Structure of the pelvic and penile urethra--relationship with the ducts of the sex accessory glands of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus)

The urethra is the main place of entry for sexually transmitted pathogens. However, there is little literature on the morphology of the urogenital system, principally the urethra and ducts of the sex accessory glands. The Mongolian gerbil is an insectivorous, herbivorous and monogamous rodent with nocturnal habits; it has been used successfully as a laboratory animal since the 1960s. Therefore, the objective of the present paper was to describe the structure and ultrastructure of the urethra and its relations to the ducts of the accessory sex glands of the Mongolian gerbil (Meriones unguiculatus), contributing to the understanding of the reproductive biology of the rodent and aiming to provide data for future experimental studies. Conventional techniques of light and scanning electron microscopy were utilized. The urethra and ducts of the accessory sex glands are similar to those of the albino rat and the mouse. However, there is variation in drainage type among accessory sex glands for the inner urethra. The ducts of the seminal vesicle, the ductus deferens, drain their contents independently into the ampullary duct that opens in the urethra. The ducts of the prostate, coagulating and bulbourethral glands drain their contents independently into the urethra.

Primary antiphospholipid syndrome: morphofunctional penile abnormalities with normal sperm analysis

Objective: To perform a global gonadal and sexual functions assessment in primary antiphospholipid syndrome (PAPS) patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 12 male PAPS patients and 20 healthy controls. They were assessed by demographic data, clinical features, systematic urological examination, sexual function, testicular ultrasound, seminal parameters according to the World Health Organization (WHO), seminal sperm antibodies, and hormone profile, including follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), morning total testosterone, and thyroid hormones. Results: The median of current age and age of spermarche were similar in PAPS patients and controls (37.5 vs. 32.4 years, p = 0.270, and 13.1 vs. 12.85 years, p = 0.224, respectively), with a higher frequency of erectile dysfunction in the former group (25% vs. 0%, p = 0.044). Further analysis of PAPS patients with and without previous arterial thrombosis demonstrated that the median penis circumference was significantly lower in PAPS with arterial thrombosis than in PAPS without this complication (8.1 [6-10] vs. 10.2 [10-11] cm, p = 0.007). In addition, the median penis circumference was significantly lower in PAPS patients with erectile dysfunction than in patients without this complication (7.5 [6-9.5] vs. 9.5 [7.5-11] cm, p = 0.039). Regarding seminal analysis, the median sperm concentration, sperm motility, and normal sperm forms by WHO guidelines were comparable in PAPS patients and controls (141.5 [33-575] vs. 120.06 [34.5-329] x 106/ml, p = 0.65; 61.29 [25-80] vs. 65.42 [43-82]%, p = 0.4; 21.12 [10-42.5] vs. 23.95 [10-45]%, p = 0.45, respectively), and none of them had oligo/azoospermia. No differences were observed between PAPS patients and controls regarding the frequency of antisperm antibodies, testicular volume by ultrasound, or hormone profile (FSH, LH, morning total testosterone, and thyroid hormone) (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Normal testicular function has been identified in PAPS patients, in spite of morphofunctional penile abnormalities. Previous arterial thrombosis may underlie penile anthropometry alteration. Lupus (2012) 21, 251-256.

Learning from incidents during bridge erection

Bridge building is a highly uncertain endeavour that entails considerable risk, as attested to by the succession of construction-related incidents and accidents recently reported in Spain and elsewhere. While efforts are being made to improve on-site safety, many issues are still outstanding, such as the establishment of reliability requirements for the ancillary systems used. The problems that must be dealt with in everyday practice, however, are more elementary and often attributable to human error. The overall organisation of the use of bridge construction equipment is in need of improvement. Close cooperation between the bridge engineers responsible for construction planning and ancillary element suppliers is imperative, for flawed interaction between building equipment and the bridge under construction may generate structural vulnerability. External quality assurance should likewise be mandatory

Specification for the design, fabrication and erection of structural steel for buildings : adopted April 17, 1963 /

"Publ. no. S310-8/65; reprinted from Manual of steel construction"--p. [4] of cover.

Report of A.D.F. Hamlin, consulting architect to the committee having charge of the erection of Carnegie Library buildings in the borough of Brooklyn.

Mode of access: Internet.

Report of the Commissioners upon the erection of the new hospital for the insane, in the north-eastern part of the commonwealth. 1876.

Mode of access: Internet.

Report of state commission for erection of monument to Ninth New Jersey volunteers at New Berne, North Carolina. Dedication National cemetery, New Berne, N. C., May 18, 1905.

Mode of access: Internet.

Fire escapes : the law and standards governing types, construction, erection and location of fire escapes, exit doors, general protective features and fire drills, March 1, 1944 /

At head of title: State of Illinois.

History of York County, from its erection to the present time /

Boxed.

A plea for a miserable world. I. An address, delivered at the laying of the corner stone of the building erection for the charity institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, August 9, 1820, by Noah Webster, esq. II. A sermon, delivered on the same occasion, by Rev. Daniel A. Clark... III. A brief account of the origin of the institution.

The address and sermon have also separate title-pages.

The bow of promise : an address, delivered before the New York Marine Temperance Society, at the erection of a new flag, on the anniversary of American Independence, July 4th, 1840 /

Mode of access: Internet.

Ancient Rome and its connection with the Christian religion; : an outline of the history of the city from its first foundation by Romulus (B.C. 753) down to the erection of the chair of St. Peter in the Ostrian cemetery (A.D. 42-47) /

Added t.-p., engr.

Kentucky : a history of the state, embracing a concise account o f the origin and development of the Virginia colony; its expansion westward, and the settlement of the frontier beyond the Alleghanies; the erection of Kentucky as an independent state, and its subsequent development /

The biographical sketches on pp.739-1027 are more inclusive than the other 1888 edition and are arranged differently.