No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To determine the metabolic characteristics of recurrent stone formers (RSF), we investigated urinary lithogenic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The 24-hour urine samples of 151 RSF (114 men, 37 women) and 70 normal controls (33 men, 37 women) were analyzed for excretion rate differences of lithogenic and inhibitory constituents such as volume, sodium, phosphorus, uric acid, calcium, magnesium, oxalate, and citrate. The incidence and spectrum of metabolic abnomality in REF were aldo determined. RESULTS: The RSF showed significantly increased excretion of phosphorus (p=0.004), uric acid (p=0.003), and calcium (p=0.007) and decreased in that of citrate (p=0.044). No significant differences were found between the RSF and normal controls with regard to the excretions of sodium, magnesium, oxalate, and volume. The most frequent metabolic abnormality in RSF was hypocitraturia (43.7%), followed by hypernatriuria (41.7%), hypercalciuria (23.2%), and hyperuricosuria (20.5%). At least one metabolic abnormality was found in 118 of out of 151 RSF (78.1%). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that RSF had different urinary excretions of citrate as well as phophorus, uric acid, and calcium compared to the normal subjects and metabolic abnomalities were found up to 80% of them. The 24-hour urine study would be an effective means for metabolic evaluation in RSF although diagnostic accuracy increases with repeated examination.
Calcium ; Citric Acid ; Humans ; Hypercalciuria ; Incidence ; Magnesium ; Male ; Phosphorus ; Sodium ; Uric Acid ; Urolithiasis

The development of drug resistance is a major obstacle in effective cancer chemotherapy. Multidrug resistance(MDR) is a widely studied phenomenon of interest to both clinicians and research workers because many different cancer chemotherapeutic agents are involved and the genetic basis of MDR is understood to a large extent. Several studies show that the P-glycoprotein (P-gp), multidrug resistance-associated protein(MRP), glutathione-s-transferase-pi(GST-pi), and DNA topoisomerase II(topo II) have a complex role for the malignant phenotypes and MDR. Clearly, there is a need to investigate links between the diverse characteristics of tumors and the emergence of drug resistance. We have therefore used reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) assay to analyze expressions of MDR-related genes including the mdr1, MRP, topo II and GST-t gene in normal testis and testis tumors. The results are as follows: 1. The expression levels of topo II and GST-n genes in testis tumors, especially in the nonseminomatous germ cell tumor(NSGCT), were significantly higher than in normal testis(p=0.015 and 0.025, respectively). 2. The MDR-related gene expressions in testis tumors did not appear to be correlated with stage(p>0.05 in each case) and chemotherapy status(p>0.05 in each case). 3. MRP expression levels in primary tumors were much higher than in metastatic tumors. 4. In NSGCT, the coexpressions of the topo II and GST-r or MRP genes were significantly correlated but, seminoma showed no correlation between MDR-related genes in the same sample. Although the mechanism of these connection are not known, the results suggest that these expression patterns and higher GST-rexpression in NSGCF compared to seminoma confer diverse characteristics including difference in the presentation of tumor markers and the responsiveness to chemotherapy on NSGCF and seminoma.
DNA Topoisomerases, Type I ; DNA Topoisomerases, Type II ; Drug Resistance ; Drug Therapy ; Gene Expression* ; Germ Cells* ; Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal* ; P-Glycoprotein ; Phenotype ; Seminoma ; Testis* ; Biomarkers, Tumor

Thirteen patients with contracted bladder due to tuberculosis who underwent surgical intervention were evaluated The most common agonizing symptom was frequency. Surgical management included augmentation cystoplasty in 8 patients and urinary diversion in 5 patients. In augmentation cystoplasty, the overall success rate of 87.5 % has been achieved in view of relief of symptom, improvement of bladder capacity and preservation of renal function. For the success of augmentation cystoplasty, creatinine clearance higher than 30 ml/min., no abnormality in selected intestinal segment, absence of uninhibited detrusor contraction or detrusor-sphincter-dyssynergia and no bladder outlet obstruction are inevitable. As an alternative, urinary diversion should be considered only in cases of severely deteriorated renal function, severely decreased bladder capacity, bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic bladder and inapplicability of augmentation cystoplasty.
Creatinine ; Felodipine ; Humans ; Tuberculosis* ; Urinary Bladder Neck Obstruction ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Diversion

PURPOSE: Peroxiredoxins(PRDXs) are antioxidant enzymes that play an important role on cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. In this study, we investigated if the expression levels of PRDX I were related to bladder cancer. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The mRNA level of PRDX I was examined via real time polymerase chain reaction(PCR) in 186 cancer specimens from patients with primary bladder cancer, 73 corresponding samples of normal looking bladder mucosae surrounding the cancer and 21 samples of normal bladder mucosae. We investigated the correlation between the expression levels of PRDX I and the clinico-pathological parameters of the 154 patients who could be followed up more than three years. RESULTS: The expression levels of PRDX I in bladder cancer(0.73pg/ml) were significantly higher that that in the normal bladder mucosae (0.04 pg/ml)(p<0.01) or that in the corresponding normal bladder mucosae surrounding the cancer(0.38pg/ml)(p<0.01). The expression level of PRDX I was not significantly enhanced in the non-recurred(0.87pg/ml) superficial bladder tumor patients compared with the recurred superficial bladder tumor patients(0.63pg/ml), but it was significantly enhanced in the non-progressed(0.82pg/ml) patients compared with the progressed (0.50pg/ml) patients(p<0.05 for each). CONCLUSIONS: An enhanced expression of PRDX I is strongly associated with the development of bladder cancer. Moreover, enhanced expressions of PRDX I are also positively associated with a low rate of progression of bladder cancer, and this might be useful as a marker for assessing progression in human bladder cancers.
Apoptosis ; Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Peroxiredoxins ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms

Hyperplasia of the uninary bladder epithelium in Wistar strain female rats after administration of 0.05% N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine(BBN) was examined histologically and the effect of fat diet on the development of hyperplasia of the urinary bladder was studied. Hyperplasia of the urinary bladder epithelium was consistently observed after 4 weeks, and its extent increased with the period of BBN administration. Some of the hyperplastic lesion, showed a tendency to regress following removal of the carcinogenic stimuli. High fat diet has no effect on hyperplastic change of the urinary bladder in rats.
Animals ; Diet ; Diet, High-Fat ; Epithelium* ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia* ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

Under specific circumstances the appendix vermiformis may be an appropriate organ for replacement of a large ureteral defect or efferent loop in continent urinary diversion. Since 1995 we have applied the appendix in ureteral substitution (3 cases) and continent urinary diversion (3 cases). Primary diagnoses included complete lower ureteral stricture due to urinary tuberculosis (3 cases), invasive bladder tumor (1 case), areflexic neurogenic bladder (1 case), and contracted bladder (1 case). In all patients who have been replaced the ureter with appendix, clinical symptoms were markedly improved and degree of hydronephrosis decreased. Other patients with continent urinary diversion using appendix achieved dryness and low postoperative complications. we anticipate that the appendix will be used more commonly in the future as a ureteral substitute or continent urinary diversion as more urologists become more comfortable with it through its use in various reconstructive procedures.
Appendix* ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Postoperative Complications ; Tuberculosis ; Ureter ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic ; Urinary Diversion

Malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the heart is a very rare disease. It is difficult to distinguish from myxoma which is most common benign cardiac tumor. Prognosis of malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) of the heart is known to be fatal despite of medical and surgical treatment in contrast to benign tumors. A primary myxoid malignant fibrous histiocytoma of the left atrium was diagnosed in a 58 years old woman. The mass was removed incompletely by operation. The patient did not receive either chemotherapy or radiotherapy. However, the patient is still alive for more than fifteen months after the initial presentation. We report a case of malignant fi brous histiocytoma (MFH) with reviewing the current references.
Drug Therapy ; Echocardiography ; Female ; Heart Atria ; Heart Neoplasms ; Heart* ; Histiocytoma ; Histiocytoma, Malignant Fibrous* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Myxoma ; Prognosis ; Radiotherapy ; Rare Diseases

The ureteropelvic junction is one of the most common site of obstruction in the upper urinary tract, though the etiology is still unclear. In the present study, a quantitative histological analysis of the ureteropelvic junction(UPJ) obstruction was performed on 23 patient specimens(10 children, 13 adults) and 14 normal control specimens(6 children, 8 adults). Color image analysis system was employed to examine and compare collagen and smooth muscle components of the lamina muscularis layer. Tissue matrix ratio, that is collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio, was calculated using Bio Scan OPTIMAS Ver 4.02. Relative ratio of lamina propria and lamina muscularis to UPJ was calculated as percentage provided by "Img Pro" computer program. The results showed an increased tissue matrix ratio of 0.68+/-0.42 in the child patient group compared with the value of 0.30+/-0.10 in the child control group(p<0.05), also the increased tissue matrix ratio of 1.45+/-1.67 in the adult patient group compared to 0.48+/-0.25 in the adult control group(p<0.05). But relative ratio of the lamina propria and lamina muscularis to UPJ was not statistically significant for each group(p>0.05). Our findings emphasize a significant increase in the tissue matrix ration(collagen-to-smooth muscle ratio) of the UPJ obstruction.
Adult ; Child ; Collagen ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Muscle, Smooth ; Urinary Tract

Vaginitis is one of the most common disease in gynecologic field in recent days. About 90% of these patients suffer from the infection of the vagina caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, Candida, or Trichomonas, either alone or in combination. For the effective diagnosis and management, it is essential to get an accurate identification of the causative agent. Applying simple and easy diagnostic methods such as pH of vaginal discharge, amine test and microscopic examination of wet mount preparation of normal saline and 10% KOH to 549 cases of randomly selected patients visiting Out-patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of Yeungnam University Hospital through May 1st to Sept. 31st, 1987, the following results were obtained. 1. In the Gardnerella vaginitis vaginal pH was more than 5.0 in 81.0% of total cases, positive amine test in 62.8%, decreased lactobacilli in 77.4% & decreased WBC counts in 70.1%, In the Trichomonas vaginitis vaginal pH more than 5.0 was noted in 93.3% of the cases, negative amine test in 90%, decreased showed vaginal pH of 3.0~4.0 in 83.2%, negative amine test in 90%, decreased lactobacilli in 90% & increased WBC counts in 93.3%, whereas Candida vaginitis and normal groups showed vaginal pH of 3.0~4.0 in 83.2%, negative amine test in 100%, normal distribution of lactobacilli in 89.7%, normal WBC counts in 72.4%. 2. The accuracy rates of physical diagnosis by wet mount preparation of normal saline and 10% KOH revealed 26.3%, 47.5%, 70.0% in Gardnerella vaginitis, Candida vaginitis, and Trichomonas vaginitis, respectively. The vaginal pH and amine test showed 83.2% of accuracy rate in Candida vaginitis group, 60.6% in Gardnerella vaginitis group and 83.3% in Trichomonas vaginitis group. 3. In 23 cases of Gardnerella vaginitis showing vaginal pH of 3.0 or 4.0 and positive amine test, the clue cells were observed in 10% or less in 12 cases, 30% in 5 cases, 50% in 4 cases and 50% or more in 2 cases. In summary vaginal pH and amine test could be useful in screening and differentiating the different types of infectious vaginitis. Furthermore by adding microscopic examination of normal saline and 10% KOH wet mount preparation to them, they not only could obtain higher diagnostic accuracy rate but would be more valuable in selecting the patients requiring cultures to confirm the diagnoses.
Candida ; Diagnosis ; Gardnerella ; Gardnerella vaginalis ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Mass Screening ; Obstetrics ; Outpatients ; Trichomonas ; Trichomonas Vaginitis ; Vagina ; Vaginal Discharge* ; Vaginitis*