Effects of Information about Fat Content on Food Preferences in Pre-adolescent Children

The acceptance and sensory characteristics of standard and reduced-fat cookies were evaluated either with or without fat-content information by pre-adolescent children. Results indicate that acceptance ratings were not affected by the fat content or information about fat content when evaluated on nine-point scales. However, when asked to choose which cookie they liked better and to predict how many cookies they would eat (in forced-choice questions), fat content and information about fat content had a significant effect on cookie preference and prospective intake. When no information was available, subjects preferred the cookie with the higher fat content; when information was presented, subjects' preference shifted to the reduced-fat cookie. When asked which cookie they would choose to eat for dessert with hypothetical lunches, a similar shift in choice was observed following a low-fat lunch. The low-fat label was also associated with an increase in perceived healthiness relative to the high-fat label, as indicated on “good for me” scales. The effects of fat content information on cookie preference and prospective consumption were seen in pre-adolescents who indicated a “high concern” for the health consequences of dietary fat. Cookie preference and prospective intake of subjects who indicated a “low concern” were not affected by fat content labeling. Results suggest that fat content and information about fat content may affect food preference and intake in pre-adolescent children.     

A Guide to the Statistical Analysis of Long-Term Carcinogenicity Assays

A Guide to the Statistical Analysis of Long-Term CarcinogenicityAssays. MCKNIGHT, B. (1988). Fundam. Appl. Toxicol. 10, 355–364.Statistical methods for analyzing data from chronic carcinogenicitybioassays are reviewed. When treatment groups do not show markeddifferences in tumor-free death rates, methods that comparethe crude proportions of animals that develop tumors can berecommended as valid and powerful comparisons of age-specifictumor incidence rates. When the age at tumor onset can be observed,techniques of survival analysis such as the logrank test canadjust for differing tumor-free mortality rates. If tumors arestrictly nonlethal, the age-adjusted comparison of tumor prevalenceamong dying animals compares age-specific tumor incidence rates.When tumors are occult or of intermediate lethality and whentumor-free death rates differ substantially, a variety of techniquesare available, but most are computationally intensive and relyeither on the collection of additional data or on additionalassumptions that may not be met.     

The value of bacteriology and serology in the diagnosis of necrotizing fasciitis

Fourteen patients with necrotizing fasciitis are described. In thirteen the cause was Streptococcus pyogenes [Group A beta haemolytic streptococcus (BHS)]; in the fourteenth, Staphylococcus aureus was responsible. In the acute fulminating form of the disease, BHS can be cultured from the affected tissues. In the less acute form, particularly when the patient has been previously treated with antibiotics, other bacteria colonize the tissues and the BHS cannot be isolated. Serological evidence of infection with Streptococcus pyogenes can be ascertained in all such patients by finding high levels of anti-desoxyribonuclease B and anti-hyaluronidase. Measurement of the anti-streptolysin O titre is not helpful. Once the diagnosis is made, surgical removal of all necrotic tissue is still the treatment of choice.     

Induction of mixed-function oxidases in mouse liver by psoralens

8-methoxypsoralen, the most widely used psoralen in photochemotherapy, was shown to induce mixed-function oxidases. Induction of mixed-function oxidases in mouse liver was examined after mice were given a single dose of one of three psoralens. 8-methoxypsoralen clearly induced p-nitro-anisole-O-demethylase and slightly induced aryl hydrocarbon hydroxylase. Psoralen and 4,5′,8-trimethylpsoralen failed to induce either enzyme. These results represent the first enzyme induction studies on these clinically useful compounds. The studies may have relevance in understanding the clinical differences in skin photosensitizing activity and photochemotherapeutic effectiveness of the compounds in such diseases as psoriasis and vitiligo.     

SENSORY DEPRIVATION IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Summary The importance of the role of intentional movement and active exploration in the development of a child's knowledge concerning his body, his movement and his surrounding is recognized. Senoristasis is defined and the concept applied to deprivation studies with animal and human subjects. It is suggested that the principle can be used to explain behavioural patterns found in two groups of children who may suffer from sensory deprivation; namely those who live in environments which provide insufficient stimulation and those who lack the necessary mobility to explore the environment in which they live. The importance in a young child's development of a rich sensory environment and opportunities for exploration are stressed.     

ASSESSMENT OF FLEXOR TENOSYNOVITIS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

Assessment of the effect of therapy—physical, surgical,or local corticosteroid Injections—in the management ofrheumatoid flexor tenosynovitis has proved difficult. This paperdescribes a simple, accurate and reproducible method of documentationusing a photocopying technique. Its application to a study ofthe role of hydrocortisone injections in the management of flexortenosynovitis is presented.