Self-reported health behaviour change in adults: analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey 4.1.

INTRODUCTION: Knowledge of Canadians' experiences in making health behaviour changes (HBCs) in general, and among those at risk due to body mass index (BMI), would help inform health promotion / disease prevention programs. Selected self reported HBCs in the past 12 months by BMI category were examined in this secondary analysis of the Canadian Community Health Survey 4.1. These HBCs included increased sports/exercise, weight loss and improved eating habits. Barriers to HBC were also examined. METHODS: Descriptive analyses and forward stepwise logistic regression were completed on data from respondents 18 years and older. Self-reported BMI was corrected by the method of Connor Gorber et al. (2008). RESULTS: Our final sample was n = 111 449. Overall, 58% of respondents had made an HBC, with increased sports/exercise as the most important HBC in 29% of the sample, followed by improved eating habits (10%) and weight loss (7%). Half (51%) experienced barriers to HBC; lack of will power was most commonly cited, followed by work and family responsibilities. Obese respondents reported HBC more frequently than normal-weight respondents (60% vs. 55%), but the prevalence of increased sports/ exercise and improved eating habits was similar across BMI categories. Regression models accounted for only 6%-10% of the total variance. CONCLUSION: That a majority of respondents had made at least one HBC bodes well for positively shifting population health. Additional work to further characterize the population, and to improve on population indicators, is needed to assess the impact of health promotion/disease prevention efforts. These findings provide important first population benchmarks for future work.

TITRE: Changements de comportement en matière de santé autodéclarés chez les adultes : une analyse de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes, cycle 4.1. INTRODUCTION: Connaître l'expérience des Canadiens ayant trait aux changements de comportement en matière de santé (CCS), que ce soit en général ou celle des personnes à risque en raison de leur indice de masse corporelle (IMC), serait utile à l'élaboration de programmes de promotion de la santé et de prévention des maladies. Nous avons ainsi examiné, dans le cadre d'une analyse secondaire du cycle 4.1 de l'Enquête sur la santé dans les collectivités canadiennes, une sélection de CCS autodéclarés au cours des douze derniers mois, par catégorie d'IMC : faire plus d'exercice ou de sport, perdre du poids et améliorer ses habitudes alimentaires. Nous nous sommes aussi penchés sur les obstacles aux CCS. MÉTHODOLOGIE: Nous avons analysé les données provenant des répondants de 18 ans et plus à l'aide d'une méthode de régression logistique progressive ascendante. Les IMC autodéclarés ont été corrigés à l'aide de la méthode de Connor Gorber et ses collaborateurs (2008). RÉSULTATS: Notre échantillon final était de 111 449 répondants. Sur l'ensemble des répondants, 58 % avait fait un CCS, l'augmentation de la pratique sportive ou d'exercice étant le plus important (29 % des répondants), suivi par l'amélioration des habitudes alimentaires (10 %) et la perte de poids (7 %). La moitié (51 %) des répondants avaient rencontré des obstacles, le manque de volonté étant l'obstacle le plus souvent mentionné, suivi par l'emploi du temps professionnel et les responsabilités familiales. Les répondants obèses ont fait état de CCS plus souvent que les répondants dont le poids était normal (60 % contre 55 %), mais la fréquence de l'augmentation de la pratique sportive ou d'exercice et de l'amélioration des habitudes alimentaires était similaire selon toutes les catégories d'IMC. Les modèles de régression ne représentaient que de 6 % à 10 % de la variance totale. CONCLUSION: Le fait que la majorité des répondants ait tenté d'apporter au moins un CCS est de bon augure pour une évolution positive de la santé de la population. D'autres travaux sont nécessaires pour mieux caractériser la population et pour améliorer les indicateurs qui lui sont associés, et ainsi évaluer l'incidence des efforts de promotion de la santé et de prévention des maladies. Nos résultats fournissent des données de référence pouvant servir de base à ces travaux.

Further advancements in predicting adsorption equilibria using excess formalism: calculation of adsorption excesses at the liquid/solid interface.

Prediction of adsorption equilibria for ternary liquid mixtures on solid surfaces by means of adsorption data for the corresponding three binary liquid mixtures can be improved by combining the thermodynamic excess formalism with geometrical models. This new strategy for the prediction of excess adsorption isotherms is examined for four ternary adsorption systems ranging from ideal to highly non-ideal ternary mixtures. The predicted isotherms are discussed and compared with experimental ones as well as with those obtained for a model based on the absolute quantities. The results confirm: (i) superiority of predicting adsorption in terms of excess quantities, and (ii) utility of geometrical models for constructing ternary molar compositions on the basis of binary ones to predict equilibria not only for liquid mixtures alone but also for adsorption of liquid mixtures on solid surfaces.

Microarray analysis of homocysteine-responsive genes in cardiac neural crest cells in vitro.

The amino acid homocysteine increases in the serum when there is insufficient folic acid or vitamin B(12), or with certain mutations in enzymes important in methionine metabolism. Elevated homocysteine is related to increased risk for cardiovascular and other diseases in adults and elevated maternal homocysteine increases the risk for certain congenital defects, especially those that result from abnormal development of the neural crest and neural tube. Experiments with the avian embryo model have shown that elevated homocysteine perturbs neural crest/neural tube migration in vitro and in vivo. Whereas there have been numerous studies of homocysteine-induced changes in gene expression in adult cells, there is no previous report of a homocysteine-responsive transcriptome in the embryonic neural crest. We treated neural crest cells in vitro with exogenous homocysteine in a protocol that induces significant changes in neural crest cell migration. We used microarray analysis and expression profiling to identify 65 transcripts of genes of known function that were altered by homocysteine. The largest set of effected genes (19) included those with a role in cell migration and adhesion. Other major groups were genes involved in metabolism (13); DNA/RNA interaction (11); cell proliferation/apoptosis (10); and transporter/receptor (6). Although the genes identified in this experiment were consistent with prior observations of the effect of homocysteine upon neural crest cell function, none had been identified previously as response to homocysteine in adult cells.

Isotropic concentration profiles during diffusion-limited desorption from anisotropic media.

Imaging of the concentration profiles of the diffusants during molecular adsorption on and desorption from porous media is developing to become an important, very specific tool of monitoring the structure of these media. With the present study we refer to the remarkable phenomenon that even in the case of anisotropic porous media the concentration profiles recorded under desorption may attain isotropic patterns, irrespective of the fact that desorption is limited by anisotropic diffusion. The presentation is based on both dynamic Monte Carlo simulations and analytical considerations.

Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2) expression during cardiac neural crest cell migration and its role in proMMP-2 activation.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important mediators of neural crest (NC) cell migration. Here, we examine the distribution of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP) -2 and TIMP-3 and test whether manipulating TIMP levels alters chicken cardiac NC cell migration. TIMP-2 mRNA is expressed at stage 11 in the neural epithelium and only in migrating cardiac NC cells. TIMP-3 mRNA is expressed only in the notochord at stage 8 and later in the outflow tract myocardium. Exogenous TIMP-2 increases NC motility in vitro at low concentrations but has no effect when concentrations are increased. In vitro, NC cells express membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase (MT1-MMP) and TIMP-2 and they secrete and activate proMMP-2. Antisense TIMP-2 oligonucleotides block proMMP-2 activation, decrease NC cell migration from explants, and perturb NC morphogenesis in ovo. Because TIMP-2 is required for activation of proMMP-2 by MT1-MMP, this finding suggests TIMP-2 expression by cardiac NC cells initiates proMMP-2 activation important for their migration.

Consequences of elevated homocysteine during embryonic development and possible modes of action.

Elevated maternal homocysteine (Hcys) is a well-established risk factor for embryonic toxicity and the development of congenital defects, particularly neural tube closure defects and neurocristopathies. The mechanisms responsible are unclear but early work has focused on the role of folate metabolism because these defects are greatly reduced by folate supplementation. As a consequence, elevated Hcys is often looked upon as being an indirect consequence of faulty folate metabolism, although more recent studies show Hcys may act directly as a teratogen. Because Hcys is at the crossroads of protein and DNA metabolism, has a propensity to chemically modify proteins directly, can generate free radicals, and even perturb ligand binding to certain receptors, the developmental processes Hcys can potentially disturb are enumerable. But in recent years, investigators have begun identifying cellular and molecular targets for the direct action of Hcys. While elevating Hcys can alter a myriad of basic cellular activities needed for normal development, our current understanding as to the specific etiological mechanisms responsible for congenital defects is very speculative. Here we provide an overview of what is currently known regarding the toxicity and teratogenicity of elevated Hcys during embryonic development, paying particular attention to neural tube and neural crest cell morphogenesis.

Prediction of multicomponent liquid adsorption using excess quantities. III. Calculations for the liquid/air interface.

The utilization of excess quantities as the basis of a thermodynamic approach can simplify the prediction of multicomponent data from binary ones. Whereas in Part II the excess formalism was applied to the prediction of liquid phase adsorption on solids, in this paper, the liquid/air interface is investigated. In order to show the generality of the suggested approach, thermodynamic equations are developed in analogy to Part II. Surface tensions are predicted by different excess models and compared with experimental data. From predicted surface tensions, ternary adsorption isotherms on the liquid/air interface are calculated.

Molecular traffic control in single-file networks with fast catalysts.

As a model for molecular traffic control we investigate the diffusion of hard core particles in crossed single-file systems. We consider a square lattice of single-files being connected to external reservoirs. The (vertical) alpha channels, carrying only A particles, are connected to reservoirs with constant density rho(A). B particles move along the (horizontal) beta channels, which are connected to reservoirs of density rho(B). We allow the irreversible transition A-->B at intersections. We are interested in the stationary density profile in the alpha and beta channels, which is the distribution of the occupation probabilities over the lattice. We calculate the stationary currents of the system and show that for sufficiently long channels the currents (as a function of the reservoir densities) show in the limit of large transition rates nonanalytic behavior. The results obtained by direct solution of the master equation are verified by kinetic Monte Carlo simulations.

Dolasetron prophylaxis reduces nausea and postanaesthesia recovery time after remifentanil infusion during monitored anaesthesia care for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy.

BACKGROUND: Remifentanil is used as an analgesic for different procedures performed during monitored anaesthesia care. Opioid-induced nausea and vomiting can be troublesome. METHODS: This prospective, randomized, double-blind study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of prophylaxis with dolasetron in reducing the frequency of postoperative nausea and duration of discharge time. Forty urological patients, undergoing elective ambulatory extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) received randomly either dolasetron 12.5 mg i.v. (Group 1) or placebo (Group 2) 10 min before a patient-adapted continuous infusion of remifentanil 0.15-0.4 micro g kg(-1) min(-1) was administered. Frequency and intensity (VAS 0-100 mm) of nausea, retching, and vomiting were assessed by patients and blinded investigators during and after the procedure. RESULTS: Patient characteristics, baseline values, duration of ESWL, and total dose of remifentanil did not differ between groups. The frequency (Group 1/Group 2; 20/55%; P<0.05) and mean (SD) maximal intensity [15 (9)/45 (14) mm; P<0.05] of nausea during 24 h was significantly reduced after dolasetron and discharge times in Group 1 were less than Group 2 [22 (14)/45 (28) min; P<0.05].

Synthetic matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor decreases early cardiac neural crest migration in chicken embryos.

During early embryonic development, cardiac neural crest (NC) cells emerge from the forming neural tube, migrate beneath the ectoderm, enter the pharyngeal arches, and subsequently participate in the septation of the heart. Like tumor cells, NC cells penetrate through basement membranes and invade extracellular matrix during their emigration and migration and, therefore, are liable to use similar invasive mechanisms. Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of zinc proteolytic enzymes known to be important in cell migration and invasion of normal and metastatic cells. In an earlier study, we found that the spatial and temporal distribution pattern of MMP-2 positively correlates with cardiac NC migration, suggesting MMP enzymatic activity may be important in mediating cardiac cell NC migration. To test this hypothesis, a synthetic MMP inhibitor, KB8301, was used to block MMP enzymatic activity during in vitro and in vivo cardiac NC cell migration in chick embryos. Injection of KB8301 into the cell-free space adjacent to the neural tube at the level of the second somite before the NC cells emigrated caused major morphologic anomalies in embryos and disrupted cardiac NC morphogenesis. Unilateral injection of KB8301 at lower concentrations, significantly decreased cardiac NC migration on the injected side compared with the noninjected side and compared with that of the injected controls. This decrease correlated with a decrease in MMP activity in the embryos and was not attributable to differences in embryo size or rate of embryonic development after injection. KB8301 also significantly decreased the rate of NC cell motility and distance NC cells migrated from explanted neural tubes and increased cell area and perimeter. These data suggest that MMP enzymatic activity is an important mediator of early cardiac NC migration and that perturbation of endogenous MMP activity may lead to NC-related congenital defects.

A comparison of anaesthetic techniques for shock wave lithotripsy: the use of a remifentanil infusion alone compared to intermittent fentanyl boluses combined with a low dose propofol infusion.

This study examined the intra-operative and postoperative characteristics of a remifentanil infusion alone, or intermittent fentanyl bolus admistration combined with a propofol infusion, for the anaesthetic management of patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy. One of the key parameters investigated was the time to discharge. Fifty patients scheduled for extracorporeal shock wavelithotripsy (ESWL) were randomly allocated to receive either a continuous infusion of 0.2-0.4 micro g.kg-1.min-1 of remifentanil (Group 1) or a bolus of 3 micro g.kg-1 fentanyl followed by a continuous infusion of propofol at a rate of 2 mg.kg-1.h-1 with additional boluses of 0.05 mg fentanyl administered as required (Group 2). Both anaesthetic techniques were found to provide satisfactory analgesia and intra-operative conditions for ESWL. However, patients in the remifentanil Group 1 showed a higher incidence of nausea (52% vs. 0%, p < 0.01) and retching (36% vs. 0%, p < 0.01) 120 min following ESWL compared to Group 2. This resulted in prolonged discharge times (p < 0.01) in this group. We found that remifentanil used as the sole agent failed to demonstrate any advantage over the combination of fentanyl/propofol with regard to rapid recovery and discharge following anaesthesia for extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy.

Expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) during early cardiac development.

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) mediate cell migration and tissue remodeling and are important in cardiac development. We examined the expression patterns of two MMP inhibitors, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-2 and TIMP-3, during critical stages of cardiac development. Both TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 mRNA were expressed in the endocardium prior to and during early cushion cell formation. TIMP-2 was continually expressed within the outflow tract (OT) and atrioventricular (AV) cushion cells at all stages examined, whereas TIMP-3 mRNA was undetectable in the AV cushion cells soon after their formation. Subsequently, TIMP-3 mRNA disappeared in cushion cells of the distal OT and this loss progressed toward the ventricle until eventually all of the OT cushion cells lacked detectable TIMP-3 transcripts. TIMP-3, but not TIMP-2, was also expressed within remodeling myocardium. Immunocytochemistry confirmed these findings. These observations suggest that TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 have important but unique roles in early cardiac development.

Legume promotion in counselling: an e-mail survey of dietitians.

Little is known about dietitians current practice in counselling clients about the use of legumes in a low fat, high fibre diet. An exploratory e-mail questionnaire was sent to members of Dietitians of Canada to assess: dietitian use and preferences for legumes, dietitian practice, opinions about clients attitudes and preferences, and resource needs. Counsellors (n=256) had high personal use of legumes (64% > or = 1 serving/week) and frequently recommended legumes in counselling. The legumes most preferred by respondents and their clients were: peanuts, kidney beans, split peas, chickpeas, and lentils. Respondents often recommended canned bean products (76%) and tofu (61%), but other legume grocery products were less often recommended. The most common client issues identified were: flatulence (87% agreed), lack of familiarity (85%), and knowledge of preparation (82%). Dietitians were not satisfied with current resources to support practice, especially those respondents providing primarily clinical counselling services. The most requested resources were: recipes (90%), pamphlets (82%), food demonstrations (75%) and Internet sites (63%). Client level research is now needed to confirm the importance of the issues identified and to develop and test strategies for legume promotion in counselling.

Prediction of Ternary Liquid Adsorption on Solids from Binary Data.

The adsorption behavior of the ternary n-hexane/n-octane/n-tetradecane mixture and the binary n-hexane/n-octane, n-octane/n-tetradecane, n-hexane/n-tetradecane mixtures on the well-characterized TA 95 activated carbon has been studied. Measured binary data at 25 degrees C are used to predict the ternary data which are compared with measured ones. With the measured binary data at 15 degrees C, a prediction of ternary data is proposed without ternary experimental support. To predict ternary data from the binary ones, a thermodynamical model combining the methods of Myers and Price and Danner is used. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

MMP-2 expression during early avian cardiac and neural crest morphogenesis.

Matrix metalloproteinase-type 2 (MMP-2) degrades extracellular matrix, mediates cell migration and tissue remodeling, and is implicated in mediating neural crest (NC) and cardiac development. However, there is little information regarding the expression and distribution of MMP-2 during cardiogenesis and NC morphogenesis. To elucidate the role of MMP-2, we performed a comprehensive study on the temporal and spatial distribution of MMP-2 mRNA and protein during critical stages of early avian NC and cardiac development. We found that ectodermally derived NC cells did not express MMP-2 mRNA during their initial formation and early emigration but encountered MMP-2 protein in basement membranes deposited by mesodermal cells. While NC cells did not synthesize MMP-2 mRNA early in migration, MMP-2 expression was seen in NC cells within the cranial paraxial and pharyngeal arch mesenchyme at later stages but was never detected in NC-derived neural structures. This suggested NC MMP-2 expression was temporally and spatially dependent on tissue interactions or differed within the various NC subpopulations. MMP-2 was first expressed within cardiogenic splanchnic mesoderm before and during the formation of the early heart tube, at sites of active pharyngeal arch and cardiac remodeling, and during cardiac cushion cell migration. Collectively, these results support the postulate that MMP-2 has an important functional role in early cardiogenesis, NC cell and cardiac cushion migration, and remodeling of the pharyngeal arches and cardiac heart tube.

Conservation of a CD1 multigene family in the guinea pig.

CD1 is a family of cell-surface molecules capable of presenting microbial lipid Ags to specific T cells. Here we describe the CD1 gene family of the guinea pig (Cavia porcellus). Eight distinct cDNA clones corresponding to CD1 transcripts were isolated from a guinea pig thymocyte cDNA library and completely sequenced. The guinea pig CD1 proteins predicted by translation of the cDNAs included four that can be classified as homologues of human CD1b, three that were homologues of human CD1c, and a single CD1e homologue. These guinea pig CD1 protein sequences contain conserved amino acid residues and hydrophobic domains within the putative Ag binding pocket. A mAb specific for human CD1b cross-reacted with multiple guinea pig CD1 isoforms, thus allowing direct analysis of the structure and expression of at least a subset of guinea pig CD1 proteins. Cell-surface expression of CD1 was detected on cortical thymocytes, dermal dendritic cells in the skin, follicular dendritic cells of lymph nodes, and in the B cell regions within the lymph nodes and spleen. CD1 proteins were also detected on a subset of PBMCs consistent with expression on circulating B cells. This distribution of CD1 staining in guinea pig tissues was thus similar to that seen in other mammals. These data provide the foundation for the development of the guinea pig as an animal model to study the in vivo function of CD1.

Urokinase regulates embryonic cardiac cushion cell migration without converting plasminogen.

Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) activation of plasminogen is an important mediator of cell migration in many cell types. In the developing avian heart, uPA has been implicated as a mediator of atrioventricular (AV) cushion cell migration; however, the role of the plasminogen/plasmin system has not been examined. The purpose of this study was to test the hypothesis that uPA conversion of plasminogen to plasmin mediates AV cushion cell migration in vitro. Stage 17/18 chicken atrioventricular tissue lysates converted plasminogen into plasmin through uPA activity but no tissue-type plasminogen activator activity was detected. Zymograms on living cultured AV explants also activated plasminogen producing plasmin that degraded extracellular protein. The migratory capacity of cushion cells was assessed in the presence or absence of various test reagents known to alter the plasminogen/plasmin system. Addition of either human or chicken plasminogen or aprotinin (an inhibitor of plasmin) had no effect on cell migration. However, an anti-catalytic uPA antibody that blocked AV uPA activity, significantly decreased cell migration at all concentrations tested. These results showed that uPA mediated a portion of cushion cell migration in vitro. Although AV segments activated plasminogen and degraded extracellular proteins, uPA's functional role in cushion cell migration did not involve the plasminogen/plasmin system.

Binary and Ternary Adsorption of n-Alkane Mixtures on Activated Carbon.

The adsorption isotherms of the binary n-alkane mixtures n-hexane/n-octane, n-octane/n-tetradecane, and n-hexane/n-tetradecane on the activated carbon TA 95 are measured at 298 K and described with mathematical functions. About 40 experimental values of the adsorption excess of the ternary mixture n-hexane/n-octane/n-tetradecane on activated carbon TA 95 at 298 K are gas chromatographically measured inside the ternary triangle. The ternary data are represented in the three-dimensional space with the help of transformation of coordinates and by utilization of the conception of the quasi-two-component representation of the mole fractions. A consistency test for the specific wetting Gibbs energies calculated from the binary data is carried out. The possibilities for a mathematical prediction of ternary data from adsorption data for the constituent binary mixtures are proved. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Transcranial Doppler sonography mean flow velocity during infusion of ultrapurified bovine hemoglobin.

A number of studies have shown that polymerized bovine hemoglobin (HBOC-201) does not cause clinically significant side effects. This has been demonstrated in spite of the fact that a primary increase in oxygen extraction ratio has been associated with an increase in systemic vascular resistance (SVR) and a decrease in cardiac index (CI). The current study investigated the effects of HBOC-201 on cerebral circulation. Middle cerebral artery mean flow velocity (Vm) was measured using Transcranial Doppler sonography. After institutional review board approval and informed consent were obtained, 12 patients (mean age 59+/-10 years), scheduled for hepatic resection, were enrolled. Anesthesia during the induction period consisted of etomidate (0.3 mg/kg), fentanyl (3 mcg/kg), and vecuronium (0.1 mg/kg). Anesthesia during the maintenance period consisted of isoflurane (0.64-0.8 vol%)/O2/N2O (FiO2=0.3), fentanyl, and vecuronium. End-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2), arterial carbon dioxide partial pressure (PaCO2), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), CI, SVR, mean flow velocity, and pulsatility index were measured in each patient. Hemodilution was performed in all patients, followed by randomized assignment to two groups: Group 1 (n=6) received 0.4 g/kg HBOC-201, Group 2 (n=6) received a corresponding volume of hydroxyethyl starch (mw 70,000). Measurements were taken at six points (PMs): before hemodilution (PM 1); following hemodilution (PM2); and at 3, 10, 20, and 30 minutes (PM 3-6) after infusion of HBOC-201 or starch. Systemic vascular resistance rose in Group 1 as compared with Group 2, with significant differences at PM 3-6. The greatest difference was at PM 6 (Group 2=1071 dyne x s x cm(-5); Group 1=2154 dyne x s x cm(-5)). Cardiac indices were significantly lower in Group 1 (1.7-1.8 l/minute x m(-2)) than in Group 2 (2.4-2.7 l/minute x m(-2)) after PM 3. After hemodilution, mean flow velocity showed an insignificant increase in both groups, ranging from 39 to 46 cm/second. Although SVR increased significantly following HBOC-201 -infusion, the results of this study did not reveal changes in cerebral blood flow that establish significant group-to-group differences.

Safety and efficacy of spinal vs general anaesthesia in bone marrow harvesting.

Bone marrow harvesting (BMH) can be performed with either general (GA) or spinal anaesthesia (SPA). Whether SPA is advantageous in BMH and if this technique is safe for procedures performed in the prone position is still controversial. To evaluate the safety and efficacy of both anaesthetic techniques in BMH, 37 allogeneic donors (nine female, 28 male; 34.3 +/- 9 years; ASA class 1-2) received either spinal (group 1, n =20) or general anaesthesia (group 2, n = 17) according to their personal wishes. Under standardised harvesting conditions, haematology parameters, cell counts (MNC, CD34+), haemodynamic parameters, adverse reactions and patient satisfaction were registered. No differences were seen between groups with respect to demographic data, harvesting time (55 +/- 17 vs 60 +/- 16 min) and bone marrow cell counts (MNC: 6.68 +/- 2.1 vs 5.7 +/- 1.7 ml/10(6)). The incidence of hypotension was higher in group 1 (45 vs 10.8%; P =0.042). Postoperative analgesic requirement and emesis were increased in group 2 (P < 0.04) in comparison to group 1. In conclusion, the present study failed to show superiority of spinal over general anaesthesia with regard to the quality of the harvested bone marrow. However, the lower incidence of complaints after spinal anaesthesia appears to offer an advantage over GA in healthy allogeneic bone marrow donors.