Adenoviridae ; Adhesives ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Fluorescence ; Vero Cells

PURPOSE: Androgen plays an important role during penile development and is essential for libido in the male, but its role in the regulation and maintenance of the erectile response has been controversial. We investigated the effect of castration and androgen replacement on penile erection in the adult rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult male Spargue-Dawley rats were divided into three groups: control, castration, and androgen replacement after castration. Androgen (testosterone, DHT) was administrated for 7 days at week 1, 2, 3, and 4 after castration. The intracavernosal pressure was recorded after submitting the rats to cavernous nerve stimulation. The percentages of cells in the penis expressing Ki-67 (proliferative index) and of apoptotic cells, assessed by morphologic analysis (apoptotic index), were analyzed. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity was measured by the arginine-citrulline conversion ratio, and expression of nNOS and eNOS was determined by Western blot analysis. RESULT: After castration, a significant increase was noted in the apoptotic index, with a decrease in the expression of nNOS and eNOS. Replacement of androgen increased the proliferative index and the expression of cavernous nerve stimulation; NOS activity and erectile function were restored with androgen replacement. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that the penile tissue and NOS activity of the adult rat are affected by the androgen milieu and androgen such as testosterone and DHT play a direct role in the erectile function at the level of the erectile tissue.
Adult* ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; Blotting, Western ; Castration ; Humans ; Libido ; Male ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Penile Erection ; Penis* ; Rats* ; Testosterone

Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease and common in Japan. The typical clinical features are hypotonia with an early infantile onset and severe developmental delay. The diagnosis is based on pathologic evidence of muscular dystrophy revealed by biopsy or an increased serum creatine kinase levels. Involvement of the brain is characterized by abnormal cerebral cortical dysplasia, cerebellar dysplasia, and white matter changes. We encountered a case of Fukuyama congenital muscular dystrophy in which brain MRI findings were typical, and present this case together with a review of the literature.
Biopsy ; Brain ; Creatine Kinase ; Diagnosis ; Japan ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; Muscle Hypotonia ; Muscular Dystrophies ; Walker-Warburg Syndrome*

PURPOSE: Hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (HH) is an uncommon cause of virilization and male infertility. We evaluated the effect of the combination therapy with human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) and human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG) in patients with HH. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between May 2000 and April 2007, we evaluated 15patients with HH. Testicular volume, serum luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone, and semen analysis were consecutively monitored at 6, 12, 24, 36 and 48 months after hCG/hMG combination therapy. Statistical analysis was performed by Paired Student's t-test. RESULTS: Testicular volume showed a time-dependent increase in all patients who received hCG/hMG combination therapy (p<0.01). At 12 months, 12 patients showed and were significant improvement in FSH (1.6+/-0.97mIU/ml, p<0.033) and in serum total testosterone (71+/-2.73ng/ml, p=0.003), respectively. During hCG/hMG combination therapy, semen volume, sperm number, sperm motility, and sperm morphology were improved. However, there was no significant change in LH levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience in the management of the patients with HH suggests that hCG/hMG combination therapy might be effective in improving the sperm volume, sperm number, sperm motility, sperm morphology, plasma FSH, total testosterone level, and testicular volume. Thus hCG/hMG therapy seems a better choice in the patients with HH who want pregnancy.
Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Infertility, Male ; Luteinizing Hormone ; Male ; Plasma ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; Virilism

We report a case of doxycycline-induced phototoxicity in a 62-years-old male. The patient, had erythematous macules and patches on sun-exposed areas. A Phototest revealed a marked decreased minimal erythemai. dose (MED) to UVA (MED(UNA)=-10J/cm2). Photopatch tests with 1%, 5% Doxycycline ointment were negative. An oral provocation test was performed, which showed a positive result with a decrease of MED to UVA (MED(UVA)= 20J/cm2). After the cessation of doxycycline, his skin lesioris were improved markedly with complete loss of photosensitivity.
Dermatitis, Phototoxic* ; Doxycycline ; Humans ; Male ; Skin

Androgen was thought to be linked to sexual activity in man but it did not identify the peripheral action and its mechanism of androgen. The present study was designed to determine the role of testosterone in the relaxation of the corpus cavernosum. Effect of testosterone on the relaxation of rabbit corpus cavernosum was investigated from three groups of rabbit; two groups were castrated and the third underwent a sham operation (control). After castration, one group, received subcutaneous injection of testosterone (testosterone propionate 10 mg/day). Strips of rabbit corpus cavernosum were isolated and mounted in 10 ml organ chambers. Isometric tension measurement of acetylcholine (Ach: 10(-5)M) and papaverine (10(-5)M) in the precontracted cavernosal muscle strips with phenylephrine (5 x 10(-6)M) were performed in all groups; control, castration group (four sub-groups: 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after castration) and testosterone replacement group (four sub-groups: testosterone was given from 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks after castration for 14 days respectively). The relaxation response of corpus cavernosal muscle to acetylcholine and papaverine was significantly decreased in castrated group and restored up to the level of control after testosterone replacement. The maximum inhibitory effect of castration on the relaxation of corpus cavernosal muscle began to be shown at 4 weeks after castration. Based on these results, we conclude that testosterone regulates the tone of cavernosal smooth muscle through the pathway including cholinergic endothelium mediated relaxation.
Acetylcholine ; Castration ; Diethylpropion ; Endothelium ; Injections, Subcutaneous ; Muscle, Smooth ; Papaverine ; Phenylephrine ; Relaxation* ; Sexual Behavior ; Testosterone*

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and to assess the effects of microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy on patients diagnosed with a left varicocele by CDU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 patients with varicocele were enrolled between March 2005 and May 2007. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group I-preoperative bilateral varicoceles were diagnosed by color CDU, and group II-only a left varicocele was diagnosed by CDU. All patients underwent an inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy bilaterally. Statistical analysis was performed by paired Student's t-test and one way ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 27.5+/-7.9 years. After surgery, semen parameters were significantly improved in sperm number in group I (p=0.002) and semen volume in group II (p<0.005). At the time of surgery, we found that 16 (88.9%) of 18 patients had bilateral varicoceles in group II. The accuracy of CDU to diagnose varicoceles was not perfect. CONCLUSIONS: The bilateral microsurgical varicocelectomy in patients with only a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU significantly increased their semen volume. Most (88.9%) patients diagnosed with a left varicocele actually had bilateral varicoceles. Therefore, microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy may be appropriate for infertile men with a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU.
Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Sperm Count ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Varicocele

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate the accuracy of color Doppler ultrasonography (CDU) and to assess the effects of microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy on patients diagnosed with a left varicocele by CDU. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 69 patients with varicocele were enrolled between March 2005 and May 2007. The patients were randomized into 2 groups: group I-preoperative bilateral varicoceles were diagnosed by color CDU, and group II-only a left varicocele was diagnosed by CDU. All patients underwent an inguinal microsurgical varicocelectomy bilaterally. Statistical analysis was performed by paired Student's t-test and one way ANOVA. RESULTS: Mean age of the patients was 27.5+/-7.9 years. After surgery, semen parameters were significantly improved in sperm number in group I (p=0.002) and semen volume in group II (p<0.005). At the time of surgery, we found that 16 (88.9%) of 18 patients had bilateral varicoceles in group II. The accuracy of CDU to diagnose varicoceles was not perfect. CONCLUSIONS: The bilateral microsurgical varicocelectomy in patients with only a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU significantly increased their semen volume. Most (88.9%) patients diagnosed with a left varicocele actually had bilateral varicoceles. Therefore, microsurgical bilateral varicocelectomy may be appropriate for infertile men with a left varicocele diagnosed by CDU.
Humans ; Male ; Semen ; Sperm Count ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color ; Varicocele

PURPOSE: To observe sequential changes of acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis in high resolution CT and to correlate the findings with pulmonary function test and bronchoalveolar lavage. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes 11 patients with pathologically (n=10) and clinically(n=1) proved acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The extent of ground glass attenuation and nodules on high resolution CT scan was correlated with pulmonary function test and bronchoalveolar lavage. We also evaluated serial changes of the lesion in high resolution CT scans. RESULTS: The extent of parenchymal abnormalities on high-resolution CT scans were significantly correlated with diffusing capacity (GGA & DLco:r=0.95, p<0.003, Nodule & DLco:r=-0.94, P<.005) and FEV1 (GGA & FEV1: r=-0.57, p<.05, Nodule & FEV1: r=-0.56, P<.05) on pulmonary function test and relatively correlated with total count of cells (GGA & total count of cells: r=0.86, P<.03, Nodule & total count of cells: r=0.71, p<0. 11) on bronchoalveolar lavage. The order in disappearance of abnormal findings were poorly defined centrilobular nodule, ground glass attenuation, and well defined small centrilobular nodule on sequential CT scans. CONCLUSION: The authors conclude that HRCT is useful for diagnosis and follow up evaluation of the acute and subacute hypersensitivity pneumonitis. Quantitative analysis of extent of disease on HRCT is useful for evaluation of clinical status.
Alveolitis, Extrinsic Allergic* ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage* ; Diagnosis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glass ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity* ; Respiratory Function Tests* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND: Although the net atrioventricular compliance can be obtained by invasive catheterization (Ccath) in mitral stenosis (MS), feasibility of noninvasive echocardiographic calculation of the compliance (Cecho) and its hemodynamic significance were not tested. METHODS: Using valve area by 2D planimetry (A2D) and deceleration slope (dv/dt) of transmitral velocity decay in continuous wave Doppler echocardiographic tracing, Cecho was defined as -A2D/(gamma dv/dt), which was compared with Ccath obtained directly during the catheterization in 30 MS patients with sinus rhythm. Exercise Doppler echocardiography with symptom-limited treadmill was performed in 66 patients with moderate to tight MS: mean mitral gradient (MG) and peak pressure gradient of tricuspid regurgitation (PGTR) at baseline and immediately after exercise were obtained using continuous wave Doppler echocardiographic tracing. Hemodynamic variables including Cecho, MG, PGTR and mitral valve area were analyzed to determine the association with patients' exercise tolerance. RESULTS: Cecho in 30 patients with tight MS (valve area 0.9+/-0.2 cm 2) was 4+/-1 ml/mmHg (2-7 mmHg), which showed a significant correlation with Ccath (r=0.48, p=0.01). Exercise time in 66 patients with moderate to tight MS showed significant negative correlation with resting MG, resting and postexercise PGTR, and positive correlation with Cecho: exercise time in those patients did not show any significant correlation with resting valve area. In multivariate analysis, Cecho and postexercise PGTR were independent factors determining exercise time in MS. CONCLUSIONS: The net atrioventricular compliance in MS can be calculated by noninvasive echocardiography, and it is an important hemodynamic factor determining exercise tolerance in MS.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Compliance* ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Exercise Tolerance ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Mitral Valve ; Mitral Valve Stenosis* ; Multivariate Analysis ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency