nation of deaths in the population under the age of 65 (by using husband's or father's occupation for analysis of women and children), though the longitudinal study has managed to extend analysis to older age groups' and to cancer registration data" and the general household survey annual report also provide analysis of health measures by socioeconomic group. These difficulties have led to proposals for alternative measures of social stratification'" and to the adoption of an area based method of analysis." The near universal use of postcodes as a basis for area classification means that most events can be allocated geographically, thus overcoming many of the limitations described. In addition, compared with social class deprivation measures show distinct discrimination between populations. Classification of the population on the basis of the area in which it lives could therefore provide a valuable alternative strategy for analysis of data in relation to socioeconomic lowest third of outdoor activity compared with the highest was 4-3 (0.7 to 26.8), and that for grip strength was 3-9 (0.7 to 23.0). Conclusions-Reduced intake of dietary calcium does not seem to be a risk factor for hip fracture. Further evidence is provided that physical activity in the elderly protects against hip fracture.

To determine whether high dietary selenium intake was associated with adverse effects, selenium in diet, blood, and toenails was studied in relation to human health in adults residing in western South Dakota and eastern Wyoming. Over a 2-y period 142 subjects were recruited from households selected at random and from ranches where unusually high selenium intakes were suspected. Subjects completed health questionnaires, underwent physical examinations, provided blood samples for clinical assessment, and provided blood, urine, toenails, and duplicate-plate food collections for selenium analysis. About half of the 142 free-living subjects had selenium intakes greater than 2.54 mumol/d (200 micrograms/d) (range 0.86-9.20 mumol/d, or 68-724 micrograms/d). Physical findings characteristic of selenium toxicity were not present nor were clinically significant changes in laboratory tests or frequency of symptoms related to selenium in the blood, toenails, or diet. We found no evidence of toxicity from selenium in subjects whose intake was as high as 9.20 mumol/d (724 micrograms/d).

No abstract

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a genetically and clinically heterogeneous disease characterized by extreme bone fragility. Although fracture numbers tend to decrease post-puberty, OI patients can exhibit significant variation in clinical outcome, even among related individuals harboring the same mutation. OI most frequently results from mutations in type I collagen genes, yet how genetic background impacts phenotypic outcome remains unclear. Therefore, we analyzed the phenotypic severity of a known proα2(I) collagen gene defect (oim) on two genetic backgrounds (congenic C57BL/6J and outbred B6C3Fe) throughout postnatal development to discern the phenotypic contributions of the Col1a2 locus relative to the contribution of the genetic background.To this end, femora and tibiae were isolated from wildtype (Wt) and homozygous (oim/oim) mice of each strain at 1, 2 and 4 months of age. Femoral geometry was determined via µCT prior to torsional loading to failure to assess bone structural and material biomechanical properties. Changes in mineral composition, collagen content and bone turnover were determined using neutron activation analyses, hydroxyproline content and serum pyridinoline crosslinks.Corresponding Author: Charlotte L. Phillips, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Departments of Biochemistry and Child Health, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1 Hospital Dr., M743 Medical Sciences Bldg., Columbia, MO 65212, Phone: (573) 882-5122, Fax: (573) 884-4597, Email: PhillipsCL@missouri.edu. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. µCT analysis demonstrated genotype-, strain-and age-associated changes in femoral geometry as well as a marked decrease in the amount of bone in oim/oim mice of both strains. Oim/oim mice of both strains, as well as C57BL/6J (B6) mice of all genotypes, had reduced femoral biomechanical strength properties compared to Wt at all ages, although they improved with age. Mineral levels of fluoride, magnesium and sodium were associated with biomechanical strength properties in both strains and all genotypes at all ages. Oim/oim animals also had reduced collagen content as compared to Wt at all ages. Serum pyridinoline crosslinks were highest at two months of age, regardless of strain or genotype. NIH Public AccessStrain differences in bone parameters exist throughout development, implicating a role for genetic background in determining biomechanical strength. Age-associated improvements indicate that oim/ oim animals partially compensate for their weaker bone material, but never attain Wt levels. These studies indicate the importance of genetic back...

Background. Positron emission tomography offers advantages for radioimmunodiagnosis of cancer but requires radionuclides of appropriate half‐life that have high specific activity and high radio‐purity. This work was designed to develop a viable method to produce and purify 64Cu, which has high specific activity, for positron emission tomography. Methods. 64Cu was produced at the University of Missouri Research Reactor by the nuclear reaction, 64Zn(n,p)64Cu. Highly pure zinc metal (99.9999%) was irradiated in a specially designed boron nitride lined container, which minimized thermal neutron reactions during irradiation. A new two‐step procedure was developed to chemically separate the no‐carrier‐added 64Cu from the zinc metal target. Results. 64Cu recovery for 24 runs averaged 0.393 (±0.007) mCi per milligram of zinc irradiated. The boron‐lined irradiation container reduced unwanted zinc radionuclides 14.3‐fold. Zinc radionuclides and non‐radioactive zinc were separated successfully from the 64Cu. The new separation technique was fast (2 hours total time) and highly efficient for removing the zinc. The zinc separation factor for this technique averaged 8.5 × 10−8, indicating less than 0.0000085% of the zinc remained after separation. Thus far, the highest 64Cu specific activity at end of irradiation was 683 Ci/mg Cu, with an average of 512 Ci/mg Cu for the last six analyzed runs. Conclusion. The boron‐lined irradiation container has sufficient capacity for 75‐fold larger‐sized zinc targets (up to 45 g). The new separation technique was excellent for separating 64Cu, which appears to be a radionuclide with great potential for positron emission tomography. Cancer 1994; 73:774–8.