Notes: Abstract:  For almost three decades, tamoxifen has been used in the adjuvant treatment of breast cancer. It has also proven effective in the chemoprophylaxis of this disease and in the treatment of cyclic mastalgia. Since a fibroadenoma is a benign hormone-dependent neoplasm which contains estrogen receptor (ER) levels higher than in the mammary lobule, an evaluation of the effect of this drug on the proliferative activity of both the epithelium and the stroma of fibroadenomas in premenopausal women following the administration of 10 or 20 mg/day over 22 days was proposed. Forty women with fibroadenoma were selected for a randomized double-blind trial. They had regular menstrual cycles and had received neither hormones nor become pregnant 12 months prior to this study. Patients were divided into three groups: A (n = 14; placebo), B (n = 13; tamoxifen 10 mg/day), and C (n = 13; tamoxifen 20 mg/day). The treatment was initiated on the first day of their menstrual cycle and the surgeries were performed on the 22nd day. Estradiol, progesterone, and steroid hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured twice. The first measurement was performed on the 22nd day of the previous menstrual cycle and the second one was performed on the day of surgery. The fibroadenoma was fixed in 10% formaldehyde solution and stained with hematoxylin and eosin and then processed through immunohistochemical reaction (PC-10, DAKO code number M879, Denmark A/S). The immunoexpression of the proliferative cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of at least 500 epithelial and 500 stromal cells was evaluated. Such cells were interactively counted using the Kontron Imaging System KS-300 computerized analysis system, with ×400 magnification. As to PCNA expression in the fibroadenomas’ epithelium, the average percentage of stained nuclei in groups A, B, and C was 25.2, 19.3, and 18.0, respectively. However, no significant difference was found in the variance analysis of these data (p = 0.168). As to the study of the fibroadenomas’ stroma, the average percentage of stained nuclei found in groups A, B, and C was 32.4, 23.2, and 18.4, respectively. The variance analysis (p = 0.031) and Fisher's multiple comparison test (1.39; 26.67 confidence interval [CI]) confirmed that the number of PCNA-expressing nuclei in the stroma was significantly lower in group C (20 mg/day) compared to group A (control). However, there was no significant difference between group B (10 mg/day) and group C (20 mg/day). It was found that tamoxifen reduced the expression of PCNA in the epithelium and the stroma of the fibroadenoma. However, the effect was only statistically significant in the stroma when a 20 mg/day dose was administered.

Notes: A case of placenta percreta invading the posterior wall of the bladder caused dysuria, frequency and hematuria. The patient had had four previous Caesarean sections.

Notes: The yeasts Rhodotorula glutinis (LS-11), Cryptococcus laurentii (LS-28), Candida famata (21-D) and Pichia guilliermondii (29-A) and the yeast-like fungus Aureobasidium pullulans (LS-30), previously selected and characterized for mechanisms of action and antagonistic activity against postharvest pathogens in small and large-scale experiments, were used in this study in order to assess interrelationships among the main factors (antagonist, host fruit and fungal pathogen) involved in biological control of postharvest diseases. The antagonists were evaluated for their inhibitory activity (IA) against six common postharvest fungal pathogens on six different host fruits. Artificially wounded fruits were first inoculated with the antagonist and 2 h later with the pathogen; subsequently they were kept at 20°C for 4–6 days. The IA of each antagonist was evaluated and data were submitted to factorial analysis of variance. The populations of antagonists were also monitored on wounded and unwounded fruits kept at 20°C for 7 days. Each factor examined (antagonist, host fruit and fungal pathogen) as well as their interactions significantly affected the IA. However, among the antagonists, isolates LS-28 and LS-30 were only slightly affected by both host and pathogen, showing a wide range of activity, whereas isolate LS-11 had a variable IA. All the antagonists rapidly colonized the wounds, while their population remained substantially unchanged on unwounded fruits. These results suggest that in order to select yeasts with a broad spectrum of action, more suitable for commercial development, it would be advantageous to perform preliminary assays against several pathogens and in particular on different fruit species.

Notes: Abstract: Our objective was to evaluate urodynamic and ultrasonographic findings after continence surgery. The study consisted of three groups of women according to the surgery performed: group I (Burch colposuspension) with 12 patients; group II (Kelly–Kennedy plication) with 10 patients; and group III (Gittes surgery) with 9 patients. Urodynamic study was done preoperatively and after surgery (on the 7th and 30th postoperative days, and at least 6 months after surgery) and ultrasonography of the bladder neck was performed to evaluate its position in relation to the inferior edge of the pubic symphysis and its mobility, both preoperatively and after surgery (30th postoperative day). All patients remained continent. We observed an increase in the first desire to void and maximum cystometric capacity after 6 months in groups I and II, respectively. There was no change in the urethral closure pressure profile in the three groups. Elevation of the bladder neck and decrease of its mobility were found by ultrasonography. Urinary continence after surgery is not the result of alterations in the urethral closure pressure profile, but rather of an elevation in the bladder neck and limitation of its mobility, which probably improves the abdominal pressure transmission rate to the proximal urethra.

Notes: Abstract Posthysterectomy prolapse of the vaginal vault is a complicated and uncommon occurrence in gynecology. The treatment is surgical and may be either vaginal or abdominal. The great variety of techniques described indicates that there is disagreement about the ideal route or technique to be used. The authors present their experience in surgical correction using colpopexy with rectus abdominal muscle fascia.

Notes: Abstract: This study assessed the effect of hormone replacement therapy using estrogens and/or progestogens on the number of vessels in the proximal and distal urethra, vesicourethral junction and bladder of castrated adult female rats. Forty-five virgin adult rats (Rattus norvegicus albinus) castrated for at least 30 days were used. They were assigned to five groups; group I (control) received no medication; the others received via the subcutaneous route, respectively, 17-β-estradiol (group II), medroxyprogesterone acetate (group III), a maize oil and benzyl acid solution – placebo (group IV) and 17-β-estradiol combined with medroxyprogesterone acetate (group V), for a minimum of 28 days. Increased vascularization throughout the urinary tract, except in the distal urethra, was found following estrogen replacement alone. In the group that received combined estrogens and progestogens, no increase was found. It was concluded that estrogen replacement in castrated rats significantly increased the number of vessels in the lower urinary tract.

Notes: Abstract: Urethral pressure should exceed bladder pressure, both at rest and on stress, for urinary continence to occur. A decrease in urethral pressure is a major factor explaining the pathogenesis of urinary incontinence. A number of elements, such as smooth and striated periurethral muscles, and connective, vascular and elastic tissues, contribute to urethral pressure. The periurethral vessels are influenced by hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, during pregnancy and postmenopause. We studied the periurethral vessels in 97 women, 57 of whom were incontinent and 40 continent, using power color Doppler velocimetry. The number of periurethral vessels, systolic peak, minimum diastolic values, pulsatility and resistance indexes, as well as systolic–diastolic ratio, were assessed. Statistically significant differences were found between incontinent women in the premenopausal period and those in the postmenopausal period, regarding the number of periurethral vessels, systolic peak, minimum diastolic values, pulsatility and resistance indexes.