A comparative study of gunshot residue originating from 9 mm Luger ammunition from various producers.

Following previous work on differentiation between gunshot residue according to the type of ammunition used, a specific investigation was undertaken of traces originating from 9 mm Luger ammunition using SEM-EDX. The aim of this study was to determine whether GSR originating from this type of ammunition is similar, or whether differentiation could be made between particular manufacturers of Luger ammunition. The results were collected in the form of counts of particles in each of seven key elemental classes being combinations of lead, antimony and barium. These were then adjusted to a factor known as frequency of occurrence which allows comparison of the distribution of particles within the classes between samples with differences in absolute particle counts. The relationships between the samples were examined using non-parametric statistical tests: R-Spearman and tau-Kendall rank correlation coefficients. It has been found that most of the studied samples of GSR were similar to each other despite their originating from various manufacturers.

Evaluation of the possibility of differentiation between various types of ammunition by means of GSR examination with SEM-EDX method.

Gunshot residues originating from six types of pistol ammunition were studied. Six persons who normally have no contact with weapons fired three times, each person from a different pistol. Samples of gunshot residues were collected from the shooters' hands using aluminium stubs with black carbon adhesive tabs and subjected to examinations of their morphology and elemental content by means of a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer in an automatic manner. In a comparative study of the samples, only primer residues were taken into account. The frequency of occurrence of particles representing a certain chemical class against the total number of detected particles was expressed as a percentage. Mutual relations between the frequencies of occurrence of the residues of particular chemical content were found to be different for most of the studied ammunition types using a non-statistical approach--and by means of non-parametric statistical methods (R-Spearman and tau-Kendall correlation coefficients), it was possible to differentiate one ammunition type from each of the other ammunition types examined. The performed examinations have revealed some differences in the frequencies of occurrence of certain chemical classes of primer residues, observed for various types of ammunition. These differences could constitute a valuable contribution to group identifications of ammunition made on the basis of physical and chemical examinations of gunshot residues.

[Immunomodulation of recurrent urinary tract infections with Urvakol vaccine]. / Imunomodulace recidivujících uroinfekcí vakcínou URVAKOL.

The authors present the results of the URVAKOL vaccine use in clinical practice. The vaccine was administered in the treatment of recurrent cystitis, persistent lower urinary tract infection, chronic pyelonephritis and prostatovesiculitis. The clinical efficacy of the vaccine was assessed by detection of bacteria and leukocytes in the urine, subjective complaints, skin tests and the assessment of selected specific and nonspecific immunity parameters in the urine and saliva. Significantly positive clinical and laboratory responses were observed in patients with uncomplicated cystitis. In the group of persistent urinary tract infections excellent responses were detected in one half of the patients. The remainder half stated disappearance of subjective complaints, but with persistence of pyuria or bacteriuria. Similar results of "improvement" were observed in 10 patients with chronic pyelonephritis. There were no changes of the clinical state observed in patients with chronic prostatitis. (Tab. 5, Fig. 2, Ref. 7.)

[Treatment of infertility in nonobstructive azoospermia using the TESE method (testicular sperm extraction)--clinical results]. / Lécba neplodnosti u neobstrukcní azoospermie metodou TESE (Testicular Sperm Extraction)--klinické výsledky.

Sperm was found in 56.6% of TESE cycles in 27 men with non-obstructive azoospermia. Using testicular sperm, 30% oocytes were fertilized. Embryos were transferred in 11 cycles. Twins were delivered in the 34th week of pregnancy. Two further pregnancies are ongoing. The pregnancy rate was 27% per ET. Testicular biopsy in all azoospermic men is recommended in special IVF centers not only for histological examination but also for ICSI procedure with testicular sperm which could be provided at the same time.

[Treatment of male infertility after oncologic therapy: preventive autologous sperm preservation versus testicular biopsy and oocyte fertilization with testicular spermatozoa]. / Lécba neplodnosti muzu po onkologické lécbe: preventivní autokonzervace versus biopsie varlete a oplodnení oocytu testikulárními spermiemi (TESE).

The prognosis of oncological therapy of some malignancies is favourable. Unfortunately the majority of young patients remain sterile. Sperm cryopreserved before treatment was successfully used in IVF-ICSI (in vitro fertilization-intracytoplasmic sperm injection) cycles. Testicular biopsy (TESE) was performed after successful oncological treatment in three men without previous sperm cryopreservation. No spermatozoa were found for oocyte fertilization. TESE could not ensure sperm recovery in all patients after oncological treatment. Sperm cryopreservation should be highly recommended to all patients before any treatment is offered.

[Treatment of infertility in non-obstructive azoospermia using the TESE (testicular sperm extraction) method--clinical study]. / Lécba neplodnosti u neobstrukcní azoospermie metodou TESE--klinická vysetrení.

Testicular sperm extraction (TESE) was performed in 27 men in 30 cycles. All men were examined for genetics, serum hormonal status, biochemical status of semen samples. All men were examined by an urologist. No prognostic evaluation able to provide information about the prognosis of TESE procedure was found. Even a high FSH level, testicular hypotrophy or previous histological examination cannot exclude any patient from testicular biopsy.

Biochemical findings in the ejaculate of men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

In men with non-obstructive azoospermia, testicle biopsy can provide isolated sperm which can be used for fertilization of an oocyte. The male seminal plasma was examined for adequate biochemical parameters and then tested as potential diagnostic parameters for prediction of sperm presence in non-obstructive azoospermia. Sperm was obtained by preparation of the testicular tissue. Biochemical parameters in men with found sperm were compared to findings obtained from men without sperm in the testicular tissue. The following parameters were analysed: fructose, lactate dehydrogenase, total acid phosphatase, Zn, K, Na, Cl, pH. No statistically significant differences were found in both groups under study. Biochemical examination of the ejaculate cannot provide any prediction of sperm retrieval in non-obstructive azoospermia.

Infertility treatment of men with non-obstructive azoospermia.

Male infertility can be treated by several methods with varying degree of success. We present evidence that "open" testicular biopsy is favorable for men suffering from non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA). Moreover, any NOA patient may be subjected to this treatment even though his past histopathological examinations suggest that it is likely no sperm will be found in the testicular tissue. Thus, we recommend the testicular sperm extraction (TESE) procedure for NOA patients.

[Fibrocystic disease of breast and pituitary-thyroid axis function]. / Choroba wlóknisto-torbielowata sutka a funkcja osi przysadka--tarczyca.

The aim this study was to report findings on the concentrations of mean triiodothyroxine (T3), thyroxin (T4), thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and prolactin (Prl) in patients with benign mastopathy and in control group. All of the examined subjects were clinically euthyroid. The mean T4 concentrations in women with mastopathy (78.25 +/- 15.27 ng/ml) were significantly lower than in control group 88.73 +/- 15.27). The mean TSH and PRL concentration in women with mastopathy were higher, but not significantly, than in control women. This results indicate, that benign mastopathy seems to be connected with thyroid functions.

[Evaluation of thyroid anti-membrane and anti-thyroglobulin antibody determination in patients with thyroid cysts treated with external drainage under ultrasonographic control]. / Ocena wyników oznaczen tarczycowych przeciwcial przeciwblonowych I przeciwtyreoglobulinowych u chorych z torbielami tarczycy leczonych drenazem zewnetrznym pod kontrola USG.

In patients (43 women and 12 men) external open drainage under ultrasonography control was performed. In 25 cases contents of serous nature, in 27 cases of colloid and in 3 cases of suppurative character were obtained. Anti-membrane thyroid antibodies (ATMA) and anti-thyroglobulin antibodies (Tg-Ab tire) were determined in the cyst contents as well as in the serum. The antibodies were present in the serum of 48% of the patients with serous cyst and in 52% with colloidal cysts. In serous cyst contents, ATMA and Tg-Ab antibodies were present in 52% of cases, while in the colloidal contents ATMA antibodies were found in 60% of patients and Tg-Ab antibodies in 68%. In 3 patients with cysts containing pus no antibodies were found. When antibodies were detected in the contents of serous and colloidal cysts their presence were also found in the serum. Among 55 cases with thyroid cysts, the antibodies were found in the serum of 47% of patients. The results indicate involvement of immunological factors the role of which has not been explained.

[Transvaginal urethrovesicopexy]. / Príspevek k problematice transvaginální uretrovezikopexe.

The authors present their own modification of Stamey's operation of female stress incontinence. Using a two-needle applicator of their own design, they introduce by transvaginal punction fibres next to the cervix of the bladder into the epigastrium. By tightening the fibres they elevate the cervix of the bladder. The elevation is checked by endoscopy. Using this method they operated 25 women. They did not observe any serious complications of the operation. Previous operations in the pelvis minor did not affect the duration of the operation.