Development and validation of a tool for ambulatory monitoring of peripherally inserted central catheter-associated complications.

Introduction: Peripherally inserted central catheters (PICC) are the preferred vascular access for Outpatient Parenteral Antimicrobial Therapy (OPAT) due to user-friendliness and high safety level. Nevertheless, the lack of a validated tool hampers the yet ill-charted epidemiology and monitoring of PICC related complications in ambulatory care.

Methods: A sequential exploratory mixed-method three phase research design was used to develop and validate a monitoring tool for PICC complications in OPAT.

Seizure quantification in sunflower syndrome by a wrist-worn device.

Objective: Sunflower syndrome is a rare photosensitive childhood-onset epilepsy, featuring repetitive handwaving events (HWE) triggered by light. Objective documentation of these HWE can be difficult due to the numerous events occurring daily and/or caregivers who document the seizures but are not always present. Hence, seizure diaries can be underreporting.

Prosthetic Joint Infection: Case Report and a Review of the Literature.

Prosthetic joint infections caused by are uncommon, with the majority of cases being attributed to . This case report represents the third instance of a prosthetic hip infection caused by following an episode of gastroenteritis and, notably, in an immunocompetent patient. The infection was successfully managed by surgical debridement and lavage with retention of the prosthesis and 12 weeks of antibiotics.

Two-staged repair of a giant iliac aneurysm and open repair of a true deep femoral artery aneurysm in Loeys-Dietz syndrome type V: a case report and review of literature.

Background: The syndrome of Loeys-Dietz (LDS) is a rare connective tissue disorder. A classic triad of symptoms is seen: hypertelorism, atypical uvula or clef palate, and multiple tortuous arteries and aneurysms of the aorta and main arterial branches. Mutations in genes involving the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFB) signaling pathway are the cause of this syndrome.

Immersive virtual reality in orthopedic hand therapy.

Emerging advances in immersive virtual reality incorporating optical hand-tracking present promising potential for application in orthopedic hand therapy. The system is designed to analyze hand movements, enabling users to "use" their hands virtually in any fabricated setting. This article, supplemented with videos, examines practical applications of immersive virtual reality in routine hand therapy and provides a scientific presentation of the interaction of immersive virtual reality with our physiological and neurological systems.

Loss of phospholipase PLAAT3 causes a mixed lipodystrophic and neurological syndrome due to impaired PPARγ signaling.

Phospholipase A/acyltransferase 3 (PLAAT3) is a phospholipid-modifying enzyme predominantly expressed in neural and white adipose tissue (WAT). It is a potential drug target for metabolic syndrome, as Plaat3 deficiency in mice protects against diet-induced obesity. We identified seven patients from four unrelated consanguineous families, with homozygous loss-of-function variants in PLAAT3, who presented with a lipodystrophy syndrome with loss of fat varying from partial to generalized and associated with metabolic complications, as well as variable neurological features including demyelinating neuropathy and intellectual disability.

Cervicosacropexy or vaginosacropexy for urinary incontinence and apical prolapse: A systematic review.

Several anatomic theories suggest that lax uterosacral ligaments may result in apical prolapse and urinary incontinence. Therefore, prolapse repair such as cervicosacropexy or vaginosacropexy, may resolve urinary incontinence. Shortcomings in current treatment options endorse further exploration of the potential benefit of a surgical alternative.

An expert consensus on practical clinical recommendations and guidance for patients with classic Fabry disease.

Fabry disease is an X-linked inherited lysosomal disorder that causes accumulation of glycosphingolipids in body fluids and tissues, leading to progressive organ damage and reduced life expectancy. It can affect both males and females and can be classified into classic or later-onset phenotypes. In classic Fabry disease, α-galactosidase A (α-Gal A) activity is absent or severely reduced and disease manifestations have an early onset that can affect multiple organs.

Nationwide Harmonization Effort for Semi-Quantitative Reporting of SARS-CoV-2 PCR Test Results in Belgium.

From early 2020, a high demand for SARS-CoV-2 tests was driven by several testing indications, including asymptomatic cases, resulting in the massive roll-out of PCR assays to combat the pandemic. Considering the dynamic of viral shedding during the course of infection, the demand to report cycle threshold (Ct) values rapidly emerged. As Ct values can be affected by a number of factors, we considered that harmonization of semi-quantitative PCR results across laboratories would avoid potential divergent interpretations, particularly in the absence of clinical or serological information.

Acetazolamide in Decompensated Heart Failure with Volume Overload trial (ADVOR): baseline characteristics.

Aims: To describe the baseline characteristics of participants in the Acetazolamide in Decompensated Heart Failure with Volume Overload (ADVOR) trial and compare these with other contemporary diuretic trials in acute heart failure (AHF).

Methods And Results: ADVOR recruited 519 patients with AHF, clinically evident volume overload, elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) and maintenance loop diuretic therapy prior to admission. All participants received standardized loop diuretics and were randomized towards once daily intravenous acetazolamide (500 mg) versus placebo, stratified according to study centre and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (≤40% vs.

From Delta to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variant: Switch to saliva sampling for higher detection rate.

Background: Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing on a nasopharyngeal swab is the current standard for SARS-CoV-2 virus detection. Since collection of this sample type is experienced uncomfortable by patients, saliva- and oropharyngeal swab collections should be considered as alternative specimens.

Objectives: Evaluation of the relative performance of oropharyngeal swab, nasopharyngeal swab and saliva for the RT-PCR based SARS-CoV-2 Delta (B.

Shortcutting the diagnostic odyssey: the multidisciplinary Program for Undiagnosed Rare Diseases in adults (UD-PrOZA).

Background: In order to facilitate the diagnostic process for adult patients suffering from a rare disease, the Undiagnosed Disease Program (UD-PrOZA) was founded in 2015 at the Ghent University Hospital in Belgium. In this study we report the five-year results of our multidisciplinary approach in rare disease diagnostics.

Methods: Patients referred by a healthcare provider, in which an underlying rare disease is likely, qualify for a UD-PrOZA evaluation.

Recurrent FOXK1::GRHL and GPS2::GRHL fusions in trichogerminoma.

We report 21 cases of trichogerminoma harbouring previously undescribed FOXK1::GRHL1/2 or GPS2::GRHL1/2/3 in-frame fusion transcripts. Microscopic examination of a preliminary set of five cases revealed well-delimitated tumours located in the dermis with frequent extension to the subcutaneous tissue. Tumours presented a massive and nodular architecture and consisted of a proliferation of basaloid cells.

Prevalence and clinical relevance of colonization with methicillin-resistant in the obstetric population.

Background And Aims: Routine screening for Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) in pregnant women is common practice in many hospitals. However, little is known on its prevalence and clinical relevance in this population. In this prospective longitudinal study, we aimed to investigate the MRSA prevalence in our obstetric population, the rate of vertical transmission of MRSA and the potential clinical relevance of MRSA colonization for both mother and child.

Improvement of transfusion practice and reduction in red blood cell utilization in Belgian hospitals: Results of a national survey and benchmarking.

Background And Objectives: Belgian health authorities launched a national platform in 2011 to improve the quality of transfusion practices and blood use in Belgian hospitals. No data were available about the quality of hospital transfusion practice at the national level.

Materials And Methods: Three consecutive national surveys (2012, 2014 and 2016) were performed in all 111 Belgian hospitals to assess the degree of implementation of standards in four process domains related to red blood cell (RBC) transfusion: general quality aspects, ordering of RBC, electronic traceability and reporting of adverse events.

Radiocapitellar arthroplasty.

This article sets out the evidence demonstrating that the clinical need for a prosthetic arthroplasty designed specifically for the radiocapitellar joint has been underestimated. The prevalence of radiocapitellar degenerative change requiring treatment is discussed and the relationship between 'isolated' radiocapitellar joint arthritis and more generalised elbow arthritis is explained. Current literature now supports our view that radiocapitellar joint arthroplasty is not only an effective long-term solution for patients with localised radiocapitellar arthritis but also for those patients with more severe degenerative changes involving the elbow joint irrespective of their cause.

Chiari Type I Malformation Presenting with Unilateral Hearing Loss.

Introduction:  Chiari type I malformations can present in different ways, but the most frequent symptom is an occipitocervical headache. Hearing loss as the main presenting symptom is rare.

Case:  A young woman with progressive left-sided unilateral hearing loss was diagnosed with a Chiari type I malformation.