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The role of the mucosa in generating the spontaneous activity of guinea-pig seminal vesicle (SV) was explored. Changes in contractility, membrane potential and intracellular Ca dynamics of SV smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were recorded using isometric tension recording, intracellular microelectrode recording and epi-fluorescence Ca imaging, respectively. Mucosa-intact but not mucosa-denuded SV preparations generated TTX- (1 μm) resistant spontaneous phasic contractions that were abolished by nifedipine (3 μm). Consistently, SMCs developed mucosa-dependent slow waves (SWs) that triggered action potentials and corresponding Ca flashes. Nifedipine (10 μm) abolished the action potentials and spontaneous contractions, while suppressing the SWs and Ca flashes. Both the residual SWs and spontaneous Ca transients were abolished by cyclopiazonic acid (CPA, 10 μm), a sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca -ATPase (SERCA) inhibitor. DIDS (300 μm) and niflumic acid (100 μm), blockers for Ca -activated Cl channels (CACCs), or low Cl solution also slowed or prevented the generation of SWs. In SV mucosal preparations detached from the muscle layer, a population of mucosal cells generated spontaneous Ca transients that were blocked by CPA but not nifedipine. These results suggested that spontaneous contractions and corresponding Ca flashes in SV SMCs arise from action potential generation due to the opening of L-type voltage-dependent Ca channels. Spontaneous Ca transients appear to primarily result from Ca release from sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca stores to activate CACCs to develop SWs. The mucosal cells firing spontaneous Ca transients may play a critical role in driving spontaneous activity of SV smooth muscle either by sending depolarizing signals or by releasing humoral substances.

Extensive studies on hepatitis C have been conducted since Limited information is available regarding the histology of the specific serological test for hepatitis C virus (HCV) infechepatitis C virus infection in children. The aim of this study tion was developed, and the characteristics of this disease was to determine the histological pattern of chronic hepatitis have been established. [1][2][3][4] Recent pathological studies have C (CHC) in children, and liver biopsy specimens from 109 clearly defined the histological characteristics of chronic heppediatric patients with CHC were examined. Each biopsy atitis C (CHC), e.g., lymphoid aggregates in the portal tract, specimen was evaluated based on a numerical scoring system bile duct damage, and large-droplet fatty changes, in comparfor the stage of fibrosis (1-4), the grade of portal/periportal ison to chronic hepatitis B (CHB). [5][6][7] However, in-depth studnecroinflammation (0-4), the grade of lobular necroinflammaies of CHC in children have not been conducted, and the tion (0-4), and their sum (final grade). The histological lesions histological characteristics of this disease in pediatric patients considered to be characteristic of chronic hepatitis were also remained to be identified, although it is well known that evaluated. None of the children had liver cirrhosis, and 105 even pediatric patients with CHB have various degrees of cases (97%) were stage 1 or 2. Only 4 children were stage 3.hepatic lesions ranging from mild fibrosis to liver cirrhosis. 8 Two of these 4 cases showed hemosiderosis. A significant Some studies have reported histopathology of CHC in pediatcorrelation was observed between the staging score and the ric patients, 9-13 but they examined only a small number of final grade in the pediatric patients (r Å .59; P õ .0001). The liver biopsy specimens, and their histological evaluation histological characteristics of adult CHC, such as lymphoid methods differed. For example, Inui et al. 9 examined the aggregate, bile duct injury, and fatty changes, were also obliver biopsy specimens of 25 pediatric patients with CHC served in the children. In conclusion, the majority of children who were all transfusion associated, but the investigators did with CHC presented with mild fibrosis, but a few showed not find liver cirrhosis. In contrast, Lai et al. 10 followed up CHC with lobular distortion and hemosiderosis. Frequent 46 thalassemic children who were treated with blood transfublood transfusion may aggravate hepatic lesions in pediatric sions and found that 5 patients (11%) developed liver cirrho-CHC. (HEPATOLOGY 1997;26:771-775.) sis during the following 8 years.The present study was designed to clarify the histological changes in the liver of pediatric patients with CHC. PATIENTS AND METHODSAbbreviations: HCV, hepatitis C virus; CHC, chronic hepatitis C; CHB, chronic hepatitis B.Patients. We collected 109 biopsy specimens from 109 pediatric men and 62 women who ranged in age from 23 to 95 years old Received September 27, 1996; accept...

Testicular carcinoid is a rare disease accounting for less than 1% of all testicular neoplasms. It rarely manifests symptoms of carcinoid syndrome. Recent reports have noted that only 1.1-3.1% of testicular carcinoid tumors are complicated by carcinoid syndrome. In general, large tumor size and the presence of carcinoid syndrome are features associated with a malignant course. In the present case, pathological findings revealed pure carcinoid of the testis without metastasis. Moreover, watery diarrhea due to carcinoid syndrome disappeared and the serum serotonin level normalized following orchiectomy. The patient was followed up for 12 months with whole body computed tomography scan and assessment of serotonin levels. To date, there is no evidence of tumor recurrence. These findings suggest that monitoring serum serotonin levels may be useful as a marker during follow up of this type of tumor.

Objectives To evaluate subjective and objective outcomes, complication, recurrence, and reoperation rates after transvaginal mesh surgery for the management of pelvic organ prolapse. Methods This was a retrospective analysis of transvaginal mesh surgery carried out using self‐cut mesh measuring subjective outcomes using validated questionnaires, and objective outcomes using Pelvic Organ Prolapse Quantification. Patients diagnosed with stage ≥2 pelvic organ prolapse were counseled about all possible surgical options. After thorough explanation about the benefits and risks during transvaginal mesh surgery, patients who gave signed consent were scheduled for surgery and evaluated at 1 and 3 years postoperatively. Results We included 101 patients who completed a minimum of 3‐year follow up. One year and 3‐year follow up showed significant improvement both on subjective and objective outcomes. Recurrences were observed in three patients (3%), with one (1%) patient undergoing reoperation. One case (1%) of intraoperative complication (bladder injury) and four cases (4%) of postoperative complications (two mesh exposure, one hematoma and one significant increase in post‐voiding residual) were recorded. Overall patients’ satisfaction was positive. Conclusions Transvaginal mesh surgery using self‐cut mesh is associated with significant improvement in both subjective and objective outcomes, offering low recurrence and complication rates, and high patient satisfaction rates. It can be a safe, effective and cost‐efficient option not only for recurrence cases, but also as primary management of pelvic organ prolapse using a standardized technique and proper patient selection.

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