Nutritional and radiological impact of dietary potassium on the Pakistani population

The nutritional status of dietary potassium and the radiological impact of its isotope (40)K were estimated for the Pakistani population. Potassium concentration was determined in dietary samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. An average potassium concentration was 4.54+/-0.89 mg/g, which leads to potassium dietary intake of 2.69+/-0.54 g/day and the radiological hazard due to (40)K activity was 79.94 Bq/day. The annual and lifetime effective doses calculated for the reference Pakistani man weighing 64 kg due to measured activity of (40)K were found to be 1.65 x 10(-4) Sv y(-1) and 8.27 x 10(-3) Sv, respectively. Measured data showed that the potassium concentration in the Pakistani diet is adequate and safe according to international standards.

Determination of the "incidental" Lund score for the staging of chronic rhinosinusitis

OBJECTIVE

Determine normative values for the Lund score for computed tomographic (CT) scans of the paranasal sinuses.

METHODS

Patients undergoing CT of the paranasal sinus region for nonsinusitis causes were evaluated and staged according to the Lund-MacKay system. Complete and near complete Lund scores were computed from these scans and the frequencies of incidental paranasal abnormalities were tabulated.

RESULTS

A total of 199 patients who underwent CT scans of the internal auditory canals, pituitary, or orbits demonstrated adequate visualization of the paranasal sinuses. In 91 patients, the imaging was sufficient to compute a complete Lund score with a mean of 4.26 (95% CI, 3.43 to 5.10). In 130 patients, all sinuses were adequately imaged except for the ostiomeatal complex. For this near complete group, the mean prorated Lund score was 4.26 (95% CI, 3.55 to 4.97). Both of these scores differed significantly from an expected score of zero (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The Lund score in the general population is not 0. A Lund score ranging from 0 to 5 may be considered within an incidentally "normal" range, and should be factored into clinical decision-making.

Presence and usability in shared space virtual conferencing: a participatory design study

The use of teleconferencing as an alternative to taking part in expensive or impractical traditional meetings is becoming more and more popular. However, there are limitations to both audio and video conferencing, such as lack of presence and involvement. These can potentially be avoided by the use of virtual shared space conferencing. This paper describes a three-phase study intended to investigate the issues of presence and usability with respect to this alternative form of conferencing. The first phase involved informal tests to establish a suitable starting point for the second phase, which employed a participatory design methodology whereby users of a prototype system contributed to its development toward an optimally usable and well-featured design, both for the meeting environment and for the user interface to it. The third phase involved further user trials to assess and refine the conclusions indicated by the second phase. The results of the study indicate a number of requirements for optimal design of shared space conferencing systems. These requirements include (1) the need to be selective about the degree of realism in different aspects of the system, (2) the importance of view control and avatar animation in support of talker identification, (3) the desire of users for flexibility and freedom with regard to turn-taking and gesture control, and (4) the benefits of symbolic acting when certain important considerations for its implementation are respected. Finally, the results also show that, following a short period of user habituation, shared space conferencing can induce a strong sense of involvement and presence for users.

Induction of ovulation in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques: recombinant human FSH (follitropin alpha) versus highly purified urinary FSH (urofollitropin HP)

This multicentre, open, randomized, study compared the efficacy and safety of recombinant follicle stimulating hormone (rFSH; follitropin alpha) with highly purified urinary human FSH (uFSH; urofollitropin HP) in women undergoing ovulation induction for assisted reproductive techniques. Following long down-regulation with buserelin, patients received two ampoules of 75 IU (150 IU) s.c. rFSH or highly purified uFSH for 6 days, after which the dose could be increased until they fulfilled the criteria for human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) administration. Of 168 patients recruited, 155 received at least one dose of FSH, and 137 received HCG [68: rFSH (85%); 69: uFSH (92%)]. Following oocyte retrieval and fertilization, up to three embryos were replaced/patient and luteal support was given. The mean number of oocytes retrieved/patient was 10.2 +/- 6.0 for rFSH patients compared with 10.8 +/- 6.1 in the uFSH group (not significant). There was a trend towards fewer ampoules used (22.3 +/- 6.5 versus 24.3 +/- 6.5), higher pregnancy (44.3 versus 41.4%) and live birth rates (33.8 versus 26.7%), as well as a lower miscarriage rate (0.0 versus 16.7%) in favour of rFSH. However, no significant differences in efficacy parameters were recorded. Ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome occurred in 8.6% and 7.9% of rFSH and uFSH patients respectively. In conclusion, this protocol was effective in inducing multiple follicular development and high numbers of oocytes were retrieved with both drugs.