Patterns of coronary heart disease mortality over the 20th century in England and Wales : possible plateaus in the rate of decline

Background
Coronary heart disease (CHD) rates in England and Wales between 1950 and 2005 were high and reasonably steady until the mid 1970s, when they began to fall. Recent work suggests that the rate of change in some groups has begun to decrease and may be starting to plateau or even reverse.

Methods
Data for all deaths between 1931 and 2005 in England and Wales were grouped by year, sex, age at death and contemporaneous ICD code for CHD as cause of death. CHD mortality rates by calendar year and birth cohort were produced for both sexes and rates of change were examined.

Results
The pattern of increased burden of CHD mortality within older age groups has only recently emerged in men, whereas it has been established in women for far longer. CHD mortality rates among younger people showed little variation by birth cohort. For younger women (49 and under), the rate of change in CHD mortality has reversed in the last 20 years, indicating a future plateau and possible reversal of previous improvement in CHD mortality rates. Among younger men the rate of change in CHD mortality has been consistent for the past 15 years indicating that rates in this group have continued to fall steadily.

Conclusion
Although CHD mortality rates continue to drop in older age groups the actual burden of coronary heart disease is increasing due to the ageing of the population. The rate of improvement in CHD mortality appears to be beginning to decline and may even be reversing among younger women.

Fresh garlic : a possible vehicle for Salmonella Virchow

A sustained increase in Salmonella enterica serovar Virchow notifications in South Eastern Australia between September 1997 and May 1998 instigated a case-control study and environmental investigations. Cases were defined as having locally acquired culture-confirmed S. Virchow phage-type 8 infection and diarrhoeal disease. Matched controls were selected by progressive digit dialling based on cases telephone numbers. An exposure and food history questionnaire was administered by telephone. Phage typing and pulse field gel electrophoresis were performed on case and environmental isolates. Thirty-two notifications of S. Virchow infection met the case definition, 37% reported bloody diarrhoea and S. Virchow was isolated from blood in 13% of cases. Twelve patients were admitted to hospital and one died. Fresh garlic (OR 4·1, 95% CI 1·3-12·8) and semi-dried tomatoes (OR 12·6, 95% CI 1·5-103·1) were associated with these cases. The associations remained significant after adjusting for sex and age. S. Virchow (PT 8) was cultured from two brands of semi-dried tomatoes associated with cases in two different states. We provide sufficient evidence for semi-dried tomatoes and fresh garlic to be considered as potential risk foods in future Salmonella outbreak investigations.

The self concepts and possible selves of problem gamblers : a qualitative exploration

The study investigated the self-concepts and possible selves of pathological gamblers. Six female egm users were recruited from a Victorian problem gambling counselling service. Three participants were currently gambling and three were not gambling. They were interviewed in-depth and using thematic analysis four dominant themes were identified. (1) Self-concepts tended to be consistent across all participants, (2) having a past self as being the dominant characteristics of possible selves coincided with greater possible selves clarity, (3) non-gambler’s had more elaborate and specific plans for how to create change than did gambler’s, and (4) non-gambler’s had more plans to become possible selves which address goals of intrinsic meaning, rather then having a general goal to ‘not gamble’. The findings are discussed in terms of implications for the cognitive theory of possible selves and suggestions for further research to investigate the utility of the constructs as a basis for a treatment modality.

Effect of morphine on the growth rate of Calliphora stygia (Fabricius) (Diptera : Calliphoridae) and possible implications for forensic entomology

Insect specimens collected from decomposing bodies enable forensic entomologists to estimate the minimum post-morten interval (PMI). Drugs and toxins within a corpose may affect the development rate of insects that feed on them and it is vital to quantify these effects to accurately calculate minimum PMI.... This suggests that C. sygia is a reliable model to use to accurately age a corpse containing morphine at any of the concentrations investigated.

Understanding security threats in virtual worlds

The influx of Fortune 500 companies like IBM, Toyota and Starwood Hotels into the virtual world of Second Life has generated much publicity in 2006 and 2007. The virtual world landscape has changed substantially since. Many early adopters have abandoned virtual worlds, and the number of security-related incidents in virtual worlds has risen substantially. This paper discusses key security threats in virtual worlds, and highlights the need for users and stakeholders to better understand these threats in order to manage them more effectively. The issue of managing security threats in virtual worlds is especially important in ensuring that virtual worlds remain a friendly environment to thriving online communities and ebusiness; and represent an environment whereby the interests of various stakeholders are protected and upheld. The paper contributes to practice and research by (i) raising security awareness among virtual world users and stakeholders, and (ii) prescribing a systematic approach for analyzing the nature and implication of security threats in virtual worlds.

Is social justice possible? : Hayek, Rawls, MacIntyre, Taylor critically examined

[No Abstract]

New worlds for old: visions of utopia

Provides an introduction to and explanation of the art works/photographs of Lisa Scharoun and Frances Tatarovic in their Visions of utopia series. 

Drawing lines in the sea : the laws that govern traffic on the world’s oceans can be as difficult to shape as water

Since World War II, however, the term has increasingly referred to law enforcement operations, as a means to enforce trade sanctions, to prevent the movement of weapons of mass destruction (WMDs), and particularly in the Caribbean Sea, to prevent the smuggling of illicit drugs. Such ambiguity should allow flexibility when deciding whom should be targeted, as well as allowing states with veto powers in the UN Security Council, which may legitimately ship nuclear weapons and materials, to avoid being targeted as long as they do not export WMDs to rogue states or non-state groups or individuals.2 The ISPS Code was created under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and is part of the 1974 Safety of Life at Sea Convention (SOLAS) concerning the safety of merchant ships.

Dietary resistant starch interacts with non-starch polysaccharide and protein to influence colonic protein fermentation, with possible implications for colon cancer risk in humans

Resistant starch is dietary starch that passes undigested into the colon where it can have effects similar to non-starch polysaccharide (dietary fibre). The results support the potential health benefits of incorporating foods containing high levels of both resistant starch and non-starch polysaccharide, such as whole grain breads and legumes, as part of well balanced diets containing fruit, vegetables, cereals, meat/alternatives and dairy foods.