The effect of autonomous neuropathy on bowel preparation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Introduction  

The need for colonoscopy is common among diabetics. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effect of autonomous neuropathy on bowel preparation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients.     

Guidelines for the laboratory diagnosis of Chlamydia trachomatis infections in East European countries

The present guidelines aim to provide comprehensive information regarding the laboratory diagnosis of infections caused by Chlamydia trachomatis in East European countries. These recommendations contain important information for laboratory staff working with sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or STI-related issues. Individual East European countries may be required to make minor national adjustments to these guidelines as a result of lack of accessibility to some reagents or equipment, or laws in a specific country.     

Effects of age on dopamine transporters in healthy humans.

99mTc-TRODAT-1 is a new radiopharmaceutical that selectively binds the dopamine transporters. This study characterized the effects of aging on its regional cerebral distribution in healthy human volunteers. METHODS: The sample consisted of 27 men and 28 women with a mean age of 41.1 +/- 17.1 y (age range 18.7-73.8 y). Dynamic SPECT scans of the brain were obtained with a standardized acquisition and processing protocol on a triple-head camera. Mean counts per pixel were measured in multiple regions of interest within each basal ganglia. Regression analyses were used to relate the specific uptake values at 3-4 h after administration to age. Both linear and nonlinear models of aging were tested. RESULTS: The relative concentration of radioactivity in most subregions of the basal ganglia decreased significantly with age (all P values < 0.0001). Nonlinear models of aging fit the data significantly better than a straight line. The rate of decline was significantly faster in young adults than in older volunteers (P < 0.001). The break-point age at which the rate of change slowed down and became more stable was 36 y old for the whole striatum and ranged from 32 to 44 y old depending on subregion. CONCLUSION: The effects of aging on central nervous system dopamine transporters do not appear to be linear. Most effects seem to occur during young adulthood before people reach their 40s. The distribution then appears to remain relatively stable until late in life. The findings suggest that the adult life cycle is better characterized as a series of phases than as a continuum.     

Laparoscopic repair of Morgagni hernia

Background Foramen of Morgagni hernias are rare diaphragmatic hernias. They account for 3–5% of all diaphragmatic hernias and the majority of the cases are asymptomatic. They are caused by trauma, obesity or pregnancy. With the advancements of laparoscopic surgery, laparoscopic repair has become an excellent alternative to open repair for Morgagni hernias. We report five cases of Morgagni hernia repaired with the laparoscopic approach in conjunction with a review of the literature. Patients A retrospective review comprised five patients who had a Morgagni hernia repaired with a laparoscopic approach. Data from these patients were collected for the period between February 2001 and May 2005. Results The average age at operation was 61. The anatomic pathology was detected preoperatively using X-rays and computerized tomography (CT) scans in four of our patients. Hernia was detected incidentally in one patient during an elective cholecysectomy. Three hernias were right-sided and two were left-sided. The contents of the hernias were omentum and transverse colon in the majority of the patients. The hernia was repaired with a laparoscopic approach in all patients. Four patients had composite mesh repair and one patient had primary closure with nonabsorbable sutures. There were no postoperative complications and all patients tolerated laparoscopic repair. There were also no recurrences during follow-up. Conclusions Laparoscopic repair is a candidate to be a standard treatment for Morgagni-type hernias. It is an effective and safe technique and can be performed by all compotent general surgeons with a certain learning curve. It has several advantages relative to the open operation.     

Computers in otorhinolaryngology; new horizons

There has been an explosion in the computers and information technology in the past couple of years. Otorhinolaryngology has also seen a number of new applications of computers. This article aims to familiarize the reader with different uses of computers as applied to the field of Otorhinolaryngology. It deals with the role in medical literature search, patient and doctor education, medical record keeping telemedicine, internet and E-mail, creating virtual environments and its role in FESS. skull base tumours and plastic surgery.