Impact of different saturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol containing diets on beta-amyloid accumulation in APP/PS1 transgenic mice.

The present study assessed the influence of dietary lipids on accumulation of amyloid beta-peptide (Abeta) in the brain. Seven experimental diets with varying n-6/n-3-ratio, saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acid and cholesterol contents were fed to transgenic APPswe/PS1dE9 mice for 3-4 months beginning at a young adult age (6 months). Hippocampal Abeta levels were determined with ELISA and plaque load by using immunocytochemistry. A typical Western diet with 40% saturated fatty acids and 1% of cholesterol increased, while diets supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) decreased Abeta levels compared to regular (soy oil based) diet. DHA diet also decreased the number of activated microglia in hippocampus and increased exploratory activity of transgenic mice, but did not improve their spatial learning in the water maze. The favorable effect of DHA on Abeta production was verified in two different cell lines. Regulation of dietary lipid intake may offer a new tool to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's disease at the population level.

Topographic anatomy of the eyelids, and the effects of sex and age.

AIMS: To describe the effects of sex and age on eyeball, eyelid, and eyebrow position. METHODS: A cross sectional cohort study was performed in which both eyes of 320 normal subjects aged between 10 and 89 years were included. Of each 10 year age cohort, there were 20 men and 20 women. Frontal, as well as lateral, slides were taken of both eyes. On projected slides, a reference line through the medial canthi and vertical lines through the pupil centre and the lateral canthus were constructed. Using these lines, we measured the size of the horizontal eyelid fissure, the distance from the reference line to the pupil centre and to the lateral canthus, the distance between the pupil centre and the upper and lower eyelid margin, and the distance between the upper eyelid margin and the skin fold and eyebrow. On lateral slides, the distance between the lateral canthus and the anterior corneal surface was measured. RESULTS: Between the ages of approximately 12 and 25 years, the horizontal eyelid fissure lengthened 3 mm, while the position of other eyelid structures remained virtually unchanged. Between the average ages of 35 and 85 years, the horizontal eyelid fissure gradually shortened again by about 2.5 mm. Meanwhile, the distance between the lateral canthal angle and the anterior corneal surface decreased almost 1.5 mm. Aging caused an increase of the distance between the pupil centre and the lower eyelid of about 1 mm in men, and 0.5 mm in women. Aging also caused a higher skin crease and raised eyebrows in men and women, but it did not affect the position of the pupil centre and the lateral canthus. Men showed an 0.7 mm larger horizontal eyelid fissure than women. In women, however, the eyebrows were situated about 2.5 mm higher than in men. CONCLUSION: Aging mainly affects the size of the horizontal eyelid fissure, which lengthens by about 10% between the ages of 12 and 25, and shortens by almost the same amount between middle age and old age. Aging causes sagging of the lower eyelid, especially in men, and a higher skin fold and eyebrow position in both sexes. Aging does not affect the position of the eyeball proper, or of the lateral canthus.

Modification of physical activity 5 months after myocardial infarction: relevance of biographic and personality characteristics.

The relation between modification of physical activity, a risk factor for coronary heart disease, and personality characteristics was assessed in 166 survivors of a first myocardial infarction (MI). Physical activity was assessed before MI in retrospect and again 5 months after MI. Patients were divided into 3 categories according to their current daily-life physical activities: less active than before MI (n=24), equally active as before MI (n=82), or more active than before MI (n=60). A significant differentiation was found between patients who became less physically active than before MI and the other 2 categories. This less active category was characterized by feelings of disability, a low level of vigor, and feelings of anxiety. In addition, this patient group was on average older and more often female. The results were adjusted for participation in a cardiac rehabilitation program. Finally, the discussion recommends involving psychological intervention in the exercise program for the less active category of patients to diminish feelings of anxiety and disability and to improve vigor.

Modification of smoking habits five months after myocardial infarction: relationship with personality characteristics.

The relationship between personality characteristics and spontaneous modification of smoking habits was assessed in 164 patients after their first myocardial infarction (MI). Smoking habits before the MI were investigated in retrospect and 5 months later. Smoking appeared to have decreased significantly. Persistent smokers could be differentiated from nonsmokers and exsmokers by a significantly high level of state-anxiety and depression. Young persistent smokers had a high level of depression; elderly persistent smokers were highly anxious and had a low level of somatization. The relationship between smoking behaviour modification and personality characteristics is discussed in association with intervention programmes.

Psychological and knowledge factors related to delay of help-seeking by patients with acute myocardial infarction.

Survival of an acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and subsequent prognosis are highly dependent on the time between onset of symptoms and medical intervention. The purpose of this study is to investigate which psychological and cardiovascular knowledge factors may contribute to the time the AMI patient takes to decide to seek medical help (patient delay). Three hundred patients took part in the study. They were interviewed and filled out several psychological questionnaires. The results show that patients who ask for medical help within half an hour have more cardiovascular knowledge, seek less distraction and more social support during the acute phase, compared to patients waiting longer. In general those who call soon appear to have easing thoughts in case of personal difficulties. They also deny their feelings of resentment to a lesser degree and interpret the symptoms of an AMI more often as originating in the heart. Future education campaigns should therefore not only address cardiovascular knowledge, but also coping and defense mechanisms.