No abstract available.

It is well known that the medullary carcinoma of the breast is one of the special types of breast carcinoma with a good prognosis. At present, the medullary carcinoma of the breast is subclassified into 3 types: typical medullary, atypical medullary and nonmedullary carcinoma. Among them, the former has the best prognosis. We reviewed the film mammographic and ultrasonomammographic findings of 13 patients according to the reevaluated histopathologic diagnosis. Typical medullary carcinoma shows a well circumscribed mass with surrounding halo on film mammogram, and well defined mass with central intermediate echogenicity and peripheral low echogenicity and posterior acoustic enhancement on ultrasonomammogram. Atypical medullary carcinoma shows relatively well circumscribed mass with partial marginal obliteration on film mammogram, and irregular bordered mass with inhomogeneous echogenicity due to focal necrosis in the mass and associated findings of thick boundary, asymetrical lateral shadowing on ultrasonomammogram. Nonmedullary carcinoma shows lobulated mass with surrounding parenchymal distortion and skin thickening on film mammogram, and relatively well defined lobulating mass with surrounding parenchymal distortion and marked heterogeneous internal echogenicity on ultrasonomammogram. Therefore, differentiation between typical medullary carcinoma with good prognosis and atypical medulary or nonmedullary carcinoma with poor prognosis, may be possible by various diagnostic imaging modalities preoperatively. But further collective study shall be needed in near future.
Acoustics ; Breast Neoplasms ; Breast* ; Carcinoma, Medullary* ; Classification* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnostic Imaging ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Prognosis ; Shadowing (Histology) ; Skin

Recently, it is well established that nitric oxide synthase (NOS) produces nitric oxide (NO), which is known to act as an important neural mediator of smooth muscle relaxation in various organs. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role played by NO in relaxing bladder outlet by correlating its action with the existence, distribution and activity of NOS. The experiments consisted of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) diaphorase staining for the identification of NOS containing nerve fibers, NADPH diaphorase activity with spectrophotometric assay for NOS catalytic activity, Western blot analysis with polyclonal antibrain NOS antibody for the expression of neuronal NOS, and in vivo isovolumetric bladder contraction (IBC) and reflex urethral .relaxation (RUR) for the physiologic role of NO. On NADPH diaphorase histochemistry in the rat, NADPH positive staining was localized in neurons innervating the lower genitourinary tract including the urinary bladder and the proximal urethra. NADPH positive nerve fibers were mainly found in urethral area, whereas they were less common in detrusor. In assay of NADPH diaphorase activity on various organs of the rat, the NOS activity regionally predominated in the cerebellum, proximal urethra, and urinary bladder in the order of frequency, which were correlated with the RESULTS of Western blot. Subsequent investigations were focused on the physiologic role of NO in the reflex changes in bladder outlet activity during micturition in the rat. During IBC, the urethra exhibited reflex responses characterized by a decrease in RUR in conjunction with a rise in IBC. Administration of NOS inhibitor, Nw-nitro-L-arginine, reversibly decreased the magnitude and duration of RUR, and this effect was reversed by administration of L-arginine. From these RESULTS, it is suggested that the neuronal form of constitutive NOS in the bladder outlet synthesizes NO by its catalytic action, which mediates relaxation of bladder outlet during micturition.
Animals ; Arginine ; Blotting, Western ; Cerebellum ; Muscle, Smooth ; NADP ; NADPH Dehydrogenase ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Rats* ; Reflex ; Relaxation* ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder ; Urination

Injuries to the pelvic nerve plexus following major pelvic ablative surgery are commonly observed conditions in urologic field and often related to voiding difficulty with flaccid type of neurogenic bladder. The pathophysiological background for voiding difficulty is unknown and also it is difficult to investigate in human. The present study was undertaken to investigate the functional changes on the bladder and urethra in major pelvic ganglion denervated rats (experimental group). Injury to the pelvic nerve plexus was created by selective removal of bilateral major pelvic ganglions of mature Sprague-Dawley rats (male, 250-300 gm). One week after operation, urodynamic evaluation and NADPH diaphorase histochemistry were performed in each rat. The whole bladder wet weight and residual urine of experimental group significantly increased to 1.6 times and 29 times that of control group, respectively. For urodynamic investigations, the bladder and the urethra were completely disconnected by means of ligation between the bladder neck and the proximal urethra, and simultaneous recordings of the intravesical and proximal urethral pressure were performed. During simultaneous urethro-vesical filling in experimental group, vesical contraction and urethral relaxation were not induced. However, an administration of L-arginine (120 mg/kg intravenously), a nitric oxide substrate, resulted in a gradual decrease in urethral pressure when the bladder pressure was reached at submaximal level. On NADPH diaphorase histochemistry in control group, a large number of NADPH positive nerve fibers were found in the proximal urethra, whereas those were found less commonly in the bladder. In experimental group, the number of NOS positive nerve fibers in the bladder was similar to that in control group. But in the proximal urethra, the number of NOS positive nerve fibers (84.7 +/- 12.7) decreased significantly in contrast to that (185.9 +/- 56.3) in control group. These results indicate that failure to empty in neurogenic bladder may be resulted from relaxation impairment of bladder outlet, which can be explained by the reduction of neuronal NOS in the proximal urethra in experimental group.
Animals ; Arginine ; Denervation ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Ligation ; NADP ; NADPH Dehydrogenase ; Neck ; Nerve Fibers ; Neurons* ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Relaxation ; Urethra* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urodynamics

Median raphe cyst is known as congenital lesion of the perineum and genitalia, but its etiology is unclear. Most investigators believe that the median raphe cyst represent defects in the embryologic developenient bf the male genitalia. Simple surgical excision is effective in most cases. We report our experience with two cases of median raphe cyst without specific symptoms. Even though median raphe cyst is asymptomatic, surgical therapy is worth applicable because it relieve a patient from cosmetic and psychotic problem.
Genitalia ; Genitalia, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Perineum ; Research Personnel

PURPOSE: It has been suggested in our previous study that the serum level of xanthine oxidise(XO) activity, glutathione(GSH), malonyldialdehyde(MDA) could be used as marker of oxidant stress in association with renal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury. The present study was undertaken to establish the early marker of renal 1/R injury and to investigate the effect of deferoxamine on renal 1/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHOD: In Sprague-Dawley rats(male, 200-250gm, n=60), bilateral renal arteries were clamped for 60mins after pretreatment with deferoxamine(group A) or saline(group B). After 30min of bilateral renal recirculation, left nephrectomy and blood sampling in inferior vena cava were performed for in-vitro spectrophotometric study. Control animals(group C) did not undergo I/R operation. In-vivo renal function studies were performed in both group A and B with measurement of creatinine clearance rate(Ccr) at 7th day of experiments a%or renal ischmia for 60min. RESULTS: The levels of XO activity and XO type conversion ratio in renal tissue (RT) and serum(5) were measured. These levels were significantly high in group B, but were lower in group A compared to those of control group. The values of GSH(micrometer/g tissue), a scavenger of OFR, were decreased in group A (RT:0.183+/-0.019,5:0.201+/-0.029) and greatly decreased in group B(RT:0.159+/-0.009,5:0.164+/-0.022) compared to control group(RT:0.201+/-0.006,5:0.224+/-0.031). The values of MDA(nM/g tissue), a stable end product of lipid peroxidation, were increased in group A(RT:0.149+/-0.003, 5:0.058+/-0.004) compared to control group(RT:0.128+/-0.013, 5;0.055+/-0.005), but the values were significantly lower in group A compared to group B(RT:0.171+/-0.005, 5:0.070+/-0.003). Subsequent investigation was focused on the established renal function study after 1/R, which was determined using Ccr(ml/min). The Ccr in group A(2.06+/-0.03) was significantly higher compared to that of group 8(1.48+/-0.18), although it was slightly lower than in control group(2.18+/-0.05). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is suggested that renal I/R injury is highly correlated with the production of OFR. The levels of GSH and MDA in renal tissue and serum seem to be probable markers of oxidant stress in association with renal I/R injury. Furthermore, deferoxamine could reduce the degree of renal damage resulting from ameliorating the production of OFR following renal I/R injury.
Animals ; Creatinine ; Deferoxamine* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Nephrectomy ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Artery ; Vena Cava, Inferior ; Xanthine

We performed erotic stimulation that in 63 patients with erectile dysfunction in order to investigate erectile responses to visual sexual stimulation in patients with psychogenic and organic impotence and to elucidate valuable parameters for differential diagnosis between psychogenic and organic impotence. After the test using polygraph system and erotic film, subjective sexual drive in each patient was evaluated as grade I (poor), grade II (moderate), grade III (good). Following parameters were statistically analyzed : degree of maximal rigidity, degree of maximal tumescence, T -up phase (time taking place from the beginning of the erection to maximal level). The T-max phase (time taking place for the plateau phase of maximal erection). The results obtained were summarized as follows. Regardless of sexual drive of each patient, psychogenic impotence group showed better maximal rigidity and shorter T-up phase of rigidity than organic impotence group (p<0.05}. Of patients with psychogenic impotence, good sexual drive group showed better maximal rigidity and maximal tumescence than poor sexual drive group (p<0.06). Psychogenic impotence group showing good sexual drive revealed much better maximal rigidity and shorter T-up phase of rigidity than organic impotence group with same degree of sexual drive (p<0.05). These results indicate erotic stimulation test is highly valuable method for differential diagnosis between psychogenic and organic impotence, especially when the patient shows sexual drive in moderate or good degree. And it is suggested that maximal rigidigity and T-up phase of erection parameters in erotic stimulation test provide high validity for the differention.
Diagnosis, Differential ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Male

PURPOSE: It has been suggested in our previous study that the level of xanthine oxidase(XO) activity, glutathione(GSH) and malonydialdehyde(MDA) in renal tissue following renal ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) could be used as marker of oxidant stress. Present study was undertaken to investigate the serum level of XO activity. GSH and MDA following renal I/R and to elucidate potential use of the serum level of GS H and MDA as makers of renal function following I/R injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Sprague-Dawley rats(200-250gm) were divided into 3 groups : group A - occlusion of bilateral renal arteries for 60 min, group B - pretreatment allopurinol(20mg/Kg). a radical scavenger, plus occlusion of renal arteries, and group C(control group) - sham operation. In group A and B, recirculation of renal arteries were performed for 30min. XO activity, xanthine dehydrogenase(XD) type conversion ratio, level of GSH and MDA were measured from venous blood. RESULTS: Both XO activity(nM/mg/min) and XD type conversion ratio(%) were increased in group A(XO; 0.173+/-0.012, XD; 60.44+/-4.32) and decreased in group B(XO; 0.136+/-0.01, XD; 45.40+/-4.78) compared to control group(XO; 0.153+/-0.012, XD; 46.93+/- 3.45). The level of GSH(microM/g tissue), a scavenger of oxygen free radical(OFR), was also decreased in group A(0.130+/-0.021) compared to group B(0.179+/-0.021) and control group(0.186+/-0.017). In addition, the level of MDA(nM/g tissue), which is a stable end product of lipid peroxidation, was significantly increased in group A(0.076+/-0.006) compared to group B(0.057+/-0.005) and control group(0.053+/-0.004). CONCLUSIONS: From these results, it is suggested that renal I/R injury is highly correlated with the production of OFR. Furthermore. the serum levels of MDA and GSH might be used as early markers of oxidant stress in association with renal I/R injury.
Animals ; Glutathione* ; Humans ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Malondialdehyde* ; Oxygen ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Renal Artery ; Xanthine Oxidase* ; Xanthine*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcium ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder*

Nitric oxide(NO) is known to act as an important neural mediator of penile erection. Nitric oxide synthase(NOS), which produces NO, has been recently identified in autonomic neurons supplying genitourinary organs including penis. The present study was undertaken to investigate the role played by NO in erectile physiology by correlating its action with the existence and activity of NOS. Initial experiments were performed to elucidate NOS expression in the human and rat penis. Western blotting analysis identified a protein of 155KDa molecular weight identical to neural form of NOS. The NOS blot density in the human and rat penis was similar each other, which was lower than that in the cerebellum. Additional studies of NOS using assay of NADPH diaphorase activity and nitrite measurement were performed in various organs of the rat. NOS activity regionally predominated in the cerebellum, urethra, penis, and urinary bladder in the order Subsequent investigations focused on the physiologic role of NO, which was determined using an in vivo electroerection model in the rat. ntracavernous injections of NOS inhibitor (L-NOARG or L-NAME from 0.000001M to 0.001M) were found to suppress the nerve-induced erection in concentration dependent manner. Subsequent intracavernous injection of L-arginine(0.01M) partially restored penile erection suppressed by L-NOARG or L-NAME(0.001M). These results indicate that the neural form of constitutive NOS in the corpora cavernosa of the penis synthesizes NO by its catalytic action, which mediates penile erection. Furthermore, determination of cavernosal NOS expression and/or activity may allow to characterize certain pathological conditions which cause neurogenic impotence.
Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cerebellum ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Molecular Weight ; NADPH Dehydrogenase ; Neurons ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Penile Erection* ; Penis ; Physiology ; Rats ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder