Assessment of the ability of seaweed extracts to protect against hydrogen peroxide and tert-butyl hydroperoxide induced cellular damage in Caco-2 cells.

The ability of brown seaweed extracts, Ascophyllum nodosum, Laminaria hyperborea, Pelvetia canaliculata, Fucus vesiculosus and Fucus serratus to protect against tert-butyl hydroperoxide (tert-BOOH) induced stress in Caco-2 cells was investigated. Oxidative stress was determined by measuring alteration in the enzymatic activity of catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutases (SOD) and cellular levels of glutathione (GSH). L. hyperborea, P. canaliculata and F. serratus significantly protected against tert-BOOH induced SOD reduction but did not protect against the reduction in CAT activity or the increased cellular levels of GSH. The ability of F. serratus and F. vesiculosus to protect against H(2)O(2) and tert-BOOH induced DNA damage was also assessed. The DNA protective effects of the two seaweed extracts was compared to those of three metal chelators; deferoxamine mesylate (DFO), 1,10-phenanthroline (o-phen) and 1,2-Bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid tetrakis (BAPTA-AM). F. serratus and F. vesiculosus significantly protected (P<0.05) against H(2)O(2) (50 µM) induced DNA damage but not tert-BOOH induced damage.

The employment of adults with spina bifida.

Information on employment was obtained from 157 adults with spina bifida aged 18-26 years. Ninety were given an additional interview, 43% had been employed at some time, but only 19% currently. They mainly did routine, non-manual work for average working hours, but below average pay. They enjoyed their jobs, principally for the social contact, and were well accepted by employees and work-mates. Unfortunately, job retention was poor. The 81% who were unemployed largely hoped to find a job, but suitable ones were not available. They considered that they should have more help to find jobs. Their days were mainly spent at home or at day centres. They had no doubts that being unemployed had many disadvantages, of which the principal one was lack of social contact, but financial hardship was also mentioned.

Spina bifida adults.

Questionnaire data were obtained from 137 spina bifida adults aged 18-25 years and additional more sensitive information was obtained by interviewing 35 of them. Although 52% had attended college, many found the courses of little relevance to finding employment. 45% had been employed at some time, but only 23% were presently employed. Employability was significantly related to degree of handicap, and job retention was significantly higher in males. 14% lived away from home, but many more wished to do so. Only 3% were married and 24% had a boyfriend / girlfriend . The most common health problems were of the urinary tract (38%) and pressure sores (26%).