Genetic structure and relationships in the snail species complex Littorina arcana hannaford ellis, L. compressa Jeffreys and L. saxatilis (Olivi) in the British isles using SSCPs of cytochrome-b fragments.

Snails of the Littorina saxatilis species complex are ubiquitous and important members of hard shore intertidal communities in the North Atlantic. The complex includes L. arcana, L. compressa and L. saxatilis. We investigated species and population structure among these species from six locations in Ireland and Britain using a nonradioactive single strand conformational polymorphism analysis of a 375 base pair fragment of the cytochrome-b gene. Variability was high with 38 haplotypes found in 591 individuals. The most common haplotype in L. arcana and L. compressa was absent from L. saxatilis and the most common haplotype in L. saxatilis was found in low numbers in L. arcana and L. compressa. Haplotypes restricted to L. arcana and L. compressa formed a cluster separate from L. saxatilis haplotypes in maximum parsimony and multidimensional scaling analyses. In analyses examining populations, L. arcana and L. compressa formed a group separate from L. saxatilis. Both the populations in the L. arcana/L. compressa group and in L. saxatilis show similar geographical structuring in that the North England populations were separated from a cluster of Cornwall (South-west England) and Irish populations. We suggested that Pleistocene sea level changes accounted for these congruent genetic patterns. We concluded that L. arcana and L. compressa are more closely related to each other than either is to L. saxatilis and offer this as a resolution to a previous trichotomy.

Species relationships and population structure of Littorina saxatilis Olivi and L. tenebrosa Montagu in Ireland using single-strand conformational polymorphisms (SSCPs) of cytochrome b fragments.

Littorina saxatilis is a ubiquitous snail of intertidal habitats in the North Atlantic. Shell type in littorinids is extremely polymorphic and defined by habitat. Taxonomy based upon shell type has been revised in the light of anatomic and genetic information, but uncertainties remain. In this study, the population structure of L. saxatilis and L. tenebrosa was studied at 11 sites in Ireland using single-strand conformational polymorphisms of a 375-bp portion of the cytochrome b gene, and the status of L. tenebrosa, the small, fragile-shelled, brackish water type, was considered. The genetic patterns among L. saxatilis and L. tenebrosa populations were examined over varying distances and L. tenebrosa was compared with adjacent L. saxatilis populations at four sites on the west coast of Ireland and one site on the east coast. Haplotype diversity was high with 32 haplotypes present among 995 individuals. Pairwise tests suggest gene flow over small scales among and between habitat types and may reflect the stochastic legacy of postglacial recolonization over larger scales. In AMOVA tests, geography explained nearly twice as much of the variance (30%) as habitat type (18%), indicating that gene flow is more restricted by distance than by habitat type, and supporting the status of L. tenebrosa as an ecotype of L. saxatilis rather than a separate species.

Developmentally regulated proteolytic processing of a yolk glycoprotein complex in embryos of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus.

We have isolated a yolk glycoprotein complex from eggs and early embryos of the sea urchin, Strongylocentrotus purpuratus. Sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis of these complexes and peptide mapping of their individual glycoprotein components indicate that developmental stage-specific changes in molecular composition of the complex are due to proteolytic processing events. Our data revealed that a 180 kDa glycoprotein of the egg complex is separated by a single proteolytic cleavage into intermediate glycoproteins of 115 and 76 kDa early in development. By the hatched blastula stage, each of these intermediate glycoproteins has been further processed to lower molecular weight forms: the 115 kDa protein is proteolytically clipped to a 84 kDa form, perhaps through 110 and 105 kDa intermediaries, while the 76 kDa molecule is directly processed to a 65 kDa form.

Penile and scrotal inversion vaginoplasty for male to female transsexuals.

A technique of penile and scrotal inversion vaginoplasty for the male to female transsexual has been used successfully in 11 gender-dysphoric patients. The depth of the neovagina is approximately 11 cm--a cosmetic and physiologic result that adds greatly to the patient's satisfaction with the operation. There were no complications of rectal or urethral fistulas. In 1 patient vaginal stenosis developed.

Semirigid and malleable penile implants.

Unless complications such as infection, erosion, or excessive bleeding develop and unless an inordinate number of malpractice suits ensue, I believe that the outpatient setting for implantation of a penile prosthesis will become increasingly utilized. As emphasized at the beginning of this article, the essential basis for success is thorough evaluation of the candidates for implantation, detailed and documented informed consent, and the elimination as outpatient candidates of poor-risk patients such as certain insulin-dependent diabetics. Patients who are good surgical and postsurgical risks are totally acceptable for outpatient operation. The cost to the patient and insurance carriers is drastically reduced. There is every reason to believe that, in the hands of the highly qualified surgeon, this type of intervention is safe, reliable, and cost-effective.

Surgical treatment of impotence with Small-Carrion prosthesis. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations.

Since 1974, 900 patients with erectile dysfunction from various causes underwent implantation of a semi-flexible prosthesis, generally of the Small-Carrion type. The largest group had arteriosclerotic or hypertensive cardiovascular disease. The second largest group was composed of patients with diabetes mellitus. Those in the third group had undergone prostatectomy, cystectomy, or abdominal-perineal resection. For a large number of patients a diagnosis of psychogenic impotence was reached, mainly from the results of the history questionnaire and the Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory. Complications were rare (8.1%). Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations include correct selection of prosthesis, rigorous antibiotic coverage, prevention or care of perforation, and possible need for reoperation. The results were almost uniformly successful. Psychogenic cases and instances of infertility related to the impotence are reviewed.

Prostesis semi-flexible del pene para el tratamiento de impotencia sexual. / Semi-flexible prosthesis of the penis for the treatment of impotence

Desde los anos 1974, la prostesis del pene ha sido usada como el tratamiento quirurgico para la impotencia. Los implantes semi-flexibles son grandemente efectivos y el promedio de complicaciones es bajo (8%). Entre los indicados para el implante del prostesis del pene, incluyen aquellos pacientes con problemas organicos y sicologicos, estos ultimos son a menudo sometidos a la operacion despues de haber seguido un tratamiento de sicoterapia sin obtener resultados. Las contraindicaciones son pocas. El promedio de infecciones se ha logrado reducir a 0.5% manteniendo al paciente bajo antibiotico. Tratando de reducir el costo de esta operacion para los pacientes, los cirujanos han logrado recortar el rabo, o extremo final del implante para poder asi ajustarlo a las diferentes medidas evitando la necesidad de obtener tantos tamanos diferentes en la sala de operaciones. Otro beneficio adicional del tratamiento quirurgico de la impotencia es el tratamiento indirecto de la infertilidad cuando esta es causada por la impotencia

The Rosen incontinence procedure: a new artificial urinary sphincter for the management of urinary incontinence.

During the last 3 years 16 patients have undergone insertion of the Rosen urinary incontinence device. The urethra is occluded simply by fluid transfer from a scrotal reservoir to a perineal balloon that is fixed to the inside of the bulbocavernosus muscle. Use of extensive tubing and hydraulics is not required. Experience with this prosthesis in the management of male urinary incontinence will be discussed. Its use in conjunction with the Small-Carrion penile prosthesis in selected patients with impotence will be described briefly.

The small-carrion penile prosthesis.

A normal state of erection can be achieved by bilateral, intracorporal implantation of the Small-Carrion penile prosthesis. This prosthesis gives adequate length and, more importantly for normal intercourse, normal width to the penis. Although the prosthesis is firm, it is flexible enough to keep the phallus inconspicuous under various types of undershorts, either in the normal position or against the abdominal wall. The fact that the patient will have a permanent erection has not been a deterrent. Furthermore, there have been no complaints about this postoperatively. Raz and Kaufman, Goodwin, Melman, Nellens et al., and others have reported excellent results with the use of the Small-Carrion prosthesis.

Small-Carrion penile prosthesis: a report on 160 cases and review of the literature.

The use of the Small-Carrion penile prosthesis in 160 patients is evaluated. Methods to determine those patients who will benefit from the use of this prosthesis and the size prosthesis needed are discussed. Suggestions are made on how to handle problems or complications that may occur during or after the operation, as well as the antibiotic regimen. The literature is reviewed.

Anterior urethral valves.

A case of anterior urethral valves is presented. A diagnosis of anterior urethral valves can be suspected clinically by watching the patient void. Dribbling and a diminished force of the patient's urinary stream are present in this condition. Confirmation is made with a voiding cystourethrogram and panendoscopy. Various modes of therapy are discussed.

Small-Carrion penile prosthesis. A new implant for management of impotence.

More than 75 patients have had excellent results using a new penile implant which consists of a silicone exterior with a silicone sponge interior. The prostheses are inserted into the corpora cavermosa; they feel and look like a normal erect penis. The prostheses are available in several lengths and two diameters, and the proper size is selected for each patient at the time of surgery. Complications have been minimal.

Panendoscopic removal of sutured retained Penrose drain.

Presented is a case in which panendoscopic removal of a sutured retained Penrose drain averted possible major reoperation. The drain had been sutured inadvertently during a pyelolithotomy and had fragmented during a subsequent unsuccessful attempt to advance the drain.

Small-Carrion penile prosthesis. New implant for management of impotence.

The etiology of impotence and a review of various techniques in treatment are discussed. A perineal surgical approach with a new type of paired sponge-filled silicone prostheses is described. The prostheses are inserted into previously dilated corpora cavernosa. Of the initial 31 patients, excellent results were obtained 27, and a good result in 1. Of the 3 patients with initial serious complications, adequate functional results were attained in 2. The distinct advantages and potential complications using the Small-Carrion penile prosthesis and surgical technique are discussed.