Combining Passive Sampling and Dosing to Unravel the Contribution of Hydrophobic Organic Contaminants to Sediment Ecotoxicity.

Contaminated sediments are ubiquitous repositories of pollutants and cause substantial environmental risks. Results of sediment bioassays remain difficult to interpret, however, as observed effects may be caused by a variety of (un)known stressors. This study aimed therefore to isolate the effects of hydrophobic organic contaminants from other (non)chemical stressors present in contaminated sediments, by employing a newly developed passive sampling-passive dosing (PSPD) test.

Enlarging the Arsenal of Test Species for Sediment Quality Assessment.

Since only a few standard benthic test species are available for sediment quality, our study aimed to employ multiple test species representing different sensitivity categories in the quality assessment of contaminated sediments. To this end three macroinvertebrate species, Sericostoma personatum (caddisfly, sensitivity category 10), Asellus aquaticus (isopod, category 3) and Chironomus riparius (chironomid, category 2), were exposed to sediments originating from various contamination sources in whole sediment bioassays using intact sediment cores. The agricultural sediment caused insect mortality, the agricultural and urban sediment caused isopod growth reduction and the urban and Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) sediment affected chironomid emergence time.

Contribution of sediment contamination to multi-stress in lowland waters.

Water bodies in densely populated lowland areas are often impacted by multiple stressors. At these multi-stressed sites, it remains challenging to quantify the contribution of contaminated sediments. This study, therefore, aimed to elucidate the contribution of sediment contamination in 16 multi-stressed drainage ditches throughout the Netherlands.

[Nasal toilet in infants with rhinitis: nasal passage crucial, so treat with xylometazoline].

A good nasal passage is crucial for neonates and infants, as they rely on obligate nasal breathing. Feeding problems and dyspnoea are commonly seen in infants with nasal obstruction.In this article, we emphasize the importance of relieving nasal congestion caused by an infection.

Advancements in effect-based surface water quality assessment.

Legally-prescribed chemical monitoring is unfit for determining the pollution status of surface waters, and there is a need for improved assessment methods that consider the aggregated risk of all bioavailable micropollutants present in the aquatic environment. Therefore, the present study aimed to advance effect-based water quality assessment by implementing methodological improvements and to gain insight into contamination source-specific bioanalytical responses. Passive sampling of non-polar and polar organic compounds and metals was applied at 14 surface water locations that were characterized by two major anthropogenic contamination sources, agriculture and wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluent, as well as reference locations with a low expected impact from micropollutants.

Smarter Sediment Screening: Effect-Based Quality Assessment, Chemical Profiling, and Risk Identification.

Sediments play an essential role in the functioning of aquatic ecosystems but simultaneously retain harmful compounds. However, sediment quality assessment methods that consider the risks caused by the combined action of all sediment-associated contaminants to benthic biota are still underrepresented in water quality assessment strategies. Significant advancements have been made in the application of effect-based methods, but methodological improvements can still advance sediment risk assessment.

The association of early combined lactate and glucose levels with subsequent renal and liver dysfunction and hospital mortality in critically ill patients.

Background: The development of renal and liver dysfunction may be accompanied by initially subtle derangements in the gluconeogenetic function. Discrepantly low glucose levels combined with high lactate levels might indicate an impaired Cori cycle. Our objective was to examine the relation between early lactate and glucose levels with subsequent renal and liver dysfunction and hospital mortality in critically ill patients.

Confronting diversity in the production of clinical evidence goes beyond merely including under-represented groups in clinical trials.

There is increasing evidence that outcomes of health care differ by patient characteristics, such as gender and ethnicity. If evidence-based medicine is to improve quality of care for all patients, it is essential to take this diversity into account when designing clinical studies. So far, this notion has mainly been translated into recommendations for including minority populations in trials.

Public participation in genomics research in the Netherlands: validating a measurement scale.

Nowadays, new technologies, like genomics, cannot be developed without the support of the public. However, although interested, the public does not always actively participate in science issues when offered the opportunity via public participation activities. In a study aimed at validating a measurement scale, first, we investigated if public participation existed, and, secondly, we investigated how levels of public participation in genomics research varied among groups.

The extended reconstruction of the pubocervical layer appears superior to the simple plication of the bladder adventitia concerning anterior colporrhaphy: a description of two techniques in an observational retrospective analysis.

Aims: This observational retrospective analysis was done to compare the plication of the bladder adventitia with the reconstruction of the pubocervical layer concerning the reoperation rate for recurrent cystocele.

Methods: Sixty-five patients underwent an anterior vaginal wall repair using traditional techniques. In 11 patients, the prolapse was corrected by simply plicating the adventitia of the posterior bladder wall (group A), and in 54 patients the pubocervical layer was rebuilt using structures of the endopelvic fascia following far lateral dissection of the vaginal flaps (group B).

[A neonate with an abnormal perineum].

A term newborn girl was examined directly post partum. Between the vulval fourchette (frenulum labiorum pudendi) and the anterior side of the anus a perineal defect was noticed, known as a perineal groove. This is a congenital wet sulcus, lined with mucous membrane.

Community-level determinants of tobacco use disparities in lesbian, gay, and bisexual youth: results from a population-based study.

Objective: To determine whether characteristics of the social environment surrounding lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) youth contribute to their rates of tobacco use after controlling for established community-level risk factors.

Design: Cross-sectional.

Setting: Population-based study of youth.

Positioning functional foods in an ecological approach to the prevention of overweight and obesity.

To contribute to the social debate about the role of functional foods in the prevention of overweight and obesity using an ecological model to study the positioning of functional foods and their social implications. Positioning was conceptualized as the relative attention given to functional foods within the range of preventive strategies, and the way in which they address specific causes of overweight. A systematic review was conducted to identify (A) preventive strategies aiming at the individual; (B) technological approaches; and (C) environmental strategies.

Connecting pre-marketing clinical research and medical practice: opinion-based study of core issues and possible changes in drug regulation.

Objectives: To identify core issues that contribute to the gap between pre-marketing clinical research and practice as seen from the perspective of medical practice, as well as possible changes and potential barriers for dosing this gap.

Methods: Interviews with 47 physicians and pharmacists who were liaised to drug regulation through their role in the pre- and post-marketing shaping of new cardiovascular drugs. Data were analyzed using methods of grounded theory and analytical evaluations.

Clinical relevance of the gap between pre-marketing trials and medical practice: the case of the cardiovascular drugs.

Objectives/background: The external validity of trial results of new cardiovascular drugs is limited, because the short-term studies are performed with relatively small, highly selected populations. Using qualitative methods, we examined the clinical relevance of under-representation of subgroups of patients, and the underlying arguments.

Methods: Interviews with 47 physicians and pharmacists involved in the pre- or post-marketing evaluation of cardiovascular drugs, addressing the issue in general and for two new drugs, losartan and atorvastatin, in particular.

Assessment of new cardiovascular drugs. Relationships between considerations, professional characteristics, and prescribing.

Objectives: To study considerations used by professional and academic leaders to assess the position of new cardiovascular drugs in the therapeutic regimen in relationship to professional characteristics and the level of prescribing.

Methods: Interviews with 39 internists, cardiologists, general practitioners, and hospital pharmacists about considerations regarding the therapeutic position and prescribing of a new cardiovascular drug (losartan or atorvastatin) and professional characteristics. Considerations were classified according to Rogers' characteristics of an innovation, i.

Comparative trials in registration files of cardiovascular drugs: comparator drugs and dosing schemes.

Registration files of 13 cardiovascular drugs were analysed with respect to the number of double-blind phase-III clinical trials, the use of placebo and active comparator drugs and their dosing schemes. Half of the 146 double-blind trials used active comparator drugs. The majority of files included first-choice reference drugs, but we also found trials in three files with lower dosing schemes of comparator drugs and four files which included only placebo or active controlled double-blind trials.

Co-morbidity of 'clinical trial' versus 'real-world' patients using cardiovascular drugs.

Purpose: To examine discrepancies between co-morbidity of patients included in pre-marketing clinical trials of cardiovascular drugs and patients from daily practice, representing the actual users after marketing, and to investigate the availability of data regarding co-morbidity in registration files.

Methods: Data were collected from phase III trials of registration files of 16 drugs, registered in the Netherlands in the period 1985 through 1994 for the indications hypertension, angina pectoris or hypercholesterolemia, and from a general practitioners database. Patients were selected who used drugs from the same therapeutic classes for the same indication as the patients in the pre-marketing trials.

Cardiovascular drugs: discrepancies in demographics between pre- and post-registration use.

Objectives: To study discrepancies in demographic characteristics between patients participating in pre-registration phase III trials of cardiovascular drugs, registered in the Netherlands, and patient populations in daily practice representing the actual users of the drugs after registration.

Methods: Comparison of age and sex distribution in registration files of 15 cardiovascular drugs [angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor antagonists, calcium channel blockers, beta-adrenergic blocking agents, vasodilators, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors and thrombolytics] with patients selected from a general practitioner (GP) registration database, who had received prescriptions for drugs from the therapeutic classes for the registered indications (hypertension, hypercholesterolaemia or angina pectoris) or were diagnosed with myocardial infarction. Moderate discrepancy was defined as more than 10% difference between the populations, large discrepancy by more than 20% difference.

Perceived behavioural control, unrealistic optimism and dietary change: an exploratory study.

In the context of five dietary changes conducive to reductions in fat consumption, a short questionnaire was constructed to examine the applicability of the theory of planned behaviour and to assess the presence of the phenomenon of "unrealistic optimism". An extension to the theory of planned behaviour was also included, in the form of a "self-identity" measure assessing identification with concern about the health consequences of diet. The questionnaire was completed by 612 members of the general public at three different locations in the U.

The gap between legal rules and practice in advertising non-registered pharmaceutical products. A new method of analysis.

The market of non-registered pharmaceutical products is growing fast in number and overall costs, not only in the Netherlands, but also in other European countries. These products often give the impression that the consumer may expect 'an effect as from a drug'. Legally, there is a clear distinction between 'drugs' and 'commodities' in the Netherlands; the question is whether legislation and practice concur.

Activity of gentian violet and brilliant green against some microorganisms associated with skin infections.

The antimicrobial activity of gentian violet and brilliant green was tested against various strains of potential skin pathogens, by means of agar diffusion assay. The activity of both compounds was affected by pH. Gentian violet was found to be more active than brilliant green at pH 7.

The suitability of some preservatives in chloroquine phosphate syrup.

In Third World countries chloroquine phosphate syrup is frequently prepared with chloroform as a preservative. Because of the toxic side effects of chloroform the suitability of a number of possible alternatives were investigated. If the chloroquine phosphate syrup is prepared as such, the combination of sorbic acid (1.