Publications by authors named "Brands M"

Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a progressive inherited retinal dystrophy, characterized by the degeneration of photoreceptors, presenting as a rod-cone dystrophy. Approximately 20-30% of patients with RP also exhibit extra-ocular manifestations in the context of a syndrome. This manuscript discusses the broad spectrum of syndromes associated with RP, pathogenic mechanisms, clinical manifestations, differential diagnoses, clinical management approaches, and future perspectives.

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Blood pressure variability (BPV) has emerged as a novel risk factor for cognitive decline and dementia, independent of alterations in average blood pressure (BP). However, the underlying consequences of large BP fluctuations on the neurovascular complex are unknown. We developed a novel mouse model of BPV in middle-aged mice based on intermittent Angiotensin II infusions.

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  • This study explores the preferences and risk tolerance regarding gene therapy among patients with different lysosomal storage disorders, including Gaucher disease, Fabry disease, and mucopolysaccharidosis type III A/B.
  • Using a survey designed based on previous focus group findings, researchers assessed how individuals valued various aspects of gene therapy against their current treatment options.
  • Results indicated that patients with more severe disease tended to have higher risk tolerance for gene therapy, with Gaucher disease respondents generally preferring standard care, while those with mucopolysaccharidosis type III were more open to the risks associated with gene therapy.
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  • This study investigates the link between wet work conditions and moderate-to-very-severe hand eczema (HE) using a job exposure matrix (JEM) in the Dutch general population.
  • With data from the Lifelines Cohort Study, researchers found significant connections between various wet work factors and HE, particularly in female participants.
  • The findings highlight the need for further observational research to clarify these associations, especially considering the limitations of the JEM approach.
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Background: To enable personalized treatment and shared decision-making in chronic care, relevant health information is collected. However, health information is often fragmented across hospital information systems, digital health apps, and questionnaire portals. This also pertains to hemophilia care, in which scattered information hampers integrated care.

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  • The study evaluated the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia (SARA) for its reliability and validity in patients with neurological symptoms from lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), particularly Niemann-Pick disease type C and GM2 Gangliosidoses.
  • Data from three clinical trials involving 122 patients and 703 visits were analyzed, focusing on retest reliability, responsiveness, and identifying meaningful changes in SARA scores through various global impression assessments.
  • Results showed high reliability (ICC of 0.95+) and minimal change in SARA scores over time, with patient interviews indicating that a one-point improvement on the SARA scale is clinically significant for patients' everyday lives.
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The donor-acceptor (D-A) dye 4-(bis-4-(5-(2,2-dicyano-vinyl)-thiophene-2-yl)-phenyl-amino)-benzoic acid (P1) has been frequently used to functionalize NiO photocathodes and induce photoelectrochemical reduction of protons when coupled to a suitable catalyst. Photoinduced twisting of the P1 dye is steered on NiO by co-adsorption of tetradecanoic acid (C, myristic acid (MA)). Density Functional Theory and time-resolved photoluminescence studies confirm that twisting lowers the energy levels of the photoexcited D-A dye.

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Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) is an ultra-rare lysosomal storage disease with a broad spectrum of manifestations ranging from severe neuropathic forms to attenuated, chronic visceral forms. Manifestations of the chronic visceral subtype are variable and encompass different degrees of hepatosplenomegaly, pulmonary disease and dyslipidemia. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the natural course of adult patients with the chronic visceral subtype.

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NiO electrodes are widely applied in p-type dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) and photoelectrochemical cells, but due to excessive charge recombination, the efficiencies of these devices are still too low for commercial applications. To understand which factors induce charge recombination, we studied electrodes with a varying number of NiO layers in benchmark P1 p-DSSCs. We obtained the most efficient DSSCs with four layers of NiO (0.

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Rationale: Gaucher disease (GD), an autosomal recessive lysosomal storage disease, results from GBA1 variants causing glucocerebrosidase (GCase) deficiency. While enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) helps with systemic symptoms, neurological complications in GD2 and GD3 persist due to the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) limiting ERT efficacy. Ambroxol, a BBB-permeable chaperone, enhances GCase activity.

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  • - Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR) is a genetic disorder linked to mutations in the OAT gene, leading to severe vision loss and high ornithine levels due to impaired enzyme function.
  • - The study identified 14 pathogenic variants in the OAT gene, with a specific mutation (p.(Gly353Asp)) found in all Dutch patients, which was shown to result in enzyme dysfunction and prevent effective pyridoxine treatment.
  • - Researchers developed a new diagnostic approach that includes enzymatic analysis of OAT and pyridoxine response tests to improve understanding of GACR and aid in managing patient expectations regarding treatment outcomes.
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  • Gyrate atrophy of the choroid and retina (GACR) is a genetic disorder that causes progressive eye degeneration and significant vision loss, highlighting the importance of understanding its clinical characteristics for future treatments.
  • A study of 19 patients showed an early onset of eye symptoms, with many requiring cataract surgery by their late twenties, and demonstrated a link between early dietary protein restriction and improved outcomes in some cases.
  • The findings stress the severe nature of GACR, including complications like severe myopia and cystoid maculopathy, underlining the need for early diagnosis to facilitate timely interventions and improve patient quality of life.
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Background: Individuals with genetic neurodevelopmental disorders (GNDs) or intellectual disability (ID) are often affected by complex neuropsychiatric comorbidities. Targeted treatments are increasingly available, but due to the heterogeneity of these patient populations, choosing a key outcome and corresponding outcome measurement instrument remains challenging.

Objectives: The aim of this scoping review was to describe the research on outcomes and instruments used in clinical trials in GNDs and ID.

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HMG (high mobility group) proteins are a diverse family of nonhistone chromosomal proteins that interact with DNA and a wide range of transcriptional regulators to regulate the structural architecture of DNA. HMGXB4 (also known as HMG2L1) is an HMG protein family member that contains a single HMG box domain. Our previous studies have demonstrated that HMGXB4 suppresses smooth muscle differentiation and exacerbates endotoxemia by promoting a systemic inflammatory response in mice.

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Co(aPPy) is one of the most stable and active molecular first-row transition-metal catalysts for proton reduction reported to date. Understanding the origin of its high performance via mechanistic studies could aid in developing even better catalysts. In this work, the catalytic mechanism of Co(aPPy) was electrochemically probed, in both organic solvents and water.

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Sitosterolemia is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder in which patients develop hypercholesterolemia and may exhibit abnormal hematologic and/or liver test results. In this disease, dysfunction of either ABCG5 or ABCG8 results in the intestinal hyperabsorption of all sterols, including cholesterol and, more specifically, plant sterols or xenosterols, as well as in the impaired ability to excrete xenosterols into the bile. It remains unknown how and why some patients develop hematologic abnormalities.

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For years, cancer has been one of the diseases that causes the greatest disease burden in the Netherlands. Cancer does not only have a huge impact on patients and their loved ones, but also on society and healthcare. If the number of cancer patients increases further in the coming years, this impact will only aggravate.

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  • - Volanesorsen is an RNA therapy that has shown effectiveness in reducing triglyceride (TG) levels in a 13-year-old girl with lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency, a rare disorder that can lead to severe complications like pancreatitis.
  • - The study observed that after starting weekly injections of Volanesorsen, TG levels dropped significantly, with no hospitalizations for pancreatitis in the first 14 months, unlike the patient's previous 21 admissions over a similar timeframe.
  • - The treatment was well-tolerated, highlighting an improved quality of life for both the patient and her family, and suggesting the need for broader access to Volanesorsen for pediatric patients with LPL deficiency.
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  • A study in the Dutch general population aimed to evaluate the prevalence of presenteeism and sickness absence related to hand eczema (HE).
  • Among the 3,703 participants with HE, 2.7% reported presenteeism, with a notably higher rate (19.8%) among those with severe HE, while only 0.5% reported sickness absence.
  • Factors such as higher education and income were linked to lower presenteeism, while severe HE cases, chronic conditions, and wet occupations increased the likelihood of presenteeism, suggesting a need for further research on the impact of HE on work attendance and symptom severity.
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Sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) is commonly utilized as a therapeutic to treat metabolic acidosis in people with chronic kidney disease (CKD). While increased dietary sodium chloride (NaCl) is known to promote volume retention and increase blood pressure, the effects of NaHCO3 loading on blood pressure and volume retention in CKD remain unclear. In the present study, we compared the effects of NaCl and NaHCO3 loading on volume retention, blood pressure, and kidney injury in both 2/3 and 5/6 nephrectomy remnant kidney rats, a well-established rodent model of CKD.

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Background: Niemann-Pick disease type C is a rare lysosomal storage disorder. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of -acetyl-l-leucine (NALL), an agent that potentially ameliorates lysosomal and metabolic dysfunction, for the treatment of Niemann-Pick disease type C.

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial, we randomly assigned patients 4 years of age or older with genetically confirmed Niemann-Pick disease type C in a 1:1 ratio to receive NALL for 12 weeks, followed by placebo for 12 weeks, or to receive placebo for 12 weeks, followed by NALL for 12 weeks.

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  • Hydrogen peroxide (HO) is a green oxidant with potential as an energy carrier, and its photochemical production is a more sustainable alternative to traditional methods that are wasteful and energy-intensive.* -
  • Researchers developed iron oxide nanoparticles that effectively produce HO using visible light, achieving over 99% purity and allowing for catalyst recycling up to four times.* -
  • The study demonstrated a productivity rate of at least 1.7 mmol g L h for HO production, with further feasibility under sunlight and seawater conditions, and introduced a proposed mechanism based on experimental and computational findings.*
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