Bacteria-targeted imaging using vancomycin-based positron emission tomography tracers can distinguish infection from sterile inflammation.

Introduction: Bacterial infections pose major challenges in medicine. To guide effective infection treatment, faster and more accurate diagnostic modalities are needed. Bacteria-targeted molecular imaging can meet these needs.

Synthesis and preclinical evaluation of novel F-vancomycin-based tracers for the detection of bacterial infections using positron emission tomography.

Introduction: Bacterial infections are a major problem in medicine, and the rapid and accurate detection of such infections is essential for optimal patient outcome. Bacterial infections can be diagnosed by nuclear imaging, but most currently available modalities are unable to discriminate infection from sterile inflammation. Bacteria-targeted positron emission tomography (PET) tracers have the potential to overcome this hurdle.

A fluorogenic micrococcal nuclease-based probe for fast detection and optical imaging of Staphylococcus aureus in prosthetic joint and fracture-related infections.

Purpose: Staphylococcus aureus is the most common and impactful multi-drug resistant pathogen implicated in (periprosthetic) joint infections (PJI) and fracture-related infections (FRI). Therefore, the present proof-of-principle study was aimed at the rapid detection of S. aureus in synovial fluids and biofilms on extracted osteosynthesis materials through bacteria-targeted fluorescence imaging with the 'smart-activatable' DNA-based AttoPolyT probe.

Preclinical evaluation of 2-[F]fluorodeoxysorbitol as a tracer for targeted imaging of Enterobacterales infection.

Fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose ([F]FDG) positron emission tomography (F-FDG-PET) is widely used for the detection of inflammatory and infectious diseases. Although this modality has proven to be a useful diagnostic tool, reliable distinction of bacterial infection from sterile inflammation or even from a malignancy remains challenging. Therefore, there is a need for bacteria-specific tracers for PET imaging that facilitate a reliable distinction of bacterial infection from other pathology.

Sonication of Vascular Grafts and Endografts to Diagnose Vascular Graft Infection: a Head-To-Head Comparison with Conventional Culture and Its Clinical Impact.

Vascular graft and endograft infection (VGEI) is a severe complication associated with high mortality and is often challenging to diagnose. For the definitive microbiological diagnosis, sonication of vascular grafts may increase the microbiological yield of these biofilm-associated infections. The objective of this study was to determine whether sonication of explanted vascular grafts and endografts results in a higher diagnostic accuracy than conventional culture methods and aids in clinical decision-making.

First evaluation of a commercial multiplex PCR panel for rapid detection of pathogens associated with acute joint infections.

: prompt recognition and identification of the causative microorganism in acute septic arthritis of native and prosthetic joints is vital to increase the chances of successful treatment. The aim of this study was to independently assess the diagnostic accuracy of the multiplex BIOFIRE Joint Infection (JI) Panel (investigational use only) in synovial fluid for rapid diagnosis. : synovial fluid samples were collected at the University Medical Center Groningen from patients who had a clinical suspicion of a native septic arthritis, early acute (post-operative, within 3 months after arthroplasty) periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) or late acute (hematogenous, months after arthroplasty) PJI.

Transcriptomic and splicing changes underlying tomato responses to combined water and nutrient stress.

Tomato is a horticultural crop of high economic and nutritional value. Suboptimal environmental conditions, such as limited water and nutrient availability, cause severe yield reductions. Thus, selection of genotypes requiring lower inputs is a goal for the tomato breeding sector.

Diagnosis and treatment of vascular graft and endograft infections: a structured clinical approach.

A vascular graft or endograft infection (VGEI) is a severe complication that can occur after vascular graft or endograft surgery and is associated with high morbidity and mortality rates. A multidisciplinary approach, consisting of a team of vascular surgeons, infectious diseases specialists, medical microbiologists, radiologists, nuclear medicine specialists, and hospital pharmacists, is needed to adequately diagnose and treat VGEI. A structured diagnostic, antibiotic, and surgical treatment algorithm helps clinical decision making and ultimately aims to improve the clinical outcome of patients with a VGEI.

Chronic prescription of antidepressant medication in patients with chronic kidney disease with and without kidney replacement therapy compared with matched controls in the Dutch general population.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with a higher prevalence of depression, neuropathic pain and insomnia. These conditions are often treated pharmaceutically. In this study we aimed to determine the prevalence of chronic antidepressant use among CKD patients with and without kidney replacement therapy (KRT).

Bacteria-targeted fluorescence imaging of extracted osteosynthesis devices for rapid visualization of fracture-related infections.

Purpose: Fracture-related infection (FRI) is a serious complication in orthopedic trauma surgery worldwide. Especially, the distinction of infection from sterile inflammation and the detection of low-grade infection are highly challenging. The objective of the present study was to obtain proof-of-principle for the use of bacteria-targeted fluorescence imaging to detect FRI on extracted osteosynthesis devices as a step-up towards real-time image-guided trauma surgery.

Polypharmacy and medication use in patients with chronic kidney disease with and without kidney replacement therapy compared to matched controls.

Background: This study aims to examine polypharmacy (PP) prevalence in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) Stage G4/G5 and patients with kidney replacement therapy (KRT) compared with matched controls from the general population. Furthermore, we examine risk factors for PP and describe the most commonly dispensed medications.

Methods: Dutch health claims data were used to identify three patient groups: CKD Stage G4/G5, dialysis and kidney transplant patients.

The validity of Dutch health claims data for identifying patients with chronic kidney disease: a hospital-based study in the Netherlands.

Background: Health claims data may be an efficient and easily accessible source to study chronic kidney disease (CKD) prevalence in a nationwide population. Our aim was to study Dutch claims data for their ability to identify CKD patients in different subgroups.

Methods: From a laboratory database, we selected 24 895 adults with at least one creatinine measurement in 2014 ordered at an outpatient clinic.

Ultrafast Photoclick Reaction for Selective F-Positron Emission Tomography Tracer Synthesis in Flow.

The development of very fast, clean, and selective methods for indirect labeling in PET tracer synthesis is an ongoing challenge. Here we present the development of an ultrafast photoclick method for the synthesis of short-lived F-PET tracers based on the photocycloaddition reaction of 9,10-phenanthrenequinones with electron-rich alkenes. The respective precursors are synthetically easily accessible and can be functionalized with various target groups.

Based Extracts Counteract Salinity Stress in Tomato by Remodeling Leaf Nitrogen Metabolism.

Biostimulants have rapidly and widely been adopted as growth enhancers and stress protectants in agriculture, however, due to the complex nature of these products, their mechanism of action is not clearly understood. By using two algal based commercial biostimulants in combination with the cv. MicroTom model system, we assessed how the modulation of nitrogen metabolites and potassium levels could contribute to mediate physiological mechanisms that are known to occur in response to salt/and or osmotic stress.

Health claims databases used for kidney research around the world.

Health claims databases offer opportunities for studies on large populations of patients with kidney disease and health outcomes in a non-experimental setting. Among others, their unique features enable studies on healthcare costs or on longitudinal, epidemiological data with nationwide coverage. However, health claims databases also have several limitations.

The smart activatable P2&3TT probe allows accurate, fast, and highly sensitive detection of Staphylococcus aureus in clinical blood culture samples.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia (SAB) is associated with high mortality and morbidity rates. Yet, there is currently no adequate diagnostic test for early and rapid diagnosis of SAB. Therefore, this study was aimed at exploring the potential for clinical implementation of a nuclease-activatable fluorescent probe for early diagnosis of SAB.

Fighting Staphylococcus aureus infections with light and photoimmunoconjugates.

Infections caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, especially methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), are responsible for high mortality and morbidity worldwide. Resistant lineages were previously confined to hospitals but are now also causing infections among healthy individuals in the community.

A Facile and Reproducible Synthesis of Near-Infrared Fluorescent Conjugates with Small Targeting Molecules for Microbial Infection Imaging.

Optical imaging of microbial infections, based on the detection of targeted fluorescent probes, offers high sensitivity and resolution with a relatively simple and portable setup. As the absorbance of near-infrared (NIR) light by human tissues is minimal, using respective tracers, such as IRdye800CW, enables imaging deeper target sites in the body. Herein, we present a general strategy for the conjugation of IRdye800CW and IRdye700DX to small molecules (vancomycin and amphotericin B) to provide conjugates targeted toward bacterial and fungal infections for optical imaging and photodynamic therapy.

Image-guided in situ detection of bacterial biofilms in a human prosthetic knee infection model: a feasibility study for clinical diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections.

Purpose: Due to an increased human life expectancy, the need to replace arthritic or dysfunctional joints by prosthetics is higher than ever before. Prosthetic joints are unfortunately inherently susceptible to bacterial infection accompanied by biofilm formation. Accurate and rapid diagnosis is vital to increase therapeutic success.

Yeast Infections after Esophagectomy: A Retrospective Analysis.

Esophageal malignancy is a disease with poor prognosis. Curative therapy incorporates surgery and is burdensome with high rates of infection morbidity and mortality. The role of yeast as causative organisms of post-esophagectomy infections is poorly defined.

Omeprazole Treatment Enhances Nitrogen Use Efficiency Through Increased Nitrogen Uptake and Assimilation in Corn.

Omeprazole is a selective proton pump inhibitor in humans that inhibits the H/K-ATPase of gastric parietal cells. Omeprazole has been recently shown to act as a plant growth regulator and enhancer of salt stress tolerance. Here, we report that omeprazole treatment in hydroponically grown maize improves nitrogen uptake and assimilation.

Age-related difference in health care use and costs of patients with chronic kidney disease and matched controls: analysis of Dutch health care claims data.

Background: The financial burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is increasing due to the ageing population and increased prevalence of comorbid diseases. Our aim was to evaluate age-related differences in health care use and costs in Stage G4/G5 CKD without renal replacement therapy (RRT), dialysis and kidney transplant patients and compare them to the general population.

Methods: Using Dutch health care claims, we identified CKD patients and divided them into three groups: CKD Stage G4/G5 without RRT, dialysis and kidney transplantation.

Healthcare costs of patients on different renal replacement modalities - Analysis of Dutch health insurance claims data.

Background: The aim of this study is to present average annual healthcare costs for Dutch renal replacement therapy (RRT) patients for 7 treatment modalities.

Methods: Health insurance claims data from 2012-2014 were used. All patients with a 2014 claim for dialysis or kidney transplantation were selected.