PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of serum testosterone, intracavernous pressure, expression of nitric-oxide synthase (NOS) and content of penile smooth muscle in aged rat. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sprague Dawley rats were used for this study and divided into control and aging groups. Intracavernous pressure was measured by stimulating the cavernous nerve with 10volt, 2.4mA. Expression of NOS was measured by immunohistochemical staining for NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) diaphorase and the content of penile smooth muscle was measured by Masson's trichrome staining for corpus cavernosum. In each case the stained area-tissue ratio was calculated by computer scanning. RESULTS: Compared with the control group (3.34-0.25ng/ml), the serum testosterone level of the aged group (1.41-0.37ng/ml) was decreased significantly. Compared with the control group (106.7-13.2cmH2O), the intracavernosal pressure of the aged group (71.2-12.3cmH2O) was decreased significantly. Immunohistochemical staining for NOS showed that NADPH diaphorase was stained as brown nerve fiber. Compared with the control group (40.5-3.1%), NOS activity of the aged group (9.5-2.5%) was decreased significantly. On Masson's trichrome staining, the content of penile smooth muscle was 62.8 3.9% in the control group. Compared with the control group, the smooth muscle content of the aged group (35.2-2.4%) was decreased significantly. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, the factors involved in erectile function were decreased in aged rats.
Adenine ; Aging* ; Animals ; Muscle, Smooth ; NADP ; NADPH Dehydrogenase ; Nerve Fibers ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone

OBJECTIVES: To confirm the HAVS in workers exposed to hand-arm vibration with using the objective diagnostic methods METHODS: Several tests were used to help substantiate a clinical diagnosis of HAVS. Some other diseases were excluded by a medical interview, hematologic assessment, urinalysis, X-rays. The hand-arm vibration acceleration level of the grinder was evaluated for considering HAVS. Peripheral vascular changes were examined by a cold provocation test. An electromyography was implemented to ascertain the peripheral neural changes. RESULTS: 8 workers with symptoms in hands & fingers, exposed to hand-arm vibration were examined. Some other diseases(primary Raynauds disease, secondary Raynauds disease in not occupational origin) were excluded by a medical interview, hematologic assessment, urinalysis, X-rays. The hand-arm vibration acceleration level of the grinder was 7. 9 m/sec2. The recovery time of a skin temperature followed finger cooling was significantly prolonged in 6 workers with HAVS. The nerve conduction velocity was reduced in 6 workers with HAVS. CONCLUSIONS: So we report 6 cases of HAVS in grinding workers exposed to hand-arm vibration diagnosed objectively by an exclusion of some other disease, handarm vibration acceleration level, cold provocation test, electromyography.
Acceleration ; Diagnosis ; Electromyography ; Fingers ; Hand* ; Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome* ; Neural Conduction ; Raynaud Disease ; Skin Temperature ; Urinalysis ; Vibration*

An epidermal cyst, presenting as an intrascrotal tumor, with no relation to the testicles or cord structures, is a rare benign tumor. Their etiology is unknown, but the most widely accepted theory on the histogenesis of testicular epidermal cysts is that they are the end result of a monolayer teratoma arising from germ cells; however, an extratesticular epidermoid cyst is believed to be an abnormal closure of the median raphe and urethral groove. An extratesticular epidermal cyst is normally subcutaneous, and can be localized anywhere along the median raphe, from the distal penis to the anus. To our knowledge, there has been no case reported in the Korean literature. A case of an intrascrotal epidermal cyst is reported in a 44-year-old man.
Adult ; Anal Canal ; Epidermal Cyst* ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Penis ; Scrotum ; Teratoma ; Testis

Herein, a new left renal vein stenting procedure (expandable metallic stent placement), which provided relief for an 18-year-old man incapacitated by an intermittent gross hematuria, is reported. The placement of an expandable metallic stent is a minimally invasive therapy, and a simpler and more physiological therapy than previous approaches to Nutcracker syndrome.
Adolescent ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Renal Veins ; Stents*

Although an inverse relationship between abdominal adiposity and pulmonary function has been suggested, direct measurement of abdominal adipose tissue has rarely been attempted. Our object is to determine the impact of abdominal adiposity on pulmonary function by directly measuring abdominal adipose tissue with abdominal computed tomography (CT). In this cross-sectional study, we included never-smokers between the ages of 18 and 85 yr, who had undergone spirometry and abdominal adipose tissue analysis with CT scans during November 1, 2005 to October 31, 2009 as part of the comprehensive health examination. Among a total of 3,469 participants, 890 (25.7%) were male. The mean body mass index and waist circumference among males and females were 24.6 kg/m2 and 87.8 cm and 23.0 kg/m2 and 83.0 cm, respectively. Although total adipose tissue (TAT) of the abdomen in males (269.1 cm2) was similar to that in females (273.6 cm2), the ratio of visceral adipose tissue (VAT)/subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) was different; 0.99 in males and 0.50 in females. In males, TAT, SAT, and VAT were inversely associated with the absolute value of forced vital capacity (FVC), and TAT and VAT were inversely associated with forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1). However, in females, TAT and VAT, but not SAT, were inversely associated with absolute FVC and FEV1 values. In conclusion, the amount of abdominal adipose tissue directly measured using CT is inversely associated with lung function.
*Adiposity ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Intra-Abdominal Fat/*radiography ; Lung/*physiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radiography, Abdominal ; Smoking ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: Garlic has anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effects. We investigated its actions and preventive effects on chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP) using a rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Bacterial suspension was inserted into the prostatic urethra of 75 rats. Then 15 were grouped as garlic group, and 60 as control group. Garlic and saline were given to each group for 4 weeks, respectively. After partial resection of the prostate, microbiological culture and histological examination were done. The incidence of CBP was compared between two groups. To evaluate the anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory effect of garlic, the 41 rats proved as CBP models among the control group were divided into 4 groups randomly: I, control; II, garlic; III, ciprofloxacin; IV, garlic plus ciprofloxacin. After 3 weeks of treatment, microbiological cultures of urine, prostate and histological examination of prostate were done. RESULTS: In study of the preventive effects, 5 rats in garlic treatment group and 41 rats in control group were shown to be CBP models. In anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory evaluation, positive urine culture rate and prostate tissue show no significant difference among four groups, but bacterial growth in urine and prostate tissue were lower in groups II, III, and IV than group I. Bacterial growth was the slowest in prostate tissue of group IV. Histologic findings were more improved in groups II, III and IV than group I, with Group IV being the most improved. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that garlic has preventive and therapeutic effects on CBP. Combination treatment with antibiotics may be considered in the future.
Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Ciprofloxacin ; Garlic ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Prostate ; Prostatitis ; Rats ; Urethra

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of i) the extent of peri-implant bone defects and ii) the application of bone cement on implant stability with respect to the measurement direction. METHODS: In 10 bovine rib bones, 4 implant osteotomies with peri-implant bone defects of various widths were prepared: i) no defect (D0), ii) a 2-mm-wide defect (D2), iii) a 4-mm-wide defect (D4), and iv) a 8-mm-wide defect (D8). The height of all defects was 10 mm. Implant stability quotient (ISQ) values and Periotest values (PTVs) were measured after implant placement and bone cement application. RESULTS: With increasing defect width, decreased ISQs and increased PTVs were observed. Statistically significant differences were found between groups D0 and D8, D0 and D4, and D2 and D8. Prior to bone cement application, inconsistent PTVs were found in group D8 depending on the measurement direction. Bone cement increased the implant stability. CONCLUSION: Peri-implant bone deficits measuring around 50% of the implant surface compromised implant stability. Clinically, PTVs should be cautiously interpreted in implants with large peri-implant defects due to inconsistent recordings with respect to the measurement direction.
Alveolar Bone Loss ; Bone Transplantation ; Dental Implants ; In Vitro Techniques ; Models, Anatomic ; Osteotomy ; Ribs

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (137Cs) in Seoul. METHODS: Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the 137Cs contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. CONCLUSIONS: An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of 137Cs contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Radiation Exposure* ; Seoul*

OBJECTIVES: We aimed to assess the radiation exposure for epidemiologic investigation in residents exposed to radiation from roads that were accidentally found to be contaminated with radioactive cesium-137 (137Cs) in Seoul. METHODS: Using information regarding the frequency and duration of passing via the 137Cs contaminated roads or residing/working near the roads from the questionnaires that were obtained from 8875 residents and the measured radiation doses reported by the Nuclear Safety and Security Commission, we calculated the total cumulative dose of radiation exposure for each person. RESULTS: Sixty-three percent of the residents who responded to the questionnaire were considered as ever-exposed and 1% of them had a total cumulative dose of more than 10 mSv. The mean (minimum, maximum) duration of radiation exposure was 4.75 years (0.08, 11.98) and the geometric mean (minimum, maximum) of the total cumulative dose was 0.049 mSv (<0.001, 35.35) in the exposed. CONCLUSIONS: An individual exposure assessment was performed for an epidemiological study to estimate the health risk among residents living in the vicinity of 137Cs contaminated roads. The average exposure dose in the exposed people was less than 5% of the current guideline.
Epidemiologic Studies* ; Humans ; Korea* ; Radiation Exposure* ; Seoul*