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Background/Objectives:Different diets are used for weight loss. A Paleolithic-type diet (PD) has beneficial metabolic effects, but two of the largest iodine sources, table salt and dairy products, are excluded. The objectives of this study were to compare 24-h urinary iodine concentration (24-UIC) in subjects on PD with 24-UIC in subjects on a diet according to the Nordic Nutrition Recommendations (NNR) and to study if PD results in a higher risk of developing iodine deficiency (ID), than NNR diet.Subjects/Methods:A 2-year prospective randomized trial in a tertiary referral center where healthy postmenopausal overweight or obese women were randomized to either PD (n=35) or NNR diet (n=35). Dietary iodine intake, 24-UIC, 24-h urinary iodine excretion (24-UIE), free thyroxin (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3) and thyrotropin (TSH) were measured at baseline, 6 and 24 months. Completeness of urine sampling was monitored by para-aminobenzoic acid and salt intake by urinary sodium.Results:At baseline, median 24-UIC (71.0 μg/l) and 24-UIE (134.0 μg/d) were similar in the PD and NNR groups. After 6 months, 24-UIC had decreased to 36.0 μg/l (P=0.001) and 24-UIE to 77.0 μg/d (P=0.001) in the PD group; in the NNR group, levels were unaltered. FT4, TSH and FT3 were similar in both groups, except for FT3 at 6 months being lower in PD than in NNR group.Conclusions:A PD results in a higher risk of developing ID, than a diet according to the NNR. Therefore, we suggest iodine supplementation should be considered when on a PD.

Background/Objectives:: Our objective was to investigate changes in liver fat and insulin sensitivity during a 2-year diet intervention. An ad libitumPaleolithic diet (PD) was compared with a conventional low-fat diet (LFD). Subjects/Methods:: Seventy healthy, obese, postmenopausal women were randomized to either a PD or a conventional LFD. Diet intakes were ad libitum. Liver fat was measured with proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Insulin sensitivity was evaluated with oral glucose tolerance tests and calculated as homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)/liver insulin resistance (Liver IR) index for hepatic insulin sensitivity and oral glucose insulin sensitivity (OGIS)/Matsuda for peripheral insulin sensitivity. All measurements were performed at 0, 6 and 24 months. Forty-one women completed the examinations for liver fat and were included. Results:: Liver fat decreased after 6 months by 64% (95% confidence interval: 54–74%) in the PD group and by 43% (27–59%) in the LFD group (P<0.01 for difference between groups). After 24 months, liver fat decreased 50% (25–75%) in the PD group and 49% (27–71%) in the LFD group. Weight reduction between baseline and 6 months was correlated to liver fat improvement in the LFD group (rs=0.66, P<0.01) but not in the PD group (rs=0.07, P=0.75). Hepatic insulin sensitivity improved during the first 6 months in the PD group (P<0.001 for Liver IR index and HOMA-IR), but deteriorated between 6 and 24 months without association with liver fat changes. Conclusions:: A PD with ad libitumintake had a significant and persistent effect on liver fat and differed significantly from a conventional LFD at 6 months. This difference may be due to food quality, for example, a higher content of mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids in the PD. Changes in liver fat did not associate with alterations in insulin sensitivity.

This study suggests degradation of salivary acidic proline-rich proteins (PRPs) into potential innate-immunity-like peptides by oral Streptococcus and Actinomyces species. PRP degradation paralleled cleavage of Pro-containing substrates. PRP degradation by S. gordonii strain SK12 instantly released a Pyr(1)-Pro(104)Pro(105) and a Gly(111)-Pro(149)Gln(150) peptide together with a presumed Arg(106)Gly(107)Arg(108)Pro(109)Gln(110) pentapeptide. The synthetic Arg(106)Gly(107)Arg(108)Pro(109)Gln(110) peptide desorbed bound bacteria and counteracted sucrose-induced decrease of dental plaque pH in vitro.

Radiotherapy was earlier a method of choice for treatment of benign bleeding disorders (metropathia), especially in women of high surgical risk. During the period 1912 to 1977 933 women with benign bleeding disorders were treated at Radiumhemmet with intracavitary brachytherapy or external irradiation or a combination of both. The result with regard to cure of the uterine bleedings was good (48). Hormonal withdrawal symptoms after treatment were noted in 45 of the patients. In the long term follow up an increased risk of cardiovascular death was found in women treated before menopause. Malignant tumours occurred in 107 cases versus 90.2 expected (RR 1.19). The estimated ovarian dose of ionizing radiation varied from 3.5 Gy to 6.0 Gy for the three standard techniques. Two women gave birth to a healthy child 4 and 5 years after intracavitary radium treatment. The estimated absorbed dose to the ovaries in these two women were 1 Gy and 4 Gy, respectively.

The cellular distribution of the 36000-Mr polypeptide of NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase has been determined in ultrathin sections of barley leaves by the method of immunogold labelling. In leaves of etiolated seedlings a large portion of the immunoreactive protein was localized within the prolamellar body. However, approximately one third of the total immunoreactive protein was present outside the plastid in the area of the plasmalemma. During illumination of etiolated seedlings the two polypeptide populations were differentially affected by light. While the concentration of the plastid-localized immunoreactive protein rapidly decreased and was hardly detectable after 16 h of continuous white-light treatment, the concentration of the extraplastidic polypeptide did not decline significantly during this illumination period. A similar distribution pattern of the immunoreactive polypeptide was also found in maize and rye. The chlorophyll-deficient barley mutant xantha-l81 contained the immunoreactive 36000-Mr polypeptide, even though the prolamellar body was not detectable in etioplasts of this mutant. All of the immunoreactive polypeptide was localized outside the plastid in the area of the plasmalemma. Despite the apparent absence of the enzyme protein from the plastid, dark-grown mutant plants contained the same relative concentration of mRNA activity for the NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase, which declined rapidly during illumination, as in wild-type plants. The antigenic properties and the apparent molecular weight of the plastid-localized NADPH-protochlorophyllide oxidoreductase and the 36000-Mr immunoreactive polypeptide outside the plastid were so similar as to indicate that the two proteins may be of common origin.

One hundred and seven cases of malignant tumours occurred among 788 women irradiated 1912 to 1977 for metropathia. One hundred and seventy-three women out of 1219 referred for the same diagnosis and not irradiated developed a malignant tumour. The tumours were diagnosed between 1958 and 1982. The relative risk of malignant tumours among the irradiated women was 1.22 and among the non-irradiated 1.09 compared to cancer registry data. A statistically non-significant increase of the relative risk was found in the irradiated patients for tumours of the rectum (1.58), colon (1.46), and the nervous system (1.67). A decreased overall relative risk was seen for cancer of the breast (0.92) after irradiation, but women treated at the age of 50 or more had an increased risk (2.08). The relative cancer risk of the heavily irradiated sites was not increased during the first 20 years after irradiation, but a statistically significant increase of the risk was seen after 30 years.