In contrast to the nondegeneracy theorem, we present various scenarios in one-dimensional quantum mechanics that demonstrate how the Wronskian of two bound-state eigenfunctions with the same energy eigenvalue can be zero without implying that the eigenfunctions are linearly dependent. It is shown that the nondegeneracy theorem fails only when the potential makes different bound-state solutions corresponding to the same energy vanish at the singular point or region of singularity. onedimensional one dimensional boundstate bound state dependent singularity

It is known that chronic high levels of corticosterone (CORT) enhance aversive responses such as avoidance and contextual freezing. In contrast, chronic CORT does not alter defensive behavior induced by the exposure to a predator odor. Since different defense-related responses have been associated with specific anxiety disorders found in clinical settings, the observation that chronic CORT alters some defensive behaviors but not others might be relevant to the understanding of the neurobiology of anxiety. In the present study, we investigated the effects of chronic CORT administration (through surgical implantation of a 21-day release 200 mg pellet) on avoidance acquisition and escape expression by male Wistar rats (200 g in weight at the beginning of the experiments, N = 6-10/group) tested in the elevated T-maze (ETM). These defensive behaviors have been associated with generalized anxiety and panic disorder, respectively. Since the tricyclic antidepressant imipramine is successfully used to treat both conditions, the effects of combined treatment with chronic imipramine (15 mg, ip) and CORT were also investigated. Results showed that chronic CORT facilitated avoidance performance, an anxiogenic-like effect (P < 0.05), without changing escape responses. Imipramine significantly reversed the anxiogenic effect of CORT (P < 0.05), although the drug did not exhibit anxiolytic effects by itself. Confirming previous observations, imipramine inhibited escape responses, a panicolytic-like effect. Unlike chronic CORT, imipramine also decreased locomotor activity in an open field. These data suggest that chronic CORT specifically altered ETM avoidance, a fact that should be relevant to a better understanding of the physiopathology of generalized anxiety and panic disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To address the effect of therapy options and other factors on the natural history of localized prostate cancer (PCa). METHODS: Men with diagnosed clinically localized PCa who underwent radical prostatectomy (RP), radiotherapy (RT) or watchful waiting (WW). Rates of biochemical progression (BQP) and clinical progression (CLP) were calculated. The effects of therapy, initial PSA, presence of palpable tumor and Gleason score were assessed with Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test. Similar methods were used to study overall and disease-specific survival. RESULTS: A total of 228 patients were studied (135 underwent RP, 46 RT, and 47 WW). Median followup time was 2.5 years. Forty patients presented with BQP. The probability of being free from BQP after 2 and 5 years was 76.8% and 57.9% respectively for the whole population, 70.9% and 57.6% for RP patients, 100% and 100% for RT, and 87.1% and 47.2% for WW (p=0.031). Nineteen patients presented with CLP, with no significant differences with regard to therapy option. A poorly differentiated Gleason score favoured the probability of presenting with CLP (p=0.022) and shift to metastatic disease (p<0.001). No cancer-specific mortality was recorded in the studied population. CONCLUSIONS: Short and medium term prognosis is excellent for localized prostate cancer in terms of survival. Nevertheless, some patients show a higher risk of progressing to metastatic disease (poorly differentiated Gleason score).

OBJETIVO: Conocer el impacto de la alternativa terapéutica y de otros factores sobre la historia natural del cáncer de próstata (CaP) localizado. MÉTODOS: Pacientes con CaP clínicamente localizado sometidos a prostatectomía radical (PR), radioterapia (RT) u observación (OBS). Se calcularon las tasas de progresión bioquímica (PBQ) y clínica (PCL). Se evaluaron los efectos del tratamiento, del PSA al diagnóstico, de la presencia de tumor palpable y del score de Gleason mediante análisis Kaplan- Meier y test log-rank. Del mismo modo se estudiaron la mortalidad global y la cáncer específica. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 228 pacientes (135 sometidos a PR, 46 a RT, y 47 a OBS). La mediana del tiempo de seguimiento fue de 2,5 años. Cuarenta pacientes presentaron PBQ. La probabilidad de permanecer libre de PBQ a los 2 y 5 años fue de 76,8% y 57,9% respectivamente para la serie completa, 70,9% y 57,6% para PR, 100% y 100% para RT, y 87,1% y 47,2% para OBS (p=0,031). Diecinueve pacientes presentaron PCL, no observándose diferencia significativa respecto del tratamiento efectuado. Un score de Gleason pobremente diferenciado influyó en la probabilidad de presentar PCL (p=0,022) y en la evolución a enfermedad metastásica (p<0,001). No se registró mortalidad cáncer-específica en la población estudiada. CONCLUSIONES: El pronóstico a corto y medio plazo del cáncer de próstata localizado es, en términos de supervivencia, excelente. No obstante, algunos enfermos presentan un mayor riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad metastásica (Gleason pobremente diferenciado).

The objective of this study was to evaluate the immobilization of lipase on a chitosan support by physical adsorption, aiming at its application in hydrolytic and synthetic reactions. Two types of chitosan (flakes and porous) were used for immobilizing lipase from a microbial source (Candida rugosa) and animal cells (porcine pancreas). The best results for recovery of total activity after immobilization were obtained for microbial lipase and porous chitosan beads. This set was selected for further immobilization studies, including full characterization of the immobilized derivative in aqueous and organic media. In aqueous medium, the operational and thermal stabilities of this preparation were quantified. In organic medium, the direct synthesis of n-butyl butyrate in organic solvent was chosen as a model reaction. The influence of several parameters, such as temperature, initial butyric acid concentration and amount of enzyme in the reaction system, was analyzed. Production of n-butyl butyrate was optimized and an ester yield response equation was obtained, making it possible to predict ester yields from known values of the three main factors. Use of this immobilized preparation was extended to the direct esterification of a large range of carboxylic acids (from C2 to C12) with a variety of alcohols (from C2 to C10).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Surgical repair is the most effective option for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) between the different therapeutical options availables at present. The main objective of our study is to compair the outcome of the different techniques employed in the treatment of SUI in our setting. METHOD: We have performed a retrospective analysis of the patients who underwent surgical intervention for SUI between 1991 to 1999 (213 surgical interventions in 194 patients) clustering the surgical procedures into three groups: abdominal, abdomino-vaginal, and sling procedures. The results of the treatment were defined as follows: total continence, significant improvement and insufficient improvement. Comparison of continence rates was performed with χ2 test and Fisher’s exact test. Association between qualitative variables was also evaluated by means of χ2 test. Multivariate analysis of predictive factors was performed with a Cox model. The outcome was also evaluated by Kaplan-Meier’s curves, and comparisons made with log-rank test. Statistical significance level was established for p< 0.05. RESULTS: Global cure rate at 24 months was 54.5% (116 patients). Significant improvement was observed in 33 patients (15.5%), and insufficient improvement was seen in 64 patients (30%). The most frequent postoperative complications were suprapubic pain (33%), acute urinary retention (26%), significant postvoiding residual urine (24%) and wound seroma or infection (20%). None of the analyzed factors (age, weight, number of births, preoperative pads, postoperative acute urinary retention, and need for postoperative bladder clean intermitent catheterization were independient predictive factors for postoperative continence. The actuarial analysis with Kaplan-Meier curves shows no statistical differences between the studied techniques (log rank p=0.41). Sling techniques presented with a superior rate of most postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: The cure rate of our serie was 54.5% at 24 months, with a 70% of clinically satisfactory responses. With regard to continence status, it seems that there is not a better surgical technique in our hands, presenting sling techniques with a higher rate of postoperative complications. We could not find no pre o postoperative independient factors as predictors of postoperative continence.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La corrección quirúrgica es actualmente el método más efectivo de tratamiento para la incontinencia urinaria de esfuerzo (IUE) de entre las diferentes opciones terapéuticas de las que se dispone en la actualidad. El objetivo de este trabajo consiste en comparar la eficacia de los distintos grupos de técnicas empleadas para el tratamiento de la IUE en nuestras pacientes. MATERIAL Y MÉTODO: Hemos llevado a cabo un análisis retrospectivo de las pacientes intervenidas en nuestro Servicio por IUE durante el periodo comprendido entre abril de 1991 y julio de 1999 (213 intervenciones en 194 pacientes), agrupando los procedimientos en 3 grupos: técnicas abdominales, técnicas abdomino-vaginales, y técnicas de cabestrillo. La tasa de éxito de la intervención fue valorada mediante tres categorías: continencia total, mejoría clínicamente significativa, y ausencia de mejoría. La comparación bivariante de proporciones se realizó mediante la prueba exacta de Fisher y el test de Chi-cuadrado. La asociación de variables cualitativas se evaluó mediante el test de Chi-cuadrado: se utilizó un modelo de Cox para el análisis multivariante de los factores predictores de continencia, y curvas de Kaplan-Meier para la evaluación de la supervivencia de la continencia post-operatoria. Para todos ellos se tomó como nivel de significación estadística una p<0,05. RESULTADOS: La tasa de continencia total de nuestra serie fue del 54,5% (116 pacientes continentes) a los 2 años. En el grupo de mejoría clínica significativa fueron incluidas 33 pacientes (15,5%) y en el grupo de pacientes sin mejoría 64 pacientes (30%) (Figs. 3 y 4). Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron la presencia de dolor suprapúbico (33%), la infección de la herida (20%), la retención de orina post-operatoria (26%), y la presencia de residuo post-miccional significativo (24%). Ninguno de los múltiples factores analizados, se mostraron como factores predictivos independientes para la continencia post-operatoria. En el análisis actuarial, tras la comparación de las curvas de Kaplan-Meier correspondientes a cada técnica, objetivamos que no existen diferencias entre las distintas técnicas (logrank; p=0,41) presentando la técnica de sling un mayor número de complicaciones. CONCLUSIONES: La tasa de continencia total post-quirúrgica de nuestra serie es de un 54,5% a los dos años, encontrando un total de 70% de respuestas clínicamente satisfactorias. No parece existir una técnica claramente superior a las demás en cuanto a eficacia para nuestras pacientes, presentando la técnica de sling un porcentaje superior de complicaciones. No hemos encontrado factores pre o post-operatorios que influyan de modo independiente en la predicción de la continencia post-quirúrgica.

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic ß cells. Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop diabetes similar to the human disease. Cytokines produced by islet-infiltrating mononuclear cells may be directly cytotoxic and can be involved in islet destruction coordinated by CD4+ and CD8+ cells. We utilized a semiquantitative RT-PCR assay to analyze in vitro the mRNA expression of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma cytokine genes in isolated islets (N = 100) and spleen cells (5 x 10(5) cells) from female NOD mice during the development of diabetes and from female CBA-j mice as a related control strain that does not develop diabetes. Cytokine mRNAs were measured at 2, 4, 8, 14 and 28 weeks of age from the onset of insulitis to the development of overt diabetes. An increase in IFN-gamma expression in islets was observed for females aged 28 weeks (149 ± 29 arbitrary units (AU), P<0.05, Student t-test) with advanced destructive insulitis when compared with CBA-j mice, while TNF-alpha was expressed in both NOD and CBA-j female islets at the same level at all ages studied. In contrast, TNF-alpha in spleen was expressed at higher levels in NOD females at 14 weeks (99 ± 8 AU, P<0.05) and 28 weeks (144 ± 17 AU, P<0.05) of age when compared to CBA-j mice. The data suggest that IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha expression in pancreatic islets of female NOD mice is associated with ß cell destruction and overt diabetes.

Outward current oscillations associated with transient membrane hyperpolarizations were induced in murine macrophage polykaryons by membrane depolarization in the absence of external Na+. Oscillations corresponded to a cyclic activation of Ca2+-dependent K+ currents (IKCa) probably correlated with variations in intracellular Ca2+ concentration. Addition of external Na+ (8 mM) immediately abolished the outward current oscillations, suggesting that the absence of the cation is necessary not only for their induction but also for their maintenance. Oscillations were completely blocked by nisoldipine. Ruthenium red and ryanodine reduced the number of outward current cycles in each episode, whereas quercetin prolonged the hyperpolarization 2- to 15-fold. Neither low molecular weight heparin nor the absence of a Na+ gradient across the membrane had any influence on oscillations. The evidence suggests that Ca2+ entry through a pathway sensitive to Ca2+ channel blockers is elicited by membrane depolarization in Na+-free medium and is essential to initiate oscillations, which are also dependent on the cyclic release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+-sensitive stores; Ca2+ ATPase acts by reducing intracellular Ca2+, thus allowing slow deactivation of IKCa. Evidence is presented that neither a Na+/Ca2+ antiporter nor Ca2+ release from IP3-sensitive Ca2+ stores participate directly in the mechanism of oscillation