Sucrose Malabsorption in Greenland

In a population study on the western coast of Greenland the incidence of sucrose malabsorption was estimated by means of sucrose tolerance tests in 190 persons. Small-intestinal disaccharidase activity was estimated in 19 patients. Sucrose malabsorption was present in 10·5% of the cases studied—a surprisingly high figure and much higher than the incidence reported elsewhere in the world. This incidence is, however, lower than that of lactose malabsorption in Greenland Eskimos (54%). In contrast to lactose malabsorption, sucrose malabsorption is present from birth; this may have important clinical implications since chronic diarrhoea and malnutrition are fairly common during infancy in Greenland.     

Burning-Feet Syndrome: Case Due to Malabsorption and Responding to Riboflavine

A woman with the burning-feet syndrome was found on investigation to have malabsorption. The syndrome responded rapidly to intramuscular injections of 6 mg. of riboflavine daily. It is suggested that deficiency of this substance, due to malabsorption and aggravated by a defective diet and repeated pregnancies, was responsible for the syndrome in this case.     

Overland flow delivery of faecal bacteria to a headwater pastoral stream

AIMS: To quantify and derive statistical relationships with which to predict the delivery of faecal bacteria (Escherichia coli) to a pastoral stream, by overland flow. METHODS AND RESULTS: A large-scale (1050 m2) rainfall simulator, located upon a steep (18 degrees) grazed hillside in New Zealand, was used to simulate 11 heavy rainfall events. Overland flow was generated and sampled throughout each event, before discharging to a headwater stream. The samples were subsequently analysed to determine the concentration of E. coli. Statistical analysis showed that the time elapsed since the last period of grazing was a statistically significant predictor of both the total number (load) and concentrations of E. coli in overland flow. Between 10(5) and 10(8)E. coli per m2 of hillside were delivered to the stream within overland flow during each event, and peak concentrations ranged between 10(3) and 10(7) most probable number per 100 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Under heavy rainfall on steep pastoral land, overland flow can transport substantial levels of faecal bacteria to streams. Under such conditions, it is unlikely that vegetated buffer strips will be particularly effective at attenuating bacteria within overland flow. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This work has improved understanding of the importance of overland flow as a process contributing to the contamination of pastoral streams by faecal bacteria. In addition, the predictive relationships derived can be incorporated within catchment models.