Affinity study of novel gelatin cell carriers for fibronectin

In the present work, the gelatin/fibronectin affinity was evaluated using SPR, QCM and radiolabelling. The results indicate that type A gelatin films possess a higher affinity for Fn compared to type B gelatin. This is due to a combined hydrophobic and electrostatic interaction between gelatin type A and Fn. In a second part, the affinity of Fn for porous gelatin scaffolds was evaluated. The scaffolds were prepared by a cryogenic treatment and subsequent freeze-drying yielding type I and type II scaffolds which possess different pore geometries/sizes. The results indicate that the Fn density on the scaffolds can be fine-tuned by varying the Fn concentration, the gelatin type (A vs. 13), the pore size/geometry (type I vs. type II scaffolds)

Hatching with the enemy: Daphnia diapausing eggs hatch in the presence of fish kairomones

Summary.: Infochemicals are known to play a key role in mediating predator-prey interactions, both in aquatic and terrestrial communities. However, state-dependent variation may exist in how effectively individuals can use this information, depending on genotype, life stage and experience. For our study, we used the predator-prey model system fish-waterflea Daphnia magna Straus (Cladocera, Daphniidae). Adult Daphnia use fish-derived infochemicals, so-called kairomones, as indicators of predation risk, and exhibit a spectrum of morphological, behavioural and life-history responses to the presence of fish kairomones. Here, we investigate whether diapausing eggs, an embryonic resting stage in the life cycle of D. magna, also use fish kairomones and tune their hatching to the risk of fish predation, as reported for diapausing stages of dinoflagellates. In two laboratory experiments, we studied hatching proportion and time until hatching of D. magna diapausing eggs in the absence and presence of fish kairomones. D. magna families differed significantly in their response to the presence of fish kairomones; some families reduced hatching proportion, whereas others increased it. Our results imply genotype-dependent differences in the hatching reactions to fish kairomones as observed for other traits in adult Daphni

Proximal Esophageal Cancer

Proximal esophageal cancer (PEC) is a highly mortal cancer with a five-year survival rate of 30%. Because second primary tumors could decrease survival in PEC patients, this research is aiming at finding out about tumors associated with PEC and their infuence on survival. With the use of a database with PEC patients, diagnosed between 1989 and 2014, it was found that head and neck cancers (H&N) are the most prevalent previous tumor in PEC patients. Previous tumors have a negative effect on surivval. Prospective studies are needed to investigate on the effectiveness of prevention and surveillance methods for H&N patients

Registration of HIV risk factors in the Electronic Medical Record (EMR): what do GPs in Flanders prefer?

There is an increase of HIV-diagnoses in Belgium among men who have sex with men. GPs take a key position in discussing sexuality with their patients. They have an overall picture of their patients health, including the health risks (e.g. smoking). Yet it is unclear whether GPs are aware of the (extent of) sexual risk behaviour and the sexual orientation of their patients before problems occur. However, at least the awareness of sexual risk behaviour and/or the sexual orientation of patients seems to be necessary for the prevention of HIV. This study explores the views of GPs in Flanders regarding the discussion and registration of HIV risk factors in primary care

Analysis of bacterial fatty acids by flow modulated comprehensive two dimensional gas chromatography with parallel flame ionization detector/mass spectrometry

Comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC×GC) offers an interesting tool for profiling bacterial fatty acids. Flow modulated GC×GC using a commercially available system was evaluated, and different parameters such as column flows and modulation time were optimized. The method was tested on bacterial fatty acid methyl esters (BAMEs) from Stenotrophomonas maltophilia by using parallel flame ionization detector (FID)/mass spectrometry (MS). The GC×GC plots obtained for a reference sample of bacterial fatty acid esters and a bacteria sample (S. maltophilia) were very similar to those obtained by using thermal modulated GC×GC. The parallel FID/MS set-up is useful since the MS allows identification and confirmation, while the FID allows comparison of the relative fatty acid composition with existing databases. The data show that flow modulated GC×GC-FID/MS method can be applied in a routine environment and offers interesting perspectives for chemotaxonomy of bacteria

Collecting and registering sexual health information in the context of HIV risk in the electronic medical record of general practitioners: a qualitative exploration of the preference of general practitioners in urban communities in Flanders (Belgium)

Background and aim: Current health-care delivery requires increasingly proactive and inter-professional work. Therefore, collecting patient information and knowledge management is of paramount importance. General practitioners (GPs) are well placed to lead these evolving models of care delivery. However, it is unclear how they are handling these changes. To gain an insight into this matter, the HIV epidemic was chosen as a test case. Methods: Data were collected and analysed from 13 semi-structured interviews with GPs, working in urban communities in Flanders. Findings: GPs use various types of patient information to estimate patients’ risk of HIV. The way in which sexual health information is collected and registered, depends on the type of information under discussion. General patient information and medical history data are often automatically collected and registered. Proactively collecting sexual health information is uncommon. Moreover, the registration of the latter is not obvious, mostly owing to insufficient space in the electronic medical record (EMR). Conclusions: GPs seem willing to systematically collect and register sexual health information, in particular about HIV-risk factors. They expressed a need for guidance together with practical adjustments of the EMR to adequately capture and share this information