Multiple sclerosis as a generalized CNS disease--comparative microarray analysis of normal appearing white matter and lesions in secondary progressive MS.

We used microarrays to compare the gene expression profile in active lesions and donor-matched normal appearing white matter (NAWM) from brain autopsy samples of patients with secondary progressive multiple sclerosis (MS) with that from controls who died from non-neurological diseases. The 123 genes in lesions, and 47 genes in NAWM(MS) were differentially expressed. Lesions distinguished from NAWM(MS) by a higher expression of genes related to immunoglobulin synthesis and neuroglial differentiation, while cellular immune response elements were equally dysregulated in both tissue compartments.

Recurrence rate of pre-eclampsia in women with thrombophilia influenced by low-molecular-weight heparin treatment?

Objectives: (1) To assess the recurrence rate of pre-eclampsia in women with this history before 34 weeks of pregnancy and thrombophilia. (2) To evaluate the effects of low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) on pregnancy outcome.

Methods: In a multicentre retrospective study subsequent pregnancies of women with a history of pre-eclampsia necessitating birth before 34 weeks and thrombophilia were analysed.

Role of IDO activation in anti-microbial defense in human native astrocytes.

The most serious complication of human toxoplasmosis is the development of toxoplasmic encephalitis. It is well established that in the brain Toxoplasma gondii is able to replicate in microglial cells, astrocytes and neurons, and that all three cell types can harbor toxoplasma cysts. The role of astrocytes in the defense against toxoplasma is not clear.

Interleukin 10-2849AA genotype protects against pre-eclampsia.

Recently, it has been described that human fertility is associated with the interleukin 10 (IL10) -2849 AA genotype. Pre-eclampsia is the most common pregnancy-specific complication. In the pathogenesis of pre-eclampsia, IL10 may affect maternal intravascular inflammation as well as endothelial dysfunction.

[Pregnancy and chronic hypertension: risks and policy].

Chronic hypertension occurs in 5% of pregnancies and can threaten the life of the mother and the fetus. Chronic hypertension should be evaluated before pregnancy; special attention should be paid to the existence of organ damage and the presence of an acceptable incentive for treatment. The risk of complications of chronic hypertension in pregnancy should be discussed with the couple before pregnancy.

CX3CL1 and CX3CR1 expression in human brain tissue: noninflammatory control versus multiple sclerosis.

An important role for CX3CL1 in neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration has been suggested in recent publications. In this study, we compared the expression of CX3CL1 and its receptor CX3CR1 in human brain tissue derived from control patients without neurological complications and in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients. Results from this study demonstrate that CX3CL1 is constitutively expressed in human central nervous system (CNS) astrocytes in vivo and under basal conditions in human adult astrocyte cultures.

Remyelinated lesions in multiple sclerosis: magnetic resonance image appearance.

Background: Various types of pathologic mechanisms in multiple sclerosis (MS) can alter magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signals, and the appearance of remyelinated lesions on MRI is largely unknown.

Objective: To describe the MRI appearance of remyelinated lesions in MS.

Design: Comparison of postmortem MRI findings with histopathologic findings.

Nutritional intake and daily functioning of psychogeriatric nursing home residents.

Background: The level of observed daily functioning in psychogeriatric nursing home patients may be related to nutrient intake and body weight.

Objective: Relationships between nutrient intake, weight and daily functioning were assessed in nursing home residents.

Design: A descriptive, correlational design added by a experimental (repeated measurements) model was used to compare 3-day food records of 90 elderly psycho-geriatric residents filled in by the caretakers every 8 weeks during a period of 6 months.

Detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in women with atypical squamous or glandular cells of undetermined significance cytology: a prospective study.

Background: (1) To assess the prevalence of histologically confirmed cervical intraepithelial neoplasia in patients with cervical smears diagnosed as atypical squamous or glandular cells of undetermined significance. (2) To evaluate the role of colposcopy and the presence of human papillomavirus in detecting underlying cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Materials And Methods: In this prospective cohort, 148 women with atypical squamous or glandular cells of undetermined significance were evaluated by colposcopy, histological sampling, and human papillomavirus deoxyribonucleic acid testing.

Contrasting effects of N and P deprivation on the regulation of photosynthesis in tomato plants in relation to feedback limitation.

The effects were studied of both nitrogen and phosphorus limitation and irradiance on the performance and operation of photosynthesis in tomato leaves (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.). Plants were grown at low N, high N, low P or high P supply and at two irradiances.

Matrix metalloproteinase-12 is expressed in phagocytotic macrophages in active multiple sclerosis lesions.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are proteases involved in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling, leukocyte infiltration into lesions and myelin degradation in the central nervous system (CNS) disease multiple sclerosis (MS). We have investigated whether MMP-12 (macrophage metalloelastase) is expressed in MS lesions at various stages. In control patient tissue and (p)reactive MS lesions, only occasional microglial and astrocyte staining was detected.

[Nutrition and health--vitamin supplementation and the vitality of the elderly].

The increasing number of elderly people above 65 years of age is extremely heterogeneous with regard to sickness and health. As a result, the nutritional needs and food consumption also vary. 'Anorexia of aging', leading to nutritional deficiencies, is a common syndrome in the elderly people and may be either caused by or result in loss of functions and accelerated aging.

Leptin and insulin responses to a four-day energy-deficient diet in men with different weight history.

Objective: To assess the leptin responses to a 4-day energy-restricted diet in men with different weight history; high retrospective weight gain was expected to be associated with a small decline in leptin.

Design: Changes in fasting leptin and insulin were measured during a 4-day controlled intervention, in which men with high retrospective weight gain and men who had stable weight consumed 35% of their estimated energy needs.

Subjects: A total of 44 healthy men (age: 31-52 y, BMI: 22.

Undernutrition in the European SENECA studies.

The SENECA study, which sampled a cohort of community-dwelling persons born between 1913 and 1918 in 12 European countries in baseline (1988), follow up (1993), and final (1999) surveys, found a relatively high risk of malnutrition despite a low prevalence of actual malnourishment. The results point out the importance of monitoring nutritional status in healthy elderly adults.

Proteinases and their inhibitors in the immune system.

The most important roles of proteinases in the immune system are found in apoptosis and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-mediated antigen presentation. A variety of cysteine proteinases, serine proteinases, and aspartic proteinases as well as their inhibitors are involved in the regulation of apoptosis in neutrophils, monocytes, and dendritic cells, in selection of specific B and T lymphocytes, and in killing of target cells by cytotoxic T cells and natural killer cells. In antigen presentation, endocytosed antigens are digested into antigenic peptides by both aspartic and cysteine proteinases.

Energy balance and malnutrition in institutionalized elderly people.

Screening tools and more extensive assessment methods have signaled that malnutrition is common in institutionalized elderly. There are multiple factors - physiologic and non-physiologic - which hereby increase the risk of negative energy balance leading to weight loss and subsequent undesirable outcomes. Addressing this problem a number of controlled intervention studies have shown positive effects of 'simple' nutrition interventions in institutionalized older persons.

Axonal damage in the spinal cord of MS patients occurs largely independent of T2 MRI lesions.

Objective: To determine the degree of axonal damage in relationship to signal abnormalities on T2-weighted high-resolution MRI in spinal cord tissue of patients with MS.

Methods: Spinal cord specimens of nine patients with MS and four controls were imaged at high resolution (4.7 T) in an axial plane and scored for lesions with increased signal intensity (SI).

Weight and weight gain at 4 months (The Netherlands 1998): influences of nutritional practices, socio-economic and ethnic factors.

We describe the determinants of weight gain in the first 4 months of life in a cohort of 3256 infants. The study was designed as a survey with follow-up. In the period 1 April to 1 July 1998, all infants, usually 4 weeks old but not older than 4 months, brought to a well-baby clinic for the first time were included.

Interactive effects of nitrogen and irradiance on growth and partitioning of dry mass and nitrogen in young tomato plants.

The interactive effects of irradiance and N on growth of young tomato plants (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) were studied. Plants were grown at 70 or 300 μmol photons m s, hereafter referred to as 'low' and 'high' irradiance, and at a range of exponential N supply rates (70-370 mg g d) or at a constant concentration in the nutrient solution of 12 mM NO3.

Pregnant women with a low milk intake have an increased risk of developing preeclampsia.

Objective: Several studies have suggested a relation between calcium intake and preeclampsia. In this study, we test the hypothesis that a low calcium intake by milk products increases the risk of developing preeclampsia in The Netherlands, a country where milk consumption is assumed to be high.

Study Design: We conducted a case-control study of 163 women with preeclampsia during 1991-1996.

[The pregnant patient with acute liver disease].

Acute liver disease was diagnosed in three pregnant patients: two 30-year-old women had a 'haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelets' (HELLP) syndrome and acute fatty liver of pregnancy, respectively, and a 20-year-old woman had acute liver failure due to acute hepatitis B. The first two patients had a caesarean section, the third one delivered her child, which died spontaneously shortly after birth at a gestational age of 23 weeks. She was then treated by liver transplantation.

Human follicular dendritic cells: function, origin and development.

Follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) have important functions in the selection of memory B lymphocytes during germinal center reactions (GCR). They present native antigens to potential memory cells, of which only B cells with high affinity B cell receptors (BCR) can bind. These B lymphocytes survive, whereas nonbinding B cells undergo apoptotic cell death.