The abilities of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) to regulate immune responses in the context of radiotherapy remain largely unknown. This study was undertaken to determine whether ionizing radiation alters the CAF-mediated immunoregulatory effects on macrophages. CAFs were isolated from freshly-resected non-small cell lung cancer tumors, while monocyte-derived macrophages were prepared from ...

<p><i>Background - </i>Although the relationship between manifest chronic kidney disease and reduced cognitive function is well established, limited data exists on GFR and cognitive function in the general population. Both the brain and kidneys have low-impedance vascular beds, rendering them susceptible to damage from pulsatile blood flow. An association between mildly reduced GFR and cognitive ...

Bone marrow adipocytes (BMA) exert pleiotropic roles beyond mere lipid storage and filling of bone marrow (BM) empty spaces, and we are only now beginning to understand their regulatory traits and versatility. BMA arise from the differentiation of BM mesenchymal stromal cells, but they seem to be a heterogeneous population with distinct metabolisms, lipid compositions, secretory properties and ...

At the time of this study, the Norwegian health care system was in the middle of the implementation of the Coordination reform, initiated in 2012 due to insufficient coordination and an increase in health care service expenditure. Earlier hospital discharge and increased municipal responsibilities for rehabilitation following acquired brain injuries (ABI) challenge the traditional rehabilitation ...

<p><i>Background - </i>Children of parents with mental illness (COPMI) are a high-risk group. There is a strong association between parents’ psychiatric disorders and the incidence of psychopathology in their children. These children need to be identified and supported by mental health workers early, and hence, clinical practice in adult mental health services needs to change from a focus on individual ...

<p><i>Background - </i>A small number of studies have shown that the use of cannabis increases the risk of bronchial asthma. There is, however, a paucity of longitudinal studies which are able to control for known risk factors of bronchial asthma. <p><i>Methods - </i>Survey data from a population-based longitudinal study encompassing 2602 young adults followed for 13 years were coupled with individual ...

<p><i>Background - </i>Different management options exist for patients with brain metastases from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), patients whose treatment with whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) has become more controversial over the last decade. It is not trivial to find the optimal balance of over- versus undertreatment in these patients. Several recent trials, including the randomized QUARTZ ...

<p><i>Objective - </i>To assess the effects of manually assisted body-weight supported locomotor training in subjects with chronic incomplete spinal cord injury. <p><i>Design - </i>Randomized controlled clinical trial. <p><i>Subjects - </i>Twenty subjects with American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale grades C or D and > 2 years post-injury. <p><i>Methods - </i>Random allocation to 60 ...

<p><i>Objective - </i>To examine the change in both the prevalence and severity of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in the Sami and non-Sami in Northern Norway due to a lack of knowledge regarding the development of MetS in this population. <p><i>Design - </i>Repeated cross-sectional study. <p><i>Setting - </i>The study is based on data from the SAMINOR 1 Survey (2003–2004, n=6550) and the SAMINOR 2 ...