Fingerprints are widely used in forensic science for individualization purposes. However, not every fingermark found at a crime scene is suitable for comparison, for instance due to distortion of ridge detail, or when the reference fingerprint is not in the database. To still retrieve information from these fingermarks, several studies have been initiated into the chemical composition of fingermarks, which is believed to be influenced by several donor traits. Yet, it is still unclear what donor information can be retrieved from the composition of one's fingerprint, mainly because of limited sample sizes and the focus on analytical method development. It this paper, we analyzed the chemical composition of 1852 fingerprints, donated by 463 donors during the Dutch music festival Lowlands in 2016. In a targeted approach we compared amino acid and lipid profiles obtained from different types of fingerprints. We found a large inter-variability in both amino acid and lipid content, and significant differences in L-(iso)leucine, L-phenylalanine and palmitoleic acid levels between male and female donors. In an untargeted approach we used full-scan MS data to generate classification models to predict gender (77.9% accuracy) and smoking habit (90.4% accuracy) of fingerprint donors. In the latter, putatively, nicotine and cotinine are used as predictors.
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Background: Lung fibroblasts are implicated in abnormal tissue repair in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The exact mechanisms are unknown and comprehensive analysis comparing COPD- and control fibroblasts is lacking. Aim: To gain insight in the role of lung fibroblasts in COPD pathology using unbiased proteomic and transcriptomic analysis. Methods: Protein and RNA was isolated from cultured parenchymal lung fibroblasts of 17 stage IV COPD patients and 16 non-COPD controls. Proteins were analyzed using LC-MS/MS and RNA through RNA sequencing. Differential protein and gene expression in COPD was assessed via linear regression, followed by pathway enrichment, correlation analysis and immunohistological staining in lung tissue. Proteomic and transcriptomic data was compared to investigate the overlap and correlation between both levels of data. Results: We identified 40 differentially expressed (DE) proteins and zero DE genes between COPD and control fibroblasts. The most significant DE proteins were HNRNPA2B1 and FHL1. Thirteen of the 40 proteins were previously associated with COPD, including FHL1 and GSTP1. Six of the 40 proteins were related to telomere maintenance pathways, and were positively correlated with the senescence marker LMNB1. No significant correlation between gene and protein expression was observed for the 40 proteins. Conclusions: The 40 DE proteins in COPD fibroblasts include previously described COPD proteins (FHL1, GSTP1) and new COPD research targets like HNRNPA2B1. Lack of overlap and correlation between gene and protein data supports the use of unbiased proteomics analysis and indicates that different types of information are generated with both methods.
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Gamma-band neuronal synchronization during sentence-level language comprehension has previously been linked with semantic unification. Here, we attempt to further narrow down the functional significance of gamma during language comprehension, by distinguishing between two aspects of semantic unification: successful integration of word meaning into the sentence context, and prediction of upcoming words. We computed eventrelated potentials (ERPs) and frequency band-specific electroencephalographic (EEG) power changes while participants read sentences that contained a critical word (CW) that was (1) both semantically congruent and predictable (high cloze, HC), (2) semantically congruent but unpredictable (low cloze, LC), or (3) semantically incongruent (and therefore also unpredictable; semantic violation, SV). The ERP analysis showed the expected parametric N400 modulation (HC < LC < SV). The time-frequency analysis showed qualitatively different results. In the gamma-frequency range, we observed a power increase in response to the CW in the HC condition, but not in the LC and the SV conditions. Additionally, in the theta frequency range we observed a power increase in the SV condition only. Our data provide evidence that gamma power increases are related to the predictability of an upcoming word based on the preceding sentence context, rather than to the integration of the incoming word's semantics into the preceding context. Further, our theta band data are compatible with the notion that theta band synchronization in sentence comprehension might be related to the detection of an error in the language input.
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To accelerate differentiation between Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase Negative Staphylococci (CNS), this study aimed to compare six different DNA extraction methods from 2 commonly used blood culture materials, i.e. BACTEC and Bact/ALERT. Furthermore, we analyzed the effect of reduced blood culture times for detection of Staphylococci directly from blood culture material. A real-time PCR duplex assay was used to compare 6 different DNA isolation protocols on two different blood culture systems. Negative blood culture material was spiked with MRSA. Bacterial DNA was isolated with: automated extractor EasyMAG (3 protocols), automated extractor MagNA Pure LC (LC Microbiology Kit MGrade), a manual kit MolYsis Plus, and a combination between MolYsis Plus and the EasyMAG. The most optimal isolation method was used to evaluate reduced bacterial culture times. Bacterial DNA isolation with the MolYsis Plus kit in combination with the specific B protocol on the EasyMAG resulted in the most sensitive detection of S.aureus, with a detection limit of 10 CFU/ml, in Bact/ALERT material, whereas using BACTEC resulted in a detection limit of 100 CFU/ml. An initial S.aureus load of 1 CFU/ml blood can be detected after 5 hours of culture in Bact/ALERT3D by combining the sensitive isolation method and the tuf LightCycler assay.
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New approach methodologies predicting human cardiotoxicity are of interest to support or even replace in vivo-based drug safety testing. The present study presents an in vitro–in silico approach to predict the effect of inter-individual and inter-ethnic kinetic variations in the cardiotoxicity of R- and S-methadone in the Caucasian and the Chinese population. In vitro cardiotoxicity data, and metabolic data obtained from two approaches, using either individual human liver microsomes or recombinant cytochrome P450 enzymes (rCYPs), were integrated with physiologically based kinetic (PBK) models and Monte Carlo simulations to predict inter-individual and inter-ethnic variations in methadone-induced cardiotoxicity. Chemical specific adjustment factors were defined and used to derive dose–response curves for the sensitive individuals. Our simulations indicated that Chinese are more sensitive towards methadone-induced cardiotoxicity with Margin of Safety values being generally two-fold lower than those for Caucasians for both methadone enantiomers. Individual PBK models using microsomes and PBK models using rCYPs combined with Monte Carlo simulations predicted similar inter-individual and inter-ethnic variations in methadone-induced cardiotoxicity. The present study illustrates how inter-individual and inter-ethnic variations in cardiotoxicity can be predicted by combining in vitro toxicity and metabolic data, PBK modelling and Monte Carlo simulations. The novel methodology can be used to enhance cardiac safety evaluations and risk assessment of chemicals.
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Het Project TBTOP is een samenwerkingsproject tussen onderwijsinstellingen voor VMBO, MBO en HBO om het techniek onderwijs samen met bedrijven in de regio aantrekkelijker te maken voor studenten, docenten en bedrijfsleven. Dit wil men realiseren door meer praktijknabij onderwijs te ontwikkelen. Ook wil men de vak-disciplinaire visie op het beroep verbreden en studenten kennis laten maken met doorstroommogelijkheden in studie en beroep. Een groep projectleiders uit de verschillende onderwijsinstellingen draagt zorg voor de voortgang van de vernieuwingsprocessen en verankering in het onderwijs. De betrokkenen hebben samenwerking in een nieuwe context ervaren namelijk samenwerking met de beroepspraktijk, samenwerking met andere vakdisciplines en samenwerking met andere onderwijsinstellingen (en dus onderwijsniveaus). Het samenwerken aan praktijkopdrachten in multidisciplinaire TOPteams is een nieuw proces geweest voor docenten en bedrijfsmedewerkers. Dit proces heeft, los van de concrete producten en processen, een cultuurverandering in het onderwijs in gang gezet. Groepen docenten zijn getriggerd om over de grenzen van hun vakgebied te kijken en naar het onderwijs te kijken, vanuit de bril van de praktijk. Hiermee hebben de betrokkenen zich geprofessionaliseerd. In de film die gemaakt is naar aanleiding van dit project, vertellen betrokkenen hun ervaringen binnen de nieuwe samenwerkingsvormen. De film is interactief en op verschillende momenten in te stappen.
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For the future circular economy, renewable carbon feedstocks manifest considerable promise for synthesizing sustainable and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA). In this study, 16 wt% and 30 wt% PHA (cell dry weight) are respectively produced by thermophilic Caldimonas thermodepolymerans from beechwood xylan and wheat arabinoxylan as the sole carbon source. Moreover, an in silico study of the potential xylan-degrading proteins was conducted using proteome sequencing and CAZyme specialized bioinformatic tools. This study demonstrates the feasibility of utilizing complex polysaccharide substrates for PHA biosynthesis, thereby potentially eliminate additional processing steps and reducing overall production costs for sustainable plastic.
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During the past decades deinstitutionalisation policies have led to a transition from inpatient towards community mental health care. Many European countries implement Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) as an alternative for inpatient care for “difficult to reach” children and adolescents with severe mental illness. ACT is a well-organized low-threshold treatment modality; patients are actively approached in their own environment, and efforts are undertaken to strengthen the patient’s motivation for treatment. The assumption is that ACT may help to avoid psychiatric hospital admissions, enhance cost-effectiveness, stimulate social participation and support, and reduce stigma. ACT has been extensively investigated in adults with severe mental illness and various reviews support its effectiveness in this patient group. However, to date there is no review available regarding the effectiveness of youth-ACT. It is unknown whether youth-ACT is as effective as it is in adults. This review aims to assess the effects of youth-ACT on severity of psychiatric symptoms, general functioning, and psychiatric hospital admissions.
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Geriatrische revalidatie: Lectorale rede Marije Holstege Inspiratie uit de praktijk Mijn interesse voor de geriatrische revalidatie is gewekt toen ik als fysiotherapeut aan het werk ging in verpleeghuis De Noordse Balk in Wormerveer. Daar zag ik de grote uitdagingen die gepaard gaan met de groep kwetsbare ouderen die na een meestal acute opname in het ziekenhuis vanwege een beroerte, gebroken heup of achteruitgang van functioneren, gaan revalideren om weer terug naar huis te kunnen. Dit doen zij onder begeleiding van een team van professionals met verschillende expertises. De ervaringen die ik heb opgedaan en de voorbeelden uit de praktijk inspireren mij nog steeds in mijn huidige werk als onderzoeker. Bijzonder lectoraat Geriatrische revalidatie Het bouwen aan het praktijkonderzoek in de geriatrische revalidatie en de al bestaande samenwerkingen tussen Omring en Hogeschool Inholland maakten dat er ook een gezamenlijke ambitie was om een bijzonder lectoraat in te stellen voor geriatrische revalidatie. De leeropdracht richt zich op het optimaliseren van de geriatrische revalidatie door het slimmer (met innovatieve interventie én door inzet digital health) en het samen door ontwikkelen naar toekomstbestendige zorg. Dit om de best mogelijk passende zorg te kunnen geven samen met de professionals, revalidanten en hun naasten. Ik ben er trots op dat Omring deze leerstoel heeft ingesteld in samenwerking met Hogeschool Inholland en het daarmee mogelijk maakt om de onderzoekslijnen binnen deze leerstoel verder te verstevigen. Dit doe ik door een bijdrage te leveren aan de verbinding tussen onderzoek, praktijk en onderwijs. Ik krijg vaak de vraag wat een lector eigenlijk doet. Een lector doet praktijkgericht onderzoek naar vraagstukken uit de praktijk om te achterhalen wat oorzaken zijn en mogelijke oplossingen. Dit om bij te dragen aan het verder optimaliseren van geriatrische revalidatie, zelfredzaamheid en eigen regie van revalidanten en naasten, professionalisering van studenten, docenten en professionals van Hogeschool Inholland en Omring. En daarbij ook landelijk deze kennis te delen. Door deze samenwerking kunnen we het onderwijs en de studenten structureel verbinden aan relevante praktijkgerichte vraagstukken. Dit doe ik zeker niet alleen, maar met een heel team van onderzoekers binnen het lectoraat; we noemen dit de kenniskring. De onderzoekers in de kenniskring doen naast het werk in de praktijk onderzoek. Ze doen dit samen met studenten, die onderzoek- en innovatieopdrachten uitwerken, samen met gedreven professionals uit de praktijk én in samenwerking met docenten, collega-lectoren en externe onderzoekspartners. Vooral het samen doen maakt dit werk ontzettend leuk. Aan het eind van mijn rede kom ik terug op hoe die samenwerking eruitziet.
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