Risk of Recurrent Venous Thromboembolism in Autoimmune Diseases: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

Despite an abundance of literature on the risk of a first venous thromboembolic event (VTE) in autoimmune diseases, specific recommendations about managing VTE in autoimmune diseases are lacking. This article aimed to collect evidence on the risk of recurrent VTE in patients with autoimmune diseases. The authors searched PubMed/Embase for studies including patients with VTE and autoimmune diseases as an exposure or studies including patients with autoimmune diseases in which recurrent VTE was one of the outcomes.

Strain analysis is superior to wall thickening in discriminating between infarcted myocardium with and without microvascular obstruction.

Objectives: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the diagnostic performances of strain and wall thickening analysis in discriminating among three types of myocardium after acute myocardial infarction: non-infarcted myocardium, infarcted myocardium without microvascular obstruction (MVO) and infarcted myocardium with MVO.

Methods: Seventy-one patients with a successfully treated ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging at 2-6 days after reperfusion. The imaging protocol included conventional cine imaging, myocardial tissue tagging and late gadolinium enhancement.

The pediatric acenocoumarol dosing algorithm: the Children Anticoagulation and Pharmacogenetics Study.

Unlabelled: Essentials A pediatric pharmacogenetic dosing algorithm for acenocoumarol has not yet been developed. We conducted a multicenter retrospective follow-up study in children in the Netherlands. Body surface area and indication explained 45.

High-Resolution Imaging of Interaction Between Thrombus and Stent-Retriever in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke.

Background: Currently, acute ischemic stroke is still a leading cause of mortality and morbidity. Approximately 2 years ago, mechanical thrombectomy was proven beneficial as a revolutionary new therapy for stroke in the MR-CLEAN trial (A Multicenter Randomized Clinical Trial of Endovascular Treatment for Acute Ischemic Stroke in the Netherlands). However, the mechanisms by which the thrombectomy device, or stent-retriever, interacts with the thrombus are largely unknown.

The immediate effect of a soft knee brace on dynamic knee instability in persons with knee osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Wearing a soft knee brace has been shown to reduce self-reported knee instability in persons with knee OA. There is a need to assess whether a soft knee brace has a beneficial effect on objectively assessed dynamic knee instability as well. The aims of the study were to evaluate the effect of a soft knee brace on objectively assessed dynamic knee instability and to assess the difference in effect between a non-tight and a tight soft knee brace in persons with knee OA.

Dilation or biodegradable stent placement for recurrent benign esophageal strictures: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Dilation is the standard of care for recurrent benign esophageal strictures (BES). Biodegradable stents may prolong the effect of dilation and reduce recurrences. Efficacy and safety of dilation and biodegradable stent placement early in the treatment algorithm of recurrent BES were compared.

Initial validation and results of the Symptoms in Persons At Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis (SPARRA) questionnaire: a EULAR project.

Objectives: To describe the development and assess the psychometric properties of the novel 'Symptoms in Persons At Risk of Rheumatoid Arthritis' (SPARRA) questionnaire in individuals at risk of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to quantify their symptoms.

Methods: The questionnaire items were derived from a qualitative study in patients with seropositive arthralgia. The questionnaire was administered to 219 individuals at risk of RA on the basis of symptoms or autoantibody positivity: 74% rheumatoid factor and/or anticitrullinated protein antibodies positive, 26% seronegative.

Biological versus mechanical heart valve prosthesis during pregnancy in women with congenital heart disease.

Background: We evaluate pregnancy outcome and anticoagulation regimes in women with mechanical and biological prosthetic heart valves (PHV) for congenital heart disease.

Methods: Retrospective multicenter cohort studying pregnancy outcomes in an existing cohort of patients with PHV.

Results: 52 women had 102 pregnancies of which 78 pregnancies (46 women) ≥20 weeks duration (59 biological, 19 mechanical PHV).

Transanal Endoscopic Microsurgery with or without Completion Total Mesorectal Excision for T2 and T3 Rectal Carcinoma.

Aim: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is used for the resection of large rectal adenomas and well or moderately differentiated T1 carcinomas. Due to difficulty in preoperative staging, final pathology may reveal a carcinoma not suitable for TEM. Although completion total mesorectal excision is considered standard of care in T2 or more invasive carcinomas, this completion surgery is not always performed.

"Tuberculosis in advanced HIV infection is associated with increased expression of IFNγ and its downstream targets".

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) is the major cause of death in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected individuals. However, diagnosis of TB in HIV remains challenging particularly when HIV infection is advanced. Several gene signatures and serum protein biomarkers have been identified that distinguish active TB from latent infection.

Determinants of Subcutaneous Implantable Cardioverter-Defibrillator Efficacy: A Computer Modeling Study.

Objectives: This study determined the impact of subcutaneous implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (S-ICD) coil and generator position on defibrillation threshold (DFT).

Background: S-ICD implantation can occasionally result in unacceptably high DFT. Implant position characteristics associated with high DFTs in S-ICD patients have not been fully elucidated.

Consecutive negative findings on colonoscopy during surveillance predict a low risk of advanced neoplasia in patients with inflammatory bowel disease with long-standing colitis: results of a 15-year multicentre, multinational cohort study.

Objectives: Surveillance colonoscopy is thought to prevent colorectal cancer (CRC) in patients with long-standing colonic IBD, but data regarding the frequency of surveillance and the findings thereof are lacking. Our aim was to determine whether consecutive negative surveillance colonoscopies adequately predict low neoplastic risk.

Design: A multicentre, multinational database of patients with long-standing IBD colitis without high-risk features and undergoing regular CRC surveillance was constructed.

Whole-Exome Sequencing in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Identifies Rare Variants in COL8A1, a Component of Bruch's Membrane.

Purpose: Genome-wide association studies and targeted sequencing studies of candidate genes have identified common and rare variants that are associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Whole-exome sequencing (WES) studies allow a more comprehensive analysis of rare coding variants across all genes of the genome and will contribute to a better understanding of the underlying disease mechanisms. To date, the number of WES studies in AMD case-control cohorts remains scarce and sample sizes are limited.

Genetic correlation of antisocial behaviour with alcohol, nicotine, and cannabis use.

Background: There is high comorbidity between antisocial behaviour (ASB) and substance use, and twin studies have shown that part of the covariation is due to overlapping genetic influences. Here we used measured genetic effects to estimate the genetic correlations of ASB with nicotine, alcohol, and cannabis use.

Methods: We meta-analysed data from two genome-wide association studies for ASB and used existing summary statistics from the largest genome-wide association studies into substance use (ever smoking, cigarettes smoked per day, weekly alcohol consumption, and lifetime cannabis use).

Cross-sectional networks of depressive symptoms before and after antidepressant medication treatment.

Purpose: Recent reviews have questioned the efficacy of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) above placebo response, and their working mechanisms remain unclear. New approaches to understanding the effects of SSRIs are necessary to enhance their efficacy. The aim of this study was to explore the possibilities of using cross-sectional network analysis to increase our understanding of symptom connectivity before and after SSRI treatment.

Reproductive intentions and use of reproductive health care among female survivors of childhood cancer.

Study Question: Do female childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) express a decreased desire to have children and do they use reproductive health care more often compared to women without a history of cancer?

Summary Answer: Overall, no difference was found in the desire to have children between CCSs and controls, whereas CCSs consult a fertility specialist more often, at a younger age, and sooner after their first attempt at conceiving.

What Is Known Already: Female CCSs may face a shorter than anticipated reproductive window as a result of their cancer treatment. Little is known about their desire to have children and use of reproductive health care, especially in relation to their former cancer treatment.

Antidepressants during pregnancy: Guideline adherence and current practice amongst Dutch gynaecologists and midwives.

Background And Objectives: prescription rates of antidepressants during pregnancy range from 2-3% in The Netherlands to 6.2% in the USA. Inconclusive evidence about harms and benefits of antidepressants during pregnancy leads to variation in advice given by gynaecologists and midwives.

Cost-effectiveness in extracorporeal life support in critically ill adults in the Netherlands.

Background: Extracorporeal life support (ECLS) is used to support the cardiorespiratory function in case of severe cardiac and/or respiratory failure in critically ill patients. According to the ELSO guidelines ECLS should be considered when estimated mortality risk approximates 80%. ECLS seems an efficient therapy in terms of survival benefit, but no undisputed evidence is delivered yet.