bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The reliability of aeroplane attitude determination using the main geomagnetic field with application to tensor VLF data analysis
Authors: Bastani M. , Pedersen L.B. 
Published: November 2003

The attitude angles of an aeroplane used for geophysical measurements are necessary in order to calculate field components in a fixed reference frame. In this paper it is shown analytically how the measurement of static magnetic field components can be used to determine the attitude angles. Error analysis shows that when magnetic anomalies are small to moderate (less than 5% of the total field), the attitude angles can be determined to within a few degrees at high latitudes. For a given area the maximum error is linearly related to the magnitude of the anomaly.The technique is illustrated on a tensor VLF data set from an area in Sweden with local magnetic anomalies less than 1% of the regional total magnetic field. Attitude errors propagated into tensor VLF transfer functions are of the same order as their random errors.
The effects of pneumoperitoneum on intraperitoneal tumour implantation in nude mice
Authors: Volz J. , Köster S. , Melchert F. 
Published: November 2003

Objective The aim of the study was to examine the effect of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum on the intraperitoneal growth of tumour cells.
Design 6‐week‐old nude mice were stratified into four groups of 15 animals each. A CO2 pneumoperitoneum was induced by a micro‐hysteroflator with an intraperitoneal pressure of 8 mm Hg for 90 min in groups 2 and 4. Two different tumour cell lines, suspended in 2 ml of Ringer solution for homogeneous spread of the cells, were injected i.p.. The control groups 1 and 3 received the tumour cells without pneumoperitoneum.
Results The induction of a CO2 pneumoperitoneum resulted in an increased seeding rate of tumour cells and provoked a significant increase in the number and size of intra‐abdominal metastases.
Conclusion We conclude that present laparoscopic techniques should be evaluated with regard to the potential risk of intraperitoneal tumour growth in the case of malignant tumours.
Systemic‐to‐pulmonary vascular malformation of lung visualized by computer‐assisted 3‐D reconstruction
Authors: AKAHANE T , YAEGASHI H. , KUROKAWA Y. , SATOMI S. , TAKAHASHI T. 
Published: November 2003

Aims:While a growing number of cases with pulmonary arteriovenous malformation (PAVM) have been reported, detailed analysis has yet to be found on the relation of abnormal vessels with the whole lung vasculature and airways. To gain more insight into the structure–function interrelation of this disease, we attempted to visualize the vessels in and around the arteriovenous malformation, resorting to computer‐aided 3‐D reconstruction.Methods and results:The material was the upper lobe of the right lung from a 44‐year‐old man resected for recurrent haemoptysis. On pre‐surgical selective angiography, an arteriovenous communication was suggested to exist between a tributary of the right 3rd intercostal artery and pulmonary vein. Semi‐serial sections were prepared from the material and submitted to 3‐D reconstruction of blood vessels and airways. In 3‐D images, branches of the 3rd intercostal artery proved to be forming a plexus of abnormally dilated, thin‐walled vessels in the subepithelial layer of a membranous bronchiole, a situation clearly explaining the mechanism of haemoptysis. There was no capillary bed interventing between the afferent arteries and draining vessels leading to the pulmonary vein.Conclusions:This presents the first overall visualization of PAVM, allowing comparison of 2‐D microscopy with the corresponding 3‐D morphology.
Sperm morphology assessment: diagnostic potential and comparitive analysis of strict or WHO criteria in a fertile and a subfertile population
Authors: OMBELET W. , WOUTERS E. , BOELS L. , COX A. , JANSSEN M. , SPIESSENS C. , VEREECKEN A. , BOSMANS E. , STEENO O. 
Published: November 2003

This prospective study compared the diagnostic and predictive potential of sperm morphology assessments in a fertile vs. a subfertile population, evaluated in three different laboratories. The fertile population included 144 men who had recently fertilized their partners. As subfertile controls, 136 men with a history of subfertility for more than 12␣months were used. All semen samples (280) were evaluated in three different centres in a blind fashion, without any patient information. The evaluation of sperm morphology was performed according to the criteria normally used in the different laboratories: WHO (1992) criteria for laboratory A, and Tygerberg strict criteria for laboratories B and C. Using ROC analysis, the predictive power of sperm morphology turned out to be different in the three laboratories (area under ROC curve: 69% for lab A, 72% for lab B and 78% for lab C). Using percentile 10 of the fertile population as the cut‐off value for normality, we obtained the following results: 2, 1 and 5% for laboratories A, B and C, respectively. Using ROC analysis cut‐off values with optimal specificity and sensitivity were 6, 1 and 10%, respectively.Although our data highlight a reasonable predictive power of sperm morphology in centres using different or the same criteria, cut‐off values for normality were different, even when the same criteria were applied. These results stress the importance of standardization in sperm morphology evaluation and the need for examining a reference population in estimating the real threshold value in different laboratories.
Inhibition of yeast growth in grape juice through removal of iron and other metals
Authors: Feng Minhua , Lalor Brendan , Hu Shuwei , Mei Jia , Huber Ann , Kidby Denis , Holdein Bruce 
Published: November 2003

Growth of microbial spoilage organisms requires an adequate supply of essential trace metals. Removal of iron and other metals from grape juice with chelating resins was studied with a view to obtaining microbiological stability without the addition of chemical preservatives. Several chelating resins were examined for their iron and other metal removal efficiencies. High affinity and selective removal of essential trace microbial nutrient metals was investigated for its effects on the growth of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in grape juice.Iron removal from grape juice was studied in terms of removal kinetics and completeness. Iron removal was fast, and almost all of the iron was removed within 1 h. The chelating resins were able to easily remove the iron to a level below 5 p.p.b. in a batch process, and with a column process the iron concentration could be reduced to about 1 p.p.b. Other metals significantly removed by the resins in the treatment were Cu, Mn, Mg, Ca and Zn. Levels of Na and K were also significantly affected by the treatments.Grape juice with an iron content below 3 p.p.b. could be prepared by using the chelating resins. Preliminary evaluation indicated that the growth of S. cerevisiae, a bottom wine yeast, was substantially inhibited in the treated grape juice. The inhibitory effect could be abolished by re‐addition of the removed metals.
Mechanisms of electrical field stimulation‐induced vasodilatation in the guinea‐pig basilar artery: the role of endothelium
Authors: Jiang F. , Li C. G. , Rand M. J. 
Published: November 2003

1 The role of endothelium in neuronal vasodilatation elicited by electrical field stimulation (EFS) was investigated in preparations of the isolated guinea‐pig basilar artery in which the tone was raised with prostaglandin F2α. 2 In preparations with intact endothelium, EFS produced frequency‐dependent dilatations which were not affected by guanethidine but were slightly yet significantly reduced by atropine (1 μm), and were blocked by tetrodotoxin (1 μM) and the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor l‐NAME (10 μm). 3 Dilatations were elicited by acetylcholine (3 μm); these were blocked by l‐NAME and atropine (1 μm). 4 Dilatations were elicited by nicotine (100 μm); these were blocked by l‐NAME and hexamethonium (100 μm). 5 Dilatation elicited by sodium nitroprusside (SNP, 3 μm) was not affected by l‐NAME. 6 The inhibitory effects of l‐NAME were partially prevented by l‐arginine (1 mm). 7 Removal of the endothelium resulted in a significant reduction of dilatations elicited by EFS, elimination of the dilator action of acetylcholine, but enhancement of that to SNP. 8 The results suggest that EFS‐induced vasodilatation is mediated in part by the nitrergic transmitter and in part by endothelium derived relaxing factor (EDRF) activated by acetylcholine released from cholinergic nerves.
Is thirst associated with disability in hospital inpatients?
Authors: Blower A. C. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives: The study aimed to determine what factors prevent patients from drinking in hospital. It also investigated whether thirst is associated with disability and how patients obtain drinks. Methods:Structured interviews with patients and staff were carried out using the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys (OPCS) disability instrument to measure patient's disability. The study took place in an oncology, orthopaedic and general medical ward in three Cardiff hospitals, with 50 patients studied on each ward (150 patients in total). The main outcome measures were thirst score, ease of reaching drinks, waiting before asking for assistance, availability of drinks and help to drink, and disability score. Results:Fifty‐two per cent (n= 78) of the sample were more thirsty than usual since admission.Thirty‐seven per cent (n= 56) were not able to drink as often as they needed to. For these patients the causes included: inability to reach the drink (89%) reluctance to ask for help to drink (45%), unavailability of drinks (32%) and unavailability of help to drink (29%). Of the patients who needed help to drink, 94% (n= 33) waited before asking for help, and 91% did so because they did not want to trouble busy staff. Significant associations were found between thirst and various aspects of disability (locomotion, reaching and stretching, dexterity, personal care and continence). Conclusion: Thirst was common in the sample of inpatients interviewed. Many patients were unable to drink as often as they needed. Inability to reach drinks, reluctance to ask busy staff for help and unavailability of drinks or help to drink were the main reasons for this. Thirst was associated with disability. No causal relationship was proved, but disabled dependant patients rely on the availability of drinks within reach and help to drink. Lack of these provisions may be important factors contributing to thirst in disabled inpatients.
Incidence of rare systemic rheumatic and connective tissue diseases in Finland
Authors: KAIPIAINEN‐SEPPÄNEN OILI , AHO KIMMO 
Published: November 2003

Objective. To obtain information on the incidence of rare systemic rheumatic and connective tissue diseases in Finland. Design. Population‐based epidemiological study. Setting. Five out of 21 central hospital districts in Finland (population: about 1 million adults 16 years of age). Subjects. Subjects entitled under the nationwide sickness insurance scheme to receive specially reimbursed medication for rare systemic rheumatic or connective tissue diseases in 1990. Main outcome measure. Incidence. Results. A total of 30 incident cases occurred. Nine patients had mixed connective tissue disease, four had systemic sclerosis, four had dermato/polymyositis and one patient had inclusion body myositis; the corresponding annual incidence rates were 8, 4, 4 and 1/million of the adult population. Only one patient had adult Still's disease. The overall annual incidence rate of systemic vasculitides was 9/million of the adult population. Conclusion. This study provides population‐based figures on the incidence of rare systemic rheumatic and connective tissue diseases in Finland.
Continuous vectorcardiographic changes in relation to scintigraphic signs of reperfusion in patients with acute myocardial infarction receiving thrombolytic therapy
Authors: JUHLIN P. , BOSTRÖM P.‐Å. , HANSEN O. , FREITAG M. , ERHARDT L. , DIEMER H. , LILJA B. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. Changes in the electrical activity of the heart reflecting the infarct process can be recorded by continuous vector‐ECG, a method which is now clinically available for cardiac supervision. Shifts of the ST‐segment and QRS‐vector reflect ischaemia and necrosis of the myocardium. Continuous vector‐ECG changes were evaluated against myocardial scintigraphy in 18 patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with streptokinase in order to study the impact of improved myocardial perfusion. Design. Myocardial perfusion was analysed with 99Tcm‐Sestamibi (Cardiolite, DuPont Scandinavia AB, Kista, Sweden) single photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT). Registrations were performed before and after thrombolysis in order to estimate the amount of myocardium with impaired perfusion initially (threatened myocardium) and the degree of perfusion improvement in this myocardial area. X, Y, Z vectors were registered continuously by Frank leads (Ortivus Medical, Täby, Sweden). QRS‐vector difference, and the time to plateau phase and the ST‐vector magnitude were used as a measurement of ischaemia and size of the myocardial infarction. Results. In seven out of 11 patients treated within 3 h of onset of symptoms, an improvement in myocardial perfusion in the initially hypoperfused areas was achieved in contrast to none of the seven patients treated >3 h after onset of pain (P<0.05). In the whole patient material, there was a negative correlation between the time to plateau level for the QRS‐vector and the improvement in myocardial perfusion (r=‐0.53, P<0.05). Among patients treated within 3 h, there was a negative correlation between the plateau level for the QRS‐vector magnitude compared to the improvement in myocardial perfusion (r=‐0.61, P<0.05) and a negative correlation between the plateau level and the myocardial perfusion level after therapy (r=‐0.69, P<0.05). In these patients, there were also negative correlations between the maximal ST‐vector magnitude and the myocardial perfusion both before and after thrombolysis (r=‐0.81, P<0.05 and r=‐61, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusion. Patients with marked improvement in myocardial perfusion indicating successful thrombolysis reach their plateau levels of the QRS‐change faster and have lower total QRS‐vector differences than patients without successful thrombolysis as reflected by myocardial scintigraphy. Patients with a high ST‐vector magnitude have low perfusion levels both before and after therapy indicating a pronounced ischaemic damage of the myocardium. Thus, VCG‐changes reflect impairment in myocardial perfusion during acute myocardial infarction.
Serum lipids and lipoproteins are correlated to skin vessel reactivity in healthy women
Authors: ALGOTSSON A. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. To investigate whether serum lipids and lipoproteins are correlated to the results of skin vessel reactivity tests. Design. Healthy, non‐smoking individuals of various ages without atopic constitution and medication were selected for the study. Setting. Subjects blood sampled and examined with iontophoresis and a newly developed laser Doppler perfusion imager at Huddinge University Hospital. Subjects. Thirteen men, 20–80 years of age, and 21 women, 18–76 years of age, who fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Main outcome measures. Normalized perfusion values (%) after iontophoresis of acetylcholine (ACh), nitroprusside and isoprenaline. Fasting concentrations of total cholesterol, high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride values. Results. Skin vessel reactivity tests to ACh and isoprenaline, and to a lesser extent, nitroprusside were positively correlated to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL‐C) levels (P=0.014, 0.005 and 0.113, respectively), and negatively correlated to both the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL‐C (P=0.029, 0.011, 0.005) and the level of triglycerides (P= 0.045, 0.011, 0.005) in young and middle‐aged women. There was also a negative correlation between isoprenaline and triglycerides (P=0.042) in elderly women. No correlations between serum lipids and lipoproteins and skin vessel reactivity were found in men. Conclusions. The results of the study suggest that serum lipids and lipoproteins, primarily HDL‐C, influence skin vessel reactivity in healthy women. Furthermore, HDL‐C seems to influence the function of the vascular smooth muscle as well as the endothelium.
Assessment of autonomic nerve function in acute intermittent porphyria; a study based on spectral analysis of heart rate variability
Authors: BLOM H. , ANDERSSON C. , OLOFSSON B.‐O. , BJERLE P. , WIKLUND U. , LITHNER F. 
Published: November 2003

Objectives. To assess the function of the autonomic nervous system in patients with acute intermittent porphyria by spectral analysis of the heart rate variability. Design. A cross‐sectional case–control study. Setting. Patients were examined at the Primary Health Care Centre, Arjeplog and at Umeå University Hospital, where the controls were also examined. Subjects. Twenty‐three patients with acute intermittent porphyria verified by DNA analysis and 92 healthy controls were included. Main outcome measures. The mid‐frequency band power after tilting was used to evaluate sympathetic function, and the high frequency band power during controlled breathing at 12 breaths min‐1 and the mid‐frequency band power during controlled deep breathing at 6 breaths min‐1 were used to evaluate parasympathetic function. Results. There was no evidence of sympathetic dysfunction in the patients. The mid‐frequency band power during controlled deep breathing at 6 breaths min‐1 was significantly (P=0.02) lower in the patient group. Conclusions. Our findings indicate a parasympathetic dysfunction in patients with acute intermittent porphyria. This may be causally related to sudden cardiac death and the life‐threatening arrhythmias which have been observed in this disorder.
Reproducibility of on‐line vectorcardiography measurements in patients with and without acute ischaemic heart disease
Authors: LUNDIN P. , JENSEN J. , ERIKSSON SV 
Published: November 2003

Lundin P, Jensen J, Eriksson SV (Department of Medicine, Danderyd Hospital, Danderyd, Sweden, and Department of Medicine, Huddinge Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden). Reproducibility of on‐line vectorcardiography measurements in patients with and without acute ischaemic heart disease. J Intern Med 1997; 242: 117–24.ObjectivesThe aim of the present study was to determine inter and intraobserver variations of measurements with on‐line vectorcardiography (VCG).DesignThe VCG registrations were evaluated by two independent observers. One observer also evaluated the VCG registrations on two separate occasions. Monitored VCG variables were: ST vector magnitude (ST‐VM), ST vector lead X (ST‐X), ST change vector magnitude (STC‐VM) and QRS vector difference (QRS‐VD).Subjects: On‐line VCG was performed for 24 hours in 60 patients (10 with low probability of ischaemic heart disease, 25 with unstable angina pectoris and 25 with acute myocardial infarction).ResultsA close correlation between the two observers and small coefficients of variation were found regarding the ST‐VM initial value (r= 0.99, 4.7), the ST‐X maximum depression (r= 0.99, 3.2) and the QRS‐VD end value (r= 0.98, 5.6). A less close correlation and higher coefficients of variation were found regarding the number of QRS‐VD episodes (r= 0.94, 41.5), ST‐VM episodes (r= 0.89, 37.8) and STC‐VM episodes (r= 0.87, 35.1). Correlation coefficients and coefficients of variations for VCG measurements performed on two separate occasions by one observer ranged from 0.97 to 0.99 and from 18.1 to 1.8 respectively. Three (12%) of 25 patients with acute myocardial infarction did not meet the VCG infarction criterion (QRS‐VD ≥ 15 μVs) by both observers. In addition, five (20%) of the 25 patients with unstable angina pectoris met the VCG infarction criterion by both observers.ConclusionThe inter and intraobserver variation for VCG interpretations was low, but the number of QRS‐VD, ST‐VM and STC‐VM episodes varied between the two observers. This finding suggests that additional training may improve the results. Caution is also recommended in using VCG to rule out or establish the diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction.
Impact of liver transplantation on autonomic neuropathy in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: an evaluation by spectral analysis of heart rate variability
Authors: SUHR O. B. , WIKLUND U. , ANDO Y. , ANDO E. , OLOFSSON B.‐O. 
Published: November 2003

Suhr OB, Wiklund U, Ando Y, Ando E & Olofsson B‐O (Umeå University Hospital, Umeå, Sweden). Impact of liver transplantation on autonomic neuropathy in familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy: an evaluation by spectral analysis of heart rate variability. J Intern Med 1997; 242: 225–9.ObjectivesTo evaluate the impact of liver transplantation on familial amyloidotic polyneuropathy type I (FAP) patients' autonomic neuropathy.DesignAn open study.SettingA tertiary referral centre.SubjectsTwelve liver‐transplanted FAP patients evaluated before and one year or longer after liver transplantation.InterventionsSpectral analysis of heart rate variability. The low‐frequency band after tilting (sympathetic), and the high‐frequency band in supine position (parasympathetic) were analysed, as were the pulse and blood pressure reaction to tilting. Clinical symptoms related to autonomic disturbances were recorded.Main outcome measuresSpectral band power for sympathetic and parasympathetic activity.ResultsNo statistically significant improvements in sympathetic or parasympathetic band power after liver transplantation was found (sympathetic band power: 2.7 (2.2–3.2) before, 2.9 (2.2–3.6) after; parasympathetic 2.0 (1.6–2.4) before and 2.0 (1.7–2.3) after. A significant correlation was noted between orthostatic blood pressure reaction and sympathetic activity before transplantation, but not after the operation. A trend was noted for improved orthostatic blood pressure reaction. Symptomatic improvements in bowel function and orthostatic symptoms were reported by several patients.Conclusions.Although improvements in autonomic symptoms are reported after liver transplantation, no significant improvement is noted in sympathetic or parasympathetic spectral band power of heart rate variability. However, the follow‐up period of 17 months may be too short. Further evaluation after an additional two and four years is needed.