The courtship song of fanning males in the fruit fly parasitoid Psyttalia concolor (Szépligeti) (Hymenoptera: Braconidae).

In this paper we describe acoustically the wing-fanning behaviour showed by the male of the braconid Psyttalia concolor towards females and other conspecific males. Psyttalia concolor is a synovigenic koinobiont larval-pupal endoparasitoid of many Tephritidae, used in olive crops to control the olive fruit fly, Bactrocera oleae. In this braconid male wing fanning produces a courtship song characterised by sequences of homogenous pulses with harmonic structure and a fundamental frequency of about 180 Hz. Song parameters can vary according to the behavioural context. Statistically significant differences, both in terms of pulse frequency and duration, characterise fanning towards females in comparison with male-male approaches. Moreover, the pulse duration is associated with the fanning song displayed before a successful courtship. Our observations allowed us to define the airborne component of the sound and to definitely confirm the exclusive role of the wings in signal production within sexual communication in P. concolor.

[Alternative for ultrasonographic assessment: role of magnetic resonance with endorectal coil for prostate and seminal vesicle biopsy]. / Oltre l'esame ecografico: il ruolo della risonanza magnetica con bobina endorettale per la biopsia della prostata e delle vescicole seminali.

The early enthusiasm for widespread application of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with endorectal coil to clinical staging of prostatic cancer has not been substantiated to result in enhanced stage assignment primarily due to the lack of predictive value in the detection of extraprostatic extension. The authors report their experience of this imaging modality both for the evaluation of seminal vesicles invasion and as a guide for rebiopsy in men with suspicious prostate specific antigen (PSA) and a prior negative prostatic mapping.

Urinary dosage of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) like biologic marker of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC): a study on patients with hematuria.

UNLABELLED: This study was performed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) as urinary marker for bladder cancer and to define its role in comparison with urinary cytology in diagnostic management of patients with hematuria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: NMP22 values in voided urines were determined on 90 patients (81 males, 14 females) with macro or microscopical hematuria, using the NMP22 test-kit (Matritech) based on an enzyme-linked immuno-sorbant assay. The cut-off value for positive samples was 10U/ml. In all cases urinary cytology was performed on the same sample. Patients suspected for the presence of a transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) underwent cytoscopic control. Statistical signification of the medians difference was analyzed using both medians variance analysis and Student's test. The increasing in diagnostic predictivity was analyzed elaborating contingency tables and performing consequently chi 2 test. RESULTS: 32 cases of TCC were endoscopically detected: sensitivity of cytopathology was 75.8%, specificity was 62.5%. The positive predictive value of the cytology was 22% and negative predictive value was 49%. The results concerning NMP22 dosage are: sensitivity 84%, specificity 62%. Positive predictive value of NMP22 test was 30% and predictive negative value was 40%. No significant differences between cytopathology and NMP22 dosage were founded (p > 0.995). Considering both cytopathology and NMP22 dosage, sensitivity was 82.7% and specificity raises up to 90.6% with statistical signification (P < 0.001). The median NMP22 value in patients affected by TCC endoscopically confirmed (group A) was 55.2 U/ml, in subjects with no evidence of malignancy (group B) it was 19.1 U/ml. The difference shows statistical signification (p < 0.001). In 20 cases with TCC, hystological grading were available and were investigated in relationship with NMP22 title in U/ml, median NMP22 value for each grade was: CIS = 102 U/ml, G0 = 35 U/ml, G1 = 30 U/ml, G2 = 66 U/ml, G3 = 54 U/ml. It can be assessed that NMP22 test is useful in differentiating subjects affected by TCC from subjects with no evidence of malignancy and may help in early diagnosis of TCC and in predicting recurrent even if low grade tumors especially if used in association with cytology and endoscopy.

[Four corner bladder base and bladder neck suspension with intraosseous anchorage in the treatment of moderate cystocele]. / La sospensione della base e del collo vescicale ai quattro angoli con ancoraggio intraosseo per la correzione del cistocele moderato.

During the last 10 years the original Pereyra technique of needle bladder neck suspension has been object of more than 36 modifications with the goal to improve long term results and to enhance feasibility. It represents also a part of the so called four corner bladder and bladder neck suspension (anterior suspending sutures) which is at present a reliable and durable manner to manage mild to moderate cystocele; this procedure reestablishes safely and simply support to bladder base, bladder neck and urethra preventing the onset of a denovo stress urinary incontinence. Complications include post-operative pain which could represent a problem in about 16% of the patients: it has been related to the entrapment of the ileoinguinal nerve between prolene sutures and rectus fascia and may be responsible of a delay in the re-establishment of a normal voiding pattern due to the pain elicited during any rectus muscle contraction. We propose a refinement of this procedure which includes the osseous anchoring of the suspending suture through the Mitek G II anchor system. Reduction in postoperative pain and fast recovery of a normal voiding pattern soon after surgery seems to be the most important result of this modification. Osteitis pubis has not been noted. Any improvement in long term durability of the procedure has not yet been determined due to the short follow-up and limited series of cases and the need for subsequent long term follow-up.

[Endoscopic treatment of vesico-renal reflux with teflon: personal experience among adults and neurologic patients]. / Correzione endoscopica del reflusso vescico-renale con pasta di teflon: esperienza personale nell'adulto e nel neuroleso.

Endoscopic injection of polytetrafluoroethilene (teflon) in the vesicorenal reflux correction was performed for the first time in 1981 by Matouschek. Since 1948 this method was widely employed in the clinical practices by O'Donnel and Puri. We present a review of our experience from march 1985 to february 1996 in 62 normal adult and 5 neurological patients (46 female and 21 male) with vesicorenal reflux and who were treated by means of endoscopic correction. In particular, in two patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder tumor, an anatomopathological study on the tissue, were teflon was previously injected, was performed. In this specimens no neoplastic area was found.

Actinomocosis toracoabdominal / Thoracic and abdominal actinomycosis

Presentamos una paciente de 30 años de edad que padecía una actinomicosis toracoabdominal. Se realizaron Rx simple de tórax, ecografía abdóminopelviana y de partes blandas y cortes tomográfico toracoabdominales según protocolos estandarizados, comprobando un importante compromiso locorregional invasor de la enfermedad y confirmando el diagnóstico por anatomía patológica

Actinomocosis toracoabdominal / Thoracic and abdominal actinomycosis

Presentamos una paciente de 30 años de edad que padecía una actinomicosis toracoabdominal. Se realizaron Rx simple de tórax, ecografía abdóminopelviana y de partes blandas y cortes tomográfico toracoabdominales según protocolos estandarizados, comprobando un importante compromiso locorregional invasor de la enfermedad y confirmando el diagnóstico por anatomía patológica (AU)

Transperineal biopsy leads to the diagnosis of genitourinary neurofibromatosis in association with a congenital malformation of the urinary tract.

OBJECTIVE: A case of genitourinary fibromatosis with associated anomalies is presented. METHODS: Clinical evaluation included ultrasonography, urography, CT scan and MR image. Ultrasonography-guided perineal biopsy was performed with a 14-gauge Tru-cut needle. RESULTS: Rectal examination revealed a very hard prostatic mass in the 22-year-old patient. The histological result and clinical data indicated the diagnosis of genitourinary von Recklinghausen disease. CONCLUSION: We report a very rare case of genitourinary neurofibromatosis associated with congenital anomalies of the urinary tract. The diagnosis was obtained with US-guided transperineal biopsy.

Assessment of normal testis growth by quantitative texture analysis of 2-D echo images.

Six phases summarize the evolution of the healthy male gonad. Qualitative examination of two-dimensional echograms detects tonal differences at different ages of the testes. However, routine qualitative evaluation of the echograms is too subjective and dependent upon the scanner controls; on the other hand, simple morphology reports are not sufficient to establish the correct histologic and physiologic evolution. So far computer-assisted quantitative analysis of ultrasonic images has been successful in the characterization of tissues based on their echographic properties; thus this approach could be suitable for an accurate identification of the age of healthy testis. Sixty-two normal subjects, ranked in six groups according to age, underwent echographic examination in standard conditions. Echograms were digitized and analysed by means of well-established algorithms for first and second order statistics. Significant differences in tonal features were found able to discriminate among different ages, in agreement with the qualitative analysis and the histologic reports. Furthermore, some second order analysis features exhibit statistically significant alterations of the micro-structural organisation of the echo patterns consequent to changes of the configuration of the ultrasonic targets, that is, of the gonad's histology. In conclusion, quantitative analysis of echograms can provide a tool for a better assessment of normal testis evolution than the qualitative approach.

[Echo-color Doppler in acute scrotum]. / L'eco-color-Doppler nello scroto acuto.

The Authors report their experience about the use of color doppler US in the diagnosis of acute scrotal pain. Their data show the importance and the central role of color Doppler US to distinguish between phlogosis and ischemia.

[Echo-guided puncture of intraprostatic cysts: our experience]. / Puntura ecoguidata di cisti intraprostatiche: nostra esperienza.

Prostatic cysts are a pathological condition which is rare and still poorly known. In the past a precise diagnosis was difficult and was made with radiologic examination and/or cystoscopy and/or surgery. Up to date echotomography is the most important technique not only for the diagnosis but also for the treatment of prostatic cysts. The Authors relate upon their experience about diagnosis and treatment of prostatic cysts.

[Echographic localization and monitoring of bladder calculi treated with ESWL]. / Puntamento e monitoraggio ecografico di calcoli vescicali trattati con ESWL.

The standard treatments for bladder stones consist either of an open operation or endoscopic transurethral disintegration and extraction. These treatment require anesthesia and hospitalization. We report our experience of ESWL monotherapy in the treatment of 10 patients affected by bladder stones. Our early datas show that ESWL for bladder stones is a safe an effective therapy which can be performed without the use of anesthesia in an outpatient basis.

[Echography in the follow-up of patients receiving an endoscopic injection of teflon for vesico-renal reflux]. / L'ecografia nel follow up di pazienti sottoposti ad iniezione endoscopica di teflon per reflusso vescico-renale.

The surgical treatment of vesicorenal reflux implies open surgery and consequently an hospitalization. The sub-ureteric injection of poly-tetra-fluoro ethylene (Teflon) for correction of vesicorenal reflux was first utilized in 1981 by Matouschek. We have reviewed our personal experience with endoscopic correction of vesicorenal reflux from 1985 to 1990 and evaluated the importance of ultrasonography especially in the follow up.

[The Nissenkorn endourethral prosthesis: our experience]. / La protesi endouretrale di Nissenkorn: nostra esperienza.

The Authors report their experience about 40 patients who presented urinary retention by cervico-prostatic obstruction with anesthetic counterindications or limited life expectancy, cured with the urethral prosthesis of Nissenkorn (IUC). Our data permit to say that in selected patients IUC may represent an effective treatment with minimal invasiveness, low cost and few side effects.

[Echography in scrotal trauma]. / L'ecografia nella traumatologia scrotale.

The Authors report 28 cases of scrotal traumas evaluated during a period of 5 years on an amount of 1.100 scrotal echography: 5 patients with severe scrotal trauma are investigated with echography within 2 hours while the others between 1 and 6 days. Some cases of overlooked trauma were studied some months later. In their experience the authors underline the importance of echography in early diagnosis of scrotal contents lesions which need a surgical exploration and those which allow a medical treatment. Also ultrasound investigation is important in evaluating and in the follow-up the scrotal content lesions caused by trauma.

[Echography of injuries of the penis]. / L'ecografia nei traumi del pene.

The Authors report 3 cases of penile trauma observed in a period of 6 months. The patients were studied by penile echography and cavernosography. In this series+ echotomography resulted more accurate than cavernosography which gave always negative results.

Locally recurrent renal carcinoma after partial nephrectomy: report of a case.

The authors report a case of locally recurrent renal carcinoma after partial nephrectomy, with bench surgery. Despite its interest, conservative surgery of renal carcinoma is limited by the risk of local tumor recurrence.

[A case of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder. Clinical and anatomopathological aspects]. / Un cas d'adénome néphrogénique de la vessie. Aspects cliniques et anatomopathologiques.

Nephrogenic adenoma (about 300 cases in the literature) is an uncommon, benign lesion of the urothelium that may occur anywhere along the transitional urothelium. A case report of nephrogenic adenoma of the bladder accompanied by etiologic, histologic and ultrastructural aspects is presented.