Predictors of well-being and quality of life in men who underwent radical prostatectomy: longitudinal study1.

Objective: to identify socio-demographic, clinical and psychological predictors of well-being and quality of life in men who underwent radical prostatectomy, in a 360-day follow-up.

Method: longitudinal study with 120 men who underwent radical prostatectomy. Questionnaires were used for characterization and clinical evaluation of the participant, as well as the instruments Visual Analog Scale for Pain, The Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, Satisfaction with Social Support Scale, Marital Satisfaction Scale, Subjective Well-Being Scale and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index.

Relationship between Arginase 1 and Arginase 2 levels and genetic polymorphisms with erectile dysfunction.

Arginase 1 and Arginase 2 are homologous enzymes that convert l-Arginine to Urea and l-ornithine and compete with nitric oxide synthases for l-Arginine. Increased Arginase 1 and 2 activity may reduce nitric oxide production by the endothelium in disease states, including erectile dysfunction (ED). Here we aimed at assessing whether Arginase 1 and 2 plasma levels, plasma arginase activity, or genetic factors are associated with ED risk and severity.

nNOS polymorphisms are associated with responsiveness to sildenafil in clinical and postoperative erectile dysfunction.

Aim: Sildenafil potentiates the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway. Since neuronal NOS is very important in the penis, we assessed whether NOS1 polymorphisms are associated with altered responsiveness to sildenafil in erectile dysfunction (ED).

Materials & Methods: Patients (n = 137) were divided as clinical ED or postoperative ED.

Cutaneous ureterostomy with definitive ureteral stent as urinary diversion option in unfit patients after radical cystectomy.

Purpose: Simple diversions are underutilized, mostly for unfit, bedridden, and very self-limited patients requiring palliative surgical management due to life-threatening conditions. Experience with cutaneous ureterostomy (CU) as palliative urinary diversion option for unfit bladder cancer patients is reported.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinical and operative parameters of 41 patients who underwent CU following RC in three specialized Cancer Centers from July/2005 to July/2010.

Lack of association between the ICIQ-SF questionnaire and the urodynamic diagnosis in men with post radical prostatectomy incontinence.

Purpose: To analyze the correlation between the "International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Short Form" (ICIQ-UISF) survey and the urodynamic findings in men with urinary incontinence (UI) following radical prostatectomy (RP).

Methods: 88 men who presented post-RP UI for a minimum of 1 year were enrolled prospectively. All answered the ICIQ-UISF survey and underwent urodynamic testing.

Is a visible (hypoechoic) lesion at biopsy an independent predictor of prostate cancer outcome?

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic implications of the sonographic appearance of prostate cancers. All patients with biopsy-proven prostate cancer between January 2003 and July 2004 (and at least 5 years of follow-up) were selected retrospectively. After exclusions, 101 patients constituted our study population and were divided into isoechoic (or nonvisible) and hypoechoic (or visible) lesion.

Using Mitrofanoff's principle and Monti's technique as a surgical option for bladder augmentation with a continent stoma: a case report.

Introduction: Hydronephrosis, reflux and renal failure are serious complications that occur in patients with neurogenic bladder associated with myelomeningocele. When the bladder compliance is lost, it is imperative to carry out surgery aimed at reducing bladder storage pressure. An ileocystoplasty, and for patients not suitable for intermittent catheterization, using the Mitrofanoff principle to form a continent stoma and the subsequent closure of the bladder neck, can be used.

Histologic study of urethral extracellular matrix and collagen from aging and long-term alloxan-induced diabetic male rats.

Objectives: To evaluate the histological alterations of extracellular matrix in long-term alloxan-induced diabetes and aging urethras of male rats with descriptions of total connective tissue, muscle layer and collagen types I and III relative amounts.

Methods: Histologic evaluations were performed in 3 animal groups: group 1, 8 weeks old; group 2, 44 weeks old; and group 3, 44 weeks old with alloxan-induced diabetes. The muscle layer thickness, extracellular matrix fibrosis, and collagen were quantified on digital images of the urethral samples.

Chronic alcoholism associated with diabetes impairs erectile function in rats.

Objective: To investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption and diabetes on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation of cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM).

Material And Methods: Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: control, isocaloric, diabetic and ethanol-diabetic. The CSMs were mounted in organ chambers for measurement of isometric tension.

Chronic ethanol consumption induces cavernosal smooth muscle dysfunction in rats.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of chronic ethanol consumption on nitric oxide (NO)-mediated relaxation in rat cavernosal smooth muscle (CSM).

Methods: Male wistar rats were divided into 2 groups: control and ethanol. CSM obtained from both groups were mounted in organ chambers for measurement of isometric tension.

Use of a latex biomembrane for bladder augmentation in a rabbit model: biocompatibility, clinical and histological outcomes.

Purpose: To investigate histological features and biocompatibility of a latex biomembrane for bladder augmentation using a rabbit model.

Material And Methods: After a partial cystectomy, a patch of a non-vulcanized latex biomembrane (2x4 cm) was sewn to the bladder with 5/0 monofilament polydioxanone sulfate in a watertight manner. Groups of 5 animals were sacrificed at 15, 45 and 90 days after surgery and the bladder was removed.

Comparison of two experimental models of urodynamic evaluation in female rats.

Purpose: Urodynamic studies in small animals can be performed through urethral sounding or cystostomy.

Objective: To compare the two methods of urodynamic evaluation in female rats.

Methods: Ten female rats weighing on average 250 g, under anesthesia with urethane (1.

Long term evaluation of functional and morphological bladder alterations on alloxan-induced diabetes and aging: experimental study in rats.

Purpose: to evaluate structural and functional effects of Alloxan- induced diabetes and aging on bladder of rats.

Methods: evaluations were performed in three groups: A--8 weeks of age, B--44 weeks of age, C--44 weeks of age with alloxan-induced diabetes. Muscle layer thickness, extracellular matrix fibrosis and collagen were quantified on digital images of bladder samples.

Renal ischemia and reperfusion injury: influence of chorpromazine on renal function and lipid peroxidation.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of chlorpromazine (CPZ) on renal function and lipid peroxidation in a rat model of kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Methods: Forty eight Wistar rats underwent a laparotomy for hilar clamping of left kidney with a bulldog clamp for 60 minutes followed by organ reperfusion and contralateral nephrectomy. Of these, 26 received 3mg/kg of CPZ intravenously 15 minutes before renal ischemia (G-E) while the remaining 22 were used as ischemic control group (G-C).

Cyclosporine action on kidneys of rats submitted to normothermic ischaemia and reperfusion.

Purpose: To verify if rat kidneys lesioned by ischaemia followed by reperfusion are affected by cyclosporine A (CsA).

Methods: Male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups, control (GS) and experimental (G1 and G2). G1 was subdivided in two: G1A composed of animals submitted to 60 minutes ischaemia and G1C with the same ischaemic procedure associated to 20 mg/kg/day CsA.

Compensatory renal growth and mitochondrial function: the influence of warm ischemia and reperfusion.

Purpose: To evaluate the influence of ischemia/reperfusion injury on renal compensatory growth (CGR) and mitochondrial function.

Methods: Forty five Wistar rats were divided in 3 groups: Control Group (GC) - 21 rats were submitted to a sham laparotomy and sacrificed at 1st (6 rats) and 7th (15 rats) postoperative days to evaluate the dry weight of both kidneys and their growth during 1 week (6 rats) and to quantify mitochondrial respiration (9 rats); Group 1 (G1) - 12 rats underwent right nephrectomy and were sacrificed 7 days later for analysis of renal mitochondrial function (6 rats) and dry weight (6 rats). Group 2 (G2) - renal warm ischemia for 60 minutes followed by right nephrectomy was performed in 12 rats; they were sacrificed 7 days later to evaluate renal mitochondrial function (6 rats) and dry weight (6 rats).

Histopathology and laser autofluorescence of ischemic kidneys of rats.

The purpose of this research was to evaluate the severity of renal ischemia/reperfusion injury as determined by histology and by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) with excitation wavelengths of 442 nm and 532 nm. Wistar rats (four groups of six animals) were subjected to left renal warm ischemia for 20, 40, 60 and 80 min followed by 10 min of reperfusion. Autofluorescence was determined before ischemia (control) and then every 5-10 min thereafter.

Renal hypothermia: experience in pigs and clinical trial.

Purpose: This study was designed to compare the effectiveness of two methods of inducing renal hypothermia through laparoscopy in pigs and humans.

Materials And Methods: Twelve pigs were divided into four groups of three animals each. Both kidneys of the animals in Groups A, B, and C were submitted to pelvic irrigation with cold saline (4 degrees C) for 20 minutes, with flow rates of 5 mL/min, 10 mL/min, and 15 mL/min, respectively.

Results of novel strategies for treatment of Wilms' tumor.

Objective: To evaluate treatment outcomes in Wilms' tumor (WT).

Materials And Methods: We studied 53 children with median age of 2 years with WT, stages I-19, II-14, III-12, IV-6 and V-2. Treatment consisted of surgical excision plus adjuvant (40 children) or neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy (unresectable tumor, n=8, or caval tumor extension, n=5).

The impact of tumor stage on prognosis in children with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Purpose: We evaluated treatment outcomes in children with adrenocortical carcinoma.

Materials And Methods: We studied 34 children with a median age of 3 years. In 27 of 28 patients without intracaval extension complete surgical excision was accomplished, while tumor resection combined with thrombectomy was carried out in 5 of 6 children with vascular invasion.

Calcium channel blocker and renal mitochondrial function in warm renal ischemia.

Objective: Ions, particularly calcium ions, play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion cell injury. In this study, we investigated the action of verapamil on the mitochondrial function of kidneys submitted to ischemia without blood reperfusion in order to study isolated early and late ischemic effects.

Materials And Methods: 44 rats were submitted to bilateral warm renal ischemia for 30 minutes.

Clinical features and immunoexpression of p53, MIB-1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in adrenal neoplasms.

Purpose: We evaluated the clinical features and immunoreactivity of p53 protein, MIB-1 antigen and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in adrenal neoplasms.

Materials And Methods: A total of 26 patients with adrenocortical adenoma and 24 patients with carcinoma were treated with adrenalectomy. Clinical features and immunohistochemical reactions were compared in adult vs pediatric tumors.

Estimated costs of treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia in Brazil.

Introduction: The treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) presents 2 options: medical or surgical, and there are doubts about what is the best treatment since 80% of patients who undergo surgery become asymptomatic and 10 to 40% of those under medical regimen undergo surgery within a 5 years period. It is difficult to assess the actual costs of treating BPH in Brazil due to several factors, among them regional particularities and the scarcity of current statistical data.

Patients And Methods: Recently, in the Ribeirao Preto area, Sao Paulo, Brazil, the IPSS (International Prostatic Symptoms Score) and quality of life were verified in 934 volunteers.

Modulation of urethral alpha-sympathetic by parasympathetic before and following bethanechol chloride injection.

Introduction And Objectives: Chagas' disease causes specific parasympathetic denervation and in its digestive clinic form promotes also functional alterations in bladder. Thus, the aim was to investigate the existence of balance between sympathetic and parasympathetic systems in lower urinary tract, as occurs in other organs. We verified the urethral closing pressure before and following parasympathetic stimulus.

[Anterior urethral valves].

Objective: To discuss clinical signs, diagnostic tools and therapeutics of anterior urethral valves, an obstructive anomaly of the urinary system in males.

Description: Signs of urinary tract obstruction were identified on pre-natal ultrasound in two male fetuses and the diagnosis of anterior urethral valves was made through post-natal evaluation. As an initial treatment, vesicostomy was performed in both patients.