Coronary risk factors in middle aged men as influenced by fish oils and smoking

The influence of fish oil supplementation on several coronaryrisk factors in blood was studied in 165 middle-aged employedmen (69 smokers, 96 nonsmokers). In earlier studies smokinghas been shown to increase, and fish oils to reduce the coronaryrisk. This raises the question whether the effect of fish oilson coronary risk factors in blood might differ in smokers andnonsmokers. Groups were supplemented for 10 weeks with eithervarious fish oils, or with olive oil. In response to fish oilsupplementation, mean serum triglyceride concentration was reducedfrom 1.4 to 1.1 mmol/1, and - regardless of smoking habits -total cholesterol (TC) levels were reduced from 6.2 to 6.0 mmol/1,and high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDLc) increased from1.2 to 1.4 mmol/1 at the end of the supplementation period.In the olive oil group there was no effect on serum triglycerides,but TC fell from 6.4 to 5.9 mmol/1, and HDLc rose from 1.3 to1.4 mmol/1 during the supplementation period. ApolipoproteinA levels fell significantly (by 7% to 8%) in both the pooledfish oil group and the olive oil group, whereas apolipoproteinB levels remained unchanged. A compound atherogenic index includingTC, HDLc and apolipoproteins, was significantly reduced onlyin nonsmokers given fish oil. The effect of various commerciallyavailable concentrates of fish oils seemed to differ accordingto their content of omega-3 fatty acids. The results suggestthat cessation of smoking may be of significance in increasingthe benefit from intake of fish oils.     

Autoimmunity Related to IgM Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance

ABSTRACT In eight of 10 consecutive cases of IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), the M-protein had specificity towards various tissues as estimated by direct and indirect immunofluorescence studies of skin and/or sural nerve biopsies. Five of the cases had neuropathy. In three of them, including two siblings with a demyelinating peripheral neuropathy, the IgM was bound to the myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) of peripheral nerves. One had axonal neuropathy with IgM activity against the peri- and endoneurium, while another case with post-infectious neuritis had IgM activity against structures in the endoneurium but no IgM autoimmunity in the direct fluorescence test. The latter improved clinically in parallel with a decrease in the M-protein indicating a pathogenetic role of the autoantibody. In three other cases, the IgM was bound to connective tissue structures, two of them also had plasma antibodies against the peri- and endoneurium in the indirect fluorescence test. Finally, two cases showed no reaction of the M-protein against any tissue structures. Since an autoimmune pathogenesis is suspected, the HLA types of seven patients are reported.     

Incidence of and reasons for disability pension in a Swedish cohort of middle-aged men

The prevalence of disability pensions was investigated among5 birthyear cohorts (1926–30) of male residents in Malmö,Sweden (N=7,697). They were invited to a screening programmein the mid-1970s. Disability pension and mortality data wereidentified from national computerized databases. At the endof follow-up (the calendar year oftheir 58th birthday), 1,391(18%) had been granted a disability pension and 655 (9%) haddied. The most frequent causes for disability pension, accountingfor 74% of the cases, were musculoskeletal diseases, mentaldisorders (including alcohol dependence) and diseases of thecirculatory system. Alcohol dependence was more common amongthose who refrained from participating in the screening programme,while musculoskeletal and neurological diseases were more commonamong those who did participate. Mental disorders (includingalcohol dependence) predominated in younger and musculoskeletaldiseases in older age groups. Both alcohol dependence and non-participationin health screening were related to the risk of a disabilitypension. To be used for identifying subjects at risk for disabilitypension, health screenings should be designed to reach as manyof the usual non-participants as possible and should be targetedat men in younger ages.     

Renal Osteodystrophy in Predialysis Patients without Stainable Bone Aluminum

ABSTRACT Histomorphometry was performed on transiliac bone biopsies, double-labeled with tetracycline, from 60 consecutively admitted patients (20 women) at various stages of chronic renal failure (CRF). Eleven patients (1 woman) had normal bone resorption and formation indices. Bone resorption and osteoid formation increased with progression of renal failure, but abnormal values were seen even at slightly elevated creatinine levels. Mineralization lag time increased with CRF duration; prolonged values were only seen in patients with polycystic kidney disease or chronic pyelonephritis with advanced CRF. All patients with impaired mineralization also had increased bone resorption. Diabetes mellitus did not protect against skeletal lesions. The biochemical tests were too insensitive to predict type or severity of bone disease, and hand X-rays had no diagnostic value in early stages of renal osteodystrophy.     

METABOLISM OF LITHOCHOLIC ACID-24–14C IN EXTRAHEPATIC BILIARY ATRESIA

Lithocholic acid-24-¹⁴C was given to 2 infants with extrahepatic biliary atresia. After oral administration about half of the amount of isotope was found to be adsorbed. After par- 9. Makino, I., Sjovall, J., Norman, A. & Strandvik, enteral administration about half of the amount of isotope was excreted in the urine for 3 days. Lithocholic acid was shown to be transformed to a small extent to more polar compounds. These metabolites were not cholic, chenodeoxycholic, α- or,β-muricholic, hyocholic, hyodeoxycholic or ursodeoxycholic acids. Most of the lithocholic acid was excreted as the sulphate esters of tauro- and glycolithocholic acid. No sulphate ester of lithocholic or free lithocholic acid was excreted.     

Measurement of resistance to air flow in the nose in a trial with sodium cromoglycate (BP) solution in allergen-induced nasal stenosis

A new method for measuring nasal resistance is presented by which it is possible to record reproducible and consistent data on nasal flow and resistance. This method was applied to a double blind trial of 2% solution of sodium cromoglycate. Ten adult patients with allergic rhinitis due to grass pollen were assessed during the winter. One nostril was challenged 1 hr after the administration of sodium cromoglycate or placebo given in random order. Eight patients showed significant protection with sodium cromoglycate.     

Converting Enzyme Inhibition in Mild and Moderate Essential Hypertension. II

ABSTRACT. In 24 patients with mild/moderate essential hypertension, we studied the effects of captopril with/without hydrochlorothiazide (Htz) on blood pressure, the renin-angiotensin system, blood bradykinin concentration (BBK), plasma volume, exchangeable sodium and glomerular filtration. Daily captopril doses of 75 and 150 mg were equally effective in reducing the blood pressure. Addition of Htz caused further blood pressure reductions. Nineteen patients attained a diastolic blood pressure ≤90 mmHg. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition with captopril led to a fall in plasma concentrations of angiotensin II (PAII) and renin substrate, and an increase in plasma concentrations of renin and angiotensin I. Patients starting with Htz had a higher PAII and subsequently a larger fall in blood pressure on captopril than untreated patients. BBK remained unchanged, indicating that the hypotensive action of captopril does not involve an accumulation of circulating kinin. Body fluid volumes and renal function were not affected by the various treatment regimens.     

Human salivary alpha-amylase Purification and amino acid composition

Abstract— Human salivary alpha-amylase was purified by ammonium sulfate-acetone precipitations, and residual impurities removed by adsorption chromatography on hydroxylapatite columns. Subsequent preparative disc electrophoresis indicated that parotid alpha-amylase from one person was a single moiety, whereas alpha-amylase from pooled, whole saliva was separated into two components. One of these had the same electrophoretic mobility as the parotid alpha-amylase. The amino acid compositions of these components were determined and compared with monkey and rabbit parotid alpha-amylase and with the results of an earlier investigation of human alpha-amylase from pooled, whole saliva. Significant differences were not observed.     

Evaluation of biologic effects of dental materials using four different cell culture techniques

abstract – The cytotoxicity of fresh and 1-day-old silicate cement, composite restorative material and zinc oxide-eugenol cement (ZOE) was tested using human epithelial cells (NCTC 2544) in four different cell culture systems: (1) ^5.1Cr-release from prelabeled cells after incubation for 4 and 24 h in the presence of the materials, (2) Implanting the materials on an agar overlay and visualizing any cytotoxic effects after 24 h by neutral red vital stain. (3) Cell growth during 5 d in the presence of the materials7hellip; (4) Colony-forming ability after exposure of the cells for 30 min to medium previously incubated with the materials for 24 h. Freshly prepared and 1-day-old ZOE exhibited a prominent cytotoxic effect in all four systems. A less marked effect was found for the composite material in systems 2, 3, and 4, while silicate cement appeared to be the least toxic material in these three systems. Neither silicate cement nor composite showed any cytotoxic effect in system 1 based on⁵¹Cr-release. It is concluded that the effects obtained by the cell culture techniques did not mimic the reactions obtained when the materials are tested under conditions which reflect their clinical use.