Oxidation of a zirconium nitride multilayer-covered knee implant after two years in clinical use.

The surface composition and microstructure of an up to 5 µm thick multilayer on a knee implant were investigated. When the implant was explanted after approximately two years of clinical use due to failure from aseptic loosening, the topmost ZrN layer was found to be oxidized. Interestingly, only the non-articulating area was visibly oxidized (color change).

Structure-function analysis of time-resolved immunological phases in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASH) comparing the NIF mouse model to human MASH.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) is a common but frequently unrecognized complication of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The association between these conditions is multifaceted and involves complex interactions between metabolic, inflammatory, and genetic factors. Here we assess the underlying structural and molecular processes focusing on the immunological phase of MASH in the nonobese inflammation and fibrosis (NIF) mouse model and compare it to the human disease as well as other murine models.

Photothermal Properties of Solid-Supported Gold Nanorods.

Gold nanoparticles possess unique photothermal properties and have gained considerable interest in biomedical research, particularly for photothermal therapy (PTT). This study focuses on evaluating the photothermal properties of gold nanorods (AuNRs) supported on glass substrates upon excitation with near-infrared (NIR) light. Two aspect ratios of AuNRs were electrostatically immobilized onto glass with controlled coverage.

Implementing and Evaluating a Mobile Phone-Supported and Family-Centered Rehabilitation Program for People With Stroke in Uganda (F@ce 2.0): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Stroke is a global societal challenge. Annually, 13 million people experience stroke, and the prevalence of stroke is increasing in low-income countries; hence, accessible rehabilitation needs to be developed. Information and communication technology can help by providing access to rehabilitation support through information, self-evaluation, and self-management of rehabilitation.

Dissecting the Impact of Maternal Androgen Exposure on Developmental Programming through Targeting the Androgen Receptor.

Women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) exhibit sustained elevation in circulating androgens during pregnancy, an independent risk factor linked to pregnancy complications and adverse outcomes in offspring. Yet, further studies are required to understand the effects of elevated androgens on cell type-specific placental dysfunction and fetal development. Therefore, a PCOS-like mouse model induced by continuous androgen exposure is examined.

Androgens Modulate the Immune Profile in a Mouse Model of Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is associated with a low-grade inflammation, but it is unknown how hyperandrogenism, the hallmark of PCOS, affects the immune system. Using a PCOS-like mouse model, it is demonstrated that hyperandrogenism affects immune cell populations in reproductive, metabolic, and immunological tissues differently in a site-specific manner. Co-treatment with an androgen receptor antagonist prevents most of these alterations, demonstrating that these effects are mediated through androgen receptor activation.

Silica-embedded Gold Nanoparticles Analyzed by Atom Probe Tomography.

Nanoparticles are utilized in a multitude of applications due to their unique properties. Consequently, characterization of nanoparticles is crucial, and various methods have been employed in these pursuits. One such method is Atom Probe Tomography (APT).

Proteomic analysis shows decreased type I fibers and ectopic fat accumulation in skeletal muscle from women with PCOS.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome's (PCOS) main feature is hyperandrogenism, which is linked to a higher risk of metabolic disorders. Gene expression analyses in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle reveal dysregulated metabolic pathways in women with PCOS, but these differences do not necessarily lead to changes in protein levels and biological function.

Methods: To advance our understanding of the molecular alterations in PCOS, we performed global proteomic and phosphorylation site analysis using tandem mass spectrometry, and analyzed gene expression and methylation.

Evaluation of patient participation in relation to the implementation of a person-centered nursing shift handover.

Background: It has been suggested that nursing shift-to-shift handover should be a more team-based dialogue with and for the patient rather than about a patient.

Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate patient participation in relation to the implementation of the person-centered handover (PCH).

Method: A pretest-posttest design was used without a comparison group, including patients from nine units in a university hospital at pretest (n = 228) and after implementing PCH (posttest, n = 253) per the framework integrated-Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services.

The role of B cells in immune cell activation in polycystic ovary syndrome.

Variations in B cell numbers are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) through unknown mechanisms. Here, we demonstrate that B cells are not central mediators of PCOS pathology and that their frequencies are altered as a direct effect of androgen receptor activation. Hyperandrogenic women with PCOS have increased frequencies of age-associated double-negative B memory cells and increased levels of circulating immunoglobulin M (IgM).

Struck by stroke - experiences of living with stroke in a rural area in Uganda.

Background: The global burden of stroke is increasing and persons with low socioeconomic status are among those worst affected. In Uganda, stroke is estimated to be the sixth highest ranking cause of death. The Ugandan healthcare system is reported to be inequitable, where poorer populations often live in rural areas with long distances to health care.

Transgenerational transmission of reproductive and metabolic dysfunction in the male progeny of polycystic ovary syndrome.

The transgenerational maternal effects of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) in female progeny are being revealed. As there is evidence that a male equivalent of PCOS may exists, we ask whether sons born to mothers with PCOS (PCOS-sons) transmit reproductive and metabolic phenotypes to their male progeny. Here, in a register-based cohort and a clinical case-control study, we find that PCOS-sons are more often obese and dyslipidemic.

Scandinavian trial of uncomplicated aortic dissection therapy: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Contemporary management of uncomplicated type B aortic dissections (uTBAD) is based on the acuity and various morphological features. Medical therapy is mandatory, while the risks of early thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) are balanced against the potential for rupture, complex surgery, and death. Improved aortic morphology following TEVAR is documented, but evidence for improved overall survival is lacking.

Temperature-controlled Laminar Airflow (TLA) in symptomatic severe asthma - a post hoc analysis of severe exacerbations, quality of life and health economics.

Purpose: Uncontrolled severe asthma constitutes a major economic burden to society. Add-ons to standard inhaled treatments include inexpensive oral corticosteroids and expensive biologics. Nocturnal treatment with Temperature-controlled Laminar Airflow (TLA; Airsonett®) could be an effective, safe and cheaper alternative.

Species-specific reservoir effect estimates: A case study of archaeological marine samples from the Bering Strait.

Due to the marine reservoir effect, radiocarbon dates of marine samples require a correction. Marine reservoir effects, however, may vary among different marine species within a given body of water. Factors such as diet, feeding depth and migratory behaviour all affect the C date of a marine organism.

Study protocol of a non-randomised controlled trial evaluating the effectiveness of the F@ce 2.0 programme: a person-centred, ICT-supported and interdisciplinary rehabilitation intervention after stroke.

Introduction: Knowledge is missing on use of information and communication technology (ICT), for example, mobile phones/tablets in rehabilitation after stroke. F@ce 2.0 is a person-centred, interdisciplinary intervention supported by ICT.

Handling fatigue in everyday activities at five years after stroke: A long and demanding process.

Background: Fatigue is common and can be challenging after stroke.

Aim: To explore how post-stroke fatigue (PSF) was experienced and handled among people with stroke in their performance of everyday activities and in participation in social activities five years after stroke.

Methods: Nine persons who perceived PSF one year after stroke onset were interviewed five years later.

Changes in Perceived Impact of Stroke on Everyday Life over Five Years in a Rehabilitation Sample that Received an Activity of Daily Living Intervention: A Follow-Up Study.

Objective: To compare changes in the perceived impact of stroke on everyday life over time in a rehabilitation sample that received a client-centred activities of daily living (CADL) intervention or usual ADL (UADL) intervention.

Design: Longitudinal follow-up of a randomized controlled trial.

Methods: A total of 145 persons with stroke were assigned into CADL or UADL.

Abnormal (Hydroxy)proline Deuterium Content Redefines Hydrogen Chemical Mass.

Analyzing the δH values in individual amino acids of proteins extracted from vertebrates, we unexpectedly found in some samples, notably bone collagen from seals, more than twice as much deuterium in proline and hydroxyproline residues than in seawater. This corresponds to at least 4 times higher δH than in any previously reported biogenic sample. We ruled out diet as a plausible mechanism for such anomalous enrichment.

The delivery of the ReWork-Stroke program: A process evaluation.

Background: The ReWork-Stroke program was developed to meet the need for a person-centered rehabilitation program addressing return to work after stroke and was provided by occupational therapists (OTs).

Objective: To gain knowledge on the implementation process of the ReWork-Stroke program, the mechanisms of impact, and the contextual factors that might have affected the process.

Methods: A case study design was used.

A new protocol for exercise testing in COPD; improved prediction algorithm for and validation of the endurance test in a placebo-controlled double bronchodilator study.

Background: Two new protocols have been developed for bicycle exercise testing in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) with an individualized cardiopulmonary exercise test (ICPET) and subsequent customized endurance test (CET), which generate less interindividual spread in endurance time compared with the standard endurance test. Main objectives of this study were to improve the prediction algorithm for for the ICPET and validate the CET by examining treatment effects on exercise performance of indacaterol/glycopyrronium (IND/GLY) compared with placebo.

Methods: COPD patients, with forced expiratory volume in 1 s () 40-80% predicted, were recruited.

Efficacy and safety of belimumab in paediatric and adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: an across-study comparison.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of belimumab in paediatric versus adult patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods: We performed across-study comparisons of patients with active SLE who received belimumab or placebo, plus standard therapy, in PLUTO (paediatric phase II) and BLISS-52, BLISS-76, BLISS-NEA and EMBRACE (adult phase III). Analysed efficacy data included Week 52 SLE Responder Index (SRI)-4 response rate (EMBRACE: SRI with modified Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI) proteinuria scoring (SRI-S2K)); SRI-4 response rate (EMBRACE: SRI-S2K) according to baseline disease activity indicators (Safety of Estrogens in Lupus Erythematosus National Assessment-Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SELENA-SLEDAI) score; anti-dsDNA/C3/C4 levels); Week 52 SRI-6 response rate; and time to first severe flare (SELENA-SLEDAI Flare Index) over 52 weeks.

The everyday life situation of caregivers to family members who have had a stroke and received the rehabilitation intervention F@ce in Uganda.

Background: Stroke is increasing in Africa and consequences such as limitations in the performance of activities in everyday life persist a long time. A family member might need to care for and assist the person who has had a stroke. The life situation of these caregivers thereby changes, which could lead to increased workload and new responsibilities in caring for which they lack but request knowledge.

Health monitoring in birds using bio-loggers and whole blood transcriptomics.

Monitoring and early detection of emerging infectious diseases in wild animals is of crucial global importance, yet reliable ways to measure immune status and responses are lacking for animals in the wild. Here we assess the usefulness of bio-loggers for detecting disease outbreaks in free-living birds and confirm detailed responses using leukocyte composition and large-scale transcriptomics. We simulated natural infections by viral and bacterial pathogens in captive mallards (Anas platyrhynchos), an important natural vector for avian influenza virus.