Isolation and RNA-binding analysis of NAD+-isocitrate dehydrogenases from Kluyveromyces lactis and Schizosaccharomyces pombe

Krebs cycle NAD⁺-isocitrate dehydrogenase (Idh) binds to the 5-UTRs of all mitochondrial mRNAs in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We hypothesize that this leader-binding activity plays a role in translational regulation, thereby linking mitochondrial biogenesis to the need for respiratory function. Analysis of effects of leader binding on mitochondrial translation is complicated by the involvement of the enzyme in mitochondrial metabolism. We have therefore searched for an Idh altered in RNA binding, but retaining full enzyme activity. Idh from Kluyveromyces lactis and Schizosaccharomyces pombe was partially purified and examined for the ability to bind Cox2 mRNA. Sch. pombe Idh, like the S. cerevisiae enzyme, has high affinity for both its own, K. lactis and S. cerevisiaeCOX2 leaders. In contrast, Idh purified from K. lactis shows only low affinity for all mRNAs tested. To determine what distinguishes K. lactis Idh from S. cerevisiae Idh, genes encoding the two subunits of Idh in K. lactis were cloned and sequenced. Sequence comparison revealed high levels of similarity throughout the proteins, in particular in regions involved in enzyme activity, co-factor and regulator binding. Non-conserved residues between the subunits from the two yeasts are candidates for involvement in the interaction with RNA. Received: 19 January 2000 / 24 March 2000     

The Internet and lifestyle drugs: an analysis of demographic characteristics,methods, and motives of online purchasers of illicit lifestyle drugs in the Netherlands

Abstract

Aims: The Internet has marked a revolution in the supply of illegal drugs, while at the same time, new types of illegal and semilegal drugs increasingly are becoming available. In order to deepen our understanding of the demand and supply of these new drugs on the Internet, this study focuses on the demographic characteristics, methods and preferences of people who purchase ‘lifestyle drugs’ through the surface web.

Methods: Data were obtained through the following two surveys: a prevalence study of 50,848 Dutch respondents and an in-depth study of 153 people who have purchased lifestyle drugs online.

Findings: At least 10.2% of the Dutch adult population has bought medicines online; the majority being lifestyle drugs (5.2%). In addition, an estimated 1.6% of the Dutch population has purchased medicines illicitly, with the majority of products concerning lifestyle drugs (0.9%). Illicit lifestyle drugs are primarily purchased through e-commerce sites and online pharmacies, and users report high satisfaction rates.

Conclusion: Purchasing lifestyle drugs is characterised by specific online dynamics, as the drugs are often openly accessible and the boundaries between legal and illegal sale blurred. As new types of drugs become available, it is important to further monitor customers’ preferences and experiences.     

Dutch women's perceptions of childbirth in the Netherlands

PURPOSE: To explore the lived experience of childbirth in Dutch women who had given birth at home in the Netherlands. METHODS: Qualitative study using audiotaped interviews with 14 women. RESULTS: Themes included the advantages of giving birth in the home, where the women felt more in control of their environment; the difficulty and normalcy of the pain associated with giving birth; the feelings of fulfillment and empowerment that come with childbirth and motherhood; and the importance of the supportive role of the midwife-caregiver. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Women in a culture different from that of the United States who gave birth at home felt fulfilled and empowered by the experience. These results can help U.S. nurses more fully understand the meaning of childbirth in a different culture and may help identify possible improvements in the design of care for women and newborns in the United States.     

German guidelines for the sequential medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis with traditional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

The German Society of Rheumatology approved new German guidelines for the sequential medical treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) based on the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) recommendations for the management of RA published in 2010. An update of the EULAR systematic literature research was performed in Medline, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Meta-analyses, controlled trials, cohort studies, and registry data addressing traditional and biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, glucocorticoids, and treatment strategies published between January 2009 and August 2011 were included. Two reviewers independently evaluated and compared the additional data that had been published after the time limit set by the EULAR recommendations. A national guideline working group developed an adapted set of recommendations. The new German guidelines were accepted by vote using an informal Delphi approach. Twelve recommendations and the resulting updated treatment algorithm were developed and approved as a practical orientation for rheumatologists. These recommendations are based on a successive treatment with traditional and biologic disease-modifying drugs depending on the individual progress of the disease and distinct patient characteristics. The German guidelines have been developed on the basis of the internationally well-recognized EULAR recommendations. In addition, more recent evidence from a systematic literature research was considered. They have been developed and approved by a group of national experts aiming at guidance for rheumatologists to reach best medical practice.     

The Impact of Preconception Gastric Bypass Surgery on Maternal Micronutrient Status before and during Pregnancy: A Retrospective Cohort Study in the Netherlands between 2009 and 2019

Post-bariatric weight loss can cause iatrogenic malnutrition and micronutrient depletion. In this study, we evaluated the impact of gastric bypass surgery (GB) and multivitamin supplement use on maternal micronutrient status before and across pregnancy. A retrospective medical chart review of 197 singleton pregnancies after GB with a due date between 2009 and 2019 was performed at a bariatric expertise center in the Netherlands. Hemoglobin, calcium, iron status, folate, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and ferritin levels were determined before and after GB during standard follow-up and at all gestational trimesters and analyzed using linear mixed models. Patients were prescribed standard multivitamin supplements or multivitamins specifically developed for post-bariatric patients (FitForMe WLS Forte (FFM)). Overall, hemoglobin and calcium levels decreased after surgery and during pregnancy, whereas folate, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 levels increased, and iron levels remained stable. FFM use was associated with higher hemoglobin, folate, vitamin D, and ferritin levels. In conclusion, through adequate supplementation and follow-up, GB does not have to result in impaired micronutrient status. Supplements developed specifically for post-bariatric patients generally result in higher micronutrient values than regular multivitamins before and during pregnancy. These data emphasize the urgent need for nutritional counseling including dietary and multivitamin supplement advise for post-bariatric women contemplating and during pregnancy.     

Sarcoidosis (after cosmetic intervention)

The authors' report a case of a 26-year-old female. In 1996, and 1997 she underwent cosmetic lip augmentations (polymethyl methacrylate and silicone). After a six-year symptom free period sudden swelling of the lips developed and red-brown papules and subcutaneous nodules appeared in the scars of various body parts ( permanent make-up, tattoos, umbilical piercing). The clinical features, radiological signs and histology proved the diagnosis of systemic sarcoidosis. Systemic corticosteroid treatment was introduced. After 4 months of treatment the pulmonary and clinical symptoms showed regression. To be able to suspend the systemic treatment the silicone implant was removed.     

Pain assessment in intellectually disabled people: non-verbal indicators

BACKGROUND: Although important progress has been made during the past decade, research on pain in people with intellectual disabilities is still scarce. Pain assessment in people with intellectual disabilities is a frequent and difficult problem, especially for nurses working with people with intellectual disabilities on a daily basis. Gathering more information about pain in people with intellectual disabilities is of major importance and relevance for nursing, and adds to the developing body of knowledge. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the nature and relative importance of non-verbal indicators used by nurses to assess pain in people with a severe or profound intellectual disability. METHODS: A questionnaire consisting of 158 indicators of pain was used. A total of 135 nurses from nine institutions specializing in the care of people with intellectual disability were asked to rate each indicator on a scale of 1-10 to show which non-verbal expressions they considered important in diagnosing pain. RESULTS: A total of 109 nurses responded. All 158 indicators were mentioned as being important to indicate pain. All except four had a range of 9. Seven (moaning during manipulation, crying during manipulation, painful facial expression during manipulation, swelling, screaming during manipulation, not using (affected) body part, and moving the body in a specific way of behaving) were reported as 'very important' by more than 50% of nurses. The lowest score (median 5.5; minimum 1, maximum 10) was given to the indicator 'waving arm movements'. The pain of people with severe intellectual disability appeared to be assessed differently from that of people with profound intellectual disability. Indicators belonging to the 'physiological' category scored relatively higher in the group of nurses specializing in profound disability. In contrast, indicators belonging to the 'social-emotional' category were scored relatively higher by nurses specializing in severe disability. CONCLUSION: Nurses used a wide range of indicators to assess pain in people with intellectual disability. Functional abilities and level of disability seem to influence the indicators used.