bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Nurse-Led Rapid Access Chest Pain Clinic—Experience from the First 3 Years
Authors: Pottle Alison 
Published: June 2005

Background: The clinical presentation of chest pain is a major problem for primary health care professionals. Rapid access chest pain clinics (RACPC) enable quick assessment, investigation and formation of a treatment plan for such patients without a waiting list. There has been a chest pain clinic in operation at Harefield Hospital since 1988. Until 2001, the cardiology registrars were responsible for the clinic. Beginning in January 2001, the management of the clinic was taken over by the Cardiology Nurse Consultant. This paper will describe the organisation and outcomes of the first 3 years of this nurse-run RACPC. Process: Patients are seen within 2 weeks of referral in line with the National Service Framework for Coronary Heart Disease [Department of Health. National service framework for coronary heart disease. Dept of Health; 2000. London.]. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is recorded on arrival in the clinic and the Nurse Consultant then examines the patients and decides if further investigation is required. Analysis of Results: Four hundred and fifty-four patients were seen in the clinic from January 2001–December 2003. Three hundred and twenty-four patients (71.4%) underwent exercise testing of which 54 (16.7%) had a positive result. One hundred and thirteen patients (24.9%) were referred for angiography. Of these, 75 (66.4%) had coronary heart disease. Thirty-three patients (29.2%) have undergone percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and 19 (16.8%) have required coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Twenty-three patients (20.4%) are being treated medically. Satisfaction with the service offered by the clinic was high, evidenced by the results of questionnaires sent to patients. Conclusion: This paper demonstrates that nurses can successfully run RACPCs without an increased risk of incorrect diagnosis. These clinics offer patients timely access to assessment of their chest pain and facilitate early diagnosis of cardiac disease. They are also well accepted by the patients attending the clinic.
Patient Experiences Following Cardiothoracic Surgery: An Interview Study
Authors: Gardner Genevieve , Elliott Doug , Gill Jaswin , Griffin Melanie , Crawford Matthew 
Published: June 2005

Background: Numerous studies have investigated patient outcomes of cardiac surgery, including some examining health-related quality of life. While these studies have provided some insight into patients' physical function, social abilities and perceived quality of life, studies examining the experiences of individuals recovering from cardiac surgery have received only limited investigation. Aims: This paper presents a thematic analysis of interviews conducted with patients recovering from cardiothoracic surgery, about their memories and experiences of hospital and recovery post-hospital discharge. Methods: Using an exploratory qualitative approach, eight participants were interviewed 6 months following their surgery. Transcripts of interviews were examined using a content analysis approach, with open coding of text and categorising of similar concepts into themes. Findings: Participants reported varying degrees of pain and physical dysfunction during their recovery from surgery and some had still not returned to optimal function. Seven themes emerged from the data: impressions of ICU; comfort/discomfort; being sick/getting better; companionship/isolation; hope/hopelessness; acceptance/apprehension; and life changes. A number of the themes were constructed as a continuum, with participants often demonstrating a range of views or experiences. Many had little or no memory of their stay in the intensive care unit, although others had vivid recollections. Their impressions of hospital were mostly positive, although many experienced fear, apprehension, and mood disturbances at some time during their recovery. Most participants recalled being sick, reaching a turning point, and then getting better. Many participants reported a change in life view since their recovery from surgery. Conclusions: Attention to specific areas of patient orientation, education and support was identified to facilitate realistic expectations of recovery. In addition, some form of systematic follow-up that focuses on patient recovery in terms of both physical and psychological function is important.
Effects of a Problem-Based Learning Rehabilitation Programme on Quality of Life in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease
Authors: Tingström Pia R. , Kamwendo Kitty , Bergdahl Björn 
Published: June 2005

Background: The aim of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is not only physical improvement but also increased quality of life (QoL). A CR programme based upon problem based learning (PBL) philosophy was developed, to achieve and apply new knowledge related to coronary artery disease (CAD). The aim of this paper was to evaluate the impact of the PBL programme on QoL. Methods: 207 consecutive patients < 70 years of age with a recent event of CAD were randomised to a PBL group ( n = 104) or a control group ( n = 103). In addition to standard treatment, the PBL patients participated in 13 group sessions during 1 year, where individual learning needs and behavioural changes were focused upon. QoL was measured by the Ladder of Life, Self-Rated Health (SRH), SF 36, and Cardiac Health Profile (CHP). Results: Significant differences between the groups, favouring the PBL patients, were found by global instruments: more optimistic expectations of the future QoL and a better general condition. No differences were found by SRH, SF 36 or subscales of CHP, but QoL increased in both groups during the year. Conclusions: The main outcome was that QoL improved in both groups with some effects favouring the PBL programme.
Genetic identification of hake and megrim eggs in formaldehyde-fixed plankton samples
Authors: Perez Juliana , Álvarez Paula , Martinez Jose L. , Garcia-Vazquez Eva 
Published: June 2005

Abstract
Spawning of European hake (Merluccius merluccius) and megrim (Lepidorhombus whiffiagonis and L. boscii) overlap in time and space. Their eggs are morphologically similar, so genetic identification is needed for purposes of stock assessment based on plankton surveys. Amplification fragment sizes of a partial sequence within the 16S rRNA genes are different for Merluccius merluccius, Lepidorhombus boscii, and L. whiffiagonis. Species-specificity of the pattern was confirmed after analysing adult individuals from all distribution areas of the three species. After Chelex-based DNA extraction and PCR amplification, fragment sizes at this gene were successfully determined from 85% formaldehyde-fixed eggs and larvae recovered from plankton samples. Species-specificity was resolved using an ABI genetic analyser. The results were 100% reproducible. This methodology for genetic identification of hake and megrim eggs can be very useful for stock assessment of these three commercially important fish species.
Early versus delayed oral feeding after cesarean delivery
Authors: Kovavisarach E. , Atthakorn M. 
Published: June 2005

AbstractObjective: To compare possible adverse gastrointestinal effects after cesarean section in women who took their first meal early compared with those whose first meal was delayed (8 h versus 24 h). Methods: A total of 151 pregnant women with indications for cesarean section but no medical, obstetric, or surgical complications were randomized to two groups, the early oral feeding group (75 women) and the delayed oral feeding group (76 women), at Rajavithi Hospital from November 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003. Results: There were no significant demographic differences between the two groups but there were significant differences in amount of blood loss, time to first bowel sound, and duration of intravenous fluid infusion and Foley catheter use. All these were less in the early feeding group, but there were no significant differences in postoperative gastrointestinal complications. Conclusion: Early oral feeding after cesarean delivery (8 h) caused no significant adverse gastrointestinal effects compared with delayed feeding (24 h).
Changes in lysosomal hydrolase activity associated with malnutrition in young rats
Authors: Roobol Anne , Alleyne G. A. O 
Published: May 2005

1. Total lysosomal hydrolase activities were measured in liver, gastrocnemius muscle and plasma of malnourished and normal rats between 3 and 8 weeks of age.2. Concurrently, the DNA and protein contents of the livers and muscles were determined.3. Increased amounts of acid hydrolase activities were found to be associated with subnormal protein: DNA ratios in the tissues of malnourished rats.4. It was concluded that lysosomal enzymes may be involved in protein catabolism during malnutrition.
The experimental production of vitamin B12deficiency in the baboon (Papio cynocephalus). A 2-year study
Authors: Siddons R. C 
Published: May 2005

1. The development of vitamin B12deficiency, as indicated by the serum and liver vitamin B12levels and the excretion of methylmalonic acid, was studied over a 2-year period in baboons (Papio cynocephalus) given a diet deficient in vitamin B12. The effects of partial hepatectomy and the inclusion of either ampicillin or sodium propionate in the diet on the rate of development of the deficiency were also studied.2. The baboons had previously been fed on a mainly vegetarian diet. Their serum vitamin B12levels were less than 100 ng/l and the mean liver vitamin B12concentration was 0·56 μ/g. Similar serum and liver vitamin B12levels were found in baboons given a purified diet supplemented with 1 μg vitamin B12/d, and marked increases in the serum and liver vitamin B12levels occurred when the daily intake was increased to 2 μg.3. The serum vitamin B12levels decreased to less than 20 ng/l in all baboons given a vitamin B12-deficient diet.4. The liver vitamin B12concentration also decreased in all baboons given a deficient diet. At 9 months the lowest levels (0·20 μ/g) were found in partially hepatectomized baboons but subsequently baboons given the diet containing ampicillin had the lowest levels (0·11 μ/g).5. The excretion of methylmalonic acid after a valine load was found to be inversely related to the liver vitamin B12concentration. In the early part of the study, partially hepatectomized baboons excreted the highest amount but subsequently baboons given a diet containing ampicillin excreted the highest amount.6. Increased formiminoglutamic acid excretion after a histidine load was observed in two baboons given a vitamin B12-deficient diet and in both baboons the liver folic acid concentration was low.7. No haematological or neurological symptoms of the vitamin B12deficiency were observed.
Tissue pyridoxal phosphate concentration and pyridoxaminephosphate oxidase activity in riboflavin deficiency in rats and man
Authors: Lakshmi Ambale V. , Bamji M. S 
Published: May 2005

1. Parenteral administration of pyridoxal 5′-phosphate (PALP) to riboflavin-deficient rats increased the non-FAD component of erythrocyte riboflavin.2. Pyridoxaminephosphate oxidase (EC1.4.3.5) activity in the livers of riboflavin-deficient animals was only 15% of that of controls. PALP concentration in blood, liver and brain was not affected. Deficient animals had higher levels of pyridoxine in liver.3. Human subjects with lesions of the mouth responded to treatment with either riboflavin or pyridoxine.4. PALP concentration of human blood was not affected by administration of riboflavin but was markedly increased by pyridoxine.5. Erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity (EC1.6.4.2) in humans was increased andin vitrostimulation of the enzyme with FAD was decreased by treatment with riboflavin, but not by treatment with pyridoxine.
Critical evaluation of a method for estimating amino acid requirements for maintenance in the rat by measurement of the rate of14C-labelled amino acid oxidation in vivo
Authors: Neale R. J , Waterlow J. C 
Published: May 2005

1. The object of the experiments was to estimate the maintenance requirements for lysine and leucine by a radioactive method. Rats were given a single dose of14C-labelled lysine or leucine and groups of animals were killed after 15, 20 and 30 d.2. After 20 d the specific radioactivity (SR) of protein was approximately the same in liver, muscle and viscera; it was somewhat lower in skin. Once uniform SR is achieved, the rate of loss of radioactivity is a measure of the rate of endogenous loss of the amino acid.3. The rate of loss between 20 and 30 d was measured in two ways: from the daily output of expired14CO2, and from the decrease, over the 10 d interval, of the total amount of radioactivity retained in the body.4. For the first 15 d after administration of the labelled amino acid, all rats were given a low-protein or low-amino acid diet on which body-weight was maintained constant. For the second 15 d period some rats were kept on this diet; others were transferred either to a protein-free diet or to a diet lacking the specific amino acid (lysine or leucine) which had been administered in the labelled form.5. The fractional rate of amino acid loss in the different experiments ranged from 1.5 to 3.5%/d, being greatest with the protein-free diet. The absolute rates of loss were calculated from measurements of the total lysine and leucine content of rats.6. The best estimates of the rate of endogenous amino acid loss obtained in this way, expressed as mg/kg0.75per d were: lysine 136, leucine 80. These estimates are higher than most estimates of maintenance requirements obtained by growth or nitrogen balance methods and possible reasons for these discrepancies are discussed.
Hepatic copper–and zinc-binding proteins in ruminants
Authors: Bremner I , Marshall R. B 
Published: May 2005

1. A metal-binding fraction with a molecular weight of about 12000 in calf and sheep liver has been characterized as a metallothionein-like protein.2. The combined concentrations of copper and zinc in the fraction (as μg/g liver) are a direct function of liver Zn concentration.3. The relative proportions of Cu and Zn in the fraction are dependent on the Cu: Zn ratio in the liver.4. These findings may be relevant to the mutual interaction between Cu and Zn.
The development of the weanling rat during nutritionally - induced growth retardation and during early rehabilitation
Authors: McAnulty P. A. , Dickerson J. W. T. 
Published: May 2005

1. Weanling (24-d-old) male rats were maintained at their body-weight for 1 month by restricting the intake of their normal diet. The animals were then rehabilitated for 0, 3, 7, 10 or 16 d. Control animals were given an unrestricted diet and some killed at the same body-weight as the experimental animals and others at the same age.2. The forebrain, cerebellum, brain stem, heart, lungs, liver, spleen, kidneys, testes, and three sections of the alimentary tract were weighed, and DNA, RNA and protein contents were determined in the brain parts and liver.3. During rehabilitation the weight of the body, corrected for the weight of the gut contents, showed a rapid gain between 7 and 10 d, which was synchronous with a rapid gain in weight of the testes.4. The weight of the majority of organs relative to body-weight was maintained during both undernutrition and rehabilitation, the most marked exceptions being the stomach, which increased in relative weight during undernutrition, and maintained a high relative weight during rehabilitation, and the spleen, which lost weight during undernutrition, and on rehabilitation gained weight very rapidly to achieve a high relative weight.5. The weight of the forebrain fell during undernutrition, due to a loss of water, and the weight of the brain stem rose. In the forebrain, DNA and the protein: DNA ratio were unchanged throughout, whereas a marked loss of RNA occurred during undernutrition, which was restored during rehabilitation.6. The weight of the liver remained unchanged during undernutrition, despite increases in the amounts of DNA and protein. The amount of liver RNA decreased during undernutrition, but on rehabilitation showed an immediate and rapid increase. The variables measured in the liver were normal relative to body-weight, within 10 d of rehabilitation.7. It is suggested that the growth occurring on rehabilitation is a balanced response to a single stimulus, partly mediated at the cellular level by RNA.
Lysozyme activity in plasma and leucocytes in malnourished children
Authors: Mohanram M. , Reddy Vinodini , Mishra S. 
Published: May 2005

1. Lysozyme activity was estimated in plasma and leucocytes of twelve children suffering from kwashiorkor, thirteen children with ocular signs of vitamin A deficiency and ten apparently normal children acting as controls.2. The results showed that the activity of lysozyme in leucocytes was significantly reduced in children with kwashiorkor and in vitamin A-deficient children. Following therapy, the levels of the enzyme in leucocytes were restored to normal.3. The initial enzyme activity in the plasma of both groups of children did not differ significantly from the control value, and was not significantly changed after treatment.4. It is suggested that the decreased activity of lysozyme is one of the factors responsible for diminished resistance to infection generally observed in malnourished children.
Digestion of grass lipids and pigments in the sheep rumen
Authors: Dawson R. M. C. , Hemington Norma 
Published: May 2005

1. Digestion of grass lipids and pigments in the rumen of the sheep has been studied during starvation and following the administration of14C-labelled grass.2. Both galactolipids contained in chloroplasts are rapidly degraded, although mono-galactosyldiglycerides disappear faster than digalactosyldiglycerides. It was concluded that rumen micro-organisms are mainly responsible for this degradation, although grass itself also contains enzymes which can degrade galactolipids.3. Rumen contents can degrade added14C-labelled mono- and digalactosyldiglycerides in vitro at a rate sufficient to account for the disappearance of galactolipids in the intact rumen. The initial enzyme attack is probably a successive deacylation to give monogalactosylglycerol and digalactosylglycerol.4. Most of the chlorophyll pigments are rapidly converted into phaeophytins by loss of magnesium. A small proportion of chlorophyllaand more of chlorophyllbremains intact even after 24 h starvation. On the other hand, about half the phaeophytin undergoes further rapid decomposition to yield phylloerythrin.5. Although the grass phospholipids are extensively degraded, β-carotenes and many non-polar compounds, e.g. steroids, appear to undergo little change in the rumen.
A technique for measuring the biological availability of copper of sheep, sing hypocupraemic ewes
Authors: Suttle N. F. 
Published: May 2005

1. Ewes were made hypocupraemic by feeding a copper-deficient diet and the subsequent responses in plasma Cu obtained when Cu was added to the diet were used to assess the biological availability of the added Cu.2. The uniformity of responses was investigated by repleting thirty-six ewes for 33 d on two occasions with a standard diet containing 5.0 mg Cu/kg dry matter (DM). The mean responses were 0.36 and 0.33 mg/l and the coefficient of variation was approximately 53% on each occasion. The marked individual differences were largely repeatable, the correlation coefficient (r) within individuals being 0.68 (P< 0.001).3. A dose: response relationship was investigated by giving five groups of seven ewes diets containing 2.7, 4.2, 5.7, 7.2 or 8.7 mg Cu/kg DM for 33 d. Each increment in dietary Cu above 4.2 mg/kg significantly increased the response in plasma Cu. The relationship between plasma Cu response (y, mg/l) and Cu intake (x, mg/d) after 21 d wasy= 0.0871x−0.250 (r= 0.99; 3 df).4. The source of individual variation was investigated by comparing the responses of three ‘slow’ and three ‘fast’ responding ewes from Expt 1 to Cu given as a continuous intravenous infusion at rates of 0.05–0.3 mg/d. The relationship between plasma Cu response (y) and infusion rate (x, mg/d) after 17 d, wasy= 2.135x–0.156 (r= 0.86;P< 0 .001). The regression coefficients for ‘slow’ and ‘fast’ responding ewes were similar, as was their metabolism of intravenous64Cu, suggesting that the individual differences were due to differences in absorption rather than in the metabolism of absorbed Cu. Faecal endogenous Cu excretion was estimated to be 0.127 ± 0.019 (mean ± SE) mg/d.5. The relative responses to oral and intravenous Cu were used to estimate the true availability of dietary Cu; in one experiment it was 4.1% and for individual ewes in another experiment, availabilities ranged from 4.5 to 11.4%. The figures are compared with assessments by conventional techniques.6. It is concluded that the repletion technique provides a sensitive means of assessing the availability of Cu in ruminant diets.
Social interactions among adult male rats after early undernutrition
Authors: Whatson T. S. , Smart J. L. , Dobbing J. 
Published: May 2005

1. Developing rats were growth-retarded during gestation and the suckling period by underfeeding their mothers from mating. After weaning, all animals were fed ad lib.2. At 18 weeks each male was paired with another male for 10 min on 4 consecutive days. Tests 1 and 2 were with males of like-treatment group and tests 3 and 4 with males of unlike-treatment group.3. Pairs of previously undernourished rats boxed and fought more often than pairs of controls. In the mixed pairings of tests 3 and 4 the previously underfed animals initiated contact more frequently than did their control partners.4. Evidently there is a lasting effect of early nutritional deprivation on inter-male social behaviour, especially when both of the animals interacting are of the previously undernourished type.
The effects of acute cold exposure and feeding on volatile fatty acid metabolism in the hind leg of the young ox
Authors: Bell A. W. , Gardner J. W. , Thompson G. E. 
Published: May 2005

1. Young steers were fed either 20 or 4 h before exposure to a thermoneutral or a moderately cold environment. Measurements were made of total oxygen consumption (total VO2), respiratory quotient (RQ) and hind-leg blood flow (leg Q) and oxygen uptake (leg VO2). The arteriovenous difference in plasma concentrations of individual volatile fatty acids (VFA) across the leg was also measured. Net exchange and fractional uptake of VFA by the leg were calculated from these results.2. Cold exposure doubled total VO2, significantly decreased the RQ and caused 3-fold and 10-fold increases in leg Q and leg VO2 respectively in both 4 h- and 20 h-fed steers. Arterial plasma concentrations of total VFA (which was more than 95 % acetate) and net leg uptake of VFA also significantly increased in both groups. Cold had no effect on the fractional uptake of VFA by the leg.3. Feeding shortly before the experiment caused a significant increase in total VO2 in thermoneutrality only, and in RQ, arterial plasma VFA and net VFA uptake by the leg in both environments. There was a significant decrease in the fractional uptake of VFA by the leg.4. Calculations suggest that although circulating acetate could, in theory, supply over 60 % of the energy required by the hind leg in the resting, fed animal, less than 30 % of the increased requirement of the shivering leg could be supplied by acetate during acute cold exposure, even shortly after feeding.