Auto-Gerontology: A Personal Odyssey.

The four leading theories of optimal aging are activity, continuity, successful aging, and selective optimization with adaptation. All tend to support the slogan, "Use it or lose it." I have tried to continue using my abilities in four key areas: professional, volunteer, personal relationships, and physical fitness. Ageism also has become personal for me because I have made it a personal priority to do what I can to reduce ageism. This includes research and writing, developing a list of 45 advantages to aging, avoiding ageist jokes and language, developing positive slogans about aging, maintaining personal fitness, going on birthday adventures, and being proud of my age (85). I close with answers to some questions about auto-gerontology.

Compression versus sclerotherapy for patients with isolated refluxing reticular veins and telangiectasia: a randomized trial comparing quality-of-life outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: To prospectively study quality-of-life (QoL) benefits comparing compression stockings to sclerotherapy in subjects with symptomatic reticular veins and telangiectasia. METHODS: Fifty-eight consecutive female patients with normal saphenous and deep venous systems and venous dysfunction score (VDS) ≥ 4 were randomized to either sclerotherapy (N = 29) or thigh high 20-30 mmHg compression stockings (N = 29). Following a trial of compression, subjects in the compression arm were eligible to crossover to the sclerotherapy arm. Patient-reported QoL data were acquired using a modified Aberdeen Varicose Vein Questionnaire in five stages, initial severity (T0), following compression trial (T1), after reticular vein sclerotherapy (T2), approximately three months after sclerotherapy for telangiectasia (T3) and the 12-month mark (T4). RESULT: For patients in the compression arm, four key symptoms including aching, pain, leg cramps and restlessness were significantly reduced, while patients in the sclerotherapy arm of treatment reported broad symptom relief in all key symptoms assessed. CONCLUSION: Isolated refluxing reticular and telangiectatic vein disease may cause QoL impairment in select patients and represent far more than a cosmetic concern. Compression therapy offers relief of aching, pain, leg cramping and restlessness in patients with isolated refluxing reticular veins and telangiectasia. Sclerotherapy of reticular veins offers a statistically superior broad spectrum relief of symptoms, while additional sclerotherapy of residual telangiectasia in this cohort demonstrated additive relief of aching and pain. Symptom assessments at 12 months suggest ongoing symptom relief following sclerotherapy.

The effect of nitroglycerin ointment on great saphenous vein targeted venous access site diameter with endovenous laser treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of topically applied nitroglycerin (NTG) ointment (2%) on preoperative targeted venous access site great saphenous vein (GSV) diameter in patients undergoing endovenous laser treatment (ELT). METHODS: In this double-blinded randomized study design, 75 patients received either (A) treadmill ambulation only, (B) topically applied NTG ointment only, or (C) topically applied NTG ointment + treadmill ambulation. Targeted venous access vein diameters were measured before therapeutic intervention and then repeated after approximately 30 min following pretreatment intervention. Presence of venospasm and the number of ultrasound-guided venous access attempts during each ELT procedure were assessed during the study. RESULTS: The mean pretreatment vein diameter was 2.6 mm (range 0.9-4.9 mm). The post-treatment percentage change in vein diameter for group A (treadmill ambulation only) was +2.7% (P = 0.403), whereas group B (NTG only) and group C (NTG + treadmill ambulation) demonstrated significant venodilatation of +69.0% (P < 0.0001) and +51.7% (P < 0.0001), respectively. Statistical analysis of variances and multivariate linear regression model revealed topically applied NTG ointment and 'C' classification of clinical, aetiological, anatomical and pathological elements (CEAP) were each significant predictors for venodilatation percentage change (P < 0.001 and = 0.028, respectively). CONCLUSION: Pretreatment with topically applied NTG ointment (2%) produced a statistically significant, as well as subjective clinically significant venodilatation change in the targeted venous access site diameter of patients undergoing ELT of the GSV in this study.

Ageism in Canada and the United States.

To compare the prevalence of ageism in Canada and the United States, in Canada, the Ageism Survey was published in the CARPnews Report on Ageism, and in the United States, the Survey was administered to a convenience sample and published in the Center Report and Fifty Plus. Most respondents in both countries perceived ageism as frequent, but it was reported more often in Canada than in the United States. If the Ageism Survey is used to measure the prevalence of ageism among various groups and countries, we can develop an "epidemiology of ageism" and begin to reduce ageism.

A ribonuclease inhibitor expresses anti-angiogenic properties and leads to reduced tumor growth in mice.

Our experiments were designed to determine whether recombinant ribonuclease inhibitor (RNasin) could inhibit angiogenesis and reduce tumor growth in adult mice. We used the Fajardo disc angiogenesis assay as the primary means of measuring new blood vessel growth. This assay measures the penetration of cells into a polyvinyl alcohol sponge with a central core of ELVAX-coated sponge containing test substances. Cell penetration was reduced to 29.3% of control (phosphate-buffered saline; heat-inactivated RNasin) values. Endothelial cell influx was measured by lectin staining and confirmed by culturing cells isolated from sponges by collagenase treatment. RNasin also reduced the augmented reaction evoked by either basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) or sodium orthovanadate. To confirm the anti-angiogenic activity of RNasin, Hydron-coated polyvinyl sponges containing bFGF or bFGF plus RNasin were implanted into adult mouse corneas. bFGF induced a strong angiogenic response that was almost completely inhibited by RNasin. RNasin-containing ELVAX-coated sponges implanted subcutaneously underneath an intradermal inoculum of C755 mammary tumor cells caused significant reduction in tumor growth (P < 0.005). The antitumor effect of RNasin correlated with its effect on tumor-induced neovascularization, suggesting that the ability of RNasin to affect tumor growth was due to its ability to inhibit angiogenesis.