932 research outputs found
Hereditary angio-oedema
No full textSummaryHereditary angio-oedema is caused by a heterozygous deficiency of C1 inhibitor. This inhibitor regulates several inflammatory pathways, and patients with hereditary angio-oedema have intermittent cutaneous or mucosal swellings because of a failure to control local production of bradykinin. Swellings typically evolve in several hours and persist for a few days. In addition to orofacial angio-oedema, painless swellings affect peripheries, which causes disfigurement or interference with work and other activities of daily living. Angio-oedema affecting the gastrointestinal tract or abdominal viscera causes severe pain often with vomiting due to oedematous bowel obstruction. About 2% of swellings involve the larynx and can be fatal if untreated. About 50% of patients have laryngeal swellings that are potentially fatal despite prophylaxis. In this Seminar we review the clinical features, diagnosis, and management of hereditary angio-oedema, with specific emphasis on the new treatments available for acute swellings
Helicobacter pylori Infection as a Triggering Factor of Attacks in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema
No full textBackground: Helicobacter pylori infection is considered among the causative factors of urticaria and angioedema. Having conducted a study on 65 patients, Hungarian authors reported in 2001 that successful eradication of H. pylori is followed by a significant reduction in the number of attacks in patients with hereditary angioedema (HAE). The present study aimed to reinvestigate the relationship between H. pylori infection and the attack rate in the framework of an international collaborative study. Materials and methods: Within the framework of the PREHAEAT project launched by the European Union, further 152 patients were studied in seven collaborating centers, and participants of the earlier study were followed up in order to detect any relationship between H. pylori infection and the occurrence of attacks in patients suffered from HAE. Results: The proportion of patients experiencing frequent (≥ 5 per year) abdominal attacks was higher (p =.002) among the H. pylori-infected participants of the international study who underwent eradication as compared to the rest of patients. Successful eradication of H. pylori significantly (p =.0006) reduced the number of attacks in these patients as well. Nine subjects of the previous Hungarian study who underwent eradication therapy for dyspepsia were followed up for an additional 4 years. In these patients, attack frequency remained consistently low. Conclusions: As shown by experience from the Hungarian and the international trial, the number of frequent, edematous abdominal attacks may decrease substantially following the eradication of H. pylori from HAE patients infected with this pathogen. Therefore, screening of patients with HAE for H. pylori infection seems warranted. Eradication of H. pylori may lead to a marked reduction in disease severity
HAE international home therapy consensus document
No full textHereditary angioedema (C1 inhibitor deficiency, HAE) is associated with intermittent swellings which are disabling and may be fatal. Effective treatments are available and these are most useful when given early in the course of the swelling. The requirement to attend a medical facility for parenteral treatment results in delays. Home therapy offers the possibility of earlier treatment and better symptom control, enabling patients to live more healthy, productive lives. This paper examines the evidence for patient-controlled home treatment of acute attacks ('self or assisted administration') and suggests a framework for patients and physicians interested in participating in home or self-administration programmes. It represents the opinion of the authors who have a wide range of expert experience in the management of HAE
Microbial and endotoxin emission from composting facilities: characterisation of release and dispersal patterns
No full textThe potential risk to human health posed by exposure to bioaerosols released from composting is an important issue. Further growth in the number of composting facilities in the UK is anticipated as biodegradable waste is diverted from landfill. To date, studies of bioaerosol emission from composting have focussed on culturable bioaerosols. This paper describes both culturable bioaerosol and endotoxin release and dispersal from two large green waste composting facilities in the UK. Aspergillus fumigatus, actinomycetes, Gram-negative bacteria, and endotoxins were simultaneously and repeatedly sampled to describe the release and dispersal from these sites. Meteorological and site operational observations were recorded, allowing analysis of factors influencing bioaerosol release and dispersal. The highest measured concentrations of bioaerosols were associated with composting activities such as shredding and turning. Between release and 50-80m downwind bioaerosol concentrations reduced by 80-90%. An unexpected second peak was detected 100-150m downwind from source at both sites. Endotoxin dispersal patterns were site specific and showed some differences to dispersal patterns of culturable microorganisms. © 2009 WIT Press
Triggers and Prodromal Symptoms of Angioedema Attacks in Patients With Hereditary Angioedema
No full textInternational audienc
Journeys and battles: Spatial and gendered discourses of obsessive-compulsive disorder
No full textObsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is a (mental) health condition that, despite its highly spatial characteristics and high prevalence, has been largely overlooked by human geographers. This thesis seeks to help rectify this oversight by examining the ways in which OCD is gendered, especially in relation to the metaphors used to describe the condition. A conceptual model for a “radical body politics” provides the theoretical framework for this research. Semi-structured interviews, critical reading of stories published by and about people with OCD, and autobiography are used in order to investigate the ways in which men and women utilise discourse in order to represent and make sense of their experiences with OCD. I argue that the ways in which men and women choose to represent through discourse their experiences of OCD have profound implications for their sense of self. Two over-arching discourses are discussed: that of the journey and that of the battle. The more feminised discourse of a journey suggests that the experience of women with OCD is a cathartic pathway of self-realisation with the end-goal of recovery. The more masculinised discourse of battle positions OCD as being both Other to the self and a struggle within the self. Both discourses invoke spatial imagery and have profound implications for how individuals with OCD experience and manage the condition. I also suggest some possible avenues for further geographic research into OCD
Cultural geography : Different encounters, encountering difference
No full textIn the first half of this paper it is argued that cultural geography is a dynamic and diverse field that extends well beyond a single branch of human geography. The boundaries between it and other sub-disciplines are often blurred. People have «different» encounters with cultural geography depending on their sub-disciplinary convergences. People also have different encounters with cultural geography depending on where they live and work. «Place matters» in the construction, production and representation of cultural geography. It takes different forms in different places. In the second half of the paper it is argued that as cultural geography continues to encounter «difference» in many guises, four possible future trends are likely: first, it is probable that there will be continued growth in cultural geography; second, there may be mounting recognition that cultural geography needs to be critical offering possibilities for radical critique and reflection; third, cultural geographers are likely to continue with their efforts to think about what, if anything, might lie beyond representation; and finally, cultural geographers are likely to deepen their reflections on the politics of knowledge production leading to more multi-language publishing practices in this area.A la primera part d'aquest article, s'hi defensa que la geografia cultural és un camp prou dinàmic i divers com per ser considerat una simple branca de la geografia humana. Els límits entre aquesta subdisciplina i d'altres són sovint difícils de discernir. Hi ha tantes visions de la geografia cultural com subdisciplines a partir de les quals s'hi convergeix. També hi ha tantes aproximacions possibles a la geografia cultural com llocs on es viu o es treballa. En la construcció, producció i representació de la geografia cultural, el lloc hi és important, ja que la geografia cultural adquireix formes diferents en llocs diferents. En la segona meitat de l'article, s'hi argumenta que, mentre la geografia cultural continua presentant moltes diferències en facetes distintes, s'hi aventuren quatre possibles tendències futures. En primer lloc, és probable que continuï l'expansió de la geografia cultural; en segon lloc, existeix un reconeixement creixent que la geografia cultural necessita ser crítica i oferir, així, possibilitats per a la crítica i la reflexió radicals; en tercer lloc, és probable que els geògrafs culturals continuïn esforçant-se a esbrinar què hi ha més enllà de la representació si és que hi ha res. Finalment, és probable que els geògrafs culturals aprofundeixin les seves reflexions sobre la política de producció de coneixement que porti a una diversitat lingüística més gran en les publicacions d'aquesta àrea.En la primera parte de este artículo, se defiende que la geografía cultural es lo suficientemente dinámica y diversa como para no ser considerada una simple rama de la geografía humana. Los límites entre ésta y otras subdisciplinas son a menudo difíciles de discernir. Existen tantas visiones de la geografía cultural como subdisciplinas a partir de las cuales nos aproximamos a ella. También existen tantas visiones de la geografía cultural como lugares de residencia o de trabajo. En la construcción, la producción y la representación de la geografía cultural, el lugar es importante, ya que la geografía cultural toma formas distintas en lugares diferentes. En la segunda parte del artículo, se argumenta que, mientras la geografía cultural continúa presentando muchas diferencias en distintas facetas, se entrevén cuatro posibles tendencias futuras. En primer lugar, es probable que continúe la expansión de la geografía cultural; en segundo lugar, existe un reconocimiento creciente del hecho que la geografía cultural necesita ser crítica y ofrecer así posibilidades para la crítica y la reflexión radical; en tercer lugar, es probable que los geógrafos culturales continúen esforzándose en averiguar qué hay más allá de la representación, si es que hay alguna cosa, y, finalmente, es probable que los geógrafos culturales amplíen sus reflexiones sobre la política de producción de conocimientos, lo cual puede comportar una mayor diversidad lingüística en las publicaciones de esta área.Dans la première moitié de cet article on constate que la géographie culturelle est un terrain d'étude si dynamique et divers et qu'elle ne peut pas être comprise simplement comme une branche de la géographie humaine. Les limites entre la géogrpahie culturelle et d'autres subdisciplines sont souvent difficiles d'écarter. Il y a autant de visions de la géographie culturelle comme subdisciplines prochaines. Aussi, existent autant de visions de la géographie culturelle comme des espaces de résidence ou travail. Dans le processus de construction, production et représentation de géographie culturelle, le lieu est important parce que la géographie culturelle prend des formes différentes dans les lieux différents. Dans la deuxième moitié de l'article on dit que comme la géographie culturelle continue à rencontrer beaucoup de différences en relation à des aspects différents, quatre tendances futures possibles sont possibles. D'abord, c'est probable qu'elle continue en avant; en deuxième partie, il y a une reconnaissance que la géographie culturelle a besoin d'être critique et offrir des possibilités à la critique et la réflexion radical; en troisième partie, des géographes culturels continuent avec leurs efforts de penser à propos de qu'est-ce qu'il y a au-delà de la représentation (s'il y a quelque chose); et, finalement, les géographes culturels ont des chances d'approfondir leurs réflexions sur la politique de la production de connaissance conduisant à plus de pratiques de publication multi langue dans cette branche géographique
A biomonitoring study for the evaluation of Hg atmospheric emissions in an industrial area
No full textIn this paper we present a study to develop a biological technique for the evaluation of Hg atmospheric emissions in industrial areas.
The biomonitoring techniques allow us to investigate a large area surrounding the pollutant sources, to increase the number of sampling points and to control directly the impact on living organisms.
We use an experimental procedure for measuring Hg concentrations in rye grass species according to our biomonitoring protocol concerning the standardised procedure of culture, exposition and sampling protocol, the analytic procedure for determining total Hg contents in vegetable samples by means of a specific AAS technique. Here we show the experimental procedure test and the data collected in 1998 and 1999 measurements campaign
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