Hemoglobin homeostasis in abdominal aortic aneurysm: diagnostic and prognostic potential of hemoglobin/heme and scavenger molecules.

Background: There is increasing evidence implicating hemoglobin/heme and their scavengers in oxidative stress-mediated pathologies, but information is limited in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).

Methods And Results: In this case-control study, we assessed heme/heme-related markers in 142 men with AAA and 279 men with a normal aortic diameter consecutively recruited from an ultrasound screening program in Sweden. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) were used to measure heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and hemopexin (Hpx) plasma levels, colorimetric assays for cell-free heme and whole blood hemoglobin (Hb) levels, and droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) and real-time PCR to determine haptoglobin (Hp) (pheno)type and genotype, respectively.

Novel Plasma Biomarkers Associated with Future Peripheral Atherosclerotic Disease and Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm-Insights from Contemporary Prospective Studies from the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study.

Introduction: The potential utility of inflammatory and hemodynamic plasma biomarkers for the prediction of incident lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD), carotid artery stenosis (CAS), isolated atherosclerotic disease without concomitant abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA), and isolated AAA without concomitant atherosclerotic disease has not yet been integrated in clinical practice. The main objective of this prospective study was to find predictive plasma biomarkers for cardiovascular disease and to evaluate differences in plasma biomarker profiles between asymptomatic and symptomatic CAS, as well as between isolated atherosclerotic disease and isolated AAA.

Methods: Blood samples collected at baseline from participants in the prospective Malmö Diet and Cancer study (MDCS) cardiovascular cohort (n = 5550 middle-aged individuals; baseline 1991-1994) were used for plasma biomarker analysis.

Immunogenicity, reactogenicity, and safety of a second booster with BNT162b2 or full-dose mRNA-1273: A randomized VACCELERATE trial in adults aged ≥75 years (EU-COVAT-1-AGED Part B).

Objectives: To assess the safety and immunogenicity of a fourth vaccination (second booster) in individuals aged ≥75 years.

Methods: Participants were randomized to BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, 30 µg) or messenger RNA (mRNA)-1273 (Spikevax, 100 µg). The primary end point was the rate of two-fold antibody titer increase 14 days after vaccination, targeting the receptor binding domain (RBD) region of wild-type SARS-CoV-2.

Management of Acute Lower Limb Ischemia Without Surgical Revascularization - A Population-Based Study.

Objectives: To evaluate outcomes of management without surgical revascularization in patients with acute lower limb ischemia (ALI) in a population-based setting.

Design: Retrospective observational population-based study.

Materials: Patients from Malmö, Sweden, hospitalized for ALI between 2015 and 2018.

Immunogenicity and reactogenicity of a first booster with BNT162b2 or full-dose mRNA-1273: A randomised VACCELERATE trial in adults ≥75 years (EU-COVAT-1).

Background: Vaccination remains crucial for protection against severe SARS-CoV-2 infection, especially for people of advanced age, however, optimal dosing regimens are as yet lacking.

Methods: EU-COVAT-1-AGED Part A is a randomised controlled, adaptive, multicentre phase II trial evaluating safety and immunogenicity of a 3rd vaccination (1st booster) in individuals ≥75 years. Fifty-three participants were randomised to full-doses of either mRNA-1273 (Spikevax®, 100 µg) or BNT162b2 (Comirnaty®, 30 µg).