Few studies have yet addressed the functional aspects of MHC molecules in fish. To lay the foundation for this, we evaluated the association between disease resistance and MHC class I and class II polymorphism in Atlantic salmon. Standardized disease challenge trials were performed on a semi-wild Atlantic salmon population with subsequent MHC typing and statistical analysis. The pathogens employed were infectious salmon anaemia virus (ISAV) causing infectious salmon anaemia and the Aeromonas salmonicida bacteria causing furunculosis. The material consisted of 1,182 Atlantic salmon from 33 families challenged with A. salmonicida and 1,031 Atlantic salmon from 25 families challenged with ISAV. We found highly significant associations between resistance towards infectious diseases caused by both pathogens and MH class I and class II polymorphism in Atlantic salmon. The observed associations were detected due to independently segregating MH class I and class II single loci, and inclusion of a large number of fish allowing an extensive statistical analysis.

Abbreviations used: PFM = pelvic floor muscles; SUI = stress urinary incontinence. 0 1990 Wiley-Liss, Inc. 480 BB et al.simultaneous observation of inward movement of the balloon catheter. Vaginal pressure rise due to simultaneous contraction of other muscles is probably not larger than pressure rise due to intended PFM contraction. Reinforced balloon tip will not change pressure recording, and rise in EMG activity of lower abdominal muscles seems unavoidable during maximal PFM contraction.

Background, Aims, and Patients-In a prospective follow up and intervention study of colorectal polyps, leaving all polyps less than 10 mm in situ for three years, analysis ofredetection rate, growth, and new polyp formation was carried out in 116 patients undergoing annual colonoscopy. The findings in relation to growth and new polyp formation were applied to 58 subjects who received placebo. Results-Redetection rate varied from 75-90% for each year, and was highest in the rectum and sigmoid colon. There was no net change in size of all polyps in the placebo group, however, polyps less than 5 mm showed a tendency to net growth, and polyps 5-9 mm a tendency to net regression in size, both for adenomas and hyperplastic polyps. In a prospective intervention study of growth of colorectal polyps over three years, polyps less than 10 mm in maximal diameter were left in situ.4 Redetection rate, growth, and new detected polyps were evaluated at the first year follow up examination.5The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the macroscopic growth pattern during the first year could be verified during the second and third year. In our previous report5 we were neither aware of the histological classification of the polyps, nor did we know which intervention medication the patients used. In this study we wanted to evaluate growth and new polyp formation only in the adenomatous polyps in the patients using placebo, to avoid a possible effect of the intervention medication. Moreover, as this is the first study leaving polyps more than 5 mm in situ, we also needed to assess the safety aspect and the feasibility of such a study after completion. MethodsStudy subjects and design The total study included 116 patients (male/ female 59/57) aged 50-76 years at entry.4 Polyps .10 mm were removed, while the rest were left in situ for a follow up period of three years with annual colonoscopic follow up examinations or removed if they reached a size beyond 9 mm. No biopsy specimens of the polyps were taken before the end of the study. The patients received placebo or a mixture consisting of calcium and antioxidants, stratified according to the size of the polyps and block randomised, to test if the active medication was able to reduce polyp growth.4Placebo was given to 58 patients. Included in the intervention trial (published later) was a medical and family history, which showed that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and aminosalicylic acid were used Medical Department,

Fifty-two women. mean age 45.9 years (24-64) with clinically and urodynamically proven stress urinary incontinence (SUI) were randomly assigned to one of two different pelvic floor muscle (PFM) exercise groups. Both groups performed 8-12 maximal PFM contractions 3 times a day for 6 months. In addition one group exercised with an instructor intensively 45 min once a week performing long-lasting contractions with the supplement of 3-4 fast contractions at the end of each long-lasting contraction.Initially and after 6 months an examination was performed comprising history, urinary leakage index, pad test, maximum urethral closure pressure, functional urcthral profile length, and recording of vaginal pressure during PFM contractions. The latter was performed monthly.After the treatment 60% of the intensive exercise (IE) group and 17.3% of the home exercisc (HE) group reported to be continent or almost contincnt (P < .01). Only the IE group demonstrated significant reduction in urinc loss: from mean 27 g to 7.1 g (P < . O l ) and iniprovemcnt in maximum resting urcthral closure prcssure (mean improvement 4.6 cin H,O, P = .02). PFM strength improved with mean 15.5 cm H,O (P < .01) in the 1E group while the HE group improved with 7.4 cm H,O (P < .01).It is concluded that the results of PFM exercise for female SUI is highly dependent upon the degrce and duration of treatmcnt and frequent supervision by thc therapist.Abbreviations used: CI = confidence intervals; FPL = functional profile length; MUCP = maximum urethral closure pressure; PFM = pelvic floor muscles; SUI = stress urinary incontinence.

The aim of this study was to compare the postural load during VDU work in the following work postures: (1) Supporting and not supporting the forearms on the table top, (2) Sitting and standing positions, and (3) Sightline to the centre of the screen at an angle of 15 degrees and 30 degrees below the horizontal. The muscle load from the upper part of musculus trapezius and from the lumbar part of musculus erector spinae (L3 level) was measured by electromyography (EMG). Postural angles of head, upper arm and back were measured by inclinometers. The load on m. trapezius when using the keyboard was significantly less in sitting with supported forearms compared to sitting and standing without forearm support. Further, the time and number of periods when the trapezius load was below 1% MVC was significantly greater with support versus no support. The load on the right erector spinae lumbalis was also significantly less and the time when the load was below 1% MVC was significantly longer in a sitting work position with support versus standing without support. In addition, when using a mouse supporting the forearms reduced the static trapezius load in sitting. The results from this study document clearly the importance of giving the operator the possibility of supporting the forearms on the table top.