Estimating the potential to prevent locally acquired HIV infections in a UNAIDS Fast-Track City, Amsterdam.

Background: More than 300 cities including the city of Amsterdam in the Netherlands have joined the UNAIDS Fast-Track Cities initiative, committing to accelerate their HIV response and end the AIDS epidemic in cities by 2030. To support this commitment, we aimed to estimate the number and proportion of Amsterdam HIV infections that originated within the city, from Amsterdam residents. We also aimed to estimate the proportion of recent HIV infections during the 5-year period 2014-2018 in Amsterdam that remained undiagnosed.

A comparison of methods to harmonize cortical thickness measurements across scanners and sites.

Results of neuroimaging datasets aggregated from multiple sites may be biased by site-specific profiles in participants' demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as MRI acquisition protocols and scanning platforms. We compared the impact of four different harmonization methods on results obtained from analyses of cortical thickness data: (1) linear mixed-effects model (LME) that models site-specific random intercepts (LME), (2) LME that models both site-specific random intercepts and age-related random slopes (LME), (3) ComBat, and (4) ComBat with a generalized additive model (ComBat-GAM). Our test case for comparing harmonization methods was cortical thickness data aggregated from 29 sites, which included 1,340 cases with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (6.

Evaluation of the feasibility of screening for paediatric non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: To evaluate the feasibility of screening for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in clinical practice and the acceptance of a screening strategy, and to identify factors that determine compliance.

Methods: A screening protocol, based on alanine aminotransferase measurement and introduced to healthcare workers of Dutch outpatient obesity clinics in 2017, was evaluated. Medical files of children who visited the largest outpatient obesity clinic between 2017 and 2020 were evaluated.

Use of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors and the risk for sudden cardiac arrest and for all-cause death in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Aims: Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT-2is) are antidiabetic agents that can have direct cardiac effects by impacting on cardiac ion transport mechanisms that control cardiac electrophysiology. We studied the association between SGLT-2i use and all-cause mortality and the risk of sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Methods: Using data from the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink, a cohort study among patients initiating a new antidiabetic drug class on or after January 2013 through September 2020 was conducted.

Immune suppression is associated with enhanced systemic inflammatory, endothelial and procoagulant responses in critically ill patients.

Objective: Patients admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) oftentimes show immunological signs of immune suppression. Consequently, immune stimulatory agents have been proposed as an adjunctive therapy approach in the ICU. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between the degree of immune suppression and systemic inflammation in patients shortly after admission to the ICU.

Diagnostic stewardship for blood cultures in the emergency department: A multicenter validation and prospective evaluation of a machine learning prediction tool.

Background: Overuse of blood cultures (BCs) in emergency departments (EDs) leads to low yields and high numbers of contaminated cultures, accompanied by increased diagnostics, antibiotic usage, prolonged hospitalization, and mortality. We aimed to simplify and validate a recently developed machine learning model to help safely withhold BC testing in low-risk patients.

Methods: We extracted data from the electronic health records (EHR) for 44.

Six-lead device superior to single-lead smartwatch ECG in atrial fibrillation detection.

This was a head-to-head comparative study on different electrocardiogram (ECG)-based smartwatches and devices for atrial fibrillation detection. We prospectively included 220 patients scheduled for electrical cardioversion and recorded ECGs with 3 different devices (Withings Move ECG, Apple Watch 5, Kardia Mobile 6-leads) as well as the standard 12-lead ECG (gold standard), both before and after cardioversion. All atrial fibrillation detection algorithms had high accuracy (sensitivity and specificity: 91-99%) but were hampered by uninterpretable recordings (20-24%).

Spontaneous clearance of asymptomatic anogenital and pharyngeal : a secondary analysis from the NABOGO trial.

Introduction: Spontaneous clearance of asymptomatic (NG) does occur, but data are scarce. We aimed to assess spontaneous clearance among patients with asymptomatic anal, pharyngeal, vaginal and urethral NG infections who participated in the New AntiBiotic treatment Options for uncomplicated GOnorrhoea (NABOGO) trial. In addition, we assessed the determinants associated with spontaneous clearance.

Metallated phthalocyanines and their hydrophilic derivatives for multi-targeted oncological photodynamic therapy.

Background And Aim: A photosensitizer (PS) delivery and comprehensive tumor targeting platform was developed that is centered on the photosensitization of key pharmacological targets in solid tumors (cancer cells, tumor vascular endothelium, and cellular and non-cellular components of the tumor microenvironment) before photodynamic therapy (PDT). Interstitially targeted liposomes (ITLs) encapsulating zinc phthalocyanine (ZnPC) and aluminum phthalocyanine (AlPC) were formulated for passive targeting of the tumor microenvironment. In previous work it was established that the PEGylated ITLs were taken up by cultured cholangiocarcinoma cells.

Management of pouch neoplasia: consensus guidelines from the International Ileal Pouch Consortium.

Surveillance pouchoscopy is recommended for patients with restorative proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis in ulcerative colitis or familial adenomatous polyposis, with the surveillance interval depending on the risk of neoplasia. Neoplasia in patients with ileal pouches mainly have a glandular source and less often are of squamous cell origin. Various grades of neoplasia can occur in the prepouch ileum, pouch body, rectal cuff, anal transition zone, anus, or perianal skin.

Barrett Esophagus: Quality of life and factors associated with illness perception.

Background: Health-related Quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with Barrett's esophagus (BE), a premalignant condition, may be influenced by gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) symptoms and the risk of developing esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Methods: We aim to investigate HRQoL in non-dysplastic Barrett Esophagus (NDBE) patients, identify factors associated with a negative illness perception of the diagnosis BE and compare outcomes between patients treated in a specialized BE center with non-expert centers. In this multi-center cross-sectional study, HRQoL of NDBE patients were assessed using the Short Form 36, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Cancer worry Scale, and Reflux Disease Questionnaire.

Comparison of trends in infections in hospitalised patients during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective sentinel surveillance study.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, several factors, such as improved hand hygiene, social distancing, and restricted hospital referral, may have had an influence on the epidemiology of infections (CDI).

Methods: The annual CDI incidence rate of nine hospitals participating in the Dutch sentinel CI surveillance with complete data was compared between 2020 and the previous five surveillance years. Trends in characteristics of hospitalised CDI patients in 21-24 participating hospitals were compared between the first (March 13-May 12, 2020) or second Dutch COVID-19 wave (September 17, 2020-January 1, 2021) and the same calendar periods in 2015 through 2019.

TARGET-HF: developing a model for detecting incident heart failure among symptomatic patients in general practice using routine health care data.

Background: Timely diagnosis of heart failure (HF) is essential to optimize treatment opportunities that improve symptoms, quality of life, and survival. While most patients consult their general practitioner (GP) prior to HF, the early stages of HF may be difficult to identify. An integrated clinical support tool may aid in identifying patients at high risk of HF.

Conjoined twins and conjoined triplets: At the heart of the matter.

Conjoined triplets are among the rarest of human malformations, as are asymmetric or parasitic conjoined twins. Based on a very modest corpus of recent literature, we applied the embryonic disk model of conjoined twinning to 10 previously reported cases involving asymmetric anatomical multiplications to determine whether they concerned conjoined twins or conjoined triplets. In spite of their phenotypic similarities, we diagnosed four of these cases as conjoined twins and three of them as conjoined triplets.

Progressive Olfactory Impairment and Cardiac Sympathetic Denervation in REM Sleep Behavior Disorder.

Background: Isolated rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder (iRBD) is prodromal for Parkinson's disease (PD) and dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).

Objective: We investigated the use of cardiac [123I]meta-iodo-benzyl-guanidine scintigraphy ([123I]MIBG) and olfactory testing- in comparison to [123I]N-ω-fluoropropyl-2β-carbomethoxy-3β-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane single photon emission computed tomography ([123I]FP-CIT-SPECT)- for identifying iRBD patients as prodromal phenotype of PD/DLB.

Methods: 37 RBD subjects underwent cardiac [123I]MIBG and brain [123I]FP-CIT-SPECT at baseline.

Assessment of malaria transmission intensity and insecticide resistance mechanisms in three rural areas of the Moyen Ogooué Province of Gabon.

Background: Vector control is considered to be the most successful component of malaria prevention programs and a major contributor to the reduction of malaria incidence over the last two decades. However, the success of this strategy is threatened by the development of resistance to insecticides and behavioural adaptations of vectors. The aim of this study was to monitor malaria transmission and the distribution of insecticide resistance genes in Anopheles populations from three rural areas of the Moyen Ogooué Province of Gabon.

Biomarkers of Tuberculous Meningitis and Pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus on the African Continent.

Biomarkers in body fluids are helpful objective tools in diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of (therapeutic) responses of many neurological diseases. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) biomarkers are part of the diagnostic toolbox for infectious neurological diseases. Tuberculous meningitis (TBM) and Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are important burdens of disease in Africa and can negatively affect brain health.

Network Analysis of DSM Symptoms of Substance Use Disorders and Frequently Co-Occurring Mental Disorders in Patients with Substance Use Disorder Who Seek Treatment.

Background: Substance use disorders (SUD) often co-occur with other psychiatric conditions. Research on SUD and comorbid disorders generally flows from a categorical diagnostic or dimensional latent variable perspective, where symptoms are viewed as independent indicators of an underlying disorder. In contrast, the current study took a network analysis perspective to examine the relationships between DSM symptoms of SUD, ADHD, conduct disorder (CD), depression (MDD), and borderline personality disorder (BPD).

Effect of erythromycin on mortality and the host response in critically ill patients with sepsis: a target trial emulation.

Background: Immunomodulatory therapies that improve the outcome of sepsis are not available. We sought to determine whether treatment of critically ill patients with sepsis with low-dose erythromycin-a macrolide antibiotic with broad immunomodulatory effects-decreased mortality and ameliorated underlying disease pathophysiology.

Methods: We conducted a target trial emulation, comparing patients with sepsis admitted to two intensive care units (ICU) in the Netherlands for at least 72 h, who were either exposed or not exposed during this period to treatment with low-dose erythromycin (up to 600 mg per day, administered as a prokinetic agent) but no other macrolides.