ABSTRACT Introduction After the diagnosis of transsexualism is confirmed therapy commences with psychotherapeutic preparation for the conversion, and after conversion, long-term patient rehabilitation is maintained for at least two years. The indication for surgery is chronic discomfort caused by discord with the patient's natural gender, intense dislike of developing secondary sex characteristics and the onset of puberty. The surgical conversion of transsexuals is the main step in the complex care of these problematic patients (1). This surgery was first described by Benjamin H, using a flap of inverted penile skin (2) and is considered the gold standard since then. Male-to-female transsexual surgical techniques are well defined and give good cosmetic and functional results. Sex reassignment surgery promotes the improvement of psychological aspects and social relationships as shown in the World Health Organization Quality of Life Assessment applied in the patients submitted to this procedure (3). Techniques include the creation of a normal appearing female introitus, a vaginoplasty allowing sexual intercourse and the capability of clitoral orgasm (4). Various methods for neovaginoplasty have been described and can be classified into five categories, i.e. pedicled intestinal transplants, penile skin grafts, penile skin flaps, non-genital skin flaps and non-genital skin grafts (5). In our Hospital, we use penile and scrotal skin flaps. Until now, 174 procedures have been performed by our team using this technique with high rates of satisfaction (3). Patients and methods We present a step-by-step male to female transsexual surgery. Conclusion Surgical gender reassignment of male transsexuals resulted in replicas of female genitalia which enabled coitus with orgasm (1). With this video we show step by step that a surgery using penile skin flaps is able to be performed with good cosmetic results.

Purpose To analyze a possible correlation between a miRNA expression profile and important prognostic factors for pTa urothelial carcinomas (UC), including tumor size, multiplicity and episodes of recurrence. Materials and Methods Thirty low-grade non-invasive pTa bladder UC from patients submitted to transurethral resection were studied, in a mean follow-up of 17.7 months. As controls, we used normal bladder tissue from five patients submitted to retropubic prostatectomy to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia. Extraction, cDNA and amplification were performed for 14 miRNAs (miR-100, -10a, -21, -205, -let7c, -143, -145, -221, -223, -15a, -16, -199a and -452) using specific kits, and RNU-43 and -48 were used as endogenous controls. Statistical tests were used to compare tumor size, multiplicity and episodes of recurrence with miRNAs expression profiles. Results There was a marginal correlation between multiplicity and miR-let7c over-expression. For all others miRNA no correlation between their expression and prognostic factors was found. Conclusion We did not find differences for miRNAs expression profiles associated with prognostic factors in tumor group studied. The majority of miRNAs are down-regulated, except miR-10a, over-expressed in most of cases, seeming to have increased levels in tumor with more unfavorable prognostic factors. More studies are needed in order to find a miRNA profile able to provide prognosis in pTa UC to be used in clinical practice.

PurposeBladder cancer (BC) is the second most common malignancy of the urinary tract, with high mortality. The knowledge of the molecular pathways associated with BC carcinogenesis is crucial to identify new diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules that play important roles in the regulation of gene expression by acting directly on mRNAs. miR-145 has been considered as a tumor suppressor, which targets the c-MYC, MUC-1 and FSCN1 genes. Our aim was to evaluate the expression profile of miR-145 in low-grade non-invasive and high-grade invasive bladder urothelial carcinomas.Materials and MethodsWe studied 30 specimens of low-grade, non-invasive pTa and 30 of pT2/pT3 high-grade invasive UC obtained by transurethral resection or radical cystectomy, followed over a mean time of 16.1 months. Normal controls were represented by five samples of normal bladder biopsy from patients who underwent retropubic prostatectomy to treat BPH. miRNA extraction and cDNA generation were performed using commercial kits. Analysis was performed by qRT-PCR, and miR-145 expression was calculated using the 2-∆∆ct method; we used RNU-43 and RNU-48 as endogenous controls.ResultsmiR-145 was under-expressed in 73.3% and 86.7% of pTa and pT2/pT3, respectively, with expression means of 1.61 for the former and 0.66 for the last. There were no significant differences in miR-145 expression and histological grade, tumor stage, angiolymphatic neoplastic invasion and tumor recurrence.ConclusionmiR-145 is under-expressed in low-grade, non-invasive and high-grade invasive urothelial bladder carcinoma and may play an important role in the carcinogenesis pathway, being an interesting candidate diagnostic marker.

La estructura poblacional del camarón exótico de río Macrobrachium rosenbergii en el río Morocoto, municipio Benítez, estado Sucre, Venezuela, fue evaluada. Las capturas se realizaron mensualmente con atarrayas durante la noche en un trayecto de 1,5 km entre marzo del 2003 y agosto del 2004. Se determinaron también los parámetros fisicoquímicos del agua. Se capturó un total de 591 camarones, con un promedio de 8,19 organismos/hora de recorrido en el río. La proporción sexual no se alejó significativamente de la esperada, siendo 1,12:1 M:H. La longitud total (LT) promedio fue de 123,417 mm, y la mayor frecuencia de ejemplares se ubicó entre 70 y 119,9 mm de LT (adultos jóvenes), distribuidos de forma unimodal. En M. rosenbergii las hembras fueron más pequeñas que los machos, oscilando desde 29,15 hasta 252,30 mm de LT y los machos entre 47,65 hasta 310,4 mm de LT. La relación entre la LT y la masa total (MT) fue isométrica tanto en machos como en hembras, sin diferencias significativas entre sexos, por lo que se estimó una ecuación generalizada común: Log10 m = - 5,5206 + 3,2346 Log10 Lt. El Kn reflejó, en ambos sexos, que el río Morocoto es un hábitat favorable para este camarón. Se recomienda desarrollar investigaciones de escala trófica que permitan establecer el comportamiento ecológico de este camarón en la zona y realizar estudios que utilicen técnicas de captura para organismos pequeños, a fin de poder determinar el período de reclutamiento de M. rosenbergii en la región

Se realizó un experimento en el sistema de riego sector Perú-San Vicente, municipio Maturín, estado Monagas, con el objetivo de determinar la lámina de riego más apropiada para dos cultivares de ají dulce (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) bajo cobertura de suelo. Mediante riego por goteo (un emisor por planta con descarga de 1,2 L·h-1) se evaluaron cuatro láminas de riego para los cultivares Perú 92 y Diamond, calculadas en base a un 60, 70, 80 y 100 % de la evapotranspiración del cultivo (ETc), combinadas o no con la técnica de acolchado del suelo. La ETc se determinó en función del coeficiente del cultivo y de la evapotranspiración de referencia (ET0), y esta última se estimó como el 75 % de la evaporación medida en una tina tipo “A”. Se usó un diseño de parcelas sub-divididas en bloques al azar con tres repeticiones, donde la parcela principal estuvo representada por los dos cultivares, la sub-parcela por la condición de cobertura del suelo y la sub-sub-parcela por la lámina de riego. La separación entre plantas fue de 0,33 m y 1,0 m entre hileras. Se determinó el rendimiento así como el peso y número de frutos por planta. El mayor rendimiento de frutos lo produjo el cultivar Perú 92 con la estrategia de riego del 80 % ETc y el uso del acolchado plástico, lo cual sugiere que bajo esas condiciones se podría incrementar hasta en un 60 % los rendimientos del cultivo de ají.

The experiment was performed in the irrigation system of sector Peru-San Vicente, Maturin municipality, Monagas State, to determine the most appropriate irrigation depth in two cultivars of sweet pepper (Capsicum chinense Jacq.) under soil coverage. Drip irrigation (a drip per plant with a flow rate of 1.2 L·h-1) was used to evaluate four irrigation levels for the cultivars Peru 92 and Diamond, with or without the use of soil plastic mulch. The irrigation levels were 60%, 70%, 80% and 100 % of the crop evapotranspiration (ETc) calculated as a function of the crop coefficients and reference evapotranspiration (ET0). The ET0 was estimated as 75 % of the type A evaporation pan. A split-split plot design was used in randomized blocks with three replications, where the main plot was represented by the cultivars, the sub-plot for the soil coverage (plastic mulch or bare soil) and the sub-subplot for the irrigation level. Plants were spaced 0.33 x 1.00 m. The weight of fruit, fruit number per plant and yield was tested. The highest fruit yield was produced by the cultivar Peru 92 with the irrigation 80 % ETc with the use of plastic mulch, which suggests that the yield of sweet pepper could increase up to 60 % under those conditions.

Objective: Genetical characterization of human Cryptosporidium isolates to determine species diversity. Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional study in Valparaiso, Chile, was performed. A total of 458 patients participated in the study: 259 immunodeficient (HIV, cancer, renal transplant hyper-IgM syndrome, HIV and unintended pregnancy) and 178 immunocompetent individuals provided stool samples and 21 patients bile samples. Results: We obtained 29 (6.3%) positive samples. 25 (9.7%) derived from immunodeficient patients: 18 (7.3%) from HIV patients and 7 from patients with other immunodeficiencies. The remaining 4 (2.2%) samples originated from immunocompetent individuals. Cryptosporidium genotyping was performed by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragments length polymorphism and/or PCR followed by sequencing of the SSU rRNA from oocysts in stool samples. 4 species were identified: C. parvum, C. hominis, C. muris, and C. meleagridis. In immunodeficient patients, 16 C. parvum, 8 C. hominis, and 1 C. muris strain were identified. In immunocompetent participants, 3 C. hominis and 1 C. meleagridis isolate were found. Conclusion: The results indicate that zoonotic and anthroponotic transmission occurs and that C. parvum is the predominant species in our study population. Cryptosporidium species of zoonotic transmission accounted for 62% of the human infections detected in this study.

Objetivo: Caracterizar genéticamente Cryptosporidium spp para determinar la diversidad de especies en seres humanos. Pacientes y Métodos: estudio transversal realizado en Valparaíso, Chile, Un total de 458 pacientes participaron del estudio; 259 inmunodeficientes (pacientes con infección por VIH, oncológicos, con trasplante renal, síndrome de hiper IgM y una mujer embarazada sin infección por VIH) y 178 inmunocompetentes proporcionaron muestras fecales y 21 muestras de bilis. Resultados: Se obtuvieron 29 (6,3%) muestras positivas; 25 (9,7%) de inmunodeficientes: 18 (7,3%) de pacientes con infección por VIH y 7 con otras inmunodeficiencias; los restantes 4 (2,2%) fueron de personas inmunocompetentes. La genotipificación de Cryptosporidium se efectuó mediante reacción de polimerasa en cadena (RPC) anidada y el polimorfismo de la longitud de los fragmentos de restricción y/o RPC - secuenciación de la SSU ARNr, a partir de ooquistes en la muestra fecal. Se identificaron 4 especies: C. parvum, C. hominis, C. muris y C. meleagridis. En pacientes inmunodeficientes, se caracterizaron 16 C. parvum, 8 C. hominis y un C. muris; en inmunocompetentes: 3 C. hominis y un C. meleagridis. Conclusión: Los resultados indican que se produce transmisión zoonótica y antroponótica y que C. parvum es la especie predominante en este estudio. Las especies de Cryptosporidium de transmisión zoonótica representan el 62% en los seres humanos participantes de este estudio.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the impact of surgical treatment of stress urinary incontinence on the sexual function of women and to identify whether such treatment can improve their sexual function and overall quality of life. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 64 heterosexual women with such indication were studied using the Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) questionnaire, modified by introducing one question to evaluate the impact of urine loss. This was applied preoperatively and six months after surgery. RESULT: Among these 64 patients, 60.94% had regular sexual activity, while 39.06% did not. Among sexually active patients, 59% had urine loss during sexual intercourse and, of these, 87% had urine losses in half or more of sexual relations. There were no statistically significant differences in assessments of desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction and pain, or in totaling the scores, between the preoperative period and six months after surgical treatment. However, the scores for urine losses during sexual intercourse were significantly better after the operation. CONCLUSIONS: Analysis of the results allowed the following conclusions to be reached: Urine lost during sexual activity was frequent among patients with stress urinary incontinence. Suburethral support surgery did not jeopardize sexual activity. Patients cured of stress urinary incontinence did not present improvement in sexual function.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this series is to report our experience in managing ureteral trauma, focusing on the importance of early diagnosis, correct treatment, and the impact of associated injuries on the management and morbid-mortality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1994 to December 2002, 1487 laparotomies for abdominal trauma were performed and 20 patients with ureteral lesions were identified, all of them secondary to penetrating injury. Medical charts were analyzed as well as information about trauma mechanisms, diagnostic routine, treatment and outcome. RESULTS: All patients were men. Mean age was 27 years. The mechanisms of injury were gunshot wounds in 18 cases (90%) and stab wounds in two (10%). All penetrating abdominal injuries had primary indication of laparotomy, and neither excretory urography nor computed tomography were used in any case before surgery. The diagnosis of ureteric injury was made intra-operatively in 17 cases (85%). Two ureteral injuries (10%) were initially missed. All patients had associated injuries. The treatment was dictated by the location, extension and time necessary to identify the injury. The overall incidence of complications was 55%. The presence of shock on admission, delayed diagnosis, Abdominal Trauma Index > 25, Injury Severity Score > 25 and colon injuries were associated to a high complication rate, however, there was no statistically significant difference. There were no mortalities in this group. CONCLUSIONS: A high index of suspicion is required for diagnosis of ureteral injuries. A thorough exploration of all retroperitoneal hematoma after penetrating trauma should be an accurate method of diagnosis; even though it failed in 10% of our cases.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the concurrent validity, internal consistency and responsiveness of King's Health Questionnaire (KHQ) in patients who underwent sling procedures for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a prospective open label multicenter study in 4 tertiary referral centers. Sixty-eight female patients were enrolled with urodynamically diagnosed urinary stress incontinence. Patients were treated using surgical procedures, mostly (73%) with the synthetic sling procedure, which has been considered one of the gold standard methods for the treatment of urinary incontinence. The patients were assessed before and after one month of postoperative follow up, using the KHQ in its validated Portuguese version. Patients also underwent preoperative urodynamic test, Stamey incontinence grading, pad usage and the assessment of number of pads used per day. After surgery, patients underwent stress test, Stamey incontinence grading pad usage and the assessment of number of pads used per day. RESULTS: The concurrent validity showed good correlations in some domains of KHQ to clinical parameters. The internal consistency was higher after treatment compared to preoperative values. Objective parameters, such as pad usage and the assessment of number of pads used per day, had significant correlation with changes in post-treatment scores on KHQ. The responsiveness expressed in terms of standardized effect size (SES) and standardized response mean (SRM) was large. CONCLUSION: The results showed moderate concurrent validity, strong internal consistency and high responsiveness for KHQ, indicating that it is suitable for measuring outcomes in clinical trials among female patients with stress urinary incontinence.

Os geradores unipolares, unicâmara, ou dupla-câmara podem ser inibidos, ou deflagrados por ação de miopotenciais esqueléticos. Na experiência dos autores, estas complicações ocorrem em mais de 70% dos casos. Os geradores bipolares apresentam o risco potencial de provocar arritmias graves, complicação também observada pelos autores. Preocupados com essa situação, os autores idealizaram um tipo de estimulação com o cátodo ligado ao coração e o ânodo longe do gerador e longe do coração e, por isso, o denominaram "tele-anodo". D. Kormann e J. Pachón tiveram a idéia de posicioná-lo na região esternal. Um dos autores (D. Kormann) idealizou e construiu dois sistemas de tele-anodos esternais e intravasculares. Os esternais podem ser espirais, ou cilíndricos. Na técnica proposta, os autores utilizaram, para estimulação unicâmara, em átrio ou ventrículo, um gerador multiprogramável, bipolar, convencional, com eletrodo unipolar em átrio, ou ventrículo, ligado ao seu polo negativo e o tele-anodo, de preferência esternal, conectado ao polo positivo. Para estimulação dupla-câmara, o mesmo autor idealizou um gerador com três receptáculos. Até março de 1986, foram implantados marcapassos com tele-anodo em 62 pacientes, sendo que 57 receberam tele-anodos esternais (51 espirais e 6 cilíndricos) e 5 tele-anodos intravasculares. Os geradores utilizados foram de vários fabricantes, sendo 35 VII, M, 23 DDD, M, 3 AAI, M e 1 VVI, OB. Em todos os casos, as medidas per e pós-operatórias foram muito semelhantes às convencionais. Não houve nenhuma complicação diretamente relacionada com a técnica proposta. Sessenta e um pacientas com tele-anodo, examinados na clínica de marcapasso, apresentaram condições normais. Concluem os autores que a estimulação cardíaca com tele-anodo diminui, significativamente, as complicações existentes em sistemas unipolares e bipolares.

Unipolar pulse generators, either single or dual chamber, can be inhibited or reverted to the asynchronous mode, by skeletal muscle myopotentials. Dual chamber pacemakers may even stimulate the ventricle at the upper rate limit because of myopotential sensing via the atrial channel. A unipolar anti-tachycardia generator may be triggered by myopotentials to provoke an arrhythmia. During bipolar implanted pacing, episodic ventricular tachycardia has been induced in three patients with Chagasic cardiomyopathy and anodal stimulation has been shown to be the cause. Both unipolar and bipolar stimulation modes present problems. A stimulation mode with the cathode intracardiac and the anode remote from the generator and the patient's heart, called "tele-anode" was developed to be implanted in the presternal area or in venous system and avoid pacemaker triggering and inhibition. The subcutaneous "tele-anode" may be a spiral or a cylinder while an intravascular "tele-anode" may be positioned in the superior or inferior vena cava. Until March, 1986, 62 patients underwent "tele-anode" implantation, 57 at the sternum (51 spiral and 6 cylindrical) and 5 intramuscular. Thirty five generators were single chamber ventricular inhibited, 23 were dual chamber, 3 were atrial inhibited and 1 ventricular anti-tachycardia. In all cases the stimulation thresholds and electrogram characteristics were similar between intracardiac cathode and "tele-anode" and cathode and the puise generator site. Only electromyographic signals were consistently attenuated. One patient with an intravascular "tele-anode" died postoperatively of ventricular arrhythmias and one required ventricular lead repositioning. The 61 living patients, followed from one to twenty-one months, have shown no inhibition, triggering or noise mode reversion at nominal sensitivity setting. The authors conclude that pacemakers implanted with "tele-anode" show a clear evidence of decrease of associated complications, inherent to the conventional unipolar and bipolar cardiac stimulation system.