Search

The urinary bladder is an organ which facilitates the storage and release of urine. The bladder can develop tumours and bladder cancer is a common malignancy throughout the world. There is a consensus that there are differences in the mechanical properties of normal and malignant tissues. However, the viscoelastic properties of human bladder tumours at the macro-scale have not been previously studied. This study investigated the viscoelastic properties of ten bladder tumours, which were tested using dynamic mechanical analysis at frequencies up to 30Hz. The storage modulus ranged between 0.052MPa and 0.085MPa while the loss modulus ranged between 0.019MPa and 0.043MPa. Both storage and loss moduli showed frequency dependent behaviour and the storage modulus was higher than the loss modulus for every frequency tested. Viscoelastic properties may be useful for the development of surgical trainers, surgical devices, computational models and diagnostic equipment., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to measure the viscoelastic properties of bladder tissue. Porcine bladders were dissected into rectangular strips and loops. Dynamic Mechanical Analysis was used to measure the viscoelastic properties of the bladder tissue (storage and loss stiffness) tested in a frequency range of up to 10 Hz. Storage stiffness was found to be consistently higher than loss stiffness. Average storage stiffness was found to be 1.89 N/mm and 0.74 N/mm for looped and rectangular samples, respectively. Average loss stiffness was found to be 0.24 N/mm and 0.11 N/mm for looped and rectangular samples, respectively. The results of this study are important for computational modelling of the bladder and for ensuring that engineered bladder tissues have physiological viscoelastic properties., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Aims: Accurate staging of gastric, oesophageal and oesophagogastric cancer is essential to avoid unnecessary laparotomies in patients where only palliation is appropriate. This requires a multimodal approach utilizing endoscopy, computed tomography and laparoscopy. Previous authors have found that the presence of free peritoneal tumour cells (FPTCs) detected at laparoscopy or laparotomy confers a poorer prognosis. However, various methods of peritoneal lavage are described. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of our technique of peritoneal lavage., Materials and Methods: 88 staging laparoscopies with peritoneal lavage were carried out between March 1997 and February 1999 on patients eligible for attempted curative resection of a gastric, oesophageal or oesophagogastric cancer. During laparoscopy the pelvis was irrigated with 200 ml of normal saline, with 100 ml aspirated and examined cytologically. Patients were followed-up until September, 1999., Results: 11 patients had FPTC-positive cytology with a median survival following laparoscopy of 122 days (95% CI 82-161) with only a single patient surviving more than one year. In the FPTC-negative group, median survival was 378 days (95% CI 256,-). Log-rank Chi(2)=16.7, P<0.001., Conclusions: The presence of FPTCs detected by our technique is a contraindication to attempted curative resection - palliation only (medical or surgical) is appropriate., (Copyright Harcourt Publishers Limited.)

There have been dramatic changes in the occurrence of infectious diseases throughout the world in the previous two decades. The emergence of new microbial agents, and the reemergence of infections previously believed to be controlled, threatens the health of all populations. The emergence of these infectious diseases has occurred during a period of breakdown in the capabilities of the public health surveillance systems, prevention programs, and disease control efforts. Expertise in pathology is critical to provide a strong national control program for emerging and reemerging infectious diseases. Despite the many significant achievements made by pathologists in improving understanding of the pathogenesis and diagnosis of infectious diseases, the field of pathology remains largely oriented toward neoplastic diseases, and has not yet identified infectious disease diagnosis as an important component of anatomic pathology training and research, even in the face of the current threats posed by microbial agents. In addition, there is currently a dearth of infectious disease pathologists in the United States and elsewhere in the world, and the use of the autopsy, a prime pathological tool for diagnosis of emerging infections, is on the wane. The most serious problem is that no formal training program for infectious disease pathology currently exists in the United States or elsewhere in the world. As a consequence of this lack of training opportunities, there is a severe deficiency of young, well-educated pathologists with infectious disease expertise. This article explores the historical linkages between the disciplines of infectious diseases and pathology, and suggests that infectious disease pathology as a subspecialty be strengthened and training programs be initiated.

Two patients with surgically implanted right atrial silastic catheters for home hyperalimentation developed central vein septic thrombophlebitis. Initial treatment including removal of the catheter and antibiotic therapy was unsuccessful and both patients had persistent fever and bacteremia. A clinical and microbiologic response occurred when anticoagulation therapy with heparin was added to the treatment regimen. Although a surgical approach has been emphasized in patients with peripheral vein suppurative thrombophlebitis, anticoagulation therapy may be a useful alternative in the treatment of patients with central vein infection.