Comparison of Three Types of Continent Urinary Diversions in a Single Center

The results including the complication and continence rates for 3 types of continent urinary diversion were evaluated. From 1992 to 1998 we performed 58 continent urinary diversions after radical cystectomy for invasive transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder. All three types of continent diversions and ileal loop procedures were discussed and patient preferences were determined. The patient preference rate for continent urinary diversion was 96.6%, and half of these patients wanted to be completely dry. Mean age of the patients was 58.2 years. Of the 58 patients, 9 (15.5%) had a Kock pouch, 15 (25.8%) had a Kock neobladder and 34 (58.6%) had sigmoidorectal pouch (Mainz-II pouch). Early and late complication rates of the three different continent diversions were evaluated. The number of complications, such as urine leakage, pyelonephritis, hydronephrosis, reflux and stone formation, were similar in all three types of diversions. Two (5.9%) Mainz pouch II patients who had stopped oral alkalinization demonstrated severe hyperchloremic acidosis. Spontaneous pouch rupture occurred in 1 of the Kock pouches. Reoperation rates were higher with the Kock pouch and Kock neobladder cases. Daytime continence rates for the Kock pouch, Kock neobladder and Mainz II pouch were 77.7%, 86.7% and 100% respectively. Even though complete dryness may not be achieved in every patient, orthotopic bladder substitution appears to be the best choice after radical cystectomy. Although it carries the risk of life-long oral alkalinization therapy, the Mainz pouch II is associated with an excellent continence rate and may be a good alternative for patients who desire to be dry

Prevention of Pleural Adhesions Using a Membrane Containing Polyethylene Glycol in Rats

Background: Recurrent thoracotomies regardless of the cause are not a rare occurrence. However, each thoracotomy results in adhesion to some extent. This adhesions increase morbidity and mortality presents a significant inconvenience for surgeons and prolongs the length of operations

The association of functional mitral regurgitation and anemia in patients with non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy

Background: We investigated the association between anemia and functional mitral regurgitation (MR) in non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) patients with sinus rhythm and normal renal function. Methods: Sixty non-ischemic DCM patients with sinus rhythm and left ventricular ejection fraction < 40% were recruited. Functional MR was quantified with the proximal isovelocity surface area method. MR was graded according to the mitral regurgitant volume (Reg Vol) or effective regurgitant orifice (ERO) area. The clinical, biochemical and echocardiographic correlates of functional MR severity were investigated in patients with DCM. Results: Hemoglobin degrees were significantly different between various MR levels (mild MR 13.9 &#177; 1.7 mg/dL, moderate MR 12.3 &#177; 1.5 mg/dL, moderate to severe MR 10.8 &#177; 0.9 mg/dL). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was performed to assess the utility of hemoglobin levels to predict moderate or severe functional MR. A hemoglobin level less than 12.5 mg/dL predicted moderate or high MR with 80% sensitivity and 58% specificity (AUC: 0.789, 95% CI: 0.676&#8211;0.901, p < 0.0001). Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent predictors of moderate or severe levels of MR. The left atrium diameter (OR: 19.3, 95% CI: 1.4-27.1, p = 0.028) and presence of anemia (OR: 11.9, 95% CI: 1.22-42.5, p = 0.0045) were independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR. Conclusions: The presence of anemia and enlarged left atrium are independent predictors of moderate or severe functional MR in non-ischemic DCM patients with normal renal function. Hemoglobin levels less than 12.5 mg/dL should alert the physician for the presence of moderate or severe MR in patients with DCM. (Cardiol J 2010; 17, 3: 274-280

Bending of spherical shells

This study of the bending of a spherical shell of constant thickness consists of five chapters. In the first chapter, general differential equations of the problem are derived and presented with the variables in dimensionless form. The second chapter deals with the solution of the two second order differential equations in terms of Bessel Functions. The solution is applicable for shells with a colatitude of about 25 degrees or less. Expressions are given for the internal stresses and displacements in terms of these values at the boundary. The third chapter gives a numerical solution of the problem. Solutions are found for three cases of radius to thickness ratio, namely 30, 100 and 500, and for colatitudes from 8 to 90 degrees. In the preparation of tables the Alwac III-E Electronic Digital Computer was used. The flow diagram and programme for the Alwac III-E are given. The fourth chapter compares the numerical method with one of Timoshenko's approximate solutions. The wave lengths, deflections, rotations and moments are calculated by two methods and compared. As the conclusion to these comparisons a graph is given, which shows the approximate error in the damped harmonic solution. In the last chapter, a numerical example is solved using tables from the digital computer. The ratio of radius to thickness is 500; radius being 125 feet and the colatitude 30 degrees. The edges are considered as being on rollers.Applied Science, Faculty ofCivil Engineering, Department ofGraduat

COMPETITIVE SORPTION CHARACTERISTICS OF HEAVY METAL IONS ON HUMUS-SOIL ZONES DEVOLOPED ON MUDSTONE AND SPILITE (HARZ FOREST, GERMANY)

15th International Multidisciplinary Scientific Geoconference (SGEM) -- JUN 18-24, 2015 -- Albena, BULGARIAWOS: 000371663900012In order to evaluate the sorption behavior of Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ ions on humus rich O and E/EB soil zones of mudstone and spilite, batch equilibrium experiments were performed at 25 degrees C in competitive component adsorption systems. Heavy metal ions like Cd2+, Pb2+, and Cu2+ were selected for adsorption studies considering their contribution as toxic metals in the environment. The adsorption of the heavy metal ions was studied at different initial solute concentrations and pH levels. The initial metal concentrations ranged from 7.0 10(-3) to 1.0 10(2) mg/L. The adsorption isotherms were obtained and firstly, Scatchard plot analysis (q/C vs. q) was used to investigate the adsorption behavior of the metal ions. However, in the adsorption of metal ions, deviation from linearity in the plot of q/C versus q was observed, indicating the presence of multi-model interaction and non-Langmuirean behavior. The adsorption behavior of these metal ions on soil zones of spilite and mudstone was expressed by the Freundlich isotherms. Adsorption constants and correlation coefficients were calculated from Freundlich plots.Bulgarian Acad Sci, Acad Sci Czech Repub, Latvian Acad Sci, Polish Acad Sci, Russian Acad Sci, Serbian Acad Sci & Arts, Slovak Acad Sci, Natl Acad Sci Ukraine, Inst Water Problem & Hydropower NAS KR, Natl Acad Sci Armenia, Sci Council Japan, World Acad Sci, European Acad Sci Arts & Letters, Acad Sci Maldova, Montenegrin Acad Sci & Arts, Croatian Acad Sci & Arts, Georgian Natl Acad Sci, Acad Fine Arts & Design Bratislava, Turkish Acad Sci, Bulgarian Ind Assoc, Bulgarian Minist Environ & Wate

Vitamin e protects against oxidative damage caused by formaldehyde in the liver and plasma of rats

It is well known that formaldehyde (FA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are cytotoxic and potentially carcinogenic. Although the individual effects of these reactants on cells have been investigated, the cytotoxicity exerted by the coexistence of FA and ROS is poorly understood. The present study was carried out to evaluate oxidant/antioxidant status and biochemical changes occurring after chronic formaldehyde toxicity in liver tissue and plasma of rats and protective effect of vitamin E (vit E) against oxidative damage. Eighteen rats were divided into three groups: (1) control rats, (2) rats treated with FA (FAt), and (3) rats treated with FA plus vit E (FAt + vit E) groups. After the treatment, the animals were sacrificed and liver tissues were removed for biochemical investigations. As a result, FA treatment significantly increased the levels of tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), protein carbonyl (PC), nitric oxide (NO) and the activity of xanthine oxidase enzyme (XO). On the other hand, FA exposure led to decrease in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities in liver tissues compared to control. FA caused significant decreases in total protein (TP) and albumin (ALB) whereas increases in aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and interleukine-2 (IL-2) levels in plasma. Vit E treatment abolished these changes at a level similar to the control group. It was concluded that vit E treatment might be beneficial in preventing FA-induced liver tissue damage, and therefore have potential for clinical use

Oxidative stress markers, C-reactive protein and heat shock protein 70 levels in subjects with metabolic syndrome

Background: The metabolic syndrome is a cluster of cardiovascular risk factors and essential components of metabolic syndrome are hyperglycemia, hypertension, visceral obesity, hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Oxidative stress plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome components and insulin resistance. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of oxidative stress, C-reactive protein and heat shock protein 70 levels in the pathogenesis of this disease

Malign Recurrence of Primary Chest Wall Hemangiopericytoma in the Lung after Four Years: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Hemangiopericytoma (HPC) may develop in every site where the endothelial tissue exits and primarily develops in the skeletal-muscular system or the skin. Adult cases of HPC generally exhibit a benign course. 20–30% of the cases may show a malign course. The tumors that show more than four mitoses, a focal area of necrosis, and increased cellularity on a magnification ×10 are considered as malign. In our paper, we presented our case who showed a lung metastasis at the end of 4 years and who developed a pathological fracture of the right humerus at the end of approximately 2 years, because hemangiopericytoma is rarely seen in the chest wall as a primary tumor

Examination of lung toxicity, oxidant/antioxidant status and effect of erdosteine in rats kept in coal mine ambience

Occupational exposure to coal dust causes pneumoconiosis and other diseases. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of coal dust-induced lung toxicity. In this experimental study, we investigated the oxidant/antioxidant status, nitric oxide (NO) and hydroxyproline (HP) levels in lungs and blood of rats exposed to coal dust in mine ambience. In addition, we also investigated the attenuating effects of erdosteine. At the end of the experiment processes, tissue levels of HP, malondialdehyde (MDA) and NO, as well as the activities of superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, xanthine oxidase (XO), myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6 and TNF-alpha) were evaluated in the lung tissues, plasma samples or erythrocytes of rats. Exposure to coal dust resulted in a significant increase in the oxidant parameters (MDA, NO levels, and XO activity) and HP levels, as compared to the controls. A decrease in activities of antioxidant enzymes, and an increase in MPO activity were found in the study group, compared to the controls. Increased NO levels of lung were found in the study groups, that were significantly reduced by erdosteine. Our studies provide evidence that supports the hypothesis for ROS mediated coal workers' pneumocomosis. Erdosteine may be beneficial in the coal dust-induced lung toxicity via antioxidant and free radical scavenger properties. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved