Silver Nanoparticles on Nanoscale Silica Platelets (AgNP/NSP) and Nanoscale Silica Platelets (NSP) Inhibit the Development of f. sp. .

Nanotechnology has attracted much attention recently because of its agricultural applications. In this study, we analyzed the ability of two potential nanomaterials (NMs), nanoscale silica platelets (NSP) and silver nanoparticles on nanoscale silica platelets (AgNP/NSP), to control Fusarium wilt [caused by f. sp.

A simulation model approach to analysis of the business case for eliminating health care disparities.

Background: Purchasers can play an important role in eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in health care. A need exists to develop a compelling "business case" from the employer perspective to put, and keep, the issue of racial/ethnic disparities in health care on the quality improvement agenda for health plans and providers.

Methods: To illustrate a method for calculating an employer business case for disparity reduction and to compare the business case in two clinical areas, we conducted analyses of the direct (medical care costs paid by employers) and indirect (absenteeism, productivity) effects of eliminating known racial/ethnic disparities in mammography screening and appropriate medication use for patients with asthma.

Comparing Sildenafil alone vs. Sildenafil plus brief couple sex therapy on erectile dysfunction and couples' sexual and marital quality of life: a pilot study.

Treatment options for managing erectile dysfunction (ED) include medical and psychological interventions. The present study examined the effectiveness of a drug-only vs. combined treatment approach on erectile function as well as other domains of sexual function and cognition, couple intimacy and adaptation, and treatment satisfaction.

Autonomic nervous system changes in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Purpose: We investigated the role of the autonomic nervous system in the chronic pelvic pain syndrome by studying blood pressure changes, power spectral analysis of heart rate variability, and hand and foot sympathetic skin responses in men with the chronic pelvic pain syndrome and healthy controls.

Materials And Methods: We recruited 22 men with the chronic pelvic pain syndrome and 20 controls. The subjects underwent 5-minute resting and standing blood pressure readings as well as electrocardiogram recordings.

Men with pelvic pain: perceived helpfulness of medical and self-management strategies.

Objective: To assess the frequency of use of different treatments and pain management strategies and their perceived helpfulness in male patients with pelvic pain.

Methods: Approximately 1 month after a health maintenance organization visit for pelvic pain, 286 men (mean age 46.7 years) completed telephone interviews about their symptoms and treatments and pain management strategies used in the past year.

Pelvic floor electromyography in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome: a case-control study.

Aims: The objectives of this study were (1) to identify differences between men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), compared with pain-free men, in surface electromyography/biofeedback (sEMG/BFB) readings of pelvic floor muscles and (2) to determine which pelvic floor muscle sEMG readings may have differential diagnostic and treatment selection value by accurately predicting group membership, CPPS versus normal.

Methods: Twenty-one men with CPPS and 21 healthy men without pelvic pain underwent a standardized sEMG examination by a licensed physical therapist.

Results: On group difference measures men with CPPS showed significantly greater sEMG instability in preliminary resting baseline.

Intravesical potassium chloride sensitivity test in men with chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Purpose: Intravesical potassium chloride has been reported to cause pain in patients with interstitial cystitis and male chronic prostatitis (CP)/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). We performed the potassium chloride sensitivity test (PST) in subjects with CP/CPPS and healthy men without pelvic pain.

Materials And Methods: We recruited 40 men with CP/CPPS and 63 healthy men.