Cadaveric topography and morphometry of the vermiform appendix

Our study justified by the frequency of acute appendicitis and the possibility of anatomic variations of the caecoappendicular area attempt to index the topographic variations of the vermiform appendix (v.a.). On 80 fresh native cadavers (62 men and 18 women) without surgical antecedent whose mean age was 36 years (range between 16 and 78 years) we note the morphotype and the height. More over we study the intraperitoneal projection of the Mac Burney point, topography and shape of the cecum and the situation, shape and dimensions of the v.a. We note also the level of implantation of this latter on the cecum, appearance of the mesoappendix and the distance separating the base of the appendix to the ileo-caecal junction. Mac Burney's point permitted to localize appendix in 66%; the cecum has more often than not the form of a bulb (98.7%) and sited in right fossa iliaca. We noted 7 types of topographic disposition; front varieties were more frequent (68.7%) notably the pelvic direction (51.2%) with a medial (72.5%) or a posteromedial (27.5%) establishment on the cecum. The v.a. was more often in the form of worm with a long mesoappendix; his mean length was 106.4 mm (between 65 and 160 mm) and the mean diameter 6.77 mm (range between 4 and 10 mm). The distance which separated the base of the appendix to the ileo-cecal junction varied between 15 to 40 mm with a mean distance of 24.2 mm. Thus in this study, dimensions of the v.a. were very variables. Located in right fossa iliaca he adopted a front topography with pelvic direction and medial establishment on bulbar cecum. In spite of scarcity of ectopic situation of the appendix for which laparoscopic approach is salutary, a similar topographic study during surgical treatment of acute appendicitis will be interesting.     

Null mutation in human ciliary neurotrophic factor gene confers higher body mass index in males

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) administration reduces weight in leptin-resistant mice via the signalling pathway normally activated by leptin. A G>A null mutation in the CNTF gene results in complete absence of protein. We hypothesised that absence of CNTF could lead to diminished initiation of anorectic pathways, with consequent increase in body mass. In 575 Caucasian men aged 59-73 years, the A/A genotype (frequency 1.9%) was associated with a 10 kg increase in weight (P=0.03, 2 df) and 3 kg/m(2) greater BMI (P=0.02, 2 df). There was no effect in women. The CNTF G>A null mutation therefore confers a moderate effect on obesity in males of A/A genotype, who represent 1% of the general population.     

A 3 year retrospective review of intrauterine insemination, using cryopreserved donor spermatozoa and cycle monitoring by urinary or serum luteinizing hormone measurements

Insemination with donor spermatozoa is an integral part of infertility treatment. For the last 3 years in our unit, intrauterine insemination with donor spermatozoa (IUID) has been used in preference to vaginal insemination. In this retrospective study, patients were offered an initial course of five single intrauterine inseminations with cryopreserved donor spermatozoa and treatment was then reviewed. A total of 389 patients received 1465 inseminations. In all, 1119 cycles were monitored using luteinizing hormone serum analyses and 346 cycles using the urine home test kits. The clinical pregnancy rate per insemination for the cycles monitored by the serum assay was 18.0% (202/1119) compared with the urine cycles (13.7%, 46/346) (P <05). The pregnancy loss rate was not significantly different (14.4%, 29/202 and 21.7%, 10/46) (serum and urine cycles respectively). The viable clinical pregnancy rate was significantly higher (P <03) for the serum cycles than for the cycles using the urinary monitoring (15.5%, 173/1119 and 10.4%, 36/346 respectively). The cycles monitored by serum assay had a significantly higher cumulative viable clinical pregnancy rate (P <0001) of 70.2% after nine inseminations compared with the urine monitored cycles of 54.8%. The majority of patients opted for the serum cycles, with a minority self-selecting the urine cycles mainly for travelling convenience. The explanation for the significant differences between the viable clinical pregnancy rates per insemination and the cumulative viable clinical pregnancy rates may be due to the sensitivity of the urine home test kit or the patients' interpretation of the result.      

Proliferation and transepithelial migration of mucosal mast cells in interstitial cystitis.

The distribution and abundance of mast cells, as well as their fixation, staining and ultrastructural properties, were studied in the urinary bladders of 16 patients with interstitial cystitis (IC) and in 14 normal subjects. Tissues were fixed in both standard formaldehyde solution and a special fixative, IFAA, optimized for the preservation of mucosal mast cells. An expansion of two distinct mast cell populations was observed in IC. One of these, comprising formaldehyde-sensitive cells, was found only in the mucosa underlying lesions of IC. They were most numerous in the lamina propria but were also frequent in the epithelial layer as well as in the bladder washings, indicating a migratory capacity for these cells. The other mast cell population was visualized equally well irrespective of fixation and staining procedure. In control subjects, such cells were found both in the lamina propria and detrusor muscle, but not in the epithelium nor in bladder washings. In lesions of IC they were increased in the detrusor muscle only. Both types of mast cell contained granules with the highly characteristic lamellar arrays and scrolls, distinguishing human mast cell granules from those of blood basophils. The proliferation and intraepithelial distribution of mucosal mast cells are unusual findings, but prominent features of helminth responses and human mucosal allergic reactions. These findings thus suggest that the mucosal mast cell-IgE system may be involved in the pathogenesis and/or aetiology of IC.     

Reduction of Diagnostic Window by New Fourth-Generation Human Immunodeficiency Virus Screening Assays

In order to reduce the diagnostic window between the time of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and laboratory diagnosis, new screening enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) which permit the simultaneous detection of HIV antigen and antibody have been developed. Two fourth-generation assays, HIV DUO (Biomérieux) and HIV Combi (Boehringer Mannheim), for the combined detection of HIV antigen and antibody, were compared with a third-generation assay (HIV-1/HIV-2 3rd Generation Plus enzyme immunoassay [EIA]; Abbott) and a p24 antigen test (HIV-1 Ag monoclonal; Abbott). A total of 17 seroconversion panels, 15 cell culture supernatants infected with different HIV type 1 (HIV-1) subtypes, and 255 potentially cross-reactive serum samples were tested. Ten seroconversions were detected an average of 8.1 days earlier with HIV DUO and 7.5 days earlier with HIV Combi than with the third-generation ELISA. Overall, in the 17 seroconversion panels tested, HIV DUO detected HIV-1 infection an average of 4.8 days and HIV Combi detected infection an average of 4.4 days earlier than HIV-1/HIV-2 3rd Generation Plus EIA. HIV antigen was detected with HIV DUO and HIV Combi in all of the 15 cell culture supernatants infected with different HIV-1 subtypes, including subtype O. With fourth-generation assays, considerably fewer false-positive results (n = 4 to 6) were obtained, in comparison with the third-generation EIA (n = 18). Fourth-generation assays permit an earlier diagnosis of HIV infection than third-generation antibody screening assays through the detection of p24 antigen, which may be present in serum samples from individuals with recent HIV infection prior to seroconversion.     

Blue spotted bladder--a manifestation of bladder amyloidosis. A case report

Bladder amyloidosis may represent a life-threatening condition, but may also be associated with milder clinical symptoms. Herein, we report two older males with a different type of apparently mild bladder amyloidosis, presenting as the "blue spotted bladder".     

脾内血管的应用解剖学研究盐酸喹那普利治疗原发性高血压的临床应用观察

目的　探讨盐酸喹那普利 (QuinaprilHydrochloride)治疗轻、中度原发性高血压的有效性和安全性。方法　全国 6家医院参加的一项多中心、随机、双盲、平行组间对照研究。结果　 113例原发性高血压病人治疗 8周后 ,总有效率达 85 84% ,统计学有显著性差异。盐酸喹那普利副反应较轻 ,对肾脏、肝脏、造血系统和心脏未见有害作用。结论　盐酸喹那普利是一种安全、疗效好、副反应小的治疗轻、中度原发性高血压的有效药物。