Mesenchymal stem cell-mediated T cell suppression occurs through secreted galectins.

Human galectins are involved in a variety of biological and pathological processes including cell adhesion, apoptosis, differentiation, immune regulation and tumour evasion. Previously, we identified galectin-3 as the first human lectin involved in the modulation of the immunosuppressive potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). In this study, we report on the expression profiles and potential activities of other galectins expressed in these cells.

Blood pressure variability and closed-loop baroreflex assessment in adolescent chronic fatigue syndrome during supine rest and orthostatic stress.

Hemodynamic abnormalities have been documented in the chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), indicating functional disturbances of the autonomic nervous system responsible for cardiovascular regulation. The aim of this study was to explore blood pressure variability and closed-loop baroreflex function at rest and during mild orthostatic stress in adolescents with CFS. We included a consecutive sample of 14 adolescents 12-18 years old with CFS diagnosed according to a thorough and standardized set of investigations and 56 healthy control subjects of equal sex and age distribution.

Undercarboxylated matrix Gla protein is associated with indices of heart failure and mortality in symptomatic aortic stenosis.

Objective: Matrix Gla protein (MGP) is a calcification inhibitor and alterations in circulating MGP have been observed in different populations characterized by vascular calcification. We hypothesized that patients with calcific valvular aortic stenosis (AS) would have dysregulated circulating MGP levels.

Design And Subjects: We examined plasma levels of nonphosphorylated carboxylated and undercarboxylated MGP (dp-cMGP and dp-ucMGP, respectively) in 147 patients with symptomatic severe AS and in matched healthy controls.

Autophagic degradation of an oncoprotein.

Acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is characterized by a chromosomal t(15;17) translocation that fuses the gene encoding the promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) to that encoding retinoic acid receptor alpha (RARA). The product of this genetic aberration, the PML/RARA fusion protein, is highly oncogenic and supports malignant transformation and growth of hematopoietic precursor cells at the promyelocytic stage of differentiation. Successful treatment of APL by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) or arsenic trioxide (ATO) depends on the ability of these drugs to induce proteolytic degradation of this chimeric protein.

Different sex ratios of children born to Indian and Pakistani immigrants in Norway.

Background: A low female-to-male ratio has been observed in different Asian countries, but this phenomenon has not been well studied among immigrants living in Western societies. In this study, we investigated whether a low female-to-male ratio exists among Indian and Pakistani immigrants living in Norway. In particular, we investigated whether the determination of sex via ultrasound examination, a common obstetric procedure that has been used in Norway since the early 1980 s, has influenced the female-to-male ratio among children born to parents of Indian or Pakistani origin.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is a marker of cardiovascular health in renal transplanted children.

Children with renal transplants (TX) are at increased risk of cardiovascular (CV) disease. Study objectives were to assess the level of cardiorespiratory fitness (CR fitness) and daily physical activity (PA) in renal TX children and adolescents in relation to traditional cardiovascular risk factors. Laboratory testing included assessment of CR fitness by treadmill exercise testing (VO(2peak)), 24-h ambulatory blood-pressure (ABPM) measurement, oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT), anthropometrics and measurement of lipid levels.

The effect of microvascular decompression in patients with multiple sclerosis and trigeminal neuralgia.

Background: Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be caused by demyelinating plaques within the nerve root entry zone, the trigeminal nucleus, or the trigeminal tracts.

Objective: To review our experience of microvascular decompression (MVD) in patients with MS and symptomatic TN.

Methods: All first-time MVDs for symptomatic trigeminal neuralgia in patients with MS performed by the senior author during an 8-year period (1999-2007) in this department were reviewed.

Concerns for decreased foetal movements in uncomplicated pregnancies--increased risk of foetal growth restriction and stillbirth among women being overweight, advanced age or smoking.

Introduction: We aimed to determine whether the clinical characteristics of women in uncomplicated pregnancies presenting with decreased foetal movements (DFMs) would help target subgroups of women at the highest risk. Furthermore, we also aimed whether DFMs in complicated pregnancies identified the additional needs for intensified management.

Methods: Singleton third trimester pregnancies (n=2374) presenting with DFMs from June 2004 through October 2005 were prospectively registered in 14 delivery units in Norway.

Spindle proteins in resected pancreatic head adenocarcinomas: BubR1 is an independent prognostic factor in pancreatobiliary-type tumours.

Aims: Spindle proteins such as Aurora A, Mad2 and BubR1 are important for chromosome segregation during mitosis. Dysfunction of these proteins is implicated in the development of many cancers. The aim was to examine their possible prognostic impact in resected adenocarcinomas in the pancreatic head.

Impact of hypertonic saline on the release of selected cytokines after stimulation with LPS or peptidoglycan in ex vivo whole blood from healthy humans.

The question of specific immunomodulating qualities of hypertonic saline (HTS) has not been settled. It has proven difficult to distinguish between immunomodulation directly attributable to HTS and influence because of favorable circulatory effects. The nature of immune activator may also play a role.

Patient centeredness in terminologies: coverage of health assets concepts in the International Classification of Nursing Practice.

Health assets has emerged as an important concept in health care, representing patients' strengths and perspectives, but has not received much attention in structured vocabularies or classification systems of nursing care to date. The purpose of this study was to explore the representation of health assets concepts in the International Classification of Nursing Practice(R) (ICNP). Concepts from a conceptual model of health assets were cross-mapped to the ICNP terminology system version 2.

Survival following resection of pancreatic endocrine tumors: importance of R-status and the WHO and TNM classification systems.

Objective: The aim of this study was to delineate the clinical outcomes and pathological characteristics of surgically resected endocrine tumors of the pancreas and to determine the importance of the World Health Organization (WHO) and tumor-node metastasis (TNM) classifications, resection status, and Ki-67 expression for long-term survival.

Patients And Methods: Sixty-nine patients underwent surgical tumor resection with curative intent during 1990-2007. Hospital records were reviewed retrospectively for medical, surgical, pathological, and radiological data.

Mediastinitis after coronary artery bypass grafting risk factors and long-term survival.

Background: Mediastinitis is a severe complication of coronary artery bypass grafting. The aim of the present study was to determine incidence of mediastinitis, its risk factors, and its effect on early and long-term survival.

Methods: The study has a dual design, a case-control, and a retrospective cohort, using a source population of 18,532 consecutive patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting from January 1989 to December 2000.

Selective inhibition of TNF-alpha or IL-1 beta does not affect E. coli-induced inflammation in human whole blood.

Inhibition of the inappropriate and excessive inflammatory response has been a main issue in sepsis-related research. Historically, TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta have been postulated as key mediators in sepsis, but selective inhibition of these cytokines has failed in clinical trials. Recently it was found that inhibition of upstream recognition by complement and CD14 could efficiently reduce Escherichia coli (E.

Inflammatory markers in patients with coronary artery disease with and without inflammatory rheumatic disease.

Objectives: Patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (IRDs) have a higher morbidity and mortality from accelerated atherosclerosis than the general population. We hypothesized that patients with the combination of IRD and coronary artery disease (CAD) would have a certain inflammatory phenotype compared with CAD patients without this comorbidity.

Methods: Four groups of patients were included: patients with IRD, referred to coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) (CAD-IRD, n = 67), patients without IRD, referred to CABG (CAD, n = 52), patients with IRD without CAD (IRD, n = 32) and healthy controls (n = 30).

Mechanical dispersion assessed by myocardial strain in patients after myocardial infarction for risk prediction of ventricular arrhythmia.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate whether myocardial strain echocardiography can predict ventricular arrhythmias in patients after myocardial infarction (MI).

Background: Left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) is insufficient for selecting patients for implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) therapy after MI. Electrical dispersion in infarcted myocardium facilitates malignant arrhythmia.

Cerebrospinal fluid pulse pressure amplitude during lumbar infusion in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus can predict response to shunting.

Background: We have previously seen that idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients having elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) pulse amplitude consistently respond to shunt surgery. In this study we explored how the cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) pulse amplitude determined during lumbar infusion testing, correlates with ICP pulse amplitude determined during over-night ICP monitoring and with response to shunt surgery. Our goal was to establish a more reliable screening procedure for selecting iNPH patients for shunt surgery using lumbar intrathecal infusion.

Acute postoperative seizures after epilepsy surgery - a long-term outcome predictor?

Objectives: The prognostic value of acute postoperative seizures (APS) after epilepsy surgery is much debated. This study evaluated APS, defined as seizures in the first week post-surgery, as a predictor of long-term seizure outcome, and investigated the utility of other potential outcome predictors.

Materials And Methods: Medical records of 48 patients with temporal and extra-temporal epilepsy surgery were studied.

Staff perception one year after implementation of the the newborn individualized developmental care and assessment program (NIDCAP).

The Newborn Individualized Developmental Care and Assessment Program (NIDCAP) was piloted at one NICU. Staff perception of impact and the feasibility of applying the program was explored in a survey and a focus group interview. NIDCAP was perceived to impact positively on infant well-being and parents' way of caring.

Meconium-induced release of cytokines is mediated by the TRL4/MD-2 complex in a CD14-dependent manner.

Objective: Meconium, the first intestinal discharge of the newborn, contains material accumulated during fetal life. Meconium activates complement and CD14 and may induce a systemic inflammatory response. Toll-like receptors are classical pattern-recognition receptors recognizing both exogenous and host-derived ligands.

Neuropsychological function in unmedicated recurrent brief depression.

Background: Recurrent brief depression (RBD) is a mood disorder characterized by mild to severe depressive episodes lasting less than 2 weeks and occurring approximately once a month with complete recovery between episodes. The aim of this study was to describe neuropsychological impairments associated with RBD, relating cognitive performance to clinical features and comorbidity.

Methods: Forty-six ICD-10 defined RBD patients (mean age 33.

Quantitative model for inferring dynamic regulation of the tumour suppressor gene p53.

Background: The availability of various "omics" datasets creates a prospect of performing the study of genome-wide genetic regulatory networks. However, one of the major challenges of using mathematical models to infer genetic regulation from microarray datasets is the lack of information for protein concentrations and activities. Most of the previous researches were based on an assumption that the mRNA levels of a gene are consistent with its protein activities, though it is not always the case.

Laparoscopic liver resection for malignant and benign lesions: ten-year Norwegian single-center experience.

Background: The introduction of laparoscopic liver resection has been challenging because new and safe surgical techniques have had to be developed, and skepticism remains about the use of laparoscopy for malignant neoplasms. We present herein a large-volume single-center experience with laparoscopic liver resection.

Design: Retrospective study.

Repeatability, reliability, and concurrent validity of the scoliosis research society-22 questionnaire and EuroQol in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis.

Study Design: Cross-sectional study in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

Objectives: To evaluate the repeatability, reliability, internal consistency, and concurrent validity (CD) of an adapted Norwegian version of the Scoliosis Research Society 22 questionnaire (SRS-22) and the generic health-related quality of life instrument EuroQol (EQ-5D and EQ-VAS).

Summary Of Background Data: SRS-22 is widely used for evaluation of health-related quality of life in AIS.

Arterial blood pressure vs intracranial pressure in normal pressure hydrocephalus.

Objective: To characterize the association between arterial blood pressure (ABP) and intracranial pressure (ICP) in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) patients, and its impact on outcome of shunt surgery.

Materials And Methods: We analyzed all 35 iNPH patients whose ABP and ICP were recorded simultaneously during 6 years (2002-2007). The static and pulsatile pressures were averaged over consecutive 6-s intervals; the moving correlations between ICP and ABP (static and pulsatile) were determined during consecutive 4-min periods to explore time-related variations.