Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common condition in aging men, but little is known about the prevalence of ED in some specific groups of patients such as those with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of ED in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis in two clinics of Londrina, Brazil. The prevalence and severity of ED were assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function and a single global question. The dependence of ED on independent variables was evaluated by logistic regression. Some degree of ED was found in 86.4% of our sample (n=118). Complete ED was reported by 25.4% of subjects, moderate ED by 35.4%, and minimal ED by 24.6%. Subjects < 50 y old had a prevalence of moderate/complete ED of 52.6%, whereas in men > or = 50 y old, it was 70.5%. Age, diabetes, and low income were significantly associated with ED. Although highly prevalent, only a low percentage of uremic ESRD patients on hemodialysis were being treated for ED. Our data suggest that ED is related to uremia and other comorbid conditions that often accompany ESRD.

Numerous enzymes, including Cytochrome P450s (phase I) and Glutathione-S-transferases (phase II), are involved in the metabolic activation and detoxification of carcinogens. Epidemiological studies have consistently demonstrated that bladder cancer is strongly associated with cigarette smoking, and the risk for the development of this neoplasia may be modified by individual differences in carcinogen-metabolizing genes. We investigated the relationship between polymorphisms in the CYP1A1, GSTM1, GSTT1, and GSTP1 genes in a case-control study with 100 bladder cancer patients and 100 controls matched for age, gender, race, and smoking status. The GSTM1, GSTT1, CYP1A1 (A2455-->G), and GSTP1 (A313-->G) genotypes were determined using a multiplex PCR, an allele specific PCR, and a restriction fragment length polymorphism-PCR method. The present case-controlled association study did not detect any positive or negative association for the GSTM1 and GSTP1 genes [odds ratios (OR) = 1.35; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.76-2.41 and OR = 0.75; 95% CI = 0.41-1.38, respectively]. Notably, the genes GSTT1 and CYP1A1 exhibited a statistically significant association with bladder cancer (OR = 1.77; 95% CI = 1.01-3.12 and OR = 1.99; 95% CI = 1.07-3.73). No differences for GSTM1 and GSTP1 genotype prevalence between the bladder cancer cases and the controls were observed, however, the null genotype for the GSTT1 gene and the A/G and G/G variants of the CYP1A1 gene may contribute to the development of bladder cancer.

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Purpose:Immunosuppressive agents are known to interfere with the healing of surgical wounds. The increasing use of these drugs warrants a better understanding of their effects on wound healing. The aim of this study was to develop an experimental model that would allow for a reliable and rapid assessment of drug effects on cutaneous wound healing. Methods: Thirty syngeneic Lewis rats underwent surgical incision on their dorsal region, in the presence or absence of a three-week regimen of immunosuppressant drug therapy (i.e., cyclosporin, azathioprine, and prednisone). Surgical site tissue was collected at intervals over 21 days after surgery and analyzed for cell number and collagen fiber content. Both of these quantitative assessments were performed using digital image capture with the Image Pro Plus 4.5 software. Results: Computerized histomorphometric analyses revealed an apparent inhibition of cellular responses and collagen fiber production in drug-treated animals compared to control animals. Conclusion: The experimental model was reproducible, easy to perform, and allowed for quantitative histological evaluations. It may be useful for the study of surgical healing in the presence of other drug classes. Key words: Animal Experimentation. Immunosuppression. Wound Healing. Rats. RESUMOObjetivo: Várias drogas podem interferir no processo de cicatrização de feridas cirúrgicas, incluindo-se aqui agentes imunossupressores. Devido ao crescimento do número de pessoas tratadas com estas drogas, um modelo experimental, baseado em um sistema computadorizado de avaliação histológica, para verificar os efeitos destas drogas sobre a cicatrização cirúrgica pode se mostrar útil e permitir, também, o estudo das ações de outras drogas sobre este processo. Métodos: Trinta ratos Lewis isogênicos foram submetidos a incisões cirúrgicas na região dorsal e metade deles foi imunossuprimida utilizando-se ciclosporina, azatioprina e prednisona por 3 semanas. Em cinco intervalos de tempo pré-fixados, avaliações histológicas quantitativas de células e fibras colágenas dos sítios operatórios de animais tratados e controles foram realizadas, utilizando-se captura digital das imagens por meio do programa Image Pro Plus 4.5. Resultados: A avaliação dos sítios cirúrgicos mostrou, nos animais sob uso de drogas imuossupressoras, aparente diminuição no número de células e na produção de fibras colágenas. Conclusões: O modelo experimental proposto mostrou-se viável por exigir recursos pouco sofisticados, pela fácil realização e por fornecer avaliações histológicas quantitativas. Este modelo poderá ser utilizado para o estudo da ação de outras classes de drogas sobre a cicatrização cirúrgica.

Purpose: To establish whether the citrate concentration in the seminal fl uid ([CI-TRATE]) measured by means of high-resolution nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1HNMRS) is superior to the serum prostate-specifi c antigen (PSA) concentration in detecting of clinically signifi cant prostate cancer (csPCa) in men with persistently elevated PSA. Materials and Methods: The group of patients consisted of 31 consecutively seen men with histological diagnosis of clinically localized csPCa. The control group consisted of 28 men under long-term follow-up (mean of 8.7 ± 3.0 years) for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH), with persistently elevated PSA (above 4 ng/mL) and several prostate biopsies negative for cancer (mean of 2.7 ± 1.3 biopsies per control). Samples of blood and seminal fl uid (by masturbation) for measurement of PSA and citrate concentration, respectively, were collected from patients and controls. Citrate concentration in the seminal fl uid ([CITRATE]) was determined by means of 1HNMRS. The capacities of PSA and [CITRATE] to predict csPCa were compared by means of univariate analysis and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results: Median [CITRATE] was signifi cantly lower among patients with csPCa compared to controls (3.93 mM/l vs. 15.53 mM/l). There was no signifi cant difference in mean PSA between patients and controls (9.42 ng/mL vs. 8.57 ng/mL). The accuracy of [CITRATE] for detecting csPCa was signifi cantly superior compared to PSA (74.8% vs. 54.8%). Conclusion: Measurement of [CITRATE] by means of 1HNMRS is superior to PSA for early detection of csPCa in men with elevated PSA.