Misannotations of rRNA can now generate 90% false positive protein matches in metatranscriptomic studies.

In the course of analyzing 9,522,746 pyrosequencing reads from 23 stations in the Southwestern Pacific and equatorial Atlantic oceans, it came to our attention that misannotations of rRNA as proteins is now so widespread that false positive matching of rRNA pyrosequencing reads to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) non-redundant protein database approaches 90%. One conserved portion of 23S rRNA was consistently misannotated often enough to prompt curators at Pfam to create a spurious protein family. Detailed examination of the annotation history of each seed sequence in the spurious Pfam protein family (PF10695, 'Cw-hydrolase') uncovered issues in the standard operating procedures and quality assurance programs of major sequencing centers, and other issues relating to the curation practices of those managing public databases such as GenBank and SwissProt.

Forensic urology: a practical vision.

Urologists enjoying the protection of the law owe a duty to participate in the legal system as expert witnesses. Forensic education has been neglected by clinical educators. Qualification of experts includes forensic as well as clinical competence.

Formative years of the Urodynamics Society: reminiscences.

This paper traces the roots and foundations of the Urodynamics Society as a scientific urologic research society back to the postwar information explosion of the 1950s and 1960s. It describes the then-separate islands of science and urologic practice which gradually became amalgamated through interdisciplinary and crossprofessional collaborations and networks, aided by generous government subsidies and wise university policies.

Chlamydia psittaci. An uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia.

Chlamydia psittaci is an uncommon cause of community-acquired pneumonia. Fewer than 200 cases of psittacosis are reported annually to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; however, many cases are believed to be unreported. Unrecognized cases not properly treated may result in significant morbidity and possibly have a fatal outcome.

Testicular torsion: pitfalls of color Doppler sonography.

Only 25% of boys with acute scrotal swelling have testicular torsion. A noninvasive test that reliably distinguishes torsed testes from all other acute scrotal conditions would benefit patients presenting with pain and swelling of the scrotum. Recent reports suggest that color Doppler ultrasound may be the long-awaited test that clearly differentiates testes with compromised blood flow from all other conditions.

Thanatology: a new clinical specialty to help confront death.

The complexities, widespread ramifications and uncertainties surrounding decisions dealing with the process of dying call for a specialty of clinical thanatology. The need for such a specialty grows out of medical technological progress, which has permitted the prolongation of life without parallel guidelines for its termination. The further functions and roles of a thanatologist would evolve with the passage of time.

Medicolegal aspects of testicular torsion.

Testicular torsion is a surgical emergency which requires prompt exploration, detorsion, and bilateral orchiopexy. The authors present information helping to explain why testicular torsion often leads to lawsuits for physicians.

Can a urologic nurse contribute to management of secondary impotence in an office setting?

A practicing urologist with a properly trained nurse can form a dual (male, female) sex therapy team. We have found that such a team will improve sexual history-taking from both partners, provide a more holistic approach to patient management, help avoid certain misdiagnoses, and improve case selection for penile surgery. A nurse can assist with the workup, preoperative and postoperative care, counseling, and if so trained, the actual surgery.

Practical measures to reduce medical expert witness bias.

To minimize bias by the testifying clinician, particularly in professional liability cases, six practical measures should be used: 1. testify for both the plaintiff and the defense in different cases; 2. assess the merits of the case separately from agreeing to testify; 3.

Discounting surgical benefits. Enucleation versus resection of the prostate.

This manuscript introduces and demonstrates a modification of the popular cost-effectiveness methodology. Because arbitrarily selected discount rates for future health effects can radically change the cost-effect ratio, the determinants of the ratio--differences in the present values of effects and costs-are examined for a wide range of discount rates. Treatment selection then follows directly from explicit judgments about expected patient longevity and appropriate combinations of cost and effect discount rates.

Carcinosarcoma of the prostate: report of a case with ultrastructural observations.

A carcinosarcoma of the prostate was examined by light and electron microscopy. The epithelial component was comprised of adenosquamous carcinoma. The stromal component demonstrated osseous and cartilaginous differentiation, and appeared mesenchymal by fine structure analysis.

Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence.

Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.

Glucagon, ureteral colic and ureteral peristalsis.

Experimentally, glucagon is an effective ureteral relaxant that induces a moderate diuresis. Our data suggest that in specified cases of ureteral colic, before the development of a ureteral bar, flaccid dilatation of the pelvis and renal shutdown, glucagon may facilitate the expulsion of small ureteral calculi. When the ureteral pain is due to hyperperistalsis the drug has promise in the alleviation of pain.

Evaluation of research needs in nephrology in urology. Obstructive and neuromuscular disorders affecting the urinary system.

Obstructive and neuromuscular disorders are common problems of the urinary tract. They cause considerable morbidity and some mortality. In all problem areas research efforts have been and continue to be limited.

Urological and behavioral approach to the treatment of secondary impotence.

Psychogenic impotence is far more common than organic impotence and may co-exist with or be a result of it. Psychological principles of therapy may be needed for all impotent patients treated by the urologist. These principles include 1) re-education in sexual function, 2) removal of pressure for male performance, 3) bringing existing performance fears to the surface for therapy, 4) teaching patients techniques to deal with the fears, 5) teaching the partner proper cooperation and 6) improving the communications between the 2 partners.