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Biomedical subjects

J Debruyne

Publications and source records attributed to J Debruyne.

18 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Manure treatment according to the Trevi-concept.

In Flanders great amounts of livestock, especially pigs, lead to a surplus of manure that can not be spread on farmland because of the prevailing fertilizing restrictions. Aside that, Flemish government obliges farmers with a surplus of 7500 kg total P2O5 production to treat this excess of manure partially or totally. Trevi N.V. developed a manure treating system that starts with the separation of the raw manure in a solid fraction and a liquid fraction. The solid fraction can be exported after drying and hygienisation in the condensation drier, which is characterised by the absence of off-gases. The liquid fraction is treated in a biological plant and contains only 10 to 15% of the original amount of nutrients. As a result of this, the biological effluent can be spread on farmland at a bigger quantity (100-150 ton/ha) in comparison with raw manure. This biological effluent needs further polishing to obtain an effluent that can be discharged into surface waters. This was realised in coordination with Danis N. V. at the Discover plant in Izegem. In this plant, an evaporator treats the biological effluent and produces a dischargable condensate.

Animals↗
PubMed1998

Circadian rhythms of locomotor activity in zebrafish.

As part of an effort to characterize the circadian system of the zebrafish, we examined the circadian regulation of locomotor activity in adult males and females. Gross locomotor activity was measured using infrared movement detectors. The effects of light, dark, and temperature on the amplitude, phase, and free-running periods of locomotor rhythms were determined. When zebrafish were maintained in a 12-h light:12 h dark cycle at 25 degrees C, 86% of the fish were most active during the light phase of the cycle. The phases of free-running rhythms measured after transfer of fish from light cycles to constant conditions indicate that this diurnal activity profile reflects entrained circadian rhythmicity. When animals were maintained in constant conditions, the proportion that expressed significant circadian rhythmicity depended on ambient temperature. At 21 degrees C, 73% of the animals were rhythmic in constant darkness, and 65% were rhythmic in constant light. Fewer (28-59%) were rhythmic at 18 degrees, 25 degrees, and 28.5 degrees C. The free-running period of rhythmic animals was not affected by temperature within this range. The average period was shorter in constant light (LL; 12 lx) than in constant darkness (DD) in all but one experiment, and the difference was statistically significant for animals held at 21 degrees C. These data indicate that zebrafish locomotor activity is regulated by a circadian clock that is temperature compensated. Because rhythmicity is most robust at 21 degrees C, this would be the optimal temperature for future studies of the physiological basis of zebrafish behavioral rhythms.

Analysis of Variance↗
PubMed1998

Relapse markers in multiple sclerosis: are in vitro cytokine production changes reflected by circulatory T-cell phenotype alterations?

In vitro tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production, serum neopterin levels, and T-lymphocyte subpopulations were determined on a monthly basis in 22 MS patients. We found increased in vitro TNF-alpha production from 4 weeks on prior to the day of an exacerbation. There was a significant correlation with in vitro IFN-gamma release, the absolute blood monocyte count and the serum neopterin levels, suggesting that monocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma play an important role in the TNF-alpha production. Serial analysis of in vitro TNF-alpha production proved to be a helpful tool in predicting relapses in MS patients. Furthermore, elevated levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 after stimulation with OKT3 during exacerbations were demonstrated. These increases were not reflected by changes in T-lymphocyte subpopulations. However, significant differences in T-cell subsets were observed between controls and relapsing progressive patients.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Risks of multiple sclerosis in relatives of patients in Flanders, Belgium.

OBJECTIVES: To calculate age adjusted risks for multiple sclerosis in relatives of Flemish patients with multiple sclerosis. METHODS: Lifetime risks were calculated using the maximum likelihood approach. RESULTS: Vital information was obtained on 674 probands with multiple sclerosis in Flanders and a total of their 26225 first, second, and third degree relatives. Full medical information to allow documentation of multiple sclerosis status was available for 21351 (81.4%) relatives. The age adjusted risk for parents was 1.61 (SEM 0.35)%, for siblings 2.10 (SE 0.36)%, and for children 1.71 (SEM 0.70)%. For aunts and uncles, the risk was 0.66 (SEM 0.13)%. CONCLUSIONS: The risk for first degree relatives of patients with multiple sclerosis in Flanders is increased 10-fold to 12-fold; for second degree relatives, it is increased threefold. This information can be used for risk counselling in families and provides additional support for the role of more than one locus contributing to the susceptibility of multiple sclerosis.

Adult↗
PubMed1996

In vitro TNF-alpha, IL-2 and IFN-gamma production as markers of relapses in multiple sclerosis.

In 22 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (MS) we determined with monthly intervals over a period of 24 months the in vitro tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), and interleukin-2 (IL-2) production and the serum neopterin levels. The results were compared with normative data collected from 14 healthy controls over the same period. Twenty-nine relapses in 13 patients were noticed. We found increased in vitro TNF-alpha production from 4 weeks on prior to the day of an exacerbation. There was a significant correlation with in vitro IFN-gamma release, the absolute blood monocyte count and the serum neopterin levels, suggesting that monocytes stimulated by IFN-gamma play an important role in the TNF-alpha production. Serial analysis of in vitro TNF-alpha production proved to be a helpful tool in predicting relapses in MS patients. Furthermore, elevated levels of IFN-gamma and IL-2 after stimulation with OKT3 during exacerbations were demonstrated. Serial analysis of these two biological markers revealed to be of no value in predicting relapses.

Adult↗
PubMed1982

Migraine-like headache in intraventricular tumours.

In a series of 39 intraventricular tumours, 7 patients had paroxysmal headache as the most important early complaint. The striking similarities with migraine and the misleading role of antimigraine drug therapy are illustrated. Special emphasis is placed on the importance of additional investigations such as funduscopy, EEG, skin X-rays and Ct-scan.

Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms↗
PubMed1980

Hereditary pressure-sensitive neuropathy.

Clinical and neurophysiological studies were carried out in hereditary pressure-sensitive neuropathy. In 4 generations, 19 out of 87 family members were affected. The transmission of the disorder is autosomal dominant with total penetrance but variable expression. The motor conduction velocities of peripheral nerves were slowed even in clinically unaffected nerves. Light- and electron-microscopic studies were performed in the fibular nerve of one patient. A characteristic tomaculous neuropathy was discovered.

Adolescent↗