Smoking is a major heritable and modifiable risk factor for many diseases, including cancer, common respiratory disorders and cardiovascular diseases. Fourteen genetic loci have previously been associated with smoking behaviour-related traits. We tested up to 235,116 single nucleotide variants (SNVs) on the exome-array for association with smoking initiation, cigarettes per day, pack-years, and sm

Background. Opioid agonist treatment (OAT), for the treatment of heroin dependence, has been reported to improve overall health and lower mortality. Drug use and retention in treatment have often been used as measures of treatment success. More recently, however, researchers have suggested that measurements of quality of life should be an outcome in substance use treatment evaluations. In a recent

The concrete structure of a reactor containment is pre-stressed with tendonsplaced in ducts. In some reactor containments, these ducts are injected withcement grout after pre-stressing. The cement grout protects the tendonsagainst corrosion and has the potential to redistribute the stresses in a tendon in the case of wire failure. The disadvantage of injected ducts is that the tendons pre-stressin

The risk among asphalt workers of developing adverse health effects may increase due to their occupational exposure. One area of special concern arises when rubber granules are mixed into bitumen to enhance asphalt properties. This research characterizes and compares bitumen and rubber bitumen regarding the emissions of and workers' exposure to particulates, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)

Aims: To investigate whether the N-terminal truncated glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) isoform is as well recognized by people with stiff person syndrome as it is by people with Type 1 diabetes, and whether conformational GAD65 antibody epitopes are displayed properly by the isoform. Methods: GAD65 antibody-positive healthy individuals (n=13), people with stiff-person syndrome (n=15) and chi

A single genetic biomarker is unable to accurately predict the risk for venous thromboembolism (VTE) recurrence. We aimed to: (a) develop a multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) model to predict the risk of VTE recurrence and (b) validate a previously described genetic risk score (GRS) and compare its performance with the model developed in this study. Twenty-two SNPs, including establis

Context: Epigenetics may contribute to sex-specific differences in human liver metabolism. Objective: To study the impact of sex on DNA methylation and gene expression in human liver. Design/Setting: Cross-sectional, Kuopio Obesity Surgery Study. Participants/Intervention: We analyzed DNA methylation with the Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChip in liver of an obese population (34 males, 61 femal

BACKGROUND: Platelets are a critical element in coagulation and inflammation, and activated platelets are linked to cancer risk through diverse mechanisms. However, a causal relationship between platelets and risk of lung cancer remains unclear. METHODS: We performed single and combined multiple instrumental variable Mendelian randomization analysis by an inverse-weighted method, in addition to a

One of the central assumptions of modernity is that the problems faced by society are best resolved through the use of scientific knowledge. Indeed, during the past century, the professions have both become certified and expected to base their work on this form of knowledge. In contemporary social work, this assumption is embedded in the notion of evidence-based practice, which has become the leadOne of the central assumptions of modernity is that the problems faced by society are best resolved through the use of scientific knowledge. Indeed, during the past century, the professions have both become certified and expected to base their work on this form of knowledge. In contemporary social work, this assumption is embedded in the notion of evidence-based practice, which has become the lead

Objective: In non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), local recurrence after transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) is common. Outcomes vary between urological centres, partly due to the sub-optimal surgical technique and insufficient application of measures recommended in the guidelines. This study evaluated early recurrence rates after primary TURB for NMIBC before and after introduci

Den globala flyktingkrisen ställer Sverige inför en svårhanterlig politisk och moralisk fråga. Vilka skyldigheter har vi mot människor på flykt, och finns det en gräns för hur många flyktingar vi kan ta emot? I den politiska debatten går det att skönja att mycket grundläggande normativa föreställningar står mot varandra. En dragkamp mellan å ena sidan en partikularistisk etik och en nationell syn

In type 1 diabetes, pancreatic beta cells are destroyed by chronic autoimmune responses. The disease develops in genetically susceptible individuals, but a role for environmental factors has been postulated. Viral infections have long been considered as candidates for environmental triggers but, given the lack of evidence for an acute, widespread, cytopathic effect in the pancreas in type 1 diabet

Aim: To evaluate the impact on parental stress of an individualised neonatal parent support programme. Method: A quasi-experimental design. Parents of preterm infants, at a level II NICU, were consecutively assigned to a control group (n = 130) and to an intervention group (n = 101). The programme focused on person-centred communication and consisted of four individual nurse–parent dialogues durin

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) and dementia are predominant among the elderly; patients with AF have an increased dementia risk. We aimed to study if prescribed antihypertensive drugs and cardiovascular pharmacotherapies are associated with a lower relative risk of dementia. Methods: All included patients were ≥45 years and diagnosed with AF in primary care; 12,096 (6580 men and 5516 women)

Background: The association between depression and type 2 diabetes is bidirectional. Underlying biological determinants remain elusive. We examined whether a common melatonin receptor 1B gene diabetes risk variant rs10830963 influenced the associations between depressive symptoms and glycaemic traits. Materials: The Prevalence, Prediction and Prevention of Diabetes-Botnia Study participants (n = 4