Pelvic Organ Support Study (POSST) and bowel symptoms: straining at stool is associated with perineal and anterior vaginal descent in a general gynecologic population.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association of constipation symptoms and anal incontinence with vaginal wall and pelvic organ descent in a general gynecologic population.

Study Design: In this multicenter, cross-sectional study, 1004 women attending routine gynecologic healthcare underwent pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) measurements, and were surveyed regarding anal incontinence, digitation, < 2 bowel movements (BMs)/week, and > 25% frequency of: straining, hard/lumpy stools, and incomplete emptying. Constipation scores reflected the sum of positive responses.

The RssAB two-component signal transduction system in Serratia marcescens regulates swarming motility and cell envelope architecture in response to exogenous saturated fatty acids.

Serratia marcescens swarms at 30 degrees C but not at 37 degrees C on a nutrient-rich (LB) agar surface. Mini-Tn5 mutagenesis of S. marcescens CH-1 yielded a mutant (WC100) that swarms not only vigorously at 37 degrees C but also earlier and faster than the parent strain swarms at 30 degrees C.

European bat lyssavirus in Scottish bats.

We report the first seroprevalence study of the occurrence of specific antibodies to European bat lyssavirus type 2 (EBLV-2) in Daubenton's bats. Bats were captured from 19 sites across eastern and southern Scotland. Samples from 198 Daubenton's bats, 20 Natterer's bats, and 6 Pipistrelle's bats were tested for EBLV-2.

Efficacy and safet of pimobendan in canine heart failure caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease.

Objectives: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of pimobendan by comparing it with ramipril over a six-month period in dogs with mild to moderate heart failure (HF) caused by myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD).

Methods: This was a prospective randomised, single-blind, parallel-group trial. Client-owned dogs (n = 43) with mild to moderate HF caused by MMVD were randomly assigned to one of two groups, which received either pimobendan (P dogs) or ramipril (R dogs) for six months.

Pelvic Organ Support Study (POSST): the distribution, clinical definition, and epidemiologic condition of pelvic organ support defects.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to describe the distribution of pelvic organ support in a gynecologic clinic population to define the clinical disease state of pelvic organ prolapse and to analyze its epidemiologic condition.

Study Design: This was a multicenter observational study. Subjects who were seen at outpatient gynecology clinics who required an annual gynecologic examination underwent a pelvic organ prolapse quantification examination and completed a prolapse symptom questionnaire.

Is the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system (POPQ) being used? A survey of members of the International Continence Society (ICS) and the American Urogynecologic Society (AUGS).

The authors performed a web-based questionnaire survey of 667 members of the ICS and AUGS to determine the current use of the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POPQ) system by members of the professional societies which have advocated its use. Three hundred and eighty (57%) gynecologists responded. This international survey shows that only 40.

Non-pregnant patients' preference for delivery route.

The objective of the study was to survey non-pregnant women regarding their preference for obstetric delivery route and to assess their awareness of the maternal and fetal risks of obstetric delivery. We wished to determine the percentage of non-pregnant women who would choose elective cesarean section and to correlate demographic factors. We compared women who elected cesarean delivery versus vaginal delivery.

The Aeromonas hydrophila LuxR homologue AhyR regulates the N-acyl homoserine lactone synthase, AhyI positively and negatively in a growth phase-dependent manner.

Aeromonas hydrophila is a pathogen of fish, amphibians and humans which produces N-acylhomoserine lactone quorum sensing signal molecules and possesses homologues of the Vibrio fischeri luxI and luxR quorum sensing genes termed ahyI and ahyR, respectively. The ahyI and ahyR genes of A. hydrophila comprise a divergon with a 62 bp intergenic region and control biofilm maturation and extracellular protease production.

The role of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) in planning radiotherapy target volumes for oesophageal cancer.

Computed tomography (CT) scanning is the main imaging modality utilised for planning radical oesophageal radiotherapy. Endoscopic ultrasound allows accurate localisation and local staging of oesophageal tumours. A method of incorporating this information into the CT planning process is described.

Consensus clustering and functional interpretation of gene-expression data.

Microarray analysis using clustering algorithms can suffer from lack of inter-method consistency in assigning related gene-expression profiles to clusters. Obtaining a consensus set of clusters from a number of clustering methods should improve confidence in gene-expression analysis. Here we introduce consensus clustering, which provides such an advantage.

Stable, stoichiometric delivery of diverse protein functions.

As contemporary "genomics" steadily reveals an increasing number of novel gene sequences, the need for efficient methodologies to functionally characterize these genes in vivo increases significantly. Reliable coupling of target gene expression to a variety of surrogate reporter functions is critical to properly assay novel gene function in complex cell populations. Ideally, independent target and reporter proteins would be derived from a single open reading frame creating a stoichiometric relationship without obscuring subcellular localization.

Management of cor triatriatum dexter by balloon dilatation in three dogs.

Two dogs, one immature and one adult, were presented with a history of progressive ascites. In a third, immature dog, increasing exercise intolerance had been noted. Echocardiography demonstrated a partition in the right atrium (cor triatriatum dexter) and echocontrast studies documented normal flow from the cranial vena cava into the right atrium and ventricle.

Efficacy of antimuscarinic therapy for overactive bladder with varying degrees of incontinence severity.

Purpose: We analyze the efficacy of tolterodine extended release (ER) for overactive bladder in patients with severe incontinence.

Materials And Methods: Patients with urinary frequency (8 micturitions or greater per 24 hours), urge incontinence (5 episodes or greater a week) and symptoms of overactive bladder for 6 months or greater were randomized to treatment with 4 mg tolterodine ER once daily or placebo for 12 weeks. Severe incontinence was defined as 21 episodes or greater per week at baseline.

Treatment of toxic epidermal necrolysis with intravenous immunoglobulin.

Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) is a rare severe reaction of the skin resulting in full thickness damage to the epidermis. The condition has significant morbidity as a result of dehydration, protein loss, thermoregulatory difficulties, and renal, lung, liver and heart failure. The mortality rate approaches 30%, most commonly from bacterial sepsis.

Correlation of symptoms with degree of pelvic organ support in a general population of women: what is pelvic organ prolapse?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the symptoms of pelvic organ prolapse and the stage of support as determined by the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system.

Study Design: Four hundred ninety-seven women who were seen for annual gynecologic examinations were recruited. Subjects underwent a pelvic examination and their degree of pelvic support was described according to the pelvic organ prolapse quantification system.

CABG 15-years after left pneumonectomy: feasibility of off-pump approach.

We report the case of a 70-year-old man who underwent off-pump coronary artery bypass grafting 15-years after left pneumonectomy. He had significant two-vessel coronary artery disease. Comorbidities included poor ventricular function and impaired respiratory function.

Fixed flexion deformity and flexion after knee arthroplasty. What happens in the first 12 months after surgery and can a poor outcome be predicted?

Fixed flexion deformity and flexion of 284 knee replacements were recorded pre-operatively at 6 weeks and 12 months after surgery. Eighteen knees (6.3%) achieved unsatisfactory movements at 12 months.

Radical surgery for mesothelioma: how can we obtain evidence?

Asbestos exposure in industry and construction sites in the 1960s and 1970s has left a legacy of mesothelioma, a diffuse pleural cancer, with a lag time of 40 to 50 years and due to peak around 2015 to 2020. Some surgeons believe that by radical surgery they can prolong life and relieve symptoms, but the evidence comes from very carefully selected series. How do surgeons respond to demand for evidence of benefit? In this article we explore how evidence for major surgical operations has been gained and how mesothelioma fits into this history.

Could islet transplantation be a potential cure for diabetes?

Islet transplantation is a way of replacing the insulin-producing beta cells in patients whose own cells have been destroyed. Sue Swift and Steve White explain what islet transplantation involves and give a realistic summary of what can be expected as the clinical programme gets underway in the UK.