Distribution of selenium in human milk

The present studies were designed to characterize selenium distribution in human milk. These studies reveal that most selenium in human milk is protein bound. Percentage dialyzable selenium varied proportionally with total selenium content of milk but not with stage of lactation. Neither rate of freezing nor frozen storage of samples for one month influenced distribution profiles. At least nine selenoproteins were detected in dialyzed milk samples following molecular sieve (Sephadex) chromatography. Glutathione peroxidase accounted for approximately 15-30% of selenium found in milk. Approximately half of peroxidase activity in human milk was associated with selenium dependent glutathione peroxidase activity.     

Reducing the risk of eating disorders in athletics

Athletes comprise a unique population with special needs for the management and treatment of eating disorders. Prevention of these disorders also requires special approaches and strategies. Common attitudes, beliefs, and practices in athletics believed to be related to pressures to diet or to engage in pathogenic weight loss methods are discussed. Strategies for educating athletes and sport management personnel regarding issues related to eating disorders are proposed. Additionally, changes in the athletic environment designed to reduce the risk of eating disorders developing are recommended.     

Primary Health Care through a community based smoking-cessation program

The International Conference on Primary Health Care, meeting in Alma-Ata, in the Soviet Union, September 12, 1978, expressed the need for urgent action by all governments, all health and development workers and the world community, to protect and promote the health of all people of the world. The world was caught by the phrase which emerged from this conference, Health For All by the Year 2000 and many have examined the articles of the Alma-Ata declaration and tried to implement them in their corner of the world. This paper describes a community-based smoking-cessation program which was implemented in the province of Nova Scotia, Canada, during the years 1980–1984. Primary to this project was the belief that people have the right and the duty to participate individually and collectively in planning and implementing their health care. This paper describes one community's effort in putting this belief into practice.Carol Smillie, B.N. BE.d. M.S.c. is an Assistant Professor at the School of Nursing, Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada B3H 3J5, Katherine Coffin, BA, MEd is the Program Officer, Nova Scotia Office, Health Promotion Directorate Health and Welfare Canada, 5251 Duke Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Canada B3J 1P3. Kathryn Porter, B.A. (Gen)., is the Information and Education Coordinator, Nova Scotia Division Canadian Cancer Society. Brenda Ryan, B.A., M.B.A. is Program Evaluation Analysist, Nova Scotia Department of Health, 6088 Hollis Street, Halifax. Nova Scotia, Canada. This Project was funded by Health and Welfare Canada, Nova Scotia Department of Health, Nova Scotia Division Canadian Cancer Society, Requests for reprints should be addressed to: Professor Carol Smillie.     

Monocyte/macrophage activation by normal bacteria and bacterial products: implications for altered epithelial function in Crohn's disease

Intestinal immune cells are less reactive than those in the peripheral blood; however, such cells from patients with Crohn's disease may be more responsive to bacterial products. Our study examined if nonpathogenic bacteria or lipopolysaccharide (LPS), can affect epithelial function in the presence of monocytes/macrophages. Lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) and peripheral blood monocytes (PBMs) were obtained from patients with Crohn's disease and control patients. Filter-grown T84 epithelial monolayers were co-cultured with nonactivated or LPS-activated LPMCs or PBMs for 48 hours. Epithelial secretory [baseline short-circuit current (Isc) and DeltaIsc to forskolin] and barrier (transepithelial electrical resistance) parameters were measured in Ussing chambers. LPS-activated PBMs from both controls and patients with Crohn's disease significantly increased Isc ( approximately 300%) and reduced transepithelial electrical resistance ( approximately 40%). Epithelial function was not altered after co-culture with control LPMCs +/- LPS. However, LPMCs from patients with Crohn's disease spontaneously secreted tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and induced epithelial changes similar to those produced by LPS-activated PBMs. Co-culture with control Escherichia coli and PBMs induced comparable changes in epithelial physiology, which were abrogated by anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibody. We conclude that LPMCs of patients with Crohn's disease are spontaneously activated, possibly by gram-negative luminal bacteria, and can directly cause significant alterations in epithelial ion transport and barrier functions.     

Fulminant disseminated Varicella Zoster virus infection without skin involvement.

BACKGROUND: Varicella Zoster virus (VZV) infection is potentially very serious in bone marrow transplant recipients, and may manifest as a disseminated visceral infection. This condition is generally accompanied by a vesicular rash. OBJECTIVES: We review here a case of fulminant fatal disseminated VZV infection, not accompanied by skin involvement, and the laboratory approaches currently available to diagnose this disease. STUDY DESIGN: Post mortem tissue samples were subjected to histopathological examination, and tested for herpesviruses by electron microscopy and PCR. RESULTS: Intranuclear inclusions were noted by histological examination in the lungs, liver, kidneys and bone marrow. Particles with a herpesvirus morphology were visualized in liver tissue. VZV DNA was detected in liver and bone marrow by PCR followed by sequencing of the amplicons. Viremia was documented by retrospective testing of the serum by PCR. CONCLUSIONS: A disseminated VZV infection which proved rapidly fatal was demonstrated in a case without skin manifestations. This rare presentation of VZV infection is potentially underdiagnosed. Testing for VZV viremia by PCR can at the very least suggest the diagnosis although whether plasma-associated viremia is truly pathognomonic of visceral disseminated infection remains to be established.     

Transvaginal sonographic assessment of cervical length changes during triplet gestation

The current study aimed to evaluate the contribution of transvaginal sonography (TVS) for monitoring cervical changes during the second half of triplet gestation. Forty-five pregnant women with triplets pregnancies were prospectively scanned by TVS from approximately 26 weeks gestation and were longitudinally followed-up until delivery. Based on a receiver-operating curve it was found that a cervical length of 25 mm is the most accurate parameter (94% sensitivity and 45% specificity) for predicting premature delivery < or =33 gestational weeks. Thus, a single cervical length measurement of < or =25 mm at 26 weeks gestation correlated well with premature delivery at < or =33 weeks (chi(2); P = 0.002). Using the linear regression model, a mathematical equation [(Week of delivery = 27.4 + 1.6 x cervical length; R(2) = 0.46; P = 0.01)] for predicting the gestational age of delivery (dependent variable) was determined based on mid-gestation cervical measurements (predictors). In parturient women with triplet gestation, TVS assessment of the uterine cervix offers insight into the cervical status and provides valuable information for prenatal care. This includes both monitoring the cervical changes throughout third trimester as well as predicting the likelihood of premature delivery.