2024-03-28T14:16:51Zhttps://rivm.openrepository.com/oai/requestoai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/30882021-04-25T14:06:22Zcom_10029_2963col_10029_251294
Ecological risk assessment of contaminated land - Decision support for site specific investigations
Jensen J
Mesman M
Bierkens J
Loibner A
Rutgers, Michiel
Bogolte T
Celis R
Dirven-van Breemen EM
Erlacher E
Ehlers C
Hartnik T
Sorokin N
Laak, T L ter
This book documents the outcome of the EU-funded research project 'LIBERATION', aimed at the development of a decision support system (DSS) for sustainable management of contaminated land with special focus on organic contaminants. The book is geared to providing guidance to risk assessors and stakeholders of contaminated land in their decision-making process. The DSS, which follows a stepwise approach, is divided into three different stages: - Stage I: Site characterisation and description of land use; - Stage II: Determination of ecological aspects and - Stage III: Site-specific assessment (The Triad) consisting of four tiers: 1. Simple screening; 2. Refined screening; 3. Detailed assessment and 4. Final assessment. Each of the tiers is based on a weight of evidence approach combining three lines of evidence (LoEs), Chemistry, Toxicology and Ecology. The book also contains useful lists of techniques and tools dedicated to each tier within the three LoEs. In this book it is shown how measures of bioavailability are systematically incorporated into a framework for ecological risk assessment of contaminated soil. However, most techniques for assessing bioavailability are relatively novel and hence not yet fully validated; the challenge to fully understand the underlying processes controlling bioavailability is still immense. Nevertheless, this book will hopefully generate a discussion, encourage further development of tools and, most important of all, promote more practical experience in site-specific evaluation of ecological risk.
2006-06-12T09:08:25Z
2006-06-12T09:08:25Z
2006-05-31
Report
9069601389
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/3088
n/a
RIVM rapporten
711701047
RIVM rapporten
711701047
http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/711701047.html
20187516 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/38612021-04-25T14:05:24Zcom_10029_2963col_10029_251294
General fact sheet - Limiting conditions and reliability, ventilation, room size, body surface area. Updated version for ConsExpo 4
Factsheet algemeen - Randvoorwaarden en betrouwbaarheid, ventilatie, kamergrootte, lichaamsoppervlak. Geupdate versie voor ConsExpo 4
Bremmer HJ
Prud'homme de Lodder LCH
Engelen, Jacqueline G M van
In this fact sheet general information is presented necessary to calculate exposure of consumers to compounds in consumer products. Calculations are carried out with the computer program ConsExpo (Consumer Exposure). To calculate the exposure information is gathered about groups containing similar products like: paint, pest control products, cosmetics and cleaning products. The information is described in a fact sheet. This fact sheet covers information about the way human exposure is calculated with the values from the fact sheets. Furthermore in this fact sheet information is documented, which is important for several groups of consumer products, such as: - the volume and surface area of rooms in Dutch dwellings, - the air-change rate in various rooms in dwellings, - the total body surface and surface of body parts of men and women, adults and children. This fact sheet contributes considerable to a fast, transparent and standardized exposure assessment of consumer products.
2006-08-11T11:58:47Z
2006-08-11T11:58:47Z
2006-08-08
Report
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/3861
other
RIVM rapport 320104002
RIVM rapport 320104002
http://www.rivm.nl/bibliotheek/rapporten/320104002.html
97201 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49072019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Exposure-effect relations between aircraft and road traffic noise exposure at school and reading comprehension: the RANCH project.
Clark, Charlotte
Martin, Rocio
Kempen, Elise van
Alfred, Tamuno
Head, Jenny
Davies, Hugh W
Haines, Mary M
Lopez Barrio, Isabel
Matheson, Mark
Stansfeld, Stephen A
Transport noise is an increasingly prominent feature of the urban environment, making noise pollution an important environmental public health issue. This paper reports on the 2001-2003 RANCH project, the first cross-national epidemiologic study known to examine exposure-effect relations between aircraft and road traffic noise exposure and reading comprehension. Participants were 2,010 children aged 9-10 years from 89 schools around Amsterdam Schiphol, Madrid Barajas, and London Heathrow airports. Data from The Netherlands, Spain, and the United Kingdom were pooled and analyzed using multilevel modeling. Aircraft noise exposure at school was linearly associated with impaired reading comprehension; the association was maintained after adjustment for socioeconomic variables (beta = -0.008, p = 0.012), aircraft noise annoyance, and other cognitive abilities (episodic memory, working memory, and sustained attention). Aircraft noise exposure at home was highly correlated with aircraft noise exposure at school and demonstrated a similar linear association with impaired reading comprehension. Road traffic noise exposure at school was not associated with reading comprehension in either the absence or the presence of aircraft noise (beta = 0.003, p = 0.509; beta = 0.002, p = 0.540, respectively). Findings were consistent across the three countries, which varied with respect to a range of socioeconomic and environmental variables, thus offering robust evidence of a direct exposure-effect relation between aircraft noise and reading comprehension.
2006-10-06T08:41:52Z
2006-10-06T08:41:52Z
2006-01-01
Article
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 163(1):27-37
0002-9262
16306314
10.1093/aje/kwj001
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4907
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49082019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Underreporting of meningococcal disease incidence in the Netherlands: results from a capture-recapture analysis based on three registration sources with correction for false positive diagnoses.
Greeff, Sabine C de
Spanjaard, Lodewijk
Dankert, Jacob
Hoebe, Christian J P A
Nagelkerke, Nico J D
Melker, Hester E de
In order to come to a reliable evaluation of the effectiveness of the chosen vaccination policy regarding meningococcal disease, the completeness of registrations on meningococcal disease in the Netherlands was estimated with the capture-recapture method. Data over 1993-1998 were collected from (A) mandatory notifications (n = 2926); (B) hospital registration (n = 3968); (C) laboratory surveillance (n = 3484). As the standard capture-recapture method does not take into account false positive diagnoses, we developed a model to adjust for the lack of specificity of our sources. We estimated that 1363 cases were not registered in any of the three sources in the period of study. The completeness of the three sources was therefore estimated at 49% for source A, 67% for source B and 58% for source C. After adjustment for false positive diagnoses, the completeness of source A, B, and C was estimated as 52%, 70% and 62%, respectively. The capture-recapture methods offer an attractive approach to estimate the completeness of surveillance sources and hence contribute to a more accurate estimate of the disease burden under study. However, the method does not account for higher-order interactions or presence of false positive diagnoses. Being aware of these limitations, the capture-recapture method still elucidates the (in)completeness of sources and gives a rough estimate of this (in)completeness. This makes a more accurate monitoring of disease incidence possible and hence attributes to a more reliable foundation for the design and evaluation of health interventions such as vaccination programs.
2006-10-06T08:43:19Z
2006-10-06T08:43:19Z
2006-05-10
Article
Eur. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 21(4):315-21
0393-2990
16685583
10.1007/s10654-006-0020-z
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4908
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49092019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Novel genetic polymorphisms that further delineate the phylogeny of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
Huard, Richard C
Fabre, Michel
Haas, Petra de
Lazzarini, Luiz Claudio Oliveira
Soolingen, Dick van
Cousins, Debby
Ho, John L
In a previous report, we described a PCR protocol for the differentiation of the various species of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) on the basis of genomic deletions (R. C. Huard, L. C. de Oliveira Lazzarini, W. R. Butler, D. van Soolingen, and J. L. Ho, J. Clin. Microbiol. 41:1637-1650, 2003). That report also provided a broad cross-comparison of several previously identified, phylogenetically relevant, long-sequence and single-nucleotide polymorphisms (LSPs and SNPs, respectively). In the present companion report, we expand upon the previous work (i) by continuing the evaluation of known MTC phylogenetic markers in a larger collection of tubercle bacilli (n = 125), (ii) by evaluating additional recently reported MTC species-specific and interspecific polymorphisms, and (iii) by describing the identification and distribution of a number of novel LSPs and SNPs. Notably, new genomic deletions were found in various Mycobacterium tuberculosis strains, new species-specific SNPs were identified for "Mycobacterium canettii," Mycobacterium microti, and Mycobacterium pinnipedii, and, for the first time, intraspecific single-nucleotide DNA differences were discovered for the dassie bacillus, the oryx bacillus, and the two Mycobacterium africanum subtype I variants. Surprisingly, coincident polymorphisms linked one M. africanum subtype I genotype with the dassie bacillus and M. microti with M. pinnipedii, thereby suggesting closer evolutionary ties within each pair of species than had been previously thought. Overall, the presented data add to the genetic definitions of several MTC organisms as well as fine-tune current models for the evolutionary history of the MTC.
2006-10-06T08:44:35Z
2006-10-06T08:44:35Z
2006-06-01
Article
J. Bacteriol. 2006, 188(12):4271-87
0021-9193
16740934
10.1128/JB.01783-05
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4909
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49112019-09-02T08:27:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
First isolation of Trichinella britovi from a wild boar (Sus scrofa) in Belgium.
Schynts, F
Giessen, Joke van der
Tixhon, S
Pozio, E
Dorny, P
Borchgrave, J de
Since 1992, when the European Union Council Directive requires that wild boars (Sus scrofa) hunted in EU for commercial purpose should be examined for Trichinella, the infection has not been detected in wild boars from Belgium, despite serological evidence of the presence of anti-Trichinella antibodies in wildlife and previous reports of Trichinella larvae in this host species. In November 2004, Trichinella larvae were detected in a wild boar hunted near Mettet, Namur province (Southern Belgium). Larvae were identified as Trichinella britovi by polymerase chain reaction methods. This is the first report of the identification of Trichinella larvae from Belgium at the species level. The detection of T. britovi in wildlife in Belgium is consistent with findings of this parasite in other European countries and confirms the need to test game meat for Trichinella to prevent its transmission to humans.
2006-10-06T08:50:55Z
2006-10-06T08:50:55Z
2006-01-30
Article
Vet. Parasitol. 2006, 135(2):191-4
0304-4017
16202536
10.1016/j.vetpar.2005.09.002
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4911
en
81066 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49122019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Host genetics of Bordetella pertussis infection in mice: significance of Toll-like receptor 4 in genetic susceptibility and pathobiology.
Banus, H Alexander
Vandebriel, R J
Ruiter, H de
Dormans, J A M A
Nagelkerke, Nico J D
Mooi, Frits R
Hoebee, Barbara
Kranen, Henk J van
Kimman, Tjeerd G
The susceptibility to and the severity of Bordetella pertussis infections in infants and children varies widely, suggesting that genetic differences between individuals influence the course of infection. We have previously identified three novel loci that influence the severity of whooping cough by using recombinant congenic strains of mice: Bordetella pertussis susceptibility loci 1, 2, and 3 (Bps1, -2, and -3). Because these loci could not account for all genetic differences between mice, we extended our search for additional susceptibility loci. We therefore screened 11 inbred strains of mice for susceptibility to a pertussis infection after intranasal infection. Susceptibility was defined by the number of bacteria in the lungs, being indicative of the effect between the clearance and replication of bacteria. The most resistant (A/J) and the most susceptible (C3H/HeJ) strains were selected for further genetic and phenotypic characterization. The link between bacterial clearance and chromosomal location was investigated with 300 F2 mice, generated by crossing A/J and C3H/HeJ mice. We found a link between the delayed clearance of bacteria from the lung and a large part of chromosome 4 in F2 mice with a maximum log of the odds score of 33.6 at 65.4 Mb, which is the location of Tlr4. C3H/HeJ mice carry a functional mutation in the intracellular domain of Tlr4. This locus accounted for all detectable genetic differences between these strains. Compared to A/J mice, C3H/HeJ mice showed a delayed clearance of bacteria from the lung, a higher relative lung weight, and increased body weight loss. Splenocytes from infected C3H/HeJ mice produced almost no interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) upon ex vivo restimulation with B. pertussis compared to A/J mice and also showed a delayed gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) production. TNF-alpha expression in the lungs 3 days after infection was increased fivefold compared to uninfected controls in A/J mice and was not affected in C3H/HeJ mice. In conclusion, Tlr4 is a major host factor explaining the differences in the course of infection between these inbred strains of mice. Functional Tlr4 is essential for an efficient IL-1-beta, TNF-alpha, and IFN-gamma response; efficient clearance of bacteria from the lung; and reduced lung pathology.
2006-10-06T08:52:08Z
2006-10-06T08:52:08Z
2006-05-01
Article
Infect. Immun. 2006, 74(5):2596-605
0019-9567
16622195
10.1128/IAI.74.5.2596-2605.2006
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4912
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49132019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Dietary intake of different types and characteristics of processed meat which might be associated with cancer risk--results from the 24-hour diet recalls in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
Linseisen, Jakob
Rohrmann, Sabine
Norat, Teresa
González, Carlos Alberto
Dorronsoro Iraeta, Miren
Morote Gómez, Patrocinio
Chirlaque, María-Dolores
Pozo, Basilio G
Ardanaz, Eva
Mattisson, Irene
Pettersson, Ulrika
Palmqvist, Richard
Guelpen, Bethany van
Bingham, Sheila A
McTaggart, Alison
Spencer, Elizabeth A
Overvad, Kim
Tjønneland, Anne
Stripp, Connie
Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise
Kesse, Emmanuelle
Boeing, Heiner
Klipstein-Grobusch, Kerstin
Trichopoulou, Antonia
Vasilopoulou, Effie
Bellos, George
Pala, Valeria
Masala, Giovanna
Tumino, Rosario
Sacerdote, Carlotta
Pezzo, Mariarosaria Del
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Ocké, Marga C
Peeters, Petra H M
Engeset, Dagrun
Skeie, Guri
Slimani, Nadia
Riboli, Elio
OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence for a significant effect of processed meat (PM) intake on cancer risk. However, refined knowledge on how components of this heterogeneous food group are associated with cancer risk is still missing. Here, actual data on the intake of PM subcategories is given; within a food-based approach we considered preservation methods, cooking methods and nutrient content for stratification, in order to address most of the aetiologically relevant hypotheses. DESIGN AND SETTING: Standardised computerised 24-hour diet recall interviews were collected within the framework of the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), a prospective cohort study in 27 centres across 10 European countries. SUBJECTS: Subjects were 22,924 women and 13,031 men aged 35-74 years. RESULTS: Except for the so-called 'health-conscious' cohort in the UK, energy-adjusted total PM intake ranged between 11.1 and 47.9 g day(-1) in women and 18.8 and 88.5 g day(-1) in men. Ham, salami-type sausages and heated sausages contributed most to the overall PM intake. The intake of cured (addition of nitrate/nitrite) PM was highest in the German, Dutch and northern European EPIC centres, with up to 68.8 g day(-1) in men. The same was true for smoked PM (up to 51.8 g day(-1)). However, due to the different manufacturing practice, the highest average intake of NaNO2 through PM consumption was found for the Spanish centres (5.4 mg day(-1) in men) as compared with German and British centres. Spanish centres also showed the highest intake of NaCl-rich types of PM; most cholesterol- and iron-rich PM was consumed in central and northern European centres. Possibly hazardous cooking methods were more often used for PM preparation in central and northern European centres. CONCLUSIONS: We applied a food-based categorisation of PM that addresses aetiologically relevant mechanisms for cancer development and found distinct differences in dietary intake of these categories of PM across European cohorts. This predisposes EPIC to further investigate the role of PM in cancer aetiology.
2006-10-06T08:53:09Z
2006-10-06T08:53:09Z
2006-06-01
Article
Public Health Nutr 2006, 9(4):449-64
1368-9800
16870017
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4913
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49142019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Fasting leptin and appetite responses induced by a 4-day 65%-energy-restricted diet.
Mars, M
Graaf, C de
Groot, C P G M de
Rossum, Caroline T M van
Kok, F J
OBJECTIVE: Animal studies show that the leptin decline after acute severe caloric restriction is a peripheral signal to increase food intake. However, most human studies have failed to observe such a relationship. We studied the acute effects of severe caloric restriction on the association between serum leptin concentrations and subjective appetite. SUBJECTS: A total of 44 healthy adult men (aged: 43 +/- 5 years; BMI: 27.3 +/- 3.2 kg/m(2)). MEASUREMENTS: Fasting serum leptin concentrations and self-perceived appetite levels were measured during a 4-day diet containing 36% of the estimated energy requirements. Appetite levels were assessed with a 10-point Likert scale, reflecting hunger, fullness, desire to eat, prospective consumption and total appetite. RESULTS: After the 4-day energy deficit, fasting leptin concentrations decreased by 39.4% (95% CI: -43.6; -34.9%). This decline was associated with an increase in fasting hunger (r = -0.42; P < 0.01), desire to eat (r = -0.39; P < 0.05) and total appetite (r = -0.38; P < 0.05). Furthermore, the association between fasting leptin concentrations and fasting appetite levels became stronger during the energy restriction period (for total appetite: day 0 r = -0.15, P = 0.32; day 2 r = -0.31, P =< 0.05; day 4 r = -0.41, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The acute proportional reduction in fasting leptin after 4-day energy restriction is associated with an increase in self-perceived appetite. Additionally, the inverse association between proportional fasting leptin concentrations and self-perceived appetite response becomes stronger as energy restriction is prolonged. These findings suggest that leptin has an instrumental role in restoring energy balance in humans through the expression of appetite.
2006-10-06T08:54:10Z
2006-10-06T08:54:10Z
2006-01-01
Article
Int J Obes (Lond) 2006, 30(1):122-8
0307-0565
16158086
10.1038/sj.ijo.0803070
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4914
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49152019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Polymorphisms in the genes involved in the arachidonic acid-pathway, fish consumption and the risk of colorectal cancer.
Siezen, Christine L E
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Peeters, Petra H M
Kram, Nicolien R
Doeselaar, Marina van
Kranen, Henk J van
The objective of this study on colorectal cancer was to investigate the associations between SNPs in the genes involved in the arachidonic acid (AA)-pathway, their haplotypes and colorectal cancer. Moreover, interactions between SNPs and fish consumption were considered. In this study, a total of 508 cases and 772 controls were included, originating from 2 prospective cohorts, the Monitoring Project on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors (PPHV) and Diagnostisch Onderzoek Mammacarcinoom (DOM). Genotypes of 23 SNPs in 7 candidate genes were determined and the modifying effect of fish consumption was considered. A protective effect of the minor allele of SNP V102V in PTGS2 was observed (odds ratio (OR), 0.37; 95% confidence intervals (CI), 0.16-0.87). The haplotype representing this allele showed a weaker inverse association, indicating that 2 alleles are necessary to obtain this protective effect. Fish consumption data was available for 209 cases and 418 controls. Increased fish consumption was inversely associated with cancer, although not significant (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.57-1.20). Despite the substantial reductions in cancer risk for some genotypes in combination with high fish intake, no significant interactions between any SNP studied and fish consumption were observed. We have previously described an association between colorectal adenomas and SNP V102V in PTGS2 and have now confirmed this association for colorectal adenocarcinomas. Fish consumption of once a week or more might protect against colorectal cancer, but no significant interactions with SNPs in the genes involved in the AA-pathway could be detected within the study.
2006-10-06T08:55:16Z
2006-10-06T08:55:16Z
2006-07-15
Article
Int. J. Cancer 2006, 119(2):297-303
0020-7136
16482563
10.1002/ijc.21858
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4915
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49172019-09-02T08:27:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Subacute effects of the brominated flame retardants hexabromocyclododecane and tetrabromobisphenol A on hepatic cytochrome P450 levels in rats.
Germer, Silke
Piersma, Aldert H
Ven, Leo T M van der
Kamyschnikow, Andreas
Fery, Yvonne
Schmitz, Hans-Joachim
Schrenk, Dieter
The brominated flame retardants tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD) are found in the environment, e.g., in sediments and organisms, in food items, human blood samples and mother's milk. In this study, the effects of both compounds on rat hepatic cytochrome P450 (CYP) levels and activities were investigated. Juvenile/young male and female Wistar rats were treated orally with various doses via the feed (TBBPA) or by gavage (HBCD). After 28 days of treatment the animals were sacrificed and hepatic mRNA and microsomes were isolated. HBCD treatment led to a significant induction of CYP2B1 mRNA, CYP2B1/2B2 protein and 7-pentoxyresorufin O-depentylase (PROD) activity suggesting a phenobarbital-type of induction. Furthermore, a significant increase in CYP3A1/3A3 mRNA, CYP3A1 protein, and luciferin benzylether debenzylase (LBD) activity was found, being more pronounced in females than in males. The effect on CYP3A1/3A3 mRNA was significant in female rats at a daily dose of 3.0mg/kg body weight and above. HBCD exhibited no effects on CYP1A2 mRNA, CYP1A1/1A2 protein, or microsomal 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) activity suggesting lack of activation of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor. No significant effects on any of the parameters measured were obtained with TBBPA. Our findings suggest that oral exposure to HBCD induces drug-metabolising enzymes in rats probably via the CAR/PXR signalling pathway. Induction of CYPs and co-regulated enzymes of phase II of drug metabolism may affect homeostasis of endogenous substrates including steroid and thyroid hormones.
2006-10-06T08:56:30Z
2006-10-06T08:56:30Z
2006-02-01
Article
Toxicology 2006, 218(2-3):229-36
0300-483X
16325980
10.1016/j.tox.2005.10.019
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4917
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/49202019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Can Transgenic Maize Affect Soil Microbial Communities?
Mulder, Christian
Wouterse, Marja
Raubuch, Markus
Roelofs, Willem
Rutgers, Michiel
The aim of the experiment was to determine if temporal variations of belowground activity reflect the influence of the Cry1Ab protein from transgenic maize on soil bacteria and, hence, on a regulatory change of the microbial community (ability to metabolize sources belonging to different chemical guilds) and/or a change in numerical abundance of their cells. Litter placement is known for its strong influence on the soil decomposer communities. The effects of the addition of crop residues on respiration and catabolic activities of the bacterial community were examined in microcosm experiments. Four cultivars of Zea mays L. of two different isolines (each one including the conventional crop and its Bacillus thuringiensis cultivar) and one control of bulk soil were included in the experimental design. The growth models suggest a dichotomy between soils amended with either conventional or transgenic maize residues. The Cry1Ab protein appeared to influence the composition of the microbial community. The highly enhanced soil respiration observed during the first 72 h after the addition of Bt-maize residues can be interpreted as being related to the presence of the transgenic crop residues. This result was confirmed by agar plate counting, as the averages of the colony-forming units of soils in conventional treatments were about one-third of those treated with transgenic straw. Furthermore, the addition of Bt-maize appeared to induce increased microbial consumption of carbohydrates in BIOLOG EcoPlates. Three weeks after the addition of maize residues to the soils, no differences between the consumption rate of specific chemical guilds by bacteria in soils amended with transgenic maize and bacteria in soils amended with conventional maize were detectable. Reaped crop residues, comparable to post-harvest maize straw (a common practice in current agriculture), rapidly influence the soil bacterial cells at a functional level. Overall, these data support the existence of short Bt-induced ecological shifts in the microbial communities of croplands' soils.
2006-10-06T08:59:49Z
2006-10-06T08:59:49Z
2006-09-29
Article
PLoS Comput Biol 2006, 2(9):
1553-7358
17009863
10.1371/journal.pcbi.0020128
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/4920
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55332019-09-02T08:25:47Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Explaining sex differences in chronic musculoskeletal pain in a general population.
Wijnhoven, Hanneke A H
Vet, Henrica C W de
Picavet, H Susan J
Many studies report a female predominance in the prevalence of chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) but the mechanisms explaining these sex differences are poorly understood. Data from a random postal questionnaire survey in the Dutch general population were used to examine whether sex differences in the prevalences of CMP are due to sex differences in the distribution of known potential risk factors for CMP (exposure model) and/or to the different importance of risk factors for CMP (i.e. show different strength of association) in men and women (vulnerability model). In the present analyses, 909 men and 1178 women aged 25-65 were included. CMP was defined as pain lasting longer than 3 months and was assessed for 10 anatomical locations (neck, shoulder, higher back, elbow, wrist/hand, lower back, hip, knee, ankle, foot). Sex differences in CMP could not be explained by a different distribution of age, educational level, smoking status, overweight, physical activity, and pain catastrophizing. Having no paid job was associated with CMP, explaining part of the sex differences, but its role seems complex. Risk factors with a sex-specific association were: overweight (all pain locations) and older age (lower extremities)--both having only an effect among women--and pain catastrophizing (upper extremities), which was stronger associated with CMP among men than among women. In conclusion, sex differences in prevalence of CMP may partly be explained by sex differences in vulnerability to risk factors for CMP. Future research towards sex-specific identification of risk factors for CMP is warranted. Eventually this may lead to sex-specific prevention and management of CMP.
2006-10-24T07:45:12Z
2006-10-24T07:45:12Z
2006-09-01
Article
Pain 2006, 124(1-2):158-66
1872-6623
16716517
10.1016/j.pain.2006.04.012
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5533
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55342024-03-28T11:07:08Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Approaches to the risk assessment of genotoxic carcinogens in food: a critical appraisal
O'Brien, J
Renwick, AG
Constable, A
Dybing, Erik
Müller, DJG
Schlatter, J
Slob, Wout
Tueting, W
van Benthem, Jan
Williams, GM
Wolfreys, A
The present paper examines the particular difficulties presented by low levels of food-borne DNA-reactive genotoxic carcinogens, some of which may be difficult to eliminate completely from the diet, and proposes a structured approach for the evaluation of such compounds. While the ALARA approach is widely applicable to all substances in food that are both carcinogenic and genotoxic, it does not take carcinogenic potency into account and, therefore, does not permit prioritisation based on potential risk or concern. In the absence of carcinogenicity dose-response data, an assessment based on comparison with an appropriate threshold of toxicological concern may be possible. When carcinogenicity data from animal bioassays are available, a useful analysis is achieved by the calculation of margins of exposure (MOEs), which can be used to compare animal potency data with human exposure scenarios. Two reference points on the dose-response relationship that can be used for MOE calculation were examined; the T25 value, which is derived from linear extrapolation, and the BMDL10, which is derived from mathematical modelling of the dose-response data. The above approaches were applied to selected food-borne genotoxic carcinogens. The proposed approach is applicable to all substances in food that are DNA-reactive genotoxic carcinogens and enables the formulation of appropriate semi-quantitative advice to risk managers.
2006-10-24T08:18:08Z
2006-10-24T08:18:08Z
2006-10-01
Article
Food Chem. Toxicol. 2006, 44(10):1613-35
0278-6915
16887251
10.1016/j.fct.2006.07.004
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5534
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55352019-09-02T08:26:02Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Risk assessment of substances that are both genotoxic and carcinogenic report of an International Conference organized by EFSA and WHO with support of ILSI Europe.
Barlow, S
Renwick, A G
Kleiner, J
Bridges, J W
Busk, L
Dybing, Erik
Edler, L
Eisenbrand, G
Fink-Gremmels, J
Knaap, A G A C
Kroes, R
Liem, D
Müller, D J G
Page, S
Rolland, V
Schlatter, J
Tritscher, A
Tueting, W
Würtzen, G
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the World Health Organization (WHO), with the support of the International Life Sciences Institute, European Branch (ILSI Europe), organized an international conference on 16-18 November 2005 to discuss how regulatory and advisory bodies evaluate the potential risks of the presence in food of substances that are both genotoxic and carcinogenic. The objectives of the conference were to discuss the possible approaches for risk assessment of such substances, how the approaches may be interpreted and whether they meet the needs of risk managers. ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable) provides advice based solely on hazard identification and does not take into account either potency or human exposure. The use of quantitative low-dose extrapolation of dose-response data from an animal bioassay raises numerous scientific uncertainties related to the selection of mathematical models and extrapolation down to levels of human exposure. There was consensus that the margin of exposure (MOE) was the preferred approach because it is based on the available animal dose-response data, without extrapolation, and on human exposures. The MOE can be used for prioritisation of risk management actions but the conference recognised that it is difficult to interpret it in terms of health risk.
2006-10-24T08:27:39Z
2006-10-24T08:27:39Z
2006-10-01
Article
Food Chem. Toxicol. 2006, 44(10):1636-50
0278-6915
16891049
10.1016/j.fct.2006.06.020
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5535
en
172520 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55402019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Effects of Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat and feed intake level on the biotransformation and carry-over of deoxynivalenol in dairy cows.
Seeling, K
Dänicke, S
Valenta, H
Egmond, H P van
Schothorst, R C
Jekel, A A
Lebzien, P
Schollenberger, M
Razzazi-Fazeli, E
Flachowsky, G
An experiment was carried out to examine the effects of feeding Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat (8.21 mg deoxynivalenol (DON) and 0.09 mg zearalenone (ZON) per kg dry matter) at different feed intake levels on the biotransformation and carry-over of DON in dairy cows. For this purpose, 14 ruminal and duodenal fistulated dairy cows were fed a diet containing 60% concentrate with a wheat portion of 55% (Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat (mycotoxin period) or control wheat (control period)) and the ration was completed with maize- and grass silage (50 : 50) on a dry matter basis. Daily DON intakes ranged from 16.6 to 75.6 mg in the mycotoxin period at dry matter intakes of 5.6-20.5 kg. DON was almost completely biotransformed to de-epoxy DON (94-99%) independent of the DON/feed intake, and the flow of DON and de-epoxy DON at the duodenum related to DON intake ranged from 12 to 77% when the Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat was fed. In the serum samples, de-epoxy DON was detected in the range of 4-28 ng ml-1 in the mycotoxin period, while concentrations of DON were all below the detection limit. The daily excretion of DON and de-epoxy DON in the milk of cows fed the contaminated wheat varied between 1 and 10 microg and between 14 and 104 microg, respectively. The total carry-over rates as the ratio between the daily excretion of DON and de-epoxy DON into milk and DON intake were in the ranges of 0.0001-0.0002 and 0.0004-0.0024, respectively. Total carry-over rates of DON as DON and de-epoxy DON into the milk increased significantly with increasing milk yield. In the urine samples, de-epoxy DON was the predominant substance as compared with DON with a portion of the total DON plus de-epoxy DON concentration to 96% when the Fusarium toxin-contaminated wheat was fed, whereas the total residues of DON plus de-epoxy DON in faeces ranged between 2 and 18% of DON intake in the mycotoxin period. The degree of glucuronidation of de-epoxy DON was found to be approximately 100% in serum. From 33 to 80% of DON and from 73 to 92% of de-epoxy DON, and from 21 to 92% of DON and from 86 to 100% of de-epoxy DON were glucuronidated in the milk and urine, respectively. It is concluded that DON is very rapidly biotransformed to de-epoxy DON in the rumen and only negligible amounts of DON and de-epoxy DON were transmitted into the milk within the range of 5.6-20.5 kg day-1 dry matter intake and milk yields (fat corrected milk) between 10 and 42 kg day-1.
2006-10-24T09:07:45Z
2006-10-24T09:07:45Z
2006-10-01
Article
Food Addit Contam 2006, 23(10):1008-20
0265-203X
16982523
10.1080/02652030600723245
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5540
en
235299 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55422019-09-02T08:25:47Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Dioxin and dioxin-like PCB exposure of non-breastfed Dutch infants.
Weijs, P J M
Bakker, Martine I
Korver, K R
Goor Ghanaviztchi, K van
Wijnen, Joop H van
The exposure of humans to PCDD/Fs (polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans) and dioxin-like PCBs (dl-PCBs, i.e. polychlorinated non-ortho and mono-ortho biphenyls) occurs predominantly via the intake of food. Young children have a relatively high intake of these substances, due to their high food consumption per kilogram body weight. As the exposure of non-breastfed infants to these compounds has not been assessed before in The Netherlands, we studied the dietary intake of 17 PCDD/Fs and 11 dioxin-like PCBs in 188 Dutch non-breastfed infants between 4 and 13 months. The food intake of the infants was assessed by a 2-d food record. From these data PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB intake was calculated using PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB concentrations of food products sampled in 1998/1999 in The Netherlands. The long-term PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB exposure of the infants was calculated using the statistical exposure model (STEM). For infants of 5 months the chronic exposure to PCDD/F and dioxin-like PCB was 1.1pg WHO-TEQ (toxic equivalents) per kilogram body weight (bw) per day (95th percentile: 1.7pg WHO-TEQ/kg bwxd), which mainly originated from infant formula and vegetables and increased to 2.3pg WHO-TEQ/kg bwxd (95th percentile 3.7pg WHO-TEQ/kg bwxd) for infants just over 1 year old eating the same food as their parents. The percentage of formula-fed infants with an exposure exceeding the TDI of 2pg WHO-TEQ/kg bwxd was 5% at 5 months, 49% at 9 months and 64% at 12 months.
2006-10-24T09:23:19Z
2006-10-24T09:23:19Z
2006-08-01
Article
Chemosphere 2006, 64(9):1521-5
0045-6535
16442144
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2005.12.022
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5542
en
148139 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55462019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Carry-over of dioxins and PCBs from feed and soil to eggs at low contamination levels-- influence of mycotoxin binders on the carry-over from feed to eggs.
Hoogenboom, L A P
Kan, C A
Zeilmaker, Marco J
Eijkeren, Jan C H van
Traag, Win A
Laying hens were fed with compound feed containing six different levels of dioxins, dioxin-like PCBs and indicator PCBs for a period of 56 days. This was followed by a period of 56 days on clean feed. Dioxin levels in feed varied from background levels to three times the current EU tolerance limit of 0.75 ng TEQ/kg. At all dose levels a rapid increase was observed in the dioxin levels in eggs. There was a clear linear dose-response relationship between the dioxin levels in eggs and feed. The feed containing 0.4 ng TEQ dioxins per kg resulted in egg levels just above the EU limit of 3 pg TEQ/g fat. Dioxin-like and indicator PCB residues followed a pattern very similar to that of dioxins. Exposure to the highest indicator PCB level of 32 microg/kg resulted in egg levels around 300 ng/g fat. Exposure to dioxins through contaminated soil, mixed at 10% into the feed, resulted in a similar carry-over as from feed. Mycotoxin binders, mixed at 0.5% into the feed, had little effect on the carry-over of dioxins from the feed to the egg. It can be concluded that consumption of feed or soil with even moderate levels of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs rapidly results in increased levels in eggs. The current EU dioxin limit for feed cannot guarantee egg dioxin levels below the EU-limit.
2006-10-24T09:35:31Z
2006-10-24T09:35:31Z
2006-05-01
Article
Food Addit Contam 2006, 23(5):518-27
0265-203X
16644600
10.1080/02652030500512037
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5546
en
367277 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55472019-09-02T08:26:02Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Antibiotic resistance, integrons and Salmonella genomic island 1 among non-typhoidal Salmonella serovars in The Netherlands.
Vo, An T T
Duijkeren, Engeline van
Fluit, Ad C
Wannet, Wim J B
Verbruggen, Anjo J
Maas, Henny M E
Gaastra, Wim
The objective of this study was to investigate the antimicrobial resistance patterns, integron characteristics and gene cassettes as well as the presence of Salmonella genomic island 1 (SGI1) in non-typhoidal Salmonella (NTS) isolates from human and animal origin. Epidemiologically unrelated Dutch NTS strains (n=237) originating from food-producing animals and human cases of salmonellosis were tested for their susceptibility to 15 antimicrobial agents. Resistance to 14 of these antimicrobials, including the third-generation cephalosporins, was detected. Resistance to sulphonamides, ampicillin, tetracycline, streptomycin, trimethoprim and nalidixic acid was common (>/=10% of the strains were resistant). Resistance against three or more antimicrobials was observed in 57 isolates. The same 237 strains were studied for the prevalence of class 1 integrons, their gene cassettes and the presence of SGI1. Thirty-six isolates (15.2%) carried class 1 integrons. These integrons had ten distinct profiles based on the size of the integron and restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Integrons were detected for the first time in serovars Indiana and Senftenberg. Multidrug resistance was strongly associated with the presence of class 1 integrons in which the aadA2, aadA1, bla(PSE-1), dfrA1, dfrA5, dfrA14 or sat genes were present, as determined by nucleotide sequence determination. The presence of gene cassettes or combinations of gene cassettes not previously found in integrons in Salmonella was observed. SGI1 or its variants (SGI-B, -C and -F) were present in 16 isolates belonging to either serovar Typhimurium, Derby or Albany. Regardless of whether the isolate was of human or animal origin, the same resistance phenotype, integron profile and SGI1 structure could be observed.
2006-10-24T09:48:30Z
2006-10-24T09:48:30Z
2006-09-01
Article
Int. J. Antimicrob. Agents 2006, 28(3):172-9
0924-8579
16911867
10.1016/j.ijantimicag.2006.05.027
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5547
en
248604 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55482019-09-02T08:26:02Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Health care costs in the last year of life--the Dutch experience.
Polder, Johan J
Barendregt, Jan J
Oers, Hans van
Health expenditure depends heavily on age. Common wisdom is that the age pattern is dominated by costs in the last year of life. Knowledge about these costs is important for the debate on the future development of health expenditure. According to the 'red herring' argument traditional projection methods overestimate the influence of ageing because improvements in life expectancy will postpone rather than raise health expenditure. This paper has four objectives: (1) to estimate health care costs in the last year of life in the Netherlands; (2) to describe age patterns and differences between causes of death for men and women; (3) to compare cost profiles of decedents and survivors; and (4) to use these figures in projections of future health expenditure. We used health insurance data of 2.1 million persons (13% of the Dutch population), linked at the individual level with data on the use of home care and nursing homes and causes of death in 1999. On average, health care costs amounted to 1100 Euro per person. Costs per decedent were 13.5 times higher and approximated 14,906 Euro in the last year of life. Most costs related to hospital care (54%) and nursing home care (19%). Among the major causes of death, costs were highest for cancer (19,000 Euro) and lowest for myocardial infarctions (8068 Euro). Between the other causes of death, however, cost differences were rather limited. On average costs for the younger decedents were higher than for people who died at higher ages. Ten per cent of total health expenditure was associated with the health care use of people in their last year of life. Increasing longevity will result in higher costs because people live longer. The decline of costs in the last year of life with increasing age will have a moderate lowering effect. Our projection demonstrated a 10% decline in the growth rate of future health expenditure compared to conventional projection methods.
2006-10-24T09:57:01Z
2006-10-24T09:57:01Z
2006-10-01
Article
Soc Sci Med 2006, 63(7):1720-31
0277-9536
16781037
10.1016/j.socscimed.2006.04.018
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5548
en
321731 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55502019-09-02T08:26:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Long-term personal exposure to traffic-related air pollution among school children, a validation study.
Roosbroeck, Sofie van
Wichmann, Janine
Janssen, Nicole A H
Hoek, Gerard
Wijnen, Joop H van
Lebret, Erik
Brunekreef, Bert
Several recent studies suggest an association between long-term exposure to traffic-related air pollution and health. Most studies use indicators of exposure such as outdoor air pollution or traffic density on the street of residence. Little information is available about the validity of these measurements as an estimate of long-term personal exposure to traffic-related air pollution. In this pilot study, we assessed outdoor and personal exposure to traffic-related air pollution in children living in homes on streets with different degree of traffic intensity. The personal exposure of 14 children aged 9-12 years to 'soot', NO(x) (NO and NO(2)) was assessed in Amsterdam between March and June 2003. Each child's personal exposure was monitored during four repeated 48-h periods. Concurrently, in- and outdoor NO(x) measurements were carried out at the school and at the home of each participating child. Measurements were supplemented by a questionnaire on time activity patterns and possible indoor sources. Flow-controlled battery operated pumps in a made-to-fit backpack were used to sample personal exposure to 'soot', determined from the reflectance of PM(2.5) filters. Exposure to NO(x) was assessed using Ogawa passive samplers. Children living near busy roads were found to have a 35% higher personal exposure to 'soot' than children living at an urban background location, despite that all children attended the same school that was located away from busy roads. Smaller contrasts in personal exposure were found for NO (14%), NO(2) (15%) and NO(x) (14%). This finding supports the use of 'living near a busy road' as a measure of exposure in epidemiological studies on the effects of traffic-related air pollution in children.
2006-10-24T10:35:34Z
2006-10-24T10:35:34Z
2006-09-15
Article
Sci. Total Environ. 2006, 368(2-3):565-73
0048-9697
16650461
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2006.03.034
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5550
en
371204 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55512019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Frequency of Adverse Events after Vaccination with Different Vaccinia Strains.
Kretzschmar, Mirjam
Wallinga, Jacco
Teunis, Peter F M
Xing, Shuqin
Mikolajczyk, Rafael
BACKGROUND: Large quantities of smallpox vaccine have been stockpiled to protect entire nations against a possible reintroduction of smallpox. Planning for an appropriate use of these stockpiled vaccines in response to a smallpox outbreak requires a rational assessment of the risks of vaccination-related adverse events, compared to the risk of contracting an infection. Although considerable effort has been made to understand the dynamics of smallpox transmission in modern societies, little attention has been paid to estimating the frequency of adverse events due to smallpox vaccination. Studies exploring the consequences of smallpox vaccination strategies have commonly used a frequency of approximately one death per million vaccinations, which is based on a study of vaccination with the New York City Board of Health (NYCBH) strain of vaccinia virus. However, a multitude of historical studies of smallpox vaccination with other vaccinia strains suggest that there are strain-related differences in the frequency of adverse events after vaccination. Because many countries have stockpiled vaccine based on the Lister strain of vaccinia virus, a quantitative evaluation of the adverse effects of such vaccines is essential for emergency response planning. We conducted a systematic review and statistical analysis of historical data concerning vaccination against smallpox with different strains of vaccinia virus. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We analyzed historical vaccination data extracted from the literature. We extracted data on the frequency of postvaccinal encephalitis and death with respect to vaccinia strain and age of vaccinees. Using a hierarchical Bayesian approach for meta-analysis, we estimated the expected frequencies of postvaccinal encephalitis and death with respect to age at vaccination for smallpox vaccines based on the NYCBH and Lister vaccinia strains. We found large heterogeneity between findings from different studies and a time-period effect that showed decreasing incidences of adverse events over several decades. To estimate death rates, we then restricted our analysis to more-recent studies. We estimated that vaccination with the NYCBH strain leads to an average of 1.4 deaths per million vaccinations (95% credible interval, 0-6) and that vaccination with Lister vaccine leads to an average of 8.4 deaths per million vaccinations (95% credible interval, 0-31). We combined age-dependent estimates of the frequency of death after vaccination and revaccination with demographic data to obtain estimates of the expected number of deaths in present societies due to vaccination with the NYCBH and Lister vaccinia strains. CONCLUSIONS: Previous analyses of smallpox vaccination policies, which rely on the commonly assumed value of one death per million vaccinations, may give serious underestimates of the number of deaths resulting from vaccination. Moreover, because there are large, strain-dependent differences in the frequency of adverse events due to smallpox vaccination, it is difficult to extrapolate from predictions for the NYCBH-derived vaccines (stockpiled in countries such as the US) to predictions for the Lister-derived vaccines (stockpiled in countries such as Germany). In planning for an effective response to a possible smallpox outbreak, public-health decision makers should reconsider their strategies of when to opt for ring vaccination and when to opt for mass vaccination.
2006-10-24T11:08:19Z
2006-10-24T11:08:19Z
2006-08-22
Article
PLoS Med 2006, 3(8):
1549-1676
16933957
10.1371/journal.pmed.0030272
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5551
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55522019-09-02T08:51:34Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Does a "500 million-year-old hormone" disprove Darwin?
Hafner, Martin
Korthof, Gert
2006-10-24T11:13:47Z
2006-10-24T11:13:47Z
2006-07-01
Article
FASEB J. 2006, 20(9):1290-2
1530-6860
16816103
10.1096/fj.06-0705ufm
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5552
en
69800 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55532019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Noise exposure and children's blood pressure and heart rate: the RANCH project.
Kempen, Elise van
Kamp, I van
Fischer, P
Davies, Hugh W
Houthuijs, D
Stellato, Rebecca K
Clark, Charlotte
Stansfeld, Stephen A
BACKGROUND: Conclusions that can be drawn from earlier studies on noise and children's blood pressure are limited due to inconsistent results, methodological problems, and the focus on school noise exposure. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of aircraft and road traffic noise exposure on children's blood pressure and heart rate. METHODS: Participants were 1283 children (age 9-11 years) attending 62 primary schools around two European airports. Data were pooled and analysed using multilevel modelling. Adjustments were made for a range of socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. RESULTS: After pooling the data, aircraft noise exposure at school was related to a statistically non-significant increase in blood pressure and heart rate. Aircraft noise exposure at home was related to a statistically significant increase in blood pressure. Aircraft noise exposure during the night at home was positively and significantly associated with blood pressure. The findings differed between the Dutch and British samples. Negative associations were found between road traffic noise exposure and blood pressure, which cannot be explained. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study and previous scientific literature, no unequivocal conclusions can be drawn about the relationship between community noise and children's blood pressure.
2006-10-24T11:41:09Z
2006-10-24T11:41:09Z
2006-09-01
Article
Occup Environ Med 2006, 63(9):632-9
1470-7926
16728500
10.1136/oem.2006.026831
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5553
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55552019-09-02T08:26:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Emergence and resurgence of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus as a public-health threat.
Grundmann, Hajo
Aires-de-Sousa, Marta
Boyce, John
Tiemersma, Edine
Staphylococcus aureus is a gram-positive bacterium that colonises the skin and is present in the anterior nares in about 25-30% of healthy people. Dependent on its intrinsic virulence or the ability of the host to contain its opportunistic behaviour, S aureus can cause a range of diseases in man. The bacterium readily acquires resistance against all classes of antibiotics by one of two distinct mechanisms: mutation of an existing bacterial gene or horizontal transfer of a resistance gene from another bacterium. Several mobile genetic elements carrying exogenous antibiotic resistance genes might mediate resistance acquisition. Of all the resistance traits S aureus has acquired since the introduction of antimicrobial chemotherapy in the 1930s, meticillin resistance is clinically the most important, since a single genetic element confers resistance to the most commonly prescribed class of antimicrobials--the beta-lactam antibiotics, which include penicillins, cephalosporins, and carbapenems.
2006-10-24T11:59:06Z
2006-10-24T11:59:06Z
2006-09-02
Article
Lancet 2006, 368(9538):874-85
1474-547X
16950365
10.1016/S0140-6736(06)68853-3
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5555
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55562024-03-22T09:15:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Modeling predicted that tobacco control policies targeted at lower educated will reduce the differences in life expectancy
Bemelmans, WJE
van Lenthe, Frank J
Hoogenveen, R
Kunst, A
Deeg, DJH
van den Brandt, PA
Goldbohm, RA
Verschuren, WM Monique
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To estimate the effects of reducing the prevalence of smoking in lower educated groups on educational differences in life expectancy. METHODS: A dynamic Markov-type multistate transition model estimated the effects on life expectancy of two scenarios. A "maximum scenario" where educational differences in prevalence of smoking disappear immediately, and a "policy target-scenario" where difference in prevalence of smoking is halved over a 20-year period. The two scenarios were compared to a reference scenario, where smoking prevalences do not change. Five Dutch cohort studies, involving over 67,000 participants aged 20 to 90 years, provided relative mortality risks by educational level, and smoking habits were assessed using national data of more than 120,000 persons. RESULTS: In the reference scenario, the difference in life expectancy at age 40 between highest and lowest educated groups was 5.1 years for men and 2.7 years for women. In the "maximum scenario" these differences were reduced to 3.6 years for men and 1.7 years for women (reduction approximately 30%), and in the "policy target-scenario" differences were 4.7 years for men and 2.4 years for women (reduction approximately 10%). CONCLUSION: Theoretically, educational differences in life expectancy would be reduced by 30% at maximum, if variations in smoking prevalence were eliminated completely. In practice, tobacco control policies that are targeted at the lower educated may reduce the differences in life expectancy by approximately 10%.
2006-10-24T12:08:09Z
2006-10-24T12:08:09Z
2006-09-01
Article
J Clin Epidemiol 2006, 59(9):1002-8
0895-4356
16895825
10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.02.008
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5556
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55572019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Multi-centre first-trimester screening for Down syndrome in the Netherlands in routine clinical practice.
Schielen, P C J I
Leeuwen-Spruijt, M van
Belmouden, I
Elvers, L H
Jonker, M
Loeber, J G
OBJECTIVES: This is the first report on the results of a first-trimester combined-test screening programme in the Netherlands in a multi-centre routine clinical setting. METHODS: Between July 2002 and May 2004, blood samples were taken from subjects in 44 centres in the Netherlands and sent to our laboratory to assay for maternal serum concentrations of fbeta-hCG and PAPP-A. Fetal nuchal translucency (NT) was measured in the participating centres at a gestational age (GA) of 10-14 weeks. Results of those pregnancies for which a combined biochemical and NT risk was calculated were included in the epidemiological analysis of this study. RESULTS: A total of 4033 singleton pregnancies were included in the analysis. The median maternal age of the analysed group was 36.5 years. The distribution of GA was biphasic, with median GA of 10.3 and 12.1 weeks, respectively. The detection rate using the combined ultrasound and serum screening at a cut-off level of 1 in 250 was 71% (15/21), with a screen-positive rate of 4.7%. CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that the first-trimester combined test is suitable as a prenatal screening test in a multi-centre routine clinical setting in the Netherlands. Strict performance evaluation should identify weaknesses in the organisation that impair the performance of the test. Here, the performance of NT was especially identified as a candidate for improvement.
2006-10-24T12:46:22Z
2006-10-24T12:46:22Z
2006-08-01
Article
Prenat. Diagn. 2006, 26(8):711-8
0197-3851
16752435
10.1002/pd.1486
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5557
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55582019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Molecular epidemiology of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, shows distinct heterosexual and homosexual networks.
Kolader, Marion-Eliëtte
Dukers, Nicole H T M
Bij, Akke K van der
Dierdorp, Mirjam
Fennema, Johan S A
Coutinho, Roel A
Bruisten, Sylvia M
Molecular typing, added to epidemiological data, can better identify transmission patterns of gonorrhea in Western countries, where the incidence has recently been rising. From September 2002 to September 2003, patients with a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of gonorrhea at the Clinic for Sexually Transmitted Infections in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, were subjected to a questionnaire pertaining to sexual risk behavior and sexual partners in the 6 months prior to the diagnosis. The Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolates were all genotyped using PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism of the porin and opacity genes. All patients with a completed questionnaire and genotyped isolates were included in the study. We obtained 885 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from 696 patients that revealed 88 clusters and 46 unique genotypes. Patients infected at multiple anatomical sites with one or more strains and patients infected several times during the study period were shown to pursue high-risk sexual behavior and were considered core groups. There were 11 clusters of > or =20 patients; in seven clusters, 81% to 100% of patients were men who have sex with men (MSM), three clusters contained 87 to 100% heterosexual men and women, and one cluster was formed by equal proportions of MSM and heterosexual male and female patients. However, the various clusters differed in characteristics such as types of coinfections, numbers of sexual partners, Internet use to seek sexual partners, and locations of sexual encounters. Molecular epidemiology of gonococcal isolates in Amsterdam revealed core groups and clusters of MSM and heterosexual patients that probably indicate distinct transmission networks.
2006-10-24T13:19:58Z
2006-10-24T13:19:58Z
2006-08-01
Article
J. Clin. Microbiol. 2006, 44(8):2689-97
0095-1137
16891479
10.1128/JCM.02311-05
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5558
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55592019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Multiple cases of familial transmission of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus.
Huijsdens, Xander W
Santen-Verheuvel, Marga G van
Spalburg, Emile
Heck, Max E O C
Pluister, Gerlinde N
Eijkelkamp, B A
Neeling, Albert J de
Wannet, Wim J B
The worldwide emergence of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (CA-MRSA) can have severe public health implications. Familial transmissions of CA-MRSA in The Netherlands were investigated. Among the families studied, two clusters of CA-MRSA could be identified. This report demonstrates that family members can serve as reservoirs of CA-MRSA which may become a serious problem in containing the spread of MRSA.
2006-10-24T13:29:28Z
2006-10-24T13:29:28Z
2006-08-01
Article
J. Clin. Microbiol. 2006, 44(8):2994-6
0095-1137
16891525
10.1128/JCM.00846-06
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5559
en
84541 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55652019-09-02T08:26:20Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
An Xpd mouse model for the combined xeroderma pigmentosum/Cockayne syndrome exhibiting both cancer predisposition and segmental progeria.
Andressoo, Jaan-Olle
Mitchell, James R
Wit, Jan de
Hoogstraten, Deborah
Volker, Marcel
Toussaint, Wendy
Speksnijder, Ewoud
Beems, Rudolf B
Steeg, Harry van
Jans, Judith
Zeeuw, Chris I de
Jaspers, Nicolaas G J
Raams, Anja
Lehmann, Alan R
Vermeulen, Wim
Hoeijmakers, Jan H J
Horst, Gijsbertus T J van der
Inborn defects in nucleotide excision DNA repair (NER) can paradoxically result in elevated cancer incidence (xeroderma pigmentosum [XP]) or segmental progeria without cancer predisposition (Cockayne syndrome [CS] and trichothiodystrophy [TTD]). We report generation of a knockin mouse model for the combined disorder XPCS with a G602D-encoding mutation in the Xpd helicase gene. XPCS mice are the most skin cancer-prone NER model to date, and we postulate an unusual NER dysfunction that is likely responsible for this susceptibility. XPCS mice also displayed symptoms of segmental progeria, including cachexia and progressive loss of germinal epithelium. Like CS fibroblasts, XPCS and TTD fibroblasts from human and mouse showed evidence of defective repair of oxidative DNA lesions that may underlie these segmental progeroid symptoms.
2006-10-24T13:49:02Z
2006-10-24T13:49:02Z
2006-08-01
Article
Cancer Cell 2006, 10(2):121-32
1535-6108
16904611
10.1016/j.ccr.2006.05.027
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5565
en
782239 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55702019-09-02T08:26:36Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Short- and long-term variations of norovirus concentrations in the Meuse river during a 2-year study period.
Westrell, Therese
Teunis, Peter F M
Berg, Harold H J L van den
Lodder, Willemijn J
Ketelaars, Henk
Stenström, Thor Axel
Roda Husman, Ana Maria de
Faecally impacted surface waters used for drinking water production may encompass risk for norovirus infections. To be able to assess a possible health risk, noroviruses should be quantified and fluctuations identified. In 2001, norovirus concentrations in the river Meuse displayed a seasonal distribution with high peaks during wintertime as determined by RT-PCR on serially diluted RNA. An intensified day-by-day sampling scheme in the winter of 2002/2003 revealed that the winter peak consisted of several peaks of varying duration and magnitude, possibly due to contamination events in the catchment. The highest estimated concentration was 1700 PCR-detectable units per litre (95% CI 250-8000), which if coinciding with failing treatment could lead to significant numbers in drinking water. Adaptive dynamic filtering was shown to adequately predict subsequent sample concentrations. If valid, such analyses could prove to be useful as early warning systems in risk management of water sources.
2006-10-24T14:27:25Z
2006-10-24T14:27:25Z
2006-08-01
Article
Water Res. 2006, 40(14):2613-20
0043-1354
16839583
10.1016/j.watres.2006.05.019
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5570
en
362930 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55932019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Ambient particulate matter affects cardiac recovery in a Langendorff ischemia model.
Bagate, Karim
Meiring, James J
Gerlofs-Nijland, Miriam E
Cassee, Flemming R
Wiegand, Herbert
Osornio-Vargas, Alvaro
Borm, Paul J A
Exposure to ambient particulate matter (PM) is associated with increased mortality and morbidity among subjects with cardiovascular impairment. We hypothesized that exposure of spontaneously hypertensive (SH) rats to PM impairs the recovery of cardiovascular performance after coronary occlusion and reperfusion-ischemia. SH rats were exposed by intratracheal instillation to saline, standard urban PM (Ottawa dust EHC-93, 10 mg/kg body weight) or endotoxin (lipopolysaccharides LPS, 350 EU/animal) to induce a similar pulmonary inflammation. At 4 h postexposure, hearts were isolated and retrograde perfused in a Langendorff model. The experimental protocol included 35 min of coronary occlusion followed by 120 min of reperfusion, during which left ventricular developing pressure (LDVP), coronary flow (CF), and heart rate (HR) were measured. Baseline LVDP in particle-instilled SH rats was significantly decreased compared to saline-instilled animals. In addition, after ischemia the recovery of LDVP was much slower in rats pretreated with PM or LPS compared to saline instilled rats. The direct effects of the soluble PM fraction and the role of Zn2+ were also tested cardiomyocytes (H9C2 cells). Both particle-free filtrate and Zn2+ inhibited ATP or ionophore-stimulated calcium influx in cardiomyocytes. This inhibitory effect was related to an effect on calcium channels, as shown with Nifedipine. This study provides evidence that exposure to instillation of PM has reversible acute effects on the recovery of cardiac physiological parameters after ischemia. The effect may be caused by a direct action of soluble metals on calcium homeostasis in heart, but pulmonary inflammation may also play a significant role.
2006-10-26T08:59:09Z
2006-10-26T08:59:09Z
2006-08-01
Article
Inhal Toxicol 2006, 18(9):633-43
1091-7691
16864554
10.1080/08958370600742706
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5593
en
737308 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55962019-09-02T08:27:06Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Hazard classification of chemicals inducing haemolytic anaemia: An EU regulatory perspective.
Muller, Andre
Jacobsen, Helene
Healy, Edel
McMickan, Sinead
Istace, Fréderique
Blaude, Marie-Noëlle
Howden, Peter
Fleig, Helmut
Schulte, Agnes
Haemolytic anaemia is often induced following prolonged exposure to chemical substances. Currently, under EU Council Directive 67/548/EEC, substances which induce such effects are classified as dangerous and assigned the risk phrase R48 'Danger of serious damage to health by prolonged exposure.' Whilst the general classification criteria for this endpoint are outlined in Annex VI of this Directive, they do not provide specific information to assess haemolytic anaemia. This review produced by the EU Working Group on Haemolytic Anaemia provides a toxicological assessment of haemolytic anaemia and proposes criteria that can be used in the assessment for classification of substances which induce such effects. An overview of the primary and secondary effects of haemolytic anaemia which can occur in rodent repeated dose toxicity studies is given. A detailed analysis of the toxicological significance of such effects is then performed and correlated with the general classification criteria used for this endpoint. This review intends to give guidance when carrying out an assessment for classification for this endpoint and to allow for better transparency in the decision-making process on when to classify based on the presence of haemolytic anaemia in repeated dose toxicity studies. The extended classification criteria for haemolytic anaemia outlined in this review were accepted by the EU Commission Working Group on the Classification and Labelling of Dangerous Substances in September 2004.
2006-10-26T09:19:18Z
2006-10-26T09:19:18Z
2006-08-01
Article
Regul. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 2006, 45(3):229-41
0273-2300
16793184
10.1016/j.yrtph.2006.04.004
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5596
en
189962 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55972019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Real-time detection of noroviruses in surface water by use of a broadly reactive nucleic acid sequence-based amplification assay.
Rutjes, Saskia A
Berg, Harold H J L van den
Lodder, Willemijn J
Roda Husman, Ana Maria de
Noroviruses are the most common agents causing outbreaks of viral gastroenteritis. Outbreaks originating from contaminated drinking water and from recreational waters have been described. Due to a lack of cell culture systems, noroviruses are detected mostly by molecular methods. Molecular detection assays for viruses in water are often repressed by inhibitory factors present in the environment, like humic acids and heavy metals. To study the effect of environmental inhibitors on the performance of nucleic acid sequence-based amplification (NASBA), we developed a real-time norovirus NASBA targeting part of the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) gene. Specificity of the assay was studied with 33 divergent clones that contained part of the targeted RdRp gene of noroviruses from 15 different genogroups. Viral RNA originated from commercial oysters, surface waters, and sewage treatment plants in The Netherlands. Ninety-seven percent of the clones derived from human noroviruses were detected by real-time NASBA. Two clones containing animal noroviruses were not detected by NASBA. We compared the norovirus detection by real-time NASBA with that by conventional reverse transcriptase PCR (RT-PCR) with large-volume river water samples and found that inhibitory factors of RT-PCR had little or no effect on the performance of the norovirus NASBA. This consequently resulted in a higher sensitivity of the NASBA assay than of the RT-PCR. We show that by combining an efficient RNA extraction method with real-time NASBA the sensitivity of norovirus detection in water samples increased at least 100 times, which consequently has implications for the outcome of the infectious risk assessment.
2006-10-26T09:32:58Z
2006-10-26T09:32:58Z
2006-08-01
Article
Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 2006, 72(8):5349-58
0099-2240
16885286
10.1128/AEM.00751-06
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5597
en
628842 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/55992019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Polymorphisms in the NPY and AGRP genes and body fatness in Dutch adults.
Rossum, Caroline T M van
Pijl, H
Adan, R A H
Hoebee, Barbara
Seidell, J C
OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between DNA polymorphisms in the NPY and AGRP genes and body fatness. DESIGN AND METHODS: The association between the AGRP Ala67Thr or the NPY Leu7Pro polymorphisms and indicators of body fatness (baseline leptin levels, body mass index (BMI) values and prevalence of overweight) are investigated in 582 participants of two large cohorts in The Netherlands (total 18 500 adult men and women), aged 20-40 years whose weight remained relatively constant or whose weight increased substantially (range 5.5-47 kg) during a mean follow-up of 7 years. RESULTS: No consistent associations were found for the indicators of body fatness for men and women. Among women, BMI values, leptin levels and prevalence of overweight were not statistically different for carriers of the mutant alleles compared to that of the non-carriers. Among men, carriers of the Thr67-allele of the AGRP gene had similar leptin levels, but higher BMI values compared to those with the genotyping Ala67/Ala67: mean adjusted BMI 25.6 kg/m2 (95% CI 24.3-27.0) vs 23.9 kg/m2 (23.6-24.3). Also, the risk of being overweight at baseline tended to be higher for male carriers of the Thr67-allele of the AGRP gene (OR 2.52; 95% CI 0.86-7.4). Furthermore, male carriers of the Pro7-allele of the NPY gene had on average higher leptin levels and BMI values vs non-carriers of this allele: 4.7 microg/l (95% CI 3.7-6.0) and 25.7 kg/m2 (95% CI 24.4-27.0) vs 3.1 microg/l (95% CI 2.9-3.4) and 23.9 kg/m2 (95% CI 23.5-24.3), respectively. These male carriers had also a higher risk on being overweight at baseline (OR 3.3 (95% CI 1.2-8.9)) compared to non-carriers of the Pro7-allele. CONCLUSION: The consistent findings among men suggest that the NPY Leu7Pro polymorphism (or another linked marker) might be involved in the development of obesity at younger ages. The findings for the AGRP Ala67Thr were less consistent and need further investigation. Among women, these polymorphisms do not play an important role.
2006-10-26T09:46:54Z
2006-10-26T09:46:54Z
2006-10-01
Article
Int J Obes (Lond) 2006, 30(10):1522-8
0307-0565
16568137
10.1038/sj.ijo.0803314
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5599
en
137199 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56002019-09-02T08:27:06Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Assessing the introduction of universal varicella vaccination in the Netherlands.
Boot, Hein J
Melker, Hester E de
Stolk, Elly A
Wit, G Ardine de
Kimman, Tjeerd G
Although varicella is seen as a benign disease in the Netherlands, about 40,000 visits to a general practitioner (GP) are made, over 200 hospital admission occur, and 2.3 persons die on average each year. Most of this burden of disease can be prevented by universal varicella childhood vaccination. Ten years after the introduction of the single-shot, single-component varicella childhood vaccination in the USA, a major reduction in hospitalization, mortality, and burden of disease has been reported. Using our recently vaccine evaluation model for the introduction of a new vaccine in our national immunization program, we have analyzed the feasibility of universal varicella vaccination by replacing the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine with a measles-mumps-rubella-varicella (MMRV) vaccine. After structuring and reviewing the available data, two major points of uncertainty remain: (1) the influence of universal childhood vaccination on the incidence of zoster later in life; (2) the cost-effectiveness ratio for the Dutch situation. Despite these uncertainties it is clear that universal childhood vaccination will prevent most of the varicella related GP-visits, hospitalizations, and deaths.
2006-10-26T09:55:12Z
2006-10-26T09:55:12Z
2006-09-11
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(37-39):6288-99
0264-410X
16790302
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.071
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5600
en
167807 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56012019-09-02T08:27:06Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
The incidence of Bordetella pertussis infections estimated in the population from a combination of serological surveys.
Melker, Hester E de
Versteegh, Florens G A
Schellekens, Joop F P
Teunis, Peter F M
Kretzschmar, Mirjam
OBJECTIVES: Bordetella pertussis circulates even in highly vaccinated populations. There is a considerable amount of infection in adults. For designing more effective vaccination schedules it is important to quantify the age-dependent relation between the number of notified cases and the number of infections. METHODS: We used a statistical relationship between the time since infection and the IgG antibody titers against pertussis toxin, derived from a longitudinal data set, to estimate time since infection for all individuals in a cross-sectional population-based study (1995-1996) based on their titers. Age-specific incidence of infection with B. pertussis was calculated and compared with the age-distribution of notified cases of pertussis in 1994-1996. RESULTS: Estimated incidence of infection was 6.6% per year for 3-79-year olds, annual incidence of notified cases 0.01%. Estimated age-specific incidence of infection was lowest for 3-4-year olds (3.3%) and increased gradually up to the age of 20-24 years (10.8%). The number of notified cases was highest for 3-9-year olds. CONCLUSIONS: In the Dutch population B. pertussis infections occur more frequently and in elder age-categories then suggested by notifications. Mathematical modeling could explore what booster vaccination strategies are most effective in reducing severe disease among not (completely) vaccinated infants.
2006-10-26T10:32:39Z
2006-10-26T10:32:39Z
2006-08-01
Article
J. Infect. 2006, 53(2):106-13
0163-4453
16352342
10.1016/j.jinf.2005.10.020
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5601
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56022019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
A toxicokinetic model for the carry-over of dioxins and PCBs from feed and soil to eggs.
Eijkeren, Jan C H van
Zeilmaker, Marco J
Kan, C A
Traag, Win A
Hoogenboom, L A P
A mathematical model for the kinetics of carry-over of dioxins and dioxin-like PCBs from feed mixed with contaminated oil to eggs has been developed. This model incorporates uptake of the compounds over the gut wall and their subsequent transport by blood, distribution over the body, hepatic metabolism and excretion through egg yolk fat. The model is analysed with respect to the possibility of identifying as yet unknown model parameters by fitting these to the experimental data. The model was fitted to the experimental data on the carry-over from feed to eggs. The calibrated model was applied to calculate the steady-state concentrations in eggs which were compared to European Maximum Residue Levels for dioxins in feed and eggs, showing that these limits do not match. The feed limit of 0.75 ng TEQ/kg should be reduced to about 0.17 ng TEQ/kg in order to guarantee egg levels below the residue limit of 3 pg TEQ/g fat. Experimental results of carry-over from contaminated soil were used to estimate the absorption of dioxin-like compounds from soils as compared to the absorption from feed, resulting in a value around 40 to 60% absorption from soil as compared to around 90% absorption from feed.
2006-10-26T10:40:13Z
2006-10-26T10:40:13Z
2006-05-01
Article
Food Addit Contam 2006, 23(5):509-17
0265-203X
16644599
10.1080/02652030500512045
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5602
en
230647 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56032019-09-02T08:27:06Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
European seroepidemiology network 2: Standardisation of assays for seroepidemiology of varicella zoster virus.
Ory, Fernando de
Echevarría, José Manuel
Kafatos, George
Anastassopoulou, Cleo
Andrews, Nick
Backhouse, Josephine
Berbers, Guy A M
Bruckova, Blazena
Cohen, Daniel I
Melker, Hester E de
Davidkin, Irja
Gabutti, Giovanni
Hesketh, Louise M
Johansen, Kari
Jokinen, Sari
Jones, Lindsay
Linde, Anika
Miller, Elisabeth
Mossong, Joël
Nardone, Anthony
Rota, Maria Cristina
Sauerbrei, Andreas
Schneider, François
Smetana, Zahava
Tischer, Annedore
Tsakris, Athanassios
Vranckx, Robert
BACKGROUND: The aim of the European Sero-Epidemiology Network (ESEN2) is to harmonise the serological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases in Europe. OBJECTIVE: To allow comparison of antibody prevalence in different countries by standardising results into common units. STUDY DESIGN: For varicella zoster virus (VZV), a reference laboratory established a panel of 148 samples, characterised by indirect enzyme-immunoassay (ELISA), indirect immunofluorescence, and complement fixation test. Fifty-seven samples were also studied by the fluorescence antibody to membrane antigen test. The geometric mean of the antibody activity (GMAA) obtained from four ELISA determinations was used to characterise each sample of the panel as positive (GMAA: >100 mIU/ml), equivocal (GMAA: 50-100 mIU/ml) or negative (GMAA: <50 mIU/ml) for antibody to VZV (anti-VZV). Thirteen laboratories, using five different ELISA tests, tested the panel. RESULTS: Agreement with the reference laboratory was above 85% in all cases, and the R(2) values obtained from regression analysis of the quantitative results were always higher than 0.87. Finally, the regression equations could be used to convert national values into a common unitage. CONCLUSION: This study confirmed that results for anti-VZV obtained by different ELISA methods can be converted into common units, enabling the comparison of the seroprevalence profiles obtained in the participant countries.
2006-10-26T10:48:40Z
2006-10-26T10:48:40Z
2006-06-01
Article
J. Clin. Virol. 2006, 36(2):111-8
1386-6532
16616612
10.1016/j.jcv.2006.01.017
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5603
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56042019-09-02T08:27:06Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
The epidemiology of varicella and herpes zoster in The Netherlands: implications for varicella zoster virus vaccination.
Melker, Hester E de
Berbers, Guy A M
Hahné, Susan J M
Rümke, Hans
Hof, Susan van den
Wit, G Ardine de
Boot, Hein J
We studied the epidemiology of varicella (chickenpox) and herpes zoster (shingles) in The Netherlands to assess the desirability to implement routine varicella zoster virus vaccination in The Netherlands. Data on seroprevalence of varicella zoster virus in the general population (1995-1996), consultations of general practitioners for varicella (2000-2002) and herpes zoster (1998-2001) and hospital admissions due to varicella (1994-2001) and herpes zoster (1994-2001) in The Netherlands were analysed. The seropositivity increased sharply with age from 18.4% for both 0- and 1-year-olds, to 48.9%, 59.0%, 75.7% and 93.0% for 2-, 3-, 4- and 5-year-olds, respectively, and varied between 97.5% and 100% for older age groups. The average annual incidence of GP-consultations amounted to 253.5 and 325.0 per 100,000 for varicella and herpes zoster, respectively. The incidence of hospital admission due to varicella and herpes zoster was 1.3 (2.3 including side diagnosis) and 2.7 (5.8) per 100,000, respectively. Whilst for varicella, the incidence of GP-consultations and hospital admissions were highest in childhood, for herpes zoster, these were highest in elderly. Insight into epidemiology of varicella zoster is needed for the assessment of the desirability of introduction of routine varicella zoster vaccination.
2006-10-26T10:58:53Z
2006-10-26T10:58:53Z
2006-05-01
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(18):3946-52
0264-410X
16564115
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.02.017
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5604
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56082019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Socioeconomic status and stroke incidence in the US elderly: the role of risk factors in the EPESE study.
Avendano, Mauricio
Kawachi, Ichiro
Lenthe, Frank J van
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Mackenbach, Johan P
Bos, G A M van den
Fay, Martha E
Berkman, Lisa F
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: This study assesses the effect of socioeconomic status on stroke incidence in the elderly, and the contribution of risk factors to stroke disparities. METHODS: Data comprised a sample of 2812 men and women aged 65 years and over from the New Haven cohort of the Established Populations for the Epidemiologic Studies of the Elderly. Individuals provided baseline information on demographics, functioning, cardiovascular and psychosocial risk factors in 1982 and were followed for 12 years. Proportional hazard models were used to model survival from initial interview to first fatal or nonfatal stroke. RESULTS: Two hundred and seventy subjects developed incident stroke. At ages 65 to 74, lower socioeconomic status was associated with higher stroke incidence for both education (HR(lowest/highest)=2.07, 95% CI, 1.04 to 4.13) and income (HR(lowest/highest)=2.08, 95% CI, 1.01 to 4.27). Adjustment for race, diabetes, depression, social networks and functioning attenuated hazard ratios to a nonsignificant level, whereas other risk factors did not change associations significantly. Beyond age 75, however, stroke rates were higher among those with the highest education (HR(lowest/highest)=0.42, 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.79) and income (HR(lowest/highest)=0.43, 95% CI, 0.22 to 0.86), which remained largely unchanged after adjustment for risk factors. CONCLUSIONS: We observed substantial socioeconomic disparities in stroke at ages 65 to 74, whereas a crossover of the association occurred beyond age 75. Policies to improve social and economic resources at early old age, and interventions to improve diabetes management, depression, social networks and functioning in the disadvantaged elderly can contribute to reduce stroke disparities.
2006-10-26T12:09:15Z
2006-10-26T12:09:15Z
2006-06-01
Article
Stroke 2006, 37(6):1368-73
1524-4628
16690902
10.1161/01.STR.0000221702.75002.66
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5608
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56052019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Comparison of three different dietary scores in relation to 10-year mortality in elderly European subjects: the HALE project.
Knoops, K T B
Groot, L C de
Fidanza, F
Alberti-Fidanza, A
Kromhout, Daan
Staveren, W A van
OBJECTIVE: To investigate and compare the associations between dietary patterns and mortality using different European indexes of overall dietary quality. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: The HALE (Healthy Ageing: a Longitudinal study in Europe) population includes 2,068 men and 1,049 women, aged between 70 and 90 years of 10 European countries. Subjects were followed for 10 years. This cohort study was conducted between 1988 and 2000. RESULTS: During the follow-up period, 1,382 people died. The Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS) (HR: 0.82 with 95% CI: 0.75-0.91), the Mediterranean Adequacy Index (MDI) (HR: 0.83 with 95% CI: 0.75-0.92) and the Healthy Diet Indicator (HDI)(HR: 0.89 with 95% CI: 0.81-0.98) were inversely associated with all-causes mortality. Adjustments were made for age, gender, alcohol consumption, physical activity, smoking, number of years of education, body mass index, chronic diseases at baseline and study centre. CONCLUSIONS: The MDS, the MDI and the HDI were significantly inversely related with mortality.Sponsorship:This study is based on data of the HALE project and supported by a grant from the European Union (QLK6-CT-2000-00211) to D Kromhout.
2006-10-26T11:29:16Z
2006-10-26T11:29:16Z
2006-06-01
Article
Eur J Clin Nutr 2006, 60(6):746-55
0954-3007
16418742
10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602378
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5605
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56062019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Effectiveness of antibiotics given before admission in reducing mortality from meningococcal disease: systematic review.
Hahné, Susan J M
Charlett, André
Purcell, Bernadette
Samuelsson, Susanne
Camaroni, Ivonne
Ehrhard, Ingrid
Heuberger, Sigrid
Santamaria, Maria
Stuart, James M
OBJECTIVE: To review the evidence for effectiveness of treatment with antibiotics before admission in reducing case fatality from meningococcal disease. DESIGN: Systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Cochrane register of trials and systematic reviews, database of abstracts of reviews of effectiveness, health technology assessment, and national research register in England and Wales, Medline, Embase, and CAB Health. INCLUDED STUDIES: Studies describing vital outcome of at least 10 cases of meningococcal disease classified by whether or not antibiotics were given before admission to hospital. RESULTS: 14 observational studies met the review criteria. Oral antibiotic treatment given before admission was associated with reduced mortality among cases (combined risk ratio 0.17, 95% confidence interval 0.07 to 0.44). In seven studies in which all included patients were seen in primary care, the association between parenteral antibiotics before admission and outcome was inconsistent (chi2 for heterogeneity 11.02, P = 0.09). After adjustment for the proportion given parenteral antibiotics before admission, there was no residual heterogeneity. A higher proportion of patients given parenteral antibiotics before admission was associated with reduced mortality after such treatment and vice versa (P = 0.04). CONCLUSION: Confounding by severity is the most likely explanation both for the beneficial effect of oral antibiotics and the harmful effect observed in some studies of parenteral antibiotics. We cannot conclude whether or not antibiotics given before admission have an effect on case fatality. The data are consistent with benefit when a substantial proportion of cases are treated.
2006-10-26T11:32:13Z
2006-10-26T11:32:13Z
2006-06-03
Article
BMJ 2006, 332(7553):1299-303
1468-5833
16740557
10.1136/bmj.332.7553.1299
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5606
en
135264 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56072019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Combining risk estimates from observational studies with different exposure cutpoints: a meta-analysis on body mass index and diabetes type 2.
Hartemink, Nienke
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Nagelkerke, Nico J D
Jacobs, Monique A M
Houwelingen, Hans C van
Studies on a dose-response relation often report separate relative risks for several risk classes compared with a referent class. When performing a meta-analysis of such studies, one has to convert these relative risks into an overall relative risk for a continuous effect. Apart from taking the dependence between separate relative risks into account, this implies assigning an exposure level to each risk factor class and allowing for the nonlinearity of the dose-response relation. The authors describe a relatively simple method solving these problems. As an illustration, they applied this method in a meta-analysis of the association between body mass index and diabetes type 2, restricted to results of follow-up studies (n=31). Results were compared with a more ad hoc method of assigning exposure levels and with a method in which the nonlinearity of the dose-response method was not taken into account. Differences with the ad hoc method were larger in studies with fewer categories. Not incorporating the nonlinearity of the dose response leads to an overestimation of the pooled relative risk, but this bias is relatively small.
2006-10-26T12:08:42Z
2006-10-26T12:08:42Z
2006-06-01
Article
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 163(11):1042-52
0002-9262
16611666
10.1093/aje/kwj141
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5607
en
299768 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56092019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Analysis of epidemiological cohort data on smoking effects and lung cancer with a multi-stage cancer model.
Schöllnberger, H
Manuguerra, M
Bijwaard, H
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Altenburg, H P
Rispens, S M
Brugmans, M J P
Vineis, Paolo
A stochastic two-stage cancer model is used to analyse the relation between lung cancer and cigarette smoking. The model contains the main rate-limiting stages of carcinogenesis, which include initiation, promotion (clonal expansion of initiated cells), malignant transformation and a lag time for tumour formation. Various data sets were used to test the model. These include the data of a large prospective collaborative project carried out in 10 different European countries, the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC). This new data set has not been modelled before. The model is also tested on other published data from CPS-II (Cancer Prevention Study II) of the American Cancer Society and the British doctors' study. The analyses indicate that the EPIC data are best described with smoking dependence on the rates of malignant transformation and clonal expansion. With increasing smoking rates, saturation effects in the two exposure rate-dependent model parameters were observed. The results find confirmation in the biological literature, where both mutational effects and promotional effects of cigarette smoke are documented.
2006-10-26T12:31:22Z
2006-10-26T12:31:22Z
2006-07-01
Article
Carcinogenesis 2006, 27(7):1432-44
0143-3334
16410261
10.1093/carcin/bgi345
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5609
en
677163 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56102019-09-02T08:27:21Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Probabilistic dietary exposure assessment taking into account variability in both amount and frequency of consumption.
Slob, Wout
Probabilistic dietary exposure assessments that are fully based on Monte Carlo sampling from the raw intake data may not be appropriate. This paper shows that the data should first be analysed by using a statistical model that is able to take the various dimensions of food consumption patterns into account. A (parametric) model is discussed that takes into account the interindividual variation in (daily) consumption frequencies, as well as in amounts consumed. Further, the model can be used to include covariates, such as age, sex, or other individual attributes. Some illustrative examples show how this model may be used to estimate the probability of exceeding an (acute or chronic) exposure limit. These results are compared with the results based on directly counting the fraction of observed intakes exceeding the limit value. This comparison shows that the latter method is not adequate, in particular for the acute exposure situation. A two-step approach for probabilistic (acute) exposure assessment is proposed: first analyse the consumption data by a (parametric) statistical model as discussed in this paper, and then use Monte Carlo techniques for combining the variation in concentrations with the variation in consumption (by sampling from the statistical model). This approach results in an estimate of the fraction of the population as a function of the fraction of days at which the exposure limit is exceeded by the individual.
2006-10-26T12:42:56Z
2006-10-26T12:42:56Z
2006-07-01
Article
Food Chem. Toxicol. 2006, 44(7):933-51
0278-6915
16458406
10.1016/j.fct.2005.11.001
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5610
en
969130 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56122019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Increased cell-to-cell variation in gene expression in ageing mouse heart.
Bahar, Rumana
Hartmann, Claudia H
Rodriguez, Karl A
Denny, Ashley D
Busuttil, Rita A
Dollé, Martijn E T
Calder, R Brent
Chisholm, Gary B
Pollock, Brad H
Klein, Christoph A
Vijg, Jan
The accumulation of somatic DNA damage has been implicated as a cause of ageing in metazoa. One possible mechanism by which increased DNA damage could lead to cellular degeneration and death is by stochastic deregulation of gene expression. Here we directly test for increased transcriptional noise in aged tissue by dissociating single cardiomyocytes from fresh heart samples of both young and old mice, followed by global mRNA amplification and quantification of mRNA levels in a panel of housekeeping and heart-specific genes. Although gene expression levels already varied among cardiomyocytes from young heart, this heterogeneity was significantly elevated at old age. We had demonstrated previously an increased load of genome rearrangements and other mutations in the heart of aged mice. To confirm that increased stochasticity of gene expression could be a result of increased genome damage, we treated mouse embryonic fibroblasts in culture with hydrogen peroxide. Such treatment resulted in a significant increase in cell-to-cell variation in gene expression, which was found to parallel the induction and persistence of genome rearrangement mutations at a lacZ reporter locus. These results underscore the stochastic nature of the ageing process, and could provide a mechanism for age-related cellular degeneration and death in tissues of multicellular organisms.
2006-10-26T13:21:47Z
2006-10-26T13:21:47Z
2006-06-22
Article
Nature 2006, 441(7096):1011-4
1476-4687
16791200
10.1038/nature04844
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5612
en
395734 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56222019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Tetracyclines and tetracycline resistance in agricultural soils: microcosm and field studies.
Schmitt, Heike
Stoob, Krispin
Hamscher, Gerd
Smit, Eric
Seinen, Willem
The influence of the use of antibiotics on the prevalence of resistance genes in the environment is still poorly understood. We studied the diversity of tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes as influenced by fertilization with pig manure in soil microcosms and at two field locations. Manure contained a high diversity of resistance genes, regardless of whether it stemmed from a farm operation with low or regular use of antibiotics. In the microcosm soils, the influence of fertilization with manure was clearly shown by an increase in the number of resistance genes in the soil after manuring. Spiking of the tetracycline compounds to the microcosms had only little additional impact on the diversity of resistance genes. Overall, the tetracycline resistance genes tet(T), tet(W), and tet(Z) were ubiquitous in soil and pig slurries, whereas tet(Y), tet(S), tet(C), tet(Q), and tet(H) were introduced to the microcosm soil by manuring. The diversity of tetracycline and sulfonamide [sul(1), sul(2), and sul(3)] resistance genes on a Swiss pasture was very high even before slurry amendment, although manure from intensive farming had not been applied in the previous years. The additional effect of manuring was small, with the tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance diversity staying at high levels for the complete growth season. At an agricultural field site in Germany, the diversity of tetracycline and sulfonamide resistance genes was considerably lower, possibly reflecting regional differences in gene diversity. This study shows that there is a considerable pool of resistance genes in soils. Although it is not possible to conclude whether this diversity is caused by the global spread of resistance genes after 50 years of tetracycline use or is due to the natural background in soil resistance genes, it highlights a role that environmental reservoirs might play in resistance gene capture.
2006-10-27T08:01:54Z
2006-10-27T08:01:54Z
2006-04-01
Article
Microb. Ecol. 2006, 51(3):267-76
0095-3628
16598633
10.1007/s00248-006-9035-y
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5622
en
244594 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56232019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
A simple steady-state model for carry-over of aflatoxins from feed to cow's milk.
Eijkeren, Jan C H van
Bakker, Martine I
Zeilmaker, Marco J
A simple steady-state model is derived from two kinetic one-compartment models for the disposition of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) and aflatoxin M1 (AFM1) in the lactating cow. The model relates daily intake of AFB1 in feed of dairy cattle and the cow's lactation status to resulting concentrations of AFM1 in milk. Moreover, assuming a linear relationship between the cow's lactation status and feed intake, the model relates daily milk production and AFB1 concentration in total feed to AFM1 levels in milk. The model explains similar experimental outcomes from different investigations into carry-over of aflatoxins from feed to milk. Although it is difficult to set a permanent limit for AFB1 in feed, the European Union (EU) limit of 5 microg AFB1 kg(-1) concentrate has proved, thus far, to be an appropriate level in preventing the EU limit of 0.05 microg AFM1 kg(-1) milk being exceeded.
2006-10-27T08:35:43Z
2006-10-27T08:35:43Z
2006-08-01
Article
Food Addit Contam 2006, 23(8):833-8
0265-203X
16807209
10.1080/02652030600779890
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5623
en
155693 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56262019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Intoxication following minor stabs from the spines of a porcupine fish.
Gorcum, Teetske F van
Janse, Max
Leenders, Marianne E C
Vries, Irma de
Meulenbelt, Jan
We report an unusual intoxication by tetrodotoxin (TTX). A curator of an aquarium sustained minor punctures in his finger from the spines of a porcupine fish during an autopsy of a dead porcupine fish. He developed paresthesias, numbness, paresis, dizziness and headache. The death of the fish might have caused some autolysis, leading to increased availability of TTX. In combination with direct contact with the organ fluids, this probably led to TTX exposure via minor wounds.
2006-10-27T08:43:18Z
2006-10-27T08:43:18Z
2006-06-01
Article
Clin Toxicol (Phila) 2006, 44(4):391-3
1556-3650
16809142
10.1080/15563650600671787
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5626
en
108909 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56302019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Rubella-epidemie 2004-2005: surveillance van congenitale gevolgen
Rubella outbreak 2004-2005: surveillance of congenital consequences
Veen, Y van der
Hahné, Susan J M
Ruijs, H
Timen, A
Binnendijk, R S van
Loon, T van
Melker, Hester E de
In 2004-2005, the Netherlands experienced an outbreak of rubella. The Centre for Infectious Disease Control (CIb/RIVM) monitors characteristics and the extent of the outbreak and reports on the disease-burden of rubella, congenital rubella-virus infection (CRI) and congenital rubella syndrome (CRS). In this article, the used methods for surveillance and the results are presented and discussed. Data available so far, indicate that 32 pregnant women were infected during the outbreak, resulting in 15 cases of CRI. Nine of these infants showed symptoms associated with CRS. Surveillance of the congenital consequences of the rubella-epidemic is a difficult task, but important for effective treatment, increasing of the knowledgebase and immunization and antenatal screening policy
2006-10-27T08:54:15Z
2006-10-27T08:54:15Z
2006-09-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5630
other
151292 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56312019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Geen paniek! : Zelfredzaamheid bij uitbraken van infectieziekten
No Panic!
Helsloot, I
The understanding of citizen response to disaster is crucial to outbreak management of infectious diseases. Large scale outbreaks cannot be mitigated without the active corporation of citizens. This article shows that citizens in general will not panic, are not helpless and will not start plundering. Inappropriate actions and communication of authorities may cause unwanted reactions of citizen which then are labelled by both authorities and media as panic or irrational behaviour.
2006-10-27T09:06:23Z
2006-10-27T09:06:23Z
2006-09-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5631
other
90366 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56322019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Intensieve surveillance van Shigatoxine-producerende Escherichia coli O157 in Nederland, 2005
Enhanced surveillance of Shiga toxin producing Escherichia coli in 2005
Friesema, I H M
Jager, C M de
Heuvelink, A E
Zwaluw, W K van der
Maas, Henny M E
Pelt, W van
Wannet, Wim J B
Duynhoven, Yvonne T H P van
Since January 1999, an enhanced surveillance of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 has been implemented in the Netherlands. In 2005, 53 symptomatic patients were diagnosed with STEC O157. This was relatively high compared with the number in previous years (annually 36 to 57), due to a national outbreak with 21 patients involved. Of the patients, 33% were hospitalised, 8% developed the haemolytic-uraemic syndrome (exclusion of outbreak-cases: 13%), including one one-year-old boy who died. Consumption of raw or undercooked beef and contact with farm animals and manure are still most frequently mentioned by the patients as possible cause. In 2005, cluster analyses of the fingerprints of bacterial DNA from the STEC O157 isolates (by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis) nine times suggested a relationship between several patients. For three clusters this was supported by additional epidemiological information. One cluster, consisting of two sub clusters, comprises the national outbreak caused by filet américain, except for two patients who fell ill two and one month before this outbreak. Furthermore, one household cluster was identified for which an indistinguishable PFGE pattern was found in a manure isolate taken from their cattle. In addition, an isolate from one individual case could be matched with an isolate taken from their neighbours cattle. As other serogroups than O157 can cause serious illness, a collaboration between RIVM and eight medical microbiological laboratories to assess the relative importance of non-O157 serogroups was started in the Netherlands in the autumn of 2005.
2006-10-27T09:15:18Z
2006-10-27T09:15:18Z
2006-08-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5632
other
211628 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56382019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Filet américain oorzaak van eerste landelijke uitbraak van Shigatoxine-producerende Escherichia coli O157-infecties
Steak tartare (also known as “filet américain”) cause of first nationwide outbreak of Shiga-toxin producing E. coli O157 infections in the Netherlands
Doorduyn, Y
Jager, C M de
Zwaluw, W K van der
Friesema, I H M
Heuvelink, A E
Boer, E de
Wannet, Wim J B
Duynhoven, Yvonne T H P van
In September 2005, the first nationwide outbreak of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157 infections was observed. A total of 21 confirmed and 11 probable patients were reported, who fell ill between September 11 and October 10. Preliminary investigation by the local public health services revealed two possible risk factors: consumption of steak tartare and contact with other persons with gastroenteritis. The results of the subsequent case-control study suggested steak tartare as the most likely cause of the outbreak. Samples of steak tartare taken at a supermarket chain where most of the patients bought the product, tested negative for STEC O157. However, sampling took place 3 days after the date of symptom onset of the last outbreak case. Because 88% of the cases became ill within a two-week period and samples taken shortly afterwards tested negative, point source contamination of steak tartare was considered most plausible.
2006-10-27T09:23:28Z
2006-10-27T09:23:28Z
2006-08-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5638
other
nl
200738 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56402023-09-22T15:12:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Bestrijding van aviaire influenza onder pluimvee: vaccinatie als aanvullende mogelijkheid
Avian influenza control strategies in poultry – the role of vaccination
van Aarle, P
Breytenbach, J
Schueller, S
Since mid-December 2003, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has caused an epidemic in the Asian poultry sector and avian influenza cases have been reported in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Human fatalities catapulted avian influenza into the public arena with fears of a possible global influenza pandemic in case the virus gains capacity to spread from human to human. What should be the way forward? The article describes control options and discusses the role vaccination can play in combating specifically under European conditions and in dynamic poultry markets in other countries.
2006-10-27T09:29:25Z
2006-10-27T09:29:25Z
2006-08-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5640
other
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56592019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Malariameldingen in 2005: Evaluatie van de richtlijnen van het Landelijk Coördinatiecentrum Reizigersadvisering (LCR) voor malariaprofylaxe
Malaria notifications in 2005: Evaluation of LCR-guidelines for malaria prophylaxis
Sondera, G J B
Plas, Simone M van der
In The Netherlands, malaria is a notifiable disease in group C since 1999: the laboratory where the patient tested positive has to report the test results, together with a few demographic data, to the National Center for Disease Control (CIb). Since January 2005, the National Coordination Center for Travelers Health Advice (LCR) added some questions to the voluntary part of these reports in order to obtain more insight in the prevalence of malaria in people who used prophylaxis according to the LCR guidelines, and to evaluate these guidelines. The goal of the LCR guidelines is to prevent malaria caused by P. falciparum. All reported cases with a disease onset date in 2005 were evaluated. In 2005, 288 cases of malaria were reported. Seventy-five (26%) malaria patients used chemoprophylaxis. In total, 32 (11%) contracted malaria despite the use of chemoprophylaxis according to the LCR guidelines. Eight of these cases concerned malaria caused by P. falciparum. Four of these had used second choice chemoprophylaxis, to which parasitic resistance is common. In the blood sample of one patient no mefloquine was detected. Of the other three, the thick smear or EDTA blood was not available for resistance tests. Most likely, all other cases had a delayed onset malaria, which cannot be prevented by the currently available chemoprophylaxis. Based on these data, we conclude that the LCR guidelines are still valid. It is advised that in cases of breakthrough malaria caused by P. falciparum blood samples are taken to determine chloroquine or mefloquine levels where applicable, and to save EDTA blood for molecular confirmation of the species and determination of resistant parasites.
2006-10-27T20:56:12Z
2006-10-27T20:56:12Z
2006-08-01
2006-10-27
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5659
other
28473 bytes
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RIVM
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56602019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Praktijkevaluatie van de regionale toepassing van artikel 7 van de Infectieziektenwet
Evaluation of the regional field of practice deriving from article 7 of the Dutch law on notifiable diseases
Petrignani, M W F
Yap, K B
In 1999 a new Dutch law on notifiable diseases is implemented. It contains article 7, which states that institutions are obliged to report unusual numbers of inhabitants or staff with symptoms of infectious diseases to the local public health service. We think evaluation of the actions deriving from article 7 is in place. We analysed regional data from these reports in the years 2003, 2004 and 2005. Thereby categorizing medical and non-medical institutions. Most of the reports come from non-medical institutions and can be dealt with by giving information and advice. Skin infections and rashes were reported the most. Medical institutions often reported actual outbreaks. 41% Of all institutions in our region contacted us in the period that was analyzed. We conclude that our role is well known to the regional institutions and that we have a good idea of how they report. Because of the large diversity in registration of article 7 reports, national surveillance is not useful. Registration of certain reports might attribute to surveillance of specific syndromes. A more uniform registration can attribute to an improvement in the quality of local public health services.
2006-10-27T21:22:12Z
2006-10-27T21:22:12Z
2006-08-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5660
other
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56752019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Vaccinaties in het eerste levensjaar en gerapporteerde allergische aandoeningen bij kinderen van 8-12 jaar
Infant vaccinations and reported allergic disease in 8-12 year old children
Bernsen, R M D
Jongste, Johan C de
Koes, B W
Aardoom, H A
Wouden, J C van der
Evidence for the relationship between the diphtheria tetanus pertussis (DTP) vaccination and allergic disorders is inconclusive, because the available studies that constitute the evidence are liable to confounding by indication. Further the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) vaccination was added recently to most existing vaccination programmes and therefore no conclusive data on the relationship with allergic disorders are yet available. Objective of the study was to assess the relationship between vaccinations in the first year of life and reported allergic disorders at primary school age. We conducted a cross sectional study in 1875 children attending Orthodox Reformed (Protestant) primary schools in the Netherlands. The parents returned questionnaires with data on vaccination status, allergic symptoms and lifetime allergic disorders (asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergy), and possible confounders. In the diphtheria tetanus pertussis (inactivated) poliomyelitis (DTP-IPV) vaccinated group Hib vaccinated and Hib unvaccinated children were compared as to allergic disorders. No clinically or statistically significant differences in the prevalence of asthma, hay fever, eczema and food allergy appeared between vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. The DTP-IPV vaccination and the Hib-vaccination, administered in the first year of life, do not increase the risk of allergic disorders in 8-12 years-old, Dutch children.
2006-10-30T13:28:23Z
2006-10-30T13:28:23Z
2006-06-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5675
other
nl
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/56772019-09-02T08:42:54Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Epidemiologische trends in cryptokokkose : De Cryptococcus gattii-uitbraak in Canada
Epidemiological trends in cryptococcosis - The Cryptococcus gattii outbreak in Canada
Hagen, F
Boekhout, T
Cryptococcosis is, when untreated, a fatal disease, which in the Netherlands is mainly caused by the basidiomycetous yeast Cryptococcus neoformans, and in more rare cases by Cryptococcus gattii. Infections with C. gattii occur almost only in immunocompetent individuals, while C. neoformans has a predilection for immunodeficient humans. Another major epidemiological difference between both species is the restriction of C. gattii to tropical and sub-tropical regions, whereas C. neoformans can be found worldwide. However, the distribution pattern of C. gattii has dramatically changed by an ongoing outbreak in the temperate climate of Vancouver Island (British Columbia, Canada). Epidemiological research revealed that the outbreak is caused by the rare AFLP genotype 6 (= VGII) of C. gattii. Only a few strains of this genotype were known before this outbreak. Since the past decade, however, strains of this genotype are isolated more frequently, especially in South America. In the Netherlands, the number of infections with C. neoformans in HIV/AIDS patients shows a decreasing trend, due to the introduction of the HAART therapy. However, clinicians and microbiologists should also be alert for infections caused by C. gattii in (immunocompetent) individuals who travelled recently to Vancouver Island and the main land of British Columbia (Canada).
2006-10-30T13:45:36Z
2006-10-30T13:45:36Z
2006-06-01
Article
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5677
other
nl
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/57252019-09-02T08:25:14Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Hand rub consumption and hand hygiene compliance are not indicators of pathogen transmission in intensive care units.
Eckmanns, T
Schwab, F
Bessert, J
Wettstein, R
Behnke, M
Grundmann, Hajo
Rüden, H
Gastmeier, P
The objective of this study was to investigate whether nosocomial infection (NI) rates, hand hygiene compliance rates and the amount of alcohol-based hand rub used for hand disinfection are useful indicators of pathogen transmission in intensive care units (ICUs), and whether they could be helpful in identifying infection control problems. All isolates of 10 of the most frequent pathogens from patients who were hospitalized in an ICU for >48 h were genotyped to identify transmission episodes in five ICUs. The incidence of transmission was correlated with hand hygiene compliance, hand rub consumption and NI rates. The incidence of transmission episodes varied between 2.8 and 6.8 in the five ICUs. The NI rate was 8.6-22.5 per 1000 patient-days, hand hygiene compliance was 30-47% and hand rub consumption was 57-102 L per 1000 patient-days. There was no correlation between the incidence of transmission episodes and hand rub consumption or hand hygiene compliance. The correlation between transmission rates and NI rates was 0.4 (P = 0.5), and with the exclusion of one ICU, it was 1 (P < 0.01). The incidence of NI is a relatively good indicator for the identification of pathogen transmissions, but hand rub consumption and hand hygiene compliance, at least with the relatively low level of compliance found in this study, are not indicators of pathogen transmission.
2006-10-31T12:54:38Z
2006-10-31T12:54:38Z
2006-08-01
Article
J. Hosp. Infect. 2006, 63(4):406-11
0195-6701
16772106
10.1016/j.jhin.2006.03.015
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5725
en
154090 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/57262019-09-02T08:42:53Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Post-disaster mental health problems and the utilization of mental health services: a four-year longitudinal comparative study.
Velden, Peter G van der
Grievink, Linda
Kleber, Rolf J
Drogendijk, Annelieke N
Roskam, Albert-Jan R
Marcelissen, Frans G H
Olff, Miranda
Meewisse, Mariel L
Gersons, Berthold P R
This study examined mental health problems and mental health services (MHS) utilization after a fireworks disaster among adult survivors and a comparison group. The disaster took place on May 13, 2000, in the city of Enschede, The Netherlands. Victims (N=662) participated in a survey 2-3 weeks (T1), 18 months (T2) and 4 years (T3) post-disaster. The comparison group consisted of non-affected people from another city (N=526). They participated at T2 and T3. Victims used MHS more often than the comparison group in the 12-month period before T2 and T3 (OR 3.9 and 2.4). Victims with severe depression and anxiety symptoms at T2 used MHS more often than participants in the comparison group with these symptoms (OR 2.6 and 2.0). After 4 years, MHS utilization among participants in both groups with anxiety symptoms did not differ, suggesting attenuation of the observed effects. Results suggest that after a disaster survivors with mental health problems are less reluctant to use MHS than under normal circumstances.
2006-10-31T12:56:43Z
2006-10-31T12:56:43Z
2006-05-01
Article
Adm Policy Ment Health 2006, 33(3):279-88
0894-587X
16400531
10.1007/s10488-005-0027-x
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/5726
en
130134 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/62672019-09-02T08:43:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis of Neisseria meningitidis yields groupings similar to those obtained by multilocus sequence typing.
Schouls, Leo M
Ende, Arie van der
Damen, Marjolein
Pol, Ingrid van de
We identified many variable-number tandem repeat (VNTR) loci in the genomes of Neisseria meningitidis serogroups A, B, and C and utilized a number of these loci to develop a multiple-locus variable-number tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). Eighty-five N. meningitidis serogroup B and C isolates obtained from Dutch patients with invasive meningococcal disease and seven reference strains were analyzed using MLVA and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). MLVA, based on eight VNTR loci with limited variability in the number of repeats, yielded clustering of the strains similar to that obtained by MLST, with congruence between both methods amounting to 69%. The ability to recognize clonal complexes makes MLVA a valuable high-throughput method to serve as a tool complementary to MLST. Four highly variable VNTR loci were used in a second assay to analyze N. meningitidis serogroup C strains collected during an outbreak of meningococcal disease in The Netherlands. Typing based on the latter VNTR loci enabled differentiation of isolates with identical MLST sequence types and grouped epidemiologically related strains.
2006-11-29T14:43:37Z
2006-11-29T14:43:37Z
2006-04-01
Article
J. Clin. Microbiol. 2006, 44(4):1509-18
0095-1137
16597884
10.1128/JCM.44.4.1509-1518.2006
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6267
en
208375 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/62692019-09-02T08:43:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
High and persistent excretion of hepatitis A virus in immunocompetent patients.
Tjon, Grace M S
Coutinho, Roel A
Hoek, Anneke van den
Esman, Sylvia
Wijkmans, Clementine J
Hoebe, Christian J P A
Wolters, Bert
Swaan, Corien
Geskus, Ronald B
Dukers, Nicole H T M
Bruisten, Sylvia M
The duration and level of virus excretion in blood and faeces of patients with hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection were studied in relation to levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), disease severity and HAV genotype. Clinical data, blood and faeces were collected from 27 patients with acute hepatitis A (median age: 33 years) for a maximum of 26 weeks. Single blood donations from 55 other patients with acute HAV (median age: 32 years) were also used. Virus loads were quantified by competitive nested RT-PCR. HAV was excreted in faeces for a median period of 81 days after disease onset, with 50% of patients still excreting high levels at Day 36 (2 x 10(6) - 2 x 10(8) copies/ml faeces suspension). Viraemia was detected, but not quantifiable, for a median period of 42 days. In the first 10 days of illness, higher ALT levels were correlated with higher viraemia levels. Comparison of patients infected with genotype 1a with those infected with type 1b did not differ significantly in terms of the duration of HAV excretion or jaundice. In conclusion, faecal excretion of HAV is at a high titre in the first month, perhaps making patients infectious for a longer period than assumed currently. Blood banks should be aware that viraemia may be present for more than 1 month, and genotype did not affect the duration of virus excretion or jaundice.
2006-11-29T14:47:49Z
2006-11-29T14:47:49Z
2006-11-01
Article
J. Med. Virol. 2006, 78(11):1398-405
0146-6615
16998883
10.1002/jmv.20711
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6269
en
198714 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/62702019-09-02T08:27:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
In vivo and in vitro Ah-receptor activation by commercial and fractionated pentabromodiphenylether using zebrafish (Danio rerio) and the DR-CALUX assay.
Kuiper, Rienk V
Murk, A J
Leonards, Pim E G
Grinwis, G C M
Berg, M van den
Vos, Josephus G
The present study addresses the toxicity of a commercial pentabrominated diphenylether (PeBDE) flame retardant mixture, DE-71, in a model aquatic vertebrate. Four weeks' exposure of juvenile zebrafish (Danio rerio) to water-borne DE-71 resulted in dose-dependent induction of CYP1A immunoreactivity, predominantly in the endocardium and the endothelium of larger blood vessels, such as ventral aorta and branchial arteries, as well as the larger hepatic and pancreatic blood vessels. To investigate the impact of possible contaminating PBDD/Fs in the DE-71 product, the study was repeated after DE-71 had been fractionated into a non-planar (cleaned PBDEs) and a planar fraction (PBDD/Fs). Zebrafish were exposed under similar conditions to the planar and cleaned DE-71 fractions, and to uncleaned DE-71. In addition, the above fractions were chemically analyzed and tested in a reporter gene assay (DR-CALUX) for their aromatic hydrocarbon-receptor (AhR) stimulating potencies. A relatively strong CALUX response was detected from the planar DE-71 fraction (19.7ng TCDD equivalent (TEQ)/g DE-71), coinciding with a strong induction of CYP1A immunoreactivity in zebrafish. CYP1A immunoreactivity in zebrafish exposed to uncleaned DE-71 was intense, although the CALUX response was 10-fold less compared to the planar fraction. Only weak CYP1A immunoreactivity was found in fish exposed to cleaned DE-71, and none in control animals; no CALUX response was detected in cleaned DE-71. The present findings indicate that chemical impurities of the commercial PeBDE product account for AhR-mediated effects. Analytical isolation of a planar fraction from the commercial product increased the in vitro (DR-CALUX) signal 10 times. Immunohistochemistry showed a strong tissue specific reaction to DE-71 in vivo at these relatively low TEQ levels regardless of chemical pretreatment of the mix, reflecting the sensitivity of CYP1A induction in juvenile zebrafish to AhR agonists.
2006-11-29T15:05:53Z
2006-11-29T15:05:53Z
2006-10-12
Article
Aquat. Toxicol. 2006, 79(4):366-75
0166-445X
16919340
10.1016/j.aquatox.2006.07.005
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6270
en
417492 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/62712019-09-02T08:27:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Developing a vaccination evaluation model to support evidence-based decision making on national immunization programs.
Kimman, Tjeerd G
Boot, Hein J
Berbers, Guy A M
Vermeer-de Bondt, Patricia E
Wit, G Ardine de
Melker, Hester E de
Among all public health provisions national immunization programs (NIPs) are beyond doubt one of the most effective in reducing mortality, morbidity, and costs associated with major infectious diseases. To maintain their success, NIPs have to modernize in response to many new and old demands regarding efficacy, safety, availability of new vaccines, emerging and evolving pathogens, waning immunity, altered epidemiological situations, and the public's trust in the program. In this paper we present an evaluation model in the form of a checklist that may help in collecting relevant scientific information that is necessary for evaluation and decision making when considering changes in a NIP. Such a checklist points to relevant information on the vaccine-preventable disease, the pathogen causing it, the vaccine, and the cost-effectiveness ratio of the vaccine. However, the final judgment on a potential change in the NIP cannot be based on a simple algorithm, as the relevant information reflects factors of a very different kind and magnitude, to which different value judgements may be added, and which may have certain degrees of uncertainty. Because any change in the NIP may be accompanied by more or less unforeseen changes in the vaccine's efficacy, evolutionary consequences, including the antigenic composition of the pathogen, and the vaccine's safety profile, an intensive surveillance program should accompany any NIP. Elements thereof include clinical-epidemiological surveillance, surveillance of vaccination coverage, immune surveillance, surveillance of microbial population dynamics, and surveillance of adverse events and safety issues. We emphasize that the decision to introduce a vaccine in the NIP should be taken as seriously, both scientifically and ethically, as the decision to withhold a vaccine from the NIP. In the latter case one might be responsible for vaccine-preventable disease and mortality.
2006-11-29T15:14:00Z
2006-11-29T15:14:00Z
2006-05-29
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(22):4769-78
0264-410X
16616803
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.03.022
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6271
en
168411 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/62722019-09-02T08:43:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
WHO informal consultation on scientific basis for regulatory evaluation of candidate human vaccines from plants, Geneva, Switzerland, 24-25 January 2005.
Laan, Jan Willem van der
Minor, Philip
Mahoney, Richard
Arntzen, Charles
Shin, Jinho
Wood, David
In January 2005, WHO convened a meeting of leading experts in plant-derived vaccines and experts from regulatory authorities for an informal discussion on the state-of-the-art and to analyse whether specific guidance might be needed for plant-derived vaccines that is not yet provided by regulatory authorities. After a series of individual presentations, a general discussion was held to obtain a consensus on the need for further guidance. Both the presentations and the conclusions are presented. The meeting concluded that existing guidelines for the development, evaluation, and use of vaccines made by traditional methods can be applied to plant-derived vaccines. For plant-derived vaccines some specific issues will have to be addressed. These include, but are not restricted to, containment of the plants including disposal of waste materials. It was noted that plant-derived vaccines have been produced and clinically tested under US investigational new drug application, and all applicable regulatory and good manufacturing practice requirements are in place for this type of product. An innovator wishing to bring a plant-derived vaccine to market should consult closely with regulatory authorities to ensure that all appropriate studies are undertaken.
2006-11-29T15:30:08Z
2006-11-29T15:30:08Z
2006-05-15
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(20):4271-8
0264-410X
16767805
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6272
en
129844 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66552019-09-02T08:43:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
The use of the DR CALUX bioassay and indicator polychlorinated biphenyls for screening of elevated levels of dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls in eel.
Hoogenboom, Ron
Bovee, Toine
Traag, Win A
Hoogerbrugge, Ronald
Baumann, Bert
Portier, Liza
Weg, Guido van de
Vries, Jaap de
The DR CALUX bioassay is a very suitable screening method for dioxins and dioxin-like-PCBs in feed and food. This was, e. g. demonstrated in a survey in the Netherlands to control the dioxin levels in eel. The DR CALUX assay, but also indicator polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) were evaluated as a screening method. Based on the limit for polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins/dibenzofurans (PCDD/F) [at that time 8 pg toxic equivalents (TEQ)/g eel], and the relation between PCDD/F and dioxin-like-PCB, a decision limit of 30 pg TEQ/g eel was used for screening of 153 field samples. Suspected samples (21) and part of the higher contaminated negative samples (35) were analyzed by GC/MS for dioxins, non-ortho, mono-ortho and indicator PCB, revealing 13 samples exceeding the action limit of 30 pg TEQ/g eel. Only one sample slightly exceeded the dioxin level of 8 pg TEQ/g eel. The relatively low sensitivity for mono-ortho PCB was overcome by the use of reference samples, as shown by the correlation of 0.93 between GC/MS and CALUX determined total TEQ levels. The present data show that the DR CALUX assay can be used for screening of total TEQ levels in eel. The use for dioxins only requires a safe, and therefore relatively low, decision limit. The indicator PCB also showed a good correlation with total TEQ levels, mainly due to the large contribution of the mono-ortho PCB at higher concentrations. The relation with dioxins was very poor and as such indicator PCB seem less suitable than the DR CALUX assay for screening for dioxins only. The present study clearly shows that part of the wild eel samples contains high total TEQ levels and will exceed the future European Union limit of 12 pg TEQ/g eel for dioxins and dioxin-like PCB. Especially at high TEQ levels, dioxin-like PCB contribute most to the total TEQ. In practice, wild eel presents only a minor part of the eel consumed.
2006-12-19T11:34:56Z
2006-12-19T11:34:56Z
2006-10-01
Article
Mol Nutr Food Res 2006, 50(10):945-57
1613-4125
17009214
10.1002/mnfr.200600061
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6655
en
1285150 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66562019-09-02T08:25:14Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Diagnosis of Norovirus outbreaks by commercial ELISA or RT-PCR.
Bruin, Erwin de
Duizer, Erwin
Vennema, Harry
Koopmans, Marion P G
The IDEIA Norwalk-like virus (Dakocytomation Ltd., Ely, United Kingdom) and the Ridascreen Norwalk-like virus enzyme immunoassay (R-Biopharm AG, Darmstadt, Germany), were evaluated for the diagnosis of outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis. A panel of 158 fecal samples from 23 outbreaks, including confirmed rotavirus and astrovirus outbreaks, was used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of both ELISA kits relative to an RT-PCR protocol that was followed by Southern blot hybridization. Another panel consisted of 6 different genogroup I strains, 12 genogroup II strains and 1 genogroup IV strain and was used to determine the scope of the tests. Compared to the RT-PCR, sensitivities of 38% and 36% and specificities of 96% and 88% were found for the Dako kit and the Ridascreen kit, respectively. Two genogroup I strains, and one genogroup II strain were not detected by the Dako kit, while five genogroup I and five genogroup II strains were not detected by the Ridascreen kit. The sensitivity of both ELISA kits, and the scope of the Ridascreen are considered disappointing. However, the ELISA kits can be useful for a preliminary screening, provided that ELISA negative outbreaks will be re-tested by RT-PCR methods.
2006-12-19T11:42:33Z
2006-12-19T11:42:33Z
2006-11-01
Article
J. Virol. Methods 2006, 137(2):259-64
0166-0934
16901556
10.1016/j.jviromet.2006.06.024
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6656
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66572019-09-02T08:25:14Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
The importance of estimating selection bias on prevalence estimates shortly after a disaster.
Grievink, Linda
Velden, Peter G van der
Yzermans, C Joris
Roorda, Jan
Stellato, Rebecca K
PURPOSE: The aim was to study selective participation and its effect on prevalence estimates in a health survey of affected residents 3 weeks after a man-made disaster in The Netherlands (May 13, 2000). METHODS: All affected adult residents were invited to participate. Survey (questionnaire) data were combined with electronic medical records of residents' general practitioners (GPs). Data for demographics, relocation, utilization, and morbidity 1 year predisaster and 1 year postdisaster were used. RESULTS: The survey participation rate was 26% (N = 1171). Women (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-1.67), those living with a partner (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.72-2.33), those aged 45 to 64 years (OR, 2.00; 95% CI, 1.59-2.52), and immigrants (OR, 1.50; 95% CI, 1.30-1.74) were more likely to participate. Participation rate was not affected by relocation because of the disaster. Participants in the survey consulted their GPs for health problems in the year before and after the disaster more often than nonparticipants. Although there was selective participation, multiple imputation barely affected prevalence estimates of health problems in the survey 3 weeks postdisaster. CONCLUSIONS: Estimating actual selection bias in disaster studies gives better information about the study representativeness. This is important for policy making and providing effective health care.
2006-12-19T12:11:20Z
2006-12-19T12:11:20Z
2006-10-01
Article
Ann Epidemiol 2006, 16(10):782-8
1047-2797
16882468
10.1016/j.annepidem.2006.04.008
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6657
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66612019-09-02T08:43:37Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Modeling responses of Daphnia magna to pesticide pulse exposure under varying food conditions: intrinsic versus apparent sensitivity.
Pieters, Barry J
Jager, Tjalling
Kraak, Michiel H S
Admiraal, Wim
Recent studies showed that limiting food conditions resulted in either increased or decreased sensitivity of Daphnia magna to toxicants. It remained unclear whether these contrasting food-dependent alterations in toxicity resulted from differences in intrinsic sensitivity of the daphnids or from changes in toxicokinetics and resource allocation. It is hypothesized here that, if food level only affects accumulation kinetics and resource allocation, then the intrinsic sensitivity to this toxicant should be the same for all food regimes. This hypothesis was investigated using the DEBtox model, which is based on the theory of Dynamic Energy Budgets. We examined results of two recently conducted life-cycle studies on the combined effects of food level and a pulsed exposure to the pyrethroid insecticide fenvalerate (FV) on D. magna. The model described the effects of the time-varying exposure well, and indicated that when the animals did not die from exposure to FV, full reversibility of toxic effects was possible, allowing a complete recovery. Results revealed furthermore that the data from both studies could be described by the same NECs for survival and assimilation, killing rate and tolerance concentration (132 (49.2-228) x 10(-6) mug/L, 0 (0-1.18 x 10(-5)) mug/L, 74.4 (55.6-96.4) L (mug d)(-1) and 5.39 (2.72-18.5) x 10(-3) mug/L, respectively). It is therefore concluded that food-dependent FV toxicity can be explained by altered toxicokinetics and resource allocation, but not by changes in the intrinsic sensitivity of the daphnids. This study implies that the effect of pesticide application in the field depends on the trophic state of the receiving water body, but also that full recovery of survivors is possible after FV application.
2006-12-19T14:18:03Z
2006-12-19T14:18:03Z
2006-10-01
Article
Ecotoxicology 2006, 15(7):601-8
0963-9292
17024561
10.1007/s10646-006-0100-6
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6661
en
181969 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66892019-09-02T08:25:47Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Performance of the Brighton collaboration case definition for hypotonic-hyporesponsive episode (HHE) on reported collapse reactions following infant vaccinations in the Netherlands.
Vermeer-de Bondt, Patricia E
Dzaferagić, Aida
David, Silke
Maas, Nicoline A T van der
We reviewed collapse (sudden onset of pallor, limpness and hyporesponsiveness) following the first infant (DPTP+Hib) vaccination reported to the enhanced passive surveillance system of the Netherlands in 1994-2003. All 1303 reports identified by the current RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and Environment) case definition were captured by the Brighton Collaboration (BC) case definition, with in 17 (1.3%) reports insufficient information. Over the years the proportion of the highest level of diagnostic certainty (level 1) increased due to more complete data from 70% to over 90%. We checked the BC case definition also on a sample of cases (with pallor or hyporesponsiveness) not meeting RIVM's case definition for collapse at the time. Sixty out of 200 cases were captured by BC but again rejected by RIVM. The sensitivity BC levels 2 and 3 appeared too high. We recommend a more restrict case definition by the Brighton Collaboration with certain exclusion criteria to make it more specific. Furthermore a change in the specifications for levels 2 and 3 will increase specificity and accommodate for the loss of sensitivity.
2006-12-21T09:01:52Z
2006-12-21T09:01:52Z
2006-11-30
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(49-50):7066-70
0264-410X
16935396
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.07.008
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6689
en
148323 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66902019-09-02T08:25:47Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Programme of the Community Network of Reference Laboratories for Human Influenza to improve Influenza Surveillance in Europe.
Meijer, Adam
Brown, Caroline
Hungnes, Olav
Schweiger, Brunhilde
Valette, Martine
Werf, Sylvie van der
Zambon, Maria
All laboratories participating in the Community Network of Reference Laboratories for Human Influenza in Europe (CNRL) co-ordinated by the European Influenza Surveillance Scheme (EISS) should be able to perform a range of influenza diagnostics. This includes direct detection, culture, typing, subtyping and strain characterisation of influenza viruses, diagnostic serology and the creation of archives for clinical specimens and virus isolates. To improve the capacity and quality of the laboratories of the CNRL and to increase the consistency in performance among all 25 European Union countries plus Norway, Romania, and Switzerland, five task groups were set up in February 2005. These task groups developed work programmes in the areas of virus isolation, antibodies, molecular virology, quality control assessment and antiviral susceptibility testing. This report outlines the programmes and the results achieved in the first half-year of operation of the task groups. The action plans are challenging and it is expected that these efforts will lead to considerable improvements in the performance of the laboratories and in the standardisation of methods employed in Europe with regard to routine influenza surveillance and early warning for emerging viruses.
2006-12-21T09:11:55Z
2006-12-21T09:11:55Z
2006-11-10
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(44-46):6717-23
0264-410X
16782242
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.068
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6690
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66912019-09-02T08:25:47Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Use of oseltamivir in Dutch nursing homes during the 2004-2005 influenza season.
Sande, Marianne A B van der
Ruijs, Wilhelmina L M
Meijer, Adam
Cools, Herman J M
Plas, Simone M van der
To assess the implementation of guidelines for using neuraminidase inhibitors in the control of influenza outbreaks in Dutch nursing homes, data were collected on prophylactic and therapeutic use of anti-viral medication, indications for use and criteria for prescribing, based on experiences during the influenza season 2004-2005 in a retrospective cross-sectional survey among Dutch nursing homes after the 2004-2005 season. Ninety/194 (49%) participating nursing homes reported an outbreak of influenza-like illness; in 57/194 (29%) influenza was laboratory confirmed. In 37/57 homes (65%) oseltamivir had been used as prophylaxis. Prophylactic use was extended to all residents and staff in 6/37 (16%) of homes, but limited in the others. In 9/37 (24%) no staff were issued prophylaxis. Among clinicians with laboratory confirmed influenza, 41/46 (89%) had used oseltamivir therapeutically. Main reasons for not prescribing oseltamivir for prophylaxis and/or therapy were lack of scientific evidence, high costs, and absent or delayed laboratory confirmation. Logistical bottlenecks in diagnosis, cost-effectiveness concerns, and lack of an evidence-base hamper full integration in policy and should be addressed.
2006-12-21T09:18:04Z
2006-12-21T09:18:04Z
2006-11-10
Article
Vaccine 2006, 24(44-46):6664-9
0264-410X
16797806
10.1016/j.vaccine.2006.05.049
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6691
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66922019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Ethanol Intake and Risk of Lung Cancer in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
Rohrmann, Sabine
Linseisen, Jakob
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Whittaker, John
Agudo, Antonio
Vineis, Paolo
Boffetta, Paolo
Jensen, Majken K
Olsen, Anja
Overvad, Kim
Tjønneland, Anne
Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine
Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise
Bergmann, Manuela M
Boeing, Heiner
Allen, Naomi E
Key, Timothy J
Bingham, Sheila A
Khaw, Kay-Tee
Kyriazi, Georgia
Soukara, Stavroula
Trichopoulou, Antonia
Panico, Salvatore
Palli, Domenico
Sieri, Sabina
Tumino, Rosario
Peeters, Petra H M
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Büchner, Frederike L
Gram, Inger Torhild
Lund, Eiliv
Ardanaz, Eva
Chirlaque, María-Dolores
Dorronsoro Iraeta, Miren
Pérez, Maria-José Sánchez
Quirós, José Ramón
Berglund, Göran
Janzon, Lars
Rasmuson, Torgny
Weinehall, Lars
Ferrari, Pietro
Jenab, Mazda
Norat, Teresa
Riboli, Elio
Within the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), the authors examined the association of ethanol intake at recruitment (1,119 cases) and mean lifelong ethanol intake (887 cases) with lung cancer. Information on baseline and past alcohol consumption, lifetime tobacco smoking, diet, and the anthropometric characteristics of 478,590 participants was collected between 1992 and 2000. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to calculate multivariate-adjusted hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Overall, neither ethanol intake at recruitment nor mean lifelong ethanol intake was significantly associated with lung cancer. However, moderate intake (5-14.9 g/day) at recruitment (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.76, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.63, 0.90) and moderate mean lifelong intake (HR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.66, 0.97) were associated with a lower lung cancer risk in comparison with low consumption (0.1-4.9 g/day). Compared with low intake, a high (>/=60 g/day) mean lifelong ethanol intake tended to be related to a higher risk of lung cancer (HR = 1.29, 95% CI: 0.93, 1.74), but high intake at recruitment was not. Although there was no overall association between ethanol intake and risk of lung cancer, the authors cannot rule out a lower risk for moderate consumption and a possibly increased risk for high lifelong consumption.
2006-12-21T09:47:40Z
2006-12-21T09:47:40Z
2006-12-01
Article
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 164(11):1103-14
0002-9262
16987924
10.1093/aje/kwj326
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6692
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66932019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Immunotoxic effects of chemicals: A matrix for occupational and environmental epidemiological studies.
Veraldi, Angela
Costantini, Adele Seniori
Bolejack, Vanessa
Miligi, Lucia
Vineis, Paolo
Loveren, Henk van
BACKGROUND: Many biological and chemical agents have the capacity to alter the way the immune system functions in human and animals. This study evaluates the immunotoxicity of 20 substances used widely in work environments. METHODS: A systematic literature search on the immunotoxicity of 20 chemicals was performed. The first step was to review literature on immunotoxicity testing and testing schemes adopted for establishing immunotoxicity in humans. The second step consisted of providing a documentation on immunotoxicity of substances that are widely used in work environment, by building tables for each chemical of interest (benzene, trichloroethylene, PAHs, crystalline silica, diesel exhausts, welding fumes, asbestos, styrene, formaldehyde, toluene, vinyl chloride monomer, tetrachloroethylene, chlorophenols, 1,3-butadiene, mineral oils, P-dichlorobenzene, dichloromethane, xylene, 1,1,1-trichloroethane, ethylene oxide). The third step was the classification of substances; an index (strong, intermediate, weak, nil) was assigned on the basis of the evidence of toxicity and type of immunotoxic effects (immunosuppression, autoimmunity, hypersensitivity) on the basis of the immune responses. Finally substances were assigned a score of immunotoxic power. RESULTS: Tables have been produced that include information for the 20 substances of interest, based on 227 animal studies and 94 human studies. Each substance was assigned an index of immunotoxic evidence, a score of immunotoxic power and type of immunotoxic effect. CONCLUSIONS: This matrix can represent a tool to identify chemicals with similar properties concerning the toxicity for the immune system, and to interpret epidemiological studies on immune-related diseases.
2006-12-21T09:51:26Z
2006-12-21T09:51:26Z
2006-12-01
Article
Am. J. Ind. Med. 2006, 49(12):1046-55
0271-3586
17036363
10.1002/ajim.20364
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6693
en
126832 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66942024-02-19T09:10:27Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Review of global regulations concerning biowaivers for immediate release solid oral dosage forms.
Gupta, E
Barends, DM
Yamashita, E
Lentz, KA
Harmsze, AM
Shah, VP
Dressman, JB
Lipper, RA
The regulations with respect to biowaivers for immediate release (IR) solid oral dosage forms in the USA, the EU, Japan and from the World Health Organization (WHO) are summarized and compared. Two case studies are presented, one from our own files and one from the open literature, showing the similarities and the differences among the qualification requirements of the four systems. The regulatory experience gained up to now is reviewed and expected future trends are discussed.
2006-12-21T10:15:35Z
2006-12-21T10:15:35Z
2006-11-01
Article
Eur J Pharm Sci 2006, 29(3-4):315-24
0928-0987
16806858
10.1016/j.ejps.2006.05.001
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6694
en
127810 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66952019-09-02T08:26:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Disparities in stroke preventive care in general practice did not explain socioeconomic disparities in stroke.
Avendano, Mauricio
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Schellevis, F G
Mackenbach, Johan P
Lenthe, Frank J van
Bos, G A M van den
OBJECTIVE: To assess socioeconomic disparities in stroke incidence and in the quality of preventive care for stroke in the Netherlands. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTINGS: A total of 190,664 patients who registered in 96 general practices were followed up for 12 months. Data were collected on diagnoses, referrals, prescriptions, and diagnostic procedures. Hazard ratios (HR) were calculated to assess the association between educational level and stroke incidence. Multilevel logistic regression was used to assess socioeconomic disparities in the quality of preventive care for stroke precursors. RESULTS: Lower educational level was associated with higher incidence of stroke in men (HR=1.36, 95% CI=1.06-1.74) but not in women. Among both men and women, there were socioeconomic disparities in the prevalence of hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes, angina pectoris, heart failure, and peripheral artery disease. Lower educated hypercholesterolemia patients under medication were less likely to be prescribed statins (odds ratio=0.62, 95% CI=0.42-0.91). However, for other precursors of stroke, there were no major disparities in the quality of preventive care. CONCLUSION: There are socioeconomic disparities in stroke incidence among men but not among women. Socioeconomic differences in factors such as hypertension and diabetes are likely to contribute to stroke disparities. However, general practitioners (GPs) provide care of a similar quality to patients from different socioeconomic groups.
2006-12-21T10:29:37Z
2006-12-21T10:29:37Z
2006-12-01
Article
J Clin Epidemiol 2006, 59(12):1285-94
0895-4356
17098571
10.1016/j.jclinepi.2006.03.010
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6695
en
234280 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66962019-09-02T08:26:19Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Using registries in general practice to estimate countrywide morbidity in The Netherlands.
Gijsen, Ronald
Poos, Marinus J J C
OBJECTIVE: Examining the possibility of using data from registries in general practice in order to present morbidity figures concerning a broad range of major diseases for the Dutch population. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of registered diagnoses. METHODS: Quantitative data from six registries were obtained. In addition, information about the registration process was obtained and discussed with representatives of the registries. Subjects for discussion were the general characteristics of the registries and disease-specific rules. RESULTS: Some important differences exist in the characteristics of the registries and the disease-specific coding rules for computing incidence and prevalence. However, for most diseases the rules of two or more registries corresponded with each other, so that a selection of registries that measured the occurrence of a particular disease in a similar way could be made. Nevertheless, for some age categories rather large differences between registries were observed. The best estimates for the whole country were calculated as the average incidence and prevalence of the selected registries. CONCLUSIONS: Data that were originally obtained during patient care can be made usable for public health policy purposes. To further improve the quality of data and to increase the usefulness of these data for public health policy purposes, more efforts are required.
2006-12-21T10:41:38Z
2006-12-21T10:41:38Z
2006-10-01
Article
Public Health 2006, 120(10):923-36
0033-3506
16949625
10.1016/j.puhe.2006.06.005
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6696
en
304456 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/66972019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Public health implications of using various case definitions in The Netherlands during the worldwide SARS outbreak.
Timen, A
Doornum, G J J van
Schutten, M
Conyn-van Spaendonck, M A E
Meer, J W M van der
Osterhaus, A D M E
Steenbergen, J E van
This study analysed the consequences of deviation from the WHO case definition for the assessment of patients with suspected severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in The Netherlands during 2003. Between 17 March and 7 July 2003, as a result of dilemmas in balancing sensitivity and specificity, five different case definitions were used. The patients referred for SARS assessment were analysed from a public health perspective. None of the patients referred had SARS, based on serological and virological criteria. Nevertheless, all 72 patients required thorough assessment and, depending on the results of the assessment, institution of appropriate prevention and control measures. Changing case definitions caused confusion in classifying cases. A centralised assessment of the reported cases by a team with clinical and public health expertise (epidemiological and geographical risk assessment) is a practical solution for addressing differences in applying case definitions. The burden of managing non-cases is an important issue when allocating public health resources, and should be taken into account during the preparation phase, rather than during an outbreak. This applies not only to SARS, but also to other public health threats, such as pandemic influenza or a bioterrorist episode.
2006-12-21T10:49:26Z
2006-12-21T10:49:26Z
2006-12-01
Article
Clin. Microbiol. Infect. 2006, 12(12):1214-20
1198-743X
17121628
10.1111/j.1469-0691.2006.01552.x
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6697
en
96745 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67272019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
A 28-day oral dose toxicity study enhanced to detect endocrine effects of hexabromocyclododecane in Wistar rats.
Ven, Leo T M van der
Verhoef, Aart
Kuil, Ton van de
Slob, Wout
Leonards, Pim E G
Visser, Theo J
Hamers, Timo
Herlin, Maria
Håkansson, Helen
Olausson, Hanna
Piersma, Aldert H
Vos, Josephus G
A 28-day repeated dose study in rats (OECD407) enhanced for endocrine and immune parameters was performed with hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD). Rats were exposed by daily gavage to HBCD dissolved in corn oil in 8 dose groups with doses ranging between 0 and 200 mg/kg bw per day (mkd). Evaluation consisted of dose-response analysis with calculation of a benchmark dose at the lower 95% one-sided confidence bound (BMDL) at predefined critical effect sizes (CESs) of 10-20%. The most remarkable findings were dose-related effects on the thyroid hormone axis, that is, decreased total thyroxin (TT4, BMDL 55.5 mkd at CES--10%), increased pituitary weight (29 mkd at 10%) and increased immunostaining of TSH in the pituitary, increased thyroid weight (1.6 mkd at 10%), and thyroid follicle cell activation. These effects were restricted to females. Female rats also showed increased absolute liver weights (22.9 mkd at 20%) and induction of T4-glucuronyl transferase (4.1 mkd at 10%), suggesting that aberrant metabolization of T4 triggers feedback activation of the thyroid hormone system. These effects were accompanied by possibly secondary effects, including increased cholesterol (7.4 mkd at 10%), increased tibial bone mineral density (> 49 mkd at 10%), both in females, and decreased splenocyte counts (0.3-6.3 mkd at 20%; only evaluated in males). Overall, female rats appeared to be more sensitive to HBCD than male rats, and an overall BMDL is proposed at 1.6 mkd, based on a 10% increase of the thyroid weight, which was the most sensitive parameter in the sequence of events.
2007-01-02T13:02:22Z
2007-01-02T13:02:22Z
2006-12-01
Article
Toxicol. Sci. 2006, 94(2):281-92
1096-6080
16984958
10.1093/toxsci/kfl113
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6727
en
370297 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67292019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Health-related quality of life and mental health problems after a disaster: Are chronically ill survivors more vulnerable to health problems?
Berg, Bellis van den
Velden, Peter G van der
Yzermans, C Joris
Stellato, Rebecca K
Grievink, Linda
Studies have shown that the chronically ill are at higher risk for reduced health-related quality of life (HRQL) and for mental health problems. A combination with traumatic events might increase this risk. This longitudinal study among 1216 survivors of a disaster examines whether chronically ill survivors had a different course of HRQL and mental health problems compared to survivors without chronic diseases. HRQL and mental health problems were measured 3 weeks, 18 months and 4 years post-disaster. Data on pre-disaster chronic diseases was obtained from the electronic medical records of general practitioners. Random coefficient analyses showed significant interaction effects for social functioning, bodily pain and emotional role limitations at T2 only. Chronically ill survivors did not consistently have a different course of general health, physical role limitations, and mental health problems. In conclusion, chronic diseases were not an important risk factor for impaired HRQL and mental health problems among survivors.
2007-01-02T13:24:20Z
2007-01-02T13:24:20Z
2006-12-01
Article
Qual Life Res 2006, 15(10):1571-6
0962-9343
17033912
10.1007/s11136-006-0033-9
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6729
en
165295 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67302019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
A category approach for reproductive effects of phthalates.
Fabjan, Evelin
Hulzebos, Etje
Mennes, W
Piersma, Aldert H
In regulatory toxicology, the experimental assessment of reproductive toxicity is one of the most costly endpoints to perform. Categorizing chemicals is an approach that can be used to reduce animal tests in risk assessments of chemicals, for example, via REACH (Registration, Evaluation, and Authorization of Chemicals). The category approach was tested for reproductive toxicity with a group of 10 ortho-phthalate esters, with different side chain lengths. Three ortho-phthalates were used for testing the category. Phthalates with side-chain lengths C4 to C6 that are commonly known to cause reproductive effects were included, as well as the recently discovered mechanism that indicates antiandrogenic effects. The differences in physicochemical properties, absorption rates, and metabolism between the phthalates investigated could not fully explain the difference in reproductive toxicity. It was concluded that phthalates with the alkyl side-chain length from C4 to C6 produce similar severe reproductive effects in experimental animals. It is expected that phthalates included in the tight boundaries of the proposed category would all show severe reproductive effects, especially the antiandrogenic effects. Further testing might not be needed for phthalates within these boundaries. If necessary, limited testing could focus on the critical endpoints. Detailed mechanistic information is needed on phthalates to apply the categories for regulatory toxicology.
2007-01-02T13:36:53Z
2007-01-02T13:36:53Z
2006-10-01
Article
Crit. Rev. Toxicol. 2006, 36(9):695-726
1040-8444
17050082
10.1080/10408440600894914
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6730
en
387951 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67312019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Application of multimedia models for screening assessment of long-range transport potential and overall persistence.
Klasmeier, Jörg
Matthies, Michael
Macleod, Matthew
Fenner, Kathrin
Scheringer, Martin
Stroebe, Maximilian
Gall, Anne Christine le
McKone, Thomas
Meent, Dik van de
Wania, Frank
We propose a multimedia model-based methodology to evaluate whether a chemical substance qualifies as POP-like based on overall persistence (Pov) and potential for long-range transport (LRTP). It relies upon screening chemicals against the Pov and LRTP characteristics of selected reference chemicals with well-established environmental fates. Results indicate that chemicals of high and low concern in terms of persistence and long-range transport can be consistently identified by eight contemporary multimedia models using the proposed methodology. Model results for three hypothetical chemicals illustrate that the model-based classification of chemicals according to Pov and LRTP is not always consistent with the single-media half-life approach proposed by the UNEP Stockholm Convention and thatthe models provide additional insight into the likely long-term hazards associated with chemicals in the environment. We suggest this model-based classification method be adopted as a complement to screening against defined half-life criteria at the initial stages of tiered assessments designed to identify POP-like chemicals and to prioritize further environmental fate studies for new and existing chemicals.
2007-01-02T13:50:31Z
2007-01-02T13:50:31Z
2006-01-01
Article
Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40(1):53-60
0013-936X
16433332
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6731
en
462297 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67332019-09-02T08:51:35Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
No association between polymorphisms in CYP2E1, GSTM1, NAT1, NAT2 and the risk of gastric adenocarcinoma in the European prospective investigation into cancer and nutrition.
Agudo, Antonio
Sala, Núria
Pera, Guillem
Capellá, Gabriel
Berenguer, Antonio
García, Nadia
Palli, Domenico
Boeing, Heiner
Giudice, Giuseppe del
Saieva, Calogero
Carneiro, Fátima
Berrino, Franco
Sacerdote, Carlotta
Tumino, Rosario
Panico, Salvatore
Berglund, Göran
Simán, Henrik
Stenling, Roger
Hallmans, Göran
Martínez-García, Carmen
Amiano, Pilar
Barricarte, Aurelio
Navarro, Carmen A
Quirós, José Ramón
Allen, Naomi E
Key, Timothy J
Bingham, Sheila A
Khaw, Kay-Tee
Linseisen, Jakob
Nagel, Gabriele
Overvad, Kim
Tjønneland, Anne
Olsen, Anja
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Peeters, Petra H M
Numans, Mattijs E
Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise
Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine
Trichopoulou, Antonia
Lund, Eiliv
Bläker, Hendrik
Jenab, Mazda
Ferrari, Pietro
Norat, Teresa
Riboli, Elio
González, Carlos Alberto
2007-01-02T14:04:05Z
2007-01-02T14:04:05Z
2006-05-01
Article
Cancer Epidemiol. Biomarkers Prev. 2006, 15(5):1043-5
1055-9965
16702391
10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-06-0073
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6733
en
93773 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67362019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Body size and risk of colon and rectal cancer in the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC).
Pischon, Tobias
Lahmann, Petra H
Boeing, Heiner
Friedenreich, Christine
Norat, Teresa
Tjønneland, Anne
Halkjaer, Jytte
Overvad, Kim
Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise
Boutron-Ruault, Marie-Christine
Guernec, Gregory
Bergmann, Manuela M
Linseisen, Jakob
Becker, Nikolaus
Trichopoulou, Antonia
Trichopoulos, Dimitrios
Sieri, Sabina
Palli, Domenico
Tumino, Rosario
Vineis, Paolo
Panico, Salvatore
Peeters, Petra H M
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Guelpen, Bethany van
Palmqvist, Richard
Berglund, Göran
González, Carlos Alberto
Dorronsoro Iraeta, Miren
Barricarte, Aurelio
Navarro, Carmen A
Martínez-García, Carmen
Quirós, José Ramón
Roddam, Andrew
Allen, Naomi E
Bingham, Sheila A
Khaw, Kay-Tee
Ferrari, Pietro
Kaaks, Rudolf
Slimani, Nadia
Riboli, Elio
BACKGROUND: Body weight and body mass index (BMI) are positively related to risk of colon cancer in men, whereas weak or no associations exist in women. This discrepancy may be related to differences in fat distribution between sexes or to the use of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in women. METHODS: We used multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards models to examine the association between anthropometric measures and risks of colon and rectal cancer among 368 277 men and women who were free of cancer at baseline from nine countries of the European Prospective Investigation Into Cancer and Nutrition. All statistical tests were two-sided. RESULTS: During 6.1 years of follow-up, we identified 984 and 586 patients with colon and rectal cancer, respectively. Body weight and BMI were statistically significantly associated with colon cancer risk in men (highest versus lowest quintile of BMI, relative risk [RR] = 1.55, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12 to 2.15; P(trend) = .006) but not in women. In contrast, comparisons of the highest to the lowest quintile showed that several anthropometric measures, including waist circumference (men, RR = 1.39, 95% CI = 1.01 to 1.93; P(trend) = .001; women, RR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.08 to 2.03; P(trend) = .008), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR; men, RR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.06 to 2.15; P(trend) = .006; women, RR = 1.52, 95% CI = 1.12 to 2.05; P(trend) = .002), and height (men, RR = 1.40, 95% CI = 0.99 to 1.98; P(trend) = .04; women, RR = 1.79, 95% CI = 1.30 to 2.46; P(trend)<.001) were related to colon cancer risk in both sexes. The estimated absolute risk of developing colon cancer within 5 years was 203 and 131 cases per 100,000 men and 129 and 86 cases per 100,000 women in the highest and lowest quintiles of WHR, respectively. Upon further stratification, no association of waist circumference and WHR with risk of colon cancer was observed among postmenopausal women who used HRT. None of the anthropometric measures was statistically significantly related to rectal cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Waist circumference and WHR, indicators of abdominal obesity, were strongly associated with colon cancer risk in men and women in this population. The association of abdominal obesity with colon cancer risk may vary depending on HRT use in postmenopausal women; however, these findings require confirmation in future studies.
2007-01-02T14:19:20Z
2007-01-02T14:19:20Z
2006-07-05
Article
J. Natl. Cancer Inst. 2006, 98(13):920-31
1460-2105
16818856
10.1093/jnci/djj246
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6736
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67372019-09-02T08:26:36Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
In vitro tests to evaluate immunotoxicity: A preliminary study.
Carfi', M
Gennari, A
Malerba, I
Corsini, E
Pallardy, M
Pieters, R
Loveren, Henk van
Vohr, H W
Hartung, T
Gribaldo, L
The implementation of Registration, Evaluation and Authorisation of new and existing Chemicals (REACH) will increase the number of laboratory animals used, if alternative methods will not be available. In the meantime, REACH promotes the use of in vitro tests and, therefore, a set of appropriated alternative testing methods and assessment strategies are needed. The immune system can be a target for many chemicals including environmental contaminants and drugs with potential adverse effects on human health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the predictivity of a set of in vitro assays to detect immunosuppression. The tests have been performed on human, rat and murine cells. Different endpoints have been assessed: cytotoxicity, cytokine release, myelotoxicity and mitogen responsiveness. For each of these endpoints IC50s values have been calculated. Six chemical substances, representative of the full range of in vivo responses and for which good human and/or animal data are available either from databases or literature, have been selected: two chemicals classified as not immunotoxic (Urethane and Furosemide), and four (tributyltin chloride (TBTC), Verapamil, Cyclosporin A, Benzo(a)pyrene) with different effect on immune system. All the tests confirmed the strong immunotoxic effect of TBTC as well as they confirmed the negative controls. For one chemical (Verapamil) the IC50 is similar through the different tests. The IC50s obtained with the other chemicals depend on the endpoints and on the animal species. The clonogenic test (CFU-GM) and the mitogen responsiveness showed similar IC50s between human and rodent cells except for Cyclosporin A and TBTC. All different tests classified the compounds analyzed in the same way.
2007-01-02T14:43:22Z
2007-01-02T14:43:22Z
2007-01-05
Article
Toxicology 2007, 229(1-2):11-22
0300-483X
17092623
10.1016/j.tox.2006.09.003
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6737
en
419117 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67382019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Community-acquired MRSA and pig-farming.
Huijsdens, Xander W
Dijke, Beatrix J van
Spalburg, Emile
Santen-Verheuvel, Marga G van
Heck, Max E O C
Pluister, Gerlinde N
Voss, Andreas
Wannet, Wim J B
Neeling, Albert J de
BACKGROUND: Sporadic cases of CA-MRSA in persons without risk-factors for MRSA carriage are increasing. CASE PRESENTATION: We report a MRSA cluster among family members of a pig-farmer, his co-workers and his pigs. Initially a young mother was seen with mastitis due to MRSA. Six months later her baby daughter was admitted to the hospital with pneumococcal otitis. After staying five days in hospital, the baby was found to be MRSA positive. At that point it was decided to look for a possible source, such as other family members and house-hold animals, including pigs on the farm, since those were reported as a possible source of MRSA earlier. Swabs were taken from the throat and nares of family members and co-workers. A veterinarian obtained swabs from the nares, throat and perineum of 10 pigs. Swabs were cultured following a national protocol to detect MRSA that included the use of an enrichment broth. Animal and human strains were characterized by PFGE, spa-typing, MLST analysis, SSCmec, AGR typing, and the detection for PVL, LukM, and TSST toxin genes. Three family members, three co-workers, and 8 of the 10 pigs were MRSA positive. With the exception of the initial case (the mother) all persons were solely colonized, with no signs of clinical infections. After digestion with SmaI, none of the strains showed any bands using PFGE. All isolates belonged to spa type t108 and ST398. CONCLUSION: 1. This report clearly shows clonal spread and transmission between humans and pigs in the Netherlands. 2. MLST sequence type 398 might be of international importance as pig-MRSA, since this type was shown earlier to be present in epidemiologically unrelated French pigs and pig-farmers. 3. Research is needed to evaluate whether this is a local problem or a new source of MRSA, that puts the until now successful Search and Destroy policy of the Netherlands at risk.
2007-01-02T14:46:06Z
2007-01-02T14:46:06Z
2006
Article
Ann. Clin. Microbiol. Antimicrob. 2006, 5:26
1476-0711
17096847
10.1186/1476-0711-5-26
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6738
en
226708 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67392019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Using data on social contacts to estimate age-specific transmission parameters for respiratory-spread infectious agents.
Wallinga, Jacco
Teunis, Peter F M
Kretzschmar, Mirjam
The estimation of transmission parameters has been problematic for diseases that rely predominantly on transmission of pathogens from person to person through small infectious droplets. Age-specific transmission parameters determine how such respiratory agents will spread among different age groups in a human population. Estimating the values of these parameters is essential in planning an effective response to potentially devastating pandemics of smallpox or influenza and in designing control strategies for diseases such as measles or mumps. In this study, the authors estimated age-specific transmission parameters by augmenting infectious disease data with auxiliary data on self-reported numbers of conversational partners per person. They show that models that use transmission parameters based on these self-reported social contacts are better able to capture the observed patterns of infection of endemically circulating mumps, as well as observed patterns of spread of pandemic influenza. The estimated age-specific transmission parameters suggested that school-aged children and young adults will experience the highest incidence of infection and will contribute most to further spread of infections during the initial phase of an emerging respiratory-spread epidemic in a completely susceptible population. These findings have important implications for controlling future outbreaks of novel respiratory-spread infectious agents.
2007-01-02T14:58:33Z
2007-01-02T14:58:33Z
2006-11-15
Article
Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 164(10):936-44
0002-9262
16968863
10.1093/aje/kwj317
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6739
en
259375 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67532019-09-02T08:26:36Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Allometry, biocomplexity, and web topology of hundred agro-environments in The Netherlands
Mulder, Christian
Hollander, Henri den
Schouten, Ton
Rutgers, Michiel
For almost all soil organisms, the logarithm of numerical abundance (N) is inversely related to the logarithm of body mass (M). It is helpful to use allometry and food-web topology to condense environmental information. Using mathematical evidence derived from 99 real webs, a hypothesis is formulated to explain how belowground soil organisms become affected by increasing effects of animal manure and this is discussed in relation to soil productivity. As a matter of fact, the intercepts of allometric correlations change in a highly significant way according to aboveground grazing by mammals. Linear regressions of log10(N) values fitted against their log10(M) averages show allometric unity (slopes equal to −1) only in one fourth of the webs. Under different levels of taxonomic aggregation, our intercepts remain directly correlated with macroherbivory. Also after removal of bacteria from these real webs, intercepts of the linear regressions robustly fitted on the eukaryotes’ M and N reflect the local nitrogen availability from animal manure. Other basic web properties, such as trophic links and structural complexity, display a comparable pattern from nutrient-poor to nutrient-rich ecosystems, in contrast to a rather erratic connectance. Regardless of total soil biodiversity, only in 23 real webs a host of organisms ranging from earthworms and insects to bacterial cells seem to interact in ways beneficial to each other.
2007-01-03T08:20:07Z
2007-01-03T08:20:07Z
2006-07-07
2006-01-12
Article
Ecological Complexity 2006, Volume 3, Issue 3 , September 2006, Pages 219-230
1476945X
10.1016/j.ecocom.2006.05.004
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6753
n/a
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67542019-09-02T08:26:51Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Safety distances for hydrogen filling stations
Matthijsen, A J C M
Kooi, E S
Safety distances
Hydrogen
Filling stations
Modeling
External risk
In the context of spatial planning the Dutch Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment asked the Centre for External Safety of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) to advice on safe distances pertaining to hydrogen filling stations. The RIVM made use of failure modeling and parameters for calculating the distance in detail. An imaginary hydrogen filling station for cars is used in the determination of ‘external safety’ or third party distances for the installations and the pipe work for three different sizes of hydrogen filling stations. For several failure scenarios ‘effect’ distances are calculated for car filling at 350 and 700 bar. Safe distances of filling stations from locations where people live and work appear to be similar for compressed hydrogen, gasoline/petrol and compressed natural gas. Safe distances for LPG are greater. A filling unit for hydrogen can be placed at gasoline/petrol-filling stations without increasing safety distances
2007-01-03T08:28:04Z
2007-01-03T08:28:04Z
2006-06-30
Article
Journal of Loss Prevention in the Process Industries Volume 19, Issue 6 , November 2006, Pages 719-723
10.1016/j.jlp.2006.05.006
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6754
en
323747 bytes
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Elsevier
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67552019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Body mass index, waist circumference and waist-hip ratio and serum levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 in European women.
Gram, Inger Torhild
Norat, Teresa
Rinaldi, Sabina
Dossus, Laure
Lukanova, Annekatrin
Téhard, B
Clavel-Chapelon, Françoise
Gils, C H van
Noord, P A H van
Peeters, Petra H M
Bueno-de-Mesquita, H Bas
Nagel, Gabriele
Linseisen, Jakob
Lahmann, Petra H
Boeing, Heiner
Palli, Domenico
Sacerdote, Carlotta
Panico, Salvatore
Tumino, Rosario
Sieri, Sabina
Dorronsoro Iraeta, Miren
Quirós, José Ramón
Navarro, Carmen A
Barricarte, Aurelio
Tormo, M-J
González, Carlos Alberto
Overvad, Kim
Paaske Johnsen, S
Olsen, Anja
Tjønneland, Anne
Travis, R
Allen, Naomi E
Bingham, Sheila A
Khaw, Kay-Tee
Stattin, P
Trichopoulou, Antonia
Kalapothaki, V
Psaltopoulou, Theodora
Casagrande, Corinne
Riboli, Elio
Kaaks, Rudolf
OBJECTIVE: To examine the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) with serum levels of insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), and its binding protein (IGFBP)-3. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study on 2139 women participating in a case-control study on breast cancer and endogenous hormones. Data on lifestyle and reproductive factors were collected by means of questionnaires. Body height, weight, waist and hip circumferences were measured. Serum levels of IGF-I and insulin-like binding protein (IGFBP)-3 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Adjusted mean levels of IGF-I and IGFBP-3 across quintiles of BMI, waist circumference, and WHR were calculated by linear regression. Results were adjusted for potential confounders associated with IGF-I and IGFBP-3. RESULTS: Adjusted mean serum IGF-I values were lower in women with BMI<22.5 kg/m(2) or BMI>29.2 kg/m(2) compared to women with BMI within this range (P(heterogeneity)<0.0001, P(trend)=0.35). Insulin-like growth factor-I was not related to WHR after adjustment for BMI. IGF-binding protein-3 was linearly positively related to waist and WHR after mutual adjustment. The molar ratio IGF-I/IGFBP-3 had a non-linear relation with BMI and a linear inverse relationship with WHR (P (trend)=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the nonlinear relationship of circulating IGF-I to total adiposity in women. Serum IGFBP-3 was positively related to central adiposity. These suggest that bioavailable IGF-I levels could be lower in obese compared to non-obese women and inversely related to central adiposity.
2007-01-03T08:38:12Z
2007-01-03T08:38:12Z
2006-11-01
Article
Int J Obes (Lond) 2006, 30(11):1623-31
0307-0565
16552400
10.1038/sj.ijo.0803324
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6755
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67562019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
the potential of AGE MODE, an age-dependent model, to estimate usual intakes and prevalences of inadequate intakes in a population.
Waijers, Patricia M C M
Dekkers, Arnold L M
Boer, Jolanda M A
Boshuizen, Hendriek C
Rossum, Caroline T M van
Dietary intake data often stem from short-term measurements. However, for dietary assessment, generally the habitual intake distribution is of interest. Currently, habitual intake distributions are often estimated separately for subgroups of gender and age and do not take into account the variation in intake caused by age within age groups. Therefore, we developed an age-dependent dietary assessment model, which was demonstrated and tested using folate intakes from the third Dutch National Food Consumption Survey, conducted in 1997/98. The proposed model produced estimates of the mean habitual intake and intake percentiles as a function of age. The methodology has clear advantages in estimating habitual intakes in children. Also, given the large variation in intakes of several dietary components, estimated habitual intakes produced by other methods may have low precision and be less reliable if numbers are small. In our age-dependent model, all available data can be used to estimate the parameters of the habitual intake distribution, improving the precision of the estimates, and providing consistent estimates for a larger population sample as no subgroups need to be created. Although the model may still be further developed, the feature of age dependency shows clear advantages above methods currently used to estimate habitual intakes.
2007-01-03T08:46:04Z
2007-01-03T08:46:04Z
2006-11-01
Article
J. Nutr. 2006, 136(11):2916-20
0022-3166
17056822
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6756
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67572019-09-02T08:26:51Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Probabilistic inversion for chicken processing lines
Cooke, Roger M
Nauta, Maarten
Havelaar, Arie H
Fels, Ine van der
Probabilistic inversion
IPF
PARFUM
Campylobacter
Transport models
Expert judgment
Entropy
Information
We discuss an application of probabilistic inversion techniques to a model of campylobacter transmission in chicken processing lines. Such techniques are indicated when we wish to quantify a model which is new and perhaps unfamiliar to the expert community. In this case there are no measurements for estimating model parameters, and experts are typically unable to give a considered judgment. In such cases, experts are asked to quantify their uncertainty regarding variables which can be predicted by the model. The experts’ distributions (after combination) are then pulled back onto the parameter space of the model, a process termed “probabilistic inversion”. This study illustrates two such techniques, iterative proportional fitting (IPF) and PARmeter fitting for uncertain models (PARFUM). In addition, we illustrate how expert judgement on predicted observable quantities in combination with probabilistic inversion may be used for model validation and/or model criticism.
2007-01-03T09:10:12Z
2007-01-03T09:10:12Z
2006-01-25
Article
Reliability Engineering & System Safety Volume 91, Issues 10-11 , October-November 2006, Pages 1364-1372
10.1016/j.ress.2005.11.054
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6757
n/a
447871 bytes
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Elsevier
oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67602019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Hormonal and reproductive factors are associated with chronic low back pain and chronic upper extremity pain in women--the MORGEN study.
Wijnhoven, Hanneke A H
Vet, Henrica C W de
Smit, Henriëtte A
Picavet, H Susan J
STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 11,428 women aged 20-59 years who were included in a postal questionnaire survey in the Dutch general population. OBJECTIVE: To examine how hormonal and reproductive factors are associated with chronic low back pain (LBP) and chronic upper extremity pain (UEP) in women. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Although LBP is suggested to be linked to hormonal and reproductive factors in women, results from previous studies are inconclusive. In addition, the association with chronic UEP is unknown. METHODS: Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine associations between hormonal and reproductive factors (independent variables) and, respectively, chronic LBP, chronic UEP and combined chronic LBP/UEP. Associations were adjusted for age, level of education, working status, smoking, and overweight. RESULTS: Past pregnancy, young maternal age at first birth, duration of oral contraceptive use, and use of estrogens during menopause were associated with chronic LBP, while young age at menarche was associated with chronic UEP. Irregular or prolonged menstruation and hysterectomy were associated both with chronic LBP and chronic UEP. No positive associations were found for current pregnancy and number of children. CONCLUSIONS: In adult women, hormonal and reproductive factors are associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain in general. Factors related to increased estrogen levels may specifically increase the risk of chronic LBP.
2007-01-03T09:54:26Z
2007-01-03T09:54:26Z
2006-06-01
Article
Spine 2006, 31(13):1496-502
1528-1159
16741461
10.1097/01.brs.0000220706.96724.76
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6760
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67612019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Detection of noroviruses in foods: a study on virus extraction procedures in foods implicated in outbreaks of human gastroenteritis.
Rutjes, Saskia A
Lodder-Verschoor, Froukje
Poel, Wim H M van der
Duynhoven, Yvonne T H P van
Roda Husman, Ana Maria de
Disease outbreaks in which foods are epidemiologically implicated as the common source are frequently reported. Noroviruses and enteric hepatitis A viruses are among the most prevalent causative agents of foodborne diseases. However, the detection of these viruses in foods other than shellfish is often time-consuming and unsuccessful. In this study, three virus concentration methods were compared: polyethylene glycol (PEG) plus NaCl, ultracentrifugation, and ultrafiltration. Two RNA extraction methods, TRIzol and RNeasy Mini Kit (Qiagen), were compared for detection of viruses in whipped cream and lettuce (as representatives of the dairy and vegetable-fruit food groups, respectively). A seeding experiment with canine calicivirus was conducted to determine the efficiency of each virus extraction procedure. The PEG-NaCl-TRIzol method was most efficient for the detection of viruses in whipped cream and the ultracentrifugation-RNeasy-Mini Kit procedure was best for detection on lettuce. Based on the seeding experiments, food items implicated in norovirus-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks were subjected to the optimal procedure for a specific composition and matrix. No noroviruses were detected in the implicated food items, possibly because the concentration of virus on the food item was too low or because of the presence of inhibitory factors. For each food group, a specific procedure is optimal. Inhibitory factors should be controlled in these procedures because they influence virus detection in food.
2007-01-03T09:58:32Z
2007-01-03T09:58:32Z
2006-08-01
Article
J. Food Prot. 2006, 69(8):1949-56
0362-028X
16924922
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6761
en
98093 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67622024-03-20T11:59:02Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
On the limits of toxicant-induced tolerance testing: cotolerance and response variation of antibiotic effects
Schmitt, Heike
Martinali, Bennie
van Beelen, Patrick
Seinen, Willem
Pollution-induced community tolerance (PICT) as an ecotoxicological test system has been claimed to detect pollutant effects highly specifically and sensitively. However, the specificity might be limited by the occurrence of cotolerance. Another limitation of the application of any ecotoxicological test system lies in variation of the measured responses. We tested the variation and the occurrence of cotolerance experimentally, using antibiotics as toxicants, soil microcosms as microbial communities, and tolerance determination in Biolog plates as PICT detection test. Bacteria have been discussed as being prone to multiple tolerances due to the possible accumulation of multiple resistance genes on mobile genetic elements. However, in our experiments, cotolerance occurred only between antibiotics of the same group (oxytetracycline and tetracycline), as expected from their identical mode of action. Cotolerance between oxytetracycline and tylosin in soil microcosms exposed to oxytetracycline was low, as was cotolerance to oxytetracycline in tylosin-exposed microcosms. We conclude that tolerance development to antibiotics in soils reflects the actual selection pressure rather than a general pattern of multiple resistances. Concerning variation, the PICT effect of tetracycline was well reproducible in two consecutive years. The response variation linked to PICT experiments in controlled microcosms was comparable to that of ecotoxicological test systems of equivalent complexity. In conclusion, our results support an application of the PICT methodology as an effective means to study the soil ecotoxicology of antibiotics.
2007-01-03T10:13:50Z
2007-01-03T10:13:50Z
2006-07-01
Article
Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2006, 25(7):1961-8
0730-7268
16833161
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6762
en
279804 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67632019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in Dutch soccer team.
Huijsdens, Xander W
Lier, Ans M C van
Kregten, Eric van
Verhoef, Liesbeth
Santen-Verheuvel, Marga G van
Spalburg, Emile
Wannet, Wim J B
An outbreak of community-acquired methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus occurred among members and close contacts of a soccer team. Typing of the isolates showed the outbreak was caused by the well-known European ST80-IV strain. To our knowledge, this is the first report of an outbreak of this strain among members of a sports team.
2007-01-03T10:17:23Z
2007-01-03T10:17:23Z
2006-10-01
Article
Emerging Infect. Dis. 2006, 12(10):1584-6
1080-6040
17176578
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6763
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67642019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Impact of postdischarge surveillance on surgical site infection rates for several surgical procedures: results from the nosocomial surveillance network in The Netherlands.
Manniën, Judith
Wille, Jan C
Snoeren, Ruud L M M
Hof, Susan van den
OBJECTIVE: To compare the number of surgical site infections (SSIs) registered after hospital discharge with respect to various surgical procedures and to identify the procedures for which postdischarge surveillance (PDS) is most important. DESIGN: Prospective SSI surveillance with voluntary PDS. Recommended methods for PDS in the Dutch national nosocomial surveillance network are addition of a special registration card to the outpatient medical record, on which the surgeon notes clinical symptoms and whether a patient developed an SSI according to the definitions; an alternative method is examination of the outpatient medical record. SETTING: Hospitals participating in the Dutch national nosocomial surveillance network between 1996 and 2004. RESULTS: We collected data on 131,798 surgical procedures performed in 64 of the 98 Dutch hospitals. PDS was performed according to one of the recommended methods for 31,134 operations (24%) and according to another active method for 32,589 operations (25%), and passive PDS was performed for 68,075 operations (52%). Relatively more SSIs were recorded after discharge for cases in which PDS was performed according to a recommended method (43%), compared with cases in which another active PDS method was used (30%) and cases in which passive PDS was used (25%). The highest rate of SSI after discharge was found for appendectomy (79% of operations), followed by knee prosthesis surgery (64%), mastectomy (61%), femoropopliteal or femorotibial bypass (53%), and abdominal hysterectomy (53%). CONCLUSIONS: For certain surgical procedures, most SSIs develop after discharge. SSI rates will be underestimated if no PDS is performed. We believe we have found a feasible and sensitive method for PDS that, if patients routinely return to the hospital for a postdischarge follow-up visit, might be suitable for use internationally.
2007-01-03T10:27:56Z
2007-01-03T10:27:56Z
2006-08-01
Article
Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2006, 27(8):809-16
0899-823X
16874640
10.1086/506403
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6764
en
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67652019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
Adipose gene expression response of lean and obese mice to short-term dietary restriction.
Schothorst, Evert M van
Keijer, Jaap
Pennings, Jeroen L A
Opperhuizen, Antoon
Brom, Charissa E van den
Kohl, Thomas
Franssen-van Hal, Nicole L W
Hoebee, Barbara
Overweight and obesity lead to higher morbidity risks, which are alleviated even by mild weight loss. To gain insight in the molecular effects of weight loss in adipose tissue, we analyzed the effects of short-term dietary restriction (DR) on mice fed a low-fat diet (lean mice) or a high-fat diet (obese mice). Female C57Bl6/J mice on both diets were on DR until an average body weight loss of 20%, which was achieved in 8 to 12 days depending on body weight at the start of DR. Plasma free fatty acids and blood glucose levels decreased significantly on DR. In the (restricted) low-fat diet groups, gene expression analysis using adipose-enriched cDNA microarrays revealed only two transcripts to be significant differentially expressed by DR: up-regulation of malic enzyme (Mod1) and down-regulation of major urinary protein 1 (Mup1). Real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis confirmed these findings and showed, for the high-fat diet groups, an identical expression pattern for Mup1, whereas Mod1 showed an opposed gene expression pattern for the high-fat diet groups. In conclusion, initial weight loss induces transcriptional changes only in a very small number of adipose genes, which also depends on the (restricted) diet used.
2007-01-03T10:36:32Z
2007-01-03T10:36:32Z
2006-06-01
Article
Obesity (Silver Spring) 2006, 14(6):974-9
1930-7381
16861601
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6765
en
112421 bytes
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oai:rivm.openrepository.com:10029/67672019-09-02T08:53:39Zcom_10029_4898col_10029_4906
IL-18 reduces ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage and thereby affects photoimmunosuppression.
Schwarz, Agatha
Maeda, Akira
Ständer, Sonja
Steeg, Harry van
Schwarz, Thomas
UV-induced DNA damage has been recognized as the major molecular trigger for photoimmunosuppression. IL-12 prevents UV-induced immunosuppression via its recently discovered capacity to reduce DNA damage presumably via induction of DNA repair. Because IL-18 shares some biological activities with IL-12 we studied the effect of IL-18 on UV-induced DNA damage and immunosuppression. IL-18 reduced UV-induced apoptosis of keratinocytes and supported long-term cell survival on UV exposure. Injection of IL-18 into mice that were exposed to UV radiation significantly lowered the number of apoptotic keratinocytes. Accordingly, radiation immunohistochemistry revealed reduced amounts of DNA damage in epidermal cells upon injection of IL-18. These effects were not observed in DNA repair-deficient (XpaKO) mice, indicating that IL-18 like IL-12 reduces DNA damage via DNA repair. UV-mediated suppression of the induction of contact hypersensitivity, which is known to be primarily triggered by DNA damage, was prevented upon injection of IL-18 before UV exposure in wild-type but not in XpaKO mice. In contrast to IL-12, IL-18 was not able either in wild-type or in XpaKO mice to break UV-induced immunotolerance that is mediated via regulatory T cells rather than in a DNA damage-dependent fashion. This result indicates that IL-12 is still unique in its capacity to restore immune responses because of its effect on regulatory T cells. Together, these data identify IL-18 as a further cytokine that exhibits the capacity to affect DNA repair. Though being primarily a proinflammatory cytokine through this capacity, IL-18 can also foster an immune response that is suppressed by UV radiation.
2007-01-03T10:46:26Z
2007-01-03T10:46:26Z
2006-03-01
Article
J. Immunol. 2006, 176(5):2896-901
0022-1767
16493047
http://hdl.handle.net/10029/6767
en
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