The covariation of common psychosomatic symptoms among children from socio-economically differing residential areas. An epidemiological study

Psychosomatic symptoms among children are believed to be commonplace. In this investigation by questionnaire, 47% of 1333 schoolchildren reported one or several symptoms, such as recurrent abdominal pain, headache, chest pains, loss of appetite and disturbances in bowel function. Coexistence of such symptoms was considerable and if a child had one of these, the probability that it would have one or more other symptoms was significantly increased. This correlation may strengthen both the suspicion that these symptoms are often psychosomatic and the idea that they have common CNS origin. There were appreciable differences in the frequency of the symptoms, between children at the more socially stable schools and schools with social problems. In the latter, the frequencies of symptoms differed between Swedish and immigrant children, which was not the case in the more socially stable schools.     

Breast-feeding and the nutritional status of nursing children in Chile

4-Pentafluoroethylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside is proposed as an efficient substrate for human leukocyte acid beta-glucosidase. Its synthesis is described. This substrate was compared directly with 4-trifluoromethylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside synthesized by us earlier and with 4-methylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside which is commonly used for acid beta-glucosidase activity assay. The specific activity of acid beta-glucosidase with 4-pentafluoroethylumbelliferyl-beta-D-glucoside was 3- and 8-fold higher than it was with the substrates mentioned above. The kinetic parameters KM and VMAX for human leukocyte acid beta-glucosidase with the three substrates was determined. One possible application of the newly synthesized substrate is its use in the diagnosis of acid beta-glucosidase hereditary deficiency (Gaucher's disease).     

Shotcrete for underground support: a state-of-the-art report with focus on steel-fibre reinforcement

This paper reviews current trends in shortcreting, primarily based on the Status Report of a Working Group of the International Tunneling Association and the most recent U.S. Engineering Foundation conference on the theme (held in Uppsala, Sweden, in 1990). Of special interest is the increasing use of fibre reinforcement, which implies increased safety and substantial cost savings. The need for scientific collaboration and exchange of ideas between concrete and rock mechanics specialists is emphasized as a tool for a better understanding of the support behaviour of shotcrete linings.     

Cellular UDP-glucose deficiency caused by a single point mutation in the UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase gene

We previously isolated a mutant cell that is the only mammalian cell reported to have a persistently low level of UDP-glucose. In this work we obtained a spontaneous revertant whose UDP-glucose level lies between those found in the wild type and the mutant cell. The activity of UDP-glucose pyrophosphorylase (UDPG:PP), the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of UDP-glucose, was in the mutant 4% and in the revertant 56% of the activity found in the wild type cell. Sequence analysis of UDPG: PP cDNAs from the mutant cell showed one missense mutation, which changes amino acid residue 115 from glycine to aspartic acid. The substituted glycine is located within the largest stretch of strictly conserved residues among eukaryotic UDPG:PPs. The analysis of the cDNAs from the revertant cell indicated the presence of an equimolar mixture of the wild type and the mutated mRNAs, suggesting that the mutation has reverted in only one of the alleles. In summary, we demonstrate that the G115D substitution in the Chinese hamster UDPG:PP dramatically impairs its enzymatic activity, thereby causing cellular UDP-glucose deficiency.     

The use of natural essential oils as antimicrobial solutions in paper packaging. Part II

We have assessed the antimicrobial, vapor-phase activity of the following natural essential oils (EOs) when used in paraffin-based “active coatings” for paper packaging materials intended to come into contact with foods: clove (Sygzium aromaticum), cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum), and oregano (Origanum vulgare) EOs, and cinnamaldehyde-enriched cinnamon EO. To our knowledge, this is the first time that such an approach has been presented for consideration by the scientific community.     

Characterization of a lectin-like protein isolated from Lachesis muta snake venom

A lectin-like protein was isolated from L. muta venom by gel filtration on BIO Gel P-100 followed by column Chromatography on DEAE-sephades A-50. The protein eluted at 0.4 M Nacl in 0.01 Tris pH 7.3 and exhibited agglutinin activity toward 0+ human erythrocytes. The protein is a dimer with Mr 28 kDa. Amino acid analysis revealed high content of tryptophan and acid recidues and low content of cysteine and methionine residues. No neutral carbohydrates and sialic acid were detected. Circular dichroic spectrum shows 78% of B structure and 1% of alpha structure. In vitro experiments with erythrocytes from rat, rabbit and dog revealed strong agglutination while red blood cells from mice, sheep and goat were not agglutinated. In vivo experiments using anesthetized rats, a sharp and prolonged fall in the blood pressure was observed at protein dose of 1.5 mg/kg. Double dose of protein caused the death of the animal.     

Study of the use of vitamin K in neonates in France

Our objective was to assess flow velocity waveforms of the portal venous system of the anemic fetus prior to and immediately following intravascular transfusion. Color-guided pulsed Doppler was used to obtain flow velocity waveforms from the fetal portal vein in 14 anemic fetuses that were transfused in utero for rhesus alloimmunization The portal vein velocity pattern was defined as continuous when no change in velocity during the cardiac cycle was noted. It was defined as pulsatile when a deflection of the wave was present. The flow velocity waveforms were quantified by using the ratio between the peak (highest, H) and the nadir (lowest, L) velocities (H/L ratio). Fourteen intravascular transfusions were performed. Gestational age ranged from 19.5 to 35 weeks (mean +/- SD, 26.7 +/- 5.3 weeks). The hematocrit ranged from 5.9 to 31.2% (mean +/- SD, 20.3 +/- 9%) prior to transfusion; after transfusion it was between 24.8 and 56.7% (mean +/- SD, 42 +/- 10.4%). In six cases (43%) the waveforms were pulsatile prior to transfusion; in the other eight (57%) they were continuous. The pulsatile pattern was present following transfusion in 13 cases (93%, p < 0.05). The mean of the H/L ratio was 1.3 +/- 0.38 prior to transfusion and 2.0 +/- 0.86 after transfusion (p < 0.05). Because the portal vein has continuous non-pulsatile flow in the normal fetus, the presence of pulsatility in the waves of six anemic fetuses (43%) may suggest portal hypertension. Compared to normal fetuses, there was an increased number of cases with pulsation, and even more so after transfusion. The pattern corresponds to findings in children with portal hypertension.     

Stoichiometric dye-binding procedure for the determination of the reactive lysine content of soya bean protein

A new analytical method has been developed for the determination of the reactive lysine content of soya bean protein. The method is based on the reaction of the free basic groups of the protein with 1-phenylazo-2 naphthol-6,8 disulphonic acid. With regard to the stoichiometry of the procedure, it has been proved, contrary to earlier reports, that the basic amino acids, histidine, arginine and lysine, each combine with one mole of the dye. After acylation with propionic anhydride lysine alone loses its dye reactivity. The usefulness of the proposed method has been demonstrated by the determination of the reactive lysine content of several untreated, heat-treated and acid-treated soya bean samples. The results show that heat damage of about 5% in reactive lysine content can be measured in 1·5 h with good reproducibility.