58 research outputs found
Validation of transfer functions predicting Cd and Pb free metal ion activity in soil solution as a function of soil characteristics and reactive metal content.
According to recent insight, the toxicity of metals in soils is better related to the free metal ion (FMI) activity in the soil solution than to the total metal
concentration in soil. However, the determination of FMI activities in soil solution is a difficult and time-consuming task. An alternative is to use empirical equations (so called transfer functions (TFs)) that relate FMI activity in solution to the reactive metal concentration in the solid phase and to soil properties (pH and organic matter content). Here we test the applicability of two sets of TF for Cd and Pb using independent data from a wide range of soil types and regions that are not represented in the datasets used to derive the TFs. From these soils, soil solution was extracted using four different methods. For all these extracts, FMI activities were calculated from total concentrations in solution using the speciation program WHAM VI. In some of the soils, Cd and Pb FMI activities
were also measured using a Donnan membrane technique. Most of these FMI activities deviated from the TF predictions by less than one order of magnitude and were within the 95% confidence interval of the TFs, irrespective of the
method used to extract soil solution. Predictability was higher for Pb than for Cd and differed also between the two TF sets
CHECKâD?! : determinants of participation in a two-stage cardiometabolic screening among underserved groups
It has been well established that underserved groups have an increased risk of cardiometabolic
disease and are less likely to attend health checks. This differential uptake of health checks
leads to suboptimal health gains from cardiometabolic screening and contributes to the
widening of health inequalities in society. The cost-effectiveness of the Dutch
cardiometabolic health check is still under study, but with the knowledge we already have it
seems advisable to focus primarily on the underserved groups, as they have the most to gain
from systematic screening. The findings described in this thesis provide strategies to optimize
uptake and may be used to design future studies on this topic. In the general discussion we
also advocate that the Government should invest in population-based prevention and move
away from the trend of taking own responsibility as this may provide underserved groups the
best possible opportunities for a healthy life(style).
 Hartstichting; Diabetesfonds en Nierstichting.LUMC / Geneeskund
Prenatal counseling of an isolated fetal small head circumference during the second trimester expert ultrasound examination
Objective: To evaluate perinatal and postnatal outcomes of fetuses with an isolated small head circumference (HC) on expert ultrasound examination in the second trimester for further recommendations in prenatal care. Study Design: In a retrospective cohort we included singleton-pregnancies with a fetal HC > â3.0 SD and †â1.64 SD determined on expert ultrasound examination between 18 and 24 weeks of gestational age. Three subgroups were determined: âisolated small HC (ISHC)â, âsmall HC plus abdominal circumference (AC) †p10 (SHC+)â and âsmall HC plus AC †p10 and Doppler abnormalities (SHC + D)â. After ultrasound examination, genetic testing was sometimes offered and postnatally genetic tests were performed on indication. Results: We included 252 pregnancies: 109 ISHC, 104 SHC+, and 39 SHC + D. In the ISHC and SHC+ subgroup, 96 % of the fetuses were born alive and did not die neonatal. In the SH + D group this was only 38 %. In the SHC+ subgroup, less fetuses were delivered vaginal (non-instrumental) compared to the ISHC subgroup (61 % vs. 73 %, p < 0.01). In the ISHC and SHC+ subgroup s some fetuses were diagnosed with congenital defects (4 % vs. 10 %, p = 0.08) and with a genetic anomaly (6.4 % vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.13) after 24 weeks or postnatally. In SHC + D subgroups 5 % presented with congenital defects and 2.6 % with a genetic anomaly. Conclusion: We conclude that fetuses with a small HC without structural anomalies on second trimester expert ultrasound require follow-up and special medical attention. We recommend differentiating between ISHC, SHC+, and SHC + D for prenatal counseling. Genetic testing and referral to a clinical geneticist should be considered.</p
Prenatal counseling of an isolated fetal small head circumference during the second trimester expert ultrasound examination
Objective: To evaluate perinatal and postnatal outcomes of fetuses with an isolated small head circumference (HC) on expert ultrasound examination in the second trimester for further recommendations in prenatal care. Study Design: In a retrospective cohort we included singleton-pregnancies with a fetal HC > â3.0 SD and †â1.64 SD determined on expert ultrasound examination between 18 and 24 weeks of gestational age. Three subgroups were determined: âisolated small HC (ISHC)â, âsmall HC plus abdominal circumference (AC) †p10 (SHC+)â and âsmall HC plus AC †p10 and Doppler abnormalities (SHC + D)â. After ultrasound examination, genetic testing was sometimes offered and postnatally genetic tests were performed on indication. Results: We included 252 pregnancies: 109 ISHC, 104 SHC+, and 39 SHC + D. In the ISHC and SHC+ subgroup, 96 % of the fetuses were born alive and did not die neonatal. In the SH + D group this was only 38 %. In the SHC+ subgroup, less fetuses were delivered vaginal (non-instrumental) compared to the ISHC subgroup (61 % vs. 73 %, p < 0.01). In the ISHC and SHC+ subgroup s some fetuses were diagnosed with congenital defects (4 % vs. 10 %, p = 0.08) and with a genetic anomaly (6.4 % vs. 7.7 %, p = 0.13) after 24 weeks or postnatally. In SHC + D subgroups 5 % presented with congenital defects and 2.6 % with a genetic anomaly. Conclusion: We conclude that fetuses with a small HC without structural anomalies on second trimester expert ultrasound require follow-up and special medical attention. We recommend differentiating between ISHC, SHC+, and SHC + D for prenatal counseling. Genetic testing and referral to a clinical geneticist should be considered.</p
Community Health Workers' role in supporting non-western immigrants in the Netherlands to lower cardiometabolic risk
Prevention, Population and Disease management (PrePoD
-boson polarization as a model-discrimination analyzer
Determining the spin of any new particle is critical in identifying the true
theory among various extensions of the Standard Model (SM). The degree of
-boson polarization in any two-body decay process is sensitive to
the spin assignments of two new particles and . Considering all possible
spin-0, 1/2 and 1 combinations in a renormalizable field theory, we demonstrate
that -boson polarization can indeed play a role of a decisive and universal
analyzer in distinguishing the different spin assignments.Comment: 10 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl
CHECKâD?! : determinants of participation in a two-stage cardiometabolic screening among underserved groups
It has been well established that underserved groups have an increased risk of cardiometabolic
disease and are less likely to attend health checks. This differential uptake of health checks
leads to suboptimal health gains from cardiometabolic screening and contributes to the
widening of health inequalities in society. The cost-effectiveness of the Dutch
cardiometabolic health check is still under study, but with the knowledge we already have it
seems advisable to focus primarily on the underserved groups, as they have the most to gain
from systematic screening. The findings described in this thesis provide strategies to optimize
uptake and may be used to design future studies on this topic. In the general discussion we
also advocate that the Government should invest in population-based prevention and move
away from the trend of taking own responsibility as this may provide underserved groups the
best possible opportunities for a healthy life(style).
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