Long-term mortality of Dutch COVID-19 patients admitted to the intensive care medicine: a retrospective analysis from a national quality registry.

Objective: To describe the 12-month mortality of Dutch COVID-19 intensive care unit patients, the total COVID-19 population and various subgroups on the basis of the number of comorbidities, age, sex, mechanical ventilation, and vasoactive medication use.

Methods: We included all patients admitted with COVID-19 between March 1, 2020, and March 29, 2022, from the Dutch National Intensive Care (NICE) database. The crude 12-month mortality rate is presented via Kaplan-Meier survival curves for each patient subgroup.

Treatment patterns and survival outcomes of patients admitted to the intensive care unit due to immune-related adverse events of immune checkpoint inhibitors.

Introduction: Severe immune-related adverse events (irAEs) due to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) can lead to admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). In this retrospective study, we determined the incidence, treatment patterns and survival outcomes of this patient population at a comprehensive cancer center.

Methods: All patients admitted to the ICU due to irAEs from ICI treatment between January 2015 and July 2022 were included.

Is routine admission to a critical care setting following hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy for ovarian cancer necessary?

Introduction: Hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is increasingly being used in patients with stage III ovarian cancer undergoing interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS). It is uncertain whether routine postoperative admission to a critical care setting after CRS-HIPEC is necessary. This study aims to estimate the incidence of patients requiring critical care, and to create a prediction model to identify patients who may forego admission to a critical care setting.

Standardizing HIPEC and perioperative care for patients with ovarian cancer in the Netherlands using a Delphi-based consensus.

Objective: Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC) is standard of care in the Netherlands in patients with stage III epithelial ovarian cancer following interval cytoreductive surgery (CRS). Differences in patient selection, technical aspects, and perioperative management exist between centers performing HIPEC. Standardization aims to reduce unwanted variation in clinical practice.

Intraoperative Strategies to Reduce Catheter-Related Bladder Discomfort in the Early Postoperative Period after Robot-Assisted Radical Prostatectomy.

Purpose: Catheter-related bladder discomfort occurs in up to 63% of patients following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. The optimal intraoperative anesthesia regime to prevent patients from catheter-related bladder discomfort is unknown.

Materials And Methods: A prospective cohort analysis was conducted.

Perioperative Management of Gastric Cancer Patients Treated With (Sub)Total Gastrectomy, Cytoreductive Surgery, and Hyperthermic Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy (HIPEC): Lessons Learned.

Background: The PERISCOPE I study was designed to assess the safety and feasibility of (sub)total gastrectomy, cytoreductive surgery (CRS), and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) with oxaliplatin and docetaxel for gastric cancer patients who have limited peritoneal dissemination. The current analysis investigated changes in perioperative management together with their impact on postoperative outcomes.

Methods: Patients with resectable gastric cancer and limited peritoneal dissemination were administered (sub)total gastrectomy, CRS, and HIPEC with oxaliplatin (460 mg/m) and docetaxel (escalating scheme: 0, 50, 75 mg/m).

Cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy versus palliative systemic chemotherapy in stomach cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination, the study protocol of a multicentre randomised controlled trial (PERISCOPE II).

Background: At present, palliative systemic chemotherapy is the standard treatment in the Netherlands for gastric cancer patients with peritoneal dissemination. In contrast to lymphatic and haematogenous dissemination, peritoneal dissemination may be regarded as locoregional spread of disease. Administering cytotoxic drugs directly into the peritoneal cavity has an advantage over systemic chemotherapy since high concentrations can be delivered directly into the peritoneal cavity with limited systemic toxicity.

The association between lactate, mean arterial pressure, central venous oxygen saturation and peripheral temperature and mortality in severe sepsis: a retrospective cohort analysis.

Background: During resuscitation in severe sepsis and septic shock, several goals are set. However, usually not all goals are equally met. The aim of this study is to determine the relative importance of the different goals, such as mean arterial pressure (MAP), lactate, central venous oxygen saturation (ScvO2) and central to forefoot temperature (delta-T), and how they relate to intensive care unit (ICU) and hospital mortality.

Midazolam pharmacokinetics in morbidly obese patients following semi-simultaneous oral and intravenous administration: a comparison with healthy volunteers.

Background: While in vitro and animal studies have shown reduced cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A activity due to obesity, clinical studies in (morbidly) obese patients are scarce. As CYP3A activity may influence both clearance and oral bioavailability in a distinct manner, in this study the pharmacokinetics of the CYP3A substrate midazolam were evaluated after semi-simultaneous oral and intravenous administration in morbidly obese patients, and compared with healthy volunteers.

Methods: Twenty morbidly obese patients [mean body weight 144 kg (range 112-186 kg) and mean body mass index 47 kg/m(2) (range 40-68 kg/m(2))] participated in the study.

Reduced subcutaneous tissue distribution of cefazolin in morbidly obese versus non-obese patients determined using clinical microdialysis.

Objectives: As morbidly obese patients are prone to surgical site infections, adequate blood and subcutaneous tissue concentrations of prophylactic antibiotic agents during surgery are imperative. In this study we evaluated cefazolin subcutaneous adipose tissue distribution in morbidly obese and non-obese patients, thereby quantifying the influence of morbid obesity on cefazolin pharmacokinetics and enabling Monte Carlo simulations for subsequent dose adjustments.

Methods: Nine morbidly obese patients [body mass index (BMI) 47 ± 6 kg/m(2)], of whom eight were evaluable, and seven non-obese patients (BMI 28 ± 3 kg/m(2)) received cefazolin 2 g intravenously before surgery (NCT01309152).

Upper-limb motor control in patients after stroke: attentional demands and the potential beneficial effects of arm support.

The goal of this study was to investigate the attentional load of using the upper limb in moderately and mildly affected patients after stroke, with and without arm support. Ten patients with stroke (4 mild and 6 moderate paresis) and ten healthy, gender- and age-matched control subjects performed a dual-task experiment that consisted of a circle drawing task and an auditive Stroop task. Complexity of the motor task was manipulated by supporting the arm against gravity.

Functional recovery of the paretic upper limb after stroke: who regains hand capacity?

Objective: To describe recovery of upper limb capacity after stroke during inpatient rehabilitation based on the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS).

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: Inpatient department of a rehabilitation center.

Assessment of upper-limb capacity, performance, and developmental disregard in children with cerebral palsy: validity and reliability of the revised Video-Observation Aarts and Aarts module: Determine Developmental Disregard (VOAA-DDD-R).

Aim: To investigate the validity and reliability of the revised Video-Observation Aarts and Aarts module: Determine Developmental Disregard (VOAA-DDD-R).

Method: Upper-limb capacity and performance were assessed in children with unilateral spastic cerebral palsy (CP) by measuring overall duration of affected upper-limb use and the frequency of specific behaviours during a task in which bimanual activity was demanded ('stringing beads') and stimulated ('decorating a muffin'). Developmental disregard was defined as the difference in duration of affected upper-limb use between both tasks.

Item hierarchy-based analysis of the Rivermead Mobility Index resulted in improved interpretation and enabled faster scoring in patients undergoing rehabilitation after stroke.

Objective: To enable improved interpretation of the total score and faster scoring of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) by studying item ordering or hierarchy and formulating start-and-stop rules in patients after stroke.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Rehabilitation center in the Netherlands; stroke rehabilitation units and the community in the United Kingdom.

The Rivermead Mobility Index allows valid comparisons between subgroups of patients undergoing rehabilitation after stroke who differ with respect to age, sex, or side of lesion.

Objective: To investigate differential item functioning or item bias of the Rivermead Mobility Index (RMI) and its impact on the drawing of valid comparisons with the RMI between subgroups of patients after stroke who differ with respect to age, sex, or side of lesion.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: A rehabilitation center in the Netherlands and 2 stroke rehabilitation units and the wider community in the United Kingdom.

A neurocognitive perspective on developmental disregard in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy.

A common problem in children with hemiplegic cerebral palsy (CP) is the asymmetrical development of arm and hand capacity caused by the lack of use of the affected upper limb, or developmental disregard. In this paper, we provide a neuropsychological model that relates developmental disregard to attentional processes and motor learning. From this model, we hypothesize that high attentional demands associated with the use of the affected upper limb might hinder its use in daily life, and therefore may be a factor in developmental disregard.

Measuring upper limb capacity in patients after stroke: reliability and validity of the stroke upper limb capacity scale.

Objective: To investigate the interrater reliability and construct validity of the Stroke Upper Limb Capacity Scale (SULCS).

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Inpatient department of a rehabilitation center.

Circle drawing as evaluative movement task in stroke rehabilitation: an explorative study.

Background: The majority of stroke survivors have to cope with deficits in arm function, which is often measured with subjective clinical scales. The objective of this study is to examine whether circle drawing metrics are suitable objective outcome measures for measuring upper extremity function of stroke survivors.

Methods: Stroke survivors (n = 16) and healthy subjects (n = 20) drew circles, as big and as round as possible, above a table top.

Measuring upper limb capacity in poststroke patients: development, fit of the monotone homogeneity model, unidimensionality, fit of the double monotonicity model, differential item functioning, internal consistency, and feasibility of the stroke upper limb capacity scale, SULCS.

Objectives: To develop an easy-to-use scale that measures upper limb capacity, according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health definition, in patients after stroke, and to investigate certain psychometric properties of this scale.

Design: Cohort study.

Setting: Inpatient department of a rehabilitation center.

Providing training enhances the biomechanical improvements of an alternative computer mouse design.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to determine if an alternative mouse promotes more neutral postures and decreases forearm muscle activity and if training enhances these biomechanical benefits.

Background: Computer mouse use is a risk factor for developing musculoskeletal disorders; alternative mouse designs can help lower these risks. Ergonomic training combined with alternative input devices could be even more effective than alternative designs alone.

Smaller external notebook mice have different effects on posture and muscle activity.

Background: Extensive computer mouse use is an identified risk factor for computer work-related musculoskeletal disorders; however, notebook computer mouse designs of varying sizes have not been formally evaluated but may affect biomechanical risk factors.

Methods: Thirty adults performed a set of mouse tasks with five notebook mice, ranging in length from 75 to 105 mm and in width from 35 to 65 mm, and a reference desktop mouse. An electro-magnetic motion analysis system measured index finger (metacarpophalangeal joint), wrist and forearm postures, and surface electromyography measured muscle activity of three extensor muscles in the forearm and the first dorsal interosseus.

The granulin-epithelin precursor is a steroid-regulated growth factor in endometrial cancer.

Objectives: The majority of endometrial cancers arise as a result of estrogen stimulation, the molecular targets of which remain incompletely defined. We hypothesize that the granulin-epithelin precursor (GEP) may be one such target. In this study, we examined the frequency of GEP and estrogen receptor (ER) co-expression in human endometrial cancers.

Help of third-year medical students decreases first-year medical students' negative psychological reactions on the first day of gross anatomy dissection.

The assistance of third-year medical students (MS3) may be an easy, inexpensive, educational method to decrease physical and emotional stress among first-year medical students (MS1) on the first day of gross anatomy dissection. In the academic years 2000-2001 and 2001-2002, a questionnaire on the emotional and physical reactions on the first day of dissection was distributed to 84 MS1 at Mayo Medical School (Rochester, MN); 74 (88%) responded. Student perceptions were assessed on a 5-point Likert scale.