Changes in socio-economic inequality in alcohol-attributable mortality in periods of increasing and decreasing alcohol affordability.

Introduction: Reducing alcohol affordability reduces alcohol-related harm but its impact on socio-economic inequalities requires further study. We examine changes in alcohol-attributable mortality inequalities in Finland during periods of sharply rising (2000-2007) and falling (2008-2017) alcohol affordability.

Methods: Linking individual-level register data on causes of death and socio-demographics for the Finnish population aged ≥25 in 2000-2017 (68 million person-years), we analysed age-standardised monthly alcohol-attributable mortality rates by sex and income quintile (n = 32,699 alcohol-attributable deaths).

Exploring the Enigma: The Role of the Epithelial Protein Lost in Neoplasm in Normal Physiology and Cancer Pathogenesis.

The cytoskeleton plays a pivotal role in maintaining the epithelial phenotype and is vital to several hallmark processes of cancer. Over the past decades, researchers have identified the epithelial protein lost in neoplasm (EPLIN, also known as LIMA1) as a key regulator of cytoskeletal dynamics, cytoskeletal organization, motility, as well as cell growth and metabolism. Dysregulation of EPLIN is implicated in various aspects of cancer progression, such as tumor growth, invasion, metastasis, and therapeutic resistance.

Long-term effects on swallowing and laryngeal function after treatment for severe COVID-19 disease in intensive care.

Purpose: This study aimed to assess swallowing and laryngeal function at long-term follow-up in patients treated for severe COVID-19 in the ICU.

Methods: Thirty-six patients with severe COVID-19 were prospectively examined with fiberendoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) about 6 and 12 months after ICU discharge. Comparison with initial FEES examinations during the time in hospital was performed in 17 patients.

Living with dizziness impacts health-related quality of life among older adults.

Objective: This study aimed to compare older adults reporting dizziness to those not reporting dizziness regarding health-related quality of life (HRQL), distress due to dizziness, and balance confidence. A secondary aim was to investigate potential association between HRQL, number of falls, balance confidence, and distress due to dizziness.

Methods: Patients coming for bone density measurements answered questions regarding occurrence of dizziness.

Identification of ATF3 as a novel protective signature of quiescent colorectal tumor cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and the second leading cause of death in the world. In most cases, drug resistance and tumor recurrence are ultimately inevitable. One obstacle is the presence of chemotherapy-insensitive quiescent cancer cells (QCCs).

Pituitary volume changes in pregnancy and the post-partum period.

Purpose: Imaging changes in the pituitary volume during pregnancy remains scantly researched. This study set out to assess the differences in total, anterior, and posterior pituitary volume in pregnant women compared to nulliparous and post-partum women.

Materials And Methods: A retrospective review was completed of women that had undergone MRI imaging of the brain.

Quiescent Cancer Cells-A Potential Therapeutic Target to Overcome Tumor Resistance and Relapse.

Quiescent cancer cells (QCCs) are nonproliferating cells arrested in the G0 phase, characterized by ki67 and p27. QCCs avoid most chemotherapies, and some treatments could further lead to a higher proportion of QCCs in tumors. QCCs are also associated with cancer recurrence since they can re-enter a proliferative state when conditions are favorable.

Iron Chelator VLX600 Inhibits Mitochondrial Respiration and Promotes Sensitization of Neuroblastoma Cells in Nutrition-Restricted Conditions.

Neuroblastoma, the most common solid tumor in children, is characterized by amplification of the proto-oncogene, a high-risk aggressive clinical marker associated with treatment failure. MYCN plays an important role in cell growth, proliferation, metabolism, and chemoresistance. Here, we show for the first time that in neuroblastoma, iron chelator VLX600 inhibits mitochondrial respiration, decreases expression levels of MYCN/LMO1, and induces an efficient cell death regardless of MYCN status in both 2D and 3D culture conditions.

Internet-based vestibular rehabilitation versus standard care after acute onset vertigo: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dizziness and vertigo affect around 15% of adults annually and represent common reasons for contacting health services, accounting for around 3% of all emergency department visits worldwide. Vertigo is also associated with excessive use of diagnostic imaging and emergency care and decreased productivity, primarily because of work absenteeism. Vestibular rehabilitation is an evidence-based treatment for chronic dizziness and supervised group exercise therapy has recently been shown to be effective after vestibular neuritis, a common cause of acute onset vertigo.

TTCOV19: timing of tracheotomy in SARS-CoV-2-infected patients: a multicentre, single-blinded, randomized, controlled trial.

Background: Critically ill COVID-19 patients may develop acute respiratory distress syndrome and the need for respiratory support, including mechanical ventilation in the intensive care unit. Previous observational studies have suggested early tracheotomy to be advantageous. The aim of this parallel, multicentre, single-blinded, randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the optimal timing of tracheotomy.

TNF-inhibitors or bisphosphonates in chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis? - Results of an international retrospective multicenter study.

Chronic nonbacterial osteomyelitis (CNO) can cause significant morbidity, including bone pain and damage. In the absence of clinical trials, treatments include non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, TNF-inhibitors (TNFi) and/or bisphosphonates. In a retrospective chart review in the United Kingdom and Germany, we investigated response to TNFi and/or pamidronate.

Dizziness Symptoms, Balance Confidence, and Vestibular Function in Older Women Reporting Dizziness and Unsteadiness.

Objective: The aim of this article is to evaluate older women who report dizziness on a daily or weekly basis, but not seeking medical care for their problems, for levels of patient-reported outcome measures related to dizziness, balance confidence, vestibular impairment, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo walking speed, Timed Up and Go (TUG), balance confidence, depression, and anxiety.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Secondary referral center.

Dizziness and health-related quality of life among older adults in an urban population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Dizziness is a common complaint among older adults and may affect quality of life in a negative way. The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL), sense of coherence (SOC), self-rated health (SRH) and comorbidity in relation to dizziness, among older persons from an urban population.

Methods: The study is part of the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies (H70).

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and vestibular impairment among older adults with dizziness.

Objective: This article aimed to investigate older adults visiting a geriatric institution for a bone density measurement who reported dizziness on a daily or weekly basis (but who are not seeking care for dizziness), according to BPPV, vestibular function, walking abilities, and frequency of falls.

Methods: Patients coming for a bone density measurement answered questions regarding occurrence of dizziness. Patients having dizziness on a daily or weekly basis were considered eligible for the study and invited for investigation at the Ear, Nose, and Throat clinic at Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Sweden.

[Tracheotomy earlier than recommended among patients with Covid-19].

The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 has led to a sharp rise in intensive care unit (ICU) admissions and consequently a need to perform tracheotomies on patients with Covid-19. A number of guidelines have been published with recommendations for the timing of tracheostomy in Covid-19 patients, suggesting tracheotomy should be delayed until day 14-21 of mechanical ventilation.  We present the first 66 patients treated in the ICU at Södra Älvsborg hospital in Sweden as a result of Covid-19.

Antibiotics in treatment of peritonsillar infection: clindamycin versus penicillin.

Objective: This study aimed to compare antibiotic treatment with clindamycin versus penicillin V or G in terms of time to recovery and recurrence in patients with peritonsillar infection, including both peritonsillar cellulitis and peritonsillar abscess.

Method: This retrospective cohort study examined the records of 296 patients diagnosed with peritonsillar infection. Based on the ENT doctor's choice of antibiotics, patients were divided into clindamycin and penicillin groups.

Imaging Review of Paraneoplastic Neurologic Syndromes.

Paraneoplastic syndromes are systemic reactions to neoplasms mediated by immunologic or hormonal mechanisms. The most well-recognized paraneoplastic neurologic syndrome, both clinically and on imaging, is limbic encephalitis. However, numerous additional clinically described syndromes affect the brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, dizziness, and health-related quality of life among older adults in a population-based setting.

Purpose: Dizziness may affect quality of life in a negative way and contribute to falls. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare 75 years old with dizziness caused by benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) to those with general dizziness/impaired balance (non-BPPV related) and to those reporting no dizziness, regarding health-related quality of life (HRQL), falls, tiredness, and walking speed in a population-based setting.

Method: A cross-sectional population-based sample, including 671 75 years old (398 women, 273 men), was investigated for BPPV, dizziness symptoms, falls, and walking speed.

[Neonatal suppurative parotitis].

Neonatal suppurative parotitis is a rare condition characterized by swelling, pain and erythema over the parotid gland. There may be a purulent exsudate from the Stensen duct. The predominant etiology is Staphylococcus aureus but cases with gram negative bacteria and streptococci have been reported.

Thermal Textile Pixels: The Characterisation of Temporal and Spatial Thermal Development.

This study introduces the concept of a thermal textile pixel, a spatially and temporally defined textile structure that shows spatial and temporal thermal contrast and can be used in the context of thermal communication. A study was performed investigating (a) in-plane and (b) out-of-plane thermal signal behaviour for knitted structures made of three different fibre types; namely, polyamide, wool, and metal containing Shieldex yarn, and two different knitting structures: plain knit and terry knit. The model thermal source was a Peltier element.

Dizziness and its association with walking speed and falls efficacy among older men and women in an urban population.

Background: Dizziness is common among older people and falling is a feared complication.

Aim: The purpose of this study was to investigate the presence of dizziness and its association with falls, walking speed and fear of falling, including sex differences, among 79-year-olds. Secondary purposes were to describe the relationship between dizziness and falls to number of medications and diseases.

Investigation of self-reported dizziness in the elderly when lying down or turning over in bed, and possible benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the rate of dizziness and occurrence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly by physical examination in those reporting dizziness symptoms when lying down or turning over in bed.

Methods: A total of 498 people, aged 70-85 years, were asked to complete a questionnaire regarding dizziness symptoms. Subjects answering that they became dizzy in bed were asked to participate in a physical examination and diagnostic manoeuvres investigating benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Asking about dizziness when turning in bed predicts examination findings for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the single most common cause of vestibular vertigo and is characterised by short episodes of rotational vertigo precipitated by changes in head positions like lying down or turning in bed.

Objective: This study aims to assess useful questions when suspecting benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) caused dizziness as well as identifying if a single question can be useful in identify or distinguish patients with BPPV from other dizziness aetiology.

Method: A total of 149 patients admitted due to dizziness were included.

Multiple cranial neuropathies as a presentation of spontaneous internal carotid artery dissection: A case report and literature review.

Cervical artery dissection is an underrecognized cause of lower cranial neuropathies and diagnosis can remain elusive if not properly investigated. We present a case of an internal carotid artery dissection that was initially missed in a 48-year-old man who presented with subacute-onset of dysarthria, dysphagia, and unilateral tongue weakness. Knowledge of the most common presenting symptoms, relevant neuroanatomy, and neuroimaging techniques is essential to avoid misdiagnosis.