Machine-learning based prediction of appendicitis for patients presenting with acute abdominal pain at the emergency department.

Background: Acute abdominal pain (AAP) constitutes 5-10% of all emergency department (ED) visits, with appendicitis being a prevalent AAP etiology often necessitating surgical intervention. The variability in AAP symptoms and causes, combined with the challenge of identifying appendicitis, complicate timely intervention. To estimate the risk of appendicitis, scoring systems such as the Alvarado score have been developed.

Systematic probing of protein adsorption on protein-based nanoparticles in dependence of the particle surface charge.

Understanding protein adsorption on the surface of nanoparticles (NPs) is crucial for determining their behavior in biological environments. Early research in this field faced challenges in producing high-quality NPs. Advancements in NP fabrication now allow for precise modifications of specific parameters, such as zeta potential.

From natural to synthetic hydrogels: how much biochemical complexity is required for mechanotransduction?

The biochemical complexity of a material determines the biological response of cells triggered by a cell-material interaction. The degree in which this complexity influences basic cell-material interactions such as cell adhesion, spreading, and mechanotransduction is not entirely clear. To this end, we compared three different hydrogel systems, ranging from completely natural to synthetic, in their ability to induce mechanotransduction in kidney epithelial cells (HK-2).

Basic Bronchoscopy Competence Achieved by a Nationwide One-day Simulation-based Training.

Background: In 2020, a mandatory, nationwide 1-day bronchoscopy simulation-based training (SBT) course was implemented for novice pulmonology residents in the Netherlands. This pretest-posttest study was the first to evaluate the effectiveness of such a nationwide course in improving residents' simulated basic bronchoscopy skills.

Methods: After passing a theoretical test, residents followed a 1-day SBT course, available in 7 centers, where they practiced their bronchoscopy skills step-by-step on a virtual reality simulator under pulmonologist supervision.

Synthetic, multi-dynamic hydrogels by uniting stress-stiffening and supramolecular polymers.

Nature uses discrete molecular building blocks to form polymers that assemble into multicomponent, multi-dynamic networks, inside (cytoskeleton) and outside (extracellular matrix) the cell. Both the intra-fibrous molecular dynamics and interactions between fibers dictate (non)linear mechanics, such as stress stiffening and relaxation, and ultimately biological function. Current synthetic systems capture only one dynamic process.