Fatigue and health-related quality of life in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis after 2 years glatiramer acetate treatment are predicted by changes at 6 months: an observational multi-center study.

Observational studies of up to 12 months duration showed that glatiramer acetate (GA) treatment of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis may result in decreased fatigue and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL), with no changes in disability or mood. We investigated whether in the second year of treatment these improvements are sustained, disability or mood yet improved, and 2-year changes may be predicted by changes in the first 6 or 12 months. The multi-center FOCUS-Extension study was a prospective extension of the 12-month, international, observational FOCUS study and included 67 patients (38 treatment-naïve, 29 pre-treated) of the Dutch FOCUS cohort.

Adherence to monthly online self-assessments for short-term monitoring: a 1-year study in relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis patients after start of disease modifying treatment.

Background: The participation of neurologists and patients in studies on the effectiveness and safety of newly authorized drugs in multiple sclerosis (MS) is insufficient. Monthly online self-assessments using patient-reported outcomes may help in short-term monitoring of neurological changes and side effects.

Objective: Investigate in relapsing-remitting (RR) MS patients the adherence to monthly online self-assessments after the start of disease modifying treatment.

Late infective endocarditis of an atrial septal occluder device presenting as a cystic mass.

We report an atypical echocardiographic presentation of a vegetation in a patient with late infective endocarditis of an atrial septal defect (ASD) occluder device. Transesophageal echocardiography demonstrated a penduculated mass attached to the left atrial side of the occluder device. This mass presented as an oscillating echo free area surrounded by a membrane attached to the device by a thin stalk.

Safety evaluation of pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS): genotoxicity and sub-chronic studies.

Pectin-derived acidic oligosaccharides (pAOS) are non-digestible carbohydrates to be used in infant formulae and medical nutrition. To support its safety, the genotoxic potential of pAOS was evaluated. pAOS was not mutagenic in the Ames test.

Papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve: a rare cause of stroke.

We report a case of a 59-year-old woman with recurrent cerebrovascular insults caused by a papillary fibroelastoma of the aortic valve. Primary cardiac tumors are rare. Papillary fibroelastoma (PFE) is the most common valvular tumor and the second cardiac benign tumor after myxoma.

Androgenic activity in surface water samples detected using the AR-LUX assay: indications for mixture effects.

This paper describes the screening of 22 extracts from 18 different aquatic environmental samples for androgenic activity, including indirect and interactive effects on androgen receptor (AR)-mediated signal transduction, using the AR-LUX bioassay. Four samples, originating from an industrial wastewater treatment plant (WTP) or the river Meuse, were shown to contain substantial androgenic activity. Moreover, the samples originating from the industrial WTP showed an enhancement of the maximal androgenic response relative to that elicited by the standard androgen methyltrienolone (R1881) in the AR-LUX assay.

Developmental exposure to 4-hydroxy-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107): long-term effects on brain development, behavior, and brain stem auditory evoked potentials in rats.

In the present study the developmental neurotoxic effects of the PCB metabolite 4-OH-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107) were compared with effects caused by a mixture of parent polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners (Aroclor 1254). Pregnant female Wistar rats were exposed to 0.5 or 5 mg 4-OH-CB107, or 25 mg Aroclor 1254 per kg body weight from gestation days 10 to 16.

Effects of in utero exposure to 4-hydroxy-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107) on developmental landmarks, steroid hormone levels, and female estrous cyclicity in rats.

Previous studies have revealed that one of the major metabolites of PCBs detected in human blood, 4-OH-2,3,3',4',5-pentaCB (4-OH-CB107), accumulated in fetal liver, brain, and plasma and reduced maternal and fetal thyroid hormone levels after prenatal exposure to pregnant rats from gestational days (GD) 10-16. In the present study, the effects of 4-OH-CB-107 on developmental landmarks, steroid hormone levels, and estrous cyclicity of rat offspring after in utero exposure to 4-OH-CB107 was investigated. Pregnant rats were exposed to 0, 0.

Activation of the Ah receptor by extracts of dietary herbal supplements, vegetables, and fruits.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that can be activated by a structurally diverse range of synthetic and natural chemicals, and it mediates the toxic and biological effects of environmental contaminants such as 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD). The spectrum of chemicals that bind to and activate the AhR signal transduction pathway and the identity of materials containing AhR active chemicals is only now being defined. Utilizing AhR-dependent gel retardation and reporter gene bioassays, the screening of extracts of 22 dietary herbal supplements and 21 food products (vegetables and fruits) was performed to identify those containing AhR agonists.

Estrogenic and esterase-inhibiting potency in rainwater in relation to pesticide concentrations, sampling season and location.

In a year-round monitoring program (1998), pesticide composition and toxic potency of the mix of pollutants present in rainwater were measured. The goal of the study was to relate atmospheric deposition of toxic potency and pesticide composition to each other and to sampling period and local agricultural activity. Rainwater was collected in 26 consecutive periods of 14 days in a background location (BACK) and in two locations representative for different agricultural practices, i.

Botanical health products, positioning and requirements for effective and safe use.

Within the group of botanical products there is a large range of variation with regard to their properties. Some products are identical to foods while others come close to or are medicines. Botanical products are regulated differently within the different member states of the European Union (EU) and globally.

Embryotoxic potential of persistent organic pollutants extracted from tissues of guillemots (Uria aalge) from the Baltic Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.

The Baltic Sea is a heavily polluted area. To assess the current contaminant pressure on the common guillemot (Uria aalge) living there, whole-body extracts of guillemots from the Baltic Sea were prepared and subdivided over six fractions, which differed in composition due to lipophilicity and polarity of the contaminants. The fractions were tested in the chicken embryo assay and compared to fractions of Atlantic guillemot extracts.

Placental transfer of a hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyl and effects on fetal and maternal thyroid hormone homeostasis in the rat.

Earlier studies at our laboratory indicated that several hydroxylated polychlorinated biphenyls (OH-PCBs) detected in human blood could specifically inhibit thyroxine (T(4)) transport by competitive binding to the thyroid hormone transport protein transthyretin (TTR) in vitro. In the present study we investigated the effects of prenatal exposure to 5 mg/kg body weight of [14C]-labeled or unlabeled 4-OH-2,3,3',4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (4-OH-CB107), one of the major metabolites of PCBs detected in human blood, from gestation days (GD) 10 to 16 on thyroid hormone status and metabolism in pregnant rats and their fetuses at GD 17 and GD 20. 4-OH-CB107 is a metabolite of both 2,3,3',4,4'-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB-105) and 2,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (CB-118).

Detection of estrogenic activity in sediment-associated compounds using in vitro reporter gene assays.

Sediments may be the ultimate sink for persistent (xeno-)estrogenic compounds released into the aquatic environment. Sediment-associated estrogenic potency was measured with an estrogen receptor-mediated luciferase reporter gene (ER-CALUX) assay and compared with a recombinant yeast screen. The ER-CALUX assay was more sensitive to 17beta-estradiol (E2) than the recombinant yeast screen, with an EC50 of 6 pM E2 compared to 100 pM in the yeast screen.

The pro-oxidant chemistry of the natural antioxidants vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids and flavonoids.

Natural antioxidants like vitamin C, vitamin E, carotenoids, and polyphenols like flavonoids, are at present generally considered to be beneficial components from fruit and vegetables. The anti-oxidative properties of these compounds are often claimed to be responsible for various beneficial health effects of these food ingredients. Together these studies provide the basis for the present rapidly increasing interest for the use of natural antioxidants as functional food ingredients and/or as food supplements.

Imposex induction in laboratory reared juvenile Buccinum undatum by tributyltin (TBT).

Here we report a series of experiments on the development and occurrence of imposex in the common whelk, Buccinum undatum, under the influence of (chronic) exposure to butyltin compounds. The main objective of the experiments was to obtain more information about the effects of organotin compounds in the marine environment, which possibly relate to the reported decline of B. undatum in Dutch coastal waters.