The effect of high dose inhaled corticosteroids on wheeze in infants after respiratory syncytial virus infection: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial

Objective To determine whether early initiated anti-inflammatory therapy with prolonged high dose inhaled glucocorticoids influences the occurrence and severity of recurrent wheeze after respiratory syncytial virus related lower respiratory tract infections

Seasonal variation in the impacts of brushtailed possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) on five palatable plant species in New Zealand beech (Nothofagus) forest

The seasonal variation in possum browse and foliage cover of five possum-preferred species was quantified and studied in northern Westland, New Zealand over a 24 month period. Four of the five species (Pseudopanax simplex, P. colensoi, Aristotelia serrata, and Elaeocarpus hookerianus) showed marked seasonal patterns in both browse and foliage cover, with maximum browse evident in winter/spring when foliage cover was at a minimum. There was very little browse and no seasonal pattern in foliage cover for the fifth species, Pseudopanax crassifolius. In the season of maximum browse there were significant negative correlations between browse and foliage cover for the four impacted species suggesting that the changes in foliage cover were caused by possum browsing. Mortality was highest in the two most heavily browsed species (P. simplex and P. colensoi). This seasonality in possum browse needs to be accommodated when designing long-term surveys of possum impacts.This study was funded by the Department of Conservation, the writing-up of the results was funded by the Foundation for Research and Science Technology (Contract CO9404)

Efficient navigation in virtual environments : a comparative study of two interaction techniques : the magic wand vs. the human joystick

Whether it is for entertainment, training, medical, architectural, among other purposes, virtual environments are having a salient, real impact into many facets of our lives. A common user interaction task within such environments is movement. Several solutions have been proposed in the past for different environments. We are presenting a novel variation of two known interaction techniques and evaluate them in terms of efficiency and user experience in an immersive, virtual supermarket. Results indicate that although one is more efficient than the other they do not differ in terms of experiential aspects

Intra-operative parathyroid hormone measurements:Experience of a non-academic hospital

Background: Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. The majority of research concerning intra-operative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) measurements is conducted in university hospitals. Whether ioPTH measurements are feasible and useful in predicting the presence of remaining hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in a non-academic hospital remains uncertain. Methods: Data were collected on all patients with biochemically proven and surgically treated primary hyperparathyroidism treated at the Reinier de Graaf Hospital from August 2002 to December 2007. Results: Sixty-five patients were included. The mean pre-operative serum calcium level was 2.78 mmol/l (range 2.28 - 3.80 mmol/l, normal range 2.20 - 2.65 mmol/l) and the mean serum parathyroid hormone level 17.0 pmol/l (range 4.0 - 90.3 pmol/l, normal range 1.0 - 5.5 pmol/l). All patients were operated on for primary hyperparathyroidism, using ioPTH measurements during their first operation. Sensitivity and specificity rates of ioPTH measurements were 98% and 89%, respectively. The ioPTH test accurately indicated incomplete removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in 8 patients (12%). Five patients (8%) were reexplored immediately, of whom 4 were successfully treated in this single operative session. One patient was operated on successfully the next day. Two patients were operated on with a successful result during a second admission. In all the ioPTH measurements there was 1 false-positive result (1.5%) and 1 false-negative result (1.5%). The mean postoperative calcium value for the successfully treated patients was 2.34 mmol/l (range 2.14 - 2.71 mmol/l, normal range 2.20 - 2.65 mmol/l). The mean postoperative PTH level for the successfully treated patients was 3.76 pmol/l (range 0.40 - 7.1 pmol/l). Conclusion: Our data suggest that ioPTH measurements are feasible and useful in a non-academic hospital.</p

Intra-operative parathyroid hormone measurements:Experience of a non-academic hospital

Background: Surgery is the treatment of choice for symptomatic primary hyperparathyroidism. The majority of research concerning intra-operative parathyroid hormone (ioPTH) measurements is conducted in university hospitals. Whether ioPTH measurements are feasible and useful in predicting the presence of remaining hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in a non-academic hospital remains uncertain. Methods: Data were collected on all patients with biochemically proven and surgically treated primary hyperparathyroidism treated at the Reinier de Graaf Hospital from August 2002 to December 2007. Results: Sixty-five patients were included. The mean pre-operative serum calcium level was 2.78 mmol/l (range 2.28 - 3.80 mmol/l, normal range 2.20 - 2.65 mmol/l) and the mean serum parathyroid hormone level 17.0 pmol/l (range 4.0 - 90.3 pmol/l, normal range 1.0 - 5.5 pmol/l). All patients were operated on for primary hyperparathyroidism, using ioPTH measurements during their first operation. Sensitivity and specificity rates of ioPTH measurements were 98% and 89%, respectively. The ioPTH test accurately indicated incomplete removal of all hyperfunctioning parathyroid tissue in 8 patients (12%). Five patients (8%) were reexplored immediately, of whom 4 were successfully treated in this single operative session. One patient was operated on successfully the next day. Two patients were operated on with a successful result during a second admission. In all the ioPTH measurements there was 1 false-positive result (1.5%) and 1 false-negative result (1.5%). The mean postoperative calcium value for the successfully treated patients was 2.34 mmol/l (range 2.14 - 2.71 mmol/l, normal range 2.20 - 2.65 mmol/l). The mean postoperative PTH level for the successfully treated patients was 3.76 pmol/l (range 0.40 - 7.1 pmol/l). Conclusion: Our data suggest that ioPTH measurements are feasible and useful in a non-academic hospital.</p