Background: The gut microbiota in patients with chronic heart failure (HF) is characterized by low bacterial diversity and reduced ability to synthesize beneficial metabolites. These changes may facilitate leakage of whole bacteria or bacterial products from the gut into the bloodstream, which may activate the innate immune system and contribute to the low-grade inflammation seen in HF. In this ...

Due to its peculiar histopathological findings, pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma (PXA), a rare cerebral tumor of young adults with a slow growth and a good prognosis, resembles to the lytic phase of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, a fatal neurodegenerative disease caused by JC polyomavirus (JCPyV). Therefore, the presence of JCPyV DNA was examined in an 11-year-old child with xanthoastrocytoma, ...

Two potentially costly errors are common in sequential investment decisions: sticking too long to a failing course of action (escalation of commitment), and abandoning a successful course of action prematurely. Past research has mostly focused on escalation of commitment, and identified three critical determinants: personal responsibility, preferences for prior decisions, and decision framing. We ...

Objectives - Our objectives were to examine what is known about the provision of healthcare services to older LGBT adults in the Nordic countries, identify knowledge gaps, map implications of this research for the education of healthcare professionals and delivery of healthcare, and identify key future research priorities to advance policy and practice for older LGBT adults in this region.<p> <p>Design ...

Background - A comprehensive dissection of the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in gene regulation and subsequent cell functions requires a specific and efficient knockdown or overexpression of the miRNA of interest; these are achieved by transfecting the cell of interest with a miRNA inhibitor or a miRNA mimic, respectively. Inhibitors and mimics of miRNAs with a unique chemistry and/or structural ...

<p><i>Introduction:</i> Freezing cold injuries (FCI) are a common risk in extreme cold weather warfare operations. The Norwegian Armed Forces (NAF) have the expertise and capabilities in education and training for warfighting capabilities in the Arctic. Nevertheless, a substantial number of Norwegian soldiers sustain freezing cold injuries annually. The aim of this study was to describe the FCI in ...

Different screening strategies for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) exist. Despite screening efforts, cases of late presentation continue to occur, often necessitating surgery. This systematic review and meta-analysis assess the effect of newborn selective ultrasound screening for DDH on the incidence of late presentation in infants and children, compared to a universal ultrasound strategy. ...

Youth living with war and ongoing conflict are frequently exposed to potentially traumatic events and cumulative stress which can result in temporarily impaired academic functioning and reduced wellbeing in school. In Palestine, the Ministry of Education has included psychosocial support programmes in the schools for the purpose of reducing stress reactions and improving school functioning ...

Talent-school settings may generate stress via demanding expectations. To investigate students representing Norway’s growing phenomenon of early adolescent talent schools, we interviewed twenty-seven 14- to15-year-old boys and girls about their experiences with self- and socially imposed expectations. Students were recruited from two sports schools (n = 14) and one school each with talent classes ...

Background - Oxygen inhalation aborts cluster headache attacks, and case reports show the effect of continuous positive airway pressure. The aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic effect of continuous positive airway pressure in chronic cluster headache.<p> <p>Methods - This was a randomized placebo-controlled triple-blind crossover study using active and sham continuous positive ...