Ultrasound Strain Imaging for Characterizing Atherosclerotic Plaque in the Carotid Arteries of Asymptomatic Subjects.

Objective: The rupture of vulnerable plaques in the carotid artery is a leading cause of strokes. While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the standard for quantifying plaque composition, its high costs and lengthy procedure times limit large-scale use. Compound ultrasound strain imaging (CUSI) ultrasound offers a non-invasively alternative by assessing tissue deformation/strain within the arterial wall.

Identification of cambium stem cell factors and their positioning mechanism.

Wood constitutes the largest reservoir of terrestrial biomass. Composed of xylem, it arises from one side of the vascular cambium, a bifacial stem cell niche that also produces phloem on the opposing side. It is currently unknown which molecular factors endow cambium stem cell identity.

Influence of X-ray spectrum and bowtie filter characterisation on the accuracy of Monte Carlo simulated organ doses: Validation in a whole-body CT scanning mode.

Purpose: For patient-specific CT dosimetry, Monte Carlo dose simulations require an accurate description of the CT scanner. However, quantitative spectral information and information on the bowtie filter material and shape from the manufacturer is often not available. In this study, the influence of different X-ray spectra and bowtie filter characterisation methods on simulated CT organ doses is studied.

Plasma proteomic signatures of liver steatosis and fibrosis in people living with HIV: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Insights into the mechanisms driving metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) in people living with HIV (PLHIV) remain limited. Plasma proteomics holds promise for biomarker discovery and the elucidation of biological mechanisms.

Methods: We performed cross-sectional analyses on data from 1036 virally suppressed PLHIV using antiretroviral treatment (ART) from the Dutch multi-centre 2000HIV cohort.

Additional predictors of stroke and transient ischaemic attack in BEFAST positive patients in out-of-hours emergency primary care.

Introduction: In patients suspected of stroke or transient ischemic attack (TIA), rapid triaging is imperative to improve clinical outcomes. For this purpose, balance-eye-face-arm-speech-time (BEFAST) items are used in out-of-hours primary care (OHS-PC). We explored the risk of stroke and TIA among BEFAST positive patients calling to the OHS-PC, and assessed whether additional predictors could improve risk stratification.

Students' experiences with a hybrid learning environment in nursing homes: A qualitative study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to explore how students experience learning in a hybrid learning environment in a nursing home setting and their perceptions of relationship-centred care.

Background: Nursing homes are undergoing a culture shift from task-centred care to person- and relationship-centred care, requiring a different approach to how nursing home staff work and are educated. Hybrid learning environments aim to educate professionals who continuously work on their professional development by integrating and merging learning and working to facilitate the culture shift.

Novel Proteome Targets Marking Insulin Resistance in Metabolic Syndrome.

Context/objective: In order to better understand which metabolic differences are related to insulin resistance in metabolic syndrome (MetSyn), we used hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic (HE) clamps in individuals with MetSyn and related peripheral insulin resistance to circulating biomarkers.

Design/methods: In this cross-sectional study, HE-clamps were performed in treatment-naive men (n = 97) with MetSyn. Subjects were defined as insulin-resistant based on the rate of disappearance (Rd).

Unraveling interindividual variation of trimethylamine -oxide and its precursors at the population level.

Trimethylamine -oxide (TMAO) is a circulating microbiome-derived metabolite implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated whether plasma levels of TMAO, its precursors (betaine, carnitine, deoxycarnitine, choline), and TMAO-to-precursor ratios are associated with clinical outcomes, including CVD and mortality. This was followed by an in-depth analysis of their genetic, gut microbial, and dietary determinants.

Urinary Tract Infection Guideline Adherence in a Dutch Sentinel Nursing Home Surveillance Network.

Objectives: To investigate guideline adherence 3 years after the introduction of a national guideline on urinary tract infections (UTIs) in frail older adults. Appropriate use of urine dipstick tests, treatment decisions, and antibiotic drug choices in residents with (suspected) UTIs without a catheter were examined.

Design: Observational prospective study.

Association of Variant Risk Category With 2-Year Clinical and Radiologic Small Vessel Disease Progression in Patients With CADASIL.

Background And Objectives: Pathogenic variants in are the main cause of hereditary cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). SVD-associated variants have recently been categorized into high risk (HR), moderate risk (MR), or low risk (LR) for developing early-onset severe SVD. The most severe NOTCH3-associated SVD phenotype is also known as cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL).

Measurements of dune erosion processes during the RealDune/REFLEX experiments.

Nearshore hydro- and morphodynamic data were collected during a field experiment under calm conditions, moderate conditions, and storm conditions with dune erosion in the collision regime. The experiment was conducted on the Sand Engine near Kijkduin, the Netherlands, from October 18, 2021, to January 7, 2022. Two artificial unvegetated dunes were constructed just above the high water line to measure storm erosion and dune impacts from higher water levels and waves.

Accuracy of patient-specific CT organ doses from Monte Carlo simulations: influence of CT-based voxel models.

Monte Carlo simulations using patient CT images as input are the gold standard to perform patient-specific dosimetry. However, in standard clinical practice patient's CT images are limited to the reconstructed CT scan range. In this study, organ dose calculations were performed with ImpactMC for chest and cardiac CT using whole-body and anatomy-specific voxel models to estimate the accuracy of CT organ doses based on the latter model.

Atypical Progeria Primarily Manifesting as Premature Cardiac Valvular Disease Segregates with -Gene Variants.

Mutations in the -gene can cause a variety of 'laminopathies'. These laminopathies are associated with a range of phenotypes, including disorders affecting the adipose tissue, peripheral nerves, the heart, such as dilated cardiomyopathy and conduction system abnormalities, and less commonly, progeroid disorders. This case series describes two families in which two novel LMNA-gene variants were identified, and who presented with an atypical progeroid phenotype with primarily premature aortic and mitral valve stenosis.

Association Between Clonal Hematopoiesis Driver Mutations, Immune Cell Function, and the Vasculometabolic Complications of Obesity.

Background: Obesity is accompanied by dysregulated inflammation, which can contribute to vasculometabolic complications including metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. Recently, clonal hematopoiesis of indeterminate potential (CHIP) has emerged as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. We aimed to determine how CHIP is related to immune cell function, systemic inflammation, and vasculometabolic complications in obese individuals.

A Process Evaluation of an Antibiotic Stewardship Intervention for Urinary Tract Infections in Nursing Homes.

Objectives: To assess the internal and external validity of a cluster randomized controlled trial (cRCT) evaluating a decision tool with supportive interventions for the empirical treatment of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in nursing homes (NHs), and to identify facilitators and barriers in implementing this antibiotic stewardship intervention.

Design: Mixed-methods process evaluation study.

Setting And Participants: Physicians, nursing staff, client council members, and residents of Dutch NHs.

Host genetic regulation of human gut microbial structural variation.

Although the impact of host genetics on gut microbial diversity and the abundance of specific taxa is well established, little is known about how host genetics regulates the genetic diversity of gut microorganisms. Here we conducted a meta-analysis of associations between human genetic variation and gut microbial structural variation in 9,015 individuals from four Dutch cohorts. Strikingly, the presence rate of a structural variation segment in Faecalibacterium prausnitzii that harbours an N-acetylgalactosamine (GalNAc) utilization gene cluster is higher in individuals who secrete the type A oligosaccharide antigen terminating in GalNAc, a feature that is jointly determined by human ABO and FUT2 genotypes, and we could replicate this association in a Tanzanian cohort.

Study protocol for the Heads-Up trial: a phase II randomized controlled trial investigating head-up tilt sleeping to alleviate orthostatic intolerance in Parkinson's Disease and parkinsonism.

Background: In persons with Parkinson's Disease (PD) or certain forms of atypical parkinsonism, orthostatic hypotension is common and disabling, yet often underrecognized and undertreated. About half of affected individuals also exhibit supine hypertension. This common co-occurrence of both orthostatic hypotension and supine hypertension complicates pharmacological treatments as the treatment of the one can aggravate the other.

Sex-specific association of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissue volumes with systemic inflammation and innate immune cells in people living with obesity.

Background And Aims: Obesity predisposes to metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Adipose tissue inflammation and systemic inflammation contribute to these complications. There are strong sex differences in adipose tissue distribution and in systemic inflammation.

Stratification of Atherosclerosis based on Plasma Metabolic States.

Context: Atherosclerosis is a dominant cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD), including myocardial infarction and stroke.

Objective: To investigate metabolic states that are associated with the development of atherosclerosis.

Methods: Cross-sectional cohort study at a university hospital in the Netherlands.

Reanalysis of whole-exome sequencing (WES) data of children with neurodevelopmental disorders in a standard patient care context.

Unlabelled: This study aims to inform future genetic reanalysis management by evaluating the yield of whole-exome sequencing (WES) reanalysis in standard patient care in the Netherlands. Single-center data of 159 patients with a neurodevelopmental disorder (NDD), in which WES analysis and reanalysis were performed between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2021, was retrospectively collected. Patients were included if they were under the age of 18 years at initial analysis and if this initial analysis did not result in a diagnosis.

Traditional Cardiovascular Risk Factors Are Stronger Related to Carotid Intima-Media Thickness Than to Presence of Carotid Plaques in People Living With HIV.

Background Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV, who are at higher risk than the general population. We assessed, in a large cohort of people living with HIV, which cardiovascular, HIV-specific, and lipoproteomic markers were associated with carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque presence. We also studied guideline adherence on lipid-lowering medication in individuals with high and very high risk for cardiovascular disease.

The effect of leptin on trained innate immunity and on systemic inflammation in subjects with obesity.

Leptin is associated with cardiometabolic complications of obesity, such as metabolic syndrome and atherosclerosis. In obese men, the presence of metabolic syndrome is associated with higher circulating leptin and interleukin (IL)-6 concentrations and increased monocyte cytokine production capacity. Here, we investigated the effects of leptin on monocyte function and systemic inflammatory markers in obese individuals.