Purpose: To investigate the correlation between nitric oxide (NO) and urodynamics in men with bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) by analyzing nitric oxide synthase (NOS) in the urothelium. Methods: We prospectively enrolled 25 men who planned to undergo surgical treatment for benign prostatic obstruction and identified as BOO in the preoperative urodynamics. Bladder tissue was taken during surgical prostate resection. Expressions of endothelial NOS (eNOS), inducible NOS (iNOS), and neuronal NOS (nNOS) in the urothelium were analyzed, and their correlation with urodynamic parameters was also assessed in all patients. We also compared the expressions of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS between BOO with detrusor underactivity (DU) group and BOO without DU group. Results: In all patients, the level of eNOS positively correlated with maximal flow rate and with maximum cystometric capacity (MCC). The level of iNOS positively correlated with MCC. nNOS levels were positively correlated with detrusor pressure at maximal flow and with bladder contractility index in all patients. The level of eNOS, iNOS, and nNOS did not significantly differ between BOO without DU group and BOO with DU group. Conclusions This study suggests that NO was correlated with bladder dysfunction in men with BOO. Particularly, nNOS may reflect the change in detrusor function.

PURPOSE: We reviewed the effects of resistance training on obesity index, lipid index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and bone mineral densitometer in middle-aged women. METHODS: Randomized, controlled trials lasting 12 weeks investigating the effects of resistance training obesity index, lipid index, blood pressure, and bone densitometer in middle-aged women and published in a peer-reviewed journal up to March 2018 were included. Random- and fixed-effects models were used for analyses, with data reported as weighted means and 95% confidence limits. RESULTS: We included 8 randomized, controlled trials, involving 18 study groups and 335 participants. Overall, resistance training induced a significant low-density lipoprotein reduction [−13.44 (95% CI=−26.71~−0.18)]. No significant effect was observed on other blood lipids, obesity index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and bone mineral density. When study groups were divided according to the period of training, resistance training groups for 24 weeks resulted in a significant decrease in systolic blood pressure [−6.19 (95% CI=−10.95~−1.43 mm Hg)]. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis supports the potential of resistance training to reduce the level of low-density lipoprotein in middle-aged women. Based on these results, we suggest the application of comprehensive management strategies such as aerobic exercise, resistance exercise, behavior control, and dietary management to prevent obesity in middle-aged women.
Behavior Control ; Blood Pressure ; Bone Density ; Exercise ; Female ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Lipoproteins ; Miners ; Obesity ; Resistance Training

Image findings of hepatic lymphoma have been reported as variable, ranging from single or multiple small nodules to diffuse infiltrative patterns. On MRI, most hepatic lymphomas show T1 low signal intensity, T2 high signal intensity. Dynamic imaging reveals a hypointense appearance in the arterial phase, followed by delayed enhancement in the portal venous and transitional phase. In the hepatobiliary phase using a hepatocyte-specific contrast agent (which have recently aided in increasing the access to the focal liver lesions), hepatic lymphoma is known to exhibit low signal intensity. We report a case of hepatic lymphoma, which shows iso-signal intensity on hepatobiliary phase, using gadoxetic acid (Gd-EOB-DTPA).
Liver ; Lymphoma* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was performed to compare the mucosal findings after esophagogastroduodenoscopy in two groups before and after the use of alendronate only and following administration of the enteric-coated alendronate (5 mg) and calcitriol (0.5 microg) combined drug (Maxmarvil, Yuyu Co.). METHODS: The study population consisted of 33 postmenopausal healthy female volunteers, aged 50 to 70 years (mean age, 58 +/- 5) without gastrointestinal symptoms and with normal baseline endoscopic findings. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed at baseline and was repeated 2 weeks later after daily intake of Maxmarvil (n = 17 subjects) or alendronate only (n = 16 subjects). Mucosal injury scores were reported by an endoscopist after 2 weeks of treatment with each medication schedule. RESULTS: Esophageal mucosal injuries developed in two of 16 subjects in the alendronate only group and 0 of 17 in the Maxmarvil group. Gastric mucosal injuries developed in eight subjects in the alendronate group and four subjects in the Maxmarvil group; this difference was statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: The mucosal damage scores for the alendronate group (total score 24) were significantly higher than those for the Maxmarvil group (total score 9) in the esophagus and stomach. Therefore, this study suggested that enteric-coated Maxmarvil is less harmful to gastrointestinal mucosa than alendronate, and may improve the tolerability of osteoporosis medication in clinical practice.
Administration, Oral ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Alendronate/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Bone Density Conservation Agents/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Calcitriol/administration & dosage/*adverse effects ; Drug Combinations ; *Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagus/*drug effects/pathology ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa/*drug effects/pathology ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; *Postmenopause ; Predictive Value of Tests ; Republic of Korea ; Sex Factors ; Tablets, Enteric-Coated ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamins/administration & dosage/*adverse effects

Metastases from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be found in the multiple organs including adrenal gland. But adrenal metastasis of HCC without obvious hepatic lesion is very rare. We report CT and MR findings of a patient who presented with adrenal metastasis as the first clinical manifestation of HCC. Signal intensity and enhancement pattern of adrenal metastastic mass of HCC were similar to those of HCC on MRI.
Adrenal Glands ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neoplasm Metastasis

Amebic liver abscess (ALA) has been diagnosed in travelers to endemic areas or in patients with immunosuppression secondary to human immunodeficiency virus infection since the late 1990s. Further, it is a rare disease in Korea. ALA should be considered in patients present with fever and right upper quadrant pain along with a risk of exposure to amebiasis. We report an 82-year-old man with symptoms of fever, gross hematuria and severe renal impairment as having amebic liver abscess complicated with the obstruction of the inferior vena cava. Amebic liver abscess was successfully treated with antibiotics alone. Also, hematuria disappeared and renal dysfunction improved after treatment.
Aged, 80 and over ; Amebiasis ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Fever ; Hematuria ; HIV ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Korea ; Liver Abscess, Amebic* ; Rare Diseases ; Renal Insufficiency ; Vena Cava, Inferior*

Herniation of the appendix into an inguinal canal is known as an Amyand hernia. Due to its nonspecific symptoms, clinical diagnosis is extremely difficult, and an accurate preoperative diagnosis of Amyand hernia with ultrasound (US) and CT is rarely reported. Herein, we reported a typical case of Amyand hernia in a 74-year-old male in which the correct diagnosis was made using inguinal US and contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic CT. US and CT findings of Amyand hernia showed a target-like tubular structure within the inguinal canal.
Aged ; Appendix ; Diagnosis ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Inguinal Canal ; Male ; Ultrasonography*

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The relationship between Runt-related transcription factor 3 (RUNX3) gene inactivation and various solid tumors has been reported; however, little information is available about RUNX3 in thyroid cancers. METHODS: We evaluated the DNA methylation of RUNX3 in 13 papillary thyroid cancer tissues and four thyroid cancer cell lines. Additionally, using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, we analyzed RUNX3 gene expression in several thyroid cancer cell lines after treating with the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (DAC). RESULTS: RUNX3 was hypermethylated in many thyroid cancer cell lines and in 10 of the 12 papillary thyroid cancer tissues. Treatment with DAC increased the expression of RUNX3 in some thyroid cancer cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: We suggest that RUNX3 is associated with thyroid carcinogenesis, and RUNX3 methylation is a potentially useful diagnostic marker for papillary thyroid cancer.
Azacitidine/analogs & derivatives/pharmacology ; Carcinoma/*genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Core Binding Factor Alpha 3 Subunit/*genetics ; DNA Methylation/drug effects ; Gene Expression/drug effects ; Humans ; Thyroid Neoplasms/*genetics ; Tumor Markers, Biological/genetics

A Klebsiella pneumoniae infection has a tendency to spread to multiple organs. It is most commonly seen in patients with liver abscesses, but infection in more than three organs without liver abscesses is unusual. We report one case of a K. pneumoniae infection that presented acute pyelonephritis with left perirenal, anterior pararenal, left psoas, and prostate abscesses without liver abscesses in a diabetic patient. With effective antibiotics and ultrasound-guided percutaneous drainage, the patient recovered without significant sequelae.
Abscess ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Drainage ; Humans ; Klebsiella ; Klebsiella pneumoniae ; Liver ; Liver Abscess ; Pneumonia ; Prostate ; Psoas Abscess ; Pyelonephritis

BACKGROUND: Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) is a common genital tract infection in reproductive women. This study aimed to determine the frequency of Neisseria gonorrheae, Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, and Mycoplasma hominis in Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), and to further sub-analyze the clinical characteristics in patients diagnosed with Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome (FHCS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-six patients diagnosed clinically as PID were recruited from April, 2007 to February, 2011. Retrospective chart review was performed for investigating the characteristics of the clinical manifestation, laboratory findings, and image findings. And then all subjects were classified into two groups, the PID-only group and the FHCS group, depending on whether or not computed tomography showed increased perihepatic enhancement. Samples obtained in endocervical swabs were tested using Roche COBAS Amplicor Polymerase-chain reaction (PCR) for N. gonorrheae, C. trachomatis, U. urealyticum, and M. hominis. RESULTS: The 66 PID patients ranged in age from 19 to 49 years. Thirty nine patients were diagnosed as having an inflammation localized only in the lower abdomen (PID only), and 27 patients were diagnosed as FHCS. According to results of PCR, U. urealyticum was found most commonly in both the PID-only group and the FHCS group (66.7% and 59.3%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Organisms other than C. trachomatis and N. gonorrheae, particularly U. urealyticum, may be detected more frequently in PID patients in Korea. In addition, identification of M. hominis may be of importance in female health problems such as FHCS.
Abdomen ; Chlamydia Infections ; Chlamydia trachomatis ; Female ; Gonorrhea ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Mycoplasma hominis ; Neisseria ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease ; Peritonitis ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reproductive Tract Infections ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureaplasma urealyticum