Transforaminal versus posterior lumbar interbody fusion for symptomatic single-level spondylolisthesis (LIFT): a multicentre controlled, patient blinded, randomised non-inferiority trial.

Background: The effectiveness of transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) compared to posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) in patients with single-level spondylolisthesis has not been substantiated. To address the evidence gap, a well-powered randomized controlled non-inferiority trial comparing the effectiveness of TLIF with PLIF, entitled the Lumbar Interbody Fusion Trial (LIFT), was conducted.

Methods: In a multicenter randomized controlled non-inferiority trial among five Dutch hospitals, 161 patients were randomly allocated to either TLIF or PLIF (1:1), stratified according to study site.

Acute Coronary Syndrome Subphenotypes Based on Repeated Biomarker Measurements in Relation to Long-Term Mortality Risk.

Background: We aimed to identify patients with subphenotypes of postacute coronary syndrome (ACS) using repeated measurements of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T, N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and growth differentiation factor 15 in the year after the index admission, and to investigate their association with long-term mortality risk.

Methods And Results: BIOMArCS (BIOMarker Study to Identify the Acute Risk of a Coronary Syndrome) was an observational study of patients with ACS, who underwent high-frequency blood sampling for 1 year. Biomarkers were measured in a median of 16 repeated samples per individual.

BMI is not independently associated with coronary artery calcification in a large single-center CT cohort.

Objective: Obesity is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD) and CVD mortality. However, previous reports showed a paradoxical protective effect in patients with known CVD referred as "obesity paradox". Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the association of body mass index (BMI) with coronary artery calcification (CAC) in a large outpatient cardiac CT cohort.

Noninferiority of Posterior Cervical Foraminotomy vs Anterior Cervical Discectomy With Fusion for Procedural Success and Reduction in Arm Pain Among Patients With Cervical Radiculopathy at 1 Year: The FACET Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The choice between posterior cervical foraminotomy (posterior surgery) and anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (anterior surgery) for cervical foraminal radiculopathy remains controversial.

Objective: To investigate the noninferiority of posterior vs anterior surgery in patients with cervical foraminal radiculopathy with regard to clinical outcomes after 1 year.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This multicenter investigator-blinded noninferiority randomized clinical trial was conducted from January 2016 to May 2020 with a total follow-up of 2 years.

Process Evaluation of Lumbar Interbody Fusion Surgeries in Five Dutch Hospitals: A Qualitative Analysis.

: Only limited qualitative research concerning instrumented spine surgeries has been published, despite the increasing number of these surgeries and the evident importance of qualitative analysis of the processes surrounding these complex interventions. Current qualitative research is mainly limited to the experiences, emotions and expectations of patients. Insight into the full process, including experiences from the perspective of informal caregivers and healthcare professionals, remains scarce.

Optimal anatomical location for needle chest decompression for tension pneumothorax: A multicenter prospective cohort study.

Objective: Tension Pneumothorax (TP) can occur as a potentially life threatening complication of chest trauma. Both the 2 intercostal space in the midclavicular line (ICS2-MCL) and the 4/5 intercostal space in the anterior axillary line (ICS 4/5-AAL) have been proposed as preferred locations for needle decompression (ND) of a TP. In the present study we aim to determine chest wall thickness (CWT) at ICS2-MCL and ICS4/5-AAL in normal weight-, overweight- and obese patients, and to calculate theoretical success rates of ND for these locations based on standard catheter length.

Long-Term Ticagrelor in Patients With Prior Coronary Stenting in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 Trial.

Background Coronary stent type and risk of stent thrombosis remain important factors affecting recommended duration of dual antiplatelet therapy. We investigated the efficacy and safety of long-term ticagrelor in patients with prior coronary stenting enrolled in the PEGASUS-TIMI 54 (Prevention of Cardiovascular Events in Patients with Prior Heart Attack Using Ticagrelor Compared to Placebo on a Background of Aspirin-Thrombolysis in Myocardial Infarction 54) trial. Methods and Results Patients in PEGASUS-TIMI 54 had a myocardial infarction 1 to 3 year prior and were randomized 1:1:1 to ticagrelor 60 or 90 mg BID or placebo.

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis-associated diarrhea and response to chenodeoxycholic acid treatment.

Background: In patients with cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX), chronic diarrhea is one of the earliest and main symptoms of the disease. In the current study, we evaluated the characteristics of the diarrhea and its response to chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) therapy in a cohort of Dutch CTX patients.

Methods: We performed a retrospective review of medical records for 33 genetically confirmed CTX patients, and abstracted the characteristics of the diarrhea and the response to CDCA therapy (15 mg/kg/day up to 750 mg/day).

Blood pressure variability and microvascular dysfunction: the Maastricht Study.

Background: Microvascular dysfunction (MVD) contributes to stroke, dementia, depression, retinopathy and chronic kidney disease. However, the determinants of MVD are incompletely understood. Greater blood pressure variability (BPV) may be one such determinant.

Radiotherapy after primary CHEMotherapy (RAPCHEM): Practice variation in a Dutch registration study (BOOG 2010-03).

Background: We conducted a prospective cohort study in the Netherlands (RAPCHEM: NCT01279304, BOOG 2010-03) in breast cancer (BC) patients treated with primary systemic therapy (PST), followed by surgery and post-operative radiation therapy (RT) according to a predefined consensus-based study-guideline (SG). The aim of the current analysis is to evaluate adherence to the SG.

Methods: From January 2011 to January 2015, patients with cT1-2N1 BC treated in 17 Dutch RT Centres were included.

In vitro synergy of echinocandins with triazoles against fluconazole-resistant Candida parapsilosis complex isolates.

Introduction: Candida parapsilosis (C. parapsilosis) is a common non-albicans Candida species ranked as the second common cause of bloodstream infections. Azole resistance and elevated echinocandin MICs have been reported for these fungi.

Early Antiinflammatory Therapy Attenuates Brain Damage After Sah in Rats.

Background: Early inflammatory processes may play an important role in the development of early brain injury (EBI) after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Experimental studies suggest that anti-inflammatory and membrane-stabilizing drugs might have beneficial effects, although the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of early treatment with methylprednisolone and minocycline on cerebral perfusion and EBI after experimental SAH.

Autosomal recessive limb-girdle and Miyoshi muscular dystrophies in the Netherlands: The clinical and molecular spectrum of 244 patients.

In this retrospective study, we conducted a clinico-genetic analysis of patients with autosomal recessive limb-girdle muscular dystrophy (LGMD) and Miyoshi muscular dystrophy (MMD). Patients were identified at the tertiary referral centre for DNA diagnosis in the Netherlands and included if they carried two mutations in CAPN3, DYSF, SGCG, SGCA, SGCB, SGCD, TRIM32, FKRP or ANO5 gene. DNA was screened by direct sequencing and multiplex ligand-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) analysis.

Leigh syndrome caused by mutations in is associated with a better prognosis.

Objectives: Mitochondrial methionyl-tRNA formyltransferase (MTFMT) is required for the initiation of translation and elongation of mitochondrial protein synthesis Pathogenic variants in have been associated with Leigh syndrome (LS) and mitochondrial multiple respiratory chain deficiencies. We sought to elucidate the spectrum of clinical, neuroradiological and molecular genetic findings of patients with bi-allelic pathogenic variants in .

Methods: Retrospective cohort study combining new cases and previously published cases.

Functional impairments, fatigue and quality of life in RYR1-related myopathies: A questionnaire study.

Mutations in RYR1 are a common genetic cause of non-dystrophic neuromuscular disorders. To obtain baseline data concerning the prevalence of fatigue, the psychological disease burden and quality of life associated with these common conditions, we performed a questionnaire study. Seventy-two patients were included in this study, 33 with a congenital myopathy and 39 with malignant hyperthermia or exertional rhabdomyolysis.

Correction to: Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

In the original version of this article unfortunately two tables have been missing. By mistake they have been published as Supplementary Material. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

Weight changes associated with antiepileptic mood stabilizers in the treatment of bipolar disorder.

Objective: To present up-to-date information and recommendations on the management of body weight changes during the use of antiepileptic mood stabilizers in bipolar disorder to help clinicians and patients make well-informed, practical decisions.

Data Sources: Umbrella review. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses on the prevention, treatment, and monitoring of body weight changes as a side effect of the mood stabilizers valproate, lamotrigine, topiramate, and carbamazepine were identified in Embase (2010-2015, no language restrictions).

Qualitative and Quantitative Aspects of Pain in Patients With Myotonic Dystrophy Type 2.

Unlabelled: Pain is a common but often ignored symptom in patients with myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2). In this explorative study, we assessed qualitative and quantitative aspects of pain in DM2 using 4 questionnaires and quantitative sensory testing. A disease control group (fibromyalgia [FMS]) as well as healthy controls were used to compare the results, because pain in DM2 shows many clinical similarities to pain in FMS.

No relevant excess prevalence of myotonic dystrophy type 2 in patients with suspected fibromyalgia syndrome.

Myotonic dystrophy type 2 (DM2) is a rare, autosomal dominant, multisystem disorder with proximal weakness, myotonia, pain and cataract as important symptoms. Given the assumed underreporting of DM2 in the Netherlands combined with the predominant role of pain in DM2 as well as in fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS), we hypothesized there will be an excess prevalence of DM2 in patients with (suspected) FMS. Our objective was to determine the prevalence of DM2 in patients with suspected FMS.