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Verleden SE, Hendriks JMH, Lapperre TS. Reply to Polverino: Clearing the Air: Innovations in Imaging for Early Detection and Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:1044-1045. [PMID: 38227940 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202312-2329le] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 01/18/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Stijn E Verleden
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Antwerp Surgical Training Anatomy and Research Centre
- LEARN, Lung Research Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium; and
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery and
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Jeroen M H Hendriks
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Antwerp Surgical Training Anatomy and Research Centre
- LEARN, Lung Research Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium; and
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery and
| | - Therese S Lapperre
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, and
- LEARN, Lung Research Antwerp, University of Antwerp, Wilrijk (Antwerp), Belgium; and
- Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
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2
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Verleden SE, Hendriks JMH, Snoeckx A, Mai C, Mentens Y, Callebaut W, De Belie B, Van Schil PE, Verplancke V, Janssens A, Jacob J, Pakzad A, Conlon TM, Guvenc G, Yildirim AÖ, Pauwels P, Koljenovic S, Kwakkel-Van Erp JM, Lapperre TS. Small Airway Disease in Pre-Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease with Emphysema: A Cross-Sectional Study. Am J Respir Crit Care Med 2024; 209:683-692. [PMID: 38055196 DOI: 10.1164/rccm.202301-0132oc] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Rationale: Small airway disease is an important pathophysiological feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Recently, "pre-COPD" has been put forward as a potential precursor stage of COPD that is defined by abnormal spirometry findings or significant emphysema on computed tomography (CT) in the absence of airflow obstruction. Objective: To determine the degree and nature of (small) airway disease in pre-COPD using microCT in a cohort of explant lobes/lungs. Methods: We collected whole lungs/lung lobes from patients with emphysematous pre-COPD (n = 10); Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) stage I (n = 6), II (n = 6), and III/IV (n = 7) COPD; and controls (n = 10), which were analyzed using CT and microCT. The degree of emphysema and the number and morphology of small airways were compared between groups, and further correlations were investigated with physiologic measures. Airway and parenchymal pathology was also validated with histopathology. Measurements and Main Results: The numbers of transitional bronchioles and terminal bronchioles per milliliter of lung were significantly lower in pre-COPD and GOLD stages I, II, and III/IV COPD compared with controls. In addition, the number of alveolar attachments of the transitional bronchioles and terminal bronchioles was also lower in pre-COPD and all COPD groups compared with controls. We did not find any differences between the pre-COPD and COPD groups in CT or microCT measures. The percentage of emphysema on CT showed the strongest correlation with the number of small airways in the COPD groups. Histopathology showed an increase in the mean chord length and a decrease in alveolar surface density in pre-COPD and all GOLD COPD stages compared with controls. Conclusions: Lungs of patients with emphysematous pre-COPD already show fewer small airways and airway remodeling even in the absence of physiologic airway obstruction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stijn E Verleden
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
- Department of Pulmonology
| | - Jeroen M H Hendriks
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
| | - Annemiek Snoeckx
- Department of Molecular Morphology Microscopy, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
- Department of Radiology
| | | | - Yves Mentens
- Department of Pulmonology, General Hospital Herentals, Herentals, Belgium
| | - Wim Callebaut
- Department of Pulmonology, General Hospital Voorkempen, Malle, Belgium
| | - Bruno De Belie
- Department of Pulmonology, General Hospital, Rumst, Belgium
| | - Paul E Van Schil
- Division of Thoracic Surgery, Antwerp Surgical Training, Anatomy and Research Centre
- Department of Thoracic and Vascular Surgery
| | | | | | - Joseph Jacob
- Department of Radiology, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Ashkan Pakzad
- Department of Radiology, University College London Hospitals National Health Service Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas M Conlon
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Guney Guvenc
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany; and
| | - Ali Önder Yildirim
- Comprehensive Pneumology Center, Institute of Lung Health and Immunity, Helmholtz Munich, Munich, Germany; and
- Institute of Experimental Pneumology, University Hospital, Ludwig-Maximilians University, Munich, Germany
| | - Patrick Pauwels
- Center for Oncologic Research, and
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Senada Koljenovic
- Center for Oncologic Research, and
- Department of Pathology, University Hospital Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Johanna M Kwakkel-Van Erp
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonology
| | - Thérèse S Lapperre
- Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Pulmonology
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3
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Chen Y, Vermeersch M, Van Leene J, De Jaeger G, Li Y, Vanhaeren H. A dynamic ubiquitination balance of cell proliferation and endoreduplication regulators determines plant organ size. Sci Adv 2024; 10:eadj2570. [PMID: 38478622 PMCID: PMC10936951 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adj2570] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Ubiquitination plays a crucial role throughout plant growth and development. The E3 ligase DA2 has been reported to activate the peptidase DA1 by ubiquitination, hereby limiting cell proliferation. However, the molecular mechanisms that regulate DA2 remain elusive. Here, we demonstrate that DA2 has a very high turnover and auto-ubiquitinates with K48-linkage polyubiquitin chains, which is counteracted by two deubiquitinating enzymes, UBIQUITIN-SPECIFIC PROTEASE 12 (UBP12) and UBP13. Unexpectedly, we found that auto-ubiquitination of DA2 does not influence its stability but determines its E3 ligase activity. We also demonstrate that impairing the protease activity of DA1 abolishes the growth-reducing effect of DA2. Last, we show that synthetic, constitutively activated DA1-ubiquitin fusion proteins overrule this complex balance of ubiquitination and deubiquitination and strongly restrict growth and promote endoreduplication. Our findings highlight a nonproteolytic function of K48-linked polyubiquitination and reveal a mechanism by which DA2 auto-ubiquitination levels, in concert with UBP12 and UBP13, precisely monitor the activity of DA1 and fine-tune plant organ size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Vermeersch
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jelle Van Leene
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Geert De Jaeger
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yunhai Li
- State Key Laboratory of Plant Cell and Chromosome Engineering, CAS Centre for Excellence in Molecular Plant, Institute of Genetics and Development Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hannes Vanhaeren
- Ghent University, Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Heylen D, Peeters J, Aerts J, Ertaylan G, Hooyberghs J. BioMOBS: A multi-omics visual analytics workflow for biomolecular insight generation. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0295361. [PMID: 38096184 PMCID: PMC10721075 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0295361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
One of the challenges in multi-omics data analysis for precision medicine is the efficient exploration of undiscovered molecular interactions in disease processes. We present BioMOBS, a workflow consisting of two data visualization tools integrated with an open-source molecular information database to perform clinically relevant analyses (https://github.com/driesheylen123/BioMOBS). We performed exploratory pathway analysis with BioMOBS and demonstrate its ability to generate relevant molecular hypotheses, by reproducing recent findings in type 2 diabetes UK biobank data. The central visualisation tool, where data-driven and literature-based findings can be integrated, is available within the github link as well. BioMOBS is a workflow that leverages information from multiple data-driven interactive analyses and visually integrates it with established pathway knowledge. The demonstrated use cases place trust in the usage of BioMOBS as a procedure to offer clinically relevant insights in disease pathway analyses on various types of omics data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dries Heylen
- Theory Lab, Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Jannes Peeters
- Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Jan Aerts
- Visual Data Analysis Lab, Department of Biostystems KU Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Gökhan Ertaylan
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Mol, Belgium
| | - Jef Hooyberghs
- Theory Lab, Data Science Institute (DSI), Hasselt University, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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5
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Abrahams L, Vergauwe J, De Fruyt F. Within-person personality variability in the work context: A blessing or a curse for job performance? J Appl Psychol 2023; 108:1834-1855. [PMID: 37307362 DOI: 10.1037/apl0001101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Only recently, the question whether within-person personality variability is a blessing or a curse for job performance has reached the agendas of industrial and organizational (I-O) psychology researchers. Yet, this limited stream of research resulted in inconsistent findings, and only little understanding exists about the role of rater source and mean-level personality in this relationship. Broadly following socioanalytic theory, the present study examined the extent to which self- and other-rated within-person personality variability predicts self- and other-rated job performance, and whether this is moderated by mean-level personality. Within-person personality variability indices and job performance evaluations were obtained from an experience sampling study including N = 166 teachers, N = 95 supervisors, and N = 69 classes (including 1,354 students). Results showed that-above and beyond the effects of mean-level personality-self-rated within-person variability was positively associated with self-rated job performance, while other-rated within-person variability was negatively associated with other-ratings of performance. Many interactions with mean-level personality were found, mainly demonstrating negative effects of variability for those with a less adaptive personality profile (cf. variability as a "curse"), while showing positive effects of variability for those with a more adaptive trait profile (cf. variability as a "blessing"). Importantly, however, additional analyses provided little evidence for associations across type of rater source. These findings contribute to the field of I-O psychology by highlighting that perceptions of within-person personality variability may impact performance evaluations beyond personality traits, although its desirability seems to depend on individuals' personality trait level. Implications and limitations are discussed. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).
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Affiliation(s)
- Loes Abrahams
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University
| | - Jasmine Vergauwe
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University
| | - Filip De Fruyt
- Department of Developmental, Personality, and Social Psychology, Ghent University
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De Spiegeleer M, Plekhova V, Geltmeyer J, Schoolaert E, Pomian B, Singh V, Wijnant K, De Windt K, Paukku V, De Loof A, Gies I, Michels N, De Henauw S, De Graeve M, De Clerck K, Vanhaecke L. Point-of-care applicable metabotyping using biofluid-specific electrospun MetaSAMPs directly amenable to ambient LA-REIMS. Sci Adv 2023; 9:eade9933. [PMID: 37294759 PMCID: PMC10256167 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.ade9933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In recent years, ambient ionization mass spectrometry (AIMS) including laser ablation rapid evaporation IMS, has enabled direct biofluid metabolome analysis. AIMS procedures are, however, still hampered by both analytical, i.e., matrix effects, and practical, i.e., sample transport stability, drawbacks that impede metabolome coverage. In this study, we aimed at developing biofluid-specific metabolome sampling membranes (MetaSAMPs) that offer a directly applicable and stabilizing substrate for AIMS. Customized rectal, salivary, and urinary MetaSAMPs consisting of electrospun (nano)fibrous membranes of blended hydrophilic (polyvinylpyrrolidone and polyacrylonitrile) and lipophilic (polystyrene) polymers supported metabolite absorption, adsorption, and desorption. Moreover, MetaSAMP demonstrated superior metabolome coverage and transport stability compared to crude biofluid analysis and was successfully validated in two pediatric cohorts (MetaBEAse, n = 234 and OPERA, n = 101). By integrating anthropometric and (patho)physiological with MetaSAMP-AIMS metabolome data, we obtained substantial weight-driven predictions and clinical correlations. In conclusion, MetaSAMP holds great clinical application potential for on-the-spot metabolic health stratification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margot De Spiegeleer
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Vera Plekhova
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jozefien Geltmeyer
- Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Ella Schoolaert
- Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Beata Pomian
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Varoon Singh
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kathleen Wijnant
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kimberly De Windt
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Volter Paukku
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Alexander De Loof
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Inge Gies
- Department of Pediatrics, Free University of Brussels (VUB), University Hospital Brussels (UZ Brussel), Brussels, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marilyn De Graeve
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Karen De Clerck
- Department of Materials, Textiles and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lynn Vanhaecke
- Laboratory of Integrative Metabolomics, Department of Translational Physiology, Infectiology and Public Health, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen’s University, Belfast, UK
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Bogaert J, Loh WW, Rosseel Y. A Small Sample Correction for Factor Score Regression. Educ Psychol Meas 2023; 83:495-519. [PMID: 37187693 PMCID: PMC10177321 DOI: 10.1177/00131644221105505] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Factor score regression (FSR) is widely used as a convenient alternative to traditional structural equation modeling (SEM) for assessing structural relations between latent variables. But when latent variables are simply replaced by factor scores, biases in the structural parameter estimates often have to be corrected, due to the measurement error in the factor scores. The method of Croon (MOC) is a well-known bias correction technique. However, its standard implementation can render poor quality estimates in small samples (e.g. less than 100). This article aims to develop a small sample correction (SSC) that integrates two different modifications to the standard MOC. We conducted a simulation study to compare the empirical performance of (a) standard SEM, (b) the standard MOC, (c) naive FSR, and (d) the MOC with the proposed SSC. In addition, we assessed the robustness of the performance of the SSC in various models with a different number of predictors and indicators. The results showed that the MOC with the proposed SSC yielded smaller mean squared errors than SEM and the standard MOC in small samples and performed similarly to naive FSR. However, naive FSR yielded more biased estimates than the proposed MOC with SSC, by failing to account for measurement error in the factor scores.
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Feng Q, Cubría-Radío M, Vavrdová T, De Winter F, Schilling N, Huysmans M, Nanda AK, Melnyk CW, Nowack MK. Repressive ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA proteins promote programmed cell death in the Arabidopsis columella root cap. Plant Physiol 2023; 192:1151-1167. [PMID: 36852889 PMCID: PMC10231456 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiad130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 01/19/2023] [Accepted: 02/02/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Developmental programmed cell death (dPCD) controls a plethora of functions in plant growth and reproduction. In the root cap of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), dPCD functions to control organ size in balance with the continuous stem cell activity in the root meristem. Key regulators of root cap dPCD including SOMBRERO/ANAC033 (SMB) belong to the NAC family of transcription factors. Here, we identify the C2H2 zinc finger protein ZINC FINGER OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA 14 ZAT14 as part of the gene regulatory network of root cap dPCD acting downstream of SMB. Similar to SMB, ZAT14-inducible misexpression leads to extensive ectopic cell death. Both the canonical EAR motif and a conserved L-box motif of ZAT14 act as transcriptional repression motifs and are required to trigger cell death. While a single zat14 mutant does not show a cell death-related phenotype, a quintuple mutant knocking out 5 related ZAT paralogs shows a delayed onset of dPCD execution in the columella and the adjacent lateral root cap. While ZAT14 is co-expressed with established dPCD-associated genes, it does not activate their expression. Our results suggest that ZAT14 acts as a transcriptional repressor controlling a so far uncharacterized subsection of the dPCD gene regulatory network active in specific root cap tissues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiangnan Feng
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marta Cubría-Radío
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tereza Vavrdová
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Freya De Winter
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Neeltje Schilling
- Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam University, 14476 Potsdam OT Golm, Germany
| | - Marlies Huysmans
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Amrit K Nanda
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Charles W Melnyk
- Department of Plant Biology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 75007 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Moritz K Nowack
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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Mortier F, Daminet S, Duchateau L, Demeyere K, Meyer E, Paepe D. Effect of laboratory and sample storage factors on urinary protein:creatinine ratios and clinical decision making in cats. J Vet Intern Med 2023; 37:1038-1046. [PMID: 37015881 DOI: 10.1111/jvim.16696] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/06/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Urinary protein:creatinine ratio (UPC) results affect the diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy of chronic kidney disease in cats. OBJECTIVES To investigate the interlaboratory and intralaboratory variability and the effect of storage on UPC and International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) proteinuria substaging in cats. ANIMALS Healthy and diseased client-owned cats. METHODS Prospective study. Urine of 60 cats was randomly sent to 4 (of 9) participating laboratories (to assess interlaboratory variability) and per cat, 2 laboratories each received 2 aliquots (to determine intralaboratory variability). Samples of 23 cats were analyzed in the same laboratory the day of collection, after preservation at 22°C for 1 day and at 4°C during 1-7 days (short-term storage) and at -24°C and -80°C for 6-12 months (long-term storage). Storage conditions were compared by equivalence testing. RESULTS UPCs showed good interclass correlation (ICC-inter, 0.90) and excellent intraclass correlation (ICC-intra, 0.99). However, in 30/60 (50%) cats at least 1 of 4 laboratories assigned a different IRIS proteinuria substage. Urinary protein:creatinine ratio remained stable with short-term storage, but not after 6 months storage at -24°C and after 12 months storage at -24°C or -80°C. Long-term storage caused a change in IRIS proteinuria substage in 27% of cats, whereas a shift occurred only in 4% of cats during short-term storage. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE Laboratory choice for UPC measurement can result in different IRIS substaging for the same cat, whereas urine storage at room temperature for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 7 days does not clinically affect UPC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Femke Mortier
- Small Animal Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Small Animal Department, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Luc Duchateau
- Biometrics Research Center, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kristel Demeyere
- Research Group Biochemistry Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelyne Meyer
- Research Group Biochemistry Department of Veterinary and Biosciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Van der Meeren L, Verduijn J, Krysko DV, Skirtach AG. High-throughput mechano-cytometry as a method to detect apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis. Cell Prolif 2023:e13445. [PMID: 36987856 DOI: 10.1111/cpr.13445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023] Open
Abstract
In recent years, the importance of the investigation of regulated cell death (RCD) has significantly increased and different methods are proposed for the detection of RCD including biochemical as well as fluorescence assays. Researchers have shown that early stages of cell death could be detected by using AFM. Although AFM offers a high single-cell resolution and sensitivity, the throughput (<100 cells/h) limits a broad range of biomedical applications of this technique. Here, a microfluidics-based mechanobiology technique, named shear flow deformability cytometry (sDC), is used to investigate and distinguish dying cells from viable cells purely based on their mechanical properties. Three different RCD modalities (i.e., apoptosis, necroptosis, and ferroptosis) are induced in L929sAhFas cells and analysed using sDC. Using machine learning on the extracted parameters, it was possible to predict the dead or viable state with 92% validation accuracy. A significant decrease in elasticity can be noticed for each of these RCD modalities by analysing the deformation of the dying cells. Analysis of morphological characteristics such as cell size and membrane irregularities also indicated significant differences in the RCD induced cells versus control cells. These results highlight the importance of mechanical properties during RCD and the significance of label-free techniques, such as sDC, which can be used to detect regulated cell death and can be further linked with sorting of live and dead cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Van der Meeren
- Nano-BioTechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Joost Verduijn
- Nano-BioTechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dmitri V Krysko
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
- Cell Death Investigation and Therapy Laboratory, Department of Human Structure and Repair, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - André G Skirtach
- Nano-BioTechnology Laboratory, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Cancer Research Institute Ghent, Ghent, Belgium
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11
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Verbiest I, Verbeken S, Debeuf T, De Henauw S, Michels N, Braet C. The cortisol stress response in youth with overweight and obesity: Influence of psychosocial variables. Pediatr Obes 2023; 18:e13026. [PMID: 36950750 DOI: 10.1111/ijpo.13026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Despite previous research pointing out a bifurcation in cortisol stress reactivity, it is not yet clear if all variables explaining inter-individual differences in stress responses are captured. OBJECTIVES To explore which (psychosocial and demographic) variables predict the cortisol response after a standardized stress-and affective state (SAS)-induction in youth with overweight and obesity. METHODS As part of a randomized control trial (SRCTN83822934) investigating the effects of emotion regulation (ER)-training on top of a 10-month inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment, 79 children and adolescents (9-15 years) with moderate obesity (M adjusted BMI = 154.35% overweight, SD = 24.57) completed a SAS-induction before leaving the clinic. RESULTS Those whose cortisol levels decreased (N = 59.5%) from baseline to reactivity showed higher levels of alexithymia than increasers (p = 0.049). Attachment avoidance was a significant positive predictor of relative cortisol decrease after SAS-induction (p = 0.001). Age was significantly related to less cortisol decrease (p = 0.006). No significant effect of ER-intervention group on relative cortisol change was found. CONCLUSIONS The current study provides evidence for a bifurcation in cortisol stress reactivity in youth with obesity. Our data further suggested that psychosocial variables (alexithymia and attachment avoidance) influence the cortisol stress response. Future research should further explore whether the attenuators are a more vulnerable group.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ine Verbiest
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Verbeken
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Taaike Debeuf
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Henauw
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Braet
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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12
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Van Goethem A, Deleu J, Yigit N, Everaert C, Moreno-Smith M, Vasudevan S, Zeka F, Demuynck F, Barbieri E, Speleman F, Mestdagh P, Shohet J, Vandesompele J, Van Maerken T. Longitudinal evaluation of serum microRNAs as biomarkers for neuroblastoma burden and therapeutic p53 reactivation. NAR Cancer 2023; 5:zcad002. [PMID: 36683916 PMCID: PMC9846426 DOI: 10.1093/narcan/zcad002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Accurate assessment of treatment response and residual disease is indispensable for the evaluation of cancer treatment efficacy. However, performing tissue biopsies for longitudinal follow-up poses a major challenge in the management of solid tumours like neuroblastoma. In the present study, we evaluated whether circulating miRNAs are suitable to monitor neuroblastoma tumour burden and whether treatment-induced changes of miRNA abundance in the tumour are detectable in serum. We performed small RNA sequencing on longitudinally collected serum samples from mice carrying orthotopic neuroblastoma xenografts that were exposed to treatment with idasanutlin or temsirolimus. We identified 57 serum miRNAs to be differentially expressed upon xenograft tumour manifestation, out of which 21 were also found specifically expressed in the serum of human high-risk neuroblastoma patients. The murine serum levels of these 57 miRNAs correlated with tumour tissue expression and tumour volume, suggesting potential utility for monitoring tumour burden. In addition, we describe serum miRNAs that dynamically respond to p53 activation following treatment of engrafted mice with idasanutlin. We identified idasanutlin-induced serum miRNA expression changes upon one day and 11 days of treatment. By limiting to miRNAs with a tumour-related induction, we put forward hsa-miR-34a-5p as a potential pharmacodynamic biomarker of p53 activation in serum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Van Goethem
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jill Deleu
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nurten Yigit
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Celine Everaert
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Myrthala Moreno-Smith
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Sanjeev A Vasudevan
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Fjoralba Zeka
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Fleur Demuynck
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eveline Barbieri
- Department of Pediatrics, Section of Hematology-Oncology, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Frank Speleman
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- PPOL, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
| | - Pieter Mestdagh
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jason Shohet
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA
| | - Jo Vandesompele
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Maerken
- OncoRNALab, Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, AZ Groeninge, Kortrijk, Belgium
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13
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Fatermans J, Romolini G, Altantzis T, Hofkens J, Roeffaers MBJ, Bals S, Van Aert S. Correction: Atomic-scale detection of individual lead clusters confined in Linde Type A zeolites. Nanoscale 2023; 15:2436. [PMID: 36628939 PMCID: PMC9893437 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr90249d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Correction for 'Atomic-scale detection of individual lead clusters confined in linde type A zeolites' by Jarmo Fatermans et al., Nanoscale, 2022, 14, 9323-9330, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2NR01819E.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jarmo Fatermans
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Giacomo Romolini
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Thomas Altantzis
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
- Applied Electrochemistry and Catalysis Group (ELCAT), University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Johan Hofkens
- Molecular Imaging and Photonics, Department of Chemistry, KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, 3001 Leuven, Belgium
- Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, Ackermannweg 10, 55128 Mainz, Germany
| | - Maarten B J Roeffaers
- Centre for Membrane Separations, Adsorption, Catalysis, And Spectroscopy for Sustainable Solutions (cMACS), KU Leuven, Celestijnenlaan 200F, Box 2461, 3001, Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Sara Bals
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
| | - Sandra Van Aert
- Electron Microscopy for Materials Science (EMAT), University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium.
- NANOlab Center of Excellence, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
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14
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Curci PL, Zhang J, Mähler N, Seyfferth C, Mannapperuma C, Diels T, Van Hautegem T, Jonsen D, Street N, Hvidsten TR, Hertzberg M, Nilsson O, Inzé D, Nelissen H, Vandepoele K. Identification of growth regulators using cross-species network analysis in plants. Plant Physiol 2022; 190:2350-2365. [PMID: 35984294 PMCID: PMC9706488 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiac374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
With the need to increase plant productivity, one of the challenges plant scientists are facing is to identify genes that play a role in beneficial plant traits. Moreover, even when such genes are found, it is generally not trivial to transfer this knowledge about gene function across species to identify functional orthologs. Here, we focused on the leaf to study plant growth. First, we built leaf growth transcriptional networks in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), maize (Zea mays), and aspen (Populus tremula). Next, known growth regulators, here defined as genes that when mutated or ectopically expressed alter plant growth, together with cross-species conserved networks, were used as guides to predict novel Arabidopsis growth regulators. Using an in-depth literature screening, 34 out of 100 top predicted growth regulators were confirmed to affect leaf phenotype when mutated or overexpressed and thus represent novel potential growth regulators. Globally, these growth regulators were involved in cell cycle, plant defense responses, gibberellin, auxin, and brassinosteroid signaling. Phenotypic characterization of loss-of-function lines confirmed two predicted growth regulators to be involved in leaf growth (NPF6.4 and LATE MERISTEM IDENTITY2). In conclusion, the presented network approach offers an integrative cross-species strategy to identify genes involved in plant growth and development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pasquale Luca Curci
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources, National Research Council (CNR), Via Amendola 165/A, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Jie Zhang
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Niklas Mähler
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Carolin Seyfferth
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Chanaka Mannapperuma
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Tim Diels
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Van Hautegem
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - David Jonsen
- SweTree Technologies AB, Skogsmarksgränd 7, SE-907 36 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Nathaniel Street
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Torgeir R Hvidsten
- Department of Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Umeå University, 90187 Umeå, Sweden
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432 Ås, Norway
| | - Magnus Hertzberg
- SweTree Technologies AB, Skogsmarksgränd 7, SE-907 36 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Ove Nilsson
- Department of Forest Genetics and Plant Physiology, Umea Plant Science Centre (UPSC), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, 90183 Umeå, Sweden
| | - Dirk Inzé
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Hilde Nelissen
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Klaas Vandepoele
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- VIB Center for Plant Systems Biology, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Bioinformatics Institute Ghent, Ghent University, Technologiepark 71, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
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15
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Dierckx K, Van Hiel A, Johnson JD, Lecci L, Valcke B, Sekwena EK. Adaptation and validation of the Johnson-Lecci scale to assess anti-white bias among black UK minority group members. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277077. [PMID: 36441741 PMCID: PMC9704568 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The present study (total N = 901) set out to construct and validate a culturally sensitive instrument to examine anti-White bias among Black UK minority group members. Our novel measure of anti-White bias-which we called the AWB scale-was based upon the Johnson-Lecci scale (JLS; 2003) a questionnaire designed to measure anti-White attitudes among Black Americans. Studies 1 and 2 provided converging evidence for the AWB's four-factor dimensionality, its structural characteristics, its temporal stability and its external validity in Black UK samples, attesting to the consistency of minorities' experience of anti-majority bias in two very different societal contexts. Moreover, Study 3 evidenced our measure's utility for understanding reactions to various relevant contemporary societal events. Theoretical contributions to the literature on intergroup bias are delineated and compared with majority-to-minority prejudice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kim Dierckx
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Alain Van Hiel
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Len Lecci
- Department of Psychology, University of North Carolina Wilmington, Wilmington, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Barbara Valcke
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Kefilwe Sekwena
- Department of Industrial and Organisational Psychology with Labour Relations Management, Northwest University, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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16
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Mohanty S, Premcheska S, Verduijn J, Rijckaert H, Skirtach AG, Van Hecke K, Kaczmarek AM. Dual-mode vehicles with simultaneous thermometry and drug release properties based on hollow Y 2O 3:Er,Yb and Y 2O 2SO 4:Er,Yb spheres. RSC Adv 2022; 12:33239-33250. [PMID: 36425207 PMCID: PMC9677065 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra06162g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 11/14/2022] [Indexed: 07/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Employing luminescence thermometry in the biomedical field is undeniably appealing as many health conditions are accompanied by temperature changes. In this work, we show our ongoing efforts and results at designing novel vehicles for dual-mode thermometry and pH-dependent drug release based on hollow spheres. Hereby for that purpose, we exploit the hollow Y2O3 and Y2O2SO4 host materials. These two inorganic hollow phosphors were investigated and showed to have excellent upconversion Er3+-Yb3+ luminescence properties and could be effectively used as optical temperature sensors in the physiological temperature range when induced by near-infrared CW light (975 nm). Further, doxorubicin was exploited as a model anti-cancer drug to monitor the pH-dependent drug release of these materials showing that they can be used for simultaneous thermometry and drug delivery applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonali Mohanty
- NanoSensing Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
- XStruct, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Simona Premcheska
- NanoSensing Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
- NanoBiotechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Joost Verduijn
- NanoBiotechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Hannes Rijckaert
- SCRiPTS, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Andre G Skirtach
- NanoBiotechnology Group, Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Kristof Van Hecke
- XStruct, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Anna M Kaczmarek
- NanoSensing Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Ghent Belgium
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17
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Yi X, Goossens D. Strategies for dealing with uncertainty in time-relaxed sports timetabling. Ann Oper Res 2022; 320:473-492. [PMID: 36120422 PMCID: PMC9468531 DOI: 10.1007/s10479-022-04957-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Time-relaxed sports timetables use more time slots than strictly needed, and are particularly popular in amateur (indoor) leagues. However, due to unexpected events, a considerable number of games may not be played as initially planned before the start of the tournament, leading to a potentially very different realized timetable. This study focuses on dealing with these uncertain events in time-relaxed round-robin sports timetabling, and how to mitigate their effect on the quality of the timetable. We use three quality measures to evaluate the time-relaxed timetables, namely, the games played difference index, the rest difference index and the number of cancelled games. We present several combined proactive and reactive approaches taking into account venue and team availability. Proactive strategies determine the position of time slots that are used as a buffer, while reactive strategies reschedule matches to these buffers in terms of the quality measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiajie Yi
- Department of Business Informatics and Operations Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dries Goossens
- Department of Business Informatics and Operations Management, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- FlandersMake@UGent- core lab CVAMO, Ghent, Belgium
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18
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Boterberg S, Vantroys E, De Paepe B, Van Coster R, Roeyers H. Urine lactate concentration as a non-invasive screener for metabolic abnormalities: Findings in children with autism spectrum disorder and regression. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0274310. [PMID: 36084111 PMCID: PMC9462744 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0274310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that diseases caused by dysfunctional mitochondria (MD) are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A comprehensive meta-analysis showed that developmental regression was reported in half of the children with ASD and mitochondrial dysfunction which is much higher than in the general population of ASD. The aim of the present exploratory study was to determine lactate concentrations in urine of children with ASD, as a non-invasive large-scale screening method for metabolic abnormalities including mitochondrial dysfunction and its possible association with regression. First, clinical characteristics of MD were examined in 99 children (3–11 years) with ASD. Second, clinical characteristics of MD, severity of ASD and reported regression were compared between children with the 20% lowest lactate concentrations and those with the 20% highest lactate concentrations in urine. Third, clinical characteristics of MD and lactate concentration in urine were compared in children with (n = 37) and without (n = 62) reported regression. An association of urine lactate concentrations with mitochondrial dysfunction and regression could not be demonstrated in our large ASD cohort. However, since ASD children were reported by their parents to show a broad range of phenotypic characteristics of MD (e.g., gastro-intestinal and respiratory impairments), and lactate concentrations in urine are not always increased in individuals with MD, the presence of milder mitochondrial dysfunction cannot be excluded. Development of alternative biomarkers and their implementation in prospective studies following developmental trajectories of infants at elevated likelihood for ASD will be needed in the future to further unravel the association of ASD with mitochondrial dysfunction and eventually improve early detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofie Boterberg
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Research in Developmental Disorders Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- * E-mail:
| | - Elise Vantroys
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Boel De Paepe
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Rudy Van Coster
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Internal Medicine and Paediatrics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Herbert Roeyers
- Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Research in Developmental Disorders Lab, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Hesemans E, Buttiens K, Manshian BB, Soenen SJ. The Role of Optical Imaging in Translational Nanomedicine. J Funct Biomater 2022; 13:137. [PMID: 36135572 PMCID: PMC9502568 DOI: 10.3390/jfb13030137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Nanomedicines have been a major research focus in the past two decades and are increasingly emerging in a broad range of clinical applications. However, a proper understanding of their biodistribution is required to further progress the field of nanomedicine. For this, imaging methods to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticles are urgently needed. At present, optical imaging is the most common method used to study the biodistribution of nanomaterials, where the unique properties of nanomaterials and advances in optical imaging can jointly result in novel methods for optimal monitoring of nanomaterials in preclinical animal models. This review article aims to give an introduction to nanomedicines and their translational impact to highlight the potential of optical imaging to study the biodistribution of nanoparticles and to monitor the delivery and therapeutic efficacy at the preclinical level. After introducing both domains, the review focuses on different techniques that can be used to overcome some intrinsic limitations of optical imaging and how this can specifically benefit nanoparticle studies. Finally, we point out some important key features of nanoparticles that currently hinder their full potential in the clinic and how the advances in optical imaging can help to provide us with the information needed to further boost the clinical translation and expand the field of nanomedicines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evelien Hesemans
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Kiana Buttiens
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Bella B. Manshian
- Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Stefaan J. Soenen
- NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group, Translational Cell and Tissue Research Unit, Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, B3000 Leuven, Belgium
- Leuven Cancer Institute, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
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20
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Ansari I, George JP, Feutmba GF, Van de Veire T, Pandey A, Beeckman J, Van Thourhout D. Light Modulation in Silicon Photonics by PZT Actuated Acoustic Waves. ACS Photonics 2022; 9:1944-1953. [PMID: 35726237 PMCID: PMC9205428 DOI: 10.1021/acsphotonics.1c01857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Tailoring the interaction between light and sound has opened new possibilities in photonic integrated circuits (PICs) that range from achieving quantum control of light to high-speed information processing. However, the actuation of sound waves in Si PICs usually requires integration of a piezoelectric thin film. Lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is a promising material due to its strong piezoelectric and electromechanical coupling coefficient. Unfortunately, the traditional methods to grow PZT on silicon are detrimental for photonic applications due to the presence of an optical lossy intermediate layer. In this work, we report integration of a high quality PZT thin film on a silicon-on-insulator (SOI) photonic chip using an optically transparent buffer layer. We demonstrate acousto-optic modulation in silicon waveguides with the PZT actuated acoustic waves. We fabricate interdigital transducers (IDTs) on the PZT film with a contact photolithography and electron-beam lithography to generate the acoustic waves in MHz and GHz ranges, respectively. We obtain a V π L ∼ 3.35 V·cm at 576 MHz from a 350 nm thick gold (Au) IDT with 20 finger-pairs. After taking the effect of mass-loading and grating reflection into account, we measured a V π L ∼ 3.60 V·cm at 2 GHz from a 100 nm thick aluminum (Al) IDT consisting of only four finger-pairs. Thus, without patterning the PZT film nor suspending the device, we obtained figures-of-merit comparable to state-of-the-art modulators based on SOI, making it a promising candidate for a broadband and efficient acousto-optic modulator for future integration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irfan Ansari
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Photonics
Research Group, INTEC, Ghent University-IMEC, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Liquid
Crystal and Photonics Group, ELIS, Ghent
University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - John P. George
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Photonics
Research Group, INTEC, Ghent University-IMEC, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Liquid
Crystal and Photonics Group, ELIS, Ghent
University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gilles F. Feutmba
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Photonics
Research Group, INTEC, Ghent University-IMEC, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Liquid
Crystal and Photonics Group, ELIS, Ghent
University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tessa Van de Veire
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Liquid
Crystal and Photonics Group, ELIS, Ghent
University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Awanish Pandey
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Photonics
Research Group, INTEC, Ghent University-IMEC, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jeroen Beeckman
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Liquid
Crystal and Photonics Group, ELIS, Ghent
University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dries Van Thourhout
- Centre
for Nano and Bio-photonics, Ghent University, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Photonics
Research Group, INTEC, Ghent University-IMEC, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- E-mail:
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21
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Wouters E, van Rensburg AJ, Engelbrecht M, Buffel V, Campbell L, Sommerland N, Rau A, Kigozi G, van Olmen J, Masquillier C. How the 'HIV/TB co-epidemic-HIV stigma-TB stigma' syndemic impacts on the use of occupational health services for TB in South African hospitals: a structural equation modelling analysis of the baseline data from the HaTSaH Study (cluster RCT). BMJ Open 2022; 12:e045477. [PMID: 35383052 PMCID: PMC8984004 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Tuberculosis (TB) has become an occupational health hazard in South African hospitals where healthcare workers (HCWs) are additionally confronted daily with HIV and its associated stigma, causing a syndemic. Early TB diagnosis and treatment are vital, but the uptake of these services through occupational healthcare units (OHUs) is low. The current study hypothesises that (1) the link between HIV and TB and (2) the perceived HIV stigmatisation by colleagues create (3) a double HIV-TB stigma which increases (4) internalised TB stigma and leads to (5) a lower willingness to use OHU services for TB screening and treatment. DESIGN A cross-sectional study using the baseline data from the HIV and TB Stigma among Healthcare workers Study (HaTSaH Study). SETTING Six hospitals in the Free State province of South Africa. PARTICIPANTS 820 HCWs of the six selected hospitals. RESULTS The study results demonstrate that the co-epidemic (β=0.399 (screening model) and β=0.345 (treatment model)) combined (interaction effect: β=0.133 (screening) and β=0.132 (treatment)) with the persistent stigmatisation of HIV is altering the attitudes towards TB (β=0.345 (screening) and β=0.400 (treatment)), where the stigmatising views of HIV are transferred to TB-illustrating the syndemic impact. Our model demonstrated that this syndemic not only leads to higher levels of internal TB stigma (β=0.421 (screening) and β=0.426 (treatment)), but also to a lower willingness to use the OHU for TB screening (probit coefficient=-0.216) and treatment (probit coefficient=-0.160). Confidentiality consistently emerged as a contextual correlate of OHU use. CONCLUSIONS Theoretically, our results confirm HIV as a 'syndemic generator' which changes the social meaning of TB in the hospital context. Practically, the study demonstrated that the syndemic of TB and HIV in a highly endemic context with stigma impacts the intended use of occupational TB services. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER Pre-results of the trial registered at the South African National Clinical Trials Register, registration ID: DOH-27-1115-5204.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edwin Wouters
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | | | - Michelle Engelbrecht
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - Veerle Buffel
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Linda Campbell
- Centre for Population, Family & Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Asta Rau
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
| | - G Kigozi
- Centre for Health Systems Research & Development, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa
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22
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Laporte N, van den Bogaard D, Brenning K, Soenens B, Vansteenkiste M. Testing an Online Program to Foster Need Crafting During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Curr Psychol 2022:1-18. [PMID: 35370386 PMCID: PMC8958806 DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-03012-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic represents a threat not only to individuals' physical health but also to their mental health. Self-Determination Theory assumes that the satisfaction of basic psychological needs for autonomy, relatedness and competence promotes psychological well-being during destabilizing times. Yet, the pandemic seriously hampered individuals' opportunities to satisfy their needs. The current study provides a preliminary test of the effectiveness of a 7-session online program, LifeCraft, that promotes individuals' proactive attempts to uplift their need-based experiences (i.e., need crafting). Next to the effects on individuals' need crafting skills, we examined program-effects on adults' need-based experiences and mental health and we explored the role of participants' program engagement. An experimental study among 725 Belgian adults [M age = 51.67 (range = 26 - 85); 68.55% female] was conducted, with an experimental condition of 252 and a control condition of 473 participants. At the level of the entire sample, there was limited evidence for the effectiveness of the program. There were only small immediate program-effects on need crafting and well-being. After taking into account the role of program engagement, findings showed that the program was more beneficial for participants who actively participated, with these participants reporting immediate and stable increases in need crafting, need satisfaction and well-being and decreases in need frustration. Further, changes in need crafting fully mediated changes in need-based experiences and well-being. To conclude, the findings provide initial evidence for the effectiveness of LifeCraft during the COVID-19 pandemic, with active participation being a prerequisite for the program to be effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nele Laporte
- Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | | | - Bart Soenens
- Ghent University, Henri Dunantlaan 2, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
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23
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Kasran S, Hughes S, De Houwer J. Learning via instructions about observations: exploring similarities and differences with learning via actual observations. R Soc Open Sci 2022; 9:220059. [PMID: 35360350 PMCID: PMC8965423 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.220059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 02/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Our behaviour toward stimuli can be influenced by observing how another person (a model) interacts with those stimuli. We investigated whether mere instructions about a model's interactions with stimuli (i.e. instructions about observations) are sufficient to alter evaluative and fear responses and whether these changes are similar in magnitude to those resulting from actually observing the interactions. In Experiments 1 (n = 268) and 2 (n = 260), participants either observed or read about a model reacting positively or negatively to stimuli. Evaluations of those stimuli were then assessed via ratings and a personalized implicit association test. In Experiments 3 (n = 60) and 4 (n = 190), we assessed participants' fear toward stimuli after observing or reading about a model displaying distress in the presence of those stimuli. While the results consistently indicated that instructions about observations induced behavioural changes, they were mixed with regard to whether instructions were as powerful in changing behaviour as observations. We discuss whether learning via observations and via instructions may be mediated by similar or different processes, how they might differ in their suitability for conveying certain types of information, and how their relative effectiveness may depend on the information to be transmitted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Kasran
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Sean Hughes
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
| | - Jan De Houwer
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Ghent University, Gent, Belgium
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24
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Maes C, Vandenbosch L. Adolescents' Use of Sexually Explicit Internet Material Over the Course of 2019-2020 in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Three-wave Panel Study. Arch Sex Behav 2022; 51:105-121. [PMID: 35001225 PMCID: PMC8743091 DOI: 10.1007/s10508-021-02122-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2020] [Revised: 06/29/2021] [Accepted: 08/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Recently, sexual health scholars have expressed concerns regarding adolescents' use of sexually explicit internet materials (SEIM) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Therefore, using latent growth curve modeling, the current study explored adolescents' changes in the frequency of SEIM use before, during, and after a strict lockdown period was established in Belgium. Attention was given to individual differences (i.e., gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking). A three-wave panel study over a 15-month period among 522 adolescents was used (Mage = 15.36, SD = 1.51, 67.1% girls). In general, SEIM use did not significantly increase over a 15-month period in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. Only gender predicted a change in SEIM use frequencies with girls showing a greater, increasing change of SEIM use than boys. When addressing why adolescents used SEIM during a strict lockdown period, sexual arousal, stress, and boredom regulation motivations emerged as the most prevalent motivations. Loneliness regulation was the least prominent motivation. Individual differences were found regarding the gratifications sought according to adolescents' gender, pubertal timing, and sensation seeking. The findings offer a response to sexual scholars' worries in terms of adolescents' SEIM use during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelly Maes
- School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vandenbosch
- School for Mass Communication Research, Faculty of Social Sciences, KU Leuven, Parkstraat 45, B-3000, Leuven, Belgium.
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25
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Spaas J, Van Noten P, Keytsman C, Nieste I, Blancquaert L, Derave W, Eijnde BO. Carnosine and skeletal muscle dysfunction in a rodent multiple sclerosis model. Amino Acids 2021; 53:1749-1761. [PMID: 34642824 DOI: 10.1007/s00726-021-03086-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Muscle weakness and fatigue are primary manifestations of multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic disease of the central nervous system. Interventions that enhance muscle function may improve overall physical well-being of MS patients. Recently, we described that levels of carnosine, an endogenous muscle dipeptide involved in contractile function and fatigue-resistance, are reduced in muscle tissue from MS patients and a monophasic rodent MS model (experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, EAE). In the present study, we aimed to (1) confirm this finding in a chronic EAE model, along with the characterization of structural and functional muscle alterations, and (2) investigate the effect of carnosine supplementation to increase/restore muscle carnosine levels and improve muscle function in EAE. We performed muscle immunohistochemistry and ex vivo contractility measurements to examine muscle structure and function at different stages of EAE, and following nutritional intervention (oral carnosine: 3, 15 or 30 g/L in drinking water). Immunohistochemistry revealed progressively worsening muscle fiber atrophy and a switch towards a fast-twitch muscle phenotype during EAE. Using ex vivo muscle contractility experiments, we observed reductions in muscle strength and contraction speed, but no changes in muscle fatigability of EAE mice. However, carnosine levels were unaltered during all stages of EAE, and even though oral carnosine supplementation dose-dependently increased muscle carnosine levels up to + 94% after 56 days EAE, this did not improve muscle function of EAE mice. In conclusion, EAE mice display significant, yet time-dependent, muscular alterations, and carnosine intervention does not improve muscle function in EAE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Spaas
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium.
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium.
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Pieter Van Noten
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
- Anatomy and Embryology Department, Faculty of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Charly Keytsman
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
- Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Ine Nieste
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Laura Blancquaert
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Wim Derave
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bert O Eijnde
- University MS Center (UMSC) Hasselt-Pelt, Hasselt, Belgium
- Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, BIOMED Biomedical Research Institute, Hasselt University, Agoralaan, Building C, 3590, Diepenbeek, Belgium
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26
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Van Wilder L, Devleesschauwer B, Clays E, De Buyser S, Van der Heyden J, Charafeddine R, Boeckxstaens P, De Bacquer D, Vandepitte S, De Smedt D. The impact of multimorbidity patterns on health-related quality of life in the general population: results of the Belgian Health Interview Survey. Qual Life Res 2021; 31:551-565. [PMID: 34424487 PMCID: PMC8847309 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-021-02951-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Chronic diseases and multimorbidity are a major cause of disease burden-for patients, caregivers, and society. Little is known however about potential interaction effects between specific disease combinations. Besides an additive effect, the presence of multiple conditions could also act synergistically or antagonistically regarding the impact on patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The aim was to estimate the impact of coexisting chronic diseases on HRQoL of the adult general Belgian population. METHODS The Belgian Health Interview Survey 2018 provided data on self-reported chronic conditions and HRQoL (EQ-5D-5L) for a nationally representative sample. Linear mixed models were used to analyze two-way and three-way interactions of disease combinations on HRQoL. RESULTS Multimorbidity had a prevalence of 46.7% (≥ 2 conditions) and 29.7% (≥ 3 conditions). HRQoL decreased considerably with the presence of multiple chronic diseases. 14 out of 41 dyad combinations and 5 out of 13 triad combinations showed significant interactions, with a dominant presence of negative/synergistic effects. Positive/antagonistic effects were found in more subjective chronic diseases such as depression and chronic fatigue. Conditions appearing the most frequently in significant disease pair interactions were dorsopathies, respiratory diseases, and arthropathies. CONCLUSIONS Diverse multimorbidity patterns, both dyads and triads, were synergistically or antagonistically associated with lower HRQoL. Tackling the burden of multimorbidity is needed, especially because most disease combinations affect each other synergistically, resulting in a greater reduction in HRQoL. Further knowledge about those multimorbidity patterns with a greater impact on HRQoL is needed to better understand disease burden beyond mortality and morbidity data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Van Wilder
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Brecht Devleesschauwer
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Veterinary Public Health and Food Safety, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Stefanie De Buyser
- Biostatistics Unit, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Rana Charafeddine
- Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Sciensano, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Pauline Boeckxstaens
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk De Bacquer
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sophie Vandepitte
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Delphine De Smedt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10 4K3, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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27
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Strobbe S, Verstraete J, Stove C, Van Der Straeten D. Metabolic engineering provides insight into the regulation of thiamin biosynthesis in plants. Plant Physiol 2021; 186:1832-1847. [PMID: 33944954 PMCID: PMC8331165 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab198] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Thiamin (or thiamine) is a water-soluble B-vitamin (B1), which is required, in the form of thiamin pyrophosphate, as an essential cofactor in crucial carbon metabolism reactions in all forms of life. To ensure adequate metabolic functioning, humans rely on a sufficient dietary supply of thiamin. Increasing thiamin levels in plants via metabolic engineering is a powerful strategy to alleviate vitamin B1 malnutrition and thus improve global human health. These engineering strategies rely on comprehensive knowledge of plant thiamin metabolism and its regulation. Here, multiple metabolic engineering strategies were examined in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana. This was achieved by constitutive overexpression of the three biosynthesis genes responsible for B1 synthesis, HMP-P synthase (THIC), HET-P synthase (THI1), and HMP-P kinase/TMP pyrophosphorylase (TH1), either separate or in combination. By monitoring the levels of thiamin, its phosphorylated entities, and its biosynthetic intermediates, we gained insight into the effect of either strategy on thiamin biosynthesis. Moreover, expression analysis of thiamin biosynthesis genes showed the plant's intriguing ability to respond to alterations in the pathway. Overall, we revealed the necessity to balance the pyrimidine and thiazole branches of thiamin biosynthesis and assessed its biosynthetic intermediates. Furthermore, the accumulation of nonphosphorylated intermediates demonstrated the inefficiency of endogenous thiamin salvage mechanisms. These results serve as guidelines in the development of novel thiamin metabolic engineering strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Strobbe
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jana Verstraete
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dominique Van Der Straeten
- Laboratory of Functional Plant Biology, Department of Biology, Ghent University, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Author for communication:
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28
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Van Puyvelde B, Van Uytfanghe K, Tytgat O, Van Oudenhove L, Gabriels R, Bouwmeester R, Daled S, Van Den Bossche T, Ramasamy P, Verhelst S, De Clerck L, Corveleyn L, Willems S, Debunne N, Wynendaele E, De Spiegeleer B, Judak P, Roels K, De Wilde L, Van Eenoo P, Reyns T, Cherlet M, Dumont E, Debyser G, t’Kindt R, Sandra K, Gupta S, Drouin N, Harms A, Hankemeier T, Jones DJL, Gupta P, Lane D, Lane CS, El Ouadi S, Vincendet JB, Morrice N, Oehrle S, Tanna N, Silvester S, Hannam S, Sigloch FC, Bhangu-Uhlmann A, Claereboudt J, Anderson NL, Razavi M, Degroeve S, Cuypers L, Stove C, Lagrou K, Martens GA, Deforce D, Martens L, Vissers JPC, Dhaenens M. Cov-MS: A Community-Based Template Assay for Mass-Spectrometry-Based Protein Detection in SARS-CoV-2 Patients. JACS Au 2021; 1:750-765. [PMID: 34254058 PMCID: PMC8230961 DOI: 10.1021/jacsau.1c00048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Rising population density and global mobility are among the reasons why pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, spread so rapidly across the globe. The policy response to such pandemics will always have to include accurate monitoring of the spread, as this provides one of the few alternatives to total lockdown. However, COVID-19 diagnosis is currently performed almost exclusively by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Although this is efficient, automatable, and acceptably cheap, reliance on one type of technology comes with serious caveats, as illustrated by recurring reagent and test shortages. We therefore developed an alternative diagnostic test that detects proteolytically digested SARS-CoV-2 proteins using mass spectrometry (MS). We established the Cov-MS consortium, consisting of 15 academic laboratories and several industrial partners to increase applicability, accessibility, sensitivity, and robustness of this kind of SARS-CoV-2 detection. This, in turn, gave rise to the Cov-MS Digital Incubator that allows other laboratories to join the effort, navigate, and share their optimizations and translate the assay into their clinic. As this test relies on viral proteins instead of RNA, it provides an orthogonal and complementary approach to RT-PCR using other reagents that are relatively inexpensive and widely available, as well as orthogonally skilled personnel and different instruments. Data are available via ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD022550.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bart Van Puyvelde
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katleen Van Uytfanghe
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Olivier Tytgat
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Life Science Technologies, Imec, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Ralf Gabriels
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Robbin Bouwmeester
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Simon Daled
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Van Den Bossche
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Pathmanaban Ramasamy
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
- Interuniversity
Institute of Bioinformatics in Brussels, ULB/VUB, 1050 Brussels, Belgium
| | - Sigrid Verhelst
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura De Clerck
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laura Corveleyn
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sander Willems
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathan Debunne
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Evelien Wynendaele
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Bart De Spiegeleer
- Drug Quality and Registration Group, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Judak
- Doping
Control Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Kris Roels
- Doping
Control Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Laurie De Wilde
- Doping
Control Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Peter Van Eenoo
- Doping
Control Laboratory, Department of Diagnostic Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tim Reyns
- Department
of Clinical Chemistry, Ghent University
Hospital, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marc Cherlet
- Department
of Pharmacology, Toxicology, and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary
Medicine, Ghent University 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmie Dumont
- Research Institute for Chromatography
(RIC), 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Griet Debyser
- Research Institute for Chromatography
(RIC), 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Ruben t’Kindt
- Research Institute for Chromatography
(RIC), 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Koen Sandra
- Research Institute for Chromatography
(RIC), 8500 Kortrijk, Belgium
| | - Surya Gupta
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Nicolas Drouin
- Division
of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic
Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2311 G Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Amy Harms
- Division
of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic
Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2311 G Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Thomas Hankemeier
- Division
of Systems Biomedicine and Pharmacology, Leiden Academic
Centre for Drug Research, Leiden University, 2311 G Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Donald J. L. Jones
- Leicester
Cancer Research Centre, RKCSB, University of Leicester, U.K., and
John and Lucille van Geest Biomarker Facility, Cardiovascular Research
Centre, Glenfield Hospital, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Pankaj Gupta
- The
Department of Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Diseases, Level 4,
Sandringham Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | - Dan Lane
- The
Department of Chemical Pathology and Metabolic Diseases, Level 4,
Sandringham Building, Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester LE1 7RH, United Kingdom
| | | | - Said El Ouadi
- AB Sciex, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | | | - Nick Morrice
- AB Sciex, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Stuart Oehrle
- Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Nikunj Tanna
- Waters Corporation, Milford, Massachusetts 01757, United States
| | - Steve Silvester
- Alderley Analytical, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | - Sally Hannam
- Alderley Analytical, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - N. Leigh Anderson
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Washington, D.C. 20009, United States
| | - Morteza Razavi
- SISCAPA Assay Technologies, Inc., Washington, D.C. 20009, United States
| | - Sven Degroeve
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Lize Cuypers
- Clinical
Department of Laboratory Medicine, UZ Leuven, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Christophe Stove
- Laboratory
of Toxicology, Department of Bioanalysis, Faculty of Pharmaceutical
Sciences, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Katrien Lagrou
- Clinical
Department of Laboratory Medicine, UZ Leuven, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Geert A. Martens
- AZ
Delta Medical Laboratories, AZ Delta General
Hospital, 8800 Roeselare, Belgium
| | - Dieter Deforce
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Lennart Martens
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, VIB, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | | | - Maarten Dhaenens
- ProGenTomics,
Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Biotechnology, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Chen Y, Dubois M, Vermeersch M, Inzé D, Vanhaeren H. Distinct cellular strategies determine sensitivity to mild drought of Arabidopsis natural accessions. Plant Physiol 2021; 186:1171-1185. [PMID: 33693949 PMCID: PMC8195540 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/14/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The worldwide distribution of Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) accessions imposes different types of evolutionary pressures, which contributes to various responses of these accessions to environmental stresses. Responses to drought stress have mostly been studied in the Columbia accession, which is predominantly used in plant research. However, the reactions to drought stress are complex and our understanding of the responses that contribute to maintaining plant growth during mild drought (MD) is very limited. Here, we studied the mechanisms with which natural accessions react to MD at a physiological and molecular level during early leaf development. We documented variations in MD responses among natural accessions and used transcriptome sequencing of a drought-sensitive accession, ICE163, and a drought-insensitive accession, Yeg-1, to gain insights into the mechanisms underlying this discrepancy. This revealed that ICE163 preferentially induces jasmonate- and anthocyanin-related pathways, which are beneficial in biotic stress defense, whereas Yeg-1 has a more pronounced activation of abscisic acid signaling, the classical abiotic stress response. Related physiological traits, including the content of proline, anthocyanins, and reactive oxygen species, stomatal closure, and cellular leaf parameters, were investigated and linked to the transcriptional responses. We can conclude that most of these processes constitute general drought response mechanisms that are regulated similarly in drought-insensitive and -sensitive accessions. However, the capacity to close stomata and maintain cell expansion under MD appeared to be major factors that allow to better sustain leaf growth under MD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ying Chen
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Marieke Dubois
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Mattias Vermeersch
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dirk Inzé
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Address for communication:
| | - Hannes Vanhaeren
- Department of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Center for Plant Systems Biology, VIB, B-9052 Ghent, Belgium
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30
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Hillaert A, Liu DJX, Daminet S, Broeckx BJG, Stock E, Paepe D, Hesta M, Vanderperren K. Serum symmetric dimethylarginine shows a relatively consistent long-term concentration in healthy dogs with a significant effect of increased body fat percentage. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0247049. [PMID: 33596230 PMCID: PMC7888620 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0247049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) is a promising renal marker that correlates well with the glomerular filtration rate and could allow earlier detection of impaired renal function. The main objectives of this study were to assess the long-term variability of SDMA in healthy dogs and examine the influence of an increased body fat percentage on the level of SDMA. Sixteen lean Beagles were randomly assigned to the control group or weight-change group in age- and gender-matched pairs. The energy intake of the control group (n = 8) was strictly regulated to maintain an ideal body weight for 83 weeks, while the weight-change group (n = 8) was fed to induce weight gain (week 0–47), to maintain stable excessive body weight (week 47–56) and to lose weight (week 56–83), consecutively. At 8 specified time points, the body condition score, body composition, glomerular filtration rate, serum concentration of SDMA and creatinine were analyzed. In the control group, the within-subject coefficient of variation, between-subject coefficient of variation, reference change value (type I error = 5%) and index of individuality were 0.16, 0.22, 0.43 and 0.73, respectively. The control group and weight-change group did not differ significantly in SDMA concentration. SDMA showed a significant negative association (coefficient = -0.07) with body fat percentage (p<0.01) in the weight-change group and a significant positive association (coefficient = 7.79) with serum creatinine (p<0.01) in the entire study population. In conclusion, SDMA concentration has high long-term stability in healthy adult dogs. For the evaluation of SDMA concentrations, subject-specific reference values are preferred over a population-based reference value seen their higher sensitivity. Moreover, an increased body fat percentage does seem to affect the serum SDMA concentration of otherwise healthy dogs, but its clinical relevance has to be clarified in further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber Hillaert
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Daisy J. X. Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart J. G. Broeckx
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Emmelie Stock
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Dominique Paepe
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Myriam Hesta
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien Vanderperren
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Abstract
The way in which we assess researchers has been under the radar in the past few years. Critics argue that current research assessments focus on productivity and that they increase unhealthy pressures on scientists. Yet, the precise ways in which assessments should change is still open for debate. We circulated a survey with Flemish researchers to understand how they work, and how they would rate the relevance of specific indicators used in research assessments. We found that most researchers worked far beyond their expected working schedule. We also found that, although they spent most of their time doing research, respondents wished they could dedicate more time to it and spend less time writing grants and performing other activities such as administrative duties and meetings. When looking at success indicators, we found that indicators related to openness, transparency, quality, and innovation were perceived as highly important in advancing science, but as relatively overlooked in career advancement. Conversely, indicators which denoted of prestige and competition were generally rated as important to career advancement, but irrelevant or even detrimental in advancing science. Open comments from respondents further revealed that, although indicators which indicate openness, transparency, and quality (e.g., publishing open access, publishing negative findings, sharing data, etc.) should ultimately be valued more in research assessments, the resources and support currently in place were insufficient to allow researchers to endorse such practices. In other words, current research assessments are inadequate and ignore practices which are essential in contributing to the advancement of science. Yet, before we change the way in which researchers are being assessed, supporting infrastructures must be put in place to ensure that researchers are able to commit to the activities that may benefit the advancement of science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Aubert Bonn
- Healthcare and Ethics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Wim Pinxten
- Healthcare and Ethics Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Hasselt, Belgium
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Willems P, Fels U, Staes A, Gevaert K, Van Damme P. Use of Hybrid Data-Dependent and -Independent Acquisition Spectral Libraries Empowers Dual-Proteome Profiling. J Proteome Res 2021; 20:1165-1177. [PMID: 33467856 PMCID: PMC7871992 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jproteome.0c00350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
In the context of bacterial infections, it is imperative that physiological responses can be studied in an integrated manner, meaning a simultaneous analysis of both the host and the pathogen responses. To improve the sensitivity of detection, data-independent acquisition (DIA)-based proteomics was found to outperform data-dependent acquisition (DDA) workflows in identifying and quantifying low-abundant proteins. Here, by making use of representative bacterial pathogen/host proteome samples, we report an optimized hybrid library generation workflow for DIA mass spectrometry relying on the use of data-dependent and in silico-predicted spectral libraries. When compared to searching DDA experiment-specific libraries only, the use of hybrid libraries significantly improved peptide detection to an extent suggesting that infection-relevant host-pathogen conditions could be profiled in sufficient depth without the need of a priori bacterial pathogen enrichment when studying the bacterial proteome. Proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange Consortium via the PRIDE partner repository with the dataset identifiers PXD017904 and PXD017945.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrick Willems
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent
University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- Department
of Plant Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- VIB-UGent
Center for Plant Systems Biology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - Ursula Fels
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent
University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
| | - An Staes
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Kris Gevaert
- VIB-UGent
Center for Medical Biotechnology, Ghent 9052, Belgium
- Department
of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
| | - Petra Van Damme
- Department
of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Ghent
University, Ghent 9000, Belgium
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33
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Aubert Bonn N, Pinxten W. Rethinking success, integrity, and culture in research (part 1) - a multi-actor qualitative study on success in science. Res Integr Peer Rev 2021; 6:1. [PMID: 33441187 PMCID: PMC7807516 DOI: 10.1186/s41073-020-00104-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Success shapes the lives and careers of scientists. But success in science is difficult to define, let alone to translate in indicators that can be used for assessment. In the past few years, several groups expressed their dissatisfaction with the indicators currently used for assessing researchers. But given the lack of agreement on what should constitute success in science, most propositions remain unanswered. This paper aims to complement our understanding of success in science and to document areas of tension and conflict in research assessments. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with policy makers, funders, institution leaders, editors or publishers, research integrity office members, research integrity community members, laboratory technicians, researchers, research students, and former-researchers who changed career to inquire on the topics of success, integrity, and responsibilities in science. We used the Flemish biomedical landscape as a baseline to be able to grasp the views of interacting and complementary actors in a system setting. RESULTS Given the breadth of our results, we divided our findings in a two-paper series, with the current paper focusing on what defines and determines success in science. Respondents depicted success as a multi-factorial, context-dependent, and mutable construct. Success appeared to be an interaction between characteristics from the researcher (Who), research outputs (What), processes (How), and luck. Interviewees noted that current research assessments overvalued outputs but largely ignored the processes deemed essential for research quality and integrity. Interviewees suggested that science needs a diversity of indicators that are transparent, robust, and valid, and that also allow a balanced and diverse view of success; that assessment of scientists should not blindly depend on metrics but also value human input; and that quality should be valued over quantity. CONCLUSIONS The objective of research assessments may be to encourage good researchers, to benefit society, or simply to advance science. Yet we show that current assessments fall short on each of these objectives. Open and transparent inter-actor dialogue is needed to understand what research assessments aim for and how they can best achieve their objective. STUDY REGISTRATION osf.io/33v3m.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Aubert Bonn
- Research Group of Healthcare and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Wim Pinxten
- Research Group of Healthcare and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
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Aubert Bonn N, Pinxten W. Rethinking success, integrity, and culture in research (part 2) - a multi-actor qualitative study on problems of science. Res Integr Peer Rev 2021; 6:3. [PMID: 33441167 PMCID: PMC7807493 DOI: 10.1186/s41073-020-00105-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2020] [Accepted: 11/19/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Research misconduct and questionable research practices have been the subject of increasing attention in the past few years. But despite the rich body of research available, few empirical works also include the perspectives of non-researcher stakeholders. METHODS We conducted semi-structured interviews and focus groups with policy makers, funders, institution leaders, editors or publishers, research integrity office members, research integrity community members, laboratory technicians, researchers, research students, and former-researchers who changed career to inquire on the topics of success, integrity, and responsibilities in science. We used the Flemish biomedical landscape as a baseline to be able to grasp the views of interacting and complementary actors in a system setting. RESULTS Given the breadth of our results, we divided our findings in a two-paper series with the current paper focusing on the problems that affect the integrity and research culture. We first found that different actors have different perspectives on the problems that affect the integrity and culture of research. Problems were either linked to personalities and attitudes, or to the climates in which researchers operate. Elements that were described as essential for success (in the associate paper) were often thought to accentuate the problems of research climates by disrupting research culture and research integrity. Even though all participants agreed that current research climates need to be addressed, participants generally did not feel responsible nor capable of initiating change. Instead, respondents revealed a circle of blame and mistrust between actor groups. CONCLUSIONS Our findings resonate with recent debates, and extrapolate a few action points which might help advance the discussion. First, the research integrity debate must revisit and tackle the way in which researchers are assessed. Second, approaches to promote better science need to address the impact that research climates have on research integrity and research culture rather than to capitalize on individual researchers' compliance. Finally, inter-actor dialogues and shared decision making must be given priority to ensure that the perspectives of the full research system are captured. Understanding the relations and interdependency between these perspectives is key to be able to address the problems of science. STUDY REGISTRATION https://osf.io/33v3m.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noémie Aubert Bonn
- Research Group of Healthcare and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium.
| | - Wim Pinxten
- Research Group of Healthcare and Ethics, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, Hasselt University, Martelarenlaan 42, 3500, Hasselt, Belgium
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35
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Ergo K, De Loof E, Debra G, Pastötter B, Verguts T. Failure to modulate reward prediction errors in declarative learning with theta (6 Hz) frequency transcranial alternating current stimulation. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0237829. [PMID: 33270685 PMCID: PMC7714179 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0237829] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent evidence suggests that reward prediction errors (RPEs) play an important role in declarative learning, but its neurophysiological mechanism remains unclear. Here, we tested the hypothesis that RPEs modulate declarative learning via theta-frequency oscillations, which have been related to memory encoding in prior work. For that purpose, we examined the interaction between RPE and transcranial Alternating Current Stimulation (tACS) in declarative learning. Using a between-subject (real versus sham stimulation group), single-blind stimulation design, 76 participants learned 60 Dutch-Swahili word pairs, while theta-frequency (6 Hz) tACS was administered over the medial frontal cortex (MFC). Previous studies have implicated MFC in memory encoding. We replicated our previous finding of signed RPEs (SRPEs) boosting declarative learning; with larger and more positive RPEs enhancing memory performance. However, tACS failed to modulate the SRPE effect in declarative learning and did not affect memory performance. Bayesian statistics supported evidence for an absence of effect. Our study confirms a role of RPE in declarative learning, but also calls for standardized procedures in transcranial electrical stimulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Ergo
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Esther De Loof
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gillian Debra
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Tom Verguts
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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36
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Peeters KJ, Ameye M, Demeestere K, Audenaert K, Höfte M. Auxin, Abscisic Acid and Jasmonate Are the Central Players in Rice Sheath Rot Caused by Sarocladium oryzae and Pseudomonas fuscovaginae. Rice (N Y) 2020; 13:78. [PMID: 33242152 PMCID: PMC7691414 DOI: 10.1186/s12284-020-00438-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Sheath rot is an emerging rice disease that causes severe yield losses worldwide. The main causal agents are the toxin producers Sarocladium oryzae and Pseudomonas fuscovaginae. The fungus S. oryzae produces helvolic acid and cerulenin and the bacterium P. fuscovaginae produces cyclic lipopeptides. Helvolic acid and the lipopeptide, fuscopeptin, inhibit membrane-bound H+-ATPase pumps in the rice plant. To manage rice sheath rot, a better understanding of the host response and virulence strategies of the pathogens is required. This study investigated the interaction of the sheath rot pathogens with their host and the role of their toxins herein. Japonica rice was inoculated with high- and low-helvolic acid-producing S. oryzae isolates or with P. fuscovaginae wild type and fuscopeptin mutant strains. During infection, cerulenin, helvolic acid and the phytohormones abscisic acid, jasmonate, auxin and salicylic acid were quantified in the sheath. In addition, disease severity and grain yield parameters were assessed. Rice plants responded to high-toxin-producing S. oryzae and P. fuscovaginae strains with an increase in abscisic acid, jasmonate and auxin levels. We conclude that, for both pathogens, toxins play a core role during sheath rot infection. S. oryzae and P. fuscovaginae interact with their host in a similar way. This may explain why both sheath rot pathogens cause very similar symptoms despite their different nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- K J Peeters
- Department of Plants and Crops, Laboratory of Phytopathology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Ameye
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Demeestere
- Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Research Group EnVOC, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - K Audenaert
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - M Höfte
- Department of Plants and Crops, Laboratory of Phytopathology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, B-9000, Ghent, Belgium.
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37
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Maksoudian C, Saffarzadeh N, Hesemans E, Dekoning N, Buttiens K, Soenen SJ. Role of inorganic nanoparticle degradation in cancer therapy. Nanoscale Adv 2020; 2:3734-3763. [PMID: 36132767 PMCID: PMC9417516 DOI: 10.1039/d0na00286k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Nanomaterials are currently widely exploited for their potential in the development of novel cancer therapies, and so far, mainly nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of liposomes and polymers have made their way into the clinic. However, major bottlenecks for the clinical translation of other types of NPs (i.e. inorganic) are the lack of knowledge concerning their long-term distribution in vivo and their potential toxicity. To counter this, various research groups have worked on soluble NPs, such as zinc oxide (ZnO), copper oxide (CuO), and silver (Ag), which tend to dissolve spontaneously into their ionic form, releasing toxic metal ions and leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation when exposed to cellular environments. By fine-tuning the dissolution kinetics of these NPs, it is possible to control the level of ROS production and thus cytotoxicity to selectively destroy tumor tissue. Specifically, cancer cells tend to exhibit a higher basal level of oxidative stress compared to normal cells due to their higher metabolic rates, and therefore, by engineering NPs that generate sufficient ROS that barely exceed toxic thresholds in cancer cells, normal cells will only experience reversible transient damage. This review focuses on the use of these soluble inorganic NPs for selective cancer therapy and on the various in vitro and in vivo studies that have aimed to control the dissolution kinetics of these NPs, either through particle doping or surface modifications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christy Maksoudian
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
| | - Neshat Saffarzadeh
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
| | - Evelien Hesemans
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
| | - Nora Dekoning
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
| | - Kiana Buttiens
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
| | - Stefaan J Soenen
- Department of Imaging and Pathology, KU Leuven, NanoHealth and Optical Imaging Group Herestraat 49 B3000 Belgium +32 16 330034
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Van Wilder L, Clays E, Devleesschauwer B, Pype P, Boeckxstaens P, Schrans D, De Smedt D. Health-related quality of life in patients with non-communicable disease: study protocol of a cross-sectional survey. BMJ Open 2020; 10:e037131. [PMID: 32912984 PMCID: PMC7485234 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-037131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are associated with lower health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, knowledge about those diseases and predictors with a greater impact on patients' HRQoL as well as knowledge on the complex relationship between HRQoL and comorbidities is lacking. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of NCDs on patients' HRQoL, with a focus on multimorbidity and socioeconomic status. METHODS AND ANALYSIS A primary care-based cross-sectional study is conducted in Flanders (Belgium). Study participants (≥18 years) are medically diagnosed with at least one of the following diseases: cardiometabolic disorders, mental disorders and musculoskeletal disorders. A minimum of 50 general practitioners will participate to recruit participants (convenient sample) and a total of 531 patients will be enrolled (voluntary response sample). Each participant will complete a paper-based questionnaire to gather research outcomes. Statistical analyses will be performed using multiple linear regression models with HRQoL as main outcome parameter, adjusted for possible confounders. This study will generate new evidence on the key predictors of HRQoL in patients with NCDs, and particularly provide new insights in multimorbidity to improve the quality of care in primary care, to support patients' self-management and to allocate resources more effectively. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION The study has been approved by the Ethical Committee of Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium (reference number: B670201939629) prior to the beginning of the recruitment. Study results will be disseminated through peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Van Wilder
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Els Clays
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Peter Pype
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Diego Schrans
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Delphine De Smedt
- Department of Public Health and Primary Care, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Cracco E, González-García C, Hussey I, Braem S, Wisniewski D. Cultural pressure and biased responding in free will attitudes. R Soc Open Sci 2020; 7:191824. [PMID: 32968494 PMCID: PMC7481697 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.191824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Whether you believe free will exists has profound effects on your behaviour, across different levels of processing, from simple motor action to social cognition. It is therefore important to understand which specific lay theories are held in the general public and why. Past research largely focused on investigating free will beliefs (FWB, 'Do you think free will exists?'), but largely ignored a second key aspect: free will attitudes (FWA, 'Do you like/value will?'). Attitudes are often independently predictive of behaviour, relative to beliefs, yet we currently know very little about FWAs in the general public. One key issue is whether such attitudes are subject to biased, socially desirable responding. The vast majority of the general public strongly believes in the existence of free will, which might create cultural pressure to value free will positively as well. In this registered report, we used a very large (N = 1100), open available dataset measuring implicit and explicit attitudes towards free will and determinism to address this issue. Our results indicate that both explicit and implicit attitudes towards free will are more positive than attitudes towards determinism. We also show that people experience cultural pressure to value free will, and to devalue determinism. Yet, we found no strong evidence that this cultural pressure affected either implicit or explicit attitudes in this dataset.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emiel Cracco
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Ian Hussey
- Department of Experimental Clinical and Health Psychology, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Senne Braem
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Brussels, Brussels, Belgium
| | - David Wisniewski
- Department of Experimental Psychology, Universiteit Gent, Ghent, Belgium
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Kerkhofs M, Vervloessem T, Stopa KB, Smith VM, Vogler M, Bultynck G. DLBCL Cells with Acquired Resistance to Venetoclax Are Not Sensitized to BIRD-2 But Can Be Resensitized to Venetoclax through Bcl-XL Inhibition. Biomolecules 2020; 10:biom10071081. [PMID: 32708132 PMCID: PMC7408247 DOI: 10.3390/biom10071081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2020] [Revised: 07/16/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Anti-apoptotic Bcl-2-family members are frequently dysregulated in both blood and solid cancers, contributing to their survival despite ongoing oncogenic stress. Yet, such cancer cells often are highly dependent on Bcl-2 for their survival, a feature that is exploited by so-called BH3-mimetic drugs. Venetoclax (ABT-199) is a selective BH3-mimetic Bcl-2 antagonist that is currently used in the clinic for treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia patients. Unfortunately, venetoclax resistance has already emerged in patients, limiting the therapeutic success. Here, we examined strategies to overcome venetoclax resistance. Therefore, we used two diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) cell lines, Riva WT and venetoclax-resistant Riva (VR). The latter was obtained by prolonged culturing in the presence of venetoclax. We report that Riva VR cells did not become more sensitive to BIRD-2, a peptide targeting the Bcl-2 BH4 domain, and established cross-resistance towards BDA-366, a putative BH4-domain antagonist of Bcl-2. However, we found that Bcl-XL, another Bcl-2-family protein, is upregulated in Riva VR, while Mcl-1 expression levels are not different in comparison with Riva WT, hinting towards an increased dependence of Riva VR cells to Bcl-XL. Indeed, Riva VR cells could be resensitized to venetoclax by A-1155463, a selective BH3 mimetic Bcl-XL inhibitor. This is underpinned by siRNA experiments, demonstrating that lowering Bcl-XL-expression levels also augmented the sensitivity of Riva VR cells to venetoclax. Overall, this work demonstrates that Bcl-XL upregulation contributes to acquired resistance of DLBCL cancer cells towards venetoclax and that antagonizing Bcl-XL can resensitize such cells towards venetoclax.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martijn Kerkhofs
- Lab. Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Instituut, Campus Gasthuisberg ON-I, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.K.); (T.V.)
| | - Tamara Vervloessem
- Lab. Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Instituut, Campus Gasthuisberg ON-I, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.K.); (T.V.)
| | - Kinga B. Stopa
- Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, 30-387 Krakow, Poland;
| | - Victoria M. Smith
- Department of Molecular and Cell Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK;
| | - Meike Vogler
- Institute for Experimental Cancer Research in Pediatrics, Goethe-University, 60528 Frankfurt, Germany;
| | - Geert Bultynck
- Lab. Molecular and Cellular Signaling, Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine and Leuven Kanker Instituut, Campus Gasthuisberg ON-I, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium; (M.K.); (T.V.)
- Correspondence:
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Lauffer P, Miranda-Laferte E, van Duyvenvoorde HA, van Haeringen A, Werner F, Boudin E, Schmidt H, Mueller TD, Kuhn M, van der Kaay DCM. An Activating Deletion Variant in the Submembrane Region of Natriuretic Peptide Receptor-B Causes Tall Stature. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 2020; 105:5819532. [PMID: 32282051 PMCID: PMC7450217 DOI: 10.1210/clinem/dgaa190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) is critically involved in endochondral bone growth. Variants in the genes encoding CNP or its cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-forming receptor (natriuretic peptide receptor-B [NPR-B], gene NPR2) cause monogenic growth disorders. Here we describe a novel gain-of-function variant of NPR-B associated with tall stature and macrodactyly of the great toes (epiphyseal chondrodysplasia, Miura type). DESIGN History and clinical characteristics of 3 family members were collected. NPR2 was selected for sequencing. Skin fibroblasts and transfected HEK-293 cells were used to compare mutant versus wild-type NPR-B activities. Homology modeling was applied to understand the molecular consequences of the variant. RESULTS Mother's height was +2.77 standard deviation scores (SDS). The heights of her 2 daughters were +1.96 SDS at 7 years and +1.30 SDS at 4 years of age. Skeletal surveys showed macrodactyly of the great toes and pseudo-epiphyses of the mid- and proximal phalanges. Sequencing identified a novel heterozygous variant c.1444_1449delATGCTG in exon 8 of NPR2, predicted to result in deletion of 2 amino acids Met482-Leu483 within the submembrane region of NPR-B. In proband's skin fibroblasts, basal cGMP levels and CNP-stimulated cGMP production were markedly increased compared with controls. Consistently, assays with transfected HEK-293 cells showed markedly augmented baseline and ligand-dependent activity of mutant NPR-B. CONCLUSIONS We report the second activating variant within the intracellular submembrane region of NPR-B resulting in tall stature and macrodactyly. Our functional and modeling studies suggest that this domain plays a critical role in the baseline conformation and ligand-dependent structural rearrangement of NPR-B required for cGMP production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lauffer
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Correspondence and Reprint Requests: Peter Lauffer, Emma Children’s Hospital, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands. E-mail:
| | | | | | - Arie van Haeringen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, ZA Leiden, the Netherlands
| | - Franziska Werner
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Eveline Boudin
- Centre of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Edegem, Belgium
| | - Hannes Schmidt
- Interfaculty Institute of Biochemistry, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Thomas D Mueller
- Department of Molecular Plant Physiology and Biophysics, Julius-von-Sachs-Institute, Biocenter, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Michaela Kuhn
- Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
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Ionescu CM, Birs IR, Copot D, Muresan CI, Caponetto R. Mathematical modelling with experimental validation of viscoelastic properties in non-Newtonian fluids. Philos Trans A Math Phys Eng Sci 2020; 378:20190284. [PMID: 32389081 PMCID: PMC7287316 DOI: 10.1098/rsta.2019.0284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
The paper proposes a mathematical framework for the use of fractional-order impedance models to capture fluid mechanics properties in frequency-domain experimental datasets. An overview of non-Newtonian (NN) fluid classification is given as to motivate the use of fractional-order models as natural solutions to capture fluid dynamics. Four classes of fluids are tested: oil, sugar, detergent and liquid soap. Three nonlinear identification methods are used to fit the model: nonlinear least squares, genetic algorithms and particle swarm optimization. The model identification results obtained from experimental datasets suggest the proposed model is useful to characterize various degree of viscoelasticity in NN fluids. The advantage of the proposed model is that it is compact, while capturing the fluid properties and can be identified in real-time for further use in prediction or control applications. This article is part of the theme issue 'Advanced materials modelling via fractional calculus: challenges and perspectives'.
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Affiliation(s)
- C. M. Ionescu
- Ghent University, Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Research laboratory on Dynamical Systems and Control, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Department of Automatic Control, Memorandumului street 28, Cluj, Romania
- Flanders Make, EEDT - Decision and Control Group, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- e-mail:
| | - I. R. Birs
- Ghent University, Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Research laboratory on Dynamical Systems and Control, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Department of Automatic Control, Memorandumului street 28, Cluj, Romania
- Flanders Make, EEDT - Decision and Control Group, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - D. Copot
- Ghent University, Department of Electromechanical, Systems and Metal Engineering, Research laboratory on Dynamical Systems and Control, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Department of Automatic Control, Memorandumului street 28, Cluj, Romania
- Flanders Make, EEDT - Decision and Control Group, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - C. I. Muresan
- Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Department of Automatic Control, Memorandumului street 28, Cluj, Romania
| | - R. Caponetto
- Universita’ degli Studi di Catania, Department of Engineering, Electric, Electronic and Informatics, Viale Andrea Doria 6, 95125 Catania, Italy
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Vanbillemont B, Lammens J, Goethals W, Vervaet C, Boone MN, De Beer T. 4D Micro-Computed X-ray Tomography as a Tool to Determine Critical Process and Product Information of Spin Freeze-Dried Unit Doses. Pharmaceutics 2020; 12:E430. [PMID: 32392705 PMCID: PMC7284464 DOI: 10.3390/pharmaceutics12050430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 05/02/2020] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Maintaining chemical and physical stability of the product during freeze-drying is important but challenging. In addition, freeze-drying is typically associated with long process times. Therefore, mechanistic models have been developed to maximize drying efficiency without altering the chemical or physical stability of the product. Dried product mass transfer resistance ( R p ) is a critical input for these mechanistic models. Currently available techniques to determine R p only provide an estimation of the mean R p and do not allow measuring and determining essential local (i.e., intra-vial) R p differences. In this study, we present an analytical method, based on four-dimensional micro-computed tomography (4D- μ CT), which enables the possibility to determine intra-vial R p differences. Subsequently, these obtained R p values are used in a mechanistic model to predict the drying time distribution of a spin-frozen vial. Finally, this predicted primary drying time distribution is experimentally verified via thermal imaging during drying. It was further found during this study that 4D- μ CT uniquely allows measuring and determining other essential freeze-drying process parameters such as the moving direction(s) of the sublimation front and frozen product layer thickness, which allows gaining accurate process knowledge. To conclude, the study reveals that the variation in the end of primary drying time of a single vial could be predicted accurately using 4D- μ CT as similar results were found during the verification using thermal imaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brecht Vanbillemont
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology (LPPAT), Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Joris Lammens
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.L.); (C.V.)
| | - Wannes Goethals
- Radiation Physics Research Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (W.G.); (M.N.B.)
- Centre for X-ray Tomography (UGCT), Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Chris Vervaet
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Technology, Department of Pharmaceutics, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (J.L.); (C.V.)
| | - Matthieu N. Boone
- Radiation Physics Research Group, Department of Physics and Astronomy, Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (W.G.); (M.N.B.)
- Centre for X-ray Tomography (UGCT), Ghent University, Proeftuinstraat 86, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Thomas De Beer
- Laboratory of Pharmaceutical Process Analytical Technology (LPPAT), Department of Pharmaceutical Analysis, Ghent University, Ottergemsesteenweg 460, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
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Liu DJX, Stock E, Broeckx BJG, Daminet S, Meyer E, Delanghe JR, Croubels S, Devreese M, Nguyen P, Bogaerts E, Hesta M, Vanderperren K. Weight-gain induced changes in renal perfusion assessed by contrast-enhanced ultrasound precede increases in urinary protein excretion suggestive of glomerular and tubular injury and normalize after weight-loss in dogs. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0231662. [PMID: 32315336 PMCID: PMC7173781 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0231662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2019] [Accepted: 03/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Early detection of obesity-related glomerulopathy in humans is challenging as it might not be detected by routine biomarkers of kidney function. This study's aim was to use novel kidney biomarkers and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) to evaluate the effect of obesity development and weight-loss on kidney function, perfusion, and injury in dogs. Sixteen healthy lean adult beagles were assigned randomly but age-matched to a control group (CG) (n = 8) fed to maintain a lean body weight (BW) for 83 weeks; or to a weight-change group (WCG) (n = 8) fed the same diet to induce obesity (week 0-47), to maintain stable obese weight (week 47-56) and to lose BW (week 56-83). At 8 time points, values of systolic blood pressure (sBP); serum creatinine (sCr); blood urea nitrogen (BUN); serum cystatin C (sCysC); urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPC); and urinary biomarkers of glomerular and tubular injury were measured. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and renal perfusion using CEUS were assayed (except for week 68). For CEUS, intensity- and time-related parameters representing blood volume and velocity were derived from imaging data, respectively. At 12-22% weight-gain, cortical time-to-peak, representing blood velocity, was shorter in the WCG vs. the CG. After 37% weight-gain, sCysC, UPC, glomerular and tubular biomarkers of injury, urinary immunoglobulin G and urinary neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, respectively, were higher in the WCG. sBP, sCr, BUN and GFR were not significantly different. After 23% weight-loss, all alterations were attenuated. Early weight-gain in dogs induced renal perfusion changes measured with CEUS, without hyperfiltration, preceding increased urinary protein excretion with potential glomerular and tubular injury. The combined use of routine biomarkers of kidney function, CEUS and site-specific urinary biomarkers might be valuable in assessing kidney health of individuals at risk for obesity-related glomerulopathy in a non-invasive manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisy J. X. Liu
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Emmelie Stock
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Bart J. G. Broeckx
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Sylvie Daminet
- Small Animal Department, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Evelyne Meyer
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Joris R. Delanghe
- Department of Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Health Medicine and Life Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Siska Croubels
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Mathias Devreese
- Department of Pharmacology, Toxicology and Biochemistry, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Patrick Nguyen
- Oniris, National College of Veterinary Medicine, Food Science and Engineering, Nantes, France
| | - Evelien Bogaerts
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Myriam Hesta
- Department of Nutrition, Genetics and Ethology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
| | - Katrien Vanderperren
- Department of Medical Imaging of Domestic Animals and Orthopedics of Small Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium
- * E-mail:
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Guerre M, Taplan C, Winne JM, Du Prez FE. Vitrimers: directing chemical reactivity to control material properties. Chem Sci 2020; 11:4855-4870. [PMID: 34122941 PMCID: PMC8159211 DOI: 10.1039/d0sc01069c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The development of more sustainable materials with a prolonged useful lifetime is a key requirement for a transition towards a more circular economy. However, polymer materials that are long-lasting and highly durable also tend to have a limited application potential for re-use. This is because such materials derive their durable properties from a high degree of chemical connectivity, resulting in rigid meshes or networks of polymer chains with a high intrinsic resistance to deformation. Once such polymers are fully synthesised, thermal (re)processing becomes hard (or impossible) to achieve without damaging the degree of chemical connectivity, and most recycling options quickly lead to a drop or even loss of material properties. In this context, both academic and industrial researchers have taken a keen interest in materials design that combines high degrees of chemical connectivity with an improved thermal (re)processability, mediated through a dynamic exchange reaction of covalent bonds. In particular vitrimer materials offer a promising concept because they completely maintain their degree of chemical connectivity at all times, yet can show a clear thermally driven plasticity and liquid behavior, enabled through rapid bond rearrangement reactions within the network. In the past decade, many suitable dynamic covalent chemistries were developed to create vitrimer materials, and are now applicable to a wide range of polymer matrices. The material properties of vitrimers, however, do not solely rely on the chemical structure of the polymer matrix, but also on the chemical reactivity of the dynamic bonds. Thus, chemical reactivity considerations become an integral part of material design, which has to take into account for example catalytic and cross-reactivity effects. This mini-review will aim to provide an overview of recent efforts aimed at understanding and controlling dynamic cross-linking reactions within vitrimers, and how directing this chemical reactivity can be used as a handle to steer material properties. Hence, it is shown how a focus on a fundamental chemical understanding can pave the way towards new sustainable materials and applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc Guerre
- Laboratoire des IMRCP, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR5623, Université Paul Sabatier 118 route de Narbonne 31062 Toulouse Cedex 9 France
| | - Christian Taplan
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Center of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281 (S4-bis) 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Johan M Winne
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Laboratory of Organic Synthesis, Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281 (S4-bis) 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Filip E Du Prez
- Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Polymer Chemistry Research Group, Center of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Faculty of Sciences, Ghent University Krijgslaan 281 (S4-bis) 9000 Ghent Belgium
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Abednatanzi S, Gohari Derakhshandeh P, Leus K, Vrielinck H, Callens F, Schmidt J, Savateev A, Van Der Voort P. Metal-free activation of molecular oxygen by covalent triazine frameworks for selective aerobic oxidation. Sci Adv 2020; 6:eaaz2310. [PMID: 32284980 PMCID: PMC7124959 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aaz2310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2019] [Accepted: 01/09/2020] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Oxygen activation is a critical step in ubiquitous heterogeneous oxidative processes, most prominently in catalysis, electrolysis, and pharmaceutical applications. We present here our findings on metal-free O2 activation on covalent triazine frameworks (CTFs) as an important class of N-rich materials. The O2 activation process was studied for the formation of aldehydes, ketones and imines. A detailed mechanistic study of O2 activation and the role of nitrogen heteroatoms were comprehensively investigated. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and control experiments provide strong evidence for the reaction mechanism proving the applicability of the CTFs to activate oxygen into superoxide species. This report highlights the importance of a self-templating procedure to introduce N functionalities for the development of metal-free catalytic materials. The presented findings reveal an important step toward the use of CTFs as inexpensive and high-performance alternatives to metal-based materials not only for catalysis but also for biorelated applications dealing with O2 activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Abednatanzi
- Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics and Catalysis, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Parviz Gohari Derakhshandeh
- Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics and Catalysis, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Karen Leus
- Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics and Catalysis, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Henk Vrielinck
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S1, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Freddy Callens
- Department of Solid State Sciences, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S1, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Johannes Schmidt
- Technische Universität Berlin, Institut für Chemie–Funktionsmaterialien, Hardenbergstraße 40, 10623 Berlin, Germany
| | - Aleksandr Savateev
- Max-Planck Institute of Colloids and Interfaces, Department of Colloid Chemistry, Research Campus Golm, 14424 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Pascal Van Der Voort
- Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics and Catalysis, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S3, 9000 Gent, Belgium
- Corresponding author.
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Abalymov A, Parakhonskiy B, Skirtach AG. Polymer- and Hybrid-Based Biomaterials for Interstitial, Connective, Vascular, Nerve, Visceral and Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering. Polymers (Basel) 2020; 12:E620. [PMID: 32182751 PMCID: PMC7182904 DOI: 10.3390/polym12030620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2019] [Revised: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 03/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
In this review, materials based on polymers and hybrids possessing both organic and inorganic contents for repairing or facilitating cell growth in tissue engineering are discussed. Pure polymer based biomaterials are predominantly used to target soft tissues. Stipulated by possibilities of tuning the composition and concentration of their inorganic content, hybrid materials allow to mimic properties of various types of harder tissues. That leads to the concept of "one-matches-all" referring to materials possessing the same polymeric base, but different inorganic content to enable tissue growth and repair, proliferation of cells, and the formation of the ECM (extra cellular matrix). Furthermore, adding drug delivery carriers to coatings and scaffolds designed with such materials brings additional functionality by encapsulating active molecules, antibacterial agents, and growth factors. We discuss here materials and methods of their assembly from a general perspective together with their applications in various tissue engineering sub-areas: interstitial, connective, vascular, nervous, visceral and musculoskeletal tissues. The overall aims of this review are two-fold: (a) to describe the needs and opportunities in the field of bio-medicine, which should be useful for material scientists, and (b) to present capabilities and resources available in the area of materials, which should be of interest for biologists and medical doctors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anatolii Abalymov
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | | | - Andre G. Skirtach
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
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Neckebroek M, Ghita M, Ghita M, Copot D, Ionescu CM. Pain Detection with Bioimpedance Methodology from 3-Dimensional Exploration of Nociception in a Postoperative Observational Trial. J Clin Med 2020; 9:E684. [PMID: 32143327 PMCID: PMC7141233 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9030684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2020] [Revised: 02/13/2020] [Accepted: 02/29/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Although the measurement of dielectric properties of the skin is a long-known tool for assessing the changes caused by nociception, the frequency modulated response has not been considered yet. However, for a rigorous characterization of the biological tissue during noxious stimulation, the bioimpedance needs to be analyzed over time as well as over frequency. The 3-dimensional analysis of nociception, including bioimpedance, time, and frequency changes, is provided by ANSPEC-PRO device. The objective of this observational trial is the validation of the new pain monitor, named as ANSPEC-PRO. After ethics committee approval and informed consent, 26 patients were monitored during the postoperative recovery period: 13 patients with the in-house developed prototype ANSPEC-PRO and 13 with the commercial device MEDSTORM. At every 7 min, the pain intensity was measured using the index of Anspec-pro or Medstorm and the 0-10 numeric rating scale (NRS), pre-surgery for 14 min and post-anesthesia for 140 min. Non-significant differences were reported for specificity-sensitivity analysis between ANSPEC-PRO (AUC = 0.49) and MEDSTORM (AUC = 0.52) measured indexes. A statistically significant positive linear relationship was observed between Anspec-pro index and NRS (r2 = 0.15, p < 0.01). Hence, we have obtained a validation of the prototype Anspec-pro which performs equally well as the commercial device under similar conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martine Neckebroek
- Department of Anesthesia, Ghent University Hospital, Corneel Heymanslaan 10, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Mihaela Ghita
- Research group of Dynamical Systems and Control, Ghent University, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium (D.C.); (C.M.I.)
- EEDT—Core Lab on Decision and Control, Flanders Make Consortium, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Maria Ghita
- Research group of Dynamical Systems and Control, Ghent University, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium (D.C.); (C.M.I.)
- EEDT—Core Lab on Decision and Control, Flanders Make Consortium, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Dana Copot
- Research group of Dynamical Systems and Control, Ghent University, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium (D.C.); (C.M.I.)
- EEDT—Core Lab on Decision and Control, Flanders Make Consortium, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Clara M. Ionescu
- Research group of Dynamical Systems and Control, Ghent University, Tech Lane Science Park 125, 9052 Ghent, Belgium (D.C.); (C.M.I.)
- EEDT—Core Lab on Decision and Control, Flanders Make Consortium, Tech Lane Science Park 131, 9052 Ghent, Belgium
- Department of Automatic Control, Technical University of Cluj Napoca, Memorandumului 28, 400114 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
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Debeuf T, Verbeken S, Boelens E, Volkaert B, Van Malderen E, Michels N, Braet C. Emotion regulation training in the treatment of obesity in young adolescents: protocol for a randomized controlled trial. Trials 2020; 21:153. [PMID: 32039739 PMCID: PMC7011608 DOI: 10.1186/s13063-019-4020-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/20/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The prevalence rates of childhood obesity are increasing. The current multidisciplinary treatments for (childhood) obesity are effective but only moderately and in the short term. A possible explanation for the onset and maintenance of childhood obesity is that it reflects a maladaptive mechanism for regulating high levels of stress and emotions. Therefore, the current RCT study aims to test the effectiveness of adding an emotion regulation training to care as usual (multidisciplinary obesity treatment) in young inpatients (10-14) involved in an obesity treatment program compared to care as usual alone. The research model for this RCT study states that when high levels of stress are regulated in a maladaptive way, this can contribute to the development of obesity. METHODS The current study will recruit 140 youngsters (10-14 years) who are involved in an inpatient multidisciplinary obesity treatment (MOT) program. After giving consent to participate in the study, youngsters will be randomly assigned, during consecutive waves, to one of two conditions: care as usual (receiving MOT) or intervention (receiving MOT in addition to emotion regulation training). The training itself consists of 12 weekly sessions, followed by a booster session after 3 and 5 months. The participants will be tested pretraining, post-training, and at 6 months' follow-up. We hypothesize that, compared to the control condition, youngsters in the intervention condition will (1) use more adaptive emotion regulation strategies and (2) report less emotional eating, both primary outcome measures. Moreover, on the level of secondary outcome measures, we hypothesize that youngsters in the intervention condition, compared with the control condition, will (3) report better sleep quality, (4) undergo improved weight loss and weight loss maintenance, and (5) experience better long-term (6-months) psychological well-being. DISCUSSION This study will add to both the scientific and clinical literature on the role of emotion regulation in the development and maintenance of different psychopathologies, as emotion regulation is a transdiagnostic factor. TRIAL REGISTRATION The RCT study protocol is registered at ISRCTN Registry, with study ID "ISRCTN 83822934." Registered on 13 December 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taaike Debeuf
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Sandra Verbeken
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Elisa Boelens
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Brenda Volkaert
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eva Van Malderen
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nathalie Michels
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Caroline Braet
- Department of Developmental, Personality and Social Psychology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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Peeters KJ, Haeck A, Harinck L, Afolabi OO, Demeestere K, Audenaert K, Höfte M. Morphological, Pathogenic and Toxigenic Variability in the Rice Sheath Rot Pathogen Sarocladium Oryzae. Toxins (Basel) 2020; 12:toxins12020109. [PMID: 32046323 PMCID: PMC7076777 DOI: 10.3390/toxins12020109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2019] [Revised: 01/22/2020] [Accepted: 02/05/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Sheath rot is an emerging rice disease that leads to considerable yield losses. The main causal agent is the fungus Sarocladium oryzae. This pathogen is known to produce the toxins cerulenin and helvolic acid, but their role in pathogenicity has not been clearly established. S. oryzea isolates from different rice-producing regions can be grouped into three phylogenetic lineages. When grown in vitro, isolates from these lineages differed in growth rate, colour and in the ability to form sectors. A diverse selection of isolates from Rwanda and Nigeria, representing these lineages, were used to further study their pathogenicity and toxin production. Liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry analysis was used to measure cerulenin and helvolic acid production in vitro and in planta. The three lineages clearly differed in pathogenicity on the japonica cultivar Kitaake. Isolates from the least pathogenic lineage produced the highest levels of cerulenin in vitro. Helvolic acid production was not correlated with the lineage. Sectorisation was observed in isolates from the two least pathogenic lineages and resulted in a loss of helvolic acid production. In planta, only the production of helvolic acid, but not of cerulenin, correlated strongly with disease severity. The most pathogenic isolates all belonged to one lineage. They were phenotypically stable, shown by the lack of sectorisation, and therefore maintained high helvolic acid production in planta.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaat José Peeters
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.J.P.); (O.O.A.)
| | - Ashley Haeck
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.H.); (L.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Lies Harinck
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.H.); (L.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Oluwatoyin Oluwakemi Afolabi
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.J.P.); (O.O.A.)
| | - Kristof Demeestere
- Research Group EnVOC, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (A.H.); (L.H.); (K.D.)
| | - Kris Audenaert
- Laboratory of Applied Mycology and Phenomics, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Valentin Vaerwyckweg 1, 9000 Ghent, Belgium;
| | - Monica Höfte
- Laboratory of Phytopathology, Department of Plants and Crops, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; (K.J.P.); (O.O.A.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +32-9264-6017
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