Effect of warming on the rectal motile activity: identification of rectal warming reflex

BACKGROUND: The identification in the rectal wall of warm receptors sensitive to warm temperature has not been found in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the hypothesis that rectal warming effects rectal dilation, which seems to indicate the existence of warm receptors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rectal wall tone was studied in 24 healthy volunteers (14 men, 10 women, mean age 36.7+/-10.4 years). It was assessed by a barostat system during rectal infusion with normal saline at 30 degrees C, 40 degrees C, 45 degrees C, and 50 degrees C. The test was repeated after rectal anesthetization with lidocaine. RESULTS: The rectal tone on rectal saline infusion at a temperature of 30 degrees C showed no response (P>0.05), whereas at a temperature of 40 degrees C, 45 degrees C, and 50 degrees C, it exhibited a significant decrease (P<0.05, <0.01, <0.001, respectively), which was proportional to the rising degree of temperature. Warm saline infusion into the anesthetized rectum resulted in no significant change in the rectal wall tone. CONCLUSIONS: Rectal infusion with warm saline produced rectal dilation that increased with temperature elevation. This effect is suggested to be mediated through a reflex called "rectal warming reflex: and advances the possibility of the existence of warm receptors in the rectal wall; however, further studies are needed to confirm the issue.     

Posterior sling (infracoccygeal sacropexy): an alternative procedure for vaginal vault prolapse

This study of 30 patients evaluated the effectiveness and safety of the posterior sling (infracoccygeal sacropexy) in the surgical treatment of vaginal vault prolapse. The patients were reevaluated 3 months, 6 months and yearly postoperatively. Coexisting preoperative symptoms of pelvic pain, urgency, nocturia and 'obstructed' micturition feeling were followed-up. There was remarkable improvement in vault prolapse and in coexisting symptoms.     

Arsenic Trioxide inhibits the growth of human ovarian carcinoma cell line

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether Arsenic Trioxide may be an effective treatment of human ovarian carcinoma, we examined if it induced apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cell line. METHODS: The human ovarian cell line SKOV3 was exposed to different concentrations of As2O3: 0 (control), 0.1 microM, 1 microM, 5 microM and 10 microM. The effect on cells proliferation and apoptotic parameters was examined. RESULTS: The most effective inhibitory Arsenic Trioxide concentrations were 5 microM and 10 microM, causing growth inhibition of 79% and 83%, respectively. The maximum inhibitory effect of Arsenic Trioxide on cellular proliferation was seen after 48 h. No morphological or molecular features of apoptosis have been observed. At the same time, there were no typical changes of cellular necrosis. CONCLUSIONS: The exact mechanism by which Arsenic Trioxide inhibits the growth of ovarian cancer cells is probably not by apoptosis. However, since As2O3 has been shown to inhibit ovarian cancer cellular growth, it should be further elucidated as a possible chemotherapeutic agent of ovarian cancer.     

A novel L1CAM mutation with L1 spectrum disorders

X-linked hydrocephalus, HSAS (hydrocephalus due to stenosis of aqueduct of Sylvius), MASA (mental retardation, aphasia, shuffling gait, and adducted thumbs), and CRASH (corpus callosum hypoplasia, retardation, adducted thumbs, spastic paraplegia, and hydrocephalus) syndromes are allelic disorders. X-linked hydrocephalus and associated phenotypes are due to mutations in the L1CAM gene, which has been identified as a coding neural cell adhesion molecule. We report two cases of L1 spectrum disorders within the same family. The first case was diagnosed by ultrasonographic examination prenatally and the second case was diagnosed postnatally. Both patients and their mothers carry a novel mutation of the L1CAM gene. In this family, nine X-linked hydrocephalus and five female carriers were found in three generations, and molecular genetic analysis was performed to detect the asymptomatic carriers.     

Fetal MRI of a severe Dandy-Walker malformation with an enlarged posterior fossa cyst causing severe hydrocephalus

We present a case of severe Dandy-Walker malformation with enlarged posterior fossa cyst extruding through the incisura of the tentorium and causing severe hydrocephalus. A posterior fossa malformation was suspected by ultrasonography and was further evaluated by fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fetal MRI demonstrated that there were no associated anomalies and the decision was made to continue with labor instead of terminating the pregnancy. The precise diagnosis and absence of associated anomalies revealed by MRI aided in parent counseling and obstetrical management.     

Immune complexes in Wuchereria bancrofti infection in man

The levels of immune complexes in the sera of patients with Wuchereria bancrofti infection were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using a rabbit antibody to the adult Setaria digitata antigens SD2-4, and by the Clq-binding assay. Approximately 3-7% of microfilaraemic subjects and 30-40% of amicrofilaraemic symptomatic patients had levels of immune complexes that were significantly higher than the levels observed in non-filarial control subjects. The antigen in the polyethylene glycol-precipitated immune complexes was isolated. This W. bancrofti antigen was found to be similar to the S. digitata antigen SD2-4. Both antigens had the properties of an acidic glycoprotein of isoelectric point around pH 3.     

The effect of a four-month physical fitness program on a young and an old group matched for physical fitness

Summary A young (¯X=36.8 years) and an old (¯X=52.9 years) group (n=12) matched for physical fitness performed a graded exercise test at the beginning and after a 4-month physical fitness program consisting of calisthenics, jogging, and recreational activities. The purpose of the study was to determine if there were any differences in response to physical training in the two age groups of similar fitness. Sixteen physiological and four biochemical variables were measured. There was no significant difference in O₂ max between the young and old groups. Also, there were no significant differences between groups for serum total lipids, cholesterol, triglycerides, or glucose levels. The effects of the training program were similar for both the young and old groups.