisms in genes related to the risk of thrombosis and those of certain cytokines were not associated with the occurrence of thrombosis, infarction, AR or graft survival. In the study of biomarkers for AR, whole blood samples were prospectively collected from adult kidney Tx patients. With real-time quantitative PCR (RT-QPCR) gene expression quantities of CD154 and ICOS differentiated the patients with AR from those without, but not from the patients with other causes of graft dysfunction. Biomarkers for SCR were studied in paediatric kidney Tx patients. We used RT-QPCR to quantify the gene expression of immunological candidate genes in a low-density array format. In addition, we used RT-QPCR to validate the results of the microarray analysis. No gene marker differentiated patients with SCR from those without SCR. This research demonstrates the lack of robust markers among polymorphisms or biomarkers in investigated genes that could be included in routine analysis in a clinical laboratory. In genetic studies, kidney Tx can be regarded as a complex trait, i.e. several environmental and genetic factors may determine its outcome. A number of currently unknown genetic factors probably influence the results of Tx.

Applications of coralline hydroxyapatite with bioabsorbable containment and reinforcement as bone graft substitute : An experimental study

The aim of the present experimental study was to find out if the applications of coralline hydroxyapatite (HA) can be improved by using bioabsorbable containment or binding substance with particulate HA in mandibular contour augmentation and by using bioabsorbable fibre-reinforced HA blocks in filling bone defects and in anterior lumbar interbody fusion. The use of a separate curved polyglycolide (PGA) containment alone or together with a fast resorbing polyglycolide/polylactide (PGA/PLA) binding substance were compared to the conventional non-contained method in ridge augmentation in sheep. The contained methods decreased HA migration, but the augmentations did not differ significantly. The use of the containment caused a risk for wound dehiscence and infection. Histologically there was a rapid connective tissue ingrowth into the HA graft and it was more abundant with the PGA containment compared to the non-contained augmentation and even additionally rich when the HA particles were bound with PGA/PLA copolymer. However, the bone ingrowth was best in the non-contained augmentation exceeding 10-12 % of the total graft area at 24 weeks. Negligible or no bone ingrowth was seen in the cases where the polymer composite was added to the HA particles and, related to that, foreign-body type cells were seen at the interface between the HA and host bone. The PGA and poly-dl/l-lactide (PDLLA) fibre-reinforced coralline HA blocks were studied in the metaphyseal and in the diaphyseal defects in rabbits. A rapid bone ingrowth was seen inside the both types of implants. Both PGA and PDLLA fibres induced an inflammatory fibrous reaction around themselves but it did not hinder the bone ingrowth. The bone ingrowth pattern was directed according to the loading conditions so that the load-carrying cortical ends of the implants as well as the implants sited in the diaphyseal defects were the most ossified. The fibre-reinforced coralline HA implants were further studied as stand-alone grafts in the lumbar anterior interbody implantation in pigs. The strength of the HA implants proved not to be adequate, the implants fractured in six weeks and the disc space was gradually lost similarly to that of the discectomized spaces. Histologically, small quantities of bone ingrowth was seen in some of the PGA and PDLLA reinforced coralline implants while no bone formation was identified in any of the PDLLA reinforced synthetic porous HA implants. While fragmented, the inner structure of the implants was lost, the bone ingrowth was minimal, and the disc was replaced by the fibrous connective tissue. When evaluated radiologically the grade of ossification was assessed as better than histologically, and, when related to the histologic findings, CT was more dependable than the plain films to show ossification of the implanted disc space. Local kyphosis was a frequent finding along with anterior bone bridging and ligament ossification as a consequence of instability of the implanted segment.

Koulun kestävän kehityksen työn merkitys kiinteistön jätehuollossa Case: Helsingin peruskoulujen jätekustannukset ja -määrät

Koulujen kestävän kehityksen työllä tarkoitetaan ekologiseen, taloudelliseen, sosiaaliseen ja kulttuuriseen kestävyyteen pohjautuvaa ympäristökasvatusta. Helsingissä peruskoulujen kestävän kehityksen työvälineet (ympäristökartoitukset ja – ohjelmat) ovat perustuneet koulujen ympäristöasioiden suunnitteluun, opetussuunnitelmien toteutumiseen ja ylläpitotoimintoihin, kuten jätehuoltoon. Opetusvirasto käytti vuosina 2005 ja 2009 ympäristötoiminnan arvioinnissa ympäristötasokuvauksia 1-3, joista arvosana 3 kuvaa ympäristöasioissa edistyneintä koulua. Tutkielman tavoitteena on tutkia ympäristötoiminnan tasojen perusteella ryhmiteltyjen peruskoulujen välisiä eroja jätekustannuksissa ja – määrissä (euroa/henkilö ja kg/henkilö) ja löytää mahdollisesti eroihin vaikuttavia tekijöitä. Tutkielman toimeksiantajana on 4V-Välitä, vaikuta, viihdy, voi hyvin – hanke, jonka yhtenä toiminnan osa-alueena on koulujen kestävän kehityksen työ. Tuloksista tullaan johtamaan tietoa Opetusviraston sekä muiden tahojen, kuten HSY:n ja Palmian ympäristötyöhön sekä Kiinteistöviraston Tilakeskuksen hallinnassa olevien koulukiinteistöjen jätehuollon kehittämiseen. Tutkimusaineistoina käytettiin Helsingin peruskoulujen vuoden 2009 jätekustannuksia ja tutkielman yhteydessä kerätyn jäteseurannan tuloksia vuodelta 2010. Jätekustannus- ja jätemääräaineistot yhdistettiin vuoden 2009 ympäristötoiminnan tasoluokitusten perusteella otokseksi (n=64). Lopullinen jätekustannus- ja jätemääräanalyysi tehtiin 29 koulun otoksella, josta oli rajattu pois kiinteistöt, joilla on koulun toiminnan lisäksi muita käyttötarkoituksia. Analyysiin sisällytettiin myös tarkempi tarkastelu koulujen seka- ja biojätejakeiden kustannuksista ja määristä. Tutkimuksen johtopäätöksenä todettiin, että eri ympäristötasoisten peruskoulujen välillä on huomattavia euro- ja kilomääräisiä eroja henkilöä kohden lasketuissa jätekustannuksissa ja –määrissä. Kokonaisjätemäärässä ei ole tapahtunut merkittävää muutosta tarkasteluvuosien välillä, mutta lajittelu näyttäisi kuitenkin tehostuneen. Tulosten perusteella ympäristöasioissa edistyneiden tason 3 koulujen keskimääräiset sekajätemäärät ja -kustannukset olivat pienimmät tasojen 1 ja 2 kouluihin verrattuna. Biojätemäärät ja –kustannukset olivat suurimmat tason 2 kouluissa. Jätekustannuksiin ja – määriin näyttäisivät vaikuttavan jäteastioiden määrien, kokojen ja tyhjennysrytmien optimointi sekä jäteastioiden täyttöasteet. Peruskoulujen tulisi keskittyä kestävän kehityksen työn avulla jätteiden synnyn ehkäisyyn ja vähentämiseen, jotta jätekustannuksetkin vähentyisivät jätehuollon kehittämistoimenpiteiden seurauksena.

Kymmenen teollisesti merkittävän puulajin kuoriuutteiden mahdollisuudet tuholaistorjunnassa

Metsäteollisuudesta kertyy vuosittain suuria määriä ylijäämämateriaalia, kuten puun kuorta ja oksia.Ylimääräinen aines käytetään pääasiassa energiantuotantoon, mutta uusia soveltamismahdollisuuksia kaivataan. Kuoren on havaittu olevan potentiaalinen lähde monille bioaktiivisille yhdisteille, joille olisi käyttöä esimerkiksi lääke- ja kemianteollisuudessa sekä maa-, metsä- ja puutarhatuotannon tuholaistorjunnassa. Tutkimus on osa Euroopan Unionin rahoittamaa ForestSpeCs-projektia, jonka tarkoituksena on selvittää metsäteollisuuden ylijäämämateriaalien vaihtoehtoisia käyttötapoja. Valittujen kymmenen teollisesti merkittävän pohjoisen puulajin (Abies nephrolepis, Betula pendula, Larix decidua, L. gmelinii, L. sibirica, Picea abies, P. ajanensis, P. pumila, Pinus sylvestris, Populus tremula) kuoresta uutettujen aineiden soveltuvuutta syönninestoaineeksi testattiin kaaliperhosen (Pieris brassicae L.) ja krysanteemiyökkösen (Spodoptera littoralis Boisduval) toukilla sekä osittain sinappikuoriaisella (Phaedon cochloreae Fabricius) ja idänlehtikuoriaisella (Agelastica alni L.). Uutteet valmistettiin yhteistyössä projektin ryhmien avulla tai itsenäisesti erilaisin menetelmin. Testaukset tehtiin laboratorio-oloissa käyttäen lehtikiekkojen valintabiotestiä sekä karkeilla uutteilla että niistä erotelluilla yksittäisillä yhdisteillä. Tehdyistä mittauksista laskettiin syönninestoindeksit (FDI). Tulosten perusteella lähes kaikki testatut uutteet vaikuttivat ainakin jossain määrin kohdehyönteisen syöntikäyttäytymiseen. Hieman yli puolet kaaliperhosella testatuista 46 uutteesta aiheuttivat yli 50 % syönnineston eli kaaliperhonen suosi kontrollilehtiä uutteella käsiteltyjä todennäköisemmin. Krysanteemiyökkösellä yli 50 %:n syönnineston aiheuttivat vain seitsemän testatuista 56 uutteesta. Lisäksi kolme uutetta lisäsi käsiteltyjen kiekkojen syöntiä merkittävästi. Idänlehtikuoriaistoukat ja -aikuiset karttoivat erityisesti abietiinihapolla käsiteltyjä lehtiä. Sinappikuoriaisella testatut uutteet toimivat myös lupaavasti. Testattujen puulajien kuoresta on mahdollista uuttaa biologisesti aktiivisia yhdisteitä, mutta tuholaistorjunnan kannalta oikeiden pitoisuuksien ja tehokkaiden uuttomenetelmien löytäminen vaatii jatkotutkimuksia. Kuoren sisältämien yhdisteiden laatu ja määrä vaihtelevat monien tekijöiden, kuten ympäristön ja genetiikan vaikutuksesta. Hyönteisten sietokyky vaihtelee myös paljon lajeittain ja yksilöidenkin välillä on eroja. Uutteista valmistettavia torjunta-aineita olisi kuitenkin mahdollista sisällyttää esimerkiksi integroituun torjuntaan muiden menetelmien rinnalle tulevaisuudessa.