Trichomonas vaginalis is known as an important cause of sexually transmitted infection in developing countries. The prevalence and spectrum of Trichomonasis in men are less characterised. We analysed the presence of T. vaginalis in 80 infertile men using wet mount microscopy, Giemsa staining, culture and PCR methods. We found 2.5% positivity for T. vaginalis using PCR method. Wet mount microscopy was ineffective. Giemsa staining and culture tests were positive only in one patient. Both of our PCR-positive patients were symptomatic. Our findings suggest that T. vaginalis should be considered for the aetiology of male factor infertility, although it is rare in developed countries.

We present preliminary results of the first π interferometry (HBT) excitation function at intermediate AGS energies. The beam energy evolution of the correlations' dependence on m T , centrality, and emission angle with respect to the reaction plane are discussed. Comparisons with predictions of the RQMD cascade model are made. Two-particle intensity interferometry (HBT) measurements have long been used to study the geometry and dynamics of heavy ion collisions (see, e.g. [1]). Pion correlation functions are sensitive to the pion source size, shape, decay-time, and long-lived particle (e.g. Λ) production. In addition, dynamic effects such as flow produce space-momentum correlations resulting in dependences of the correlation functions on π momentum.In this paper, we discuss an excitation function (2-8 AGeV) of π − HBT measurements. Studying the evolution of the correlations as a function of E beam is important for two reasons. Firstly, a sudden increase, at some E beam , in the lifetime of the hadronic fireball has long been proposed as a robust signal of the onset of QGP formation [2][3][4]. Secondly, the sensitivity of correlation functions to the underlying physics makes such measurements potent tools to test the dynamics of microscopic models of heavy ion collisions. Many models attempt to extrapolate to the RHIC energies. Confidence in the ability to extrapolate (determined by the correct underlying physics and its evolution with energy) would be enhanced if the model reproduces an excitation function of detailed HBT systematics.Using the large-acceptance EOS Time Projection Chamber [5] the E895 collaboration measured charged particles from Au+Au collisions at 2, 4, 6, and 8 AGeV at the Brookhaven AGS. Good particle identification minimized e − contamination of the π − sample. Momentum resolution, largely due to multiple Coulomb scattering and straggling in the 3% interaction length target, was on the order of 1.5-3%. The experimental correlation functions have been corrected for the momentum resolution with an iterative method similar to that employed by the NA44 collaboration [6]. This correction typically increases the fitted λ parameter by 15%, and the radii by 5%.Track merging and splitting effects were eliminated by a two-track geometrical cut based on the tracking algorithm. As expected, this cut discards some pairs (in the "real" and event-mixed distributions) at low relative momentum, q. However, due to detector geometry, this cut preferentially discards low-q pairs at high p T ; thus, to minimize phasespace bias effects, we restrict our analysis to low p T and use narrow windows in p T .A full Coulomb-wave integration [7,8] over a spatial source of 5-fm Gaussian radius was used to generate the Coulomb correction, which was applied pair-wise to the event-mixed

Background. Infection significantly affects mortality and morbidity in myelomeningocele cases. Ventricular tap is the most common method performed to diagnose central nervous system (CNS) infection in myelomeningocele patients. However, the ventricular tap can cause serious trauma to the baby and to the family. Here we discuss the technique of taking a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) sample from the sac in myelomeningocele cases. Methods. The study comprised 24 myelomeningocele patients undergoing sac repair; 7 patients in the early period and 17 in the late period (after the first 24 hours). CSF samples were taken from the sac and via ventricular tap. In all patients' samples, cell count and cultures were compared. Results. In patients who underwent early meningomyelocele repair there was no significant difference between sac and ventricular CSF. There were also no positive cultures in samples taken from both areas. In comparison, in the group submitted to late repair, the number of cells in the sac and ventricle CSF samples was over 10 in 4 of the 17 patients. The cultures from CSF samples taken from both areas were positive for E. coli. In 13 of 17 patients who were admitted to our clinic for late repair, there was no significant difference between the number of cells in the sac and in ventricular samples. Cultures taken from these patients were negative. Conclusion. Puncture of the sac represents a quicker and more convenient way to obtain CSF in myelomeningocele cases. In addition, there was no increase in pain to a level that would cause stress for the baby. A CSF sample can be taken from the sac for diagnosis of CNS infection in myelomeningocele patients. This method, therefore, represents a safer and more comfortable option for both the patient and doctor.

Evaluar la influencia de la contaminación con sangre en una capa de adhesivo formada sobre esmalte humano y su posterior descontaminación con NaOCl (2.5%) y etanol (70°) en la resistencia microtraccional. Métodos: La superficie vestibular de 80 premolares humanos fue fresada para obtener superficies planas sobre las que se aplicó un adhesivo de grabado y lavado siguiendo las indicaciones del fabricante (Adper Single Bond 2, 3M ESPE). Los premolares fueron distribuidos aleatoriamente en cuatro grupos: Grupo 1 (control), Grupo 2 (contaminación con sangre), Grupo 3 (descontaminación con NaOCl 2.5%) y Grupo 4 (descontaminación con etanol 70°). Luego, sobre cada premolar se confeccionó una corona de resina compuesta (Filtek Z350, 3M ESPE) y fueron cortados para obtener cuerpos de prueba de 1mm 2 de sección transversal, los cuales fueron termociclados (5500 ciclos, 5-55°C) y traccionados hasta su límite de ruptura (Micro Tensile Tester, Bisco). Los resultados fueron analizados estadísticamente (ANOVA, Scheffe, p<0.05). Resultados: La resistencia microtraccional del Grupo 1 (24.8 MPa) fue significativamente superior al resto de los grupos (p<0.05). Las diferencias entre los grupos 2, 3 y 4 no fueron estadísticamente significativas (p>0.05). Conclusión: La contaminación con sangre de la capa de adhesivo interfiere significativamente en la resistencia microtraccional. La descontaminación con NaOCl o etanol no logró una recuperación de la resistencia microtraccional.

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