Cloning of oleosin, a putative new hazelnut allergen, using a hazelnut cDNA library.

The clinical presentation of non-pollen related allergy to hazelnut can be severe and systemic. So far, only a limited number of non-pollen related hazelnut allergens have been identified and characterized. The aim of this study was to identify and clone new hazelnut allergens.

Thyroid diseases and cerebrovascular disease.

Background And Purpose: Acute cerebral ischemia has been described in different diseases of the thyroid gland, and not only as a result of thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation and cardioembolic stroke. The purpose of this review is to summarize the studies on the relationship between thyroid diseases and cerebrovascular diseases, discussing the main findings for overt hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism, as well as for subclinical thyroid dysfunction.

Summary Of Review: In overt hyperthyroidism, cardioembolic stroke is clearly associated to thyrotoxic atrial fibrillation, and in subclinical hyperthyroidism with serum thyroid-stimulating hormone levels <0.

Prognostic value of echocardiography and spiral computed tomography in patients with pulmonary embolism.

Purpose Of Review: The identification of patients with pulmonary embolism who are at risk for mortality or severe morbidity in the early observation period is important because these patients may benefit from more aggressive initial treatment such as thrombolysis or catheter removal of the thrombus. Right ventricular dysfunction has been suggested to have a prognostic value for the occurrence of these adverse outcomes. The purpose of this review is to determine the prevalence and prognostic value of right ventricular dysfunction, in particular in normotensive patients with pulmonary embolism.

Determination of co-receptor usage of HIV-1.

In addition to CD4, HIV-1 uses chemokine receptors for entry in their target cells. The most important chemokine receptors in this respect are beta-chemokine receptor 5 (CCR5) and alpha-chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4). Coreceptor usage is an important feature of the biological phenotype of HIV-1 variants.

Determination of cell tropism of HIV-1.

With the discovery that changes in the biological properties of HIV-1 correlate with the progression to disease, it became more and more important to develop assays to distinguish between the viral phenotypes. In this chapter, it is described how the biological phenotype of HIV-1 with regard to cellular tropism can be determined on primary monocyte-derived macrophages, established T-cell lines: MT2, SupT1, and H9, and promonocytic cell lines: U937, HL-60, and THP-1.

Isolation, propagation, and titration of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 from peripheral blood of infected individuals.

HIV-1 can be isolated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells and is easily propagated on primary cells in vitro. Here we describe the method for bulk isolation of the HIV-1 quasispecies and a limiting dilution virus isolation protocol by which single coexisting clones can be obtained. In addition, methods for propagation and titration of HIV-1 are provided.

The ICAM-1 antisense oligonucleotide ISIS-3082 prevents the development of postoperative ileus in mice.

Intestinal manipulation (IM) during abdominal surgery triggers the influx of inflammatory cells, leading to postoperative ileus. Prevention of this local muscle inflammation, using intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and leukocyte function-associated antigen-1-specific antibodies, has been shown to shorten postoperative ileus. However, the therapeutic use of antibodies has considerable disadvantages.

M-study; arguments for regional trauma databases.

Background: The TRISS methodology, in combination with coefficients derived from the Major Trauma Outcome Study (MTOS), is the most widely used outcome prediction model for the care of trauma patients. Utilizing the M-statistic, different populations of trauma patients can be compared with the population originally enrolled in the MTOS.

Purpose: We hypothesized that databases outside of North-America would not be well matched to the MTOS study and thus the TRISS methodology would not accurately predict outcome in these different populations.

Adolescence, schizophrenia and drug abuse: a window of vulnerability.

Objective: To discuss the neurobiological and psychosocial developmental factors in adolescence contributing to simultaneous onset and co-occurrence of psychosis and substance use disorders.

Method: A review of the literature.

Results: Adolescence is a period with specific psychosocial challenges and specific changes in the brain that increase the probability of the onset of both psychosis and substance abuse, in predisposed people.

Stress is not associated with thyroid peroxidase autoantibodies in euthyroid women.

Objective: Multiple genes and environmental factors play a role in the etiology of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD). In Graves' hyperthyroidism, stress is such an environmental factor, but whether it plays a role in Hashimoto's hypothyroidism is unknown. We used validated questionnaires to evaluate an association between TPO antibodies, an early marker for AITD, and self-reported stress.

Levels of natural IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine in healthy individuals and in patients undergoing isolated limb perfusion.

Natural IgM antibodies against phosphorylcholine (anti-Pc IgM) resemble C-reactive protein (CRP) regarding specificity and have gained increasing attention because of their supposed role in clearance of damaged cells and in cardiovascular disease. In order to quantify these antibodies in human plasma, we have developed an ELISA system, in which p-aminophenylphosphorylcholine (PCH) coupled to human serum albumin (HSA) was coated on microtiters plates. Human plasma or serum samples were incubated in the plates, after which bound anti-Pc IgM was detected with mouse anti-human IgM-HRP.

Training of police officers as first responders with an automated external defibrillator.

Unlabelled: A short and effective training programme is an essential prerequisite for the use of automated external defibrillators (AED) by EMS providers and first responders. We evaluated a 3-h AED course based on the ERC requirements.

Methods: As part of a study evaluating the effectiveness of AEDs used by first responders (ARREST 4), we trained all police officers in the region of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

Expression profiling via novel multiplex assay allows rapid assessment of gene regulation in defined signalling pathways.

The current interest in expression of groups of functionally related genes creates a demand for novel experimental tools. We describe a multiplex ligation-dependent amplification procedure (RT-MLPA), which accurately quantifies up to 45 transcripts of interest in a one-tube assay. The output, a set of fluorescent DNA fragments, is analysed via capillary sequencer and spreadsheet software.

Retrospective analysis of early postoperative hearing results obtained after stapedotomy with implantation of a new titanium stapes prosthesis.

Objective: To evaluate the early postoperative hearing results of a new titanium stapes prosthesis (K-Piston) implanted in patients with otosclerosis.

Study Design: A retrospective analysis of preoperative and early postoperative hearing thresholds.

Setting: One tertiary referral and teaching hospital.

Rat C-reactive protein activates the autologous complement system.

Activation of complement is a biological function of human C-reactive protein (hCRP), whereas rat CRP (rCRP) has been claimed to be unable to activate complement. As important biological functions of proteins are probably conserved among species, we re-evaluated, using various ligands, the capability of rCRP to activate complement. The activation of complement by hCRP and rCRP was investigated in solid- and fluid-phase systems.

Killing cancer by targeting genes that cancer cells have lost: allele-specific inhibition, a novel approach to the treatment of genetic disorders.

Oligonucleotide-based drugs are now rapidly establishing themselves as an important tool in both research and treatment of genetic disorders. In the past many problems were encountered in using antisense oligonucleotides. Our expanding knowledge and new oligonucleotide chemistries are giving us the chance to treat serious genetic disorders such as cancer in novel, elegant and effective ways not previously possible.

Interobserver variation in duplex scanning of infrainguinal arterial bypass grafts.

Objective: to determine the degree of interobserver variation of color-flow duplex scanning of infrainguinal arterial bypass grafts.

Methods: two experienced vascular technologists randomly assessed bypass grafts in 32 consecutive patients, using a color-flow duplex scan. In pre-defined segments the highest peak systolic velocity (PSV(max)) and end-diastolic velocity (EDV) were measured and a peak systolic velocity ratio (PSV ratio) was calculated.

In vivo tumor growth inhibition and biodistribution studies of locked nucleic acid (LNA) antisense oligonucleotides.

Locked nucleic acids (LNA) are novel high-affinity DNA analogs that can be used as genotype-specific drugs. The LNA oligonucleotides (LNA PO ODNs) are very stable in vitro and in vivo without the need for a phosphorothiolated backbone. In this study we tested the biological fate and the efficacy in tumor growth inhibition of antisense oligonucleotides directed against the gene of the large subunit of RNA polymerase II (POLR2A) that are completely synthesized as LNA containing diester backbones.

Treatment of a large intraosseous talar ganglion by means of hindfoot endoscopy.

We report on 2 patients with a large intraosseous ganglion of the talus who were treated by means of a 2-portal endoscopic approach of the hindfoot with the patient in the prone position. By means of this approach, it is possible to visualize, debride, and graft a large intraosseous talar lesion. In both patients, the lesions were treated successfully, with no recurrence at follow up.

Response regulator important in pathogenesis of Streptococcus suis serotype 2.

In this study, we describe the first response regulator of Streptococcus suis serotype 2, designated RevS. RevS was cloned and the sequence was determined. No histidine kinase was found in the vicinity ofrevS, therefore RevS was considered to be an orphan response regulator.

Human megakaryocytes cultured in vitro accumulate serotonin but not meta-iodobenzylguanidine whereas platelets concentrate both.

Objective: Thrombocytopenia is the major toxicity of radio-iodinated meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) therapy in patients with recurrent neuroblastoma. MIBG is taken up in platelets via the serotonin transporter. Given the delayed appearance and long duration of the thrombocytopenia, it seems likely that the precursor megakaryocytes are the primary targets of [131I]MIBG radiotoxicity.