Prevalence of Schistosoma intercalatum and S. haematobium Infection among Primary Schoolchildren in Capital Areas of Democratic Republic Of S?o Tomé and Príncipe,West Africa

Background

A parasitological survey of Schistosoma haematobium and S. intercalatum infection among primary schoolchildren in capital area of Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe (DRSTP) was undertaken.

Methods

Subjects with positive infection were confirmed by the detection of S. haematobium ova in the urine or S. intercalatum ova in the stool by using centrifugation concentration or merthiolate-iodine-formalin concentration method. Totally, 252 urine and stool samples, respectively, were obtained from apparently healthy schoolchildren, of which 121 from boys (9.8 ± 1.4 yr) and 131 from girls (9.7 ± 1.3 yr).

Results

None of participating schoolchildren were found having S. haematobium ova in the urinary specimen. While, among 4 primary schools studied, only schoolchildren from Saint Marçal were detected with S. intercalatum ova in the fecal specimen, making the overall prevalence of S. intercalatum infection among schoolchildren was 2.4% (6/252) and girls had insignificantly higher prevalence (3.1%, 4/131) than that (1.7%, 2/121) in boys (χ² = 0.5, P = 0.5).

Conclusion

Water control and sanitation as well as snails eliminated by molluscicides are urgently needed to reduce S. intercalatum infection in DRSTP inhabitants.     

老年自发性高流量阴茎异常勃起(附1例报告及文献复习)

目的 :探讨高流量阴茎异常勃起的病因与发病机制 ,提高对高流量阴茎异常勃起的诊断和治疗的认识。　方法 :报告 1例老年自发性高流量阴茎异常勃起病人的临床资料。　结果 :动脉血管造影提示右侧阴茎海绵体动脉破裂 ,海绵体血气分析结果正常。行明胶海绵体栓塞术 ,术后阴茎很快转入疲软状态。　结论 :老年自发性高流量阴茎异常勃起 (非缺血性 )较少见 ,保守治疗无效时需采用血气分析和动脉造影确定出血部位后行栓塞或海绵体动脉结扎术。     

Vertebral compression fractures: distinction between benign and malignant causes with MR imaging

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was performed on 64 patients with 109 vertebral compression fractures, the cause of which could not be determined from plain radiographs. Twenty-five fractures were due to malignancy; 84 were caused by a benign process. In 22 of the 25 fractures caused by malignancy, MR images showed complete replacement of normal bone marrow, whereas 47 of the 61 benign fractures without history of trauma had complete preservation of normal bone marrow. The remaining 14 benign fractures had incompletely preserved bone marrow in a regular pattern. In two of the three remaining malignant fractures, the bone marrow replacement also was incomplete but with an irregular pattern. In cases of recent trauma or primary bone marrow abnormalities, the configuration and signal of remaining bone marrow were not useful in differentiating among malignancy, osteoporosis, and other benign processes. When criteria based on complete loss or preservation of marrow and marrow configuration in cases of incomplete loss were used, the accuracy in differentiating benign from malignant fractures was 94%. MR imaging may be a useful adjunct in differentiating benign from metastatic fractures and may provide information not available with other imaging methods.     

Chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia: the significance of pleural effusion

Five patients with chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia presented with symptoms of acute intestinal obstruction and unilateral pleural effusion. In each case, infarcted herniated abdominal structures were found at surgery. The presence of an ipsilateral pleural effusion is an important radiographic sign, which may indicate strangulation in patients with chronic traumatic diaphragmatic hernia.     

Paraspinal lipomatosis: a benign mass

Paraspinal lipomatosis usually occurs in patients with steroid excess. In two patients a paraspinal mass was detected on conventional radiographs and was subsequently shown to represent benign fat deposition on computed tomography, thereby obviating further studies. Neither patient had been receiving steroids. Paraspinal lipomatosis may be the cause of a benign mass and may be considered in the differential diagnosis of this finding.     

The ADA guidelines on oral malodor products

For over 130 years the ADA has been an important information source on the safety and effectiveness of dental products. The Council has recently completed the development of Acceptance Program Guidelines for products used in the management of oral malodor. The ADA Seal Program will ensure that professional and consumer dental products meet rigorous ADA criteria for safety and effectiveness     

Intravascular contrast media: effect of dose on renal function

Effect of contrast material dose on clinically evident change in renal function was studied prospectively in 200 examinations requiring intravenous or intraarterial administration of contrast material. All patients were adequately hydrated. Blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine were measured before and after the procedure. Ionic and nonionic contrast agents were used. Total dose of contrast material ranged from 30 to 530 mL (mean, 237 mL). There was no tendency to give smaller doses to patients with preexisting renal impairment and no relationship between total dose and patient age. No consistent clinical effect on renal function was demonstrated with increasing dose, regardless of whether ionic or nonionic agents were used. In adequately hydrated low-risk patients with predominantly normal initial renal function and within the dose range studied, there does not appear to be any consistent clinical change in renal function with increasing contrast material dose.     

Intracerebral malignant melanoma: high-field-strength MR imaging

Thirteen patients with intracerebral malignant melanoma underwent high-field-strength (1.5-T) magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. The images were correlated with computed tomography (CT) scans (n = 7) and surgical specimens (n = 7). Most commonly, these lesions were hyperintense to normal white matter on T1-weighted images and hypointense to normal white matter on T2-weighted images. Hemorrhage in the lesion may have a greater influence on this unique appearance than does melanin. The increased tissue sensitivity of MR imaging allowed for 22% greater lesion detection than did CT.