Enterovirus and human Parechovirus infections in children: clinical symptoms, diagnosis and prognosis

Tutu-Furth, A.M. van [Promotor]Obihara, C.C. [Copromotor]Rossen, J.W.A. [Copromotor

Lifestyle and environmental factors in the risk of dementia:A population-based approach

With the projected increase in population ageing and growth, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years. Accordingly, the already enormous burden of dementia on patients, their family and society will increase further. This emphasizes the urgent need to identify strategies to reduce the prevalence of dementia. The overall aim of this thesis was therefore to evaluate the role of lifestyle and environmental factors in the risk of dementia, with the ultimate goal to enhance our understanding in opportunities to reduce or prevent dementia. More specifically, I first focused on the role of nutrition, through examining the impact of nitrate consumption and specific dietary patterns on the risk of developing dementia. Next, I explored the association between air pollution and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Subsequently, I investigated potential mechanisms through which air pollution influences health. Last, I have delved into the role of body composition in the risk of dementia

Lifestyle and environmental factors in the risk of dementia:A population-based approach

With the projected increase in population ageing and growth, the prevalence of dementia is expected to increase rapidly in the coming years. Accordingly, the already enormous burden of dementia on patients, their family and society will increase further. This emphasizes the urgent need to identify strategies to reduce the prevalence of dementia. The overall aim of this thesis was therefore to evaluate the role of lifestyle and environmental factors in the risk of dementia, with the ultimate goal to enhance our understanding in opportunities to reduce or prevent dementia. More specifically, I first focused on the role of nutrition, through examining the impact of nitrate consumption and specific dietary patterns on the risk of developing dementia. Next, I explored the association between air pollution and the risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Subsequently, I investigated potential mechanisms through which air pollution influences health. Last, I have delved into the role of body composition in the risk of dementia

High Density Lipoprotein-Binding Proteins in Liver

In one of the oldest civilizations we know, that of ancient Egypt, thoughts about the heart reflected a certain duality. On the one hand, the heart was associated with concepts like virtue, or soul. A central passage in the Book of the Dead of the ancient Egyptians is the description and illustration of the weighing of the soul (Fig. 1). The heart of the diseased was put on a pair of scales and balanced against the hieroglyphic symbol of virtue, the feather maat. If the ibis god of scribes, Thot, could register a favourable verdict, the dead man or woman was presented to the god of the dead, Osiris, and was allowed entrance into the world of the dead. If not, the heart was devoured by a horrifying beast, which event was described as the

The Significance of Green Space in the Living Environment: A Case Study of the Bekkersdal Community, Westonaria, South Africa

There is increasing evidence for a positive relation between the amount of green space in the living environment, people’s health and their well-being. The Bekkersdal Township was founded in 1945 as a mining community. As the mines in the area closed down, unemployment grew and a new informal township was established with the concomitant health, other socio-economic issues and a lack of green space in the immediate environment. This article addresses the following question: ‘Do green spaces matter in this specific socio-economic environment?’ The participants consisted of 520 residents of the informal settlement section of Bekkersdal who completed a questionnaire with the assistance of trained fieldworkers. The results revealed that although the residents generally have positive feelings concerning their natural environment, in particular with regard to the vegetable gardens and open areas, environmental risks, i.e. dust, noise, litter and polluted water sources affect them considerably. Vegetable gardens are popular as they also serve as a food source in this underprivileged environment. The participants also showed a great affinity for natural features i.e. trees and open areas. Research from similar surroundings suggested various positive effects thereof on the residents. This study suggests that Bekkersdal, although impoverished and plagued with many adversities, has the potential to add value to the living conditions of residents by exploring and cultivating the existing green spaces.This includes incentive-driven organised environmental activities and initiatives such as clean-up operations, recycling, communal food- and medicinal gardens, and training to establish and maintain such initiatives