Composition (lean and fat tissue) of weight changes in adult Danes

BACKGROUND: Weight loss may be associated with unfavorable changes in body composition not compensated for by subsequent weight gain. OBJECTIVE: We examined the composition of weight change in relation to obesity, previous weight changes, weight-loss attempts, and physical activity. DESIGN: Part of the Danish MONICA (Monitoring Trends in Cardiovascular Disease) project, this was a longitudinal population study of changes in weight and body composition, with examinations in 1982-1983, 1987-1988, and 1993-1994. A total of 1236 men and 1200 women aged 35, 45, 55, or 65 y in 1987-1988 participated. Changes in fat and fat-free mass were measured by bioelectrical impedance. RESULTS: Before adjustment for age-related changes, fat-free mass made up 41% of weight lost and 24% of weight gained in men. In women, loss of fat-free mass (35%) was more than double that of gains (15%). After adjustment, the fractions of weight gained as fat-free mass were not significantly different from the fractions lost. These fractions were independent of age, obesity, and weight changes in the previous 5 y; successful weight-loss attempts; and physical activity. Independent of age and degree of obesity, weight changes were associated with greater changes in fat-free mass in men than in women. CONCLUSIONS: These data do not support the theory that weight loss or weight cycling may lead to an unfavorable body composition, nor do they provide a biological explanation for why long-term weight loss is often unsuccessful. However, the metabolic and health consequences of weight change may differ in men and women.     

Interleukin-10 reverses acute detrimental effects of endotoxin-induced inflammation on perinatal cerebral hypoxia-ischemia

Dithiocarbamates, a class of compounds widely used in medicine and agriculture, have been reported to impair sleep structure. These effects have been attributed to the decrease in norepinephrine levels induced by these drugs. However, it has also been recently demonstrated that most of the mechanisms by which dithiocarbamates damage cell function involve changes in oxidative environment. To verify the potential relevance of the latter mechanism in the sleep impairment, we examined the sleep response of adult rats to an acute administration of diethyldithiocarbamate (DDTC). At the dose of 0.6 g/kg, DDTC induced fragmentation and a decrease in slow wave sleep (SWS), and a dramatic loss of paradoxical sleep (PS). These changes occurred soon after the treatment (day 0), persisted the following day (day 1), partially recovered on day 3, and regained near basal values on day 6. No sleep anomalies were observed with a lower dose of DDTC (0.06 mg/kg). On the other hand, when the higher dose of DDTC was given in association with either one of two antioxidants, alpha-tocopherol or melatonin, the amounts of SWS and PS significantly improved even on day 1, suggesting that the DDTC effects on sleep involved an impairment of the brain oxidative balance. Likewise, administration of the lower dose of DDTC 5 days before the higher dose induced a much earlier recovery of normal sleep, presumably due to the development of a tolerance to DDTC. On the whole, the data suggest that the brain oxidative environment may play a role in the mechanisms subserving sleep regulation.     

Religious trajectories and transitions over the life course

This study examined patterns of change and stability in religiosity over the life course. Open-ended interviews with 129 adults aged 65 and older provided a rich source of data for applying a life course perspective to the study of religion. Two theoretical constructs from the life course perspective (i.e., trajectories and transitions) were used as a framework for understanding religion and aging. The interviews were content analyzed to identify: 1) dimensions of religiosity that exhibit change; 2) patterns of religious trajectories; and 3) social forces that promote changes in religiosity. These analyses revealed four distinct patterns: stable, increasing, decreasing, and curvilinear trajectories. Several forces were involved with either increasing religiosity (e.g., child rearing, adverse life experiences) or decreasing religiosity (e.g., disillusionment with church members, adverse life experiences). Directions for future research are discussed.     

Decreased serum levels of clara cell secretory protein (CC16) are associated with bronchiolitis obliterans and may permit early diagnosis in patients after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation

BACKGROUND: Bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is a common complication and is associated with high mortality after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT). Early diagnosis of BO may improve outcome. Low levels of Clara cell secretory protein (CC16) have previously been associated with BO in lung transplant recipients. METHODS: Serum samples were collected from eight patients with BO, eight patients with chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), and eight control patients with neither BO nor chronic GVHD in a matched patient analysis. Patients were matched for diagnosis, conditioning, donor match, and GVHD prophylaxis. Another seven patients with BO were also analyzed separately. CC16 was measured with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. RESULTS: In the matched analysis, eight patients were diagnosed with BO at a median of 11.5 months (range, 4-13 months) after SCT and in non-matched BO patients at a median of 12 months (range, 9-36 months). In the matched patient analysis, patients with BO had significantly lower (P=0.03) or decreasing (P=0.02) levels of CC16 compared with patients with only chronic GVHD or controls. In the matched patient analysis, measurement of CC16 showed a sensitivity of 88% and a specificity of 81%.With the criteria of low levels of CC16 or a decrease of more than 40% compared with the previous sample, BO was detected with analysis of CC16 in 13 of 15 patients. In 11 of the 13 patients, low or decreasing values of CC16 were detected at a median of 10 months (range, 1-30 months) before BO was diagnosed clinically. CONCLUSIONS: Low levels of CC16 are associated with BO after allogeneic SCT. Monitoring of CC16 in serum after SCT may have potential as an early marker for BO.     

Exposure and airway effects of seafood industry workers in northern Norway

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we explored airway symptoms and exposure to bioaerosols and exhaust gases in seafood industry plants. METHODS: The study details the results from personal and environmental exposure measurements (17 plants), a questionnaire (n = 984), and clinical examinations (n = 225). RESULTS: The workers were exposed to allergens, endotoxins, molds, and exhaust. The 1-year prevalence of work-related airway symptoms was 42.8% for production workers and 25.9% for administrative workers. Mean levels of forced expiratory volume in 1 second and forced vital capacity were less than the predicted values in all exposed nonsmoker groups. A total of 20.5% had increased levels of total IgE (>/=100 kU/L). Specific IgE-mediated reactions seemed to be relevant only in the shrimp industry. CONCLUSIONS: Seafood industry workers showed a high prevalence of work-related airway symptoms. Further research on the relationship between exposure and effects is necessary.     

Feeling cold at work increases the risk of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways in seafood industry workers

BACKGROUND: Norwegian workers in seafood industry plants are exposed to a cold and often wet environment. METHODS: 1,767 seafood industry workers participated in a questionnaire study. Seventeen plants were visited for thermal measurements. RESULTS: 15.9% of industrial workers and 1.7% of administrative workers reported that they often felt cold at work. Mean finger temperatures after 1 hr work varied between 16 and 22 degrees C. Foot temperature dropped from morning measurement until lunch time in 85% of the measurements. Industrial workers who reported that they often felt cold, had significantly increased prevalence of symptoms from muscles, skin, and airways while working, compared to workers who reported that they never felt cold at work. CONCLUSIONS: Moderate cooling, caused by a cold indoor working environment, may increase muscle-, airway-, and skin symptoms. The prevalence of feeling cold may be a useful exposure estimate in moderate cold exposure situations.     

Emergency cesarean delivery in induction of labor: an evaluation of risk factors

BACKGROUND: Induction of labor has been associated with an increased risk of emergency cesarean delivery. Knowledge of factors that influence the risk of cesarean delivery in women with induced labor is limited. METHODS: We performed a case-control study, nested within a population-based cohort of women with induced labor at term during 1991-1996 in Uppsala County, Sweden. Cases were women delivered with emergency cesarean delivery, and controls were women vaginally delivered (n = 193, respectively). Using logistic regression, analyses were performed. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) was used as a measure of relative risk. RESULTS: Women with a previous cesarean delivery had high risks of cesarean delivery (adjusted OR = 10.10, 95% CI = 3.30-30.92). The risk of cesarean delivery was also increased among nulliparous (adjusted OR = 4.92, 95% CI = 2.81-8.61), short (adjusted OR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.06-4.59), and obese women (adjusted OR = 2.03, 95% CI = 1.07-3.84). A cervix dilatation less than 1.5 cm doubled the risk of cesarean delivery (adjusted OR = 2.26, 95% CI = 1.09-4.66). Mother's age, epidural analgesia, oxytocin augmentation, gestational age, and birthweight were not significantly associated with risks of cesarean delivery. CONCLUSIONS: Women with a previous cesarean delivery, nulliparous, short, and obese women with induced labor are at high risk of a cesarean delivery. When there is a need to deliver a woman with a previous cesarean section or a nulliparous woman with other risk factors for cesarean delivery, it may be prudent to consider an elective cesarean section.     

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor affects serum levels of soluble interleukin-2 receptors after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) levels were analyzed in 127 stem-cell transplant recipients. Granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given to 57 patients after transplantation. We found an association between G-CSF and increased sIL-2R levels. This indicates increased T-cell activation and may be one reason for the previously found increased incidence of acute graft-versus-host disease in G-CSF-treated patients.     

Resuscitation with 100% O2 increases cerebral injury in hypoxemic piglets

Perinatal asphyxia is a major cause of immediate and postponed brain injury in the newborn. We hypothesized that resuscitation with 100% O2 compared with ambient air is detrimental to the cerebral tissue. We assessed cerebral injury in newborn piglets that underwent global hypoxia and subsequent resuscitation with 21 or 100% O2 by extracellular glycerol, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) expression levels, and oxidative stress. Extracellular glycerol was sampled by cerebral microdialysis. MMP levels were analyzed in cerebral tissue by gelatin zymography, broad matrix degrading capacity, and real-time PCR. Total endogenous antioxidant capacity was measured by the oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay. Extracellular glycerol increased 50% after resuscitation with 100% O2 compared with 21% O2. Total MMP activity was doubled in resuscitated animals at endpoint compared with baseline (p=0.018), and the MMP-2 activity was significantly increased in piglets that were resuscitated with 21% O(2) (p=0.003) and 100% O2 (p=0.001) compared with baseline. MMP-2 mRNA level was 100% increased in piglets that were resuscitated with 100% O2 as compared with 21% O2 (p < 0.05). Oxygen radical absorbance capacity values in piglets that were resuscitated with 100% O2 were considerably reduced compared with both baseline (p=0.001) and piglets that were resuscitated with 21% O2 (p=0.001). In conclusion, our data show increased MMP-2 activity at both gene and protein levels, accompanied with cerebral leakage of glycerol, presumably triggered by augmented oxidative stress. Our findings suggest that resuscitation of asphyxiated piglets with 100% O2 is detrimental to the piglet brain compared with resuscitation with 21% O2.