A positive SeHCAT test results in fewer subsequent investigations in patients with chronic diarrhoea.

Chronic diarrhoea is a common condition, resulting from a number of different disorders. Bile acid diarrhoea, occurring in about a third of these patients, is often undiagnosed. We hypothesised that a positive diagnosis of bile acid diarrhoea would reduce the need for subsequent investigations for alternative diagnoses. METHODS: Patients previously recruited to a study of chronic diarrhoea who had selenium homocholic acid taurine (SeHCAT) testing and subsequent follow-up at our institution were identified. In a retrospective analysis, the numbers of defined investigations undertaken from the first 3 months after SeHCAT in the following 5 years were compared. RESULTS: 90 patients were identified with primary bile acid diarrhoea (SeHCAT retention 15%, n=54). Follow-up had been performed on 29 and 39 subjects, respectively, with no differences in previous investigations or the last contact date. In the follow-up period, the proportions of these patients who had undergone endoscopic procedures (gastroscopy, colonoscopy and sigmoidoscopy) were the same. However, there was a higher proportion of patients in the SeHCAT-negative group who had other investigations, including imaging, physiological tests and blood tests (p=0.037). The use of cross-sectional imaging was significantly higher in this group (p=0.015) with greater proportions having CT (0.44 vs 0.10) and MRI (0.26 vs 0.07). Ultrasound use and the number of blood tests were higher in the SeHCAT-negative group whereas the SeHCAT-positive group attended more clinic appointments (p=0.013). CONCLUSION: A positive diagnosis of bile acid diarrhoea, made by a SeHCAT test, resulted in reduced use of diagnostic investigations over the subsequent 5 years

GEOGRAPHIC VARIATION IN SELECTED LIFE HISTORY TRAITS OF THE EASTERN NARROWMOUTH TOAD, GASTROPHRYNE CAROLINENSIS (HOLBROOK, 1836), ALONG THE NORTHEASTERN EDGE OF ITS GEOGRAPHIC RANGE

We examined the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad,Gastrophryne carolinensis, along the northeastern edge of its geographic range in Virginia to determine the extent to which selected life history traits in this region adhered to patterns associated with a latitudinal gradient in this species. As in studies elsewhere, a significant difference in mean adult body size between males (28.3 mm SVL) and females (30.1 mm SVL) was typical of this species as was the absence of a relationship between clutch size and female body size. Mean body sizes of both sexes appeared larger in northern populations than southern counterparts. Geographically predictable, the breeding season in Virginia was severely curtailed in response to climatic constraints despite extended fertility, and its breeding activity peaked in mid-summer as it has been reported to do throughout its geographic range. Thus, along the northern edge of its geographic range, the Eastern Narrowmouth Toad retains its ability breed for a longer season despite present climatic constraints, an advantage in the face of climate change that could alter timing and duration of acceptable breeding atmospheric conditions

The Effect of Tonal Proximity upon the Memory of a Set of Tones

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the characteristics of music to which people respond. Ortmann\u27s finding that the songs of Schubert, Schumann, Brahms, and R. Strauss are characterized by more frequent use of smaller intervals implies that small intervals are more typical in western music. In Experiment I random sets of notes were played by the experimenter on a toy xylophone, and the subject was asked to reproduce the set on an identical instrument. The results were that subjects were generally capable of finding the correct notes, but this ability declined as the size of the set increased. Experiment II was completed in order to discern the effect of interval size upon the memory of a set of notes. Four sets of numbers were constructed, with each number referring to a key on the experimenter\u27s xylophone. The intervals within the four sets were 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, and 3-4. The data were not completely consistent; however, the results tended to support the contention that as interval size increases, the level of performance declines. Subjects also tended to restrict the range of their responses. The conclusion was that the subjects tend to prefer smaller intervals because they are more characteristic of the music to which they are accustomed. Attempts were made to explain the inconsistences of the data and to relate the results to Bartlett\u27s theory of mind

Selling Location: Illinois Town Advertisements 1835-1837

This document consists of two parts. Part I is an introduction to Illinois towns and town selling during the boom of 1835-1837 when as many as one thousand new towns were laid out. Part II is a summary, in standard format, of over one hundred advertisements for new towns created during these years. These are followed by Appendix A, which lists the names of all proprietors named in the advertisements, and Appendix B, which is a list of all towns platted during this period in central Illinois

Development program for 35 watt traveling-wave tube space amplifier Final report, 30 Jun. 1967 - 30 Sep. 1969

Development of 35-watt, S band, traveling wave tube amplifier for Saturn 5 instrument uni

Mathematical Model of Heavy Metal Transfer and Transport in Lake Erie

This study was supported in part by the Office of Water Resources Technology, U.S. Department of Interior under project A-045-OHIO(print) vii, 141 p. : ill. ; 27 cm.Numerical integration of mathematical functions representing the concentration of mercury, chromium and nickel in Lake Erie sediments indicate that 3.3 x 10^5 kg Hg, 1.8 x 10^7 kg Cr, and 1.2 x 10^7 kg Ni have been added to the sediments through man's activities. Most of the mercury, chromium and nickel are contained in the sediments of western Lake Erie. A mathematical model of sediment transport in Lake Erie shows that most of the heavy metals in western Lake Erie sediments probably originated from the Detroit metropolitan area and was input via the Detroit River. The sediment dispersal patterns are as follows: 1) the Detroit River sediment spreads southeastward over most of the western basin, 2) the Maumee River sediment is held within 15 miles of the Ohio shore, and 3) the Cuyahoga River sediment travels northeastward along the south shore of the lake. Attempts to model the transfer and transport of mercury within the ecosystem resulted in partial success. Very little transfer results between the sediments and other phases within the system. In contrast the exchange of mercury between the benthic organisms and other trophic and abiotic levels is very rapid.Abstract -- Key Words -- Project Personnel -- Introduction -- Mercury, Chromium and Nickel in Lake Erie Sediments -- Sediment Transport Model -- Model of Mercury Transfer and Transport in Lake Erie - Appendice