Is UV-B radiation affecting charophycean algae in shallow freshwater systems?

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of UV-B radiation on charophycean algae under natural conditions, since charophytes enhance water transparency in freshwater systems and levels of UV-B radiation have increased by ozone depletion. Potential and actual UV-B effects were studied by combining a glasshouse experiment in which plants were exposed to various levels of UV-B radiation and field measurements in two freshwater systems dominated by charophytes in the Netherlands. The glasshouse experiment showed that charophytes were sensitive to UV-B radiation. UV-B radiation negatively affected growth, while it increased levels of DNA damage in Chara aspera. Moreover, the charophytes did not seem to develop UV-B screens to protect against UV-B radiation since no increase in UV-B absorbing compounds was found. At field conditions, both spectroradiometrical measurements and DNA dosimeters showed that UV-B radiation was attenuated quickly in both freshwater systems, indicating that UV-B does not reach the submerged charophyte vegetation. However, specific conditions, like fluctuating water tables, may result in UV-B exposure to charophytes for certain periods annually.

Results of a multicenter trial of the CapSure (Re/Stor) Continence shield on women with stress urinary incontinence.

OBJECTIVES: To prospectively study the impact of the CapSure (Re/Stor) Continence shield for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. METHODS: One hundred women with pure stress urinary incontinence were enrolled in a 6-month study. Objective measures of urine loss included pad weight test (PdWt) and provocative stress test (PST). Subjective measures included incontinence diaries documenting the number of incontinence episodes per day (IEPD), quality of life questionnaires, and satisfaction surveys. Objective and subjective measures were performed prior to enrollment, during use of the CapSure shield, and after discontinuation of the device. RESULTS: During the 12-week device utilization period, PdWt measurements demonstrated a 96% reduction in urine loss by week 1 and 97% by week 12. Eighty-two percent of subjects were completely dry by week 12. PST demonstrated 100% reduction in urine loss at each visit, with 91% of subjects completely dry by week 12. IEPD also demonstrated a 91% reduction in incontinence episodes by week 12. Quality of life scores and patient satisfaction surveys demonstrated significant improvement. During the 6-week post device utilization period (PUP), subjects continued to demonstrate a reduction in urine loss compared to pre-enrollment data, despite discontinuation of use. PdWt measurements demonstrated a 73% and 79% reduction in urine loss at weeks 14 and 18, respectively. Measurements of PST and IEPD demonstrated significant reductions in urine loss at weeks 14 and 18. A 1.5% prevalence of positive urine cultures was noted during device use. Bothersome vaginal or urethral irritation occurred in 12% of patients. Adverse events were few and required no therapeutic intervention. CONCLUSIONS: The CapSure shield is a safe and efficacious method of managing stress urinary incontinence in women.

[Para- and suprasellar meningioma coincident with a hormonally active intrasellar hypophyseal adenoma--case report]. / Para- und supraselläres Meningiom in Koinzidenz mit hormonaktivem intrasellärem Hypophysenadenom--Falldarstellung.

We observed a 53 year old man, who presented with a progressive impotence, a decrease of libido and a left sided defective vision. A MRI-study detected a left-sided meningioma para- and suprasellar and an intrasellar adenoma of the anterior lobe of pituitary. The pituitary function tests revealed a prolactinoma. Both tumors could be removed via a left-sided frontolateral approach. Histological examination confirmed the diagnosis of an endotheliomatous meningioma and a prolactinoma. The persistence of elevated prolactin serum level gave necessity of dopamine agonist therapy postoperatively. Postoperatively left sided visus improved slightly. The importance of MRI-study is discussed. Nowadays multiplanar MRI is necessary for planing an optimal neurosurgical approach. The literature is reviewed and the coincidence of the two tumors of sellar region is discussed. We believe in an accidental coincidence, even if there are some hints, which may point out a relation in the pathogenesis of meningiomas and adenomas of the adenohypophysis.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: a major complication in long-term hemodialysis patients.

One hundred and forty-five patients on hemodialysis for periods of 1 month to 16 years were examined clinically for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Typical symptoms and clinical manifestations of symptomatic CTS, either unilaterally or in both hands, were detected in 21 of these patients (15%). In contrast to the classic form of CTS, hemodialysis CTS in our patients was frequently accompanied by Raynaud's phenomenon of those digits supplied by the median nerve. A highly significant correlation was established between the incidence of CTS and the duration of dialysis (p less than 0.001). The association of CTS with analgesic nephropathy was significantly higher (52%) than with other kidney diseases (p less than 0.034). Immediate relief of pain was achieved after carpal tunnel release (11 releases) in 8 of the 21 patients. Sensory and motor function was gradually, but often only partially, restored. Unoperated CTS progressed to loss of sensory and motor function within 1 to 4 years after the onset of symptoms. CTS should be considered a major late complication in patients on chronic hemodialysis.

[Extradural angiomas with venous perimedullary drainage]. / Extradurale angiome mit venöser perimedullärer Drainage.

This report is dealing with a relatively rare type of vascular malformation of the spinal cord. The clinical, anatomo-angiographic aspects as well as the favourable possibilities of treatment are described.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome, a late complication in chronic hemodialysis]. / Das Karpaltunnelsyndrom, eine Spätkomplikation bei chronischer Hämodialyse.

145 patients on haemodialysis for 1 month to 16 years were examined for carpal tunnel syndrome. Typical signs and symptoms of the syndrome, mostly in both hands but more pronounced on one side, were seen in 21 patients (15%). In these cases carpal tunnel syndrome was frequently (19%) accompanied by Raynaud's phenomenon of the digits supplied by the median nerve. There was a significant correlation between the incidence of carpal tunnel syndrome and the duration of dialysis. The association of carpal tunnel syndrome with analgesic nephropathy was significantly higher than with other kidney diseases. Immediate relief of pain was achieved after carpal tunnel release in eight patients (11 hands). Sensory and motor function was gradually, but often only partially, restored. Unoperated carpal tunnel syndrome progressed to loss of sensory and motor function within 1 to 4 years after onset of symptoms. Carpal tunnel syndrome should be considered an important late complication of chronic haemodialysis.

[Discographic visualisation of lumbar disc herniations (author's transl)]. / Lumbale Bandscheibenvortälle im Diskogramm.

The myelographic diagnosis of lumbar disc herniations remains unclear in about 5% of the cases. When the clinical examination does not allow clear localisation of the segmental level of the lesion and symptomatology is atypical, discorgraphy may be the only procedure providing further diagnostic information. Very lateral as well as ventral disc herniations can thus be clearly demonstrated. Knowledge of both typical and atypical findings is, however, required to avoid false negative results.

A simple gravimetric technique for measurement of cerebral edema.

A simple method was developed for the laboratory preparation of gradient columns of specific gravity used in measurement of brain-tissue water. By this automated technique, virtually linear and repeatable density gradients were obtained from which values of tissue specific gravity could be determined. The specific gravity of both solid and fresh cortex and white matter from adult cats was measured and converted to units of percent water per gram tissue using conversion factors derived for this purpose and applicable to studies of brain edema.

[Anterior lumbar disc herniations (author's transl)]. / Ventrale lumbale Bandscheibenvorfälle.

Anterior lumbar disc herniations can easily and clearly be evidented by discography. The morbidity and, especially, the clinical importance of this entity, however, has been described by some authors only. According to our own experience with discography, ventral lumbar disc herniation seems to be correlated with a painful syndrome consisting of both a typical and circumscribed backache and pain radiating into the abdominal cavity and genital area along the lateral aspect of the lumbar region.

Tissue pressure gradients in spinal cord injury.

Using cotton wick catheters, local tissue pressure was measured in the dorsal white matter of the impacted feline spinal cord. Twenty gram and 30 gram weights dropped 20 cm did not produce statistically significant elevations in tissue pressure adjacent to and remote from the site of injury. Forty gram weights dropped 20 cm produced pressure gradients of less than 10 mmHg between areas near and remote from the injury and between parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid. In a group studied 18-24 hours after similar injuries, no gradients were found, although edema formation as indicated by Evan's blue migration had progressed. These findings indicate that gradients of pressure within parenchyma are associated with edema spread following high impaction forces and that edema spread can continue after dissipation of these gradients.

In vitro determination of unbound and total iron-binding capacity in serum by radioiron using a new ion exchange strip.

A simplified method for the in vitro determination of TIBC and UIBC in serum using 59Fe was subjected to quality control in the laboratory and clinically studied in duplicate determinations of 185 sera of an unselected patient population. The data obtained were investigated by statistical means (regression, correlation, variance analysis). The precision of the method was evaluated step by step. The results indicate that the radiochemical determination of TIBC values is equivalent to the "indirect" one (UIBC + SI) as far as accuracy is concerned. Advantages of the radiochemical method are discussed.