Long-term cardiovascular health status and physical functioning of nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19 compared with non-COVID-19 controls.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is reported to have long-term effects on cardiovascular health and physical functioning, even in the nonhospitalized population. The physiological mechanisms underlying these long-term consequences are however less well described. We compared cardiovascular risk factors, arterial stiffness, and physical functioning in nonhospitalized patients with COVID-19, at a median of 6 mo postinfection, versus age- and sex-matched controls.

An investigation of the sleep macrostructure of girls with Rett syndrome.

Objective/background: Methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) is of utmost importance in neuronal function. We aim to characterize phenotypic traits in the sleep of individuals with Rett Syndrome (RTT, OMIM # 312750), a rare disorder predominantly caused by mutations of the MECP2 gene.

Patients/methods: An overnight polysomnographic recording was performed.

Sleep Respiratory Disturbances in Girls with Rett Syndrome.

Individuals with Rett Syndrome (RTT), a rare neurodevelopmental disorder, present disordered breathing during wakefulness. Whilst findings on breathing during sleep are contradictory, the relation between sleep breathing and their clinical features, genetic characteristics, age, and sleep phase is rarely investigated, which is the objective of this study. Overnight polysomnography (PSG) was performed.

Major bleeding during oral anticoagulant therapy associated with factor V activation by factor Xa.

Objective: Plasma thrombin generation (TG) provides important information on coagulation status; however, current TG output parameters do not predict major bleeding of patients on anticoagulants. We recently reported that factor V (FV) activation by factor X (FX)a contributes importantly to the initiation phase of TG. Here we investigated how this pathway varies in the normal population and whether FXa-mediated activation of FV is associated with major bleeding in patients on anticoagulant therapy.

Structure-function of anticoagulant TIX-5, the inhibitor of factor Xa-mediated FV activation.

Background: The prothrombinase complex consists of factors Xa (FXa) and Va (FVa) on an anionic phospholipid surface and converts prothrombin into thrombin. Both coagulation factors require activation before complex assembly. We recently identified TIX-5, a unique anticoagulant tick protein that specifically inhibits FXa-mediated activation of FV.

Postponed or immediate drainage of infected necrotizing pancreatitis (POINTER trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Infected necrosis complicates 10% of all acute pancreatitis episodes and is associated with 15-20% mortality. The current standard treatment for infected necrotizing pancreatitis is the step-up approach (catheter drainage, followed, if necessary, by minimally invasive necrosectomy). Catheter drainage is preferably postponed until the stage of walled-off necrosis, which usually takes 4 weeks.

Changes in Micronutrient Intake and Status, Diet Quality and Glucose Tolerance from Preconception to the Second Trimester of Pregnancy.

Data on changes in dietary intake and related blood parameters throughout pregnancy are scarce; moreover, few studies have examined their association with glucose homeostasis. Therefore, we monitored intake of folate, vitamin B6, vitamin B12, vitamin D and iron, their status markers, and diet quality from preconception to the second trimester of pregnancy, and we examined whether these dietary factors were associated with glucose homeostasis during pregnancy. We included 105 women aged 18⁻40 years with a desire to get pregnancy or who were already <24 weeks pregnant.

Supplement Use and Dietary Sources of Folate, Vitamin D, and -3 Fatty Acids during Preconception: The GLIMP2 Study.

An adequate nutritional status during the preconception period is important, particularly for folate, vitamin D, and -3 fatty acids (i.e., EPA+DHA).

Feasibility and effectiveness of trifluridine/tipiracil in metastatic colorectal cancer: real-life data from The Netherlands.

Background: The RECOURSE trial showed clinical efficacy for trifluridine/tipiracil for refractory metastatic colorectal cancer patients. We assessed the feasibility and effectiveness of trifluridine/tipiracil in daily clinical practice in The Netherlands.

Methods: Medical records of patients from 17 centers treated in the trifluridine/tipiracil compassionate use program were reviewed and checked for RECOURSE eligibility criteria.

Nutrition in acute pancreatitis: a critical review.

Severe acute pancreatitis poses unique nutritional challenges. The optimal nutritional support in patients with severe acute pancreatitis has been a subject of debate for decades. This review provides a critical review of the available literature.

Current role of melatonin in pediatric neurology: clinical recommendations.

Background/purpose: Melatonin, an indoleamine secreted by the pineal gland, plays a key role in regulating circadian rhythm. It has chronobiotic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and free radical scavenging properties.

Methods: A conference in Rome in 2014 aimed to establish consensus on the roles of melatonin in children and on treatment guidelines.

Association between physical functions and quality of life in sarcoidosis.

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is often reduced in patients with sarcoidosis. Studies of the associations between physical functions and QOL are lacking.

Objectives: So the aims of this study were (i) to evaluate the associations between QOL and physical functions, including muscle strength and exercise capacity, and other clinical characteristics, and (ii) to evaluate whether these associations change over a two-year period.

Practical eminence and experience-based recommendations for use of TNF-α inhibitors in sarcoidosis.

Background: In severe refractory sarcoidosis cases not responding to conventional immunosuppressive treatment, the third-line tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) inhibitors infliximab and adalimumab might be an alternative. However, appropriate studies to guide the clinician are lacking. The aim of this study was to establish practical recommendations for the use of TNF-α inhibitors in the management of refractory sarcoidosis patients.

Effect of extraosseous devices designed for vertical distraction of extreme resorbed mandibles on backward rotation of upper bone segments.

We studied the result of vertical distraction osteogenesis in 34 patients as a method of restoring vertical bone height in atrophic mandibles. Cephalometric radiographs were obtained preoperatively, immediately after the installation of the distractor, at the end of the active distraction period (1-2 weeks), before placement of implants, after a consolidation period of 12 weeks, and annually thereafter. Particular attention was paid to the changed position of the upper segment in relation to the basal segment, compared with before and after active distraction.