Performance in dynamic movement tasks and occurrence of low back pain in youth floorball and basketball players.

BACKGROUND: Prospective studies investigating risk factors for low back pain (LBP) in youth athletes are limited. The aim of this prospective study was to investigate the association between hip-pelvic kinematics and vertical ground reaction force (vGRF) during landing tasks and LBP in youth floorball and basketball players. METHODS: Three-hundred-and-eighty-three Finnish youth female and male floorball and basketball players (mean age 15.7 ± 1.8) participated and were followed up on for 3 years. At the beginning of every study year the players were tested with a single-leg vertical drop jump (SLVDJ) and a vertical drop jump (VDJ). Hip-pelvic kinematics, measured as femur-pelvic angle (FPA) during SLVDJ landing, and peak vGRF and side-to-side asymmetry of vGRF during VDJ landing were the investigated risk factors. Individual exposure time and LBP resulting in time-loss were recorded during the follow-up. Cox's proportional hazard models with mixed effects and time-varying risk factors were used for analysis. RESULTS: We found an increase in the risk for LBP in players with decreased FPA during SLVDJ landing. There was a small increase in risk for LBP with a one-degree decrease in right leg FPA during SLVDJ landing (HR 1.09, 95% CI 1.02 to 1.17, per one-degree decrease of FPA). Our results showed no significant relationship between risk for LBP and left leg FPA (HR 1.04, 95% CI 0.97 to 1.11, per one-degree decrease of FPA), vGRF (HR 1.83, 95% CI 0.95 to 3.51) or vGRF side-to-side difference (HR 1.22, 95% CI 0.65 to 2.27) during landing tasks. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that there is an association between hip-pelvic kinematics and future LBP. However, we did not find an association between LBP and vGRF. In the future, the association between hip-pelvic kinematics and LBP occurrence should be investigated further with cohort and intervention studies to verify the results from this investigation. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognosis, level 1b.

Pre-pregnancy overweight or obesity and gestational diabetes as predictors of body composition in offspring twenty years later: evidence from two birth cohort studies.

BACKGROUND: Global prevalence of overweight/obesity and gestational diabetes (GDM) is increasing. In pregnant women both conditions affect offspring's later health. Overweight/obesity is a risk factor of GDM; to what extent maternal overweight/obesity explains long-term effects of GDM in offspring is unknown. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate effects of maternal pre-pregnancy overweight/obesity (body mass index (BMI) ⩾25 kg m-2) and GDM, occurring together or separately, on body composition among adult offspring. METHODS: Participants include 891 individuals aged 24.1 years (s.d. 1.4) from two longitudinal cohort studies (ESTER and AYLS). Adult offspring of normoglycemic mothers with overweight/obesity (ONOO, n=153), offspring of mothers with GDM (OGDM; n=191) and controls (n=547) underwent anthropometric measurements and bioimpedance analysis. Gestational diabetes mellitus was diagnosed by oral glucose tolerance test. Data were analyzed by linear regression models adjusted for confounders. RESULTS: Compared with controls, ONOO-participants showed higher BMI (men 1.64 kg m-2 (95% confidence interval 0.57, 2.72); women 1.41 kg m-2 (0.20, 2.63)) and fat percentage (men 2.70% (0.99, 4.41); women 2.98% (0.87, 5.09)) with larger waist circumferences (men 3.34 cm (0.68, 5.99); women 3.09 cm (0.35, 5.83)). Likewise, OGDM-participants showed higher fat percentage (men 1.97% (0.32, 3.61); women 2.32% (0.24, 4.41)). Body mass index was non-significantly different between OGDM-participants and controls (men 0.88 kg m-2 (-0.17, 1.92); women 0.82 kg m-2 (-0.39, 2.04)). Also waist circumferences were larger (men 2.63 cm (-0.01, 5.28); women 3.39 cm (0.60, 6.18)); this difference was statistically significant in OGDM-women only. Differences in body composition measures were stronger among offspring of women with both GDM and overweight/obesity. For instance, fat mass was higher among OGDM-participants of overweight mothers (men 4.24 kg (1.36, 7.11) vs controls; women 5.22 kg (1.33, 9.11)) than OGDM participants of normal weight mothers (men 1.50 kg (-2.11, 5.11) higher vs controls; women 1.57 kg (-3.27, 6.42)). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal pre-pregnancy overweight and GDM are associated with unhealthy body size and composition in offspring over 20 years later. Effects of maternal pre-pregnancy overweight appear more pronounced.

The chronic effects of fullereneC60-associated sediments in the midge Chironomus riparius - Responses in the first and the second generation.

The life cycle parameters of the benthic invertebrate Chironomus riparius make it a relevant organism for use in multi-generation chronic ecotoxicology tests. Since studies on chronic exposures with fullerene carbon nanoparticles have revealed adverse effects at lower concentration ranges, it is crucial to gain understanding of the consequences in following generations. The aims of this study were to investigate whether sediment-associated fullereneC60 impacts on C. riparius emergence and breeding, thus affecting the growth of the second generation. Larvae were exposed to fullerene-spiked sediment at concentrations of 0.5, 10 and 40 mg/kg sediment dw. Total emergence and breeding success were monitored after the first generation and the newly hatched larvae from the first generation exposure were transferred either to continuous exposure or to pristine sediment without fullerene. Findings indicate that the presence of fullerenes has major impacts on the first generation, mainly shown as delayed emergence time of females. Increased larval growth was observed in the second generation, and we conclude that the C. riparius response to fullerene exposure indicated significant signs of recovery in second-generation larval growth. The result shows the effects to be important for population dynamics, revealing delayed female emergence time, which leads to situation where adults' breeding is impaired.

Chironomus riparius exposure to fullerene-contaminated sediment results in oxidative stress and may impact life cycle parameters.

A key component of understanding the potential environmental risks of fullerenes (C60) is their potential effects on benthic invertebrates. Using the sediment dwelling invertebrate Chironomus riparius we explored the effects of acute (12h and 24h) and chronic (10d, 15d, and 28d) exposures of sediment associated fullerenes. The aims of this study were to assess the impact of exposure to C60 in the sediment top layer ((0.025, 0.18 and 0.48) C60 mg/cm2) on larval growth, oxidative stress and emergence rates and to quantify larval body burdens in similarly exposed organisms. Oxidative stress localization was observed in the tissues next to the microvilli and exoskeleton through a method for identifying oxidative stress reactions generated by reactive oxygen species. Rapid intake of fullerenes was shown in acute experiments, whereas body residues decreased after chronic exposure. Transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed oxidative damage and structural changes in cells located between the lipid droplets and next to the microvilli layer in fullerene exposed samples. Fullerene associated sediments also caused changes in the emergence rate of males and females, suggesting that the cellular interactions described above or other effects from the fullerenes may influence reproduction rates.

Biological responses of midge (Chironomus riparius) and lamprey (Lampetra fluviatilis) larvae in ecotoxicity assessment of PCDD/F-, PCB- and Hg-contaminated river sediments.

We evaluated the utility of chironomid and lamprey larval responses in ecotoxicity assessment of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins, dibenzofurans (PCDD/F)-, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB)- and mercury (Hg)-contaminated river sediments. Sediment samples were collected from the River Kymijoki with a known industrial pollution gradient. Sediment for the controls and lamprey larvae were obtained from an uncontaminated river nearby. Contamination levels were verified with sediment and tissue PCDD/F, PCB and Hg analyses. Behaviour of sediment-exposed chironomid and lamprey larvae were measured with Multispecies Freshwater Biomonitor© utilizing quadrupole impedance conversion technique. In addition, mortality, growth and head capsule deformity incidence of chironomids were used as ecotoxicity indicators. WHOPCDD/F+PCB-TEQ in the R. Kymijoki sediments ranged from the highest upstream 22.36 ng g(-1) dw to the lowest 1.50 ng g(-1) near the river mouth. The sum of PCDD/Fs and PCBs correlated strongly with Hg sediment concentrations, which ranged from <0.01 to 1.15 µg g(-1). Lamprey tissue concentrations of PCDD/Fs were two orders and PCBs one order of magnitude higher in the R. Kymijoki compared to the reference. Chironomid growth decreased in contaminated sediments and was negatively related to sediment ∑PCDD/Fs, WHOPCDD/F+PCB-TEQ and Hg. There were no significant differences in larval mortality or chironomid mentum deformity incidence between the sediment exposures. The distinct behavioural patterns of both species indicate overall applicability of behavioural MFB measurements of these species in sediment toxicity bioassays. Chironomids spent less and lampreys more time in locomotion in the most contaminated sediment compared to the reference, albeit statistically significant differences were not detected. Lamprey larvae had also a greater activity range in some of the contaminated sediments than in the reference. High pollutant levels in lamprey indicate risks for biomagnification in the food webs, with potential health risks to humans consuming fish.

Predicting the bioaccumulation of polyaromatic hydrocarbons and polychlorinated biphenyls in benthic animals in sediments.

There were two main objectives in this study. The first was to compare the accuracy of different prediction methods for the chemical concentrations of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in the organism, based on the measured chemical concentrations existing in sediment dry matter or pore water. The predicted tissue concentrations were compared to the measured ones after 28-day laboratory test using oligochaeta worms (Lumbriculus variegatus). The second objective was to compare the bioaccumulation of PAHs and PCBs in the laboratory test with the in situ bioaccumulation of these compounds. Using the traditional organic carbon-water partitioning model, tissue concentrations were greatly overestimated, based on the concentrations in the sediment dry matter. Use of an additional correction factor for black carbon with a two-carbon model, significantly improved the bioaccumulation predictions, thus confirming that black carbon was important in binding the chemicals and reducing their accumulation. The predicted PAH tissue concentrations were, however, high compared to the observed values. The chemical concentrations were most accurately predicted from their freely dissolved pore water concentrations, determined using equilibrium passive sampling. The patterns of PCB and PAH accumulation in sediments for laboratory-exposed L. variegatus were similar to those in field-collected Lumbriculidae worms. Field-collected benthic invertebrates and L. variegatus accumulated less PAHs than PCBs with similar lipophilicity. The biota to sediment accumulation factors of PAHs tended to decrease with increasing sediment organic carbon normalized concentrations. The presented data yields bioconcentration factors (BCF) describing the chemical water-lipid partition, which were found to be higher than the octanol-water partition coefficients, but on a similar level with BCFs drawn from relevant literature. In conclusion, using the two-carbon model method, or the measured freely dissolved pore water concentrations method is recommended for predicting the bioaccumulation of PAHs and PCBs.

Physical activity intensity, sedentary behavior, body composition and physical fitness in 4-year-old children: results from the ministop trial.

BACKGROUND: Existing knowledge on associations of physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) with body composition and physical fitness in preschoolers is limited. OBJECTIVE: To examine associations of PA and SB with body composition and physical fitness in healthy Swedish 4-year-old children. METHODS: We utilized baseline data collected in 2014 for the population-based MINISTOP trial (n=307). Light-intensity PA (LPA), moderate-intensity PA (MPA), vigorous-intensity PA (VPA), moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) and SB were measured using accelerometry (ActiGraph-wGT3x-BT). Body composition was measured using air-displacement plethysmography, and physical fitness (that is, cardiorespiratory fitness, lower and upper body muscular strength and motor fitness) was measured using the PREFIT fitness test battery. Multiple linear regression models adjusted for relevant confounders, and in addition, isotemporal substitution models were applied. RESULTS: Greater MVPA was associated with lower fat mass percent (%FM, P=0.015), and greater VPA and MVPA were associated with higher fat-free mass index (FFMI, P=0.002 and P=0.011). In addition, greater VPA and MVPA were associated with higher scores for all physical fitness tests (P=0.042 to P<0.001). The results for MVPA were primarily due to VPA. SB was associated with weaker handgrip strength (P=0.031) when PA was not adjusted, but after adjusting also for VPA, the significant association disappeared (P=0.25). Substituting 5 min per day of SB, LPA or MPA with 5 min per day of VPA was associated with higher FFMI and better scores for cardiorespiratory fitness and motor fitness. Correspondingly, substituting 5 min per day of VPA with SB or LPA was associated with weaker performance for lower muscular strength. CONCLUSIONS: Time spent on VPA was associated with higher FFMI and better physical fitness. The results suggest that promoting VPA may be important to improve childhood body composition and physical fitness already at an early age.

Knee Control and Jump-Landing Technique in Young Basketball and Floorball Players.

Poor knee alignment is associated with increased loading of the joints, ligaments and tendons, and may increase the risk of injury. The study purpose was to compare differences in knee kinematics between basketball and floorball players during a vertical drop jump (VDJ) task. We wanted to investigate whether basketball players, whose sport includes frequent jump-landings, exhibited better knee control compared with floorball players, whose sport involves less jumping. Complete data was obtained from 173 basketball and 141 floorball players. Peak knee valgus and flexion angles during the VDJ were analyzed by 3D motion analysis.Larger knee valgus angles were observed among basketball players (- 3.2°, 95%CI -4.5 to - 2.0) compared with floorball players (- 0.9°, 95%CI -2.3 to 0.6) (P=0.022). Basketball players landed with a decreased peak knee flexion angle (83.1°, 95%CI 81.4 to 84.8) compared with floorball players (86.5°, 95%CI 84.6 to 88.4) (P=0.016). There were no significant differences in height, weight or BMI between basketball and floorball players. Female athletes exhibited significantly greater valgus angles than males. This study revealed that proper knee control during jump-landing does not seem to develop in young athletes simply by playing the sport, despite the fact that jump-landings occur frequently in practice and games.

Trophic transfer of pyrene metabolites between aquatic invertebrates.

The trophic transfer of pyrene metabolites was studied using Gammarus setosus as a predator and the invertebrates Lumbriculus variegatus and Chironomus riparius as prey. The results obtained by liquid scintillation counting confirmed that the pyrene metabolites produced by the aquatic invertebrates L. variegatus and C. riparius were transferred to G. setosus through the diet. More detailed analyses by liquid chromatography discovered that two of the metabolites produced by C. riparius appeared in the chromatograms of G. setosus tissue extracts, proving their trophic transfer. These metabolites were not present in chromatograms of G. setosus exclusively exposed to pyrene. The present study supports the trophic transfer of PAH metabolites between benthic macroinvertebrates and common species of an arctic amphipod. As some PAH metabolites are more toxic than the parent compounds, the present study raises concerns about the consequences of their trophic transfer and the fate and effects of PAHs in natural environments.

Trophic transfer of pyrene metabolites and nonextractable fraction from Oligochaete (Lumbriculus variegatus) to juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta).

The trophic transfer of pyrene metabolites was evaluated by a 2-month exposure of the freshwater annelid Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta) to pyrene, followed by feeding to juvenile brown trout (Salmo trutta). The results obtained by scintillation counting (SC) proved that the pyrene metabolites produced by L. variegatus were transferred to juvenile S. trutta through diet. More detailed analyses by LC-FLD (liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection) showed that an unknown pyrene metabolite originating from L. variegatus was present in fish liver. This metabolite, although yet not properly identified, may be the glucose conjugate of 1-hydroxy-pyrene. This metabolite was not present in chromatograms of fish that were fed pyrene-spiked food pellets. In addition, the strongly bound tissue residue of L. variegatus, which was nonextractable neither by organic solvents nor by the proteolytic enzyme Proteinase K, was most likely not available for the fish through diet. Altogether, the present study shows that the metabolites of pyrene produced at low levels of the food chain may be potentially available for upper levels through diet, raising a concern about their potential toxicity to predators and supporting their inclusion in the risk assessment of PAHs.

Adverse effects of fullerenes (nC60) spiked to sediments on Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta).

Effects of fullerene-spiked sediment on a benthic organism, Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta), were investigated. Survival, growth, reproduction, and feeding rates were measured to assess possible adverse effects of fullerene agglomerates produced by water stirring and then spiked to a natural sediment. L. variegatus were exposed to 10 and 50 mg fullerenes/kg sediment dry mass for 28 d. These concentrations did not impact worm survival or reproduction compared to the control. Feeding activities were slightly decreased for both concentrations indicating fullerenes' disruptive effect on feeding. Depuration efficiency decreased in the high concentration only. Electron and light microscopy and extraction of the worm fecal pellets revealed fullerene agglomerates in the gut tract but not absorption into gut epithelial cells. Micrographs also indicated that 16% of the epidermal cuticle fibers of the worms were not present in the 50 mg/kg exposures, which may make worms susceptible to other contaminants.

Abnormal antenatal Doppler velocimetry and cognitive outcome in very-low-birth-weight infants at 2 years of age.

OBJECTIVE: To study neurodevelopmental outcome at 2 years of corrected age in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) (< or = 1500 g) preterm infants with abnormal fetoplacental flow. METHODS: A total of 258 VLBW infants were born at Turku University Hospital between 2001 and 2006. Of these, 99 had undergone, within 1 week of delivery, antenatal Doppler assessment of blood flow in the umbilical artery (UA), fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA), descending aorta (DAo), aortic isthmus and ductus venosus and were eligible for inclusion in the study. Postnatally brain pathology was assessed by serial ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging in 86 of the neonates and brain volume was measured in 80. Cognitive development was evaluated at 2 years of corrected age in 83 infants using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development-II. Motor development was assessed using the Hammersmith Infant Neurological Examination. RESULTS: On univariate analysis, abnormal pulsatility index (PI) in the UA and an abnormal UA-PI/MCA-PI ratio (P = 0.04 and P = 0.003, respectively) as well as increases in both the DAo-PI and in the DAo-PI/MCA-PI ratio (P = 0.03 and P = 0.02, respectively), were associated with adverse cognitive outcome at 2 years of age. However, when controlling for cerebral volume using multivariate analysis, the association between abnormal antenatal Doppler characteristics and cognitive outcome became statistically non-significant, which indicated the determinant role of the volume reduction. Motor development was not associated with antenatal Doppler indices. CONCLUSION: Abnormal antenatal Doppler indices are associated with adverse cognitive outcome at 2 years in VLBW infants. Our findings suggest that this association may be mediated through brain volume.

Sublethal toxicity and biotransformation of pyrene in Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta).

The aim of this work was to study the toxicity and biotransformation of polyaromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) pyrene in the oligochaete aquatic worm, Lumbriculus variegatus. PAHs are ubiquitous environmental pollutants that pose a hazard to aquatic organisms, and metabolizing capability is poorly known in the case of many invertebrate species. To study the toxicity and biotransformation of pyrene, the worm was exposed for 15 days to various concentrations of water-borne pyrene. The dorsal blood vessel pulse rate was used as a sublethal endpoint. Pyrene biotransformation by L. variegatus was studied and the critical body residues (CBR) were estimated for pyrene toxicity. The toxicokinetics of pyrene uptake was evaluated. A combination of radiolabeled (14C) and nonlabeled pyrene was used in the exposures, and liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and high-pressure liquid chromatography were employed in both water and tissue residue analyses. The results showed that L. variegatus was moderately able to metabolize pyrene to 1-hydroxypyrene (1-HP), thus demonstrating that the phase-I-like oxidizing enzyme system metabolizes pyrene in L. variegatus. The amount of the 1-HP was 1-2% of the amount of pyrene in the worm tissues. The exposure to pyrene reduced the blood vessel pulse rate significantly (p<0.05), showing that pyrene had a narcotic effect. The estimated CBRs remained constant during the exposure time, varying from 0.120 to 0.174 mmol pyrene/kg worm wet weight. The bioconcentration factors (BCF) decreased as exposure concentration increased. It was suggested that the increased toxicity of pyrene accounted for the decrease in BCFs by lowering the activity of the organism.

Examining the role of temperature and sediment-chemical contact time on desorption and bioavailability of sediment-associated tetrabromo diphenyl ether and benzo(a)pyrene.

The effects of temperature and sediment-chemical contact time on desorption and bioaccumulation of sediment-spiked (14)C-labelled 2,2',4,4'-tetrabromo diphenyl ether (BDE-47) and benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) were examined. Experiments were performed after 2 or 6 weeks and 23 or 24 months sediment-chemical contact time at 10 and 20 degrees C. Desorption was measured in a sediment-water suspension using Tenax extraction, and bioaccumulation was measured by exposing Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta) to BDE-47 and BaP-spiked sediments in a 10d kinetic study. Biota-sediment accumulation factors (BSAFs) ranged between 2.9 and 4.3 for BDE-47 and between 0.5 and 0.9 for BaP. Thus, temperature and aging had a minor effect on bioavailability estimates. On the other hand, the difference between the chemicals was clear and could not be interpreted solely by reference to the size of the desorbing fractions, although the rapidly desorbing fraction-revised estimate clearly reduced the difference. The remaining discrepancy may be related to methodological (Tenax extraction vs. worm exposure) and/or biological (digestive extraction) causes. However, the data support the role of diffusional forces in the bioavailability of sediment-associated organic contaminants. Therefore, desorption-revised bioavailability estimates would lead to more precise bioavailability estimates than the traditional sediment organic carbon-organisms' lipids-based equilibrium partitioning approach.

Bioaccumulation, sublethal toxicity, and biotransformation of sediment-associated pentachlorophenol in Lumbriculus variegatus (Oligochaeta).

The xenobiotics accumulated in sediments represent a hazard to organisms. In order to study the toxic effects of xenobiotics in organisms, body residue has been proposed as a more relevant dose-metric than the environmental concentration of the chemical. In this study, the benthic oligochaetes Lumbriculus variegatus were exposed to sediment-spiked pentachlorophenol (PCP) in a chronic study at different exposure concentrations. The aim was to examine sublethal toxic effects in sediment-dwelling and sediment-ingesting organisms, and to link the effects with chemical body residues. Growth, reproduction, and egestion rate were used as sublethal endpoints. Bioaccumulation, sublethal toxic effects, and biotransformation of PCP were investigated by exposing organisms to both artificial and natural sediments with similar organic carbon content. Sediment characteristics were assumed to have an effect on toxicity since PCP retarded both growth and reproduction in L. variegatus in the artificial sediment. In natural sediment, growth, and reproduction was also reduced in control treatments, probably indicating poor nutritional quality. Most of the extracted chemicals in L. variegatus tissues were water-soluble metabolites, indicating that L. variegatus was capable of biotransforming PCP. The extractable parent PCP body residues (CBR(50)) for L. variegatus growth and reproduction were in agreement with the values estimated for respiratory uncouplers in the literature.

Clinical efficacy and safety of dexmedetomidine and buprenorphine, butorphanol or diazepam for canine hip radiography.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the usefulness of dexmedetomidine for restraint and sedation during hip radiographic examination of hip-extended or stress-radiography views when combined with either buprenorphine, butorphanol or diazepam. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-seven client-owned clinically healthy golden retrievers or rottweilers were enrolled in a clinical trial that compared hip-extended and PennHIP methods for diagnosing hip dysplasia and were randomly allocated to receive dexmedetomidine or medetomidine in combination with buprenorphine, butorphanol or diazepam. Subjective assessments were made for response to pain, response to noise, palpebral reflex, muscle tone and overall quality of sedation; non-invasive physiological variables were also recorded. RESULTS: Overall quality of sedation was graded as good or excellent for dogs administered with a combination of butorphanol or diazepam. However, more dogs that received a combination involving buprenorphine had overall a relatively poorer quality of sedation and required additional administration of buprenorphine before the radiographic procedure could commence. Once sedated, clinically sufficient muscle relaxation accompanied by a very low proportion of dogs responding to pain or noise stimuli were observed in all treatment groups. Heart and respiratory rate, and procedure and recovery times were similar for all treatment groups, and no adverse events were observed during the study. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Dexmedetomidine sedative protocols, particularly in combination with butorphanol and diazepam, can be used effectively and safely in dogs for radiographic procedures.

Results of ophthalmologic screening examinations of German Pinschers in Finland--a retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively review ophthalmologic findings in German Pinschers in Finland. ANIMALS STUDIED: One hundred and twenty-two German Pinschers that had ophthalmologic examination performed according to the Finnish Kennel Club's Eye Scheme before June 15, 1999. PROCEDURES: A total of 154 eye examination reports of 122 dogs were analysed and all described findings were reported. RESULTS: Persistent hyperplastic tunica vasculosa lentis (PHTVL) was diagnosed in 8.4% of all cases, and hereditary cataract (HC) in 6.5%. Even higher numbers of similar changes were reported by ophthalmologists; some of the dogs, however, were officially diagnosed as "free of symptoms" of inherited ocular diseases. A relatively high number (4.5%) of dogs had reported changes in Y sutures. A pedigree analysis suggests recessive inheritance for both diseases. Because of missing information about many dogs in the pedigree, an autosomal incomplete inheritance pattern cannot be ruled out in either case. CONCLUSIONS: Both HC and PHTVL are inherited diseases in German Pinschers. Further studies are needed to determine the importance of the changes found in Y sutures. Discrepancies between the official diagnosis and described changes are probably partially due to the lack of familiarity with the published literature concerning this breed. Further studies are needed to ascertain the inheritance pattern for both diseases. So far breeding with affected animals should be avoided.

Free flap reconstructions in the management of oral and pharyngeal cancer.

Fifty patients who had undergone microvascular free flap reconstruction of the oral cavity or pharynx for malignancy between 1989 and 1995 were retrospectively analysed to find factors predicting postoperative complications and outcomes. The mean follow-up time was 2.6 years. More than half (26/50) of the patients had a stage IV malignancy and 10 patients had a recurrent tumour. The overall flap success rate, with 2 flap losses, was 96%. Postoperative medical complications occurred in 29/50 (58%) cases. The recipient site of 10/50 (20%) flaps required re-exploration. Mortality was 2%, with 1 death occurring within 30 days. The mean survival rate after the microvascular operation was 1.6 years, and the 3- and 5-year survival rates were 42% and 23%, respectively. Patients with an oropharyngeal tumour seemed to have the best prognosis and those with a hypopharyngeal tumour the poorest. Men had a threefold greater risk of dying within < 1 year postoperatively compared with women. Tumour stage was the strongest attribute influencing survival. The risk of death after the microvascular procedure increased 2.8-fold when the stage advanced from II to III or from II to IV. None of the tested variables alone could predict complications.

Percutaneous transcatheter renal embolization with absolute ethanol for uncontrolled nephrotic syndrome. Case reports.

PURPOSE: To retrospectively evaluate renal ethanol embolization in 2 patients with uncontrolled nephrotic syndrome. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Three kidneys in 2 patients with uncontrolled nephrotic syndrome were embolized with absolute ethanol. The embolization technique, patient outcome and complications were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The treatment was successful in both patients, with angiography-verified exclusion of blood flow to the renal arteries. Elimination of proteinuria was achieved in both patients and their body weight decreased by 25 and 10 kg, respectively. Hospitalization and protein substitution were no longer needed. No complications occurred. CONCLUSION: Permanent bilateral ethanol embolization of the renal arteries is a feasible method of managing a treatment-resistant nephrotic syndrome in selected patients. Non-target embolization can be avoided by using a balloon occlusion catheter.