Structural control of the non-ionic surfactant alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs) on transport in natural soils.

Surfactants, after use, enter the environment through diffuse and point sources such as irrigation with treated and non-treated waste water and urban and industrial wastewater discharges. For the group of non-ionic synthetic surfactant alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs), most of the available information is restricted to the levels and fate in aquatic systems, whereas current knowledge of their behavior in soils is very limited. Here we characterize the behavior of different homologs (C12-C18) and ethoxymers (EO3, EO6, and EO8) of the AEOs through batch experiments and under unsaturated flow conditions during infiltration experiments. Experiments used two different agricultural soils from a region irrigated with reclaimed water (Guadalete River basin, SW Spain). In parallel, water flow and chemical transport were modelled using the HYDRUS-1D software package, calibrated using the infiltration experimental data. Estimates of water flow and reactive transport of all surfactants were in good agreement between infiltration experiments and simulations. The sorption process followed a Freundlich isotherm for most of the target compounds. A systematic comparison between sorption data obtained from batch and infiltration experiments revealed that the sorption coefficient (Kd) was generally lower in infiltration experiments, performed under environmental flow conditions, than in batch experiments in the absence of flow, whereas the exponent (ß) did not show significant differences. For the low clay and organic carbon content of the soils used, no clear dependence of Kd on them was observed. Our work thus highlights the need to use reactive transport parameterization inferred under realistic conditions to assess the risk associated with alcohol ethoxylates in subsurface environments.

[Percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus]. / Osteotomía metatarsiana distal percutánea para corrección del hallux valgus.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the experience acquired in hallux valgus correction with percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study including patients who underwent percutaneous distal metatarsal osteotomy between May 2005 and May 2007. The age, sex, and number of feet operated on were recorded. The clinical evaluation of results 6 months after surgery using the AOFAS scale, the intermetatarsal angle and the hallux valgus angle were also recorded. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients were included; 38 females and 2 males; mean age was 49 years (28-73 years). Fifty-eight osteotomies were performed. According to the AOFAS scale, 28 patients (41/58 feet) had no pain. The mean functional capacity score was 41 points, and an excellent alignment was achieved in 74% of cases. The mean intermetatarsal angle was 7.5 degrees. Complications occurred in 2 patients (2 feet). CONCLUSIONS: The appropriate treatment for the correction of hallux valgus consists of minimally invasive procedures, except for the cases in which the metatarsophalangeal joint shows signs of arthrosis.

[Results of three-year clinical study of prostamol uno efficacy and safety in patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of its progression].

Prostamol Uno (PU) efficacy and safety were studied in a multicenter, open-population, randomized and comparative trial. PU was given in a single daily dose 320 mg for 36 months to 50 patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma (PA) in comparison with 50 matched controls. The trial evaluated PU action on the symptoms progression and quality of life with application of questionnaires IPSS and QoL (BS). It was found that PU treatment relieved PA symptoms by IPSS, while these symptoms progressed in the controls. QoL improved in the study group and deteriorated in the control one. Administration of PU significantly increased urinary flow rate though in the controls urinary flow rate decreased, size of the prostate diminished and increased, respectively. Changes in the PSA were not seen and were insignificant, respectively. The results of the study say that prostamol Uno in a dose 320 mg/day can prevent PA progression without side effects.

Aerobic biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates and sulfophenylcarboxylic acids for different salinity values by means of continuous assays.

Aerobic biodegradation of linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) and sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs) in water, at different salinity values, has been studied. Three experiments have been carried out employing a staircase model system with continuous dosage of LAS to the system and using concentrations of LAS of the same order as those detected in littoral waters receiving urban wastewater discharges. LAS biodegradation was observed to be almost complete (showing a great extent), and in all cases exceeds 98.4%. At the very low concentration values of LAS utilized in the experiments, no significant variations in the biodegradation of LAS due to the effect of the different salinity values assayed were observed. The biodegradation intermediates detected for all the cases were sulfophenylcarboxylic acids with carboxylic chains of between five and 13 carbon atoms. The detection of C13-SPC (which is only produced by C13-LAS) confirms the existence of omega-oxidation. The total disappearance of SPCs in all cases indicates that mineralization of LAS at the concentrations tested was complete.

Prophylactics of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome.

For prophylactics of erectile dysfunction in patients with metabolic syndrome, all unfavorable life-style factors should be excluded and all metabolic disturbances should be corrected. This will reduce the severity and stabilize the course of metabolic syndrome. Administration of special drugs is required for prevention of erection disturbances.

[Efficacy and safety of prostamol-UNO in the treatment of patients with initial symptoms of prostatic adenoma and risk of progression: 2 years of investigations].

The article presents 2-year pilot results of a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial of prostamol-UNO effects on symptoms progression, quality of life, tolerance and safety in patients with early prostatic adenoma. The drug was used in a single dose 320 mg/day for 36 months. Prostamol-UNO efficacy in arrest of the symptoms progression and quality of life was assessed with the use of IPSS and QoL (BS) questionnaires. Measurements were also made of changes in Qmax, urine volume, residual urine, size of the prostate.

[Vitaprost plus in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

Our study has demonstrated that compound medicine vitaprost plus in therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) reduces intensity of prostatic inflammation, significantly relieves symptoms of chronic prostatitis and pain syndrome. The absence of unwanted side effects, significant changes in clinical and biochemical blood and urine parameters evidences for good tolerance and safety of the drug. Thus, rectal suppositories vitaprost plus can be recommended for treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis caused by both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria in patients of different age and clinical symptoms.

[Temporary stent--CoreFlow Soft Stent--for diagnosis of the causes of incomplete bladder emptying in men with neurological diseases].

The new device--CoreFlow Soft Stent--was used for diagnosis of causes of incomplete bladder emptying (IBE) in 19 men with neurogenic diseases. Group 1 consisted of 8 men with IBE and prostatic adenoma. Group 2 consisted of 11 men with IBE but no prostatic adenoma. The CoreFlow Soft Stent comprises an introducer and a stent. Different active lengths of the stent are available to match it to the length of the prostatic urethra. The stent has an anchoring balloon situated in the bladder and a second anchor located distally to the external sphincter. CoreFlow was introduced in a similar way as an ordinary Foley catheter. The bladder was filled with 200 ml of saline solution through the introducer and the stent. The introducer part was then separated from the stent part positioned in the prostatic urethra. The stent part is connected to the integral "pull-thread" device which runs through the urethra ending outside the meatus. Reposition of the stent using the special thread opens the striated urethral sphincter. Out of 8 patients with prostatic adenoma and neurogenic diseases 4 could urinate with the stent part positioned in the prostatic urethra indicating that prostatic adenoma was the cause for IBE. These patients have undergone TUR. The other 4 patients of group 1 and 11 patients of group 2 could urinate only using Valsalva manoeuvre and after reposition of the stent for opening the striated urethral sphincter. This allowed us to conclude that these 15 patients suffered from detrusor underactivity. Our experience indicates that CoreFlow Soft Stent is a simple device for diagnosis of the causes of IBE in men with neurogenic diseases.

[Administration of oral vitaprost for prevention of exacerbations of chronic abacterial prostatitis].

Active substance of vitaprost is a complex of water-soluble biologically active peptides isolated from bovine prostate. The prostatic extract has an organotropic action in relation to the prostate. As all peptide bioregulators, prostatic extract has antiaggregant and anticoagulant properties, enhances synthesis of antihistamine and antiserotonine antibodies, improves microcirculation in the prostatic gland. This accounts for its ability to reduce edema in prostatic inflammation. This clinical trial demonstrated that vitaprost tablets decreases twice probability of chronic prostatitis exacerbation, of development of secondary exacerbations. A prophylactic intake of vitaprost relieves symptoms of chronic prostatitis, first of all pain (discomfort), improvement of quality of life by NIH-CPSI, including exacerbation and significantly reduces size of the prostate. Vitaprost tablets can be effectively used prophylactively in chronic prostatitis for reducing probability of the disease exacerbations and their severity.

[Efficacy of phosphodiesterase inhibitors in the treatment of patients with organic erectile dysfunction: a comparative study].

Currently available three highly selective and effective PDE-5 inhibitors (sildenafil, tadalafil and wardenafil) are comparable by PDE-5 inhibition and selectivity of action on PDE-5 but their differences in activity, interaction with food and alcohol, biological half-life and other characteristics make their use individual for certain clinical situations. Our trial with participation of 575 patients (mean age 57.73 +/- 12.33 years) with arteriogenic erectile dysfunction and great number of vascular risk factors has shown that wardenafil was most popular among our examinees as it is more effective and begins acting faster. Further studies in optimization of the above drugs administration may perfect treatment of erectile dysfuncion.

Oxidative stress and histopathology damage related to the metabolism of dodecylbenzene sulfonate in Senegalese sole.

Surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are widely utilised in the formulation of detergents in commercial products. After use, they pass through waste water treatment plants (WWTP) and are then discharged to aquatic ecosystems, causing risk to aquatic life. The exposure of marine animals to these compounds enhances the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) with subsequent damage to macromolecules, and produces histological alterations. A flow-through experiment with Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) has been devised with the object of correlating the metabolism of LAS including sulfophenylcarboxylic acids (SPCs) by fish with their antioxidant defence system (generation of oxyradicals) and histopathological damage. The generation of intermediate degradation products (SPCs) by the organism, the histopathological responses, the antioxidant enzymes (catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione S-transferase (GST)), as well as other kinds of enzyme such as acid and alkaline phosphatases (AcP, ALP), were measured. SPCs from 5ØC(6) to 11ØC(12) were identified and quantified in fish and water; their concentrations differed depending on the sampling moment. In general, the responses found in the enzymes were slight: a decrease in the enzymatic activity in gills and activation in the digestive tract. The evidence of histopathological damage identified was also small; the organism's defensive mechanism against pollutants should enable it to recover easily. A direct relationship was established between biotransformation and the generation of SPCs and ROS. In conclusion, the correct functioning of the antioxidant defence system with absence of large variations, the short-term histopathological damage, and the evidence of SPCs indicate an adequate metabolism of 2-phenyl-C(12)-linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (2ØC(12)LAS) by this specie and non-toxic effects at environmentally realistic levels.

Suitability of the marine prosobranch snail Hydrobia ulvae for sediment toxicity assessment: A case study with the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS).

Individuals of the mudsnail Hydrobia ulvae (Pennant) (Mollusca: Prosobranchia) were exposed to sediments spiked with increasing concentrations (1.59-123.13mgkg(-1) dry weight) of the anionic surfactant linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS) which is employed in the formulation of laundry powders and liquids, as well as hand dishwashing products. The suitability of the selected organism, H. ulvae for routine sediment toxicity testing was evaluated by measuring acute toxicity recording survival. Sublethal toxicity was evaluated as total number of produced veliger larvae per treatment throughout the test (9d). Mortality has shown to be a reliable and reproducible indicator of acute toxicity. LC(50) values were comprised between 203.4 (48h) and 94.3mgkg(-1) (9d) dry weight. As sublethal endpoint, the total number of produced larvae showed to be a useful indicator of toxicity for this organism. The number of produced larvae increased at lower exposure concentrations, whereas at the highest LAS concentration, the number of produced larvae decreased. This is the first report of acute and sublethal toxicity of sediment associated LAS for this species.

Study of the correlation between clinical efficiency of impaza and serum ADMA level.

Correlation between superlow-dose antibodies to endothelial NO synthase (Impaza) and serum level of ADMA was evaluated in a double blind placebo-controlled study. The reduction of ADMA in patients with erectile dysfunction after impaza treatment was paralleled by improvement of clinical symptoms. No clear-cut correlation between ADMA level and impaza effect was detected.

[Trospium chloride in combined treatment of females with genital prolapse and overactive urinary bladder].

The trial of efficacy of trospium chloride (TC) in a dose of 45 mg/day in females with overactive bladder (OAB) symptoms preserved after genital prolapse (GP) surgical correction included 28 females (age 55-82, mean age 68.07 +/- 12 years). GP was corrected by means of vaginal hysterectomy and anterior colporraphy. Treatment results were assessed 3 months after surgery basing on urine diary. Overall TC efficacy reached 82%. Symptoms attenuated in patients with and without detrusor overactivity: voiding frequency reduced by 31 and 24%, imperative voidings reduced by 26 and 8%, mean urine volume rose by 28 and 19%, respectively. Side effects were mild. TC demonstrated good efficacy in OAB patients, it noticeably improved quality of life.

[Levitra (wardenafil) effects on endothelial function of brachial and cavernous arteries].

We studied effects of oral PDE-5 inhibitor wardenafil (levitra, Bayer & GlaxoSmithKline) on endothelial function of cavernous and brachial arteries in males with normal erectile function and in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). Endothelial function of the brachial and cavernous arteries was studied in 75 males with ED and 20 healthy volunteers before and after wardenafil intake in a dose 20 mg using ultrasound examination of postcompression diameter changes. The results show that wardenafil improves endothelial function of cavernous and brachial arteries. The degree of the positive effect depends on baseline condition of the endothelial function of the vessels. The highest activity of the drug was seen in patients with arteriogenic ED who had significant decline of endothelial function of both cavernous and brachial arteries. The dependence of wardenafil effect on baseline condition of the endothelial function is confirmed by negative correlation between changes in postcompression artery dilatation after the drug intake and baseline values. This evidences for wardenafil ability to correct disturbed endothelial function of the arteries.

[Botulinum A toxin in the treatment of patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia and neurogenic low detrusor contractility].

AIM: To investigate safety and efficacy of botulinum A toxin external urethral sphincter injection in the treatment of patients with detrusor external sphincter dyssynergia (DSD) and neurogenic low detrusor contractility (DC). MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 21 patients with DSD and 27 patients with low DC between 17 and 73 years of age. The diagnostic scheme consisted of voiding diary for 72 hours, laboratory tests, ultrasound investigation with measurement of residual urine volume, urodynamic investigation and neurologic examination. 100 units of botulinum A toxin (botox, allergan) were injected into external urethral sphincter paraurethrally in women and transurethrally in men. RESULTS: 6 months after the toxin injection good results were achieved in 6 out of 9 DSD patients with spontaneous micturition; physiologic micturition was restored in 5 out of 8 patients who had performed intermittent self catheterization and in 3 out of 4 patients with suprapubic fistula and urethral catheter. As for patients with neurogenic low DC, good results were achieved in 6 of 8 patients who had had spontaneous micturition; physiologic micturition was restored in 13 out of 14 patients who had performed intermittent self catheterization and in 3 out of 5 patients with suprapubic fistula and urethral catheter. There were neither complications nor side effects. CONCLUSION: Botulinum A toxin external urethral sphincter injection demonstrated high efficacy in patients with DSD and neurogenic low DC.

[Etiotropic therapy of chronic bacterial prostatitis].

A total of 20 patients entered the clinical trial of efficacy and safety of Russian produced drug levofloxacin (floracid) in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). The drug was given in a single dose of 500 mg/day for 28 days. Antibacterial treatment of CBP with floracid killed sensitive to it bacteria in 18 of 20 (90%) CBP patients. Symptoms of the disease attenuated including pain syndrome and voiding disorders, quality of life assessed by NIH-CPSI scale improved. The absence of side effects points to good tolerance and safety of the drug.