Model organisms for investigating the functional involvement of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are most commonly characterized by age-related loss of homeostasis and/or by cumulative exposures to environmental factors, which lead to low-grade sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalance. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine-zipper transcription factor that regulates the cellular redox homeostasis. NRF2 controls the expression of more than 250 human genes that share in their regulatory regions a cis-acting enhancer termed the antioxidant response element (ARE).

Physiological shedding and C-terminal proteolytic processing of TMEM106B.

Genetic variants in TMEM106B, coding for a transmembrane protein of unknown function, have been identified as critical genetic modulators in various neurodegenerative diseases with a strong effect in patients with frontotemporal degeneration. The luminal domain of TMEM106B can form amyloid-like fibrils upon proteolysis. Whether this luminal domain is generated under physiological conditions and which protease(s) are involved in shedding remain unclear.

Associations of gestational anxiety and depression with neonatal hair steroid levels.

Objective: To investigate the association prenatal maternal depression and anxiety may have on the levels of neonatal hair steroids (i.e. cortisol, cortisone, and the cortisol/cortisone ratio) at birth.

Brain MRI volumetry and atrophy rating scales as predictors of amyloid status and eligibility for anti-amyloid treatment in a real-world memory clinic setting.

Predicting amyloid status is crucial in light of upcoming disease-modifying therapies and the need to identify treatment-eligible patients with Alzheimer's disease. In our study, we aimed to predict CSF-amyloid status and eligibility for anti-amyloid treatment in a memory clinic by (I) comparing the performance of visual/automated rating scales and MRI volumetric analysis and (II) combining MRI volumetric data with neuropsychological tests and APOE4 status. Two hundred ninety patients underwent a comprehensive assessment.

Temporal Trends of Ischemic Stroke Risk in Patients With Incident Atrial Fibrillation Before Anticoagulation.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a major risk factor for ischemic stroke (IS), but whether the magnitude of this risk has changed over time is unknown.

Objectives: This study sought to investigate temporal trends in IS rates in patients with incident AF before oral anticoagulant agent (OAC) therapy.

Methods: The nationwide FinACAF (Finnish Anticoagulation in Atrial Fibrillation) study covers patients with AF at all levels of care in Finland from 2007 to 2018.

De-escalating and discontinuing disease-modifying therapies in multiple sclerosis.

The development of disease-modifying therapies (DMTs) for the treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) has been highly successful in recent decades. It is now widely accepted that early initiation of DMTs after disease onset is associated with a better long-term prognosis. However, the question of when and how to de-escalate or discontinue DMTs remains open and critical.

Association of intravitreal and topical anti-inflammatory therapies on short-term anatomical and functional outcomes following epiretinal membrane surgery.

Purpose: Here we examine the association of anti-inflammatory therapy with anatomical and functional outcomes of epiretinal membrane surgery.

Methods: The study included consecutive patients having gone through epiretinal membrane surgery at Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, between 2017 and 2021. The association of perioperative intravitreal and postoperative topical anti-inflammatory therapies with surgical outcomes was assessed.

Natural history of dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms: a multinational study.

Objective: Dolichoectatic vertebrobasilar aneurysms (DVBAs) are expansions of arterial tissue leading to aneurysmal formations without an obvious neck. Their natural history is poorly understood; usually patients are admitted with thromboembolic complications and/or neurological symptoms from the mass effect. There have not been international collective data, and correct timing for highly risky treatments has been under discussion.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Assessment of the Risk of Sudden Death in Cardiac Sarcoidosis: What Is Extensive or Significant Late Gadolinium Enhancement?

Background: Cardiac sarcoidosis involves a significant but difficult-to-define risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD). Current guidelines recommend consideration of an implantable cardioverter defibrillator for patients with extensive or significant myocardial late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) on cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. However, extensive/significant LGE is not defined.

Defining MRI-based follow-up protocol for primary central nervous system lymphoma.

Background: The optimal follow-up protocol for primary central nervous system lymphoma (PCNSL) is unclear. This is the first study to evaluate the benefit of structured follow-up imaging of PCNSL with respect to the timing of relapse.

Methods: A total of 198 PCNSL patients (57.

Inequities in Unmet Oral Care Needs after a Swedish Subsidization Reform: An Intersectional Analysis.

Introduction: The main strategy to achieve equal provision of oral care in Sweden has been to offer partial subsidies for the adult population. However, their effects on unmet oral care needs (UOCNs) have not been extensively assessed.

Objective: This study used an intersectionality framework to examine 1) the overall frequency of UOCNs, 2) single-indicator inequities, and 3) intersectional inequities in total UOCNs and financial-related UOCNs (FUOCNs) in Sweden before and after implementation of a partial subsidization reform in 2008.

The association between gestational diabetes and fear of childbirth: a longitudinal register study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus is a common condition known to be associated with pregnancy complications, larger fetus size and depression, and may therefore lead to increased concerns linked to childbirth. We sought to determine whether gestational diabetes mellitus is linked to fear of childbirth, and whether the possible association is mediated by depressive symptoms.

Methods: This study includes women who gave birth at the Kuopio University Hospital between 2019-2022 and had reported their level of fear of childbirth after gestational week 28 (n = 3293).

A clinical approach to chronic respiratory disorders in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in primary care.

Background: Chronic respiratory disorders in the adult Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population are common, but there is a sparsity of literature detailing an approach to clinical management.

Objective: This paper describes a clinical approach to chronic respiratory disorders for clinicians working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, particularly in the remote Australian context.

Discussion: There are significant differences in the way chronic respiratory diseases manifest in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people compared with non-Indigenous Australians.

Benefits and challenges of the integration of haptics-enhanced virtual reality training within dental curricula.

Background: Haptics-enhanced virtual reality (VR-haptic) simulation in dental education has evolved considerably during the past decade, representing a promising resource of simulation-based training opportunities to support conventional practice. We aim to summarize current literature on the applications of VR-haptics in learning, practicing, and teaching dental education.

Methods: A literature search was performed using PubMed, focusing on research articles published between January 2010 and January 2024.

Do Psychological Factors Affect Life Satisfaction and Pain Interference in Spine Surgery Patients? A 12-Month Follow-Up Study.

: Psychological factors impact patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs). This study assessed the influence of preoperative anxiety, depression, and resilience on postoperative pain interference and life satisfaction one year after spine surgery. : This study was a secondary analysis of a study involving 120 patients who underwent elective spine surgery and were randomly assigned to receive either tramadol-paracetamol (37.

Orthostatic test shows higher systolic blood pressure and sympathetic response in uncomplicated type 1 diabetes patients with normal V̇O vs. healthy controls.

Purpose: Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy remains underdiagnosed in type 1 diabetes mellitus, posing a risk for severe complications, particularly in patients with lowered V̇O, compared to controls. This study aimed to determine whether heart rate variability during cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests reveals early signs of cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy in patients with uncomplicated type 1 diabetes mellitus and normal cardiovascular fitness, compared to healthy controls.

Methods: A type 1 diabetes mellitus group (n = 14) with no other diagnosed diseases (diabetes duration 15 ± 7 years) and a control group (n = 31) underwent deep breathing test, passive orthostatic test, and cardiopulmonary exercise test.

Personalized Profiling of Lipoprotein and Lipid Metabolism Based on 1018 Measures from Combined Quantitative NMR and LC-MS/MS Platforms.

Applications of advanced omics methodologies are increasingly popular in biomedicine. However, large-scale studies aiming at clinical translation are typically siloed to single technologies. Here, we present the first comprehensive large-scale population data combining 209 lipoprotein measures from a quantitative NMR spectroscopy platform and 809 lipid classes and species from a quantitative LC-MS/MS platform.

Evolution of Workload Associated with Anti-VEGF Treatments for AMD, DME, RVO and mCNV in Hospital District of Southwest Finland.

Background: The prevalence of vision-threatening diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME), is likely to increase in developed countries owing to an aging population, rising life expectancy, and unfavorable lifestyle changes. Increases in the burden of vision-threatening diseases pose a challenge to the healthcare system. After the emergence of intravitreal anti-VEGF inhibitors, treatment options for neovascular AMD (nAMD), DME, retinal vein occlusion (RVO) and myopic choroidal neovascularization (myopic CNV) have increased.

Chronic occupational paronychia secondary to digital pilonidal sinus from dog grooming.

Objectives Pilonidal sinus is a recognized occupational condition sometimes seen in barbers and pet groomers, and it involves most commonly interdigital spaces. We present a previously unreported case of chronic paronychia with two separate digital pilonidal sinuses resulting from multiple embedded hair fragments in the eponychium of a dog groomer, who had been repeatedly treated with antibiotics with no success and ended up to surgical treatment. The objective of this study is to remind readers of this rare but possible occupational disease, particularly among employees working with hair, and to emphasize the importance of preventive measures to prevent its occurrence.

A real-world study on the impact of infection load on mortality in multiple myeloma patients in Finland.

Infections are a clinically significant cause of mortality in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. The high number of infections in MM patients is due to the immunosuppressive effects of the disease itself as well as treatment-related immunosuppression. In this real-world evidence (RWE) study, we used several nationwide healthcare registries of Finland to investigate the effect of infection load on mortality in MM patients during 1997-2021.

Computed tomography-determined high visceral adipose tissue and sarcopenic obesity and their associations with survival in vulnerable or frail older adults with cancer considered for systemic anticancer treatment.

Introduction: Treatment decisions are challenging in older adults with solid tumors. Geriatric 8 (G8)-screening and comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) are important but additional methods are needed. We examined the association of computed tomography (CT)-derived high visceral adipose tissue index (VATI) with or without low skeletal muscle index (SMI) on three-month and overall survival (OS).

The Role of Prenatal Ultrasound and Added Value of Post-Mortem Radiographic Imaging With X-Ray and CT in Suspected Fetal Skeletal Dysplasia.

Objective: This study aims to assess the diagnostic value of post-mortem radiographic imaging compared with prenatal ultrasound in suspected fetal skeletal dysplasias in a large Finnish cohort.

Method: Prenatal ultrasound findings and their association with post-mortem radiographic imaging were evaluated in a cohort of 36 fetuses with prenatally suspected skeletal dysplasia.

Results: Prenatal ultrasound performed well in detecting skeletal dysplasias and severe forms of the disease.