[en] A Dutch public utility (Obragas) introduces a new way to supply gas for their household clients in Helmond, Netherlands: the gas wall socket. The use of gas wall sockets must prevent the decrease of the market share for natural gas compared to the market share of electricity for households

[en] A testing method has been developed by the Dutch natural gas research institute Gastec to carry out tests in advance of their use. The results of two studies, one on rotor meters and one on domestic bellows meters, are briefly discussed. 2 figs., 1 ill

[en] The mixed epidermal cell lymphocyte reaction (MECLR) is a commonly used method to study the immunomodulatory effects of UV radiation. The in vitro action spectrum for the MECLR showed that the UV-induced suppression of the MECLR responses is associated with UV-induced DNA damage. To investigate whether in vivo DNA damage also leads to the abrogation of the MECLR, in situ action spectra were made for the MECLR and the induction of thymine dimers (T<>T). Human skin, obtained from plastic surgery, was exposed to monochromatic light of 254, 297, 302 and 312nm. After irradiation, epidermal cells were isolated and used as stimulator cells in the MECLR or processed for flow cytometric detection of T<>T. On the basis of dose-response curves for each wavelength, the action spectyra for suppression of the MECLR and the induction of T<>T were calculated. These spectra showed close similarities, suggesting that, also in situ, UV-induced DNA damage is involved in the UV-induced suppression of the MECLR. Both action spectra showed a small decline from 254 nm to 302 nm, followed by a steep decline to 312 nm. These data show that, in situ, UVC can efficiently induce DNA damage and modulate cutaneous immune responses. (author)