Defective proviruses significantly impact viral transcription and immune activation in men and women with HIV-1 subtype C in rural South Africa.

Introduction: The main obstacle to achieving an HIV-1 cure is the proviral reservoir. To promote equity in HIV cure strategies, it is crucial to study the viral reservoir of the predominant HIV-1 subtype C in both women and men. Therefore, we investigated the dynamics of the (intact) viral reservoir in relation to plasma viral load (VL), CD4 T cell count, and immune activation before and during 96 weeks of successful antiretroviral therapy (ART).

Pessary or cerclage (PC study) to prevent recurrent preterm birth: a non-inferiority, randomised controlled trial.

Background: Previous spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a strong risk indicator for recurrent preterm birth (PTB). Cervical cerclage is an accepted intervention to prevent recurrent PTB in high risk patients. Cervical pessary might be a less invasive alternative.

Response shift results of quantitative research using patient-reported outcome measures: a meta-regression analysis.

Purpose: Our objectives were to identify characteristics of response shift studies using patient-reported outcomes (PROMs) that explain variability in (1) the detection and (2) the magnitude of response shift effects.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review of quantitative studies published before June 2023. First, two-level multivariable logistic regression models (effect- and sample-levels) were used to explain variability in the probability of finding a response shift effect.

Outcomes in early mobilisation research in critically ill children: A scoping review.

Objective: Early mobilisation in critically ill children is safe and feasible. However, the effectiveness of early mobilisation on short- and long-term outcomes is understudied. The aim of this scoping review was to generate an overview of outcomes used in previous research regarding early mobilisation in critically ill children.

Associations of smoke-free policies in multi-unit housing with smoking behavior and second-hand smoke exposure: A systematic review.

Background And Aim: Although considerable progress has been made regarding the implementation of smoke-free policies (SFPs), many people continue to be exposed to second-hand smoke (SHS) in the home environment. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review on the association of SFPs in multi-unit housing (MUH) with smoking behavior and SHS exposure.

Methods: In August 2022, we searched five online databases: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, PsycINFO and CENTRAL.

Skeletal muscle mitochondrial fragmentation predicts age-associated decline in physical capacity.

Ageing substantially impairs skeletal muscle metabolic and physical function. Skeletal muscle mitochondrial health is also impaired with ageing, but the role of skeletal muscle mitochondrial fragmentation in age-related functional decline remains imprecisely characterized. Here, using a cross-sectional study design, we performed a detailed comparison of skeletal muscle mitochondrial characteristics in relation to in vivo markers of exercise capacity between young and middle-aged individuals.

Outcomes of Salvage Surgery for Esophageal Carcinoma: A Nationwide Cohort Study from the Dutch Upper GI Cancer Audit.

Background: Salvage esophagectomy is more complex and associated with higher postoperative morbidity and mortality than standard resection. This study aimed to investigate short-term outcomes and the influence of hospital volume on these outcomes of salvage surgery for esophageal cancer.

Methods: The study enrolled all patients undergoing esophagectomy for esophageal cancer registered in the Dutch Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Audit (DUCA) between 2012 and 2022.

Mapping challenges in the accessibility of treatment products for urea cycle disorders: A survey of European healthcare professionals.

Current management guidelines for urea cycle disorders (UCDs) offer clear strategies, incorporating both authorized and non-authorized medicinal products (including intravenous formulations and products regulated as food). These varying product categories are subject to specific accessibility challenges related to availability, reimbursement, and pricing. The aim of this study is to identify potential obstacles to optimal UCD treatment implementation in European clinical practice.

Multicellular 3D models to study myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Coronary heart disease is a major global health threat, with acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) being a major contributor to myocardial damage following an ischemic event. IRI occurs when blood flow to ischemic tissues is restored and exacerbates the cellular damage caused by ischemia/hypoxia. Although animal studies investigating IRI have provided valuable insights, their translation into clinical outcomes has been limited, and translation into medical practice remains cumbersome.

Inferior short-term survivorship and patient outcomes for cementless compared to hybrid fixation with a cemented femoral implant in a novel blade-anchored medial unicompartmental knee arthroplasty design: An analysis of 132 cases.

Purpose: For younger, more active patients, a cementless unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) might be more advantageous than cemented fixation. Therefore, this study aimed to compare implant survivorship and patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between cementless and hybrid fixation (cemented femur and cementless tibial fixation) in a novel tibial blade-anchored, medial UKA design.

Methods: Two surgeon's registries were reviewed for patients who underwent primary cementless or hybrid medial UKA for medial osteoarthritis between 2019 and 2022.

Triage test for all-oral drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) regimen: a phase IV study to assess effectiveness, feasibility, acceptability and cost-effectiveness of the Xpert MTB/XDR assay for rapid triage and treatment of DR-TB.

Introduction: The TriAD study will assess the Xpert MTB/XDR (Xpert XDR; Cepheid) assay to detect tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance in sputum testing positive for TB to rapidly triage and treat patients with a short all-oral treatment regimen.

Methods And Analysis: In this study, approximately 4800 Xpert MTB/RIF or Ultra MTB-positive patients (irrespective of rifampicin (RIF) resistance (RR) status) from several clinical sites across South Africa, Nigeria and Ethiopia will be enrolled over 18-24 months and followed-up for approximately 6 months post-TB treatment completion. Participants will be enrolled into one of two cohorts based on Xpert MTB/RIF and Xpert XDR results: () positive participants with RR in Cohort 1 (n=880) and positive RIF susceptible TB patients with isoniazid mono-resistance irrespective of presence of resistance to fluoroquinolones, second-line injectable drugs or ethionamide in Cohort 2 (n=400).

Diagnosing Hirschsprung Disease in Children Older than Six Months of Age: Complications After Rectal Biopsy, Insight in Final Diagnoses and Factors Associated With Hirschsprung Disease.

Introduction: It is challenging to distinguish between patients with Hirschsprung disease (HD) and patients with other causes of defecation problems based on clinical presentation in patients older than six months. Pathological examination of the rectal biopsy is the gold standard for the diagnosis of HD. The aim of this study was to gain insight into 1) the prevalence and severity of complications following rectal biopsy, 2) the final diagnoses of patients referred for biopsy, and 3) clinical factors associated with HD in patients older than six months.