Upsala journal of medical sciences
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As the spleen plays a significant role in immunity, the aim was to investigate the associations of different body composition markers derived from various sources with spleen volume in a general population sample. ⋯ Our findings indicate that obesity-related body composition markers and FFM are associated with a higher spleen volume. Particularly, higher absolute FFM showed a strong association with a larger spleen volume in both men and women. Further studies are warranted to understand the clinical significance of body composition markers on large spleen volume.
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To compare statin utilization and ischemic heart disease (IHD) mortality trends in Lithuania and Sweden and to assess correlations between the total utilization of statins and IHD mortality. ⋯ Despite the growing statin utilization in both countries, Lithuania recorded a slight increase in IHD mortality rates unlike the situation in Sweden. This indicates room for improvement in the management of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in Lithuania including how statins are prescribed and used in clinical practice.
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Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a leading cause of irreversible blindness. There are no prospective studies on the risk of developing blindness in both eyes in individuals with definite OAG. ⋯ In this study of blindness in newly diagnosed OAG in a Swedish population, approximately one in 10 patients progressed to bilateral blindness caused by the disease. Old age and male sex were identified as significant risk factors.
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Metastatic neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) is associated with short survival. Other than platinum-based chemotherapy, there is no clear standard regimen. Current guidelines suggest that combination treatment with BRAF-inhibitors should be considered for patients with BRAF V600E-mutated NEC. However, since only eight such patients have been reported in the literature, our object was to confirm the validity of this recommendation. ⋯ BRAF-mutated NEC is sensitive to treatment with BRAF- and MEK-inhibitor combination. These results further support that DNA sequencing should be considered as standard of care in NECs to screen for potential treatment targets.
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Myotonic dystrophy type 1 (DM1) is a monogenetic disease affecting many organs. Gastrointestinal symptoms are prevalent and of considerable consequences for affected individuals. The life expectancy is shortened and the objective of the study is to evaluate if gastrointestinal symptoms can predict the outcome of the disease. ⋯ Albeit prevalent and of considerable clinical consequence, gastrointestinal symptoms are not correlated to survival in myotonic dystrophy type 1.