Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether white matter microstructure is altered in patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and if so, whether such alterations differed between patients with and without neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods: Structural MRI and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) were performed in 64 female SLE patients (mean age 36.9 years, range

Purpose: Leptin is an adipokine which regulates appetite and energy balance through a mechanism partially mediated by neurotensin (NT) in central nervous system. Besides acting as a neurotransmitter, NT is expressed in human intestine where it promotes fat absorption and its circulating levels associate with obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease. Whether a relation ex

Background: Fear of falling is common among persons with Parkinson's disease and is negatively associated with quality of life. However a lack of in-depth understanding of fear of falling as a phenomenon persists. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences of fear of falling in persons with Parkinson's disease. Methods: Individual interviews were performed with twelve persons with Par

Background: Gestational diabetes (GDM) is associated with health risks for both mother and child, and is particularly relevant to migrant women and women of African origin. With today's extensive global migration, contact with the new society and health system confronts the migrant's culture of origin with the culture of the host country. The question is whether immigrants' patterns of beliefs abo

This article examines the links between post-conflict states’ troop contributions to international peacekeeping missions and security sector reform (SSR). It shows how SSR and troop-contribution preparations are increasingly interwoven and at times perceived as complementary by both external and internal actors. Some of the objectives sought after in SSR, such as the modernization of the military

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) were produced from the insoluble arabinoxylan fraction of pretreated wheat bran by endoxylanases. The glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 10 xylanases GsXyn10A from Geobacillus stearothermophilus and RmXyn10A-CM from Rhodothermus marinus produced the AXOS A3X, A2XX and A2 + 3XX in addition to XOS. RmXyn10A-CM also produced XA2 + 3XX due

Semiconductor nanowires could significantly boost the functionality and performance of future electronics, light-emitting diodes, and solar cells. However, realizing this potential requires growth methods that enable high-throughput and low-cost production of nanowires with controlled doping. Aerotaxy is an aerosol-based method with extremely high growth rate that does not require a growth substra

The WHO has ranked environmental hazardous exposures in the living and working environment among the top risk factors for chronic disease mortality. Worldwide, about 40 million people die each year from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) including cancer, diabetes, and chronic cardiovascular, neurological and lung diseases. The exposure to ambient pollution in the living and working environment is ex

We demonstrate the control of multiphoton electron excitations in InAs nanowires (NWs) by altering the crystal structure and the light polarization. Using few-cycle, near-infrared laser pulses from an optical parametric chirped-pulse amplification system, we induce multiphoton electron excitations in InAs nanowires with controlled wurtzite (WZ) and zincblende (ZB) segments. With a photoemission el

Background: Older people with multi-morbidity are increasingly challenging for today's healthcare, and novel, cost-effective healthcare solutions are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) at an ambulatory geriatric unit for people ≥75 years with multi-morbidity. Method: The primary outcome was the incremental cost-effectivene

Objectives. Our aim was to describe the burden of early dcSSc in terms of disability, fatigue and pain in the European Scleroderma Observational Study cohort, and to explore associated clinical features. Methods. Patients completed questionnaires at study entry, 12 and 24 months, including the HAQ disability index (HAQ-DI), the Cochin Hand Function Scale (CHFS), the Functional Assessment of Chroni

Background: The number of elderly people persons suffering from dizziness is substantial, and dizziness is a risk factor for falls and fractures. Fall-related fractures represent a major public health issue. Longitudinal studies can help find ways of predicting fall-related fractures among frail elderly persons with multisensory dizziness. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate

OBJECTIVE Meat intake has been consistently shown to be positively associated with incident type 2 diabetes. Part of that association may be mediated by body iron status, which is influenced by genetic factors. We aimed to test for interactions of genetic and dietary factors influencing body iron status in relation to the risk of incident type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The case-cohor

Introduction: The updated intrapartum cardiotocography (CTG) classification system by FIGO in 2015 (FIGO2015) and the FIGO2015-approached classification by the Swedish Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologist in 2017 (SSOG2017) are not harmonized with the fetal ECG ST analysis (STAN) algorithm from 2007 (STAN2007). The study aimed to reveal homogeneity and agreement between the systems in classif

Context: Clinical sequelae of androgen deficiency share common features with frailty. Evidence supporting the role of androgens in the development of frailty is limited and conflicting. Objective: To determine associations between male reproductive hormones and prospective changes in frailty status. Design/Setting: A 4.3-year prospective cohort study of community-dwelling men participating in the

Coeliac disease and type 1 diabetes are the most common paediatric autoimmune disorders. Both conditions have increasing incidence and can often coexist in a patient. The diseases share many genetic and immunological features, but diagnostic and treatment approaches vary substantially worldwide. Because of the often subtle presentation of coeliac disease in children with type 1 diabetes, many are

Context: In adults, craniopharyngioma (CP) of either childhood-onset (CO-CP) or adult-onset (AOCP) is associated with increased morbidity and mortality, but data on the relative risks (RRs) of contributing factors are lacking. Objective: To assess the RRs of factors contributing to morbidity and mortality in adults with CO-CP and AO-CP. Methods: Data on 1669 patients with CP from KIMS (Pfizer Inte

Aim: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is common after anterior resection (AR). Long term clinical outcomes of AL including late presenting leakage (LL) are not well studied. This study was undertaken to assess clinical features of LL with respect to incidence, association with predisposing factors and need for re-intervention. Methods: The Swedish Colorectal Cancer Registry (SCRCR) was explored for AL cas

Polycarbonates are widely used in food packages, drink bottles, and various healthcare products such as dental sealants and tooth coatings. However, bisphenol A (BPA) and phosgene used in the production of commercial polycarbonates pose major concerns to public health safety. Here, we report a green pathway to prepare BPA-free polycarbonates (BFPs) by thermal ring-opening polymerization and photop