bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do Anthropometric Differences between Mexican Americans and Non‐Hispanic Whites Explain Ethnic Differences in Metabolic Variables?
Authors: STERN MICHAEL P. , HAFFNER STEVEN M.
Published: August 2010

It is well established that both overall obesity and unfavorable body fat distribution (predominantly truncal and/or upper body) are independently associated with a variety of undesirable metabolic consequences, among them elevated triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol concentrations, glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinemia, and an increased rate of type II or non‐insulin‐dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) (1). Since Mexican Americans are more obese and have an unfavorable distribution of body fat compared to non‐Hispanics (2–9), and since they also display a less favorable metabolic profile compared to non‐Hispanics (2–5, 7, 10), we wondered if the anthropometric differences could account for the ethnic differences in metabolic profile. The analyses presented in this paper are designed to address this question.
Regional Obesity as a Health Hazard in Women‐a Prospective Study
Authors: LAPIDUS LEIF , BENGTSSON CALLE
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT The results presented in this paper concerning regional obesity as a health hazard in women refer to a 12‐year longitudinal population study of 1462 women, aged 38–60, which was carried out in Gothenburg, Sweden, in 1968–69. In univariate analysis the ratio of waist‐to‐hip circumference showed a significant positive association with the 12‐year incidence of myocardial infarction, angina pectoris, stroke, diabetes mellitus and death. The association with incidence of myocardial infarction and diabetes mellitus remained in multivariate analysis. The relation between the ratio of waist‐to‐hip circumference and the end points studied was stronger than for any other anthropometric variable studied.
Coronary Heart Disease, Serum Lipids, Platelets and Dietary Fish in Two Communities in Northern Norway
Authors: SIMONSEN TERJE , VÅRTUN ÅSE , LYNGMO VEGARD , NORDØY ARNE
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT Coronary heart disease (CHD) mortality was registered in an inland and a coastal community in Northern Norway. Subgroups of healthy males from the communities were investigated further. The daily consumption of fish in the coastal and inland areas was 132.4 g and 55.1 g respectively, and the intake of eicosapentaenoic acid was 0.9 g and 0.25 g. The content of n‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in platelet phospholipids and primary bleeding time were similar in the two groups. Linoleic acid was lower and saturated fatty acids were higher in phospholipids in men from the coastal ma. Collagen‐induced platelet aggregation was increased and serum triglyceride concentration was higher in men from the coastal ma. CHD mortality during a 10‐Lyear period was higher in the coastal area for both sexes. This may be associated with differences in serum triglyceride levels and platelet fatty acid composition. This study indicates that a high consumption of lean fish is not sufficient to induce changes in blood lipids and platelet function associated with low CHD mortality and it does not seem to prevent high CHD mortality.
Renal Size, Glomerular Function and Urinary Excretion of Albumin and β2‐Microglobulin in Patients with Renal Scarring Due to Pyelonephritis
Authors: JACOBSON STEFAN H. , LINDVALL NILS , LINS LARS‐ERIC
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT We have determined glomerular filtration rate (GFR), renal plasma flow (RPF), urinary excretion of albumin and β2‐microglobulin, urinary osmolality and total renal area in 22 female patients with renal scarring and a history of febrile urinary tract infections (UTI) and in nine healthy age‐matched controls with normal i.v. urography. The aim of the study was to compare different methods of determining glomerular function in patients with renal scarring due to previous pyelonephritis and to determine the urinary excretion of β2‐microglobulin in these patients. All individuals were investigated in hydropenia. The patients with renal scarring had significantly lower GFR, smaller kidneys and lower urinary osmolality than the controls. A significant positive correlation between GFR and total renal area (r=0.70, p<0.001) and between GFR and urinary albumin excretion (r=‐0.69, p<0.001) was demonstrated. This indicates that determinations of total renal area from an i.v. urography and the urinary albumin excretion can be used for estimating GFR. Increased urinary excretion of β2‐microglobulin does not occur in patients with renal scarring until the glomerular function is severely deteriorated.
Catecholamine Release after Physical Exercise
Authors: TELENIUS‐BERG MARGARETA , ADOLFSSON LENNART , BERG BERTEL , HAMBERGER BERTIL , NORDENFELT IVAR , TIBBLIN STEN , WELANDER GUNNAR
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT A simple and practical provocative test is needed for early asymptomatic pheochromocytoma, which is a major risk for patients with multiple endocrine neoplasia type 2 (MEN‐2). We measured plasma catecholamines before and after submaximal exercise in 26 MEN‐2 gene carriers, eight of whom with asymptomatic pheochromocytoma, nine with medullary thyroid carcinoma and 10 after uni‐ or bilateral adrenalectomy. Seventeen clinically healthy individuals and 11 patients with neurovegetative lability and symptoms mimicking pheochromocytoma served as controls. Plasma adrenaline, noradrenaline and dopamine increased after excercise except for adrenaline after bilateral adrenalectomy. The post‐exercise levels of adrenaline and the adrenalineldopamine ratio were significantly higher in the pheochromocytoma patients compared to the healthy controls and the patients with neurovegetative lability, while the patients with medullary thyroid carcinoma represented an intermediate group with a high probability of developing adrenal tumors. The present method is a physiological test with a high sensitivity and specificity. It is practical and well suited for repeated examinations and seems to be of value for the detection of early pheochromocytoma in MEN‐2 patients. Furthermore, the test could be used in the differential diagnosis between pheochromocytoma and neurovegetative lability.
Comparison of the Levels of Cardiovascular Risk Factors between Eastern and South‐western Finland in 1982
Authors: NISSINEN AULIKKI , PIHA TAPANI , TUOMILEHTO JAAKKO , ROMO MATTI , PUSKA PEKKA
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. Altogether 6523 persons aged 25–64 years were studied in eastern and south‐western Finland to determine their cardiovascular risk factor levels. Among men, smoking was more prevalent in the south‐western area (41 vs. 37%), serum cholesterol levels were higher in the eastern area (6.2 vs. 6.0 mmol/l) and blood pressure levels were the same in both areas (145/86 in the east vs. 14/86 in the south‐west). Among women, smoking was also more common in the south‐western area (24 vs. 16%) and serum cholesterol levels were higher in the eastern area (6.1 vs. 6.0 mmol/l) as well as blood pressure levels (142/84 vs. 138/81 mmHg). Among both genders, prevalence of hypertension and proportion of persons on antihypertensive drug therapy was higher in eastern Finland. The comparison of these findings with the results from previous studies carried out among men in these two areas indicates that the risk factor levels have been decreasing in both areas and that the previously observed differences in risk factor levels between eastern and south‐western Finland (the levels used to be higher in the east) have levelled off. The favourable development in eastern Finland may be a result of the North Karelia Project.
Intellectual impairment in alcoholics: Persistent issues
Authors: Parsons Oscar A
Published: August 2010

Intellectual impairment in sober intermediate stage alcoholics has been well established. However, a number of persistent issues remain to be explored. Three of the most important concern 1) variability in cognitive‐perceptual functioning in samples of alcoholics, 2) differential vulnerability of cognitive‐perceptual functions to alcohol abuse and 3) the relationship of cognitive‐perceptual impairment to treatment behaviour and benefit. Consideration of these issues resulted in the following conclusions. There is a substantial minority of alcoholics who do not manifest impairment on any given cognitive test. Variability of findings with different samples of alcoholics may be, in part, a function of family history of alcoholism and/or severity of alcoholism. Verbal and rote learning functions are less sensitive to alcohol abuse than non‐verbal, or complex verbal, abstracting/problem‐solving skills. Alcoholics' impersonal and interpersonal problem‐solving abilities are both impaired but appear to be uncorrelated. Impairment in cognitive‐perceptual functioning in alcoholics does predict therapists' ratings of treatment behaviour and benefit.
Can brain lesions occur in experimental animals by administration of ethanol or acetaldehyde?
Authors: Phillips Stephen C
Published: August 2010

In a series of experimental studies involving ethanol vapour administration to rats, sustained blood alcohol levels in the range 89–115 mM for nine hours of each day over a two week period did not lead to neural degeneration detactable with either light or electron microscopy. A single nine hours exposure to ethanol and disulfiram giving rise to 20–41 mM alcohol and 52–76 μM acetaldehyde in the blood did lead to degeneration; and that with repeated exposures of this later type, the damage was found to be accumulative. The lowest levels of blood acetaldehyde which led to neural degeneration in the present study were not distant from clinically observed levels.
Cardiovascular risk factors in a sample of a rural Belgian population: The Bellux MONICA Study
Authors: BROHET C. , JANSSENS D. , BECK D. , HANNUT R. , KULBERTUS H. , LAVENNE F. , LEFEBVRE P.J. , RORIVE G. , JEANJEAN M.F.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. A sample of 1949 subjects of the population of the Belgian province of Luxembourg was screened for levels of cardiovascular risk factors. Cigarette smoking was more prevalent among males (51 %) than among females (17 %). The relationship between smoking and socio‐economic status was inverse in males (M) and direct in females (F). Blood pressure (BP) measurements showed definite high BP in 10 % of this sample, and 60 % of those with definite high BP were not taking any hypertensive drugs. The average total cholesterol value was 6.49 mmol/L in M and 6.45 mmol/L in F. F had lower values than M at a younger age, but higher values than M at an older age. The high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol was higher in F (1.57 mmol/L) than in M (1.27 mmol/L). Diabetes was present in 4.2 % of this sample. In nearly half of these participants, the disease had been discovered during the screening. Obesity was especially frequent among F in all three age groups.

In conclusion, the main cardiovascular risk factors were found to be at a fairly high level in this population sample.
Lipo‐ and Apolipoproteins in a Population Survey Subset in MONICA‐Israel
Authors: BRUNNER D. , SLUTZKY G.M. , WEISBORT J. , SCHWARTZ S. , LINGEL R.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT. Lipo‐ and apolipoproteins in a population survey subset in MONICA‐Israel.

A group of 169 healthy men and women selected at random from the population survey of the MONICA‐Israel Project were screened for baseline values of serum lipoproteins and apolipoprotein A‐I and B concentrations. The apolipoprotein measurements were obtained using a recently developed immunoturbidimetric assay. The study population was subdivided into age groups of 25–44 years and 45–64 years. It was found that women aged 45–64 years had significantly higher levels of apolipoprotein A‐I, apolipoprotein B, total cholesterol (TC), LDL cholesterol (LDL‐c) and a lower ratio of HDL‐cholesterol (HDL‐c) to TC (HDL‐c%) than did their younger counterparts. These parameters did not differ significantly between younger and older men. The results suggest that the HDL of women over the age of 45 years contains relatively less cholesterol and more protein than the HDL of younger women. Further studies will show to what degree apolipoprotein concentrations, and their relation to lipoproteins will sharpen the assessment of coronary risk.
Exercise Test in Patients with Sarcoidosis
Authors: THUNELL MARTIN , BJERLE PER , KARP KJELL , STJERNBERG NILS
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT The study population comprises 28 patients with sarcoidosis who all had repolarization disturbances in their exercise ECGs. None of the patients had hypertension or known cardiovascular disease, and all but two were non‐smokers. The mean age was 45 years. Exercise test with β‐adrenergic blockade was performed within one month of the first examination. Persisting abnormal ST‐T changes in exercise ECGs after β‐blockade were seen in 12 (43%) patients. No significant relationship was found between persisting ST‐T changes and age, sex, chest X‐ray stage, lung function or working capacity. In an earlier study, we found ST‐T abnormalities in exercise ECG in 56 of 127 individuals (44%) in a consecutive 5‐year study of patients with newly detected sarcoidosis. From this and the present report we postulate that, in our region, as much as 20% of the patients with newly detected sarcoidosis might have organic myocardial disease, possibly of sarcoid origin, as shown by repolarization disturbances in exercise ECG. If ECG abnormalities in the ST‐T region are present in patients with sarcoidosis, exercise ECG with β‐blockade is a simple way of establishing suspicion of organic myocardial lesions. If exercise ECG abnormalities in the ST‐T region persist after β‐blockade, careful clinical follow‐up is recommended, and, in some patients early steroid therapy should be considered.
Positive Coombs' Test Associated with Ulcerative Colitis
Authors: POULSEN LENE O. , FREUND LEIF , LYLLOFF KIRSTEN , GRUNNET NIELS
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT Among 112 patients with ulcerative colitis (UC), a positive Coombs' test was detected in two cases. The immunoglobulins were IgG and no complement could be detected on the red cells. None of the two patients showed laboratory evidence of hemolysis, although reduced red cell survival was suspected in one patient with a 6‐year history of UC, previous autoimmune hemolytic anemia and a positive in vitro monocyte‐macrophage phagocytosis test. The HLA‐antigens in the two patients were different except for the common antigen HLA‐A1.
Non‐caseating Granulomas in Patients with Hematologic Malignancies
Authors: TANGEN JON‐MAGNUS , NæSS ARE , AASEN TOR , MORILD INGE
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT Sarcoidosis or sarcoid‐like lesions occurred in three patients with hematologic malignancies. In one patient, an overlap syndrome sarcoidosis/polycythemia vera was the most probable diagnosis. In the other two cases, the granulomas were probably secondary to myelofibrosis and Waldenström's disease, respectively. Recent epidemiological studies have failed to show a causal relationship between sarcoidosis and malignancy. The coexistence of sarcoidosis and malignancy is probably fortuitous, but non‐caseating granulomas may occur secondary to malignant diseases.
Separate and Combined Effects of Smoking and Alcohol Abuse in Middle‐aged Men
Authors: ROSENGREN ANNIKA , WILHELMSEN LARS , WEDEL HANS
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT Alcohol abuse is a major predictor of premature death, and also an independent risk factor for coronary death. Alcoholics are often heavy smokers. In a large primary prevention trial in middle‐aged men with 7495 participants, registration data were used to identify subjects with alcohol problems. Smokers had slightly lower blood pressure and were somewhat leaner than non‐smokers, but had slightly higher serum cholesterol levels. Alcohol‐registered subjects also tended to have lower blood pressure levels, and higher serum cholesterol. The relative risk of non‐fatal myocardial infarction during the follow‐up period of 11.8 years was essentially doubled in smokers compared to non‐smokers, regardless of registration for alcohol problems. Among the non‐alcoholic subjects, the relative risk of coronary death in smokers was double that of non‐smokers, whereas the risk in non‐smoking alcoholic subjects was not significantly increased. In smoking alcoholics the relative risk was substantially raised to 4.2 (3.0–7.0; 95% c.i.). In multivariate analysis both smoking and alcohol abuse were independently associated with coronary death. A possible mechanism might be through a combination of tobacco‐induced coronary arteriosclerosis and the cardiotoxic effects of alcohol. As to total mortality, a smoking non‐alcoholic man had a relative risk of dying almost double that of a non‐alcoholic non‐smoker. Among non‐smoking alcoholics the risk was three times and, in smoking alcoholics over four times that of the non‐alcoholic non‐smokers.
Additive Effects of Moderate Dietary Salt Reduction and Captopril in Hypertension
Authors: KRISTINSSON ARNI , HARDARSON THORDUR , PALSSON KJARTAN , PETURSSON MAGNUS KARL , SNORRASON SNORRI P. , THORGEIRSSON GUDMUNDUR
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT In a randomized, cross‐over study 27 patients had diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 96 mmHg during four visits without treatment. Following captopril 25 mg b.i.d. nine patients' blood pressure was ≤ 90 mmHg. The remaining 18 were randomized into two treatment modalities, captopril and moderate dietary salt reduction, and captopril and hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily. Following a wash‐out period the groups crossed over to the alternative treatment. At the end of the control period the average blood pressure was 151/100 ± 12/6 mmHg recumbent and 140/91 ± 11/7 standing, following captopril 144/94 ± 13/5 and 132/92 ± 12/6, respectively, with low salt diet addded to captopril 140/91 ± 12/6 and 128/89 ± 11/6 and with hydrochlorothiazide and captopril 133/86 ± 12/7 and 120/84 ± 11/7 mmHg supine and erect, respectively. It is concluded that moderate dietary salt reduction, which is easily advised, will significantly potentiate the blood pressure fall following captopril treatment in moderate arterial hypertension.
Autoimmunity Related to IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance
Authors: JØNSSON VIGGO , SCHRØDER HENRIK DAA , JENSEN TROELS STAEHELIN , NOLSØE CHRISTIAN , STIGSBY BENT , TROJABORG WERNER , SVEJGAARD ARNE , HIPPE ERIK
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT In eight of 10 consecutive cases of IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the M‐protein had specificity towards various tissues as estimated by direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies of skin and/or sural nerve biopsies. Five of the cases had neuropathy. In three of them, including two siblings with a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, the IgM was bound to the myelin‐associated glycoprotein (MAG) of peripheral nerves. One had axonal neuropathy with IgM activity against the peri‐ and endoneurium, while another case with post‐infectious neuritis had IgM activity against structures in the endoneurium but no IgM autoimmunity in the direct fluorescence test. The latter improved clinically in parallel with a decrease in the M‐protein indicating a pathogenetic role of the autoantibody. In three other cases, the IgM was bound to connective tissue structures, two of them also had plasma antibodies against the peri‐ and endoneurium in the indirect fluorescence test. Finally, two cases showed no reaction of the M‐protein against any tissue structures. Since an autoimmune pathogenesis is suspected, the HLA types of seven patients are reported.
Hemoglobin A1c Self‐recording in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus: A Pilot Study
Authors: JERNTORP PETER , JEPPSSON JAN‐OLOF , SUNDKVIST GÖRAN
Published: August 2010

HbA1c evaluates glycemic control 3–6 weeks retrospectively. To achieve improvements in glycemic control we have tested a patient‐administered HbA1c control program in 12 (11 type I) diabetic patients. In the program, HbA1c was estimated once a month for 12 months and the results were mailed to the patient who recorded them in a specially designed HbA1c chart. The results in the probands were compared with 24 matched (22 type I) diabetic patients. The results showed that HbA1c fell significantly (p<0.01) during the year in the probands, from 8.84±1.12% to 7.48±0.95%, and was unchanged in the controls (8.41 ±1.78% and 8.17±1.74%, respectively). Accordingly, HbA1c self‐recording improves glycemic control in diabetic patients.
Skeletal Muscle Adaptations to Physical Training in Type II (Non‐insulin‐dependent) Diabetes Mellitus
Authors: ALLENBERG KURT , JOHANSEN KLAUS , SALTIN BENGT
Published: August 2010

Seven middle‐aged men with manifest type II diabetes mellitus underwent an endurance training programme for 10–15 weeks. The maximal aerobic capacity, as well as the endurance capacity, was improved by 10% (p<0.05). The intramuscular glycogen store increased by more than 80% (p<0.05) from 350 μmol/g dw (dry weight), and the activities of citrate synthase and 3‐hydroxy‐acyl‐CoA dehydrogenase increased by more than 50% (p<0.05) and 30% (p<0.05). The activity of glycogen synthase was decreased by approximately 20% (p<0.05), whereas lactate dehydrogenase remained unchanged. Capillaries/fibre and fibre area increased by more than 50% (p<0.05) and 30% (p<0.05) leaving the area of supply constant. Training did not influence fasting blood lipids and glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin, oral glucose tolerance, and insulin response to an oral glucose load measured 72 hours post‐exercise. It is concluded that patients with manifest type II diabetes, as normoglycaemic individuals, adapt to physical training. However, no persistent effect on glucohomeostasis and lipaemia is produced by short‐term training in the diabetic patients.
Substrate Specificity of Plasma Lecithin: Cholesterol Acyltransferase in Abetalipoproteinemia
Authors: HOLMQUIST LEIF , CARLSON LARS A. , LLOYD JUNE K.
Published: August 2010

ABSTRACT The lecithin: cholesterol acyltransferase (LCAT) activity of lipoprotein‐depleted plasma from a patient with abetalipoproteinemia has been assayed in a modified Glomset‐Wright incubation system with three different normal lipoprotein substrates consisting of an authentic mixture of very low (VLDL), low (LDL) and high (HDL) density lipoproteins for the assay of total LCAT activity, HDL to assay a‐LCAT activity and combined VLDL and LDL to assay β‐LCAT activity, respectively. Although reduced to about half the normal control values, both a‐ and β‐LCAT activities were present in the patient's plasma. It has been shown earlier that secretion of LCAT is linked to that of VLDL, but since patients with abetalipoproteinemia cannot form either chylomicrons or VLDL, our results suggest that a secretion of these triglyceride‐rich lipoproteins do not seem to be a prerequisite for a basal secretion of β‐LCAT.
Cardiac Ruptures in Northern Norway
Authors: SOLBERG STEINAR , NORDRUM IVAR , FAUSA DAGFINN , JØRGENSEN LEIF
Published: August 2010

Abstract. In 4649 autopsies performed, in 1972–1985, 824 cases of acute myocardial infarction were found. Of these, 104 (12.6%) had cardiac rupture. Ten cases had rupture of the interventricular septum. The clinical and pathological records were reviewed, and the rupture group was compared with a control group of 100 patients who died from acute myocardial infarction without rupture. Of the patients with rupture, 85% died during the first week after the onset of myocardial infarction; three patients with rupture died suddenly without previous clinical evidence of myocardial infarction. Rupture occurred only in hearts with transmural infarcts, and predominantly in the anteroseptal wall. Patients with rupture had significantly higher blood pressure, fewer previous infarcts, higher frequency of coronary thrombi, less myocardial scar tissue and lower heart weight compared to the control group. There were no significant differences regarding age and sex distribution, physical effort at the symptom debut or death, medication, previous and present diseases other than infarcts, complications or the degree of atherosclerosis in the coronary arteries or aorta.
Significance of Ventricular Ectopic Activity in the Early Recovery Phase of Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: RASMUSSEN VERNER , PEDERSEN NIELS THORSGAARD , HOUGAARD PHILIP , HANSEN JØRGEN FISCHER
Published: August 2010

Holter monitoring of 51 patients on the 4th to 6th day after acute myocardial infarction (AMI) disclosed complex ventricular ectopic beats in 17 (35%), nine of whom (53%) died in the following 26 months. Of the remaining patients with no or only non‐complex ectopic beats, five (15%) died. The difference was significant using Gehan's test of censored data (p<0.01). Multivariate analysis demonstrated a significant increase of death risk associated with complex ventricular ectopic beats as well as with heart failure (relative risk 3.6 and 5.9, respectively). Age, gender, number of ventricular ectopic beats, cardiac enlargement on X‐ray and angina pectoris had no significant effect on mortality. The prevalence of ventricular ectopy was 84% (n=43) irrespective of age and sex and equal to the finding in the late hospital phase reported by other investigators, and in healthy subjects. Complex ventricular ectopic beats appeared in 35% (n= 17). The prevalence increased significantly with age and was significantly higher in post‐infarction patients (38%) than in healthy individuals (8%). The present results indicate that a subgroup containing most of the high‐risk patients may be identified early after AMI by detecting complex premature ventricular beats in continuous electrocardiographic recordings.
Decreased 45Calcium Uptake in Red Cells of Patients with Essential Hypertension
Authors: RONQUIST GUNNAR , FRITHZ GÖRAN
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Decreased 45calcium uptake was observed in red cells of 20 patients with essential hypertension. Equilibration of extracellular 45calcium with intracellular calcium was not achieved within 60 min in red cells of either hypertensive patients or control subjects. By introducing the ionophore A23187, equilibrium conditions were attained for red cells of both categories of individuals. Still the discrepancy in 45calcium uptake was preserved between them. These results support the view that red cells of hypertensive patients have an altered membrane permeability to calcium, possibly reflecting also a greater exchangeable pool of cytosolic free calcium.
Intravenous Thrombolytic Treatment for Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: GOLF SVEIN , VOGT PIERRE , KAUFMANN URS , SIGWART ULRICH , KAPPENBERGER LUKAS
Published: August 2010

Abstract. Intravenous thrombolytic treatment (streptokinase or anisoylated plasminogen streptokinase activator complex (APSAC) was given to 50 consecutive patients within 3 hours after onset of symptoms of acute myocardial infarction. Left heart catheterisation with coronary angiography and simultaneous double view left ventriculography were performed approximately 4 hours after start of thrombolytic treatment. This examination showed that the acute infarct‐related coronary artery was open in 36 patients (72%) and closed in 14 patients (28%). A higher left ventricular ejection fraction was found among patients with open, than among patients with closed infarct‐related artery (58.8% vs. 48.4%, p=0.05). The group with open artery also had a lower score of regional left ventricular dysfunction (1.7 vs. 2.4, p<0.05, on a scale from 0–3). Single, double and triple vessel coronary heart disease was found in 22, 14 and 13 patients respectively. Mean age was lower in the group with single vessel disease as compared to double and triple vessel disease (48.4 years vs. 53.4 and 55.4 years, p<0.05 and p<0.005). Independently of whether the infarct‐related artery was open or closed, there tended to be an inverse correlation between number of diseased vessels and preservation of left ventricular function (statistical significance only for single vessel versus triple vessel disease with respect to score of regional left ventricular dysfunction, 1.8 vs. 2.4, p<0.05). These findings suggest that early thrombolytic treatment within 3 hours of onset of symptoms may preserve myocardial tissue during the evolution of acute infarction. Furthermore, a presumably better collateralisation from adjacent coronary arteries without stenoses may be important for myocardial preservation. Finally, early angiographic examination can be performed safely and is a good support for determination of further treatment, which in the actual patients was coronary bypass surgery in 8 cases, transluminal angioplasty, PTCA, in 20 cases, and medical treatment alone in 22 cases.
Incidence and Diagnosis of Acute Rheumatic Fever in Denmark, 1980 and 1983
Authors: HOFFMANN STEEN , HENRICHSEN JØRGEN , SCHMIDT KIRSTEN
Published: August 2010

Abstract. A review of 1547 official hospital record summaries concerning discharges during the period 1980 through 1983 of patients whose diagnoses had been coded as acute rheumatic fever revealed that in only 61% of the cases had this illness been diagnosed or suspected. A substantial proportion of the remaining patients had had acute non‐rheumatic pericarditis diagnosed. The medical records were analyzed for 141 patients diagnosed in 1980 or 1983 by hospital departments as having acute rheumatic fever with regard to the revised Jones criteria. They were fulfilled in 47 patients, 23 of whom were considered unlikely cases of rheumatic fever. Eight patients were considered possible cases, although they did not fulfill the revised Jones criteria. The current annual incidence of acute rheumatic fever was estimated to be at most 0.3 per 100000 inhabitants.
Ferox trout, Salmo trutta L., and chair,*Salvelinm alpinus (L.), in Scottish lochs
Authors: Campbell R. N.
Published: August 2010

Although the ferox of Scottish Highland lochs (lakes) have long captured the interest of both laymen and scientists, no previous investigation of their biology or ecology has been undertaken. This paper is based on 141 ferox from 22 lochs collected during the last 22 years and the results from a recent investigation into their status and distribution. When the features of their environment and the distribution of what is apparently their main food source, the arctic charr, were investigated, two essential conditions governing the occurrence of ferox emerged and a third appeared to be important: (i) oligotrophic waters; (ii) the presence of charr and (iii) a large loch (over 100 ha in extent). Typically, ferox grow slowly during the first third of life but on reaching what may be a critical length enter into a phase of rapid growth and may eventually reach a size and age very much greater than that of the individuals in the normal trout population from which they arise. This pattern of growth contrasts markedy with that of large, fast growing brown trout from eutrophic waters in Scotland which do not reach the same extremes of age or size.
Biometric variations in Solea vulgaris acclimatized in Lake Quarun, Upper Egypt
Authors: Ezzat A. A. , Hashem M. T. , El Gharabawy M. M.
Published: August 2010

A population of Solea vulgaris was transplanted in 1938 from the Mediterranean to a land locked brackish lake. In 1977, the morphology of these fishes was investigated and a number of measurements made and compared with those of fish caught in the Mediterranean. Among these variations was less vertebrae and fewer dorsal fin rays in the lake soles.
The length weight relationship, age, growth and reproduction of the roach Rutilus rutilus (L.) in Lake Volvi
Authors: Papageorgiou N. K.
Published: August 2010

The length‐weight relationship of a sample of 233 roach (Rutilus rutilus) can be described by the following equations: y=0·0356x3·405 and y=0·0215 ×3·606 for males and females respectively. In both equations y equals the body weight in grams and × is the standard length in centimetres. The average condition factor K was 2·01 with a range of 1·71 to 2·26. The roach's span of life was 13 years for both sexes. The growth increment is greater during the first year of life (about 56 mm), decreasing to approximately 17 mm at the end of the sixth year of life and then becoming constant at about 12 mm per year. Roach become sexually mature at age 1 + for males and one year later for females. The mean absolute fecundity was 9294 eggs; with a range from 920 to 32 810. The growth of the gonads is related to the age of the fish. Spawning occurs during the first half of April, at a mean water temperature of 10° C.
Gastric evacuation in plaice, Pleuronectes platessa L.: effects of temperature and meal size
Authors: Jobling M. , Davies P. Spencer
Published: August 2010

The pattern of gastric evacuation in the plaice can be described by a single curve of curvilinear form, relating the amount of food remaining in the stomach and the post‐prandial time. This curve can be transformed to linear form, conforming to a volume dependent model of evacuation. This allows the calculation of the time for complete evacuation of the stomach. The shape of the gastric evacuation curve is unchanged by the size of the meal fed. With increase in temperature however, the form of the curve does change, resulting in shorter times for complete evacuation.
Occurrence of an intersex condition in the roach Rutilus rutilus (L)
Authors: Jafri S. I. H. , Ensor D. M.
Published: August 2010

The roach, Rutilus rutilus, is normally a dioecius species. During an experimental study of reproduction in this species, a condition of apparently functional intersex was discovered. Anatomically the gonad was a testis, exhibiting various normal stages of spermatogenesis. A group of oocytes was found during the microscopical examination of the gonad, interspersed between lobules of normal testicular tissue. A few small oocytes were found to be in the chromatin‐nucleolus stage, while the rest were in the perinucleolus stage. In addition, some large oocytes with an average diameter of 40 μm were randomly distributed among the lobules of the testis.
Food consumption by tropical and temperate fish populations: some generalizations
Authors: Pauly D.
Published: August 2010

Published estimates of ration and/or food conversion efficiency of various size groups of fishes from 75 different stocks belonging to 56 tropical and temperate species were standardized and re‐expressed as annual fish food consumption (Q) per unit biomass of the age‐structured population (B). Although derived from extremely heterogeneous sources, these estimates of Q/B show surprisingly regular patterns. These allow confirmation of some earlier hypotheses, e.g. that Q/B increases with water temperature and decreases with asymptotic weight. More interestingly, it is shown that the aspect ratio of the caudal fin of fishes that use the carangiform and related swimming modes (i.e. subcarangiform and thunniform) correlates closely with Q/B, when other factors are accounted for. A brief discussion of some implications of these and related results is provided.
The movement of cod and haddock larvae onto the shoals of Georges Bank
Authors: Lough R. G. , Bolz G. R.
Published: August 2010

Larval haddock and cod spawned on northeastern Georges Bank during spring have continuous recruitment to the shoal central part of the bank (< 55 m) as they develop and are advected along the southern flank in a sheared flow field. Larval age distribution data from an intensive grid of sampling stations across the flank in spring of 1981 and 1983 show a consistent cross‐shelf age gradient, with older larvae found nearer the shoals. The estimated average shoalward movement of larvae is 0.65 cm s−1, which is consistent with both estimated dispersion rates and observed and predicted near bottom cross‐isobath currents of < 1‐2 cm s−1. The retention of larvae on the shoals of Georges Bank appears to be enhanced by their residing nearer to the bottom in waters shallower than 70 m, but the degree to which their swimming behaviour interacts with currents remains uncertain.
The critical‐period concept for juvenile survival and its relevance for population regulation in young sea trout, Salmo trutta
Authors: Elliott J. M.
Published: August 2010

An example of density‐dependent regulation is provided by a long‐term investigation (1966‐present) of a population of migratory trout (estuarine and sea trout), Salmo trutta L., in a Lake District stream. Evidence for the concept of a critical period for the survival of young fish is briefly reviewed and found to be rather equivocal. The concept is, however, relevant to the trout population. Loss rates were high before but low after a critical survival time (tc days after fry emergence) that varied between year‐classes (range 33‐70 days) and was inversely density‐dependent on egg density. Survivor density and loss rates were strongly density‐dependent on egg density before tc, but proportionate survival with stable loss‐rates occurred after tc. Some trout established feeding territories soon after emergence and the number of fish without territories decreased from a high initial value to a negligible value at tc. Fish size at tc was not constant but increased as tc increased. The range of tc for the different year‐classes was similar to that for survival times of unfed fry in the laboratory. A new stock‐recruitment model, incorporating tc, has been developed for the trout population and shown to be related to the model (Ricker curve) used in the long‐term study. The critical time can also be regarded as the critical age for survival in young trout; this concept may be relevant to other fish species.
Genetic variation at the Me‐2 locus in the Atlantic salmon within and between rivers: evidence for its selective maintenance
Authors: Verspoor E. , Jordan W. C.
Published: August 2010

Spatial variation at the diallelic Me‐2 locus in the Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., was analysed using data from 95 river basins. Gene diversity was apportioned as follows: 63% within samples, 20% between North America and Europe, 14% between regions within continents and 3% within and among rivers within regions. On both continents the variation between rivers was clinal with latitude and highly correlated with summer temperatures. The correlation was detectable within and between rivers. These correlations strongly suggest that variation at the locus is subject to the direct or indirect effects of natural selection, and that caution is required when interpreting between‐location differentiation at the locus as evidence for distinct stocks.
Segregation in spawning and early life history among polymorphic Arctic charr, Salvelinus alpinus, in Thingvallavatn, Iceland
Authors: Skúlason S. , Snorrason S. S. , Noakes D. L. G. , Ferguson M. M. , Malmquist H. J.
Published: August 2010

The relationships among time of spawning, incubation temperature, timing of first feeding and early growth were examined in four sympatric morphs of Arctic charr in Thingvallavatn, Iceland. Large benthivorous charr spawn in July‐August at sites with cold ground‐water flow. Planktivorous and piscivorous charr spawn in September‐November and are not confined to ground‐water sites. The spawning of small benthivorous charr overlaps with that of other morphs. Progeny of large benthivorous charr start feeding 2‐3 months earlier than the progeny of autumn spawners. This results in differential size distribution and growth rates of young in the spring.
Predicting resource utilization: the utility of optimal foraging models
Authors: Hart P. J. B.
Published: August 2010

Predicting how predation changes communities is an important challenge for ecologists. One view assumes that predictions can be made in terms of behavioural phenomena. Static optimality methods have been used to devise models of prey choice and are thought to have performed well. Two examples from the literature show that models of diet choice have either been applied without first testing them at the individual level, or have been tested in a way that does not fulfil all their assumptions. A discussion of the nature of mathematical models shows why it is dangerous to translate theories into natural language and how important it is to appreciate the limitations on the mathematical functions describing behaviour. A final section discusses behavioural phenomena such as satiation and learning, which are likely to limit the predictive capacities of static optimization models. It is likely that dynamic models are the way forward although they may be harder to apply at the ecological level.
Genetic variability and components of fitness in hatchery strains of rainbow trout
Authors: Danzmann R. G. , Ferguson M. M. , Allendorf F. W.
Published: August 2010

Two fitness components, development rate and egg size, were examined in six hatchery strains of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (syn. Salmo gairdneri Richardson), with different amounts of enzyme heterozygosity. The average expected heterozygosities per strain ranged from 4 to 8%, based upon an electrophoretic analysis of the protein products of 42 loci. Strains with higher heterozygosities had faster development rates, as measured by hatching time, than strains with lower heterozygosity. Concordance between hatching time and another measure of development rate, degree of yolk‐sac resorption, suggests that hatching time is a valid measure of embryonic development rate in salmonid fishes. Earlier‐hatching embryos were longer and heavier at the time of yolk‐sac resorption than later‐hatching fish. Females from more‐heterozygous strains also had a tendency to have larger eggs. These data suggest that genetic variation is an important biological resource to be conserved in hatchery stocks.
Niche separation in Ambassis (Pisces: Perciformes) species co‐existing in estuaries of south‐east Africa
Authors: Martin T. J.
Published: August 2010

Ambassidae in the estuaries of south‐east Africa are represented by three species which belong to the same trophic level and are similar in external appearance and feeding ecology. Investigations of osmoregulatory capabilities, salinity tolerances and temperature tolerances showed that, under local estuarine conditions, Ambassis productus is a euryhaline species with the ability to maintain a stable internal osmotic concentration in salinities less than 10%o. A. gymnocephalus is essentially stenohaline and is able to maintain internal stability only in salinities greater than 28%o. A. natalensis is moderately euryhaline and is incapable of maintaining a constant blood osmolality in salinities above 30%o and below about 7%o. Feeding ecology studies show that all three species feed mainly on zooplankton, but when physical conditions in estuaries allow overlap in the distribution of two or more species, certain mechanisms increase separation. A. productus feeds mainly on suspended and benthic organisms during the night and early morning, whereas A. natalensis feeds mainly during the day and early evening on insects at the water surface. A. gymnocephalus excludes insects from its diet and preys almost exclusively on zooplankton in the water column.
A thermal denaturation study of the genomic DNAs from the North American genera of the fish family Percidae
Authors: Turner T. F. , Ahlquist J. E. , White M. M.
Published: August 2010

The genomic DNAs of 1 1 species of percid fishes representing the five recognized North American genera are characterized using data from thermal denaturation assays. Base compositions were estimated from the transitional melting temperature of native and sonicated DNA and expressed as per cent guanine‐cytosine (%GC) values. Among genera, %GC values for native DNAs (c, 23,000 base pairs in length) range between 38.3% GC for yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), to 43.2% GC for sauger, Stizostedion cunadense (Smith). Significant variation in %GC values was observed among surveyed genera of the subfamily Percinae, which include Perca, Percinu, Etheostoma and Ammocrypfa. Melting profiles were generated for each species, and distinct GC rich regions were identified within the genomes of walleye, Sfizostcdion virreum (Mitchill) and Etheostoma spp. Compositional heterogeneity (CH) and asymmetry values were calculated from melting profile data. Patterns of variation in genomic characters differed among the genera surveyed. Members of the speciose genus Etheostomu showed relatively little variation in genomic characters, whereas Stizosredion exhibited significant interspecific variation.
Experimental studies on the effect of Gyrodactylus colemanensis and G. salmonis (Monogenea) on density of mucous cells in the epidermis of fry of Oncorhynchus mykiss
Authors: Wells P. R. , Cone D. K.
Published: August 2010

Fry of Oncorliynclius mykiss were experimentally infected with the ectoparasites Gyroducrylus rolenirmensis and Gyroducrylus salnionis (Monogenea) and changes in mucous cell density in the epidermis covering the caudal fin were monitored during an ensuing 42 day epidemic. At 10° C, infections of G. colemanensis rose to a recorded peak of 90 to 1 15 worms on day 27 post‐infection and then declined toward extinction. Intensity of G. salmonis remained low throughout the experiment. Infection produced no clinical signs of disease and did not influence fry growth or survival. However, infected fish did have a 50% reduction in the number of mucous cells in the epidermis of the fin. The changes were first detected on day 24 post‐infection and became increasingly pronounced during the subsequent 1 day period when parasite numbers declined drastically. The study hypothesizes that parasite activity on the surface indirectly leads to reduction in mucous cells through disruption of cell dynamics within the epidermis.
Diel pattern of first downstream post‐emergence displacement in grayling, Thymallus thymallus (L., 1758)
Authors: Bardonnet A. , Gaudin P.
Published: August 2010

The activity rhythm of emerging grayling, Thymallus thymallus, fry was studied under semi‐natural rearing conditions, using special traps buried in the gravel. Emergence was mainly diurnal with a maximum in the first hours of daylight. Fry rested at the emergence site during the daylight and moved downstream at night, particularly during the first 3 hours of darkness. These results are compared with the known activity patterns of other salmonids.
Two size classes of 0+ year perch: is phenotypic plasticity based on food resources?
Authors: Heermann L. , Beeck P. , Borcherding J.
Published: August 2010

Perch Perca fluviatilis of age 0+ years were caught in a gravel pit lake in June (unimodal size distribution) and in July (bimodal size distribution) to analyse morphological differences between the two growth cohorts. Independent of size, 0+ year perch developed a deeper body and perch of the large size cohort had an even deeper body than perch of the small size cohort. This might have been adaptations to either piscivory or planktivory, but might also be a hint that 0+ year perch of the small size cohort were undernourished and that they developed on a different trajectory than individuals of the large size cohort. In a second step the study was extended with a mesocosm experiment. This part of the study was designed to provide preliminary evidence for the extent to which morphological variations may be due to the consumption of different food resources when other factors such as habitat use could be neglected. Two groups of 0+ year perch in four mesocosms were fed for 40 days with the same biomass of either plankton or cyprinids. Although the experimental groups at the end of the experiment did not differ in size, they differed in morphology. The mouth of the piscivorous 0+ year perch became larger, the pectoral fins and the centre of mass of the posterior abdomen were shifted backwards. These results provide further evidence that the type of food is important and might lead to further functional adaptations in morphology.