Anti-TNF nonresponse in ulcerative colitis: correcting for mucosal drug exposure reveals distinct cytokine profiles.

Introduction: It remains unclear why up to 30% of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients do not respond to tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi). Validated biomarkers for nonresponse (N)R) are lacking. Most studies investigating underlying mechanisms do not differentiate between pharmacokinetic and inflammatory mechanisms.

Effectiveness and safety of a third-line rescue treatment for acute severe ulcerative colitis refractory to infliximab or ciclosporin (REASUC study).

Background: The advent of new therapeutic agents and the improvement of supporting care might change the management of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC) and avoid colectomy.

Aims: To evaluate the colectomy-free survival and safety of a third-line treatment in patients with ASUC refractory to intravenous steroids and who failed either infliximab or ciclosporin.

Methods: Multicentre retrospective cohort study of patients with ASUC refractory to intravenous steroids who had failed infliximab or ciclosporin and received a third-line treatment during the same hospitalisation.

Baseline Data and Measurement Instruments Reported in Observational Studies in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Results from a Systematic Review.

Background: Heterogeneity in demographic and outcomes data with corresponding measurement instruments [MIs] creates barriers to data pooling and analysis. Several core outcome sets have been developed in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] to homogenize outcomes data. A parallel Minimum Data Set [MDS] for baseline characteristics is lacking.

Development and validation of the leadership learning agility scale.

Introduction: Learning agility is key in the selection and development of future leaders. However, prior research has failed to clearly conceptualize learning agility and to empirically clarify its dimensions.

Method: We developed the Leadership Learning Agility Scale (LLAS) by using a combination of both deductive and inductive approaches and established scale development and validation procedures.

A Narrative Systematic Review and Categorisation of Outcomes in Inflammatory Bowel Disease to Inform a Core Outcome Set for Real-world Evidence.

Background: Heterogeneity exists in reported outcomes and outcome measurement instruments [OMI] from observational studies. A core outcome set [COS] for observational and real-world evidence [RWE] in inflammatory bowel disease [IBD] will facilitate pooling large datasets. This systematic review describes and classifies clinical and patient-reported outcomes, for COS development.

Safety and efficacy of combining biologics or small molecules for inflammatory bowel disease or immune-mediated inflammatory diseases: A European retrospective observational study.

Background And Aims: Few data are available regarding the combination of biologics or small molecules in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. We report safety and efficacy of such combinations through a retrospective multicentre series.

Methods: Combination therapy was defined as the concomitant use of two biologics or one biologic with a small molecule.

Constructed response formats and their effects on minority-majority differences and validity.

The inflow of immigrants challenges organizations to consider alternative selection procedures that reduce potential minority (immigrants)-majority (natives) differences, while maintaining valid predictions of performance. To deal with this challenge, this paper proposes response format as a practically and theoretically relevant factor for situational judgment tests (SJTs). We examine a range of response format categories (from traditional multiple-choice formats to more innovative constructed response formats) and conceptually link these response formats to mechanisms underlying minority-majority differences.

No Evidence for a Relationship Between Hair Testosterone Concentrations and 2D:4D Ratio or Risk Taking.

Using a recently developed alternative assay procedure to measure hormone levels from hair samples, we examined the relationships between testosterone, cortisol, 2D:4D ratio, overconfidence and risk taking. A total of 162 (53 male) participants provided a 3 cm sample of hair, a scanned image of their right and left hands from which we determined 2D:4D ratios, and completed measures of overconfidence and behavioral risk taking. While our sample size for males was less than ideal, our results revealed no evidence for a relationship between hair testosterone concentrations, 2D:4D ratios and risk taking.

Verification and validation of physiology simulators.

In this paper we describe a general method to provide verification and validation of physiological simulators. We also present an application of this method and key results.

What a difference your e-mail makes: effects of informal e-mail addresses in online résumé screening.

Résumés are screened rapidly, with some reports stating that recruiters form their impressions within 10 seconds. Certain résumé characteristics can have a significant impact on the snap judgments these recruiters make. The main goal of the present study was to examine the effect of the e-mail address (formal vs.

Striatal metabolism and psychomotor speed as predictors of motor onset in Huntington's disease.

The clinical diagnosis of Huntington's disease (HD) is based on the motor symptoms, although these can be preceded by cognitive and behavioral changes. Biomarker studies have shown that structural imaging modalities are useful biomarkers of HD onset, while functional imaging measures have been studied less often for this purpose. Our aim was to investigate the combined value of 18-fluorodesoxyglucose (FDG)-PET and cognitive measures as biomarkers of HD onset.

Metabolic network as a progression biomarker of premanifest Huntington's disease.

Background: The evaluation of effective disease-modifying therapies for neurodegenerative disorders relies on objective and accurate measures of progression in at-risk individuals. Here we used a computational approach to identify a functional brain network associated with the progression of preclinical Huntington's disease (HD).

Methods: Twelve premanifest HD mutation carriers were scanned with [18F]-fluorodeoxyglucose PET to measure cerebral metabolic activity at baseline and again at 1.

Patient repositioning and pressure ulcer risk--monitoring interface pressures of at-risk patients.

Repositioning patients regularly to prevent pressure ulcers and reduce interface pressures is the standard of care, yet prior work has found that standard repositioning does not relieve all areas of at-risk tissue in nondisabled subjects. To determine whether this holds true for high-risk patients, we assessed the effectiveness of routine repositioning in relieving at-risk tissue of the perisacral area using interface pressure mapping. Bedridden patients at risk for pressure ulcer formation (n = 23, Braden score <18) had their perisacral skin-bed interface pressures recorded every 30 s while they received routine repositioning care for 4-6 h.

[Cerebellar dysfunction due to pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila].

Background: Legionnaires' disease is frequently complicated by extrapulmonary symptoms such as neurological abnormalities. Cerebellar disorders are rare, but can be long-lasting and disabling.

Case Description: A 57-year-old male developed severe cerebellar disorders such as dysarthria and ataxia after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

Typical cerebral metabolic patterns in neurodegenerative brain diseases.

The differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases on clinical grounds is difficult, especially at an early disease stage. Several studies have found specific regional differences of brain metabolism applying [(18)F]-fluoro-deoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET), suggesting that this method can assist in early differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative brain diseases.We have studied patients who had an FDG-PET scan on clinical grounds at an early disease stage and included those with a retrospectively confirmed diagnosis according to strictly defined clinical research criteria.

Effects of turning on skin-bed interface pressures in healthy adults.

Aim: This paper is a report of a study of the effects of lateral turning on skin-bed interface pressures in the sacral, trochanteric and buttock regions, and its effectiveness in unloading at-risk tissue.

Background: Minimizing skin-support surface interface pressure is important in pressure ulcer prevention, but the effect of standard patient repositioning on skin interface pressure has not been objectively established.

Methods: Data were collected from 15 healthy adults from a university-affiliated hospital.

Pulsed high-dose dexamethasone versus standard prednisolone treatment for chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (PREDICT study): a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial.

Background: Pulsed high-dose dexamethasone induced long-lasting remission in patients with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy (CIDP) in a pilot study. The PREDICT study aimed to compare remission rates in patients with CIDP treated with high-dose dexamethasone with rates in patients treated with standard oral prednisolone.

Methods: In eight neuromuscular centres in the Netherlands and one in the UK, patients aged 18 years or older who had newly diagnosed definite or probable CIDP were randomly assigned to a treatment regimen of either pulsed high-dose dexamethasone or standard oral prednisolone.

A longitudinal description of heart rate variability in 28--34-week-old preterm infants.

The purpose of this study was to longitudinally describe changes in heart rate variability (HRV) from 28 to 34 weeks postmenstrual age (PMA). A convenience sample of 31 low-risk preterm infants participated. HRV was quantified using a spectral analysis of heart periods and recorded during seven weekly test sessions from an electrocardiogram (ECG) signal.

Changes in striatal dopamine D2 receptor binding in pre-clinical Huntington's disease.

Background: Carriers of the Huntington disease (HD) mutation develop a progressive neurodegenerative disorder after a pre-clinical phase. We examined the value of (11)C-raclopride PET (RAC) as a biomarker for pre-clinical HD pathophysiology.

Methods: In a prospective cohort study with clinical and neuropsychological assessment we collected complete RAC data in 18 pre-clinical mutation carriers (HD-PMC) and 11 controls.

Effects of elevating the head of bed on interface pressure in volunteers.

Objective: Intensive care unit patients are at particular risk for pressure ulcers and ventilator-associated pneumonia. Current guidelines recommend that mechanically ventilated patients be kept in a semirecumbent position with the head of bed elevated 30 degrees -45 degrees to prevent aspiration and ventilator-associated pneumonia. We tested the effects of elevating the head of bed on the interface pressure between the skin of the sacral area and the bed with healthy volunteers.

The syndrome of headache with neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis mimicking acute ischemic stroke.

Headache with neurologic deficits and cerebrospinal fluid lymphocytosis is a benign condition with a transient ischemic attack-like presentation. We present a case of a 22-year-old man with episodes of right-sided weakness, global dysphasia, and right-sided homonymous hemianopsia associated with frequent vomiting. Systemic thrombolytic therapy was considered.

Blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function decreases in specific brain regions with aging: a possible role in progressive neurodegeneration.

Cerebrovascular P-glycoprotein (P-gp) acts at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as an active cell membrane efflux pump for several endogenous and exogenous compounds. Age-associated decline in P-gp function could facilitate the accumulation of toxic substances in the brain, thus increasing the risk of neurodegenerative pathology with aging. We hypothesised a regionally reduced BBB P-gp function in older healthy subjects.

Decreased blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein function in the progression of Parkinson's disease, PSP and MSA.

Decreased blood-brain barrier (BBB) efflux function of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) transport system could facilitate the accumulation of toxic compounds in the brain, increasing the risk of neurodegenerative pathology such as Parkinson's disease (PD). This study investigated in vivo BBB P-gp function in patients with parkinsonian neurodegenerative syndromes, using [11C]-verapamil PET in PD, PSP and MSA patients. Regional differences in distribution volume were studied using SPM with higher uptake interpreted as reduced P-gp function.

An evaluation of an aggression management training program to cope with workplace violence in the healthcare sector.

Workplace violence is a major occupational hazard for healthcare workers, generating a need for effective intervention programs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of an aggression management training program. The evaluation design was based on the internal referencing strategy, an unobtrusive and applicable evaluation method that rules out some major threats to internal validity without the need for a control group.