Radionuclide venography in iliac and inferior vena caval obstruction

Thirteen cases are presented to demonstrate normal and various abnormal radionuclide venographic patterns following obstruction of the inferior vena cava or common iliac veins. In these patients, obstruction was due to surgery, thrombosis, or neoplasm. Contrast venography was also performed in seven patients to confirm the radionuclide findings. Radionuclide venograms did not visualize the same collateral patterns that contrast venograms did. Most notably, the anterior parietal vessels were seen in many cases with radionuclide venography, and the paraspinal veins were seen more commonly with contrast venography.     

Calcium requirements for the athlete

There is oftentimes a notion of "the more, the better" with regard to vitamin and mineral intake among individuals, and especially among athletes. Although adequate calcium intake is necessary to promote bone health and prevent osteoporosis, increased physical activity alone does not necessarily demand an increased intake of dietary calcium or other micronutrients. Athletes may lose calcium via sweat, in which case replenishment is advocated either via dietary intake of calcium-rich foods or a commercial calcium supplement. The important message to athletes is to consume a diet adequate in energy, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, and fluids to support the physical demands and replenish the physiologic losses incurred with physical training.     

Carnitine in Maternal and Neonatal Plasma*

ABSTRACT. Total plasma carnitine was analysed in 19 women, with uncomplicated pregnancies, who underwent elective caesarean section, and in their neonates. The women were given a balanced glucose (glucose group) or saline (saline group) infusion, group allocation being on a random basis. The carnitine levels in maternal or infant plasma did not differ between these two groups. At delivery, the mean maternal carnitine value, 17.4±1.25 μmol/l, was lower than the mean infant value, 25.9 μmol/l±2.67 (mean ± SE, p< 0.005) and lower than the mean value in non-pregnant, fertile women, i.e. 40.9±1.22 μmol/l. The mean carnitine value in the unfed neonate had not changed when the infant was 4 hours old. A positive correlation was found between carnitine levels in maternal and infant plasma (p< 0.01). At delivery, the levels of non-esterified fatty acids and 3-OH-butyrate in infant plasma were different in the two groups, but not at 4 hours of age. The results suggest that the maternal carnitine level is the most important factor governing plasma carnitine levels in the neonate.     

Impact of body weight and weight loss on cardiovascular risk factors

Overwieght and obesity are classified as a major risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD). An increase in the body mass index is associated with adverse changes in the plasma lipid and lipoprotein profile resulting in elevated total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and triglyceride levels and a decrease in high-density lipoprotein levels. An android pattern of obesity is associated with a more deleterious plasma lipoprotein profile as well as hypertension and insulin resistance, resulting in an even greater increase in CVD risk. Weight loss through caloric restriction improves the plasma lipoprotein profile. A Step-1 diet plus exercise confer even greater benefits.     

Dietary effects on oxidation of low-density lipoprotein and atherogenesis

Oxidization of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles leads to formation of atherosclerotic lesions and increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) via a complex cascade of biochemical events occurring mostly within the arterial wall. Multiple dietary factors impact LDL oxidation levels, such as fat-rich meals, hyper- and hypocaloric diets, and specific nutrients (vitamins E, C, and beta-carotene; mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids; and polyphenolic compounds). These basic nutrients are naturally present at high concentrations, individually or in combinations, in common foods (fruits/vegetables, vegetable oils, red wine, soy, fish, tea); in turn, these foods are the main components of well-defined diets (Mediterranean, East Asian, balanced vegetarian) that display protective action against LDL oxidation and potentially against CVD. For most nutrients, however, both positive and negative evidence exists as to the extent of their antioxidant properties and protection against risk of CVD, prompting caution in the interpretation of data reports and health claims of advertised antioxidant products.     

Fertility Enhancing Hysteroscopic Surgery: Our Experience

690 hysteroscopies done over a period of four and a half years for infertility were evaluated. 85 therapeutic hysteroscopic procedures like hysterscopic metroplasty, lysis of intrauterine adhesions, electroresection of fibroids, removal of foreign bodies and cornual cannulation were carried out. These minimally invasive procedures were associated with satisfying results, least morbidity, shorter hospital stay and high patient satisfaction.Key Words: Cornual cannulation, Electroresection, Hysteroscopy, Intrauterine adhesions, Metroplasty, Submucus fibroids