Relationship between Appetite, Food Intake and Body Composition among Elderly Malays from an Urban Residential Area in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Loss of appetite, decrease in food intake and changes in body composition appear to be inter-related factors that can influence the well-being of older individuals. Therefore, a study was conducted to determine the level of appetite, food intake and its relation to body composition and functional status among noninstitutionalised elderly Malays in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur. The Council on Nutrition Appetite Questionnaire (CNAQ), Diet History Questionnaire (DHQ), Bio-impedance Analysis (BIA) and Instrumental Activity of Daily Living (IADL) questionnaire and handgrip dynamometer were used to measure appetite, food intake, body composition and functional status respectively. A total of 112 subjects (41.1% men and 58.9% women) participated with mean age being 66.0 ± 5.0 years for men and 66.3 ± 6.2 years for women. Prevalence of poor appetite was higher in elderly women (72.3%) than in men (52.3%) (p<0.05). Pearson’s correlation test showed that CNAQ score correlated significantly with age (r=-0.255, p<0.01), energy intake (r=0.272, p<0.01), IADL score (r=0.408, p<0.01) and handgrip strength (r=0.263, p<0.05). Energy intake correlated significantly with fat free mass (r=0.424, p<0.05), muscle mass (r=0.456, p<0.05) and total body water (r=0.403, p<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that 27.0% of poor appetite could be explained by advanced age, low energy intake and decreased functional status. In conclusion, the study showed that poor appetite was prevalent among the subjects, especially women and this was influenced by aging, inadequate energy intake and decreased functional status.

immune status of human persistent pyuria associated K.pneumoniae

Fifteen human persistent pyuria patients were diagnosed and investigated for their infection nature and immune status. They were associated with K.pneumoniae. The median concentrations for the: total serum protein, total serum globulin, mucosal globulin, serum IgG, IgM and IgA were higher and slightly higher than normal control subjects for immunoreactive and immunocompromised persistent pyuria patients respectively. The specific anti K pneumoniae circulating and mucosal agglutinins were 360 and36 respectively in immunoreactive subjects as well as they were 200 and 40 respectively for immunocompromized patients. The leucocyte inihibitory factors were as that of normal subjects. Thus, K. pneurnoniae immunodominant epitope is being of T-independent type and/or as B cell rnitogen, both at mucosal and systemic immune responses

Refadin as humoral immunomodulant in a lapin models

Serial subtheraputic concentrations of Refadin[R] that ranged from 0-6 mg/m/kg were made in 2v. egg albumin antigen. Two protocols for immunopriming rabbits were attempted, as oral and multiinjection. Same concentrations were incorporated in vitro in the diluting buffur of immune and hyper-immunesera of anti EA Specificity. In each case immunomodulation was scored as enhancement of anti EA titres or reduction in anti EA titres using microtitrehaermagglutination assay. It has been found that; the priming rout, the nature of adjuvant used, the nature of antibody as serum or mucosal and the drug concentration as well as the approach nature as in vitro or in vivo, were the factors affecting the humoral immune modulation. This immunomodulation was in form of immunosuppressive type, antigen independent, dose dependent in which the antigen was T independent, B cell mitogen. The dose - response relation was of simple linear negative type. Based upon this results drug induced immunosuppression in tuberculus patients is quite possible

herbicide 2-4-D as a lapin humoral ecoimmunotoxicant

Several concentration of 2-4-D that ranges from 0.72 to 7.2 mg / ml / kg, were made in the aqious 2V% solution of egg albumin and used for priming rabbit through multisite injection protocol. Same concentration, however, were also made in the diluting buffer used for titration of anti EA in hyperimmune and immunesera invitro. The immunomodulation was scored as either increase or decrease in anti EA antibody titres than those of control.The dose-response curve was of simple linear negative type. Thus, 2-4-D is being classified as environmental immunotoxicant, nonantigen specific immunomodulant and of suppressive mode of action. It is a B cell immunosuppressent. It is being considered as occupational hazard in working farmers

Mass surveillance of pediatric tuberculus exposure using dermal tuberculin reactivity as tracer

The cumulated number of pediatric tuberculus suspects were 1322 for seven year from 1995-2001 at Babylon province. These patients were tested at once with 2u tuberculin 0.1 ml intradermally injected to the suspects. Among the tuberculus suspects, tuberculin anergy was found of 42.2% and tuberculin allergic was 7.8% Vaccinees with well defined BCG scars were presenting 88.28% positive tuberculin. The annual incidence of tuberculin positive, were 1.49 - 21.69% with an overall percentage 7.71% The average season influence was showing high tuberculin reactive in hot than in cold months. The mean of the number of tuberculus foci in rural as well as citizen were of comparable incidence, during the study years

immunology of pseudomonal human persistent pyuria

Pseudomonas aeruginosa was diagnosed in association with human persistent pyuria. It was noted among immunoreactive and immunocompromized patients. The test patient showed high; total serum protein, total circulating globulin and high mucosal globulin concentrations than those of normal subjects. The immunoglobulin concentration for the classes IgG IgM and IgA were higher than those normal subjects. The albumin - globulin ratio was lower than those of normal subjects. Circulating anti. Pseudomans aeruginosa specific agglutinins were of titer median value of 400 mucosal specific agglutinins, however, they were with median titer values of 40. in immunreactive patients. While they were of titer median values of 240, and 40 in the immunocomproruized patients. Likewise significant migration inhibition index LIF were noted in peripheral blood leukocytes and Mucosul leucocytes in immunreactive and nonsignificant in the immunocompromized patient. This can be due to the presence of an immunodominant T dependent and/or T independent epitopes