Interventional radiologic procedures in the renal transplant

Percutaneous interventional procedures can be valuable in the evaluation and treatment of urologic complications of renal transplantation. Thirty-three patients underwent percutaneous procedures, including relief of obstruction by catheter nephrostomy, diagnostic antegrade pyelography with Whitaker testing, aspiration of various fluid collections (lymphocele, hematoma, urinoma, and abscess), and renal artery angioplasty, during a three year period at three institutions, to provide temporizing treatment and anatomic data. Surgical intervention was sometimes avoided, but more often it could be deferred to allow the patient to stabilize prior to surgery. Complications that required surgery occurred in two patients.     

Muscle strength in the triceps surae and objectively measured customary walking activity in men and women over 65 years of age

1. Objective measurements of the maximal voluntary strength of triceps surae and the amount and speed of customary walking have been made in 56 men and 66 women aged over 65 years, who were living independently. 2. Strength was measured using a dynamometer based upon a hydraulic system (Bourdon tube). Walking was assessed, for amount using a mechanical accelerometer (pedometer) over a week, and for speed using a self-paced test for normal walking over 100 m on the level. The reliability and validity of these methods has been described. 3. The men were significantly stronger (1128 +/- 206 vs 873 +/- 177 N) even after adjustment for body weight; their amount of walking was similar to that of women, but they walked significantly faster (4.8 +/- 0.6 vs 4.2 +/- 0.6 km/h). Men were significantly more active in leisure pursuits (as assessed by questionnaire). 4. Significant associations between strength and chosen normal walking speed were found for both sexes (r = 0.41, P less than 0.001 for men and r = 0.36, P less than 0.01 for women). The amount of walking (daily stepscore as a mean from 7 consecutive days recorded) was significantly but less strongly correlated with strength (r = 0.30, P less than 0.05) in the men only. 5. Multiple regression analysis showed that in men neither age nor amount of walking had any further effect in addition to speed, but in women age had an additional effect (multiple R = 0.48). 6. An association has been demonstrated which raises the possibility of reversing loss of muscle strength through increased daily activity.     

Muscle strength and anthropometric indices in elderly men and women

Muscle strength, overlying skinfold thickness and calculated muscle area for the triceps surae muscle of the calf and the biceps brachii of the upper arm are described in 184 subjects (100 female, 84 male) aged between 65 and 90 years. The group comprised mobile volunteers, living independently, from a large group-practice. Health screening was minimal. Relationships between anthropometric and strength variables are explored and compared with other studies. This was apparently a well-nourished group. Muscle strengths and areas were low compared to younger subjects. Strength in relationship to area was variable, lower than in the younger subjects and also lower in the females than the males. Strength of the calf compared to body weight fell below unity in some cases.