Intakes and major dietary sources of cholesterol and phytosterols in the British diet

Cholesterol intakes in Britain have been re-estimated by analysing Total Diet samples taken in 1991 and from 1993 National Food Survey records. The Total Diet samples contained only 284 mg/day compared with 319 mg/day in 1987 and 337 mg/day in 1981, while the National Food Survey showed intakes had fallen to 238 mg/day from 259 mg/day in 1990 and 405 mg/day in 1970-75. More details of the intakes by adults in 1986/87 are given, and compared with the results from the other methods. Daily intakes of eight phytosterols were also estimated, the main ones being β-sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol and 57-stigmastenol whose intakes were 104, 49, 10 and 4 mg/day, respectively, in 1991. These intakes had increased since 1981, reflecting the rising consumption of vegetable oils.     

Percutaneous recanalization of chronic subclavian artery occlusion using optical coherence reflectometry-guided radiofrequency ablation guidewire.

Subclavian artery lesion that is associated with low complication rate could be treated by percutaneous intervention effectively. However, the success of endovascular therapy for occlusive lesion may be limited by failure to cross with a guidewire. We describe the use of a system using optical coherence reflectometry for navigation and radiofrequency ablation to enable wire passage through subclavian artery occlusion that could not be crossed by conventional guidewires.     

The effect of mechanical deformation on magnetic properties and MRI artifacts of type 304 and type 316L stainless steel

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the influence of composition and deformation of biomedical stainless steels on mechanical properties, magnetic properties, and MRI artifacts. Type 304 and Type 316L samples were prepared using standard wire-drawing techniques. Mechanical properties were determined using standard test methods. The amount of ferromagnetic phase present was estimated using a Severn Gage and x-ray diffraction. Magnetic field attraction and artifacts were determined using previously described techniques. The strength of both steels increased significantly with increasing deformation. None of the type 316L wires transformed to the magnetic phase. The amount of magnetic phase in the type 304 wires increased with increasing deformation. There was no magnetic field attraction, and artifacts were minimal for all of type 316L wires and the undeformed type 304 wire. Deflection and artifacts were significant for the deformed type 304 stainless steel. These results provide guidance regarding the use of type 304 and type 316L stainless steels for bioimplants. In this regard, type 316L stainless steel seems to be a more acceptable material with respect to MR compatibility.     

Biomechanical evaluation of spinal stability after disc injury in a porcine model

The biomechanical effects of disc injury on flexion-extension were investigated in nine fresh porcine functional spinal units. Under 12 N-m in extension and 6 N-m in flexion, the range of motion among intact specimens were 23.11 degrees -33.29 degrees (mean = 26.07 degrees , SD = 3.25 degrees ), which shifted to 28.04 degrees -38.46 degrees (mean = 31.69 degrees , SD = 3.50 degrees ) when discs were injured. Similarly, the neutral zones among intact and disc injured specimens were 4.88 degrees -12.75 degrees (mean = 9.32 degrees , SD = 2.60 degrees ) and 9.50 degrees -24.43 degrees (mean = 16.80 degrees , SD = 4.69 degrees ) respectively. To obviate the differences between tested specimens, the changes of neutral zone and the range of motion after disc injury were normalized and expressed as ratios as compared to the same items before disc injury. The neutral zone ratio ranged from 1.29 to 3.18 (mean = 1.87, SD = 0.55, p < 0.01). For range of motion, it ranged from 1.13 to 1.42 (mean = 1.22, SD = 0.09, p < 0.01). The change of flexibility coefficient, however, was statistically insignificant in either flexion or extension. The model presented defines the range of motion, the neutral zone as well as the flexibility coefficient under a specific load. It suggests that major spinal instability can be elicited by a minimum flexion-extension moment, as reflected by a profound change of the neutral zone, after disc injury.     

A quantitative light and electron microscopic analysis of taurine-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord.

Taurine has been proposed as an inhibitory neurotransmitter or neuromodulator in the vertebrate central nervous system. Within the spinal cord, taurine has been shown to have a direct inhibitory effect on spinal neurons and to have a selective antinociceptive effect on chemically induced nociception. Although sufficient data exists to suggest that taurine plays a neurotransmitter or neuromodulatory role in the spinal cord, it is not known whether this amino acid is present in axon terminals nor if this amino acid has a unique pattern of distribution within spinal tissue. To address these questions a monoclonal antibody against taurine was employed to localize taurine-like immunoreactivity in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord by using both light and electron microscopic techniques. Taurine-like immunoreactivity was most dense and most prominent in laminae I and II of the dorsal horn. A moderate amount of immunoreactivity was also present in laminae VIII and IX and X while the remaining laminae were only lightly stained. In laminae I and II taurine-like immunostaining was evident within neuronal cell bodies, dendrites, myelinated and unmyelinated axons, axon terminals, and astrocytes and their processes. Cell counts of these two laminae indicated that approximately 30% of neuronal perikarya at the C2 level, 52% of neuronal perikarya at the T6 level, and 18% of neuronal perikarya at the L2 level of the cord exhibited taurine-like immunoreactivity. With preembedding diaminobenzidine staining, approximately 20% of the axons examined in laminae I and II were found to be immunoreactive for taurine. Using postembedding immunogold staining in combination with quantitative procedures, the highest densities of gold particles were found in axon terminals containing pleomorphic vesicles and forming symmetrical synapses (36.8 particles/micron2), in a subpopulation of myelinated axons (34.2 particles/micron2), in a subpopulation of neuronal dendrites (32.6 particles/micron2), and in capillary endothelial cells (39.8 particles/micron2). Moderate labeling occurred in astrocytes (20.9 particles/micron2) and neuronal perikarya (18.7 particles/micron2). The localization of taurine to presumptive inhibitory axon terminals provides anatomical support for the hypothesis that taurine may serve an inhibitory neurotransmitter role in the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. On the other hand, its localization to astrocytes and endothelial cells within both the dorsal ventral horns implies that it serves other nonneuronal functions as well.     

Ceftriaxone-associated gallbladder sludge. Identification of calcium-ceftriaxone salt as a major component of gallbladder precipitate

Ceftriaxone, a third-generation cephalosporin, is partially excreted into bile. With its clinical use, the formation of gallbladder sludge detected by ultrasonography has been reported. Four surgical specimens were examined and no gallstones were found. Instead, fine precipitates of 20-250 microns were present. Microscopically, there was a small number of cholesterol monohydrate crystals and bilirubin granules among an abundant amount of granular-crystalline material that was not morphologically cholesterol monohydrate crystals. The chemical composition of the precipitates (n = 4) was determined. There was a small amount of cholesterol (1.7% +/- 0.8%) and bilirubin (13.9% +/- 0.74%). The major component of the precipitate was a residue. On further analysis using thin-layer chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, and electron microprobe analysis, the residue was identified as a calcium salt of ceftriaxone. The residue also had identical crystal morphology and chromatographic elution profile as authentic calcium-ceftriaxone standards. It is concluded that ceftriaxone, after excretion and being concentrated in the gallbladder bile, can form a precipitate. The major constituent has been identified as a ceftriaxone-calcium salt.     

Paraffinoma in the urinary bladder: CT findings.

A case of a paraffinoma in the urinary bladder is presented. Plain radiography and intravenous urography showed a low attenuation filling defect in the urinary bladder, and CT demonstrated a lobulated fat-attenuation mass floating in the urinary bladder.     

Passive exercise system: effect on muscle activity, strength, and lean body mass.

There is little information concerning the effects of passive exercise training in healthy humans. This prompted an investigation to evaluate muscle activity and the associated changes in strength and lean body mass resulting from a passive exercise program. Twenty-eight healthy volunteers, aged 26 to 44 years, participated in this six-week study. Lean body mass changes were evaluated by tetrapolar bioelectric impedance measurements, strength changes by isokinetic strength evaluation, and muscle activity by surface EMG techniques. Reproducible muscle activity was recorded in all three muscles studied during two of three preselected exercises. This involuntary muscle activity was attributed to fusimotor and postural reflexes. No significant change (p greater than .05), however, occurred in muscle strength or lean body mass at the end of the six weeks. Lack of these physiologic changes in light of the documented muscle activity is attributed to insufficient training effect.