Decreased chemiluminescence in thymocytes of dystrophic hamsters

When thymocytes are stimulated they generate reactive oxygen species, which under appropriate conditions produce chemiluminescence (CL). The reactions occur near the cell surface. Since genetically determined muscular dystrophies are currently considered “membrane diseases”, we tested the CL of thymocytes from dystrophic hamsters, strain BIO 14.6, in comparison with control animals of the Rb-strain. CL of 33 × 10⁶ thymocytes each was monitored in a liquid scintillation counter at 32 C. Dystrophic cells stimulated with concanavalin A (Con A) reached only 60% of the normal peak CL. When stimulated with the calcium ionophore A23187, dystrophic cells exhibited only 40% of the peak CL of control cells. The thymus weight of dystrophic hamsters was significantly reduced. It is not known yet whether these alterations of the thymus are secondary to extrathymic factors or whether they are intrinsic to the thymocyte. If the latter is true, it would be an indication that the genetic defect of dystrophic hamsters is also expressed in the thymus.     

Functional prognosis in stroke: use of somatosensory evoked potentials.

Median nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were performed on 35 patients with acute stroke and correlated with functional outcome as measured by placement, length of stay and an activities of daily living index (Barthel Index). There was a statistically significant correlation of both SEP and sensory examination at the 0.05 level to eventual functional outcome. SEPs were better than age, sex and side of CVA in predicting functional outcome as measured by these scores. SEPs and sensory examination are interrelated but SEPs offer the advantages of objectivity, the ability to quantify results and the use in unconscious or dysphasic patients.     

The effect of a custom edentulous impression tray on lingual sulcus depth

An acrylic resin custom edentulous impression tray and standardized irreversible hydrocolloid impression technique were used. Ten impressions were made, after which the lingual border of the tray was reduced by 1.5 mm before the next series of impressions was made. This was done three times. Impressions were cast in a miter box. The plaster blocks so obtained were sectioned in the (a) retromylohyoid region, (b) 10 mm anterior, and (c) in the region of the mental foramen. In the retromylohyoid region there was a significant difference between the flange length after each reduction of the custom tray (p less than 0.01). Ten millimeters anteriorly the differences after each reduction except between the first and second reduction were less significant. In the region of the mental foramen there was a significant difference after the first reduction, but there was no significant difference between the flange lengths obtained thereafter.     

Population-based survey of urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and other lower urinary tract symptoms in five countries: results of the EPIC study

OBJECTIVE: Estimate the prevalence of urinary incontinence (UI), overactive bladder (OAB), and other lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among men and women in five countries using the 2002 International Continence Society (ICS) definitions. METHODS: This population-based, cross-sectional survey was conducted between April and December 2005 in Canada, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and the United Kingdom using computer-assisted telephone interviews. A random sample of men and women aged >/= 18 yr residing in the five countries and who were representative of the general populations in these countries was selected. Using 2002 ICS definitions, the prevalence estimates of storage, voiding, and postmicturition LUTS were calculated. Data were stratified by country, age cohort, and gender. RESULTS: A total of 19,165 individuals agreed to participate; 64.3% reported at least one LUTS. Nocturia was the most prevalent LUTS (men, 48.6%; women, 54.5%). The prevalence of storage LUTS (men, 51.3%; women, 59.2%) was greater than that for voiding (men, 25.7%; women, 19.5%) and postmicturition (men, 16.9%; women, 14.2%) symptoms combined. The overall prevalence of OAB was 11.8%; rates were similar in men and women and increased with age. OAB was more prevalent than all types of UI combined (9.4%). CONCLUSIONS: The EPIC study is the largest population-based survey to assess prevalence rates of OAB, UI, and other LUTS in five countries. To date, this is the first study to evaluate these symptoms simultaneously using the 2002 ICS definitions. The results indicate that these symptoms are highly prevalent in the countries surveyed.     

Long-term prospective randomized study comparing two different regimens of oxybutynin as a treatment for detrusor overactivity

OBJECTIVE: Prospective randomized trial to compare two low starting doses of oxybutynin, using an incremental regimen to assess patient compliance and treatment efficacy in the long-term. STUDY DESIGN: Women with detrusor overactivity were included. Oxybutynin was randomly prescribed with a starting dose of either 2.5 mg bd or 5 mg nocte. Instructions were given to increase oxybutynin up to 5 mg tds over a period of 6 weeks fortnightly. After two years we re-contacted all the women, using a specific questionnaire to assess the efficacy, acceptability and compliance with these two different regimens. Twenty-two women in each group were calculated to show a 5% difference with a significance of 0.05 and a power of 0.9. The chi2-test was used to compare the two groups and a P-value < 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Ninety-six women were included; 66 (68.75%) (mean age 57.5 years) responded to our questionnaire. Twenty-seven had a starting dose of 2.5 mg oxybutynin twice a day and 39 of 5 mg nocte. 34.8% complained of side effects. Only 19 (43.2%) out of the 44, not on medication anymore abandoned oxybutynin for adverse reactions. Most of the patients stopped oxybutynin within 4 months. 53.0% reported improvement or cure. 39.4% denied any benefit and 7.6% (none still on oxybutynin) did not answer. The two groups did not differ for duration of treatment, improvement with oxybutynin, maximum dose they reached, the present dose, and the present urinary symptoms. CONCLUSION: This study did not show any advantage in efficacy or compliance with oxybutynin when two different regimens of low starting were used. Two-thirds of patients discontinued the therapy within 4-6 months. Therefore, patients on anticholinergics should be reassessed after 6 months in clinical practice.     

The interaction between sex and click polarity in brain-stem auditory potentials evoked from control subjects of Oriental and Caucasian origin

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) were performed on 30 male and 30 female young normal Oriental subjects, using both condensation and rarefaction stimulation. The effects of sex and click polarity on the BAEP latencies and amplitudes were studied. Females had shorter absolute and interpeak latencies and higher absolute amplitudes than the males. These sex-related BAEP differences were independent of the click polarity. Rarefaction clicks produced shorter wave I latency and longer I-III interpeak latency, but the differences were significant in the female only. The polarity-related BAEP amplitude differences were essentially independent of the sex. BAEPs performed on 60 sex- and age-matched young Caucasian subjects produced similar results. The importance of establishing control BAEP values according to the sex and click polarity is emphasised.