No abstract

It is generally assumed that the nutritional value of a protein is proportional to its digestibility and that proteins cannot be utilized, if they are not almost completely hydrolysed in the intestinal tract. This view is mainly based on experiments performed 30-40 years ago on animals or adults (for references see Protein Metabolism by R. B. FISHER, Chapter 1).Quantitative methods for amino acid assay were not available a t that time and it seems apparent that the view that most of the protein is absorbed as amino acids is not supported by sufficient experimental evidence. Nevertheless, it is considered as more or less axiomatic that babies and especially premature babies are dependent upon the complete enzymatic breakdown of the food protein in the intestinal tract. When low enzymatic activity has been found, as for example in prematures, this has been considered as a sign of functional immaturity, and the therapeutic use of predigested protein has been introduced.When studying the enzymatic hydrolysis of casein from human milk, one of us (MELLANDER 1947) found that this casein was much more resistant t o the enzymes used than was cow's casein. This difference was found also when gastric juice from infants was used instead of enzyme preparations of animal origin. Thus, one of the proteins of the physiologic food, human milk, was found to be less "digestible" than the corresponding milk protein from another species (cow). These experiments were performed a t optimal conditions of pH, enzyme concentration, and so on. From the hydrolysates, enzyme-resistant phosphorylated peptides were isolated and a difference in the quantities of such peptides formed was believed to be the reason for the difference in digestibility. Phosphorylated peptides were later (MELLANDER 1950, MELLANDER et al. , AOREN et al. 1954 studied concerning their metabolic importance, and the preliminary experiments so far published seem to indicate that they may be the carriers of fundamental functional properties.

Objectives-First, to evaluate whether a local campaign to prevent childhood injuries increased parents' inclination to follow eight television programmes broadcast nationwide, and second, to assess whether parents reached by a local campaign benefitted more from the television programmes than those not reached by the campaign. Methods-Before the television programmes were broadcast, all families with preschool children living in a typical Swedish municipality (the intervention area) received a letter from the head of the child health services encouraging them to watch the programmes. The local campaign also included face-to-face information and advice on childhood injuries at all day care centres and child health centres in the intervention area. After all the programmes had been broadcast, telephone interviews were conducted with one parent from 77% of all 1699 households with at least one preschool child in the intervention area, and with 87% of a random sample of 144 parents from other, similar municipalities. Results and conclusions-The local campaign increased parents' inclination to follow the programmes. No significant association was found, however, between the number of programmes followed and measures undertaken in the homes as a direct consequence of the programmes. Nor was a significant association found between the number of programmes viewed and parents' attitudes towards risks. A local campaign may increase parents' awareness of information provided by the mass media on childhood injuries.

Abstract. Berfenstam, R. (Department of Social Medicine, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden). Prevention of childhood accidents in Sweden. In the industrialized countries accidents constitute one of the greatest threats to children and Sweden was no exception to this. A joint committee was thus formed in 1954 to co‐ordinate preventive work. Official bodies for health and education, safety organizations, some professional groups and voluntary organizations, were members of the Committee from the beginning. The Committee's role has been to stimulate investigations and research in safety, to work for a safer environment through planning and safety regulations and to provide information to parents and other key‐groups. An important part of the preventive effort has been research, which has emphasized the seriousness of the problem and provided a basis for safety work and subsequent information. Information has been channeled through the mass media as well as child welfare centres, schools and local groups which have become involved in safety matters. In order to make the environment safer the Swedish Board for Consumer Policy has a programme to test household equipment. The National Board of Urban Planning has drawn up regulations for the design of homes and their immediate surrounding. There seems to be a better understanding today of this important health problem. A tendency toward a lower number of fatal accidents can also be seen through the last few decades.

Summary A short review of the literature on the enzyme earbonic anhydrase is given. Special weight has been laid on earlier clinical work. An account of the author's method, which is a modification of the “boat method” of Meldrum and Roughton, is given. A number of normal values for the C.a. activity in the blood of adults, children in various age groups and infants are given. It is concluded, that the activity for new‐born infants is about one third that of adults, and that the enzyme activity in infants and children increases with increasing age. The enzyme activity in the blood of premature infants is shown to be only about 5–10 per cent that of adults. The activity increases slowly during the first months of life. The relationships between the enzyme activity and the degree of maturity, length and weight at birth are discussed. There seems to be a good correlation between enzyme activity and maturity. The clinical importance of the low enzyme activity for cyanosis and vitality in premature infants is discussed. The author has not been able to verify the finding of Stevenson, that cyanosis often is associated with low carbonic anhydrase activity. A parallel relationship between the enzyme activity and the zinc content of the blood is demonstrated.