bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Contribution of humoral systems to the recovery of blood pressure following severe haemorrhage
Authors: Ponchon P. , Elghozi J. L. 
Published: November 2003

1 Profound haemorrhage activates a number of pressor mechanisms, including the release of catecholamines, angiotensin II and arginine‐vasopressin, which contribute to the subsequent cardiovascular recovery. Using specific single or combined blockade with prazosin, losartan and Manning compound (AVPX), the aim of this study was to evaluate the involvement of the three pressor systems in blood pressure recovery following severe heamorrhage (20 ml kg−1). 2 Haemorrhage of conscious, unrestrained rats resulted in a significant initial decrease in blood pressure of approximately 60 mmHg, and heart rate of approximately 70 bpm. Then, blood pressure tended to return to the control level within 10 min. The total cardiovascular recovery corresponded to increments of 52 ± 5 mmHg (81% of the acute fall) for systolic blood pressure, and of 92 ± 22 bpm (124%) for heart rate at 60 min post‐bleeding. Significant falls in haematocrit (‐10.5 ± 1.2%, P < 0.01), in plasma concentrations of proteins (‐10.3 ± 0.9 g l−1, P < 0.01) and haemoglobin (‐2.58 ± 0.72 g 100 ml−1, P < 0.05) were observed at 60 min post‐bleeding. 3 Pretreatment with one or two specific antagonists did not exaggerate the initial fall in blood pressure. The initial bradycardia was weakened only by combined blockade with losartan and AVPX. 4 The blood pressure recovery from a haemorrhage was delayed by approximately 25 min by the inhibition of vasopressin activity. The systolic blood pressure recovery in control animals (81% of the acute fall) was blunted by losartan (55% of the acute fall), prazosin (49%), combined losartan and AVPX (36%), prazosin and AVPX (36%), and also by prazosin plus losartan (13%). The diastolic blood pressure recovery was blunted only in the groups where the activity of angiotensin II was inhibited by losartan. 5 In conclusion, we have shown that neither catecholamines, angiotensin II nor vasopressin, although activated, individually compensate the acute hypotensive response to haemorrhage. The contribution of vasopressin to the blood pressure recovery post‐bleeding is transient and is rapidly replaced by the pressor activity of the catecholamines and angiotensin II. The full systolic blood pressure recovery from severe haemorrhage requires the combined activity of these two pressor systems, while the diastolic blood pressure recovery seems to be only dependent upon angiotensin II activity.
The use of maternal weight measurements during antenatal care. A national survey of midwifery practice throughout the United Kingdom
Authors: Ellison George T. H. , Holliday Mary 
Published: November 2003

The aim of the present study was to examine the use of maternal weight measurements during antenatal care throughout the United Kingdom. A postal questionnaire and follow‐up letter were sent to 1500 midwives throughout the United Kingdom, selected at random from the UKCC register. The postal survey achieved a response rate of 44.8% (672/1500 questionnaires), and obtained responses from at least 10 midwives in all but the lowest grade. Respondents were representative of midwives practising throughout the country, in terms of their gender, working hours and grade, although there were fewer midwives in community settings than those in a contemporary representative English sample.The questionnaire obtained information on the background, training and experience of each midwife, together with their attitudes towards antenatal weighing. For those midwives currently involved in antenatal care, additional information was collected on the schedule of antenatal weight measurements, the criteria used to identify ‘abnormal’ weight gain, and the action taken in response to ‘abnormal’ weight gain. 61.8% of the midwives thought that the pattern of maternal weight gain was ‘not important’ in antenatal care, and only 51.5% of those who currently provided antenatal care weighted women at every antenatal visit. However, most midwives (86.1%) cited at least one clinical condition to explain why women are routinely weighed during pregnancy, and over a third of midwives thought that maternal weight gain could detect seven clinical conditions, including obesity, oedema, pre‐eclampsia and polyhydramnios. Midwives with more advanced qualifications (degrees and teaching qualifications) and those working in educational or community settings were least likely to believe that weight gain was good at detecting clinical outcomes. Differences in the perceived utility of antenatal weighing influenced whether midwives would act in response to ‘abnormal’ maternal weight gain, and whether they advised women to gain or lose weight during pregnancy. However, the criteria that midwives used for identifying ‘abnormal’ weight gain were variable, and often inappropriate, so that different midwives are unlikely to intervene consistently or to give consistent advice on the basis of maternal weight gain. These differences in practice may lead to extensive and inappropriate variation in antenatal care. Clear guidelines are urgently required to ensure that, if maternal weight measurements are collected during antenatal care, they are collected and used consistently.
Nutritional status assessed in groups off smolting Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., developing cataracts
Authors: Waagbø R , Bjerkås E , Sveier H , Breck O , Bjørnestad E , Maage A 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThere has been an increasing number of reports on cataracts in Norwegian and international salmon farming. The present study was undertaken to examine physiological and nutritional conditions during an outbreak of cataracts observed in rapidly growing Atlantic salmon, Salmo salar L., smolt with emphasis on zinc status. During this study, the cataracts were classified as irreversible. The outbreak of cataracts was positively related to fish growth and negatively related to the condition factor of the fish. Zinc concentrations in liver, eye and plasma were recorded in fish with cataract and in healthy fish from December to May. Lower zinc status (around 20%) was found in fish with cataracts compared to healthy fish, both over time and with regard to severity of the cataract. The decline in organ zinc concentrations seems to be explained by increased relative liver size, lower dry matters in liver and eye, and lower plasma protein. From the present data, the incidence of cataracts could not be directly related to zinc or any of the other nutrients (vitamin A, iron) examined, although relative deficiencies caused by other unknown rearing factors cannot be excluded. The lower condition factor and differences in organ water composition in fish with cataracts indicate that the cataracts may be related to the smoltification processes. Smoltification in the fish population was most probably accelerated by elevated water temperatures.
Morphogenesis of the membranous labyrinth in penaeid shrimp cells infected with Penaeus monodon bacuiovirus (MBV)
Authors: Lu C C , Tang K F J , Chen S N 
Published: November 2003

AbstractThe morphogenesis of a highly organized cellular membrane structure, a membranous labyrinth (ML), in the cells of penaeid shrimp infected with Penaeus monodon baculovirus (MBV) is described. The ML possibly originates from dilated Golgi apparatus, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) or the outer nuclear membrane. The ML apparently grows by proliferation of the cellular membranes of these systems. In addition, its degree of development was correlated with stages of MBV reproduction.
Characterization of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), serum creatine kinase isoenzymes and isoforms by means of electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing
Authors: Williams J , Stewart P , Timpson P 
Published: November 2003

AbstractSerum samples were obtained from rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), from a commercial fish farm. Creatine kinase (CK; EC 2.7.3.2) isoenzymes and sub‐bands (isoforms) were studied using agarose gel electrophoresis and polyacrylamide gel isoelectric focusing. Creatine kinase isoenzymes and isoforms (sub‐bands) were found to display disparate electrophoretic mobility and isoelectric points, respectively, when compared with CK patterns of human origin. The CK‐BB isoenzyme, rarely detected in human serum, was detected in all trout samples assayed. Up to eight CKMM isoforms were detected by the polyacrylamide gel IEF method described.
A behavioural approach to the treatment of non‐retentive encopresis in adults with learning disabilities
Authors: Smith L. J. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractProblems such as encopresis are perceived as ‘normal’ for some populations. For example, within the field of learning disability, little serious study has been devoted to either prevalence or aetiology of encopresis. Treatment issues have been obscured by problems of definition and aetiology. Treatment reports are rare despite the apparent magnitude of the problem, and involve a disproportionate number of cases with a mild intellectual disability or secondary encopresis. The following report describes a reinforcement‐based treatment programme for primary, non‐retentive encopresis in five young adult men with mainly more severe learning disabilities. Major soiling accidents were eliminated in four out of five cases and substantially reduced in the fifth. Treatment times were long. Issues relating to the use of aversive techniques are discussed, as are the limitations of the present study.
Staff strategies and explanations for intervening with challenging behaviours
Authors: Hastings R. P. 
Published: November 2003

AbstractBehavioural models identify the actions of others as an important factor in the development and maintenance of challenging behaviours. In the present study, 109 care staff were asked about their immediate and longer‐term intervention strategies for a fictitious young man's challenging behaviour. Staff descriptions of long‐term interventions were largely consistent with the aims of psychological interventions. However, their immediate intervention strategies were similar to the counter‐habilitative strategies Identified in previous observational and self‐report research. The implications of these results for models of staff behaviour, staff training, the design of behavioural programmes and future research are discussed.
The epidemiology of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with acute intermittent porphyria
Authors: ANDERSSON C. , BJERSING L. , LITHNER F. 
Published: November 2003

Objective. To describe the epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with acute intermittent porphyria (AIP). Design. A retrospective population‐based mortality study. Subjects. All inhabitants who died between 1978–1990 (2122) including 33 with AIP, in two municipalities in northern Sweden with a high prevalence of AIP. Interventions. Death certificates and hospital records were examined. Histological re‐examination of paraffin‐embedded specimens from patients with HCC was performed and hepatitis B virus content analysed. Results. HCC was found in 27% of patients with AIP versus 0.2% of the deceased non‐AIP subjects, P< 0.0001. HCC was more common in women (men:women 1:2) and in manifest AIP (manifest: latent 2:1). Liver cirrhosis was more common in AIP patients (12%), especially in women, compared with controls (0.5%), P<0.0001. Conclusions. AIP patients seem to have an increased risk of developing HCC. This tumour is more common in patients with manifest AIP and in women, a reversal of the usually reported gender ratio for HCC. No cause for developing HCC other than AIP was found. The pathogenesis may be explained by abnormalities in porphyrin metabolism and by intrinsic production of mutagenic substances, resulting in a condition of systemic overload of oxidative stress, enhancing mutation rate and liver cell injury. Liver cirrhosis appears to be more common in AIP patients and may be a preliminary stage to HCC. All AIP gene carriers aged 55 should be screened for HCC.
Dissociation between urinary albumin excretion and variables associated with insulin resistance in a healthy population
Authors: ZAVARONI I. , BONINI L. , GASPARINI P. , ZUCCARELLI A. , DALL'AGLIO E. , BARILLI L. , CIONI F. , STRATA A. , REAVEN G. M. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. To see if the cluster of metabolic and haemodynamic variables defined as comprising Syndrome X varied as a function of urinary albumin excretion (UAE) rate in a healthy population. Design. A cross‐sectional, population‐based study. Setting. A factory in Italy. Subjects. Two hundred and twenty‐five healthy volunteers, 115 men and 110 women. Outcome measures. Measurements were made of the plasma glucose and insulin responses to oral glucose, fasting triglyceride (TG) and high density lipoprotein (HDL)‐cholesterol concentrations, blood pressure, and UAE rates. Results. Only five of the 225 volunteers had microalbuminuria, defined as a UAE rate >2 μg min‐1, and the UAE rate was <5 μg min‐1 in 80% of the volunteers. Significant variations in the metabolic and haemodynamic variables measured were not associated with any differences in UAE. Finally, significant relationships were found between various measures of plasma insulin concentration and plasma glucose response to oral glucose, plasma TG and HDL‐cholesterol concentrations, and mean arterial blood pressure, independent of variations in age, body mass index, ratio of waist‐to‐hip girth, and UAE rates. Conclusion. The widespread variability in plasma glucose and insulin responses, plasma TG and HDL‐cholesterol concentrations, and blood pressure that are seen in the population at large cannot be attributed to variations in UAE rate.
Impaired haemostatic kinetics and endothelial function in Behçet's disease
Authors: HAZNEDAROGILU İ. C. , ÖZCEBE O. İ , ÖZDEMIR O. , ÇELIK İ. , DÜNDAR S. V. , KIRAZLI Ş. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. This study was planned to explore the alterations of endothelial functions in the prethrombotic state of Behçet's disease (BD) patients. Design. Plasma levels of endothelial secretory markers, in vivo molecular haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters were cross‐sectionally determined in the study group. Setting and subjects. In our tertiary referral centre, 30 (13 men, 17 women) BD patients, mean age 31±7 years, and 15 (eight men, seven women) healthy volunteers, mean age 26±9 years, were eligible for inclusion in the study after obtaining their written consents. Interventions. All plasma samples for the assays of haemostatic parameters were obtained before and after an endothelial stimulant, desmopressin acetate (DDAVP). Results. We have shown that in the procoagulant phase of BD patients: (1) basal thrombomodulin concentrations are increased and could not be provoked by DDAVP infusion; (2) both thromboxane B2 and 6‐keto prostaglandin F1α increments occur concurrently; (3) in vivo coagulation markers are elevated and raised plasmin‐α2 antiplasmin complex indicates a subclinical concomitant fibrinolysis; (4) the fibrinolytic process is conveyed in a somewhat complex manner in which plasminogen activator binding kinetics might be also altered. Conclusions. Endothelial cell injury, augmented thrombotic risk with compensatory excessive fibrinolysis and alterations in endothelial cell receptor–fibrinolytic marker relations might take place in the pathogenesis and thereby modulate the natural course of haemostatic processes of BD.
Association between plasma renin activity and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in essential hypertension
Authors: ALLIKMETS K. , PARIK T. , TEESALU R. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. To study the relationships between plasma renin activity and metabolic cardiovascular risk factors in patients with essential hypertension. Subjects and design. Patients with uncomplicated essential hypertension (n=36) with a diastolic blood pressure of 95–115 mmHg were studied. Assessment of plasma renin activity (PRA) related to urinary sodium excretion was used to define subgroups with high (n=12), medium (n=16) and low renin profiles (n=8). Main outcome measures. Fasting plasma lipid levels were determined. Glucose, insulin and C‐peptide responses to standard oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were measured. Results. Patients with high PRA had higher levels of plasma cholesterol (6.13±0.81 versus 4.67±0.7 mmol L‐1, P<0.05) and triglycerides (2.14±0.18 versus 0.98±0.13 mmol L‐1, P<0.05), than the low PRA group. HDL‐cholesterol levels were lower in the high renin group than in the low renin group (1.05±0.04 versus 1.26±0.09 mmol L‐1, P<0.05). Insulin and C‐peptide sums were higher in high PRA group (33.8±1.2 versus 25.1±0.9 and 2.6±0.3 versus 1.9±0.4 ng L‐1, P<0.05), than in the low PRA group. Conclusions. Essential hypertensive patients with a high renin profile display more pronounced dyslipidaemia and higher levels of plasma insulin than patients with a low renin profile. This may be one explanation for higher incidence of cardiovascular disease previously reported in high PRA group.
Increased incidence of thyrotoxicosis in Malmö during the years 1988–1990 as compared to the years 1970–1974
Authors: BERGLUND J. , ERICSSON U.‐B. , HALLENGREN B. 
Published: November 2003

Objective and design. To compare the total and age‐specific incidence of thyrotoxicosis, as well as the incidence of the individual types of thyrotoxicosis [i.e. thyrotoxicosis of Graves' type (GD), toxic nodular goitre (TNG) and solitary toxic adenoma (STA)] in Malmö during the years 1988–1990 to those of a previous study in 1970–1974. Setting. The town of Malmö in southern Sweden. Subjects. All patients from the Malmö population treated for thyrotoxicosis (GD, TNG and STA) for the first time during the 3‐year period 1988–1990 were included. Results. Overall, 299 (263 females and 36 males) new cases of thyrotoxicosis were diagnosed in 1988–1990, corresponding to a mean annual incidence of thyrotoxicosis of 43.0 per 100000 inhabitants. The incidence of GD was 22.3, of TNG 16.0 and of STA 4.8 per 100000 per year. Comparing age‐ and sex‐standardized incidences to the results in 1970–1974, there was a significant increase (P<0.001) in the mean annual incidence of thyrotoxicosis in the total material as well as in TNG. In addition, there was an increase in GD in females younger than 50 years (P<0.01), whereas in TNG/STA, an increase was seen in females of 50 years or older (P<0.001). The incidence figures in males were not significantly changed. There was a higher proportion of smokers in females with GD compared to females with TNG (P<0.001) and STA (P<0.05). Conclusions. The total incidence of thyrotoxicosis, as well as the incidence of GD in females younger than 50 years and the incidence of TNG/STA in females of 50 years or older, has increased in Malmö during the period from 1970 to 1990. The increase was probably caused by several factors such as more sensitive diagnostic tools and GD changes in smoking habits, but additional unknown factors might also be of importance.
Mediastinal mass following chemotherapy in patients with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma
Authors: PANADERO M. A. , CRUZ J. J. , GOMEZ A. , FONSECA E. , GARCIA M. J. , GARCIA J. , MARTIN G. , SANCHEZ P. , DUEÑAS G. A. 
Published: November 2003

Panadero MA, Cruz JJ, Gomez A, Fonseca E, Garcia MJ, Garcia J, Martin G, Sanchez P, Dueñas GA (Medical Oncology Department, University Hospital, Salamanca, Spain). Mediastinal mass following chemotherapy in patients with Ewing sarcoma and osteosarcoma (Case report). J Intern Med 1996; 239: 457–60.Thymic hyperplasia following combination chemotherapy for malignant disease is very uncommon in adolescents and adults. Our experience includes a thymic enlargement noted on the sequential computed tomography (CT) in three patients who were disease‐free after chemotherapy for Ewing sarcoma (2) and osteosarcoma (1). The development of an anterior mediastinal mass after successful chemotherapy does not always imply relapse of malignant disease. To prevent inappropriate treatment, the possibility of a benign aetiology must be considered.
Clinical outcome of radioiodine treatment of hyperthyroidism: a follow‐up study
Authors: BERG G. , MICHANEK A. , HOLMBERG E. , NYSTRÖM E. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. To study the clinical outcome of treatment of hyperthyroid patients with radioiodine. Design. Records of patients treated for hyperthyroidism with radioiodine from 1989 to 1992 were examined in 1994, and a questionnaire was sent to patients 70 years with Graves' disease (GD) and toxic nodular goitre (TNG) to obtain information regarding thyroxine substitution, smoking habits and present state of health. Setting. Outpatients in a thyroid unit; follow‐up by primary care. Subjects. Seven hundred and fifty‐four patients with hyperthyroidism treated with radioiodine, 327 receiving the questionnaire, 72% response rate. Intervention. Radioiodine treatment using a delivered absorbed dose method, aiming at an absorbed dose to the thyroid of 100–120 Gy. Main outcome measures. Statistical analysis of clinical records and results from questionnaire. Results. Only 10% of the patients needed more than one treatment. At the time of follow‐up, thyroxine supplementation was given to 178 (93%) of the GD and to 21 (47%) of the TNG patients. Smoking was more common in GD patients than in the general population (44% vs. 26%; P<0.001). Smoking GD patients experienced eye discomfort more often than smoking TNG patients (53% vs. 7%; P<0.001). Weight gain after therapy was a problem in 79% of the hyperthyroid individuals. Conclusions. Few patients needed retreatment and most of the GD patients had thyroxine after 1–5 years after therapy. Smoking patients, especially those with GD, had more eye symptoms. At follow‐up, the euthyroid patients still consider themselves having a poorer health than individuals in the general population.
Heart failure – implications of the true size of the problem
Authors: DARGIE H. J. , McMURRAY J. J. V. , McDONAGH T. A. 
Published: November 2003

Dargie HJ, McMurray JJV, McDonagh TA (Department of Cardiology, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, and Department of Cardiology, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK). Heart failure – implications of the true size of the problem (Minisymposium: Heart failure). J Intern Med 1996;239: 309–15.We review current knowledge on the true size of the clinical condition known as ‘heart failure’ in terms of epidemiological information and in relation to the true clinical burden.Population studies, together with data from physician and general practitioner records, reveal a range of estimated heart‐failure prevalence of 1–10%. Estimated incidence rates vary from approximately 0–1% per annum. Reasons for variation include age, sex and, possibly, methodology.In community studies, the five‐year mortality is between 50–60% while, in patients requiring hospital admission, the annual mortality is 10–20% in those with mild–moderate symptoms, and as high as 40–60% in severe heart failure.While angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor treatment does significantly improve mortality in all grades of symptomatic heart failure, the annual mortality in severe patients was still 36% in CONSENSUS I.It is obvious that the term ‘heart failure’ is insufficiently descriptive or specific to be an acceptable label for all patients who might benefit from treatment.As ‘clinical’ heart failure is often an advanced and irreversible state, studies of its antecedents are important in developing strategies aimed at retarding the progression from the asymptomatic to the symptomatic conditions. The true prevalence of the most common antecedent, left ventricular dysfunction, has received relatively little attention.