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.

Introduction Cryptococcosis is an opportunistic mycosis, especially in patients that are human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive, and frequently involves the central nervous system. Methods We assessed the potential of ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS) in preventing mortality due to uncontrollable intracranial hypertension (ICH) in 15 patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related cryptococcal meningitis. Results After 2 weeks of antifungal therapy consisting of amphotericin B deoxycholate with or without fluconazole, patients with persistent ICH underwent VPS, despite having persistent Cryptococcus neoformans infection. In 12 patients, the uncontrollable ICH was resolved by VPS. Conclusions Patients with cryptococcal meningoencephalitis who have ICH must be considered for VPS even with positive cerebrospinal fluid cultures.

The Mexican cichlid, Cichlasoma beani has potential to be a candidate for the aquarium trade and the food industry. However, currently there are no studies regarding the effect of environmental factors on the species in culture conditions. The aim of this study was to assess the potential of C. beani to be maintained in cultured conditions. Additionally, the fish were exposed to different temperatures to examine the effect of temperature on growth, condition and survival of cultured juveniles in 26, 28 and 30°C, for six weeks in recirculation systems. Fish were fed 2.4 mm pellets (40% protein, 15% fat) at a ration rate of 5% body weight per day (dry weight food: wet weight fish). An aggressive behavior in all treatments led to lowered survival, making it impossible to conclude that temperature had an effect on the recorded variables. However the results showed a tendency that indicated the final weight and specific growth rate at 30°C was greater than in 26 and 28°C, perhaps due to a better metabolism and nutrient assimilation.

El cíclido mexicano, Cichlasoma beani presenta potencial para ser un candidato como pez ornamental y ser considerado en la industria alimentaria. Sin embargo, no hay estudios sobre el efecto de los factores ambientales sobre la especie en condiciones de cultivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar el potencial de C. beani para ser mantenido en condiciones de cultivo. Adicionalmente, los juveniles fueron expuestos a diferentes temperaturas para examinar el efecto de la temperatura sobre el crecimiento, la condición y la supervivencia de juveniles cultivados a 26, 28 y 30°C, durante seis semanas en sistemas de recirculación. Los peces fueron alimentados con pellets de 2,4 mm (40% proteína, 15% grasa) a una tasa del 5% de peso corporal por día (peso seco del alimento: peso húmedo de los peces). Un comportamiento agresivo en todos los tratamientos redujo la supervivencia haciendo imposible concluir que la temperatura tuvo un efecto sobre las variables registradas. Sin embargo, una tendencia indicó que el peso final y la tasa de crecimiento específica de C. beani cultivados a 30°C fue mayor que en C. beani cultivados a 26 y 28°C, quizás debido a un metabolismo más activo y una mejor asimilación de nutrientes.

OBJETIVO: Analisar os resultados de 15 pacientes com elevado risco de sangramento obstétrico, submetidas ao implante de catéteres balão profilático para oclusão temporária das artérias hipogástricas. MÉTODOS: Uma análise retrospectiva foi realizada com base em prontuários de 15 pacientes submetidas ao implante de catéteres balão profilático, de janeiro/2008 a dezembro/2011. Todas as pacientes incluídas no estudo foram diagnosticadas no período antenatal com doença placentária associada a alto risco de hemorragia obstétrica. RESULTADOS: A média de idade das pacientes estudadas foi de 36 anos (32-42 anos). Nove pacientes eram portadoras de acretismo placentário, quatro possuíam placenta prévia, uma estava com gestação ectópica e uma apresentava miomatose uterina e coagulopatia associada a Lupus Eritematosos Sistêmico. O volume total de contraste utilizado para o procedimento variou entre 20 e 160 ml (média de 84 ml). A média do número total de dias de internação e o número de dias de internação após o procedimento foram, respectivamente, 12,4 e 4,9 dias. Em oito (53%) casos, não houve necessidade de transfusão sanguínea no intraoperatório ou após a cirurgia. A média do número de unidades de sangue transfundida foi 2,06. A única complicação associada ao procedimento foi a trombose arterial de artéria ilíaca externa, observada em dois casos. CONCLUSÃO: A oclusão temporária de artérias hipogástricas é um método seguro e efetivo para controle de hemorragia em pacientes com elevado risco de sangramento obstétrico, quando realizado por equipe experiente. Os resultados deste estudo são observacionais, retrospectivos e não randomizados; portanto, não podemos apoiar o uso rotineiro dessa técnica, mas podemos incluí-la no arsenal de recursos para casos selecionados com potencial para sangramento.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the results of 15 cases of patients at high risk of obstetric hemorrhage who underwent prophylactic temporary occlusion of internal iliac arteries. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the medical records of 15 patients who underwent prophylactic balloon occlusion of the internal iliac arteries between January 2008 and December 2011. All patients included in the study were diagnosed antenatally with a placental disease associated with a high risk of obstetric hemorrhage. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients studied was 36 years (32-42 years). Nine patients had placenta accreta, 4 had placenta previa, 1 had an ectopic pregnancy and 1 had uterine fibroids and coagulopathy associated with systemic lupus erythematous. The total volume of contrast used in each procedure ranged from 20 to 160 ml (mean 84 ml). The average total number of days in hospital and the average number of days in hospital after the procedure were 12.4 and 4.9 days respectively. In 8 (53%) cases there was no need for blood transfusion during surgery or after surgery. The mean number of units of blood transfused was 2.06. The only complication associated with the procedure was arterial thrombosis of the external iliac artery, observed in 2 cases. CONCLUSION: Temporary occlusion of hypogastric arteries is a safe and effective method for control of bleeding in patients at high risk of obstetric hemorrhage, when performed by experienced staff. The results of this study are observational, retrospective and nonrandomized, therefore we cannot support the routine use of this technique, however, we can include it our arsenal to treat selected cases with potentially unstable hemodynamics.

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.