PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), Mycoplasma genitalium (MG), and Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) in first-voided urine samples and to determine the factors associated with positivity for sexually transmissible microorganisms in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five hundred fifty-one men who came to the hospital for a general prostate health checkup were tested between August 2011 and December 2011. PCR assays for CT, NG, MG, and UU were done with first-voided urine samples and the prevalence of microorganism positivity and association with several clinical parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age of the men studied was 50.8+/-4.7 years. Among the 551 men, 72 (13.1%) had a positive result for at least one microorganism; one (0.2%) had two different species. The overall prevalence of asymptomatic sexually transmitted infections was 11.1% (61/551). The prevalence rates of CT, NG, MG, and UU infection in the general population were 0.4% (2/551), 0.0% (0/551), 1.0% (6/551), and 11.8% (65/551), respectively. CT-positive patients had a lower mean age than did CT-negative patients. There were no significant differences in symptoms by positivity of each microorganism. CONCLUSIONS: We checked the prevalence rates of four microorganisms, the proportion of symptomatic people, and the association of microbes, age, and symptoms, as the baseline data for Korean middle-aged men. In this population, CT, NG, MG, and UU infections do not seem to be symptomatic. However, the potential role of CT in young men and of UU in middle-aged men with a high rate of detection should be studied continuously as a source of opportunistic infection.
Chlamydia ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Mycoplasma genitalium ; Neisseria gonorrhoeae ; Opportunistic Infections ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Porphyrins ; Prevalence ; Prostate ; Ureaplasma ; Ureaplasma urealyticum

The kidney and balances of fluid and volume are the basic components of bloocl pressure control, and the kidney is the primary site that initiates the hypertensive process and is affected by hypertensive vascular disease. In the kidney, the dopamine is a potent natriuretic and vasodilating agent, participat- ing in renal sodium excretion and maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. And the dopamine receptors in central nervous system and peripheral organs were identified by physiological, biochernical and radioligand binding techniques. Rut previous morphological and biochemical studies have been unable to characterize or determine the tissue distribution of the dopamine receptor subtypes because no selective ligands are available yet. Furthermore, the cellular distribution of the dopamine receptor subtypes in the rat kidney is not demonstrated well. In the SHR, the ability of exogenous and endogenous renal dopamine to engender a natriuresis is impaired. Since renal dopamine levels in genetic models of hypertension are not lower than their normotensive controls, the impaired intrarenal paracrine effect of dopamine in these animal models of hypertension appears to be receptor or postreceptor mediated. And renal dopamine derives mainly from renal tubular dopamine production and to a lesser extent from dopaminergic nerves. The present study utilizes imrnunohistochemistry with specific antibodies to characterize the renal distribution of dopamine receptor subtypes and recognize the role of dopamine receptor defect in the pathogenesis of hypertension in 14-week-old WKY (mean HP 108+/-5mmHg) and SHR (mean RP 174+/-7 mmHg) kidneys. Also it utilizes antibody of tyrosine hyclroxylase (TH) to recognize the site of the dopamine production mediated by TH using light microscopic immunohistochemistry. In the immunohistochemistry of the WKY kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, proximal tubule, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct. And in the SHR kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct, and juxtaglomerular apparatus (JGA). But there is no demonstrable positive reaction in the proximal tubule and weakly positive reactions in the renal arterioles of SHR compared with WKY kidney. In the immunohisto-chemistry of the WKY kidney, dopamine D1 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, proxirnal tubule, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and rnedullary collecting duct. And in the SHR kidney, dopamine D2 receptor protein is localized to glomerulus, distal tubule, renal vessels, cortical and medullary collecting duct, and JGA. So, there is no demonstrable positive reaction in the proximal tubule of SHR compared with WKY. In the glomerulus of the WKY and SHR kidneys, both dopamine D1 and D2 receptors are localized. In the in situ hybridization of the WKY and SHR kidneys, dopamine D and D receptors are only demonstrated at the renal vessels. The positive reaction to TH immunohistochemistry of the WKY and SHR kidneys is only observed in the renal medulla compared with negative reaction on the renal cortex. Considering the excretion of sodium up to 65-70% with volume expansion may be mediated by dopamine D1-like receptors in the proximal tubule, our immunohistochemistry findings for the dopamine receptors may support the failure of natriuretic response in the SHR due to an abnormal dopamine receptor. Also our results rnay mean that the glornerular filtration rate is mediated by both dopamine D1 and Dz receptors comparing with the previous studies that the glomerular filtration rate was mediated by dopamine D2 receptor. I'here are some differences in the receptors expressing sites on the previous radioligand binding and pharmacologic studies, but our results suggest that at least some of the renal dopamine DA and DAz receptors correspond structurally to the central dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Finally the result of TH immunohisto-chemistry suggests that the production of dopamine in the proximal tubule is not mediated by TH.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Arterioles ; Central Nervous System ; Dopamine* ; Filtration ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Homeostasis ; Hypertension ; Immunohistochemistry* ; In Situ Hybridization ; Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ; Kidney* ; Ligands ; Models, Animal ; Models, Genetic ; Natriuresis ; Rats* ; Rats, Inbred SHR* ; Receptors, Dopamine ; Receptors, Dopamine D1 ; Receptors, Dopamine D2 ; Sodium ; Tissue Distribution ; Tyrosine ; Vascular Diseases

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the correlation between communication skills for emotional empathy and academic achievement on the Clinical Performance Examination (CPX). METHODS: One hundred twelve medical school students were observed to determine the extent to which they applied communication skills for emotional empathy (preparation stage: interview attitude, respect; rapport stage: encouragement, active listening, will for support; empathy stage: verbal expression empathy, nonverbal expression empathy, acceptance) to the CPX, as well as their level of understanding of these skills to calculate the Pearson r, which can be used to determine the correlation between communication skills and academic achievement (hematochezia, fatigue, abnormal menstruation, chest pain, alcohol problems). RESULTS: Male students had higher scores than females for all communicational skills except verbal expression empathy. Fourth-year students had statistically more significant correlations than third-year students with regard to the rapport stage 'active listening' and empathy stage 'nonverbal expression' and abnormal menstruation and chest pain. Correlations were also more significant for hematochezia in the preparation stage 'interview attitude,' rapport stage 'encouragement,' and empathy stages 'verbal and nonverbal expression' and 'acceptance.' The empathy stage 'nonverbal expressions' was more significant for fourth-year students with alcohol problems. Third-year students largely had negative correlations between emotional empathy communication skills and CPX academic achievement, especially between the preparation stage 'respect' and abnormal menstruation, and between the rapport stage 'encouragement' and hematochezia. CONCLUSION: There was a significant correlation between hematochezia, wherein MS students deliver bad news to patients, and communication skills for emotional empathy.
Achievement ; Chest Pain ; Clinical Competence ; Empathy ; Fatigue ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Menstruation ; Schools, Medical

The placenta is an essential organ that synthesizes several growth and angiogenic factors for its own growth as well as fetal development. It is known that the placenta growth factor (PlGF)is a member of the vascular endothelial growth factor family and is critical for placental growth and fetal development. However, there is little information regarding the expression pattern and cellular localization of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta during pregnancy. The aim of this study was to define the distribution of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta at various gestations. RT-PCR analysis showed that the expression level of PlGF mRNA increased as gestation advanced. Using in situ hybridization histochemistry, positive cells of PlGF mRNA were detected in chorionic villi. PlGF mRNA was expressed in the trophoblast cells and stroma cells surrounding the blood vessels within chorionic villi on day 13 and 15. Also, positive signals of PlGF mRNA were strongly detected in stroma cells of chorionic villi on day 17, 19, and 21. In particular, the density and number of positive signals of PlGF mRNA was significantly increased as gestation advanced. The expression pattern of PlGF mRNA in rat placenta during pregnancy demonstrates that PlGF plays a functional role for placental growth and fetal development during mid-late pregnancy.
Animals ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation/physiology ; Placenta/*metabolism ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Proteins/*metabolism ; RNA, Messenger/*metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution/physiology

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Oxidative stress is involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms of stroke (e.g., atherosclerosis) and brain injury after ischemic stroke. Statins, which inhibit 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, have both pleiotropic and low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-lowering properties. Recent trials have shown that high-dose statins reduce the risk of cerebrovascular events. However, there is a paucity of data regarding the changes in the oxidative stress markers in patients with atherosclerotic stroke after statin use. This study evaluated changes in oxidative stress markers after short-term use of a high-dose statin in patients with atherosclerotic stroke. METHODS: Rosuvastatin was administered at a dose of 20 mg/day to 99 patients who had suffered an atherosclerotic stroke and no prior statin use. Blood samples were collected before and 1 month after dosing, and the serum levels of four oxidative stress markers-malondialdehyde (MDA), oxidized LDL (oxLDL), protein carbonyl content (PCO), and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG)-were evaluated to determine the oxidation of MDA and lipids, proteins, and DNA, respectively, at both of those time points. RESULTS: The baseline levels and the degrees of reduction after statin use differed among the oxidative stress markers measured. MDA and PCO levels were associated with infarct volumes on diffusion-weighted imaging (r=0.551, p<0.05, and r=0.444, p=0.05, respectively). Statin use decreased MDA and oxLDL levels (both p<0.05) but not the PCO or 8-OHdG level. While the reduction in MDA levels after statin use was not associated with changes in cholesterol, that in oxLDL levels was proportional to the reductions in cholesterol (r=0.479, p<0.01), LDL (r=0.459, p<0.01), and apolipoprotein B (r=0.444, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The impact of individual oxidative stress markers differs with time after ischemic stroke, suggesting that different oxidative markers reflect different aspects of oxidative stress. In addition, short-term use of a statin exerts antioxidant effects against lipid peroxidation via lipid-lowering-dependent and -independent mechanisms, but not against protein or DNA oxidation in atherosclerotic stroke patients.
Antioxidants* ; Apolipoproteins ; Atherosclerosis ; Brain Injuries ; Cholesterol ; Coenzyme A ; DNA ; Humans ; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors* ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoproteins ; Oxidative Stress ; Oxidoreductases ; Stroke ; Rosuvastatin Calcium

In the mammalian ovary, follicular atresia occurs through apoptosis. Apoptosis is known as the physiological cell death, which is regulated by bcl-2 gene family. In the bcl-2 gene family, bcl-2/bcl-xLong is known as an inhibitor of apoptosis, whereas bax/bcl-xShort is known as an inducer of apoptosis. We thought that these genes are associated with follicular development and atresia. Therefore, the present study used a in situ hybridization to examine the expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNAs during ovarian follicular development and atresia induced by PMSG (15 IU) treatment in the immature rat ovary. Morphological changes were occurred with the manner of five days periodicity after PMSG treatment. One or two days after PMSG treatment, ovaries had growing follicles with antrum and healthy granulosa cells. Three days after treatment, some degenerating follicles which had thinner granulosa cell layers than growing follicles were observed. At day four and five after treatment, degenerating follicles which have pyknotic nuclei and thin distorted granulosa cell layers appeared. These atretic follicles showed positive reaction with in situ DNA end labelling which indicates apoptotic changes. This study showed that bcl-2 mRNA was expressed in the theca and interstitial cells. Growing follicles of one or two days have showed stronger bcl-2 mRNA signals than atretic follicles of four or five days in these cells. Bax mRNA was expressed in the theca cells, interstitial cells, and granulosa cells. Atretic follicles of four or five days showed stronger bax mRNA signals than growing follicles of one or two days in these cells. Expression of bcl-2 mRNA was increased in growing follicles while decreased in atretic follicles. In contrast, expression of bax mRNA was increased in atretic follicles while decreased in growing follicles. Therefore, we confirmed that follicular development and atresia were affected by the change in the ratio of bcl-2 and bax mRNAs. According to these data, we proposed that these two genes are associated with follicular development and atresia.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Death ; DNA ; Female ; Follicular Atresia ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary* ; Periodicity ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger* ; Theca Cells

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common neoplasm, and its metastasis to the head and neck area is rare. We herein describe a unique case of HCC metastasis to the dorsal tongue. A 54-year-old male who was already diagnosed with HCC visited our hospital complaining of dysphagia and a progressively enlarging dorsal tongue mass. We operated to excise on the mass using CO₂ laser including mucosal margin and deep margin. The diagnosis of HCC metastasis was confirmed immunohistochemically. After 2 weeks of follow-up, the patient did not exhibit any evidence of complication and could eat orally without any problem. Further treatment to the other metastatic lesion was rejected, and the patient was followed up for more than six months. We introduce this first case of metastatic HCC in the dorsal tongue. With the extended life expectancy of HCC patients, the incidence of rare metastasis is expected to increase.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Deglutition Disorders ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Head ; Humans ; Incidence ; Life Expectancy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Tongue*

Cryptotia is a relatively common congenital anomaly in orientals. It is charaterized by obliteration of auriculocephalic sulcus and buried ear cartilage of upper pole beneath the scalp skin. In addition, there is often a posterior displacement of the superior crus of antihelix. The goals of surgical correction are the coverage of skin deficit, deepening of the auriculocephalic sulcus and the correction of deformed cartilage. Some authors stressed a tendency for the superior portion of the auricle to spring back to the original portion after surgery. We have devised a surgical method to prevent recurrence of the cartilagenous deformity using combined method of Fukuda and Onizuka. From March in 2001 to Jan, 2004, We have repaired 6 cryptotic deformities in 5 patients including one bilateral cryptotia. Between them We used combined method of Fukuda and Onizuka in 4 severely deformed cryptotic superior ear cartilage correction with satisfactory results. Single Fukuda's method was used in 2 mildly deformed cryptotias. The combined method composed of Z-plasty incision for skin releasing, and incision along the crus and then flattened the crus by mattress suture, multiple incisions in the back of the superior crus and then grafting the piece of conchal cartilage producing a splinting to hold the crus out in a smooth, curved configuration for the correction of the superior portion of the deformed ear. The results were remarkable improvement of profile in severely deformed cryptotia. And so this combined method is useful method for the correction of severely deformed cartilage in cryptotia.
Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Ear Cartilage ; Humans ; Nose ; Recurrence ; Scalp ; Skin ; Splints ; Sutures ; Transplants

Background: Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of all-arthroscopic treatment of terrible triad injuries followed-up for a minimum of 5 years and investigate how arthroscopic partial excision for radial head fractures affects the results at the final follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with terrible triad injuries who underwent all-arthroscopic treatment between January 2011 and June 2018. In group I, we performed conservative or arthroscopic fixation of stable radial head fractures, while in group II, arthroscopic partial excision of unstable radial head fractures involving <30%–50% of the articular surface area was performed. Clinical outcomes were measured by visual analog scale score and assessment of instability, range of motion (ROM), and Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using x-rays, and the integrity of the repaired lateral collateral ligament complex was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Thirty-two patients with an average age of 49.5±16.2 years met the inclusion criteria and were followed-up for a mean of 82.7±22.2 months. Twenty patients were assigned to group I and 12 patients to group II. Clinical outcomes showed no significant differences between the two groups at the final follow-up (P>0.05). On radiological evaluation, more heterotopic ossifications were found in the radial head excision group (group II, 66.7% vs. group I, 35%; P=0.02); however, there was no significant difference in ROM between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions In all-arthroscopic treatment of terrible triad injuries, arthroscopic partial excision of the radial head did not seem to have a significant impact on elbow joint stability.Level of evidence: III.

Background: Our study aimed to evaluate the clinical and radiologic results of all-arthroscopic treatment of terrible triad injuries followed-up for a minimum of 5 years and investigate how arthroscopic partial excision for radial head fractures affects the results at the final follow-up. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients with terrible triad injuries who underwent all-arthroscopic treatment between January 2011 and June 2018. In group I, we performed conservative or arthroscopic fixation of stable radial head fractures, while in group II, arthroscopic partial excision of unstable radial head fractures involving <30%–50% of the articular surface area was performed. Clinical outcomes were measured by visual analog scale score and assessment of instability, range of motion (ROM), and Mayo Elbow Performance Score. Radiological outcomes were evaluated using x-rays, and the integrity of the repaired lateral collateral ligament complex was confirmed through magnetic resonance imaging. Results: Thirty-two patients with an average age of 49.5±16.2 years met the inclusion criteria and were followed-up for a mean of 82.7±22.2 months. Twenty patients were assigned to group I and 12 patients to group II. Clinical outcomes showed no significant differences between the two groups at the final follow-up (P>0.05). On radiological evaluation, more heterotopic ossifications were found in the radial head excision group (group II, 66.7% vs. group I, 35%; P=0.02); however, there was no significant difference in ROM between the two groups (P>0.05). Conclusions In all-arthroscopic treatment of terrible triad injuries, arthroscopic partial excision of the radial head did not seem to have a significant impact on elbow joint stability.Level of evidence: III.