PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether cardiovascular disease risk factors and depression are associated with the frequency of self-report in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Randomly selected men more then 40 years of age who visited the department of urology between January 2005 and July 2008 were evaluated by clinical examination and questionnaires. Trained doctors assessed the participants by using structured questionnaires that included medical history as well as report of ED. All participants were evaluated for cardiovascular disease risk factors. The group with unreported ED was defined as men with an International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) score of < or =21 who did not self-report ED. The group with self-reported ED was defined as men as above who self-reported ED. Symptoms of depression were assessed by the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale (CES-D). RESULTS: The mean age of a total of 459 enrolled patients was 53.4+/-7.8 years. The overall frequency of ED was 39.8%. Of the total study group, 25.9% were categorized in the unreported ED group and 13.9% in the self-reported ED group. The men with self-reported ED had significantly severe forms of ED and a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease risk factors than did the men with unreported ED. Moreover, the self-reported ED group had a significantly higher frequency of symptoms of depression. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that men with self-reported ED had a higher frequency of cardiovascular disease risk factors and symptoms associated with depression than did men with unreported ED. Furthermore, men with self-reported ED had more severe ED than did men with unreported ED.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Depression ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Risk Factors ; Urology

There are diverse surgical methods for treating large bladder stones, such as transurethral cystolithotripsy (TUCL), percutaneous suprapubic cystolithotripsy (PCCL), open surgery, and laparoscopic methods. We report here a case of two large bladder stones treated by using a combined surgical method of a laparoscopic approach and direct visual lithotripsy.
Chimera ; Laparoscopy ; Lithotripsy ; Surgical Procedures, Minimally Invasive ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Calculi

PURPOSE: Infertile couples interested in nonspouse artificial insemination by donor (AID) not only require a thorough understanding of the medical procedure but also must scrutinize the effects it will have on family relationships, including those on the infant to be born. We conducted a series of surveys in couples with male infertility to collect information necessary for AID counseling. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 384 cases with noncurable male infertility were enrolled in this inquiry survey. The questionnaire consisted of 18 items that assessed demographic characteristics, background information concerning the choice to use AID, subjective experiences, long-term effects, and an overall evaluation. RESULTS: A total of 126 surveys were returned (32.8%). AID was first suggested by the husband in about half of the cases. The major reason for considering the procedure was to form a complete family. Two-thirds of the couples were anxious about the procedure, most often about possible congenital or acquired deformities in the infant. After the birth of the child, most couples were positive about their decision to have used AID. About half of the couples felt that the child was their own and expected not to tell the child about AID. Overall, about 50% of the couples were satisfied with the procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Those who underwent AID experienced various psychological effects, including anxiety about the child to be born. To overcome these problems, sufficient medical information and consultation about the process of selecting the donor and about AID procedures should be provided before the procedure is used.
Anxiety ; Child ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Counseling ; Family Characteristics ; Family Relations ; Humans ; Infant ; Infertility, Male ; Insemination, Artificial* ; Male* ; Parturition ; Questionnaires ; Sperm Banks ; Spouses ; Tissue Donors*

Premature ovarian failure (POF) is a condition in which the ovarian functions of hormone production and oocyte development become impaired before the typical age for menopause. POF and early menopause are present in a broad spectrum of gonad dysgenesis, from a complete cessation of ovarian function to an intermittent follicle maturation failure. Actually POF has been identified as a genetic entity (especially chromosome X), but data on genetic factors of premature menopause are limited. Until now, several cases revealed that inactivation of X chromosomes has an effect on ages of premature menopause and females with balanced or unbalanced X-autosome translocations can have several reproductive problems. On the other hand, there have been a few data that was caused by autosome-autosome translocation can lead. Therefore we report a relevant case of POF with translocation between chromosomes 1 and 4. She had her first menstrual period at the age of 12, and after 7 years she stopped menstruation. Chromosomal analysis showed 46, XX, t (1;4) (p22.3;q31.3). While evaluating this rare case, we could review various causes (especially genetic factors) of POF. To remind clinicians about this disease, we report a case of POF caused by autosome-autosome translocation with a literature review.
Female ; Gonads ; Hand ; Humans ; Menopause ; Menopause, Premature* ; Menstruation ; Oocytes ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency ; X Chromosome

BACKGROUND: In discography performed during percutaneous endoscopic lumbar discectomy (PELD) via the posterolateral approach, it is difficult to create a fluoroscopic tunnel view because a long needle is required for discography and the guide-wire used for consecutive PELD interrupts rotation of fluoroscope. A stereotactic system was designed to facilitate the determination of the needle entry point, and the feasibility of this system was evaluated during interventional spine procedures. METHODS: A newly designed stereotactic guidance system underwent a field test application for PELD. Sixty patients who underwent single-level PELD at L4-L5 were randomly divided into conventional or stereotactic groups. PELD was performed via the posterolateral approach using the entry point on the skin determined by premeasured distance from the midline and angles according to preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings. Needle entry accuracy provided by the two groups was determined by comparing the distance and angle measured by postoperative computed tomography with those measured by preoperative MRI. The duration and radiation exposure for determining the entry point were measured in the groups. RESULTS: The new stereotactic guidance system and the conventional method provided similarly accurate entry points for discography and consecutive PELD. However, the new stereotactic guidance system lowered the duration and radiation exposure for determining the entry point. CONCLUSIONS: The new stereotactic guidance system under fluoroscopy provided a reliable needle entry point for discography and consecutive PELD. Furthermore, it reduced the duration and radiation exposure associated with determining needle entry.
Diskectomy ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous ; Equipment Design ; Fluoroscopy ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Needles ; Skin ; Spine ; Stereotaxic Techniques

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the demographics and semen parameters of males with cancer who banked their sperm prior to chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 66 cases referred for sperm banking prior to initiation of chemotherapy over a 15-year period (1999~2014). Patients who had previously received cancer treatment including chemotherapy or radiotherapy were not included in this study. RESULTS: We studied a total of 66 cancer patients referred for cryopreservation of sperm prior to chemotherapy. The mean age of the patients at the time of banking was 32.0+/-7.9 years (range, 19~58 years). The types of cancer were testicular cancer (31 cases, 47.0%), non-Hodgkin's disease (10 cases, 15.1%), Hodgkin's disease (5 cases, 7.6%), leukemia (8 cases, 12.1%), gastrointestinal malignancy (5 cases, 7.6%), and musculoskeletal malignancy (5 cases, 7.6%). There were significant differences in sperm concentration and viability among the various types of cancer, but no significant difference in semen volume or sperm motility and morphology. CONCLUSIONS: In this study we found that sperm quality could decrease even before chemotherapy. Because chemotherapy can also negatively affect spermatogenesis, sperm cryopreservation prior to treatment should be strongly recommended for cancer patients of reproductive age.
Cryopreservation* ; Demography ; Drug Therapy* ; Hodgkin Disease ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; Korea ; Leukemia ; Male ; Radiotherapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Semen ; Semen Analysis* ; Sperm Banks ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa* ; Testicular Neoplasms

Rhinoliths result from calcification of an endogenous or exogenous nidus within the nasal cavity. Patients typically present symptoms of long-standing unilateral nasal obstruction, pain and foul-smelling discharge. Rhinoliths are most often found on the floor of the nose and maxillary antrum. Rhinoliths are most often found on the floor of the nose and maxillary antrum. Rhinoliths present complications involving erosion or perforation of nasal mucosa, septum and palate. Sinusitis is a rare complication of rhinoliths. The authors experienced a case of frontal sinus rhinoliths in 36 years old man who complained of a headache and had a history of a frontal area trauma. At first we suspected it to be fungal sinusitis or mucocele, but finally confirmed it to be frontal sinus rhinolith after carrying out a frontal sinus osteoplastic operation.
Adult ; Frontal Sinus* ; Headache ; Humans ; Maxillary Sinus ; Mucocele ; Nasal Cavity ; Nasal Mucosa ; Nasal Obstruction ; Nose ; Palate ; Sinusitis

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP), 28-amino acid peptide extracted from porcine duodenum first, has been known as a potent vasodilator. And, VIP is also one of the important neurotransmitters in autonomic pathways affecting secretion and vascular tone of the airway. The purpose of present study is to localize the VIP-containing nerve endings in the nasal gland of the guinea pig at ultrastructural level. For immunoelectron microscopy, adult guinea pigs(300-400g B.W.) were perfused with Zamboni fixative through the aorta and the nasal septum were removed. 20nm cryosections were made for immunocytochemistry using rabbit anti-VIP and ABC methods. After DAB reaction, sections were processed for pre-embedding method, and 70nm ultrathin sections were cut. Routine uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining were employed, and immunoreactivity was observed under transmission electron microscope. VIP-containing nerve endings were located in cytoplasmic interdigitation between acinar cells, and also found along the basal surface of the acini, excretory ducts, and myoepithelial cells as well. These findings imply that VIP might be involved in secretory activity of the nasal gland of the guinea pig.
Acinar Cells ; Adult ; Animals ; Aorta ; Autonomic Pathways ; Citric Acid ; Cytoplasm ; Duodenum ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission* ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Nasal Septum ; Nerve Endings* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

The activation of neurotrophic signaling pathways following the upregulation of glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), a member of the transforming growth factor-β family, has a potential neuroprotective effect in the adult brain. Herein, we report that hippocampal transduction of adeno-associated virus serotype 1 (AAV1) with a constitutively active form of ras homolog enriched in brain [Rheb(S16H)], which can stimulate the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in hippocampal neurons, induces the increases in expression of GDNF and GDNF family receptor α-1 (GFRα-1), in neurons and astrocytes in the hippocampus of rat brain in vivo . Moreover, upregulation of GDNF and GFRα-1 contributes to neuroprotection against thrombin-induced neurotoxicity in the hippocampus. These results suggest that AAV1-Rheb(S16H) transduction of hippocampal neurons, resulting in neurotrophic interactions between neurons and astrocytes, may be useful for neuroprotection in the adult hippocampus.

Uterine serous adenocarcinoma (USC) is rare and invasive cancer. This cancer is more often reported in the ovary, the fallopian tube, and the endometrium than uterine cervix. No matter where the tumor is located, the tumor exhibits similar histological characteristics. So when uterine cancer is proven to be serous adenocarcinoma, it is necessary to see if the tumor originated from ovary or endometrium and invaded the cervix. We report a case of a 73-year-old postmenopausal woman with USC arising near the internal os of endocervical canal, clinically misdiagnosed as uterine cervix cancer.
Adenocarcinoma* ; Aged* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Endometrium ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Humans ; Ovary ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Uterine Neoplasms ; Uterus