Effects of box handle position and carrying range on bi-manual carrying capacity for females

This study utilizes a psychophysical approach to examine the effects on carrying capacity for bi-manual carrying tasks involving different handle positions and carrying ranges. A total of 16 female subjects participated in the experiment in groups of two people, and each group of subjects performed the tasks in a random order with 12 different combinations of carrying task. The independent variables are handle position (upper, middle, lower) and carrying range (F–F: floor height carried to floor height, F–W: floor height carried to waist height, W–W: waist height carried to waist height, W–F: waist height carried to floor height), the dependent variable is the maximum acceptable carried weight (MAWC), heart rate (HR), and the rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The results show that the handle position has a significant effect on MAWC and overall RPE but no significant effect on HR. Carrying range has a significant effect on the MAWC and HR, but no significant effect on overall HR. The handle position and carrying range have a significant interaction on the MAWC and HR. The RPE for different body parts shows significant differences, and the hands feel the most tired. Overall, this study confirms that the lower handle position with the W–W carrying range is the best combination for a two-person carrying task.     

A review of the effectiveness of aspartame in helping with weight control

Summary Strategies to reverse the upward trend in obesity rates need to focus on both reducing energy intake and increasing energy expenditure. The provision of low‐ or reduced‐energy‐dense foods is one way of helping people to reduce their energy intake and so enable weight maintenance or weight loss to occur. The use of intense sweeteners as a substitute for sucrose potentially offers one way of helping people to reduce the energy density of their diet without any loss of palatability. This report reviews the evidence for the effect of aspartame on weight loss, weight maintenance and energy intakes in adults and addresses the question of how much energy is compensated for and whether the use of aspartame‐sweetened foods and drinks is an effective way to lose weight. All studies which examined the effect of substituting sugar with either aspartame alone or aspartame in combination with other intense sweeteners on energy intake or bodyweight were identified. Studies which were not randomised controlled trials in healthy adults and which did not measure energy intakes for at least 24 h (for those with energy intakes as an outcome measure) were excluded from the analysis. A minimum of 24‐h energy intake data was set as the cut‐off to ensure that the full extent of any compensatory effects was seen. A total of 16 studies were included in the analysis. Of these 16 studies, 15 had energy intake as an outcome measure. The studies which used soft drinks as the vehicle for aspartame used between 500 and about 2000 ml which is equivalent to about two to six cans or bottles of soft drinks every day. A significant reduction in energy intakes was seen with aspartame compared with all types of control except when aspartame was compared with non‐sucrose controls such as water. The most relevant comparisons are the parallel design studies which compare the effects of aspartame with sucrose. These had an overall effect size of 0.4 standardised difference (SD). This corresponds to a mean reduction of about 10% of energy intake. At an average energy intake of 9.3 MJ/day (average of adult men and women aged 19–50 years) this is a deficit of 0.93 MJ/day (222 kcal/day or 1560 kcal/week), which would be predicted (using an energy value for obese tissue of 7500 kcal/kg) to result in a weight loss of around 0.2 kg/week with a confidence interval 50% either side of this estimate. Information on the extent of compensation was available for 12 of the 15 studies. The weighted average of these figures was 32%. Compensation is likely to vary with a number of factors such as the size of the caloric deficit, the type of food or drink manipulated, and timescale. An estimate of the amount of compensation with soft drinks was calculated from the four studies which used soft drinks only as the vehicle. A weighted average of these figures was 15.5%. A significant reduction in weight was seen. The combined effect figure of 0.2 SD is a conservative figure as it excludes comparisons where the controls gained weight because of their high‐sucrose diet and the long‐term follow‐up data in which the aspartame groups regained less weight than the control group. An effect of 0.2 SD corresponds to about a 3% reduction in bodyweight (2.3 kg for an adult weighing 75 kg). Given the weighted average study length was 12 weeks, this gives an estimated rate of weight loss of around 0.2 kg/week for a 75‐kg adult. The meta‐analyses demonstrate that using foods and drinks sweetened with aspartame instead of sucrose results in a significant reduction in both energy intakes and bodyweight. Meta‐analyses both of energy intake and of weight loss produced an estimated rate of weight loss of about 0.2 kg/week. This close agreement between the figure calculated from reductions in energy intake and actual measures of weight loss gives confidence that this is a true effect. The two meta‐analyses used different sets of studies with widely differing designs and controls. Although this makes comparisons between them difficult, it suggests that the final figure of around 0.2 kg/week is robust and is applicable to the variety of ways aspartame‐containing foods are used by consumers. This review has shown that using foods and drinks sweetened with aspartame instead of those sweetened with sucrose is an effective way to maintain and lose weight without reducing the palatability of the diet. The decrease in energy intakes and the rate of weight loss that can reasonably be achieved is low but meaningful and, on a population basis, more than sufficient to counteract the current average rate of weight gain of around 0.007 kg/week. On an individual basis, it provides a useful adjunct to other weight loss regimes. Some compensation for the substituted energy does occur but this is only about one‐third of the energy replaced and is probably less when using soft drinks sweetened with aspartame. Nevertheless, these compensation values are derived from short‐term studies. More data are needed over the longer term to determine whether a tolerance to the effects is acquired. To achieve the average rate of weight loss seen in these studies of 0.2 kg/week will require around a 220‐kcal (0.93 MJ) deficit per day based on an energy value for obese tissue of 7500 kcal/kg. Assuming the higher rate of compensation (32%), this would require the substitution of around 330 kcal/day (1.4 MJ/day) from sucrose with aspartame (which is equivalent to around 88 g of sucrose). Using the lower estimated rate of compensation for soft drinks alone (15.5%) would require the substitution of about 260 kcal/day (1.1 MJ/day) from sucrose with aspartame. This is equivalent to 70 g of sucrose or about two cans of soft drinks every day.     

碳、氮源对PVA降解混合体系降解能力的影响及PVA降解机理初探

以能完全降解1g／LPVA的一个混合体系为研究对象，研究了碳、氮源对该混合体系降解PVA的影响。实验表明，补充有机氮源有利于混合体系菌体的生长，并且能提高混合体系对PVA的降解能力。进一步的研究发现，其它碳源的补充有利于菌体的生长，但对混合体系降解PVA产生一定的抑制作用。根据初步研究结果推断，该混合体系所产的PVA降解酶主要结合在细胞膜上，部分PVA进入细胞后被降解。     

氯氮平、氟哌啶醇和氯丙嗪对慢性精神分裂症患者糖、脂代谢及体质量的影响

目的 探讨氯氮平、氟哌啶醇和氯丙嗪对慢性精神分裂症患者的糖、脂代谢和体质量的影响。方法 对服用氯氮平（89例，氯氮平组），服用氟哌啶醇（87例，氟哌啶醇组）及服用氯丙嗪（83例，氯丙嗪组）治疗的慢性精神分裂症患者于治疗前后的不同时间进行血糖、胰岛素、血脂及体质量测定，并做相关因素分析。结果 氯氮平组治疗第90天和第180天空腹血糖异常（空腹血浆血糖〉7.0mmo/L）的发生率分别为8％及24％，氟哌啶醇组分别为1％和2％，氯丙嗪组分别为1％及4％。治疗第90天氯氮平组和氯丙嗪组的空腹及餐后2h血糖浓度均较治疗前升高，治疗第180天的血糖浓度高于第90天，氟哌啶醇组各时点的变化则不明显；差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．01）。治疗第90天，氯氮平组的体质量平均高于治疗前5．5％，氯丙嗪组高于治疗前4．8％；治疗第180天两组分别高于治疗前9．1％和7．4％；氟哌啶醇组则无明显变化；三组间的差异有统计学意义（P〈0．01）。三组患者治疗第180天的胰岛素浓度均高于治疗前，差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．01），但三组间的差异无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。氯氮平组和氯丙嗪组的胆固醇和甘油三酯浓度均高于治疗前，差异均有统计学意义（P均〈0．01），氟哌啶醇组则无明显变化。治疗第180天氯氮平组和氯丙嗪组患者血糖、胰岛素、血脂浓度与体质量均有一定相关性（r=0．23-0．39）；氯氮平组的血糖、体质量、血脂代谢还与血药浓度呈显著性相关（r=0．28-0．62），差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05或〈0．01）。结论 氯氮平和氯丙嗪治疗影响慢性精神分裂症患者的糖、脂代谢及体质量。     

氯氮平和利培酮对精神分裂症患者体质量的影响

目的:探讨氯氮平和利培酮对精神分裂症患者体质量(体重)的影响及相关因素。方法:选择符合国际疾病分类第10版(ICD-10)精神分裂症的诊断标准,空腹血糖正常,无严重躯体疾病,1周内未用任何抗精神病药的住院患者,共计65例,其中利培酮组32例,氯氮平组33例。两组患者于治疗前和治疗6周末分别做葡萄糖耐量试验,测空腹血胰岛素,测量体质量、身高,计算体质量指数(BMI),评定阳性与阴性症状量表(PANSS)。结果:①治疗后体质量增加者氯氮平组24例(占72.7%),利培酮组19例(占59.4%);氯氮平组体质量平均增加2.5kg,利培酮组1.4kg;②氯氮平组体质量增加与进食量增加、胰岛素水平增加和PANSS评分减分率相关(P<0·05),体质量增加者餐后1h血糖升高;③利培酮组体质量增加与年龄、病程显著相关(P<0·05),与基础BMI存在负相关倾向;④两组治疗后均出现糖耐量减低(IGT)和暂时诊断糖尿病(DM)。结论:氯氮平和利培酮均能导致体质量增加,体质量增加更易对糖代谢造成不良影响。     

Steroid pulse therapy impaired endothelial function while increasing plasma high molecule adiponectin concentration in patients with IgA nephropathy.

BACKGROUND: Decreased plasma adiponectin is associated with impaired endothelial function and, thereby, increased risk for cardiovascular events. Glucocorticoid (GC) affects vascular endothelial cells either favourably or harmfully depending upon the dosages and duration. We examined the effect of GC pulse therapy on vascular endothelial function. METHODS: Fourteen young patients with IgA nephropathy were evaluated for flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD), plasma levels of adiponectin both in high molecular weight (HMW adiponectin) form and in single molecular form (total adiponectin), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein, before and after a course of GC pulse therapy. RESULTS: GC pulse therapy significantly decreased FMD (from 7.2 +/- 2.6 to 5.7 +/- 2.5%, P < 0.01). Meanwhile, plasma adiponectin levels were significantly augmented (total adiponectin: from 10.2 +/- 4.0 to 12.1 +/- 6.3 microg/ml, P < 0.05; HMW: from 6.5 +/- 3.2 to 7.7 +/- 3.3 microg/ml, P < 0.05). In parallel, elevated concentrations of serum HGF (from 0.28 +/- 0.12 to 0.63 +/- 0.38 ng/ml, P < 0.01) and plasma ADMA (from 0.45 +/- 0.07 to 0.53 +/- 0.04 nmol/ml, P < 0.05) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: GC pulse therapy impaired endothelial function while increasing plasma adiponectin levels, which may in turn restore the endothelial function in patients with IgA nephropathy.     

Stoma Adjustable Silicone Gastric Banding versus Vertical Banded Gastroplasty for the Treatment of Morbid Obesity

Background: Among gastric restrictive operations, the procedure of choice is still controversial. The aim of this study is to compare the results of two different gastric restrictive procedures: vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG) and stoma adjustable silicone gastric banding (ASGB). Methods: Between 1991 and 1996, 51 patients were treated surgically for morbid obesity: 27 underwent VBG and 24 underwent ASGB. Preoperative body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and percentage of ideal body weight (% IBW) were (mean ± SD): 145.7 ± 45.3 kg; 53.9 ± 15.9 kg/m²; 249.1 ± 73.5% respectively in the VBG group. Corresponding figures for the ASBG group were 132.5 ± 22.7 kg; 46.9 ± 7.8 kg/m² and 207.2 ± 35.0%. Results: In the VBG group, the median follow-up period was 26 months (range: 7-47). Eighteen months after the operation BW, BMI, % IBW and percentage of excess weight loss (% EWL) were 85.5 ± 26.8 kg, 31.9 ± 9.8 kg/m², 145.4 ± 43.9% and 74 ± 1% respectively. Complications included incisional hernia (n = 1), and bowel obstruction (n = 1). One patient died of acute myocardial infarction on the third postoperative day. In the ASGB group, median follow-up time was 19.7 months (range: 18-26). At 18 months postoperation BW, BMI, % IBW and % EWL values were 86.6 ± 20.6 kg 30.6 ± 6.6 kg/m2 140.6 ± 29.3% and 64 ± 1% respectively. Gastric wall erosion occurred in two patients and the bands had to be removed. These patients underwent VBG 6 months later. Complications encountered in this group were incisional hernia (n = 1), outlet stenosis and reflux esophagitis (n = 1), reservoir leakage (n = 1) and gastrointestinal bleeding (n = 1). Two patients died of pulmonary embolism and acute gastrointestinal bleeding. Conclusions: Weight reduction was not statistically significant between the two groups. ASGB was easier to perform and less invasive than VBG.     

The HGAR1 familial hypercholesterolemia pedigree

Data on 232 members of a single pedigree, descended from two pairs of original parents, were made available to the participants of Genetic Analysis Workshop 8 (GAW8). In addition to information concerning age and sex, measurements for 10 quantitative traits and genotypes at 22 polymorphic marker loci were also provided for a subset of 193 of these family members. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

肥胖类型与脑卒中亚型的相关性研究

目的探讨肥胖类型与脑卒中亚型的相关性。方法将573例急性脑卒中患者分为脑出血组126例,脑梗死组447例,脑梗死组再分为脑血栓形成组(215例)和腔隙性脑梗死组(232例),另外选择277例无脑卒中者为对照组。测量腰围、臀围和体重,计算体重指数和腰臀比(WHR),分析肥胖参数与脑卒中各亚组的关系。结果脑卒中各亚组与对照组肥胖发生率差异无显著性意义(P>0.05);各组WHR明显大于对照组(P<0.05)。WHR增大明显增加脑卒中各亚组的危险性(P<0.05);女性腹围增大患腔隙性脑梗死危险性升高(P<0.05);男性体重增加患脑出血的危险性升高(P<0.01)。结论腹型肥胖是脑出血、脑血栓形成和腔隙性脑梗死的危险因素之一。