Publications by authors named "Beek C"

Biological molecular machines play a pivotal role in sustaining life by producing a controlled and directional motion. Artificial molecular machines aim to mimic this motion, to exploit and tune the nanoscale produced motion to power dynamic molecular systems. The precise control, transfer, and amplification of the molecular-level motion is crucial to harness the potential of synthetic molecular motors.

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Boron- and nitrogen-doped polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (B-PAHs) have established a strong foothold in the realm of organic electronics. However, their catalytic potential remains largely untapped. In this study, we synthesise and characterise two bench stable B,N-doped PAH derivatives based on a 1,4-azaborinine motif.

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The data obtained in a clinical trial are facts and cannot formally be owned by anybody. However, knowledge that results from these facts can be proprietary and represents considerable commercial value. Clinical research with medicines or devices is often a collaboration between scientists and commercial companies, and this may generate a dilemma.

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The BTB/POZ family of proteins is widespread in plants and animals, playing important roles in development, growth, metabolism, and environmental responses. Although members of the expanded BTB/POZ gene family (OsBTB) have been identified in cultivated rice (Oryza sativa), their conservation, novelty, and potential applications for allele mining in O. rufipogon, the direct progenitor of O.

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The synthesis, characterization and catalytic activity of a new class of diruthenium hydrido carbonyl complexes bound to the PNNP expanded pincer ligand is described. Reacting PNNP with two equiv of RuHCl(PPh ) (CO) at 140 °C produces an insoluble air-stable complex, which was structurally characterized as [Ru ( PNNP)H(μ-H)Cl(μ-Cl)(CO) ] (1) using solid-state NMR, IR and X-ray absorption spectroscopies and follow-up reactivity. A reaction with KOtBu results in deprotonation of a methylene linker to produce [Ru ( PNNP )H(μ-H)(μ-OtBu)(CO) ] (3) featuring a partially dearomatized naphthyridine core.

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Several metalloenzymes, including [FeFe]-hydrogenase, employ cofactors wherein multiple metal atoms work together with surrounding ligands that mediate heterolytic and concerted proton-electron transfer (CPET) bond activation steps. Herein, we report a new dinucleating PNNP expanded pincer ligand, which can bind two low-valent iron atoms in close proximity to enable metal-metal cooperativity (MMC). In addition, reversible partial dearomatization of the ligand's naphthyridine core enables both heterolytic metal-ligand cooperativity (MLC) and chemical non-innocence through CPET steps.

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Background: To explore the effectiveness and safety of the gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist, Degarelix, for the treatment of advanced hormone-dependent prostate cancer (PCa) in a real-world setting.

Methods: In this noninterventional study, patients with advanced hormone-dependent PCa were included. Primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) failure defined as either prostate-specific antigen failure, additional therapy related to PCa, or death.

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It is established that electron transmission through chiral molecules depends on the electron's spin. This phenomenon, termed the chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS), effect has been observed in chiral molecules, supramolecular structures, polymers, and metal-organic films. Which spin is preferred in the transmission depends on the handedness of the system and the tunneling direction of the electrons.

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Unlabelled: Drought is a key environmental factor that restricts crop growth and productivity. Plant responses to water-deficit stress at the whole plant level are mediated by stress-response gene expression through the action of transcription factors (TF). The NAC (NAM/ATAF/CUC) transcription factor family has been well documented in its role in improving plant abiotic stress tolerance.

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Inferring the nature of disorder in the media where elastic objects are nucleated is of crucial importance for many applications but remains a challenging basic-science problem. Here we propose a method to discern whether weak-point or strong-correlated disorder dominates based on characterizing the distribution of the interaction forces between objects mapped in large fields-of-view. We illustrate our proposal with the case-study system of vortex structures nucleated in type-II superconductors with different pinning landscapes.

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Despite their ubiquity, self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of thiols on coinage metals are difficult to study and are still not completely understood, particularly with respect to the nature of thiol-metal bonding. Recent advances in molecular electronics have highlighted this deficiency due to the sensitivity of tunneling charge-transport to the subtle differences in the overall composition of SAMs and the chemistry of their attachment to surfaces. These advances have also challenged assumptions about the spontaneous formation of covalent thiol-metal bonds.

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Headache is one of the most common complaints for which patients request help from the general practitioner (GP). Anxiety and fear of serious illness are the most common reasons for consulting the GP, but a request for medication and worries about daily functioning can also prompt the consultation. In this educational article we describe a practical approach to the symptom 'headache' in adults on the basis of a number of questions.

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Objective: To assess the effect of transabdominal amnioinfusion or no intervention on long-term outcomes in children born after second-trimester prelabour rupture of the membranes (PROM between 16 -24  weeks) and oligohydramnios.

Population: Follow up of infants of women who participated in the randomised controlled trial: PPROMEXIL-III (NTR3492).

Methods: Surviving infants were invited for neurodevelopmental assessment up to 5 years of corrected age using a Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development or a Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence.

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Women's lifestyle has important implications for the development and health of their offspring. Yet little is known about the association between women's preconception dietary intake and physical activity with cardiovascular health of the offspring. We therefore examined this association in a group of Dutch women with overweight or obesity (BMI ≥ 29 kg/m) and infertility, who participated in a 6-month randomized preconception lifestyle intervention trial, and their offspring ( = 46).

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Objective: Does ovarian hyperstimulation and/or the in vitro procedure of assisted reproduction affect neurodevelopmental and physical health of the offspring?

Study Design: Infertile couples were randomly allocated to intrauterine insemination with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (IUI-COH), modified natural cycle in vitro fertilization (IVF-MNC) or single embryo transfer IVF (IVF-SET). We compared neurodevelopmental and physical health in childhood (4-7 years). We used age-appropriate questionnaires to assess behavioral problems (Child Behavior Check List (CBCL)) and executive functioning (Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF)).

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Obesity is a major public health problem. Children of women who were obese before or during pregnancy are at increased risk for neurobehavioral developmental problems. Whether a maternal lifestyle intervention conducted before and during pregnancy in obese women affects child neurobehavioral development is unknown.

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Introduction: The ProTWIN trial previously showed no beneficial effect of treatment with a cervical pessary vs usual care to prevent preterm birth in women with a multiple pregnancy. However, in women with a midtrimester short cervix (<38 mm), pessary did reduce the composite outcome of neonatal morbidity and mortality. This follow-up study evaluates the long-term outcomes of all children born to mothers who participated in the ProTWIN trial at 4 years of age.

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The tris-N-heterocycle germanide (tmim)Ge () (tmimH = tris(3-methylindol-2-yl)methane) was synthesized by nucleophilic substitution for the tmim trianion on GeCl·dioxane. In combination with the previously reported (tmim)Si and (tmim)P analogues, it provides a convenient model for investigating the influence of the central atom on the properties of isoelectronic ligands. Complexation of the germanide (tmim)Ge to CuCl resulted in the dimeric chloro cuprate [(tmim)GeCu(μ-Cl)] , which is prone to dissociation in MeCN to form the neutral, solvated germylcopper (tmim)GeCu(NCMe).

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Obesity before and during pregnancy leads to reduced offspring cardiometabolic health. Here, we systematically reviewed animal experimental evidence of maternal obesity before and during pregnancy and offspring anthropometry and cardiometabolic health. We systematically searched Embase and Medline from inception until January 2018.

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Maternal obesity in pregnancy is associated with neurobehavioral problems in the offspring. Establishing causality has been challenging in existing human studies, due to confounding by genetic and postnatal environment. Animal experiments can improve our understanding of this association.

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Background: The global prevalence of obesity in women keeps increasing. The preconception period may be a window of opportunity to improve lifestyle, reduce obesity and improve cardiometabolic health. This study assessed the effect of a preconception lifestyle intervention on long-term cardiometabolic health in two randomized controlled trials (RCTs).

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Background: Obesity and infertility are associated with poorer sexual function. We have previously shown that a lifestyle intervention in women with obesity and infertility reduced weight and improved cardiometabolic health and quality of life, which may positively affect sexual function. We now report on sexual function 5 years after randomization.

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Purpose: To identify demographic, (bio)physical, behavioral, and psychological determinants of successful lifestyle change and program completion by performing a secondary analysis of the intervention arm of a randomized-controlled trial, investigating a preconception lifestyle intervention.

Methods: The 6-month lifestyle intervention consisted of dietary counseling, physical activity, and behavioral modification, and was aimed at 5-10% weight loss. We operationalized successful lifestyle change as successful weight loss (≥ 5% weight/BMI ≤ 29 kg/m), weight loss in kilograms, a reduction in energy intake, and an increase in physical activity during the intervention program.

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