An association between diminution in the quality of male sexual function and ischemic coronary disease has been suggested. Patients with ischemic heart disease who underwent coronary angiography participated in this study which aimed to document the impact of the extent of coronary disease upon sexual function in 40 patients (mean age 56.6 y). The 11-questions accepted questionnaire addressing sexual drive, erectile function, and ejaculation was used. Information regarding, age, medications, hypertension, diabetes, relevant risk factors, medical history, and the number of occluded coronary vessels was retrieved from the patients' records. A statistically signi®cant correlation was demonstrated between erectile function and the number of coronary vessels involved. Patients with one-vessel disease had more (P < 0.04) and ®rmer erections (P < 0.001) with fewer dif®culties in achieving an erection (P < 0.007) than men with two-or threevessel disease. Age, diabetes, and hypertension also had a negative effect on the quality of the erection (P < 0.05) in all patients.

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A general theory for fiber-optic, evanescent-wave spectroscopy and sensors is presented for straight, uncladded, step-index, multimode fibers. A three-dimensional model is formulated within the framework of geometric optics. The model includes various launching conditions, input and output end-face Fresnel transmission losses, multiple Fresnel reflections, bulk absorption, and evanescent-wave absorption. An evanescent-wave sensor response is analyzed as a function of externally controlled parameters such as coupling angle, f number, fiber length, and diameter. Conclusions are drawn for several experimental apparatuses.

Insertion of a 14F UAS before RIRS may fail in approximately one-fifth of the patients. An indwelling Double-J stent, a history of previous ureteroscopy or Double-J stent, and older age are all significant predictors for an effective 14F UAS insertion.