Nutritional status in anorexia nervosa: clinical chemistry, vitamins, iron and zinc

Routine clinical chemical variables and parameters of the vitamin, iron and zinc status were measured in 20 female patients with anorexia nervosa (AN) and in 10 lean and 10 normal weight, healthy, female control subjects. Patients with AN had higher activities of L-gamma-glutamyl transferase (gamma-GT) and glutamate pyruvate transaminase (SGPT) and a higher concentration of prealbumin in serum and lower leucocyte and lymphocyte counts in blood. For the other routine clinical chemical parameters no significant differences between the groups were observed. AN patients had higher serum vitamin B12 and retinol levels. No significant differences were found for the status parameters of thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C, folate, vitamin E and vitamin D. Contradictory results were obtained for the riboflavin status: AN patients had a lower level of flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) in blood and a lower stimulation ratio of the glutathione reductase activity in erythrocytes (alpha-EGR). Patients with AN had higher serum ferritin concentration and lower total iron binding capacity (TIBC). However, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Ht) and iron saturation were not significantly different. No significant difference was found in the concentration of zinc in plasma. In spite of the poor intake of nutrients and energy, the results obtained did not indicate an inadequate status of vitamins, iron and zinc in patients with AN.     

Ocular hypotensive effects of monoamine oxidase-A inhibitors in rabbit

The effects of monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) inhibitors with epinephrine on intraocular pressure in the pigmented rabbit were studied. MAO-A inhibitors were used topically with or without various concentrations of epinephrine. For the measurement of intraocular pressure, applanation pneumatonography was used and tissue MAO activities were determined by radiometric assay. After topical administration with clorgyline, MAO-A activities in the bulbar conjunctiva and the iris-ciliary body were remarkably inhibited, whereas MAO-B inhibition was minimal. Maximal reduction of intraocular pressure with 0.05% epinephrine was 3.2 mmHg. Single administration of clorgyline, amiflamine, moclobemide or CGP 11305-A caused decreases in the intraocular pressure of 2.0, 2.5, 1.8 and 2.4 mmHg, respectively. In the coadministration experiments with epinephrine, the ocular hypotensive effects of epinephrine were potentiated with clorgyline, amiflamine, moclobemide and CGP 11305-A (6.6, 4.8, 5.6 and 5.8 mmHg). On the contrary, they were not influenced by the MAO-B inhibitor deprenyl. These results indicated that MAO-A inhibitors potentiated the ocular hypotensive effects of epinephrine, and that the coadministration of a reversible MAO-A inhibitor with epinephrine might be useful for patients with glaucoma.     

Lifetime fracture risk: an approach to hip fracture risk assessment based on bone mineral density and age

Hip fractures occur late in life following a substantial reduction in skeletal mass. If risk for such fractures could be predicted early, efforts to prevent excessive bone loss would be more successful and could be directed at the individuals most likely to be affected. With this objective in mind, we devised an approach to estimating the lifetime risk of a proximal femur fracture based on age and on current femoral bone mineral density, using population-based data from ongoing studies of osteoporosis and fractures among Rochester, Minnesota, women. Our calculations indicate that, at any given age, the lifetime risk of a proximal femur fracture rises as current bone density diminishes. At any given level of femoral bone density, lifetime risk rises with younger age and increasing life expectancy. While these trends seem robust, estimates of risk vary substantially with the assumptions that underlie the model. Consequently, these assumptions must be validated before our findings can be applied clinically to predict risk for individual patients.     

Nutrient intake in insulin-dependent diabetic patients with incipient nephropathy

The onset of diabetic nephropathy is characterized by subclinical elevation of urinary albumin excretion, so-called 'microalbuminuria' (M). Dietary assessments were carried out in 15 insulin-dependent diabetic patients with persistent M and an equal number with persistently normal albumin excretion. The groups were matched for sex, age, duration of diabetes, body mass index, insulin dose and glycosylated haemoglobin; there were no significant differences in systemic blood pressure, glomerular filtration rate, blood glucose and serum albumin concentrations between the groups; retinopathy was significantly more frequent in patients with M. Diabetics with persistent M were found to consume a significantly larger amount of fat (expressed as grams and percentage of total energy) and a significantly smaller percentage of total energy as carbohydrate than patients with normal albumin excretion; total dietary energy was larger in those with persistent M, but the difference was not significant. No significant differences were found in protein and fibre intakes between the groups. Our findings suggest that an excess in the dietary consumption of fat relative to carbohydrate might play an important role in the pathogenesis of early nephropathy in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. We emphasize the importance of careful attention to nutrient intake in the prevention and treatment of diabetic complications.     

Measuring stereoscopic vision using a stereo distance vision instrument and a new stereo near vision instrument

Normal stereoscopic vision is necessary for many occupations. Therefore, stereoacuity must be measured accurately. Borderline values are not yet available for existing stereo-tests or, as for haploscopic tests, their degree of difficulty is too low. In order to provide an accurate, natural measuring method for both scientific and practical applications, an existing three-rod tester was modified to convert it into a distant-vision stereo-tester, and a new near-vision stereo-tester was designed. A standardized test method was developed and borderline values were established for both units.     

Development of traumatic retinal detachment

Post-traumatic retinal detachment occurs frequently as a late consequence of progressive vitreous changes, especially following penetrating injuries. Occasionally, it develops soon after the trauma, without preceding proliferative vitreoretinopathy, is based on posterior vitreous detachment and morphologically resembles an idiopathic retinal detachment. It is possible that the posterior vitreous detachment in these cases is encouraged by the presence of intravitreal hemorrhage.