Revolutionary techniques could help harness patients' own immune cells to fight disease

Public release date: 3-Jan-2013
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Contact: Mary Beth OLeary
moleary@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press

The human body contains immune cells programmed to fight cancer and viral infections, but they often have short lifespans and are not numerous enough to overcome attacks by particularly aggressive malignancies or invasions. Now researchers reporting in two separate papers in the January 4th issue of the Cell Press journal Cell Stem Cell used stem cell technology to successfully regenerate patients' immune cells, creating large numbers that were long-lived and could recognize their specified targets: HIV-infected cells in one case and cancer cells in the other. The findings could help in the development of strategies to rejuvenate patients' exhausted immune responses.

The techniques the groups employed involved using known factors to revert mature immune T cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can differentiate into virtually any of the body's different cell types. The researchers then expanded these iPSCs and later coaxed them to redifferentiate back into T cells. Importantly, the newly made T cells were "rejuvenated" with increased growth potential and lifespan, while retaining their original ability to target cancer and HIV-infected cells. These findings suggest that manipulating T cells using iPSC techniques could be useful for future development of more effective immune therapies.

In one study, investigators used T cells from an HIV-infected patient. The redifferentiated cells they generated had an unlimited lifespan and contained long telomeres, or caps, on the ends of their chromosomes, which protect cells from aging. This is significant because normal aging of T cells limits their expansion, making them inefficient as therapies. "The system we established provides 'young and active' T cells for adoptive immunotherapy against viral infection or cancers," says senior author Dr. Hiromitsu Nakauchi, of the University of Tokyo.

The other research team focused on T cells from a patient with malignant melanoma. The redifferentiated cells they created recognized the protein MART-1, which is commonly expressed on melanoma tumors. "The next step we are going to do is examine whether these regenerated T cells can selectively kill tumor cells but not other healthy tissues. If such cells are developed, these cells might be directly applied to patients," says senior author Dr. Hiroshi Kawamoto, of the RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology. "This could be realized in the not-so-distant future."

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Nishimura et al.: "Generation of rejuvenated antigen-specific T cells by pluripotency reprogramming and redifferentiation."

Vizcardo et al.: "Regeneration of human tumor antigen-specific T cells from iPS cells derived from mature CD8+ T cells."

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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Public release date: 3-Jan-2013
[ | E-mail | Share ]

Contact: Mary Beth OLeary
moleary@cell.com
617-397-2802
Cell Press

The human body contains immune cells programmed to fight cancer and viral infections, but they often have short lifespans and are not numerous enough to overcome attacks by particularly aggressive malignancies or invasions. Now researchers reporting in two separate papers in the January 4th issue of the Cell Press journal Cell Stem Cell used stem cell technology to successfully regenerate patients' immune cells, creating large numbers that were long-lived and could recognize their specified targets: HIV-infected cells in one case and cancer cells in the other. The findings could help in the development of strategies to rejuvenate patients' exhausted immune responses.

The techniques the groups employed involved using known factors to revert mature immune T cells into induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), which can differentiate into virtually any of the body's different cell types. The researchers then expanded these iPSCs and later coaxed them to redifferentiate back into T cells. Importantly, the newly made T cells were "rejuvenated" with increased growth potential and lifespan, while retaining their original ability to target cancer and HIV-infected cells. These findings suggest that manipulating T cells using iPSC techniques could be useful for future development of more effective immune therapies.

In one study, investigators used T cells from an HIV-infected patient. The redifferentiated cells they generated had an unlimited lifespan and contained long telomeres, or caps, on the ends of their chromosomes, which protect cells from aging. This is significant because normal aging of T cells limits their expansion, making them inefficient as therapies. "The system we established provides 'young and active' T cells for adoptive immunotherapy against viral infection or cancers," says senior author Dr. Hiromitsu Nakauchi, of the University of Tokyo.

The other research team focused on T cells from a patient with malignant melanoma. The redifferentiated cells they created recognized the protein MART-1, which is commonly expressed on melanoma tumors. "The next step we are going to do is examine whether these regenerated T cells can selectively kill tumor cells but not other healthy tissues. If such cells are developed, these cells might be directly applied to patients," says senior author Dr. Hiroshi Kawamoto, of the RIKEN Research Center for Allergy and Immunology. "This could be realized in the not-so-distant future."

###

Nishimura et al.: "Generation of rejuvenated antigen-specific T cells by pluripotency reprogramming and redifferentiation."

Vizcardo et al.: "Regeneration of human tumor antigen-specific T cells from iPS cells derived from mature CD8+ T cells."

---

[ | E-mail | Share ]

?

AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.

Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2013-01/cp-rtc122712.php

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Neuroscientists find excessive protein synthesis linked to autistic-like behaviors

Neuroscientists find excessive protein synthesis linked to autistic-like behaviors

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Autistic-like behaviors can be partially remedied by normalizing excessive levels of protein synthesis in the brain, a team of researchers has found in a study of laboratory mice. The findings, which appear in the latest issue of Nature, provide a pathway to the creation of pharmaceuticals aimed at treating autism spectrum disorders (ASD) that are associated with diminished social interaction skills, impaired communication ability, and repetitive behaviors.

"The creation of a drug to address ASD will be difficult, but these findings offer a potential route to get there," said Eric Klann, a professor at NYU's Center for Neural Science and the study's senior author. "We have not only confirmed a common link for several such disorders, but also have raised the exciting possibility that the behavioral afflictions of those individuals with ASD can be addressed."

The study's other co-authors included researchers from the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) and three French institutions: Aix-Marseille Universite'; Institut National de la Sant? et de la Recherche M?dicale (INSERM); and Le Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS).

The researchers focused on the EIF4E gene, whose mutation is associated with autism. The mutation causing autism was proposed to increase levels of the eIF4E, the protein product of EIF4E, and lead to exaggerated protein synthesis. Excessive eIF4E signaling and exaggerated protein synthesis also may play a role in a range of neurological disorders, including fragile X syndrome (FXS).

In their experiments, the researchers examined mice with increased levels of eIF4E. They found that these mice had exaggerated levels of protein synthesis in the brain and exhibited behaviors similar to those found in autistic individuals?repetitive behaviors, such as repeatedly burying marbles, diminished social interaction (the study monitored interactions with other mice), and behavioral inflexibility (the afflicted mice were unable to navigate mazes that had been slightly altered from ones they had previously solved). The researchers also found altered communication between neurons in brain regions linked to the abnormal behaviors.

To remedy to these autistic-like behaviors, the researchers then tested a drug, 4EGI-1, which diminishes protein synthesis induced by the increased levels of eIF4E. Through this drug, they hypothesized that they could return the afflicted mice's protein production to normal levels, and, with it, reverse autistic-like behaviors.

The subsequent experiments confirmed their hypotheses. The mice were less likely to engage in repetitive behaviors, more likely to interact with other mice, and were successful in navigating mazes that differed from those they previously solved, thereby showing enhanced behavioral flexibility. Additional investigation revealed that these changes were likely due to a reduction in protein production?the levels of newly synthesized proteins in the brains of these mice were similar to those of normal mice.

"These findings highlight an invaluable mouse model for autism in which many drugs that target eIF4E can be tested," added co-author Davide Ruggero, an associate professor at UCSF's School of Medicine and Department of Urology. "These include novel compounds that we are developing to target eIF4E hyperactivation in cancer that may also be potentially therapeutic for autistic patients."

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New York University: http://www.nyu.edu

Thanks to New York University for this article.

This press release was posted to serve as a topic for discussion. Please comment below. We try our best to only post press releases that are associated with peer reviewed scientific literature. Critical discussions of the research are appreciated. If you need help finding a link to the original article, please contact us on twitter or via e-mail.

This press release has been viewed 31 time(s).

Source: http://www.labspaces.net/126080/Neuroscientists_find_excessive_protein_synthesis_linked_to_autistic_like_behaviors

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Small Business Q&A: Art It Out Therapy Center - East Cobb, GA Patch

Respect and love. It?s rare to read, watch or hear a leading news story that highlights goodness.

The simple explanation is that extraordinary events are newsworthy and common events are not.

Coverage of the lethal mayhem at a Newtown, Conn., elementary school earlier this month put mental health on the public agenda.

Community response following the unexpected violent act includes examples of the healthy feelings of respect and love expressed to those who are grieving.

Art It Out Therapy Center founder/director Teresa Woodruff believes that most children will hear about the classroom horror in Connecticut and suggests to parents, ?Tell your version of the event, keep it simple, make your child feel safe. Tell them they are safe. You can talk about what their school plans are for emergencies, you can validate their fears.?

Woodruff is a Licensed Professional Counselor, Board Certified Registered Art Therapist, Trauma and Loss Clinical Specialist, Certified Anger Management Specialist, and a Georgia Certified Art Teacher. Her belief is that teaching a child how to express feelings appropriately is the most important thing for sound mental health.

Teaching children and adolescents appropriate ways to release stress is the most common therapy goal at Woodruff?s practice. A reusable, kid-sized volcano model is the visual aid of choice for the therapists.

Baking soda is spooned into the hollow of the volcano, representing storing stress inside one?s self. Vinegar is used to represent new stress. New stress, when added to existing, stored stress, causes a physical reaction.

Playing with the volcano science experiment demonstrates how unexpressed feelings can grow to be destructive to self and others within eruption range.

Appropriate outlets for stress are talked about during the play session; creating art, writing in a journal, and exercise are things young people can do to release stress.

Art It Out, located in the Governor's Ridge office complex on Powers Ferry Road, was the first art and play therapy private practice in Cobb, according to Woodruff, who also gives notice that Georgia College in Milledgeville now offers a Master of Arts in Art Therapy. The program started this fall and is the first master level degree in art therapy offered in the state.

Woodruff is a member of the Georgia chapter of American Art Therapy Association. She is a painter who first used paint and paper to express herself at the age of five.

Woodruff employs three contract therapists, and one part time administrative assistant who is responsible for majority of back office work.

Q. What's the best thing about your job?

A. ?Working with kids and seeing that the therapy helps them.

Q. What is the best thing about East Cobb?

A. I love the families. They truly care about helping their children. I always give homework and the kids and families always do it.

Q. Why did you choose to open your business in East Cobb?

A. It?s a short commute, I live nearby. Once I started here, I developed relationships with school counselors in the area and other health care professionals in the complex. We work well together, is why I stay here.

Q. Why did you pick this kind of business?

A. I started out as an art teacher in a public school. I realized that children had problems and I realized that I wanted to help individuals with their specific problems, so, after two months of teaching, I went back to school to get my masters and became an art therapist.

Q. What are some of the services you offer that people may not know about?

A. All we do here is use art and play therapy. We believe in behavior modification. Learning social skills and learning how to express feelings appropriately helps most children.

Q. When did you start your business?

A. I started my own practice in 2008. I worked by myself and then in eight months I hired the next therapist and we?ve kept growing. ?

Q. How did your business get started?

A. In 2007, I had just graduated from the University of Louisville with a Masters in Counseling with a concentration in Art Therapy and came home and looked for a job.

There were no art therapy jobs available, so, I decided to create my own work.

I made cold calls to Cobb County school counselors and local psychologists.

I called counselors up and said, ?Hi. This is who I am and what I do. Let me bring you breakfast and I?ll tell you about how I use art to help children learn how to express their feelings.?

Networking and marketing work.

Q. Do you have advice for anyone who'd like to start a small business in this area?

A. Find your niche. Find something that is not offered or is not common and is something that you can be good at. People will come.

Q. Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know?

A. Teach your children that it?s OK to have feelings. It?s OK to be sad. It?s OK to be angry, and then, model appropriate ways to be sad or angry.

Children learn from what they see, and, adults can model positive feelings.

Model what it is to feel love and respect for other people. Teach through example.

Source: http://eastcobb.patch.com/articles/small-business-q-a-art-it-out-therapy-center

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The Walt Disney Company and Charter Communications Announce ...

Multi-Year Deal Provides Sports, News and Entertainment to Charter Customers In and Out of the Home

Charter to add Full Suite of Authenticated WATCH Services, The Longhorn Network, among others

ST. LOUIS, MO and NEW YORK, NY ?? DECEMBER 31, 2012 ???Charter Communications and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today announced a comprehensive long-term distribution agreement to deliver Disney?s robust lineup of top quality sports, news and entertainment content to Charter TV customers across televisions, computers, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles and internet-enabled televisions. The renewal agreement supports the companies? mutual goal to deliver the best video content to customers across multiple platforms.? Launch of content across these new distribution platforms is planned to begin in the first half of 2013.

As part of the new multi-year deal, The Longhorn Network will launch in Texas, Louisiana and Virginia systems by football season next year.? Charter and The Walt Disney Company will also introduce several new services, including the full suite of authenticated WATCH products, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, as well as the upcoming ABC News/Univision Joint Venture, a 24/7 news, information and lifestyle multi-platform network for English-dominant and bilingual Hispanics, the youngest and fastest-growing demographic in the U.S. In total, approximately 70 services are covered by the broad scope of this agreement including: ABC, ABC Family, Disney Channel, Disney Junior, Disney XD, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPNU, ESPN Deportes, ESPNEWS, ESPN Classic, ESPN Goal Line, ESPN Buzzer Beater, ESPN 3D, ESPN GamePlan, ESPN Full Court, ESPN3, The Longhorn Network, and retransmission consent for WABC-TV, KABC-TV, WLS-TV, KGO-TV, KTRK-TV, WTVD-TV and KFSN-TV, as well as more than 10 high-definition networks.

Charter customers will receive broad access to existing authenticated products like WATCH Disney Channel, WATCH Disney XD and WATCH Disney Junior, the to-be-launched WATCH ABC and WATCH ABC Family services and WatchESPN (ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN3, ESPNU, ESPN Goal Line and ESPN Buzzer Beater).? These products will give Charter customers more opportunities to access live and video on demand content, both in-home and out-of-home, on their computers, smartphones, tablets and gaming consoles.

?This agreement enables us to offer our customers additional value, choice and convenience,? said Allan Singer, Charter?s Senior Vice President, Programming. ?More and more content is being enjoyed on tablets and other Internet-connected devices, and today?s viewers are sharing their TV experiences in new ways.? Our agreement with Disney enables more robust ways to enjoy and socialize TV.?

Added David Preschlack, executive vice president, Affiliate Sales and Marketing, Disney & ESPN Networks Group, ?Our agreement with Charter represents the sixth top ten distributor renewal encompassing Disney?s full suite of products and services.? With this deal, Charter?s video customers will derive even greater benefit from the value of their multichannel subscription model, including 24/7 live access to our content via the WATCH Disney services and WatchESPN across more platforms than ever before, as well as other new and advanced services.?

The extensive and expanded rights package for Video On Demand content to Charter TV customers includes:

• ABC On Demand, ABC?s fast-forward-disabled On Demand service, which currently features a selection of top-rated primetime entertainment programming, including episodes of such popular current ABC shows as ?Castle,? ?Grey?s Anatomy,? ?Once Upon A Time,? ?Private Practice? and ?Revenge.?? Full current seasons will be made available on a number of shows.
• ABC Family On Demand, which features a variety of top-rated full episodes, refreshed monthly, from such popular millennial favorites as ?Switched at Birth,? ?The Secret Life of the American Teenager,? ?Baby Daddy,? ?Bunheads? and ?Melissa & Joey.? ?Full current seasons will be made available on a number of shows. ?ABC Family original movies like ?Mistle-Tones? will also be available.
• Disney-branded On Demand offerings, including Disney Channel On Demand, Disney Junior On Demand, and Disney XD On Demand. ?Refreshed each month, the Disney Channel On Demand offering will include episodes from such series as ?Handy Manny,? ?Mickey Mouse Clubhouse,? and ?Jake and the Never Land Pirates? for preschoolers, as well as variety of episodes from ?A.N.T. Farm,? ?Good Luck Charlie,? ?Jessie,??and other popular series for older kids.? Select episodes featured on Disney Channel On Demand will be available in innovative new offerings, such as playlists and monthly programming blocks, in addition to a number of episodes available in multiple languages.? A variety of Disney Channel Original Movies will also be available. Disney XD On Demand features a selection of episodes from such series as the Emmy Award-winning animated hit ?Phineas and Ferb,? ?Pair of Kings? and ?Kickin? It.?
• Expanded On Demand content from ESPN, including award-winning original content from ESPN Films.

About Charter Communications

Charter (NASDAQ: CHTR) is a leading broadband communications company and the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States. Charter provides a full range of advanced broadband services, including advanced Charter TV? video entertainment programming, Charter Internet? access, and Charter Phone?. Charter Business? similarly provides scalable, tailored, and cost-effective broadband communications solutions to business organizations, such as business-to-business Internet access, data networking, business telephone, video and music entertainment services, and wireless backhaul. Charter?s advertising sales and production services are sold under the Charter Media? brand. More information about Charter can be found at charter.com.

About The Walt Disney Company

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is the world?s largest diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with five business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment, consumer products and interactive media. Disney Media Networks comprise a vast array of The Walt Disney Company?s broadcast, cable, radio and publishing businesses, including Disney/ABC Television Group and ESPN, Inc.? Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $40.9 billion in its most recent fiscal year.

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Source: http://espnmediazone.com/us/press-releases/2012/12/the-walt-disney-company-and-charter-communications-announce-new-distribution-agreement/

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Councillor Gary Malcolm: My New Year's Message for Ealing

With the Olympics, this year has generally been more positive compared to the sad event of the Ealing riots in 2011. I was lucky enough to attend a number of the Olympic and Paralympic events. They personally have inspired me to take up two new sports - tennis and fencing.

In my local park (Southfield Recreation Grounds) a tennis league takes place every 6 weeks where you pay ?10 and play each person, of varying standards, over the 6 week period. The winner is the one who gets the most points. It is really fun and if anyone wants to know more please tweet me at: @CllrGaryMalcolm

The Council needs to remind people of the many good facilities such as parks we have around the borough. Only if we can get more kids playing sports can we win more medals as well as keeping us all healthier.

Myself and many others have spent more time in the variety of restaurants and shops in Ealing to help support local businesses in the post riot time where many insurers seemed not willing to pay the shopkeepers the insurance they said they were entitled to.

In 2013 the Liberal Democrats hope that some proper work on a new cinema will take place. Ealing hungers for a new cinema and we should not have had to wait this long.

We have also been fighting to ensure that our local hospitals and fire stations can be protected from being downgraded. These vital services are not ones that can be taken away without any harm being caused to Ealing's residents.

Over the past year a theme has been the dirty streets in Ealing caused by the poor management of Enterprise. My postbag mainly contained emails and communications from residents aggrieved about this matter. People feel ashamed that their streets are so dirty.

Some of the decisions taken by Ealing Council's administration have not to me been focussed on protecting our most vulnerable residents. How much or little money a Council has it needs to look at how it can protect the elderly, those with disabilities and the many community services that Ealing residents use. The Liberal Democrats will continue to stand up for these in 2013. We are clear this is one area which the administration needs to be reminded about.

Despite a number of disappointments this year in Ealing the Olympics has given many people a positive spirit which we must build on.

I wish everyone a great New Year.

Source: http://garymalcolm.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-new-years-message-for-ealing.html

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Misguided Hope in Marriage and Relationships

? Really like is the most effective force in the world. ? The majority of us actually believe that, if love is strong enough, it will create a healthy relationship in addition to changing the course of rivers and moving mountains. Eliminate my indulgence in cynicism but the seite an seite is appropriate. For a few relationships, a favorable outcome is all about as possible. Many people are confused because the conventional wisdom about love is not very wise. The normal assumption is that a strong love is an intense love and that the stronger the feeling, the longer it will final. Love songs say ? I want a love in whose flame is which is able to final. ? Unfortunately, the reality might be you will end up with a display in the skillet.

One of the most erroneous beliefs about relationships is that intensity creates consistency. However , if you wish to anticipate consistency and persistence in the relationship, you might be better off fining a partner who is generally constant and persistent in all of the associations.

It is always amazing in my experience that people can overlook the obvious offered data and be lured by the other person? s intense feelings. Most people who are in covert relationships with wedded lovers are making this mistake despite the lies, alibis, and broken guarantees. It? s as if the support of an occasional romantic interlude stokes the open fire of misguided wish: the hope which because you and also the other person love intensely, he or she will act differently with you compared to he has in the past.

The sad truth is which some forms of love may be both intense and lethal. Specific personality disorders can handle producing probably the most intense forms of love, but their relationships yield a much higher homicide price. Many others are somewhat less pathological tend to be still effective at episodic loving with intense passion as well as leading the partner? s lifestyle to general turmoil.

There? s a flip side for this coin. At the begining of years as a child it? s organic to think which you? re at the center from the universe. If you don? to receive the attention, consistency, and nurturing you crave, then childhood reasoning dictates that you need to be doing something wrong ? or just not doing enough. For adults who were children of dysfunctional families, this kind of thinking continues to be doubly reinforced by an emotionally impoverished environment.

Within in order to, it? s an easy transition to use the same reasoning with a slight variation: when you? re doing enough to bring about some occasional intense passion in your partner, then a little more effort can probably bring about his / her constant devotion. This type of magical thinking is definitely one reason why a greater proportion of youngsters from dysfunctional households find themselves dependent on hopelessly inconsistent associations. It? s unfortunate that a lot of people have such badly calibrated gyroscopes.

My own point-of-view is that people are not made sincere and responsible simply because they love somebody. They? re truthful and responsible simply because they love truth and responsibility. Love builds up alongside the integrity of character that already is present. A person don? t have to pursue the illinformed hope of trying to make someone more consistent with your love. Instead, you can use the strength of your intelligence to select a partner who already has reliability. If your companion doesn? t value his integrity adequately, then no qualtity of intense relationship is going to change which.

Dr . Bryce Kaye encourages you to visit his website http://www.loveodyssey.net where one can learn about the unique Really like Odyssey marriage shamanism. On a Really like Odyssey retreat you are able to sail to different ports of call along the rivers and sounds of North Carolina while receiving personal couples counseling to provide your marriage a secure passage. The website has numerous articles and videos to describe the scientific basis for why these shamanism are so effective.

Source: http://snapincms.com/misguided-hope-in-marriage-and-relationships/

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Improve your business presentation skills | Lifestyle | Top News Today

The Internet is Killing My Business!

What should shop owners and employees do? Particularly during the holiday selling season, burgeoning Internet sales are destroying the traditional business models for many small business retailers across America.?It began to happen a few short years ago with most brick and mortar shops feeling confident they could survive this disruptive [...]

forbes.com (21 hours ago)

Business up, vacancies down in Winnetka

Commercial vacancy rate declined by more than 50 percent in 2012 in the North Shore villageWinnetka's local economy showed signs of improvement in 2012, with its commercial vacancy rate declining by more than 50 percent over the previous year.

chicagotribune.com (1 day ago)

More Lifestyle news ?

Source: http://lifestyle.topnewstoday.org/lifestyle/article/4114808/

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