Social and regional variations in health status and health behaviours among Swiss young adults

OBJECTIVE To provide nationwide data on health status and health behaviours among young adults in Switzerland, and to illustrate social and regional variations. METHODS Data came from the Swiss Federal Surveys of Adolescents, conducted in 2010/11. The sample consisted of 32,424 young men and 1,467 young women. We used logistic regression models to examine patterns of social inequality for three measures of health status and three measures of health behaviour. RESULTS Among men, lower self-rated health, overweight and lower physical fitness levels were associated with lower educational and fewer financial resources. Patterns were similar among young women. Unfavourable self-rated health (odds ratio [OR]: men 0.83, women 0.75) and overweight (OR: men 0.84, women 0.85; p >0.05) were less common in the French- than in the German-language region. Low physical fitness was more common in the French- than in the German-language region. In both sexes, daily smoking was associated with fewer educational resources, and physical inactivity was associated with lower educational and fewer financial resources. Males from the Italian-language region were three times more likely to be physically inactive than their German-speaking counterparts (OR 2.95). Risk drinking was more widespread among males in the French- than in the German-speaking language region (OR 1.47). CONCLUSIONS Striking social and moderate regional differences exist in health status and health behaviours among young Swiss males and females. The current findings offer new empirical evidence on social determinants of health in Switzerland and suggest education, material resources and regional conditions to be addressed in public health practice and in more focused future research.

The ABCs of membrane transporters in health and disease (SLC series): introduction

The field of transport biology has steadily grown over the past decade and is now recognized as playing an important role in manifestation and treatment of disease. The SLC (solute carrier) gene series has grown to now include 52 families and 395 transporter genes in the human genome. A list of these genes can be found at the HUGO Gene Nomenclature Committee (HGNC) website (see www.genenames.org/genefamilies/SLC). This special issue features mini-reviews for each of these SLC families written by the experts in each field. The existing online resource for solute carriers, the Bioparadigms SLC Tables (www.bioparadigms.org), has been updated and significantly extended with additional information and cross-links to other relevant databases, and the nomenclature used in this database has been validated and approved by the HGNC. In addition, the Bioparadigms SLC Tables functionality has been improved to allow easier access by the scientific community. This introduction includes: an overview of all known SLC and "non-SLC" transporter genes; a list of transporters of water soluble vitamins; a summary of recent progress in the structure determination of transporters (including GLUT1/SLC2A1); roles of transporters in human diseases and roles in drug approval and pharmaceutical perspectives.

Future prospects for SPECT imaging using the radiolanthanide terbium-155 — production and preclinical evaluation in tumor-bearing mice

We assessed the suitability of the radiolanthanide 155 Tb (t1/2 = 5.32 days, Eγ = 87 keV (32%), 105 keV (25%)) in combination with variable tumor targeted biomolecules using preclinical SPECT imaging. Methods 155Tb was produced at ISOLDE (CERN, Geneva, Switzerland) by high-energy (~ 1.4 GeV) proton irradiation of a tantalum target followed by ionization and on-line mass separation. 155 Tb was separated from isobar and pseudo-isobar impurities by cation exchange chromatography. Four tumor targeting molecules – a somatostatin analog (DOTATATE), a minigastrin analog (MD), a folate derivative (cm09) and an anti-L1-CAM antibody (chCE7) – were radiolabeled with 155 Tb. Imaging studies were performed in nude mice bearing AR42J, cholecystokinin-2 receptor expressing A431, KB, IGROV-1 and SKOV-3ip tumor xenografts using a dedicated small-animal SPECT/CT scanner. Results The total yield of the two-step separation process of 155 Tb was 86%. 155 Tb was obtained in a physiological l-lactate solution suitable for direct labeling processes. The 155 Tb-labeled tumor targeted biomolecules were obtained at a reasonable specific activity and high purity (> 95%). 155 Tb gave high quality, high resolution tomographic images. SPECT/CT experiments allowed excellent visualization of AR42J and CCK-2 receptor-expressing A431 tumors xenografts in mice after injection of 155 Tb-DOTATATE and 155 Tb-MD, respectively. The relatively long physical half-life of 155 Tb matched in particular the biological half-lives of 155 Tb-cm09 and 155 Tb-DTPA-chCE7 allowing SPECT imaging of KB tumors, IGROV-1 and SKOV-3ip tumors even several days after administration. Conclusions The radiolanthanide 155 Tb may be of particular interest for low-dose SPECT prior to therapy with a therapeutic match such as the β--emitting radiolanthanides 177Lu, 161 Tb, 166Ho, and the pseudo-radiolanthanide 90Y.

Electrodiagnostic evaluation in feline hypertrophic muscular dystrophy

Standard needle electromyography (EMG) of 56 muscles and nerve conduction velocities (NCV) of the ulnar and common peroneal nerves were investigated in each of six cats affected with hypertrophic feline muscular dystrophy, 10 related heterozygote carriers and 10 normal cats. The EMG findings were considered normal in carrier and control cats, and consisted of 33% normal readings, 22% myotonic discharges, 18% fibrillation potentials, 11% prolonged insertional potentials, 10% complex repetitive discharges and 6% positive sharp waves in affected cats. Muscles of the proximal limbs were most frequently affected. No differences in NCV were found between the three cat groups. It was concluded that dystrophin-deficient dystrophic cats have widespread and frequent EMG changes, predominantly myotonic discharges and fibrillation potentials, which are most pronounced in the proximal appendicular muscles.

Stochastic Resonance Whole-Body Vibration Improves Postural Control in Health Care Professionals: A Worksite Randomized Controlled Trial

Slip, trip, and fall injuries are frequent among health care workers. Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training was tested to improve postural control. Participants included 124 employees of a Swiss university hospital. The randomized controlled trial included an experimental group given 8 weeks of training and a control group with no intervention. In both groups, postural control was assessed as mediolateral sway on a force plate before and after the 8-week trial. Mediolateral sway was significantly decreased by stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training in the experimental group but not in the control group that received no training (p < .05). Stochastic resonance whole-body vibration training is an option in the primary prevention of balance-related injury at work.

Cultural capital and smoking in young adults: applying new indicators to explore social inequalities in health behaviour.

BACKGROUND Associations between social status and health behaviours are well documented, but the mechanisms involved are less understood. Cultural capital theory may contribute to a better understanding by expanding the scope of inequality indicators to include individuals' knowledge, skills, beliefs and material goods to examine how these indicators impact individuals' health lifestyles. We explore the structure and applicability of a set of cultural capital indicators in the empirical exploration of smoking behaviour among young male adults. METHODS We analysed data from the Swiss Federal Survey of Adolescents (CH-X) 2010-11 panel of young Swiss males (n = 10 736). A set of nine theoretically relevant variables (including incorporated, institutionalized and objectified cultural capital) were investigated using exploratory factor analysis. Regression models were run to observe the association between factor scores and smoking outcomes. Outcome measures consisted of daily smoking status and the number of cigarettes smoked by daily smokers. RESULTS Cultural capital indicators aggregated in a three-factor solution representing 'health values', 'education and knowledge' and 'family resources'. Each factor score predicted the smoking outcomes. In young males, scoring low on health values, education and knowledge and family resources was associated with a higher risk of being a daily smoker and of smoking more cigarettes daily. CONCLUSION Cultural capital measures that include, but go beyond, educational attainment can improve prediction models of smoking in young male adults. New measures of cultural capital may thus contribute to our understanding of the social status-based resources that individuals can use towards health behaviours.

Molecular control of cardiac sodium homeostasis in health and disease.

INTRODUCTION Cardiac myocytes utilize three high-capacity Na transport processes whose precise function can determine myocyte fate and the triggering of arrhythmias in pathological settings. We present recent results on the regulation of all three transporters that may be important for an understanding of cardiac function during ischemia/reperfusion episodes. METHODS AND RESULTS Refined ion selective electrode (ISE) techniques and giant patch methods were used to analyze the function of cardiac Na/K pumps, Na/Ca exchange (NCX1), and Na/H exchange (NHE1) in excised cardiac patches and intact myocytes. To consider results cohesively, simulations were developed that account for electroneutrality of the cytoplasm, ion homeostasis, water homeostasis (i.e., cell volume), and cytoplasmic pH. The Na/K pump determines the average life-time of Na ions (3-10 minutes) as well as K ions (>30 minutes) in the cytoplasm. The long time course of K homeostasis can determine the time course of myocyte volume changes after ion homeostasis is perturbed. In excised patches, cardiac Na/K pumps turn on slowly (-30 seconds) with millimolar ATP dependence, when activated for the first time. In steady state, however, pumps are fully active with <0.2 mM ATP and are nearly unaffected by high ADP (2 mM) and Pi (10 mM) concentrations as may occur in ischemia. NCX1s appear to operate with slippage that contributes to background Na influx and inward current in heart. Thus, myocyte Na levels may be regulated by the inactivation reactions of the exchanger which are both Na- and proton-dependent. NHE1 also undergo strong Na-dependent inactivation, whereby a brief rise of cytoplasmic Na can cause inactivation that persists for many minutes after cytoplasmic Na is removed. This mechanism is blocked by pertussis toxin, suggesting involvement of a Na-dependent G-protein. Given that maximal NCX1- and NHE1-mediated ion fluxes are much greater than maximal Na/K pump-mediated Na extrusion in myocytes, the Na-dependent inactivation mechanisms of NCX1 and NHE1 may be important determinants of cardiac Na homeostasis. CONCLUSIONS Na/K pumps appear to be optimized to continue operation when energy reserves are compromised. Both NCX1 and NHE1 activities are regulated by accumulation of cytoplasmic Na. These principles may importantly control cardiac cytoplasmic Na and promote myocyte survival during ischemia/reperfusion episodes by preventing Ca overload.

Das Gebot der Wirksamkeit im Alpenschutz: Evaluation in der Verlagerungspolitik

Die Schweiz ist ein Transitland. Im Anschluss an die Eröffnung des Gotthardstrassentunnels anfangs der 1980er Jahre nahm die Belastung durch den alpenquerenden Strassengüterverkehr stark zu. Dies führte im Jahr 1994 zur Annahme der Alpenschutz-Initiative: Das Alpengebiet soll vor den negativen Auswirkungen des Transitverkehrs geschützt und der Güterverkehr soll von der Strasse auf die Schiene verlagert werden. So will es Artikel 84 der Schweizer Bundesverfassung. Als Verlagerungsziel ist gesetzlich verankert, dass dereinst nicht mehr als 650'000 schwere Güterverkehrsfahrzeuge pro Jahr die Alpen auf der Strasse queren dürfen. Die Bundesversammlung ist gestützt auf Artikel 170 der Bundesverfassung verpflichtet, staatliches Handeln auf seine Wirksamkeit zu überprüfen bzw. überprüfen zu lassen. Diese Aufgabe erfüllt das Parlament weder im Allgemeinen, noch im Bereich des Alpenschutzes zufriedenstellend. Bundesgesetze mit unmittelbaren Auswirkungen auf den Alpenschutz wurden bisher nicht immer gebührend evaluiert. Rechtliche Möglichkeiten, um eine erhöhte Wirksamkeit zu fordern und durchzusetzen, bestehen allerdings keine. Der Alpenschutz hat seine gesetzlichen Ziele bisher verpasst, auch wenn beachtliche Erfolge der Verlagerungspolitik zu verzeichnen sind. Das Versagen ist auf gesetzgeberische Inkonsequenz und nicht auf eine mangelhafte Umsetzung der realisierbaren Massnahmen zurückzuführen. Die Politik folgt unterschiedlichen und bisweilen gegenläufigen Interessen. Wissenschaftliche Erkenntnisse über die Wirkung eigenen Handelns können dabei manchmal sogar stören. Der Alpenschutz und seine Ziele werden in jüngster Zeit vermehrt relativiert, was sich beispielsweise bei der Vorlage des Baus einer zweiten Strassentunnelröhre am Gotthard zeigt, die sich bei genauer Betrachtung als verfassungwidrig erweist. Der Alpenschutz stellt aber nach wie vor ein geltendes Ziel der Schweizer Bundesverfassung dar.