A Meningo-Leucoencephalomyelitis Resembling Visna in Dutch Zwoeger                Sheep

Zwoegerziekte is a disease in Dutch sheep which morphologically closely resembles an Icelandic sheep disease, Maedi2. Chronic lung affection and emaciation are the principal symptoms of both diseases. Visna is another chronic condition in Icelandic sheep affecting mainly the C.N.S. A virus has been isolated from sheep affected with Maedi or Visna and a close relationship in properties has been found between both viruses. In two Dutch sheep autopsied in the final stage of Zwoegerziekte, lesions were present in the C.N.S., which histologically resembled those in Visna. Another sheep slaughtered at the municipal abattoir, with lung lesions characteristic for the terminal stage of Zwoegerziekte, exhibited early cerebral lesions resembling Visna. The lesions in the C.N.S. of these three sheep were meningitis and severe encephalomyelitis of the glial type affecting the white matter. Secondary demyelination was striking. Though Zwoegerziekte has been known for several decades in the Netherlands, the accompanying C.N.S. lesions are described for the first time.

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A Novel Scheme for the Synthesis of 21-Acetoxypregna-1,4,9(11)-triene- 17α,21-diol-3,20-dione from 9α-Hydroxyandrostenedione

Current Bioactive Compounds ◽

10.2174/1573407215666190308153507 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (5) ◽

pp. 606-610

Author(s):

Nguyen T. Diep ◽

Luu D. Huy

Keyword(s):

Double Bond ◽

Chemical Synthesis ◽

Economic Efficiency ◽

Final Stage ◽

Side Chain ◽

Entire Process ◽

Drug Synthesis ◽

First Time

Background: Vietnam currently imports up to 90% of the pharmaceuticals it consumes and 100% of the steroid-based pharmaceuticals. The ability for efficient chemical synthesis of the steroids could create commercial opportunities to address this issue. Synthesis of 21-acetoxypregna-1,4,9(11)- triene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione is considered a key intermediate in the scheme of steroidal drug synthesis. Previous synthesis attempts of such steroids (corticoids) introduce a double bond at C-1(2) in the final stage of synthesis, which delivers a poor yield and reduces the economic efficiency of the process. Objective: To study and develop a novel and effective method for the synthesis of 21-acetoxypregna- 1,4,9(11)-triene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione. Methods: Using 9α-hydroxyandrostenedione as a substrate chemical synthesis was performed as follows: pregnane side chain construction at C-17 (acetylene method), introduction of C-1(2) double bond (using SeO2), epimerization of C-17 (via 17-ONO2 ester) and Stork’s iodination. Results: 21-acetoxypregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione was prepared from 9α- hydroxyandrostenedione with an improved yield compared to previous attempts. Conclusion: Here, 21-acetoxypregna-1,4,9(11)-triene-17α,21-diol-3,20-dione has been synthesized from 9α-hydroxyandrostenedione based on a novel, effective and commercially feasible scheme. The introduction of the C-1(2) double bond at an earlier stage of the synthesis has increased the economic efficiency of the entire process. For the first time, the indirect epimerization mechanism has been clarified along with the configuration of the C-17 stereo-center which has been confirmed using NOESY data.

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What Has Direct Cortical and Subcortical Electrostimulation Taught Us about Neurolinguistics?

The Oxford Handbook of Neurolinguistics ◽

10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190672027.013.8 ◽

2019 ◽

pp. 185-211

Author(s):

Hugues Duffau

Keyword(s):

White Matter ◽

Large Scale ◽

Functional Neuroimaging ◽

Great Accuracy ◽

Subcortical White Matter ◽

Cerebral Lesions ◽

Physiological Basis ◽

Postoperative Mri ◽

The Brain

Investigating the neural and physiological basis of language is one of the most important challenges in neurosciences. Direct electrical stimulation (DES), usually performed in awake patients during surgery for cerebral lesions, is a reliable tool for detecting both cortical and subcortical (white matter and deep grey nuclei) regions crucial for cognitive functions, especially language. DES transiently interacts locally with a small cortical or axonal site, but also nonlocally, as the focal perturbation will disrupt the entire subnetwork sustaining a given function. Thus, in contrast to functional neuroimaging, DES represents a unique opportunity to identify with great accuracy and reproducibility, in vivo in humans, the structures that are actually indispensable to the function, by inducing a transient virtual lesion based on the inhibition of a subcircuit lasting a few seconds. Currently, this is the sole technique that is able to directly investigate the functional role of white matter tracts in humans. Thus, combining transient disturbances elicited by DES with the anatomical data provided by pre- and postoperative MRI enables to achieve reliable anatomo-functional correlations, supporting a network organization of the brain, and leading to the reappraisal of models of language representation. Finally, combining serial peri-operative functional neuroimaging and online intraoperative DES allows the study of mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity. This chapter critically reviews the basic principles of DES, its advantages and limitations, and what DES can reveal about the neural foundations of language, that is, the large-scale distribution of language areas in the brain, their connectivity, and their ability to reorganize.

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De Novo Partial 13q22-q34 Trisomy with Typical Neurological and Immunological Findings: A Case Report with New Genetic Insights

Brain Sciences ◽

10.3390/brainsci11010021 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 21

Author(s):

Claudia Brogna ◽

Valentina Milano ◽

Barbara Brogna ◽

Lara Cristiano ◽

Giuseppe Rovere ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Case Report ◽

De Novo ◽

Partial Trisomy ◽

Cerebral Vasculitis ◽

Radiological Findings ◽

Cerebral Lesions ◽

Brain Malformations ◽

Vermian Hypoplasia ◽

Callosal Dysgenesis ◽

First Time

The partial trisomy 13q encompasses an extensive variability of phenotypic and radiological findings including leukoencephalopathy and brain malformations such as holoprosencephaly, callosal dysgenesis, hippocampal hypoplasia, olfactory hypoplasia, and vermian hypoplasia. We report for the first time a case of a 23-year-old patient affected by de novo partial 13q22.1q34 trisomy (41.7 Mb, 72,365,975-114,077,122x3) presenting with hemiparesis related to both ischemic and haemorrhagic cerebral lesions compatible with cerebral vasculitis due to a possible combination of genetic and immunological interaction.

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De windmolen

Tijdschrift voor Historische Geografie ◽

10.5117/thg2020.1.002.baze ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 5 (1) ◽

pp. 17-32

Author(s):

JOS BAZELMANS

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

19Th Century ◽

Turn Of The Century ◽

The 19Th Century ◽

First Time ◽

At Home

The windmill. The origins of a Dutch icon The windmill is an icon of the Netherlands. But when did this instrument acquire this symbolic role at home and abroad? After all, mills are also common outside of the Netherlands. In this essay, it is argued that during the second half of the 19th century, foreigners systematically identified the Netherlands and the windmill for the first time. More than in other countries, there was a varied use of mills in the Netherlands, large and robust mills and clusters of industrial mills. Within the Netherlands itself, development towards an iconic position is only visible around the turn of the century when the mill turned out to be a plus in tourist recruitment abroad and when mills were slowly disappearing from the landscape.

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Atrial fibrillation is associated with high levels of monocyte-platelet-aggregates and increased CD11b expression in patients with aortic stenosis

Thrombosis and Haemostasis ◽

10.1160/th15-06-0477 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 115 (05) ◽

pp. 993-1000 ◽

Cited By ~ 12

Author(s):

Katharina Berndt ◽

Sandy Wydra ◽

Daniel Tarnowski ◽

Peggy Barthel ◽

Silvio Quick ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Aortic Stenosis ◽

Cd11b Expression ◽

Flow Cytometric ◽

High Prevalence ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Enhanced Expression ◽

Quantification Analysis ◽

Inflammatory Processes ◽

Platelet Aggregates ◽

First Time

SummaryA growing body of evidence suggests a pivotal role of inflammatory processes in AF in a bidirectional manner. Infiltrating leukocytes seem to promote both structural and electrical remodelling processes in patients with AF. Monocyte-platelets-aggregates (MPAs) are sensitive markers of both platelets and monocyte activation. So far it is not clear whether the content of MPAs is affected by AF. The present study examined the content of MPAs and the activation of monocytes in elderly patients with an aortic stenosis in dependence of AF. These patients are known to have a high prevalence of AF. Flow-cytometric quantification analysis demonstrated that patients with AF have an increased content of MPAs (207 ± 13 cells/μl vs 307 ± 21 cells/μl, p<0.001), and enhanced expression of CD11b on monocytes (p<0.001), compared to patients in stable sinus rhythm (SR). The number of CD14+/CD16+ monocytes were only slightly elevated in patients with AF. These findings were seen in patients with permanent AF. But also patients with paroxysmal AF, even when presenting in SR, the MPAs were increased by 50 % (p<0.05) as well as the CD11b expression, which was twice as high (p<0.05) compared to stable SR. These results demonstrate for the first time a dependency of MPAs and CD11b expression on monocytes in the presence of AF and support the notion of a close relationship between AF, thrombogenesis and inflammation. The content of MPAs and the extent of activation on monocytes appear promising as biomarkers for paroxysmal AF and as possible future targets for developing novel pharmacological therapeutic strategies.Supplementary Material to this article is available online at www.thrombosis-online.com.

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Deposition-induced effects of isotactic polypropylene and polycarbonate composites during fused deposition modeling

Rapid Prototyping Journal ◽

10.1108/rpj-12-2015-0189 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 23 (5) ◽

pp. 869-880 ◽

Cited By ~ 19

Author(s):

Ying-Guo Zhou ◽

Bei Su ◽

Lih-sheng Turng

Keyword(s):

Mechanical Properties ◽

Design Methodology ◽

Fused Deposition Modeling ◽

Content Type ◽

Fused Deposition ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Molded Parts ◽

Deposition Modeling ◽

Injection Molded ◽

First Time

Purpose Although the feasibility and effectiveness of the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method have been proposed and developed, studies of applying this technology to various materials are still needed for researching its applicability, especially with regard to polymer blends and composites. The purpose of this paper is to study the deposition-induced effect and the effect of compatibilizers on the mechanical properties of polypropylene and polycarbonate (PP/PC) composites. Design/methodology/approach For this purpose, three different deposition modes for PP/PC composites with or without compatibilizers were used for the FDM method and tested for tensile properties. Also, parts with the same materials were made by injection molding and used for comparison. In addition, different deposition speeds were used to investigate the different deposition-induced effects. Furthermore, the behavior of the mechanical properties was clarified with scanning electron microscope images of the fracture surfaces. Findings The research results suggest that the deposition orientation has a significant influence on the mechanical behavior of PP/PC composite FDM parts. The results also indicate that there is a close relationship between the mechanical properties and morphological structures which are deeply influenced by compatibilization. Compared with injection molded parts, the ductility of the FDM parts can be dramatically improved due to the formation of fibrils and micro-fibrils by the deposition induced during processing. Originality/value This is the first paper to investigate a PP/PC composite FDM process. The results of this paper verified the applicability of PP/PC composites to FDM technology. It is also the first time that the deposition-induced effect during FDM has been investigated and studied.

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Taxonomic notes on Dutch desmids VI (Streptophyta, Desmidiales): new species, newly described zygospores

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.166.4.4 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 166 (4) ◽

pp. 285 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

MARIEN VAN WESTEN ◽

PETER COESEL

Keyword(s):

New Species ◽

The Netherlands ◽

Rare Species ◽

First Time

From the Netherlands, three desmid species are newly described to science: Actinotaenium spinosporum (with zygospores), Staurastrum brachiatoides (with zygospores) and Staurastrum quadriradiatum. In addition to that, zygospores of the rather rare species Staurastrum echinatum are described for the first time. Differences with similar-looking species are discussed.

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Ascomycetes (Fungi) from the relic forest of Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana in eastern Mexico

Phytotaxa ◽

10.11646/phytotaxa.418.1.1 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 418 (1) ◽

pp. 1-41

Author(s):

TANIA RAYMUNDO ◽

RICARDO VALENZUELA ◽

YENITZE GARCÍA-MARTÍNEZ ◽

MARCO ANTONIO BRAVO-ÁLVAREZ ◽

JULIO CÉSAR RAMÍREZ-MARTÍNEZ ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tree Species ◽

New Records ◽

Cloud Forest ◽

Fagus Grandifolia ◽

Tropical Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Forest Patch ◽

Montane Cloud Forest ◽

Close Relationship ◽

Decaying Wood ◽

First Time

An intensive recollection of Ascomycetes was carried out within the best-known preserved Mexican tropical montane cloud forest patch dominated by Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana. This relict tree species has a fragmented and restricted distribution in the mountains of eastern Mexico. Other Mexican endemic Fagaceae species show dominance in this forest patch. Historically, records of Ascomycetes fungi in this type of forest are scarce. The present study found 170 specimens belonging to 61 species, of which 30 are new records for the state, while 10 species are cited for the first time in the country. Most of the recorded Ascomycetes species are intimately associated to Fagaceae tree species (Fagus and Quercus). From these, many are endophytes belonging to the Order Xylariales, while others grow on decaying wood, fallen branches, leaves and/or litter (possibly mycorrhizal). This interesting close relationship between fungi and Fagaceae trees must be studied and analyzed.

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Changes in cannabis potency and first-time admissions to drug treatment: a 16-year study in the Netherlands

Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1017/s0033291717003877 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 48 (14) ◽

pp. 2346-2352 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Tom P. Freeman ◽

Peggy van der Pol ◽

Wil Kuijpers ◽

Jeroen Wisselink ◽

Ravi K. Das ◽

...

Keyword(s):

The Netherlands ◽

Drug Treatment ◽

Time Dependent ◽

Time Lags ◽

Linear Regression Models ◽

Treatment Data ◽

Treatment Entry ◽

Positive Time ◽

First Time ◽

Ongoing Monitoring

AbstractBackgroundThe number of people entering specialist drug treatment for cannabis problems has increased considerably in recent years. The reasons for this are unclear, but rising cannabis potency could be a contributing factor.MethodsCannabis potency data were obtained from an ongoing monitoring programme in the Netherlands. We analysed concentrations of δ-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) from the most popular variety of domestic herbal cannabis sold in each retail outlet (2000–2015). Mixed effects linear regression models examined time-dependent associations between THC and first-time cannabis admissions to specialist drug treatment. Candidate time lags were 0–10 years, based on normative European drug treatment data.ResultsTHC increased from a mean (95% CI) of 8.62 (7.97–9.27) to 20.38 (19.09–21.67) from 2000 to 2004 and then decreased to 15.31 (14.24–16.38) in 2015. First-time cannabis admissions (per 100 000 inhabitants) rose from 7.08 to 26.36 from 2000 to 2010, and then decreased to 19.82 in 2015. THC was positively associated with treatment entry at lags of 0–9 years, with the strongest association at 5 years, b = 0.370 (0.317–0.424), p < 0.0001. After adjusting for age, sex and non-cannabis drug treatment admissions, these positive associations were attenuated but remained statistically significant at lags of 5–7 years and were again strongest at 5 years, b = 0.082 (0.052–0.111), p < 0.0001.ConclusionsIn this 16-year observational study, we found positive time-dependent associations between changes in cannabis potency and first-time cannabis admissions to drug treatment. These associations are biologically plausible, but their strength after adjustment suggests that other factors are also important.

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The Occurrence of the New Nolland Mouse, Pseudomys novaehollandiae (Waterhouse), in Tasmania

Wildlife Research ◽

10.1071/wr9800071 ◽

1980 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 71 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

GJ Hocking

Keyword(s):

East Coast ◽

Fire Regime ◽

Reproductive Status ◽

North East ◽

The North ◽

Close Relationship ◽

First Time

Pseudomys nocaehollandiae is recorded for the first time from Tasmania, where it is found to occur in heath and woodland along the north-east coast. The morphological and reproductive status of the specimens collected and their habitat are essentially the same as previously recorded on continental Australia. The close relationship between the distribution of this species and the occurrence of a particular fire regime is stressed.

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