Strategies of managing solid waste and energy recovery for a developing country - A review.

Solid waste is considered one of the major pollutants of both water and surface worldwide. The growing global population, urban expansion, and industrial growth are the main reasons for solid waste generation. This has become a major challenge with both regional and worldwide consequences. The yearly generation of municipal solid wastes around the world is 2.01 BT (billion tons) among which about 33 % are not ecologically handled. To address this, proper solid waste management, especially recycling waste products, is crucial to achieving sustainability. High-income countries are able to recycle 51 % of their waste, while low-income countries only recycle 16 % of their waste. Inadequate solid waste management practices can only compound environmental and social problems. To handle these issues thermochemical and biochemical methods are used to convert solid waste to energy. Thermochemical method is suitable for developing countries though it is energy extensive. This review provides a detailed analysis of developing countries' solid waste management and energy recovery. It explores energy recovery technologies, including thermochemical and biochemical waste conversion processes.

Reference genes for the developing mouse lung under consideration of biological, technical and experimental confounders.

For gene expression analysis, the raw data obtained from RT-qPCR are preferably normalized to reference genes, which should be constantly expressed regardless of experimental conditions. Selection of reference genes is particularly challenging for the developing lung because of the complex transcriptional and epigenetic regulation of genes during organ maturation and injury repair. To date, there are only limited experimental data addressing reliable reference genes for this biological circumstance. In this study, we evaluated reference genes for the lung in neonatal C57BL/6 mice under consideration of biological, technical and experimental conditions. For that, we thoroughly selected candidates from commonly used reference genes side-by-side with novel ones by analyzing publicly available microarray datasets. We performed RT-qPCR of the selected candidate genes and analyzed their expression variability using GeNorm and Normfinder. Cell-specific expression of the candidate genes was analyzed using our own single-cell RNA-sequencing data from the developing mouse lung. Depending on the investigated conditions, i.e., developmental stages, sex, RNA quality, experimental condition (hyperoxia) and cell types, distinct candidate genes demonstrated stable expression confirming their eligibility as reliable reference genes. Our results provide valuable information for the selection of proper reference genes in studies investigating the neonatal mouse lung.

Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of heavy metals in sediments from the Brahmaputra River watershed in Bangladesh.

Spatial distribution and pollution assessment of selected heavy metals such as barium (Ba), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), lead (Pb), vanadium (V), arsenic (As), zinc (Zn), and copper (Cu) in sediments of the Brahmaputra River watershed in Bangladesh was investigated. The mean abundances (ppm) of heavy metals in sediment samples were in decreasing order Ba (375.60) > V (67.60) > Cr (54.10) > Zn (48.20) > Ni (22.28) > Pb (20.25) > Cu (7.59) > As (4.21). Concentrations of Pb and As in the sediments are enriched relative to the average upper continental crust composition, while Ba, V, Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cu decrease considerably. A higher concentration of Pb and Ni indicates that Brahmaputra River watershed samples receive a significant contribution from anthropogenic sources of heavy metals. Chromium displays marked positive correlation with V (r = 0.91, p = < 0.01), inferring a similar source materials input into the watershed. The geo-accumulation index (Igeo) values suggest that the sediments were uncontaminated to moderately contaminated by Ni, Zn, Pb, V, and Cr, whereas moderate to heavily contaminated by As and Cu. The contamination factor (CF) confirmed that sediments in the watershed were moderate to highly contaminated by As, Cu, and Cr. The pollution load index (PLI) values for most of the samples were over one (> 1), indicating an advanced decline in the watershed sediment quality. The overall results of a multivariate statistical analysis suggest that Ba, V, Cr, and Zn contents were all-natural sources, and Pb, Ni, As, and Cu were derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources.

Does knowledge and attitude of healthcare professionals working in critical care areas affect their willingness to offer the option of organ donation? results of a tertiary hospital survey.

INTRODUCTION: Organ donation (OD) rates in Malaysia have remained suboptimal for decades. Healthcare professionals (HCPs) working in critical care areas are responsible for diagnosing brain death (BD) and initiating the OD process. Impact of their knowledge and attitudes on willingness to offer the option of OD to families of potential donors is unknown. METHODS: Knowledge and attitudes about BD, OD, and organ transplantation (OT) of critical care HCPs in a Malaysian transplant centre were studied using a validated questionnaire. Responses were analysed using multivariable analysis with willingness to offer the option of OD to families of potential donors as dependent variable. RESULTS: Age (p = 0.04), profession (doctors > nurses, p < 0.001), religion (Buddhists > others, p = 0.013) [but not ethnicity], higher knowledge scores for Brain Death Test, Brain Death Knowledge, Organ Donation and Transplantation, and overall knowledge score (p < 0.001) were associated with greater odds of offering OD to families. Belief in the reliable diagnosis of BD, confidence in explaining BD, and belief that OD will not affect religious services were significantly associated with willingness to offer OD, while HCPs who were willing to personally donate organs had greatest odds (p < 0.001). Other factors that significantly influenced HCPs' willingness to offer included their perception about families' willingness to donate, body disfigurement, and confidence in OT. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, HCPs had highly positive attitudes. However, potential barriers in offering OD to families were identified. Proven interventions from international experience could help address these issues and likely improve OD rates in Malaysia.

Metabolic syndrome and the seminal cytokine network in morbidly obese males.

Given the increasing prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in males of reproductive age, the objective of this prospective case-controlled study was to investigate the impact of subacute systemic inflammation associated with MetS on seminal cytokines and standard sperm parameters in comparison with healthy men. Between 2011 and 2014, we recruited 27 patients with MetS out of 41 obese patients screened from an internal outpatient clinic. Twenty-seven age-matched healthy controls were enrolled from 54 men requesting vasectomy in a urological outpatient clinic. A multiplex analysis was performed to quantify simultaneously the level of 30 cytokines (Eotaxin, FGF, Fraktalkine, GCSF, GMCSF, Granzyme A, IFN-γ, IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17A, IL-21, IP-10, I-TAC, MCP-1, MIG, MIP-1α, MIP-1ß, RANTES, TNF-α, and VEGF) in each 50 µL of blood and seminal plasma during the andrological work-up. Semen analysis was performed according to the WHO (Global status report on noncommunicable diseases, 2010) recommendations, including standard sperm parameters as well as peroxidase-positive leukocytes and polymorphonuclear elastase. Blood levels of C-reactive protein, interleukins 6 and 10 were elevated in MetS (p > 0.001). Two-way hierarchical cluster analysis showed characteristic cytokine networks in semen greatly differing from those in blood, but not between MetS and controls. No deterioration of semen analysis was evident in men diagnosed with MetS. Our results suggest that there is no transmission of the systemic inflammation associated with MetS into semen based on cytokine profiles and that MetS does not impair standard semen parameters to a clinically significant extent.

Study on the safety and efficacy of miltefosine for the treatment of children and adolescents with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis in Bangladesh, and an association of serum vitamin E and exposure to arsenic with post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis: an open clinical trial and case-control study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Post-kala-azar dermal leishmaniasis (PKDL) is a dermatological complication that occurs primarily among treated visceral leishmaniasis (VL) patients, and sporadically in a few without a history of VL. It mostly affects children and adolescents but is also common in adults. The conventional treatment with 120 intramuscular injections of sodium stibogluconate (SSG) is phasing out. Miltefosine (MF) is the only eventual alternative to SSG; however, its efficacy and safety profiles for treatment of children and adolescents with PKDL are lacking. In addition, risk factors for PKDL are poorly investigated. Host genetic, nutritional and environmental factors could be potential risk factors. As such, here we propose to evaluate the efficacy and safety of MF for 12 weeks at an allometric dose for children and adolescents with PKDL, and also to explore potential risk factors for PKDL. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A cross-sectional survey will look for suspected participants with PKDL among treated VL children and adolescents, a subsequent open clinical trial with MF at allometric dose, with a follow-up at 12 months. A case-control study will be carried out for PKDL risk factors. Assuming 95% cure rate, 95% CI and α=0.05, a sample size of 73 children with PKDL is needed. Considering an attrition rate of 10%, the final sample size is 80 children in each group. Descriptive and analytical analyses will be performed. Primary outcome is safety and cure rate of 12 weeks of treatment with MF. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) Ethical Review Committee (ERC) approved the protocol (PR#013045). Written informed consent will be taken from all participants and their guardians (in case of minor). A Data and Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) of ICDDR,B ERC will monitor all study activities to ensure the safety of the participants. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02193022; Pre-results.

Psychosocial Consequences of Infertility on Infertile Women.

This study explores to find out the qualitative and quantitative psychosocial consequences of infertility in women coming for infertility treatment in tertiary infertility center. A total of 400 infertile couples who agreed to participate in the study were asked to fill up the questionnaires and later interviewed to access the psychosocial consequences of infertility on their personal life in a tertiary infertility clinic in Dhaka at Center for Assisted Reproduction (CARe Hospital), Dhaka from June 2011 to December 2011 and agreed to participate in the study were included in the study. The data was analyzed and the quantitative and qualitative psychosocial factors were evaluated. Four hundred infertile couple who filled the questionnaires was included in the study. Sixty three percent of the women belonged to age group >20 30 years at the time of interview. Regarding age at marriage 43.8% of the women were married by 20 years, 51.3% were married between 20 30 years. Mean±SD duration of present married life was 7.20±4.45 (range 1 to 28) years and 74.4% of the women were living with their husbands. Of them 75.5% women were housewife. When asked whether they knew what was the reason of infertility in the couple, 32.5% knew the cause was in the female partner, 14.5%, knew the cause was in the male partner, 10.3% knew the cause was in both partners, 21.5% knew cause of infertility was not in any of the partners, and 21.3% had no idea about the cause of infertility. The male partner's response about the issue of prognosis and outcome of couple's infertility revealed 37.3% believed their wives will conceive someday, 31.3% had no intention for a second marriage, 13% were indifferent, 11.3% blamed their wives for infertility and 4.8% threatened for a second marriage. Only 2.5% of the male partners were suggested on consulting and continuing treatment by specialist. The family pressure by in-laws and relatives towards their infertility was that 57.3% insisted on consulting a good gynaecologist, 29.8% had no family pressure, 11.3% insisted the male partners to remarry, and 1.8% insisted the husbands to divorce their wives. In evaluating the social response it showed that 55.8% was suggested to consult a good gynaecologist, 31% asks embarrassing questions, 13% taunted and 0.3% insisted the husband to divorce the wife. In developing countries, despite overpopulation, unwanted childlessness is also an important psychosocial burden that needs attention. The consequences of infertility have greater impact on woman's life and can be a life time crisis. There is no direct intervention regarding infertility from government or NGO's. National services is lacking because policy makers and donor NGOs are not interested to invest on it and also women want to hide their infertility as long as they can.

Transfection of Sertoli cells with androgen receptor alters gene expression without androgen stimulation.

BACKGROUND: Androgens play an important role for the development of male fertility and gained interest as growth and survival factors for certain types of cancer. Androgens act via the androgen receptor (AR/Ar), which is involved in various cell biological processes such as sex differentiation. To study the functional mechanisms of androgen action, cell culture systems and AR-transfected cell lines are needed. Transfection of AR into cell lines and subsequent gene expression analysis after androgen treatment is well established to investigate the molecular biology of target cells. However, it remains unclear how the transfection with AR itself can modulate the gene expression even without androgen stimulation. Therefore, we transfected Ar-deficient rat Sertoli cells 93RS2 by electroporation using a full length human AR. RESULTS: Transfection success was confirmed by Western Blotting, immunofluorescence and RT-PCR. AR transfection-related gene expression alterations were detected with microarray-based genome-wide expression profiling of transfected and non-transfected 93RS2 cells without androgen stimulation. Microarray analysis revealed 672 differentially regulated genes with 200 up- and 472 down-regulated genes. These genes could be assigned to four major biological categories (development, hormone response, immune response and metabolism). Microarray results were confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR analysis for 22 candidate genes. CONCLUSION: We conclude from our data, that the transfection of Ar-deficient Sertoli cells with AR has a measurable effect on gene expression even without androgen stimulation and cause Sertoli cell damage. Studies using AR-transfected cells, subsequently stimulated, should consider alterations in AR-dependent gene expression as off-target effects of the AR transfection itself.

Association of Blood and Semen Lead and Zinc Level with Semen Parameter in the Male Partner of Infertile Couple.

This cross sectional study was carried out in Center for Assisted Reproduction, Dhaka, and in the Department of Biochemistry, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2012 to December 2012. The study population was 71 consecutive male partners of infertile couple suffering from at least one year of infertility. Lead and Zinc level was measured in blood and semen in the male partner of infertile couple and compared with semen parameters. Serum zinc at different values did not show any statistically significant change in semen volume, total count of sperm and total motility of sperm. At serum zinc level 80-< 90 µg/dl blood lead and semen lead level was lowest 20.6 ± 8.60 µg/dl and 48.17 ± 51.33 µg/dl respectively and showed highest total count of sperm (54.00 ± 46.67 million/ml) but was not statistically significant. Rapid linear motility and normal sperm morphology was also highest at values 80-< 90 µg/dl and was 45.33 ± 26.62% and 36.67 ± 11.60% respectively and was statistically significant. At serum zinc level > 90 µg/dl semen lead level was significantly higher (120.73 ± 58.02 µg/dl) and showed statistically significant decrease in rapid linear motility and normal sperm morphology. Total count of sperm was lowest at blood zinc level of 70-< 80 µg/dl. Sperm morphology also showed statistically significant improvement at Serum zinc values of 80-< 90 µg/dl. The results suggest that Serum zinc level of values 80-< 90 µg/dl is the optimum level to have the best impact on semen parameter as well it is the critical level at which the semen lead level is lowest. Serum zinc levels higher as well as lower than values 80-< 90 µg/dl was associated with increased semen lead values and with negative impact on semen parameters.

Quality and quantity of infertility care in Bangladesh.

Infertility is an important health issue which has been neglected in the developing countries. First test-tube babies (triplet) in Bangladesh were born on 30th May, 2001. Although there is no tertiary level infertility center in the public sector, several private centers have come up with the facilities. The objective of the study was to find i) the quality and quantity of infertility care in Bangladesh and ii) the cause of infertility in the attending patients iii) the treatment seeking behaviors iv) and the reasons for not taking treatment among the attending patients. There are now 10 tertiary level Infertility centers in Bangladesh. The information was collected in a preformed datasheet about the facilities and the profile of the patients and the treatment seeking behavior of the attending patients. Out of the ten centers two centers refused to respond and did not disclose their data. Around 16700 new patients are enrolled in a year in the responsive clinics. Five percent (5%) of the patients underwent ART, 7% of the patients gave only one visit, 84% of the patients completed their evaluation, 76% of the patients took treatment. Causes of infertility in the patients taking treatment were male factor in 36.4%, bilateral tubal block in 20.2%, PCOS and anovulation in 31.7%, endometriosis in 19.6%, unexplained in 10.95, combined in 3.5%, ovarian failure in 1.4%, testicular failure in 0.33%, congenital anomaly in 0.3%. The main reason for not taking treatment was financial constrainment. The quality and quantity of infertility care is dependent on the available resources and on the use of the resources by the patients. In developing countries the resources are merging and confined to specified areas which cannot meet the demand of their population. The study gives us the idea of the need and the demand of the services in the country.

Outcome of triplet pregnancy with hydatidiform mole and coexisting twin live fetus following ICSI.

The hydatidiform mole with coexisting fetus is a rare condition. There have been few reports on this condition following ovulation induction and ART. We describe here the clinical features, management and outcome of a case of complete hydatidiform mole with coexisting viable twin fetus following Intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection. A 29 year old lady was pregnant following Intra-cytoplasmic Sperm Injection (ICSI) and Embryo Transfer. Three good quality embryo with two pronuclei on pronuclear check was transferred. A triplet pregnancy with two live fetus and a complete mole was delivered at 37 completed weeks of pregnancy. The antenatal period was uneventful and the human chorionic gonodotrophin returned to baseline by 4 weeks after delivery. There was no further complication at one year follow-up. Continuation of pregnancy as long as maternal complications are absent or controllable can be a safe and rewarding effort in managing the patient.

Prostatitis and andrological implications.

AIM: The prostatitis syndrome is a frequent disease affecting men in their reproductive age. The prostatitis syndrome is classified according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) definition. Andrological implications of the prostatitis syndrome might encompass fertility issues, sexual dysfunctions and endocrinological alterations and influences. METHODS: A medline query using the terms prostatitis AND andrological implication, fertility, sexual dysfunction or endocrinology was performed. RESULTS: Acute bacterial prostatitis and andrological implications have not been adequately addressed. Patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis and chronic pelvic pain syndrome have been investigated evaluating sperm parameters. Some studies showed impaired sperm parameters. In chronic bacterial prostatitis, half of the patients reveal significant bacteriospermia with still debatable deleterious effects on sperm quality. Few interventional studies have addressed fertility issues in those patients. Anti-inflammatory treatment perhaps could have a positive impact on sperm parameters. Sexual dysfunction can be described by different components such as erectile, ejaculatory, orgasmic and sexual desire dysfunctions. Sexual dysfunction in chronic prostatitis adds to the number of positive symptom phenotypes and correlates therefore with increasing symptom scores in patients with chronic prostatitis syndromes. However, prospective interventional studies on the role of sexual dysfunctions are missing. Hormones have been found to modulate the inflammatory response via different receptors, particularly via estrogen receptor alpha. This evidence, however, is mainly limited to pre-clinical studies currently. CONCLUSION: Andrological implications are heterogenous and frequently described in patients with chronic prostatitis syndrome. Nonetheless, andrological factors have not been routinely addressed as primary variables in the different studies, which makes further research necessary.

Semen parameters at different age groups of male partners of infertile couples.

As a good number of couples are coming to infertility clinics to have children at advanced ages, it is essential to know whether advanced paternal age is associated with diminished semen quality and a higher risk of infertility. This retrospective study was done to see the effects of age on semen quality, a well-known indicator of fertility status. Semen parameters of smokers and non-smokers in the study population were also analyzed. A sample of 1121 male partners of infertile couples (aged 25-55 years) who came to an infertility clinic for treatment were included into the study. In addition to clinical history including lifestyle, medical and occupational details and physical examination, their semen samples were examined. Semen volume (ml), sperm concentration (x 10(6)/ml), motility (%), rapidly progressing (%), slowly progressing (%), non-progressive (%) motility and morphology (%) were measured. Semen volume showed IQR 1.5-3.0 ml, and significant decreasing trend with increasing age (r = -0.070, p<0.05). Sperm motility and rapidly progressing motility showed significant decrease (IQR 40.0-70.0, r = -0.115, p<0.01 and IQR 20.0-50.0, r = -0.107, p<0.01 respectively) with increasing age. There was no significant difference between semen parameters of smokers and non-smokers in the study population. This study shown that semen volume, sperm motility and rapidly progressing motility were significantly decreased with increasing age.

Influence of urogenital infections and inflammation on semen quality and male fertility.

BACKGROUND: Urogenital infections and inflammation are a significant etiologic factor in male infertility. METHODS: Data for this review were acquired by a systematic search of the medical literature. Relevant cross-references were also taken into account. RESULTS: We address infectious and inflammatory diseases of different compartments of the male genital tract and discuss their andrological sequelae. Chronic urethritis might be responsible for silent genital tract inflammation with negative impact on semen quality. In chronic pelvic pain syndrome, morphological abnormalities of spermatozoa and seminal plasma alterations are detectable. In the majority of men with epididymitis, a transient impairment of semen quality can be found during the acute infection. However, persistent detrimental effects are not uncommon, even after complete bacteriological cure. The relevance of chronic viral infections as an etiologic factor in male infertility is believed to be underestimated. Data concerning the impact of HIV infection on male fertility are of increasing interest as with the improvement in life expectancy, issues of sexuality and procreation gain importance. Moreover, effects of noninfectious systemic inflammation on the male reproductive tract have to be considered in patients with metabolic syndrome, a disorder of growing relevance worldwide. Finally, microbiological and related diagnostic findings in urine and semen samples are reviewed according to their relevance for male infertility. CONCLUSIONS: Available data provide sufficient evidence that in men with alterations of the ejaculate, urogenital infections and inflammation have to be considered.

[Orchitis and male infertility]. / Orchitis und Infertilität.

Infections and inflammations of the genital tract are considered the most frequent causes of reduced male fertility, but conclusive epidemiological data are not available. In view of the exposure of germ cells to pathogenic components as well as the cells and mediators involved in the inflammatory processes, irreversible damage to spermatogenesis and corresponding decline of ejaculate quality are to be expected, particularly in cases of chronic orchitis. While the consequences of orchitis and epididymo-orchitis that exhibit clinical symptoms due to systemic or local infections are well known, including testicular atrophy and complete loss of fertility, those cases of inflammatory reactions of the testicles that manifest an asymptomatic or subclinical course, or are not even due to an infection, have received little attention until now. However, systematic histopathological analyses have shown a high prevalence of asymptomatic inflammatory reactions in testicular biopsies from infertile men. The mostly focal lymphocytic infiltrates correlate with the degree of damage to spermatogenesis and corresponding clinical and endocrinological parameters of testicular function. Noninvasive diagnostic techniques are not yet available so that chronic asymptomatic inflammations of the testicles as the primary cause or cofactor of male fertility disorders are underestimated. Except for administration of pathogen-specific antibiotics, treatment recommendations are to a large extent still lacking.

Body composition and energy metabolism following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery has become an accepted treatment for excessive obesity. We conducted a longitudinal study to assess regional body composition, muscle proteolysis, and energy expenditure before RYGB, and 6 and 12 months after RYGB. Whole-body and regional fat mass (FM) and lean mass (LM) were assessed via dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and myofibrillar protein degradation was estimated by urinary 3-methylhistidine (3-MeH) in 29 subjects. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were also determined using a whole-room, indirect calorimeter in 12 of these subjects. LM loss constituted 27.8 +/- 10.2% of total weight loss achieved 12 months postoperatively, with the majority of LM loss (18 +/- 6% of initial LM) occurring in the first 6 months following RYGB. During this period, the trunk region contributed 66% of whole-body LM loss. LM loss occurred in the first 6 months after RYGB despite decreased muscle protein breakdown, as indicated by a decrease in 3-MeH concentrations and muscle fractional breakdown rates. Sleep energy expenditure (SEE) decreased from 2,092 +/- 342 kcal/d at baseline to 1,495 +/- 190 kcal/day at 6 months after RYGB (P < 0.0001). Changes in both LM and FM had an effect on the reduction in SEE (P < 0.001 and P = 0.005, respectively). These studies suggest that loss of LM after RYGB is significant and strategies to maintain LM after surgery should be explored.

[Microarray-based transcriptome analyses in infectious diseases. A new diagnostic method]. / Microarray-basierte Transkriptomanalysen bei Infektionskrankheiten. Ein neuer diagnostischer Weg.

The complex interaction between a pathogen and a host is the molecular basis of infectious diseases. Microarray technology is a powerful tool to investigate the crosstalk between pathogen and the host as it assesses whole genome expression profiles in response to disease. Deciphering the molecular details on both sides of the host-pathogen interaction will increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of infectious diseases and offer improvements in their diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and prevention.

[Usefulness of 16S rDNA polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) in the intraoperative detection of infection in revision of failed arthroplasties]. / Wert der 16S rDNA Polymerase-Ketten-Reaktion (PCR) zur intraoperativen Infektdetektion bei Endoprothesenrevisionseingriffen.

AIM: In this study the accuracy of the 16S DNA polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in revision arthroplasties was compared to that of conventional bacterial culture when correlated to intraoperative histological findings. Furthermore, the influence of antibiotic treatment and different ways of collecting samples was evaluated. METHOD: In a prospective study we collected samples of tissues, aspiration fluids and swabs during revision arthroplasty surgery and examined them with PCR as well as conventional bacterial culturing methods. Also, we correlated these two methods with the histological findings of intraoperative tissue samples. Two independent examiners evaluated the samples according to the criteria of Mirra et al. Sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative prediction value and the accuracy were calculated for the molecular biological and culture methods. Three groups were defined to evaluate the influence of accompanying antibiotic treatment and the way of collecting the microbiological samples. RESULTS: Nine periprosthetic infections could be detected by PCR as well as by conventional bacterial culturing. Correlated with the 25 positive histological findings this resulted in a sensitivity of 0.36, a specificity of 1.0, a negative prediction value of 0.61, a positive prediction value of 1.0 and an accuracy of 0.68 for both methods. Swabs compared to aspiration fluids and tissues samples showed the highest sensitivity with both methods. No higher sensitivity of PCR compared to conventional bacterial culturing could be observed in patients with accompanying antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSION: Although PCR is more rapidly available for the diagnosis of periprosthetic infection, a definite advantage of this more expensive method could not be demonstrated in view of the same low sensitivity of PCR and conventional bacterial culturing.

[Infection diagnosis after knee-TEP-implantation]. / Infektdiagnostik nach Knie-TEP-Implantation.

AIM: In this study, the accuracy of antigranulocyte scintigraphy as a diagnostic means prior to revision in infected total knee replacement was compared to that of preoperative joint aspiration and laboratory parameters. The most efficient combination of all diagnostic methods was calculated and thus a diagnostic algorithm recommended. The value of PCR was compared to commonly used techniques of microbiological culturing. METHODS: Preoperative diagnostic means for infection of 50 total knee replacements in 45 patients requiring revision surgery, were retrospectively analyzed. Inclusion criteria were the intraoperative microbiological and histological verification of infection. Sensitivity, specificity, negative and positive prediction value of C-reactive protein (CRP) and leukocytes, antigranulocyte scintigraphy with (99m)Tc-labeled antibodies, and preoperative joint aspiration were calculated. Furthermore, the accuracy of the different techniques of culturing was compared to that of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based on the intraoperative histological findings. Two blinded examiners evaluated specimens taken intraoperatively according to the criteria of Mirra. RESULTS: We observed a sensitivity of 1.0, a specificity of 0.82, a positive prediction value of 0.83 and a negative prediction value of 1.0 for the antigranulocyte scintigraphy. The sensitivity of preoperative joint aspiration was 0.5, the specificity 1.0, and the positive and negative prediction values were 1.0 and 0.5. Correlated to the intraoperative histological findings the accuracy of PCR and culturing was comparable. The highest accuracy was obtained for blood culture samples. CONCLUSION: Compared to preoperative joint aspiration the antigranulocyte scintigraphy proved to be more sensitive in the diagnosis an infected knee replacement while having a high specificity. An advantage of PCR compared to the common microbiological culturing techniques was not observed.

The 2001 Giessen Cohort Study on patients with prostatitis syndrome--an evaluation of inflammatory status and search for microorganisms 10 years after a first analysis.

During the last years tremendous changes have occurred in the epidemiologic knowledge and the diagnostic process of the prostatitis syndrome. A new worldwide-accepted classification system has become the gold standard in contemporary literature. The aim of this study was to compare the inflammatory and infectious status of men with prostatitis syndrome with results from our study cohort from 1992. A total of 168 symptomatic men (mean age 43.2 years; range 18-79) attending the Giessen prostatitis outpatient department were included. All men underwent a standard four-glass-test including leucocyte analysis in all specimens. A routine search for Ureaplasma urealyticum and Chlamydia trachomatis was performed. Ejaculate analysis following World Health Organization (WHO) criteria has been performed including the evaluation of increased number of peroxidase-positive leucocytes (PPL). Men were classified according to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) prostatitis classification. The distribution of patients according to NIH criteria is as follows: NIH II (4.2%), NIH IIIA (31.5%), NIH IIIB (50.0%) and urethroprostatitis (14.3%). Chlamydial infection was present in one man (0.6%). Only two men with increased leucocytes in prostatic secretions demonstrated > or =106 million ml-1 PPL in semen. As compared with our cohort study 10 years ago, the proportion of the different subtypes of the prostatitis syndrome have remained stable. The aetiological spectrum of chronic bacterial prostatitis has not changed whereas, in contrast, the prevalence of C. trachomatis now is found to be strikingly reduced. Using the WHO cutpoints for leucocytospermia the inclusion of seminal leucocytes to the diagnostic process has not influenced the distribution between inflammatory (type NIH IIIA) and noninflammatory (type NIH IIIB) chronic pelvic pain syndrome.