Biomedical students' satisfaction with and engagement in laboratory e-learning support are related to their self-regulation.

Laboratory e-learning support tools can assist students' learning while preparing for laboratory classes. To successfully work in such virtual experimental environments (VEEs) outside class, students require self-regulated learning (SRL) skills. A deeper understanding of the continuous reciprocal interactions between SRL, satisfaction, and online engagement is needed to develop more effective online learning experiences.

Comparison of next-generation sequencing and mutation-specific platforms in clinical practice.

Objectives: To compare next-generation sequencing (NGS) platforms with mutation-specific analysis platforms in a clinical setting, in terms of sensitivity, mutation specificity, costs, capacity, and ease of use.

Methods: We analyzed 25 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded lung cancer samples of different size and tumor percentage for known KRAS and EGFR hotspot mutations with two dedicated genotyping platforms (cobas [Roche Diagnostics, Almere, The Netherlands] and Rotor-Gene [QIAGEN, Venlo, The Netherlands]) and two NGS platforms (454 Genome Sequencer [GS] junior [Roche Diagnostics] and Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine [Life Technologies, Bleiswijk, The Netherlands]).

Results: All platforms, except the 454 GS junior, detected the mutations originally detected by Sanger sequencing and high-resolution melting prescreening and detected an additional KRAS mutation.

Differential effects of sulfonylurea derivatives on vascular ATP-sensitive potassium channels.

Sulfonylurea drugs exert their insulinotropic action by inhibiting ATP-sensitive potassium channels in the pancreas. However, these channels are also expressed in myocardial and vascular smooth muscle, implicating possible detrimental cardiovascular effects. Aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory potency of various widely used sulfonylurea drugs in resistance arteries.

Formaldehyde substitute fixatives: effects on nucleic acid preservation.

Aims: In surgical pathology, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues are increasingly being used as a source of DNA and RNA for molecular assays in addition to histopathological evaluation. However, the commonly used formalin fixative is carcinogenic, and its crosslinking impairs DNA and RNA quality.

Methods: The suitability of three new presumably less toxic, crosslinking (F-Solv) and non-crosslinking (FineFIX, RCL2) alcohol-based fixatives was tested for routine molecular pathology in comparison with neutral buffered formalin (NBF) as gold standard.

CD248 facilitates tumor growth via its cytoplasmic domain.

Background: Stromal fibroblasts participate in the development of a permissive environment for tumor growth, yet molecular pathways to therapeutically target fibroblasts are poorly defined. CD248, also known as endosialin or tumor endothelial marker 1 (TEM1), is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on activated fibroblasts. We recently showed that the cytoplasmic domain of CD248 is important in facilitating an inflammatory response in a mouse model of arthritis.

Wickerhamomyces anomalus in the sourdough microbial ecosystem.

We previously found that Wickerhamomyces anomalus (formerly Hansenula anomala, Pichia anomala) was the second most frequently isolated yeast in Belgian artisan bakery sourdoughs and that the yeast dominated laboratory sourdough fermentations. Such findings are of interest in terms of the advantage of W. anomalus over other commonly encountered sourdough yeasts and its potential introduction into the sourdough ecosystem.

CD248 and its cytoplasmic domain: a therapeutic target for arthritis.

Objective: CD248 is a transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on the surface of activated perivascular and fibroblast-like cells. This study was undertaken to explore the function of CD248 and its cytoplasmic domain in arthritis.

Methods: Synovial tissue biopsy samples from healthy controls, from patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and from patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) were stained for CD248.

Impaired neurogenesis, learning and memory and low seizure threshold associated with loss of neural precursor cell survivin.

Background: Survivin is a unique member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family in that it exhibits antiapoptotic properties and also promotes the cell cycle and mediates mitosis as a chromosome passenger protein. Survivin is highly expressed in neural precursor cells in the brain, yet its function there has not been elucidated.

Results: To examine the role of neural precursor cell survivin, we first showed that survivin is normally expressed in periventricular neurogenic regions in the embryo, becoming restricted postnatally to proliferating and migrating NPCs in the key neurogenic sites, the subventricular zone (SVZ) and the subgranular zone (SGZ).

Role of the 2 zebrafish survivin genes in vasculo-angiogenesis, neurogenesis, cardiogenesis and hematopoiesis.

Background: Normal growth and development of organisms requires maintenance of a dynamic balance between systems that promote cell survival and those that induce apoptosis. The molecular mechanisms that regulate these processes remain poorly understood, and thus further in vivo study is required. Survivin is a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein (IAP) family, that uniquely also promotes mitosis and cell proliferation.

Preoperative prediction of severe postoperative pain.

We developed and validated a prediction rule for the occurrence of early postoperative severe pain in surgical inpatients, using predictors that can be easily documented in a preoperative setting. A cohort of surgical inpatients (n=1416) undergoing various procedures except cardiac surgery and intracranial neurosurgery in a University Hospital were studied. Preoperatively the following predictors were collected: age, gender, type of scheduled surgery, expected incision size, blood pressure, heart rate, Quetelet index, the presence and severity of preoperative pain, health-related quality of life the (SF-36), Spielberger's State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and the Amsterdam Preoperative Anxiety and Information Scale (APAIS).

Sulphonylurea drugs reduce hypoxic damage in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

Sulphonylurea drugs have been shown to protect against hypoxic damage in isolated proximal tubules of the kidney. In the present study we investigated whether these drugs can protect against hypoxic damage in a whole kidney preparation. Tolbutamide (200 microM) and glibenclamide (10 microM) were applied to the isolated perfused rat kidney prior to changing the gassing from oxygen to nitrogen for 30 min.

Active lucifer yellow secretion in renal proximal tubule: evidence for organic anion transport system crossover.

Recent studies show that organic anion secretion in renal proximal tubule is mediated by distinct sodium-dependent and sodium-independent transport systems. Here we investigated the possibility that organic anions entering the cells on one system can exit into the lumen on a transporter associated with the other system. In isolated rat kidneys perfused with 10 microM lucifer yellow (LY, a fluorescent organic anion) plus 100 micrograms/ml inulin, the LY-to-inulin clearance ratio averaged 1.

Disposition of 4-methylbenzoylglycine in rat isolated perfused kidney and effects of hippurates on renal mitochondrial metabolism.

Hippurates tend to accumulate within proximal tubule cells during renal secretion. High intracellular concentrations can alter proximal tubular function or lead to tubular toxicity. In this study we examined the renal disposition of the hippurate 4-methylbenzoylglycine, a compound known for its high renal intrinsic clearance in-vivo.

Rhodamine 123 accumulates extensively in the isolated perfused rat kidney and is secreted by the organic cation system.

Rhodamine 123 has been shown to be a substrate for P-glycoprotein in multidrug resistant cells. In the present investigation the disposition of rhodamine 123 was studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney. After exposing the kidneys to perfusate concentrations ranging from 10 to 1000 ng/ml, the renal clearance was 4-1 times the clearance by glomerular filtration, respectively, indicating active and saturable secretion of rhodamine 123.

Glomerular filtration and saturable absorption of iohexol in the rat isolated perfused kidney.

1. The renal handling of iohexol was examined in the rat isolated perfused kidney (IPK) over a perfusate concentration range of 5-20 micrograms ml-1. 2.

Renal excretion and accumulation kinetics of 2-methylbenzoylglycine in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

The effect of protein binding on kidney function has been studied by investigating the renal accumulation and secretion of the hippurate analogue 2-methylbenzoylglycine in the isolated perfused rat kidney in the absence and presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA). Experiments were performed with either 2.5% pluronic or a combination of 2.

Disposition of the bromosulfophthalein-glutathione conjugate in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

Renal elimination of the bromosulfophthalein-glutathione conjugate (BSP-GSH) after its i.v. administration in the rat in vivo is negligible.

The prevalence of patent lungworm infections in herds of dairy cows in The Netherlands.

The results of a survey on the prevalence of patent lungworm infections in herds of dairy cows in the Netherlands are presented. Low patent infections were recorded in February-March on six out of 40 farms in at least one out of 40 cows. Between mid-April and mid-June low patent infections were detected on 28 out of 39 of these farms in one to four of 40 cows.

Specialized home care for patients with AIDS: an experiment in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Patients with AIDs are permanently dependent on medical and technical nursing care. During a certain phase of the disease some of the patients have to visit the out-patient clinic of the hospital for regular treatment. It was noticed that AIDS patients find these visits a severe burden.

Renal tubular transport of cimetidine in the isolated perfused kidney of the rat.

The renal handling of cimetidine (pKa = 6.8) was studied in the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK). Concentrations in the therapeutic range (< 10 micrograms/ml) had little adverse effects on the functional parameters of the IPK, and even a concentration of 250 micrograms/ml still had only minor effects.

Carboxy-terminal phenylalanine is essential for the correct assembly of a bacterial outer membrane protein.

Bacterial outer membrane proteins are supposed to span the membrane repeatedly, mostly in the form of amphipathic beta-sheets. The last ten C-terminal amino acid residues of PhoE protein are supposed to form such a membrane-spanning segment. Deletion of this segment completely prevents incorporation into the outer membrane.

Indometacin: renal handling and effects in the isolated perfused rat kidney.

We investigated renal handling and effects of indometacin on renal function in the isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK). Indometacin concentrations less than 2.5 ng/ml did not influence renal function, while higher concentrations caused a decrease in urinary flow and electrolyte excretion.

Isolated perfused rat kidney as a tool in the investigation of renal handling and effects of nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs.

An isolated perfused rat kidney (IPK) preparation is described in which renal perfusion flow, perfusion pressure, urinary flow, urinary pH, and glomerular filtration rate (GFR) are recorded continuously during the perfusion experiment. The usefulness of this IPK system in studying the renal handling and the effects of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is shown using salicyluric acid (SU), salicylic acid (SA), and naproxen (NA). Excretion of SU involves glomerular filtration, active secretion, and passive reabsorption.