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

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

No abstract available.
Pneumocystis carinii* ; Pneumocystis* ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis*

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*

OBJECTIVE: We determined the radiographic outcome of distal radius fractures with Acu-loc volar plate. METHODS: Forty-one patients were recruited between August 2009 and September 2010. There were 10 males and 31 females, with a mean age 61.2. Fractures were radiologically classification the Frykman. Fifteen fractures were group 8, eight were group 7, ten were group 6, four were group 5 and four were group 3. Distal part of the fractures was dorsally inclined in 37 wrists and inclined to volar side in four wrists. Lateral and anteroposterior radiographs taken after operated day, the fracture were compared with radiographs of the injured wrist and the differences in palmar tilt, ulnar variance; radial height; radial shift and radial inclination were measured. RESULTS: There was significant improvement in the measurements of radial height, radial inclination, volar tilt, ulnar variance and radial shift postoperatively. The radial height improved from an average of 8.5 mm (range, 3 to 15 mm) to 11.0 mm (range, 8 to 15 mm), the radial inclination improved from an average of 21.5 degree (range, 10 to 40 degree) to 28.1 degree (range, 19 to 44 degree), the palma tilt improved from an average of 12.9 degree (range, 6 to 22 degree) to 17.2 degree (range, 7 to 27 degree), the ulnar variance improved from an average of -2.3 mm (range, -6 to 4 mm) to 1 mm (range, -3 to 7 mm) and the radial shift improved from an average of 18.7 mm (range, 15 to 26 mm) to 17.3 mm (range, 12 to 21 mm). CONCLUSION: Acu-loc volar plate is a safe and effective device.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Radius ; Radius Fractures ; Palmar Plate ; Wrist

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

Although IMF incision is known the best way for anatomic implant, most Korean doctors and patients hesitate IMF incision. Anatomic form stable implants have some benefits such as less prominent upper pole, less wrinkles and ripples, and less rupture rate than round cohesive type I implants. However more concern is necessory for placing the anatomic implants. The Korean Academic Association of Breast Surgery(KAABS) planned to support some tips for using anatomic form stable implants through axillary incision. The KAABS gathered and analyzed the concepts of Korean plastic surgeons who have experienced transaxillary breast augmentation with anatomic form stable implants. The KAABS requested them of their concepts of 9 basic categories: entrance dissection, pocket dissection, lubricant, inserting aids, skin protector, inserting direction, suction drainage, dressing, compression garment, and their key considerations. Eight expert surgeons suggested their own cutting edge methods of transaxillary breast augmentation with the anatomic form stable implant, however each surgeon should find his or her own method. Authors and KAABS hope that these developing and incomplete concepts help beginners to find their own concepts.
Bandages ; Breast ; Breast Implants ; Humans ; Models, Anatomic ; Rupture ; Skin ; Suction

PURPOSE: Few data exist regarding cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) education status in relationship to characteristics of socio-economic status and health and medical conditions in Korea. The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics associated with the CPR educated populationand to develop and analyze a simple predictive model of the CPR education status. METHODS: Based on a health survey of Incheon Metropolitan City adults (5,114), differences between a CPR-educated group (n=220) and a CPR non-educated group (n=4,894) were analyzed and a logistic regression analysis of the two groups was performed to evaluate socio-economic status-gender, age, marital status, education level, number of family members, and monthly household income-and health-medical conditions-disease, accidental history, EMS (emergency medical service) experience, and health status. RESULTS: The participation rate in CPR education in Korea is only 4.3% which is vastly lower than in other developed countries, and there are statistically significant differences between the CPR-educated and CPR not-educated in gender (0.000), age (0.000), marital status (0.000), education level (0.000), and diseases (0.003). Similarly, gender (OR: 0.247, 0.000), age (OR: 0.964, 0.000), marital status (OR: 0.463, 0.000), education level (OR: 1.797, 0.000), numbers of family members (OR: 1.231, 0.004), and health status (OR: 0.894, 0.009) are statistically significant predictors of participation in CPR education. CONCLUSION: Monthly household income, accident history, and EMS experience are not statistically significant factors for participation in CPR education in Korea. It may be necessary to determine the optimal fees of CPR education based on social characteristics and economic conditions, Certain subgroups of lay persons such as high-risk patients and family members need targeted outreach programs.
Adult ; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Developed Countries ; Education* ; Emergency Medical Services ; Family Characteristics ; Fees and Charges ; Health Surveys ; Humans ; Incheon ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Marital Status ; Sociology

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to identify the epidemiologic and clinical characteristics of respiratory adenovirus infections in children, and to investigate the difference in the clinical features between single adenovirus infection and coinfection with adenovirus and other respiratory viruses. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 470 children hospitalized with respiratory adenovirus infections in Gwangmyeong Sungae Hospital between January 2013 and December 2013. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 46.2 months and the peak incidence was in the 12- to 24-month age group. The mean duration of hospitalization and fever were 4.5+/-1.1 and 4.5+/-9.2 days, respectively. Seasonally it had occurred throughout the year, but showed the highest prevalence in August and high prevalence in July, September, and October. The frequency of viral coinfection with other respiratory viruses was 39.6%. The age was significantly younger in coinfection group than in the single adenovirus infection group (P<0.001). The prevalence rates of bronchiolitis (P<0.001) and pneumonia (P=0.042) were significantly higher in the respiratory syncytial virus coinfection group. The coinfection rate was significantly higher in children aged less than 2 years (P<0.001), and the prevalence rates of bronchiolitis (P<0.001) and pneumonia (P<0.001) were also higher in the group aged less than 2 years than other age groups. CONCLUSION: Adenovirus is an important viral agent in hospitalized children with acute respiratory tract infection. Lower respiratory tract infections, such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and coinfection with other respiratory viruses were more frequently occurred in patients under 2 years of age. Further studies are needed to clarify whether coinfection with other respiratory viruses would increase the rate of lower respiratory tract infections in patients with respiratory adenoviral infections.
Adenoviridae Infections* ; Adenoviridae* ; Bronchiolitis ; Child ; Child, Hospitalized ; Coinfection ; Fever ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Incidence ; Inpatients* ; Pneumonia ; Prevalence ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses ; Respiratory Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons

Halophytes are expected to possess abundant secondary metabolites and various biological activities because of habitat in extreme environments. In this study, we collected 14 halophytes (Asparagus oligoclonos, Calystegia soldanella, Carex pumila, Chenopodium glaucum, Elymus mollis, Glehnia littoralis, Limonium tetragonum, Messerschmidia sibirica, Rosa rugosa, Salsola komarovii, Spergularia marina, Suaeda glauca, Suaeda maritima, and Vitex rotundifolia) native to Korea and compared their total polyphenol contents, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The total polyphenol contents of R. rugosa (27.28%) and L. tetragonum (13.17%) were significantly higher than those of the other 12 halophytes and L. tetragonum, R. rugosa, and M. sibirica showed significantly greater antioxidant activities than the other 11 halophytes, as determined by DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl). A. oligoclonos, E. mollis, and C. pumila showed significantly greater anti-inflammatory activities than the other 11, as determined by NO (Nitric oxide) and PGE₂ (Prostaglandin E₂) levels. In contrast, these three extracts had normal and low total polyphenol contents among the 14 halophytes. Consequently, the total polyphenol content in the 14 studied halophytes appeared to be related to antioxidant, but not anti-inflammatory activity levels.
Apiaceae ; Calystegia ; Caryophyllaceae ; Chenopodiaceae ; Chenopodium ; Ecosystem ; Elymus ; Korea ; Plumbaginaceae ; Rosa ; Salsola ; Salt-Tolerant Plants ; Vitex