Long-term exposure to air pollution and greenness in association with respiratory emergency room visits and hospitalizations: The Life-GAP project.

Background: Air pollution has been linked to respiratory diseases, while the effects of greenness remain inconclusive.

Objective: We investigated the associations between exposure to particulate matter (PM and PM), black carbon (BC), nitrogen dioxide (NO), ozone (O), and greenness (normalized difference vegetation index, NDVI) with respiratory emergency room visits and hospitalizations across seven Northern European centers in the European Community Respiratory Health Survey (ECRHS) study.

Methods: We used modified mixed-effects Poisson regression to analyze associations of exposure in 1990, 2000 and mean exposure 1990-2000 with respiratory outcomes recorded duing ECRHS phases II and III.

Integrative proteogenomic analysis identifies COL6A3-derived endotrophin as a mediator of the effect of obesity on coronary artery disease.

Obesity strongly increases the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, yet the underlying mediators of this relationship are not fully understood. Given that obesity strongly influences circulating protein levels, we investigated proteins mediating the effects of obesity on coronary artery disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes. By integrating two-step proteome-wide Mendelian randomization, colocalization, epigenomics and single-cell RNA sequencing, we identified five mediators and prioritized collagen type VI α3 (COL6A3).

KLRB1 expression in nasopharyngeal mucosa as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients.

The resurgence of COVID-19 and the rise in severe outcomes emphasize the need for reliable prognostic markers to guide patient care and optimize ICU and hospital resources. This study investigates the potential of nasopharyngeal swabs to identify biomarkers that predict ICU admission or death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We analyzed nasopharyngeal exudates from 95 hospitalized patients in 2020 using high-plex RNA quantification on the NanoString nCounter platform.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

The role of non-respiratory arousals in residual daytime sleepiness in patients with obstructive sleep apnea treated with positive airway pressure: An analysis of the European Sleep Apnea Database registry.

Study Objectives: To assess the impact of the non-respiratory arousal burden at baseline polysomnography (PSG) on residual daytime sleepiness in positive airway pressure (PAP)-treated obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).

Methods: We included OSA patients from the European Sleep Apnea Database registry with available arousal data who had at least 2 treatment follow-up visits. The primary outcome was the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score under PAP.

Treatment Utilisation and Satisfaction With Management in Individuals With Osteoarthritis and Metabolic Multimorbidity: A Cross-Sectional Multi-Country Study.

Purpose: To compare treatment utilisation for osteoarthritis (OA) and satisfaction with OA management between individuals with and without comorbid metabolic conditions (e.g., diabetes, obesity, dyslipidaemia, hypertension).

Determinants of physical function, as measured using PROMIS PF-10a, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: results from the international COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases (COVAD) study.

Objectives: Physical function in RA is largely influenced by multiple clinical factors, however, there is a growing body of evidence that psychological state and other comorbidities also play an essential role. Using data obtained in the COVID-19 Vaccination in Autoimmune Diseases study, an international self-reported e-survey, we aimed to explore the predictive ability of sociodemographic and clinical variables on Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Physical Function Short Form 10a (PROMIS PF-10a) in RA and to investigate variation in disease activity and functional outcomes based on country-level socio-economic parameters.

Methods: Patient demographics, disease characteristics including current symptom status, functional status and treatment variables, as well as income level of the country of residence, were extracted from survey responses.

It's Like Doing Simultaneous Mind Puzzles: Exploring How Care is Understood and Experienced by Nursing Assistants Working in Sweden with Older Persons.

Background: The care of older persons is facing several challenges, especially as care tasks are becoming increasingly rationalized with less opportunity for relational engagement between nurse assistants and older persons. Evidence suggests this engagement is needed to promote well-being and satisfaction among the older persons with whom they work. The aim of this study was to explore how care, in the context of worker perspectives, is understood and experienced in home or residential care facilities.

Cerebral Microbleeds and Amyloid Pathology Estimates From the Amyloid Biomarker Study.

Importance: Baseline cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and APOE ε4 allele copy number are important risk factors for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) receiving therapies to lower amyloid-β plaque levels.

Objective: To provide prevalence estimates of any, no more than 4, or fewer than 2 CMBs in association with amyloid status, APOE ε4 copy number, and age.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used data included in the Amyloid Biomarker Study data pooling initiative (January 1, 2012, to the present [data collection is ongoing]).

Depressive Symptoms and Amyloid Pathology.

Importance: Depressive symptoms are associated with cognitive decline in older individuals. Uncertainty about underlying mechanisms hampers diagnostic and therapeutic efforts. This large-scale study aimed to elucidate the association between depressive symptoms and amyloid pathology.

Montelukast Use and the Risk of Neuropsychiatric Adverse Events in Children.

Importance: Spontaneous reports have indicated that montelukast increases the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events, and the US Food and Drug Administration added a boxed warning about these risks in 2020. However, the potential mechanism is not well understood, and the observational evidence is scarce, particularly in children.

Objective: To assess the potential association between the use of montelukast and the risk of neuropsychiatric adverse events in children and adolescents.

Loneliness, social isolation, and living alone: a comprehensive systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of mortality risks in older adults.

Loneliness, social isolation, and living alone are significant risk factors for mortality, particularly in older adults. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to quantify their associations with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in older adults, broadening previous research by including more social factors. Comprehensive searches were conducted in PubMed, APA PsycINFO, and CINAHL until December 31, 2023, following PRISMA 2020 and MOOSE guidelines.

The accuracy of forecasted hospital admission for respiratory tract infections in children aged 0-5 years for 2017/2023.

Aim: Healthcare services are in need of tools that can help to ensure a sufficient capacity in periods with high prevalence of respiratory tract infections (RTIs). During the COVID-19 pandemic, we forecasted the number of hospital admissions for RTIs among children aged 0-5 years. Now, in 2024, we aim to examine the accuracy and usefulness of our forecast models.

Resonance, self-reflection, and preparedness through a web-based intervention for family caregivers of patients with life-threatening illness receiving specialised home care.

Objectives: In home-based care for severely ill patients, family caregivers' contributions are crucial. This study aimed to explore how a web-based psychoeducational intervention influences family caregivers' experiences in addressing challenges while caring for a patient with life-threatening illnesses during specialized home care.

Methods: This qualitative study undertook semi-structured interviews with family caregivers of patients with life-threatening illness receiving specialized home care.

Fibrinogen genotypes and their impact on recurrence of venous thromboembolism and family history: A prospective population-based study.

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) involves blood clot formation in veins, resulting in serious health issues. Fibrinogen, a crucial clotting protein, consists of three polypeptides encoded by the fibrinogen genes: alpha (FGA), beta (FGB) and gamma (FGG). We genotyped most common missense variants in the fibrinogen genes in relation to VTE, recurrence and family history in Malmö Thrombophilia Study, including 1465 VTE patients followed for ~10 years and 429 healthy donors.

Prevalence, misclassification, and clinical consequences of the heteroresistant phenotype in Escherichia coli bloodstream infections in patients in Uppsala, Sweden: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Antibiotic heteroresistance is a common bacterial phenotype characterised by the presence of small resistant subpopulations within a susceptible population. During antibiotic exposure, these resistant subpopulations can be enriched and potentially lead to treatment failure. In this study, we examined the prevalence, misclassification, and clinical effect of heteroresistance in Escherichia coli bloodstream infections for the clinically important antibiotics cefotaxime, gentamicin, and piperacillin-tazobactam.

Postprandial glycaemic response and pain sensitivity in breast cancer survivors suffering from chronic pain: a double-blind, randomised controlled cross-over pilot experiment.

Introduction: The study's primary goal is to investigate differences in postprandial glycaemic response (PPGR) to beverages with varying glycaemic index (i.e. low and medium) between breast cancer survivors (BCS) with chronic pain and healthy pain-free controls (HC).

Evaluation of an e-self-management intervention (Happy Hands app) for hand osteoarthritis: Study protocol for a multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Objective: This protocol paper describes the rationale and design of a randomised controlled trial (RCT) that aims to evaluate the (cost-)effectiveness of a 12 week e-self-management intervention (Happy Hands app) in people with hand osteoarthritis (HOA).

Methods: In this multicentre RCT, 376 people with HOA will be recruited from all four health regions in Norway. Consenting participants will be randomly allocated to either a control group receiving usual care or an intervention group receiving the Happy Hands app in addition to usual care.

Maternal mental disorders, psychotropic drugs, socioeconomic status, and offspring congenital anomalies.

Objective: To evaluate whether there is an association between maternal mental health, purchase of psychotropic drugs, socioeconomic status and major congenital anomalies in offspring.

Methods: A register-based cohort study of 6189 Finnish primiparous women who had a singleton delivery between 2009 and 2015. Data on pregnancy and delivery outcomes, psychiatric diagnosis, prescription drug purchases and offspring congenital anomalies were obtained from Finnish national registers.

Intervention in autism based on Early Start Denver Model in a multiethnic immigrant setting-experiences of preschool staff involved in its implementation.

Background: Early interventions for young children with autism have been shown to enhance developmental outcomes. However, opportunities for targeted interventions in autism, both in care and preschool, are often lacking, particularly in immigrant communities. The early start denver model (ESDM) stands as one of the most well-established intervention models, including improvement in core developmental domains and reduction of maladaptive behaviours, also delivered in preschool settings.

Psychometric properties of the Swedish version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9: an investigation using Rasch analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.

Depression is one of the most common psychiatric conditions. Given its high prevalence and disease burden, accurate diagnostic procedures and valid instruments are warranted to identify those in need of treatment. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) is one of the most widely used self-report measures of depression, and its validity and reliability has been evaluated in several languages.

Occupational noise exposure and maternal pregnancy complications: register-based cohort from urban areas in four Nordic countries.

Objective: To assess the role of occupational noise exposure on pregnancy complications in urban Nordic populations.

Methods: A study population covering five metropolitan areas in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden was generated using national birth registries linked with occupational and residential environmental exposures and sociodemographic variables. The data covered all pregnancies during 5-11 year periods in 2004‒2016, resulting in 373 184 pregnancies.

Supervised Exercise for Patients With Metastatic Breast Cancer: A Cost-Utility Analysis Alongside the PREFERABLE-EFFECT Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the cost utility of a 9-month supervised exercise program for patients with metastatic breast cancer (mBC), compared with control (usual care, supplemented with general activity advice and an activity tracker). Evidence on the cost-effectiveness of exercise for patients with mBC is essential for implementation in clinical practice and is currently lacking.

Methods: A cost-utility analysis was performed alongside the multinational PREFERABLE-EFFECT randomized controlled trial, conducted in 8 centers across Europe and Australia.

Co-creation of a gender responsive TB intervention in Nigeria: a researcher-led collaborative study.

Background: In Nigeria, men constitute over half of the people notified with tuberculosis (TB), experience longer delays before reaching care, and are estimated to account for two thirds of people who miss out on care. The higher TB risk and burden in men has implications for the whole population and reaching them earlier with TB services will reduce onward transmission in households, communities, and workplaces. The absence of a comprehensive guidance and the lack of substantial empirical evidence on TB care approaches that are responsive to the needs of men in Nigeria exacerbates this problem.