Structural control of the non-ionic surfactant alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs) on transport in natural soils.

Surfactants, after use, enter the environment through diffuse and point sources such as irrigation with treated and non-treated waste water and urban and industrial wastewater discharges. For the group of non-ionic synthetic surfactant alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs), most of the available information is restricted to the levels and fate in aquatic systems, whereas current knowledge of their behavior in soils is very limited. Here we characterize the behavior of different homologs (C12-C18) and ethoxymers (EO3, EO6, and EO8) of the AEOs through batch experiments and under unsaturated flow conditions during infiltration experiments. Experiments used two different agricultural soils from a region irrigated with reclaimed water (Guadalete River basin, SW Spain). In parallel, water flow and chemical transport were modelled using the HYDRUS-1D software package, calibrated using the infiltration experimental data. Estimates of water flow and reactive transport of all surfactants were in good agreement between infiltration experiments and simulations. The sorption process followed a Freundlich isotherm for most of the target compounds. A systematic comparison between sorption data obtained from batch and infiltration experiments revealed that the sorption coefficient (Kd) was generally lower in infiltration experiments, performed under environmental flow conditions, than in batch experiments in the absence of flow, whereas the exponent (ß) did not show significant differences. For the low clay and organic carbon content of the soils used, no clear dependence of Kd on them was observed. Our work thus highlights the need to use reactive transport parameterization inferred under realistic conditions to assess the risk associated with alcohol ethoxylates in subsurface environments.

Aerobic biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and sulfophenylcarboxylic acids for different salinity values by means of continuous assays.

Aerobic biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs) in water, at different salinity values, has been studied. Three experiments have been carried out employing a staircase model system with continuous dosage of LAS to the system and using concentrations of LAS of the same order as those detected in littoral waters receiving urban wastewater discharges. LAS biodegradation was observed to be almost complete (showing a great extent), and in all cases exceeds 98.4%. At the very low concentration values of LAS utilized in the experiments, no significant variations in the biodegradation of LAS due to the effect of the different salinity values assayed were observed. The biodegradation intermediates detected for all the cases were sulfophenylcarboxylic acids with carboxylic chains of between five and 13 carbon atoms. The detection of C13-SPC (which is only produced by C13-LAS) confirms the existence of omega-oxidation. The total disappearance of SPCs in all cases indicates that mineralization of LAS at the concentrations tested was complete.

[Results of three-year clinical study of prostamol uno efficacy and safety in patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of its progression].

Prostamol Uno (PU) efficacy and safety were studied in a multicenter, open-population, randomized and comparative trial. PU was given in a single daily dose 320 mg for 36 months to 50 patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma (PA) in comparison with 50 matched controls. The trial evaluated PU action on the symptoms progression and quality of life with application of questionnaires IPSS and QoL (BS). It was found that PU treatment relieved PA symptoms by IPSS, while these symptoms progressed in the controls. QoL improved in the study group and deteriorated in the control one. Administration of PU significantly increased urinary flow rate though in the controls urinary flow rate decreased, size of the prostate diminished and increased, respectively. Changes in the PSA were not seen and were insignificant, respectively. The results of the study say that prostamol Uno in a dose 320 mg/day can prevent PA progression without side effects.

Suitability of the marine prosobranch snail Hydrobia ulvae for sediment toxicity assessment: A case study with the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS).

Individuals of the mudsnail Hydrobia ulvae (Pennant) (Mollusca: Prosobranchia) were exposed to sediments spiked with increasing concentrations (1.59-123.13mgkg(-1) dry weight) of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) which is employed in the formulation of laundry powders and liquids, as well as hand dishwashing products. The suitability of the selected organism, H. ulvae for routine sediment toxicity testing was evaluated by measuring acute toxicity recording survival. Sublethal toxicity was evaluated as total number of produced veliger larvae per treatment throughout the test (9d). Mortality has shown to be a reliable and reproducible indicator of acute toxicity. LC(50) values were comprised between 203.4 (48h) and 94.3mgkg(-1) (9d) dry weight. As sublethal endpoint, the total number of produced larvae showed to be a useful indicator of toxicity for this organism. The number of produced larvae increased at lower exposure concentrations, whereas at the highest LAS concentration, the number of produced larvae decreased. This is the first report of acute and sublethal toxicity of sediment associated LAS for this species.

Prophylactics of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

For prophylactics of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome, all unfavorable life-style factors should be excluded and all metabolic disturbances should be corrected. This will reduce the severity and stabilize the course of metabolic syndrome. Administration of special drugs is required for prevention of erection disturbances.

[Temporary stent--CoreFlow Soft Stent--for diagnosis of the causes of incomplete bladder emptying in men with neurological diseases].

The new device--CoreFlow Soft Stent--was used for diagnosis of causes of incomplete bladder emptying (IBE) in 19 men with neurogenic diseases. Group 1 consisted of 8 men with IBE and prostatic adenoma. Group 2 consisted of 11 men with IBE but no prostatic adenoma. The CoreFlow Soft Stent comprises an introducer and a stent. Different active lengths of the stent are available to match it to the length of the prostatic urethra. The stent has an anchoring balloon situated in the bladder and a second anchor located distally to the external sphincter. CoreFlow was introduced in a similar way as an ordinary Foley catheter. The bladder was filled with 200 ml of saline solution through the introducer and the stent. The introducer part was then separated from the stent part positioned in the prostatic urethra. The stent part is connected to the integral "pull-thread" device which runs through the urethra ending outside the meatus. Reposition of the stent using the special thread opens the striated urethral sphincter. Out of 8 patients with prostatic adenoma and neurogenic diseases 4 could urinate with the stent part positioned in the prostatic urethra indicating that prostatic adenoma was the cause for IBE. These patients have undergone TUR. The other 4 patients of group 1 and 11 patients of group 2 could urinate only using Valsalva manoeuvre and after reposition of the stent for opening the striated urethral sphincter. This allowed us to conclude that these 15 patients suffered from detrusor underactivity. Our experience indicates that CoreFlow Soft Stent is a simple device for diagnosis of the causes of IBE in men with neurogenic diseases.

[Efficacy of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with organic erectile dysfunction: a comparative study].

Currently available three highly selective and effective PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil and wardenafil) are comparable by PDE-5 inhibition and selectivity of action on PDE-5 but their differences in activity, interaction with food and alcohol, biological half-life and other characteristics make their use individual for certain clinical situations. Our trial with participation of 575 patients (mean age 57.73 +/- 12.33 years) with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction and great number of vascular risk factors has shown that wardenafil was most popular among our examinees as it is more effective and begins acting faster. Further studies in optimization of the above drugs administration may perfect treatment of erectile dysfuncion.

[Administration of oral vitaprost for prevention of exacerbations of chronic abacterial prostatitis].

Active substance of vitaprost is a complex of water-soluble biologically active peptides isolated from bovine prostate. The prostatic extract has an organotropic action in relation to the prostate. As all peptide bioregulators, prostatic extract has antiaggregant and anticoagulant properties, enhances synthesis of antihistamine and antiserotonine antibodies, improves microcirculation in the prostatic gland. This accounts for its ability to reduce edema in prostatic inflammation. This clinical trial demonstrated that vitaprost tablets decreases twice probability of chronic prostatitis exacerbation, of development of secondary exacerbations. A prophylactic intake of vitaprost relieves symptoms of chronic prostatitis, first of all pain (discomfort), improvement of quality of life by NIH-CPSI, including exacerbation and significantly reduces size of the prostate. Vitaprost tablets can be effectively used prophylactively in chronic prostatitis for reducing probability of the disease exacerbations and their severity.

[Vitaprost plus in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

Our study has demonstrated that compound medicine vitaprost plus in therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) reduces intensity of prostatic inflammation, significantly relieves symptoms of chronic prostatitis and pain syndrome. The absence of unwanted side effects, significant changes in clinical and biochemical blood and urine parameters evidences for good tolerance and safety of the drug. Thus, rectal suppositories vitaprost plus can be recommended for treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in patients of different age and clinical symptoms.

[Efficacy and safety of prostamol-UNO in the treatment of patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of progression: 2 years of investigations].

The article presents 2-year pilot results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of prostamol-UNO effects on symptoms progression, quality of life, tolerance and safety in patients with early prostatic adenoma. The drug was used in a single dose 320 mg/day for 36 months. Prostamol-UNO efficacy in arrest of the symptoms progression and quality of life was assessed with the use of IPSS and QoL (BS) questionnaires. Measurements were also made of changes in Qmax, urine volume, residual urine, size of the prostate.

[The pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction in metabolic syndrome].

The aim of the study was to investigate the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) in men with metabolic syndrome (MS). The subjects of the study were 385 men with ED and MS and 210 patients with organic ED (control group). The results of a complex clinical and andrological examination demonstrated that the fundamental pathogenetic factor of ED in patients with MS was the alteration of arterial blood circulation in the cavernosal tissue. The most valuable method in the diagnosis of this form of ED was ultrasonographic measurement of postocclusive changes in the diameters of cavernous arteries, reflecting local endothelial function. In addition, in a substantial portion of MS patients, hormonal and neurological disturbances were found, which also contributed to the pathogenesis of ED in this category of patients.

[Botulinum A toxin in the treatment of patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and neurogenic low detrusor contractility].

AIM: To investigate safety and efficacy of botulinum A toxin external urethral sphincter injection in the treatment of patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and neurogenic low detrusor contractility (DC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 21 patients with DSD and 27 patients with low DC between 17 and 73 years of age. The diagnostic scheme consisted of voiding diary for 72 hours, laboratory tests, ultrasound investigation with measurement of residual urine volume, urodynamic investigation and neurologic examination. 100 units of botulinum A toxin (botox, allergan) were injected into external urethral sphincter paraurethrally in women and transurethrally in men. RESULTS: 6 months after the toxin injection good results were achieved in 6 out of 9 DSD patients with spontaneous micturition; physiologic micturition was restored in 5 out of 8 patients who had performed intermittent self catheterization and in 3 out of 4 patients with suprapubic fistula and urethral catheter. As for patients with neurogenic low DC, good results were achieved in 6 of 8 patients who had had spontaneous micturition; physiologic micturition was restored in 13 out of 14 patients who had performed intermittent self catheterization and in 3 out of 5 patients with suprapubic fistula and urethral catheter. There were neither complications nor side effects. CONCLUSION: Botulinum A toxin external urethral sphincter injection demonstrated high efficacy in patients with DSD and neurogenic low DC.

[Effects of different treatments on endothelial function in patients with erectile dysfunction and hypogonadism].

AIM: To study effects of different treatments on erectile and endothelial functions in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) and age-related hypogonadism (HG). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 66 males with ED who had clinical and laboratory signs of HG. All the patients were examined using questionnaires (international index of erectile function, AMS), blood hormones tests. Endothelial function was assessed with postcompression tests on the cavernous arteries and blood homocystein assay. All the patients were divided into two matched groups. Group 1 (20 males, mean age 54.6 +/- 11.5 years) received androgens only, replacement therapy consisted of testosterone undecanoate (Nebido, Shering) 1000 mg each 10-12 weeks intramuscularly, interval between the first and second injection was 6 weeks. Group 2 (46 males, mean age 53.98 +/- 10.03 years) was given combined treatment (androgens and PDE 5 inhibitors), wardenafil (Levitra, Buer Shering Pharma) was used in a dose 20 mg. The treatment lasted 6 months. RESULTS: AMS points decreased in group 1 from 38.3 +/- 0.29 to 29.2 +/- 0.32, in group 2--from 39.02 +/- 0.21 to 28.6 +/- 0.95, while testosterone rose from 9.86 +/- 0.4 to 17.77 +/- 0.42 and 9.35 +/- 0.25 to 17.21 +/- 0.63 nmol, respectively. Homocystein lowering was significantly more manifest in group 2. EF index in group 2 rose from 11.4 +/- 0.77 to 25.54 +/- 0.25 points versus 11.2 +/- 1.01 to 23.95 +/- 0.71 points in group 1, improvement of EF in group 2 occurred sooner. Endothelial function by diameter of the cavernous arteries differed after treatment in group 1 and 2 (19.55 +/- 2.88 to 39.2 +/- 0.84% and 19.51 +/- 1.28 to 48.5 +/- 1.76, respectively, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Combined therapy improves blood homocistein, acts faster and stronger on endothelial and erectile functions and can be recommended as first line for ED and HG patients.

[Etiotropic therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

A total of 20 patients entered the clinical trial of efficacy and safety of Russian produced drug levofloxacin (floracid) in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). The drug was given in a single dose of 500 mg/day for 28 days. Antibacterial treatment of CBP with floracid killed sensitive to it bacteria in 18 of 20 (90%) CBP patients. Symptoms of the disease attenuated including pain syndrome and voiding disorders, quality of life assessed by NIH-CPSI scale improved. The absence of side effects points to good tolerance and safety of the drug.

[Levitra (wardenafil) effects on endothelial function of brachial and cavernous arteries].

We studied effects of oral PDE-5 inhibitor wardenafil (levitra, Bayer & GlaxoSmithKline) on endothelial function of cavernous and brachial arteries in males with normal erectile function and in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Endothelial function of the brachial and cavernous arteries was studied in 75 males with ED and 20 healthy volunteers before and after wardenafil intake in a dose 20 mg using ultrasound examination of postcompression diameter changes. The results show that wardenafil improves endothelial function of cavernous and brachial arteries. The degree of the positive effect depends on baseline condition of the endothelial function of the vessels. The highest activity of the drug was seen in patients with arteriogenic ED who had significant decline of endothelial function of both cavernous and brachial arteries. The dependence of wardenafil effect on baseline condition of the endothelial function is confirmed by negative correlation between changes in postcompression artery dilatation after the drug intake and baseline values. This evidences for wardenafil ability to correct disturbed endothelial function of the arteries.

[Trospium chloride in combined treatment of females with genital prolapse and overactive urinary bladder].

The trial of efficacy of trospium chloride (TC) in a dose of 45 mg/day in females with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms preserved after genital prolapse (GP) surgical correction included 28 females (age 55-82, mean age 68.07 +/- 12 years). GP was corrected by means of vaginal hysterectomy and anterior colporraphy. Treatment results were assessed 3 months after surgery basing on urine diary. Overall TC efficacy reached 82%. Symptoms attenuated in patients with and without detrusor overactivity: voiding frequency reduced by 31 and 24%, imperative voidings reduced by 26 and 8%, mean urine volume rose by 28 and 19%, respectively. Side effects were mild. TC demonstrated good efficacy in OAB patients, it noticeably improved quality of life.

Derivation of predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for marine environmental risk assessment: application of different approaches to the model contaminant Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS) in a site-specific environment.

Four sediment-dwelling marine organisms were exposed to sediments spiked with increasing concentrations of Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonate (LAS). The selected endpoint mortality was reported daily and acute LC(50) (96 h), as well as final LC(10) values were calculated for the derivation of environmentally safe predicted no effect concentrations (PNEC) for the sediment compartment. PNECs were estimated by both application of assessment factors (AF) and the equilibrium partitioning method (EPM) as proposed by the EU TGD. Finally, environmental risk assessment in a site-specific environment, the Sancti Petri Channel, South Iberian Peninsula, was carried out at three different sampling stations with known environmental LAS concentrations. PNECs obtained by the assessment factor approach with acute toxicity data were one to two orders of magnitude lower than those from the equilibrium partitioning method. On the other hand, when applying lower AFs to the estimated LC(10) values, the PNECs obtained by both approaches were more similar. Environmental risk assessment carried out with the estimated PNECs in a site specific environment with known sediment LAS concentrations revealed that PNECs obtained with acute toxicity data were over conservative whereas those obtained with AF=10 on LC(10) data and EPM produced more realistic results in accordance with field observations carried out in the study area.

Presence, biotransformation and effects of sulfophenylcarboxylic acids in the benthic fish Solea senegalensis.

The presence of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and their degradation intermediates, sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs), with concentrations up to 100 ppb has been found in surface waters taken from the estuary of the river Guadalete (Cádiz, SW of Spain). Higher concentrations were found at the sampling site located adjacent to the discharge outlet of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). The concentrations decreased downstream to a few ppb as a result of dilution, sorption, and degradation processes, which were taking place along the estuary. Once the presence of both xenobiotics was confirmed in the environment, an in vivo assay was conducted to study their biotransformation and effects in the benthic fish Solea senegalensis. A flow-through system was employed, consisting of an exposure phase (120 h) with environmental levels of the surfactant (200, 500 and 800 microg/L of 2ØC(10)LAS), followed by a depuration stage (72 h). The generation of SPCs has been quantified during these phases in both water and fish, with LAS biotransformation shown in all cases. The antioxidant enzymes catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), the phase II enzyme glutathione S-transferase (GST), and the phase III acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP, ALP) were also estimated and utilized as biomarkers.

[Analysis of cytokines in seminal plasma and blood sera of patients with chronic prostatitis during immunotherapy with natural complex of cytokines and antimicrobial peptides].

Levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (TNFalpha, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10) were studied in blood sera and seminal plasma of healthy volunteers and patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) or chronic abacterial prostatitis (CABP). Assessment of effect of immunotropic drug Superlymph with direct antimicrobial action for treatment of mentioned groups of patients was performed. It was shown that seminal plasma of patients with CBP and CABP contained higher levels of IL-6 compared with healthy subjects. IL-8 level was increased in small part of patients with CBP and CABP. Changes in cytokine status of patients with CBP and CABP that occurred during treatment and manifested in decrease of proinflammatory cytokines levels (IL-6 and IL-8) and increase of antiinflammatory cytokine level (IL-10) point to reduction of inflammatory process in prostate. Clinical effect of complex treatment in patients with CBP considering eradication of pathogen and shortening of duration of antibacterial treatment amounted 95%. Monotherapy of patients with CABP with Superlymph was effective in 72%.

[Trospium chloride (spasmex) in the treatment of lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with neurogenic hyperactive urinary bladder caused by vertebrogenic lesions].

The study included 62 patients (30 males and 32 females, age 19-80 years, duration of the disease 2-28 years) with vertebrogenic disease suffering from urgent, frequent voiding. All the patients have undergone detailed urodynamic and general urological examination monthly before and after treatment. Spasmex was given orally to 16 patients of group 1 (15 mg/day), 24 patients of group 2 (30 mg/day) and 22 patients of group 3 (45 mg/day) once a day for 6 months. It is shown that spasmex in doses 15, 30 and 45 mg was highly effective and well tolerated. Spasmex in a dose 45 mg/day not only significantly reduced the number of urinations but also increased cystometric capacity and mean effective volume of the bladder, reduced the number of urgent voiding. Main side effects of the drug were xerostomia and constipation the frequency of which was the same in all the groups.