Publications by authors named "E S van den Akker"

Context: The growth hormone (GH) secretagogue receptor, encoded by GHSR, is expressed on somatotrophs of the pituitary gland. Stimulation with its ligand ghrelin, as well as its constitutive activity, enhances GH secretion. Studies in knock-out mice suggest that heterozygous loss-of-function of GHSR is associated with decreased GH response to fasting, but patient observations in small case reports have been equivocal.

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Importance: Metformin and glyburide monotherapy are used as alternatives to insulin in managing gestational diabetes. Whether a sequential strategy of these oral agents results in noninferior perinatal outcomes compared with insulin alone is unknown.

Objective: To test whether a treatment strategy of oral glucose-lowering agents is noninferior to insulin for prevention of large-for-gestational-age infants.

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Background: Previous spontaneous preterm birth (sPTB) is a strong risk indicator for recurrent preterm birth (PTB). Cervical cerclage is an accepted intervention to prevent recurrent PTB in high risk patients. Cervical pessary might be a less invasive alternative.

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Understanding how mechanical stress affects erythropoiesis is crucial to produce transfusable erythrocytes in fluid-turbulent bioreactors. We investigated the effects of shear-stress on differentiating CD49dCD235a primary human erythroblasts (EBL) at molecular, cellular, and functional level. Shear-stress, at differentiation onset, enhanced EBL maturation and induced upregulation of genes regulating cholesterol/lipids biosynthesis, causing changes in cell lipid composition.

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Across the lifespan, diet and physical activity profiles substantially influence immunometabolic health. DNA methylation, as a tissue-specific marker sensitive to behavioral change, may mediate these effects through modulation of transcription factor binding and subsequent gene expression. Despite this, few human studies have profiled DNA methylation and gene expression simultaneously in multiple tissues or examined how molecular levels react and interact in response to lifestyle changes.

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