Clinical and epidemiological aspects of Candida yeast infections and rational use of antifungals.

Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological aspects of Candida infections. Methods: The study relied on the analysis of electronic medical records. Results: Among 183 patients with positive fungal infections, 57 were from the community and 126 from hospitals. Females predominated in both groups (82.4% in the community, 54.7% in hospitals). Non-albicans Candida spp. accounted for 62.8% of cases. Antifungal therapy was prescribed for 67 patients, with a 55.6% mortality rate. Conclusion: The increasing prevalence of non-albicans Candida species highlights the need for better candidiasis monitoring and control, especially concerning antifungal use amidst rising antimicrobial resistance, particularly in empirical therapy scenarios.

Fungal infections, particularly those caused by a group of yeasts called Candida, are a major concern. This study looks at clinical laboratory and medical records. We found that certain species of Candida not previously associated with human disease are common. We also noted the inappropriate use of antifungal medication, highlighting the need for healthcare workers to carefully diagnose patients and make appropriate decisions when treating fungal infections.

Tobacco cessation in patients with multiple chronic conditions: nutritional strategies as an additional tool in treatment

Abstract Objective To evaluate the impacts of a nutritional education intervention for patients with multiple chronic conditions during smoking cessation. Methods The non-probabilistic sample comprised 18 adults and seniors of both sexes recruited from a smoking cessation treatment group. At the beginning of treatment, smoking history, degree of dependence, and stage of motivation were assessed. Degree of craving was evaluated weekly for the 1st month. Anthropometric and biochemical assessments were conducted at baseline, at 1 month, and at 3 months. Dietary intake was assessed with the "How is your diet?" questionnaire. The nutritional intervention was delivered in three sessions. The themes covered were energy balance and physical activity, healthy eating, and the importance of fruit and vegetables in the diet. Statistical analysis was conducted with the Shapiro Wilk test of normality, the paired t test, and the Wilcoxon or Mann-Whitney U tests (significance ≤ 0.05). Results Most people (55.6%) in the intervention group had a high degree of smoking dependence, while the frequency in the control group was 22.2%. Degree of craving decreased significantly after 1 month of treatment (p = 0.017). After 3 months, both groups had a positive variation in mean body weight, although below 3%. In both groups, the average percentage of weight gain was less than 3%, suggesting that delivery of the nutritional education sessions and the nutritionist's use of the protocol proposed by the Instituto Nacional de Câncer (INCA) helped to control weight gain. Blood glucose and homeostasis model assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) both increased significantly in the intervention group (p = 0.15 and p = 0.50, respectively). Conclusion Greater proximity and more frequent intervention by a nutritionist assists and encourages healthy eating practices during the smoking cessation process, which can benefit individuals' control of chronic diseases over the long term.

Tobacco cessation in patients with multiple chronic conditions: nutritional strategies as an additional tool in treatment.

PURPOSE: Evaluate the impacts of the nutritional education intervention for patients with multiples chronic conditions during smoking cessation. METHODS: The non-probabilistic sample consisted of adult and elderly 18 individuals of both sexes, participants in a group for smoking cessation treatment. At the beginning of treatment, smoking history, degree of dependence and stage of motivation were evaluated. Craving degree was evaluated weekly during the first month. Anthropometric and biochemical evaluations were conducted at baseline, after 1 month and 3 months. Dietary intake was assessed by the "How is your diet?" questionnaire. There were three moments of nutritional intervention. The themes covered were "Energy balance and physical activity", "Healthy eating" and the importance of fruits and vegetables in the diet, respectively. Statistical analysis with Shapiro Wilk normality test, paired T-Test or Wilcoxon and U-Mann Whitney (Significance ≤0.05). RESULTS: In the intervention group, most people had a high degree of smoking dependence (55.6%), while in the control group the frequency were 22.2%. Craving degree decreased significantly after 1 month of treatment (p= 0.017). After 3 months, the groups presented mean body weight positive variation, however below 3%. In both groups the average percentage of weight gain was below 3%, reinforcing that the holding of the nutrition session and performance of the nutritionist within the protocol proposed by the INCA helped in the control of weight gain. Blood glucose and HOMA-IR in the intervention group showed a significant increase (p= 0.15 and p= 0.50, respectively). CONCLUSION: Greater proximity and more frequent action taken by the nutritionist assists and encourages healthy eating practices during smoking cessation process, which can benefit individuals control of chronic diseases in the long term.

Dosagem do magnésio eritrocitário: Qual é o seu real valor? / Measurement of erythrocyte magnesium: What is its real value?

O magnésio é um cátion de localização predominantemente intracelular e de grande importância em várias funções metabólicas. É possível que tenha uma participação importante em processos álgicos e inflamatórios. Sua dosagem sérica possivelmente não representa a realidade de sua concentração corporal. A mensuração do magnésio eritrocitário talvez possa representar um avanço na sua melhor avaliação

Magnesium is a cation with location predominantly intracellular and of great importance in several metabolic functions. It is possible that it plays an important role in pain and inflammatory processes. It's serum dosage possibly does not represent the reality of it's body concentration. The measurement of erythrocyte magnesium may represent an advance in its better evaluation.

Prevalência e resistência a antibióticos de Stenotrophomonas maltophilia em amostras clínicas: estudo epidemiológico de 10 anos / Epidemiological and physiological characteristics of clinical isolates of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia: 10 years study

Introdução:Stenotrophomonas maltophilia é um patógeno oportunista emergente, associado, principalmente, a infecções nosocomiais. As opções terapêuticas para o tratamento de infecções por S. maltophilia são limitadas, devido a sua resistência a uma grande variedade de antibióticos. Objetivo: Investigar a prevalência e a resistência aos antibióticos de isolados identificados como S. maltophilia, a partir de pacientes hospitalizados, recuperados em um laboratório clínico, localizado em Juiz de Fora ­ Minas Gerais, bem como analisar dados epidemiológicos destes pacientes. Materiais e Métodos: Isolados consecutivos, não duplicados de S. maltophilia (n=58), referentes ao período de 10 anos foram analisados. Todas as amostras foram identificadas utilizando o sistema automatizado Vitek 2® Compact (BioMérieux/França). Os padrões de resistência aos antibióticos foram realizados utilizando o método de disco difusão. Os prontuários dos pacientes foram avaliados e dados como idade, sexo, espécime clínico, bem como índice de óbito intra-hospitalar atribuído à infecção por S. maltophilia foi igualmente analisado. Resultados: De um total de 39.547 (100%) espécimes clínicos analisados, 58 (0,14%) isolados não replicados foram identificados como S. maltophilia. 70,6% dos isolados de S. maltophilia foram isolados de secreção traqueal e 15,5% de sangue.Todas as amostras foram sensíveis, in vitro, aos antibióticos testados. Frequência de óbito intra-hospitalar associado à infecção por S. maltophilia foi de 44,7%. Indivíduos de ampla faixa etária (0-100 anos) foram acometidos por infecção por S. maltophilia, sendo o sexo feminino o mais prevalente (56,9%). Conclusão: Pneumonia e bacteremia foram as síndromes clínicas mais frequentes causadas por S. maltophila. Constatou-se moderada taxa de mortalidade associada a infecções por S. maltophilia, apesar da alta sensibilidade in vitro aos antibióticos testados. Novos trabalhos se fazem necessários, a fim de gerar dados e informações que possam ser úteis no diagnóstico precoce, manejo e tratamento correto de infecções associadas a S. maltophilia, em especial aquelas com perfil de resistência aos antibóticos.

Introduction:Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is an emerging opportunistic pathogen, mainly associated with nosocomial infections. Therapeutic options for the treatment of S. maltophilia infections are limited because of their resistance to a wide variety of antibiotics. Objective: To investigate the prevalence and antibiotic resistance of isolates identified as S. maltophilia from hospitalized patients recovered from a clinical laboratory located in Juiz de Fora - Minas Gerais, as well as to analyze epidemiological data of these patients. Materials and Methods: Consecutive, non duplicate isolates of S. maltophilia (n=58) for the 10-year period were analyzed. All samples were identified using the automated Vitek 2® Compact system (BioMérieux/France). Antibiotic resistance standards were performed using the disk diffusion method. Patient records were evaluated and data such as age, gender, clinical specimen, and in-hospital death rate attributed to S. maltophilia infection were also analyzed. Results: From a total of 39,547 (100%) clinical specimens analyzed, 58 (0,14%) unreplicated isolates were identified as S. maltophilia. 70,6% of S. maltophilia isolates were isolated from tracheal secretion and 15,5% from blood. All samples were sensitive in vitro to the antibiotics tested. In-hospital death frequency associated with S. maltophilia infection was 44,7%. Individuals from a wide age range (0-100 years) were affected by S. maltophilia infection, with females being the most prevalent (56,9%). Conclusion: Pneumonia and bacteremia were the most frequent clinical syndromes caused by S. maltophila. A moderate mortality rate associated with S. maltophila infections was observed, despite the high sensitivity in vitro to the antibiotics tested. New studies are necessary in order to generate data and information that may be useful in early diagnosis, management and correct treatment of infections associated with S. maltophila, especially those with a profile of antibiotic resistance.

Epidemiological, Physiological, and Molecular Characteristics of a Brazilian Collection of Carbapenem-Resistant Acinetobacter baumannii and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Nonfermenting Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are widespread in the environment and are increasingly associated with nosocomial infections, often associated with multidrug-resistance phenotypes. This study aimed to evaluate epidemiological, physiological, and molecular characteristics of carbapenem resistance in P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. In total, 63 nonreplicated strains (44 A. baumannii and 19 P. aeruginosa) were isolated from hospitalized patients. Antimicrobial resistance patterns, biocide tolerance, oxidative stress, hemolytic activity, and biofilm formation were assessed. Genetic markers related to ß-lactamase synthesis, efflux systems, and porin loss were screened by PCR. Epidemiological data of patients were analyzed. Advanced age, intensive care unit admission, invasive medical devices, treatment with fluoroquinolones or ß-lactams/ß-lactamase inhibitor combinations, and prolonged hospital stay were predisposing factors for infection. Colistin showed to be active in vitro against these bacteria. Carbapenem-resistant P. aeruginosa strains did not show hemolytic activity and were less tolerant to oxidative stress and biocides. However, increased ability of biofilm formation was observed, comparing to the carbapenem-susceptible isolates. Genetic markers related to oxacillinases synthesis (OXA-23 and OXA-143), oprD absence, and efflux pump (adeB) were detected in carbapenem-resistant A. baumannii. Screening for OXA-51-like gene was performed as confirmatory test for A. baumannii identification. In P. aeruginosa genes encoding efflux pumps (MexAB-OprM, MexCD-OprJ, MexEF-OprN, and MexXY-OprM) and SPM-1 were found; besides, oprD absence was also observed. Our results suggest that these organisms are well adapted to different environments and confirm the difficulty of therapeutic management of patients with infections associated with multidrug-resistant microorganisms, with direct impact on mortality and epidemiological control of these strains in health centers.

Epidemiological characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility among carbapenem-resistant non-fermenting bacteria in Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Acinetobacter baumannii are widespread in the environment and are increasingly associated with nosocomial infections. Extensive and indiscriminate use of antibiotics in hospitals has contributed to an increased number of infections caused by these microorganisms, that are resistant to a wide variety of antimicrobials, including ß-lactams. This study aimed to isolate and identify carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. and P. aeruginosa from hospitalized patients, to determine their antimicrobial susceptibility patterns and to screen for blaOXA-23, blaOXA-24, blaOXA-51, blaOXA-58, and blaOXA-143 genes among the isolated bacteria. METHODOLOGY: Antimicrobial resistance patterns were performed using the disk-diffusion method. Genetic markers related to carbapenem resistance were screened by polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter spp. (n = 44) and P. aeruginosa (n = 28) samples were isolated from patients admitted to a tertiary hospital. Polymyxin B was the only effective drug for all isolates. Considering the oxacillinase gene screening, genetic markers were observed only in Acinetobacter isolates. The most frequent genotype observed was blaOXA-23+/blaOXA-51+ (45.5%), followed by blaOXA-51+/blaOXA-143+ (41%). The oxacillinase genes blaOXA-24 and blaOXA-58 were not detected. High mortality rates (> 70%) were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The data suggest the need for rational use of antimicrobials associated with early diagnosis of multidrug-resistant bacteria, especially considering non-fermenting Gram-negative rods, which are widespread in hospitals. The findings of blaoxa-51(-) strains suggest the occurrence and spread of non-A. baumannii species throughout our hospitals. Effective implementation of surveillance programs in hospitals is needed to reduce infectious and resistant intra- and inter-species bacteria.

Physiological and molecular characteristics of carbapenem resistance in Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes.

INTRODUCTION: Bacterial resistance is a growing concern in the nosocomial environment in which Klebsiella pneumoniae and Enterobacter aerogenes play an important role due to their opportunism and carbapenemase-production. This work aimed to evaluate physiological and molecular characteristics of carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae and E. aerogenes isolated in a Brazilian tertiary hospital. METHODOLOGY: In total, 42 carbapenem-resistant bacteria isolated from clinical specimens were included (21 K. pneumoniae and 21 E. aerogenes). Drug-sensitive K. pneumoniae (n = 27) were also included. Antimicrobial susceptibility and biocide tolerance patterns, hemolytic activity, tolerance to oxidative stress, and aggregative ability were assessed. Genetic markers related to carbapenem resistance, or ESBL-production were screened by PCR. RESULTS: Compared to drug-sensitive strains, carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae were more tolerant to biocides and to oxidative stress, and they displayed an increase in biofilm formation. The genetic markers blaKPC (95.2%) and blaTEM (90.5%) were the most frequent. Among the carbapenem-resistant E. aerogenes strains, blaKPC, and blaTEM were detected in all bacteria. Drug-sensitive E. aerogenes were not isolated in the same period. blaSHV, blaVIM, and blaCTX markers were also observed among carbapenem-resistant bacteria. CONCLUSIONS: Results suggest that carbapenemase-producing enterobacteria might show peculiar characteristics regarding their physiology associated with their environmental persistency, virulence, and multidrug resistance. The observed phenomenon may have implications not only for antimicrobial chemotherapy, but also for the prognosis of infectious diseases and infection control.

Biometry of the hypospadic penis after hormone therapy (testosterone and estrogen): A randomized, double-blind controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: The use of preoperative hormonal stimulation before hypospadias surgery aims to increase penile size and achieve better surgical results; however, the rules are not clear in the literature. We evaluated the effects of topical testosterone and estrogen in the hypospadic penis regarding biometric measures, side effects, and serum hormonal levels. To our knowledge, this is the first study using estradiol prior to hypospadias surgery. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-nine children with hypospadias were randomly divided into three study groups: a control group (CG) of 17 children given placebo cream; a testosterone group (TG) of 28 children who used 1% testosterone propionate; and an estradiol group (EG) of 24 children using 0.01% estradiol. All subjects applied the topical ointment on the entire penis, twice daily for 30 days before surgical correction. Biometric evaluation of the penis included penile length and diameter, glans diameter, distance from the urethral meatus to the tip, and the width of the urethral plate. These measurements as well as serum hormone level, and side effects were evaluated prior to hormone use, and 30 and 90 days after. RESULTS: After 30 days an increase in penile diameter and length and diameter of the glans were observed in TG (p < 0.05). The width of the urethral plate and distance from meatus to the tip increased in TG, although not significantly. The most frequent side effects were appearance of pubic hair and darkening of the genital skin, mainly in TG, but these were transient and disappeared after 90 days of treatment. No significant variations were seen in serum hormonal levels (Table). CONCLUSION: As in previous studies, an increase in penile length and diameter, and glans diameter was observed with the use of testosterone. Proximal urethral plate width and distance from the meatus to the tip of the penis had a tendency to increase also in TG. Estradiol did not change biometric measure of the penis. Few side effects occurred after both hormones, and any that did improved after 90 days follow-up and did not change hormone serum levels. CONCLUSION: Preoperative use of topical testosterone increases penile size, diameter of the penis and glans. The use of estradiol does not change penile biometry. Side effects occur mainly with the use of testosterone and are transient. No significant and persistent hormonal changes were observed.

Phenotypic and genotypic evaluation of beta-lactamases (ESBL and KPC) among enterobacteria isolated from community-acquired monomicrobial urinary tract infections.

Beta-lactamases enzymes such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) and carbapenemase type beta-lactamases (KPC) confer resistance to beta-lactam drugs among Gram-negative rods, mainly Enterobacteriaceae, as those frequently related to urinary tract infections (UTI). The aim of this study was to evaluate ESBL and KPC among enterobacteria isolated from monomicrobial UTI and to establish correlations between the presence of genetic markers and the phenotypic resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics. Out of 12 304 urine samples collected during 2009, 93 enterobacteria showing an ESBL phenotype were recovered. Imipenem was used for KPC screening and modified disk approximation assay was used for detection of ESBL phenotype. Polymerase chain reaction was used for screening of bla(SHV), bla(TEM), bla(CTX-M), and bla(KPC). Considering the isolated bacteria showing ESBL phenotype 56% of the isolates were positive for two genes. The bla(TEM) was the most frequent (87·1%). Neither KPC phenotype nor bla(KPC)-harboring bacteria were observed. Monitoring the antimicrobial resistance is extremely important to sustain empirical therapy of community-acquired urinary tract infections (Co-UTI).

Hipovitaminose D em idosos institucionalizados tratados com anticonvulsivantes, uma associação frequente / Hypovitaminosis D in institutionalized elders treated with anticonvulsants, a common association

CONTEXTO: A população idosa apresenta alta prevalência de hipovitaminose D, sendo provável que, exposta ao uso de anticonvulsivantes, ocorra agravamento dessa condição.OBJETIVO: Avaliar a interferência do uso crônico de fármacos anticonvulsivantes nos níveis séricos de vitamina D em idosos institucionalizados com idade acima de 65 anos.MÉTODOS: Foram estudados 18 idosos institucionalizados tratados com anticonvulsivantes, por no mínimo 12 meses, comparados a 16 idosos não tratados.RESULTADOS: O estudo demonstrou que os dois grupos cursaram com deficiência de vitamina D, sendo mais pronunciada no grupo tratado com anticonvulsivantes. Embora não houvesse diferença estatisticamente significativa nos valores de paratormônio, nos idosos tratados foi observada uma tendência de níveis mais elevados, 53,44 ± 28,92 pg/ml em comparação aos idosos não tratados, 38,5 ± 10,08 pg/ml (P = 0,42). Foi observada diferença estatisticamente significativa entre os níveis séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D nas pacientes do sexo feminino tratadas de 9,22 ± 3,80 ng/ml versus não tratadas, 18,78 ± 7,62 ng/ml (P = 0,03).CONCLUSÃO: Nossos achados sugerem que idosos institucionalizados apresentam menores níveis séricos de 25-hidroxivitamina D, configurando um estado de deficiência, e diferença significativa foi detectada nas mulheres tratadas com fármacos anticonvulsivantes.

BACKGROUND: Elderly people have a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D, especially when they are exposed to anticonvulsants.OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the influence of chronic use of anticonvulsants on serum levels of vitamin D in institutionalized elders aged above 65 years.METHODS: Eighteen elderly subjects treated with anticonvulsants were studied for at least 12 months and compared to 16 untreated elders.RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was observed in both groups, but the group treated with anticonvulsants showed a more remarkable deficiency. Although there was no statistically significant difference in serum parathyroid hormone levels, elderly patients in treatment had a higher value (53.44 ± 28.92 pg/ml) compared to untreated elders (38.5 ± 10.8 pg/ml: p = 0.42). Statistically significant difference was observed between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in treated female patients (9.22 ± 3.80 ng/ml) compared to untreated female patients (18.78 ± 7.62 ng/ml: p = 0.03).DISCUSSION: The observed deficiency in both groups suggests that elderly subjects have lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Compared to untreated elderly women, elderly women treated with anticonvulsants showed a significantly lower serum level of vitamin D.

Structural study of prepuce in hypospadias--does topical treatment with testosterone produce alterations in prepuce vascularization?

PURPOSE: Androgen stimulation before hypospadias surgery has resulted in increased penile size, fewer complications and improved cosmesis, and suggests increased neovascularization. To our knowledge the real effect on neovascularization remains to be proved. We studied the histological effects of testosterone on neovascularization. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 26 boys with hypospadias were randomly allocated to 2 groups before surgical correction. Group 1 did not receive any treatment and group 2 received 1% testosterone propionate ointment twice daily for 30 days before surgery. During the surgical procedure a fragment of prepuce was excised and prepared for histological evaluation. The number and volume density of blood vessels were determined by labeling for von Willebrand's factor. Blood vessel quantification as volume density was done using a video microscopy system with a superimposed cycloid arch test system. RESULTS: The groups were similar in age and hypospadias classification. Testosterone treated prepuces (group 2) had an increased absolute number of blood vessels (mean ± SD 8.5 ± 1.3 vs 4.8 ± 1.8 vessels per field) and increased blood vessel volume density (mean 50.5% ± 7.8% vs 24.8% ± 8.6% vessels per point) (each p <0.001) compared to those in untreated patients (group 1). CONCLUSIONS: The use of 1% testosterone propionate ointment before hypospadias surgery produces neovascularization in absolute numbers and in volume density.

The publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2003 urological Brazilian meeting.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the publication rate of orally-presented abstracts from the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting, as well as the factors determining this publication rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The publication rate of the 313 orally-presented abstracts at the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting was evaluated by scanning the Lilacs, Scielo and Medline databases. The time between presentation and publication, the state and country of the abstract, the research methodology (cross-sectional, case-control, retrospective case series, prospective case series or clinical trial), whether drugs were utilized and the topic of the study were all characterized. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the abstracts were published after a median time of 14 months (range: 1 to 51 months). There were high publication rates for cross-sectional abstracts (75%), drug utilization studies (51.3%), clinical trials (50%) and prospective case series' (48.1%). However, there was only a moderate statistical trend towards a higher publication rate in the prospective case series (p=0.07), while the retrospective case series' showed statistically lower publication rates than the other groups (33.7%, p=0.04). Abstracts on laparoscopic surgery had the highest publication rate (61.9%, p=0.03) compared to others topics. In 57% of the unpublished abstracts, there was no interest in or attempt to publish, and rejection was responsible for the lack of publication of only 4% of the abstracts. CONCLUSION: The publication rate of the orally-presented abstracts from the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting was comparable to that of international congresses. The subsequent publication of presented abstracts and the selection of prospective studies with stronger evidence should be encouraged and may improve the scientific quality of the meeting.

O passado e o presente das hipospádias com sugestão de rotina de conduta a ser adotada / Hypospadias: past, present and approach suggestion

Revisando as recentes publicações de técnicas reconstrutivas de cirurgia de hipospádia e analisando seus devidos resultados foi possível correlacioná-los às diversas apresentações clínicas existentes. Foi feito um levantamento bibliográfico, utilizando os sistemas LILACS, MEDLINE e PUBMED, buscando, preferencialmente, os recentes avanços nos tratamentos para hipospádias. Nas publicações avaliadas foram demonstradas variantes como: topografia do meato; presença do "chordee"; idade à cirurgia; presença de cirurgia prévia; uso pré-operatório de testosterona; e presença de derivações urinária. Fatores que influenciaram a escolha da técnica a ser empregada bem como seus devidos resultados. O tratamento cirúrgico das hipospádias deve ser individualizado, considerando os seguintes achados: presença de "chordee", topografia do meato uretral, presença de placa uretral e tecidos adjacentes adequados para a reconstrução, primo-cirurgia ou reintervenção, apresentação clínica com transposição peno-escrotal. Os recentes avanços em cirurgias de hipospádia permitem reforçar a indicação da técnica cirúrgica de Snodgrass, para formas distais e virgens de tratamento; a mucosa bucal ventral "onlay", para formas complexas multioperadas; e a mucosa bucal dorsal no procedimento 3x1, para reconstrução da placa uretral em formas escrotais e perineais primárias associadas à intensa curvatura ventral.

We reviewed the recent publications about hypospadia surgical reconstructive techniques, and made a correlation of the results with the several clinical presentations. We searched LILACS, MEDLINE and PUBMED, especially for recent advances in hypospadia treatment. The following factors were identified to influence the choice of technique to be used and the results obtained: meatus topography; presence of the penile chordee; age at surgery; previous surgery; preoperative testosterone use; and the presence of urinary diversion. Surgical treatment of hypospadia should be individualized according to the following findings: presence of penile chordee; urethral meatus topography; urethral plate and surrounding tissues adequacy for reconstruction; primary or secondary intervention; and clinical presentation with penoscrotal transposition. Recent advances in hypospadia surgery point to the indication of the following techniques: Snodgrass tubularized incised plateurethroplasty for the untreated distal forms; ventral buccal mucosa onlay procedure for complex forms with multiple interventions; and the dorsal buccal mucosa in the 3X1 procedure for urethral plate reconstruction inprimary scrotal and penile forms associated with intense ventral curvature.

The publication rate of abstracts presented at the 2003 urological brazilian meeting

OBJECTIVE: To determine the publication rate of orally-presented abstracts from the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting, as well as the factors determining this publication rate. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The publication rate of the 313 orally-presented abstracts at the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting was evaluated by scanning the Lilacs, Scielo and Medline databases. The time between presentation and publication, the state and country of the abstract, the research methodology (cross-sectional, case-control, retrospective case series, prospective case series or clinical trial), whether drugs were utilized and the topic of the study were all characterized. RESULTS: Thirty-nine percent of the abstracts were published after a median time of 14 months (range: 1 to 51 months). There were high publication rates for cross-sectional abstracts (75 percent), drug utilization studies (51.3 percent), clinical trials (50 percent) and prospective case series' (48.1 percent). However, there was only a moderate statistical trend towards a higher publication rate in the prospective case series (p=0.07), while the retrospective case series' showed statistically lower publication rates than the other groups (33.7 percent, p=0.04). Abstracts on laparoscopic surgery had the highest publication rate (61.9 percent, p=0.03) compared to others topics. In 57 percent of the unpublished abstracts, there was no interest in or attempt to publish, and rejection was responsible for the lack of publication of only 4 percent of the abstracts. CONCLUSION: The publication rate of the orally-presented abstracts from the 2003 Urological Brazilian Meeting was comparable to that of international congresses. The subsequent publication of presented abstracts and the selection of prospective studies with stronger evidence should be encouraged and may improve the scientific quality of the meeting.