Predictors of knowledge about healthy eating in a rural midwestern US city

Knowledge about health is an important factor in the healthbehavior change process, yet health knowledge is not equallydistributed among populations. Research has suggested that differencesin health knowledge are based in the influence of social structuraland motivational conditions. This study examined socioeconomicstatus (SES) and other socio-demographic and motivational predictorsof diet and health knowledge as part of the formative evaluationof a community-based cancer and diet campaign, the Cancer andDiet Intervention Project. The dependent variable was an open-endedmeasure of dietary change knowledge. Independent variables includededucation, income, gender, age a measure of community involvement,and the motivational variables of salience and efficacy forhealthy dietary change. Data were collected using a random-digit-dialcross-sectional survey (N=377) of a small midwestern US city(population, 20 000). Findings indicated that response efficacy(belief in personal benefits of dietary change) was the strongestpredictor of knowledge about healthy eating, followed by educationand gender. Implications of planning public health campaignsare discussed.     

Radiological detection and diagnosis of pouch of Douglas lesions

The pouch of Douglas (cul-de-sac) represents the caudal extension of the peritoneal cavity. It is the rectovaginal pouch in the female and the rectovesical pouch in the male. The cul-de-sac is in a dependent position when either upright or supine; it is, therefore, a frequent location for seeded lesions. Abnormalities in the cul-de-sac include metastases, abscesses, and endometriosis. These lesions may be detected by multiple modalities, including barium enema, computed tomography, and ultrasound. Examples of numerous cul-de-sac lesions are presented as they appear with different imaging modalities.     

Lymphomas in solid organ transplantation

Background: The purpose of this investigation was to identify and characterize abdominal lymphomas as they occur in a large solid-organ-transplant population. Methods: A large transplant population was isolated, and all patients developing an abdominal lymphoma were identified. These patients were further characterized after review of their medical records and radiologic examinations. Results: Twenty-eight (1%) of 2925 patients developed lymphoma following transplantation. Of these 28 patients, 14 developed abdominal manifestations of disease. Examples of the wide variety of abdominal manifestations of posttransplant lymphoma are presented. Most of these patients had positive titers for Epstein-Barr virus and were treated with cyclosporin as a part of their immunotherapy. The majority of patients died secondary to this aggressive disease process. Conclusion: The development of lymphoma following solid organ transplantation is more common than in the general population. One-half of the patients in our study population developed abdominal manifestations of this disease. Received: 11 March 1997/Accepted after revision: 25 June 1997     

Safety considerations in the power injection of contrast media via central venous catheters during computed tomographic examinations.

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES. This study addresses the theoretical, experimental, and clinical application of using a central venous catheter system (CVS) for the rapid injection of contrast media during computed tomography (CT). METHODS. Application of Poiseuille's law and the Reynolds equation yielded theoretical data. In-line pressures were measured in experimental models and patients undergoing CT. Diatrizoate meglumine and iohexal contrast media were evaluated. RESULTS. The Reynolds number was consistent with laminar flow, allowing the application of Poiseuille's law. The calculated and experimental catheter tubing-chamber connection pressures were safe for both contrast media, at rates of 1 mL/second for long catheter tubing and 2 mL/second for short tubing. Thirteen patients had measured pressures within safety limits with no complications. CONCLUSIONS. This study establishes that power injection of contrast media via a CVS during CT is a safe procedure. Benefits include no need for peripheral intravenous catheter placement, decreased paramedical staff radiation exposure, and improved CT image quality.     

Neuronal migration in cerebellar microcultures is inhibited by antibodies against a neurite outgrowth domain of laminin.

The functional role of laminin in neuronal migration was investigated by using polyclonal antibodies or their divalent (Fab')2 fragments to a neurite outgrowth promoting domain of the B2 chain of laminin in a cerebellar microculture system widely recognized as a model for neuronal migration. We show here that these antibodies or their (Fab')2 fragments totally inhibit migration of the mouse cerebellar granule cells along the glial and other neuronal cell processes. Antibodies to native laminin or other control antibodies have no inhibitory effect. Immunocytochemical analysis of the cerebellar microcultures indicates that the functional role of these antibodies may relate to the fact that the punctate deposits of laminin and its neurite outgrowth promoting domain accumulate in between the migrating neurons and the glial cells. These data provide the first direct evidence for the functional role of laminin and its neurite outgrowth domain in neuronal migration in the mammals. They further suggest that a neuronal cell surface contact with the extracellular deposits of a neurite outgrowth domain of the B2 chain of laminin may mediate neuronal-glial interactions.     

Historical perspectives of bariatric surgery: the jejunoileal bypass and vertical banded gastroplasty

While neither the jejunoileal bypass nor vertical banded gastroplasty are still performed, many patients still possess this anatomy. They periodically have imaging procedures that need to be performed and interpreted appropriately. It is also important to know what has failed in the past to proceed more intelligently in the future.     

Imaging of morbid obesity procedures and their complications

Surgery for morbid obesity has become commonplace in the United States. Any radiologist who reads abdominal films, body CT, or does gastrointestinal fluoroscopy should be familiar with the surgical procedures and their imaging. Included in this update will be discussions of the vertical banded gastroplasty, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch.     

Hepatic abscesses in the immunocompromised patient: role of CT in detection, diagnosis, management, and follow-up

Newer cytotoxic and immunosuppressive agents and more aggressive oncologic treatment protocols have resulted in an increased incidence of opportunistic infections in the immunocompromised host. Clinical symptoms and laboratory data are often nonspecific and definitive diagnosis may be difficult to establish. The role of CT in the detection, diagnosis, management, and follow-up of various hepatic opportunistic infections in 9 immunocompromised hosts is presented. In 5 of 6 patients, CT-guided needle aspiration resulted in definitive diagnosis. In 3 patients, surgical intervention was obviated by abscess drainage using CT guidance. There is clearly a role for CT not only in the detection but also in the definitive diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up of abscesses in the immunocompromised host.