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E Thom

Publications and source records attributed to E Thom.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Evaluation of GafChromic EBT prototype B for external beam dose verification.

The capability of the new GafChromic EBT prototype B for external beam dose verification is investigated in this paper. First the general characteristics of this film (dose response, postirradiation coloration, influence of calibration field size) were derived using a flat-bed scanner. In the dose range from 0.1 to 8 Gy, the sensitivity of the EBT prototype B film is ten times higher than the response of the GafChromic HS, which so far was the GafChromic film with the highest sensitivity. Compared with the Kodak EDR2 film, the response of the EBT is higher by a factor of 3 in the dose range from 0.1 to 8 Gy. The GafChromic EBT almost does not show a temporal growth of the optical density and there is no influence of the chosen calibration field size on the dose response curve obtained from this data. A MatLab program was written to evaluate the two-dimensional dose distributions from treatment planning systems and GafChromic EBT film measurements. Verification of external beam therapy (SRT, IMRT) using the above-mentioned approach resulted in very small differences between the planned and the applied dose. The GafChromic EBT prototype B together with the flat-bed scanner and MatLab is a successful approach for making the advantages of the GafChromic films applicable for verification of external beam therapy.

Calibration↗
PubMed2002

A planned randomized clinical trial of treatment for mild gestational diabetes mellitus.

OBJECTIVE: A planned study is described which will determine whether a benefit exists for the treatment of mild carbohydrate intolerance during pregnancy. METHODS: A randomized clinical trial of women with mild gestational diabetes will compare perinatal outcomes in those receiving diet therapy and insulin as required versus those randomized to no specific treatment. RESULTS: The primary outcome of this study will be a composite of neonatal morbidity in the treatment and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: A randomized treatment trial of mild gestational diabetes mellitus will clarify whether identification and treatment of mild gestational diabetes mellitus reduces perinatal morbidity. This information will aid in selecting appropriate thresholds for the treatment of gestational diabetes mellitus.

Cohort Studies↗
PubMed2001

Mid-trimester endovaginal sonography in women at high risk for spontaneous preterm birth.

CONTEXT: Although shortened cervical length has been consistently associated with spontaneous preterm birth, it is not known when in gestation this risk factor becomes apparent. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether sonographic cervical findings between 16 weeks' and 18 weeks 6 days' gestation predict spontaneous preterm birth and whether serial evaluations up to 23 weeks 6 days' gestation improve prediction in high-risk women. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: Blinded observational study performed between March 1997 and November 1999 at 9 university-affiliated medical centers in the United States in 183 women with singleton gestations who previously had experienced a spontaneous birth before 32 weeks' gestation. OBSERVATION: Certified sonologists performed 590 endovaginal sonographic examinations at 2-week intervals. Cervical length was measured from the external os to the functional internal os along a closed endocervical canal. Funneling and dynamic cervical shortening were also recorded. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation, analyzed by selected cutoff values of cervical length. RESULTS: Forty-eight women (26%) experienced spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation. A cervical length of less than 25 mm at the initial sonographic examination was associated with a relative risk (RR) for spontaneous preterm birth of 3.3 (95% confidence interval [CI], 2.1-5.0; sensitivity = 19%; specificity = 98%; positive predictive value = 75%). After controlling for cervical length, neither funneling (P =.24) nor dynamic shortening (P =.054) were significant independent predictors of spontaneous preterm birth. However, using the shortest ever observed cervical length on serial evaluations, after any dynamic shortening, the RR of a cervical length of less than 25 mm for spontaneous preterm birth increased to 4.5 (95% CI, 2.7-7.6; sensitivity = 69%; specificity = 80%; positive predictive value = 55%). Compared with a single cervical measurement at 16 weeks' to 18 weeks 6 days' gestation, serial measurements at up to 23 weeks 6 days significantly improved the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth in a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (P =.03). CONCLUSIONS: Cervical length assessed by endovaginal sonography between 16 weeks' and 18 weeks 6 days' gestation, augmented by serial evaluations, predicts spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation in high-risk women.

Adult↗
PubMed2001

Leptin-induced nuclear translocation of STAT3 immunoreactivity in hypothalamic nuclei involved in body weight regulation.

Leptin is involved in the hypothalamic control of food intake and body weight. Fos immunohistochemistry has been used to functionally map leptin target neurons involved in these regulatory processes. However, only a subset of hypothalamic neurons expressing the long form of the leptin receptor (Ob-Rb) also coexpress the neuronal activation marker Fos after leptin stimulation. To functionally map all leptin target neurons, regardless of whether leptin-mediated neuronal activation or inhibition occurs, we immunohistochemically investigated the leptin-induced nuclear translocation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription molecule STAT3, which represents a crucial step in the regulation of leptin-dependent gene expression. As proven by colocalization studies with the nuclear 4',6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dilactate stain, intracerebroventricular leptin treatment, but not intracerebroventricular application of pyrogen-free saline, induced a time-dependent nuclear translocation of STAT3 immunoreactivity in hypothalamic nuclei, with strong nuclear STAT3 signals detectable in the arcuate nucleus, the lateral hypothalamus, and the ventromedial and dorsomedial hypothalamic nuclei. This leptin-induced STAT3 translocation pattern proved to be distinct from that induced by interleukin-6, another cytokine using STAT3 in its signaling pathway. Combined immunohistochemical STAT3 and Fos detection after leptin treatment revealed a higher number of STAT3-positive than Fos-positive cell nuclei in the aforementioned hypothalamic structures and showed that Fos immunoreactivity colocalized only in a subset of all leptin-responsive STAT3 nuclei. These results suggest that the detection of nuclear STAT3 immunoreactivity represents a new neuroanatomical tool to functionally map central leptin actions. They further support the importance of ventrally located caudal hypothalamic structures representing the main leptin targets involved in body weight regulation.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The polycyclic musk 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthaline lacks liver tumor initiating and promoting activity in rats exposed to human-relevant doses.

7-Acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl- 1,2,3,4-tetra-hydronaphthaline (AHTN) is one of the two most widely used fragrances of a group of substances known collectively as the polycyclic musks. In the last few years evidence has been accumulating that AHTN is hepatotoxic when administered at high doses. In the present study the subchronic hepatotoxicity of AHTN administered to rats at doses within the human exposure range was evaluated. For this purpose female and male juvenile Wistar rats were exposed to AHTN (300 microg/kg body weight per day, i.p.) alone or to a single dose of diethylnitrosamine (DEN) (100 mg/kg body weight, i.p.) followed by AHTN (1, 10, 100 or 300 microg/kg body weight per day, i.p.) for 90 days. Thereafter the liver architecture as well as the presence of placental glutathione S-transferase (GST-P)-positive hepatic lesions was assessed. In male animals receiving AHTN alone or in combination with DEN the number of GST-P-positive single hepatocytes was similar to that in untreated rats, while GST-P-positive mini-foci and foci were not observed. In the case of female rats the number of GST-P-positive single hepatocytes and mini-foci in AHTN-treated rats was similar to that in untreated animals, whereas in those animals receiving AHTN either alone or in combination with DEN, GST-P-positive foci could not be detected or were present in a number as similar to that in untreated rats. In conclusion, in the present study it has been shown that AHTN administered over a 90-day period in concentrations similar to those taken up daily by humans does not lead to hepatotoxicity.

Animals↗
PubMed2001

The Preterm Prediction Study: association between cervical interleukin 6 concentration and spontaneous preterm birth. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the interrelationship between cervical concentration of interleukin 6 and detection of fetal fibronectin and other risk factors for spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: All patients with spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation (case patients; n = 125) and subjects matched for race, parity, and center delivered at > or = 37 weeks' gestation (n = 125; control subjects) were selected from women enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development's Preterm Prediction Study. Interleukin 6 concentrations were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in cervical swabs obtained at 22 weeks' to 24 weeks 6 days' gestation. Cutoffs to define an elevated interleukin 6 concentration included the 90th and 95th percentiles for control subjects (>305 and >538 pg/mL, respectively). RESULTS: The mean (+/-SD) interleukin 6 concentration was significantly higher in case patients than in control subjects (212 +/- 339 vs 111 +/- 186 pg/mL; P = .008). With either cutoff value elevated interleukin 6 concentration was significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth (90th percentile, 20% vs 9.6%; P = .02; 95th percentile, 12% vs 4.8%; P = .04). Cervical interleukin 6 levels were highest within 4 weeks of delivery, and the trend continued until term. Elevated interleukin 6 concentration was not significantly associated with bacterial vaginosis, maternal body mass index <19.8 kg/m2, or a short cervix (< or = 25 mm), but it was significantly associated with a positive cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin test result (90th percentile, odds ratio, 5.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.6-11.9; 95th percentile, odds ratio, 5.3, 95% confidence interval, 2.1-12.9). The mean interleukin 6 concentration among women with a positive fibronectin test result was 373 +/- 406 pg/mL; that among women with a negative fetal fibronectin test result was 130 +/- 239 pg/mL (P = .001). In a regression analysis that adjusted for risk factors significantly associated with spontaneous preterm birth in this population (positive fetal fibronectin test result, body mass index <19.8 kg/m2, vaginal bleeding in the first or second trimester, previous spontaneous preterm birth, and short cervix) elevated cervical interleukin 6 concentration was not independently associated with spontaneous preterm birth (odds ratio, 1.8; 95% confidence interval, 0.8-4.3). CONCLUSIONS: At 24 weeks' gestation cervical interleukin 6 concentration in women who subsequently had a spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation was significantly elevated relative to those who were delivered at term. The association was particularly strong within 4 weeks of testing. A positive fetal fibronectin test result was strongly associated with elevated cervical interleukin 6 concentration, but bacterial vaginosis was not.

Case-Control Studies↗
PubMed2000

The preterm prediction study: quantitative fetal fibronectin values and the prediction of spontaneous preterm birth. The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network.

OBJECTIVE: A cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin value of >/=50 ng/mL has been used to define women at risk of having a preterm birth. We evaluated the relationship between quantitative fetal fibronectin values and spontaneous preterm birth. STUDY DESIGN: Cervical and vaginal specimens for fetal fibronectin were obtained at 24, 26, 28, and 30 weeks' gestation from 2926 women. Quantitative fetal fibronectin values were calculated by using absorbances determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The highest fetal fibronectin value (cervical or vaginal) for each woman at each visit was evaluated in relation to spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation. Receiver operating characteristic curves were constructed to determine the optimal cutoff point for fetal fibronectin values to predict spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation and within 4 weeks of testing. RESULTS: The risk of spontaneous preterm birth increased as a function of increasing fetal fibronectin values from approximately 20 to 300 ng/mL. Fetal fibronectin values > or =300 ng/mL were not associated with a further increase in spontaneous preterm birth. Examination of the receiver operating characteristic curve indicates that the optimal cutoff point for a positive fetal fibronectin test result at 24 to 30 weeks' gestation to predict spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks is between 45 and 60 ng/mL. CONCLUSION: Increasing levels of cervicovaginal fetal fibronectin up to 300 ng/mL are associated with an increasing risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Nevertheless, at 24 to 30 weeks, the value currently used, 50 ng of fetal fibronectin per milliliter, appears to be a reasonable cutoff point for predicting spontaneous preterm birth at <35 weeks' gestation.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed2000

Conjugated linoleic acid reduces body fat mass in overweight and obese humans.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been shown to reduce body fat mass (BFM) in animals. To investigate the dose-response relationships of conjugated linoleic acid with regard to BFM in humans, a randomized, double-blind study including 60 overweight or obese volunteers (body mass index 25-35 kg/m(2)) was performed. The subjects were divided into five groups receiving placebo (9 g olive oil), 1.7, 3.4, 5.1 or 6.8 g conjugated linoleic acid per day for 12 wk, respectively. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to measure body composition [measurements at wk 0 (baseline), 6 and 12]. Of the 60 subjects, 47 completed the study. Eight subjects withdrew from the study due to adverse events; however, no differences among treatment groups were found regarding adverse events. Repeated-measures analysis showed that a significantly higher reduction in BFM was found in the conjugated linoleic acid groups compared with the placebo group (P: = 0.03). The reduction of body fat within the groups was significant for the 3.4 and 6.8 g CLA groups (P: = 0.05 and P: = 0.02, respectively). No significant differences among the groups were observed in lean body mass, body mass index, blood safety variables or blood lipids. The data suggest that conjugated linoleic acid may reduce BFM in humans and that no additional effect on BFM is achieved with doses > 3.4 g CLA/d.

Absorptiometry, Photon↗
PubMed1999

Benefits of maternal corticosteroid therapy in infants weighing </=1000 grams at birth after preterm rupture of the amnion.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to determine the effects of antenatal maternal corticosteroid treatment on selected neonatal outcomes in infants weighing </=1000 g at birth after preterm rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN: In a 1-year (1992-1993) prospective observational study, the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network collected outcome data for 766 infants who did not have a major fetal anomaly and who had a birth weight </=1000 g (378 were born after preterm rupture of membranes). Only fetuses deemed potentially viable by the obstetrician were included in our analysis. Selected neonatal outcomes were compared between mothers who did and did not receive antenatal corticosteroids. Logistic regression variables included birth weight, sex, race, amnionitis, tocolytic therapies, mode of delivery, and surfactant use. RESULTS: Two hundred fourteen of the 378 infants whose mothers had preterm rupture of membranes were deemed potentially viable; 62 of these mothers received antenatal steroids and 152 did not. Groups were similar with respect to gestational age, birth weight, race, amnionitis, and delivery mode. Women who received antenatal steroids were more likely to have received tocolysis (P <.001). Univariate and regression analyses controlling for multiple confounders confirmed no neonatal benefits of maternal corticosteroid use. CONCLUSIONS: Corticosteroid treatment in women with preterm rupture of membranes was of no apparent benefit to neonates weighing </=1000 g.

Adrenal Cortex Hormones↗
PubMed1999

Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units (MFMU) studies of inhaled corticosteroids during pregnancy.

Few prospective clinical trials exist to address the use of asthma medications during pregnancy in relation to neonatal outcomes. There is a need to identify favorable pregnancy outcomes in relation to the successful treatment of pregnant women with asthma. To this end, 3 studies have been initiated: (1) a retrospective analysis of inhaled steroid use in a maternal-fetal medicine research center, (2) a large observational cohort study assessing the effects of different types of asthma treatments on perinatal outcomes, and (3) a randomized clinical trial comparing theophylline and inhaled beclomethasone in the treatment of pregnant women with moderately severe asthma. Preliminary information on all 3 studies is described.

Administration, Inhalation↗
PubMed1998

Low-dose aspirin to prevent preeclampsia in women at high risk. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units.

BACKGROUND: Whether low-dose aspirin prevents preeclampsia is unclear. It is not recommended as prophylaxis in women at low risk for preeclampsia but may reduce the incidence of the disease in women at high risk. METHODS: We conducted a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial in four groups of pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia, including 471 women with pregestational insulin-treated diabetes mellitus, 774 women with chronic hypertension, 688 women with multifetal gestations, and 606 women who had had preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy. The women were enrolled between gestational weeks 13 and 26 and received either 60 mg of aspirin or placebo daily. RESULTS: Outcome data were obtained on all but 36 of the 2539 women who entered the study. The incidence of preeclampsia was similar in the 1254 women in the aspirin group and the 1249 women in the placebo group (aspirin, 18 percent; placebo, 20 percent; P=0.23). The incidences in the aspirin and placebo groups for each of the four high-risk categories were also similar: for women with pregestational diabetes mellitus, the incidence was 18 percent in the aspirin group and 22 percent in the placebo group (P=0.38); for women with chronic hypertension, 26 percent and 25 percent (P= 0.66); for those with multifetal gestations, 12 percent and 16 percent (P=0.10); and for those with preeclampsia during a previous pregnancy, 17 percent and 19 percent (P=0.47). In addition, the incidences of perinatal death, preterm birth, and infants small for gestational age were similar in the aspirin and placebo groups. CONCLUSIONS: In our study, low-dose aspirin did not reduce the incidence of preeclampsia significantly or improve perinatal outcomes in pregnant women at high risk for preeclampsia.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Predictors of pre-eclampsia in women at high risk. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Network of Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed several variables as predictors for pre-eclampsia risk in a group of women at high risk. STUDY DESIGN: We studied 2503 women with either diabetes mellitus, chronic hypertension, multifetal gestation, or pre-eclampsia in a previous pregnancy who participated in a multicenter study comparing aspirin and placebo in preventing pre-eclampsia. We evaluated multiple variables for predicting pre-eclampsia risk with use of univariate and multivariable analysis. RESULTS: Parity and mean arterial pressure at randomization were most predictive of pre-eclampsia risk. The risk was 8% with a mean arterial pressure at enrollment of <75 mm Hg versus 27% with a mean arterial pressure >85 mm Hg (relative risk and 95% confidence interval 3.3 [2.4 to 4.4]). The risk of pre-eclampsia was 26% in nulliparous patients versus 17% in parous subjects (relative risk and 95% confidence interval 1.5 [1.3-1.8]). CONCLUSIONS: The finding that second-trimester mean arterial pressure affects pre-eclampsia risk suggests that the pathophysiologic process of preeclampsia is initiated before that time.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The Preterm Prediction Study: recurrence risk of spontaneous preterm birth. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network.

OBJECTIVE: We sought to estimate the risk of spontaneous preterm birth in parous women by use of obstetric history, fetal fibronectin, and sonographic cervical length. STUDY DESIGN: The probability of spontaneous preterm birth before 35 weeks' gestation was estimated from a logistic regression model with data from 1282 parous women analyzed according to gestational age at the most recent prior delivery (prior preterm birth at 18 to 26 weeks, 27 to 31 weeks, 32 to 36 weeks, and > or = 37 weeks' gestation), fetal fibronectin status (positive = > or = 50 ng/dl), and cervical length by percentile groups (< or = 10th = < or = 25 nm, 10th to 50th = 26 to 35 mm, and > 50th = > 35 mm) measured at 22 to 24 weeks' gestation. Fibronectin and cervical length results were blinded for clinical care. RESULTS: Among fetal fibronectin positive women with a prior preterm birth, the estimated recurrence risk of preterm birth < 35 weeks' gestation was approximately 65% when the cervix was < or = 25 mm, 45% when the cervix was 26 to 35 mm, and 25% when the cervix was > 35 mm at 24 weeks' gestation. For fetal fibronectin negative women with a prior preterm birth, the recurrence risk was 25% when the cervix was < or = 25 mm, 14% when the cervix was 26 to 35 mm, and 7% when the cervix was > 35 mm. The risk of preterm birth was increased among women with a history of preterm delivery but was not influenced by the gestational age at delivery of the most recent preterm birth. CONCLUSION: The recurrence risk of spontaneous preterm birth varies widely according to fetal fibronectin and cervical length. Cervical length and fetal fibronectin results had distinct and significant effects on the recurrence risk of preterm birth. Predicted recurrence risk is increased by twofold to fourfold in women with a positive compared with a negative fetal fibronectin, and it increases as cervical length shortens in both fetal fibronectin-positive and fetal fibronectin-negative women. These data may be useful to care for women with a history of preterm birth and to design studies to prevent recurrent premature delivery.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

The preterm prediction study: the value of new vs standard risk factors in predicting early and all spontaneous preterm births. NICHD MFMU Network.

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between fetal fibronectin, short cervix, bacterial vaginosis, other traditional risk factors, and spontaneous preterm birth. METHODS: From 1992 through 1994, 2929 women were screened at the gestational age 22 to 24 weeks. RESULTS: The odds ratios for spontaneous preterm birth were highest for fetal fibronectin, followed by a short cervix and history of preterm birth. These factors, as well as bacterial vaginosis, were more strongly associated with early than with late spontaneous preterm birth. Bacterial vaginosis was more common--and a stronger predictor of spontaneous preterm birth--in Black women, while body mass index less than 19.8 was a stronger predictor in non-Black women. This analysis suggests a pathway leading from Black race through bacterial vaginosis and fetal fibronectin to spontaneous preterm birth. Prior preterm birth is associated with spontaneous preterm birth through a short cervix. CONCLUSIONS: Fetal fibronectin and a short cervix are stronger predictors of spontaneous preterm birth than traditional risk factors. Bacterial vaginosis was found more often in Black than in non-Black women and accounted for 40% of the attributable risk for spontaneous preterm birth at less than 32 weeks.

Cervix Uteri↗
PubMed1997

[Musculoskeletal problems and physical activity. Results from a long-term study].

In two Norwegian industrial companies 42 employees (24 female/18 male) with shoulder, neck and back problems took part in a training programme for a period of 12 months. The programme comprised of daily relaxation exercises at work combined with training at home three times a week for about 30 minutes on each occasion. The physical therapy and training apparatus, TerapiMaster, which was constructed in Norway was used both at work and at home. The training programme was developed and monitored by an experienced physiotherapist. The observations of the training programme focused on changes in absenteeism during the training period compared with pre-study absenteeism. For employees with musculo-skeletal ailments the combination of relaxation exercises and physical training with professional instruction and follow-up significantly reduced absenteeism from 11.2 days per year (pre-study) to 0.2 days per year (at the end of the 12-month training period) (p < 0.001). A follow-up 30 months after completion of the formal study showed that absenteeism remained at the reduced rate, probably because positive experiences and "good habits" developed during the study encouraged the participants to continue with the training programme.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Effect of exercise on sick leave due to low back pain. A randomized, comparative, long-term study.

STUDY DESIGN: The study was carried out as an open, randomized, multicenter, parallel-group study with an observation period of 12 months. Four norwegian physiotherapy institutes took part. Patients were subsequently followed for 12 months of home exercise on their own, without for 12 months of home exercise on their own, without the supervision of a physiotherapist. OBJECTIVES: 1) To investigate and compare the effects of two different exercise programs on low back problems in patients after a 1-year training program under the supervision of a physiotherapist. 2) To investigate the effect supervision by, and motivation from, physiotherapists has on training compliance and efficacy. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: After ordinary physiotherapy treatment for low back problems, patients were randomly allocated either to a conventional training program designed by physiotherapists or to a training program using a new Norwegian-developed training apparatus called the TerapiMaster. The study included 153 patients with low back problems, all of whom had been referred to physiotherapy by their general practitioners. One hundred twenty-six patients were followed for an additional 12 months when performing home exercise programs on their own. METHODS: Monitoring patient satisfaction with the training program, compliance with the program, and absenteeism from work during the training period. RESULTS: Patient satisfaction with both training programs was high, with about 83% of participating patients completing the study in accordance with the protocol. Mean absenteeism (SD) during the preceding year totaled 82.5 days (19.8) in the conventional training group and 61.6 days (14.7) in the TerapiMaster group. Significant reductions to 17.2 days (6.0) and 16.4 days (5.3) in the two groups, respectively, were recorded during the training period, corresponding to a 75% to 80% reduction compared with the preceding 1-year period. Mean absenteeism showed a further significant decline during the 12-month period without supervised training. The average values were 9.9 days (3.2) for conventional training and 9.3 days (3.1) for the TerapiMaster, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Both exercise programs reduced absenteeism significantly (75-80%). No difference in the effects of the two different programs was discernible. Regular follow-up through encouragement and variation in the training programs appear to be important factors for motivating patients to adhere to regular exercise programs for low back problems. This thesis was corroborated by the 12-month study of unsupervised exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1997

Degradation of the fungicide difenoconazole in a silt loam soil as affected by pretreatment and organic amendment.

Degradation of the fungicide difenoconazole was examined in a silt loam soil under controlled conditions (60% WHC, 30 degrees C) in the laboratory. Difenoconazole was applied at 0.1 and 1.0 mg kg(-1) dry soil, respectively. The experiments were run with non-pretreated and pretreated field soil, respectively, partly mixed with easily decomposable organic matter (leaf powder). In all experiments, degradation curves showed a sigmoidal shape with clear acclimation phases. Pretreatment with difenoconazole in the field decreased the acclimation phases, DT(50)- and, in some cases, DT(90)-values. The incorporation of easily decomposable organic matter decreased both DT(50)- and DT(90)-values and increased the general microbial activity significantly. We conclude that difenoconazole is metabolized by an acclimated part of the soil microflora. However, the degradation seems to be stimulated in the presence of suitable co-substrates.

Journal Article↗