Changes in Drinking Patterns Across the Transition to College Among First-Year College Males

Few studies examine changes in drinking behavior during the transition from high school to college. Using a sample of 239 first-year males, we hypothesized that participants would increase drinking from pre-college to the first month of college. Results reveal a general trend toward increased drinking upon entering college. Caucasians increased drinking more than non-Caucasians. Social expectancies of alcohol moderated increases in drinking behavior. These findings indicate that differential changes in drinking behavior occur among incoming college males. Interventions with college students need to address both preventing heavy consumption and alcohol-related problems in pre-college light drinkers and in reducing these behaviors among pre-college heavy drinkers.

Migration pattern of a short femoral neck preserving stem

The CFP stem represents a short collared neck-retaining stem with very proximal metaphyseal anchoring along the calcar combined with up-to-date metallurgy. Despite theoretical advantages, the stability and clinical outcome are unknown. We prospectively measured the migration pattern of this new stem and cup. Twenty-six patients (26 hips) with a mean age of 54 years (range, 40-66 years) underwent THA and were followed for 2 years with radiostereometry, radiographs, and clinical scores. The stem showed some early retroversion (mean, SEM 0.6 degrees, 0.3), but stabilized before 1 year. Subsidence (0.05 mm, 0.06) and varus-valgus tilting (0.03 degrees, 0.01) were low. We observed no bone loss in the calcar region. Factors related to patients, implant design, and implantation did not predict migration patterns. The two-dimensional wear of the ceramic/conventional articulation was 0.09 mm at 2-24 months. The low migration of this short neck preserving stem suggests a favorable long-term outcome but longer followup is needed to substantiate this prediction. This design might become an alternative to standard stems and hip resurfacing.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level IV. See The Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effects of soy supplementation on blood lipids and arterial function in hypercholesterolaemic subjects

BACKGROUND

Studies on soy supplementation suggest a cardioprotective potential.

OBJECTIVE

To examine the effects on LDL cholesterol and arterial function as a result of dietary enrichment with soy supplementation.

DESIGN

A Randomized, double blind, parallel intervention trial.

SETTING

Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism C, Aarhus University Hospital, and Department of Human Nutrition, The Royal Veterinary and Agricultural University, Denmark.

SUBJECTS

In all, 100 hypercholesterolaemic but otherwise healthy subjects were included in the study of which 89 completed it.

INTERVENTIONS

Subjects were randomly assigned to 24 weeks of daily intake of either a soy supplement, Abalon (30 g soy protein, 9 g cotyledon fibre and 100 mg isoflavones) or placebo (30 g of casein). The soy supplement and placebo were provided in two sachets daily that were stirred in water. Fasting plasma lipids, TNF-alpha, homocysteine, insulin sensitivity, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA-IR), serum insulin, serum glucose, blood pressure as well as Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1), glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide (GIP) and plasma lipids to a fat-rich meal were recorded before and after the intervention. In a sub study in 32 subjects, arterial dilatory capacity, compliance, and distensibility were recorded before and after the intervention.

RESULTS

In the main study, no difference in fasting plasma lipid levels or insulin sensitivity was found between soy-based supplement and placebo. A significant postprandial increase in GIP to the meal test was observed in the soy group (P < 0.05). In a substudy, no difference between the groups in changes in flow-mediated vasodilatation (P = 0.84) was detected, while the soy supplementation caused a reduction in LDL and total cholesterol.

CONCLUSIONS

No significant effects on blood lipids were observed in the main study to a soy supplementation in hypercholesterolaemic subjects after 24 weeks. In the substudy, the soy supplementation, however, reduced LDL and total cholesterol but did not influence markers of arterial function.

A group-administered Timeline Followback assessment of alcohol use

OBJECTIVE

The current study compares retrospective self-reports of quantity and frequency of drinking with the Timeline Followback (TLFB) method administered in groups or to individuals to determine the equivalence of these methods.

METHOD

Two hundred and eleven male college students who reported drinking at least two times per week participated; 118 completed the TLFB in a group setting, and 93 completed it individually. Drinking variables assessed were drinking days, average drinks and total drinks during a 30-day period.

RESULTS

Pearson's correlation coefficients revealed significant correlations between single-item quantity and frequency measures and the TLFB on all three variables for the two administration styles. Furthermore, the group TLFB yielded similar correlations to self-reports as the individual TLFB on drinking days and average drinks. However, the correlation between total drinks on the TLFB and the individual item report of drinking days was higher for individual administration than in the group administration.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that the group TLFB yields an accurate portrayal of students' quantity, but not frequency, of use. In addition, the group-administered TLFB has the potential to parallel individual interviews and serve as an efficient means of collecting information, but further studies with modified research designs are necessary to validate this alternate method of TLFB administration.

Effects of alcohol, expectancies, and partner type on condom use in college males: event-level analyses

Sexually active heterosexual college males (N = 93) provided data on over 1,500 sexual encounters. Alcohol consumption, expectancies about alcohol's impact on condom use, and partner type each contributed to use of a condom. Partner type covaried with alcohol consumption and condom use. The men consumed significantly more alcohol with new partners, followed by casual partners, and then by regular partners. In contrast, they were more likely to use condoms with new partners than with casual or regular partners. Drinking alcohol decreased condom use, but only with casual partners. Expectancies about alcohol's disinhibiting sexual effects decreased condom use as well. These data suggest that alcohol consumption does decrease condom use, particularly with casual partners and when drinkers believe alcohol alters sexual disinhibition. Improving knowledge about HIV and other STD transmission in casual partners and challenging expectancies about alcohol as a sexual disinhibitor could help decrease the spread of HIV and other STDs.

Substituting dietary saturated for monounsaturated fat impairs insulin sensitivity in healthy men and women: The KANWU Study

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

The amount and quality of fat in the diet could be of importance for development of insulin resistance and related metabolic disorders. Our aim was to determine whether a change in dietary fat quality alone could alter insulin action in humans.

METHODS

The KANWU study included 162 healthy subjects chosen at random to receive a controlled, isoenergetic diet for 3 months containing either a high proportion of saturated (SAFA diet) or monounsaturated (MUFA diet) fatty acids. Within each group there was a second assignment at random to supplements with fish oil (3.6 g n-3 fatty acids/d) or placebo.

RESULTS

Insulin sensitivity was significantly impaired on the saturated fatty acid diet (-10%, p = 0.03) but did not change on the monounsaturated fatty acid diet (+2%, NS) (p = 0.05 for difference between diets). Insulin secretion was not affected. The addition of n-3 fatty acids influenced neither insulin sensitivity nor insulin secretion. The favourable effects of substituting a monounsaturated fatty acid diet for a saturated fatty acid diet on insulin sensitivity were only seen at a total fat intake below median (37E%). Here, insulin sensitivity was 12.5% lower and 8.8% higher on the saturated fatty acid diet and monounsaturated fatty acid diet respectively (p = 0.03). Low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) increased on the saturated fatty acid diet (+4.1%, p < 0.01) but decreased on the monounsaturated fatty acid diet (MUFA) (-5.2, p < 0.001), whereas lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)] increased on a monounsaturated fatty acid diet by 12% (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

A change of the proportions of dietary fatty acids, decreasing saturated fatty acid and increasing monounsaturated fatty acid, improves insulin sensitivity but has no effect on insulin secretion. A beneficial impact of the fat quality on insulin sensitivity is not seen in individuals with a high fat intake (> 37E%).

Bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) pneumonia in beef calf herds despite vaccination

The present report describes the clinical, pathological, serological and virological findings in calves from 2 larger Danish beef herds experiencing outbreaks of pneumonia. The calves had been vaccinated with an inactivated bovine respiratory syncytial virus (BRSV) vaccine 2 months prior to the outbreak. The clinical signs comprised nasal discharge, pyrexia, cough and increased respiratory rates. A total of 28 calves died in the 2 herds. The laboratory investigations revealed that BRSV was involved and probably initiated both outbreaks. Furthermore, the serological results suggested that the vaccine induced only sparse levels of antibodies probably due to the presence of maternally derived antibodies at the time of vaccination. Necropsy findings in 5 calves revealed changes typical for infectious pneumonia with involvement of BRSV. In conclusion, vaccination of calves against BRSV in 2 Danish beef herds failed to protect the calves against severe or even fatal BRSV mediated respiratory disease 2 months later.

Gait disturbance interpreted as cerebellar ataxia after MMR vaccination at 15 months of age: a follow-up study

Measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination was included in the Danish childhood vaccination programme in 1987. During the following 10-y period, 550 notification records of adverse events after MMR vaccination at 15 mo of age have been registered, and a total of 41 notifications have included "gait disturbance". This corresponds to a frequency of 8 per 100,000 doses of MMR vaccine used for 15-mo-old children. The symptoms and signs are characteristic of cerebellar ataxia. In 28 notifications, the descriptions by the doctors included only "gait disturbance", while in 13 an additional interpretation was included. Thirty-two parents (78%) filled in a questionnaire and 26 (63%) agreed to participate in a clinical follow-up study. The gait disturbance symptoms mainly occurred 7-14 d after the vaccination, and the duration was median 1-2 wk (range 1 d to more than 4 mo). One-third of the children had symptoms lasting more than 2 wk. Significantly more children with long duration of symptoms had some kind of complaint or clinical signs at the follow-up in 1997. Gait disturbance registered after MMR vaccination seems to be more frequent than hitherto reported. Most cases are mild and short-lasting and a longer duration of symptoms seems to be predictive of late sequelae. A clinical diagnosis of cerebellar ataxia after MMR and the exact frequency of this adverse event remains to be tested in prospective studies.

Comparison of the effects of a monounsaturated fat diet and a high carbohydrate diet on cardiovascular risk factors in first degree relatives to type-2 diabetic subjects

OBJECTIVE

Recent studies have demonstrated beneficial metabolic effects of dietary monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) in Type-2 diabetes mellitus (Type-2 DM). The question arises if dietary MUFA also has desirable effects on risk markers in subjects with high risk of developing Type-2 DM.

SETTING

University department of endocrinology.

SUBJECTS

Sixteen healthy, first-degree relatives (six men, 10 women, age (mean+/-s.d.): 35+/-2 years) with normal oral glucose tolerance tests.

INTERVENTIONS

Randomised study with two 4-week treatment periods with either a carbohydrate-rich (CHO) diet (55 E% carbohydrate, 30 E% fat, 15 E% protein) or a diet rich in olive oil [MUFA 40 E% fat (25 E% as MUFA), 45 E% carbohydrate, 15 E% protein]. The periods were divided by a 4-week wash-out period.

RESULTS

Similar lowering effects on total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride and apoB levels were seen after the two diets. Slightly higher levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol (1.4+/-0.4 vs 1.3+/-0.4 mmol/l, P<0. 0001) and apoA-1 (1.2+/-0.3 vs 1.1+/-0.3 mmol/l, P<0.05) were found in the MUFA-diet. Furthermore, the insulin sensitivity, as assessed by Bergman's minimal model, and the first response insulin areas were similar, as were the 24-h blood pressures and the von Willebrand Factor (vWF) levels.

CONCLUSIONS

Isocaloric diets rich in MUFA or rich in carbohydrate, respectively, seem to have similar effects on cardiovascular risk factors in persons at high risk of developing Type-2 DM. A potential risk, however, on body weight of high-fat diets should be kept in mind.

SPONSORSHIP

This study was supported by grants from the Danish Diabetes Association, Institute of Clinical Experimental Research, Aarhus University, The Danish Heart Foundation, The Danish Medical Research Council, Velux Foundation, Poul and Erna Sehested Hansens Foundation, Mogens Svarre Mogensens Foundation.

Measurement of dose rate at the interface of cell culture medium and glass dishes by means of ESR dosimetry using thin films of alanine

Previous studies on human cervical cancer cells (NHIK 3025) have indicated that the cells, when X-irradiated in suspension, appeared to be more radiosensitive than when they were irradiated attached to glass dishes. However, this result depends on dosimetry, which is difficult in the situation where cells are attached to glass dishes due to backscattering electrons at the glass-liquid interface. Recently developed dosimetry that is based on detection of radiation-induced stable radicals in alanine and uses ESR spectroscopy offers a possibility for more relevant dosimetry at the glass-liquid interface than the previous estimates of doses based on Fricke dosimetry. Thin alanine films (>/=10 microm) were used to measure dose at the interface by irradiating the films while they were placed tightly against the bottom of dishes and covered with 1 mm of wax simulating the medium above cells. Fricke dosimetry was also performed, with different depths of Fricke solution in the dishes, to elucidate the contribution to the dose delivered by backscattering electrons at the glass-liquid interface. A dose rate of 1.9 Gy/min was measured with a thin layer (0.2-0.3 mm) of Fricke solution in petri dishes made of glass. However, this estimate appears to be too high, due to a contribution to dose by short-ranged electrons generated when the X rays passed through a steel lid 4.5 cm above the dishes. Dosimetry using alanine films resulted in dose rates of 1.15 and 0.87 Gy/min at the interfaces of glass-liquid and plastic- liquid, respectively. Hence there is a significant contribution to dose from backscattering electrons on dishes made of glass. The reason for our previous observation of a difference in radiosensitivity between cells irradiated in suspension and cells irradiated attached to glass appears to be a lack of accurate dosimetry at the glass-liquid interface.

Effects of xylitol on urea synthesis in patients with cirrhosis of the liver

BACKGROUND

In individuals with cirrhosis the normal inhibiting effect of glucose on urea synthesis is lost, probably because of very high concentrations of glucagon. In agreement, glucose does not prevent the inducing effect of glucagon on urea synthesis in normal humans. In contrast, the sugar alcohol, xylitol, prevents the increasing effect of glucagon in normal humans. We, therefore, examined the effect of xylitol on urea synthesis in individuals with cirrhosis and hyperglucagonemia.

METHODS

Urea synthesis, calculated as urinary excretion rate corrected for accumulation in total body water and intestinal loss, was measured during infusion of alanine (2 mmol/[h x kg body wt]) and during infusion of alanine superimposed on infusion of xylitol (0.12 g/[h x kg body wt]) in 8 individuals with biopsy-proven alcoholic cirrhosis. The functional hepatic nitrogen clearance (FHNC), ie, urea synthesis expressed independent of changes in plasma amino acid concentration, was calculated as the slope of the linear relation between the urea synthesis rate and the plasma amino acid concentration.

RESULTS

All individuals had elevated basal plasma glucagon concentration (261 +/- 61 ng/L; mean +/- SEM) and a markedly increased response to alanine infusion (1037 +/- 226 ng/L). This was not changed by xylitol. Neither the basal urea synthesis rate (13.2 +/- 2.5 mmol/h) nor the alanine-stimulated urea synthesis rate (76.8 +/- 3.64 mmol/h) was changed by xylitol. FHNC during the infusion of alanine alone was 10.5 +/- 0.9 L/h and did not change during the concomitant infusion of xylitol (10.1 +/- 1.1 L/h).

CONCLUSIONS

Xylitol reduces neither urea synthesis nor FHNC. The data do not support an important role of xylitol as a nitrogen-sparing agent in cirrhosis.

Comparison of a carbohydrate-rich diet and diets rich in stearic or palmitic acid in NIDDM patients. Effects on lipids, glycemic control, and diurnal blood pressure

OBJECTIVE

To compare the effects on lipid levels, glycemic control, and diurnal blood pressure of two diets rich in one of the two quantitatively most important saturated fatty acids, stearic and palmitic acid, with a carbohydrate-rich diet in NIDDM patients.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 15 NIDDM patients participated in a randomized crossover study with three 3-week diet interventions separated by 2-week washout periods. Patients started with a diet rich in stearic acid (44 E% [percent of total energy] fat [13 E% stearic acid], 40 E% carbohydrate, 15 E% protein), palmitic acid (45 E% fat [16 E% palmitic acid], 40 E% carbohydrate, 15 E% protein), or carbohydrate (29 E% fat, 51 E% carbohydrate, and 18 E% protein), then were shifted to the other two diets in a randomized block design. At the start and end of each intervention period, fasting blood samples were drawn for analysis of lipids and blood glucose. In addition, diurnal blood pressure was measured.

RESULTS

At the end of the 3-week interventions, total cholesterol was significantly higher after the palmitic acid-rich diet than after the stearic acid-rich or carbohydrate-rich diets (5.3 +/- 1.3 vs. 5.0 +/- 1.2 and 4.9 +/- 1.2 mmol/l, respectively; P = 0.03). No significant differences in triglyceride, LDL, or HDL cholesterol levels were seen after the three intervention diets. No difference in effects between the diet periods were seen for fructosamine, HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, or diurnal blood pressure.

CONCLUSIONS

For the first time, it has been demonstrated that a diet rich in palmitic acid was not as effective in lowering cholesterol levels as carbohydrate-rich and stearic acid-rich diets in NIDDM patients. No deleterious effects were seen on diurnal blood pressure, triglyceride levels, and glycemic control. Development of foods containing stearic acid rather than the more atherogenic saturated fatty acids may allow a wider choice of acceptable foods to NIDDM patients.

Evaluation of standardized methods for registration of time-dependent orthodontic tooth movements

An in vitro study was conducted to compare reproducibility of repeated recordings obtained from devices constructed for standardized registrations. An existing radiographic method and a new photographic technique were employed. On five in vitro models, half of the maxilla from dry skulls, special designed splints with a Troll-biten film holder were constructed. A stiff metal bar attached to the splints and to either an X-ray apparatus or a standard photographic camera made it possible to obtain standardized registrations. For each model 10 radiographs and photographs were taken before and after the canine was moved. Subtracting the values from well defined points for these pictures, 10 pairs of coordinates were available for each of the models with both methods. The findings showed very similar reproducibility for the two methods with 95 per cent of the discrepancies within a magnitude of 0.12 mm for the radiographic method and 0.14 mm for the photographic method. When evaluating the canine movements, similar results were observed. No significant difference could be detected in the five in vitro models. In addition, the results showed that a splint can be used as a stable reference for registration of tooth movements. Because of ethical objections to unnecessary radiation, the photographic registration technique might substitute the radiographs in future investigations where standardized periodic records are necessary for the description of tooth movement.

Influence of diltiazem on renal function and rejection in renal allograft recipients receiving triple-drug immunosuppression: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

In a prospective, randomized and placebo-controlled study we evaluated the influence of treatment with the calcium-channel blocker diltiazem on the course and results of cadaveric kidney transplantation in 39 graft recipients. The grafts were reperfused with Euro-Collins solution containing diltiazem 20 mg/l. All recipients except those in chronic treatment with a calcium-channel blocker received preoperatively a bolus of diltiazem or placebo 0.3 mg/kg and in all an infusion of diltiazem or placebo 3 mg/kg/24 h was started preoperatively. After that, diltiazem or placebo was given orally for 3 months. Donors were not treated. Immunosuppressive therapy consisted of prednisone, azathioprine and CsA. There were no significant differences between the groups concerning donor or recipient characteristics, HLA-mismatching, and ischaemic time. Thrombosis leading to graft loss occurred in 3 recipients (diltiazem:2, placebo:1) and one graft was lost due to septicaemia (diltiazem). For the remaining 35 grafts no beneficial effect of treatment with diltiazem was found for the rate of delayed graft function, the rate of rejections, time to first rejection, whole blood CsA concentration, or graft function. The CsA dose needed to reach target whole blood concentration was significantly less in the diltiazem group. In conclusion, our results do not indicate any beneficial effects of treatment with diltiazem in cadaveric kidney transplantation, except a reduction of costs because of a significant reduction of the CsA dosage.

Location of centres of resistance for maxillary anterior teeth measured on human autopsy material

The location of the centre of resistance (CR) of various consolidated units of maxillary anterior teeth was determined in this study using human autopsy material. The units studied consisted of two central incisors, four incisors, and six anterior teeth. When horizontal forces were applied the CR for the two- and six-tooth units was located approximately 6.5 mm apical to the bracket position. For the four-tooth unit, CR was placed slightly more occlusally, the distance being 5.0 mm. Applying vertical forces CR was located about 13.0 mm posterior to the bracket position for the two- and four-tooth unit. The incorporation of the canines into the incisor segment resulted in a distal shift of CR of 6 mm. CR for the six anterior teeth was, thus, located on a line 3 mm behind the distal surface of the canines. Increasing force levels had little effect on the location of CR for a given unit.

Tooth displacement analysed on human autopsy material by means of a strain gauge technique

Tooth displacement was analysed on human autopsy material for various types of orthodontic force systems using an electronic strain gauge technique. Tooth movements were registered in two dimensions with low force clip gauges on three sections of the mandible, containing the first premolar and the first molar. The sensitivity was 0.1 microns when horizontal forces of 50, 100, and 150 cN were applied at different horizontal levels producing different M/F ratios. The relationship between a force system and the resulting tooth movement was described by the position of the centre of rotation, CR, and the angle of rotation. The centre of resistance was determined for the three autopsy specimens, and depended on tooth geometry, root length, and level of bony margin. Important differences in location were found. The dynamics of initial tooth movement were analysed within the first minute of load application. Force/displacement curves were generated to evaluate the behaviour of the periodontal ligament. There was a linear correlation between the two variables. Freezing the autopsy material some days before testing had no detectable effect. The results from measurements on human autopsy material were compared with previously derived in vivo measurements.

Electronic determination of centres of rotation produced by orthodontic force systems

A strain gauge measurement device with low force clip gauges, for measurement of initial tooth displacement in two dimensions has been developed. An experimental model simulating a maxillary central incisor is loaded with different known and controlled force systems. The resulting tooth displacements are described by the position of the centre of rotation and the generated angle of rotation for the total tooth movement. The effect of a single force, a moment, and force-moment combinations producing different moment to force ratios were studied. From these results the required force system needed to produce tooth movements with different centres of rotation for a central incisor of average root length are calculated. Furthermore, the model allows us to measure the accuracy of the measuring device by comparing results to analytical and laser holographic data, obtained on similar models. Some preliminary measurements and results, using human autopsy material are presented.