Renal sonography in the differentiation of upper from lower urinary tract infection

Increase in renal volume and asymmetry in kidney size determined by sonography proved to be a valuable diagnostic criterion for differentiation between infections of the upper and lower urinary tract in 175 children: acute bacterial interstitial nephritis (79) and lower urinary tract infection (96). Kidney volume in acute pyelonephritis increased to an average of 175% of normal. In 71% of cases, affected kidneys showed an enlargement of at least 2 SD when compared with a group of 325 children without kidney pathology. Most impressive kidney enlargement was seen during the first year of life. In 50% of cases, acute pyelonephritis caused a bilateral increase in renal size and/or distinct volume asymmetry. Kidneys of patients with lower urinary tract infections had a mean volume of 99.68% and a physiologic volume asymmetry comparable to normal kidneys.     

Arthroskopische Eingriffe nach Oberflächenersatz des Hüftgelenks

Hip arthroscopy has evolved into a safe and effective procedure. The role of arthroscopy has widened and it has now entered the realms of resolving the mystery of the pain of unknown origin following arthroplasty. The technique of arthroscopy following resurfacing hip arthroplasty and its usefulness in diagnosing unexplained pain is described in this study. Hip arthroscopy can help diagnose occult infections, metal ion allergy, impingement lesions, iliopsoas tendinopathy, capsular thickening and non-specific synovitis. Dynamic assessment with arthroscopy especially aids in detecting macro-movement in early cases of aseptic loosening and post-arthroplasty femoroacetabular impingement. Hip arthroscopy also plays a therapeutic role in debridement and rinsing of infected arthroplasties, excision of impingement lesions, severance of the iliopsoas ligament, capsular release, removal of loose bodies and synovectomies. The arthroscopic procedure in resurfacing hip arthroplasty can be technically demanding but it is a safe and useful tool in the armamentarium of a properly trained hip surgeon.     

The manager's role as coach and mentor

By serving as mentors, managers can help employees expand their capabilities and improve their performance, but first a manager must create the proper climate and develop the specific skills needed for effective coaching.     

Human brain tumor-associated urinary high molecular weight transforming growth factor: a high molecular weight form of epidermal growth factor

Urinary protein obtained from a patient with a highly malignant brain tumor (astrocytoma, grade IV) was adsorbed to trimethylsilyl controlled-pore glass beads and selectively eluted with acetonitrile to yield a high molecular weight (HMW) human transforming growth factor (hTGF). This HMW hTGF promoted clonogenic cell growth in soft agar and competed for membrane receptors with mouse epidermal growth factor. After surgical resection of the tumor, no HMW hTGF was found in urine. HMW hTGF generated a human EGF (hEGF) radioimmunoassay competitive binding curve similar to that of hEGF and parallel to that of a highly purified HMW form of hEGF previously reported to be present in trace concentrations in normal human urine. Both hEGF and HMW hEGF were clonogenic in soft agar, and their clonogenic activity as well as that of HMW hTGF was inhibited by anti-hEGF serum. Both HMW hTGF and HMW hEGF had 20 to 25% of the radioreceptor binding activity of hEGF. HMW hTGF purified from the pooled urine of several patients with malignant astrocytomas and HMW hEGF purified from normal control urine comigrated at Mr 33,000. Thus, HMW hTGF was indistinguishable from HMW hEGF in terms of apparent molecular size, epidermal growth factor receptor binding activity, epidermal growth factor immunoreactivity, and clonogenic activity. Urinary HMW hEGF/hTGF may be of tumor cell origin or may represent a response of normal host tissues to the tumor or its products.     

Respiratory and skin health among glass microfiber production workers: a cross-sectional study

Background  

Only a few studies have investigated non-malignant respiratory effects of glass microfibers and these have provided inconsistent results. Our objective was to assess the effects of exposure to glass microfibers on respiratory and skin symptoms, asthma and lung function.     

Nodular form of intra-abdominal panniculitis: sonographic features

Sonography of a patient with acute upper abdominal pain demonstrated an encapsulated hyperechoic mass which indented the stomach. Fine-needle biopsy produced atypical cells; the diagnosis of nodular intra-abdominal panniculitis was made at surgery. Sonography probably has a role in the detection and follow-up of this benign lesion.