Quarterly estimates of New Zealand meat price, consumption and allied data, 1946-1965

From "An econometric study of the New Zealand meat market with special reference to pig meats" an unpublished M.Agr.Sc. thesis, Department of Economics, Lincoln College.This publication is one of a series based on a thesis by Mr C. A. Yandle entitled “An Econometric Study of the New Zealand Meat Market”, written for the Degree of Master of Agricultural Science at Lincoln College. This discussion paper consists of Chapter 7 of the thesis and appendices C and D. It is concerned with the data used in the time series model. Each set of statistics is described as regards source, working methods employed to put the data into a suitable form and the reliability of each set. Graphical illustrations of the main data sets are given along with some discussion. The actual data estimates are contained in an appendix

Bootleggers, Baptists &(and) Televangelists: Regulating Tobacco by Litigation

The bootleggers and Baptists public choice theory of regulation explains how durable regulatory bargains can arise from the tacit collaboration of a public-interest-minded interest group (the Baptists) with an economic interest (the bootleggers). Using the history of tobacco regulation, this Article extends the bootleggers and Baptists theory of regulation to incorporate the role of policy entrepreneurs like the state attorneys general and private trial lawyers who joined forces to regulate tobacco by litigation. We denominate these actors televangelists and demonstrate that they play a pernicious role in regulation. The Article begins by showing how tobacco regulation through the 1980s fit the traditional bootleggers and Baptists public choice model. It then explores the circumstances that made it possible for the emergence of the televangelists as a regulatory partner that the bootleggers would prefer. The Article then criticizes televangelist-bootlegger bargains as likely to result in substantial wealth transfers from large, unorganized groups to the coalition partners. It also shows how televangelist-bootlegger coalitions are more pernicious than bootlegger-Baptist coalitions. Finally, it concludes with suggestions for how to make televangelist-bootlegger coalitions less durable

Antecedent hypertension and heart failure after myocardial infarction

AbstractObjectivesWe sought to assess the relationship of antecedent hypertension to neurohormones, ventricular remodeling and clinical heart failure (HF) after myocardial infarction (MI).BackgroundHeart failure is a probable contributor to the increased mortality observed after MI in those with antecedent hypertension. Hence, neurohormonal activation, adverse ventricular remodeling and a higher incidence of clinical HF may be expected in this group. However, no previous report has documented serial postinfarction neurohumoral status, serial left ventricular imaging and clinical outcomes over prolonged follow-up in a broad spectrum of patients with and without antecedent hypertension.MethodsInpatient events were documented in 1,093 consecutive patients (436 hypertensive and 657 normotensive) with acute MI. In 68% (282 hypertensive, 465 normotensive) serial neurohormonal sampling and radionuclide ventriculography were performed one to four days and three to five months after infarction. Clinical outcomes were recorded over a mean follow-up of two years.ResultsPlasma neurohormones were significantly higher in hypertensives than in normotensives one to four days and three to five months after infarction. From similar initial values, left ventricular volumes increased significantly in hypertensives, compared with normotensives. Left ventricular ejection fraction rose significantly in normotensive but not hypertensive patients. Together with higher inpatient (8.1% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.002) and post-discharge mortality (9.5% vs. 5.5%, p = 0.043), hypertensive patients incurred more inpatient HF (33% vs. 24%, p < 0.001) and more late HF requiring readmission to hospital (12.4% vs. 5.5%, p < 0.001). Antecedent hypertension predicted late HF in patients >64 years of age with neurohormonal activation and early left ventricular dilation.ConclusionsAntecedent hypertension interacts with age, neurohumoral activation and early ventricular remodeling to confer greater risk of HF after MI

Urocortin 2 Infusion in Healthy Humans Hemodynamic, Neurohormonal, and Renal Responses

ObjectivesWe sought to examine the effects of urocortin (UCN) 2 infusion on hemodynamic status, cardiovascular hormones, and renal function in healthy humans.BackgroundUrocortin 2 is a vasoactive and cardioprotective peptide belonging to the corticotrophin-releasing factor peptide family. Recent reports indicate the urocortins exert important effects beyond the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis upon cardiovascular and vasohumoral function in health and cardiac disease.MethodsWe studied 8 healthy unmedicated men on 3 separate occasions 2 to 5 weeks apart. Subjects received placebo, 25-μg low-dose (LD), and 100-μg high-dose (HD) of UCN 2 intravenously over the course of 1 h in a single-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalation design. Noninvasive hemodynamic indexes, neurohormones, and renal function were measured.ResultsThe administration of UCN 2 dose-dependently increased cardiac output (mean peak increments ± SEM) (placebo 0.5 ± 0.2 l/min; LD 2.1 ± 0.6 l/min; HD 5.0 ± 0.8 l/min; p < 0.001), heart rate (placebo 3.3 ± 1.0 beats/min; LD 8.8 ± 1.8 beats/min; HD 17.8 ± 2.1 beats/min; p < 0.001), and left ventricular ejection fraction (placebo 0.6 ± 1.4%; LD 6.6 ± 1.5%; HD 14.1 ± 0.8%; p < 0.001) while decreasing systemic vascular resistance (placebo −128 ± 50 dynes·s/cm5; LD −407 ± 49 dynes·s/cm5; HD −774 ± 133 dynes·s/cm5; p < 0.001). Activation of plasma renin activity (p = 0.002), angiotensin II (p = 0.001), and norepinephrine (p < 0.001) occurred only with the higher 100-μg dose. Subtle decreases in urine volume (p = 0.012) and natriuresis (p = 0.001) were observed.ConclusionsBrief intravenous infusions of UCN 2 in healthy humans induced pronounced dose-related increases in cardiac output, heart rate, and left ventricular ejection fraction while decreasing systemic vascular resistance. Subtle renal effects and activation of plasma renin, angiotensin II, and norepinephrine (at high-dose only) were observed. These findings warrant further investigation of the role of UCN 2 in circulatory regulation and its potential therapeutic application in heart disease

Immunogenicity and safety of a quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine compared with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine in healthy people aged 60 years or older: a randomized Phase III trial

A quadrivalent high-dose inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV4-HD) is licensed for adults 6565&nbsp;y of age based on immunogenicity and efficacy studies. However, IIV4-HD has not been evaluated in adults aged 60\u201364&nbsp;y. This study compared immunogenicity and safety of IIV4-HD with a standard-dose quadrivalent influenza vaccine (IIV4-SD) in adults aged 6560&nbsp;y. This Phase III, randomized, modified double-blind, active-controlled study enrolled 1,528 participants aged 6560&nbsp;y, randomized 1:1 to a single injection of IIV4-HD or IIV4-SD. Hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) geometric mean titers (GMTs) were measured at baseline and D 28 and seroconversion assessed. Safety was described for 180&nbsp;d after vaccination. The primary immunogenicity objective was superiority of IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD, for all four influenza strains 28&nbsp;d post vaccination in participants aged 60\u201364 and 6565&nbsp;y. IIV4-HD induced a superior immune response versus IIV4-SD in terms of GMTs in participants aged 60\u201364 y and those aged 6565&nbsp;y for all four influenza strains. IIV4-HD induced higher GMTs in those aged 60\u201364 y than those aged 6565 y. Seroconversion rates were higher for IIV4-HD versus IIV4-SD in each age-group for all influenza strains. Both vaccines were well tolerated in participants 6560&nbsp;y of age, with no safety concerns identified. More solicited reactions were reported with IIV4-HD than with IIV4-SD. IIV4-HD provided superior immunogenicity versus IIV4-SD and was well tolerated in adults aged 6560 y. IIV4-HD is assumed to offer improved protection against influenza compared with IIV4-SD in adults aged 6560 y, as was previously assessed for adults aged 6565&nbsp;y