A redundant hydraulic function of root hairs in barley plants grown in hydroponics.

The root hair-less brb of Hordeum vulgare L. (bald root barley) mutant was used to assess the significance that root hairs have for the hydraulic properties of roots and response to a limited supply of mineral nutrients in plants grown on hydroponics. The barley brb mutant and its parent wild-type (H.

[Cancerous stricture of the urethra].

When certain strictures which have been treated for a long time start to bleed, the possibility of carcinoma should be considered. However, cancer may present in the form of more recent and deteriorating dysuria. The diagnosis is based on urethrography which shows a narrow and tortuous pass.

[Urethral stricture. A history. From antiquity to the 18th century].

Long undistinguished from the other causes of lower urinary tract obstruction, stenosis of the urethra was truly individualized only in the XVIIIth century. Throughout this long history, treatment opposed repeated dilatations, capable of maintaining an acceptable urethral caliber, and methods aimed at directly destroying the stenosis, thereby ensuring permanent recovery.

[The anterior and transperitoneal approach in the surgery of the kidney and ureter].

Because of the variety of situations encountered in surgery of the kidney and ureter, the methods of approach to these organs need to be diversified. In this context, the authors discuss the place of the anterior and transperitoneal approach, based on a series of 573 cases. Its principal indications are: excision of large kidney tumours or pseudo-tumours, conservative treatment of hydronephrosis, removal of pelvic calculi, staged operations or operations on bilateral lesions, re-operations resulting in secondary nephrectomy or repair of the collecting system.

[Computed x-ray tomography in the detection of venous extension in renal cancer].

With reference to eleven cases of renal cancer with involvement of the inferior vena cava, CT semeiology of this venous complication is detailed. Furthermore, the authors suggest that the images are capable of a pathological interpretation which may indicate whether the obstruction is caused by the tumor or a thrombus. Lastly, the value and limitations of CT scan for detecting caval obstructions associated with renal cancer are analyzed.

[Interstitial cystitis. Current aspects].

Fifty-five cases of interstitial cystitis are reported, symptomatology in these 43 women and 12 men being of a severe nature: diurnal and nocturnal pollakiuria, supra-pubic pain. Disorders were always permanent and had been present for at least 6 months, diagnosis being confirmed by endoscopy. Initial bladder filling demonstrated the most important lesions (Hunner's ulcer) and allowed determination of bladder capacity.

[Interstitial cystitis. Apropos of 11 cases].

The authors report eleven cases of interstitial cystitis, and discuss two different aspects of the disease: the classic form, with reduced bladder capacity and Hunner's ulcer, and the early form, which is diagnosed by cystoscopy under general anesthesia, and bladder biopsy. The hallmark of this early form is the discovery of multiple petichiae in the bladder mucosa during the second distension of the bladder.

[Computed tomography in renal trauma (author's transl)].

On the basis of a series of 25 cases of closed recent trauma of the kidney examined by scanner, the authors analyzed the information provided by the method and its correspondence with the various lesions encountered. In the course of this study, the scanner appeared to be the method of investigation which, at the present time, offers the best information concerning the severity of parenchymatous damage, as well as the size, nature and course of the perirenal blood or urine collections. Such data being fundamental to therapeutic decisions, the place of the scanner is essential in the evaluation of renal trauma, and, in severe forms, should be performed immediately after the irreplaceable I.

[The technique of ureteric advancement in vesico-ureteric reflux (author's transl)].

The authors, anxious about the crossed position of the ureteric meatuses after transverse submucosal advancement of the ureters, prefer descending submucosal advancement. They emphasise the widely open nature of the hiatus of penetration of the ureter into the bladder. Tightening of this orifice, distal to the orifice left free for the penetration of the ureter, participates in elongation backwards of the muscular layer upon which the submucosal advancement will take place.

Progressive muscular dystrophy. Functional improvement after a renal allograft.

From his first years a child showed signs of a primary and rapidly developing muscular dystrophy. The diagnosis was established by an increased serum CK level and by electromyography and muscle biopsies. Afterwards this child developed a severe renal deficiency which needed binephrectomy and the graft of a normal kidney.