Rigid Motion Correction for Brain PET/MR Imaging using Optical Tracking.

A significant challenge during high-resolution PET brain imaging on PET/MR scanners is patient head motion. This challenge is particularly significant for clinical patient populations who struggle to remain motionless in the scanner for long periods of time. Head motion also affects the MR scan data.

Advancing interdisciplinary research in head and neck cancer through a multicenter longitudinal prospective cohort study: the NETherlands QUality of life and BIomedical Cohort (NET-QUBIC) data warehouse and biobank.

Background: Worldwide, over 500,000 people are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year, a disease with major impact on life expectancy and quality of life. The purpose of the Netherlands Quality of life and Biomedical Cohort study (NET-QUBIC) is to advance interdisciplinary research that aims to optimize diagnosis, treatment, and supportive care for head and neck cancer patients and their informal caregivers.

Methods: Using an extensive assessment protocol (electronic clinical record form, patient reported outcome measures and fieldwork (interviews and physical tests)), clinical data and data on quality of life, demographic and personal factors, psychosocial (depression, anxiety, fatigue, pain, sleep, mental adjustment to cancer, posttraumatic stress), physical (speech, swallowing, oral function, malnutrition, physical fitness, neurocognitive function, sexual function), lifestyle (physical activity, nutrition, smoking, alcohol, drugs), and social factors (social function, social support, work, health care use, and costs) are collected and stored in the data warehouse.

Prevalence of sleep disturbances among head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

This systematic review and meta-analysis aim to investigate the prevalence rates of various types of sleep disturbances among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients before, during, and after cancer treatment. We performed a systematic search on PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycINFO to find studies that reported the prevalence of any type of sleep disturbance among adult HNC patients. Meta-analyses of prevalence were performed using random effects models, with I values to indicate the extent of heterogeneity.

Cortical development in fetuses with congenital heart defects using an automated brain-age prediction algorithm.

Introduction: Congenital heart defects are associated with neurodevelopmental delay. It is hypothesized that fetuses affected by congenital heart defect have altered cerebral oxygen perfusion and are therefore prone to delay in cortical maturation. The aim of this study was to determine the difference in fetal brain age between consecutive congenital heart defect cases and controls in the second and third trimester using ultrasound.

Effect of Daily Intake of Lactobacillus casei on Microbial Diversity and Dynamics in a Healthy Pediatric Population.

Emerging evidence exists that an altered gut microbiota is a key factor in the pathophysiology of a variety of diseases. Consequently, microbiota-targeted interventions, including administration of probiotics, have increasingly been evaluated. Mechanisms on how probiotics contribute to homeostasis or reverse (effects of) dysbiosis remain yet to be elucidated.

Increased matrix metalloproteinases expression in tuberous sclerosis complex: modulation by microRNA 146a and 147b in vitro.

Aim: Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their endogenous tissue inhibitors (TIMPs) control proteolysis within the extracellular matrix (ECM) of the brain. Dysfunction of this enzymatic system due to brain inflammation can disrupt the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and has been implicated in the pathogenesis of epilepsy. However, this has not been extensively studied in the epileptogenic human brain.

Current treatment options for Encephalopathy related to Status Epilepticus during slow Sleep.

The major goal of therapy in patients with Encephalopathy related to Status Epilepticus during slow Sleep (ESES) is to prevent or reduce associated cognitive deficits. Whether or not the EEG pattern of ESES should be completely suppressed to improve cognition is unknown. In clinical practice, there are two major challenges: to establish the optimal treatment strategy in patients with ESES, and to identify the patients who will benefit most from therapy, including atypical cases.

Early Clinical Predictors of Autism Spectrum Disorder in Infants with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Results from the EPISTOP Study.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is highly prevalent in subjects with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex (TSC), but we are not still able to reliably predict which infants will develop ASD. This study aimed to identify the early clinical markers of ASD and/or developmental delay (DD) in infants with an early diagnosis of TSC. We prospectively evaluated 82 infants with TSC (6-24 months of age), using a detailed neuropsychological assessment (Bayley Scales of Infant Development-BSID, and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-ADOS), in the context of the EPISTOP (Long-term, prospective study evaluating clinical and molecular biomarkers of EPIleptogenesiS in a genetic model of epilepsy-Tuberous SclerOsis ComPlex) project (NCT02098759).

Health-related and cancer-related Internet use by patients treated with total laryngectomy.

Objectives: To investigate among patients treated with a total laryngectomy (TL) (1) Internet-use and Internet use to search for information on health and cancer (content); (2) which patients are most likely to use the Internet in general, for health-related and cancer-related purposes; (3) which other types of eHealth (community, communication, care) are used; and (4) preferences towards future use.

Methods: Patient members of the Dutch TL patient society were asked to complete a questionnaire on Internet use, health-related and cancer-related Internet use, types of eHealth, preferences towards future use, socio-demographics, clinical factors, and quality of life (QOL). Factors associated with Internet use and health-related and cancer-related Internet use were investigated using stepwise logistic regression analysis.

Screening for distant metastases in patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence: the impact of different imaging modalities on distant recurrence-free interval.

Purpose: In patients with ipsilateral breast tumor recurrence (IBTR), the detection of distant disease determines whether the intention of the treatment is curative or palliative. Therefore, adequate preoperative staging is imperative for optimal treatment planning. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of conventional imaging techniques, including chest X-ray and/or CT thorax-(abdomen), liver ultrasonography(US), and skeletal scintigraphy, on the distant recurrence-free interval (DRFI) in patients with IBTR, and to compare conventional imaging with F-FDG PET-CT or no imaging at all.

Percutaneous Vertebroplasty is no Risk Factor for New Vertebral Fractures and Protects Against Further Height Loss (VERTOS IV).

Background: Percutaneous vertebroplasty (PV) is an alternative option to treat pain after an osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF). Controversy exists as to whether PV increases the risk of new OVCFs or prevents further vertebral height loss in treated levels. We assessed both during 1-year follow-up in patients with acute OVCF randomised to PV or a sham procedure.

Sodium thiocyanate treatment attenuates atherosclerotic plaque formation and improves endothelial regeneration in mice.

Introduction: Atherosclerotic plaque formation is an inflammatory process that involves the recruitment of neutrophil granulocytes and the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS formation by myeloperoxidase, a key enzyme in H2O2 degradation, can be modulated by addition of sodium thiocyanate (NaSCN). However, the therapeutic use of NaSCN to counteract atherogenesis has been controversial, because MPO oxidizes NaSCN to hypothiocyanous acid, which is a reactive oxygen species itself.

Stepped care targeting psychological distress in head and neck cancer and lung cancer patients: which groups specifically benefit? Secondary analyses of a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: Stepped care (SC), consisting of watchful waiting, guided self-help, problem-solving therapy, and psychotherapy/medication is, compared to care-as-usual (CAU), effective in improving psychological distress. This study presents secondary analyses on subgroups of patients who might specifically benefit from watchful waiting, guided self-help, or the entire SC program.

Methods: In this randomized controlled trial, head and neck and lung cancer patients with distress (n = 156) were randomized to SC or CAU.

Impact of extracardiac pathology on head growth in fetuses with congenital heart defect.

Objective: Neurodevelopmental delay is frequently encountered in children with a congenital heart defect (CHD). Fetuses with major CHD have a smaller head circumference (HC), irrespective of altered cerebral flow or brain oxygenation. This cohort study compared head growth in cases with isolated vs those with non-isolated CHD to evaluate the effect of additional pathology on head size in these fetuses.

Factors associated with depression over time in head and neck cancer patients: A systematic review.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on factors associated with a clinical diagnosis of depression or symptoms of depression (depression) among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients.

Methods: The search was conducted in PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL. Studies were included if they investigated factors associated with depression among HNC patients, they were of prospective or longitudinal nature, and English full text was available.

Ovarian function after ovarian transposition and additional pelvic radiotherapy: A systematic review.

Objective: To investigate the ovarian survival (OS) after ovarian transposition (OT) and pelvic radiation.

Design: Systematic review. Electronic databases were searched to identify studies on OT prior to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT, to the pelvic).

Fetuses with Isolated Congenital Heart Defects Show Normal Cerebral and Extracerebral Fluid Volume Growth: A 3D Sonographic Study in the Second and Third Trimester.

Objective: The aim of our study is to explore whether the cerebral growth is delayed in fetuses with congenital heart defects (CHD) in the second and early third trimester.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was conducted in 77 CHD cases, with 75 healthy controls. 3D cerebral volume acquisition was performed sequentially.

Atherosclerotic Conditions Promote the Packaging of Functional MicroRNA-92a-3p Into Endothelial Microvesicles.

Rationale: Microvesicle-incorporated microRNAs (miRs) are biomarkers and effectors of cardiovascular disease. Whether microvesicle-miR expression is regulated in coronary artery disease (CAD) or not is unknown.

Objective: Here, we explore the expression of circulating microvesicle-miRs in patients with CAD and investigate the role of microvesicle-miR in endothelial cells.

Immediate versus delayed removal of urinary catheter after laparoscopic hysterectomy: a randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To evaluate if immediate catheter removal (ICR) after laparoscopic hysterectomy is associated with similar retention outcomes compared with delayed removal (DCR).

Study Design: Non-inferiority randomised controlled trial.

Population: Women undergoing laparoscopic hysterectomy in six hospitals in the Netherlands.