Safety of intrauterine contraceptive devices during MR imaging

OBJECTIVE: We report a case of candidiasis of the upper urinary tract that presented as acute renal failure associated with septic syndrome. The patient initially required hemodialysis. Right hydronephrosis and perirenal collection were observed on ultrasound examination. METHODS: A percutaneous nephrostomy was performed. Nephrostomy urine cytology and cultures were positive for Candida tropicalis. An anterograde pyelography showed a 'fungus ball' in the urinary tract. RESULTS: Therapy with oral fluconazole and percutaneous amphotericin B achieved excellent results. CONCLUSIONS: Candidiasic urinary infection of the upper urinary tract often produces obstructive uropathy requiring percutaneous nephrostomy, which can also be used to instill amphotericin B. Combination therapy with amphotericin B and fluconazole can achieve excellent results.     

The ultrasonic detection of an isolated craniosynostosis

The prenatal detection of scaphocephaly, an isolated form of craniosynostosis, is presented. The diagnosis was made at 34 weeks of gestation in a woman with polyhydramnios. The ultrasound appearance and postnatal follow-up are presented.     

A review of bacteriological culture of removed intrauterine contraceptive devices

The management of pain in patients with burn wounds is complex and problematic. Burn-wound pain is severe, inconsistent and underestimated. Patients experience severe pain, especially during procedures, until wound healing has occurred. A multi-modality approach is needed for effective management of pain, which requires an understanding of the mechanisms of pain. Altered pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics in burn-wound patients makes drug actions unpredictable. Opioids alone are seldom sufficient for pain control. The multi-modality approach includes the use of opioids and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anxiolytic and alternative drugs. Ketamine has been found to be a useful agent for analgesia in burn-wound patients; a dose of 10 mg/kg qid per os was found to be an effective adjunct to pain therapy.     

Study of side-effects of Cu-T as intra-uterine contraceptive device in post medical termination of pregnancy and interval cases

Follow-up study of 60 cases (group B) of post medical termination of pregnancy Cu-T insertion and 100 cases (group A) of interval Cu-T insertion revealed that menstrual complaints like dysmenorrhoea and menorrhagia were more prevalent in the 1st 3 months. These were more frequently found in group B cases. After one year the incidence reduced to almost nil in both the groups. Pain in lower abdomen and backache, a more frequent complaint in group B in 1st 3 months were also reduced remarkably after one year. Two expulsions in group B and one expulsion in group A had occurred during the 1st 3 postinsertion cycles along with menstrual flow. Failure has occurred in only one case in group B. For some reason or other Cu-T was removed in 11 cases in group A and 5 cases in group B. Desire for another pregnancy was the prime cause of removal of Cu-T in group A and along with this cause menstrual trouble was equally responsible for its removal in group B cases. There was no case of perforation, displacement or ectopic pregnancy reported in the present study, though for a short period.     

Ectopic pregnancy in women who use intrauterine contraceptive devices]

This study analyzes occurrence of ectopic pregnancies in women using intrauterine contraceptive devices. During a 5-year period, 1990-1994, 524 women with ectopic pregnancies underwent surgery at our Clinic, while 22 (4.2%) had intrauterine devices. At admission most patients had signs of heavy intraabdominal bleeding, so in 77.27% cases the diagnosis was made by punction of the Douglas area, and only in 9.09% by laparoscopy, that is other methods for early detection of diseases. Rupture of the fallopian tube occurred in 50% of patients, tubal abortions in 36.36% and ovarian pregnancies in 13.64%, whereas 18 salpingectomies and 4 adnexectomies were performed. Late diagnosis and impossibility of performing conservative operations on fallopian tubes are the consequence of disregarding the possibility of getting pregnant by the users of intrauterine devices themselves, as well as by physicians whose help is asked for after symptoms appear.     

Diagnostic ultrasound in the management of patients using intrauterine contraceptive devices

A group of 80 patients was scanned by ultrasound within 24 hours of insertion of an intrauterine contraceptive device (IUCD) and re-examined clinically and/or by ultrasound after the next menstrual period. An attempt was made to identify factors such as uterine size, uterine flexion and the position of the IUCD which might be related to its expulsion or removal when, on initial scanning, the device was not located in the fundal area; removal was necessary in 5 out of 6 patients. In patients with an endometrial cavity of less than 40 mm length and/or acute uterine flexion, the overall figure for expulsion and removal was 54 per cent (13 out of 24). It is hoped that a consideration of these factors will lead to a reduction of the failure rate of the IUCD.     

Intrauterine contraceptive devices. Mode of action, experiences, complications (author''s transl)

Effects of norethisterone (NT) purified norethisterone (pure NT), norethynodrel (NE), medroxyprogesterone acetate (MAP), chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and desoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA) on serum and liver lipid levels and serum lipoproteins were examined in both intact and estradiol-treated male rats. NT and NE caused a decrease in serum cholesterol and phospholipid levels, an increase in liver cholesterol level, no significant change in triglyceride levels of both serum and liver, with a significant change in serum lipoprotein patterns; a decreased in alpha- and beta-lipoproteins and a marked increase in pre beta-lipoprotein. Pure NT decreased serum cholesterol without causing any change in lipoprotein pattern. MAP, CMA and DOCA causee almost no effect on lipid levels in serum and liver, but CMA and DOCA increased alpha-lipoprotein and decreased beta- and pre beta-lipoproteins. An acute treatment with estradiol caused a decrease in alpha- and beta-lipoproteins and an increase in pre beta-lipoprotein with a decrease in serum lipid levels and an increase in liver lipids. By contrary, a chronic treatment with a marked hypercholesterolemia. This increase of alpha-lipoprotein in estradiol-treated rats was prevented by NT and NE, not affected or rather decreased by MAP but further increased with CMA and DOCA. These data suggest that the effects of synthetic progestational steroids on lipids are classified into two groups, 19-nortestosterone derivatives and 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone derivatives including DOCA. The former caused a decrease in serum lipid levels with an increase of pre beta-lipoprotein and adecrease of alpha-lipoprotein. The latter caused almost no change or a slight increase in serum lipid levels with a decrease in pre beta-lipoprotein and an increase in alpha-lipoprotein, though it was not found in MAP.     

连铸坯集肤表层电磁激励超声场模拟

为研究连铸二次冷却区凝固坯壳厚度电磁超声无损检测机理,分析了连铸坯表面振痕对超声波信号的影响.利用有限元分析方法,建立螺旋线圈电磁超声换能器在连铸坯表面的电场、磁场、力场和声场的耦合模型.并以贝塞尔曲线方程模拟表面振痕,分析了表面振痕对连铸坯集肤表层的涡流、磁场、力场等分布规律的影响.实验结果验证了仿真分析中模型和仿真结果的正确性,为设计连铸过程凝固坯壳厚度电磁超声无损检测装置提供了理论参考依据.     

Experimental investigation and numerical simulation analysis of sintered micro-fluidic devices

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the use of numerical simulations to describe the solid-state diffusion of a sintering stage during a metal injection moulding process for micro-fluidic components with 316L stainless steel powders. Finite element (FE) analysis based on a thermo-elasto-viscoplastic model was conducted to describe the densification process of a stainless steel porous component during solid-state sintering. The numerical analyses, which were performed on a 3D micro-structured component with various powder volume loadings to take into account the thermal debinding effect to propose a full debinding sintering simulation, demonstrated that the FE simulation results are in agreement with the experimental ones.     

Detection of human chorionic gonadotropin in blood of regularly bleeding women using copper intrauterine contraceptive devices

Highly sensitive and specific radioreceptorassay and radioimmunoassay of human chorionic gonadtropin (hCG) have been used in the detection of hCG in random serum samples during the luteal phase of the menstrual cycles of 200 women and in daily serum samples obtained a few days prior to expected ovulation through the luteal phase in 3 women with regular bleeding patterns and using a copper intrauterine device (IUD). Twelve to nineteen per cent of IUD users showed hCG in serum during the luteal phase, indicating that the presence of the IUD, while permitting fertilization, probably causes interference through degeneration of the blastocyst and consequent lack of implantation.     

Q345R钢板探伤不合格原因分析及控制

针对14～22 mm厚度Q345R钢板出现的探伤合格率下降情况,采取Z向拉伸检测和扫描电镜分析对探伤不合格钢板进行研究,结果显示中心偏析、偏析处MnS夹杂和裂纹等内部缺陷是造成Q345R钢板探伤不合格的主要原因.分析了影响Q345R探伤合格率的主要因素.通过采取低过热度浇铸、降低硫含量、增加铸坯堆垛缓冷时间等措施有效地提高了Q345R探伤合格率.     

中厚板自动钢板超声波探伤应用与发展

介绍了中厚板自动化超声波探伤的主要技术参数及应用,以及如何对铜板内部缺陷进行定位和定量,进而进行准确的判定,采用面积分割法计算对于掌握缺陷的形状、分布,有着重要的意义。     

The strategic approach to contraceptive introduction

Lesbian, gay, and bisexual educators have faced many barriers in their professions, including harassment, discrimination, and even nationwide antigay political campaigns. Recently, lesbian, gay, and bisexual educators, particularly on college campuses, have challenged such stigmatization by coming out. Because previous research has demonstrated that interpersonal contact with lesbians, gay men, and bisexuals is related to less heterosexist attitudes, the current study investigated the impact of a gay instructor's coming out on his students' attitudes toward lesbians and gay men. Data were collected from 156 undergraduate students enrolled in an Introductory Psychology course, 40 of whom were taught by a gay instructor. Herek's (1984, 1994b) Attitudes Toward Lesbians and Gay Men (ATLG) scale was used to measure students' relative levels of heterosexism and was administered to students at the beginning and end of the semester. Midway through the semester, the gay instructor disclosed his gay identity to his students as part of a lesson about sexual orientation. Results from the postcourse survey indicated that students in the gay instructor's course section exhibited improved attitudes. Conversely, students enrolled in the same course in sections taught by heterosexual instructors demonstrated no change in their attitudes. Implications of these findings are discussed, and it is argued that gay instructors' coming out may positively affect their students' attitudes toward lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. However, these efforts by individual instructors must only be a small part of more comprehensive institutional efforts by university communities to address homophobia and heterosexism in educational settings.     

Management of ventricular arrhythmias: detection, drugs, and devices

OBJECTIVE: To review evaluation and treatment of patients with ventricular arrhythmias, based on recent studies, with an emphasis on randomized controlled trials. DATA SOURCES: MEDLINE search of English-language publications of ventricular arrhythmias and their references from 1966 through April 27, 1998. References to articles were also scanned to broaden the search. STUDY SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials and all large nonrandomized trials of arrhythmias and arrhythmia therapy were reviewed. In addition, studies that led to changes in approach to patients with arrhythmias were reviewed. DATA EXTRACTION: We reviewed articles jointly for pertinent studies and information. DATA SYNTHESIS: The goals of treatment of the patient with ventricular arrhythmias are to suppress symptoms and prevent a fatal event. The steps in providing such therapy include defining the cardiac anatomy, assessing arrhythmia risk through noninvasive or invasive testing, and prescribing treatment based on these results. Patients may be separated into high- and low-risk groups to help identify appropriate treatment. While low-risk groups may benefit from reassurance or medications such as beta-blockers or verapamil, high-risk groups have been more difficult to treat. Recent randomized trials of implantable cardioverter defibrillators for ventricular arrhythmias suggest that they may provide better protection for high-risk patients than do antiarrhythmic medications. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment and understanding of risk from ventricular arrhythmias have advanced substantially in recent years. Classifying patients as being at high or low risk for fatal arrhythmias allows the physician to identify appropriate treatments for the high-risk patient without exposing the low-risk patient to unnecessary treatment-related risks.     

Decomposition of acenaphthylene by ultrasonic irradiation

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons were extracted from a soil sample using ultrasound and dichloromethane-, cyclohexane-, and toluene-water mixtures. It was found that when dichloromethane is used as an extractant, acenaphthylene reacts with the solvent. Several chlorinated and oxygenated derivatives were identified. The results show that chlorinated solvents should be avoided because of their sonolytic decomposition. Particularly unsaturated nonaromatic compounds might react with intermediate decomposition radicals of the solvent.     

The role of industry in contraceptive research and development

Despite the existence of many forms of contraceptive methods and agents, ample opportunity exists for new products. For example, there has been a large reduction in estrogen and progestogen content, and the development and introduction of a new class of progestogens over the past 30 years. Injectables, implants, prostaglandins, and antiprogestogens have also been developed. The authors, of Holland's Organon International, stress that the role of industry in contraceptive research and development is essential and should not be underestimated. Organon is presently working upon several projects involving many different approaches to contraception which will hopefully guarantee its continued role in the future as one of the major suppliers of innovative contraceptive methods. Sections consider why new contraceptives are necessary, expected advantages, major obstacles, cost structure of the pharmaceutical industry, and how industry selects research and development topics.     

Estimation of fetal weighty by ultrasonic abdominometry

The fetal abdomen was measured with an ultrasonic contact scanner in order to correlate abdomenal circumference and birth weight. A sample of 134 measurements was used to calculate a standard graph, which was then tested against a subsequent 280 measurements, giving a mean estimation error of 105 Gm. Head-to-abdomen circumference ratio measurements were used to assess the type of growth retardation.     

Experimental investigation of flow control devices effect on inclusion separation in a four strand tundish

In continuous casting, molten steel often contains non-metallic inclusions that have a very high melting temperature and thus remain suspended in the molten flow. Given the lower density of these substances compared to the melt, they can be filtered in the form of top slag by proper use of buoyancy forces. Thus, providing a desirable flow pattern, reduced flow turbulence, and adequate residence time for inclusions in the tundish will improve the inclusion separation performance and therefore the product quality. In this study, a reduced-scale water model of a tundish was used to evaluate the effect of melt level in the tundish on the flow pattern and inclusion separation performance. Then, the flow control devices are added to this simple tundish model to examine the effect of them on the flow behaviour and inclusion separation. Experimental investigation showed that raising the water level in the model tundish has desirable effects on inclusion separation and the use of the dam at the inlet with tall dam improves the flow pattern and inclusion separation almost 20% in the form of top slag.