Cardiorespiratory fitness, cardiac morphology and function, and cardiovascular risk factors in long-term breast cancer survivors compared with non-cancer controls.

Background: Although anthracycline-related cardiotoxicity is widely studied, only a limited number of echocardiographic studies have assessed cardiac function in breast cancer survivors (BCSs) beyond ten years from anthracycline treatment, and the knowledge of long-term cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) in this population is scarce. This study aimed to compare CRF assessed as peak oxygen uptake (V̇O), cardiac morphology and function, and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors between long-term BCSs treated with anthracyclines and controls with no history of cancer.

Methods: The CAUSE (Cardiovascular Survivors Exercise) trial included 140 BCSs recruited through the Cancer Registry of Norway, who were diagnosed with breast cancer stage II to III between 2008 and 2012 and had received treatment with epirubicin, and 69 similarly aged activity level-matched controls.

Plasma levels of organic acids associated with the gut microbiome display significant alterations in neuroendocrine tumor patients.

Introduction: The gut microbiome, allegedly involved in both healthy homeostasis and development of disease, is found to be associated with several types of cancer. Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), important metabolites derived from the gut microbiota, are described to carry both protective and promoting features in cancer development. Limited research exists on neuroendocrine tumors (NET) and their association with microbiota derived SCFAs.

Shared mechanisms of enhanced plasmid maintenance and antibiotic tolerance mediated by the VapBC toxin:antitoxin system.

Unlabelled: Toxin:antitoxin (TA) systems are widespread in bacteria and were first identified as plasmid addiction systems that kill bacteria lacking a TA-encoding plasmid following cell division. TA systems have also been implicated in bacterial persistence and antibiotic tolerance, which can be precursors of antibiotic resistance. Here, we identified a clinical isolate of (CS14) with a remarkably stable pINV virulence plasmid; pINV is usually frequently lost from , but plasmid loss was not detected from CS14.

Quantification of alcohol intake in patients with steatotic liver disease and excessive alcohol intake.

Background & Aims: Quantifying alcohol intake is crucial for subclassifying participants with steatotic liver disease (SLD) and interpreting clinical trials of alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) and metabolic and alcohol-related liver disease (MetALD). However, the accuracy of self-reported alcohol intake is considered imprecise. We compared the diagnostic and prognostic utility of self-reported alcohol intake with blood-based biomarkers of alcohol intake: phosphatidylethanol (PEth) and carbohydrate-deficient transferrin (CDT).

Development, validation, and prognostic evaluation of LiverPRO for the prediction of significant liver fibrosis in primary care: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Clinically significant liver fibrosis is associated with future adverse events in patients with steatotic liver disease. We designed a software tool for detection of clinically significant liver fibrosis in primary care.

Methods: In this prospective cohort study, we developed and validated LiverPRO using six independent cohorts from Denmark, Germany, and England that included patients from primary and secondary care with steatotic liver disease related to alcohol or metabolic dysfunction.

Gut microbiota markers in early childhood are linked to farm living, pets in household and allergy.

Background: Children growing up on farms or with pets have a lower risk of developing allergy, which may be linked to their gut microbiota development during infancy.

Methods: Children from the FARMFLORA birth cohort (N = 65), of whom 28 (43%) lived on a dairy farm and 40 (62%) had pets, provided fecal samples at intervals from 3 days to 18 months of age. Gut microbiota composition was characterized using quantitative microbial culture of various typical anaerobic and facultatively anaerobic bacteria, with colonization rate and population counts of bacterial groups determined at the genus or species level.

Impact of individually tailored contrast medium on vascular attenuation in chest CT: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Individually tailored contrast medium (CM) may improve vascular image quality in chest computed tomography (CT).

Purpose: To evaluate vascular attenuation in chest CT by comparing CM dose calculations using lean body mass (LBM) and body surface area (BSA) with a fixed-dose protocol.

Material And Methods: Patients referred for contrast-enhanced chest CT were categorized as either normal, muscular, or overweight.

No difference in osteoarthritis, but less graft failures after 5 years, comparing anatomic double-bundle to anatomic single-bundle ACL reconstruction.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the incidence of knee osteoarthritis (OA) between the anatomic single-bundle (SB) and anatomic double-bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction technique after 5-year follow-up (FU). Secondary objectives were to compare patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), clinical examination, activity level, functional tests and graft failures between the two groups.

Methods: The study was a secondary analysis after 5-year FU of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) (Clinical Trials NCT01033188).

Advanced practice among diagnostic radiographers - An international survey.

Introduction: As the global healthcare system evolves, diagnostic radiographers (DRs) are taking on advanced roles, constituting advanced radiography practice. This study explored the definition of ARP tasks among DRs, radiology department managers (RDMs), and National Society Officers (NSOs) on a global scale.

Methods: Data collection was obtained via a self-developed online survey administered via email and social media to DRs, RDMs, and NSOs.

Reactant Discovery with an Nanoreactor: Exploration of Astrophysical N-Heterocycle Precursors and Formation Pathways.

The incorporation of nitrogen atoms into cyclic compounds is essential for terrestrial life; nitrogen-containing (N-)heterocycles make up DNA and RNA nucleobases, several amino acids, B vitamins, porphyrins, and other components of biomolecules. The discovery of these molecules on meteorites with non-terrestrial isotopic abundances supports the hypothesis of exogenous delivery of prebiotic material to early Earth; however, there has been no detection of these species in interstellar environments, indicating that there is a need for greater knowledge of their astrochemical formation and destruction pathways. Here, we present results of simulations of gas-phase pyrrole and pyridine formation from an nanoreactor, a first-principles molecular dynamics simulation method that accelerates reaction discovery by applying non-equilibrium forces that are agnostic to individual reaction coordinates.

The Mitogenome of the Subarctic Octocoral Reveals a Putative tRNA Gene Nested within MutS.

We sequenced and analyzed the complete mitogenome of a Norwegian isolate of the octocoral using the Ion Torrent sequencing technology. The 18,790 bp circular mitochondrial genome was found to harbor the same set of 17 genes, which encode 14 protein subunits, two structural ribosomal RNAs and one tRNA, as reported in other octocorals. In addition, we detected a new tRNA-like gene sequence nested within the MutS protein coding region.

Theoretical analysis of the OH-initiated atmospheric oxidation reactions of imidazole.

Imidazoles are present in Earth's atmosphere in both the gas-phase and in aerosol particles, and have been implicated in the formation of brown carbon aerosols. The gas-phase oxidation of imidazole (CNH) by hydroxyl radicals has been shown to be preferentially initiated OH-addition to position C5, producing the 5-hydroxyimidazolyl radical adduct. However, the fate of this adduct upon reaction with O in the atmospheric gas-phase is currently unknown.

Image quality and radiation doses in abdominal CT: A multicenter study.

Purpose: To benchmark image quality and corresponding radiation doses for acute abdominal CT examination across different laboratories and CT manufacturers.

Method: An anthropomorphic phantom was scanned once with local abdominal CT protocols at 40 CT scanners, from four vendors, in thirty-three sites. Quantitative image quality was evaluated by CNR and SNR in the liver and kidney parenchyma.

Item generation for a new patient-reported outcome measure: The non-traumatic anterior knee pain (AKP)-YOUTH scale.

Background: Non-traumatic anterior knee pain affects one in every five adolescents. Despite the commonality of the condition, there are no patient-reported outcome measures developed specifically for this population. The aim of this study was to identify domains and develop a preliminary item bank for adolescents with non-traumatic anterior knee pain.

Evaluation of an in-use chest CT protocol in lung cancer screening - A single institutional study.

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide and therefore there has been a growing demand for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) protocols.

Purpose: To investigate and evaluate the dose and image quality of patients undergoing lung cancer screening (LCS) using LDCT in Norway.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective dosimetry data, volumetric CT dose index (CTDI) and dose-length product (DLP), from 70 average-size and 70 large-size patients who underwent LDCT scan for LCS were included in the survey.

Citrulline supplementation exacerbates sepsis severity in infected preterm piglets via early induced immunosuppression.

Arginine (ARG)/Citrulline (CIT) deficiency is associated with increased sepsis severity after infection. Supplementation of CIT to susceptible patients with ARG/CIT deficiency such as preterm newborns with suspected infection might prevent sepsis, via maintaining immune and vascular function. Caesarean-delivered, parenterally nourished preterm pigs were treated with CIT (1g/kg bodyweight) via oral or continuous intravenous supplementation, then inoculated with live Staphylococcus epidermidis and clinically monitored for 14 h.

International student mobility in diagnostic radiography: Benefits and pitfalls.

Introduction: International student mobility (ISM) is increasingly utilised in higher education to allow students the opportunity to engage authentically with cultures outside their own, providing an opportunity for self-growth. These growth opportunities often extend skills such as cultural competency, academic learning and self-efficacy, all of which are important skills for diagnostic radiography graduates. This study explores the motivations, benefits and pitfalls of an ISM program and highlights key considerations for academics considering organising a program within their own university.

Rotational spectroscopy of methyl -butyl ether with a new band chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave spectrometer.

Chirped-pulse Fourier transform microwave (CP-FTMW) spectroscopy is a powerful tool for performing broadband gas-phase rotational spectroscopy, and its applications include discovery of new molecules, complex mixture analysis, and exploration of fundamental molecular physics. Here we report the development of a new band (26.5-40 GHz) CP-FTMW spectrometer that is equipped with a pulsed supersonic expansion source and a heated reservoir for low-volatility samples.

Opportunities and barriers in omics-based biomarker discovery for steatotic liver diseases.

The rising prevalence of liver diseases related to obesity and excessive use of alcohol is fuelling an increasing demand for accurate biomarkers aimed at community screening, diagnosis of steatohepatitis and significant fibrosis, monitoring, prognostication and prediction of treatment efficacy. Breakthroughs in omics methodologies and the power of bioinformatics have created an excellent opportunity to apply technological advances to clinical needs, for instance in the development of precision biomarkers for personalised medicine. Via omics technologies, biological processes from the genes to circulating protein, as well as the microbiome - including bacteria, viruses and fungi, can be investigated on an axis.

Infections increase the risk of decompensation and death in patients with early alcohol-related liver disease.

Background & Aims: Infections are frequent in patients with cirrhosis and worsen prognosis. We evaluated the incidence of infections and their impact on decompensation and death in patients with early alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) during long-term follow-up.

Methods: We performed a prospective cohort study of patients in secondary care with a history of excess alcohol intake, no prior decompensation, and with liver biopsies along with clinical investigations conducted at baseline.

Improving general practice management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain: Interdisciplinarity, coherence, and concerns.

Objectives: Management of patients with chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) remains a challenge in general practice. The general practitioner (GP) often experiences diagnostic uncertainty despite frequently referring patients with CMP to specialized departments. Therefore, it remains imperative to gain insights on how to optimize and reframe the current setup for the management of patients with CMP.

Lung cancer reirradiation: Exploring modifications to utilization, treatment modalities and factors associated with outcomes.

Background: Patients treated for lung cancer (LC) often experience locoregional failure after initial treatment. Due to technological advances, thoracic reirradiation (re-RT) has become a viable treatment option. We sought to investigate the use of thoracic re-RT in LC patients over a time period characterized by technological advances in a large, multi-center cohort.