The effect of various thermal processes on the glycemic response to whole grain wheat products in humans and rats

The effects of different thermal processes used to produce ready-to-eat cereals on the glycemic response to whole grain wheat were investigated in rats. The metabolic response to drum dried flour, which constitutes the major component in instant gruel and porridge, was also studied in healthy human subjects. Boiled flour was used for comparison. The degree of starch gelatinization and rate of starch hydrolysis in vitro were also measured. Incompletely gelatinized steam flaked and dry autoclaved products were digested more slowly in vitro and elicited lower glucose responses in rats compared with completely gelatinized drum dried, extrusion cooked or boiled samples. The initial glycemic response in rats was closely related to the rate of starch hydrolysis in the pepsin/alpha-amylase assay (r = 0.91, P less than 0.04). When pepsin was omitted, no significant correlation was obtained. The peak glucose, insulin and C-peptide responses in humans after breakfast meals of porridge prepared from drum dried flour and from boiled flour were similar, whereas the rate of depression of the glucose curve was more rapid after consuming drum dried porridge. It is concluded that the glycemic response to wheat products is affected by the processing conditions used. The more severe the processing conditions, the more rapid the digestion of starch.     

Reduced concentration of hepatic alpha-tocopherol in patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis.

The concentration of alpha-tocopherol was measured in liver biopsy specimens obtained from 83 patients with alcoholic and non-alcoholic liver diseases. The mean hepatic vitamin E content (as alpha-tocopherol) was significantly lower in 23 patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (17.6 +/- 12.1 nmol/mg wet weight liver), compared with 12 patients with normal liver histology (39.2 +/- 29.7 nmol/mg, P less than 0.01). The mean serum concentration of alpha-tocopherol was lower in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis (13.9 +/- 7.0 mumol/l) than in individuals with alcoholic fatty liver (21.3 +/- 9.3 mumol/l, P less than 0.01) and patients with normal liver histology (23.4 +/- 11.6 mumol/l, P less than 0.01). A decreased ratio of serum alpha-tocopherol/total serum lipids was also observed in patients with alcoholic cirrhosis, compared with patients with normal liver histology (P less than 0.05). There was a significant correlation between concentrations of alpha-tocopherol in liver and serum (r = 0.43, P less than 0.001). Furthermore, serum alpha-tocopherol correlated with retinol (r = 0.53, P less than 0.001), selenium (r = 0.45, P less than 0.001), and albumin (r = 0.37, P less than 0.001) in serum. We suggest that the reduced content of hepatic alpha-tocopherol observed in some patients may play a role in ethanol-induced lipid peroxidation.     

Hexokinase I Messenger RNA in the Rat Central Nervous System

Hexokinase I (ATP: -hexose 6-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.1) is the first enzyme required in the metabolism of glucose in the central nervous system and plays a major role in regulation of the cerebral glycolytic rate. The distribution of hexokinase I mRNA was examined throughout the central nervous system of the rat by use of oligonucleotide probes and in situ hybridization histochemistry. In the rhinencephalon, strong hexokinase I mRNA labeling was demonstrated in the glomerular, mitral, internal granular, and internal plexiform layers, whereas the olfactory nerve, external plexiform, and subependymal layers and ependyma were devoid of labeling. Within the telencephalon, strong labeling was present in all layers (with the exception of the molecular layer) of the cerebral cortex, in the septum, in CA1-4 and dentate gyrus of the hippocampus, and in several amygdaloid nuclei. There was only weak labeling in the nucleus accumbens and caudate putamen. In the diencephalon, there was in general a strong labeling in the epithalamus, in several thalamic nuclei, including the anteriodorsal, anterioventral, anteriomedial, reticular, paravetricular, intermediodorsal, anteriomedial, interanteriomedial, rhomboid, reuniens, and parafascicular thalamic nuclei. Several hypothalamic regions, including the subfornical organ, the medial preoptic area, the suprachiasmatic, supraoptic, paraventricular, dorsomedial, ventromedial nuclei, and the zona incerta, were strongly labeled. In the mesencephalon, there was particularly strong labeling in the pars compacta and reticulata of the substantia nigra, central gray, and red nucleus, in the Darkschewitsch nucleus, and in the medial accessory oculomotor nucleus. In the rhombencephalon, there was strong hybridization in all raphe nuclei, pontine, tegmental, lateral parabrachial, olivary nuclei, and several cranial motor nuclei. All neurons of the locus ceruleus were heavily labeled. Very strong labeling was present in Purkinje and granular cells of the cerebellar cortex. Neurons of the medulla oblongata area postrema, nucleus tractus solitarius, reticular nucleus, nucleus cuneatus and several motor nuclei were strongly labeled. In the spinal cord, labeled cells were present in all laminae, and also neurons of the dorsal root ganglion were heavily labeled. Hexokinase I mRNA was also demonstrated in the epithelium lining the choroid plexus. In the E15 fetus, very strong labeling was seen in the liver, heart, and trigeminal ganglion, with less intense labeling in the brain and other tissues having more moderate labeling. Administration of 2% saline as drinking water resulted in a marked increase in hexokinase I mRNA in the magnocellular neurons of the supraoptic and paraventricular nuclei. In summary, the results show extensive neuronal distribution of hexokinase I mRNA with regional differences in the expression pattern.     

Effects of (R)-8-OH-DPAT and the enantiomers of UH-301 on motor activities in the rat: antagonism of (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced effects.

The effects of the enantiomers of 5-fluoro-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin, UH-301 and the potent 5-HT1A-receptor agonist (R)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin, (R)-8-OH-DPAT, on locomotion, rearing and total activity were studied in rats. The experiments were performed as tests either of exploratory activity in non-habituated rats or of motor activity of rats habituated to the environment for 2 h before drug injection. (R)-8-OH-DPAT increased locomotion and total activity and decreased rearing in both conditions. (R)-UH-301 increased locomotion and slightly also total activity in habituated rats and decreased rearing in both conditions. (S)-UH-301 decreased locomotion and rearing in both conditions but only in doses of 10 mumol/kg and above. Lower doses of (S)-UH-301 (10 mumol/kg) antagonized (R)-8-OH-DPAT-induced increases of locomotion and total activity. As (S)-UH-301 decreased rearing, per se, it was not able to antagonize the (R)-8-OH-DPAT induced decrease. These results further support previous data that (S)-UH-301 is a 5-HT1A antagonist while (R)-UH-301 is a 5-HT1A agonist.     

Cardiac output determination during intravenous cardioangiography using x-ray fluorescence analysis

Cardiac output was determined with an indicator dilution technique during digital venous angiography of the left ventricle in 11 patients. The contrast medium injected into the right atrium was used as indicator. During and after the injection of contrast medium one blood sample per second was obtained through a catheter placed in the descending aorta. The samples were analyzed for iodine content with x-ray fluorescence analysis and cardiac output determined ad modum Stewart-Hamilton. Thermodilution was used as a reference method. The results indicate that the indicator dilution method with the use of contrast medium might be used for calibration of videodensitometric methods for blood flow measurements.     

The economics of general thromboembolic prophylaxis

The clinical and economic effects of each of 3 alternatives—no prophylaxis, general prophylaxis, and selective treatment—have been assessed in conjunction with 3 types of surgery—general surgery, the subset surgery for cholelithiasis, and elective hip surgery. The costs of thromboembolic and hemorrhagic complications have been calculated from the figures for 28 patients hospitalized at the Department of Surgery, Malmö General Hospital, Malmö, Sweden. The anticipated number of thromboembolic complications—and thus even the number of fatal pulmonary embolisms—can be minimized in all 3 types of surgery by means of general prophylaxis. General prophylaxis with low-dose heparin is, however, accompanied by the greatest incidence of hemorrhagic complications. Health care costs are minimized with general prophylaxis in elective hip and general surgery, while no prophylaxis is the best alternative in surgery for cholelithiasis. From the patient's point of view, general prophylaxis minimizes the duration of thromboembolic disease in general surgery as well as in elective hip surgery. In surgery for cholelithiasis, however, no differences in health loss for the individual are shown between the 2 main alternatives, no prophylaxis and general prophylaxis. Selective treatment means treatment after diagnosis of thrombosis with some screening method. The alternative selective treatment was the least satisfactory of those 3 studied.

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Resumen Los efectos clínicos y económicos de cada una de 3 alternatives en la profilaxis tromboembólica (no profilaxis, profilaxis general con heparina de baja dosis, y tratamiento selectivo) fueron valorados en 3 tipos de cirugía: cirugía general (abdominal), el subgrupo de cirugía general para colelitiasis, y cirugía electiva de cadera. Los costos de las complicaciones tromboembólicas y hemorrágicas fueron calculados a partir de las cifras observadas en 28 pacientes hospitalizados en el Departmento de Cirugía. El número de predicción de complicaciones tromboembólicas, y el número de embolismos pulmonares fatales pueden ser minimizados en los 3 tipos de cirugía mediante la profilaxis general. Sin embargo, la profilaxis general con heparina de baja dosis se acompaña de la más alta incidencia de complicaciones hemorrágicas.Los costos de la atención pueden ser minimizados mediante la profilaxis general en cirugía electiva de cadera y en cirugía general abdominal, en tanto que la no profilaxis es la mejor alternativa para la cirugía de colelitiasis.Desde el punto de vista del paciente, la profilaxis general minimiza la duración de la enfermedad tromboembólica en la cirugía general abdominal así como en la cirugía electiva de cadera. En la cirugía para colelitiasis, sin embargo, no se demuestran diferencias entre las dos alternatives principales, no profilaxis y profilaxis general.El tratamiento selectivo significa tratamiento una vez establecido el diagnóstico de trombosis mediante algún método de tamizaje. La alternativa de tratamiento selectivo fue la menos satisfactoria de las 3 alternatives estudiadas.

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Résumé Les effets cliniques et financiers de 3 comportements variables: absence de prophylaxie, prophylaxie, traitement sélectif ont été évalué en fonction de trois types de chirurgie: chirurgie générale, chirurgie spéciale de la lithiase biliaire, chirurgie élective de la hanche. Les coûts des complications thrombo-emboliques et hémorragiques ont été calculés à partir des données numériques concernant 28 malades hospitalisés dans le service de chirurgie. Le nombre envisagé des complications thromboemboliques et par conséquent le nombre d'embolie pulmonaire fatale a été réduit dans les 3 types de chirurgie choisis grâce au traitement prophylactique. Cependant il convient de noter que le traitement prophylactique à l'aide de faible dose d'héparine s'accompagne de complications hémorragiques plus nombreuses.Les coûts des soins de la chirurgie élective de la hanche et de la chirurgie générale sont réduits grâce au traitement prophylactique alors que l'absence de traitement prophylactique représente la meilleure modalité à observer dans le traitement de la chirurgie biliaire.En ce qui concerne le point de vue du malade le traitement prophylactique réduit la durée de la maladie thromboembolique compliquant la chirurgie générale ou la chirurgie de la hanche. En revanche dans la chirurgie de la lithiase biliaire aucun inconvénient pour la santé du malade ne s'observe que le traitement prophylactique soit ou ne soit pas appliqué.Le traitement sélectif qui répond au traitement institué après que le diagnostic ait été posé par des méthodes de dépistage est la moins satisfaisante des trois attitudes envisagées.

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Supported by grant no. 00759 from the Swedish Medical Research Council.     

Changes in CSF pressures during experimental acute arterial subdural bleeding in pig

Summary The effects of acute arterial subdural bleeding on cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure and 12 other vital parameters were studied in spontaneously breathing pigs (group 1, n=9) and in mechanically ventilated pigs (group 2, n=18) to analyze quantitatively the bleeding course and the lethal mechanism.Spontaneously breathing animals all succumbed after a mean bleeding volume of 45.6±8.9ml, corresponding to about 50 per cent of the intracranial volume, and a mean bleeding duration of 11.0±2.6 min. Rapid rise in CSF pressures, marked transtentorial pressure gradients, and progressive reductions of cerebral perfusion pressure leading to a permanently iso-electric EEG, apnoea and to a terminal rise in arterial pressure (Cushing response), was the rule in these animals.The mechanically ventilated animals had smaller bleeding volumes (34.3±8.1 ml), but longer bleeding durations (13.8±5.8 min). In this group 7 animals survived. They had no pressure gradients, and only moderate changes in arterial pressure and EEG. The 11 animals that succumbed had marked transtentorial pressure gradients, but smaller increments in arterial pressure than the spontaneously breathing animals.At autopsy, subdurally located blood was found throughout the intracranial and spinal subdural compartments and along the spinal nerve roots in both groups.The results of this study suggest that survival after acute subdural haematoma is influenced by the presence of transtentorial pressure gradients and by the spinal sac acting as a space for expansion. The beneficial effect of artificial ventilation is discussed.This study has been supported by the University of Oslo, The Anders Jahre Foundation for The Advance of Research, and by the Norwegian Society for fighting Cancer.     

Spatial learning impairments in rats with selective immunolesion of the forebrain cholinergic system.

A monoclonal antibody to the low-affinity NGF receptor, 192 IgG, coupled to a cytotoxin, saporin, was recently introduced as an efficient selective neurotoxin for the NGFr-bearing cholinergic neurones in the rat basal forebrain. In the present study we report that an intracerebroventricular injection of this 192 IgG-saporin conjugate induces a severe, long-lasting spatial learning impairment, as assessed in the Morris water-maze task. This behavioural impairment was associated with 65-90% depletion of choline acetyltransferase activity (ChAT) in the hippocampus and cortex. ChAT activity associated with other cholinergic neurone systems in the brain (striatum, mesencephalon, spinal cord), was left virtually unaffected. This new immunotoxin holds great promise as a tool for selective and efficient lesions of the forebrain cholinergic system in functional and behavioural studies.     

Magnetic Forces on Orthodontic Wires in High Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) at 3 Tesla

BACKGROUND: In a previous investigation we reported on magnetic forces in the static magnetic field of a 1.5 Tesla MRI system. The aim of the present investigation was to assess forces on orthodontic wires in a high field strength MRI system at 3 Tesla. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-two different orthodontic wires (21 archwires, eight ligature wires and three retainer wires) were investigated in a 3 Tesla high field strength MRI system (Intera, Philips Medical Systems, Best, The Netherlands). Translational forces were measured by the deflection angle test (ASTM F2052-02), and rotational forces assessed on a 5-point qualitative scale. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Translational forces ranged between 43.5 mN and 136.1 mN for retainer wires and between 0.6 mN (Noninium) and 208.4 mN (Orthos Stainless Steel) for steel archwires. Translational forces were up to 53.8 times as high as gravitational forces for retainer wires and up to 54.5 times as high for steel archwires, associated with marked rotational forces for the most part. Archwires manufactured from nickel-titanium, titanium-molybdenum and cobalt-chromium and different ligature wires showed no or negligible forces in the magnetic field. Carefully ligated wires should not present a risk due to translational and rotational forces in the high field MRI system at 3 Tesla.