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J van Limbeek

Publications and source records attributed to J van Limbeek.

49 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

Prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli in 18-month-old children with cleft lip and/or palate.

The prevalence of Streptococcus mutans and lactobacilli was determined in 62 18-month-old Dutch children with a cleft lip and/or palate. Plaque and saliva samples were collected, a dental examination was performed, and the parents were interviewed with a structured questionnaire regarding general health, dietary habits, fluoride exposure, and socioeconomic class. Appropriate dilutions of the plaque and saliva samples were cultured on selective media to count all viable bacteria, S. mutans and lactobacilli. S. mutans was detected in the saliva of 45% of the children, and lactobacilli was detected in 16%. Also, S. mutans was detected in 48% of the plaque samples and lactobacilli in 8%. Of all of the variables examined, consumption of more than three snacks and beverages between main meals was significantly associated with presence of S. mutans in saliva. Preoperative infant orthopedic treatment (i.e., wearing an acrylic plate from shortly after birth) was significantly associated with presence of lactobacilli in saliva. The presence of S. mutans in the plaque samples was also significantly associated with presence of lactobacilli in saliva. These results indicate that children with oral cleft are at an increased risk of being infected by S. mutans and lactobacilli at a very early age. Such early colonization indicates a high risk for caries in the primary dentition.

Analysis of Variance↗

Lymphocyte subsets in dialyser eluates: a new parameter of bioincompatibility?

INTRODUCTION: During haemodialysis (HD), several adverse reactions in peripheral blood can occur, which have been attributed to the bioincompatibility of the dialyser membrane. Utilizing a dialyser elution technique, we have demonstrated that polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) manifested non-membrane dependent signs of activation during HD with cellulose triacetate (CTA), cuprammonium (CU) and polysulphone (PS) membranes. In the present study, we employed this elution technique to investigate the influence of HD with these membranes on lymphocytes. METHODS: Eight patients were studied during HD with CTA, CU, and PS dialysers in a randomized crossover design. Dialyser elution was performed after 3 h of HD. Besides total leukocyte count and differentiation, lymphocyte subpopulations and activation status in peripheral blood and dialyser eluates were analysed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Only with CU was a significant leukocyte decrease observed in peripheral blood at 30 min (P<0.001). Neither the total number of lymphocytes nor the proportion of T(CD3+) and B(CD19+) cells had markedly changed after HD with either membrane. Meanwhile, all membranes induced a relative decline in natural killer cells -NK(CD3-/CD16+/56+)- at the end of dialysis, although this was only significant for CTA (P=0.04). As for the T-lymphocyte subsets, the proportion of CD4+ cells had markedly increased after three hours of HD with all three dialysers, CTA and PS being significant (P<0.05). Dialyser eluates contained 33.8-82.2 x 10(6) cells, CTA yielding the highest cell counts. The majority (81-91%) of the eluted cells consisted of PMN dialyser eluates versus peripheral blood: P<0.05), whereas only few lymphocytes were found (4-13%, absolute 2.6 x 10(6)). Lymphocyte subpopulations in dialyser eluates were comparable to peripheral blood at t 180 in case of CTA and CU. In contrast PS eluates contained significantly fewer T-cells (37%), but more B-cells (22%) and NK-cells (30%) in comparison with peripheral blood at 180 min (peripheral blood: 79, 6 and 16% respectively; P<0.05). The expression of activation markers on T-cells (HLA-DR, CD25) in dialyser eluates was comparable with peripheral blood. Conclusions. The absolute number of lymphocytes in dialyser eluates of CTA, CU, and PS dialysers was low (mean 2.6 x 10(6)) in comparison with peripheral blood (mean 1.4 x 10(9)/l). Whereas non-selective adhesion occurred in CU and CTA dialysers, a selective adhesion pattern of lymphocyte subpopulations was observed in case of PS, suggesting a difference in bioincompatibility. Apparent T-cell activation was not noted, either in peripheral blood or in dialyser eluates. Because PMN in the dialyser eluates of three different membranes showed similar activation patterns in a previous study, we hypothesize that eluted lymphocyte, rather than PMN, represent a preferable parameter of bioincompatibility.

Adult↗

[Predictive variables for duration of survival of patients following admission in a psychogeriatric nursing home studies with general registration data].

OBJECTIVE: To assess the possible correlation between characteristics of psychogeriatric patients at first admission to a nursing home and survival. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Department of social and psychiatric epidemiology, Free University, Amsterdam. METHOD: Data from the Dutch nursing home registration (SIVIS) were used. All first admissions to a nursing home in the period 1989-1991 were analysed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine survival. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyse factors associated with survival. RESULTS: The rate of survival for women was higher than that for men among these patients (p < 0.001). Predictors of survival in a nursing home were functional status, gender, age and the presence of malignancies and (or) respiratory diseases, at admission. CONCLUSION: Predictors of survival after admission in a nursing home are similar to the findings of other studies, although the methods used were different. The main implication of this study is that routinely collected data of health care registrations can be used to assess health care questions.

Aged↗

CAPD patients exhibit a nocturnal fall in blood pressure: a single-centre study.

BACKGROUND: In 29 CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) patients the height and diurnal variation of the blood pressure (BP) and heart-rate (HR) were analyzed by means of 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM). METHODS: Normal diurnal variation was defined as a fall of 10% or more during nighttime (NT) compared with daytime (DT) BP or HR (DT = 10.00 a.m.-9.00 p.m., NT = midnight-06.00 a.m.). To evaluate high BP in the course of time we used the concept of "whole-day BP load", defined as the percentage of BP readings above 140/90 mmHg during a 24-h period. A "hypertensive BP load" was defined as a systolic BP (SBP) load of more than 50% and/or a diastolic BP (DBP) load in excess of 40%. In addition to analysis of the circadian rhythm of BP and HR and the prevalence of a hypertensive BP load in CAPD patients, the influence of various factors such as gender, creatinine clearance, recombinant human erythropoietin, antihypertensive medication, haematocrit, whole-day BP load, and the nightly dialysis glucose concentration on the diurnal variation of BP and HR were studied. RESULTS: Based on the 95% confidence intervals for the proportional nocturnal decrease, normal diurnal variation of BP and HR was present in most CAPD patients. No correlation could be demonstrated between a blunted circadian rhythm and the variables mentioned above. However, when other time-period definitions (DT = 6.00 a.m.-11.00 p.m., NT = 11.00-6.00 and DT = 8.00 a.m.-8.00 p.m., NT = 8.00 p.m.-8.00 a.m.) were applied to the data, considerably fewer patients displayed normal diurnal variation. Whereas all patients showed normal home BP readings, ABPM of 21 out of 29 patients displayed a hypertensive BP load. CONCLUSION: The majority of our CAPD patients exhibited normal diurnal variation of SBP and DBP depending, however, on the definitions of DT and NT used. The absence of a normal circadian rhythm could not be explained by any of the variables analyzed. Surprisingly, uncontrolled hypertension, as defined by a hypertensive BP load, was found in 72% of the patients.

Adult↗

[Psychopathology in residents of homes for the aged in Amsterdam].

In this study we estimated the prevalence of dementia, affective and anxiety disorders among residents of homes for the elderly in Amsterdam. Of a sample of 3.828 residents, 954 persons were interviewed with the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale; 324 were additionally interviewed with the Diagnostic Interview Scheme (DIS). The prevalence of dementia and of affective- and anxiety disorders is estimated to be 12.0% and 16.8%, respectively. These estimates, however, should be interpreted with caution. Analyses of the non-response group showed that about one-fourth of those who did not or could not participate in the study showed signs of dementia or other psychiatric problems. Although mental health care in homes for the elderly is underdeveloped, it should be an integral part of its health care delivery.

Aged↗

Granulocyte sequestration in dialysers: a comparative elution study of three different membranes.

BACKGROUND: The present study was designed to investigate the expression of activation markers on polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) in peripheral blood and dialyser eluates, comparing three different membranes. METHODS: Eight patients were studied during HD with cellulose triacetate (CTA), cuprammonium (CU), and polysulphone (PS) dialysers in a randomized crossover design. In addition to total cell count and microscopic leukocyte differentiation, the expression of degranulation (CD63, CD66b) and adhesion (CD62L) markers on PMN was analysed in peripheral blood over time, and in dialyser eluates at the end of HD. RESULTS: In peripheral blood a significant drop in PMN was noted only during CU HD (P < 0.001), whereas none of the membranes induced any substantial change in the expression of the activation markers mentioned. In dialyser eluates the mean number of cells was 53 x 10(6), CTA yielding a significantly higher number as compared with CU (P = 0.05). The proportion of PMN was 81-91% (P < 0.05 versus peripheral blood). The expression of CD63, and especially CD66b, in dialyser eluates of all membranes was significantly higher in comparison with peripheral blood, whereas the expression of CD62L in dialyser eluates was considerably lower. CONCLUSIONS: Dialyser eluates of all three dialysers consisted mainly of PMN. Based on the relatively modest cell numbers and the expression of the activation markers described, our results suggest primarily degranulation within the dialyser. Apart from differences in cell numbers, CTA yielding the highest cell counts, no differences between CTA, CU, and PS could be demonstrated in dialyser eluates.

Adult↗

[A screening tool for depression in the elderly in the general population: the usefulness of Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)].

In community-based studies the CES-D is the most widely used screening instrument for depression in the elderly. In the Netherlands it is relatively unknown. Results of a literature-survey and empirical data of three groups of older respondents in the Netherlands are presented (n1 = 224, n2 = 116, n3 = 190). To determine whether the CES-D can be used as a screening instrument for depression in the elderly in the Netherlands six criteria are formulated. The results of the literature-survey are favourable on most criteria. Because the overlap with symptoms of physical diseases is very limited, the CES-D can be used in physically ill populations. In our three groups of respondents the psychometric properties and practical use of the CES-D proved satisfactory (Cronbach's alfa 0.80-0.90 in three groups of respondents). Shortening the scale's answering-format has been advocated by others, but is discouraged. Being a screening instrument, the scale cannot be used as a substitute for psychiatric diagnosis. Recognising this limitation we conclude that the Dutch translation of the CES-D provides a useful instrument for measuring depressive symptoms in the elderly.

Aged↗

Major reduction of CAPD peritonitis after the introduction of the twin-bag system.

In recent years an impressive decrease in the incidence of CAPD-related peritonitis was observed in our centre, from 1.4 in the mid-eighties to 0.4 per patient year in 1991. In order to analyse which factors were most responsible for this decline, the present study was performed. From the start of our CAPD programme in 1982 until September 1991, 100 patients were enrolled. For each patient, time elapsed from catheter insertion until first peritonitis episode was recorded. Outcome was measured as the peritonitis-free interval in days. The following variables have been evaluated: age, gender, type of catheter, type of system, presence of diabetes mellitus, leakage, break-in period, presence of an exit-site infection, and performing surgeon. Data were analysed first by Kaplan-Meier product-limit estimate of survival (peritonitis-free interval). Thereafter Cox proportional hazard analysis was applied to the data, providing a conditional probability of peritonitis at each moment during follow-up, given a certain combination of risk factors. Our results show that the system, in conjunction with the type of catheter, was a decisive factor in the decline of the peritonitis rate in our centre. Patients on the twin-bag system (twin-bag group) showed a significant increase in the peritonitis-free interval in comparison with patients using other systems (non-twin bag group). Among the other variables analysed, only diabetes mellitus appeared to be relatively important. Episodes of culture negative peritonitis were more frequently observed in the twin-bag group, compared to the non-twin bag group. In absolute numbers Staph. non-aureus was the micro-organism most effectively reduced.

Adult↗

The Addiction Severity Index: reliability and validity in a Dutch addict population.

In order to meet the need for a multidimensional diagnostic instrument in the field of drug addiction in The Netherlands, the Addiction Severity Index (ASI) has been applied to a sample of Dutch drug addicts. In this article the usefulness and psychometric characteristics of the Dutch version of the ASI are discussed. Overall, there was no evidence of a general relationship between the ASI ratings of problem severity. The severity ratings showed good concurrent validity, and subscales of selected items in each problem area of the ASI were demonstrated to have good internal consistency reliability. Regression analysis indicated that the ASI items accounted for a considerable proportion of the variance in the severity ratings, indicating a strong relationship between "subjective" rating and "objective" data. On the basis of the general concept of the ASI and the satisfactory psychometric characteristics, implementation of the instrument in The Netherlands is advocated.

Adult↗

Increased caries prevalence in 2.5-year-old children with cleft lip and/or palate.

The prevalence of dental caries was determined clinically in 2.5-year-old Dutch cleft lip and/or palate children (n = 76) and in children without congenital malformation (n = 75). The parents were given a structured questionnaire regarding the child's dietary habits, oral hygiene, fluoride exposure and social economic background. The prevalence of dental caries was higher in children with oral cleft than in children without oral cleft. Initial caries (white spots) was diagnosed in 17.1% of the subjects with oral cleft compared with 4.0% of the control subjects. Manifest caries (cavities) was found in 26.3% of the children with oral cleft compared with 5.3% of the controls. The dft score (manifest caries) was significantly higher for the oral cleft group (0.59 +/- 1.35) than for the control group (0.11 +/- 0.54). 52% of the total number of initial and manifest lesions were localized to the maxillary incisors. A multivariate analysis yielded initial caries, oral hygiene and treatment with preoperative infant orthopaedics as the variables significantly associated with manifest caries.

Case-Control Studies↗

Biocompatibility and performance of a modified cellulosic and a synthetic high flux dialyzer. A randomized crossover comparison between cellulose triacetate and polysulphon.

The biocompatibility and performance of two high flux membranes (modified cellulosic: cellulose-triacetate (CTA), and a synthetic material: polysulphon [PS]) were assessed in 31 stable patients on hemodialysis (HD) in a randomized crossover study. Parameters evaluated included leukocytes, complement activation products C3a and C5a, cytokines, lymphocyte subpopulations, urea, creatinine, phosphate, and beta 2 microglobulin. Considering biocompatibility, the drop in the number of leukocytes was more pronounced during CTA HD compared with PS (p = 0.045), although both were low in comparison with cuprammonium dialysis in the same patients, as observed during a separate study. Both membranes induced a low and transient state of complement activation. Interleukin 1 beta and interleukin 6 could not be detected at all, whereas tumor necrosis factor alpha levels were marginally elevated before and after HD with both membranes. During the first 30 min of HD with either membrane, the numbers of CD8+ cells decreased significantly, resulting in an increase in the CD4/CD8 ratios; in addition, the number of NK cells decreased. Performance, as measured by extraction ratios for small molecular weight solutes and Kt/V urea, was significantly better during CTA dialysis (p < 0.001), but almost similar after correction for membrane surface area. On the basis of these data, it seems justified to conclude that, whereas biocompatibility of the PS dialyzer appeared slightly superior to CTA, performance of both dialyzers was comparable.

Adult↗