Usutu virus NS4A suppresses the host interferon response by disrupting MAVS signaling.

Usutu virus (USUV) is an emerging flavivirus that can infect birds and mammals. In humans, in severe cases, it may cause neuroinvasive disease. The innate immune system, and in particular the interferon response, functions as the important first line of defense against invading pathogens such as USUV.

Combining morphological and functional imaging parameters to diagnose primary bone neoplasms in the skull base, spine and sacrum.

Purpose: Morphological magnetic resonance (MR) and computed tomography (CT) features are used in combination with histology for diagnosis and treatment selection of primary bone neoplasms. Isolated functional MRI parameters have shown potential in diagnosis. Our goal is to facilitate diagnosis of primary bone neoplasms of the skull base, mobile spine and sacrum, by a comprehensive approach, combining morphological and functional imaging parameters.

Application of spatial-omics to the classification of kidney biopsy samples in transplantation.

Improvement of long-term outcomes through targeted treatment is a primary concern in kidney transplant medicine. Currently, the validation of a rejection diagnosis and subsequent treatment depends on the histological assessment of allograft biopsy samples, according to the Banff classification system. However, the lack of (early) disease-specific tissue markers hinders accurate diagnosis and thus timely intervention.

Fazirsiran for Adults With Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency Liver Disease: A Phase 2 Placebo Controlled Trial (SEQUOIA).

Background & Aims: Homozygous ZZ alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT) deficiency produces mutant AAT (Z-AAT) proteins in hepatocytes, leading to progressive liver fibrosis. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of an investigational RNA interference therapeutic, fazirsiran, that degrades Z-AAT messenger RNA, reducing deleterious protein synthesis.

Methods: This ongoing, phase 2 study randomized 40 patients to subcutaneous placebo or fazirsiran 25, 100, or 200 mg.

The performance of metabolomics-based prediction scores for mortality in older patients with solid tumors.

Prognostic information is needed to balance benefits and risks of cancer treatment in older patients. Metabolomics-based scores were previously developed to predict 5- and 10-year mortality (MetaboHealth) and biological age (MetaboAge). This study aims to investigate the association of MetaboHealth and MetaboAge with 1-year mortality in older patients with solid tumors, and to study their predictive value for mortality in addition to established clinical predictors.

Retroperitoneum revisited: a review of radiological literature and updated concept of retroperitoneal fascial anatomy with imaging features and correlating anatomy.

Purpose: Spread of disease in the retroperitoneum is dictated by the complex anatomy of retroperitoneal fasciae and is still incompletely understood. Conflicting reports have led to insufficient and incorrect anatomical concepts in radiological literature.

Methods: This review will discuss previous concepts prevalent in radiological literature and their shortcomings will be highlighted.

Efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention for women with gynaecological cancers receiving radiotherapy: results of a randomised trial.

Background: The multicentre randomised SPARC trial evaluated the efficacy of a nurse-led sexual rehabilitation intervention on sexual functioning, distress, dilator use, and vaginal symptoms after radiotherapy for gynaecological cancers.

Methods: Eligible women were randomised to the rehabilitation intervention or care-as-usual. Four intervention sessions were scheduled over 12 months, with concurrent validated questionnaires and clinical assessments.

Development of the DONOR prediction model on the risk of hypertensive complications in oocyte donation pregnancy: study protocol for a multicentre cohort study in the Netherlands.

Introduction: Oocyte donation (OD) pregnancy is accompanied by a high incidence of hypertensive complications, with serious consequences for mother and child. Optimal care management, involving early recognition, optimisation of suitable treatment options and possibly eventually also prevention, is in high demand. Prediction of patient-specific risk factors for hypertensive complications in OD can provide the basis for this.

Pharmacists and pharmacy students' perceptions on how a new teaching model supports their clinical decision-making.

Background And Purpose: Clinical decision-making (CDM) is crucial in pharmacy practice, necessitating effective teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate pharmacy education. This study aims to explore undergraduates and postgraduates' perceptions of how a new teaching model supports their CDM when addressing patient cases.

Educational Activity And Setting: Implemented in a full-day CDM course for pharmacy students and a half-day course for pharmacists in the Netherlands, the model, accompanied by a learning guide, facilitated CDM in patient cases.

Monocyte infiltration is an independent positive prognostic biomarker in vulvar squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) arises after an HPV infection or the mutation of p53 or other driver genes and is treated by mutilating surgery and/or (chemo) radiation, with limited success and high morbidity. In-depth information on the immunological make up of VSCC is pivotal to assess whether immunotherapy may form an alternative treatment.

Methods: A total of 104 patient samples, comprising healthy vulva (n = 27) and VSCC (n = 77), were analyzed.

Temporal dynamics of depressive symptoms and cognitive decline in the oldest old: dynamic time warp analysis of the Leiden 85-plus study.

Background: The prevalence of depressive symptoms and cognitive decline increases with age. We investigated their temporal dynamics in individuals aged 85 and older across a 5-year follow-up period.

Methods: Participants were selected from the Leiden 85-plus study and were eligible if at least three follow-up measurements were available (325 of 599 participants).

Intradermal fractional dose vaccination as a method to vaccinate individuals with suspected allergy to mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

Suspected allergic reactions after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination withheld multiple individuals from getting fully vaccinated during the pandemic. We vaccinated adults who had experienced possible allergic symptoms after their first intramuscular dose of a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine with a 1/5th fractional intradermal test dose of the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccine. No anaphylactic reactions were observed after intradermal vaccination (n = 56).

Cardiac Damage Staging Predicts Outcomes in Aortic Valve Stenosis After Aortic Valve Replacement: Meta-Analysis.

Background: The prognostic value of cardiac damage staging classification based on the extent of extravalvular damage has been proposed in moderate/severe aortic stenosis (AS).

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the association of cardiac damage staging with mortality across the spectrum of patients with AS following aortic surgical or transcatheter aortic valve replacement (AVR).

Methods: We conducted a pooled meta-analysis of Kaplan-Meier-derived reconstructed time-to-event data from studies published through February 2023.

Optimisation of detecting chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension in acute pulmonary embolism survivors: the InShape IV study.

Introduction: Chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) is often diagnosed late in acute pulmonary embolism survivors: more efficient testing to expedite diagnosis may considerably improve patient outcomes. The InShape II algorithm safely rules out CTEPH (failure rate 0.29%) while requiring echocardiography in only 19% of patients but may be improved by adding detailed reading of the computed tomography pulmonary angiography diagnosing the index pulmonary embolism.

Short-acting β-agonists (SABA) overuse in asthma and patients' perceptions for this behavior.

Background: Short-acting β-agonists (SABA) overuse is associated with poor asthma control. The Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2019-updated strategy report has therefore taken a paradigm shift in reliever therapy recommendations.

Objectives: (I) To investigate the status of SABA overuse and medication dispensing patters in asthma in the Netherlands (II) validate dispensing data for SABA overuse identification and (III) understand patients' perspectives towards this SABA-taking behavior to inform future improvement strategies.

Expression and Relations of Unique miRNAs Investigated in Metabolic Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review.

Several studies have indicated that miRNAs play crucial roles in adipogenesis, insulin resistance, and inflammatory pathways associated with obesity and change after metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS). This systematic review explores and maps the existing literature on how miRNAs are expressed and investigates the unique miRNAs with the effects after MBS. The Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), PubMed, and EMBASE were searched from 2019 until February 2024.

"Catheter replacement in catheter-associated urinary tract infection: current state of evidence ".

Purpose: Catheter associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI) is the most common healthcare associated infection. A significant knowledge gap exists regarding the necessity of catheter replacement as part of CAUTI treatment. Current guidelines recommend replacement for faster recovery and to prevent recurrences, but adherence is low.

APOLLO: neo-adjuvant pembrolizumab for primary vulvar squamous cell carcinoma-a multicenter, single-arm, phase II, clinical proof-of-concept study.

Background: Vulvar squamous cell carcinoma (VSCC) is a rare cancer for which the cornerstone of treatment is surgery with high complication rates. The unmet need is a less radical and more effective treatment for VSCC.

Primary Objectives: To investigate the impact of mono-immunotherapy pembrolizumab as neoadjuvant treatment for primary resectable VSCC patients.

Bacteriophage ISP eliminates Staphylococcus aureus in planktonic phase, but not in the various stages of the biofilm cycle.

Metal-implant associated bacterial infections are a major clinical problem due to antibiotic treatment failure. As an alternative, we determined the effects of bacteriophage ISP on clinical isolates of Staphylococcus aureus in various stages of its life cycle in relation to biofilm formation and maturation. ISP effectively eliminated all planktonic phase bacteria, whereas its efficacy was reduced against bacteria attached to the metal implant and bacteria embedded within biofilms.