Mast cell counts are not useful in the diagnosis of nonulcerative interstitial cystitis.

PURPOSE: Mast cell counts have been advocated as useful in the pathological diagnosis of interstitial cystitis. To determine the clinical significance of mucosal and detrusor muscle mast cells we quantified mast cells within the lamina propria and detrusor muscle in nonulcerative interstitial cystitis, and various inflammatory and neoplastic bladder diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Mast cells from Giemsa stained sections were enumerated from 8 cases of clinically diagnosed nonulcerated interstitial cystitis and 32 control cases having inflammatory or neoplastic bladder disease. Cystectomy specimens from controls also included sections from normal (5) and inflamed transitional mucosa (4) distant from the invasive tumor. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in mast cell counts when considered absolutely or relative to the muscle-to-mucosa ratio in cases of nonulcerative interstitial cystitis and controls. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicate that mast cell counts are not useful in the evaluation of nonulcerative interstitial cystitis and do not represent a diagnostic criterion for inclusion or exclusion of the disease.

A comparison of neural networks and partial least squares for deconvoluting fluorescence spectra.

This article compares backpropagation neural networks (BNN) with partial least squares (PLS) techniques in terms of their ability to deconvolute fluorescence spectra. Both actual experimental and simulated spectral data are studied for 2 binary systems. These systems consist of mixtures of tryptophan and tyrosine, and NADH and tryptophan over a total concentration range of 10(-7) to 10(-4) M. It is shown that BNN is superior to PLS for both systems.

Temperature measurements in flames using thermally assisted laser-induced fluorescence of Ga.

The use of thermally assisted fluorescence (THAF) for temperature measurements has been investigated in a laminar, premixed C(2)H(2)/O(2)/Ar flame seeded with Ga atoms. Average temperature measurements were made with an uncertainty of less than +/-100 K in flames >2150 K and were found to be in agreement with sodium line reversal temperature measurements and equilibrium calculations. In both fuel rich and lean flames spanning equivalence ratios from 0.75 to 2.0, it was found that composition influenced the measured temperatures, resulting in an accuracy of +/-100 K over this range of flame conditions. Dilution of the flame with N(2) rather than Ar resulted in measured temperatures that were substantially higher than the calculated adiabatic flame temperature, indicating that, in this case, a partial Boltzmann equilibrium is not established among the collisionally populated levels of Ga used for the measurement. These results indicate that THAF with gallium as the thermometric species is limited to cases in which an inefficient quencher, such as a rare gas, is the primary diluent.

Dynamic light scattering and angular dissymmetry for the in situ measurement of silicon dioxide particle synthesis in flames.

Particle size measurements have been made of silica formation in a counterflow diffusion flame reactor utilizing dynamic light scattering and angular dissymmetry methods. The results suggest that the techniques compare quite favorably in conditions of high signal to noise. However, the dynamic light scattering technique degrades rapidly as the signal strength declines, resulting in erroneously small particle diameters. As a general rule dynamic light scattering does not seem to possess the versatility and robustness of the classical techniques as a possible on-line diagnostic for process control. The drawbacks and limitations of the two techniques are also discussed.

Chyluria: a case report and brief literature review.

A case of chyluria presumably caused by Filaria bancrofti is presented. The radiographic and urologic presentation as well as a brief review of the natural history, diagnosis and treatment is included.

Postprostatectomy incontinence: George Washington University technique.

The original concept of external compression on the urethra to provide urinary continence in the male has undergone significant modifications since the original work of Berry fifteen years ago. The technique used at George Washington University is a successful extension of Berry's concept. This article presents a very precise description of the operation. There has been only one failure in 13 patients referred to us, therefore the technique is recommended as an excellent means of correcting postprostatectomy incontinence.