Omega-3 fatty acids does not affect physical activity and body weight in primary school children - a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

It was hypothesized that supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids could increase physical activity (PA) levels, where traditional interventions often fail. The aim of this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trail was to evaluate the effects of 15-week administration of omega-3 fatty acids on objectively measured PA and relative body weight in 8-9 year-old children. The children were randomly assigned to supplementation of omega-3 fatty acids or placebo. Primary outcome was change in PA counts per minute (cpm), and secondly change in body mass index standard deviation score (BMI SDS). Covariance models were applied adjusting for age, gender, weight status, PA and intervention season. Compliance was controlled for by analyzing fatty acid composition in plasma. The intention to treat population consisted of 362 children (omega-3 n = 177, placebo n = 185). No significant effects of omega-3 fatty acids on PA or relative body weight were observed. In covariance models no effects were observed by gender, weight status or change in PA (all p > 0.05), but inactive children increased their PA more than children classified as active at baseline (p < 0.05).

Treatment effect of ozone and fluoride varnish application on occlusal caries in primary molars: a 12-month study.

AIM: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of ozone and fluoride varnish on occlusal caries in primary molars in a split-mouth study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Caries risk was estimated by treating Public Dental Health Service dentists. Children with occlusal caries with Ekstrand index scores ≤3 (VI ≤3) were included. Selection of caries lesions was discontinued for ethical reasons due to non-acceptable clinical results during the follow-up. In the continued evaluation pairs of teeth with non-cavitated caries lesions, Ekstrand score ≤2a (VI ≤2) were selected. Fifty pairs of carious primary molars were included, 18 boys and 15 girls (mean 4.7 years, range 3-8). At baseline, the lesions were assessed by visual inspection (VI) and laser-induced fluorescence (LF), in each pair to treatment with 40 s ozone (HealOzone(TM), 2,100 ppm) or fluoride varnish Duraphat®. The treatments and evaluations were repeated at 3, 6 9 months and evaluations only at 12 months. RESULTS: Medium-high caries risk was observed in VI ≤3 children and low-medium risk in VI ≤2a children. In the 15 pairs VI ≤3 lesions, 8 treated with ozone and 9 with fluoride progressed to failure. In the 35 pairs VI ≤2a lesions, one lesion failed. Median baseline LF values in the VI ≤3 group were 76 and 69, for ozone and fluoride lesions, respectively, and 21 and 19 in the VI ≤2a group. At 12 months, LF values in the VI ≤2a group were 15 and 18. No improvement or difference in LF values was found over time between the caries lesions treated with ozone or fluoride. CONCLUSIONS: Neither ozone nor fluoride varnish treatments stopped the progression of caries in cavitated lesions. In low and medium caries risk children, non-cavitated lesions following both treatments showed slight or no progression. The use of ozone or fluoride varnish treatments in this regime as caries preventive method, added to the daily use of fluoridated toothpaste, to arrest caries progression in primary molars must therefore be questioned.

Patients' experiences and perceptions of integrative care for back and neck pain.

CONTEXT: Conventional guidelines in Sweden recommend primary care management for back and neck pain, yet these two conditions are the most common ones for which patients use complementary therapies. Despite the recent growth of integrative medicine (IM) in different clinical, academic, and societal contexts, few studies have defined and investigated comprehensive models of integrative care as compared to conventional management, especially using randomized clinical trials. OBJECTIVE: The study explores patients' experiences and perceptions when receiving conventional or integrative care in the management of back and neck pain. DESIGN: The research team conducted this study within a larger interventional study. In that study--a pragmatic randomized clinical pilot trial--the team developed a model for integrative medicine that combines complementary therapies that have an emerging evidence base and conventional treatments for patients with nonspecific back and neck pain. The research team implemented the model and compared the results for integrative care to results for conventional primary care. The current qualitative study included 11 focus-group discussions: conventional care (n= 5) and integrative care (n=6). SETTING: The research team implemented the interventional study in south suburban Stockholm, an area with higher unemployment, lower incomes, and receipt of more welfare support and sickness benefits compared to the average levels in Stockholm. PARTICIPANTS: The participants in the focus-group discussions were volunteers drawn from the larger randomized clinical trial. OUTCOME MEASURES: The research team transcribed all discussions from the focus groups verbatim and used latent content analysis to evaluate the data. RESULTS: Receiving diagnostic support and excluding pathology were strong reasons for participants to seek conventional care. Participants reported that they found conventional management to be reductionistic, with a focus on disease, and a lack of accessibility, time, and guidance. In contrast, participants reported that integrative care was holistic, whole-person management and facilitated increased treatment response, support, empowerment, and self-help strategies. Participants, however, perceived integrative care to be challenging because of additional treatment costs with complementary therapies and collaborative shortcomings between integrative and conventional practitioners generally. CONCLUSION: Integrative care represents a combination of valuable conventional medical diagnosis with empowering self-help strategies for some patients with nonspecific back and neck pain in Swedish primary care. Future studies should also investigate experiences and perceptions in the longer term from the perspective of patients, caregivers, and health systems.

Community perceptions of tuberculosis: A qualitative exploration from a gender perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To explore community laypersons' perspective on tuberculosis (TB)-related illness experiences, meanings, behaviours and impact with reference to gender. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative, conducted in rural Bangladesh. METHODS: Eleven focus group discussions (FGDs) were conducted (six female and five male) in five subdistricts where the non-governmental organization BRAC operates. On average, seven purposively chosen poor, illiterate, non-TB patients participated in each FGD. Discussions were audiotaped, translated verbatim into English and analysed using MAXQDA software for qualitative data analysis, used it to assign codes to text segments to identify themes from participants' narratives. RESULTS: TB was recognized as a deadly disease that could affect anyone. The discussants were fairly aware of the psychological, financial and social impacts of TB. Women faced with adverse consequences more often than men, such as trouble in ongoing and prospective marital affairs. Coughing up sputum in public by women is culturally frowned upon, resulting in enormous suffering. Women tended to describe the clinical features more vaguely than men, and often specified fewer characteristic symptoms such as blood in sputum. CONCLUSIONS: The gender differences in the health and socio-economic impact of TB included perceived causality, curability, stigma, family and community support, fear of disclosure, and use of self-help or home remedies. Interactive health education covering various consequences of TB could be indispensable to changing negative beliefs.

Differential ability of carotenoid C4-oxygenation in yellow and red bishop species (Euplectes spp.).

Male breeding plumages of African widowbirds and bishops (Euplectes spp.) show striking variation in carotenoid-based plumage coloration, with saturated yellow or orange-red patches of different size. Yet, from observations and experiments, agonistic signaling appears to have been a generalized sexual selection pressure for redness in the genus. Recent results show that yellow and red widowbird colors derive from distinctly different pigment profiles, and suggest that species vary in their ability to metabolize ingested carotenoids. We used reflectance spectrometry and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) to describe the species-specific colors and plumage carotenoids of the congeneric yellow-crowned bishop (E. afer) and southern red bishop (E. orix). Results show that the yellow rump color of E. afer primarily derives from direct-deposited, dietary yellow pigments, i.e. lutein and zeaxanthin. In the red breast of E. orix, these are complemented by smaller amounts of derived red C4-keto-carotenoids: mainly alpha-doradexanthin, but also beta-doradexanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxanthin and adonirubin. We also performed a diet supplementation experiment to investigate the relative importance of nutritional and metabolic constraints in determining the differential occurrence of C4-keto-carotenoids, and thus red plumage color, in the two species. Our results indicate that E. orix, but not E. afer, can manufacture red C4-keto-carotenoids (alpha-doradexanthin and canthaxanthin) from yellow dietary precursors (lutein and beta-carotene).

Systemic therapy of malignant human melanoma tumors by a common cold-producing enterovirus, coxsackievirus a21.

PURPOSE: The incidence of malignant melanoma continues to increase worldwide; however, treatment of metastatic melanoma remains unsatisfactory, and there is an urgent need for development of effective targeted therapeutics. A potential biological target on the surface of malignant melanoma cells is the up-regulated expression of intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 and decay-accelerating factor (DAF), relative to surrounding benign tissue. Coxsackievirus A21 (a common cold virus) targets and destroys susceptible cells via specific viral capsid interactions with surface-expressed virus receptors comprising ICAM-1 and DAF. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: The oncolytic capacity of a genetically unmodified wild-type common cold-producing human enterovirus (Coxsackievirus A21, CAV21) was assessed against in vitro cultures and in vivo xenografts of malignant human melanoma cells. RESULTS: In vitro studies established that human melanoma cells endogenously express elevated levels of ICAM-1/DAF and were highly susceptible to rapid viral oncolysis by CAV21 infection, whereas ICAM-1/DAF-expressing peripheral blood lymphocytes were refractile to infection. In vivo studies revealed that the tumor burden of nonobese diabetic severe combined immunodeficient mice bearing multiple s.c. melanoma xenografts was rapidly reduced by oncolysis mediated by a single administration of CAV21. The antitumor activity of CAV21 was characterized by highly efficient systemic spread of progeny CAV21, with oncolysis of tumors also occurring at sites distant to the primary site of viral administration. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the findings presented herein demonstrate an important proof of principle using administration of replication-competent CAV21 as a potential biological oncolytic agent in the control of human metastatic melanoma.

Nasal challenges with recombinant derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 induce fewer symptoms and lower mediator release than rBet v 1 wild-type in patients with allergic rhinitis.

BACKGROUND: Genetic engineering of the major birch pollen allergen (Bet v 1) has led to the generation of recombinant Bet v 1 derivatives with markedly reduced IgE-binding capacity, but with retained T cell activating ability. OBJECTIVE: To compare the mucosal reactivity to rBet v 1 derivatives with rBet v 1 wild-type as basis for new therapeutic strategies for birch pollen allergy based on mucosal tolerance induction. METHODS: Outside the pollen season, 10 patients with birch pollen allergic rhinitis and mild asthma underwent four nasal challenge-sessions in a randomized, double-blind, and cross-over design, employing increasing doses of rBet v 1 fragment mix, rBet v 1 trimer, rBet v 1 wild-type and diluent (albumin). Nasal lavage fluids (NAL) were collected before the challenge-series as well as 10 min, 4 and 24 h thereafter. Nasal lavage fluid levels of tryptase as well as EPO and ECP were measured as indices of mast cell and eosinophil activity, respectively. RESULTS: All 10 patients tolerated the highest accumulated dose, 8.124 microg, when challenged with rBet v 1 trimer, eight with rBet v 1 fragments compared to one when challenged with rBet v 1 wild-type. No late phase reactions were observed. The change in tryptase levels (pre-challenge vs. 10 min) was significantly lower after challenges with rBet v 1 trimer and rBet v 1 fragments than with rBet v 1 wild-type. The change in EPO/ECP concentration pre-challenge versus 4 h post-challenge was lower for rBet v 1 trimer and the change was significantly lower when pre-challenge versus 24 h post-challenge to rBet v 1 fragments and rBet v 1 wild-type was examined. CONCLUSION: The derivatives induced significantly fewer symptoms and lower mast cell and eosinophil activation than rBet v 1 wild-type upon application to the nasal mucosa. They could in the future be candidates for immunotherapy based on mucosal tolerance induction.

Tanzanian midwives' views on becoming a good resource and support person for postpartum women.

OBJECTIVES: to explore midwives' views in relation to the provision of systematic postpartum care. DESIGN: qualitative focus group study using grounded theory approach. SETTING: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. PARTICIPANTS: 49 nurse/midwives in five focus group discussions, each having 9-11 participants. FINDINGS: eight categories were identified: 'reflecting', 'getting ready', 'defining abilities', 'networking', 'integrating', 'balancing', 'dealing with reality', and 'caring'. The identified core category that integrated and encapsulated all other categories was 'becoming a good resource and support person for postpartum woman'. The mediating factors found to have potential for influencing how a midwife can function in order to become a good resource and support person were: a) the structure and approach in maternal and child health services, b) midwives' knowledge, attitude and skills, c) informal sources of knowledge to parents, and d) cultural beliefs and practices. CONCLUSION: the findings of this study provide an understanding of the way midwives feel and think about the provision of postpartum care. The findings demonstrate that midwives need support in their efforts to achieve what they consider necessary for postpartum care. Interventions for educating and supporting midwives should be targeted at enabling them to deal with all the factors that influence their role and help them to identify and use better strategies to provide quality care.

Comparison of inflammatory responses to genetically engineered hypoallergenic derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen bet v 1 and to recombinant bet v 1 wild type in skin chamber fluids collected from birch pollen-allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Nearly 60% of birch pollen-allergic patients react exclusively to Bet v 1. With use of the skin blister model, previously only established for installation of crude allergens, we have for the first time characterized the inflammatory response in vivo to recombinant birch pollen allergen, rBet v 1, molecules (rBet v 1 wild type, fragments and trimer). OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to examine whether challenge with rBet v 1 derivatives (fragments and trimer) compared with rBet v 1 wild type differs with respect to influx of activated eosinophils and detectable levels of cytokines/chemokines related to allergic inflammation in skin chambers applied to birch pollen-allergic patients. METHODS: The skin blister chambers were filled for 2 hours with rBet v 1, the derivatives or PBS and heparin (negative control). The fluids were analyzed after 2 and 8 hours. The number of eosinophils was determined and EG2 and CD69 expression measured by flow cytometry. Cytokines and mediators were analyzed by ELISA and RIA techniques. RESULTS: Comparable numbers of eosinophils were recruited to the chambers challenged with rBet v 1 molecules, but the eosinophils from the rBet v 1 wild-type challenged chambers showed a significantly higher expression of CD69. The levels of eotaxin were similar in all 4 chambers, whereas rBet v 1 wild type induced significantly higher levels of histamine, eosinophil cationic protein, and GM-CSF than the derivatives did. Recombinant Bet v 1 trimer elicited significantly lower levels of IL-4 compared with rBet v1 wild type. CONCLUSION: Genetically engineered hypoallergenic rBet v 1 derivatives recruited eosinophils analogously with rBet v 1 wild type. However, the derivatives exhibited a lower capacity to activate eosinophils and to release proinflammatory mediators and T helper type 2-derived cytokines. The derivatives may therefore be candidate molecules for specific immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy with reduced risk of inducing allergenic or inflammatory side effects.

Bilateral subthalamic nucleus stimulation in a parkinsonian patient with preoperative deficits in speech and cognition: persistent improvement in mobility but increased dependency: a case study.

We report a patient with advanced Parkinson's disease, including severe and frequent off periods with freezing of gait, moderate dysphonia, and some cognitive impairment, who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus (STN) stimulation. The patient was followed for 1 year after surgery, showing persistent good mobility without off periods and without freezing, which reverted completely when stopping the stimulation. There was deterioration of cognition as well as increased aphonia and drooling, all of which remained when the stimulation was turned off. The striking improvement in motor symptoms following STN stimulation was not paralleled by improvement in disability, probably as a result of a cognitive decline, suggesting a diagnosis of Parkinson's disease with dementia. We conclude that chronic STN stimulation is efficient in alleviating akinetic motor symptoms including gait freezing; this surgery should be offered before patients start to exhibit speech or cognitive disturbances.

Skin test evaluation of genetically engineered hypoallergenic derivatives of the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1: results obtained with a mix of two recombinant Bet v 1 fragments and recombinant Bet v 1 trimer in a Swedish population before the birch pollen season.

BACKGROUND: More than 95% of birch pollen-allergic subjects react with the major birch pollen allergen, Bet v 1, and almost 60% of them are sensitized exclusively to this allergen. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the in vivo biologic activity of genetically engineered hypoallergenic derivatives of Bet v 1 (an equimolar mixture of 2 recombinant [r] Bet v 1 fragments and of rBet v 1 trimer) with that of rBet v 1 wild-type by skin prick and intradermal testing. METHODS: Birch pollen-allergic patients who had not received immunotherapy (n = 23), a group of allergic patients without birch pollen allergy (n = 12), and nonatopic persons (n = 8) from northern Europe (Sweden) underwent skin prick and intradermal testing with different concentrations of the recombinant allergens and commercial birch pollen extract before the birch pollen season. Immediate and late-phase reactions were recorded and allergen-specific IgE and IgG subclass responses were determined by CAP radioallergosorbent test and ELISA, respectively. RESULTS: Atopic persons without birch pollen allergy and nonatopic individuals did not have skin reactions to rBet v 1 wild-type and genetically engineered hypoallergenic derivatives. By intradermal testing, 8 of 23 and 13 of 23 birch pollen-allergic patients did not react with the highest concentration (1 microg/mL) of the rBet v 1 fragment mix and rBet v 1 trimer, respectively, compared with 1 with rBet v 1 wild type. Likewise, the highest concentration (100 microg/mL) of fragment mix or trimer failed to elicit a positive skin prick test in 18 of 23 and 15 of 23 patients in comparison with 0/23 with the monomer. No late reactions were observed. CONCLUSION: The recombinant hypoallergenic birch pollen allergens can probably be used for patient-tailored immunotherapy with a reduced risk to induce anaphylactic reactions.

Different tuberculosis in men and women: beliefs from focus groups in Vietnam.

After decades in decline, tuberculosis (TB) has been increasing worldwide. In 1993, the World Health Organisation declared TB a global emergency. Passive case-finding is an important part of TB control programmes, and this is strongly affected by people's perceptions and beliefs of TB and society's behaviour towards TB sufferers. The aim of this study was to describe the perceptions and beliefs of Vietnamese people regarding TB and its risk factors with special reference to differences between men and women. Sixteen focus group discussions (FGDs) were organised in four districts representing different regions in Vietnam and consisting of men and women, TB patients and non-TB participants. In general, participants had good knowledge of TB being a dangerous, contagious and infectious disease, caused by germs. However, traditional beliefs in different types of TB still exist, mainly among older people in rural areas, but also resorted to by other people once ill. Four main types of TB were reported: (1) 'Lao truyen' (hereditary TB), handed down from older generations to latter ones through 'family blood', regardless of sexes; (2) 'Lao luc' (physical TB), caused by hard work, more men affected; (3) 'Lao tam' (mental TB), caused by too much worrying-more women affected; and (4) 'Lao phoi' (lung TB), dangerous and caused by TB germs, transmitted through the respiratory system-more men affected. Other general risk factors were also mentioned. Men were perceived to get TB more often than women, as they were more exposed to risk factors during both work and leisure time. These traditional beliefs may contribute to long delays to TB diagnosis and increased social stigma and isolation of TB patients and their families due to erroneous beliefs in transmission routes. Our findings demonstrate areas where TB control programmes may be improved.

Increasing prevalence of asthma over 12 years among dairy farmers on Gotland, Sweden: storage mites remain dominant allergens.

BACKGROUND: Earlier studies from several countries have shown that IgE-mediated allergy in rural populations is of considerable importance and that storage mites are dominant allergens. OBJECTIVE: In an epidemiological follow-up study among farmers on the island of Gotland, Sweden in 1996 we wished to investigate the prevalence of respiratory allergy and to find out whether storage mites are still important allergens in a farming environment. METHODS: A questionnaire concerning airway symptoms, social and working conditions and smoking habits was distributed to all Gotland farmers aged 15-65 years and was completed by 1577 (86.7%), of whom 1015 were dairy farmers. Based on the answers, 500 dairy farmers were invited to undergo a medical examination which included a skin-prick test (SPT) and blood sampling for RAST analyses. Prevalence figures (symptoms, RAST and SPT) given for the whole population (n = 1015) were based on the investigation of the 461 farmers who took part in the examination. RESULTS: Immediate onset hypersensitivity was present in 41.7% of the 1015 farmers studied, which is almost the same figure as in 1984 (40.0%). The prevalence of asthma had increased significantly during the previous 12 years (5.3% vs 9.8%), as had asthma in combination with rhinoconjunctivitis (3.7% vs 7.0%). Rhinoconjunctivitis, on the other hand, had not changed significantly (36.5% vs 33.1%) and remained one of the most common symptoms. The prevalence of storage mite allergy in the farming population in 1996 was 6.5% and constituted an important cause of allergic symptoms. CONCLUSION: Over 12 years, Gotland dairy farmers have developed significantly more respiratory symptoms from the lower airways, although the proportion with atopy is unchanged. Storage mites are still dominant allergens for developing allergic disease.

Two YY-1-binding proximal elements regulate the promoter strength of the TATA-less mouse ribonucleotide reductase R1 gene.

Ribonucleotide reductase is essential for DNA synthesis. In mammalian cells, the enzyme consists of two non-identical subunits, proteins R1 and R2. The expression of the mouse R1 and R2 genes is strictly correlated to S phase. Using promoter-reporter gene constructs, we have defined a region of the TATA-less mouse ribonucleotide reductase R1 gene promoter that correlates reporter gene expression to S phase. This is demonstrated in stably transformed cells both synchronized by serum starvation and separated by centrifugal elutriation, suggesting that the R1 gene expression during the cell cycle is mainly regulated at the transcriptional level. The region contains four protein-binding DNA elements, beta (nucleotides -189 to -167), alpha (-98 to -76), Inr (-4 to +16), and gamma (+34 to +61), together regulating promoter activity. The nearly identical upstream elements, alpha and beta, each form three DNA-protein complexes in gel shift assays. We have identified YY1 as a component in at least one of the complexes using supershift antibodies and a yeast one-hybrid screening of a mouse cDNA library using the alpha element as a target. Transient transfection assays demonstrate that the alpha and beta elements are mainly important for the R1 promoter strength and suggest that YY1 functions as an activator.

Low levels of essential fatty acids are related to impaired delayed skin hypersensitivity in malnourished chronically ill elderly people.

Essential fatty acid (FA) deficiency, which may accompany protein-energy malnutrition (PEM), has been associated with impaired inflammatory reactions. We evaluated this relationship by analysing FA profiles and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity in 20 malnourished elderly non-cancer patients and in 20 age-matched control patients. As indicated by serum cholesterol and serum triglycerides, the lipid levels were decreased by about one-third in the subjects with PEM. In comparison with the controls, there was a reduction in the omega 3 FA (e.g. eicosapentanoate) in total serum lipids (mg l-1) and serum phospholipids (%) of 40% and 47%, respectively. Reductions in serum omega 6 FA (e.g. linoleate and arachidonate) levels corresponded to the drop in total FA concentrations (30%). The cutaneous hypersensitivity was impaired in 14 of the malnourished patients. The magnitude of the skin reaction was positively correlated (P < 0.05) to the concentrations of eicosapentanoate in serum lipids and serum phospholipids, as well as to the linoleate concentration in total serum lipids. Six of the malnourished patients took part in a nutritional intervention programme for 3 months. In parallel with an improvement in the nutritional status there was a 35% increase (P < 0.05) in the total omega 3 FA serum concentration. Negative skin tests became positive and the median skin induration enlarged threefold (P < 0.05). Thus, deficiency of omega 3 FA might be one factor contributing to cutaneous anergy in elderly malnourished patients.

Selenium and its protection against the effects of mercury and silver.

The content of mercury and silver (mean values) was estimated by ICP-MS in the rot tips of amalgam-filled teeth, non-filled teeth and milk teeth. The concentration of mercury in amalgam-filled teeth was 6.0 mg/kg in non-filled adult teeth 0.2 mg/kg and in milk teeth 0.3 mg/kg. The concentration of silver in amalgam-filled teeth was 2.6 mg/kg, in non-filled adult teeth 0.08 mg/kg and in milk teeth 0.06 mg/kg. A theory is presented on how selenium protects against the formation of free radicals by heavy metals and/or peroxides which result in cellular damage.

Altered elemental profiles in neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis.

The elemental profiles of thrombocytes and mononuclear cells were investigated in five patients with Infantile and eight with Juvenile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis. The patients with the infantile form had suffered from the disease for a year and those with the juvenile form for some six years. The thrombocytes exhibited increased concentrations of calcium and magnesium, but the same concentrations of iron and zinc as found in healthy subjects. The mononuclear cells exhibited an increased concentration of iron and a reduced concentration of zinc. The elevated concentrations of magnesium, calcium and iron in the thrombocytes and mononuclear cells may represent the end products of ceroid pigmentation. Five patients with Juvenile and one with Infantile Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis were treated with antioxidants along with vitamins E, B2 and B6, but this treatment did not affect significantly the concentration of iron in the mononuclear cells. However, selenium was detected in some mononuclear cells in all the patients so treated. This was unexpected since iron (III), being antagonistic to selenium in the form of selenite--which was the antioxidant given--forms a stable complex which cannot be broken down biologically.

The biological response of selenium in individual erythrocytes and GSH-Px in lambs fed sodium selenite or selenium yeast.

Twenty Swedish Landrace lambs were divided randomly into two equal groups, group I and group O. Group I received approximately 0.1 mg selenium as sodium selenite per day and group O 0.1 mg selenium as selenium in yeast per day. The animals were fed per day 1.2-1.5 kg of hay and 0.3 kg of a commercial concentrate supplemented with vitamins and minerals. The trial lasted 3.5 months. As monitored by micro particle induced X-ray emission (mu-PIXE), the number of selenium bearing erythrocytes increased faster in group O than in group I indicating some difference in the metabolism of inorganic and organic selenium. During the trial the concentration of sulphur decreased in the erythrocytes in group O. The reason for this is not known. The zinc and copper concentrations of individual erythrocytes were unaltered. The blood GSH-Px activity increased at the same rate in the two groups indicating that selenium as sodium selenite and selenium in yeast was about equally available. The rate of growth in the two groups was almost the same and a significant difference in the final weight was not observed.