Increase in bloodstream infections caused by 1 group A correlates with emergence of toxigenic M1, Belgium, May 2022 to August 2023.

Many European countries have recently reported upsurges in invasive group A (iGAS) infections, mainly caused by 1 , specifically the toxigenic M1 lineage. We present the epidemiology of 1 causing iGAS in Belgium during 2018-August 2023, and describe an emergence of the toxigenic M1 lineage in Belgium in mid-2022 that was observed as an increase in bloodstream infections caused by 1 that continued into 2023.

Prognostic value of preoperative serological biomarkers in patients undergoing cytoreductive surgery for ovarian cancer peritoneal metastases.

Objectives: Peritoneal metastases of ovarian cancer (PMOC) are common at initial presentation. Cytoreductive surgery (CRS) of curative intent has been proven to be efficient in increasing the overall survival (OS) and the disease-free survival (DFS) of these patients. Nevertheless, CRS is associated with high postoperative morbidity, which makes patient selection a major concern.

New keratoconus staging system based on OCT.

Purpose: To establish a numerical spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-based keratoconus (KC) staging system and compare it with existing KC staging systems.

Setting: Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Designs: Retrospective case-control study.

The monsplasty: Surgical and functional outcomes using an effective and reproducible surgical technique.

Background: The available literature on monsplasty remains sparse and most of the reports are limited to the description of one surgical technique, with limited to no post-operative data. This study aims to describe a reproducible monsplasty surgical technique and to analyze the post-operative functional and esthetic outcomes.

Methods: Patients with at least grade 2 mons pubis ptosis were included in the study and observed for 3 months.

Exploring the learning needs of clinicians in Belgium and Sweden regarding prone positioning and skin damage prevention: A qualitative study.

Introduction: During the coronavirus pandemic (COVID -19), the use of prone positioning in critically ill patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) increased substantially. As a result, clinicians had to (re)learn how to treat the patient in the prone position while preventing adverse events such as pressure ulcers, skin tears and moisture-associated skin damage.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to determine participants' learning needs related to patients in the prone position and the prevention of skin damage, such as pressure ulcers, and what they perceived as a positive or negative learning experience.

Chest wall perforator flaps for breast reconstruction: international survey on attitudes and training needs.

Background: Volume replacement using chest wall perforator flaps (CWPFs) is a promising technique to reduce mastectomy rates without sacrificing function or aesthetics. Owing to limited availability of the technique, only a minority of patients currently have access to CWPF procedures.

Methods: An international web-based survey was disseminated through social media, dedicated webpages, and national and international societies for breast surgery.

Efficacy of immunotherapy in mismatch repair-deficient advanced colorectal cancer in routine clinical practice. An AGEO study.

Background: Immunotherapy demonstrated remarkable efficacy in metastatic colorectal cancers (mCRCs) with mismatch repair deficiency (MMRd)/microsatellite instability (MSI). However, data regarding efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in the routine clinical practice are scarce.

Patients And Methods: This is a retrospective, multicenter study aiming to evaluate efficacy and safety of immunotherapy in routine clinical practice and to identify predictive markers for long-term benefit.

Immunotherapies in non-metastatic gastrointestinal cancers.

Purpose: Over the last decade, immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have emerged as cornerstone in the treatment of many metastatic tumour types, including gastrointestinal cancers. In many solid tumours, the effective therapies in the metastatic field are progressively brought into the curative setting. Consequently, earlier tumoural settings have become a field of experiment for immunotherapies.

Influence of VAC Therapy on Perfusion and Edema of Gracilis Flaps: Prospective Case-control Study.

Unlabelled: The gracilis muscle flap is a popular choice in reconstructive surgery to repair soft tissue defects or for functional restoration. Little is known on the influence of postoperative application of VAC (vacuum-assisted closure; Kinetic Concepts Inc., San Antonio, Tex.

Illness-related parental stress and quality of life in children with kidney diseases.

Background: This cross-sectional study investigated quality of life (QoL) and illness-related parental stress in children with kidney diseases by (1) comparing mean levels of these two variables between several kidney disease categories; (2) exploring correlations between QoL and parental stress; and (3) describing which disease category reports lowest QoL and highest parental stress.

Methods: We included 295 patients with a kidney disease (0-18 years) and their parents, followed at 6 reference centers for pediatric nephrology. Children's QoL was assessed by the PedsQL™ 4.

Patent Foramen Ovale and Cryptogenic Stroke: Integrated Management.

Patent foramen ovale (PFO) is a common cardiac abnormality with a prevalence of 25% in the general population. PFO has been associated with the paradoxical embolism causing cryptogenic stroke and systemic embolization. Results from clinical trials, meta-analyses, and position papers support percutaneous PFO device closure (PPFOC), especially if interatrial septal aneurysms coexist and in the presence of large shunts in young patients.

CEP162 deficiency causes human retinal degeneration and reveals a dual role in ciliogenesis and neurogenesis.

Defects in primary or motile cilia result in a variety of human pathologies, and retinal degeneration is frequently associated with these so-called ciliopathies. We found that homozygosity for a truncating variant in CEP162, a centrosome and microtubule-associated protein required for transition zone assembly during ciliogenesis and neuronal differentiation in the retina, caused late-onset retinitis pigmentosa in 2 unrelated families. The mutant CEP162-E646R*5 protein was expressed and properly localized to the mitotic spindle, but it was missing from the basal body in primary and photoreceptor cilia.

What is appropriate care? A qualitative study into the perceptions of healthcare professionals in Flemish university hospital intensive care units.

Aim: This study examines when healthcare professionals consider intensive care as appropriate care.

Background: Despite attempts to conceptualize appropriate care in prior research, there is a lack of insight into its meaning and implementation in practice. This is an important issue because healthcare professionals as well as patients and relatives report inappropriate care in the intensive care unit (ICU) on a regular basis.

Preexisting evidence and outcome of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology: a systematic review.

Background: A minority of phase III trials in gastrointestinal oncology are positive. We assessed the association between their outcome and the level and characteristics of preexisting evidence.

Methods: EMBASE, PubMed, and proceedings from international meetings were searched for phase III gastrointestinal cancer trials (gastroesophageal, hepatocellular, biliary tract, pancreatic, small bowel, colorectal, anal, stromal, and neuroendocrine) between January 2000 and June 2020.

Effects of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation on cognitive and autonomic correlates of perseverative cognition.

Perseverative cognitions can provoke psychophysiological stress in the absence of an actual stressor and are considered important transdiagnostic vulnerability factors for several (mental) health issues. These stress-related cognitive processes are reflected by both cognitive (assessed by self-reports) and autonomic inflexibility (assessed by heart rate variability; HRV), with a key role attributed to the vagus nerve. Interestingly, modulation of the afferent branches of the vagus can be achieved with transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS), a non-invasive technique that employs a low-intensity electrical current applied to the ear.

Efficacy and safety of baricitinib in hospitalized adults with severe or critical COVID-19 (Bari-SolidAct): a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial.

Background: Baricitinib has shown efficacy in hospitalized patients with COVID-19, but no placebo-controlled trials have focused specifically on severe/critical COVID, including vaccinated participants.

Methods: Bari-SolidAct is a phase-3, multicentre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, enrolling participants from June 3, 2021 to March 7, 2022, stopped prematurely for external evidence. Patients with severe/critical COVID-19 were randomised to Baricitinib 4 mg once daily or placebo, added to standard of care.

Metabolic changes after surgical fat removal: A dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: Bariatric surgery averts obesity-induced insulin resistance and the metabolic syndrome. By contrast, surgical fat removal is considered merely an esthetic endeavor. The aim of this article was to establish whether surgical fat removal, similar to bariatric surgery, exerts measurable, lasting metabolic benefits.

Metabolic aspects of surgical subcutaneous fat removal: An umbrella review and implications for future research.

Although obesity is a preventable disease, maintaining a normal body weight can be very challenging and difficult, which has led to a significant increase in the demand for surgical subcutaneous fat removal (SSFR) to improve physical appearance. The need for SSFR is further exacerbated because of the global rise in the number of bariatric surgeries, which is currently the single most durable intervention for mitigating obesity. Fat tissue is now recognized as a vital endocrine organ that produces several bioactive proteins.

A new oncoplastic technique with immediate nipple reconstruction for central breast tumors using Würinger's septum-based flap.

Introduction: Centrally located breast tumors represent a challenge for both oncological and reconstructive surgeons, mainly due to the necessity of nipple-areola complex (NAC) removal. We describe an original oncoplastic solution utilizing a displacement flap technique with immediate nipple reconstruction.

Methods: Since 2008, we developed an oncoplastic technique using a septum-based island flap for the reconstruction of central breast defects, including the NAC.