bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Immuno-Biological Test of Species Specificity in a Low-Molecular Organic Extract (<10,000 D)
Authors: de Crignis G.L. , Schmid D.O.
Published: April 2003

A pharmacological formulation derived from bovine blood was studied for species-specific substances, the problem being the low-molecular weight of its components. A detection of the species specificity for bovines was possible exclusively by the use of monovalent bovine-specific blood group sera. All other sera showed cross-reactions. Inhibition tests and blood-group-specific bovine test sera enabled us to identify the species specificity of bovines in the drug concentrate at dilutions up to 1/1,000 which are used as the basis for the production of the medication. The requirement of the German authorities (BGA) to examine the specificity of the identity in the medication can therefore be met by this immunobiological method.
Immunogenetic Evidence for the Phylogenetic Sister Group Relationship of Dogs and Bears (Mammalia, Carnivora: Canidae and Ursidae)
Authors: Schreiber Arnd , Eulenberger Klaus , Bauer Klausdieter
Published: April 2003

Thirty-seven antigenic determinants were identified in the albumins, the immunoglobulin µ- and IgG(Fc) chains, and the C3 proteins of 51 carnivoran (sub)species from 31 genera, and in 12 noncarnivoran mammals. In addition to 19 determinants plesiomorphic for Carnivora as an order, 18 synapomorphic epitopes of carnivoran families revealed nine phylogenetic reaction groups: (1) canids, (2) ursids, (3) the racoon, (4) the Weddell seal, (5) the lesser panda, (6) the harbour seal, (7) mustelids, (8) viverrids and hyaenas, and (9) felids. These data identify Canoidea (Canidae, Ursidae, Phocidae, Procyonidae, Ailuridae, Mustelidae) and Feloidea (Viverridae, Hyaenidae, Felidae) as two fundamentally differentiated lineages of Carnivora, and confirm the inclusion of seals among the former. The Ursidae are the sister group of the Canidae. The antigenic determinants in the studied proteins do not subdivide the Canidae, Ursidae and Felidae into immunologically differentiated lineages.
Five New Polymorphisms in the Complement C7 Gene and Their Association with C7 Deficiency
Authors: Fernie Barbara A. , Hobart Michael J.
Published: April 2003

Five new polymorphisms in the C7 gene are described: 2 in intron 1, and 1 each in introns 7, 8 and 15. Four of these are single nucleotide exchanges, while the fifth is a T insertion at 10 sequential Ts. Allele frequency data are presented for intervening sequence (IVS)1+ 55 in 6 normal population groups. We present new and updated data in these populations on a previously described C7 polymorphism in exon 13 (cDNA 1792 A/T). We also report the extended haplotypes associated with C7 deficiency for which marker investigation is a useful, and in some cases vital, adjunct to the identification of the gene defects. Almost without exception, a particular haplotype is associated with a particular mutation causing the deficiency state. Haplotyping is especially useful where polymerase chain reaction failure on one chromosome could be a cause for difficulties in detecting a molecular defect due to heterozygosity for large deletions or unidentified variations at the locations of the primers.
Conservation of Plasma Regulatory Proteins of the Complement System in Evolution: Humans and Fish
Authors: Kemper Claudia , Gigli Irma , Zipfel Peter F.
Published: April 2003

The complement system is an important defense system of innate immunity. The recent identification of structurally and functionally related complement regulatory proteins in the teleost, barred sand bass (Paralabrax nebulifer), and humans, two species which are separated in evolution by 100 million years, indicates a high level of conservation and the early presence of this defense system in evolution. The complement regulatory protein of barred sand bass, SBP1, is related to both the human alternative pathway regulator factor H, and to the classical pathway regulator C4bp, and displays regulatory activities in both human pathways. In addition, molecules with homology to the recently identified human factor-H-related proteins are also present in the sand bass genome. Here, we summarize the structural and functional aspects of these homologies and discuss the consequences for the evolution of the complement system.
Rapid Purification of Human DNase I Using Mouse Monoclonal Anti-DNase I Antibodies and Characterization of the Antibodies
Authors: Nakajima Tamiko , Yasuda Toshihiro , Takeshita Haruo , Nakashima Yoshimitsu , Mori Shinjiro , Mogi Kouichi , Kishi Koichiro
Published: April 2003

Five anti-human deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) monoclonal antibodies were obtained from BALB/c mice immunized with DNase I purified from human urine. Four of them inhibited DNase I enzyme activity, as did a rabbit polyclonal antibody; these 4 did not have immunostaining ability. The remaining one had immunostaining ability but no inhibitory activity. A Sepharose 4B column conjugated with 1 of the 4 antibodies that had inhibitory activity effectively adsorbed and eluted the DNase I enzyme; this did not occur with the rabbit polyclonal antibody. We showed that adding an immunoaffinity chromatography step made the purification of human DNase I easier and faster than the conventional procedure.
A Simple Estimate of the General Population Frequency of the MHC Susceptibility Gene for Autoimmune Polygenic Disease
Authors: Alper Chester A. , Dubey Devendra P. , Yunis Edmond J. , Awdeh Zuheir
Published: April 2003

We wished to determine the frequencies of the MHC and non-MHC susceptibility genes for polygenic autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes (IDDM). We used Mendelian inheritance and the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium to calculate the frequencies of mating pairs and susceptible offspring under classical recessive and dominant inheritance of the MHC susceptibility gene. We then analyzed the distribution of haplotype sharing by affected sib pairs of the 4 MHC haplotypes in each of the kinds of mating pairs in terms of the frequency of the disease susceptibility gene. For IDDM, the analysis was consistent with a recessive, but not a dominant, MHC susceptibility gene of frequency 0.525 at a distribution of 55, 38 and 7% of affected sib pairs who share 2, 1 and 0 MHC haplotypes, respectively. A simple relationship was obtained: if inheritance is recessive, the MHC susceptibility gene frequency is the square root of the fraction of affected sib pairs who share no MHC haplotypes multiplied by 4. For recessive inheritance, affected sib pairs who share no haplotypes are solely in families where both parents are homozygous MHC-susceptible. Although homozygous MHC susceptibles represent over 25% of the population, only 2–3% of them are IDDM-susceptible at non-MHC susceptibility loci, also required for disease expression. Predictions from our analysis fit all published observations of the familial occurrence of disease. The analysis is general, simple and provides a single estimate (not a range) of the MHC susceptibility gene frequency. This approach should be applicable to other MHC-determined polygenic diseases.
TAP1 and TAP2 Polymorphism in Spanish Patients with Ankylosing Spondylitis
Authors: Fraile A. , Collado M.D. , Matarán L. , Martín J. , Nieto A.
Published: April 2003

Objective: HLA-B27 is strongly associated with ankylosing spondylitis (AS); however, the association is not absolute and additional susceptibility factors in the MHC region could play a role. We studied the influence of polymorphism in the transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) genes, including point mutations not previously analyzed. Methods: HLA-B*27 typing and subtyping as well as TAP1 and TAP2 typing were performed by PCR-RFLP. Forty-four AS individuals were compared to 61 ethnically matched random individuals and 35 B*27-positive healthy unrelated individuals as controls. Results: The frequency of the TAP1B allele was significantly greater in the patient group compared with the random controls (corrected p value (pc) = 0.035; odds ratio = 15.8, p = 0.01). A greater frequency was also evident when B*27-positive patients and B*27- positive healthy controls were compared, although it did not reach statistical significance. No differences were observed in TAP2 alleles between the groups studied. Discussion: We did not find a primary association between TAP2 polymorphism and AS susceptibility. Formal confirmation of a linkage between the TAP and HLA-B loci would probably require family studies.
Diagnostic Assessment and Treatment Goals in Logopedics: Impairments, Disabilities and Handicaps
Authors: Raaijmakers M.F. , Dekker J. , Dejonckere P.H.
Published: April 2003

This study was aimed to investigate to what extent impairments, disabilities and handicaps are used as diagnostic assessments and treatment goals in logopedics. Traditionally, logopedists are mainly concerned with impairments. These days, increasing attention is demanded for disabilities and handicaps as well. A survey study was carried out on 1,567 patients in logopedic practices in the Netherlands to provide an empirical quantitative description of diagnostic assessments and treatment goals, formulated in terms of impairments, disabilities and handicaps. Results show that logopedists indeed often indicate impairments as diagnostic assessments and as treatment goals, particularly language development impairments and phonetic/phonological articulation impairments. Interestingly, also large numbers of diagnostic assessments and treatment goals were indicated at the level of disabilities and handicaps; the most important being disability in expressing communication and occupational handicap. These results demonstrate that disabilities and handicaps may serve an important function in logopedics, in that they may guide assessment as well as therapy. It is concluded that disabilities and handicaps should be considered in the future development of the profession of logopedics.
Höhere taktile und kinästhetische Funktionen bei ehemals sprech-/ sprachentwicklungsgestörten Kindern: Eine neuropsychologische Studie
Authors: Kiese-Himmel Christiane , Kruse Eberhard
Published: April 2003

Zur Prüfung der Hypothese, dass ehemals spezifisch sprech-/sprachentwicklungsgestörte Kinder schlechtere taktil-kinästhetische Leistungen als normale Kinder zeigen, wurde ein kontrollierter Gruppenvergleich von 25 monolingual deutschsprachigen Grundschülern (mittleres Alter 8;7 Jahre ± 7,1 Monate), bei denen vorschulisch (im Mittel mit 4;11 Jahren ±10,6 Monate) eine umschriebene Entwicklungsstörung von Sprechen und Sprache diagnostiziert wurde, mit 25 sprachgesunden Grundschülern durchgeführt (weder aktuell noch anamnestisch sprech-/sprachentwicklungsgestört, mittleres Alter 9;2 Jahre ± 8,3 Monate). Die Kinder waren hinsichtlich Geschlecht und Alter parallelisiert. Die Untersuchung ihrer nonverbalen Intelligenz (Coloured Progressive Matrices) ergab eine nahezu identische mittlere Leistungsfähigkeit. Es wurde der Subtest «Höhere taktile und kinästhetische Funktionen» der «Berliner-Luria-Neuropsychologischen Verfahren für Kinder» eingesetzt. Der aktuelle Sprachentwicklungsstand wurde mit dem «Heidelberger Sprachentwicklungstest» bestimmt. Die mittlere taktil-kinästhetische Leistung beider Gruppen (3,1 vs. 4,0) unterscheidet sich signifikant (p < 0,05); 32% der ehemals klinischen Stichprobe weisen eine unterdurchschnittliche Leistung auf. Die Analyse der Leistung hinsichtlich der ausführenden Hand zeigt keine bedeutsamen Differenzen zwischen rechts und links, weder bei den Rechts- noch bei den Linkshändern innerhalb einer jeden Gruppe, wohl aber bei Rechtshändern beider Gruppen den Trend, dass die nicht-dominante Hand somatosensibler arbeitet. Mittlere Sprach- und taktil-kinästhetische Leistung korrelieren in der ehemals klinischen Gruppe überzufällig (r = 0,45, p < 0,05), hingegen nicht in der Kontrollgruppe (r = 0,08). Insbesondere bei komplexen Fähigkeiten (Berührungslokalisation, Diskrimination «spitz/stumpf») hat die ursprünglich klinische Stichprobe Leistungsschwächen.
Videofluoroscopic Evaluation in the Assessment of Swallowing Disorders in Paediatric and Adult Populations
Authors: O’Donoghue Shana , Bagnall Annie
Published: April 2003

Videofluoroscopic swallow studies (VFSS) are often considered the ‘gold standard’ technique to assess dysphagia. Despite this status, unanimous agreement has not been reached regarding the protocol for this procedure. Review of the literature reveals two main schools of thought. The first advocates a uniform, standardised protocol used with all patients. The second argues for functional, tailor-made studies, which aim to elicit a sample of swallowing representative of typical feeding patterns. This paper reviews the literature on VFSS methodology and evaluates the applicability of protocols to the paediatric population. Broadly speaking, adult protocols tend towards uniform procedures, whereas paediatric studies aim to be more individualised and tailor-made. Clinical recommendations based upon VFSS are examined in the light of validity and reliability issues. The need for standardisation of the VFSS procedure is highlighted. The question is raised whether it is possible to achieve uniformity and consistency between clinicians and still perform patient-centered, tailor-made VFSSs, which are truly representative of a patient’s swallow function. It is revealed that dysphagia specialists should achieve greater consistency in the VFSS procedure before claiming to be implementing a ‘gold standard’ technique.
Educational Issues in Teaching Dysphagia to Speech Pathologists
Authors: Perry Alison
Published: April 2003

This paper examines current practices in teaching speech pathology students dysphagia theory and practice in Australia, with comment and contrast from speech pathology courses in the UK. There is wide diversity in terms of the time allocated to this subject on undergraduate courses, in ways of teaching and achieving clinical practicum in these areas and in evaluating the learning outcomes and competence of students. Against the background of changing work experience in the health sector, where dysphagia increasingly forms a significant proportion of a speech pathologist’s caseload, the challenge for educators is to provide a dynamic, integrated, modern curriculum where dysphagia forms a significant component of the course. This paper examines some of the current educational issues and discusses teaching and learning paradigms in this area.
Methoden zur Vorhersage des Eintrittszeitpunktes der Mutation bei Knabenstimmen: Untersuchungen bei Sängern des Thomanerchores Leipzig
Authors: Fuchs M. , Behrendt W. , Keller E. , Kratzsch J.
Published: April 2003

Die phoniatrische Betreuung der kindlichen Singstimme während des Stimmwechsels erscheint gerade bei Sängern in Knabenchören mit hoher stimmlicher Belastung wichtig. Die vorliegende Studie sucht nach Methoden, den Eintrittszeitpunkt der Mutation vorherzusagen und das Vorliegen einer Mutation differentialdiagnostisch von hyperfunktionellen Stimmstörungen oder entzündlichen Erkrankungen des Stimmorganes zu trennen. Dazu wurden 36 Knaben des Leipziger Thomanerchores im Sinne einer Longitudinalstudie alle 3 Monate über 3,5 Jahre bis zum hörbaren Einsetzen der Mutation untersucht. Es erfolgte die Bestimmung von zehn stimmlichen und acht stimmunabhängigen Parametern, die erstmals in solch umfassender Form auf ihre prädiktive Aussagekraft geprüft wurden. Die statistische Auswertung wies besonders den Serumtestosteronspiegel und die Wachstumsrate als Grössen aus, die mit dem Prämutationsverlauf korrelieren und eine konkrete Vorhersage ermöglichen. Das Vorliegen einer Mutation kann ausserdem durch den Verlauf der mittleren ungespannten Sprechstimmlage und unter Hinzuziehung des Genitalstatus bestätigt werden. Durch die exakte und prädiktive Bestimmung des Mutationsbeginnes können Erkrankungen des Stimmapparates vermieden werden, die aus dem intensiven Singen in der Mutation resultieren. Weiterhin geben die Ergebnisse dem Chorleiter wertvolle Informationen für die Planung der Besetzung seiner Knabenstimmen.
A Note on a Review of the Taxonomic Status of Phayre’s Langur (Trachypithecus phayrei) in Tripura, North-East India
Authors: Gupta A.K.
Published: April 2003

Phayre’s langur, Trachypithecus phayrei (= Presbytis phayrei), belongs to the family Colobidae. Its previous synonyms are Presbytis obscurus [1], P. barbei [2] and P. melamerus [3]. After 1847, when Blyth first described this species, subsequent descriptions by many scientists, including Blyth himself [4], led to confusion about the taxonomic status of this langur.Since the last review on the taxonomic status of this species by Agrawal [5], confusion has persisted as it is referred to by different names, for example, Presbytis phayrei, P. barbei and Trachypithecus phayrei.
Behaviour and Diet of Colobus angolensis palliatus Peters, 1868, in Relation to Seasonality in a Tanzanian Dry Coastal Forest
Authors: Lowe Andrew J. , Sturrock Georgina A.
Published: April 2003

Observational data from a 1-month study (November 1991) on a troop of Tanzanian black colobus, Colobus angolensis palliatus Peters, 1868, are presented. The troop inhabits an area of dry semi-evergreen forest in the eastern portion of the Gendagenda South Forest Reserve, Tanzania, which is subject to a bimodal seasonal climate. We show that during a period at the end of the dry season, the troop spent significantly more time feeding at the expense of resting, had a higher dietary diversity and ranged over a much greater area than during a period at the beginning of the wet season.
The Evolution of Male-Infant Interactions in the Tribe Papionini (Primates: Cercopithecidae)
Authors: Maestripieri Dario
Published: April 2003

In Old World monkeys, intense affiliative interactions between adult males and infants have mostly been observed in the tribe Papionini. Although these male–infant interactions have been reported in most species of the genera Papio, Theropithecus and Cercocebus, they have only erratically been reported in the genus Macaca. In this article I show that the distribution of male–infant interactions within the genus Macaca can be accounted for by the phylogenetic relations among macaque species and by the evolution of the genus Macaca relative to the other Papionini.
The Primates of the Baly Bay Area, North-Western Madagascar
Authors: Hawkins A.F.A. , Durbin Joanna C. , Reid Donald B.
Published: April 2003

Primate surveys were conducted in isolated primary west Malagasy decidous forest blocks around Baly Bay, north-western Madagascar. Eight species of primate were found, including Microcebus c.f. myoxinus, Hapalemur griseus occidentalis and Phaner furcifer. Two species were found only in Namoroka Strict Nature Reserve, which may mean that other forest blocks in the area have experienced primate extinctions. The record of M. c.f. myoxinus came from mangrove, the first confirmed record of a lemur from this habitat. The pelage of female Eulemur fulvus rufus was atypical.
The Evolution of Non-Maternal Care in Anthropoid Primates: A Test of the Hypotheses
Authors: Ross Caroline , MacLarnon Ann
Published: April 2003

The amount of non-maternal care (allocare) found in primates varies greatly from species to species. Our paper examines this variation and focuses on possible reasons why mothers in some anthropoid primate species are prepared to relinquish their infants to other carers whereas others are not. We use data collected from the literature to test a number of hypotheses that attempt to explain the observed variation in non-maternal care. Analyses were carried out using comparative methods that control for the influence of both body size and phylogeny on life-history and ecological variation. The results support previous studies of both primates and other mammals in finding a clear link between the amount of allocare provided and female reproductive rates. Species with high allocare levels grow rapidly post-natally and wean their infants at a younger age (but at the same relative size) than species of the same body size with lower allocare levels. This early weaning allows high allocare species to support higher birth rates than low allocare species but does not result in earlier maturation. Our results, therefore, suggest that mothers allow non-maternal care of their infants in order to increase their own reproductive output. It is not clear whether such a strategy also benefits the infant, as we could find no link between the presence of allocare and early maturation (which would increase the infant’s reproductive output) or between allocare levels and infant survival (as measured by vulnerability to infanticide). This suggests that mothers and infants might come into conflict over transfer to other carers, as the benefits to the mother may not be accompanied by benefits to the infant. However, although mothers may benefit from allocare in some circumstances, they will not be expected to allow allocare if the costs are high (e.g. if there is a high risk to the infant).
Formation of Lipofuscin-Like Autofluorescent Materials in NG108-15 Cells: Involvement of Lysosomal Protein Degradation
Authors: Mochizuki Y. , Park M.K. , Mori T. , Ogura A. , Kawashima S.
Published: April 2003

We found that neuroblastoma × glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells accumulated lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials during neuronal differentiation in culture in a medium containing 1% fetal calf serum, 1 mM dibutyryl cyclic AMP and 1 mM theophylline. The emission maximum of the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials was between 500 and 550 nm. Granules positive to acid phosphatase and periodic-acid Schiff were increased, as were the autofluorescent granules in NG108-15 cells. Thiolprotease inhibitors, N-(L-3-trans-carboxyoxirane-2-carbonyl)-L-leucine-4-aminobutylamide (E-64) and acetyl-Leu-Leu-Arg (leupeptin), markedly accelerated the accumulation of the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials in NG108-15 cells. On the other hand, activities of lysosomal thiolproteases, cathepsin B, C and L, were increased during neuronal differentiation. Protein content in the cells was gradually increased with the neuronal differentiation, and the rise was significantly accelerated when proteolysis was inhibited by E-64. These results suggest that the lipofuscin-like autofluorescent materials contain peptidic substances as a component, and indicate that the increase in hydrolytic activities of thiolproteases during neuronal differentiation is not enough for the hydrolysis of peptidic substrates, resulting in the accumulation of autofluorescent materials in NG108-15 cells.
Falls and Psychotropic Drug Consumption in Long-Term Care Residents: Is There an Obvious Association?
Authors: Nygaard Harald A.
Published: April 2003

Institutional long-term care is an integrated part of primary health care. People qualifying to enter a long-term care facility must exhibit a high degree of dependency, caused either by physical or/and mental impairment. It must be obvious that the problem cannot be dealt with in the community. The type of the residents in institutions largely depends on the ability to provide proper services to elderly living in the community. This also implies that fall-related risk factors may vary. Residents living permanently in a long-term care facility (n = 118) were observed during a 6-month period with respect to fall episodes. Prior to the study, gender, age, mental capacity, mobility, the ability to go to the toilet, to eat, and to communicate, and all drugs prescribed on a regular schedule were recorded. Subsequently the various elements were compared for fallers and non-fallers. There were 49 fallers. There was no difference between the two groups regarding gender, age, or drug use. Mental impairment and restricted mobility were independently associated with increased risk of falling (odds ratios 3.4 and 4.8, respectively). Falling was also associated with the degree of mental impairment (linear trend p = 0.01). A stratified Mantel-Haenszel test showed a significantly higher tendency to fall among residents using antipsychotics. Residents with restricted mobility using anxiolytics/hypnotics or antidepressants had a lower tendency to fall than non-users. They were also less prone to fall repeatedly. Anxiety and depressive states may possibly contribute to falling. Negative associations between falling and drug use are commonly studied. Possible beneficial effects are by and large disregarded.
Male Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms: Is Surgery Always Necessary?
Authors: Assassa R.P. , Osborn D.E. , Castleden C.M.
Published: April 2003

A transurethral resection of the prostate is a good operation to relieve bladder outflow obstruction and has a low incidence of complications. However, recent work suggests that many men with symptoms may not require an operation, and it can probably be delayed in a majority for many years. This may be particularly important in old and frail patients. Many men with outflow obstruction have irritative symptoms such as urgency, frequency and nocturia; these could be treated with anticholinergics, provided they have normal flow rates and small or absent residual urine volumes. Pharmacological treatment to relieve outflow obstruction is disappointing. There may be some benefit from α-adrenoreceptor antagonists, but the place for 5α-reductase inhibitors is still unsure. All drugs have side effects which are unacceptable in patients who are not bothered by their urinary symptoms and can wait for active treatment.
Comparison of Normal and in vitro Aging by Non-Enzymatic Glycation as Verified by Differential Scanning Calorimetry
Authors: Reihsner R. , Pfeiler W. , Menzel E.J.
Published: April 2003

The biomechanical parameters of rat tail tendons (RTTs) from 35-, 64-, 180- and 900-day-old animals, corresponding to the early maturation phase, the mature and the senescent state were determined. The increase of maximum stiffness, ultimate stress and the elastic fraction of stress was most pronounced in the maturation phase. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments were performed showing an almost linear increase of the collagen denaturation temperature in the age range 35–139 days. After 14 days incubation in glucose, we observed a marked increase of the biomechanical parameters in the young, an increase of maximum stiffness in mature, and only slight alterations of the biomechanical behavior in senescent RTTs. Both glucose incorporation and formation of advanced glycation end products were most prominent in 35-day-old RTTs. These biochemical findings were in excellent agreement with the enhancement of the collagen denaturation temperature after the incubation phase. Results suggest that the validity of the term ‘accelerated aging’ depends on the experimental approach, i.e. biomechanical tests, thermal isometric contraction or DSC.
Tetanus in the Elderly: Is It Different from That in Younger Age Groups?
Authors: Khajehdehi Parviz , Rezaian Gholam-Reza
Published: April 2003

Our aims were to itemize the clinical features and the outcome of tetanus in the elderly, as well as any age and sex differences in its acquisition. Therefore, we compared the demographic and clinical data of 12 elderly (group 1) cases of tetanus with 69 middle-aged patients (group 2) and 12 children (group 3) suffering from the same disease. There was no significant difference between the site of entry and incubation period or in the clinical and paraclinical findings among the three groups of patients. Acute respiratory failure was found more commonly in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.0167 and p = 0.0006, respectively). It was also more common in group 2 than in group 3 (p = 0.0140). A mild form of tetanus was more often detected in children than in middle-aged and elderly cases (p = 0.0213 and p = 0.0013, respectively). Severe tetanus was seen more often in group 1 than in groups 2 and 3 (p = 0.0167 and p = 0.0006, respectively). Despite this, the mortality rate was not statistically different among the three groups of patients. Females were affected much less frequently than males with a female:male ratio of 1:3 in all three age groups. Our results suggest that elderly patients are at higher risk of acquiring a more severe form of tetanus and the subsequent development of acute respiratory failure. In addition, the disease is more common in males of all age groups, and age and sex have no apparent effect on the outcome of patients with tetanus.
Effects of Central Nervous System Polypharmacy on Falls Liability in Community-Dwelling Elderly
Authors: Weiner Debra K. , Hanlon Joseph T. , Studenski Stephanie A.
Published: April 2003

Background: While central nervous system (CNS) active medications such as psychotropics and narcotic analgesics have been implicated in contributing to falls in older adults, the combined effect of multiple CNS-active medications has not been investigated. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence, in community-dwelling elderly, of (1) taking multiple CNS-active medications on fall liability and (2) individual classes of CNS-active medications (using discrete drug classification) on the risk of falls after controlling for important confounders – age, mobility, cognition and depression. Methods: 305 community-dwelling male veterans (age: 70–104) were screened at study entry for mobility, cognition and depression. CNS-active medications were categorized as benzodiazepines, other sedative-hypnotics, neuroleptics, tricyclic antidepressants, and opioid analgesics. Subjects were prospectively followed for 6 months to monitor falls; at the end of this time period, subjects were classified as fallers (at least one fall) or nonfallers. The relationship between CNS-active drug use and falls was examined using multivariable analyses. Results: The risk of falls was significantly greater in CNS-active medication users as compared with nonusers. Adjusted odds ratio for one CNS-active drug was 1.54 (95% confidence interval 1.07–2.22) and for two or more agents 2.37 (95% confidence interval 1.14–4.94). Conclusions: In community-dwelling elderly, the use of multiple CNS-active medications is associated with enhanced falls liability, over and above the use of one CNS-active drug alone. This apparent dose-response relationship provides support for causality.
Effect of a Continuous Gamma Irradiation at a Very Low Dose on the Life Span of Mice
Authors: Caratero A. , Courtade M. , Bonnet L. , Planel H. , Caratero C.
Published: April 2003

Background: There is epidemiological evidence that suggests there are beneficial effects of ionizing radiation at low doses. Some experimental studies confirmed this hormetic effect with doses of about 1 cGy/day, but no data concerning very low dose rates are available. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the life span of mice exposed to very low doses of ionizing radiation. Methods: Six hundred female C57BL/6 mice, 1 month old, were exposed to chronic gamma irradiation at very low dose rates of 7 or 14 cGy/year. These doses are about 25 or 50 times higher than background, but much lower than the doses of about 1 cGy/day used in previous experiments. Three hundred mice living in the same room were used as controls. Results: The life span, after the beginning of the experiment, determined by the survival time of 50% of each population, is increased in irradiated mice: 549 days in controls, 673 days in both irradiated groups. The differences are significant between the control and the irradiation mice. Differences between mice irradiated with 7 or 14 cGy are not significant. Conclusions: These results confirm the possibility of a nonharmful effect (hormesis) of ionizing radiation. They demonstrate that the paradigm, which states that low-dose effects can be predicted high-dose effects, cannot be systematically applied in radiation biology in general and gerontology in particular.
Mechanisms of Aging of the Extracellular Matrix: Role of the Elastin-Laminin Receptor
Authors: Robert L.
Published: April 2003

Aging of connective tissues is important for the understanding of aging mechanisms of tissues rich in extracellular matrix and of age-dependent diseases often affecting such tissues. Aging mechanisms of such tissues can be divided as follows: (1) age-dependent modifications of matrix biosynthesis; (2) postsynthetic modifications of extracellular matrix, and (3) modifications of cell-matrix interactions. Examples are discussed for all three aspects of tissue aging, with special emphasis on the role of epigenetic reactions. These reactions include the Maillard reaction, uncontrolled proteolytic degradation, and free radical release. Proteolytic fragments of fibronectin and of elastic fibers were shown to produce noxious effects and to be engaged in vicious circles of autoentertained and self-amplified mechanisms. We studied in particular the role of the elastin-laminin receptor in tissue aging and in atherogenesis. The presence of saturating concentrations of elastin peptides in the circulation results in a chronic overstimulation of the receptor with sustained free radical and lytic enzyme production. Other examples of age-dependent uncoupling of receptors also illustrate the importance of altered receptor function in tissue aging and related pathologies.
Use of Folic Acid-Fortified Milk in the Elderly Population
Authors: Keane E.M. , O’Broin S. , Kelleher B. , Coakley D. , Walsh J.B.
Published: April 2003

Folic acid deficiency is common in the elderly population, resulting in anaemia, dementia, many neurological sequelae and an indirect role in atheromatous disease. An increase in natural food folate is relatively ineffective at increasing folate status and the use of folate fortification of foodstuffs is recommended. The aim of our study was to assess the benefits of folic acid-fortified milk to the folate status of an elderly institutionalised population. 49 subjects received fortified milk as part of their daily diet for at least 6 months (active group) and 40 subjects received unfortified milk (control group). Our results showed a mean serum folate level in the active group of 5.81 (1.1–17.6) µg/l compared to the control group mean of 2.16 (0.5–9.4) µg/l (p < 0.001; normal range for serum folate 2.7–20 µg/l). Similarly the mean red cell folate level in the active group of 316.5 (130–905) µg/l was significantly higher than the control group mean of 196.1 (95–490) µg/l (p < 0.001; normal range for red cell folate 150–1,000 µg/l). Our results suggest that folic acid-fortified milk is an efficacious and acceptable method of administration of folic acid in the elderly population and we recommend the use of folic acid-fortified milk in the regular daily diet of the elderly population.
Effect of in vitro Aging on the Modulation of Protein and Fibronectin Biosynthesis by the Elastin-Laminin Receptor in Human Skin Fibroblasts
Authors: Fodil-Bourahla I. , Drubaix I. , Robert L. , Labat-Robert J.
Published: April 2003

The 67-kD elastin-laminin receptor (ELR) subunit which carries the recognition site for elastin peptides (EP) is a lectin. Its binding with galactosides can modulate the kinetics of its interaction with its ligand, EP. In this study the biosynthesis of proteins, collagen and fibronectin were evaluated in the presence of agonists and antagonists of the receptor on human skin fibroblasts. The biosynthesis of total proteins determined by 3H-proline incorporation and of fibronectin (by immunoprecipitation) were shown to increase with passage number. The presence of 1 µg/ml κ-elastin (EP) in the culture medium increased both total proteins and fibronectin biosynthesis. Melibiose, an agonist of the receptor at 5 µg/ml (140 µM), decreased both proteins and fibronectin biosynthesis in the culture medium of human skin fibroblast at the 10th and 15th passage. These results show that the ELR can control the biosynthetic mechanisms of some of the macromolecular constituents of extracellular matrix such as fibronectin and moderate its age and passage-dependent upregulation.
Assessment of Body Composition in Elderly: Accuracy of Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis
Authors: Bussolotto M. , Ceccon A. , Sergi G. , Giantin V. , Benincà P. , Enzi G.
Published: April 2003

Background: In the literature there are several body impedance analysis (BIA) prediction equations generally determined in younger populations and their accuracy in the elderly has not been adequately confirmed. Objective: We verified the reliability of the BIA method in a body composition study in the elderly. Methods: To assess the accuracy of bioelectrical impedance analysis we compared this method with dual photon absorptiometry (DPA), assumed as a gold standard; body composition was predicted by seven BIA prediction equations in 24 healthy elderly individuals. Results: The best equation in fat-free mass (FFM) estimation is the RJL System formula (published by Segal in 1988); nevertheless, the wide range of the error in FFM estimating may limit its clinical application. The FFM hydration variability seems to be the principal variable which explains the error in FFM estimation by BIA prediction equations. Conclusion: These findings indicate that the use of BIA equations is not interchangeable, when FFM is calculated in an elderly population, and more validation studies are necessary in this age group to evaluate the clinical application of this method.
Effect of Aging on Cardiothoracic Ratio in Women: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Inoue Kazuo , Yoshii Kazuya , Ito Hideki
Published: April 2003

Background: The effect of aging on the components of the cardiothoracic ratio (CTR) in the chest roentgenogram in women remains obscure. There have been only a few reported studies that have investigated longitudinal changes of the CTR in women. Objective: To determine whether there is an effect of aging on the CTR in women. Methods: The study population consisted of 110 women who attended an annual health screening and underwent chest roentgenography both in 1981 and 1990 in a mountain village in Japan. We used the data obtained from an annual health screening in order to determine thoracic diameter (TD), cardiac diameter (CD), and lung height (LH) and then calculated the CTR. We analyzed CTR, TD, CD, and LH on the basis of the age of the participants. Results: In the cross-sectional analysis of the groups stratified by age in 1981, mean CD and CTR increased, and TD decreased in the advanced-age group. The percentage of radiographic cardiomegaly (CTR >50%) strikingly increased in the advanced-age group. In the longitudinal analysis between 1981 and 1990, the mean CD increased, and the mean TD decreased significantly. The mean CTR increased by 2.0% (95% CI 1.2–2.8%). The changes of the CTR in 9 years were positively correlated with those of CD and negatively correlated with those of TD and LH. The longitudinal data generally accorded with the cross-sectional data, except LH. Conclusions: The CTR in women increases with aging as a result of the increase in CD, except in the case of advanced old age, and the decrease in TD. LH could be another major factor that has an influence on CTR. Caution should be exercised to avoid overestimating CTR when LH changes. The classical upper limit of 50% for CTR in our adopted method should not be applied to elderly women because of the possibility that changes with normal aging are misclassified as abnormal findings.
A Review of Water Balance in Ageing in Health and Disease
Authors: Stout N.R. , Kenny R.A. , Baylis P.H.
Published: April 2003

The elderly are at increased risk of changes in body water and sodium, often accompanying comorbid disease states, which are associated with increased mortality. The clinical assessment of the hydration status of an elderly patient is difficult and the elderly care physician relies on both the clinical picture and laboratory investigation. Although still contentious, research suggests that the elderly may appreciate thirst less readily. However, healthy elderly may be able to produce an enhanced vasopressin response to osmotic stimulation compared to their younger counterparts, possibly in response to reduced renal function. The changes in these systems, when combined with coincident disease, place elderly patients at risk of water imbalance and electrolyte disturbance.
Increase of the Cellular Growth of Old Human Diploid Fibroblasts by Radical Scavenger: Water-Soluble Protein from Broad Beans
Authors: Okada Yoshinori , Okada Mizue
Published: April 2003

There is increasing evidence that free radical scavengers play an important role in the aging process and the control of cellular growth. We purified a free radical scavenging protein, the water-soluble protein (WSP) from broad beans (Vicia faba). In this study, we examined the effect of WSP on cellular growth and in vitro life span in old human fetal lung fibroblasts (WI-38 and PDL 37-40, 78–84% of the maximum life span). Since WSP increased the cellular growth, we also examined the effect of WSP (1.25–5 µg/ml) on cytosolic antioxidant enzyme activities in the old cells treated or not with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (BHP) to elucidate the mechanisms of cell proliferation in the old cells. The cellular growth of old fibroblasts was greatly increased by WSP. In 1.25 and 2.5 µg/ml of WSP, the cell proliferation increased by 32 and 35%, respectively, as compared with controls. The maximum population doubling levels of the cells did not increase. In the cells incubated with BHP, the cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity was returned to its control value by WSP treatment (1.25–5 µg/ml). The cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity progressively increased with increasing concentrations of WSP. On the other hand, the cytosolic superoxide dismutase activity after 1.25- and 2.5-µg/ml WSP treatment without BHP was increased by 189 and 144%, respectively. Similarly, the cytosolic glutathione peroxidase activity was increased by 67 and 53%, respectively. These results suggest that cytosolic antioxidant activities in old cells can be modulated by WSP treatment. We concluded that there was a correlation between the optimum WSP concentrations for the increase of cellular growth and the WSP concentrations required to exhibit these maximum enzyme activities.
Interleukin-1 Induces Lipid Peroxidation and Membrane Changes in Rat Hippocampus: An Age-Related Study
Authors: Murray C.A. , Clements M.P. , Lynch M.A.
Published: April 2003

Background: The proinflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1, is traditionally associated with the immune response but recent evidence indicates that it plays a role in neuronal function. Its expression is increased in neurodegenerative conditions and preliminary evidence suggests that it is also increased with increasing age. Receptors for interleukin-1 are differentially distributed in the brain with a high density in the hippocampus, where interleukin-1β exerts inhibitory effects on release and calcium channel function. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the possibility that interleukin-1 might lead to age-related changes in membrane composition. Methods: Lipid peroxidation was assessed in the presence or absence of interleukin-1β in hippocampal tissue prepared from 4- and 22-month-old rats. These data were analysed in parallel with age-related changes in arachidonic acid and interleukin-1β concentrations in the hippocampus. Results: We report that interleukin-1β increased lipid peroxidation in hippocampal tissue prepared from 4- but not 22-month-old rats, and that this effect was inhibited by α-tocopherol. The attenuated response to interleukin-1β in tissue prepared from aged rats correlated with increased expression of endogenous interleukin-1β. Thus, using an ELISA, we have demonstrated an age-related increase in the concentration of interleukin-1β, which is accompanied by an age-related decrease in membrane arachidonic acid. Conclusion: We propose that increased interleukin-1β expression impacts on membrane composition and therefore contributes to age-related impairments in neuronal function.
Visual Estimation of Biological Age of Elderly Subjects: Good Interrater Agreement
Authors: Olde Rikkert Marcel G.M.
Published: April 2003

Background: Visual estimation of age can be used as a measure of biological age (BA) and has become useful in predicting life expectancy. Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the interrater agreement of experienced geriatricians in visual estimation of BA. Methods: In a prospective controlled study, 4 experienced geriatricians estimated the BA of 43 elderly subjects (mean age 82.5 ± 6.0 years) during a short standardized interview, using a checklist of age-associated changes in appearance, communication and mobility. Interrater agreement was calculated by analysis of variance and expressed as the intra-class coefficient of correlation (ICCC). Results: The ICCC of the BA estimation was 0.76 (p < 0.001). Within-subject standard deviation of the estimate was 3.4 years. On average, BA was 4.8 (±4.4) years lower than chronological age (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Visual estimation of BA based on a simple checklist has a good interrater agreement and therefore should be part of geriatric assessment.
Quality of Life in Chronic Illness
Authors: Lawton M. Powell
Published: April 2003

The concept of health-related quality of life (QOL) is differentiated from generalized QOL. If we are to understand attitudes and behavior of older people regarding the end of life, we need to take account not only of the distress and impairments resulting from poor health, but also of the positive features in the non-health-related areas of their lives that may make them wish to endure the negative aspects of poor health and its treatment side effects. The concept of Valuation of Life is suggested as the mental process that intervenes between negative and positive aspects of daily life on the one hand and older people’s wishes for prolonged life and life-extending treatment on the other hand. Research is described which yielded a Valuation of Life Scale. Although many facets of good and poor physical and mental health were related to Valuation of Life, it was primarily positive aspects such as relationships with friends, meaningful time use and positive emotion that were independently associated with Valuation of Life. Valuation of Life was, in turn, the major independent predictor of the number of years people wished to live under a number of conditions of good health, disability, cognitive impairment and pain. It is concluded that both individual treatment decisions and social policy based on QOL associated with health and illness be informed by knowledge that positive aspects of life other than in the health sector are important considerations.
Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase Activities of the Myocardial Sarcolemma in Aging Rats after Aorta Coarctation: Role of Invertors
Authors: Frolkis Vladimir V. , Kobzar Anna L. , Pugach Bronislava V.
Published: April 2003

In this work we used aorta coarctation as a model of myocardial hypertrophy. We studied the role of intracellular regulators of plasma membrane status – invertors – in the mechanisms of changes of membrane enzyme activities in the emergency stage of myocardial hypertrophy. We used Wistar rats of various ages: adult (6–8 months) and old (26–28 months) rats. It was shown that 4–6 days after aorta coarctation, in adult rats the activities of both Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase of the sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes increased, but in old rats only the Ca-ATPase activity. Experiments with cell hybrids (cytosol of experimental rats and isolated sarcolemma of cardiomyocytes of intact rats) revealed that cytosol of cardiomyocytes of adult animals after aorta coarctation activated Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase. Cytosol of old intact animals after aorta coarctation did not activate Na,K-ATPase, but activated Ca-ATPase. It was supposed that 4–6 days after aorta coarctation, intracellular regulators (invertors) activating Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase of rat sarcolemma were synthesized in cytosol of adult animals. Invertors activating Na,K-ATPase did not appear after the aorta coarctation in old animals, but factors activating Ca2+-ATPase appeared. Cytosol of adult experimental rats activated Na,K-ATPase of sarcolemmas of cardiomyocytes of intact old animals. The data proved the ability of Na,K-ATPase of sarcolemma of old animals to respond to regulating factors. Based on the divergence between the results of experiments with the Na,K-ATPase and Ca-ATPase activities in old rats, it can be supposed that we were dealing with two different invertors.