Investigation into Drug-Induced Liver Damage Using Multimodal Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

Drug toxicity during the development of candidate pharmaceuticals is the leading cause of discontinuation in preclinical drug discovery and development. Traditionally, the cause of the toxicity is often determined by histological examination, clinical pathology, and the detection of drugs and/or metabolites by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). While these techniques individually provide information on the pathological effects of the drug and the detection of metabolites, they cannot provide specific molecular spatial information without additional experiments.

A novel sequential endocardial mapping strategy for locating atrial fibrillation sources based on repetitive conduction patterns: An in-silico study.

Background: In persistent atrial fibrillation (AF), localized extra-pulmonary vein sources may contribute to arrhythmia recurrences after pulmonary vein isolation. This in-silico study proposes a high-density sequential mapping strategy to localize such sources.

Method: Catheter repositioning was guided by repetitive conduction patterns, moving against the prevailing conduction direction (upstream) toward the sources.

Informal care for people with dementia in Europe.

Introduction: Informal care estimates for use in health-economic models are lacking. We aimed to estimate the association between informal care time and dementia symptoms across Europe.

Methods: A secondary analysis was performed on 13,529 observations in 5,369 persons from 9 European pooled cohort or trial studies in community-dwelling persons with dementia.

Synthesis and Characterization of Poly(ethylene furanoate)/Poly(ε-caprolactone) Block Copolymers.

Biobased poly(ethylene furanoate) (PEF)/poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) block copolymers have been synthesized using ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone (ε-CL) in the presence of PEF in different mass ratios. An increase in intrinsic viscosity is observed for the block copolymers with higher ε-CL content due to the extension of their macromolecular chain. Matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MS) was employed to understand the composition and structure of the produced block copolymers.

ToF-SIMS Parallel Imaging MS/MS of Lead Soaps in Embedded Paint Cross Sections.

In the field of cultural heritage, and more specifically in oil paintings, the ability to unambiguously identify and locate metal soaps is of great interest for a better understanding of painting degradation. Here, we demonstrate the use of a Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) instrument capable of tandem mass spectrometry imaging for the unambiguous identification and localization of lead soaps in cross sections of samples of old oil paintings at high spatial resolution. It is shown that the specific fragmentation pattern of lead soaps is dictated by the loss of the lead ion and that fragmentation occurs on the hydrocarbon chains of the fatty acids.

The influence of the number of postoperative radiological outliers on the survival and clinical outcome of total knee arthroplasty.

Introduction: After total knee arthroplasty (TKA), dissatisfaction rates are described up to 30 %. Optimal alignment of the prosthesis in TKA is believed to improve clinical outcome and survival rates. Radiological outliers after TKA are used to define this alignment.

Impact of Native and Nonnative Study Partners on Medical Students' Confidence and Collaborative Strategies in Second Language Medical Dutch Learning.

Objective: This study explored how native and nonnative study partners impact medical students' confidence, learning strategies, and perceptions of learning experiences in second language (L2) medical Dutch learning using Kolb's experiential learning framework.

Methods: Twelve third-year international bachelor medical students participated in a mixed-methods pre-post quasi-experimental design. Four students were paired with highly proficient native Dutch partners in a mixed group, and eight nonnative students formed pairs in a homogeneous group.

Patients perspectives on integrating eHealth in regular care pathways for atrial fibrillation: evaluating photoplethysmography for remote self-assessment.

Aims: Smartphone applications for heart rate and rhythm assessment are increasingly used for the management of atrial fibrillation (AF). Although the use of a photoplethysmography (PPG)-based smartphone application with subsequent (tele)consultations for AF management has been proven feasible in the TeleCheck-AF project, specific needs, and expectations of patients with AF are unclear. The aim of this study is to evaluate patients' perspectives on the use of remote PPG-based electronical health (eHealth) integrated in regular care pathways for AF.

Evolution in electrophysiology 100 years after Einthoven: translational and computational innovations in rhythm control of atrial fibrillation.

In 1924, the Dutch physiologist Willem Einthoven received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discovery of the mechanism of the electrocardiogram (ECG). Anno 2024, the ECG is commonly used as a diagnostic tool in cardiology. In the paper 'Le Télécardiogramme', Einthoven described the first recording of the now most common cardiac arrhythmia: atrial fibrillation (AF).

Left atrial strain predicts long-term heart failure outcomes after ST-elevation myocardial infarction.

Background: Left atrial (LA) strain reflects not only LA function but also systolic and diastolic left ventricular function. We therefore hypothesize that LA strain may be a comprehensive predictor of heart failure related endpoints after ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). We aim to assess the impact of LA reservoir strain on the long-term prognosis following ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI).

The association between animal protein, plant protein, and their substitution with bladder cancer risk: a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies.

Purpose: Although total dietary protein intake has been associated with bladder cancer (BC) risk, the effect of the origin (plant or animal) and the substitutions remain to be understood. This study aimed to investigate the effect of total dietary protein, animal-based protein, plant-based protein, and their substitutions with each other on the risk of BC using a pooled analysis of 10 cohort studies.

Methods: The study was conducted within the "BLadder cancer Epidemiology and Nutritional Determinants" (BLEND) study, including 10 prospective cohort studies from several European countries, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

Long-term egg-protein hydrolysate consumption improves endothelial function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in older adults with overweight or obesity.

Purpose: The dietary egg-protein hydrolysate Newtricious (NWT)-03 has previously demonstrated improvements in blood pressure and metabolic profiles. However, the long-term effects on vascular function and cardiometabolic risk markers are unknown.

Methods: Forty-four older (aged 60-75) adults with overweight/obesity experiencing elevated Subjective Cognitive Failures (SCF) were randomized into a 36-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Associations between momentary mental states and concurrent social functioning after remission from first episode psychosis: A HAMLETT ecological momentary assessment study.

Background: Symptom severity and social functioning are important outcomes after first episode psychosis (FEP), yet current evidence about associations between them is inconsistent and lacks (subclinical) momentary insights.

Methods: The current Ecological Momentary Assessment (EMA) study was conducted in 58 people in remission from FEP, as part of the HAMLETT (Handling Antipsychotic Medication: Long-term Evaluation of Targeted Treatment) trial. At baseline, participants were prompted to report momentary mental states and social context 10x/day for eight consecutive days, including psychotic experiences (PEs), motivation/drive and negative affect, that may indicate proxies of (subclinical) psychotic, negative and general affective symptoms, respectively.

Chlamydia trachomatis infections in Kenya - sexually transmitted and ocular infections: a scoping review.

Background: (CT), a Gram-negative intracellular bacterium, is differentiated into three biovars associated with distinct clinical syndromes, ranging from trachoma, the world's cause of preventable blindness, to the most common sexually transmitted infection. This variability underscores CT's significant impact on public health, particularly in low-resource settings. In Kenya, where the demographic is predominantly younger, the burden of CT remains poorly understood and potentially underestimated.

How can MSI enhance our understanding of ASO distribution?

In the dynamic field of drug discovery and development, a comprehensive understanding of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity is crucial. Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) has become a key analytical tool in the pharmaceutical industry, allowing evaluation of drug biodistribution and molecular profiles. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) are emerging drug candidates for treating neurologic diseases.

The impact of dietary claims on behaviour: Expectations qualify how actual satiety affects cognitive performance.

Dietary choices significantly impact health and daily cognitive performance, prompting various recommendations for eating habits. Whereas much research has focused on the effects of actual satiety on cognitive performance, the influence of expectations regarding effects of satiety on performance remains underexplored. This study aims to address this gap by examining how the expectation of satiety influences cognitive outcomes, building on existing findings that highlight the role of placebo effects in shaping eating behaviour.

Mass Spectrometry Imaging for Spatial Ingredient Classification in Plant-Based Food.

Mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) techniques enable the generation of molecular maps from complex and heterogeneous matrices. A burger patty, whether plant-based or meat-based, represents one such complex matrix where studying the spatial distribution of components can unveil crucial features relevant to the consumer experience or production process. Furthermore, the MSI data can aid in the classification of ingredients and composition.

CTGAN-driven synthetic data generation: A multidisciplinary, expert-guided approach (TIMA).

Objective: We generated synthetic data starting from a population of two hundred thirty-eight adults SARS-CoV-2 positive patients admitted to the University Hospital of Brussels, Belgium, in 2020, utilizing a Conditional Tabular Generative Adversarial Network (CTGAN)-based technique with the aim of testing the performance, representativeness, realism, novelty, and diversity of synthetic data generated from a small patient sample. A Multidisciplinary Approach (TIMA) incorporates active participation from a medical team throughout the various stages of this process.

Methods: The TIMA committee scrutinized data for inconsistencies, implementing stringent rules for variables unlearned by the system.

The factor structure of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 in stroke: A comparison with a non-stroke population.

Background: It is unclear if certain post-stroke somatic symptoms load onto items of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a self-report depression questionnaire. We investigated these concerns in a stroke sample using factor analysis, benchmarked against a non-stroke comparison group.

Methods: The secondary dataset constituted 787 stroke and 12,016 non-stroke participants.

The Progression of Symptoms in Post COVID-19 Patients: A Multicentre, Prospective, Observational Cohort Study.

Background: Although the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is no longer a public health emergency of international concern, 30% of COVID-19 patients still have long-term complaints. A better understanding of the progression of symptoms after COVID-19 is needed to reduce the burden of the post COVID-19 condition.

Objective: This study aims to investigate the progression of symptoms, identify patterns of symptom progression, and assess their associations with patient characteristics.

Retinal vessel analysis to assess microvascular function in the healthy eye: A systematic review on the response to acute physiological and pathological stressors.

The retina allows noninvasive in vivo assessment of the microcirculation. Autoregulation of the retinal microvasculature meets the changing requirements of local metabolic demand and maintains adequate blood flow. Analysis of the retinal vascular reactivity contributes to the understanding of regulatory physiology and its relationship to the systemic microcirculation.