Myelographic study of the spinal cord ascent during fetal development

To assess the length of the spinal cord relative to the vertebral column during fetal development, we performed translumbar myelograms on 340 spontaneously aborted fetuses. Of these, 146 were selected for study. There were 76 males and 70 females, with fetal age ranging from 7 to 33 weeks. Significant variation in the level of spinal cord termination was found in fetuses between 12 and 25 weeks gestational age. In fetuses between 25 and 33 weeks gestational age, the cord ended at or above the third lumbar vertebra.     

Concomitants of excess coronary deaths--major risk factor and lifestyle findings from 10,359 men and women in the Scottish Heart Health Study

The Scottish Heart Health Study is a study of lifestyle and coronary heart disease risk factors in 10,359 men and women aged 40-59 years, in 22 districts of Scotland. The study was conducted during 1984-86, when Scotland had the highest national coronary heart disease mortality reported by the World Health Organisation. A self-completed questionnaire, complemented by a 40 minute visit to a survey clinic, staffed by nurses, enabled the classical major risk factors and some more newly described ones to be measured. The study emphasised quality control and representativeness, and incorporated a World Health Organisation protocol for measurement of key items to allow comparisons in place and time, and therefore also to provide a definitive baseline against which interventions can be assessed. This paper describes the overall findings. Current cigarette smokers constitute 39% of men and 38% of women, higher levels than those reported in England but lower than previous Scottish reports. Mean blood pressure levels were 134/84 mmHg for men and 131/81 mmHg in women, lower than in British studies of the 1960s and 1970s. Mean body mass index levels, 26.1 Kg/m2 in men and 25.7 Kg/m2 in women, were not high by international standards. However, mean serum cholesterol levels were 6.4 mmol/l in men and 6.6 mmol/l in women--as high as those in previous British studies and high by international standards. Levels of high density lipoprotein cholesterol, non-fasting triglycerides and fibrinogen are also reported. Physical activity both at work and in leisure time was low.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

CT evaluation of Crohn's disease: effect on patient management

CT scans from 80 consecutive patients with clinically symptomatic Crohn's disease were reviewed retrospectively to determine the effect of CT diagnosis on patient management. The initial clinical impression and any subsequent change in patient management because of the CT findings were noted. In 22 (28%) of the 80 patients, significant previously unsuspected findings led to a change in medical or surgical management. These included 12 patients with fistulae, four with abscess, two with avascular necrosis of the femoral head, two with sacral osteomyelitis, and single cases of pelvic inflammatory disease and femoral vein thrombosis.     

Intraoperative radiotherapy in stage I and II lung cancer

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women in the United States. Treatment depends on the type and stage of lung cancer. For stage I and II cancer, surgery is usually the treatment of choice. Radiation therapy is used in patients who are considered poor risks for surgical resection. Intraoperative brachytherapy is an effective alternative to external irradiation in this group of patients. From 1958 to 1984, 55 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer were explored at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and found to have surgical stage I or II tumors, which were considered to be unresectable mainly because of severe obstructive pulmonary disease precluding adequate resection. All these patients were treated with intraoperative brachytherapy at the time of the thoracotomy. Forty-four percent of these patients received in addition external irradiation, mainly to the mediastinum. The overall 5-year survival calculated by the Kaplan-Meier Method was 32%, and the local disease-free survival was 63%. Cox regression multivariant analysis demonstrated that there is a distinct subgroup with a better prognosis based on tumor site and patient's age--ie, patients who were younger than 58 years of age and had right-side lesions.     

Developmental neurotoxicology of in utero exposure to industrial solvents in experimental animals

In summary, relatively few solvents have been examined for developmental neurotoxicology. Although most of the studies have not been replicated, the majority of the solvents tested have produced significant differences from controls. Many used inhalation, which is often the most likely route of occupational or environmental exposure. The majority have extended the exposure for much of gestation of rats. The extensive usage of solvents and the proportion of those tested which have produced positive effects (although admittedly some not at environmentally-relevant exposure concentrations), make a strong case for additional testing of industrial solvents for developmental neurotoxicology.     

Dietary calcium intake and bone loss from the spine in healthy postmenopausal women

Controversy exists over the relationship between calcium intake and axial bone loss. We measured bone density of the spine (L2-4) by dual photon absorptiometry (DPA) two times, 7 mo apart, in 76 healthy postmenopausal women aged 40-70 y. Ca intake was assessed by food-frequency questionnaire. Women with a Ca intake less than 405 mg/d lost spine density at a rate that was significantly greater than that of women with an intake greater than 777 mg/d, p = 0.026. There appears to be a threshold of Ca intake below which increased Ca in the diet is likely to be beneficial in reducing spine mineral loss.