RESUMO
Background: Adding abiraterone acetate with prednisolone (AAP) or docetaxel with prednisolone (DocP) to standard-of-care (SOC) each improved survival in systemic therapy for advanced or metastatic prostate cancer: evaluation of drug efficacy: a multi-arm multi-stage platform randomised controlled protocol recruiting patients with high-risk locally advanced or metastatic PCa starting long-term androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). The protocol provides the only direct, randomised comparative data of SOC + AAP versus SOC + DocP. Method: Recruitment to SOC + DocP and SOC + AAP overlapped November 2011 to March 2013. SOC was long-term ADT or, for most non-metastatic cases, ADT for ≥2 years and RT to the primary tumour. Stratified randomisation allocated pts 2 : 1 : 2 to SOC; SOC + docetaxel 75 mg/m2 3-weekly×6 + prednisolone 10 mg daily; or SOC + abiraterone acetate 1000 mg + prednisolone 5 mg daily. AAP duration depended on stage and intent to give radical RT. The primary outcome measure was death from any cause. Analyses used Cox proportional hazards and flexible parametric models, adjusted for stratification factors. This was not a formally powered comparison. A hazard ratio (HR) <1 favours SOC + AAP, and HR > 1 favours SOC + DocP. Results: A total of 566 consenting patients were contemporaneously randomised: 189 SOC + DocP and 377 SOC + AAP. The patients, balanced by allocated treatment were: 342 (60%) M1; 429 (76%) Gleason 8-10; 449 (79%) WHO performance status 0; median age 66 years and median PSA 56 ng/ml. With median follow-up 4 years, 149 deaths were reported. For overall survival, HR = 1.16 (95% CI 0.82-1.65); failure-free survival HR = 0.51 (95% CI 0.39-0.67); progression-free survival HR = 0.65 (95% CI 0.48-0.88); metastasis-free survival HR = 0.77 (95% CI 0.57-1.03); prostate cancer-specific survival HR = 1.02 (0.70-1.49); and symptomatic skeletal events HR = 0.83 (95% CI 0.55-1.25). In the safety population, the proportion reporting ≥1 grade 3, 4 or 5 adverse events ever was 36%, 13% and 1% SOC + DocP, and 40%, 7% and 1% SOC + AAP; prevalence 11% at 1 and 2 years on both arms. Relapse treatment patterns varied by arm. Conclusions: This direct, randomised comparative analysis of two new treatment standards for hormone-naïve prostate cancer showed no evidence of a difference in overall or prostate cancer-specific survival, nor in other important outcomes such as symptomatic skeletal events. Worst toxicity grade over entire time on trial was similar but comprised different toxicities in line with the known properties of the drugs. Trial registration: Clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00268476.
Assuntos
Acetato de Abiraterona/administração & dosagem , Antagonistas de Androgênios/administração & dosagem , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/efeitos adversos , Docetaxel/administração & dosagem , Neoplasias da Próstata/tratamento farmacológico , Acetato de Abiraterona/efeitos adversos , Idoso , Antagonistas de Androgênios/efeitos adversos , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/administração & dosagem , Protocolos de Quimioterapia Combinada Antineoplásica/normas , Intervalo Livre de Doença , Docetaxel/efeitos adversos , Seguimentos , Humanos , Estimativa de Kaplan-Meier , Masculino , Metanálise em Rede , Intervalo Livre de Progressão , Antígeno Prostático Específico/sangue , Neoplasias da Próstata/sangue , Neoplasias da Próstata/mortalidade , Neoplasias da Próstata/patologia , Padrão de CuidadoRESUMO
INTRODUCTION: The objective was to analyze patterns of injury, management, imaging, and follow-up care of renal trauma at a Swiss level 1 trauma center. METHODS: We examined 138 patients (>16 years) with renal organ injuries who presented to our institution between January 2008 and March 2018. Data on demographics, patterns of injury, clinical presentation, management, and follow-up were recorded. RESULTS: The injury grade of the 142 injured kidneys was grade 1 in 25% (nâ¯= 36), grade 2 in 16% (nâ¯= 23), grade 3 in 32% (nâ¯= 46), grade 4 in 24% (nâ¯= 34), and grade 5 in 2% (nâ¯= 3). The predominant injury mechanism was winter sports (45%). Conservative management was successful in all grade 1 renal injuries, and 91%, 86%, 35%, and 33% of grade 2, 3, 4, and 5 injuries, respectively. Early follow-up with CT or MRI scan was performed in 23% of grade 1-3 injuries and 57% of grade 4-5 injuries with clinical signs of complications as the most frequent indication for grade 1-3 injuries and routine follow-up imaging for grade 4-5 injuries, respectively. In follow-up care (1-9 months after injury) imaging showed persistent pathologies in 39% of grade 1-3 renal injuries and 62% of grade 4-5 injuries. CONCLUSIONS: Most minor renal injuries (grade 1-3) can be successfully managed conservatively. Early follow-up imaging is indicated for patients showing clinical signs of complications. Routine repeat imaging may not be justified for high-grade renal injuries without clinical symptoms. Re-imaging in follow-up care still lacks evidence-based recommendations.
Assuntos
Assistência ao Convalescente/métodos , Rim/lesões , Centros de Traumatologia/estatística & dados numéricos , Ferimentos não Penetrantes/terapia , Ferimentos Penetrantes/terapia , Seguimentos , Humanos , Escala de Gravidade do Ferimento , Rim/diagnóstico por imagem , Estudos Retrospectivos , Ferimentos não Penetrantes/diagnóstico , Ferimentos não Penetrantes/patologia , Ferimentos Penetrantes/diagnóstico , Ferimentos Penetrantes/patologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Due to the multitude of therapy options, the treatment decision after diagnosis of localized prostate cancer is challenging. Compared to printed booklets, web-based information technology offers more possibilities to tailor information to patients' individual needs. OBJECTIVES: To support the decision-making process as well as the communication with patients, we developed an online tutorial in a systematic process in the German-speaking part of Switzerland and then tested it in a pilot study. The study investigated users' satisfaction, the coverage of information needs, the preparation for decision making, and the subjective quality of the decision. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Based on already existing information material, the online tutorial was developed in an iterative process using focus groups with patients and urologists. For the following evaluation in eight clinics a total of 87 patients were invited to access the platform and participate in the study. Of these patients, 56 used the tutorial and 48 answered both surveys (the first one 4 weeks after the first login and the second one 3 months after treatment decision). The surveys used the Preparation for Decision Making Scale (PDMS), the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS), and the Decisional Regret Scale (DRS). RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Satisfaction with the tutorial is very high among patients with newly diagnosed localized prostate cancer. Users find their information needs sufficiently covered. Three months after the decision they felt that they were well prepared for the decision making (mean PDMS 75, standard deviation [SD] 23), they had low decisional conflict (mean DCS 9.6, SD 11), and almost no decisional regret (mean DRS 6.4, SD 9.6). Based on these findings, further use of the tutorial can be recommended.
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Tomada de Decisões , Educação de Pacientes como Assunto/métodos , Participação do Paciente , Neoplasias da Próstata/terapia , Telemedicina , Comunicação , Técnicas de Apoio para a Decisão , Humanos , Masculino , Projetos Piloto , Neoplasias da Próstata/diagnóstico , SuíçaRESUMO
We assessed audiovisually induced erections after nerve block of the neurovascular bundle during prostate biopsy. We evaluated neurovascular bundle nerve block to mimic non-nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy in an experimental setup. Patients undergoing a transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy were randomized to bilateral injection of 5 ml ropivacaine hydrochloride 0.75% or NaCl 0.9% into the neurovascular bundle. The patients completed the International Index of Erectile Function 5-item questionnaire (IIEF-5) questionnaire, and a detailed patient history was obtained. A routine prostate biopsy was performed. Thereafter, patients were exposed to 60 min of audiovisual stimulation. Erections were recorded using a Rigiscan-Plus device. A total of 11 patients were randomized. Five patients received NaCl (group 1) and six patients ropivacaine (group 2). Patient characteristics were comparable in terms of age (group 1: 59.8 y; group 2: 61.8 y), mean PSA (4.1 vs 4.7 ng/ml), mean IIEF-5 score (20.5 vs 22) and risk factors for erectile dysfunction, respectively. Patients of group 1 showed significantly stronger and longer erections after audiovisual stimulation than patients in group 2. Patients with bilateral infiltration of saline solution to the neurovascular bundle showed significantly stronger erections than patients receiving local anesthesia of the neurovascular bundle. Thus, this experiment might serve as a model to assess postoperative erectile function after a unilateral nerve-sparing radical prostatectomy.
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Disfunção Erétil/diagnóstico , Bloqueio Nervoso , Complicações Pós-Operatórias/diagnóstico , Prostatectomia/efeitos adversos , Amidas/administração & dosagem , Anestésicos Locais/administração & dosagem , Animais , Biópsia , Disfunção Erétil/etiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Ereção Peniana , Estimulação Física , Fatores de Risco , Ropivacaina , Cloreto de Sódio/administração & dosagem , Inquéritos e Questionários , Fatores de TempoRESUMO
To evaluate whether extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) offers an effective treatment for the main complications of Peyronie's disease (PD), that is, penile deformity and angulation, painful erection and most importantly unsatisfied sexual intercourse. From September 1999 to January 2001, 52 patients with PD were treated with ESWT. Pain during erection was assessed with a visual analogue scale. Penile deviation was determined by photographs with a goniometer. Five treatment sessions were performed at weekly intervals. Each consisted of 3000 shockwaves with an emission frequency of 120 shockwaves/min and a mean intensity of 0.17 mJ/mm(2). A Storz Minilith SL 1 with integrated inline ultrasound probe was used. In all, 52 patients were evaluated 6 weeks after ESWT for early follow-up. Before ESWT intercourse was difficult or impossible for 40 men; 29 patients suffered mainly from penile deformity, 14 from painful erection and eight mainly from loss of distal rigidity. A total of 30 patients mentioned painful erection before treatment. In 28 patients (93%) pain reduction was achieved. A total relief of pain was observed in 19 patients (63%). Mean pain score dropped from 4.2 to 1.3 in patients who suffered predominantly from painful erections. Intercourse satisfaction improved in 11 patients after therapy. Mean angulation before (40 degrees ) and after (37 degrees ) ESWT did not change significantly. Late follow-up after 11.1 months (4-17 months) could be completed in 36 patients. In total, 19 men reported that ESWT improved their PD. Of these, 16 noted no change. Only one of the patients noticed a worsening of his disease during or after treatment. Complication rate was low with only minor side effects such as minimal skin bruising; one urethral bleeding occurred. ESWT did reduce pain during erection in patients suffering mainly from painful erection due to PD. However, penile angulation did not improve significantly in our setup and thus intercourse difficulties did improve only in 28% of the patients. Therefore, we do not recommend ESWT as a primary treatment for PD.
Assuntos
Litotripsia , Induração Peniana/patologia , Induração Peniana/terapia , Pênis/patologia , Adulto , Idoso , Coito , Seguimentos , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Dor/etiologia , Manejo da Dor , Ereção Peniana/fisiologia , Induração Peniana/complicações , Estudos ProspectivosRESUMO
Limited steerability and injury to the normal vessel wall are major drawbacks of laser coronary angioplasty. To overcome these limitations a new generation of laser systems has been developed which allows not only to eliminate the atherosclerotic plaque but to guide the laser beam by analyzing the laser induced tissue fluorescence (= spectroscopy) for the treatment of the atherosclerotic vessel. An excimer laser (MAX 10 LP, 308 nm, Technolas, Munich, Germany) was used with an emitting (phi 1070 microns) and a detecting (phi 130 microns) optical fiber to induce tissue fluorescence which was analyzed quantitatively by a computerized system. Specimens from the descending (thoracic) aorta were obtained from 24 patients (mean age 68.1 years, range 44-92). Tissue fluorescence was induced with ablating (26-30 mJ/mm2) and nonablating (3 mJ/cm2) laser activations. The emitted fluorescence (range 380-575 nm) was normalized to a wavelength of 380 nm; as a measure of tissue fluorescence the intensity ratio at 500 nm divided by 400 nm was calculated in normal (n = 78), mildly atherosclerotic (n = 40), and severely atherosclerotic (n = 48) tissue samples. Repeated laser activations were carried out and tissue fluorescence was checked until the fluorescence spectrum was normalized. All tissue samples were analyzed histologically by a semiquantitative score. Normal tissue samples showed the highest intensity ratios (5.9 +/- 3.4), whereas mildly (2.9 +/- 1.3) and severely atherosclerotic (2.1 +/- 1.0) samples elicited a significantly reduced fluorescence. Repeated tissue ablations were associated with a normalization of fluorescence intensity ratios in the mildly (7.0) as well as in the severely diseased (4.9) vessels. A curvilinear relationship between intensity ratio and the semiquantitative score was observed (r = 0.66) as well as between intensity ratio and intimal wall thickness (r = 0.62). No gender related differences were found but there was an inverse relationship between fluorescence intensity ratio and age (r = 0.56) as well as between intimal thickness and age (r = 0.41). Excimer laser spectroscopy allows reliable detection of atherosclerotic vessel alterations. Fluorescence intensity ratio is inversely proportional to the intimal wall thickness and the severity of the histologic alterations. There is an age dependency of fluorescence intensity ratio which can be explained by an increase in intimal wall thickness. Successful tissue ablation can be obtained by laser angioplasty and allows determination of the optimal point where complete tissue ablation is achieved by laser activation. Thus, excimer laser spectroscopy is an effective method for selective tissue ablation by laser angioplasty.
Assuntos
Angioplastia a Laser/métodos , Aorta Torácica/patologia , Arteriosclerose/cirurgia , Análise Espectral/métodos , Adulto , Fatores Etários , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Retroalimentação , Fluorescência , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
Data supporting the widespread use of antibiotics in patients with chronic scrotal pain syndrome (CSPS) are not available. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the presence of bacteria in the genitourinary tract in patients presenting with CSPS. From July 2005 to July 2007 we prospectively enrolled patients presenting with CSPS in our outpatient clinic. The evaluation consisted of a detailed patient's history, physical examination and ultrasound examination of the scrotum. A blood and urinalysis, a Meares-Stamey four-glass test for bacterial cultures and PCR testing for Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis and Neisseria gonorrhoeae as well as a semen culture were performed. We assessed the symptom severity with the chronic epididymitis symptom index (CESI) score according to Nickel et al. (J Urol 2002, 167:1701; based on the NIH-CPSI). A total of 55 eligible men (median age 34 years) with CSPS were enrolled in the study. The median CESI score was 17 (range 4-26). The majority of patients (n = 39; 71%) were seen by a general practitioner or an urologist before. Of these, 25 patients (64%) were treated with antibiotics and 26 (67%) with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, respectively. A significant bacterial colony count in at least one specimen was detected in 21 of 55 patients (38%). The predominantly detected microorganisms were an Alpha-haemolytic Streptococcus (11 patients) and coagulase-negative staphylococci (10 patients). Thus, only in 12 of 55 (22%) patients isolated bacteria were considered to be of clinical relevance. No factor or condition predictive for a bacterial aetiology for CSPS could be identified. In our microbiological assessment of patients presenting with CSPS we found no evidence for the widely held belief that CSPS is predominantly the result of a chronic bacterial infection. We therefore conclude that the widespread use of antibiotic agents in the treatment of patients with CSPS is not justified.
Assuntos
Antibacterianos/uso terapêutico , Doenças dos Genitais Masculinos/tratamento farmacológico , Prescrição Inadequada , Dor Pélvica/tratamento farmacológico , Infecções Urinárias/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Anti-Inflamatórios não Esteroides/uso terapêutico , Doença Crônica , Contagem de Colônia Microbiana , Doenças dos Genitais Masculinos/diagnóstico , Doenças dos Genitais Masculinos/microbiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Ambulatório Hospitalar , Medição da Dor , Dor Pélvica/diagnóstico , Dor Pélvica/microbiologia , Estudos Prospectivos , Escroto , Sêmen/microbiologia , Índice de Gravidade de Doença , Resultado do Tratamento , Infecções Urinárias/complicações , Infecções Urinárias/diagnóstico , Infecções Urinárias/microbiologia , Urina/microbiologia , Adulto JovemRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To compare the impact of unenhanced and contrast-enhanced multi-detector computed tomography (MDCT) for the detection of urinary stones and urinary obstruction in patients with suspected renal colic. METHODS: 95 patients with suspected renal colic underwent a three-phase MDCT for evaluation of the urinary tract. The unenhanced scan and the multiphase examination were reviewed retrospectively by two radiologists for the characterization of urinary stones and signs of obstruction. Results of unenhanced MDCT were compared with those obtained during the second review of the entire multiphase examination. RESULTS: Overall diagnosis of urinary stones revealed an accuracy of 97.0% for unenhanced, and 98.9% for multiphase MDCT with a significant difference between both protocols (mixed-effects logistic regression: odds ratio 3.3; p=0.019). With 3 versus 15 false positive ratings, multiphase MDCT was superior to unenhanced MDCT for the diagnosis of urinary stones. There was no significant difference in detecting signs of obstruction. Inter-reader agreement for overall stone detection was excellent on both unenhanced (kappa 0.84) and multiphase (kappa 0.88) MDCT. CONCLUSION: Contrast-enhanced multiphase MDCT offers distinct advantages compared to an unenhanced approach for the assessment of urinary stone disease, and therefore should be considered as a complementary examination for patients with inconclusive findings.
Assuntos
Meios de Contraste , Dor no Flanco/diagnóstico por imagem , Hematúria/diagnóstico por imagem , Cólica Renal/diagnóstico por imagem , Tomografia Computadorizada por Raios X/métodos , Ácidos Tri-Iodobenzoicos , Urolitíase/diagnóstico por imagem , Feminino , Humanos , Modelos Logísticos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Curva ROC , Interpretação de Imagem Radiográfica Assistida por Computador , Estudos Retrospectivos , Sensibilidade e Especificidade , UltrassonografiaAssuntos
Calcinose/etiologia , Cardiomiopatias/etiologia , Hipercalcemia/complicações , Adulto , Autopsia , Neoplasias da Mama/tratamento farmacológico , Carcinoma/tratamento farmacológico , Cardiomiopatias/patologia , Feminino , Fluoximesterona/efeitos adversos , Humanos , Hipercalcemia/induzido quimicamente , Medroxiprogesterona/efeitos adversos , Miocárdio/patologia , Necrose , Fosfatos/efeitos adversos , Prednisona/efeitos adversosAssuntos
Dura-Máter/irrigação sanguínea , Hemoglobinas/metabolismo , Recém-Nascido/sangue , Couro Cabeludo/irrigação sanguínea , Crânio/irrigação sanguínea , Adulto , Algoritmos , Circulação Cerebrovascular , Hematócrito , Humanos , Luz , Reprodutibilidade dos Testes , Espalhamento de Radiação , Espectrofotometria Infravermelho/instrumentação , Espectrofotometria Infravermelho/métodosRESUMO
PURPOSE: In this prospective, nonrandomized, ongoing study we evaluated the efficacy and safety of botulinum-A toxin injections in the detrusor muscle to treat patients with idiopathic overactive bladder resistant to conventional treatment, such as anticholinergic drugs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 23 men and 77 women with a mean age of 63 years (range 24 to 89) with nonneurogenic overactive bladder, including urgency-frequency syndrome, and incontinence despite the administration of maximal doses of anticholinergics were consecutively treated with injections of 100 U botulinum-A toxin in the detrusor muscle at 30 sites under cystoscopic guidance. Micturition diary, full urodynamics, neurological status and urine probes were performed in all participants before treatment. Bladder biopsies were done only in cases of suspected bladder fibrosis or unclear findings. Special attention was given to reflex volume, maximal bladder capacity, detrusor compliance, post-void residual urine, urgency and frequency/nocturia. Clinical, urodynamic and quality of life assessments were performed at baseline, and 4, 12 and 36 weeks after botulinum-A toxin treatment. RESULTS: Overall after 4 and 12 weeks 88% of our patients showed significant improvement in bladder function in regard to subjective symptoms, quality of life and urodynamic parameters (p <0.001). Urgency disappeared in 82% of the patients and incontinence resolved in 86% within 1 to 2 weeks after botulinum-A toxin injections. Mean frequency decreased from 14 to 7 micturitions daily (-50%) and nocturia decreased from 4 to 1.5 micturitions. Mean maximal bladder capacity increased 56% from 246 to 381 ml, mean detrusor compliance increased from 24 to 41 ml/cm H(2)O and pretreatment detrusor instability (mean reflex volume 169 ml) resolved in 74% of patients. Mean volume at first desire to void increased from 126 to 212 ml and mean urge volume increased from 214 to 309 ml. There were no severe side effects except temporary urine retention in 4 cases. Only in 8 patients was the clinical benefit poor and analysis revealed preoperative low detrusor compliance. Mean efficacy duration +/- SD was at least approximately 6 +/- 2 months and then symptoms began to increase. CONCLUSIONS: Our results show that intradetrusor botulinum-A toxin injections may be an efficient and safe treatment option in patients with severe overactive bladder resistant to all conventional treatments.
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Toxinas Botulínicas Tipo A/administração & dosagem , Fármacos Neuromusculares/administração & dosagem , Incontinência Urinária/tratamento farmacológico , Adulto , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Toxinas Botulínicas Tipo A/efeitos adversos , Antagonistas Colinérgicos/uso terapêutico , Feminino , Humanos , Injeções Intramusculares , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Fármacos Neuromusculares/efeitos adversos , Bexiga Urinária , Incontinência Urinária/fisiopatologia , UrodinâmicaRESUMO
Extremely low birthweight infants are attracting increasing attention in the medical literature, mainly in audits from selected hospitals not representative of the entire population of a country. The Swiss Neonatology Group gathered selected data on mortality, morbidity and medical treatment of all liveborn infants weighing between 500 and 999 g at birth for the years 1979-81, 1983-85 and 1989-91. The results were compared and completed with information from the Swiss Office of Statistics. From 1979-81 to 1989-91 the incidence of extremely low birthweight infants increased from 1.3 to 2.2 per thousand livebirths. At the same time the survival rate increased from 23% to 53%, resulting in three times more infants being discharged from hospital in this weight group. The number of days of mechanical ventilation, which is an indicator of intensity of care, increased from 320 days to 1440 days per year. In contrast to mortality, morbidity scarcely decreased within this 12-year period and was still considerable in 1989-91. 57% of the survivors had chronic lung disease and 15% had sepsis. Intracranial hemorrhage was present in 35% of the survivors and 71% of the deaths. Retinopathy was noted in 38% of survivors. These facts, which are representative of the whole of Switzerland, show the increasing medical and economic significance of this patient group. Before the implications of this development can be fully assessed, extremely low birthweight infants must be followed up until adult life.
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Recém-Nascido de Baixo Peso , Recém-Nascido Prematuro , Hemorragia Cerebral/epidemiologia , Doença Crônica , Anormalidades Congênitas/epidemiologia , Humanos , Mortalidade Infantil , Recém-Nascido , Doenças do Prematuro/terapia , Pneumopatias/epidemiologia , Respiração Artificial/estatística & dados numéricos , Retinopatia da Prematuridade/epidemiologia , Sepse/epidemiologia , Taxa de Sobrevida , Suíça/epidemiologiaRESUMO
We report the results of SIMS isotopic analyses of carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, and silicon made on 849 small (approximately 1 micrometer) individual silicon carbide grains from the Murchison meteorite. The isotopic compositions of the major elements carbon and silicon of most grains (mainstream) are similar to those observed in larger grain studies suggesting an AGB star origin of these grains. In contrast, the trace element nitrogen shows a clear dependency on grain size. 14N/15N ratios increase with decreasing grain size, suggesting different stellar sources for grains of different size. Typically observed 14N/15N ratios in the small grains of this study are approximately 2700, clearly larger than the values expected from model calculations of AGB stars. In addition to the three dredge-up episodes characteristic for the evolution of AGB stars, extra-mixing of CNO-processed matter in low mass AGB stars appears to be a promising possibility in order to explain the high 14N/15N ratios of the small circumstellar SiC grains. A small fraction of grains shows a silicon isotopic signature not observed in larger circumstellar SiC grains from Murchison. Their stellar origin is still uncertain. The minor type A, B, Y, and X grains were found to be present at a level of a percent, which is similar to their abundance in the larger-grain SiC separates from Murchison. Oxygen isotopic compositions are normal within the experimental uncertainties of several 10%, indicating that oxygen of stellar origin is rare or even absent in the SiC grains. We conclude that most of the oxygen is a contaminant which was introduced into the SiC grains after their formation, e.g., during sample processing in the laboratory. We identified a nitride grain, most likely Si3N4 with little carbon, with highly anomalous isotopic compositions (12C/13C = 157 +/- 33, 14N/15N = 18 +/- 1, delta 29 Si = -43 +/- 56%, delta 30 Si = -271 +/- 50%). The isotopic patterns of carbon, nitrogen, and silicon resemble those of the rare SiC X grains suggesting that these two rare constituents of circumstellar matter formed in the same type of stellar source, namely, Type II supernovae.
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Compostos Inorgânicos de Carbono , Carbono/química , Evolução Química , Meteoroides , Nitrogênio/química , Compostos de Silício/química , Carbono/análise , Isótopos de Carbono , Isótopos , Nitrogênio/análise , Isótopos de Nitrogênio , Isótopos de Oxigênio , Compostos de Silício/análise , Sistema Solar , Espectrometria de Massa de Íon SecundárioRESUMO
OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of apomorphine sublingual (SL) 3 mg, as a primary or secondary treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI), and to determine possible differences in efficacy considering clinical, urodynamic and neurophysiological findings. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The study included 22 patients with chronic SCI and neurogenic ED who were examined physically and by a video-urodynamic evaluation. A neurophysiological evaluation included somatosensory evoked potentials of the pudendal nerve, palmar and plantar sympathetic skin responses and bulbocavernous reflex recordings. Thereafter the patients received 8 tablets of apomorphine SL 3 mg and were asked to complete the International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire before and after treatment. Side-effects, subjective efficacy compared with other treatments and satisfaction with the SL administration were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 22 men, 11 had upper motor neurone lesions (six complete, five incomplete), eight lower motor neurone lesions (seven complete, one incomplete) and three had mixed lesions. In all, 12 patients took sildenafil citrate and five alprostadil intracavernosally beforehand, and five had used nothing to treat their ED. Seven patients had some response and reported that the drug helped them to obtain an erection, but only two reported erections sufficient for intercourse and would agree to continue apomorphine SL as their standard treatment; all the others reported being disappointed. Nine patients reported side-effects. There were no significant correlations for electrophysiological or urodynamic findings and treatment success. Of the 22 patients 20 preferred SL rather than the normal administration. CONCLUSIONS: Apomorphine SL, a D1/D2 dopamine agonist, facilitates erectile function in a heterogeneous group of patients with no significant relationship with any of the assessed urodynamic or electrophysiological variables. The overall low rates of response either for primary or secondary treatment suggests that apomorphine will have limited applicability in patients with SCI.
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Apomorfina/administração & dosagem , Agonistas de Dopamina/administração & dosagem , Disfunção Erétil/tratamento farmacológico , Traumatismos da Medula Espinal/complicações , Administração Sublingual , Adulto , Eletrofisiologia , Humanos , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Estudos Prospectivos , Resultado do Tratamento , UrodinâmicaRESUMO
We report a young male aged 20 who has suffered two episodes of Leydig cell tumor of the testis, the second occurring 5 years after the first in the contralateral testis. The case is outlined briefly, with references taken from the literature. This young man's history is exceptional as this type of tumor is infrequent, and metachronous bilateral presentation extremely rare.
Assuntos
Tumor de Células de Leydig/diagnóstico , Segunda Neoplasia Primária/diagnóstico , Neoplasias Testiculares/diagnóstico , Adulto , Humanos , Tumor de Células de Leydig/cirurgia , Masculino , Neoplasias Testiculares/cirurgiaRESUMO
Fracture of developing permanent canine teeth occurred in a black leopard hospitalized for lead poisoning. Spectrographic identification of lead in soft tissue at the site of injury suggests a relationship between lead insult and the developing dentition.
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Animais de Zoológico , Carnívoros , Dente Canino/lesões , Dentição/efeitos dos fármacos , Fraturas Espontâneas/etiologia , Intoxicação por Chumbo/complicações , Fraturas dos Dentes/etiologia , Animais , Animais de Zoológico/sangue , Gatos , Chumbo/farmacologia , Masculino , Esfoliação de DenteRESUMO
The effect of whole-body hyperthermia (41.5 degrees C, 2 h) on doxorubicin (DOX) tissue distribution and plasma pharmacokinetics was examined in rats bearing a subcutaneous fibrosarcoma. Tumour response to the hyperthermia regimen alone was minimal, but the combination of heat with DOX (5.0 mg/kg, i.v.) enhanced tumour growth delay. The combined therapy, however, showed increased toxicity to normal tissue (especially renal and cardiac). Although DOX levels in spleen tissue were higher in rats exposed to hyperthermia than in control normothermic rats, both groups had comparable levels of drug in tumour, heart, kidney, and small intestine tissue at all time-points examined. Compared with normothermic animals, hyperthermia-treated rats showed decreased DOX in the mean area under the concentration-time curve (AUC) and decreased plasma DOX t1/2 but increased plasma drug clearance. These heat-mediated alterations in DOX pharmacokinetic parameters, however, do not account for the significant increases in thermochemotherapy-mediated cytotoxicities observed in tumour, and in normal renal and cardiac tissues.
Assuntos
Doxorrubicina/farmacocinética , Hipertermia Induzida , Animais , Terapia Combinada , Doxorrubicina/toxicidade , Feminino , Fibrossarcoma/tratamento farmacológico , Fibrossarcoma/metabolismo , Fibrossarcoma/terapia , Coração/efeitos dos fármacos , Hipertermia Induzida/efeitos adversos , Rim/efeitos dos fármacos , Ratos , Ratos Endogâmicos F344 , Distribuição TecidualRESUMO
The circumstellar silicon carbide (SiC) grain X57 from the Murchison meteorite contains large amounts of radiogenic calcium-44 (20 times its solar system abundance) and has an anomalous silicon isotopic composition, different from other circumstellar SiC grains. Its inferred initial 44Ti/Si and 44Ti/48Ti ratios are 1.6 x 10(-4) and 0.37. In addition, it contains radiogenic magnesium-26; the inferred initial 26Al/27Al ratio is 0.11. The isotopic and elemental data of X57 can be explained by selective mixing of matter from different zones of a typical type II supernova of 25 solar masses during its explosion. The high 44Ti/Si ratio requires contributions from the innermost nickel zone of the supernova to the SiC condensation site, as similarly suggested by astronomical observations.