A randomized controlled trial of fludrocortisone for the treatment of hyperkalemia in hemodialysis patients.

Background: Previous small uncontrolled studies suggested that fludrocortisone may significantly decrease serum potassium concentrations in hemodialysis patients, possibly through enhancement of colonic potassium secretion. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of oral fludrocortisone on serum potassium concentrations in hyperkalemic hemodialysis patients in an open-label randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Thirty-seven hemodialysis patients with predialysis hyperkalemia were randomly allocated to administration of either oral fludrocortisone (0.

The analysis and comparison of blue wool fibre populations found at random on clothing.

Fifty-eight garments were taped and searched for mid to dark blue wool fibres. These were then removed from the tapings, mounted on slides and examined using a high-power microscope (400x). A total of 2,740 blue wool fibres were identified and visible range microspectrophotometry (MSP) was performed on them.

Evaluation of Raman spectroscopy for the analysis of colored fibers: a collaborative study.

A collaborative study on Raman spectroscopy was carried out by members of the ENFSI (European Network of Forensic Science Institutes) European Fibres Group (EFG) on three dyed fibers: two red acrylics and one red wool. Raman instruments from six different manufacturers were tested as well as nine different laser wavelengths ranging from blue (lambda = 458 nm) to near infrared-NIR (lambda = 1064 nm). This represents the largest comparison study of Raman analytical parameters carried out on identical fiber samples.

Intradialytic serum protein concentrations differ between nightly nocturnal and conventional haemodialysis.

Aim: Nocturnal haemodialysis (NHD) is a new haemodialysis (HD) modality that has been shown to have many benefits when compared with conventional haemodialysis (CHD). Previous results from our NHD programme have demonstrated a 7% fall in the postdialysis serum albumin concentration when compared with the pre-HD levels. A similar, physiological, 9% haemodilution of albumin is seen in normal individuals on assuming a supine posture.

Concurrent quantitation of total campylobacter and total ciprofloxacin-resistant campylobacter loads in rinses from retail raw chicken carcasses from 2001 to 2003 by direct plating at 42 degrees C.

This is the first report on the use of a normally lethal dose of ciprofloxacin in a Campylobacter agar medium to kill all ciprofloxacin-sensitive Campylobacter spp. but allow the selective isolation and quantitation of naturally occurring presumptive ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter CFU in rinses from retail raw chicken carcasses (RTCC). Thermophilic-group total Campylobacter CFU and total ciprofloxacin-resistant Campylobacter CFU (irrespective of species) were concurrently quantified in rinses from RTCC by direct plating of centrifuged pellets from 10 or 50 ml out of 400-ml rinse subsamples concurrently on Campylobacter agar and ciprofloxacin-containing Campylobacter agar at 42 degrees C (detection limit = 0.

A further study of dye batch variation in textile and carpet fibres.

Four sets of acrylic fibre samples were obtained from a company that dyes fabrics for the fashion industry. Between seven and ten different batches of fibres constituted each set. Comparison microscopy, visible and UV range microspectrophotometry and thin layer chromatography (TLC) were used to compare the dyes on each batch of fibres within the sets.

The importance of thin layer chromatography and UV microspectrophotometry in the analysis of reactive dyes released from wool and cotton fibers.

Samples of reactively-dyed wool and cotton were obtained from a range of dye manufacturers, dye distributors and the Forensic Science Service (FSS) Fibre Data Collection. The wool fibers were red in color and had previously been compared using comparison microscopy (CM), visible range microspectrophotometry (VS) and thin layer chromatography (TLC). The cotton fibers were blue and black in color and had not been previously compared.

Randomized, controlled trial of topical exit-site application of honey (Medihoney) versus mupirocin for the prevention of catheter-associated infections in hemodialysis patients.

The clinical usefulness of hemodialysis catheters is limited by increased infectious morbidity and mortality. Topical antiseptic agents, such as mupirocin, are effective at reducing this risk but have been reported to select for antibiotic-resistant strains. The aim of the present study was to determine the efficacy and the safety of exit-site application of a standardized antibacterial honey versus mupirocin in preventing catheter-associated infections.

The influence of obesity on the development and survival outcomes of chronic kidney disease.

The prevalence of obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2 , has more than doubled in many Western countries over the past 2 decades and has become a major public health challenge. This epidemic of obesity in developed countries has been matched closely by alarming increases in the incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and cardiovascular disease. However, the exact role that increased body size plays in the development of nephropathy and its subsequent contribution to cardiovascular morbidity and mortality remain unclear.

Predictors of a favourable response to icodextrin in peritoneal dialysis patients with ultrafiltration failure.

Background And Aims: Icodextrin is a starch-derived glucose polymer that causes sustained ultrafiltration in long dwells in peritoneal dialysis. The aim of this study was to assess factors that were predictive of an increment in ultrafiltration following the introduction of icodextrin in patients with refractory fluid overload.

Methods: Thirty-nine patients (20 male/19 female, mean age 57.

Increases in peritoneal small solute transport in the first month of peritoneal dialysis predict technique survival.

Background: Peritoneal transport of small solutes generally increases during the first month of peritoneal dialysis (PD). The aim of this study was to prospectively evaluate the ability of the peritoneal equilibration test (PET), carried out 1 and 4 weeks after the commencement of PD, to predict subsequent technique survival.

Methods: Fifty consecutive patients commencing PD at the Princess Alexandra Hospital between 1 February 2001 and 31 May 2003 participated in the study.

Curing performance of a new-generation light-emitting diode dental curing unit.

Unlabelled: BACKGROUND; Recent technological advances have resulted in the marketing of high-powered, or HP, battery-operated light-emitting diode, or LED, dental curing lights. The authors examine the curing efficiency and peak polymerization temperature, or Tp, of a new HP LED curing light.

Methods: The authors studied four visible light-curing, or VLC, units: HP LED (A), first-generation LED (B), conventional halogen (C) and high-intensity halogen (D).

Time trends in the use of beta-blockers and other pharmacotherapies in older adults with congestive heart failure.

Background: Evidence supporting pharmacotherapy of congestive heart failure (CHF) has grown substantially over the past decade and includes large, placebo-controlled trials with mortality end points. We describe beta-blocker and other medication temporal treatment trends of CHF in the Cardiovascular Health Study, a community-based cohort study of 5888 adults > or =65 years of age.

Methods: Prescription medication data were collected from hospital discharge summaries for incident CHF events and at in-study annual clinic visits for prevalent CHF cases from 1989 to 2000.

A study in relation to the random distribution of four fibre types on clothing (incorporating a review of previous target fibre studies).

A new target fibre study was undertaken building upon eight previous published studies, which are reviewed here. Fifty-eight items of outer clothing, obtained from households across England, were taped and searched for three types of commonly occurring fibres and one less common fibre type. The tapes were examined using a combination of automatic and manual searching.

The European Fibres Group (EFG) 1993-2002: "understanding and improving the evidential value of fibres".

The paper outlines the history of the European Fibres Group (EFG) and includes its aims and achievements from the time of its formation in 1993 to the present day. The main emphasis is on the subject of "the evidential value of fibres", how the EFG have provided the data and where to locate it. Additionally the paper provides a look into what the group has accomplished in the recognition of the "lack of data" and the research being conducted to correct this problem.

A review of guidelines for nutrition care of renal patients.

The third edition of the Guidelines for Nutrition Care of Renal Patients has been developed to follow the American Dietetic Association's Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT) Protocol format and to further assist dietitians in providing optimal and consistent care to renal patients. The guidelines define the level, content, and frequency of nutrition care that is appropriate based on the best available scientific information and expert opinion. Seven separate guidelines, primarily written for care provided in the outpatient setting, are defined in the publication.

Non-tropical thoraco-abdominal pyomyositis caused by group A streptococcus in an immunocompetent adult.

We present a case of group A streptococcal pyomyositis of the thoraco-abdominal wall of an immunocompetent adult. This diagnosis was made when soft tissue swelling was seen on chest X-ray. Complete recovery followed drainage of the collection and short-course i.

Forensic textile fiber examination across the USA and Europe.

Crime laboratories in the USA, who undertake fiber examinations, together with members of the European Fibres Group (plus representatives from Israel, Japan, Canada, and Australia) were surveyed in 1994 and 1995, respectively, and asked to provide subject-specific information relating to personnel, equipment, training, quality control, and techniques available. The information obtained showed that generally more fiber casework is carried out in Europe than in the USA. Most laboratories are quite well equipped but those in Europe seem to be able to obtain more state-of-the-art instrumentation.

Fibers under fire: suggestions for improving their use to provide forensic evidence.

The current emphasis on DNA technology in forensic science has led many to believe that trace evidence examinations, including fibers, may be of little value. Reasons are given here to show that this is an erroneous assumption. In the face of this situation, fibers examiners have been challenged to consider ways in which they can improve the services they offer to the Criminal Justice System not only by increasing the efficiency of the examinations, but also by expressing the evidential value of the findings in a clearer way.

Single kidney outcome and management in persons with spinal cord injury.

This case study examined the outcomes of persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) who had a single kidney. A Urologic Database, including 1655 persons with SCI between 1969 and 1997, was examined and 22 persons were identified with single kidneys. Twenty persons had adequate follow-up.

The use of the Foster & Freeman Fx5 Fibre Finder in forensic textile examinations.

The Fx5 Fibre Finder has been developed by Foster & Freeman Ltd to automatically search tape lifts for coloured fibres specified by the operator. Experiments and casework studies have been conducted to assess primarily the performance of the instrument but also, where possible, to compare it with manual searching. Tape lifts have always been manually searched at this laboratory and it is a laborious task.

Medical nutrition therapy in pregnancy and kidney disease.

Pregnancy in the face of kidney disease poses a new dimension to medical nutrition therapy. Individualization for specific nutrient needs is paramount, whether the patient has renal insufficiency, requires hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis, or has a renal transplant. Practice guidelines for pregnancy and kidney disease were first developed in 1986 and revised in 1992.

Canadian beef quality audit.

A study was conducted in 4 Canadian processing plants in 1995-96 to determine the prevalence of quality defects in Canadian cattle. One percent of the annual number of cattle processed in Canada were evaluated on the processing floor and 0.1% were graded in the cooler.