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Objective: There is a lack of real-life studies on interleukin-17 (IL-17) inhibition in psoriatic arthritis (PsA). We assessed real-life 6- and 12-month effectiveness (i.e., retention, remission, low disease activity [LDA], and response rates) of the IL-17 inhibitor secukinumab in PsA patients overall and across 1) number of prior biologic/targeted synthetic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (
Objective: The heterogeneity of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) constitutes clinical and therapeutical challenges. We therefore studied whether unrecognized disease subgroups can be identified by using autoantibody profiling together with HLA-DRB1 alleles and immunological and clinical data. Methods: An unsupervised cluster analysis was performed based on detection of 13 SLE-associated autoanti
Background and ObjectivesIdentifying a clinically meaningful change in cognitive test score is essential when using cognition as an outcome in clinical trials. This is especially relevant because clinical trials increasingly feature novel composites of cognitive tests. Our primary objective was to establish minimal clinically important differences (MCIDs) for commonly used cognitive tests, using a
Objective: To assess the long-term results of elective abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) repair with a single stent graft system. Methods: Patients undergoing elective, infrarenal endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) with a single-stent graft system between 1998 and 2012 were analyzed retrospectively registering pre-, intra-, and postoperative data. All imaging was reviewed. Data are presented as med
Background: A juxtarenal abdominal aortic aneurysm is defined as a short (less than 4mm) or no-neck aneurysm, which is often treated with open or complex endovascular repair. The evidence to support the best treatment strategy is scarce. The aim of this study was to assess the short- and mid-term outcomes of elective open surgical repair or fenestrated endovascular aneurysm repair for juxtarenal a
IMPORTANCE During the past decade, spinal surgical procedures have been increasingly performed on an ambulatory basis, a change in clinical practice supported only by observational evidence thus far. There have been no randomized clinical trials (RCTs) comparing ambulatory care with inpatient care after any spinal surgery. OBJECTIVE To assess whether ambulatory care is noninferior to overnight hos
BACKGROUND: Telomere length (TL) and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) variations are linked to age-related diseases and are associated with environmental exposure and nutritional status. Limited data, however, exist on the associations with mercury exposure, particularly early in life.OBJECTIVE: We examined the association between prenatal mercury (Hg) exposure and TL and mtDNAcn in 1,145 S
BackgroundInflammation and tyrosine-kinases are known mediators in the pathobiology of cardiovascular disease. Plasma biomarkers reflecting these systems may provide a noninvasive complement reflecting hemodynamics, aiding in clinical decision-making. We therefore aimed to investigate the plasma levels of vascular and inflammatory proteins, and their associations with invasive hemodynamics in adva
Background: Rare variants of the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (TREM2) gene are strong risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease (AD), and drugs targeting the TREM2 protein are being developed. However, it is unknown what the effect of TREM2 variants is on the AD phenotype. Methods: Here we studied a full range of clinical and biomarker measures in a large cohort of TREM2 variant carr
Background: Keeping the umbilical cord intact the first minutes after delivery is beneficial for both term and preterm infants. However, this may be challenging in caesarean sections (CS) due to lack of mobile resuscitation equipment, maintenance of sterility or concern for excessive maternal blood loss. The objective of this study was to develop and pilot-test extra-uterine placental transfusion
Background: MR-generated acoustic noise may be particularly concerning at 7-Tesla (T) systems. Noise levels can be reduced by altering gradient output using software optimization. However, such alterations might influence image quality or prolong scan times, and these optimizations have not been well characterized. Purpose: To evaluate image quality, sound pressure levels (SPLs), and perceived noi
Environmental concerns such as global warming, the surge of crude oil prices and more stringent emission regulations are demanding the development of internal combustion engines that are highly efficient and low polluting. With classical internal combustion engine concepts such as diesel compression ignition and gasoline spark ignition engines, a trade-off exists between local and global emissions
In Sweden during the 1940s and 50s, many artistically ambitious filmmakers, like Arne Sucksdorff, Gösta Werner, and Peter Weiss, sought and gained financial aid from sponsors within the industry. Whereas many sponsored films document and communicate industrial processes, these films are more creatively oriented and experiment with film as an artistic expression. Although economic concerns undoubte
The identification of carotid atheromatous plaques associated to a higher neurologic risk may be important in therapeutic decision making for asymptomatic patients and symptomatic patients with 50%-70% stenosis. The introduction of high-definition ultrasonography (HDU) and computer-assisted image analysis provides the possibility of a standard, objective and detailed characterization of the struct
BACKGROUND: Global longitudinal strain (GLS) and left atrial strain metrics, including reservoir (LAr), contraction (LAct), and conduit strain (LAcd), have emerged as key indicators of left ventricular (LV) function and filling pressures. However, the prognostic value of these markers for risk stratification in acute heart failure (HF) remains uncertain, particularly in identifying patients at ele
BACKGROUND: Obesity, assessed by body mass index (BMI), is an established risk factor for 13 cancers. We aimed to identify further potential obesity-related cancers and to quantify their association with BMI relative to that of established obesity-related cancers.METHODS: Using Cox regression models on 4,142,349 individuals in Sweden (mean age 27.1 years at weight measurement), we calculated hazar
IntroductionData regarding the impact of adenomyosis on the outcomes after in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment are conflicting. Standardized diagnostic criteria are prerequisites for studying a potential association between adenomyosis and IVF/ICSI treatment outcomes. This study aims to examine the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) after the first IVF/
BackgroundIt remains unclear as to why some individuals at low risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) develop severe coronary atherosclerosis, while those at high CVD risk may remain free from coronary atherosclerosis.PurposeUsing Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography (CCTA), we aimed to identify factors associated with absence and severe coronary atherosclerosis in subjects from the general popu
Alzheimer's disease (AD) presents complex challenges due to its multifactorial nature, poorly understood etiology, and late detection. The mechanisms through which genetic and modifiable risk factors influence disease susceptibility are under intense investigation, with APOE being the major genetic risk factor for late onset AD. Yet the impact of unique risk factors on brain networks is difficult
