Reference man for radiological protection: 71 chemical elements' content of the prostate gland (normal and cancerous).

Frequently knowledge of elemental content of human organs and tissues is required for a variety of applications. These can include brachytherapy and radiotherapy planning, radiation dosimetry and radiation protection. Revised reference values of chemical element mass fractions in normal and cancerous prostate tissues of the Reference (European Caucasian) Man are suggested as a result of this work.

Tele-cardiology.

After defining tele-medicine, we describe its situation in the public health service of South Africa and its application to cardiology. Methods of communication relevant to tele-cardiology are outlined, together with their bearing on primary healthcare. The range of tele-cardiological applications to electrocardiology, echocardiology, auscultation, imaging and pathology are indicated.

Contribution of calcium and other dietary components to global variations in bone mineral density in young adults.

A research project on comparative international studies of osteoporosis using isotope techniques was organized by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with the participation of 12 countries (Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Croatia, Hungary, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, and the United Kingdom). Participating centers in 11 countries (all but the UK) made measurements and collected data on men and women aged 15 to 49 years. In addition to studies of bone mineral density (BMD) at the femoral neck and lumbar spine using DEXA, anthropometric, lifestyle, and nutritional data were also collected.

Telemedicine in South Africa: success or failure?

A national telemedicine system for South Africa was planned in 1998. In the first phase, starting in 1999, 28 pilot sites were established in six provinces. The initial applications were teleradiology, tele-ultrasound for antenatal services, telepathology and tele-ophthalmology.

Lead absorption and renal dysfunction in a South African battery factory.

Objectives: To test the association between inorganic lead (Pb) exposure, blood pressure, and renal function in South African battery factory workers, with both conventional and newer measures of renal function and integrity.

Methods: Renal function measures included serum creatinine, urea, and urate (n = 382). Urinary markers (n = 199) included urinary N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), retinol binding protein, intestinal alkaline phosphatase, tissue non-specific alkaline phosphatase, Tamm-Horsfall glycoprotein, epidermal growth factor, and microalbuminuria.

Ultrasound as a screening study for gastro-oesophageal reflux in children.

A comparison of the abilities of ultrasound and scintigraphy to detect gastro-oesophageal reflux was made in 110 children (mean age 24.5 months) who were divided into groups A (n = 49) and B (n = 61). The former had scintigraphy first followed by ultrasound within about 30 min.

Is a gastric drainage procedure necessary at the time of antireflux surgery?

Background: Gastroesophageal reflux is part of a generalized foregut motility disorder, which may also include delayed gastric emptying. With persistence of gastroesophageal reflux, or the presence of complications, including recurrent aspiration syndrome and esophageal stricture formation, surgical correction may be indicated. It is uncertain whether a procedure to resolve delayed gastric emptying is indicated at this time as well.

Novel proprioceptive action in stepping down.

A hypothesis is offered which extends the concept of proprioception to use information necessarily obtained during the first part of a complex motion (stepping down) to facilitate the second part. It is suggested that, when the leading foot of a normal person stepping down arrives at its destination, relevant proprioceptive information is used by the following foot in its descent, to render its movement more efficient. Analogy to another effort-minimizing proprioceptive mechanism and a possible mechanical manifestation of the hypothesis are given.

Clinical evaluation of the bone marrow imaging agent 99Tcm-phytate in the detection of bone metastases.

The aims of this study were to assess whether 99Tcm-phytate can detect metastatic skeletal lesions, and to compare it with 99Tcm-methylene diphosphonate (99Tcm-MDP) and 99Tcm-labelled human serum albumin nanocolloids (99Tcm-NC). Twenty-four patients with multiple bony metastases, investigated by 99Tcm-MDP whole-body scintigraphy, underwent 99Tcm-phytate bone marrow imaging. A separate bone marrow scintigram with 99Tcm-NC was performed in 20 of the patients.

The natural progression of autonomic neuropathy and autonomic function tests in a cohort of people with IDDM.

Objective: To test the natural progression of symptoms of autonomic neuropathy (AN) and function tests in subjects with IDDM.

Research Design And Methods: Seventy-six subjects with IDDM of < 10 years duration had cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests and were evaluated for signs and symptoms of AN.

Results: Fifty-seven subjects (66%) were available for restudy 9 years later (15 had died, 4 could not be located).

Intra-nuclear localization of two envelope proteins, gB and gD, of herpes simplex virus.

The envelopes of herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles are acquired from the inner nuclear membrane (INM) of the infected cell and virus-coded glycoproteins are present in the envelope of mature virions. Our ultrastructural study examined the process of virus envelopment and the targeting of two major viral glycoproteins, gB and gD, to the INM in HSV-infected human embryonic fibroblasts. It was shown that envelopment and transport of virus particles from the nucleus is facilitated by the formation of a dynamic tubulo-reticulum arising from the INM.

The "Fisherman's Waders" sign in a bone scan of inferior vena cava thrombosis associated with nephrotic syndrome.

This paper presents a 61-year-old male patient with nephrotic syndrome, hypercoagulability and IVC thrombosis. Increased soft tissue uptake below the level of the mid chest was seen in his bone scan. The term "Fisherman's Waders" sign is suggested for this finding, whose recognition may permit the identification of inferior vena cava obstruction in bone scans.

Transit through the distal quarter of the oesophagus in young children.

The transit time of 800 individual boluses through the distal quarter of the oesophagus was measured in 33 scintigraphic oesophageal studies which had been selected as typifying normal swallows in children. The results show that, in children, transit time through the distal quarter including the lower oesophageal sphincter is normally less than 2 seconds and that transit tends to be slower during the first 4 seconds after onset of swallowing.

Lateral neck imaging for spatial localization of parathyroid tissue.

Two patients with an ectopic parathyroid adenoma are described. In both cases the lesions were clearly demonstrated in an anterior view on T1-201/Tc-99m scintigraphy, but were not identified during the first surgical exploration. Failure to identify the ectopic adenoma at surgery in the second patient led to oblique and lateral views being obtained.