On the glucokinase activity of extracts from normal and atrophic muscles

The glucokinase activity of extracts of muscles of various species (man, rabbit, guinea-pig, rat and chicken) has been determined. The activity of an extract prepared from a rabbit muscle, which had atrophied in the course of three to four weeks as a consequence of severance of the nerve, was always much higher than the activity of the extract prepared from the homologous normal muscle. On the other hand the average activity of extracts from atrophied human muscles was about half the average activity of extracts prepared from normal human skeletal muscles. This difference between atrophy caused by severence of the nerve and atrophy caused by disease might be explained by the difference in rate of development and in time during which the atrophy has existed

Social Simulation and Analysis of the Dynamics of Criminal Hot Spots

Contains fulltext : 194199.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access)Within the field of Criminology, the spatio-temporal dynamics of crime are an important subject of study. In this area, typical questions are how the behaviour of offenders, targets, and guardians can be explained and predicted, as well as the emergence and displacement of criminal hot spots. In this article we present a combination of software tools that can be used as an experimental environment to address such questions. In particular, these tools comprise an agent-based simulation model, a verification tool, and a visualisation tool. The agent-based simulation model specifically focuses on the interplay between hot spots and reputation. Using this environment, a large number of simulation runs have been performed, of which results have been formally analysed. Based on these results, we argue that the presented environment offers a valuable approach to analyse the dynamics of criminal hot spots.19 p

Connecting the Kuramoto Model and the Chimera State

Since its discovery in 2002, the chimera state has frequently been described as a counter-intuitive, puzzling phenomenon. The Kuramoto model, in contrast, has become a celebrated paradigm useful for understanding a range of phenomena related to phase transitions, synchronization and network effects. Here we show that the chimera state can be understood as emerging naturally through a symmetry breaking bifurcation from the Kuramoto model's partially synchronized state. Our analysis sheds light on recent observations of chimera states in laser arrays, chemical oscillators, and mechanical pendula.Comment: 5 pages, 6 figure

Teake Ettema. The Construction of a dementia-specific Quality of Life instrument rated by professional caregivers: The QUALIDEM

Iedere professional in een verpleeghuis hoopt bij te dragen aan de kwaliteit van leven van zijn of haar cliënten. Om effectief de kwaliteit van leven te verhogen, is het nodig te weten wat kwaliteit van leven precies is en hoe je het kunt meten, terwijl daarover nog veel discussie en onduidelijkheid bestaat

Occlusion and Temporomandibular Function among Subjects with Mandibular Distal Extension Removable Partial Dentures

Objective. To quantify effects on occlusion and temporomandibular function of mandibular distal extension removable partial dentures in shortened dental arches. Methods. Subjects wearing mandibular extension removable partial dentures (n = 25) were compared with subjects with shortened dental arches without extension (n = 74) and with subjects who had worn a mandibular extension removable partial denture in the past (n = 19). Subjects with complete dentitions (n = 72) were controls. Data were collected at baseline and at 3-, 6-, and 9-year observations. Results. Occlusal activity in terms of reported awareness of bruxism and occlusal tooth wear of lower anterior teeth did not differ significantly between the groups. In contrast, occlusal tooth wear of premolars in shortened dental arches with or without extension dentures was significantly higher than in the controls. Differences amongst groups with respect to signs and symptoms related to temporomandibular disorders were not found. Occlusal support of the dentures did not influence anterior spatial relationship. Occlusal contacts of the denture teeth decreased from 70% for second premolars via 50% for first molars, to 30% for second molars. Conclusions. Mandibular distal extension removable partial dentures in moderate shortened dental arches had no effects on occlusion and temporomandibular function

Presence of mutant p53 increases stem cell frequency and is associated with reduced binding to classic TP53 binding sites in cell lines and primary AMLs

With an overall 5%-10% incidence rate in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the occurrence of TP53 mutations is low compared with that in solid tumors. However, when focusing on high-risk groups including secondary AML (sAML) and therapy-related AMLs, the frequency of mutations reaches up to 35%. Mutations may include loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or deletion of the 17p allele, but are mostly missense substitutions that are located in the DNA-binding domain. Despite elaborate research on the effects of TP53 mutations in solid tumors, in hematological malignancies, the effects of TP53 mutations versus loss of TP53 remain unclear and under debate. Here, we compared the cellular effects of a TP53 mutant and loss of TP53 in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We found that when expressing TP53 mutant or loss of TP53 using siRNA, CD34+/CD38- cells have a significantly enhanced replating potential, which could not be demonstrated for the CD34+/CD38+ population. Using RNA-sequencing analysis, we found a loss of expression of p53 target genes in cells with TP53 knockdown. In contrast, an increased expression of a large number of genes was observed when expressing TP53 mutant, resulting in an increase in expression of genes involved in megakaryocytic differentiation, plasma membrane binding, and extracellular structure organization. When binding of p53 wild type and p53 mutant was compared in cell lines, we found that mutant p53 binds to a large number of binding sites genomewide, contrary to wild-type p53, for which binding is restricted to genes with a p53 binding motif. These findings were verified in primary AMLs with and without mutated TP53. In conclusion, in our models, we identified overlapping effects of TP53 mutant and loss of TP53 on in vitro stem cell properties but distinct effects on DNA binding and gene expression

Presence of mutant p53 increases stem cell frequency and is associated with reduced binding to classic TP53 binding sites in cell lines and primary AMLs

With an overall 5%-10% incidence rate in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), the occurrence of TP53 mutations is low compared with that in solid tumors. However, when focusing on high-risk groups including secondary AML (sAML) and therapy-related AMLs, the frequency of mutations reaches up to 35%. Mutations may include loss of heterozygosity (LOH) or deletion of the 17p allele, but are mostly missense substitutions that are located in the DNA-binding domain. Despite elaborate research on the effects of TP53 mutations in solid tumors, in hematological malignancies, the effects of TP53 mutations versus loss of TP53 remain unclear and under debate. Here, we compared the cellular effects of a TP53 mutant and loss of TP53 in human hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). We found that when expressing TP53 mutant or loss of TP53 using siRNA, CD34+/CD38- cells have a significantly enhanced replating potential, which could not be demonstrated for the CD34+/CD38+ population. Using RNA-sequencing analysis, we found a loss of expression of p53 target genes in cells with TP53 knockdown. In contrast, an increased expression of a large number of genes was observed when expressing TP53 mutant, resulting in an increase in expression of genes involved in megakaryocytic differentiation, plasma membrane binding, and extracellular structure organization. When binding of p53 wild type and p53 mutant was compared in cell lines, we found that mutant p53 binds to a large number of binding sites genomewide, contrary to wild-type p53, for which binding is restricted to genes with a p53 binding motif. These findings were verified in primary AMLs with and without mutated TP53. In conclusion, in our models, we identified overlapping effects of TP53 mutant and loss of TP53 on in vitro stem cell properties but distinct effects on DNA binding and gene expression.</p

Allowing Visitors Back in the Nursing Home During the COVID-19 Crisis:A Dutch National Study Into First Experiences and Impact on Well-Being

Objectives: To prevent and control COVID-19 infections, nursing homes across the world have taken very restrictive measures, including a ban for visitors. These restrictive measures have an enormous impact on residents' well-being and pose dilemmas for staff, although primary data are lacking. A Dutch guideline was developed to cautiously open nursing homes for visitors during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports the first findings on how the guideline was applied in the local context; the compliance to local protocols; and the impact on well-being of residents, their family caregivers, and staff.Design: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted.Setting and Participants: In total, 26 nursing homes were permitted to enlarge their possibilities for allowing visitors in their facility. These nursing homes were proportionally representative of the Netherlands as they were selected by their local Area Health Authority for participation. At each nursing home, a contact person was selected for participation in the current study.Methods: A mixed-methods cross-sectional study was conducted, consisting of questionnaire, telephone interviews, analyses of documentation (ie, local visiting protocols), and a WhatsApp group.Results: Variation in local protocols was observed, for example, related to the use of personal protective equipment, location, and supervision of visits. In general, experiences were very positive. All nursing homes recognized the added value of real and personal contact between residents and their loved ones and indicated a positive impact on well-being. Compliance with local guidelines was sufficient to good. No new COVID-19 infections were reported during this time.Conclusions and Implications: These results indicate the value of family visitation in nursing homes and positive impact of visits. Based on these results, the Dutch government has decided to allow all nursing homes in the Netherlands to cautiously open their homes using the guidelines. More research is needed on impact and long-term compliance. (C) 2020 AMDA - The Society for Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medicine.</p

Very frequent physical aggression and vocalizations in nursing home residents with dementia

Objectives: We investigated the 2-week prevalence and correlates of very frequent physical aggression (PA) and vocalizations in nursing home (NH)-residents with dementia. Method/Design: This cross-sectional study used combined data of 2074 NH-residents from four studies, collected from 119 dementia special care units in 26 Dutch NH. Very frequent PA was defined as scoring 6 or 7 on the items ‘hitting’, pushing’, ‘biting’ and ‘kicking’ of the Cohen Mansfield Agitation Inventory; very frequent vocalizations as scoring 6 or 7 on ‘screaming’ and ‘making strange noises’. We compared NH-residents with very frequent PA or vocalizations with residents with less frequent PA or vocalizations, assessing correlates using univariate and multivariate multilevel logistic regression analyses. Results: We found a 2-week prevalence of 2.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.63–2.89) of very frequent PA and 11.5% of very frequent vocalizations (95% CI: 10.23–12.98). Very frequent PA was only associated with apathy (odds ratio (OR)=1.93, 95% CI: 1.04–3.61). Correlates of very frequent vocalizations were age (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.951–0.998), dementia severity (overall p-value 0.020), antipsychotic drug use (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.08–2.26), antiepileptic drug use (OR = 2.75, 95% CI: 1.34–5.68) and euphoria (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.22–3.31). Conclusion: Characteristics of NH-residents with very frequent PA or very frequent vocalizations differ from those of NH-residents with less frequent PA or vocalizations. Frontal lobe damage, boredom, pain and/or external factors may explain several of the found associations, but further research is necessary. Our findings may contribute to better care for these residents and thereby to improving their quality of life

Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) expression predicts clinical outcome in RUNX1 mutated and translocated acute myeloid leukemia

Contains fulltext : 229528.pdf (publisher's version ) (Open Access