Methods of transfemoral lumbar epidural venography in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation

This article outlines several ways of achieving adequate visualization of the epidural venous plexus in the diagnosis of lumbar disc herniation. Preference is expressed for simultaneous injection of contrast medium via two catheters selecttively introduced into the lateral sacral segmental veins or into the left and right internal iliac veins. For visualization of the epidural veins, the investigator has a choice of over 20 different procedures. The position of choice of the catheter tip(s) can vary during the examination, dependent on diagnostic problems or technical catheterization problems. Epidural venography should be regarded as a very accurate, relatively simple method of demonstrating disc herniations in the lumbar region. This method is especially recommendable in cases that are clinically suspect but have a negative or dubious caudogram. The risk of complications is very small. It is also a good method for azygography. It is possible to perform the examination on outpatients.     

Long-term normalization of GLUT 4 protein content in skeletal muscle of streptozotocin-diabetic Lewis rats after islet transplantation

Islet transplantation under the kidney capsule of STZ-diabetic Lewis rats was able to maintain near-normoglycemia over a period of 6 months. Fasting insulin in these animals was higher compared to controls but did not increase after feeding. Plasma glucose following an OGTT at 2 months was only slightly impaired, and after 6 months was more severely impaired in the Tx rats. An IVGTT 6 months after Tx confirmed impaired glucose tolerance and showed a loss of first phase insulin release. GLUT 4 protein content in skeletal muscle was completely restored in Tx animals. In conclusion, long-term near-normoglycemia after syngeneic islet transplantation under the kidney capsule of STZ-diabetic Lewis rats is associated with complete normalization of skeletal muscle GLUT 4 protein content, even in the presence of abnormal glucose tolerance and impaired insulin secretion.     

Risk factors for cardiorespiratory and all cause mortality in men and women in urban Scotland: 15 year follow up

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To describe the relationship between risk factors, risk behaviours, symptoms and mortality from cardiorespiratory diseases in an urban area with high levels of socioeconomic deprivation. A cohort study of 15,411 men and women aged 45-64, comprising 80% of the general population of Paisley and Renfrew, Scotland. OUTCOMES: Mortality after 15 years from coronary heart disease(ICD 410-4), stroke(ICD 430-8), respiratory disease(ICD 460-519) and all causes. MAIN RESULTS: Mortality rates from all causes were 19% in men aged 45-49, 31% in men aged 50-54, 42% in men aged 55-59 and 57% in men aged 60-64. The rates are considerably higher than those reported in previous UK prospective studies. For women the rates were 12%, 18%, 25% and 38% respectively. In general men and women showed similar relationships between risk factor levels and mortality rates. People in manual occupations had higher mortality rates. Raised levels of systolic and diastolic blood pressure were associated with increased coronary, stroke and all cause mortality rates. Plasma cholesterol had no such association with all cause mortality rates. High and low levels of body mass index were associated with higher mortality rates than intermediate levels. A relationship between short stature and increased mortality rates was observed in men and women. FEV1 expressed as a percentage of the expected value showed the strongest relationship with mortality rates, particularly for respiratory disease, but also for deaths from coronary heart disease, stroke and all causes. CONCLUSIONS: A similar pattern of relationship between risk factor levels and mortality rates exists in men and women in Renfrew and Paisley. Respiratory impairment as measured by FEV1% predicted appears to be the most likely explanation of the observed high all cause mortality rates in this population.     

Pulmonary vascular disease complicating the Blalock-Taussig anastomosis

Comparative pharmacologists solidly trained in the principles of modern pharmacology, comparative biology, and comparative medicine are needed in various facets of drug research. Although this type of training would ideally be obtained in the professional medical environment of a veterinary college, the discipline of pharmacology has been neglected in these schools and must be upgraded by staffing and funding before quality training programs can be established. An interim solution would be to offer postgraduate training in comparative pharmacology and medicine at selected veterinary schools. Trainees would be recruited from pharmacology centers of excellence in medical or pharmacy schools. We assume that some of these trainees wound join veterinary school faculties and eventually establish quality Ph.DTRAINING PROGRAMS IN COMPARATIVE PHARMACOLOGY AT THEIR INSTITUTIONS. Comparative pharmacologists trained in these pre- or postdoctoral programs would be valuable additions to any team responsible for evaluating the safety and efficacy of drugs or chemicals in man or animals.