Skinfold thickness measurements are better predictors of body fat percentage than body mass index in male Spanish children and adolescents

OBJECTIVES: Risk factors for increased blood lead concentration (BPb) has been investigated. However, the effect of sibship and Chinese herbal medicine on BPb has not been systematically studied. In this study BPb data from voluntary testing was used to determine if Chinese herbal medicine and sibship were associated with BPb. METHODS: 319 children aged 1-7 were tested for BPb. Meanwhile, parents were interviewed to obtain information including consumption of Chinese herbal medicine, living environment, lifestyle, and sibship of the children tested. RESULTS: The mean (SD) BPb of 319 preschool children was 4.4 (2.4) micrograms/dl. The consumption of Ba-baw-san (a Chinese herbal medicine) was significantly associated with increased BPb in children (p = 0.038). Further multivariate regression analysis of BPb in 50 pairs of siblings showed the factors of being brothers explained 75% of variation for BPb, and being sisters and brother-sister explained 51% and 41% of variation respectively. CONCLUSION: Chinese herbal medicine and children's play patterns within the family expressed in different types of sibship are the main determinants of low concentrations of BPb in preschool children of Taiwan.     

Use of hospital services by AIDS patients with psychiatric illness

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of psychiatric illness on length of stay and patterns of admission among AIDS patients hospitalized for medical illnesses. Medical records were abstracted for AIDS patients admitted to hospitals in Washington State from 1990 through 1992. Psychiatric comorbidity was defined by the presence of an International Classification of Disease-9 code reflecting psychiatric illness. Medical morbidity was addressed using CD4 count and AIDS-defining illnesses as markers of disease severity. Of 2834 admissions, 15% included one or more psychiatric diagnoses. Psychiatric illness (F 39.1; df 1,2830; p < 0.001) and discharge disposition (F 81.2; df 2,2830; p < 0.001) contributed significantly to the model, explaining increased length of stay (F 67.2; df 3,2830; p < 0.001). Future research needs to address the possible etiology of psychiatric comorbidity's contribution to length of stay and the effect on quality and cost of care.     

Growth behavior of fibroblasts on microgrooved polystyrene

We investigated the contact guidance phenomenon of rat dermal fibroblasts (RDF) on microgrooved polystyrene substrates. Grooves were 1 microm deep, and between 1 and 10 microm wide. Light microscopy and digital image analysis (DIA) showed that RDF were oriented on all microgrooved substrates. Scanning electron microscopy showed that RDF cultured on 1 or 2 microm wide grooves were positioned on top of the ridges. On the wider 5 and 10 microm grooves, the cells were able to descend into the grooves. In confocal laser scanning microscopy, focal adhesions were lying in the same direction as the actin filament where they attached to. DIA confirmed an orientational behavior of focal adhesions and actin filaments on microgrooves. There were no differences in the measured orientation between the different grooves. Besides, no obvious preference was found for focal adhesions to lie along edges of the surface ridges. Transmission electron microscopy showed that focal adhesions were able to bend along the edges of ridges. On the basis of our observations, we suggest that the breakdown and formation of fibrous cellular components, especially in the filopodium, is influenced by the microgrooves. The microgrooves create a pattern of mechanical stress, which influences cell spreading and cause the cell to be aligned with surface microgrooves.     

Mammalian and Drosophila dachshund genes are related to the Ski proto-oncogene and are expressed in eye and limb

The human myeloid leukemias are a diverse group of disorders characterized by massive clonal expansion of myeloid cells showing variable degrees of differentiation block. Leukemic dendritic cells were generated in culture from chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML). These were used to stimulate autologous T cells to develop leukemia-specific cytotoxicity. Available data suggest that the cells responsible for the cytolytic activity are at least in part CD8+ and HLA restricted in their function. Additional data suggest that some anti-CML cellular activity may be Fas mediated. T-cell receptor studies provide evidence for an oligoclonal response implying a recognition of a limited number of antigens. We have used culture techniques similar to those used for CML to study the ability of AML cells to differentiate toward dendritic cells. Four of five patients have shown acute leukemia-derived dendritic cells. This work offers an avenue for the development of novel strategies for the control of human myeloid leukemias.     

Gastric trichobezoar in a banner-tailed kangaroo rat (Dipodomys spectabilis)

A male, wild-caught kangaroo rat developed anorexia and wasting. The animal was euthanized and a gastric trichobezoar found at necropsy. The paucity of information regarding the clinical medicine of this species is a hindrance to those charged with the care of kangaroo rats. Gastric trichobezoar should be considered as a differential diagnosis in cases of anorexia in kangaroo rats.     

Routine intraoperative laparoscopic cholangiography

BACKGROUND: Whether intraoperative laparoscopic cholangiography should be routine is debatable. METHODS: We reviewed the cholangiography experience in 669 consecutive laparoscopic cholecystectomies. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 39 years, 78% were female, and 29% had acute cholecystitis. Cholecystectomy was completed laparoscopically in 606 (91%). Laparoscopic cholangiography was completed in 562 (93%) and 348 (62%) were routine (no preoperative indication). The mean operating time in 1996 was 61 minutes. Out of the 348 routine cholangiograms, 17 demonstrated evidence of unsuspected choledocholithiasis. Five patients had choledocholithiasis documented by laparoscopic common bile duct exploration and/or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. Two patients had normal postoperative cholangiopancreatography. One of 10 patients managed expectantly was readmitted postoperatively with obstructive jaundice. In 4 patients, routine cholangiography revealed unexpected anatomy, and in 2, this prevented misidentification and transection of the common bile duct. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic cholangiography is safe, quick, detects unsuspected choledocholithiasis, and can prevent common bile duct transection. It should be routine.     

Deconditioning reduces mineral content of the third metacarpal bone in horses

Diet and exercise are two management factors that affect bone density and strength. We proposed that bone density and calcium status would be affected by deconditioning for 12 wk and by dietary Ca concentration. Eleven highly conditioned Arabian horses were taken out of training and placed in stalls for 12 wk. Horses were walked on a mechanical walker in two 30-min sessions, 7 d/wk. Diets were designated CC (.36% Ca) and HC (.62% Ca). Data were collected every 21 d. Serum or plasma were analyzed for total and ionized Ca, parathyroid hormone, osteocalcin, hydroxyproline, electrolytes, and blood gases. Bone mineral content (BMC) of the left third metacarpal bone was estimated by radiographic photometry using an aluminum step wedge, which was exposed in each radiograph, as a reference standard for an image analysis system. During deconditioning, BMC decreased by approximately 1.1 g/2 cm, or .45% per week. This decrease was unaffected by dietary Ca. Serum Ca concentration increased with deconditioning. The results suggest that dietary Ca at twice the currently recommended level did not prevent the loss of BMC in response to deconditioning. Loss of BMC during 12 wk of stall confinement may weaken bones, increasing the risk of skeletal injuries when training is resumed.