Long-term outcomes in five patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis treated with molgramostim inhalation solution.

Autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (aPAP), which accounts for >90% of all cases of PAP, is a rare lung disease mediated by granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) autoantibodies that block GM-CSF signalling, leading to reduced surfactant clearance causing abnormal accumulation of alveolar surfactant and impaired gas exchange [1-3]. The current standard of care for aPAP is whole-lung lavage (WLL), which is invasive, resource intensive, carries procedural risk, does not address the underlying cause of disease and often must be repeated regularly [4]. Hence, there is a therapeutical need to address the underlying pathophysiology of the disease.

Support in digital health skill development for vulnerable groups in a public library setting: perspectives of trainers.

Introduction: The digitalization of healthcare poses a risk of exacerbating health inequalities. Dutch public libraries offer freely accessible e-health courses given by trainers. However, there is limited knowledge on whether these libraries successfully reach and support those in need.

Dual-driven biodegradable nanomotors for enhanced cellular uptake.

Hybrid nano-sized motors with navigation and self-actuation capabilities have emerged as promising nanocarriers for a wide range of delivery, sensing, and diagnostic applications due to their unique ability to achieve controllable locomotion within a complex biological environment such as tissue. However, most current nanomotors typically operate using a single driving mode, whereas propulsion induced by both external and local stimuli could be more beneficial to achieve efficient motility in a biomedical setting. In this work, we present a hybrid nanomotor by functionalizing biodegradable stomatocytes with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs).

Enhancing Zn Deposition Reversibility on MXene Current Collectors by Forming ZnF-Containing Solid-Electrolyte Interphase for Anode-Free Zinc Metal Batteries.

Anode-free aqueous zinc metal batteries (AZMBs) offer significant potential for energy storage due to their low cost and environmental benefits. TiCT MXene provides several advantages over traditional metallic current collectors like Cu and Ti, including better Zn plating affinity, lightweight, and flexibility. However, self-freestanding MXene current collectors in AZMBs remain underexplored, likely due to challenges with Zn deposition reversibility.

Ovarian cancer risk reduction by salpingectomy during non-gynaecological surgery: scoping review.

Background: Ovarian cancer is the leading cause of death among gynaecological cancers. The identification of the fallopian tube epithelium as the origin of most ovarian cancers introduces a novel prevention strategy by removing the fallopian tubes during an already indicated abdominal surgery for another reason, also known as an opportunistic salpingectomy. This preventive opportunity is evidence based, recommended and established at the time of gynaecologic surgery in many countries worldwide.

CytoNorm 2.0: A flexible normalization framework for cytometry data without requiring dedicated controls.

Cytometry is a single cell, high-dimensional, high-throughput technique that is being applied across a range of disciplines. However, many elements alongside the data acquisition process might give rise to technical variation in the dataset, called batch effects. CytoNorm is a normalization algorithm for batch effect removal in cytometry data that was originally published in 2020 and has been applied on a variety of datasets since then.

Xolography for Biomedical Applications: Dual-Color Light-Sheet Printing of Hydrogels With Local Control Over Shape and Stiffness.

Current challenges in tissue engineering include creation of extracellular environments that support and interact with cells using biochemical, mechanical, and structural cues. Spatial control over these cues is currently limited due to a lack of suitable fabrication techniques. This study introduces Xolography, an emerging dual-color light-sheet volumetric printing technology, to achieve control over structural and mechanical features for hydrogel-based photoresins at micro- to macroscale while printing within minutes.

Aortic valve repair in adults: long-term clinical outcomes and echocardiographic evolution in different valve repair techniques.

Objective: Aortic valve repair/sparing have been established as effective treatments for aortic regurgitation and/or aortic aneurysms. However, concerns remain regarding long-term durability, reproducibility, and patient selection. This study aims to asses long-term clinical and echocardiographic outcomes, with a focus on aortic regurgitation grade and left ventricular ejection fraction evolution, in adults undergoing these procedures.

Shaping the future rural healthcare landscape: perspectives of young healthcare professionals.

Introduction: Rural communities continue to struggle to access quality healthcare services. Even in countries where the majority of the population live in rural and remote areas, resources are concentrated in big cities, and this is continuing. As a result, countries with the highest proportion of rural residents correlate with the poorest access, which has negative implications for the health and wellbeing of people.

Pinpointing the CN Stretch Frequency of Neutral Cyano-Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons: A Laboratory and Quantum Chemical Spectroscopic Study of 9-Cyanoanthracene.

The CN stretch frequency of neutral, gas-phase 9-cyanoanthracene is 2207 cm (4.531 μm) based on high-resolution infrared absorption experiments coupled with a new hybrid anharmonic quantum chemical methodology. A broad band (full-width at half-maximum of 47 cm) is observed and assigned to multiple transitions, including the CN stretch fundamental and various combination bands that gather intensity from strong anharmonic coupling with the bright CN stretch.

Continuous risk monitoring and management of heart failure: Rationale and design of the ALLEVIATE-HF trial.

Aims: Early identification and management of worsening heart failure (HF) is necessary to prevent disease progression and hospitalizations. The ALLEVIATE-HF (Algorithm Using LINQ Sensors for Evaluation and Treatment of Heart Failure) trial is a prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicentre trial that aims to assess the safety and efficacy of using the Reveal LINQ™ insertable cardiac monitor (ICM) in patients with HF to continuously monitor and evaluate HF risk status and guide timely interventions.

Methods: The ICM algorithm uses parameters derived from electrocardiogram (atrial fibrillation [AF], ventricular rate during AF, heart rate variability, and night heart rate), three-axis accelerometer (patient activity duration), and subcutaneous bioimpedance (fluid volume, respiration rate).

Flower colour contrast, 'spectral purity' and a red herring.

Nature offers a bewildering diversity of flower colours. Understanding the ecology and evolution of this fantastic floral diversity requires knowledge about the visual systems of their natural observers, such as insect pollinators. The key question is how flower colour and pattern can be measured and represented to characterise the signals that are relevant to pollinators.

The impact of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors on the incidence, therapy, and outcomes of fournier gangrene: insights from a systematic review of case reports.

Background: The clinical characteristics, therapy, and outcome of Fournier Gangrene (FG) in patients using sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) were examined in this systematic review.

Methods: Without a publication year restriction, we searched PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Cochrane. Additionally, we manually searched bibliographies using the terms "Fournier's gangrene" and "SGLT2 inhibitors.

Solid-state esophageal pressure sensor for the estimation of pleural pressure: a bench and first-in-human validation study.

Background: Advanced respiratory monitoring through the measurement of esophageal pressure (Pes) as a surrogate of pleural pressure helps guiding mechanical ventilation in ICU patients. Pes measurement with an esophageal balloon catheter, the current clinical reference standard, needs complex calibrations and a multitude of factors influence its reliability. Solid-state pressure sensors might be able to overcome these limitations.

Which factors influence the transition towards a healthy and sustainable food environment in Dutch hospitals? A qualitative view from stakeholders.

Background: Hospitals fulfill an important exemplary role in promoting health and well-being. It is therefore crucial to have a supportive food environment that stimulates healthy and sustainable food choices of patients, staff, and visitors. This qualitative study aimed to identify factors influencing the implementation of long-lasting actions to enhance the healthiness and sustainability of the food environment in the hospital setting in the Netherlands, from the perspective of different stakeholders.

Evaluation of mobile clinics by MSF in pastoralist community in Doolo Zone, Somali region, Ethiopia.

Background: The Somali region in Ethiopia has poor health infrastructure, coupled with the adversity experienced by the largely pastoralist population through frequent droughts, disease outbreaks and conflict. From January 2019, MSF strategically focused on improving access to primary healthcare in the Doolo zone of the Somali region by providing 15-20 mobile clinics covering a wide geographical area. We aimed to evaluate the extent to which mobile clinics were an appropriate and effective modality to deliver healthcare for populations living in the region.

Nationwide guideline implementation: a qualitative study of barriers and facilitators from the perspective of guideline organizations.

Background: Although the number of Dutch guidelines is growing, their uptake and impact in clinical practice lag behind. Dutch guideline organizations, including guideline developers, governmental agencies, health insurers and other national organizations, play a crucial role in developing, authorizing and/or supporting the use of guidelines. They influence end users' awareness, accessibility, understanding, acceptability and applicability of guidelines.

An empowerment programme to improve diet quality during pregnancy - the Power 4 a Healthy Pregnancy cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: A healthy diet during pregnancy is vital for the well-being of both mothers and babies. However, navigating dietary choices amidst the unique psychological and physiological changes of pregnancy can be challenging. Empowerment, defined as the ability to improve capacities, critically analyse situations, and take actions to improve them, can support pregnant women to make healthier choices.

Developing a clinical prediction model to modify empirical antibiotics for non-typhoidal Salmonella bloodstream infection in children under-five in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Background: Non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) frequently cause bloodstream infection in children under-five in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in malaria-endemic areas. Due to increasing drug resistance, NTS are often not covered by standard-of-care empirical antibiotics for severe febrile illness. We developed a clinical prediction model to orient the choice of empirical antibiotics (standard-of-care versus alternative antibiotics) for children admitted to hospital in settings with high proportions of drug-resistant NTS.

External beam radiation therapy versus radical prostatectomy for high-risk prostate cancer: protocol of the RECOVER study.

Background: This paper describes the rationale and design of the RECOVER study. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the optimal treatment for high-risk, non-metastatic prostate cancer (PCa). The study primarily aims to evaluate and compare the impact of treatment with robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RP) versus external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for men with high-risk, non-metastatic PCa regarding health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functional outcomes.

Assessing Titania Pigment Distribution in Water-Based Coatings by Image Analysis of Ion Beam Milled Sections.

By applying various image analysis methods, the distribution of titania pigments in water-based paint films is assessed in this work. Cross-sections of paint films containing titania are prepared using triple ion beam milling, and the milled cross-sections are imaged using scanning electron microscopy. The obtained morphology of the paint films with known difference in pigment distribution is then determined and quantified by means of image analysis.

Oocyte/zygote/embryo maturation arrest: a clinical study expanding the phenotype of NOBOX variants.

Purpose: Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is an important cause of female infertility, stemming from follicle dysfunction or premature oocyte depletion. Pathogenic variants in genes such as NOBOX, GDF9, BMP15, and FSHR have been linked to POI. NOBOX, a transcription factor expressed in oocytes and granulosa cells, plays a pivotal role in folliculogenesis.