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Objective: To determine and compare the spectrum of scrotal abnormalities in fertile and sub-fertile west African men using scrotal US. Subjects and methods: The study examined 249 subjects over a period of 13 months. The subjects comprised 149 patients with diagnosis of male infertility, as well as 100 healthy individuals for comparison. The relevant clinical history of each patient was extracted from their case notes. All the subjects had their testes examined using a high frequency (7.5 MHz) linear transducer of an ultrasound scanner. Images in B-mode ultrasound scan and color Doppler were acquired in the supine and upright position. The results were expressed as percentages and tests of significance were done using the chi-square and Fisher's t-test. A P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The prevalence of abnormal scrotal findings in the sub-fertile and fertile men was 65.1% and 23% respectively (P < 0.01). Varicocele was the commonest and was found in 55% and 12% of the fertile and subfertile men respectively (P < 0.01). Hydrocele and epididymal abnormalities were the next common with higher prevalence in the sub-fertile men (P > 0.05), while testicular tumor was confirmed in one sub-fertile patient. With the exclusion of varicocele, there was no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the other abnormalities between the sub-fertile and fertile groups.Scrotal abnormalities and infertility in west African men 181 Conclusion: Male sub-fertility was associated with a higher prevalence of scrotal abnormalities. Apart from the diagnoses of the possible causes of the sub-fertility, routine scrotal US was able to diagnose other abnormalities of clinical relevance in the sub-fertile male. Scrotal US is a valuable tool in the evaluation of the sub-fertile west African man and should be considered in the routine evaluation of the sub-fertile west African man.

Aim: To highlight the potential for misdiagnosis of ovarian fibromas and need for careful evaluation especially when fertility altering decisions need to be taken in the young adolescent. Presentation of Case: The authors here review literature and present the case of a 15 year old pre-menarchal patient with bilateral, solid hard ovarian tumors with marked ascites, who had bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy, in whom the tumors turned out to be bilateral calcific ovarian fibromas. Discussion: Ovarian neoplasia are often misdiagnosed because of their non-specific symptoms and similarities to other pathologies on radiological imaging. The management of adolescents with ovarian tumors poses peculiar challenges as there is need for a balance between the risk of malignancy and the need to preserve fertility. About 1/3 of pelvic masses in pre-pubertal girls are malignant. This fact in addition to the non-specific features of malignancy in this patient such as weight loss, ascites, necessitated further evaluation which included laparotomy. Conclusion: Ovarian fibromas occur in adolescents and can pose a diagnostic dilemma; a high index of suspicion is required to plan fertility-sparing and cancer-limiting management.

Objective: Bladder tumor antigen (BTA) is a common biomarker for urothelial carcinoma while bladder wall thickening (BWT) is a sign of urinary bladder irritation which suggests cystitis or early-stage bladder cancer pathology, most especially in the absence of bladder outlet obstruction. The aim of this study was to find the incidence of urinary bladder thickness and evaluate the relationship between BTA and BWT in a low schistosomiasis-endemic Nigerian village. Materials and Methods: The study was descriptive and cross-sectional. Freshly passed mid-day urine samples of 56 individuals were screened using chemical reagent strips and then diagnosed microscopically for Schistosoma haematobium. Subsequent follow-up involving ultrasound examination was carried out on distended bladder. The lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) were also recorded. Urinary BTA analysis was carried out on the urine samples using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The prevalence of urogenital schistosomiasis in the area was 3.6%. The overall prevalence of human BTA and BWT in the individuals was 44.6 and 35.7%, respectively. The LUTS were associated with BWT (P = 0.004; odds ratio = 6.0; 95% confidence interval = 1.8–20.3). BTA, BWT, and LUTS were not sex and age dependent (P > 0.05). In addition, there was no association between urinary BTA, BWT, and LUTS (P > 0.05). The sensitivity of BWT and LUTS (60.0%) was improved than when either was used to diagnose BTA. Conclusion: The high occurrence of BTA and BWT in the individuals suggests that they may be prone to urothelial carcinoma and urinary bladder irritation, respectively. The role of urogenital schistosomiasis in urinary BTA levels needs to be further explored.

Indonesia is a mega-biodiversity country that grows about 4000 timber producer tree species in tropical rain forest. The comprehensive information of wood properties and quality is important in managing the natural resources sustainably. However, stem in basic properties studies of wood from the natural forest is limited because of some difficulties in harvesting until the transportation process. Hence, study the wood branches becomes a solution, as sometimes wood core samples are not adequate. The question was whether the branch properties could represent the main stem properties? Wood anatomy is an important wood property that can predict the other properties, for instance, the physical and mechanical properties, that determine the effective use of this material. This paper aims to present the comparison of wood anatomical properties of branches and main stem of seven commercial wood species. Quantitative and qualitative anatomical structures were investigated according to the International Association of Wood Anatomist (IAWA) Committee. Result shows that the quantitative wood anatomy of four samples (Mimba, Leda, Jabon, and Bintangur) was statistically different, while only one parameter in Tusam, Mindi, and Khaya was different. Accordingly, it can be concluded that studying the wood properties could be carried out using branch effectively.

Introduction: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use is very common. NSAIDs use could be associated with elevated eosinophil count which could be a class effect or patient-related. Inflammation could be the link between NSAIDs use and eosinophilia. Aims: To compare the pattern of eosinophil count in the peripheral blood of frequent users of NSAIDs and healthy controls. Methodology: Two hundred (one hundred frequent users of NSAIDs and 100 healthy controls) participants who had no known risk factor for kidney disease and had given informed consent were recruited. Blood was taken to determine the white cell count and differentials, serum electrolyte and creatinine, and random blood sugar. Results: The mean age of NSAIDs users was not significantly different from controls, P = 0.3. The mean eosinophil count was higher in males than females. The incidence of eosinophilia in NSAIDs users was 4%. The mean Eosinophil count of NSAIDs users was insignificantly higher than controls, 164.3 ± 51 6 vs 135.

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