Changes in gut hormone and glucose concentrations in relation to hunger and fullness.

Background: The search for biomarkers of appetite is very active.

Objectives: The aims were to compare dynamics of hunger and fullness ratings on a visual analog scale (VAS) with dynamics of glucagon-like peptide 1, peptide tyrosine-tyrosine, ghrelin, glucose, and insulin concentrations throughout different meal patterns-and thus different timings of nutrient delivery to the gut-by using a statistical approach that focuses on within-subject relations of these observations and to investigate whether appetite ratings are synchronized with or lag behind or in front of changes in hormone and glucose concentrations.

Design: Subjects (n = 38) with a mean (±SD) age of 24 ± 6 y and BMI (in kg/m(2)) of 25.

Effect of in vitro culture of human embryos on birthweight of newborns.

Background: In animal models, in vitro culture of preimplantation embryos has been shown to be a risk factor for abnormal fetal outcome, including high and low birthweight. In the human, mean birthweight of singletons after in vitro fertilization (IVF) is considerably lower than after natural conception, but it is not known whether culture conditions play a role in this.

Methods: We compared pregnancy rates and perinatal outcomes from singleton pregnancies resulting from a total of 826 first IVF treatment cycles in which oocytes and embryos were randomly allocated to culture in either of two commercially available sequential media systems.

Effectiveness of nurse-delivered cardiovascular risk management in primary care: a randomised trial.

Background: A substantial part of cardiovascular disease prevention is delivered in primary care. Special attention should be paid to the assessment of cardiovascular risk factors. According to the Dutch guideline for cardiovascular risk management, the heavy workload of cardiovascular risk management for GPs could be shared with advanced practice nurses.

The influence of six cardiovascular polymorphisms on a first event of ischemic heart disease is modified by sex and age.

Objective: To examine the contribution of six cardiovascular polymorphisms to the occurrence of a first event of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in a primary care population with a high prevalence of hypertension. Furthermore, we specified the data for sex and age.

Methods: In this cross sectional case-control study, patients with a first event of IHD (157) and event-free controls (571) were studied.

Sex-specific effect of the alpha-adducin (G460W) and AGTR1 (A1166C) polymorphism on carotid intima-media thickness.

Objective: In a primary care population covering a broad spectrum of cardiovascular risk (HIPPOCRATES project) the relationship between carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) and six cardiovascular polymorphisms were analyzed in a cross-sectional study.

Methods: CIMT was assessed in 618 participants, who were genotyped for the AGTR1 (A1166C), AGT (M235T), ACE (4656(rpt)), NOS3 (E298D), GNB3 (C825T) and ADD1 (G460W) polymorphisms. Linear regression analyses were performed to assess the relationship between CIMT and the polymorphisms.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease in South Limburg (the Netherlands) 1991-2002: Incidence, diagnostic delay, and seasonal variations in onset of symptoms.

Background And Aims: Increasing incidence in Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has been suggested. Recent data on population based incidence rates within Europe are however scarce. Primary aim was to investigate prospectively the incidence of IBD within a well-defined geographical and administrative area of the Netherlands, the South Limburg IBD registry.

Associations between term birth dimensions and prenatal exposure to essential and trans fatty acids.

Background: Certain essential long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (LCPUFAs) are considered important for fetal growth and brain development, whereas industrial trans fatty acids (mainly 18:1trans) have been associated with negative effects. The aim of this study was to investigate associations between term birth dimensions and prenatal exposure to some of these fatty acids, reflected by neonatal fatty acid concentrations at birth.

Methods: Data of up to 700 infant-mother pairs from the Maastricht Essential Fatty Acid Birth Cohort were used for the present study.

Influence of watchful waiting on satisfaction and anxiety among patients seeking care for unexplained complaints.

Purpose: We undertook a study to determine whether test-ordering strategy and other consultation-related factors influence satisfaction with and anxiety after a consultation among patients seeking care for unexplained complaints.

Methods: A cluster-randomized clinical trial was conducted in family medicine practices in the Netherlands. Participants were 498 patients with unexplained complaints seen by 63 primary care physicians.

The association between arterial stiffness and the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (A1166C) polymorphism is influenced by the use of cardiovascular medication.

Objective: To examine in a population with a high prevalence of hypertension, the association between six cardiovascular polymorphisms, arterial stiffness and medication use.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study (Hypertension: Interaction and Prevalence of POlymorphisms related to Cardiovascular Risk and the Association to Treatment Efficacy Study project), arterial stiffness was assessed by measuring pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 575 patients in one primary care practice. Patients were genotyped for the angiotensin II type 1 receptor [AGTR1 (A1166C)], angiotensinogen (M235T), angiotensin-converting enzyme (4656rpt), endothelial nitric oxide synthase (E298D), G-protein beta3 (C825T), and alpha-adducin (G460W) polymorphisms.

Associations between neonatal birth dimensions and maternal essential and trans fatty acid contents during pregnancy and at delivery.

Since birth dimensions have prognostic potential for later development and health, possible associations between neonatal birth dimensions and selected maternal plasma fatty acid contents were investigated, using data from 782 mother-infant pairs of the Maastricht Essential Fatty Acid Birth cohort. Unadjusted and multivariable-adjusted regression analyses were applied to study the associations between birth weight, birth length or head circumference and the relative contents of DHA, arachidonic acid (AA), dihomo-gamma-linolenic acid (DGLA) and 18 : 1trans (18 : 1t) in maternal plasma phospholipids sampled during early, middle and late pregnancies, and at delivery. Where appropriate, corrections were made for relevant covariables.

Comparison of the anti-inflammatory effects of extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone vs fluticasone dry powder inhaler on exhaled inflammatory markers in childhood asthma.

Background: Extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone differs from other inhaled corticosteroids by its fine aerosol characteristics. Therefore, extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone may be particularly useful for treating peripheral airway inflammation in asthma.

Objective: To analyze the anti-inflammatory effects of extra-fine hydrofluoroalkane-beclomethasone vs fluticasone dry powder inhaler (DPI) in asthmatic children by measuring bronchial and alveolar nitric oxide (NO) and inflammatory markers in exhaled breath condensate (EBC).

Patella retention versus replacement in total knee arthroplasty; functional and clinimetric aspects.

Introduction: Whether to resurface the patella or not in total knee arthroplasty still remains undecided. Classical scores and questionnaires might not be responsive or demanding enough. This study used two accelerometer based systems to study the hypothesis whether performance based tests are able to detect a difference in patients with or without a resurfaced patella.

The baseline serum lipoprotein profile is related to plant stanol induced changes in serum lipoprotein cholesterol and triacylglycerol concentrations.

Objective: Baseline characteristics of subjects might be related to the effect of plant stanols on the serum lipoprotein profile. The aim of the study was to examine effects of subjects' baseline characteristics (baseline serum concentrations of lipids and lipoproteins at the start of the study, lathosterol, campesterol and sitosterol; gender, age, BMI, smoking, use of oral contraceptives and menopause) on the effects of plant stanol esters on the serum lipoprotein profile.

Methods: We used data of five studies performed at our Department.

Associations of dietary methyl donor intake with MLH1 promoter hypermethylation and related molecular phenotypes in sporadic colorectal cancer.

Intake of dietary factors that serve as methyl group donors may influence promoter hypermethylation in colorectal carcinogenesis. We investigated whether dietary folate, vitamin B2 and vitamin B6, methionine and alcohol were associated with mutL homologue 1 (MLH1) hypermethylation and the related molecular phenotypes of MLH1 protein expression, microsatellite instability (MSI) and BRAF mutations in patients with colorectal carcinomas. Within the Netherlands Cohort Study on diet and cancer (n = 120 852), 648 cases (367 men and 281 women) and 4059 subcohort members were available for data analyses from a follow-up period between 2.

The effect of alcohol intake on cardiovascular disease and mortality disappeared after taking lifetime drinking and covariates into account.

Background: Current alcohol intake has been associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. The effect of past and lifetime drinking has received less attention. In the present study, the impact of current, past and lifetime drinking on cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality has been assessed.

[Results of a study on fatigue in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy: the first four days after treatment are the worst].

A large number of breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy is suffering from fatigue. Until now there has been a lack of knowledge concerning the course of fatigue in breast cancer patients between two cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy. Therefore a prospective cohort study was conducted including 151 breast cancer patients from six hospitals in The Netherlands.

High-intensity strength training improves quality of life in cancer survivors.

Introduction: Cancer rehabilitation programs mainly involve endurance training, and little attention is paid to strength training. Cancer survivors are generally advised to train at much lower workloads than the standard guidelines for strength training suggest. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an 18-week high-intensity strength training program in cancer survivors.

Functional improvement after unicompartmental knee replacement: a follow-up study with a performance based knee test.

In literature no reports appear on functional recovery of unicompartmental knee replacement using both subjective and objective methods. Functional aspects are especially of importance, since prosthetic replacement is considered more often in younger patients, who require an optimal knee function for activities such as sports. In a prospective study on 38 patients with a mean age of 62.

Interactive effect of family history and environmental factors on respiratory tract-related morbidity in infancy.

Background: Family and environmental factors affect the development of respiratory morbidity. How these factors interact is unclear.

Objective: We sought to clarify the interactive effect of family history of asthma and environmental factors on the occurrence of respiratory morbidity.

Exercise testing and training in a cancer rehabilitation program: the advantage of the steep ramp test.

Objective: To compare the short maximal exercise capacity test (steep ramp test) with the submaximal test to determine the most appropriate exercise test in cancer rehabilitation.

Design: A prospective study in which a submaximal test, a maximal short exercise capacity test (steep ramp test), and a maximal oxygen consumption test (Vo(2)max test) were performed before and after an 18-week training program. Vo(2)max testing, the criterion standard for the measurement of physical capacity, was compared with the submaximal test and the steep ramp test.

Physical capacity tasks in chronic low back pain: what is the contributing role of cardiovascular capacity, pain and psychological factors?

Purpose: To explore the association of personal and body functions with physical capacity tasks used in the evaluation of chronic low back pain (CLBP) treatment.

Method: Cross-sectional study in which 221 patients with non-specific CLBP participated. Physical capacity was assessed by six capacity tasks, and several personal and body functions were assessed by questionnaires (age, gender, pain intensity, duration of pain, radiating pain to leg, fear of injury/movement, depression, pain catastrophizing and internal control of pain).

House dust mite allergen avoidance and self-management in allergic patients with asthma: randomised controlled trial.

Background: The efficacy of bed covers that are impermeable to house dust mites has been disputed.

Aim: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the combination of 'house dust mite impermeable' covers and a self-management plan, based on peak flow values and symptoms, leads to reduced use of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) than self-management alone.

Design Of Study: Prospective, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Improving cardiovascular risk management: a randomized, controlled trial on the effect of a decision support tool for patients and physicians.

Background: There is nonoptimal adherence of general practitioners (GPs) and patients to cardiovascular risk reducing interventions. GPs find it difficult to assimilate multiple risk factors into an accurate assessment of cardiovascular risk. In addition, communicating cardiovascular risk to patients has proved to be difficult.

Psychosocial predictors of increases in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Objectives: To examine psychosocial predictors of changes in fruit and vegetable consumption.

Methods: Baseline psychosocial variables were used to explain differences in changes in consumption in 83 healthy women with children after they received free fruit and vegetables for one month.

Results: One-month changes in fruit consumption (mean 144; SE 16 g/day) were positively associated with perceived costs and perceived health benefits for the children, and negatively associated with perceived behavioral control.