Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), given their regenerative potential, are being investigated as a potential therapeutic tool for cartilage lesions. MSCs express several bioactive molecules which act in a paracrine fashion to modulate the tissue microenvironment. Yet, little is known about the divergence of these signalling molecules in different MSC populations. The present study investigated ...

<p><i>Objectives</i>: Population statistics for carotid plaque and cardiovascular risk factors reported in scientific journals are usually presented as averages for the population or age and sex adjusted, rather than sex and age groups. Important population differences about atherosclerosis and cardiovascular risk factors may thus be missed. We compare the distribution of cardiovascular risk factors, ...

In observational studies, vitamin D deficiency is associated with depressive symptoms. However, randomised controlled trials (RCT) with vitamin D supplementation have not been conclusive. In the present study 206 subjects were randomised to vitamin D (100 000 IU (2500 µg) as a bolus dose followed by 20 000 IU (500 µg) per week) and 202 to placebo. The Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II) was filled ...

<p><i>Background</i>: Studies on the association between long‐chained n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n‐3 PUFAs) and risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) are conflicting, potentially due to challenges related to assessment of n‐3 PUFA intake and changes in diet during follow‐up.</p> <p><i>Objectives</i>: To investigate whether dietary intake of marine n‐3 PUFAs was associated with risk of incident ...

<i><p>Objective</i>: Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) comprises 7 heterogeneous categories of chronic childhood arthritides. Approximately 5% of children with JIA have rheumatoid factor (RF)–positive arthritis, which phenotypically resembles adult rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Our objective was to compare and contrast the genetics of RF‐positive polyarticular JIA with those of RA and selected other ...

Any gas will flow down the path of least resistance and highest compliance. This is a problem in the treatment of severe unilateral lung disease in the intensive care unit (ICU). Deep sedation interferes with the diaphragm’s ability to distribute air into the lower lung. Spontaneous breathing in a conscious patient, in combination with mechanical ventilation via an endotracheal tube inserted into ...

The aim of this study was to examine the burden of fungal disease in Norway, contributing to a worldwide effort to improve awareness of the needs for better diagnosis and treatment of such infections. We used national registers and actual data from the Departments of Microbiology from 2015 and estimated the incidence and/or prevalence of superficial, allergic and invasive fungal disease using published ...

<p><i>Introduction</i>: The complement system is essential for an adequate immune response. Much attention has been given to the role of complement in disease. However, to better understand complement in pathology, it is crucial to first analyze this system under different physiological conditions. The aim of the present study was therefore to investigate the inter-individual variation in complement ...

Moderate therapeutic hypothermia procedures are used in post-cardiac arrest care, while in surgical procedures, lower core temperatures are often utilized to provide cerebral protection. Involuntary reduction of core body temperature takes place in accidental hypothermia and ventricular arrhythmias are recognized as a principal cause for a high mortality rate in these patients. We assessed both ...

<p><i>Background and Purpose</i>: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common autosomal dominant disease leading to increased level of serum LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol and risk of coronary heart disease. Whether FH increases the risk of cerebrovascular disease, including ischemic stroke, is debated. Accordingly, we studied the incidence of cerebrovascular disease in a cohort of ...