An adaptation on the classical synthesis methodology for 1,3-diaryltriazenes for a 4-hour experimental class has been proposed with green chemistry principles in mind by using commercial vinegar as a source for diazotization with NaNO2 and keeping the reaction workup to simple vacuum filtration. Several anilines with different substituent groups were used to evaluate how they affect the synthesis based on their electron-donating/withdrawing characteristics. The decomposition of the triazenes in acidic media was also monitored via TLC. On the overall, the reactions came up with medium to high yield and high purity. Experimental procedure, reaction mechanism and other potential discussions such as green chemistry principles and effects of electron-donating/withdrawing groups are suitable for undergraduate students.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in patients undergoing hemodialysis MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out to determine the prevalence of erectile dysfunction in a population of 58 patients in hemodialysis program. Erectile dysfunction was assessed by using the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF). Information on demographic data, renal failure, comorbidities, laboratory tests and search for medical treatment for erectile dysfunction by means of interviews and researches in medical charts was obtained. Student t test was utilized to compare the laboratory results between group of patients with and without erectile dysfunction. The chi-square test was utilized to compare the comorbidities and the characteristics of the population studied between the groups of patients with and without erectile dysfunction. The significance level considered was 5% RESULTS: Mean patient age was 50.2 ± 14.6 years and the time of hemodialysis was 30.4 ± 28.4 months. The prevalence of erectile dysfunction was 60.3%. A progressive increase respecting the age was reported. In patients younger than 50 years, this prevalence reached 31.4% and in patients older than 50 years, this prevalence reached 68.6%. With respect to the comorbidities, hypertensive patients prevailed with 94.8% of the total, whilst diabetic patients represented 24.9%. However only the association between diabetes and erectile dysfunction was significant. Patients with erectile dysfunction presented significantly lower values for serum creatinine and Kt/V. There was no variation between the groups with reference to calcium, potassium, phosphorus, hematocrit, hemoglobin, pre- and post-dialysis urea values. There was no correlation between erectile dysfunction and time of dialysis. Amongst patients with erectile dysfunction, 8.6% sought medical care CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of erectile dysfunction in patients in hemodialysis program was of 60.3%. Age, diabetes and hemodialysis characteristics are associated to higher incidence of erectile dysfunction.

INTRODUCTION: Sildenafil citrate is a type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which has demonstrated excellent results in the treatment of erectile dysfunction. The effect of sildenafil citrate in the cavernous arteries of patients with erectile dysfunction has not been established yet. The objective of this study was to assess the effect of sildenafil citrate in the cavernous arteries of patients with erectile dysfunction, following an intracavernous injection of alprostadil. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 29 male patients, with mean age of 53.8 years (32 to 75 years), were prospectively evaluated. The mean time with complaint of erectile dysfunction was 50.5 months (6 to 168 months). Each patient was his own control. Patients underwent a measurement of peak systolic velocity before and after use of sildenafil citrate associated with 5 micrograms of alprostadil, through ultrasonic velocitometry Knoll/MIDUS® system. In the interval between measurements, approximately 15 days, patients used 3 tablets of sildenafil at home with their partners. RESULTS: Using only 5 mcg of alprostadil, average peak systolic velocity was 23.9 cm/s, and when associated to 50 mg of sildenafil it was 24.8 cm/s. Despite the increase in the flow rate caused by sildenafil, the difference was not statistically significant, Zcalculated = - 0.695 NS (Wilcoxon test). Twenty one of the 29 patients (72.4%) showed global improvement in sexual performance with the use of sildenafil citrate at home. There was not a statistically significant correlation between the global response to sildenafil citrate and the increase in the peak systolic velocity. CONCLUSION: We concluded that, even though the use of 50 mg of sildenafil citrate associated with 5 mcg of alprostadil provides an increase in the peak systolic velocity of the cavernous arteries, there was no statistic difference in relation to alprostadil alone. There was no correlation between the global response to sildenafil and the increase in the peak systolic velocity

Os autores apresentam um caso de abscesso intra-selar exibindo sintomatologia de tumor da hipófise, no qual o diagnóstico etiológico só foi feito mediante a intervenção cirúrgica, admitindo a possibilidade de propagação da infecção do cavo faríngeo à cavidade craniana e, em particular, à sela turca pela persistência do canal craniofaríngeo não obliterado. Após a intervenção (aspiração do material purulento e retirada parcial da cápsula do abscesso) houve regressão da sintomatologia.

A case of intrasellar abscess simulating a pituitary tumor and whose etiologic diagnosis was made only by operation is reported. The possibility of the spreading of the infection from the pharyngeal cavum to the intra-craneal cavity, particularly to the sella turcica, through a non-obliterated craneum-pharyngeal canal, is admitted. After the operation (partial removal of the abscess capsule and aspiration of the pus) the neurological symptoms disappeared.