Probability Density Function Models for Float Glass under Mechanical Loading with Varying Parameters.

Glass as a construction material has become indispensable and is still on the rise in the building industry. However, there is still a need for numerical models that can predict the strength of structural glass in different configurations. The complexity lies in the failure of glass elements largely driven by pre-existing microscopic surface flaws.

Complete radical nephrectomy and vena caval thrombectomy during circulatory arrest.

Purpose: A modification of radical nephrectomy for renal carcinoma and vena caval tumor thrombectomy for supradiaphragmatic tumor extension under hypothermic circulatory arrest is presented.

Materials And Methods: Nephrectomy was performed during the circulatory arrest time in 16 consecutive patients during the last 4 years.

Results: Average hypothermic circulatory arrest time increased by 6 minutes.

Application of retrograde cerebral perfusion and moderate systemic hypothermic circulatory arrest for cavoatrial tumor resection.

Renal tumors invading the inferior vena cava have proved to be surgically challenging. For suprahepatic and right atrial involvement, deep hypothermic circulatory arrest (HCA) has been the favored procedure. Retrograde cerebral perfusion (RCP) was combined with moderate HCA in an effort to improve cerebral protection and avoid neurological sequelae.

Endoscopic management of urolithiasis in the morbidly obese patient.

A retrospective review of 48 consecutive morbidly obese patients with urolithiasis who were treated successfully by endoscopic modalities over 3.5 years was performed. Of the 73 endoscopic procedures, 48 were ureteroscopic laser lithotripsy (UL), 4 were ureteroscopic basket extraction, and 21 were percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL).

Treatment of ureteral calculi with an 8.3-Fr. disposable shaft rigid ureteroscope.

One hundred forty-two adult patients underwent ureteroscopy for treatment of ureteral calculi using a disposable shaft semirigid mini-ureteroscope. The ureteroscope has an 8.3-French (Fr.

Long-term ureteroscopic management of low-grade transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract.

Nephrouterectomy, or partial uterectomy, is the treatment of choice for transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper urinary tract. However, patients with solitary kidneys, bilateral tumors, renal insufficiency, or medical comorbidities require more conservative management. When the TCC is low grade, it would be desirable to manage such tumors endoscopically.

Bladder dysfunction in the spontaneously diabetic male Abyssinian-Hartley guinea pig.

The spontaneously diabetic adult male Abyssinian-Hartley guinea pig develops bladder hypertrophy and voiding dysfunction. In contrast to animals with chemically induced diabetes, this animal demonstrates changes in bladder function in the absence of diuresis. The diabetic guinea pigs void a total daily volume similar to that of control animals, but have a greater mean volume per void and a longer interval between voiding.

Outpatient fragmentation of ureteral calculi with mini-ureteroscopes and laser lithotripsy.

Laser lithotripsy with mini-ureteroscopes is a minimally invasive method to fragment ureteral calculi. This study reviewed the efficacy and morbidity of outpatient laser lithotripsy for the treatment of ureteral calculi. The 248 patients were initially treated by outpatient ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy with the Candela pulsed-dye laser over a period of 3 1/2 years.

Comparison of computerized cystometry/micturition and contractile responses of the diabetic rat bladder.

Computerized data acquisition was used to achieve a comprehensive assessment of micturition and cystometry in rats made diabetic with streptozotocin. Diabetic rats had a greater mean voided volume and a significantly shorter interval between voiding during the light cycle. During volume expulsion, the rate of intraluminal pressure development was greater, but the mean duration of volume expulsion was less in the diabetic bladder.

Ureteral foreign body after laser lithotripsy.

We report an unusual ureteral foreign body resulting from a complication of pulsed-dye laser lithotripsy: a retained laser fiber fragment. It was removed with two endoscopic procedures without long-term problems.

Lasertripsy of upper urinary tract calculi after unsuccessful extracorporeal lithotripsy or ureteroscopy: comparison with primary lasertripsy.

Lasertripsy of upper urinary tract calculi after unsuccessful extracorporeal lithotripsy (SWL) or ureteroscopy (Group 1; N = 26 patients, 36 calculi) was compared with primary lasertripsy (Group 2; N = 56 patients, 79 calculi). Access to calculi was achieved by a Candela miniscope or flexible ureteroscope, and laser fragmentation was performed with the Candela pulsed-dye laser. Laser alone or laser plus 1.

Treatment of ureteral calculi with an 8.3F disposable shaft rigid ureteroscope.

Seventy-one adult patients underwent ureteroscopy for treatment of ureteral calculi using the disposable shaft semirigid mini-ureteroscope. The ureteroscope has an 8.3F outer diameter with a fiber optic core that allows some flexibility of the shaft.

Atypical renal adenocarcinoma with features suggesting collecting duct origin and mimicking a mucinous adenocarcinoma.

We report a case of an atypical renal adenocarcinoma of the renal medulla associated with a marked desmoplastic response and interstitial mucin production. Collecting duct epithelium of the renal medulla throughout the kidney showed cytologic atypia. These features have been described by others as suggestive of a collecting duct histogenesis.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy in the renal transplant patient: a case report and review of literature.

Renal allograft lithiasis is a rare complication of renal transplantation, which in the past has required various invasive procedures for adequate stone fragmentation and dissolution. Noninvasive techniques such as extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) can now be extended to the renal transplant patient. Five cases have been previously reported in which ESWL was used effectively for dissolution of renal allograft calculi.

Calcium channel agonist/antagonist effects on cholinergic stimulation of the diabetic rat bladder.

The in vitro effects of a calcium channel agonist (BAY K8644) and antagonist (nifedipine) on the cholinergic responses of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat bladder were investigated. the bladder body and bladder base were studied separately. There were significant differences in contractile responses to acetylcholine stimulation in the diabetic bladder body compared to the control body.

Cytosol-free calcium concentration in single bladder smooth muscle cells from normal and diabetic rats.

The effect of diabetes mellitus on intracellular calcium concentration was measured in single rat bladder smooth muscle cells using the fluorescent calcium indicator dye fura-2 AM. Techniques were developed for isolation and short-term culture of rat bladder smooth muscle cells. Cytosol-free calcium concentrations were measured at rest and during carbachol stimulation.

Neurogenic function of the diabetic rat bladder: alteration by calcium channel effectors.

The in vitro effects of a calcium channel antagonist (nifedipine) and agonist (BAY K8644) on the neurogenic responses of the streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat bladder were investigated. The bladder body and bladder base were studied separately. There were no significant differences in neurogenic responses in diabetic bladder body compared to control body, but the diabetic bladder base demonstrated an increased contractile response at each frequency compared to control base.

The efficacy of transrectal ultrasound and prostate cancer.

An increased interest in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer, particularly in the last few years, is reflected in the literature. Numerous articles have been published since 1980 on the subject of imaging of the prostate gland. This article is a review of transrectal ultrasound and its efficacy in the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer.

Five-year survival following excision of renal cell carcinoma extending into inferior vena cava.

Fifteen consecutive patients having radical nephrectomy and excision of tumor extension from the inferior vena cava for pathologic Stage 3A renal cell carcinoma were followed up for a minimum of five years. Survival was compared with patients having radical nephrectomy for Stage 2 or Stage 3 renal cell carcinoma in the same time interval. Five-year survival in the Stage 3A group (47%) was similar to that for patients with Stage 2 tumors (54%) and significantly better than Stage 3 patients with positive lymph nodes at surgery (12%).

Management of simultaneous renal and ureteral calculi: combined extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy under a single anesthetic.

Simultaneously occurring renal and ureteral calculi were treated in 28 renal units combining extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and ureteroscopy during a single anesthetic session. Distributions of ureteral calculi removed or attempted to be removed by ureteroscopy were upper third in 3, middle third in 4 and lower third in 21. If ureteroscopy was successful a ureteral stent was placed and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy was applied to more proximal renal and upper ureteral calculi.

Cardiovascular evaluation before circulatory arrest for removal of vena caval extension of renal carcinoma.

The use of cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest has decreased the risks of hemorrhage, tumor embolization, incomplete thrombus resection, and warm hepatic and renal ischemia associated with resection of renal cell carcinoma extending into the inferior vena cava above the hepatic veins. Patients about to undergo this operation frequently have significant coronary artery and carotid artery disease, and are at risk for perioperative myocardial infarction and stroke. Preoperative evaluation of the coronary artery and carotid artery circulation by coronary angiography, duplex carotid artery scan and digital subtraction carotid angiography is recommended.

Comparison of the effects of castration and streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus on contractile responses of the rat vas deferens.

Contractile responses of androgen-sensitive smooth muscles such as the vas deferens and seminal vesicles are highly dependent upon the endocrine status of the animal. Although diabetes mellitus produces disturbances in reproductive function, including decreased serum androgen levels, the effects of diabetes on the contractile function of androgen-dependent urogenital smooth muscles have not been conclusively established. The present study compared the effects of streptozotocin-induced diabetes with those of castration on the contractile responses of rat vasa deferentia.

Estradiol-progesterone-induced growth of the rat dorsolateral prostate: effects on protein phosphorylation.

The combination of estradiol and progesterone can affect growth of the rat dorsolateral prostate by a mechanism that appears to be independent from androgen-mediated activity. The effects of estradiol and progesterone on protein kinase activity and endogenous protein phosphorylation in the castrate rat dorsolateral prostate were compared with androgenic effects on these intracellular events. Differences in protein kinase activity and protein phosphorylation were found with each type of hormonal therapy.