Genetic assays are very useful tools for clinical diagnostics and therapeutics. This thesis addresses the development of electrochemical microRNA genosensor, envisioned to be used as a clinical diagnostic tool. Dysregulation of numerous microRNAs have been reported to be closely associated to diseases. …

Synthetic glucocorticoids are potent anti-inflammatory drugs but show dose-dependent metabolic side effects such as the development of insulin resistance and obesity. The precise mechanisms involved in these glucocorticoid-induced side effects, and especially the participation of adipose tissue in this …

Glucocorticoids (GCs), such as prednisolone (PRED), are widely prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, but their use may induce glucose intolerance and diabetes. GC-induced beta cell dysfunction contributes to these diabetogenic effects through mechanisms that remain to be elucidated. In this study, we hypothesized …

Students' educational careers in Higher Education: a search into key factors regarding study outcome One of the political goals of the EU is to develop 'the most competitive knowledge-based economy in the world by 2010'. The Dutch knowledge economy faces an increased demand for highly-educated inhabitants, …