A new animal model for tissue preservation.

In vivo preservation of tissues may exist as a problem in experimental and clinical research. Adipose tissue, nerves, and vessels are the tissues that are usually preserved in vivo for future use or for the evaluation of results in experimental research. Limited volume and difficult conditions in such areas in animal models usually create disappointing results, because of the difficulty in distinguishing the experimental from the surrounding tissues; the insufficiency of the volume of space; and the lack of compliance in animals. A new rat model for in vivo preservation studies is described. A muscular pocket designed between the external and internal oblique muscles is a good choice as an animal model for tissue preservation in plastic surgery research.

Magnetic resonance imaging and morphometric histologic analysis of prostate tissue composition in predicting the clinical outcome of terazosin therapy in benign prostatic hyperplasia.

PURPOSE: To determine whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or quantitative color-imaged morphometric analysis (MA) of the prostate gland are related to the clinical response to terazosin. METHODS: Thirty-six male patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) with a serum prostate-specific antigen level of 4-10 ng/mL underwent MRI with body coil, transrectal prostate ultrasonography and biopsy prior to terazosin therapy. For MRI-determined stromal and non-stromal BPH, the ratio of the signal intensity of the inner gland to the obturator internus muscle was evaluated. Histologic sections were stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The MA of the specimens was performed by Samba 2000. Results of the two techniques were interpreted according to the terazosin therapy results. RESULTS: The mean stromal percentage was 60.5 +/- 18.0%. No statistically significant relationship was found between the clinical outcome of terazosin and the MRI findings. The MA results showed a significant relationship between the percentage of stroma and the percent change of the peak urinary flow rate, but not with the percent change of the international prostate symptom score after terazosin therapy (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Magnetic resonance imaging alone is not sufficient in predicting the response to terazosin therapy. Morphometric analysis of BPH tissue composition can be used in predicting the clinical outcome of terazosin therapy but it is suitable only in patients for whom prostatic biopsy is necessary in order to rule out prostate cancer.