The GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment archive of water vapour products from satellite observations and reanalyses.

The Global Energy and Water cycle Exchanges (GEWEX) Data and Assessments Panel (GDAP) initiated the GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment (G-VAP), which has the main objectives to quantify the current state of art in water vapour products being constructed for climate applications and to support the selection process of suitable water vapour products by GDAP for its production of globally consistent water and energy cycle products. During the construction of the G-VAP data archive, freely available and mature satellite and reanalysis data records with a minimum temporal coverage of 10 years were considered. The archive contains total column water vapour (TCWV) as well as specific humidity and temperature at four pressure levels (1000, 700, 500, 300 hPa) from 22 different data records. All data records were remapped to a regular longitude/latitude grid of 2°x2°. The archive consists of four different folders: 22 TCWV data records covering the period 2003-2008, 11 TCWV data records covering the period 1988-2008, as well as seven specific humidity and seven temperature data records covering the period 1988-2009. The G-VAP data archive is referenced under the following digital object identifier (doi): http://dx.doi.org/10.5676/EUM SAF CM/GVAP/V001. Within G-VAP, the characterisation of water vapour products is, among other ways, achieved through intercomparisons of the considered data records, as a whole and grouped into three classes of predominant retrieval condition: clear-sky, cloudy-sky and all-sky. Associated results are shown using the 22 TCWV data records. The standard deviations among the 22 TCWV data records have been analysed and exhibit distinct maxima over central Africa and the tropical warm pool (in absolute terms) as well as over the poles and mountain regions (in relative terms). The variability in TCWV within each class can be large and prohibits conclusions on systematic differences in TCWV between the classes.

[Mixed gonadal dysgenesis associated with an isodicentric Y chromosome]. / Izodicentrikus Y-kromoszómához társuló kevert gonáddiszgenezis.

Authors report a case of mixed gonadal dysgenesis with a karyotype containing an isodicentric Y chromosome in mosaic form, which was diagnosed in an infant. They emphasize the necessity of the special investigations of newborn with perineoscrotal hypospadia and bilateral or unilateral maldescent testes immediately after birth. The result of accurate evaluation provides correct sex assignment and the prevention of the neoplastic degeneration of a dysgenetic gonad.

Videourodynamics in the diagnosis of urinary tract abnormalities in a single center.

The lower urinary tract is a complicated structure and there has been some controversy regarding the biomechanics and dynamics of bladder and sphincter function. Investigation of the function and morphological anomalies is very important. Videourodynamics (VUD) combined with conventional voiding cystourethrography (VCUG) seems to be the most appropriate method. Over a 12-year study period (January 1990 to December 2001), 422 children (aged 5 days to 20 years) prospectively underwent VUD to further define their urinary tract abnormalities. In all children the history was recorded, clinical examination, urinalysis, culture, and ultrasonography performed, and serum creatinine determined before VUD. The selection criteria included a history of recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) in 310 patients (74%), urinary tract dilatation without UTI in 31 patients (7%), suspected neurogenic bladder dysfunction in 42 patients (10%), and voiding difficulties in 39 patients (9%). VUD consists of cystometry (CM), which is the measurement of detrusor pressure during controlled bladder filling and subsequent voiding, and was combined with VCUG using X-ray contrast material. CM is used to assess detrusor activity, sensation, capacity, and compliance. CM measurements were recorded on a computer and vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) was documented at the same time with plain films and later in a PACS system. The VUD diagnosis was of normal bladder function in 46 patients (9%), VUR in 212 (43%), unstable bladder dysfunction in 152 (31%), neurogenic bladder dysfunction in 35 (7%), urine outflow obstruction in 15 (3%), wide bladder neck in 22 (4%), and vaginal reflux in 9 (2%). Neurogenic bladder dysfunction was excluded in 7 patients (1%). VUD is useful for the investigation of the lower urinary tract function together with X-ray morphology. The advantage of these studies is that they combine the objectivity of urodynamics with the visual radiographic image, leading to lower radiation doses and a more logical interpretation of the results.