This thesis is concerned with the legal framework surrounding the improper use and monopolization of signs with a high symbolic value or symbols. Central questions are: how does Dutch law look upon... Show moreThis thesis is concerned with the legal framework surrounding the improper use and monopolization of signs with a high symbolic value or symbols. Central questions are: how does Dutch law look upon signs that many of us regard as essential or sacred in our personal lives or our society, and: does this law presently stand where it should? The book discerns between (i) national and international symbols, (ii) cultural and historical symbols, (iii) religious symbols. The study deals with two main groups of issues that to a large extent make up the relationship between symbols and the law: (1) questions surrounding the rules for their use including legal responses to their improper use, and (2) questions with regard to their monopolization. Both parts together tell one story about assertions of right and wrong with regard to symbols Show less
Restenosis is the main drawback of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently, drug-eluting stents (DES) were introduced successfully in clinical practice leading to a drop in the post... Show moreRestenosis is the main drawback of percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI). Recently, drug-eluting stents (DES) were introduced successfully in clinical practice leading to a drop in the post-angioplasty restenosis rate. Nevertheless, safety and efficacy concerns related to the active compounds of such stents still exist. This thesis aimed at the development of a local delivery system, in combination with the cuff-induced mouse model of neointima formation, in order to closely mimic the DES mode-of-action and to further answer to such remaining questions related to this novel technology. Altogether, these comprehensive studies on efficacy and safety of anti-restenotic compounds using a novel developed mouse model of neointimal hyperplasia have resulted in a thorough understanding of the mode-of-action of these anti-restenotic drugs on neointimal hyperplasia inhibition as well as to further assess the potential adverse effects on vessel wall biology and on the (treated) pre-existing underlying atherosclerotic lesions. Especially the discovery of novel anti-restenotic strategies to be used in combination with the DES technology is of specially importance for further preclinical studies in more advance animal models of restenosis (e.g. porcine coronary artery model) as well as directly in the field of interventional cardiology per se. Show less
In dit promotieonderzoek is zijn de effecten van vetstapeling en ontstekingsreactie tijdens het proces van atherosclerose. We hebben aangetoond dat het ontstekingsremmende eiwit interleukine-9, een... Show moreIn dit promotieonderzoek is zijn de effecten van vetstapeling en ontstekingsreactie tijdens het proces van atherosclerose. We hebben aangetoond dat het ontstekingsremmende eiwit interleukine-9, een stof die door bepaalde immunologische cellen geproduceerd wordt, een remmende werking heeft op het ontstaan van atherosclerose in het algemeen en van vetstapeling in macrofagen in het bijzonder. Aan de andere kant blijkt uit mijn promotieonderzoek dat vetstapeling van macrofagen de gevoeligheid van deze cellen voor ontstekingen beïnvloedt. LPS is in staat om een zeer sterke ontstekingsreactie te stimuleren en om de expressie van verschillende genen die betrokken zijn bij vetstapeling te beïnvloeden. Door gebruik te maken van muizen die geen scavenger receptor BI (SR-BI) tot expressie brengen, hebben we aangetoond dat SR-BI beschermd tegen de door LPS gestimuleerde ontstekingsreactie. Tevens blijkt dat een dieet met een hoog cholesterol gehalte een grote invloed heeft op parenchymcellen in de lever. Voornamelijk FABP5 en vier nieuwe vetzuurbindende eiwitten lijken een belangrijke rol te spelen in de reactie van deze cellen op het dieet. Ook het ontstekingremmende interleukine 10, waarvan bekend is dat het atherosclerose kan remmen en een verlaging van cholesterol in het bloed kan veroorzaken, beïnvloedt vele genen betrokken bij vethuishouding in parenchymcellen van de lever. Show less
Celiac disease (CD) is a common disorder of the small intestine caused by intolerance to gluten, proteins found in wheat and related cereals. In this study two major questions were addressed: i)... Show moreCeliac disease (CD) is a common disorder of the small intestine caused by intolerance to gluten, proteins found in wheat and related cereals. In this study two major questions were addressed: i) which specific properties of gluten contribute to its disease-inducing characteristics ii) how can gluten toxicity be avoided. We found that CD-related molecule HLA-DQ2 has several features that explain why it can specifically interact with a large array of distinct gluten peptides. We also observed that some of the gluten peptides are being recognized by gluten-specific T cells in quite an unusual way, requiring the presence of a proline at position p-1. Another interesting observation was that the disease-inducing properties of rye and barley could be explained by the cross-reaction of gluten-specific T cells with the homologous peptides from these cereals. Although genetic studies indicated that the gene for prolyl endopeptidase could be involved in the pathogenesis of CD we showed that most likely this gene does not play a role in the disease development. Finally, we demonstrated that prolyl endoprotease from Aspergillus niger could be an effective measure to detoxify gluten in vitro. Show less
This thesis describes experiments, in which we used an optical-tweezers setup to study a number of biological systems. We studied the interaction between the E. coli molecular chaperone SecB and a... Show moreThis thesis describes experiments, in which we used an optical-tweezers setup to study a number of biological systems. We studied the interaction between the E. coli molecular chaperone SecB and a protein that was being unfolded and refolded using our optical tweezers setup. Our measurements clearly showed that in the presence of SecB, an unfolded protein could not refold. Molecular dynamics simulations were used to successfully explain features that were observed in our unfolding experiments. Our approach enables studies on other chaperones, as well. Next, we aimed to study translocation of single proteins through membranes by the E. coli Sec translocase. We modified an often-used model protein for our experiment. Different used experimental strategies are presented. Future experiments should enable measurements on the translocation of a single protein. The last study was on the packaging of double-stranded DNA by a single bacteriophage phi29. We aimed to study the effect of multivalent cations on the negatively-charged, tightly-packed DNA inside the bacteriophage capsid and in that way on the speed of the packaging process. A special DNA molecule was constructed and used in a number of successful packaging experiments. Future experiments should show the effect of cations on the packaging rate. With Summary in Dutch Show less
Arnold, Ingrid Antonette; Waal, Margaretha Wilhelmina Maria de 2006
De huisarts ziet veel patienten met onverklaarde lichamelijke klachten, vaak in combinatie met angst- en depressieve klachten. Dit proefschrift beschrijft de resultaten van een prevalentie studie... Show moreDe huisarts ziet veel patienten met onverklaarde lichamelijke klachten, vaak in combinatie met angst- en depressieve klachten. Dit proefschrift beschrijft de resultaten van een prevalentie studie met een prospectieve follow-up en een daarop volgende behandelstudie. De prevalentie van somatoforme stoornissen (DSM-IV) was 16,1%: één op de zes patienten die de huisarts bezoekt had tenminste zes maanden last van onverklaarde lichamelijk klachten met aanzienlijke beperkingen. De overlap met angst en depressie was substantieel en vergrootte de ernst van de ziektelast. Deze bevindingen onderstrepen het belang van een brede diagnostiek in de huisartspraktijk die zowel angst en depressie als somatoforme stoornissen omvat. Het aantal symptomen, zowel lichamelijk als psychisch, kan een nuttig instrument zijn bij het identificeren van de ernstigste patiënten. Het gegeven dat bijna driekwart van alle patiënten met een somatoforme stoornis langdurig klachten houdt impliceert een grote behoefte aan behandeling. In een gecontroleerde behandelstudie konden we echter niet aantonen dat een cognitief-gedragsmatige interventie volgens het gevolgenmodel door getrainde huisartsen effectiever was dan gebruikelijke zorg. Aangezien de behandelde patiënten vaak ernstige klachten hadden stellen de auteurs voor om een stapsgewijze behandelmethode te ontwikkelen zodat zowel kortdurende als chronische klachten goed aangepakt kunnen worden. Show less
This thesis sheds light on the clinical utility of serum markers of gastric atrophy, pepsinogen and gastrin, in general practice in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The biomarkers were used in... Show moreThis thesis sheds light on the clinical utility of serum markers of gastric atrophy, pepsinogen and gastrin, in general practice in the Dutch province of Zeeland. The biomarkers were used in studies on atrophic corpus gastritis, as surrogate outcome of gastric cancer. Attention was paid to seroepidemiological, aetiological and diagnostic aspects. Results of the thesis: - The seroprevalence of atrophic corpus gastritis in Zeeland appears to be 3.4%, which is higher than in other parts of the country (reference cohort studies, respectively 2.4% and 1.6%). The approximate relative risk of having corpus atrophy was higher(p Show less
Already in the 1590s the Portuguese in Asia looked upon the Dutch as a threat and most historiography has not been able to get away from the part that the Dutch played in the Indo-Portuguese drama.... Show moreAlready in the 1590s the Portuguese in Asia looked upon the Dutch as a threat and most historiography has not been able to get away from the part that the Dutch played in the Indo-Portuguese drama. The decline of the Portuguese-Asian empire was however the result of endogenous and extrageneous developments, in Asia as well as in Brazil, Africa and Europe. For an analysis of these developments a multi-linear approach has been chosen in the form of, what one could call, a revolving stage. Each scene, or rather each chapter, produces in the end a different answer to the same question. The first five chapters discuss the social and financial fundamentals of the Portuguese 'empire' overseas and the position of the Portuguese in Asia, in terms of population, trade and military power. Special emphasis has been laid on the relationship of the so called New Christian Portuguese with the Castilian crown and their particular role in the trade with India. It will be shown that, to them, satisfying the need for silver of the Habsburg monarchy became a more attractive proposition than investment in the Carreira da India. This and other developments in Asia undermined the position of the Estado da India and of the private Portuguese traders in Asia, before the Dutch became a serious threat to them. The next three chapters are concerned with the Dutch: it will be shown that their active role in the Iberian and the Luso-Atlantic trade did not exclude an aggressive mood in Asia, or vice-versa. Dutch aggression in Asia was in the first instance prompted and legalized by the States-General, but commercial considerations also caused the bewindhebbers of the VOC to adopt a bellicose way of thinking and writing. However, it will be shown that apart from some acts of piracy and privateering against Portuguese ships and attacks on the Portuguese forts on the Moluccan islands, Dutch violence was mainly directed against the Spanish in the Philippines and the Chinese trade with these islands. On the other hand, whereas the conquest of the Moluccan spice trade became a first priority, the VOC was unable to prevent the Spaniards from taking over many Portugue-se forts and even had to accept that the Portuguese spice merchants moved to Macassar, where for a long time they stayed out of reach of the Company. In the discussion of the Dutch commercial and military initiatives many of the paradigms around the rise of the Dutch empire in Asia will be punctured. In the first forty years of its existence the VOC was far from the effective business organization or war machine that many writers have made it to be. Many of the glorified feats of arms can only be described as defeats or a waste of manpower, ships and money. Finally, the ninth chapter concentrates on the Asian environment in which the Luso-Dutch confrontation took place. During the period under review, major shifts in the local political situation were caused by the southward expansion of the Moghul empire, the rise of the Nayaks of Ikkeri in Kanara, the expansion of Persia under Shah Abbas, the unification and state formation in Japan under the Tokugawas and finally, the Manchu conquest of China. As far as the Portuguese were concerned, all these developments, each in their own way, worked in the same, negative, direction. Show less
Rockets or launch vehicles, though sharing the same technology, have both military and civil applications: they can be used as missiles or as 'ordinary' transportation vehicles. As a consequence,... Show moreRockets or launch vehicles, though sharing the same technology, have both military and civil applications: they can be used as missiles or as 'ordinary' transportation vehicles. As a consequence, national security and foreign policy considerations stand in the way of the international launch industry becoming a normal service industry subject to free trade (GATS) principles. This dissertation discusses this conflict between national security and trade interests and the way it affects the United States launch trade relations with China, Russia and Europe. It also analyzes the extent to which the respective U.S. laws, policies and practices, in particular those relating to the export of satellites and launchers, restrict the development of these and other countries' commercial launch activities, and it reviews the prospects for a - GATS or space law-based - liberalization of the international trade in launch services. Show less
De wetgever gaat er steeds meer toe over in regelgeving te verwijzen naar (technische) normalisatienormen die via zelfregulering zijn opgesteld. Deze zogeheten NEN-normen worden in Nederland... Show moreDe wetgever gaat er steeds meer toe over in regelgeving te verwijzen naar (technische) normalisatienormen die via zelfregulering zijn opgesteld. Deze zogeheten NEN-normen worden in Nederland vastgesteld en gepubliceerd door de Stichting Nederlandse Normalisatie-Instituut (NNI). Door de verwijzing in regelgeving naar private normalisatienormen vindt een koppeling plaats tussen zelfregulering en wetgeving. Er wordt, met andere woorden, een link gelegd tussen privaat- en publiekrecht. In dit boek is de publiekrechtelijke status van deze normalisatienormen onderzocht, om vervolgens vast te kunnen stellen of de (grond) wettelijke bekendmakingsvoorschriften op deze normen van toepassing zijn en of deze in de praktijk ook worden toegepast. De auteur meent dat dit eerste wél het geval is en het laatste niet. Daarnaast is onderzocht wat de auteursrechtelijke status is van de 'verwezen' normalisatienormen. Artikel 11 Auteurswet sluit namelijk onder meer wetten en verordeingen uit van auteursrecht. Dit onderzoek is van belang omdat het NNI het auteursrecht voorbehoudt op de NEN-normen, waarvoor tot nu toe hoge prijzen worden berekend. Een dergelijk onderzoek naar de status van 'verwezen' normalisatienormen is in Nederland - in tegenstelling tot in Duitsland - tot op heden uitgebleven. Dit boek geeft een kritische rechtsvergelijkende analyse van de (juridische ) problemen die verwijzing naar normalisatienormen in regelgeving oproept. Show less
Human schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is one of the major parasitic diseases in the world, affecting 200 million people predominantly in third world countries. In areas where the disease is highly... Show moreHuman schistosomiasis (bilharzia) is one of the major parasitic diseases in the world, affecting 200 million people predominantly in third world countries. In areas where the disease is highly prevalent it causes important health problems, and it also has socially-economic effects on the population. Schistosomiasis is caused by the presence of the blood-fluke Schistosoma in the blood-vessels of mammalian hosts. The current method for diagnosis of schistosomiasis in developing countries is the parasitological examination of urine and faeces for the presence of Schistosoma eggs. An alternative method which is now increasingly used is based on the detection of Schistosoma antigens in the circulatory system or the urine of the host. The gut of the parasite is an important source of these antigens since many gut-associated antigens are excreted into the circulation of the host following digestion of food (e.g. blood cells, proteins) by the parasite. Two major gut–associated antigens which have been thoroughly studied with regard to diagnostic detectability, are the circulating anodic antigen (CAA) and the circulating cathodic antigen (CCA). In this thesis, these two unique antigens are further analysed with respect to their biochemical carbohydrate structure, localization, in vitro and in vivo excretion and detection patterns, and their role in a number of host-parasite immune interactions (granulocytes, complement system). Show less
