AI-derived automated quantification of cardiac chambers and myocardium from non-contrast CT: Prediction of major adverse cardiovascular events in asymptomatic subjects.

Background And Aims: The significance of left ventricular mass and chamber volumes from non-contrast computed tomography (CT) for predicting major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) has not been studied. Our objective was to evaluate the role of artificial intelligence-enabled multi-chamber cardiac volumetry from non-contrast CT for long-term risk stratification in asymptomatic subjects without known coronary artery disease.

Methods: Our study included 2022 asymptomatic individuals (55.

From knife to needle - the trend of vascular neurosurgery in Belgium.

Introduction: The management of neurovascular pathologies has changed globally over the last few decades. Endovascular treatments are increasing, and fewer surgical procedures are performed.

Research Question: Evaluate the evolution of vascular neurosurgery in Belgium over the last 30 years and compare with other countries.

Effect of Denosumab or Alendronate on Vascular Calcification: Secondary Analysis of SALTIRE2 Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Patients with osteoporosis demonstrate increased vascular calcification but the effect of osteoporosis treatments on vascular calcification remains unclear. The present study aimed to examine whether coronary or aortic calcification are influenced by denosumab and alendronic acid treatment.

Methods And Results: In a double-blind randomized controlled SALTIRE2 (Study Investigating the Effect of Drugs Used to Treat Osteoporosis on the Progression of Calcific Aortic Stenosis) trial, patients with aortic stenosis were randomized 2:1:2:1 to denosumab, placebo injection, alendronic acid, or placebo capsule.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Patients With Discordant High-Gradient Aortic Stenosis.

Background: Conflicting prognostic results have been reported in patients with discordant high-gradient aortic stenosis ([DHG-AS] the combination of a mean pressure gradient ≥40 mm Hg and an aortic valve area [AVA] >1 cm). Moreover, existing studies only included selected patients without concomitant aortic regurgitation.

Objectives: The authors assessed the prevalence and survival of patients presenting with DHG-AS in an unselected group of consecutive patients presenting to the echocardiography laboratory of a tertiary referral center.

Cemiplimab for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Kidney transplant recipients (KTR) are at increased risk of cancer due to chronic immunosuppression. Non-melanoma skin cancer has an excess risk of approximately 250 times higher than the general population. Moreover, in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) these cancers have a more aggressive behavior, with an increased risk of metastasis and death.

Parental criticism affects adolescents' mood and ruminative state: Self-perception appears to influence their mood response.

Feeling and/or being criticized is a known risk factor for various psychiatric disorders in adolescents. However, the link between the experience of social stressors and the development of psychopathological symptoms is not yet fully understood. Identifying which adolescent subgroups are more vulnerable to parental criticism could be of great clinical relevance.

Treatment of pathophysiologic propagation outside of the pulmonary veins in retreatment of atrial fibrillation patients: RECOVER AF study.

Aims: RECOVER AF evaluated the performance of whole-chamber non-contact charge-density mapping to guide the ablation of non-pulmonary vein (PV) targets in persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) patients following either a first or second failed procedure.

Methods And Results: RECOVER AF was a prospective, non-randomized trial that enrolled patients scheduled for a first or second ablation retreatment for recurrent AF. The PVs were assessed and re-isolated if necessary.

Transcriptomic differences between fibrotic and non-fibrotic testicular tissue reveal possible key players in Klinefelter syndrome-related testicular fibrosis.

Klinefelter syndrome (KS; 47,XXY) affects 1-2 in 1000 males. Most men with KS suffer from an early germ cell loss and testicular fibrosis from puberty onwards. Mechanisms responsible for these processes remain unknown.

Surgical management of giant pituitary neuroendocrine tumors: Meta-analysis and consensus statement on behalf of the EANS skull base section.

Introduction: The optimal surgical treatment for giant pituitary neuroendocrine tumors(GPitNETs) is debated.

Research Question: The aim of this paper is to optimize the surgical management of these patients and to provide a consensus statement on behalf of the EANS Skull Base Section.

Material And Methods: We constituted a task force belonging to the EANS skull base committee to define some principles for the management of GPitNETs.

Prevalence of double incontinence in patients with fecal incontinence undergoing anorectal manometry and discriminating factors.

Background: Double incontinence (DI) is the concomitant presence of incontinence for urine and stool. Aim of this study is to assess prevalence of DI in patients with fecal incontinence (FI) undergoing Ano-Rectal Manometry (ARM) in a tertiary care center and to identify factors discriminating between both.

Methods: Medical records of consecutive patients referred for ARM for FI during 2 years at University Hospital Brussels were retrospectively reviewed.

Randomized Trial Comparing Burr Hole Craniostomy, Minicraniotomy, and Twist Drill Craniostomy for Treatment of Chronic Subdural Hematoma.

Background: The mainstay of treatment for symptomatic or large chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) is surgery, but controversy still exists regarding the best surgical technique. Three different techniques are commonly used: burr hole craniostomy (BHC), minicraniotomy (MC), and twist drill craniostomy (TDC).

Objective: To determine which surgical technique for drainage of CSDH offers best results.

Unraveling the Effects of a Talimogene Laherparepvec (T-VEC)-Induced Tumor Oncolysate on Myeloid Dendritic Cells.

T-VEC, a HSV-1 derived oncolytic virus, is approved for the treatment of advanced melanoma. The mechanisms that underly the systemic anti-tumor effect that is seen following intratumoral injection have not yet been studied but are likely to be mediated by myeloid dendritic cells (myDC) that initiate an adaptive immune response. In this study we could demonstrate that T-VEC is non-toxic for human myDC.

Historical Patterns of Diagnosis, Treatments, and Outcome of Epilepsy Associated With Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: Results From TOSCA Registry.

Epilepsy is the most common neurological manifestation in individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). However, real-world evidence on diagnosis and treatment patterns is limited. Here, we present data from TuberOus Sclerosis registry to increase disease Awareness (TOSCA) on changes in patterns of epilepsy diagnosis, treatments, and outcomes over time, and detailed epilepsy characteristics from the epilepsy substudy.

Cervical cancer screening using HPV tests on self-samples: attitudes and preferences of women participating in the VALHUDES study.

Background: Interventions to reach women who do not participate regularly in screening may reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Self-collection of a vaginal specimen has been shown to increase participation. The relative clinical accuracy of human papillomavirus (HPV) testing on first-void urine (with Colli-Pee) and on vaginal self-samples versus on cervical clinician-collected samples is being investigated in the VALHUDES trial.

Exposure to Criticism Modulates Left but Not Right Amygdala Functional Connectivity in Healthy Adolescents: Individual Influences of Perceived and Self-Criticism.

Frequent exposure to criticism is a known risk factor for various adult psychiatric disorders. Adolescents may be even more vulnerable to (parental) criticism, as their imbalanced brain maturation makes them prone to stronger mood changes and less effective emotional regulation. Identifying which adolescent subgroups are more vulnerable than others could be of great clinical relevance.

Psychogenic polydipsia in a female adolescent without a psychiatric background: A case report.

Psychological stress is a risk factor for primary polydipsia in adolescents without psychiatric comorbidity. Taking a detailed family and social history can help to distinguish primary polydipsia from diabetes insipidus in adolescents with challenging presentations of polydipsia and polyuria.

A Bitter Pill to Swallow: Pseudoachalasia Secondary to Oesophageal Deviation Resulting from Mediastinal Shift and Left Atrial Enlargement after Left Lower Lobectomy.

Pseudoachalasia, also known as secondary achalasia, is a rare clinical condition mimicking idiopathic achalasia but unrelated to primary loss of nitrergic innervation. It has mostly been attributed to malignancy infiltrating the oesophageal wall, but several other benign underlying pathologies have been reported. Because of similar manometric appearance, high-resolution manometry (HRM) of the oesophagus alone cannot distinguish between idiopathic achalasia and pseudoachalasia.

Influence of lung transplantation on the essential fatty acid profile in cystic fibrosis.

Lung transplantation is assumed to normalize essential fatty acid (EFA) profile in the plasma, described as abnormal in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). This study sought to evaluate the EFA profile in both the plasma and erythrocyte membrane according to lung status by comparing CF patients with or without a lung transplant. A total of 50 homozygous F508del patients (33 CF patients [CF group] and 17 CF patients with a lung transplant [TX CF group]) were included.

Phenobarbital, Midazolam Pharmacokinetics, Effectiveness, and Drug-Drug Interaction in Asphyxiated Neonates Undergoing Therapeutic Hypothermia.

Background: Phenobarbital and midazolam are commonly used drugs in (near-)term neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia for hypoxic-ischaemic encephalopathy, for sedation, and/or as anti-epileptic drug. Phenobarbital is an inducer of cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A, while midazolam is a CYP3A substrate. Therefore, co-treatment with phenobarbital might impact midazolam clearance.

Identification of candidate cancer predisposing variants by performing whole-exome sequencing on index patients from BRCA1 and BRCA2-negative breast cancer families.

Background: In the majority of familial breast cancer (BC) families, the etiology of the disease remains unresolved. To identify missing BC heritability resulting from relatively rare variants (minor allele frequency ≤ 1%), we have performed whole exome sequencing followed by variant analysis in a virtual panel of 492 cancer-associated genes on BC patients from BRCA1 and BRCA2 negative families with elevated BC risk.

Methods: BC patients from 54 BRCA1 and BRCA2-negative families with elevated BC risk and 120 matched controls were considered for germline DNA whole exome sequencing.

Pharmacokinetics of morphine in encephalopathic neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia.

Objective: Morphine is a commonly used drug in encephalopathic neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia after perinatal asphyxia. Pharmacokinetics and optimal dosing of morphine in this population are largely unknown. The objective of this study was to describe pharmacokinetics of morphine and its metabolites morphine-3-glucuronide and morphine-6-glucuronide in encephalopathic neonates treated with therapeutic hypothermia and to develop pharmacokinetics based dosing guidelines for this population.