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.

Influence of arginase polymorphisms and arginase levels/activity on the response to erectile dysfunction therapy with sildenafil.

Arginase 1 (ARG1) and arginase 2 (ARG2) compete with nitric oxide synthases for the substrate l-arginine. Here we aim to assess whether arginase 1 and 2 plasma levels, plasma arginase activity or genetic factors are associated with altered responsiveness to sildenafil. We studied 71 post-prostatectomy erectile dysfunction (ED) patients (PED group) and 72 clinical ED patients (CED).

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.

Gene expression study related with the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis in bladder cancer by real-time PCR technique.

We examined the expression of anti-apoptotic genes (XIAP and Bcl-2) and apoptotic genes (cytochrome c, caspase-9, Apaf-1) in tissue samples of patients with superficial bladder cancer. Thirty-two bladder cancer tissue samples (8 papillary urothelial neoplasm of low malignant potential, 10 low-grade, and 14 high-grade) and 8 normal bladder tissue samples from necropsy were used for the study of gene expression by real-time PCR analysis. Analysis of the expression of apoptotic gene constituents of an apoptosome demonstrated an increase in Apaf-1 expression in the three tumor grades when compared with the control (P < 0.

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.

Lithiasis in 1,313 kidney transplants: incidence, diagnosis, and management.

Background: Renal transplantation remains the optimal treatment of patients with end-stage renal disease. Urinary lithiasis represents an unusual urologic complication in renal transplantation, with an incidence of <1%. Today, recipients of kidneys from deceased donors are more likely to receive grafts with undiagnosed lithiasis, which does not occur in patients from living donors, owing to screening with computerized tomography.

VEGF genetic polymorphisms affect the responsiveness to sildenafil in clinical and postoperative erectile dysfunction.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a cytokine involved in angiogenesis and is closely related to the nitric oxide-cyclic guanosine monophosphate pathway, a target for sildenafil. We investigated for the first time whether three clinically relevant polymorphisms in the VEGF gene are associated with altered responsiveness to sildenafil treatment in postoperative erectile dysfunction (PED) and clinical erectile dysfunction (CED). We determined VEGF genotypes for three polymorphisms in VEGF promoter: -2578C>A (rs699947), -1154G>A (rs1570360) and -634G>C (rs2010963) in 126 patients with erectile dysfunction (ED; 66 patients with PED and 60 patients with CED).

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.

Endothelial nitric oxide synthase genotypes and haplotypes modify the responses to sildenafil in patients with erectile dysfunction.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is usually treated with sildenafil. Although genetic polymorphisms in the endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene may impair endogenous NO formation, there is little information about how eNOS polymorphisms and haplotypes affect the responses to sildenafil. We studied 118 patients; 63 patients had ED secondary to radical prostatectomy (PED) and 55 had organic, clinical ED.

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.

Therapeutic option for infected urinary tract fistulas in renal transplantation.

Background: Approximately 20% of urinary tract fistulas after renal allografting are complicated by urinary tract infection, which presents a therapeutic challenge.

Objective: To evaluate an option for treatment of urinary tract fistulas associated with urinary tract infection and unsuitable for minimally invasive or primary surgical urinary tract repair.

Patients And Methods: The study included 650 recipients who underwent transplantation over 17 years.

Why not to use kidney grafts from elderly donors.

Background: Kidney transplantation is widely recognized as the best treatment in patients who require renal replacement therapy. Although considered a clinical and surgical triumph, it is also a source of frustration because of lack of donor organs and the growth of waiting lists. Strategies need to be developed to increase the supply of organs.

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.

Comparison of two models for evaluation histopathology of experimental renal ischemia.

Renal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury is one of the frequent causes of acute renal failure (ARF) due to the complex, interrelated sequence of events, that result in damage to and death of kidney cells. Cells of the proximal tubular epithelium are especially susceptible to I/R injury, leading to acute tubular necrosis, which plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of ARF. Several models have been explicated to assess morphological changes, including those of Jabonski et al.

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).

Renal ischemia in rats: mitochondria function and laser autofluorescence.

Ischemia-reperfusion injury is the major cause of organ dysfunction or even nonfunction following transplantation. It can attenuate the long-term survival of transplanted organs. To evaluate the severity of renal ischemia injury determined by histology, we applied laser- (442 nm and 532 nm) induced fluorescence (LIF), mitochondria respiration, and membrane swelling to evaluate 28 Wistar rats that underwent left kidney warm ischemia for 20, 40, 60, or 80 minutes.