Appendicular mucocele. Clinical cases and review of the literature

The authors report three cases of mucocele of the appendix. They review the literature on this argument and discuss the hypotheses on etiology, pathologic and clinical classification, problems in diagnosis, principles of therapy and prognosis.     

Appendicular mucocele. A report of a case diagnosed preoperatively

Mucocele of the appendix is an unusual clinical entity. Despite a recognized constellation of findings, the diagnosis is not usually made prior to surgical exploration. A 35 year old man is reported in whom clinical evaluation, including US and CT scans, resulted in the correct preoperative diagnosis confirmed at surgery and leading to appropriate operative decisions.     

Heritage aspects of endometriosis. II. Clinical characteristics of familial endometriosis

Clinical characteristics of patients with histologically confirmed pelvic endometriosis who had an affected first-degree relative (N = 18) were compared to those who had no such affected relative (N = 105). The only significant difference was that 61% of individuals in the former group had severe endometriosis, compared to only 24% in the latter group. This observation is most consistent with a polygenic/multifactorial etiology, although other genetic mechanisms cannot be excluded. Our observations carry several important practical implications. First, an apparently unaffected patient with an affected first-degree relative should be counseled that her risk of developing endometriosis is 7%. This might influence the choice of contraception, the timing of pregnancy, and the extent to which aggressive diagnostic approaches (e.g., laparoscopy and curettage) would be appropriate.     

Ureteral endometriosis. Role of endourology and treatment

Ureteral endometriosis is remarkable not for its frequency, but for the renal compromise it may cause. Because it is silent, diagnosis is established late. An abdominal ultrasound scan permits early diagnosis of the obstructive uropathy. Currently, ureteral stricture can be treated conservatively. In well selected cases, endourological techniques combined with hormone therapy can be an alternative to open surgery.     

Inhibition of transforming growth factor beta 1 induction by dietary vitamin E in unilateral ureteral obstruction in rats

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of incomplete, midsagittal fractures of the proximal phalanx (P1) on racing performance in Standardbreds. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. ANIMALS: 49 Standardbred horses admitted to the George D. Widener Hospital for Large Animals between July 1986 and December 1992 with a definitive radiographic diagnosis of an incomplete, midsagittal fracture of P1 and a known method of treatment. PROCEDURE: Performance index and racing time were compared before and after diagnosis and treatment of fracture, using ANOVA that controlled for the effects of horse, gender, age, track length, and track condition. RESULTS: Expected racing time increased by 0.7 seconds and performance index decreased by 0.7 points, although controlling for factors known to affect racing performance had a substantial impact on these results. CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS: Standardbreds with incomplete, midsagittal fractures of P1 have a favorable prognosis for return to racing; recovered horses will likely have slower racing times and decreased performance indices.     

Cyclic sciatica of endometriosis. Case report

A 27-year-old woman with right-sided cyclic sciatica and stiffness of the right hip joint, unresponsive to orthopaedic measures, is presented. An exploratory laparotomy revealed pelvic endometriosis. On oestrogen suppression therapy, she has been symptom-free for eleven months.     

Typifying foci of tick-borne encephalitis in the pre-Baikal

The existence of tick-borne encephalitis foci of several landscape types was revealed in the Prebaikalye. Of particular interest were foci of the forest-steppe type, in which virus strains of the Western serological type circulated along with the Eastern serological type strain of the tick-borne encephalitis virus. It was shown that infection of man was possible not only by transmissive, but also by the almientary route--through cow milk.     

Reciprocity and the induction of cooperation in social dilemmas.

Research in the 2-person Prisoner's Dilemma Game indicates that a tit-for-tat (TFT) strategy is most effective in inducing an S to cooperate. In extending this to the N-person case, it was hypothesized that the larger the proportion of group members who use a reciprocal strategy, the greater the likelihood that other members will cooperate. Ss (college students) were asked to make choices in a public goods paradigm. Three experiments were conducted, varying group size (3, 5, and 9 persons) and the strategies used by simulated players (reciprocal or random). Results provide support for the basic reciprocity hypothesis and are interpreted in terms of (1) the properties of reciprocal TFT strategies described by R. Axelrod (1984), (2) D. G. Pruitt and M. J. Kimmel's (1977) goal-expectation hypothesis, and (3) C. E. Osgood's (1962) graduated and reciprocated initiatives in tension reduction strategy for reducing international tension. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Renal endometriosis. Report of a case

In the light of a personal case and a review of the literature, the authors recall the specific features of renal endometriosis. This rare lesion, with a favourable prognosis, is difficult to diagnose and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. Medical treatment by LHRH agonists is discussed and has been used exceptionally.     

Delusional thinking and the induction process in schizophrenia.

A perceptual information-processing task was presented to minimally delusional schizophrenics, maximally delusional schizophrenics, and normal Ss. The point of emergence of their 1st response was utilized as an index of the degree to which they tended to structure ambiguous stimuli on the basis of inadequate premises. The hypothesis that the 2 schizophrenic groups would differ on the experimental task was not verified. The majority of schizophrenic Ss, however, responded either too early or too late, if the mean score of the normal group is regarded as the optimal response level. Additional data were gathered in an attempt to uncover historical or behavioral correlates of these test differences. The only difference found was in educational level. (15 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Tension induction and the hyperalert trance.

The traditional methods of inducing the hypnotic trance are questioned. A new induction technique was devised which radically differed from classical induction methods in its utilization of increased tension and alertness. As a result of the tension-induction methods, a "hyperalert" trance state was produced, the hypersuggestibility of which compared favorably with that produced by typical hypnotic-induction methods and was significantly greater than that produced under waking conditions. The use of these new methods may have important implications for the understanding of "natural" forms of trance as wel as for the "hypersuggestible" states supposedly produced by interrogation or brainwashing. (42 ref.) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Appendicular abcess presenting as an abdominal mass in early childhood. Radiological diagnosis (author's transl)

Two boys (two years and a half old) were admitted in this hospital for an abdominal tumor. In both cases a pelvic abcess was present, secondary to a pelvic appendicitis. Symptoms have been deeply modified by previous antibiotherapy. Radiological examinations including opacification of the urinary tract by a intravenous pyelogram and opacification of the recto-sigmoid by a baryum enema allowed in both cases to localize the mass and to lead to the diagnosis with the clinical data.     

Ruptures of double-J ureteral catheter. Our experience and review of the literature

Follicular carcinoma, in association with other prognostic factors, identifies a class of "high-risk" patients in which a more aggressive treatment is indicated. In fact, in patients operated on for follicular carcinoma bone metastases, also many years after primary surgery, are reported. A case of skull metastases in a young women occurred 3 years after a near total lobectomy for follicular thyroid carcinoma is described. After six years the patient underwent total thyroidectomy, resection of skull metastases, radiometabolic therapy with I131 180 m Ci; now she is disease free at three years of follow-up. The biology of metastases in thyroid follicular carcinoma, risk factors and diagnostic and therapeutic controversies are analyzed. Good prognostic factors are considered age < 45 years, good degree of differentiation of primary tumor, small size of bone metastases and early appearance after primary diagnosis. The conclusions is drawn that bone metastases are the worst prognostic factors. In case of single lesion, surgical treatment allows good results.     

Free ureteral replacement in rats: regeneration of ureteral wall components in the acellular matrix graft

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate ureteral replacement by a free homologous graft of acellular matrix in a rat model. METHODS: In 30 male Sprague-Dawley rats, a 0.3 to 0.8-cm midsegment of the left ureter was resected and replaced with an acellular matrix graft of equal length placed on a polyethylene stent. The animals were killed at varying intervals, and the grafted specimens were prepared for light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: In all animals, the acellular matrix graft remained in its original position without evidence of incrustation or infection, and histologic examination showed complete epithelialization and progressive infiltration by vessels. At 10 weeks, smooth muscle fibers were observed; at 12 weeks, nerve fibers were first detected; at 4 months, smooth muscle cells had assumed regular configuration. CONCLUSIONS: The ureteral acellular matrix graft appears to promote the regeneration of all ureteral wall components.     

Iatrogenic ureteral lesions. Apropos of 8 cases

The authors report 8 cases of iatrogenic ureteric lesions, induced by gynaecological or obstetric operations. The diagnosis was based on a recent history of surgery, clinical features, abdominal ultrasonography and IVU. Treatment consisted of ureterovesical reimplantation.     

Fluorescence histochemistry of the surface epithelium and stroma in the rhesus monkey ovary

The surface epithelium and stromal elements in the ovary of the rhesus monkey were studied with a variety of fluorescence-histochemical procedures to determine the relative distribution of specific chemical moieties. The surface (germinal) epithelium displayed high levels of cytoplasmic RNA and specifically intense fluorescence with methods that demonstrate basic, SH and SS groups of protein. The underlying basement membrane demonstrated an intense reaction when fluorochromed with hydroxynaphthoic acid hydrazide directed toward side-chain carboxyl groups of protein. The fluorescence pattern displayed by the underlying connective tissue was heterogeneous and related to its anatomical localization. It is suggested that this heterogeneity reflects specific, but as yet undefined, chemical differences in the fibrous elements of the ovary.