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Fourth Month (fourth + month)
Selected AbstractsMonitoring of headspace volatiles in milk-cereal-based liquid infant foods during storageEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF LIPID SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, Issue 12 2006Guadalupe García-Llatas Abstract The effect of storage (time and temperature) on the evolution of pentanal, hexanal, heptanal and pentane as volatile lipid oxidation products in two liquid ready-to-eat milk-cereal-based infant foods was studied. An SPME-GC method was used to this effect. Samples were stored for 9,months at 25, 30 and 37,°C and tested eight times during this period. Freshly produced infant foods contained pentanal, hexanal and heptanal (mean values: 10.71, 71.5 and 1.2,µg/kg, respectively), which decreased during the first 3,months of storage, although from the fourth month onwards no significant differences among storage times were found. Aldehyde content was inversely proportional to storage temperature. Pentane content was directly proportional to storage temperature and increased (19.9,µg/kg at zero time) over all months of storage up to 43.1,µg/kg. [source] Need vs. opportunity recognition in household car replacementsINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CONSUMER STUDIES, Issue 6 2009Agneta Marell Abstract It is hypothesized that an intention to replace the owned car initiated by need recognition (a decrease in perceived current quality level of the old car) or opportunity recognition (an increase in aspired quality level of the new car) will result in purchases of different new cars. A sample of 1083 car owners were interviewed over telephone every fourth month during 2.5 years. The results showed that replacement intentions were not affected by how the intention was formed but that the choice of model year of the new car was. A younger car was chosen if the aspired quality level increased faster across interview waves than the current quality level decreased, and an older car was chosen if the current quality level decreased faster than the aspired quality level increased. As a consequence, if replacement intentions are the result of opportunity recognition, rejuvenation of the car fleet will be faster than if replacement intentions are the result of need recognition. [source] A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study to evaluate the efficacy of erythromycin in patients with knee effusion due to osteoarthritisINTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF RHEUMATIC DISEASES, Issue 1 2009Shahram SADREDDINI Abstract Objective:, The efficacy of erythromycin in treatment of knee effusion due to osteoarthritis was evaluated. Method:, We assessed efficacy and safety of erythromycin during 16 weeks in patients enrolled in a randomized double-blind study. One hundred and eight patients with knee effusion due to osteoarthritis (OA) received 12-week courses of erythromycin or placebo allocated randomly, and were followed for 4 months. Acetaminophen 650 mg/day was used in both groups, while they received no other anti-inflammatory drugs (such as corticosteroid or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) during the course of the study. Our patients were divided in two groups, erythromycin in doses of 200 mg four times per day was given to the first group (51 patients) over the first 3 months of the study and in the second group we used placebo with the same dosage and schedule (53 patients). Outcomes improvement for the erythromycin-treated group was assessed by a significantly higher mean score from baseline to the end of the trial, compared with placebo group. Patients were examined monthly during the treatment period. Measurement values included recording of Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) questionnaire subscales (pain, stiffness and function), range of motion and knee circumference. Results:, Erythromycin produced a higher response rate than placebo in treatment of knee effusion due to OA. Significant reduction in knee circumference (P < 0.0005) and pain (P < 0.001) with functional improvement (P < 0.0005) were seen. At the first month after treatment, 11.8% (6 patients) in erythromycin and 9.4% (5 patients) in placebo groups had 50% pain reduction, which was not significant (P = 0.75). At the fourth month, 50% reduction of pain was seen in 45.1% (23 patients) of the erythromycin and 11.3% (6 patients) of the placebo group. This was statistically significant (P < 0.0005). Erythromycin treatment was well tolerated and mild adverse events caused no discontinuation during the study. Conclusion:, This is a placebo-controlled study of macrolid efficacy on knee effusion due to OA in a short period. Results of this research showed the better efficacy of erythromycin in controlling effusion and pain with functional improvement in patients with knee effusion due to OA. [source] Breastfeeding duration and postpartum psychological adjustment: Role of maternal attachment stylesJOURNAL OF PAEDIATRICS AND CHILD HEALTH, Issue 6 2008pek Akman Aim: Depressive and anxiety symptoms are common in new mothers. The aim of this study is to explore the link between postpartum psychological adjustment and feeding preferences of the mothers. Methods: Sixty mothers and newborns were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal study. Maternal depressive symptoms were screened by the Edinburgh Postpartum Depression Scale (EPDS), and maternal anxiety level was assessed by the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory at 1 month postpartum. The Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support was used for the assessment of maternal social support. The Adult Attachment Scale was used to determine the attachment style of the mother. Infants were examined and evaluated at 1 and 4 months of life. Results: All mothers started breastfeeding their infants postpartum; 91% and 68.1% continued exclusive breastfeeding at 1 and 4 months, respectively. The first-month median EPDS score of mothers who breastfeed at the fourth month was statistically significantly lower than those who were not breastfeeding (6 and 12, respectively) (P = 0001). The first-month median EPDS score of mothers with secure attachment was lower than the median score of mothers with insecure attachment (5 and 9, respectively) (P < 0001). Exclusive breastfeeding rate was not statistically different among mothers with secure and insecure attachment styles. The median state and trait anxiety scores and social support scores of mothers were not different between groups according to breastfeeding status. Conclusions: This study has shown an association between higher EPDS scores and breastfeeding cessation by 4 months after delivery. [source] Influence of a high fibre diet on glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitusJOURNAL OF SMALL ANIMAL PRACTICE, Issue 2 2002P. A. GRAHAM A study was undertaken to evaluate a high fibre diet used in the management of 10 dogs with naturally occurring insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Following baseline measurements of health and glycaemic control, the dogs were fed a canned diet containing a blend of insoluble and soluble dietary fibres and were monitored during the ensuing four months. Switching to the high fibre diet was associated with significantly lower mean 24-hour and postprandial plasma glucose concentrations, which were maintained over the study period. The high fibre diet was also associated with significant reductions in plasma concentrations of fructosamine, glycated haemoglobin, free glycerol and cholesterol, and there were significant improvements in dog activity and demeanour. Bodyweight declined during the fourth month of feeding the diet, which is likely to have resulted from underfeeding relative to increased activity. The results indicate that a high fibre diet can significantly improve glycaemic control and quality of life in dogs with diabetes mellitus. [source] Growth and development of giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) cubs at Beijing ZooJOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, Issue 2 2001Jianjun Peng Abstract We studied the postnatal body weight gain and development of 11 male and nine female giant panda Ailuropoda melanoleuca cubs born at Beijing Zoo from 1985 to 1998. Growth rates of the cubs appeared to be sexually dimorphic from the fourth month after birth; the male grew slightly faster than the female cubs. Growth rates between artificially fed and naturally fed cubs were significantly different from the fourth month after birth. The growth rate of the artificially fed cubs was slightly higher than that of the cubs fed by their mothers, indicating that the substitute milk satisfied the nutrient needs of the cubs. The body length of the cubs increased rapidly after birth; 8-month-old cubs were three times longer than newborn cubs. Chest circumferences of 8-month-old cubs also increased to twice that of newborn cubs. Tail length relative to body length was reduced from 14.9% at birth to about 8.6% in 8-month-old cubs. Cubs started to grow teeth when they were 3 months old. By the age of 1 year, the cubs had fully grown deciduous teeth. The teeth formula of one 1-year-old cub was 2·1·3·0/2·1·3·0=24. We recorded the changes in fur colour, development of the sense organs and limbs of the giant panda cubs. Finally, we compared the body weight and life-history parameters of giant pandas with those of bears and raccoons and discussed the management regime for the care of captive-born giant panda cubs. [source] Patterns of breastfeeding in a UK longitudinal cohort studyMATERNAL & CHILD NUTRITION, Issue 1 2007David Pontin Abstract Although exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of infant life is recommended in the UK, there is little information on the extent of exclusive breastfeeding. This study has taken the 1996 and 2003 World Health Organization (WHO) definitions of breastfeeding and investigated breastfeeding rates in the first 6 months of life in infants born to mothers enrolled in a longitudinal, representative, population-based cohort study , the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). Information about breastfeeding and introduction of solids was available for 11 490 infants at 6 months of age (81% of live births). Exclusive breastfeeding declined steadily from 54.8% in the first month to 31% in the third, and fell to 9.6% in the fourth month mainly due to the introduction of solids to the infants. In the first 2 months, complementary feeding (breastmilk and solid/semi-solid foods with any liquid including non-human milk) was used in combination, and declined from 22% in the first month to 16.8% in the second due to a switch to exclusive commercial infant formula feeding. Replacement feeding (exclusive commercial infant formula or combined with any liquid or solid/semi-solid food but excluding breastmilk) increased steadily from 21.9% in the first month to 67.1% by the seventh. This obscured the change from exclusive commercial infant formula feeding only to commercial infant formula feeding plus solids/semi-solids, a change which started in the third month and was complete by the fifth. Using categories in the 1996 and 2003 WHO definitions, such as complementary feeding and replacement feeding, presented difficulties for an analysis of the extent of breastfeeding in this population. [source] Longitudinal weight gain of immunized infants and toddlers in Moroto District, Uganda (Karamoja subregion)AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HUMAN BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Sandra Gray This study examines longitudinal weight gain of a sample of 123 immunized children from Moroto District, northeast Uganda. The weight data were combined from two sources: (1) anthropometric examinations carried out between 1998 and 2004 by a research team from the University of Kansas, and (2) weights recorded on children's immunization records by local health care practitioners. Our findings conform generally to the pattern described in previous studies in this as well as other pastoralist populations in sub-Sahara. Relative to international standards, the weight-for-age status of Karimojong children was best during the first 3 months of infancy. Noticeable declines in weight velocity occurred in the fourth month and after the sixth month. Weight gain was static after the second year, when upward of 40% of children were clinically underweight. Factors influencing weight gain in this sample include immunization status and maternal height, weight, and parity, but these effects explain relatively little of the variance in weight gain. We conclude that immunization is not sufficient to buffer Karimojong children from multiple stressors during teething and weaning. Of these, the practice of canine follicle extraction (CFE) is of most interest, although its effects in this study are ambiguous. The data also are suggestive of variability in the pattern of weight gain between closely spaced birth cohorts. This finding may be of particular importance for the interpretation of growth patterns described for other pastoralist populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Follow-up of neck and shoulder pain among sewing machine operators: The Los Angeles garment studyAMERICAN JOURNAL OF INDUSTRIAL MEDICINE, Issue 4 2010Pin-Chieh Wang MS Abstract Background The aim of the present study is to explore factors affecting or modifying self-reported neck/shoulder pain in sewing machine operators. Methods We investigated self-report neck/shoulder pain in 247 workers who participated in a 4-month prospective intervention study for musculoskeletal disorders. All participants were immigrants. We examine the influence of individual and work-related factors on changes in neck/shoulder pain during follow-up employing linear mixed models with time-spline functions. Results We observed a dramatic decline (72%) in self-reported pain intensity in the first month of follow-up, followed by a small increase from the first to fourth month (4% per month). Workers who perceived and reported their physical workload as high or worked overtime experienced less overall pain reduction. Higher baseline pain intensity, being of Hispanic ethnicity (vs. Asian), and taking cumulative daily rest time during work of 35,min or more allowing for muscles to rest were associated with a larger pain reduction in the first month, but not thereafter. Conclusion Our findings indicate that some work-related factors may be of clinical relevance for reducing neck/shoulder pain. Having lower physical workloads and less overtime work should be considered when treating patients or planning workplace interventions for managing work-related musculoskeletal disorders in this underserved immigrant population. Am. J. Ind. Med. 53:352,360, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Social learning and mother's behavior in manipulative tasks in infant marmosetsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF PRIMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Vera Dell'Mour Abstract High levels of social tolerance are considered to promote social learning, as they allow direct observation of a manipulating conspecific and facilitate scrounging. Owing to tolerance toward infants, infancy is thought to be especially suited for learning socially transmitted behaviors. Despite this, few studies have investigated social learning of infants, particularly in manipulative tasks where observation might be most helpful. Here, we investigated (1) the influence of social learning on task acquisition in infant marmosets, and (2) whether the mother augments her behavior in a way that may enhance social learning by her infants. We tested infant and juvenile marmosets in four different complex foraging-related tasks, featuring large living insects (two tasks) or artificially embedded prey (two tasks). Each individual observed the mother solving two of the tasks and served as a control in the other two tasks. Observers manipulated more and succeeded sooner than control animals, suggesting that observing the mother promoted learning either directly or by decreasing neophobia. Moreover, the data suggest that learning in 11,15 week-old infants might be promoted actively by the mother. She solved the tasks, consumed less food, and consumed it later than when foraging with older offspring or alone. Furthermore, the results indicate the possible importance of the third and fourth month of infancy as the crucial ontogenetic period for social learning in marmosets, corroborating recent observations of free-living common marmosets. Am. J. Primatol. 71:503,509, 2009. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] A comparison of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants in the control of climacteric symptoms following hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomyBJOG : AN INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF OBSTETRICS & GYNAECOLOGY, Issue 8 2000N. Panay Specialist Registrar Objectives 1. To compare the effects of 25 mg and 50 mg oestradiol implants on serum follicle stimulating hormone and oestradiol levels; and 2. to assess the relationship of the dose of oestradiol implant and serum oestradiol on the effectiveness and duration of climacteric symptom control. Design Randomised, double-blind investigation. Participants Forty-four women, who had undergone total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. Methods The women were randomised to receive either 25 mg (n= 20) or 50 mg (n= 24) oestradiol implants. Follow up consisted of prospective symptom enquiry and hormone assays. Main outcome measures Primary: climacteric symptom control: duration and effectiveness; secondary: serum oestradiol and follicle stimulating hormone levels Results Serum oestradiol was significantly higher and serum follicle stimulating hormone significantly lower after the fourth month of treatment in women receiving 50 mg implants. No significant difference in symptom control was noted in the two groups. The mean duration of symptom control was similar in the two groups: 5.9 months (SD 2.4) in those receiving 50 mg oestradiol and 5.6 months (SD 2.3) in those receiving 25 mg. Conclusion The higher level, 50 mg oestradiol implants does not result in better control of symptoms nor in longer periods of symptom control compared with 25 mg oestradiol implants. In order to maximise compliance, 25 mg oestradiol implants should therefore be the treatment of choice for women with normal bone density seeking relief of climacteric symptoms. [source] THE SHORT-TERM EFFECTS OF EXECUTIONS ON HOMICIDES: DETERRENCE, DISPLACEMENT, OR BOTH?,CRIMINOLOGY, Issue 4 2009KENNETH C. LAND Does the death penalty save lives? In recent years, a new round of research has been using annual time-series panel data from the 50 U.S. states for 25 or so years from the 1970s to the late 1990s that claims to find many lives saved through reductions in subsequent homicide rates after executions. This research, in turn, has produced a round of critiques, which concludes that these findings are not robust enough to model even small changes in specifications that yield dramatically different results. A principal reason for this sensitivity of the findings is that few state-years exist (about 1 percent of all state-years) in which six or more executions have occurred. To provide a different perspective, we focus on Texas, a state that has used the death penalty with sufficient frequency to make possible relatively stable estimates of the homicide response to executions. In addition, we narrow the observation intervals for recording executions and homicides from the annual calendar year to monthly intervals. Based on time-series analyses and independent-validation tests, our best-fitting model shows that, from January 1994 through December 2005, evidence exists of modest, short-term reductions in homicides in Texas in the first and fourth months that follow an execution,about 2.5 fewer homicides total. Another model suggests, however, that in addition to homicide reductions, some displacement of homicides may be possible from one month to another in the months after an execution, which reduces the total reduction in homicides after an execution to about .5 during a 12-month period. Implications for additional research and the need for future analysis and replication are discussed. [source] Divalproex Sodium Extended-Release for the Prophylaxis of Migraine Headache in Adolescents: Results of a Stand-Alone, Long-Term Open-Label Safety StudyHEADACHE, Issue 1 2009George Apostol MD Objective., The objective of this long-term open-label study in adolescents was to assess the safety and tolerability of divalproex sodium extended-release in the prophylaxis of migraine headaches. Background., Two formulations of divalproex sodium have demonstrated efficacy in the prevention of migraine headaches in adults. However, no medications are currently approved for this indication in adolescents, and long-term safety data on agents for migraine prevention are lacking for this younger population. Therefore, the current study was conducted to assess the long-term safety and tolerability of divalproex extended-release in adolescents with migraine headaches. Methods., This was a 12-month, phase 3, open-label, multicenter study of adolescents aged 12 to 17 years with migraine headaches diagnosed by International Headache Society criteria. Divalproex sodium extended-release was initiated at 500 mg/day for 15 days then increased to 1000 mg daily, with subsequent adjustments permitted within a dosing range of 250-1000 mg daily. Study visits were conducted at days 1 and 15 and months 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12. Safety was evaluated by adverse event collection, laboratory assessments, physical and neurological examinations, vital signs, electrocardiograms, the Udvalg for Kliniske Undersøgelser Side Effect Rating Scale, the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence, and the Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children. Efficacy was evaluated by following the number of migraine headache days reported in subjects' headache diaries over sequential 4-week intervals for the duration of the trial. Results., A total of 241 subjects were enrolled and treated. The most frequently reported adverse events were nausea (19%), vomiting (18%), weight gain (12%), nasopharyngitis (11%), migraine (10%), and upper respiratory tract infection (10%). Ten (4%) subjects experienced serious adverse events, and 40 (17%) subjects discontinued because of an adverse event. Increases in ammonia levels were observed. No other clinically significant changes were observed in laboratory values, vital signs, rating scales, or electrocardiograms. Median 4-week migraine headache days decreased 75% between the first and the fourth months of the study (from 4.0 to 1.0) and remained at or below this level for the remainder of the study. Conclusions., In this long-term open-label study of adolescents with migraine, the safety and tolerability profile of divalproex sodium extended-release was consistent with findings from previous trials in adults, as well as 2 studies recently completed in adolescents. In general, divalproex sodium extended-release was well-tolerated in adolescents with migraine. [source] Therapeutic Effects of Vitamin E on Cyclic MastalgiaTHE BREAST JOURNAL, Issue 5 2009Sousan Parsay PhD Abstract:, Cyclic mastalgia is one of the most prevalent disorders among fertile women. To date, hormonal agents, despite their side effects, have been widely used for treatment of this ailment. This study was performed to clarify the therapeutic effects of Vitamin E (Vit E) as a safe treatment for cyclic mastalgia among fertile women. This study was conducted as a double blind clinical trial; 150 women with cyclic mastalgia, referred by three public health centers in Qazvin City in Iran, were enrolled in the trial and randomly divided into two distinct case and control groups; each containing 75 patients. The severity and duration of breast pain were measured according to both the Cardiff Breast Pain Chart and the Visual Analog Scale. Simple, chewable tablets of either Vit E or a placebo were prescribed twice a day for 4 months for case and control participants, respectively. Follow-up was performed at the end of both the second and the fourth months and, at that time, the severity, duration and side effects of intervention were evaluated. The administration of Vit E had significant curative results as tested at both the 2- and 4-month benchmarks. Chi-square testing indicated that after both 2 and 4 months of therapy, the efficacy demonstrated by the Vit E recipient case group was superior to that of the group that received a placebo. Applying the Mc Nemar Test, it also was shown that there was no significant difference in the benefits received between treatment courses of 2 versus 4 months. A 2-month prescription of Vit E has positive therapeutic effects on cyclic mastalgia. Given its lack of significant side effects, Vit E, therefore, can be considered a safe alternative to hormonal therapies currently being used in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia. [source] Effect of organic fertilisers on the greening quality, shoot and root growth, and shoot nutrient and alkaloid contents of turf-type endophytic tall fescue, Festuca arundinaceaANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Z. Cheng Increasing concern about the potential negative environmental impact of chemical fertilisers used in urban landscapes has provided impetus to develop organic fertilisers. However, little is known about the effect of organic fertilisers on turfgrass quality, growth and stress resistance. This study compared the effect of 11 organic fertilisers, applied at manufacturer's recommended rates, on greening quality, shoot and root growth, and shoot nutrient (an indication of nutrient uptake) and alkaloid content (an indication of insect resistance) in endophytic (infected with the fungus Neotyphodium coenophialum) tall fescue in the greenhouse. We measured turfgrass greening quality on a 1,9 scale weekly (9 being the highest), shoot and root growth monthly, and shoot contents of macro- and micronutrients and of various alkaloids at the end of 4 months. The results show that Corn Gluten and Cockadoodle Doo produce the highest turfgrass greening quality and shoot growth. Nature's Touch with enzymes enhanced root growth, and thus resulted in high root:shoot ratio, especially in third and fourth months after application. Compared with the most commonly used chemical fertiliser, Scott's Turf Builder, the organic fertilisers Cockadoodle Doo, Corn Gluten and Nature's Touch with enzymes generally resulted in better turf greening quality. Although Cockadoodle Doo, Vigoro and Scott's Turf Builder resulted in higher macronutrient contents in turfgrass shoots, there was no significant correlation between the nutrient contents in the fertilisers and in the shoots four months after application. Significant differences were found for all measured alkaloids in turfgrass shoots among the 13 treatments, and these differences varied with fertiliser. Overall, organic fertilisers produced higher turfgrass greening quality, root and shoot growth and insect resistance capacity (alkaloid content) compared with the chemical fertiliser, Scott's Turf Builder. On the basis of the high to excellent turfgrass greening quality ratings, root:shoot ratio, shoot nutrient and alkaloid contents in this study, we conclude that Cockadoodle Doo, Vigoro and Nature's Touch with enzymes are relatively superior organic fertilisers. [source] | |||||||||||||