High-intensity training in patients with lacunar stroke: A one-year follow-up.

Objectives: Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for stroke. It is a challenge for patients to initiate and adhere to regular exercise post-stroke. Early initiation of home-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) may engage patients in physical activity, improve cardiorespiratory fitness, and reduce risk of recurrent stroke.

Dimethyl fumarate therapy reduces memory T cells and the CNS migration potential in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Background: Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is a disease-modifying therapy for patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS). T cells are major contributors to the pathogenesis of RRMS, where they regulate the pathogenic immune response and participate in CNS lesion development.

Objectives: In this study we evaluate the therapeutic effects of DMF on T cell subpopulations, their CNS migration potential and effector functions.

The impact of sex and disease classification on patient-reported outcome measures in axial spondyloarthritis: a descriptive prospective cross-sectional study.

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the impact of sex and disease classification on outcomes in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) patients, including both radiographic (r-) axSpA and non-radiographic (nr-) axSpA, in males and females, respectively.

Methods: AxSpA patients were consecutively recruited from two rheumatology outpatient university clinics. We explored how sex and axSpA disease classification affected patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Subgroup Differences and Determinants of Patient-Reported Mental and Physical Health in Patients With Ischemic Heart Disease: Results From the DenHeart Study.

Background: A growing population is living with ischemic heart disease (IHD). Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are reliable prognostic tools. Studies exploring PROs are needed to identify vulnerable patients and guide targeted healthcare strategies.

Digital image analysis of pan-cytokeratin stained tumor slides for evaluation of tumor budding in pT1/pT2 colorectal cancer: Results of a feasibility study.

Tumor budding is an independent prognostic factor in colorectal cancer. However, varying degrees of interobserver agreement and reproducibility challenges the use of tumor budding in diagnostics. Immunohistochemical staining of tumor slides with pan-cytokeratin visualizes the budding tumor cells and has been suggested to improve reproducibility.

Early metastatic colorectal cancers show increased tissue expression of miR-17/92 cluster members in the invasive tumor front.

Accurate prediction of regional lymph node metastases (LNM) in endoscopically resected pT1 colorectal cancer (CRC) is crucial in treatment stratification for subsequent radical surgery. Several miRNAs have been linked to CRC invasion and metastasis, including the oncogenic miR-17/92 cluster, and expression levels might have predictive value in the risk assessment of early metastatic progression in CRC. We performed global miRNA microarray using tissue samples from the invasive front of pT1 CRC and investigated associations of the miR-17/92 cluster and presence of LNM.

Heritability of Schizophrenia and Schizophrenia Spectrum Based on the Nationwide Danish Twin Register.

Background: Twin studies have provided evidence that both genetic and environmental factors contribute to schizophrenia (SZ) risk. Heritability estimates of SZ in twin samples have varied methodologically. This study provides updated heritability estimates based on nationwide twin data and an improved statistical methodology.

Welfare consequences for people with epilepsy and their partners: A matched nationwide study in Denmark.

Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the excess direct and indirect costs associated with epilepsy.

Methods: From the Danish National Patient Registry (1998-2013), we identified people within all ages with an epilepsy diagnosis and matched them to control individuals. Additionally, partners of people with epilepsy were identified, who were compared with control partners.

Is an Early Age at Illness Onset in Schizophrenia Associated With Increased Genetic Susceptibility? Analysis of Data From the Nationwide Danish Twin Register.

Background: Early age at illness onset has been viewed as an important liability marker for schizophrenia, which may be associated with an increased genetic vulnerability. A twin approach can be valuable, because it allows for the investigation of specific illness markers in individuals with a shared genetic background.

Methods: We linked nationwide registers to identify a cohort of twin pairs born in Denmark from 1951 to 2000 (N=31,524 pairs), where one or both twins had a diagnosis in the schizophrenia spectrum.

Morbidity and mortality of childhood- and adolescent-onset epilepsy: A controlled national study.

Purpose: Epilepsy is associated with significant morbidities and mortality. We aimed to evaluate the 30-year morbidities and mortality in a national group of patients after a first diagnosis of epilepsy.

Methods: From the Danish National Patient Registry (NPR), in total, 3123 patients with epilepsy aged 0-5years and 5018 patients aged 6-20years diagnosed in 1998-2002 were identified and compared with, respectively, 6246 and 10,036 persons matched for age, gender, and place of living with randomly chosen citizens from the Danish Civil Registration System Statistics.

Socioeconomic outcome of epilepsy surgery: A controlled national study.

Purpose: Epilepsy surgery has been a standard treatment for refractory epilepsies that cannot be controlled by standard medical treatment. We aimed to evaluate the health and social consequences of resective surgery relative to controls from a study of national data.

Methods: Using the Danish National Patient Registry we identified all subjects with an epilepsy diagnosis between 1996 and 2009 and compared them with a group of patients with an epilepsy diagnosis who had had neither epilepsy surgery nor a vagus stimulation diagnosis by the index date, and who were matched by gender, index year for epilepsy diagnosis, and index year for epilepsy surgery.

Investigating intra-tumor heterogeneity and expression gradients of miR-21, miR-92a and miR-200c and their potential of predicting lymph node metastases in early colorectal cancer.

Introduction: miR-21, miR-92a and miR-200c are regulators of pathways involved in migration, intravasation and metastasis, and their tumor expression levels have been proposed as potential prognostic markers in colorectal cancer (CRC). In two parallel cohorts we examine intra-tumor expression levels in early stage CRC tissue in order to determine intra-tumor heterogeneity, potential systematic intra-tumor expression gradients of the miRNAs and to investigate the association to metastatic disease in early stage CRC.

Material And Methods: Two parallel studies on archived formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CRC tissue.

Welfare cost of childhood- and adolescent-onset epilepsy: A controlled national study.

Objectives: Epilepsy is associated with a significant burden to patients and society. We calculated the factual excess in direct and indirect costs associated with childhood- and adolescent-onset epilepsy.

Methods: Using records from the Danish National Patient Registry (1998-2002), we identified 3123 and 5018 patients with epilepsy aged 0-5years and 6-20years at the time of diagnosis, respectively.

Intra-tumor heterogeneity of microRNA-92a, microRNA-375 and microRNA-424 in colorectal cancer.

Unlabelled: Various microRNAs (miRNAs) have been investigated in order to improve diagnostics and risk assessment in colorectal cancer (CRC). To clarify the potential of miRNA profiling in CRC, knowledge of intra-tumor heterogeneity in expression levels is crucial. The study aim was to estimate the intra-tumor variance of three selected miRNAs: miR-92a, miR-375 and miR-424 in CRC tissue.

Inflammation and uPAR-Expression in Colorectal Liver Metastases in Relation to Growth Pattern and Neo-adjuvant Therapy.

Proteolytic activity and inflammation in the tumour microenvironment affects cancer progression. In colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases it has been observed that three different immune profiles are present, as well as proteolytic activity, determined by the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPAR).The main objectives of this study were to investigate uPAR expression and the density of macrophages (CD68) and T cells (CD3) as markers of inflammation in resected CRC liver metastases, where patients were neo-adjuvantly treated with chemotherapy with or without the angiogenesis inhibitor bevacizumab.

Growth pattern of colorectal liver metastasis as a marker of recurrence risk.

Despite improved therapy of advanced colorectal cancer, the median overall survival (OS) is still low. A surgical removal has significantly improved survival, if lesions are entirely removed. The purpose of this retrospective explorative study was to evaluate the prognostic value of histological growth patterns (GP) in chemonaive and patients receiving neo-adjuvant therapy.

ROS dependence of cyclooxygenase-2 induction in rats subjected to unilateral ureteral obstruction.

Oxidative stress resulting from unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) may be aggravated by increased production of ROS. Previous studies have demonstrated increased cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 expression in renal medullary interstitial cells (RMICs) in response to UUO. We investigated, both in vivo and in vitro, the role of ROS in the induction of COX-2 in rats subjected to UUO and in RMICs exposed to oxidative and mechanical stress.

Effect of natalizumab on circulating CD4+ T-cells in multiple sclerosis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS), treatment with the monoclonal antibody natalizumab effectively reduces the formation of acute lesions in the central nervous system (CNS). Natalizumab binds the integrin very late antigen (VLA)-4, expressed on the surface of immune cells, and inhibits VLA-4 dependent transmigration of circulating immune-cells across the vascular endothelium into the CNS. Recent studies suggested that natalizumab treated MS patients have an increased T-cell pool in the blood compartment which may be selectively enriched in activated T-cells.

Circumferential fusion is dominant over posterolateral fusion in a long-term perspective: cost-utility evaluation of a randomized controlled trial in severe, chronic low back pain.

Study Design: Cost-utility evaluation of a randomized, controlled trial with a 4- to 8-year follow-up.

Objective: To investigate the incremental cost per quality-adjusted-life-year (QALY) when comparing circumferential fusion to posterolateral fusion in a long-term, societal perspective.

Summary Of Background Data: The cost-effectiveness of circumferential fusion in a long-term perspective is uncertain but nonetheless highly relevant as the ISSLS prize winner 2006 in clinical studies reported the effect of circumferential fusion superior to the effect of posterolateral fusion.

Cost-effectiveness evaluation of an RCT in rehabilitation after lumbar spinal fusion: a low-cost, behavioural approach is cost-effective over individual exercise therapy.

Recently, Christensen et al. reported the clinical effects of a low-cost rehabilitation program equally efficient to a relatively intensive program of individual, physiotherapist-guided exercise therapy. Yet, the low-cost approach is not fully supported as an optimal strategy until a full-scale economic evaluation, including extra-hospital effects such as service utilization in the primary health care sector and return-to-work, is conducted.

Determinants of cost-effectiveness in lumbar spinal fusion using the net benefit framework: a 2-year follow-up study among 695 patients.

Up to one third of patients undergoing lumbar spinal fusion show no improvement after the procedure and thus, despite evidence from RCTs, there might be a rationale for observational studies clarifying indications. Similarly, selection of the right patients for the right procedure could have significant impact on cost-effectiveness, which in some countries, in turn, affects whether procedures are to be available through the National Health Service. The aim of this study was to investigate determinants of cost-effectiveness in lumbar spinal fusion.

Costs and effects in lumbar spinal fusion. A follow-up study in 136 consecutive patients with chronic low back pain.

Although cost-effectiveness is becoming the foremost evaluative criterion within health service management of spine surgery, scientific knowledge about cost-patterns and cost-effectiveness is limited. The aims of this study were (1) to establish an activity-based method for costing at the patient-level, (2) to investigate the correlation between costs and effects, (3) to investigate the influence of selected patient characteristics on cost-effectiveness and, (4) to investigate the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of (a) posterior instrumentation and (b) intervertebral anterior support in lumbar spinal fusion. We hypothesized a positive correlation between costs and effects, that determinants of effects would also determine cost-effectiveness, and that posterolateral instrumentation and anterior intervertebral support are cost-effective adjuncts in posterolateral lumbar fusion.

Health economic evaluation in lumbar spinal fusion: a systematic literature review anno 2005.

The goal of this systematic literature review was to assess the evidence for cost-effectiveness of various surgical techniques in lumbar spinal fusion in conformity with the guidelines provided by the Cochrane Back Review Group. As new technology continuously emerges and divergent directions in clinical practice are present, economic evaluation is needed in order to facilitate the decision-makers' budget allocations. NHS Economic Evaluation Database, MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched.