Selection of donors for living donor liver transplantation in a single center of a developing country: lessons learned from the first 100 cases.

The selection of donors for living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is one of the most important features in this kind of surgery. The aim of this study is to describe our initial experience in the donor evaluation process. From December 2001 to January 2005, 104 donors were evaluated for 70 recipients (65 potential donors were evaluated for 39 adult recipients, and 39 donors for 31 pediatric recipients).

Neuroendocrine and reproductive aspects of adult male rats exposed neonatally to an antiestrogen.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of a single dose of an estrogen antagonist-clomiphene-during neonatal life, on later neuroendocrine system and reproductive performance. Immediately after birth, male pups received clomiphene citrate (s.c.

Assessment of knowledge and attitudes of young uninsured women toward human papillomavirus vaccination and clinical trials.

Study Objective: To assess knowledge and attitudes of young uninsured women toward human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination and clinical trials.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Setting: Clinic-based sample in Brazil.

Endoscopic dilatation of esophageal strictures in children and adolescents.

Objective: To assess the causes of esophageal stricture in pediatric patients and their response to endoscopic dilatation.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical and endoscopic data obtained from children and adolescents with esophageal stricture submitted to endoscopic dilatation between July 1993 and January 2003.

Results: A total of 125 patients aged between 1 month and 16 years were included in the study.

Kinetics of energy source utilization in Boophilus microplus (Canestrini, 1887) (Acari: Ixodidae) embryonic development.

The present work evaluates the kinetics of utilization of the main potential energy sources throughout the embryonic developmental stages of Boophilus microplus. The embryonic development of this arthropod is completed in 21 days. Cellularization of the blastoderm occurs on the 6th day and is rapidly followed by germ band extension and segmentation, whose first signs are visible on the 7th day.

Comparative analysis of the frequency of lower urinary tract dysfunction among institutionalised and non-institutionalised children.

Objectives: To evaluate the level of symptoms of lower urinary tract dysfunction (LUTD) in orphans in institutions, and compare these data with schoolchildren of the same age group who were not institutionalised, as LUTD in children is related to factors such as social isolation and low self-esteem, with other psychological changes also being cited, although it is unknown whether these problems are primary or secondary to the symptoms of LUTD.

Patients And Methods: Children institutionalised in orphanages with no parental presence and who are isolated from a family environment are probably more sensitive to psychological disturbances. Psychological changes have been associated with symptoms of urgency and urinary incontinence.

Lower urinary tract symptoms and erectile dysfunction are highly prevalent in ageing men.

Objective: To evaluate a possible correlation between the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and the Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM) in an unselected population of men presenting to a clinic, as lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and erectile dysfunction (ED) are highly prevalent in ageing men, and recent largely community-based epidemiological studies reported a close association between ED and LUTS.

Patients And Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in an unselected consecutive sample of 118 men aged >40 years attending a urology clinic; the reason for consulting was not ascertained. While in the waiting room the men were asked to participate in the study and on agreement were given the IPSS and the SHIM to complete.

Sexual disorders and associated help-seeking behaviors in Canada.

Objectives: To study sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual difficulties and related help-seeking behaviors, among mature adults in Canada.

Materials And Methods: A telephone survey (random digit dialed) was conducted in Canada in 2001 to 2002. Interviews were based on a standardized questionnaire, including demographics, general health, relationships, and sexual behaviors, attitudes and beliefs.

Sexual activity, prevalence of sexual problems, and associated help-seeking patterns in men and women aged 40-80 years in Korea: data from the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB).

Introduction: Although there is considerable interest in the prevalence and impact of sexual problems worldwide, to date only male erectile dysfunction has been studied systematically in Asian countries.

Aim: To study the prevalence of sexual problems and associated help-seeking patterns, among mature adults in Korea and to compare the results with those obtained in other Southeast Asian and East Asian countries.

Methods: As part of the Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB), a survey was conducted in Korea during 2001 and 2002.

Sexual activity, sexual dysfunction and associated help-seeking behaviours in middle-aged and older adults in Spain: a population survey.

To study sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and related help-seeking behaviours among mature adults in Spain, a telephone survey was conducted in Spain in 2001-2002. This was completed by 750 men and 750 women aged 40-80 years. Eighty-eight percent of men and 66% of women had engaged in sexual intercourse during the 12 months preceding the interview.

A population survey of sexual activity, sexual dysfunction and associated help-seeking behavior in middle-aged and older adults in Germany.

The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors was a survey of 27,500 men and women aged 40 to 80 years in 29 countries. Here we report the sexual activity, the prevalence of sexual problems and related help-seeking behaviour among subjects in Germany. A telephone survey was conducted in 2001 and 2002, using a standardised questionnaire covering demographics, general health, relationships, and sexual behaviours, attitudes and beliefs.

Effects of diet energy level and tomato powder consumption on antioxidant status in rats.

Background And Aims: Evaluate the influence of tomato powder in diets differing in energy level on antioxidant status in blood and liver of rats.

Methods: Twenty-four adult male Wistar rats weighing 150-180 g were placed four groups (n=6). For 28 days, animals were fed a diet that was either hyper energetic or hypo energetic.

Behavioral neurotoxicity in adolescent and adult mice exposed to fenproporex during pregnancy.

We investigated the effects of gestational exposure to fenproporex, one of the most used anorectic drugs in Brazil, on the behavior of adolescent and adult pups (30 and 60 days of age, respectively). Pregnant Swiss mice were treated daily, by gavage, with 15 mg/kg of fenproporex chloride or water during the whole gestational period. Male pups were submitted to open-field, forced swimming test, tail suspension test and fenproporex-induced stereotyped behavior.

Developmental exposure to fenproporex: reproductive and morphological evaluation.

This study was designed to evaluate the maternal toxicity and teratogenicity of fenproporex, one of the most widely-used anorectic drugs in many countries, including Brazil. Three periods of exposure were evaluated: (a) 30 days before mating; (b) from gestational day (GD) 0 to 14; and (c) 30 days before mating and during pregnancy, until GD 14. Female mice from experimental groups received, by gavage, 15 mg/kg of fenproporex.

Molecular typing of Mycobacterium bovis isolates from south-east Brazil by spoligotyping and RFLP.

The identification of 163 strains of Mycobacterium bovis by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and microbiological tests was carried out on 252 tuberculous-like lesions (TLLs) collected from slaughtered cattle in south-east Brazil. This study compared the usefulness of three genotyping techniques, IS6110-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP), polymorphic guanine-cytosine-rich sequence (PGRS)-RFLP and direct repeat (DR)-spoligotyping, as applied to M. bovis isolates.

Developmental lead exposure induces depressive-like behavior in female rats.

The involvement of neurotoxicants in the etiology of emotional pathologies is becoming an issue in neurotoxicology. Lead (Pb) exposure during childhood has been associated with increased impulsivity, aggressivity, and delinquency. Considering the paucity of experimental studies investigating the involvement of developmental Pb exposure in emotional disorders, our objective was to investigate whether Pb exposure during pregnancy and/or lactation could be related to depressive symptoms in adult male and female rats.

Help-seeking behaviour for sexual problems: the global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors.

The Global Study of Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors (GSSAB) investigated various aspects of sex and relationships among 27,500 men and women aged 40-80 years. Here, we report help-seeking behaviours for sexual problems in this population. A questionnaire was administered using the accepted survey method in each country.

Pelvic floor muscle evaluation in incontinent patients.

The aim of this study was to assess pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength and perception and its correlation with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). One hundred and one women were divided into two groups according to the presence (G1=51 patients) or absence (G2=50 patients) of SUI. Subjective [urine stream interruption test (UST), visual survey of perineal contraction and transvaginal digital palpation to assess pelvic muscle contraction] and objective evaluations of pelvic floor muscles in all patients were performed (vaginal manometry).

Sexual behavior, neuroendocrine, and neurochemical aspects in male rats exposed prenatally to stress.

The present study was designed to examine some short- and long-term effects of maternal restraint stress--during the period of sexual brain differentiation--on reproductive and endocrine systems, sexual behavior, and brain neurotransmitters in male rat descendants. Pregnant rats were exposed to restraint stress for 1 h/day from gestational days (GDs) 18 to 22. Prenatal stress did not influence the wet weight of sexual organs and the quantity of germ cells in adult male pups; however, these animals showed reduced testosterone levels, delayed latency to the first mount and first intromission, and also decreased number of ejaculations.

Sympathetic modulation of the renal glucose transporter GLUT2 in diabetic rats.

We have previously shown that the abolition of renal sympathetic nervous activity (RSNA) can influence cortical GLUT1 expression in diabetic rats. However, no study has examined the effects of nervous activity on expression of GLUT2, the major glucose transporter in proximal renal tubules, which participates in renal glucose handling. The aim of this study was to determine whether sympathetic activity modulates renal GLUT2 content.

Sexual behavior and sexual dysfunctions after age 40: the global study of sexual attitudes and behaviors.

Objectives: To assess the importance of sex and the prevalence of sexual dysfunction among middle-aged and older adults throughout the world. Increasing life expectancy has been accompanied by improvements in the health of the middle-aged and elderly, but little is known about how this has affected their sexual experience.

Methods: Data were collected in 29 countries from 27,500 men and women aged 40 to 80 years using a standardized questionnaire (self-completed or by interview).

A population study of the association between sexual function, sexual satisfaction and depressive symptoms in men.

Background: Depression and erectile dysfunction (ED) have a complex and bi-directional relationship. We examined the relationships between erectile dysfunction and depressive symptoms or diagnosed depression, sexual activity and sexual satisfaction.

Methods: A population survey of men aged 40-70 years was carried out in Brazil, Italy, Japan and Malaysia in 1997-1998.