BACKGROUND: Up to 33% of the general population over 50 years of age are affected by nocturnal leg cramps. Currently there are no generally accepted clinical characteristics, which identify nocturnal leg cramps. This study aims to identify these clinical characteristics and to differentiate between them and the characteristics of restless leg syndrome and periodic limb disorder.METHOD: A systematic literature study was executed from December 2015 to May 2016. This study comprised of a systematic literature review of randomized clinical trials, observational studies on nocturnal and rest cramps of legs and other muscles, and other systematic and narrative reviews. Two researchers independently extracted literature data and analyzed this using a standardized reviewing protocol. Modified versions of the Cochrane Collaboration tools assessed the risk of bias. A Delphi study was conducted to assess agreement on the characteristics of nocturnal leg cramps.RESULTS: After systematic and manual searches, eight randomized trials and ten observational studies were included. On the basis of these we identified seven diagnostic characteristics of nocturnal leg cramps: intense pain, period of duration from seconds to maximum 10 minutes, location in calf or foot, location seldom in thigh or hamstrings, persistent subsequent pain, sleep disruption and distress.CONCLUSION: The seven above characteristics will enhance recognition of the condition, and help clinicians make a clear distinction between NLC and other sleep-related musculoskeletal disorder among older adults.
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The objective of this thesis is to make a first step towards prevention of the progression of chronic venous disease and the development of a first venous leg ulcer in chronic venous disease patients. The aim is to identify chronic venous disease patients at risk of developing more severe clinical stages, provide insight in the lifestyle related risk factors, and provide an overview of current chronic venous disease care in the Netherlands.
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Cows housed indoors with cubicles are probably more restricted in their choice of lying posture and orientation compared with cows housed on pasture. We therefore studied lying postures on pasture in Uruguay and the Netherlands, and in cubicles in the Netherlands, also recording orientation on pasture in Uruguay and divider and bedding type in Dutch cubicles. Cows on pasture in Uruguay showed more long postures, lying on their belly with the neck stretched, and, per herd, cows preferred a specific lying orientation. Dutch cows on pasture showed more wide postures, lying on their side with three legs stretched, while in cubicles they showed more narrow postures, lying on their side with folded hind legs. Wide postures were seen more in cubicles with mattresses and free-hanging dividers. We conclude that since cows in cubicles show more narrow postures than on pasture and cannot choose lying orientation, their choice in showing preferred behavior is restricted. More research is needed to study the consequences of restricted choice in lying behavior on the health and welfare of dairy cows.
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Het Lectorenplatform Biobased Economy richt zich op de innovatie en adoptie van biobased materialen en energie, een integraal onderdeel van de circulaire economie. De biobased economy betreft het vervangen van materialen en energie uit fossiele grondstoffen door alternatieven uit oneindig hernieuwbare, plantaardige grondstoffen. Dit vraagt om zowel technologische als economische en maatschappelijke ontwikkeling. Dehuidige energie-en materialenschaarste onderstrepen nog eens extra de noodzaak voor veranderingen-in het belang van de klimaatdoelstellingen die gesteld zijn voor 2030 en 2050. De biobased economy is omarmd in alle drie de KIA’s Energie en Duurzaamheid, Circulaire Economie en Landbouw, Voedsel en Water. De leden en de thema's van het Platform zijn goed ingebed in relevante regionale, nationale en internationale onderzoeksagenda’s en overlegstructuren. Het onderling overleg draagt ertoe bij dat de lectoren op deze diverse niveaus effectief en efficiënt impact kunnen maken en bij kunnen dragen aan het gezamenlijk realiseren van de biobased ambities. Het Lectorenplatform gaat met dit plan zijn derde termijn in. Het heeft de afgelopen twee periodes al veel van zijn ambities kunnen realiseren. Het Platform heeft mede aan de wieg gestaan van GoChem, en participeert sinds een jaar volop in de organisatie van de Nationale Biobased Conferentie van TKI BBE. De doelstellingen en resultaten voor deze derde fase van het Lectorenplatform Biobased Economy zijn dan ook deels doorlopend: het Platform beoogt bestaande resultaten met betrekking tot agendering, programmering, vindbaarheid, internationalisering en kwaliteitsborging verder te valoriseren en uit te bouwen, en vertraagde doelstellingen alsnog vorm te geven. Verder zijn er ook enkele nieuw doelstellingen voor deze fase, zo wil het Platform ook impact maken op HCA, onderwijs en het MBO en de internationalisering uitbreiden naar Europese partners.
Als lectorenplatform “EnergieVoorziening in Evenwicht” stellen wij ons de missie om onderzoek te doen naar wat nodig is om bij de energievoorziening in 2030 evenwicht tussen vraag en aanbod van energie op alle tijdschalen te bewaken. Wij kiezen hierbij nadrukkelijk voor alle vormen van energie en beperken ons dus niet alleen tot elektrische energie. Bij tijdschalen denken wij aan de tijdschaal van dag tot maand.
Lymphedema is one of the most poorly understood, relatively underestimated and least researched complications of cancer, or its treatment. Lymphedema is a chronic condition that causes abnormal build up of fluid under the skin resulting in painful swelling, commonly in the arms and legs. Limpressive Compression Garments have designed and conceptualised an active and smart compression sleeve that integrates pioneering smart materials and sensor technology to be used to treat and evaluate lymphedema. The Limpressive garments can be used as a research tool while replacing existing compression sleeves and pneumatic compression apparatus. There is currently no product on the market that is integrating both the actuator and sensor technology to treat, let alone quantify lymphedema. It is thus imperative that the Limpressive Compression Garments team are allowed the opportunity through funding to investigate the feasibility of the technology and its integration into healthcare, the business structures and processes needed to enter and be successful in the marketplace and the value to both the consumer and to the organisations dedicated to developing a greater understanding of the disease. Limpressive will complete an extensive and detailed business plan and a complete product design by the end of the Take-off Phase. The business plan and complete product design will be complemented by a proof of function prototype.
