End-to-end deep-learning model for the detection of coronary artery stenosis on coronary CT images.

Purpose: We examined whether end-to-end deep-learning models could detect moderate (≥50%) or severe (≥70%) stenosis in the left anterior descending artery (LAD), right coronary artery (RCA) or left circumflex artery (LCX) in iodine contrast-enhanced ECG-gated coronary CT angiography (CCTA) scans.

Methods: From a database of 6293 CCTA scans, we used pre-existing curved multiplanar reformations (CMR) images of the LAD, RCA and LCX arteries to create end-to-end deep-learning models for the detection of moderate or severe stenoses. We preprocessed the images by exploiting domain knowledge and employed a transfer learning approach using EfficientNet, ResNet, DenseNet and Inception-ResNet, with a class-weighted strategy optimised through cross-validation.

A Swedish dietary guideline index, gut microbial α-diversity and prevalence of metabolic syndrome - observations in the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS).

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is characterized by coexisting risk factors for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Diet is of importance in their aetiology, and gut microbiota (GM) may constitute a link between diet and metabolic health. Understanding the interplay between diet and GM could contribute novel insights for future dietary guidelines, and aid in preventive actions to motivate adherence to dietary guidelines.

Cardiac biomarkers for detection of coronary artery disease in the community.

To investigate whether coronary artery disease (CAD) burden is associated with plasma levels of the myocardial biomarkers Troponin I (TropI) and NT-proBNP in a large population-based sample using a cross-sectional design. Coronary computerized tomography (CT) angiography was performed in 25,859 subjects without a history of atherosclerotic disease from SCAPIS study (age 50-65, 52% women). TropI and NT-proBNP were measured in plasma.

The effectiveness of a problem-solving intervention with workplace involvement on self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms and work ability: a cluster randomised clinical trial.

Background: Problem-solving interventions with workplace involvement (PSI-WPI) have been shown to reduce sick leave and increase return to work in an occupational health services context. However, many employees struggle with reduced work functioning, anxiety-, and depressive symptoms up to 12 months after a sick leave episode, and it is unclear if the intervention affects outcomes other than sick leave. The aim of this study is to investigate if a PSI-WPI added to care as usual (CAU) is superior to CAU with respect to self-reported sick leave, psychological symptoms, work ability, work performance, and health after RTW when provided in primary care.

First report of ergot caused by in switchgrass ( L.) in Georgia, USA.

Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is a North American grass species with biofuel potential. Claviceps spp.

Do job demands and resources differ between permanent and temporary eldercare workers in Sweden?

Introduction: Eldercare organizations face high sickness absence rates and staff turnover and rely heavily on temporary workers to fill staffing gaps. Temporary workers may experience differences in job demands and resources compared with permanent workers, but this has been largely understudied.

Objective: To compare perceived job demands and resources between permanent and temporary Swedish eldercare workers.

The impact of steatotic liver disease on coronary artery disease through changes in the plasma lipidome.

Steatotic liver disease has been shown to associate with cardiovascular disease independently of other risk factors. Lipoproteins have been shown to mediate some of this relationship but there remains unexplained variance. Here we investigate the plasma lipidomic changes associated with liver steatosis and the mediating effect of these lipids on coronary artery disease (CAD).

Cooperation in Return-to-work Interventions for Common Mental Disorders: An Ideal Theory Analysis of Actors, Goals, and Ethical Obstacles.

The rise in the number of people on sick leave for common mental disorders is a growing concern, both from a societal and individual perspective. One common suggestion to improve the return-to-work process is increased cooperation between the relevant parties, including at least the employer, the social insurance agency and health care. This suggestion is often made on the presumption that all parties share the common goal of reintegrating the patient-employee back into the workplace.

The alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor agonist PHA 568487 dampens inflammation in PBMCs from patients with newly discovered coronary artery disease.

The alpha 7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) regulates inflammation in experimental models and is expressed in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and in human atherosclerotic plaques. However, its role in regulating inflammation in patients with cardiovascular disease is unknown. This study aims to investigate whether α7nAChR stimulation can reduce the inflammatory response in PBMCs from patients with newly diagnosed coronary artery disease (CAD).

Longitudinal Exposomics in a Multiomic Wellness Cohort Reveals Distinctive and Dynamic Environmental Chemical Mixtures in Blood.

Chemical exposomes can now be comprehensively measured in human blood, but knowledge of their variability and longitudinal stability is required for robust application in cohort studies. Here, we applied high-resolution chemical exposomics to plasma of 46 adults, each sampled 6 times over 2 years in a multiomic cohort, resulting in 276 individual exposomes. In addition to quantitative analysis of 83 priority target analytes, we discovered and semiquantified substances that have rarely or never been reported in humans, including personal care products, pesticide transformation products, and polymer additives.

Associations between physical activity and ankle-brachial index: the Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study (SCAPIS).

Background: The ankle-brachial index (ABI) is the ratio of the ankle and brachial systolic blood pressures. In the clinical setting, low ABI (< 0.9) is an indicator of peripheral atherosclerosis, while high ABI (> 1.

Abnormal QRS-T angles in 5796 women and men aged 50-64: an electrocardiographic analysis providing mechanistic insights.

Introduction: Abnormal QRS-T angles are prognostic markers for cardiovascular deaths including sudden cardiac death. They occur in ∼5-6% of population-based cohorts but in ∼20% of patients with diabetes. The mechanistic background, electrical activation and/or recovery disturbances, is not known and the topic of this study.

Fitness-related physical activity intensity explains most of the association between accelerometer data and cardiometabolic health in persons 50-64 years old.

Objectives: To investigate the physical activity (PA) intensity associated with cardiometabolic health when considering the mediating role of cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF).

Methods: A subsample of males and females aged 50-64 years from the cross-sectional Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImage Study was investigated. PA was measured by accelerometry and CRF by a submaximal cycle test.

Self-Report Tool for Identification of Individuals With Coronary Atherosclerosis: The Swedish CardioPulmonary BioImage Study.

Background: Coronary atherosclerosis detected by imaging is a marker of elevated cardiovascular risk. However, imaging involves large resources and exposure to radiation. The aim was, therefore, to test whether nonimaging data, specifically data that can be self-reported, could be used to identify individuals with moderate to severe coronary atherosclerosis.

Coronary Plaque in People With HIV vs Non-HIV Asymptomatic Community and Symptomatic Higher-Risk Populations.

Background: People with HIV (PWH) have a high burden of coronary plaques; however, the comparison to people without known HIV (PwoH) needs clarification.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine coronary plaque burden/phenotype in PWH vs PwoH.

Methods: Nonstatin using participants from 3 contemporary populations without known coronary plaques with coronary CT were compared: the REPRIEVE (Randomized Trial to Prevent Vascular Events in HIV) studying PWH without cardiovascular symptoms at low-to-moderate risk (n = 755); the SCAPIS (Swedish Cardiopulmonary Bioimage Study) of asymptomatic community PwoH at low-to-intermediate cardiovascular risk (n = 23,558); and the PROMISE (Prospective Multicenter Imaging Study for Evaluation of Chest Pain) of stable chest pain PwoH (n = 2,291).

Return to Work Trajectories of Swedish Employees on Sick-Leave Due to Common Mental Disorders.

Objectives: Recent research has emphasized that return to work (RTW) is a dynamic, gradual and often uneven process with a great degree of individual variation. This study aimed to identify RTW trajectories of Swedish employees on sick-leave due to common mental disorders (CMDs). The second aim was to explore which demographic, employment, health-related and work environment characteristics predicted RTW trajectory membership.

Long-term ambient air pollution and coronary atherosclerosis: Results from the Swedish SCAPIS study.

Background And Aims: Despite firm evidence for an association between long-term ambient air pollution exposure and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, results from epidemiological studies on the association between air pollution exposure and atherosclerosis have not been consistent. We investigated associations between long-term low-level air pollution exposure and coronary atherosclerosis.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional analysis in the large Swedish CArdioPulmonary bioImaging Study (SCAPIS, n = 30 154), a random general population sample.

Production of deoxycholic acid by low-abundant microbial species is associated with impaired glucose metabolism.

Alterations in gut microbiota composition are suggested to contribute to cardiometabolic diseases, in part by producing bioactive molecules. Some of the metabolites are produced by very low abundant bacterial taxa, which largely have been neglected due to limits of detection. However, the concentration of microbially produced metabolites from these taxa can still reach high levels and have substantial impact on host physiology.

Voxel-wise body composition analysis using image registration of a three-slice CT imaging protocol: methodology and proof-of-concept studies.

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is an imaging modality commonly used for studies of internal body structures and very useful for detailed studies of body composition. The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate a fully automatic image registration framework for inter-subject CT slice registration. The aim was also to use the results, in a set of proof-of-concept studies, for voxel-wise statistical body composition analysis (Imiomics) of correlations between imaging and non-imaging data.