Carotid artery stiffness and risk of vascular events and mortality: the REGICOR study.

Introduction And Objectives: The aims of this study were to determine the dose-response association of carotid arterial stiffness with vascular outcomes and overall mortality, and to assess their added predictive capacity.

Methods: Population-based cohort study including 6468 individuals, with a median follow-up of 6.5 years.

Comparison of Prognostic Accuracy of 3 Delirium Prediction Models.

Background: Delirium is a severe complication in critical care patients. Accurate prediction could facilitate determination of which patients are at risk. In the past decade, several delirium prediction models have been developed.

Associations between early ischemic signs on non-contrast CT and time since acute ischemic stroke onset: A scoping review.

Purpose: Onset to imaging (OTI) time is a crucial factor in determining treatment eligibility for acute ischemic stroke patients, since the treatments are time-dependent. Patients with an unknown OTI time are often excluded from treatment, or advanced imaging is needed, which is not widely and readily available. As non-contrast CT (NCCT) is part of the standard stroke protocol, estimating OTI time using only NCCT would be valuable for patients with an unknown OTI time.

Feasibility, and validity aspects of Entrustable Professional Activity (EPA)-based assessment in general practice training.

Introduction: Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) are developed to support the practical application of competency frameworks in postgraduate medical education (PGME) programmes. EPAs are used for the assessment of the trainees' competence development, which takes place by means of an entrustment decision, aiming to stimulate learning and independent practice in trainees. In this pilot study, we explore the feasibility and validity of EPA-based assessment in a General Practice (GP) training programme.

Complications After Major Surgery for Duodenopancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors in Patients with MEN1: Results from a Nationwide Cohort.

Background: Little is known about complications after major duodenopancreatic surgery for duodenopancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (dpNETs) in multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1). Therefore, the incidence and severity of complications after major surgery for MEN1-related dpNETs were assessed.

Methods: Patients were selected from the population-based Dutch MEN1 database if they had undergone a Whipple procedure or total pancreatectomy from 2003 to 2017.

Psychotic late-life depression less likely to relapse after electroconvulsive therapy.

Background: A substantial number of patients with late-life depression (LLD) that remitted after ECT experience relapse. Identifying risk factors for relapse may guide clinical management to devote attention to those at increased risk. Therefore the current study aims to evaluate which baseline clinical characteristics are related to relapse within six months after successful ECT in patients with severe LLD.

Can a biomarker triage test reduce colonoscopy burden in fecal immunochemical test screening?

To assess the potential of biomarker triage testing (BM-TT) in the Dutch colorectal cancer (CRC) screening program. Using the Adenoma and Serrated pathway to Colorectal CAncer model, we simulated fecal immunochemical test (FIT)-screening and various FIT plus BM-TT screening scenarios in which only individuals with both a positive FIT and BM-TT are referred to colonoscopy. Adding a low polyp sensitivity BM-TT to FIT-screening reduced colonoscopy burden (89-100%) while increasing CRC mortality (27-41%) compared with FIT-screening only.

Platelet Inhibition, Endothelial Function, and Clinical Outcome in Patients Presenting With ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Randomized to Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel Maintenance Therapy: Long-Term Follow-Up of the REDUCE-MVI Trial.

Background Off-target properties of ticagrelor might reduce microvascular injury and improve clinical outcome in patients with ST-segment-elevation myocardial infarction. The REDUCE-MVI (Evaluation of Microvascular Injury in Revascularized Patients with ST-Segment-Elevation Myocardial Infarction Treated With Ticagrelor Versus Prasugrel) trial reported no benefit of ticagrelor regarding microvascular function at 1 month. We now present the follow-up data up to 1.

Multitarget Stool DNA Test Performance in an Average-Risk Colorectal Cancer Screening Population.

Introduction: We set out to evaluate the performance of a multitarget stool DNA (MT-sDNA) in an average-risk colonoscopy-controlled colorectal cancer (CRC) screening population. MT-sDNA stool test results were evaluated against fecal immunochemical test (FIT) results for the detection of different lesions, including molecularly defined high-risk adenomas and several other tumor characteristics.

Methods: Whole stool samples (n = 1,047) were prospectively collected and subjected to an MT-sDNA test, which tests for KRAS mutations, NDRG4 and BMP3 promoter methylation, and hemoglobin.

MMSE Changes During and After ECT in Late-Life Depression: A Prospective Study.

Objective: There is ongoing concern about the impact of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) on cognition in patients with late-life depression (LLD), especially in patients for whom pretreatment Mini-Mental State Exam (MMSE) scores are low. Our aim was to examine the evolution of cognitive effects of ECT, using the MMSE in a large group of patients with LLD.

Methods: One hundred nine patients aged 55 years and older with unipolar depression, referred for ECT, were included in our study.

Quality of life and patient satisfaction after one-stage implant-based breast reconstruction with an acellular dermal matrix versus two-stage breast reconstruction (BRIOS): primary outcome of a randomised, controlled trial.

Background: There is increasing interest in the use of acellular dermal matrices (ADMs) in implant-based breast reconstruction (IBBR). Suggested advantages are that ADMs facilitate one-stage IBBR and improve aesthetic outcomes. We compared immediate one-stage ADM-assisted IBBR with two-stage IBBR (current standard of care).