Anticancer actions of carnosine in cellular models of prostate cancer.

Treatments for organ-confined prostate cancer include external beam radiation therapy, radical prostatectomy, radiotherapy/brachytherapy, cryoablation and high-intensity focused ultrasound. None of these are cancer-specific and are commonly accompanied by side effects, including urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction. Moreover, subsequent surgical treatments following biochemical recurrence after these interventions are either limited or affected by the scarring present in the surrounding tissue. Carnosine (ß-alanyl-L-histidine) is a histidine-containing naturally occurring dipeptide which has been shown to have an anti-tumorigenic role without any detrimental effect on healthy cells; however, its effect on prostate cancer cells has never been investigated. In this study, we investigated the effect of carnosine on cell proliferation and metabolism in both a primary cultured androgen-resistant human prostate cancer cell line, PC346Flu1 and murine TRAMP-C1 cells. Our results show that carnosine has a significant dose-dependent inhibitory effect in vitro on the proliferation of both human (PC346Flu1) and murine (TRAMP-C1) prostate cancer cells, which was confirmed in 3D-models of the same cells. Carnosine was also shown to decrease adenosine triphosphate content and reactive species which might have been caused in part by the increase in SIRT3 also shown after carnosine treatment. These encouraging results support the need for further human in vivo work to determine the potential use of carnosine, either alone or, most likely, as an adjunct therapy to surgical or other conventional treatments.

CIELAB color coordinates versus relative proportions of myoglobin redox forms in the description of fresh meat appearance.

This work examined changes in color that can be explained solely on the basis of the total myoglobin content and the relative proportions of deoxymyoglobin, oxymyoglobin (OMb) and metmyoglobin (MMb) during storage of meat. Meat color was evaluated for L*, a*, b*, C* and hab. Total pigment content was measured from the reflex attenuance at 525 nm (A525). The relative proportions of each pigment was determined using two different methods: the Krzywicki method based on the reflex attenuance values at 473, 525, 572 and 700 nm and the KS method based on K/S ratios of the absorption and scattering coefficients (K/S)474 ÷ (K/S)525, (K/S)572 ÷ (K/S)525 and (K/S)610 ÷ (K/S)525. The study was performed on beef (Longissimus lumborum) samples measured after 1, 4 and 7 days of exposure to air. Result revealed that L* values can be fully explained by A525 alone. C* and a* were well explained by those parameters related to OMb content. The other color parameters depended on pigment forms. The KS method gave better results. The parameters related to MMb content were relevant to classify samples according to the time of exposure to air. In any case, information provided by color and pigment parameters were complementary to each other.

General expressions for the refractive indices of absorbing biaxial media as a function of the angle of incidence.

In this work we obtain general expressions for the complex refractive indices of refracted waves as a function of the angle of incidence in the case of an electromagnetic wave propagating in a transparent isotropic medium that reaches an interface with a biaxial absorbing medium. The biaxial absorbing medium is only required to have a diagonalizable complex dielectric tensor. Obtained expressions can be applied to any orientation of the principal axes and can be specialized for isotropic, uniaxial or biaxial, or transparent or absorbing media. By using these expressions we have also obtained the surface of indices and the surface of absorption coefficients for an example of a biaxial absorbing medium.

Comparison between two different methods to obtain the proportions of myoglobin redox forms on fresh meat from reflectance measurements.

Two procedures based on reflectance (R) measurements to calculate the proportions of deoxymyoglobin (DMb), oxymyoglobin (OMb) and metmyoglobin (MMb) in meat are recommended by the American Meat Science Association (AMSA). One uses the K/S ratios (K and S are the absorption and scattering coefficients) and the other method (Krzywicki 1979) uses the reflex attenuance A = log (1/R). Both methods were compared in: a) synthetic sets of two pigment mixtures and b) 15 samples of beef Longissimus Lumborum measured after 24 h, 4 and 7 days of exposure to air. It was found that K/S and Krzywicki methods gave different values of pigment proportions. However both methods exhibited a high linear correlation (R(2) = 0.8733 in DMb, R(2) = 0.9771 in OMb and R(2) = 0.9390 in MMb, p < 0.0001). This makes them equivalent for statistical analysis based on differences in pigment proportions.

Uniaxial absorbing media: conditions for refraction in the direction of the optical axis.

When a plane wave is incident from an isotropic medium into a uniaxial transparent medium so that the ordinary wave propagates in the direction of the optical axis, the extraordinary wave will also propagate in the same direction and with the same refractive index. We will show that this is not the case when the second medium is a uniaxial absorbing material. In this work, we will state a clear and precise interpretation of the meaning of propagation in the direction of the optical axis in the case of uniaxial absorbing media. Assuming that the ordinary wave is refracted in the direction of the optical axis we will analyze the refraction of the extraordinary wave and we will compare it with the case of transparent media. The necessary conditions to have both ordinary and extraordinary waves refracted in the direction of the optical axis will be obtained.

Molecular architecture and electrical properties in evaporated films of cobalt phthalocyanine.

Thin films of cobalt phthalocyanine (CoPc) were deposited onto solid substrates through physical vapor deposition (PVD) by thermal evaporation up to 60 nm thick to determine their molecular architecture and electrical properties. The growth was monitored using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, revealing a linear increase for absorbance versus thickness. PVD films were found in the crystalline alpha phase and with the CoPc molecules forming ca. 45 degrees in relation to the substrate surface. The film surface was fairly homogeneous at the micro and nanoscales, with the roughness at ca. 3 nm. DC and AC electrical measurements were carried out for devices built with distinct structures. Perpendicular contact was established by depositing 60 nm CoPc PVD films between indium tin oxide (ITO) and Al, forming a sandwich-type structure (ITO/CoPc/Al). The current versus DC voltage curve indicated a Schottky diode behavior with a rectification factor of 4.2. The AC conductivity at low frequencies increased about 2 orders of magnitude (10(-9) to 10(-7) S/m) with increasing DC bias (0 to 5 V) and the dielectric constant at 1 kHz was 3.45. The parallel contact was obtained by depositing 120 nm CoPc PVD film onto interdigitated electrodes, forming an IDE-structured device. The latter presented a DC conductivity of 5.5 x 10(-10) S/m while the AC conductivity varied from 10(-9) to 10(-1) S/m between 1 Hz and 1 MHz, respectively, presenting no dependence on DC bias. As proof-of-principle, the IDE-structured device was applied as gas sensor for trifluoroacetic acid (TFA).

Influence of absorption on the anomalous negative refraction in right-handed uniaxial absorbing dielectric media.

In this work we study the anomalous negative refraction when a plane wave is incident from an isotropic medium to a uniaxial absorbing medium. We study the influence of the anisotropy on the refractive indices and the anisotropy on the absorption coefficients in the negative refraction of these materials. Negative refraction can occur for the ordinary and extraordinary waves for a wide range of values of the angle of incidence. The allowed values of the angle of incidence that lead to negative refraction are analyzed in detail as a function of the orientation of the optic axis and the values of the refractive indices and absorption coefficients.

Impact of 13-valent pneumococal conjugate polysaccharide vaccination in exacerbations rate of COPD patients with moderate to severe obstruction. / Impacto de la vacunación neumocócica de polisacáridos conjugados 13-valente en las exacerbaciones de pacientes con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica con obstrucción al flujo aéreo moderada-muy grave.

OBJECTIVE: One of the major microorganisms described as the cause of exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study is to evaluate the impact of 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate polysaccharide vaccine (PCV13) on COPD patients with regard to the development of exacerbations and the possible differential effect according to the patient's phenotype. METHODS: Prospective observational study of patients with COPD and FEV1 ≤ 65% and 18-month follow-up. Main variables: vaccination status with PCV13, phenotype "exacerbator" or "non-exacerbator", number of exacerbations, hospitalization and deaths. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed according to the nature of the variable and an inferential analysis with CI95%, bivariate contrasts, and multivariate analysis. Significance level 5%. The statistical packages EPIDAT 3.0 and SPSS version 21.0 were used. RESULTS: 121 patients were included. Twenty-four percent were labeled as phenotype exacerbator. 36% were vaccinated with PCV13. During follow-up, 68% of patients had at least one exacerbation and 27% required hospitalization. We observed similarity (p> 0.05) in the number of exacerbations and deaths; however, the percentage of hospitalization in the vaccinated was 18%, compared to 32% in the non-vaccinated group. In the multivariate adjustment (controlling for the phenotype), an adjusted OR of 2.77 risk of hospitalization was observed in the non-vaccinated group (p = 0.044). CONCLUSIONS: Non-vaccination with PCV13 almost triples the risk of hospitalization in patients with COPD.

Incidence of cancer in outpatients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. / Incidencia de cáncer en pacientes ambulatorios con enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica.

INTRODUCTION: The relationship between chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and the overall incidence of cancer is poorly understood. The aim of this study was to analyse the incidence of cancer (pulmonary or extrapulmonary) in patients with COPD during follow-up in a specialised outpatient unit, as well as to assess its relationship with the degree of airflow obstruction. METHODOLOGY: A prospective observational study was conducted with a cohort of 308 patients with COPD in pulmonology outpatient follow-up consultations from January 2012 to December 2015. The diagnosed malignancies during this period were divided into pulmonary and extrapulmonary. RESULTS: The overall incidence rate of cancer, lung cancer and extrapulmonary cancer were 10.3, 3.4 and 7.3 cases per 1,000 patients with COPD per year, respectively. The most common cancers were lung cancer (31%), genitourinary tract cancer (29%) and gastrointestinal cancer (21%). Mild-moderate stages (gradeI-II of the 2009 GOLD classification) and the increase in the pack-year index (PYI) were related to an increase in the onset of malignancies, with an odds ratio (OR) of 2.16 (95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.087-4.309; P=.026) and 1.01 (95% CI: 1.002-1.031; P=.023), respectively. CONCLUSION: The incidence of extrapulmonary cancer in patients with COPD was twice that of lung cancer; stagesI-II of the 2009 GOLD classification and the PYI were significantly related to the onset of malignancies.

Transport of N-acetyl-D-galactosamine in Escherichia coli K92: effect on acetyl-amino sugar metabolism and polysialic acid production.

The N-acetyl-D-galactosamine (GalNAc) transport system of Escherichia coli K92 was studied when the bacterium was grown in a chemically defined medium containing GalNAc as a carbon source. Kinetic measurements were carried out in vivo at 37 degrees C in 25 mM phosphate buffer, pH 7.0. Under these conditions, the uptake rate was linear for at least 3 min and the calculated Km for GalNAc was 3 microM. The transport system was strongly inhibited by sodium arsenate (70%), potassium cyanide (62%) and 2,4-dinitrophenol (75%). Analysis of bacterial GalNAc phosphotransferase activity revealed in vitro GalNAc phosphorylation activity only when phosphoenolpyruvate was present. These results strongly support the notion that GalNAc uptake depends on a specific phosphotransferase system. Study of activity regulation showed that N-acetylglucosamine and mannosamine specifically inhibit the transport of GalNAc in this bacterium. Analysis of expression revealed that the GalNAc transport system is specifically induced by GalNAc but not by N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) or N-acetylmannosamine (ManNAc), two intimately related sugars. Moreover, full induction of GalNAc transport required the presence of both cAMP and GalNAc. Comparative studies revealed that E. coli K92 has developed a regulation mechanism that specifically induces the appropriate permease based on the presence of each respective phospho-amino sugar (GlcNAc, ManNAc and GalNAc). In this regulation system, GlcNAc is the preferred amino sugar as the carbon source. Finally, when E. coli K92 was grown using GalNAc, capsular polysialic acid production was strongly affected. The presence of intracellular phosphoderivative acetylamino sugars, generated by the action of the phosphotransferase transport system, can be responsible for this effect.

Macronodular lesions associated with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. A condition that resembles a 'lymphocutaneous' syndrome.

A 54-year-old man, diagnosed as having Wegener's granulomatosis and treated with a regimen of cyclophosphamide and prednisone and hemodialysis, was found to have Staphylococcus aureus in blood, urine, and pus that were removed from the infected area. He had unusual macronodular lesions of the skin that resembled the lymphocutaneous syndrome. These lesions resolved with antibiotic therapy. To our knowledge, this condition has not been described previously.

Methane digester effluent from swine excreta as a nutrient and water source for growing and finishing swine.

The experimental objective was to evaluate swine methane digester effluent (SMDE) as a water and nutrient source for swine. The mesophilic methane digester was loaded daily with manure from finishing swine fed a corn-soybean meal diet. Dry diet was mixed with SMDE (3.7% DM) and fed twice daily in troughs. Tap water was provided and consumption measured. Barrows were group fed (3 pigs/pen) and adapted to SMDE by increasing SMDE for 7 d, with the full amount fed from d 8 to the end of the feeding phase (d 21, 14, 23, or 37 for Exp. 1 to 4, respectively). Blood samples were collected on d 0, 10, 21, and 31 to determine plasma concentrations of glucose and plasma urea N (PUN). Barrows were placed in individual metabolism cages for a 5-d acclimation and a 5-d fecal and urine collection to determine apparent N and energy utilization. For Exp. 1, 18 pigs averaging 75 kg BW were allotted to diets with 0, 48.6, or 63.7% SMDE, as-fed basis. For Exp. 2 and 3, 12 pigs/experiment averaged 117 and 70 kg, respectively, and were allotted to diets with 0 or 63.7% SMDE, as-fed basis. At the end of Exp. 2 and 3, pigs were sacrificed and liver samples were collected to determine urea cycle enzyme activity, and loin was saved for taste panel evaluation. For Exp. 4, pigs averaged 40 kg and were allotted to diets with 0 or 57.5% SMDE, as-fed basis. The ADFI, ADG, and G:F of finishing swine (Exp. 1 to 3) were not reduced by feeding diets containing 63.7% SMDE (as-fed basis), whereas ADG and G:F of growing swine (Exp. 4) were reduced (P < 0.01) by feeding a diet containing 57.5% SMDE. Pigs fed diets containing SMDE consumed 31 to 56% less (P < 0.05) water and had greater (P < 0.01) PUN concentrations than pigs fed control diets. Pigs fed diets containing SMDE excreted more (g, P < 0.05) fecal N and absorbed and retained less N (%; P < 0.01) and energy (DE and ME) than pigs fed control diets. Treatment had no effect on urea cycle enzyme activity. In conclusion, finishing swine adapted to diets containing 63.7% SMDE (as-fed basis) based on growth performance, whereas growing swine did not adapt to a diet containing 57.5% SMDE because of the large content of nonprotein N in SMDE. Recycling SMDE to swine greatly reduced fresh water consumption, whereas the protein and energy values of SMDE were approximately 0 for swine. Therefore, SMDE is more appropriately recycled as a source of water and N for ruminant nutrition or crop production.

Effect of resistance training on resting metabolic rate and its estimation by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry metabolic map.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Fat-free mass (FFM) is the major predictor of resting metabolic rate (RMR). As protein supplementation during resistance training may augment gains in FFM, we investigated the effects of resistance training combined with protein supplementation on RMR and whether RMR responses could be estimated by a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) metabolic map. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Healthy adults completed a whole-body periodized resistance training program consisting of 96 workouts (~9 months). Participants were randomly assigned to supplement with whey protein (whey; n=18), soy protein (soy; n=21) or carbohydrate (carb; n=22). RMR was measured using indirect calorimetry (RMR(IC)) and estimated by DXA metabolic mapping (RMR(MM)) pretraining and posttraining. RESULTS: RMR(IC) increased from pretraining to posttraining in the whole cohort (1653±302 to 1726±291 kcal/day, P=0.001) without differences between the groups. Delta RMR(IC) and RMR(MM) (73±158 vs 52±41 kcal/day were not significantly different by t-test (P=0.303), although they were not significantly correlated (r=0.081; P=0.535). Stepwise regression identified 43% of the shared variance in delta RMR(IC) using total serum thyroxine, RMR(IC) and FFM at baseline (P=0.009). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that 9 months of resistance training significantly increased RMR ~5% on average, but there was wide variability between individuals, which can be partially accounted for by changes in FFM and thyroid hormones.

Octreotide therapy of large-volume refractory AIDS-associated diarrhea: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effect of octreotide (a long-acting somatostatin analog) to that of antidiarrheal therapy plus placebo on large-volume refractory AIDS-associated diarrhea. DESIGN: A randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Referral-based clinic and hospital in a tertiary care center. PATIENTS: Twenty male patients with AIDS and refractory diarrhea, with stool volume > 1000 ml/day who failed to improve after initial supportive management. All patients finished the study. INTERVENTIONS: Patients were randomly given either octreotide in doses of 100, 200 and 300 micrograms subcutaneously every 8 h, or high doses of loperamide and diphenoxylate orally plus placebo subcutaneously for 10 days. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Bowel movements and stool volume were registered before and every day after treatment by the patients themselves and the nursing personnel. RESULTS: Patients from both groups were similar for age, time of AIDS diagnosis, duration of diarrhea and etiology. Baseline mean bowel movements per day (9.4 +/- 2.8 in the octreotide group versus 10 +/- 3.1 in controls) and baseline mean stool volume (2753 +/- 840 versus 2630 +/- 630 ml/day, respectively) were similar in both groups before therapy (P < 0.05). Mean bowel movements per day after 10 days of therapy was 2.1 +/- 1.6 in the octreotide group versus 7 +/- 3 in controls (P < 0.05). Mean stool volume after 10 days of therapy was 485 +/- 480 in the octreotide group versus 1080 +/- 420 ml/day in controls (P < 0.05). Complete response (stool volume < 250 ml/day) was observed in two patients from the octreotide group and none from controls; partial response (decrease > 50% in stool volume) in four and two; and no response (decrease < 50% or no change) in four and eight (P < 0.05), respectively. Side-effects occurred in eight out of 10 octreotide patients and three out of 10 controls (P < 0.05), but none were significant to result in discontinuation of medication. CONCLUSION: Octreotide proved to be superior to conventional therapy in this short-term treatment of large-volume refractory AIDS-associated diarrhea.

Mucormycosis. Report of 11 cases.

Mucormycosis is fulminant fungal infection that usually occurs in debilitated patients with an underlying pathologic condition. The common clinical types include rhinocerebral, pulmonary, disseminated, and intestinal forms. This report describes 11 cases seen in our institution since 1970. Of nine patients with underlying diabetes mellitus, eight developed rhinocerebral mucormycosis and one had the cutaneous form. Two additional patients with acute leukemia showed the disseminated and pulmonary forms of mucormycosis. In nine patients, the diagnosis was established by histologic appearance and by culture of infected tissue obtained by biopsy. In two patients the diagnosis was made during postmortem examination. Five patients survived. We have emphasized the importance of early diagnosis and prompt, appropriate medical and surgical therapy to obtain a significant survival rate in patients with this frequently fatal disease.

Rhinocerebral and systemic mucormycosis. Clinical experience with 36 cases.

We analysed retrospectively our clinical experience with 36 cases of mucormycosis. They were seen during the last 15 years. The diagnosis suspected on clinical grounds, was confirmed in 31 cases by finding the hyphae in hematoxylin-eosin stained material obtained from aspirated or tissue biopsy or by isolation of the fungus in culture. Rhinocerebral mucormycosis was diagnosed in 22 patients. Diabetes was the underlying disorder in 20 cases, kidney failure in one and myelodysplastic syndrome in one. Nine had stable and 11 unstable diabetes (ketoacidosis in 10 and hyperosmolar coma in 1). The earliest sign was facial edema, followed by proptosis, chemosis and extraocular muscle paresis. They were treated by extensive surgical debridement, insulin and antifungal drugs with 69% of survival rate. The disseminated mucormycosis was diagnosed at the autopsy in 5 cases, acute leukemia was the underlying disease in 2 of them. Pulmonary mucormycosis was diagnosed in 2 cases, cutaneous form in 2, sinuorbital form in 4 and brain abscess in one patient. Eight of these 9 cases survived after therapy. We emphasize the importance of an early diagnosis. This can only be made in the presence of a typical clinical setting confirmed by finding the hyphae in tissue or culture. Antifungal drugs along with treatment of the underlying disorder and aggressive surgical debridement must follow.

High vegetable and fruit diet intervention in premenopausal women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVE: To examine whether diet intervention can promote increased vegetable and fruit intake, as reflected in increased plasma carotenoid and decreased plasma total homocysteine concentrations, in premenopausal women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, a precancerous condition. DESIGN: Randomized controlled diet intervention study. SUBJECTS: Fifty-three free-living premenopausal women who had been diagnosed with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, were randomly assigned to an intervention (n = 27) or a control (n = 26) group. INTERVENTION: Individualized dietary counseling to increase vegetable and fruit intake. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diet was assessed by food frequency questionnaire. Plasma carotenoids and total homocysteine were measured at enrollment and at 6 months follow up. ANALYSIS: Associations between baseline plasma concentrations of carotenoids and homocysteine and influencing factors were examined with multiple regression analysis. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to test for group by time effects in these plasma concentrations. Plasma carotenoids at baseline and 6 months in the study groups, and differences in homocysteine concentrations from baseline to 6 months, were compared with independent sample t tests. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance showed significant group by time effects (P<.01) in plasma carotenoid and homocysteine concentrations. In the intervention group, total plasma carotenoids increased by an average of 91%, from 2.04+/-0.13 (mean+/-standard error of the mean) to 3.90+/-0.56 micromol/L and plasma total homocysteine was reduced by 11%, from 9.01+/-0.40 to 8.10+/-0.44 micromol/L (P<.003). Neither changed significantly in the control group. APPLICATIONS: Individualized dietary counseling can effectively promote increased vegetable and fruit intake in premenopausal women. This dietary pattern may reduce risk for cancer and other chronic diseases and also promote an improvement in folate status.

Analysis of airborne radon in an ultra-low background experiment.

The contribution of 222Rn to the background in a low background experiment with a germanium detector has been estimated. We have also checked the efficacy of a standard radon cleaning system. The cleaning reduces the radon concentration two orders of magnitude with respect to the air in the laboratory. The residual 222Rn represents at most 12.5% of the background in the low energy region, a value low enough for the purpose of our experiment. A detailed study of the radioactive background is presented.

[Mortality rate for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in Argentina from 1980-1998]. / Mortalidad por asma y enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en Argentina en el período 1980-1998.

UNLABELLED: The objective was to determine annual mortality rate for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) from 1980 to 1998, in Argentina. Data base on death certificates from the National Ministry of Health were evaluated. They were individualized for COPD: ICD-9: 490 to 496 and ICD-10: J-40 to J47; for asthma: ICD-9: 493 and ICD-10: J44, J45-J46. Global mortality rate was calculated from each code and for 24 provinces. For asthma, the adjusted mortality rate for 5-34 year-old patients was calculated. Population data were provided by National Institute of Statistics and Census. Global mortality rate for asthma increased from 3.37 in 1980 to 3.96/100,000 in 1985 and decreased from 3.16 in 1991 to 1.74 in 1997 (-30.8%, p < 0.0001) and increased to 2.18 in 1998. Asthma's 5-34 year old mortality rate increased from 0.72 in 1980 to 1.12/100,000 in 1986, and decreased to 0.35 in 1998 (-70%, p < 0.0001). Global mortality rate for COPD increased from 12.76/100,000 in 1980 to 27.16/100,000 in 1998 (+113%, p < 0.0001). There were marked inter-provinces differences for asthma and COPD. IN CONCLUSION: as in developed countries, Argentine mortality rate for asthma has decreased, probably related to dissemination of international and national guides. On the other hand, COPD has increased significantly.

A retrospective review of the effect of surgeon specialty on the management of 190 benign and malignant pediatric and adolescent adnexal masses.

STUDY OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of operating surgeon specialty on rates of ovarian preservation, and to explore differences in surgical management when malignant lesions are identified. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Education and research hospitals. PARTICIPANTS: Between January 1, 2003 and January 1, 2009, all female patients ≤ 20 years of age undergoing surgery with pathologically confirmed ovarian or fallopian tube tissues removed were evaluated. INTERVENTIONS: Demographic, operative, and pathologic data were abstracted. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Rates of ovarian preservation with benign lesions, and rates of appropriate surgical staging when malignant lesions were identified. RESULTS: The mean age was 11.9 ± 4.4 years. Malignant lesions were larger than benign masses, 17.3 ± 7.1 cm versus 8.8 ± 7.1 cm respectively (P < .001). Torsion was associated with oophorectomy with a relative risk (RR) of 1.86 and 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.35-2.57 (P = 0.033). Postmenarchal patients were less likely to undergo ovarian sacrificing procedures (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.84, P < .001). The relative risk of incomplete surgical staging with malignant lesions was reduced in the presence of a gynecologic oncologist (RR 0.14, 95% CI 0.02-0.89, P = .003). CONCLUSION: Ovarian conservation should be prioritized in cases with benign lesions, whereas complete and accurate surgical staging is imperative when malignancy is identified.