Determination of concentrations of Fe, Mg, and Zn in some ferrite samples using neutron activation analysis and X-ray fluorescence techniques.

Mg-Zn ferrite is considered as one of the important materials with potential uses in many applications. In this work, samples of ferrite Mg(1-x)ZnxFe2O4 (where x=0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1) were synthesized by the sol-gel method for use in some hyperthermia applications. The composition and purity of the prepared samples hardly affected their properties. Therefore, the elemental concentration of these samples was measured by the X-ray fluorescence technique and thermal neutron activation analysis to check the quality of the prepared samples. The results of both methods were compared with each other and with the molecular ratios of the as-prepared samples. In addition, no existing elemental impurity, with considerable concentration, was measured.

GIS-based prediction of malaria risk in Egypt.

Environmental variables in a malaria geographic information system (GIS) database were analysed to discriminate between governorates at high and low risk of malaria. Only Fayoum governorate was categorized as a high risk area for malaria during the last 2 decades. Discriminant models correctly classified 96.3% of the risk categories and indicated that the most important predictor of risk is hydrogeology. Further GIS spatial analysis indicated that the high malaria risk in Fayoum is associated with a unique environmental envelope of biotic (presence of both efficient malaria vectors) and abiotic (hydrogeology and soil) variables. Recommendations for surveillance and control are discussed.

GIS-based prediction of malaria risk in Egypt

Environmental variables in a malaria geographic information system [GIS] database were analysed to discriminate between governorates at high and low risk of malaria. Only Fayoum governorate was categorized as a high risk area for malaria during the last 2 decades. Discriminant models correctly classified 96.3% of the risk categories and indicated that the most important predictor of risk is hydrogeology. Further GIS spatial analysis indicated that the high malaria risk in Fayoum is associated with a unique environmental envelope of biotic [presence of both efficient malaria vectors] and abiotic [hydrogeology and soil] variables. Recommendations for surveillance and control are discussed

Does prostaglandin E1 therapy modify the intracavernous musculature?

PURPOSE: Intracavernous injection of prostaglandin E1 in patients with erectile dysfunction has become widespread. However, to our knowledge long-term side effects on the penile smooth muscles in man have not been documented. We evaluated the histological changes of intracavernous smooth muscle after long-term treatment with prostaglandin E1. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients with a mean age of 56.5 years (range 46 to 69) underwent biopsy of the corpora before (5) and after (10 in both corpora) prostaglandin E1 treatment. Between 150 and 250 injections during 3 years were performed, and the dosage varied from 5 to 20 microg. Only 1 patient injected prostaglandin E1 on both sides. Staining with hematoxylin and eosin, and immunohistochemical staining with actin anti-actin of intracavernous smooth muscle and its quantification with computerized image analysis were performed. RESULTS: No histological difference was observed with classic staining. A reduction was noted in the percentage of intracavernous smooth muscle after treatment in 2 of 5 patients on the side of injection (before 35% and 41%, and after 19% and 30%, respectively) but there was no difference with the other corpus cavernosum. No difference was observed in the percentage of intracavernous smooth muscle between both corpora in the 5 patients with biopsies performed only after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Prostaglandin E1 does not seem to alter intracavernous structures.

Corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction: predominantly intracavernous muscular pathology.

PURPOSE: We investigated whether a relationship exists between the flow to maintain an erection obtained at cavernosometry and the alteration of intracavernous structures in impotent patients with corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction and normal arterial inflow. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Computerized histomorphometric analysis of smooth muscle and elastic fibers, and endothelial cells was compared to the flow necessary to maintain erection after intracavernous vasoactive drug injection in 18 patients with corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction. RESULTS: A significant correlation between percentage of smooth muscle fibers and flow to maintain erection was observed, while no correlation was noted with elastic fibers and endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: Corporeal veno-occlusive dysfunction seems to be due mainly to smooth muscular alterations. According to this observation treatment of impotent patients with this abnormality should not be restricted to the penile veins but should also include the intracavernous structures, predominantly the muscular component.

Correlation of nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring duplex ultrasonography and infusion cavernosometry for the diagnosis of erectile dysfunction.

PURPOSE: Nocturnal penile tumescence monitoring was compared to penile duplex ultrasonography and pharmaco-infusion cavernosometry in 50 cases of erectile dysfunction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nocturnal penile tumescence was evaluated in all patients as normal or abnormal according to standard general criteria. The results were compared to penile duplex ultrasonography parameters (peak systolic velocity, normal greater than 35 cm. per second, and diastolic velocity, normal less than 5 cm. per second), and to the flow rate needed to maintain erection (normal less than 15 ml. per minute) with pharmaco-infusion cavernosometry. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients 26 had normal nocturnal penile tumescence, including 25 (96%) with normal penile velocity, 18 (69%) with normal penile diastolic velocity and 22 (85%) with normal flow to maintain erection. On the other hand, 24 men had abnormal nocturnal penile tumescence of whom 7 (29%) had abnormal penile blood flow velocity, 17 (71%) had abnormal diastolic flow velocity and 18 (75%) had high flow rate to maintain erection. CONCLUSIONS: Normal nocturnal penile tumescence appears to correlate well with normal systolic blood velocity and cavernosometry but poorly with diastolic blood velocity. On the other hand, a low correlation exists between abnormal nocturnal penile tumescence and abnormal diastolic blood flow or abnormal cavernosometry. Furthermore, no correlation exists between abnormal nocturnal penile tumescence and abnormal systolic blood flow. According to this observation we presume that nocturnal penile tumescence, penile duplex and infusion cavernosometry should be performed to achieve a reasonably accurate diagnosis.

Penile electromyography and its smooth muscle content: interpretation of 25 impotent patients.

PURPOSE: We studied the correlation of penile electromyography and the cavernous smooth muscle content in 25 impotent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After a complete hormonal and diagnostic evaluation, all patients underwent corpus cavernosum penile electromyography and a penile biopsy of the corpus cavernosum with the biopsy gun device. Cavernous tissue was analyzed using immunohistochemical stain actin anti-actin and computerized image analysis. RESULTS: Of the patients 20 had normal and 5 had abnormal corpus cavernosum penile electromyography. Of the 20 patients with normal corpus cavernosum penile electromyography 12 (60%) showed a normal percentage of cavernous smooth muscle and 8 (40%) had abnormal muscle content. All patients with abnormal corpus cavernosum penile electromyography showed abnormally low cavernous smooth muscle fibers. CONCLUSIONS: Our study showed an overall low sensitivity between corpus cavernosum penile electromyography potential amplitude and cavernous smooth muscle content. However, a high specificity (100%) of corpus cavernosum penile electromyography in the diagnosis of abnormal low cavernous muscle content was observed. Further studies with a larger number of patients are needed to evaluate corpus cavernosum penile electromyography as a predictor of cavernous smooth muscle function.

Is one single prostate biopsy helpful for choosing a medical treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia? A quantitative computerized morphometric study.

OBJECTIVES: Individual differences in proportion of stroma, epithelium, and luminal space components prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) may explain the differences in clinical outcome of the patients treated with alpha-reductase inhibitors or alpha-blocking agents and other alternative treatments. Knowledge of the individual proportions of these elements may orient the clinician toward different therapeutic approaches. To determine whether a single prostate biopsy is representative of the whole adenoma, using quantitative morphometry, we have compared the percentage of smooth muscle cells and glandular cells in one prostate needle biopsy and in the corresponding prostate adenoma removed by open surgery. METHODS: Quantification was made using a computerized image analysis system and immunohistochemical staining (actin antiactin for the smooth muscle cells and anti-prostate-specific antigen (PSA) for the epithelial cells) in 14 patients who underwent retropubic prostatectomy. RESULTS: Mean percentage of smooth muscle fibers, glandular epithelium, and glandular lumina in the prostate biopsy were, respectively, 34% (range, 20% to 42%, SD 5.9), 29% (range, 13% to 42%, SD 7.2), and 20% (range, 13% to 30%, SD 4.8). In the corresponding prostate adenoma, they were, respectively, 38% (range, 28% to 45%, SD 4.7), 32% (range, 25% to 40%, SD 4.5), and 19% (range, 13% to 34%, SD 6.1). The mean percentages of epithelial or glandular cells in the prostate biopsy and the corresponding adenoma were not statistically different (P > 0.05), whereas those for the smooth muscle cell percentage were different (P = 0.02). However, a statistically significant correlation between the whole adenoma and the needle biopsy sample was found in the percentage of smooth muscle cells (P = 0.028). Analyzing the morphometric data in conjunction with the serum PSA level and the volume of the adenoma, we found a statistically significant positive correlation between the volume of the adenoma and the ratio (percentage of epithelial cells/serum PSA level) (P = 0.009, r = 0.67). CONCLUSIONS: Major differences are found in the primary tissue composition of different hyperplastic prostates. Computerized histologic quantification of the different components of BPH in the entire adenoma and a needle biopsy demonstrate that a single prostate biopsy is representative of the entire prostate adenoma. Morphometric data from a single biopsy of the prostate adenoma in combination with the serum PSA level and the volume of the prostate adenoma could therefore help to orient medical treatment of BPH by patient selection based on the knowledge of the distribution of the various components of BPH.

[Erectile dysfunction: the role of Rigiscan in the diagnosis]. / Dysfonctionnement érectile: la place du Rigiscan dans le diagnostic.

OBJECTIVE: Nocturnal penile tumescence (NPT) was performed in all patients and was evaluated as normal or abnormal according to standardized general criteria. The results of NPT were then compared to penile duplex ultrasonography parameters peak systolic velocity (normal > 35 cm/sec) and diastolic velocity (normal < 5 cm/sec), and to the flow rate needed to maintain erection (normal < 15 ml/min) with pharmaco-infusion cavernosometry. RESULTS: Of the 50 patients, 26 showed normal NPT where 25 patients (96%) had normal penile systolic velocity, 18 patients (69%) had normal penile diastolic velocity, and 22 patients (85%) showed normal flow to maintain erection. On the other hand, 24 showed abnormal NPT, where 7 patients (29%) had abnormal penile blood flow velocity and 18 patients (75%) showed high flow rate to maintain erection. CONCLUSION: From this study, we can conclude that normal NPT appears to have a good correlation with normal systolic blood velocity and normal cavernosometry. However, this correlation is low when compared with diastolic blood velocity. On the other hand, a low correlation exists between abnormal NPT and abnormal systolic and diastolic blood flow or abnormal cavernosometry. According to this observation, we can presumed that NPT, penile duplex and infusion cavernosometry considering together should be performed in order to achieve a reasonably accurate diagnosis.

Comparison of anti-desmin and anti-actin staining for the computerized analysis of cavernous smooth muscle density.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the staining properties of anti-desmin and anti-actin in cavernous biopsies and thus determine the optimal antibody for quantifying intracavernous smooth muscle content in the evaluation of erectile dysfunction. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-two penile biopsies were taken from five normal potent patients, seven with venous leak and 10 with arterial disease, with mean ages of 34.4, 48.8 and 54.8 years, respectively. Biopsies were sectioned and successive sections stained immunohistochemically with antibodies for actin or desmin. Image analysis was used to quantify the proportion of smooth muscle fibres in the cavernous tissue. RESULTS: There was a significant difference (P = 0.0001) between the mean percentage of cavernous smooth muscle fibres in normal potent men, stained with anti-desmin (38.5%, SD 3.2) or anti-actin (45.2%, SD 3.2) and that in the venous group (anti-desmin 27.4%, SD 4.0%; anti-actin 34.2%, SD 5.3%) or the arteriogenic group (anti-desmin 23.7%, SD 4.4, anti-actin 28.9%, SD 4.9). There was no significant difference in the estimates with either staining method between the venogenic and arteriogenic patients. There was a direct relationship between the cavernous smooth muscle density estimated by anti-desmin and anti-actin staining (r = 0.96). CONCLUSION: The anti-actin and anti-desmin staining methods gave equivalent results for discriminating between normal and impotent patients on the basis of the percentage of cavernous muscle fibres. However, anti-actin staining tended to be more sensitive than anti-desmin.

Sensory conduction velocity of dorsal nerve of the penis during pharmacoerection: a more physiological technique?

OBJECTIVE: Sensory conduction velocity (SCV) of the dorsal nerve of the penis is technically difficult to perform at rest and very slow SCV has been observed in the literature. This study evaluates the effect of pharmacoerection on the SCV measurement. METHODS: Twenty-four men, 16 with a normal neurologic examination, 8 with a diabetic neuropathy, were studied at rest and after a 20-micrograms injection of prostaglandin E1. RESULTS: Only 5 subjects had a recordable potential at rest. The mean SCV increased from 32.3 +/- 6.7 to 47.4 +/- 8.2 m/s after injection. Nine had only a recordable potential after injection. Ten had no potential at all, but 6 of them had a diabetic neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Pharmacoerection was helpful in 37.5% of the subjects to obtain a sensory potential. Moreover, pharmacoerection may be the best way of calculating dorsal nerve SCV, as 47.4 m/s is what should be expected for a large myelinated nerve. This may be due to a correct interelectrode distance measurement as full tumescence may straighten the nerve at an individual and physiological length.

Cavernous oxygen tension and smooth muscle fibers: relation and function.

PURPOSE: We studied the effect of intracavernous oxygen tension on the alteration of cavernous smooth muscle fibers in potent and impotent men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Intracavernous oxygen tension (mm. Hg) was measured during flaccidity and 10 minutes after intracavernous prostaglandin E1 injection in psychogenic control patients, and those with venous leakage and arterial lesions. Cavernous biopsies were performed and the percent of smooth muscle fibers was analyzed objectively using immunohistochemical actin anti-actin staining. Simultaneously brachial oxygen tension (mm. Hg) was measured and the cavernous brachial oxygen tension index was then determined. RESULTS: At flaccidity no significant difference was noted in oxygen tension values among the 3 groups of patients. After prostaglandin E1 injection cavernous oxygen tension and the cavernous brachial oxygen tension index in the control group were significantly different (p < 0.01) from those of the venogenic and arteriogenic groups (p < 0.01). The mean percent of cavernous smooth muscle fibers in the control group was significantly different from those of the venous leakage and arterial lesion groups (p < 0.01). There was a good correlation between the percent of cavernous muscle fibers and the value of oxygen tension before (p < 0.05) and after prostaglandin E1 injection (p < 0.01). A similar correlation was noted between cavernous muscle fibers and cavernous brachial oxygen tension index in the different groups of patients (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Reduction of the intracavernous smooth muscle fibers in impotent patients could be explained by low intracavernous oxygen tension.

Prostate capsule: computerized morphometric analysis of its components.

OBJECTIVES: There is little objective information on what is designated as being the prostate capsule. We have quantified objectively with computerized image analysis the percentage of smooth muscle fibers (SMFs) surrounding the surgical specimens of radical prostatectomies. METHODS: Ten radical prostatectomy specimens were used. Six different parts from prostate lobe were analyzed. Thirty different fields were examined from each tissue section. For tissue sections, different stains were used: hematoxylin and eosin, Masson's trichrome, and immunohistochemical staining with antiactin for SMFs. RESULTS: The mean thickness of the prostate capsule was 0.5 to 2 mm. The mean percentages of SMFs in the different regions of the prostate capsule was 30.6%. No difference was noted between the percentage of SMFs in the prostatic capsule compared with that in the prostate parenchyma itself (30.7%). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides objective evidence to demonstrate that the prostate does not have a true capsule. This capsule represents a fibromuscular band that probably should be considered as the extension of the internal parenchyma.

Objective quantification of cavernous endothelium in potent and impotent men.

Penile corporeal lacunar endothelium is active in the local neural control of corporeal smooth muscle relaxation by producing nitric oxide, a potent vasodilator neurotransmitter. Via computerized image analysis we quantified objectively the percentage of endothelial cells in corpus cavernosum tissues of potent and impotent men. Immunohistochemical staining factor VIII was used to identify the endothelial cells. Five normal potent men had a mean of 2.8% cavernous endothelial cells, compared to 2.4% in 12 patients with venous leakage and 2.8% in 10 with arterial disease. Objective quantification showed no difference in the numbers of cavernous endothelial cells between potent and impotent men.

[Is a single prostatic biopsy sufficient for selection of medical treatment in benign prostatic hypertrophy?]. / Une seule biopsie prostatique est-elle suffisante pour orienter un traitement médical de l'hypertrophie bénigne de la prostate?

Medical treatments in BPH (5-alpha reductase inhibitors and alpha-blockers) have been extensively studied in the last years, but their clinical outcome is unpredictible. Therefore, a better selection of the patients before prescribing these medical treatment of BPH is certainly needed. The variability in tissue composition in BPH may partially explain the differences observed in clinical outcome after medical therapy. In the present study, we have quantified the percentage of the different tissue components (smooth muscle, epithelial cells) in a prostatic biopsy and in the corresponding whole-adenoma in 14 patients operated on of a retropubic adenomectomy. Immunostaining with actin anti-actin was used to stain the smooth muscle cells and with anti-PSA for the epithelial cells components. Quantification was made using a computerized image analysis system. Our results indicates that a statistically significative difference in the percentage of smooth muscle cells (p < 0.02) exists when comparing a single biopsy and the corresponding adenomas. In contrast, no difference was found in the percentage of epithelial cells, nor for the glandular acini between a single biopsy and the entire adenoma (paired t-test). Using a multivariate matrix, a statistically significative correlation was found between the percentage of smooth muscle cells in the biopsies and the prostatic adenomas in toto. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that major differences in the percentage of the different tissue components exist between different prostatic adenomas. A single prostatic biopsy could help in selecting patients prior to medical therapy for BPH.

[Relationship between intrapenile O2 lever and quantity of intracavernous smooth muscle fibers: current physiopathological concept]. / Relation entre la teneur en O2 intrapénienne et la quantité des fibres musculaires lisses intracaverneuses: nouveau concept physiopathologique.

Intracavernous PO2 (mm Hg) was measured during flaccidity in 5 psychogenic impotent patients (control), in 9 patients with venous leak and in 10 patients with arterial disease. No significant difference was observed in the mean PO2 value between the control group 36.2 +/- 5.8 and patients with venous leak 35.6 +/- 6.9 or with arterial disease 34.1 +/- 6.5 at flaccidity. Ten minutes after injection of Prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), the mean value of cavernous PO2 in the control group 83.8 +/- 6.8 was significantly different (p < 0.01) from that in the venous group 67.8 +/- 8.2 and the arterial group 57.8 +/- 10.7 (p < 0.01). Using the computerized analysis and the immunohistochemical staining actin anti-actin, the mean percentage of cavernous smooth fibers was 43.3 +/- 3.6, 34.1 +/- 4.6, and 29.3 +/- 3.4 in the three groups of patients respectively. At flaccidity, the higher the PO2 value, the higher the percentage of cavernous smooth muscle fibers was detected (p < 0.05). A high correlation was observed between the increase in PO2 value after injection of PGE1 and the increase in cavernous smooth muscle content. On the other hand, the mean value of penile brachial index in the psychogenic 0.87 +/- 0.07 was significant different (p < 0.01) from the venogenic group 0.68 +/- 0.06 and the arteriogenic group 0.64 +/- 0.09 (p < 0.01). Similarly, a high correlation was detected between the increase in penile brachial index ratio and the increase in cavernous smooth muscle content. A decrease in the percentage of the intracavernous smooth muscle fibers could be explained by the low oxygen tension at flaccidity and therefore could be responsible for insufficient rigidity during erection.

Chemical composition and biological activity of leaf exudates from some Lamiaceae plants.

Leaf exudates from 39 species, belonging to 26 genera of Lamiaceae, have been isolated and their antibacterial and antiviral activity investigated. Some of the active compounds (ursolic acid, siderol and nepetalactone) were isolated and identified, most of them for the first time in the investigated plants. Some chemotaxonomic conclusions were drawn.

Transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: evaluation of the role of human papillomaviruses.

OBJECTIVES: The study evaluated the conflicting results of the role of human papillomavirus (HPV) in the development of bladder carcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed the frequency of HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, and 33 by using polymerase chain reaction on formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens, from 75 cases of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder. Fifteen samples of normal urothelium adjacent to TCC (10) or from normal bladder obtained at autopsy (5) served as negative controls. RESULTS: HPV type 16 deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) was detected in 2 (2.7%) of the 75 cases of TCC and in none of the normal urinary bladder cases. The 2 patients with HPV type 16 were immunosuppressed after undergoing renal and cardiac transplantation. CONCLUSIONS: These results strongly suggest that HPVs play a minor role in the development of TCC of the bladder in the general population, although they can act as oncogenic agents in predisposed patients, such as those who are immunosuppressed.

Objective criteria in the long-term evaluation of penile venous surgery.

Caverno-venous leakage is a frequent cause of impotence and, since venous network resection gives poor results, a study was performed to evaluate the prognostic factors of this surgical procedure. A total of 23 patients underwent surgery for caverno-venous leakage. With a minimum followup of 1 year, 12 patients had normal erections for sexual intercourse. No significant difference was observed in patient age or maintenance flow rates between the responders and nonresponders. Objective quantification of the percentage of smooth muscle cells using computerized image analysis after immunohistochemical staining (desmin antidesmin) for smooth muscle cells on cavernous biopsies performed during the operation allowed us to differentiate significantly between the 2 groups. All responders had greater than 29% smooth muscle cells. Biopsy of the cavernous body with quantification of the different intracavernous structures seems to be a prognostic factor in selecting impotent patients for vascular reconstruction.