Major Heel Reconstructions Through Small Incisions.

A variety of osteotomies on the calcaneus have been described in the past to adapt the shape of the calcaneus to specific needs. Newer osteotomy and fixation methods allow the procedure to be as minimally invasive as possible. Recent data suggest that the minimally invasive surgery (MIS) techniques allow for fewer complications, particularly with regard to wound healing.

Synthetic cartilage implant vs. first metatarsophalangeal arthrodesis for the treatment of hallux rigidus.

Background: This study evaluated the outcome of the Cartiva synthetic cartilage implant (SCI) in the treatment of hallux rigidus.

Methods: In the present retrospective matched case-control study, we compared 18 patients with Cartiva SCI (mean follow-up: 17.7 months) to 18 patients with metatarsophalangeal joint arthrodesis (mean follow-up: 20 months) using multiple function measures, along with four specified visual analog subscales for pain.

From symptom onset to ED departure: understanding the acute care chain for patients with undifferentiated complaints: a prospective observational study.

Background: For most acute conditions, the phase prior to emergency department (ED) arrival is largely unexplored. However, this prehospital phase has proven an important part of the acute care chain (ACC) for specific time-sensitive conditions, such as stroke and myocardial infarction. For patients with undifferentiated complaints, exploration of the prehospital phase of the ACC may also offer a window of opportunity for improvement of care.

Evaluation of an external foam column for product removal in aerated surfactin production processes.

In fermentation processes, severe foam formation may occur in aerated bioreactor systems caused by surface-active lipopeptides. Although they represent interesting compounds for industrial biotechnology, their property of foaming excessively during aeration may pose challenges for bioproduction. One option to turn this obstacle into an advantage is to apply foam fractionation and thus realize product removal as an initial downstream step.

Contrasting perspectives on the risks of intensive livestock farming in The Netherlands: a survey study.

In the Netherlands, intensive livestock farming is a recurrent topic of societal debate with stakeholders having quite different perspectives on the benefits and harms. In particular, stakeholders appear to have different perceptions on the risks to human and animal health. This paper reports a quantitative analysis of a survey on the perceptions of risks and benefits of intensive livestock farming conducted among the general public, including people living in livestock dense municipalities ( = 808), farmers ( = 237) and other stakeholders ( = 367).

Learning Curves of Minimally Invasive Distal Pancreatectomy in Experienced Pancreatic Centers.

Importance: Understanding the learning curve of a new complex surgical technique helps to reduce potential patient harm. Current series on the learning curve of minimally invasive distal pancreatectomy (MIDP) are mostly small, single-center series, thus providing limited data.

Objective: To evaluate the length of pooled learning curves of MIDP in experienced centers.

Functional, Spiroergometric, and Subjective Comparisons Between Forearm Crutches and Hands-Free Single Crutches in a Crossover Study.

Background: Following below-knee surgery, the optimal medical mobility device remains controversial as adequate nonweightbearing of the operated extremity is critical to ensure successful healing. The use of forearm crutches (FACs) is well established but requires using both upper extremities. The hands-free single orthosis (HFSO) is an alternative that spares the upper extremities.

Did the temporary suspension of Vaxzveria vaccinations influence COVID-19 vaccination intentions, vaccination perceptions and trust in the vaccination campaign? A repeated survey study in the Netherlands.

In spring 2021, several countries, among which the Netherlands, suspended vaccinations against COVID-19 with the Vaxzevria vaccine from AstraZeneca after reports of rare but severe adverse events. This study investigates the influence of this suspension on the Dutch public's perceptions of COVID-19 vaccinations, trust in the government's vaccination campaign, and COVID-19 vaccination intentions. We conducted two surveys in a population of general Dutch public (18 + ), one shortly before the pause of AstraZeneca vaccinations and one shortly thereafter (N eligible for analysis = 2628).

[Diagnosis and Therapy of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures].

Diagnosis and Therapy of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures Acute Achilles tendon ruptures are a common pathology and often affect young athletic patients. Diagnosis is mostly clinical and by ultrasound. Conservative and operative treatment algorithms exist.

Recurrent Disease After Esophageal Cancer Surgery: A Substudy of The Dutch Nationwide Ivory Study.

Objective: This study investigated the patterns, predictors, and survival of recurrent disease following esophageal cancer surgery.

Background: Survival of recurrent esophageal cancer is usually poor, with limited prospects of remission.

Methods: This nationwide cohort study included patients with distal esophageal and gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma after curatively intended esophagectomy in 2007 to 2016 (follow-up until January 2020).

Learning Curve of Laparoscopic Gastrectomy: A Multicenter Study.

Objective: To evaluate the learning curve of laparoscopic gastrectomy (LG) after an implementation program.

Background: Although LG is increasingly being performed worldwide, little is known about the learning curve.

Methods: Consecutive patients who underwent elective LG for gastric adenocarcinoma with curative intent in each of the 5 highest-volume centers in the Netherlands were enrolled.

COVID-19 Vaccination Intent and Belief that Vaccination Will End the Pandemic.

High vaccination coverage is considered to be key in dealing with the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. However, vaccine hesitancy can limit uptake. We examined the specific coronavirus beliefs that persons have regarding COVID-19 and COVID-19 vaccines and to what extent these beliefs explain COVID-19 vaccination intentions.

Age and Charlson Comorbidity Index score are not independent risk factors for severe complications after curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer: a Dutch population-based cohort study.

Background: The number of older patients undergoing curative esophagectomy for esophageal cancer is increasing, and minimally invasive techniques are being increasingly used. The aim of this study is to compare postoperative outcomes after curative esophagectomy between older and younger patients.

Methods: Data was retrieved from the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA), a national surgical outcome registry.

Particulate matter in the workplace: effects of a mental models-based folder combined with a practical assignment.

Background: With increasing knowledge on the adverse health effects of certain constituents of PM (particulate matter), such as silica, metals, insoluble ions, and black carbon, PM has been under the attention of work safety experts. Previously, we investigated the perceptions of blue-collar workers in highly exposed areas of work. Subsequently, we developed an instruction folder highlighting the most important aspects of PM risk and mitigation, and tested this folder in a digital experiment.

Foot and Ankle Surgical Incision Closure With Three Different Materials.

There is no clear recommendation for wound closure material in foot and ankle surgery. Thus, we hypothesized that there was no difference in clinical outcomes among 3 suture materials, namely, absorbable sutures, nonabsorbable sutures, and metallic staples. This study compared the 3 materials for wound closure in foot and ankle surgery.

Dynamics in public perceptions and media coverage during an ongoing outbreak of meningococcal W disease in the Netherlands.

Background: From 2015 to 2018, the Netherlands faced an outbreak of invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) caused by serogroup W. To counter the rise in infections, the government introduced a catch-up menACWY vaccination campaign for teenagers in 2018 and 2019. The outbreak situation induced substantial media attention and a run on menACWY vaccines outside the vaccination campaign.

Comparative lectin histochemistry on the murine respiratory tract and primary olfactory pathway using a fully automated staining procedure.

Lectins are naturally occurring molecules which bind to specific carbohydrates of glycoconjugates. The binding specificity of lectins can therefore be used to specifically elucidate the glycosylation pattern in various tissues. While lectin histochemistry is usually carried out manually on single slides, a fully automated immunostaining system offers an easy, standardized, and high throughput system.

[Conversion osteotomy for arthrosis of the ankle joint (supramalleolar and inframalleolar)-What can be expected? : Critical review of the literature].

The aim of supramalleolar conversion osteotomy is to reduce the pain of the patient and stop or at least slow down joint degeneration. The indication for supramalleolar osteotomy is asymmetric osteoarthritis of the ankle joint with varus or valgus deformity. Good clinical results for arthritis can be achieved in the early or middle stages.

How to Address Consumers' Concerns and Information Needs about Emerging Chemical and Microbial Contaminants in Drinking Water; The Case of GenX in The Netherlands.

The perceived safety of tap water is an important condition for consumers to drink it. Therefore, addressing consumers' concerns should be included in the roadmap towards the UN SDG 6 on safe drinking water for all. This paper studies consumers' information needs regarding emerging contaminants in drinking water using a mental model approach for the development of targeted risk communication.

Vital signs, clinical rules, and gut feeling: an observational study among patients with fever.

Background: GPs decide which patients with fever need referral to the emergency department (ED). Vital signs, clinical rules, and gut feeling can influence this critical management decision.

Aim: To investigate which vital signs are measured by GPs, and whether referral is associated with vital signs, clinical rules, or gut feeling.

The Ankle Spacer-a hemiarthroplasty for treatment of severe osteochondral defects of the talus.

Objective: The Ankle Spacer system has been developed as a joint-preserving option for patients with failed treatment of large talar osteochondral defects (OCDs). It is a one-piece implant system that replaces the articulating upper talus surface of the tibiotalar joint.

Indications: Large OCDs with failed prior surgical intervention(s) and/or multiple talar OCDs on the talar surface, posttraumatic or degenerative osteoarthritis, or avascular necrosis of the talus.