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van den Berg M, Spanos KA, Kubovy M. The effect of synaesthetically induced colors on perceptual organization. J Vis 2010. [DOI: 10.1167/5.8.347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
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van den Berg M, Hendriks GJ, van Minnen A. [Imaginal exposure treatment for a post-traumatic stress disorder in a patient with a comorbid psychotic disorder]. TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR PSYCHIATRIE 2010; 52:191-195. [PMID: 20205082] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
A patient suffering from both post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and a comorbid schizoaffective disorder was treated with imaginal exposure treatment. After 26 sessions the ptsd symptoms were in full remission. This was still the case at follow-up after 12 and 24 months. Furthermore, the patient was no longer on antipsychotic medication. The case shows that ptsd can be treated successfully even if patients have a psychotic disorder. In view of the severity of both disorders it is at least worth trying imaginal exposure treatment.
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Rutten H, Pop L, Janssens G, Takes R, Knuijt S, Rooijackers A, van den Berg M, Merkx M, van Herpen C, Kaanders J. 8511 Long-term outcome and morbidity after treatment with accelerated radiotherapy and weekly cisplatin for locally advanced head and neck cancer. EJC Suppl 2009. [DOI: 10.1016/s1359-6349(09)71602-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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Huisman L, Bruins R, van den Berg M, Hissink R. Endovenous Laser Ablation of the Small Saphenous Vein: Prospective Analysis of 150 Patients, a Cohort Study. Eur J Vasc Endovasc Surg 2009; 38:199-202. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejvs.2009.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2008] [Accepted: 04/01/2009] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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van de Mheen H, Toet J, Knibbe RA, Garretsen HFL, Spruit IP, van den Berg M. A local and regional Alcohol and Drugs Monitor in the Netherlands: a tale of three cities. Drug Alcohol Rev 2009; 25:259-67. [PMID: 16753650 DOI: 10.1080/09595230600657774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
Abstract
Local and regional policymakers, care providers and prevention workers involved in addiction and addiction care need timely and reliable information. As few data on substance use are available at a local or regional level, an integrated local or regional monitoring system for alcohol and drugs (MAD) was developed. The MAD consists of four modules: a local social and information map, analyses of registration data of (addiction) care organisations, a local/regional survey among the general population and a community-based drug monitoring system aimed at collecting data on hard drug users. Both quantitative and qualitative research methods are used. This paper presents an overview of the MAD results with respect to alcohol and illicit drug use. Both quantitative and qualitative results show a substantial variation between regions, even in a country as small as the Netherlands. The study shows that a monitoring system can be an important source of information for local addiction policy, care and prevention.
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Dodou D, van den Berg M, van Gennip J, Breedveld P, Wieringa PA. Mucoadhesive films inside the colonic tube: performance in a three-dimensional world. J R Soc Interface 2008; 5:1353-62. [PMID: 18364299 DOI: 10.1098/rsif.2008.0075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
A self-propelling colonoscopic device moving inside the colonic tube should be able to periodically grip safely to the colonic wall as well as to manipulate the generated friction. The feasibility of achieving high grip and friction manipulation by covering the device with mucoadhesive films is experimentally tested. More precisely, the frictional behaviour of mucoadhesive films inside the colonic tube is tested in vitro in porcine colon. It appears that mucoadhesive films generate significantly higher friction than conventional materials (ANOVA p=0, 95% CIs=-3.04, -2.14). The geometry of the film plays a role as well. When holes are, for instance, present in the film geometry and are large enough so that the colonic tissue can wrap their borders, friction can be significantly increased (ANOVA p=0, 95% CIs=-2.53, -1.26). By altering the contact area or the film geometry, friction manipulation can be achieved. Moreover, a simple theoretical model is developed and experimentally verified (R=0.92). The model can be used to estimate the level of the friction generated by three-dimensional configurations of mucoadhesive films as a function of their geometric characteristics and the material properties of the colon.
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Peiris MT, Jones RD, Davidson PR, Carroll GJ, Signal TL, Parkin PJ, van den Berg M, Bones PJ. Identification of vigilance lapses using EEG/EOG by expert human raters. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS : ... ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY. ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2008; 2005:5735-7. [PMID: 17281560 DOI: 10.1109/iembs.2005.1615790] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
It is critically important for certain occupational groups to remain highly alert throughout their working day. For safety reasons, it would be useful to automatically detect lapses in performance using EEG/EOG. Automating the detection process could be simplified considerably if we could mimic human experts. Surprisingly, it is unclear to what extent human EEG raters are able to detect lapses. Consequently, we undertook a study in which 4 expert EEG raters assessed the level of alertness of 10 air traffic controllers by observing a combination of their EEG and EOG while they performed a 10 min psychomotor vigilance task (PVT). They were specifically required to identify lapses or sleep episodes that might lead to a lapse in PVT performance. A reaction time .. 500 ms was defined as a PVT lapse. There was a total of 101 lapses (mean duration = 1.00 s). Of these, only 6 lapses were detected by one or more raters and all of these were marked as ;sleep'. Overall the human expert raters were unable to reliably identify lapses based only on EEG and EOG. This poor performance suggests an automated system would need to identify subtle features not overtly visible in the EEG.
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van den Berg M, de Wit GA, Vijgen SMC, Busch MCM, Schuit AJ. [Cost-effectiveness of prevention: opportunities for public health policy in the Netherlands]. NEDERLANDS TIJDSCHRIFT VOOR GENEESKUNDE 2008; 152:1329-1334. [PMID: 18661860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To gain insight into the cost-effectiveness of new preventive interventions. DESIGN Systematic review and interviews. METHOD Based on literature search, a search of the project database of ZonMw and interviews with experts, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment drew up a long list of preventive interventions that are potentially cost-effective but are not yet systematically carried out in the Netherlands. From this long list, 21 interventions were selected for each of which, at least 3 economic evaluations were available that indicate favourable cost-effectiveness (< Euro 20,000,--per QALY gained). RESULTS The majority of the interventions concerned vaccination and screening programmes (7 and 5 respectively). Only a small minority concerned health promotion or health protection (1 respectively 3). There was strong evidence that 5 interventions were both cost-effective, and feasible. These were: screening for Chlamydia, screening for diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes, screening for neonatal group beta streptococcal infections through a combination strategy, prevention of recurrent myocardial infarction through heart habilitation, and prevention of head injuries by wearing of bicycle helmets by children. CONCLUSION Before implementation of preventive interventions, it is necessary to investigate whether these interventions are also cost-effective in the Dutch context.
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van Meeuwen JA, van Son O, Piersma AH, de Jong PC, van den Berg M. Aromatase inhibiting and combined estrogenic effects of parabens and estrogenic effects of other additives in cosmetics. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2008; 230:372-82. [PMID: 18486175 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2008.03.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 72] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2007] [Revised: 03/03/2008] [Accepted: 03/04/2008] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
There is concern widely on the increase in human exposure to exogenous (anti)estrogenic compounds. Typical are certain ingredients in cosmetic consumer products such as musks, phthalates and parabens. Monitoring a variety of human samples revealed that these ingredients, including the ones that generally are considered to undergo rapid metabolism, are present at low levels. In this in vitro research individual compounds and combinations of parabens and endogenous estradiol (E(2)) were investigated in the MCF-7 cell proliferation assay. The experimental design applied a concentration addition model (CA). Data were analyzed with the estrogen equivalency (EEQ) and method of isoboles approach. In addition, the catalytic inhibitory properties of parabens on an enzyme involved in a rate limiting step in steroid genesis (aromatase) were studied in human placental microsomes. Our results point to an additive estrogenic effect in a CA model for parabens. In addition, it was found that parabens inhibit aromatase. Noticeably, the effective levels in both our in vitro systems were far higher than the levels detected in human samples. However, estrogenic compounds may contribute in a cumulative way to the circulating estrogen burden. Our calculation for the extra estrogen burden due to exposure to parabens, phthalates and polycyclic musks indicates an insignificant estrogenic load relative to the endogenous or therapeutic estrogen burden.
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Eysker M, Bakker J, van den Berg M, van Doorn D, Ploeger H. The use of age-clustered pooled faecal samples for monitoring worm control in horses. Vet Parasitol 2008; 151:249-55. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2007.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2007] [Revised: 10/05/2007] [Accepted: 10/15/2007] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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van den Berg M, Sackley C, Hoppitt T, Patel S, Lett K, Hollands K, Wright C, Brittle N. P2.052 USE of the TUG in cognitively impaired care home residents. Parkinsonism Relat Disord 2008. [DOI: 10.1016/s1353-8020(08)70282-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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van Meeuwen JA, Ter Burg W, Piersma AH, van den Berg M, Sanderson JT. Mixture effects of estrogenic compounds on proliferation and pS2 expression of MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Food Chem Toxicol 2007; 45:2319-30. [PMID: 17651883 DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2007.06.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2006] [Revised: 03/06/2007] [Accepted: 06/07/2007] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Humans are exposed to a variety of food-borne phytochemicals (PC) as well as synthetic chemicals (SC). Some of these compounds have been reported to have estrogenic or anti-estrogenic properties and are therefore suspected endocrine disruptors. Until now it remains unclear if non-additive effects occur in combinations with endogenous estrogens, such as 17beta-estradiol (E(2)). To investigate such interactions, several PC and SC were tested individually, in mixtures and as combinations of mixtures with E(2) for effects on ERalpha receptor mediated cell proliferation and estrogen regulated pS2 expression level in MCF-7(bus) cells. PCs (coumestrol, genistein, naringenin, catechin, epicatechin, quercetin) or SCs (4-nonylphenol, octylphenol, beta-hexachlorocyclohexane, bisphenol A, methoxychlor, dibutyl phthalate) were mixed (PCmix and SCmix) either in concentrations reflecting human serum concentrations or at equipotent concentrations for estrogenicity. EC(50) values were applied in two approaches of the concentration-addition model (the method of isoboles and the cumulative estrogen equivalency method) to assess mixture effects. In both models PCmix and SCmix or combinations of the mixtures with E(2) showed no departure from additivity. In conclusion, the tested PCs and SCs appeared to act as (full) agonists for the estrogen receptor and interacted in mixtures and with estradiol in an additive way. In addition, it is concluded that the possible contribution of food-borne PCs to the estrogenic effect of xenobiotics is likely to be more significant than that caused by food-borne SCs.
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ter Beek WP, Biemond I, Muller ESM, van den Berg M, Lamers CBHW. Substance P receptor expression in patients with inflammatory bowel disease. Determination by three different techniques, i.e., storage phosphor autoradiography, RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Neuropeptides 2007; 41:301-6. [PMID: 17602742 DOI: 10.1016/j.npep.2007.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2007] [Revised: 05/11/2007] [Accepted: 05/12/2007] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic intestinal inflammation accompanied by changes in motility. It is known that regulatory peptides like substance P (SP) are important pro-inflammatory peptides which are also involved in neuronal conduction. To get clues for new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches we describe the SP receptor (NK-1) distribution in IBD compared to control intestinal tissue, on mRNA and protein level by three complementary techniques. Autoradiography showed differences within the intestinal wall of control patients; mucosal binding was 17 fmol/g and muscular binding was significantly (p=0.01) higher (98 fmol/g). In inflamed specimens of patients with IBD mucosal SP binding was increased compared to controls (55+/-10 vs 18+/-4 fmol/g mucosa, p=0.002). However RT-PCR showed that the mRNA content of the NK-1 receptor in these samples was not increased. In non-inflamed samples of patients with Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) SP binding was similar as in controls, while mRNA was significantly decreased in CD patients (0.7+/-0.02 vs 4.4+/-0.7, p=0.01) but not in UC patients (4.4+/-0.7 vs 4.1+/-1.4). Immunohistochemistry identified a broad spectrum of NK-1 receptor locations in control intestine. No aberrant expression in IBD was found. This study showed that although there was no difference in location of the SP receptors in IBD patients versus controls, the quantity of SP binding was significantly increased in the inflamed mucosa of IBD patients, while the mRNA level was not increased. Further a difference in mRNA level between non-inflamed tissue of CD and UC patients was shown, with mRNA in CD being lower. These changes in SP receptor expression during chronic inflammation suggest that SP receptors are a potential target for therapeutic regulation of the inflammatory response.
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Cantón R, Bovee T, Daamen F, van Duursen M, van den Berg M. In Vitro antiandrogenicity of PBDEs, HBCD, TBP and hydroxylated and methoxylated PBDEs based on a yeast bioassay. Chem Biol Interact 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cbi.2007.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
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Kuiper RV, Cantón RF, Leonards PEG, Jenssen BM, Dubbeldam M, Wester PW, van den Berg M, Vos JG, Vethaak AD. Long-term exposure of European flounder (Platichthys flesus) to the flame-retardants tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2007; 67:349-60. [PMID: 17258806 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2006.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2006] [Revised: 11/14/2006] [Accepted: 12/13/2006] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are widely used flame retardants that have increasingly been found as contaminants in the aquatic environment. In the present study, European flounder (Platichthys flesus) were chronically exposed to TBBPA; (105 days) and HBCD (78 days), in a wide range including environmentally relevant concentrations. TBBPA was administered via the water, whereas HBCD was administered in food and sediment, or in sediment alone. Chemical analysis of muscle showed an average increase in internal concentrations of approximately two orders of magnitude for both compounds tested. Animals exposed to HBCD via sediment alone (8000 microg/g total organic carbon, TOC) showed a proportional increase of alpha-HBCD in muscle compared to animals exposed via food and sediment. In both studies, exposure to the test compounds did not affect general health and toxicity parameters (behavior, survival, growth rate, relative liver and gonad weight). Hepatic microsomal enzyme activities (TBBPA: EROD; HBCD: EROD, PROD, and BROD) were not induced by any of the tested chemicals. Aromatase activity in male gonads showed a mild increase with rising TBBPA levels. There were no morphological and immunohistochemical indications for increased production of the yolk precursor protein vitellogenin (VTG) in animals exposed to TBBPA and HBCD; immunochemical analysis of plasma VTG levels showed no dose response in animals exposed to TBBPA. In animals exposed to TBBPA, levels of the thyroid hormone thyroxin (T(4)) increased with internal concentrations of the test compound, possibly indicating competition of TBBPA for plasma protein binding. Triiodothyronin (T(3)) levels were not affected and histology showed no signs of altered thyroid gland activity. Other organs investigated (liver, gills, kidney, skin, and gonads) revealed no histological changes related to TBBPA or HBCD exposure. Overall, the present results indicate limited endocrine effects of these widely used flame retardants in a test species representative of European estuaries at environmentally relevant exposure levels and at internal levels up to 4300 ng TBBPA/g wet weight, and 446 microg HBCD/g lipid weight in flounder muscle.
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Hawinkels LJAC, Verspaget HW, van den Berg M, Hanemaaijer R, Sier CFM. Determination of matrilysin activity in gastrointestinal neoplasia. Eur J Clin Invest 2007; 37:598-9. [PMID: 17576214 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2362.2007.01827.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
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van Meeuwen JA, Korthagen N, de Jong PC, Piersma AH, van den Berg M. (Anti)estrogenic effects of phytochemicals on human primary mammary fibroblasts, MCF-7 cells and their co-culture. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 2007; 221:372-83. [PMID: 17482226 DOI: 10.1016/j.taap.2007.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2006] [Revised: 02/26/2007] [Accepted: 03/15/2007] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
In the public opinion, phytochemicals (PCs) present in the human diet are often considered beneficial (e.g. by preventing breast cancer). Two possible mechanisms that could modulate tumor growth are via interaction with the estrogen receptor (ER) and inhibition of aromatase (CYP19). Multiple in vitro studies confirmed that these compounds act estrogenic, thus potentially induce tumor growth, as well as aromatase inhibitory, thus potentially reduce tumor growth. It is thought that in the in vivo situation breast epithelial (tumor) cells communicate with surrounding connective tissue by means of cytokines, prostaglandins and estradiol forming a complex feedback mechanism. Recently our laboratory developed an in vitro co-culture model of healthy mammary fibroblasts and MCF-7 cells that (at least partly) simulated this feedback mechanism (M. Heneweer et al., TAAP vol. 202(1): 50-58, 2005). In the present study biochanin A, chrysin, naringenin, apigenin, genistein and quercetin were studied for their estrogenic properties (cell proliferation, pS2 mRNA) and aromatase inhibition in MCF-7 breast tumor cells, healthy mammary fibroblasts and their co-culture. The proliferative potency of these compounds in the MCF-7 cells derived from their EC(50)s decreased in the following order: estadiol (4*10(-3) nM)>biochanin A (9 nM)>genistein (32 nM)>testosterone (46 nM)>naringenin (287 nM)>apigenin (440 nM)>chrysin (4 microM). The potency to inhibit aromatase derived from their IC(50)s decreased in the following order: chrysin (1.5 microM)>naringenin (2.2 microM)>genistein (3.6 microM)>apigenin (4.1 microM)>biochanin A (25 microM)>quercetin (30 microM). The results of these studies show that these PCs can induce cell proliferation or inhibit aromatase in the same concentration range (1-10 microM). Results from co-cultures did not elucidate the dominant effect of these compounds. MCF-7 cell proliferation occurs at concentrations that are not uncommon in blood of individuals using food supplements. Results also indicate that estrogenicity of these PCs is quantitatively more sensitive than aromatase inhibition. It is suggested that perhaps a more cautionary approach should be taken for these PCs before taken as food supplements.
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Reichinger M, Gies H, van den Berg M, Grünert W, Kirschhock C. Micro-meso-materials from TS-1 seeds: structure-properties. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2007. [DOI: 10.1016/s0167-2991(07)80849-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2023]
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Kuiper RV, Murk AJ, Leonards PEG, Grinwis GCM, van den Berg M, Vos JG. In vivo and in vitro Ah-receptor activation by commercial and fractionated pentabromodiphenylether using zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the DR-CALUX assay. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2006; 79:366-75. [PMID: 16919340 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2006] [Revised: 07/03/2006] [Accepted: 07/06/2006] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study addresses the toxicity of a commercial pentabrominated diphenylether (PeBDE) flame retardant mixture, DE-71, in a model aquatic vertebrate. Four weeks' exposure of juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) to water-borne DE-71 resulted in dose-dependent induction of CYP1A immunoreactivity, predominantly in the endocardium and the endothelium of larger blood vessels, such as ventral aorta and branchial arteries, as well as the larger hepatic and pancreatic blood vessels. To investigate the impact of possible contaminating PBDD/Fs in the DE-71 product, the study was repeated after DE-71 had been fractionated into a non-planar (cleaned PBDEs) and a planar fraction (PBDD/Fs). Zebrafish were exposed under similar conditions to the planar and cleaned DE-71 fractions, and to uncleaned DE-71. In addition, the above fractions were chemically analyzed and tested in a reporter gene assay (DR-CALUX) for their aromatic hydrocarbon-receptor (AhR) stimulating potencies. A relatively strong CALUX response was detected from the planar DE-71 fraction (19.7ng TCDD equivalent (TEQ)/g DE-71), coinciding with a strong induction of CYP1A immunoreactivity in zebrafish. CYP1A immunoreactivity in zebrafish exposed to uncleaned DE-71 was intense, although the CALUX response was 10-fold less compared to the planar fraction. Only weak CYP1A immunoreactivity was found in fish exposed to cleaned DE-71, and none in control animals; no CALUX response was detected in cleaned DE-71. The present findings indicate that chemical impurities of the commercial PeBDE product account for AhR-mediated effects. Analytical isolation of a planar fraction from the commercial product increased the in vitro (DR-CALUX) signal 10 times. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong tissue specific reaction to DE-71 in vivo at these relatively low TEQ levels regardless of chemical pretreatment of the mix, reflecting the sensitivity of CYP1A induction in juvenile zebrafish to AhR agonists.
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Sier C, Kubben F, Meijer M, van den Berg M, van der Reijden J, Griffioen G, van de Velde C, Lamers C, Verspaget H. ID: 110 MATRIX METALLOPROTEINASES AND THEIR INHIBITORS IN GASTRIC CANCER: CLINICAL APPLICATION OF GENES AND PROTEINS. J Thromb Haemost 2006. [DOI: 10.1111/j.1538-7836.2006.00110.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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van den Berg M. Informed Choice on Prenatal Down Syndrome Screening? Public Health Genomics 2006. [DOI: 10.1159/000094479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Hilliard P, Funk S, Zourikian N, Bergstrom BM, Bradley CS, McLimont M, Manco-Johnson M, Petrini P, van den Berg M, Feldman BM. Hemophilia joint health score reliability study. Haemophilia 2006; 12:518-25. [PMID: 16919083 DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2516.2006.01312.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 237] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
UNLABELLED Measurement of joint health is critically important when assessing children with haemophilia. Few measures exist; they lack sensitivity to small changes, don't account for normal development and were never formally validated. To address these concerns, the Hemophilia Joint Health Score (HJHS) was developed by modifying existing scores. OBJECTIVE To test the inter-observer and test-retest reliability of the HJHS. METHODS Using a fully factorial design, four physiotherapists (from Canada, the United States and Sweden) examined eight boys with severe haemophilia A on two consecutive days using the HJHS. The boys ranged in age from 4-12 years and presented with variable joint damage. Six index joints (elbows, knees and ankles) were assessed on 11 impairment items including swelling, flexion and extension loss and gait. Concordance was measured by the intra-class correlation co-efficient. RESULTS Reliability of the HJHS was excellent with an inter-observer co-efficient of 0.83 and a test-retest of 0.89. CONCLUSION This study is the first in a series to assess the psychometric properties of the HJHS, a promising new measure of joint health in boys with haemophilia.
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Kubben FJGM, Sier CFM, Meijer MJW, van den Berg M, van der Reijden JJ, Griffioen G, van de Velde CJH, Lamers CBHW, Verspaget HW. Clinical impact of MMP and TIMP gene polymorphisms in gastric cancer. Br J Cancer 2006; 95:744-51. [PMID: 16940985 PMCID: PMC2360506 DOI: 10.1038/sj.bjc.6603307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 91] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Gastric cancers express enhanced levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and their tissue inhibitors (TIMPs). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in MMP and TIMP genes may be associated with disease susceptibility and might also affect their antigen expression. We studied the genotype distribution and allele frequencies of SNPs of MMP-2, -7, -8 and -9 and TIMP-1 and -2 in gastric cancer patients in relation to tumour progression, patient survival and tissue antigen expression. The genotype distribution and allele frequencies were similar in gastric cancer patients and controls, except for MMP-7−181A>G. In addition, the genotype distribution of MMP-7−181A>G was associated with Helicobacter pylori status (χ2 7.8, P=0.005) and tumour-related survival of the patients. Single-nucleotide polymorphism TIMP-2303C>T correlated significantly with the WHO classification (χ2 5.9, P=0.03) and also strongly with tumour-related survival (log rank 11.74, P=0.0006). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms of MMP-2, -8, -9 and TIMP-1 were not associated with tumour-related survival. Only the gene promoter MMP-2−1306C>T polymorphism correlated significantly with the protein level within the tumours. First-order dendrogram cluster analysis combined with Cox analysis identified the MMP-7−181A>G and TIMP-2303C>T polymorphism combination to have a major impact on patients survival outcome. We conclude that MMP-related SNPs, especially MMP-7−181A>G and TIMP-2303C>T, may be helpful in identifying gastric cancer patients with a poor clinical outcome.
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van den Berg M, Dawes H, Wade DT, Newman M, Burridge J, Izadi H, Sackley CM. Treadmill training for individuals with multiple sclerosis: a pilot randomised trial. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2006; 77:531-3. [PMID: 16543538 PMCID: PMC2077516 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.2005.064410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 125] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
This pilot study investigated whether 4 weeks of aerobic treadmill training in individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) improved mobility and reduced fatigue. Individuals with MS were recruited to this prospective, randomised controlled trial. Individuals were assessed at baseline, week 7 and 12 with a 10 metre timed walk, a 2 minute walk, the Rivermead Mobility Index, and the Fatigue Severity Scale. After a pre-assessment familiarisation session and a baseline assessment, individuals were randomly allocated to an initial intervention or delayed intervention group. Treadmill training consisted of 4 weeks of supervised aerobic exercise delivered weeks 3-6 in the immediate group and 8-11 in the delayed group. Of the initial 19 recruits, 16 individuals completed the study. There was a significant difference in walking endurance between the delayed and immediate groups at baseline (p<0.05). On reassessment in week 7, decreases in 10 metre walk time were found in both groups, which was significant in the immediate group (p<0.05). The 2 minute walk distance significantly increased in both groups (p<0.05). In the training group, reassessed at week 12 after training ceased, there was a return towards baseline scores. No significant changes in fatigue scores were found. This study showed that in individuals with MS, aerobic treadmill training is feasible and well tolerated. Walking speed and endurance increased following training with no increase in reported fatigue. Detraining occurred in the period following training. A larger randomised clinical trial is warranted.
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