Clinical Implications of Residual Urine in Korean Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) Patients: A Prognostic Factor for BPH-Related Clinical Events

Purpose Although post-void residual urine (PVR) is frequently utilized clinically in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), mainly because of its procedural simplicity, its role as a clinical prognostic factor, predictive of treatment goals, is still under much dispute. We investigated the predictive value of PVR for BPH-related clinical events including surgery, acute urinary retention (AUR), and admission following urinary tract infection (UTI). Methods From January to June of 2006, patients over 50 years of age who were diagnosed with BPH for the first time at the outpatient clinic and were then treated for at least 3 years with medications were enrolled in this study. The variables of patients who underwent surgical intervention for BPH, had occurrences of AUR, or required admission due to UTI (Group 1, n=43) were compared with those of patients who were maintained with medications only (Group 2, n=266). Results Group 1 had a significantly higher PVR, more severe symptoms, and a larger prostate at the time of the initial diagnosis in both the univariate and the multivariate analysis. In the 39 patients who underwent BPH-related surgery, although there was a significant change in Qmax at the time of surgery (mean, 13.1 months), PVR and the symptom score remained unchanged compared with the initial evaluation. In the receiver-operating characteristic curve analysis, the area under the curve of Group 1 was in the order of prostate volume (0.834), PVR (0.712), and symptom score (0.621). When redivided by arbitrarily selected PVR cutoffs of 50 mL, 100 mL, and 150 mL, the relative risk of clinical BPH progression was measured as 3.93, 2.61, and 2.11. Conclusions These data indicate that, in the symptomatic Korean population, increased PVR at baseline is a significant indicator of BPH-related clinical events along with increased symptom score or prostate volume

Selection of internal reference genes for SYBR green qRT-PCR studies of rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) tissues

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The rhesus monkey (<it>Macaca mulatta</it>) is a valuable and widely used model animal for biomedical research. However, quantitative analyses of rhesus gene expression profiles under diverse experimental conditions are limited by a shortage of suitable internal controls for the normalization of mRNA levels. In this study, we used a systematic approach for the selection of potential reference genes in the rhesus monkey and compared their suitability to that of the corresponding genes in humans.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Eight housekeeping genes (HKGs) (<it>GAPDH, SDHA, ACTB, RPL13A, RPL32, UBA52, PGK1Y</it>, and <it>YWHAZ</it>) from rhesus monkeys and humans were selected to test for normalization of expression levels in six different tissue types (brain, colon, kidney, liver, lung, and stomach). Their stability and suitability as reference genes were validated by <it>geNorm</it>, <it>NormFinder </it>and <it>BestKeeper </it>programs. Intriguingly, <it>RPL13A </it>and <it>RPL32 </it>were selected as ideal reference genes only in rhesus monkeys.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The results clearly indicated the necessity of using different reference genes for normalization of expression levels between rhesus monkeys and humans in various tissues.</p

Extensive Systemic Sarcoidosis with Testicular Involvement Mimicking Metastatic Testicular Cancer

Sarcoidosis is an idiopathic, multisystem disease that rarely involves the genitourinary tract. Here we present an unusual case of testicular sarcoidosis with extensive lymphadenopathy that mimicked a metastatic testicular tumor. A 27-year-old male presented with a palpable right testicular mass accompanied by multiple palpable inguinal lymph nodes. The scrotal ultrasound showed a hypoechoic lesion at the inferior portion of the right testis. Extensive enlarged lymph nodes were noted in multiple areas on the abdominal computed tomography. Preoperative testicular tumor markers were within the normal range. Exploration of the right testis with a frozen section analysis of the right testicular mass and of a palpable right inguinal lymph node showed granulomatous inflammation. The testis was salvaged and the final pathological diagnosis was sarcoidosis. Treatment with high-dose corticosteroids resulted in complete resolution of the intratesticular mass and a significant decrease in the extent of the lymphadenopathy

Epitaxial Growth of a Single-Crystal Hybridized Boron Nitride and Graphene layer on a Wide-Band Gap Semiconductor

Vertical and lateral heterogeneous structures of two-dimensional (2D) materials have paved the way for pioneering studies on the physics and applications of 2D materials. A hybridized hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and graphene lateral structure, a heterogeneous 2D structure, has been fabricated on single-crystal metals or metal foils by chemical vapor deposition (CVD). However, once fabricated on metals, the h-BN/graphene lateral structures require an additional transfer process for device applications, as reported for CVD graphene grown on metal foils. Here, we demonstrate that a single-crystal h-BN/graphene lateral structure can be epitaxially grown on a wide-gap semiconductor, SiC(0001). First, a single-crystal h-BN layer with the same orientation as bulk SiC was grown on a Si-terminated SiC substrate at 850 oC using borazine molecules. Second, when heated above 1150 oC in vacuum, the h-BN layer was partially removed and, subsequently, replaced with graphene domains. Interestingly, these graphene domains possess the same orientation as the h-BN layer, resulting in a single-crystal h-BN/graphene lateral structure on a whole sample area. For temperatures above 1600 oC, the single-crystal h-BN layer was completely replaced by the single-crystal graphene layer. The crystalline structure, electronic band structure, and atomic structure of the h-BN/graphene lateral structure were studied by using low energy electron diffraction, angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, and scanning tunneling microscopy, respectively. The h-BN/graphene lateral structure fabricated on a wide-gap semiconductor substrate can be directly applied to devices without a further transfer process, as reported for epitaxial graphene on a SiC substrate.Comment: 23 pages, 7 figure

Imaging of Viral Thymidine Kinase Gene Expression by Replicating Oncolytic Adenovirus and Prediction of Therapeutic Efficacy

PURPOSE: We have used a genetically attenuated adenoviral vector which expresses HSVtk to assess the possible additive role of suicidal gene therapy for enhanced oncolytic effect of the virus. Expression of TK was measured using a radiotracer-based molecular counting and imaging system. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Replication-competent recombinant adenoviral vector (Ad-DeltaE1B19/55) was used in this study, whereas replication-incompetent adenovirus (Ad-DeltaE1A) was generated as a control. Both Ad-DeltaE1B19/55-TK and Ad-DeltaE1A-TK comprise the HSVtk gene inserted into the E3 region of the viruses. YCC-2 cells were infected with the viruses and incubated with 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoro-beta-D-arabinofuranosyl-5-iodouracil (I-131 FIAU) to measure amount of radioactivity. The cytotoxicity of the viruses was determined, and gamma ray imaging of HSVtk gene was performed. MTT assay was also performed after GCV treatment. RESULTS: On gamma counter-analyses, counts/ minute (cpm)/microg of protein showed MOIs dependency with DeltaE1B19/55-TK infection. On MTT assay, Ad-DeltaE1B19/55-TK led to more efficient cell killing than Ad-DeltaE1A-TK. On plate imaging by gamma camera, both Ad-DeltaE1B19/55-TK and Ad-DeltaE1A-TK infected cells showed increased I-131 FIAU uptake in a MOI dependent pattern, and with GCV treatment, cell viability of DeltaE1B19/55-TK infection was remarkably reduced compared to that of Ad-DeltaE1A-TK infection. CONCLUSION: Replicating Ad-DeltaE1B19/55-TK showed more efficient TK expression even in the presence of higher-cancer cell killing effects compared to non-replicating Ad-DeltaE1A-TK. Therefore, GCV treatment still possessed an additive role to oncolytic effect of Ad-DeltaE1B19/55-TK. The expression of TK by oncolytic viruses could rapidly be screened using a radiotracer-based counting and imaging technique.ope

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis after a trigger point injection

Descending necrotizing mediastinitis (DNM) is a rare form of mediastinal infection. Most cases are associated with esophageal rupture. DNM after a trigger point injection in the upper trapezius has not been described previously. We present a case of DNM after a trigger point injection in the upper trapezius. A 70-year-old man visited the emergency department with chest discomfort and fever after a trigger point injection in the left upper trapezius. Chest computed tomography showed evidence of DNM, and antibiotic therapy was immediately administered intravenously. Because of the risk of sudden death, poor prognosis due to underlying disease, and his age, he declined surgical treatment and died of septic shock. Although trigger point injections are generally considered safe, caution should be used in patients with an underlying disease or in the elderly. Early diagnosis, broad-spectrum antibiotics, and aggressive surgical management are essential to improve the prognosis

In Vivo Biocompatibility Study of Electrospun Chitosan Microfiber for Tissue Engineering

In this work, we examined the biocompatibility of electrospun chitosan microfibers as a scaffold. The chitosan microfibers showed a three-dimensional pore structure by SEM. The chitosan microfibers supported attachment and viability of rat muscle-derived stem cells (rMDSCs). Subcutaneous implantation of the chitosan microfibers demonstrated that implantation of rMDSCs containing chitosan microfibers induced lower host tissue responses with decreased macrophage accumulation than did the chitosan microfibers alone, probably due to the immunosuppression of the transplanted rMDSCs. Our results collectively show that chitosan microfibers could serve as a biocompatible in vivo scaffold for rMDSCs in rats

Pseudoceramide-Containing Physiological Lipid Mixture Reduces Adverse Effects of Topical Steroids

PURPOSE: Various therapeutic approaches have been suggested for preventing or reducing the adverse effects of topical glucocorticoids, including skin barrier impairment. Previously, we have shown that impairment of skin barrier function by the highest potency topical glucocorticoid, clobetasol 17-propinate (CP), can be partially prevented by co-application of a physiological lipid mixture containing pseudoceramide, free fatty acids, and cholesterol (multi-lamellar emulsion [MLE]). Skin atrophic effects of CP were also partially reduced by MLE. In this study, the preventive effects of MLE on the lowest potency topical glucocorticoid, hydrocortisone (HC), were investigated using animal models. METHODS: Anti-inflammatory activity of topical HC was evaluated using a 12-O-tetradecanoylphobol-13-acetate-induced skin edema model. Topical steroid induced adverse effects were evaluated using hairless mouse. RESULTS: The results showed that the anti-inflammatory activity was not altered by co-application of either MLE or hydrobase. However, co-application of MLE and 1.0% HC showed less impairment in the epidermal permeability barrier function, skin hydration, and skin surface pH compared with hydrobase. Stratum corneum integrity, evaluated by measuring trans-epidermal water loss after repeated tape stripping, showed less damage with MLE co-application. Long-term application of topical HC induced skin atrophy, measured by a reduction in skinfold and epidermal thickness and in the number of epidermal proliferating cell nucleus antigen (PCNA)-positive keratinocytes. Co-application of MLE did not affect the skinfold or epidermal thickness, but the number of PCNA-positive keratinocytes was less decreased with MLE use. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that co-application of MLE is effective in reducing the local adverse effects of low-potency topical glucocorticoids and supports the therapeutic efficacy of physiological lipid mixtures on skin barrier function.ope