Objective: To investigate the prevalence of bovine coronavirus (BCoV), bovine rotavirus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus in the feces of normal and diarrheic Korean native calves aged 1-81 days between April and October of 2016 in the Republic of Korea. Methods: Samples were obtained from 50 normal and 93 diarrheic (56 semi-formed, 28 loose, and 9 watery feces) calves in six different regions of northern and southern Korea. These fecal samples were tested for BCoV, bovine rotavirus, and bovine viral diarrhea virus by RT-PCR. Results: Among the three pathogens examined, infection with BCoV was especially prominent in relation to diarrhea among calves aged 1-21 days [odds ratio (OR)=9.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.1-78.9; P=0.02). Infection with BCoV alone (OR=2.9; 95% CI: 1.1-7.6; P=0.03) or co-infection of BCoV with bovine viral diarrhea virus (OR=3.6; 95% CI: 1.0-12.4; P=0.04) was significantly associated with the development of loose feces. Grazing and colostrum intake strongly reduced the occurrence of diarrhea as compared to housed calves (OR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.4; P=0.00) and calves that had not been fed colostrum (OR=0.2; 95% CI: 0.1-0.7; P=0.02), respectively. Conclusions: The present study suggests that BCoV is involved in calf diarrhea in the Republic of Korea. Therefore, grazing and colostrum intake is recommended for preventing and controlling calf diarrhea caused by BCoV.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the postoperative outcome of the multiple slit on plaque plication technique for the treatment of Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 22 patients who underwent plaque incision with penile plication for the surgical treatment of Peyronie's disease, who had failed medical treatment between 2009 and 2014. Patients were grouped by preoperative degree of penile curvature into Group I: mild (n=5, 22.7%), Group II: moderate (n=11, 50.0%), and Group III: severe (n=6, 27.3%). After a thorough review of the medical records, we evaluated (a) the correction of the curvature; (b) sexual function; and (c) any penile shortening or other complications. RESULTS: The mean postoperative follow-up period was 39 months. Complete correction of the curvature was attained in 21 patients (95.5%). As an inevitable complication, minimal penile shortening (<1.5 cm) was reported by 14 patients (82.4%) but did not adversely affect sexual intercourse (0%), and all patients found the extent of penile shortening to be acceptable. Nineteen patients had good erectile function (International Index of Erectile Function >21). The most frequent complication was subcutaneous penile edema in three patients (13.6%), which was resolved within about 3 months following surgery. CONCLUSIONS: As a modified technique, multiple slit on plaque with plication is a simple, minimally-invasive and effective technique for correcting penile curvature regardless of curvature severity. The degree of penile curvature does not significantly predict the amount of penile length loss.
Coitus ; Edema ; Focal Adhesions ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Penile Induration* ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatment of Peyronie's disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 109 patients with Peyronie's disease who had been treated from January 2011 to December 2014 were retrospectively reviewed in this study. Forty-four patients (Group 1) were treated with 12 mg of potassium para-aminobenzoate daily. Sixty-five patients (Group 2) were treated with combination therapy: tamoxifen (20 mg) and acetyl-L-carnitine (300 mg) twice daily in addition to a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor. Ability to perform sexual intercourse, pain during erection, size of plaque, and penile curvature angle were assessed. RESULTS: In Group 1, 30 of 44 patients (68.2%) discontinued treatment within 12 weeks, while 5 patients (7.7%) in Group 2 discontinued treatment. Pain during erection and plaque size were improved in both groups but showed no statistical difference due to the high dropout rate in Group 1. In both groups, penile curvature was improved, but demonstrated no statistical difference between the treatment groups. However, combination therapy demonstrated a better response rate in patients whose penile curvature angle was less than 30° (44.4% vs. 79.1%, p=0.048). The rate of successful sexual intercourse was significantly higher in Group 2 (42.8% vs. 78.3%, p=0.034). The number of patients who underwent surgical correction despite medical treatment was significantly higher in Group 1 (35.7% vs. 13.3%, p=0.048). CONCLUSIONS: Early medical combination therapy in Peyronie's disease may present better results in patients whose curvature angle is less than 30°.
4-Aminobenzoic Acid ; Acetylcarnitine ; Carnitine* ; Coitus ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Humans ; Male ; Patient Dropouts ; Penile Induration* ; Potassium* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tamoxifen*

BACKGROUND: The increased pain at the latent phase can be associated with dysfunctional labor as well as increases in cesarean delivery frequency. We aimed to research the effect of the degree of pain at the time of epidural analgesia on the entire labor process including the mode of delivery. METHODS: We performed epidural analgesia to 102 nulliparous women on patients' request. We divided the group into three based on NRS (numeric rating scale) at the moment of epidural analgesia; mild pain, NRS 1-4; moderate pain, NRS 5-7; severe pain, NRS 8-10. The primary outcome was the mode of delivery (normal labor or cesarean delivery). RESULTS: There were significant differences in the mode of delivery among groups. Patients with severe labor pain had a significantly higher cesarean delivery compared to patients with moderate labor pain (P = 0.006). The duration of the first and second stage of labor, fetal heart rate, use of oxytocin and premature rupture of membranes had no differences in the three groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our research showed that the degree of pain at the time of epidural analgesia request might influence the rate of cesarean delivery. Further research would be necessary for clarifying the mechanism that the augmentation of pain affects the mode of delivery.
Analgesia, Epidural* ; Delivery, Obstetric ; Female ; Heart Rate, Fetal ; Humans ; Labor Pain* ; Membranes ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Rupture

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the discomfort reported by patients taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2011 to March 2012, we surveyed patients who were prescribed PDE5Is for erectile dysfunction (ED). The questionnaire elicited information concerning: patient characteristics, medication counseling received and inconveniences experienced in hospitals and at pharmacies, effects of PDE5Is, and the separation of the prescribing and the dispensing of PDE5Is. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients completed the questionnaire (mean age: 58.81+/-9.14 years). Among the 62 patients (26.0%) who reported having encountered some inconveniences in hospitals, the most frequently expressed concerns 'assistant staff,' including nurses (38.7%), 'testing procedures' (27.4%), and 'the issuing of prescriptions' (22.6%). Of the 137 patients (57.8%) who noted inconveniences in obtaining medications from pharmacies, 60.6% cited 'self-consciousness' as the most common reason, followed by 'insufficient medication counseling' (22.6%), and 'absence of consultation' (11.6%). In contrast, 82% of the patients were satisfied with the medication counseling that they had received in hospitals, covering drug usage, side effects, and precautions regarding PDE5Is; this proportion was only 30% for pharmacies. Further, most patients (89%) indicated that they preferred to obtain their prescriptions and medications for ED from the hospital at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ED is a highly private matter. According to the survey, ED patients more often felt that obtaining medication from pharmacies was inconvenient. The sociocultural aspects of ED necessitate that exceptions to separating the prescribing and the dispensing of medication be considered.
Counseling ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Pharmacies ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors* ; Prescriptions

PURPOSE: This study was performed to investigate the discomfort reported by patients taking phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) in clinical practice. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From September 2011 to March 2012, we surveyed patients who were prescribed PDE5Is for erectile dysfunction (ED). The questionnaire elicited information concerning: patient characteristics, medication counseling received and inconveniences experienced in hospitals and at pharmacies, effects of PDE5Is, and the separation of the prescribing and the dispensing of PDE5Is. RESULTS: A total of 237 patients completed the questionnaire (mean age: 58.81+/-9.14 years). Among the 62 patients (26.0%) who reported having encountered some inconveniences in hospitals, the most frequently expressed concerns 'assistant staff,' including nurses (38.7%), 'testing procedures' (27.4%), and 'the issuing of prescriptions' (22.6%). Of the 137 patients (57.8%) who noted inconveniences in obtaining medications from pharmacies, 60.6% cited 'self-consciousness' as the most common reason, followed by 'insufficient medication counseling' (22.6%), and 'absence of consultation' (11.6%). In contrast, 82% of the patients were satisfied with the medication counseling that they had received in hospitals, covering drug usage, side effects, and precautions regarding PDE5Is; this proportion was only 30% for pharmacies. Further, most patients (89%) indicated that they preferred to obtain their prescriptions and medications for ED from the hospital at the same time. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of ED is a highly private matter. According to the survey, ED patients more often felt that obtaining medication from pharmacies was inconvenient. The sociocultural aspects of ED necessitate that exceptions to separating the prescribing and the dispensing of medication be considered.
Counseling ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Pharmacies ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors* ; Prescriptions

We recently encountered a case of stuttering priapism in a 41-year-old patient with neurosyphilis. Priapism very rarely has a neurogenic cause, and to our knowledge, priapism caused by neurosyphilis has not been reported previously in the literature. Our aim was to report this case and systematically review the related literature.
Humans ; Neurosyphilis ; Priapism ; Stuttering

PURPOSE: It has been reported that prostate-specific antigen (PSA) correlates with prostate volume. Recently, some studies have reported that PSA mass (PSA adjusted for plasma volume) is more accurate than PSA at predicting prostate volume. In this study, we analyzed the accuracy of PSA and the related parameters of PSA mass, free PSA (fPSA), and fPSA mass in predicting prostate volume. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively investigated 658 patients who underwent prostate biopsy from 2006 to 2012 and had a confirmed negative biopsy result. International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, PSA, fPSA, and prostate volume were investigated. PSA mass and fPSA mass were calculated by use of established formulas. The association between PSA-related parameters and IPSS and prostate volume was assessed by using Pearson correlation coefficient and receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between PSA and PSA mass, fPSA, or fPSA mass in predicting prostate volume except in obese patients (p-value of PSA-PSA mass for 40 cm3, 0.54; p-value of fPSA-fPSA mass for 40 cm3, 0.34). fPSA performed significantly better than PSA at predicting prostate volume (p-value for 40 cm3, <0.001). IPSS and the aforementioned PSA-related parameters were not significantly correlated. CONCLUSIONS: PSA mass was not a better predictive value than PSA for estimating the prostate volume in Korean men except in obese men. This finding was also applicable to the relationship of fPSA and fPSA mass, which appeared to be more accurate predictors of prostate volume than either PSA or PSA mass.
Biopsy ; Humans ; Male ; Plasma ; Prostate ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retrospective Studies ; ROC Curve

PURPOSE: Retinopathy, neuropathy, and nephropathy are well-known complications of diabetes; they are often expected to occur and, therefore, are usually tested for. However, urogenital complications, such as sexual and voiding dysfunctions, are less well known, and consequently, many patients are not treated appropriately despite their symptoms. Thus, we surveyed diabetic patients with regard to their perception of urogenital complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a survey for patients in our hospital who were being treated for diabetes mellitus (DM). The questionnaire included items on age, sex, treatment duration, treatment options for and the level of perception of urogenital symptoms, the presence of urogenital symptoms, and whether treatment was intended or had been initiated. RESULTS: In total, 275 patients participated in the survey. The perception questions on DM-associated urogenital complications showed that 89 patients (32.4%) had no knowledge, 84 patients (30.5%) had some knowledge, and 102 patients (37.1%) had detailed knowledge about these complications. A total of 124 patients (45.1%) reported urogenital symptoms: 93 patients (75.0%) reported voiding dysfunction and 61 patients (49.2%) reported sexual dysfunction. Common symptoms of voiding dysfunction were urinary frequency, nocturia, sense of residual urine, weak stream, and urinary incontinence. Common symptoms of sexual dysfunction were reduced libido, and erectile and ejaculatory dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: The survey showed that the subjective prevalence rate of urogenital symptoms in diabetic patients was 45.1%. However, only a small percentage (37.1%) of the patients cognized that these symptoms were associated with DM. Therefore, it is necessary to properly inform and educate diabetic patients on possible urogenital complications that may occur.
Diabetes Mellitus ; Humans ; Libido ; Nocturia ; Prevalence ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Rivers ; Urinary Incontinence ; Urogenital System

We performed 24-hr monitoring of pulse oximetric saturation (SpO2) with ECG and six-minute walk test (6MWT) in 19 patients with fibrotic interstitial lung diseases (ILD) to investigate; 1) The frequency and severity of hypoxemia and dysrhythmia during daily activities and 6MWT, 2) safety of 6MWT, and 3) the parameters of 6MWT which can replace 24-hr continuous monitoring of SpO2 to predict hypoxemia during daily activities. All patients experienced waking hour hypoxemia, and eight of nineteen patients spent > 10% of waking hours in hypoxemic state. Most patients experienced frequent arrhythmia, mostly atrial premature contractions (APCs) and ventricular premature contractions (VPCs). There were significant correlation between the variables of 6MWT and hypoxemia during daily activities. All of the patients who desaturated below 80% before 300 meters spent more than 10% of waking hour in hypoxemia (P = 0.018). In contrast to waking hour hypoxemia, SpO2 did not drop significantly during sleep except in the patients whose daytime resting SpO2 was already low. In conclusion, patients with fibrotic ILD showed significant period of hypoxemia during daily activities and frequent VPCs and APCs. Six-minute walk test is a useful surrogate marker of waking hour hypoxemia and seems to be safe without continuous monitoring of SpO2.
*Activities of Daily Living ; Aged ; Anoxia/*physiopathology ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac/*physiopathology ; Dyspnea/physiopathology ; Electrocardiography, Ambulatory ; Exercise Test ; Exercise Tolerance ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial/*physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Motor Activity/*physiology ; Oximetry ; Respiratory Function Tests ; Sleep ; Walking