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A Aerts

Publications and source records attributed to A Aerts.

12 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

The genome of black cottonwood, Populus trichocarpa (Torr. & Gray).

We report the draft genome of the black cottonwood tree, Populus trichocarpa. Integration of shotgun sequence assembly with genetic mapping enabled chromosome-scale reconstruction of the genome. More than 45,000 putative protein-coding genes were identified. Analysis of the assembled genome revealed a whole-genome duplication event; about 8000 pairs of duplicated genes from that event survived in the Populus genome. A second, older duplication event is indistinguishably coincident with the divergence of the Populus and Arabidopsis lineages. Nucleotide substitution, tandem gene duplication, and gross chromosomal rearrangement appear to proceed substantially more slowly in Populus than in Arabidopsis. Populus has more protein-coding genes than Arabidopsis, ranging on average from 1.4 to 1.6 putative Populus homologs for each Arabidopsis gene. However, the relative frequency of protein domains in the two genomes is similar. Overrepresented exceptions in Populus include genes associated with lignocellulosic wall biosynthesis, meristem development, disease resistance, and metabolite transport.

Arabidopsis↗
PubMed2006

Tuberculosis and tuberculosis control in European prisons.

OBJECTIVE: Correctional facilities have often been cited as reservoirs for tuberculosis (TB), presenting a potential threat to the general population. Although correctional facilities are recognised as ideal settings for interventions, little is known about the TB epidemiology within them. The purpose of our survey was to collect data on TB in prisons of the WHO European Region and on existing control measures. DESIGN: A questionnaire was sent to 52 EuroTB correspondents asking for 2002 data on the total number of inmates, number of prisoners with TB, resistance rates, screening strategies, monitoring and responsibilities. RESULTS: Twenty-two (42.3%) countries completed the questionnaire. The median TB notification rate was 232 per 100,000 inmates (0-17,808). Prisoners had up to 83.6 times more TB than civilians. The majority (90.9%) of the participating countries reported performing active screening for TB on entry into prison, with a median detection rate of 393/100,000 (42-2362). Of the respondent countries, 81.8% claimed to perform contact investigations and 86.4% to house infectious TB patients separately. CONCLUSION: Although response to this survey was only 42.3% and might be biased by a country's engagement in TB control in prisons, the results highlight the vulnerability of prisoners to TB and emphasise the need for adequate case-finding and containment strategies in prison.

Communicable Disease Control↗
PubMed2003

Fast separations on monolithic silica columns: method transfer, robustness and column ageing for some case studies.

Six separation methods, developed on conventional silica high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) columns were transferred to monolithic silica columns of 5 and 10 cm length. The transferred methods include the separation of an alkylbenzene mixture, the separations of drugs from their impurities (nimesulide, tetracycline, phenoxymethylpenicillin and erythromycin) and the separation of a green tea extract. The transfer of the first three methods was successful while for the latter three it was not. Increasing the flow rate up to 9 ml/min (where possible) inversely decreased the analysis time of the successfully transferred methods to 48 s (alkylbenzene mixture) 1.8 min (nimesulide mixture) and 3 min (tetracycline mixture) while still reasonable well separated peaks were obtained. The robustness and repeatability of the transferred and accelerated separations was found to be acceptable. Despite the use of flow rates up to 9 ml/min and frequent mobile phase changes with pH values varying from 3.5 to 7, the column performance was found to be rather constant and the column ageing to be minimal.

Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid↗
PubMed2003

Chronic radiodermatitis following percutaneous coronary interventions: a report of two cases.

We describe two patients in whom chronic radiodermatitis with therapy-resistant ulceration of the right scapular region developed, following percutaneous coronary intervention with fluoroscopic imaging. Contrary to most reported cases in the literature, which involve numerous cardiac catheterization procedures, in both patients described here the total radiation dose was given during two successive procedures, involving difficult and prolonged coronary intervention with stent implantation. In both cases, local treatment of the ulcerative lesions was insufficient, necessitating excision of the radiodermatitis area and replacement with a skin graft, with good therapeutic result. The incidence of radiodermatitis after percutaneous coronary interventions is rising with the increasing number and complexity of these procedures. The main risk factor is a long duration of fluoroscopy using the same incidence. The skin lesions encompass a wide spectrum, ranging from erythema, telangiectasia, atrophy, hyperpigmentation and hypopigmentation to necrosis, chronic ulceration and squamous cell carcinoma. The lesions can appear from 15 days to 10 years after the procedure. To prevent radiation-induced injury, the radiation dose has to be limited and monitored. Also, careful inspection of the skin at the site of exposure is necessary and the radiographic beam has to be restricted to the smallest field size. A good clinical follow-up at regular intervals is important after long and complicated procedures.

Aged↗
PubMed2000

Venous pooling during nitrate-stimulated tilt testing in patients with vasovagal syncope.

AIMS: To investigate the importance of venous pooling and variation in venous tone during nitrate-stimulated tilt testing in patients. METHODS: Ten patients with a history of vasovagal syncope underwent an upright tilt test after an injection of 99mTc-labelled albumin. A gamma camera was positioned at the level of the lower legs. The patients were tilted to 90 degrees for 30 min or until symptoms developed. In those subjects who did not show any symptoms before the end of the 30-min period, isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN) 5 mg was given sublingually and the test was prolonged for a maximum of 15 min. RESULTS: Nine of 10 patients needed nitrate stimulation to develop symptoms, and one patient remained symptom free following ISDN administration. Measurement of radioactivity revealed no significant increase in calf volume after nitrate stimulation (the mean volume increase was 77% before ISDN stimulation and a further 0.9% afterwards). CONCLUSIONS: The higher sensitivity for vasovagal syncope during upright tilt testing after administration of sublingual ISDN is not due to an increase in venous pooling in the lower extremities.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed2000

Pulmonary tuberculosis in prisons of the ex-USSR state Georgia: results of a nation-wide prevalence survey among sentenced inmates.

SETTING: The penitentiary system of the ex-USSR state of Georgia. OBJECTIVES: To measure the prevalence of active pulmonary tuberculosis and drug-resistant disease among prisoners. To identify factors associated with active tuberculosis and multidrug resistance (MDR). DESIGN: A comprehensive multiphasic screening survey for tuberculosis. RESULTS: The prevalence of smear- or culture-positive tuberculosis was 5995 per 100,000 prisoners (n = 448 cases among 7473 inmates). Of all the strains, 215 (77.9%) were resistant to at least one drug and 37 (13.0%) were MDR. Independent risk markers associated smear- or culture-positive tuberculosis with included prison stay of 2 years or more, body mass index <20 kg/m2, accommodation in a large size prison, previous anti-tuberculosis treatment, cough of 2 weeks or more and loss of appetite. Risk markers associated with MDR were a prison stay of less than 2 years and being over 25 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: In Georgia, the excess risk for tuberculosis among prisoners is unprecedented, suggesting that prisons represent a significant reservoir of tuberculosis. Only a comprehensive strategy for tuberculosis control in prisons, including prison reform, control of anti-tuberculosis drugs, and prompt and efficient diagnosis and treatment of patients can have an impact on the tuberculosis burden in the prison system.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Sublingual nitrates during head-up tilt testing for the diagnosis of vasovagal syncope.

Pharmacologic stimulation during head-up tilt test (HUT) is used to increase the diagnostic yield of the test to detect vasovagal syncope. Reported lack of specificity of stimulation with intravenous isoproterenol has made a pharmacologic alternative desirable. Because nitrates are known to cause syncope of a vasovagal origin, we administered sublingual nitrates after classic tilt test in 32 patients with a history of typical vasovagal syncope and 20 healthy volunteers to assess the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of this new HUT technique. During the classic HUT four (13%) patients had syncope; after administration of sublingual nitrates, this number increased to 28 (87%). In the control group no subject had syncope during classic HUT, whereas during nitrate administration six (30%) had syncope. Sublingual nitrate stimulated HUT revealed a maximum accuracy of 83% at a cutoff point of 11 minutes, giving a sensitivity of 81% and specificity of 85%. Sublingual nitrate administration increased the accuracy of HUT in diagnosing vasovagal syncope in patients with a history of typical vasovagal syncope.

Administration, Sublingual↗
PubMed1982

[Treatment of menopausal hot flushes with a nonhormonal medication, veralipride].

The value of veralipride in menopausal disorders is no longer questionable and has been documented by a number of studies. The purpose of this paper is to study the clinical effectiveness and to look for the biological consequences of three months therapy with veralipride. To achieve this, a thorough biological study (hematology, glucids, lipids, hepatic and renal function) was done in 21 patients with a menopausal syndrome before and after taking veralipride for three months. Clinical effectiveness was excellent with 80% satisfactory results. No signs of intolerance or adverse side-effects were seen. We recorded no significant changes in biological parameters. No disturbances of renal or hepatic function were detected, either in individual assessments or in the overall statistical analysis of the study group. Because it is well tolerated, effective, and devoid of adverse metabolic side-effects, we conclude that veralipride is the best non-hormonal treatment for menopausal disorders presently available.

Climacteric↗