Brain signal predictions from multi-scale networks using a linearized framework.

Simulations of neural activity at different levels of detail are ubiquitous in modern neurosciences, aiding the interpretation of experimental data and underlying neural mechanisms at the level of cells and circuits. Extracellular measurements of brain signals reflecting transmembrane currents throughout the neural tissue remain commonplace. The lower frequencies (≲ 300Hz) of measured signals generally stem from synaptic activity driven by recurrent interactions among neural populations and computational models should also incorporate accurate predictions of such signals.

Clinical impact of human metapneumovirus infections before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Background: The first outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) occurred in March 2020 in Europe, which is normally the peak incidence period of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) infections, implying cocirculation and potentially causing competition between them.

Methods: We investigated differences in clinical characteristics and outcomes of HMPV infections in hospitalized patients before (January 2016-28 February, 2020) and HMPV and COVID-19 during part of the COVID-19 pandemic (28 February, 2020-1 April, 2020).

Results: A total of 239 HMPV patients and 303 COVID-19 patients were included.

Infection prevention in sarcoidosis: proposal for vaccination and prophylactic therapy.

Sarcoidosis is a systemic inflammatory disease characterized by granuloma formation in affected organs and caused by dysregulated immune response to an unknown antigen. Sarcoidosis patients receiving immunosuppressive medications are at increased risk of infection. Lymphopenia is also commonly seen among patient with sarcoidosis.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia ventilator-associated pneumonia. A retrospective matched case-control study.

Background: Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is increasingly identified in critically ill patients, but it is considered a pathogen with limited pathogenicity and it is therefore infrequently targeted. This study explores whether S. maltophilia may cause ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and whether it affects intensive care unit (ICU) mortality and 28-day mortality when compared to VAP caused by other Gram-negative bacilli.

Empirical antibiotic therapy for pneumonia in intensive care units: a multicentre, retrospective analysis of potentially pathogenic microorganisms identified by endotracheal aspirates cultures.

The purpose of this investigation was to explore the presumed relationship between the days of hospitalisation and microorganisms identified by endotracheal aspirate cultures in relation to adequate empirical treatment strategies of pneumonia in the intensive care unit (ICU). All potentially pathogenic microorganisms identified by (surveillance) cultures of endotracheal aspirates obtained in the ICUs of two Dutch teaching hospitals in 2007 and 2012 were retrospectively collected and analysed. Antibiotic susceptibilities to 11 antibiotics were calculated for several time points (days or weeks) after hospital admission and expressed per patient-day.

Ventilator-associated Pneumonia caused by commensal oropharyngeal Flora; [corrected] a retrospective Analysis of a prospectively collected Database.

Background: The significance of commensal oropharyngeal flora (COF) as a potential cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) is scarcely investigated and consequently unknown. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore whether COF may cause VAP.

Methods: Retrospective clinical, microbiological and radiographic analysis of all prospectively collected suspected VAP cases in which bronchoalveolar lavage fluid exclusively yielded ≥ 10(4) cfu/ml COF during a 9.

Candida pneumonia in intensive care unit?

It has been questioned if Candida pneumonia exists as a clinical entity. Only histopathology can establish the definite diagnosis. Less invasive diagnostic strategies lack specificity and have been insufficiently validated.

Risk factors for mortality in patients with pulmonary infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Infections with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) represent an increasing problem. Their clinical relevance is still largely unknown as well as predictors for mortality in affected patients. The objective was to describe prevalence and clinical relevance of different NTM and to identify risk factors for mortality.

Alternative diagnosis in the putative ventilator-associated pneumonia patient not meeting lavage-based diagnostic criteria.

Background: The clinical picture of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be mimicked by other infectious and non-infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the alternative diagnoses and to develop a diagnostic flow chart for patients suspected of having VAP not meeting the diagnostic broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) criteria.

Methods: Adult intensive care patients with a clinical suspicion of VAP and negative BAL results were included.

Comparison of three different techniques for the isolation of viral RNA in sputum.

Background: Respiratory infections are a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. A high percentage of all respiratory tract infections are caused by RNA viruses. Real-time PCR is a highly sensitive method for the detection of respiratory viruses in clinical samples.

Endotracheal aspirate and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid analysis: interchangeable diagnostic modalities in suspected ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Authoritative guidelines state that the diagnosis of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) can be established using either endotracheal aspirate (ETA) or bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) analysis, thereby suggesting that their results are considered to be in accordance. Therefore, the results of ETA Gram staining and semiquantitative cultures were compared to the results from a paired ETA-BALF analysis. Different thresholds for the positivity of ETAs were assessed.

Molecular epidemiology of Pneumocystis jiroveci in human immunodeficiency virus-positive and -negative immunocompromised patients in The Netherlands.

Pneumocystis jiroveci infections can cause pneumocystis pneumonia (PCP) or lead to colonization without signs of PCP. Over the years, different genotypes of P. jiroveci have been discovered.

Surveillance cultures in intensive care units: a nationwide survey on current practice providing future perspectives.

Purpose: To explore the extent of surveillance culture (SC) implementation underlying motives for obtaining SC and decision making based on the results.

Materials And Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to Heads of Department (HODs) and microbiologists within all intensive care departments in the Netherlands.

Results: Response was provided by 75 (79%) of 95 HODs and 38 (64%) of 59 laboratories allied to an intensive care unit (ICU).

Surveillance cultures in healthcare-associated pneumonia: sense or nonsense?

Purpose Of Review: This review explores the usefulness of surveillance cultures in healthcare-associated pneumonia (HCAP).

Recent Findings: The definition of HCAP is controversial. Causative micro-organisms of HCAP resemble those found in hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) and ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Why do patients and caregivers seek answers from the Internet and online lung specialists? A qualitative study.

Background: Since its launch in 2003, the Dutch Lung Cancer Information Center's (DLIC) website has become increasingly popular. The most popular page of the website is the section "Ask the Physician", where visitors can ask an online lung specialist questions anonymously and receive an answer quickly. Most questions were not only asked by lung cancer patients but also by their informal caregivers.

Website visitors asking questions online to lung cancer specialists: what do they want to know?

Background: In 2003 the Dutch Lung Cancer Information Centre (Longkanker Informatie Centrum) launched a website containing information on lung cancer accessible to anyone.

Objective: Our study aim was to inventorize the information needs of the visitors of this website by analyzing the questions they asked the lung cancer specialists in the websites interactive section "Ask the Physician".

Methods: The first 2000 questions posted up until May 2006 have been classified by visitors' wish, type of required information, identity, gender, and phase during treatment course.

Mimivirus is not a frequent cause of ventilator-associated pneumonia in critically ill patients.

Acanthamoeba polyphaga mimivirus (APMV) belongs to the amoebae-associated microorganisms. Antibodies to APMV have been found in patients with pneumonia suggesting a potential role as a respiratory pathogen. In addition, positive serology for APMV was associated with an increased duration of mechanical ventilation and intensive care unit stay in patients with ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Infections with mimivirus in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Introduction: Antibodies against mimivirus, a recently discovered giant virus, have been found in patients presenting with pneumonia suggesting a potential role for this virus as a respiratory pathogen. Several bacterial and viral pathogens have been associated with the occurrence of acute exacerbations in COPD. However, a large part of these exacerbations have an unknown cause.

Evaluation of direct inoculation of the BD PHOENIX system from positive BACTEC blood cultures for both Gram-positive cocci and Gram-negative rods.

Background: Rapid identification (ID) and antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) of the causative micro-organism of bloodstream infections result in earlier targeting of antibiotic therapy.In order to obtain results of ID and AST up to 24 hours earlier, we evaluated the accuracy of direct inoculation of the Phoenix system from positive blood cultures (BACTEC) by using Serum Separator Tubes to harvest bacteria from positive blood cultures. Results were compared to those of standard Phoenix procedure.

Positive cultures from cardiopulmonary bypass: prevalence and relevance regarding postoperative infection.

Objective: Postoperative infections due to cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The value of positive cultures taken from CPB priming fluid and CPB blood samples, however, is unclear. This study investigates the epidemiology of positive cultures from CPB and their relation to the occurrence of postoperative infection.

Clara cell protein in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid: a predictor of ventilator-associated pneumonia?

Introduction: Clara cell protein 10 (CC-10) has been associated with inflammatory and infectious pulmonary diseases. This study evaluates CC-10 concentrations in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid as a potential marker of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP).

Methods: Between January 2003 and December 2007, BAL fluid samples obtained from critically ill patients at the intensive care unit of the Maastricht University Medical Centre clinically suspected of having VAP were included.