Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation for treatment of multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder - recommendations from ECTRIMS and the EBMT.

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) is a treatment option for relapsing forms of multiple sclerosis (MS) that are refractory to disease-modifying therapy (DMT). AHSCT after failure of high-efficacy DMT in aggressive forms of relapsing-remitting MS is a generally accepted indication, yet the optimal placement of this approach in the treatment sequence is not universally agreed upon. Uncertainties also remain with respect to other indications, such as in rapidly evolving, severe, treatment-naive MS, progressive MS, and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD).

Illuminating the impact of N-terminal acetylation: from protein to physiology.

N-terminal acetylation is a highly abundant protein modification in eukaryotic cells. This modification is catalysed by N-terminal acetyltransferases acting co- or post-translationally. Here, we review the eukaryotic N-terminal acetylation machinery: the enzymes involved and their substrate specificities.

A national study of in-hospital preparedness for Mass Casualty Incidents and disasters.

Purpose: The current geopolitical situation and climate changes accentuate the importance of health preparedness. The aim was to examine the in-hospital preparedness for Mass Casualty Incidents (MCI) and Major Incidents (MI) on a national level.

Method: A web-based, cross-sectional study of in-hospital preparedness for MCI/MI in Norway.

Insomnia in adolescent epidemiological studies: To what extent can the symptoms be explained by circadian factors?

Epidemiological studies show a high prevalence of "insomnia" in adolescents. However, insomnia symptoms are not specific for insomnia disorder. Puberty is associated with circadian delay, which may cause insomnia symptoms such as problems falling asleep and daytime impairments, but also difficulties rising in the morning which is not a hallmark of insomnia disorder.

Expert reports: an empirical study of the use of attachment theory in expert assessments in Norwegian child protection cases.

Acknowledged researchers have highlighted the potential pitfalls of using attachment theory to guide decision-making in child protection (CP) cases. This study explores how attachment theory is applied in expert assessments in Norwegian CP decision-making processes, analyzing 285 independent expert reports. Independent experts were mandated to assess the child's attachment quality to the caregiver in one third of the reports.

Awakening not associated with an increased rate of cortisol secretion.

Cortisol is released upon activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, varies across the day, possesses an underlying diurnal rhythm and is responsive to stressors. The endogenous circadian peak of cortisol occurs in the morning, and increases in cortisol observed post-awakening have been named the cortisol awakening response (CAR) based on the belief that the act of waking up stimulates cortisol secretion. However, objective evidence that awakening induces cortisol secretion is limited.

Fracture liaison service (FLS) is associated with lower subsequent fragility fracture risk and mortality: NoFRACT (the Norwegian capture the fracture initiative).

Unlabelled: Subsequent fracture rates and associated mortality were compared before and after the introduction of fracture liaison service (FLS). In 100,198 women and men, FLS was associated with 13% and 10% lower risk of subsequent fragility fractures and 18% and 15% lower mortality. The study suggests that FLS may prevent fractures.

Musculoskeletal Pain as a Risk Factor for Poor Dizziness Outcomes: A Longitudinal Study among Patients With Persistent Vestibular Dizziness.

Objective: Musculoskeletal pain and psychological distress are prevalent comorbidities in patients with persistent dizziness. Little is known about how comorbid pain influences the outcome of persistent dizziness. This study examined the impact of pain on dizziness outcomes and the potential modifying role of psychological distress.

Associations Between Patient-Reported Nutritional Status, Toxicity, and Survival in Limited-Stage SCLC.

Introduction: In general, malnutrition is associated with more treatment toxicity and shorter survival in patients with cancer, but little is known about its impact on limited-stage (LS) SCLC. We investigated whether nutritional status and weight loss were associated with treatment outcomes in a randomized trial of thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in LS SCLC (NCT02041845, N = 170).

Methods: Patients received platinum-etoposide-chemotherapy and were randomized to receive TRT of 60 Gy in 40 fractions or 45 Gy in 30 fractions.

The Norwegian version of the Norwich Patellar Instability score has good validity and moderate reproducibility.

Purpose: To translate and adapt the Norwich Patellar Instability (NPI) score into Norwegian, and second, to examine the psychometric properties of the Norwegian version (NPI-No).

Methods: NPI was translated according to international guidelines. A cohort of 107 patients surgically treated for recurrent patellofemoral instability completed NPI-No, related questionnaires and functional tests prior to and six months post-surgery.

The latest in clinical trial results of 5-alpha reductase inhibitors in combination regimens for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Introduction: BPH/male LUTS is a prevalent condition in the aging male population with multifactorial pathophysiology. Pharmacotherapy remains the cornerstone of treatment in patients who fail conservative treatment. 5-α-Reductase inhibitors (5-ARIs) are the only class of medication shown to reduce the risk of acute retention and BPH-related surgery and, thus, are commonly used along with other "short acting" medications in combination treatments.

Multi-disciplinary treatment of broncho-esophageal fistula in a high-risk single-lung patient.

Background: A broncho-esophageal fistula (BEF) is a medical and surgical disaster. Treatment of BEF is often limited to palliative stent treatment that may migrate or cause erosions and tissue necrosis. Surgical repair of BEF is the only established definite treatment.

First out-of-bed mobilisation in adults with severe acquired brain injury in Scandinavian neurointensive care units: A survey of current clinical practice (FOOBScan).

Background: The harm-benefit balance for early out-of-bed mobilisation of patients with severe acquired brain injury (ABI) in neurointensive care units (neuro-ICUs) is unclear, and there are no clinical guidelines. This study aimed to survey the current clinical practice and perceptions among clinicians involved in first out-of-bed mobilisation in Scandinavian neuro-ICUs.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey; the reporting follows the recommended CROSS checklist.

Recruitment, follow-up and survival in an 11-country cohort study of patients at the end of life and their relatives.

Background: Large, international cohort studies generate high-level evidence, but are resource intense. In end-of-life care such studies are scarce. Hence, planning for future studies in terms of data on screening, recruitment, retention and survival remains a challenge.

OBF-Psychiatric, a motor activity dataset of patients diagnosed with major depression, schizophrenia, and ADHD.

Mental health is vital to human well-being, and prevention strategies to address mental illness have a significant impact on the burden of disease and quality of life. With the recent developments in body-worn sensors, it is now possible to continuously collect data that can be used to gain insights into mental health states. This has the potential to optimize psychiatric assessment, thereby improving patient experiences and quality of life.

Surgeon Recommendation and Outcomes of Decompression With vs Without Fusion in Patients With Degenerative Spondylolisthesis.

Importance: The ability of surgeons to choose the right patient for fusion in addition to decompression when operating for degenerative spondylolisthesis with symptomatic spinal stenosis is debated. The addition of fusion increases risk, morbidity, and costs but has been claimed to give better results for selected patients.

Objective: To investigate whether following surgeons' opinions regarding fusion was associated with clinical outcomes.

MicroRNA-199a-5p may be a diagnostic biomarker of primary ITP.

There is no diagnostic test for primary immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Certain microRNAs have shown to have diagnostic potential in ITP. We validated 12 microRNAs identified from two previous studies to find a diagnostic biomarker.

Factors associated with the delay in diagnosis of extrapulmonary tuberculosis at the patient and health system level: A study from a rural setting in India.

Background: With the proportion of tuberculosis cases that are extrapulmonary tuberculosis (EPTB) increasing in recent years, understanding and addressing factors contributing to the prolonged time to diagnosis (TTD) of EPTB patients is vital.

Methods: We enrolled presumptive EPTB patients for a cohort study from 2018-2020 in Ujjain, India. Based on a structured questionnaire, the patients were interviewed for socio-demographic and clinical information, including previously visited health facilities (HF) for this illness.

Device-measured physical activity in adults born preterm with very low birth weight and mediation by motor abilities.

Physical activity (PA) is beneficial for several health outcomes. Adults born with very low birth weight (VLBW<1500g) undertake less PA than those born at term, have poorer motor abilities and may serve as a model on early life origins of PA. We therefore examined whether motor abilities mediate the association between being born with VLBW and device-measured PA.

Infectious complications and the utility of serum and cellular markers of infections in the setting of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) recipients are severely immunocompromised and susceptible to bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. Despite improved anti-microbial prophylaxis and preemptive strategies, bacterial bloodstream infections (BSIs) occur frequently in allo-HSCT recipients and are associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein Barr virus (EBV) are the most relevant viruses following allo-HSCT and remain major concerns.

Illuminating the hidden cost: A systematic review of cognitive late effects regarding cancer-related fatigue in treated paediatric brain tumors.

Objective: Globally, in 2022, 30,871 children were diagnosed with CNS-tumors. Many have been treated with radiotherapy, and a significant number suffer from chronic late effects, including fatigue. This study aims to investigate previous research on the impact of cancer-related fatigue for neurocognitive function that can be related to radiotherapy in patients who have undergone primary brain radiotherapy before the age of 18.

Co-existence of two bla and bla on distinct plasmids in a carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae from a tertiary hospital, Tanzania.

Purpose: To understand the mechanisms of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) from Tanzania and characterize the genomes carrying the carbapenemase genes.

Methods: Clinical CRKP isolates were selected from ongoing antimicrobial-resistant surveillance at Muhimbili National Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Whole-genome sequencing was performed utilizing Illumina and Nanopore platforms.