EV-Elute: A universal platform for the enrichment of functional surface marker-defined extracellular vesicle subpopulations.

Intercellular communication via extracellular vesicles (EVs) has been identified as a vital component of a steadily expanding number of physiological and pathological processes. To accommodate these roles, EVs have highly heterogeneous molecular compositions. Given that surface molecules on EVs determine their interactions with their environment, EV functionality likely differs between subpopulations with varying surface compositions.

Confirmatory testing of in a sexual health clinic: implications for epidemiology and treatment policy.

Objectives: European guidelines advise the use of dual nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) in order to minimise the inappropriate diagnosis of (Ng) in urogenital samples from low prevalence areas and in extragenital specimens. In this cross-sectional study, we investigated the effect of confirmatory testing and confirmation policy on the Ng-positivity in a population visiting the sexual health clinic in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Methods: Apart from urogenital testing, extragenital (oropharyngeal/anorectal) testing was performed for men who have sex with men (MSM) and according to sexual exposure for women and heterosexual men.

Fetal sex and maternal pregnancy outcomes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Since the placenta also has a sex, fetal sex-specific differences in the occurrence of placenta-mediated complications could exist.

Objective: To determine the association of fetal sex with multiple maternal pregnancy complications.

Search Strategy: Six electronic databases Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Central, Web-of-Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar were systematically searched to identify eligible studies.

Immunosuppressive drugs and the gastrointestinal tract in renal transplant patients.

Gastrointestinal (GI) discomfort is common after renal transplantation and can be caused by the use of various immunosuppressive drugs. GI symptoms affect the quality of life, lead to an impaired graft survival and an increased mortality. Moreover, diseases and disturbances of the GI tract also affect the pharmacokinetics of immunosuppressive drugs.

Lifestyle factors, cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality in middle-aged and elderly women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors, incidence and death increases from around the time of menopause comparing to women in reproductive age. A healthy lifestyle can prevent CVD, but it is unclear which lifestyle factors may help maintain and improve cardiovascular health for women after menopausal transition. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective cohort studies to evaluate the association between modifiable lifestyle factors (specifically smoking, physical activity, alcohol intake, and obesity), with CVD and mortality in middle-aged and elderly women.

The effects of lutein on respiratory health across the life course: A systematic review.

Background: Lutein, a fat-soluble carotenoid present in green leafy vegetables and eggs, has strong antioxidant properties and could therefore be important for respiratory health.

Design: We systematically reviewed the literature for articles that evaluated associations of lutein (intake, supplements or blood levels) with respiratory outcomes, published in Medline, Embase, Cochrane Central, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar, up to August 2014.

Results: We identified one Randomized Control Trial (RCT), two longitudinal, four prospective and six cross-sectional studies.

Plasma fatty acid patterns during pregnancy and child's growth, body composition, and cardiometabolic health: The Generation R Study.

Background: Exposure to different concentrations of fatty acids during fetal life may affect growth and metabolism. However, most studies examined individual fatty acids, whereas concentrations highly correlate and may interact with each other. We aimed to evaluate patterns of plasma fatty acids during pregnancy and their associations with growth, body composition, and cardiometabolic health of the 6-year-old offspring.

Mothers' intake of sugar-containing beverages during pregnancy and body composition of their children during childhood: the Generation R Study.

High intake of sugar-containing beverages (SCBs) has been linked to increased risk of obesity. However, associations of SCB intake during pregnancy with child body composition have been unclear. We explored whether SCB intake during pregnancy was associated with children's body mass index (BMI) and detailed measures of body composition.

Dietary acid load and blood pressure development in pregnancy: The Generation R Study.

Background & Aims: Dietary intake could induce a mild maternal metabolic acidosis that might lead to a higher level of blood pressure. Because studies in pregnancy are scarce, we evaluated the association between maternal dietary acid load and changes in blood pressure during pregnancy, pregnancy-induced hypertension and pre-eclampsia.

Methods: We included 3411 pregnant women of Dutch ancestry from a prospective population-based cohort (Rotterdam, The Netherlands).

Associations of Maternal Vitamin B12 Concentration in Pregnancy With the Risks of Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Individual Participant Data.

Vitamin B12 (hereafter referred to as B12) deficiency in pregnancy is prevalent and has been associated with both lower birth weight (birth weight <2,500 g) and preterm birth (length of gestation <37 weeks). Nevertheless, current evidence is contradictory. We performed a systematic review and a meta-analysis of individual participant data to evaluate the associations of maternal serum or plasma B12 concentrations in pregnancy with offspring birth weight and length of gestation.

Impacts on prenatal development of the human cerebellum: a systematic review.

Purpose: The cerebellum is essential for normal neurodevelopment and is particularly susceptible for intra-uterine disruptions. Although some causal prenatal exposures have been identified, the origin of neurodevelopmental disorders remains mostly unclear. Therefore, a systematic literature search was conducted to provide an overview of parental environmental exposures and intrinsic factors influencing prenatal cerebellar growth and development in humans.

Protein intake during pregnancy and offspring body composition at 6 years: the Generation R Study.

Purpose: Intra-uterine exposure to protein may affect body composition and may increase the prevalence of childhood adiposity. Therefore, we examined whether protein intake during pregnancy is associated with offspring body composition at the age of 6 years and whether associations differ for animal protein and vegetable protein.

Methods: We included 2694 Dutch mother-child pairs participating in a prospective population-based cohort in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

Maternal weight status, diet, and supplement use as determinants of breastfeeding and complementary feeding: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Context: Infant feeding practices are influenced by maternal factors.

Objective: The aim of this review is to examine the associations between maternal weight status or dietary characteristics and breastfeeding or complementary feeding.

Data Sources: A systematic literature search of the Embase, Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, MEDLINE, PubMed, and Web of Science databases was performed.

Maternal dietary patterns during pregnancy and offspring cardiometabolic health at age 6 years: The generation R study.

Background & Aims: Maternal nutrition during pregnancy might be important in influencing offspring cardiometabolic health. However, research has focused mostly on specific nutrients or total energy, and possible effects of whole diet are unclear. We aimed to assess the associations between different dietary patterns during pregnancy and offspring cardiometabolic health among 2592 mother-child pairs from Generation R, a prospective population-based cohort study from fetal life onwards in Rotterdam, the Netherlands.

The effects of lutein on cardiometabolic health across the life course: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The antioxidant lutein is suggested as being beneficial to cardiometabolic health because of its protective effect against oxidative stress, but evidence has not systematically been evaluated.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate systematically the effects of lutein (intake or concentrations) on cardiometabolic outcomes in different life stages.

Design: This is a systematic review with meta-analysis of literature published in MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central, Web of Science, PubMed, and Google Scholar up to August 2014.

Macronutrient composition and gestational weight gain: a systematic review.

Background: Abnormal gestational weight gain is associated with unfavorable pregnancy outcomes. Several risk factors have been identified, but the effect of macronutrient intake during pregnancy on gestational weight gain has not been systematically evaluated in both high-income countries and low- and middle-income countries.

Objective: We conducted a systematic review of the literature in 8 different databases (until 12 August 2015) to assess whether energy intake and macronutrient intake (i.

A Priori and a Posteriori Dietary Patterns during Pregnancy and Gestational Weight Gain: The Generation R Study.

Abnormal gestational weight gain (GWG) is associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. We examined whether dietary patterns are associated with GWG. Participants included 3374 pregnant women from a population-based cohort in the Netherlands.

Protein intake in early childhood and cardiometabolic health at school age: the Generation R Study.

Purpose: High protein intake in infancy has been linked to obesity. We aimed to examine the associations of protein intake in early childhood with cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes at school age.

Methods: This study was performed in 2965 children participating in a population-based prospective cohort study.

Maternal fish consumption, fatty acid levels and angiogenic factors: The Generation R Study.

Introduction: Angiogenic factors, such as placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble Flt-1 (sFlt-1), are key regulators of placental vascular development. Evidence from in vitro studies indicates that fatty acids can affect angiogenesis. We investigated the associations of maternal fish consumption and fatty acids levels with angiogenic factors during pregnancy, and in cord blood in a large population-based prospective cohort.

Gingiva laser welding: preliminary study on an ex vivo porcine model.

Objective: The use of lasers to fuse different tissues has been studied for 50 years. As none of these experiments concerned the oral soft tissues, our objective was to assess the feasibility of laser gingiva welding.

Materials And Methods: Porcine full-thickness gingival flaps served to prepare calibrated samples in the middle of which a 2 cm long incision was closed, either by conventional suture or by laser tissue welding (LTW).

Gastrointestinal symptoms in low-dose aspirin users: a comparison between plain and buffered aspirin.

Background: Aspirin is associated with gastrointestinal side effects such as gastric ulcers, gastric bleeding and dyspepsia. High-dose effervescent calcium carbasalate (ECC), a buffered formulation of aspirin, is associated with reduced gastric toxicity compared with plain aspirin in healthy volunteers, but at lower cardiovascular doses no beneficial effects were observed.

Aim: To compare the prevalence of self-reported gastrointestinal symptoms between low-dose plain aspirin and ECC.

Gastrointestinal symptoms in NSAID users in an 'average risk population': results of a large population-based study in randomly selected Dutch inhabitants.

Aim: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) use is widespread and associated with gastrointestinal symptoms and complications. The aims of this study were to assess (i) gastrointestinal symptoms in users of prescribed and over-the-counter (OTC) NSAIDs and (ii) proton pump inhibitor (PPI) co-prescription rates in NSAID users at increased risk for gastrointestinal complications.

Methods: Surveys were sent to a randomly selected sample of the adult Dutch general population in December 2008.

Antidepressants and gastrointestinal symptoms in the general Dutch adult population.

Background: Gastrointestinal symptoms are frequently reported adverse effects of antidepressants, but antidepressants are also a treatment modality in functional gastrointestinal disorders. We aimed to assess the association between antidepressant use and gastrointestinal symptoms in the general adult population.

Methods: We assessed gastrointestinal symptoms, medication use, and comorbidity through structured questionnaires in randomly selected individuals.

Online follow-up of individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease using a patient-reported outcomes instrument: results of an observational study.

Background: Many individuals with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) never visit their general practitioner. Therefore, prospective data about GERD and its natural history in the general population are scarce. The aims of this study were to assess symptoms over time and consultation reasons in an Internet population with GERD.