Some aspects of arsenic toxicity and carcinogenicity in living organism with special regard to its influence on cardiovascular system,blood and bone marrow

This paper gathers data on the most current aspects of arsenic action, especially its influence on the cardiovascular system, blood and bone marrow. A potential carcinogenic mechanism of arsenic is also discussed. Arsenic is a potent toxicant that may exist in several valencies and in a number of inorganic and organic forms. Most cases of arsenic-induced toxicity in humans are due to exposure to inorganic arsenic, and there is an extensive database on the human health effects of common arsenic oxides and oxyacids. Exposure of humans living near hazardous waste sites may involve inhalation of arsenic dusts in the air, ingestion of arsenic in water, food or soil, or dermal contact with contaminated soil or water. The exposure to arsenic via the inhalation route is responsible for the increased risk of lung cancer, although respiratory irritation, nausea and skin effects may also occur. The oral route of exposure to arsenic predominates in the general population. The most common effects of arsenic ingestion are gastrointestinal irritation, peripheral neuropathy, vascular lesions, anemia, skin diseases, including skin cancer and other cancers of the internal organs like bladder, kidney, liver or lung. Relatively little information is available on the effects of direct dermal contact with inorganic arsenicals, but several studies indicate local irritation and dermatitis as the major ones.     

Synthesis and biological properties of S-adamantylated heterocyclic compounds

A series of new S-adamantylated compounds were prepared by adamanlyl cation attack on the thiol group. The biological activity of new compounds as the inducers of TNF-alpha in genetically modified mouse melanoma cells is presented.     

Doping agents and their analytical control

Doping is defined as the use of substances and/or forbidden methods for the artificial performance-enforcement of an athlete during competition or in the preparation period. A survey is given on the misuse of doping agents in recent years, with special emphasis on stimulants, beta blockers, diuretics, exogenous and endogenous steroids and peptide hormones. The introduction of new doping substances including perfluorocarbons, ecdysteroids, synthetic hemoglobin and peptide hormones (e.g. growth-hormone) precursors is described. Hyphenated separation techniques achieved great progress in doping analysis and control, of which some of the recent methods such as LC-MS, GC-MS CE-MS are briefly reviewed here.     

Analysis of antibiotic consumption of five different clinical departments,especially considering the features of hematology departments

The importance of antibiotic consumption and bacterial resistance analysis is unquestionable. Although the WHO has been recommending the use of ATC/DDD method for the analysis of drug utilization for about 20 years, only limited numbers of publications are available considering the antibiotic consumption of in-patients. In the present study--with the help of the mentioned method--we analysed the utilization of antibiotics in 5 clinical departments. We also investigated the connection between antibiotic consumption, bacterial resistance and enterococcal sepsis at the haematologic department. We could follow the successful impact of the implementation of the new guideline.     

Urinary diversions and bladder enlargements

Overall review that offers an integrated insight of the importance and repercussions of urinary by-pass and bladder replacement. Over the last decades there has been a growing interest in the possibility of reconstructing the urinary system and there are now an almost infinite number of surgical solutions. The history of the development of using the intestine for by-passes and the reconstruction of the urinary system is described. The secondary metabolic alterations, the possibility of secondary intestinal tumours and the rudiments of ureterointestinal anastomosis are dealt with. Bladder substitution techniques are highlighted, and the vast experience of the Urology Department of Hospital Miguel Servet explained, including criteria and conclusions that help to choose from the many urological surgery alternatives headed by urinary by-pass and bladder complications.     

Retroperitoneal pathology

The retroperitoneum is one of the most complex regions of human anatomy as it contains a variety organs and structures from different systems, in particular those belonging to the urinary and digestive tracts and the vascular systems. The emergence of different diagnostic imaging techniques has made easier to study the retroperitoneum. Thanks to ultrasonography, computerised tomography and magnetic resonance the assessment of retroperitoneal conditions has taken a great leap forwards permitting the anatomical connections and characteristics of the structures in this region to be reliably established. Owing to the location in the retroperitoneal space of the different organs of the digestive tract and the vascular system, a multidisciplinary approach is required involving the different surgical specialties. The urologist performs a large proportion of his surgical activity in this region and must, therefore, have a good knowledge of the different retroperitoneal organs belonging to the urinary tract and also the connections between these and other organs and structures of the retroperitoneal region.     

Clinical features,diagnosis, and prognosis of renal carcinoma

Significant conceptual changes have taken place in renal tumoral diseases over the last few years. As a result of the authors' broad institutional experience, this overall revision describes the most up-to-date clinical and diagnostic aspects of this condition. Emphasis is made on molecular staging and two variables that guide the prognosis of the disease, a decisive feature to establish treatment and to contribute to change current survival rates.     

Penile cancer

Penile carcinoma is a tumoral condition of inconsistent incidence. Its biological and etiological features are under permanent scientific review. Such circumstance is increased by the growing awareness of a greater demand of anything related with the patients' quality of life. This paper reviews the latest controversies guiding current therapeutic approaches in penile cancer. An analysis is made through a revision of the lymphadenectomy indication and its therapeutic value, criteria related to technical aspects and indications. At the same time, the criteria that should preside over the choice between conservative or radical options are established and emphasis is placed on the growing role of prevention in tumoral conditions and the contribution of innovative gene therapy regimes.     

Non-venereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis. Report of two clinical cases

Nonvenereal sclerosing lymphangitis of the penis is a rare condition that preferably affects men aged between 20 and 40 years, and it is appeared like a hard cord or a nodular lesion in the sulcus coronarius penis. It is believed that it has origin in lymph vessels of the penis. Usually it is resolved in a self-limited way, so the initial treatment is conservative. We report two cases, and some etiopathogenic, diagnosis and therapeutic aspects are discussed.