41 research outputs found
Risicofactoren voor galsteenziekte : een epidemiologische benadering = Risk factors for gallstone disease : an epidemiological approach
Full text linkOral essential fatty acid supplementation in atopic dermatitis-a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials
No full textOral essential fatty acid supplementation in atopic dermatitis-a meta-analysis of placebo-controlled trials. van Gool CJ, Zeegers MP, Thijs C. Department of Epidemiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute Maastricht (NUTRIM), Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. [email protected] BACKGROUND: Essential fatty acids are components of cell membranes and precursors of immunomodulating factors that may play a role in the inflammatory and immunological pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis. Trials of supplementation with essential fatty acids (EFA) to alleviate atopic dermatitis (AD) have given inconsistent results. OBJECTIVES: To summarize and quantify the results of placebo-controlled trials with EFA for AD. DESIGN: Publications of clinical trials were searched in a systematic way and the study characteristics assessed independently by three assessors. Trials were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis when they had included a placebo group and when the outcome measure included the severity of AD. The pooled effect sizes of improvement of the overall severity of AD were calculated by random effects meta-analysis. The dependence of the results on study characteristics was studied using meta-regression analysis. RESULTS: We identified 34 publications of controlled trials in AD up to April 2002. Nineteen trials of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) and five trials of fish oil matched our inclusion criterion of placebo-controlled trial. The effect size of GLA supplementation on the improvement of the overall severity of AD could be calculated from 11 of these trials. The pooled effect size was 0.15 [95% confidence limits (CL) - 0.02, 0.32]. The effect size of fish oil supplementation, calculated from three trials was - 0.01 (95% CL - 0.37, 0.30). For component subscales such as itch, scaling and lichenification, EFA supplementation showed no benefit. The study characteristics showed no detectable influence on the overall result. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with EFA has no clinically relevant effect on the severity of AD
Abdominal symptoms and food intolerance related to gallstones.
No full textDepartment of Epidemiology and Academic Hospital Maastricht, Maastricht University, The Netherlands. We have evaluated the association between gallstones and abdominal symptoms, comparing two different study designs. We asked questions on abdominal pain, dyspeptic symptoms, and food intolerance in (1) surgery patients referred for conditions unrelated to gallstones, screened by ultrasound (screening study, n = 892, 63 with gallstones); and in (2) symptomatic patients referred for gallbladder ultrasound (clinical study, n = 336, 71 with gallstones). Gallstones were associated with mid upper abdominal pain in the screening study, and with mid upper abdominal pain, biliary pain, and colic (each independently) in the clinical study. When these symptoms were absent (and only dyspeptic symptoms or food intolerance was present), gallstones were not more common than expected from the general population prevalence (estimated from the screening study). When upper abdominal pain symptoms are accounted for, other symptoms (dyspeptic; food intolerance; pain related to food intake) have no additional diagnostic value. The results are discussed, contrasting different types of studies
Towards A Territorial City: The case of an Eastern European city and its surrounding territory
No full textThe territory is a palimpsest (A. Corboz 1968), a complex unfinished story encoded in morphology and society. By exploring future images and scenarios the project seeks to support social and ecological integration. At a larger scale, the valley section (P. Geddes 1909) and the two network theory (S. Tjallingii 2005) inspire the definition of the valley system as a complex carrying structure for the territorial project. A new system of relations is designed upon the common grounds between Craiova city and its sorrounding natural and rural lands, territories placed within the fragmented land of Jiu River Valley. The project explores the definition of territory through precedent projects and elements that define it: the limit, the core and the main systems in relation to limits and cores. Existing networks and structures are re-used to scaffold (Forgaci, Alexandrescu, Ionescu 2016) a common territory and a new system of relations between Craiova city, natural lands and rural units. The limits and the trajectories to the cores are used to settle the scaffold. The condition of limits is gradually discovered from an administrative, morphological and topological perspective. Limits cummulate drosscapes (Berger 2006) and they are discovered as porous and permeable lands (B. Secchi and P. Viganò). By designing on limits and trajectories to the core, a polycentric model is ecouranged, consolidating local identity as well as exchange. The limits become themselves a scaffold to regenerate the cores. Three principles guide the construction of the scaffolding on site: porosity, permeability and correspondence. The research by design uses a gradient of scales, while the project is finally revealed at three main scales: the valley scale, the image scale and the project scale. This thesis set two main outcomes: to explore common grounds between practice and theories regarding territorial projects and thus by setting this provocation, to provide a grounded design strategy, which would support social and ecological integration.Architecture and The Built EnvironmentUrbanis
Preliminary Study into Bird Research Methods for the MEP-NSW
No full textThe Dutch government policy is aimed at increasing the share of renewable energy in the national power supply. One of the possibilities in this regard is the use of wind power. In 1997, the Dutch cabinet decided to launch a marine-based pilot project, the Near Shore Wind Park (NSW). Experiences gained from this demonstration project will be taken into account in decision making regarding the further development of large-scale wind-park projects in the Dutch North Sea coastal zone. The Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (MEP) provides a framework for collection of the required information regarding the functionality of the Near Shore Wind park. As part of its stated mandate, the MEP-NSW is required to research possible impacts on bird life due to the NSW (death by collision, disturbance and barrier effect). The research methods needed to monitor the various effects that wind turbines have on birds are yet to be further specified. For this reason, the project team (RIKZ and Novem) commissioned a preliminary study detailing the advantages and disadvantages of existing methods, exploring the possibilities of developing new procedures and recommending any testing of the new or revised research techniques. The research methods used in connection with the research into the various effect types are in different stages of development. There are currently no fully operational methods available for research into avian collisions. More or less accepted and standardized methods are available for research into disturbance. Equipment to be used during research into the barrier effect will be subjected to preliminary test rounds. Avian Collisions Within the framework of this study, the following potentially functional research methods for monitoring avian collision have been researched in closer detail: \u95 counting collision victims below turbines; \u95 counting beached collision victims; \u95 analysis of bird remains on windturbines; \u95 visual observation; \u95 radar; \u95 digital infrared camera or webcam. The discussion of the various methods have revealed that the following approaches are likely to be the most feasible: \u95 automated recording with infrared cameras; \u95 counting of collision victims washed up on beaches. However, in both cases methods are not (fully) operational yet. The next step in the monitoring study involves the further development and testing of the necessary methodology. The first step would be to investigate methods to detect actual collisions (Is there a problem?) and later on, if necessary, the recognition of the species (Specification of the problem). Collision Risks Measurement and calculation of collision risks are useful to predict numbers of collision victims for new wind farm sites in the North Sea coastal zone. For this, the risks of collision must be calculated by dividing the number of detected collisions by the total number of birds participating in the same flight movement as the collision victims. The most important techniques of recording flight movements are based on radar technologies supported by visual observations. Disturbance Two regularly used basic methods for researching the effects of disturbance are available for marine-based survey methods in connection with foraging sea birds: ship-based surveys and aerial surveys. Both are based on visual observation. To detect possible effects of disturbance it will be necessary to compare bird numbers in the relatively small NSW area with bird numbers in the same area before construction of the wind farm or at other sites that are not influenced by disturbance. This means that statistical demands are much higher than in regular surveys of much bigger parts of the North Sea. It is recommended to enhance the reliability of existing methods and to analyze data variance in order to determine the sample size that is needed. Barrier effect Marine radar, to be used for NSW baseline research at Meetpost Noordwijk, is the only method available offering sufficient scope for the time being for research into changes in bird movements as a result of various forms of barrier effect. At the present time, no information is available regarding the accuracy of the equipment to be used. In the baseline research at Meetpost Noordwijk method validation is included. It may transpire that supporting visual observation remains necessary, also in the longer term.MEP-NS
Gamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk
Full text linkGamma-linolenic acid supplementation for prophylaxis of atopic dermatitis--a randomized controlled trial in infants at high familial risk. van Gool CJ, Thijs C, Henquet CJ, van Houwelingen AC, Dagnelie PC, Schrander J, Menheere PP, van den brandt PA. Department of Epidemiology, Nutrition and Toxicology Research Institute, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands. [email protected] BACKGROUND: Studies suggest that low concentrations of n-6 long-chain polyenes in early life are correlated to atopic disease in later life. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to investigate the possible preventive effect of gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) supplementation on the development of atopic dermatitis in infants at risk. DESIGN: In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, formula-fed infants (n = 118) with a maternal history of atopic disease received borage oil supplement (containing 100 mg GLA) or sunflower oil supplement as a placebo daily for the first 6 mo of life. Main outcome measures were the incidence of atopic dermatitis in the first year of life (by UK Working Party criteria), the severity of atopic dermatitis (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis; SCORAD), and the total serum immunoglobulin E (IgE) concentration at the age of 1 y. RESULTS: The intention-to-treat analysis showed a favorable trend for severity of atopic dermatitis associated with GLA supplementation ( x+/- SD SCORAD: 6.32 +/- 5.32) in the GLA-supplemented group as compared with 8.28 +/- 6.54 in the placebo group (P = 0.09; P = 0.06 after adjustment for total serum IgE at baseline, age 1 wk), but no significant effects on the other atopic outcomes. The increase in GLA concentrations in plasma phospholipids between baseline and 3 mo was negatively associated with the severity of atopic dermatitis at 1 y (Spearman's correlation coefficient = -0.233, P = 0.013). There was no significant effect on total serum IgE concentration. CONCLUSION: Early supplementation with GLA in children at high familial risk does not prevent the expression of atopy as reflected by total serum IgE, but it tends to alleviate the severity of atopic dermatitis in later infancy in these childre
The role of pet exposure in the development of atopic manifestations in children followed from birth until two years of age: The KOALA Birth Cohort Study Maastricht
No full textTandenpoetsen op de basisschool: effectiviteit ter reductie van sociaal-economische gezondheidsverschillen in cariesincidentie
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