Assisted oocyte activation effects on the morphokinetic pattern of derived embryos.

OBJECTIVE: Assisted oocyte activation (AOA) can restore fertilization rates after IVF/ICSI cycles with fertilization failure. AOA is an experimental technique, and its downstream effects remain poorly characterized. Clarifying the relationship between AOA and embryo, morphokinetics could offer complementary insights into the quality and viability of the embryos obtained with this technique. The aim of this study is to compare the preimplantation morphokinetic development of embryos derived from ICSI-AOA (experimental group) vs. ICSI cycles (control group). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was carried out with 141 embryos from fresh oocyte donation cycles performed between 2013 and 2017; 41 embryos were derived from 7 ICSI-AOA cycles and 100 embryos from 18 ICSI cycles. Morphokinetic development of all embryos was followed using a time-lapse system. RESULTS: We show that embryos from both groups develop similarly for most milestones, with the exception of the time of second polar body extrusion (tPB2) and the time to second cell division (t3). CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that ionomycin mediated AOA does not seem to affect the morphokinetic pattern of preimplantation embryo development, despite the alterations found in tPB2 and t3, which could directly reflect the use of a Ca2+ ionophore as a transient and quick non-physiologic increase of free intracytoplasmic Ca2+.

Cytogenetic analyses of human oocytes provide new data on non-disjunction mechanisms and the origin of trisomy 16.

BACKGROUND: Nowadays, oocyte donation is an extended practise in IVF programmes. However, to date, little information on aneuploidy frequency in oocytes from donors is available. Aneuploidy is one of the major causes of embryo and fetal wastage as well as of congenital mental and developmental disabilities. It is known that most aneuploidies are due to non-disjunction events occurring in the maternal germ line. Linkage studies have associated abnormal patterns of meiotic recombination to the origin of the non-disjunction event in many aneuploid conditions. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the present study, we analyse the frequency of chromosome imbalances in a series of metaphase I (MI; n = 44) and metaphase II (MII; n = 103) oocytes from 140 young donors (aged from 18 to 35 years, mean age 26.6) after hormone-induced superovulation. The aneuploidy frequency found in MII oocytes was 12.6%, and both whole-chromosome non-disjunction (1.94%) and premature separation of sister chromatids (PSSC) (12.6%) have been found. The chromosomes involved have been identified by multiplex fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH). Achiasmate chromosomes have been identified in MI oocytes (9.1%), with most of them corresponding to chromosome 16 (6.8%). For this reason, the meiotic recombination pattern of chromosome 16 has been analysed in prophase I oocytes (n = 81) by immunofluorescence staining against MLH1 protein and subsequent FISH with specific probes. Our results show a percentage of oocytes with non-crossover bivalent 16 (2.5%) and a high percentage of bivalents 16 with a single exchange (19.8%). CONCLUSIONS: In the present study, we report the finding of a considerable frequency of aneuploidy in oocytes from young donors, with the frequency of PSSC being higher than the frequency of whole-chromosome non-disjunction. In addition, we report vulnerable patterns of meiotic recombination in chromosome 16 that may be at risk of leading to a non-disjunction event. This gives new data on the susceptibility of the control population to conceive a trisomic 16 embryo.

Phylogenetic analyses of highly pathogenic avian influenza virus isolates from Germany in 2006 and 2007 suggest at least three separate introductions of H5N1 virus.

In spring 2006, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) of subtype H5N1 was detected in Germany in 343 dead wild birds, as well as in a black swan (Cygnus atratus) kept in a zoo, three stray cats, one stone marten (Martes foina), and in a single turkey farm. In 2007 (June-July) the virus reoccurred in 96 wild birds at six geographically separate locations in the Southeast of Germany. In addition, a backyard mixed duck and goose holding was affected. Real-time RT-PCR [Hoffmann, B., Harder, T., Starick, E., Depner, K., Werner, O., Beer, M., 2007. Rapid and highly sensitive pathotyping of avian influenza A H5N1 virus by using real-time reverse transcription-PCR. J. Clin. Microbiol. 45, 600-603] and nucleotide sequencing confirmed that these H5-viruses belonged to the Qinghai lineage of HPAIV H5N1 (clade 2.2). For a more detailed analysis, the hemagglutinin and neuraminidase genes of 27 selected German H5N1 viruses isolated 2006 or 2007 and originating from different regions and animal species were sequenced and analysed phylogenetically. As a result, three closely related but distinguishable H5N1 subclades could be defined: In 2006 a 'Northern type' (subclade 2.2.2), representing virus isolates from the German federal states Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Schleswig-Holstein, Brandenburg, and Lower Saxony, and a 'Southern type' (subclade 2.2.1) from Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria were detected. Interestingly, representatives of both types were present in Central Germany and caused the outbreak in turkeys (subclade 2.2.2) and in a case in a tufted duck (Aythya fuligula) (subclade 2.2.1) in Saxony. Furthermore, one isolate from the South of Germany was identified as 2.2.2 and vice versa a 2.2.1-like isolate was found in Northern Germany. H5N1 viruses isolated in 2007 belonged to a third type (subclade 2.2.3) which was not detected in 2006. Our data suggest the introduction of three distinct H5N1 variants into the wild bird population of Germany. The source of these viruses and the exact time of introduction remain obscure. Based on the identification of closely related H5N1 viruses from Southern and Central Russia, a recent introduction via wild birds on winter escape from these regions, early in 2006 constitutes the most likely scenario for the 2006 outbreaks. The viruses detected in 2007 most likely represent another new incursion from an as yet unknown source.

[Urogenital alterations in hereditary and sporadic neurodegenerative ataxias]. / Alteraciones urogenitales en las ataxias neurodegenerativas hereditarias y esporádicas.

INTRODUCTION: Sporadic and hereditary ataxias (HA) represent a group of clinically and genetically heterogeneous syndromes characterized by spinocerebellar degeneration producing a motoneuron coordination disorder. In these diseases urinary and sexual symptoms are commonly associated to the neurological alterations. OBJECTIVE: To define the prevalence of functional low urinary tract symptoms in an ataxic population and to compare them with the symptomatology control a group of in healthy subjects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An observational, descriptive, transversal study of 491 subjects recruited from the HA regional associations of Spain was conducted. In addition, a case-control study of prevalent ataxic patients and healthy subjects matched by sex and age was also performed. RESULTS: Among 195 patients included, 138 (70.8 %) had Friedreich ataxia (FA) and 57 (29.2 %) non-Friedreich ataxia (nFA). Global mean age was 32.3 years in FA and 43.7 in nFA patients (p < 0.05). Combined irritative and obstructive symptoms were present in 48.7 %, only irritative in 16.4 % and obstructive in 15 % of patients. Erectile dysfunction in 30.3 % (p < 0.01) and decreased libido in 13.4 % (p < 0.01), were the most common sexual problems. CONCLUSIONS: In HA, urinary symptoms are present in 80 % of patients, with mainly irritative symptoms in 2/3 of them. A complete urodynamic evaluation in symptomatic patients is recommended in order to characterize potential neurogenic vesico-urethral dysfunction. Even though sexual dysfunction may be related to neurological causes, additional etiologic organic factors should be excluded.

Alteraciones urogenitales en las ataxias neurodegenerativas hereditarias y esporádicas / Urogenital alterations in hereditary and sporadic neurodegenerative ataxias

Introducción. Las ataxias hereditarias (AH) y esporádicas comprenden un grupo de síndromes clínica y genéticamente heterogéneos, caracterizados por un trastorno variable de coordinación motora secundario a degeneración espinocerebelosa. Cabe esperar, como en otras enfermedades neurológicas, que junto al cuadro clínico neurológico se asocien síntomas urinarios y sexuales. Objetivo. Conocer la prevalencia de síntomas urinarios y sexuales en una población definida de pacientes atáxicos respecto a un grupo control de sujetos sanos. Pacientes y métodos. Estudio observacional, descriptivo, de corte transversal sobre una muestra de pacientes atáxicos pertenecientes a las asociaciones regionales de AH en España. Los sujetos a estudio fueron evaluados mediante un cuestionario de síntomas. Se trata de un estudio comparativo caso-control sobre una serie de casos prevalentes de sujetos atáxicos y un grupo control de población sana, pareado por sexo y edad. Conceptualmente se investiga la situación clínica referida a abril de 2002, aunque la recogida de información se prolongó durante 6 meses. Resultados. En abril de 2002 estaban asociados en España 491 pacientes atáxicos. Disponemos de datos sobre 195 pacientes, de los que 138 (70,8 %) eran ataxias de Friedreich (AF) y 57 (29,2 %) ataxias no Friedreich (NF). Edad media global de la AF era de 32,3 años frente a los 43,7 años de las NF (p < 0,05). En su evolución presentaron síndrome urinario mixto el 48,7 %, síntomas urinarios irritativos el 16,4 % y síntomas urinarios obstructivos el 14,9 %. Los trastornos sexuales más frecuentes en varones fueron disfunción eréctil (30,3 %) (p < 0,01) y disminución del deseo sexual (13,4 %) (p < 0,01). Conclusiones. En las AH neurodegenerativas pueden presentarse síntomas urinarios leves o moderados en un alto porcentaje de pacientes, predominando los síntomas urinarios irritativos. Recomendamos estudio urodinámico completo en pacientes sintomáticos con objeto de caracterizar la posible disfunción neurógena vesicouretral. Aunque la disfunción sexual puede atribuirse a fenómeno neurológico, existen otros factores orgánicos involucrados en su patogenia, lo que implica un enfoque multidisciplinar

Introduction. Sporadic and hereditary ataxias (HA) represent a group of clineally and genetically heterogeneous syndromes characterized by espinocerebellar degeneration producing a motoneuron coordination disorder. In these diseases urinary and sexual symptoms are commonly associated to the neurological alterations. Objective. To define the prevalence of functional low urinary tract symptoms in an ataxic population and to compare them with the symptomatology control a group of in healthy subjects. Patients and methods. An observational, descriptive, transversal study of 491 subjects recruited from the HA regional associations of Spain was conducted. In addition, a case-control study of prevalent ataxic patients and healthy subjects matched by sex and age was also performed. Results. Among 195 patients included, 138 (70.8 %) had Friedreich ataxia (FA) and 57 (29.2 %) non-Friedreich ataxia (nFA). Global mean age was 32.3 years in FA and 43.7 in nFA patients (p<0.05). Combined irritative and obstructive symptoms were present in 48.7 %, only irritative in 16.4 % and obstructive in 15 % of patients. Erectile dysfunction in 30.3 % (p < 0.01) and decreased libido in 13.4 % (p < 0.01), were the most common sexual problems. Conclusions. In HA, urinary symptoms are present in 80 % of patients, with mainly irritative symptoms in 2/3 of them. A complete urodynamic evaluation in symptomatic patients is recommended in order to characterize potential neurogenic vesico-urethral dysfunction. Even though sexual dysfunction may be related to neurological causes, additional etiologic organic factors should be excluded

Simple fitting of subject-specific curves for longitudinal data.

We present a simple semiparametric model for fitting subject-specific curves for longitudinal data. Individual curves are modelled as penalized splines with random coefficients. This model has a mixed model representation, and it is easily implemented in standard statistical software. We conduct an analysis of the long-term effect of radiation therapy on the height of children suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukaemia using penalized splines in the framework of semiparametric mixed effects models. The analysis revealed significant differences between therapies and showed that the growth rate of girls in the study cannot be fully explained by the group-average curve and that individual curves are necessary to reflect the individual response to treatment. We also show how to implement these models in S-PLUS and R in the appendix.

Multiple aneuploidies in the oocytes of balanced translocation carriers: a preimplantation genetic diagnosis study using first polar body.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of first polar bodies (1PBs) has been used in carriers of balanced chromosomal reorganizations and also for aneuploidy screening. Although an acceptable number of normal or balanced embryos is usually obtained using PGD in translocation carriers, the pregnancy rate is disappointingly low. To determine whether aneuploidy of chromosomes not involved in the chromosome rearrangements could be the cause of the low pregnancy rates achieved, the present authors analysed the segregation products of three translocation carriers, t(8;13)(q24.1;q22) and two Robertsonian (Rob)(13;14), using 1PBs, and afterwards another eight chromosomes in the same 1PBs, for a total of 10 chromosomes in each 1PB, that is chromosomes 1, 8, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22 and X. In the reciprocal translocation, chromosomes with different chromatids due to meiotic recombination were found. Only one out of nine 1PBs was normal for the reorganization products but no aneuploidies were found after PGD in this case. In the two balanced Rob(13;14), six out of 12 and four out of 11 1PBs were normal or balanced for the reorganization but only one oocyte was euploid for all the chromosomes analysed in each case; a single embryo transfer was made in both but no pregnancy was achieved. The incidence of aneuploidy for the chromosomes not involved in the Robertsonian translocations was extremely high (91.7% and 81.8%). Extra chromosomes were present in most of the aneuploid oocytes (81.8% and 90%). The reason for this increase could be the tendency to non-disjunction related to advanced maternal age combined with an interchromosomal effect resulting in the presence of synaptic errors in other chromosome pairs.

Preimplantation genetic screening and human implantation.

In recent years, preimplantation genetic screening (PGS) has been used and recommended to increase the implantation rate in older women or in couples with previous assisted reproduction (ART) failures, to try to increase pregnancy rates in couples with recurrent abortions, to prevent the transmission of chromosome anomalies to the offspring of carriers of balanced chromosomal rearrangements, or even to try to decrease the incidence of trisomic births in older women. So far, PGS has contributed to increase the implantation rate in older women; however, the rate of clinical pregnancies has not increased, either in older women or in couples with previous ART failures. In couples with recurrent abortions, the pregnancy rate seems to increase, but only when the woman is young (< or =35). In carriers of balanced reorganizations, the prognosis is poor. Attempts to decrease the birth of trisomic children to older women are difficult to evaluate. This absence of relevant results is not related to the technique itself, which is quite safe, but to other still largely unknown factors.

PGD in female carriers of balanced Robertsonian and reciprocal translocations by first polar body analysis.

Preimplantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) using the first polar body (1PB) is a modality of PGD that can be used when the woman is the carrier of a genetic disease or of a balanced chromosomal reorganization. PGD using 1PB biopsy in carriers of balanced chromosome reorganizations has not become generalized. Here, we describe our experience based on the analysis of unfertilized or fresh, non-inseminated control oocytes, by fixing separately the 1PB and the corresponding oocyte, and on the study of six clinical cases of PGD using 1PB biopsy (four Robertsonian translocations and two reciprocal translocations). In fresh oocytes, the chromosome morphology of the 1PB was well preserved, and the results were always concordant for each oocyte-1PB pair. This indicates that the 1PB can be reliably used for the diagnosis of chromosome reorganizations. In these studies the technical problems encountered when performing PGD using 1PB biopsies for chromosome studies are also addressed. Three different strategies of 1PB biopsy (laser beam, partial zona dissection and acid Tyrode's) and two different protocols (intracytoplasmic sperm injection before or after 1PB biopsy) and their effect on the percentage of oocytes diagnosed and the fertilization rate, are discussed. In reciprocal translocation cases, published in the literature or studied by us, in which at least nine oocytes had been diagnosed, a correlation has been found between the frequency of nondisjunction observed and the theoretical recombination rate. To date, PGD by 1PB analysis alone or combined with blastomere biopsies in female carriers of chromosomal rearrangements has been used in 18 cases, with a further six cases reported here. A total of 325 cumulus-oocyte complexes have been obtained, of which 294 were biopsied and 224 were diagnosed. A total of 52 embryos was transferred, 19 of which implanted and 17 produced full-term pregnancies.

Diagnóstico preconcepcional / Preconceptive diagnosis

No disponible

[Progression and prognosis of in situ carcinoma of the bladder treated with BCG]. / Evolución y pronóstico del carcinoma in situ vesical tratado con BCG.

OBJECTIVES: In situ carcinoma (isT) of the bladder is a poor prognostic tumour with a natural progressive evolution. Treatment with BCG achieves a significant improvement in survival. This paper analyses our experience in the management of isT patients with endovesical BCG. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Between 1983 and 1997 the Urology Unit in the Móstoles Hospital saw 636 patients with transitional carcinoma of the bladder. Of these, 498 (78%) were surface tumours, and 138 (22%) were infiltrant. isT: 80 patients (13%), 14 of which were primary (17%), 37 associated to a surface tumour (46%), and 29 to infiltrant tumours (36%). All surface tumours: isT was present in 51 patients (10%) 44 of which were managed with 2 courses of BCG Connaught (81 mg), for 6 weeks each followed by vesical reassessment. Quarterly follow-up was conducted during a 2-year period. Patients not managed with BCG were treated with radical cystectomy. An analysis was made of patients without complete response to BCG, as well as actuarial analysis of disease-free survival (DFS), survival until progression (SUP) and specific survival (SS). All possible prognostic factors are analyzed: sex, focal isT (a single focus) or diffuse isT (more than one focus). Primary or secondary isT and association to G1, G2 or G3 tumours. RESULTS: In all 44 patients managed with BCG: males 37 (84%), females 7 (16%), primary 14 (32%), focal 22 (50%), diffuse 22 (50%). Six patients died (5 because of the tumour). Mean follow-up of living patients: 3.7 years (0.5-7.5 years). After the 2 BCG courses, 36 (82%) showed complete response. Thirteen patients (30%) had no complete response during follow-up, and 11 (85%) continued to progression. In total 7 patients underwent cystectomy. Of 5 patients directly cystectomized due to persistence of isT or T1G3 tumour at monitoring after BCG, 2 (40%) had infiltrant tumour and one (20%) nodular metastasis. Three patients with persistent isT or T1G3 after BCG were not initially cystectomized: two that were treated with other endovesical therapies because of their age progressed, and the third one underwent a third BCG course and required cystectomy due to tumour persistency. 5-year DFS: 56%, being diffuse isT vs. focal isT (p = 0.0206) was an unfavourable prognostic factor. 5-year SUP: 63%, no significant prognostic factor. 5-year SS: 79%, being a female was an unfavourable prognostic factor (p = 0.0201). CONCLUSIONS: Based on our results and the analysis of the literature we recommend treatment with 2 BCG courses of all isTs of the bladder that present some of the following factors: Diffuse cancer associated to T1G3, involvement of prostatic urethra or overexpression of p53 over 20%. In the rest of vesical tumours, one BCG course followed by a second one if lack of response to the first. After failure of both BCG courses, cystectomy must be performed in both groups.

[Fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract: their diagnostic evaluation and treatment in pediatrics]. / Polipos fibroepiteliales del tracto urinario superior: evaluación diagnóstica y tratamiento en pediatría.

OBJECTIVE: To establish the diagnostic criteria, analyze the histological patterns of benign and malignant ureteral and renal pelvic polyps in pediatric patients and discuss the best treatment option based on the final diagnosis. METHODS/RESULTS: The literature is reviewed with special reference to the diagnostic and therapeutic aspects of fibroepithelial polyps of the upper urinary tract in pediatric patients. An additional case with benign cytological and radiological findings is described. The patient underwent partial pyeloureteral resection. Histological analysis of the surgical specimen confirmed a fibroepithelial polyp. CONCLUSIONS: We emphasize the importance of adequate preoperative evaluation, precise identification of the base of the lesion for a correct choice of the surgical approach, and the advantages of complete segmental resection and reanastomosis over simple excision of the polyp.

Approximate standard errors in semiparametric models.

We consider semiparametric models with p regressor terms and q smooth terms. We obtain an explicit expression for the estimate of the regression coefficients given by the back-fitting algorithm. The calculation of the standard errors of these estimates based on this expression is a considerable computational exercise. We present an alternative, approximate method of calculation that is less demanding. With smoothing splines, the method is exact, while with loess, it gives good estimates of standard errors. We assess the adequacy of our approximation and of another approximation with the help of two examples.

[Urothelial carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Survival and prognostic factors]. / Carcinomas uroteliales del tracto urinario superior. Supervivencia y factores pronósticos.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the survival and the main prognostic factors in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. METHODS: From 1983 to 1996, we treated 50 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract. Treatment was basically conservative except in those cases whose tumor stage or grade required a radical approach. Grading and staging were performed according to the 1992 TNM classification. Eighteen patients had died at one year mean follow-up., At the time the study was completed (June, 1997), 32 patients were alive with a mean follow-up of 4.9 years. Disease-free survival, overall and specific survival were analyzed according to sex, age, association with bladder tumors, localization, type of treatment, tumor size, number, histological grade and stage. RESULTS: The male-to-female ratio was 5:1. Patient mean age was 65.7 years. Association with bladder tumors was observed in 50%. Treatment was conservative in 40% and radical in 60%. The five- and ten-year disease-free survival rates were 69%, overall survival 61% and specific survival 71%. The univariate analysis showed the following to be unfavorable prognostic factors for survival: renal vs ureteral tumors, radical vs conservative treatment, high grade and stage tumors. The association of carcinoma in situ with other tumors of the upper urinary tract was also found to be an unfavorable factor for disease-free survival. The multivariate analysis associated T4 and G3 tumors with poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: Transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract was associated with bladder tumors in 50% of the cases. Low grade stage tumors demonstrated a high survival rate, therefore conservative treatment should be the first approach. High grade/ stage tumors were found to be unfavorable prognostic factors for survival.

Chromosome studies in first polar bodies from hamster and human oocytes.

Most studies on preconception diagnosis published so far have used polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis to identify single gene defects. Although fluorescent DNA probes have been used to obtain a partial cytogenetic diagnosis of aneuploidies in first polar bodies without defined chromosome structures, the analysis of structural chromosome anomalies in the interphase nucleus is not adequate. We describe a procedure to obtain first polar body chromosome complements from hamster and human oocytes. In 63.6% (105 of 165) of hamster first polar bodies the chromosome complement showed a defined chromosome morphology and in 94.1% (16 of 17) of human oocytes fixed after follicular puncture it was possible to obtain high quality, well spread chromosome complements. First polar body chromosomes are fuzzy and shorter than oocyte chromosomes, but fluorescent in-situ hybridization results obtained in human first polar bodies clearly show that it is possible to detect whole chromosomes, centromeres and unique sequences, including the terminal regions of small chromosomes. This suggests that in fresh oocytes, DNA loss resulting from apoptotic chromosome fragmentation has not yet occurred. Using the procedure described, first polar bodies could be used to analyse the meiotic segregation of maternal structural abnormalities and to detect numerical chromosome anomalies in humans.

[Epidemiologic indicators of adenocarcinoma of the prostate. Results on 436 patients]. / Indicadores epidemiológicos del adenocarcinoma de próstata. Resultados sobre 436 pacientes.

OBJECTIVE: To conduct a populational study by analyzing the major epidemiological indicators in a group of 436 patients with prostate adenocarcinoma. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The population reference for the study involves a total of 396,294 people, of which 197,500 are male. Between 1983 and 1996, 436 patients were diagnosed with prostate adenocarcinoma in the Urology Service of Mostoles Hospital. Gleason Index has been used to determine the histological grade, while the 1992 TNM rating was used for staging purposes. Gleason rating is known for 395 patients, distribution being as follows: 26.6% with Gleason 2, 3 or 4; 44.6% with 5, 6 or 7 and 28.9% with 8, 9 or 10. T1 tumours accounted for 21.1% cases; T2: 45.6%; T3: 22.2% and T4: 11%. There were 58.3% M0: 32.8% M1 and 8.9% Mx tumours. Approach for local disease: radical prostatectomy or radiotherapy. Approach for disseminated disease; hormonal blockade. Deaths: 130 (29.8%); cancer related deaths: 91 (70%). Mean follow-up of survivors: 3.4 years (0.25-14 years). Major variables analyzed: age, incidence, prevalence, mortality, Gleason's evolution and overall and specific survival. RESULTS: Mean age: 71.3 years. Prior to 1990 there were 55.5% patients under 70 years old; in 1995-96 there are 39.4%. Incidence has increased up to 36.5% per 100,000 people/year in 1996. Mean mortality in 1993-1996: 5.6 per 100,000 people/year. Prevalence in 1996: 155 per 100,000 people/year. Family background for prostate cancer: 8%. Incidence of second tumours: 10.5%. Increased proportion of patients with moderate to high versus low Gleason grades. Overall survival at 5 years: 53%, at 10 years: 33%. Tumour related survival at 5 years: 65%; at 10 years: 48%. Older age, higher PSA, higher Gleason, advanced stages and metastasis are all unfavourable prognostic factors for both overall and specific survival (p = 0.000). Significant prognostic factors in multivariate analysis have been a higher Gleason grade and non metastatic tumour at diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: Incidence of prostate adenocarcinoma has increased in our milieu, reaching 36.5 per 100,000 people/year in 1996, far from the figures in the US. Actual mortality in our series is somehow lower than data published in other national series. This condition shows very high prevalence rates which results in increasingly growing and highly significant economic costs.

[Bladder pseudosarcoma in pediatrics: clinico-pathological features and treatment]. / Pseudosarcoma vesical en pediatría: aspectos clínico-patológicos y tratamiento.

OBJECTIVES: To review the most common clinical signs and symptoms of inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder in children and to distinguish this benign lesion from malignant neoplasms such as rhabdomyosarcoma and leiomyosarcoma. METHODS: Two cases os pseudosarcomatous tumor of the bladder in children are described. In the first patient, the tumor had appeared spontaneously in a 9-year-old boy. The second had developed in a 6-year-old girl and was considered to be reactive to prior surgery. The literature is reviewed and data from 16 cases of inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder in patients under 16 years of age are also presented. RESULTS: The mean age at presentation was 8 years. The male-to-female ratio was 3:1. Hematuria (56%), dysuria (37%) and abdominal pain with a palpable mass (18%) were the most commonly described clinical manifestations. Tumor size ranged from 3 to 10 cm and they were frequently located in the lateral walls and base of the bladder. Histological analysis showed an inflammatory pseudosarcomatous reaction. Immunohistochemical analysis showed moderate staining for vimentin, mild staining for focal muscle actin and negative for keratin and S-100 protein. Patients were treated by local resection (7 pts), partial cystectomy (5 pts), radical cystectomy (2 pts) and pelvic exenteration (2 pts). The mean follow-up was 34 months. All patients that had been followed (14/16) were reported to be free of disease with no evidence of recurrences or metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory pseudotumor of the bladder is an unusual benign tumor that is very rare in children. Long-term follow-up confirms the benign nature of the lesion and conservative management is therefore advocated. However, given its histological similarity to malignant tumors, a close follow-up is recommended.

[Flubiprofen vs dipyrone combined with hyoscine: the analgesic efficacy in renal colic]. / Flubiprofeno vs dipirona asociada a hioscina: eficacia analgésica en el cólico nefrítico.

OBJECTIVE: We compared the efficacy of flurbiprofen (NSAID) versus dipirone + hyoscine N-butylbromide in the treatment of nephric colic. METHODS: The study comprised 135 patients, aged 18 to 75 yrs, with intense nephric colic. The patients were observed 60 min after a single IM dose of 150 mg flurbiprofen (n = 67) or 2 gm dipirone + 20 mg hyoscine N-butylbromide. RESULTS: Both treatment modalities were well-tolerated and afforded significant pain relief. Flurbiprofen, however, was faster-acting and superior to dipirone + hyoscine in the overall evaluation of good and excellent therapeutic response rates. CONCLUSION: The results of the study show that IM flurbiprofen is a useful alternative to dipirone + hyoscine N-butylbromide in the treatment of nephric colic.

[Transurethral resection of prostate cancer: efficacy and morbidity]. / Resección transuretral del cáncer de próstata: eficacia y morbilidad.

OBJECTIVES: The efficacy and morbidity of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) were evaluated in patients with urinary retention and prostatic carcinoma. METHODS: From 1990 to 1993, 30 patients with infravesical obstruction secondary to prostate cancer were treated by TURP. The results were considered good when patients were able to void and were completely continent following the procedure, whereas poor results were defined as incontinence or no relief of urethral obstruction 21 days following catheter removal. RESULTS: Patient mean age was 72 years and the average weight of resected tissue ranged from 8 to 105 gms (mean 19.5 gms). The median postoperative follow-up period was 20.5 months (range 6-36 months). During this time, there were no deaths and 72.5% of the patients showed normal post-TURP micturition. Eight patients (27.5%) developed the following complications: 3 were incontinent, 6 had persistent obstruction and 1 patient had both complications. Presurgical hormone therapy, high-grade tumors and patient age under 70 years appear to be statistically related to poor outcome following TURP. CONCLUSIONS: TURP is an effective treatment with a relatively low morbidity and offers a viable option for patients with symptomatic urethral obstruction due to prostate cancer.

A mobile crisis program: collaboration between emergency psychiatric services and police.

An emergency psychiatry-mobile crisis program was established in 1987 in Charleston, South Carolina, linking professionals from the mental health center, the university, and the local police department. The program has two goals: to provide emergency psychiatric services to persons in the community and to train psychiatric residents in crisis intervention. Mental health staff act as consultants to the police in some situations, and in others the police provide security. The authors describe the development of the collaboration with police and important features of the program. Three cases illustrate how such collaboration can be of mutual benefit and can save lives.