Dysregulation of placental endothelial lipase in obese women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective: This study addressed the hypothesis that placental endothelial lipase (EL) expression is affected by pregnancies complicated by obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Research Design And Methods: EL expression in placental tissues from pregnancies complicated by obesity, GDM, or obesity combined with GDM (obese-GDM) was analyzed by quantitative RT-PCR. Moreover, primary placental cells were isolated and treated with insulin, glucose, leptin, or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and EL expression was measured.

Interventions for preventing gestational diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is increasing worldwide. GDM is associated with increased risks for mother and child during pregnancy and in later life. The aim of this article is to systematically review literature on the effectiveness of interventions to prevent GDM.

The effectiveness of a perinatal education programme on smoking, infant care, and psychosocial health for ethnic Turkish women.

Objective: antenatal programmes might be effective in preventing unhealthy lifestyles, poor maternal infant care practices, and poor psychosocial health in ethnic minority women, but there are few evidence-based interventions. For this reason an antenatal education programme, called 'Happy Mothers, Happy Babies' (HMHB) was systematically designed for ethnic Turkish women in the Netherlands.

Design: in a non-randomised trial Turkish women attending HMHB (HMHB group) were compared with those receiving care as usual (control group).

Postpartum behaviour as predictor of weight change from before pregnancy to one year postpartum.

Background: Postpartum weight retention affects many women and increases the risk of becoming overweight. The research objective was to study modifiable factors contributing to weight change at one year postpartum.

Methods: In this prospective cohort, postpartum behavior, such as physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and intake of total energy, total fat and saturated fatty acids of 118 Dutch women were assessed in 2003/2004 by self-report at 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months postpartum.

Cost-utility analysis of a one-time supervisor telephone contact at 6-weeks post-partum to prevent extended sick leave following maternity leave in The Netherlands: results of an economic evaluation alongside a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Working women of childbearing age are a vital part of the population. Following childbirth, this group of women can experience a myriad of physical and mental health problems that can interfere with their ability to work. Currently, there is little known about cost-effective post-partum interventions to prevent work disability.

Correlation analysis of noise and ultrafine particle counts in a street canyon.

Ultrafine particles (UFP, diameter<100 nm) are very likely to negatively affect human health, as underlined by some epidemiological studies. Unfortunately, further investigation and monitoring are hindered by the high cost involved in measuring these UFP. Therefore we investigated the possibility to correlate UFP counts with data coming from low-cost sensors, most notably noise sensors.

The role of pre-pregnancy physical activity and sedentary behaviour in the development of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) complicates approximately 3-11% of pregnancies and increases the risk on prenatal morbidity and later development of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Physical activity and sedentary behaviour are thought to play a role in the development of GDM, independent of overweight and obesity. The aim of this study was to examine the relationships between physical activity, sedentary behaviour and the development of GDM using a population-based prospective cohort study.

Cost-effectiveness of lumbar supports for home care workers with recurrent low back pain: an economic evaluation alongside a randomized-controlled trial.

Study Design: Economic evaluation from a societal perspective alongside a 12-months randomized-controlled trial.

Objective: To determine the cost-effectiveness of wearing a lumbar support for home care workers with recurrent low back pain (LBP) (secondary prevention).

Summary Of Background Data: LBP is a large medical and economical burden.

Longitudinal 2 years field study of conventional vaccination against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in layer hens.

A licensed, inactivated vaccine based on a low pathogenic avian influenza virus strain (H5N2) was evaluated in layer hens kept under field conditions during a 2-year period. Vaccine efficacy was investigated by specific antibodies and by challenge-contact experiments using highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIV) H5N1. Basic immunization with two applications induced clinical protection.

Maternal depressive symptoms in relation to perinatal mortality and morbidity: results from a large multiethnic cohort study.

Objective: To explore whether 1) maternal depressive symptoms during pregnancy are associated with preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age (SGA), a low Apgar score and child loss; 2) maternal smoking mediates the associations; and 3) the associations differ by ethnic background.

Methods: Pregnant women in Amsterdam were approached during their first prenatal visit to participate in the Amsterdam Born Children and their Development study. They filled out a questionnaire covering sociodemographic data, life-style, and (psychosocial) health.

Self-administered physical activity questionnaires for the elderly: a systematic review of measurement properties.

Objective: To systematically review and appraise studies examining self-administered physical activity questionnaires (PAQ) for the elderly. This article is one of a group of four articles in Sports Medicine on the content and measurement properties of PAQs. LITERATURE SEARCH METHODOLOGY: Searches in PubMed, EMBASE and SportDiscu (until May 2009) on self-administered PAQ.

Physical activity questionnaires for adults: a systematic review of measurement properties.

Many questionnaires have been developed to measure physical activity (PA), but an overview of the measurement properties of PA questionnaires is lacking. A summary of this information is useful for choosing the best questionnaire available. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate and compare measurement properties of self-administered questionnaires assessing PA in adults.

Physical activity questionnaires for youth: a systematic review of measurement properties.

Because of the diversity in available questionnaires, it is not easy for researchers to decide which instrument is most suitable for his or her specific demands. Therefore, we systematically summarized and appraised studies examining measurement properties of self-administered and proxy-reported physical activity (PA) questionnaires in youth. Literature was identified through searching electronic databases (PubMed, EMBASE using 'EMBASE only' and SportDiscus) until May 2009.

Qualitative attributes and measurement properties of physical activity questionnaires: a checklist.

The large number of available physical activity (PA) questionnaires makes it difficult to select the most appropriate questionnaire for a certain purpose. This choice is further hampered by incomplete reporting and unsatisfactory evaluation of the content and measurement properties of the questionnaires. We provide a checklist for appraising the qualitative attributes and measurement properties of PA questionnaires, as a tool for selecting the most appropriate PA questionnaire for a certain target population and purpose.

Determinants of the intention for using a lumbar support among home care workers with recurrent low back pain.

In most effectiveness studies on lumbar supports for patients with low back pain, insufficient data are reported about adherence. In a secondary preventive RCT, we found beneficial effects and a good adherence among home care workers with low back pain. To target the use of lumbar supports on those patients who can benefit optimally from usage, we need to know why people are adherent.

Intradermal testing of horses with and without insect bite hypersensitivity in The Netherlands using an extract of native Culicoides species.

Intradermal tests using a Culicoides nubeculosus extract have proven unreliable for diagnosis of equine insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in the Netherlands. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of an extract derived from the Dutch species C. obsoletus and C.

A tailored lifestyle intervention to reduce the cardiovascular disease risk of individuals with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH): design of the PRO-FIT randomised controlled trial.

Background: Because of a high cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in people with Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH), early prevention of cardiovascular disease is important for health gain and cost reduction. This project focuses on the development and evaluation of an innovative intervention aiming to reduce CVD risk by promoting a healthy lifestyle among people with FH.

Methods: This project is designed as a randomised controlled trial in which individuals with FH will be assigned randomly to a control or intervention group.

Correlates of absolute and excessive weight gain during pregnancy.

Objective: Factors associated with weight gain during pregnancy that may be linked to maternal overweight and obesity were examined.

Methods: In this observational study, 144 women reported on demographics, (prepregnancy) body weight, and lifestyles in self-reported questionnaires at 30 weeks gestation. Body weight at the end of pregnancy (self-reported at 6 weeks postpartum) was used to determine total gestational weight gain.

Efficacy of a commercial inactivated H5 influenza vaccine against highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 in waterfowl evaluated under field conditions.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) can cause devastating losses in the poultry industry. In addition, several HPAIV exhibit a zooanthroponotic potential and can cause fatal infections in humans. These attributes particularly apply to HPAIV H5N1 of Asian origin.

The relationship between overweight and obesity, and sick leave: a systematic review.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between overweight and obesity and sick leave.

Design: Systematic, qualitative review.

Literature Search: A search in diverse databases was performed.

Design of FitFor2 study: the effects of an exercise program on insulin sensitivity and plasma glucose levels in pregnant women at high risk for gestational diabetes.

Background: Pregnancy is a period in the life of women that is often associated with decreased daily physical activity and/or exercise. However, maintaining adequate levels of daily physical activity during pregnancy is important for mother and child. Studies suggest that moderate daily physical activity and exercise during pregnancy are associated with reductions in the risk of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).

Exposure assessment of a cyclist to PM10 and ultrafine particles.

Estimating personal exposure to air pollution is a crucial component in identifying high-risk populations and situations. It will enable policy makers to determine efficient control strategies. Cycling is again becoming a favorite mode of transport both in developing and in developed countries due to increasing traffic congestion and environmental concerns.

The effect of a topical insecticide containing permethrin on the number of Culicoides midges caught near horses with and without insect bite hypersensitivity in the Netherlands.

Insect bite hypersensitivity (IBH) in horses is most likely caused by Culicoides species, although other insects may also play a role. Until now no effective cure has been found for this condition, although numerous therapeutic and preventive measures have been used to control insect hypersensitivity. One such method is to apply a topical insecticide to horses.

Lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of low back pain.

Background: Lumbar supports are used in the treatment of low-back pain patients, to prevent the onset of low-back pain (primary prevention) or to prevent recurrences of a low-back pain episode (secondary prevention).

Objectives: To assess the effects of lumbar supports for prevention and treatment of non-specific low-back pain.

Search Strategy: We updated the search in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, PubMed, EMBASE, and CINAHL to December 2006.

Lumbar supports to prevent recurrent low back pain among home care workers: a randomized trial.

Background: People use lumbar supports to prevent low back pain. Secondary analyses from primary preventive studies suggest benefit among workers with previous low back pain, but definitive studies on the effectiveness of supports for the secondary prevention of low back pain are lacking.

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of lumbar supports in the secondary prevention of low back pain.