Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of ethanol extracts of Cornus alba (ECA) against benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in vitro and in vivo. Materials and Methods: The prostate stromal cells (WPMY-1) and epithelial cells (RWPE-1) were used to examine the action mechanism of ECA in BPH in vitro. ECA efficacy was evaluated in vivo using a testosterone propionate (TP)-induced BPH rat model. Results: Treatment with ECA inhibited the proliferation of prostate cells by inducing G1-phase cell cycle arrest through the regulation of positive and negative proteins. Treatment of prostate cells with ECA resulted in alterations in the mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase B signaling pathways. The transcriptional binding activity of the NF-κB motif was suppressed in both ECA-treated prostate cells. In addition, treatment with ECA altered the level of BPH-associated axis markers (5α-reductase, fibroblast growth factor-2, androgen receptor, epidermal growth factor, Bcl-2, and Bax) in both cell lines. Finally, the administration of ECA attenuated the enlargement of prostatic tissues in the TP-induced BPH rat model, accompanied by histology, immunoblot, and serum dihydrotestosterone levels. Conclusions These results demonstrated that ECA exerted beneficial effects on BPH both in vitro and in vivo and might provide valuable information in the development of preventive or therapeutic agents for improving BPH.

Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP), now known as Pneumocystis jirovecii, is a fungal pathogen that causes opportunistic disease, especially pneumonia, in immunocompromised patients. The patients can have a spectrum of illnesses ranging from asymptomatic to fulminant respiratory failure. Here we report two cases with pneumocystis pneumonia after liver transplantation who presented with different clinical features. One patient developed acute respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation and expired due to PCP and a superimposed bacterial infection. The other patient was asymptomatic and discovered by regular X-ray check-up. He was successfully treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. As shown by our cases, PCP presents with broad clinical manifestations and leads to various clinical courses in liver transplant recipients. Thus, Pneumocystis jirovecii has to be considered a potential pathogen of pneumonia in liver transplant recipients regardless of severity, especially one who is not on prophylactic medications. We consider prophylaxis of PCP in liver transplant recipients in our center.
Bacterial Infections ; Humans ; Immunocompromised Host ; Liver ; Liver Transplantation ; Pneumocystis ; Pneumocystis jirovecii ; Pneumonia ; Pneumonia, Pneumocystis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Insufficiency

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study is to analyze the clinical significance of preoperative renal dysfunction in patients with living donor liver transplant (LDLT). METHODS: We analyzed data collected retrospectively from 327 consecutive LDLT performed at Department of Surgery, Catholic University of Korea from Jan. 2000 to Dec. 2007. Based on creatinine clearance rate (CCR) calculated before LDLT, the patients were classified in three groups: normal renal function(CCR > or =70 ml/min, 273 patients, 83.5%), mild renal dysfunction (CCR<70 ml/min and CCR > or =40 ml/min, 38 patients, 11.6%) and severe renal dysfunction (CCR<40 ml/min, 16 patients, 4.9%). The mean follow up period was 47.5 months. RESULTS: The patient with severe renal dysfunction had higher incidence of postoperative dialysis and longer hospital stay (P<0.001). During the 3 months follow up period, the mean serum creatinine level in patients with severe renal dysfunction were not normalized and the incidence of renal dysfunction (serum creatinine, >1.5 mg/dl) was up to 46.2%. Even in patient with normal renal function, the incidence of postoperative hemodialysis and renal dysfunction 3 months postoperatively was about 5%. Multivariate analysis showed that preoperative serum creatinine, MELD score and postoperative diabetes predicted postoperative renal dysfunction. There was no statistical difference in survival curve between normal and mild renal dysfunction group but the patient with severe renal dysfunction showed worse survival compare with other groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggested that the patient with preoperative severe renal dysfunction have had poor recovery of renal dysfunction and high incidence of hemodialysis postoperatively and showed worse survival rate after transplantation.
Adult ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Length of Stay ; Liver ; Living Donors ; Multivariate Analysis ; Renal Dialysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Transplants

We report a case of acute interstitial nephritis associated with carbamazepine in a 45-year-old woman who developed acute renal failure. The patient has been taken valproic acid and carbamazepine to control the recurrent episodes of seizure after the surgery for meningioma. The patient developed acute renal failure with fever and skin rash. The patient stopped all medications except valproic acid, and was examined by ultrasonography, gallium scan and renal biopsy. Renal biopsy revealed severe interstitial infiltration of neutrophils in glomeruli without inflammation. After discontinuation of carbamazepine, acute renal failure of the patient improved and serum creatinine returned to normal.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Biopsy ; Carbamazepine ; Creatinine ; Exanthema ; Female ; Fever ; Gallium ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Meningioma ; Middle Aged ; Nephritis, Interstitial* ; Neutrophils ; Seizures ; Ultrasonography ; Valproic Acid

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine(X) and xanthine oxidase (XO) system on sperm function, the change of sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation in bovine spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ROS were produced using a combination of 100 micrometer X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers: superoxide dismutase (SOD)(200mu/ml) and catalase (500mu/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without ROS scavengers at 37degrees C under 5% CO2 incubator. Sperm movement characteristics by CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the percentage of DNA fragmentation using the method of TdT-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were determined after 2 hours incubation. RESULTS: The action of ROS on bovine spermatozoa resulted in a decreased in capacity for sperm motility, Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, an increased in malondialdehyde formation and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. In the effects of antioxidant, catalase completely alleviated the toxic effects induced by the ROS in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD exhibited no capacity to reduce the toxic effects. CONCLUSION: The ROS can induce significant damages to sperm functions and characteristics. The useful ROS scavengers can minimized the defects of sperm function and various damages of spermatozoa.
Acrosome Reaction ; Catalase ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Flow Cytometry ; Incubators ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Membranes ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Xanthine Oxidase

Late aseptic loosening of the acetabular component following total hip arthroplasty become increasing frequently after about 10 years and has become a more severe problem both in frequency and severity than femoral component loosening. The complexity of acetabular revision depends largely on the reconstruction required to restore normal anatomy due to acetabular bone loss. The clinical and radiologic results of acetabular revision using a porocoated acetabular component fixed to the pelvis with screws were studied in 36 patients (40 hips) who had moderate or severe acetabular loss. Acetabular revision in patients whose bone stock had already been destroyed provied more formidable problems at revision surgery. The mean Harris hip score was improved 46 to 84. Bone graft union was achieved by 7.4 months and incorporated by 16 months. The graft bone resorption was noted minor degree lateral to the cup. Of 40 cases, 2 cases required re-revision of acetabular cup for identifiable failure of fixation and one was showed probable loosening. The results of the present study suggest that revision of the acetabulum with use of a hemispherical cementless component stabilized with multiple screws and morselized bone grafts filling bone defects appears to be successful in restoring bone stock and providing a stable, pain-free reconstruction.
Acetabulum* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Bone Resorption ; Hip ; Humans ; Pelvis ; Transplants