[ Nail calcium content in relation to age and bone mineral density].

The growth of nails, and their matrix components, are influenced by several physiological, pathological and environmental factors. Because of the slow rate of nail growth, the elemental composition of the nail is also expected to be affected by transient factors controlling serum components. The mineral components of nail clippings may therefore reflect the long-term patterns of mineral metabolism, such as the rise of creatinine concentration seen in nails in patients with renal failure with hypercreatinemia.

Nail calcium and magnesium content in relation to age and bone mineral density.

In view of the importance of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) as major bone components and nutrients controlling bone metabolism, and the ready availability of nail samples for analysis, clippings of fingernails and toenails were analyzed for Ca and Mg. The clippings were dissolved in nitric acid and analysis was done, using atomic absorption spectrophotometry, in 169 women and 115 men between 20 and 80 years of age. Fingernail Ca concentration in men decreased from 927 +/- 50 ppm (mean +/- SEM) in their twenties to 464 +/- 50 ppm in their eighties, with a significant negative correlation with age (r = -0.

[Can sleep urine calcium concentration corrected by osmolality as a screening test identify subjects with risk to develop osteoporosis?].

The reliability of overnight (sleep) urine (SU) and 2nd morning urine (2MU) were compared with that of 24-hour urine (24 U) for the evaluation of bone resorption markers. A total of 50 women were subjected to the study was were divided into two groups according to their lumbar bone mineral density, namely 25 females with normal BMD (mean age 47) and 25 women with low BMD (mean age 78). Calcium (Ca), collagen degradation products crosslaps (CTx), pyridinoline (Pyr) and deoxypyridinoline (D-Pyr) were measured in 24 U, SU and 2MU and corrected for urine volume with creatinine (Cr) and osmolality(Osm).

[Calcium decreases urinary oxalate].

The effects of calcium supplementation on urinary oxalate excretion was tested in 9 normal subjects, 4 males and 5 females between 23 and 49 years of age. In a crossover study 800 mg calcium was orally administered as active absorbable algal calcium (AAACa) (A) and calcium carbonate (B), and compared with non-calcium containing placebo (C). Calcium, oxalate, osmolality, creatinine and pH were measured in the first three morning urine samples and Ca/osmolality, Ca/osmolality/body weight, Ca/creatinine and oxalate/osmolality were calculated to correct for urine dilution.

Heated oyster shell with algal ingredient (AAACa) decreases urinary oxalate excretion.

In nine normal subjects, four men and five women between 23 and 49 years of age, 800mg calcium was orally administered as active absorbable algal calcium (AAA Ca) (A) and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) (B), to compare with non-calcium-containing placebo (C) in a crossover design. Calcium, oxalate, osmolality, creatinine, and pH were measured in the first three morning urine samples and Ca/osmolality, Ca/osmolality/body weight, Ca/creatinine, and oxalate/ osmolality were calculated to correct for urine dilution. Ca x oxalate product was also calculated, and Ca oxalate crystal in the sediment was microscopically examined, semiquantitatively estimated as -, +, ++, or , and numerically expressed as 0, 1, 2, or 3, respectively.

Fall of blood ionized calcium on watching a provocative TV program and its prevention by active absorbable algal calcium (AAA Ca).

In December 1997, more than 680 children developed convulsive seizures while watching a notorious audiovisually provocative TV program, "Pocket Monster." Emotional stimulation via hyperventilation may cause respiratory alkalosis, fall of blood ionized calcium (Ca), and sensitization of the nervous system to excessive emotional stress. A study was therefore undertaken to follow the changes of blood ionized Ca in eight healthy volunteers after watching the "Pocket Monster" and also a quiet program, "Classical Music," as a control for 20min from 4 P.

[Effects of calcium supplementation using AAACa or milk on nocturnal bone resorption in young women].

In order to study the effect of calcium supplementation on bone resorption, a randomized controlled crossover study was carried out on eight healthy 18-19 year old female volunteers using either AAACa heated oyster shell with vacuum-heated seaweed or milk. Regimen A consisted of an oral dose of 200 mg calcium in the form of AAACa. B 200 ml milk after breakfast and supper and at bedtime, and C control with no calcium supplement.

Overnight suppression of parathyroid hormone and bone resorption markers by active absorbable algae calcium. A double-blind crossover study.

In order to study the effect of Ca supplementation on the nocturnal rise of PTH and bone resorption, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study was carried out on 9 healthy male volunteers. Regimen A consisted of an oral dose of 150 mg Ca as AAACa after each meal and 450 mg at bedtime; B consisted of 300 mg after each meal and C was placebo. Plasma ionized Ca was significantly higher in A than in B at 6 a.

[Correction of urinary calcium levels for urine osmotic pressure].

The usefulness of the urinary calcium/creatinine (Ca/Cr) ratio, the oldest marker of bone resorption, is limited because of the influence of sodium intake and urine volume. The urinary Ca/Cr ratio was therefore compared with urinary calcium corrected for the urine osmotic pressure (Ca/OSM). Significant correlations are found between the Ca/Cr ratio and both creatinine (r = -0.

[Metabolic response in the acute stage of cerebral infarction--with special reference to oxygen consumption and resting metabolic expenditure].

Oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide production, respiratory quotients, and resting metabolic expenditure were measured in 23 patients with cerebral infarction in their acute stage. Metabolic measurement were carried out with the technique of indirect calorimetry on their admission within two days from the onsets. At the same time, urine was collected twenty-four hours to measure urinary catecholamine excretion.

Rapid emergency testing using blood plasma.

A method of blood analysis, using plasma instead of serum, is very valuable in shortening the time for reporting an emergency test by about 50-60%, by eliminating the serum separation step. Good correlation between plasma and serum was obtained for common chemical analyses.