The serological gastric biopsy in primary care : studies on atrophic gastritis

This thesis sheds light on the clinical utility of serum markers of gastric atrophy, pepsinogen and gastrin, in general practice in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The biomarkers were used in studies on atrophic corpus gastritis, as surrogate outcome of gastric cancer. Attention was paid to seroepidemiological, aetiological and diagnostic aspects. Results of the thesis: - The seroprevalence of atrophic corpus gastritis in Zeeland appears to be 3.4%, which is higher than in other parts of the country (reference cohort studies, respectively 2.4% and 1.6%). The approximate relative risk of having corpus atrophy was higher(

Significance of Gram's Stain in Rapid Intrapartum Screening for Maternal Carriership of Group B Streptococcus

Objective: Group B streptococcus (GBS, Streptococcus agalactiae) is an important cause of neonatal sepsis. Prevention is possible by intrapartum screening for maternal GBS carriership and antimicrobial treatment of colonized women with risk factors during labor. The conflicting results of diagnostic performance are reported both for the newly developed rapid GBS antigen tests and Gram's stain

Brazilian World cup 2014: Terrorism, tourism, and social conflict

The World cup transcends the interests of culture and nations worldwide. Every 4 years, delegations from the four corners of the world compete for a month. The mass tourist demand an event of this caliber generates prompts policy makers and tourism scholars to devote considerable time in planning in detail the infrastructure and service industry for the benefit of incomers. Unfortunately, in areas of the world plagued by political instability, some groups may use the media events to communicate radical messages to the state. For similar reasons many specialists have studied terrorist attack prevention in the context of event management. This present article is based on the FIFA World Cup in Brazil 2014 to illustrate that terrorism and tourism have been historically intertwined

Integration of heterogeneous functional genomics data in gerontology research to find genes and pathway underlying aging across species.

Understanding the biological mechanisms behind aging, lifespan and healthspan is becoming increasingly important as the proportion of the world\u27s population over the age of 65 grows, along with the cost and complexity of their care. BigData oriented approaches and analysis methods enable current and future bio-gerontologists to synthesize, distill and interpret vast, heterogeneous data from functional genomics studies of aging. GeneWeaver is an analysis system for integration of data that allows investigators to store, search, and analyze immense amounts of data including user-submitted experimental data, data from primary publications, and data in other databases. Aging related genome-wide gene sets from primary publications were curated into this system in concert with data from other model-organism and aging-specific databases, and applied to several questions in genrontology using. For example, we identified Cd63 as a frequently represented gene among aging-related genome-wide results. To evaluate the role of Cd63 in aging, we performed RNAi knockdown of the C. elegans ortholog, tsp-7, demonstrating that this manipulation is capable of extending lifespan. The tools in GeneWeaver enable aging researchers to make new discoveries into the associations between the genes, normal biological processes, and diseases that affect aging, healthspan, and lifespan

Proteomic and transcriptomic profiling reveal different aspects of aging in the kidney.

Little is known about the molecular changes that take place in the kidney during the aging process. In order to better understand these changes, we measured mRNA and protein levels in genetically diverse mice at different ages. We observed distinctive change in mRNA and protein levels as a function of age. Changes in both mRNA and protein are associated with increased immune infiltration and decreases in mitochondrial function. Proteins show a greater extent of change and reveal changes in a wide array of biological processes including unique, organ-specific features of aging in kidney. Most importantly, we observed functionally important age-related changes in protein that occur in the absence of corresponding changes in mRNA. Our findings suggest that mRNA profiling alone provides an incomplete picture of molecular aging in the kidney and that examination of changes in proteins is essential to understand aging processes that are not transcriptionally regulated

Challenging the negative images of Haiti at a pre-visit stage using visual online learning materials

Post-conflict destinations can struggle to attract visitors because of their negative image. Research addressing this remains limited. The same can be said about the education of tourists. This research paper contributes to the literature in both areas as it examines the proposition that the education of tourists at a pre-visit stage using online, game-based material could be effective in challenging the negative perception of these destinations. From a destination management point of view, this paper offers an alternative to existing promotional material as there is little evidence at the moment that existing strategies are effective. From a conceptual point of view, this paper contributes to the very limited academic research in Gamification by adding the fact that Gamification can be a very efficient tryvertising tool if using subtle and implicit marketing elements

Exogenous Ligand-Free Nickel-Catalyzed Carboxylate O-Arylation:Insight into Ni^I/Ni^III Cycles**

Nickel-catalyzed cross-coupling reactions have become a powerful methodology to construct C-heteroatom bonds. However, many protocols suffer from competitive off-cycle reaction pathways and require non-equimolar amounts of coupling partners to suppress them. Here, we report on mechanistic examination of carboxylate O-arylation under thermal conditions, in both the presence and absence of an exogeneous bipyridine-ligand. Furthermore, spectroscopic studies of the novel ligand-free carboxylate O-arylation reaction unveiled the resting state of the nickel catalyst, the crucial role of the alkylamine base and the formation of an off-cycle NiI−NiII dimer upon reduction. This study provides insights into the competition between productive catalysis and deleterious pathways (comproportionation and protodehalogenation) in the commonly proposed self-sustained NiI/NiIII catalytic cycle. Thereby we show that for productive nickel-catalyzed carboxylate O-arylation a choice must be made between either mild conditions or equimolar ratios of substrates

Mechanistic elucidation of monoalkyltin(iv)-catalyzed esterification

Monoalkyltin(iv) complexes are well-known catalysts for esterification reactions and polyester formation, yet the mode of operation of these Lewis acidic complexes is still unknown. Here, we report on mechanistic studies of n-butylstannoic acid in stoichiometric and catalytic reactions, analyzed by NMR, IR and MS techniques. While the chemistry of n-butyltin(iv) carboxylates is dominated by formation of multinuclear tin assemblies, we found that under catalytically relevant conditions only monomeric n-BuSn(OAc)(3) and dimeric (n-BuSnOAc(2)OEt)(2) are present. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations provide support for a mononuclear mechanism, where n-BuSn(OAc)(3) and dimeric (n-BuSnOAc(2)OEt)(2) are regarded as off-cycle species, and suggest that carbon–oxygen bond breaking is the rate-determining step

Replacing the Z-phenyl Ring in Tamoxifen® with a para-Connected NCN Pincer-Pt-Cl Grouping by Post-Modification

Post-modification of a series of NCN-pincer platinum(II) complexes [PtX(NCN-R-4)] (NCN = [C6H2(CH2NMe2)2-2,6]–, R = C(O)H, C(O)Me and C(O)Et), X = Cl– or Br–) at the para-position using the McMurry reaction was studied. The synthetic route towards two new [PtCl(NCN-R-4)] (R = C(O)Me and C(O)Et) complexes used above is likewise described. The utility and limitations of the McMurry reaction involving these pincer complexes was systematically evaluated. The predicted “homo-coupling” reaction of [PtBr(NCN-C(O)H-4)] led to the unexpected formation of 3,3′,5,5′-tetra[(dimethylamino)methyl]-4,4′-bis(platinum halide)-benzophenone (halide = Br or Cl), referred to hereafter as the bispincer-benzophenone complex 13. This material was further characterized using X-ray crystal structure determination. The applicability of the pincer complexes in the McMurry reaction is shown to open a route towards the synthesis of tamoxifen-type derivatives of which one phenyl ring of Tamoxifen® itself is replaced by an NCN arylplatinum pincer fragment. The newly synthesized derivatives can be used as potential candidates in anti-cancer drug screening protocols. Two NCN-arylpincer platinum tamoxifen type derivatives, 5 and 6, were successfully synthesized and of 5 the separation of the diastereomeric E-/Z-forms was achieved. Compound 6, which is the pivaloyl protected NCN pincer platinum hydroxy-Tamoxifen® derivative, was obtained as a mixture of E-/Z-isomers. The new derivatives were further analyzed and characterized with 1H-, 13C{1H}- and 195Pt{1H}-NMR, IR, exact mass MS and elemental analysis.This research was partly funded by the Council for Chemical Sciences of the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO/CW) G.D.B., M.L

A roadmap for the genetic analysis of renal aging

Several studies show evidence for the genetic basis of renal disease, which renders some individuals more prone than others to accelerated renal aging. Studying the genetics of renal aging can help us to identify genes involved in this process and to unravel the underlying pathways. First, this opinion article will give an overview of the phenotypes that can be observed in age-related kidney disease. Accurate phenotyping is essential in performing genetic analysis. For kidney aging, this could include both functional and structural changes. Subsequently, this article reviews the studies that report on candidate genes associated with renal aging in humans and mice. Several loci or candidate genes have been found associated with kidney disease, but identification of the specific genetic variants involved has proven to be difficult. CUBN, UMOD, and SHROOM3 were identified by human GWAS as being associated with albuminuria, kidney function, and chronic kidney disease (CKD). These are promising examples of genes that could be involved in renal aging, and were further mechanistically evaluated in animal models. Eventually, we will provide approaches for performing genetic analysis. We should leverage the power of mouse models, as testing in humans is limited. Mouse and other animal models can be used to explain the underlying biological mechanisms of genes and loci identified by human GWAS. Furthermore, mouse models can be used to identify genetic variants associated with age-associated histological changes, of which Far2, Wisp2, and Esrrg are examples. A new outbred mouse population with high genetic diversity will facilitate the identification of genes associated with renal aging by enabling high-resolution genetic mapping while also allowing the control of environmental factors, and by enabling access to renal tissues at specific time points for histology, proteomics, and gene expression