A polymerase chain reaction procedure for the detection of Salmonella spp. within 24 hours

Salmonella spp. are one of the most important groups of food-borne pathogens worldwide. Conventional methods for the detection of Salmonella spp. in foodstuffs are generally cumbersome and time consuming. Whereas various more rapid detection methods have been developed over the past few years, there is currently no reliable true 24-hour detection method available. We report here a reliable Salmonella PCR detection method yielding results within 24 h. Chicken samples were preenriched in buffered peptone water (BPW) for 6 h. The DNA was extracted using phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) and then heated at 95 degrees C for 10 min. The Salmonella-specific primers ST11 and ST15 were used to amplify a 429-bp region specific to all Salmonella spp. This approach proved to be sufficient for the reliable detection of Salmonella spp. from both artificially and naturally contaminated poultry samples. The characteristic 429-bp PCR product was obtained in artificially contaminated samples with a detection limit of 50 CFU. A variety of chicken samples confirmed to harbor Salmonella spp. by conventional culture methods tested positive by our 24-h procedure, whereas no detectable amplification product was detected in those samples testing negative by culture methods. This method proved to be an excellent tool for the rapid and sensitive detection of Salmonella spp. from poultry samples using a specific primer set (ST11 and ST15) after only 6 h of preenrichment.

Hip fracture risk in older white men is associated with change in body weight from age 50 years to old age

BACKGROUND

Change in body weight is a potentially modifiable risk factor for hip fracture in older women but, to our knowledge, its relationship to risk in older men has not been reported previously.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of weight loss and weight gain from age 50 years to old age on the risk of hip fracture among elderly men.

METHODS

The association between weight change and risk of hip fracture was studied in a cohort of 2413 community-dwelling white men aged 67 years or older from 3 sites of the Established Populations for Epidemiologic Study of the Elderly.

RESULTS

The older men in this study, observed for a total of 13620 person-years during the 8 years of follow-up, experienced 72 hip fractures, yielding an overall incidence rate of 5.3 per 1000 person-years. Extreme weight loss (> or =10%) beginning at age 50 years was associated in a proportional hazards model with increased risk of hip fracture (relative risk, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.04-3.3). Weight loss of 10% or more was associated with several indicators of poor health, including physical disability, low mental status score, and low physical activity (P<.05). Weight gain of 10% or more beginning at age 50 years provided borderline protection against the risk of hip fracture (relative risk, 0.4; 95% confidence interval, 0.1-1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite differences between older men and women in the incidence of and risk factors for hip fracture, weight history is also an important determinant of the risk of hip fracture among older men. Weight loss of 10% or more beginning at age 50 years increases the risk of hip fracture in older white men; weight gain of 10% or more decreases the risk of hip fracture. The relationship between extreme weight loss and poor health suggests that weight loss is a marker of frailty that may increase the risk of hip fracture in older men. Physicians should include weight history in their assessment of the risk of hip fracture among older men.

Muscle mass and fat mass in relation to bone mineral density in very old men and women: the Framingham Heart Study

Aim of the study was investigate the cross-sectional relationship between body composition and bone mineral density (BMD) in very old men and women. The study sample consisted of 504 women and 285 men, aged 72-93 yr, participating in examination 22 (1992-1993) of the Framingham Heart Study. Total body BMD, regional BMD, and soft-tissue body composition was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Both muscle mass and percentage body fat were positively associated with total body BMD in women. After adjustment for age, physical activity, smoking status, estrogen use, and thiazide use, BMD increased with increasing tertile of muscle mass (p = 0.007) and with increasing tertile of percentage body fat (p = 0.0001) in women. In men muscle mass, not percentage body fat, was positively associated with BMD. After adjustment for potential confounders, BMD remained associated with muscle mass only (p = 0.02). These results were similar for leg BMD and arm BMD. The study suggests that the influence of muscle and fat mass on bone mineral density is different between very old men and women.

Body fat and skeletal muscle mass in relation to physical disability in very old men and women of the Framingham Heart Study

BACKGROUND

Low muscle mass has been assumed to be associated with disability, but no studies confirming this association have been published. High body weight and high body mass index, both rough indicators of body fatness, have been shown to increase the risk for disability; however, the specific role of body fatness has not been studied.

METHODS

The relations of skeletal muscle mass and percent body fat with self-reported physical disability were studied in 753 men and women aged 72 to 95 years. Cross-sectional data from biennial examination 22 (1992-1993) of the Framingham Heart Study were used. Body composition was assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Disability was scored as any versus none on a 9-item questionnaire.

RESULTS

Total body and lower extremity muscle mass were not associated with disability in either men or women. However, a strong positive association between percent body fat and disability was observed. The odds ratio for disability in those in the highest tertile of body fatness was 2.69 (95% confidence interval 1.45-5.00) for women and 3.08 (1.22-7.81) for men compared to those in the lowest tertile. The increased risk could not be explained by age, education, physical activity, smoking, alcohol use, estrogen use (women only), muscle mass, and health status. Analyses restricting disability to mobility items gave similar results.

CONCLUSIONS

In contrast to current assumptions, low skeletal muscle mass was not associated with self-reported physical disability. Persons with a high percent body fat had high levels of disability. Because it cannot be ruled out that persons with low skeletal muscle mass dropped out earlier in the study, prospective studies are needed to further assess the relationship between body composition and physical disability.

Cardiovascular events and mortality in newly and chronically depressed persons > 70 years of age

The role of duration of depressed mood in the prediction of cardiovascular disease (CVD) requires further study, as it has been suggested that emerging depressive symptoms may be a better predictor than persistent depressive symptoms. This prospective cohort study of 3,701 men and women aged > 70 years uses 3 measurement occasions of depressive symptomatology (Center for Epidemiologic Studies-Depression Scale) during a 6-year period to distinguish persons who were newly (depressed at baseline but not at 3 and 6 years before baseline) and chronically depressed (depressed at baseline and at 3 or 6 years before baseline). Their risk of subsequent CVD events and all-cause mortality was compared with that of subjects who were never depressed during the 6-year period. Outcome events were based on death certificates and Medicare hospitalization records. During a median follow-up of 4.0 years, there were 732 deaths (46.2/1,000 person-years) and 933 new CVD events (64.7/1,000 person-years). In men, but not in women, newly depressed mood was associated with an increased risk of CVD mortality (relative risk 1.75, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.00 to 3.05), new CVD events (relative risk 2.07, 95% CI 1.44 to 2.96), and new coronary heart disease events (relative risk 2.03, 95% CI 1.28 to 3.24) after adjustment for traditional CVD risk factors. The association between newly depressed mood and all-cause mortality was smaller (relative risk 1.40, 95% CI 0.95 to 2.07). Chronic depressed mood was not associated with new CVD events or all-cause mortality. Our findings suggest that newly depressed older men, but not women, were approximately twice as likely to have a CVD event than those who were never depressed. In men, recent onset of depressed mood is a better predictor of CVD than long-term depressed mood.

Efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against nematode and arthropod endoparasites in sheep

Five controlled trials were conducted in Germany or in the United Kingdom, using 74 female sheep of merino or Dorset horn breeds, to evaluate the efficacy of an ivermectin controlled-release capsule against naturally acquired or induced infections of gastrointestinal nematodes, lungworms and nasal bot larvae and against incoming infections with gastrointestinal and pulmonary nematodes. Half of the animals were treated with one ivermectin controlled-release capsule that delivered ivermectin at the rate of 1.6 mg per day for 100 days while the other half remained untreated. Parasites were counted 21, 28, 35 or 56 days after administration of the capsule. The treatment was highly effective (> or = 99 per cent) against established parasites of the following species: Haemonchus contortus (adults and fourth-stage larvae), Ostertagia circumcincta, O pinnata, O trifurcata, Ostertagia species fourth-stage larvae, Trichostrongylus axei, T colubriformis, T vitrinus, Cooperia curticei, Nematodirus battus, N filicollis, Strongyloides papillosus, Chabertia ovina, Oesophagostomum venulosum, Trichuris ovis, Tr skrjabini, Dictyocaulus filaria, Protostrongylus rufescens and Oestrus ovis (larvae). The treatment prevented the establishment of the gastrointestinal nematodes H contortus, O circumcincta, T axei, T colubriformis, C curticei, N battus, N filicollis, Ch ovina, Oe vennulosum and the establishment of the lungworm D filaria by > 99 per cent compared with untreated controls (P < or = 0.01).

Allelotype of pediatric rhabdomyosarcoma

An allelotype covering all autosomes was constructed for the embryonal form of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma (ERMS) in order to identify regions encompassing tumorsuppressor genes (TSG) involved in ERMS. Thusfar most studies were focussed on chromosome 11p15.5, which frequently shows loss of heterozygozity (LOH) in embryonal tumors like RMS and Wilms' tumor (WT). In this study we show that, besides LOH of chromosome 11p15.5 (72%), LOH of chromosome 16q was present in 54% of the tumors analysed. Delineation of these two regions shows that the smallest region of overlap (SRO) for chromosome 11 was between D11S988 and D11S922. This region, estimated to be 7 cM and 3-5 Mb, is also the location of the putative Wilms' tumor WT2 TSG. It contains several genes including IGF2 and potential tumorsuppressor genes like H19 and p57kip2, which might contribute to the carcinogenesis of RMS. Analysis of chromosome 16q LOH defined the SRO between D16S752 and D16S413. LOH of chromosome 16 is also found in other tumors, including WT. Our data suggest that genes involved in the development of RMS and WT may not only be similar for chromosome 11 but also for chromosome 16.

Absence of mutations in the RET gene in acute myeloid leukemia

Expression of the tyrosine kinase receptor RET has previously been detected in normal hematopoietic cells, and especially in cells of the myeloid lineage. Furthermore, RET was shown to be differentially expressed in acute myeloid leukemia (AML), a disease characterized by excessive cell growth and aberrant maturation of cells, with the highest levels of expression in leukemias with monocytic differentiation. RET is known to be expressed in cells from the excretory system and from the developing central and peripheral nervous system. Both activating and inactivating aberrations in the RET gene have been detected in disorders derived from these tissues. To investigate whether the differential expression is a primary defect in AML, the presence of RET alterations was scanned by Southern blot analysis on DNA of blasts obtained from 17 AML patients. However, no RET gene aberrations were found. Subsequently, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis was performed on the DNA of blasts from ten selected cases. All five variants detected turned out to represent neutral DNA polymorphisms, including a novel polymorphism in exon 14. Since we were unable to detect mutations of RET in AML, it is unlikely that it plays an important role in leukemogenesis.

Appendicular skeletal muscle mass: effects of age, gender, and ethnicity

This study tested the hypothesis that skeletal muscle mass is reduced in elderly women and men after adjustment first for stature and body weight. The hypothesis was evaluated by estimating appendicular skeletal muscle mass with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry in a healthy adult cohort. A second purpose was to test the hypothesis that whole body 40K counting-derived total body potassium (TBK) is a reliable indirect measure of skeletal muscle mass. The independent effects on both appendicular skeletal muscle and TBK of gender (n = 148 women and 136 men) and ethnicity (n = 152 African-Americans and 132 Caucasians) were also explored. Main findings were 1) for both appendicular skeletal muscle mass (total, leg, and arm) and TBK, age was an independent determinant after adjustment first by stepwise multiple regression for stature and weight (multiple regression model r2 = approximately 0.60); absolute decrease with greater age in men was almost double that in women; significantly larger absolute amounts were observed in men and African-Americans after adjustment first for stature, weight, and age; and >80% of within-gender or -ethnic group between-individual component variation was explained by stature, weight, age, gender, and ethnicity differences; and 2) most of between-individual TBK variation could be explained by total appendicular skeletal muscle (r2 = 0.865), whereas age, gender, and ethnicity were small but significant additional covariates (total r2 = 0.903). Our study supports the hypotheses that skeletal muscle is reduced in the elderly and that TBK provides a reasonable indirect assessment of skeletal muscle mass. These findings provide a foundation for investigating skeletal muscle mass in a wide range of health-related conditions.

[Helminth infection of slaughtered sheep in Upper Bavaria. 3. Distribution of colonization of nematodes in the large intestine of sheep]

The distribution of Chabertia (Ch.) ovina, Oesophagostomum (O.) venulosum and Trichuris spp. within the large intestine of naturally infected sheep in the dependence of worm counts and the presence of nematodes of other species or genera was evaluated. The large intestine was divided into 4 sections. More than 75% of Ch. ovina were found within the disk-like section of the colon independently from worm count and presence of nematodes of other species. O. venulosum and Trichuris spp. preferred the caecum and the first section of the colon up to the beginning of the disk-like section. In both, the share of worms recovered from the first section of the colon did increase with higher worm counts. The simultaneous presence of O. venulosum and Trichuris spp. had a significantly negative influence on the share of Trichuris spp. isolated from the caecum.

Persistent anthelmintic activity of topically administered ivermectin in red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) against lungworms (Dictyocaulus viviparus)

A controlled trial was conducted to evaluate the persistent anthelmintic effect of ivermectin as a topical treatment at 500 microg/kg against induced infection with lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus) in red deer (Cervus elaphus). The results showed a highly significant (p <0.01) anthelmintic activity for at least 28 days against a newly acquired infection with Dictyocaulus viviparus (>99% efficacy).

Density of fat-free body mass: relationship with race, age, and level of body fatness

The two-compartment body composition method assumes that fat-free body mass (FFM) has a density of 1.100 kg/l. This study tested the hypothesis that FFM density is independent of race, age, and body fatness. Subjects were 703 black and white subjects, ages 20-94 yr, with body mass index (BMI) 17-35 kg/m2. Body composition was assessed using a four-compartment model based on tritium dilution volume, body density by underwater weighing, bone mineral by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and body weight. No relationship was observed between FFM density and race or BMI. A tendency was observed for a lower FFM density only in older white women. The difference in percent body fat (delta fat) between the four-compartment model and underwater weighing was < 2% for all groups. Race, age, and BMI explained only 2.3 (women) and 1.4% (men) of the variance in delta fat, whereas the total body water fraction of FFM explained 77%. In contrast to current thinking, these results show that the assumption of constant FFM density is valid in black, elderly, and obese subjects.

Total and sports activity in older men and women: relation with body fat distribution

Physical activity is reported to be inversely associated with abdominal fat in young and middle-aged populations, which may in part explain its beneficial effect on health. However, it is unclear whether this inverse association exists in older people. The authors investigated the relation of total and sports activity with fat distribution in a population-based sample of 1,163 men and 1,154 women aged 55-85 years, representative of the Dutch elderly population in 1992-1993. Waist and hip circumference and their ratio (WHR) were used as indicators of fat distribution. Physical activity of the previous 2 weeks was obtained by questionnaire. Among men, total physical activity time was negatively associated with waist (98.3 +/- 0.4 cm in the most active quartile vs. 100.5 +/- 0.4 cm in the least active quartile, p = 0.0001 (mean +/- standard error)) and WHR (0.98 +/- 0.00 vs. 0.99 +/- 0.00, p = 0.005) after adjustment for age, education level, body mass index, smoking, and season of the year. This association was not observed among women. Men and women who participated in sports activity had a smaller waist and WHR than those who did not. After adjustment, the time spent on sports activity was negatively associated with waist (p = 0.004 for men and p = 0.07 for women) and WHR (p = 0.03 for men and p = 0.09 for women) in both sexes. No relation between total physical activity time and body fat distribution was observed among respondents who were not participating in any sports activity (p > or = 0.17), suggesting that performance of activities of low/moderate intensity has no effect on body fat distribution. No associations with hip circumference were observed. The results did not change after additional adjustment for chronic illness. The results of this large-scale study show that physical activity, and specifically intensive activity, is negatively associated with abdominal fat in older people.

Energy Conditions in the Epoch of Galaxy Formation

The energy conditions of Einsteinian gravity (classical general relativity) do not require one to fix a specific equation of state. In a Friedmann-Robertson-Walker universe where the equation of state for the cosmological fluid is uncertain, the energy conditions provide simple, model-independent, and robust bounds on the behavior of the density and look-back time as a function of red shift. Current observations suggest that the "strong energy condition" was violated sometime between the epoch of galaxy formation and the present. This implies that no possible combination of "normal" matter is capable of fitting the observational data.

Bioimpedance analysis: evaluation of leg-to-leg system based on pressure contact footpad electrodes

Conventional single frequency bioimpedance analysis (BIA) systems require technician placement of arm and leg gel electrodes, a suitable location for recumbent measurements, and a separate measurement of body weight. The aim of this study was to evaluate a new single frequency 50 KHz leg-to-leg bioimpedance analysis (BIA) system combined with a digital scale that employs stainless steel pressure-contact foot pad electrodes for standing impedance and body weight measurements. Healthy adults were evaluated for 1) electrode validity and 2) potential for body component estimation. Pressure-contact foot-pad electrode measured impedance was highly correlated with (N = 9, r = 0.99, P < 0.001) impedance measured using conventional gel electrodes applied to the plantar surface of both lower extremities; mean (+/-SD) impedance was systematically higher by about 15 ohms for pressure contact electrodes (526 +/- 56 ohms vs 511 +/- 59 ohms; P < 0.001). Second, the relationship between stature-adjusted leg-to-leg impedance (H2/Z) measured by the new system and two body composition components (total body water by 3H2O dilution (N = 144); and fat-free body mass, by underwater weighing and dual x-ray absorptiometry (N = 231)) was modeled using multiple regression analysis. Correlation coefficients for H2/Z alone versus body composition components were lower for leg-to-leg BIA than for arm-to-leg BIA; correlation coefficients and SEEs became similar for the leg-to-leg and arm-to-leg BIA systems with addition of three covariates (age, gender, and waist/hip circumference ratio) to regression models. The leg-to-leg pressure contact electrode BIA system has overall performance characteristics for impedance measurement and body composition analysis similar to conventional arm-to-leg gel electrode BIA and offers the advantage of increased speed and ease of measurement.

[Occurrence of helminths in slaughtered sheep in Upper Bavaria. 2. Relationship between fecal egg count and worm burden]

The relationship between the faecal egg count and the worm burden of the gastrointestinal tract of sheep was examined. Close relationships were found in strongyles, Trichostrongylidae (other than Nematodirus spp.), Nematodirus spp., Strongyloides papillosus, Chabertiidae and Trichuris spp.. Due to high percentage of false negative diagnosis from faecal examination, this relationship was in Nematodirus spp. and Trichuris spp. not as close as in the other nematodes. However, the results support the high diagnostic value of quantitative faecal examinations in sheep.

The spectrum of allergy to South African bony fish (Teleosti). Evaluation by double-blind, placebo-controlled challenge

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the spectrum of allergy to South African bony fish (Class Teleosti), crustaceans and molluscs and to confirm or refute suspected allergy, specifically to bony fish, by double-blind, placebo-controlled food challenge (DBPCFC).

DESIGN

Patients were recruited by means of a seafood allergy questionnaire. Subjects with reported allergy to hake, yellowtail, salmon and mackerel were investigated by means of skin-prick tests, RASTs and Western blot analysis. For those subjects with test results that were either all negative or equivocal, a definitive diagnosis of clinical sensitivity was made on the basis of DBPCFC.

SETTING

Volunteer population-based cohort in the Western Cape.

PARTICIPANTS

105 volunteer subjects with suspected fish allergy were recruited by advertising in the local press.

MAIN OUTCOME

Species-specific bony fish allergy was confirmed or refuted by DBPCFC.

RESULTS

The four most common seafood species reported to cause adverse reactions were prawns (46.7%), crayfish (43.8%), abalone (35.2%) and black mussels (33.3%). The four most common bony fish species to cause reactions were hake (24.8%), yellowtail (21.9%), salmon (15.2%) and mackerel (15.2%). Seven DBPCFCs were performed and two open challenges. Skin-prick tests produced one false-negative result. Western blots produced one false-negative and one false-positive result. The RAST had a 100% correlation with DBPCFC.

CONCLUSIONS

Local bony fish represent a significant cause of clinical reactions to seafood in the Western Cape. Although skin-prick tests, RASTs and Western blotting tests assist in the documentation of an IgE responder state, confirmation of clinical sensitivity can only be made with certainty by means of DBPCFC.

Techniques used in the measurement of body composition: an overview with emphasis on bioelectrical impedance analysis

The study of human body composition is now a distinct research area consisting of three interconnected parts: the five-level model and associated rules that govern the relations between components, body-composition methodology, and biological factors that influence body composition. In this overview we summarize fundamental concepts that relate to the five-level model and body-composition methods. We show how these concepts can be used to outline the essential features needed to critically evaluate the bioelectrical impedance analysis method. Body-composition research is a rapidly expanding area and in-depth systematic evaluation of new methods is a vital aspect of the field's growth.

Microsatellite instability in childhood rhabdomyosarcoma is locus specific and correlates with fractional allelic loss

Replication errors (RERs) were initially identified in hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer and other tumors of Lynch syndrome II. Mutations in genes involved in mismatch repair give rise to a mutator phenotype, resulting in RERs. The mutator phenotype is thought to predispose to malignant transformation. Here we show that in the embryonal form of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, RERs also occur, but in contrast to hereditary nonpolyposis colon cancer, only a subset of the microsatellite loci analyzed show RERs. The occurrence of RERs is strongly correlated with increased fractional allelic loss (P < 0.001), suggesting that the occurrence of RERs is a secondary phenomenon in rhabdomyosarcoma. Coincidental loss of genes involved in mismatch repair, possibly due to their proximity to tumor suppressor genes involved in tumor progression of embryonal form of childhood rhabdomyosarcoma, could explain the observed phenomenon.

Metabolically active component of fat-free body mass: influences of age, adiposity, and gender

Fat-free body mass (FFM) is often considered the metabolically active compartment and is widely used to adjust between-subject differences in resting energy expenditure for body composition. The use of FFM as the metabolically active portion of body weight makes the assumption that the body cell mass (BCM) component which is more difficult to measure, maintains a relatively constant relationship to FFM within and between subjects. The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that BCM and FFM are associated independently of age, adiposity (as represented by body density), and gender in healthy white women and men. BCM and FFM were estimated by whole-body 40K-counting and dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA), respectively. Multiple regression analysis was used to model the relationships between BCM as the dependent variable and FFM, age, body density, and gender as potential independent variables. FFM alone explained 51% and 63% of between-individual BCM differences in women (n = 269) and men (n = 204) (both P = .0001), respectively. Age contributed significantly (P = .0001) to BCM prediction after adjusting first for FFM in both women and men. Body density also added significantly (P = .004 and P = .0001) to FFM and age prediction of BCM in women and men, respectively. Lastly, gender contributed significantly to the composite model, with 91% of between-individual differences in BCM explained by FFM, age, body density, and gender. Hence, BCM does not maintain a fixed relationship to FFM, as often assumed, but varies significantly and independently of FFM with age, adiposity, and gender. These findings have implications for the study of metabolic indices such as resting energy expenditure.

Direct display of hematopoietic tyrosine kinase receptor expression profiles in KG1 cells by PCR using degenerate primers

Hematopoietic tyrosine kinase receptors (HGF-TKRs or class III TKRs) are essential for the growth and differentiation of hematopoietic cells. In this report we present a novel method that generates expression profiles of these receptors. The method was tested and optimized using the myeloblastic/ promyelocytic cell line KG1. The method involves PCR of cDNA using class III-specific degenerate primers and subsequent restriction enzyme digests of the 147 bp amplicons followed by fractionation on denaturing poly-acrylamide gels. This primary fingerprint of KG1 revealed equal expression of c-kit and flt3 and to a lesser extent PDGF-R alpha and c-fms. One residual band of unknown origin was seen and appeared to be the proto-oncogene RET following cloning and sequence analysis. This tyrosine kinase receptor is known to play an important role in neural development. In order to detect less abundantly expressed sequences, a secondary fingerprint was generated by pre-digestion of the receptors present in the primary expression profile and subsequent amplification of the residual band. No other tyrosine kinase receptors were observed in KG1. In conclusion, this method allows direct visualization of expression of the HGF-TKRs and has the potential to detect novel homologous receptors.

Haemopoietic growth factor tyrosine kinase receptor expression profiles in normal haemopoiesis

Expression profiles were generated for the haemopoietic tyrosine kinase receptors (HGF-TKRs or class III TKRs) by PCR on cDNA samples (RT-PCR) using a degenerate primer set. Each profile consisted of primary and secondary, i.e. enriched for less-expressed sequences, fingerprints. This method was applied on FACS-purified haemopoietic CD34+ cells, both from bone marrow (BM) and umbilical cord blood (UCB), and on mature cells from peripheral blood. CD34+ BM cells showed expression of c-fms. flt3, whereas CD34+ UCB cells expressed c-fms and, to a lesser extent, c-kit and flt3. In mature blood cells, only c-fms was observed in monocytes and a weaker flt3 expression in monocytes and T lymphocytes, whereas no known class III TKRs were detected in B lymphocytes and polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs). In all fractions a novel band could be observed, which appeared to be RET. Expression of RET was confirmed by RT-PCR and showed the highest levels in monocytes, followed by PMNs and CD34+ cells. B lymphocytes revealed low levels of expression. RET is known to be essential in neural development. Our results suggest a possible role for this receptor in haemopoiesis.

[Helminth burden of slaughter sheep in Upper Bavaria. 1: Species spectrum, infestation extent and infestation intensity]

The helminth fauna of 136 slaughtered sheep (99 lambs < 1 year, and 37 sheep > or = 1 year) from Upper Bavaria, Germany, was examined. In all 2 species of trematodes, 3 species of cestodes and 24 species of nematodes were found. All the animals harboured gastrointestinal nematodes, 9 of them liver flukes, 33 Moniezia spp., 19 Cysticercus tenuicollis, and one sheep Setaria sp. Lungworms were not seen. The most prevalent species were Cooperia curticei (74.3%), Trichuris ovis (69.1%), Ostertagia circumcincta (68.4%), Oesophagostomum venulosum (63.2%) and Chabertia ovina (61.8%). The highest mean wormburden was seen in Cooperia curticei (12471) followed by Trichostrongylus axei (1856), Trichostrongylus colubriformis (1752), Nematodirus filicollis (1551) and Nematodirus battus (1238). In both lambs and older sheep the small intestine harboured the highest wormburden followed by abomasum and large intestine. The total nematode counts were much higher in lambs than in older sheep. The lambs harboured more intestinal nematodes than older sheep but fewer abomasal worms.

Skeletal muscle mass: evaluation of neutron activation and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry methods

Although skeletal muscle (SM) is a major body component, whole body measurement methods remain limited and inadequately investigated. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the Burkinshaw in vivo neutron activation analysis (IVNA)-whole body 40K-counting and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) methods of estimating SM by comparison to adipose tissue-free SM measured using multiscan computerized axial tomography (CT). In the Burkinshaw method the potassium-to-nitrogen ratios of SM and non-SM lean tissue are assumed constant; in the DXA method the ratio of appendicular SM to total SM is assumed constant at 0.75. Seventeen healthy men [77.5 +/- 13.8 (SD) kg body wt] and eight men with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS; 65.5 +/- 7.6 kg) completed CT, IVNA, and DXA studies. SM measured by CT was 34.4 +/- 6.2 kg for the healthy subjects and 27.2 +/- 4.0 kg for the AIDS patients. Compared with CT, the Burkinshaw method underestimated SM by an average of 6.9 kg (20.1%, P = 0.0001) and 6.3 kg (23.2%, P = 0.01) in the healthy men and the men with AIDS, respectively. The DXA method minimally overestimated SM in both groups (2.0 kg and 5.8% in healthy men, P = 0.001; 1.4 kg and 5.1% in men with AIDS, P = 0.16). This overestimate could be explained by a higher actual than assumed ratio of DXA-measured appendicular SM to total body SM (actual = 0.79 +/- 0.05, assumed = 0.75). The current study results reveal that large errors are present in the Burkinshaw SM method and that substantial refinements in the models that form the basis of this IVNA approach are needed. The model on which the DXA-SM method is based also needs further minor refinements, but this is a promising in vivo approach because of less radiation exposure and lower cost than the IVNA and CT methods.

Impulsivity and negative priming: evidence for diminished cognitive inhibition in impulsive children

This study addresses the relationship between impulsivity and lack of inhibition. Inhibition was measured both by the interference score and by the negative priming effect in a Stroop colour-word paradigm. The negative priming effect in this paradigm is defined by slower naming of a target colour if this colour was the distractor in the immediately preceding trial. For the study, a total of 210 school children were selected. These were children rated high or low by their teachers for either social or cognitive impulsivity. A reduced negative priming effect showed up with social type but not with cognitive type impulsive children. No differences were found regarding the Stroop interference score. The divergence between negative priming and interference as a measure of inhibition was discussed. Overall, the findings corroborate the distinction between a cognitive and a social dimension of impulsivity.

How useful is body mass index for comparison of body fatness across age, sex, and ethnic groups?

This study tested the hypothesis that body mass index (BMI) is representative of body fatness independent of age, sex, and ethnicity. Between 1986 and 1992, the authors studied a total of 202 black and 504 white men and women who resided in or near New York City, were ages 20-94 years, and had BMIs of 18-35 kg/m2. Total body fat, expressed as a percentage of body weight (BF%), was assessed using a four-compartment body composition model that does not rely on assumptions known to be age, sex, or ethnicity dependent. Statistically significant age dependencies were observed in the BF%-BMI relations in all four sex and ethnic groups (p values < 0.05-0.001) with older persons showing a higher BF% compared with younger persons with comparable BMIs. Statistically significant sex effects were also observed in BF%-BMI relations within each ethnic group (p values < 0.001) after controlling first for age. For an equivalent BMI, women have significantly greater amounts of total body fat than do men throughout the entire adult life span. Ethnicity did not significantly influence the BF%-BMI relation after controlling first for age and sex even though both black women and men had longer appendicular bone lengths relative to stature (p values < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively) compared with white women and men. Body mass index alone accounted for 25% of between-individual differences in body fat percentage for the 706 total subjects; adding age and sex as independent variables to the regression model increased the variance (r2) to 67%. These results suggest that BMI is age and sex dependent when used as an indicator of body fatness, but that it is ethnicity independent in black and white adults.

How useful is body mass index for comparison of body fatness across age, sex, and ethnic groups?

This study tested the hypothesis that body mass index (BMI) is representative of body fatness independent of age, sex, and ethnicity. Between 1986 and 1992, the authors studied a total of 202 black and 504 white men and women who resided in or near New York City, were ages 20-94 years, and had BMIs of 18-35 kg/m2. Total body fat, expressed as a percentage of body weight (BF%), was assessed using a four-compartment body composition model that does not rely on assumptions known to be age, sex, or ethnicity dependent. Statistically significant age dependencies were observed in the BF%-BMI relations in all four sex and ethnic groups (p values < 0.05-0.001) with older persons showing a higher BF% compared with younger persons with comparable BMIs. Statistically significant sex effects were also observed in BF%-BMI relations within each ethnic group (p values < 0.001) after controlling first for age. For an equivalent BMI, women have significantly greater amounts of total body fat than do men throughout the entire adult life span. Ethnicity did not significantly influence the BF%-BMI relation after controlling first for age and sex even though both black women and men had longer appendicular bone lengths relative to stature (p values < 0.001 and 0.02, respectively) compared with white women and men. Body mass index alone accounted for 25% of between-individual differences in body fat percentage for the 706 total subjects; adding age and sex as independent variables to the regression model increased the variance (r2) to 67%. These results suggest that BMI is age and sex dependent when used as an indicator of body fatness, but that it is ethnicity independent in black and white adults.

Validation of dietary history method in a group of elderly women using measurements of total energy expenditure

The objective of the present study was to validate energy intake data, obtained by dietary history, in twelve elderly women aged 69-82 years. Energy and protein intakes were obtained using the dietary history method with a reference period of 30 d. Reported energy intake was compared with total energy expenditure (TEE) measured on two consecutive days in a respiration chamber. Reported protein intake was compared with mean N excretion from four 24 h urine collections. Mean reported energy intake was 7.2 (SD 1.5) MJ/d which was lower than TEE (P = 0.059). Reported protein intake was 64 (SD 13) g/d and lower than estimated protein intake (P = 0.053). The percentage underestimation was not related to body weight or percentage body fat. Subjects with a relatively high TEE or a relatively high estimated protein intake underestimated their energy intake to a greater extent. The discrepancy between reported energy intake and TEE was positively associated with the discrepancy between reported and estimated protein intakes. The results of this present study show an underestimation of energy intake of about 12% when using the dietary history method. Physical activity diaries completed in the chamber and during 4 d at home, as well as pedometer counts, indicated a higher level of physical activity in the free-living situation compared with the chamber situation. This suggests that the actual underestimation of energy intake may be even higher in this group of elderly women. These results have implications for the use of the dietary history method in, for example, epidemiological studies carried out in elderly subjects.

Measurement of skeletal muscle: laboratory and epidemiological methods

Despite skeletal muscle's central role in the pathogenesis of sarcopenia, measurement methods remain underinvestigated and inadequately validated. Our review indicates that skeletal muscle (SM) measurement methods quantify different components and properties of muscle, ranging from the atomic to whole-body levels of body composition. Laboratory methods tend to measure whole body SM (e.g., total muscle protein, muscle cell mass, and adipose tissue-free SM components) while epidemiological methods tend to measure regional muscle (e.g., anatomic SM of an extremity). Advances in computerized axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging methods now allow accurate estimates of whole body and regional SM and promise to finally permit comprehensive in vivo studies of SM biology and methodology. These imaging methods may help to resolve many of the confusing issues that surround the investigation of this major body composition component.

Energy cost of physical activities in healthy elderly women

In recent studies, daily physical activity ratios (PARs) greater than the Food and Agriculture Organization/World Health Organization/United Nations University (FAO/WHO/UNU) reference value of 1.5 have been reported for elderly men and women. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether a high PAR in elderly subjects can be explained by a higher energy cost of physical activities (EEact). To this end, 12 elderly women aged 69 to 82 years, completed physical activity diaries during a 2-day stay in a respiration chamber. From these diaries, total daily energy expenditure (TEE) in the calorimeter was estimated (TEEfac) using FAO/WHO/UNU PARs for physical activities and measured resting metabolic rate (RMR). TEEfac was 7.0 +/- 0.9 MJ/d (PAR, 1.35 +/- 0.06). TEE was also measured in the chamber (TEEcal) and was 8.3 +/- 1.3 MJ/d (PAR, 1.60 +/- 0.16). TEEfac was 14.8% +/- 8.1% lower than TEEcal. To investigate whether the underestimation of TEEcal was due to a higher EEact in the elderly women as compared with the FAO/WHO/UNU references, EEact of six specific activities ranging from sitting at rest to walking on a treadmill at self-chosen speed was measured with a ventilated-hood system. Individually measured PARs of the six activities were similar to FAO/WHO/UNU reference PARs. This study suggests that in elderly women a high TEEcal is not explained by EEact during nonstandardized physical activities performed at self-chosen speeds. Whether these results can be extrapolated to the free-living environment needs to be investigated further.

Multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance for assessing total body water and extracellular water in elderly subjects

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to investigate the utility of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance for the estimation of total body water (TBW) and extracellular water (ECW) in an elderly population.

DESIGN

Body impedance at 8 frequencies (1-1350 kHz) was measured in duplicate within 1 week. TBW and ECW were determined using deuterium oxide and potassium bromide dilution respectively.

SETTING

At the Department of Human Nutrition.

SUBJECTS

81 women and 36 men, aged 63-87 years, volunteered as subjects.

RESULTS

Application of prediction equations from the literature, which are mostly based on impedance measurements in young and middle-aged subjects, resulted in large prediction errors of TBW and ECW which were related to the water distribution of the body. New sex-specific prediction equations for the estimation of TBW and ECW were developed for the elderly population and internally validated in random sub-groups. TBW and ECW were best predicted using impedance at frequencies of 5 and 50 kHz respectively, and by using body weight. Prediction errors for TBW were 3.1 kg (7.3%) and 2.7 kg (8.5%) and for ECW 2.2 kg (12.3%) and 1.0 kg (7.4%) for men and women respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Multi-frequency impedance measurements are useful to assess TBW and ECW in groups of elderly subjects. However, the prediction errors are larger compared to young and middle-aged subjects, and are related to body water distribution. Individual errors are sometimes unacceptably large.

Resting metabolic rate and diet-induced thermogenesis in young and elderly subjects: relationship with body composition, fat distribution, and physical activity level

To investigate the relationship between age and energy expenditure, resting metabolic rate (RMR) and diet-induced thermogenesis (DIT; for 180 min after a 1.3-MJ meal) were measured by indirect calorimetry in 56 young and 103 elderly subjects. In addition, the influence of body composition, body-fat distribution, and physical activity level on this relationship was studied. RMR was significantly lower in elderly (3.98 +/- 0.46 and 3.33 +/- 0.39 kJ/min for men and women, respectively) than in young (5.29 +/- 0.53 and 4.08 +/- 0.33 kJ/min for men and women, respectively) subjects, which persisted after adjustment for body composition. DIT was significantly lower in older than in younger men (126 +/- 27 vs 154 +/- 34 kJ/180 min) but not in women (111 +/- 26 vs 115 +/- 25 kJ/180 min). The difference in men disappeared after adjustment for body composition. No clear relation between physical activity level and RMR or DIT was observed. These results demonstrate a relationship of age per se with RMR but not with DIT.

Prediction equations for the estimation of body composition in the elderly using anthropometric data

To study the relationship between health and nutritional status in elderly populations, information about body composition is essential. To collect this information in large epidemiological studies, practical methods based on anthropometric data must be available. In the present study the relationship between body composition, determined by densitometry, and anthropometric data in 204 elderly men and women, aged 60-87 years, was analysed. Existing prediction equations described in the literature, and mainly based on young and middle-aged subjects, generally underestimated percentage body fat in the elderly study population. Therefore, new prediction equations were developed, based on sex and the sum of two (biceps and triceps) or four (biceps, triceps, suprailiaca and subscapula) skinfolds or the body mass index (BMI). Addition of age or body circumferences to the models did not improve the prediction of body density. Internal cross validation and external validation revealed that the formulas are valid for the estimation of body density in elderly subjects. The standard errors of estimate of the three models, expressed as percentage body fat, were 5.6, 5.4 and 4.8% respectively.

Effect of loracarbef and amoxicillin on the oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora of patients with bronchitis

The effect on the oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora and the efficacy and tolerance of loracarbef (200 mg b.i.d. for 7 days) versus amoxicillin (500 mg t.i.d. for 7 days) were compared in 80 patients with bronchitis. The oropharyngeal samples of 18% of patients in the amoxicillin group and 5% of patients in the loracarbef group revealed a new Gram-negative species around days 8-10. The presence of other aerobic bacteria than found at baseline in the faeces occurred in 38% of patients treated with amoxicillin compared with 31% in the loracarbef group on days 8-10. After treatment, no loracarbef- or amoxicillin-resistant aerobic Gram-negative bacteria were found in faecal samples in the loracarbef group, while amoxicillin- or loracarbef-resistant (E. coli) strains appeared in 35% of patients receiving amoxicillin (p < 0.001). Treatment success occurred by days 8-10 in all 40 patients receiving loracarbef, compared with 90% in the amoxicillin group, on days 21-28, in 93% and 90% respectively. The results of this study indicate that the use of loracarbef leads to minor changes in the normal oropharyngeal and intestinal microflora compared with amoxicillin, while almost no resistant Gram-negative bacteria emerge after treatment with loracarbef.

Abdominal diameters as indicators of visceral fat: comparison between magnetic resonance imaging and anthropometry

The aim of the present study was to investigate the usefulness of abdominal diameters to indicate visceral fat, their relationship with serum lipids and their capability of detecting changes in visceral fat. Before and after weight loss, visceral and subcutaneous fat, and the sagittal and transverse diameters were assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in forty-seven obese men and forty-seven premenopausal obese women with an initial body mass index of 31.0 (SD 2.4) kg/m2. In a subsample (n 21), diameters, were also measured by anthropometry in the standing and supine positions. They were strongly correlated with the diameters derived from the MRI scans. Serum levels of total and HDL-cholesterol and triacylglycerol were measured before weight loss. In women the sagittal diameter correlated less strongly with visceral fat than anthropometrically-assessed waist circumference and waist:hip ratio (WHR). In men these associations were comparable. Changes in visceral fat with weight loss were more strongly correlated with changes in the sagittal diameter and sagittal:transverse diameter ratio (STR) than with changes in waist circumference or WHR in men. In women, changes in the anthropometric variables and the separate diameters (except STR) were not associated with visceral fat loss. In men, but not in women, both the sagittal diameter and the visceral fat area were related to serum lipids. It is concluded that the sagittal diameter and STR may have advantages over waist circumference and WHR in men, particularly in assessing changes in visceral fat, but this could not be demonstrated in women. The ability to predict visceral fat from circumferences and diameters or their ratios is, however, limited in obese men and women.

The effect of fluoxetine on body weight, body composition and visceral fat accumulation

In this study the effect of fluoxetine versus placebo treatment on body weight, body composition and abdominal fat areas, assessed from three magnetic resonance imaging scans at umbilicus level, was investigated. Thirty-eight abdominal overweight men aged 41 +/- 7 years (mean +/- s.d.), BMI 27.9 +/- 1.2 kg/m2 and WHR 0.97 +/- 0.03 were given dietary advice and a placebo (n = 20) or fluoxetine treatment (n = 18, 60 mg/day) for 12 weeks after a placebo run-in of two weeks. Measurements were carried out during run-in and at week 12 of treatment. The treatment groups did not differ at the start of the study. After treatment, weight loss (on average) was observed in both groups: -2.4 +/- 0.6 kg and -5.9 +/- 0.7 kg for the placebo and fluoxetine groups, respectively. Weight loss was significantly larger in the fluoxetine group (P = 0.0004). The reduction of fat mass tended to be larger (P = 0.08), and the reduction of fat-free mass was considerably larger in the fluoxetine group (P = 0.0005). Absolute (and proportional) changes in visceral and subcutaneous fat areas (cm2) were +2 +/- 26 (+1%) and -9 +/- 26 (-4%) in the placebo group, and -9 +/- 30 (-3%) and -30 +/- 27 (-13%) in the fluoxetine group. In both groups the proportional change in subcutaneous fat area was larger than the change in visceral fat (P < 0.02). Only in the fluoxetine group was the decrease in subcutaneous fat area significant, and larger compared to the placebo group (P = 0.02).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Efficacy of abamectin against ectoparasites of cattle

Four trials, using 48 European breed cattle, were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of abamectin against the louse species Linognathus vituli, Haematopinus eurysternus and Damalinia bovis and against the mange mites Sarcoptes scabiei var bovis and Psoroptes ovis. Animals were allocated by restricted randomisation based on parasite counts to treatment with abamectin at a dose of 200 micrograms/kg given subcutaneously or to an untreated control group. Ectoparasites were counted before treatment and at weekly intervals thereafter for eight weeks. L. vituli, H eurysternus and S scabiei var bovis were eliminated (P < 0.05) by day 7 after abamectin treatment. An efficacy of more than 99 per cent was recorded against P ovis mange mites. The biting louse D bovis was not controlled. Abamectin treatment increased the weight gain of cattle infested with ectoparasites.