Empowering informal caregivers and nurses to take a person-centred view: adaptation and clinical utility of the Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS-Dem) for use in acute and community care settings.

Background: Dementia is a progressive and terminal illness. Symptoms are present for people with dementia across all stages, leading to poor quality of life and considerable carer burden. In acute and community care services, no holistic, person-centred outcome tools are available for nurses and informal caregivers to measure symptoms and needs from the person`s with dementia point of view.

Physicochemical Stability of Nab-Paclitaxel (Pazenir) Infusion Dispersions in Original Glass Vials and EVA Infusion Bags.

Background/objectives: The study objective was to determine the physicochemical stability of nab-paclitaxel (Pazenir) ready-to-use (RTU) dispersion for infusion in original glass vials and ready-to-administer (RTA) infusion dispersion in EVA infusion bags.

Methods: Triplicate test dispersions were prepared and stored light protected for a maximum of 28 days either in the original glass vials (RTU) at 2-8 °C or in EVA infusion bags (RTA) at 2-8 °C and at 25 °C. Directly after reconstitution and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, and 28 samples were withdrawn and paclitaxel concentrations assayed by a stability-indicating HPLC method.

Surface modified cationic PLGA microparticles as long-acting injectable carriers for intra-articular small molecule drug delivery.

Controlled local delivery of therapeutics (small molecule drug crystals or biologics) for knee-associated diseases such as osteoarthritis necessitates patient compliance, ensuring that the injected depot does not trigger local tissue inflammation and immune responses. A local drug delivery strategy that releases drug at a controlled rate while ensuring minimal tolerability issues at the injection site would be an appealing paradigm in intra-articular (IA) therapies. Herein, we report the formulation development and characterization of surface modified PLGA microparticles (MPs) through the surface integration of a cationic lipid, DOTAP (1,2-Dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane).

Meaningful patient and public engagement in dissemination-embedding co-production in dementia research.

Background: Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is still underutilised in both dementia research and corresponding dissemination activities.

Aim: To describe the methods, format, and lessons learned in co-creating and co-producing a dissemination strategy for a research project focused on establishing patient-centred outcome measures into routine palliative community care for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their informal carers.

Materials And Methods: A participatory, hybrid-format workshop was conducted to co-create the dissemination strategy with a PPIE group.

New insights into the paradox between smoking and the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection (COVID-19): Insufficient evidence for a causal association.

Aims: Previous studies have reported a 'smoker's paradox', where people who smoke appear to be protected against Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome CoronaVirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19). This conflicts with well-established evidence that people who smoke are generally more vulnerable to respiratory infections. In this study, we aimed to validate the association between smoking and SARS-CoV-2 infection in a general Dutch population, and to evaluate the evidence underlying the possible causal relationship between smoking and SARS-CoV-2 infection by applying a modern adaptation of the Bradford Hill criteria.

E-Health-based, trans-sectoral, geriatric health service - Geriatric Network (GerNe).

Currently, exchange of information between the geriatric clinic and the attending general practitioner (GP) occurs primarily through the doctor's letter after discharging from the clinic. The aim of our study was to reduce readmissions of multimorbid, geriatric patients to the clinic by establishing a new form of care via an electronic case file (ECF) and a consultation service (CS). The discharging geriatric clinic filled out an online ECF.

Novel Occupational Therapy Program (Step Up) to Facilitate the Transition from Early Intervention in Psychosis Services.

The purpose of this program evaluation was to examine preliminary outcomes associated with a novel stepdown program for clients of early intervention in psychosis services ("Step Up") that featured occupational therapy (OT) as a critical treatment component. Clients participated in Step Up for at least 6 months and were administered pre-post assessments of clinician-rated performance of daily living activities and self-perceived performance and satisfaction with daily occupational functioning. Paired samples Wilcoxon tests were used to compare outcomes across the two time points.

Minimally Invasive transCervical oEsophagectomy (MICE) for oesophageal cancer: prospective cohort study (IDEAL stage 2A).

Background: Minimally invasive transcervical oesophagectomy is a surgical technique that offers radical oesophagectomy without the need for transthoracic access. The aim of this study was to evaluate the safety and feasibility of the minimally invasive transcervical oesophagectomy procedure and to report the refinement of this technique in a Western cohort.

Methods: A single-centre prospective cohort study was designed as an IDEAL stage 2A study.

Should We Better Stick to Pen and Paper? An Empirical Investigation on Functionality, Privacy and Data-Security of Physiotherapy Telehealth Applications.

Background: Telehealth and mHealth apps become increasingly popular in health professions such as physiotherapy calling for increased awareness on functionality, privacy, and data security.

Objectives: This work presents a functionality, privacy, and data-security evaluation of four telehealth services commonly used in physiotherapy.

Methods: We examined functionality and features, data protection, privacy implementations and data-security with a questionnaire and performed an in-depth investigation of the services.

Occupational Therapy: A Potential Solution to the Behavioral Health Workforce Shortage.

Occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) are clinically prepared to treat patients with behavioral health conditions. Yet, many state and national policies defining qualified behavioral health providers do not include occupational therapy. In this Open Forum, the authors argue that OTPs should be considered qualified to work as behavioral health professionals, especially given the severe behavioral health workforce shortage in the United States.

Risk of death due to COVID-19 among current and former smokers in the Netherlands: a population-based quasi-cohort study.

Background: Research on smoking as a risk factor for death due to COVID-19 remains inconclusive, with different studies demonstrating either an increased or decreased risk of COVID-19 death among smokers. To investigate this controversy, this study uses data from the Netherlands to assess the relationship between smoking and death due to COVID-19.

Methods: In this population-based quasi-cohort study, we linked pseudonymized individual data on smoking status from the 2016 and 2020 'Health Monitor Adults and Elderly' in the Netherlands (n = 914 494) to data from the cause-of-death registry (n = 2962).

An Additional Lrp4 High Bone Mass Mutation Mitigates the Sost-Knockout Phenotype in Mice by Increasing Bone Remodeling.

Pathogenic variants disrupting the binding between sclerostin (encoded by SOST) and its receptor LRP4 have previously been described to cause sclerosteosis, a rare high bone mass disorder. The sclerostin-LRP4 complex inhibits canonical WNT signaling, a key pathway regulating osteoblastic bone formation and a promising therapeutic target for common bone disorders, such as osteoporosis. In the current study, we crossed mice deficient for Sost (Sost) with our p.

Mesoporous Bioactive Glass-Incorporated Injectable Strontium-Containing Calcium Phosphate Cement Enhanced Osteoconductivity in a Critical-Sized Metaphyseal Defect in Osteoporotic Rats.

In this study, the in vitro and in vivo bone formation behavior of mesoporous bioactive glass (MBG) particles incorporated in a pasty strontium-containing calcium phosphate bone cement (pS100G10) was studied in a metaphyseal fracture-defect model in ovariectomized rats and compared to a plain pasty strontium-containing calcium phosphate bone cement (pS100) and control (empty defect) group, respectively. In vitro testing showed good cytocompatibility on human preosteoblasts and ongoing dissolution of the MBG component. Neither the released strontium nor the BMG particles from the pS100G10 had a negative influence on cell viability.

Trabecular, but not cortical, bone tissue protein synthesis rates are lower in the femoral head when compared to the proximal femur following an intracapsular hip fracture.

Background: All musculoskeletal tissues are in a constant state of turnover, with a dynamic equilibrium between tissue protein synthesis and breakdown rates. The synthesis of protein allows musculoskeletal tissues to heal following injury. Yet, impaired tissue healing is observed following certain injuries, such as geriatric hip fractures.

A virus becomes a global concern: research activities on West-Nile virus.

Currently, West-Nile virus (WNV) is spreading worldwide to colder regions due to climate change. Human mortality and morbidity are prevalent and steadily increasing, associated with costs to public health systems. Therefore, the question of the impact of scientific engagement arises.

Inhibiting WNT secretion reduces high bone mass caused by Sost loss-of-function or gain-of-function mutations in Lrp5.

Proper regulation of Wnt signaling is critical for normal bone development and homeostasis. Mutations in several Wnt signaling components, which increase the activity of the pathway in the skeleton, cause high bone mass in human subjects and mouse models. Increased bone mass is often accompanied by severe headaches from increased intracranial pressure, which can lead to fatality and loss of vision or hearing due to the entrapment of cranial nerves.

The use of patient sitters at a Swiss hospital: A retrospective observational study.

Objective: Patient sitters are frequently used in acute care hospitals to provide one-to-one care for agitated or disorientated patients to assure the safety and well-being of patients. However, there is still a lack of evidence on the use of patient sitters, especially in Switzerland. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe and explore the use of patient sitters in a Swiss acute care hospital.

Viability of selected microorganisms in parenteral preparations for novel systemic anti-cancer therapy.

Background: Risk factors for aseptic preparation of parenteral medicines encompass the growth-promoting nature of the preparation. Although many aqueous parenteral preparations do not have growth-promoting properties, inadvertently introduced microorganisms may remain viable. Knowledge about the viability of microorganisms in parenteral preparations can add useful information for assigning shelf life to preparations used to treat cancer patients.

Good handling practice of parenterally administered medicines in neonatal intensive care units - position paper of an interdisciplinary working group.

This position paper, developed by an interdisciplinary expert group of neonatologists, paediatric infectious disease physicians, clinical pharmacists and specialists for the prevention and control of nosocomial infections, describes the "Good handling practice of medicines parenterally administered to patients on NICUs". It takes equal account of patient safety and the specialties of neonatal intensive care regarding feasibility and proportionality. The overall concept is perceived as a "learning system", in which open communication within the health-care team relating to medication errors and critical incidents enables continuous development and improvement to ensure patient safety.

A Novel Monoclonal Antibody Degrades the Thyrotropin Receptor Autoantibodies in Graves' Disease.

Objective: Autoantibodies against the thyrotropin receptor (TSH-R-Ab) are key mediators for the pathogenesis of Graves' disease (GD). TSH-R-Ab degradation was evaluated using several immunoassays within an exploratory, controlled trial in patients with GD receiving a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting the neonatal crystallizable fragment receptor (FcRn).

Methods: Serial measurements of TSH-R-Ab serum levels were performed using 3 different binding and cell-based assays in patients with GD either on medication or on placebo.

Physicochemical Stability of Generic Thiotepa Concentrate and Ready-to-Administer Infusion Solutions for Conditioning Treatment.

The objective of this study was to determine the physicochemical in-use stability of recently approved Thiotepa Riemser concentrate in the original vial and diluted ready-to-administer (RTA) infusion solutions in prefilled glucose 5% and 0.9% NaCl polyolefin bags. Thiotepa Riemser 10 mg/mL concentrates and infusion solutions (1 mg/mL, 2 mg/mL, 3 mg/mL) were prepared in triplicate and stored at 2-8 °C or 25 °C for 14 days.

Specific preadaptations of Rhodococcus equi cooperate with its Virulence-associated protein A during macrophage infection.

Gram-positive Rhodococcus equi (Prescotella equi) is a lung pathogen of foals and immunocompromised humans. Intra-macrophage multiplication requires production of the bacterial Virulence-associated protein A (VapA) which is released into the phagosome lumen. VapA pH-neutralizes intracellular compartments allowing R.