Prospective observational cohort study of reached protein and energy targets in general wards during the post-intensive care period: The PROSPECT-I study.

Introduction: Nutrition plays an essential role in the recovery of critical illness. In the post-Intensive Care Unit (ICU) period, patients typically return to oral nutrition gradually. However, studies quantifying nutritional intake in the post-ICU hospitalization period are scarce and formal guidelines are lacking.

Discovery of a radio emitting neutron star with an ultra-long spin period of 76 seconds.

The radio-emitting neutron star population encompasses objects with spin periods ranging from milliseconds to tens of seconds. As they age and spin more slowly, their radio emission is expected to cease. We present the discovery of an ultra-long period radio-emitting neutron star, PSR J0901-4046, with spin properties distinct from the known spin and magnetic-decay powered neutron stars.

Biocompatibility and degradation comparisons of four biodegradable copolymeric osteosynthesis systems used in maxillofacial surgery: A goat model with four years follow-up.

Applying biodegradable osteosyntheses avoids the disadvantages of titanium osteosyntheses. However, foreign-body reactions remain a major concern and evidence of complete resorption is lacking. This study compared the physico-chemical properties, histological response and radiographs of four copolymeric biodegradable osteosynthesis systems in a goat model with 48-months follow-up.

Generation and characterization of novel co-stimulatory anti-mouse TNFR2 antibodies.

Tumor necrosis factor receptor 2 (TNFR2) has gained much research interest in recent years because of its potential pivotal role in autoimmune disease and cancer. However, its function in regulating different immune cells is not well understood. There is a need for well-characterized reagents to selectively modulate TNFR2 function, thereby enabling definition of TNFR2-dependent biology in human and mouse surrogate models.

[Pharmacobezoar in a woman with a clomipramine intoxication].

Background: Medicines with controlled release can cause a rare phenomenon, known as pharmacobezoar, following overdose of these medications.

Case Description: A case of a 56-year-old women with severe clomipramine intoxication is described. X-ray of the abdomen showed a cluster of tablets in the caecum.

Association of bioelectric impedance analysis body composition and disease severity in COVID-19 hospital ward and ICU patients: The BIAC-19 study.

Background: The current severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 pandemic is unprecedented in its impact. It is essential to shed light on patient characteristics that predispose to a more severe disease course. Obesity, defined as a BMI>30 kg/m, is suggested to be one of these characteristics.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on nocturia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome.

Objective: The prevalence of nocturia in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS) who received continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) treatment was studied as well as the effect of CPAP treatment on nocturia.

Methods: All patients that were referred to the pulmonology department of a large teaching hospital in the Netherlands and received a CPAP mask for OSAS were interviewed and invited to take part in the study (N = 274). After informed consent, all patients were asked about the number of nocturia episodes before and after CPAP.

Functional characterization of the selective pan-allele anti-SIRPα antibody ADU-1805 that blocks the SIRPα-CD47 innate immune checkpoint.

Background: Accumulating preclinical data indicate that targeting the SIRPα/CD47 axis alone or in combination with existing targeted therapies or immune checkpoint inhibitors enhances tumor rejection. Although several CD47-targeting agents are currently in phase I clinical trials and demonstrate activity in combination therapy, high and frequent dosing was required and safety signals (acute anemia, thrombocytopenia) were recorded frequently as adverse events. Based on the restricted expression pattern of SIRPα we hypothesized that antibodies targeting SIRPα might avoid some of the concerns noted for CD47-targeting agents.

The Importance of Wall Apposition in Flow Diverters.

Background: It is assumed that high pore densities in flow diverters (FDs) are beneficial for intracranial aneurysm (IA) healing. However, various animal studies are not conclusive on the issue, suggesting that other factors are in play. One important factor might be wall apposition.

Advanced SERS Sensor Based on Capillarity-Assisted Preconcentration through Gold Nanoparticle-Decorated Porous Nanorods.

A preconcentrating surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor for the analysis of liquid-soaked tissue, tiny liquid droplets and thin liquid films without the necessity to collect the analyte is reported. The SERS sensor is based on a block-copolymer membrane containing a spongy-continuous pore system. The sensor's upper side is an array of porous nanorods having tips functionalized with Au nanoparticles.

Versatile Side-Illumination Geometry for Tip-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy at Solid/Liquid Interfaces.

In situ characterization of surfaces with tip-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) provides chemical and topographic information with high spatial resolution and submonolayer chemical sensitivity. To further the versatility of the TERS approach toward more complex systems such as biological membranes or energy conversion devices, adaptation of the technique to solid/liquid working conditions is essential. Here, we present a home-built side-illumination TERS setup design based on a commercial scanning tunneling microscope (STM) as a versatile, cost-efficient solution for TERS at solid/liquid interfaces.

Circulating APRIL levels are correlated with advanced disease and prognosis in rectal cancer patients.

We have previously shown that the tumor necrosis factor family member a proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) enhances intestinal tumor growth in various preclinical tumor models. Here, we have investigated whether APRIL serum levels at time of surgery predict survival in a large cohort of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. We measured circulating APRIL levels in a cohort of CRC patients (n=432) using a novel validated monoclonal APRIL antibody (hAPRIL.

Preschool physical activity and functional constipation: the Generation R study.

Objectives: Decreased physical activity levels in children may partly explain the rising prevalence of functional constipation in childhood. The aim of the present study, therefore, was to examine the association between physical activity and functional constipation during the preschool period.

Methods: This study was embedded in the Generation R study, a large prospective birth-cohort study in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Physical activity and respiratory symptoms in children: the Generation R Study.

Background: To assess the relationship between physical activity in second year of life and respiratory symptoms during the pre-school period.

Methods: This study was embedded in the Generation R Study, a large prospective birth-cohort study in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Physical activity was measured in the second year of life by an Actigraph accelerometer in a subgroup of 347 children (182 boys, 165 girls; mean age 25.

Sonolysis of Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris in microfluidics.

We report on an efficient ultrasound based technique for lysing Escherichia coli and Pichia pastoris with oscillating cavitation bubbles in an integrated microfluidic system. The system consists of a meandering microfluidic channel and four piezoelectric transducers mounted on a glass substrate, with the ultrasound exposure and gas pressure regulated by an automatic control system. Controlled lysis of bacterial and yeast cells expressing green fluorescence protein (GFP) is studied with high-speed photography and fluorescence microscopy, and quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and fluorescence intensity.

Coralline hydroxyapatite is a suitable bone graft substitute in an intra-articular goat defect model.

Intra-articular defects can be filled with an autologous bone graft taken from the iliac crest. This can be indicated after trauma or following correcting osteotomy. Patients may encounter donor site morbidity after this procedure.

Health status and its correlates among Dutch community-dwelling older men with and without lower urogenital tract dysfunction.

Objective: To study health status and its correlates in older men with and without lower urogenital tract dysfunction.

Methods: Cross-sectional population-based study on 1688 men aged 50-78 years without bladder or prostate cancer, radical prostatectomy, neurogenic bladder dysfunction or a negative advice from their general practitioner. Data were collected through self-administered questionnaires, including Sickness Impact Profile (SIP, three domains), Inventory of Subjective Health (ISH), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and International Continence Society (ICS) Male Sex questionnaire, medication use, socio-economic and lifestyle factors.

The Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syndrome.

The Schöpf-Schulz-Passarge syndrome is a rare genodermatosis with autosomal recessive transmission. It is characterized by palmoplantar keratoderma, eyelid apocrine hydrocystomas, hypodontia, hypotrichosis and hypoplastic nails. Several epithelial tumors have been described in this syndrome.

Neonatal neurological outcome after low-risk pregnancies.

Objectives: To study neonatal neurological outcome and obstetrical interventions in a low-risk population.

Study Design: A prospective non-randomised study.

Setting: Six midwife practices, nine general practices in and around the city of Nijmegen, The Netherlands, and the obstetrical service at the Nijmegen University Hospital.

Computed tomography of pleural hyaloserositis.

Pleural hyaloserositis is an uncommon finding on routine chest X-rays. The images may simulate metastatic lesions. Four cases of pleural hyaloserositis are described in which computed tomography (CT) demonstrated calcified pleural pseudotumors.

Psoas abscess and giant fistula twenty-one years after nephrectomy.

Vague abdominal complaints and low back pain are common in modern medicine. We describe the case of a patient who presented these symptoms twenty-one years after a nephrectomy accompanied by persistent elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate for unknown reason. CT and fistulography showed a psoas abscess and a giant fistula.

Xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis: comparison of extent using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging in one case.

In a case of diffuse xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis, computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) were used. The MR proved to be more precise in the preoperative evaluation of inflammatory extension to the spleen and into the abdominal wall. The CT was more accurate in excluding spread to the colon.

Hepatic disease in erythropoietic protoporphyria.

A standardized hepatological investigation was performed in 9 unselected patients with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). The aim of this study was to detect early liver involvement due to EPP and to determine the significance of several diagnostic procedures. Scintigraphy revealed slight enlargement of liver and spleen in all cases.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty during operation.

In certain cases it can be useful to perform percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and vascular surgery in the same session. The PTA procedure has to be performed by the radiologist through an artery that has been prepared and visualized by the vascular surgeon. This combined procedure usually lessens the number of hospitalization days and offers the patient the advantage of being cured in one session.