bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nutrient intakes in North Glasgow: results from the Scottish MONICA studies of 1986 and 1989
Authors: Wrieden W. L. , Bolton‐Smith C. , Brown C. A. , Tunstall‐Pedoe H. 
Published: March 2008

As part of the World Health Organisation MONICA project the nutrient intakes of more than 2000 men and women (aged 25–64) were assessed in two cross‐sectional surveys carried out in North Glasgow in 1986 and 1989. Mean energy and nutrient intakes were calculated from food frequency questionnaires and results are reported for each survey year for men and women who received only a school education and those who claimed to have completed further education. Mean energy intakes were lower in all groups in 1989 compared with 1986. Men with only a school education had higher mean intakes of energy, starch, total fat, saturated fat, retinol and cholesterol than men who went on to further education. Men and women who had only a school education had lower mean total fibre and vitamin C intakes than those educated beyond school. The percentage contribution of total fat to energy was higher than recent government recommendations in women but was within the guidelines for both groups of men. However alcohol consumption was generally high in both groups of men and this will have contributed to the comparatively low percentage of energy from fat.Although the quality of the diet was generally better in those who had received further education, the only evidence of an improvement in diet from 1986 to 1989 was in a lower percentage of energy from total fat and saturated fat.
The dietitian's role in the management of malnutrition in chronic renal failure
Authors: Hartley G. H. , Gilmour E. R. , Goodship T. H. J. 
Published: March 2008

A questionnaire‐based survey of the practice of renal dietitians in the UK has been undertaken. The questionnaire was designed to examine three areas: nutritional practice, nutritional assessment and nutritional support. There was a response rate of 86% (61/71). Staffing levels ranged from 0 to 3.0 (median 1.0) whole time equivalents (WTE). The ratio of dialysis patients to dietitians ranged from 39 to 244 per WTE (median 134). Nutrition was perceived to be of low priority in four units, of medium priority in 25 and of high priority in 32. Dietary prescription was specified in three ways: by medical staff (33/61), as per unit policy (16/61) and as decided by the dietitian (54/61). Dietary protein prescription ranged from 0.5 to 1.0 g/kg/day (mean 0.71) in pre‐dialysis patients, from 1.0 to 1.4 g/kg/day (mean 1.08) in haemodialysis (HD) patients and from 1.0 to 1.5 g/kg/day (mean 1.3) in CAPD. The prevalence of malnutrition in all three groups of patients was estimated to be less than 30% by the majority of dietitians.Weight and height (56/61), body mass index (53/61) and serum albumin (58/61) were used most frequently to assess nutritional status. Urea kinetic modelling was used infrequently (HD 21, CAPD 4, pre‐dialysis 1). Nutritional audit was performed in only 14 units. This study suggests that the identification and treatment of malnutrition in UK renal units is of a low priority at present. This needs to be reversed and dietitian's should be responsible for this role.
Subclinical nutritional deficiency in treated coeliac disease and nutritional content of the gluten free diet
Authors: McFarlane Xola A. , Marsham Judith , Reeves Diana , Bhalla Ashok K. , Robertson Duncan A. F. 
Published: March 2008

Patients with coeliac disease are started on a gluten free diet at the time of diagnosis, but after a varying period of follow‐up are often discharged from outpatient and dietary follow‐up. We have studied the nutritional status and dietary intake of 54 patients with treated coeliac disease diagnosed in adult life.Each patient was paired with a healthy age and sex matched control. There was no difference in height in patients compared to controls, but a greater proportion of patients (15%) than controls (4%) had weight below the UK population lower 5th percentile (x2 test P<0.05). Triceps skinfold thickness was 102% of age and sex matched mean reference values, but mid‐arm circumference and arm muscle circumference were below reference mean values (93.1% and 91.5% of reference values, respectively). Haemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, red cell folate and 25 hydroxyvitamin D were all in the normal range.A strict gluten free diet was followed by 78% of patients; 22% had occasional gluten intake. Seventy‐four per cent considered that they had reduced their intake of bread since commencing a gluten free diet. In 48% of patients, average daily intake of energy was less than the estimated average requirement, and in more than one‐third of patients the intake of iron, copper, magnesium, retinol and folic acid was less than the relevant reference nutrient intake (RNI). In more than 10% of patients, average daily intake of calcium, zinc or vitamin B6 was less than the RNI. Vitamin D intake was lower than the RNI in four of five patients older than 65 years.
Risk of hypertension amongst Swedish male snuff users: a prospective study
Authors: Hergens M.‐P. , Lambe M. , Pershagen G. , Ye W. 
Published: April 2008

Abstract.Background.  The scientific evidence on whether long‐term use of snuff is associated with high blood pressure is limited, inconsistent and based only on cross‐sectional data.Objective.  We aimed at studying the risk of hypertension in relation to long‐term use of snuff based on longitudinal data.Design.  Repeated health check‐ups were offered to all employees in the Swedish construction industry between 1978 and 1993. Blood pressure was measured at the health check‐up and information on tobacco use and other risk factors was collected through questionnaires.Setting.  In total, 120 930 never smoking men with information on blood pressure and snuff use at baseline were included. The association of high blood pressure and snuff use at baseline was estimated by logistic regression. Further, 42 055 men were identified as normotensive at baseline and had at least one subsequent health check‐up. Through repeated blood pressure measurements and linkage to the Swedish National Inpatient Register, information on hypertension was obtained. Relative risk estimates were derived from Cox proportional hazards regression model.Results.  Almost 30% of all men had used snuff. The adjusted odds ratio of high blood pressure amongst snuff users at baseline was 1.23 (95% CI 1.15–1.33) compared to never snuff users. The relative risk of high blood pressure during follow‐up was 1.39 (95% CI 1.08–1.79) amongst snuff users and 1.36 (95% CI 1.07–1.72) for hypertension as recorded in the Inpatient Register.Conclusion.  Use of Swedish moist snuff appears to be associated with a moderately increased risk of hypertension.
Characterization of bovine lymphocytes stimulated in vitro by Dictyocaulus viviparus homogenate
Authors: HAGBERG M. , LUNDÉN A. , HÖGLUND J. , MORRISON D. A. , WALLER K. PERSSON , WATTRANG E. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARY Adult Dictyocaulus viviparus homogenate induced proliferation of lymphocytes from naïve cattle. We characterized the responding cells by carboxyfluorescein diacetate succinimidyl ester (CFSE) loading, for detection of proliferation, and antibody labelling for cell surface molecules. Lymphocytes expressing CD4, CD8 and γ/δ TCR, rather than Ig expressing cells, proliferated after in vitro stimulation with D. viviparus homogenate. Of γ/δ TCR expressing cells, both CD8, WC1·1 and WC1·2 co‐expressing cells proliferated. Moreover, γ/δ T cells expressing MHC class II proliferated to a higher extent than those negative for MHC class II. Of CD4 and CD8 expressing lymphocytes, both those co‐expressing CD45R and CD45R0 proliferated. Among CD4 expressing lymphocytes, those that were CD45R0 positive had a larger proportion of proliferated cells than did CD45R positive cells. Compared to stimulation with Con A, the proportion of dividing cells after D. viviparus stimulation was smaller although the cells had divided more times. Furthermore, we also compared in vitro responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected before and after two subsequent infections with D. viviparus, but no clear acquired responses could be detected. Overall, this suggests that most T lymphocytes are stimulated by the D. viviparus homogenate rather than any particular lymphocyte subpopulation.
Cellular immune responses to recombinant Plasmodium vivax tryptophan‐rich antigen (PvTRAg) among individuals exposed to vivax malaria
Authors: ALAM M. T. , BORA H. , MITTRA P. , SINGH N. , SHARMA Y. D. 
Published: April 2008

SUMMARYPlasmodium vivax, the most widespread species of human malaria parasite responsible for 70–80 million cases each year requires a vaccine. In recent years, many potential vaccine candidate antigens have been identified from P. vivax including PvTRAg. We describe here cellular immune response to recombinant PvTRAg expressed in Escherichia coli. The in vitro stimulation of PBMCs derived from P. vivax‐exposed individuals (n = 16) showed strong proliferative response (SI > 2·2) to PvTRAg as compared to PBMCs from normal healthy controls (n = 8). Although both Th1 (IFN‐γ, TNF‐α and IL‐12) and Th2 (IL‐4 and IL‐10) cytokines were secreted by the PBMCs of the P. vivax‐exposed individuals in response to PvTRAg, the overall response was more inclined towards Th2. In conclusion, recombinant PvTRAg was found to elicit strong cellular immune response among the P. vivax‐exposed individuals.
Methacholine vs adenosine on intra and extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness in patients with cough variant asthma
Authors: Ribeiro M. , Pereira C. A. C. , Nery L. E. , Beppu O. S. , Silva C. O. S. 
Published: April 2008

Background:  Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) can be studied by bronchoprovocation test (BPT) using direct (methacholine – MCh) or indirect (adenosine 5′‐monophosphate – AMP) stimuli. These two substances have not been compared in cough variant asthma (CVA).Objective:  We designed a randomized, single‐blind, cross‐over study to compare AMP and MCh in the detection of CVA. Additionally, we examined whether assessment of extrathoracic airway hyperresponsiveness (EAHR) during MCh and AMP helped in the evaluation of CVA.Methods:  Patients with CVA with previous positive MCh BPT performed challenges with AMP and MCh. The variables were: (i) a provocative dose producing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) value (PD20MCh); (ii) a provocative dose producing a 25% fall in the maximal mid‐inspiratory flow (FIF50) from baseline (PD25MCh) for MCh; (iii) a provocative concentration producing a 20% fall in FEV1 value (PC20AMP) and (iv) a provocative concentration producing a 25% fall in the FIF50 from baseline (PC25AMP) for AMP.Results:  All 113 patients with CVA responded to PD20MCh and 96% and 69% responded to PC20AMP, if we used PC20 ≤ 200 mg/ml or PC20 ≤ 100 mg/ml, respectively, with an excellent correlation between these two tests (r = 0.87 and 0.76, respectively). Extrathoracic AHR associated with AHR was found in 10% in MCh challenge and in 11% with AMP challenge and no patients had EAHR alone.Conclusion:  Adenosine challenges correlate well with MCh in patients with CVA. A minority (c. 10%) of CVA patients have EAHR as measured by these tests, while most had AHR as assessed with each of the challenge agents.
Tubes for pretransfusion testing should be collected by blood bank staff and hand labelled until the implementation of new technology for improved sample labelling. Results of a prospective study
Authors: Gonzalez‐Porras J. R. , Graciani I. F. , Alvarez M. , Pinto J. , Conde M. P. , Nieto M. J. , Corral M. 
Published: April 2008

Background and Objectives The greatest risk in transfusion medicine is actually human error, resulting in the use of the incorrect blood component. The aim of our study was to identify and evaluate the risk factors involved in the collection and labelling of pretransfusion blood samples.Material and Methods  We prospectively evaluated 6446 samples submitted to the blood bank for pretransfusion testing. Inappropriate samples were classified as ‘mislabelled’ or ‘miscollected’. After 4 months of study, an educational approach was taken.Results  The frequency of inappropriately labelled samples was 6·45%. Such samples were associated with the use of addressograph labels (vs. hand‐written labels) [23·4% vs. 1·4%, P < 0·0001], collection by clinical staff (vs. blood bank staff) [8·8% vs. 2·1%, P = 0·001] and emergency situations (vs. routine sampling) [10·1% vs. 6·1%, P = 0·005]. Following educational intervention, the percentage of inappropriately labelled samples decreased from 7·3% (pre‐educational) to 5·8% (post‐educational), P = 0·005.Conclusion  Ongoing monitoring and analysis of labelling and collection should be mandatory in order to improve the safety of transfusion.
The Obstructed Kidney
Authors: Anderson C. G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYUreteric obstruction raises the pressure in the collecting system to a point at which glomerular filtration ceases. Diodrast can still be cleared from the blood in the peri‐tubular capillaries by the tubule cells. The raised tubular pressure is transmitted to the peritubular capillaries, and so to the efferent arterioles, distending the glomerular enden‐chyme. The small arterial vessels of the renal cortex have thus become engorged, and diffusion from the peri‐tubular vessels will increase the interstitial fluid. The substance of the kidney has thus increased, raising the pressure within the renal capsule with the combined effect of producing pain and reducing renal artery blood flow.The local circulation described by Hinman will allow concentrated contrast to pass from the collecting tubules into the minor calyces adjacent to the papillae.When the obstruction ceases, the supernormal pressures within the renal capsule can return to normal by an immediate emptying of all surplus dye‐laden fluid–vascular, interstitial, cellular and intra luminal–into the ureter. This restores the renal size to normal and wipes out the nephrogram as the molecules of dye are flushed out into the collecting system and into the renal pelvis.
Hepatography
Authors: Smythe Allen D. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYA brief review of methods of hepatography has been given.There is no satisfactory routine method of hepatography due to lack of a suitable contrast medium. Efforts are being made in this regard and routine hepatography would become a more common examination should such a medium be found. It is stressed that thorotrast should only be used in patients with a life expectancy of less than five years.The demonstration of liver tumours by injections into the hepatic artery or portal vein will become more frequent as cancer investigation and research proceed. This opportunity for radiological participation in clinical teamwork should not be missed.
The “New” Method of Examination of the Colon
Authors: Merritt A. A. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARY

Minor modifications of the technique of barium‐air contrast colonic studies, as originated by Welin, are described in detail. The application of this technique in private radiological practice, in rooms remote from a hospital, is shown to be feasible providing that a room for bowel washouts and a toilet adjacent to the screening room are available.
The preparation of the patient in the X‐ray department is stressed.
It is considered that the cost of the examination is far outweighed by its greater accuracy. The longer time spent in the examination is negligible considering the accuracy of the diagnoses obtained.
Typical conditions have been demonstrated.
The early stages of ulcerative colitis are demonstrated better by this method than by the conventional examination.
It would appear that polyps are far less common in Western Australia than in Sweden.
Oesophageal Dyskinesia
Authors: Wright J. T. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYVarious types Of abnormal movements of the oesophagus have been discussed. It has been shown that there is a gentle gradation between tertiary wave formation, idiopathic diffuse spasm and achalasia, such that it becomes difficult at times to put each case into its proper compartment. The question of lower oesophageal rings has been discussed, and an attempt made to sort out some confusions which have arisen.
Pulmonary Mycetoma
Authors: Tellesson W. G. 
Published: March 2008

SUMMARYAttention is drawn to the not uncommon condition of pulmonary mycetoma (asper‐gilloma). From a personal series of seven cases, two histories are quoted, one being a patient with bilateral lesions.Some aspects of the aetiology of the primary lesion and of the mycological features are discussed, and reasons advanced in explanation of an apparent increase in incidence.The radiographic features are described, with reference to differential diagnosis, and tomography is recommended as the most valuable procedure in case of doubt.Once recognized, it is suggested that active intervention is rarely necessary and often unwise.
Do Regional Trade Agreements Increase Members' Agricultural Trade?
Authors: Grant Jason H. , Lambert Dayton M. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractThe gravity model is used extensively to investigate the trade flow effects of Regional Trade Agreements (RTAs). A notable feature common to previous research is the use of aggregate trade data. These studies typically report conflicting, and even negative results of the effect of RTAs on members' trade. Using recent developments in the gravity equation suggested by Baier and Bergstrand (2007) and Anderson and van Wincoop (2003), this article demonstrates that RTA effects on members' trade depend fundamentally on whether the analysis focuses on agricultural or nonagricultural sectors, on the particular agreement analyzed, and on the length of the phase‐in period that characterizes almost all RTAs.
Welfare Impacts of Alternative Public Policies for Agricultural Pollution Control in an Open Economy: A General Equilibrium Framework
Authors: Taheripour Farzad , Khanna Madhu , Nelson Carl H. 
Published: April 2008

AbstractA general equilibrium approach is used to evaluate the welfare impacts of alternative policies for reducing agricultural pollution in an open economy with preexisting distortions caused by income taxes and agricultural subsidies. The policies examined here include the removal of distortionary agricultural subsidies. We find that even though these distortions are small compared to others in the economy, removing them and imposing nitrogen reduction subsidies and/or output taxes can enhance welfare and reduce nitrogen pollution; thereby leading to a substantial double dividend. The relative efficiency of the alternative policies examined here depends on the level of the nitrogen reduction target.
Effect of levetiracetam on cortical excitability: a transcranial magnetic stimulation study
Authors: Solinas C. , Lee Y. C. , Reutens D. C. 
Published: April 2008

Background and purpose:  We studied the effect of levetiracetam (LEV), an anticonvulsant with a novel mechanism of action, on cortical excitability, measured using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). For this purpose, 38 healthy volunteers were assessed in two TMS sessions, before and after an oral dose of 3000 mg LEV.Methods:  Resting motor threshold (RMT), intracortical facilitation (ICF) and intracortical inhibition (ICI), cortical silent period (CSP) threshold and duration and motor‐evoked potential (MEP) amplitude were calculated.Results:  After treatment with LEV, RMT was increased (mean ± SD: 63 ± 14% of the maximum stimulator output) compared with baseline (58 ± 11%). CSP threshold was decreased after LEV (54 ± 10%; baseline, 57 ± 11%). CSP duration was increased after LEV (116 ± 37 ms; baseline: 102 ± 33 ms). LEV did not affect ICF or ICI or mean MEP amplitude significantly.Conclusions:  Our results indicate that LEV modulates some aspects of cortical excitability. Whereas the increase in the RMT most probably reflects the effect of LEV on ion channel activity, effects on the CSP might represent a modulation of GABA receptors at cortical and spinal level.
Refinement of the SPG9 locus on chromosome 10q23.3‐24.2 and exclusion of candidate genes
Authors: Panza E. , Pippucci T. , Cusano R. , Lo Nigro C. , Pradella L. , Contardi S. , Rouleau G. A. , Stevanin G. , Ravazzolo R. , Liguori R. , Montagna P. , Romeo G. , Seri M. 
Published: April 2008

Background and purpose:  The hereditary spastic paraplegias (HSPs) are a heterogeneous group of neurodegenerative disorders, characterized by a progressive spasticity of the lower limbs. So far, 33 different loci (SPGs) have been mapped and the 15 genes responsible have been identified. We mapped a locus responsible for a form of spastic paraplegia, complicated by bilateral cataracts, gastroesophageal reflux with persisting vomiting and amyotrophy to chromosome 10q23.3–q24.2, in an Italian family. The critical region was in a 12 cm chromosomal interval between markers D10S564 and D10S603 (SPG9, MIM601162). In the same region, two other forms of HSP have been recently mapped: SPG27 and SPG33. In the latter case, the gene responsible has been identified.Materials and methods:  To better characterize this region, we genotyped individuals from SPG9‐linked families using additional markers and reduced the candidate region to a 4.8 Mb, excluding several genes by positional cloning.Results:  The refined SPG9 locus is positioned completely within SPG27 and does not include the SPG33 gene.Discussion:  Fifty‐two transcripts are present in the refined critical region and 25 strong candidates have been excluded as disease causing genes by direct sequencing. Six of them were also excluded as responsible for SPG27.
Long‐term increase in the fecundity of hen harriers in Wales is explained by reduced human interference and warmer weather
Authors: Whitfield D. P. , Fielding A. H. , Whitehead S. 
Published: March 2008

AbstractThe conservation status of the hen harrierCircus cyaneusin Britain, and its pivotal role in the raptor–grouse moor conflict, has rendered research on the factors influencing its population dynamics of crucial importance. Using over 20 years of data, we examine influences on the reproductive output of the small, but recently expanding, population of Welsh hen harriers. Productivity (fledglings per breeding attempt) has steadily increased with time, being the highest in recent years. Available evidence suggested that food availability could not account for these recent increases. Human interference (apparently, largely or entirely in the form of nest destruction by grouse moor gamekeepers) had a large influence on productivity, despite being restricted to a minority of the breeding population. This negative effect, and a positive effect of May temperature, was most influential on variation in breeding productivity. This study quantifies, for the first time, that cessation of persecution can result in a marked improvement in hen harrier reproductive output. Nest predation by red foxesVulpes vulpeshad no effect on variation in breeding productivity and there was no evidence that control of fox numbers by gamekeepers compensated for their depression of productivity through destroying harrier nests. Our analyses also indicated that gamekeepers probably destroyed an unknown number of nests before they were discovered. We argue that a low proportion of territorial females that apparently breed, in cases when clutch size and fledged brood size are high, may be an indication of persecution. The recent increase in the breeding productivity of Welsh harriers has probably been influential in the recent recovery of the Welsh harrier population and has apparently been due to a combination of cessation of human interference and warmer temperatures.