How accurate is high-resolution computed tomography of the chest in differentiating between pulmonary invasive fungal infections and other pulmonary infections in children with cancer?

Background: Pulmonary invasive fungal infections pose a serious risk for immunocompromised patients. Although diagnostic imaging plays an important role in the early detection of pulmonary invasive fungal infections, radiological differentiation between invasive fungal infection and other pulmonary infections is challenging.

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the accuracy of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) in the differentiation between pulmonary invasive fungal infections and other pulmonary infections in paediatric cancer patients.

osteogenic and angiogenic effects of a family of natural origin PO-free bioactive glasses.

Bioactive glasses (BGs) belong to a group of ceramic biomaterials having numerous applications due to their excellent biocompatibility and bioactivity. Depending on their composition, properties of BGs can be finely tuned. In this study, we investigated both angiogenic and osteogenic properties of a novel family of BGs from the SiO-CaO-NaO system.

Optimized lung expansion ventilation modulates ventilation-induced lung injury in preterm lambs.

Introduction: Preterm infants close to viability commonly require mechanical ventilation (MV) for respiratory distress syndrome. Despite commonly used lung-sparing ventilation techniques, rapid lung expansion during MV induces lung injury, a risk factor for bronchopulmonary dysplasia. This study investigates whether ventilation with optimized lung expansion is feasible and whether it can further minimize lung injury.

Antenatal Infection Causes Colonic Mucus Barrier Defects: Implications for Intestinal Pathologies.

Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). (UP) is clinically the most isolated microorganism in chorioamnionitis, but its pathogenicity remains debated. Chorioamnionitis is associated with ileal barrier changes, but colonic barrier alterations, including those of the mucus barrier, remain under-investigated, despite their importance in NEC pathophysiology.

Multipotent adult progenitor cells prevent functional impairment and improve development in inflammation driven detriment of preterm ovine lungs.

Background: Perinatal inflammation increases the risk for bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm neonates, but the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms remain largely unknown. Given their anti-inflammatory and regenerative capacity, multipotent adult progenitor cells (MAPC) are a promising cell-based therapy to prevent and/or treat the negative pulmonary consequences of perinatal inflammation in the preterm neonate. Therefore, the pathophysiology underlying adverse preterm lung outcomes following perinatal inflammation and pulmonary benefits of MAPC treatment at the interface of prenatal inflammatory and postnatal ventilation exposures were elucidated.

Micafungin twice-a-week for prophylaxis of invasive Aspergillus infections in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: A controlled cohort study.

Objectives: Invasive Aspergillus infections during the early phase of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) treatment come with morbidity and mortality. The interaction with vincristine hampers first-line azole prophylaxis. We describe the efficacy of an alternative twice-a-week micafungin regimen for Aspergillus prophylaxis.

Central Venous Catheter-related Bloodstream Infections Caused by Enterobacterales in Pediatric Oncology Patients: Catheter Salvage or Removal.

Background: The aim was to determine whether salvage treatment with systemic antibiotics is a safe and effective strategy for Enterobacterales bloodstream infections (BSI) in pediatric oncology patients with a central venous catheter (CVC).

Methods: A retrospective study was performed on oncology and stem cell recipient patients with a CVC and blood culture with Enterobacterales , at the Princess Máxima Centre for Pediatric Oncology, Utrecht, the Netherlands. Analyses were performed for all BSI and for episodes meeting central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) criteria.

Umbilical cord-mesenchymal stem cells induce a memory phenotype in CD4 T cells.

Inflammation is a physiological state where immune cells evoke a response against detrimental insults. Finding a safe and effective treatment for inflammation associated diseases has been a challenge. In this regard, human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSC), exert immunomodulatory effects and have regenerative capacity making it a promising therapeutic option for resolution of acute and chronic inflammation.

Adoption is not associated with immunological and virological outcomes in children with perinatally acquired HIV infection in the Netherlands.

Objectives: To provide an overview of the demographics, treatment characteristics and long-term outcomes of children with perinatal HIV-1 infection (PHIV) living in the Netherlands (NL) and to specifically investigate whether outcomes differ by children's adoption status.

Design: A prospective population-based open cohort including children with PHIV in NL.

Methods: We included children with PHIV who had entered HIV care in NL since 2007, in view of a sharp increase in the number of adopted children with PHIV since that year.

Polymer film-based microwell array platform for long-term culture and research of human bronchial organoids.

The culture of lung organoids relies on drops of basement membrane matrices. This comes with limitations, for example, concerning the microscopic monitoring and imaging of the organoids in the drops. Also, the culture technique is not easily compatible with micromanipulations of the organoids.

Time Dependent Changes in the Ovine Neurovascular Unit; A Potential Neuroprotective Role of Annexin A1 in Neonatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy.

Perinatal brain injury following hypoxia-ischemia (HI) is characterized by high mortality rates and long-term disabilities. Previously, we demonstrated that depletion of Annexin A1, an essential mediator in BBB integrity, was associated with a temporal loss of blood-brain barrier (BBB) integrity after HI. Since the molecular and cellular mechanisms mediating the impact of HI are not fully scrutinized, we aimed to gain mechanistic insight into the dynamics of essential BBB structures following global HI in relation to ANXA1 expression.

Hypoxia-Driven Changes in a Human Intestinal Organoid Model and the Protective Effects of Hydrolyzed Whey.

Many whey proteins, peptides and protein-derived amino acids have been suggested to improve gut health through their anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, barrier-protective and immune-modulating effects. Interestingly, although the degree of hydrolysis influences peptide composition and, thereby, biological function, this important aspect is often overlooked. In the current study, we aimed to investigate the effects of whey protein fractions with different degrees of enzymatic hydrolysis on the intestinal epithelium in health and disease with a novel 2D human intestinal organoid (HIO) monolayer model.

Antenatal Ureaplasma infection induces ovine small intestinal goblet cell defects: a strong link with NEC pathology.

Disruption of the intestinal mucus barrier and intestinal epithelial endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress contribute to necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Previously, we observed intestinal goblet cell loss and increased intestinal epithelial ER stress following chorioamnionitis. Here, we investigated how chorioamnionitis affects goblet cells by assessing their cellular characteristics.

[Carbapenems: take it when needed but leave it if you can].

Surveillance data and literature have shown a worldwide increase in infections with resistant bacteria, which has led to increased prescriptions of carbapenems, which in turn has led to increased carbapenem resistance. There is also an increasing use of carbapenems in the Netherlands, a county usually very conservative in antibiotic use. Carbapenem sparing strategies are essential in an attempt to prevent further rise of infections caused by carbapenem resistant bacteria.

The Dutch Working Party on Antibiotic Policy (SWAB) Recommendations for the Diagnosis and Management of Febrile Neutropenia in Patients with Cancer.

Introduction: This guideline was written by a multidisciplinary committee with mandated members of the Dutch Society for Infectious Diseases, Dutch Society for Hematology, Dutch Society for Medical Oncology, Dutch Association of Hospital Pharmacists, Dutch Society for Medical Microbiology, and Dutch Society for Pediatrics. The guideline is written for adults and pediatric patients.

Method: The recommendations are based on the answers to nine questions formulated by the guideline committee.

Effect of Antibacterial Prophylaxis on Febrile Neutropenic Episodes and Bacterial Bloodstream Infections in Dutch Pediatric Patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia: A Two-Center Retrospective Study.

Bloodstream infections (BSIs), especially those caused by Gram-negative rods (GNR) and viridans group streptococci (VGS), are common and potentially life-threatening complications of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML) treatment. Limited literature is available on prophylactic regimens. We retrospectively evaluated the effect of different antibacterial prophylaxis regimens on the incidence of febrile neutropenic (FN) episodes and bacterial BSIs.

Thiol-ene conjugation of VEGF peptide to electrospun scaffolds as potential application for angiogenesis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a vital role in promoting attachment and proliferation of endothelial cells, and induces angiogenesis. In recent years, much research has been conducted on functionalization of tissue engineering scaffolds with VEGF or VEGF-mimetic peptide to promote angiogenesis. However, most chemical reactions are nonspecific and require organic solvents, which can compromise control over functionalization and alter peptide/protein activity.

Electrospun Scaffolds Functionalized with a Hydrogen Sulfide Donor Stimulate Angiogenesis.

Tissue-engineered constructs are currently limited by the lack of vascularization necessary for the survival and integration of implanted tissues. Hydrogen sulfide (HS), an endogenous signaling gas (gasotransmitter), has been recently reported as a promising alternative to growth factors to mediate and promote angiogenesis in low concentrations. Yet, sustained delivery of HS remains a challenge.

Mucormycosis in Children With Hematologic Malignancies: A Case Series and Review of the Literature.

Background: Mucormycosis is classified as the third leading cause of invasive fungal disease in immunocompromised patients and is characterized by high morbidity and mortality (33%-56%). The aim of this study is to describe presentation, treatment and outcome of Dutch pediatric hemato-oncology patients recently diagnosed with mucormycosis and to review the literature to gain more insight specifically into contemporary outcome data.

Methods: Ten cases were diagnosed in the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology from 2018 to 2021 and were retrospectively reviewed.

Prenatal administration of multipotent adult progenitor cells modulates the systemic and cerebral immune response in an ovine model of chorioamnionitis.

Systemic and cerebral inflammation following antenatal infection (e.g. chorioamnionitis) and dysregulation of the blood brain barrier (BBB) are major risk factors for abnormal neonatal brain development.

Chorioamnionitis Causes Kidney Inflammation, Podocyte Damage, and Pro-fibrotic Changes in Fetal Lambs.

Background: Perinatal complications, such as prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction, are associated with increased risk of chronic kidney disease. Although often associated with reduced nephron endowment, there is also evidence of increased susceptibility for sclerotic changes and podocyte alterations. Preterm birth is frequently associated with chorioamnionitis, though studies regarding the effect of chorioamnionitis on the kidney are scarce.

The diagnostic value of nasal microbiota and clinical parameters in a multi-parametric prediction model to differentiate bacterial versus viral infections in lower respiratory tract infections.

Background: The ability to accurately distinguish bacterial from viral infection would help clinicians better target antimicrobial therapy during suspected lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI). Although technological developments make it feasible to rapidly generate patient-specific microbiota profiles, evidence is required to show the clinical value of using microbiota data for infection diagnosis. In this study, we investigated whether adding nasal cavity microbiota profiles to readily available clinical information could improve machine learning classifiers to distinguish bacterial from viral infection in patients with LRTI.

Pharmacokinetic evaluation of twice-a-week micafungin for prophylaxis of invasive fungal disease in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia: a prospective observational cohort study.

Objectives: To determine the pharmacokinetics of twice-a-week micafungin prophylaxis in paediatric leukaemic patients to provide the rationale for this approach.

Methods: Twice-a-week micafungin at a dose of 9 mg/kg (maximum 300 mg) was given during the leukaemic induction treatment with at least one pharmacokinetic assessment. Non-linear mixed-effects modelling was used for analysis.