Assessment of satisfaction and Quality of Life using self -reported questionnaires after urethroplasty: a prospective analysis.

Objectives: To assess patient satisfaction and quality of life after urethroplasty using two different self-reported outcome measures and to compare it with objective clinical data.

Materials And Methods: We prospectively collected data from 35 consecutive patients who underwent urethroplasty from January 2013 to September 2014. Patient demographics, International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life score, urethral stricture surgery patient-reported outcome measure (USS-PROM), maximum flow rate (Qmax) and post-void residual urine were collected before, two and eight months after surgery.

Analysis of the effects of topical renal hypothermia on lung tissue after kidney ischemia and reperfusion in rats.

Purpose: To evaluate whether topical renal hypothermia (TRH) at different levels of temperature has protective effects on lung tissue after renal I/R, through an analysis of organ histology and inflammatory markers in lung tissue.

Methods: Twenty-eight male Wistar rats were randomly allocated across four groups and subjected to renal ischemia at different levels of topical renal temperature: normothermia (no cooling, 37°C), mild hypothermia (26°C), moderate hypothermia (15°C), and deep hypothermia (4°C). To induce I/R, the vessels supplying the left kidney of each animal were clamped for 40 minutes, followed by reperfusion.

Imaging of the adrenal gland lesions.

With the steep increase in the use of cross-sectional imaging in recent years, the incidentally detected adrenal lesion, or "incidentaloma", has become an increasingly common diagnostic problem for the radiologist, and a need for an approach to classifying these lesions as benign, malignant or indeterminate with imaging has spurred an explosion of research. While most incidentalomas represent benign disease, typically an adenoma, the possibility of malignant involvement of the adrenal gland necessitates a reliance on imaging to inform management decisions. In this article, we review the literature on adrenal gland imaging, with particular emphasis on computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and photon-emission tomography, and discuss how these findings relate to clinical practice.

Performance of Massachusetts Male Aging Study (MMAS) and androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM) questionnaires in the prediction of free testosterone in patients aged 40 years or older treated in outpatient regimen.

Objective: At present, calculated free testosterone assessment is considered as the gold standard in diagnosing male hypogonadism. However, this assessment is not available for all the individuals diagnosed with decreased testicular function. The investigators of this study were, thus, prompted to evaluate whether the androgen deficiency in the aging male (ADAM) and the Massachusetts Male Ageing Study (MMAS) questionnaires could be used to replace biochemical parameters in the diagnosis for hypogonadism in men aged 40 years and above.

Oxidative stress evaluation of ischemia and reperfusion in kidneys under various degrees of hypothermia in rats.

Purpose: To design an animal model of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) in kidneys and evaluate the role that predetermined ranges of local hypothermia plays on markers of stress-oxydative as well as on histologic sections.

Methods: Twenty eight male rats Wistar, under general anesthesia, undergone right nephrectomy (G0, control group) followed by left kidney ischemia during 40 min. Four temperatures groups were designed, with seven animals randomized for each group: normothermic (G1, ±37ºC), mild hypothermia (G2, 26ºC), moderate hypothermia (G3, 15ºC) and deep hypothermia (G4, 4ºC).

Discordant transsexualism in male monozygotic twins: neuroanatomical and psychological differences.

One monozygotic male twin pair discordant for transsexualism is described. Both twins were interviewed and tested with the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale battery for cognitive functions and they underwent magnetic resonance imaging to measure the volumes of specific cerebral structures. Interviews with the twins and their mother indicated no unusual medical or life history events that could have had a causal role in the emergence of the disorder.

Serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor in patients with gender identity disorder.

Gender Identity Disorder (GID) is characterized by a strong and persistent cross-gender identification that affects different aspects of behavior. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in neurodevelopment and neuroplasticity. Altered BDNF-signaling is thought to contribute to the pathogenesis of psychiatric disordersand is related to traumatic life events.

Androgen receptor GGC polymorphism and testosterone levels associated with high risk of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Polymorphic GGC repeats in the androgen receptor (AR) gene can alter transactivation of androgen-responsive genes and increase the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostate cancer (PCa). We investigated the association between GGC repeat length, testosterone levels and the risk of developing PCa and BPH in a population from southern Brazil. A sample comprising 130 PCa, 126 BPH and 88 control patients was evaluated.

Androgen receptor CAG polymorphism and the risk of benign prostatic hyperplasia in a Brazilian population.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a very frequent age-related proliferative abnormality in men. Polymorphic CAG repeat in the androgen receptor (AR) can alter transactivation of androgen-responsive genes and potentially influence BPH risk. We investigated the association between CAG repeat length and risk of BPH in a case-control study of a Brazilian population.

Prostate cancer: prediction of biochemical failure after external-beam radiation therapy--Kattan nomogram and endorectal MR imaging estimation of tumor volume.

Purpose: To determine whether magnetic resonance (MR) imaging and MR spectroscopic imaging findings can improve predictions made with the Kattan nomogram for radiation therapy.

Materials And Methods: The institutional review board approved this retrospective HIPAA-compliant study. Ninety-nine men who underwent endorectal MR and MR spectroscopy before external-beam radiation therapy for prostate cancer (January 1998 to June 2007) were included.

Laparoscopic ureterolysis with omental wrap for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis.

Objective: To describe various approaches for ureterolysis with an omental wrap using minimally invasive techniques, as surgery for idiopathic retroperitoneal fibrosis includes tissue biopsy, ureterolysis, and intraperitonealization or omental wrap.

Patients And Methods: Since 2006 we have performed ureterolysis in four patients diagnosed with retroperitoneal fibrosis in two institutions. The ureterolysis in two cases was bilateral, using a standard laparoscopic approach for one case and a hand-assisted technique for the other.

Using the Defensive Style Questionnaire to evaluate the impact of sex reassignment surgery on defensive mechanisms in transsexual patients.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of sex reassignment surgery on the defense mechanisms of 32 transsexual patients at two different points in time using the Defensive Style Questionnaire.

Method: The Defensive Style Questionnaire was applied to 32 patients upon their admission to the Gender Identity Disorder Program, and 12 months after they had undergone sex reassignment surgery.

Results: There were changes in two defense mechanisms: anticipation and idealization.

Recurrent priapism in the young patient treated with baclofen.

Recurrent priapism may lead to erectile dysfunction; its treatment is aimed at the prevention of new episodes. We report a case of idiopathic recurrent priapism in a 15-year-old patient. He was treated with oral baclofen, starting with a daily dose of 10mg that was increased to 30 mg to achieve control of symptoms.

Comparative cross-over study of sildenafil and apomorphine for treating erectile dysfunction.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of sildenafil and apomorphine in Brazilian patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) of various causes.

Patients And Methods: In all, 108 patients (mean age 55 years, sd 11) and documented ED for > or =6 months were included in 12 centres in Brazil. The patients were initially followed for 2 weeks and then randomized to initial treatment with apomorphine or sildenafil, taken before sexual intercourse, no more than once a day.

Steroid 5-alpha reductase type 2 activity in biopsies from malignant and normal prostatic tissues.

Background: The conversion of testosterone (T) to the more potent metabolite dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by prostate-specific steroid 5 alpha-reductase isoenzymes is a key mechanism in the action of androgens in the prostate and it is important in the promotion and progression of prostate diseases. We described an adaptation of a sensitive method for evaluation of the 5 alpha-reductase type 2 (5 alpha-R2) activity using a small quantity of protein.

Methods: We used 29 human prostate transrectal ultrasound-guided core biopsies obtained from patients (median age 70, range 55-86 y) undergoing this procedure for diagnostic purposes.

Polymorphic CAG and GGC repeat lengths in the androgen receptor gene and prostate cancer risk: analysis of a Brazilian population.

Variations in transcriptional activity of the androgen receptor (AR) are related to polymorphic CAG and GGC repeats in exon 1 of the AR gene. We investigated the association between CAG and GGC repeat length and the risk of prostate cancer in a case-control study from a Brazilian population. We evaluated 49 patients and 51 healthy controls.

Phase I study with an autologous tumor cell vaccine for locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

Purpose: To attempt the isolation and primary culture of prostate tumor cells, to use the cultured cells for active immunotherapy, and to evaluate the safety and efficacy in a Phase I clinical trial.

Materials And Methods: Tumor fragments were collected from 50 patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) > or = 10 ng/mL, < or = cT2 PCa who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) and 6 patients with metastatic PCa who underwent transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). Cultured tumor cells were incubated with IFN-fi, irradiated, and cryopreserved.

Correlation between the total volume, transitional zone volume of the prostate, transitional prostate zone index and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS).

Objectives: Currently available studies show controversial data between the symptoms of the lower urinary tract and the volume of the prostate gland. The objective of the present study is to evaluate the relationship between the score of the lower urinary tract symptoms assessed according to the International Prostate Symptoms Score (IPSS) and the total (TV) and transitional (TZV) zone volume of the prostate and transitional prostate zone index (TZI).

Materials And Methods: From 223 men with a mean age of 59.

Follow-up of sex reassignment surgery in transsexuals: a Brazilian cohort.

This study examined the impact of sex reassignment surgery on the satisfaction with sexual experience, partnerships, and relationship with family members in a cohort of Brazilian transsexual patients. A group of 19 patients who received sex reassignment between 2000 and 2004 (18 male-to-female, 1 female-to-male) after a two-year evaluation by a multidisciplinary team, and who agreed to participate in the study, completed a written questionnaire. Mean age at entry into the program was 31.

[Profile of prostate cancer at the general hospital of Porto Alegre].

Objectives: To describe prevalence and features of prostate cancer in the sample.

Methods: A five year long voluntary screening program was carried out in the "Hospital das Clínicas de Porto Alegre" with the participation of 3,056 patients in a cross sectional study. For statistical analysis the chi square test was used, considering a significance level of p < 0.

Assessment of serum level of prostate-specific antigen adjusted for the transition zone volume in early detection of prostate cancer.

Objective: To determine the clinical usefulness of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) density in the transition zone (PSADTZ) for increasing the specificity in early detection of prostate cancer (PCa) and reducing unnecessary biopsies in males with PSA between 4.0 and 10 ng/mL.

Materials And Methods: This cross-sectional study obtained PSADTZ measurements in 68 patients with PSA between 4.

Efficiency of short and long term antimicrobial therapy in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies.

Objective: Prostate biopsy is a frequent diagnostic measure to detect prostatic conditions, including primarily prostate cancer. Its performance does not follow a pattern, mainly regarding preparation for the examination through antimicrobial prophylaxis. The aim of this study is to compare the efficiency of short and long term antimicrobial prophylaxis in transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies.

Urodynamic alterations in patients with HTLV-1 infection.

Objectives: The HTLV-1 is a retrovirus that causes several diseases, including tropical spastic paraparesis or HTLV-1 associated myelopathy (or TSP/HAM, as designated by the World Health Organization - WHO) described in 1985. In Brazil, the first cases were reported in 1989. In order to evaluate the urodynamic alterations of infected patients, 48 cases were studied: 26 TSP/HAM and 22 non-TSP/HAM.