Label-Free Characterization and Quantification of Mucosal Inflammation in Common Murine Colitis Models With Multiphoton Imaging.

Background: Clinical challenges in inflammatory bowel diseases require microscopic in vivo evaluation of inflammation. Here, label-free imaging holds great potential, and recently, our group demonstrated the advantage of using in vivo multiphoton endomicroscopy for longitudinal animal studies. This article extends our previous work by in-depth analysis of label-free tissue features in common colitis models quantified by the multiphoton colitis score (MCS).

DAPK1 loss triggers tumor invasion in colorectal tumor cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the leading cancer-related causes of death worldwide. Despite the improvement of surgical and chemotherapeutic treatments, as of yet, the disease has not been overcome due to metastasis to distant organs. Hence, it is of great relevance to understand the mechanisms responsible for metastasis initiation and progression and to identify novel metastatic markers for a higher chance of preventing the metastatic disease.

Inhibiting PGGT1B Disrupts Function of RHOA, Resulting in T-cell Expression of Integrin α4β7 and Development of Colitis in Mice.

Background & Aims: It is not clear how regulation of T-cell function is altered during development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). We studied the mechanisms by which geranylgeranyltransferase-mediated prenylation controls T-cell localization to the intestine and chronic inflammation.

Methods: We generated mice with T-cell-specific disruption of the geranylgeranyltransferase type I, beta subunit gene (Pggt1b), called Pggt1b mice, or the ras homolog family member A gene (Rhoa), called Rhoa mice.

Label-Free Multiphoton Endomicroscopy for Minimally Invasive In Vivo Imaging.

Multiphoton microscopy of cellular autofluorescence and second harmonic generation from collagen facilitates imaging of living cells and tissues without the need for additional fluorescent labels. Here, a compact multiphoton endomicroscope for label-free in vivo imaging in small animals via side-viewing needle objectives is presented. Minimal invasive imaging at cellular resolution is performed in colonoscopy of mice without surgical measures and without fluorescent dyes as a contrast agent.

Inhibiting Interleukin 36 Receptor Signaling Reduces Fibrosis in Mice With Chronic Intestinal Inflammation.

Background & Aims: Intestinal fibrosis is a long-term complication in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) that frequently results in functional damage, bowel obstruction, and surgery. Interleukin (IL) 36 is a group of cytokines in the IL1 family with inflammatory effects. We studied the expression of IL36 and its receptor, interleukin 1 receptor like 2 (IL1RL2 or IL36R) in the development of intestinal fibrosis in human tissues and mice.

Like a bridge over troubled water--Opening pathways for integrating social sciences and humanities into nuclear research.

Research on nuclear technologies has been largely driven by a detachment of the 'technical content' from the 'social context'. However, social studies of science and technology--also for the nuclear domain--emphasize that 'the social' and 'the technical' dimensions of technology development are inter-related and co-produced. In an effort to create links between nuclear research and innovation and society in mutually beneficial ways, the Belgian Nuclear Research Centre started fifteen years ago a 'Programme of Integration of Social Aspects into nuclear research' (PISA).

Communication in nuclear emergency preparedness: a closer look at information reception.

Preparedness of the general population plays a key role in the effective implementation of protective actions in case of a nuclear emergency (e.g., evacuation or intake of iodine tablets).

Attitude of a group of Belgian stakeholders towards proposed agricultural countermeasures after a radioactive contamination: synthesis of the discussions within the Belgian EC-FARMING group.

In the case of radioactive contamination of the environment with an impact on the food chain, the remediation strategy will not only be based on scientific knowledge and technical experience, but will also be dictated by peculiarities of the country. These characteristics include the agro-industrial structure, the local and international economical contexts and the political configuration including the distribution of responsibilities and competencies. This paper identifies and illustrates the most relevant characteristics of the Belgian agricultural system and political environment; it also describes the past experience with food chain contamination, which is expected to influence the attitude of Belgian stakeholders, who would be involved in the setting up of countermeasure strategies for maintaining agricultural production and food safety.

Achievements, difficulties and future challenges for the FARMING network.

The EC FARMING network (Food and Agriculture Restoration Management Involving Networked Groups) was set up to bring together the many and diverse stakeholders who would be involved in intervention following wide scale radioactive contamination of the food chain, so that acceptable strategies can be developed for maintaining agricultural production and safe food supply. The network comprises stakeholder panels in the UK, Finland, Belgium, France and Greece that have met regularly since 2001 to debate, discuss and exchange opinion on the acceptability, constraints and impact of various countermeasure options and strategies. The objectives of this paper are to consolidate the main achievements of the FARMING project over the period 2000-2004, to highlight the various difficulties that were encountered and to discuss the challenges for engaging stakeholders in off-site emergency management and long-term rehabilitation in the future.

An inquiry of the opinions of the French and Belgian populations as regards risk.

IRSN (France) and SCK-CEN (Belgium), two institutes of research and expertise in radiation protection and nuclear safety, simultaneously organised a very similar public opinion survey in their respective countries in November 2002. The study explores subjects such as: major people's concerns, perception of environmental risks, perception of risks in general, the role of experts in decision making, opinions on nuclear matters and aspects of nuclear emergency preparedness. In each country, more than 1000 citizens representing the general public have been consulted in face-to-face interviews.

Integrating nursing research and practice--the role of the researcher as teacher.

For the past two decades authors have discussed the lack of research-based nursing practice. Many explanations are afforded but few focus on the way in which the researcher plans to involve staff in each stage of the process. The desire by practitioners to become researchers has been confounded in the main by increasing pressures on staff and a failure to realise that special training and opportunities are necessary for the generation and fruition of research ideas.

Clinical trial of sustained-release artificial tears in keratoconjunctivitis sicca and Sjögren's syndrome.

The effect of sustained-release artificial tear inserts on symptoms and signs of reduced tear production in keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) was evaluated in an open clinical trial including 30 patients. A significant relief of sicca symptoms and a decrease in keratoconjunctival staining were seen in 10 patients fulfilling the study, whereas no significant effect on Schirmer test and tear break-up-time could be detected, neither in patients with pure KCS nor with KCS as a manifestation of Sjögren's syndrome. Twenty patients (67%) withdrew due to adverse effects, which were reported in total 80% of the patients.

Autofluorescence in the identification of myocardial infarcts.

A method is described for demonstrating myocardial necrosis by changes in the autofluorescence of routine hematoxylin and eosin or hematoxylin and eosin-phloxine stained sections using a standard microscope with an epifluorescence attachment. Regions of necrosis fluoresce with a brilliant yellow color clearly distinguishable from the dull olive-green to red-brown fluorescence of the neighboring viable cardiac muscle.