Severe menopausal symptoms in mid-aged Latin American women can be related to their indigenous ethnic component.

PubMed

Ojeda, E; Monterrosa, A; Blümel, J E; Escobar-López, J; Chedraui, P

2011-02-01

Latin American women present more severe menopausal symptoms when compared to those from other regions of the world. Since this population is an ethnic blend of Caucasian and indigenous people, we sought to test the hypothesis that severe menopausal symptoms in Latin American women are associated with an indigenous origin. To assess menopausal symptoms among two specific indigenous Latin American populations. A total of 573 natural postmenopausal indigenous women aged 45-59 years (288 Quechua (Peru) and 285 Zenú (Colombia)) living in isolated communities were surveyed with a general questionnaire and the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS). The total MRS score was significantly higher among Quechua women as compared to Zenú ones (22.7 ± 5.7 vs. 14.7 ± 2.5, p < 0.0001); both figures were higher than those described for Hispanic or European populations. Quechua women presented more intense somatic and psychological symptoms as compared to Zenú (8.8 ± 2.3 vs. 5.3 ± 1.8; and 7.8 ± 2.4 vs. 3.2 ± 1.7, p < 0.0001); however, both indigenous groups presented similar intense urogenital symptoms (6.1 ± 1.6 vs. 6.2 ± 1.4, not significant). These differences persisted after adjusting for age, years since menopause onset and parity. The percentage of women presenting severe somatic and psychological symptoms significantly increased with aging among Quechua. This was not the case for Zenú women. More than 90% of indigenous women (Quechua and Zenú) at all age intervals presented severe urogenital scores, a percentage that is much higher than that described in the world literature. Severe menopausal symptoms found among Latin American women could be the result of their indigenous ethnic origin; the urogenital domain is the most affected.

Evaluation of Ocoxin-Viusid® in Advanced or Metastatic Ovarian Epithelial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-06-08

Carcinoma; Ovarian Neoplasm; Endocrine Gland Neoplasm; Urogenital Neoplasms; Ovarian Diseases; Adnexal Diseases; Genital Diseases, Female; Female Urogenital Diseases; Female Urogenital Diseases and Pregnancy Complications; Endocrine System Diseases; Gonadal Disorders; Genital Neoplasm, Female; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial

Ageing and inflammation in the male reproductive tract.

PubMed

Frungieri, M B; Calandra, R S; Bartke, A; Matzkin, M E

2018-05-08

Ageing is usually characterised by a mild chronic proinflammatory state. Despite the tight association between both processes, the phenomenon has recently been termed inflammageing. Inflammation in the male reproductive tract is frequently linked with bacterial or virus infections but also with a broad range of noninfectious processes. Prostatitis, epididymitis and orchitis, among others, can lead to infertility. However, in spite of the inflammation theory of disease, chronic inflammation in male urogenital system does not always cause symptoms. With advancing age, inflammatory processes are commonly observed in the male reproductive tract. Nevertheless, the incidence of inflammation in reproductive organs and ducts varies greatly among elderly men. Inflammageing is considered a predictor of pathogenesis and the development of age-related diseases. This article briefly summarises the current state of knowledge on inflammageing in the male reproductive tract. Yet, the precise aetiology of inflammageing in the male urogenital system, and its potential contribution not only to infertility but most importantly to adverse health outcomes remains almost unknown. Thus, further investigations are required to elucidate the precise cross-links between inflammation and male reproductive senescence, and to establish the impact of anti-inflammatory drug treatments on elder men's general health status. © 2018 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Profiles and technological requirements of urogenital probiotics.

PubMed

Nader-Macías, María Elena Fátima; Juárez Tomás, María Silvina

2015-09-15

Probiotics, defined as live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host, are considered a valid and novel alternative for the prevention and treatment of female urogenital tract infections. Lactobacilli, the predominant microorganisms of the healthy human vaginal microbiome, can be included as active pharmaceutical ingredients in probiotics products. Several requirements must be considered or criteria fulfilled during the development of a probiotic product or formula for the female urogenital tract. This review deals with the main selection criteria for urogenital probiotic microorganisms: host specificity, potential beneficial properties, functional specifications, technological characteristics and clinical trials used to test their effect on certain physiological and pathological conditions. Further studies are required to complement the current knowledge and support the clinical applications of probiotics in the urogenital tract. This therapy will allow the restoration of the ecological equilibrium of the urogenital tract microbiome as well as the recovery of the sexual and reproductive health of women. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Role of probiotics in urogenital healthcare

PubMed Central

Waigankar, Santosh S.; Patel, Vimal

2011-01-01

Urogenital infections are one of the most common causes for a woman to visit a gynecologist or a urologist. The well-known association between abnormal vaginal microbial flora and its formidable risk in the increased incidence of urinary tract infection underscores the importance of understanding the microbial flora and the efforts needed to maintain it, for ensuring urogenital health. Surprisingly in spite of the increased incidence urogenital infections receive very less attention from the medical fraternity. Growing awareness among people and newer advances in the medical field has brought them into the limelight. The importance of replenishing these depleting commensals with ‘probiotics’ has resurfaced in a big way. As the days go by science and medicines will touch new milestones, which will include probiotics. The value of a probiotics cannot be taken at face value. Probiotics must not be considered a panacea for treating urogenital infections. However, the available data promises that it will be a strong option in improving and maintaining urogenital health. PMID:21897732

Chemical differences between voided and bladder urine in the aye-aye (Daubentonia madagascariensis): implications for olfactory communication studies.

PubMed

Delbarco-Trillo, Javier; Harelimana, Innocent H; Goodwin, Thomas E; Drea, Christine M

2013-07-01

Urine serves a communicative function in many mammalian species. In some species, the signaling function of urine can be enhanced by the addition of chemical compounds from glands along the distal portion of the urogenital tract. Although urine marking is the main mode of chemical communication in many primate species, there has been no study of the contribution of urogenital secretions to the chemical complexity of primate urine. Here, we compared the chemical composition of bladder urine versus voided urine in the aye-aye, Daubentonia madagascariensis, a strepsirrhine primate that relies on urine in intraspecific communication. Both types of urine, collected from each of 11 aye-ayes representing both sexes of varying adult ages, underwent headspace analysis via gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Although the average number of compounds was similar in bladder and voided urine, 17% of the compounds detected occurred exclusively in voided urine (but only in a subset of individuals). An overall measure of chemical complexity (using a nonmetric multidimensional scaling analysis) showed that both types of urine were chemically different at the individual level. There was no apparent sex or age differences in the chemical components found in aye-aye urine. Nonetheless, the individual dissimilarities between bladder urine and voided urine indicate chemical contributions from structures along the urogenital tract and offer further support for the relevance of urinary communication in the aye-aye. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Detection of Chlamydia trachomatis in rectal specimens in women and its association with anal intercourse: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PubMed

Chandra, Nastassya L; Broad, Claire; Folkard, Kate; Town, Katy; Harding-Esch, Emma M; Woodhall, Sarah C; Saunders, John M; Sadiq, S Tariq; Dunbar, J Kevin

2018-02-03

Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly diagnosed bacterial STI. Lack of prevalence and risk factor data for rectal chlamydia in women has testing and treatment implications, as azithromycin (a first-line urogenital chlamydia treatment) may be less effective for rectal chlamydia. We conducted a systematic review of studies on women in high-income countries to estimate rectal chlamydia prevalence, concurrency with urogenital chlamydia and associations with reported anal intercourse (AI). Systematic review and four meta-analyses conducted using random-effects modelling. Medline, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PsycINFO and the Cochrane Database were searched for articles published between January 1997 and October 2017. Studies reporting rectal chlamydia positivity in heterosexual women aged ≥15 years old in high-income countries were included. Studies must have used nucleic acid amplification tests and reported both the total number of women tested for rectal chlamydia and the number of rectal chlamydia infections detected. Conference abstracts, case reports and studies with self-reported diagnoses were excluded. Data extracted included setting, rectal and urogenital chlamydia testing results, AI history, and demographics. Fourteen eligible studies were identified, all among diverse populations attending sexual health services. Among routine clinic-attending women, summary rectal chlamydia positivity was 6.0% (95% CI 3.2% to 8.9%); summary concurrent rectal chlamydia infection was 68.1% in those who tested positive for urogenital chlamydia (95% CI 56.6% to 79.6%); and of those who tested negative for urogenital chlamydia, 2.2% (95% CI 0% to 5.2%) were positive for rectal chlamydia. Reported AI was not associated with rectal chlamydia (summary risk ratio 0.90; 95% CI 0.75 to 1.10). High levels of rectal chlamydia infection have been shown in women with urogenital chlamydia infection. The absence of association between reported AI and rectal chlamydia suggests AI is not an adequate indicator for rectal testing. Further work is needed to determine policy and practice for routine rectal testing in women. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2018. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

[Urogenital trauma associated with pelvic ring fractures].

PubMed

Pavelka, T; Houcek, P; Hora, M; Hlavácová, J; Linhart, M

2010-02-01

To evaluate, in a retrospective study, injuries to the urogenital tract in patients with pelvic ring fractures. MATERIAL In the years 1998-2007, a total of 308 patients with pelvic ring fractures were treated. The study did not comprise patients with low-energy fractures, such as apophyseolysis in children, osteoporotic bone fractures or pathologic fractures. It also did not include patients with multiple injuries who died within 6 hours of admission to the hospital. The group consisted of 186 men and 122 women with an average age of 34 (range, 6 to 76) years. The fractures sustained were classified as type A in 5 %, type B in 57 % and type C in 38 % of the patients. The average follow-up was 71 (range, 13 to 121) months. A primary injury to the urogenital tract was recorded in 50 (16 %) patients. Injury to the urethra was found in 23 (7.5%) and urinary bladder trauma in 18 (6%) patients, vaginal injury was in four women (1%), and penis injury in three (1%) and lacerated testicles in two men (1%). Injury to the urogenital tract was associated with a pelvic ring fracture type A in 5 %, type B in 34 % and type C in 61 % of the patients. Out of the 23 patients with urethral trauma, only six (26 %) were free from functional and subjective complaints; eight (35 %) continued to receive therapy for urethral stenosis seven (30 %) reported urinary incontinence, and seven men (30 %) had erection problems. In six patients (26%) the lasting sequelae were combined. The 18 patients with injury to the bladder reported no subjective complaints at a one-year follow-up. Two patients with penis root injury had erectile dysfunction. Two patients with the loss of both testicles were in the care of a psychiatrist. The patients' satisfaction was evaluated on a 0-to10-point scale. The average value for the whole group was 4.1 points. In the patients with erectile dysfunction, the value was 0.8, and in those with isolated injury to the urinary bladder it was 9.4 points. The increasing number of injuries to the urogenital tract associated with permanent sequelae is caused by a growing number of pelvic ring fractures as well as, and this is more important, by decreasing mortality in patients with severe trauma to the pelvic ring The extent of urogenital injury is related to the degree of dislocation of the pelvic skeleton. Injury to the male urethra is the most frequent urogenital trauma because of the male anatomy. It occurs most often in unstable C type fractures when the pelvic ring is disrupted with bone displacement due to shear force at the site of urethra attachment. The consequences are related to the quality of treatment of urogenital tract injury as well as to how the skeletal injury is managed. The lasting effects of the primary injury to nerve structures are beyond repair by therapy. Injury to the urethra results in erectile dysfunction in 50 % of the injured patients it is often associated with urinary incontinence that has a strong effect on the patient's life quality. Isolated trauma to the urinary bladder has a good prognosis. The incidence of post-traumatic incontinence is not high, but reduces the patient's personal and social comfort. A prerequisite for a successful therapeutic outcome is a good cooperation of the orthopaedic surgeon and urologist. Key words: pelvic ring fractures, urogenital injury.

[THE ROLE OF SYSTEM QUORUM SENSING UNDER CHRONIC UROGENITAL CHLAMYDIA INFECTION].

PubMed

2015-10-01

It is established that system quorum sensing (QS) assure social behavior of bacteria in regulation of genes of virulence and generalization of inflectional inflammatory process under chronic urogenital chlamydia infection. The techniques of gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry were applied to detect molecular markers of generalization of infectious process under urogenital chlamydiasis--activators of QS microbes (lactones, quinolones, furan ethers). The developed diagnostic gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry criteria of indexation of molecular markers under chronic urogenital chlamydia infection have high level of diagnostic sensitivity, specificity and prognostic value of positive and negative result. The application of techniques of gas chromatography and mass-spectrometry permits enhancing effectiveness of diagnostic of chronic inflectional inflammatory diseases of urogenital system of chlamydia etiology with identification of prognostic criteria of generalization of infectious process and subsequent prescription of timely and appropriate therapy

Bladder Mucosal Graft Vaginoplasty: A Case Report.

PubMed

Chiaramonte, Cinzia; Vestri, Elettra; Tripi, Flavia; Giannone, Antonino Giulio; Cimador, Marcello; Cataliotti, Ferdinando

2018-06-18

Female vaginoplasty reconstruction, by choice, is usually performed with adjacent tissue. However in some clinical conditions such as high urogenital confluence sinus, cloacal malformation with extreme vaginal hypoplasia, local tissue may not be available. When vaginal replacement is performed in pediatric patients intestinal segments is preferred to non-operative procedures that require continuative dilations. However mucus production, malignant transformation risk and diversion colitis are important side effects. We present a nouvel technique for vaginoplasty in a female child presenting with an isolated urogenital sinus malformation without virilization. The patient at 20 months underwent vaginoplasty using tubularized bladder mucosal graft. Surgical procedure was devoid of complications. Pubertal development occurred at age of 15. She underwent regular follow up until 18 years of age. At this age we performed clinical evaluation: absence of vaginal introitus stenosis and good cosmetic results were observed. Then she underwent vaginoscopy with multiple biopsies. Pathology examination of the bladder mucosal graft evidenced a normal structure of the mucosa, with a stratified squamous epithelium. Different techniques are taken into account for vaginal reconstruction according to the severity and to the type of malformation. We describe the use of bladder mucosal graft with favorable results after long term follow-up. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

Effects of a soy-based dietary supplement compared with low-dose hormone therapy on the urogenital system: a randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial.

PubMed

Carmignani, Lucio O; Pedro, Adriana Orcesi; Montemor, Eliana B; Arias, Victor A; Costa-Paiva, Lucia H; Pinto-Neto, Aarão M

2015-07-01

This study aims to compare the effects of a soy-based dietary supplement, low-dose hormone therapy (HT), and placebo on the urogenital system in postmenopausal women. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 60 healthy postmenopausal women aged 40 to 60 years (mean time since menopause, 4.1 y) were randomized into three groups: a soy dietary supplement group (90 mg of isoflavone), a low-dose HT group (1 mg of estradiol plus 0.5 mg of norethisterone), and a placebo group. Urinary, vaginal, and sexual complaints were evaluated using the urogenital subscale of the Menopause Rating Scale. Vaginal maturation value was calculated. Transvaginal sonography was performed to evaluate endometrial thickness. Genital bleeding pattern was assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using χ(2) test, Fisher's exact test, paired Student's t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test, and analysis of variance. For intergroup comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test (followed by Mann-Whitney U test) was used. Vaginal dryness improved significantly in the soy and HT groups (P = 0.04). Urinary and sexual symptoms did not change with treatment in the three groups. After 16 weeks of treatment, there was a significant increase in maturation value only in the HT group (P < 0.01). Vaginal pH decreased only in this group (P < 0.01). There were no statistically significant differences in endometrial thickness between the three groups, and the adverse effects evaluated were similar. This study shows that a soy-based dietary supplement used for 16 weeks fails to exert estrogenic action on the urogenital tract but improves vaginal dryness.

The role of lactobacillus probiotics in the treatment or prevention of urogenital infections--a systematic review.

PubMed

Abad, C L; Safdar, N

2009-06-01

Probiotics are increasingly being used to treat and prevent urogenital infections. However, a critical assessment of their efficacy in major urogenital infections is lacking. We report the results of a systematic review to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention or treatment of three major urogenital infections: bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and urinary tract infection. Using multiple computerized databases, we extracted data from clinical trials using a lactobacillus-containing preparation to either prevent or treat a urogenital infection. Of 25 included studies, 18 studies used lactobacillus preparations for treatment or prevention of urogenital infections and seven studies focused solely on vaginal colonization. Four studies included patients with vaginal candidiasis, five included patients with urinary tract infections, and eight included patients with bacterial vaginosis. One included several types of genitourinary infections. Overall, lactobacilli were beneficial for the treatment of patients with bacterial vaginosis. No clear benefit was seen for candidiasis or urinary tract infection. Studies were heterogeneous, with some limited by a small population size. In conclusion, the use of certain lactobacillus strains such as L. rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri for prevention and treatment of recurrent urogenital infection is promising, especially for recurrent bacterial vaginosis. Scant data on the use of probiotics for urinary tract infection and vulvovaginal candidiasis precludes definitive recommendations. Further research and larger studies on types of lactobacilli strains, dosage of lactobacilli, optimal route and vehicle of administration are needed.

Similarity of female central (hypogonadotropic) hypogonadism and postmenopause.

PubMed

Ilovayskaya, I; Zektser, V; Lazebnik, L

2017-08-01

Central (hypogonadotropic) hypogonadism in women could be a cause of persistent amenorrhea and hypoestrogenemia as observed in postmenopause. This study aimed to compare the clinical, hormonal and biochemical features in women with non-physiological (central hypogonadism) and physiological (postmenopause) hypoestrogenemia. A total of 161 young women, median age 24.9 years (interquartile range (IQR) 21.2; 30.5) with central hypogonadism (with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism, n = 76, and with hypopituitarism, n = 85), 53 healthy young women, median age 23.9 years (IQR 23.1; 28.0) and 50 healthy postmenopausal women, median age 56.0 years (IQR 53.1; 58.5), were examined. Psychoemotional, neurovegetative and urogenital symptoms, sex steroid levels, parameters of lipid and mineral metabolism were evaluated. In young women with central hypogonadism, the frequencies of psychoemotional, neurovegetative and urogenital complaints differed significantly from those in healthy young women and were similar to those in postmenopausal women. Concentrations of estradiol, testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, parameters of lipid and mineral metabolism as well as quality of life in women with central hypogonadism were not typical of healthy young women but were similar to those of postmenopausal women of middle/old age. Despite the young age of women with central hypogonadism, clinical, hormonal and biochemical abnormalities were similar in many aspects to those in postmenopausal women at middle/old age. These revealed features could be considered as signs of premature aging in young amenorrheic women with low gonadotropin levels.

Genital region cleansing wipes: Effects on urine culture contamination.

PubMed

Selek, Mehmet Burak; Bektöre, Bayhan; Sezer, Ogün; Kula Atik, Tuğba; Baylan, Orhan; Özyurt, Mustafa

2017-01-30

Urine culture is the gold standard test for revealing the microbial agent causing urinary tract infection (UTI). Culture results are affected by sampling techniques; improper sampling leads to contamination of urine and thus contamination of the culture with urogenital flora. We aimed to evaluate the effect of urogenital cleansing, performed with chlorhexidine-containing genital region cleansing wipes (GRCW) on contamination rates. A total of 2,665 patients with UTI-related complaints and with urine culture requests from various outpatient clinics were enrolled in the study. Of the patients, 1,609 in the experimental group used GRCW before sampling, while 1,046 in the control group did not use any wipes. The contamination rate in the experimental group patients was 7.7%, while it was 15.8% in the control group. Contamination rates were significantly higher in the control group than in the experimental group for both women and men. Contamination rates for children and adults were also significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group. Our study, conducted in a large population, showed that the use of chlorhexidine-containing cleansing wipes significantly reduced urine culture contamination rates in both genders, in both child and adult age groups. Using GRCW, collection of urine after urogenital area cleansing will decrease the contamination problem.

A human case of urogenital myiasis caused by Psychoda sp. larvae in Tripoli, Libya

PubMed

Saadawi, Walid K; Shaibi, Taher; Annajar, Badereddin B

2017-01-01

Urogenital myiasis caused by Psychoda spp. involving human are very rare and present with unusual symptoms. Larvae belonging to Psychoda sp. (Diptera: Psychodidae) were found in the urogenital tract of a 9-year-old girl, who lives in Tajoura, Libya, and had suffered from genital pruritus and moving larvae in urine. This is the first record of such case in Libya.

Modulation of male mouse genital sniff, attack, and mount behaviors by urogenital substances from estrous females.

PubMed

Weinhold, L L; Ingersoll, D W

1988-09-01

The modulation of attacks, genital sniffs, and mounts in male SJL/J mice by ovarian-dependent urogenital substances in the urine voided by estrous females was examined. Urogenital substances were applied onto the external urogenital areas of ovariectomized mice. When compared with urine voided by estrous females, which stimulated genital sniffing, mounting, and reduced aggression, bladder urine was ineffective. Genital sniffing and mounting was stimulated by estradiol-17 beta, vaginal fluids, and preputial extract. Aggression was reduced by estradiol-17 beta, urethral catheterized urine, and vaginal fluids. Preputialectomy reduced, but did not eliminate, urinary stimulation of genital sniffing and mounting. Preputial extract stimulated aggression. Urogenital substances from ovariectomized females were ineffective in reducing attacks and stimulating genital sniffs and mounts. It was concluded that the ovarian-dependent chemosignals in the urine voided by estrous females are contributed by the urethra, vagina, and preputial gland, perhaps in part through the excretion of unconjugated estrogens.

Missing the mark: Current practices in teaching the male urogenital examination to Canadian undergraduate medical students

PubMed Central

McAlpine, Kristen; Steele, Stephen

2016-01-01

Introduction: The urogenital physical examination is an important aspect of patient encounters in various clinical settings. Introductory clinical skills sessions are intended to provide support and alleviate students’ anxiety when learning this sensitive exam. The techniques each Canadian medical school uses to guide their students through the initial urogenital examination has not been previously reported. Methods: This study surveyed pre-clerkship clinical skills program directors at the main campus of English-speaking Canadian medical schools regarding the curriculum they use to teach the urogenital examination. Results: A response rate of 100% was achieved, providing information on resources and faculty available to students, as well as the manner in which students were evaluated. Surprisingly, over one-third of the Canadian medical schools surveyed failed to provide a setting in which students perform a urogenital examination on a patient in their pre-clinical years. Additionally, there was no formal evaluation of this skill set reported by almost 50% of Canadian medical schools prior to clinical training years. Conclusions: To ensure medical students are confident and accurate in performing a urogenital examination, it is vital they be provided the proper resources, teaching, and training. As we progress towards a competency-based curriculum, it is essential that increased focus be placed on patient encounters in undergraduate training. Further research to quantify students’ exposure to the urogenital examination during clinical years would be of interest. Without this commitment by Canadian medical schools, we are doing a disservice not only to the medical students, but also to our patient population. PMID:27878052

Missing the mark: Current practices in teaching the male urogenital examination to Canadian undergraduate medical students.

PubMed

McAlpine, Kristen; Steele, Stephen

2016-08-01

The urogenital physical examination is an important aspect of patient encounters in various clinical settings. Introductory clinical skills sessions are intended to provide support and alleviate students' anxiety when learning this sensitive exam. The techniques each Canadian medical school uses to guide their students through the initial urogenital examination has not been previously reported. This study surveyed pre-clerkship clinical skills program directors at the main campus of English-speaking Canadian medical schools regarding the curriculum they use to teach the urogenital examination. A response rate of 100% was achieved, providing information on resources and faculty available to students, as well as the manner in which students were evaluated. Surprisingly, over one-third of the Canadian medical schools surveyed failed to provide a setting in which students perform a urogenital examination on a patient in their pre-clinical years. Additionally, there was no formal evaluation of this skill set reported by almost 50% of Canadian medical schools prior to clinical training years. To ensure medical students are confident and accurate in performing a urogenital examination, it is vital they be provided the proper resources, teaching, and training. As we progress towards a competency-based curriculum, it is essential that increased focus be placed on patient encounters in undergraduate training. Further research to quantify students' exposure to the urogenital examination during clinical years would be of interest. Without this commitment by Canadian medical schools, we are doing a disservice not only to the medical students, but also to our patient population.

Chlamydia prevalence in the general population: is there a sex difference? a systematic review

PubMed Central

2013-01-01

Background The focus of Chlamydia trachomatis screening and testing lies more on women than on men. The study aim was to establish by systematic review the prevalence of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in men and women in the general population. Methods Electronic databases and reference lists were searched from 2000 to 2013 using the key words “Chlamydia trachomatis”, “population-based study” and “disease prevalence”. Reference lists were checked. Studies were included in the analysis if Chlamydia trachomatis prevalence was reported for both men and women in a population-based study. Prevalence rates for men and women were described as well as highest prevalence rate by age and sex. The difference in prevalence between the sexes in each study was calculated. Results Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria and quality assessment for the review. In nine of the twenty-five studies there was a statistically significant sex difference in the chlamydia prevalence. In all nine studies the prevalence of chlamydia was higher in women than in men. The prevalence for women varied from 1.1% to 10.6% and for men from 0.1% to 12.1%. The average chlamydia prevalence is highly variable between countries. The highest prevalence of chlamydia occurred predominantly in younger age groups (< 25 years). The absence of symptoms in population-based urogenital chlamydia infection is common in men and women (mean 88.5% versus 68.3%). Conclusions The urogenital chlamydia trachomatis prevalence in the general population is more similar than dissimilar for men and women. A modest sex difference is apparent. The prevalence rates can be used to inform chlamydia screening strategies in general practice. PMID:24215287

Epidemiology of chlamydial infection and disease in a free-ranging koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population

PubMed Central

Waugh, Courtney A.; Dong, Jianbao; Quigley, Bonnie L.; Hanger, Jonathan; Loader, Joanne; Polkinghorne, Adam; Timms, Peter

2017-01-01

Chlamydial disease continues to be one of the main factors threatening the long-term survival of the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Despite this, large epidemiological studies of chlamydial infection and disease in wild koala populations are lacking. A better understanding of the prevalence, transmission and pathogenesis is needed to improve control measures, such as the development of vaccines. We investigated the prevalence of Chlamydia pecorum infection and disease in 160 koalas in a peri-urban wild population in Queensland, Australia and found that 31% of koalas were Chlamydia PCR positive and 28% had clinically detectable chlamydial disease. Most infections were at the urogenital site (27%; both males and females) with only 14% at the ocular site. Interestingly, we found that 27% (4/15) of koalas considered to be sexually immature (9–13 months) were already infected with C. pecorum, suggesting that a significant percentage of animals are infected directly from their mother. Ocular infection levels were less prevalent with increasing age (8% in koalas older than 4 years), whereas the prevalence of urogenital tract infections remained high into older age (26% in koalas older than 4 years), suggesting that, after mother-to-young transmission, C. pecorum is predominantly a sexually transmitted infection. While 28% of koalas in this population had clinically detectable chlamydial disease (primarily urogenital tract disease), many PCR positive koalas had no detectable disease and importantly, not all diseased animals were PCR positive. We also observed higher chlamydial loads in koalas who were C. pecorum infected without clinical disease than in koalas who were C. pecorum infected with clinical disease. These results shed light on the potential mechanisms of transmission of C. pecorum in koalas and also guide future control measures, such as vaccination. PMID:29281731

An Epidemiological Trend of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Ethiopia

PubMed Central

Chala, Bayissa; Torben, Workineh

2018-01-01

Schistosomiasis is a major public health problem in Ethiopia. Currently, the prevalence of the disease can possibly be heightened due to man-made ecological transformations particularly related to the recent development programs involving irrigation and construction of dams. The expansion of some of the water resource development projects has been cited enhancing the upsurge of urogenital schistosomiasis mainly in the lower altitude areas of the country. In connection to the extensive initiation of development projects in low altitude areas of the country, simultaneous and adequate attentions have never been given to address a pre-assessment of health impacts of the development programs prior to launching the projects. Helpful appraisals focusing on evaluation of epidemiology of urogenital schistosomiasis in Ethiopia have not been explored. Therefore, the current review attempts to trace an overall picture of the epidemiological status of urogenital schistosomiasis in the country; the past and existing trends of urogenital schistosomiasis surveys and control programs of the country are reviewed. Essential recommendations are highlighted for possible inputs in future control design strategies of national control program of schistosomiasis. PMID:29556490

The surgical management of urogenital tuberculosis our experience and long-term follow-up.

PubMed

Bansal, Punit; Bansal, Neeru

2015-01-01

Urogenital tuberculosis (TB) is common in developing countries. We present our experience of surgically managed cases of genitourinary TB (GUTB). We retrospectively reviewed 60 cases GUTB who underwent surgery at our center from January 2003 to January 2010. Mode of presentation, organ involvement, investigation, surgical treatment and follow-up were studied. There were 38 males and 22 females with a mean age of 32.5 years. The most common symptom was irritative voiding symptoms. The most common organ involved was bladder in 33 cases, and next most common was kidney in 30 cases. Preoperative bacteriologic diagnosis was confirmed in only 19 cases. A total of 66 procedures were performed as some patients needed more than one procedure. These included 35 ablative procedures and 31 reconstructive procedures. All the patients were followed-up with renal function test (RFT) at 3, 6 and 12 months. The intravenous urography and diethylenetriamine pentaacetic acid scan were performed at 3 months when indicated. Then the patients were followed with RFT and ultrasonography 6 monthly for 3 years and then annual RFT. Many patients of urogenital TB present late with cicatrisation sequelae. Multidrug chemotherapy with judicious surgery as and when indicated is the ideal treatment. The results of reconstructive surgery are good and should be done when possible. Rigorous and long term follow-up is necessary in patients undergoing reconstructive surgery.

Urogenital function in robotic vs laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery: a comparative study.

PubMed

Panteleimonitis, Sofoklis; Ahmed, Jamil; Ramachandra, Meghana; Farooq, Muhammad; Harper, Mick; Parvaiz, Amjad

2017-02-01

Urological and sexual dysfunction are recognised risks of rectal cancer surgery; however, there is limited evidence regarding urogenital function comparing robotic to laparoscopic techniques. The aim of this study was to assess the urogenital functional outcomes of patients undergoing laparoscopic and robotic rectal cancer surgery. Urological and sexual functions were assessed using gender-specific validated standardised questionnaires. Questionnaires were sent a minimum of 6 months after surgery, and patients were asked to report their urogenital function pre- and post-operatively, allowing changes in urogenital function to be identified. Questionnaires were sent to 158 patients (89 laparoscopy, 69 robotic) of whom 126 (80 %) responded. Seventy-eight (49 male, 29 female) of the responders underwent laparoscopic and 48 (35 male, 13 female) robotic surgery. Male patients in the robotic group deteriorated less across all components of sexual function and in five components of urological function. Composite male urological and sexual function score changes from baseline were better in the robotic cohort (p < 0.001). In females, there was no difference between the two groups in any of the components of urological or sexual function. However, composite female urological function score change from baseline was better in the robotic group (p = 0.003). Robotic rectal cancer surgery might offer better post-operative urological and sexual outcomes compared to laparoscopic surgery in male patients and better urological outcomes in females. Larger scale, prospective randomised control studies including urodynamic assessment of urogenital function are required to validate these results.

Histology of the Urogenital System in the American Bullfrog (Rana catesbeiana), with Emphasis on Male Reproductive Morphology.

PubMed

Rheubert, Justin L; Cook, Hanna E; Siegel, Dustin S; Trauth, Stanley E

2017-10-01

Previous studies have revealed variations in the urogenital system morphology of amphibians. Recently, the urogenital system of salamanders was reviewed and terminology was synonymized across taxa. Discrepancies exist in the terminology describing the urogenital system of anurans, which prompted our group to develop a complete, detailed description of the urogenital system in an anuran species and provide nomenclature that is synonymous with those of other amphibian taxa. In Rana catesbeiana, sperm mature within spermatocysts of the seminiferous tubule epithelia and are transported to a series of intratesticular ducts that exit the testes and merge to form vasa efferentia. Vasa efferentia converge into single longitudinal ducts (Bidder's ducts) on the lateral aspects of the kidneys. Branches from the longitudinal ducts merge with genital kidney renal tubules through renal corpuscles. The nephrons travel caudally and empty into the Wöffian ducts. Similar to salamanders, the caudal portion of the kidneys (termed the pelvic kidneys in salamanders) only possesses nephrons involved in urine formation, not sperm transport. Data from the present study provide a detailed description and synonymous nomenclature that can be used to make future comparative analyses between taxa more efficient.

[Urogenital injuries accompanying pelvic ring fractures].

PubMed

Tauber, M; Joos, H; Karpik, S; Lederer, S; Resch, H

2007-02-01

Follow-up of patients with pelvic ring fractures and associated injuries of the lower urogenital tract was performed from January 2000 to October 2004. Analysis focused on incidence, fracture type, type of urogenital injury, associated intrapelvic lesions, mortality, and urologic outcome. The retrospective study included 18 of 111 patients (16.2%). Nine patients had a rupture of the urethra, six a rupture of the bladder, three a rupture of the penile root, and two a gonadal defect. The type of the pelvic ring fracture according to the AO classification was type A in 1, type B in 6, and type C in 11 cases. Fifteen patients (83.3%) were followed up clinically for a mean duration of 26 months (range: 12-66 months) after trauma. Seven patients were asymptomatic concerning the urogenital injury, five had erectile dysfunction, two had urethral stenosis, in one case associated with incontinence, and one patient with bilateral defect of the testicles was under hormone substitution therapy. Urogenital injuries, often associated with intrapelvic lesions in so-called complex pelvic trauma, are typical for high-grade pelvic ring fractures and have an essential prognostic value for the patient's morbidity and quality of life.

Trauma Outcomes and UroGenital Health in OEF/OIF (TOUGH) - A Retrospective Cohort Study with Long-Term Follow-up

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-07-01

AWARD NUMBER: W81XWH-16-2-0013 TITLE: Trauma Outcomes and UroGenital Health in OEF/OIF (TOUGH) - A Retrospective Cohort Study with Long-Term...COVERED 1 Jul 2016 - 30 Jun 2017 4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE with Long-Term Follow-up 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER Trauma Outcomes and UroGenital Health in OEF/OIF...Orman JA. J Trauma Acute Care Surg. 2016 (5 Suppl 2 Proceedings 2015 Military Health System Research Symposium):S95-S99; 2) Janak JC, Orman JA

Urogenital tumors

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Weller, R.E.

An overview is provided for veterinary care of urogenital tumors in companion animals, especially the dog. Neoplasms discussed include tumors of the kidney, urinary bladder, prostate, testis, ovary, vagina, vulva and the canine transmissible venereal tumor. Topics addressed include description, diagnosis and treatment.

Treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among girls aged 5 years or younger.

PubMed

Mukwege, Denis; Alumeti, Desiré; Himpens, Jacques; Cadière, Guy-Bernard

2016-03-01

To evaluate outcomes after treatment of rape-induced urogenital and lower gastrointestinal lesions among young girls. In a retrospective study, data were assessed from girls aged 5 years or younger who were treated for sexual-assault-related injuries at the General Referral Hospital, Panzi, Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo, between 2004 and 2014. Data were obtained from review of charts, records of the mother's impressions and physical examinations, and photographic evidence. Elective surgery had been reserved for patients experiencing fecal and/or urinary incontinence. Overall, 205 girls aged 5 years or younger presented with rape injuries: 162 (79.1%) had only mucocutaneous lesions, 22 (10.7%) had musculocutaneous lesions, and 21 (10.2%) had musculocutaneous lesions complicated by fecal and/or urinary incontinence. Among the 21 girls who underwent perineal surgery, two with fecal and urinary incontinence and perforation of the peritoneum of Douglas pouch were additionally treated by laparoscopy. Among 16 patients with fecal incontinence, the continence score had improved significantly at 10.4 months after surgery (P<0.001). Concomitant urinary incontinence subsided for four of five patients but persisted for one who had a gunshot wound to the vagina. Cosmetic outcome was normal in 19 cases. For rape survivors aged 5 years or younger, a treatment strategy by which surgery is reserved for incontinent patients provided good cosmetic and functional outcomes. Copyright © 2015 International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Evaluation of the anatomical site distribution of chlamydia and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men and in high-risk women by routine testing: cross-sectional study revealing missed opportunities for treatment strategies.

PubMed

van Liere, Geneviève A F S; Hoebe, Christian J P A; Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H T M

2014-02-01

Current strategies for controlling non-urogenital chlamydia and gonorrhoea are not uniform. It is assumed that present anorectal/oropharyngeal infections are coincidentally treated with urogenital infections. However, it is not clear whether this control strategy is effective. To inform current debate, we evaluated the anatomical site distribution of chlamydia and gonorrhoea by routine testing in men who have sex with men (hereafter men) and in high-risk women (prostitutes and swingers, hereafter women). Between January 2010 and November 2012, all men (n=2436) and women (n=1321) attending our sexually transmitted infection clinic were routinely tested for anorectal, oropharyngeal and urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Data were collected on demographics and sexual behaviour. Overall chlamydia positivity was 10.4% (254/2436) in men and 7.0% (92/1321) in women, for gonorrhoea this was 6.3% (154/2436) and 3.1% (41/1321), respectively. Isolated non-urogenital infections amounted to 76% of all infections in men and for up to 59% of all infections in women. For combined urogenital and anorectal infections, this amounted to 14% for men and up to 54% for women. Testing only for non-urogenital infections is insufficient, as it overlooks many infections. The use of coincidental treatment is therefore a suboptimal control strategy in high-risk groups for halting complications and transmission. There is an urgent need to optimise the testing guidelines for chlamydia and gonorrhoea at different anatomical sites.

The urogenital-hypogastric sheath: an anatomical observation on the relationship between the inferomedial extension of renal fascia and the hypogastric nerves.

PubMed

Yang, X F; Luo, G H; Ding, Z H; Li, G X; Chen, X W; Zhong, S Z

2014-11-01

The study aimed to perform an anatomical observation on the inferomedial extension of the renal fascia (RF) to the pelvis and explore its relationship with the hypogastric nerves (HGNs). Gross anatomy was performed on 12 formalin-fixed and 12 fresh cadavers. Sectional anatomy was performed on four formalin-fixed cadavers. Different from the traditional concept, both the anterior and posterior RF included the outer and inner layer with different inferomedial extensions. The multiple layers of RF extended downward to form a sandwich-like and compound fascia sheath with potential and expandable spaces which was named as "the urogenital-hypogastric sheath." Below the level of the origin of the inferior mesenteric artery, the bilateral urogenital-hypogastric sheath communicated with the counterpart in front of the great vessels in the midline and the superior hypogastric plexus ran into the urogenital-hypogastric sheath which carried the HGNs, ureters, and genital vessels downward to their terminations in the pelvis. In the retrorectal space, the urogenital-hypogastric sheath surrounded the fascia propria of the rectum posterolaterally as a layer of coat containing HGNs. The multiple layers of RF with different extensions are the anatomical basis of the formation of the urogenital-hypogastric sheath. As a special fascial structure in the retroperitoneal space and the pelvis, emphasis on its formation and morphology may be helpful for not only unifying the controversies about the relationship between the pelvic fascia and HGNs but also improving the intraoperative preservation of the HGNs by dissecting in the correct surgical plane.

Ontogenetic anatomy of the distal vagina: relevance for local tumor spread and implications for cancer surgery.

PubMed

Höckel, Michael; Horn, Lars-Christian; Illig, Romana; Dornhöfer, Nadja; Fritsch, Helga

2011-08-01

We have suggested to base cancer surgery on ontogenetic anatomy and the compartment theory of tumor permeation in order to improve local tumor control and to lower treatment-related morbidity. Following the validation of this concept for the uterine cervix, proximal vagina and vulva, this study explores its applicability for the distal vagina. Serial transverse sections of female embryos and fetuses aged 8-17 weeks were assessed for the morphological changes in the region defined by the deep urogenital sinus-vaginal plate complex. Histopathological pattern analysis of local tumor spread was performed with carcinomas of the lower genital tract involving the distal vagina to test the compartment theory. Ontogenetically, the female urethra, urethrovaginal septum, distal vagina and rectovaginal septum represent a morphogenetic unit derived from the deep urogenital sinus-vaginal plate complex. Herein, the posterior urethra, the urethrovaginal septum and the distal vagina form a distinct subcompartment differentiated from the dorsal wall of the urogenital sinus. From 150 consecutive patients with distal vaginectomy as part of their surgical treatment 26 carcinomas of the lower genital tract had infiltrated the distal vagina. All 22 tumors involving the ventral wall invaded the urethra/periurethral tissue. Of the five carcinomas involving the dorsal wall none invaded the rectum/mesorectum. The pattern of local tumor permeation of lower genital tract cancer in the distal vagina can be consistently explained with ontogenetic anatomy and the compartment theory. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

An illustrated anatomical ontology of the developing mouse lower urogenital tract

PubMed Central

Georgas, Kylie M.; Armstrong, Jane; Keast, Janet R.; Larkins, Christine E.; McHugh, Kirk M.; Southard-Smith, E. Michelle; Cohn, Martin J.; Batourina, Ekatherina; Dan, Hanbin; Schneider, Kerry; Buehler, Dennis P.; Wiese, Carrie B.; Brennan, Jane; Davies, Jamie A.; Harding, Simon D.; Baldock, Richard A.; Little, Melissa H.; Vezina, Chad M.; Mendelsohn, Cathy

2015-01-01

Malformation of the urogenital tract represents a considerable paediatric burden, with many defects affecting the lower urinary tract (LUT), genital tubercle and associated structures. Understanding the molecular basis of such defects frequently draws on murine models. However, human anatomical terms do not always superimpose on the mouse, and the lack of accurate and standardised nomenclature is hampering the utility of such animal models. We previously developed an anatomical ontology for the murine urogenital system. Here, we present a comprehensive update of this ontology pertaining to mouse LUT, genital tubercle and associated reproductive structures (E10.5 to adult). Ontology changes were based on recently published insights into the cellular and gross anatomy of these structures, and on new analyses of epithelial cell types present in the pelvic urethra and regions of the bladder. Ontology changes include new structures, tissue layers and cell types within the LUT, external genitalia and lower reproductive structures. Representative illustrations, detailed text descriptions and molecular markers that selectively label muscle, nerves/ganglia and epithelia of the lower urogenital system are also presented. The revised ontology will be an important tool for researchers studying urogenital development/malformation in mouse models and will improve our capacity to appropriately interpret these with respect to the human situation. PMID:25968320

Immunity in urogenital protozoa.

PubMed

Malla, N; Goyal, K; Dhanda, R S; Yadav, M

2014-09-01

Innate and adaptive immunity play a significant role in urogenital infections. Innate immunity is provided by the epithelial cells and mucus lining along with acidic pH, which forms a strong physical barrier against the pathogens in female reproductive tract. Cells of innate immune system, antimicrobial peptides, cytokines, chemokines and adaptive immunity in the reproductive tract are evolved during infection, and a pro-inflammatory response is generated to fight against the invading pathogen Trichomonas vaginalis, a primary urogenital protozoa, the etiological agent of human trichomoniasis, a curable sexually transmitted infection. The involvement of the urogenital tract by other protozoal infections such as P. falciparum, Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Toxoplasma, Entamoeba histolytica and Acanthamoeba infection is rarely reported. Trichomonas induce pro-inflammatory and immunosuppressive responses in infected subjects. Multifactorial pathogenic mechanisms including parasite adherence, cysteine proteases, lipophosphoglycan, free radical, cytokine generation and Toll-like receptors appear to interplay with the induction of local and systemic immune responses that ultimately determine the outcome of the infection. However, the involvement of urogenital pathogen-specific immune mechanisms and effect of normal local resident flora on the outcome (symptomatic vs. asymptomatic) of infection are poorly understood. Moreover, immune interactions in trichomoniasis subjects co-infected with bacterial and viral pathogens need to be elucidated. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An illustrated anatomical ontology of the developing mouse lower urogenital tract.

PubMed

Georgas, Kylie M; Armstrong, Jane; Keast, Janet R; Larkins, Christine E; McHugh, Kirk M; Southard-Smith, E Michelle; Cohn, Martin J; Batourina, Ekatherina; Dan, Hanbin; Schneider, Kerry; Buehler, Dennis P; Wiese, Carrie B; Brennan, Jane; Davies, Jamie A; Harding, Simon D; Baldock, Richard A; Little, Melissa H; Vezina, Chad M; Mendelsohn, Cathy

2015-05-15

Malformation of the urogenital tract represents a considerable paediatric burden, with many defects affecting the lower urinary tract (LUT), genital tubercle and associated structures. Understanding the molecular basis of such defects frequently draws on murine models. However, human anatomical terms do not always superimpose on the mouse, and the lack of accurate and standardised nomenclature is hampering the utility of such animal models. We previously developed an anatomical ontology for the murine urogenital system. Here, we present a comprehensive update of this ontology pertaining to mouse LUT, genital tubercle and associated reproductive structures (E10.5 to adult). Ontology changes were based on recently published insights into the cellular and gross anatomy of these structures, and on new analyses of epithelial cell types present in the pelvic urethra and regions of the bladder. Ontology changes include new structures, tissue layers and cell types within the LUT, external genitalia and lower reproductive structures. Representative illustrations, detailed text descriptions and molecular markers that selectively label muscle, nerves/ganglia and epithelia of the lower urogenital system are also presented. The revised ontology will be an important tool for researchers studying urogenital development/malformation in mouse models and will improve our capacity to appropriately interpret these with respect to the human situation. © 2015. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.

Treatment of urogenital and anal condylomata acuminata with Neodym: YAG laser

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dann, Thomas; Knipper, Ansgar; Thomas, Stephen; Jocham, Dieter

1994-02-01

Condylomata acuminata of the urogenital and anal region are sexually transmitted warts caused by infection of human papilloma virus. In the literature different treatment modalities are reported. We report the treatment of 323 patients (315 male, 8 female) with a mean age of 27.9 years using the Nd:YAG laser. In 65% the lesions were located in the fossa navicularis, in 37% at the glans, in 30% at the foreskin. Thirty-five percent of all patients required endoscopic treatment of the distal urethra. Two-hundred-seventy-nine patients had recurrence after unsuccessful pretreatment with surgical and chemical therapy. After a mean follow-up of 15.5 months (2 - 43 months) of 95 evaluable patients 15 showed recurrences all within the first 6 months. The advantages of Nd:YAG laser treatment of condylomata acuminata, which might be done in local anaesthesia, are a low rate of recurrences and complications, the option of endoscopic treatment and the excellent cosmetic results.

Translations on USSR Science and Technology, Biomedical Sciences, No. 13

DTIC Science & Technology

1977-10-31

Diseases of female genital organs Diseases of urogenital organs Diseases of veins Diseases of skin and subcutaneous tissues Lumbosacral radiculitis ...the diseases of urogenital organs, lumbosacral radiculitis , diseases of the skin and subcutaneous cel- lular tissue, and tumors. This difference in

Who tests whom? A comprehensive overview of Chlamydia trachomatis test practices in a Dutch region among different STI care providers for urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal sites in young people: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

den Heijer, Casper D J; van Liere, G A F S; Hoebe, C J P A; van Bergen, J E A M; Cals, J W L; Stals, F S; Dukers-Muijrers, N H T M

2016-05-01

To evaluate and compare Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) diagnostic test practices of different sexually transmitted infection (STI) care providers in 16-29 year olds from one defined geographic Dutch region (280,000 inhabitants). Both number and proportion of positive CT tests (ie, test positivity) were assessed, and factors associated with these outcomes. Data on laboratory testing and diagnosis of urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal CT between 2006 and 2010 were retrieved from general practitioners (GPs), gynaecologists, an STI clinic and a population-based chlamydia screening programme. Multivariable regression analyses explored associations between age, sex, test year, socio-economic status (SES) and STI care provider and the outcomes being the number of tests and test positivity. Overall, 22,831 tests were performed (1868 positive; 8.2%). Extragenital (ie, anorectal and oropharyngeal) tests accounted for 4% of all tests (7.5% positive) and were almost exclusively (99%) performed by the STI clinic. STI clinics tested most men (37.2% of all tested men), whereas GPs tested most women (29.9% of all tested women). GPs and STI clinics accounted for 73.3% (1326/1808) of urogenital CT diagnoses. In women, the number of tests increased with age, whereas test positivity decreased for all STI care providers. Lower SES was associated with higher test positivity in GP and gynaecology patients. STI clinics performed most CT tests in men, whereas GPs performed most CT tests in women. GPs and STI clinics accounted for the majority of positives. Extragenital CT testing is rarely performed outside the STI clinic and needs to be promoted, especially in men who have sex with men. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Urogenital infections in women: can probiotics help?

PubMed Central

Reid, G; Bruce, A

2003-01-01

Urogenital infections not caused by sexual transmission, namely yeast vaginitis, bacterial vaginosis, and urinary tract infection remain a major medical problem in terms of the number of women afflicted each year. Although antimicrobial therapy is generally effective at eradicating these infections, there is still a high incidence of recurrence. The patient's quality of life is affected and many women become frustrated by the cycle of repeated antimicrobial agents whose effectiveness is diminishing due to increasing development of microbial resistance. There is good clinical evidence to show that the intestinal and urogenital microbial flora have a central role in maintaining both the health and wellbeing of humans. Furthermore, the use of "good bacteria" to replace or augment bacterial populations is gradually achieving scientific acceptance. This application is termed probiotics: "live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host". The role of the intestinal, vaginal, and urethral flora and probiotics in urogenital health will be the focus of this review. PMID:12954951

[The immunocorrective properties of bacterial preparations (lactobacterin, bifidumbacterin) and bemitil in pregnant women with a urogenital infection].

PubMed

Dolgushina, V F

1991-04-01

The results of the analysis of the cell-mediated and humoral factors of the peripheral blood and cervical mucus in pregnant women with urogenital infections (pyelonephritis, colpitis, cervicitis, endocervicitis) and in healthy pregnant women are presented. These results indicate that considerable changes in the systemic immunity of the body and in the local antiinfectious protection of the reproductive tract develop in pregnant women with urogenital infections. The prescription of bifidumbacterin and lactobacterin to the patients during pregnancy (intravaginally) and bemitil after parturition (orally) completely restores the functional validity of their immune system and decreases the number of postnatal complications.

PREVALENCE AND PATHOLOGIC FEATURES OF CHLAMYDIA PECORUM INFECTIONS IN SOUTH AUSTRALIAN KOALAS (PHASCOLARCTOS CINEREUS).

PubMed

Speight, K Natasha; Polkinghorne, Adam; Penn, Rachel; Boardman, Wayne; Timms, Peter; Fraser, Tamieka; Johnson, Kathryn; Faull, Rachel; Bate, Sarah; Woolford, Lucy

2016-04-28

Chlamydia pecorum infection is highly prevalent in many koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) populations in the eastern states of Australia, causing ocular and urogenital tract disease. In contrast, the current prevalence of chlamydiosis in South Australian (SA) koalas is largely unknown, with few reports of clinical cases. We examined 65 SA rescued wild koalas at necropsy and collected ocular and urogenital swabs for the detection of C. pecorum by PCR. We detected C. pecorum in ocular or urogenital swabs from 57 koalas (88%), and 34 koalas were positive at both ocular and urogenital sites. Clinically overt chlamydial disease was present in only 12 (21%) positive koalas. Gross lesions were often externally inapparent as they affected the urogenital tract (n=5), and 24 infected koalas had microscopically evident lesions only. Lesions were predominantly mild and included conjunctivitis, cystitis, and urethritis. Reproductive tract disease was infrequently observed. We detected C. pecorum in 16 (28%) koalas with no evidence of chlamydial disease, suggesting the presence of subclinical carriers in this population. Based on these findings, chlamydiosis has a higher occurrence in SA koala populations than previously thought, but is most often mild and does not always result in overt clinical disease; inapparent and subclinical infections appear common. Further studies of the prevalence in wild-caught SA koalas are needed along with research into the host and bacterial factors that may influence disease outcome in these animals.

[REASONS OF DELAYED DIAGNOSIS OF BLADDER TUBERCULOSIS].

PubMed

Kul'chavenja, E V; Holtobin, D P

2015-01-01

The fourth, terminal, stage of bladder tuberculosis (BT) manifests itself in irreversible changes and requires surgical treatment. To identify the reasons for delayed diagnosis of this urogenital tuberculosis complication. Medical history of 26 urogenital tuberculosis patients with a complicated form of stage 4 BT, referred to the Novosibirsk TB Research Institute for reconstructive surgery were analysed. In 22 patients, bladder volume ranged from 55 to 100 ml, 4 patients previously underwent cystostomy due to extremely small bladder volume. Average duration of BT hidden in the guise of "urogenital infection" was 6.2 years. Patients were treated with norfloxacin (a total of 104 courses), ciprofloxacin (86 courses), amikacin (43 courses), nitroxoline (27 courses), third generation cephalosporins (32 courses), lomefloxacin (17 courses), levofloxacin (11 courses), Amoxicillin clavulanate (4 courses), ampicillin (2 courses). It was demonstrated that all cases of BT stage 4 were iatrogenic. Irreversible debilitating complications occurred due to suboptimal therapy, primarily due to administration of amikacin and fluoroquinolones for urogenital infections, which was tuberculosis in disguise. Absence of M. tuberculosis growth does not exclude tuberculosis; pathological specimens must be further examined at least by PCR. Interventional material must be mandatory examined histologically and stained by Ziehl-Neelsen method to identify M. tuberculosis. Effective and not masking tuberculosis, optimal therapy for urogenital infections includes fosfomycin, furazidin (nitrofurantoin), gentamicin, III generation cephalosporins (in outpatient settings dispersible form of efixime should be preferable).

Phthalate induced urogenital abnormalities: Is PPARa activation the mechanism of action, or not?

EPA Science Inventory

This is an abstract to be submitted for the Multidisciplinary Benign Urology Research Day 2018 at Duke University for consideration for poster or platform presentation. A significant portion of this one day meeting focuses on the linkages between male urogenital defects and expo...

Urogenital involvement in the Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome. Treatment options and results.

PubMed

Vicentini, Fabio C; Denes, Francisco T; Gomes, Cristiano M; Danilovic, Alexandre; Silva, Frederico A; Srougi, Miguel

2006-01-01

Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome (KTWS) is a congenital condition characterized by vascular malformations of the capillary, venous and lymphatic systems associated to soft tissue and bone hypertrophy in the affected areas. This syndrome may involve bladder, kidney, urethra, ureter and genitals. We report the treatment of 7 KTWS patients with urogenital involvement. From 1995 to 2005, 7 patients with KTWS were evaluated and the charts of these patients were reviewed. Patients' median age was 19-years (range 4 to 46-years) and only 1 was female. The clinical presentation included genital deformities in 3 cases, hematuria in 2 and urethrorragia in 2, one of which associated with cryptorchidism and phimosis. Three patients had an association of pelvic and genital malformations, including 2 patients with hematuria due to vesical lesions and 1 patient with left ureterohydronephrosis due to a pelvic mass. Two patients had urethral lesions. Treatment included endoscopic laser coagulation for 1 patient with recurrent hematuria and 1 patient with urethrorrhagia, pelvic radiotherapy for 1 patient with hematuria and circumcision in 2 patients with genital deformities. One patient required placement of a double-J catheter to relieve obstruction. Hematuria and urethrorragia were safely and effectively controlled with laser applications. Circumcision was also effective. The patient treated with radiotherapy developed a contracted bladder and required a continent urinary diversion. Urogenital involvement in patients with KTWS is not rare and must be suspected in the presence of hematuria or significant cutaneous deformity of the external genitalia. Surgical treatment may be warranted in selected cases.

Screening for Trichomonas vaginalis in a Large High-Risk Population: Prevalence Among Men and Women Determined by Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing.

PubMed

Schwebke, Jane; Merriweather, Anthony; Massingale, Sharon; Scisney, Mary; Hill, Craig; Getman, Damon

2018-05-01

Men and women attending family planning and sexually transmitted disease clinics for sexually transmitted infection screening in 2012 to 2013 were tested for Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) using a sensitive nucleic acid amplification test. T. vaginalis prevalence in urogenital samples was 11.3% in 77,740 women and 6.1% in 12,604 men, and increased with age in both sexes.

Urogenital leiomyosarcoma in an alpaca

PubMed Central

Hardefeldt, Laura Y.; Poulsen, Keith P.; McGuirk, Sheila M.; Livesey, Michael A.; Koch, Christoph; Perrier, Melanie P.; Pinkerton, Marie E.

2010-01-01

A mass in the pelvic canal of a 4-year-old pregnant alpaca hembra diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract was confirmed by biopsy. Following a tube cystotomy, the alpaca was presented 33 d later, 2 d after the tube cystotomy had been dislodged. A dead cria was delivered by caesarean section. PMID:21358933

Prevalence of Urogenital Carcinoma in Stranded California Sea Lions ( Zalophus Californianus) from 2005-2015.

PubMed

Deming, Alissa C; Colegrove, Kathleen M; Duignan, Padraig J; Hall, Ailsa J; Wellehan, James F X; Gulland, Frances M D

2018-03-02

Urogenital carcinoma is common in wild California sea lions ( Zalophus californianus) along the west coast of the US. From 1979 to 1994, this cancer was observed in 18% (66/370) of necropsied subadult and adult sea lions at The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, California. A retrospective review of records from 1 January 2005 to 31 December 2015 was performed to characterize prevalence and characteristics of cancer over this decade. Fourteen percent (263/1917) of necropsied sea lions had cancer, of which 90% (237/263) were urogenital carcinoma. The prevalence of urogenital carcinoma was significantly higher in adults compared to juveniles and subadults. Advanced-stage disease with metastases was identified histologically in 78% (182/232) of cases and was the cause of death in 95% (172/182) of these cases. Metastases were most common in lung and lymph nodes, and hydronephrosis, secondary to ureter obstruction by metastases, was identified in 62% (114/185) of animals with advanced disease. No significant temporal change in prevalence was detected over the decade, and this highly aggressive, fatal cancer remains common in stranded California sea lions.

[State and developmental trends of urogenital tuberculosis--20 years clinical and pathologic-anatomical experiences].

PubMed

Köhler, H; Haenselt, V; Endmann, P

1978-10-01

On the basis of own experiences of twenty years and taking into consideration the knowledge of other authors the developmental tendency in the treatment of the urogenital tuberculosis is demonstrated, the indications to nephrectomy, resection of the kidney, and epididymectomy are reified as well as kind and sequelae of errors in chemotherapy analysed. From 1958 to 1977 2,868 patients with urogenital tuberculosis were hospitalized in the Central Clinic Bad Berka. Of them about 41% had to undergo an operation. A decrease of the quantity of operations can be observed only in the renal resections, whereas the nephrectomy rate is unchangedly high (16.3% of the own patients) and even shows an increasing tendency since 1975. Comparative examinations show that the pathologo-anatomical picture of the ectomized kidneys has not changed during the period of observation. The knowledge of the symptom-poor course obliges also further on differential-diagnostically to take into consideration the urogenital tuberculosis. Only on this way the still large number of organ endangering complications may be encountered in time.

[Age changes of immunological, morphological and biochemical indices of male reproductive system].

PubMed

Boĭko, O V; Akhmineeva, A Kh; Gudinskaia, N I; Boĭko, V I; Kozak, D M

2014-01-01

The article analyzes the dependence of bactericidal activity of sperm--natural resistance factors controlling the survival of bacteria in the urogenital tract, on the age of men. These data are compared with the results of the standard (on the recommendations of the WHO) spermogram, reflecting reproductive health. Due to the fact that one of the main etiological agents of infectious disease groups in the male reproductive system in adulthood are Staphylococcus spp., we consider the level of bactericidal activity of sperm in resident and transient carriage of S. aureus and S. epidermidis.

Probiotics for Treatment and Prevention of Urogenital Infections in Women: A Systematic Review.

PubMed

Hanson, Lisa; VandeVusse, Leona; Jermé, Martha; Abad, Cybéle L; Safdar, Nasia

2016-05-01

Probiotics are a complementary and integrative therapy useful in the treatment and prevention of urogenital infections in women. This study extends the work of researchers who systematically investigated the scientific literature on probiotics to prevent or treat urogenital infections. A systematic review was conducted to determine the efficacy of probiotics for prevention and/or treatment of urogenital infections in adult women from January 1, 2008, through June 30, 2015. We searched in CINAHL, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science, Dissertations and Theses, and Alt-HealthWatch. After removing duplicates and studies that did not meet inclusion criteria, 20 studies were reviewed. All included at least one species of Lactobacillus probiotic as an intervention for treatment or prevention of urogenital infections. Data extracted included samples, settings, study designs, intervention types, reported outcomes, follow-up periods, and results. We evaluated all randomized controlled trials for risk of bias and made quality appraisals on all studies. Fourteen of the studies focused on bacterial vaginosis (BV), 3 on urinary tract infections (UTIs), 2 on vulvovaginal candidiasis, and one on human papillomavirus (HPV) as identified on Papanicolaou test. Studies were heterogeneous in terms of design, intervention, and outcomes. Four studies were of good quality, 9 of fair, and 7 poor. Probiotic interventions were effective for treatment and prevention of BV, prevention of recurrences of candidiasis and UTIs, and clearing HPV lesions. No study reported significant adverse events related to the probiotic intervention. The quality of the studies in this systematic review varied. Although clinical practice recommendations were limited by the strength of evidence, probiotic interventions were effective in treatment and prevention of urogenital infections as alternatives or co-treatments. More good quality research is needed to strengthen the body of evidence needed for application by clinicians. © 2016 by the American College of Nurse-Midwives.

Effects of coconut oil on glycemia, inflammation, and urogenital microbial parameters in female Ossabaw mini-pigs.

PubMed

Newell-Fugate, Annie E; Lenz, Katherine; Skenandore, Cassandra; Nowak, Romana A; White, Bryan A; Braundmeier-Fleming, Andrea

2017-01-01

Forty percent of American women are obese and at risk for type II diabetes, impaired immune function, and altered microbiome diversity, thus impacting overall health. We investigated whether obesity induced by an excess calorie, high fat diet containing hydrogenated fats, fructose, and coconut oil (HFD) altered glucose homeostasis, peripheral immunity, and urogenital microbial dynamics. We hypothesized that HFD would cause hyperglycemia, increase peripheral inflammation, and alter urogenital microbiota to favor bacterial taxonomy associated with inflammation. We utilized female Ossabaw mini-pigs to model a 'thrifty' metabolic phenotype associated with increased white adipose tissue mass. Pigs were fed HFD (~4570 kcal/pig/day) or lean (~2000 kcal/pig/day) diet for a total of 9 estrous cycles (~6 months). To determine the effect of cycle stage on cytokines and the microbiome, animals had samples collected during cycles 7 and 9 on certain days of the cycle: D1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18. Vaginal swabs or cervical flushes assessed urogenital microbiota. Systemic fatty acids, insulin, glucose, and cytokines were analyzed. Pig weights and morphometric measurements were taken weekly. Obese pigs had increased body weight, length, heart and belly girth but similar glucose concentrations. Obese pigs had decreased cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10), arachidonic acid and plasma insulin, but increased levels of vaccenic acid. Obese pigs had greater urogenital bacterial diversity, including several taxa known for anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, induction of obesity did not induce inflammation but shifted the microbial communities within the urogenital tract to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. We postulate that the coconut oil in the HFD oil may have supported normal glucose homeostasis and modulated the immune response, possibly through regulation of microbial community dynamics and fatty acid metabolism. This animal model holds promise for the study of how different types of obesity and high fat diets may affect metabolism, immune phenotype, and microbial dynamics.

Effects of coconut oil on glycemia, inflammation, and urogenital microbial parameters in female Ossabaw mini-pigs

PubMed Central

Skenandore, Cassandra; Nowak, Romana A.; White, Bryan A.; Braundmeier-Fleming, Andrea

2017-01-01

Forty percent of American women are obese and at risk for type II diabetes, impaired immune function, and altered microbiome diversity, thus impacting overall health. We investigated whether obesity induced by an excess calorie, high fat diet containing hydrogenated fats, fructose, and coconut oil (HFD) altered glucose homeostasis, peripheral immunity, and urogenital microbial dynamics. We hypothesized that HFD would cause hyperglycemia, increase peripheral inflammation, and alter urogenital microbiota to favor bacterial taxonomy associated with inflammation. We utilized female Ossabaw mini-pigs to model a ‘thrifty’ metabolic phenotype associated with increased white adipose tissue mass. Pigs were fed HFD (~4570 kcal/pig/day) or lean (~2000 kcal/pig/day) diet for a total of 9 estrous cycles (~6 months). To determine the effect of cycle stage on cytokines and the microbiome, animals had samples collected during cycles 7 and 9 on certain days of the cycle: D1, 4, 8, 12, 16, 18. Vaginal swabs or cervical flushes assessed urogenital microbiota. Systemic fatty acids, insulin, glucose, and cytokines were analyzed. Pig weights and morphometric measurements were taken weekly. Obese pigs had increased body weight, length, heart and belly girth but similar glucose concentrations. Obese pigs had decreased cytokine levels (IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-10), arachidonic acid and plasma insulin, but increased levels of vaccenic acid. Obese pigs had greater urogenital bacterial diversity, including several taxa known for anti-inflammatory properties. Overall, induction of obesity did not induce inflammation but shifted the microbial communities within the urogenital tract to an anti-inflammatory phenotype. We postulate that the coconut oil in the HFD oil may have supported normal glucose homeostasis and modulated the immune response, possibly through regulation of microbial community dynamics and fatty acid metabolism. This animal model holds promise for the study of how different types of obesity and high fat diets may affect metabolism, immune phenotype, and microbial dynamics. PMID:28704429

High co-occurrence of anorectal chlamydia with urogenital chlamydia in women visiting an STI clinic revealed by routine universal testing in an observational study; a recommendation towards a better anorectal chlamydia control in women.

PubMed

van Liere, Geneviève A F S; Hoebe, Christian J P A; Wolffs, Petra F G; Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H T M

2014-05-19

Symptom- and sexual history-based testing i.e., testing on indication, for anorectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women is common. Yet, it is unknown whether this strategy is effective. Moreover, little is known about alternative transmission routes i.e. by fingers/toys. This study assesses anorectal STI prevalence and infections missed by current testing practice, thereby informing the optimal control strategy for anorectal STIs in women. Women (n = 663) attending our STI-clinic between May 2012-July 2013 were offered routine testing for anorectal and urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Data were collected on demographics, sexual behaviour and symptoms. Women were assigned to one of the categories: indication (reported anal sex/symptoms), fingers/toys (only reported use of fingers/toys), or without indication. Of women, 92% (n = 654) participated. There were 203 reports (31.0%) of anal sex and/or symptoms (indication), 48 reports (7.3%) of only using fingers/toys (fingers/toys), and 403 reports (61.6%) of no anal symptoms, no anal sex and no anal use of fingers/toys (without indication). The overall prevalence was 11.2% (73/654) for urogenital chlamydia and 8.4% (55/654) for anorectal chlamydia. Gonorrhoea infections were not observed. Prevalence of anorectal chlamydia was 7.9% (16/203) for women with indication and 8.6% (39/451) for all other women (P = 0.74). Two-thirds (39/55) of anorectal infections were diagnosed in women without indication. Isolated anorectal chlamydia was rare (n = 3): of all women with an anorectal infection, 94.5% (52/55) also had co-occurrence of urogenital chlamydia. Of all women with urogenital chlamydia, 71.2% (52/73) also had anorectal chlamydia. Current selective testing on indication of symptoms and sexual history is not an appropriate control strategy for anorectal chlamydia in women visiting an STI clinic. Routine universal anorectal testing is feasible and may be a possible control strategy in women. Yet costs may be a problem. When more restricted control measures are preferred, possible alternatives include (1) anorectal testing only in women with urogenital chlamydia (problem: treatment delay or loss to follow up), and (2) direct treatment for urogenital chlamydia that is effective for anorectal chlamydia as well.

High Prevalence of Multidrug-Resistant Mycoplasma genitalium in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Men Who Have Sex With Men in Alabama.

PubMed

Dionne-Odom, Jodie; Geisler, William M; Aaron, Kristal J; Waites, Ken B; Westfall, Andrew O; Van Der Pol, Barbara; Xiao, Li

2018-02-10

We tested for Mycoplasma genitalium in 157 HIV-infected men. Urogenital and rectal prevalence were 10.8% and 6.4%. Macrolide resistance mutations were detected in 70.6% and 80% of urogenital and rectal samples, and fluoroquinolone resistance mutations in 26.7% and 40%, respectively.

Urogenital Applications of Probiotic Bacteria

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reid, Gregor

The urogenital tract extends from the perineal skin close to the anus, to the vulva, vagina, cervix, uterus, urethra, bladder and kidneys. The uterus, bladder and kidneys are regarded as being sterile, although it will not be surprising if molecular techniques discover that this is not necessarily the case. The importance of the urogenital tract in the health of women cannot be understated. Given its proximity to potential pathogens emerging from the rectum, exposure to sexually transmitted organisms, hormonal fluctuations that affect cells, use of tampons, contraceptives and douches, and the birthing process, it is remarkable that this area is not constantly infected. Nevertheless, it has been estimated that almost every female will have a vaginal or bladder infection at some point in her life.

Masculinity and urogenital cancer: sensitive issues in health care.

PubMed

Nobis, Regina; Sand, Inger; Elofsson, Kristina

2007-02-01

The aim of this literature review was to analyse the approaches adopted by patients, health professionals, spouses and other care-givers towards sensitive issues related to male urogenital cancer, and to describe how these findings can be applied in health care practice. The findings revealed five identifiable domains, namely 'the barrier to talking', 'the barrier of sensitivity', 'the barrier of masculinity', 'the barrier to seeking health care' and 'the communicative barrier'. The conclusion was that the phenomenon of a barrier is strongly connected with hegemonic masculinity. The review of literature confirmed that, for many men, talking about genitally-related health problems is not easy and that health care professionals need to learn more about gender and masculinity in order to address urogenitally sensitive issues.

The relation among steroid hormone levels, lipid profile and menopausal symptom severity.

PubMed

Kaya, Cihan; Cengiz, Hüseyin; Yeşil, Ali; Ekin, Murat; Yaşar, Levent

2017-12-01

Many postmenopausal women experience hot flashes, night sweats, non-specific emotional and psychological distresses. Our aim was to investigate the relation among steroid hormone levels, lipid profile and menopausal symptom severity using the menopause rating scale (MRS). A cross-sectional study was performed at our outpatient clinic with natural postmenopausal women. A total of 444 women were included in this study. The basic characteristics of the study population, such as age, gravidity, parity, time to menopause onset and body mass index (BMI) were recorded. Venous blood samples were collected from subjects after overnight fasting. The levels of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglyceride (TG), fasting plasma glucose, C-reactive protein, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), cortisol, estradiol (E2), progesterone, testosterone and dehydroepiandrostenedione sulfate (DHEA-S) were analyzed. The MRS questionnaire validated for the Turkish population was used to assess the menopausal symptoms. There was a statistically significant difference between mild and severe total symptom scores for TG, and elevated TG levels were observed in the severe group (p = 0.04). Elevated testosterone levels were observed with severe psychological symptom and total symptom scores. There were significant differences in progesterone level in psychological, urogenital, and total scores and lower levels were seen in severe symptom groups. There was a significant negative correlation between urogenital symptom scores and progesterone levels (p < 0.001). Elevated levels of testosterone were related to severe psychological symptom and total menopausal symptom scores. A decrease in progesterone levels was related to high psychological, urogenital and total menopausal symptom scores. Elevated TG levels were also related to the total severe symptom scores.

HEALTH EDUCATION AND THE CONTROL OF UROGENITAL SCHISTOSOMIASIS: ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF THE JUMA NA KICHOCHO COMIC-STRIP MEDICAL BOOKLET IN ZANZIBAR.

PubMed

Stothard, J R; Khamis, A N; Khamis, I S; Neo, C H E; Wei, I; Rollinson, D

2016-09-01

Endeavours to control urogenital schistosomiasis on Unguja Island (Zanzibar) have focused on school-aged children. To assess the impact of an associated health education campaign, the supervised use of the comic-strip medical booklet Juma na Kichocho by Class V pupils attending eighteen primary schools was investigated. A validated knowledge and attitudes questionnaire was completed at baseline and repeated one year later following the regular use of the booklet during the calendar year. A scoring system (ranging from 0.0 to 5.0) measured children's understandings of schistosomiasis and malaria, with the latter being a neutral comparator against specific changes for schistosomiasis. In 2006, the average score from 751 children (328 boys and 423 girls) was 2.39 for schistosomiasis and 3.03 for malaria. One year later, the score was 2.43 for schistosomiasis and 2.70 for malaria from 779 children (351 boys and 428 girls). As might be expected, knowledge and attitudes scores for schistosomiasis increased (+0.05), but not as much as originally hoped, while the score for malaria decreased (-0.33). According to a Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, neither change was statistically significant. Analysis also revealed that 75% of school children misunderstood the importance of reinfection after treatment with praziquantel. These results are disappointing. They demonstrate that it is mistaken to assume that knowledge conveyed in child-friendly booklets will necessarily be interpreted, and acted upon, in the way intended. If long-term sustained behavioural change is to be achieved, health education materials need to engage more closely with local understandings and responses to urogenital schistosomiasis. This, in turn, needs to be part of the development of a more holistic, biosocial approach to the control of schistosomiasis.

Risk factors for Chlamydia among young women in a northern california juvenile detention facility: implications for community intervention.

PubMed

McDonnell, Diana D; Levy, Vivian; Morton, Theresa J M

2009-02-01

Chlamydia infections are increasing in California, with rates highest in young women aged 15 to 24. Juvenile detention facilities are important venues for screening high-risk youth who may not otherwise access care. We, therefore, sought to identify risk factors for urogenital chlamydia among young women in a county juvenile detention facility between 2002 and 2005. With the state Chlamydia Screening Project (ClaSP), young women booked into the county detention facility were offered urine-based screening for urogenital chlamydia. Demographics, sexual history, and behavioral risk factors were self-reported through questionnaires completed during specimen collection. Nine hundred and thirty-nine young women were screened for chlamydia. The 5% positivity rate remained steady over the 33-month study. Vaginal sex was reported by 82% of women, oral sex by 50%, and anal sex by 30%. Only 9% reporting anal sex always used condoms. In multivariate analysis, little distinguished those with urogenital chlamydia. Women from the southern region of the county (adjusted odds ratio, 3.5; 1.4-8.7) and surrounding urban centers (3.7; 1.2-11.4) had higher odds of infection, as did those with 2 to 3 lifetime partners (3.2; 1.2-8.2)-although there was no linear relationship between partner number and infection. Those who had been in drug/alcohol treatment had lower odds of infection (0.1; 0.01-0.6). Our findings support universal chlamydia testing of young women detainees. The high prevalence of unprotected anal sex highlights an important modifiable HIV risk behavior in these adolescents. Risk factors reported here should inform the integration of prevention and treatment services in correctional settings and substance abuse treatment centers.

Elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Iran: past history and the current situation.

PubMed

Khademvatan, Shahram; Salmanzadeh, Shokrollah; Foroutan-Rad, Masoud; Ghomeshi, Mohammad

2016-09-01

In recent years, through a national programme for schistosomiasis control, this infection has been eliminated from Iran. The aim of this study was to report the process of significant decrease of urogenital schistosomiasis in southwestern Iran. During national programme surveillance for urogenital schistosomiasis control which was implemented by Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of Khuzestan province from 1975 to 2013, more than 1·3 million urine samples were taken from inhabitants of high risk foci. All urine samples were gathered between 10:00 a.m and 02:00 p.m and, after centrifuging, specimens were tested under optical microscope in order to detect Schistosoma haematobium eggs. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 18 software. In this retrospective study significant reduction was seen in number of infections between 1975 and 2013. During the years 1975-1980, 1981-1990 and 1991-2000 there were 1582, 761 and 79 cases of S. haematobium, respectively. In 2001 only one case was reported from Ahvaz and indeed this was the last case of urogenital schistosomiasis in Khuzestan and of course, in Iran. Prevalence from 1·064% between 1975 and 1980 slumped to 0% in 2012-2013. During several projects for surveillance of urogenital schistosomiasis, selective population chemotherapy, snail control, population education, environmental improvement, etc were carried out throughout the surveillance period. According to elimination of S. haematobium in Khuzestan province, the only endemic region of Iran, control of disease, especially the campaign with intermediate host snails should be continued. Iran can be a successful model for countries suffering from this disease.

[Endproducts and receptors of advanced glycation and lipoxidation (AGE, ALE, RAGE) and chronic diseases from the perspective of food and nutrition].

PubMed

Stig, Bengmark; Hajdú, Nóra

2008-04-27

Chronic diseases as well as complications to acute and chronic disease are repeatedly associated with accumulation in the body of glycated and lipoxidated proteins and peptides. These molecules are strongly associated with activation of a specific receptor called RAGE and a long-lasting exaggerated level of inflammation in the body. PubMed reports in excess of 5000 papers plus about 14000 articles about the related HbA 1c , most of them published in the last five years. Most of available abstracts have been read and circa 800 full papers studied in detail. RAGE, a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily of cell surface molecules and receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, functions as a master switch, induces sustained activation of NF-kappaB, suppresses a series of endogenous autoregulatory functions and converts long-lasting pro-inflammatory signals into sustained cellular dysfunction and disease. Its activation is associated with high levels of dysfunctioning proteins in body fluids and tissues, and strongly associated with a series of diseases from allergy and Alzheimer to rheumatoid arthritis and urogenital disorders. Heat-treatment, irradiation and ionisation of foods increase the content in foods of AGE/ALE. Some processed foods are much like tobacco smoking great contributors to accumulation of glycated and lipoxidated molecules in the tissues. Change of life style: avoidance of foods rich in deranged proteins and peptides and increased consumption of antioxidants, especially polyphenols counteracts such a development.

The Reproductive System.

PubMed

Pask, Andrew

2016-01-01

Correct sexual development is arguably the most important trait in an organism's life history since it is directly related to its genetic fitness. The developing gonad houses the germ cells, the only legacy we pass on to subsequent generations. Given the pivotal importance of correct reproductive function, it is confounding that disorders of sex development (DSDs) are among the most common congenital abnormalities in humans (Lee et al. J Pediatr Urol 8(6):611-615, 2012). Urogenital development is a highly complex process involving coordinated interactions between molecular and hormonal pathways in a tightly regulated order. The controls that regulate some of the key events in this process are beginning to be unraveled. This chapter provides an overview of our understanding of urogenital development from the gonads to the urogenital ducts and external genitalia.

High co-occurrence of anorectal chlamydia with urogenital chlamydia in women visiting an STI clinic revealed by routine universal testing in an observational study; a recommendation towards a better anorectal chlamydia control in women

PubMed Central

2014-01-01

Background Symptom- and sexual history-based testing i.e., testing on indication, for anorectal sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in women is common. Yet, it is unknown whether this strategy is effective. Moreover, little is known about alternative transmission routes i.e. by fingers/toys. This study assesses anorectal STI prevalence and infections missed by current testing practice, thereby informing the optimal control strategy for anorectal STIs in women. Methods Women (n = 663) attending our STI-clinic between May 2012-July 2013 were offered routine testing for anorectal and urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Data were collected on demographics, sexual behaviour and symptoms. Women were assigned to one of the categories: indication (reported anal sex/symptoms), fingers/toys (only reported use of fingers/toys), or without indication. Results Of women, 92% (n = 654) participated. There were 203 reports (31.0%) of anal sex and/or symptoms (indication), 48 reports (7.3%) of only using fingers/toys (fingers/toys), and 403 reports (61.6%) of no anal symptoms, no anal sex and no anal use of fingers/toys (without indication). The overall prevalence was 11.2% (73/654) for urogenital chlamydia and 8.4% (55/654) for anorectal chlamydia. Gonorrhoea infections were not observed. Prevalence of anorectal chlamydia was 7.9% (16/203) for women with indication and 8.6% (39/451) for all other women (P = 0.74). Two-thirds (39/55) of anorectal infections were diagnosed in women without indication. Isolated anorectal chlamydia was rare (n = 3): of all women with an anorectal infection, 94.5% (52/55) also had co-occurrence of urogenital chlamydia. Of all women with urogenital chlamydia, 71.2% (52/73) also had anorectal chlamydia. Conclusions Current selective testing on indication of symptoms and sexual history is not an appropriate control strategy for anorectal chlamydia in women visiting an STI clinic. Routine universal anorectal testing is feasible and may be a possible control strategy in women. Yet costs may be a problem. When more restricted control measures are preferred, possible alternatives include (1) anorectal testing only in women with urogenital chlamydia (problem: treatment delay or loss to follow up), and (2) direct treatment for urogenital chlamydia that is effective for anorectal chlamydia as well. PMID:24885306

Estimation of the Joint Patient Condition Occurrence Frequencies from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Volume I: Development of Methodology

DTIC Science & Technology

2011-03-28

CL CHEST 807.2 Closed Fracture of Sternum FRAC CL CHEST 808.8 Fracture of Pelvis Unspec, Closed FRAC CL PELVIS+UROGENITAL 810 Clavicle Fracture...of Pelvis Unspec, Open FRAC OP PELVIS+UROGENITAL 810.1 Clavicle Fracture, Open FRAC OP SHOULDER & UPPER ARM 810.12 Open Fracture of Shaft of Clavicle

[Infection and infertility].

PubMed

Pilatz, A; Boecker, M; Schuppe, H-C; Diemer, Th; Wagenlehner, F

2016-07-01

Infections in the urogenital tract are accepted causes of male infertility. Epidemiologic data indicate 6-10 % of all males undergoing andrological work-up for infertility having an infectious etiology. This review gives a comprehensive overview on the most important urogenital tract infections (prostatitis, epididymitis, orchitis, male accessory gland infection-MAGI) and the impact on fertility. In males suffering infertility, evidence is also presented regarding an infectious etiology.

Menstrual Hygiene Practices, WASH Access and the Risk of Urogenital Infection in Women from Odisha, India

PubMed Central

Das, Padma; Baker, Kelly K.; Dutta, Ambarish; Swain, Tapoja; Sahoo, Sunita; Das, Bhabani Sankar; Panda, Bijay; Nayak, Arati; Bara, Mary; Bilung, Bibiana; Mishra, Pravas Ranjan; Panigrahi, Pinaki; Cairncross, Sandy; Torondel, Belen

2015-01-01

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices vary worldwide and depend on the individual’s socioeconomic status, personal preferences, local traditions and beliefs, and access to water and sanitation resources. MHM practices can be particularly unhygienic and inconvenient for girls and women in poorer settings. Little is known about whether unhygienic MHM practices increase a woman’s exposure to urogenital infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to determine the association of MHM practices with urogenital infections, controlling for environmental drivers. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 486 women at Odisha, India. Cases and controls were recruited using a syndromic approach. Vaginal swabs were collected from all the participants and tested for BV status using Amsel’s criteria. Urine samples were cultured to assess UTI status. Socioeconomic status, clinical symptoms and reproductive history, and MHM and water and sanitation practices were obtained by standardised questionnaire. A total of 486 women were recruited to the study, 228 symptomatic cases and 258 asymptomatic controls. Women who used reusable absorbent pads were more likely to have symptoms of urogenital infection (AdjOR=2.3, 95%CI1.5-3.4) or to be diagnosed with at least one urogenital infection (BV or UTI) (AdjOR=2.8, 95%CI1.7-4.5), than women using disposable pads. Increased wealth and space for personal hygiene in the household were protective for BV (AdjOR=0.5, 95%CI0.3-0.9 and AdjOR=0.6, 95%CI0.3-0.9 respectively). Lower education of the participants was the only factor associated with UTI after adjusting for all the confounders (AdjOR=3.1, 95%CI1.2-7.9). Interventions that ensure women have access to private facilities with water for MHM and that educate women about safer, low-cost MHM materials could reduce urogenital disease among women. Further studies of the effects of specific practices for managing hygienically reusable pads and studies to explore other pathogenic reproductive tract infections are needed. PMID:26125184

Menstrual Hygiene Practices, WASH Access and the Risk of Urogenital Infection in Women from Odisha, India.

PubMed

Das, Padma; Baker, Kelly K; Dutta, Ambarish; Swain, Tapoja; Sahoo, Sunita; Das, Bhabani Sankar; Panda, Bijay; Nayak, Arati; Bara, Mary; Bilung, Bibiana; Mishra, Pravas Ranjan; Panigrahi, Pinaki; Cairncross, Sandy; Torondel, Belen

2015-01-01

Menstrual hygiene management (MHM) practices vary worldwide and depend on the individual's socioeconomic status, personal preferences, local traditions and beliefs, and access to water and sanitation resources. MHM practices can be particularly unhygienic and inconvenient for girls and women in poorer settings. Little is known about whether unhygienic MHM practices increase a woman's exposure to urogenital infections, such as bacterial vaginosis (BV) and urinary tract infection (UTI). This study aimed to determine the association of MHM practices with urogenital infections, controlling for environmental drivers. A hospital-based case-control study was conducted on 486 women at Odisha, India. Cases and controls were recruited using a syndromic approach. Vaginal swabs were collected from all the participants and tested for BV status using Amsel's criteria. Urine samples were cultured to assess UTI status. Socioeconomic status, clinical symptoms and reproductive history, and MHM and water and sanitation practices were obtained by standardised questionnaire. A total of 486 women were recruited to the study, 228 symptomatic cases and 258 asymptomatic controls. Women who used reusable absorbent pads were more likely to have symptoms of urogenital infection (AdjOR=2.3, 95%CI1.5-3.4) or to be diagnosed with at least one urogenital infection (BV or UTI) (AdjOR=2.8, 95%CI1.7-4.5), than women using disposable pads. Increased wealth and space for personal hygiene in the household were protective for BV (AdjOR=0.5, 95%CI0.3-0.9 and AdjOR=0.6, 95%CI0.3-0.9 respectively). Lower education of the participants was the only factor associated with UTI after adjusting for all the confounders (AdjOR=3.1, 95%CI1.2-7.9). Interventions that ensure women have access to private facilities with water for MHM and that educate women about safer, low-cost MHM materials could reduce urogenital disease among women. Further studies of the effects of specific practices for managing hygienically reusable pads and studies to explore other pathogenic reproductive tract infections are needed.

Extragenital gonorrhea and chlamydia testing and infection among men who have sex with men--STD Surveillance Network, United States, 2010-2012.

PubMed

Patton, Monica E; Kidd, Sarah; Llata, Eloisa; Stenger, Mark; Braxton, Jim; Asbel, Lenore; Bernstein, Kyle; Gratzer, Beau; Jespersen, Megan; Kerani, Roxanne; Mettenbrink, Christie; Mohamed, Mukhtar; Pathela, Preeti; Schumacher, Christina; Stirland, Ali; Stover, Jeff; Tabidze, Irina; Kirkcaldy, Robert D; Weinstock, Hillard

2014-06-01

Gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) are the most commonly reported notifiable diseases in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that men who have sex with men (MSM) be screened for urogenital GC/CT, rectal GC/CT, and pharyngeal GC. We describe extragenital GC/CT testing and infections among MSM attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. The STD Surveillance Network collects patient data from 42 STD clinics. We assessed the proportion of MSM attending these clinics during July 2011-June 2012 who were tested and positive for extragenital GC/CT at their most recent visit or in the preceding 12 months and the number of extragenital infections that would have remained undetected with urethral screening alone. Of 21 994 MSM, 83.9% were tested for urogenital GC, 65.9% for pharyngeal GC, 50.4% for rectal GC, 81.4% for urogenital CT, 31.7% for pharyngeal CT, and 45.9% for rectal CT. Of MSM tested, 11.1% tested positive for urogenital GC, 7.9% for pharyngeal GC, 10.2% for rectal GC, 8.4% for urogenital CT, 2.9% for pharyngeal CT, and 14.1% for rectal CT. More than 70% of extragenital GC infections and 85% of extragenital CT infections were associated with negative urethral tests at the same visit and would not have been detected with urethral screening alone. Extragenital GC/CT was common among MSM attending STD clinics, but many MSM were not tested. Most extragenital infections would not have been identified, and likely would have remained untreated, with urethral screening alone. Efforts are needed to facilitate implementation of extragenital GC/CT screening recommendations for MSM.

Extragenital Gonorrhea and Chlamydia Testing and Infection Among Men Who Have Sex With Men—STD Surveillance Network, United States, 2010–2012

PubMed Central

Patton, Monica E.; Kidd, Sarah; Llata, Eloisa; Stenger, Mark; Braxton, Jim; Asbel, Lenore; Bernstein, Kyle; Gratzer, Beau; Jespersen, Megan; Kerani, Roxanne; Mettenbrink, Christie; Mohamed, Mukhtar; Pathela, Preeti; Schumacher, Christina; Stirland, Ali; Stover, Jeff; Tabidze, Irina; Kirkcaldy, Robert D.; Weinstock, Hillard

2015-01-01

Background Gonorrhea (GC) and chlamydia (CT) are the most commonly reported notifiable diseases in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that men who have sex with men (MSM) be screened for urogenital GC/CT, rectal GC/CT, and pharyngeal GC. We describe extragenital GC/CT testing and infections among MSM attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics. Methods The STD Surveillance Network collects patient data from 42 STD clinics. We assessed the proportion of MSM attending these clinics during July 2011–June 2012 who were tested and positive for extragenital GC/CT at their most recent visit or in the preceding 12 months and the number of extragenital infections that would have remained undetected with urethral screening alone. Results Of 21 994 MSM, 83.9% were tested for urogenital GC, 65.9% for pharyngeal GC, 50.4% for rectal GC, 81.4% for urogenital CT, 31.7% for pharyngeal CT, and 45.9% for rectal CT. Of MSM tested, 11.1% tested positive for urogenital GC, 7.9% for pharyngeal GC, 10.2% for rectal GC, 8.4% for urogenital CT, 2.9% for pharyngeal CT, and 14.1% for rectal CT. More than 70% of extragenital GC infections and 85% of extragenital CT infections were associated with negative urethral tests at the same visit and would not have been detected with urethral screening alone. Conclusions Extragenital GC/CT was common among MSM attending STD clinics, but many MSM were not tested. Most extragenital infections would not have been identified, and likely would have remained untreated, with urethral screening alone. Efforts are needed to facilitate implementation of extragenital GC/CT screening recommendations for MSM. PMID:24647015

Critical analysis of the literature investigating urogenital function preservation following robotic rectal cancer surgery

PubMed Central

Panteleimonitis, Sofoklis; Ahmed, Jamil; Harper, Mick; Parvaiz, Amjad

2016-01-01

AIM To analyses the current literature regarding the urogenital functional outcomes of patients receiving robotic rectal cancer surgery. METHODS A comprehensive literature search of electronic databases was performed in October 2015. The following search terms were applied: “rectal cancer” or “colorectal cancer” and robot* or “da Vinci” and sexual or urolog* or urinary or erect* or ejaculat* or impot* or incontinence. All original studies examining the urological and/or sexual outcomes of male and/or female patients receiving robotic rectal cancer surgery were included. Reference lists of all retrieved articles were manually searched for further relevant articles. Abstracts were independently searched by two authors. RESULTS Fifteen original studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. A total of 1338 patients were included; 818 received robotic, 498 laparoscopic and 22 open rectal cancer surgery. Only 726 (54%) patients had their urogenital function assessed via means of validated functional questionnaires. From the included studies, three found that robotic rectal cancer surgery leads to quicker recovery of male urological function and five of male sexual function as compared to laparoscopic surgery. It is unclear whether robotic surgery offers favourable urogenital outcomes in the long run for males. In female patients only two studies assessed urological and three sexual function independently to that of males. In these studies there was no difference identified between patients receiving robotic and laparoscopic rectal cancer surgery. However, in females the presented evidence was very limited making it impossible to draw any substantial conclusions. CONCLUSION There seems to be a trend towards earlier recovery of male urogenital function following robotic surgery. To evaluate this further, larger well designed studies are required. PMID:27933136

Trends in the aetiology of urogenital fistula: a case of 'retrogressive evolution'?

PubMed

Hilton, Paul

2016-06-01

It has long been held as conventional wisdom that urogenital fistulae in low-income and middle-income countries are almost exclusively of obstetric aetiology, related to prolonged neglected obstructed labour, whereas those seen in high-income countries are largely iatrogenic in nature. There is, however, a growing perception amongst those working in the field that an increasing proportion of urogenital fistulae in low-income and middle-income countries may be iatrogenic, resulting from caesarean section. Recent studies suggest that adverse patterns of care may also be emerging in high-income countries; an increase in the risk of both vesicovaginal and ureterovaginal fistulae following hysterectomy has been reported, concurrently with the reduction in overall use of the procedure. These apparent secular trends are discussed in the context of evolution of practice, teaching and training in obstetrics and gynaecology.

UROKIN: A Software to Enhance Our Understanding of Urogenital Motion.

PubMed

Czyrnyj, Catriona S; Labrosse, Michel R; Graham, Ryan B; McLean, Linda

2018-05-01

Transperineal ultrasound (TPUS) allows for objective quantification of mid-sagittal urogenital mechanics, yet current practice omits dynamic motion information in favor of analyzing only a rest and a peak motion frame. This work details the development of UROKIN, a semi-automated software which calculates kinematic curves of urogenital landmark motion. A proof of concept analysis, performed using UROKIN on TPUS video recorded from 20 women with and 10 women without stress urinary incontinence (SUI) performing maximum voluntary contraction of the pelvic floor muscles. The anorectal angle and bladder neck were tracked while the motion of the pubic symphysis was used to compensate for the error incurred by TPUS probe motion during imaging. Kinematic curves of landmark motion were generated for each video and curves were smoothed, time normalized, and averaged within groups. Kinematic data yielded by the UROKIN software showed statistically significant differences between women with and without SUI in terms of magnitude and timing characteristics of the kinematic curves depicting landmark motion. Results provide insight into the ways in which UROKIN may be useful to study differences in pelvic floor muscle contraction mechanics between women with and without SUI and other pelvic floor disorders. The UROKIN software improves on methods described in the literature and provides unique capacity to further our understanding of urogenital biomechanics.

HIV-Associated Urogenital Malignancies.

PubMed

Hentrich, Marcus; Pfister, David

2017-01-01

Non-AIDS-defining malignancies (NADM) are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality for HIV-infected subjects. The risk of testicular germ cell cancer (GCC) and renal cell cancer is slightly increased in the setting of HIV, whereas there is a slightly decreased risk of prostate cancer and bladder cancer. As in industrialized countries the majority of people living with HIV are men, and people aged 55 and older now account for more than a quarter of persons living with HIV, both testis and prostate cancer are assumed to occur with increased frequency in HIV-infected subjects. Overall, treatments should be the same as in HIV-negative patients with urogenital malignancies. Since the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) the outcome appears to have improved due to a decrease in HIV-related deaths. HIV-infected men who are treated with standard therapies for GCC now have a similar cancer-free survival compared with their HIV-negative counterparts. Screening and treatment for prostate cancer should follow recommendations established for HIV-negative men. During radio- or chemotherapy patients should receive concurrent cART but the drug-drug interaction potential must be taken into account. © 2017 S. Karger GmbH, Freiburg.

[Central female hypogonadism as a model of premature aging].

PubMed

Ilovayskaya, I A; Lazebnik, L B; Kulikov, A V

Central (hypogonadotropic) hypogonadism in women could also be a cause of persistent amenorrhea and hypoestrogenemia. The aim of this study was to evaluate symptoms of premature aging in women of young age with central hypogonadism. 88 young women (25 [21; 30] y.o.) with central hypogonadism (with isolated hypogonadotropic hypogonadism n=42, and associated with the other types of pituitary insufficiencies n=46), 53 healthy young women (24 [23; 28] y.o.) and 50 healthy postmenopausal women (56 [53; 58] y.o.) were examined. In young women with central hypogonadism frequency of psychoemotional, neurovegetative and urogenital disorders, peripheral sex steroid concentrations, lipid and mineral homeostasis parameters differed significantly from the healthy young women of similar age and were comparable with postmenopausal women of middle/older age. Thus, according to clinical, hormonal and biochemical abnormalities biological age of female patients with central hypogonadism advanced significantly chronological young age and corresponded to middle/older age. The central female hypogonadism is a model of premature aging.

A large multinational study of vasomotor symptom prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women.

PubMed

Blümel, Juan E; Chedraui, Peter; Baron, German; Belzares, Emma; Bencosme, Ascanio; Calle, Andres; Danckers, Luis; Espinoza, Maria T; Flores, Daniel; Gomez, Gustavo; Hernandez-Bueno, Jose A; Izaguirre, Humberto; Leon-Leon, Patricia; Lima, Selva; Mezones-Holguin, Edward; Monterrosa, Alvaro; Mostajo, Desire; Navarro, Daysi; Ojeda, Eliana; Onatra, William; Royer, Monique; Soto, Edwin; Tserotas, Konstantinos; Vallejo, Soledad

2011-07-01

The aim of this study was to determine vasomotor symptom (VMS) prevalence, duration, and impact on quality of life in middle-aged women using a validated menopausal tool. The Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) and an itemized questionnaire containing personal sociodemographic data were used to examine 8,373 women aged 40 to 59 years from 22 healthcare centers in 12 Latin American countries. Less than half (48.8%) of all women studied were postmenopausal, 14.7% used hormone therapy (HT), 54.5% presented VMS of any degree, and 9.6% presented severe/bothersome symptoms. The rate of VMS (any degree) significantly increased from one menopausal stage to the next. HT users presented more VMS (any degree) than did nonusers (58.6% vs 53.8%, P = 0.001). When surgical postmenopausal women were compared, non-HT users displayed a higher prevalence of severe VMS (16.1% vs 9.0%, P = 0.0001). The presence of VMS of any degree was related to a more impaired quality of life (higher total MRS score; odds ratio, 4.7; 95% CI, 4.1-5.3). This effect was even higher among women presenting severe VMS. Logistic regression analysis determined that the presence of severe psychological/urogenital symptoms (MRS), lower educational level, natural perimenopause-postmenopause status, nulliparity, surgical menopause, and living at high altitude were significant risk factors for severe VMS. HT use was related to a lower risk. A second regression model determined that surgical menopause, intense psychological/urogenital symptoms, and a history of psychiatric consultation were factors related to severe VMS persisting into the late postmenopausal stage (5 or more years). In this Latin American middle-aged series, VMS prevalence was high, persisting into the late postmenopausal phase in a high rate and severely impairing quality of life. HT use was related to a lower risk of severe VMS.

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infections among ethnic groups in Paramaribo, Suriname; determinants and ethnic sexual mixing patterns.

PubMed

van der Helm, Jannie J; Bom, Reinier J M; Grünberg, Antoon W; Bruisten, Sylvia M; Schim van der Loeff, Maarten F; Sabajo, Leslie O A; de Vries, Henry J C

2013-01-01

Little is known about the epidemiology of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection (chlamydia) in Suriname. Suriname is a society composed of many ethnic groups, such as Creoles, Maroons, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Caucasians, and indigenous Amerindians. We estimated determinants for chlamydia, including the role of ethnicity, and identified transmission patterns and ethnic sexual networks among clients of two clinics in Paramaribo, Suriname. Participants were recruited at two sites a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic and a family planning (FP) clinic in Paramaribo. Urine samples from men and nurse-collected vaginal swabs were obtained for nucleic acid amplification testing. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of chlamydia. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to genotype C. trachomatis. To identify transmission patterns and sexual networks, a minimum spanning tree was created, using full MLST profiles. Clusters in the minimum spanning tree were compared for ethnic composition. Between March 2008 and July 2010, 415 men and 274 women were included at the STI clinic and 819 women at the FP clinic. Overall chlamydia prevalence was 15% (224/1508). Age, ethnicity, and recruitment site were significantly associated with chlamydia in multivariable analysis. Participants of Creole and Javanese ethnicity were more frequently infected with urogenital chlamydia. Although sexual mixing with other ethnic groups did differ significantly per ethnicity, this mixing was not independently significantly associated with chlamydia. We typed 170 C. trachomatis-positive samples (76%) and identified three large C. trachomatis clusters. Although the proportion from various ethnic groups differed significantly between the clusters (P = 0.003), all five major ethnic groups were represented in all three clusters. Chlamydia prevalence in Suriname is high and targeted prevention measures are required. Although ethnic sexual mixing differed between ethnic groups, differences in prevalence between ethnic groups could not be explained by sexual mixing.

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infections among Ethnic Groups in Paramaribo, Suriname; Determinants and Ethnic Sexual Mixing Patterns

PubMed Central

van der Helm, Jannie J.; Bom, Reinier J. M.; Grünberg, Antoon W.; Bruisten, Sylvia M.; Schim van der Loeff, Maarten F.; Sabajo, Leslie O. A.; de Vries, Henry J. C.

2013-01-01

Background Little is known about the epidemiology of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection (chlamydia) in Suriname. Suriname is a society composed of many ethnic groups, such as Creoles, Maroons, Hindustani, Javanese, Chinese, Caucasians, and indigenous Amerindians. We estimated determinants for chlamydia, including the role of ethnicity, and identified transmission patterns and ethnic sexual networks among clients of two clinics in Paramaribo, Suriname. Methods Participants were recruited at two sites a sexually transmitted infections (STI) clinic and a family planning (FP) clinic in Paramaribo. Urine samples from men and nurse-collected vaginal swabs were obtained for nucleic acid amplification testing. Logistic regression analysis was used to identify determinants of chlamydia. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) was performed to genotype C. trachomatis. To identify transmission patterns and sexual networks, a minimum spanning tree was created, using full MLST profiles. Clusters in the minimum spanning tree were compared for ethnic composition. Results Between March 2008 and July 2010, 415 men and 274 women were included at the STI clinic and 819 women at the FP clinic. Overall chlamydia prevalence was 15% (224/1508). Age, ethnicity, and recruitment site were significantly associated with chlamydia in multivariable analysis. Participants of Creole and Javanese ethnicity were more frequently infected with urogenital chlamydia. Although sexual mixing with other ethnic groups did differ significantly per ethnicity, this mixing was not independently significantly associated with chlamydia. We typed 170 C. trachomatis-positive samples (76%) and identified three large C. trachomatis clusters. Although the proportion from various ethnic groups differed significantly between the clusters (P = 0.003), all five major ethnic groups were represented in all three clusters. Conclusion Chlamydia prevalence in Suriname is high and targeted prevention measures are required. Although ethnic sexual mixing differed between ethnic groups, differences in prevalence between ethnic groups could not be explained by sexual mixing. PMID:23874730

A Subacute Care Intervention for Short-Stay Breast Cancer Surgery Self-Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-10-01

Stay Breast Cancer Surgery Self -Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Gwen K. Wyatt, R.N...the home and phone contacts) consisting of individual physical and psychological support, self -care, and education; and the control group, who receive...intervention and control group perceptions on the dimensions of physical functioning, anxiety status, quality of life, and self -care knowledge. C. Compare the

Are health education interventions effective for the control and prevention of urogenital schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa? A systematic review.

PubMed

Price, Amy; Verma, Arpana; Welfare, William

2015-04-01

An estimated 129 million people are infected with urogenital schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. Current control recommendations endorse mass administration of praziquantel. Health education is an important component of effective schistosomiasis prevention and control, but there has been limited research on its effectiveness. This paper reviews the effectiveness of health education as an intervention in the prevention and control of urogenital schistosomiasis in sub-Saharan Africa. The outcomes of interest were prevalence, incidence or transmission of schistosomiasis, behaviour change associated with infection, or changes in knowledge of the disease. The findings from this review suggest that health education has a beneficial impact on knowledge and understanding of schistosomiasis within the target groups. However, further research is needed due to the poor quality of the included studies. © The Author 2015. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Field study on the attraction and development of insects on human meconium and breast-fed-infant feces.

PubMed

De Jong, Grant D

2014-09-01

Urogenital myiasis of newborn infants, although rare, is usually considered to indicate neglect due to attraction of flies to feces; however, infant feces have not been determined to attract insects. Human meconium and breast-fed-infant feces were used to determine attractiveness to insects and to examine subsequent colonization and growth patterns of insect larvae. Despite small amounts of fecal material present, adults of Lucilia sericata arrived at breast-fed-infant feces within five minutes; insects were rarely observed on meconium. Oviposition and growth of L. sericata larvae occurred only on breast-fed-infant feces; however, the larvae did not progress beyond the second instar. These data suggest that urogenital myiasis by L. sericata in newborn human infants within the first few days postpartum would not be expected, but desiccation and depletion of infested feces may provide a possible pathway for urogenital myiasis in older newborn infants. © 2014 American Academy of Forensic Sciences.

Impact of the scale-up of piped water on urogenital schistosomiasis infection in rural South Africa

PubMed Central

Azongo, Daniel K; Vandormael, Alain; Bärnighausen, Till; Appleton, Christopher

2018-01-01

Recent work has estimated that sub-Saharan Africa could lose US$3.5 billion of economic productivity every year as a result of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis. One of the main interventions to control schistosomiasis is the provision of safe water to limit the contact with infected water bodies and break the cycle of transmission. To date, a rigorous quantification of the impact of safe water supplies on schistosomiasis is lacking. Using data from one of Africa’s largest population-based cohorts, we establish the impact of the scale-up of piped water in a typical rural South African population over a seven-year time horizon. High coverage of piped water in the community decreased a child’s risk of urogenital schistosomiasis infection eight-fold (adjusted odds ratio = 0.12, 95% CI 0.06–0.26, p<0.001). The provision of safe water could drive levels of urogenital schistosomiasis infection to low levels of endemicity in rural African settings. PMID:29460779

Anxiety and depression in patients with prostate cancer and other urogenital cancer: a longitudinal study.

PubMed

Hinz, Andreas; Krauss, Oliver; Stolzenburg, Jens-Uwe; Schwalenberg, Thilo; Michalski, Dominik; Schwarz, Reinhold

2009-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the degree and the course of psychological distress (anxiety and depression) in cancer patients and to detect sociodemographic determinants of the scores. Patients with prostate cancer (n = 287) and other urogenital cancer (n = 126) were tested with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at the following time points: at the beginning (T1) and the end (T2) of the treatment in the hospital, 6 months later (T3), and 1 year later (T4). Anxiety mean scores were highest at the start of the stay in the hospital. About 36% of the patients were at least doubtful cases at T1. However, the anxiety mean scores from T2 to T4 were similar to those of the general population and lower than those of cardiac patients. Depression mean scores were even lower than those of the general population. Young age and receiving radio- and/or chemotherapy were predictive of higher psychological distress. The low mean scores of anxiety and depression from T2 to T4 indicate that most of the prostate cancer patients do not need help from mental health professionals. Nevertheless, some patients may profit from mental health support, especially at the beginning of the stay in the hospital.

[Denys-Drash syndrome: a case report].

PubMed

Puczko-Nogal, Barbara; Nogal, Paweł; Bilińska, Wiesława; Kulig, Andrzej; Nowicki, Michał

2003-04-01

Nephrotic syndrome (NS) rarely develops before the age of 1 year. The case is presented of nephrotic syndrome occurring in the form of Denys-Drash syndrome. In a newborn of female sex in birth certificate, dysmorphia was found of the external urogenital organs. The karyotype was 46XY. Massive proteinuria, low total serum protein level, dysproteinaemia, hypercholesterolaemia justified the diagnosis of NS. In renal biopsy performed diffuse mesangial fibrosis was found. The progression of renal insufficiency was very rapid and within few weeks terminal renal failure developed. The parents refused consent to renal replacement treatment. The baby died at the age of 102 days. The autopsy examination confirmed renal changes in the form of diffuse fibrosis; gonads of testicular structure were found in the abdominal cavity.

The Effect of Shift Work on Urogenital Disease: a Systematic Review.

PubMed

Deng, Nanfu; Haney, Nora M; Kohn, Taylor P; Pastuszak, Alexander W; Lipshultz, Larry I

2018-05-28

Non-standard shift work schedules negatively impact the overall health of shift workers, and several studies have shown that shift work, specifically, is detrimental to urogenital health. The aims of this study are to systematically review the literature and determine the effect of shift work on the outcomes of hypogonadism, male infertility, lower urinary tract symptoms, and urogenital cancers. Recent evidence supports associations between non-standard shift work and an increase in the frequency of prostate cancer and the severity of erectile dysfunction, lower urinary tract symptoms, and hypogonadal symptoms, as well as worsening of semen parameters and fertility. These associations are strengthened by the presence of shift work sleep disorder (SWSD) which affects up to 20% of shift workers. No studies have assessed the impact of shift work on the frequency or severity of nephrolithiasis, interstitial cystitis, pelvic pain, prostatitis, or urinary tract infections. Non-standard shift work has been associated with a variety of negative health outcomes and urologic complications, especially with concurrent shift work sleep disorder. Recognition of these elevated risks among shift workers can aid in more effective screening for urologic conditions.

Distribution of Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes in clinical urogenital samples from north-eastern Croatia.

PubMed

Bošnjak, Zinka; Džijan, Snježana; Pavlinić, Dinko; Perić, Magdalena; Ružman, Nataša; Križan, Ivana Roksandić; Lauc, Gordan; Antolović-Požgain, Arlen; Burazin, Jelena; Vuković, Dubravka

2012-06-01

The purpose of this study was to determine prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) urogenital infection and its serotype distribution from clinical samples in north-eastern Croatia. During a 3-year period, 2,379 urogenital samples were analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (A group), while 4,846 genital swabs were analyzed by direct fluorescent antibody test (B group). 132 Ct positive specimens were genotyped by omp1 gene sequencing. The prevalence rate of Ct was 3.2 % in A and 1 % in B group. The most prevalent chlamydial genotype was E (44 %), followed by F (33 %), K (11.5 %), G (8 %), J/UW (5.3 %), D-IC (4.4 %), D-B120 (1.8 %), and B/IU, J/IU, Ia/IU (0.9 % each) serotypes. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of omp1 gene were detected in E, K, and G serotypes. Some of these SNPs (C/T at position 272 and G/A at position 813 in E strain; C/T at position 884 in D strain) might represent novel omp1 variants.

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and risk of major congenital anomalies for pregnancies in Japan: A nationwide birth cohort study of the Japan Environment and Children's Study.

PubMed

Nishigori, Hidekazu; Obara, Taku; Nishigori, Toshie; Mizuno, Satoshi; Metoki, Hirohito; Hoshiai, Tetsuro; Watanabe, Zen; Sakurai, Kasumi; Ishikuro, Mami; Tatsuta, Nozomi; Nishijima, Ichiko; Fujiwara, Ikuma; Kuriyama, Shinichi; Arima, Takahiro; Nakai, Kunihiko; Yaegashi, Nobuo

2017-05-01

We analyzed data from the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS), on the association between selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI) use during pregnancy and the risk of developing of major congenital anomalies in Japan. JECS is an ongoing nationwide birth cohort study. The study includes 95 994 single pregnant women and their offspring. Among them, 172 used any SSRI up to the 12 th gestational week. Crude analyses show a significantly increased incidence of upper limb, abdominal, and urogenital abnormalities. In particular, the incidence of microcephaly, hydrencephalus, esophageal atresia, small intestinal atresia, and achondroplasia was significantly higher with than without exposure to these substances. On multivariate analyses, urogenital abnormality was significant (odds ratio 3.227; 95% confidence interval: 1.460-7.134). This Japanese nationwide birth cohort survey clarified that the use of any SSRI until the 12 th gestational week was associated with urogenital abnormality in children. The survey for association with minor classification abnormality needs further examination in Japan. © 2016 Japanese Teratology Society.

The management of urinary tract infections in octogenarian women.

PubMed

Robinson, Dudley; Giarenis, Ilias; Cardozo, Linda

2015-07-01

Urinary Tract Infections are common in women of all ages and the incidence increases with age. Whilst they are a common cause of lower urinary tract symptoms in all women they may be associated with increased morbidity in the elderly. Appropriate investigation and treatment in primary and secondary care are essential to effectively manage urinary tract infection and decrease morbidity and hospitalisation rates. Loss of endogenous oestrogen at the time of the menopause is associated with the urogenital atrophy and an increased incidence of urinary tract infection. Consequently vaginal oestrogen therapy may offer a rationale for treatment and prevent of urinary tract infection. The aim of this paper is to review the clinical management of elderly women presenting with primary and recurrent urinary tract infection. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

[Incidence of non-communicable diseases and health risks due to potable water quality].

PubMed

Skudarnov, S E; Kurkatov, S V

2011-01-01

Iron and fluorine concentrations and water mineralization and hardness, which exceeded the maximum allowable concentrations, were found to cause an increase in overall morbidity and morbidity from skeletal-and-muscular, urogenital, and digestive system involvement in the population of the Krasnoyarsk Region. A quantitative relationship were found between the concentrations of iron, the hardness and dry residue of water and the incidence rates of urogenital, skeletal-and-muscular and digestive diseases. The consumption of potable water contaminated with chloroform and methane tetrachloride presents unacceptable carcinogenic risks to the population of the Krasnoyarsk Region.

Two bladders and two vaginas in two planes: one urogenital sinus.

PubMed

Shaw, Matthew B K; Cain, Mark P; Rink, Richard C

2003-07-01

We report 2 cases of persistent urogenital sinus (UGS) with duplication of the bladder and vagina in different planes. Cystoscopy and vaginoscopy were used to diagnose persistent UGS with bladder and vaginal duplication in 2 infants with recurrent urinary tract infection. Surgical repair was done by way of a midline abdominal and perineal approach using tubularized UGS to reconstruct the urethra. Persistent UGS represents a major anomaly; these patients had the added complexity of duplication of the bladder and vagina. In these complex patients, the true anatomy may only become apparent during the surgical reconstruction, necessitating a flexible, individual approach.

Asymmetry and discordance for congenital anomalies in conjoined twins: a report of six cases.

PubMed

Ornoy, A; Navot, D; Menashi, M; Laufer, N; Chemke, J

1980-10-01

Six pairs of conjoined twins have been studied. The first case was a pair of 13-week-old omphalopagus fetuses. One was a holoacradius amorphus and the other had rachischisis and anencephaly. The second case was a pair of omphalopagus twins. One of the twins was macerated and corresponded to a developmental age of 13-14 weeks, while the other was developed to 28-30 weeks of gestation and exhibited urogenital and gastrointestinal defects not found in the smaller twin. In the third case, that of a thoracoomphalopagus, one had cleft lip and palate, pulmonic stenosis, and atresia of the ileocecal valve, while the other did not show these anomalies. In the fourth cae, also omphalopagus twins, one had a lumbosacral meningomyelocele and severe gastrointestinal and urogenital anomalies not found in the second twin. The fifth case was a pair of thoracoomphalopagus twins, sharing a common heart with asymmetrical anomalies. The sixth case was a diprosopus anencephalic conjoined twin. The first pairs of conjoined twins were discordant for several abnormalities in nonshared organs, in addition to having abnormalities of the conjoined organs. It seems that discordance in conjoined twins is not a rare finding. The factors that play a role in discordance of anomalies in conjoined twins are probably similar to the factors in monozygotic twins--i.e., environmental, genetic, and abnormal placental and/or fetal circulation.

Structural and stereological analysis of elastic fibers in the glans penis of young men.

PubMed

Andrade, F; Cardoso, G P; Bastos, Ana Luiza; Costa, W; Chagas, M; Babinski, M

2012-01-01

The extracellular matrix is an important element in penile function and pathology, although little is known about its components in human glans. This study evaluates the morphological organization and volumetric density of elastic fibers in the glans penis of young men without any evidence of urogenital disease at autopsy or medical history. Penile glans were obtained from five young men who died of causes not related to the urogenital tract, ranging in age from 18 to 30 years (mean 24 years). Samples were fixed in formalin, embedded in paraffin, and histologically processed. Tissue was analyzed by light microscopy using Weigert's resorcin-fuchsin, after previous oxidation with oxone. The point-counting method was used for morphometrical evaluation. Quantities were expressed as volumetric densities (Vv) and were determined on 25 random fields for each individual. Elastic system fibers were easily identified. These fibers had tortuous profile and surrounded sinusoids in the glans penis. An irregular elastic fibers network was identified in the mucosa, while in the corpus spongiosum the elastic fibers were longitudinally distributed. Volumetric density of elastic fibers in the glans penis is 29.4% ± 3.1. These data could provide valuable information in order to draw parallels regarding patients with erectile dysfunction. Further studies regarding extracellular matrix of the penis are necessary to better elucidate the relation between elastic fibers and erectile dysfunction.

High-power Magnetotherapy: A New Weapon in Urinary Incontinence?

PubMed

Vadalà, Maria; Palmieri, Beniamino; Malagoli, Andrea; Laurino, Carmen

2017-06-18

Urinary incontinence (UI) is one of the most common urinary system diseases that mostly affects women but also men. We evaluated the therapeutic efficacy of functional magnetic stimulation (FMS) as potential UI treatment with improvements in the pelvic floor musculature, urodynamic tests and quality of life. A total of 20 UI patients (10 females and 10 men, mean age 64, 14 years), including 10 with stress UI, four with urgency UI and six with mixed UI, were treated with FMS (20 min/session) twice a week for 3 weeks. The patients' impressions, records in urinary diaries, and scores of three life stress questionnaires (overactive bladder symptom questionnaire [OAB-q], urogenital distress inventory questionnaire-short form [UDI-6], incontinence impact questionnaire-short form [IIQ-7]) were performed pre- and post-treatment. Significant reductions (P < 0.01) of micturition number and nocturia after magnetic treatment were evidenced. The urodynamic tests recorded a significant increase in cystometric capacity (147 ± 51.3%), in maximum urethral closure pressure (110 ± 34%), in urethral functional length (99.8 ± 51.8%), and in pressure transmission ratio (147 ± 51.3%) values compared with the baseline values. These preliminary findings suggest that FMS with Magneto STYM (twice weekly for 3 weeks) improves the UI and may be an effective treatment for this urogenital disease. © 2017 John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Experiences and expectations of women with urogenital prolapse: a quantitative and qualitative exploration.

PubMed

Srikrishna, S; Robinson, D; Cardozo, L; Cartwright, R

2008-10-01

To explore the expectations and goals of women undergoing surgery for urogenital prolapse using both a quantitative quality of life approach exploring symptom bother and a qualitative interview-based approach exploring patient goals and expectations. Prospective observational study. Tertiary referral centre for urogynaecology. Forty-three women with symptomatic pelvic organ prolapse were recruited from the waiting list for pelvic floor reconstructive surgery. All women were assessed with a structured clinical interview on an individual basis. The data obtained were transcribed verbatim and then analysed thematically based on the grounded theory. Individual codes and subcodes were identified to develop a coding framework. The prolapse quality-of-life (pQoL) questionnaire was used to determine the impact of pelvic organ prolapse on the woman's daily life. We arbitrarily classified 'bother' as minimal, mild, moderate and marked if scores ranged from 0 to 25, 25-50, 50-75 and 75-100, respectively. The degree of prolapse was objectively quantified using the pelvic organ prolapse quantification (POP-Q) system. Quantitative data were analysed using SPSS. Ethical approval was obtained from the Kings College Hospital Ethics Committee. Quantitative data from POP-Q, subjective data from pQoL, qualitative data based on the structured clinical interview. Forty-three women were recruited over the first 1 year of the study. Their mean age was 56 years (range 36-78) and mean parity was 2 (range 0-6). The mean ordinal stage of the prolapse was 2 (range stages 1-4). Quantitative analysis of the pQoL data suggested that the main domains affected were prolapse impact on life (mean score 74.71) and personal relationships (mean score 46.66). Qualitative analysis based on the clinical interview suggested that these women were most affected by the actual physical symptoms of prolapse (bulge, pain and bowel problems) as well by the impact prolapse has on their sexual function. While disease-specific QoL questionnaires allow broad comparisons to be made assessing patient bother, they may lack the sensitivity to assess individual symptoms. A qualitative approach may individualize patient care and ultimately improve patient satisfaction and overall outcome when treating women complaining of urogenital prolapse.

Experiences of surgical continence management approaches for cloacal anomalies: a qualitative analysis based on 6 women.

PubMed

Liao, L-M; Baker, E; Boyle, M E; Woodhouse, C R J; Creighton, S M

2014-10-01

The aim of this qualitative study was to gain insight into health care experiences of young women diagnosed with cloacal anomalies, with a special focus on continence management. Qualitative analysis of one-to-one interviews. A tertiary center for congenital anomalies of the urogenital tract in London. Six women aged 16 to 24 with cloacal anomalies. Tape-recorded one-to-one semi-stuctured interviews with a skilled interviewer. The taped interviews were transcribed and analyzed verbatim using interpretative phenomenological analysis according to the research question. Organizing themes across all of the accounts were identified. Two organizing themes concerning our research interests are summarized. The first theme Personal Agency in the Hands of Experts focuses on the interviewees' appreciation of their life-saving surgical care and their involvement in treatment decisions. The second theme Compromises and Trade-Offs focuses on what it was like to live with the more traditional versus the more advanced continence methods. Reliability emerged as a key priority in terms of continence treatment outcome. Gratitude may have interfered with the women's honest communications during treatment decision and evaluation consultations. A more developed approach to communication about the complex interventions proposed, founded on a nuanced understanding of users perspectives, can enhance informed decision making about continence management approaches. Despite these specific gaps, the interviewees were appreciative of their care and optimistic about life. Copyright © 2014 North American Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Gynecology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

AAPT Diagnostic Criteria for Chronic Abdominal, Pelvic, and Urogenital Pain: Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

PubMed

Zhou, QiQi; Wesselmann, Ursula; Walker, Lynn; Lee, Linda; Zeltzer, Lonnie; Verne, G Nicholas

2018-03-01

In conjunction with the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks public-private partnership with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the American Pain Society, the Analgesic, Anesthetic, and Addiction Clinical Trial Translations, Innovations, Opportunities, and Networks-American Pain Society Pain Taxonomy (AAPT) initiative strove to develop the characteristics of a diagnostic system useful for clinical and research purposes across disciplines and types of chronic pain conditions. After the establishment of these characteristics, a working group of clinicians and clinical and basic scientists with expertise in abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain began generating core diagnostic criteria and defining the related extraintestinal somatic pain and other symptoms experienced by patients. Systematic diagnostic criteria for several common abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain conditions are in development. In this report, we present the proposed AAPT criteria for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), the most common chronic, noncancer abdominal pain condition. A systematic review and synthesis was conducted to complement the Rome IV Diagnostic Criteria for IBS. Future efforts will subject these proposed AAPT criteria to systematic empirical evaluation of their feasibility, reliability, and validity. The AAPT IBS criteria are part of an evidence-based classification system that provides a consistent vocabulary regarding diagnostic criteria, common features, comorbidities, consequences, and putative mechanisms of the disorder. A similar approach is being applied to other chronic and often debilitating abdominal, pelvic, and urogenital pain conditions. The AAPT's goal is to develop an evidence-based taxonomy for chronic pain on the basis of a consistently applied multidimensional framework, and encourage experts to apply this taxonomy to specific chronic pain conditions. In this report, the taxonomy is applied to IBS, a chronic abdominal pain condition. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

A characteristic of polymorphic membrane protein F of Chlamydia trachomatis isolated from male urogenital tracts in Japan.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Tomohiro; Matsuo, Junji; Takahashi, Satoshi; Kumagai, Shouta; Shimoda, Tomoko; Abe, Kiyotaka; Minami, Kunihiro; Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki

2015-12-01

Although sexually transmitted disease due to Chlamydia trachomatis occurs similarly in both men and women, the female urogenital tract differs from that of males anatomically and physiologically, possibly leading to specific polymorphisms of the bacterial surface molecules. In the present study, we therefore characterized polymorphic features in a high-definition phylogenetic marker, polymorphic outer membrane protein (Pmp) F of C. trachomatis strains isolated from male urogenital tracts in Japan (Category: Japan-males, n = 12), when compared with those isolated from female cervical ducts in Japan (Category: Japan-females, n = 11), female cervical ducts in the other country (Category: Ref-females, n = 12) or homosexual male rectums in the other country (Category: Ref-males, n = 7), by general bioinformatics analysis tool with MAFFT software. As a result, phylogenetic reconstruction of the PmpF amino acid sequences showing three distinct clusters revealed that the Japan-males were limited into cluster 1 and 2, although there were only four clusters even though including an outgroup. Meanwhile, the phylogenetic distance values of PmpF passenger domain without hinge region, but not its full-length sequence, showed that the Japan-males were more stable and displayed less diversity when compared with the other categories, supported by the sequence conservation features. Thus, PmpF passenger domain is a useful phylogenetic maker, and the phylogenic features indicate that C. trachomatis strains isolated from male urogenital tracts in Japan may be unique, suggesting an adaptation depending on selective pressure, such as the presence or absence of microbial flora, furthermore possibly connecting to sexual differentiation. Copyright © 2015 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Population-based genetic epidemiologic analysis of Chlamydia trachomatis serotypes and lack of association between ompA polymorphisms and clinical phenotypes.

PubMed

Millman, Kim; Black, Carolyn M; Stamm, Walter E; Jones, Robert B; Hook, Edward W; Martin, David H; Bolan, Gail; Tavaré, Simon; Dean, Deborah

2006-03-01

Chlamydia trachomatis is the leading cause of bacterial sexually transmitted diseases worldwide. Urogenital strains are classified into serotypes and genotypes based on the major outer membrane protein and its gene, ompA, respectively. Studies of the association of serotypes with clinical signs and symptoms have produced conflicting results while no studies have evaluated associations with ompA polymorphisms. We designed a population-based cross-sectional study of 344 men and women with urogenital chlamydial infections (excluding co-pathogen infections) presenting to clinics serving five U.S. cities from 1995 to 1997. Signs, symptoms and sequelae of chlamydial infection (mucopurulent cervicitis, vaginal or urethral discharge; dysuria; lower abdominal pain; abnormal vaginal bleeding; and pelvic inflammatory disease) were analyzed for associations with serotype and ompA polymorphisms. One hundred and fifty-three (44.5%) of 344 patients had symptoms consistent with urogenital chlamydial infection. Gender, reason for visit and city were significant independent predictors of symptom status. Men were 2.2 times more likely than women to report any symptoms (P=0.03) and 2.8 times more likely to report a urethral discharge than women were to report a vaginal discharge in adjusted analyses (P=0.007). Differences in serotype or ompA were not predictive except for an association between serotype F and pelvic inflammatory disease (P=0.046); however, the number of these cases was small. While there was no clinically prognostic value associated with serotype or ompA polymorphism for urogenital chlamydial infections except for serotype F, future studies might utilize multilocus genomic typing to identify chlamydial strains associated with clinical phenotypes.

Azithromycin versus Doxycycline for Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis Infection.

PubMed

Geisler, William M; Uniyal, Apurva; Lee, Jeannette Y; Lensing, Shelly Y; Johnson, Shacondra; Perry, Raymond C W; Kadrnka, Carmel M; Kerndt, Peter R

2015-12-24

Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection remains prevalent and causes substantial reproductive morbidity. Recent studies have raised concern about the efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of chlamydia infection. We conducted a randomized trial comparing oral azithromycin with doxycycline for the treatment of urogenital chlamydia infection among adolescents in youth correctional facilities, to evaluate the noninferiority of azithromycin (1 g in one dose) to doxycycline (100 mg twice daily for 7 days). The treatment was directly observed. The primary end point was treatment failure at 28 days after treatment initiation, with treatment failure determined on the basis of nucleic acid amplification testing, sexual history, and outer membrane protein A (OmpA) genotyping of C. trachomatis strains. Among the 567 participants enrolled, 284 were randomly assigned to receive azithromycin, and 283 were randomly assigned to receive doxycycline. A total of 155 participants in each treatment group (65% male) made up the per-protocol population. There were no treatment failures in the doxycycline group. In the azithromycin group, treatment failure occurred in 5 participants (3.2%; 95% confidence interval, 0.4 to 7.4%). The observed difference in failure rates between the treatment groups was 3.2 percentage points, with an upper boundary of the 90% confidence interval of 5.9 percentage points, which exceeded the prespecified absolute 5-percentage-point cutoff for establishing the noninferiority of azithromycin. In the context of a closed population receiving directly observed treatment for urogenital chlamydia infection, the efficacy of azithromycin was 97%, and the efficacy of doxycycline was 100%. The noninferiority of azithromycin was not established in this setting. (Funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00980148.).

Urogenital schistosomiasis in Cabo Delgado, northern Mozambique: baseline findings from the SCORE study.

PubMed

Phillips, Anna E; Gazzinelli-Guimarães, Pedro H; Aurelio, Herminio O; Dhanani, Neerav; Ferro, Josefo; Nala, Rassul; Deol, Arminder; Fenwick, Alan

2018-01-10

The results presented here are part of a five-year cluster-randomised intervention trial that was implemented to understand how best to gain and sustain control of schistosomiasis through different preventive chemotherapy strategies. This paper presents baseline data that were collected in ten districts of Cabo Delgado province, northern Mozambique, before treatment. A cross-sectional study of 19,039 individuals was sampled from 144 villages from May to September 2011. In each village prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium were investigated in 100 children first-year students (aged 5-8 years), 100 school children aged 9-12 years (from classes 2 to 7) and 50 adults (20-55 years). Prevalence and intensity of S. haematobium infection were evaluated microscopically by two filtrations, each of 10 ml, from a single urine specimen. Given that individual and community perceptions of schistosomiasis influence control efforts, community knowledge and environmental risk factors were collected using a face-to-face interview. Data were entered onto mobile phones using EpiCollect. Data summary was made using descriptive statistics. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine the association between dependent and independent variables. The overall prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis was 60.4% with an arithmetic mean intensity of infection of 55.8 eggs/10 ml of urine. Heavy infections were detected in 17.7%, of which 235 individuals (6.97%) had an egg count of 1000 eggs/10 ml or more. There was a significantly higher likelihood of males being infected than females across all ages (62% vs 58%; P < 0.0005). Adolescents aged 9-12 years had a higher prevalence (66.6%) and mean infection intensity (71.9 eggs/10 ml) than first-year students (63.1%; 58.2 eggs/10 ml). This is the first study in Mozambique looking at infection rates among adults. Although children had higher levels of infection, it was found here that adults had a high average prevalence and intensity of infection (44.5%; 23.9 eggs/10 ml). Awareness of schistosomiasis was relatively high (68.6%); however, correct knowledge of how schistosomiasis is acquired was low (23.2%) among those who had heard of the disease. Schistosomiasis risk behaviour such as washing (91.3%) and bathing (86.7%) in open water sources likely to be infested with host snails was high. Urogenital schistosomiasis is widespread in Cabo Delgado. In addition, poor community knowledge about the causes of schistosomiasis and how to prevent it increases the significant public health challenge for the national control program. This was the first study in Mozambique that examined infection levels among adults, where results showed that S. haematobium infection was also extremely high. Given that this controlled trial aims to understand the impact of different combinations of schistosomiasis control through treatment of communities, schools, and treatment holidays over a five-year period, these findings highlight the importance of examining the impact of different treatment approaches also in adults. The trials have been registered with the International Standard Randomised Controlled Trial registry under ISRCT 14117624 Mozambique (14 December 2015).

The immune response against Chlamydia suis genital tract infection partially protects against re-infection.

PubMed

De Clercq, Evelien; Devriendt, Bert; Yin, Lizi; Chiers, Koen; Cox, Eric; Vanrompay, Daisy

2014-09-25

The aim of the present study was to reveal the characteristic features of genital Chlamydia suis infection and re-infection in female pigs by studying the immune response, pathological changes, replication of chlamydial bacteria in the genital tract and excretion of viable bacteria. Pigs were intravaginally infected and re-infected with C. suis strain S45, the type strain of this species. We demonstrated that S45 is pathogenic for the female urogenital tract. Chlamydia replication occurred throughout the urogenital tract, causing inflammation and pathology. Furthermore, genital infection elicited both cellular and humoral immune responses. Compared to the primo-infection of pigs with C. suis, re-infection was characterized by less severe macroscopic lesions and less chlamydial elementary bodies and inclusions in the urogenital tract. This indicates the development of a certain level of protection following the initial infection. Protective immunity against re-infection coincided with higher Chlamydia-specific IgG and IgA antibody titers in sera and vaginal secretions, higher proliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC), higher percentages of blood B lymphocytes, monocytes and CD8⁺ T cells and upregulated production of IFN-γ and IL-10 by PBMC.

Surface models of the male urogenital organs built from the Visible Korean using popular software

PubMed Central

Shin, Dong Sun; Park, Jin Seo; Shin, Byeong-Seok

2011-01-01

Unlike volume models, surface models, which are empty three-dimensional images, have a small file size, so they can be displayed, rotated, and modified in real time. Thus, surface models of male urogenital organs can be effectively applied to an interactive computer simulation and contribute to the clinical practice of urologists. To create high-quality surface models, the urogenital organs and other neighboring structures were outlined in 464 sectioned images of the Visible Korean male using Adobe Photoshop; the outlines were interpolated on Discreet Combustion; then an almost automatic volume reconstruction followed by surface reconstruction was performed on 3D-DOCTOR. The surface models were refined and assembled in their proper positions on Maya, and a surface model was coated with actual surface texture acquired from the volume model of the structure on specially programmed software. In total, 95 surface models were prepared, particularly complete models of the urinary and genital tracts. These surface models will be distributed to encourage other investigators to develop various kinds of medical training simulations. Increasingly automated surface reconstruction technology using commercial software will enable other researchers to produce their own surface models more effectively. PMID:21829759

Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for Detection of Schistosoma DNA in Small-Volume Urine Samples Reflects Focal Distribution of Urogenital Schistosomiasis in Primary School Girls in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa

PubMed Central

Pillay, Pavitra; Taylor, Myra; Zulu, Siphosenkosi G.; Gundersen, Svein G.; Verweij, Jaco J.; Hoekstra, Pytsje; Brienen, Eric A. T.; Kleppa, Elisabeth; Kjetland, Eyrun F.; van Lieshout, Lisette

2014-01-01

Schistosoma haematobium eggs and Schistosoma DNA levels were measured in urine samples from 708 girls recruited from 18 randomly sampled primary schools in South Africa. Microscopic analysis of two 10-mL urine subsamples collected on three consecutive days confirmed high day-to-day variation; 103 (14.5%) girls had positive results at all six examinations, and at least one positive sample was seen in 225 (31.8%) girls. Schistosoma-specific DNA, which was measured in a 200-μL urine subsample by using real-time polymerase chain reaction, was detected in 180 (25.4%) cases, and levels of DNA corresponded significantly with average urine egg excretion. In concordance with microscopic results, polymerase chain reaction results were significantly associated with history of gynecologic symptoms and confirmed highly focal distribution of urogenital schistosomiasis. Parasite-specific DNA detection has a sensitivity comparable to single urine microscopy and could be used as a standardized high-throughput procedure to assess distribution of urogenital schistosomiasis in relatively large study populations by using small sample volumes. PMID:24470560

Mucin gene expression in human male urogenital tract epithelia

PubMed Central

Russo, Cindy Leigh; Spurr-Michaud, Sandra; Tisdale, Ann; Pudney, Jeffrey; Anderson, Deborah; Gipson, Ilene K.

2010-01-01

BACKGROUND Mucins are large, hydrophilic glycoproteins that protect wet-surfaced epithelia from pathogen invasion as well as provide lubrication. At least 17 mucin genes have been cloned to date. This study sought to determine the mucin gene expression profile of the human male urogenital tract epithelia, to determine if mucins are present in seminal fluid, and to assess the effect of androgens on mucin expression. METHODS AND RESULTS Testis, epididymis, vas deferens, seminal vesicle, prostate, bladder, urethra and foreskin were assessed for mucin expression by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Epithelia of the vas deferens, prostate and urethra expressed the greatest number of mucins, each expressing 5–8 mucins. Messenger RNA of MUC1 and MUC20, both membrane-associated mucins, were detected in most tissues analyzed. Conversely, MUC6 was predominantly detected in seminal vesicle. MUC1, MUC5B and MUC6 were detected in seminal fluid samples by immunoblot analysis. Androgens had no effect on mucin expression by cultured human prostatic epithelial cells. CONCLUSIONS Each region of urogenital tract epithelium expressed a unique mucin gene repertoire. Secretory mucins are present in seminal fluid, and androgens do not appear to regulate mucin gene expression. PMID:16997931

Force-length relationship in the pelvic floor muscles under transverse vaginal distension: a method study in healthy women.

PubMed

Verelst, M; Leivseth, G

2004-01-01

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is a relationship between changes in the diameter of the urogenital hiatus and force developed in pelvic floor musculature. In addition, we wanted to examine the reliability of the method that measures force development in the pelvic floor in the transverse direction of the urogenital hiatus. Passive and total force in the pelvic floor was measured with an intra-vaginal device in 20 healthy parous volunteers. The measurements were done with a consecutively increasing diameter in the transverse plane of the urogenital hiatus. The procedure was repeated with a few days interval. The measurements show an increase in force with an increasing device-diameter. The results are reliable at all the diameters tested, estimated by the within-subject day-to-day variability which was non-significant. The 40 mm diameter device is most favourable, estimated by Bland Altman plots of the test-retest measurements. Force development in pelvic floor muscles increased as a function of vaginal diameter when measured in the frontal plane. The measurements were reliable at all the different diameters chosen. 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Value of light microscopy to diagnose urogenital gonorrhoea: a diagnostic test study in Indonesian clinic-based and outreach sexually transmitted infections services.

PubMed

Hananta, I Putu Yuda; van Dam, Alje P; Bruisten, Sylvia Maria; van der Loeff, Maarten Franciscus Schim; Soebono, Hardyanto; Christiaan de Vries, Henry John

2017-08-11

Gonorrhoea is a common sexually transmitted disease caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Ng) infection. Light microscopy of urogenital smears is used as a simple tool to diagnose urogenital gonorrhoea in many resource-limited settings. We aimed to evaluate the accuracy of light microscopy to diagnose urogenital gonorrhoea as compared with a PCR-based test. In 2014, we examined 632 male urethral and 360 endocervical smears in clinic-based and outreach settings in Jakarta, Yogyakarta and Denpasar, Indonesia. Using the detection of Ng DNA by a validated PCR as reference test, we evaluated the accuracy of two light microscopic criteria to diagnose urogenital gonorrhoea in genital smears: (1) the presence of intracellular Gram-negative diplococci (IGND) and (2) ≥5 polymorphonuclear leucocytes (PMNL)/oil-immersion field (oif) in urethral or ≥20 PMNL/oif in endocervical smears. In male urethral smears, IGND testing had a sensitivity (95% CI), specificity (95% CI) and kappa±SE of 59.0% (50.1 to 67.4), 89.4% (86.3 to 91.9) and 0.49±0.04, respectively. For PMNL count, these were 59.0% (50.1 to 67.4), 83.7% (80.2 to 86.9) and 0.40±0.04, respectively. The accuracy of IGND in the clinic-based settings (72.0% (57.5 to 83.3), 95.2% (91.8 to 97.5) and 0.68±0.06, respectively) was better than in the outreach settings (51.2% (40.0 to 62.3), 83.4% (78.2 to 87.8) and 0.35±0.06, respectively). In endocervical smears, light microscopy performed poorly regardless of the setting or symptomatology, with kappas ranging from -0.09 to 0.24. Light microscopy using IGND and PMNL criteria can be an option with moderate accuracy to diagnose urethral gonorrhoea among males in a clinic-based setting. The poor accuracy in detecting endocervical infections indicates an urgent need to implement advanced methods, such as PCR. Further investigations are needed to identify the poor diagnostic outcome in outreach services. © Article author(s) (or their employer(s) unless otherwise stated in the text of the article) 2017. All rights reserved. No commercial use is permitted unless otherwise expressly granted.

The relation of birth weight and gestational age to biological, occupational and socioeconomic factors.

PubMed

Velonakis, E G; Maghiorakos, P; Tzonou, A; Barrat, J; Proteau, J; Ladopoulos, I

1997-01-01

The data of the 2,040 single births, born during 1987 at the "Saint Antoine" Hospital in Paris, were analysed in order to identify the impact of various biological, occupational, and socioeconomic factors on gestational age and birth weight. Birth weight is associated with the height of the mother and the weight gained during pregnancy. It is lower for mothers with preeclampsia during the current or previous pregnancies or with urogenital infections during the current pregnancy and for mothers with one or more induced abortions. Girls weigh less than boys. Parity has a positive relation to the baby's weight, while manual work seems to have a negative one. APGAR score and duration of the pregnancy are associated with the birth weight. Placenta previa, preeclampsia and urinary infections affect the gestational age. A short pause period in work is related to a shorter gestational age. Weight gain is associated with a prolonged duration of the pregnancy. Gestational age and birth weight are associated with the nationality of the mother, especially in some ethnic groups, and with marital status.

[Stomach cancer in patients with systemic non-differentiated connective tissue dysplasia].

PubMed

Zil'ber, V S

2014-01-01

The study was designed as a comparative analysis of clinical and anamnestic data and results of morphological studies of surgically obtained tissues from 61 patients with stomach cancer (SC) aged 29-78 yr with (group 1) and without (group 2) signs of connective tissue dysplasia (CTD). The groups had an identical structure of SC hystological types, but in group 1 the tumours were localized mainly in the stomach body (60.6%, p < 0.05) and in group 2 in the cardia (32.1%, p < 0.05). In group 1, SC was more frequently associated with chronic (sometimes multiple) ulcers outside the tumor (18.2 compared with 7.1% in group 2). Comparative analysis revealed the following features of SC in patients with CTD: predominance of stigmatization signs in the urogenital system (57.6%) and gastrointestinal tract (42.4%), cyst formation in different organs (75.8%) especially in kidneys (48.5%), high frequency of gastric problems in medical history (chronic gastritis, ulcer disease) (72.7 and 35.7% in groups 1 and 2 respectively, p < 0.05) and concomitant pathology of urogenital system (42.4%, p < 0.05). These peculiarities may be used as the marker for the inclusion of patients in the risk group for SC. Taking into account plastic, morphogenetic, and protective functions of connective tissue under physiological conditions, the above epithelial-stromal relationships and peculiarities of reparative processes in gastric mucosa one can not exclude effect of CTD on gastric cancerogenesis. This implies the necessity of further studies.

Schistosoma haematobium infection in the opossum (Didelphis marsupialis): involvement of the urogenital system.

PubMed

Kuntz, R E; Myers, B J; Cheever, A W

1971-01-01

Investigations of experimental schistosomiasis haematobia have suffered for want of satisfactory mammals in which schistosome infections would establish host-parasite situations more or less comparable with those seen in man. As a consequence, mammals representing different major groups have been exposed to infection by Schistosoma haematobium (Iran strain) to determine their potential use as models for more detailed investigations. In preliminary studies, 8 American opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) were exposed to 1000 or 2000 cercariae. Macroscopic involvement of the urogenital tract was noted in 3 animals, one of which had a 1-cm fibrous plaque in the bladder. In another animal, multiple transitional cell papillomas were present in the bladder and in one ureter.

Prevalence and genotyping of Chlamydia trachomatis in symptomatic male patients from Istanbul, Turkey.

PubMed

Köksal, Muammer Osman; Beka, Hayati; Demirci, Mehmet; Kadioglu, Ates; Agacfidan, Ali; Akgül, Baki

2016-01-01

This study was conducted to determine the prevalence and distribution of urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis genotypes in symptomatic male patients who were referred to the clinics of the Istanbul Faculty of Medicine. Of 419 urogenital swabs, 57 samples (13.6 %) were positive for C. trachomatis . Genotype distribution of C. trachomatis -positive samples identified five genetic variants namely genotype E as the most prevalent (36.4 %), followed by genotype G (23.6 %), H (21.8 %), D (16.4 %) and F (1.8 %). We believe that this is the first study on distribution of genotypes of C. trachomatis genital infections in symptomatic men in Istanbul, Turkey.

Age-related pathophysiological changes in rats with unilateral renal agenesis.

PubMed

Amakasu, Kohei; Suzuki, Katsushi; Katayama, Kentaro; Suzuki, Hiroetsu

2011-06-01

Affected rats of the unilateral urogenital anomalies (UUA) strain show renal agenesis restricted to the left side. To determine whether unilateral renal agenesis is a risk factor for the progression of renal insufficiency, we studied age-related pathophysiological alterations in affected rats. Although body growth and food intake were normal, polydipsia and polyuria with low specific gravity were present at 10 weeks and deteriorated further with age. Blood hemoglobin concentrations were normal, though there was slight erythropenia with increased MCV and MCH. Although hypoalbuminemia, hypercholesterolemia, azotemia, and hypermagnesemia were manifested after age 20 weeks, neither hyperphosphatemia nor hypocalcemia was observed. Plasma Cre and UN concentrations gradually increased with age. Cre clearance was almost normal, whereas fractional UN excretion was consistently lower than normal. Proteinuria increased with age, and albumin was the major leakage protein. In addition to cortical lesions, dilated tubules, cast formation, and interstitial fibrosis were observed in the renal medulla of 50 week-old affected rats. Renal weight was increased 1.7-fold and glomerular number 1.2-fold compared with normal rats. These findings show that the remaining kidney in UUA rats is involved not only in compensatory reactions but experiences pathophysiological alterations associated with progressive renal insufficiency.

Clinical utility of kallikrein-related peptidases (KLK) in urogenital malignancies.

PubMed

Dorn, J; Bayani, J; Yousef, G M; Yang, F; Magdolen, V; Kiechle, M; Diamandis, E P; Schmitt, M

2013-09-01

Kallikrein-related peptidases (KLK), which represent a major tissue-associated proteolytic system, stand for a rich source of biomarkers that may allow molecular classification, early diagnosis and prognosis of human malignancies as well as prediction of response or failure to cancer-directed drugs. International research points to an important role of certain KLKs in female and male urogenital tract malignancies, in addition to cancers of the lung, brain, skin, head and neck, and the gastrointestinal tract. Regarding the female/male urogenital tract, remarkably, all of the KLKs are expressed in the normal prostate, testis, and kidney whereas the uterus, the ovary, and the urinary bladder are expressing a limited number of KLKs only. Most of the information regarding KLK expression in tumour-affected organs is available for ovarian cancer; all of the 12 KLKs tested so far were found to be elevated in the malignant state, depicting them as valuable biomarkers to distinguish between the normal and the cancerous phenotype. In contrast, for kidney cancer, a series of KLKs was found to be downregulated, while other KLKs were not expressed. Evidently, depending on the type of cancer or cancer stage, individual KLKs may show characteristics of a Janus-faced behaviour, by either expanding or inhibiting cancer progression and metastasis.

The Rapid-Heat LAMPellet Method: A Potential Diagnostic Method for Human Urogenital Schistosomiasis

PubMed Central

Carranza-Rodríguez, Cristina; Pérez-Arellano, José Luis; Vicente, Belén; López-Abán, Julio; Muro, Antonio

2015-01-01

Background Urogenital schistosomiasis due to Schistosoma haematobium is a serious underestimated public health problem affecting 112 million people - particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Microscopic examination of urine samples to detect parasite eggs still remains as definitive diagnosis. This work was focussed on developing a novel loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for detection of S. haematobium DNA in human urine samples as a high-throughput, simple, accurate and affordable diagnostic tool to use in diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis. Methodology/Principal Findings A LAMP assay targeting a species specific sequence of S. haematobium ribosomal intergenic spacer was designed. The effectiveness of our LAMP was assessed in a number of patients´ urine samples with microscopy confirmed S. haematobium infection. For potentially large-scale application in field conditions, different DNA extraction methods, including a commercial kit, a modified NaOH extraction method and a rapid heating method were tested using small volumes of urine fractions (whole urine, supernatants and pellets). The heating of pellets from clinical samples was the most efficient method to obtain good-quality DNA detectable by LAMP. The detection limit of our LAMP was 1 fg/µL of S. haematobium DNA in urine samples. When testing all patients´ urine samples included in our study, diagnostic parameters for sensitivity and specificity were calculated for LAMP assay, 100% sensitivity (95% CI: 81.32%-100%) and 86.67% specificity (95% CI: 75.40%-94.05%), and also for microscopy detection of eggs in urine samples, 69.23% sensitivity (95% CI: 48.21% -85.63%) and 100% specificity (95% CI: 93.08%-100%). Conclusions/Significance We have developed and evaluated, for the first time, a LAMP assay for detection of S. haematobium DNA in heated pellets from patients´ urine samples using no complicated requirement procedure for DNA extraction. The procedure has been named the Rapid-Heat LAMPellet method and has the potential to be developed further as a field diagnostic tool for use in urogenital schistosomiasis-endemic areas. PMID:26230990

Combined spatial prediction of schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Sierra Leone: a tool for integrated disease control.

PubMed

Hodges, Mary H; Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J; Paye, Jusufu; Koroma, Joseph B; Sonnie, Mustapha; Clements, Archie; Zhang, Yaobi

2012-01-01

A national mapping of Schistosoma haematobium was conducted in Sierra Leone before the mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel. Together with the separate mapping of S. mansoni and soil-transmitted helminths, the national control programme was able to plan the MDA strategies according to the World Health Organization guidelines for preventive chemotherapy for these diseases. A total of 52 sites/schools were selected according to prior knowledge of S. haematobium endemicity taking into account a good spatial coverage within each district, and a total of 2293 children aged 9-14 years were examined. Spatial analysis showed that S. haematobium is heterogeneously distributed in the country with significant spatial clustering in the central and eastern regions of the country, most prevalent in Bo (24.6% and 8.79 eggs/10 ml), Koinadugu (20.4% and 3.53 eggs/10 ml) and Kono (25.3% and 7.91 eggs/10 ml) districts. By combining this map with the previously reported maps on intestinal schistosomiasis using a simple probabilistic model, the combined schistosomiasis prevalence map highlights the presence of high-risk communities in an extensive area in the northeastern half of the country. By further combining the hookworm prevalence map, the at-risk population of school-age children requiring integrated schistosomiasis/soil-transmitted helminth treatment regimens according to the coendemicity was estimated. The first comprehensive national mapping of urogenital schistosomiasis in Sierra Leone was conducted. Using a new method for calculating the combined prevalence of schistosomiasis using estimates from two separate surveys, we provided a robust coendemicity mapping for overall urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis. We also produced a coendemicity map of schistosomiasis and hookworm. These coendemicity maps can be used to guide the decision making for MDA strategies in combination with the local knowledge and programme needs.

Transformation of the genital epithelial tract occurs early in California sea lion development

PubMed Central

Barragán-Vargas, Cecilia; Montano-Frías, Jorge; Ávila Rosales, Germán; Godínez-Reyes, Carlos R.; Acevedo-Whitehouse, Karina

2016-01-01

An unusually high prevalence of metastatic urogenital carcinoma has been observed in free-ranging California sea lions stranded off the coast of California in the past two decades. No cases have been reported for sea lions in the relatively unpolluted Gulf of California. We investigated occurrence of genital epithelial transformation in 60 sea lions (n=57 pups and 3 adult females) from the Gulf of California and examined whether infection by a viral pathogen previously found to be associated with urogenital carcinoma accounted for such alterations. We also explored the contribution of MHC class II gene expression on transformation. Cellular alterations, such as squamous cell atypia (ASC), atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS) and low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions were observed in 42% of the pups and in 67% of the adult females. Normal genital epithelium was more common in male than female pups. ASC was five times more likely to occur in older pups. Epithelial alterations were unrelated to infection by the potentially oncogenic otarine type I gammaherpesvirus (OtHV-1), but ASCUS was more common in pups with marked and severe inflammation. Expression of MHC class II DRB loci (Zaca DRB-D) by peripheral antigen-presenting leucocytes showed a slightly ‘protective’ effect for ASC. We propose that transformation of the California sea lion genital epithelium is relatively common in young animals, increases with age and is probably the result of infection by an unidentified pathogen. Expression of a specific MHC class II gene, suggestive of presentation of specific antigenic peptides to immune effectors, appears to lower the risk of transformation. Our study provides the first evidence that epithelial transformation of the California sea lion genital tract is relatively common, even from an early age, and raises questions regarding differences in sea lion cancer-detection and -repair success between geographical regions. PMID:27069641

Study and implementation of urogenital schistosomiasis elimination in Zanzibar (Unguja and Pemba islands) using an integrated multidisciplinary approach

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Schistosomiasis is a parasitic infection that continues to be a major public health problem in many developing countries being responsible for an estimated burden of at least 1.4 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in Africa alone. Importantly, morbidity due to schistosomiasis has been greatly reduced in some parts of the world, including Zanzibar. The Zanzibar government is now committed to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis. Over the next 3–5 years, the whole at-risk population will be administered praziquantel (40 mg/kg) biannually. Additionally, snail control and behaviour change interventions will be implemented in selected communities and the outcomes and impact measured in a randomized intervention trial. Methods/Design In this 5-year research study, on both Unguja and Pemba islands, urogenital schistosomiasis will be assessed in 45 communities with urine filtration and reagent strips in 4,500 schoolchildren aged 9–12 years annually, and in 4,500 first-year schoolchildren and 2,250 adults in years 1 and 5. Additionally, from first-year schoolchildren, a finger-prick blood sample will be collected and examined for Schistosoma haematobium infection biomarkers. Changes in prevalence and infection intensity will be assessed annually. Among the 45 communities, 15 were randomized for biannual snail control with niclosamide, in concordance with preventive chemotherapy campaigns. The reduction of Bulinus globosus snail populations and S. haematobium-infected snails will be investigated. In 15 other communities, interventions triggering behaviour change have been designed and will be implemented in collaboration with the community. A change in knowledge, attitudes and practices will be assessed annually through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with schoolchildren, teachers, parents and community leaders. In all 45 communities, changes in the health system, water and sanitation infrastructure will be annually tracked by standardized questionnaire-interviews with community leaders. Additional issues potentially impacting on study outcomes and all incurring costs will be recordedand monitored longitudinally. Discussion Elimination of schistosomiasis has become a priority on the agenda of the Zanzibar government and the international community. Our study will contribute to identifying what, in addition to preventive chemotherapy, needs to be done to prevent, control, and ultimately eliminate schistosomiasis, and to draw lessons for current and future schistosomiasis elimination programmes in Africa and elsewhere. Trial registration ISRCTN48837681 PMID:23110494

Bacterial agents as a cause of infertility in humans.

PubMed

Ruggeri, Melania; Cannas, Sara; Cubeddu, Marina; Molicotti, Paola; Piras, Gennarina Laura; Dessole, Salvatore; Zanetti, Stefania

2016-07-01

Infertility is a problem affecting almost 15% of couples. There are many causes for this condition, among which urogenital bacterial infections seem to play an important role. Many studies have explained the mechanisms by which bacteria cause infertility both in men and women. Therefore we undertook this study to evaluate the presence of genito-urinary infections in infertile couples who sought counselling to investigate their condition. Microbiological analysis was performed on semen and vaginal/cervical samples of both partners of each couple. The percentage of individuals affected by a urogenital bacterial infection was between 14 and 20%. More significantly, most of the species isolated both in men and women have been described in the literature as potential causes of infertility.

Congenital urethrovaginal fistula with transverse vaginal septum.

PubMed

Amer, Mohamed Ibrahim; Ahmed, Mortada El-Sayed; Ali, Ali Hagag

2016-08-01

Congenital urethrovaginal fistula is an extremely rare genitourinary anomaly. Literature search identified only five reported cases, all of which were associated with urogenital abnormalities. Transverse vaginal septum is another rare condition, resulting from abnormalities in the vertical fusion between the vaginal components of the Mullerian ducts and the urogenital sinus; and associated fistulous connection of the vagina with the urethra is even rarer. Herein we describe the case of a 35-year-old woman who presented with dyspareunia, and a 1-year history of infertility, who was found to have a urethrovaginal fistula with low transverse vaginal septum. The patient was successfully treated with excision of the septum and closure of the urethrovaginal fistula. © 2016 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

[Anti-sperm antibodies in dysspermia in spinal cord injury patients].

PubMed

Beretta, G; Chelo, E; Marzotto, M; Zanollo, A

1993-04-01

A relatively uninvestigated area of reproductive physiology is the changes of sperm quality in the anejaculatory man. The retention of sperm cells may result in increased pressure in the genital tract, initiating an autoimmune response to sperm as seen in cases of congenital absence of the vas deferens and vasectomy. Reports on this matter are very contradictory. We evaluated antisperm antibodies in two groups of anejaculatory men with SCI. In the first group of 16 patients there was no clinical and laboratory urogenital infection. In the second group of 13 patients there was clinical and laboratory evidence for urogenital infection. Sperm antibodies were found in 12% of the patients of the first group and in 38% of the patients of the second group.

Sexually transmitted infection testing of adult film performers: is disease being missed?

PubMed

Rodriguez-Hart, Cristina; Chitale, Rohit A; Rigg, Robert; Goldstein, Binh Y; Kerndt, Peter R; Tavrow, Paula

2012-12-01

Undiagnosed sexually transmitted infections (STIs) may be common in the adult film industry because performers frequently engage in unprotected oral and anal intercourse, STIs are often asymptomatic, and the industry relies on urine-based testing. Between mid-May and mid-September 2010, a consecutive sample of adult film industry performers recruited from a clinic in Los Angeles, California, that provides medical care to performers was offered oropharyngeal, rectal, and urogenital testing for Gonorrhea, and rectal and urogenital testing for Chlamydia. During the 4-month study period, 168 participants were enrolled: 112 (67%) were female and 56 (33%) were male. Of the 47 (28%) who tested positive for Gonorrhea and/or Chlamydia, 11 (23%) cases would not have been detected through urogenital testing alone. Gonorrhea was the most common STI (42/168; 25%) and the oropharynx the most common site of infection (37/47; 79%). Thirty-five (95%) oropharyngeal and 21 (91%) rectal infections were asymptomatic. Few participants reported using condoms consistently while performing or with their personal sex partners. Adult film industry performers had a high burden of STIs. Undiagnosed asymptomatic rectal and oropharyngeal STIs were common and are likely reservoirs for transmission to sexual partners inside and outside the workplace. Performers should be tested at all anatomical sites irrespective of symptoms, and condom use should be enforced to protect workers in this industry.

Quadruple primary urogenital cancers - A case report.

PubMed

Elec, Florin-Ioan; Zaharie, Andreea; Ene, Bogdan-Mihai; Ghervan, Liviu

2017-01-01

Urogenital cancers are not an uncommon occurrence in daily practice. Prostate cancer is the second most frequent cancer in men, kidney cancer accounts for 2.4% of all cancers and bladder cancers represent 3.1% of cancers in both men and women [1]. However, the cases of a simultaneous development of all three cancers, including one with a neuroendocrine component, are very few and far between. Our case report involves a case of a patient with prostate adenocarcinoma, clear-cell renal carcinoma, papillary renal carcinoma and small-cell bladder cancer. The patient was treated as if he had separate pathologies by a multidisciplinary team: surgical and oncological, performing radical cystoprostatectomy with left perifascial nephroureterectomy, right ureterostomy and adjuvant chemotherapy, with excellent outcome even four years after the initial diagnosis. The distinct features of this case are the occurence of four different malignancies of the urogenital system, the family history of colon cancer, the development of small-cell carcinoma of the bladder, which is extremely rare and the good outcome, despite the quadruple malignancies and the aggresivity of the small-cell carcinoma. Mutiple primary malignancies are a relatively rare pathology, but should be considered as a possibility in patients who already had a second malignancy. Cases of patients with MPMs should be supervised by a multidisciplinary team and should be followed closely. Copyright © 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Partial Müllerian Duct Retention in Smad4 Conditional Mutant Male Mice.

PubMed

Petit, Fabrice G; Deng, Chuxia; Jamin, Soazik P

2016-01-01

Müllerian duct regression is a complex process which involves the AMH signalling pathway. We have previously demonstrated that besides AMH and its specific type II receptor (AMHRII), BMPR-IA and Smad5 are two essential factors implicated in this mechanism. Mothers against decapentaplegic homolog 4 (Smad4) is a transcription factor and the common Smad (co-Smad) involved in transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) signalling pathway superfamily. Since Smad4 null mutants die early during gastrulation, we have inactivated Smad4 in the Müllerian duct mesenchyme. Specific inactivation of Smad4 in the urogenital ridge leads to the partial persistence of the Müllerian duct in adult male mice. Careful examination of the urogenital tract reveals that the Müllerian duct retention is randomly distributed either on one side or both sides. Histological analysis shows a uterus-like structure, which is confirmed by the expression of estrogen receptor α. As previously described in a β-catenin conditional mutant mouse model, β-catenin contributes to Müllerian duct regression. In our mutant male embryos, it appears that β-catenin expression is locally reduced along the urogenital ridge as compared to control mice. Moreover, the expression pattern is similar to those observed in control female mice. This study shows that reduced Smad4 expression disrupts the Wnt/β-catenin signalling leading to the partial persistence of Müllerian duct.

Prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in elite female endurance athletes.

PubMed

Poświata, Anna; Socha, Teresa; Opara, Józef

2014-12-09

The goal of the study was to assess the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in a group of elite female endurance athletes, as professional sport is one of the risk factors for stress urinary incontinence. SUI rates in the groups of female cross-country skiers and runners were compared to determine whether the training weather conditions like temperature and humidity influenced the prevalence of urinary incontinence. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed among 112 elite female athletes ie., 57 cross-country skiers and 55 runners. We used a short form of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) to assess the presence of SUI symptoms and the level of urogenital distress. Only women who had been practicing sport professionally for at least 3 years, on an international and national level, were included in the research. The study group consisted of 76% nulliparous and 24% parous women. 45.54% of all participants reported leakage of urine associated with sneezing or coughing which indicates stress urinary incontinence. 29.46% were not bothered by the urogenital distress symptoms. 42.86% of the participants were slightly bothered by the symptoms, 18.75% were moderately bothered, 8.04% were significantly bothered and 0.89% were heavily bothered. The absence of statistically significant differences between both groups seems to indicate that training weather conditions did not influence the prevalence of SUI in elite female endurance athletes.

Prevalence of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Elite Female Endurance Athletes

PubMed Central

Poświata, Anna; Socha, Teresa; Opara, Józef

2014-01-01

The goal of the study was to assess the prevalence of stress urinary incontinence in a group of elite female endurance athletes, as professional sport is one of the risk factors for stress urinary incontinence. SUI rates in the groups of female cross-country skiers and runners were compared to determine whether the training weather conditions like temperature and humidity influenced the prevalence of urinary incontinence. An anonymous questionnaire was distributed among 112 elite female athletes ie., 57 cross-country skiers and 55 runners. We used a short form of the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) to assess the presence of SUI symptoms and the level of urogenital distress. Only women who had been practicing sport professionally for at least 3 years, on an international and national level, were included in the research. The study group consisted of 76% nulliparous and 24% parous women. 45.54% of all participants reported leakage of urine associated with sneezing or coughing which indicates stress urinary incontinence. 29.46% were not bothered by the urogenital distress symptoms. 42.86% of the participants were slightly bothered by the symptoms, 18.75% were moderately bothered, 8.04% were significantly bothered and 0.89% were heavily bothered. The absence of statistically significant differences between both groups seems to indicate that training weather conditions did not influence the prevalence of SUI in elite female endurance athletes. PMID:25713669

FOXA1 and SOX9 Expression in the Developing Urogenital Sinus of the Tammar Wallaby (Macropus eugenii).

PubMed

Gamat, Melissa; Chew, Keng Yih; Shaw, Geoffrey; Renfree, Marilyn B

2015-01-01

The mammalian prostate is a compact structure in humans but multi-lobed in mice. In humans and mice, FOXA1 and SOX9 play pivotal roles in prostate morphogenesis, but few other species have been examined. We examined FOXA1 and SOX9 in the marsupial tammar wallaby, Macropus eugenii, which has a segmented prostate more similar to human than to mouse. In males, prostatic budding in the urogenital epithelium (UGE) was initiated by day 24 postpartum (pp), but in the female the UGE remained smooth and had begun forming the marsupial vaginal structures. FOXA1 was upregulated in the male urogenital sinus (UGS) by day 51 pp, whilst in the female UGS FOXA1 remained basal. FOXA1 was localised in the UGE in both sexes between day 20 and 80 pp. SOX9 was upregulated in the male UGS at day 21-30 pp and remained high until day 51-60 pp. SOX9 protein was localised in the distal tips of prostatic buds which were highly proliferative. The persistent upregulation of the transcription factors SOX9 and FOXA1 after the initial peak and fall of androgen levels suggest that in the tammar, as in other mammals, these factors are required to sustain prostate differentiation, development and proliferation as androgen levels return to basal levels. © 2015 S. Karger AG, Basel.

[Epidemiology, etiology and psychosocial impact of urogenital fistulas in a cohort of 170 consecutive patients managed in three treatment centers in Burkina Faso from 2010 to 2012].

PubMed

Aristide Kaboré, F; Kambou, T; Ouattara, A; Zango, B; Yaméogo, C; Kirakoya, B; Franquebalme, J-P; Eglin, G; Thoreau, F; Chuzel, J-L; Albert, P; Alimi, J-C; Colas, J-M; Bibault, A; Paul, O; Corcos, J; Karsenty, G

2014-06-01

To describe the socio-demographical aspects, etiologies and psychosocial consequences of urogenital fistula patients (UGF) in Burkina Faso (BF). Descriptive study of a cohort of consecutive patients during a period of 18 months (December 1st 2010 to August 31st 2012) in three centers of treatment in BF. Each patient has had a standardized complete medical observation focused on sociodemographics, clinical finding, past medical history and etiologies of UGF. Some patients had an interview with a psychologist. One hundred and seventy patients with mean age 35 years (minimum: 16, maximum: 70) were enrolled during the study period. The majority of patients were housewives (90.5%, n=152) and illiterates (92.9%, n=158). Among the patients, 62.4% (n=106) lived in rural zones. Obstetrical fistula was the most common cause of UGF (87.6%, n=149) in our study and prolonged labor occurred in 93.3% (n=139) of cases with 17.5% (n=26) who delivered at home. The majority of our cases were vesico-vaginal fistula (70.6%, n=120). Fifty-five patients (32.4%) were divorced after the fistula. The sensation of humiliation and sadness were noted at all the patients who had a psychological evaluation and 87.5% (n=14) of them have had suicidal ideas. The UGF are frequent in Burkina Faso and obstetrical etiology is dominant. The physical and psychosocial repercussions are important for the women victims of this pathology. 4. Copyright © 2014. Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.

A Trial for Patients With Advanced/Recurrent Endometrial Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2009-11-13

Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Urogenital Neoplasms; Genital Neoplasms, Female; Uterine Neoplasms; Endometrial Neoplasms; Cancer of Endometrium; Endometrial Cancer; Cancer of the Endometrium; Endometrium Cancer; Neoplasms, Endometrial

131Iodine-Tenatumomab Treatment in Tenascin-C Positive Cancer Patients

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-01-11

Breast Neoplasm; Head and Neck Neoplasm; Skin Neoplasm; Respiratory Tract Neoplasm; Urogenital Neoplasm; Digestive System Neoplasm; Pancreatic Neoplasm; Connective and Soft Tissue Neoplasm; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin

Alprostadil Urogenital

MedlinePlus

... cartridges at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Read the manufacturer's instructions for information about how long alprostadil solution may be stored after mixing and where it ...

[Safety and efficacy of ketamine for pain relief].

PubMed

Niesters, Marieke; Dahan, Albert; van Kleef, Maarten

2016-01-01

Intravenous ketamine treatment is frequently used for the management of chronic pain, especially in those patients who do not benefit from other therapies. In this commentary we discuss the efficacy of ketamine for relief of chronic pain and ketamine's safety profile. A review of the literature indicates that only a few studies show that intravenous ketamine has analgesic effects that persist beyond the infusion period, an effect that occurs in about two-thirds of patients. Ketamine has multiple safety issues, ranging from psychotomimetic and schizotypal symptoms, sympathetic stimulation, tachycardia and hypertension, and damage to the liver and the urogenital tract. Damage to the urogenital tract seems to be restricted to individuals who chronically abuse ketamine. We indicate the need for large randomized trials in which ketamine is compared with an 'active' placebo.

Schistosoma haematobium infection in the opossom (Didelphis marsupialis): involvement of the urogenital system*

PubMed Central

Kuntz, Robert E.; Myers, Betty June; Cheever, Allen W.

1971-01-01

Investigations of experimental schistosomiasis haematobia have suffered for want of satisfactory mammals in which schistosome infections would establish host—parasite situations more or less comparable with those seen in man. As a consequence, mammals representing different major groups have been exposed to infection by Schistosoma haematobium (Iran strain) to determine their potential use as models for more detailed investigations. In preliminary studies, 8 American opossums (Didelphis marsupialis) were exposed to 1000 or 2000 cercariae. Macroscopic involvement of the urogenital tract was noted in 3 animals, one of which had a 1-cm fibrous plaque in the bladder. In another animal, multiple transitional cell papillomas were present in the bladder and in one ureter. ImagesFig. 3Fig. 4Fig. 7Fig. 8Fig. 5Fig. 6Fig. 2 PMID:5316850

The role of estrogens and estrogen receptor signaling pathways in cancer and infertility: the case of schistosomes.

PubMed

Botelho, Mónica C; Alves, Helena; Barros, Alberto; Rinaldi, Gabriel; Brindley, Paul J; Sousa, Mário

2015-06-01

Schistosoma haematobium, a parasitic flatworm that infects more than 100 million people, mostly in the developing world, is the causative agent of urogenital schistosomiasis, and is associated with a high incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the bladder. Schistosomiasis haematobia also appears to negatively influence fertility, and is particularly associated with female infertility. Given that estrogens and estrogen receptors are key players in human reproduction, we speculate that schistosome estrogen-like molecules may contribute to infertility through hormonal imbalances. Here, we review recent findings on the role of estrogens and estrogen receptors on both carcinogenesis and infertility associated with urogenital schistosomiasis and discuss the basic hormonal mechanisms that might be common in cancer and infertility. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Military Women’s Health: A Scoping Review and Gap Analysis: 2000-2015

DTIC Science & Technology

2017-08-09

pregnancy rape Congenital abnormalities Vaccines Resilience, psychological child sexual abuse Female urogenital diseases Interpersonal violence...37 Psychological Health...120 Psychological Health: Research Gap Analysis

Perceived stress, insomnia and related factors in women around the menopause.

PubMed

Cuadros, José L; Fernández-Alonso, Ana M; Cuadros-Celorrio, Angela M; Fernández-Luzón, Nuria; Guadix-Peinado, María J; del Cid-Martín, Nadia; Chedraui, Peter; Pérez-López, Faustino R

2012-08-01

Studies assessing perceived stress and insomnia in mid-aged women are scarce. To assess perceived stress, insomnia and related factors in mid-aged Spanish women. This was a cross sectional study in which 235 women aged 40-65 completed the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), and a general socio-demographic questionnaire containing personal and partner data. Internal consistency of each tool was also computed. Median [interquartile range] age of the sample was 52 [9.0] years. A 61.3% were postmenopausal, 49.4% had increased body mass index values, 43.8% were abdominally obese, 11.9% had hypertension, and 74.0% had a partner. In addition, 9.8% used hormone therapy and 12.3% psychotropic drugs. Multiple linear regression analysis found that higher PSS scores (more stress) inversely correlated with female age and positively with MRS psychological and urogenital scores (impaired quality of life in these domains), total higher ISI scores (more insomnia) and partner premature ejaculation. Higher ISI scores positively correlated with PSS and MRS somatic scores and partner unfaithfulness, and inversely with female hip circumference. In this mid-aged Spanish sample perceived stress and insomnia were significantly correlated and related to various female and partner issues. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Epidemiology and structure of congenital anomalies of the newborns in the region of Novi Sad (Vojvodina, Serbia) in 1996 and 2006.

PubMed

Ristivojević, Andjelka; Djokić, Petra Lukić; Katanić, Dragan; Dobanovacki, Dušanka; Privrodski, Jadranka Jovanović

2016-05-01

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) definition, congenital anomalies are all disorders of the organs or tissues, regardless of whether they are visible at birth or manifest in life, and are registered in the International Classification of Diseases. The aim of this study was to compare the incidence and structure of prenatally detected and clinically manifested congenital anomalies in the newborns in the region of Novi Sad (Province of Vojvodina, Serbia) in the two distant years (1996 and 2006). This retrospective cohort study included all the children born at the Clinic for Gynecology and Obstetrics (Clinical Center of Vojvodina) in Novi Sad during 1996 and 2006. The incidence and the structure of congenital anomalies were analyzed. During 1996 there were 6,099 births and major congenital anomalies were found in 215 infants, representing 3.5%. In 2006 there were 6,628 births and major congenital anomalies were noted in 201 newborns, which is 3%. During 1996 there were more children with anomalies of musculoskeletal system, urogenital tract, with anomalies of the central nervous system and chromosomal abnormalities. During the year 2006 there were more children with cardiovascular anomalies, followed by urogenital anomalies, with significant decline in musculoskeletal anomalies. The distribution of the newborns with major congenital anomalies, regarding perinatal outcome, showed the difference between the studied years. In 2006 the increasing number of children required further investigation and treatment. There is no national registry of congenital anomalies in Serbia so the aim of this study was to enlight this topic. In the span of ten years, covering the period of the NATO campaign in Novi Sad and Serbia, the frequency of major congenital anomalies in the newborns was not increased. The most frequent anomalies observed during both years implied the musculosketelal, cardiovascular, urogenital and central nervous system. In the year 2006 there was a significant eruption of cardiovascular anomalies and a significant decrease of musculoskeletal anomalies, chromosomal abnormalities and central nervous system anomalies, while the number of urogenital anomalies declined compared to the year 1996.

Frasier syndrome with childhood-onset renal failure.

PubMed

Buzi, F; Mella, P; Pilotta, A; Felappi, B; Camerino, G; Notarangelo, L D

2001-01-01

The Wilms' tumour 1 (WT1) gene encodes a protein which is believed to exert transcriptional and tumour-suppressor activities. Mutations of this gene have occasionally been associated with Wilms' tumour (<15% of cases) and, more consistently, with three syndromes characterized by urogenital abnormalities (WAGR, Denys-Drash and Frasier syndrome). SUBJECT/METHOD: A 25-year-old phenotypic female with a 46,XY karyotype presented with amenorrhoea. An ultrasound scan showed streak gonads and a rudimentary uterus. The patient had a history of post-streptococcal glomerulonephrosis, when aged 4 years, which had rapidly progressed to kidney failure, requiring transplantation at age 8. Frasier syndrome was suspected and confirmed by genetic analysis. In fact, direct sequencing of the PCR product of the intron 9 donor splice site revealed a substitution of guanine for adenine in position +5. Besides being one of the few Frasier syndrome cases to be genetically characterized, this case is interesting because of the unusually early-onset renal failure. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

PAUSE: A Patient-Centric Tool to Support Patient-Provider Engagement on Menopause

PubMed Central

Ashkenazy, Rebecca; Peterson, Mary Elizabeth

2018-01-01

There are powerful demographic, political, and environmental trends shaping women’s health. Increases in life expectancy, literacy, and empowerment are fueling expansions in education and advocacy. Research and development focuses on women’s health and fertility across an expanded age spectrum. There is also a cultural emphasis on antiaging and aesthetics. In parallel, the digital revolution is changing how health care is accessed by and delivered to women. A women’s journey through menopause is at the crossroads of these transformations. Medical and social platforms encourage women to embrace menopause as a pivotal life stage. Yet, many women are reticent to discuss “the transition” due to embarrassment about its symptoms, lack of awareness of its physical manifestations, or fear of aging. We introduce a patient-centric framework to support patient-provider engagement on menopause: prevention, anxiety, urogenital symptoms, vasomotor symptoms, and education. Although not comprehensive, PAUSE represents an acronym and reminder to focus a portion of the medical interaction on menopause. PMID:29467590

The incontinence impact questionnaire: results in an Italian female population stratified by educational status.

PubMed

Costantini, Elisabetta; Lazzeri, Massimo; Bini, Vittorio; Del Zingaro, Michele; Kocjiancic, Ervin; Porena, Massimo

2009-01-01

To determine the response rate to the self-administered Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ) in an Italian female population. 172 consecutive patients referred to the urogynecological department of an urban university teaching hospital were invited to answer the self-administered IIQ. Correlations were investigated between answer rate, age, educational status and urogenital pathology. Only 41.6% of patients with low educational status answered all questions compared with 47.6 and 58% of medium and high educational status (p = 0.038 and p = 0.011 respectively). Mean patient age correlated inversely with educational status (rho = -0.443; p < 0.0001) and directly with non-response rate (rho = 0.207; p = 0.007). The non-response rate was correlated significantly and inversely with educational status only in continent patients (rho = -0.254; p = 0.037) and in patients with pelvic organ prolapse (rho = -0.256; p = 0.017). The IIQ answer rate correlated directly with educational status in an Italian female population. Copyright (c) 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Ciprofloxacin treatment of chlamydial infections of urogenital tracts of women.

PubMed

Ahmed-Jushuf, I H; Arya, O P; Hobson, D; Pratt, B C; Hart, C A; How, S J; Tait, I A; Rao, P M

1988-02-01

Ciprofloxacin was evaluated in chlamydial infections of the urogenital tracts of women treated with a dosage regimen of 500 mg orally twice a day for seven days. Of the 40 women evaluated, 30 were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis only, two were infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae only, and a further eight had combined gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Ten were found to be harbouring Chlamydia trachomatis in the urethra as well as the cervix. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was eradicated from all patients with or without concomitant chlamydial infection. The overall chlamydial reisolation rates were 14% (5/35) four weeks after treatment and 23% (6/26) 11 weeks after treatment. The organism was not reisolated from the urethra of any of the patients after treatment. Ciprofloxacin was effective against Mycoplasma hominis, but almost completely ineffective against Ureaplasma urealyticum.

Ciprofloxacin treatment of chlamydial infections of urogenital tracts of women.

PubMed Central

Ahmed-Jushuf, I H; Arya, O P; Hobson, D; Pratt, B C; Hart, C A; How, S J; Tait, I A; Rao, P M

1988-01-01

Ciprofloxacin was evaluated in chlamydial infections of the urogenital tracts of women treated with a dosage regimen of 500 mg orally twice a day for seven days. Of the 40 women evaluated, 30 were infected with Chlamydia trachomatis only, two were infected with Neisseria gonorrhoeae only, and a further eight had combined gonococcal and chlamydial infections. Ten were found to be harbouring Chlamydia trachomatis in the urethra as well as the cervix. Neisseria gonorrhoeae was eradicated from all patients with or without concomitant chlamydial infection. The overall chlamydial reisolation rates were 14% (5/35) four weeks after treatment and 23% (6/26) 11 weeks after treatment. The organism was not reisolated from the urethra of any of the patients after treatment. Ciprofloxacin was effective against Mycoplasma hominis, but almost completely ineffective against Ureaplasma urealyticum. PMID:3278970

[Minimally invasive interventional techniques involving the urogenital tract in dogs and cats].

PubMed

Heilmann, R M

2016-01-01

Minimally invasive interventional techniques are advancing fast in small animal medicine. These techniques utilize state-of-the-art diagnostic methods, including fluoroscopy, ultrasonography, endoscopy, and laparoscopy. Minimally invasive procedures are particularly attractive in the field of small animal urology because, in the past, treatment options for diseases of the urogenital tract were rather limited or associated with a high rate of complications. Most endourological interventions have a steep learning curve. With the appropriate equipment and practical training some of these procedures can be performed in most veterinary practices. However, most interventions require referral to a specialty clinic. This article summarizes the standard endourological equipment and materials as well as the different endourological interventions performed in dogs and cats with diseases of the kidneys/renal pelves, ureters, or lower urinary tract (urinary bladder and urethra).

IN0523 (Urs-12-ene-3α,24β-diol) a plant based derivative of boswellic acid protect Cisplatin induced urogenital toxicity

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Singh, Amarinder

The limiting factor for the use of Cisplatin in the treatment of different type of cancers is its toxicity and more specifically urogenital toxicity. Oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon associated with Cisplatin toxicity. However, in Cisplatin treated group, abnormal animal behavior, decreased body weight, cellular and sub-cellular changes in the kidney and sperm abnormality were observed. Our investigation revealed that Cisplatin when administered in combination with a natural product derivative (Urs-12-ene-3α,24β-diol, labeled as IN0523) resulted in significant restoration of body weight and protection against the pathological alteration caused by Cisplatin to kidney and testis. Sperm count and motility weremore » significantly restored near to normal. Cisplatin caused depletion of defense system i.e. glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase, which were restored close to normal by treatment of IN0523. Reduction in excessive lipid peroxidation induced by Cisplatin was also found by treatment with IN0523. The result suggests that IN0523 is a potential candidate for ameliorating Cisplatin induced toxicity in the kidney and testes at a dose of 100 mg/kg p.o. via inhibiting the oxidative stress/redox status imbalance and may be improving the efflux mechanism. - Highlights: • Synthesis of a novel boswellic acid derivative (IN0523) • Counter oxidative stress induced due to Cisplatin • Protect against urogenital toxicity induced by Cisplatin.« less

[Social integration of women operated for obstetric urogenital fistula].

PubMed

Diarra, A; Tembely, A; Berthe, H J G; Diakité, M L; Traoré, B; Ouattara, K

2013-10-01

To study the social integration of women supported in the urology department of the University Hospital of Point G for obstetric urogenital fistula. Prospective study conducted over a period of 13 months from June 2008 to June 2009 in the Department of Urology at the University Hospital of Point G. The study included all patients who have been operated on at least twice for obstetric fistula genitourinary. Records of surgical, medical records and tracking sheets for each patient were the media database. Situation before treatment: before surgical treatment, 76.92% of patients were rejected by their spouses. The family attended the patient in 84.62% of cases. Situation after treatment: after treatment, 90.31% of women with fistula lived in the matrimonial home or family. The resumption of business activity was announced by 11.2% of patients. Among the women, 93.7% participated in housework. The number of patient intervention ranged from two to five. Healing (fistula closed and no sphincter dysfunction) was complete in 50% of cases. Among the women, 11.54% had sphincter dysfunction after closure of the fistula, which makes a total of fistula closed more than 61% after at least two attempts. The urogenital fistulas are not a fatal disease but is a real handicap for women who suffer to conduct a socio-cultural and economic mainstream. Generally excluded from the ongoing operations of the company, these women are more integrated after successful surgical treatment of the fistula. Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

The Rationale for Probiotics in Female Urogenital Healthcare

PubMed Central

Reid, Gregor; Burton, Jeremy; Devillard, Estelle

2004-01-01

Urogenital infections are a major reason that women visit their family physician and are referred to gastroenterology, gynecology, urology, and infectious disease specialists. The association between abnormal vaginal microbiota and increased risk for sexually transmitted infections, bladder and vaginal infections per se, and a higher rate of preterm labor indicate the need to better understand and manage urogenital health. The concept of probiotics arose from the realization that humans are inhabited with microbes from birth and that these organisms play a role in preventing disease. Defined as “live microorganisms, which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host,” probiotic strains have already been shown to effectively prevent diarrhea and to hold potential in preventing and treating tonsillitis, caries, renal calculi, and respiratory infections. This review provides a rationale for the use of probiotics in maintaining female vaginal and bladder health and as a treatment option for recurrent bacterial vaginosis, urinary tract infection, yeast vaginitis, and sexually transmitted infections. We consider only probiotic strains that fulfill the United Nations/World Health Organization Guidelines for Probiotics in being fully characterized and clinically documented through scientific investigations describing known or presumed mechanisms of action. Although medical practitioners as yet are unable to access these probiotic strains, an awareness of recent and ongoing research for probiotics is important, as results are encouraging. The concept of probiotic therapy is familiar to many consumers and although it has historically lacked credibility in the medical community, perceptions are changing. PMID:15208560

Panzi score as a parsimonious indicator of urogenital fistula severity derived from Goh and Waaldijk classifications.

PubMed

Mukwege, Denis; Peters, Lisa; Amisi, Christine; Mukwege, Alain; Smith, Abigail R; Miller, Janis M

2018-04-28

To derive a comprehensive system that allows a single score to define relative fistula severity. The present observational study included women with urogenital fistula treated at the Panzi Hospital, Democratic Republic of Congo, or its outreach clinics across the Democratic Republic of Congo between September 1, 2013, and December 31, 2014. Fistula severity was assessed by Goh and Waaldijk classifications and surgical success was ascertained. Logistic regression was used to select fistula characteristics predictive of surgical failure, and to preliminarily verify the newly derived Panzi score. Overall, 837 women were included in the analysis. Goh or Waaldijk fistula descriptors associated with a higher probability of poor surgical outcomes in the unadjusted bivariate analysis were circumferential defect (P=0.007), proximity to the external urethral orifice (P=0.001), and size (P=0.001). These fistula characteristics were used to construct the Panzi score, which varied from 3 (most severe) to 0 (minor fistula). For each increase above 0, the odds of surgical failure increase by a factor of 1.65 (P<0.001). The Panzi score of urogenital fistula provided a data-driven, simple, comprehensive, and parsimonious score. It could be used to report group data, to provide continuous level data for use in higher order statistics, and to resolve issues such as the cut-off point for referring women to hospital in accordance with fistula complexity. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Low MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2) levels correlate with urogenital schistosomiasis in Nigerian children.

PubMed

Ojurongbe, Olusola; Antony, Justin S; Van Tong, Hoang; Meyer, Christian G; Akindele, Akeem A; Sina-Agbaje, Olawumi R; Kremsner, Peter G; Velavan, Thirumalaisamy P

2015-10-01

The human mannose-binding lectin (MBL) and ficolins (FCN) are involved in pathogen recognition in the first line of defence. They support activation of the complement lectin cascade in the presence of MBL-associated serine protease 2 (MASP-2), a protein that cleaves the C4 and C2 complement components. Recent studies found that distinct MBL2 and FCN2 promoter variants and their corresponding serum levels are associated with relative protection from urogenital schistosomiasis. We investigated the contribution of MASP-2 levels and MASP2 polymorphisms in a Nigerian study group, of 163 individuals infected with Schistosoma haematobium and 183 healthy subjects. MASP-2 serum levels varied between younger children (≤12 years) and older children (>12 years) and adults (P = 0.0001). Younger children with a patent infection had significantly lower MASP-2 serum levels than uninfected children (P = 0.0074). Older children and adults (>12 years) with a current infection had higher serum MASP-2 levels than controls (P = 0.032). MBL serum levels correlated positively with MASP-2 serum levels (P = 0.01). MASP2 secretor haplotypes were associated with MASP-2 serum levels in healthy subjects. The heterozygous MASP2 p.P126L variant was associated with reduced serum MASP-2 levels (P = 0.01). The findings indicate that higher MASP-2 serum levels are associated with relative protection from urogenital schistosomiasis in Nigerian children. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

High-Throughput Testing of Urogenital and Extragenital Specimens for Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae with Cobas® CT/NG.

PubMed

Marlowe, Elizabeth M; Hardy, David; Krevolin, Mark; Gohl, Peter; Bertram, Alexander; Arcenas, Rodney; Seiverth, Britta; Schneider, Tanja; Liesenfeld, Oliver

2017-09-01

We compared the analytical and clinical performance of cobas ® CT/NG for use on the Cobas ® 6800/8800 Systems with the Cobas ® 4800 CT/NG Test from urogenital and extragenital specimens in over 12,000 specimens from both male and female subjects in Germany and the United States. The analytical sensitivity was ≤40 EB/ml for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and ≤1 CFU/ml for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Using clinical specimens, the overall percent agreement with the Cobas ® 4800 CT/NG Test was >98.5%. Across urogenital specimens, there were 93 discrepant specimens; 76 (93.8%) of 81 CT discrepant specimens were 6800+/4800- and 10 (83.3%) of 12 NG discrepant specimens were 6800+/4800-. Sequencing verified CT results for 45 (61.6%) of 73 samples positive by 6800 and 1 (20%) of 5 positive by 4800. Similarly, 7 (70.0%) of 10 NG samples positive by 6800 and 1 of 2 positive by 4800 were confirmed by sequencing. Among discrepant extragenital specimens (all 6800+/4800-), 7 (50%) of 14 oropharyngeal and 23 (76.7%) of 30 anorectal CT discordant samples were confirmed as CT positive by sequencing; all 8 anorectal and 20 (90.9%) of 22 oropharyngeal NG discordant results were also confirmed as NG positive. In conclusion, Cobas ® CT/NG for use on the Cobas ® 6800/8800 Systems provides high-throughput automated solutions for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening programs.

[Study of the current status of Schistosoma haematobium infection in the European Union. An approach to the possible risk in Spain].

PubMed

Villasante Ferrer, Andrea; Iranzo Tatay, Agustín; Aznar Oroval, Eduardo; Mollar Maseres, Joan

2018-04-13

In Europe, urogenital schistosomiasis was not endemic, however in 2014 the first cases of a European autochthonous infection outbreak appeared in Corsica (France). In this work a search and description of cases, both import and native urogenital schistosomiasis, published in the European Union (EU) during the last 20 years was made. In addition, a qualitative risk assessment in Spain was carried out. A bibliographic search of European Union published cases over the last 20 years (1997-2017) was performed using PubMed. Works that evidenced the presence of intermediate hosts Bulinus truncatus and Planorbarius metidjensis in our country were searched in PubMed, ResearchGate and Google Scholar. Finally, a risk assessment of urogenital schistosomiasis in Spain using the 2011 ECDC guide was made. 481 cases in the EU were found. 328 were imported and 152 autochthonous. All from the autochthonous cases were focused in Corsica, where people from different nationalities got sicked. The presence of two potential host species was documented in different locations of our geography. The result of the risk assessment in Spain was low risk. Although the risk assessment in Spain was low risk, several factors as the presence of intermediate hosts in Spain, the increase on migratory flows, and the role that the S. haematobium-bovis hybrid had in the outbreak of Corsica, must alert community and health authorities about the possibility that autochthonous cases in our country appear.

The effect of hormones on the lower urinary tract.

PubMed

Robinson, Dudley; Toozs-Hobson, Philip; Cardozo, Linda

2013-12-01

The female genital and lower urinary tracts share a common embryological origin, arising from the urogenital sinus and both are sensitive to the effects of the female sex steroid hormones throughout life. Estrogen is known to have an important role in the function of the lower urinary tract and estrogen and progesterone receptors have been demonstrated in the vagina, urethra, bladder and pelvic floor musculature. In addition estrogen deficiency occurring following the menopause is known to cause atrophic change and may be associated with lower urinary tract symptoms such as frequency, urgency, nocturia, urgency incontinence and recurrent infection. These may also co-exist with symptoms of urogenital atrophy such as dyspareunia, itching, vaginal burning and dryness. Epidemiological studies have implicated estrogen deficiency in the aetiology of lower urinary tract symptoms with 70% of women relating the onset of urinary incontinence to their final menstrual period. Whilst for many years systemic and vaginal estrogen therapy was felt to be beneficial in the treatment of lower urinary and genital tract symptoms this evidence has recently been challenged by large epidemiological studies investigating the use of systemic hormone replacement therapy as primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis. The aim of this paper is to examine the effect of the sex hormones, estrogen and progesterone, on the lower urinary tract and to review the current evidence regarding the role of systemic and vaginal estrogens in the management of lower urinary tract symptoms and urogenital atrophy.

Urinary continence in women during centrifuge exposure to high +Gz.

PubMed

Benjamin, C R; Hearon, C M

2000-02-01

One earlier study and anecdotal evidence suggest a possible association between exposure to high +Gz forces and urinary incontinence in women. High +Gz could possibly contributes to the prolapse of the bladder neck, moving it into a position which decreases the leak point pressure resulting in urinary incontinence. We tested the hypothesis that increased urinary incontinence is associated with high +Gz. 25 females were exposed to a high +Gz profile. Following the exposure they were asked to answer a questionnaire grading their urinary continence under high +Gz, and to provide a baseline grading of their urinary continence at +1.0 Gz and under increased abdominal stress at +1.0 Gz. Demographic data included parity and previous urogenital surgery. Graded responses were dichotomized and data was analyzed using Fischer's Exact Test for 2x2 tables with significance set at alpha = 0.05. At high +Gz no significant association was found between reported urine incontinence and a history of urogenital surgery or parity. Only one of twenty-five subjects had any symptoms at high +Gz despite the fact that five had a predisposition. As expected, at +1.0 Gz and under increased abdominal stress at +1.0 Gz a significant association was found between reported urine incontinence and a history of urogenital surgery, while no significant association was found for parity. In this simple first look there was no increase in urinary incontinence at high +Gz even among those who reported a predisposition.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of androgen signaling underlie sexual differentiation and congenital malformations of the urethra and vagina

PubMed Central

Larkins, Christine E.; Enriquez, Ana B.; Cohn, Martin J.

2016-01-01

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital anomalies that affect sexual differentiation of genitourinary organs and secondary sex characters. A common cause of female genital virilization is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in which excess androgen production during development of 46XX females can result in vaginal atresia, masculinization of the urethra, a single urogenital sinus, and clitoral hypertrophy or ambiguous external genitalia. Development of the vagina depends on sexual differentiation of the urogenital sinus ridge, an epithelial thickening that forms where the sex ducts attach to the anterior urethra. In females, the sinus ridge descends posteriorly to allow the vaginal opening to form in the vulva, whereas in males and in females with CAH, androgens inhibit descent of the sinus ridge. The mechanisms that regulate development of the female urethra and vagina are largely unknown. Here we show that the timing and duration of, and the cell population targeted by, androgen signaling determine the position of vaginal attachment to the urethra. Manipulations of androgen signaling in utero reveal a temporal window of development when sinus ridge fate is determined. Cell type-specific genetic deletions of androgen receptor (Ar) identify a subpopulation of mesenchymal cells that regulate sinus ridge morphogenesis. These results reveal a common mechanism that coordinates development of the vagina and feminization of the urethra, which may account for development of a single urogenital sinus in females exposed to excessive androgen during a critical period of prenatal development. PMID:27821748

Spatiotemporal dynamics of androgen signaling underlie sexual differentiation and congenital malformations of the urethra and vagina.

PubMed

Larkins, Christine E; Enriquez, Ana B; Cohn, Martin J

2016-11-22

Disorders of sex development (DSDs) are congenital anomalies that affect sexual differentiation of genitourinary organs and secondary sex characters. A common cause of female genital virilization is congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH), in which excess androgen production during development of 46XX females can result in vaginal atresia, masculinization of the urethra, a single urogenital sinus, and clitoral hypertrophy or ambiguous external genitalia. Development of the vagina depends on sexual differentiation of the urogenital sinus ridge, an epithelial thickening that forms where the sex ducts attach to the anterior urethra. In females, the sinus ridge descends posteriorly to allow the vaginal opening to form in the vulva, whereas in males and in females with CAH, androgens inhibit descent of the sinus ridge. The mechanisms that regulate development of the female urethra and vagina are largely unknown. Here we show that the timing and duration of, and the cell population targeted by, androgen signaling determine the position of vaginal attachment to the urethra. Manipulations of androgen signaling in utero reveal a temporal window of development when sinus ridge fate is determined. Cell type-specific genetic deletions of androgen receptor (Ar) identify a subpopulation of mesenchymal cells that regulate sinus ridge morphogenesis. These results reveal a common mechanism that coordinates development of the vagina and feminization of the urethra, which may account for development of a single urogenital sinus in females exposed to excessive androgen during a critical period of prenatal development.

Anatomy of pudendal nerve at urogenital diaphragm--new critical site for nerve entrapment.

PubMed

Hruby, Stephan; Ebmer, Johannes; Dellon, A Lee; Aszmann, Oskar C

2005-11-01

To investigate the relations of the pudendal nerve in this complex anatomic region and determine possible entrapment sites that are accessible for surgical decompression. Entrapment neuropathies of the pudendal nerve are an uncommon and, therefore, often overlooked or misdiagnosed clinical entity. The detailed relations of this nerve as it exits the pelvis through the urogenital diaphragm and enters the mobile part of the penis have not yet been studied. Detailed anatomic dissections were performed in 10 formalin preserved hemipelves under 3.5x loupe magnification. The pudendal nerve was dissected from the entrance into the Alcock canal to the dorsum of the penis. The branching pattern of the nerve and its topographic relationship were recorded and photographs taken. The anatomic dissections revealed that the pudendal nerve passes through a tight osteofibrotic canal just distal to the urogenital diaphragm at the entrance to the base of the penis. This canal is, in part, formed by the inferior ramus of the pubic bone, the suspensory ligament of the penis, and the ischiocavernous body. In two specimens, a fusiform pseudoneuromatous thickening was found. The pudendal nerve is susceptible to compression at the passage from the Alcock canal to the dorsum of the penis. Individuals exposed to repetitive mechanical irritation in this region are especially endangered. Diabetic patients with peripheral neuropathy can have additional compression neuropathy with decreased penile sensibility and will benefit from decompression of the pudendal nerve.

Integrated monitoring and evaluation and environmental risk factors for urogenital schistosomiasis and active trachoma in Burkina Faso before preventative chemotherapy using sentinel sites

PubMed Central

2011-01-01

Background Over 1 billion of the world's poorest inhabitants are afflicted by neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Integrated control programmes aimed at tackling these debilitating NTDs have been recently initiated, mainly using preventative chemotherapy. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of these integrated programs presents particular challenges over and above those required for single disease vertical programmes. We used baseline data from the National NTD Control Programme in Burkina Faso in order to assess the feasibility of an integrated survey design, as well as to elucidate the contribution of environmental variables to the risk of either Schistosoma haematobium, trachoma, or both among school-aged children. Methods S. haematobium infection was diagnosed by detecting eggs in urine. A trachoma case was defined by the presence of Trachomatous inflammation-Follicular (TF) and/or Trachomatous inflammation-Intense (TI) in either eye. Baseline data collected from 3,324 children aged 7-11 years in 21 sentinel sites across 11 regions of Burkina Faso were analyzed using simple and multivariable hierarchical binomial logistic regression models fitted by Markov Chain Monte Carlo estimation methods. Probabilities of the risk of belonging to each infection/disease category were estimated as a function of age, gender (individual level), and environmental variables (at sentinel site level, interpolated from national meteorological stations). Results Overall prevalence at the sentinel sites was 11.79% (95% CI: 10.70-12.89) for S. haematobium; 13.30% (12.14-14.45) for trachoma and 0.84% (0.53-1.15) for co-infections. The only significant predictor of S. haematobium infection was altitude. There were significant negative associations between the prevalence of active trachoma signs and minimum temperature, and air pressure. Conditional upon these predictors, these data are consistent with the two pathogens being independent. Conclusions Urogenital schistosomiasis and trachoma constitute public health problems in Burkina Faso. Sentinel site (at school level) surveys for these two NTDs can be implemented simultaneously. However, to support MDA treatment decisions in Burkina Faso, the protocol used in this study would only be applicable to hypoendemic trachoma areas. More research is needed to confirm if these findings can be generalized to West Africa and beyond. PMID:21749703

Retesting young STI clinic visitors with urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infection in the Netherlands; response to a text message reminder and reinfection rates: a prospective study with historical controls.

PubMed

Kampman, Cjg; Koedijk, Fdh; Driessen-Hulshof, Hcm; Hautvast, Jla; van den Broek, Ivf

2016-03-01

The objective of this study is to assess the effect of reminder text messages 6 months after the initial treatment on retest and chlamydia reinfection rates in young heterosexuals compared with a historical control group and to assess factors associated with both outcomes. Heterosexual people (aged 16-23 years), testing positive for urogenital chlamydia, were offered a retest after 6 months. Participants received a text message reminder at 6 months after the initial chlamydia diagnosis. Rates of retest uptake and the result of the retest were analysed using Cox regression. Prevalence ratios (PRs) were calculated to identify factors associated with these outcomes. Furthermore, the retest rate was compared with the retest rate of a historical control group. 30.6% (253/838) of the study group returned within 5-8 months compared with 9.2% (140/1530) in the historical control group. Women and persons who were not notified for a sexually transmitted infection (STI) at inclusion were more likely to return for a retest. 20.4% (56/275) of participants had a chlamydia reinfection upon retesting. Reinfection was higher in participants reporting STI-related symptoms (PR 3.2, 95% CI 1.8 to 5.6) and in participants who were notified for an STI at retest (PR 5.3, 95% CI 2.4 to 11.5). A text message reminder appeared to have a clear, positive impact on the resulting retest rate. These results also indicate that retesting is necessary to identify chlamydia reinfections. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/

Infant leukemia and congenital abnormalities: A Children’s Oncology Group study

PubMed Central

Johnson, Kimberly J.; Roesler, Michelle A.; Linabery, Amy M.; Hilden, Joanne M.; Davies, Stella M.; Ross, Julie A.

2010-01-01

Background Leukemia in infants is rare and has not been well-studied apart from leukemia in older children. Differences in survival and the molecular characteristics of leukemia in infants vs. older children suggest a distinct etiology, likely involving prenatal factors. Procedure We examined the association between eight categories of maternally-reported congenital abnormalities (CAs) (cleft lip or palate, spina bifida or other spinal defect, large or multiple birthmarks, other chromosomal abnormalities, small head or microcephaly, rib abnormalities, urogenital abnormalities, and other) and infant leukemia in a case-control study. The study included 443 cases diagnosed at <1 year of age at a Children’s Oncology Group institution in the United States or Canada from 1996-2006 and 324 controls. Controls were recruited from the cases’ geographic area either by random digit dialing (1999-2002) or through birth certificates (2003-2008) and were frequency-matched to cases on birth year. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated by unconditional logistic regression after adjustment for birth year and a measure of follow-up time to account for differences in the CA observation period. Results No statistically significant associations were observed between infant leukemia and any CA (OR=1.2; 95% CI 0.8-1.9), birthmarks (OR=1.4, 95% CI 0.7-2.5), urogenital abnormalities (OR=0.7; 95% CI 0.2-2.0), or other CA (OR=1.4; 95% CI 0.7-2.8). Results were similar for acute lymphoblastic and myeloid leukemia cases. Fewer than five subjects were in the remaining CA categories precluding analysis. Conclusions Overall, we did not find evidence to support an association between CAs and infant leukemia. PMID:20486175

Guillain-Barré Syndrome: Prevalence and Long-Term Factors Impacting Bladder Function in an Australian Community Cohort

PubMed Central

Khan, Fary; Whishaw, Michael; Pallant, Julie F.

2013-01-01

Background and Purpose Urinary dysfunction is associated with significant morbidity in persons with Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS). The aim of this study was to describe prevalence and long-term impact of bladder dysfunction on daily activities and quality of life (QoL) in persons in chronic phase of GBS and to examine the relationships between commonly used continence measures in this cohort. Methods Prospective cohort (n=66) following GBS treatment (1996-2009) was recruited from a tertiary hospital and assessed using standardised measures for bladder dysfunction: American Urological Association (AUA) Symptom Index, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire, Urogenital Distress Inventory. Results Sixty-six participants (64% male, mean age 56 years, median disease duration of 6.1 years) completed the study. Of these more than half reported nocturia and one-third reported urinary urgency and frequency. Urinary problems impacted on participants' daily activities: physical recreation (21%), emotional health and mood (17%), entertainment (14%), participation and mobility (>30 min) (12%), and performance of household chores (8%). Since GBS, 49% reported interference of urinary symptoms with daily life to some extent; and adverse impact on QoL (10.6%). Significant relationship between bladder symptoms; and the level of urogenital distress (p<0.001) and the impact of urinary problems (p<0.001), was noted. Higher scores on the bladder scales showed significant correlations with psychological, functional and participation scales. The single QoL item (AUA scale) correlated significantly with all other bladder scales (rho=0.63-0.86). This can be a potential 'screening tool' to identify patients for further assessment. Conclusions Bladder dysfunction in chronic phase of GBS is not well studied. More research in longer-term screening and outcomes for bladder intervention are needed for integrated care and to guide treating clinicians. PMID:23894237

Patterns of Extragenital Chlamydia and Gonorrhea in Women and Men Who Have Sex With Men Reporting a History of Receptive Anal Intercourse.

PubMed

Danby, Claire S; Cosentino, Lisa A; Rabe, Lorna K; Priest, Carol L; Damare, Khrystine C; Macio, Ingrid S; Meyn, Leslie A; Wiesenfeld, Harold C; Hillier, Sharon L

2016-02-01

Screening for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and Neisseria gonorrhoeae (GC) in men who have sex with men is risk based. Despite high frequencies of oral and receptive anal intercourse (RAI) among women, extragenital screening is not recommended. Women (n = 175) and men who have sex with men (n = 224) primarily recruited from a sexually transmitted infection clinic reporting a lifetime history of RAI completed a structured questionnaire and clinician-collected swab samples from the rectum, pharynx, vagina (women), and urine (men). CT and GC were detected using 2 commercial nucleic acid amplification tests (Aptima Combo 2; Hologic, Inc, Bedford, MA; Xpert CT/NG, Cepheid Innovation, Sunnyvale, CA). The median age of the population was 26 years, 62% were white, and 88% were enrolled from a sexually transmitted disease clinic. Men were more likely than women to have GC (22.8% vs. 3.4%) and CT (21.9% vs. 12.6%). In men versus women, GC was detected in 16.5% versus 2.3% of pharyngeal swabs, 11.6% versus 2.3% of rectal swabs, and 5.4% versus 2.9% of urine samples or vaginal swabs. C. trachomatis was detected in 2.2% versus 1.7% of pharyngeal swabs, 17.4% versus 11.4% of rectal swabs, and 4.5% versus 10.3% for urogenital sites in men versus women. Overall 79.6% of CT and 76.5% of GC in men and 18.2% of CT and 16.7% of GC in women were detected only in the pharynx or rectum. Reliance on urogenital screening alone misses most of GC and CT in men and more than 15% of infections in women reporting RAI.

A Study of Varlilumab (Anti-CD27) and Sunitinib in Patients With Metastatic Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma

ClinicalTrials.gov

2017-11-10

Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Urologic Diseases; Urologic Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Clear-cell Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma

Urogenital fistula in the UK: a personal case series managed over 25 years.

PubMed

Hilton, Paul

2012-07-01

Study Type - Therapy (case series) Level of Evidence 4 What's known on the subject? and What does the study add? Whilst several very large series of obstetric fistulae from the developing world have been published, data on fistulae as seen in the developed world are relatively few. Most fistulae in the UK are known to follow hysterectomy, and several risk factors are recognised. We have confirmed the common association with pelvic surgery, and in particular hysterectomy, but also show the broad range of other associated operations, including so called 'minimally invasive' procedures. High rates of both anatomical fistula closure and continence are shown, when a consistent approach to assessment, selection of surgical procedure, and postoperative care are applied. Successful closure is seen more often in women who have not undergone previous attempts at repair before referral, and as a result a pattern of surpra-regional management is proposed. Whilst overall the number of urogenital fistulae seen in the UK appears to be decreasing, there is a suggestion from these data that the rate of fistula formation following hysterectomy may be increasing; we are currently investigating this possibility through detailed interrogation of a national dataset. To review demography, aetiology, surgery and outcomes of women with urogenital fistula seen in one unit over the last 25 years; to provide data for comparison with a parallel study based on Hospital Episode Statistics. This is a prospective case series from a tertiary urogynaecology centre providing a de facto supra-regional fistula service. The women included had confirmed urogenital fistula referred between January 1986 and December 2010. Index cases were identified from a surgical database; data were entered prospectively and updated as appropriate; statistics are largely descriptive. The primary outcome is the patient's report of absence of urinary leakage. Secondary outcomes include operative or postoperative complications, anatomical closure of the fistula, other residual or new urinary symptoms, and the need for further intervention. In all, 348 women with urogenital fistula were referred; two-thirds were of surgical aetiology, with almost half following hysterectomy. Although 11% followed childbirth, most of these followed operative obstetric interventions. Spontaneous closure occurred in 6.9% of women and 291 underwent surgical treatment. The anatomical closure rate at first operation was 95.7%, although 2.2% reported residual urinary incontinence. The success rates were similar regardless of aetiology, although successful fistula closure was significantly more likely in women who had not had attempts at closure before referral (98.2 vs 88.2%; Fisher's exact test; P= 0.003). High rates of fistula closure are reported regardless of aetiology, although previous unsuccessful repair militates against successful outcome; this emphasises the appropriateness of centralisation of the management of this increasingly rare condition in UK practice. © 2011 THE AUTHOR. BJU INTERNATIONAL © 2011 BJU INTERNATIONAL.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Factors Associated With Increasing Bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection Diagnoses in Men Who Have Sex With Men Accessing Care at a Boston Community Health Center (2005–2015)

PubMed Central

Maloney, Kevin M; Levine, Kenneth; King, Dana; Grasso, Chris; Krakower, Douglas S; Rosenberg, Eli S; Boswell, Stephen L

2017-01-01

Abstract Background The reasons why bacterial sexually transmitted infections (BSTIs) are increasing in US men who have sex with men (MSM) have not been fully characterized. Methods An open cohort of MSM accessing medical care at a Boston community health center was used to assess secular trends in BSTI diagnoses. Frequency of infection and the estimated population size were used to calculate diagnosis rates. Poisson models were fit for multivariable analyses. Results Between 2005 and 2015, 19 232 men had at least 1 clinic visit. Most (72.4%) were white; 6.0% were black, and 6.1% were Latino. Almost half had documented self-report of identifying as gay (42.6%) or bisexual (3.2%). Most had private health insurance (61.7%); 5.4% had Medicare, 4.6% had Medicaid, and 8.4% reported no insurance. Between 2005 and 2015, BSTI diagnoses increased more than 8-fold. In 2015, of 1319 men who were diagnosed with at least 1 BSTI; 291 were diagnosed with syphilis, 554 with gonorrhea (51.4% rectal, 31.0% urogenital), and 679 with chlamydia (69.1% rectal, 34.3% urogenital). In 2015, 22.7% of BSTIs were diagnosed among HIV-infected patients (15.4% of the clinic population), and 32.8% of BSTIs were diagnosed among HIV-uninfected patients using pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP; 10.1% of all men in care). In multivariable analyses, age 18 to 24 years, being HIV-infected, using PrEP, being nonwhite, or reporting Medicaid or not reporting having private insurance or Medicare were independently associated with being diagnosed with a new BSTI. Conclusions Over the past decade, BSTI diagnosis rates increased in HIV-infected and uninfected MSM, with disproportionate increases in PrEP users, racial and ethnic minority MSM, those aged 25 to 34 years, and those without stable health insurance, warranting focused education, screening, and accessible services for these key subpopulations. PMID:29181421

21 CFR 522.2610 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, and acute septicemia due to Streptococcus... is required during treatment of acute strangles, respiratory tract infections, acute urogenital...

Culturing of female bladder bacteria reveals an interconnected urogenital microbiota.

PubMed

Thomas-White, Krystal; Forster, Samuel C; Kumar, Nitin; Van Kuiken, Michelle; Putonti, Catherine; Stares, Mark D; Hilt, Evann E; Price, Travis K; Wolfe, Alan J; Lawley, Trevor D

2018-04-19

Metagenomic analyses have indicated that the female bladder harbors an indigenous microbiota. However, there are few cultured reference strains with sequenced genomes available for functional and experimental analyses. Here we isolate and genome-sequence 149 bacterial strains from catheterized urine of 77 women. This culture collection spans 78 species, representing approximately two thirds of the bacterial diversity within the sampled bladders, including Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Firmicutes. Detailed genomic and functional comparison of the bladder microbiota to the gastrointestinal and vaginal microbiotas demonstrates similar vaginal and bladder microbiota, with functional capacities that are distinct from those observed in the gastrointestinal microbiota. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis of bacterial strains isolated from the vagina and bladder in the same women identifies highly similar Escherichia coli, Streptococcus anginosus, Lactobacillus iners, and Lactobacillus crispatus, suggesting an interlinked female urogenital microbiota that is not only limited to pathogens but is also characteristic of health-associated commensals.

The anatomy of the perineal body in relation to abdominoperineal excision for low rectal cancer.

PubMed

Kraima, A C; West, N P; Treanor, D; Magee, D; Roberts, N; van de Velde, C J H; DeRuiter, M C; Quirke, P; Rutten, H J T

2016-07-01

Dissection of the perineal body (PB) during abdominoperineal excision (APE) for low rectal cancer is often difficult due to the lack of a natural plane of dissection. Understanding the PB and its relation to the anorectum is essential to permit safe dissection during the perineal phase of the operation and avoid damage to the anorectum and urogenital organs. This study describes the anatomy and histology of the PB relevant to APE. Six human adult cadaver pelvic exenteration specimens (three male, three female) from the Leeds GIFT Research Tissue Programme were studied. Paraffin-embedded mega-blocks were produced and serially sectioned at 50- and 250-μm intervals. Sections were stained by immunohistochemistry to show collagen, elastin and smooth muscle. The PB was cylindrically shaped in the male specimens and wedge-shaped in the female ones. Although centrally located between the anal and urogenital triangles, it was nearly completely formed by muscle fibres derived from the rectal muscularis propria. Thick bundles of smooth muscle, mostly arising from the longitudinal muscle, inserted into the PB and levator ani muscle (LAM). The recto-urethralis muscle originated from the PB and separated the anterolateral PB from the urogenital organs. Smooth muscle fibres derived from the rectal muscularis propria extend into the PB and LAM and appear to fix the anorectum. Dissection of the PB during APE is safe only when the smooth muscle fibres that extend into the PB are divided. Colorectal Disease © 2015 The Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland.

Persistence of Lactobacillus fermentum RC-14 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 but Not L. rhamnosus GG in the Human Vagina as Demonstrated by Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNA

PubMed Central

Gardiner, Gillian E.; Heinemann, Christine; Bruce, Andrew W.; Beuerman, Dee; Reid, Gregor

2002-01-01

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. fermentum RC-14 are well-characterized probiotic strains with efficacy in the prevention and treatment of urogenital infections in women. The aim of the present study was to apply a molecular biology-based methodology for the detection of these strains and L. rhamnosus GG (a commercially available intestinal probiotic) in the human vagina in order to assess probiotic persistence at this site. Ten healthy women inserted vaginally a capsule containing either a combination of strains GR-1 and RC-14 or the GG strain for 3 consecutive nights. Vaginal swabs taken before and at various time points after probiotic insertion were analyzed, and the Lactobacillus flora was assessed by randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. This method generated discrete DNA fingerprints for GR-1, RC-14, and GG and enabled successful detection of these strains in the vagina. Strain GR-1 and/or strain RC-14 was found to persist in the vaginal tract for up to 19 days after vaginal instillation, while L. rhamnosus GG was detectable for up to 5 days postadministration. In conclusion, the fates of probiotic L. rhamnosus and L. fermentum strains were successfully monitored in the human vagina by RAPD analysis. This technique provides molecular biology-based evidence that RC-14 and GR-1, strains selected as urogenital probiotics, persist in the human vagina and may be more suited to vaginal colonization than L. rhamnosus GG. This highlights the importance of proper selection of strains for urogenital probiotic applications. PMID:11777835

Cranberry Products for the Prophylaxis of Urinary Tract Infections in Pediatric Patients.

PubMed

Durham, Spencer H; Stamm, Pamela L; Eiland, Lea S

2015-12-01

To evaluate the existing data regarding the use of cranberry products for the prevention of urinary tract infections (UTIs) in pediatric patients. A literature search of Medline databases from 1966 to June 2015 was conducted. The databases were searched using the terms "pediatrics," "children," "cranberry," "cranberry juice," and "urinary tract infections." The identified trials were then searched for additional references applicable to this topic. A total of 8 clinical trials were identified that examined the use of cranberry products, mostly juice, for the prevention of UTIs in children. Three trials examined the use in otherwise healthy children. Five trials examined the use in pediatric patients with underlying urogenital abnormalities of which 2 compared cranberry to antibiotics. In healthy pediatric patients, cranberry use was associated with a reduction in the overall number of UTIs and a decrease in the number of antibiotic days per year for UTI treatment. In patients with urogenital abnormalities, results were conflicting, with some studies showing no reduction in UTIs compared with placebo, but others demonstrating a significant reduction. However, cranberry products had similar efficacy when compared with both cefaclor and trimethoprim. All studies used a wide variety of doses and frequencies of cranberry, making specific product recommendations difficult. Cranberry appears effective for the prevention of UTIs in otherwise healthy children and is at least as effective as antibiotics in children with underlying urogenital abnormalities. However, recommendations for cranberry dosing and frequency cannot be confidently made at this time. Larger, well-designed trials are recommended. © The Author(s) 2015.

High-Throughput Testing of Urogenital and Extragenital Specimens for Detection of Chlamydia Trachomatis and Neisseria Gonorrhoeae with Cobas® CT/NG

PubMed Central

Marlowe, Elizabeth M.; Hardy, David; Krevolin, Mark; Gohl, Peter; Bertram, Alexander; Arcenas, Rodney; Seiverth, Britta; Schneider, Tanja; Liesenfeld, Oliver

2017-01-01

We compared the analytical and clinical performance of cobas® CT/NG for use on the Cobas® 6800/8800 Systems with the Cobas® 4800 CT/NG Test from urogenital and extragenital specimens in over 12,000 specimens from both male and female subjects in Germany and the United States. The analytical sensitivity was ≤40 EB/ml for Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) and ≤1 CFU/ml for Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG). Using clinical specimens, the overall percent agreement with the Cobas® 4800 CT/NG Test was >98.5%. Across urogenital specimens, there were 93 discrepant specimens; 76 (93.8%) of 81 CT discrepant specimens were 6800+/4800– and 10 (83.3%) of 12 NG discrepant specimens were 6800+/4800–. Sequencing verified CT results for 45 (61.6%) of 73 samples positive by 6800 and 1 (20%) of 5 positive by 4800. Similarly, 7 (70.0%) of 10 NG samples positive by 6800 and 1 of 2 positive by 4800 were confirmed by sequencing. Among discrepant extragenital specimens (all 6800+/4800–), 7 (50%) of 14 oropharyngeal and 23 (76.7%) of 30 anorectal CT discordant samples were confirmed as CT positive by sequencing; all 8 anorectal and 20 (90.9%) of 22 oropharyngeal NG discordant results were also confirmed as NG positive. In conclusion, Cobas® CT/NG for use on the Cobas® 6800/8800 Systems provides high-throughput automated solutions for sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening programs. PMID:29034107

21 CFR 522.2610 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... for use. For the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, and acute septicemia due... tract infections, acute urogenital infections, and wound infections and abscesses. (iii) Limitations...

21 CFR 522.2610 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... for use. For the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, and acute septicemia due... tract infections, acute urogenital infections, and wound infections and abscesses. (iii) Limitations...

21 CFR 522.2610 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... for use. For the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, and acute septicemia due... tract infections, acute urogenital infections, and wound infections and abscesses. (iii) Limitations...

21 CFR 522.2610 - Trimethoprim and sulfadiazine.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... for use. For the treatment of acute urinary tract infections, acute bacterial complications of distemper, acute respiratory tract infections, acute alimentary tract infections, and acute septicemia due... tract infections, acute urogenital infections, and wound infections and abscesses. (iii) Limitations...

Comparison of two Gram stain point-of-care systems for urogenital gonorrhoea among high-risk patients: diagnostic accuracy and cost-effectiveness before and after changing the screening algorithm at an STI clinic in Amsterdam.

PubMed

Bartelsman, M; Straetemans, M; Vaughan, K; Alba, S; van Rooijen, M S; Faber, W R; de Vries, H J C

2014-08-01

To compare point-of-care (POC) systems in two different periods: (1) before 2010 when all high-risk patients were offered POC management for urogenital gonorrhoea by Gram stain examination; and (2) after 2010 when only those with symptoms were offered Gram stain examination. Retrospective comparison of a Gram stain POC system to all high-risk patients (2008-2009) with only those with urogenital symptoms (2010-2011) on diagnostic accuracy, loss to follow-up, presumptively and correctly treated infections and diagnostic costs. Culture was the reference diagnostic method. In men the sensitivity of the Gram stain was 95.9% (95% CI 93.1% to 97.8%) in 2008-2009 and 95.4% (95% CI 93.7% to 96.8%) in 2010-2011, and in women the sensitivity was 32.0% (95% CI 19.5% to 46.7%) and 23.1% (95% CI 16.1% to 31.3%), respectively. In both periods the overall specificity was high (99.9% (95% CI 99.8% to 100%) and 99.8% (95% CI 99.7% to 99.9%), respectively). The positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) before and after 2010 were also high: PPV 97.0% (95% CI 94.5% to 98.5%) and 97.7% (95% CI 96.3% to 98.6%), respectively; NPV 99.6% (95% CI 99.4% to 99.7%) and 98.8% (95% CI 98.5% to 99.0%), respectively. There were no differences between the two time periods in loss to follow-up (7.1% vs 7.0%). Offering Gram stains only to symptomatic high-risk patients as opposed to all high-risk patients saved €2.34 per correctly managed consultation (a reduction of 7.7%). The sensitivity of the Gram stain is high in men but low in women. When offered only to high-risk patients with urogenital symptoms, the cost per correctly managed consultation is reduced by 7.7% without a significant difference in accuracy and loss to follow-up. Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://group.bmj.com/group/rights-licensing/permissions.

A comprehensive overview of urogenital, anorectal and oropharyngeal Neisseria gonorrhoeae testing and diagnoses among different STI care providers: a cross-sectional study.

PubMed

den Heijer, Casper D J; Hoebe, Christian J P A; van Liere, Geneviève A F S; van Bergen, Jan E A M; Cals, Jochen W L; Stals, Frans S; Dukers-Muijrers, Nicole H T M

2017-04-20

Gonorrhoea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), can cause reproductive morbidity, is increasingly becoming resistant to antibiotics and is frequently asymptomatic, which shows the essential role of NG test practice. In this study we wanted to compare NG diagnostic testing procedures between different STI care providers serving a defined geographic Dutch region (280,000 inhabitants). Data on laboratory testing and diagnosis of urogenital and extragenital (i.e. anorectal and oropharyngeal) NG were retrieved from general practitioners (GPs), an STI clinic, and gynaecologists (2006-2010). Per provider, we assessed their contribution regarding the total number of tests performed and type of populations tested, the proportion of NG positives re-tested (3-12 months after treatment) and test-of-cure (TOC, within 3 months post treatment). Overall, 17,702 NG tests (48.7% STI clinic, 38.2% GPs, 13.1% gynaecologists) were performed during 15,458 patient visits. From this total number of tests, 2257 (12.7%) were extragenital, of which 99.4% were performed by the STI clinic. Men were mostly tested at the STI clinic (71%) and women by their GP (43%). NG positivity per visit was 1.6%; GP 1.9% (n = 111), STI clinic 1.7% (n = 131) and gynaecology 0.2% (n = 5). NG positivity was associated with Chlamydia trachomatis positivity (OR: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.46-2.92). Per anatomical location, the proportion of NG positives re-tested were: urogenital 20.3% (n = 36), anorectal 43.6% (n = 17) and oropharyngeal 57.1% (n = 20). NG positivity among re-tests was 16.9%. Proportions of NG positives with TOC by anatomical location were: urogenital 10.2% (n = 18), anorectal 17.9% (n = 7) and oropharyngeal 17.1% (n = 6). To achieve best practice in relation to NG testing, we recommend that: 1) GPs test at extragenital sites, especially men who have sex with men (MSM), 2) all care providers consider re-testing 3 to 12 months after NG diagnosis and 3) TOC is performed following oropharyngeal NG diagnosis in settings which provide services to higher-risk men and women (such as STI clinics).

Overexpression of esterase D in kidney from trisomy 13 fetuses.

PubMed Central

Loughna, S; Bennett, P; Gau, G; Nicolaides, K; Blunt, S; Moore, G

1993-01-01

Human trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 live births. It is compatible with life, but prolonged survival is rare. Anomalies often involve the urogenital, cardiac, craniofacial, and central nervous systems. It is possible that these abnormalities may be due to the overexpression of developmentally important genes on chromosome 13. The expression of esterase D (localized to chromosome 13q14.11) has been investigated in both muscle and kidney from trisomy 13 fetuses and has been compared with normal age- and sex-matched fetal tissues, by using northern analysis. More than a twofold increase in expression of esterase D was found in the kidney of two trisomy 13 fetuses, with normal levels in a third. Overexpression was not seen in the muscle tissues from these fetuses. Images Figure 1 Figure 2 Figure 3 PMID:8213811

Management of acute epididymitis: are European guidelines being followed?

PubMed

Drury, Nigel E; Dyer, Jonathan P; Breitenfeldt, Nicole; Adamson, Andrew S; Harrison, G S M

2004-10-01

Acute epididymitis is increasing in men aged 35 years or under due to sexually-transmitted Chlamydia trachomatis. This study examines whether Urological surgeons are following European guidelines for the management of acute epididymitis in these patients. A postal questionnaire survey was conducted of specialists in Urology in two regions of the UK. Of 79 completed replies, 41 (52%) take a detailed sexual history but only 34 (43%) refer patients to a Genitourinary medicine clinic. Quinolones are the most commonly prescribed first-line antibiotic by 56 (71%) respondents, principally ciprofloxacin. The current management of acute epididymitis in young men must be improved. Ciprofloxacin is not the optimal antimicrobial for the treatment of urogenital chlamydial infection. We recommend that all such patients be referred to local Genitourinary medicine services for contact-tracing and treatment of their sexual partners.

Variation in Subjective Aging by Sexual Minority Status.

PubMed

Barrett, Anne; Barbee, Harry

2017-06-01

The past few decades have seen increased scholarly attention to gay and lesbian individuals' aging experiences; however, few studies examine differences in subjective aging by sexual minority status. We identify four perspectives on the association between sexual minority status and subjective aging-double jeopardy, crisis competence, gender interactive, and limited salience perspectives. We examine each perspective's predictions using data from the first wave of Midlife in the United States (1995-1996; MIDUS). Ordinary least square regression models reveal strongest support for the limited salience perspective, suggesting that sexual minority status has weaker effects on subjective aging than do other social factors, such as age, health, and gender. However, some results provide support for the gender interactive perspective, positing that the effect of sexual minority status on subjective aging varies by gender. Our study provides an organizational framework of theoretical perspectives that can guide further examinations of variation in aging experiences by sexual minority status.

Urogenital consequences in ageing women.

PubMed

Doumouchtsis, Stergios K; Chrysanthopoulou, Eleftheria L

2013-10-01

Various anatomical, physiological, genetic, lifestyle and reproductive factors interact throughout a woman's life span and contribute to pelvic floor disorders. Ageing affects pelvic floor anatomy and function, which can result in a variety of disorders, such as pelvic organ prolapse, lower urinary tract symptoms, dysfunctional bowel and bladder evacuation, and sexual dysfunction. The exact mechanisms and pathophysiological processes by which ageing affects pelvic floor and lower urinary and gastrointestinal tract anatomy and function are not always clear. In most cases, it is difficult to ascertain the exact role of ageing per se as an aetiological, predisposing or contributing factor. Other conditions associated with ageing that may co-exist, such as changes in mental status, can result in different types of pelvic floor dysfunction (e.g. functional incontinence). Pelvic organ dysfunction may be associated with significant morbidity and affect quality of life. These groups of patients often pose difficult diagnostic and therapeutic dilemmas owing to complex medical conditions and concurrent morbidities. In this chapter, we summarise the current evidence on the management of pelvic floor disorders, with emphasis on elderly women and the associations between the ageing process and these disorders. Clinicians with an understanding of the affect of ageing on the pelvic floor and lower urinary and gastrointestinal tract anatomy and function, and the complex interplay of other comorbidities, will be able to investigate, diagnose and treat appropriately there women. A holistic approach may result in substantial improvements in their quality of life. Copyright © 2013. Published by Elsevier Ltd.

A Study of Varlilumab and Atezolizumab in Patients With Advanced Cancer

ClinicalTrials.gov

2018-04-26

Carcinoma, Renal Cell; Kidney Diseases; Kidney Neoplasms; Urogenital Neoplasms; Urologic Diseases; Urologic Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Histologic Type; Neoplasms; Clear-cell Metastatic Renal Cell Carcinoma; Melanoma; Triple Negative Breast Cancer; Bladder Cancer; Head and Neck Cancer; Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Estrogen Metabolism-Associated CYP2D6 and IL6-174G/C Polymorphisms in Schistosoma haematobium Infection.

PubMed

Cardoso, Rita; Lacerda, Pedro C; Costa, Paulo P; Machado, Ana; Carvalho, André; Bordalo, Adriano; Fernandes, Ruben; Soares, Raquel; Richter, Joachim; Alves, Helena; Botelho, Monica C

2017-11-28

Schistosoma haematobium is a human blood fluke causing a chronic infection called urogenital schistosomiasis. Squamous cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder (SCC) constitutes chronic sequelae of this infection, and S. haematobium infection is accounted as a risk factor for this type of cancer. This infection is considered a neglected tropical disease and is endemic in numerous countries in Africa and the Middle East. Schistosome eggs produce catechol-estrogens. These estrogenic molecules are metabolized to active quinones that induce modifications in DNA. The cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes are a superfamily of mono-oxygenases involved in estrogen biosynthesis and metabolism, the generation of DNA damaging procarcinogens, and the response to anti-estrogen therapies. IL6 Interleukin-6 (IL-6) is a pleiotropic cytokine expressed in various tissues. This cytokine is largely expressed in the female urogenital tract as well as reproductive organs. Very high or very low levels of IL-6 are associated with estrogen metabolism imbalance. In the present study, we investigated the polymorphic variants in the CYP2D6 gene and the C-174G promoter polymorphism of the IL-6 gene on S. haematobium -infected children patients from Guine Bissau. CYP2D6 inactivated alleles (28.5%) and IL6 G-174C (13.3%) variants were frequent in S. haematobium -infected patients when compared to previously studied healthy populations (4.5% and 0.05%, respectively). Here we discuss our recent findings on these polymorphisms and whether they can be predictive markers of schistosome infection and/or represent potential biomarkers for urogenital schistosomiasis associated bladder cancer and infertility.

The prevalence and clinical significance of Chlamydia infection in island and mainland populations of Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

PubMed

Patterson, Jade L S; Lynch, Michael; Anderson, Garry A; Noormohammadi, Amir H; Legione, Alistair; Gilkerson, James R; Devlin, Joanne M

2015-04-01

Chlamydia infection is known to impact the health of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland, but the clinical significance of Chlamydia infections in Victorian koalas is not well described. We examined the prevalence of Chlamydia infection and assessed associated health parameters in two Victorian koala populations known to be Chlamydia positive. The same testing regimen was applied to a third Victorian population in which Chlamydia had not been detected. We examined 288 koalas and collected samples from the urogenital sinus and conjunctival sacs. Detection and differentiation of Chlamydia species utilized real-time PCR and high-resolution melting curve analysis. Chlamydia pecorum was detected in two populations (prevalences: 25% and 41%, respectively) but only from urogenital sinus swabs. Chlamydia was not detected in the third population. Chlamydia pneumoniae was not detected. Chlamydia pecorum infection was positively associated with wet bottom (indicating chronic urinary tract disease) in one Chlamydia-positive population and with abnormal urogenital ultrasound findings in the other Chlamydia-positive population. The prevalence of wet bottom was similar in all populations (including the Chlamydia-free population), suggesting there is another significant cause (or causes) of wet bottom in Victorian koalas. Ocular disease was not observed. This is the largest study of Chlamydia infection in Victorian koalas, and the results suggest the potential for epidemiologic differences related to Chlamydia infections between Victorian koalas and koalas in Queensland and NSW and also between geographically distinct Victorian populations. Further studies to investigate the genotypes of C. pecorum present in Victorian koalas and to identify additional causes of wet bottom in koalas are indicated.

A Schistosoma haematobium-specific real-time PCR for diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis in serum samples of international travelers and migrants.

PubMed

Cnops, Lieselotte; Soentjens, Patrick; Clerinx, Jan; Van Esbroeck, Marjan

2013-01-01

Diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis by microscopy and serological tests may be elusive in travelers due to low egg load and the absence of seroconversion upon arrival. There is need for a more sensitive diagnostic test. Therefore, we developed a real-time PCR targeting the Schistosoma haematobium-specific Dra1 sequence. The PCR was evaluated on urine (n = 111), stool (n = 84) and serum samples (n = 135), and one biopsy from travelers and migrants with confirmed or suspected schistosomiasis. PCR revealed a positive result in 7/7 urine samples, 11/11 stool samples and 1/1 biopsy containing S. haematobium eggs as demonstrated by microscopy and in 22/23 serum samples from patients with a parasitological confirmed S. haematobium infection. S. haematobium DNA was additionally detected by PCR in 7 urine, 3 stool and 5 serum samples of patients suspected of having schistosomiasis without egg excretion in urine and feces. None of these suspected patients demonstrated other parasitic infections except one with Blastocystis hominis and Entamoeba cyst in a fecal sample. The PCR was negative in all stool samples containing S. mansoni eggs (n = 21) and in all serum samples of patients with a microscopically confirmed S. mansoni (n = 22), Ascaris lumbricoides (n = 1), Ancylostomidae (n = 1), Strongyloides stercoralis (n = 1) or Trichuris trichuria infection (n = 1). The PCR demonstrated a high specificity, reproducibility and analytical sensitivity (0.5 eggs per gram of feces). The real-time PCR targeting the Dra1 sequence for S. haematobium-specific detection in urine, feces, and particularly serum, is a promising tool to confirm the diagnosis, also during the acute phase of urogenital schistosomiasis.

Frequency of Chlamydia trachomatis in Ureaplasma-positive healthy women attending their first prenatal visit in a community hospital in Sapporo, Japan.

PubMed

Yamazaki, Tomohiro; Matsumoto, Megumi; Matsuo, Junji; Abe, Kiyotaka; Minami, Kunihiro; Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki

2012-04-02

Although Chlamydia trachomatis is the most commonly reported pathogen that causes urogenital infection such as urethritis or cervicitis, Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum, which are commensals in the genital tract, have also now been recognized as contributors to urogenital infection. However, whether the presence of either U. parvum or U. urealyticum is related to that of C. trachomatis in the urogenital tract remains unknown. We therefore attempted to estimate by PCR the prevalence of C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum in endocervical samples obtained from healthy women attending their first prenatal visit in Sapporo, Japan. The samples were taken from 303 apparently healthy women, and the extracted DNAs (n = 280) were used for PCR detection targeting C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum. Statistical analysis of the data was performed by Fisher's exact test. PCR detection revealed that the prevalence of C. trachomatis, U. parvum and U. urealyticum was 14.3% (40/280), 41.7% (117/280) and 8.9% (25/280), respectively. C. trachomatis ompA genotype D was most frequently identified. Surprisingly, either C. trachomatis or Ureaplasma spp. was detected in almost half of the healthy women. Mixed infection of C. trachomatis with either U. parvum or U. urealyticum was also observed in 9.2% (26/280) of the women. There was a significant association between C. trachomatis and either U. parvum (p = 0.023) or Ureaplasma total (p = 0.013), but not U. urealyticum (p = 0.275). This study demonstrated that the presence of Ureaplasma had a significant effect on the presence of C. trachomatis in the genital tract of healthy women, suggesting that mixed infection is an important factor in bacterial pathogenesis in the genital tract.

Molecular classification of benign prostatic hyperplasia: A gene expression profiling study in a rat model.

PubMed

Hata, Junya; Satoh, Yuichi; Akaihata, Hidenori; Hiraki, Hiroyuki; Ogawa, Soichiro; Haga, Nobuhiro; Ishibashi, Kei; Aikawa, Ken; Kojima, Yoshiyuki

2016-07-01

To characterize the molecular features of benign prostatic hyperplasia by carrying out a gene expression profiling analysis in a rat model. Fetal urogenital sinus isolated from 20-day-old male rat embryo was implanted into a pubertal male rat ventral prostate. The implanted urogenital sinus grew time-dependently, and the pathological findings at 3 weeks after implantation showed epithelial hyperplasia as well as stromal hyperplasia. Whole-genome oligonucleotide microarray analysis utilizing approximately 30 000 oligonucleotide probes was carried out using prostate specimens during the prostate growth process (3 weeks after implantation). Microarray analyses showed 926 upregulated (>2-fold change, P < 0.01) and 3217 downregulated genes (<0.5-fold change, P < 0.01) in benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens compared with normal prostate. Gene ontology analyses of upregulated genes showed predominant genetic themes of involvement in development (162 genes, P = 2.01 × 10(-4) ), response to stimulus (163 genes, P = 7.37 × 10(-13) ) and growth (32 genes, P = 1.93 × 10(-5) ). When we used both normal prostate and non-transplanted urogenital sinuses as controls to identify benign prostatic hyperplasia-specific genes, 507 and 406 genes were upregulated and downregulated, respectively. Functional network and pathway analyses showed that genes associated with apoptosis modulation by heat shock protein 70, interleukin-1, interleukin-2 and interleukin-5 signaling pathways, KIT signaling pathway, and secretin-like G-protein-coupled receptors, class B, were relatively activated during the growth process in the benign prostatic hyperplasia specimens. In contrast, genes associated with cholesterol biosynthesis were relatively inactivated. Our microarray analyses of the benign prostatic hyperplasia model rat might aid in clarifying the molecular mechanism of benign prostatic hyperplasia progression, and identifying molecular targets for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment. © 2016 The Japanese Urological Association.

Are larks future-oriented and owls present-oriented? Age- and sex-related shifts in chronotype-time perspective associations.

PubMed

Nowack, Kati; van der Meer, Elke

2013-12-01

The chronotype (morningness/eveningness) relates to individual differences in circadian preferences. Time perspective (past, present, future) refers to the preference to rely on a particular temporal frame for decision-making processes and behavior. First evidence suggests that future time perspective is associated with greater morningness and present time perspective with greater eveningness. However, little is known about how chronotype-time perspective relationships may alter over the life span. This present study investigated links between chronotype and time perspective more thoroughly by taking age and sex into account as well. Seven hundred six participants aged between 17 and 74 completed German adaptations of the Morningness--Eveningness Questionnaire (MEQ) and Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI). Controlling for age and sex, relationships between morningness and future time perspective as well as between eveningness and present time perspective were replicated. These findings were supported by significant associations between time perspective and midpoint of sleep. Future time perspective was linked to earlier midpoints of sleep, indicating an early chronotype. Present time perspective was associated with later midpoints of sleep, indicating a late chronotype. However, age and sex had an impact on the chronotype-time perspective relationships. In all age groups, male larks were more future-oriented and less present-oriented, male owls more present-oriented and less future-oriented. The same conclusion could be drawn for female adolescents and young adults. For female adults above 30, there was no interrelationship between morningness and future time perspective but between eveningness and past time perspective. Female adult owls were more present-oriented as well as more past-oriented. Female adult larks were less present-oriented and less past-oriented. Findings are discussed in the light of neuroendocrine and serotonergic functioning.

[Laboratory diagnostics of urogenital clamidiosis].

PubMed

Churakov, A A; Kulichenko, A N; Kzakova, E S; Serebrianik, N E; Suvorov, A P; Kutyrev, V V; Glybochko, P V

2005-02-01

Laboratory diagnostic tools of urogenital clamidiosis--PCR, ELISA (IgG and IgM) and direct immunofluorescence (DIF)--were comparatively analyzed. The positive PCR result was checked by another PCR test with a different primer; 5 false positive responses were registered (specificity 99.6%). As against PCR, the sensitivity of ELISA made 53%, its specificity -75.5%, the diagnostic value of positive result -58%, the diagnostic value of negative result -71.6% and the diagnostics accuracy -66.7%. The respective DIF parameters were as follows: 36%, 90%, 81.5%, 54.2% and 60.9%. A high rate of detection (above 90%) of the conditionally pathogenic microflora associated with Chlamydia trachomatis (above 110 microbe cells/ml) was pointed out. Hardnerelli and ureaplasms were more often found in female smears, staphylococci and enterococci--in male sperm. It is underlined as important to hold complex examinations for Chlamidia (PCR, ELISA and DIC as an additional test) combined with bacteriological quantification of the conditionally pathogenic microflora and determination of its resistance to antibiotics.

Pelvic and perineal anatomy of the male gorilla: selected observations.

PubMed

Oelrich, T M

1978-08-01

The anatomy of parts of the pelvic outlet and perineum is described in an adult male gorilla. Two previously undescribed muscles are presented: (1) The puborectalis muscle, completely separated from the levator ani, arises from the region of the symphysis and forms a sling for the rectum while it also substitutes for the perineal membrane. (2) The puboampullaris muscle, a paired smooth muscle, arises from the pubis and inserts into the rectum to elevate the rectum while additionally providing support for the urogenital viscera. The levator ani muscle is recounted to point out its lack of attachment to the pelvic viscera while allowing a hiatus in which the rectum is exposed within the perineum. The sphincter urethrae muscle is presented emphasizing its true sphincteric characteristics, its absence of lateral attachments and its similarity to man. Other muscles of the pelvis and perineum as well as urogenital viscera are described or modified where necessary. The manner in which these structures enter into the support of the pelvic viscera is considered.

Mimosa pudica L. (Laajvanti): An overview

PubMed Central

Ahmad, Hafsa; Sehgal, Sakshi; Mishra, Anurag; Gupta, Rajiv

2012-01-01

Mimosa pudica L. (Mimosaceae) also referred to as touch me not, live and die, shame plant and humble plant is a prostrate or semi-erect subshrub of tropical America and Australia, also found in India heavily armed with recurved thorns and having sensitive soft grey green leaflets that fold and droop at night or when touched and cooled. These unique bending movements have earned it a status of ‘curiosity plant’. It appears to be a promising herbal candidate to undergo further exploration as evident from its pharmacological profile. It majorly possesses antibacterial, antivenom, antifertility, anticonvulsant, antidepressant, aphrodisiac, and various other pharmacological activities. The herb has been used traditionally for ages, in the treatment of urogenital disorders, piles, dysentery, sinus, and also applied on wounds. This work is an attempt to explore and compile the different pharmacognostic aspects of the action plant M. pudica reported till date. PMID:23055637

Overexpression of esterase D in kidney from trisomy 13 fetuses

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Loughna, S.; Moore, G.; Gau, G.

1993-10-01

Human trisomy 13 (Patau syndrome) occurs in approximately 1 in 5,000 live births. It is compatible with life, but prolonged survival is rare. Anomalies often involve the urogenital, cardiac, craniofacial, and central nervous systems. It is possible that these abnormalities may be due to the overexpression of developmentally important genes on chromosome 13. The expression of esterase D (localized to chromosome 13q14.11) has been investigated in both muscle and kidney from trisomy 13 fetuses and has been compared with normal age- and sex-matched fetal tissues, by using northern analysis. More than a twofold increase in expression of esterase D wasmore » found in the kidney of two trisomy 13 fetuses, with normal levels in a third. Overexpression was not seen in the muscle tissues from these fetuses. 34 refs., 3 figs., 2 tabs.« less

Characterization of Micrococcaceae strains isolated from the human urogenital tract by the conventional scheme and a micromethod.

PubMed

Baldellon, C; Mégraud, F

1985-03-01

Two hundred and twelve Micrococcaceae isolates were obtained from 82 men with nongonococcal urethritis, 24 women with vaginitis, and 54 girls with vulvovaginitis. Identification and biotyping of these strains were carried out by using the simplified scheme of Kloos and Schleifer (W. E. Kloos and K. H. Schleifer, J. Clin. Microbiol. 1:82-88, 1975) and the commercially available API Staph test (DMS Staph Trac). Staphylococcus epidermidis occurred in about half of these isolates. There was no statistical difference between the urethral and vaginal specimens, except for S. haemolyticus found primarily in males and for S. simulans and S. aureus found primarily in girls between the ages of 1 and 12 years. S. saprophyticus, a major cause of urinary tract infections in young women, was never isolated from the vagina, suggesting the probability of another reservoir.

Time perspective and positivity effects in Alzheimer's disease.

PubMed

Bohn, Linzy; Kwong See, Sheree T; Fung, Helene H

2016-09-01

This study tested whether time perspective, a central tenant of socioemotional selectivity theory (Carstensen, 2006), moderates positivity effects in emotional memory. To provide measures of time perspective, young (YA; M = 22.48 years), young-old (YO; M = 67.56 years), old-old adults (OO; M = 80.24 years), and participants with moderate severity Alzheimer's disease (PAD; M = 84.28 years) completed a line task and reported subjective age. As expected, YA, YO, and OO reported successively more constrained future time perspectives. PAD showed distortion in time perspective, envisioning a future comparable with the YO, although closer matched in chronological age to OO adults. To evince positivity effects, participants were oriented to pairs of emotional images and were then tested for memory (recall and recognition) of the images. Recall and recognition memory for the images indicated an age-related advantage for positive over negative material (positivity effects). Time perspective, however, did not moderate these age effects. In memory performance, PAD were more comparable with OO adults with whom they shared a similar chronological age, rather than YO adults, who had a corresponding time perspective. These results suggest that age correlates that are shared by PAD and OO, such as reduced processing resources, rather than time perspective, may drive the age associated positivity effects. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Sonic Hedgehog Signaling Promotes Tumor Growth

DTIC Science & Technology

2006-02-01

urogenital sinus mesenchyme and urothelium from normal or androgen-insen- sitive mice. Endocrinology 1993;132(6):2342–2350. 4. Cunha GR, Donjacour AA...706–714. 17. Cunha GR, Chung LW. Stromal-epithelial interactions–I. Induc- tion of prostatic phenotype in urothelium of testicular feminized (Tfm/y

Identification and Characterization of Tumor Antigens Associated with Breast Cancer

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-08-01

syndrome (ATR-X syndrome) which effective antitumoral immunity is currently an area of includes a- thalassemia , urogenital abnormalities, and a active...major histocompatibility complex class I-re- linked mental retardation with a- thalassemia (ATR-X stricted antigen of a murine colon tumor derives from

Self-reported sexual symptoms in women attending menopause clinics.

PubMed

Nappi, Rossella E; Verde, Jole Baldero; Polatti, Franco; Genazzani, Andrea R; Zara, Carlo

2002-01-01

The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to investigate the frequency of self-reported sexual symptoms in women (n = 355; age range 46-60 years) attending menopausal clinics in Italy and to relate them to other vasomotor, psychological, physical, and genital complaints. Each subject completed a visual scale for sexual symptoms and for other complaints frequently occurring at menopause. Pain during sexual intercourse (29.8%) and low libido/lack of arousal (22%) were significantly more frequent with age (chi(2) = 8.0, p < 0.02; chi(2) = 6.2, p < 0.04, respectively) and years since menopause (chi(2) = 13.0, p < 0.005; chi(2) = 11.3, p < 0.01, respectively). Reduction of sexual pleasure/satisfaction (45.9%) was common with age, but was more frequent with longer time since the menopause (chi(2) = 19.9, p < 0.001). By examining the intensity of sexual symptoms according to the presence of other complaints, we found that physical, psychological, and genital well-being significantly affects components of sexual response after the menopause. For example, loss of fitness, urogenital symptoms, a negative self-image (increase of facial hair), and depressive symptoms were more common in women with sexual complaints. Given the concomitant role of hormonal and aging determinants, a comprehensive approach to female health is needed when facing climacteric sexual dysfunction. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel

Case–Control Study of Posttreatment Regression of Urinary Tract Morbidity among Adults in Schistosoma haematobium–Endemic Communities in Kwale County, Kenya

PubMed Central

Magak, Philip; Chang-Cojulun, Alicia; Kadzo, Hilda; Ireri, Edmund; Muchiri, Eric; Kitron, Uriel; King, Charles H.

2015-01-01

Previous population-based studies have examined treatment impact on Schistosoma-associated urinary tract disease among children, but much less is known about longer-term treatment benefits for affected adult populations in areas where risk of recurrent infection is high. In communities in Msambweni, along the Kenya coast, we identified, using a portable ultrasound, 77 adults (aged 17–85) with moderate-to-severe obstructive uropathy or bladder disease due to Schistosoma haematobium. Treatment response was assessed by repeat ultrasound 1–2 years after praziquantel (PZQ) therapy and compared with interval changes among age- and sex-matched infected/treated control subjects who did not have urinary tract abnormalities at the time of initial examination. Of the 77 affected adults, 62 (81%) had improvement in bladder and/or kidney scores after treatment, 14 (18%) had no change, and one (1.3%) had progression of disease. Of the 77 controls, 75 (97%) remained disease free by ultrasound, while two (3%) had apparent progression with abnormal findings on follow-up examination. We conclude that PZQ therapy for S. haematobium is effective in significantly reducing urinary tract morbidity from urogenital schistosomiasis among adult age groups, and affected adults stand to benefit from inclusion in mass treatment campaigns. PMID:26013375

Age-related perspectives and emotion processing.

PubMed

Lynchard, Nicholas A; Radvansky, Gabriel A

2012-12-01

Emotion is processed differently in younger and older adults. Older adults show a positivity effect, whereas younger adults show a negativity effect. Socioemotional selectivity theory suggests that these effects can be elicited in any age group when age-related perspectives are manipulated. To examine this, younger and older adults were oriented to actual and age-contrasting possible selves. Emotion activations were assessed using lexical decision. In line with socioemotional selectivity theory, shifts in emotion orientation varied according to perspective, with both younger and older adults showing a negativity effect when a younger adult perspective was taken and a positivity effect when an older adult perspective was taken. 2013 APA, all rights reserved

Defining Antimicrobial Textile Requirements for Military Applications - A Gap Analysis

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-05-09

biocide that has broad spectrum antibacterial , antiviral, and antifungal activity . Copper behaves similarly to silver by binding and inactivating...urogenital health conditions in active duty Soldiers from 2002-2011...personnel in order to generate and update requirements and standards for incorporating anti-odor, antibacterial , and antifungal properties into CIE

Site-Specific Differentiation of Fibroblasts in Normal and Scleroderma Skin

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-06-01

fibro- blasts, we were able to identify the genes involved in 6 out of 10 types of Ehlers – Danlos syndrome , a congenital disease characterized by skin...hand–- foot–genital syndrome , a disease char- acterized by syndactyly, hypospadias, and malformations of the urogenital system. These results indicate

The roles of chronological age and time perspective in memory positivity.

PubMed

Kan, Irene P; Garrison, Shaina L; Drummey, Anna B; Emmert, Brian E; Rogers, Leeland L

2018-07-01

The observation that older adults show enhanced cognition for emotionally positive information has been labeled the positivity effect (Reed, Chan, & Mikels, 2014). According to the Socioemotional Selectivity Theory (SST, Carstensen, 1991), a prominent lifespan development theory, cognition is strongly influenced by motivational goals, and these goals are impacted by subjective time perspective. Although the positivity effect is most commonly observed in older adults, as age usually co-varies with time perspective, the SST posits that time perspective, not age, is the key explanatory factor of positivity. We examined the effects of these predictors on positivity in an episodic memory task in younger and older adults and found that age, not time perspective, was a key predictor of memory positivity. Our results add to the growing literature that challenge the notion that time perspective is the driving force behind age-related differences in emotional processing and functioning.

Aetiology of testicular cancer: association with congenital abnormalities, age at puberty, infertility, and exercise. United Kingdom Testicular Cancer Study Group.

PubMed Central

1994-01-01

OBJECTIVE--To determine the risk of testicular cancer associated with undescended testis, inguinal hernia, age at puberty, marital status, infertility, vasectomy, and amount of exercise. DESIGN--A population based case-control study with a questionnaire administered by an interviewer and with relevant supplementary data extracted from general practitioners' notes. SETTING--Nine health regions within England and Wales. SUBJECTS--794 men, aged 15-49 years, with a testicular germ cell tumour diagnosed between 1 January 1984 and 1 January 1987; each had an age matched (within one year) control selected from the list of their general practitioner. RESULTS--There was a significant association of testicular cancer with undescended testis (odds ratio 3.82; 95% confidence interval 2.24 to 6.52) and inguinal hernia (1.91; 1.12 to 3.23). The excess risk associated with undescended testis was eliminated in men who had had an orchidopexy before the age of 10 years. There were positive associations with early age at voice breaking, early age at starting to shave, and infertility. There was a significant association with a sedentary lifestyle and a moderate protective effect of exercise. There was no association with vasectomy. CONCLUSION--This study confirms previous reports that developmental urogenital abnormalities result in an increased risk of testicular cancer. The trend to perform orchidopexy at younger ages may reduce the risk associated with undescended testis. The increased risks associated with early age at puberty and low amounts of exercise may be related to effects of exposure to endogenous hormones. Changes in both of these factors may partly contribute to the increasing rates of testicular cancer observed in the past few decades. PMID:7912596

The role of time and time perspective in age-related processes: Introduction to the special issue.

PubMed

Fung, Helene H; Isaacowitz, Derek M

2016-09-01

There currently appears to be a general consensus on the relationship between time perspective and aging, such that (a) future time is perceived as more limited with age and (b) older people are more present-focused and less future-focused than younger people. At the same time, there are debates about whether these age differences are positively related to well-being and to what extent there are boundary conditions beyond which these age differences would cease to occur. The 8 manuscripts included in this Special Issue attempt to shed light on these debates. In doing so, they refine the dominant theoretical perspective on the topic-socioemotional selectivity theory-and introduce new theoretical perspectives. New measures and methodologies for studying time perspective and aging are also discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

The Role of Age and Occupational Future Time Perspective in Workers' Motivation to Learn

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kochoian, Nané; Raemdonck, Isabel; Frenay, Mariane; Zacher, Hannes

2017-01-01

The purpose of this paper is to better understand the relationship between employees' chronological age and their motivation to learn, by adopting a lifespan perspective. Based on socioemotional selectivity theory, we suggest that occupational future time perspective mediates the relationship between age and motivation to learn. In accordance with…

Proposal for a Study of the Incidence and Occupational Distribution of Testicular Neoplasms in United States Air Force Personnel

DTIC Science & Technology

1988-04-01

anomalies (including duplication of the ureters, hypospadias and ectopic kidney) in 6%.(34) I. Pottern reports on 73 testicular cancer patients seen...urogenital anomalies such as hypospadias and ureteral duplication.( 5 2 ) Among 100 consecutive urograms performed on cryptorchid boys -. anomalies were

75 FR 38818 - National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings

Federal Register 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

2010-07-06

... Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases; Notice of Closed Meetings Pursuant to section 10(d) of the... Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel, Urogenital Development Program Project... Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Special Emphasis Panel, Urolithiasis Planning Grant. Date: July...

MODE OF ACTION: INHIBITION OF ANDROGEN RECEPTOR FUNCTION--VINCLOZOLIN-INDUCED MALFORMATIONS IN REPRODUCTIVE DEVELOPMENT

EPA Science Inventory

Vinclozolin is a fungicide that has been shown to cause Leydig cell tumors and atrophy of the accessory sex glands in adult rodents. In addition, exposure of rats during pregnancy causes a pattern of malformations in the male urogenital tract. A wealth of standard toxicological s...

Utility of risk-based chlamydia testing in primary care: analysis of retrospective surveillance data among women in Melbourne, Australia.

PubMed

Wilkinson, Anna L; McNamee, Kathleen; El-Hayek, Carol; Chow, Eric P F; Bradshaw, Catriona S; Roth, Norm; Tee, B K; Stoové, Mark; Hellard, Margaret

2017-06-01

Background Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) continues to be a public health challenge in Australia, with some contention as to the best screening approach. In the present study we examined chlamydia testing, positivity and sexual behaviour among women with the aim of informing targeted testing among women aged ≥30 years. A longitudinal analysis was conducted on retrospective surveillance data collected among women attending general practice, family planning and sexual health clinics participating in sentinel surveillance in Melbourne, Australia. Women were aged ≥16 years and underwent urogenital testing for C. trachomatis (chlamydia) at participating clinics between 2007 and 2014. Chlamydia incidence was calculated as positive chlamydia tests over person-years (PY) among women and reported by 5-year age groups. A Cox regression model examined correlates of a positive chlamydia test among women aged ≥30 years. In all, 36770 women contributed 46432 PY and 52395 chlamydia tests, of which 2895 were positive. The overall chlamydia incidence rate was 6.2 per 100 PY (95% confidence interval (CI) 6.0-6.5). Chlamydia incidence declined with age, plateauing to <5 per 100 PY among women aged ≥30 years. Among women aged ≥30 years, being born in North-East Asia (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 2.9; 95% CI 1.9-4.5) and reporting multiple partners (aHR 2.5; 95% CI 1.8-3.5) in the past 12 months were associated with a positive chlamydia test. Chlamydia control remains challenging in Australia and optimising testing in primary care is a key priority. The results of the present study suggest that, at least among women aged ≥30 years, chlamydia testing should be risk-based and informed by appropriate sexual history taking.

Presence of aerobic micro-organisms and their influence on basic semen parameters in infertile men.

PubMed

Filipiak, E; Marchlewska, K; Oszukowska, E; Walczak-Jedrzejowska, R; Swierczynska-Cieplucha, A; Kula, K; Slowikowska-Hilczer, J

2015-09-01

Urogenital tract infections in males are one of the significant etiological factors in infertility. In this prospective study, 72 patients with abnormal semen parameters or any other symptoms of urogenital tract infection were examined. Semen analysis according to the WHO 2010 manual was performed together with microbial assessment: aerobic bacteria culture, Chlamydia antigen test, Candida culture, Ureaplasma and Mycoplasma-specific culture. In total, 69.4% of semen samples were positive for at least one micro-organism. Ureaplasma sp. was the most common micro-organism found in 33% of semen samples of infertile patients with suspected male genital tract infection. The 2nd most common micro-organisms were Enterococcus faecalis (12.5%) and Escherichia coli (12.5%), followed by Staphylococcus aureus (7%), Chlamydia trachomatis (7%) and Candida sp. (5.6%). Generally, bacteria were sensitive to at least one of the antibiotics tested. No statistically significant relationship was observed between the presence of aerobic micro-organisms in semen and basic semen parameters: volume, pH, concentration, total count, motility, vitality and morphology. © 2014 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.

Impact of inflammation on male fertility.

PubMed

Sarkar, Oli; Bahrainwala, Jamila; Chandrasekaran, Sambamurthy; Kothari, Shiva; Mathur, Premendu P; Agarwal, Ashok

2011-01-01

The male uro-genital tract is susceptible to gram-negative bacterial infections that produce a state of inflammation, particularly in the testis and epididymis. Development of germline stem cells into motile spermatozoa takes place in these organs and thus any impairment therein has a direct effect on male fertility. A number of factors are known to impair male fertility including environmental and chemical factors, lifestyle, and infections. The last is a little-known and poorly understood cause of male sub-/infertility. The presence of the pro-inflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF- alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha) and interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) in the male uro-genital tract following bacterial infections suggests that such infections could have cytokine-mediated anti-fertility effects. Furthermore, inflammation has been associated with elevated levels of reactive oxygen species and oxidative stress both of which affect male fertility. The present article summarizes the effects of inflammation on the testis, epididymis and spermatozoa. We review the correlations between inflammation and oxidative stress vis-à-vis spermatogenesis and discuss the implications of infections on male fertility/infertility and assisted reproductive technologies for the male.

Vaginal Microbiota and the Use of Probiotics

PubMed Central

Cribby, Sarah; Taylor, Michelle; Reid, Gregor

2008-01-01

The human vagina is inhabited by a range of microbes from a pool of over 50 species. Lactobacilli are the most common, particularly in healthy women. The microbiota can change composition rapidly, for reasons that are not fully clear. This can lead to infection or to a state in which organisms with pathogenic potential coexist with other commensals. The most common urogenital infection in premenopausal women is bacterial vaginosis (BV), a condition characterized by a depletion of lactobacilli population and the presence of Gram-negative anaerobes, or in some cases Gram-positive cocci, and aerobic pathogens. Treatment of BV traditionally involves the antibiotics metronidazole or clindamycin, however, the recurrence rate remains high, and this treatment is not designed to restore the lactobacilli. In vitro studies have shown that Lactobacillus strains can disrupt BV and yeast biofilms and inhibit the growth of urogenital pathogens. The use of probiotics to populate the vagina and prevent or treat infection has been considered for some time, but only quite recently have data emerged to show efficacy, including supplementation of antimicrobial treatment to improve cure rates and prevent recurrences. PMID:19343185

Contrast medium extravasation injury: guidelines for prevention and management.

PubMed

Bellin, Marie-France; Jakobsen, Jarl A; Tomassin, Isabelle; Thomsen, Henrik S; Morcos, Sameh K; Thomsen, H S; Morcos, S K; Almén, T; Aspelin, P; Bellin, M F; Clauss, W; Flaten, H; Grenier, N; Ideé, J-M; Jakobsen, J A; Krestin, G P; Stacul, F; Webb, J A W

2002-11-01

Extravasation of contrast material is a well-recognized complication of contrast-enhanced imaging studies. The management of this complication is contentious; therefore, the Contrast Media Safety Committee of The European Society of Urogenital Radiology decided to review the literature and issue guidelines. A comprehensive literature search was carried out. The resulting report was discussed at the 8th European Symposium on Urogenital Radiology in Genoa, Italy. Automated power injection may result in extravasation of large volumes and may or can lead to severe tissue damage. Infants, young children and unconscious and debilitated patients are particularly at risk of extravasation during contrast media injection. Fortunately, most extravasations result in minimal swelling or erythema, with no long-term sequelae; however, severe skin necrosis and ulceration may occur. Large volumes of high osmolar contrast media are known to induce significant tissue damage. Compartment syndrome may be seen associated with extravasation of large volumes. Conservative management is often adequate, but in serious cases the advice of a plastic surgeon is recommended. Based on the review simple guidelines for prophylaxis and management of contrast medium extravasation injuries are proposed.

Urogenital tuberculosis: definition and classification.

PubMed

Kulchavenya, Ekaterina

2014-10-01

To improve the approach to the diagnosis and management of urogenital tuberculosis (UGTB), we need clear and unique classification. UGTB remains an important problem, especially in developing countries, but it is often an overlooked disease. As with any other infection, UGTB should be cured by antibacterial therapy, but because of late diagnosis it may often require surgery. Scientific literature dedicated to this problem was critically analyzed and juxtaposed with the author's own more than 30 years' experience in tuberculosis urology. The conception, terms and definition were consolidated into one system; classification stage by stage as well as complications are presented. Classification of any disease includes dispersion on forms and stages and exact definitions for each stage. Clinical features and symptoms significantly vary between different forms and stages of UGTB. A simple diagnostic algorithm was constructed. UGTB is multivariant disease and a standard unified approach to it is impossible. Clear definition as well as unique classification are necessary for real estimation of epidemiology and the optimization of therapy. The term 'UGTB' has insufficient information in order to estimate therapy, surgery and prognosis, or to evaluate the epidemiology.

The end is (not) near: Aging, essentialism, and future time perspective.

PubMed

Weiss, David; Job, Veronika; Mathias, Maya; Grah, Stephanie; Freund, Alexandra M

2016-06-01

Beliefs about aging influence how we interpret and respond to changes within and around us. Essentialist beliefs about aging are defined as views that link chronological age with inherent and immutable properties underlying aging-related changes. These beliefs may influence the experience of aging-related changes and shape people's outlook of the future. We hypothesized that people who endorse essentialist beliefs about aging report a more limited future time perspective. Two studies provided correlational (Study 1, N = 250; 18-77 years) and experimental (Study 2, N = 103; 20-77 years) evidence that essentialist beliefs about aging affect people's future time perspective. In addition, Study 2 and Study 3 (N = 174; 34-67 years) tested the underlying mechanism and provided evidence that perception of aging-related threat explains the effect of essentialist beliefs on a reduced future time perspective. These findings highlight the fundamental role of essentialist beliefs about aging for the perception of time horizons in the context of aging. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Epidemiological Interactions between Urogenital and Intestinal Human Schistosomiasis in the Context of Praziquantel Treatment across Three West African Countries

PubMed Central

Knowles, Sarah C. L.; Webster, Bonnie L.; Garba, Amadou; Sacko, Moussa; Diaw, Oumar T.; Fenwick, Alan; Rollinson, David; Webster, Joanne P.

2015-01-01

Background In many parts of sub-Saharan Africa, urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis co-occur, and mixed species infections containing both Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni can be common. During co-infection, interactions between these two species are possible, yet the extent to which such interactions influence disease dynamics or the outcome of control efforts remains poorly understood. Methodology/Principal Findings Here we analyse epidemiological data from three West African countries co-endemic for urogenital and intestinal schistosomiasis (Senegal, Niger and Mali) to test whether the impact of praziquantel (PZQ) treatment, subsequent levels of re-infection or long-term infection dynamics are altered by co-infection. In all countries, positive associations between the two species prevailed at baseline: infection by one species tended to predict infection intensity for the other, with the strength of association varying across sites. Encouragingly, we found little evidence that co-infection influenced PZQ efficacy: species-specific egg reduction rates (ERR) and cure rates (CR) did not differ significantly with co-infection, and variation in treatment success was largely geographical. In Senegal, despite positive associations at baseline, children with S. mansoni co-infection at the time of treatment were less intensely re-infected by S. haematobium than those with single infections, suggesting competition between the species may occur post-treatment. Furthermore, the proportion of schistosome infections attributable to S. mansoni increased over time in all three countries examined. Conclusions/Significance These findings suggest that while co-infection between urinary and intestinal schistosomes may not directly affect PZQ treatment efficacy, competitive interspecific interactions may influence epidemiological patterns of re-infection post-treatment. While re-infection patterns differed most strongly according to geographic location, interspecific interactions also seem to play a role, and could cause the community composition in mixed species settings to shift as disease control efforts intensify, a situation with implications for future disease management in this multi-species system. PMID:26469347

Morphology and innervation pattern of the feline urogenital junction.

PubMed

Wrobel, K H; Gürtler, A

2004-12-01

The feline urogenital junction is situated between the extratesticular rete and the spacious initial segments of the efferent ductules. The rete epithelium is cuboidal to low columnar. The rete cells forming the junction rest on a wavy basal lamina, display deep mutual invaginations, possess central nuclei with several infoldings and form a distinct border with the columnar epithelial cells of the initial segments of the ductuli efferentes. The epithelium of the initial segments is composed of ciliated cells and non-ciliated principal cells. The latter are the dominating type and characterized by an apical brush-border and a supranuclear endocytotic apparatus. The stroma of the extratesticular rete contains an abundance of collagen whereas contractile cells are here generally absent. In contrast, the initial segments of the efferent ductules are surrounded by elastic fibres and a layer of contractile cells. All nerves for the feline urogenital junction come from the nervus spermaticus superior. In the epididymal head, small nerve bundles deviate into the septa between the ductules. Single fibres establish a dense network within the muscular coat of the ductuli. At the transition to the extratesticular rete, this network ends abruptly. Nerve fibres in the confines of the rete are associated with blood vessels or proceed to the testicular interior, but establish no relationships with the rete epithelium or the myofibroblasts of the mediastinum. The nervous network in the walls of the efferent ductules and their initial segments is not only composed of sympathetic but also parasympathetic, non-myelinated fibres. Particularly noteworthy is the abundance of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)- and substance P (SP)-containing axons around the initial segments. Both neuroproteins are consistent markers for sensory neurones. Taken together, it can be assumed that the entry of seminal fluid and spermatozoa into the efferent ductules is controlled by a regulatory nervous chain provided with afferent and efferent components.

Urogenital teratogenicity of synthetic and natural estrogens in the rat: diethylstilbestrol and estradiol

DOE Office of Scientific and Technical Information (OSTI.GOV)

Henry, E.C.

1984-01-01

Diethylstilbestrol (DES), a synthetic estrogen and a carcinogen, is a potent urogenital teratogen in humans and rodents. The natural estrogen, estradiol (E/sub 2/), induces malformations in rats only at a maternal toxic dose. This difference in potency could result from differences in fetal sensitivity, or in the distribution and/or metabolism of the two compounds. The current studies tested the hypothesis that the teratogenicity of DES is mediated by its estrogenic activity (rather than its metabolic activation). The two estrogens were directly compared by injecting them into day 19 fetuses, bypassing any maternal modifying factors. Both DES (0.1, 1 or 10more » ..mu..g/fetus) and E/sub 2/ (10 or 100 ..mu..g/fetus) caused dose-related incidences of urogenital malformations (diagnosed at 6-7 weeks), but DES was 10- to 100-fold more potent. Between 24 h and 9 days after DES or E/sub 2/ exposure, histologic evidence of estrogenic stimulation was observed, including premature myometrial growth and differentiation, and vaginal epithelial thickening. Thus, DES and E/sub 2/ act directly in the fetus, to produce similar teratogenic effects, without maternal mediation. Following both maternal and fetal administration of /sup 14/C-DES or /sup 3/H-E/sub 2/, the /sup 14/C (from DES) was concentrated in fetal tissues, whereas /sup 3/H (from E/sub 2/) was retained in fetal plasma (protein-bound). Fetal genital tract contained the largest proportion of unchanged E/sub 2/ (74%) or DES (86%). It was concluded that (1) the teratogenicity of DES reflects its estrogenic activity in the fetus; (2) the fetus is sensitive to a brief exposure to estrogens, including LY and (3) the synthetic estrogen is more potent that estradiol because of its greater availability to fetal genital tissues: protein binding and rapid metabolism reduce the teratogenicity of the natural estrogen.« less

Development of the External Genitalia: Perspectives from the Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta)

PubMed Central

Cunha, Gerald R.; Risbridger, Gail; Wang, Hong; Place, Ned J.; Grumbach, Mel; Cunha, Tristan J.; Weldele, Mary; Conley, Al J.; Barcellos, Dale; Agarwal, Sanjana; Bhargava, Argun; Drea, Christine; Hammond, Geoffrey L.; Siiteri, Penti; Coscia, Elizabeth M.; McPhaul, Michael J; Baskin, Laurence S.; Glickman, Stephen E.

2014-01-01

This review/research paper summarizes data on development of the external genitalia of the spotted hyena, a fascinating mammal noted for extreme masculinization of the female external genitalia. The female spotted hyena is the only extant mammal that mates and gives birth through a pendulous penis-like clitoris. Our studies indicate that early formation of the phallus in both males and females is independent of androgens; indeed the phallus forms before the fetal testes or ovaries are capable of synthesizing androgens. Likewise, pre- and postnatal growth in length of the penis and clitoris is minimally affected by “androgen status”. Nonetheless, several internal morphologies, as well as external surface features of the phallus, are androgen-dependent and thus account for dimorphism between the penis and clitoris. Finally, estrogens play a critical role in penile and clitoral development, specifying the position of the urethral orifice, determining elasticity of the urethral meatus, and facilitating epithelial-epithelial fusion events required for proper formation of the distal urethra/urogenital sinus and prepuce. Accordingly, prenatal inhibition of estrogen synthesis via administration of letrozole (an aromatase inhibitor) leads to malformations of the glans as well as the prepuce (hypospadias). The effects of prenatal androgens, anti-androgens and impaired estrogen synthesis correlated with the tissue expression of androgen and estrogen receptors. PMID:24582573

Scientific evidence for health effects attributed to the consumption of probiotics and prebiotics: an update for current perspectives and future challenges.

PubMed

Martinez, Rafael Chacon Ruiz; Bedani, Raquel; Saad, Susana Marta Isay

2015-12-28

Probiotics and prebiotics, mainly commercialised as food ingredients and also as supplements, are considered highly profitable niche markets. However, in recent years, the food industry has suffered from a series of health claim restrictions on probiotics and prebiotics in many parts of the world, including those made by the European Food Safety Authority. Therefore, we reviewed the core benefits of probiotic and prebiotic consumption on health. A number of studies have examined the prevention and/or management of intestinal infections, respiratory tract infections, CVD, osteoporosis, urogenital infections, cavities, periodontal disease and halitosis, allergic reactions, inflammatory bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome and Helicobacter pylori gastric infections. In fact, a deeper understanding of the mechanisms involved in human microbiota and immune system modulation by probiotics and prebiotics relies on continuous efforts to establish suitable biomarkers of health and diseases risk factors for the design of clinical trials required for health claim approval. In spite of the promising results, the performance of large, long-term, well-planned, well-aligned clinical studies is crucial to provide more reliability and a more solid basis for the outcomes achieved and to support the potential use of probiotics and prebiotics in clinical practice.

Mucosal immunization: a review of strategies and challenges.

PubMed

Patel, Hinal; Yewale, Chetan; Rathi, Mohan N; Misra, Ambikanandan

2014-01-01

The vast majority of pathogens enter the human body via the mucosal surfaces of the gastrointestinal, respiratory, and urogenital tracts, where they initiate mucosal infections that lead to systemic infections. Despite strong evidence that a good mucosal immune response can effectively prevent systemic infection too, only a few mucosal vaccines are available due to their low efficiency. Most current immunization techniques involve systemic injection, but they are ineffective to induce immunization at a mucosal site. It is a great challenge to target a mucosal compartment that can induce protective immunity at mucosal sites as well as systemic sites. A better understanding of cellular and molecular factors involved in the regulation of mucosal immunity will aid in the design of safer mucosal vaccines that elicit the desired protective immunity against infectious diseases such as HIV. The development of mucosal vaccines, whether for prevention of infectious diseases or for immunotherapy, requires antigen delivery and adjuvant systems that can effectively present vaccine or immunotherapeutic antigens to the mucosal sites. In this review, we examine the mechanism of mucosal protection, induction of mucosal immune response, types of vaccines, current status of marketed vaccines, and novel strategies for protection against infections and for treatment of inflammatory disorders. Additionally, we offer perspectives on future challenges and research directions.

[3D modeling of the female pelvis by Computer-Assisted Anatomical Dissection: Applications and perspectives].

PubMed

Balaya, V; Uhl, J-F; Lanore, A; Salachas, C; Samoyeau, T; Ngo, C; Bensaid, C; Cornou, C; Rossi, L; Douard, R; Bats, A-S; Lecuru, F; Delmas, V

2016-05-01

To achieve a 3D vectorial model of a female pelvis by Computer-Assisted Anatomical Dissection and to assess educationnal and surgical applications. From the database of "visible female" of Visible Human Project(®) (VHP) of the "national library of medicine" NLM (United States), we used 739 transverse anatomical slices of 0.33mm thickness going from L4 to the trochanters. The manual segmentation of each anatomical structures was done with Winsurf(®) software version 4.3. Each anatomical element was built as a separate vectorial object. The whole colored-rendered vectorial model with realistic textures was exported in 3Dpdf format to allow a real time interactive manipulation with Acrobat(®) pro version 11 software. Each element can be handled separately at any transparency, which allows an anatomical learning by systems: skeleton, pelvic organs, urogenital system, arterial and venous vascularization. This 3D anatomical model can be used as data bank to teach of the fundamental anatomy. This 3D vectorial model, realistic and interactive constitutes an efficient educational tool for the teaching of the anatomy of the pelvis. 3D printing of the pelvis is possible with the new printers. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

Multi-course PDT of malignant tumors: the influence on primary tumor, metastatic spreading and homeostasis of cancer patients

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sokolov, Victor V.; Chissov, Valery I.; Yakubovskaya, Raisa I.; Filonenko, E. V.; Sukhin, Garry M.; Nemtsova, E. R.; Belous, T. A.; Zharkova, Natalia N.

1996-12-01

The first clinical trials of photodynamic therapy (PDT) of cancer with two photosensitizers, PHOTOHEME and PHOTOSENS, were started in P.A. Hertzen Research Oncological Institute (Moscow, Russia) in 1992 and 1994. Up to now, 208 patients with primary, recurrent and metastatic malignant tumors (469) of skin (34 patients/185 tumors), breast cancer (24/101), head and neck (30/31), trachea and bronchus (31/42), esophagus (35/35), stomach (31/32), rectum (4/4), vagina and uterine cervix (7/8) and bladder (12/31) have been treated by PDT. One-hundred-thirty patients were injected with PHOTOHEME, 64 patients were injected with PHOTOSENS, 14 patients were injected with PHOTOHEME and PHOTOSENS. Totally, 302 courses of treatment were performed: 155 patients had one course and 53 patients were subjected to two to nine PDT sources with intervals from 1 to 18 months. A therapeutic effect of a one-course and multi- course PDT of malignant tumors (respiratory, digestive and urogenital systems) was evaluated clinically, histologically, roentgenologically, sonographically and endoscopically. The biochemical, hematological and immunological investigations were performed for all the patients in dynamics. Results of our study showed that a multi-course PDT method seems to be perspective in treatment of malignant tumors of basic localizations.

Time Perspective and Age: A Review of Age Associated Differences.

PubMed

Laureiro-Martinez, Daniella; Trujillo, Carlos A; Unda, Juliana

2017-01-01

We investigate the relationship between age and the five dimensions of time perspective measured by the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) (past negative, past positive, present hedonistic, present fatalistic, and future). Time perspective is related to well-being, decision-making, level of development, and many other psychological issues. Hence, the existence of a systematic relationship between time perspective and age should be considered in all studies for which time is a relevant variable. However, no specific research about this has been conducted. We collected 407 papers that referenced the ZTPI between 2001 and 2015. From those, 72 studies met our inclusion criteria. They included 29,815 participants from 19 countries whose age spans most phases of adulthood (from 13.5 to 75.5 years, mean 28.7). We analyzed these studies adapting meta-analytical techniques. We found that present hedonistic and past negative dimensions are negatively related to aging with partial eta squared effect sizes of roughly 0.15. Our results have implications for the design of studies related to time as our findings highlight the importance of taking into account the differences associated with age.

Time Perspective and Age: A Review of Age Associated Differences

PubMed Central

Laureiro-Martinez, Daniella; Trujillo, Carlos A.; Unda, Juliana

2017-01-01

We investigate the relationship between age and the five dimensions of time perspective measured by the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (ZTPI) (past negative, past positive, present hedonistic, present fatalistic, and future). Time perspective is related to well-being, decision-making, level of development, and many other psychological issues. Hence, the existence of a systematic relationship between time perspective and age should be considered in all studies for which time is a relevant variable. However, no specific research about this has been conducted. We collected 407 papers that referenced the ZTPI between 2001 and 2015. From those, 72 studies met our inclusion criteria. They included 29,815 participants from 19 countries whose age spans most phases of adulthood (from 13.5 to 75.5 years, mean 28.7). We analyzed these studies adapting meta-analytical techniques. We found that present hedonistic and past negative dimensions are negatively related to aging with partial eta squared effect sizes of roughly 0.15. Our results have implications for the design of studies related to time as our findings highlight the importance of taking into account the differences associated with age. PMID:28261119

Medical predictors of psychological anxieties in VATER patients.

PubMed

Noeker, Meinolf; Schmitz, Muriel; Schmiedeke, Eberhard; Zwink, Nadine; Reutter, Heiko; Schmidt, Dominik; Jenetzky, Ekkehart

2011-10-01

Following a recent classification of the VATER Association provided by the CURE-Net consortium (submitted), we investigate medical predictors of psychological stress and anxieties in this particular condition. We developed a new set of questionnaires measuring psychological adjustment and quality of life outcome in conditions associated with anorectal and/or urogenital malformation (one self- report form to be completed by patients 7-17 years of age, two parent report forms with one relating to patients with an age range of 0-6 years, resp. 7-17 years of age). The questionnaire "Malformation-related Stress and Anxieties" comprises 26 items belonging to five subscales (I. Functional and cosmetic impairment, II. Intimacy and relationship, III. Social inclusion, IV. Psychological functioning, V. Family functioning). Every item can be responded to with respect to both actual, present problems already experienced as well as to future anxieties anticipating future development and adjustment (a perspective which especially applies in younger patients). Internal consistencies of the scales are good, resp. very good (Cronbach's α = .85 concerning present sources of anxiety scale, resp., .94 concerning future anxieties scale). The items are supplied with a Likert-type 5-point scale. We administered the questionnaire in N = 17 children and adolescents suffering from VATER via parental (proxy) report. As most medical risk factors affected nearly the entire sample, statistical analysis excluded investigation of differential impact on psychological stress experience and anxieties in subjects exposed versus not exposed. Special attention, therefore, was paid to those medical parameters with the best statistical power to differentiate between individuals of high versus low psychological outcome. Medical predictors differentiating between individuals with high versus low adjustment comprise post-operative infections of the urinary tract (t[15] = -3.78, p = .09), wound infections (t[15] = -3.04, p < .01), stoma complications (t[15] = -2.11, p = .08) (e.g., prolapsed (t[13] = -2.37, p = .05), other treatment complications (t[15] = -2.59, p < .05) and presence of a megacolon (t[13] = -2.44, p = .06). From the perspective of stress psychology, the findings may indicate that particular medical characteristics of a malformation may operate via two different pathways: (a) pathway of severity of a particular medical risk factor: the presence of a megacolon, for example, may restrict quality of life and successful adjustment via multiple and long term functional impairments associated and (b) pathway of subjective predictability and controllability of treatment course. In accordance with theoretical models from stress psychology, the psychological impact of complicating factors such as wound-healing infections is not operating via severity of impairment, but via implicit messages they convey, indicating a low predictability and controllability of course of disease and treatment. As a result, they may increase intensity of worry and anxieties upon further difficulties still to come during future development. As a conclusion, psychological counseling may not only address concrete functional impairments and stressors, but also basic feelings of insecurity, controllability and self-efficacy.

Developmental trajectory of time perspective: From children to older adults.

PubMed

Chen, Tao; Liu, Lu-Lu; Cui, Ji-Fang; Chen, Xing-Jie; Wang, Ya

2016-12-01

Time perspective is a fundamental dimension of the psychological time construct, with a pervasive and powerful influence on human behavior. However, the developmental trajectory of time perspective across a human lifespan remains unclear. The current study aimed to portray the developmental trajectory of all dimensions of time perspectives from children to older adults in a large sample. A total of 1,901 individuals (aged 9-84 years) completed measures of time perspective. They were then divided into five age groups: children, teenagers, young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Results suggested that each time perspective showed a unique developmental pattern across the lifespan. Moreover, perceived economic situation and education were related to some dimensions of time perspective. © 2016 The Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Self-Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1997-09-01

commonly occur in women. It has been estimated that 75% of women will have at least one episode of yeast vulvovaginitis , with 40-45% having two or...Infect Dis Clin North Am. 1987;1:1-23. 15. Sweet RL and Gibbs RS. Infectious vulvovaginitis . In: Infectious Diseases of the Female Genital Tract., 3 rd

Identification of gender in yellow perch by external morphology: validation in four geographic strains and effects of estradiol

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

External morphological criteria that enable the rapid determination of gender have been developed for yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Criteria are based upon 1) shape of the urogenital papilla (UGP), 2) relative size of the UGP to the anal (AN) opening, and 3) coloration of the UGP. In females, t...

Phenotypic Detection of Genitourinary Candidiasis among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attendees in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria

PubMed Central

Obisesan, Oluranti J.; Olowe, Olugbenga A.; Taiwo, Samuel S.

2015-01-01

The management of genitourinary candidiasis (GC) is fraught with challenges, especially, in an era of increasing antifungal resistance. This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between May 2013 and January 2014 determined the prevalence and characteristics of GC and the species of Candida among 369 attendees of a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinic of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. Appropriate urogenital specimen collected from each attendee was examined by microscopy and culture for Candida, with preliminary species identification by CHROMAgar Candida and confirmation by Analytical Profile Index (API) 20C AUX. The age range of attendees was 1-80 years, mean age was 36.32 ± 11.34 years, and male to female ratio was 1 to 3. The prevalence of genitourinary candidiasis was 47.4%, with 4.9% in males and 42.5% in females (p < 0.0001). The age groups 31–45 and 16–30 have the highest prevalence of 23.3% and 16.8%, respectively. The species of Candida recovered include Candida glabrata 46.9%, Candida albicans 33.7%, Candida dubliniensis 9.7%, Candida tropicalis 5.7%, Candida krusei 1.7%, Candida lusitaniae 1.7%, and Candida utilis 0.6%. This study reported non-C. albicans Candida, especially C. glabrata, as the most frequently isolated species in GC, contrary to previous studies in this environment and elsewhere. PMID:26064140

Phenotypic Detection of Genitourinary Candidiasis among Sexually Transmitted Disease Clinic Attendees in Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria.

PubMed

Obisesan, Oluranti J; Olowe, Olugbenga A; Taiwo, Samuel S

2015-01-01

The management of genitourinary candidiasis (GC) is fraught with challenges, especially, in an era of increasing antifungal resistance. This descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between May 2013 and January 2014 determined the prevalence and characteristics of GC and the species of Candida among 369 attendees of a Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) clinic of Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Nigeria. Appropriate urogenital specimen collected from each attendee was examined by microscopy and culture for Candida, with preliminary species identification by CHROMAgar Candida and confirmation by Analytical Profile Index (API) 20C AUX. The age range of attendees was 1-80 years, mean age was 36.32 ± 11.34 years, and male to female ratio was 1 to 3. The prevalence of genitourinary candidiasis was 47.4%, with 4.9% in males and 42.5% in females (p < 0.0001). The age groups 31-45 and 16-30 have the highest prevalence of 23.3% and 16.8%, respectively. The species of Candida recovered include Candida glabrata 46.9%, Candida albicans 33.7%, Candida dubliniensis 9.7%, Candida tropicalis 5.7%, Candida krusei 1.7%, Candida lusitaniae 1.7%, and Candida utilis 0.6%. This study reported non-C. albicans Candida, especially C. glabrata, as the most frequently isolated species in GC, contrary to previous studies in this environment and elsewhere.

One-year outcomes of tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) mid-urethral slings in overweight and obese women.

PubMed

Killingsworth, Lindsay B; Wheeler, Thomas L; Burgio, Kathryn L; Martirosian, Tovia E; Redden, David T; Richter, Holly E

2009-09-01

The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) success rates, patient satisfaction, and complications 1 year following surgery. Baseline and 1-year postsurgery outcomes were abstracted, including Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) scores, and patient satisfaction ratings. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between outcomes and BMI. Subjects (N = 195) with a mean age of 59.3 +/- 12.6 were included. There was significant improvement within each group (all p values <0.01) in total UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores from baseline to 1 year postsurgery; all groups had high patient satisfaction. No differences in improvement or complications rates were observed among the BMI cohorts (all p values >0.05). Differential counseling of overweight or obese women regarding outcomes of the TVT procedure is not supported by these results; longer follow-up is warranted.

Time perspective and exercise, obesity, and smoking: moderation of associations by age.

PubMed

Guthrie, Lori C; Butler, Stephen C; Lessl, Kristen; Ochi, Onyinyechukwu; Ward, Michael M

2014-01-01

Time perspective, a psychological construct denoting subjective orientation to either present or future concerns, has been inconsistently associated with healthy behaviors in adults. We hypothesized that associations would be stronger in young adults, who are first developing independent attitudes, than in older adults. Cross-sectional survey. The study was conducted in three cities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Subjects were 790 patrons of barber and beauty shops. Measures used were the Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory future, present-fatalistic, and present-hedonistic subscales and current smoking, days per week of recreational exercise, and height and weight, by self-report. We tested if associations between time perspective and exercise, obesity, and current smoking differed by age group (18-24 years, 25-34 years, and 35 years and older) using analysis of variance and logistic regression. Higher future time perspective scores, indicating greater focus on future events, was associated with more frequent exercise, whereas higher present-fatalistic time perspective scores, indicating more hopelessness, was associated with less frequent exercise in 18- to 24-year-olds, but not in older individuals. Lower future time perspective scores, and higher present-hedonistic time perspective scores, indicating interest in pleasure-seeking, were also associated with obesity only in 18- to 24-year-olds. Current smoking was not related to time perspective in any age group. Time perspective has age-specific associations with exercise and obesity, suggesting stages when time perspective may influence health behavior decision making.

TIME PERSPECTIVE AND EXERCISE, OBESITY AND SMOKING: MODERATION OF ASSOCIATIONS BY AGE

PubMed Central

Guthrie, LC; Butler, SC; Lessl, K; Ochi, O; Ward, MM

2014-01-01

Purpose Time perspective, a psychological construct denoting subjective orientation to either present or future concerns, has been inconsistently associated with healthy behaviors in adults. We hypothesized that associations would be stronger in young adults, who are first developing independent attitudes, than in older adults. Design Cross-sectional survey. Setting Three cities in the Mid-Atlantic region. Subjects 790 patrons of barber and beauty shops. Measures Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory future, present-fatalistic, and present-hedonistic subscales, current smoking, days per week of recreational exercise, and height and weight, by self-report. Analysis We tested if associations between time perspective and exercise, obesity, and current smoking differed by age group (18–24 years, 25–34 years, and 35 and older) using analysis of variance and logistic regression. Results Higher future time perspective scores, indicating greater focus on future events, was associated with more frequent exercise, while higher present-fatalistic time perspective scores, indicating more hopelessness, was associated with less frequent exercise in 18 – 24 year olds, but not in older individuals. Lower future time perspective scores, and higher present-hedonistic time perspective scores, indicating interest in pleasure-seeking, were also associated with obesity only in 18 – 24 year olds. Current smoking was not related to time perspective in any age group. Conclusion Time perspective has age-specific associations with exercise and obesity, suggesting stages when time perspective may influence health behavior decision-making. PMID:24200252

Time to flourish: the relationship of temporal perspective to well-being and wisdom across adulthood.

PubMed

Webster, Jeffrey Dean; Bohlmeijer, Ernst T; Westerhof, Gerben J

2014-01-01

Despite the centrality of time to the aging process, the well-being consequences of different temporal orientations for optimal aging are poorly understood. We investigate one underexamined area of temporal orientation, namely a balanced time perspective, in a large, lifespan sample from the Netherlands. Participants consisted of 512 Dutch adults ranging in age from 17 to 92 years (Mage = 46.46, SD = 21.37), including 186 male and 326 females. Participants completed a measure of balanced time perspective, mental health, and wisdom. RESULTS indicated that a balanced time perspective uniquely predicted both mental health and wisdom even after controlling for demographic, physical health, and personality variables. Younger adults tended to be more future-oriented relative to older adults while older adults tended to be more past-oriented relative to younger adults. Further, both midlife and younger adults were more likely to have a balanced time perspective relative to older adults. A balanced time perspective is associated with higher well-being and wisdom across the adult age span.

[Analysis of regions determining resistence to fluoroquinolones in genes gyrA and parC in clinical isolates of Mycoplasma hominis].

PubMed

Gushchin, A E; Ladygina, V G; Govorun, V M; Taraskina, A M; Savicheva, A M

2000-01-01

Fifteen strains of M. hominis isolated from patients with urogenital inflammations were analyzed. Variations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDR) have been found in fluoroquinolone-resistant M. hominis clinical isolates in comparison with the reference PG21 strain. In one isolate, parC had Asn substitute at position 91.

Coloseminal fistula complicating sigmoid diverticulitis.

PubMed

Barret, Maximilien; Cuenod, Charles-André; Jian, Raymond; Cellier, Christophe; Berger, Anne

2014-01-01

We report on a 32-year-old man with a history of chronic lower abdominal pain and urogenital symptoms, leading to the diagnosis of coloseminal fistula complicating diverticular disease. We reviewed the literature on this rare clinical entity and would like to stress the role of pelvic imaging with rectal contrast to investigate complicated forms of diverticular disease. 2014 S. Karger AG, Basel.

A Case of Reactive Arthritis Associated With Lymphogranuloma Venereum Infection in a Woman.

PubMed

Foschi, Claudio; Banzola, Nicoletta; Gaspari, Valeria; D'Antuono, Antonietta; Cevenini, Roberto; Marangoni, Antonella

2016-09-01

We report the first case of reactive arthritis associated with lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) in an Italian human immunodeficiency virus-negative woman with urogenital and rectal Chlamydia trachomatis L2 serovar infection. The LGV-associated arthritis has to be considered even when classic symptoms of arthritis are missing and in case of asymptomatic or cryptic LGV localizations.

The inhibiting effects of components of stinging nettle roots on experimentally induced prostatic hyperplasia in mice.

PubMed

Lichius, J J; Renneberg, H; Blaschek, W; Aumüller, G; Muth, C

1999-10-01

Direct implanting of fetal urogenital sinus (UGS) tissue into the ventral prostate gland of adult mice led to a 4-fold weight increase of the manipulated prostatic lobe. The induced growth could be reduced by the polysaccharide fraction (POLY-M) of the 20% methanolic extract of stinging nettle roots by 33.8%.

A simple and rapid DNA extraction method for Chlamydia trachomatis detection from urogenital swabs.

PubMed

Butzler, Matthew A; Reed, Jennifer L; McFall, Sally M

2017-11-01

A highly sensitive and specific Chlamydia trachomatis (CT) diagnostic test was developed by combining filtration isolation of nucleic acid (FINA) extraction with quantitative polymerase chain reaction including an internal control to identify test inhibition. A pilot study of 40 clinical specimens yielded 100% sensitivity and specificity. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Proteflazid® and local immunity in diseases caused by human papillomavirus, herpesvirus and mixed urogenital infections.

PubMed

Kaminsky, Vjacheslav; Chernyshov, Viktor; Grynevych, Oleksandr; Benyuk, Vasil; Kornatskaya, Alla; Shalko, Miroslava; Usevich, Igor; Revenko, Oleg; Shepetko, Maxim; Solomakha, Ludmila

2017-03-21

Reporting of clinical trials results for Proteflazid® in the drug formulation suppositories and vaginal swabs soaked in the solution of the drug to the local immunity of the female reproductive tract. The aim of study was to examine the state of local immunity in the reproductive tract of women with sexually transmitted diseases caused by human papillomavirus, herpes viruses (Type 1, 2) and mixed infection (herpes viruses + chlamydia). The trials involved 216 women with viral sexually transmitted diseases: Cervical Dysplasia associated with papillomavirus infection (HPV) (Group 1); Herpes genitalis type 1 (HSV- 1) and type 2 (HSV-1) (Group 2); mixed infection - HSV-1, HSV-2 and chlamydia (Group 3). Treatment results have confirmed that Proteflazid® contributes to sustainable performance improvement of basic factors of local immunity - sIgA, lysozyme and complement component C3 in the cervical mucus for all three groups of women. Proteflazid® enhances level of local immunity markers (sIgA, lysozyme, C3 complement component) and improves their ratios. Also it intensifies anticontagious activity of mucosal protection and female reproductive system as whole, during treatment diseases caused by human papillomavirus, herpesvirus and mixed urogenital infections (herpesvirus and chlamydia).

Atlas of Wnt and R-spondin gene expression in the developing male mouse lower urogenital tract.

PubMed

Mehta, Vatsal; Abler, Lisa L; Keil, Kimberly P; Schmitz, Christopher T; Joshi, Pinak S; Vezina, Chad M

2011-11-01

Prostate development is influenced by β-catenin signaling, but it is unclear which β-catenin activators are involved, where they are synthesized, and whether their mRNA abundance is influenced by androgens. We identified WNT/β-catenin-responsive β-galactosidase activity in the lower urogenital tract (LUT) of transgenic reporter mice, but β-galactosidase activity differed among the four mouse strains we examined. We used in situ hybridization to compare patterns of Wnts, r-spondins (Rspos, co-activators of β-catenin signaling), β-catenin-responsive mRNAs, and an androgen receptor-responsive mRNA in wild type fetal male, fetal female, and neonatal male LUT. Most Wnt and Rspo mRNAs were present in LUT during prostate development. Sexually dimorphic expression patterns were observed for WNT/β-catenin-responsive genes, and for Wnt2b, Wnt4, Wnt7a, Wnt9b, Wnt10b, Wnt11, Wnt16, and Rspo3 mRNAs. These results reveal sexual differences in WNT/β-catenin signaling in fetal LUT, supporting the idea that this pathway may be directly or indirectly responsive to androgens during prostate ductal development. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Common cancer in a wild animal: the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) as an emerging model for carcinogenesis

PubMed Central

Browning, Helen M.; Gulland, Frances M. D.; Hammond, John A.; Colegrove, Kathleen M.; Hall, Ailsa J.

2015-01-01

Naturally occurring cancers in non-laboratory species have great potential in helping to decipher the often complex causes of neoplasia. Wild animal models could add substantially to our understanding of carcinogenesis, particularly of genetic and environmental interactions, but they are currently underutilized. Studying neoplasia in wild animals is difficult and especially challenging in marine mammals owing to their inaccessibility, lack of exposure history, and ethical, logistical and legal limits on experimentation. Despite this, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) offer an opportunity to investigate risk factors for neoplasia development that have implications for terrestrial mammals and humans who share much of their environment and diet. A relatively accessible California sea lion population on the west coast of the USA has a high prevalence of urogenital carcinoma and is regularly sampled during veterinary care in wildlife rehabilitation centres. Collaborative studies have revealed that genotype, persistent organic pollutants and a herpesvirus are all associated with this cancer. This paper reviews research to date on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of urogenital carcinoma in this species, and presents the California sea lion as an important and currently underexploited wild animal model of carcinogenesis. PMID:26056370

Prevalence and distribution of congenital abnormalities in Turkey: differences between the prenatal and postnatal periods.

PubMed

Oztarhan, Kazim; Gedikbasi, Ali; Yildirim, Dogukan; Arslan, Oguz; Adal, Erdal; Kavuncuoglu, Sultan; Ozbek, Sibel; Ceylan, Yavuz

2010-12-01

The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of cases associated with congenital abnormalities during the following three periods: pregnancy, birth, and the neonatal period. This was a retrospective study of cases between 2002 and 2006. All abnormal pregnancies, elective terminations of pregnancies, stillbirths, and births with congenital abnormalities managed in the Neonatology Unit were classified based on the above distribution scheme. During the 5-year study period, 1906 cases with congenital abnormalities were recruited, as follows: 640 prenatally detected and terminated cases, with most abnormalities related to the central nervous system, chromosomes, and urogenital system (56.7%, 12.7%, and 8.9%, respectively); 712 neonates with congenital abnormalities (congenital heart disease [49.2%], central nervous system abnormalities [14.7%], and urogenital system abnormalities [12.9%]); and hospital stillbirths, of which 34.2% had malformations (220 prenatal cases [34.4%] had multiple abnormalities, whereas 188 liveborn cases [26.4%] had multiple abnormalities). The congenital abnormalities rate between 2002 and 2006 was 2.07%. Systematic screening for fetal anomalies is the primary means for identification of affected pregnancies. © 2010 The Authors. Congenital Anomalies © 2010 Japanese Teratology Society.

L1CAM in the Early Enteric and Urogenital System

PubMed Central

Pechriggl, Elisabeth Judith; Concin, Nicole; Blumer, Michael J.; Bitsche, Mario; Zwierzina, Marit; Dudas, Jozsef; Koziel, Katarzyna; Altevogt, Peter; Zeimet, Alain-Gustave; Fritsch, Helga

2016-01-01

L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM) is a transmembrane molecule belonging to the L1 protein family. It has shown to be a key player in axonal guidance in the course of neuronal development. Furthermore, L1CAM is also crucial for the establishment of the enteric and urogenital organs and is aberrantly expressed in cancer originating in these organs. Carcinogenesis and embryogenesis follow a lot of similar molecular pathways, but unfortunately, comprehensive data on L1CAM expression and localization in human developing organs are lacking so far. In the present study we, therefore, examined the spatiotemporal distribution of L1CAM in the early human fetal period (weeks 8–12 of gestation) by means of immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization (ISH). In the epithelia of the gastrointestinal organs, L1CAM localization cannot be observed in the examined stages most likely due to their advanced polarization and differentiation. Despite these results, our ISH data indicate weak L1CAM expression, but only in few epithelial cells. The genital tracts, however, are distinctly L1CAM positive throughout the entire fetal period. We, therefore, conclude that in embryogenesis L1CAM is crucial for further differentiation of epithelia. PMID:28026654

Beta-catenin (CTNNB1) induces Bmp expression in urogenital sinus epithelium and participates in prostatic bud initiation and patterning

PubMed Central

Mehta, Vatsal; Schmitz, Christopher T.; Keil, Kimberly P.; Joshi, Pinak S.; Abler, Lisa L.; Lin, Tien-Min; Taketo, Makoto M.; Sun, Xin; Vezina, Chad M.

2013-01-01

Fetal prostate development is initiated by androgens and patterned by androgen dependent and independent signals. How these signals integrate to control epithelial cell differentiation and prostatic bud patterning is not fully understood. To test the role of beta-catenin (Ctnnb1) in this process, we used a genetic approach to conditionally delete or stabilize Ctnnb1 in urogenital sinus (UGS) epithelium from which the prostate derives. Two opposing mechanisms of action were revealed. By deleting Ctnnb1, we found it is required for separation of UGS from cloaca, emergence or maintenance of differentiated UGS basal epithelium and formation of prostatic buds. By genetically inducing a patchy subset of UGS epithelial cells to express excess CTNNB1, we found its excess abundance increases Bmp expression and leads to a global impairment of prostatic bud formation. Addition of NOGGIN partially restores prostatic budding in UGS explants with excess Ctnnb1. These results indicate a requirement for Ctnnb1 in UGS basal epithelial cell differentiation, prostatic bud initiation and bud spacing and suggest some of these actions are mediated in part through activation of BMP signaling. PMID:23396188

Bitter triggers acetylcholine release from polymodal urethral chemosensory cells and bladder reflexes.

PubMed

Deckmann, Klaus; Filipski, Katharina; Krasteva-Christ, Gabriela; Fronius, Martin; Althaus, Mike; Rafiq, Amir; Papadakis, Tamara; Renno, Liane; Jurastow, Innokentij; Wessels, Lars; Wolff, Miriam; Schütz, Burkhard; Weihe, Eberhard; Chubanov, Vladimir; Gudermann, Thomas; Klein, Jochen; Bschleipfer, Thomas; Kummer, Wolfgang

2014-06-03

Chemosensory cells in the mucosal surface of the respiratory tract ("brush cells") use the canonical taste transduction cascade to detect potentially hazardous content and trigger local protective and aversive respiratory reflexes on stimulation. So far, the urogenital tract has been considered to lack this cell type. Here we report the presence of a previously unidentified cholinergic, polymodal chemosensory cell in the mammalian urethra, the potential portal of entry for bacteria and harmful substances into the urogenital system, but not in further centrally located parts of the urinary tract, such as the bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis. Urethral brush cells express bitter and umami taste receptors and downstream components of the taste transduction cascade; respond to stimulation with bitter (denatonium), umami (monosodium glutamate), and uropathogenic Escherichia coli; and release acetylcholine to communicate with other cells. They are approached by sensory nerve fibers expressing nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, and intraurethral application of denatonium reflexively increases activity of the bladder detrusor muscle in anesthetized rats. We propose a concept of urinary bladder control involving a previously unidentified cholinergic chemosensory cell monitoring the chemical composition of the urethral luminal microenvironment for potential hazardous content.

Trichomonas vaginalis origins, molecular pathobiology and clinical considerations.

PubMed

Hirt, Robert P; Sherrard, Jackie

2015-02-01

To integrate a selection of the most recent data on Trichomonas vaginalis origins, molecular cell biology and T. vaginalis interactions with the urogenital tract microbiota with trichomoniasis symptoms and clinical management. Transcriptomics and proteomics datasets are accumulating, facilitating the identification and prioritization of key target genes to study T. vaginalis pathobiology. Proteins involved in host sensing and cytoskeletal plasticity during T. vaginalis amoeboid transformation were identified. T. vaginalis was shown to secrete exosomes and a macrophage migration inhibitory factor-like protein that both influence host-parasite interactions. T. vaginalis co-infections with Mycoplasma species and viruses were shown to modulate the inflammatory responses, whereas T. vaginalis interactions with various Lactobacillus species inhibit parasite interactions with human cells. T. vaginalis infections were also shown to be associated with bacterial vaginosis. A broader range of health sequelae is also becoming apparent. Diagnostics for both women and men based on the molecular approaches are being refined, in particular for men. New developments in the molecular and cellular basis of T. vaginalis pathobiology combined with data on the urogenital tract microbiota and immunology have enriched our knowledge on human-microbe interactions that will contribute to increasing our capacity to prevent and treat T. vaginalis and other sexually transmitted infections.

Development of the genital ducts and external genitalia in the early human embryo.

PubMed

Sajjad, Yasmin

2010-10-01

The course of development of the human genital tract is undifferentiated to the 9th week of development. At this time two symmetrical paired ducts known as the mesonephric (MD) and paramesonephric ducts (PMD) are present, which together with the urogenital sinus provide the tissue sources for internal and external genital development. Normal differentiation of the bipotential external genitalia and reproductive ducts are dependent upon the presence or absence of certain hormones. Masculinization of the internal and external genitalia during fetal development depends on the existence of two discrete testicular hormones. Testosterone secreted from Leydig cells induces the differentiation of the mesonephric ducts into the epididymis, vasa deferentia and seminal vesicles, whereas anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) produced by Sertoli cells induces the regression of the paramesonephric ducts. The absence of AMH action in early fetal life results in the formation of the fallopian tubes, uterus and upper third of the vagina. In some target tissues, testosterone is converted to dihydrotestosterone, which is responsible for the masculinization of the urogenital sinus and external genitalia. © 2010 The Author. Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Research © 2010 Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Imaging and examination strategies of normal male and female sex development and anatomy.

PubMed

Wünsch, Lutz; Schober, Justine M

2007-09-01

Over recent years a variety of new details on the developmental biology of sexual differentiation has been discovered. Moreover, important advances have been made in imaging and examination strategies for urogenital organs, and these have added new knowledge to our understanding of the 'normal' anatomy of the sexes. Both aspects contribute to the comprehension of phenotypic sex development, but they are not commonly presented in the same context. This will be attempted in this chapter, which aims to link discoveries in developmental biology to anatomical details shown by modern examination techniques. A review of the literature concerning the link between sexual development and imaging of urogenital organs was performed. Genes, proteins and pathways related to sexual differentiation were related to some organotypic features revealed by clinical examination techniques. Early 'organotypic' patterns can be identified in prostatic, urethral and genital development and followed into postnatal life. New imaging and endoscopy techniques allow for detailed descriptive anatomical studies, hopefully resulting in a broader understanding of sex development and a better genotype-phenotype correlation in defined disorders. Clinical description relying on imaging techniques should be related to knowledge of the genetic and endocrine factors influencing sex development in a specific and stepwise manner.

The medico-legal observation of an aggressive urogenital fibromatosis with isolated development not related to any traumatic event.

PubMed

Muccino, Enrico; Gentile, Guendalina; Mantero, Stefano; Marchesi, Matteo; Rancati, Alessandra; Zoja, Riccardo

2016-03-01

Desmoid tumor is a fibroproliferative neoplasm with an intermediate malignancy and it can be localized in every bodily district: some locations are considered exceptional, like the urogenital localization. The Author point out a rare case of giant idiopathic scrotal fibromatosis that was found during an autopsy. A widower, that lived alone in poor hygienic conditions, was found dead in his house. The Judicial Authority ordered the autopsy, that was performed two days later at the Medico-Legal Section of Milan University. External examinations revealed only the considerable dimension of the scrotum (cm 24 × 41). The cause of death was fixed in a cardiac tamponade due to a natural heart laceration localized in correspondence of a transmural infarction. The toxicological exam resulted negative, while the histopathological and immunohistochemical analysis qualify the scrotal mass as a desmoids tumor. Due to the absence of predisposing conditions and of fibroproliferative infiltration in bladder and retroperitoneal space, the neoplasm was configured as an idiopathic desmoid tumor. The presented case gives the reason for the discussion concerning medico-legal aspects that are typical of rare neoplasms. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

Treatment of postmenopausal vaginal atrophy with 10-μg estradiol vaginal tablets.

PubMed

Panay, Nick; Maamari, Ricardo

2012-03-01

Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency can lead to symptoms of urogenital atrophy. Individuals with urogenital atrophy have symptoms that include vaginal dryness, vaginal and vulval irritation, vaginal soreness, pain and burning during urination (dysuria), increased vaginal discharge, vaginal odour, vaginal infections, recurrent urinary tract infections, pain associated with sexual activity (dyspareunia) and vaginal bleeding associated with sexual activity. Despite the frequency and effects of vaginal atrophy symptoms, they are often under-reported and, consequently, under-treated. Therefore, care of a menopausal woman should include a physical assessment of vaginal atrophy and a dialogue between the physician and the patient that explores existing symptoms and their effect on vulvovaginal health, sexuality and quality-of-life issues. The development of the ultra-low-dose 10-µg estradiol vaginal tablets is in line with the requirements of regulatory agencies and women's health societies regarding the use of the lowest effective hormonal dose. Because of its effectiveness and safety profiles, in addition to its minimal systemic absorption, the 10-µg estradiol vaginal tablet can offer greater reassurance to health-care providers and postmenopausal women with an annual estradiol administration of only 1.14 mg.

The Relationship of Time Perspective to Age, Gender, and Academic Achievement among Academically Talented Adolescents

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mello, Zena R.; Worrell, Frank C.

2006-01-01

Time perspective is a useful psychological construct associated with educational outcomes (Phalet, Andriessen, & Lens, 2004) and may prove fruitful for research focusing on academically talented adolescents. Thus, the relationship of time perspective to age, gender, and academic achievement was examined among 722 academically talented middle and…

Perspective Taking in Older Age Revisited: A Motivational Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Zhang, Xin; Fung, Helene H.; Stanley, Jennifer T.; Isaacowitz, Derek M.; Ho, Man Yee

2013-01-01

How perspective-taking ability changes with age (i.e., whether older adults are better at understanding others' behaviors and intentions and show greater empathy to others or not) is not clear, with prior empirical findings on this phenomenon yielding mixed results. In a series of experiments, we investigated the phenomenon from a motivational…

Visual perspective taking impairment in children with autistic spectrum disorder.

PubMed

Hamilton, Antonia F de C; Brindley, Rachel; Frith, Uta

2009-10-01

Evidence from typical development and neuroimaging studies suggests that level 2 visual perspective taking - the knowledge that different people may see the same thing differently at the same time - is a mentalising task. Thus, we would expect children with autism, who fail typical mentalising tasks like false belief, to perform poorly on level 2 visual perspective taking as well. However, prior data on this issue are inconclusive. We re-examined this question, testing a group of 23 young autistic children, aged around 8years with a verbal mental age of around 4years and three groups of typical children (n=60) ranging in age from 4 to 8years on a level 2 visual perspective task and a closely matched mental rotation task. The results demonstrate that autistic children have difficulty with visual perspective taking compared to a task requiring mental rotation, relative to typical children. Furthermore, performance on the level 2 visual perspective taking task correlated with theory of mind performance. These findings resolve discrepancies in previous studies of visual perspective taking in autism, and demonstrate that level 2 visual perspective taking is a mentalising task.

Age differences in the understanding of wealth and power: the mediating role of future time perspective.

PubMed

Li, Tianyuan; Tsang, Vivian Hiu-Ling

2016-12-01

Individuals' understanding of wealth and power largely determines their use of resources. Moreover, the age range of wealth and power holders is increasing in modern societies. Thus, the current study examines how people of different ages understand wealth and power. As varying future time perspective is related to changes in prioritised life goals, it was tested as a potential mediator of the age differences. A total of 133 participants aged 18-78 years were asked 8 open-ended questions regarding their understanding of the possible use and desired use of wealth and power, after which they reported their future time perspective. Compared with possible use, the participants mentioned relatively more prosocial elements when they talked about their desired use of the resources, especially power. The older adults expressed more prosocial understanding in regard to the desired use of wealth and the possible use of power compared to their younger counterparts. The age differences were fully mediated by future time perspective. The results suggest that age is a critical factor that influences individuals' conceptualisation of wealth and power. Life-span developmental stage and future time perspective are important factors to consider for explaining individual differences in the exercise of wealth and power and for promoting their prosocial usage.

Human Exposure to Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals and Prenatal Risk Factors for Cryptorchidism and Hypospadias: A Nested Case–Control Study

PubMed Central

Fernandez, Mariana F.; Olmos, Begoña; Granada, Alicia; López-Espinosa, Maria José; Molina-Molina, José-Manuel; Fernandez, Juan Manuel; Cruz, Milagros; Olea-Serrano, Fátima; Olea, Nicolás

2007-01-01

Background Exposure to xenoestrogens during pregnancy may disturb the development and function of male sexual organs. Objective In this study we aimed to determine whether the combined effect of environmental estrogens measured as total effective xenoestrogen burden (TEXB) is a risk factor for male urogenital malformations. Methods In a case–control study, nested in a mother–child cohort (n = 702) established at Granada University Hospital, we compared 50 newborns with diagnosis of cryptorchidism and/or hypospadias with 114 boys without malformations matched by gestational age, date of birth, and parity. Controls did not differ from the total cohort in confounding variables. TEXB and levels of 16 organochlorine pesticides were measured in placenta tissues. Characteristics of parents, pregnancy, and birth were gathered by questionnaire. We used conditional and unconditional regression models to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results TEXB from organohalogenated compounds was detectable in 72% and 54% of case and control placentas, respectively. Compared with controls, cases had an OR for detectable versus non-detectable TEXB of 2.82 (95% CI, 1.10–7.24). More pesticides were detected in cases than in controls (9.34 ± 3.19 vs. 6.97 ± 3.93). ORs for cases with detectable levels of pesticides, after adjusting for potential confounders in the conditional regression analysis, were o,p′-DDT (OR = 2.25; 95% CI, 1.03–4.89), p,p′-DDT (OR = 2.63; 95% CI, 1.21–5.72), lindane (OR = 3.38; 95% CI, 1.36–8.38), mirex (OR = 2.85; 95% CI, 1.22–6.66), and endosulfan alpha (OR = 2.19; 95% CI, 0.99–4.82). Engagement of mothers in agriculture (OR = 3.47; 95% CI, 1.33–9.03), fathers’ occupational exposure to xenoestrogens (OR = 2.98; 95% CI, 1.11–8.01), and history of previous stillbirths (OR = 4.20; 95% CI, 1.11–16.66) were also associated with risk of malformations. Conclusions We found an increased risk for male urogenital malformations related to the combined effect of environmental estrogens in placenta. PMID:18174944

Role of Theories in the Design of Web-Based Person-Centered Support: A Critical Analysis

PubMed Central

Ranerup, Agneta; Sparud-Lundin, Carina; Koinberg, Ingalill; Skärsäter, Ingela; Jenholt-Nolbris, Margaretha; Berg, Marie

2014-01-01

Objective. The aim of this study was to provide a critical understanding of the role of theories and their compatibility with a person-centered approach in the design and evaluation of web-based support for the management of chronic illness. Methods. Exploration of web-based support research projects focusing on four cases: (1) preschool children aged 4–6 with bladder dysfunction and urogenital malformation; (2) young adults aged 16–25 living with mental illness; (3) women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant or in early motherhood; and (4) women who have undergone surgery for breast cancer. Data comprised interviews with research leaders and documented plans. Analysis was performed by means of a cross-case methodology. Results. The used theories concerned design, learning, health and well-being, or transition. All web support products had been developed using a participatory design (PD). Fundamental to the technology design and evaluation of outcomes were theories focusing on learning and on health and well-being. All theories were compatible with a person-centered approach. However, a notable exception was the relatively collective character of PD and Communities of Practice. Conclusion. Our results illustrate multifaceted ways for theories to be used in the design and evaluation of web-based support. PMID:26464860

A reconceptualization of age stratification in China.

PubMed

Yin, P; Lai, K H

1983-09-01

Using the concepts of age stratification theory--age effect, cohort effect, and subcohort differences--this paper provides a new perspective on age stratification in China. Currently, the literature suggests that the status of elderly people declined after the Communist Revolution and will further decline with modernization. We discuss the problems with this perspective and argue, instead, that the status of elderly adults did not decline for the majority of the aged during the Maoist years. Rather, the most important change in the age stratification system during the Maoist years was the change in the criterion of age stratification--from age differences to cohort and subcohort differences. Furthermore, the subcohort of elderly adults who suffered the most status decline during the Maoist years--the bourgeoisie--may actually enjoy an increase in status with the recent modernization impetus. Research suggestions from this new perspective are discussed.

Improving Urogenital Function with Step Training after Spinal Cord Injury

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-01

pump and pressure transducer. Normal saline was infused into the bladder at a rate of 0.25mL/min to evoke voiding contractions [34]. Uro - dynamic data...3 4 5 6 7 8 BB B op en fi el d lo co m ot or sc or e Weeks post-SCI Nontrain Forelimb Train Spontaneous recovery Training began ∗ ∗∗ ∗ Figure

[Combination therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

PubMed

Khryanin, A A; Reshetnikov, O V

2016-08-01

The article discusses the possible etiological factors in the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis. The authors presented a comparative long-term analysis of morbidity from non-viral sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Russia. Against the background of general decline in STIs incidence, a significant percentage of them is made up by urogenital trichomoniasis. The findings substantiated the advantages of combination therapy (ornidazole and ofloxacin) for bacterial urinary tract infections.

Molecular characteristics and alterations during early development of the human vagina

PubMed Central

Fritsch, Helga; Richter, Elisabeth; Adam, Nadia

2012-01-01

Unresolved questions remain concerning the derivation of the vagina with respect to the relative contributions from the Müllerian ducts, the urogenital sinus, and the Wolffian ducts. Recent molecular and cellular studies in rodents have opened up a large gap between the level of understanding of vaginal development in mice and understanding of human vaginal development, which is based on histology. To compare the findings in mice with human vaginal development and to address this gap, we analysed molecular characteristics of the urogenital sinus, Wolffian ducts, and Müllerian ducts in 8–14-week-old human specimens using immunohistochemical methods. The monoclonal antibodies used were directed against cytokeratin (CK) 14, CK19, vimentin, laminin, p63, E-cadherin, caspase-3, Ki67, HOX A13, and BMP-4. The immunohistochemical analysis revealed that, during weeks 8–9, the epithelium of the Müllerian ducts became positive for p63 as p63-positive cells that originated from the sinus epithelium reached the caudal tip of the fused Müllerian ducts via the Wolffian ducts. The lumen of the fused Müllerian ducts was closed by an epithelial plug that contained both vimentin-positive and vimentin-negative cells. Subsequently, the resulting epithelial tube enlarged by proliferation of basal p63-positive cells. The first signs of squamous differentiation were detected during week 14, with the appearance of CK14-positive cells. According to our results, all three components, namely, the urogenital sinus, Wolffian ducts, and Müllerian ducts, interacted during the formation of the human vagina. The sinus epithelium provided p63-positive cells, the Wollfian ducts acted as a ‘transporter’, and the Müllerian ducts contributed the guiding structure for the vaginal anlagen. Epithelial differentiation began at the end of the period studied and extended in a caudo-cranial direction. The present study is one of the first to provide up-to-date molecular correlates for human vaginal development that can be compared with the results of cell biological studies in rodents. PMID:22256858

Helminths and Cancers From the Evolutionary Perspective.

PubMed

Scholte, Larissa L S; Pascoal-Xavier, Marcelo A; Nahum, Laila A

2018-01-01

Helminths include free-living and parasitic Platyhelminthes and Nematoda which infect millions of people worldwide. Some Platyhelminthes species of blood flukes ( Schistosoma haematobium, Schistosoma japonicum , and Schistosoma mansoni ) and liver flukes ( Clonorchis sinensis and Opisthorchis viverrini ) are known to be involved in human cancers. Other helminths are likely to be carcinogenic. Our main goals are to summarize the current knowledge of human cancers caused by Platyhelminthes, point out some helminth and human biomarkers identified so far, and highlight the potential contributions of phylogenetics and molecular evolution to cancer research. Human cancers caused by helminth infection include cholangiocarcinoma, colorectal hepatocellular carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and urinary bladder cancer. Chronic inflammation is proposed as a common pathway for cancer initiation and development. Furthermore, different bacteria present in gastric, colorectal, and urogenital microbiomes might be responsible for enlarging inflammatory and fibrotic responses in cancers. Studies have suggested that different biomarkers are involved in helminth infection and human cancer development; although, the detailed mechanisms remain under debate. Different helminth proteins have been studied by different approaches. However, their evolutionary relationships remain unsolved. Here, we illustrate the strengths of homology identification and function prediction of uncharacterized proteins from genome sequencing projects based on an evolutionary framework. Together, these approaches may help identifying new biomarkers for disease diagnostics and intervention measures. This work has potential applications in the field of phylomedicine (evolutionary medicine) and may contribute to parasite and cancer research.

Value Relativism and Perspective Taking are Two Distinct Facets of Wisdom-Related Knowledge.

PubMed

Kunzmann, Ute; Nowak, Jana; Thomas, Stefanie; Nestler, Steffen

2017-12-18

There has been mixed evidence for age differences in wisdom-related knowledge across the adult life span. This study investigated two potential moderators of the link between age and wisdom-related knowledge: the wisdom criteria and the wisdom tasks. To test these moderators, 40 younger and 40 older participants completed four wisdom tasks differing in context-richness. Independent trained raters coded the resulting think-aloud protocols in terms of value relativism, as defined in the Berlin wisdom paradigm, and perspective taking, as defined by Grossmann. The type of task did not show any main or interaction effects on the present two wisdom criteria. However, age differences in the two wisdom criteria were multidirectional: whereas perspective taking did not differ by age group, value relativism was lower in older than younger adults. In addition, value relativism, but not perspective taking, was related to measures of fluid and crystallized intelligence, whereas perspective taking, but not value relativism, was related to a measure of life investment. This study provides evidence for the idea that value relativism and perspective taking are two distinct facets of wisdom-related knowledge. Implications for future age-comparative research interested in wisdom are discussed. © The Author(s) 2017. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Social Orders and Interactions among Children in Age-Mixed Classes in Primary Schools--New Perspectives from a Synthesis of Ethnographic Data

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Huf, Christina; Raggl, Andrea

2015-01-01

The article synthesises data from two ethnographic projects, which both explore interactions of children in age-mixed groups in primary schools. It illuminates critical perspectives on social orders and children's interactions in age-mixed classes by showing how pupils in age-mixed groups become involved in power relations and how the teacher's…

Renal hemangiopericytoma: case report and literature review.

PubMed

Vetorazzo Filho, José Eduardo; Bahia, Leandro Augusto Costa; Esteves, Paulo Ebert; Maron, Paulo Eduardo Goulart; Vedovato, Bruno César; Fernandes, Roni de Carvalho; Perez, Marjo Deninson Cardenuto

2015-01-01

Hemangioperycytoma is a rare perivascular tumor that seldom involves the urogenital system. This tumor often appears with an unspecific clinical picture, and sometimes is associated with hematuria or hypertension. Diagnosis is based on a combination of histological and immunohistological findings. We report a case of a 52-year-old patient with renal hemangiopericytoma who underwent surgical treatment at our service. This report also includes a literature review on the subject.

Renal hemangiopericytoma: case report and literature review

PubMed Central

Vetorazzo, José Eduardo; Bahia, Leandro Augusto Costa; Esteves, Paulo Ebert; Maron, Paulo Eduardo Goulart; Vedovato, Bruno César; Fernandes, Roni de Carvalho; Perez, Marjo Deninson Cardenuto

2015-01-01

Hemangioperycytoma is a rare perivascular tumor that seldom involves the urogenital system. This tumor often appears with an unspecific clinical picture, and sometimes is associated with hematuria or hypertension. Diagnosis is based on a combination of histological and immunohistological findings. We report a case of a 52-year-old patient with renal hemangiopericytoma who underwent surgical treatment at our service. This report also includes a literature review on the subject. PMID:25946050

[Sirenomelia].

PubMed

García, J; Romero-Araus, J

1996-09-01

Sirenomelia is an uncommon congenital malformation of unknown etiology characterized by all degrees of severity in merning, malrotation, and dysgenesis of the lower limbs, combining as it does malformation with several anomalies of the external and internal organs, specially of the urogenital and gastrointestinal systems and other lumbosacral vertebral abnormalities; the severity of the associated malformations are not compatible with life. A genetic mechanism leading to sirenomelia is unlikely, due to the absence of the familial cases.

Sirenomelia apus with vestigial tail.

PubMed

Parikh, Tushar B; Nanavati, Ruchi N; Udani, Rekha H

2005-04-01

Sirenomelia is an exceptionally rare congenital malformation characterized by complete or near complete fusion of lower limbs. A newborn with clinical features of sirenomelia including fused lower limbs in medial position, absent fibula, anal atresia, complete absence of urogenital system (bilateral renal agenesis, absent ureters, urinary bladder, absent internal and external genitalia), a single umbilical artery and a vestigial tail is reported. Association of vestigial tail with sirenomelia is not described in the literature.

Self Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women

DTIC Science & Technology

2000-09-01

asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptoms from their cervical/vaginal infection. In many cases treatment of their cervical/vaginal infection would also...technology required for rapid diagnosis and treatment of these conditions may not always be readily available to deployed military women especially while...6 In another study of 476 asymptomatic active duty army women presenting for routine pap smears, 39(8.2%) tested positive for chlamydia. This is a

Self-Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1998-09-01

tract infections or asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptoms from their cervical/vaginal infection. In many cases treatment of their cervical/vaginal...during the second year. We have thus far tested the kit in 234 women with genital complaints. The self-test kit results suggested appropriate treatment in...evaluation, diagnosis and treatment . All of these factors may significantly impact the ability and readiness of military women to perform their assigned

Hypoxia abrogates antichlamydial properties of IFN-γ in human fallopian tube cells in vitro and ex vivo.

PubMed

Roth, Anna; König, Peter; van Zandbergen, Ger; Klinger, Matthias; Hellwig-Bürgel, Thomas; Däubener, Walter; Bohlmann, Michael K; Rupp, Jan

2010-11-09

IFN-γ has an important role in the adaptive immune response against intracellular pathogens. In urogenital tract (UGT) infections with the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, IFN-γ-mediated control of chlamydial growth implies the JAK-STAT signaling cascades and subsequent induction of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). As oxygen concentrations in the UGT are low under physiological conditions (O(2) < 5%) and further decrease during an inflammatory process, we wondered whether antibacterial properties of IFN-γ are maintained under hypoxic conditions. Using primary cells that were isolated from human fallopian tubes and an ex vivo human fallopian tube model (HFTM), we found that even high IFN-γ concentrations (200 units/mL) were not sufficient to limit growth of C. trachomatis under hypoxia. Reduced antibacterial activity of IFN-γ under hypoxia was restricted to the urogenital serovars D and L(2), but was not observed with the ocular serovar A. Impaired effectiveness of IFN-γ on chlamydial growth under hypoxia was accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of Stat-1 on Tyr701 and diminished IDO activity. This study shows that IFN-γ effector functions on intracellular C. trachomatis depend on the environmental oxygen supply, which could explain inadequate bacterial clearance and subsequent chronic infections eventually occurring in the UGT of women.

Female reproductive tract of the lesser anteater (Tamandua tetradactyla, myrmecophagidae, Xenarthra). Anatomy and histology.

PubMed

Rossi, L F; Luaces, J P; Marcos, H J Aldana; Cetica, P D; Gachen, G; Jimeno, G Pérez; Merani, M S

2011-11-01

The morphological and histological features of the unusual reproductive tract of the female lesser anteater, Tamandua tetradactyla (Myrmecophagidae, Xenarthra), are described for the first time. The present study aimed to establish the main similarities and differences between this species and other xenarthrans. The populations of this species are declining rapidly for a number of reasons and our study is relevant to diverse programs related to its conservation. Studies were carried out on five female genital tracts of adult specimens. Ovaries were ovoid, presenting a medulla completely surrounded by the cortex, differently from that described in other xenarthans. Like in Dasypus but different from all other armadillos studied, single oocyte follicles were observed and a simple the uterus. The uterovaginal canal connects the uterus with the urogenital sinus. The simple columnar epithelium of the uterovaginal canal ends abruptly at a septum which resembles a hymen, where the transitional epithelium of the urogenital sinus appears. This ancestral feature is shared with that of other armadillos, except Tolypeutes matacus, which has a true vagina. Characteristics of the reproductive tract and sperm morphology of other Xenarthra are comparatively discussed. These observations suggest that important reproductive features are shared between the family Myrmecophagidae and the genus Dasypus, a basal group in the phylogeny of Xenarthra. Copyright © 2011 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Cellular proliferation in the urorectal septation complex of the human embryo at Carnegie stages 13-18: a nuclear area-based morphometric analysis.

PubMed

Nebot-Cegarra, Josep; Fàbregas, Pere Jordi; Sánchez-Pérez, Inma

2005-10-01

In order to analyse the patterns of cellular proliferation both in the mesenchyme of the urorectal septum (URS) and in the adjacent territories (posterior urogenital mesenchyme, anterior intestinal mesenchyme and cloacal folds mesenchyme), as well as their contribution to the process of cloacal division, a computer-assisted method was used to obtain the nuclear area of 3874 mesenchymal cells from camera lucida drawings of nuclear contours of selected sections of human embryos [Carnegie stages (CSs) 13-18]. Based on changes in the size of the nucleus during the cellular cycle, we considered proliferating cells in each territory to be those with a nuclear area over the 75th percentile. The URS showed increasing cell proliferation, with proliferation patterns that coincided closely with cloacal folds mesenchyme, and with less overall proliferation than urogenital and intestinal mesenchymes. Furthermore, at CS 18, we observed the beginning of the rupture in the cloacal membrane; however, no fusion has been demonstrated either between the URS and the cloacal membrane or between the cloacal folds. The results suggest that cloacal division depends on a morphogenetic complex where the URS adjacent territories could determine septal displacement at the time that their mesenchymes could be partially incorporated within the proliferating URS.

Common cancer in a wild animal: the California sea lion (Zalophus californianus) as an emerging model for carcinogenesis.

PubMed

Browning, Helen M; Gulland, Frances M D; Hammond, John A; Colegrove, Kathleen M; Hall, Ailsa J

2015-07-19

Naturally occurring cancers in non-laboratory species have great potential in helping to decipher the often complex causes of neoplasia. Wild animal models could add substantially to our understanding of carcinogenesis, particularly of genetic and environmental interactions, but they are currently underutilized. Studying neoplasia in wild animals is difficult and especially challenging in marine mammals owing to their inaccessibility, lack of exposure history, and ethical, logistical and legal limits on experimentation. Despite this, California sea lions (Zalophus californianus) offer an opportunity to investigate risk factors for neoplasia development that have implications for terrestrial mammals and humans who share much of their environment and diet. A relatively accessible California sea lion population on the west coast of the USA has a high prevalence of urogenital carcinoma and is regularly sampled during veterinary care in wildlife rehabilitation centres. Collaborative studies have revealed that genotype, persistent organic pollutants and a herpesvirus are all associated with this cancer. This paper reviews research to date on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of urogenital carcinoma in this species, and presents the California sea lion as an important and currently underexploited wild animal model of carcinogenesis. © 2015 The Author(s) Published by the Royal Society. All rights reserved.

Audit of Trichomonas vaginalis test requesting by community referrers after a change from culture to molecular testing, including a cost analysis.

PubMed

Bissessor, Liselle; Wilson, Janet; McAuliffe, Gary; Upton, Arlo

2017-06-16

Trichomonas vaginalis (TV) prevalence varies among different communities and peoples. The availability of robust molecular platforms for the detection of TV has advanced diagnosis; however, molecular tests are more costly than phenotypic methodologies, and testing all urogenital samples is costly. We recently replaced culture methods with the Aptima Trichomonas vaginalis nucleic acid amplification test on specific request and as reflex testing by the laboratory, and have audited this change. Data were collected from August 2015 (microbroth culture and microscopy) and August 2016 (Aptima TV assay) including referrer, testing volumes, results and test cost estimates. In August 2015, 10,299 vaginal swabs, and in August 2016, 2,189 specimens (urogenital swabs and urines), were tested. The positivity rate went from 0.9% to 5.3%, and overall more TV infections were detected in 2016. The number needed to test and cost for one positive TV result respectively was 111 and $902.55 in 2015, and 19 and $368.92 in 2016. Request volumes and positivity rates differed among referrers. The methodology change was associated with higher overall detection of TV, and reductions in the numbers needed to test/cost for one TV diagnosis. Our audit suggests that there is room for improvement with TV test requesting in our community.

Cellular proliferation in the urorectal septation complex of the human embryo at Carnegie stages 13–18: a nuclear area-based morphometric analysis

PubMed Central

Nebot-Cegarra, Josep; Fàbregas, Pere Jordi; Sánchez-Pérez, Inma

2005-01-01

In order to analyse the patterns of cellular proliferation both in the mesenchyme of the urorectal septum (URS) and in the adjacent territories (posterior urogenital mesenchyme, anterior intestinal mesenchyme and cloacal folds mesenchyme), as well as their contribution to the process of cloacal division, a computer-assisted method was used to obtain the nuclear area of 3874 mesenchymal cells from camera lucida drawings of nuclear contours of selected sections of human embryos [Carnegie stages (CSs) 13–18]. Based on changes in the size of the nucleus during the cellular cycle, we considered proliferating cells in each territory to be those with a nuclear area over the 75th percentile. The URS showed increasing cell proliferation, with proliferation patterns that coincided closely with cloacal folds mesenchyme, and with less overall proliferation than urogenital and intestinal mesenchymes. Furthermore, at CS 18, we observed the beginning of the rupture in the cloacal membrane; however, no fusion has been demonstrated either between the URS and the cloacal membrane or between the cloacal folds. The results suggest that cloacal division depends on a morphogenetic complex where the URS adjacent territories could determine septal displacement at the time that their mesenchymes could be partially incorporated within the proliferating URS. PMID:16191164

Contribution of Caudal Müllerian Duct Mesenchyme to Prostate Development

PubMed Central

Brechka, Hannah; McAuley, Erin M.; Lamperis, Sophia M.; Paner, Gladell P.

2016-01-01

A fundamental understanding of prostate development and tissue homeostasis has the high potential to reveal mechanisms for prostate disease initiation and identify novel therapeutic approaches for disease prevention and treatment. Our current understanding of prostate lineage specification stems from the use of developmental model systems that rely upon the embryonic preprostatic urogenital sinus mesenchyme to induce the formation of mature prostate epithelial cells. It is unclear, however, how the urogenital sinus epithelium can derive both adult urethral glands and prostate epithelia. Furthermore, the vast disparity in disease initiation between these two glands highlights key developmental factors that predispose prostate epithelia to hyperplasia and cancer. In this study we demonstrate that the caudal Müllerian duct mesenchyme (CMDM) drives prostate epithelial differentiation and is a key determinant in cell lineage specification between urethral glands and prostate epithelia. Utilizing both human embryonic stem cells and mouse embryonic tissues, we document that the CMDM is capable of inducing the specification of androgen receptor, prostate-specific antigen, NKX3.1, and Hoxb13-positive prostate epithelial cells. These results help to explain key developmental differences between prostate and urethral gland differentiation, and implicate factors secreted by the caudal Müllerian duct as novel targets for prostate disease prevention and treatment. PMID:27595922

Isothermal Recombinase Polymerase amplification (RPA) of Schistosoma haematobium DNA and oligochromatographic lateral flow detection.

PubMed

Rosser, A; Rollinson, D; Forrest, M; Webster, B L

2015-09-04

Accurate diagnosis of urogenital schistosomiasis is vital for surveillance/control programs. Amplification of schistosome DNA in urine by PCR is sensitive and specific but requires infrastructure, financial resources and skilled personnel, often not available in endemic areas. Recombinase Polymerase Amplification (RPA) is an isothermal DNA amplification/detection technology that is simple, rapid, portable and needs few resources. Here a Schistosoma haematobium RPA assay was developed and adapted so that DNA amplicons could be detected using oligochromatographic Lateral Flow (LF) strips. The assay successfully amplified S. haematobium DNA at 30-45 °C in 10 mins and was sensitive to a lower limit of 100 fg of DNA. The assay was also successful with the addition of crude urine, up to 5% of the total reaction volume. Cross amplification occurred with other schistosome species but not with other common urine microorganisms. The LF-RPA assay developed here can amplify and detect low levels of S. haematobium DNA. Reactions are rapid, require low temperatures and positive reactions are interpreted using lateral flow strips, reducing the need for infrastructure and resources. This together with an ability to withstand inhibitors within urine makes RPA a promising technology for further development as a molecular diagnostic tool for urogenital schistosomiasis.

THE SOURCE OF INFECTION AND THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSES OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS IN KOSOVO.

PubMed

Lahu, Ali; Bajraktari, Ismet H; Lahu, Shqipdonë; Saiti, Valton; Kryeziu, Avni; Sherifi, Fadil; Durmishi, Bastri

2016-06-01

Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune condition which emerges as a counteraction towards an infection which has a focus elsewhere in the body. The purpose of this study is isolation of causative agents of reactive arthritis and ascertains the source of infection. The study has been carried out in the Rheumatology Clinic in Prishtina and specialized ambulance O.S. "Vendenisi-AL" in Besiana, whereas isolation of causative agents has been carried out in the National Institute for Public Health (NIPH). The study has prospective, comparative and analytical feature. Out of 100 patients, 66% were males and 34% females. Among males we have noticed domination of post-urethritis and post-streptococcic reactive arthritis, whereas among females dominates reactive arthritis of enteral etiology. The study concludes that: urogenital tract was the source of infection with 66% of cases, nasopharyngeal tract with 19% of cases, and enteral tract with 15% of cases respectively. Predominantly presents bacteria are E. Coli with 21%, Staphylococcus aureus with 20%, Streptococcus B. hem. gr. A with 16% of cases respectively and other species. frequency of arthritis with urogenital etiology was 2:1 in favor of males, with nasopharyngeal etiology 3:1 in favor of males, whereas in arthritis with enteral etiology we have noticed a slight dominance in favor of females.

IN0523 (Urs-12-ene-3α,24β-diol) a plant based derivative of boswellic acid protect Cisplatin induced urogenital toxicity.

PubMed

Singh, Amarinder; Arvinda, S; Singh, Surjeet; Suri, Jyotsna; Koul, Surinder; Mondhe, Dilip M; Singh, Gurdarshan; Vishwakarma, Ram

2017-03-01

The limiting factor for the use of Cisplatin in the treatment of different type of cancers is its toxicity and more specifically urogenital toxicity. Oxidative stress is a well-known phenomenon associated with Cisplatin toxicity. However, in Cisplatin treated group, abnormal animal behavior, decreased body weight, cellular and sub-cellular changes in the kidney and sperm abnormality were observed. Our investigation revealed that Cisplatin when administered in combination with a natural product derivative (Urs-12-ene-3α,24β-diol, labeled as IN0523) resulted in significant restoration of body weight and protection against the pathological alteration caused by Cisplatin to kidney and testis. Sperm count and motility were significantly restored near to normal. Cisplatin caused depletion of defense system i.e. glutathione peroxidase, catalase and superoxide dismutase, which were restored close to normal by treatment of IN0523. Reduction in excessive lipid peroxidation induced by Cisplatin was also found by treatment with IN0523. The result suggests that IN0523 is a potential candidate for ameliorating Cisplatin induced toxicity in the kidney and testes at a dose of 100mg/kg p.o. via inhibiting the oxidative stress/redox status imbalance and may be improving the efflux mechanism. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Cost-effectiveness of quadrivalent influenza vaccine in Hong Kong - A decision analysis.

PubMed

You, Joyce H S; Ming, Wai-Kit; Chan, Paul K S

2015-01-01

Trivalent influenza vaccine (TIV) selects one of the 2 co-circulating influenza B lineages whereas quadrivalent influenza vaccine (QIV) includes both lineages. We examined potential cost-effectiveness of QIV versus TIV from perspectives of healthcare provider and society of Hong Kong. A decision tree was designed to simulate the outcomes of QIV vs. TIV in 6 age groups: 0-4 years, 5-9 years, 10-14 years, 15-64 years, 65-79 y and ≥80 years. Direct cost alone, direct and indirect costs, and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) loss due to TIV-unmatched influenza B infection were simulated for each study arm. Outcome measure was incremental cost per QALY (ICER). In base-case analysis, QIV was more effective than TIV in all-age population with additional direct cost per QALY (ICER-direct cost) and additional total cost per QALY (ICER-total cost) of USD 22,603 and USD 12,558, respectively. Age-stratified analysis showed that QIV was cost-effective in age groups 6 months to 9 y and ≥80 years from provider's perspective, and it was cost-effective in all age group except 15-64 y from societal perspective. Percentage of TIV-unmatched influenza B in circulation and additional vaccine cost of QIV were key influential factors. From perspectives of healthcare provider and society, QIV was the preferred option in 52.77% and 66.94% of 10,000 Monte Carlo simulations, respectively. QIV appears to be cost-effective in Hong Kong population, except for age group 15-64 years, from societal perspective. From healthcare provider's perspective, QIV seems to be cost-effective in very young (6 months-9 years) and older (≥80 years) age groups.

Cognitive Functioning in Healthy Aging: The Role of Reserve and Lifestyle Factors Early in Life

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Fritsch, Thomas; McClendon, McKee J.; Smyth, Kathleen A.; Lerner, Alan J.; Friedland, Robert P.; Larsen, Janet D.

2007-01-01

Purpose: According to the "reserve perspective" on cognitive aging, individuals are born with or can develop resources that help them resist normal and disease-related cognitive changes that occur in aging. The reserve perspective is becoming more sophisticated, but gaps in knowledge persist. In the present research, we considered three…

One Year Outcomes of Tension-Free Vaginal Tape (TVT) Mid-Urethral Slings in Overweight and Obese Women

PubMed Central

Killingsworth, Lindsay B.; Wheeler, Thomas L.; Burgio, Kathryn L.; Martirosian, Tovia E.; Redden, David T.; Richter, Holly E.

2011-01-01

Introduction The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of body mass index (BMI) on tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) success rates, patient satisfaction, and complications one year following surgery. Methods Baseline and one-year post-surgery outcomes were abstracted, including Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI-6) scores, Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (IIQ-7) scores, and patient satisfaction ratings. Multivariable logistic and linear regression analyses were performed to examine relationships between outcomes and BMI. Results 195 subjects with a mean age of 59.3 ±12.6 were included. There was significant improvement within each group (all p-values <0.01) in total UDI-6 and IIQ-7 scores from baseline to one year post-surgery; all groups had high patient satisfaction. No differences in improvement or complications rates were observed among the BMI cohorts (all p-values >0.05) Conclusion Differential counseling of overweight or obese women regarding outcomes of the TVT procedure is not supported by these results; longer follow-up is warranted. PMID:19448965

Clinical features and risk factors for development of urinary tract infections in cats.

PubMed

Martinez-Ruzafa, Ivan; Kruger, John M; Miller, RoseAnn; Swenson, Cheryl L; Bolin, Carole A; Kaneene, John B

2012-10-01

The clinical and diagnostic features of 155 cats with urinary tract infection (UTI) and 186 controls with negative urine culture/s were characterized retrospectively (signalment, clinical signs, urinalysis, urine culture, concurrent diseases, lower urinary tract diagnostic/therapeutic procedures). Multivariable logistic regression was used to identify risk factors associated with UTI. Cats of all ages were affected by UTI with no sex/breed predisposition. Lower urinary tract signs were absent in 35.5% of cats with UTI. Pyuria and bacteriuria had sensitivities of 52.9% and 72.9%, and specificities of 85.5% and 67.7% for detection of UTI, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with increased odds of UTI were urinary incontinence [odds ratio (OR)=10.78, P=0.0331], transurethral procedures (OR=8.37, P<0.0001), urogenital surgery (OR=6.03, P=0.0385), gastrointestinal disease (OR=2.62, P=0.0331), decreased body weight (OR=0.81, P=0.0259) and decreased urine specific gravity (OR=0.78, P=0.0055). Whilst not independently significant, renal disease and lower urinary tract anatomic abnormalities improved statistical model performance and contributed to UTI.

Theory of mind and wisdom: The development of different forms of perspective-taking in late adulthood.

PubMed

Rakoczy, Hannes; Wandt, Raphaela; Thomas, Stefanie; Nowak, Jana; Kunzmann, Ute

2018-02-01

How does perspective-taking develop over the lifespan? This question has been investigated in two separate research traditions, dealing with theory of mind (ToM) and wisdom, respectively. Operating in almost complete isolation from each other, and using rather different conceptual approaches, these two traditions have produced seemingly contradictory results: While perspective-taking has been consistently found to decline in old age in ToM research, studies on wisdom have mostly found that perspective-taking remains constant or sometimes even increases in later adulthood. This study sought to integrate these two lines of research and clarify the seemingly contradictory patterns of findings by systematically testing for both forms of perspective-taking and their potential cognitive foundations. The results revealed (1) the dissociation in developmental patterns between ToM perspective-taking (declining with age) and wisdom-related perspective-taking (no decline with age) also held - documented here for the first time - in one and the same sample of younger versus older adults; (2) this dissociation was of limited generality: It did not (or only partly) hold once the material of the two types of tasks was more closely matched; and (3) the divergent developmental patterns of ToM perspective-taking versus wisdom-related perspective-taking could be accounted for to some degree by the fact that only TOM perspective-taking was related to developmental changes in fluid intelligence. © 2017 The British Psychological Society.

Older Workers' Perspectives on Training and Retention of Older Workers: Victorian Aged Care Workers Survey. Support Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, David; Marshallsay, Zariah

2007-01-01

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…

Sex and Age Differences in Future Temporal Perspective.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Edward; Sawler, Joyce

This study explored sex differences in the Future Temporal Perspectives (FTP) of children. The influences of age, social class and intelligence were also investigated, or FTP was generally believed to be affected by them. Subjects were 96 boys and 96 girls, selected from 26 schools in Nova Scotia, from three age groups: 9.6-11.0, 12.0-13.6, and…

PAX genes in development and disease: the role of PAX2 in urogenital tract development.

PubMed

Eccles, Michael R; He, Shujie; Legge, Michael; Kumar, Rajiv; Fox, Jody; Zhou, Chaoming; French, Michelle; Tsai, Robert W S

2002-01-01

PAX genes play an important role in fetal development. Moreover, heterozygous mutations in several PAX genes cause human disease. Here we review the role of PAX2 in kidney development, focusing on the morphological effects of PAX2 mutations. We discuss the role of PAX2 in the context of an inhibitory field model of kidney branching morphogenesis and summarize recent progress in this area.

Noonan syndrome: crossed fused ectopic kidneys and focal segmental glomerulosclerosis-a rare association.

PubMed

Gupta, Ankur; Khaira, Ambar; Lal, Charanjit; Mahajan, Sandeep; Tiwari, Suresh C

2009-10-01

Noonan syndrome is characterised by short stature, typical facial dysmorphology and congenital heart defects. Urogenital abnormalities are reported in 10% of the cases. We present a 14-year-old girl with characteristic features of Noonan syndrome and nephrotic-range proteinuria. She had crossed fused ectopic kidneys. Renal biopsy showed focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. Oral steroids were instituted and she responded well. The case highlights this novel renal presentation of Noonan syndrome.

Compendium of the FY1990 and FY1992 Research Reviews for the Research Methods Branch

DTIC Science & Technology

1994-09-01

the perfusion technique, the perfusion was not done in situ. Trout were anesthetized with MS-222 (3-aminobenzoic acid ethyl ester, Sigma Chemical...by a trypan blue exclusion test. Medaka Medaka were anesthetized with MS-222, transferred to a dissecting tray, and incised from the urogenital pore...Histology General histology was compared at intervals of 20 days. Fish were anesthetized , fixed, and processed for paraffin embedment, and sections

Hypospadias, all there is to know.

PubMed

van der Horst, H J R; de Wall, L L

2017-04-01

Hypospadias is one of the most common congenital anomalies in men. The condition is typically characterized by proximal displacement of the urethral opening, penile curvature, and a ventrally deficient hooded foreskin. In about 70%, the urethral meatus is located distally on the penile shaft; this is considered a mild form that is not associated with other urogenital deformities. The remaining 30% are proximal and often more complex. In these cases, endocrinological evaluation is advised to exclude disorders of sexual differentiation, especially in case of concomitant unilateral or bilateral undescended testis. Although the etiology of hypospadias is largely unknown, many hypotheses exist about genetic predisposition and hormonal influences. The goal of hypospadias repair is to achieve cosmetic and functional normality, and currently, surgery is recommended between 6 and 18 months of age. Hypospadias can be corrected at any age with comparable complication risk, functional, and cosmetic outcome; however, the optimal age of repair remains conclusive. Although long-term overall outcome concerning cosmetic appearance and sexual function is fairly good, after correction, men may more often be inhibited in seeking sexual contact. Moreover, lower urinary tract symptoms occur twice as often in patients undergoing hypospadias repair and can still occur many years after the initial repair. This study explores the most recent insights into the management of hypospadias. What is Known: • Guidelines advise referral for treatment between 6 and 18 months of age. • Cosmetic outcome is considered satisfactory in over 70% of all patients. What is New: • Long-term complications include urinary tract symptoms and sexual and cosmetic issues. • New developments allow a more individualized approach, hopefully leading to less complications and more patient satisfaction.

Autoeroticism, mental health, and organic disturbances in patients with erectile dysfunction.

PubMed

Corona, Giovanni; Ricca, Valdo; Boddi, Valentina; Bandini, Elisa; Lotti, Francesco; Fisher, Alessandra D; Sforza, Alessandra; Forti, Gianni; Mannucci, Edoardo; Maggi, Mario

2010-01-01

Masturbation is a common, but often neglected, male sexual behavior. To investigate the psychobiological correlates of self-reported masturbation in the last 3 months. A consecutive series of 2,786 heterosexual male patients (mean age 48.4 +/- 13.2) consulting an outpatient clinic for erectile dysfunction (ED) was studied. Several hormonal, biochemical and instrumental parameters (penile Doppler ultrasound [PDU]) were investigated. Patients were interviewed, prior to the beginning of any treatment, with Structured Interview on Erectile Dysfunction (SIEDY) and ANDROTEST structured interviews. They also completed the Middlesex Hospital Questionnaire, a brief self-reported questionnaire for the screening of the symptoms of mental disorders in a nonpsychiatric setting. Among the patients studied, 1,781 (61.9%) reported they had masturbated at least once per month in the preceding 3 months. The frequency of masturbation was inversely related to age (r = -0.329; P < 0.0001) and directly associated with education level (adj r = 0.052, P < 0.05 after adjustment for age). A feeling of guilt during masturbation was reported by 274 (15.4%) patients. After adjusting for age, masturbation was positively associated with testosterone levels, stressful conditions, and both unstable and long-lasting couple relationship. Urogenital problems such as varicocele and prostate abnormalities also increased the chance of masturbation. Reported guiltiness during autoeroticism was associated with psychological disturbances, low prolactin, low testosterone, and increased relational problems. An erection not normal during masturbation was declared by 1,361 (76.4%) patients and associated with a prevalent organic component of ED, because of lower peak systolic velocity PDU and higher SIEDY Scale 1 scores. This study indicates that masturbation is a relatively frequent behavior in male subjects with ED. Inquiring about this sexual behavior is an important issue for understanding overall patients' sexual attitudes and behavior.

Genotype-phenotype associations in WT1 glomerulopathy.

PubMed

Lipska, Beata S; Ranchin, Bruno; Iatropoulos, Paraskevas; Gellermann, Jutta; Melk, Anette; Ozaltin, Fatih; Caridi, Gianluca; Seeman, Tomas; Tory, Kalman; Jankauskiene, Augustina; Zurowska, Aleksandra; Szczepanska, Maria; Wasilewska, Anna; Harambat, Jerome; Trautmann, Agnes; Peco-Antic, Amira; Borzecka, Halina; Moczulska, Anna; Saeed, Bassam; Bogdanovic, Radovan; Kalyoncu, Mukaddes; Simkova, Eva; Erdogan, Ozlem; Vrljicak, Kristina; Teixeira, Ana; Azocar, Marta; Schaefer, Franz

2014-05-01

WT1 mutations cause a wide spectrum of renal and extrarenal manifestations. Here we evaluated disease prevalence, phenotype spectrum, and genotype-phenotype correlations of 61 patients with WT1-related steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome relative to 700 WT1-negative patients, all with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. WT1 patients more frequently presented with chronic kidney disease and hypertension at diagnosis and exhibited more rapid disease progression. Focal segmental glomerulosclerosis was equally prevalent in both cohorts, but diffuse mesangial sclerosis was largely specific for WT1 disease and was present in 34% of cases. Sex reversal and/or urogenital abnormalities (52%), Wilms tumor (38%), and gonadoblastoma (5%) were almost exclusive to WT1 disease. Missense substitutions affecting DNA-binding residues were associated with diffuse mesangial sclerosis (74%), early steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome onset, and rapid progression to ESRD. Truncating mutations conferred the highest Wilms tumor risk (78%) but typically late-onset steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome. Intronic (KTS) mutations were most likely to present as isolated steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome (37%) with a median onset at an age of 4.5 years, focal segmental glomerulosclerosis on biopsy, and slow progression (median ESRD age 13.6 years). Thus, there is a wide range of expressivity, solid genotype-phenotype associations, and a high risk and significance of extrarenal complications in WT1-associated nephropathy. We suggest that all children with steroid-resistant nephrotic syndrome undergo WT1 gene screening.

Factors associated with potentially harmful antibiotic prescription during pregnancy: a population-based study.

PubMed

Lee, Yichen; Chen, Chuchieh; Chu, Dachen; Ko, Mingchung

2016-04-01

Inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy may adversely affect the fetus. There were few studies on factors associated with antibiotic prescriptions potentially harmful to the fetus. This was a population-based cross-sectional study using data from National Health Insurance Research Database. We calculated the frequency of antibiotic prescription according to the status of pregnancy, type of infections, characteristics of patients, doctors and medical institutions. According to the British National Formulary, sulfonamides, trimethoprim, tetracycline and quinolones were classified as antibiotics potentially harmful to the fetus. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the independent effect of various characteristic on antibiotic prescriptions, during pregnancy, potentially harmful to the fetus. Among the 19 464 pregnant subjects, 6554 (33.67%) received antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy. Antibiotic prescriptions potentially harmful to the fetus accounted for 6.31% of all antibiotic prescriptions during pregnancy. Pregnant women aged <20 years, in their first trimester, and who were presenting with urogenital infections had the highest risks of receiving antibiotic prescriptions potentially harmful to the fetus. Non-gynaecologists, doctors aged 39-49 or ≥50 years, and doctors at clinics had higher risks of prescribing antibiotics potentially harmful to the fetus. Measures to improve the quality of practices should include efforts to increase awareness of antibiotic prescription guidelines for the treatment of infections in the pregnant population. © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Predicting who will undergo surgery after physiotherapy for female stress urinary incontinence.

PubMed

Labrie, J; Lagro-Janssen, A L M; Fischer, K; Berghmans, L C M; van der Vaart, C H

2015-03-01

To predict who will undergo midurethral sling surgery (surgery) after initial pelvic floor muscle training (physiotherapy) for stress urinary incontinence in women. This was a cohort study including women with moderate to severe stress incontinence who were allocated to the physiotherapy arm from a previously reported multicentre trial comparing initial surgery or initial physiotherapy in treating stress urinary incontinence. Crossover to surgery was allowed. Data from 198/230 women who were randomized to physiotherapy was available for analysis, of whom 97/198 (49 %) crossed over to surgery. Prognostic factors for undergoing surgery after physiotherapy were age <55 years at baseline (OR 2.87; 95 % CI 1.30-6.32), higher educational level (OR 3.28; 95 % CI 0.80-13.47), severe incontinence at baseline according to the Sandvik index (OR 1.77; 95 % CI 0.95-3.29) and Urogenital Distress Inventory; incontinence domain score (OR 1.03; per point; 95 % CI 1.01-1.65). Furthermore, there was interaction between age <55 years and higher educational level (OR 0.09; 95 % CI 0.02-0.46). Using these variables we constructed a prediction rule to estimate the risk of surgery after initial physiotherapy. In women with moderate to severe stress incontinence, individual prediction for surgery after initial physiotherapy is possible, thus enabling shared decision making for the choice between initial conservative or invasive management of stress urinary incontinence.

Emotional aging: a discrete emotions perspective.

PubMed

Kunzmann, Ute; Kappes, Cathleen; Wrosch, Carsten

2014-01-01

Perhaps the most important single finding in the field of emotional aging has been that the overall quality of affective experience steadily improves during adulthood and can be maintained into old age. Recent lifespan developmental theories have provided motivation- and experience-based explanations for this phenomenon. These theories suggest that, as individuals grow older, they become increasingly motivated and able to regulate their emotions, which could result in reduced negativity and enhanced positivity. The objective of this paper is to expand existing theories and empirical research on emotional aging by presenting a discrete emotions perspective. To illustrate the usefulness of this approach, we focus on a discussion of the literature examining age differences in anger and sadness. These two negative emotions have typically been subsumed under the singular concept of negative affect. From a discrete emotions perspective, however, they are highly distinct and show multidirectional age differences. We propose that such contrasting age differences in specific negative emotions have important implications for our understanding of long-term patterns of affective well-being across the adult lifespan.

An Exploratory Study Investigating the Impact of a University Module That Aims to Challenge Students' Perspectives on Ageing and Older Adults

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Brown, Alison

2016-01-01

This study aimed to assess if a module on an undergraduate degree programme had challenged students' perspectives on ageing and older adults. Courses on gerontology are on the increase within the UK to support increasingly ageing populations, with agendas to promote ethical care and to challenge the incidence of elderly abuse. Research…

Older Workers' Perspectives on Training and Retention of Older Workers: South Australian Aged Care Workers Study. Support Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, David; Marshallsay, Zariah

2007-01-01

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…

Time Perspective and Emotion Regulation as Predictors of Age-Related Subjective Passage of Time.

PubMed

Wittmann, Marc; Rudolph, Tina; Linares Gutierrez, Damisela; Winkler, Isabell

2015-12-17

Hardly any empirical work exists concerning the relationship between the intra-individually stable time perspective relating to the past, present, and future and the subjective speed of time passing in everyday life. Moreover, studies consistently show that the subjective passage of time over the period of the last ten years speeds up as we get older. Modulating variables influencing this phenomenon are still unknown. To investigate these two unresolved issues, we conducted an online survey with n = 423 participants ranging in age between 17 and 81 assessing trait time perspective of the past, present, and future, and relating these subscales with a battery of measures pertaining to the subjective passage of time. Moreover, the subjective passage of time as an age-dependent variable was probed in relationship to emotion awareness, appraisal and regulation. Results show how present hedonism is linked with having fewer routines in life and a faster passage of the last week; the past negative perspective is related to time pressure, time expansion and more routine; a pronounced future perspective is related to a general faster passage of time. Importantly, increased emotion regulation and a balanced time perspective are related to a slower passage of the last ten years. These novel findings are discussed within models of time perception and the time perspective.

Time Perspective and Emotion Regulation as Predictors of Age-Related Subjective Passage of Time

PubMed Central

Wittmann, Marc; Rudolph, Tina; Linares Gutierrez, Damisela; Winkler, Isabell

2015-01-01

Hardly any empirical work exists concerning the relationship between the intra-individually stable time perspective relating to the past, present, and future and the subjective speed of time passing in everyday life. Moreover, studies consistently show that the subjective passage of time over the period of the last ten years speeds up as we get older. Modulating variables influencing this phenomenon are still unknown. To investigate these two unresolved issues, we conducted an online survey with n = 423 participants ranging in age between 17 and 81 assessing trait time perspective of the past, present, and future, and relating these subscales with a battery of measures pertaining to the subjective passage of time. Moreover, the subjective passage of time as an age-dependent variable was probed in relationship to emotion awareness, appraisal and regulation. Results show how present hedonism is linked with having fewer routines in life and a faster passage of the last week; the past negative perspective is related to time pressure, time expansion and more routine; a pronounced future perspective is related to a general faster passage of time. Importantly, increased emotion regulation and a balanced time perspective are related to a slower passage of the last ten years. These novel findings are discussed within models of time perception and the time perspective. PMID:26694439

Active and successful aging: a European policy perspective.

PubMed

Foster, Liam; Walker, Alan

2015-02-01

Over the past two decades, "active aging" has emerged in Europe as the foremost policy response to the challenges of population aging. This article examines the concept of active aging and how it differs from that of "successful aging." In particular, it shows how active aging presents a more holistic, life course-oriented approach than successful aging. We provide a critical perspective on active aging too by, first, tracing its emergence in Europe and then showing how, in practice, it has been dominated by a narrow economic or productivist perspective that prioritizes the extension of working life. It has also been gender blind. Nonetheless, it is argued that an active aging approach has the potential to enable countries to respond successfully to the challenges of population aging because of its comprehensive focus and emphasis on societal as well as individual responsibility. Finally, we set out the basic principles that need to be followed if the full potential of active aging is to be achieved. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Comparing photon and proton-based hypofractioned SBRT for prostate cancer accounting for robustness and realistic treatment deliverability.

PubMed

Goddard, Lee C; Brodin, N Patrik; Bodner, William R; Garg, Madhur K; Tomé, Wolfgang A

2018-05-01

To investigate whether photon or proton-based stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT is the preferred modality for high dose hypofractionation prostate cancer treatment. Achievable dose distributions were compared when uncertainties in target positioning and range uncertainties were appropriately accounted for. 10 patients with prostate cancer previously treated at our institution (Montefiore Medical Center) with photon SBRT using volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) were identified. MRI images fused to the treatment planning CT allowed for accurate target and organ at risk (OAR) delineation. The clinical target volume was defined as the prostate gland plus the proximal seminal vesicles. Critical OARs include the bladder wall, bowel, femoral heads, neurovascular bundle, penile bulb, rectal wall, urethra and urogenital diaphragm. Photon plan robustness was evaluated by simulating 2 mm isotropic setup variations. Comparative proton SBRT plans employing intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) were generated using robust optimization. Plan robustness was evaluated by simulating 2 mm setup variations and 3% or 1% Hounsfield unit (HU) calibration uncertainties. Comparable maximum OAR doses are achievable between photon and proton SBRT, however, robust optimization results in higher maximum doses for proton SBRT. Rectal maximum doses are significantly higher for Robust proton SBRT with 1% HU uncertainty compared to photon SBRT (p = 0.03), whereas maximum doses were comparable for bladder wall (p = 0.43), urethra (p = 0.82) and urogenital diaphragm (p = 0.50). Mean doses to bladder and rectal wall are lower for proton SBRT, but higher for neurovascular bundle, urethra and urogenital diaphragm due to increased lateral scatter. Similar target conformality is achieved, albeit with slightly larger treated volume ratios for proton SBRT, >1.4 compared to 1.2 for photon SBRT. Similar treatment plans can be generated with IMPT compared to VMAT in terms of target coverage, target conformality, and OAR sparing when range and HU uncertainties are neglected. However, when accounting for these uncertainties during robust optimization, VMAT outperforms IMPT in terms of achievable target conformity and OAR sparing. Advances in knowledge: Comparison between achievable dose distributions using modern, robust optimization of IMPT for high dose per fraction SBRT regimens for the prostate has not been previously investigated.

Praziquantel coverage in schools and communities targeted for the elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis in Zanzibar: a cross-sectional survey.

PubMed

Knopp, Stefanie; Person, Bobbie; Ame, Shaali M; Ali, Said M; Muhsin, Juma; Juma, Saleh; Khamis, Iddi S; Rabone, Muriel; Blair, Lynsey; Fenwick, Alan; Mohammed, Khalfan A; Rollinson, David

2016-01-04

Biannual mass drug administration (MDA) with praziquantel and additional interventions to eliminate urogenital schistosomiasis has been implemented on the Zanzibar islands, United Republic of Tanzania, since 2012. We aimed to assess the coverage of school-based treatment (SBT) and community-wide treatment (CWT), to validate the coverage reported by the Zanzibar Ministry of Health (MoH) and to identify reasons for non-compliance. We conducted a post-MDA cross-sectional survey in 93 schools and 92 communities on Pemba and Unguja islands in early 2014, 3-5 months after the last MDA round. Pupils and adults were asked whether they had received and taken the praziquantel treatment provided in the last SBT or CWT, respectively, and the observed and reported coverage were compared. Reasons for non-compliance were recorded in a pretested questionnaire and assessed in qualitative interviews. Urine samples of participants were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs with a single urine filtration. Around 8000 pupils and 4000 adults were included in the analysis. Our survey revealed a SBT coverage of 85.2% in Pemba and of 86.9% in Unguja, which was in line with MoH reports from Pemba (84.3%) and higher than reports from Unguja (63.9%). However, 15 among the 48 schools surveyed in Unguja had not received SBT. Among the interviewed adults, 53.6% in Pemba and 64.9% in Unguja had received praziquantel during CWT, which was less than the 59.0% and 67.7%, respectively, indicated by MoH reports. Moreover, only 43.8% and 54.0% of adults in Pemba and Unguja, respectively, had taken all the tablets as recommended. The main reasons for not receiving or taking praziquantel were absence during CWT, no drug distributor coming, being busy, fear of adverse events, pregnancy, breastfeeding or feeling healthy. To increase coverage and compliance in Zanzibar, SBT should target all schools and mobilization, sensitization and implementation of the CWT need to be improved. To reach elimination of urogenital schistosomiasis transmission in Zanzibar and elsewhere, a very high treatment coverage and compliance at national and local level is key and additional control measures such as snail control and behaviour change interventions will need to be implemented area wide. ISRCTN48837681.

Role of malnutrition and parasite infections in the spatial variation in children's anaemia risk in northern Angola.

PubMed

Soares Magalhães, Ricardo J; Langa, Antonio; Pedro, João Mário; Sousa-Figueiredo, José Carlos; Clements, Archie C A; Vaz Nery, Susana

2013-05-01

Anaemia is known to have an impact on child development and mortality and is a severe public health problem in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated the consistency between ecological and individual-level approaches to anaemia mapping by building spatial anaemia models for children aged ≤15 years using different modelling approaches. We aimed to (i) quantify the role of malnutrition, malaria, Schistosoma haematobium and soil-transmitted helminths (STHs) in anaemia endemicity; and (ii) develop a high resolution predictive risk map of anaemia for the municipality of Dande in northern Angola. We used parasitological survey data for children aged ≤15 years to build Bayesian geostatistical models of malaria (PfPR≤15), S. haematobium, Ascaris lumbricoides and Trichuris trichiura and predict small-scale spatial variations in these infections. Malnutrition, PfPR≤15, and S. haematobium infections were significantly associated with anaemia risk. An estimated 12.5%, 15.6% and 9.8% of anaemia cases could be averted by treating malnutrition, malaria and S. haematobium, respectively. Spatial clusters of high risk of anaemia (>86%) were identified. Using an individual-level approach to anaemia mapping at a small spatial scale, we found that anaemia in children aged ≤15 years is highly heterogeneous and that malnutrition and parasitic infections are important contributors to the spatial variation in anaemia risk. The results presented in this study can help inform the integration of the current provincial malaria control programme with ancillary micronutrient supplementation and control of neglected tropical diseases such as urogenital schistosomiasis and STH infections.

A school-based cross-sectional survey of adverse events following co-administration of albendazole and praziquantel for preventive chemotherapy against urogenital schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Kwale County, Kenya.

PubMed

Njenga, Sammy M; Ng'ang'a, Paul M; Mwanje, Mariam T; Bendera, Fatuma S; Bockarie, Moses J

2014-01-01

Soil-transmitted helminths and schistosomiasis are mostly prevalent in developing countries due to poor sanitation and lack of adequate clean water. School-age children tend to be the target of chemotherapy-based control programmes because they carry the heaviest worm and egg burdens. The present study examines adverse events (AEs) experienced following co-administration of albendazole and praziquantel to school-age children in a rural area in Kwale County, Kenya. Children were treated with single doses of albendazole and praziquantel tablets and then interviewed using a questionnaire for post treatment AEs. Overall, 752 children, 47.6% boys, participated in the study. Their median (interquartile range) age was 12.0 (10.0-14.0) years. A total of 190 (25.3%) children reportedly experienced at least one AE. In total, 239 cases of AEs were reported with the most frequent being abdominal pains (46.3%), dizziness (33.2%) and nausea (21.1%). Majority of the reported AEs (80.8%) resolved themselves while 12.1% and 6.3% were countered by, respectively, self-medication and visiting a nearby health facility. More girls (60.5%) than boys (39.5%) reported AEs (P = 0.027). The AEs were mild and transient, and were no worse than those expected following monotherapy. The current study adds to the evidence base that dual administration of albendazole and praziquantel in school-based mass drug administration is safe with only mild adverse events noted.

Accounting for Correlations across Measures of Perspective Taking.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rose, Samuel P.

This study examined the development of cognitive perspective taking skills and the lack of consistency across perspective taking measures in earlier studies. Four perspective taking measures were administered to 56 children between 4 and 10 years of age under two testing conditions. The high structure condition included multiple presentation of…

[Conseqquences of dorso-ventral and anterior-posterior reversion of early neurula lateral mesoblast on development of urogenital system in common toad, Bufo bufo. (Amphibia anura)].

PubMed

Hakim, J; Gipouloux, J D

1975-10-27

At early neurula stage of the toad, cranio-caudal and dorso-ventral reversal of lateral mesoblast is performed. The genito-urinary system is therefore missing after this intervention. The three following factors of the formation of this system anlage are anlyzed: lateral mesoderm competence, stimulative activites of dorso-caudal endoblast on the one hand, of chordo-mesoderm on the other hand.

Low Prevalence of Urethral Lymphogranuloma Venereum Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Prospective Observational Study, Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

PubMed

de Vrieze, Nynke H N; Versteeg, Bart; Bruisten, Sylvia M; van Rooijen, Martijn S; van der Helm, Jannie J; de Vries, Henry J C

2017-09-01

In contrast to anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), few urogenital LGV cases are reported in men who have sex with men. Lymphogranuloma venereum was diagnosed in 0.06% (7/12,174) urine samples, and 0.9% (109/12,174) anorectal samples. Genital-anal transmission seems unlikely the only mode of transmission. Other modes like oral-anal transmission should be considered.

Self-Test Kit: Rapid Diagnosis of Urogenital Infections in Military Women

DTIC Science & Technology

1999-09-01

in women with other infections and it was not clear whether they had symptomatic urinary tract infections or asymptomatic bacteriuria and symptoms from...CA), and bacterial vaginosis (BV) by PCR or standard methods. A asymptomatic pregnant women (n=1 57) were also screened for TV and bacterial...were less likely to respond to the survey.6 In another study of 476 asymptomatic active duty army women presenting for routine pap smears, 39(8.2

The inhibiting effects of Urtica dioica root extracts on experimentally induced prostatic hyperplasia in the mouse.

PubMed

Lichius, J J; Muth, C

1997-08-01

Extracts of stinging nettle roots (Urtica dioica L. Urticaceae) are used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We established a BPH-model by directly implanting an urogenital sinus (UGS) into the ventral prostate gland of an adult mouse. Five differently prepared stinging nettle root extracts were tested in this model. The 20% methanolic extract was the most effective with a 51.4% inhibition of induced growth.

Characterization of a Bacteriocin-Like Substance Produced by a Vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius Strain

PubMed Central

Ocaña, Virginia S.; Pesce de Ruiz Holgado, Aída A.; Nader-Macías, María Elena

1999-01-01

A novel bacteriocin-like substance produced by vaginal Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salivarius CRL 1328 with activity against Enterococcus faecalis, Enterococcus faecium, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae was characterized. The highest level of production of this heat-resistant peptide or protein occurred during the late exponential phase. Its mode of action was shown to be bactericidal. L. salivarius subsp. salivarius CRL 1328 could be used for the design of a probiotic to prevent urogenital infections. PMID:10584033

Screen-Related Sedentary Behaviours of School-Aged Children: Principals' and Teachers' Perspectives

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

He, Meizi; Piche, Leonard; Beynon, Charlene; Kurtz, Joanne; Harris, Stewart

2011-01-01

Objective: To solicit school principals' and teachers' perspectives on children's screen-related sedentary behaviour and to identify possible solutions to reduce sedentary behaviours among school-aged children. Method: In-person interviews using a semi-structured interview guide were conducted with school principals and grades five and six…

Inclusion Understood from the Perspectives of Children with Disability

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Spencer-Cavaliere, Nancy; Watkinson, E. Jane

2010-01-01

This study explored the perspectives of children with disabilities regarding the concept of inclusion in physical activity. Participants were children (two girls, nine boys, M[subscript age] = 10 years, five months, age range: 8-12 years) with disabilities, including cerebral palsy, fine and gross motor delays, developmental coordination disorder,…

Embryology and anatomy of the vulva: the female orgasm and women's sexual health.

PubMed

Puppo, Vincenzo

2011-01-01

Sexual health is vital to overall well-being. Orgasm is a normal psycho-physiological function of human beings and every woman has the right to feel sexual pleasure. The anatomy of the vulva and of the female erectile organs (trigger of orgasm) is described in human anatomy textbooks. Female sexual physiology was first described in Dickinson's textbook in 1949 and subsequently by Masters and Johnson in 1966. During women's sexual response, changes occur in the congestive structures that are essential to the understanding of women's sexual response and specifically of their orgasm. Female and male external genital organs arise from the same embryologic structures, i.e. phallus, urogenital folds, urogenital sinus and labioscrotal swellings. The vulva is formed by the labia majora and vestibule, with its erectile apparatus: clitoris (glans, body, crura), labia minora, vestibular bulbs and corpus spongiosum. Grafenberg, in 1950, discovered no "G-spot" and did not report an orgasm of the intraurethral glands. The hypothetical area named "G-spot" should not be defined with Grafenberg's name. The female orgasm should be a normal phase of the sexual response cycle, which is possible to achieve by all healthy women with effective sexual stimulation. Knowledge of the embryology, anatomy and physiology of the female erectile organs are important in the field of women's sexual health. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.

The value of testing multiple anatomic sites for gonorrhoea and chlamydia in sexually transmitted infection centres in the Netherlands, 2006-2010.

PubMed

Koedijk, F D H; van Bergen, J E A M; Dukers-Muijrers, N H T M; van Leeuwen, A P; Hoebe, C J P A; van der Sande, M A B

2012-09-01

National surveillance data from 2006 to 2010 of the Dutch sexually transmitted infection (STI) centres were used to analyse current practices on testing extragenital sites for chlamydia and gonorrhoea in men who have sex with men (MSM) and women. In MSM, 76.0% and 88.9% were tested at least at one extragenital site (pharyngeal and/or anorectal) for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, respectively; for women this was 20.5% and 30.2%. Testing more than one anatomic site differed by STI centre, ranging from 2% to 100%. In MSM tested at multiple sites, 63.0% and 66.5% of chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnoses, respectively, would have been missed if screened at the urogenital site only, mainly anorectal infections. For women tested at multiple sites, the proportions of missed chlamydia and gonorrhoea diagnoses would have been 12.9% and 30.0%, respectively. Testing extragenital sites appears warranted, due to the numerous infections that would have been missed. Adding anorectal screening to urogenital screening for all MSM visiting an STI centre should be recommended. Since actual testing practices differ by centre, there is a need for clearer guidelines. Routine gonorrhoea and chlamydia screening at multiple sites in STI centres should be investigated further as this might be a more effective approach to reduce transmission than current practice.

Probiotics for prevention of recurrent urinary tract infections in women: a review of the evidence from microbiological and clinical studies.

PubMed

Falagas, Matthew E; Betsi, Gregoria I; Tokas, Theodoros; Athanasiou, Stavros

2006-01-01

Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) afflict a great number of women around the world. The use of probiotics, especially lactobacilli, has been considered for the prevention of UTIs. Since lactobacilli dominate the urogenital flora of healthy premenopausal women, it has been suggested that restoration of the urogenital flora, which is dominated by uropathogens, with lactobacilli may protect against UTIs. This review is based on a search of PubMed for relevant articles. Many in vitro studies, animal experiments, microbiological studies in healthy women, and clinical trials in women with UTIs have been carried out to assess the effectiveness and safety of probiotics for prophylaxis against uropathogens. Most of them had encouraging findings for some specific strains of lactobacilli. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (previously called L. fermentum RC-14) seemed to be the most effective among the studied lactobacilli for the prevention of UTIs. L. casei shirota and L. crispatus CTV-05 have also shown efficacy in some studies. L. rhamnosus GG did not appear to be quite as effective in the prevention of UTIs. The evidence from the available studies suggests that probiotics can be beneficial for preventing recurrent UTIs in women; they also have a good safety profile. However, further research is needed to confirm these results before the widespread use of probiotics for this indication can be recommended.

[Possibilities of fast track surgery principles in the treatment of congenital urological anomalies].

PubMed

Bižić, Marta R; Cvetinović, Nataša; Majstorović, Marko J; Radojčić, Zoran; Vukadinović, Vojkan; Krstić, Zoran; Djordjević, Miroslav L

2012-01-01

Urogenital congenital anomalies are among the most common congenital anomalies and very frequent pathology in paediatric urology. Health care systems strive to shorten the duration and reduce the costs of hospitalization, while maintaining treatment effectiveness. To evaluate the duration of hospital stay of surgically treated patients with congenital urogenital anomalies and estimate the possibility of using fast track surgery principles in paediatric urology in the local settings of a developing country. Retrospective non-randomized study included 552 patients who had been surgically treated at the Urology Department of the University Children's Hospital, during 2010. In line with their congenital anomalies, all patients were classified in one of four groups: I--upper urinary tract anomalies (252 patients); II--genital anomalies (164 patients); III--testicular anomalies (76 patients) and IV--associated anomalies (60 patients). We analyzed the total duration of stay as well as pre- and post-operative stay in the hospital. The average duration of hospitalization was 4.7 +/- 4.0 days. Patients with testicular anomalies stayed for the shortest period (2.3 +/- 1.9 days) (p < 0.01) and patients with associated anomalies stayed in the hospital the longest (6.5 +/- 4.7 days) (p < 0.01). Modern methods of surgical treatment allow reduction of hospitalization, financial savings to the healthcare system and greater comfort for patients. Our results showed that this is also possible to apply in our environment.

Bladder sensation measures and overactive bladder.

PubMed

Rapp, David E; Neil, Nancy J; Govier, Fred E; Kobashi, Kathleen C

2009-09-01

We performed a prospective multicomponent study to determine whether subjective and objective bladder sensation instruments may provide data on sensory dysfunction in patients with overactive bladder. We evaluated 70 prospectively enrolled patients with urodynamics and questionnaires on validated urgency (Urgency Perception Score), general overactive bladder (Urogenital Distress Inventory) and quality of life (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire). We first sought a correlation between sensory specific (Urgency Perception Score) and quality of life questionnaire scores. We then assessed a correlation between sensory questionnaire scores and urodynamic variables, exploring the hypothesis that certain urodynamic parameters may be bladder sensation measures. We evaluated 2 urodynamic derivatives (first sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity) to increase sensory finding discrimination. We noted a moderate correlation between the Urgency Perception Score (0.56) and the Urogenital Distress Inventory (0.74) vs the Incontinence Impact Questionnaire (each p <0.01). A weak negative correlation was seen between Urgency Perception Score and bladder capacity (-0.25, p <0.05). No correlation was noted for the other urodynamics parameters. First sensation ratio and bladder urgency velocity statistically significantly correlated with the Urgency Perception Score despite the lesser or absent correlation associated with the individual components of these derivatives. Bladder sensation questionnaires may be valuable to identify patients with sensory dysfunction and provide additional data not obtained in generalized symptom questionnaires. Urodynamic variables correlated with bladder sensation questionnaire scores and may be an objective method to assess sensory dysfunction.

Is there a role for lactobacilli in prevention of urogenital and intestinal infections?

PubMed Central

Reid, G; Bruce, A W; McGroarty, J A; Cheng, K J; Costerton, J W

1990-01-01

This review describes the importance of microbial adhesion in the ecology of the urogenital and intestinal tracts and the influence of host and microbial factors in bacterial interference. In a recent revival of interest in bacterial interference, lactobacillus administration has been studied as a means of treating and preventing disease. Although evidence is conflicting, Lactobacillus acidophilus appears to be involved in beneficial antagonistic and cooperative reactions that interfere with establishment of pathogens in the gastrointestinal tract. The mechanisms of action are believed to involve competitive exclusion and production of inhibitory substances, including bacteriocins. These characteristics, as well as demonstrated adherence abilities in vitro, led to selection of certain Lactobacillus strains for clinical studies of cystitis. Weekly intravaginal Lactobacillus therapy reduced the recurrence rate of uncomplicated lower urinary tract infections in women. Use of Lactobacillus strains resistant to Nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that kills members of the protective normal vaginal flora, may have potential for use in women with recurrent cystitis using this contraceptive agent. In veterinary studies, bacterial interference by administration of probiotics has also been beneficial in disease prevention in animals. Carefully selected bacterial mixtures integrate with the gastrointestinal flora of the animals and can confer disease resistance and improve physiological function. Additional human and animal trials are needed to determine the practical, long-term usefulness of bacterial interference as a protective mechanism against infectious diseases. Images PMID:2224835

Clinical Presentations and Epidemiology of Urinary Tract Infections.

PubMed

Geerlings, Suzanne E

2016-10-01

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections, and the incidence in women is much higher than in men. The diagnosis of a UTI can be made based on a combination of symptoms and a positive urine analysis or culture. Most UTIs are uncomplicated UTIs, defined as cystitis in a woman who is not pregnant, is not immunocompromised, has no anatomical and functional abnormalities of the urogenital tract, and does not exhibit signs of tissue invasion and systemic infection. All UTIs that are not uncomplicated are considered to be complicated UTIs. Differentiation between uncomplicated and complicated UTIs has implications for therapy because the risks of complications or treatment failure are increased for patients with a complicated UTI. Asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) is defined as the presence of a positive urine culture collected from a patient without symptoms of a UTI. Concerning the complicated UTI, it is possible to make a differentiation between UTI with systemic symptoms (febrile UTI) and UTI in a host, which carries an increased risk to develop complications of this UTI. Febrile UTIs are urosepsis, pyelonephritis, and prostatitis. A complicated host is defined as one that has an increased risk for complications, to which the following groups belong: men, pregnant women, immunocompromised patients, or those who have an anatomical or functional abnormality of the urogenital tract (e.g., spinal cord-injury patients, renal stones, urinary catheter).

Gender identification of shovelnose sturgeon using ultrasonic and endoscopic imagery and the application of the method to the pallid sturgeon

USGS Publications Warehouse

Wildhaber, M.L.; Papoulias, D.M.; DeLonay, A.J.; Tillitt, D.E.; Bryan, J.L.; Annis, M.L.; Allert, J.A.

2005-01-01

Monthly sampling of shovelnose sturgeon Scaphirhynchus platorynchus, a biological surrogate for the endangered pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus, was conducted to develop a multiseasonal profile of reproductive stages. Data collected included histological characteristics of gonads from wild caught fish and laboratory and field ultrasonic and endoscopic images. These data were used to compare effectiveness of ultrasonic and endoscopic techniques at identifying gender of adult shovelnose sturgeon at different reproductive stages. The least invasive method (i.e. ultrasound) was least effective while the most invasive (i.e. endoscope through an abdominal incision) was the most effective at identifying shovelnose sturgeon gender. In most cases, success rate for identifying males was greater than females, with success at identifying both genders greater in more advanced reproductive stages. Concomitantly, for most months average reproductive stage was more advanced for males than females. April and May were the months with the most advanced reproductive stage, and were the months when ultrasound was most effective. Methods were also applied in the Upper Missouri River to validate their use on pallid sturgeon Scaphirhynchus albus. Ultrasound was successful at identifying pallid sturgeon gender, however, endoscopic examination through the urogenital duct was only successful at identifying pallid sturgeon gender when the urogenital duct was not opaque. ?? 2005 The Fisheries Society of the British Isles.

Hypoxia abrogates antichlamydial properties of IFN-γ in human fallopian tube cells in vitro and ex vivo

PubMed Central

Roth, Anna; König, Peter; van Zandbergen, Ger; Klinger, Matthias; Hellwig-Bürgel, Thomas; Däubener, Walter; Bohlmann, Michael K.; Rupp, Jan

2010-01-01

IFN-γ has an important role in the adaptive immune response against intracellular pathogens. In urogenital tract (UGT) infections with the obligate intracellular pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, IFN-γ–mediated control of chlamydial growth implies the JAK-STAT signaling cascades and subsequent induction of the indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO). As oxygen concentrations in the UGT are low under physiological conditions (O2 < 5%) and further decrease during an inflammatory process, we wondered whether antibacterial properties of IFN-γ are maintained under hypoxic conditions. Using primary cells that were isolated from human fallopian tubes and an ex vivo human fallopian tube model (HFTM), we found that even high IFN-γ concentrations (200 units/mL) were not sufficient to limit growth of C. trachomatis under hypoxia. Reduced antibacterial activity of IFN-γ under hypoxia was restricted to the urogenital serovars D and L2, but was not observed with the ocular serovar A. Impaired effectiveness of IFN-γ on chlamydial growth under hypoxia was accompanied by reduced phosphorylation of Stat-1 on Tyr701 and diminished IDO activity. This study shows that IFN-γ effector functions on intracellular C. trachomatis depend on the environmental oxygen supply, which could explain inadequate bacterial clearance and subsequent chronic infections eventually occurring in the UGT of women. PMID:20974954

Cystic urogenital anomalies in ferrets (Mustela putorius furo).

PubMed

Li, X; Fox, J G; Erdman, S E; Lipman, N S; Murphy, J C

1996-03-01

Single or multiple semispherical to bilobulated fluid-filled cystic structures of variable size were observed on the dorsal aspects of the urinary bladder of four male and two female ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). All ferrets had been neutered. On physical examination, the cysts were palpated as caudal abdominal masses. Three of the six ferrets presented with dysuria, and two ferrets had signs compatible with endocrine dysfunction. Adrenal cortical hyperplasia or neoplasia were observed in all of the five ferrets examined. Sex hormones assayed in one of the six ferrets revealed elevated levels of serum estrodiol. The posterior aspect of the cysts was located on and/or attached to the trigone or neck of the bladder, with variable intraluminal communication with the bladder and/or the urethra. The anterior aspect of the cysts projected dorsally or dorsocranially into the caudal abdomen. The cysts were thin walled and contained urinelike fluid (n = 5) or viscous yellow fluid (n = 1). Histologically, the cyst walls were composed of three layers, epithelium, muscle, and serosa, with fibrovascular stroma between layers. The epithelium consisted of simple to stratified transitional, columnar, or squamous epithelial cells. The muscular layer consisted of intermittent bundles and/or single to double layers of continuous to discontinuous smooth muscle. The serosal layer consisted of loose fibrous stroma covered by flattened mesothelial cells. The cystic anomalies in these ferrets were most likely derived from the urogenital glands/ducts or other remnants.

THE SOURCE OF INFECTION AND THE MOST FREQUENT CAUSES OF REACTIVE ARTHRITIS IN KOSOVO

PubMed Central

Lahu, Ali; Bajraktari, Ismet H.; Lahu, Shqipdonë; Saiti, Valton; Kryeziu, Avni; Sherifi, Fadil; Durmishi, Bastri

2016-01-01

Introduction: Reactive arthritis is an autoimmune condition which emerges as a counteraction towards an infection which has a focus elsewhere in the body. The purpose of this study is isolation of causative agents of reactive arthritis and ascertains the source of infection. The study has been carried out in the Rheumatology Clinic in Prishtina and specialized ambulance O.S. “Vendenisi-AL” in Besiana, whereas isolation of causative agents has been carried out in the National Institute for Public Health (NIPH). The study has prospective, comparative and analytical feature. Results: Out of 100 patients, 66% were males and 34% females. Among males we have noticed domination of post-urethritis and post-streptococcic reactive arthritis, whereas among females dominates reactive arthritis of enteral etiology. The study concludes that: urogenital tract was the source of infection with 66% of cases, nasopharyngeal tract with 19% of cases, and enteral tract with 15% of cases respectively. Predominantly presents bacteria are E. Coli with 21%, Staphylococcus aureus with 20%, Streptococcus B. hem. gr. A with 16% of cases respectively and other species. Conclusion: frequency of arthritis with urogenital etiology was 2:1 in favor of males, with nasopharyngeal etiology 3:1 in favor of males, whereas in arthritis with enteral etiology we have noticed a slight dominance in favor of females. PMID:27482162

Current studies on bacterospermia the leading cause of male infertility: a protégé and potential threat towards mans extinction.

PubMed

Isaiah, Ibeh Nnana; Nche, Bikwe Thomas; Nwagu, Ibeh Georgina; Nnanna, Ibeh Isaiah

2011-12-01

The current rise of male infertility associated with bacterospermia and urogenital infection has been on the increase amongst adult married males in Benin metropolis and a major cause of concern to male fertility and reproduction in Nigeria. To microbiologically isolate and study the infectious agent that has led to male infertility and also to study the percentage occurrence of bacteropsermia and urogenital caused infertility in adult married males in Benin metropolis using standard microbiological methods of isolating and identifying the organism, specimen was collected and processed which includes the susceptibility profile of isolates and sperm quality. In this study a total of 140 sperm samples was collected from patient who were referred from the consultant outpatient department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and then evaluated bacteriologically using standard bacterial cultural methods Among the total cases, 92 (65.7%) showed at least one pathogen. Staphylococcus aureus (28.3%), Staphylococcus Saprophyticus (13.0%), Pseudomonas aerouginosa (6.5%), Escherichia Coli (19.6%) Proteus mirabilis (10.8%) Klebsiella spp (10.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (10.8%). There was an outstanding significant relationship between bacteriospermia and the rate of total motility and morphologically abnormal sperms, The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was lower in this study. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus saprohyticus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogen having negative effects on sperm motility and morphology in this study.

[Evaluation of the effects of a natural dietary supplement with cranberry, Noxamicina® and D-mannose in recurrent urinary infections in perimenopausal women].

PubMed

DE Leo, Vincenzo; Cappelli, Valentina; Massaro, Maria G; Tosti, Claudia; Morgante, Giuseppe

2017-08-01

The female genital apparatus, the urinary tract and the perineal supporting tissues share a common embryological origin, whose differentiation depends on the action of estrogens. In adult women, the progressive decline of the ovarian function, with the ensuing estrogen deprivation, reduces tissue tropism causing urogenital atrophy, which makes these organs much more susceptible to traumatisms and urinary infections. The disorders associated with changes in the urogenital tract of peri- and postmenopausal women have significant clinical relevance, both on account of their chronicity and high frequency of occurrence and on account of their having major repercussions on the quality of life of the women, who often have to call their doctor seeking relief for their symptoms. In general, these patients report having a significant number of episodes of cystitis per year. With a view to verifying whether the use of a new dietary supplement (Kistinox® Forte sachets) containing cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Noxamicina® (propolis extract) and D-mannose can be of use in the treatment of cystitis, with or without bacteriuria, through the elimination of urinary symptoms, a multicenter clinical study was conducted on 150 women aged 40 to 50 suffering from recurrent episodes of cystitis as attested by at least one positive urine culture during the six months preceding their recruitment. The subjects were randomly assigned to two groups: Group A: 100 women were given Kistinox® Forte, 1 sachet per day during the first 10 days of the month, for 3 months; Group B: 50 women did not receive any treatment to serve as a control group. The results of the present study show a complete remission of urinary symptoms in 92 women; a slight decrease in urinary symptoms was observed in 5 subjects, whereas 3 women who stopped the treatment after the first cycle were considered drop-outs. This multicenter clinical study revealed the excellent efficacy and tolerability of Kistinox® Forte sachets in the treatment and prevention of urinary disorders in peri- and postmenopausal women. The posology of a sachet a day during the first 10 days of the month for 3 months was well tolerated by the patients, who did not report any disorder arising from the product.

You Never Lose the Ages You’ve Been: Affective Perspective Taking in Older Adults

PubMed Central

Sullivan, Sarah J.; Mikels, Joseph A.; Carstensen, Laura L.

2009-01-01

Aging appears to be associated with a growing preference for positive over negative information (Carstensen, Mikels, & Mather, 2006). In this study, we investigated potential awareness of the phenomenon by asking older people to recollect material from the perspective of a younger person. Younger and older participants listened to stories about 25 and 75-year-old protagonists, and then were asked to retell the stories from the perspective of the protagonists. Older adults used relatively more positive than negative words when retelling from the perspective of a 75 versus 25-year-old. Younger adults, however, used comparable numbers of positive and negative words regardless of perspective. These findings contribute to a growing literature that points to developmental gains in the emotion domain. PMID:20230142

Differences in nativity, age and gender may impact health behavior and perspectives among Asian Indians.

PubMed

Dhar, Sohini; Gor, Beverly; Banerjee, Deborah; Krishnan, Sunil; Dorai, V K; Jones, Lovell; Kabad, Kanchan; Naik, Lakshmi Rai; Legha, Sewa S; Pande, Mala

2017-07-03

Identify health perspectives among Asian Indians in greater Houston area, to guide a tailored community wide survey. Four focus groups of different ages, gender, and nativity were conducted at which participants were asked for their opinions about specific health topics. Key informant interviews were conducted with ten community leaders to validate focus group responses. Recordings from focus groups and key informant interviews were transcribed and analyzed. Diabetes, cancer, and hypertension were primary health concerns. Common themes were sedentary lifestyle and poor health literacy. Older participants were more accepting of having familial hypertension and high cholesterol. Women were more concerned about health of family members and dietary habits. Perspectives differed on eating habits, physical activity, use of Western medicine, and smoking based on nativity. Responses from key informant interviews validated focus group findings. Perspectives on health may differ among Asian Indians depending on gender, age, and nativity.

A Human Resource Management Perspective on Work Alternatives for Older Americans.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Paul, Carolyn E.

This study examined work alternatives for middle-aged and older persons from two perspectives. The first perspective focused on personnel policies of the employer that relate to the development and administration of employment options. The second perspective concentrated on public policy variables that influence or could influence the availability…

Future perspective and healthy lifestyle choices in adulthood.

PubMed

Tasdemir-Ozdes, Aylin; Strickland-Hughes, Carla M; Bluck, Susan; Ebner, Natalie C

2016-09-01

Regardless of age, making healthy lifestyle choices is prudent. Despite that, individuals of all ages sometimes have difficulty choosing the healthy option. We argue that individuals' view of the future and position in the life span affects their current lifestyle choices. We capture the multidimensionality of future thinking by assessing 3 types of future perspective. Younger and older men and women (N = 127) reported global future time perspective, future health perspective, and perceived importance of future health-related events. They also rated their likelihood of making healthy lifestyle choices. As predicted, older participants indicated greater intention to make healthy choices in their current life than did younger participants. Compared to younger participants, older participants reported shorter global future time perspective and anticipated worse future health but perceived future health-related events as more important. Having a positive view of one's future health and seeing future health-related events as important were related to greater intention to make healthy lifestyle choices, but greater global future time perspective was not directly related to healthy choices. However, follow-up analyses suggested that greater global future time perspective indirectly affected healthy choices via a more positive view of future health. None of these relations were moderated by age. Individuals' perspective on the future is shown to be an important multidimensional construct affecting everyday healthy lifestyle choices for both younger and older adults. Implications for encouraging healthy choices across the adult life span are discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

Future Time Perspective and Awareness of Age-Related Change: Examining their Role in Predicting Psychological Well-Being

PubMed Central

Brothers, Allyson; Gabrian, Martina; Wahl, Hans-Werner; Diehl, Manfred

2016-01-01

This study examined how two distinct facets of perceived personal lifetime – future time perspective (FTP) and awareness of age-related change (AARC) – are associated with one another, and how they may interact to predict psychological well-being. To better understand associations among subjective perceptions of lifetime, aging and well-being, we tested a series of models to investigate questions of directionality, indirect effects, and conditional processes among FTP, AARC-Gains, AARC-Losses, and psychological well-being. In all models, we tested for differences between middle-aged and older adults, and between adults from the U.S. and Germany. Analyses were conducted within a structural equation modeling framework on a cross-national, 2.5-year longitudinal sample of 537 community-residing adults (age 40–98 years). Awareness of age-related losses (AARC-Losses) at Time 1 predicted FTP at Time 2, but FTP did not predict AARC-Gains or AARC-Losses. Furthermore, future time perspective mediated the association between AARC-Losses and well-being. Moderation analyses revealed a buffering effect of awareness of age-related gains (AARC-Gains) in which perceptions of more age-related gains diminished the negative effect of a limited future time perspective on well-being. Effects were robust across age groups and countries. Taken together, these findings suggest that perceived age-related loss experiences may sensitize individuals to perceive a more limited future lifetime which may then lead to lower psychological well-being. In contrast, perceived age-related gains may function as a resource to preserve psychological well-being, in particular when time is perceived as running out. PMID:27243764

Future time perspective and awareness of age-related change: Examining their role in predicting psychological well-being.

PubMed

Brothers, Allyson; Gabrian, Martina; Wahl, Hans-Werner; Diehl, Manfred

2016-09-01

This study examined how 2 distinct facets of perceived personal lifetime-future time perspective (FTP) and awareness of age-related change (AARC)-are associated with another, and how they may interact to predict psychological well-being. To better understand associations among subjective perceptions of lifetime, aging, and well-being, we tested a series of models to investigate questions of directionality, indirect effects, and conditional processes among FTP, AARC-Gains, AARC-Losses, and psychological well-being. In all models, we tested for differences between middle-aged and older adults, and between adults from the United States and Germany. Analyses were conducted within a structural equation modeling framework on a cross-national, 2.5-year longitudinal sample of 537 community-residing adults (age 40-98 years). Awareness of age-related losses (AARC-Losses) at Time 1 predicted FTP at Time 2, but FTP did not predict AARC-Gains or AARC-Losses. Furthermore, future time perspective mediated the association between AARC-Losses and well-being. Moderation analyses revealed a buffering effect of awareness of age-related gains (AARC-Gains) in which perceptions of more age-related gains diminished the negative effect of a limited future time perspective on well-being. Effects were robust across age groups and countries. Taken together, these findings suggest that perceived age-related loss experiences may sensitize individuals to perceive a more limited future lifetime which may then lead to lower psychological well-being. In contrast, perceived age-related gains may function as a resource to preserve psychological well-being, in particular when time is perceived as running out. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2016 APA, all rights reserved).

I think of Ronald Reagan: future selves in the present.

PubMed

Roberts, P

1992-01-01

A nonlinear perspective on time (where the future exists in and affects the present) has been described by several theorists but there is little research on the extent, quality or origins of the personal future perspective. The present study examined the existence and origin of the future in the present by asking adults aged nineteen to eighty-three to: 1) project themselves into the oldest age imaginable, 2) describe their hopes and fears for that age, and 3) name role models for those hopes and fears. Data analysis revealed that length of future perspective, number of hopes and number of role models for the distant future declined with age. In addition, types of fears for the future varied with age, with older adults stressing dependency issues while younger adults reported concerns about personality and mental health. Despite age differences, most participants could name role models for both their hopes and fears for aging, but specific models were identified more often for hopes than for fears. Personalized hopes and fears for the distant future as motivators for the present are discussed.

Anthropology and the study of menopause: evolutionary, developmental, and comparative perspectives.

PubMed

Sievert, Lynnette Leidy

2014-10-01

This work aims to consider how the discipline of anthropology contributes to the study of menopause through evolutionary, developmental, and comparative perspectives. This study was a review of skeletal and ethnographic evidence for menopause and postreproductive life in humans' distant past, hypotheses for the evolution of menopause and long postreproductive life, variation in age at menopause with focus on childhood environments, and the study of variation in symptom experience across populations. Longevity, rather than capacity for menopause, sets humans apart from other primates. Skeletal evidence demonstrates that some Neanderthals and archaic Homo sapiens lived to the age at menopause and that at least one third of women in traditional foraging populations live beyond menopause. The evolutionary reasons for why women experience a long postreproductive life continue to be debated. A developmental perspective suggests that early childhood may be a critical time for the environment to irreversibly influence the number of oocytes or rate of follicular atresia and, ultimately, age at menopause. A comparative perspective examines symptom experience at midlife through participant observation, qualitative interviews, and quantitative instruments to gain a holistic understanding of the meaning, experience, and sociocultural context of menopause. An evolutionary perspective suggests that menopause is not a recent phenomenon among humans. A developmental perspective focuses on the influence of early childhood on ovarian function. A comparative perspective expands clinical norms and provides knowledge about the range of human variations.

Low Prevalence of Urethral Lymphogranuloma Venereum Infections Among Men Who Have Sex With Men: A Prospective Observational Study, Sexually Transmitted Infection Clinic in Amsterdam, the Netherlands

PubMed Central

de Vrieze, Nynke H.N.; Versteeg, Bart; Bruisten, Sylvia M.; van Rooijen, Martijn S.; van der Helm, Jannie J.; de Vries, Henry J.C.

2017-01-01

Abstract In contrast to anorectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV), few urogenital LGV cases are reported in men who have sex with men. Lymphogranuloma venereum was diagnosed in 0.06% (7/12,174) urine samples, and 0.9% (109/12,174) anorectal samples. Genital-anal transmission seems unlikely the only mode of transmission. Other modes like oral-anal transmission should be considered. PMID:28809772

Ovarian Cancer Training Program at the Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-04-01

culture of salivary glands. Dr. Zhan adapted the technique used by Yamada et al , at NCI for use in organ cultures of embryonic urogenital ridge...limited to two years of funding and those positions will be re-competed both internally and nationally in the spring of 2006 . Specific Aim IV Review...additional support through the SPORE Program. In addition, the DOD funding is only three years in duration and hence, in the spring of 2006 Dr. Seiden will

Abortive segmental perineal hemangioma.

PubMed

Tlougan, Brook E; Gonzalez, Mercedes E; Orlow, Seth J

2011-10-15

A six-week-old girl presented with a segmental, focally atrophic, vascular patch in the diaper area, present since birth. It had undergone minimal proliferation, but had ulcerated. Evaluation to rule out LUMBAR (Lower body hemangioma/Lipoma or other cutaneous anomalies, Urogenital anomalies, Myelopathy, Bony deformities, Anorectal/Arterial anomalies, and Renal anomalies) syndrome, which included ultrasound and Doppler examination of the abdomen, spine, and pelvis, was negative. We report a unique case of an ulcerated, segmental abortive hemangioma of the anogenital area with excellent clinical response to topical timolol gel.

Perspective Transformation and Gender: Issues Facing Mature Age Aboriginal Students.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Grant, Mary; Trimingham-Jack, Christine

1996-01-01

Interviews with and written responses from 20 Aboriginal adult reentry students illustrated their struggles with changing perspectives of gender relations and family responsibilities. Results suggested that perspective transformation may be a key process in attaining mutuality and equality in relationships. (SK)

Optimization of PSA screening policies: a comparison of the patient and societal perspectives.

PubMed

Zhang, Jingyu; Denton, Brian T; Balasubramanian, Hari; Shah, Nilay D; Inman, Brant A

2012-01-01

To estimate the benefit of PSA-based screening for prostate cancer from the patient and societal perspectives. A partially observable Markov decision process model was used to optimize PSA screening decisions. Age-specific prostate cancer incidence rates and the mortality rates from prostate cancer and competing causes were considered. The model trades off the potential benefit of early detection with the cost of screening and loss of patient quality of life due to screening and treatment. PSA testing and biopsy decisions are made based on the patient's probability of having prostate cancer. Probabilities are inferred based on the patient's complete PSA history using Bayesian updating. The results of all PSA tests and biopsies done in Olmsted County, Minnesota, from 1993 to 2005 (11,872 men and 50,589 PSA test results). Patients' perspective: to maximize expected quality-adjusted life years (QALYs); societal perspective: to maximize the expected monetary value based on societal willingness to pay for QALYs and the cost of PSA testing, prostate biopsies, and treatment. From the patient perspective, the optimal policy recommends stopping PSA testing and biopsy at age 76. From the societal perspective, the stopping age is 71. The expected incremental benefit of optimal screening over the traditional guideline of annual PSA screening with threshold 4.0 ng/mL for biopsy is estimated to be 0.165 QALYs per person from the patient perspective and 0.161 QALYs per person from the societal perspective. PSA screening based on traditional guidelines is found to be worse than no screening at all. PSA testing done with traditional guidelines underperforms and therefore underestimates the potential benefit of screening. Optimal screening guidelines differ significantly depending on the perspective of the decision maker.

Aging and Developmental Disabilities: Perspectives from Nine Countries. Monograph #52.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moss, Steve, Ed.

This monograph presents nine author-contributed papers which look at issues of aging and mental retardation from the perspectives of nine nations: Australia (by Trevor R. Parmenter), Great Britain (by Steve Moss), Canada (by Gerrit Groeneweg), Germany (by Gottfried Adam), Hong Kong (by John W. L. Tse), Indonesia (by D. Lianta), Japan (by Takeo…

Does Gender Matter? An Exploratory Study of Perspectives across Genders, Age and Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Carinci, Sherrie; Wong, Pia Lindquist

2009-01-01

Using a convenience sample and survey research methods, the authors seek to better understand how perspectives on gender are shaped by individuals' age, level of education and gender. Study participants responded in writing to scenarios and survey questions, revealing their personal views on gender as an identity category and as a marker in the…

Perspective-Taking Judgments Among Young Adults, Middle-Aged, and Elderly People

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ligneau-Herve, Catherine; Mullet, Etienne

2005-01-01

Perspective-taking judgments among young adults, middle-aged, and elderly people were examined. In 1 condition, participants were instructed to judge the likelihood of acceptance of a painkiller as a function of 3 cues: severity of the condition, potential side effects, and level of trust in the health care provider. In the other condition,…

Gender and the Division of Household Labor in Older Couples: A European Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Hank, Karsten; Jurges, Hendrik

2007-01-01

Using microdata from the 2004 Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe (SHARE), this study takes a cross-national perspective to investigate the division of household labor among older couples (aged 50 years or more). Across nine continental European countries, the authors find considerable variation in the overall distribution of…

Education and Learning in the Early Middle Ages: New Perspectives and Old Problems.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Contreni, John J.

1989-01-01

Discusses various scholarly views of education and learning in the early middle ages and identifies some problems confronting scholars investigating this period. Points out new perspectives relative to the role of education during this time. Asserts that future study of early medieval education will benefit from focusing on the minds of masters…

Experiences of Chinese immigrants and Anglo-Australians ageing in Australia: a cross-cultural perspective on successful ageing.

PubMed

Tan, Joanne; Ward, Lynn; Ziaian, Tahereh

2010-07-01

This study explored the life experiences and views on successful ageing of older Australians. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 participants consisting of 10 Chinese-Australians and 11 Anglo-Australians, aged 55 to 78 years. Data were analysed using Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis. Results revealed that both groups associated successful ageing with health and personal responsibility. Anglo-Australians regarded growing old gracefully and acceptance as important aspects of successful ageing, whereas Chinese-Australians valued financial security and an active lifestyle. The research highlights that a cross-cultural perspective is imperative for service delivery and policy development to promote the health and well-being of older Australians.

The use of Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS): case series.

PubMed

Wu, Di; Rosedale, Richard

2018-02-26

Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent among men over the age of 40. Even though associations between lumbar spine conditions and LUTS have been documented in the literature, no studies have detailed a specific lumbar assessment and classification process, and the related treatment effects in patients with LUTS. In this case series, we present three male patients with LUTS as primary complaints, who were evaluated and treated with Mechanical Diagnosis and Therapy (MDT) for the lumbar spine. The duration of their symptoms was between 4 months and 7 years. Urogenital pathologies were ruled out for all patients. The Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index was used as a functional outcome measure. All patients were classified as having lumbar derangements. Treatment of derangements with directional preference exercises resulted in the improvement of their LUTS, with clinically significant improvements (56.0%-77.4%) in functional outcome measures over an average of six sessions. Preliminary indications suggest that these LUTS cases may possibly have had a lumbar spine origin and "mechanical" nature. Therefore, they may be within the scope of MDT assessments and interventions. With careful monitoring of symptoms, MDT may serve as a screening tool and conservative treatment option.

Single-stage operation without temporary colostomy for persistent cloaca with a short common channel.

PubMed

Masuko, T; Higashimoto, Y; Iwai, J

2005-11-01

Colorectal decompression with a catheter was performed for evacuation of stool before definitive surgery in two patients with a persistent cloaca. Two newborn female infants with persistent cloaca received placement of a silicone balloon-tipped catheter in the rectum via the cloacal orifice under fluoroscopic guidance at the time of diagnosis. The length of the cloaca was 2 and 1.5 cm, respectively. The diameter of the catheter was matched to the patients' rectal size and the open end was wrapped in a diaper to allow continuous drainage of stool. The infants underwent bowel irrigation with warm saline thrice a day, at home. Total urogenital mobilization was carried out in the infants at the age of 7 and 8 months, respectively. Both infants had no abdominal distension, colorectal dilatation, or urinary tract infection while the catheter was in situ. The postoperative course was uneventful, except for minimal wound dehiscence in one patient. At present, both infants can void spontaneously without any urological problems. In infants with a persistent cloaca less than 3 cm long and normal urinary tract function, adequate evacuation of stool may be achieved by colorectal decompression with a catheter, thus avoiding the need for a colostomy.

[Microbiota of urine and vagina of healthy postmenopausal women (a pilot study)].

PubMed

Naboka, Yu L; Rymashevsky, A N; Kogan, M I; Gudima, I A; Borovleva, O A; Jalagonia, K T; Zarutskiy, S A

2016-02-01

Studying microbiota of different urogenital tract habitats in healthy postmenopausal women is of practical importance in deciding on the appropriateness of correction of dysbiotic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the vaginal and urine microbiota of healthy postmenopausal women. The study included 20 healthy postmenopausal women (mean age 59,0+/-2,1 years). Duration of menopause in all subjects was more than 8 years. Bacteriological testing of urine and vaginal specimen was carried out on the extended media (15) for cultivating facultative anaerobic bacteria (FAB) and nonclostridial anaerobic bacteria (NAB) and included PCR of midstream morning urine. Among FAB in the urine and vagina dominated coagulase-negative staphylococci and NAB. Bacterial patterns of studied habitats turned out to be similar in many respects. In the urine Megasphaera spp., Veillonella spp., Prevotella spp., Mobiluncus spp., Fusobacterium spp. were found, whereas in the vagina these microorganisms were not present. Cluster analysis revealed no significant differences in the concentration of the same microorganisms isolated from the urine and vagina. When comparing the frequency of microorganism detection in urine by bacteriological method and by PCR, bacterial patterns were identical in 56% of cases.

[Induced thymus aging: radiation model and application perspective for low intensive laser radiation].

PubMed

Sevost'ianova, N N; Trofimov, A V; Lin'kova, N S; Poliakova, V O; Kvetnoĭ, I M

2010-01-01

The influence of gamma-radiation on morphofunctional state of thymus is rather like as natural thymus aging. However gamma-radiation model of thymus aging widely used to investigate geroprotectors has many shortcomings and limitations. Gamma-radiation can induce irreversible changes in thymus very often. These changes are more intensive in comparison with changes, which can be observed at natural thymus aging. Low intensive laser radiation can not destroy structure of thymus and its effects are rather like as natural thymus aging in comparison with gamma-radiation effects. There are many parameters of low intensive laser radiation, which can be changed to improve morphofunctional thymus characteristics in aging model. Using low intensive laser radiation in thymus aging model can be very perspective for investigations of aging immune system.

Brain aging, Alzheimer's disease, and mitochondria

PubMed Central

Swerdlow, Russell H.

2011-01-01

The relationship between brain aging and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is contentious. One view holds AD results when brain aging surpasses a threshold. The other view postulates AD is not a consequence of brain aging. This review discusses this conundrum from the perspective of different investigative lines that have tried to address it, as well as from the perspective of the mitochondrion, an organelle that appears to play a role in both AD and brain aging. Specific issues addressed include the question of whether AD and brain aging should be conceptually lumped or split, the extent to which AD and brain aging potentially share common molecular mechanisms, whether beta amyloid should be primarily considered a marker of AD or simply brain aging, and the definition of AD itself. PMID:21920438

Differential Item Functioning of the Psychological Domain of the Menopause Rating Scale.

PubMed

Monterrosa-Castro, Alvaro; Portela-Buelvas, Katherin; Oviedo, Heidi C; Herazo, Edwin; Campo-Arias, Adalberto

2016-01-01

Introduction. Quality of life could be quantified with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), which evaluates the severity of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms in menopause. However, differential item functioning (DIF) analysis has not been applied previously. Objective . To establish the DIF of the psychological domain of the MRS in Colombian women. Methods . 4,009 women aged between 40 and 59 years, who participated in the CAVIMEC (Calidad de Vida en la Menopausia y Etnias Colombianas) project, were included. Average age was 49.0 ± 5.9 years. Women were classified in mestizo, Afro-Colombian, and indigenous. The results were presented as averages and standard deviation ( X ± SD). A p value <0.001 was considered statistically significant. Results . In mestizo women, the highest X ± SD were obtained in physical and mental exhaustion (PME) (0.86 ± 0.93) and the lowest ones in anxiety (0.44 ± 0.79). In Afro-Colombian women, an average score of 0.99 ± 1.07 for PME and 0.63 ± 0.88 for anxiety was gotten. Indigenous women obtained an increased average score for PME (1.33 ± 0.93). The lowest score was evidenced in depressive mood (0.50 ± 0.81), which is different from other Colombian women ( p < 0.001). Conclusions . The psychological items of the MRS show differential functioning according to the ethnic group, which may induce systematic error in the measurement of the construct.

Differential Item Functioning of the Psychological Domain of the Menopause Rating Scale

PubMed Central

Portela-Buelvas, Katherin; Oviedo, Heidi C.; Herazo, Edwin; Campo-Arias, Adalberto

2016-01-01

Introduction. Quality of life could be quantified with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), which evaluates the severity of somatic, psychological, and urogenital symptoms in menopause. However, differential item functioning (DIF) analysis has not been applied previously. Objective. To establish the DIF of the psychological domain of the MRS in Colombian women. Methods. 4,009 women aged between 40 and 59 years, who participated in the CAVIMEC (Calidad de Vida en la Menopausia y Etnias Colombianas) project, were included. Average age was 49.0 ± 5.9 years. Women were classified in mestizo, Afro-Colombian, and indigenous. The results were presented as averages and standard deviation (X ± SD). A p value <0.001 was considered statistically significant. Results. In mestizo women, the highest X ± SD were obtained in physical and mental exhaustion (PME) (0.86 ± 0.93) and the lowest ones in anxiety (0.44 ± 0.79). In Afro-Colombian women, an average score of 0.99 ± 1.07 for PME and 0.63 ± 0.88 for anxiety was gotten. Indigenous women obtained an increased average score for PME (1.33 ± 0.93). The lowest score was evidenced in depressive mood (0.50 ± 0.81), which is different from other Colombian women (p < 0.001). Conclusions. The psychological items of the MRS show differential functioning according to the ethnic group, which may induce systematic error in the measurement of the construct. PMID:27847825

The role of time perspective in smoking cessation amongst older English adults.

PubMed

Adams, Jean

2009-09-01

To study the longitudinal relationship between time perspective and smoking cessation over 4 years of follow-up among a cohort of older English adults and to determine whether the predictive utility of time perspective in smoking cessation. Analysis of data from core members of the English Longitudinal Survey of Ageing who took part in face-to-face interviews in 2002, 2004, and 2006 (n = 7,174). Time perspective was measured using a question on time period for financial planning. Smoking at baseline and quitting over follow-up was determined through self-report. At baseline, planning for longer periods was associated with lower odds of being a smoker, after controlling for age, gender, and education. Among those who were smokers at baseline, planning for longer periods at baseline was associated with increased odds of quitting over 4 years, after controlling for age, gender, and education. Including help to become more future orientated in smoking cessation interventions may increase their effectiveness. Copyright 2009 APA, all rights reserved.

Perspective taking in older age revisited: a motivational perspective.

PubMed

Zhang, Xin; Fung, Helene H; Stanley, Jennifer T; Isaacowitz, Derek M; Ho, Man Yee

2013-10-01

How perspective-taking ability changes with age (i.e., whether older adults are better at understanding others' behaviors and intentions and show greater empathy to others or not) is not clear, with prior empirical findings on this phenomenon yielding mixed results. In a series of experiments, we investigated the phenomenon from a motivational perspective. Perceived closeness between participants and the experimenter (Study 1) or the target in an emotion recognition task (Study 2) was manipulated to examine whether the closeness could influence participants' performance in faux pas recognition (Study 1) and emotion recognition (Study 2). It was found that the well-documented negative age effect (i.e., older adults performed worse than younger adults in faux pas and emotion recognition tasks) was only replicated in the control condition for both tasks. When closeness was experimentally increased, older adults enhanced their performance, and they now performed at a comparable level as younger adults. Findings from the 2 experiments suggest that the reported poorer performance of older adults in perspective-taking tasks might be attributable to a lack of motivation instead of ability to perform in laboratory settings. With the presence of strong motivation, older adults have the ability to perform equally well as younger adults.

Perspective Taking and Empathic Concern in Adolescence: Gender Differences in Developmental Changes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van der Graaff, Jolien; Branje, Susan; De Wied, Minet; Hawk, Skyler; Van Lier, Pol; Meeus, Wim

2014-01-01

Empathy is an important social skill and is believed to play an essential role in moral development (Hoffman, 2000). In the present longitudinal study, the authors investigated adolescents' development of perspective taking and empathic concern from age 13 to 18 years (mean age at Wave 1 = 13 years, SD = 0.46) and examined its association with…

Emerging Trends in Family Caregiving Using the Life Course Perspective: Preparing Health Educators for an Aging Society

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Eifert, Elise K.; Adams, Rebecca; Morrison, Sharon; Strack, Robert

2016-01-01

Background: As life expectancy and morbidity related to chronic disease increase, the baby boomers will be called upon to provide care to aging members of their family or to be care recipients themselves. Purpose: Through the theoretical lens of the life course perspective, this review of the literature provides insight into what characteristics…

Older Workers' Perspectives on Training and Retention of Older Workers: South Australian Construction Industry Study. Support Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, David; Marshallsay, Zariah

2007-01-01

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…

Older Workers' Perspectives on Training and Retention of Older Workers: National Finance Sector Survey. Support Document

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, David; Marshallsay, Zaniah

2007-01-01

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. This support document includes a national survey of…

Students' Perspective (Age Wise, Gender Wise and Year Wise) of Parameters Affecting the Undergraduate Engineering Education

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kumari, Neeraj

2014-01-01

The objective of the study is to examine the students' perspective (age wise, gender wise and year wise) of parameters affecting the undergraduate engineering education system present in a private technical institution in NCR [National Capital Region], Haryana. It is a descriptive type of research in nature. The data has been collected with the…

Evaluation of self-collected rectal swabs for the detection of bacteria responsible for sexually transmitted infections in a cohort of HIV-1-infected patients.

PubMed

Edouard, Sophie; Tamalet, Catherine; Tissot-Dupont, Hervé; Colson, Philippe; Ménard, Amélie; Ravaux, Isabelle; Dhiver, Catherine; Tomei, Christelle; Stein, Andreas; Raoult, Didier

2017-06-08

The standard approach to screening sexually transmitted infections (STIs) has often been restricted to urogenital specimens. Most current guidelines, however, also recommend testing extra-genital sites, including rectal locations, because asymptomatic rectal carriage of pathogens has often been reported. The aim of our study was to evaluate self-collected rectal swabs to screen bacterial STIs in HIV-infected patients in Marseille, France. Between January 2014 and December 2015, 118 HIV-infected patients (93 males and 25 females) agreed to self-sample anal swabs for detection of bacterial STI. Detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Treponema pallidum, Mycoplasma genitalium and Haemophilus ducreyi was performed using in-house qPCR assay.Results/Key findings. Bacterial STIs were found in 8 % (9/118) of the patients. C. trachomatis was the most commonly detected bacterium (4.2 %) followed by N. gonorrhoeae (2.5 %), M. genitalium (1.7 %) and T. pallidum (0.8 %). All the positive patients were males. The rectal carriage of pathogenic bacteria was fortuitously discovered for seven men (78 %) who did not present rectal signs of STIs and was suspected for two men who presented proctitis (22 %). In conclusion, testing extra-genital sites is crucial for the diagnosis of STIs in men and women presenting or not concomitant urogenital infections in order to detect asymptomatic carriage with the aim of controlling and preventing transmission to their sexual partners.

An optimized, fast-to-perform mouse lung infection model with the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis for in vivo screening of antibiotics, vaccine candidates and modified host-pathogen interactions.

PubMed

Dutow, Pavel; Wask, Lea; Bothe, Miriam; Fehlhaber, Beate; Laudeley, Robert; Rheinheimer, Claudia; Yang, Zhangsheng; Zhong, Guangming; Glage, Silke; Klos, Andreas

2016-03-01

Chlamydia trachomatis causes sexually transmitted diseases with infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease and neonatal pneumonia as complications. The duration of urogenital mouse models with the strict mouse pathogen C. muridarum addressing vaginal shedding, pathological changes of the upper genital tract or infertility is rather long. Moreover, vaginal C. trachomatis application usually does not lead to the complications feared in women. A fast-to-perform mouse model is urgently needed to analyze new antibiotics, vaccine candidates, immune responses (in gene knockout animals) or mutants of C. trachomatis. To complement the valuable urogenital model with a much faster and quantifiable screening method, we established an optimized lung infection model for the human intracellular bacterium C. trachomatis serovar D (and L2) in immunocompetent C57BL/6J mice. We demonstrated its usefulness by sensitive determination of antibiotic effects characterizing advantages and limitations achievable by early or delayed short tetracycline treatment and single-dose azithromycin application. Moreover, we achieved partial acquired protection in reinfection with serovar D indicating usability for vaccine studies, and showed a different course of disease in absence of complement factor C3. Sensitive monitoring parameters were survival rate, body weight, clinical score, bacterial load, histological score, the granulocyte marker myeloperoxidase, IFN-γ, TNF-α, MCP-1 and IL-6. © FEMS 2015. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Understanding morphological variability in a taxonomic context in Chilean diplomystids (Teleostei: Siluriformes), including the description of a new species

PubMed Central

2017-01-01

Following study of the external morphology and its unmatched variability throughout ontogeny and a re-examination of selected morphological characters based on many specimens of diplomystids from Central and South Chile, we revised and emended previous specific diagnoses and consider Diplomystes chilensis, D. nahuelbutaensis, D. camposensis, and Olivaichthys viedmensis (Baker River) to be valid species. Another group, previously identified as Diplomystes sp., D. spec., D. aff. chilensis, and D. cf. chilensis inhabiting rivers between Rapel and Itata Basins is given a new specific name (Diplomystes incognitus) and is diagnosed. An identification key to the Chilean species, including the new species, is presented. All specific diagnoses are based on external morphological characters, such as aspects of the skin, neuromast lines, and main lateral line, and position of the anus and urogenital pore, as well as certain osteological characters to facilitate the identification of these species that previously was based on many internal characters. Diplomystids below 150 mm standard length (SL) share a similar external morphology and body proportions that make identification difficult; however, specimens over 150 mm SL can be diagnosed by the position of the urogenital pore and anus, and a combination of external and internal morphological characters. According to current knowledge, diplomystid species have an allopatric distribution with each species apparently endemic to particular basins in continental Chile and one species (O. viedmensis) known only from one river in the Chilean Patagonia, but distributed extensively in southern Argentina. PMID:28224053

Colonization of the lower urogenital tract with Ureaplasma parvum can cause asymptomatic infection of the upper reproductive system in women: a preliminary study.

PubMed

Kasprzykowska, Urszula; Elias, Joanna; Elias, Marek; Mączyńska, Beata; Sobieszczańska, Beata Magdalena

2014-05-01

Genital ureaplasmas are considered opportunistic pathogens of human genitourinary tract involved in adverse pregnancy sequelae and infertility. While association of Ureaplasma urealyticum with urogenital tract infections is well established, the role of Ureaplasma parvum in these infections is still insufficient. In the study, we compared how often cervicovaginal colonization with U. parvum is associated with the presence of these microorganisms in the upper genitourinary tract of fertile and infertile women. We used PCR assay to determine the prevalence of U. parvum and U. urealyticum in pairs of specimens, i.e., vaginal swabs and Douglas' pouch fluid samples from consecutive 40 women with no symptoms of genital tract infection. In total, 19 (47.5 %) of the 40 samples were positive for ureaplasmas. U. parvum was simultaneously detected in pairs of samples in five (55.5 %) of the nine (47.4 %) women positive in PCR assay. As many as 5 (18.5 %) of the 27 infertile women and 1 (7.7 %) of the 13 fertile women showed infection of the upper genital tract with U. parvum. The results of the study demonstrated that colonization of the lower genital tract with U. parvum can produce asymptomatic infection of the upper reproductive system in women. These findings also imply that U. parvum may be present in the upper genital tract at the time of conception and might be involved in adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Human papillomavirus DNA in the urogenital tracts of men with gonorrhoea, penile warts or genital dermatoses.

PubMed Central

Hillman, R J; Ryait, B K; Botcherby, M; Taylor-Robinson, D

1993-01-01

OBJECTIVE--To assess the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA in urethral and urine specimens from men with and without sexually transmitted diseases. DESIGN--Prospective study. SETTING--Two London departments of genitourinary medicine PATIENTS--100 men with urethral gonorrhoea, 31 men with penile warts and 37 men with genital dermatoses. METHODS--Urethral and urine specimens were taken, HPV DNA extracted and then amplified using the polymerase chain reaction. HPV types 6, 11, 16, 18, 31 and 33 were identified using Southern blotting followed by hybridisation. RESULTS--HPV DNA was detected in 18-31% of urethral swab specimens and in 0-14% of urine specimens. Men with penile warts had HPV detected in urethral swabs more often than did men in the other two clinical groups. "High risk" HPV types were found in 71-83% of swab specimens and in 73-80% of urine specimens containing HPV DNA. CONCLUSIONS--HPV is present in the urogenital tracts of men with gonorrhoea, penile warts and with genital dermatoses. In men with urethral gonorrhoea, detection of HPV in urethral specimens is not related to the number of sexual partners, condom usage, racial origin or past history of genital warts. HPV DNA in the urethral swab and urine specimens may represent different aspects of the epidemiology of HPV in the male genital tract. The preponderance of HPV types 16 and 18 in all three groups of men may be relevant to the concept of the "high risk male". Images PMID:8392967

Anti-Müllerian Hormone Is Required for Chicken Embryonic Urogenital System Growth but Not Sexual Differentiation.

PubMed

Lambeth, Luke S; Ayers, Katie; Cutting, Andrew D; Doran, Timothy J; Sinclair, Andrew H; Smith, Craig A

2015-12-01

In mammals, the primary role of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) during development is the regression of Müllerian ducts in males. These structures otherwise develop into fallopian tubes, oviducts, and upper vagina, as in females. This highly conserved function is retained in birds and is supported by the high levels of AMH expression in developing testes. In mammals, AMH expression is controlled partly by the transcription factor, SOX9. However, in the chicken, AMH mRNA expression precedes that of SOX9 , leading to the view that AMH may lie upstream of SOX9 and play a more central role in avian testicular development. To help define the role of AMH in chicken gonad development, we suppressed AMH expression in chicken embryos using RNA interference. In males, AMH knockdown did not affect the expression of key testis pathway genes, and testis cords developed normally. However, a reduction in the size of the mesonephros and gonads was observed, a phenotype that was evident in both sexes. This growth defect occurred as a result of the reduced proliferative capacity of the cells of these tissues, and male gonads also had a significant reduction in germ cell numbers. These data suggest that although AMH does not directly contribute to testicular or ovarian differentiation, it is required in a sex-independent manner for proper cell proliferation and urogenital system growth. © 2015 by the Society for the Study of Reproduction, Inc.

Impact of a soy drink on climacteric symptoms: an open-label, crossover, randomized clinical trial

PubMed Central

Tranche, Salvador; Brotons, Carlos; Pascual de la Pisa, Beatriz; Macías, Ramón; Hevia, Eduardo; Marzo-Castillejo, Mercè

2016-01-01

Abstract Objectives: The objective of this study is to evaluate the effects of a soy drink with a high concentration of isoflavones (ViveSoy®) on climacteric symptoms. Methods: An open-label, controlled, crossover clinical trial was conducted in 147 peri- and postmenopausal women. Eligible women were recruited from 13 Spanish health centers and randomly assigned to one of the two sequence groups (control or ViveSoy®, 500 mL per day, 15 g of protein and 50 mg of isoflavones). Each intervention phase lasted for 12 weeks with a 6-week washout period. Changes on the Menopause Rating Scale and quality of life questionnaires, as well as lipid profile, cardiovascular risk and carbohydrate and bone metabolism were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using a mixed-effects model. Results: A sample of 147 female volunteers was recruited of which 90 were evaluable. In both sequence groups, adherence to the intervention was high. Regular consumption of ViveSoy® reduced climacteric symptoms by 20.4% (p = 0.001) and symptoms in the urogenital domain by 21.3% (p < 0.05). It also improved health-related quality life by 18.1%, as per the MRS questionnaire (p <0.05). Conclusion: Regular consumption of ViveSoy® improves both the somatic and urogenital domain symptoms of menopause, as well as health-related quality of life in peri- and postmenopausal women. PMID:26806546

Current studies on bacterospermia the leading cause of male infertility: a protégé and potential threat towards mans extinction

PubMed Central

Isaiah, Ibeh Nnana; Nche, Bikwe Thomas; Nwagu, Ibeh Georgina; Nnanna, Ibeh Isaiah

2011-01-01

Background: The current rise of male infertility associated with bacterospermia and urogenital infection has been on the increase amongst adult married males in Benin metropolis and a major cause of concern to male fertility and reproduction in Nigeria. Aim: To microbiologically isolate and study the infectious agent that has led to male infertility and also to study the percentage occurrence of bacteropsermia and urogenital caused infertility in adult married males in Benin metropolis Material and Method: using standard microbiological methods of isolating and identifying the organism, specimen was collected and processed which includes the susceptibility profile of isolates and sperm quality. In this study a total of 140 sperm samples was collected from patient who were referred from the consultant outpatient department of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and then evaluated bacteriologically using standard bacterial cultural methods Results: Among the total cases, 92 (65.7%) showed at least one pathogen. Staphylococcus aureus (28.3%), Staphylococcus Saprophyticus (13.0%), Pseudomonas aerouginosa (6.5%), Escherichia Coli (19.6%) Proteus mirabilis (10.8%) Klebsiella spp (10.8%) and Proteus vulgaris (10.8%). Conclusion: There was an outstanding significant relationship between bacteriospermia and the rate of total motility and morphologically abnormal sperms, The percentage of morphologically normal sperm was lower in this study. Staphylococcus aureus Staphylococcus saprohyticus and Escherichia coli were the most common pathogen having negative effects on sperm motility and morphology in this study. PMID:22363079

Revisiting old vaginal topics: conversion of the Müllerian vagina and origin of the "sinus" vagina.

PubMed

Cai, Yi

2009-01-01

Vaginal development has been a longstanding controversy, which hampers studies on vaginal diseases as well as cervical and uterine diseases. Most concerns center on: why is the vaginal epithelium different from the uterine epithelium; and where does the vagina originate from? It is commonly held that the rodent vagina has a dual origin: the cranial part is derived from the Mullerian duct (Mullerian vagina) and the caudal part derived from the urogenital sinus (sinus vagina). This concept was deduced from morphological observations. However, it cannot explain the difference between the Mullerian vagina and the uterus. Moreover, accumulating new data from genetic and molecular studies contradicts the urogenital sinus origin of the sinus vagina. The present review summarizes previous morphological observations and new findings from genetic and molecular studies, and addresses molecular mechanisms underlying the origin and organogenesis of the vagina in rodents. It provides evidence to show that the whole vagina is derived the Mullerian duct. BMP4 reshapes the intermediate mesoderm-derived Mullerian duct into the vaginal primordium. The latter thus exhibits different features from the uterus, including the stratified squamous epithelium and insensitivity to anti-Mullerian hormone. The sinus vagina is formed by extrinsic BMP4-mediated caudal extension of the Mullerian duct. The present review thus shows how a century of controversy over the origin and organogenesis of the vagina has been resolved. This new understanding will provide additional insight into genetic diseases and tumors of the female reproductive tract.

Attachment Representations and Time Perspective in Adolescence

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Laghi, Fiorenzo; D'Alessio, Maria; Pallini, Susanna; Baiocco, Roberto

2009-01-01

This study examines the relationship between attachment to parents and peers, time perspective and psychological adjustment in adolescence. 2,665 adolescents (M age = 17.03 years, SD = 1.48) completed self-report measures about parent and peer attachment, time perspective, sympathy and self-determination. Subjects were divided into four groups…

Research Perspectives and Best Practices in Educational Technology Integration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Keengwe, Jared

2013-01-01

With advancements in technology continuing to influence all areas of society, students in current classrooms have a different understanding and perspective of learning than the educational system has been designed to teach. Research Perspectives and Best Practices in Educational Technology Integration highlights the emerging digital age, its…

Deweyan integration: moving beyond place attachment in elderly migration theory.

PubMed

Cutchin, M P

2001-01-01

The fact that aging-in-place and elderly migration are intricately linked has been overlooked by behavioral approaches to elderly migration. "Humanistic" inquiry has provided important insights into aging-in-place and elderly migration as well as the connection between the two. Humanistic approaches, however, do not encapsulate the full range of experience involved in elders' lives. To move beyond humanistic research and key concepts such as place attachment, the philosophy of John Dewey is introduced. Dewey's viewpoint is merged with the geographical concept of place into what is termed "place integration." This perspective is subsequently compared with humanistic perspectives on aging-in-place and elderly migration decision-making. Fundamental differences such as temporal orientation and substantive focus are illustrated and discussed. Conclusions address the utility of such a perspective.

Gender, age, and psychosocial context of the perception of facial esthetics.

PubMed

Tole, Nikoleta; Lajnert, Vlatka; Kovacevic Pavicic, Daniela; Spalj, Stjepan

2014-01-01

To explore the effects of gender, age, and psychosocial context on the perception of facial esthetics. The study included 1,444 Caucasian subjects aged 16 to 85 years. Two sets of color photographs illustrating 13 male and 13 female Caucasian facial type alterations, representing different skeletal and dentoalveolar components of sagittal maxillary-mandibular relationships, were used to estimate the facial profile attractiveness. The examinees graded the profiles based on a 0 to 10 numerical rating scale. The examinees graded the profiles of their own sex only from a social perspective, whereas opposite sex profiles were graded both from the social and emotional perspective separately. The perception of facial esthetics was found to be related to the gender, age, and psychosocial context of evaluation (p < 0.05). The most attractive profiles to men are the orthognathic female profile from the social perspective and the moderate bialveolar protrusion from the emotional perspective. The most attractive profile to women is the orthognathic male profile, when graded from the social aspect, and the mild bialveolar retrusion when graded from the emotional aspect. The age increase of the assessor results in a higher attractiveness grade. When planning treatment that modifies the facial profile, the clinician should bear in mind that the perception of facial profile esthetics is a complex phenomenon influenced by biopsychosocial factors. This study allows a better understanding of the concept of perception of facial esthetics that includes gender, age, and psychosocial context. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Cost-effectiveness analysis of a vaccination program for the prevention of herpes zoster and post-herpetic neuralgia in adults aged 50 and over in Germany.

PubMed

Préaud, Emmanuelle; Uhart, Mathieu; Böhm, Katharina; Aidelsburger, Pamela; Anger, Delphine; Bianic, Florence; Largeron, Nathalie

2015-01-01

Herpes zoster (HZ; shingles) is a common viral disease that affects the nerves and surrounding skin causing a painful dermatomal rash and leading to debilitating complications such as, mainly, post-herpetic neuralgia (PHN). Currently, there is no effective treatment for HZ and PHN. The objective of this study was to assess the cost-effectiveness of a HZ vaccination program in Germany. An existing Markov Model was adapted to the German healthcare setting to compare a vaccination policy to no vaccination on a lifetime time-horizon, considering 2 scenarios: vaccinating people starting at the age of 50 or at the age of 60 years, from the perspective of the statutory health insurance (SHI) and the societal perspective. According to the perspective, vaccinating 20% of the 60+ German population resulted in 162,713 to 186,732 HZ and 31,657 to 35,793 PHN cases avoided. Corresponding incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICER) were 39,306 €/QALY from the SHI perspective and 37,417 €/QALY from a societal perspective. Results for the 50+ German population ranged from 336,468 to 394,575 HZ and from 48,637 to 56,087 PHN cases avoided from the societal perspective. Corresponding ICER were 39,782 €/QALY from a SHI perspective and 32,848 €/QALY from a societal perspective. Sensitivity analyses showed that results are mainly impacted by discount rates, utility values and use of alternative epidemiological data.The model indicated that a HZ vaccination policy in Germany leads to significant public health benefits and could be a cost-effective intervention. The results were robust and consistent with local and international existing literature.

A study of clinical nursing research priorities in aged care: a Hong Kong perspective.

PubMed

Chang, Esther; Ho, Carey Kit Bing; Yuen, Anders Chi Man; Hatcher, Deborah

2003-10-01

The aim of this study was to identify clinical research priorities in aged care from the perspectives of rehabilitation aged care nurses in Hong Kong. The Delphi method was used whereby 33 registered nurses working in an aged care rehabilitation ward identified 28 research questions pertaining to areas in which nurses could take a leadership role: clinical research that is of highest value to patients and nurse specialists; clinical research which would provide improved community care; facilitate health promotion and disease prevention and be of value to the professional needs of clinical nurses. Study findings have implications and provide direction for clinical nursing research in aged care.

Age differences in the psychological consequences of Hurricane Hugo.

PubMed

Thompson, M P; Norris, F H; Hanacek, B

1993-12-01

At 12, 18, and 24 months after Hurricane Hugo, 831 adults were interviewed regarding their disaster-related stressors and present psychological state. The study's purposes were to assess whether age influenced one's vulnerability to postdisaster stress and to evaluate four different perspectives on disaster recovery that have been previously used to explain age differences. Regression analyses demonstrated that disaster exposure had substantial and pervasive psychological effects. The analyses also revealed a curvilinear interaction between disaster exposure and age. Younger people exhibited the most distress in the absence of disaster, but middle-aged people did so in its presence. Differential exposure, resources, and inoculation all failed to explain these differences, however, the burden perspective had considerable explanatory power.

Multi-tissue DNA methylation age: Molecular relationships and perspectives for advancing biomarker utility.

PubMed

Nwanaji-Enwerem, Jamaji C; Weisskopf, Marc G; Baccarelli, Andrea A

2018-04-23

The multi-tissue DNA methylation estimator of chronological age (DNAm-age) has been associated with a wide range of exposures and health outcomes. Still, it is unclear how DNAm-age can have such broad relationships and how it can be best utilized as a biomarker. Understanding DNAm-age's molecular relationships is a promising approach to address this critical knowledge gap. In this review, we discuss the existing literature regarding DNAm-age's molecular relationships in six major categories: animal model systems, cancer processes, cellular aging processes, immune system processes, metabolic processes, and nucleic acid processes. We also present perspectives regarding the future of DNAm-age research, including the need to translate a greater number of ongoing research efforts to experimental and animal model systems. Copyright © 2018 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Own aging: future time perspectives and scenarios perceived by females employed in old age care.

PubMed

Fromholt, P; Larsen, P; Snell, H

1994-04-01

This study focuses on anticipations of own aging, and the process of adaptation to aging across the life span. Future time perspectives and aging scenarios were investigated in 276 Danish females employed in old age care (aged 22 to 63 years), by use of questionnaires. Age-related differences were found regarding how far ahead subjects indicated to plan their future, increasing from about two years in subjects in their twenties and stabilizing at about ten years in older subjects. Datings of events that first initiated thinking of one's own aging increased with the age of the subjects, and some age-related patterns in the content of recalled events were found. A developmental mechanism involving reinterpretation of essential elements of aging is suggested as an explanation for these findings. A preponderance of positive scenarios suggests that optimistic anticipations of own aging may coexist with exposure to negative aspects of aging due to working experiences with disabled old people.

The Perspectives of Young Men and Their Teenage Partners on Maternity and Health Services during Pregnancy and Early Parenthood

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ross, Nicola J.; Church, Stephanie; Hill, Malcolm; Seaman, Pete; Roberts, Tom

2012-01-01

This study discusses young couples' interactions with maternity and health services paying particular attention to men's perspectives. Findings are based on research conducted in Scotland with men (aged 16-25) and their teenage partners (aged 16-19). Most young men were very involved in their child's life and provided support and care to their…

Older Workers' Perspectives on Training and Retention of Older Workers. A National Vocational Education and Training Research and Evaluation Program Report

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lundberg, David; Marshallsay, Zaniah

2007-01-01

Older workers' perspectives are examined in a national survey of the finance sector and case studies of aged care and construction workers. The majority of older workers intend to work beyond retirement age, to achieve a better lifestyle. With training, older workers could mentor younger workers. (Contains 30 tables.) [This work has been produced…

The Social Structuring of Mental Health over the Adult Life Course: Advancing Theory in the Sociology of Aging

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Clarke, Philippa; Marshall, Victor; House, James; Lantz, Paula

2011-01-01

The sociology of aging draws on a broad array of theoretical perspectives and social theories from several disciplines, but rarely has it developed its own theories or theoretical perspectives. We build on past work to further advance and empirically test a model of mental health framed in terms of structural theorizing and situated within the…

Diversity and Inclusion in Information Technology from an Age Perspective: Motivating and Managing Information Technology Professionals across Multiple Generations in the Workforce

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kenan-Smalls, Yottie Marie

2011-01-01

The purpose of this quantitative study was to investigate diversity and inclusion from an age perspective among information technology (IT) professionals that were categorized as 4 different generations in the workforce today: Traditionalists, Baby Boomers, Generation X, and Generation Y. At the same time, this study sought to examine motivational…

Methods for a multicenter randomized trial for mixed urinary incontinence: rationale and patient-centeredness of the ESTEEM trial.

PubMed

Sung, Vivian W; Borello-France, Diane; Dunivan, Gena; Gantz, Marie; Lukacz, Emily S; Moalli, Pamela; Newman, Diane K; Richter, Holly E; Ridgeway, Beri; Smith, Ariana L; Weidner, Alison C; Meikle, Susan

2016-10-01

Mixed urinary incontinence (MUI) can be a challenging condition to manage. We describe the protocol design and rationale for the Effects of Surgical Treatment Enhanced with Exercise for Mixed Urinary Incontinence (ESTEEM) trial, designed to compare a combined conservative and surgical treatment approach versus surgery alone for improving patient-centered MUI outcomes at 12 months. ESTEEM is a multisite, prospective, randomized trial of female participants with MUI randomized to a standardized perioperative behavioral/pelvic floor exercise intervention plus midurethral sling versus midurethral sling alone. We describe our methods and four challenges encountered during the design phase: defining the study population, selecting relevant patient-centered outcomes, determining sample size estimates using a patient-reported outcome measure, and designing an analysis plan that accommodates MUI failure rates. A central theme in the design was patient centeredness, which guided many key decisions. Our primary outcome is patient-reported MUI symptoms measured using the Urogenital Distress Inventory (UDI) score at 12 months. Secondary outcomes include quality of life, sexual function, cost-effectiveness, time to failure, and need for additional treatment. The final study design was implemented in November 2013 across eight clinical sites in the Pelvic Floor Disorders Network. As of 27 February 2016, 433 total/472 targeted participants had been randomized. We describe the ESTEEM protocol and our methods for reaching consensus for methodological challenges in designing a trial for MUI by maintaining the patient perspective at the core of key decisions. This trial will provide information that can directly impact patient care and clinical decision making.

Ureaplasma: current perspectives.

PubMed

Kokkayil, P; Dhawan, B

2015-01-01

Ureaplasma species are the most prevalent genital Mycoplasma isolated from the urogenital tract of both men and women. Ureaplasma has 14 known serotypes and is divided into two biovars- Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum. The organism has several genes coding for surface proteins, the most important being the gene encoding the Multiple Banded Antigen (MBA). The C-terminal domain of MBA is antigenic and elicits a host antibody response. Other virulence factors include phospholipases A and C, IgA protease and urease. Besides genital tract infections and infertility, Ureaplasma is also associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes and diseases in the newborn (chronic lung disease and retinopathy of prematurity). Infection produces cytokines in the amniotic fluid which initiates preterm labour. They have also been reported from renal stone and suppurative arthritis. Genital infections have also been reported with an increasing frequency in HIV-infected patients. Ureaplasma may be a candidate 'co factor' in the pathogenesis of AIDS. Culture and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) are the mainstay of diagnosis. Commercial assays are available with improved turnaround time. Micro broth dilution is routinely used to test antimicrobial susceptibility of isolates. The organisms are tested against azithromycin, josamycin, ofloxacin and doxycycline. Resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines and fluoroquinolones have been reported. The susceptibility pattern also varies among the biovars with biovar 2 maintaining higher sensitivity rates. Prompt diagnosis and initiation of appropriate antibiotic therapy is essential to prevent long term complications of Ureaplasma infections. After surveying PubMed literature using the terms 'Ureaplasma', 'Ureaplasma urealyticum' and 'Ureaplasma parvum', relevant literature were selected to provide a concise review on the recent developments.

[The features in preventing recurrent lower urinary tract infection].

PubMed

Gadzhieva, Z K; Kazilov, Yu B

2016-08-01

This review outlines characteristics of medications most commonly used for preventing recurrent lower urinary tract infection (UTI). It shows that the treatment and prophylaxis of UTI should be comprehensive and include the restoration of the normal urogenital tract anatomy and use in addition to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs, agents, normalizing the function of the lower urinary tract, as well as drugs for local and systemic immunoprophylaxis, protection of the urothelium from recurrent infection, local hormone replacement therapy in menopause, and dietary supplements to acidify the urine.

The role of soy foods in the treatment of menopausal symptoms.

PubMed

Levis, Silvina; Griebeler, Marcio L

2010-12-01

The findings of the Women's Health Initiative resulted in a sharp decline in the use of estrogen therapy. Increasingly, menopausal women have been interested in soy foods as an alternative to estrogen therapy for the treatment of menopausal symptoms. This article provides an overview of the limited number of studies that assess the effectiveness of soy foods to alleviate vasomotor and urogenital symptoms. The evidence of the efficacy of soy foods in improving menopausal symptoms is limited due to the small number of trials reporting conflicting results.

Three cases of reactive arthritis secondary to lymphogranuloma venereum.

PubMed

Perry, Melissa E O; White, John A

2015-01-01

We describe 3 cases of sexually acquired reactive arthritis following rectal lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) infection in London men who have sex with men. While sexually acquired reactive arthritis is well recognized following urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis infections, the association with rectal infection by LGV-associated serovars of C. trachomatis has been seldom reported, and thus the organism might not be sought by clinicians. The recognition of the various clinical syndromes of LGV by all clinicians, including rheumatologists, is essential given the endemicity of LGV in European men who have sex with men.

Multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae failing treatment with ceftriaxone and doxycycline in France, November 2017.

PubMed

Poncin, Thibault; Fouere, Sebastien; Braille, Aymeric; Camelena, Francois; Agsous, Myriem; Bebear, Cecile; Kumanski, Sylvain; Lot, Florence; Mercier-Delarue, Severine; Ngangro, Ndeindo Ndeikoundam; Salmona, Maud; Schnepf, Nathalie; Timsit, Julie; Unemo, Magnus; Bercot, Beatrice

2018-05-01

We report a multidrug-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae urogenital and pharyngeal infection with ceftriaxone resistance and intermediate resistance to azithromycin in a heterosexual woman in her 20s in France. Treatment with ceftriaxone plus doxycycline failed for the pharyngeal localisation. Whole-genome sequencing of isolate F90 identified MLST 1903 , NG-MAST ST 3435 , NG-STAR 233 , and relevant resistance determinants. F90 showed phenotypic and genotypic similarities to an internationally spreading multidrug-resistant and ceftriaxone-resistant clone detected in Japan and subsequently in Australia, Canada and Denmark.

Reproductive Disorders of Marsupials.

PubMed

Johnson-Delaney, Cathy A; Lennox, Angela M

2017-05-01

Marsupial reproduction differs significantly in anatomy and physiology from that of placental mammals. The gastrointestinal and urogenital tracts empty into a cloaca. Reproductive parameters include gestation and pouch time, as the fetus develops outside of the uterus. Captive marsupials discussed include sugar gliders), short-tailed opossums, Virginia opossums, and Tammar and Bennett's wallabies. Common disease conditions include joey eviction, pouch infections, mastitis, metritis, prostatitis, penile necrosis, and neoplasia. Common surgeries include penile amputation, castration, and ovario-vaginal-hysterectomy or ovario-hysterectomy. Therapeutics used for these conditions are presented. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Outstanding problems of normal and pathological morphology of the diffuse endocrine system].

PubMed

Iaglov, V V; Iaglova, N V

2011-01-01

The diffuse endocrine system (DES)--a mosaic-cellular endoepithelial gland--is the biggest part of the human endocrine system. Scientists used to consider cells of DES as neuroectodermal. According to modem data cells of DES are different cytogenetic types because they develop from the different embryonic blastophyllum. So that any hormone-active tumors originated from DES of the digestive, respiratory and urogenital system shouldn't be considered as neuroendocrinal tumors. The basic problems of DES morphology and pathology are the creation of scientifically substantiated histogenetic classification of DES tumors.

Prostatic tuberculosis and AIDS.

PubMed

Lanjewar, D N; Maheshwari, M B

1994-01-01

Tuberculosis of the prostate is rare and is thought to be either due to haematogenous dissemination or secondary to renal infection. We describe, possibly for the first time, two male patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome who had tuberculous abscesses in the prostate discovered at post-mortem examination. Only one of them had mild urinary symptoms and neither had evidence of urogenital tuberculosis before death. We suggest that in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome tuberculous infection of the prostate should be sought by microscopic examination of the urine, semen and prostatic fluid obtained after massage.

Defining Successful Aging: A Tangible or Elusive Concept?

PubMed Central

Martin, Peter; Kelly, Norene; Kahana, Boaz; Kahana, Eva; Willcox, Bradley J.; Willcox, D. Craig; Poon, Leonard W.

2015-01-01

Purpose of the Study: Everyone wants to age successfully; however, the definition and criteria of successful aging remain vague for laypersons, researchers, and policymakers in spite of decades of research on the topic. This paper highlights work of scholars who made significant theoretical contributions to the topic. Design and Methods: A thorough review and evaluation of the literature on successful aging was undertaken. Results: Our review includes early gerontological definitions of successful aging and related concepts. Historical perspectives reach back to philosophical and religious texts, and more recent approaches have focused on both process- and outcome-oriented models of successful aging. We elaborate on Baltes and Baltes’ theory of selective optimization with compensation [Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990a). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1–34). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press], Kahana and Kahana’s preventive and corrective proactivity model [Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. (1996). Conceptual and empirical advances in understanding aging well through proactive adaptation. In V. Bengtson (Ed.), Adulthood and aging: Research on continuities and discontinuities (pp. 18–40). New York: Springer], and Rowe and Kahn’s model of successful aging [Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon Books], outlining their commonalities and differences. Additional views on successful aging emphasize subjective versus objective perceptions of successful aging and relate successful aging to studies on healthy and exceptional longevity. Implications: Additional theoretical work is needed to better understand successful aging, including the way it can encompass disability and death and dying. The extent of rapid social and technological change influencing views on successful aging also deserves more consideration. PMID:24840916

Future time perspective and promotion focus as determinants of intraindividual change in work motivation.

PubMed

Kooij, Dorien T A M; Bal, P Matthijs; Kanfer, Ruth

2014-06-01

In the near future, workforces will increasingly consist of older workers. At the same time, research has demonstrated that work-related growth motives decrease with age. Although this finding is consistent with life span theories, such as the selection optimization and compensation (SOC) model, we know relatively little about the process variables that bring about this change in work motivation. Therefore, we use a 4-wave study design to examine the mediating role of future time perspective and promotion focus in the negative association between age and work-related growth motives. Consistent with the SOC model, we found that future time perspective was negatively associated with age, which, in turn, was associated with lower promotion focus, lower work-related growth motive strength, and lower motivation to continue working. These findings have important theoretical implications for the literature on aging and work motivation, and practical implications for how to motivate older workers. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2014 APA, all rights reserved.

Determinants of willingness to pay for a new therapy in a sample of menopausal-aged women.

PubMed

Rasch, Andrej; Hodek, Jan-Marc; Runge, Claus; Greiner, Wolfgang

2009-01-01

Menopause is a natural physiological event that usually begins in women between the ages of 48 and 55 years. In many cases, this event is associated with unpleasant somatic-vegetative, urogenital or psychological symptoms. To test the health and social demographic factors (especially household income level) that influence willingness to pay (WTP) for a new hormone-free treatment in women of menopausal age. 1365 women between the ages of 45 and 73 years were surveyed about their health and WTP for the new treatment. WTP was evaluated with a closed-ended binary questionnaire (four groups with different levels of co-payment between euro15 and euro60), using the contingent valuation method. The average WTP was calculated according to the area under the demand function. Factors contributing to payment readiness were examined by means of binary logistic regression. WTP was significantly affected by women's opinion of the new medication, the level of co-payment required, net household income, whether currently in treatment for menopausal symptoms, and Menopause Rating Scale (MRS) values. Compared with other factors, the level of co-payment was predicted to have a negative impact on WTP. Income level is an important factor in WTP and correlates highly with several other health-related variables (WHO-5 index, MRS value, receipt of other menopause medicines and existing co-morbidity). The average co-payment that our group of women was willing to pay was between euro17 and euro35 per month, or euro24 to euro42 for women who were currently receiving treatment for symptoms of menopause. While interpreting the results, it should be considered that the hypothetical therapy was assumed to be a new non-reimbursable alternative to conventional therapy offered under the existing statutory framework for health insurance in Germany. Despite some methodological limitations, these results are useful for examining the factors affecting WTP and incremental utilities for future medicine dealing with menopause.

Idiopathic corporeal hemihypertrophy associated with hemihypertrichosis.

PubMed

Maniar, S; Azzi, K; Iraqi, H; El Hassan Garbi, M; Chraibi, A; Gaouzi, A

2011-02-01

The hemihypertrophy or hemihyperplasy is a rare congenital abnormality, characterized by an asymmetric growth of the limbs, the trunk, and the face or half of the entire body. It may be isolated or be part of several syndromes including Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber syndrome, Silver-Russell syndrome and Proteus syndrome. In its isolated form, it is called idiopathic. The latter may be associated with several anomalies including dermatological and urogenital abnormalities with increased risk of developing embryonal tumors. We report the case of a 22-month-old infant, who was referred by his pediatrician at the age of 15 months for a corporeal hemihypertrophy associated with hemihypertrichosis. In his medical history, a second degree parental consanguinity and a hypospadias in the father and a paternal uncle were found. Clinical examination found a weight and a size greater than chronological age (3 standard deviations), a hemihypertrophy of entire left side with a difference of length and diameter between the left and right limbs of 2 cm. The hemihypertrichosis was widespread in the left body and the genital examination found a hypospadias. Biological and radiological assessments did not show any abnormality, with the exception of an initially high plasma testosterone level, which gradually normalized. Thus, the diagnosis of idiopathic hemihypertrophy with congenital hemihypertrichosis was retained. This is the fourth case reported in the literature. Its management is similar to all hemihypertrophies, which consists of an initial assessment to detect an embryonic tumor, followed by a monitoring protocol including an abdominal and renal ultrasound every 6 months until the age of 8, determination of alpha-feto-protein every 6 to 12 weeks until the age of 4 years to track the development of the two most frequent tumors: Wilms tumor and hepatoblastoma. The hemihypertrophy associated with hemihypertrichosis has been exceptionally reported and the cause of this association has not been identified to date. Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.

An overview of age estimation in forensic anthropology: perspectives and practical considerations.

PubMed

Márquez-Grant, Nicholas

2015-01-01

Information on methods of age estimation in physical anthropology, in particular with regard to age-at-death from human skeletal remains, is widely available in the literature. However, the practicalities and real challenges faced in forensic casework are not always highlighted. To provide a practitioner's perspective, regarding age estimation in forensic anthropology (both in the living as well as the dead), with an emphasis on the types of cases, the value of such work and its challenges and limitations. The paper reviews the current literature on age estimation with a focus on forensic anthropology, but it also brings the author's personal perspective derived from a number of forensic cases. Although much is known about what methods to use, but not always how to apply them, little attention has been given in the literature to the real practicalities faced by forensic anthropologists, for example: the challenges in different types of scenarios; how to report age estimations; responsibilities; and ethical concerns. This paper gathers some of these aspects into one overview which includes the value of such work and the practical challenges, not necessarily with the methods themselves, but also with regard to how these are applied in the different cases where age estimation is required.

How Does It Look? Level 2 Perspective-Taking at 36 Months of Age

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moll, Henrike; Meltzoff, Andrew N.

2011-01-01

Previous research has found that children engage in Level 2 visual perspective-taking, that is, the understanding that others may see things in a different way, between 4 and 5 years of age (e.g., J. H. Flavell, B. A. Everett, K. Croft, & E. R. Flavell, 1981). This ability was reexamined in 36-month-olds using color filters. In Experiment 1 (N =…

Socio-ecological perspective of older age life expectancy: income, gender inequality, and financial crisis in Europe.

PubMed

Kim, Jong In; Kim, Gukbin

2017-08-18

Population is aging rapidly in Europe. Older age life expectancy (OLE) can be influenced by country-level depth of credit information (DCI) as an indicator of financial crisis, gross national income (GNI) per capita, and gender inequality index (GII). These factors are key indicators of socio-ecological inequality. They can be used to develop strategies to reduce country-level health disparity. The objective of this study was to confirm the relationship between socio-ecological factors and OLE in Europe. Data were obtained from World Bank, WHO, and UN database for 34 Europe countries. Associations between socio-ecological factors and OLE were assessed with Pearson correlation coefficients and three regression models. These models assumed that appropriate changes in country-level strategies of healthy aging would produce changes in GNI per capital as personal perspective, GII in social environment perspective, and DCI in public policy perspective to implement socio-ecological changes. Hierarchal linear regression was used for final analysis. Although OLE (women and men) had significant negative correlation with GII (gender inequality index, r = - 0.798, p = 0.001), it had positive correlations with GNI (gross national income per capita, r = 0.834, p = 0.001) and DCI (depth of credit information index, r = 0.704, p = 0.001) levels caused by financial crisis. Higher levels GNI and DCI but lower GII were found to be predictors of OLE (women and men) (R 2  = 0.804, p < 0.001). Factors affecting older age life expectancy in Europe were identified from socio-ecological perspective. Socio-ecological indicators (GII, GNI, and DCI) in Europe appear to have a latent effect on OLE levels. Thus, country-level strategies of successful aging in Europe should target socio-ecological factors such as GII, GNI, and DCI value.

Perspective, environmental view looking from the intersection of West Lanvale ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Perspective, environmental view looking from the intersection of West Lanvale Street and North Carrollton Avenue - Reformed Episcopal Church of the Rock of Ages, 1210 West Lanvale Street, Baltimore, Independent City, MD

The Impact of Gender and Role Perspective on Moral Judgment.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Oakes, Ruth; Quina, Katherine

A study was made of the effects of role perspective and gender on the moral judgments of children. Because they represent a transitional period in cognitive development from heteronomy to autonomy, a total of 25 male and 38 female third-grade students of approximately 9 years of age were selected for participation. The effect of perspective taking…

A Longitudinal Study Exploring Liverpool Primary Schoolchildren's Perspectives on Smoking

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Porcellato, Lorna; Dugdill, Lindsey; Springett, Jane

2005-01-01

A cohort study was designed to explore over 200 primary schoolchildren's (ages 4-7) perspectives on smoking in the context of their own lives and subsequently, to assess any changes in these perspectives over time. Results showed that, in general, the children had a negative disposition about the habit, which did not dissipate over the 3-year…

Successful Aging Through the eyes of Alaska Native Elders. What It Means to Be an Elder in Bristol Bay, AK

PubMed Central

Lewis, Jordan P.

2011-01-01

Purpose: Alaska Natives (ANs) view aging from a holistic perspective, which is not typical of the existing successful aging literature. One of the challenges of conducting research with cultural groups (e.g., ANs) is the lack of data, or research, on culture and aging and its impact on how we view successful aging. This research explores successful aging from an AN perspective or what it means to reach “Eldership” in rural Alaskan communities, which is an area of successful aging where there is very little research. Design and Methods: Data were gathered from 26 elders aged 61–93 years in 6 Bristol Bay communities in Southwest Alaska. An Explanatory Model approach was used and adapted to gain a sense of the beliefs about aging and establish an indigenous understanding of successful aging or what it means to attain “Eldership.” Results: Rather than establishing a definition of successful aging for AN Elders, this study highlights the four elements of “Eldership” or what AN Elders believe are important characteristics to becoming a respected elder. The four elements of “Eldership” are emotional well-being, community engagement, spirituality, and physical health, which are the characteristics of ANs who have reached “Eldership” and become a respected Elder in their community. Implications: This research seeks to inform studies on indigenous aging that prioritizes the perspectives of elders to affect positively on the delivery of health care services in rural Alaska. PMID:21357658

Does a history of bullying and abuse predict lower urinary tract symptoms, chronic pain, and sexual dysfunction?

PubMed

Nault, Tori; Gupta, Priyanka; Ehlert, Michael; Dove-Medows, Emily; Seltzer, Marlene; Carrico, Donna J; Gilleran, Jason; Bartley, Jamie; Peters, Kenneth M; Sirls, Larry

2016-11-01

To investigate associations of bullying and abuse with pelvic floor symptoms, urogenital pain, and sexual health characteristics of women presenting to a multidisciplinary women's urology center. Retrospective review of a prospective database. Patients completed questions about bullying, abuse, sexual health and validated questionnaires including the Pelvic Floor Dysfunction Inventory (PFDI-20), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), and visual analog scale (VAS 0-10) for genitourinary pain. Statistical analyses included Chi-squared and t tests, which compared victims of bullying and/or abuse to non-victims. Three hundred and eighty patients were reviewed. Three hundred and thirty-eight had data on bullying and abuse history. Out of 380, 94 (24.7 %) reported that they were victims of bullying. Out of 380, 104 (27.4 %) reported that they were victims of abuse. Women with a history of bullying and abuse had increased overall pain scores compared to those without a history of either. Women with a history of abuse and bullying had increased PFDI-20, POPDI, and UDI-6 scores compared to women who were not bullied or abused. There was no difference in being sexually active or in sexual satisfaction between the groups. Patients with a history of abuse and bullying had the greatest percentage of dyspareunia (p = 0.009). Women with a history of bullying, abuse, or both predict increased pelvic floor distress, urological symptoms, increased urogenital pain, and increased dyspareunia. Clinicians should screen for exposure to bullying or abuse in order to provide comprehensive resources to address these psychosocial issues.

Polymorphisms in Inc Proteins and Differential Expression of inc Genes among Chlamydia trachomatis Strains Correlate with Invasiveness and Tropism of Lymphogranuloma Venereum Isolates

PubMed Central

Almeida, Filipe; Borges, Vítor; Ferreira, Rita; Borrego, Maria José; Gomes, João Paulo

2012-01-01

Chlamydia trachomatis is a human bacterial pathogen that multiplies only within an intracellular membrane-bound vacuole, the inclusion. C. trachomatis includes ocular and urogenital strains, usually causing infections restricted to epithelial cells of the conjunctiva and genital mucosa, respectively, and lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) strains, which can infect macrophages and spread into lymph nodes. However, C. trachomatis genomes display >98% identity at the DNA level. In this work, we studied whether C. trachomatis Inc proteins, which have a bilobed hydrophobic domain that may mediate their insertion in the inclusion membrane, could be a factor determining these different types of infection and tropisms. Analyses of polymorphisms and phylogeny of 48 Inc proteins from 51 strains encompassing the three disease groups showed significant amino acid differences that were mainly due to variations between Inc proteins from LGV and ocular or urogenital isolates. Studies of the evolutionary dynamics of inc genes suggested that 10 of them are likely under positive selection and indicated that most nonsilent mutations are LGV specific. Additionally, real-time quantitative PCR analyses in prototype and clinical strains covering the three disease groups identified three inc genes with LGV-specific expression. We determined the transcriptional start sites of these genes and found LGV-specific nucleotides within their promoters. Thus, subtle variations in the amino acids of a subset of Inc proteins and in the expression of inc genes may contribute to the unique tropism and invasiveness of C. trachomatis LGV strains. PMID:23042990

Estrogenic Environmental Chemicals and Drugs: Mechanisms for Effects on the Developing Male Urogenital System

PubMed Central

Taylor, Julia A.; Richter, Catherine A.; Ruhlen, Rachel L.; vom Saal, Frederick S.

2011-01-01

Development and differentiation of the prostate from the fetal urogenital sinus (UGS) is dependent on androgen action via androgen receptors (AR) in the UGS mesenchyme. Estrogens are not required for prostate differentiation but do act to modulate androgen action. In mice exposure to exogenous estrogen during development results in permanent effects on adult prostate size and function, which is mediated through mesenchymal estrogen receptor (ER) alpha. For many years estrogens were thought to inhibit prostate growth because estrogenic drugs studied were administered at very high concentrations that interfered with normal prostate development. There is now extensive evidence that exposure to estrogen at very low concentrations during the early stages of prostate differentiation can stimulate fetal/neonatal prostate growth and lead to prostate disease in adulthood. Bisphenol A (BPA) is an environmental endocrine disrupting chemical that binds to both ER receptor subtypes as well as to AR. Interest in BPA has increased because of its prevalence in the environment and its detection in over 90% of people in the USA. In tissue culture of fetal mouse UGS mesenchymal cells, BPA and estradiol stimulated changes in the expression of several genes. We discuss here the potential involvement of estrogen in regulating signaling pathways affecting cellular functions relevant to steroid hormone signaling and metabolism and to inter- and intra-cellular communications that promote cell growth. The findings presented here provide additional evidence that BPA and the estrogenic drug ethinylestradiol disrupt prostate development in male mice at administered doses relevant to human exposures. PMID:21827855

Herpes simplex virus 2-induced activation in vaginal cells involves Toll-like receptors 2 and 9 and DNA sensors DAI and IFI16.

PubMed

Triantafilou, Kathy; Eryilmazlar, Dilan; Triantafilou, Martha

2014-02-01

The pathway by which herpes simplex virus 2 (HSV2) triggers the innate immune system in the urogenital system has not as yet been fully elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine which pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) recognize HSV2 in primary vaginal epithelial cells. Once we deciphered the receptors involved, we aimed to target them to immunomodulate innate responses as a prophylactic or therapeutic intervention for early HSV2 infection. To determine which PRRs are involved, receptor silencing as well as confocal microscopy was utilized. For immunomodulation, PRR agonists were utilized to induce a strong, local response to limit the infection, and we used 2 quantitative methods, flow cytometry and plaque assays, to determine their effect on HSV2 replication. Our results show that HSV2 is detected by a plethora of PRRs: Toll-like receptors (TLR) 2 as well as deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sensors TLR9, DNA-dependent activator of interferon regulatory factors, and to a lesser extent interferon-inducible 16, which trigger cytokine secretion to protect the host. Using PRR agonists, such as lipoproteins, CpG DNA, and cyclic dinucleotides, we could significantly limit HSV2 replication. Different PRRs are strategically placed in different cell locations to detect virus invasion. Use of agonists that target and activate these PRRs appeared to be effective in preventing primary HSV2 infection in vaginal cells and could provide new insights in defense against HSV2 urogenital infections. Copyright © 2014 Mosby, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cytotoxic Escherichia coli strains encoding colibactin isolated from immunocompromised mice with urosepsis and meningitis

PubMed Central

Feng, Yan; Mannion, Anthony; Ge, Zhongming; Garcia, Alexis; Scott, Kathleen E.; Caron, Tyler J.; Jacobsen, Johanne T.; Victora, Gabriel; Jaenisch, Rudolf; Fox, James G.

2018-01-01

Immune-compromised mouse models allow for testing the preclinical efficacy of human cell transplantations and gene therapy strategies before moving forward to clinical trials. However, CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing of the Wsh/Wsh mouse strain to create an immune-compromised model lacking function of Rag2 and Il2rγ led to unexpected morbidity and mortality. This warranted an investigation to ascertain the cause and predisposing factors associated with the outbreak. Postmortem examination was performed on 15 moribund mice. The main lesions observed in these mice consisted of ascending urogenital tract infections, suppurative otitis media, pneumonia, myocarditis, and meningoencephalomyelitis. As Escherichia coli strains harboring polyketide synthase (pks) genomic island were recently isolated from laboratory mice, the tissue sections from the urogenital tract, heart, and middle ear were subjected to E. coli specific PNA-FISH assay that revealed discrete colonies of E. coli associated with the lesions. Microbiological examination and 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed E. coli-induced infection and septicemia in the affected mice. Further characterization by clb gene analysis and colibactin toxicity assays of the pks+ E. coli revealed colibactin-associated cytotoxicity. Rederivation of the transgenic mice using embryo transfer produced mice with an intestinal flora devoid of pks+ E. coli. Importantly, these barrier-maintained rederived mice have produced multiple litters without adverse health effects. This report is the first to describe acute morbidity and mortality associated with pks+ E. coli urosepsis and meningitis in immunocompromised mice, and highlights the importance of monitoring and exclusion of colibactin-producing pks+ E. coli. PMID:29554148

Ultrastructure of the protonephridia of larval Rugiloricus cf. cauliculus, male Armorloricus elegans, and female Nanaloricus mysticus (Loricifera).

PubMed

Neuhaus, Birger; Kristensen, Reinhardt Møbjerg

2007-04-01

The protonephridial system of several Loricifera was studied by transmission electron microscopy. A larval specimen of Rugiloricus cf. cauliculus possesses two protonephridia, which are "capped" frontally by a compact mass of still undifferentiated gonadal cells. Each protonephridium consists of four monociliary terminal cells and four canal cells with a diplosome but no cilia. Because of incomplete series of sections and unsatisfactory fixation, the outleading cell(s) could not be detected. In a male specimen of Armorloricus elegans, each gonad contains two protonephridia that open into the gonadal lumen. Each protonephridium consists of two monociliary terminal cells, each forming a filter, two nonciliated canal cells, and two nephroporus cells. The protonephridial lumina of the latter cells fuse to one common lumen, which unites with the gonadal lumen. Preliminary observations on the protonephridia of a female Nanaloricus mysticus reveal a more complicated arrangement of interdigitating terminal and canal cells. One or two terminal cells form their own individual filter or four cells form a common compound filter. The cilium of the terminal cells of all species investigated are surrounded by a palisade of nine microvilli that support the filter barrier made of an extracellular matrix. An additional filter diaphragm could be traced between the pores in the cell wall of each terminal cell of A. elegans. The urogenital system of the Loricifera differs from that of the Priapulida in that the protonephridia of the former are completely integrated into the gonad, whereas the excretory organs of the latter open into the urogenital duct caudally of the gonads. Copyright (c) 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

The history of the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine, and Urogenital Reconstruction.

PubMed

Weissbart, Steven J; Zimmern, Philippe E; Nitti, Victor W; Lemack, Gary E; Kobashi, Kathleen C; Vasavada, Sandip P; Wein, Alan J

2018-03-25

To review the history of the Society of Urodynamics, Female Pelvic Medicine and Urogenital Reconstruction (SUFU). We reviewed Society meeting minutes, contacted all living former Society presidents, searched the William P. Didusch Center for Urology History records, and asked Society members to share their important Society experiences in order to gather important historical information about the Society. The Society initially formed as the Urodynamics Society in 1969 in the backdrop of a growing passion for scientific research in the country after World War II ended. Since then, Society meetings have provided a pivotal forum for the advancement of science in lower urinary tract dysfunction. Meetings occurred annually until 2004, when the meeting schedule increased to biannual. The journal, Neurourology and Urodynamics, became the official journal of the Society in 2005. SUFU has authored important guidelines on urodynamics (2012), non-neurogenic overactive bladder (2012), and stress urinary incontinence (2017) and has shared important collaborations with other societies, including the American Urological Association (AUA), the International Continence Society (ICS), and the International Society of Pelvic Neuromodulation (ISPiN). SUFU has also been instrumental in trainee education and helped to establish formal fellowship training in the field in addition to holding a yearly educational meeting for urology residents. The Society has been led by 21 presidents throughout its history. Throughout the Society's near half-century long existence, the Society has fostered research, published guidelines, and educated trainees in order to improve the care of individuals suffering from lower urinary tract dysfunction. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Schoolchildren in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania

PubMed Central

Siza, Julius E.; Kaatano, Godfrey M.; Chai, Jong-Yil; Eom, Keeseon S.; Rim, Han-Jong; Yong, Tai-Soon; Min, Duk-Young; Chang, Su Young; Ko, Yunsuk; Changalucha, John M.

2015-01-01

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities. PMID:26537030

Prevalence of Schistosomes and Soil-Transmitted Helminths among Schoolchildren in Lake Victoria Basin, Tanzania.

PubMed

Siza, Julius E; Kaatano, Godfrey M; Chai, Jong-Yil; Eom, Keeseon S; Rim, Han-Jong; Yong, Tai-Soon; Min, Duk-Young; Chang, Su Young; Ko, Yunsuk; Changalucha, John M

2015-10-01

The objectives of this study was to conduct a survey on schistosomiasis and soil-transmitted helminth (STH) infections in order to come up with feasible control strategies in Lake Victoria basin, Tanzania. Depending on the size of the school, 150-200 schoolchildren were recruited for the study. Duplicate Kato-Katz stool smears were prepared from each child and microscopically examined for Schistosoma mansoni and STHs. Urine specimens were examined for Schistosoma haematobium eggs using the filtration technique. After the survey, mass drug administration was done using praziquantel and albendazole for schistosomiasis and STHs infections, respectively. A total of 5,952 schoolchildren from 36 schools were recruited for the study and had their stool and urine specimens examined. Out of 5,952 schoolchildren, 898 (15.1%) were positive for S. mansoni, 754 (12.6%) for hookworms, 188 (3.2%) for Ascaris lumblicoides, and 5 (0.008%) for Trichuris trichiura. Out of 5,826 schoolchildren who provided urine samples, 519 (8.9%) were positive for S. haematobium eggs. The results revealed that intestinal schistosomiasis, urogenital schistosomiasis, and STH infections are highly prevalent throughought the lake basin. The high prevalence of intestinal and urogenital schistosomisiasis in the study area was a function of the distance from Lake Victoria, the former being more prevalent at localities close to the lake, whilst the latter is more so away from it. Control of schistosomiasis and STHs in the study area requires an integrated strategy that involves provision of health education to communities, regular treatments, and provision of adequate safe water supply and sanitation facilities.

Moderating effect of age on the association between future time perspective and preventive coping.

PubMed

Chen, Tao; Liu, Lu-Lu; Cui, Ji-Fang; Chen, Xing-Jie; Shi, Hai-Song; Neumann, David L; Shum, David H K; Wang, Ya; Chan, Raymond C K

2017-09-01

The present study aimed to investigate the moderating effect of age on the relationship between future time perspective (FTP) and future-oriented coping. A total of 1,915 participants aged 9-84 years completed measures of FTP and future-oriented coping. Moderation analyses were conducted to examine whether age played a role in the association between FTP and future-oriented coping (proactive and preventive). Results showed that proactive and preventive coping were negatively correlated with age, and age moderated the association between FTP and preventive coping but not proactive coping. Furthermore, the strength of the positive association between FTP and preventive coping was strongest among the older participants, moderate among the middle-aged participants, and weakest among the younger participants. These results suggest that the association between FTP and preventive coping varies across the lifespan. © 2017 The Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Effects of ageing and streptozotocin-induced diabetes on connexin43 and P2 purinoceptor expression in the rat corpora cavernosa and urinary bladder.

PubMed

Suadicani, Sylvia O; Urban-Maldonado, Marcia; Tar, Moses T; Melman, Arnold; Spray, David C

2009-06-01

To investigate whether ageing and diabetes alter the expression of the gap junction protein connexin43 (Cx43) and of particular purinoceptor (P2R) subtypes in the corpus cavernosum and urinary bladder, and determine whether changes in expression of these proteins correlate with development of erectile and bladder dysfunction in diabetic and ageing rats. Erectile and bladder function of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic, insulin-treated and age-matched control Fischer-344 rats were evaluated 2, 4 and 8 months after diabetes induction by in vivo cystometry and cavernosometry. Corporal and bladder tissue were then isolated at each of these sample times and protein expression levels of Cx43 and of various P2R subtypes were determined by Western blotting. In the corpora of control rats ageing was accompanied by a significant decrease in Cx43 and P2X(1)R, and increase in P2X(7)R expression. There was decreased Cx43 and increased P2Y(4)R expression in the ageing control rat bladder. There was a significant negative correlation between erectile capacity and P2X(1)R expression levels, and a positive correlation between bladder spontaneous activity and P2Y(4)R expression levels. There was already development of erectile dysfunction and bladder overactivity at 2 months after inducing diabetes, the earliest sample measured in the study. The development of these urogenital complications was accompanied by significant decreases in Cx43, P2Y(2)R, P2X(4)R and increase in P2X(1)R expression in the corpora, and by a doubling in Cx43 and P2Y(2)R, and significant increase in P2Y(4)R expression in the bladder. Changes in Cx43 and P2R expression were largely prevented by insulin therapy. Ageing and diabetes mellitus markedly altered the expression of the gap junction protein Cx43 and of particular P2R subtypes in the rat penile corpora and urinary bladder. These changes in Cx43 and P2R expression provide the molecular substrate for altered gap junction and purinergic signalling in these tissues, and thus probably contribute to the early development of erectile dysfunction and higher detrusor activity in ageing and in diabetic rats.

A Model of Spirituality for Ageing Muslims.

PubMed

Ahmad, Mahjabeen; Khan, Shamsul

2016-06-01

Spirituality's influence on general well-being and its association with healthy ageing has been studied extensively. However, a different perspective has to be brought in when dealing with spirituality issues of ageing Muslims. Central to this perspective is the intertwining of religion and spirituality in Islam. This article will contribute to the understanding of the nature of Islamic spirituality and its immense importance in the life of a practicing ageing Muslim. Consequently, it will help care providers to include appropriate spiritual care in the care repertoire of a Muslim care recipient. It is assumed that the framework for a model of spirituality based on Islamic religious beliefs would help contextualise the relationship between spirituality and ageing Muslims. Not only challenges, but also the opportunities that old age provides for charting the spiritual journey have underpinned this model.

Considerations in the Design of Clinical Trials for Cognitive Aging

PubMed Central

Brinton, Roberta Diaz; Katz, Russell; Petersen, Ronald C.; Negash, Selam; Mungas, Dan; Aisen, Paul S.

2012-01-01

What will it take to develop interventions for the treatment of age-related cognitive decline? Session V of the Summit provided perspectives on the design of clinical trials to evaluate promising but unproven interventions, and some of the steps needed to accelerate the discovery and evaluation of promising treatments. It considered strategies to further characterize the biological and cognitive changes associated with normal aging and their translation into the development of new treatments. It provided regulatory, scientific, and clinical perspectives about neurocognitive aging treatments, their potential benefits and risks, and the strategies and endpoints needed to evaluate them in the most rapid, rigorous, and clinically meaningful way. It considered lessons learned from the study of Alzheimer's disease, the promising roles of biomarkers in neurocognitive aging research, and ways to help galvanize the scientific study and treatment of neurocognitive aging. PMID:22573913

Considerations in the design of clinical trials for cognitive aging.

PubMed

Reiman, Eric M; Brinton, Roberta Diaz; Katz, Russell; Petersen, Ronald C; Negash, Selam; Mungas, Dan; Aisen, Paul S

2012-06-01

What will it take to develop interventions for the treatment of age-related cognitive decline? Session V of the Summit provided perspectives on the design of clinical trials to evaluate promising but unproven interventions, and some of the steps needed to accelerate the discovery and evaluation of promising treatments. It considered strategies to further characterize the biological and cognitive changes associated with normal aging and their translation into the development of new treatments. It provided regulatory, scientific, and clinical perspectives about neurocognitive aging treatments, their potential benefits and risks, and the strategies and endpoints needed to evaluate them in the most rapid, rigorous, and clinically meaningful way. It considered lessons learned from the study of Alzheimer's disease, the promising roles of biomarkers in neurocognitive aging research, and ways to help galvanize the scientific study and treatment of neurocognitive aging.

Parent Perspectives on Home-Based Intervention for Young Children with Developmental Disabilities: The Parent-Implemented Communication Strategies (PiCS) Project in Illinois, USA

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Meadan, Hedda; Stoner, Julia B.; Angell, Maureen E.

2015-01-01

Parents' perspectives on a home-based, parent-implemented social-pragmatic communication intervention for young children aged 37 to 60 months with limited expressive language are presented in this report. The researchers analyzed the perspectives of seven parent participants in the Institute of Education Sciences-funded Parent-Implemented…

Increased long-term mortality in patients less than 55 years old who have undergone knee replacement for osteoarthritis: results from the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register.

PubMed

Robertsson, O; Stefánsdóttir, A; Lidgren, L; Ranstam, J

2007-05-01

Patients with osteoarthritis undergoing knee replacement have been reported to have an overall reduced mortality compared with that of the general population. This has been attributed to the selection of healthier patients for surgery. However, previous studies have had a maximum follow-up time of ten years. We have used information from the Swedish Knee Arthroplasty Register to study the mortality of a large national series of patients with total knee replacement for up to 28 years after surgery and compared their mortality with that of the normal population. In addition, for a subgroup of patients operated on between 1980 and 2002 we analysed their registered causes of death to determine if they differed from those expected. We found a reduced overall mortality during the first 12 post-operative years after which it increased and became significantly higher than that of the general population. Age-specific analysis indicated an inverse correlation between age and mortality, where the younger the patients were, the higher their mortality. The shift at 12 years was caused by a relative over-representation of younger patients with a longer follow-up. Analysis of specific causes of death showed a higher mortality for cardiovascular, gastrointestinal and urogenital diseases. The observation that early onset of osteoarthritis of the knee which has been treated by total knee replacement is linked to an increased mortality should be a reason for increased general awareness of health problems in these patients.

The End Is (Not) Near: Aging, Essentialism, and Future Time Perspective

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Weiss, David; Job, Veronika; Mathias, Maya; Grah, Stephanie; Freund, Alexandra M.

2016-01-01

Beliefs about aging influence how we interpret and respond to changes within and around us. Essentialist beliefs about aging are defined as views that link chronological age with inherent and immutable properties underlying aging-related changes. These beliefs may influence the experience of aging-related changes and shape people's outlook of the…

Effects of manganese on routine semen quality parameters: results from a population-based study in China

PubMed Central

2012-01-01

Background Manganese (Mn) is an essential element in humans but its effect on semen quality is unclear. This study therefore aimed to assess the effects of Mn on semen quality in healthy men with no occupational exposure to Mn. Methods Semen samples were obtained from healthy Chinese men 20–59 years old who were recruited from six provinces in China. Individuals with urogenital tract diseases, tuberculosis, or occupational exposure to heavy metals were excluded. A questionnaire survey was conducted, and the external genitalia, semen quality, and serum Mn levels were examined. Results A total of 1,179 volunteers were enrolled in this study. The median serum Mn concentration was 8.2 μg/L (25th percentile (P25)=3.7 μg/L, P75=16.2μg/L). After adjusted area (six provinces), abstinence interval, season, registered residence, age of subjects, education level, income, smoking, and drinking, the risk of teratospermia was increased at serum Mn concentrations >19.40 μg/L (P80) group, with an adjusted odds ratio of 2.27 (95% confidence interval: 1.18–4.37). Conclusion High serum Mn levels appeared to have harmful effects on sperm morphology and motility among healthy men with no occupational exposure to Mn. PMID:23107312

Melioidosis as a travel-associated infection: Case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Saïdani, Nadia; Griffiths, Karolina; Million, Matthieu; Gautret, Philippe; Dubourg, Gregory; Parola, Philippe; Brouqui, Philippe; Lagier, Jean-Christophe

2015-01-01

Increasing numbers of sporadic cases of melioidosis in returning travelers have been reported from non-endemic regions. We report a new case and undertook a literature review. Eighty-two travelers with melioidosis infection were included. The mean age was 50.95 years, with only one case <15 years. A male predominance was noted, with 66 males (80.5%). Type of travel included tourism (51.2%), family visits (15.8%) and business (14.6%). The most common destinations were Asia (80.5%), America (9.7%) and Africa (7.3%). No cases were documented from Oceania. Underlying conditions were documented in 68 patients, showing a strong association with diabetes (37.8%). Exposure risks were documented in 32 patients, including contact with water. Pulmonary involvement was seen in 41 patients, cutaneous in 23, abdominal in 14, and urogenital in 10 cases. Blood cultures posed the diagnosis in 43 cases. Fifty-seven patients fully recovered, 12 died, and three relapsed. The mortality rate (14.6%) was close to that observed in Australia but lower than series in Southern Asia. Melioidosis should not only be considered in travelers returning from classically considered endemic areas (Australia and South-East Asia) but also from America and Africa, especially in diabetic patients or after contact with water. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Decline causes of Koalas in South East Queensland, Australia: a 17-year retrospective study of mortality and morbidity.

PubMed

Gonzalez-Astudillo, Viviana; Allavena, Rachel; McKinnon, Allan; Larkin, Rebecca; Henning, Joerg

2017-02-20

Koala populations are in catastrophic decline in certain eastern Australian regions. Spanning from 1997-2013, a database derived from wildlife hospitals in southeast Queensland with N = 20,250 entries was classified by causes of morbidity and mortality. A total of 11 aetiologies were identified, with chlamydiosis, trauma, and wasting being most common. The clinical diagnosis at submission varied significantly over the observation period. Combinations of aetiologies were observed in 39% of koalas submitted, with chlamydiosis frequently co-occurring. Urogenital (cystitis 26.8%, bursitis 13.5%) and ocular (conjunctivitis 17.2%) chlamydiosis were the most frequently diagnosed representations of the infection. Approximately 26% of submissions comprised koalas involved in vehicle accidents that were otherwise healthy. Age and sex of the koala as well as season and submission period were compared for the case outcomes of 'dead on arrival', 'euthanized', or 'released' for the four most common clinical diagnoses using multinomial logistic regression models. Exploratory space-time permutation scans were performed and overlapping space-time clusters for chlamydiosis, motor vehicle traumas and wasting unveiled high risk areas for koala disease and injury. Our results suggest that these aetiologies are acting jointly as multifactorial determinants for the continuing decline of koalas.

Betacellulin transgenic mice develop urothelial hyperplasia and show sex-dependent reduction in urinary major urinary protein content.

PubMed

Schulz, Helene; Dahlhoff, Maik; Glogowska, Aleksandra; Zhang, Lin; Arnold, Georg J; Fröhlich, Thomas; Schneider, Marlon R; Klonisch, Thomas

2015-08-01

The epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands and their cognate ERBB1-4 receptors represent important signaling pathways that regulate tissue and cell proliferation, differentiation and regeneration in a wide variety of tissues, including the urogenital tract. Betacellulin (BTC) can activate all four ERBB tyrosine kinase receptors and is a multifunctional EGF-like ligand with diverse roles in β cell differentiation, bone maturation, formation of functional epithelial linings and vascular permeability in different organs. Using transgenic BTC mice, we have studied the effect of constitutive systemic BTC over-expression on the urinary bladder. BTC was detected in microvascular structures of the stromal bladder compartment and in umbrella cells representing the protective apical lining of the uroepithelium. ERBB1 and ERBB4 receptors were co-localized in the urothelium. Mice transgenic for BTC and double transgenic for both BTC and the dominant kinase-dead mutant of EGFR (Waved 5) developed hyperplasia of the uroepithelium at 5months of age, suggesting that urothelial hyperplasia was not exclusively dependent on ERBB1/EGFR. Mass spectrometric analysis of urine revealed a significant down-regulation of major urinary proteins in female BTC transgenic mice, suggesting a novel role for systemic BTC in odor-based signaling in female transgenic BTC mice. Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Decline causes of Koalas in South East Queensland, Australia: a 17-year retrospective study of mortality and morbidity

PubMed Central

Gonzalez-Astudillo, Viviana; Allavena, Rachel; McKinnon, Allan; Larkin, Rebecca; Henning, Joerg

2017-01-01

Koala populations are in catastrophic decline in certain eastern Australian regions. Spanning from 1997–2013, a database derived from wildlife hospitals in southeast Queensland with N = 20,250 entries was classified by causes of morbidity and mortality. A total of 11 aetiologies were identified, with chlamydiosis, trauma, and wasting being most common. The clinical diagnosis at submission varied significantly over the observation period. Combinations of aetiologies were observed in 39% of koalas submitted, with chlamydiosis frequently co-occurring. Urogenital (cystitis 26.8%, bursitis 13.5%) and ocular (conjunctivitis 17.2%) chlamydiosis were the most frequently diagnosed representations of the infection. Approximately 26% of submissions comprised koalas involved in vehicle accidents that were otherwise healthy. Age and sex of the koala as well as season and submission period were compared for the case outcomes of ‘dead on arrival’, ‘euthanized’, or ‘released’ for the four most common clinical diagnoses using multinomial logistic regression models. Exploratory space-time permutation scans were performed and overlapping space-time clusters for chlamydiosis, motor vehicle traumas and wasting unveiled high risk areas for koala disease and injury. Our results suggest that these aetiologies are acting jointly as multifactorial determinants for the continuing decline of koalas. PMID:28218272

Decline causes of Koalas in South East Queensland, Australia: a 17-year retrospective study of mortality and morbidity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Gonzalez-Astudillo, Viviana; Allavena, Rachel; McKinnon, Allan; Larkin, Rebecca; Henning, Joerg

2017-02-01

Koala populations are in catastrophic decline in certain eastern Australian regions. Spanning from 1997-2013, a database derived from wildlife hospitals in southeast Queensland with N = 20,250 entries was classified by causes of morbidity and mortality. A total of 11 aetiologies were identified, with chlamydiosis, trauma, and wasting being most common. The clinical diagnosis at submission varied significantly over the observation period. Combinations of aetiologies were observed in 39% of koalas submitted, with chlamydiosis frequently co-occurring. Urogenital (cystitis 26.8%, bursitis 13.5%) and ocular (conjunctivitis 17.2%) chlamydiosis were the most frequently diagnosed representations of the infection. Approximately 26% of submissions comprised koalas involved in vehicle accidents that were otherwise healthy. Age and sex of the koala as well as season and submission period were compared for the case outcomes of ‘dead on arrival’, ‘euthanized’, or ‘released’ for the four most common clinical diagnoses using multinomial logistic regression models. Exploratory space-time permutation scans were performed and overlapping space-time clusters for chlamydiosis, motor vehicle traumas and wasting unveiled high risk areas for koala disease and injury. Our results suggest that these aetiologies are acting jointly as multifactorial determinants for the continuing decline of koalas.

Cost-effectiveness of Wait Time Reduction for Intensive Behavioral Intervention Services in Ontario, Canada.

PubMed

Piccininni, Caroline; Bisnaire, Lise; Penner, Melanie

2017-01-01

Earlier access to intensive behavioral intervention (IBI) is associated with improved outcomes for children with severe autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, there are long waiting times for this program. No analyses have been performed modeling the cost-effectiveness of wait time reduction for IBI. To model the starting age for IBI with reduced wait time (RWT) (by half) and eliminated wait time (EWT), and perform a cost-effectiveness analysis comparing RWT and EWT with current wait time (CWT) from government and societal perspectives. Published waiting times were used to model the mean starting age for IBI for CWT, RWT, and EWT in children diagnosed with severe ASD who were treated at Ontario's Autism Intervention Program. Inputs were loaded into a decision analytic model, with an annual discount rate of 3% applied. Incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) were determined. One-way and probabilistic sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the effect of model uncertainty. We used data from the year 2012 (January 1 through December 31) provided from the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario IBI center for the starting ages. Data analysis was done from May through July 2015. The outcome was independence measured in dependency-free life-years (DFLYs) to 65 years of age. To derive this, expected IQ was modeled based on probability of early (age <4 years) or late (age ≥4 years) access to IBI. Probabilities of having an IQ in the normal (≥70) or intellectual disability (<70) range were calculated. The IQ strata were assigned probabilities of achieving an independent (60 DFLYs), semidependent (30 DFLYs), or dependent (0 DFLYs) outcome. Costs were calculated for provincial government and societal perspectives in Canadian dollars (Can$1 = US$0.78). The mean starting ages for IBI were 5.24 years for CWT, 3.89 years for RWT, and 2.71 years for EWT. From the provincial government perspective, EWT was the dominant strategy, generating the most DFLYs for Can$53 000 less per individual to 65 years of age than CWT. From the societal perspective, EWT produced lifetime savings of Can$267 000 per individual compared with CWT. The ICERs were most sensitive to uncertainty in the starting age for IBI and in achieving a normal IQ based on starting age. This study predicts the long-term effect of the current disparity between IBI service needs and the amount of IBI being delivered in the province of Ontario. The results suggest that providing timely access optimizes IBI outcomes, improves future independence, and lessens costs from provincial and societal perspectives.

Commitment in Age-Gap Heterosexual Romantic Relationships: A Test of Evolutionary and Socio-Cultural Predictions

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Lehmiller, Justin J.; Agnew, Christopher R.

2008-01-01

Little research has addressed age-gap romantic relationships (romantic involvements characterized by substantial age differences between partners). Drawing on evolutionary and socio-cultural perspectives, the present study examined normative beliefs and commitment processes among heterosexual women involved in age-gap and age-concordant…

"...he was excluded for the kind of behaviour that we thought he needed support with…" A Qualitative Analysis of the Experiences and Perspectives of Parents Whose Children Have Been Excluded from School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Parker, Claire; Paget, Amelia; Ford, Tamsin; Gwernan-Jones, Ruth

2016-01-01

Exclusion from school is associated with adverse outcomes for young people. There is limited research that explores parents' perspectives, particularly in relation to the exclusion of primary school aged children. The present study used semi-structured interviews with 35 parents of 37 children aged 5-12 years from the Southwest of England. Parents…

But do you think I’m cool? Developmental differences in striatal recruitment during direct and reflected social self-evaluations

PubMed Central

Jankowski, Kathryn F.; Moore, William E.; Merchant, Junaid S.; Kahn, Lauren E.; Pfeifer, Jennifer H.

2015-01-01

The current fMRI study investigated the neural foundations of evaluating oneself and others during early adolescence and young adulthood. Eighteen early adolescents (ages 11–14, M = 12.6) and 19 young adults (ages 22–31, M = 25.6) evaluated if academic, physical, and social traits described themselves directly (direct self-evaluations), described their best friend directly (direct other-evaluations), described themselves from their best friend’s perspective (reflected self-evaluations), or in general could change over time (control malleability-evaluations). Compared to control evaluations, both adolescents and adults recruited cortical midline structures during direct and reflected self-evaluations, as well as during direct other-evaluations, converging with previous research. However, unique to this study was a significant three-way interaction between age group, evaluative perspective, and domain within bilateral ventral striatum. Region of interest analyses demonstrated a significant evaluative perspective by domain interaction within the adolescent sample only. Adolescents recruited greatest bilateral ventral striatum during reflected social self-evaluations, which was positively correlated with age and pubertal development. These findings suggest that reflected social self-evaluations, made from the inferred perspective of a close peer, may be especially self-relevant, salient, or rewarding to adolescent self-processing – particularly during the progression through adolescence – and this feature persists into adulthood. PMID:24582805

But do you think I'm cool? Developmental differences in striatal recruitment during direct and reflected social self-evaluations.

PubMed

Jankowski, Kathryn F; Moore, William E; Merchant, Junaid S; Kahn, Lauren E; Pfeifer, Jennifer H

2014-04-01

The current fMRI study investigates the neural foundations of evaluating oneself and others during early adolescence and young adulthood. Eighteen early adolescents (ages 11-14, M=12.6) and 19 young adults (ages 22-31, M=25.6) evaluated whether academic, physical, and social traits described themselves directly (direct self-evaluations), described their best friend directly (direct other-evaluations), described themselves from their best friend's perspective (reflected self-evaluations), or in general could change over time (control malleability-evaluations). Compared to control evaluations, both adolescents and adults recruited cortical midline structures during direct and reflected self-evaluations, as well as during direct other-evaluations, converging with previous research. However, unique to this study was a significant three-way interaction between age group, evaluative perspective, and domain within bilateral ventral striatum. Region of interest analyses demonstrated a significant evaluative perspective by domain interaction within the adolescent sample only. Adolescents recruited greatest bilateral ventral striatum during reflected social self-evaluations, which was positively correlated with age and pubertal development. These findings suggest that reflected social self-evaluations, made from the inferred perspective of a close peer, may be especially self-relevant, salient, or rewarding to adolescent self-processing--particularly during the progression through adolescence - and this feature persists into adulthood. Copyright © 2014 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.

Understanding Health Needs and Perspectives of Middle Age and Older Women Experiencing Homelessness

PubMed Central

Salem, Benissa E.; Ma-Pham, Jennifer

2015-01-01

Middle age and older homeless women have unique health and social delivery needs; yet, limited data exists about such needs. The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand perspectives among prefrail and frail homeless women (N=20; ages 43-62) that included a quantitative description of sample characteristics using frequencies, percents and means; and a qualitative analysis of focus group data utilizing content analysis. The average age was 53.4; the majority of the sample was African American (70%). In total, 60% reported living in a shelter for the last 30 days, while 20% were unsheltered. The majority of the sample reported walking independently (80%) and not using an assistive device (65%). Over one third (35%) fell in the last 30 days and 70% fell in the last year. Content analysis revealed several themes that included (1) healthcare needs and challenges experienced; (2) perspectives on sexual decision making; (3) employment difficulties; (4) existing support systems; and (5) development of future program planning. Future research development and implications are discussed. PMID:25832775

Acting on observed social exclusion: Developmental perspectives on punishment of excluders and compensation of victims.

PubMed

Will, Geert-Jan; Crone, Eveline A; van den Bos, Wouter; Güroğlu, Berna

2013-12-01

This study examined punishment of excluders and compensation of victims after observing an instance of social exclusion at various phases of adolescent development. Participants (n = 183; age 9 to 22 years) were first included in a virtual ball-tossing game, Cyberball, and then observed the exclusion of a peer. Subsequently, they played economic games in which they divided money between themselves and the including players, the excluders, and the victim. The results demonstrate a gradual age-related increase in money given to the victim from age 9 to 22 and a gradual decrease in money allocated to the excluders from age 9 to 16 with an increase in 22-year-olds. Affective perspective-taking predicted both compensation of the victim and punishment of the excluders. Taken together these results show that across adolescence individuals sacrifice an increasingly bigger share of their own resources to punish excluders and to compensate victims and that taking the perspective of the victim enhances these decisions. PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2013 APA, all rights reserved.

Time perception and time perspective differences between adolescents and adults.

PubMed

Siu, Nicolson Y F; Lam, Heidi H Y; Le, Jacqueline J Y; Przepiorka, Aneta M

2014-09-01

The present experiment aimed to investigate the differences in time perception and time perspective between subjects representing two developmental stages, namely adolescence and middle adulthood. Twenty Chinese adolescents aged 15-25 and twenty Chinese adults aged 35-55 participated in the study. A time discrimination task and a time reproduction task were implemented to measure the accuracy of their time perception. The Zimbardo Time Perspective Inventory (Short-Form) was adopted to assess their time orientation. It was found that adolescents performed better than adults in both the time discrimination task and the time reproduction task. Adolescents were able to differentiate different time intervals with greater accuracy and reproduce the target duration more precisely. For the time reproduction task, it was also found that adults tended to overestimate the duration of the target stimuli while adolescents were more likely to underestimate it. As regards time perspective, adults were more future-oriented than adolescents, whereas adolescents were more present-oriented than adults. No significant relationship was found between time perspective and time perception. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Balancing Between Aging and Cancer: Molecular Genetics Meets Traditional Chinese Medicine.

PubMed

Liu, Jing; Peng, Lei; Huang, Wenhui; Li, Zhiming; Pan, Jun; Sang, Lei; Lu, Siqian; Zhang, Jihong; Li, Wanyi; Luo, Ying

2017-09-01

The biological consequences of cellular senescence and immortalization in aging and cancer are in conflict. Organisms have developed common cellular signaling pathways and surveillance mechanisms to control the processing of aging against tumorigenesis. The imbalance of any signals involved in this process may result in either premature aging or tumorigenesis and reduce the life span of the organism. In contrast, the balance between aging and tumorigenesis at a higher level (homeostatic-balance) may benefit the organism with tumor-free longevity. The focus of this perspective is to review the literature on the balance between "Yin" and "Yang" in traditional Chinese medicine. Modern cellular and molecular techniques now permit a more robust system to screen herbs in traditional Chinese medicine for their activity in balancing aging and tumorigenesis. The understanding of the crosstalk between aging and tumorigenesis and new perspectives on the application of Chinese medicine might shed light on anti-aging and tumor-free strategies. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 2581-2586, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Spatial abilities across the adult life span.

PubMed

Borella, Erika; Meneghetti, Chiara; Ronconi, Lucia; De Beni, Rossana

2014-02-01

The study investigates age-related effects across the adult life span on spatial abilities (testing subabilities based on a distinction between spatial visualization, mental rotation, and perspective taking) and spatial self-assessments. The sample consisted of 454 participants (223 women and 231 men) from 20 to 91 years of age. Results showed nonlinear age-related effects for spatial visualization and perspective taking but linear effects for mental rotation; few or no age-related effects were found for spatial self-assessments. Working memory accounted for only a small proportion of the variance in all spatial tasks and had no effect on spatial self-assessments. Overall, our findings suggest that the influence of age on spatial skills across the adult life span is considerable, but the effects of age change as a function of the spatial task considered, and the effect on spatial self-assessment is more marginal.

Age and the balance of emotions.

PubMed

Ross, Catherine E; Mirowsky, John

2008-06-01

With age, the quality of emotions may shift from negative in tone to positive, but also from active to passive. The shift from negative to positive is consistent with the age as maturity perspective. The shift from active to passive supports the age as decline perspective. If these generalities are correct, then they should apply to positive emotions as well as negative emotions. We should see a shift in positive emotions from active (excitement) to passive (serenity), as well as in the negative emotions (from the agitation of anxiety and anger to the lethargy of depression). In order to accurately portray the shifts in emotional tone, age may best be considered as simultaneously indicating maturity and decline. This paper examines results from the emotions module of the 1996 U.S. General Social Survey and finds support for the idea that age is associated with a shift from negative to positive and from active to passive emotions.

Aging and human sexual behavior: biocultural perspectives - a mini-review.

PubMed

Gray, Peter B; Garcia, Justin R

2012-01-01

In this mini-review, we consider an evolutionary biocultural perspective on human aging and sexuality. An evolutionary approach to senescence highlights the energetic trade-offs between fertility and mortality. By comparing humans to other primates, we situate human senescence as an evolutionary process, with shifts in postreproductive sexual behavior in this light. Age-related declines in sexual behavior are typical for humans but also highly contingent on the sociocultural context within which aging individuals express their sexuality. We briefly review some of the most comprehensive studies of aging and sexual behavior, both from the USA and cross-culturally. We frame these patterns with respect to the long-term relationships within which human sexual behavior typically occurs. Because sexuality is typically expressed within pair-bonds, sexual behavior sometimes declines in both members of a couple with age, but also exhibits sex-specific effects that have their roots in evolved sex differences. Copyright © 2012 S. Karger AG, Basel.

Support for and From Aging Mothers Whose Adult Daughters are Seriously Mentally Ill.

PubMed

Dunkle, Ruth E; Ingersoll-Dayton, Berit; Chadiha, Letha A

2015-01-01

This article discusses, from the grandmother's perspective, the ways in which support is exchanged in families coping with serious mental illness. A strengths perspective was utilized to identify ways in which family members help each other. Employing a qualitative approach, this study focuses on interviews obtained from a sample of 22 aging mothers, aged 52-90, who are in contact with their daughters who have a mental illness. Grandmothers provided several kinds of support to their mentally ill adult daughters and to their grandchildren, who also supported the aging mother in numerous ways. As social workers seek to assist individuals with mental illness, it is important to assess the existing strengths of their intergenerational family context.

[Successive ectopic pregnancies associated with tubal shistosomiasis in a French traveler].

PubMed

Laroche, Justine; Mottet, Nicolas; Malincenco, Marianna; Gay, Catherine; Royer, Pierre Yves; Riethmuller, Didier

2016-01-01

Schistosomiasis is the second endemic parasitic disease in the world and is a common cause of urogenital infections. Ectopic pregnancies due to tubal obstruction by schistosoma's eggs are usually reported in Africa. Schistosomiasis also affects travelers but infection of the female genital tract is less frequently described. We report an unusual clinical case of two successive ectopic pregnancies with tubal schistosomiasis in a French woman, seven years after a travel to Mali. The first event was discovered after histologic examination of salpingectomy and the second event required a controlateral salpingotomy with an injection of methotrexate, two months later.

Sirenomelia: a review on embryogenic enviromental theories, novel three-dimensional ultrasound imaging and first trimester diagnosis in a case of mosaic 69,XXX/46,XX fetus.

PubMed

Tonni, Gabriele; Gabriele, Tonni; Grisolia, Gianpaolo; Gianpaolo, Grisolia

2013-07-01

Sirenomelia is caused by atrophy of the lower extremities that is commonly associated with gastrointestinal and urogenital malformations. Embryogenic environmental theories and systematic review of the literature are reported. Genetic basis of the condition has been demonstrated in the animal model. In humans, association with de novo balanced translocation has only recently been documented. A case of triploidy mosaic fetus with sirenomelia and posterior fossa anomaly diagnosed at first trimester using novel three-dimensional ultrasound imaging techniques is presented.

[Roles of G protein-coupled estrogen receptor in the male reproductive system].

PubMed

Chen, Kai-hong; Zhang, Xian; Jiang, Xue-wu

2016-02-01

The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), also known as G protein-coupled receptor 30 (GPR30), was identified in the recent years as a functional membrane receptor different from the classical nuclear estrogen receptors. This receptor is widely expressed in the cortex, cerebellum, hippocampus, heart, lung, liver, skeletal muscle, and the urogenital system. It is responsible for the mediation of nongenomic effects associated with estrogen and its derivatives, participating in the physiological activities of the body. The present study reviews the molecular structure, subcellular localization, signaling pathways, distribution, and function of GPER in the male reproductive system.

Probiotics: current trends in the treatment of diarrhoea.

PubMed

Narayan, Sujatha S; Jalgaonkar, Sharmila; Shahani, S; Kulkarni, Vijaya N

2010-06-01

In recent years, research into and public interest in probiotics and probiotic foods have risen. Lactobacilli and bifidobacterium are the most commonly used probiotics while yoghurt and kefir are popular foods containing probiotics. Probiotics have been used to manage diarrhoea. Many things cause diarrhoea, including bacterial, viral and protozoal infections, radiation and antibiotic therapy. Different studies have found that probiotics may also enhance the immune response, reduce serum cholesterol, prevent colonic cancer, prevent dental caries, prevent ulcers due to Helicobacter pylori, maintain urogenital health, and ameliorate hepatic encephalopathy. Further studies are required to establish their role in these conditions.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma of the urethra/Cowper's gland with concurrent high-grade prostatic adenocarcinoma: a detailed clinicopathologic case report and review of the literature.

PubMed

Zhang, Miao; Pettaway, Curtis; Vikram, Raghu; Tamboli, Pheroze

2016-12-01

Primary adenoid cystic carcinoma of the urethra is uncommon with only 9 cases reported in the medical literature; all tumors arose from Cowper's glands. Herein, we report the histological features and immunohistochemical characteristics of 1 patient with primary adenoid cystic carcinoma involving the entire posterior urethra, prostate gland, corpus spongiosum, corpora cavernosa, urogenital diaphragm, perianal soft tissue, and muscularis propria layer of rectum. We also review other published cases to evaluate the prognosis and treatment. Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Defining successful aging: a tangible or elusive concept?

PubMed

Martin, Peter; Kelly, Norene; Kahana, Boaz; Kahana, Eva; Willcox, Bradley J; Willcox, D Craig; Poon, Leonard W

2015-02-01

Everyone wants to age successfully; however, the definition and criteria of successful aging remain vague for laypersons, researchers, and policymakers in spite of decades of research on the topic. This paper highlights work of scholars who made significant theoretical contributions to the topic. A thorough review and evaluation of the literature on successful aging was undertaken. Our review includes early gerontological definitions of successful aging and related concepts. Historical perspectives reach back to philosophical and religious texts, and more recent approaches have focused on both process- and outcome-oriented models of successful aging. We elaborate on Baltes and Baltes' theory of selective optimization with compensation [Baltes, P. B., & Baltes, M. M. (1990a). Psychological perspectives on successful aging: The model of selective optimization with compensation. In P. B. Baltes & M. M. Baltes (Eds.), Successful aging: Perspectives from the behavioral sciences (pp. 1-34). United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press], Kahana and Kahana's preventive and corrective proactivity model [Kahana, E., & Kahana, B. (1996). Conceptual and empirical advances in understanding aging well through proactive adaptation. In V. Bengtson (Ed.), Adulthood and aging: Research on continuities and discontinuities (pp. 18-40). New York: Springer], and Rowe and Kahn's model of successful aging [Rowe, J. W., & Kahn, R. L. (1998). Successful aging. New York: Pantheon Books], outlining their commonalities and differences. Additional views on successful aging emphasize subjective versus objective perceptions of successful aging and relate successful aging to studies on healthy and exceptional longevity. Additional theoretical work is needed to better understand successful aging, including the way it can encompass disability and death and dying. The extent of rapid social and technological change influencing views on successful aging also deserves more consideration. © The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.

Dengue Dynamics and Vaccine Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in the Philippines.

PubMed

Shim, Eunha

2016-11-02

Dengue is one of the most problematic vector-borne diseases in the Philippines, with an estimated 842,867 cases resulting in medical costs of $345 million U.S. dollars annually. In December 2015, the first dengue vaccine, known as chimeric yellow fever virus-dengue virus tetravalent dengue vaccine, was approved for use in the Philippines and is given to children 9 years of age. To estimate the cost-effectiveness of dengue vaccination in the Philippines, we developed an age-structured model of dengue transmission and vaccination. Using our model, we compared two vaccination scenarios entailing routine vaccination programs both with and without catch-up vaccination. Our results indicate that the higher the cost of vaccination, the less cost-effective the dengue vaccination program. With the current dengue vaccination program that vaccinates children 9 years of age, dengue vaccination is cost-effective for vaccination costs up to $70 from a health-care perspective and up to $75 from a societal perspective. Under a favorable scenario consisting of 1 year of catch-up vaccinations that target children 9-15 years of age, followed by regular vaccination of 9-year-old children, vaccination is cost-effective at costs up to $72 from a health-care perspective and up to $78 from a societal perspective. In general, dengue vaccination is expected to reduce the incidence of both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever /dengue shock syndrome. Our results demonstrate that even at relatively low vaccine efficacies, age-targeted vaccination may still be cost-effective provided the vaccination cost is sufficiently low. © The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.

Dengue Dynamics and Vaccine Cost-Effectiveness Analysis in the Philippines

PubMed Central

Shim, Eunha

2016-01-01

Dengue is one of the most problematic vector-borne diseases in the Philippines, with an estimated 842,867 cases resulting in medical costs of $345 million U.S. dollars annually. In December 2015, the first dengue vaccine, known as chimeric yellow fever virus–dengue virus tetravalent dengue vaccine, was approved for use in the Philippines and is given to children 9 years of age. To estimate the cost-effectiveness of dengue vaccination in the Philippines, we developed an age-structured model of dengue transmission and vaccination. Using our model, we compared two vaccination scenarios entailing routine vaccination programs both with and without catch-up vaccination. Our results indicate that the higher the cost of vaccination, the less cost-effective the dengue vaccination program. With the current dengue vaccination program that vaccinates children 9 years of age, dengue vaccination is cost-effective for vaccination costs up to $70 from a health-care perspective and up to $75 from a societal perspective. Under a favorable scenario consisting of 1 year of catch-up vaccinations that target children 9–15 years of age, followed by regular vaccination of 9-year-old children, vaccination is cost-effective at costs up to $72 from a health-care perspective and up to $78 from a societal perspective. In general, dengue vaccination is expected to reduce the incidence of both dengue fever and dengue hemorrhagic fever /dengue shock syndrome. Our results demonstrate that even at relatively low vaccine efficacies, age-targeted vaccination may still be cost-effective provided the vaccination cost is sufficiently low. PMID:27601519

Perspective view of the Reformed Episcopal Church of the Rock ...

Library of Congress Historic Buildings Survey, Historic Engineering Record, Historic Landscapes Survey

Perspective view of the Reformed Episcopal Church of the Rock of Ages, now Emmanuel Christian Community Church, on West Lanvale Street - Lafayette Square, Bounded by West Lafayette, North Arlington, West Lanvale & North Carrollton streets, Baltimore, Independent City, MD

Undergraduate Students' Perceptions and Behaviors Related to the Aged and to Aging Processes

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Van Dussen, Daniel J.; Weaver, Robert R.

2009-01-01

Aging education is relatively new to the university, and our understanding of the perspectives students bring to aging populations is correspondingly limited. This investigation surveys 546 students at a midsized, Midwestern university to explore students' views toward elders, toward serving elders, and toward the relevance of aging education for…

Preparation for Old Age in Different Life Domains: Dimensions and Age Differences

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kornadt, Anna E.; Rothermund, Klaus

2014-01-01

We investigated preparation for age-related changes from a multidimensional, life span perspective and administered a newly developed questionnaire to a large sample aged 30-80 years. Preparing for age-related changes was organized by life domains, with domain-specific types of preparation addressing obstacles and opportunities in the respective…

Age, Cohort and Perceived Age Discrimination: Using the Life Course to Assess Self-Reported Age Discrimination

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gee, Gilbert C.; Pavalko, Eliza K.; Long, J. Scott

2007-01-01

Self-reported discrimination is linked to diminished well-being, but the processes generating these reports remain poorly understood. Employing the life course perspective, this paper examines the correspondence between expected age preferences for workers and perceived age discrimination among a nationally representative sample of 7,225 working…

Human Aging: Usual and Successful.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Rowe, John W.; Kahn, Robert L.

1987-01-01

Offers perspectives on the role of extrinsic factors in the aging process, the long-term consequences of extrinsically initiated changes, and implications for gerontological research. Explains the distinction between usual and successful aging in light of physiologic and psychosocial characteristics. (ML)

Pudendal nerve in pelvic bone fractures.

PubMed

Báča, Václav; Báčová, Tereza; Grill, Robert; Otčenášek, Michal; Kachlík, David; Bartoška, Radek; Džupa, Valér

2013-07-01

Pelvic ring injuries rank among the most serious skeletal injuries. According to published data, pelvic fractures constitute 3-8% of all fractures. There has been a threefold increase in the number of these fractures over the last 10 years. A significant factor determining the choice of the therapeutic procedure, timing and sequence of individual steps, and also the prognosis of the patient with a fractured pelvis, are associated injuries defined as injuries to the organs and anatomical structures found in the pelvic region. Published data describes the incidence of injury to neurogenic structures as ranging between 9 and 21%, to the urogenital tract between 5 and 11%, to the gastrointestinal tract in 3-17% and to the gynecologic organs up to 1%. The pathway of the pudendal nerve may be affected in types B and C fractures where the root fibers emerge from the foramina sacralia and plexus sacralis is formed, on the one hand, and in types A, B and C fractures during the nerve's course alongside the inferior pubic ramus. In order to determine the frequency of potential injury to the pudendal nerve, a set of 225 pelvic fractures treated between 2007 and 2009 was assessed; 38 fixed hemipelves were also used to study the length of the course of the pudendal nerve alongside the inferior pubic ramus, on the one hand, and the distances from the symphysis pubica at the crossing of the branches of the n. pudendus-n. dorsalis penis and the branches for the muscles of the diaphragma urogenitale on the other hand. The work elucidated the selected distances and discuss their possible clinical relevance for evaluation of the seriousness of pelvic fractures from the perspective of late sequelae in the region innervated by the pudendal nerve. Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Children's pain perspectives.

PubMed

Esteve, R; Marquina-Aponte, V

2012-05-01

Previous studies on children's pain perspectives remain limited to English-speaking populations. An exploratory cross-sectional descriptive design was used to investigate the developmental progression of children's pain perspectives, including their pain experience, its definition and attributes, causality and coping. The Children's Pain Perspectives Inventory was applied to 180 healthy Spanish children. A coding system was developed following the content analysis method. Three age groups were compared: 4-6 years, corresponding to the Piagetian pre-operational stage of cognitive development; 7-11 years, corresponding to stage of concrete operations; and 12-14 years, corresponding to the period of early formal operations. In children between 4 and 6, the predominant narratives related to physical injuries, the notion of causality and the definition of pain. In children between 7 and 11, the predominant narratives were those in which pain was described as a sensation in one part of the body. The view of pain as having an emotional basis significantly increased with age and was more frequent in adolescents. In contrast, children between 4-6 and 7-11 indicated that pain occurs spontaneously. The denial of any positive aspects of pain significantly decreased with age; some children between 7 and 11 referred to the 'possibility of relief', while the view that pain is a 'learning experience' was significantly more frequent among adolescents aged between 12 and 14 years. The use of cognitive strategies to control pain significantly increased with age. Between 12 and 14 years of age, adolescents communicate pain by non-verbal behaviour and reported that they do not express demands for relief. There was a progression from concrete to more complex notions of pain as age increased. These results may be of use to health professionals and parents to understand how children at various developmental stages express and cope with pain and to develop tools that effectively assess and manage pain in children. © 2011 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The Difference that Age Makes: Cultural Factors that Shape Older Adults' Responses to Age-Related Macular Degeneration

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Mogk, Marja

2008-01-01

This article suggests that approaching vision loss from age-related macular degeneration from a sociocultural perspective, specifically considering perceptions of aging, blindness, disability, and generational viewpoints and norms, may be critical to understanding older adults' responses to vision loss and visual rehabilitation.

[Cognitive neuroscience of aging. Contributions and challenges].

PubMed

Díaz, Fernando; Pereiro, Arturo X

The cognitive neuroscience of aging is a young discipline that has emerged as a result of the combination of: A) the theoretical and explanatory frameworks proposed by the cognitive psychology perspective throughout the second half of the twentieth century; B) the designs and methodological procedures arising from experimental psychology and the need to test the hypotheses proposed from the cognitive psychology perspective; C) the contributions of the computer sciences to the explanation of brain functions; and D) the development and use of neuroimaging techniques that have enabled the recording of brain activity in humans while tasks that test some cognitive process or function are performed. An analysis on the impact of research conducted from this perspective over the last 3decades has been carried out, including its shortcomings, as well as the potential directions and usefulness that will advantageously continue to drive this discipline in its description and explanation of the process es of cerebral and cognitive aging. Copyright © 2017 SEGG. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Perspectives on mealtime management in residential aged care: insights from a cross-disciplinary investigation.

PubMed

Bennett, Michelle K; Ward, Elizabeth; Scarinci, Nerina; Waite, Monique

2014-01-01

Meeting the medical, nutritional, and psychosocial mealtime needs of aged care residents requires a holistic, multidisciplinary approach. To date the perspectives of this multidisciplinary team have not been adequately explored. The aim of this study was to explore the perspectives of a range of service providers involved in mealtime management in residential aged care. In-depth semistructured interviews were conducted with 61 participants from five service disciplines. Four themes emerged: ( 1 ) mealtimes are highly valued; ( 2 ) service providers face common barriers to mealtime management; ( 3 ) communication among service providers is challenging; and ( 4 ) education in mealtime management is limited. Data indicated service providers acknowledge the importance of mealtimes but recognize numerous shortfalls in current care. The need for interdisciplinary training and increased communication and collaboration among providers was emphasized, including the need for clarification of provider roles. Limited consideration of mealtimes in policy and funding documents was identified as a primary barrier in further prioritizing mealtime management and advancing mealtime care.

Using temporal distancing to regulate emotion in adolescence: modulation by reactive aggression.

PubMed

Ahmed, S P; Somerville, L H; Sebastian, C L

2018-06-01

Adopting a temporally distant perspective on stressors reduces distress in adults. Here we investigate whether the extent to which individuals project themselves into the future influences distancing efficacy. We also examined modulating effects of age across adolescence and reactive aggression: factors associated with reduced future-thinking and poor emotion regulation. Participants (N = 83, aged 12-22) read scenarios and rated negative affect when adopting a distant-future perspective, near-future perspective, or when reacting naturally. Self-report data revealed significant downregulation of negative affect during the distant-future condition, with a similar though non-significant skin conductance pattern. Importantly, participants who projected further ahead showed the greatest distress reductions. While temporal distancing efficacy did not vary with age, participants reporting greater reactive aggression showed reduced distancing efficacy, and projected themselves less far into the future. Findings demonstrate the importance of temporal extent in effective temporal distancing; shedding light on a potential mechanism for poor emotional control associated with reactive aggression.

Persuasive Technology to Support Active and Healthy Ageing: an exploration of Past, Present, and Future.

PubMed

Cabrita, Miriam; Op den Akker, Harm; Tabak, Monique; Hermens, Hermie J; Vollenbroek-Hutten, Miriam M R

2018-06-20

The age of the population worldwide is rapidly increasing, bringing social and economic challenges. Persuasive technology can alleviate the burden on traditional healthcare services when used to support healthy behaviors, for instance in the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. Additionally, healthy behaviors are key factors for active and healthy ageing by delaying or even reversing functional decline. In this manuscript, we present a multi-perspective analysis of technologies that can be used in the support of active and healthy ageing in the daily life. First, we take the perspective of physical and mental health, by focusing on the promotion of physical activity and emotional wellbeing. From a temporal perspective, we look at how technology evolved from past, present and future. The overview of the literature is structured in four main sections: (1) measurement of current behavior (monitoring), (2) analysis of the data gathered to derive meaningful information (analyzing & reasoning), (3) support the individual in the adoption or maintenance of a behavior (coaching), and (4) tools or interfaces that provide the information to the individual to stimulate the desired behavior (applications). Finally, we provide recommendations for the design, development and implementation of future technological innovations to support Active and Healthy Ageing in daily life. Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier Inc.

"Not a replacement": emotional experiences and practical consequences of Israeli second couplehood stepfamilies constructed in old age.

PubMed

Koren, Chaya; Lipman-Schiby, Sharon

2014-12-01

The increase in life expectancy enhances phenomena such as second couplehood in old age following widowhood or divorce as an alternative way of coping with changes that occur with aging. Research on the phenomenon has focused mainly on individual and dyadic perspectives of the repartnered. The aim of this article was to explore repartnering from the stepfamily's perspective, which has scarcely been studied. Nineteen Israeli stepfamilies (38 multigenerational families) were recruited using criterion sampling, of men who repartnered at age 65+ and women at 60+, with children and grandchildren from a lifelong marriage that ended in widowhood or divorce. We audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim 107 semi-structured, qualitative interviews with older partners, their adult children, and grandchildren. Analysis was based on grounded theory and dyadic analysis principles adapted to families. It showed how repartnering in old age changed the family structure, constructing complex stepfamilies, which require further study. Emotional experiences refer to repartnering being a replacement for couplehood but not for parenthood/grandparenthood. Practical consequences refer to "knowing their place" within the stepfamily and included the following subthemes: showing affection; participating in memorials for the deceased spouse; sharing, listening, and assisting. Findings are discussed regarding life course and family life cycle perspectives. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

TCDD Inhibition of Canonical Wnt Signaling Disrupts Prostatic Bud Formation in Mouse Urogenital Sinus

PubMed Central

Peterson, Richard E.

2013-01-01

In mice, in utero exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p- dioxin (TCDD) reduces the number of dorsolateral prostatic buds resulting in a smaller dorsolateral prostate and prevents formation of ventral buds culminating in ventral prostate agenesis. The genes and signaling pathways affected by TCDD that are responsible for disrupting prostate development are largely unknown. Here we show that treatment of urogenital sinus (UGS) organ cultures with known inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling also inhibits prostatic bud formation. In support of the hypothesis that TCDD decreases canonical Wnt signaling, we identify inhibitory effects of TCDD on multiple components of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in the UGS that temporally coincide with the inhibitory effect of TCDD on prostatic bud formation: (1) expression of R-spondins (Rspo2 and Rspo3) that promote canonical Wnt signaling is reduced; (2) expression of Lef1, Tcf1, and Wif1, established canonical Wnt target genes, is decreased; (3) expression of Lgr5, a RSPO receptor that activates canonical Wnt signaling, is reduced; and (4) expression of Dickkopfs (Dkks), inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling, is not increased by TCDD. Thus, the TCDD-induced reduction in canonical Wnt signaling is associated with a decrease in activators (Rspo2 and Rspo3) rather than an increase in inhibitors (Dkk1 and Dkk2) of the pathway. This study focuses on determining whether treatment of TCDD-exposed UGS organ cultures with RSPO2 and/or RSPO3 is capable of rescuing the inhibitory effects of TCDD on canonical Wnt signaling and prostatic bud formation. We discovered that each RSPO alone or in combination partially rescues TCDD inhibition of both canonical Wnt signaling and prostatic bud formation. PMID:23429912

TCDD inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling disrupts prostatic bud formation in mouse urogenital sinus.

PubMed

Branam, Amanda M; Davis, Nicole M; Moore, Robert W; Schneider, Andrew J; Vezina, Chad M; Peterson, Richard E

2013-05-01

In mice, in utero exposure to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p- dioxin (TCDD) reduces the number of dorsolateral prostatic buds resulting in a smaller dorsolateral prostate and prevents formation of ventral buds culminating in ventral prostate agenesis. The genes and signaling pathways affected by TCDD that are responsible for disrupting prostate development are largely unknown. Here we show that treatment of urogenital sinus (UGS) organ cultures with known inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling also inhibits prostatic bud formation. In support of the hypothesis that TCDD decreases canonical Wnt signaling, we identify inhibitory effects of TCDD on multiple components of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway in the UGS that temporally coincide with the inhibitory effect of TCDD on prostatic bud formation: (1) expression of R-spondins (Rspo2 and Rspo3) that promote canonical Wnt signaling is reduced; (2) expression of Lef1, Tcf1, and Wif1, established canonical Wnt target genes, is decreased; (3) expression of Lgr5, a RSPO receptor that activates canonical Wnt signaling, is reduced; and (4) expression of Dickkopfs (Dkks), inhibitors of canonical Wnt signaling, is not increased by TCDD. Thus, the TCDD-induced reduction in canonical Wnt signaling is associated with a decrease in activators (Rspo2 and Rspo3) rather than an increase in inhibitors (Dkk1 and Dkk2) of the pathway. This study focuses on determining whether treatment of TCDD-exposed UGS organ cultures with RSPO2 and/or RSPO3 is capable of rescuing the inhibitory effects of TCDD on canonical Wnt signaling and prostatic bud formation. We discovered that each RSPO alone or in combination partially rescues TCDD inhibition of both canonical Wnt signaling and prostatic bud formation.

Human Prostate Side Population Cells Demonstrate Stem Cell Properties in Recombination with Urogenital Sinus Mesenchyme

PubMed Central

Foster, Barbara A.; Gangavarapu, Kalyan J.; Mathew, Grinu; Azabdaftari, Gissou; Morrison, Carl D.; Miller, Austin; Huss, Wendy J.

2013-01-01

Stem cell enrichment provides a tool to examine prostate stem cells obtained from benign and malignant tissue. Functional assays can enrich stem cells based on common stem cell phenotypes, such as high ATP binding cassette (ABC) transporter mediated efflux of Hoechst substrates (side population assay). This functional assay is based upon mechanisms that protect cells from environmental insult thus contributing to the survival and protection of the stem cell population. We have isolated and analyzed cells digested from twelve clinical prostate specimens based on the side population assay. Prostate stem cell properties of the isolated cells were tested by serial recombination with rat urogenital mesenchyme. Recombinants with side population cells demonstrate an increase in the frequency of human ductal growth and the number of glands per recombinant when compared to recombinants with non-side population cells. Isolated cells were capable of prostatic growth for up to three generations in the recombination assay with as little as 125 sorted prostate cells. The ability to reproducibly use cells isolated by fluorescence activated cell sorting from human prostate tissue is an essential step to a better understanding of human prostate stem cell biology. ABC transporter G2 (ABCG2) was expressed in recombinants from side population cells indicating the side population cells have self-renewal properties. Epithelial cell differentiation of recombinants was determined by immunohistochemical analysis for expression of the basal, luminal, and neuroendocrine markers, p63, androgen receptor, prostate specific antigen, and chromogranin A, respectively. Thus, the ABCG2 expressing side population demonstrates multipotency and self-renewal properties indicating stem cells are within this population. PMID:23383057

CtGEM typing: Discrimination of Chlamydia trachomatis ocular and urogenital strains and major evolutionary lineages by high resolution melting analysis of two amplified DNA fragments.

PubMed

Giffard, Philip M; Andersson, Patiyan; Wilson, Judith; Buckley, Cameron; Lilliebridge, Rachael; Harris, Tegan M; Kleinecke, Mariana; O'Grady, Kerry-Ann F; Huston, Wilhelmina M; Lambert, Stephen B; Whiley, David M; Holt, Deborah C

2018-01-01

Chlamydia trachomatis infects the urogenital tract (UGT) and eyes. Anatomical tropism is correlated with variation in the major outer membrane protein encoded by ompA. Strains possessing the ocular ompA variants A, B, Ba and C are typically found within the phylogenetically coherent "classical ocular lineage". However, variants B, Ba and C have also been found within three distinct strains in Australia, all associated with ocular disease in children and outside the classical ocular lineage. CtGEM genotyping is a method for detecting and discriminating ocular strains and also the major phylogenetic lineages. The rationale was facilitation of surveillance to inform responses to C. trachomatis detection in UGT specimens from young children. CtGEM typing is based on high resolution melting analysis (HRMA) of two PCR amplified fragments with high combinatorial resolving power, as defined by computerised comparison of 65 whole genomes. One fragment is from the hypothetical gene defined by Jali-1891 in the C. trachomatis B_Jali20 genome, while the other is from ompA. Twenty combinatorial CtGEM types have been shown to exist, and these encompass unique genotypes for all known ocular strains, and also delineate the TI and T2 major phylogenetic lineages, identify LGV strains and provide additional resolution beyond this. CtGEM typing and Sanger sequencing were compared with 42 C. trachomatis positive clinical specimens, and there were no disjunctions. CtGEM typing is a highly efficient method designed and tested using large scale comparative genomics. It divides C. trachomatis into clinically and biologically meaningful groups, and may have broad application in surveillance.

Assessment of pelvic floor by three-dimensional-ultrasound in primiparous women according to delivery mode: initial experience from a single reference service in Brazil.

PubMed

Araujo Júnior, Edward; de Freitas, Rogério Caixeta Moraes; Di Bella, Zsuzsanna Ilona Katalin de Jármy; Alexandre, Sandra Maria; Nakamura, Mary Uchiyama; Nardozza, Luciano Marcondes Machado; Moron, Antonio Fernandes

2013-03-01

To evaluate changes to the pelvic floor of primiparous women with different delivery modes, using three-dimensional ultrasound. A prospective cross-sectional study on 35 primiparae divided into groups according to the delivery mode: elective cesarean delivery (n=10), vaginal delivery (n=16), and forceps delivery (n=9). Three-dimensional ultrasound on the pelvic floor was performed on the second postpartum day with the patient in a resting position. A convex volumetric transducer (RAB4-8L) was used, in contact with the large labia, with the patient in the gynecological position. Biometric measurements of the urogenital hiatus were taken in the axial plane on images in the rendering mode, in order to assess the area, anteroposterior and transverse diameters, average thickness, and avulsion of the levator ani muscle. Differences between groups were evaluated by determining the mean differences and their respective 95% confidence intervals. The proportions of levator ani muscle avulsion were compared between elective cesarean section and vaginal birth using Fisher's exact test. The mean areas of the urogenital hiatus in the cases of vaginal and forceps deliveries were 17.0 and 20.1 cm(2), respectively, versus 12.4 cm(2) in the Control Group (elective cesarean). Avulsion of the levator ani muscle was observed in women who underwent vaginal delivery (3/25), however there was no statistically significant difference between cesarean section and vaginal delivery groups (p=0.5). Transperineal three-dimensional ultrasound was useful for assessing the pelvic floor of primiparous women, by allowing pelvic morphological changes to be differentiated according to the delivery mode.

Identification of De Novo Copy Number Variants Associated with Human Disorders of Sexual Development

PubMed Central

Tannour-Louet, Mounia; Han, Shuo; Corbett, Sean T.; Louet, Jean-Francois; Yatsenko, Svetlana; Meyers, Lindsay; Shaw, Chad A.; Kang, Sung-Hae L.; Cheung, Sau Wai; Lamb, Dolores J.

2010-01-01

Disorders of sexual development (DSD), ranging in severity from genital abnormalities to complete sex reversal, are among the most common human birth defects with incidence rates reaching almost 3%. Although causative alterations in key genes controlling gonad development have been identified, the majority of DSD cases remain unexplained. To improve the diagnosis, we screened 116 children born with idiopathic DSD using a clinically validated array-based comparative genomic hybridization platform. 8951 controls without urogenital defects were used to compare with our cohort of affected patients. Clinically relevant imbalances were found in 21.5% of the analyzed patients. Most anomalies (74.2%) evaded detection by the routinely ordered karyotype and were scattered across the genome in gene-enriched subtelomeric loci. Among these defects, confirmed de novo duplication and deletion events were noted on 1p36.33, 9p24.3 and 19q12-q13.11 for ambiguous genitalia, 10p14 and Xq28 for cryptorchidism and 12p13 and 16p11.2 for hypospadias. These variants were significantly associated with genitourinary defects (P = 6.08×10−12). The causality of defects observed in 5p15.3, 9p24.3, 22q12.1 and Xq28 was supported by the presence of overlapping chromosomal rearrangements in several unrelated patients. In addition to known gonad determining genes including SRY and DMRT1, novel candidate genes such as FGFR2, KANK1, ADCY2 and ZEB2 were encompassed. The identification of risk germline rearrangements for urogenital birth defects may impact diagnosis and genetic counseling and contribute to the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of human sexual development. PMID:21048976

Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2): a new target of autoimmunity in paraneoplastic encephalitis.

PubMed

Popkirov, Stoyan; Ayzenberg, Ilya; Hahn, Stefanie; Bauer, Jan; Denno, Yvonne; Rieckhoff, Nicole; Radzimski, Christiane; Hans, Volkmar H; Berg, Sebastian; Roghmann, Florian; Noldus, Joachim; Bien, Christian G; Skodda, Sabine; Wellmer, Jörg; Stöcker, Winfried; Krogias, Christos; Gold, Ralf; Schlegel, Uwe; Probst, Christian; Komorowski, Lars; Miske, Ramona; Kleiter, Ingo

2017-05-29

Onconeural antibodies are associated with cancer and paraneoplastic encephalitis. While their pathogenic role is still largely unknown, their high diagnostic value is undisputed. In this study we describe the discovery of a novel target of autoimmunity in an index case of paraneoplastic encephalitis associated with urogenital cancer.A 75-year-old man with a history of invasive bladder carcinoma 6 years ago with multiple recurrences and a newly discovered renal cell carcinoma presented with seizures and progressive cognitive decline followed by super-refractory status epilepticus. Clinical and ancillary findings including brain biopsy suggested paraneoplastic encephalitis. Immunohistochemistry of the brain biopsy was used to characterize the inflammatory response. Indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA) was used for autoantibody screening. The autoantigen was identified by histo-immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry and was validated by expressing the recombinant antigen in HEK293 cells and neutralization tests. Sera from 125 control patients were screened using IFA to test for the novel autoantibodies.IFA analysis of serum revealed a novel autoantibody against brain tissue. An intracellular enzyme, Rho-associated protein kinase 2 (ROCK2), was identified as target-antigen. ROCK2 was expressed in affected brain tissue and archival bladder tumor samples of this patient. Brain histopathology revealed appositions of cytotoxic CD8 + T cells on ROCK2-positive neurons. ROCK2 antibodies were not found in the sera of 20 patients with bladder cancer and 17 with renal cancer, both without neurological symptoms, 49 healthy controls, and 39 patients with other antineuronal autoantibodies. In conclusion, novel onconeural antibodies targeting ROCK2 are associated with paraneoplastic encephalitis and should be screened for when paraneoplastic neurological syndromes, especially in patients with urogenital cancers, occur.

Inducing sex reversal of the urogenital system of marsupials.

PubMed

Renfree, Marilyn B; Chew, Keng Yih; Shaw, Geoff

2014-01-01

Marsupials differ from eutherian mammals in their reproductive strategy of delivering a highly altricial young after a short gestation. The young, with its undeveloped organ systems completes its development post-natally, usually within a pouch. The young is dependent on milk with a composition that varies through lactation to support its growth and changing needs as it matures over a lengthy period. Gonadal differentiation occurs after birth, providing a unique opportunity to examine the effects of hormonal manipulations on its sexual differentiation of the highly accessible young. In marsupials a difference in the migration of the urinary ducts around the genital ducts from eutherian mammals results in the unique tammar reproductive tract which has three vaginae and two cervices, and two distinctly separate uteri. In the tammar wallaby, a small member of the kangaroo family, we showed that virilisation of the Wolffian duct, prostate and phallus depends on an alternate androgen pathway, which has now been shown to be important for virilisation in humans. Through hormonal manipulations over differing time periods we have achieved sex reversal of both ovaries and testes, germ cells, genital ducts, prostate and phallus. Whilst we understand many of the mechanisms behind sexual differentiation there are still many lessons to be learned from understanding how sex reversal is achieved by using a model such as the tammar wallaby. This will help guide investigations into the major questions of how and why sex determination is achieved in other species. This review discusses the control and development of the marsupial urogenital system, largely drawn from our studies in the tammar wallaby and our ability to manipulate this system to induce sex reversal. Copyright © 2013 International Society of Differentiation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Successful Combination of Nucleic Acid Amplification Test Diagnostics and Targeted Deferred Neisseria gonorrhoeae Culture

PubMed Central

Wind, Carolien M.; de Vries, Henry J. C.; Schim van der Loeff, Maarten F.; Unemo, Magnus

2015-01-01

Nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) are recommended for the diagnosis of N. gonorrhoeae infections because of their superior sensitivity. Increasing NAAT use causes a decline in crucial antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance data, which rely on culture. We analyzed the suitability of the ESwab system for NAAT diagnostics and deferred targeted N. gonorrhoeae culture to allow selective and efficient culture based on NAAT results. We included patients visiting the STI Clinic Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in 2013. Patient characteristics and urogenital and rectal samples for direct N. gonorrhoeae culture, standard NAAT, and ESwab were collected. Standard NAAT and NAAT on ESwab samples were performed using the Aptima Combo 2 assay for N. gonorrhoeae and C. trachomatis. Two deferred N. gonorrhoeae cultures were performed on NAAT-positive ESwab samples after storage at 4°C for 1 to 3 days. We included 2,452 samples from 1,893 patients. In the standard NAAT, 107 samples were N. gonorrhoeae positive and 284 were C. trachomatis positive. The sensitivities of NAAT on ESwab samples were 83% (95% confidence interval [CI], 75 to 90%) and 87% (95% CI, 82 to 90%), respectively. ESwab samples were available for 98 of the gonorrhea-positive samples. Of these, 82% were positive in direct culture and 69% and 56% were positive in the 1st and 2nd deferred cultures, respectively (median storage times, 27 and 48 h, respectively). Deferred culture was more often successful in urogenital samples or when the patient had symptoms at the sampling site. Deferred N. gonorrhoeae culture of stored ESwab samples is feasible and enables AMR surveillance. To limit the loss in NAAT sensitivity, we recommend obtaining separate samples for NAAT and deferred culture. PMID:25832300

Cranberry Products Inhibit Adherence of P-Fimbriated Escherichia Coli to Primary Cultured Bladder and Vaginal Epithelial Cells

PubMed Central

Gupta, K.; Chou, M. Y.; Howell, A.; Wobbe, C.; Grady, R.; Stapleton, A. E.

2011-01-01

Purpose Cranberry proanthocyanidins have been identified as possible inhibitors of Escherichia coli adherence to uroepithelial cells. However, little is known about the dose range of this effect. Furthermore, it has not been studied directly in the urogenital system. To address these issues we tested the effect of a cranberry powder and proanthocyanidin extract on adherence of a P-fimbriated uropathogenic E. coli isolate to 2 new urogenital model systems, namely primary cultured bladder epithelial cells and vaginal epithelial cells. Materials and Methods E. coli IA2 was pre-incubated with a commercially available cranberry powder (9 mg proanthocyanidin per gm) or with increasing concentrations of proanthocyanidin extract. Adherence of E. coli IA2 to primary cultured bladder epithelial cells or vaginal epithelial cells was measured before and after exposure to these products. Results Cranberry powder decreased mean adherence of E. coli IA2 to vaginal epithelial cells from 18.6 to 1.8 bacteria per cell (p <0.001). Mean adherence of E. coli to primary cultured bladder epithelial cells was decreased by exposure to 50 μg/ml proanthocyanidin extract from 6.9 to 1.6 bacteria per cell (p <0.001). Inhibition of adherence of E. coli by proanthocyanidin extract occurred in linear, dose dependent fashion over a proanthocyanidin concentration range of 75 to 5 μg/ml. Conclusions Cranberry products can inhibit E. coli adherence to biologically relevant model systems of primary cultured bladder and vaginal epithelial cells. This effect occurs in a dose dependent relationship. These findings provide further mechanistic evidence and biological plausibility for the role of cranberry products for preventing urinary tract infection. PMID:17509358

Community-based sexually transmitted infection screening and increased detection of pharyngeal and urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections in female sex workers in Hong Kong.

PubMed

Wong, Horas T H; Lee, Krystal C K; Chan, Denise P C

2015-04-01

Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are one of the key populations being infected most by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. In Hong Kong, limited data on the burden of chlamydial and gonococcal infections exist because regular screenings are not offered. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in FSWs and to assess predictors associated with unprotected fellatio. A cross-sectional study was conduct on 340 FSWs attending a community organization for HIV/STI screening, and a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics was administered to all FSWs. The prevalence of syphilis infection was 2.1%, and none was tested positive for HIV. The positivity for pharyngeal C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was 3.2% and 4.4%, respectively, whereas that for urogenital chlamydial and gonococcal infection was 10.6% and 0.9%, respectively. Of 313 FSWs offering fellatio, having unprotected fellatio with clients was significantly associated with the perceived low risk of contracting STI via fellatio (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.88), working in clubs (adjusted OR, 11.14), working on streets (adjusted OR, 3.28), recently started working in the sex industry for 1 year or less (adjusted OR, 3.05), and reporting group sex in the previous year (adjusted OR, 11.03). The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection remains low. This study reveals a relatively high prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae detected mostly in the pharynx. Offering pharyngeal screening for STI would facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal infection in FSWs in Hong Kong.

Syndromic Management and STI Control in Urban Peru

PubMed Central

Clark, Jesse L.; Lescano, Andres G.; Konda, Kelika A.; Leon, Segundo R.; Jones, Franca R.; Klausner, Jeffrey D.; Coates, Thomas J.; Caceres, Carlos F.

2009-01-01

Background Syndromic management is an inexpensive and effective method for the treatment of symptomatic sexually transmitted infections (STIs), but its effectiveness as a method of STI control in at-risk populations is questionable. We sought to determine the potential utility of syndromic management as a public health strategy to control STI transmission in high-risk populations in urban Peru. Methodology We surveyed 3,285 at-risk men and women from three Peruvian cities from 2003–05. Participants were asked about the presence of genital ulcers, discharge, or dysuria in the preceding six months. Participants reporting symptoms were asked about subsequent health-seeking and partner notification behavior. Urine and vaginal swab samples were tested for Neisseria gonorrhoeae and Chlamydia trachomatis by nucleic acid testing. Serum was tested for syphilis and Herpes Simplex Virus-Type 2 antibodies. Findings Recent urogenital discharge or dysuria was reported by 42.1% of participants with gonorrhea or chlamydia versus 28.3% of participants without infection. Genital ulceration was reported by 6.2% of participants with, and 7.4% of participants without, recent syphilis. Many participants reporting symptoms continued sexual activity while symptomatic, and approximately half of all symptomatic participants sought treatment. The positive and negative predictive values of urogenital discharge or genital ulcer disease in detecting STIs that are common in the study population were 14.4% and 81.5% for chlamydia in women and 8.3% and 89.5% for syphilis among gay-identified men. Conclusions In our study, STIs among high-risk men and women in urban Peru were frequently asymptomatic and symptomatic participants often remained sexually active without seeking treatment. Additional research is needed to assess the costs and benefits of targeted, laboratory-based STI screening as part of a comprehensive STI control program in developing countries. PMID:19779620

Community-Based Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening and Increased Detection of Pharyngeal and Urogenital Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae Infections in Female Sex Workers in Hong Kong

PubMed Central

Wong, Horas T.H.; Lee, Krystal C.K.; Chan, Denise P.C.

2015-01-01

Background Female sex workers (FSWs) are vulnerable to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and are one of the key populations being infected most by Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. In Hong Kong, limited data on the burden of chlamydial and gonococcal infections exist because regular screenings are not offered. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae in FSWs and to assess predictors associated with unprotected fellatio. Methods A cross-sectional study was conduct on 340 FSWs attending a community organization for HIV/STI screening, and a questionnaire addressing sociodemographic and behavioral characteristics was administered to all FSWs. Results The prevalence of syphilis infection was 2.1%, and none was tested positive for HIV. The positivity for pharyngeal C. trachomatis and N. gonorrhoeae was 3.2% and 4.4%, respectively, whereas that for urogenital chlamydial and gonococcal infection was 10.6% and 0.9%, respectively. Of 313 FSWs offering fellatio, having unprotected fellatio with clients was significantly associated with the perceived low risk of contracting STI via fellatio (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 1.88), working in clubs (adjusted OR, 11.14), working on streets (adjusted OR, 3.28), recently started working in the sex industry for 1 year or less (adjusted OR, 3.05), and reporting group sex in the previous year (adjusted OR, 11.03). Conclusions The prevalence of HIV and syphilis infection remains low. This study reveals a relatively high prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae detected mostly in the pharynx. Offering pharyngeal screening for STI would facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of gonococcal infection in FSWs in Hong Kong. PMID:25768859

Mechanisms of Pelvic Floor Muscle Function and the Effect on the Urethra during a Cough

PubMed Central

Lovegrove Jones, Ruth C.; Peng, Qiyu; Stokes, Maria; Humphrey, Victor F.; Payne, Christopher; Constantinou, Christos E.

2009-01-01

Background Current measurement tools have difficulty identifying the automatic physiologic processes maintaining continence, and many questions still remain about pelvic floor muscle (PFM) function during automatic events. Objective To perform a feasibility study to characterise the displacement, velocity, and acceleration of the PFM and the urethra during a cough. Design, setting, and participants A volunteer convenience sample of 23 continent women and 9 women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) from the general community of San Francisco Bay Area was studied. Measurements Methods included perineal ultrasound imaging, motion tracking of the urogenital structures, and digital vaginal examination. Statistical analysis used one-tailedunpaired student t tests, and Welch’s correction was applied when variances were unequal. Results and limitations The cough reflex activated the PFM of continent women to compress the urogenital structures towards the pubic symphysis, which was absent in women with SUI. The maximum accelerations that acted on the PFM during a cough were generally more similar than the velocities and displacements. The urethras of women with SUI were exposed to uncontrolled transverse acceleration and were displaced more than twice as far (p = 0.0002), with almost twice the velocity (p = 0.0015) of the urethras of continent women. Caution regarding the generalisability of this study is warranted due to the small number of women in the SUI group and the significant difference in parity between groups. Conclusions During a cough, normal PFM function produces timely compression of the pelvic floor and additional external support to the urethra, reducing displacement, velocity, and acceleration. In women with SUI, who have weaker urethral attachments, this shortening contraction does not occur; consequently, the urethras of women with SUI move further and faster for a longer duration. PMID:19560261

Uropathogenic E. coli Exploit CEA to Promote Colonization of the Urogenital Tract Mucosa

PubMed Central

Muenzner, Petra; Kengmo Tchoupa, Arnaud; Klauser, Benedikt; Brunner, Thomas; Putze, Johannes; Dobrindt, Ulrich; Hauck, Christof R.

2016-01-01

Attachment to the host mucosa is a key step in bacterial pathogenesis. On the apical surface of epithelial cells, members of the human carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) family are abundant glycoproteins involved in cell-cell adhesion and modulation of cell signaling. Interestingly, several gram-negative bacterial pathogens target these receptors by specialized adhesins. The prototype of a CEACAM-binding pathogen, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, utilizes colony opacity associated (Opa) proteins to engage CEA, as well as the CEA-related cell adhesion molecules CEACAM1 and CEACAM6 on human epithelial cells. By heterologous expression of neisserial Opa proteins in non-pathogenic E. coli we find that the Opa protein-CEA interaction is sufficient to alter gene expression, to increase integrin activity and to promote matrix adhesion of infected cervical carcinoma cells and immortalized vaginal epithelial cells in vitro. These CEA-triggered events translate in suppression of exfoliation and improved colonization of the urogenital tract by Opa protein-expressing E. coli in CEA-transgenic compared to wildtype mice. Interestingly, uropathogenic E. coli expressing an unrelated CEACAM-binding protein of the Afa/Dr adhesin family recapitulate the in vitro and in vivo phenotype. In contrast, an isogenic strain lacking the CEACAM-binding adhesin shows reduced colonization and does not suppress epithelial exfoliation. These results demonstrate that engagement of human CEACAMs by distinct bacterial adhesins is sufficient to blunt exfoliation and to promote host infection. Our findings provide novel insight into mucosal colonization by a common UPEC pathotype and help to explain why human CEACAMs are a preferred epithelial target structure for diverse gram-negative bacteria to establish a foothold on the human mucosa. PMID:27171273

Robot-assisted intersphincteric resection facilitates an efficient sphincter-saving in patients with low rectal cancer.

PubMed

Kim, Jin Cheon; Lee, Jong Lyul; Alotaibi, Abdulrahman Muaod; Yoon, Yong Sik; Kim, Chan Wook; Park, In Ja

2017-08-01

Few investigations of robot-assisted intersphincteric resection (ISR) are presently available to support this procedure as a safe and efficient procedure. We aimed to evaluate the utility of robot-assisted ISR by comparison between ISR and abdominoperineal resection (APR) using both robot-assisted and open approaches. The 558 patients with lower rectal cancer (LRC) who underwent curative operation was enrolled between July 2010 and June 2015 to perform either by robot-assisted (ISR vs. APR = 310 vs. 34) or open approaches (144 vs. 70). Perioperative and functional outcomes including urogenital and anorectal dysfunctions were measured. Recurrence and survival were examined in 216 patients in which >3 years had elapsed after the operation. The robot-assisted approach was the most significant parameter to determine ISR achievement among potent parameters (OR = 3.467, 95% CI = 2.095-5.738, p < 0.001). Early surgical complications occurred more frequently in the open ISR group (16 vs. 7.7%, p = 0.01). The voiding and male sexual dysfunctions were significantly more frequent in the open ISR (p < 0.05). The fecal incontinence and lifestyle alteration score was greater in the open ISR than in the robot-assisted ISR at 12 and 24 months, respectively (p < 0.05). However, the 3-year cumulative rates of local recurrence and survival did not differ between the two groups. The current procedure of robot-assisted ISR replaced a significant portion of APR to achieve successful SSO via mostly transabdominal approach and double-stapled anastomosis. The robot-assisted ISR with minimal invasiveness might be a help to reduce anorectal and urogenital dysfunctions.

Evaluation of six nucleic acid amplification tests used for diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Russia compared with an international strictly validated real-time porA pseudogene polymerase chain reaction.

PubMed

Shipitsyna, E; Zolotoverkhaya, E; Hjelmevoll, S O; Maximova, A; Savicheva, A; Sokolovsky, E; Skogen, V; Domeika, M; Unemo, M

2009-11-01

In Russia, laboratory diagnosis of gonorrhoea has been mainly based on microscopy only and, in some settings, relatively rare suboptimal culturing. In recent years, Russian developed and manufactured nucleic acid amplification tests (NAAT) have been implemented for routine diagnosis of Neisseria gonorrhoeae. However, these NAATs have never been validated to any international well-recognized diagnostic NAAT. This study aims to evaluate the performance characteristics of six Russian NAATs for N. gonorrhoeae diagnostics. In total, 496 symptomatic patients were included. Five polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays and one real-time nucleic acid sequence based amplification (NASBA) assay, developed by three Russian companies, were evaluated on urogenital samples, i.e. cervical and first voided urine (FVU) samples from females (n = 319), urethral and FVU samples from males (n = 127), and extragenital samples, i.e. rectal and pharyngeal samples, from 50 additional female patients with suspicion of gonorrhoea. As reference method, an international strictly validated real-time porA pseudogene PCR was applied. The prevalence of N. gonorrhoeae was 2.7% and 16% among the patients providing urogenital and extragenital samples, respectively. The Russian NAATs and the reference method displayed high level of concordance (99.4-100%). The sensitivities, specificities, positive predictive values and negative predictive values of the Russian tests in different specimens were 66.7-100%, 100%, 100%, and 99.4-100%, respectively. Russian N. gonorrhoeae diagnostic NAATs comprise relatively good performance characteristics. However, larger studies are crucial and, beneficially, the Russian assays should also be evaluated to other international highly sensitive and specific, and ideally Food and Drug Administration approved, NAATs such as Aptima Combo 2 (Gen-Probe).

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Universal Vaccination of Adults Aged 60 Years with 23-Valent Pneumococcal Polysaccharide Vaccine versus Current Practice in Brazil.

PubMed

de Soárez, Patrícia Coelho; Sartori, Ana Marli Christovam; Freitas, Angela Carvalho; Nishikawa, Álvaro Mitsunori; Novaes, Hillegonda Maria Dutilh

2015-01-01

To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of introducing universal vaccination of adults aged 60 years with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) into the National Immunization Program (NIP) in Brazil. Economic evaluation using a Markov model to compare two strategies: (1) universal vaccination of adults aged 60 years with one dose of PPV23 and 2) current practice (vaccination of institutionalized elderly and elderly with underlying diseases). The perspective was from the health system and society. Temporal horizon was 10 years. Discount rate of 5% was applied to costs and benefits. Clinical syndromes of interest were invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) including meningitis, sepsis and others and pneumonia. Vaccine efficacy against IPD was obtained from a meta-analysis of randomized control trials and randomized studies, whereas vaccine effectiveness against pneumonia was obtained from cohort studies. Resource utilization and costs were obtained from the Brazilian Health Information Systems. The primary outcome was cost per life year saved (LYS). Univariate and multivariate sensitivity analysis were performed. The universal vaccination strategy avoided 7,810 hospitalizations and 514 deaths, saving 3,787 years of life and costing a total of USD$31,507,012 and USD$44,548,180, respectively, from the health system and societal perspective. The universal immunization would result in ICERs of USD$1,297 per LYS, from the perspective of the health system, and USD$904 per LYS, from the societal perspective. The results suggest that universal vaccination of adults aged 60 years with the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine (PPV23) is a very cost-effective intervention for preventing hospitalization and deaths for IPD and pneumonia is this age group in Brazil.

[Body experience and motion in a biographical context: about the necessity of a body- and motion-related biographical view in gerontology].

PubMed

Abraham, Anke

2008-06-01

According to the special view of natural sciences, ageing processes are connected with measurable changes in the body. At the same time we know little about how bodily change is experienced and the subjective acceptance of the body during aging. Therefore a perspective with respect to the body has to be systematically embraced in gerontology. Knowledge perspectives and the view of the body are exemplified in theory and by analysing a case. The knowledge of experience and sense of body and motion in a person's life allows the creation of stimulating offers of growth development and health in age.

Analyzing Perspective Taking Skills of 5- to 6-Year-Old Preschool Children in Relation to Their Self-Perception and Gender

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gülay Ogelman, Hülya; Seçer, Zarife; Önder, Alev

2013-01-01

The purpose of this study is to analyze the ability of preschool children to take on a perspective, based on their self-perception and gender. A relational survey method was used, with 124 children between ages 5 and 6 participating--74 girls (59.7%) and 50 boys (40.3%). The Self-Perception Scale for Children and Perspective-Taking Test was…

Children's understanding of the immune system: Integrating the cognitive-developmental and intuitive theories' perspectives

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Landry-Boozer, Kristine L.

Traditional cognitive-developmental researchers have provided a large body of evidence supporting the stage-like progression of children's cognitive development. Further, from this body of research comes evidence that children's understanding of HIV/AIDS develops in much the same way as their understanding of other illness-related concepts. Researchers from a newer perspective assert that biological concepts develop from intuitive theories. In general, as children are exposed to relevant content and have opportunities to organize this information, their theories become more accurate and differentiated. According to this perspective, there are no broad structural constraints on developing concepts, as asserted by cognitive developmental theorists. The purpose of the current study was two-fold: to provide support for both theoretical perspectives, while at the same time to explore children's conceptualizations of the immune system, which has not been done previously in the cognitive-developmental literature. One hundred ninety children ranging in age from 4 years old through 11 years old, and a group of adults, participated. Each participant was interviewed regarding health concepts and the body's function in maintaining health. Participants were also asked to report if they had certain experiences that would have led to relevant content exposure. Qualitative analyses were utilized to code the interviews with rubrics based on both theoretical perspectives. Quantitative analyses consisted of a series of univariate ANOVAs (and post hoc tests when appropriate) examining all three coding variables (accuracy, differentiation, and developmental level) across various age-group combinations and exposure groups. Results of these analyses provided support for both theoretical perspectives. When the data were analyzed for developmental level by all ages, a stage-like progression consistent with Piagetian stages emerged. When accuracy and differentiation were examined (intuitive theories perspective), discrete groups could not be formed. Instead, a gradual increase in accuracy and differentiation was observed. Additional support for this perspective was found when the responses of participants who had additional exposure provided responses that were more accurate, differentiated, and sophisticated than those of participants with no additional exposure. Theoretical and educational implications of these findings are discussed.

Older Adults’ Perspectives on Successful Aging: Qualitative Interviews

PubMed Central

Reichstadt, Jennifer; Sengupta, Geetika; Depp, Colin A.; Palinkas, Lawrence A.; Jeste, Dilip V.

2010-01-01

OBJECTIVES Lay perceptions of “successful aging” are important for understanding this multifaceted construct and developing ways to assist older adults to age well. The purpose of this qualitative study was to obtain older adults’ individual perspectives on what constitutes successful aging, along with their views regarding activities and interventions to enhance its likelihood. METHODS Qualitative interviews were conducted with 22 community-dwelling adults over age 60. Participants were recruited from retirement communities, a low-income senior housing complex, and a continued learning center in San Diego County. Interview transcripts were analyzed using a “Coding Consensus, Co-occurrence, and Comparison” grounded theory framework. RESULTS The mean age of participants was 80 years (range: 64 to 96), with 59% being women. Two primary themes were identified as key to successful aging - i.e., self-acceptance/self-contentment (with sub-themes of realistic self-appraisal, a review of one’s life, and focusing on the present) and engagement with life/self-growth (with sub-themes of novel pursuits, giving to others, social interactions, and positive attitude). A balance between these two constructs appeared critical. A need for interventions that address support systems and personally tailored information to make informed decisions and enhance coping strategies were also emphasized. CONCLUSIONS Older adults viewed successful aging as a balance between self-acceptance and self-contentedness on one hand and engagement with life and self-growth in later life on the other. This perspective supports the concept of wisdom as a major contributor to successful aging. Interventions to enhance successful aging may include those that promote productive and social engagement along with effective coping strategies. PMID:20593536

Syntactic Versus Memory Accounts of the Sentence Comprehension Deficits of Specific Language Impairment: Looking Back, Looking Ahead.

PubMed

Montgomery, James W; Gillam, Ronald B; Evans, Julia L

2016-12-01

Compared with same-age typically developing peers, school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI) exhibit significant deficits in spoken sentence comprehension. They also demonstrate a range of memory limitations. Whether these 2 deficit areas are related is unclear. The present review article aims to (a) review 2 main theoretical accounts of SLI sentence comprehension and various studies supporting each and (b) offer a new, broader, more integrated memory-based framework to guide future SLI research, as we believe the available evidence favors a memory-based perspective of SLI comprehension limitations. We reviewed the literature on the sentence comprehension abilities of English-speaking children with SLI from 2 theoretical perspectives. The sentence comprehension limitations of children with SLI appear to be more fully captured by a memory-based perspective than by a syntax-specific deficit perspective. Although a memory-based view appears to be the better account of SLI sentence comprehension deficits, this view requires refinement and expansion. Current memory-based perspectives of adult sentence comprehension, with proper modification, offer SLI investigators new, more integrated memory frameworks within which to study and better understand the sentence comprehension abilities of children with SLI.

Syntactic Versus Memory Accounts of the Sentence Comprehension Deficits of Specific Language Impairment: Looking Back, Looking Ahead

PubMed Central

Gillam, Ronald B.; Evans, Julia L.

2016-01-01

Purpose Compared with same-age typically developing peers, school-age children with specific language impairment (SLI) exhibit significant deficits in spoken sentence comprehension. They also demonstrate a range of memory limitations. Whether these 2 deficit areas are related is unclear. The present review article aims to (a) review 2 main theoretical accounts of SLI sentence comprehension and various studies supporting each and (b) offer a new, broader, more integrated memory-based framework to guide future SLI research, as we believe the available evidence favors a memory-based perspective of SLI comprehension limitations. Method We reviewed the literature on the sentence comprehension abilities of English-speaking children with SLI from 2 theoretical perspectives. Results The sentence comprehension limitations of children with SLI appear to be more fully captured by a memory-based perspective than by a syntax-specific deficit perspective. Conclusions Although a memory-based view appears to be the better account of SLI sentence comprehension deficits, this view requires refinement and expansion. Current memory-based perspectives of adult sentence comprehension, with proper modification, offer SLI investigators new, more integrated memory frameworks within which to study and better understand the sentence comprehension abilities of children with SLI. PMID:27973643

Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis in France: a point prevalence study in people screened for sexually transmitted diseases.

PubMed

Pereyre, S; Laurier Nadalié, C; Bébéar, C

2017-02-01

Mycoplasma genitalium and Trichomonas vaginalis are common causes of sexually transmitted infections, but limited prevalence data are available in France. We aimed to evaluate the prevalence of M. genitalium and T. vaginalis infections and to assess prevalence by gender, age, sample collection sites and clinical symptoms. A multicentre collection of specimens was intended to obtain a nationwide overview of the epidemiology. Between September 2014 and January 2015, a total of 2652 consecutive urogenital specimens submitted to the microbiology diagnostic departments of 16 French university hospitals for Chlamydia trachomatis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae detection were collected. M. genitalium and T. vaginalis prevalence were evaluated using a commercial real-time PCR kit. Clinical data from patients were anonymously collected. T. vaginalis and M. genitalium prevalence were 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.3-2.4) and 3.4% (95% confidence interval 2.8-4.2), respectively, and did not differ between gender or age groups, except M. genitalium prevalence between men and women in the 35- to 44-year age group (5.9 vs. 1.5%; p 0.03). M. genitalium prevalence was significantly higher in patients receiving care in sexually transmitted infection clinics, abortion centres, family planning clinics and prisons than in gynaecologic, obstetric and reproduction centres (4.0 vs. 1.7%, p 0.009). Among M. genitalium- and T. vaginalis-positive patients, 70.9 and 61.5% were asymptomatic, respectively. The low T. vaginalis prevalence does not justify systematic screening for this organism in France. Conversely, selective screening for M. genitalium may be warranted in care settings that receive presumably high-risk sexual behaviour patients, regardless of symptoms. Copyright © 2016 European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Lifelong Adaptability: A Cultural Literacy Perspective (Revised Edition)

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Moyer, John Thayer

2011-01-01

This revised 1997 ex post facto study attempted to identify a lifelong adaptability curriculum from a cultural literacy perspective. It investigated students' lifelong adaptability ratings of 15 general school subjects as predicted by family structure, parental age, parental educational level, student cultural literacy, and student gender;…

Childhood Depression: A Developmental Perspective on Disruption of Functioning.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Snyder, Rebecca Lynne

This paper reviews research on childhood depression and its relation to developmental processes, family functioning, academic performance, and peer relationships. The methodological strengths and weaknesses of the research are examined. A section on developmental perspectives looks at early childhood, school age children, and adolescence. Support…