Determinations of the peroxidative susceptibilities of cod liver oils by a newly-developed 1H NMR-based method: resistance of an antioxidant-fortified product isolated from pre-fermented sources.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular composition and antioxidant status of four natural (unrefined) cod liver oil (CLO) products, three of which (Products 1-3) were non-fermented, whilst one (Product 4) was isolated from pre-fermented cod livers, and hence was naturally antioxidant-fortified. Potential antioxidants and aldehyde-scavenging agents were determined by recommended and/or 1H NMR methods; peroxyl radical-specific oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) values were measured fluorimetrically. The activities of such antioxidants were also investigated by assessing the susceptibilities/resistivities of these CLOs to thermo-oxidation by 1H NMR analysis, which monitored the time-dependent evolution of aldehydic lipid oxidation products at 180 °C. RESULTS: Product 4 displayed much higher, albeit variable ORAC values (mean ± SEM 91.4 ± 19.5 mmol. trolox equivalents/kg) than those of Products 1-3, an observation arising from significant levels of peroxidation-blocking and/or aldehyde-consuming collagenous polypeptides/peptides, flavonones, biogenic amines, total phenolics, tannins, and ammoniacal agents therein. All of these agents were undetectable in Products 1-3. Quantitative considerations indicated that collagenous gel agents (present at ca. 1.5% (w/w)) were the most powerful Product 4 antioxidants. Significantly lower levels of aldehydes were generated in this product when exposed to thermal-stressing episodes. Results confirmed the enhanced peroxidative resistivity of a pre-fermented, antioxidant-rich natural CLO over those of corresponding non-fermented products. Product 4: Green Pasture Blue Ice™ fermented cod liver oil.

Cortical perfusion and local fat occlusion after intramedullary nailing of the ovine tibia--comparison of different surgical procedures.

UNLABELLED: The aim of this study was to determine whether reamed or unreamed nailing is more harmful to local bone perfusion and increases fat occlusion of transcortical vessels. METHODS: After creating a standard fracture of the sheep tibia, reaming was performed in the first group using an experimental optimised reaming system (RE), in the second group with the conventional AO reamer (RC). Unreamed nailing was performed in the third group (UN). UHN 7.5mm titanium was inserted in all three groups. Intramedullary pressure was measured intraoperatively. Quantitative histological analyses of the bone were performed postoperatively. RESULTS: The highest fat occlusion of transcortical vessels occurred in UN (5.7%), the lowest in RE (1.6%). The least harm to intracortical circulation was caused by RE with 28% perfused intracortical vessels compared to 17% (UN) and 18% (RC). CONCLUSION: The experimental optimised reaming system reduces circulatory disturbance and local fat occlusion compared to the existing nailing procedures.

Relative friction minimization in fixed orthodontic bracket appliances.

The biomechanical and mathematical analysis of friction on an arch wire/bracket combination and the wire supports has demonstrated that there is an optimal relationship, i.e. minimal friction forces, between the bracket width and the distance between the adjacent brackets on the neighboring teeth. With this optimal situation, less force will develop for a given deflection of the arch wire. This, in turn, will lead to fewer frictional effects when the friction forces are assumed to be proportional to the concentrated perpendicular forces on the arch wire. As long as the contacting surface can be regarded as a point, Coulomb's law of friction can be applied in its simplest form. Relative friction minimization can thereby be qualitatively and quantitatively obtained by linear theory for any specified angulation, wire properties and coefficients of friction. Literature stating that narrow brackets will lead to less friction for specified angulation cannot be confirmed according to the presented analysis. The other extreme statement 'Use the widest bracket possible' also cannot be used in principle. Since the analysis shows a mathematical relationship between most of the relevant design variables of an arch wire/bracket combination and the magnitude of friction forces, empirical results can be sorted and ranked by their physical figures instead of by statistical distribution. In addition, it is possible to make recommendations about the appropriate bracket sizes for various cases. The dependences of the coefficients of friction themselves on material, surface roughness, lubrication, etc. are not investigated here. These factors are also very relevant, especially in reduction of the absolute magnitude of frictional forces, but this problem is left to tribologists.

Prevention of loss of vertebral bone density in heart transplant patients.

Seventy-six patients (63 men, 13 women) have been followed up by vertebral bone density (VBD) studies from 3 to 36 months. VBD was measured by single-energy computerized tomographic scan. Before transplantation, VBD was found to be lower than in age-matched controls (less than 40 years of age [group 1], 96% of controls: 40 through 49 years of age [group 2], 77%; 50 to 60 years of age [group 3], 87%; more than 60 years of age [group 4], 76%). After transplantation, despite oral calcium supplements, VBD fell further in all but two patients (97%), which was almost certainly related to maintenance steroid and cyclosporine therapy, and was most marked in the older groups (group 2, 67% compared with age-matched controls at 6 months; group 3, 60%; group 4, 50%). Intensive therapy with synthetic salmon calcitonin (in 29 of 76 patients [38%]), testosterone (in 33 of 63 men [52%]), or estrogen (in 12 of 13 women [92%]) limited, but did not totally prevent, further loss in VBD; in patients who had shown an approximate 45% loss of VBD from pretransplantation levels, further loss was reduced to between 4% and 10%. Five patients increased bone density after calcitonin therapy. Despite significantly reduced VBD in several older patients, minor vertebral bone compression developed in only one patient. We recommend that all patients undergoing heart transplantation, particularly those over the age of 50 years, should be followed by VBD studies, and therapy should be administered to prevent VBD loss.

Successful management of symptomatic cytomegalovirus disease with ganciclovir after heart transplantation.

In the 30-month period from January 1987 through June 1989, 57 patients underwent heart transplantation. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of a combination of cyclosporine, azathioprine, low-dose methylprednisolone, and antilymphoblast globulin. Clinically significant, proven cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease has developed in no fewer than 22 patients (39%), involving the lung (n = 11), colon (n = 8), stomach (n = 4), and retina (n = 1). The diagnosis was confirmed by direct fluorescent antibody (DFA) (n = 14), histologic study (n = 6), and culture (n = 6) in all cases. The onset of CMV infection occurred at a mean of 5.7 months after heart transplantation (range, 3 weeks to 18 months). All patients were treated with ganciclovir until no sign of active CMV disease could be found. The length of treatment required varied from 2 to 8 weeks (mean, 3.5 weeks). Recurrence has occurred in only one patient, necessitating a further 26-week course of therapy. There were no deaths attributed definitely to CMV disease. There was a higher incidence of acute rejection in the first 3 posttransplant months (0.68 episodes/patient) in the CMV group than in those in whom CMV disease did not develop (0.34 episodes/patient; p less than 0.02). Of the CMV patients, 25% had significant features of graft atherosclerosis during the first posttransplant year, compared with only 8% of the non-CMV patients. In conclusion, (1) there was a high incidence of CMV disease with this immunosuppressive regimen, and we have subsequently discontinued routine antilymphoblast globulin therapy and instituted a triple therapy immunosuppressive protocol with prophylactic immunoglobulin and acyclovir; (2) CMV disease was successfully treated in all cases with ganciclovir alone; and (3) there was a trend toward an increased incidence of both acute rejection and accelerated graft atherosclerosis in the CMV group of patients.

[Narrow or wide brackets? Biomechanical investigation of friction on bracket form]. / Schmales oder breites Bracket? Biomechanische Untersuchungen zum Reibungseinfluss auf die Bracketgestaltung.

To minimize the effects of friction, the groove lengths of brackets and hence bracket widths should be selected accordingly. This implies that each tooth be seen not as one isolated tooth alone, but rather as part of the whole system. This basic consideration is of decisive importance for the optimum design of bracket size.

Silver-island films as substrates for enhanced Raman scattering: effect of deposition rate on intensity.

The relationship between surface-enhanced resonance Raman scattering (SERRS) intensity and the rate of deposition during silver-island film preparation was examined, using zinc tetraphenylporphine (ZnTPP) as the adsorbate. The effect of the deposition rate on the optical properties of the films at specific wavelengths was also analyzed. The data show that the film extinction (the term extinction is used rather than absorption because the spectra have not been corrected for reflection or scattering losses) increases exponentially at 514 and 458 nm as the deposition rate is decreased. SERRS intensities also increase exponentially at these two excitation wavelengths with a decrease in the deposition rate. The optical density is linearly related to the SERRS intensity, and maximal enhancement is observed for films with the greatest extinction at these excitation wavelengths. In contrast, neither the extinction at 406 nm nor the SERRS scattering intensities resulting from excitation at this wavelength differ substantially. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) intensity and the electronic spectra of 4,4'-bipyridine (BP) adsorbed onto silver films as a function deposition rate were also examined. The behavior of the nonresonantly enhanced BP is comparable to that of the resonantly enhanced ZnTPP samples. The effects of the surface morphology, as determined from transmission electron micrographs of the films at various deposition rates, on the corresponding electronic spectra and SERS/SERRS spectra are described.

[Two-year health-education for students: effects on serum lipids]. / Zweijährige gesundheitserzieherische Intervention bei Schülern: Auswirkungen auf die Serum-Lipide?

This report concerns the development of total and HDL-cholesterol serum values after a two year health education programme for school children aged 13 or 14 at the beginning. Of altogether 521 pupils who were examined again after two years, 281 had completed an intervention programme with an emphasis on healthy diet, encouragement of non-smoking and physical activity. The others had not taken part in the programme and formed the control group. Concerning cardiovascular risk, the average levels of total and HDL-cholesterol in the serum were generally more favourable after the two year intervention period than in the group uninfluenced by the health education programme.

[Effects of health education intervention on the physical activity of adolescents]. / Auswirkungen einer gesundheitserzieherischen Intervention auf die physische Aktivität Jugendlicher.

A report is given about the results of physical activities in spare time and the physical capacities of 967 pupils of the 7th to 10th form. These pupils were asked and examined in 1987 in the country of Hohenmölsen. Particularly, the results are compared with the basic investigation on pupils of the same age in 1983. Nearly half of the pupils finished an interventional programme. The other part served as a control group. The comparison of both cross-section investigations even as the statements of a longitudinal-section study and a cross-section study from 1985 documented a good up to a very good increase of physical activities in spare time and physical capacities with regard to the complex test and long-distance race, especially at girls. The control group also shows an increase of the examined parameters. Finally, aspects for the improvement of the results in both groups are discussed.

[Blood pressure measurement by students--health education by peers]. / Blutdruckmessung durch Schüler--Gesundheitserziehung durch Peers.

The involvement of trained laity (pupils) in the standardized measurement of blood pressure may be a further step in the total fight against hypertension. During a period of four school years 152 of 205 pupils successfully completed a training course for standardized measurement. These well trained pupils serve as promotors (multipliers) of health educational know how and attitudes among adolescents of the same age. In this way health education by pupils for pupils may be furthered.

[Swine breeder's lung--a form of exogenous allergic alveolitis]. / Die Schweinezüchterlunge--eine Form der exogenen allergischen Alveolitis (EAA).

It is reported about two pig-breeders with the typical symptoms of an exogen allergic alveolitis after having worked in a pigsty. The diagnosis "Pig-Breeders'-Lung" was confirmed by the prove of precipitating antibodies against pig-epidermis components (scales) and pig-serum.

[Cough during the middle of the night--an early symptom of bronchial asthma?]. / Mitternächtlicher Husten--Frühsymptome des Asthma bronchiale?

With regard to a differentiated therapy it is necessary to demarcate the clinical picture of the bronchial asthma early from the other chronic (obstructive) pulmonary diseases. Despite subtle anamnestic statement, careful clinical examination and simple functional tests of the lung in individual cases a clear diagnostic coordination and differential-diagnostic demarcation, respectively, cannot be performed. Before the use of further proceeding bronchologic and allergologic investigation techniques the questioning after nocturnal attacks of hacking cough is recommended which in our own clinical material could be proved in the phase of manifestation in 139 of 162 patients with bronchial asthma.

[Body height, body weight and the Quetelet-Kaup Index in students 13 to 16 years of age in a rural district]. / Körpergrösse, Körpergewicht und Quetelet-Kaup-Index bei 13- bis 16jährigen Schülern eines Landkreises.

The influence of excessive body weight on cardiovascular disorders and mortality has been demonstrated for adults. The prognosis for extreme obesity is also unfavourable for young people. However, there is still a considerable lack of clarity about the predictions to be based on slight or moderate obesity in childhood and adolescence. The results of the measurement of the height and body weight of 1,252 pupils of between 13 and 16 years in an rural district, together with the calculations of the Quetelet Kaup index, are set out here. Over this age rang the Quetelet Kaup index increased from 18.8 kg/m2 to 20.6 kg/m2 for the boys and from 19.5 kg/m2 to 21.3 kg/m2 for the girls. There is a discussion of the connections between relative body weight and sexual maturity.