Penetration of MeV electrons into the mesosphere accompanying pulsating aurorae.

Pulsating aurorae (PsA) are caused by the intermittent precipitations of magnetospheric electrons (energies of a few keV to a few tens of keV) through wave-particle interactions, thereby depositing most of their energy at altitudes ~ 100 km. However, the maximum energy of precipitated electrons and its impacts on the atmosphere are unknown. Herein, we report unique observations by the European Incoherent Scatter (EISCAT) radar showing electron precipitations ranging from a few hundred keV to a few MeV during a PsA associated with a weak geomagnetic storm. Simultaneously, the Arase spacecraft has observed intense whistler-mode chorus waves at the conjugate location along magnetic field lines. A computer simulation based on the EISCAT observations shows immediate catalytic ozone depletion at the mesospheric altitudes. Since PsA occurs frequently, often in daily basis, and extends its impact over large MLT areas, we anticipate that the PsA possesses a significant forcing to the mesospheric ozone chemistry in high latitudes through high energy electron precipitations. Therefore, the generation of PsA results in the depletion of mesospheric ozone through high-energy electron precipitations caused by whistler-mode chorus waves, which are similar to the well-known effect due to solar energetic protons triggered by solar flares.

Genetically modified mouse models to investigate thyroid development, function and growth.

The thyroid gland produces thyroid hormones (TH), which are essential regulators for growth, development and metabolism. The thyroid is mainly controlled by the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) that binds to its receptor (TSHR) on thyrocytes and mediates its action via different G protein-mediated signaling pathways. TSH primarily activates the Gs-pathway, and at higher concentrations also the Gq/11-pathway, leading to an increase of intracellular cAMP and Ca2+, respectively. To date, the physiological importance of other G protein-mediated signaling pathways in thyrocytes is unclear. Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) is defined as the lack of TH at birth. In familial cases, high-throughput sequencing methods have facilitated the identification of novel mutations. Nevertheless, the precise etiology of CH yet remains unraveled in a proportion of cases. Genetically modified mouse models can reveal new pathophysiological mechanisms of thyroid diseases. Here, we will present an overview of genetic mouse models for thyroid diseases, which have provided crucial insights into thyroid gland development, function, and growth with a special focus on TSHR and microRNA signaling.

Health conditions associated with metabolic syndrome after cancer at a young age: A nationwide register-based study.

PURPOSE: Childhood cancer survivors are at risk for developing metabolic syndrome (MetS), which subsequently leads to cardiovascular morbidity and excess mortality. Our aim was to investigate the purchases of medications associated with MetS among 7551 early onset cancer patients compared to siblings. METHODS: Our nationwide Finnish population-based registry study analyzed the drug purchase of medication among early onset cancer patients diagnosed with cancer below the age of 35 years between 1994 and 2004 compared to siblings by linkage to the drug purchase registry, allowing for a maximal follow-up of 18 years. RESULTS: The hazard ratios (HRs) for purchasing antihypertensives and diabetes drugs were higher after both childhood (HR 4.6, 95%CI 3.1-7.0; HR 3.0, 95%1.5-6.1) and young adulthood (YA) cancer (HR 1.5, 95%CI 1.3-1.8; HR 1.6, 95%CI 1.1-2.2) compared to siblings. The HRs for purchasing lipid-lowering drugs were elevated both after childhood (HR 4.3,95%CI 0.9-19.5) and YA cancer (HR 1.6, 95%CI 1.04-2.5), but only reached significance in YA cancer patients. Among specific cancer diagnosis groups, highest HR values for antihypertensives were found in childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) (HR 6.1, 95%CI 3.7-10.3) and bone tumor (HR 4.3, 95%CI 1.9-9.4), and YA ALL (HR 4.8, 95%CI 3.1-7.0) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) (HR 3.4, 95%CI 2.5-5.1) patients. Moreover, childhood ALL (HR 6.3, 95%CI 2.7-14.8), AML (HR 7.6, 95%CI 1.9-24.5) and central nervous system (CNS)-tumor (HR 3.5, 95%CI 1.3-9.2) and YA ALL (HR 3.7, 95%CI 1.2-9.5) patients showed the strongest likelihood of purchasing diabetes drugs compared to siblings. CONCLUSION: The purchase of medications associated with MetS was increased after early onset cancer and highly dependent on the age at cancer diagnosis and the cancer diagnosis. Prevention strategies are imperative for reducing potentially life-threatening cardiovascular complications after early onset cancer.

Cardiovascular medication after cancer at a young age in Finland: A nationwide registry linkage study.

Despite improved survival rates, childhood and young adult (YA) cancer survivors face elevated risks for life-threatening morbidities, especially cardiovascular complications. Our nationwide Finnish registry study investigated the purchases of cardiovascular medication from 1993 to 2011 in patients diagnosed with cancer aged below 35 years (N = 8,197) between 1993 and 2004 compared to siblings (N = 29,974) via linkage to the drug purchase registry. The cumulative incidence for purchasing cardiovascular medications was higher in childhood and YA cancer patients compared to siblings with a rising trend over time. After childhood cancer, the highest hazard ratio (HR) was found for purchasing anticoagulants (HR 19.8, 95% CI 8.5-45.9). The HRs for any cardiovascular medication (HR 7.2, 95% CI 5.1-10.1) and cardiac medication (HR 4.8, 95% CI 3.3-6.9) were markedly elevated after childhood cancer as well. Regarding YA cancer patients, the respective HRs were 2.5 (95% CI 2.0-3.2) for anticoagulants, HR 1.7 (95% CI 1.5-1.9) for any cardiovascular medication and HR 1.5 (95% CI 1.3-1.7) for cardiac medication. Among cancer patients, highest HRs for cardiovascular medication were observed after childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and bone tumors (HR 10.2, 95% CI 6.8-15.5 and HR 7.4, 95% CI 4.0-13.7) and YA ALL and acute myeloid leukemia (HR 5.1, 95% CI 3.5-7.1 and HR 2.8, 95% CI 1.8-4.0). Our study demonstrated increased HRs for purchasing cardiovascular medication after early-onset cancer compared to siblings reflecting elevated cardiovascular morbidity. Thus, the implementation of long-term cardiovascular disease screening is imperative to prevent, detect and adequately treat cardiovascular late effects after cancer at a young age.

Cardiovascular morbidity in long-term survivors of early-onset cancer: a population-based study.

Improvements in cancer therapy have resulted in an expanding population of early-onset cancer survivors. In contrast to childhood and adolescent cancer survivors, there is still a lack of data concerning late morbidities among young adult (YA) cancer survivors. Thus, our aim was to investigate cardiac and vascular morbidity among early-onset cancer survivors with a special interest in YA cancer survivors. In a population-based setting, we explored the risk of cardiovascular disease in early-onset cancer survivors compared to healthy siblings. Patients diagnosed with cancer below 35 years of age since 1975 were identified from the Finnish Cancer Registry, and 5-year survivors were included in our study (N = 13,860). Information on cardiovascular morbidity was collected from the national hospital discharge registry. Compared to siblings, cancer survivors aged 0-19 and 20-34 at diagnosis had significantly elevated hazard ratios (HRs) for the studied outcomes: HR 13.5 (95% CI 8.9-20.4) and 3.6 (95% CI 2.8-4.6) for cardiomyopathy/cardiac insufficiency; HR 3.4 (95% CI 2.3-5.1) and 1.7 (95% CI 1.4-2.0) for atherosclerosis/brain vascular thrombosis; HR 3.3 (95% CI 1.7-6.5) and 1.8 (95% CI 1.5-2.1) for myocardial infarction/cardiac ischemia and HR 1.7 (95% CI 1.2-2.6) and 1.4 (95% CI 1.2-1.7) for cardiac arrhythmia. In both groups, depending on the outcome, the HR for adverse events was highest among lymphoma, brain tumor, leukemia and testicular malignancy survivors. Our results regarding late effects of childhood cancer survivors confirmed previous findings. Additionally, our study provides novel information concerning the YA cancer survivor population. Hence, our data may help in planning the risk-based long-term follow-up of early-onset cancer survivors.

Increased contraceptive use one year post-abortion.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of abortion on contraceptive use, partner relationship and sexual satisfaction. METHODS: In a longitudinal study, 58 women answered a pre-abortion questionnaire and participated in two interviews, one in connection with the abortion and a second 1 year later. RESULTS: Most women (40/58) had retained the same partner 1 year after the abortion. More than half of these (22/40) experienced no change in the quality of the partner relationship, while the rest (18/40) had deepened their relationship. Furthermore, the majority of the women (45/58) had not experienced any negative influence on their sexual satisfaction. Most women who were sexually active 1 year post-abortion (42/47) used some contraceptive method; the number who used hormonal methods or intrauterine devices had, for example, increased from four to 35, although one-third of them had been doubtful about these methods before abortion. Conversely, 15 women had tried these methods during the follow-up year but had not continued because of negative effects. Overall, contraceptive use 1 year post-abortion had increased. CONCLUSIONS: To achieve well-founded decisions about contraceptives, counsellors should be aware of women's ambivalence about the use of modern, effective contraceptive methods. In order to prevent abortion it is important to discuss gender differences in sexual behaviour and encourage communication with both sexes about the pros and cons of coitus-dependent and coitus-independent methods.

Wellbeing and mental growth-long-term effects of legal abortion.

The present study aims to increase knowledge about coping with legal abortion by studying women's reasoning, reactions and emotions over a period of 1 year. The study comprises interviews focusing on the experiences and effects of abortion in 58 women, 4 and 12 months after the abortion. The women also answered a questionnaire before the abortion concerning their living conditions, decision-making process and feelings about the pregnancy and the abortion. Majority of the women did not experience any emotional distress post-abortion and almost all the woman reported that they had coped well at the 1-year follow-up, although 12 had had severe emotional distress directly post-abortion. Furthermore, almost all described the abortion as a relief or a form of taking responsibility and more than half reported only positive experiences such as mental growth and maturity of the abortion process. Those without any emotional distress post-abortion stated clearly before the abortion that they did not want to give birth since they prioritised work, studies and/or existing children. The study shows that women generally are able to make the complex decision to have an abortion without suffering any subsequent regret or negative effects, as ascertained at the 1-year follow-up.

Reactions and reflections in men, 4 and 12 months post-abortion.

BACKGROUND: in general, men involved in legal abortion constitute an invisible group and there is scarcely any knowledge about their experiences and opinions. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to increase knowledge about reactions and reflections by means of a prospective study of men's attitudes and feelings towards abortion. METHODS: twenty-six men answered a questionnaire before abortion, and participated in interviews at the time of abortion and 4 and 12 months post-abortion. RESULTS: nearly all of the men were happy with the women's decision to have an abortion at both follow-ups. They experienced the abortion as a relief and a responsible act. Simultaneously, abortion could also be experienced as a painful and ethically problematic act. Overall, most men had only positive experiences post- abortion, such as a feeling of maturity. More than half of those who accompanied their partners to the hospital felt that the staff did not have a welcoming attitude. It was also found that 1-year post-abortion, more than a third consistently did not use a reliable contraceptive method. CONCLUSIONS: there is a need for further studies concerning men's experiences and reactions in the context of abortion and it is of fundamental importance that a gender perspective is incorporated into this specific field of reproductive health research.

Legal abortion: a painful necessity.

This study was conducted to increase knowledge about the psychosocial background and current living conditions of Swedish women seeking abortion, along with their motives for abortion and their feelings towards pregnancy and abortion. Two hundred and eleven women answered a questionnaire when they consulted the gynaecologist for the first time. The study indicates that legal abortion may be sought by women in many circumstances and is not confined to those in special risk groups. For example, most women in the sample were living in stable relationships with adequate finances. The motives behind a decision to postpone or limit the number of children revealed a wish to have children with the right partner and at the right time in order to combine good parenting with professional career. The study shows that prevailing expectations about lifestyle render abortion a necessity in family planning. One-third of the women had had a previous abortion(s) and 12% had become pregnant in a situation where they had felt pressured or threatened by the man. Two-thirds of the women characterised their initial feelings towards the pregnancy solely in painful words while nearly all the others reported contradictory feelings. Concerning feelings towards the coming abortion, more than half expressed both positive and painful feelings such as anxiety, relief, grief, guilt, anguish, emptiness and responsibility, while one-third expressed only painful feelings. However, almost 70% stated that nothing could change their decision to have an abortion. Thus, this study highlights that contradictory feelings in relation to both pregnancy and the coming abortion are common but are very seldom associated with doubts about the decision to have an abortion.

Contraceptive risk-taking in women and men facing legal abortion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to gain knowledge about contraceptive use, reproductive risk-taking and sexuality in Swedish women seeking abortion and their partners. METHODS: Two hundred and eleven women and 75 men answered a questionnaire before the abortion. The data have been divided into six subgroups: women with and without previous experience of abortion, single women and women with a partner relationship, and women whose partner participated in the study and the male partners. RESULTS: The main findings showed that there are more similarities than differences between the subgroups. Overall, there were no differences regarding use of contraceptives, sexual life and psychosocial characteristics. However, women with previous abortion experience were found to be older, had longer partner relationships and more often had children. Some gender differences were also found, i.e. women favored coitus-dependent contraceptives to a larger extent and took more responsibility for preventing unwanted pregnancies. At the time of conception, half the participants had not used any contraceptive methods and one-fifth had relied on 'natural family planning'. The most common reasons for not using contraceptives were related to risk-taking and/or to strong sexual desire. Twelve per cent of the women had felt pressure/threat from their partner in connection with the conception. CONCLUSION: In efforts to prevent undesired pregnancies, this study highlights the need to incorporate a gender perspective both in communication about risk-taking and in counselling about contraceptives.

Ambivalence--a logical response to legal abortion: a prospective study among women and men.

The aim of the study was to elucidate ambivalence in relation to legal abortion by studying emotions, attitudes, motives for abortion and ethical reasoning in a strategic sample of women and men who, 1 year after abortion, expressed both positive and painful feelings in relation to the abortion. The study shows that social perspectives legitimate the decision to have an abortion whilst ethical perspectives complicate the decision. Nearly all women and men described having the abortion as an expression of responsibility. Almost one-half also had parallel feelings of guilt, as they regarded the abortion as a violation of their ethical values. The majority of the sample expressed relief while simultaneously experiencing the termination of the pregnancy as a loss coupled with feelings of grief/emptiness. In spite of the ambivalence, only one woman regretted the abortion. For the vast majority, the impact of the abortion had led to increased maturity and deepened self-knowledge. Thus, ambivalence might be regarded not only as problematic but also as indicating openness to the complexity of the abortion issue. Since incompatible values clash in connection with abortion, experiences of ambivalence become both logical and understandable.

The male partner involved in legal abortion.

This study comprises 75 men who have been involved in legal abortion. The men answered a questionnaire concerning living conditions and attitudes about pregnancy and abortion. Most men were found to be in stable relationships with good finances. More than half clearly stated that they wanted the woman to have an abortion while 20 stressed that they submitted themselves to their partner's decision. Only one man wanted the woman to complete the pregnancy. Apart from wanting children within functioning family units, the motivation for abortion revealed that the desire to have children depended on the ability to provide qualitatively good parenting. More than half the men had discussed with their partner what to do in event of pregnancy and half had decided to have an abortion if a pregnancy occurred. More than half expressed ambivalent feelings about the coming abortion, using words such as anxiety, responsibility, guilt, relief and grief. In spite of these contradictory feelings, prevailing expectations concerning lifestyle make abortion an acceptable form of birth control. A deeper understanding of the complexity of legal abortion makes it necessary to accept the role of paradox, which the ambivalence reflects. Obviously, men must constitute a target group in efforts to prevent abortions.