Evacuation proctography (defecography): an aid to the investigation of pelvic floor disorders.

Patients with pelvic floor disorders frequently have associated anorectal dysfunction, which can be evaluated by a variety of laboratory tests. Evacuation proctography (defecography) documents the process of rectal evacuation and therefore demonstrates disorders of defecation, particularly those of an obstructive nature. It provides objective information about rectocele size and emptying and demonstrates coexistent enteroceles, many of which are missed on physical examination.

Characterization of cofactor activity for factor I: cleavage of complement C4 in human syncytiotrophoblast microvilli.

To coexist with complement, human tissues express membrane-integrated regulatory proteins that inhibit the activity of autologous complement on cell surfaces. Certain of these complement regulatory proteins act as obligatory cofactors for proteolytic inactivation of activated C4(C4b) by factor I. Extraembryonic tissues and in particular trophoblasts constitute an interface at risk from maternal complement during pregnancy.

Determination of boar spermatozoa water volume and osmotic response.

Boar spermatozoa water volume and osmotic response were determined by a shapeindependent method for measuring cellular volume, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), employing the spin label, tempone, and the broadening agent, potassium chromium oxalate (CrOx). A water volume of 18.4 +/- 1.

Activity of antiphospholipid antibody ELISA cofactor in different animal sera.

A plasma protein cofactor, beta 2-glycoprotein I (beta 2GPI), also known as apolipoprotein H, is necessary to detect certain antiphospholipid antibodies (aPA) to negatively charged phospholipids (PL) in the ELISA. Inasmuch as sera are diluted 1:100 before testing, the concentration of native beta 2GPI may be insufficient to provide an optimal aPA ELISA signal. Therefore, many laboratories add adult bovine serum (ABS) to the diluent buffer to provide a consistent level of cofactor for optimal aPA binding.

Transferrin receptors associate with drug resistance in cancer cells.

Transferrin mediates its growth promoting properties through transferrin receptors, which are increased on cancer cells. We have studied drug-sensitive and drug-resistant cancer cells by using quantitative flow cytomerty with fluorochrome labelled transferrin and antibody to transferrin receptor, and we have found that drug-resistant cells have more transferrin receptors than drug-sensitive cells. This finding was confirmed and extended by using isotopically labelled ligand and by correcting for differences in cell surface areas.

The Q-tip test and urethrovesical junction mobility.

Objective: To determine the accuracy of the Q-tip test to measure urethrovesical junction mobility.

Methods: One hundred fourteen women with urinary incontinence or genital prolapse were evaluated with a Q-tip test and perineal ultrasound scanning to measure urethrovesical junction mobility with strain. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of the Q-tip test to diagnose urethrovesical junction hypermobility were calculated using ultrasound as the standard.

Assessment of the acrosomal status and viability of human spermatozoa simultaneously using flow cytometry.

Acrosomal status and viability were evaluated simultaneously on human spermatozoa using flow cytometry. Samples were divided into three aliquots and randomly assigned to one of three treatments: (i) cryopreservation; (ii) 10 microM calcium ionophore [A23187 in dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO)] or (iii) DMSO alone (control). Acrosomal status was evaluated using monoclonal antibodies recognizing MH61 and CD46, respectively.

Surgical management of ventricular tachycardia.

Advances in portable high-speed computer technology have allowed intraoperative mapping of the ventricular endocardium. Accurate and highly precise endocardial maps have rendered certain types of ventricular tachycardia curable. This article discusses the options available to patients with ventricular tachycardia and places special emphasis on high-speed precision mapping and endocardial resection for cure.

Cryopreservation of human spermatozoa. IV. The effects of cooling rate and warming rate on the maintenance of motility, plasma membrane integrity, and mitochondrial function.

Objective: To test the hypotheses that there is a two-factor aspect of cellular damage during cryopreservation that occurs in human sperm (osmotic effects versus intracellular ice formation) and that there is a cooling rate by warming rate interaction related to this damage.

Design: Ejaculates from healthy men were cooled at 0.1, 1.

Determination of the osmotic characteristics of hamster pancreatic islets and isolated pancreatic islet cells.

The ability to store pancreatic islets using cryopreservation methodology would greatly assist the application of clinical islet transplantation to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetics. It is our working thesis that the illumination of fundamental biophysical characteristics of these cells will lead to increased cryosurvival rates through theoretically predicted and experimental testing of optimal freezing protocol; as has been found for cells and tissues such as mammalian and Drosophila embryos. Pancreatic islets were isolated from Golden hamsters and their osmometric behavior, including inactive cell volume (Vb), was determined for either whole islets or isolated individual islet cells.

Quality management in ambulatory care: the future is now.

Ambulatory care has always been a stepchild. Hospitals have been and are the focal point of quality activity. Traditionally driven by Joint Commission decree and more recently inspired by market forces, hospitals find the resources to do quality.

Localized primary amyloid tumor associated with osseous metaplasia presenting as bilateral breast masses: cytologic and radiologic features.

This report details the cytologic features of primary localized amyloid tumor of the breast presenting as bilateral breast masses in a 72-yr-old woman. Clinically and radiographically, the masses simulated metastatic or multifocal carcinoma. Fine-needle aspiration revealed irregular globules of acellular amorphous material and numerous multinucleated giant cells resembling granulomatous inflammation.

Evaluation of mouse sperm acrosomal status and viability by flow cytometry.

A procedure was developed to evaluate mouse sperm acrosomal status and viability simultaneously utilizing flow cytometry. Four fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-conjugated lectins, peanut agglutinin (PNA), concanavalin agglutinin (ConA), Pisum sativum agglutinin (PSA), and soybean agglutinin (SBA), were investigated, with PNA providing the greatest sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing acrosome-present and acrosome-absent mouse spermatozoa. To expose lectin binding sites, digitonin (20 microM at room temperature for 10 min) was used to permeabilize sperm plasma membranes.

Accuracy of bar codes versus handwriting for recording trauma resuscitation events.

Study Objectives: To compare the accuracy of computerized bar code data entry with conventional handwritten data entry during videotaped trauma resuscitations.

Setting: Laboratory; video simulation.

Type Of Participants: Twenty-four emergency nurses.

The role of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors in reducing ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction.

Ventricular remodeling is a pathologic change in the size and shape of the heart after myocardial infarction. Human and animal studies have described the mechanisms responsible for the thinning and enlargement that progresses for years beyond the initial infarction. As a result of elevations in preload and afterload, ventricular pressures increase, and changes occur in both the infarcted and uninfarcted regions of the ventricle, increasing overall heart size.

One-stage segmental resection of extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysms with left-sided heart bypass.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to describe a technique for resection of extensive thoracoabdominal aneurysms, which the authors believe will lower morbidity and mortality rates.

Methods: In an effort to minimize the risk of spinal cord ischemia, we have used a combination of sided heart bypass (left atrium to left femoral artery) with local cooling of the intercostal and visceral arteries and segmental resection of the aneurysm. Segmental resection of the aneurysm allows perfusion of the spinal cord and abdominal viscera as the proximal anastomosis is completed and as each pair of intercostal arteries is reimplanted.

Phenotypic characterization of normal human placental mononuclear cells.

The placenta is a rich source of immunocompetent cells. We have studied the phenotype, number and origin of placental mononuclear blood cells isolated from 32 normal term placentae using 4 color flow cytometry. Respective maternal and cord blood leucocyte preparations were also compared.

Intravaginal maximal electrical stimulation in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Urinary incontinence imposes a large economic burden, estimated at $10 billion per year. As the cost of health care continues to rise, conservative therapeutic measures are becoming more attractive. Anecdotal reports suggest that electrical stimulation may be up to 87% effective in the treatment of urinary incontinence.

Predominant expression of the beta subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase (disulfide isomerase) in human extravillous trophoblasts.

Prolyl 4-hydroxylase is a heterodimeric enzyme that is crucial in the biosynthesis of collagen. The beta subunit of this enzyme is a multifunctional protein which is also known as protein-disulfide isomerase. Immunofluorescence and monoclonal antibody (Mab) 5B5 were used to localize the beta subunit in human extraembryonic tissues.