Recent studies have demonstrated that radiotherapy is able to induce anti-tumor immune responses in addition to mediating direct cytotoxic effects. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are central constituents of the tumor stroma and participate actively in tumor immunoregulation. However, the capacity of CAFs to influence immune responses in the context of radiotherapy is still poorly understood. ...

<p><i>Purpose</i>: Early age at menarche (AAM) has been associated with increased mortality and morbidity, including premature death from all causes, breast cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to examine the association between AAM and all-cause mortality.</p> <p><i>Subjects and methods</i>: A total of 12,409 women aged 25–94 years who took part in the fourth Tromsø Study ...

<p><i>Objective - </i>To evaluate the inter-rater reliability of results from Global Trigger Tool (GTT) reviews when one of the three reviewers remains consistent, while one or two reviewers rotate. <p><i>Design - </i>Comparison of results from retrospective record review performed as a cross-sectional study with three review teams each consisting of two non-physicians and one physician; Team I ...

<p>The increase of obesity coincides with a substantial decrease in cigarette smoking. We assessed post-cessation weight change and its contribution to the obesity epidemic in a general population in Norway. A total of 14,453 participants (52.6% women), aged 25–54 years in 1994, who attended at least two of four surveys in the Tromsø Study between 1994 and 2016, were included in the analysis. Hereof ...

<i>Objective</i> - Exposure to a cold environment at work is associated with a higher prevalence of musculoskeletal pain and chronic pain in cross-sectional studies. This study aims to determine the association between working in a cold environment ≥ 25% of the time and musculoskeletal complaints (MSC) 7–8 years later.<p> <p><i>Methods</i> - We followed participants from the sixth survey (Tromsø ...

Background: The health impact of dietary replacement of carbohydrates with protein for patients with type 2 diabetes is still debated. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary substitution of carbohydrates with (animal and plant) protein and 5-year weight change, and all-cause and cardiovascular (CVD) mortality risk in patients with type 2 diabetes. <p>Methods: The study ...

Purpose: Clinical encounters related to medically unexplained physical symptoms (MUPS) are associated with high levels of conflict between patients and doctors. Collaborative difficulties are fused by the medical uncertainty that dominates these consultations. The main aim of this study is to explore the interactional dynamics of clinical encounters riddled by medical uncertainty, as experienced by ...

The main objective of this study is to gain knowledge about interactional factors that support and obstruct mutual risk-assessments and shared decision-making (SDM) in clinical consultations. Through a narrative analysis of verbatim tran- scripts of 28 naturally occurring consultations performed in English National Health Service practices, we explore the ways in which patients and general practitioners ...

Background: Estimates of disease burden in Nepal are based on cross-sectional studies that provide inadequate epidemiological information to support public health decisions. This study compares the health and demographic indicators at the end of 2012 in the Jhaukhel-Duwakot Health Demographic Surveillance Site (JD-HDSS) with the baseline conducted at the end of 2010. We also report on the use of ...

Background: <br>The joint effect of atherosclerosis and CRP (C-reactive protein) on risk of ischemic stroke (IS) and myocardial infarction (MI) has been sparsely studied. The aim of this study was to explore whether CRP mediates the risk of events in subjects with prevalent carotid plaque, examine synergism, and test whether CRP and carotid plaque add to risk prediction beyond traditional risk ...