bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Mentally Abnormal Homicide — A Review of a Special Hospital Male Population
Authors: Vielma M , Vincente B , Hayes G D , Larkin E P , Jenner F A
Published: January 2017

The clinical, criminological and demographic characteristics of a Special Hospital population of male patients convicted of homicide are described. The results confirm much previous work on mentally abnormal homicide. Typically the patients come from a disadvantaged social background with poor employment records, a prior history of aggressive behaviour and a diagnosis of schizophrenia. Victims were usually known to the patient and often came from within his circle of family and friends. Only 25% of the patients were receiving treatment at the time of the offence. These findings are discussed in the light of the current literature.
AIDS: Safety, Regulation and the Law in Procedures Using Blood and Blood Products
Authors: Craven B M , Stewart G T , Khan M
Published: January 2017

The purpose of this paper is to examine issues of regulation of the market for, and use of, blood and blood products. The situation has changed since the discovery of the Human Immune Deficiency Virus (HIV), the presumed cause of AIDS, because it was recognized that some haemophiliacs were infected with HIV from transfused blood and blood products before 1985. When the danger was realized in that year, regulations were introduced internationally to prevent this, but meanwhile some haemophiliacs developed AIDS. In several countries, governments have accepted responsibility, without liability, for possible transmission of infection, and paid compensation to victims. In Prance three health service officials have been convicted of fraud and criminal negligence. In March 1997 a trial began in Japan of three drugs company executives accused of promoting the sale of HIV-contaminated blood products. Since then there has been a class action in the USA resulting in awards. Further issues have arisen with regard to the outcome and treatment of asymptomatic infection with HIV. The implications for public safety, and for medical and legal practice, are far reaching and reveal a need for more effective monitoring of the existing procedures for supply and clinical use of blood and blood products.
Reye's Syndrome
Authors: Larsen Susanne U.
Published: January 2017

Reye's syndrome is a rare disorder appearing almost always in childhood. It is characterized by acute encephalopathy and fatty degeneration of the viscera. The mortality is high and many survivors have neurologic sequelae. A viral illness, particularly varicella or influenza B, usually precedes the syndrome. It has been associated with the use of aspirin during such infections. The number of cases has declined in countries where there has been a public education campaign and aspirin products have been withdrawn from sale. It is suggested that the same campaign is initiated in Denmark.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Young Adults Including Four Cases of SADS: A 10-Year Review from the West of Ireland (1985–1994)
Authors: Bennani Fadel K. , Connolly Charles E.
Published: January 2017

Sudden unexpected death in young adults of 18–35 years accounts for an important subset of deaths in our autopsy population. The case notes and autopsy reports on 44 subjects were analysed during the period 1985–94 at the Department of Histopathology, University College Hospital, Galway to establish the underlying cause of death. Subjects who were involved in road traffic accidents, cases of drowning, and patients with known congenital heart disease, chronic renal failure and malignancy were excluded. We found that a large proportion of sudden deaths in young adults were secondary to epilepsy and chemical/drug poisoning, accounting for 34 per cent and 31.8 per cent respectively. Sudden adult death syndrome (SADS) accounted for 9 per cent of the study population. Detailed case history, meticulous post-mortem examination and complete toxicological screening are recommended to arrive at the underlying cause of death.
2. Unusual Post-Mortem Autolytic Change in the Liver: Wavy Transformation of Hepatocytes
Authors: Yamamoto Keiichi , Yamamoto Yoshiko , Matsumoto Hiroshi , Hayase Tamaki , Ojima Kazuya , Matsubayashi Keiko , Abiru Hitoshi , Kazuko Kondo
Published: January 2017

An unusual morphologic change noted in the liver of a 21-year-old male who committed suicide by taking dimenhydrinate is described. The post-mortem interval was two days. Microscopically, there were no marked ante-mortem pathologic changes. In addition to the usual post-mortem autolytic changes, such as disappearance of the hepatic cords and shrinkage of the hepatocytes, conspicuous wavy transformation of the hepatocytes, which has apparently never been reported before, was observed. This change could not be identified as an artifact, and it was assessed to be a type of autolysis.
3. Significant Coincidental Findings at Autopsy in Accidental Childhood Death
Authors: Byard Roger W
Published: January 2017

Three cases of unexpected childhood death are presented in which significant potentially life-threatening lesions were identified that were considered coincidental to the cause of death. Two children died of accidental asphyxia and one died of potassium fluoride poisoning. Abnormalities identified at autopsy included established myocarditis (two cases) and cardiac rhabdomyomas (one case). In one case a previously unsuspected abnormal familial karyotype was found.

These cases emphasize the value of complete autopsy investigations in all types of sudden childhood death, even when the cause of death appears obvious; they also demonstrate that potentially lethal organic disease may be asymptomatic in childhood and unrelated to death.
4. Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Dysplasia (ARVD): An Overlooked and Underdiagnosed Condition?
Authors: Coumbe A , Perez-Martinez A L , Fegan A W , Hill I R
Published: January 2017

We present three cases of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia causing or contributing to sudden death. These cases serve to highlight the range of clinical presentations and histological features seen in this rare and poorly understood condition.
Human–Human Handover Tasks and How Distance and Object Mass Matter
Authors: Hansen Clint , Arambel Paula , Ben Mansour Khalil , Perdereau Véronique , Marin Frédéric
Published: January 2017

We investigated the coordination between two individuals during object handovers. Ten participants (eight males, two females; 26.0 ± 5.0 years, 72.7 ± 13.5 kg, 1.73 ± 0.8 m) arranged in pairs (a giver and a receiver), passed an object from the giver to the receiver at a self-selected speed. A motion capture system quantified the giver and the receiver’s motion simultaneously. Three interpersonal distances and three object masses were chosen to study the handover. We hypothesized that (a) the handover occurs at half of the interpersonal distance between the giver and receiver and (b) the handover height depends on the objects’ mass. Taken together, our results show that the handover strongly depends on the interpersonal distance between the giver and receiver, while object mass related only to handover duration.
Effect of Gum Chewing Frequency on Oxygenation of the Prefrontal Cortex
Authors: Yokoyama Tomomi , Sato Megumi , Natsui Saya , Kuboyama Naomi , Suzuki Kasumi , Inaba Hiromi , Shibuya Kenichi
Published: January 2017

Since increased cerebral oxygenation reflects cerebral activation, this study investigated the effect of mastication frequency on prefrontal cortex oxygenation. Eleven young volunteers (nine women, two men; M age = 20.9 years, SD = 0.9) carried out three trials in which they were asked to chew a tasteless gum for 3 min at varying (rates of mastication frequency: 30, 70, and 110). Breaks of 2 min each were interleaved between trials. The oxygenation of the left prefrontal cortex was monitored by near-infrared spectroscopy. We found a significant increase in cortical oxygenation during gum chewing in all three conditions ( p < .05), compared with a resting level; we also found a significant difference between the Fast and Slow chewing conditions, and between the Fast and Normal (70 rpm) conditions, both findings seemingly related to activation of a motor command in frontal brain regions. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the effect of mastication frequency on cerebral oxygenation. Possible implications of this finding are discussed.
Quality of Life in Parkinson's Disease: Movement Disorders Clinic vs General Medical Clinic - A Comparative Study
Authors: Rochow S B , Blackwell A D , Brown VJ
Published: January 2017

Objectives: to determine the effect of attending a movement disorders (MD) clinic on quality of life (QOL) outcomes for patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Methods: Postal questionnaire study of forty-two patients with Parkinson's disease attending either a movement disorders clinic or more conventional general medical clinic were selected consecutively to complete the Parkinson's Disease Quality of Life Questionnaire (PDQL). All patients were diagnosed by a consultant physician with an interest in Parkinson's disease (S.B.R.) and had attended either the movement disorders clinic or the general medical clinic on at least three occasions. Questionnaires were completed independently of the examiners and returned by post. Results: Mean PDQL score was 124.1 [5.16] in the movement disorders clinic and 95.9 [5.86] in the general medical clinic. Analysis of covariance revealed that those subjects attending the MD clinic reported a significantly higher QOL than those subjects in general medical care (F(1,39)= 161.98, P<0.001). Conclusion: These data indicate that the quality of life of respondents attending the movement disorders clinic is significantly higher than those attending the general medical clinic.
Surgical Treatment of In-Growing Toenails Performed by Senior House Officers: Are They Good Enough?
Authors: Lau Y S , Yeung J M C
Published: January 2017

Background: Although the surgical treatment of in-growing toenails is a common procedure, the success of ingrown toenail surgery is extremely variable and recurrences frequently impair the quality of life of those who have this condition. In most hospitals this procedure is commonly performed by junior surgical trainees who may have little experience. Aim: We proposed to find out if the success of this procedure is operator-dependent by comparing the results of standard of toenail surgery performed by basic surgical trainees (BSTs) in our hospitals with already published data. Methods: A retrospective analysis of nail bed ablation surgery performed by BSTs under local anaesthesia over a 15-month period in a district general hospital was conducted. Results: 106 phenol ablations and 46 germinal matrix excisions were performed. Symptomatic recurrence rates 1 2 months following the procedure were 5.7% for phenol ablation and 4.3% for germinal matrix excisions. Conclusion: Our results are comparable to published data, and we conclude that toenail ablation surgery can be just as successfully performed by junior surgeons after relatively little training in the procedure.
Weight Loss and Fatigue in an Elderly Patient
Authors: Waring WS , McKnight J A
Published: January 2017

We report a recent clinical case of an elderly patient who presented with weight loss and fatigue and who was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism. Some time later, he was discovered to have underlying oesophageal lymphoma. The latter diagnosis was believed to contribute, at least in part, to his symptoms at the time of initial presentation. The case illustrates the potential difficulties associated with establishing the diagnosis of oesophageal lymphoma. Furthermore, symptoms of weight loss and fatigue are commonly encountered in general medical patients. This case reminded us that even when a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism has been established, these symptoms may be attributable to other pathology.
Primary Hyperparathyroidsm, Amyloid and Multiple Myeloma: An Unusual Association
Authors: Pest E P , McQuaker C , Hunter J A , Moffat D , Stanley A J
Published: January 2017

We report the case of a 76 year-old woman with a diagnosis of Primary Hyperparathyroidsm and Systemic Amyloidosis, in whom subsequent investigations revealed the presence of Multiple Myeloma. We discuss the relationship between these conditions and the implications for management.
Hyaline Membrane and Neonatal Radiology -Ian Donald's First Venture into Imaging Research
Authors: Nicolson M , Fleming J , Spencer I
Published: January 2017

While he was working at the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, Ian Donald (later Regius Professor of Midwifery, University of Glasgow and a pioneer of diagnostic ultrasound) collaborated with Albert Claireaux and Robert Steiner on histological and radiological studies of hyaline membrane disease. In 1953, Donald and Steiner published the first radiological study of a series of cases. The success of this research stimulated Donald's interest in imaging technologies.
Neuropathies in the Rheumatoid Patient: A Case of the Heavy Hand
Authors: Dani K , Ramachandran R , Capell H A , Madhok R
Published: January 2017

Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is a common inflammatory arthritis' with pain and loss of function among its most disabling symptoms. These are mostly secondary to inflammation or mechanical damage to the joints. However it is also important to consider disease complications as a cause of symptoms, especially when the response to treatment is suboptimal. We report an RA patient whose symptoms were resistant to standard therapy, and were actually due to peripheral neuropathy.
Toxic Alcohol but not Intoxicated-A Case Report
Authors: Symington L. , Jackson L. , Klaassen B.
Published: January 2017

Ethylene glycol is recognised as a potentially lethal poison if ingested. Approximately 100mls may be fatal in a 70kg adult. Current Toxbase guidelines are the accepted standard of treatment of such poisonings in the United Kingdom. These guidelines suggest that symptoms of significant poisoning are usually present within 30 minutes of ingestion i.e. ataxia, dysarthria, nystagmus, nausea and vomiting, haematemesis, coma and convulsions. In the absence of these symptoms, metabolic acidosis or ethylene glycol concentration more than 8mmol/l a single loading dose of ethanol and observation were the recommended course of management until recently. We report a case of a patient who remained relatively asymptomatic for almost 24 hours but then developed clinical symptoms with marked metabolic acidosis and renal impairment requiring intensive treatment including haemodialysis.
Impaired Response to Iron Dextran Infusion Due to Latent Vitamin B12 Deficiency without Achlorhydria
Authors: Boyd J. J. , Bonnar John , Payne R. W.
Published: January 2017

A case of severe iron-deficiency anaemia as a result of intractable menorrhagia is described. Following treatment with an iron dextran infusion, an impaired haematological response occurred; this was shown to be the result of vitamin B12 deficiency despite the presence of abundant free hydrochloric acid in the gastric juice. The severe anaemia (3.5 g. %) was corrected within 5 weeks by one iron dextran infusion and vitamin B12 therapy prior to hysterectomy.
Psychopathology in Bronchial Asthmatic Patients
Authors: Zealley A. K. , Aitken R. C. B. , Rosenthal S. V.
Published: January 2017

A tripartite study of randomly selected adult asthmatics is reported, observations being by means of interview and psychometric tests and psychophysiological examination while breathing both freely and against external resistance. Results from normal and neurotic controls are compared.

At interview, traits of obsessionality, dependency, sensitivity, anxiety and low self-confidence were commoner in asthmatics than normal controls.

In tests of neuroticism, hostility and anxiety, asthmatics consistently lay intermediate between normals and neurotics, though their scores were almost all within the published normal ranges.

Breathing against resistance, only the neurotics failed to hyperventilate: episodic asthmatics hyperventilated the most.

As the patients with the more severe pulmonary disorder (asthma of continuous type) revealed less evidence of neuroticism, it was concluded that psychopathology need not be implicated as the cause of the asthmatic diathesis; it is as likely that the concomitant psychopathology only determines the clinical presentation.
Hypersensitivity
Authors: Turk J. L.
Published: January 2017

Hypersensitivity reactions may be defined as tissue damage occurring in close proximity to an immunological reaction which is primarily designed to cause the rejection of foreign antigen from the tissues. Two types of mechanism are involved. The first is referred to as ‘cell-mediated immunity and the reaction is between antigen and “specifically sensitized lymphocytes’. In this process macromolecular pharmacological agents are released which act on macrophages and cause inflammatory reactions of the delayed hypersensitivity type. The second type of hypersensitivity reactions are those known as immediate hypersensitivity. These reactions are mediated by humoral antibodies which are circulating immunoglobulin molecules. Anaphylactic type reactions are caused by IgE molecules and result in the release of vasoactive amines from tissue mast cells. Arthus reactions and tissue lesions are caused by the deposition of ‘immune complexes’ formed between antigen and other types of immunoglobulins which activate the complement system. Immune complexes are deposited in small blood vessels and cause a necrotizing vasculitis. Glomerulonephritis, arthritis, cutaneous vasculitis, myocarditis and iridocyclitis are now recognized as features of ‘immune complex disease’. Circulating immune complexes in the form of mixed cryoglobulins may give a clue as to the nature of the extrinsic antigen causing the disease, as the association of these states with cryoglobulinaemia has been found to occur in certain infectious conditions.
New Thoughts about the Cause and Treatment of the Severe Ocular Manifestations of Graves' Disease
Authors: McDougall I. R. , Kriss J. P.
Published: January 2017

The ocular manifestations of Graves' disease are probably due to autoimmunity. Thyroglobulin and complexes of thyroglobulin and antithyroglobulin have a predilection to attach to extraocular muscle membranes in vitro. It is suggested that in vivo these molecules are directed, probably via lymphatics, to the orbit where they attach to the muscle cell membranes. B lymphocytes, which have been shown to be capable of combining with both thyroglobulin and complexes, attach on to these molecules. The tissue damage is probably caused by the complexes, the lymphocytes, or both.

Treatment of hyperthyroidism in a patient with ophthalmopathy should be cautious and with antithyroid drugs. This will reduce, though not completely eliminate, the possibility of a post-treatment exacerbation. If for some reason definitive treatment of the hyperthyroidism is essential, worsening of the ophthalmopathy may be prevented by prescribing steroids or immunosuppressive drugs at the time of surgical or radioiodine treatment.

When progressive eye disease has arisen, orbital radiotherapy is a safe effective alternative to high dose corticosteroid treatment or surgical decompression.
Activity of Cephazolin and other Cephalosporins against Bacteroides Fragilis
Authors: Leigh D. A. , Simmons Kate
Published: January 2017

The antibiotic sensitivity of 50 strains of Bacteroides fragilis to four cephalosporin compounds, cephazolin, cephaloridine, cephradine and cephalexin is reported.

Cephazolin was found to be the most active, 94 per cent of strains being susceptible to blood concentrations achieved on standard dosage, comparative findings with cephaloridine and cephradine were about 50 per cent, and only 22 per cent of strains were inhibited by cephalexin.

The importance of infections due to bacteroides is discussed. Although not the treatment of choice, cephazolin, in view of its bacterial activity may be a useful alternative for bacteroides infections but clinical trials are needed to confirm the laboratory results.
Beta-Lactamase Resistance of Cephazolin and other Cephalosporins
Authors: Goodwin C. S. , Hill Joyce P.
Published: January 2017

The turbidities of cultures of bacteria were monitored continuously at 37°C. in a biophotometer. In the early phase of logarithmic growth, at approximately 2 × 107 organisms per ml., antibiotic was added. A strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli) that was ampicillin-resistant, but cephaloridine-sensitive, produced β-lactamase rapidly as shown by the breakdown of a chromogenic cephalosporin. The E. coli was lysed by cephaloridine 15 minutes after the addition of the antibiotic, but, even with a concentration 8-fold greater than the MIC, after 3.5 hours the antibiotic was not detectable in the culture medium and the strain had recommenced logarithmic growth. In the presence of a concentration of cephazolin 4-fold greater than the MIC the E. coli lysed after 30 minutes and did not recommence growth for 6 hours, indicating much slower destruction of the antibiotic, presumably due to the greater β-lactamase resistance of cephazolin. Similar results were obtained with other E. coli and a strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae.
A Comparison of Amitriptyline and a Fluphenazine/Nortriptyline Preparation in Anxiety-Depressive States
Authors: Bennie E. H. , Schiff A. A.
Published: January 2017

Patients suffering from mixed anxiety/depressive reactions, referred to the out-patient department of a large psychiatric hospital, were treated with either amitriptyline tablets or fluphenazine with nortriptyline (f/n) tablets for a period of four weeks. The study utilized a double-blind, completely randomised design, and patients' progress was assessed by means of the Wing Present State Examination, the Wakefield Self-Assessment Depression Inventory, and a side effects inventory.

Both the symptom rating scales showed that purely depressive symptomatology improved significantly in each treatment group, but the patients' self-ratings showed that only f/n produced a significant alleviation of anxiety symptoms and panic attacks. The patients receiving f/n rated themselves as significantly (p >0.05) less irritable, as well as less anxious, after 4 weeks treatment, than those receiving amitriptyline. The PSE schedule did not differentiate between the 2 treatment groups, but self-rating, which is a more sensitive method of eliciting drug effectiveness in patients suffering from mild psychiatric disorders, did demonstrate patient preference for f/n. This should have important implications for compliance with treatment.
Immunotherapy in the Treatment of Cancer
Authors: Roberts J. A.
Published: January 2017

This article is a review of immunotherapy in the treatment of cancer incorporating the history of immunotherapy in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, assessment of the techniques currently in use and of possible future developments.

Although immunotherapy is not established as a therapeutic technique, evidence suggests that the immune response does influence the development of neoplastic cells. A better understanding of the immune response and its control may lead to the production of efficacious immunological treatment of certain cancers.
Classification of ß-Lactamase-Producing Bacteria
Authors: Sutherland R.
Published: January 2017

The resistance of bacteria to β-lactam antibiotics, penicillins or cephalosporins, is usually associated with the production of β-lactamase enzymes which are capable of inactivating these compounds. A number of recent surveys have reported a significant increase in the frequency of isolation of β-lactamase-producing strains of bacteria from infections in general practice in the United Kingdom. A wide variety of bacterial β-lactamases with different properties have been described and it is now recognised that most bacteria produce a chromosomally-mediated β-lactamase which is characteristic of each species. In addition, Gram-negative bacteria may acquire β-lactamases which are mediated by plasmids which are readily transferable by cell to cell contact. Schemes for the classification of bacterial β-lactamases are outlined.
Biochemistry and Action of Clavulanic Acid
Authors: Cole M.
Published: January 2017

The destruction of amoxycillin by β-lactamase action represents an important mechanism of bacterial resistance to the drug. Data is presented to illustrate that clavulanic acid used in the form of its potassium salt inhibits the amoxycillin destroying action of many different types of β-lactamase for example: the staphylococcal enzyme, the clinically important plasmid mediated enzymes of the TEM, SHV, OXA and PSE types and the chromosomally controlled enzymes produced by Proteus mirabilis and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The mechanisms by which clavulanic acid inhibits β-lactamases and potentiates the antibacterial action of amoxycillin are discussed.
Further Experience with Augmentin in the Treatment of Skin Infections
Authors: Millard G.
Published: January 2017

Thirty-two patients with skin infections were treated with Augmentin, a combination of amoxycillin with the β-lactamase inhibitor clavulanic acid. These infections were primary skin sepsis (7), infected eczema (11), infected trauma (10) and leg ulcers (4). The majority of cases were caused by amoxycillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus either alone or in combination with Streptococcus pyogenes.

Thirty patients (94%) responded to treatment with only one withdrawal (for side effects). Side effects were limited to nausea (9%) diarrhoea (9%) and rash (3%). No patient with diarrhoea showed evidence of Clostridium difficile toxin production in the stools.

Augmentin appears to be a safe, useful, effective antibiotic for the treatment of skin infections in general practice and in hospital. It may prove of particular value when mixed infections of penicillin-resistant staphylococci and Streptococcus pyogenes are present.
Asthma Deaths in Scotland 1965–1980
Authors: Wilson J. M. G.
Published: January 2017

From 1965 the fall in asthma mortality in Scotland has parallelled that documented for England and Wales. The high proportion of deaths in young people, and deaths at home, is similar to findings elsewhere.

Mortality is higher in the more rural health areas, which are characterised by poorer access to general medical services, fewer medical consultants to the population, and lower hospital admission rates for asthma. There is a slightly higher proportion of home deaths in these rural areas, though on the available data not reaching the level of significance.

It is suggested that this difference in mortality between the more urban and the more rural areas provides a basis for a case study in detail.
Recent Trends in the Award of Postgraduate Medical Degrees by the University of Aberdeen
Authors: Ogston D. , Richardson I. M.
Published: January 2017

Recent trends in the award of higher medical degrees by the University of Aberdeen are reported. The proportion of graduates proceeding to a higher degree has remained relatively stable over recent decades. The numbers taking the Ch. M. or Ph. D. has increased while the number taking the M. D. has declined. The proportion of M.D.'s awarded with ‘Honours’ has fallen progressively.
A Case of ‘Malignant’ Diverticulitis Associated with Tuberculous Colitis
Authors: McLaren C. A. N.
Published: January 2017

A case of co-existing diverticulitis and tuberculosis of the left side of the colon is presented, the combination resulting in a clinical course identical to so-called ‘malignant’ diverticulitis.
Poliomyelitis in an Adult Male
Authors: MacRury Sandra , Harrower A. D. B. , Bell Eleanor J.
Published: January 2017

Paralytic poliomyelitis is now unusual in developed countries following the success of vaccination programmes. This paper reports a case of piliomyelitis in a patient with incomplete vaccination where the source of infection is unclear.
Headaches, Opiates and Kyphoscoliosis — A Dangerous Mixture
Authors: Umapathy D. , Cormie P.J.
Published: January 2017

Acute respiratory failure is a recognised complication of kyphoscoliosis, but such individuals exhibit a wide range of cardiorespiratory dysfunction ranging from clinically insignificant disease to severe respiratory failure and eventual death.1 We report a 49 year old lady with adolescent kyphoscoliosis who presented to her general practitioner with nocturnal headaches of such severity that opiates were given pending transfer to hospital over a distance of 50 miles. This induced acute respiratory failure for which assisted ventilation was required.
Rhabdomyolysis and Listeria Monocytogenes
Authors: Clark P. , Lough M. , Whiting B.
Published: January 2017

Non-traumatic rhabdomyolysis occurs as a complication of a wide variety of infections and is often discovered as a result of the associated renal failure.1 We report a case of meningitis due to Listeria monocytogenes, an uncommon cause of infection in adults2 which was associated with rhabdomyolysis. This confirms a recent first case report of this association.3
Co-Existing Hyperparathyroidism and Sarcoidosis Presenting with Hypercalcaemia — A Diagnostic Challenge
Authors: Lang C.C. , McEwan S.R. , Ng A.K.
Published: January 2017

We recently encountered two patients with coexistent hyperparathyroidism and sarcoidosis presenting with hypercalcaemia. The association between hypercalcaemic primary hyperparathyroidism and sarcoidosis is reviewed.
Venous Bullet Embolism: A Complication of Airgun Pellet Injuries
Authors: Colquhoun I.W. , Jamieson M.P.G. , Pollock J.C.S.
Published: January 2017

Bullet emboli are an interesting but rare occurrence and their management when situated in the venous system remains controversial. Two cases of venous bullet embolism to the right heart are reported due to airgun pellet injuries. Both cases required bullet embolectomy using cardio-pulmonary bypass.
Sudden Death Associated with Aspiration of an Antibiotic Capsule
Authors: Elder A. T.
Published: January 2017

A case of sudden death, attributed at post mortem to aspiration of an antibiotic capsule into the larynx, is described and the literature alluding to this phenomenon and its treatment briefly reviewed.
Minimal Change Nephropathy in the West of Scotland: A Review of Sixty-Four Patients
Authors: Shilliday I.R. , Simpson K. , Jackson R. , McLay A.L. , Boulton-Jones M.
Published: January 2017

Sixty-four patients with a histological diagnosis of minimal change nephropathy have been followed for a median of 110 months. Patients transferred from paediatric units (11%) had a worse prognosis in that all became frequent relapsers. Patients who relapsed within three months or who went on to become frequent relapsers had a higher 24 hour urine protein excretion at presentation than patients who did not relapse. After fifteen months of remission relapse was rare; 97% of those who relapsed did so within 36 months. Patients who have been off steroids and proteinuria free for 36 months might therefore be considered cured.
The Early Hospital Readmission of Elderly People
Authors: Colledge N.R , Ford M.J.
Published: January 2017

Two hundred and twenty six consecutive patients aged over 75 years discharged following an acute medical admission to a district general hospital were followed up six months later. 46 (20.3%) required emergency admission within three months of discharge. 19 had a diagnosis related to their original admission, and 27 an unrelated diagnosis. The mean time to readmission was 34 days, but this was significantly shorter (21 days) in those with a related diagnosis. Those readmitted had more often required admission in the year prior to their index admission, had more comorbidities, higher use of social services, and no carer. There were no significant differences in age, gender, mental test score, length of stay, home circumstances or diagnosis. The results suggest that most readmissions are due to medical rather than social problems, and that most are unavoidable. Efforts to reduce readmissions should be directed at preventing early medical relapse in at risk patients.
Gonorrhoea in Aberdeen: A Serovar Analysis
Authors: Ross J D C , Downie A , Moyes A , Young H
Published: January 2017

The serotyping of gonococcal isolates has enabled detailed studies of the epidemiology of gonorrhoea in different geographical areas. This study reports the patterns of infection found in 1992 in Aberdeen and relates these to a variety of clinical parameters. 140 cases of gonorrhoea were isolated the majority of which belonged to one strain (lA-2) in contrast to the diversity of strains seen in other Scottish cities. Most isolates were highly sensitive to penicillin and only 3 penicillinase producing strains were found. A low rate of infections in homosexual men is reported again in contrast to the situation seen in other geographically close cities. Compared to the rest of Scotland Aberdeen has a high prevalence of gonorrhoea.
Heart and Arterial Disease Risk Factor Levels in the Scottish Workforce: Cross-Sectional Study of Risk Factor Levels
Authors: McEwan S.R. , Arthur P. , Shamssain M.H. , Scott A , Whitehorn M , Packard C.J. , Ritchie L.D. , Forbes C.D.
Published: January 2017

**** (for the SHARP Committee)

Between 1991–93 a specially trained team of nurses screened 19,435 subjects from various workforces in different regions of Scotland to identify cardiovascular disease risk factor levels in the Scottish working population. The regions visited provided a wide geographical spread. Name, age, occupation, social class, personal and family history of cardiovascular disease were recorded along with consumption of tobacco, alcohol and salt. Height and weight were measured and Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated; systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, blood glucose and blood cholesterol were also measured.

The proportion of social class I — IV in men studied was 49, 22, 22, and 7% respectively and in women 28, 29, 39 and 5 %. Fifty two per cent of men and 61% of women had never smoked and 24% of men and 17% of women had previously stopped smoking. Twenty one per cent of both sexes were still smoking. Eighteen per cent of men drank more than 21 units of alcohol per week and 3.4% of women drank more than 14 units per week. Mean values of SBP and DBP increased with age and the percentage with hypertension (>148/90 mm Hg) in men and women was 5% and 24% respectively. Mean BMI was slightly higher in men than women (25.3 & 24.5 respectively) and there was a significant (p<0.01) rise in BMI with age in both sexes. Forty six per cent of men and 32% of women were classified as overweight (BMI>25) while 9% of men and 9% of women were classified as obese (BMI>30). Twenty eight per cent of men and 22% of women added salt at table without tasting food. Mean values of total cholesterol in men and women were 5.36 and 5.40 mmol/l respectively increasing with age in both sexes. The percentage of men and women with a random blood sugar level >8 mmol/l (probable diabetics) was 1.9% and 1.2% respectively.

Of the three major risk factors (current cigarette smoking, hypertension (>148/90) and hypercholesterolaemia using total cholesterol >6.5 mmol/l) 64% of men and 66% of women revealed none of these risk factors, 34% of men and 32% of women had one, 9% of men and 6% of women had two, and 0.20% of men and 0.14% of women had three risk factors. Using total cholesterol >7.8 mmol/l, 69% of men and 72% of women revealed none of the above risk factors, 30% of men and 27% of women had one, 6% of men and 4% of women had two, and 0.10% of men and 0.02% of women had three risk factors. The present study illustrates that cardiovascular risk factors in this randomly selected Scottish working population were lower than expected.
Seasonality of Presentation of Type I Diabetes Mellitus in Children
Authors: Douglas S. , McSporran B , Smail P.
Published: January 2017

Environmental influences are thought to have an aetiological role in onset of diabetes in children. Month of onset in over 2000 children in Scotland was established and there was an excess in colder/darker months than in warmer/lighter months. A meta-analysis of 21 previous studies with over 13000 patients gave the same result at a much higher level of significance. A mechanism is postulated based on previous viral induced islet cell damage with ongoing progressive auto-immune destruction. There may be physiological seasonal changes with winter stress on carbohydrate and lipid metabolism. The raised winter levels of pituitary, adrenal and thyroid hormones fail to be antagonised by falling level of insulin. A role for seasonal variation in exercise and nutrition is considered.
Treatment Limiting Decisions in a Neurosurgical Unit
Authors: Fitzpatrick M.O. , Goyal K. , Barlow P.
Published: January 2017

In a previous paper on mortality audit we reported on the use of treatment limiting decisions (TLDs) in a neurosurgical unit in the year 1988. In this paper we compare the findings of a similar audit for 1997. It appears that our unit's policy of openly discussing all TLDs in patients who die had led to such decisions being made at a more appropriate stage in the patient's illness. Regular review of TLDs is probably helpful in increasing the confidence of clinicians to make these difficult decisions openly and timeously.
Reaction of Aryl Isocyanates with Cotton Cellulose
Authors: Hobart Stanley R. , Mack Charles H.
Published: January 2017

Nine cellulose N,N′-arylenedicarbamates have been formed by thermal reaction of the respective diphenyl arylenedicarbamates with cotton. Cotton print cloth was padded with a dimethylformamide (DMF) or dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution of the diphenyl arylenedicarbamate and the reaction effected by in situ generation of the arylene diisocyanate in the curing step. Add-ons ranging from 3.8 to 12.0% were obtained; under comparable reaction conditions, more rapid reaction occurred with DMSO solvent rather than DMF. High degrees of cross-linking were indicated by high conditioned and high wet wrinkle recoveries. Decreases in breaking strengths, tearing strengths, and flex abrasion resistance were approximately of the same extent as normally encountered in other cross-linking treatments. Resistance to microbiological degradation for more than 89 days was shown by soil burial tests on the treated samples. Ease and extent of introduction and removal of creases by ironing were used to measure breaking and re-forming of carbamate cross links (reversibility). Ring methoxyl group activation of the N-phenyl carbamates appeared to be slightly more effective in achieving reversibility.
The Solid-Rod Torsion Test for the Determination of Unidirectional Composite Shear Properties
Authors: Adams Donald F. , Thomas Rodney L.
Published: January 2017

The primary requirements of a desirable shear test method include the ability to introduce a well-defined state of stress in the specimen, capability of determining both shear modulus and shear strength with one test of a single specimen, use of a minimum amount of material per specimen, ease of specimen fabrication and preparation, and simplicity of testing. The solid-rod torsion test is shown to fulfill these requirements. Methods and equipment developed for both the fabrication and testing of specimens are discussed in detail. Experimental data obtained by utilizing the solid-rod torsion test on several different, composite-material systems are presented. These results are then compared with data obtained by utilizing other shear-property test methods.
A Laboratory Study of Flame-Retardant Textiles Produced by an Ionizing Radiation Cure
Authors: Miles T. D. , Delasanta A. C.
Published: January 2017

Methods for polymerizing triallyl phosphate on a cotton fabric were examined under conditions feasible for application in a commercial radiation textile finishing process. Although triallyl phosphate does not polymerize with irradiation at low dose levels at room temperature in air under the specific conditions described, it was found that copolymerization of triallyl phosphate with acrylic acid derivatives can be used to produce flame-resistant cotton fabric.

A cotton fabric treated with triallyl phosphate and N-methylol acrylamide and exposed to 2 megarads of radiation from high-energy electrons, in air at room temperature produced a flame-resistant fabric durable to 15 accelerated cotton mobile launderings.
An Economical Durable Flame-Retardant Finish for Cotton
Authors: Beninate John V. , Perkins Rita M. , Drake George L. , Reeves Wilson A.
Published: January 2017

Selected low-cost N-methylol compounds have been incorporated with tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)phosphonium hydroxide (THPOH formulations and applied to cotton fabric by a number of different processing techniques. N-methylol compounds evaluated in this study were trimethylolmelamine, dimethylolethyleneurea, and dimethylolmethoxyethyl carbamate.

THPOH reacts with ammonia at room temperature and with methylolamides at elevated temperatures. The flame-retardant finish produced by reacting the phosphonium hydroxide with ammonia is very durable and effective at modest add-ons. Even with modest add-ons (12–20% depending on fabric construction and weight), the phosphorus content is rather high (up to 6%). This study has shown that the amount of phosphorus needed in the flame retardant can be reduced to a fraction of that originally required by increasing the nitrogen content. Use of trimethylolmelamine and THPOH with an ammonia cure, followed by a heat cure, produced the most effective flame resistance. Treated fabrics had 100% tensile strength retention and a good hand. This treatment has resulted in the use of lesser quantities of THPOH to produce a lower-cost durable flame-retardant finish for cotton.
Stress Concentrations from Single-Filament Failures in Composite Materials
Authors: Van Dyke Peter , Hedgepeth John M.
Published: January 2017

The solution of the two-dimensional, elastic, multiple-filament-failure stress concentration problem led to the treatment of three-dimensional, elastic failure models and a two-dimensional, plastic failure model where an ideally plastic behavior of the matrix material adjacent to a broken filament was assumed. Another plastic behavior is proposed wherein the bond between the broken filament and the adjacent matrix material fails completely after reaching a prescribed stress level. This failure formulation is applied to five- and seven-element-width models as well as to the infinite element case. Both the bond failure and matrix yield models are then extended to the three-dimensional cases with both square and hexagonal element configurations.
The Photolysis of Tyrosine and its Possible Relationship to the Yellowing of Wool
Authors: Asquith R. S. , Rivett D. E.
Published: January 2017

Tyrosine, in the presence of air is degraded by uv light to 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (DOPA), ammonia and a yellow-brown pigment.

The rate of production of the pigment, as measured by the Yellowness Index (YI), is very pH-dependent, production being most rapid in alkaline solution. The degradation of tyrosine is less pH-dependent. When the tyrosine was totally degraded, the pigment could be bleached by further exposure to the irradiation.

In an atmosphere of nitrogen, degradation of tyrosine is slower and no pigment is formed. Thus, decomposition may proceed through either of two alternative mechanisms. In that mechanism in which pigment is produced, bleaching simultaneously occurs, but at a slower rate than color production. It is concluded that there is not necessarily a quantitative relationship between amino acid destruction and pigment producion.
An Investigation of the Preparation and Reactions of trans-3, 4-Dihydroxycyclohexyl Carbinol as a Cellulose Model Compound
Authors: Porter John J. , Spanninger Philip A.
Published: January 2017

The synthesis of the fully equatorial form of trans-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexyl carbinol was achieved and proof of its configuration is presented. The equatorial epimer was prepared from 3-cyclohexcne-1-carboxaldehyde which was oxidized to 3-cyclohexene-11-carboxylic acid, hydroxylated and esterified to give methyl trans-3,4-dihydroxycyclohexyl-1-carboxylate. This compound was converted to the fully equatorial configuration by the use of a base. Reduction of the epimeric ester yielded the desired model compound.

Proof of stereochemistry of the model was obtained from infrared spectra, boiling and melting points, and gas chromatography. The boiling points of the epimers were in agreement with the von Auwers-Skita or Conformational Rule.

The cellulose model compound was reacted in separate experiments with acetic anhydride, formic acid, and N-(methoxymethylol)acetamide. Gas chromatography was used to observe the rate of reaction and periodate oxidation to determine the amount of secondary hydroxyl reacted. The results indicated extensive participation of the secondary hydroxyls in all cases and correlated with the data reported for cellulose.
Measurement of Optical Properties of Fabrics
Authors: Stoll Alice M. , Chianta Maria A.
Published: January 2017

Optical properties of fire-resistant fabrics largely determine the degree of radiation protection afforded by military clothing. Measurement of reflectance and transmission of the fabrics permits calculation of the protection
Thermokinetics of Cellulose Fiber Penetration by Physically and Chemically Reactive Liquids and the Structure of Accessible Regions
Authors: Balcerzyk Edward , Kozlowski Wojciech , Wlodarski Gabriel
Published: January 2017

The thermokinetics of the action of water, methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, acetic acid, and concentrated aqueous solutions of NaOH and ethylenediamine on native, mercerized, and regenerated cellulose has been studied by a microcalorimetric method.

The penetration rate depends, first of all, on the structure of accessible regions, the dimensions of the penetrant molecule, and the penetrant reaction with hydroxyl groups. If the penetrant molecule has suitable dimensions, the penetration becomes a slow process, making it possible to follow the structural differences in the accessible region even in fibers of the same type. Such liquids are ethanol and acetic acid for native cellulose, methanol and concentrated solutions of ethylenediamine for regenerated cellulose, and concentrated solutions of NaOH (37.5% and 41.5%) for all kinds of cellulose.

The accessible phase in cellulose has a discontinuous structure within the spacing of structural elements in the intermicrofibrillar and intermolecular regions. This discontinuity may sometimes be the cause of composite thermograms. Similar thermograms with two characteristic peaks are obtained for some viscose fibers which have at least a two-zone structure of the skin-core type. The intermolecular distances in the accessible regions of microfibrils seem to be of the same order of magnitude as that of the ethanol molecule with reference to native cellulose and the methanol molecule, to regenerated cellulose. The structure of these regions readily undergoes specific changes under the influence of various treatments. This is reflected in the shape of thermograms and magnitude of integral heat effects.

The results indicate that the microcalorimetric measurements of the penetration thermokinetics may be a useful tool for investigating the accessible regions
Studies in Wool Yellowing. Part XXV: Ultraviolet Sensitization to Hydrothermal Yellowing
Authors: Lennox F. G.
Published: January 2017

Letters to the Editor are brief communications intended to provide prompt publication of significant research results and to permit an exchange of views on papers previously published in the Journal. Letters are subject to review, but the authors assume full responsibility for information or opinion expressed