Sero-epidemiological and pathological studies on enzootic bovine leukosis in Turkey.

The prevalence of enzootic bovine leukosis (EBL) in Turkey was investigated by serological screenings using the agargel immunodiffusion test (AGID). A total of 4,047 blood samples obtained from 2,780 cattle between one and 14 years of age and taken in 6-8 month-intervals in three dairy farms were tested for the presence of EBL-specific antibodies. A high prevalence of EBL-sero-positive animals was found amongst cattle in two of the farms. Furthermore, recommendations based upon the regulation implemented by an expert group of the European Commission and considering the local dairy management conditions were presented.

Incontinence among nursing home patients: clinical and functional correlates.

This study was undertaken to examine the association of specific medical and genitourinary conditions, medications, and functional disabilities with urinary incontinence (UI) in a nursing home (NH) population. Seventy-six incontinent and 38 continent patients in a Veterans Administration NH were studied. Incontinence was highly associated with each of the physical and mental functional disabilities we examined. However, with the exception of recurrent urinary tract infections and dementia, no specific clinical factors were significantly more common among incontinent than continent patients. Although precise causes for the UI were not determined, these data highlight the potential role of impairments of physical and/or mental function in the pathogenesis of UI among NH patients, and emphasize the need to address these impairments in future research on the assessment and treatment of UI in this population.

Development and testing of an incontinence monitoring record.

Bladder records can play an important role in the assessment and treatment of incontinence. Many records currently used in long-term care settings are difficult to read and interpret, and they do not provide for the recording of information that can be of value in the assessment and treatment process. Two versions of an incontinence monitoring record (IMR), one using black and white symbols and the other using colored circles, were developed and tested in a quasiexperimental design in three proprietary nonacademically affiliated nursing homes. The IMRs were well accepted by the nursing staff in these homes. Recordings were made more frequently and interrater reliability was highest with the color version of the IMR. Results of this initial study are promising and suggest that the IMR, or a similarly designed record, will be helpful in nursing homes to assess the bladder and bowel status of new admissions, determine patterns of and factors associated with incontinence, design individualized bladder training programs, and monitor the results of these programs and other treatment modalities. In addition, the IMR can provide an opportunity for nurses' aides to meaningfully participate in the assessment and treatment of a condition they manage on a daily basis.

Carcinogenic potential of hycanthone in mice and hamsters.

Hycanthone was administered to Schistosoma mansoni-infected and non-infected Syrian golden hamsters and Swiss mice by intraperitoneal and intramuscular injection of amounts up to the maximum tolerated dose. No tumors attributable to treatment were observed in hamsters. In infected mice, the overall incidence of hepatomas and hepatocellular carcinomas increased from 3.4% in untreated mice to 10.6% in those treated with hycanthone. Non-infected control mice developed 0.8% of these tumors compared to 10.2% in mice treated with hycanthone. Despite the use of high dose levels of hycanthone, statistical significance was attained only with non-infected female mice injected intraperitoneally and intramuscularly with hycanthone and then only at confidence levels of 92 and 95% respectively.

Carcinogenic effects of niridazole on rodents infected with Schistosoma mansoni.

The carcinogenicity of 1-(5-nitro-2-thiazolyl)-2-imidazolidinone (niridazole), a widely used schistosomicide, was examined in Swiss mice and Syrian golden hamsters. Schistosoma mansoni infection was evaluated as a cofactor. High incidences of drug-related neoplasms of the forestomach, lungs, mammary glands, urinary tract, and ovaries were found in mice, and tumors of the forestomach and urinary tract were found in hamsters. Infection with schistosomes had no apparent influence on tumor incidence. The results indicated a need for reevaluation of the possible carcinogenicity of this drug in man and suggested that care should be taken during its clinical use.

Chemically induced smooth muscle tumors of the mouse urinary bladder.

Occasional submucosal tumors of indeterminate origin and without definite connection to the overlying mucosa have been reported in mice given various carcinogenic agents. Two Swiss mice fed niridazole developed such tumors. Electron microscopy of 1 of the tumors revealed thin myofilaments with oval dense bodies, marginal dense plaques, and gap junctions, identifying the tumor as originating from smooth muscle cells. No desmosomes, tonofilaments, secretory granules, striated muscle, or collagen were present in the tumor cells. Since the biology of these lesions is unknown, classification as benign or malignant cannot be made at this time. Their recognition is important in evaluating possible bladder carcinogens in mice.

Carcinogenic effects of niridazole.

Swiss mice received chronic treatment with the schistosomacide, niridazole, at 3 dose levels. Tumors were found in several organs, including stomach, lung, manary gland, ovary and bladder. Niridazole is, without doubt, carcinogenic to mice.