Weight loss and physical activity have shown favorable effects on risks associated with obesity. It is therefore of interest to evaluate exercise capacity and related co-morbidities in obese patients. We present data from obese subjects evaluated by the 6-minute walk test (6MWT) before and after a 7.3 (6.1-8.2) month weight reduction program. 251 subjects completed the test at baseline (BMI 40.6 [

Objective: The TEDDY Study is an international, multi-center prospective study designed to identify the environmental triggers of type 1 diabetes (T1D) in genetically at-risk children. This report investigates ethnic minority (EM) differences in patterns of enrollment and retention in the US centers. Methods: As of June 2009, 267,739 newborns had been screened at birth for high risk T1D genotypes.

Islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) is synthesized in pancreatic β-cells and co-secreted with insulin. Aggregation and formation of IAPP-amyloid plays a critical role in β-cell death in type 2 diabetic patients. Since Aβ-fibrils in Alzheimer's disease activate the complement system, we have here investigated specific interactions between IAPP and complement factors. IAPP fibrils triggered limited act

Background/Objectives:Diets high in saturated and trans fat and low in unsaturated fat may increase type 2 diabetes (T2D) risk, but studies on foods high in fat per unit weight are sparse. We assessed whether the intake of vegetable oil, butter, margarine, nuts and seeds and cakes and cookies is related to incident T2D.Subjects/Methods:A case-cohort study was conducted, nested within eight countri

Failure of the human heart to maintain sufficient output of blood for the demands of the body, heart failure, is a common condition with high mortality even with modern therapeutic alternatives. To identify molecular determinants of mortality in patients with new-onset heart failure, we performed a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies and follow-up genotyping in independent populations

Background and purpose Increased interleukin 16 (IL-16) levels in carotid plaques have been associated with reduced incidence of cardiovascular (CV) events during follow-up in patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy (CEA). In the present study we aimed to determine whether high circulating levels of IL-16 also are associated with a decreased risk of CV events after CEA. Methods Patients, who

The transcription factor Sox4 has been proposed to underlie the increased type 2 diabetes risk linked to an intronic single nucleotide polymorphism in CDKAL1. In a mouse model expressing a mutant form of Sox4, glucose-induced insulin secretion is reduced by 40% despite normal intracellular Ca2+ signaling and depolarization-evoked exocytosis. This paradox is explained by a fourfold increase in kiss

Purpose – In the last decade, greater attention has been paid to the role of management accounting and control (MAC) in making professional organizations more horizontal. The authors argue that earlier research has not shown how the interrelatedness between professional identities and MAC influences attempts to make organizations more horizontal. In this paper the authors respond to the call for m

Background: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is common after general anaesthesia, and corticosteroids are used in many protocols for enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS). However, surgical techniques are developing, and ERAS protocols need to be reevaluated from time to time. Patients and method: In this study, we compared the effects of oral vs. parenteral corticosteroid administration

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between political trust in the Riksdag and lack of belief in the possibility to influence one's own health (external locus of control), taking horizontal trust into account. Design/setting/participants/measurements: The 2008 public health survey in Skåne is a cross-sectional postal questionnaire study with a 55% participation rate. A random sample of 28,19

CYP1A2 plays a key role in the metabolism of both estrogen and coffee. Women with higher coffee intake and the CYP1A2*1F A/A genotype have a ratio of high 2-hydroxyestrone (2-OHE1) to 16alpha-OHE1. 2-OHE1 is a weak estrogen and may even block the estrogen receptor (ER), whereas 16alpha-OHE1 is procarcinogenic. We hypothesized that moderate to high coffee consumption (>/=2 cups per day) combined wi

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate people’s experiences of living with dysphagia after stroke, and their experiences of dysphagia management. Methods: The study design was qualitative, and an open-ended approach to data collection was used, with follow-up probing questions to gain more information as needed. Personal interviews were conducted with five persons who had persisting mod

Objective To describe the experiences of people with systemic sclerosis (SSc) in different European countries of functioning and health and to link these experiences to the WHO International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) to develop a common understanding from a bio-psycho-social perspective. Method A qualitative multicentre study with focus-group interviews was perform