bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Noscapine suppresses angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors‐induced cough
Authors: MOORAKI AHMAD , JENABI ARIA , JABBARI MOSADEGH , ZOLFAGHARI MOHAMMAD I , JAVANMARDI SAHAR Z , MAHMOUDIAN MASOUD , BASTANI BAHAR 
Published: August 2005

SUMMARY:Background:  Dry cough is a common side‐effect of the angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) and is a major limiting factor of their use. It has been suggested that ACEI cause this side‐effect by potentiation of the bradykinin effect. Previous work in our laboratory has shown that noscapine, an antitussive drug, inhibits the effect of bradykinin.Methods:  To investigate the effect of noscapine on ACEI‐induced cough, 611 hypertensive patients who were being treated with ACEI were evaluated for the incidence of persistent dry cough.Results:  A cough had developed in 65 (10.6%) patients, two (3.1%) of whom also had severe respiratory distress that required hospitalisation and immediate discontinuation of the ACEI. Forty‐two (64.6%) patients had developed a mild cough and 21 (32.3%) patients had developed a moderate to severe cough. The patients with moderate to severe cough received 15 mg of noscapine, orally three times daily, while they continued ACEI. Noscapine effectively resolved the cough in 19 (90%) patients within 4–9 days of starting treatment.Conclusion:  Noscapine, possibly by inhibition of bradykinin synthesis, eliminates ACEI‐induced cough in the majority of patients and allows them to continue with ACEI therapy.
Online tutorial support in open and distance learning: students’ perceptions
Authors: Zhang Wei‐yuan , Perris Kirk , Yeung Lesley 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThe Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK) offers 199 courses with online features to enhance the distance learning environment. The university has arranged these courses to provide students with greater flexibility in interacting with tutors, classmates, and the content itself. Integral to learner flexibility online is access, valuing computers and online learning, endorsement, and language proficiency. The current investigation attempts to explore these issues by examining the perceptions of OUHK students enrolled in courses with online tutorial supports. The methods of questionnaire survey and semi‐structured interview were employed. Surveyed using multistage stratified sampling technique were 449 OUHK students enrolled in 18 upper level courses (9 English, 9 Chinese) at the OUHK. Forty‐two students were randomly selected for a follow‐up interview. Five major topics were explored including: (1) accessing the Internet; (2) perceptions of technology; (3) rationale for using the Internet in course work; (4) learning strategies used by the tutor online; and (5) perceptions of the online tutorial support.
Investigating the medium effect in computer‐aided assessment of school Chemistry and college Computing national examinations
Authors: Ashton Helen S. , Beevers Cliff E. , Korabinski Athol A. , Youngson Martin A. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis article presents results of a comparison between paper and computer tests of ability in Chemistry and Computing. A statistical model is employed to analyse the experimental data from almost 200 candidates. It is shown that there is no medium effect when specific traditional paper examinations in Chemistry and Computing are transferred into electronic format. The effect of rewording for computer‐delivered test questions is also investigated and again the conclusion is that no evidence of a difference could be found. These results were obtained as part of the Project for Assessments in Scotland using Information Technology (PASS‐IT).
A blended approach to learning: added value and lessons learnt from students’ use of computer‐based materials for neurological analysis
Authors: Davies Alison , Ramsay Jill , Lindfield Helen , Couperthwaite John 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper examines BSc Physiotherapy students’ experiences of developing their neurological observational and analytical skills using a blend of traditional classroom activities and computer‐based materials at the University of Birmingham. New teaching and learning resources were developed and supported in the School of Health Sciences using Web Course Tools combined with a wide range of video clips of patients with neurological disorders on CD‐ROM. These resources provided students with the opportunity to observe “real patients” prior to clinical placements, thus bridging the gap between their theoretical understanding of these disorders and their practical experience of evaluating abnormal movement in the clinical setting. This paper considers how this blended approach to learning enhanced students’ experiences of developing their neurological skills and of preparing for their clinical placements. This paper also discusses the lessons that have been gained from students’ experiences to provide future or similar projects with the opportunity to learn from these experiences.
Genesis: the Brynmor Jones report
Authors: MacKenzie Norman 
Published: August 2005

AbstractAn account of the impetus given by the Brynmor Jones report (Audio visual aids in Higher Education, 1965) to the development of educational technology in Britain. The author, who was closely involved in the developments, discusses the influence of the audio‐visual movement in the United States and the emergence of a national organisation (NCET) and the Open University.
Book reviewing in the BJET: a survey of BJET's referees’ and writers’ views
Authors: Hartley James 
Published: August 2005

AbstractReading and writing book reviews play an important part in academic life, but little is known about how academics carry out these tasks. The aim of this research was to explore these issues with members of the editorial panels  of theBritish Journal of Educational Technology. A questionnaire was used to determine: (1) how often these people read and wrote book reviews in general; (2) how useful they found them; and (3) what features they thought were important in book reviews. Thirty sets of responses were obtained (15 from each sex). Most respondents reported reading between one and five book reviews a month and writing between three and four a year. Overall, there was high agreement in what they thought were the important features of book reviews, but there were also wide individual differences. Men reported that book reviews were more useful than did women. The agreement obtained among the respondents supports the notion that book reviews can be viewed as an academic genre with measurable contents. This has implications for how they are written and how people might be taught to write them better.
Is Inflation Always and Everywhere a Monetary Phenomenon?*
Authors: Grauwe Paul De , Polan Magdalena 
Published: August 2005

AbstractUsing a sample of about 160 countries over the last 30 years, we test for the quantity theory relationship between money and inflation. When analysing the full sample of countries, we find a strong positive relation between long‐run inflation and the money growth rate. The relation is not proportional, however. The strong link between inflation and money growth is almost wholly due to the presence of high‐(or hyper‐) inflation countries in the sample. The relationship between inflation and money growth for low‐inflation countries (on average less than 10% per annum over the last 30 years) is weak.
Explaining the Transition between Exchange Rate Regimes*
Authors: Masson Paul , Ruge‐Murcia Francisco J. 
Published: August 2005

AbstractThis paper studies the transition between exchange rate regimes using a Markov chain model with time‐varying transition probabilities. The probabilities are parameterized as nonlinear functions of variables suggested by the currency crisis and optimal currency area literature. Results using annual data indicate that inflation and, to a lesser extent, output growth and trade openness help explain the exchange rate regime transition dynamics.
Unemployment and Crime: Is There a Connection?
Authors: Edmark Karin 
Published: August 2005

AbstractA panel of Swedish counties over the years 1988–1999 is used to study the effects of unemployment on property crime rates. The period under study is characterized by turbulence in the labor market—the variation in unemployment rates was unprecedented in the latter part of the century. Hence, the data provide a unique opportunity to examine unemployment effects. According to the theory of economics of crime, increased unemployment rates lead to higher property crime rates. A fixed‐effects model is estimated to investigate this hypothesis. The model includes time‐ and county‐specific effects and a number of economic and socio‐demographic variables to control for unobservables and covariates. The results show that unemployment had a positive and significant effect on some property crimes (burglary, car theft and bike theft).
Mitral stenosis in pregnancy: a four‐year experience at King Edward VIII Hospital, Durban, South Africa
Authors: Desai D. K. , Adanlawo M. , Naidoo D. P. , Moodley J. , Kleinschmidt I. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To evaluate prospectively mitral stenosis in pregnancy with emphasis on women with persistent symptoms.Setting
King Edward VIII Hospital, a tertiary referral obstetric unit.Participants
One hundred and twenty‐eight consecutive women with mitral stenosis.Demographics
The mean age was 27 years and 38 women (30%) were primigravidae. Seventy‐eight (61%) women had their first cardiac evaluation in the third trimester. Fifty‐four women (42%) of these women had mitral stenosis diagnosed for the first time in the index pregnancy. Twenty‐nine (23%) had a previous mitral valvulotomy. Nineteen women (15%) developed hypertension during pregnancy, 10 of whom had pre‐eclampsia. Sixty‐three women (49%) had a mitral valve area of ≤ 1.2 cm2 with 11 having critical mitral stenosis (mitral valve area ≤ 0.8 cm2). Atrial fibrillation was present in 12 women. Most women (87%) required medical therapy to control the heart rate.Outcome in persistent symptomatic women
Intervention was considered in 37 women (29%) who remained symptomatic, 11 (9%) of whom had a calcified mitral valve. The remaining 26 women were scheduled for balloon mitral valvulotomy during pregnancy, 20 of whom had balloon mitral valvulotomy with good effect (16 antepartum; 4 postpartum). In seven women, scheduled balloon mitral valvulotomy was not performed because of advanced preterm labour (n= 5), fetal distress (n= 1) and preterm labour with fetal distress (n= 1). These seven, together with the 11 with calcific mitral stenosis, were managed conservatively with good outcome.Maternal complications
Fifty‐one percent had maternal complications, the majority occurring at their initial admission to hospital. Pulmonary oedema was the most frequent. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the severity of stenosis assessed by measurement of the mitral valve area by echo‐Doppler was the most powerful predictor of maternal pulmonary oedema. The other factors were late antenatal presentation, presence of symptoms prior to the index pregnancy and diagnosis of cardiac disease for the first time in the index pregnancy.Conclusion
Despite serious disease, women with persistent symptoms treated either by balloon mitral valvulotomy where feasible, or conservatively with close noninvasive monitoring, had a satisfactory fetal and maternal outcome.
Determinants of umbilical cord arterial 8‐iso‐prostaglandin F2α concentrations
Authors: Qin Yun , Wang Chi Chiu , Kuhn Hartmut , Rathmann Jorg , Pang Chi Pui , Rogers Michael Scott 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine the concentration of 8‐isoPGF2α in cord blood as a measure of oxidative stress during labour, and to compare them with other established parameters of in vivo lipid peroxidation and with the acid‐base status of the newborn.Method
Umbilical cord arterial and venous blood samples were collected from 81 singleton term deliveries for determination of 8‐isoPGF2α, malondialdehyde and organic hydroperoxides. In addition, metabolites derived from the oxidative metabolism of purines during hypoxia‐reoxygenation and routine cord blood of oxygen saturation, pH, pO2, pCO2, HCO3 and base excess were measured.Results
Arterial concentrations of 8‐isoPGF2α were significantly higher in cases with fetal distress, tight nuchal cord (P < 0.001), the umbilical coiling index, and male sex (P < 0.05) (R2= 0.48). No correlation was found with any parameter of acid‐base status. In arterial and venous blood the concentrations of organic hydroperoxides and hypoxanthine significantly correlated with the fetal nuchal cord (P < 0.001) (R2= 0.26 and 0.16, respectively).Conclusion
Our findings indicate that 8‐isoPGF2α in cord arterial blood is a suitable parameter to quantify a possible oxidative stress in the fetus during labour. Measurements of the F2‐isoprostane concentrations in cord blood at labour provide a clinically useful method to assess the perinatal outcome.
Factors affecting fetal weight distribution in women with type I diabetes
Authors: Johnstone Frank D. , Mao J.‐H. , Steel Judith M. , Prescott Robin J. , Hume Robert 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To identify factors independently affecting fetal weight in women with type I diabetes.Design
Prospectively recorded data in consecutive women with type I diabetes, between 1975–1992.Setting
Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital, Edinburgh.Population
Three hundred and two pregnancies with type I diabetes identified before pregnancy, with antenatal care and delivery in the Simpson Memorial Maternity Hospital, a singleton pregnancy, and the same diabetic physician.Methods
Normal ranges for birthweight were established for the total hospital population. All cases and the total population had pregnancy dating by ultrasound. The relation between standardised birth‐weight and explanatory variables was investigated using correlation analysis, t tests and χ2 tests as appropriate, and subsequently using multiple linear regression.Results
Standardised birthweight in cases, compared with the reference population, showed a unimodal, approximately normal distribution, markedly shifted to the right (mean + 1.26 SD). The most predictive variable was glycated haemoglobin concentration at 27–33 weeks, which explained 6.3% of the birthweight variance, while smoking explained 2.7% and maternal weight 2.0%. There was a trend towards a negative relationship with glycated haemoglobin concentration at 6–12 weeks. Smoking and glycated haemoglobin concentration were strongly intercorrelated.Conclusions
Most of the variance in standardised birthweight remains unexplained, but glycated haemoglobin concentration at 27–33 weeks is the most powerful explanatory variable. Possible reasons why there is not a stronger relationship between markers of maternal glycaemia and birthweight are discussed.
Comparative assessment of pelvic floor strength using a perineometer and digital examination
Authors: Isherwood P. J. , Rane A. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine whether digital assessment of pelvic floor contraction strength is as reliable as vaginal perineometry and to assess the practice of pelvic floor exercises by women.Design
A blinded, two‐assessor protocol, prospectively testing a volunteer sample of women.Population
Two hundred and sixty‐three women (from a total of 278), aged 16–75 years, attending a general gynaecological clinic with nonurinary symptoms.Methods
Participants answered a questionnaire regarding urinary symptoms and practice of pelvic floor exercises. History and examination was carried out by the clinician, and pelvic floor strength scored digitally using the Oxford Scale. Pelvic floor strength was then assessed by the physiotherapist, using a PFX perineometer. The physiotherapist was blinded to the woman's history, examination findings and digital assessment score. Both the clinician and physiotherapist were blinded to the questionnaire responses.Main outcome measures
Digital pelvic floor contraction assessment, according to the Oxford Scale, was compared with perineometric assessment as the gold standard – examined against the background of the questionnaire findings.Results
Of 263 patients, 53 were nulliparous (20%), and 210 parous (80%). Only 49 women carried out regular pelvic floor exercises (19%), and all were parous and admitted to troublesome urinary symptoms. Stress urinary incontinence was reported by 28% of all women (38.1% of parous women and 10.5% of nulliparous women). For both methods, there was no difference in the range of results when parity was taken into account. Concordance studies showed good agreement between digital and perineometric assessment of pelvic floor strength. The kappa value of 0.73 (95% confidence interval 0.67–0.79) indicated substantial agreement between the two methods.Conclusion
There is good agreement between digital assessment of pelvic floor contraction strength and vaginal perineometry. Assessment during gynaecological examination may help to identify women with fascial defects of the pelvic floor, as well as those at risk of genital prolapse or urinary symptoms.
A comparison of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants in the control of climacteric symptoms following hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy
Authors: Panay N. , Versi E. , Savvas M. 
Published: August 2005

Objectives
1. To compare the effects of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants on serum follicle stimulating hormone and oestradiol levels; and 2. to assess the relationship of the dose of oestradiol implant and serum oestradiol on the effectiveness and duration of climacteric symptom control.Design
Randomised, double‐blind investigation.Participants
Forty‐four women, who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo‐oophorectomy.Methods
The women were randomised to receive either 25 mg (n= 20) or 50 mg (n= 24) oestradiol implants. Follow up consisted of prospective symptom enquiry and hormone assays.Main outcome measures
Primary: climacteric symptom control: duration and effectiveness; secondary: serum oestradiol and follicle stimulating hormone levelsResults
Serum oestradiol was significantly higher and serum follicle stimulating hormone significantly lower after the fourth month of treatment in women receiving 50 mg implants. No significant difference in symptom control was noted in the two groups. The mean duration of symptom control was similar in the two groups: 5.9 months (SD 2.4) in those receiving 50 mg oestradiol and 5.6 months (SD 2.3) in those receiving 25 mg.Conclusion
The higher level, 50 mg oestradiol implants does not result in better control of symptoms nor in longer periods of symptom control compared with 25 mg oestradiol implants. In order to maximise compliance, 25 mg oestradiol implants should therefore be the treatment of choice for women with normal bone density seeking relief of climacteric symptoms.
Postmenopausal hormone replacement improves proteinuria and impaired creatinine clearance in type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension
Authors: Szekacs Bela , Vajo Zoltan , Varbiro Szabolcs , Kakucs Reka , Vaslaki Lajos , Acs Nandor , Mucsi Istvan , Brinton Eliot A. 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To determine whether hormone replacement therapy can reverse established renal microvascular damage in type 2 diabetes and hypertension.Design
Prospective, single centre clinical trial.Setting
Outpatient clinics.Participants
Sixteen diabetic and hypertensive postmenopausal women (age 47–57 years)Methods
Administration of a cyclic combination of oestradiol and norgestrel orally for 3.5 monthly cycles.Results
Comparing the baseline values, mean (SD) 24‐hour urine protein excretion was reduced from 0.452 g (0.039) to 0.370 g (0.047) (P < 0.01) and creatinine clearance was increased from 1.68 mL/sec (0.11) to 1.77 mL/sec (0.08) (P < 0.05). Fasting plasma glucose also improved from 6.92 mmol/L (0.47) to 6.51 mmol/L (0.28) (P < 0.05), as did serum total cholesterol from 7.26 mmol/L (0.28) to 6.65 mmol/L (0.14) (P < 0.05). Blood pressure did not change significantly. Univariate linear regression analysis showed no significant correlation between the individual changes in blood pressure, fasting plasma glucose or serum cholesterol and the individual changes in proteinuria or creatinine clearance.Conclusions
This study shows that hormone replacement therapy may reduce proteinuria, and even improve creatinine clearance, in diabetic and hypertensive postmenopausal women. These effects are additive to nephroprotective therapy, and the mechanisms appear unrelated to conventional risk factors for vascular complications, such as high blood pressure, elevated plasma glucose or serum cholesterol.
Effect of postpartum pelvic floor muscle training in prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence: a one‐year follow up
Authors: Mørkved Siv , Bø Kari 
Published: August 2005

Objective
To evaluate the long term effect of a postpartum pelvic floor muscle training course in prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence.Design
A prospective matched controlled trial.Sample and methods
All women who had participated in a matched controlled study evaluating the effect of an eight‐week pelvic floor muscle training program in prevention and treatment of urinary incontinence in the immediate postpartum period were contacted by telephone one year after delivery. They were invited to participate in a follow up study. The study group consisted of 81 matched pairs (n= 162), with a mean age (range) 28 years (19–40), and mean number (range) of deliveries 1.8 (1–5). Seventy‐six pairs had normal vaginal deliveries and five elective caesarean sections. Registration of continence status was by structured interview and a standardised pad test. Clinical assessment of pelvic floor muscle function and strength were by vaginal palpation and vaginal squeeze pressure.Main outcome measure
Stress urinary incontinence.Results
At the one year follow up, significantly more women in the former control group than in the training group reported stress urinary incontinence and/or showed urinary leakage at the pad test (P < 0.01). A significantly greater (P < 0.01) muscle strength increase in the period between 16th week and one year postpartum was demonstrated in the former training group (mean 4.4 cm H2 O, 95% CI 3.2–5.6) than in the control group (mean 1.7 cm H2 O, 95% CI 0.8–2.7).Conclusion
This one year follow up study demonstrates that a specially designed postpartum pelvic floor muscle training course was effective in the prevention and treatment of stress urinary incontinence. The benefits from pelvic floor muscle training are still present one year after delivery.