Losses and emissions in polypropylene recycling from household packaging waste.

In this study we replicated a typical high-quality post-consumer polypropylene (PP) recycling process to investigate its losses and emissions and study potential improvements. To our knowledge this is the first time that quantitative measurements on all process steps have been performed instead of an accumulated yield and emissions in water. In the process an overall PP yield of 85 wt% based on pure PP input is achieved.

Morbidity and mortality in premature or low birth weight patients with congenital heart disease in three European pediatric heart centers between 2016 and 2020.

Background: The treatment of preterm and low birth weight (LBW) neonates born with congenital heart disease (CHD) requiring early cardiac intervention remains challenging. We aimed to analyze morbidity and mortality in this combined high-risk patient group.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted of preterm [<37 weeks gestational age (GA)] and/or LBW neonates (<2,500 g) born with a diagnosis of CHD, which requires invasive cardiac intervention (surgery or catheter) within their first year of life.

Perioperative Brain Injury in Relation to Early Neurodevelopment Among Children with Severe Congenital Heart Disease: Results from a European Collaboration.

Objective: To examine the relationship between perioperative brain injury and neurodevelopment during early childhood in patients with severe congenital heart disease (CHD).

Study Design: One hundred and seventy children with CHD and born at term who required cardiopulmonary bypass surgery in the first 6 weeks after birth were recruited from 3 European centers and underwent preoperative and postoperative brain MRIs. Uniform description of imaging findings was performed and an overall brain injury score was created, based on the sum of the worst preoperative or postoperative brain injury subscores.

Ultra-Wideband Radar for Simultaneous and Unobtrusive Monitoring of Respiratory and Heart Rates in Early Childhood: A Deep Transfer Learning Approach.

Unobtrusive monitoring of children's heart rate (HR) and respiratory rate (RR) can be valuable for promoting the early detection of potential health issues, improving communication with healthcare providers and reducing unnecessary hospital visits. A promising solution for wireless vital sign monitoring is radar technology. This paper presents a novel approach for the simultaneous estimation of children's RR and HR utilizing ultra-wideband (UWB) radar using a deep transfer learning algorithm in a cohort of 55 children.

Prognostic factors for multi-organ dysfunction in pediatric oncology patients admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit.

Background: Pediatric oncology patients who require admission to the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) have worse outcomes compared to their non-cancer peers. Although multi-organ dysfunction (MOD) plays a pivotal role in PICU mortality and morbidity, risk factors for MOD have not yet been identified. We aimed to identify risk factors at PICU admission for new or progressive MOD (NPMOD) during the first week of PICU stay.

Continuous Data-Driven Monitoring in Critical Congenital Heart Disease: Clinical Deterioration Model Development.

Background: Critical congenital heart disease (cCHD)-requiring cardiac intervention in the first year of life for survival-occurs globally in 2-3 of every 1000 live births. In the critical perioperative period, intensive multimodal monitoring at a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) is warranted, as their organs-especially the brain-may be severely injured due to hemodynamic and respiratory events. These 24/7 clinical data streams yield large quantities of high-frequency data, which are challenging in terms of interpretation due to the varying and dynamic physiology innate to cCHD.

Risk Factors for Perioperative Brain Lesions in Infants With Congenital Heart Disease: A European Collaboration.

Background: Infants with congenital heart disease are at risk of brain injury and impaired neurodevelopment. The aim was to investigate risk factors for perioperative brain lesions in infants with congenital heart disease.

Methods: Infants with transposition of the great arteries, single ventricle physiology, and left ventricular outflow tract and/or aortic arch obstruction undergoing cardiac surgery <6 weeks after birth from 3 European cohorts (Utrecht, Zurich, and London) were combined.

Early Determinants of Adverse Motor Outcomes in Preschool Children with a Critical Congenital Heart Defect.

Neurodevelopmental disabilities are common in infants with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD). A prospective, longitudinal cohort study was conducted to establish the prevalence and early determinants of adverse motor outcomes in infants who underwent cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass before six months of age. Motor development was assessed in 147 preschoolers using the Movement Assessment Battery for children-II.

Mind the gap: Mapping variation between national and local clinical practice guidelines for acute paediatric asthma from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) aim to standardize clinical care. Increasingly, hospitals rely on locally produced guidelines alongside national guidance. This study examines variation between national and local CPGs, using the example of acute paediatric asthma guidance from the United Kingdom and the Netherlands.

Longitudinal Motor-Developmental Outcomes in Infants with a Critical Congenital Heart Defect.

Infants with critical congenital heart defects (CCHDs) are at increased risk for neurodevelopmental delays. The early identification of motor delays is clinically relevant to prevent or reduce long-term consequences. The current study aims to describe the motor-developmental pathways of infants with a CCHD.

CeRebrUm and CardIac Protection with ALlopurinol in Neonates with Critical Congenital Heart Disease Requiring Cardiac Surgery with Cardiopulmonary Bypass (CRUCIAL): study protocol of a phase III, randomized, quadruple-blinded, placebo-controlled, Dutch multicenter trial.

Background: Neonates with critical congenital heart disease (CCHD) undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are at risk of brain injury that may result in adverse neurodevelopment. To date, no therapy is available to improve long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes of CCHD neonates. Allopurinol, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, prevents the formation of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species, thereby limiting cell damage during reperfusion and reoxygenation to the brain and heart.

Tidal Volume in Pediatric Ventilation: Do You Get What You See?

Mechanical ventilators are increasingly evolving into computer-driven devices. These technical advancements have impact on clinical decisions in pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). A good understanding of the design of mechanical ventilators can improve clinical care.

CE Accreditation and Barriers to CE Marking of Pediatric Drug Calculators for Mobile Devices: Scoping Review and Qualitative Analysis.

Background: Pediatric drug calculators (PDCs) intended for clinical use qualify as medical devices under the Medical Device Directive and the Medical Device Regulation. The extent to which they comply with European standards on quality and safety is unknown.

Objective: This study determines the number of PDCs available as mobile apps for use in the Netherlands that bear a CE mark, and explore the factors influencing the CE marking of such devices among app developers.

Neutron Diffraction Study of a Sintered Iron Electrode In Operando.

Iron is a promising, earth-abundant material for future energy applications. In this study, we use a neutron diffractometer to investigate the properties of an iron electrode in an alkaline environment. As neutrons penetrate deeply into materials, neutron scattering gives us a unique insight into what is happening inside the electrode.

Urban inequalities in the 21st century economy.

In the last decade or so, inequality studies have assumed renewed prominence across the social sciences. In this introduction to a special issue of , we set out to articulate the importance of urban spatial context in broader present-day inequality debates. We argue that the information-based economy is emphatically urban-based and that it has forged new spatial inequalities in and between cities and among urban populations.

Effect of mechanical insufflation-exsufflation in children with neuromuscular weakness.

Introduction: Children with neuromuscular diseases develop cough impairment. Airway clearance techniques (ACTs) may help to prevent recurrent respiratory tract infections (RTIs). A commonly used ACT is mechanical insufflation-exsufflation (MI-E), but evidence for efficacy is limited.

PICU Admission Rates in Pediatric Cancer and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Patients Receiving High-flow Nasal Cannula Oxygen Therapy on the General Ward.

The use of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) oxygen therapy is growing as an alternative to standard oxygen. However, its use in patients treated for malignancies, including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) patients, is controversial. In this retrospective cohort study, we assessed outcomes of pediatric cancer and HSCT patients (including nonmalignant indications) with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure treated with HFNC on the ward.

Outcome of Preterm Infants With Postnatal Cytomegalovirus Infection.

Objectives: To assess whether preterm infants with postnatal cytomegalovirus infection develop neurologic sequelae in early childhood.

Methods: Infants <32 weeks' gestation were prospectively screened for cytomegalovirus (CMV) at term-equivalent age. Neurodevelopment was compared between CMV-positive and CMV-negative infants by using the Griffiths Mental Development Scales (GMDS) at 16 months' corrected age (CA); the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition or the GMDS at 24 to 30 months' CA; and the Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence, Third Edition and Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition at 6 years of age.

Efficacy of Antibiotic Suppressive Therapy in Patients with a Prosthetic Joint Infection.

For chronic prosthetic joint infections (PJI), complete removal of the infected prosthesis is necessary in order to cure the infection. Unfortunately, a subgroup of patients is not able to undergo a revision surgery due to high surgical risk. Alternatively, these patients can be treated with antibiotic suppressive therapy (AST) to suppress the infection.

International opinions and national surveillance suggest insufficient consensus regarding the recognition and management practices of infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infections.

Aim: This study evaluated the recognition and management practices with regard to congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infections by a select group of experts and through a national surveillance study.

Method: A questionnaire was sent to international experts involved in mother and infant care in 2014-2015. Monthly surveillance was conducted among Dutch paediatricians for cases of cCMV infections from 2013 until 2015.

Congenital Cytomegalovirus Infection in the Absence of Maternal Cytomegalovirus-IgM Antibodies.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infections are the most prevalent intrauterine infections worldwide and are the result of maternal primary or non-primary infections. Early maternal primary infections are thought to carry the highest risk of fetal developmental abnormalities as seen by ultrasound; however, non-primary infections may prove equally detrimental.

Methods/results: This case series presents 5 cases with fetal abnormalities detected in the second and third trimester, in which cCMV infection was ruled out due to negative maternal CMV-IgM.

Neuro-imaging findings in infants with congenital cytomegalovirus infection: relation to trimester of infection.

Background: Congenital cytomegalovirus (cCMV) infection early in pregnancy may result in major disabilities. Cerebral abnormalities detected using cranial ultrasound (cUS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been related to neurological sequelae.

Objective: To evaluate the additional value of MRI and assess the relationship between time of infection during pregnancy and outcome in infants with cCMV infection.