No abstract available.
Echocardiography, Transesophageal* ; Mitral Valve*

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate an immunoassay for urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an indicator for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three groups of subjects attended the trial of NMP22. First group was 27 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder, second group was 24 patients with other urinary cancer consisted of prostate cancer and renal cell carcinoma, and third group was 24 healthy volunteers. NMP22 was determined using a commercial test kit, which is based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULTS: In normal healthy volunteers and other urinary cancer group median NMP22 levels were 2.24 and 3.27 U/ml, respectively. Median urinary NMP22 levels in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder were 54.30 U/ml. It was significantly greater than other two groups. Median NMP22 levels according to the tumor stage and the tumor grade did not show the significant difference statistically. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary NMP22 is a useful marker that is more specific for bladder cancer thsn for other urinary cancer. Further tests are required to clarify the influence of other spe- cific conditions, such as urinary tract infection, and intravesical drug instillation or procedure.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Immunoassay ; Instillation, Drug ; Nuclear Matrix* ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Tract Infections

We describe the use of a new urethral stent implanted in 6 patients with prostatic outflow obstruction. All patients were in a high risk group for surgery and treated successfully, for a follow-up of 6 to 13 (mean 8.5) months. The majority of patients were satisfied with the procedure, which provided a quick, safe and effective results, compared with conventional surgical treatment. The stent, woven from nitinol in the form of a tubular mesh, was inserted into the prostatic urethra via a delivery device using endoscopic control under local anesthesia. During follow-up period, the stent remained in situ and there were no urinary incontinence or other complications. The average maximum flow rate at postoperative 6 months was 19.5 ml/sec. This stent is a useful alternative to conventional surgical treatment in the high risk and large prostate patient.
Anesthesia, Local ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Prostate ; Stents* ; Urethra ; Urinary Incontinence

Although extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy(ESWL) has been used to treat renal stones for several years, little is known of its effect on developing tissue. To study the long-term bio-effects of this mode of treatment on the immature animal, we used 32 Sprague-Dawley rats at 4weeks of age and divided 4 groups which consisted of 8 rats respectively. They were weighted and left nephrectomy was then performed. 10 days later, 3 groups received extracorporeal shock waves (16 kV) of 500, 1,000, 1,500 times respectively to the right kidney using Lithoring(3rd generation pendulum-ESWL), but control group didn't received shock waves. They were allowed to mature, and at 16 weeks of age they were evaluated for weight and serum creatinine. The right kidney was then harvested, weighted and stained with hematoxylin and eosin. There were no significant changes in over-all animal growth, renal growth and renal function in the post-treatment groups when compared to the control group. At comparison of histological changes, the grade of interstitial nephritis was proportional to the number of shock wave received In conclusion, shock waves delivered to immature animals do not significantly affect animal growth, renal growth and function, but it can cause significant permanent histological renal changes even at low doses and further studies are needed with an adult control group in an attempt to delineate whether the immature kidney is, indeed, more vulnerable to the shock waves.
Adult ; Animals ; Creatinine ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; Hematoxylin ; Humans ; Kidney* ; Nephrectomy ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Shock*

PURPOSE: The E-cadherin gene, located on chromosome 16q22, may play principal roles in cell adhesion with the loss of E-cadherin expression leading to a propensity for a great number of malignant properties. The loss of heterozygosity (LOH) on 16q22 has rarely been studied in invasive ductal carcinomas. Our objectives were to evaluate the LOH of E-cadherin and the protein expression in invasive ductal carcinomas and their correlation with various clinicopathological factors. METHODS: The LOH analysis was performed using polymerase chain reactions with three polymorphic microsatellite markers (D16S419, D16S3106 and D16S498) in 50 surgically resected tumors and their non-tumorous counterparts. The E-cadherin protein expression was studied using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The LOH and loss of protein expression were detected in 54% and 46% of the tumors, respectively. There was no LOH or protein loss detected in the non-tumor lesions. The LOH results were well correlated with the tumor size and lymph node metastasis. The protein loss results were well correlated with tumor histological grade. No correlation was found between LOH and protein loss. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the LOH of E-cadherin may be associated with tumor metastasis and tumor progression and E-cadherin protein loss may be related with the dedifferentiation in some portions of invasive ductal carcinomas. We propose the LOH of E-cadherin and protein loss may contribute to tumor progression by independent mechanism.
Cadherins* ; Carcinoma, Ductal* ; Cell Adhesion ; Immunohistochemistry ; Loss of Heterozygosity* ; Lymph Nodes ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Primary epiploic appendagitis (PEA) is a rare cause of focal abdominal pain in otherwise healthy patients. Patients with acute abdominal pain are often misdiagnosed clinically as acute appendicitis or diverticulitis. The purpose of this study was to describe the clinical presentation and characteristic computed tomography (CT) findings of PEA. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical records and CT images of 23 consecutive patients in Korea who presented with acute abdominal pain between January 2005 and February 2009 and had radiologic signs of PEA. RESULTS: Twenty-three patients (7 females and 16 males; average age, 42+/-14 years) were diagnosed with symptomatic PEA. Abdominal pain localized to the left (8 patients [44.5%]) and right (10 patients [55.5%]) lower quadrants as the leading symptom. CT findings specific for PEA were present in all patients except one. The symptoms resolved within 1 week (mean, 3.5 days) with or without antibiotic treatment. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with localized, sharp, acute abdominal pain not associated with other symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, fever or atypical laboratory values, the diagnosis of PEA should be considered and the diagnosis confirmed by CT scan.
Abdomen, Acute ; Abdominal Pain ; Appendicitis ; Diverticulitis ; Female ; Fever ; Humans ; Korea ; Nausea ; Peas ; Vomiting