The effects of a prolonged undernutrition on serum lipids and fatty acid composition of reindeer calves during winter and spring.

We examined the effects of undernutrition on lipid metabolism in reindeer (<1 year) during mid-winter and spring, with particular focus on the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in major serum lipids. The reindeer (n=8) were fed their winter feed, lichen, ad libitum for 5 weeks, followed by 40% restriction of energy for 8 weeks and refeeding to normal for 6 weeks. The concentrations of major serum lipids, cholesterol and phospholipids decreased significantly during the ad libitum period (by 50 and 44%, respectively).

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in serum lipids of reindeer during the close postnatal period.

We examined serum fatty acid composition in reindeer during the close postnatal period (from < 8 h to 3 weeks) by using maternal serum as a reference point and focusing on the proportions of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) in serum lipids. A striking dissimilarity was found in the serum PUFAs between the neonatals and their mothers. In particular, the proportions of linoleic acid (18:2) and alpha-linolenic acid in serum cholesteryl esters and phospholipids of the newborn reindeer were significantly lower than those of the mothers.

Properties of food loads delivered to nestlings in the pied flycatcher: effects of clutch size manipulation, year, and sex.

Experimental manipulation of the number of altricial offspring is supposed to modify parental expenditure in birds. In addition to the observed increase in parental feeding rate, it is also possible that the choice of prey or the size of load may change with the changing demand for food. Sexual differences in the provisioning response are also expected, on the basis of earlier studies.

Scots pine needle surfaces on radial transects across the north boreal area of Finnish Lapland and the Kola Peninsula of Russia.

To gain an understanding of the characteristics of the needle surfaces of naturally regenerated Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) and their geographical distribution, eight physicochemical variables were investigated within the north boreal forest area. The visibly undamaged needles were collected in autumn 1990 from 114 plots (3-5 pines per plot) along radial transects from the Monchegorsk and Nikel smelters, emitting SO2 and heavy metals, on the Kola Peninsula, Russia, to Finnish Lapland.

Current challenges to the principles of medical law and their new interpretation.

The traditional function of the principles of medical law has been to protect the person of the patient against the use of power in health care. These principles have not generally been seen as factors which would also protect the patient economically. An analysis of the significance of the use of power in health care and a review of the field of damage sustained through erroneous procedures in the care relationship, make it possible to observe that the patient's need for legal protection is particularly great not only as regards factors related to the person, but also as regards the finances of the patient.

What causes stress for mothers of children with MBD?

Adapting the paradigm developed by Richard Lazarus, parenting stress and coping were studied among mothers of 6-9-year-old children (n = 42) with different symptoms of Minimal Brain Dysfunction (MBD) (hyperkinesis, perceptual or motor deficits, learning disabilities or speech disorders) and among mothers of non-disabled children (n = 42) matched for age, sex, social status of the family and marital status. Mothers of children with MBD were found to experience more parenting difficulties and more negative cognitive appraisals of their stakes in parenting than their matched controls. The mothers of children with hyperkinesis and perceptual or motor deficits considered their mastery lower and experienced less positive affects than their matched controls.