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*

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*

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

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

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: Carbon monoxide (CO), as well as nitric oxide (NO), have been proposed as potential effectors in the non-adrenergic, non-cholinergic (NANC), nerve-mediated relaxation of the prostate. Attempts were made to determine the localization and expression of heme oxygenase-2 (HO-2), and to observe the change in the relaxation of the smooth muscle induced by CO, depending on age and castration, in rat prostate glands. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prostate smooth muscles, isolated from young (125+/-4.5g, n=18), adult (321+/-17.8g, n=18), old (413+/-6.4g, n=18) and castrated adult (318+/-15.2g, n=18) rats, were used. The HO-2 immunohistochemistry was observed using the rabbit anti-HO-2 polyclonal antibody. The expressions of HO-2 were measured by a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and western blotting. Polygraphy, connecting the force displacement transducer, was used to observe the relaxation effect of CO. To investigate the relaxation action of the CO mediated, to the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) enzyme inhibitors, 1H-[1,2,4]oxadiazolo[4,3-a]quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ) and methylene blue were added to the reaction solutions. RESULTS: The HO-2 was located in the nerve fibers of the rat prostates. A quantitative analysis of PCR products revealed greater decreased levels of HO-2 mRNA and protein expression in the young (p<0.05) and castrated adults (p<0.05) than in the normal adult rats. The relaxation effect of CO was greater in the adult than in the young (p<0.05), old and castrated adult rats (p<0.05), but the effect was inhibited by the addition of ODQ and methylene blue in all groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CO has an effect on the relaxation of rat prostate smooth muscle. The expression of HO-2 in the prostate became higher with increasing age, so it is estimated the relaxation effect of CO in the older adults will be higher than with the other ages. Androgen deprivation decreases relaxation effect of CO in prostate smooth muscle.
Adult ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Carbon Monoxide* ; Carbon* ; Castration* ; Enzyme Inhibitors ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Heme Oxygenase (Decyclizing) ; Heme* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Methylene Blue ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Nerve Fibers ; Nitric Oxide ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prostate* ; Rats* ; Relaxation* ; RNA, Messenger ; Transducers

PURPOSE: ZD1839(IressaTM) is a selective epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor(EGFR-TKI) known to block the cell signaling pathway. However, the effect of ZD1839 in relation to renal cell carcinoma, which is highly angiogenic, has not been reported. Using an orthotopic model of murine renal cell carcinoma(Renca), we evaluated the inhibitory effect of ZD1839 on tumor growth and angiogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Renca cells (1x10(4)cells/10microliter) were first adsorbed in Gelfoam and were implanted into the balb/cj mouse kidney followed by obturation with the agarose bar. Then, tumor formation was assessed every week for 4 weeks. IC50 was obtained for ZD1839 and genistein in vitro. 7 days after the implantation, the mice were divided into three groups, and normal saline, ZD1839(40mg/kg/day), and genistein (80mg/kg/day) were subcutaneously injected for 14 days. 21 days after the implantation, the mice were sacrificed, and tumor volume measurement and analysis of microvessel density(MVD) were performed using the factor VIII-related antigen and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF). RESULTS: Renca tumors, which formed in the renal parenchyme and had a circular shape, reached the peak growth velocity between 14 and 21 days. MVD was the highest at 14 days of implantation. IC50 for ZD1839 and genistein were 4.68microM and 5.43microM, respectively. Tumor growth after the treatment with ZD1839 and genstein was inhibited by 86%(p<0.01) and 49%(p<0.05), respectively, compared to the control. MVD of ZD1839 and genistein-treated groups were 50%(p<0.01) and 29%(p<0.05) lower, respectively, and VEGF levels were 24%(p<0.05) and 27%(p<0.05) lower, respectively, compared to the control. CONCLUSIONS: This orthotopic implantation method of the Renca cell is an effective model for demonstrating the effect of an angiogenesis inhibitor. Our results suggest that the anti-angiogenesis effect of ZD1839 in the Renca orthotopic implantation model partially contributes to the tumor growth inhibition, and that ZD1839 may be more effective than genistein in the tumor growth regulation through the inhibition of angiogenesis.
Angiogenesis Inhibitors ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Gelatin Sponge, Absorbable ; Genistein ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Kidney ; Mice ; Microvessels ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Sepharose ; Tumor Burden ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; von Willebrand Factor