An Evaluation of the Nutrition Services for the Elderly

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FROM THE JOURNALS

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Determination and Concentration of Adenine Nucleotides in Human Blood

Abstract

Background. The microdialysis technique is a method for sampling endogenous molecules from the interstitial compartments of varying tissues and relies on diffusion of molecules between the tissue and a perfusate via a membrane. Such samples do not allow determination of the true interstitial concentration but only a certain percentage. This gives rise to one of the most crucial parameter that needs to be considered for a dependable microdialysis; the relative recovery. Relative recovery states the efficiency of which an analyte is extracted from its external medium. Aim. To investigate the relative recovery of small molecules (< 20 kDa) such as lactate, fluid recovery and the reproducibility of the relative recovery at group and individual level of the microdialysis technique applied in muscle. Materials and methods. Using in vivo microdialysis of the trapezius muscle of 65 women from two separate occasions 4–6 months apart. Relative recovery of small molecules was measured from samples collected every 20 min during a period of 220 min. Results. Good reproducibility at group level of catheters with cut-offs 100 and 20kDa were found. Furthermore, there was a high and steady relative recovery with an overall good fluid recovery. Poor reproducibility was found at the individual level for both catheters. Conclusions. This study demonstrates that when using microdialysis in skeletal muscle relative recovery is stable over time and is not affected by low-force exercise. Although there is a good reproducibility at group level this is not the case at the individual level. Thus in vivo, the relative recovery should be determined for each test subject and at each test occasion.     

不同湿黑球温度下军事劳动时的适宜饮水量

本文依据在不同 WGT 下进行中、重强度劳动时人体的出汗反应以及 WGT与出汗量之间的相互关系,提出比较适合于我军在热环境下劳动时使用的补水量参考值,以增强人体耐热能力,预防中暑的发生。114名健康战士在平均 WGT26.2～31.1℃下受试。实验过程分别测定了 WGT、出汗量、心率、肛温等。结果提示:(1)WGT 与出汗量、蒸发汗量之间存在着非常显著的相关关系,WGT 的变化能相应地反映热环境下劳动者的出汗及其汗液蒸发情况;(2)不同 WGT 下推算中、重强度劳动时的适宜饮水量公式分别为:(?)(L/h)=(0.09762WGT(℃)-2.01938)×80%、(?)(L/h)=(0.10342WGT(℃)-2.00330)×80%;(3)中、重强度下劳动,WGT26.0～32.0℃时的饮水量参考值为0.415～0.962L/h。     

Reference values for clinical chemistry and clinical hematology parameters in baboons

BACKGROUND: In vivo xenotransplantation modeling in large animal species is often performed in nonhuman primates, including baboons. For proper data interpretation, reference values for clinical chemistry and hematology are required. METHODS: These values are available from baseline levels in animals subjected to tolerability/pharmacokinetic studies. For each individual study two tests for clinical chemistry and hematology were performed before the start of treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: We present such data from 17 male and 16 female baboons, with body weights ranging between 4.4 and 14.0 kg (males) and 4.1 and 15.0 kg (females), respectively. The number of duplicate samples per animal determined before each individual study ranged between one and five. These data are reported here to provide baseline values for veterinarians and investigators using baboons in experimental studies, particularly in xenotransplantation.     

Animal models of Central Diabetes Insipidus: Human relevance of acquired beyond hereditary syndromes and the role of oxytocin

The aim of this study was to review different animal models of Central Diabetes Insipidus, a neurobiological syndrome characterized by the excretion of copious amounts of diluted urine (polyuria), a consequent water intake (polydipsia), and a rise in the serum sodium concentration (hypernatremia). In rodents, Central Diabetes Insipidus can be caused by genetic disorders (Brattleboro rats) but also by various traumatic/surgical interventions, including neurohypophysectomy, pituitary stalk compression, hypophysectomy, and median eminence lesions. Regardless of its etiology, Central Diabetes Insipidus affects the neuroendocrine system that secretes arginine vasopressin, a neurohormone responsible for antidiuretic functions that acts trough the renal system. However, most Central Diabetes Insipidus models also show disorders in other neurobiological systems, specifically in the secretion of oxytocin, a neurohormone involved in body sodium excretion.Although the hydromineral behaviors shown by the different Central Diabetes Insipidus models have usually been considered as very similar, the present review highlights relevant differences with respect to these behaviors as a function of the individual neurobiological systems affected. Increased understanding of the relationship between the neuroendocrine systems involved and the associated hydromineral behaviors may allow appropriate action to be taken to correct these behavioral neuroendocrine deficits.     

Reference output tracking control for a flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicle via output feedback

This paper addresses the problem of reference output tracking control for the longitudinal model of a flexible air‐breathing hypersonic vehicle (FAHV) by utilizing the output feedback control approach. The dynamic characteristics of the FAHV along with the aerodynamic effects of hypersonic flight make the flight control of such systems highly challenging. Moreover, there exist some intricate couplings between the engine and flight dynamics as well as complex interaction between rigid and flexible modes in the longitudinal model. These couplings bring difficulty to the flight control design for the intractable hypersonic vehicle systems. This paper deals with the problem of reference output tracking control for the longitudinal model of the FAHV. By utilizing the trim condition information including the state of altitude, velocity, angle of attack, pitch angle, pitch rate and so on, the linearized model is established for the control design objective. Then, the reference output velocity and altitude tracking control design problem is proposed for the linearized model. The flexible models of the FAHV system are hardly measured because of the complex dynamics and the strong couplings of the FAHV. Thus, by using only limited flexible model information, the reference output tracking performance analysis criteria are obtained via Lyapunov stability theory. Then, based on linear matrix inequality optimization algorithm, the static output feedback controller is designed to stabilize the closed‐loop systems, guarantee a certain bound for the closed‐loop value of the cost function, and can make the control output achieve the reference velocity and altitude tracking performance. Subsequently, the condition of dynamic output feedback controller synthesis is given in terms of linear matrix inequalities and a numerical algorithm is developed to search for a desired dynamic output feedback controller which minimizes the cost bound and obtains the excellent reference altitude and velocity tracking performance simultaneously. The effectiveness of the proposed reference output tracking control method is demonstrated in simulation part. Furthermore, the superior reference velocity and altitude performance commands could be achieved via using static and dynamic output feedback controllers under lacking some unmeasured flexible states information in the measurement output vector. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Generalized low bone mass of girls with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is related to inadequate calcium intake and weight bearing physical activity in peripubertal period

Generalized low bone mass has been well documented in patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS). However, studies linking calcium-intake (CA), weight-bearing physical-activity (PA) and bone mass of AIS are lacking. We aimed to study the relationship between CA, PA and bone mass in AIS girls and compared to those of healthy non-AIS controls during the peripubertal period. Newly diagnosed AIS girls (n=596) aged 11–16 years with Cobb angle 10° were recruited to compare with age-matched healthy girls (n=302) in a cross-sectional study. Anthropometric parameters, pubertal status, CA and PA were assessed. Areal bone mass of lumbar spine and femoral neck, and volumetric bone mass of distal radius and tibia were determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and peripheral quantitative computed tomography, respectively. The results showed that weight and body mass index (BMI) of AIS were lower than the controls (P<0.05). Corrected height and arm span of AIS were longer than those of controls from 13 years onwards (P<0.02). Median CA of AIS was <410 mg/day across the ages and did not differ from the controls (P=0.063). Median PA of AIS (1.6 h/day) was lower than the controls (1.8 h/day) (P=0.025). Bone mass of AIS was on average 6.5% lower than controls across the ages (P<0.05). CA and PA were significantly correlated with bone mass of AIS (P<0.04). Multivariate analysis showed that AIS in girls was associated with lower bone mass, and that both CA and PA were independent predictors of bone mass in AIS. In conclusion, AIS girls were found to have lower body weight and BMI, longer segmental lengths and generalized low bone mass. Inadequate calcium intake and weight-bearing physical activity were significantly associated with low bone mass in AIS girls during the peripubertal period. The importance of preventing generalized osteopenia in the control of AIS progression during the peribubertal period warrants further study.     

Influence of weight and weight change on bone loss in perimenopausal and early postmenopausal Scottish women

Weight is recognized as an important factor in determining an individuals risk of osteoporosis. However, little is known about whether weight or weight change influences bone loss around the time of the menopause, and the relationship with energy intake and physical activity level remains largely undefined. Healthy premenopausal women (1,064 selected from a random population of 5,119 women aged 45–54 years at baseline) each had bone mineral density (BMD), weight and height measurements, and completed a food frequency and physical activity questionnaire. Of the original participants, 907 women (85.2%) returned 6.3 ± 0.6 years later for repeat BMD measurements, and 896 women completed the questionnaires. Bone loss at the hip (FN) and spine (LS) occurred before the menopause. Weight change rather than weight was associated with FN BMD loss (r=0.102, p=0.002), but weight at follow-up was associated with LS BMD change (r=0.105, p=0.002). Although an increase in physical activity level (PAL) appeared to be beneficial for FN BMD in women who were heavy weight gainers, PAL was associated with increased LS BMD loss in women who lost weight. For current HRT users, neither weight nor weight change was associated with change in BMD. Postmenopausal women not taking HRT should be made aware that low body weight or losing weight during this particularly vulnerable period may worsen bone loss.     

上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的剂量水平与分析

目的 掌握上海市成年人胸部后前位(正位)X射线摄影的剂量水平现状,分析影响剂量水平的主要因素.方法 用热释光剂量元件测量照射野中心的最大剂量(入射体表剂量).根据普通X射线机、计算机摄影设备CR和数字摄影设备DR 3大类设备数量及其在各级医院分布的比例,共测量1032名成年人在接受胸部正位X射线摄影时的入射体表剂量,并记录相应的主要摄影参数及相关信息.分析入射体表剂量均值与医院等级、设备类型以及主要摄影参数的差异情况.结果 上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的入射体表剂量算术均值为0.23 mGy,其第75百分位数为0.28 mGy,小于我国目前推荐的诊断参考水平0.40 mGy.入射体表剂量均值与医院等级、设备类型以及常用摄影参数等显著相关.结论 与20世纪末相比,上海市成年人胸部正位X射线摄影的入射体表剂量水平下降明显,并存在可进一步下降的条件.