Male Rectum Research Articles

The Sexual Dimorphism in Rectum and Protein Digestion Pathway Influence Sex Pheromone Synthesis in Male Bactrocera Dorsalis.

Sexual dimorphism is a crucial aspect of mating and reproduction in many animals, yet the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In Bactrocera dorsalis, sex pheromones trimethylpyrazine (TMP) and tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) are specifically synthesized by Bacillus strains in the male rectum. In the female rectum, Bacillus strains are found, but TMP and TTMP are not, indicating sexually dimorphic differences in sex pheromone synthesis. Our anatomical observations and precursor measurements revealed significant differences in rectal structure and ammonium levels between sexes. In vitro and in vivo experiments reveal that ammonium is vital for sex pheromone synthesis in rectal Bacillus strains. Comparative transcriptome analysis identified ammonium-producing genes (carboxypeptidase B and peptide transporter) in the protein digestion pathway that show much higher expression in the male rectum than in the female rectum. Knocking down the expression of either carboxypeptidase B (or inhibiting enzyme activity) or peptide transporter decreases rectal ammonium levels significantly, resulting in the failure of sex pheromone synthesis in the male rectum. This study provides insights into the presence of sexual dimorphism in internal organs and their functionalities in male-specific sex pheromone synthesis and has significant implications for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying sex pheromone synthesis by symbionts in insects.

Learning of Intimate Area Examination Amongst Pakistani Medical Students: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices Study

Background: Intimate area examination (IAE) is an integral part of clinical examination skills and must be mastered by medical students before they start their careers. This study explores the experiences of Pakistani medical students regarding learning of IAE, the associated barriers and their effects on students’ learning. Methods: This cross-sectional study, based on a self-designed questionnaire, was conducted at two Pakistani medical colleges, which included final year students and postgraduate trainees. Results: During their undergraduate training, 74.9% of the respondents had not conducted a female pelvic examination, 51.9% had not examined a female groin, 79.7% had not examined a female rectum, and 72.7% had not examined a male rectum. From the 65 postgraduate doctors, 48.4% reported that they were not prepared to perform an IAE at the start of their clinical career. Regarding barriers to IAE learning, more than half of the respondents felt that the opposite gender of the patient (64.7%) and patient’s refusal (63.1%) had a strong negative effect on IAE learning. A high percentage of respondents reports that they were not taught IAE during their undergraduate years. Among the currently used pedagogical techniques, 71.1% of the respondents opted for real patient-based learning, followed by clinical simulations (21.9%), and videos (7.0%). No one thought examination should be taught theoretically. A significant difference between male and female experience in IAE learning was also observed. Conclusion: Learning of IAE remains unsatisfactory and poses a major challenge for the Pakistani Medical Students in the institutes included in this study.

Learning of Intimate Area Examination Amongst Pakistani Medical Students: KAP Study

BACKGROUND: Intimate area examination (IAE) is an integral part of clinical examination skills and must be mastered by medical students before they start their careers. This study explores the experiences of Pakistani medical students regarding learning of IAE, the associated barriers and their impacts on students’ learning. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, based on a self-designed questionnaire was conducted at two Pakistani medical colleges which included final year students, and post graduate trainees. RESULTS: During their undergraduate training, 74.9% of the respondents had not conducted a female pelvic examination, 51.9% had not examined a female groin, 79.7% had not examined a female rectum and 72.7% had not examined a male rectum. From the 65 postgraduate doctors, 48.4% reported that they were not prepared to perform an IAE at the start of their clinical career. Regarding barriers to IAE learning more than half of the respondents felt that the opposite gender of the patient (64.7%) and patient’s refusal (63.1%) had a strong negative impact on IAE learning. A high percentage of respondents reported that they were not taught IAE during their undergraduate years. Among the currently used pedagogical techniques, 71.1% of the respondents opted for real patient-based learning, followed by clinical simulations (21.9%), and videos (7.0%). No one thought examination should be taught theoretically. A significant difference between male and female experience in IAE learning was also observed. CONCLUSION: Learning of IAE remains unsatisfactory and poses a major challenge for the Pakistani Medical Students in the institutes included in this study.

Molecular and immunohistochemical study of APC exon 16 and its possible role in colorectal carcinoma development

BackgroundColorectal cancer ranks second as a cause of cancer deaths. Mutations in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene, especially in exon 16, could contribute to colorectal carcinoma development. This study explored the correlations between APC gene exon 16 variations/expression and colorectal carcinoma progression. MethodsIn a case-control study, blood samples from 150 colorectal carcinoma patients and 50 healthy volunteers were analyzed by PCR and sequencing for APC exon 16 variations. The APC protein expression on tissue samples was evaluated by immunohistochemistry and statistical analyses were used to examine clinicopathological correlations. ResultsThe sequencing analysis revealed a mutation in exon 16 of the APC gene (rs459552) in 36 % of colorectal cancer cases while absent in all non-cancer controls. Subgroup analysis by tumor grade showed higher prevalence of mutant allele in Grade II and Grade III cases, with frequencies reaching 60.0 % and 69.2 %, respectively, compared to a substantially lower prevalence of 29.4 % in Grade I patients. Immunohistochemistry showed no significant correlation between this mutation and APC expression. APC positivity proportions were 25.5 % in Grade I tumors (n = 26/102) versus 17.1 % in Grade II (n = 6/35) and 46.2 % in Grade III (n = 6/13), showing a non-significant trend of reduced positivity in higher grade tumors (p>0.05). ConclusionsThe frequency of APC exon 16 mutation (rs459552) rose significantly with increasing tumor grade. Similarly, although not statistically significant, the percentage of APC positive staining increased with poorer tumor differentiation, rather than declining. Therefore, the APC exon 16 mutation and expression analysis provides insights into colorectal cancer progression, with the rs459552 mutation correlating with grade and may promoting aggression.

Rectal bacteria produce sex pheromones in the male oriental fruit fly

Volatile molecules produced by the microbiota play a primary role in chemical communication between insects,1 and direct production of pheromone components by the microbiota is one of the most obvious mechanisms.2 Here, we investigated the production of male-borne sex pheromones of the oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis. As observed in previous studies,3,4 2,3,5-trimethylpyrazine (TMP) and 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine (TTMP) are sex pheromones produced in the male rectum. Mature virgin females are strongly attracted to TMP and TTMP. 16S rRNA sequencing results show that the rectal bacteria are dominated by Bacilli that harbor the pathway to produce TMP and TTMP.5-8 The levels of Bacilli, TMP, and TTMP in the male rectum can be significantly decreased by feeding male flies with antibiotics. Invitro assays show that Bacillus species isolated from the male rectum can produce TMP and TTMP when provided with the substrates glucose and threonine, the levels of which are significantly higher in the rectum of mature males. These findings highlight the influence of microbial symbionts on insect pheromones and provide an example of direct bacterial production of pheromones in insects.

Risk of rectal puncture due to needle entry into the presacral space

During ganglion impar block, the needle may approach the presacral space and the sacrum may be penetrated during caudal anesthesia. Because the rectum is in front of the sacrococcyx and is thus at risk for puncture, it is important to determine the distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum, as well as the thickness of the sacrococcyx.Computed tomography was used to measure the distance between the rectum and sacrococcyx, as well as the thickness of the sacrococcyx. The distances between the coccyx and rectum, sacrococcygeal joint and rectum, sacral level 5 (‘sacrum 5’) and rectum, and ‘sacrum 4 to 5 junction’ and rectum were measured. The results were compared based on the presence or absence of stools in the rectum. The thickness of the sacrococcyx was measured at the sacrum 4 to 5 junction and sacrococcygeal joint.In total, 1264 patients were included in this study. All distances were less than 1 mm in both males and females, with the exception of the distance between the coccyx and rectum in males. In both males and females, there was no significant difference in distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum according to the presence or absence of feces in the rectum, but there was a difference in the distance between sacrum 5 and the rectum in males (P = .048). Several male and female patients showed thicknesses of less than 5 mm at the sacrococcygeal joint.Some patients have a distance of less than 1 mm between the sacrum and rectum. Practitioners should exercise caution when applying a needle to the presacral space. If the sacrum is accidentally penetrated during caudal block, rectum puncture cannot be ruled out. Excretion of feces does not influence the distance between the sacrococcyx and rectum in females.

IJU this issue

This issue deals with a wide range of clinical topics of urology, and contains five Original Articles and two Urological Notes. Although digital rectal examination (DRE) is important for considering the indication of prostate biopsy, the intrinsic lack of specificity is a weak point. Pereira-Azevedo et al. (Rotterdam, the Netherlands) assessed the level of agreement between DRE findings of two urologists and its effect on risk prediction using the DRE-based Rotterdam Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator. They showed slight differences in DRE outcomes between the two urologists, which had little impact on the performance of the Rotterdam Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator. This result is useful information when we carry out prostate biopsy. The numbers of elderly patients requiring kidney transplantation are continuously increasing in many countries. Okumi et al. (Tokyo, Japan) compared transplant outcomes among elderly (aged ≥60 years) and non-elderly recipients, and also evaluated the acceptability of elderly living donor kidney transplantation in practice after consideration of the living donor type. They showed that elderly living donor kidney transplantation seemed to provide adequate acceptable outcomes. However, they also called physicians’ attention to when elderly patients have hepatitis. Acute bacterial prostatitis is one of the major adverse events in prostate biopsy. Sadahira et al. (Okayama, Japan) investigated the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-insusceptible and/or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli colonizing in the male rectum before transrectal prostate biopsy using selective solid media, and also evaluated the accuracy of the selective media compared with the results of standard drug susceptibility testing. They showed the accuracy and performance of the selective media, and also showed that screening cultures before transrectal prostate biopsy using selective media seemed to be helpful for guiding antibiotic prophylaxis and decreasing the rate of post-biopsy acute prostatitis. Majkusiak et al. (Warsaw, Poland) carried out a prospective cohort study of 244 patients who underwent retropubic sling implantation to evaluate whether a phenomenon of sling migration existed after suburethral sling placement, whether this might be responsible for suboptimal sling location and persistent incontinence, and whether a link existed between sling dislocation or migration and risk factors, such as obesity or age. Their results show that suboptimal sling location appears to result from incorrect surgical technique, and should be diagnosed and treated early after the primary surgery. They also showed that sling location does not change after mid-term follow up. Various studies have reported that the use of robot-assisted surgery is feasible and safe in most pediatric cases. There is, however, a lack of evidence comparing the clinical outcomes of robot-assisted surgery with conventional open or laparoscopic techniques. Ballouhey et al. (Limoges, France) compared the outcomes of robot-assisted heminephrectomy for duplex kidney in children with those of open heminephrectomy. They showed that robot-assisted heminephrectomy in small children seems to offer comparable renal outcomes with those of its standard open surgery counterpart. They also mentioned that specific technical adjustments are necessary, which typically increase the set-up time. None declared.

Impact of selective media for detecting fluoroquinolone-insusceptible/extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli before transrectal prostate biopsy.

To investigate the prevalence of fluoroquinolone-insusceptible and/or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli colonizing in the male rectum before transrectal prostate biopsy. We carried out a prospective cohort study of men undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy. CHROMagar Orientation originally supplemented with levofloxacin and CHROMagar Orientation/extended-spectrum beta-lactamase were used for detecting fluoroquinolone-insusceptible and extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli. Rectal specimens were collected before prostate biopsy, and the results of cultures in the selective medium were compared with drug susceptibility measured by standard methods. Targeted prophylactic antimicrobials were administered to patients with drug-resistant Escherichia coli and the incidence of postoperative prostatitis was investigated. In the case of prostatitis, pathogens preoperatively isolated from the rectum and those from urine were compared using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Rectal colonization of fluoroquinolone-insusceptible or extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Escherichia coli was detected in 217 of 694 (31.3%) and 85 of 640 (13.3%) participants, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of fluoroquinolone-insusceptible selective media were 96.8% and 88.2%, respectively. A total of 618 participants underwent transrectal prostate biopsy, and postoperative acute prostatitis was observed in four of 618 (0.6%) participants. Escherichia coli strains isolated preoperatively from the rectum and postoperatively from urine were found to be identical. The present findings showed accuracy and performance of the selective media. Screening cultures before transrectal prostate biopsy using selective media seems to be helpful for guiding antibiotic prophylaxis and thus decreasing the rate of post-biopsy acute prostatitis.

제주도 대장암 발생률 추세에 대한 연구

Abstract The age-adjusted incidence rate (AAR) of colorectal cancer in Korea peaked in 2011 and then began todecline. However, the AAR of colorectal cancer in Jeju increased continually from 1999 to 2013. Compared with the16 major cities in Korea, the inhabitants of Jeju-do have a low cancer screening program participation rate, high alcohol consumption rate and high BMI. The present study aimed to provide a statistical basis for the lowering ofthe incidence of colorectal cancer in Jeju-do. The Jeju regional cancer institute data from 1999 to 2013 was usedto analyze the between Jeju-do and Korea using the Joinpoint Regression program (Statistical Methodology and Applications Branch, Surveillance Research Program, National Cancer Institute) Version 4.2.0 - April 2015. The AARof colorectal cancer in Jeju-do has being increasing because of the increase in the rates of male colon cancer (averageannual percent change 8.422%, p-value< 0.000), female colon cancer (AAPC 6.136%, p-value< 0.000), male rectal cancer (AAPC 4.221%, p-value 0.003) and colon cancer in people aged over 50 years (AAPC 7.986% p-value< 0.000). The results of this study suggest that the treatment of precancerous lesions of the male rectum and lowering of the incidence of colon cancer in people aged over 50 years are necessary to reduce the colorectal cancer incidencerate in Jeju-do.

Teaching of the sensitive examinations: An international survey

Background: The teaching of the sensitive examinations—i.e. that of the female breast, female pelvis, female and male rectum and male genitalia—is a challenging part of the undergraduate curriculum. There are no studies to date detailing how national and international medical schools teach all of these examinations. Purposes: This research sought to document the teaching strategies used by national and international medical schools regarding the sensitive examinations. Methods: The sensitive examinations surveyed are the: 1) Female breast; 2) Female pelvis; 3) Male genitalia; 4) Female and male rectum. The term “female sensitive examinations” is used to refer to female breast and female pelvis examinations. This was a questionnaire study, which polled national New Zealand medical schools as well as international medical schools. Questions included: a) sensitive examination teaching method; b) stress reduction strategies; c) perceived graduating student confidence. Results: A total of 104 medical schools participated in this survey in 2010. Artificial manikin usage was the most common technique utilized for each sensitive examination (60% of all schools, 95% CI 55%-65%), whether as the sole teaching method or in combination with other methods. The next most common technique was teaching associates (49% of schools, 95% CI 44%-54%). The female breast and pelvis sensitive examinations used the teaching associate program more frequently than the male genital examination and female and male rectal examination. Regardless of teaching method, most schools believed their graduating students were confident. Stress management teaching was used in most schools, in conjunction with teaching associate sessions. Conclusion: Manikins were the most commonly used teaching component of a teaching programme on sensitive examinations. Irrespective of teaching method, most schools believed their students were confident upon graduation.

Growth and development of young game pheasants (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Phasianus colchicus&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;)

Abstract. Fifty game pheasants were kept to 8 weeks in confinement housing and later maintained outdoors in a partially roofed aviary. Pheasants received commercial feed mixtures ad libitum. Body weight and dimensions were determined every 4 weeks. Ten pheasants were selected for slaughter at the end of 18 and 20 weeks each. After slaughter, their heads, shanks, feathers, blood, inedible viscera and major internal organs were weighed and digestive tract separated and measured. The carcasses were dissected. Higher body weights and daily gains were found in males than in females on all test days during rearing to 20 weeks of age. Compared to females, males had significantly longer keel from 4 weeks, longer lower thighs and shanks from 8 weeks, and longer trunk with and without neck and greater chest circumference from 12 weeks of age. Older pheasants had a significantly lower proportion of feathers and blood, and higher content of inedible viscera, with significantly relatively shorter (cm 100 g b.w.−1) small intestine, caecum and rectum in males than in females. With advancing age, there was a decrease in the proportion of gizzard (significant) and liver, and in males a significant increase in the proportion of testicles.

Abstract B8: Sex-specific association between IL-1B-511 polymorphism and colorectal cancer in Colombian populations

Abstract Background: In Colombia, colorectal cancer (CRC) has the fastest raising mortality rates. Carcinogenesis is related to chronic inflammation and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in cytokines can affect gene expression, causing an effect in the degree of inflammation and carcinogenesis. IL-1 cytokine have a proinflammatory and carcinogenic effect. IL-1 B511C/TSNP has been related with gastric, breast, lung, cervical and colorectal cancer; however, results are not consistent among populations. Research supports the importance of inflammation in CRC, but few publications have explored its association with IL-1B polymorphisms. Aim: To evaluate the association of CRC and adenomatous polyps (AP) with IL-1 B-511 polymorphism in Colombian populations. Methods: We genotyped 324 invasive CRC cases and 206 low grade AP and 397 age-sex matched controls from a multicenter hospital-based case-control study, aimed to identify environmental and genetic risk factors for CRC in Colombian populations. All cases had incident diagnosis of CRC or AP, confirmed by histopathology. Controls that expressed no gastrointestinal symptoms were recruited at outpatient services from primary care units. Age ranged from 30 to 75 years old, subjects were unrelated and neither cases nor controls had personal history of other cancers. All the subjects gave informed consent to participate in this study, which includes answering guided-questionnaires (demographic, environmental and dietary factors) and blood collection. The study was approved by the ethical committee of the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia. All the patients were genotyped for the IL-1B-517C/TSNP by TaqMan. Controls of known genotype for this SNP and negative controls were used. TaqMan analyses were repeated for 26% of the samples with 100% correlation. Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium was assessed in the control group for male and female separately. Statistical analysis was done by means of conditional logistic regression adjusting for potential confounding variables (familiar history of cancer, concomitant chronic diseases, smoking, NSAID and aspirin consumption, and place of origin). Recessive and codominant models were explored for genotype analysis. All analyses were run in STATA v11.0 Results: Control group was in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium; allele frequencies in control men and women were the same (C, 0.45; T, 0.55) and were not significantly different from invasive cancer subjects (C, 0.45; T, 0.55) or adenomatous polyps subjects (C, 0.50; T, 0.50). After controlling for confounding factors, no association was observed between IL-1 B-511 polymorphism genotypes neither with polyps nor with invasive CRC. When analyzing separately by sex and specific site (right/left sided colon and rectum), higher risk of right-sided colon cancer was found only in male carriers with −511 C/T or T/T genotypes (OR 2.34; 95% Cl 1.42–3.87; p&amp;lt;0.005). No association was observed in cancer or polyps from the left sided colon or rectum in males and females. Conclusions: IL-1B-511 is associated with right-sided colon cancer in males supporting the general notion of different carcinogenic pathways involved in the origin of left and right-sided CRC in humans. Our results warrant further analyses to help understand the role of these and other related genetic variants in CRC or AP risk in Colombian population. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Second AACR International Conference on Frontiers in Basic Cancer Research; 2011 Sep 14-18; San Francisco, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2011;71(18 Suppl):Abstract nr B8.

Identification of the gland secreting oviposition-deterring pheromone in the cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, and the mechanism of pheromone deposition

After laying an egg into a pod of Brassica napus, the female cabbage seed weevil, Ceutorhynchus assimilis, brushes the caudal setae of the eighth abdominal tergite (VIII UT) on the host pod as she walks along it, depositing oviposition-deterring pheromone (ODP). The VIII UT is periodically extended and withdrawn, thus repeatedly rubbing against the posterior fold of the seventh urotergite (VII UT) which bears the individual outlets of glandular epidermal cells. In post-diapause, sexually mature, gravid (i.e. oviferous) females (virgin or mated) the cells of this VII UT gland were hypertrophic, showing intense secretory activity. Extracts of VII UT from these individuals elicited strong electrophysiological responses from antennal club gustatory sensilla and deterred oviposition. In pre-diapause (sexually immature) females, the cells of the VII UT gland were neither hypertrophic nor active and an extract of their VII UT elicited no significant electrophysiological or behavioural response. Extract of female rectum was a less potent oviposition deterrent than VII UT extract and elicited an electrophysiological response similar to male rectum extract. An extract of ovarian calyces and ovaries elicited no behavioural response. We conclude that ODP is secreted by the epidermal cells of the VII UT posterior fold.

Treating uncomplicated Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections: is the anatomic site of infection important?

The efficacy of new antimicrobial regimens against Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection of sites other than the urethra and cervix is rarely adequately assessed. To learn whether modern antigonococcal agents eradicate infections at some mucosal sites less reliably than at others. This was a systematic review of published therapeutic trials of various antimicrobial regimens for the biological cure of uncomplicated mucosal Neisseria gonorrhoeae infections. Data were aggregated by treatment regimen and the cure rates were calculated by site of infection. Of 16,737 infections, 96.4% were cured--female urethra, 98.4%; male urethra, 96.4%; cervix, 98.0%; female pharynx, 83.7%; male pharynx, 79.2%; female rectum, 97.9%; and male rectum, 95.3%. The differences between the cure rates at the pharynx and at all other sites were statistically significant in the crude analysis and after stratifying by treatment regimen. Modern antigonococcal regimens highly effective against infection of the urethra are highly effective at the cervix and rectum as well, but pharyngeal infections are more difficult to cure.

Analysis of length and surface area of each segment of the large intestine according to age, sex and physique.

Length, diameter and surface area of each of 6 segments of the large intestine were determined and calculated in 920 Japanese patients who underwent barium enema. Of the length and surface area measurements obtained, those of the transverse colon were the largest, followed by those of the sigmoid colon. The diameter of the ascending colon was the largest, while those of the descending colon and sigmoid colon were the smallest. There were various sex differences in size of the large intestine. Length and surface area of the entire large intestine in males were shorter and smaller respectively than those in females. Lengths of the cecum, ascending colon, transverse colon and rectum in males were shorter than those in females. Diameters of the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum in males were larger than those in females. Total surface areas of the ascending colon and transverse colon in males were smaller than those in females, while total surface areas of the descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum in males were larger than those in females. Length of the entire large intestine tended to be increased with age. Length and surface area of the entire large intestine tended to be increased with an increase in physical dimensions in females.

Cancer mortality among japanese residents of the city of säo paulo, Brazil

Death certificates of Japanese residents of the city of São Paulo, Brazil from 1979 to 1981 were analyzed for cancer deaths by means of the standardized mortality ratio (SMR) and the standardized proportional mortality ratio (SPMR). Compared with residents of Japan, a significantly higher SMR value was obtained from Japan-born residents of São Paulo for prostate cancer, whereas lower values were obtained for cancer of the liver and gall-bladder in both sexes, of the esophagus and rectum in males, and of the lung in females. SMR values were higher for cancer of the stomach in both sexes but lower for those of the esophagus and prostate in males and of the gall-bladder and breast in females, when compared with the general population of São Paulo. Among Japan- and Brazil-born residents, stomach cancer in women revealed a significant stepwise decrease by generation when SPMR was used as an indicator. The high proportion of stomach cancer in males, however, was as high among the Brazil-born generation as in Japan. The SPMR of liver cancer decreased to the low level of the general population of São Paulo, even among the first generation. These changes in cancer patterns are discussed in relation to those among Japanese residents in the United States.

The Life Cycle of Mononchoides Fortidens (Nematoda: Diplogasteroidea) With Emphasis On Gonad Development

Mononchoides fortidens reproduced by amphimixis. Smooth, elongate eggs measuring 60-80 x 35-45 μm were laid in single-cell stage. Embryonic and post-embryonic development lasted for 16-20 h and 3-6 days respectively. Sexes were first distinguished during second moulting by the anterior elongation of primordium in males and anterior as well as posterior elongation in females. The aggregation of cells dorsal to the rectum in males represented the site of spicule formation. In females specialized ventral chord nuclei on the mid-ventral side of genital primordium formed the vagina. A flexure developed first in the third stage male, and later in fourth stage females. The life cycle from egg to adult was completed in 4-7 days.

Epidemiology of carcinoma of the colon and rectum in Ireland: mortality analysis.

PUBLISHED and unpublished data was collected from the Irish Central Statistics Office to elicit the time trends, age, sex, and geographical distribution of mortalities of the large bowel except the rectum and those of the rectum and recto-sigmoid junction separately in the Republic of Ireland. WHO statistical annuals were used to compare mortalities of the large bowel in Ireland with those of other countries. Our study confirms that in 1973, the Republic of Ireland has the highest mortality figures from carcinoma of the large bowel excluding rectum in males and the second highest in females.

Correlation between cancer mortality and alcoholic beverage in Japan.

Geographical correlations between standardized, mortality ratios (SMRs) of cancers and consumption of different types of alcoholic beverages (saké synthetic saké, shochu, beer, wine, and whisky), of cigarettes, and urbanization were examined for all 46 prefectures in Japan. Suggestive correlations were observed between cancer of the oesophagus in males and both shochu and whisky (r = 0.27 and 0.22 respectively), between cancer of the rectum in males and wine (r = 0.45), and between cancer of the prostate and shochu (r = 0.50). These correlations were also confirmed in the partial correlations between SMRs of cancers and consumption of alcoholic beverages, controlling for the two variables urbanization and consumption of cigarettes. Alhtough cancers of other sites were also correlated with certain types of alcoholic beverages, their associations seemed to be secondary to other factors. The validity of higher-order partial correlations and the problems of correlation study are also referred to.

Unusual involvement of the rectum by carcinoma of the prostate.

The authors present three cases in which carcinoma of the prostate simulates a primary carcinoma of the rectum. Direct invasion by prostatic carcinoma should be included in the differential diagnosis of mass lesions of the rectum in males.