Evaluation of sexual functions and sexual behaviors after penile brachytherapy in men treated for penile carcinoma

Purpose

To assess sexual functions and behaviors of men treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis.

Materials and methods

Thirty eight men (19 patients treated by penile brachytherapy for a cancer of the penis and 19 age paired-matched controls) participated in a survey about sexuality. The mean age of patients and controls were 73.2 +/- 11.7 and 70.0 +/- 10.5 years, respectively (NS). Controls were men without penile pathology, without history of cancer and no evidence of cognitive impairment. All agreed to participate in the survey about sexuality using 2 questionnaires : the IIEF questionnaire, which explores 4 domains of sexual functions, namely erection, satisfaction, orgasm and desire, and a questionnaire created using the BASIC IDEA grid, which addresses nine domains: behavior, affect, sensation, self-image, cognition, interpersonal, drugs, expectation and attitude.

Results

Patients had better scores than controls in 3 domains of the IIEF: erection, desire and satisfaction. These results contrasted with the frequency of intercourse and the quality of erection (evaluated through the BASIC IDEA questionnaire) that were not significantly different between the two populations. Patients also had significantly higher frequency of masturbation (p <0.001) lower worry about sexual performance and higher expected satisfaction for future life (p: 0.021) than controls.

Conclusion

Penile brachytherapy is a treatment of cancer of the penis that seems to have a moderated impact on sexual functions since most of sexual scores are not inferior in these patients than in age pair-matched controls.

     

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectral properties and catalytic activity of hexakis(imidazole)manganese(II) bisindole-2-carboxylato bisneocuproine bisdimethyl sulfoxide solvates {[Mn(Im)6] · 2(2-IC) · 2(NC) · 2(DMSO)}

Synthesis, X-ray crystal structure and IR spectrum of {[Mn^II(Im)₆] · 2(2-IC) · 2(NC) · 2(DMSO)} (Im = imidazole, 2-HIC = indole-2-carboxylic acid, NC = 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline, DMSO = dimethyl sulfoxide) are reported. The manganese(II) ion has octahedral geometry with a MnN₆ core. The crystal structure is completed by two NC, two 2-IC⁻ and two DMSO solvate molecules. The individual cations are linked into chains running parallel to the a axis by four intermolecular hydrogen bonding involving two 2-IC⁻solvate. Moreover, these chains are connected by π-π stacking interactions which occur between neocuproine molecules related through inversion center. In IR spectroscopy, the compound spectrum is roughly similar to the imidazole one: (i) above 1800 cm⁻¹, the bands are broad, but when focussing on some of them a doublet structure can be found; (ii) below 1800 cm⁻¹, the bands are sharp and it is then possible to point out the modification of S-O band when this later is involved in bifurcated hydrogen bonding to a second solvate 2-IC⁻. The compound catalyses the disproportionation of H₂O₂; moreover an additional quantity of imidazole increases the reaction rate.     

Scanning cytometry with a LEAP: laser-enabled analysis and processing of live cells in situ.

BACKGROUND: Scanning cytometry now has many of the features (and power) of multiparameter flow cytometry while keeping its own advantages as an imaging technology. Modern instruments combine capabilities of scanning cytometry with the ability to manipulate cells. A new technology, called LEAP (laser-enabled analysis and processing), offers a unique combination of capabilities in cell purification and selective macromolecule delivery (optoinjection). METHODS: LEAP-mediated cell purification and optoinjection effects were assessed in model experiments using adherent and suspension cell types and cell mixtures plated and processed at different densities. Optoinjection effects were visualized by delivering fluorescent dextrans into cells. Results were analyzed using the LEAP instrument's own imaging system as well as by fluorescence and confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Live cell samples (adherent and suspension) could be purified to 90-100% purity with 50-90% yield, causing minimal cell damage depending on the cell type and plating density. Nearly one hundred percent of the targeted cells of all cell types examined could be successfully optoinjected with dextrans of 3-70 kDa, causing no visual damage to the cells. Indirect optoinjection effects were observed on untargeted cells within 5-60 microm to targeted areas under conditions used here. CONCLUSIONS: LEAP provides solutions in cell purification and targeted macromolecule delivery for traditional and challenging applications where other methods fall short.     

Anterior Cervical Discectomy with Arthroplasty versus Arthrodesis for Single-Level Cervical Spondylosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Objective

To estimate the effectiveness of anterior cervical discectomy with arthroplasty (ACDA) compared to anterior cervical discectomy with fusion (ACDF) for patient-important outcomes for single-level cervical spondylosis.

Data sources

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Register for Randomized Controlled Trials, BIOSIS and LILACS), archives of spine meetings and bibliographies of relevant articles.

Study selection

We included RCTs of ACDF versus ACDA in adult patients with single-level cervical spondylosis reporting at least one of the following outcomes: functionality, neurological success, neck pain, arm pain, quality of life, surgery for adjacent level degeneration (ALD), reoperation and dysphonia/dysphagia. We used no language restrictions. We performed title and abstract screening and full text screening independently and in duplicate.

Data synthesis

We used random-effects model to pool data using mean difference (MD) for continuous outcomes and relative risk (RR) for dichotomous outcomes. We used GRADE to evaluate the quality of evidence for each outcome.

Results

Of 2804 citations, 9 articles reporting on 9 trials (1778 participants) were eligible. ACDA is associated with a clinically significant lower incidence of neurologic failure (RR  = 0.53, 95% CI  = 0.37–0.75, p = 0.0004) and improvement in the Neck pain visual analogue scale (VAS) (MD  = 6.56, 95% CI  = 3.22–9.90, p = 0.0001; Minimal clinically important difference (MCID)  = 2.5. ACDA is associated with a statistically but not clinically significant improvement in Arm pain VAS and SF-36 physical component summary. ACDA is associated with non-statistically significant higher improvement in the Neck Disability Index Score and lower incidence of ALD requiring surgery, reoperation, and dysphagia/dysphonia.

Conclusions

There is no strong evidence to support the routine use of ACDA over ACDF in single-level cervical spondylosis. Current trials lack long-term data required to assess safety as well as surgery for ALD. We suggest that ACDA in patients with single level cervical spondylosis is an option although its benefits and indication over ACDF remain in question.     

Identification of the New Pathogen (Stemphylium lycopersici) Causing Leaf Spot on Pepino (Solanum muricatum)

Pepino (Solanum muricatum var. pepino) plants were found affected by an extensive leaf spot caused by plant pathogenic fungi during a survey in the Cameron highlands, Pahang state, Malaysia. Symptomatic leaf samples were collected from infected pepino plants and cultivated on PDA medium, and the pathogen was isolated and purified; then, consequently, all isolates were identified as Stemphylium lycopersici on the basis of their cultural and morphological characteristics and combined sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd) regions. A pathogenicity assay on detached leaves further confirmed that S. lycopersici causes leaf spot disease. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of S. lycopersici causing leaf spot on pepino in Malaysia and worldwide.     

Antimicrobial activities of Saudi honey against Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Five types of imported and local honey were screened for both their bacteriocidal/bacteriostatic activities against both Imipenem resistant and sensitive Pseudomonas aeruginosa in both Brain Heart infusion broth and Mueller–Hinton agar. The results indicated that the effect was concentration and type of honey dependant. All types of honey tested exerted a full inhibition of bacterial growth at the highest concentration tested of 50% at 24 h of contact. The inhibitory effect of honey on bacterial growth was clear with concentrations of 20% and 10% and this effect was most evident in the case of Manuka honey as compared to Nigella sativa honey and Seder honey. Manuka honey UMF +20 showed a bacteriocidal activity on both Imipenem resistant and sensitive P. aeruginosa, while Seder honey and N. sativa honey exerted only a bacteriostatic effect. Manuka honey UMF +10 showed most effect on antimicrobial resistance. Manuka honey UMF +10 had an effect on modulation of Imipenem resistant P. aeruginosa. Conclusion: The results indicated that various types of honey affected the test organisms differently. Modulation of antimicrobial resistance was seen in the case Manuka honey UMF +10.     

The RenTg Mice: A Powerful Tool to Study Renin-Dependent Chronic Kidney Disease

Background

Several studies have shown that activation of the renin-angiotensin system may lead to hypertension, a major risk factor for the development of chronic kidney disease (CKD). The existing hypertension-induced CDK mouse models are quite fast and consequently away from the human pathology. Thus, there is an urgent need for a mouse model that can be used to delineate the pathogenic process leading to progressive renal disease. The objective of this study was dual: to investigate whether mice overexpressing renin could mimic the kinetics and the physiopathological characteristics of hypertension-induced renal disease and to identify cellular and/or molecular events characterizing the different steps of the progression of CKD.

Methodology/Principal Findings

We used a novel transgenic strain, the RenTg mice harboring a genetically clamped renin transgene. At 3 months, heterozygous mice are hypertensive and slightly albuminuric. The expression of adhesion markers such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and platelet endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 are increased in the renal vasculature indicating initiation of endothelial dysfunction. At 5 months, perivascular and periglomerular infiltrations of macrophages are observed. These early renal vascular events are followed at 8 months by leukocyte invasion, decreased expression of nephrin, increased expression of KIM-1, a typical protein of tubular cell stress, and of several pro-fibrotic agents of the TGFβ family. At 12 months, mice display characteristic structural alterations of hypertensive renal disease such as glomerular ischemia, glomerulo- and nephroangio-sclerosis, mesangial expansion and tubular dilation.

Conclusions/Significance

The RenTg strain develops CKD progressively. In this model, endothelial dysfunction is an early event preceding the structural and fibrotic alterations which ultimately lead to the development of CKD. This model can provide new insights into the mechanisms of chronic renal failure and help to identify new targets for arresting and/or reversing the development of the disease.