Lower Relative Weight Research Articles

Synthesis and characterization of low relative molecular weighttrans-1,4-poly(isoprene)

Low relative molecular weight trans-1,4-polyisoprene oligomers were synthesized successfully by bulk precipitation and solution polymerization with supported titanium catalyst using hydrogen as relative molecular weight modifier. The effects of polymerization conditions on intrinsic viscosity ([η]), catalyst efficiency (CE) and structure of polymer were studied. Increasing the hydrogen pressure resulted in the decrease of [η] of the polymer. With the increasing of hydrogen pressure and reaction temperature, CE decreased but still maintained above 2500 g polymer/g Ti. The percentage composition of (trans-1, 4-unit) in the polymer was over 90% in all results. The crystallinity of polymer was about 50–60% with Tm being about 60°C. The relative molecular weight distribution index (MWD) was quite difference according to the polymerization method. While number average molecular weight (Mn) exceeded 860, polymer turned from viscous materials to fragile wax materials, and then to toughness materials at 1800. Dynamic property testing showed that the additional of this oligomer could increase the wet-skid resistance of the rubber. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008

The Relation of Largemouth Bass Virus to Largemouth Bass Population Metrics in Five Alabama Reservoirs

AbstractBetween the early to mid‐1990s and 1998–2000, angler and electrofishing catch rates of memorable‐size (≥2.27‐kg or 51‐cm) largemouth bass Micropterus salmoides declined 3–20‐fold in five Alabama reservoirs. Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) has been implicated in widespread fish kills of this species, and we documented the prevalence of LMBV and attempted to quantify the impact of LMBV on growth, body condition, and size and age structure to account for the loss of memorable‐size fish in these five populations. Fish were collected primarily with electrofishing between 2000 and 2002, and two methods were used to detect LMBV from Lakes Wheeler, Demopolis, Eufaula, Guntersville, and Weiss. Among these five reservoirs, LMBV infection was most common in fish that ranged from about 25 to 40 cm and in young to intermediate‐age fish (range = 1–2 to 6 years). The virus was rare in fish under 100 mm (age 0) and over 500 mm (≥age 7). Fish infected with LMBV generally had lower relative weight and grew more slowly after age 3 than uninfected fish. The prevalence of LMBV was not as great in older and larger fish, possibly because these fish died prior to our collection. The decline in memorable‐size fish in these five reservoirs in the late 1990s to 2000 was due to slower growth, poorer body condition, and increased mortality of older fish and was circumstantially linked to LMBV. However, the prevalence of LMBV in the Lake Eufaula population was nil after 2001, whereas a fish kill was associated with LMBV in 1997. None of 349 fish we assayed from Lake Eufaula in 2002 were infected with LMBV, growth rates improved, and memorable‐size fish were more common in electrofishing samples and angler catches in 2003. Although we could not definitively demonstrate that LMBV caused the loss of memorable‐size largemouth bass in Alabama reservoirs, the virus appeared to be linked to this phenomenon.

Some features of amino acid and lipid metabolism in embryos of meat-type fowl with different yolk weight

It has been proposed that variations in relative yolk weight in a population of meat-type fowl be used as a model of development of nidicolous and nidifugous birds. During development of the eggs with a high proportion of yolk, an excess of lipids is cleaved at a higher rate and oxidized until day 17 of incubation, while in the embryos developing from the eggs with a low relative yolk weight, amino acids are intensely cleaved during the period preceding the hatching. Significant differences in the body content of cystine were found in 17-day embryos and upon hatching, thus suggesting a delayed activity of the genes encoding keratins in the group corresponding to the seminidicolous type according to the egg content of lipids. These biochemical differences question the widespread concept on the occurrence of dichotomy by the end of embryogenesis and beginning of neonatal growth of nidifugous and nidicolous birds.

Alterações hepáticas em codornas japonesas submetidas à intoxicação prolongada por aflatoxina B1

O objetivo do presente trabalho foi estudar os efeitos da aflatoxina B1 (AFB1) sobre as vísceras (fígado, baço e moela) de codornas poedeiras japonesas, em condições de exposição a baixas doses, tendo em vista que são poucos os dados de toxicidade de longa duração nesta espécie. Assim, foram constituídos 4 grupos formados, cada um, por 6 codornas de linhagem comercial, as quais receberam rações contendo AFB1 nas concentrações de 0 (controle), 25, 50 e 100mg.kg-1, durante 168 dias. As aves do grupo 100mg kg_1 apresentaram fígados com peso relativo médio menor (p < 0,05) do que o controle. Alterações histológicas foram constatadas apenas no fígado, sendo que todas as amostras provenientes das codornas intoxicadas apresentaram degeneração vacuolar macrogoticular, sugestivas de metamorfose gordurosa moderada a severa, particularmente nos grupos que receberam ração com os maiores níveis de AFB1 (50 e 100mg.kg-1). A hiperplasia de ductos biliares foi observada somente no grupo alimentado com 100mg.kg-1. Os resultados indicaram que a AFB1, a partir de 50mg.kg-1, pode ocasionar lesões hepáticas significativas em codornas de postura, em condições de exposição prolongada.

β-Endorphin disrupts seasonal and FSH-induced ovarian recrudescence in the lizard Mabuya carinata

Administration (ip) of an opioid peptide, β-endorphin (β-EP) (0.1, 0.5, or 1 μg β-EP/day/lizard for 30 days) during seasonal recrudescence phase of the ovarian cycle inhibited ovarian recrudescence as shown by the absence of vitellogenic follicles in the ovary in contrast to their presence in treatment controls in the lizard Mabuya carinata. In the germinal bed, treatment of 0.1 μg β-EP did not affect primordial follicles, whereas their mean number was significantly lower in lizards treated with 0.5 or 1 μg β-EP compared to those of treatment controls. There was also suppression of oviductal development as shown by a significantly lower relative weight of the oviduct and regressed oviductal glands in lizards treated with all the dosages of β-EP compared to treatment controls. In another experiment, administration of FSH (10 IU FSH/alternate day/lizard for 30 days) during the regression phase of the ovarian cycle induced development of vitellogenic follicles, whereas the treatment controls showed only previtellogenic follicles. In addition, there was a significant increase in the ovarian and oviductal weights compared to initial and treatment controls. However, simultaneous administration of similar dosage of FSH and β-EP (0.5 μg/day/lizard) did not induce ovarian recrudescence as shown by the absence of vitellogenic follicles in the ovary and significantly lower weight of the ovary and the oviduct and the mean number of oogonia, oocytes, and primordial follicles compared to those of FSH-treated lizards. The results indicate that β-EP inhibits seasonal as well as FSH-induced ovarian recrudescence. Inhibitory effect of β-EP on follicular development despite FSH administration implies its effect at the ovarian level in M. carinata. While adversely affecting the ovarian follicular development, β-EP did not affect the adrenal gland as there was no significant variation in the mean nuclear diameter of the adrenocortical cells of treatment controls and β-EP-treated lizards. Furthermore, administration of β-EP caused a significant decrease in the mean number of islands of white pulp of the spleen indicating its adverse effect on immunity.

Placental 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 and fetal cortisol/cortisone shuttle in small preterm infants.

Glucocorticoids rate among the most controversial topics in today's perinatology and neonatology. Many sick preterm infants exhibit signs of adrenal insufficiency, the etiology, diagnostic criteria, and optimal treatment of which are under debate. Moreover, most of these infants are exposed to pharmacological glucocorticoid doses both in utero and after birth. In face of this, surprisingly little is known about the physiological glucocorticoid exposure before early preterm birth. This exposure is highly variable and mainly regulated by the placental enzyme 11 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase-2 (11 beta-HSD2), which converts excess cortisol (F) to inactive cortisone (E). Impaired activity of this enzyme is common in intrauterine growth restriction and preeclampsia, conditions frequently associated with early preterm birth. To identify clinical determinants associated with decreased placental 11 beta-HSD2 function, we studied 107 small preterm infants [mean birth weight, 1067 g (range, 395-2453 g); gestational age, 28.2 wk (range, 22.4-32.0 wk)] by determining their placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (per milligram protein) and total activity (per placenta) as well as cord vein F and E concentrations. An E/(E+ F) ratio expresses the overall balance of the F/E shuttle. There were positive correlations between relative birth weight and placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (r = 0.30; P = 0.002) and total activity (r = 0.56; P < 0.0001) as well as E/(E+ F) ratio (r = 0.27; P = 0.01) and E concentration (r = 0.32; P = 0.003). Infants with increased umbilical artery resistance had lower total placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity (P = 0.02), E/(E+ F) ratio (P = 0.04), and E concentration (P = 0.0002). Gestational age was inversely associated with placental 11 beta-HSD2 activity rate (r = -0.25; P = 0.009). We conclude that, in small preterm infants, reduced placental 11 beta-HSD2 function is associated with low relative birth weight and severe fetal distress. Whether these conditions are associated with early postnatal adrenal insufficiency or long-term cardiovascular risk remains an important issue for further study.

Effect of Hydrated Sodium Calcium Aluminosilicate on the Prevention of the Toxic Effects of Ochratoxin

We studied the efficacy of hydrated sodium calcium aluminosilicate (HSCAS) as an inhibitor of the toxic effects of ochratoxin in broilers from 1 to 42 d of age. A total of 288 broilers was distributed into four treatments with four replicates of 18 birds each: T1, control; T2, 0.25% HSCAS; T3, 2 ppm of ochratoxin; T4, 0.25% HSCAS + 2 ppm ochratoxin. The parameters evaluated were feed intake; weight gain; feed conversion; relative weights of the liver, kidneys, and bursa; and serum levels of Ca, P, total protein (TP), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and γ-glutamiltransferase (GGT). Ochratoxin in the diet negatively affected (P < 0.05) all performance parameters evaluated when the birds were 21 and 42 d of age. However, HSCAS did not affect performance, and there was no interaction between HSCAS and dietary ochratoxin. The liver and the kidneys of birds fed ochratoxin with or without HSCAS were relatively heavier (P < 0.05) than those of the control birds, demonstrating the influence of ochratoxin, but not of HSCAS, on the relative weight of these organs. Although the bursa of birds exposed to ochratoxin with or without HSCAS had a lower relative weight as compared to control birds, the difference was not significant. Ca, P, and TP serum levels were lower (P < 0.05) in birds exposed to ochratoxin, whereas AST and GGT levels were higher (P < 0.05) in these birds. These results reflect that ochratoxin in the diet impaired the productivity indexes and that HSCAS did not improve these parameters.

Metabolic characteristics and body composition in a model of anti-obese rats (Lou/C).

The aims of this study were to investigate some features of the metabolic profile and the body composition of male Lou/C rats and to examine whether these characteristics are strictly related to the food-intake reduction. Fourteen-week-old male Lou/C rats were compared with age-matched male Wistar rats fed ad libitum (WAL) and another group of male Wistar rats whose food was chronically restricted (WFR) to the same amount as the Lou/C rats from weeks 3 to 14. Food intake and body weight were significantly (p < 0.01) reduced in Lou/C compared with WAL rats, whereas these reductions were perfectly reproduced in WFR rats. Lou/C rats demonstrated lower relative weights of retroperitoneal (0.97 +/- 0.07 vs. 1.67 +/- 0.16 and 1.88 +/- 0.15 g/100 g body) and epididymal (1.01 +/- 0.02 vs. 1.62 +/- 0.12 and 1.80 +/- 0.11 g/100g body) fat depots than did the two other groups and no decrease in the percentage of carcass proteins, which was observed in the WFR rats. In addition, compared with the WFR group, the Lou/C rats showed lower plasma glucose levels (3.65 +/- 0.14 vs. 4.72 +/- 0.15 and 4.7 +/- 0.19 mM); a tendency (p < 0.1) for lower liver glycogen concentrations; and similar levels of glycerol, free fatty acids, and beta-hydroxybutyrate concentrations. Epinephrine and the relative weight of the adrenal glands were significantly (p < 0.01) lower in the Lou/C rats than in the WAL rats and the two other groups, respectively. The ability of the Lou/C rats to accumulate less body fat than their equally food-restricted Wistar counterparts (WFR) suggests a difference in basal metabolism in this strain of rats that resembles obesity-resistant rats.

Divergent selection for shape of growth curve in Japanese quail. 1. Responses in growth parameters and food conversion

1. HG and LG quail lines selected for high and low relative weight gain between 11 and 28 d of age (RG 11–28 ), respectively, and an unselected C line were compared. Mature body weight of both selected lines was held at that of the C line. Progeny of generation 6 were used for analysis. 2. Divergent selection for RG 11–28 brought about opposite changes in the growth rates shortly after hatching. 3. Parameters of the Richards function were used to describe the growth curve. The largest differences between HG and LG lines occurred in age ( t + ) and body weight ( y + ) at the inflection point of the growth curve (on average for both sexes 28% and 20%, respectively). For HG quail, the parameter t + was 5 d later than that for LG quail (18.6 vs 14.1 d for males and 20.6 vs 15.6 d for females, respectively), and consequently the parameter y + was greater (90.3 vs 84.0 g for males and 104.5 vs 96.1 g for females, respectively). The shape of the growth curve expressed by the y + / A ratio was substantialy different for HG and LG quail (44.8% vs 39.6% for males and 43.5% vs 36.8% for females, respectively. 4. The food/gain ratios for the fattening period (3 to 35 d of age) were 3.21, 3.47 and 3.34 for the HG, LG and C lines, respectively. The HG quail started to utilise food more efficiently than the LG quail as early as 10 to 14 d, that is, at the age when their relative growth rate first became greater. 5. The relative deviations of the HG and LG lines from the C line are discussed.

Effect of Selection for Increased Body Weight in Turkeys on Lymphoid Organ Weights, Phagocytosis, and Antibody Responses to Fowl Cholera and Newcastle Disease-Inactivated Vaccines

The influence of selection was studied for increased 16-wk BW in turkeys on in vivo phagocytic activity, antibody responses to vaccines, and weight of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius. A line (F) of turkeys selected long term for increased 16-wk BW and its corresponding randombred control (RBC2) were compared. Phagocytic activity was evaluated by the carbon clearance assay. Antibody responses to inactivated Newcastle disease virus and Pasteurella multocida vaccines were examined by ELISA. Body weight and relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius of the two lines were also compared.The F line had lower phagocytic activity than the RBC2 line (P < 0.05). In addition, the F line had greater BW, relative weight of spleen, and ratio of spleen to bursa of Fabricius weight (P < 0.01) but had a lower relative weight of bursa of Fabricius at 9 wk of age. However, there were no line differences in the antibody responses to Newcastle disease virus or P. multocida vaccines at 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 12 wk after vaccination. Based on the present results, it is suggested that long-term selection for increased 16-wk BW might have resulted in changes in the immune system, as indicated by changes in the relative weights of the spleen and bursa of Fabricius and phagocytic activity. The decreased phagocytic activity in the F line may be partially responsible for increased susceptibility to specific diseases in this line.

Association of diet and other lifestyle with onset of menopause in Japanese women

Objectives: To evaluate the cross-sectional relationships of dietary and other lifestyle variables to menopause. Methods: A total of 4186 female residents aged 45–55 in Takayama City, Japan, responded to a self-administered questionnaire (the response rate was 89.3%). Diet in the past year was assessed by semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. Using the logistic regression model, associations between study variables and menopausal status were estimated in terms of odds ratio (OR). Results: Nulliparity and lower relative weight were significantly associated with menopause after controlling for age ( P<0.05). The association of smoking with menopause was marginally significant after controlling for age ( P=0.06). Higher intakes of fat, cholesterol, and coffee were inversely and significantly associated with later menopause after controlling for age, total energy, parity, menarche age, and relative weight (ORs for the highest tertiles of fat, cholesterol and coffee intakes were 0.78, 0.79, and 0.70, respectively, P<0.05). The highest tertiles of calcium and soy product intakes were significantly associated with menopause after controlling for the covariates (0Rs=1.25 and 1.42, respectively, P<0.05), but postmenopausal women who had menopause at later age showed higher calcium intake than those who had menopause at early age. Conclusion: Dietary factors appear to be associated with onset of menopause.

Relationship between the thymus and neurochemical changes in the hypothalamus–preoptic area and prefrontal cortex in female rats with delayed puberty

In female rats, aged 55–58 days with delayed puberty due to deficient growth and environmental stress, 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels and serotonin turnover rate in the hypothalamus–preoptic area as well as body weight, body weight gain and relative weight of ovaries, uterus, adrenals and preputial glands were lower while serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the prefrontal cortex were higher when compared to normal rats with the latest onset of puberty aged 42–52 days. In rats with delayed puberty, multiple regression analysis revealed a significant negative dependence on dopamine turnover in the hypothalamus–preoptic area for body weight gain and, of all organs, for the relative weight of the thymus. A similar negative significant dependence on serotonin turnover rate in the prefrontal cortex was also found for the relative weight of thymus and spleen. The same analysis in the opposite direction revealed a significant negative dependence of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid levels and dopamine turnover rate in the hypothalamus–preoptic area as well as serotonin turnover rate in the prefrontal cortex only on thymus weight. After separation of delayed pubertal rats into two groups, based on absolute ovarian weight, the rats in the low ovarian weight range and no signs of puberty exhibited: lower body weight gain, lower body weight, and lower relative weight only of thymus, ovaries and preputial glands in parallel with an increased dopamine turnover rate in the hypothalamus–preoptic area and serotonin turnover rate in the prefrontal cortex compared to the delayed pubertal rats in the high ovarian weight range and early signs of puberty. The results suggest that in rats with delayed puberty: (1) serotonergic activation in the hypothalamus–preoptic area is lower compared to normal puberty rats; (2) dopaminergic activation in the hypothalamus–preoptic area negatively affects body weight gain, thymus weight and initiation of puberty and (3) thymus weight is negatively implicated in dopaminergic activation in the hypothalamus–preoptic area and serotonergic activation in the prefrontal cortex and positively related to ovarian weight and early signs of puberty.

Genetic analysis of the accumulation of COR14 proteins in wild (Hordeum spontaneum) and cultivated (Hordeum vulgare) barley

The cold-regulated (COR14) protein of 14 kDa is a polypeptide accumulated under low-temperature conditions in the chloroplasts of barley leaves. In H. vulgare the COR14 antibody cross-reacts with two proteins, with a slightly different relative molecular weight around the marker of 14.4 kDa, referred to as COR14a and COR14b (high and low relative molecular weight, respectively). In a collection of H. spontaneum genotypes a clear polymorphism was found for the corresponding COR proteins. While some accessions showed the same COR pattern as cultivated barley, in 38 out of 61 accessions examined the COR14 antibody cross-reacted with an additional coldregulated protein with a relative molecular weight of about 24 kDa (COR24). The accumulation of COR24 was often associated with the absence of COR14b; the relationship between the COR14b/COR24 polymorphism and the adaptation of H. spontaneum to different environments is discussed. By studying COR14 accumulation in cultivated barley we have found that the threshold induction-temperature of COR14a is associated with the loci controlling winter hardiness. This association was demonstrated by using either a set of 30 cultivars of different origin, or two sets of frost-tolerant and frost-sensitive F1 doubled-haploid lines derived from the cross Dicktoo (winter type) x Morex (spring type). These results suggest that the threshold induction-temperature of COR14a can be a potential biochemical marker for the identification of superior frostresistant barley genotypes.

A case-control study of risk factors for hip fractures in the Japanese elderly by medos questionnaire —does Japanese life style prevent hip fractures?—

A CASE-CONTROL STUDY OF RISK FACTORS FOR HIP FRACTURES IN THE JAPANESE ELDERLY BY MEDOS QUESTIONNAIRE --DOES JAPANESE LIFE STYLE PREVENT HIP FRACTURES ?-T. Suzuki. 1'2) Yoshida, H) '~ Hashimoto, T. 2) Yoshimura. N. ;t) Fujiwara, S. 2) Hosoi, T 2) Fukunaga, T. z) Nakamura, T. 2) Yon, K. 2) lnoue. T. 2) Crime, H. 2) 1), Dapartment of Epidemiology, Tokyo Metrepol. last. Gerontel. 2) The Research Group on Os~operasis in Japan (Chairman: H. Crime) [ Purpose ] A population based case.control study of hip fracture among the Japanese elderly was caroled out by interview survey with th~ same questionnaire of Mediterranean Osteoporosis Study (MEDOS) i, order to investigate the fracture risks in Japan and m cempare them with other geographic areas. [ Subjects & Methods ] Case of hip fracture with age range from 65 to 89 years old were obtained from 21 hospitals in Seven areas in Japan. Two controls for one case were selected randomly from resident registration-book and were matched by sex, age (:1:3 birth years) and residential area. All cases and controls were interviewed by well-trained interviewers on the MEDOS questionnaire with some optional questions of Japanese life style. [Resnltsl During survey, 249 new hip fracteres (206 females and 43 males) and 498 controls were obtained from April of 1994 to March of 1995 as the study population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to produce odds ratios for associations between hip fracture and exposure variables. The results of this study are consistent with other studies for factors generally considered to be associated with risk of hip fracture : low relative weight, physical inactivity,,

Genetic relationship of growth, sex and glucosephosphate isomerase-B phenotypes in channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus)

Growth of fish has been associated with the phenotypes of specific biochemical genetic loci, although the correlation of growth with sex-specific loci has not been routinely studied. In a previous study in channel catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus), glucose phosphate isomerase-B (GPI-B) was linked with the sex-determining gene (SDG) with a recombination frequency of 15.2%. Growth performance related to sex and GPI-B phenotypes was investigated in five experimental matings of channel catfish. The association of sex and GPI-B with growth, differences in growth among GPI-B phenotypes, and the degree of linkage with growth between sex and GPI-B were evaluated by ANOVA followed by Duncan's Multiple Range Test ( P < 0.05). Significant growth differences were found between males and females in all families examined; males outweighed females by 36%, confirming observations from earlier studies. The phenotypes of GPI-B were also associated with growth; however, heterozygotes at GPI-B exhibited higher relative weight than homozygotes only when the paternal parent was heterozygous, indicating that the heterozygosity of this allozyme did not directly induce the observed growth advantage. No growth advantage of heterozygosity in GPI-B was observed when recombination occurred between GPI-B and SDG; male and female recombinants had similar or lower relative weights compared to offspring with parental genotypes. These data indicate that sex is more tightly linked with growth-related gene(s) than GPI-B phenotypes, and no evidence supported direct involvement of GPI-B in growth of channel catfish.

Maintenance of weight loss after a very-low-calorie diet involving behavioral treatment.

The long-term effects of a very-low-calorie diet coupled with behavioral therapy were studied for 209 subjects. Although a low goal weight, frequent calorie counting and exercise, and a later age of onset of obesity predicted a low relative weight, most respondents had regained most of the weight they had lost.

Viscous Indigestible Polysaccharides Reduce Accumulation of Pentachlorobenzene in Rats

To investigate an effect of indigestible polysaccharides (cellulose as control, sodium alginate, guar gum or lambda-carrageenan) on the accumulation of pentachlorobenzene, male Sprague Dawley rats were fed experimental diets containing 5 g/100 g of these polysaccharides for 2 wk. They were then given orally 80 mumol (20 mg) of pentachlorobenzene along with their respective diets and the residual pentachlorobenzene was determined after 7 d. The ingestion of the viscous indigestible polysaccharides resulted in significantly lower accumulation of pentachlorobenzene in adipose tissue, liver and kidney than that found in rats fed a cellulose diet. Soon (5 h) after pentachlorobenzene administration, its concentration in the blood of rats fed sodium alginate and guar gum was higher than that of rats fed cellulose, but lower in the groups fed all three viscous polysaccharides after d 3. These results indicate that pentachlorobenzene excretion was increased by the ingestion of viscous indigestible polysaccharides. Lower relative weight of adipose tissue, a storage tissue for pentachlorobenzene, was found in the rats fed sodium alginate and guar gum. The lower adipose tissue mass was likely the main contributor to the enhancement of pentachlorobenzene excretion.

Pregnancy in lupus nephropathy

The purpose of this study was to obtain information about the fetal and maternal outcome of pregnancy in patients with pre-existing lupus nephritis and to evaluate risk factors for poor fetal outcome. Twenty-six pregnancies in 16 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Induced abortions were performed in two patients and one patient had a spontaneous abortion. Of the 23 completed pregnancies, all clinically established on inactive lupus nephritis with normal renal function, seven (30%) were complicated by pre-eclampsia. Two of the three patients with severe pre-eclampsia had increased levels of antiphospholipid antibodies (aPL). Of the 23 newborns, seven (30%) were premature (< 37 weeks) and seven (30%) had neonatal complications. Six of the seven pregnancies associated with neonatal complications were hypertensive. There was one early neonatal death. Four newborns (16%) were severely growth retarded (< -2 SD). The presence of hypertension before pregnancy tended to correlate with low relative birth weight in the newborns (p = 0.079). Flares of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) during pregnancy and six months post partum occurred in two (9%) of the 23 completed pregnancies. Renal function was not affected irreversibly in any patient. Thus, the outlook for pregnancy in patients with stable lupus nephritis at conception is good. However, the risk of obstetric complications is greater and fetal morbidity, especially in hypertensive pregnancies, is common.

Body dissatisfaction adjusted for weight: The body illusion index

The current study extends earlier observations that body dissatisfaction is positively associated with body weight for eating disorder patients and for nonpatient college women. An adjustment to the Eating Disorder Inventory (EDI) Body Dissatisfaction score (i.e., the “Body Illusion Index” or “Bll”) is proposed to statistically eliminate the effects of relative body weight on Body Dissatisfaction scores and to systematically increase Body Dissatisfaction scores at lower relative weights. The adjustment results in a mean adjusted body dissatisfaction score for the anorexia nervosa patients more closely resembling that for bulimia ner-vosa patients and differing significantly from normal weight college women. The “Body Illusion Index” addresses the different meanings and clinical significance that body dissatisfaction implies for individuals at different weights. © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Physical Activity and its Relationship to Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Rural Japanese Men

Methods of quantifying physical activity in a population-based sample are needed to examine the relation of physical activity to cardiovascular diseases. We examined validity and reproducibility of an interviewer-administered physical activity questionnaire for men aged 40-59 years in a rural Japanese population. Validity was tested by comparing the estimate of physical activity from a 24-hour diary and maximum oxygen uptake from ergometer exercise test for forty-five men. There was no difference in the estimates of energy expenditure between the questionnaire and the 24-hour diary in each job classfication. Significant correlations were obtained between total activity estimated by the questionnaire and the 24-hour diary (r=0.66) and between the total activity and maximum oxygen uptake (r=0.30). Correlation coefficients between the test and retest at 1-2 year interval for 83 men were 0.67 for total activity, 0.62 for activity at work, 0.59 for leisure time activity and 0.24 for other activity. Using this questionnaire, energy expenditure in total physical activity was measured in 539 men aged 40-59 years living in a rural community of Akita, northeast Japan. Greater physical activity was associated with higher serum HDL-cholesterol levels, lower relative weight index. There was no significant association of physical activity with blood pressure levels, serum total cholesterol, cigarette smoking, and alcohol intake. Thus, greater physical activity was not always associated with lower coronary risk factors except for HDL-cholesterol. Prospective studies will be needed to clarify the relation of physical activity with cardiovascular disease in Japanese. J Epidemiol, 1992; 2 : 97-104.