Visceral adiposity index is useful for evaluating obesity effect on erectile dysfunction

Studies show that erectile dysfunction (ED) is associated with obesity, and it has been shown that the possibility of developing sexual dysfunction in obese men is 30% higher compared to those with normal weight. Obesity is measured using various methods, for example waist circumference (WC) measurement or body mass index (BMI), but recently, visceral adiposity index (VAI) has also been utilised to better assess obesity and metabolic syndrome. In our study, the potential link between VAI and ED was investigated. The data of 176 patients who presented to the urology outpatient clinic with erection complaints were retrospectively screened. A control group was also established with 122 men without complaints of erectile dysfunction. The erectile functions of all participants were determined using the International Erectile Function Index‐5 (IIEF‐5) scoring. In addition, their serum fasting blood glucose, total testosterone (TT), triglyceride (TG), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels were measured. The physical examination comprised the measurement of WC, height and weight, and BMI. The mean age of the participants was 58.7 ± 8.4 for the ED group and 57.1 ± 7.5 for the control group. The mean VAI was statistically significantly higher in the ED group (5.32 ± 2.77) compared to the control group (4.11 ± 1.93) (p < 0.001). Since VAI contains both physical and metabolic parameters, our findings suggest that it discloses the effects of WC, BMI, HDL and TG more clearly. VAI is considered useful for the assessment of the effect of obesity on ED patients.     

V-Y and rectangular flap combination for syndactyly repair

Objective: For syndactyly repair, several delicate, well-planned flap combination techniques have been reported. This study presents technique details with functional and aesthetic results of a dorsal rectangular and volar V-Y advancement flap combination for web reconstruction and S incisions for finger separation in patients with syndactyly.

Method: Ten patients with 16 syndactyly webs were treated. Patients were examined in terms of function and aesthetic. Evaluation criteria included the Vancouver Scar Scale, range of motion, degree of web creeping, parent’s satisfaction rates, and finger abduction. During the initial period, vascular compromise of fingers, haematoma, infection, seroma, flap necrosis, or graft failures were not noted in any patients. No patients required revision surgery. During the later period, parent satisfaction scores were excellent or good, finger function was complete, and the Vancouver Scar Scale showed that two webs had hyperpigmented areas and two had supple pliability.

Conclusion: This simple syndactyly release technique can provide a low rate of web creep, good scar quality, and optimal functional results.     

Papaverine solution improves preservation of saphenous vein grafts used during cardiac surgery

The purpose of this study was to assess the viability and dilator response of the saphenous vein segments harvested during cardiac surgery. The saphenous veins were incubated with either normal saline (group A) or papaverine solutions (group B). The viability of saphenous vein endothelial cells was assessed by counting the number of total cells. Maximal endothelium-dependent vasodilator response to acetylcholine was also investigated. Cell viability of vein samples was decreased after 4 hours of incubation with normal saline (34 +/- 6.5%) as compared to solution containing papaverine (92 +/- 3.7%). By 24 hours, the viabilities of the endothelial cells incubated with saline and papaverine solutions were 22 +/- 4.5% and 87 +/- 5%, respectively.There was significant difference in vasodilatation responses to acetylcholine between saline-incubated and papaverine-incubated groups. By 4 hours of incubation, the relaxation response to acetylcholine significantly deteriorated in group A when compared to the initial value (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the decrease in this vasorelaxation response has also continued throughout the observation period and the values obtained by 24 hours were observed to be significantly lower than those obtained at the end of 4 hours (P < 0.01). In contrast, although a decrease was noticed in group B over time, this decrease was not statistically significant (P, not significant). We thus conclude that the use of papaverine solution improves endothelial cell viability and is associated with preservation of the maximal endothelial-dependent vasodilator response of a vein segment.     

An alternative technique of proximal anastomosis in patients with an atherosclerotic ascending aorta

Coronary artery bypass grafting operations in patients with an atherosclerotic ascending aorta are still associated with an increased risk of cerebral embolism and mortality despite previously described techniques. Here we present an alternative technique for the construction of a proximal anastomosis avoiding aortic clamping and deep hypothermic circulatory arrest.     

Late urodynamic findings after treating traumatic rupture of the posterior urethra in boys

OBJECTIVE: To investigate lower urinary tract (LUT) functions in a prospective study in boys treated for posterior urethral distraction (PUD), as posterior urethral stricture, erectile dysfunction and incontinence can occur after various treatments for this rare injury in children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Eleven boys were treated for PUD and resultant stricture between 1980 and 2000. Their age, the cause of trauma, extent of injury, previous treatment, and continence status were evaluated, and a urodynamic study conducted. Controls were 12 age-matched males who underwent similar cystometrography (CMG) and uroflowmetry. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age at injury was 8 (4) years and the cause was traffic accident in nine and crush injury in two boys. Seven boys had an isolated urethral rupture, two also had a bladder neck injury and two also had a perforated bladder. No gross neurological impairment developed after trauma. Voiding cysto-urethrograms after initial therapy showed vesico-ureteric reflux in five boys, but in only one at the time of the urodynamic studies. At the time of urodynamic study, the mean (SD) age of the patients was 15 (6) years; seven were fully continent, one had intermittent leakage, two were incontinent, and one had nocturnal enuresis. CMG-electromyography (EMG) showed a reduced maximum cystometric capacity in nine patients, reduced compliance in 10, stable detrusor in 11, synergic detrusor-sphincter activity in 11, and residual urine in one. The uroflowmetry-EMG study showed prolonged voiding time and flow time, decreased maximum flow urinary rate (Q(max)) and mean flow rate (Q(avg)). The shape of the flow curve showed an uninterrupted low-amplitude pattern. Comparing these patients with age-matched controls, CMG and uroflowmetry studies showed that the maximum cystometric bladder capacity, compliance, Q(max) and Q(avg) were all significantly lower in patients with PUD, while voiding time and flow time were significantly higher. CONCLUSION: The LUT deteriorates after treating PUD in boys. CMG and uroflowmetry findings are consistent with partial anatomical obstruction distal to the bladder. Our results are preliminary and full urodynamics, including pressure-flow studies, will be useful to support this conclusion. A urodynamic study should be integral in the management of PUD.     

Expression of melanoma-associated antigens in human dendritic cells pulsed with an interleukin-2 gene encoded vaccinia melanoma oncolysate (rIL-2VMO)

Dendritic cells (DCs) possess the unique abilities to initiate a primary immune response and to present antigens to na?ve T lymphocytes. Recently, there has been a rapidly growing interest in the use of DCs in active specific immunotherapy (ASI) for the treatment of patients with cancer. In the present study, we determined the ability of DCs to express Melanoma-Associated Antigens (MAAs) from a polyvalent Melanoma Vaccine (DC-MelVac; Patent #11221/5) developed in our facility. The vaccine consists of a recombinant IL-2 gene-encoded vaccinia melanoma oncolysate (rIL-2VMO) derived from an established human melanoma cell line. Our results show that r-IL2VMO-pulsed DCs express MAAs presented by the Mel-2 melanoma cell line oncolysate used in this study. We believe that these promising results will prove useful as an active specific immunotherapeutic agent for patients with Stage III melanoma.     

Magnesium sulphate and amiodarone prophylaxis for prevention of postoperative arrhythmia in coronary by-pass operations

Background  

The aim of this study was to investigate the use of prophylactic magnesium sulphate and amiodarone in treating arrhythmias that may occur following coronary bypass grafting operations.