INTRODUCTION Low fetuin-A and vitamin D and high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) contents are associated with vascular calcification (VC) in dialysis patients. We aimed to demonstrate the difference in fetuin-A, vitamin D, MUFA, and VC on plain radiography between patients on hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis (PD). MATERIALS AND METHODS We recruited 31 hemodialysis and 30 PD patients. We...

BACKGROUND Previous research on the effects of plain packaging has largely relied on self-report measures. Here we describe the protocol of a randomized controlled trial investigating the effect of the plain packaging of cigarettes on smoking behavior in a real-world setting. METHODS/DESIGN In a parallel group randomization design, 128 daily cigarette smokers (50% male, 50% female) will atten...

BACKGROUND The objective of this study was to compare the utility of plain radiographs to multislice computed tomography (MCT) for cervical spine (c-spine) evaluation. We hypothesized that plain radiographs add no clinically relevant diagnostic information to MCT in the screening evaluation of the c-spine of trauma patients. METHODS This was a prospective, unblinded, consecutive series of inj...

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore in-depth the response of young women smokers (18-35 years) to using dark brown 'plain' cigarette packs in naturalistic settings. METHODS Participants were recruited in six towns and cities in Scotland to take part in a naturalistic study, where they used plain cigarette packs for a week. Participants completed a number of questionnaires during t...

1. Adeniji OA, Barnett CB, Di Palma JA. Durability of the diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome based on clinical criteria. Dig Dis Sci 2004;49:572-4. 2. Cremonini F, Talley NJ. Diagnostic and therapeutic strat­ egies in the irritable bowel syndrome. Minerva Med 2004;95:427-41. 3. Cremonini F, Talley NJ. Irritable bowel syndrome: epide­ miology, natural history, health care seeking and emerging...

BACKGROUND Staphylococci release a large number of enzymes. Some of these, such as coagulase, beta- lactamase, hemolysins and biofilms are considered indices of pathogenicity. OBJECTIVES The aim of the current study was based on the isolation and identification of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase negative Staphylococci (CNS) strains from various skin lesions and examining their biofilms, b...

desertification could be traced back to one or many factors. thus, to cope with such a phenomenon, there exists a need for a profound understanding of the processes and the causes. the study area of the current paper is the extent of shahrekord’s marghzar as an important case amongst the important ones of the province. in order to evaluate the roots of desertification in the area, the iranian m...