BMI in the Trois‐Rivières study: Child–adult and child–parent relationships

This study evaluated intraindividual child–adult and interindividual child–parent relationships of body mass index (BMI) using data from the Trois‐Rivières semilongitudinal study of growth and development. Intraindividual correlations between age 12 and 35 years were substantial (r² = 36% of variance in women, 30% of variance in men). Interindividual child–parent correlations for mothers and fathers age 36.6 ± 0.4 and 39.5 ± 0.4 years, respectively, were very low to low for daughters age 12 years (r = 0.09, NS and 0.34, P < 0.001 vs. father and mother, respectively) but all very low for sons age 12 years (r = 0.07, NS and 0.16, NS vs. father and mother, respectively). A multiple regression analysis predicted adult BMI from the individual's BMI at 10, 11, 12 years plus the maternal and paternal BMIs as calculated from self‐reported heights and weights. The BMI at age 12 years was a better predictor of adult BMI than the parental BMI in both men and women (P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis revealed that this index at age 12 years was the sole significant predictor of adult BMI for both men and women. The results from our study do not support the hypothesis that parental BMI is a stronger predictor of adult BMI than childhood BMI. However, useful information for the prediction and prevention of adult overweight can be obtained from the BMI at age 12 years. Our results suggest that environmental influences may be the major factor in the present obesity epidemic. Am. J. Hum. Biol. 15:187–191, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Physical activity, aerobic fitness, and seven-year changes in adiposity in the Canadian population.

Associations among baseline physical activity, aerobic fitness, changes in physical activity, and 7-y changes in adiposity were determined. The sample consisted of 602 males and 644 females, aged 20-69 y, from the 1981 Canada Fitness Survey and the 1988 Campbell's Survey. Questionnaire-derived measures of physical activity level consisted of activity energy expenditure (AEE) and time spent on physical activity. Participants were grouped into physical activity level categories by AEE and physical activity intensity (based on MET values), and physical activity level changes were determined from movement between tertiles of AEE from baseline to follow-up. Aerobic fitness levels at baseline were determined using the Canadian Aerobic Fitness Test. Changes in body mass, the sum of five skinfolds (SF5), and waist circumference (WC) were used as indicators of adiposity change. ANCOVA and multiple regression analyses indicated that neither baseline physical activity levels, intensity, physical activity change categories, nor aerobic fitness levels were significant predictors of changes in adiposity. In conclusion, physical activity was not predictive of 7-y changes in indicators of adiposity in this sample.     

An “all-season” mammoplasty

A reduction mammoplasty must produce a reduction in volume, a natural lasting shape, and minimal residual scarring. Many attempts to achieve this goal have been developed in recent years. The author described, in 1970, a vertical technique achieving an important reduction and a good shape but with the appearance of the end of the vertical scar below the brassiere line. In 1977, the author [3] modified the technique by the adjunction of a small horizontal scar to eliminate the inconvenience of the visible part of the vertical scar. In this article the author describes his technique which appears to be suitable for most types of breast deformities.     

Phase II trial with D-Trp-6-LH-RH in prostatic carcinoma: comparison with other hormonal agents

Various approaches to hormonal treatment of prostate carcinoma are discussed. Eighty-one patients with prostatic carcinoma, eight with stage B, nine with stage C, and 64 with stage D disease, were treated subcutaneously daily for 3 months with the LH-RH agonist D-Trp-6-LH-RH (Decapeptyl) in order to evaluate the incidence of remissions according to WHO recommendations for oncologic trials. The findings were compared to those obtained with other hormonal therapies of prostatic carcinoma according to the statistical method of "expected response rate" as adapted by Lee and Wesley for phase II trials. Treatment with D-Trp-6-LH-RH greatly reduced serum LH and testosterone levels without raising serum prolactin. After 1-2 weeks of therapy, there was relief of subjective symptoms and a reversal of the signs of prostatism as well as a marked decrease in bone pain. At 90 days 52 patients had complete relief of prostatism and 21 had only mild signs and symptoms. Seventy patients were experiencing no bone pain and an additional six had only mild pain. Prostatic size, evaluated by rectal examination and transabdominal ultrasonography, reverted to normal in 26.4% of patients (complete remission) and was reduced by more than 50% in an additional 17.6% (partial remission), the overall rate of complete plus partial regression of prostatic enlargement being 44%. Scans showed a major improvement of bone lesions in 14.8% of cases. This response increased to 37% after more than 6 months of follow-up. Prostatic acid phosphatase levels were decreased by more than 50% in 61% of the patients, but this test appears to be a less valid marker than the lipid-associated sialic acid (LASA). The increase in LASA before treatment and a reduction after treatment can frequently be correlated with the objective volume of the neoplasms. No flare-up of the disease was encountered, and there were no side effects except for impotence. Statistical analyses of results by the method of Lee and Wesley indicated that the incidence of complete and partial regression (CR and PR) observed with D-Trp-6-LH-RH was not significantly different from that recorded in previous studies for another LH-RH analog, Buserelin. However, CR and PR obtained with D-Trp-6-LH-RH (44%) were significantly higher than with subcapsular orchiectomy (22%). Hormonal effects and some other actions of D-Trp-6-LH-RH were compared and contrasted with those produced by castration, estrogens, antiandrogens, and progestogens.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)     

Dopamine in the conscious dog with chronic heart-block

Summary The chronotropic effects of dopamine were studied in the conscious dog with chronic A-V block. Dopamine at 12.5–200 g/kg and 12.5–50 g/kg/min lowered atrial rate independently of dose. After blockade of muscarine receptors or alpha-adrenoceptors, it raised atrial rate. After blockade of dopamine receptors, dopamine still lowered atrial rate, and did so dose-relatedly after blockade of beta-adrenoceptors. It raised ventricular rate, and at high doses also induced ventricular rhythm disorders. Blockade of muscarine receptors enhanced the ventricular cardioaccelerator effect of dopamine (P<0.025) at 100 g/kg, while blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors reduced it (P<0.05). Blockade of dopamine receptors did not modify this effect, but blockade of beta-adrenoceptors reversed it. Dopamine at 25–200 g/kg raised mean blood pressure. This effect was enhanced by blockade of muscarine receptors, reversed by blockade of alpha-adrenoceptors, and was unaffected by blockade of beta-adrenoceptors or dopamine receptors. These results show that the atrial cardiomoderator effect of dopamine is a vagal reflex response to its hypertensive action, and that it is limited by its direct beta-adrenergic stimulating action. They also show that the ventricular cardioaccelerator effect of dopamine is attenuated by a reflex vagal depressor effect consequent to the induced hypertension. No evidence was found for the existence of positive chronotropic dopamine receptors in either atria or ventricles.A preliminary report of these findings was presented at the Symposium on Peripheral Dopaminergic Receptors, July 1978, in Strasbourg, France (Boucher et al. 1979b)     

Human platelets after their contact with influenza virus activate the complement system in autologous serum

Guinea pig erythrocytes that have been exposed to influenza virus activate the alternative pathway through virus-induced desialation of the cells. Neuraminidase treatment of rabbit platelets enhance their clearancein vivo. Washed human platelets were labeled with⁵¹Cr exposed to Influenza virus, and resuspended in autologous serum that had been dialyzed against Veronal-buffered saline containing Ca⁺⁺ and Mg⁺⁺ (VBS⁺⁺), VBS containing 8 mM EGTA and 2 mM Mg⁺⁺ (VBS-MgEGTA) or VBS containing 20 mM EDTA (VBS-EDTA) for 60 min at 37°C. Three per cent⁵¹Cr release and no complement consumption were observed in VBS-EDTA serum. In contrast, 6%⁵¹Cr release with 37 and 54% decrease in C3 and B hemolytic activities respectively occurred in VBS-MgEGTA serum and 14%⁵¹Cr release with 50% decrease in C2 hemolytic activity occurred in VBS⁺⁺ serum. These results suggest that influenza virus may alter the platelet surface in such a way that both complement pathways might be recruited and the cells be lyzed in autologous serum.The human complement system is activated by a number of viruses and virus-infected cells through antibody-dependent and independent mechanisms. Guinea pig erythrocytes that have been treated with influenza virus are lyzed in human serum through activation of the classical and of the alternative pathways: activation of the alternative pathway is dependent on an acquired resistance of the cell-bound C3 amplification convertase to control mechanisms that are directly related to desialation of the cells by viral neuraminidase [1]. Since,in vivo, clearance of desialated platelets is enhanced in animal models and since human platelets do not express the C3b receptor-associated inhibitory activity of the complement system, we investigated whether human platelets, after contact with influenza virus, acquire the ability to activate complement in autologous serum.     

Coloanal anastomosis after resection of low rectal cancer in the elderly

Twenty-two patients had coloanal anastomoses performed after resection of low rectal tumors (16 adenocarcinomas and 6 large degenerated villous adenomas). The patients had an average age of 72 years (range: 62–85). A hand-sewn anastomosis was performed between a J-shaped colonic reservoir and the anal sphincter, except in 3 patients who underwent a straight end-to-end coloanal suture without pouch. A defunctionalized stoma was made in 18 cases. Mortality within 30 days of operation was 9%. Specific complications occurred in 2 patients (9%). Mean follow-up in this series was 20.2±11.7 months (± standard deviation). Fifteen patients were alive and free of disease up to 54 months after surgery. One patient was found to have local recurrence at 19 months. The actuarial 3-year survival rate was 73% in the whole group (operative mortality included). Functional results were good in 16 of 19 patients, with an average 1.8–2.9 stools/24 hours and the continence rate was good. Three patients had complications requiring a permanent colostomy. From these preliminary results, coloanal anastomosis appears to be satisfying in regard to oncologic results and affords good anal function, even in the elderly patient (over 62 years of age).

---

Resumen Veintidos pacientes fueron sometidos a anastomosis después de la resecciôn de tumores rectales bajos (16 adenocarcinomas y 6 grandes adenomas vellosos con degeneración carcinomatosa), con edad promedio de 72 años (rango: 62–85). Se practicó anastomosis manual entre un reservorio colónico construído en forma de J y el esfínter anal, excepto en 3 pacientes sometidos a sutura colo-anal términoterminal sin construcción de bolsa. Se practicó un estoma de funcionante en 18 casos. La mortalidad en los primeros 30 días después de la operación fue 9%. Se presentaron complicaciones específicas en 2 pacientes (9%). El seguimiento promedio en la serie fue de 20.2±11.7 meses (± de). Quince pacientes se encuentran vivos y libres de enfermedad hasta por 54 meses. Un paciente demostró recurrencia local a los 19 meses. La tasa actuarial de sobrevida a 3 anos es de 73% para el grupo total (incluyendo la mortalidad operatoria). Los resultados funcionales fueron buenos en 16 de 19 pacientes, con un promedio de 1.8 a 2.9 deposiciones/24 horas y buena continencia. Tres pacientes presentaron complicaciones que requirieron colostomía permanente. Según estos resultados preliminares, la anastomosis colo-anal aparece como un procedimiento satisfactorio en relación con los resultados oncológicos y provee buena función anal aun en el paciente anciano (mayor de 62 años).

---

Résumé Vingt-deux patients ont eu une anastomose coloanale après résection d'une tumeur rectale basse (16 adénocarcinomes et 6 tumeurs villeuses larges dégénérées). L'âge moyen des patients était de 72 ans (extrêmes 62 et 85 ans). Dix-neuf patients ont eu une anastomose manuelle entre un réservoir colique en J et le canal anal, alors que 3 ont eu une anastomose manuelle termino-terminale coloanale sans réservoir. Une colostomie de décharge a été ajoutée dans 18 cas. La mortalité des 30 premiers jours postopératoires a été de 9%. Deux patients (9%) ont eu des complications spécifiques. La survie moyenne a été de 20.2±11.7 mois (± ET). A 54 mois, 15 patients sont en vie et sans maladie. Une récidive locale a été décelée chez un patient à 19 mois. La survie actuarielle à 3 ans est de 73% pour l'ensemble des patients (mortalité opératoire incluse). Les résultats fonctionnels étaient bons chez 16 des 19 patients. Ces patients avaient en moyenne 1.8 à 2.9 selles par 24 heures et la continence était bonne. Trois patients avaient des complications nécessitant une colostomie permanente. D'après ces premiers résultats, il semble que l'anastomose coloanale donne de bons résultats du point de vue oncologique avec conservation d'une fonction sphinctérienne satisfaisante, même chez le patient âgé (plus de 62 ans).

---

---

Presented at the Société Internationale de Chirurgie in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September, 1989.