No abstract available.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell*

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of interstitial laser coagulation (ILC) on the quality of life and sexual function in patients with a benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eighty-nine patients treated with ILC were prospectively evaluated. The treatment outcome was evaluated 1, 3, 6 months and 1 year after the ILC with the international prostate symptom score (IPSS), the prostate volume, the peak urinary flow rate (Q-max), the post-void residual urine (PVR), and the quality of life assessment score. In addition, a self-reporting questionnaire including the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) were completed before and 3 months after treatment to determine the impact on sexual function. RESULTS: ILC showed significant improvement in the clinical and voiding parameters (IPSS, Q-max, PVR, prostate size). After ILC, 76% of patients were satisfied with the treatment and the quality of life score improved significantly after 3 months. There was no significant difference between the mean scores of the pretreatment and post-treatment erectile function, orgasmic function, sexual desire and intercourse satisfaction. However, the overall satisfaction score decreased from the pre-operative value of 3.05 to a post-operative value of 2.27 (p<0.05). An ejaculation loss or severe decrease in ejaculate volume was reported in 11 (23%) of the 46 patients followed up after ILC. Interestingly, only 5 (45%) of the 11 patients with a loss of ejaculation or severe decrease in ejaculate reported a deterioration of their sex life, while only 1 (4%) of the 23 without any change in ejaculate volume reported such deterioration. CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant changes in sexual desire, erectile function, orgasmic function, and intercourse satisfaction with ILC. However, the overall satisfaction decreased after ILC. Post-treatment sexual dysfunction appears to be mainly related to the impaired ejaculatory function.
Ejaculation ; Humans ; Laser Coagulation* ; Male ; Orgasm ; Prospective Studies ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Quality of Life* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Treatment Outcome

Myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate (MARCKS) is a widely distributed protein kinase C (PKC) substrate and has been implicated in actin cytoskeletal rearrangement in response to extracellular stimuli. Although MARCKS was extensively examined in various cell culture systems, the physiological function of MARCKS in the central nervous system has not been clearly understood. We investigated alterations of cellular distribution and phosphorylation of MARCKS in the hippocampus following kainic acid (KA)-induced seizures. KA (25 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to eight to nine week-old C57BL/6 mice. Behavioral seizure activity was observed for 2 h after the onset of seizures and was terminated with diazepam (8 mg/kg, i.p.). The animals were sacrificed and analyzed at various points in time after the initiation of seizure activity. Using double-labeling immunofluorescence analysis, we demonstrated that the expression and phosphorylation of MARCKS was dramatically upregulated specifically in microglial cells after KA-induced seizures, but not in other types of glial cells. PKC alpha, beta I, beta II and delta, from various PKC isoforms examined, also were markedly upregulated, specifically in microglial cells. Moreover, immunoreactivities of phosphorylated MARCKS were co-localized in the activated microglia with those of the above isoforms of PKC. Taken together, our in vivo data suggest that MARCKS is closely linked to microglial activation processes, which are important in pathological conditions, such as neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.
Up-Regulation/drug effects ; Time Factors ; Seizures/chemically induced/*metabolism ; Protein Kinase C-delta/analysis ; Protein Kinase C-alpha/analysis ; Protein Kinase C/*analysis ; Protein Biosynthesis/drug effects ; Phosphorylation/drug effects ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microglia/cytology/drug effects/*metabolism ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice ; Membrane Proteins/*analysis/metabolism ; Kainic Acid/*toxicity ; Isoenzymes/analysis ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/*analysis/metabolism ; Immunohistochemistry ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the change of clinical characteristics of prostatic cancer after the introduction of PSA (Prostate specific antigen) assay and TRUS (Transrectal ultrasonography), we retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 155 patients with prostatic adenocarcinoma who were managed at Seoul National University Hospital from January 1985 to December 1994. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Patients were stratified into 2 groups (Group I: 45pts{1985-1989} and Group II: 110pts{1990-1994}) by the year 1990 when our hospital began to use PSA assay and TRUS to detect prostatic cancer. PSA was measured by monoclonal radioimmunometric assay (ELSA-PSA). Tumor staging consisted of DRE (digital rectal. examination), TRUS, CT, MRI, simple bone X-ray and radionuclide bone scan. Clinical characteristics of 2 groups were compared. RESULT: Proportion of younger pts increased in group II but this was not statistically significant (p>0.05 by chi-square test). Number of pts were annually increasing , especially after the year 1990 when PSA assay and TRUS were introduced into clinical practice. Despite use of PSA and TRUS, the number of clinically localized pts did not differ between 2 groups. There was no difference in distribution of chief complaints between 2 groups. There were 3 pts who were detected by increased PSA alone. CONCLUSION: Prostate cancer incidence is increasing and will substantially increase in the future on the basis of increasing tendency to the old population, improved cancer detection and improved public awareness. More than 70% of pts have metastases or regional extension (Stage C or D). These dismal statistics constitute the main reason for early detection programs in the population at large.
Adenocarcinoma ; Humans ; Incidence ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Medical Records ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen* ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul

Background: and Purpose Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a rare demyelinating disease of the central nervous system (CNS). We investigated the medical behaviors of experts in Korea when they are diagnosing and treating NMOSD. Methods: An anonymous questionnaire on the diagnosis and treatment of NMOSD was distributed to experts in CNS demyelinating diseases. Results: Most respondents used the 2015 diagnostic criteria for NMOSD and applied a cerebrospinal fluid examination, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and spine, and anti-aquaporin-4 antibody testing to all suspected cases of NMOSD. All respondents prescribed steroid pulse therapy as an first-line therapy in the acute phase of NMOSD, and 67% prescribed azathioprine for maintenance therapy in NMOSD. However, details regarding monitoring, the tapering period of oral steroids, second-line therapy use in refractory cases, management during pregnancy, and schedule of follow-up MRI differed according to the circumstances of individual patients. We analyzed the differences in response rates between two groups of respondents according to the annual number of NMOSD patients that they treated.The group that had been treating ≥10 NMOSD patients annually preferred rituximab more often as the second-line therapy (p=0.011) and had more experience with rituximab treatment (p=0.015) compared with the group that had been treating <10 NMOSD patients. Conclusions This study has revealed that NMOSD experts in Korea principally follow the available treatment guidelines. However, the differences in specific clinical practices applied to uncertain cases that have been revealed will need to be investigated further in order to formulate suitable recommendations.

BACKGROUND: Graying of hair-a sign of aging-raises cosmetic concerns. Individuals with gray hair often look older than others their age; therefore, some dye their hair for aesthetic purposes. However, hair colorants can induce many problems including skin irritation, allergic reaction and hair-breakage. OBJECTIVE: This randomized, double-blind clinical trial was performed in order to examine the effects of APHG-1001, a compound including an extract from Pueraria lobata, on graying hair. METHODS: A total of 44 female subjects were randomly treated with either APHG-1001 or placebo twice daily for 24 weeks. Using the phototrichogram analysis, a count of newly developed gray hair was estimated. Investigator assessment and subject self-assessment were also performed in order to evaluate the efficacy of the compound. RESULTS: The mean number of newly developed gray hair at 24 weeks was 6.3/cm2 in the APHG-1001 group and 11.4/cm2 in the placebo group; the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the investigator assessment and subject self-assessment did not show any significant change in the gross appearance of hair grayness by the end of the study. No severe adverse events in either group were observed. Moreover, the incidence of adverse events did not differ between the groups. CONCLUSION: This clinical trial revealed that APHG-1001, which contains an extract of P. lobata, could prevent the development of new gray hair without any remarkable adverse effects. Thus, it can be considered as a viable treatment option for the prevention of gray hair.
Aging ; Antioxidants ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Hair ; Hair Color ; Hair Dyes ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Incidence ; Pueraria ; Research Personnel ; Self-Assessment ; Skin

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to survey the nation wide susceptibilities of Esherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae against cefotaxime and to determine the prevalence of CTX-M-type extended-spectrum beta- lactamases(ESBLs). METHODS: During the period of April to June, 2002, E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates were collected from 13 hospitals. Antimicrobial susceptibilities to cefotaxime were tested by the disk diffusion method. ESBL production was determined by double disk synergy test. Cefotaxime-resistance of the ESBL-producers was transferred to azide-resistant E. coli J53 by conjugation. MICs of beta- lactam antibiotics were determined by agar dilution method. Searches for blaCTX-M genes were performed by PCR amplication. pIs of beta-lactamases were determined by isoelectric focusing. RESULTS: Ten percents of E. coli and 35 percents of K. pneumoniae isolates among 260 strains of each were intermediate or resistant to cefotaxime. Twenty-three isolates of E. coli and 78 K. pneumoniae isolates showed positive results in the double disk synergy test. One isolate of E. coli and 2 K. pneumoniae isolates harbored blaCTX-M-3 gene, 2 E. coli isolates harbored blaCTX-M-15 gene, and 2 E. coli and 2 K. pneumoniae isolates harbored blaCTX-M-14 gene. CONCLUSION: E. coli and K. pneumoniae isolates producing CTX-M-type ESBLs are not uncommon in Korean hospitals. The spread of CTX-M-type ESBL genes could compromise the future usefulness of 3rd generation cephalosporins and aztreonam for the treatment of E. coli and K. pneumoniae infections.
Agar ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Aztreonam ; beta-Lactamases ; Cefotaxime ; Cephalosporins ; Diffusion ; Isoelectric Focusing ; Klebsiella pneumoniae* ; Klebsiella* ; Korea* ; Pneumonia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence*

OBJECTIVE: This study evaluated the possible role of 2 additional tumor markers to CA125 in discriminating between benign and malignant ovarian tumors. METHODS: Serum samples from 1,346 patients were obtained on seven days before operation. All patients underwent surgery for ovarian tumors. Serum levels of 3 tumor markers were compared to histology. Concentrations of tumor markers (CA125, CA72-4, CA19-9) were detected by enzyme immuno- or immunoradiometric assays. Normal range of these markers was defined as CA125 Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Reference Values ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Biomarkers, Tumor*

PURPOSE: Central venous catheterization (CVC) plays important roles in treatment of critically ill patients. Although use of ultrasound has led to a decrease in CVC related complications, adverse events still occur. Therefore, we usually check the chest x-ray for confirmation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of point of care ultrasound during catheterization of the internal jugular vein (IJV). METHODS: The authors conducted a prospective study of emergency department (ED) patients undergoing CVC via IJV. Among the enrolled patients, 97 underwent SAVE, which consisted of 1) pre-CVC lung ultrasound, 2) ultrasound guided puncture of central vein, 3) sonographic detection of the guide wire before dilation, and 4) post-CVC lung ultrasonography. The primary outcome was the success rate of each stage. The secondary outcome was an estimated time of the SAVE exam. The entire process of patients' care was recorded by video for the purpose of time analysis. Physicians described anatomical site, reason for catheterization, and acute mechanical complications. RESULTS: In all subjects, the guide wire was visible within the lumen of the IJV. Median access time, from insertion to detection of the guide wire in IJV via ultrasound, was 20 seconds. After the CVC was inserted, post-CVC lung ultrasonography was completed within a median time of 68 seconds. Identification of the chest x-ray image took more than 5 minutes. Acute mechanical complications - which occurred in three patients - were detected immediately by SAVE. CONCLUSION: SAVE may provide greater safety during CVC by detection of CVC related complication more properly, without delay.
Catheterization* ; Catheterization, Central Venous ; Catheters* ; Central Venous Catheters ; Critical Illness ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Jugular Veins* ; Lung ; Patient Safety ; Prospective Studies ; Punctures ; Thorax ; Ultrasonography* ; Veins

Pancreatic cancer is a notorious disease with a poor prognosis and low survival rates, which is due to limited advances in understanding of the molecular mechanism and inadequate development of effective treatment options over the decades. In previous studies, we demonstrated that a novel soluble protein named pancreatic adenocarcinoma up-regulated factor (PAUF) acts on tumor and immune cells and plays an important role in metastasis and progression of pancreatic cancer. Here we show that PAUF promotes adhesiveness of pancreatic cancer cells to various extracellular matrix (ECM). Our results further support a positive correlation of activation and expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), a key player in tumor cell metastasis and survival, with PAUF expression. PAUF-mediated adhesiveness was significantly attenuated upon blockade of the FAK pathway. Moreover, PAUF appeared to enhance resistance of pancreatic cancer cells to anoikis via modulation of FAK. Our results suggest that PAUF-mediated FAK activation plays an important role in pancreatic cancer progression.
Anoikis/genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases/*metabolism ; Focal Adhesions/genetics/*metabolism ; Humans ; Lectins/genetics/*metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/enzymology/genetics/*metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins pp60(c-src)/metabolism ; Signal Transduction/genetics