Body composition was measured in a group of 35 healthy men and 37 healthy women aged 60-83 y. Body mass index (BMI) in men was 25.0 +/- 2.2 kg/m2 (means +/- SD) and in women, 25.9 +/- 3.2 kg/m2. BMI was low in relation to body fat percentage as determined by skinfold-thickness measurements or densitometry in comparison with the relation found in younger adults. Mean body fat percentage of the male subjects (aged 70.4 +/- 5.2 y) as determined by densitometry was 31.0 +/- 4.5%, whereas in women (aged 68.0 +/- 5.2 y) it was 43.9 +/- 4.3%. Body impedance correlated with fat-free mass (FFM). The best prediction formulas for the FFM from body impedance and anthropometric variables were 1) FFM (kg) = (0.671 x 10(4) x H2/R) + 3.1S + 3.9 where H is body height (m), R is resistance (omega), and S is gender (females, 0; males, 1) (r = 0.94; SEE = 3.1 kg) and 2) FFM (kg) = (0.360 x 10(4) x H2/R) + 0.359BW + 4.5S - 20T + 7.0 where BW is body weight (kg) and T is thigh circumference (m) (r = 0.96; SEE = 2.5 kg). The prediction equations from the literature, generally determined in younger populations, overestimated FFM in elderly subjects by approximately 6 kg and are not applicable to elderly subjects.

No abstract

No abstract

No abstract

A method of micropropagation of Douglas fir is described. Differences in morphogenesis and photosynthesis were found in shoot initials that had been isolated from buds in 10 topophysical positions on 2-yr-old trees. These differences were influenced by medium composition and light intensity, and by forcing, topping or growth regulator treatment of the mother trees. Shoots originating from buds in less exposed parts of the tree generally had a higher relative growth rate, max. net photosynthesis and photochemical efficiency and a lower compensation irradiance. Seasonal changes were found in the optima for nitrate and sucrose concn. in the medium and for light intensity. (Abstract retrieved from CAB Abstracts by CABI’s permission)