Belgian Sample Research Articles

The usefulness of Belgian formulae in third molar-based age assessment of Indians

The third molars are one of few useful predictors for assessing the degree of maturity in adolescence and young adulthood. It has application in age estimation in the age group of 14–23 years, in general, and in juvenile/adult status prediction, in particular. Using a 10-stage grading of third molars, Gunst et al. developed regression formulae on a large sample of Belgians (n=2513) for estimating age. Their research has been recommended as a ‘reference study’ in age estimation guidelines. The present study has ventured to determine if estimating age in Indians using the Belgian formulae produced results comparable to those reported in the Belgian study; in addition, this study attempts to determine if the same formulae predicted juvenile/adult status (age </≥18 years) accurately in Indians. The sample comprised 268 orthopantomograms (OPGs) of subjects aged between 14 and 23 years. The OPGs included a mix of one, two, three and four third molars. In total, 916 teeth were assessed using the same 10-stage grading. Age in each OPG was estimated by applying the relevant Belgian regression formulae (regression formulae are available for one, two, three and four third molars). To determine if the formulae produced age estimates comparable to those in the Belgian study, the percentage of Indian subjects whose actual age fell within the 68% confidence interval (CI) (calculated from the ±1 S.D. value available for each Belgian formula) was ascertained. If ≥68% of Indian subjects’ age fell inside this interval, it indicates that the Belgian formulae are applicable in Indians. To assess the suitability of the Belgian formulae in predicting juvenile/adult status in Indians, the accuracy of the age estimation per se was not considered, rather, the number of correct </≥18 years age predictions only was noted. Overall, ∼74% of Indian subjects’ actual age fell within the 68% CI; with regards to the Belgian formulae being able to correctly predict juvenile/adult status, 78% of all subjects were categorized to the correct age group (</≥18 years). This was marginally better in males (79.4%) than females (77.3%), and in juveniles (80.3%) than adults (76.1%). These suggest that Belgian formulae are valid in age estimation per se of Indians; however, the formulae's accuracy rate in determining whether a subject is </≥18 years old in the Indian context, while similar to other statistical approaches, indicate that it may not be reliable-enough, and must be applied carefully and judiciously in juvenile/adult identification.

Quantification of Acrylamide in Various Belgian Potato Products Using Solid Phase Extraction and Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry Detection

Acry lamide (CH2=CHCONH2), a neurotoxic and potentially carcinogenic substance for human health, is in the glare of the spotlights for a few years. This is mostly due to the fact that acrylamide was found worldwide in various heated foodstuffs. Levels reported in the literature vary fro m 25 to 2000 µg/kg and potato products are considered as containing the highest level in acrylamide. A possible pathway of synthesis of acry lamide is the Maillard reaction between reducing sugars and the amino acid asparagine. The aim of this study was to develop a liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry method to analyse as quickly as possible acrylamide in a variety of Belgian food samples such as potatoes, French fries, crisp bread, coffee, corn-flakes, etc. The sample preparation consisted in a liquid/liquid ext raction, a centrifugation, fo llo wed by purification with Solid Phase Ext raction (SPE). The instruments used were a Waters 2690 Alliance HPLC system coupled to a Micromass Quattro Ultima Platinu m triple-quadrupole mass spectrometer. The analysis was performed in MS/MS mode using isotopic dilution technique for quantification. An internal 13C3 labelled standard was added prior to ext raction. Quantification in M S/MS mode was calculated by reconstructing the ion current with the most abundant daughter ions for native and 13C labelled standard (ions of m/z 55 and 58).

Influence of Birth Weight on Calcaneal Bone Stiffness in Belgian Preadolescent Children

The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between birth weight and calcaneal bone stiffness in a large sample of Belgian, healthy, preadolescent children. Participants were 827 children (3.6-11.2years, 51.6% boys) from the Belgian cohort of the IDEFICS study. Birth weight was obtained using a parental questionnaire, and quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements were performed to determine calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA), speed of sound (SOS), and stiffness index (SI) using the Lunar Achilles device. Average birth weights were 3435.7±512.0g for boys and 3256.9±471.1g for girls. Average calcaneal QUS measurements were 89.6±24.0 (23.3-153.9)dB/MHz for BUA, 1621.4±49.6 (1516.3-1776.5)m/s for SOS, and 92.8±15.6 (49.0-163.0) for SI. Birth weight was positively associated with BUA (r=0.13, p=0.002) and SOS (r=-0.16, p<0.001). The associations remained after correcting for age and sex in multiple regression analyses but disappeared after correcting for anthropometric covariates. Our findings suggest that birth weight, as a rough proxy indicator for genetic and environmental influences during intrauterine life, is associated with BUA and SOS in preadolescent children and may therefore influence the risk of osteoporosis later in life. Further studies using QUS are needed to investigate the consistency of the results of this study.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in human milk: A biomonitoring study in rural areas of Flanders (Belgium)

To collect information on the concentrations of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the rural areas in Flanders (Belgium), 84 breastfeeding mothers were recruited in rural communities in East and West Flanders and Flemish Brabant in 2009–2010. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) congeners, organochlorine pesticides, brominated flame retardants, perfluorinated compounds, polychlorinated dibenzodioxines and dibenzofurans, and dioxin-like PCBs were measured in individual milk samples and in a pooled milk sample, while some additional pollutants were only measured in the pooled sample. For most pollutants, the concentrations in this study were lower or comparable to the concentrations measured in the pooled Belgian sample of the WHO human milk study of 2006, except for the pesticides dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane DDT (+25% for ΣDDT and metabolites) and trans-nonachlor (+94%), and for the brominated flame retardant hexachlorocyclododecane HBCD (+153%). Perfluorinated compounds were for the first time determined in human milk samples from Belgium and the concentrations were comparable to those from other European countries. Also, interesting associations were found between the concentrations of POPs measured in human milk and personal characteristics as well as dietary habits of the study population. PFOS en PFOA concentrations were significantly higher in milk of primiparous participants compared to mothers who gave birth to their second child. Lower brominated PBDE congeners increased with increasing BMI of the mothers (p=0.01 for BDE 47, p=0.02 for BDE 99 and p=0.02 for BDE 100). Participants consuming milk or dairy products daily had significant higher concentrations of ΣDDTs (p=0.03) and oxychlordane (p=0.047) in their human milk samples.

Exploring cultural dimensions as predictors of performance management preferences: the case of self-initiating expatriate New Zealanders in Belgium

Despite the large number of New Zealanders working overseas of their own volition, the expatriate management literature has largely ignored their performance management (PM) preferences. The need to consider followers' preferences has been established by evidence supporting a link between PM practices and national culture, and subsequent performance. This study utilised the semi-structured interview to explore and compare the PM preferences of self-initiating expatriate New Zealanders in Belgium, and Belgians. Content analysis revealed distinct similarities and differences in preferences that can be tentatively linked to elements of national culture, providing general support for related literature. Subgroups also emerged within the Belgian sample and individual differences emerged within both samples, emphasising the importance of cultural subgroups as well as individual variations when considering PM preferences. Findings have academic and practical implications, which may be further explored by the suggested avenues of future research.

Parental psychological control and dysfunctional separation–individuation: A tale of two different dynamics

This study examined associations between psychologically controlling parenting and two possible manifestations of problematic separation–individuation (i.e., dysfunctional dependence and dysfunctional independence). To explain these associations, it has been argued that psychological control is an inherently independence-stifling parenting dimension that gives rise to a dysfunctional dependent orientation. In this study, it was argued that psychological control may relate to dysfunctional dependence and dysfunctional independence, depending on whether parents’ use of psychological control is driven by issues of interpersonal closeness (i.e., dependency-oriented psychological control) or by issues of achievement (i.e., achievement-oriented psychological control). A Belgian sample of 232 emerging adults, involved in the process of home leaving, and their parents completed self-report questionnaires. Regression analyses indicated that domain-specific expressions of psychological control were related differentially to dysfunctional dependent and dysfunctional independent manifestations of problematic separation–individuation. Emerging adults’ residential status did not moderate these associations. Implications and directions for future research are discussed.

Quality of life of residents with dementia in traditional versus small-scale long-term care settings: A quasi-experimental study

BackgroundThe number of people living with dementia worldwide is increasing, resulting in a need for more residential care. In response to criticism of the traditional medical approach to residential dementia care, many large nursing homes are transforming their traditional care facilities into more home-like small-scale living facilities. ObjectivesThis study examined the assumed benefits of small-scale living for residents with dementia, compared to traditional long-term care in the Netherlands and Belgium. The primary outcome was quality of life, divided into nine different domains. DesignThe study had a longitudinal design within a one-year time interval. SettingsFive long-term care settings in the Netherlands and Belgium containing four traditional and twelve small-scale living units participated in the study. ParticipantsData were obtained from 179 residents with dementia (age>65 years) (Dutch small-scale N=51, traditional N=51, Belgian small-scale N=47, traditional N=30). MethodsNurses and nursing assistants were trained to fill in the questionnaires. ResultsIn the Dutch sample, residents in small-scale settings had higher mean scores on ‘social relations’, ‘positive affect’, and ‘having something to do’ than residents in traditional settings. Moreover, mean scores on ‘caregiver relation’ and ‘negative affect’ remained stable over time among residents in small-scale settings, but decreased in traditional settings. These differences could not be explained by differences in behavioural characteristics, behavioural interventions, or social interaction. In the Belgian sample, fewer differences were found between traditional and small-scale settings. Nevertheless, residents in small-scale settings were reported to experience less ‘negative affect’ than those in traditional settings, which could be explained by differences in depression. Over time, however, residents ‘felt more at home’ in traditional settings, whereas no such increase was found for small-scale settings. Moreover, the mean quality of life scores on ‘restless behaviour’, ‘having something to do’ and ‘social relations’ decreased in small-scale settings, but remained stable in traditional settings. ConclusionsBoth small-scale and traditional settings appear to have beneficial effects on different domains of quality of life of residents with dementia. Future research should focus more on the quality and content of the care provided, than on the effects of the scale and design of the environment in long-term care settings.

Perceived work ability and turnover intentions: a prospective study among Belgian healthcare workers

To report a study exploring prospective relations between nurses' perceived work ability and three forms of turnover intentions, respectively, intent to leave the ward, organization and profession. Turnover of nursing staff is a major challenge for healthcare settings and for healthcare in general, urging the need to improve retention. Survey. Based on the longitudinal data of the Belgian sample from the European Nurses' Early Exit study, a total of 1531 healthcare workers who remained in their job, completed in 2003 and 1 year later a self-administered questionnaire including the Work Ability Index to assess work ability. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed adjusting for possible confounding variables. In a population with low intent to leave at baseline prospective analyses showed that a poor work ability at baseline increased the risk of high intent to leave the ward and high intent to leave the organization, 1 year later. A substantial deterioration in work ability was a risk factor for developing high turnover intentions 1 year later. Social support had no effect on the relation between work ability and all three types of intent to leave but the relation between work ability and intent to leave the ward was borderline significantly moderated by good interpersonal relations. Poor work ability was a risk factor for developing turnover intentions. Maintaining good work ability and improving poor work ability becomes increasingly important to retain nurses.

Psychological Dimensions of Unemployment: A Gender Comparison Between Belgian and South African Unemployed

This study sought to compare South African and Belgian unemployed in their subjective experience of unemployment, committed towards employment and job search behaviour. We also considered gender differences regarding the psychological dimensions of unemployment between Belgium and South Africa. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Unemployed people were sampled from the Potchefstroom area in South Africa (N = 381) and the Brussels area in Belgium (N = 305). The Experiences of Unemployment Questionnaire was administered. While no significant gender differences were found in South Africa, significant differences were found for all three psychological dimensions of unemployment in the Belgian sample. South African intervention programmes should be developed in order to cope with long-lasting unemployment, social isolation and further financial deprivation.

Longitudinal impact of parental and adolescent personality on parenting.

This study provides a test of how personality may shape social behaviors in a long-lasting dyad: the parent-adolescent relationship. In a large Belgian community sample, it was examined which parent Big Five characteristics were related to parenting and whether adolescent Big Five characteristics elicited certain parenting behaviors. Further, the proposition that individual differences are amplified under stress was examined by exploring whether parent personality was differentially related to parenting for parents of "easy" versus "difficult" adolescents. Moreover, possible differences in associations across parental and adolescent gender were explored. Mothers (N = 467) and fathers (N = 428) reported on their personality using the Five-Factor Personality Inventory; adolescents (N = 475) assessed their personality with the Hierarchical Personality Inventory for Children. Two types of parenting behaviors, overreactive discipline and warmth, were assessed 2 years later by parent self-reports, partner reports, and adolescent reports, from which multi-informant latent factors were created. Results indicate that parental personality was more relevant than adolescent personality for explaining overreactivity, but parent and adolescent personality were similarly relevant in explaining warmth. Especially parental and adolescent Agreeableness and adolescent Extraversion were important predictors of both types of parenting. Associations between parental personality and parenting were similarly related to parents of easy versus difficult adolescents, and for mothers and fathers parenting daughters or sons. Together, results show that parent characteristics as well as adolescent characteristics importantly affect dysfunctional and adaptive parenting.

Neuropsychiatric Inventory data in a Belgian sample of elderly persons with and without dementia.

Background/aimsThis study assesses and compares prevalence of psychological and behavioral symptoms in a Belgian sample of people with and without dementia.MethodsA total of 228 persons older than 65 years with dementia and a group of 64 non-demented persons were assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) in 2004.ResultsWithin the group without dementia, the most frequent symptoms were depression, agitation, and irritability. Within the group with dementia, the most common symptoms were depression, irritability, apathy, and agitation. Prevalence of delusions (P < 0.05), hallucinations (P < 0.05), anxiety (P < 0.05), agitation (P < 0.05), apathy (P < 0.01), aberrant motor behavior (P < 0.01), and eating disorders (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the group with dementia.ConclusionDepression, elation, irritability, disinhibition, and sleeping disorders are not specific to dementia. Agitation, apathy, anxiety, and delusions are more frequent in dementia but were not specific to the dementia group because their prevalence rates were close to 10% in the group without dementia. Hallucinations, aberrant motor behavior, and eating disorders are specific to dementia. The distinction between specific and nonspecific symptoms may be useful for etiological research on biological, psychological, and environmental factors.

Are Affines Treated as Biological Kin?

Affines (or “in-laws”) have long been recognized within anthropology as a special kind of kin. Evolutionary biology, in contrast, has typically treated affines as though they were unrelated: only direct genetic kinship counts. However, Hughes (1988) argued that Hamilton’s concept of inclusive fitness naturally includes affinal kin as kin because true kin and their affines share genetic interests in future generations. We test this proposal by asking whether affinal relatives are treated more like biological kin or unrelated friends in terms of perceived emotional closeness. We show for a sample of contemporary Belgians that affines are indeed treated more or less the same as biological kin of similar nominal relatedness and not at all like unrelated friends. These findings suggest that Hughes was right in his reinterpretation of Hamilton and that affinal kinship needs to be considered in biological studies of human kinship.

Optimization and validation of the SNP forID 34-SNPplex for POP7™

The SNP forID 34-SNPplex is a multiplex of ancestry informative single nucleotide polymorphism markers and was originally designed for POP6™ polymer gels. Due to the higher viscosity of POP7™, a different design is necessary to resolve peaks smaller than 40 bp when this type of polymer gel is used. The single original SNaPshot™ assay was separated and redesigned into two individual multiplex SNaPshot™ assays in which rs2304925 was moved in between two SNPs with larger amplicons. Minor adjustments to PCR parameters and primer concentrations further reduced noise background in comparison with the original protocol. Validation of the assay included reproducibility (100%), sensitivity (complete DNA-profiles up to 0.5 ng) and specificity studies (no cross-species interaction). A population study ( n = 145), including 46 Belgian samples, further validated the assay for future forensic use.

Societal Vulnerability and Troublesome Youth Group Involvement

Troublesome youth groups (TYGs) or “gangs” have been a research topic in the past, especially in the United States, and an increasing number of studies are currently being conducted in European countries. However, Belgium has been rather absent from the study of TYGs. This study aims to fill that gap in the literature. In the present contribution, the authors are interested in the prevalence of Belgian adolescents' involvement in TYGs and the role of societal vulnerability in this involvement. The authors are interested in the strength of the relationship between societal vulnerability and TYG and test the hypotheses that violent values and low self-control mediate the relationship between societal vulnerability and TYG. The analyses are conducted on the Belgian sample of the second edition of the International Self-Reported Delinquency study (ISRD-2). Both violent values and self-control mediate the effect of societal vulnerability and have strong independent effects on TYG. The implications of these findings are discussed.

Is Individual Educational Level Related to End-of-Life Care Use? Results from a Nationwide Retrospective Cohort Study in Belgium

Educational level has repeatedly been identified as an important determinant of access to health care, but little is known about its influence on end-of-life care use. To examine the relationship between individual educational attainment and end-of-life care use and to assess the importance of individual educational attainment in explaining differential end-of-life care use. A retrospective cohort study via a nationwide sentinel network of general practitioners (GPs; SENTI-MELC Study) provided data on end-of-life care utilization. Multilevel analysis was used to model the association between educational level and health care use, adjusting for individual and contextual confounders based upon Andersen's behavioral model of health services use. A Belgian nationwide representative sample of people who died not suddenly in 2005-2007. In comparison to their less educated counterparts, higher educated people equally often had a palliative treatment goal but more often used multidisciplinary palliative care services (odds ratios [OR] for lower secondary education 1.28 [1.04-1.59] and for higher [secondary] education: 1.31 [1.02-1.68]), moved between care settings more frequently (OR: 1.68 [1.13-2.48] for lower secondary education and 1.51 [0.93-2.48] for higher [secondary] education) and had more contacts with the GP in the final 3 months of life. Less well-educated people appear to be disadvantaged in terms of access to specialist palliative care services, and GP contacts at the end of life, suggesting a need for empowerment of less well-educated terminally ill people regarding specialist palliative and general end-of-life care use.

Age estimation in an Indian population using pulp/tooth volume ratio of mandibular canines obtained from cone beam computed tomography.

The present study assessed the suitability of pulp/tooth volume ratio of mandibular canines for age prediction in an Indian population. Volumetric reconstruction of scanned images of mandibular canines from 140 individuals (aged ten - 70 years), using computed tomography was used to measure pulp and tooth volumes. Age calculated using a formula reported earlier for a Belgian sample, resulted in errors > ten years in almost 86% of the study population. The regression equation obtained for the Indian population: Age = 57.18 + (- 413.41 x pulp/tooth volume ratio), was applied to an independent control group (n = 48), and this resulted in mean absolute errors of 8.54 years which was significantly (p < 0.05) lower than those derived with the Belgian formula. The pulp/tooth volume ratio is a useful indicator of age, although correlations may vary in different populations and hence, specific formulae should be applied for the estimates.

Inherited mitochondrial variants are not a major cause of age-related hearing impairment in the European population

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutations have been implicated in various age-related diseases. To further clarify the role of mtDNA variants in age-related hearing impairment (ARHI), we determined the DNA sequence of the entire mitochondrial genome of 400 individuals using the Affymetrix Human Mitochondrial Resequencing Array. These were the 200 worst hearing and the 200 best hearing from a collection of 947 Belgian samples. We performed association tests with individual mitochondrial variants, comparison of the mutation load, and association with European haplogroups and their interaction with environmental risk factors. We also tested the influence of rare variants on ARHI. None of these tests showed any association with ARHI.

Dietary intake of hexabromocyclododecane diastereoisomers (α-, β-, and γ-HBCD) in the Belgian adult population

A study was performed to assess exposure of the Belgian population to HBCD diastereoisomers. Measurements of HBCD were performed by UPLC-MS/MS, on 45 composite samples from 5 major food groups: dairy (products), meat (products), eggs, fish (products) and a group of “other” products. The medium bound estimated average daily intake (EDI) of ΣHBCD in the Belgian population was 0.99 ng kg −1 bw d −1. The diastereoisomer contribution to the mean EDI showed a predominance of γ-HBCD at 67%, followed by α-HBCD at 25% and 8% for β-HBCD. These results are consistent with the pattern found in the two food groups contributing the most to the EDI: meat (products) and the group of “other” products. Anyway, it has to be noted that diastereomeric distribution of HBCD can change due to bioisomerisation in biological material. Levels of HBCD diastereoisomers found in Belgian food samples of animal origin were low in comparison with those found in other EU countries and the resulting EDI was substantially below the proposed thresholds.

Beer quality screening by FT-IR spectrometry: Impact of measurement strategies, data pre-processings and variable selection algorithms

In the presented research three measurement strategies of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry (horizontal- and micro-attenuated total reflection (HATR and μATR, respectively) and a novel high throughput transmission (HTT)) in combination with extensive chemometric approach have been applied for analysis of beer. Fifty Belgian beer samples were analyzed: lager and white beers, dark and blonde ales, lambic and Trappist beers. Partial least square (PLS) regression was used for prediction of different physicochemical parameters of beer based on mid-IR data, modified with different spectral preprocessing and variable selection algorithms for higher prediction performance. It was found that HATR and μATR have the same prediction capability with a slight advantage of μATR and excellent correlations between spectra and reference values were demonstrated for original ( R 2 0.95), apparent ( R 2 0.89) and real ( R 2 0.95) extracts, real and apparent degrees of fermentation ( R 2 0.91 and 0.89), alcohol content ( R 2 0.94) and energetic value ( R 2 0.95). Good results ( R 2 0.83) were obtained from the HTT experiments for prediction of real extract and allow measurement of large sample numbers in short time (1 sample/minute) with further potential increase in a sample throughput and has the possibility for automation. The obtained results indicate that mid-IR spectrometry in combination with advanced pre-processing and variable selection methods is a valuable analytical tool for high throughput measurement of beer quality attributes and thus has potential for use in product development and quality control.

Belgian canine population and purebred study for forensics by improved mitochondrial DNA sequencing

In canine population studies for forensics, the mitochondrial DNA is profiled by sequencing the two hyper variable regions, HV1 and HV2 of the control region. In a first effort to create a Belgian population database some samples showed partially poor sequence quality. We demonstrated that a nuclear pseudogene was co-amplified with the mtDNA control region. Using a new combination of primers this adverse result was no longer observed and sequencing quality was improved. All former samples with poor sequence data were reanalyzed. Furthermore, the forensic canine population study was extended to 208 breed and mixed dogs. In total, 58 haplotypes were identified, resulting in an exclusion capacity of 0.92. The profile distribution of the Belgian population sample was not significantly different from those observed in population studies of three other countries. In addition to the total population study 107 Belgian registered pedigree dogs of six breeds were profiled. Per breed, the obtained haplotypes were supplemented with those from population and purebred studies. The combined data revealed that some haplotypes were more or less prominent present in particular dog breeds. The statistically significant differences in haplotype distribution between breeds and population sample can have consequences on mtDNA databasing and matching probabilities in forensics.