PURPOSE: Neuroendocrine (NE) cells of the prostate are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). By a comparative analysis of NE cell density in BPH tissue of men who were either exposed to or not exposed to 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, we investigated the relationship between NE cells and BPH, and the effect of androgen deprivation on NE cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate tissue specimens, obtained from 30 men by transurethral resection of the prostate or radical cystoprostatectomy, were used. Of the 30 patients, 10 had a prostate smaller than 25 ml (normal control), the other 20 had a prostate larger than 40ml, 10 of who had taken 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) for 3 months before surgery (androgen blockade group), and 10 who had not (BPH group). The distribution of NE cells in the prostate was examined using the anti-chromogranin A (CgA) antibody, and the density of the CgA-positive cells was compared by an optical dissector method. Immunoblotting was performed using the neuron specific enolase (NSE) antibody. A Mann-Whitney U test was used in a statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most of the CgA-positive NE cells were localized between the acinar epithelial cells. The mean numbers of CgA-positive NE cells per acinus in the normal controls and the BPH groups were 1.67+/-0.78 and 4.45+/-2.54, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the mean number of CgA-positive NE cells in the androgen blockade group, was 4.93+/-2.17, which was similar to the BPH group. In a NSE immunoblotting study, a distinct band was observed in the BPH and androgen blockade groups, but the density of the band was higher in the androgen blockade group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NE cells may be involved in the hyperplastic process of BPH. Inhibition of dihydrotestosterone, caused by the oral administration of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, failed to induce any significant change in the NE cells, probably due to the incomplete androgen blockade.
Administration, Oral ; Cell Count ; Dihydrotestosterone* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunoblotting ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Cells* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*

Angiomyofibroblastoma is a distinctive, hitherto uncharacterized, benign soft tissue tumor of the vulva with histology similar to an aggressive pelvic angiomyxoma. It can be distinguished from an aggressive angiomyxoma by its circumscribed borders, higher cellularity, more numerous blood vessels, the frequent presence of plump stromal cells, minimal stromal mucin, and rarity of erythrocyte extravasation. We experienced a case of angiomyofibroblastoma of the vulva occurring in a 45-year-old woman. The lesion was a well-defined but not encapsulated mass, 4.5x4.2 cm. Histologically the mass was characterized by alternating hypercellular and hypocellular edematous zones in which abundant blood vessels were irregularly distributed. Immunohistochemically, the spindled, plump spindled, and oval stromal cells were reactive for vimentin and desmin, but not for cytokeratin, or S-100 protein.
Female ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Recently, video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery(VATS) has been accepted as the standard treatment for spontaneous pneumothorax. However, comparatively high recurrent rate and cost-effectiveness are still controversial. The recurrent rate after bullectomy with VATS is reported to be as high as 5-10% whereas it is below 2% in thoracotomy. There is no statistical report on cost-effectiveness in Korean health care system. Material and METHOD: Our retrospective analysis was performed on 173 cases of surgically treated primary spontaneous pneumothorax at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University, School of medicine, from January 1997 to July 1999. There were 104 cases VATS and 69 cases of thoracotomy. We analysed the operative indication, gender, operating time, amounts of the staples used, tube drainage, tube stay time, postoperative complications, recurrent rate, operation room cost, and total cost. RESULT: Operation time was 71.3 +/-29.5minutes in VATS group and 141 +/-52minutes in thoracotomy group(P<0.05). The postoperative tube stay and hospital stay are 3.93days and 7.5days in VATS group and 7.0 days and 13.4days in thoracotomy group, respectively(P<0.05, P<0.05). The number of recurrence after the operation in VATS group(6/104, 5.6%) was significantly higher than in thoracotomy group (1/69, 1.4%; P<0.05). The operation room cost was significantly higher in VATS group than in thoracotomy group (won 1,202,192 +/-178,992, won 1,005,669 +/-311,531; P<0.05), but considering the total cost, there was no significant difference between the two groups( won 1,946,110 +/- 487,440, won 1,793,912 +/-308,079; P=0.18). CONCLUSION: Although operative procedure and discharge policy may affect the recurrent rate and cost, there was no benefit of cost-effectiveness in VATS group and recurrent rate was higher in VATS group than in throacotomy group. It would be helpful to set up a prospective trial comparing cost and results of VATS versus minithoracotomy.
Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Delivery of Health Care ; Drainage ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Pneumothorax* ; Postoperative Complications ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted* ; Thoracoscopy ; Thoracotomy*

PURPOSE: The study was done to examine undergraduate student' suicidal ideation and to identify influences of individual characteristics including psychological resilience and self-control on suicidal ideation. METHODS: Data were collected from 400 students in 11 universities in D city from May 1 to June 30, 2011. Data were analyzed with t-test, one-way ANOVA and Pearson' correlation using SPSS 19.0. RESULTS: Of the students, 11.3% reported suicidal ideation levels higher than average. Woman students and those with high career anxiety, perceived poor health condition and bad relationships showed higher points on suicidal ideation. Suicidal ideation was also negatively correlated with psychological resilience and self-control. CONCLUSION: Over 10.0% of students need careful attention on suicidal ideation, especially counselling service related to suicide prevention for students with poor health, high career anxiety, and bad relationships. Various programs should be developed to promote psychological resilience to improve health and relationships, as well as job guidance for students. It is also suggested the students' experiences be examined to determine how they overcame suicidal ideation.
Anxiety ; Female ; Humans ; Resilience, Psychological* ; Suicidal Ideation* ; Suicide

Microdeletion of 22q11 is responsible for DiGeorge syndrome, velocardiofacial syndrome, congenital conotruncal heart defects, and related disorders. We report our experiences on prenatal diagnosis by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) for 22q11 deletion in two fetuses with tetralogy of fallot. Karyotyping and FISH of the parents revealed that one fetus inherited the disease from maternal microdeletion. These findings suggest the importance of performing FISH in pregnancies with prenatally detected tetralogy of Fallot.
Adult ; *Chromosome Deletion ; *Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Fetal Diseases/*diagnosis/genetics ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence/methods ; Pregnancy ; *Prenatal Diagnosis/methods ; Tetralogy of Fallot/*diagnosis/genetics

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia remains unresolved as the most dreaded operative complication with surgical treatment of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of trimetazidine that has been used clinically for ischemic heart disease was investigated in a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomized as follows: control group undergoing abdominal aortic occlusion but receiving no pharmacologic intervention(Group 1, n=17); TMZ group(Group 2, n=16) receiving 3 mg/kg trimetazidine intravenously before the occlusion of the aorta. Ischemia was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just distal to the left renal artery for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was assessed at 2, 24, and 48 hours after the operation according to the modified Tarlov scale, then the lumbosacral spinal cord was processed for histopathologic examinations 48 hours after the final assessment. RESULT: The average motor function score was significantly higher in the TMZ group(3.20 +/- 0.77 vs 1.13 +/- 1.25 at 2 hours, 3.50 +/- 0.76 vs 1.45 +/- 1.57 at 24 hours, and 3.91 +/- 0.30 vs 1.86 +/- 1.86 at 48 hours after operation; p value Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Diseases ; Constriction ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Paraplegia ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord Ischemia* ; Spinal Cord* ; Trimetazidine*

BACKGROUND: Paraplegia remains unresolved as the most dreaded operative complication with surgical treatment of descending thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. In this study, the neuroprotective effect of trimetazidine that has been used clinically for ischemic heart disease was investigated in a rabbit spinal cord ischemia model. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Thirty-three New Zealand white rabbits were randomized as follows: control group undergoing abdominal aortic occlusion but receiving no pharmacologic intervention(Group 1, n=17); TMZ group(Group 2, n=16) receiving 3 mg/kg trimetazidine intravenously before the occlusion of the aorta. Ischemia was induced by clamping the abdominal aorta just distal to the left renal artery for 30 minutes. Neurologic status was assessed at 2, 24, and 48 hours after the operation according to the modified Tarlov scale, then the lumbosacral spinal cord was processed for histopathologic examinations 48 hours after the final assessment. RESULT: The average motor function score was significantly higher in the TMZ group(3.20 +/- 0.77 vs 1.13 +/- 1.25 at 2 hours, 3.50 +/- 0.76 vs 1.45 +/- 1.57 at 24 hours, and 3.91 +/- 0.30 vs 1.86 +/- 1.86 at 48 hours after operation; p value Aorta ; Aorta, Abdominal ; Aortic Diseases ; Constriction ; Ischemia ; Myocardial Ischemia ; Neuroprotective Agents ; Paraplegia ; Rabbits ; Renal Artery ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; Spinal Cord Ischemia* ; Spinal Cord* ; Trimetazidine*

OBJECTIVES: Although ginseng has been reported to protect neuronal cells and improve various cognitive functions, relationship between ginseng supplementation and response inhibition, one of the important cognitive domains has not been explored. In addition, effects of ginseng on in vivo human brain have not been investigated using the diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). The purpose of the current study is to investigate changes in intrusion errors and white matter microstructure after Korean Red Ginseng supplementation using standardized neuropsychological tests and DTI. METHODS: Fifty-one healthy participants were randomly allocated to the Korean Red Ginseng (n = 26) or placebo (n = 25) groups for 8 weeks. The California Verbal Learning Test was used to assess the number of intrusion errors. Intelligence quotient (IQ) was measured with the Korean Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale. Depressive and anxiety symptoms were evaluated using Hamilton Depression Rating Scale, Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale, and Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25. The fractional anisotropy (FA) was measured from the brain DTI data. RESULTS: After the 8-week intervention, Korean Red Ginseng supplementation significantly reduced intrusion errors after adjusting age, sex, IQ, and baseline score of the intrusion errors (p for interaction = 0.005). Change in FA values in the left anterior corona radiata was greater in the Korean Red Ginseng group compared to the placebo group (t = 4.29, p = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: Korean Red Ginseng supplementation may be efficacious for improving response inhibition and white matter microstructure integrity in the prefrontal cortex.
Adult ; Anisotropy ; Anxiety ; Brain ; California ; Depression ; Diffusion Tensor Imaging ; Humans ; Intelligence ; Neurons ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Panax* ; Prefrontal Cortex ; Verbal Learning

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 plays an important role in promoting cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis in human bladder cancer. In this study, we investigated the antitumor or antiangiogenic effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor on N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine (BBN)-induced rat bladder tumorigenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Fischer 344 rats (control) were given only 0.05% BBN, while 40 rats (experimental) were administered 1,500mg/ kg celecoxib once daily and this treatment started from 1 week before their BBN treatment. Ten rats from the control groups and the experimental groups were then sacrificed at 4, 12, 16 and 24 weeks after BBN treatment. We observed all the bladders macroscopically as well as microscopically, and we measured the COX-2 expression in the bladder tissues. Utilizing a cDNA microarray, we analyzed the significant differences of gene expression between the 12 week-control group and the 12 week-experimental group. RESULTS: The incidence of tumor was lower in the experimental group than in the control group from week 12 to week 24. The COX-2 expressions were more significantly decreased via the BBN induction (p<0.05) in the experimental groups than in the control groups after 4 weeks. For the 12 week-experimental group, there were 15 genes altered by the administration of selective COX-2 inhibitor, and the selective COX-2 inhibitor especially regulated transgelin, membrane metallo endopeptidase and apolipoprotein E of these 15 genes to prevent the incidence of bladder tumor. CONCLUSIONS: Selective COX-2 inhibitor has an inhibitory effect on BBN-induced rat bladder tumorigenesis. In the pre-neoplastic phase, selective COX-2 inhibitor regulates transgelin, membrane metallo endopeptidase and apolipoprotein E to prevent the incidence of bladder tumor.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Animals ; Apolipoproteins ; Butylhydroxybutylnitrosamine ; Carcinogenesis ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Gene Expression* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Neprilysin ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Rats* ; Transcriptome* ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Celecoxib

PURPOSE: Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays an important role in promoting cancer cell proliferation and angiogenesis in human bladder cancer. The selective COX-2 inhibitor has antitumor activities in vivo and in vitro in a variety of tumor types. In this study, the antitumor or antiangiogenic effects of selective COX-2 inhibitor on N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl)nitrosamine-induced rat bladder tumorigenesis were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty male Fischer 344 rats (Control group) were given only 0.05% BBN in water ad libitum, while 40 others (Experimental group) were administered 1,500mug/kg celecoxib once daily through the gavage tube, which started 1 week before the BBN treatment. Ten rats were used as the normal bladder. Ten rats from the control and experimental group were sacrificed 4, 12, 16, and 24 weeks after the start of the BBN treatment. All bladders were evaluated both macroscopically and microscopically. We also measured COX-2 expression, microvessel density (MVD), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein concentrations in the bladder tissues. RESULTS: Macroscopically and microscopically, the incidence of tumor was lower in the experimental group than in the control group from the 12th week to the 24th week. Each incidence of tumor in week 12, week 16, and week 24 was 20%, 50%, and 80% in the control group and 0%, 20%, and 40% in the experimental group, respectively. In both the control and experimental groups, COX-2 expression had a tendency to be concentrated in the cytoplasm of the epithelial cells of the papillary tumor and the endothelial cells adjacent to the vessel the basal layer of bladder. COX-2 and VEGF expression were significantly more decreased in the experimental groups than in the control groups after 4 weeks from the BBN induction (p<0.05). MVD was significantly decreased in the experimental group at week 16 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The selective COX-2 inhibitor has an inhibitory effect on BBN-induced rat bladder tumorigenesis because of its partially antiangiogenic properties. In the future, the selective COX-2 inhibitor could be expected to play an important role as a chemo-preventive agent and as therapeutic aids in bladder cancer if these inhibitory effects can be reproduced in human bladder tumorigenesis.
Angiogenesis Inducing Agents ; Animals ; Butylhydroxybutylnitrosamine ; Carcinogenesis* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cyclooxygenase 2* ; Cytoplasm ; Endothelial Cells ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Microvessels ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; von Willebrand Factor ; Water ; Celecoxib