Publications by authors named "Jong A"

σ serves as an unconventional sigma factor with a distinct mechanism of transcription initiation, which depends on the involvement of a transcription activator. This unique sigma factor σ is indispensable for orchestrating the transcription of genes crucial to nitrogen regulation, flagella biosynthesis, motility, chemotaxis and various other essential cellular processes. Currently, no comprehensive tools are available to determine σ promoters and regulon in bacterial genomes.

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Objectives: Diabetes mellitus has been associated with greater difficulty of tracheal intubation in the operating room. This relationship has not been examined for tracheal intubation of critically ill adults. We examined whether diabetes mellitus was independently associated with the time from induction of anesthesia to intubation of the trachea among critically ill adults.

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Background: Ultra-protective ventilation is the combination of low airway pressures and tidal volume (Vt) combined with extra corporeal carbon dioxide removal (ECCOR). A recent large study showed no benefit of ultra-protective ventilation compared to standard ventilation in ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome) patients. However, the reduction in Vt failed to achieve the objective of less than or equal to 3 ml/kg predicted body weight (PBW).

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Abstracts of the plenary sessions, workshops, and poster presentations of the 3rd EBA Educational Course in Porto, Portugal, 17-18 October 2024.

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This paper advances the theory of Configurational Field Analysis (CFA) as a reconfiguration of Pierre Bourdieu's field theory, aiming to address the limitations of Global Field Theory in analyzing the complexities of global and transnational phenomena. While the concept of the Global Field extended Bourdieu's ideas to transnational and global arenas, it has been critiqued for its structural determinism, Eurocentrism, and its inability to fully capture the fluid, indeterminate, and contingent nature of global social dynamics. In response, this paper introduces social configurations as dynamic, relational constructs that emerge from specific historical and contextual conditions, rather than as fixed and universal structures.

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Biomolecular sensors with single-molecule resolution are composed of multitudes of transducers that measure state changes related to single-molecular binding and unbinding events. Conventionally, signals are aggregated from many individual transducers in order to achieve sufficient statistics. However, by aggregating signals, transducer-to-transducer differences are lost and heterogeneities cannot be studied.

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Synechococsins represent a diverse group of class II lanthipeptides from the prochlorosin family, produced by the marine picocyanobacterium Synechococcus. A single strain can produce multiple SyncA peptides through modification by SyncM, a bifunctional lanthipeptide synthetase. Despite the prevalence of these lanthipeptides in nature, their biological functions remain elusive, even for the most studied group, Prochlorococcus MIT9313.

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Pain in critically ill adults with burns should be assessed using structured pain behavioural observation measures. This study tested the clinimetric qualities and usability of the behaviour pain scale (BPS) and the critical-care pain observation tool (CPOT) in this population. This prospective observational cohort study included 132 nurses who rated pain behaviour in 75 patients.

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A growing interest in person-centered care from a biopsychosocial perspective has led to increased attention to structural screening. The aim of this study was to develop an easy-to-comprehend screening instrument using single items to identify a broad range of health-related problems in adult burn survivors. This study builds on earlier work regarding content generation.

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Article Synopsis
  • The recent reform of French medical studies has shifted the National Ranking Examination to the beginning of the sixth year, increasing the workload for students during the summer before their exams.
  • An online survey conducted at a French Medical School explored how study conditions and psychosocial factors influenced student success, finding that motivation and social connections were critical predictors of achievements.
  • The study concluded that maintaining well-being through motivation and socialization during the preparatory summer is essential for undergraduate medical students to succeed in their high-stakes exams.
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Background And Purpose: Adjuvant endocrine treatment (AET) is crucial in early oestrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer (BC), providing reduced recurrence rate and increased overall survival. The aim of this study was to estimate AET adherence rates by age at diagnosis and region in Sweden.

Patients And Methods: In total, 10,422 women diagnosed with ER-positive BC in 2008-2010 were identified in the Swedish National BC Registry.

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  • Maternal substance use during pregnancy increases the risk of sudden unexpected infant death (SUID), with unsafe sleep practices contributing to this risk, particularly for families facing socio-economic challenges.
  • A study analyzed sleep-related SUID cases from 2015 to 2020, revealing that 14% involved infants prenatally exposed to substances, who were more likely to die while sharing a sleep surface with adults.
  • Findings indicate that targeted prevention efforts should focus on safe sleep practices and addressing the social vulnerabilities of families impacted by substance use to reduce SUID incidences.
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Organs obtained from brain dead donors can have suboptimal outcomes. Activation of the innate immune system and translocation of intestinal bacteria could be causative. Thirty two pigs were assigned to control, brain death (BD), BD + luminal intestinal polyethylene glycol (PEG), and BD + luminal intestinal University of Wisconsin solution (UW) groups.

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Objective: The collection of comprehensive data from post-authorisation trials for conditionally authorised anticancer medicines is frequently delayed. This raises questions about the feasibility of post-authorisation randomised controlled trials (RCTs) that aim to address remaining uncertainties. Therefore, this study explored factors that facilitate or impede the feasibility of post-authorisation RCTs from the perspective of stakeholders directly involved in the design, medical-ethical approval, and conduct of these RCTs.

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A well-functioning immune system requires balanced immune responses. studies have shown that plant stanols contribute to restoring the T-helper (Th)1/Th2 ratio when it is imbalanced. However, effects of plant stanols on healthy immune responses are unknown.

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Purpose: To assess the risk factors for pain during cataract surgery under local anesthesia.

Methods: This multicentric observational study assessed risk factors for pain during cataract surgery from June to November 2020 in a private clinic and two university hospitals (France). Adults who underwent cataract surgery under local anesthesia with conscious sedation were consecutively included.

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Objective: Totally endoscopic coronary artery bypass (TECAB) procedures pose significant challenges, motivating the development of Octocon, an automated endoscopic connector designed for coronary anastomoses in off-pump and endoscopic settings. This feasibility study aimed to assess Octocon's functionality and maneuverability in closed-chest conditions during robot-assisted TECAB simulations.

Methods: The Octocon deployment comprises a 3-step procedure.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to determine the most effective spontaneous breathing trial (SBT) methods to evaluate a patient's ability to breathe independently after being extubated, focusing on five critical illnesses.
  • In a multicenter randomized crossover design, 100 adult ICU patients underwent three different 15-minute SBTs, measuring their inspiratory efforts using pressure-time-product (PTPmin) before and after extubation.
  • Results showed that the unassisted SBTs, specifically PSV0PEEP0 and T-piece trials, were the best at simulating the breathing effort experienced after extubation, with varying effectiveness among different patient categories.
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Background: Diaphragm dysfunction is common in intensive care unit and associated with weaning failure and mortality. Diagnosis gold standard is the transdiaphragmatic or tracheal pressure induced by magnetic phrenic nerve stimulation. However, the equipment is not commonly available and requires specific technical skills.

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The quantification and control of molecular densities and distributions on biofunctionalized surfaces are key for enabling reproducible functions in biosciences. Here, we describe an analysis methodology for quantifying the density and spatial distribution of high-density biofunctionalized surfaces, with densities in the order of 10-10 biomolecules per μm area, in a short measurement time. The methodology is based on single-molecule DNA-PAINT imaging combined with simulation models that compensate for lifetime and spatial undersampling effects, resulting in three distinct molecule counting methods and a statistical test for spatial distribution.

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Psychological trait differences between ultrarunners (completing more than a standard 42.195 km marathon) and sub-ultrarunners (≤42.195 km) have been assumed, but not robustly examined.

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Article Synopsis
  • Health inequities affect 2SLGBTQIA+ individuals in palliative care, with unique socio-cultural, psychological, and systemic challenges hindering their access to services.
  • A literature review revealed 31 studies focused on palliative care for sexual and gender minorities, showing a lack of clarity in terminology and a shortage of research on transgender and gender non-conforming needs.
  • Key findings included discrimination in care settings, disenfranchised grief among care partners, and a significant need for enhanced training for healthcare providers to better serve the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
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Objectives: Iron deficiency anemia is a significant global health concern, diagnosed by measuring hemoglobin concentrations in combination with plasma ferritin concentration. This study investigated the variability in ferritin reference intervals among laboratories in the Netherlands and examined how this affects the identification of iron-related disorders.

Methods: Ferritin reference intervals from 52 Dutch ISO15189-certified medical laboratories were collected.

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