Maastricht University

About: Maastricht University is a education organization based out in Maastricht, Limburg, Netherlands. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 19263 authors who have published 53291 publications receiving 2266866 citations. The organization is also known as: Universiteit Maastricht & UM.

Structural Changes of Atrial Myocardium due to Sustained Atrial Fibrillation in the Goat

Abstract: Background After cardioversion of sustained atrial fibrillation (AF), the electrical and contractile functions of the atria are impaired, and recurrences of AF frequently occur. Whether remodeling of the structure of atrial myocardium is the basis for this problem is not known. Methods and Results Sustained AF was induced by electrical pacing in 13 goats instrumented long-term. The goats were killed after 9 to 23 weeks, and the atrial myocardium was examined by light and electron microscopy. The changes were quantified in left and right atrial free walls, appendages, trabeculae, the interatrial septum, and the bundle of Bachmann. A substantial proportion of the atrial myocytes (up to 92%) revealed marked changes in their cellular substructures, such as loss of myofibrils, accumulation of glycogen, changes in mitochondrial shape and size, fragmentation of sarcoplasmic reticulum, and dispersion of nuclear chromatin. These changes were accompanied by an increase in size of the myocytes (up to 195%). There we...

Dose-Dense Temozolomide for Newly Diagnosed Glioblastoma: A Randomized Phase III Clinical Trial

Abstract: Purpose Radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide is the standard of care for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (GBM) O 6 -methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) methylation status may be an important determinant of treatment response Dose-dense (DD) temozolomide results in prolonged depletion of MGMT in blood mononuclear cells and possibly in tumor This trial tested whether DD temozolomide improves overall survival (OS) or progression-free survival (PFS) in patients with newly diagnosed GBM Patients and Methods This phase III trial enrolled patients older than age 18 years with a Karnofsky performance score of 60 with adequate tissue Stratification included clinical factors and tumor MGMT methylation status Patients were randomly assigned to standard temozolomide (arm 1) or DD temozolomide (arm 2) for 6 to 12 cycles The primary end point was OS Secondary analyses evaluated the impact of MGMT status

Prospective cohort study of cannabis use, predisposition for psychosis, and psychotic symptoms in young people

Abstract: Objective To investigate the relation between cannabis use and psychotic symptoms in individuals with above average predisposition for psychosis who first used cannabis during adolescence. Design Analysis of prospective data from a population based sample. Assessment of substance use, predisposition for psychosis, and psychotic symptoms was based on standardised personal interviews at baseline and at follow up four years later. Participants 2437 young people (aged 14 to 24 years) with and without predisposition for psychosis. Main outcome measure Psychotic symptoms at follow up as a function of cannabis use and predisposition for psychosis at baseline. Results After adjustment for age, sex, socioeconomic status, urbanicity, childhood trauma, predisposition for psychosis at baseline, and use of other drugs, tobacco, and alcohol, cannabis use at baseline increased the cumulative incidence of psychotic symptoms at follow up four years later (adjusted odds ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval 1.13 to 2.46). The effect of cannabis use was much stronger in those with any predisposition for psychosis at baseline (23.8% adjusted difference in risk, 95% confidence interval 7.9 to 39.7, P = 0.003) than in those without (5.6%, 0.4 to 10.8, P = 0.033). The risk difference in the “predisposition” group was significantly greater than the risk difference in the “no predisposition” group (test for interaction 18.2%, 1.6 to 34.8, P = 0.032). There was a dose-response relation with increasing frequency of cannabis use. Predisposition for psychosis at baseline did not significantly predict cannabis use four years later (adjusted odds ratio 1.42, 95% confidence interval 0.88 to 2.31). Conclusion Cannabis use moderately increases the risk of psychotic symptoms in young people but has a much stronger effect in those with evidence of predisposition for psychosis.

Problem-based learning: future challenges for educational practice and research.

Abstract: Context Problem-based learning (PBL) is widely used in higher education. There is evidence available that students and faculty are highly satisfied with PBL. Nevertheless, in educational practice problems are often encountered, such as tutors who are too directive, problems that are too well-structured, and dysfunctional tutorial groups. Purpose The aim of this paper is to demonstrate that PBL has the potential to prepare students more effectively for future learning because it is based on four modern insights into learning: constructive, self-directed, collaborative and contextual. These four learning principles are described and it is explained how they apply to PBL. In addition, available research is reviewed and the current debate in research on PBL is described. Discussion It is argued that problems encountered in educational practice usually stem from poor implementation of PBL. In many cases the way in which PBL is implemented is not consistent with the current insights on learning. Furthermore, it is argued that research on PBL should contribute towards a better understanding of why and how the concepts of constructive, self-directed, collaborative and contextual learning work or do not work and under what circumstances. Examples of studies are given to illustrate this issue.