CT and MRI of the male genital tract: radiologic-pathologic correlation

Technical advances in magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), notably in high-resolution MRI, have opened up new diagnostic applications in male pelvic pathology. A major indication is the preoperative staging of prostate cancer, where MRI is more reliable than other imaging modalities in differentiating between localized and advanced disease. In monitoring local recurrence after radical prostatectomy MRI is also valuable in differentiating scar tissue from new growth. In benign prostate disease, MRI effectively displays the congenital cysts that may be associated with infertility. Other disease, however - notably benign prostatic hyperplasia - is generally an incidental finding. Ultrasound remains the imaging modality of choice for evaluation of pathologies of the penis, testis and scrotum, e. g. in differentiating malignant from benign scrotal masses or in diagnosing acute scrotum due to testicular torsion or rupture. In isolated cases, MRI is also a valuable diagnostic aid in conditions of these organs, e. g. in the preoperative localization of ectopic testes in cryptorchidism or if US findings are equivocal.     

Relationships between subjective ratings and objective measures of performance in speechreading sentences

Ninety-six participants with normal hearing and 63 with severe-to-profound hearing impairment viewed 100 CID Sentences (Davis & Silverman, 1970) and 100 B-E Sentences (Bernstein & Eberhardt, 1986b). Objective measures included words correct, phonemes correct, and visual-phonetic distance between the stimulus and response. Subjective ratings were made on a 7-point confidence scale. Magnitude of validity coefficients ranged from .34 to .76 across materials, measures, and groups. Participants with hearing impairment had higher levels of objective performance, higher subjective ratings, and higher validity coefficients, although there were large individual differences. Regression analyses revealed that subjective ratings are predictable from stimulus length, response length, and objective performance. The ability of speechreaders to make valid performance evaluations was interpreted in terms of contemporary word recognition models.     

Radiographic assessment of hyperinflation: correlation with objective chest radiographic measurements and mechanical ventilator parameters

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary barotrauma is a potentially fatal complication of positive pressure ventilation. We previously found that barotrauma occurred in patients with radiographic hyperinflation, but few objective data define the relationships among hyperinflation, objective chest radiograph (CXR) measurements, ventilator parameters, and development of barotrauma. OBJECTIVES: We sought (1) to assess the relationships among hyperinflation, objective CXR findings, mechanical ventilator parameters, and development of barotrauma. (2) To compare radiographic hyperinflation, ventilator parameters, and incidence of barotrauma in a current group of ICU patients with historical control subjects. SETTING: Medical and surgical ICU patients in a university hospital. DESIGN: Prospective blinded observational study; comparison of current series with historical control subjects. METHODS: One hundred two prospectively enrolled mechanically ventilated medical and surgical ICU patients each received portable supine CXRs that were reviewed independently by three radiologists who made objective measurements and subjectively determined the likelihood of hyperinflation. Ventilator parameters were recorded at the bedside at the time each CXR was obtained. CXR measurements and ventilator parameters were then related to the development of barotrauma during the course of ventilation and compared with findings of a prospective study at our institution 1 year earlier. RESULTS: Radiographically recognizable hyperinflation occurred in 18 of 102 mechanically ventilated ICU patients (18%) and correlated with lung length (24.7 vs 19.8 cm; p<0.05) and the anterior rib number that intersects the hemidiaphragm (5.4 vs 4.7; p<0.05). Patients with hyperinflation were ventilated at higher tidal volume per kilogram (VT/kg) (11.0 vs 9.4; p=0.0081), but peak airway pressure, plateau pressure, and positive end-expiratory pressure were similar. There were significant decreases in VT (810 vs 739 mL; p=0.015) and VT/kg (11.0 vs 10.1 mL/kg; p<0.001) in these mechanically ventilated ICU patients in comparison to hospital control subjects evaluated during the previous year. Paralleling these changes was a decrease in the frequency of CXR hyperinflation (p=0.003) and the incidence of ventilator-associated barotrauma (6.5% vs 0.98%; p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Ventilation at higher VT/kg is associated with a higher incidence of CXR hyperinflation. Radiographic hyperinflation is associated with lung length > or =24.7 cm and visualization of the sixth anterior rib. Patients with hyperinflation may be at greater risk for developing barotrauma or volutrauma. Ventilatory strategies utilizing lower volumes are associated with a lower incidence of such trauma in the current sample as compared with historical control subjects.     

Effect of short photoperiodic cycles on male genital tract and testicular parameters in male goats (Capra hircus)

This study was performed in adult male goats in which seasonal variations were abolished by rapid alternations of long days and short days. These treatments have been shown previously to prevent seasonal changes in the hypothalamo-pituitary axis and to maintain testis weight and sperm production at a high level. The experimental groups were exposed for 3 years to an alternation of either a 1 month short (16 h dark; 8 h light) and 1 month long (16 L; 8 D) photoperiod (2 month cycle; n = 5) or of a 2 month short and 2 month long photoperiod (4 month cycle; n = 4). The control groups were maintained in natural photoperiodic conditions (45 degrees N) and goats were slaughtered in the non-breeding season (end of April RS; n = 5) at the same period as light-treated bucks, or in the breeding season (end of September BS; n = 6). The total weight of the testes, the length and mean diameter of the seminiferous tubules of light-treated goats were similar to those in the breeding season, and higher than those in the non-breeding season. The total number of A0 spermatogonia was increased by light treatments as compared to control goats in the breeding and non-breeding season. The daily production of A1 spermatogonia, leptonene primary spermatocytes and round spermatids in light-treated goats was maintained at the peak breeding season level. The intra-testicular concentration of testosterone, total volumes of intertubular tissue and of Leydig cells, and the number of Leydig cells per testis did not differ between groups. Although the mean cross-sectional area of Leydig cells in light-treated goats was similar to this area in non-breeding season goats, it was significantly lower than that of breeding season goats. In conclusion, the rapid alternation of short and long days allowed an increase in all the germ cells from the A0 spermatogonia onwards, which was responsible for the maintenance of high spermatogenetic activity of light-treated goats.     

Relationship between depression, fatigue, subjective cognitive impairment, and objective neuropsychological functioning in patients with multiple sclerosis.

Objective: This study explored the influence of depression and fatigue on subjective cognitive complaints and objective neuropsychological impairment in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Methods: Data for this study were taken from a randomized controlled trial, comparing 16 weeks of telephone-administered cognitive-behavioral therapy and telephone-administered supportive emotion focused therapy for the treatment of depression. The sample includes 127 patients with MS. The following self-report measures were collected pre- and posttreatment: Perceived Deficits Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory-II, and Modified Fatigue Impact Scale. Measures of objective cognitive functioning and the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression were administered over the telephone. Results: Our results showed that changes in depression and fatigue significantly predicted changes in subjective cognitive complaints from pre- to posttreatment, with patients perceiving fewer cognitive problems at posttreatment (β = .36, p     

An empirical correlation between contact angles and surface tension in some ceramic-metal systems

Chemical Engineering Department, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH     

An evaluation of subjective and objective measures of fatigue in patients with brain injury and healthy controls

Bioactive peptides of different sources and biological functionalities, like endothelins, sarafotoxins, bee and scorpion venom toxins, contain a consensus cystine framework, Cys-(X)1-Cys/Cys-(X)3-Cys, which has been found to induce and stabilize a homologous folding motif named the cystine-stabilized alpha-helix (CSH). This is composed of an alpha-helical segment spanning the Cys-(X)3-Cys sequence portion that is crosslinked by two disulfide bridges to the sequence portion Cys-(X)1-Cys, itself folded in an extended beta-strand type structure. Search for sequence homologies of peptides and proteins in the SWISS-PROT and PDB data banks provided additional multiple examples of this type of cystine framework in serine proteinase inhibitors, in insect and plant defense proteins, as well as in members of the growth factor family with the cystine-knot. A comparative analysis of the known 3D-structures of these peptides and proteins confirmed that the presence of this peculiar cystine framework leads in all cases to a high degree of local structural homology that consists of the CSH motif, except for the cystine-knot, of the superfamily of the growth factors. In this case the cyclic structure formed by the parallel cysteine connectivities of Cys-(X)1-Cys/Cys-(X)3-Cys framework is penetrated by a third disulfide bond with formation of a concatenated knot, and the two disulfide-bridged peptide chains Cys-(X)1-Cys and Cys-(X)3-Cys are located in beta-strands. Conversely, peptides and proteins containing Cys-(X)m-Cys/Cys-(X)n-Cys cystine frameworks that differ from m/n = 1/3 were found to fold only sporadically into local alpha-helical structures.     

Interactions between ovine cathepsin L, cystatin C and alpha 2-macroglobulin. Potential role in the genital tract

We prospectively investigated minimal residual disease (MRD) in 51 children with B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) treated according to the Fralle 93 protocol. PCR follow-up was performed in children in morphological and cytogenetic complete remission, provided an immunoglobulin (IgH) gene rearrangement could be detected using FR 3/J(H) amplimers. MRD was studied according to our previously described methodology, with a few modifications including the use of a consensus J(H) probe to control for PCR efficiency variations. Out of the initial 51 patients, 34 were assessable for MRD at the end of induction at the time of analysis. MRD levels were as follows: > 1/10(3) in 26%, 1/10(3) to 1/10(4) in 50% and < 1/10(4) or not detectable in 24%. With a median follow-up of 20 months there were five relapses, all of which occurred in the group of patients with MRD > 1/10(3). To date, none of the patients with MRD < or = 1/10(3) (good molecular responder) has relapsed. Classification according to molecular response at the end of induction did not correlate with the conventional risks groups: there were no statistically significant differences between good and bad molecular responders. Of particular interest is the absence of correlation between WBC at diagnosis and MRD level at the end of induction. We conclude that classification of patients into good and bad molecular responders using PCR seems to be a better prognostic indicator than conventional risk factors in childhood B-lineage ALL. Patients with MRD level > 1/10(3) have a particularly poor outcome and should always be considered for alternative therapeutic strategies in the future, whereas in good molecular responders belonging to poor or intermediate risk categories, treatment de-escalation might be contemplated.     

Expression and enzymic activity of ecto 5''-nucleotidase in the human male genital tract

The factor structure of the Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (Millon, 1994; MCMI-III) was assessed among 444 African American inpatient substance abusers and constitutes the first factor analysis of the MCMI-III. We found 3 main factors: General Maladjustment, Paranoid Behavior/Thinking With Detached Emotionality, and Antisocial Acting Out. These factors were essentially similar to previous findings of factor studies with the MCMI and MCMI-II across diverse populations. This factor invariance should lend credibility to the revised test and spur additional research into its psychometric properties.     

Occurrence and type of traumatic experiences among young Bosnian refugees in Denmark

Prior research has shown that young refugees may be especially traumatised. The study includes 123 young Bosnian refugees, living at two Bosnian boarding-schools in Denmark who were given a revised version of the Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ). The subjects themselves have on average experienced seven traumatic events, and have either witnessed or had a family member experience an additional six events. Three-quarters have been shot at, have lost their homes and private possession and have been exposed to violence in the form of harassment or humiliation. Two-thirds have lost friends. Three-fifths have lived with uncertainty as to whether friends and family were alive or dead. More than half have seen dead and wounded people, have had their lives threatened and have thought that they would die. More than a third have lost close family members, have been wounded and have had their homes destroyed. Just under a third have been exposed to physical violence or have witnessed somebody being killed. A quarter have starved and been ill without being able to receive treatment. About a fifth have experienced captivity, torture and forced labour. 6% have been raped or exposed to other forms of sexual abuse. It is concluded that the young Bosnians examined are a multitraumatised group. Use of the HTQ increased the number of traumatic events quite considerably compared to the case notes.     

Occurrence of Gasterophilus intestinalis and some parasitic nematodes of horses in Sweden

The biological accuracy of a nonlinear compartmental model describing the in vivo kinetics of L-3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluorophenylalanine ([18F]FDOPA) metabolism was investigated. Tissue activities for [18F]FDOPA and its labeled metabolites 3-O-methyl-[18F]FDOPA ([18F]OMFD), 6-[18F]fluorodopamine ([18F]FDA), L-3,4-dihydroxy-6-[18F]fluorophenylacetic acid ([18F]FDOPAC), and 6-[18F]fluorohomovanillic acid ([18F]FHVA) were calculated using a plasma [18F]FDOPA input function, and kinetic constants estimated previously by chromatographic fractionation of 18F-labeled compounds in plasma and brain extracts from rat. Present data accurately reflected the measured radiochemical composition in rat brain for tracer circulation times past 10 min. We formulated the hypothesis that the discrepancy between calculated and measured fractions of [18F]FDOPA and the deaminated metabolite [18F]FDOPAC at times earlier than 10 min reflected storage of [18F]FDA in vesicles without monoamine oxidase. This hypothesis explained the initially rapid appearance of [18F]FDOPAC in striatum by delayed transfer of [18F]FDA from cytosol into vesicles. We conclude that the simpler model of [18F]FDOPA compartmentation is accurate when the cytosolic and vesicular fractions of [18F]FDA are at steady-state; the approach to equilibrium has a time constant of 15-30 min. The present model is valid for positron emission tomography studies of [18F]FDOPA metabolism in living brain.     

Study of race effects in objective indices and subjective evaluations of performance: A meta-analysis of performance criteria.

Used meta-analytic techniques to examine the race effect for objective measures of performance and to compare the relative effect sizes for objective indices and subjective ratings. 53 samples from both published and unpublished studies were located that included at least 1 objective index of actual performance, absenteeism, or cognitive test performance and 1 subjective measure of performance for the same group of Black and White employees. Ss were firefighters, police officers, bank tellers, skilled technicians, production workers, nurses, or clerical workers. The corrected average effect sizes across the 53 samples were low but similar for the objective ad subjective criteria. Moderating effects for the objective criteria were found, as race effects were much higher for cognitive than for performance criteria. Subjective ratings had a lower effect size than objective cognitive test scores but were higher than comparable objective performance indices. Implications for personnel research practices are discussed, and the need for a better understanding of the constructs underlying criterion measures is emphasized. (61 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

The invasion potentials of human biliary tract carcinoma cell lines: correlation between invasiveness and morphologic characteristics

The abilities of 9 kinds of human biliary tract carcinoma cell lines to invade through basement membrane or type I collagen were examined using an in vitro invasion assay system. The correlations between invasiveness and morphologic characteristics of the carcinoma cells in 3 dimensional collagen gel were also examined. most of the biliary tract carcinoma cell lines kept the abilities of glandular differentiation and basement membrane formation of the original tumor. Their invasiveness, however, correlated with the degree of in vitro morphologic differentiation regardless of their original morphology.     

The correlation between microscopical examination and erythrocyte band 3 (AE1) gene deletion in South-east Asian ovalocytosis

Seventy-five patients with brain metastases from solid tumours were treated with whole-brain irradiation at our institution between 1990 and 1993. The primary cancers included 35 cases of lung cancer, 19 cases of breast cancer, nine cases of renal-cell cancer, six cases of melanoma and six cases of other primary sites. In each case the total dose to the whole brain was at least 25 gray (Gy). The primary site, age, performance status, number of brain metastases and the presence of extracranial disease were studied as prognostic factors for survival. The median survival for the whole population was 4 months (range 1-62 months). The patients with the brain as the only metastatic site had significantly better survival (P = 0.019) than those with both intracranial and extracranial metastatic sites. Poor performance status at the time of diagnosis of brain metastases was also related to short survival (P = 0.001). None of the other studied variables had prognostic significance. Four of the 75 patients with primary tumour sites in the breast (two patients) and the kidney (two patients) survived for more than 2 years. In general, patients with breast cancer had better survival than patients with other primary cancers. Our study confirms the generally poor prognosis of cancer with brain metastases, although individual patients may survive several years after whole-brain irradiation. Approximately two-thirds of the patients experienced a relief in symptoms allowing a reduction in the dose of corticosteroid medication, which clearly supports the use of whole-brain radiotherapy as a palliative treatment.     

Histological and biochemical changes in the female genital tract of rats and mice after methallibure treatment

Methallibure administration caused reduction of gonadal weights in female rats and mice indicative of suppression of pituitary gonadotrophins. In the ovaries of the methallibure treated females, there was a great atresia of the follicles and of the corpora lutea. Methalbure caused atrophic changes in the endometrial lining of the vagina. Uterine horns became thin after methallibure treatment. A significant decrease in protein, RNA and sialic acid concentration in uterus and vagina was observed following methallibure treatment. Uterus of treated animals showed decreased glycogen contents. Histological and biochemical changes in the female genital tract of rats and mice suggested that the drug caused antifertility effect due to its possible antiestrogenic action.     

A study of the anaerobic bacterial flora of the female genital tract in health and disease

Semi-quantitative and qualitative bacterial assessment of the vaginal and cervical flora of a total of 202 women was carried out over a period of six months to determine the bacterial flora in three groups of women and changes caused by prior use of antibiotics. The number was made up of 32 healthy volunteers, 80 women with gynaecological problems and 90 women with gynaecological infections who had had antibiotic treatment prior to this study. Standard methods were used for the investigations. Five main genera of anaerobic bacteria were isolated from all patients. They included, the Bacteroides spp., Prevotella spp., Porphyromonas spp., Peptostreptococcus spp. and Clostridium spp. Five non-sporing gram negative anaerobic bacteria constituted the bulk of the flora including Prevotella bivia, P. disiens, P. melanogenica, P. asaccharolytica and B. fragilis. The predominant flora was P. bivia occurring in 61 pc of cervical swab specimens of the 80 women with proven gynaecological infections who had not used antibiotics and accounting for 27 pc of the total number of Gram-negative anaerobic bacteria isolated. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus epidermidis were the most frequently encountered aerobic bacteria. The semi-quantitative counts of the different bacterial species in the patient group were significantly higher than in the control group of healthy individuals (p < 0,025). Similarly, prior antibiotic administration significantly reduced the population and quantitative count of the anaerobic bacteria.