The challenge of achieving fast quantification in metabolomics is the presence of severe matrix effects during the MS analysis of complex samples. Complex samples also result in challenges during... Show moreThe challenge of achieving fast quantification in metabolomics is the presence of severe matrix effects during the MS analysis of complex samples. Complex samples also result in challenges during metabolite identification as complex MS/MS spectra and peak overlap in 1H NMR complicate structure elucidation. The goal of this thesis is to tackle these challenges by the development and application of innovative fractionation approaches and state-of-the-art MS and NMR analyses. Show less
A new method, based on shotgun spectral matching of peptide tandem mass spectra, was successfully applied to the identification of different food species. The method was demonstrated to work on raw... Show moreA new method, based on shotgun spectral matching of peptide tandem mass spectra, was successfully applied to the identification of different food species. The method was demonstrated to work on raw as well as processed samples from 16 mammalian and 10 bird species by counting spectral matches to spectral libraries in a reference database with one spectral library per species. A phylogenetic tree could also be constructed directly from the spectra. Nearly all samples could be correctly identified at the species level, and 100% at the genus level. The method does not use any genomic information and unlike targeted methods, no prior knowledge of genetic variation within a genus or species is necessary. (c) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Show less
The Dutch Hereditary Cancer Registry was established in 1985 with the support of the Ministry of Health (VWS). The aims of the registry are: (1) to promote the identification of families with... Show moreThe Dutch Hereditary Cancer Registry was established in 1985 with the support of the Ministry of Health (VWS). The aims of the registry are: (1) to promote the identification of families with hereditary cancer, (2) to encourage the participation in surveillance programs of individuals at high risk, (3) to ensure the continuity of lifelong surveillance examinations, and (4) to promote research, in particular the improvement of surveillance protocols. During its early days the registry provided assistance with family investigations and the collection of medical data, and recommended surveillance when a family fulfilled specific diagnostic criteria. Since 2000 the registry has focused on family follow-up, and ensuring the quality of surveillance programs and appropriate clinical management. Since its founding, the registry has identified over 10,000 high-risk individuals with a diverse array of hereditary cancer syndromes. All were encouraged to participate in prevention programmes. The registry has published a number of studies that evaluated the outcome of surveillance protocols for colorectal cancer (CRC) in Lynch syndrome, as well as in familial colorectal cancer. In 2006, evaluation of the effect of registration and colonoscopic surveillance on the mortality rate associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) showed that the policy led to a substantial decrease in the mortality rate associated with CRC. Following discovery of MMR gene defects, the first predictive model that could select families for genetic testing was published by the Leiden group. In addition, over the years the registry has produced many cancer risk studies that have helped to develop appropriate surveillance protocols. Hereditary cancer registries in general, and the Lynch syndrome registry in particular, play an important role in improving the clinical management of affected families. Show less
The results of this thesis shed new light on two important issues for evidence-based general practice care for older people: 1) the feasibility of the (proactive) identification of older people... Show moreThe results of this thesis shed new light on two important issues for evidence-based general practice care for older people: 1) the feasibility of the (proactive) identification of older people with complex problems and 2) the effectiveness of proactive integrated care for older people with complex problems in general practice. We investigated five measures to identify older people with complex problems, i.e. a profile of laboratory measurements, handgrip and quadriceps muscle strength, Fried's frailty phenotype criteria, the clinical intuition of the GP, and the ISCOPE screening questionnaire. These measures each identified a complex group of older people, but none of these measures can be recommended as the most feasible for general practice. In the ISCOPE study, a proactive integrated care plan had no direct effect on functional decline and quality of life of older people with complex problems. This lack of effect might be attributed to the study design or to the intervention itself. Although this effect could not be demonstrated, in our opinion integrated care still remains the best type of care available for this age-group. We believe this is confirmed by the level of satisfaction of both older people and GPs who were included in the intervention group. Show less
This thesis aims at thinking through the ethical position of animals in a way that differs radically from the manner in wich this ethical position is thought within contemporary animal rights... Show moreThis thesis aims at thinking through the ethical position of animals in a way that differs radically from the manner in wich this ethical position is thought within contemporary animal rights discourse. The reason for this alternative approach is that today's animal rights discourse is characterized by a polemic on demarcation that seems both irresolvable and scientifically unwarranted for being centred on a necessarily arbitrary demarcation between the human and the animal.This cannot but lead to irresponsible demarcation decisions, which implies we must imagine other ways of thinking through the question of the animal. In my research I propose to do this by looking at how language operates within demarcation decisions between humans and animals, both in the legal, literary and popular domain. More specifically, this study demonstrates that the study of tropes in literary texts may enable us to work out modes of identification with animals other than those we typically encounter in the legal and public sphere and,hence, can help us to get beyond the issues of cruelty and consiousness that dominate contemporary animal rights debate as a result of its excessively tight focus on demarcation. Show less
Vlugt, E. de; Eesbeek, S. van; Baines, P.; Hilte, J.; Meskers, C.G.M.; Groot, J.H. de 2011
