Relationships between body dimensions, body weight, age, gender, breed and echocardiographic dimensions in young endurance horses.

BACKGROUND: The heart's physiological adaptation to aerobic training leads to an increase in heart chamber size, and is referred to as the Athlete's heart. However, heart dimensions are also related to body weight (BWT), body size, growth and (in some species) breed. There are few published data on the relationships between heart dimensions and growth or aerobic training in Arabian and Arabian-related endurance horses. Therefore the objective of the present study was to describe the influence of body dimensions (body length (BL), thoracic circumference (TC), withers height (WH)), BWT, age, gender, breed (purebred Arabians, part-bred Arabians, Anglo-Arabians, and Others) and the initiation of endurance training on echocardiographic measurements in competition-fit endurance horses aged 4 to 6 years. RESULTS: Most left atrial (LA) and left ventricular (LV) dimensions increased with age, whereas LA and LV functional indices did not. Although there was no gender difference for LV dimensions, females had larger LA dimensions. In terms of breed, Anglo-Arabians had the largest LV dimensions. Regression models indicated that the included explanatory factors had a weak influence on heart dimensions. Age, body dimensions, breed and gender showed the most consistent influence on LA dimensions, whereas BWT, breed and kilometres covered in competition showed the most consistent influence on LV dimensions. CONCLUSION: The increase in echocardiographic dimensions with age indicates on-going growth in our population of 4 to 6 year-old horses. We also observed small changes associated with the initiation of endurance training. Morphometric dimensions had a greater influence on LA dimensions, whereas LV dimensions were also influenced (albeit weakly) by parameters associated with exercise intensity. These results may therefore reflect early adaptations linked to the initiation of endurance training.

Prediction of residential radon exposure of the whole Swiss population: comparison of model-based predictions with measurement-based predictions.

Radon plays an important role for human exposure to natural sources of ionizing radiation. The aim of this article is to compare two approaches to estimate mean radon exposure in the Swiss population: model-based predictions at individual level and measurement-based predictions based on measurements aggregated at municipality level. A nationwide model was used to predict radon levels in each household and for each individual based on the corresponding tectonic unit, building age, building type, soil texture, degree of urbanization, and floor. Measurement-based predictions were carried out within a health impact assessment on residential radon and lung cancer. Mean measured radon levels were corrected for the average floor distribution and weighted with population size of each municipality. Model-based predictions yielded a mean radon exposure of the Swiss population of 84.1 Bq/m(3) . Measurement-based predictions yielded an average exposure of 78 Bq/m(3) . This study demonstrates that the model- and the measurement-based predictions provided similar results. The advantage of the measurement-based approach is its simplicity, which is sufficient for assessing exposure distribution in a population. The model-based approach allows predicting radon levels at specific sites, which is needed in an epidemiological study, and the results do not depend on how the measurement sites have been selected.

Neurovascular bundle block as predictor of postoperative erectile function after radical prostatectomy.

We assessed audiovisually induced erections after nerve block of the neurovascular bundle during prostate biopsy. We evaluated neurovascular bundle nerve block to mimic non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy in an experimental setup. Patients undergoing a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were randomized to bilateral injection of 5 ml ropivacaine hydrochloride 0.75% or NaCl 0.9% into the neurovascular bundle. The patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire (IIEF-5) questionnaire, and a detailed patient history was obtained. A routine prostate biopsy was performed. Thereafter, patients were exposed to 60 min of audiovisual stimulation. Erections were recorded using a Rigiscan-Plus device. A total of 11 patients were randomized. Five patients received NaCl (group 1) and six patients ropivacaine (group 2). Patient characteristics were comparable in terms of age (group 1: 59.8 y; group 2: 61.8 y), mean PSA (4.1 vs 4.7 ng/ml), mean IIEF-5 score (20.5 vs 22) and risk factors for erectile dysfunction, respectively. Patients of group 1 showed significantly stronger and longer erections after audiovisual stimulation than patients in group 2. Patients with bilateral infiltration of saline solution to the neurovascular bundle showed significantly stronger erections than patients receiving local anesthesia of the neurovascular bundle. Thus, this experiment might serve as a model to assess postoperative erectile function after a unilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.

[A look inside the bladder--the human behind it]. / Ein Blick in die Blase-der Mensch dahinter.

To study the inside of humans is an old wish of mankind. Cystoscopy and its development are known to-initiates. In the following we do not stress this examination, but focus on those people behind it who shared in paving the way for improvement with their fantasy and energy without neglecting to report on the human and very human aspects.

Seminal vesicle-sparing radical prostatectomy: a novel concept to restore early urinary continence.

OBJECTIVES: Urinary incontinence after radical prostatectomy continues to be a distressing problem, even with preservation of the neurovascular bundles and meticulous apical dissection. Recent studies suggest that motor and sensory components of the pelvic nerve may be affected by surgery, since both components are anatomically located in intimate contact with the seminal vesicles. We propose seminal vesicle-sparing radical prostatectomy to preserve pelvic innervation and improve the rate of urinary continence. METHODS: Fifty-four patients were enrolled in this prospective study. A standard retropubic radical prostatectomy was performed in 34 patients. A seminal vesicle-sparing radical prostatectomy was performed in a pilot series of 20 consecutive patients. The seminal vesicle tip and surrounding tissue were preserved and carefully handled. In all patients, a modified pad test and posterior urethral sensory threshold test were performed preoperatively and 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively and correlated with urinary continence. RESULTS: The intraoperative preservation of the seminal vesicle tip was possible in all patients in this pilot series (n = 20). In the seminal vesicle-sparing radical prostatectomy group, the continence rate was 60% after 6 weeks and 95% after 6 months. These rates were significantly higher than the continence rates in the standard prostatectomy group (18% and 82% at 6 weeks and 6 months, respectively). The sensory threshold levels in the seminal vesicle-sparing group were similar to the preoperative values and were significantly lower than the postoperative threshold levels in the standard prostatectomy group. CONCLUSIONS: Seminal vesicle tip-sparing radical prostatectomy may be a surgical option to preserve pelvic innervation and maintain urinary continence after radical prostatectomy. Further randomized studies are necessary to elucidate the impact of seminal vesicle-sparing radical prostatectomy on restoration of urinary continence.

Pheochromocytomas: can malignant potential be predicted?

OBJECTIVES: The presence of metastatic lesions is the only acceptable fact to confirm malignant pheochromocytoma. Patients with malignant pheochromocytomas, however, have a very poor survival rate. The aim of our study was to postulate predictive values for malignant pheochromocytomas. METHODS: We evaluated symptoms, diagnostic modalities, treatment, and long-term follow-up of 86 patients with 85 benign and 10 malignant pheochromocytomas. Parameters from the benign were compared with those of the malignant pheochromocytomas. RESULTS: Preoperative 24-hour urinary dopamine was in the normal range for benign pheochromocytomas but increased in malignant pheochromocytomas (P<0.0001). Vanillylmandelic acid was elevated in both benign and malignant pheochromocytomas but higher in malignant than in benign tumors (P = 0.01). No differences could be shown in urinary epinephrine and norepinephrine samplings. Tumor location was divided into 77 adrenal (81%) and 18 extra-adrenal (19%) sites. Malignant pheochromocytomas were located more often at extra-adrenal sites (P = 0.03). There was no increased incidence of malignancy in patients with familial bilateral pheochromocytomas or multiple endocrine neoplasia. Tumors greater than 80 g in weight corresponded to malignancy (P<0.0001). Dopamine tumor concentration was higher in malignant than in benign pheochromocytomas (P = 0.01). Persistent arterial hypertension occurred in 9 (13%) of 72 benign and 6 (60%) of 10 malignant pheochromocytomas (P = 0.001). The 10-year survival rate was 94% for benign pheochromocytomas. All patients with malignant pheochromocytomas died within this period (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: High preoperative 24-hour urinary dopamine levels, extra-adrenal tumor location, high tumor weight, elevated tumor dopamine concentration, and postoperative persistent arterial hypertension are all factors that increase the likelihood of malignant pheochromocytoma. Patients with these characteristics should have more frequent follow-up evaluations to identify malignancy at earlier states.

Free/total prostate-specific antigen ratio can prevent unnecessary prostate biopsies.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the ability of free/total prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ratio to improve specificity of prostate cancer detection, compare Diagnostic Products Corporation (DPC) Immulite and Ciba Corning ACS 180 total (t)PSA assay, and define an assay-specific cutoff point and reflex range for DPC PSA ratio (PSAR). METHODS: In a prospective study, 206 men were enrolled with measurement of both assays. Group 1 consisted of 173 men with a suspicion of prostate cancer (PCA). Thirteen men with known PCA (group 2) and 20 men younger than 32 years (group 3) were used as control groups. RESULTS: Our results in group 1 (115 with benign prostatic hyperplasia [BPH], 58 with PCA) revealed a sensitivity of 82.7%, a specificity of 45.2%, and an accuracy of 57.8% for the DPC tPSA assay (cutoff point more than 4.0 ng/mL) within the entire PSA range. tPSA values of the ACS 180 assay were 1.97-fold higher. Within the tPSA gray zone of 2.5 to 10 ng/mL (66 BPH, 23 PCA), specificity and accuracy of DPC tPSA can be improved by using the DPC PSAR (cutoff point less than 19%) from 33.3% to 71.2% and 42.7% to 70.8%, respectively, maintaining the same sensitivity level of 69.6%. CONCLUSIONS: By combining tPSA testing with PSAR within the gray zone, 39.7% (25 of 63) of unnecessary biopsies can be saved, without missing any additional cancers compared with tPSA testing alone. The optimal reflex range for DPC PSAR is 2.5 to 10 ng/mL and the best PSAR cutoff point for biopsy criterion is less than 19% in our high-risk population, with a cancer yield of 34%. Because we still do not have an international PSA standard, it is important to use assay-specific "normal values" and PSAR cutoff points.

Nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) findings in spinal cord injured men with erectile dysfunction.

This prospective study aimed at determining whether nocturnal penile tumescence and rigidity (NPTR) findings correlate to the neurologic disorders in spinal cord injured (SCI) patients suffering from erectile dysfunction (ED). A total of 25 acute SCI male patients with post-traumatic ED underwent neurological, electrophysiological and urodynamic examinations, respectively, as well as NPTR recordings. The mean value for rigidity (R), tumescence (T) and duration (D) during NTPR tests were 83.3%, 3.3 cm, 6.4 min in patients with a complete lesion above the sacral (S2-S4) spinal cord (n=10), 46.1%, 1.6 cm, 5.5 min in patients with a complete lesion involving the sacral metameres (n=5) and 89.8%, 3.8 cm, 29 min in patients with an incomplete suprasacral lesion (n=7). The differences among these groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). Patients with lesions involving both sacral and thoracolumbar spinal cord showed no erections (n=3). We found four NTPR patterns: (1) normal R and T, short D; (2) weak R and T, short D; (3) normal R, T and D; and (4) no erections, which can be assigned to different levels and completeness of spinal cord lesions. Nocturnal erections of normal quality need preservation of thoracolumbar and sacral neuronal control as well as partially intact connections of the spinal erection centres with brain areas responsible for sexual arousal.

Extracorporeal shockwave therapy for Peyronie's disease does not correct penile deformity.

To evaluate whether extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) offers an effective treatment for the main complications of Peyronie's disease (PD), that is, penile deformity and angulation, painful erection and most importantly unsatisfied sexual intercourse. From September 1999 to January 2001, 52 patients with PD were treated with ESWT. Pain during erection was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Penile deviation was determined by photographs with a goniometer. Five treatment sessions were performed at weekly intervals. Each consisted of 3000 shockwaves with an emission frequency of 120 shockwaves/min and a mean intensity of 0.17 mJ/mm(2). A Storz Minilith SL 1 with integrated inline ultrasound probe was used. In all, 52 patients were evaluated 6 weeks after ESWT for early follow-up. Before ESWT intercourse was difficult or impossible for 40 men; 29 patients suffered mainly from penile deformity, 14 from painful erection and eight mainly from loss of distal rigidity. A total of 30 patients mentioned painful erection before treatment. In 28 patients (93%) pain reduction was achieved. A total relief of pain was observed in 19 patients (63%). Mean pain score dropped from 4.2 to 1.3 in patients who suffered predominantly from painful erections. Intercourse satisfaction improved in 11 patients after therapy. Mean angulation before (40 degrees ) and after (37 degrees ) ESWT did not change significantly. Late follow-up after 11.1 months (4-17 months) could be completed in 36 patients. In total, 19 men reported that ESWT improved their PD. Of these, 16 noted no change. Only one of the patients noticed a worsening of his disease during or after treatment. Complication rate was low with only minor side effects such as minimal skin bruising; one urethral bleeding occurred. ESWT did reduce pain during erection in patients suffering mainly from painful erection due to PD. However, penile angulation did not improve significantly in our setup and thus intercourse difficulties did improve only in 28% of the patients. Therefore, we do not recommend ESWT as a primary treatment for PD.

Clinical value of pelvic and penile magnetic resonance angiography in preoperative evaluation of penile revascularization.

Penile angiography is invasive, costly and requires postinterventional surveillance. The aim of this pilot study was to determine whether three dimensional magnetic resonance (3D-MR)-angiography may replace conventional penile angiography in preoperative planning of penile revascularization. Twelve patients with a mean age of 39 (21-59) y were evaluated. All patients underwent evaluation with intracavernous pharmacotesting, color Doppler sonography (CDS), digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and pelvic MR-angiography with gadolinium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid (Gd-Dota) 0.2-0.3 mmol/kg body weight. MR-angiography demonstrated the anatomy of the internal iliac arteries in 9 out of 12 patients. Intrapenile vessels were visible in 7 out of 12 patients. In comparison DSA provided complete visualization of all pelvic and penile vessels. Relevant arterial obstruction was found in 10 out of 12 patients. CDS revealed a mean maximal arterial flow of 27 (22-40) cm/s and showed in accordance to angiography arterial insuffiency in 10 out of 12 cases. Indication for revascularization could have been based on MR-angiography alone in only one patient. Therefore, selective penile angiography remains the 'gold standard' for preoperative planning of revascularization procedures.

Renal venous renin activity in various forms of curable renal hypertension.

The diagnostic and predictive value of renal venous renin determinations was investigated in 73 patients who had various forms of hypertension associated with unilateral renal disease and who were operated upon. Patients with fibromuscular hyperplasia showed a markedly higher cure rate than cases with arteriosclerotic renal artery stenosis (64% vs. 25%) and were less frequently not improved (4% vs. 12%). Patients with unilateral (non-vascular) small kidney and patients with unilateral hydronephrosis showed comparable high cure rates (53% and 50%, respectively), whereas in no patient with a unilateral renal cyst did postoperative blood pressure return to normal. In the present study no statistically significant correlation was found between postoperative pressure reduction and PRA-ratios in either the whole group of patients or in the various subgroups. A negative PRA-ratio (less than or equal to 1.4) was found in 36% of all cured patients. In particular, cured patients with fibromuscular hyperplasia showed a high percentage (38%) of falsely negative tests. As expected, characteristic differences were observed in simple clinical data between cured and improved patients. Patients with normal postoperative blood pressure were significantly young (34.7 +/- 13.6 years) than improved cases (47.3 +/- 10.8 years; P less than 0.001) and cured patients showed lower preoperative blood pressure values (192 +/- 29/119 +/- 15) than improved ones (214 +/- 31/126 +/-117 mm Hg). Thus our results document a limited prognostic value of renal venous renin determination in patients with hypertension due to unilateral renal disease.

[Angiographic, cavernosonographic and clinical differentiation of two forms of priapism with different prognoses]. / Angiographische, kavernosographische und klinische Unterscheidung zweier Priapismusformen mit unterschiedlicher Prognose.

Based on the findings upon arteriography, cavernosography and clinical features two different kinds of priapism are differentiated: Type I ("low flow priapism") is characterized by severe blood stasis within the corpora cavernosa and reduction of arterial perfusion through compression of the deep arteries of the penis. The penis is very hard and painful upon palpation. A delay of treatment over 48 hours will result in a damage of the corpora cavernosa and impotence. Type II ("high flow priapism") is characterized by arterial hyperperfusion. Outflow obstruction is absent. The penis is erected but of an elastic consistence, pain is absent. Even with a delay of treatment of up to 6 months the corpora cavernosa remain intact, normal erectile function is preserved.

Analysis of glycolysis metabolites by capillary zone electrophoresis with indirect UV detection.

The glycolysis metabolites glucose 6-phosphate (G6-P), fructose 6-phosphate (F6-P), fructose 1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6-BP), fructose 2,6-bisphosphate (F2,6-BP), glyceraldehyde phosphate (GAP), dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP), phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP), pyruvate, and lactate were analyzed by capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) with indirect UV detection. The chromophores phthalic acid, sorbic acid, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were studied as background electrolytes. Both detection sensitivity and resolution were found to depend on the pH and the concentration of the carrier electrolyte. Optimum separation and detection of the phosphate compounds were accomplished upon reversal of electroendosmotic flow (EOF) with OFM Anion-BT (Waters Corp., Milford, MA) at a concentration of 4-6 mM 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, pH 11.6-12.0, with the detection wave-length set at 280 nm. The highly alkaline pH allowed the successful separation of the isomers F6-P and G6-P, as well as F1,6-BP and F2,6-BP, respectively. The effect of sample ionic strength on the detection limits of G6-P, F6-P, F1,6-BP, and F2,6-BP was also investigated: These limits ranged from 1 to 3 microM in both low- and high-ionic-strength samples. However, high Mg2+ concentrations in the sample led to a progressive loss of resolution between F1,6-BP and F2,6-BP, unless the inlet reservoir was replenished with fresh electrolyte after every injection. Linearity of detection was observed over one to two orders of magnitude.

[Physiology and pathophysiology of erectile dysfunction. A modern contrivance?]. / Physiologie und Pathophysiologie der erektilen Dysfunktion. Eine Erfindung von heute?

Notions and hypotheses of the pathophysiologic process in erectile dysfunction--its errors and embarrassment--are focused on beginning with Aristotle and continued in the Renaissance and the Enlightenment. Only in the middle of the nineteenth century was there recognition of the central role of relaxation of the trabecular muscles. It took another 100 years until we had a useful treatment option at hand.

[The trigone]. / Das Trigonum.

The embryologic genesis is important for understanding the structure of the trigone. Anatomy and innervation explain its function, thereby enabling us to differentiate the various forms of reflux.

[The value of uroflowmetry in the diagnosis of urethra strictures (author's transl)]. / Uber den Wert urodynamischer Abklärungen in der Diagnostik von Harnröhrenstrikturen.

The urethrogram, possible combined with urethroscopy, is still the best way to diagnose urethra strictures. In follow-up checks of patients after urethrotomy, and especially in chronic urethral dilatation uroflowmetry is a valuable aid for the practical urologist, enabling him to estimate the course of a urethra stricture. We find essential that uroflowmetry makes it possible to fix the term of dilatation objectively, thus reducing the possibility of complications. The urethra pressure profile is not suitable for stricture diagnosis. Determination of the peripheral resistance, as the only objective parameter, is theoretically and experimentally very interesting, but not feasible in practice.

[Clinical and pathophysiological findings in priapism (author's transl)]. / Klinik und Pathophysiologie des Priapismus.

Priapism is a pathological and mostly painful permanent penile erection. Typically only both corpora cavernosa and not the corpus spongiosum urethrae and the glans penis are involved. The vascular and nervous preconditions for a normal erection are discussed and a new concept presented. On this basis the conditions for a priapism are enumerated and the principles of therapy are discussed.

[A new operation for postprostatectomy incontinence (author's transl)]. / Eine neue Operation gegen die Postprostatektomie-Inkontinenz.

A new operation for incontinence is reported on. The prerequisites for continence are discussed, of which an intact pelvic floor and a flexible peripheral resistance are born essential. The operation leads additionally to stabilization of the pelvic floor and creates a peripheral flexible resistance. The regained sphincter function and its usefulness for continence is demonstrated radiologically and urodynamically.

[Surgical possibilities in treatment of vascular-induced erectile impotence]. / Operative Möglichkeiten in der Therapie der vaskulär bedingten erektilen Impotenz.

We are of the opinion that in most cases of erectile dysfunction morphological factors are involved. These have to be defined by means of adequate diagnostic procedures. When vascular disease is responsible it is necessary to distinguish between arterial, venous and arteriovenous conditions. Whereas arterial failure can often be corrected, the treatment of venous leakage is problematic, as the primary disease seems to affect the cavernous bodies directly.

[Retroperitoneal lymphadenectomy in non-seminomatous stage I, IIa and IIb testicular tumors]. / Die retroperitoneale Lymphadenektomie beim nichtseminomatösen Hodentumor in den Stadien I, IIa und IIb.

Between 1961 and 1985, 190 retroperitoneal lymph node dissections (RLND) have been performed in the Urological Clinic of the University Hospital of Zurich in patients with low stage (I, IIa, IIb) non seminomatous germ-cell testicular cancer. Indication, operative technic, complications (8,9%, dry ejaculation in 27%) and the results of the operation are pointed out (relapse rate in stage I: 10%, IIa: 35%, IIb: 59% without and 14% with adjuvant chemotherapy). The question is analysed if this primary surgical approach in this primary surgical approach in these stages, simultaneously a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure, is still indicated in the era of efficacious chemotherapy.