The influence of catch-and-release on mortality of Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816).

Catch-and-release (CR) angling has been used to assist management programs seeking to promote the conservation and recovery of some recreational fish stocks by decreasing mortality from fishing. However, without appropriate fish handling, this activity may cause damage and injuries to individual fish, causing mortality. Therefore, CR should be allowed under some circumstances that ensure higher rates of survival to achieve the goals of the conservation measures. Thus, we experimentally tested the CR effects on dourado (Salminus brasiliensis) by comparing caught-and-released fish (CR fish) with uncaught fish (control fish) in a pond and estimating individual mortality rates related to seven air exposure times (AET: 120 s, 240 s, 360 s, 480 s, 600 s, 720 s and 840 s). We also determined a safe limit for fish handling and investigated the length and weight gain variations. We found that an increase in AET affects fish survival and that the limit of handling time for this species was 546 s; after this threshold, the individual probability of death exceeds 5%. The length and weight gain of CR fish did not differ significantly from the control fish. We believe that CR is efficient for S. brasiliensis because it does not significantly impair their organic growth and causes little or no mortality if handling is performed properly; thus, it could be employed to assist conservation programs.

Cannabinoid modulation of cortical adrenergic receptors and transporters.

We previously reported that administration of the synthetic cannabinoid agonist WIN 55,212-2 causes an increase in norepinephrine (NE) efflux in the frontal cortex (FC). The present study examined the expression levels of alpha2- and beta1-adrenergic receptors (ARs) as well as the norepinephrine transporter (NET) in the FC of rats following exposure to WIN 55,212-2. Rats received systemic injection of WIN 55,212-2 (3 mg/kg) acutely or for 7 days. Another group of rats received repeated WIN 55,212-2 treatment followed by a period of abstinence. Control rats received vehicle injections. Rats were euthanized 30 min after the last WIN 55,212-2 injection, the FC was microdissected, and protein extracts were probed for alpha2-AR, beta1-AR, and NET. Results showed that beta1-AR expression was significantly decreased following repeated WIN 55,212-2 treatment but significantly increased following a period of abstinence. alpha2-AR expression showed no significant change in all groups examined. NET expression was significantly decreased following acute WIN 55,212-2 treatment, with no changes following chronic administration or a period of abstinence. Alterations in NET may arise from modulation of cannabinoid receptors (CB1) that are localized to noradrenergic axon terminals as we demonstrate colocalization of CB1 receptor and NET in the same cortical axonal processes. The present findings support significant alterations in adrenergic receptor and NET expression in the FC after WIN 55,212 exposure that may underlie the reported changes in attention, cognition, and anxiety commonly observed after cannabinoid exposure.

Effects of a small natural barrier on the spatial distribution of the fish assemblage in the Verde River, Upper Paraná River Basin,Brazil.

Geographical barriers influence species distribution and play an important role in the segregation of fish assemblages. The present study aims to test the influence of a small natural barrier on the spatial distribution of fish species in the Verde River, Upper Paraná River Basin, Brazil, considering two biotopes: upstream and downstream of the Branca Waterfall. We observed the highest species richness downstream of the Branca Waterfall, which also had the highest number of exclusive species. Richness, evenness, and abundance varied significantly among biotopes. The composition and structure of the fish assemblage differed between biotopes, which were characterized by different indicator species, mainly downstream of the Branca Waterfall. Physical and chemical variables and geographical distance between sites were not responsible for the differences observed. Hence, the present study shows that small barriers can also be crucial in structuring fish fauna and play a key role in the segregation of fish assemblages.

The influence of catch-and-release on mortality of Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816) / A influência do pesque e solte na mortalidade de Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816)

Abstract Catch-and-release (CR) angling has been used to assist management programs seeking to promote the conservation and recovery of some recreational fish stocks by decreasing mortality from fishing. However, without appropriate fish handling, this activity may cause damage and injuries to individual fish, causing mortality. Therefore, CR should be allowed under some circumstances that ensure higher rates of survival to achieve the goals of the conservation measures. Thus, we experimentally tested the CR effects on dourado (Salminus brasiliensis) by comparing caught-and-released fish (CR fish) with uncaught fish (control fish) in a pond and estimating individual mortality rates related to seven air exposure times (AET: 120 s, 240 s, 360 s, 480 s, 600 s, 720 s and 840 s). We also determined a safe limit for fish handling and investigated the length and weight gain variations. We found that an increase in AET affects fish survival and that the limit of handling time for this species was 546 s; after this threshold, the individual probability of death exceeds 5%. The length and weight gain of CR fish did not differ significantly from the control fish. We believe that CR is efficient for S. brasiliensis because it does not significantly impair their organic growth and causes little or no mortality if handling is performed properly; thus, it could be employed to assist conservation programs.

Resumo O pesque e solte (PS) tem sido utilizado para auxiliar programas de manejo que buscam promover a conservação e recuperação de estoques de peixes esportivos, através da redução da mortalidade pela pesca. Entretanto, sem a manipulação adequada dos peixes, essa atividade pode causar injúrias nos indivíduos, causando mortalidade. Dessa maneira, o PS deve ser permitido sob circunstâncias que possam garantir altas taxas de sobrevivência, de modo que as metas das medidas de conservação sejam atingidas. Assim, testamos experimentalmente os efeitos do PS sobre o dourado (Salminus brasiliensis), através da comparação de peixes capturados e liberados (peixes de PS) com peixes não capturados (peixes de controle) em um tanque de cultivo. Estimamos as taxas de mortalidades individuais relacionadas a sete tempos de exposição ao ar (TEA: 120 s, 240 s, 360 s, 480 s, 600 s, 720 s e 840 s). Determinamos um limite seguro para a manipulação do peixe e investigamos as variações no ganho de comprimento e peso. Foi encontrado que o aumento no TEA afetou a sobrevivência do peixe e que o limite de tempo para a manipulação da espécie foi de 546 s; depois desse limite, a probabilidade individual de morte excede 5%. O ganho de comprimento e peso dos peixes de PS não diferiu significativamente dos peixes de controle. Acreditamos que o PS é eficiente para o S. brasiliensis porque não afeta significativamente seu crescimento orgânico e causa pouca ou nenhuma mortalidade se a manipulação for realizada corretamente. Concluímos que a atividade pode ser empregada para auxiliar programas de conservação.

Serum prostate-specific antigen determination in prostatic carcinoma.

Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a tissue-specific glycoprotein identified by Wang in 1979. It is synthesized in the prostate independently of prostatic acid phosphatase (PAP). A total of 199 subjects were divided into four groups: controls aged less than 50 years, controls aged more than 50 years, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and patients with prostatic carcinoma. PSA cut-off value was set at 10 ng/ml (mean for the BPH group plus 2 SD). With this cut-off value PSA could not be used as an early predictor of prostatic carcinoma. The association of PSA and PAP in prostatic cancer increases the number of patients with positive biological markers.

Tumor markers (CEA, TPA and CA 19-9) in urine of bladder cancer patients.

This study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness of determining urinary levels of carcinoembryogenic antigen (CEA), tissue-polypeptide antigen (TPA), and gastro-intestinal cancer antigen (Ca19-9) in addition to the usual diagnostic procedures for bladder cancer. Sixty-seven patients with transitional bladder cancer, 40 healthy controls and 20 patients with inflammatory diseases of the urinary tract were considered. All urine samples were obtained from patients with intact renal function and no urinary tract infection. TPA and Ca19-9 urinary levels in patients with G3 bladder tumors were significantly higher than in those with lower graded neoplasms. The sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value of a positive (PV+) or negative (PV-) test and the diagnostic accuracy were also evaluated. Ca19-9 was the best urinary marker for bladder cancer (sensitivity 71.6%, specificity 91.6%, PV+ 90.5%, PV- 74.3%, diagnostic accuracy 81%).

[Primary signet-ring-cell carcinoma of the bladder. Description of a case and review of the literature]. / Carcinoma primitivo della vescica a cellule ad anello con castone. Descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

The authors describe a case of infiltrating signet-ring cell carcinoma of the bladder, a rare and extremely aggressive form of adenocarcinoma. This neoplasia in only rarely found in a histologically pure form. In the majority of cases the atypical elements which characterise it are mixed with the gland-like and papillary structures of the adenocarcinoma and with foci of transitional or pavimentous carcinoma. The origin is probably metaplastic. These carcinoma are generally invasive, scarcely differentiated and often cause linitis plastica of the bladder. The histological picture is characterized by atypical epithelial elements with abundant, vacuolised cytoplasma. The nuclei are hyperchromic and eccentric, thus representing the typical appearance of signet-ring cells. The histological picture cannot be distinguished from that of a secondary gastrointestinal or prostatic form, therefore the primary diagnosis requires a full clinical and pathological examination of the sectors describes. The prognosis is severe. Elective therapy consists in radical cystectomy with pelvic lymphadenectomy.

[Leiomyoma of the bladder. Report of a case and review of the literature]. / Il leiomioma della vescica. Descrizione di un caso e revisione della letteratura.

Mesoidial tumours are rare benign lesions which may occur wherever mesenchymal tissues are present with an incidence of between 1.5% and 5%. Above all, leiomyomas affect females affect females aged between 30 and 50 years old and show a preference for the uterus (most frequently observed site) and the digestive and urinary tracts, in particular the vescica. Their etiology is still controversial, but the hypothesis of tumoral growth following an altered response to hormone stimulation (spt. Estrogens) appears to be the most credible. Development is mainly endovescical (63%), but extravescical (30%) and intramural cases are not rare; the site and dimensions (mean 6 cm) influence the symptoms, the type of surgery and the prognosis. In intravescical cases the most commonplace symptoms include obstructive urination, including pre-urination delay, a feeling of incomplete emptying, diurnal pollakiuria; these are followed by irritative symptoms (dysuria, burning) and micro-macroscopic hematuria. They are often asymptomatic in other cases. Diagnosis is based on instrumental diagnosis, in particular ultrasonography using a suprapubic and/or transvaginal approach, which gives an hypoechogenic image covered by a thin hyperechogenic line of mucosa. Diagnosis can also be made using CAT and, in some cases, MR for a better definition of the site, dimensions and ratios. Urethrocystoscopy is essential in asymptomatic cases and allows biopsy to be performed in uncertain cases. Treatment is surgical using a transurethral approach in endovescical cases with limited dimensions or open surgery in others. Depending on timely treatment, prognosis is good owing to the low number of recidivations.

[Comparison of fluoroquinolones (norfloxacin, enoxacin, ofloxacin) in the therapy of lower urinary tract infections]. / Fluorochinoloni a confronto (norfloxacina, enoxacina, ofloxacina) nella terapia delle infezioni delle basse vie urinarie.

The present study was carried out to assess comparatively the effectiveness and tolerance of norfloxacin, enoxacin and ofloxacin in the treatment and prophylaxis of infections of the low urinary tract in non-hospitalised patients. Thirty patients presenting positive uroculture on clinical evidence of ongoing infection were treated. Doses were 400 mg b.i.d. for norfloxacin, and 300 mg b.i.d. for ofloxacin and enoxacin; duration of treatment was 7 days in treatment. The pathogen was eradicated in 94% of cases at the control carried out after 5 days from the end of treatment; in the follow-up at 20 days, recurrences or reinfections were observed in 30% of the cases, almost all of them consisting of complicated infections. Slight side-effects were observed in 8 patients. No significant differences in effectiveness or tolerance were reported between the 3 quinolones under study which are therefore considered reliable overall for urological treatment. The absence of greater side-effects is related to the restriction of indications and the brevity of the therapeutic cycles.

[A case of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma]. / Su un caso di leiomiosarcoma retroperitoneale.

The Authors present a case of retroperitoneal leiomyosarcoma, diagnosed because of the early symptomatic hydronephrosis due to the compression of the tumour on the lumbar ureter. Some general clinical aspects of retroperitoneal sarcomas are discussed too. In the case presented adjuvant therapy was not advised, because of the small volume of the tumour and the possibility of its complete excision.

[Measurement of skeletal alkaline phosphatase in prostatic carcinoma. Preliminary report]. / Il dosaggio della fosfatasi alcalina scheletrica nel carcinoma prostatico. Rapporto preliminare.

Bone metastases frequently occur in prostate carcinoma. Total body radionuclide scan with diphosphonate methylene labelled with 99Tc is commonly used to diagnose such metastases. However this technique is aspecific and frequently unreliable. In recent years several biological markers dealing with bone metabolism were studied. Serum determination of skeletal alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and moreover of its bone isoenzyme (BAP) could be considered a reliable index of osteoblastic activity. In this preliminary report we analyzed a group of 43 patients affected by prostate carcinoma with or without bone metastases. The American Urological Association (AUA) staging system was adopted. Sixteen patients were D2, bone metastases had been suspected by means of radionuclide bone scan and confirmed by Computerized Tomography and/or aimed X-rays. Tandem R-Ostase by Hybritech was used to measure BAP, normal value is set to 20 micrograms/L. All D2 tumours had pathological BAP values (mean value 87.50 micrograms/l); 1/3 stage A, 5/13 stage B, 5/9 stage C and 0/2 stage D1 patients had pathological findings. One of this patients, stage C, revealed a bone metastase at a later bone scan.

[Biophysical principles of tissue electrovaporization]. / Fondamenti biofisici dell'elettrovaporizzazione dei tessuti.

The principles of electrosurgery are based upon well defined physical grounds, explaining the type and extent of the lesions induced by the electric current. Technological evolution has led to the creation of dedicated equipment, allowing efficient use of electrosurgical cutting and coagulation of tissues, both in open and endoscopic surgery. Electrovaporization is the thermal effect obtained when an alternating high power-high frequency current (300 W, 400-500 kHz) is applied to the tissue using an electrode with particular geometric aspects. The main feature is the presence of higher and lower current density zones. The first induce electrovaporization, whilst the second produce simultaneous hemostatic coagulation of the rims. New effective vaporizing electrodes have been recently introduced into clinical practice. Their use in the endoscopical treatment of bladder outlet obstructions, a stimulating alternative to standard resection or laser applications, is currently under evaluation.

[Blood and urine determinations of tissue polypeptide antigen in patients with bladder carcinoma]. / Determinazione sierica ed urinaria del Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA) nei pazienti affetti da carcinoma vescicale.

The Tissue Polypeptide Antigen (TPA) is an oncofetal antigen widely used in the diagnosis and follow-up of several urothelial cancers. Its urinary and serum detection is performed by means of RIA technique. We determined urinary and serum TPA in 30 patients with bladder cancer who underwent a transurethral resection. Ten out of 30 patients were correctly diagnosed by serum TPA, 22 by urinary TPA. The ANOVA test showed a statistically significant correlation between grade and urinary TPA between stage and serum TPA. Urinary TPA showed a good sensibility in low grade and moreover in Ta stage carcinoma. Serum TPA increased its performance with higher grade carcinoma and in presence of a muscle infiltration, but it never reached a sufficient sensibility to be considered a bladder cancer marker. In conclusion the simultaneous determination of urinary and serum TPA does not give more information than the urinary determination alone.

[A case of priapism of the proximal corpora cavernosa]. / Su un caso di priapismo dei corpi cavernosi prossimali.

A young man presented with a little perineal mass that was found to be secondary to partial priapism of the proximal corpora cavernosa. This is a very rare condition with only 3 previously recorded cases in the urology literature. The patient made a good recovery and was able to resume sexual activity.

[The Sarig test. A simple method to evaluate the inhibitory effect on urinary crystallization of calcium oxalate]. / Il test di Sarig. Un semplice metodo per valutare l'inibizione della cristallizzazione urinaria dell'ossalato di calcio.

In this study, the Authors evaluate a simple test proposed by Sarig for the discrimination of kidney stone-formers, based on the overall urine inhibitory effect. A solution of the tested urine is added with sodium-oxalate and the kinetics of calcium-oxalate precipitation is indirectly followed with ionometric selective measurement of the progressive reduction of free calcium ions. A Discriminating Index may be therefore calculated; higher values are obtained in lithiasic patients in comparison with normal controls.

[Surgical treatment of benign prostatic hypertrophy and Kelami syndrome]. / Trattamento chirurgico dell'ipertrofia prostatica benigna e sindrome di Kelami.

The authors analyze a group of 116 consecutive patients treated with transvesical prostatic adenomectomy or transurethral prostatic resection for benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) isolated five of them with a Kelami syndrome. These patients, aged between 53 and 70 years old, had a relevant ventral penile deflection with severe sexual impairment postoperatively. Among them only one asked for a corrective surgical procedure. Aetiology, preventive measures and therapeutic choices are discussed. Authors pointed out that this syndrome is actually underestimated considering the high number of transurethral or open surgery procedures for BPH.

[Suspected spontaneous rupture of the ureter. Report of a clinical case]. / Sospetta rottura spontanea dell'uretere. Presentazione di un caso clinico.

A 57 year old man was admitted with left abdominal pain; radiological investigation showed a rupture of the left ureter. The authors discuss the diagnosis and the pathogenesis of ureteral rupture.

[Appearance in 2 brothers of double primary neoplasms: right renal carcinoma and gastric adenocarcinoma]. / Comparsa in due fratelli di duplice neoplasia primitiva: carcinoma renale destro ed adenocarcinoma gastrico.

We report a clinical case of a double primitive tumour (right kidney clear cell carcinoma and gastric carcinoma) in two brothers. There is no history of cancer in the parents. Both patients were previously affected by gastric ulcer. No report of association between the two neoplasms was found in literature. The age of the patients (61 and 70 years) and the singleness of the kidney tumour seem to exclude the case of a familial kidney cancer. The neoplastic transformation of the gastric ulcer is instead a quite frequent report with an incidence of about 1%. Alterations of oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes shared from both neoplasm are at present still unknown. Nevertheless molecular analysis of patients' neoplastic genome could point out typical chromosome translocations/deletions or gene mutations.

[Immunohistochemical determination of antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) in transitional carcinoma of the bladder]. / Determinazione immunoistochimica dell'antigene 19-9 (CA 19-9) nel carcinoma transizionale della vescica.

Carbohydrate Antigen 19-9 (CA 19-9) histological expression in transitional cell bladder carcinoma (TCBC) was studied by means of immunohistochemistry and its findings compared with those of Tissue Polypeptidic Antigen (TPA) and Carcino Embryonic Antigen (CEA). Twenty-one TCBC of various grade and stage were analyzed by using Avidin-Biotin complex method for CA 19-9 and TPA Peroxidase-Antiperoxidase method for CEA. Grade 3 and pT1, pT2/pT3 carcinomas showed a constant staining for CA 19-9 antigen, grade 2 showed a 50% positive immunoreaction while all grade 1 cases were negative. TPA showed an inverse correlation with well differentiated carcinomas which were better and more extensively stained than anaplastic ones. CEA expression was not correlated either with grade or stage. CA 19-9 could be considered as a dedifferentiation marker in TCBC.

The influence of catch-and-release on mortality of Salminus brasiliensis (Cuvier, 1816)

Abstract Catch-and-release (CR) angling has been used to assist management programs seeking to promote the conservation and recovery of some recreational fish stocks by decreasing mortality from fishing. However, without appropriate fish handling, this activity may cause damage and injuries to individual fish, causing mortality. Therefore, CR should be allowed under some circumstances that ensure higher rates of survival to achieve the goals of the conservation measures. Thus, we experimentally tested the CR effects on dourado (Salminus brasiliensis) by comparing caught-and-released fish (CR fish) with uncaught fish (control fish) in a pond and estimating individual mortality rates related to seven air exposure times (AET: 120 s, 240 s, 360 s, 480 s, 600 s, 720 s and 840 s). We also determined a safe limit for fish handling and investigated the length and weight gain variations. We found that an increase in AET affects fish survival and that the limit of handling time for this species was 546 s; after this threshold, the individual probability of death exceeds 5%. The length and weight gain of CR fish did not differ significantly from the control fish. We believe that CR is efficient for S. brasiliensis because it does not significantly impair their organic growth and causes little or no mortality if handling is performed properly; thus, it could be employed to assist conservation programs.

Resumo O pesque e solte (PS) tem sido utilizado para auxiliar programas de manejo que buscam promover a conservação e recuperação de estoques de peixes esportivos, através da redução da mortalidade pela pesca. Entretanto, sem a manipulação adequada dos peixes, essa atividade pode causar injúrias nos indivíduos, causando mortalidade. Dessa maneira, o PS deve ser permitido sob circunstâncias que possam garantir altas taxas de sobrevivência, de modo que as metas das medidas de conservação sejam atingidas. Assim, testamos experimentalmente os efeitos do PS sobre o dourado (Salminus brasiliensis), através da comparação de peixes capturados e liberados (peixes de PS) com peixes não capturados (peixes de controle) em um tanque de cultivo. Estimamos as taxas de mortalidades individuais relacionadas a sete tempos de exposição ao ar (TEA: 120 s, 240 s, 360 s, 480 s, 600 s, 720 s e 840 s). Determinamos um limite seguro para a manipulação do peixe e investigamos as variações no ganho de comprimento e peso. Foi encontrado que o aumento no TEA afetou a sobrevivência do peixe e que o limite de tempo para a manipulação da espécie foi de 546 s; depois desse limite, a probabilidade individual de morte excede 5%. O ganho de comprimento e peso dos peixes de PS não diferiu significativamente dos peixes de controle. Acreditamos que o PS é eficiente para o S. brasiliensis porque não afeta significativamente seu crescimento orgânico e causa pouca ou nenhuma mortalidade se a manipulação for realizada corretamente. Concluímos que a atividade pode ser empregada para auxiliar programas de conservação.