Age and female gender were identified as risk factors for UTI in

Age and female gender were identified as risk factors for UTI in both populations. Other particular risk factors were the need for immediate post-transplant GS-9973 cost dialysis in renal transplants and diabetes in non-renal transplants.”
“Liver cirrhosis is associated with number of hematological complications and coagulation disturbances. In view of various haemostatic abnormalities it is surprising that many patients do not bleed

spontaneously. Severe coagulopathy of liver disease is more frequently seen in acute liver failure, but still remains important complication of liver cirrhosis and chronic liver failure. Decreased production of blood coagulation factors by the liver plays a key role in altered haemostasis in liver diseases. Altered fragile balance of blood coagulation proteins and infection are associated with both worsening coagulopathy and bleeding risk. Additional haemostatic abnormalities in patients with severe liver diseases are thrombocytopenia, chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation, accelerated fibrinolysis, hypofibrinogenemia and dysfibrinogenemia.

In this review we discuss a complicated issue of multiple coagulopathies in patients with advanced liver dysfunction.”
“Background Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is a serious infection after kidney transplantation. The risk factors and the impact of CMV disease in African-American (AA) kidney transplant patients have not been well characterized. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis on 448 AA patients transplanted between 1996 and 2005. A 3-month universal chemoprophylaxis with ganciclovir or valganciclovir ATM signaling pathway was administered to CMV donor-positive/recipient-negative (D+/R-) patients and to those treated with anti-thymocyte globulin for rejection, but not routinely to those with other D/R serostatus. click here Results A total of 31 AA patients (7%) developed clinical CMV disease.

Compared with other D/R serostatus groups, the D+/R- group had the highest 3-year cumulative incidence of CMV disease (16.9% vs. 6.3% in D+/R+, 4.9% in D-/R+, and 2.4% in D-/R-). The D+/R- group also had the worst 3-year death-censored allograft survival (75% vs. 92% in D+/R+, 94% in D-/R+, and 96% in D-/R-, log-rank P = 0.01). Multivariate analysis found that D+/R- serostatus (odds ratio [OR] 5.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.648.2, P = 0.003) and donor age > 60 years (OR 9.1, 95% CI 1.365, P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for CMV disease. Conclusion The D+/R- group has the highest incidence of CMV disease and the worst 3-year renal allograft survival despite 3-month universal prophylaxis. Prolonged chemoprophylaxis may be needed to prevent the late development of CMV disease and to improve allograft survival in the high-risk group of AA kidney transplant recipients.”
“The evaluation of gene and protein expression profiles is a promising strategy to drive the therapeutical decision-making in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Hartree-Fock studies of candidate defect sites suggest that antib

Hartree-Fock studies of candidate defect sites suggest that antibonding states excited by 157 nm photons play a critical role Alvespimycin price in the release of these ions. We propose that positive ion emission from fused silica under these conditions is best explained by a hybrid mechanism involving (a) the excitation of an antibonding chemical state (Menzel-Gomer-Redhead mechanism) and (b) the acceleration of the positive ion by repulsive electrostatic forces due to the photoionization of nearby electron traps.”
“Introduction: Little information exists regarding the long-term outcome after structural failure of rotator cuff repair. We previously reported

clinical improvement, despite a 94% rate of failure of healing, at two years of follow-up in a cohort of eighteen patients who had undergone arthroscopic Buparlisib solubility dmso repair of massive rotator cuff tears. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the ten-year results for these patients with known structural failures of rotator cuff repairs.

Methods: Fifteen (83%) of eighteen patients were available for follow-up at ten years. Patients

were evaluated with use of the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons CASES) score, the Simple Shoulder Test (SST), a visual analog scale pain score, and the Constant score. Radiographs and sonograms were assessed.

Results: The average age was 74.6 years at the time of the latest follow-up. The average ASES score was 79.4 points (range, 50 to 95 points)

and the average visual analog scale pain score was 2.2 points (range, 1 to 4 points); both scores were unchanged from those at two years. The average SST score was 9.2 points (range, 6 to 12 points), and the average age-adjusted Constant score was 73.2 points (range, 58.7 to 89.7 points). Of the patients with structurally failed repairs, all but one had radiographic signs of proximal humeral migration or cuff tear arthropathy: three had Hamada Grade-2 changes, five had Grade-3 changes, and three had Grade-4 changes (with two having Grade-4a changes and one having Grade-4b changes). Ultrasound confirmed the persistence of all tears that had been seen at two years.

Conclusions: Clinical improvements and pain relief after arthroscopic rotator cuff repair of large Dibutyryl-cAMP inhibitor and massive tears are durable at the time of long-term (ten-year) follow-up, despite early structural failure of repair. Shoulders had a high rate of progression of radiographic signs associated with large rotator cuff tears. These results demonstrate that healing of large rotator cuff tears is not critical for long-term satisfactory clinical results in older patients.”
“CDKAL1 (cyckin-dependent kinase 5 regulatory subunit-associated protein 1-like 1) has been shown to be associated with type 2 diabetes in various ethnic groups; however, contradictory results have been reported.

Near-infrared spectroscopy

Near-infrared spectroscopy learn more (NIRS) measures aggregate oxygen saturation in a volume of tissue. We assessed the utility of continuous StO(2) measurement in a porcine model of cardiac arrest, and explored the effects of differential vasoconstriction on StO(2). We hypothesized

that (1) StO(2) trends correspond with the onset of loss of pulses, resuscitation, and return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC); (2) epinephrine has a dose-dependent effect on StO(2).

Methods: We anesthetized and instrumented 7 female swine, placing a NIRS probe on the left forelimb to recorded StO(2). After 8 min of untreated VF and 2 min of CPR, we randomized animals to 0.015 mg kg(-1) (SDE) or 0.1 mg kg-1 (HDE) epinephrine. After 3 min of CPR, animals were defibrillated. Animals with ROSC were given SDE, then HDE for subsequent hemodynamic deteriorations. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and generalized linear model (alpha = 0.05) to determine overall HIF cancer slope of pooled StO(2) across animals for resuscitation segments.

Results: Four animals received HDE and three SDE. All achieved ROSC. Significant coefficients (Delta StO(2) min(-1)) were noted for resuscitation segments. StO(2) decreased after loss of pulses (-29.1; 95%CI -33.4, -24.7; p < 0.01) but plateaued during CPR (-0.2; 95%CI -1.2, 0.8; p = 0.71). There was a graded decline in StO(2) between SDE

(-1.3; 95%CI – 1.5, -1.2; p < 0.01) and HDE (-3.1; 95%CI -5.8, -0.4; p = 0.03). The slowest change occurred with ROSC (0.4; 95%CI 0.3, 0.5; p < 0.01).

Conclusions: In a porcine model of OHCA, peripheral StO(2) rapidly decreased after loss of pulses, but did not improve with

CPR or epinephrine. It increased extremely slowly after ROSC. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“The hypothesis driving this study was that photodynamic therapy (PDT) may limit abdominal aortic aneurysm growth due to matrix changes. The aortas selleck chemical of 12 rats were incubated with elastase using a newly modified experimental aneurysm model (3.5 mg/ml). Rats were allocated to an elastase-only group (n = 6) to study the elastase-induced aneurysm growth and an elastase +/- PDT group to evaluate if PDT limited aneurysm growth (n = 6). PDT was performed with the photosensitizer methylene blue, and thermoneutral laser light (660 nm) was applied (120 J/cm(2), 100 mW/cm(2)) using a diode laser. Four untreated rats served as controls. The arteries were analysed after 4 weeks based on histology, immunohistochemistry and morphometry. This modified rat elastase model led to reproducible aneurysm development with no elastase-induced mortality compared with control animals (circumference, controls: 2.9 +/- 0.2 vs. elastase: 5.5 +/- 0.9 mm; P < 0.01). PDT after elastase incubation did not inhibit inflammatory cell infiltration.

The spin arrangement agrees with the experimental data With the

The spin arrangement agrees with the experimental data. With the increase

of hole doping concentration, the manganese spins gradually transform from canted striped antiferromagnetic phase to ferromagnetic one. (C) 2011 American Institute of Physics. [doi:10.1063/1.3545807]“
“Introduction: Takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TC) is a unique transient nonischemic cardiomyopathy that mimics acute myocardial infarction (MI). The aim of our study was to evaluate electrocardiographic changes in patients with TC, including the frequency of ST elevation and other abnormalities.

Methods: Savolitinib cell line Eleven patients were retrospectively identified from echocardiography database. All patients underwent coronary angiography and fulfilled the Mayo criteria for diagnosis of TC during the period November 2005 to September 2010. Standard 12-lead electrocardiograms recorded daily during the first week of hospitalization, after onset of symptoms were analyzed.

Results: Eight of 11 patients were found to have ST elevation, selleck chemicals llc of which two patients had ST depression in reciprocal leads. No patient had ST elevation in lead V1, most likely reason being that wall-motion abnormalities in TC rarely extend to the region faced by lead V1. Pathological Q waves were found in five patients, of which two patients had transient Q waves, suggesting less myocardial

damage. All 11 patients had T-wave inversion; eight of these patients had diffuse symmetric T-wave inversion, extending beyond the perfusion territory of any single coronary artery. QTc interval prolongation was found in 10 patients. All patients had left ventricular ejection fraction between 25% and 35% on presentation, which could not be predicted by the extent of electrocardiogram (ECG) changes.

Conclusion: ECG changes in TC are distinctive and differ from Peptide 17 datasheet those typically seen in acute anterior MI. The ECG abnormalities described may be important clues for the clinician to suspect diagnosis

of TC in the right clinical setting. (PACE 2011; 34:1278-1282)”
“Purpose: In order to obtain more insight into heavy ion tumour therapy, some features of the underlying molecular mechanisms controlling the cellular response to high linear energy transfer (LET) radiation are currently analysed.

Materials and methods: We analysed the decay of the integrated fluorescence intensity of gamma-H2AX (phosphorylated histone H2AX) which is thought to reflect the repair kinetics of radiation-induced DNA double-strand breaks (DSB) using Laser-Scanning-Cytometry. Asynchronous human HeLa cells were irradiated with a single dose of either 1.89 Gy of 55 MeV carbon ions or 5 Gy of 70 kV X-rays.

Results: Measurements of the gamma-H2AX-intensities from 15-60 min resulted in a 16 % decrease for carbon ions and in a 43 % decrease for X-rays. After 21 h, the decrease was 77 % for carbon ions and 85 % for X-rays.

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the major complications

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is one of the major complications affecting one third of the cases which may cause serious LY2157299 molecular weight morbidity. Platelet volume directly correlates with the

platelet function and activation. Small platelets have lower functional capabilities than larger ones. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate levels of mean platelet volume (MPV) in patients with HSP compared with healthy controls and to investigate the relationship between MPV and gastrointestinal bleeding. The study consisted of 43 HSP patients (male/female = 25/18, mean age = 6.2 +/- 2.6 years) and 27 age-matched healthy children (male/female = 14/13, mean age = 6.9 +/- 2 years) as control group. HSP patients had significantly lower MPV levels than healthy controls (7.5 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.9 +/- 0.5, p = 0.027). Thirteen of 43 patients had gastrointestinal bleeding. MPV was significantly lower in patients with GI bleeding

than patients without bleeding (7.0 +/- 0.8 vs. 7.7 +/- 0.6, p = 0.01). Platelet counts, white blood cell counts, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly higher in patients with GI bleeding when compared to patients without GI bleeding (p = 0.03, p = 0.004, and p = 0.03, respectively). This study suggests that low MPV may contribute to GI bleeding ICG-001 clinical trial in HSP.”
“The recent studies deal with a diblock copolymer, polystyrene poly(ethylene oxide). Infrared spectroscopy, proton resonance spectroscopy ((1)H-NMR), and laser light scattering techniques have been used to characterize the polymer. It has been concluded that the sample investigated is diblock copolymer polystyrene poly(ethylene oxide) having molecular mass 1.656 x 10(4) g/mol and blocks ratio 1 : 2. The micellization behavior is explored through (1)H-NMR, laser light scattering, light absorption, surface tension, and conductance and viscosity measurements.

The results conclude that the critical micelles concentration of copolymer is 0.0951 g/dL at 25 degrees C. It has been observed that the surface tension of solution decreases with the temperature and its impact is maxima in dilute concentration region. In addition, new methodologies have been introduced to get accurate critical micelles concentration and critical micelles temperature. (C) 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc., J Appl Polym Sci 118: 1704-1712, 2010″
“The phase separation of Nd(0.5)Ca(0.5-y)Sr(y)MnO(3), for Nocodazole order 0 <= y <= 0.5, is studied via electron spin resonance (ESR) in the temperature range 80-400 K. Two types of magnetic phases are found to coexist in the samples with y > 0 below a phase separation temperature T*. The ESR line width exhibits a minimum near the charge order transition temperature T(CO) for samples with y < 0.25, and near T* for y >= 0.25. A systematic decrease in line width is observed as y increases from 0 to 0.5. The g factors increase slightly and the ESR intensities increase exponentially when the temperature decreases in the paramagnetic region.

italicum These findings highlight the shikonin production potent

italicum. These findings highlight the shikonin production potential of the E. italicum callus, which may be considered as a new source for the production of shikonin and its derivatives for industrial use.”
“Three different solvent partitions (n-hexane, ethyl acetate [EtOAc] and n-BuOH) of the culture broth from Antrodia cinnamomea were assayed with two different radical scavenging methods: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging and superoxide radical scavenging (SOD) assay. The EtOAc layer

exhibited the best antioxidant activity. Two major antioxidant metabolites were isolated from the active EtOAc layer. The antioxidant activities of compounds Sotrastaurin 1-6 were further evaluated by DPPH, SOD and trolox equivalent

antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Compounds 3 and 5 showed stronger free radical scavenging than the reference BHA, ED50=1.36 and 34.24 mu GW3965 supplier M. Compound 5 displayed moderate SOD activity (ED50 = 310.0 mu M), and its antioxidant capacity of TEAC value was 2.2 mM trolox equivalency.”
“Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) is the causative agent of varicella (chickenpox). It shows extremely high infectivity and is spread by airborne, droplet, and contact transmission. After a person is infected with VZV, the virus remains dormant in the dorsal root ganglia, but can be reactivated under circumstances where specific immunity declines, leading to the development of herpes zoster (shingles). Although varicella is a disease that usually resolves after about 1 week, it can cause various complications such as secondary bacterial skin infection, pneumonia, and encephalitis. In addition, varicella can become severe in immunocompromised persons, whereas VZV infection transmitted from an infected mother can cause the congenital varicella this website syndrome or serious neonatal varicella. In 1974, a live varicella vaccine (Oka strain) was developed in Japan for the prevention of varicella, and clinical trials performed during the development were mainly focused on high-risk children. In 1985, the Oka strain

was recognized as the best varicella vaccine strain by the World Health Organization (WHO). Today, all the varicella vaccines used worldwide to immunize approximately 32 million people annually contain the Oka strain. In Japan, it has been commercially available since 1987 for the voluntary vaccination program, in which children over the age of 1 year with no history of previous varicella infection receive a single dose. In addition to healthy children, this vaccine can be used for immunocompromised children, and vaccination of elderly persons can also be done to enhance their immunity against VZV. Varicella vaccine is a highly safe vaccine with sufficient immunogenicity. The preventive effect of single-dose vaccination is believed to be approximately 80 % for all types of varicella, including mild cases; it is 95 % or greater for moderate to severe disease.

The impulsive patients demonstrated nonviolent acts, such as dis-

The impulsive patients demonstrated nonviolent acts, such as dis-inhibited sexual behavior or pathological stealing, and had

disproportionate frontal-caudate atrophy on neuroimaging. The majority of non-impulsive patients demonstrated agitation-paranoia, sometimes with reactive aggression, delusional beliefs, or aphasic paranoia, and had advanced memory and other cognitive impairment. The impulsive patients tended to have frontally predominant illnesses ZD1839 order such as frontotemporal dementia or Huntington’s disease, whereas the non-impulsive group tended to have Alzheimer’s disease or prominent aphasia. Sociopathy has different causes in dementia. Two common mechanisms are disinhibition, with frontally predominant disease, and agitation-paranoia, with greater cognitive impairment. These forms of sociopathy differ significantly from the antisocial/psychopathic personality. (The Journal of Neuropsychiatry and Clinical Neurosciences

2011; 23: 132-140)”
“Natural crosslinking of gelatin using selleck a simple plant derived phenolic compound caffeic acid has been studied For the first time we are reporting a thermo-irreversible gelatin gel formation at 60 C Controlling the crosslinking reaction has resulted in obtaining gelatin with modified material properties Reaction parameters such as reaction pH reaction time and concentration of caffeic acid have been optimised to obtain different degrees of crosslinking The modified material properties were studied using small and large deformation rheology Gelatin crosslinked at 60 C and pH 9 for 20 min using 1 5% concentration of caffeic acid showed higher melting and setting temperatures The storage modulus and gel strength were also found to be higher for crosslinked gelatin at higher temperatures (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved”
“Alpha-helical transmembrane proteins constitute roughly 30% of a typical genome and are involved in a wide variety of important biological processes including cell signalling, transport of membrane-impermeable molecules and cell recognition. Despite significant efforts to predict transmembrane protein topology, comparatively

little attention has been Barasertib directed toward developing a method to pack the helices together. Here, we present a novel approach to predict lipid exposure, residue contacts, helix-helix interactions and finally the optimal helical packing arrangement of transmembrane proteins. Using molecular dynamics data, we have trained and cross-validated a support vector machine (SVM) classifier to predict per residue lipid exposure with 69% accuracy. This information is combined with additional features to train a second SVM to predict residue contacts which are then used to determine helix-helix interaction with up to 65% accuracy under stringent cross-validation on a non-redundant test set. Our method is also able to discriminate native from decoy helical packing arrangements with up to 70% accuracy.


“Aim: To examine the prospective relationship between exte


“Aim: To examine the prospective relationship between externalizing and internalizing problems and cannabis use in early adolescence.

Materials and Methods: Data were used from the TRAILS study, a longitudinal cohort study of (pre)adolescents Ricolinostat in vitro (n = 1,449), with measurements at age 11.1 (T1). age 13.6 (T2) and age 16.3 (T3). Internalizing (withdrawn behaviour, somatic complaints and depression) and externalizing (delinquent and aggressive behaviour) problems were assessed at all data waves, using the Youth Self Report. Participants reported

on cannabis use at the second and third wave. Path analysis was used to identify the temporal order of internalizing and externalizing problems and cannabis use.

Results: Path analysis showed no associations between cannabis use (T2-T3) and internalizing problems (T1-2-3). However, cannabis use and externalizing problems were associated (r ranged from .19-.58); path analysis showed that externalizing problems at T1 and T2 preceded cannabis use

at T2 and T3, respectively. In contrast, cannabis use (T2) did SB203580 not precede externalizing problems (T3).

Conclusions: These results suggest that in early adolescence, there is no association between internalizing behaviour and cannabis use. There is an association between externalizing behaviour and cannabis use, and it appears that externalizing behaviour precedes cannabis use rather than the other way around during this age period. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Buffalograss,

Buchloe dactyloides, is a dioecious species native to the Great Plains of North America. The florets at the early stages of development possess both gynoecium and androecium organ primordia but later become unisexual. check details Very little is known about the proteomic changes that occur when the florets change from hermaphroditism to unisexuality. We compared the protein composition of florets at the hermaphroditic stage with that at the unisexual stage. The development stage of the floret was determined by stereomicroscopic observation. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis was used to separate the proteins extracted from female and male inflorescences. Stage-specific protein maps, with an average of about 400 spots per map, were analyzed with the protein analysis software. Eighteen spots were found to be differentially expressed between the hermaphrodite and unisexual stages. Of these, 12 were present at both stages but with a different expression value. Four specific spots appeared at the hermaphrodite stage and disappeared at the unisexual stage. Two specific protein spots were associated with female and male floret differentiation. One appears to be associated with contabescence in the female floret and the final protein appears to lead to the abortion of gynoecium in the male floret.

Intravesical LPs treatment is safe and its efficacy has sustained

Intravesical LPs treatment is safe and its efficacy has sustained duration. Furthermore large-scale, placebo-controlled studies selleckchem are warranted to assess the efficacy for this promising new treatment for IC/PBS. Copyright (C) 2011, Elsevier Taiwan LLC. All rights reserved.”
“Objective. The objective of this study was to provide evidence that the magnitude of angiogenesis induced by oral mucosa epithelium with potentially malignant lesions is related to the degree of epithelial aggressiveness.

Methods and results. We evaluated 96 biopsies that included: (1) leukoplakia with and without dysplasia, (2) nontumoral borders adjacent to squamous cell carcinomas with and without dysplasia, and (3) normal

oral mucosa. Number, size, and localization of vessels labeled immunohistochemically for the antigen CD34 were assessed by image analysis using a software developed “”ad hoc.”" All vascular sections and those localized immediately below the epithelium (sub-basal vessels) were separately evaluated in areas 30-mu m deep. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was labeled immunohistochemically LY2157299 supplier and evaluated semiquantitatively against a standard. Leukoplakia and nontumoral borders adjacent to carcinomas exhibited an increase in VEGF expression and in subepithelial

vascularization. This increase was significantly greater in leukoplakia with dysplastic changes than in leukoplakia without dysplasia. Conversely, no differences were observed between epithelia with and without dysplasia adjacent to carcinomas.

Conclusions. Demonstration of expression of epithelial VEGF and sub-basal vascularization could

be an additional aid for evaluation of the severity of potentially malignant lesions in oral mucosa routine biopsies. (Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol Endod 2011;111:486-493)”
“The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and the safety of the holmium:YAG laser for intravesical mesh excision in female patients with urinary bladder erosion complicated tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) procedure.

Between June 2, 2008 and December 31, 2009, seven patients who underwent laser excision of an intravesically protruding tape were followed up every 3 months for a total period of 1 year by disease-specific questionnaires, physical examination, cough stress test, see more urine analysis, urine bacterial culture, ultrasound and uroflowmetry. Filling cystometry was offered preoperatively and at the 3rd month, while cystoscopy was offered preoperatively and at the 1st month. The presenting symptoms were dysuria, urgency, hematuria, and recurrent lower urinary tract infections. Holmium laser was used for ablation and removal of the tape. The postoperative period was uneventful.

There was a substantial improvement in the urgency status, in the maximum flow rate (Q (max)) from 11.29 ml/s to 19.43 ml/s, in the voided volume (VV) from 185 ml to 251.43 ml and in the maximum cystometric capacity (C) from 237.86 ml to 310.

Results: The frequency of GG, GC, and CC genotypes did not differ

Results: The frequency of GG, GC, and CC genotypes did not differ significantly between cases and controls. No association was seen between TOAST subtype and genotype. At the time of admission, stroke was more severe in patients with the GC genotype (P = .003) and less severe in the GG genotype (P = .04). The GC genotype was also MK-2206 purchase associated with higher serum IL-6 levels and poor short-term(BI P = .001; mRS P = .003) and long-term outcomes (BI P = 9 x 10(-5); mRS P = 9 x 10(-5)), while the GG genotype had significantly lower serum IL-6 levels and better short and long-term outcomes (BI P = 3 x 10(-5); mRS P = 2 x 10(-4)). There was significantly lesser mortality

in the GG genotype and more in the GC genotype based on the Kaplan-Meier analysis. Conclusions: Patients with the GC genotype had more severe strokes with poorer short and long-term outcomes and increased mortality. The GG genotype was associated with less severe strokes,

better short and long-term prognosis, and survival. The GG genotype appears to be protective against stroke severity, outcome, and mortality.”
“The midurethral sling has emerged as an effective, minimally invasive treatment GSK690693 concentration for patients with stress urinary incontinence. Bladder penetration is a known complication that, if unrecognized, may result in retained intravesical mesh. This rare complication can cause patient discomfort as well as become a nidus AR-13324 clinical trial for infection and bladder calculi. Because of the

technique of sling passage, the site of retained sling material is often along the anterior bladder wall, making evaluation and treatment via traditional retrograde cystoscopy prohibitively difficult. We describe a novel and minimally invasive method to remove the sling material using antegrade access into the bladder in conjunction with holmium laser vaporization. In our series of six patients in whom retrograde cystoscopic treatment had failed, all were successfully treated with antegrade cystoscopy and reported improved urinary symptoms. This new technique provides a simple, minimally invasive, and effective method for removal of exposed sling mesh.”
“Aims: Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors have proven their ability to affect vascular wall remodelling, in addition to their anti-hypertensive effects. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of perindopril on the development of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) in a rat model, and its correlation to enzyme activities involved in vascular wall remodelling.

Methods: The model of the decellularised aortic xenograft in Lewis rat was chosen. Rats were randomised to two groups: group P fed with 3 mg kg(-1) of perindopril daily during 30 days, or control group C (n = 15 per group)). Rats were euthanised at 30 days for analysis. AAA growth and histological changes in the aortic wall were measured by histomorphometry.