Discovery of core genes for systemic lupus erythematosus via genome-wide aggregated trans-effects analysis.

The "omnigenic" hypothesis postulates that the polygenic effects of common variants on a typical complex trait coalesce on relatively few core genes through trans-effects on their expression. Our aim was to identify core genes for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by testing for association with genome-wide aggregated trans-effects (GATE) scores for gene expression in a large genetic dataset (5267/4909 SLE cases/controls). SLE was strongly associated with upregulation of expression of eight interferon-stimulated genes driven by shared trans-effects.

Living With Advanced Pancreatic Cancer: Patients' Experiences of Daily Life.

Background: Pancreatic cancer is often diagnosed in late stages of the disease with only a 10% 5-year survival. The disease is associated with complex symptoms and psychological distress.

Aims: The specific objective of this qualitative study was to explore patients' experiences of what symptoms and distress that had impact on their everyday life.

Platelet-specific TGFβ deficiency aggravates atherosclerosis, vascular inflammation and hypercholesterolemia in mice.

Background Atherosclerosis involves inflammatory and thrombotic mechanisms, to which platelets, CD4+ T effector cells, and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) all contribute importantly. Platelets are the principal source of circulating TGFβ, which profoundly regulates CD4+ T effector cell responses. The impact of platelet-derived TGFβ on atherosclerosis is, however, unknown.

Paclitaxel-coated versus uncoated devices for infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation in chronic limb-threatening ischaemia (SWEDEPAD 1): a multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Drug-coated devices are frequently used in coronary and peripheral interventions, but their effect on amputation risk in peripheral artery disease is unclear. We assessed whether drug-coated devices affect the rate of above-ankle amputation in patients with chronic limb-threatening ischaemia undergoing infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation.

Methods: The Swedish Drug-Elution Trial in Peripheral Arterial Disease 1 (SWEDEPAD 1) was a pragmatic, nationwide, multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised controlled trial at 22 Swedish centres.

Paclitaxel-coated versus uncoated devices for infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation in patients with intermittent claudication (SWEDEPAD 2): a multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Drug-coated devices are widely used to reduce restenosis after lower limb revascularisation in patients with peripheral artery disease, but their effect on patient-centred outcomes remains unclear. We assessed the effect of paclitaxel-coated devices on clinically important outcomes in patients with intermittent claudication undergoing infrainguinal endovascular revascularisation.

Methods: The Swedish Drug-Elution Trial in Peripheral Arterial Disease 2 (SWEDEPAD 2) was a pragmatic, nationwide, multicentre, participant-masked, registry-based, randomised controlled trial conducted at 22 Swedish vascular centres.

Item selection for the development and validation of a revised classification criteria for adult and juvenile idiopathic inflammatory myopathies: MyoROC project.

Objective: A revision of the 2017 EULAR-ACR myositis classification criteria, namely EULAR-ACR funded Myositis Revision of Classification (MyoROC) project, is currently underway involving a large international group of experts. In the first phase of this project, we identified additional items to be tested in the criteria.

Methods: We distributed an electronic survey to International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies (IMACS) members to identify new items.

Galectin-3 induces neurodevelopmental apical-basal polarity and regulates gyrification.

Apical-basal polarity (ABP) establishment and maintenance is necessary for proper brain development, yet how it is controlled is unclear. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) has been previously implicated in ABP of epithelial cells, and, here, we find that it is apically expressed in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during neural induction. Gal-3 blockade disrupts ABP and alters the distribution of junctional proteins in hESC-derived neural rosettes and is rescued by addition of recombinant Gal-3.

Fracture fixation in the hand and wrist: A 16-year population-based study of 56 163 patients from the Swedish National Patient Register.

Hand and wrist fractures are among the most common orthopaedic injuries, with a growing trend toward surgical treatment. However, large-scale data on regional variations and treatment trends remain limited. This population-based study analyses the incidence, trends, and regional variations in hand and wrist fracture fixation with plates and screws in Sweden from 2008 to 2023, with predictive modelling for future trends.

Is maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection in the first trimester associated with congenital heart defects?

Emerging evidence suggests a potential link between maternal SARS-CoV-2 infection during early pregnancy and the development of congenital heart defects (CHD) in offspring. Although vertical transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is rare, the virus has been associated with placental complications and increased maternal morbidity. Recent studies from China report increased rates of CHD and anomalies such as situs inversus when infection occurs during gestational weeks 4-6, a critical window for cardiac development.

Longitudinal brain ageing after stroke: a marker for neurodegeneration and its relevance for upper limb motor outcome.

Brain age, as distinct from chronological age, may reveal post-stroke recovery mechanisms, but longitudinal studies tracking brain age are lacking. We explored longitudinal change of brain age post-stroke and its relation to upper limb sensorimotor outcome. T-weighted MRI at baseline (∼3 weeks) and follow-up (3-7 months) post-stroke was used to estimate brain age.

Prevalence of mental disorders among young males in Swedish compulsory residential care.

Introduction: This study sought to examine the prevalence of diagnosed and undiagnosed psychiatric disorders, comorbidity, and acute psychiatric conditions among young males in compulsory residential care due to criminality, substance misuse, or other socially destructive behavior pattern.

Methods: An online cross-sectional survey measured diagnosed and undiagnosed mental disorders listed in DSM-5, and other psychiatric conditions among children and youth admitted to the Swedish National Board of Institutional Care. Psychologists at the residential homes answered one questionnaire per young male participant by retrieving information from records and other relevant files.

Caesarean section for stillborn babies, Benin, Malawi, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania.

Objective: To understand why caesarean sections are performed for stillborn babies by investigating caesarean section rates and indications in sub-Saharan African countries and to examine whether fetal vital status at admission is associated with caesarean section.

Methods: The study involved registry data on 105 872 babies weighing 1000 g or more born to women aged 13 to 50 years at 16 hospitals in Benin, Malawi, Uganda and United Republic of Tanzania between 1 July 2021 and 30 June 2023. We assessed caesarean section rates and indications, and used multivariable logistic regression analyses to estimate associations between fetal heartbeat at admission and caesarean section, by birth outcome.

Plasma Profiles of Neuroglial Injury Biomarkers after Ischemic Stroke.

Objective: To determine the temporal profiles of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), neurofilament light (NFL), total tau (t-tau), and ubiquitin carboxy-terminal hydrolase L1 (UCHL1) in plasma the first week after acute ischemic stroke, and identify the optimal time points for assessing infarct volume by these biomarkers.

Patients & Methods: In this cohort study, biomarker plasma concentrations were determined daily over the first week and at 90 days after symptom onset in patients with acute ischemic stroke. A brain MRI was performed on day three.

Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential and mortality in coronary artery disease.

Background And Aims: Clonal haematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has been associated with cardiovascular risk, but its prognostic relevance and mechanistic role in coronary artery disease (CAD) remains incompletely understood. This study investigated the association between CHIP and all-cause mortality in CAD and explored the cellular and molecular mechanisms, focusing on TET2 mutations.

Methods: Targeted deep sequencing of 13 CHIP driver genes in 8612 patients with angiographically confirmed CAD was performed.

Effects of Oligolysine-Polyethylene Glycol Coating on the Biodistribution of Wireframe DNA Origami Nanosheets in Zebrafish Embryos.

DNA origami-based nanotechnology is a versatile tool for exploring fundamental biological questions and holds significant promise for future biomedical applications. Here, we leverage the optical transparency of the embryonic zebrafish to analyze live embryos injected intravenously with fluorescently labeled wireframe DNA origami nanosheets. Our approach integrated long-term, high-resolution imaging of transgenic live zebrafish embryos with single-cell RNA sequencing to elucidate the effects of oligolysine-polyethylene glycol copolymer (K-PEG) coating on the biodistribution of fluorescence signal in embryos injected with wireframe DNA origami nanosheets.

Cardiovascular health and cognition in older adults: Variations across recruitment models and European countries in the MOPEAD project.

BackgroundThe Models of Patient Engagement for Alzheimer's Disease (MOPEAD) project aimed to identify the most effective and cost-efficient recruitment model for detecting prodromal and mild Alzheimer's disease (AD) across five European countries.ObjectiveTo examine differences in cardiovascular risk factors and cognitive performance among countries and recruitment models using MOPEAD data.MethodsIndividuals aged 65-85 with a high risk for prodromal or mild AD were included.

Bereavement and maternal mental disorders during the perinatal period: a nationwide register-based study in Sweden.

Perinatal mental disorders are common, yet few robust risk factors are known. Stressful life events such as loss of a close family member due to death could serve as potential clinical predictors for which mothers develop perinatal mental disorders. This study investigated the association between bereavement and the risk of first-onset perinatal mental disorders.

Effect of Incretin-Based Therapies on Blood Pressure: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Aims: Hypertension and obesity frequently coexist and synergistically increase cardiovascular (CV) risk. Incretin-based therapies with glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1-RAs), gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP)/GLP1-RAs, and glucagon/GIP/GLP-1RAs lead to substantial weight loss. However, their antihypertensive efficacy and safety profile have not been comprehensively quantified.

Global scoring method of Ki67 immunohistochemistry in breast cancer demonstrates improved concordance using real-world multi-institutional data.

Ki67 is a broadly available biomarker of proliferation with various approaches to its evaluation in breast cancer. The International Ki67 in Breast Cancer Working Group (IKWG) recommends calculating Ki67 globally across the tumor area, as this method offers high interobserver concordance. These recommendations have been integrated into many international breast cancer guidelines (ASCO, ESMO), yet there is no real-world data on if it improved inter-pathologists and inter-laboratory variability.

Validated methods for isolation and qualification of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells from different sources.

Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells (MSCs) have attracted considerable attention in the field of regenerative medicine. Their unique properties make them suitable for various therapeutic applications. This article reviews accepted methods and guidelines for the isolation and characterization of MSCs from various sources.

School nurses' perceptions and experiences of delivering a universal health-promotion program targeting both children and parents in the Swedish primary school context.

Background: Schools are important settings for universal child health promotion. Understanding the experiences of providers of interventions targeting both children and their parents is crucial for designing feasible and sustainable school-based health promotion programs.

Aim: The aim of this study was to explore school nurses' perceptions and experiences of delivering a health-promotion program focusing on healthy lifestyle habits in primary schools in Sweden.

Dynamic birth position, awareness and practice by midwives in Ethiopia: a parallel mixed-methods study.

Background: Respectful maternity care, as recommended by the World Health Organization, includes allowing women to give birth in the position of their choice. Dynamic birth positions, which enable women to adopt various positions during labor and delivery, are associated with improved obstetric outcomes. However, the extent of knowledge and practice regarding dynamic birth positions among Ethiopian midwives remains poorly understood.

Exploring the concept of surgical transition: surgical activity in the light of economic development in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Ghana and India.

Introduction: The surgical volume indicator measures surgical activity within a population, but it does not fully untangle the details behind the statistical indicator. As health systems evolve and countries develop economically, the types of surgeries performed, providers, and levels of healthcare facilities may provide a richer understanding of changes in surgical activity. This research studied surgical activity in four diverse settings by analyzing initial data to assess trends in patient characteristics, surgical staff, case distribution, level of care, and anesthesia practices, forming the basis for a "surgical transition" framework.

Chemsex and sexual risk behavior among MSM on PrEP in Stockholm, Sweden.

Background: Chemsex, typically defined as the use of specific psychoactive substances to enhance sexual experiences, has been linked to increased sexual health risks among men who have sex with men (MSM). This study examines frequency of chemsex use and associations between chemsex, risk-taking, and sexual practices among MSM on pre-exposure prophylaxis against HIV (PrEP) attending Sweden's largest sexual health clinic.

Methods: A survey among MSM on PrEP (n = 290) mapped demographics, sexualized drug use, sexual practices, and alcohol use at Venhälsan, (South General Hospital), Stockholm, Sweden.