Cholinesterase inhibitors and reduced risk of hospitalization and mortality in patients with Alzheimer's dementia and heart failure.

Aims: Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) have beneficial effects on the heart. Associations between ChEI-use and reduced mortality and cardiovascular events in Alzheimer's disease (AD) have been shown. Whether these associations exist in those with both heart failure (HF) and AD is unknown.

Effect of Oral Screen Training After Stroke-A Randomised Controlled Trial.

Objective: To assess the effects of oral screen training in patients with dysphagia post-stroke.

Background: Oral screen training has been identified as an effective method for improving orofacial and oropharyngeal motor functions. However, the evidence supporting a positive transfer effect on swallowing capacity post-primary stroke rehabilitation is still unclear.

The Stockholm Spinal Cord Uro Study: Changing patterns of urological surgery in a regional prevalence group through 50 years - Outcomes and lessons learned.

Aims: To examine the number and types of urological surgical procedures carried out in a regional prevalence population of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) during five decades, evaluate objective and patient-reported outcomes and to consider lessons learned for further improvement of surgical treatment in this patient group.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 412 patients with traumatic SCI, one-third had undergone urological surgery through a period of up to 50 years. Data on types of surgery, complications, follow-up and outcomes were collected in a retrospective review of patient files.

Chronic pain management and sleep disorders.

Chronic pain affects the quality of life for millions of people worldwide. There is a bidirectional link between pain and sleep: poor sleep quality exacerbates pain, and pain disrupts sleep. Addressing this cycle is crucial for effective pain management and improving patients' overall health outcomes.

A Protocol for Comprehensive Analysis of Gait in Individuals with Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury.

This is a protocol for comprehensive analysis of gait and affecting factors in individuals with incomplete paraplegia due to spinal cord injury (SCI). A SCI is a devastating event affecting both sensory and motor functions. Due to better care, the SCI population is changing, with a greater proportion retaining impaired ambulatory function.

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Exercise and protein for function and self-confidence - The OPEN model for community care of older persons Experiences from the COVID-19 pandemic indicate the need to introduce care routines for health promotion among recipients of care for older persons. A treatment model with daily repeated sit-to-stand exercises in combination with oral protein supplements twice daily has been evaluated in community care for older persons in the Stockholm Region; the Older Person's Exercise and Nutrition (OPEN) Study. The 3-month controlled study included 102 residents.

White matter abnormalities mediate the association between masticatory dysfunction and cognition among older adults.

Background: Masticatory parameters, such as reduced number of teeth and posterior contacts, have been shown to be associated with reduced cognitive status. The underlying mechanisms that affect these associations, are however, not well understood.

Objectives: The study aims to investigate the association between masticatory dysfunction and cognition and explore the mediating effect of brain structure.

Orofacial dysfunction after stroke-A multidisciplinary approach.

Objective: This paper describes the study protocol in an ongoing clinical trial evaluating oral screen training as part of a post-stroke rehabilitation programme. Baseline data were related to four domains: dysphagia, lip function, masticatory performance and patient-related outcome measures (PROM).

Background: Stroke is one of the most common causes of disability-adjusted life years, and dysphagia is a common remaining problem after stroke.

Few geriatric heart failure patients investigated according to clinical guidelines: a retrospective review of patient records.

Background: Research on heart failure (HF) has often focused on younger patients. The aim of this study was to analyze extent of investigation and treatment among older patients prior to referral to inpatient geriatric care for worsening of HF.

Methods: Data on etiology, ejection fraction (EF) by echocardiography (ECHO), level of functioning according to New York Heart Association (NYHA), analysis of N-terminal-pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro-BNP), ongoing treatment, adherence to guidelines, and information from previous caregiver were collected from patient records prior to admission from a sample of 134 patients.

Factors Associated with Health-Related Quality of Life in Older Persons Residing in Nursing Homes.

Purpose: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is an important patient-related outcome for the assessment of interventions and treatments in older people. Understanding underlying mechanisms for HRQoL is crucial for improving care, rehabilitation and symptom relief. This study examined the associations between HRQoL and frailty, sarcopenia, dependence of ADL, physical function and nutritional status in older nursing home (NH) residents.

Gait and dynamic balance in adults with spina bifida.

Background: Spina bifida (SB) is a complex congenital malformation, often causing impaired gait performance depending on the level and extent of malformation. Research regarding gait and balance performance in adults with SB, has not been sufficiently described yet.

Research Question: What are the characteristics of spatiotemporal gait parameters and balance performance in adults with SB? Further, do persons with muscle function (MF) level 3 differ regarding gait and balance performance from those with MF level 1-2?

Methods: Cross-sectional observational study at an outpatient clinic.

Fast Alpha Activity in EEG of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease Is Paralleled by Changes in Cognition and Cholinergic Markers During Encapsulated Cell Biodelivery of Nerve Growth Factor.

Background: Basal forebrain cholinergic neurons are dependent on nerve growth factor (NGF) for growth and survival and these cells are among the first to degenerate in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Targeted delivery of NGF has been suggested as a potential therapy for AD. This hypothesis was tested in a clinical trial with encapsulated cell biodelivery of NGF (NGF-ECB) in AD patients.

Full endoscopic versus open discectomy for sciatica: randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.

Objective: To assess whether percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) is non-inferior to conventional open microdiscectomy in reduction of leg pain caused by lumbar disc herniation.

Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial with non-inferiority design.

Setting: Four hospitals in the Netherlands.

Cost-effectiveness of full endoscopic versus open discectomy for sciatica.

Objective: To assess the costs and cost-effectiveness of percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy (PTED) compared with open microdiscectomy among patients with sciatica.

Methods: This economic evaluation was conducted alongside a 12-month multicentre randomised controlled trial with a non-inferiority design, in which patients were randomised to PTED or open microdiscectomy. Patients were aged from 18 to 70 years and had at least 6 weeks of radiating leg pain caused by lumbar disc herniation.

The Stockholm Spinal Cord Uro Study: 3. Urodynamic characteristics in a regional prevalence group of persons with spinal cord injury and indications for improved follow-up.

Aims: Examine the outcome of urodynamic studies in a regional prevalence group of patients with traumatic spinal cord injury (SCI), explore relationships between urodynamic parameters and renal complications/other SCI-related dysfunctions, assess the role of urodynamics in SCI follow-up.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, 211 patients were included, who attended a yearly check-up and had urodynamics performed as part of the follow-up in addition to S-creatinine, S-cystatin-C, renal ultrasound, and a questionnaire regarding complications. Relationships between urodynamic parameters and renal complications/other SCI-related dysfunctions were explored by descriptive and comparative statistics.

Adults with spina bifida: ambulatory performance and cognitive capacity in relation to muscle function.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study.

Objective: Describe and compare ambulatory performance and cognitive capacity in relation to muscle function in an adult cohort with spina bifida. Also, explore factors associated with ambulation in participants with muscle function level 3.

Cognitive changes and neural correlates after oral rehabilitation procedures in older adults: a protocol for an interventional study.

Background: Epidemiological studies show an association between masticatory function and cognitive impairment. This has further strengthened the notion that tooth loss and impaired masticatory function may be risk factors for dementia and cognitive decline. Animal experiments have indicated a causal relationship and several possible mechanisms have been discussed.

Response and Adherence of Nursing Home Residents to a Nutrition/Exercise Intervention.

Objectives: Interindividual response variability to nutrition and exercise interventions is extensive in older adults. A group of nursing home (NH) residents participated in a combined intervention. The objective of this post-hoc analysis was to identify factors associated with intervention response measured by change in physical function and body composition.

Polypharmacy and Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Home-Dwelling Older People - A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Risks associated with polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions represent a challenge in drug treatment, especially in older adults. The aim of the present study was to assess the use of prescription and non-prescription drugs and the frequency of potential drug-drug interactions in home-dwelling older individuals.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was applied.

Experiences of supporting older persons in completion of an exercise and nutrition intervention: an interview study with nursing home staff.

Background: The interactions between nursing home (NH) staff and their residents are crucial not only for the atmosphere at the NH but also for achieving care goals. In order to test the potential effects of daily physical activities (sit-to-stand (STS) exercises) combined with oral nutritional supplementation (ONS), a randomized intervention trial (the Older Person's Exercise and Nutrition (OPEN) Study) was performed in NH residents. One aspect of the study was to interview and report the NH staff's experiences of supporting the residents in fulfilling the intervention.

Transplantation of Human Neural Precursor Cells Reverses Syrinx Growth in a Rat Model of Post-Traumatic Syringomyelia.

Posttraumatic syringomyelia (PTS) is a serious condition of progressive expansion of spinal cord cysts, affecting patients with spinal cord injury years after injury. To evaluate neural cell therapy to prevent cyst expansion and potentially replace lost neurons, we developed a rat model of PTS. We combined contusive trauma with subarachnoid injections of blood, causing tethering of the spinal cord to the surrounding vertebrae, resulting in chronically expanding cysts.

Do Malnutrition, Sarcopenia and Frailty Overlap in Nursing-Home Residents?

Objectives: To study the prevalence and overlap between malnutrition, sarcopenia and frailty in a selected group of nursing home (NH) residents.

Design: Cross-sectional descriptive study.

Setting: Nursing homes (NH).

Cognitive challenges in persons with spina bifida: Bearing on urological dysfunctions?

Aim: To evaluate if adult persons with spina bifida (SB) who have urinary tract complications have cognitive difficulties that can be identified by neuropsychological tests.

Methods: All individuals with SB ≥ 18 years of age registered at a regional outpatient clinic (n = 219) were invited, of which, 154 persons were included. Neuropsychological assessment of their cognitive status was performed with Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale®-Fourth Edition: Coding, Block design, Arithmetic's, FAS (word generation), Rey Auditory Verbal Test for learning, and delayed recall 30 min.

A health concept with a social potential: an interview study with nursing home residents.

Background: A qualitative, interview-based study was embedded in a randomized intervention trial, the Older People Exercise and Nutrition (OPEN) study. Participants in the OPEN study were encouraged to conduct sessions of sit-to-stand (STS) exercises combined with Oral Nutritional Supplements (ONS) intake. The aim was to describe the older persons' perceptions and experiences of being given the daily opportunity to perform the STS exercise and drink ONS.