Nitric oxide (NO) has been emerged as an important intracellular and intercellular regulatory molecule having functions as diverse vasodilatation, neural communication, and host defense. In the immune system, NO produced by activated macrophage or neutrophil is known to kill tumor cells as a defense molecule. In addition, recent reports demonstrated that NO could interact with superoxide to generate peroxynitrite (ONOO-), an anion and a potent oxidant, in macrophages or other cellular systems. The production of peroxynitrite has been recognized to be associated with the activation and expression of inducible NO synthase (iNOS). In this study, to evaluate the role of NO and peroxynitrite in murine bladder tumor cells, the author investigate the effect of NO and peroxynitrite on the viability, cytotoxicity, and DNA fragmentation of MBT-2 cells. The results are as followings: 1. Activated macrophages treated with INF-r, LPS, or INF-r+ LPS showed increment of nitrite (NO2) production and cytotoxicity against MBT-2 cells in a dose dependent manner. However, treatment with NGMMA, a NOS inhibitor, decreased NO2- production and cytotoxicity. 2. Treatment with SNP, a nitric oxide donor, increased NO2 production and DNA fragmentation (%), but decreased viability (%) of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 3. Treatment with peroxynitrite increased cytotoxicity and DNA fragmentation, but decreased viability of MBT-2 cells in a concentration dependent manner. 4. NO- and peroxynitrite-mediated increment of cytotoxicity in MBT-2 cells was corresponded to the programmed cell death, apoptosis. Taken together, these data indicate that NO and peroxynitrite elaborated from macrophages or other cellular systems may increase the cytotoxicity of MBT-2 cells via the mechanism of apoptosis.
Apoptosis* ; Cell Death ; Cell Line* ; DNA Fragmentation ; Humans ; Immune System ; Macrophages ; Neutrophils ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Nitric Oxide* ; Peroxynitrous Acid* ; Superoxides ; Tissue Donors ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vasodilation

Today, Ureteroscopy is used for the diagnosis and treatment of various pathologies in the or urinary tract. From March 1987 to September 1996, we retrospectively evaluated our experiences with rigid ureteroscopy in 137 ureteral units in which therapeutic applications were 127 (92.7%) and diagnostic applications were 10 cases (7.3%). The causes ol therapeutic intervention were ureteral stones in 118 cases, upward migrated double J-stent in 6 cases, urethral foreign body (double J stent retention) in 2 cases and stenosis of ileoureteral anastomosis in 1 case. Success rate was 81.9% : 80.5% in the treatment of urethral stones, 100% in the treatment of urethral stenosis, 100% in the reposition or removal of retained catheter. Ureteroscopic stone extracton were performed in 77 cases (before introduction of ESWL) and in 41 cases (after introduction of ESWL). The latter was significantly decreased (78 of 288 or 32.4% versus 59 of 1588 or 3.7%). The success rate were 75.3% (58/77) before introduction of ESWL and 90.2% (37/41) after introduction of ESWL. The latter success rate was significantly increased. The causes of diagnostic intervention were upper tract bleeding in 2 cases, ureteral filling defect or delayed visualization at intravenous urography in 8 cases. The diagnostic results showed 1 case of ureteral transitional cell carcinoma, 1 case of ureteral stones, 1 case of urethral stricture, 3 cases of ureteral stones, 1 case of chronic ureteral inflammation and 3 cases of normal findings. Success rate was 90%. The frequency of diagnostic intervention increased from 1.3% for the 78 procedures done before introduction of ESWL to 15.3% for the 59 procedures done after introduction of ESWL. The minor complications (managed conservatively or with temporary stent drainage) occurred: flank pain in 35 cases (25.5%), gross hematuria in 10 cases (7.3%), high fever of over 38 degrees C in 5 cases (3.7%), ureteral perforations in 3 cases (2.2%) and urethral mucosal avulsion in 2 cases (1.5%). There were no major complications (all requiring an open surgery). In conclusion, after the introduction of ESWL the frequency of ureteroscpoic stone extraction decreased (p<0.05) and the frequency of diagnostic intervention increased (p<0.05). In the hands of experienced urologists the success rate of ureteroscopy increased.
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell ; Catheters ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Fever ; Flank Pain ; Foreign Bodies ; Hand ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Inflammation ; Pathology ; Retrospective Studies ; Stents ; Ureter ; Ureteroscopy* ; Urethral Stricture ; Urinary Tract ; Urography

No abstract available.
Humans ; Poroma* ; Tissue Donors*

To observe the influence of kidney transplantation (KT) on erectile and endocrine function, we evaluated the PBI, penile pulse volume plethysmography, RigiScan and endocrine study before and after KT in 21 patients. We also interviewed with these patients or their sexual partners before KT. at 3 months and 6 months after KT. 7 cases (33%) were improved, 8 cases (38%) were same and 4 cases(19%) were aggravated in sexual desire and erectile function and 2 cases (10% ) had been suffered from erectile dysfunction since 19 months and 6 years prior to KT. The PBI was changed from 0.97 +/- 0.09 to 0.95 +/- 0.16 and it was not a significant difference. The penile plethysmography was not a good screening test in the evaluation of erectile function in KF. But the Rigiscan could detect all of the tested aggravated cases and it was thought to be a good screening test. In the endocrine studies, testosterone and FSH were decreased and LH and prolactin were increased before KT but testosterone and LH were significantly decreased after KT. It was thought to be the influence of KT and immunosuppressive agent (cyclosporin A). In conclusion, sexual desire and erectile function may be improved by the KT and most reliable screening test was Rigiscan. Endocrine function may be affected by the KT and cyclosporin A.
Cyclosporine ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation* ; Kidney* ; Male ; Mass Screening ; Plethysmography ; Prolactin ; Sexual Partners ; Testosterone ; Transplantation

Cloacal anomalies are very rare congenital malformations with the incidence of 1/50,000-250,000 births. Hydrocolpos involves the dilatation of the vagina due to obstruction of the genital tract, leading to accumulation of secretions. Because of wide spectrum of abnormal anatomy involving urogenital and gastrointestinal systems, prenatal diagnosis is difficult. As ultrasound becomes more and more reliable, prenatal diagnosis is possible as early as in the second trimester. The presence of prenatally detected hydro (metro) colpos warrants a systematic evaluation of fetal and neonatal anatomy to rule out a large variety of possibly associated malformations or syndromes. We present a case of urogenital sinus maldevelopment which was initially presented as a fetal ascites.
Ascites ; Dilatation ; Female ; Humans ; Hydrocolpos ; Incidence ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Second ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Ultrasonography* ; Vagina

PURPOSE: Transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1 stimulates collagen synthesis in human corpus cavernosum smooth cells (HCCSMC). We studied whether an antisense TGF-beta 1 oligodeoxynucleotide changed TGF-beta 1 mRNA expression and its related collagen synthesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The HCCSMC were cultured primarily from three impotent patients. Expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA was induced by phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) 0.2 micro gram/ml in the presence or absence of antisense TGF-beta 1 oligodeoxynucleotide (5'-GGGCGGCATGGGGGA-3') 20 micro gram/ml. The effect of the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide on TGF-beta 1 mRNA and collagen I synthesis were measured by RT-PCR or Northern blot analysis. RESULTS: The expression of TGF-beta 1 mRNA in response to PMA was inhibited by treatment with the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide. Collagen I expression was also induced by PMA treatment, and the antisense oligodeoxynucleotide downregulated this expression. CONCLUSIONS: Antisense TGF-beta 1 oligodeoxynucleotide can suppress the expression of TGF-beta 1 and TGF-beta 1-induced collagen I synthesis in HCCSMC.
Blotting, Northern ; Collagen* ; Humans* ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle* ; RNA, Messenger ; Transforming Growth Factor beta* ; Transforming Growth Factors

Posterior urethral valve is a cause of obstructive uropathy in infants and children. But there also have been a few descriptions in adults. We report a case of posterior urethral valve in a 57year-old adult with wonder that upper urinary tract is intact despite so late a diagnosis of the disease.
Adult* ; Child ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant ; Urinary Tract

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to identify retrospectively the different computed tomography markers and sonography in a series of surgically and pathologically proven cases of tubo-ovarian abscesses in order to achieve correct preoperative diagnosis of this life-threatening condition. METHODS: A review of the medical and pathological records from the department of obstetrics and gynecology, Catholic University Medical College from January 1993 to January 2003 confirmed 79 patients with the diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess. Patient were divided into two groups. From this group 15 patients who underwent CT prior to therapy were identified, and the medical records, pathologic reports and CT of these patients were retrospectively reviewed and correlated. RESULTS: All 79 patients underwent operative surgery and were confirmed tubo-ovarian abscess. CT findings of tubo-ovarian abscess present in our patients were (a) a thick-walled fluid-density mass in an adnexal location, (b) septation or partial septation within the mass, (c) indistinct borders with the uterus and adjacent bowel loops, (d) anterior displacement of the mesosalpinx, indicating a probable adnexal origin, and (e) bilateral or unilateral hydronephrosis with hydroureter. CONCLUSION: Tubo-ovarian abscess must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cystic unilateral or bilateral pelvic masses identified on CT. CT usually plays a secondary role in the diagnosis of tubo-ovarian abscess but can be valuable in difficult cases. Lack of a typical clinical presentation should not dissuade the radiologist from suggesting this diagnosis; indeed, the atypical presentation may be the reason why the patient is being evaluated initially with CT rather than with ultrasound.
Abscess* ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Medical Records ; Obstetrics ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography ; Uterus

PURPOSE: Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major cause of mortality and morbidity after open heart surgery in the pediatric population. We evaluated the incidence and risk factors of early postoperative arrhythmias after surgery of congenital heart disease. METHODS: From January 2002 to December 2008, we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the 561 patients who underwent cardiac surgery in Kyungpook National University Hospital. We analyzed patients' age and weight, occurrence and type of arrhythmia, cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) time, aortic cross clamp (ACC) time, and postoperative electrolyte levels. RESULTS: Arrhythmias occurred in 42 of 578 (7.3%) cases of the pediatric cardiac surgery. The most common types of arrhythmia were junctional ectopic tachycardia (JET) and accelerated idioventricular rhythm (AIVR), which occurred in 17 and 13 cases, respectively. The arterial switch operation (ASO) of transposition of the great arteries (TGA) had the highest incidence of arrhythmia (36.4%). Most cases of cardiac arrhythmia showed good response to management. Patients with early postoperative arrhythmias had significantly lower body weight, younger age, and prolonged CPB and ACC times (P<0.05) than patients without arrhythmia. Although the mean duration of ventilator care and intensive care unit stay were significantly longer (P<0.05), the mortality rate was not significantly different among the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Early postoperative arrhythmias are a major complication after pediatric cardiac surgery; however, aggressive and immediate management can reduce mortality and morbidity.
Accelerated Idioventricular Rhythm ; Arrhythmias, Cardiac ; Arteries ; Body Weight ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Child ; Heart ; Heart Diseases ; Humans ; Incidence ; Intensive Care Units ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Tachycardia, Ectopic Junctional ; Thoracic Surgery ; Ventilators, Mechanical

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to light at night has become pervasive in modern society. The impact of dim artificial light at night (dALAN) exposure on sleep and fatigue is not well recognized. We aim to study the impact of dALAN exposure during sleep on human fatigue. METHODS: 30 healthy young male volunteers from 21 to 29 years old were enrolled in the study. They were randomly divided into two groups depending on light intensity (Group A : 5 lux and Group B : 10 lux). Data were gathered from each participant after each night with no light (Night 1) followed by the next night (Night 2) with two different dim light conditions (5 or 10 lux) by means of self-reported fatigue scale. RESULTS: Exposure to dALAN during sleep was significantly associated with increased overall fatigue (F = 19.556, p < 0.001) and ocular discomfort (F = 5.671, p = 0.028). CONCLUSION: We found that dALAN during sleep likely affects human fatigue in some aspects. These findings indicate that dALAN during sleep exerts a negative effect on human fatigue.
Fatigue* ; Humans* ; Male ; Volunteers