Reference data for arm muscle and arm adipose tissue areas in Mexican Americans from the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination survey (HHANES 1982–1984): Comparisons with whites and blacks from NHANES II (1976–1980)

Data for arm muscle area (AMA) and arm adipose tissue area (AATA) from 3695 Mexican American children 6 months to 18 years of age included in HHANES (1982–1984) were used to obtain age-and gender-specific means and selected percentiles. These statistics were compared with those for non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black children from NHANES II (1976–1980). In comparison with non-Hispanic white and non-Hispanic black children, the Mexican American children tended to have smaller means and percentile values for AMA but larger values for AATA. There was considerable sexual dimorphism in AMA and AATA. Within each population, boys tended to have larger means and percentile values for AMA than girls, and girls tended to have larger values for AATA than boys. Within each population of boys, there was a prepubescent gain in AATA, followed by a midpubescent loss, and then an increase near the middle of the second decade. This “fat wave” pattern was not noticeable in girls. Population differences in age- and gender-specific mean values for AMA and AATA were small. Few statistically significant differences were observed; these were no more common than would occur by chance. Therefore, population-specific reference data for AMA and AATA may not be needed for the clinical evaluation of Mexican Americans, non-Hispanic blacks, and non-Hispanic whites. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Relationship of skeletal age to limb composition during pubescence

The relationships between skeletal age (SA) and limb composition (arms, legs, and all four limbs) in terms of fat mass (FM), fat-free mass (FFM), muscle mass (MM) and bone mineral content (BMC) were investigated in 55 males and 53 females aged 9–15 years. The Fels method was used to assess hand-wrist SAs which were expressed as SA/chronological age (SA/CA). The limb composition data were obtained from a Lunar dual-energy x-ray absorptiometer using 3.6z software. The means for the limb composition variables increased gradually with age except in males for whom FM decreased from 12 to 13 years, and FFM and MM increased markedly from 13 to 14 years. There were similar findings when the limb composition data were expressed as percentages of body weight. All of the regressions of SA/CA on limb composition variables had positive slopes. Each of the slopes was significant for males, but nonsignificant for females. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Fractures de type III : attitudes thérapeutiques,complications, résultats

Résumé La série comprend 47 fractures de type III dans la classification de Johansson, dont 36 femmes et 11 hommes d’age moyen 73,4 ans. 6 furent traités orthopédiquement avec 66 % de complications. 34 ostéosynthèses ont donné un taux de complications de 50 %, alors qu’il n’y a eu aucune complication mécanique pour les 6 patients traités par reconstruction prothétique. Présenté à la 38ème Réunion S.O.T.EST à Lons-le-Saunier du 17 au 18 juin 1994     

Bioaccumulation and the effects of organochlorine pesticides, PAH and heavy metals in the Eel (Anguilla anguilla) at the Camargue Nature Reserve, France

Pesticides (organochlorines-OC), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) and heavy metals are toxic to fish and may be taken in through gills, skin and contaminated foods. Here we measure concentrations of OC, PAH and heavy metals, and their effects in the eel Anguilla anguilla from three locations in the Camargue Reserve in southern France. The Camargue Biosphere Reserve is the largest coastal wetland in Western Europe, and A. anguilla is a common predator at the top of the food chain. Livers and spleens were analyzed for histopathological, chemical and organo-somatic (HSI and SSI) effects. Gill, liver and spleen samples were collected for histopathological studies. Livers and muscles were sampled for metabolic parameters and persistent organic pollutant analysis. Total lipids were estimated by spectrophotometry and lipid-free residues were used in protein and glycogen analysis. OC pesticides were extracted from lipids of muscles and livers, analyzed by gas chromatography, and PAH from bile were analyzed by fixed wavelength fluorescence spectrofluorimetry. Heavy metals were measured by inductively coupled plasma with optical or with mass spectrometers. High concentrations of contaminants were found in eel tissues. La Capelière had the greatest OC and PAH concentrations; unexpected lesions in gills, livers and spleens were more common at the other sites. Liver and spleen tumors and lipidosis in livers were associated with chronic, and gill lesions with acute exposure. High pesticide and PAH concentrations and lesions in eels from the Camargue reserve demonstrate the contamination of the area. A more complete study in the Camargue reserve is necessary to better understand the impact on wildlife and humans. Also, this study suggests that eel biology must be better understood before continued use of this species as a biomonitor of polluted areas.