Prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in obese and normal weight binge eaters

OBJECTIVES: Disturbances in gastrointestinal function may result from disordered eating and may lead to increases in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. We compared GI symptoms in obese and non-obese binge eaters and non-binge eaters. METHODS: One hundred nineteen obese and 77 normal-weight females completed a questionnaire on bowel symptoms and binge eating behaviors for the previous 3 months. Based on binge behaviors and body mass index (> 30 kg/m2), individuals were grouped as obese binge eaters (n = 73), obese non-binge eaters (n = 43), non-obese binge eaters (n = 14), and normal-weight controls (n = 61). RESULTS: Obese binge eaters reported more upper GI symptoms than normal controls or obese non-binge eaters (p < 0.001). Compared with normal controls, nausea, vomiting, and bloating was 2-4 times more prevalent in both binge eating groups. Indigestion was more prevalent in both obese groups. Obese binge eaters reported more lower GI symptoms than normal-weight controls (p < 0.05). Binge eating in both weight groups was associated with more frequent abdominal pain and dyschezia. Obesity was associated with more frequent constipation, diarrhea, straining, and flatus, whether or not subjects reported binge eating. Chi-square showed a significant association between obesity, binge eating, and symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, using the Manning criteria. CONCLUSIONS: Specific GI symptoms were associated with binge eating and obesity. Overall, symptoms were more prevalent and more severe in obese binge eaters. The high prevalence of GI symptoms in obese patients who indulge in binge eating should be considered in their evaluation and treatment.     

Multi-level simulation of metal-forming processes

The IBF has for some years made use of finite element programmes to solve metal-forming problems. In the course of this investigation, it has become evident that a problem-oriented adaptation of FEM simulation to the problem in hand is beneficial in terms of computation effort. The computation time for the process parameters is optimised in a multi-level simulation. At level 1 (global analysis) integral parameters such as the required force and required work are computed using a coarse FEM mesh. At level 2 (local analysis) an optimised number of elements is used to determine continuum mechanics parameters like stress, strain and temperature. Microscopic phenomena are simulated at level 3 (microscopic analysis), using special micro-material elements and thermodynamic models.     

Transient operation of a catalytic liquid-liquid plug flow reactor for kinetics measurements

A centrifugal partition chromatograph (CPC) was used as a liquid-liquid catalytic reactor for the isomerisation of hexen-3-ol into ethylpropylketone with a water soluble rhodium catalyst. Global mass transfer coefficients were measured and shown to depend on both the nature of the solute and the flow rate. Liquid-liquid partition isotherms were also determined with the CPC using elution chromatography. Finally, a reactor model was derived to account for the experimental results obtained both under stationary and transient (pulse) conditions. A parameter sensitivity evaluation is also presented.     

Fatty diet and multiple sclerosis]

INTRODUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT: Multiple sclerosis (ME) is an inflammatory disease of the myelin of the central nervous system, the origin of which is still unknown. Genetic, infectious, immunological and environmental factors have all been blamed, but none of these factors on their own can explain the whole spectrum of this disease. Of the environmental factors, fat in the diet has given rise to most discussion. At the present time, it is known that polyunsaturated essential fatty acids form a part of biological membranes. A relationship has been found between the dietary fat consumed and the plasma levels and cell membrane content. CONCLUSIONS: The possible immuno-modulation function of these fatty acids justify rigorous evaluation of this hypothesis.     

Synthesis and release of ATP by soluble mitochondrial F1 in complex with its inhibitor protein during dimethylsulfoxide-water transitions

Soluble mitochondrial F1 and F1 in complex with the natural ATPase inhibitor protein (F1-IP) catalyze the spontaneous synthesis of [gamma-32P]ATP from medium [32P]phosphate and enzyme-bound ADP when incubated in media with dimethylsulfoxide (Me2SO); under these conditions, the synthesized [gamma-32P]ATP is not released into the media, it remains tightly bound to the enzymes [Gómez-Puyou, A., Tuena de Gómez-Puyou, M. & de Meis, L. (1986) Eur. J. Biochem. 159, 133-140]. Some of the characteristics of the synthesized [gamma-32P]ATP were studied in F1 and F1-IP (ATPase activities of 70 and 1-3 micromol x min(-1) x mg(-1), respectively). In Me2SO media, gamma-phosphate of synthesized ATP in F1 or F1-IP exchanges with medium phosphate. From the rates of the exchange reaction, the half-times for hydrolysis of the synthesized ATP in F1 and F1-IP were calculated: 45 min and 58 min for F1 and F1-IP, respectively. The course that synthesized [gamma-32P]ATP follows after dilution of the Me2SO synthetic mixture with aqueous buffer was determined. After dilution, the half-life of synthesized ATP in F1 was less than 1 min. In F1-IP, ATP was also hydrolyzed, but at significantly lower rates. In F1-IP, dilution also produced release of the synthesized [gamma-32P]ATP. This was assayed by the accessibility of [gamma-32P]ATP to hexokinase. About 25% of [gamma-32P]ATP synthesized in F1-IP, but not in F1, was released into the media after dilution with aqueous buffer that contained 20 mM phosphate. Release of tightly bound ATP required the binding energy of phosphate and solvation of F1-IP, however, the particular kinetics of F1-IP were also central for medium ATP synthesis in the absence of electrochemical H+ gradients.     

Becker muscular dystrophy with bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia

This report describes a case of Becker muscular dystrophy presenting with recurrent symptomatic wide complex tachycardia. Electrophysiologic testing demonstrated the mechanism to be bundle branch reentry ventricular tachycardia. It is important to consider this potential mechanism in patients with ventricular arrhythmias who have this particular clinical entity, since radiofrequency catheter ablation can represent a curative treatment.     

Chicken oviductal ecto-ATP-diphosphohydrolase. Purification and characterization

An ecto-ATP diphosphohydrolase (ATPDase) was purified to homogeneity from vesiculosomes shed from chicken oviduct. First, the ecto-ATPDase-enriched vesiculosomes were concentrated by filtration, differential centrifugation, and exclusion chromatography. Next, the nonionic detergent, Nonidet P-40, was used to extract the ecto-ATPDase from vesiculosomal membranes, and the solubilized enzyme was further purified by ion exchange (DEAE-Bio-Gel) and lentil-lectin-Sepharose 4B chromatography. In the final stage, immunoaffinity chromatography was utilized to obtain purified ecto-ATPDase. More than 25,000-fold purification was achieved. Specific activity of the purified enzyme was greater than 800 micronol/min/mg of protein with MgATP as the substrate, the highest ever reported for an ATPDase. The enzyme also hydrolyzed other nucleoside triphosphates in the presence of magnesium at similar rates and CaATP and MgADP at lower rates. The molecular mass of the purified glycoprotein was 80 kDa as determined by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis. Based on its enzymatic properties, the relationship of the chicken oviduct ecto-ATPDase with other reported ATPDases and ecto-ATPases is discussed.     

Embryotoxic doses of vitamin A to rabbits result in low plasma but high embryonic concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid: risk of vitamin A exposure in humans

Retinoid pharmacokinetics were examined in plasma, placenta and embryos of gestational d 12 rabbits following application of an embryotoxic dosing regimen (10 mg retinyl palmitate/kg body wt per day from gestational d 7 to 12). Vehicle-treated or untreated rabbits served as controls. Physiological concentrations of all-trans-retinoic acid (all-trans-RA) and 13-cis-RA in rabbit plasma (5-8.33 nmol/L) were very close to the endogenous levels in human plasma. In addition, we identified endogenous all-trans-RA, 3,4-didehydroretinol and 3,4-didehydroretinoic acid in rabbit embryo. Following the last retinyl palmitate administration, apparent steady-state concentrations of all retinoids were reached in the examined compartments of rabbits. The major polar retinoid in plasma was 9, 13-di-cis-RA, but its embryonic concentrations were only about 6% of those in plasma. In the embryo, retinol and its esters were found at high concentrations; lower amounts of all-trans-4-oxo-RA and the newly identified 14-hydroxy-4, 14-retro-retinol could also be measured. Embryonic concentrations of all-trans-RA were about 100% higher than endogenous levels. The overall exposure of the embryo to this retinoid was, however, substantial. Embryonic area under the concentration time curve values strongly suggest that the embryotoxicity of the applied dosing regimen is mainly due to the action of all-trans-RA. A very remarkable finding of this study is the marginal increase of plasma concentrations of all-trans-RA over their endogenous levels, which is comparable to the human situation after vitamin A intake. This analogy indicates that high vitamin A intake may be associated with a higher risk for teratogenic effects in humans even in the absence of high elevation of plasma all-trans-RA levels.     

Gestational choriocarcinoma metastatic to the brain treated successfully by stereotactic radiosurgery and chemotherapy

This report analyzes the intracorporal lengths of 236 consecutive organically impotent men who underwent insertion of a penile prosthesis. The average right or left intracorporal length in this series was 20.9 cm, with a standard deviation of 2.2 cm. Intracorporal length ranged from 14-27 cm. This data may be used as reference ranges for penile prosthesis manufacturers, and for Urologists who implant prostheses or perform penile lengthening procedures.     

A wind park reduced-order model using singular perturbations theory

Due to the increasing penetration of wind energy, it is necessary to possess design tools that are able to simulate the impact of these installations on electric utility grids. In order to provide a net contribution to this issue, a detailed wind park model has been developed and is briefly presented. However, the computational costs associated with the performance of such a detailed model in describing the behavior of a wind park composed by a considerable number of units may render its practical application very difficult. To overcome this problem, singular perturbations theory has been applied to reduce the order of the detailed wind park model, and therefore create the conditions for the development of a dynamic equivalent which is able to retain the relevant dynamics with respect to the existing AC power system. Validation results proving the ability of singular perturbations reduced order model to match the results provided by the detailed model are shown and commented upon