Requests for euthanasia in general practice before and after implementation of the Dutch Euthanasia Act.

Background: The Netherlands was the first country in the world to implement a Euthanasia Act in 2002. It is unknown whether legalizing euthanasia under strict conditions influences the number and nature of euthanasia requests.

Aim: To investigate changes in the number of, and reasons for, requests for euthanasia in Dutch general practice after implementation of the Euthanasia Act.

Influenza activity in Europe during eight seasons (1999-2007): an evaluation of the indicators used to measure activity and an assessment of the timing, length and course of peak activity (spread) across Europe.

Background: The European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS) has collected clinical and virological data on influenza since 1996 in an increasing number of countries. The EISS dataset was used to characterise important epidemiological features of influenza activity in Europe during eight winters (1999-2007). The following questions were addressed: 1) are the sentinel clinical reports a good measure of influenza activity? 2) how long is a typical influenza season in Europe? 3) is there a west-east and/or south-north course of peak activity ('spread') of influenza in Europe?

Methods: Influenza activity was measured by collecting data from sentinel general practitioners (GPs) and reports by national reference laboratories.

Internet-based monitoring of influenza-like illness (ILI) in the general population of the Netherlands during the 2003-2004 influenza season.

Background: An internet-based survey of influenza-like illness (ILI)--the Great Influenza Survey or GIS--was launched in the Netherlands in the 2003-2004 influenza season. The aim of the present study was to validate the representativeness of the GIS population and to compare the GIS data with the official ILI data obtained by Dutch GPs participating in the Dutch Sentinel Practice Network.

Method: Direct mailings to schools and universities, and repeated interviews on television and radio, and in newspapers were used to kindle the enthusiasm of a broad section of the public for GIS.

Opting-out systems: no guarantee for higher donation rates.

There are considerable differences in the number of organ donations between countries. It is assumed that opting-out systems have a significantly positive impact on the national organ donation rate. The aim of our study was to establish whether different consent systems explain the difference in organ donation rates between countries when taking into account the difference in relevant mortality rates.

Icodextrin reduces postoperative adhesion formation in rats without affecting peritoneal metastasis.

Background: Peroperative peritoneal trauma activates a cascade of peritoneal defense mechanisms responsible for postoperative adhesion formation. The same cascade seems to play a role in the process of intra-abdominal tumor recurrence. Icodextrin is a glucose polymer solution that is absorbed slowly from the peritoneal cavity, allowing prolonged "hydroflotation" of the viscera, thereby decreasing adhesion formation.

Increased tumor growth after high pressure pneumoperitoneum with helium and air.

Background: Tumor growth appears proportional to the pressure of carbon dioxide insufflation during laparoscopic surgery. Air and helium are alternative insufflation gases. The objective of this study is to assess tumor growth after air and helium insufflation at different pressures.

Human decay-accelerating factor expressed on rat hearts inhibits leukocyte adhesion.

In xenotransplantation the use of donors transgenic for recipient-type complement regulatory protein decay-accelerating factor (DAF/CD55) or membrane co-factor protein (MCP/CD46) protects grafts against hyperacute rejection (HAR), which is primarily mediated by xenoreactive natural antibodies and complement. In the Langendorff model, we previously demonstrated that rat hearts transgenic for human CD55 (hCD55), perfused with human serum, were protected against HAR. However, ex vivo, these hearts were found to be destroyed by a process occurring after the period of HAR.

Long-term impact of pneumoperitoneum used for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy on renal function and histomorphology in donor and recipient rats.

Objective: To investigate the long-term impact of pneumoperitoneum used for laparoscopic donor nephrectomy on renal function and histomorphology in donor and recipient.

Summary Background Data: Laparoscopic donor nephrectomy has the potential to increase the number of living kidney donations by reducing donor morbidity. However, function of laparoscopically procured kidneys might be at risk due to ischemia as a consequence of elevated intra-abdominal pressure during laparoscopy.

Prevention of adhesion to prosthetic mesh: comparison of different barriers using an incisional hernia model.

Objective: To assess whether use of antiadhesive liquids or coatings could prevent adhesion formation to prosthetic mesh.

Summary Background Data: Incisional hernia repair frequently involves the use of prosthetic mesh. However, concern exists about development of adhesions between viscera and the mesh, predisposing to intestinal obstruction or enterocutaneous fistulas.

No functional benefit for hDAF-transgenic rat livers despite protection from tissue damage following perfusion with human serum.

Currently, xenogeneic extracorporeal liver perfusion is used in the treatment of acute liver failure. In order to determine whether transgeneity for human regulatory proteins could improve the functional outcome of the ex-vivo liver in relation to the histopathological changes, we studied the effect of the humoral mechanism in xenogeneic isolated rat liver perfusion in normal and transgenic rat livers. Isolated rat liver perfusion was performed for 2 h in normal rat livers with Krebs Henseleit (KH) and human serum (HS), and in livers transgenic for human decay accelerating factor (hDAF; Tg HS).

Impact of temperature and humidity of carbon dioxide pneumoperitoneum on body temperature and peritoneal morphology.

Background: The insufflation of cold gas during laparoscopic surgery exposes patients to the risk for hypothermia. The objectives of this study were to investigate whether heating or humidification of insufflation gas could prevent peroperative hypothermia in a rat model, and to assess whether the peritoneum was affected by heating or humidification of the insufflation gas.

Methods: Rats were exposed to insufflation with either cold, dry carbon dioxide CO2 (group I); cold, humidified CO2 (group II); warm, dry CO2 (group III); or warm, humidified CO2 (group IV); another group underwent gasless laparoscopy (group V).

The inhibitory effect of (111)In-DTPA(0)-octreotide on intrahepatic tumor growth after partial hepatectomy.

Unlabelled: The aim of this animal study was to evaluate whether peptide receptor radionuclide therapy with (111)In-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA)(0)-octreotide was able to reduce tumor growth even under tumor growth-stimulating conditions induced by partial hepatectomy (PHx).

Methods: Rats underwent 70% PHx or sham operation. The development of hepatic metastases was determined 21 d after direct injection of somatostatin receptor (SS-R)-positive or SS-R-negative tumor cells into the portal vein.

Somatostatin receptor gene therapy combined with targeted therapy with radiolabeled octreotide: a new treatment for liver metastases.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of peptide receptor radionuclide therapy (PRRT) on somatostatin receptor (SSR)-transfected colon carcinoma cells in a rat liver metastases model.

Summary Background Data: Previously the authors have shown highly effective therapy with PRRT of SSR-positive tumors. This treatment is SSR-mediated; successful treatment is seen only in SSR-positive tumors, with no effect in SSR-negative tumors.

Frequencies of donor-reactive helper T lymphocytes correlate with rejection of aortic valve allografts in rats.

Background And Aims Of The Study: Human valve allografts are commonly used in cardiac surgery for congenital and acquired valve diseases. Particularly in the pediatric population, these allografts are prone to fail in the long term, and require replacement. In part, this failure may be due to immunological phenomena.