Calcium channel blocker and renal mitochondrial function in warm renal ischemia

OBJECTIVE: Ions, particularly calcium ions, play an important role in ischemia-reperfusion cell injury. In this study, we investigated the action of verapamil on the mitochondrial function of kidneys submitted to ischemia without blood reperfusion in order to study isolated early and late ischemic effects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 44 rats were submitted to bilateral warm renal ischemia for 30 minutes. The kidneys were then immediately reperfused with saline or Euro-Collins (EC) solution, with and without previous administration of 0.35 mg/kg of verapamil. Mitochondrial function was assessed at the end of renal perfusion and after 24 hours of cold preservation. RESULTS: In kidneys perfused with saline, verapamil allowed a significant early preservation of state III mitochondrial respiration, a result that was no longer evident after 24 hours. In kidneys perfused with EC solution, verapamil did not change state III for either early or late evaluations. Comparison of the groups showed that the results obtained for kidneys perfused with EC were always superior to those obtained for the saline group, except for the initial analysis of kidneys treated with saline and verapamil, which showed results similar to those obtained with EC perfusion alone. CONCLUSION: Administration of verapamil before warm ischemia provides partial and short-lasting functional protection of the mitochondrial function in kidneys perfused with sodium rich saline. With Euro-Collins solution, verapamil did not show any additional beneficial effect. This fact permits us to conclude that protective action is effective only under conditions that facilitate increased sodium uptake and/or potassium loss.

Free PSA and prostate volume on the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the influence of prostate volume on the performance of total prostate specific antigen (tPSA) and free PSA (fPSA) on the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma. METHODS: A total of 188 patients underwent transrectal ultrasound guided biopsies (10-12 cores) due to prostate nodes detected by digital rectal examination and/or tPSA range of 2.5-10ng/ml. Mean age was 65.7±8.7 years. 19/100 (19%)(GI) patients with prostate volume >40ml had prostate cancer while the corresponding figure for patients with prostate 40ml was 26/88 (29.5%)(GII). We analyzed the sensitivity and specificity of tPSA at cut-off points of 2.5 and 4ng/ml as well as the influence of the ratio f/tPSA in both groups of patients. RESULTS: In the group GI tPSA sensitivity and specificity were 94.4% and 19.5% at the cut-off level of 4ng/ml and 100% and 6% at 2.5ng/ml. The corresponding values for GII were 76.5% and 62.9%, and 100% and 19.3%. In group GI a cut-off of 19% for the ratio f/tPSA kept tPSA sensitivity over 90% while the specificity increased to 46.2% at cut-off level of 4ng/ml and to 32.9% at 2.5ng/ml. In the group GII the ratio f/tPSA was not able to increase the specificity of tPSA at a cut-off level of 4ng/ml without an expressive reduction of sensitivity. On the other side, for this group a cut-off of 16% for the f/tPSA ratio rose the specificity to 46.7% for a sensitivity over 90%. CONCLUSION: We recommend stratification of patients according to prostate volume to define tPSA cut-off point. The cut-off level of 2.5ng/ml for tPSA combined with f/tPSA ratio of 19% in prostates >40ml and 16% in prostates 40ml was a better option for prostate biopsy indication than tPSA at a cut-off of 4ng/ml associated or not with f/tPSA ratio.

OBJETIVO: Investigar a influencia do volume prostático no desempenho do PSA total (tPSA) e livre (fPSA) no diagnóstico do adenocarcinoma prostático. MÉTODOS: 188 patients foram submetidos à biópsias prostáticas guiadas por ultra-som trans-retal (10-12 fragmentos) por apresentarem toque retal alterado e/ou tPSA entre 2,5 e 10ng/ml. A idade média foi 65,7±8,7 anos. A prevalência do câncer foi de 19% (19/100) em pacientes com próstatas >40ml (GI) e 29,5% (26/88) naqueles com próstatas 40ml (GII). Analisamos a sensibilidade e a especificidade do tPSA em corte de 2,5ng/ml e 4ng/ml bem como a influência do fPSA nos dois grupos de pacientes. RESULTADOS: No grupo GI a sensibilidade e a especificidade do tPSA foram de 94,4% e 19,5% no corte de 4ng/ml e 100% e 6% no corte de 2,5ng/ml. Para o grupo GII os valores correspondentes foram 76,5% e 62,9%, e 100% e 19,3%. No GI a aplicação da fração f/tPSA, corte de 19%, manteve a sensibilidade do teste acima de 90% e elevou a especificidade para 46,2% no corte de 4ng/ml e 32,9% no corte de 2,5ng/ml. No GII a fração f/tPSA não foi capaz de elevar a especificidade do tPSA sem afetar significativamente a sensibilidade. Porém, neste grupo o uso do quociente f/tPSA de 16% elevou a especificidade do tPSA, corte de 2,5ng/ml, para 46,7% para sensibilidade acima de 90%. CONCLUSÃO:Recomenda-se estratificar os pacientes segundo o volume prostático para definir o corte do tPSA. O tPSA no corte de 2,5ng/ml, associado ao f/TPSA de 19% em próstatas >40ml e de 16% para próstatas 40ml representou melhor opção para indicação de biópsia que o tPSA no corte de 4ng/ml associado ou não à fração f/tPSA.

Adrenalectomia laparoscópica: análise de 11 pacientes

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the initial experience of the Division of Urology from HCFMRP-USP on the transperitoneal laparoscopic adrenalectomy. METHODS: We analyze retrospectively 11 cases of laparoscopic adrenalectomy carried out from February of 1,999 to March of 2,003. The sample included all patients operated on through this method in such period and was composed of 3 (27%) men and 8 (73%) women with a mean age of 40,2 ± 13,1 years. The patients had the following diagnosis: adenoma - 5, Cushing's syndrome - 3, feocromocytoma - 1, Conn's syndrome - 1 and Carey's syndrome - 1. RESULTS: The adrenalectomy was bilateral in 5 (45.4%) patients and unilateral in 6 (54.6%) being 4 (36.4%) on the right side and 2 (18.2%) on the left side. The mean hospital stay was 3,6 ± 1,1 days and the mean operating time was 220,5 ± 103,7 minutes. Conversion to open surgery was required in 2 patients (18.2%). CONCLUSION: The results of laparoscopic adrenalectomy were similar to those reported elsewhere and corroborate the safety and efficacy of the method resulting in an acceptable surgical time, faster postoperative recovery and shorter hospital stay.

OBJETIVO: Analisar a experiência inicial da Divisão de Urologia do HCFMRP-USP na adrenalectomia transperitoneal videolaparoscópica. MÉTODOS: Análise retrospectiva de 11 casos de adrenalectomia transperitoneal laparoscópica realizados de fevereiro de 1999 a março de 2003 sendo 3 em homens( 27%) e 8 em mulheres (73%), idade média de 40,2 ± 13,1 anos. Os pacientes apresentavam os diagnósticos seguintes: adenoma - 5, síndrome de Cushing - 3, feocromocitoma - 1, hiperaldestorismo - 1 e síndrome de Carney - 1. RESULTADOS: A cirurgia foi bilateral em 05 pacientes (45,4%) e unilateral em 06 pacientes (54,6 %), destes 04 à direita (36,4%) e 02 à esquerda (18,2%). O tempo médio de internação foi de 3,6 ± 1,1 dias, o tempo médio de cirurgia foi de 220,5 ± 103,7 minutos e a taxa de conversão foi de 18,2%. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados apresentados são similares aos relatados pela literatura, demonstrando que a adrenalectomia videolaparoscópia pode ser realizada de maneira segura e eficiente com benefícios: tempo cirúrgico aceitável, rápida recuperação pós-operatória e alta precoce.

Performance of PSA and of PSA density in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the prostate volume and PSA density on the performance of total PSA to diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. METHODS: We analyzed 217 patients (PSA 0-10ng/ml) submitted to transrectal sextant prostate biopsy. Criteria for biopsy indication was PSA >2ng/ml and/or digital rectal exam suspicious of prostate cancer. RESULTS: Fifty five patients had prostate neoplasia (25.3%) and in 8/55 (25.3%) the serum PSA was under 4ng/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were respectively 98.2% / 16.6% at a cut-off point of 2.5ng/ml and 85.4% / 38.8% at cut-off of 4ng/ml. The corresponding values for prostates >40ml or 40ml were: 96.2% / 8.1% and 100% / 27.2% at the cut-off point of 2.5ng/ml, and 92.5% / 20% and 78.5% / 62.3% at a cut-off level of 4ng/ml. For prostates 40ml a PSA cut-off point of 4ng/ml leads to a misdiagnosis in 21.4% of the malignant tumors. The median PSAD of benign prostates are different according to prostate volume (.40ml or 40ml). PSAD at cut-off of 0.08 increases the PSA specificity at both PSA cut-off points. CONCLUSIONS: Prostate volume affects the sensitivity and specificity of PSA and the median values of PSAD. PSAD of 0.08 increases the PSA specificity specially at a cut-off point of 2.5ng/ml in prostates smaller than 40ml.

CD34 immunoexpression in penile carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: To investigate microvessel density as a risk factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. METHODS: Fifty patients with penile carcinoma were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age and standard deviation were 60.8±11.8 years. All of them were treated by penectomy and with positive nodes underwent groin lymphadenectomy. Tumor grading was 36 G1 and 24 G2/3. Primary lesion stage was 22 pT1 and 28 pT2-4. Positive inguinal nodes were observed in 18 patients. Selected paraffin embedded sections were submitted to CD34 immunohistochemical analysis by the avidin-biotin-immunoperoxidase method with antigen retrieval. All slides were examined using an automatic analyzer system and the number of micro-vessels in 10 high magnification power fields (400X) were counted in a blind analysis. RESULTS: Median number of microvessels was 631 in G1 versus 695 in G2/3 tumors (p=0.78), and 696 in pT1 versus 566 pT2-4 tumors (p=0.23). The respective data for pN0 patients was 525 and for pN+ was 696 (p=0.01), which is an unexpected result. CONCLUSION: CD34 immunoexpression or microvessel density determined by this method bear no association with tumor grade, stage or prognosis.

Alça intestinal invertida como substituto do ureter: estudo experimental em cães

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the outcome of ureter replacement with inverted seromuscular tube in dogs. METHODS: 40 adult mongrel dogs were divided in 5 groups of 8 animals. Each group was divided in 2 subgroups: 1 - sacrifice on 12-15 postoperative days, and 2 - sacrifice on the 60th postoperative day). In group A ureter longitudinal incision 2cm long was sewed with an inverted ileal seromuscular patch 2cm long. In group B ureter incision and patch size were 4cm long. In the remaining groups a ureter segment was replaced by an inverted ileal seromuscular tube 2cm long (group C) or 6cm long (groups D and E). In all groups, except E, ileal mucosa was removed by a grasping maneuver with a scalpel. In group E the ileal mucosa was trimmed away by blunt dissection with a scissors. The ureter permeability was tested by an intravenous urogram, and after sacrifice by anatomic exploration with a catheter. All ureter segment removed through the necropsy were analyzed by histology after hematoxilin-eosin coloration. RESULTS: The number of animals with normal urogram after the followup was: A - 2, B - 2, C - 3, D - 2 and E - 2. Histology revealed that ileal serosa was covered by ureteral mucosa grown from the ureter buds. CONCLUSION: The inverted ileal seromuscular tube or patch does not work well for ureter replacement.

OBJETIVO: Pesquisar a viabilidade da alça ileal invertida como substituto ureteral. MÉTODOS: Quarenta cães foram divididos em 5 grandes grupos de 8 animais, cada um subdividido em 2 subgrupos de acordo com a data do sacrifício (I - sacrifício em 12-15 dias de pós-operatório, e II - 60 dias de pós-operatório). Nos grupos A e B fez-se a substituição ureteral parcial com selo de íleo invertido, após abertura lateral do ureter direito com 2 (Grupo A) ou 4 cm (Grupo B) de extensão. Nos demais grupos fez-se a substituição do segmento completo do ureter usando-se um tubo de íleo invertido de comprimento equivalente ao segmento do ureter ressecado com 2cm (Grupo C) e 6cm (Grupos D e E) de extensão. A mucosa ileal foi removida por raspagem ou diérese. A permeabilidade ureteral foi testada por urografia excretora e por exploração anatômica com cateter após o sacrifício. As peças foram estudas histologicamente após preparação e coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. RESULTADOS: O número de animais com urografia normal após o seguimento foi: A-2, B-2, C-3, D-2 e E- 2. A histologia revelou que a serosa ileal se reveste com urotélio, não como decorrência de metaplasia, mas do crescimento a partir da borda da mucosa ureteral. CONCLUSÃO: Conclui-se que o íleo invertido não é um bom substituto ureteral.

Performance of PSA and of PSA density in the diagnosis of prostate carcinoma

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the prostate volume and PSA density on the performance of total PSA to diagnosis of prostate carcinoma. Methods: We analyzed 217 patients(PSA 0-10ng/ml) submitted to transrectal sextant prostate biopsy. Criteria for biopsy indication was PSA >2ng/ml and/or digital rectal exam suspicious of prostate cancer. Results: Fifty five patients had prostate neoplasia (25.3 percent) and 8/55 (25.3 percent) the serum PSA was under 4ng/ml. The sensitivity and specificity of the test were respectively 98.2 percent /16.6 percent at a cut-off point of 2.5ng/ml and 85,4 percent /38.8 percent at cutt-off of 4ng/ml. The corresponding values for prostates >40ml or <40ml were: 96.2 percent /8.1 percent and 100 percent /27.7 percent at the cut-off point of 2.5ng/ml, and 92.5 percent /20 percent and 78.5 percent /62.3 percent at a cut-off level of 4ng/ml. For prostates <40ml a PSA cut-off point of 4ng/ml leads to a misdiagnosis in 21.4 percent of the malignant tumors. The median PSAD of benign prostates are different according to prostate volume (.40ml or <40ml). PSAD at cut-off of 0.08 increases the PSAspecificity at both PSA cut-off points. Conclusions: Prostate volume affects the sensitivity and specificity of PSA and the median values of PSAD. PSAD of 0.08 increases the PSA specificity specially at a cut-point of 2.5ng/ml in prostates smaller than 40ml.

CD34 immunoexpression in penile carcinoma

Objective: To investigate microvessel density as a risk factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the penis. Methods: Fifty patients with penile carcinoma were evaluated retrospectively. The mean age and standard deviation were 60.8 +/- 11.8 years. All of them were treated by penectomyand with positive nodes underwent groin lymphadenectomy. Tumor grading was 36 G1 and 24 G2/3. Primary lesion stage was 22pT1 and 28pT2-4. Positive inguinal nodes were observed in 18 patients. Selected paraffin embedded sections were submitted to CD34 immunohistochemical analysis by the avidinbiotin-immunoperoxidase method with antigen retrieval. All slides were examined using an automatic analyser system and the number of micro-vessels in 10 high magnification power fields (400X) were counted in a blind analysis. Results: Median number of microvessels was 631 in G1 versus 695 in G2/3 tumors (p=0.78), and 696 in pT1 versus 566 pT2-4 tumors (p=0.23). The respective data for pN0 patients was 525 and for pN+ was 696 (p=0.01), which is an unexpected result. Conclusion: CD34 immunoexpression or microvessel density determined by this method bear no association with tumor grade, stage or prognosis.

Alça intestinal invertida como substituto do ureter: estudo experimental em cães / Inverted intestinal handle as substitute of the ureter: experimental study in dogs

Objetivo: Pesquisar a viabilidade da alça ileal invertida como substituto ureteral. Métodos: Quarenta cães foram divididos em 5 grandes grupos de 8 animais, cada um subdividido em 2 subgrupos de acordo com a data do sacrifício (I - sacrifício em 12-15 dias de pósoperatório, e II - 60 dias de pós operatório). Nos grupos A e B fez-se a substituição ureteral parcial com selo de íleo invertido, após abertura lateral do ureter direto com 2 (Grupo A) ou 4 cm (Grupo B) de extensão. Nos demais grupos fez-se a substituição do segmento completo do ureter usando-se um tubo de íleo invertido de comprimento equivalente ao segmento do ureter ressecado com 2cm (Grupo C) e 6cm (Grupo D e E) de extensão. A mucosa ileal foi removida por raspagem ou diérese. A permeabilidade ureteral foi testada por urografia excretora e por exploração anatômica com cateter após o sacrifício. As peças foram estudadas histologicamente após preparação e coloração com hematoxilina-eosina. Resultados: O número de animais com urografia normal após o seguimento foi: A-2, B-2, C-3, D-2 e E-2. A histologia revelou que a serosa ileal se reveste com urotélio, não como decorrência de metaplasia, mas do crescimento a partir da borda da mucosa ureteral. Conclusão: Concluí-se que o íleo invertido não é um bom substituto ureteral.