Validation of locomotion scoring as a new and inexpensive technique to record circadian locomotor activity in large mammals.

BACKGROUND: The locomotor activity (LA) rhythm, widely studied in rodents, has not been fully investigated in large mammals. This is due to the high cost and the brittleness of the required devices. Alternatively, the locomotion scoring method (SM), consisting of attribution of a score to various levels of activity would be a consistent method to assess the circadian LA rhythm in such species. NEW METHOD: To test this, a SM with a score ranging from 0 to 5 has been developed and used in two domestic large mammals, the camel and the goat. One minute interval scoring was performed using visual screening and monitoring of infra-red camera recording videos and carried out by two evaluators. RESULTS: The SM provides a clear daily LA rhythm that has been validated using an automate device, the Actiwatch-Mini. The obtained curves and actograms were indeed highly similar to those acquired from the Actiwatch-Mini. Moreover, there were no statistical differences in the period and acrophase. The period was exactly of 24.0h and the acrophases occurred at 12h05 ± 00h03 and 12h14 ± 00h07 for the camel and at 13h13 ± 00h09 and 12h57 ± 00h09 for the goat using SM and Actiwatch-Mini respectively. COMPARISON WITH EXISTING METHODS: Compared to the automatic system, the SM is inexpensive and has the advantage of describing all types of performed movements. CONCLUSIONS: The new developed SM is highly reliable and sufficiently accurate to assess conveniently the LA rhythm and specific behaviors in large mammals. This opens new perspectives to study chronobiology in animal models of desert, tropical and equatorial zones.

Visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) with bare fiber in conjunction with laser bladder neck incision in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

The objective of this paper was to assess the effectiveness of visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) using a bare fiber with simultaneous laser incision of the bladder neck for patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia. Sixty-seven patients with symptomatic bladder outlet obstruction due to benign prostatic hyperplasia were entered into a prospective trial where VLAP was done with neodymium:YAG laser, while the bladder neck incision was done with KTP laser. The laser was delivered using a bare fiber. There was marked improvement demonstrated at three months post-lasing in symptom score and flow rate. No significant changes were noticed in the subsequent follow-up. However, the addition of the bladder neck incision increased the rate of retrograde ejaculation without appreciable improvement in symptom score or flow rate when compared to other published data. None of the patients developed bladder neck contracture. VLAP, using a bare fiber, in conjunction with laser bladder neck incision, produces durable improvement in urine flow rate and symptom score in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperplasia without the development of bladder neck contracture. This method will reduce the costs of laser prostatectomy.

Endourethrotomy of posterior urethral obliterations and severe strictures: improved outcome with urethral self-dilatation.

Eighteen male patients underwent endoscopic management of urethral obliterations and severe strictures of the subprostatic urethra. Thirteen patients who performed clean urethral self-dilatation after endoscopic repair had a lower incidence of recurrent strictures (P = 0.03) and required fewer visual internal urethrotomies than the initial five patients, who did not self-dilate (P = 0.01). All patients had minimal morbidity and required short hospitalization to achieve adequate urine flow and a stable urethral neolumen during the follow-up period.

Visual laser ablation of the prostate for patients with acute urinary retention.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of visual laser ablation of the prostate (VLAP) and bladder neck incision in the treatment of patients with acute urinary retention secondary to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-three patients (mean age 62 years, range 50-80) with acute urinary retention due to BPH were treated in a prospective trial of VLAP (using a neodymium: YAG laser) with bladder neck incision carried out using the KTP laser. Patients were assessed before and after treatment using the American Urological Association symptom score, prostate volume and peak urinary flow rates. RESULTS: There was a significant and durable objective improvement in measured urinary flow rates and a subjective improvement of symptoms, with minimal morbidity. CONCLUSION: VLAP is a promising alternative treatment for patients with acute urinary retention secondary to BPH.

Genital infection in males with idiopathic infertility.

We investigated a group of male patients with idiopathic infertility to determine the presence of genital infection and to identify the pattern of this infection using a specially designed protocol. A prospective study was carried out on 63 patients and 23 controls. We cultured the first voided urine, semen and swabs taken from the anterior urethra of these patients and controls for bacteria, chlamydia. Ureaplasma urealyticum and Mycoplasma hominis. Two techniques were used for chlamydial isolation and identification. These involved the use of chlamydial culture on McCoy cells with culture confirmation test and the direct fluorescent identification of Chlamydiatrachomatis. The all-liquid media (MYCOFAST ALL-IN) kits were used for the identification of mycoplasma. Our results indicate that there is a significantly higher incidence of genital infection among male patients with idiopathic infertility than in normal fertile controls (P=0.0004). Extensive microbial investigations are indicated when genital infection is suspected to be the cause of the fertile state or cannot be ruled out as a possible cause in case of idiopathic infertility.

Bacteriuria and colonization of double-pigtail ureteral stents: long-term experience with 237 patients.

We prospectively studied 266 patients with indwelling double-pigtail ureteral stents to determine the incidence of stent colonization and associated bacteriuria. A urine culture was obtained just prior to stent insertion and was repeated at the time of its removal. The stent itself was also cultured. Of the 237 evaluable patients, 71 (29.9%) developed bacteriuria. Of the 237 stents, 161 (67.9%) became colonized with microorganisms. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most common pathogen isolated from the urine and the stents. Stents in female patients had a higher rate of colonization than those used in males (74.4% v 66.5%). The longer the duration of stenting, the higher was the rate of colonization (58.6% for stents left for < 1 month v 75.1% for those left for > 3 months). The rate of colonization according to catheter type was as follows: C-flex 55.5%, silicone 62.6%, urethane 100%, and Urosoft 56%. Long-term ureteric stenting is associated with a high rate of bacteriuria and stent colonization. The duration of stenting and the type of stent influence the results. We recommend that patients with double-J ureteral stents who could be at risk from bacteremia be covered by appropriate antibiotics, and the stents should be kept indwelling for the shortest possible time. If a patient with a stent develops symptomatic infection, an antibiotic should be started that covers the Pseudomonas species.

In situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) for the management of primary ureteric calculi in children.

Lithotripsy was used to treat 19 children (3 to 16 years of age) with primary ureteric calculi. No attempts were made to mobilize the stones to the kidney. Stones were located in the upper ureter in seven patients, middle ureter in three, and lower ureter in nine. Stone size ranged from 5 to 25 mm (average, 10.4 mm). All treatments were performed in the outpatient unit. Two children required general anesthesia, and 17 received intravenous sedation. The mean amount of energy used was 17.8 kV, and the average number of shock waves was 5,489. Before commencement of lithotripsy, two patients needed ureteric catheterization, and two had placement of double pigtail catheters. Of the 18 children who had adequate follow-up, 17 (94.4%) were completely stone-free, without any complication. The authors conclude that in situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy is a safe and effective method for the treatment of primary ureteric calculi in children.

In situ extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for primary ureteric calculi.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of the Lithostar lithotriptor for the in situ treatment of primary ureteric stones. METHODS: We reviewed, retrospectively, our experience with 283 patients with primary ureteric stones treated with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using the Lithostar lithotriptor. No attempts were made to manipulate the stones. The majority of the patients were treated using only intravenous analgesia. Auxiliary measures were used in 84 patients (29.6%). There were 112 patients (39.6%) with upper, 53 (18.7%) with middle, and 118 (41.7%) with lower ureteric stones. RESULTS: A single ESWL session was needed for 200 patients (70.6%), two for 49 patients (17.3%), and more than two sessions for 34 patients (12%). Of the 248 patients who had adequate follow-up, 220 (88.7%) were stone free, 14 (5.65%) had some residual stone, while 14 (5.65%) patients failed to respond to the treatment. Patients' gender and body weight influenced the treatment and the clearance rate numerically without any statistical significance. The stone site was the most significant factor influencing the final result. Stones larger than 10 mm and the presence of hydronephrosis adversely affected the treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In situ ESWL of ureteral stones with the Lithostar device is a convenient and efficient method of treating calculi within the whole length of the ureter without the need for any manipulation.

[A method for determining pulse wave transmission time]. / Eine Methode zur Bestimmung der Pulswellenlaufzeit.

Analysis of the transit time of a pulse wave is a possibility for the continuous observation of the changes in blood pressure activity. With invasive procedures, the interval between two notable events on pressure pulse waveforms, which is known as the pulse transit time, is often calculated. Using the second heart sound, the pre-ejection period and the left-ventricular ejection time (systolic time interval) are computed in order to be able to exclude the effect of haemodynamic parameters on aortic pressure increase. Since the use of noninvasive procedures excludes computation of the systolic time interval, and a phonocardiography is also often lacking, a method of relatively quickly determining the time interval between the R-wave of the ECG and the peripheral pulse was developed. The computed pulse transmission time is suitable for studying phasic events and their effects on the mean blood pressure.

Vesicoureteral reflux in patients with double pigtail stents.

A prospective study of 30 renal units in 27 patients with double pigtail ureteral stents seen at our hospital was done. The aim of the study was to confirm or rule out the occurrence of vesicoureteral reflux radiologically, and to define its degree in stented patients. During the filling phase of the cystourethrogram, reflux occurred in 19 of the 30 renal units (63%). Of those 19 renal units the reflux was grade 1/4 in 15 (79%), while in 4 (21%) it was of higher grades (2 to 3/4). During the voiding phase of the cystourethrogram reflux was observed in 24 of 30 renal units (80%). Of those 24 renal units reflux was of high grade (2 to 4/4) in 20 (83%), while it was low grade (1/4) in 4 (17%). In the presence of a double pigtail stent the ureteral peristaltic waves were sluggish and averaged 1 to 2 waves per minute in the 15 patients observed fluoroscopically for 1 minute after voiding. We conclude that in the majority of patients with double pigtail ureteral stents vesicoureteral reflux occurs at a low grade during vesical filling and at a high grade during voiding. Also, the stents adversely affect the ureteral peristaltic activities.

Mannitol-induced diuretic renal ultrasonography: a new technique.

We herein describe a new technique to improve the ultrasonic imaging of nonobstructed stone-bearing kidneys. Mannitol-induced diuresis opens up the collapsed renal collecting system and yields better ultrasonographic imaging by increasing the amount of fluid surrounding the calculi. The potential usages of this technique include ultrasound localization for percutaneous stone extraction and during ultrasonographic monitoring of stones treated by extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy (ESWL).

Retention of urine in females: causes and management.

Retention of urine in the female results from various medical, surgical and gynaecological causes, but is often thought to be due to psychological disturbances. In order to find out the causes of urinary retention in females in our own population and the results of its management, we conducted a retrospective study on 30 female patients with retention of urine, seen at King Abdulaziz University Hospital, Jeddah, over a five year period. Only six (20%) patients were found to have psychological disturbances. Out of the 30 patients, 27 were available for follow-up. In those patients followed up, a success rate of over 85% was achieved through using clean intermittent catheterization with or without pharmacological treatment, either in regaining complete bladder function or in overcoming this clinical problem.

Blind ending branch of duplicate ureter associated with urolithiasis of contra-lateral kidney: case report and review of literature.

We report a case of a blind-ending branch of a duplicated ureter associated with obstruction and urolithiasis of the contra-lateral kidney. To our knowledge, this is the first report of such association. Review of the literature indicated that the former part of the association has been reported previously, although infrequently.