Comparison of sulphur dioxide and metabisulphite airway reactivity in subjects with asthma.

BACKGROUND--In asthmatic subjects bronchoconstriction is induced by inhalation of the common food preservatives sulphur dioxide (SO2) and metabisulphite (MBS). SO2 and MBS challenges share many similarities, but it is not known whether they are equivalent. In this study of subjects with mild clinical asthma equivalence was assessed by comparing SO2 and MBS reactivity by estimating the total dose of SO2 inhaled during SO2 and MBS challenges, and by calculating SO2 uptake during both challenges. In addition, as the MBS solutions inhaled were acidic and hyperosmolar, the effect of these factors on MBS responsiveness was investigated. METHODS--Fifteen subjects were challenged on separate days with doubling (0.5 to 8.0 ppm) concentrations of SO2 gas inhaled during three minute periods of isocapnic hyperventilation and MBS administered in doses ranging from 0.1 to 12.8 mumol using the Wright protocol. On two other days SO2 and MBS challenges were preceded by a challenge with phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solutions of pH and osmolarity similar to MBS solutions. Response was measured as the dose or concentration causing a 20% fall in FEV1 (PD20 or PC20). RESULTS--All subjects reacted to MBS and 14 responded to SO2. Geometric mean histamine PD20 was 1.61 mumol (95% confidence interval 0.72 to 3.60). MBS and SO2 airway responsiveness were not significantly related. Estimates of the mean concentration of SO2 inhaled during SO2 and MBS challenges differed, as did estimates of the mean SO2 uptake during both challenges. MBS and SO2 reactivity were not affected by prior challenge with PBS solutions. CONCLUSIONS--SO2 and MBS challenges are not comparable. MBS reactivity was not affected by the hyperosmolar, acidic nature of its solutions.     

Comparison of dietary intakes in four selected European populations

Summary The composition of diet and food intakes in four selected European populations were compared. Dietary data (from the World Health Organization Project on Monitoring Trends and Determinants in Cardiovascular Disease) were measured by record methods and were available for middle-aged men in Finland (n = 653), France (n =1128), Northern Ireland (n = 356), and southern Germany (Augsburg region; n = 899). Nutritional variables — which are independent of the absolute energy intake, such as the percentage supply of energy from macronutrients and the ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids — were on the whole similar. However, striking differences were found in food intake and in the percentage supply of fat from different foods. The results indicate that detailed knowledge of consumption figures is necessary to develop prudent and acceptable nutrition intervention programs.Abbreviations CHD coronary heart disease - MONICA monitoring trends and determinants in cardiovascular disease - MUFA monounsaturated fatty acids - P/S ratio ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids/saturated fatty acids - PUFA polyunsaturated fatty acids - SFA saturated fatty acids     

Effect of ketosis on respiratory sensitivity to carbon dioxide in obesity.

We investigated whether the respiratory defect in the obesity-hypoventilation syndrome might respond to dietary manipulation. The effects of hypocaloric ketogenic regimens on the ventilatory response to carbon dioxide were studied in a manner excluding changes in weight or thoracic mechanics as factors. Six obese subjects with hyporesponse (less than 1.1 1/min/mm Hg) and 12 with normal response were fasted or given a diet containing 400 kcal per day of protein. During ketosis carbon dioxide response more than doubled in those with hyporesponse (0.8 +/- 0.1 to 1.8 +/- 1/min/mm Hg, P less than 0.05) but was unchanged in those with normal response. This improvement could not be accounted for by changes in weight, pulmonary function, pH or degree of ketosis between the two groups. However, a significant positive (r = 0.70; P less than 0.001) correlation between ketone-body concentrations and carbon dioxide response was observed in subjects with hyporesponse. These results indicate that depressed sensitivity to carbon dioxide in obese patients can be increased by dietary manipulation.     

Electrospray ionisation-mass spectrometric characterisation of selected anti-psychotic drugs and their detection and determination in human hair samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

Electrospray ionisation quadrupole ion-trap mass spectrometric (ESI-MS) characterisation of the anti-psychotic drugs chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine, flupenthixol, risperidone and the antidepressant/internal standard trimipramine is presented and possible mechanisms for the observed MSn fragmentation patterns proposed. A validated liquid chromatography (LC)-MS-MS method is then applied to the detection and determination of these drugs in the hair of a patient under clinical treatment for schizophrenia. Chlorpromazine, trifluoperazine and flupenthixol are identified and determined in this hair sample following alkaline degradation of the matrix, solvent extraction and LC-MS-MS using trimipramine as internal standard.     

Dietary behaviour and health in Northern Ireland: an exploration of biochemical and haematological associations.

STUDY OBJECTIVE--The aim was to determine the relationships between dietary behaviour and biochemical and haematological measures. DESIGN--This was a cross sectional population study. SETTING--The study took place in the general community within Northern Ireland. SUBJECTS--522 randomly selected adults aged 18-64 years took part (65% of the eligible sample). MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS--Four dietary behaviours were identified using principal components analysis from 7 d weighed dietary records described in terms of mean intake of 41 food groups. Haematological and biochemical analyses were carried out on non-fasting blood samples. Social, personal, and lifestyle information was ascertained through interviewer administered questionnaires. Partial correlations controlled for age and smoking behaviour were calculated. There were significant negative associations between iron status measures and the "traditional" behaviour, while the "meat and two veg" behaviour showed positive associations. There were positive associations between the "cosmopolitan" and "convenience" behaviours and folate status in women. White cell count and platelet levels in women were negatively associated with the "traditional" and "cosmopolitan" behaviours. Total cholesterol levels showed significant negative associations with the "cosmopolitan" behaviour in women and HDL cholesterol levels were positively associated with the "cosmopolitan", "convenience" and "meat and two veg" behaviours. CONCLUSIONS--Through a multivariate approach to dietary assessment it is possible to identify food combinations that cluster and interact to influence biochemical and haematological indices of health status.     

Experience of external beam radiotherapy given adjuvantly or at relapse following surgery for craniopharyngioma.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Evaluation of effect of timing of external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) following surgery for craniopharyngioma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 1976 and 2002, 87 patients (28 children) received EBRT in a regional referral centre. Forty-four patients received EBRT adjuvantly and 43 on relapse. The median total dose was 42.5Gy (range 34.7-52.5Gy) in 2.25-2.83Gy fractions over a median of 20 days (range 17-32). Effect of EBRT timing, type of original surgery, age on survival, progression-free survival (PFS) and quality of life (QOL) was studied. RESULTS: Survival from diagnosis was 86 and 76% and PFS was 78 and 66% at 10 and 20 years, respectively, with no significant difference seen between those treated adjuvantly or at relapse or according to age. QOL deteriorated significantly from diagnosis to last follow-up. Excluding patients who relapsed following EBRT, QOL did not deteriorate significantly overall (P=0.35). Children had worse QOL and greater morbidity at all timepoints compared to adults. CONCLUSIONS: EBRT is effective both adjuvantly and at relapse. QOL deteriorates over time-relapse following EBRT was the only significant factor. Children have greater morbidity compared to adults, but no evidence for greater EBRT-induced toxicity was seen.     

An Investigation of the “Jumping to Conclusions” Data-Gathering Bias and Paranoid Thoughts in Asperger Syndrome

The existence of a data-gathering bias, in the form of jumping to conclusions, and links to paranoid ideation was investigated in Asperger syndrome (AS). People with AS (N = 30) were compared to a neurotypical control group (N = 30) on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes and the Beads tasks, with self-report measures of depression, general anxiety, social anxiety, self-consciousness and paranoid ideation. The AS group performed less well than the control group on the Reading the Mind in the Eyes Task with regard to accuracy but responded more quickly and tended to make decisions on the basis of less evidence on the Beads Task with 50 % demonstrating a clear ‘jumping to conclusions bias’, whereas none of the control group showed such a bias. Depression and general anxiety were associated with paranoid ideation but not data-gathering style, which was contrary to expectation.