Maha Kammoun-Krichen¹, Noura Bougacha-Elleuch¹, Kaouthar Makni¹, Maha Rebai¹, Ahmed Rebai², Mouna Mnif³, Mohamed Abid³, Joumaa Jouida⁴, Hammadi Ayadi¹

European Cytokine Network, Vol.18, No.4, pp. 17-21, 2007, DOI:10.1684/ecn.2007.0104

Abstract Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITDs), including Graves’ disease (GD) and autoimmune hypothy-roidism (AH), are inherited as complex traits. Among the genes contributing to AITD susceptibility are genes of the IL-1 family. IL-1 regulates T and B lymphocyte maturation, including the induction of several cytokines and cytokine receptors. Therefore, disturbances of this balance may not only play a role in inflammation but also in the pathogenesis of autoimmunity. In order to investigate genetic association of IL-1 gene polymorphisms with AITDs, we performed both a familial study in a large Tunisian pedigree with high prevalence of AITDs (64… More >

Ehab A. Elzayat, Majid S. Al-Mandil, Mostafa M. Elhilali

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.1, pp. 3463-3466, 2007

Abstract We describe a case of right renal agenesis with ipsilateral ectopic ureter opening into a large seminal vesicle cyst in a 24-year old man. The patient presented with left flank pain and the imaging studies showed absent right kidney and a large pelvic cyst possibly arising from seminal vesicle. The cyst was removed together with the right ureter and kidney remnant through a laparotomy. More >

Elizabeth Waine, Hashim Hashim, Paul Abrams

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.2, pp. 3478-3488, 2007

Abstract Overactive bladder is a common urological diagnosis, which is often untreated as patients fail to seek help for this embarrassing problem. This disorder causes significant lifestyle limitations for the patient and is also expensive as it reduces national productivity and therefore affected patients should be treated. It is simple for primary care providers to make a working diagnosis in this disorder and they should be carrying out simple investigations in order to make the diagnosis. Commencement of therapy should start with conservative measures such as lifestyle modifications including pelvic floor exercises and bladder drill followed… More >

Khalid Al-Taheini¹, Guido Filler², Michael Leonard¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.3, pp. 3577-3579, 2007

Abstract Prostatic calculi, though common in adult men, are rare in children. We report three cases of pediatric prostatic calculi seen at our clinic that were associated with hypercalciuria and elevated urinary calcium/ creatinine ratios. The patients had no symptoms from their prostatic calcification, but one patient had recurrent symptomatic renal calculi. In patients with prostatic calculi, determination of spot urine calcium/ creatinine ratios is recommended. If significant hypercalciuria is found, treatment to prevent upper urinary tract calculi may be considered. More >

Naser M. Al-Awadhi¹, Nabeel Al-Brahim¹, Mahmoud S. Ahmad¹, Encho Yordanov²

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 3656-3659, 2007

Abstract Background: A condom catheter is a commonly used drainage system for incontinent patients. However, it is associated with different complications including infection and erosion. One very rare complication that has been recognized is the development of giant fibroepithelial polyps in the penis; to date, to the best of our knowledge, seven cases have been reported in the literature. We report a new case of giant fibroepithelial polyp associated with long-term condom catheter use.
Case summary: A 43-year-old incontinent man who had been using a condom catheter for 14 years following a motor vehicle accident presented with a… More >

Adam E. Perlmutter¹, Lawrence Roberts², Hesam Farivar-Mohseni¹, Stanley Zaslau¹

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.4, pp. 3651-3652, 2007

Abstract Acute onset of pain, swelling, and ecchymosis of the penis during sexual intercourse indicate a penile fracture until proven otherwise. However, there have been few case reports of isolated injuries to the dorsal penile artery or dorsal vein mimicking a penile fracture. Presented herein is a rare case of a patient who ruptured his superficial dorsal vein during intercourse. More >

Kartik Prabhakaran, Bruce L. Jacobs, Marc C. Smaldone, Michael E. Franks

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.5, pp. 3702-3704, 2007

Abstract Stuttering priapism is a clinical phenomenon that occurs commonly in certain patient populations, including sickle cell anemia and other hematologic dyscrasias. Although the mechanism is still not completely understood, treatment is focused on prevention of recurrence in the outpatient setting, and immediate detumescence and minimizing corporal fibrosis in the acute setting. We present a case of stuttering priapism in a 44 year-old male with hereditary spherocytosis and discuss the pathophysiology and clinical management of this entity. More >

A. Hameed, N. Sezian, A. Thwaini

Canadian Journal of Urology, Vol.14, No.6, pp. 3745-3749, 2007

Abstract Introduction: We are reporting a case of bladder contracture post intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy; to our knowledge only two cases were reported. We present the clinical history/presentation, investigation and the outcome of the treatment. Approximately 75%-85% of patients with bladder cancer present with disease confined to the mucosa (stage Ta-CIS) or submucosa (stage T1). The management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer has become more complex with regard to initial investigation, treatment and follow-up. In high-grade tumors, BCG therapy has proven to be superior to intravesical chemotherapy. BCG therapy prevents, or at least delays, tumor progression.… More >

García-Suárez¹ F, L Carreto-Montoya², R Cárdenas-Navarro³, JC Díaz-Pérez⁴, R López-Gómez

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.76, pp. 19-26, 2007, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2007.76.019

Abstract In this work we contribute to the knowledge of the reproductive phenology of Stenocereus stellatus (Pfeiffer,Riccobono), a columnar cactus that produces fruits of high commercial perspectives known as “pitayas”. This kind of pitayas are produced for local commercialization in back orchards in some regions of the Mexican dry tropics. These fruits are produced only in the apical part of the cactus “arms”. Our results show that fruit development of pitayas is highly associated to the rainy season of the year. This behavior is different from the reproductive strategy of other columnar cactus species that produce other More >

J. Mohan¹, D. Carolan¹, N. Murphy¹, A. Ivankovic¹, D. Dowling¹

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.3, No.2, pp. 81-86, 2007, DOI:10.3970/sdhm.2007.003.081

Abstract The aim of this work is to investigate the influence of a variety of plasma treatments on the surface properties of an epoxy-based composite material and to establish a relationship between these properties and the subsequent mechanical behaviour of adhesively bonded joints. To this end, specimens were subjected to three different types of plasma treatment: two short treatments (2min) of He and He plus O₂, and one long treatment (15min) of He plus O₂. The variation in surface energy of the composite specimens was examined in each case over a period of up to 3 days… More >