Lack of multisensory integration in hemianopia: no influence of visual stimuli on aurally guided saccades to the blind hemifield.

In patients with visual hemifield defects residual visual functions may be present, a phenomenon called blindsight. The superior colliculus (SC) is part of the spared pathway that is considered to be responsible for this phenomenon. Given that the SC processes input from different modalities and is involved in the programming of saccadic eye movements, the aim of the present study was to examine whether multimodal integration can modulate oculomotor competition in the damaged hemifield.

In depressed older persons higher blood pressure is associated with symptoms of apathy. The NESDO study.

Background: In older persons, a relationship between both higher and lower blood pressure and depression has inconsistently been reported. Blood pressure may be differentially associated with distinct symptom domains of depression. We examined the cross-sectional relation of current systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP) with different depressive symptom domains among depressed older persons.

The role of frailty in the association between depression and somatic comorbidity: results from baseline data of an ongoing prospective cohort study.

Background: Depression and physical frailty in older persons are both associated with somatic diseases, but are hardly examined in concert.

Objectives: To examine whether depression and physical frailty act independently and/or synergistically in their association with somatic diseases.

Design: Baseline data of an ongoing observational cohort study including depressed cases and non-depressed comparison subjects.

Evaluating quality indicators for physical therapy in primary care.

Objective: To evaluate measurement properties of a set of public quality indicators on physical therapy.

Design: An observational study with web-based collected survey data (2009 and 2010).

Setting: Dutch primary care physical therapy practices.

Pulmonology meets rheumatology in sarcoidosis: a review on the therapeutic approach.

Purpose Of Review: Sarcoidosis is a systemic disease characterized by the formation of granulomas in various organs, mainly lungs and lymphatic system. Joint, muscle, and bone involvement is also rather common. Recent studies on its pathogenesis and therapeutic management are reviewed here.

Association of the TNF-α G-308A polymorphism with TNF-inhibitor response in sarcoidosis.

Responsiveness to tumour necrosis factor (TNF) inhibitors has been associated with the TNF-α G-308A polymorphism in rheumatoid arthritis. The aim of this study was to examine the association between the presence of this polymorphism and the response to TNF inhibitors in patients with refractory sarcoidosis. Patients (n=111) who started TNF-inhibitor treatment (76 infliximab, 35 adalimumab) were followed for at least 1 year.

IVF with planned single-embryo transfer versus IUI with ovarian stimulation in couples with unexplained subfertility: an economic analysis.

Couples with unexplained subfertility are often treated with intrauterine insemination (IUI) with ovarian stimulation, which carries the risk of multiple pregnancies. An explorative randomized controlled trial was performed comparing one cycle of IVF with elective single-embryo transfer (eSET) versus three cycles of IUI-ovarian stimulation in couples with unexplained subfertility and a poor prognosis for natural conception, to assess the economic burden of the treatment modalities. The main outcome measures were ongoing pregnancy rates and costs.

Which intrauterine growth restricted fetuses at term benefit from early labour induction? A secondary analysis of the DIGITAT randomised trial.

Objective: The Disproportionate Intrauterine Growth Intervention Trial at Term (DIGITAT trial) showed that in women with suspected intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) at term, there were no substantial outcome differences between induction of labour and expectant monitoring. The objective of the present analysis is to evaluate whether maternal or fetal markers could identify IUGR fetuses who would benefit from early labour induction.

Study Design: The DIGITAT trial was a multicenter, parallel and open-label randomised controlled trial in women who had a singleton pregnancy beyond 36+0 weeks' gestation with suspected IUGR (n=650).

Physical frailty: vulnerability of patients suffering from late-life depression.

Objectives: Frailty, a state of increased risk of negative health outcomes, is increasingly recognized as a relevant concept for identifying older persons in need of preventative geriatric interventions. Even though broader concepts of frailty include psychological characteristics, frailty is largely neglected in mental health care. The aim of the present study is to examine the prevalence of physical frailty in depressed older patients and its potential overlap with depression criteria.

Application of monoclonal antibody G250 recognizing carbonic anhydrase IX in renal cell carcinoma.

Monoclonal antibody G250 (mAbG250) recognizes a determinant on carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX). CAIX is expressed by virtually all renal cell carcinomas of the clear cell type (ccRCC), but expression in normal tissues is restricted. The homogeneous CAIX expression in ccRCC and excellent targeting capability of mAbG250 in animal models led to the initiation of the clinical evaluation of mAbG250 in (metastatic) RCC (mRCC) patients.

Prevalence of frailty in community-dwelling older persons: a systematic review.

Objectives: To systematically compare and pool the prevalence of frailty, including prefrailty, reported in community-dwelling older people overall and according to sex, age, and definition of frailty used.

Design: Systematic review of the literature using the key words elderly, aged, frailty, prevalence, and epidemiology.

Setting: Cross-sectional data from community-based cohorts.

Reliability of the Fox-walk test in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Purpose: The Fox-walk test is a new method used to estimate aerobic capacity outside a clinical environment, which may be useful in the implementation of daily health-enhancing physical activity. The aim of our study was to investigate the reliability of the test in people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA).

Method: Fifteen participants performed the Fox-walk test three times with weekly intervals.

Impact of Diet, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity on Cancer Survival.

With the increase in the number of cancer patients worldwide in the coming years, the need for knowledge on the influence of lifestyle factors on cancer survival is increasing. In this paper, the current knowledge on diet, body mass index, and physical activity in relation to cancer outcome is summarized. Also, challenges are identified to be addressed to provide evidence-based recommendations for cancer patients.

Relationship between apparent diffusion coefficients at 3.0-T MR imaging and Gleason grade in peripheral zone prostate cancer.

Purpose: To retrospectively determine the relationship between apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCs) obtained with 3.0-T diffusion-weighted (DW) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and Gleason grades in peripheral zone prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: The requirement to obtain institutional review board approval was waived.

Diagnosing autism spectrum disorders in elderly people.

Background: As autism spectrum disorders (ASD) have largely been neglected in old-age psychiatry, the objective of the present paper is to describe the diagnostic process in elderly patients.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature on ASD in older age was undertaken and illustrated by a case series of three elderly patients first diagnosed with ASD in later life by a tertiary mental health clinic.

Results: The search of the literature only yielded three papers on late-life ASD, while the review of the available diagnostic procedures among adults suggests some relevance for screening instruments (Autism Questionnaire), diagnostic instruments (Module 4, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule), and neuropsychological examination to profile impairments.

Maternal and perinatal outcomes amongst haemoglobinopathy carriers: a systematic review.

With the introduction of screening programmes for haemoglobinopathies (HbP), more women will be aware of their HbP status. The genetic risk for women who are carriers of HbP is well known. However, midwives and obstetricians need to know whether there are other risks involved in the pregnancies of women who are carriers of HbP.

Novel biologic therapies in development targeting IL-12/IL-23.

Recent research has identified the importance of interleukin 12 (IL)-12 and IL-23 in the immunopathogenesis of psoriasis. The p40 subunit common to IL-12 and IL-23 is an attractive target for selective therapy. Clinical study data are available for two anti-IL-12/23 therapies: ustekinumab (CNTO 1275, approved in 2009 for treatment of plaque psoriasis) and ABT-874.

Alcohol dependence and anxiety increase error-related brain activity.

Aims: Detection of errors is crucial for efficient goal-directed behaviour. The ability to monitor behaviour is found to be diminished in patients with substance dependence, as reflected in decreased error-related brain activity, i.e.

Magnetic resonance imaging guided prostate biopsy in men with repeat negative biopsies and increased prostate specific antigen.

Purpose: Undetected cancer in repeat transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies in patients with increased prostate specific antigen greater than 4 ng/ml is a considerable concern. We investigated the tumor detection rate of tumor suspicious regions on multimodal 3 Tesla magnetic resonance imaging and subsequent magnetic resonance imaging guided biopsy in 68 men with repeat negative transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsies. We compared results to those in a matched transrectal ultrasound guided prostate biopsy population.

Doctors' perceptions of why 360-degree feedback does (not) work: a qualitative study.

Objectives: Delivery of 360-degree feedback is widely used in revalidation programmes. However, little has been done to systematically identify the variables that influence whether or not performance improvement is actually achieved after such assessments. This study aims to explore which factors represent incentives, or disincentives, for consultants to implement suggestions for improvement from 360-degree feedback.

The potential of the horizontal ramus of the mandible as a donor site for block and particular grafts in pre-implant surgery.

The results on 32 consecutive patients, who underwent bone grafting prior to implant surgery, are presented. The grafts were taken from the horizontal part of the mandible, including the full height of the buccal cortico-cancellous plate and were used to reconstruct alveolar defects or to augment sinus floors. 3-5 months postoperatively, 99 implants were inserted in 43 onlay grafts and in 17 sinus floor augmentations.

Induction of labour versus expectant monitoring for gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia after 36 weeks' gestation (HYPITAT): a multicentre, open-label randomised controlled trial.

Background: Robust evidence to direct management of pregnant women with mild hypertensive disease at term is scarce. We investigated whether induction of labour in women with a singleton pregnancy complicated by gestational hypertension or mild pre-eclampsia reduces severe maternal morbidity.

Methods: We undertook a multicentre, parallel, open-label randomised controlled trial in six academic and 32 non-academic hospitals in the Netherlands between October, 2005, and March, 2008.

Barriers in recognising, diagnosing and managing depressive and anxiety disorders as experienced by Family Physicians; a focus group study.

Background: The recognition and treatment of depressive- and anxiety disorders is not always in line with current standards. The results of programs to improve the quality of care, are not encouraging. Perhaps these programs do not match with the problems experienced in family practice.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease in children: how reliable is the gold standard?

Objective: To investigate the causes and degree of interobserver variability in esophageal pH monitoring for the diagnosis of gastroesophageal reflux.

Methods: This retrospective study included all children (n = 72) who underwent pH monitoring during 1 year at Maxima Medical Centre in Veldhoven, the Netherlands.

Results: An interobserver variability of 18% was found.