Femoral component fixation with and without intramedullary plug A 6-year follow-up

A total of 113 patients underwent a cemented total hip replacement (THR) operation involving femoral component fixation either without the use of a distal intramedullary plug (n = 57, group 1) or with the plug (n =56, group 2). We studied the femoral component fixation radiographically at on average 6 years after THR. The cement coating was assessed as technically good in 86% and 95% of groups 1 and 2, respectively. There was radiographically diagnosable loosening of the femoral component at the follow-up in 25 cases in which stems were inserted without the intramedullary plug, and in 6 cases in those with the plug (P < 0.0008), and the mean subsidence of the femoral component was 5 mm in group 1 and 1.5 mm (P < 0.0003) in group 2, respectively. Osteolytic changes around the femoral component were noticed in both groups in equal numbers and with no statistical difference. The use of a distal intramedullary plug in the cementation of the femoral stem results in a better cement coating, reduces femoral component subsidence and ameliorates the loosening rates.     

Polymeric genes MEL8, MEL9 and MEL10 — new members of α-galactosidase gene family in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Summary We used a combination of genetic hybridization analysis and electrokaryotyping with radioactively labelled MEL1 gene probe hybridization to isolate and identify seven polymeric genes for the fermentation of melibiose in strain CBS 5378 of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (syn. norbensis). Four of the MEL genes, i.e. MEL3, MEL4, MEL6 and MEL7, were allelic to those found in S. cerevisiae strain CBS 4411 (syn. S. oleaginosus) whereas three genes, i.e. MEL8, MEL9 and MEL10 occupied new loci. Electrokaryotyping showed that all seven MEL genes in CBS 5378 were located on different chromosomes. The new MEL8, MEL9 and MEL10 genes were found on chromosomes XV, X/XIV and XII, respectively.     

P-fimbriae vaccines

To test for cross-protective capacity of two different P-fimbriae vaccines we vaccinated baboons with fimbriae purified from either Escherichia coli strain ER2 or strain JR1. The vaccinated animals showed elevated antibody titers to P-fimbriae from each of the E. coli strains used, suggesting cross-reactivity as was expected from the results of immunoprecipitation of the fimbriae. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay inhibition by heterologous P-fimbriae proved this to be true immunologic cross-reactivity.     

Age- and training-related changes in the collagen metabolism of rat skeletal muscle

Summary The effects of ageing and life-long endurance training on the collagen metabolism of skeletal muscle were evaluated in a longitudinal study. Wistar rats performed treadmill running 5 days a week for 2 years. The activities of collagen biosynthesis enzymes, prolyl-4-hydroxylase and galactosylhydroxylysyl glucosyltransferase, were highest in the muscles of the youngest animals, decreased up to the age of 2 months and from then on remained virtually unchanged. The enzyme activity in young animals was higher in the slow collagenous soleus muscle than in the rectus femoris muscle. The enzyme activity in the soleus muscle was higher for older trained rats than older untrained rats. The relative proportion of type I collagen increased and that of type III collagen decreased with age, suggesting a more marked contribution by type I collagen to the agerelated accumulation of total muscular collagen. The results show that collagen biosynthesis decreases with maturation and that life-long endurance training maintains a higher level of biosynthesis in slow muscles.     

New recombinants within the MHC (B-complex) of the chicken

In a search for genetic recombinations within the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) of the chicken, the B-complex, the offspring from matings between heterozygous B15/B21 and B4/B6 animals were analysed by red cell agglutination. Among the progeny, 8,912 informative typings were performed. Four recombinants were found, all separating the B-complex loci B-F and B-G (B-F codes for Class I antigens, B-G codes for an antigen of which there is no known homologue in mammals). B-L (Class II antigen) always followed B-F. Stimulation in graft versus host reactions and in mixed lymphocyte cultures followed B-F/B-L. The mapping distance between the two loci B-F and B-G is in the range of 0.04 centimorgan. The lack of recombinants separating individual B-F loci in this study and in the studies of others might indicate that chicken MHC is less complex than those of mammalian species, but alternative explanations are also possible. So far no serologically defined recombinant separating Class I (B-F) and Class II (B-L) loci has been found.     

Relationship between ventilatory function and age in master athletes and a sedentary reference population

Ageing is accompanied with a decline in respiratory function. It is hypothesised that this may be attenuated by high physical activity levels. We performed spirometry in master athletes (71 women; 84 men; 35–86 years) and sedentary people (39 women; 45 men; 24–82 years), and calculated the predicted lung age (PLA). The negative associations of age with forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV₁; 34 mL·year^?1) and other ventilatory parameters were similar in controls and master athletes. FEV_1pred was 9 % higher (P?<?0.005) and PLA 15 % lower (P?=?0.013) in athletes than controls. There were no significant differences between endurance and power athletes and sedentary people in maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure. Neither age-graded performance nor weekly training hours were significantly related to lung age. Life-long exercise does not appear to attenuate the age-related decrease in ventilatory function. The better respiratory function in master athletes than age-matched sedentary people might be due to self-selection and attrition bias.     

Is Healthier Nutrition Behaviour Associated with Better Self-Reported Health and Less Health Complaints? Evidence from Turku,Finland

We examined nutrition behaviour, self-reported health and 20 health complaints of undergraduates in Finland. Students at the University of Turku in Finland participated in a cross-sectional online survey (N = 1189). For nutrition behaviour, we computed two composite food intake pattern scores (sweets, cakes and snacks; and fruits and vegetables), a dietary guideline adherence index and the subjective importance of healthy eating. Multinomial logistic regression assessed the association of students’ nutrition behaviour with three levels of self-reported health, controlling for many potential confounders (age, sex, living with partner, economic situation, moderate physical activity, Faculty and BMI). Factor analysis of the 20 health complaints revealed three components (psychological, pains/aches and circulatory/breathing symptoms). Multiple linear regression tested the association of students’ eating habits with the three components of health complaints, controlling for the same confounders. Fruits and raw and cooked vegetable consumption, dietary guideline adherence index and subjective importance of healthy eating were highest among students with excellent/very good self-reported health, exhibiting a decreasing trend for those individuals with poor/fair self-reported health. High levels of psychological symptoms were associated with decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables, less dietary guideline adherence and less subjective importance of healthy eating. Pain/aches symptoms were associated with a higher consumption of sweets, cookies and snacks and a lower adherence to dietary guidelines. More healthy nutrition behaviour was consistently associated with better self-reported health and less health complaints. Of the four nutrition behaviour indicators we employed, the dietary guideline adherence index was the best indicator and exhibited the most consistent associations with self-reported health and health complaints.     

How many third molars remain unnoticed in a population survey without panoramic radiographs?

Clinical Oral Investigations - The aim of the study was to compare the findings of clinical examination and panoramic radiograph regarding the occurrence of third molars in a population survey to...