Activation of D2-like receptors induces sympathetic climactic-like responses in male and female anaesthetised rats.

In anaesthetised male rats an intravenous (i.v.) injection of p-chloroamphetamine (PCA) produced a specific patterned bursting response in the sympathetic vas deferens nerve (VDN) that corresponds to ejaculation. In the present, study selective dopamine agonists and antagonists were used to investigate whether dopaminergic mechanisms influence the generation of this ejaculatory-related response. Administration of a mixed D(1/2) receptor agonist (0.1-1.0 mg kg(-1) apomorphine i.v.) also evoked the characteristic bursting pattern responses in the VDN. Similar, but fewer, burst pattern responses could also be evoked by a selective D(2/3) receptor agonist (0.1-2.0 mg kg(-1) piribedil). Responses to 1.0 mg kg(-1) apomorphine were blocked by pretreatments with either 0.5 mg kg(-1) remoxipride (D(2) receptor antagonist) or 0.5 mg kg(-1) nafadotride (D(3) receptor antagonist), suggesting that D(2)-like receptors were involved. Responses could not be evoked by i.v. injections of apomorphine (1.0 mg kg(-1)) in anaesthetised male rats with a midthoracic spinal section, indicating that activation of D(2)-like receptors at supraspinal sites leads to an increase in the excitability of the lumbosacral pattern generator for ejaculation. In anaesthetised female rats a similar patterned bursting response occurred in the uterine nerve (UN) in response to apomorphine (0.5-2.0 mg kg(-1) i.v.). Thus a common neural mechanism may regulate sexual climactic reflexes in both sexes.

Activation by p-chloroamphetamine of the spinal ejaculatory pattern generator in anaesthetized male rats.

In urethane-anesthetized male rats, a branch of the hypogastric nerve was shown, anatomically and electrophysiologically, to supply the vas deferens. Recordings from this nerve revealed a low level of tonic activity, which was predominantly efferent motor activity. Administration of p-chloroamphetamine i.v., elicited a rhythmic burst of neuronal activity, coherent with rhythmic pressure increases in the vas deferens and contractions of the bulbospongiosus muscles, which together comprise ejaculation. This response to p-chloroamphetamine was still present after complete transection of the spinal cord at T8-T9. These data indicate that p-chloroamphetamine is capable of activating the spinal neuronal circuits that generate the pattern of autonomic and somatic responses similar to those of sexual climax. Furthermore based on the best documented action of p-chloroamphetamine, the results suggest that the excitability of the pattern generator is regulated by serotonergic, dopaminergic or noradrenergic receptors in the lumbosacral spinal cord. We conclude this animal model will enable robust studies of the pharmacology and physiology of central neural mechanisms involved in ejaculation and sexual climax.

Sympathetic genital responses induced by p-chloroamphetamine in anaesthetized female rats.

In urethane-anesthetized female rats, a branch of the hypogastric nerve equivalent to the vas deferens nerve in males was shown anatomically and electrophysiologically to supply the uterine horns and we have consequently termed this the uterine nerve. Administration of p-chloroamphetamine i.v. elicited patterned bursting uterine nerve activity responses together with contractions of the uterine horns and musculature of the vaginal wall. These responses are qualitatively similar to ejaculatory responses observed following p-chloroamphetamine administration to anesthetized male rats and the urethrogenital reflex in females, suggesting they represent responses occurring during sexual processes. This response to p-chloroamphetamine was still present after complete transection of the spinal cord at T8. These data indicate that common neurophysiological and pharmacological mechanisms regulate genital reflexes at the lumbosacral spinal level in both the female and the male rat.

Early development of Eimeria papillata (Apicomplexa: Eimeriidae) in the mouse.

Early development of Eimeria papillata (Apicomplexa) in the mouse was evaluated using Nomarski interference-contrast and brightfield microscopy. Sporozoite-shaped meronts, which were motile and contained a large posterior refractile body and a smaller anterior refractile body, were observed entering and leaving host cells in the jejunum of an experimentally infected mouse at 26 h post inoculation (HPI). However, early developmental stages were not observed in tissue of the duodenum, ileum, cecum and colon. The mean length and width of these meronts (n = 20) were 12.0 microns and 3.7 microns, respectively. Spherical or subspherical meronts containing crescent-shaped merozoites were observed at 36 HPI.

Percutaneous cecostomy: controlled transperitoneal approach.

The authors present two cases of percutaneous cecostomy performed with a modified approach previously described for percutaneous gastrostomy and cholecystostomy. T-fastener devices were used to affix the cecum to the anterior abdominal wall; thus, the potential problem of fecal spillage was prevented. In both cases, adequate fecal drainage was provided without complication.

Seminal vesicle abscess after vasectomy: evaluation by transrectal sonography and CT.

PIP: A case of staphylococcal seminal vesicle abscess after vasectomy was diagnosed by transrectal CT (computed axial tomography) and sonography. The patient was a 43-year old man who was transferred to Massachusetts General Hospital after being treated unsuccessfully at another hospital with gentamicin and carbenicillin for a pelvic infection. He had developed fever, hematuria, dysuria and purulent drainage from the scrotal incision site 3 weeks after vasectomy. A CT scan done at the previous institution showed a mass in the prostatic region. On admission a transrectal linear array sonogram delineated a 5 cm lesion in a enlarged left seminal vesicle. The lesion was drained of purulent material by transurethral endoscopy. Staphylococcus aureus was cultured from the exudate. A follow-up transrectal sonogram 2 months later was normal. Seminal vesicle infections are very rare, except when associated with prostatitis.^ieng

Significant renal hemorrhage following extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy: imaging and clinical features.

Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL), either alone or in combination with percutaneous or retrograde techniques, has rapidly become the procedure of choice for the treatment of intrarenal and upper ureteral calculi. Complications have been few so far and usually have been urinary obstructions or hemorrhages. Most fluid collections observed after ESWL are asymptomatic and their detection usually does not prolong hospitalization or alter therapy. In five patients out of 2,149 patient treatments symptomatic renal hematomas developed within a few hours after ESWL for renal calculi. In two of these patients the partial thromboplastin time was mildly prolonged. In four patients blood volume replacement was required to treat a falling hematocrit reading or hypotension. Diagnosis of the hematomas was initially made with sonography, although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging were used to further define the distribution and extent of retroperitoneal hematomas. Severe ipsilateral flank pain and rapid decrease in the hematocrit reading after ESWL strongly suggest significant bleeding from the treated kidney and require prompt radiologic confirmation and careful clinical treatment until there is evidence that the hemorrhage has stopped.

Percutaneous drainage of subphrenic abscess: a review of 62 patients.

Sixty-two patients who presented with subphrenic abscesses had the abscesses drained percutaneously. Diagnosis of a subphrenic collection was usually made with sonography. Initial percutaneous drainage was accomplished with a combination of sonography and fluoroscopic guidance. More recently (in the last 31 cases) most drainages were done with sonographic guidance alone. Successful catheter drainage was achieved in 85% with a complication rate of 4.8%. Failure of catheter drainage (defined as any patient who was not cured by percutaneous drainage alone) occurred in patients with multiple collections or in whom the primary cause of the abscess necessitated surgery, for example, perforated ulcer, acute cholecystitis. Considerations for successful drainage include understanding the anatomy of the subphrenic space, recognizing the importance of a correct access route (avoidance of the pleura and lung), and the long time necessary for adequate drainage (longer than 10 days in 60%). An angled subcostal approach to the subphrenic space was used in 56 (90%) of 62 cases. No complications occurred in this group. The one pneumothorax that occurred in the remaining six cases was a direct result of using an intercostal approach through the parietal pleura into a subphrenic collection. We conclude that percutaneous drainage is a safe and effective method of treatment of subphrenic abscesses.