Pallidothalamic Circuit-Selective Manipulation Ameliorates Motor Symptoms in A Rat Model of Parkinsonian.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) effectively treats motor symptoms of advanced Parkinson's disease (PD), with the globus pallidus interna (GPi) commonly targeted. However, its therapeutic mechanisms remain unclear. We employed optogenetic stimulation in the entopeduncular nucleus (EP), the rat homologue of GPi, in a unilateral 6-OHDA lesioned female Sprague Dawley rat model of PD.

Aerobic exercise improves depressive symptoms in the unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease.

Aerobic exercise has been shown to have established benefits on motor function in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the impact of exercise on depressive symptoms in PD remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular exercise, specifically using a forced running wheel, on both motor performance and the prevalence of depression in a unilateral 6-OHDA-lesioned rat model of PD.

Metabolic syndrome detection with biomarkers in childhood cancer survivors.

Purpose: Augmented survival of childhood nephroblastoma and neuroblastoma has increased long-term side effects such as metabolic syndrome (MetS). Risk stratification is difficult after abdominal radiation because waist circumference underestimates adiposity. We aimed to develop a strategy for determining MetS in irradiated survivors using an integrated biomarker profile and vascular ultrasonography.

Validation of a Semi-Quantitative Food-Frequency Questionnaire for Dutch Pregnant Women from the General Population Using the Method or Triads.

Objective: We aimed to validate a food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Dutch pregnant women, against three 24 h-recalls and blood concentrations of B-vitamins and fatty acids, using the method of triads.

Methods: We included 83 pregnant women from the general population of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, at a median gestational age of 15.6 weeks.

Women's excess unhealthy life years: disentangling the unhealthy life years gap.

Background: Compared to men, women live longer but have more years with disability. We assessed the contribution of gender differences in mortality and disability, total and by cause, to women's excess unhealthy life years (ULYs).

Methods: We used mortality data for France 2008 from Eurostat, causes of death from the CépiDc-INSERM-database; and disability and chronic conditions data from the French Disability Health Survey 2008-09.

Treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins and methylprednisolone may significantly decrease loss of renal function in chronic-active antibody-mediated rejection.

Background: Chronic-active antibody mediated rejection (c-aABMR) is a major contributor to long-term kidney allograft loss. We conducted a retrospective analysis to establish the efficacy of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulins (IVIG) and pulse methylprednisolone (MP) of patients with c-aABMR.

Methods: Sixty-nine patients, in the period 2005-2017, with the diagnosis (suspicious for) c-aABMR that were treated with IVIG and MP were included.

Feasibility and effectiveness of a lifestyle intervention after complicated pregnancies to improve risk factors for future cardiometabolic disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a postpartum lifestyle intervention after pregnancies complicated by preeclampsia, fetal growth restriction (FGR) and/or gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) to improve maternal risk factors for future cardiometabolic disease.

Methods: Women following a complicated pregnancy were included six months postpartum in this specific pre-post controlled designed study. It has been conducted in one tertiary and three secondary care hospitals (intervention group) and one secondary care hospital (control group).

Contribution of chronic conditions to disability in men and women in France.

Background: Women report more disability than men perhaps due to gender differences in the prevalence of diseases and/or in their disabling impact. We compare the contribution of chronic diseases to disability in men and women in France, using a disability survey conducted in both private households and institutions, and we also examine the effect of excluding the institutionalized population.

Methods: Data comprised 17 549 individuals age 50+, who participated in the 2008-09 French Disability Health Survey including people living in institutions.

No evidence found for an association between prednisone dose and FVC change in newly-treated pulmonary sarcoidosis.

Background: Prednisone is used as first-line therapy for pulmonary sarcoidosis. What dosing strategy has the best balance between effect and side-effects is largely unknown. We analyzed change in forced vital capacity (FVC) and weight during different prednisone doses used in daily practice for treatment naïve pulmonary sarcoidosis patients.

The equity impact of community women's groups to reduce neonatal mortality: a meta-analysis of four cluster randomized trials.

Background: Socioeconomic inequalities in neonatal mortality are substantial in many developing countries. Little is known about how to address this problem. Trials in Asia and Africa have shown strong impacts on neonatal mortality of a participatory learning and action intervention with women's groups.

Characterizing the skull base in craniofacial microsomia using principal component analysis.

The aim of this study was to compare the anatomical differences in the skull base between the affected and non-affected side in patients with craniofacial microsomia (CFM), and to compare the affected and non-affected sides with measurements from a normal population. Three-dimensional computed tomography scans of 13 patients with unilateral CFM and 19 normal patients (age range 7-12 years) were marked manually with reliable homologous landmarks. Principal component analysis (PCA), as part of a point distribution model (PDM), was used to analyse the variability within the normal and preoperative CFM patient groups.

Motor problems in children with neurofibromatosis type 1.

Background: Children with the neurogenetic disorder neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) often have problems with learning and behaviour. In both parent reports and neuropsychological assessment, motor problems are reported in approximately one third to one half of the children with NF1. Studies using broad motor performance test batteries with relatively large groups of children with NF1 are limited.

The effect of population-based mammography screening in Dutch municipalities on breast cancer mortality: 20 years of follow-up.

Long-term follow-up data on the effects of screening are scarce, and debate exists on the relative contribution of screening versus treatment to breast cancer mortality reduction. Our aim was therefore to assess the long-term effect of screening by age and time of implementation. We obtained data on 69,630 breast cancer deaths between 1980 and 2010 by municipality (N = 431) and age of death (40-79) in the Netherlands.

Behavioural disinhibition in the general population during the antiretroviral therapy roll-out in Sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: Improved life expectancy and reduced transmission probabilities due to ART may result in behavioural disinhibition - that is an increase in sexual risk behaviour in response to a perceived lower risk of HIV. We examined trends in sexual risk behaviour in the general population of sub-Saharan African countries 1999-2015.

Methods: We systematically reviewed scientific literature of sexual behaviour and reviewed trends in Demographic and Health Surveys.

'Fundamental causes' of inequalities in mortality: an empirical test of the theory in 20 European populations.

The 'fundamental causes' theory stipulates that when new opportunities for lowering mortality arise, higher socioeconomic groups will benefit more because of their greater material and non-material resources. We tested this theory using harmonised mortality data by educational level for 22 causes of death and 20 European populations from the period 1980-2010. Across all causes and populations, mortality on average declined by 2.

Multinomial additive hazard model to assess the disability burden using cross-sectional data.

Population aging is accompanied by the burden of chronic diseases and disability. Chronic diseases are among the main causes of disability, which is associated with poor quality of life and high health care costs in the elderly. The identification of which chronic diseases contribute most to the disability prevalence is important to reduce the burden.

Cervical cancer incidence after normal cytological sample in routine screening using SurePath, ThinPrep, and conventional cytology: population based study.

 To compare the cumulative incidence of cervical cancer diagnosed within 72 months after a normal screening sample between conventional cytology and liquid based cytology tests SurePath and ThinPrep. Retrospective population based cohort study. Nationwide network and registry of histo- and cytopathology in the Netherlands (PALGA), January 2000 to March 2013.

Variations in DNA methylation of interferon gamma and programmed death 1 in allograft rejection after kidney transplantation.

Background: The role of DNA methylation in the regulation of the anti-donor-directed immune response after organ transplantation is unknown. Here, we studied the methylation of two mediators of the immune response: the pro-inflammatory cytokine () and the inhibitory receptor () in naïve and memory CD8+ T cell subsets in kidney transplant recipients receiving immunosuppressive medication. Both recipients experiencing an episode of acute allograft rejection (rejectors) as well as recipients without rejection (non-rejectors) were included.

Combination Therapy of Etanercept and Fumarates versus Etanercept Monotherapy in Psoriasis: A Randomized Exploratory Study.

Background: Biologics are a safe and efficacious therapy for psoriasis. The drug survival of biologics may be disappointing, primarily due to loss of efficacy. Therefore, safe combination treatments are sought to improve their clinical response.

Sirolimus for epilepsy in children with tuberous sclerosis complex: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: To investigate whether mammalian target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) inhibitors could reduce seizure frequency in children with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC).

Methods: Due to slow inclusion rate, target inclusion of 30 children was not reached. Twenty-three children with TSC and intractable epilepsy (age 1.