GFP-related chromophores: photoisomerization, thermal reversion, and DNA labelling.

Due to the pronounced effect of the confined environment on the photochemical properties of 4-hydroxybenzylidene imidazolinone (HBI), a GFP-related chromophore, imidazolidinone and imidazothiazolone analogues have been studied as fluorescent probes. Their photoisomerization and their thermal reversion were studied under 365-nm-irradiation, resulting in observation of an enthalpy-entropy compensation effect. Theoretical studies were carried out to shed light on the thermal reversion mechanism. Moreover, photophysical studies of benzylidene imidazothiazolone in the presence of dsDNA revealed fluorescence enhancement. The prepared compounds could be considered as a valuable tool for the detailed investigation of physicochemical, biochemical, or biological systems.

Analysis of two-phase air-water annular flow in U-bends.

This paper presents an experimental and numerical study of gas-liquid annular flow in horizontal 180 U-bends. The paper aims to study the effect of bend curvature radius and superficial gas velocity in the liquid film's behavior and annular flow characteristics. The study is divided into three sections. The first section corresponds to the experimental methodology and results. The second section compresses the validation of the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) model with the experimental results. Finally, the last section presents the CFD estimation of additional variables that cannot be acquired with the existing experimental setup. The experimental results provide an initial understanding of the multiphase mixture obtained using optical techniques (i.e., High-Speed Filming (HSF) analysis). The comparison between the experiments and the numerical simulations is presented, and a reasonable agreement is observed between both approaches. Finally, additional results such as film distribution and rotation before and after the bend are extracted from the CFD simulations.

Intramammary inoculation of Panax ginseng plays an immunoprotective role in Staphylococcus aureus infection in a murine model.

The immunoprotective effect of Panax ginseng (Pg) extract was investigated in a mouse mastitis model. Lactating female mice were intramammarily inoculated with Pg or placebo, and then were challenged with S. aureus, while other group was inoculated with S. aureus alone. The number of bacteria recovered from mammary glands was significantly lower in Pg-treated S. aureus-infected mice (group I) compared with placebo-treated S. aureus-infected mice (group II) and S. aureus-infected mice (group III). The mRNA expression of TLR2, TLR4, IL-1α and TNF-α was influenced by treatment; being the transcript levels for all genes higher in group I compared with group II and III. Activation of NF-κB and the number of monocytes-macrophages in mammary gland tissue was significantly increased in group I compared with group II and III. Pg extract was able to trigger an adequate immune response to confront an infection demonstrating its protective effect and potential for preventing bovine intramammary infections.

Proinflammatory cytokines and CD14 expression in mammary tissue of cows following intramammary inoculation of Panax ginseng at drying off.

The lack of efficacy of conventional strategies for the maintenance of healthy udders in domestic cattle has prompted studies on the use of immunomodulators or biological response modifiers (BRM) for this purpose. These compounds are agents that modify the host's response to pathogens leading to beneficial effects on disease outcome. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of a single intramammary infusion of Panax ginseng (GS) extract on the amount of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the number of monocytes/macrophages present in bovine mammary tissues at drying off. Eight mammary quarters from six nonpregnant cows in late lactation were infused with 10 mL of GS (3mg/mL), six quarters were treated with 10 mL of placebo (vehicle alone) and six quarters were maintained as uninoculated controls. The analyses of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) by immunohistochemistry revealed that the production of this proinflammatory cytokine significantly increased (P<0.05) in the inoculated mammary glands of cows following BRM inoculation, whereas the interleukin-1 alpha (IL-1α) and IL-6 staining area was not affected by BRM treatment. The number of monocytes/macrophages detected with CD14 antibody was significantly higher (P<0.05) in BRM-treated quarters than in placebo and uninoculated control quarters. These results indicated an immunomodulator potential of the BRM used. The beneficial effect of the extract could be used as alternative therapy in the control of mastitis at drying off, either alone or in conjunction with dry cow antibiotic therapy.

A subunit of protein kinase a regulates growth and differentiation in the fungus Mucor circinelloides.

The cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) signaling pathway plays a role in regulating development, growth, and virulence in a number of fungi. To determine whether PKA plays a similar function in zygomycete fungi, a mutant of Mucor circinelloides was generated that lacks pkaR1, one of the regulatory subunits of PKA. The mutant showed a reduction in growth and alterations in germination rates, cell volume, germ tube length, and asexual sporulation. The lack of pkaR1 gene resulted in a highly decreased, but not null, cAMP binding activity and in a protein kinase activity that was still dependent on cAMP, although with a higher -/+ cAMP activity ratio, suggesting the existence of other cAMP binding activities. Consequently, three proteins analogous to pkaR1 were predicted from the recently sequenced genome of M. circinelloides and were named pkaR2, pkaR3, and pkaR4. Two of the proteins, pkaR2 and pkaR3, with cAMP binding activity were isolated from the wild-type strain and identified by mass spectrometry. The expression of all genes was detected at the mRNA level by semiquantitative reverse transcription-PCR, and they showed a differential expression at different developmental stages. This is the first time that a fungus is reported to have more than one gene encoding the regulatory subunit of PKA.

Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and prevalence of group B Streptococcus isolated from pregnant women in Misiones, Argentina / Sensibilidade a antibióticos e prevalência de Streptococcus do grupo B em mulheres grávidas em Missiones, Argentina

This study was performed to determine the susceptibility patterns and the colonization rate of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in a population of pregnant women. From January 2004 to December 2006, vaginal-rectal swabs were obtained from 1105 women attending Dr. Ramón Madariaga Hospital, in Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. The carriage rate of GBS among pregnant women was 7.6 percent. A total of 62 GBS strains were randomly selected for in vitro susceptibility testing to penicillin G, ampicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, vancomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim-sulfametoxazol, nitrofurantoin, gentamicin, clindamycin and erythromycin, and determination of resistance phenotypes. No resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, and vancomycin was found. Of the isolates examined 96.8 percent, 98.3 percent, 46.8 percent, and 29.0 percent were susceptible to rifampicin, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfametoxazol and tetracycline, respectively. Rank order of susceptibility for the quinolones was: gatifloxacin (98.4 percent) > levofloxacin (93.5 percent) > ciprofloxacin (64.5 percent). The rate of resistance to erythromycin (9.7 percent) was higher than that of other reports from Argentina. High-level resistance to gentamicin was not detected in any of the isolates. Based on our finding of 50 percent of GBS isolates with MIC to gentamicin equal o lower than 8 µg/ml, a concentration used in one of the selective media recommended for GBS isolation, we suggested, at least in our population, the use of nalidixic acid and colistin in selective media with the aim to improve the sensitivity of screening cultures for GBS carriage in women.

Esse estudo objetivou determinar os padrões de sensibilidade a antibióticos e as taxas de colonização de Streptococcus do grupo B (GBS) em uma população de mulheres grávidas. Entre janeiro de 2004 e dezembro de 2006, foram obtidos swabs vaginais-retais de 1105 mulheres no Hospital Dr. Ramon Madariaga, em Posadas, Missiones, Argentina. A positividade para GBS nas mulheres grávidas foi 7,6 por cento. Um total de 62 cepas de GBS foi selecionado ao acaso para testes in vitro de sensibilidade a penicilina G, ampicilina, tetraciclina, levofloxacina, gatifloxacina, ciprofloxacina, quinupristina-dalfopristina, linezolida, vancomicina, rifampicina, trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol, nitrofurantoína, gentamicina, clindamicina e eritromicina, e determinação dos fenótipos de resistência. Não foi encontrada resistência à penicilina, ampicilina, quinupristina-dalfopristina, linezolida e vancomicina. Entre as cepas, 96,8 por cento, 98,3 por cento, 46,8 por cento e 29,0 por cento foram sensíveis à rifampicina, nitrofurantoína, trimetoprim-sulfametoxazol e tetraciclina, respectivamente. Para as quinolonas, a ordem de sensibilidade foi: gatifloxacina (98,4 por cento) > levofloxacina (93,8 por cento) > ciprofloxacina (64,5 por cento). A taxa de resistência à eritromicina (9,7 por cento) foi superior a de outros relatos na Argentina. Nenhuma das cepas apresentou alto nível de resistência à gentamicina. Devido a 50 por cento das cepas de GBS terem apresentado MIC para gentamicina igual ou inferior a 8 mg/ml, correspondente à concentração usada em um dos meios seletivos recomendados para GBS, sugeriu-se ao menos em nossa população, o emprego de ácido nalidíxico e colistina em meios seletivos para melhorar a sensibilidade da triagem de culturas para GBS em mulheres grávidas.

Antibiotic susceptibility patterns and prevalence of group B Streptococcus isolated from pregnant women in Misiones, Argentina.

This study was performed to determine the susceptibility patterns and the colonization rate of Group B Streptococcus (GBS) in a population of pregnant women. From January 2004 to December 2006, vaginal-rectal swabs were obtained from 1105 women attending Dr. Ramón Madariaga Hospital, in Posadas, Misiones, Argentina. The carriage rate of GBS among pregnant women was 7.6%. A total of 62 GBS strains were randomly selected for in vitro susceptibility testing to penicillin G, ampicillin, tetracycline, levofloxacin, gatifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, vancomycin, rifampicin, trimethoprim- sulfametoxazol, nitrofurantoin, gentamicin, clindamycin and erythromycin, and determination of resistance phenotypes. No resistance to penicillin, ampicillin, quinupristin-dalfopristin, linezolid, and vancomycin was found. Of the isolates examined 96.8%, 98.3%, 46.8%, and 29.0% were susceptible to rifampicin, nitrofurantoin, trimethoprim-sulfametoxazol and tetracycline, respectively. Rank order of susceptibility for the quinolones was: gatifloxacin (98.4%) > levofloxacin (93.5%) > ciprofloxacin (64.5%). The rate of resistance to erythromycin (9.7%) was higher than that of other reports from Argentina. High-level resistance to gentamicin was not detected in any of the isolates. Based on our finding of 50% of GBS isolates with MIC to gentamicin equal o lower than 8 µg/ml, a concentration used in one of the selective media recommended for GBS isolation, we suggested, at least in our population, the use of nalidixic acid and colistin in selective media with the aim to improve the sensitivity of screening cultures for GBS carriage in women.

Inflammatory cervicovaginal cytology is associated with disease activity in juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

To evaluate cervicovaginal cytology in adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (JSLE) and to compare them to controls. Fifty-two female adolescents with JSLE (ACR criteria) were compared to 52 age-matched healthy controls. All Pap smears were evaluated by the same cytopathologist blinded to gynecology examination (Bethesda 2001). The mean age of JSLE patients and controls were similar (16.17 +/- 1.94 versus 16.13 +/- 2.16 years, P = 0.92). The cervicovaginal cytology was found to be similar in both groups, although sexual intercourses in the last month were less frequent in JSLE than controls (23% versus 59.6%, P = 0.0003). Only one patient (2%) with JSLE versus two controls (4%) had cervical dysplasia (LGSIL) and human papilomavirus (P = 1.0). Candida spp vaginitis was observed in seven JSLE (14%) versus none in controls (P = 0.012) and was associated with immunosuppressive drugs (P = 0.01) and high dose of prednisone (P = 0.002). Of interest, inflammatory cervicovaginal cytology was observed in 21 (60%) of patients with SLEDAI > or = 4 and only four (23%) of those with SLEDAI < 4 (P = 0.001). Likewise, a higher frequency of inflammatory changes was also observed in virgin JSLE (57% versus 8%, P = 0.005). Our findings supports the notion that female genital tract may be a potential target organ in SLE since cervical inflammation is associated to disease activity independently of sexual activity.

Mucor rouxii ultrastructure: cyclic AMP and actin cytoskeleton.

A comparative analysis of the effect of two compounds, dibutyryl-cyclic-AMP (dbcAMP) and latrunculin B, on the morphology and ultrastructure of the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii under aerobic growth conditions is presented. dbcAMP acts through the sustained activation of protein kinase A, and latrunculin B through the disruption of the actin cytoskeleton. Upon addition of these compounds to the growth medium at any stage of the germination process, cells lost polarised growth and switched to isodiametric growth. The effect was reversible. The morphologies, visualised by light microscopy or scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were alike. A switch from a rough to a smooth surface was observed by SEM when cells were repolarised by removal of the added compound. Ultrastructural changes under both conditions, as observed by transmission electron microscopy, were similar, the main feature being the enlargement of the cell wall, with irregular depositions, and detachment from the cell membrane. dbcAMP-treated cells showed a decrease in the number of glycogen granules compared with control and latrunculin B-treated cells. F-actin staining with fluorescein isothiocyanate-phalloidin showed that both dbcAMP- and latrunculin B-treated cells displayed a much lower fluorescence than control cells, with only a few pale plaques. The results suggest that the sustained activation of protein kinase A, which impairs polarised growth, might exert its effect through a modification of actin cytoskeleton organisation, very probably also involving an integrinlike pathway, as judged by the cell wall detachment and loss of cell adhesiveness of the dbcAMP-treated isodiametric cells.

Cellular receptor for Pixuna virus in chicken embryonic fibroblasts.

In this study, we describe the isolation and partial characterization of a Pixuna virus receptor, which is a component of a plasma membrane fraction of chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF). Polyclonal antiserum was prepared from rabbits immunized with the membrane fraction. Said polyclonal antiserum reacted in a similar way as monoclonal antibodies raised against the membrane fraction. Both antisera were able to prevent CEF and Vero cells from infection with Pixuna virus. Immunofluorescence studies suggested that the receptors found in the fibroblasts and in the Vero cells shared at least some epitopes. The Western blot analysis of the purified membrane fraction antigens, which reacted with the monoclonal and polyclonal antibodies, detected a double band with a molecular mass of approximately 60 kDa. Not only immunofluorescence staining but also electron and immunoelectron microscopy studies evidenced the receptor localization in the plasma membrane. In this manner, we reported the isolation and partial characterization of a new Pixuna virus receptor in the plasma membrane of chicken embryo fibroblasts in culture. The data obtained demonstrated the receptor significance for the penetration of Pixuna virus into fibroblasts and mammalian cell and the related importance of designing new antiviral drugs by blocking the mechanism of receptor penetration of the virus into the cells.

Morphoanatomical studies of Uncaria tomentosa and Uncaria guianensis bark and leaves.

The genus Uncaria Schreber (Rubiaceae) includes species that are widely distributed in tropical areas. The inner bark of the stems and leaves of two native species of South America, Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes) DC., and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin, "cat's claw" are used in either folk medicine or in procuring phytotherapeutic drugs. These species contain about sixty active substances which are being tested widely for possible medicinal value. The following applications are considered: peptic ulcer, rheumatism, tumours, antiinflammatory effect, inflammation, diabetes and as general tonic. Currently, Uncaria tomentosa is in demand as tea, tablets or capsules in more than 30 countries outside Perú, as well as inside the country. Pharmacognosy studies are required to determine the comparative morphoanatomical and micrographic features for identification and quality control purposes. Several microscopic parameters, including phloem fibers, calcium oxalate crystals, starch granules, trichomes, and foliar architecture should be considered. The aim of our work is to analyse comparative morphoanatomical and micrographic features which might provide assistance in the identification, analysis and standardization of Uncaria tomentosa (Willd. ex Roemer & Schultes) DC. and Uncaria guianensis (Aublet) J. F. Gmelin stem bark and leaves in order to obtain phytotherapeutic drugs, and of the crude drug as well.

HPV prevalence among partners of women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to find HPV DNA incidence in women with CIN and normal women and in their respective partners, as well as the relation between the virus groups found in women with CIN or normal women and in their respective partners. METHODS: Partners of 30 women with CIN at several grades and of 60 normal women were prospectively assessed. In men, HPV search was performed by collecting samples through penile scraping for Hybrid Capture, followed by peniscopic evaluation and biopsy of acetowhite lesions. RESULTS: The presence of HPV DNA in male partners does not necessarily implicate the presence of HPV or even CIN in their female partners. CONCLUSIONS: If these results are confirmed by other authors, obtaining a peniscopy, a penile biopsy, and a HPV DNA search in partners that present with no clinical lesions, but in couples with women having CIN, would not be warranted.

Atypical glandular cells on cervical smears.

OBJECTIVES: A standardized propaedeutic research to determine the clinical significance of cervical smears with atypical glandular cells. METHODS: Of the 8,807 women seen at the Division of Lower Genital Tract Pathology and Colposcopy, São Paulo, Brazil, during a 5-year study, 57 (0.65%) had atypical glandular cells. Forty-two of them underwent colposcopy and hysteroscopy with 12-month follow-up. Conization and/or hysterectomy were performed if both exams were negative. The chi-square test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A clinically significant lesion of the cervix and endometrium was diagnosed in 59.5% of the cases. The lesion was restricted to the cervix in women younger than 40 years, but could also be located in the body of the uterus in women older than 40 years. CONCLUSIONS: Colposcopic evaluation in all women and study of the uterine cavity in women aged 40 years or older is necessary in the presence of this cytologic finding.

Protein kinase A activity in permeabilized cells as an approximation to in vivo activity.

Permeabilized germlings from the dimorphic fungus Mucor rouxii were used for in situ measurement of protein kinase A (PKA) activation, to compare the results with those obtained in vitro at low or high (nonlinear) enzyme concentrations. The apparent total activity per cell when measured in situ is 5- to 10-fold lower than the in vitro measured activity in crude extracts from those cells. Polyamines and NaCl stimulate the activity in situ. The apparent relative specific activity of the in situ measured PKA toward four peptide substrates is similar to the results obtained in vitro at high holoenzyme concentration and not to those obtained with the free catalytic subunit. Saturation in the activation of PKA by cAMP in situ is attained at low concentrations (2 to 10 microM), while in vitro, at high holoenzyme concentration, no saturation was attained up to 1 mM cAMP (V. Zaremberg et al. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 381, 74-82, 2000). Activation of PKA by site-selective cAMP analogs is assayed in situ and in vitro at two enzyme concentrations. Site B-selective cAMP analogs are good activators of PKA at low enzyme concentration in vitro but poor activators either at high enzyme concentration in vitro or in permeabilized cells. A physiological correlation with the behavior of site-selective analogs in situ is demonstrated in vivo when assaying the effect of increasing concentrations of site-selective cAMP analogs on the impairment of polarized growth of M. rouxii spores.

Conization, frozen section examination, and planned hysterectomy in the treatment of high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

PURPOSE: We tested the role of frozen section examination of the cone specimen in the evaluation of the resection margin status and to rule out invasion in patients with high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. METHODS: Twenty-five patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia underwent conization followed by frozen section examination and planned hysterectomy. The results of the definitive paraffin exam were compared with frozen section examination. RESULTS: In the evaluation of the margins by frozen section examination, 16 patients (64%) had positive cone margins and 9 (36%) had negative margins. The definitive paraffin examination of margin status was concordant in all the cases. Intraoperative diagnosis of invasion was made in 5 cases, and 1 of these was microinvasive. Among the remaining 20 cases, we detected 2 additional microinvasive carcinomas after paraffin study, so the diagnosis of the frozen section examination was concordant with the paraffin sections in 23/25 cases (92%). Two cases of microinvasive carcinoma were diagnosed as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia by frozen section examination and had less than 2 mm stromal invasion. CONCLUSIONS: In high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia, frozen section examination can provide immediate and precise evaluation of the cone margin status in high-grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia. It can identify frank invasion and permit adequate treatment in a one-stage procedure. In early microinvasive disease, frozen section examination fails to detect the area of invasion but reliably detects clear resection margins.

[Partial characterization of the Pixuna virus receptor present on erythrocytes of one-day-old chicks]. / Caracterización parcial de un receptor para el virus Pixuna presente en eritrocitos de pollos de un día de edad.

A study was undertaken to evaluate the physical, chemical and immunological aspects of a receptor for Pixuna virus present on 1-day-old chicken erythrocytes. The proteases trypsin and chymotrypsin were able to expose more binding sites on the erythrocytes, increasing the hemagglutinating titer (p < 0.001). Membrane components from red blood cell membranes (ROG) were extracted with the nonionic detergent octyl glucoside. ROG could bind to Pixuna virus and prevent hemagglutination. When ROG was filtered through a 0.22 mu filter, the activity was lost, but the filtrate inhibited plaque formation in Vero cells. The membrane components did not lose activity when kept at temperatures from -5 degrees C to -134 degrees C for months. After heating at 37 degrees C for 1 h and/or at 75 degrees C for 15 min the activity remained constant. A rabbit policlonal antiserum against the membranes gave precipitin lines in ID and in CIEF that disappeared after the enzymatic treatment, but the proteases did not affect the activity to produce hemagglutination-inhibition. Similar results were obtained when a mouse antiserum against ROG was used. The present study showed that the receptor for Pixuna virus present on 1-day-old chicken erythrocytes is not proteic in nature. The membrane components, ROG, with the property of inhibiting hemagglutination, contain proteins but they were not essential for the activity. It appears that the active compound was not able to produce antibodies in these experimental conditions. ROG had two different kinds of receptors: one that was able to produce hemagglutination-inhibition and another one with the property to inhibit plaque formation in Vero cells. Apparently, lipids would be involved in the hemagglutination-inhibition activity.

Calidad de vida: un análisis multivariable de pacientes operados de carcinoma mamario comunicación preliminar / Quality of life: multivariable analysis in operated patients of mammary carcinoma: preliminary communication

Se analizaron 47 pacientes operados por carcinoma mamarioo que concurrían a control a la Unidad de Patología Mamaria del HZGA San Roque de Gonnet. Se evaluó la calidad de vida, por medio de instrumentos estandarizados: MMS, SCL-90 y PS Kamolsky index. Las enfermas se separaron en grupos considerados cinco variables: edad, tipo de cirugía, tiempo desde la cirugía, estado civil y estado menopáusico. No se encontraron diferencias al nivel de significación de p= 0,05. Analizada la muestra en conjunto y comparada a una muestra de población de mujeres no pacientes, el 44,7 por ciento de las enfermas fueron consideradas casos o diagnósticos positivos. Se podría concluir que estas pacientes presentan un elevado nivel de distress comparadas a una muestra estándar, pese a no haberse identificado diferencias significativas en las variables analizadas

Calidad de vida: un análisis multivariable de pacientes operados de carcinoma mamario comunicación preliminar / Quality of life: multivariable analysis in operated patients of mammary carcinoma: preliminary communication

Se analizaron 47 pacientes operados por carcinoma mamarioo que concurrían a control a la Unidad de Patología Mamaria del HZGA San Roque de Gonnet. Se evaluó la calidad de vida, por medio de instrumentos estandarizados: MMS, SCL-90 y PS Kamolsky index. Las enfermas se separaron en grupos considerados cinco variables: edad, tipo de cirugía, tiempo desde la cirugía, estado civil y estado menopáusico. No se encontraron diferencias al nivel de significación de p= 0,05. Analizada la muestra en conjunto y comparada a una muestra de población de mujeres no pacientes, el 44,7 por ciento de las enfermas fueron consideradas casos o diagnósticos positivos. Se podría concluir que estas pacientes presentan un elevado nivel de distress comparadas a una muestra estándar, pese a no haberse identificado diferencias significativas en las variables analizadas

Seminoma puro de testículo: experiencia de tratamiento de 44 pacientes / Pure testicular seminoma: experience in treatment of 44 patients

Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 44 pacientes con diagnóstico de seminoma puro de testículo tratados entre 1981 y 1989. Veintiún pacientes (48%) fueron clasificados como estadio Iñ 16 pacientes (36%) como estadio IIAñ 4 pacientes (9%) estadio IIB y 3 pacientes (7%) estadio III. Tenían antecedentes de criptorquidia 7 pacientes (16%); de traumatismo testicular 9 pacientes (20%); orquiepididimitis 1 paciente (2%) y de malformación del aparato urogenital 1 pacientes (2%). El seminoma era típico en 43 pacientes (98%) y de variedad anaplásica en el paciente restante (2%). No hobu casos de seminoma espermatocítico. En 6 pacientes (14%) se halló un invel elevado de subunidad beta de gonadotropina coriónica humana persistente luego de la orquiectomía. Se identificaron en 2 de ellos células gigantes del sinciciotrofoblasto por medio de cortes seriados del espécimen quirúrgico. En todos los casos los niveles de este marcador sérico retornaron a valores normales luego del tratamiento primario radiante y/o quimioterápico. La sobrevida global para la totalidad de los pacientes es 96% a 8 años. Esto corresponde a un 100% para estadios I, IIA y IIB y 33% (1/3) para estadio III. No hubo fallas al tratamiento dentro de los campos de irradiación. Solamente 2 pacientes (5%) presentaron enfermedad recurrente en territorios extralinfáticos. Ambos fueron tratados exitosamente. La terapia fue en general bien tolerada y la toxicidad fue leve a moderada

Seminoma puro de testículo: experiencia de tratamiento de 44 pacientes / Pure testicular seminoma: experience in treatment of 44 patients

Se revisaron las historias clínicas de 44 pacientes con diagnóstico de seminoma puro de testículo tratados entre 1981 y 1989. Veintiún pacientes (48%) fueron clasificados como estadio Iñ 16 pacientes (36%) como estadio IIAñ 4 pacientes (9%) estadio IIB y 3 pacientes (7%) estadio III. Tenían antecedentes de criptorquidia 7 pacientes (16%); de traumatismo testicular 9 pacientes (20%); orquiepididimitis 1 paciente (2%) y de malformación del aparato urogenital 1 pacientes (2%). El seminoma era típico en 43 pacientes (98%) y de variedad anaplásica en el paciente restante (2%). No hobu casos de seminoma espermatocítico. En 6 pacientes (14%) se halló un invel elevado de subunidad beta de gonadotropina coriónica humana persistente luego de la orquiectomía. Se identificaron en 2 de ellos células gigantes del sinciciotrofoblasto por medio de cortes seriados del espécimen quirúrgico. En todos los casos los niveles de este marcador sérico retornaron a valores normales luego del tratamiento primario radiante y/o quimioterápico. La sobrevida global para la totalidad de los pacientes es 96% a 8 años. Esto corresponde a un 100% para estadios I, IIA y IIB y 33% (1/3) para estadio III. No hubo fallas al tratamiento dentro de los campos de irradiación. Solamente 2 pacientes (5%) presentaron enfermedad recurrente en territorios extralinfáticos. Ambos fueron tratados exitosamente. La terapia fue en general bien tolerada y la toxicidad fue leve a moderada (AU)