No abstract available.
Biopsy* ; Prostate*

PURPOSE: Recent studies report that up to 40 to 50% of patients who were thought to have clinically localized disease were found to be understaged subsequent to radical surgery. Clearly, development of more sensitive means to identify patients with micrometastatic, locally invasive disease is warranted. With the development of molecular biology, we can apply reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) that allows us to identify PSA-synthesizing cells in peripheral blood even when they are highly diluted in a population of peripheral lymphocytes. In this study, we will evaluate the role of RT-PCR in molecular staging of prostate cancer to apply it to clinical situations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Peripheral blood was obtained from a wide variety of patients with and without prostate cancer before radical prostatectomy. After ribonucleic acid isolation, complementary deoxyribonucleic acid was generated and amplified with a hot-start technique. RT-PCR results were compared with pathologic stage, Gleason score, serum PSA and tumor volume. RESULTS: The RT-PCR test was positive in 0 of 20 controls without suspicion of prostate cancer. Before radical prostatectomy a positive test was obtained in 2 of 9(22.2%) with pT2 disease versus 3 of 5(60%) with pT3 disease. A positive test was obtained in 5 of 6(83.3%) with overt lymph node or bone metastatic disease. We obtained intermittent RT-PCR positive results in serial procedures with two overt bone metastatic cancer patients. There was no significant difference in serum PSA, Gleason score or tumor volume between the men with positive or negative results. CONCLUSIONS: The PSA RT-PCR test in our laboratory cannot be used preoperatively to predict accurate pathological stage of prostate cancer who have undertaken radical prostatectomy. But there is a tendency that PSA mRNA was more frequently detected with higher stage. If the methodology of RT-PCR is refined and improved and sample size increased, RT-PCR for PSA mRNA will become a valuable tool for the evaluation of prostate cancer patients.
DNA ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Lymphocytes ; Male ; Molecular Biology ; Neoplasm Grading ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; RNA ; RNA, Messenger ; Sample Size ; Tumor Burden

Hyperplasia of the gingivae may occur as a secondary reaction in the treatment of epilepsy with diphenylhydantoin sodium. This study is intended to investigate the incidence and dharacteristics of gingival hyperplasia in 124 epileptic patients taking diphenylhydantoin longstandingly. The results are as follows: 1. The incidence of diphenylhydantoin induced gingival hyperplasia is approximately 69.4%. 2. The individual tolerance or sensitivity may determine the incidence and severity of gingival hyperplasia and are not directly related with the duration of drug use and its dosage. 3. Gingival hyperplasia is more frequent in female patients and younger patients than male and older. 4. There is no direct relationship betwwen occurance of gingival hyperplasia and meticulous oral hygiene. 5. The mechanism involved in a causation of diphenylhydantoin induced gingival hyperplasia has not been elucidated. 6. We recommand that diphenylhydantoin may be prescribed as the drug of the first choice for the control of epileptic seizure in the adolescent female patients and children especially receiving certain dental treatments.
Adolescent ; Child ; Epilepsy ; Female ; Gingiva ; Gingival Hyperplasia* ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Male ; Oral Hygiene ; Phenytoin ; Sodium

No abstract available.
Ureter*

We report a case of massive retroperitoneal hemorrhage from a spontaneous rupture of a renal angiomyolipoma in a 35 year-old man, that appeared unilateral and solitary tumor without stigma of tuberous sclerosis. He experienced a sudden onset severe pain on the right flank, but had no history of specific associated diseases or factors such as trauma or stone. The patient presented with a clinical picture of shock because of massive hemorrhage in despite of the emergency care and was treated by right total nephrectomy. Herein we review briefly the clinical presentation, diagnosis and management of renal angiomyolipoma.
Adult ; Angiomyolipoma* ; Diagnosis ; Emergency Medical Services ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Nephrectomy ; Rupture, Spontaneous* ; Shock ; Shock, Hemorrhagic* ; Tuberous Sclerosis

Curcumin is a widely used flavoring agent in food, and it has been reported to inhibit cell growth, to induce apoptosis, and to have antitumor activity in many cancers. Cisplatin is one of the most potent known anticancer agents and shows significant clinical activity against a variety of solid tumors. This study was undertaken to investigate the synergistic apoptotic effects of co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin on human tongue SCC25 cells. To investigate whether the co-treatment efficiently reduced the viability of the SCC25 cells compared with the two treatments separately, an MTT assay was conducted. The induction and the augmentation of apoptosis were confirmed by DNA electrophoresis, Hoechst staining, and an analysis of DNA hypoploidy. Western blot, MMP and immunofluorescence tests were also performed to evaluate the expression levels and the translocation of apoptosis-related proteins following the co-treatment. In this study, following the co-treatment with curcumin and cisplatin, the SCC25 cells showed several forms of apoptotic manifestation, such as nuclear condensation, DNA fragmentation, reduction of MMP, increased levels of Bax, decreased levels of Bcl-2, and decreased DNA content. In addition, they showed a release of cytochrome c into the cytosol, translocation of AIF and DFF40 (CAD) to the nuclei, and activation of caspase-7, caspase-3, PARP, and DFF45 (ICAD). In contrast, separate treatments of 5 microM of curcumin or 4 microg/ml of cisplatin, for 24 hours, did not induce apoptosis. Therefore, our data suggest that combination therapy with curcumin and cisplatin could be considered as a novel therapeutic strategy for human oral squamous cell carcinoma.
Antineoplastic Agents ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 7 ; Cell Line* ; Cisplatin* ; Curcumin* ; Cytochromes c ; Cytosol ; DNA ; DNA Fragmentation ; Electrophoresis ; Flavoring Agents ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Humans ; Tongue*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the impact of temporary internal ureteral stents on the surgical outcomes of dismembered pyeloplasty in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 70 children (76 renal units) who underwent dismembered pyeloplasty for ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction at at Asan Medical Center between January 2005 and December 2010 were retrospectively reviewed. We classified the renal units into the stented group (22 renal units) and the nonstented group (54 renal units). Fifty-four of 70 patients were male and their mean age was 2.2+/-3.8 years old. The mean follow-up period was 29.6+/-16.8 months. RESULTS: Sixty-four children had unilateral UPJ obstruction. The mean stent duration was 31.9 days. As shown by evaluation of radiologic images, there were no significant differences between the stented group and the nonstented group during the follow-up period (p>0.05). The mean preoperative and postoperative anteroposterior pelvic diameters (APPDs) of the nonstented group were 31.3 mm and 15.1 mm, respectively (p<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative grades of hydronephrosis were 3.9 and 2.9, respectively (p=0.037). The mean preoperative and postoperative APPDs of the stented group were 36.4 mm and 15.6 mm, respectively (p<0.001). The preoperative and postoperative grades of hydronephrosis were 4 and 3.1, respectively (p<0.001). Repeat obstruction was shown in 4 subjects as a postoperative complication (5.7%). Two children from each group had recurrent UPJ obstruction, with percentages of 3.7% and 9%, respectively (p=0.575). CONCLUSIONS: In a comparison of nonstented and stented groups during pediatric dismembered pyeloplasty for UPJ obstruction, no significant differences were found in the resolution of hydronephrosis or overall postoperative complications.
Child ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Male ; Medical Records ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ureter ; Ureteral Obstruction

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) timing after the nasogastric tube (NGT) removal on swallowing function of the patients with dysphagia. METHODS: This study was conducted on 40 NGT-fed patients with dysphagia. To assess the patients' swallowing function, VFSS was performed twice using a 5-mL 35% diluted barium solution. For the initial examination, VFSS was performed immediately after the NGT removal (VFSS 1). For the second examination, VFSS was performed five hours after the NGT removal (VFSS 2). We used the functional dysphagia scale (FDS) to assess swallowing function. In the FDS, a significant difference in the four items in the oral phase, seven items in the pharyngeal phase, and total scores were assessed (p<0.05). We also used modified penetration-aspiration scale (mPAS) to compare the two examinations (p<0.05). RESULTS: A paired t-test was performed to confirm the statistical significance of the two examinations (p<0.05). The overall swallowing function was assessed as better in VFSS 2 than in VFSS 1. In the FDS, significant differences in the residue in valleculae (p=0.002), the residue in pyriform sinuses (p=0.001), the coating of pharyngeal wall after swallow (p=0.001), and the total scores (p<0.001) were found between the two examinations. Also, in the mPAS that assessed the degree of penetration-aspiration, a significant difference was found between the two examinations (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The results of this study confirmed that the timing of the VFSS after the NGT removal affects the swallowing function. Thus, to accurately assess the swallowing function, VFSS must be performed in NGT-fed patients after they have rested for a certain period following the removal of their NGT.
Barium ; Deglutition Disorders* ; Deglutition* ; Enteral Nutrition ; Humans ; Pyriform Sinus

No abstract available.
Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype/*isolation & purification ; Influenza, Human/*diagnosis

PURPOSE: Men with documented chronic prostatitis, with elevated serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), were investigated to assess whether treatment lowers serum PSA and thus avoids unnecessary biopsies. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The medical records of 46 men who presented with serum PSA higher than 4ng/ml, and subsequently diagnosed with chronic prostatitis, were retrospectively reviewed. After the administration of antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs for 4 to 8 weeks, the follow-up PSA levels were determined, and those with levels higher than 4ng/ml underwent a prostate biopsy. RESULTS: The mean PSA level decreased 61% from 11.66ng/ml before, to 3.79ng/ml after, treatment (p<0.001). In 30 patients the serum PSA level decreased to below 4ng/ml (mean 1.69), with these patients no longer having an indication for a prostate biopsy. In the remaining 16 patients the serum PSA level remained elevated above 4ng/ml, so they underwent a prostate biopsy. Pathological study revealed benign prostatic hyperplasia in 11 cases and prostate cancer in 5. The PSA level in patients associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia decreased 61.9% with treatment, from 19.96 to 7.88ng/ml (p=0.006) and the PSA in those associated with prostate cancer decreased 30.6% with treatment, from 12.85 to 7.32ng/ml (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that chronic prostatitis can cause elevation of serum PSA levels, and when identified, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory treatment can lower these levels and an unnecessary prostate biopsy can be avoided.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Biopsy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Medical Records ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Prostatitis* ; Retrospective Studies