Nutrition labels in bar graph format deemed most useful for consumer purchase decisions using adaptive conjoint analysis

This study estimated the effects of changing multiple levels and combinations of nutrition information format, load, expression, and order on consumers' perceptions of label usefulness in purchase decisions using adaptive conjoint analysis. A shopping mall intercept survey, which was administered by a marketing research firm, assessed consumer preferences for 12 label alternatives produced on Campbell's soup cans to portray nutrition information realistically; 252 of 258 respondents completed the computer interactive interview. Consumers significantly preferred the bar graph format to the bar graph/nutrient density and traditional label formats. Consumers considered the bar graph/nutrient density format to be as useful as the traditional label format. There was a highly significant difference among the three levels of information load; the most information load was preferred regardless of nutrient importance. Consumers significantly preferred nutrition information stated in absolute numbers and percentages vs in absolute numbers only in traditional, or in percentages only expressions. There was a significant difference between consumer preferences for the two types of information order. The findings indicate that consumers clearly preferred the nutrition label that displayed all nutrient values using a bar graph format, offered the most information load, and expressed nutrient values using both absolute numbers and percentages. Consumers also preferred nutrition information rearranged in an order that grouped nutrients that should be consumed in adequate amounts on the top, calories in the middle, and nutrients that should be consumed in lesser amounts on the bottom of the label.     

Holographic interferometry forIn Vitro investigation of bioprosthetic valves

Dysfunction of heart valve prostheses—mechanical as well as biological—is a common problem in cardiac surgery. The reasons for the valve failures are still not well understood. Biological valves especially have an unsatisfactory durability; degeneration and calcification very often lead to the failure of the valves. In our opinion, hidden defects present in the valve material prior to implantation of the valves is a plausible explanation for the dysfunction. Hitherto there has been no technique to detect these defects without destructing the specimen. Holographic interferometry proved to be applicable forin vitro evaluation of mechanical heart valve prostheses. In the present paper we describe application of this method to biological valves. Nine porcine bioprostheses and four fresh porcine aortic valves were investigated by means of holographic interferometry. In eight of nine bioprostheses, the results showed irregularities of the leaflet structure which depend on anomalies of the connective tissue of the leaflets of the valves. To make sure that these findings are not due to normal variations of the morphology, the investigations were carried out with fresh and unfixated porcine aortic valves. In the latter, no such anomalies of the structure were detected. The results obtained confirm the above hypothesis on the origin of the later valve dysfunction. Thus, holographic interferometry tests of bioprostheses prior to their implantation prevent the use of potentially dysfunctional valves.Presented at the 35th World Congress, International College of Angiology, Copenhagen, Denmark, July 1993     

What the structure of angiostatin may tell us about its mechanism of action

Summary.  Originally discovered in 1994 by Folkman and coworkers, angiostatin was identified through its antitumor effects in mice and later shown to be a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. An internal fragment of plasminogen, angiostatin consists of kringle domains that are known to be lysine-binding. The crystal structure of angiostatin was the first multikringle domain-containing structure to be published. This review will focus on what is known about the structure of angiostatin and its implications in function from the current literature.     

Plasma amino acid concentrations in geriatric control and hip-fracture patients.

Changes in plasma amino acids, 24-h nitrogen balances, and resting metabolic expenditures (RMEs) were measured in 10 geriatric patients (aged 70-92 y) with hip fracture 1 d after surgical fixation during both a 24-h fasting state and while receiving total peripheral parenteral nutrition (TPPN) for 24 h at 1.5 g amino acids.kg-1.d-1 and 29-30 kcal.kg-1.d-1 and compared with 19 healthy volunteer subjects (aged 70-84 y). RME and 24-h urinary nitrogen losses were also elevated in the trauma patients during both fasting and TPPN. Positive nitrogen balances were evident in both groups during TPPN. Plasma total amino acid concentration was significantly lower in the trauma patients because of lower plasma concentrations of the nonessential amino acids. Phenylalanine and methionine concentrations were significantly higher and lysine lower in the trauma group. In addition, evaluation of the essential amino acid ratios after fasting and TPPN reveal that there are no limiting amino acids during TPPN.     

Pulmonary function, nutrition, and self-concept in cystic fibrosis summer campers

Children with cystic fibrosis (CF) often attend special summer camps. We postulated that beyond the simple fun of camp, attendance at camp might improve the clinical status and self-image of the campers. We therefore studied lung function, nutrition, and self-image in 45 children between the ages 6 and 12 years after a two-week CF summer camp. Although there was a 10 percent fall in respiratory rate during camp, spirometry did not change significantly. There were, however, significant gains in weight, skin fold thickness, and midarm circumference after two weeks at camp, and these increases were positively correlated with the number of pancreatic enzymes taken daily by the child. The Primary Self-Concept Inventory test was completed by each camper on the first and last days of camp. Although there was a trend toward increasing self-concept during camp, this did not reach statistical significance. Two weeks' attendance at summer camp appears to be associated with improved nutrition in children with CF. This may be due to increased emphasis on weight gain and appropriate use of pancreatic enzymes or to other factors, like avoidance of tobacco smoke exposure, that are unique to the summer camp setting.     

Die proximale Femurfraktur des älteren Patienten

In a retrospective study, 1.173 fractures of the proximal femur, which had been treated surgically, were analysed in two periods from 1975 to 1991 and from 1992 to 2000. The influence on mortality of preoperative risk factors and primary treatment with total hip replacement (THR), even in cases of pertrochanteric fractures, was analysed by stepwise logistic regression. In the later period, mortality within 90 days was 13.1%, and within 1 year 22.2%. Rejection of hemiendoprosthesis in high-risk patients with intracapsular fractures increased the mortality rate from 6.3% to 11.8%. The introduction of dynamic hip screws instead of Ender nails led to a reduction of mortality from 16.5 to 7.1%. Higher mortality after THR (27.6%) compared to osteosynthesis (15.5%) in pertrochanteric femur and lateral neck fractures was due to higher age and increased risk factors. Although the influence of some risk factors could be reduced, age, sex and morbidity influenced the outcome more than surgical treatment. THP, even after pertrochanteric fractures, is reasonable if it guarantees a quick and enduring mobilisation of the patient. Bicentric bipolar prostheses are recommended for high risk patients.     

A simple technique for thoracoscopic resection of lung tumors

Mainly incited by the bushfirelike spread of endoscopic operative techniques in general surgery, thoracoscopy has become the object of new interest in the field of thoracic surgery. Location and resection of lung tumors are problematic for several reasons and so far not standardized. The main problems are pointed out. A new technique together with the instruments and their advantages is demonstrated. Future aspects are discussed.     

Cytologische und cytogenetische Untersuchungen an homologen und heterologen Lymphocyten-Mischkulturen

Zusammenfassung In Mischkulturen von menschlichen Blutlymphocyten verschiedener Spender treten auch in Abwesenheit von Phytohämagglutinin oder von spezifischen Antigenen aktivierte, blastenartige und proliferierende Zellen auf. In Erweiterung bisher vorliegender Befunde wurden Untersuchungen über die gegenseitige Lymphocytenstimulation bei der Kultivierung von Blutzellen anisogenetischer menschlicher Spender und von Milzlymphocyten der Maus und des Meerschweinchens durchgeführt. Die Ergebnisse zeigen, daß die reziproke Lymphocytenaktivierung nicht artbegrenzt ist, sondern auch in Mischkulturen der verschiedenen intra- und interspezifischen Versuchsgruppierungen vorhanden ist. Die in den homologen und heterologen Lymphocyten-Mischkulturen in wechselnder Zahl auftretenden blastenartig transformierten und proliferierenden Zellen zeigen in ihren cytologischfärberischen Eigenschaften eine weitgehende Übereinstimmung mit den unter Phytohämagglutininbzw. spezifischer Antigen-Stimulation nachweisbaren aktivierten Lymphocyten. Cytogenetische Untersuchungsverfahren erlauben mit Hilfe der Chromosomen-Marker-Technik anhand einfacher chromosomaler Erkennungsmerkmale eine Analyse der jeweiligen Herkunft der blastenartigen Zellen und liefern den Beleg dafür, daß die Lymphocyten der Spender-Partner sich gegenseitig zu stimulieren vermögen.

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Summary Blastoid transformation and proliferation of lymphocytes can be observed in mixed cultures of human white blood cells of different donors. This transformation occurs in the absence of phytohaemagglutinin or specific antigens. Observations on reciprocal activation of anisogeneic human lymphocytes of peripheral blood are supplemented by results on mixed cultures of spleen lymphocytes from the mouse and guinea-pig. It should be stressed that reciprocal lymphocytic activation is not limited to a species, but occurs in intra- and interspecific combinations from different donors. This effect can be observed in animals which show no or only a conditioned phytohaemagglutinin-response of lymphocytes. The blastoid cells occuring in homologous and heterologous mixed lymphocyte cultures display the same cytologic characteristics as the human blastoid cells induced by phytohaemagglutinin or antigenic stimulation. Cytogenetic methods provide means of identification of the individual origin of blastoid cells by using simple cytogenetic (chromosomal) markers in the different sexes or species of the donors. Thus it can be stated that mixed lymphocytic reaction leads to a mutual or two-way activation of the lymphocytes of both donors. The mixed lymphocytic reaction seems to represent a immunocytological reaction based on a membrane-bound antigen-antibody interaction of competent lymphocytes.

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Auszugsweise vorgetragen auf der 50. Tagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Pathologie in Heidelberg, 1966.

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Mit Unterstützung der Deutschen Forschungsgemeinschaft.