Preoperative and perioperative profiles of all patients.

<p>Preoperative and perioperative profiles of all patients.</p

Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of preoperative predictors at 1-, 3- and 5-year postoperative success.

<p>Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis of preoperative predictors at 1-, 3- and 5-year postoperative success.</p

Criteria for determining the 1-, 3-, and 5-yr efficacy of individual domains (symptoms, QoL, and function) and proportion of patients for each efficacy grade.

<p>Criteria for determining the 1-, 3-, and 5-yr efficacy of individual domains (symptoms, QoL, and function) and proportion of patients for each efficacy grade.</p

Usefulness of the frequency-volume chart over the International Prostate Symptom Score in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia in view of global polyuria

<div><p>Purpose</p><p>We aimed to determine the usefulness of the frequency-volume chart over the International Prostate Symptom Score in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Furthermore, we investigated the clinical characteristics suggesting that patients could benefit from frequency-volume chart assessment in addition to International Prostate Symptom Score assessment.</p><p>Methods</p><p>A total of 193 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were analyzed. The relationship between the information obtained from the frequency-volume chart and the International Prostate Symptom Score was assessed. Because the urine output per kilogram per hour was not associated with any question in the International Prostate Symptom Score questionnaire, patients were divided into 2 groups according to the presence of global polyuria, defined as urine output >40 mL·kg^-1·h^-1. Multivariable analysis was performed to determine the predictors of global polyuria, and the results were externally validated using 397 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia.</p><p>Results</p><p>Although the other information obtained from the frequency-volume chart correlated with the International Prostate Symptom Score, the urine output was not associated with the International Prostate Symptom Score. Based on these results, patients were dichotomized into the global polyuria group (n = 19, 9.8%) and the non-global polyuria group. Although the patient characteristics did not differ between the 2 groups, the number of voids was higher in patients with global polyuria. Multivariable analysis showed that diabetes mellitus (odds ratio: 3.497, <i>p</i> = 0.039) and increased number of voids (odds ratio: 1.320, <i>p</i> < 0.001) were significant predictors of global polyuria. On external validation, the area under curve for the model was 0.723.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>Global polyuria cannot be suspected using the International Prostate Symptom Score, although it worsens the lower urinary tract symptoms of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Assessment with the frequency-volume chart needs to be considered in diabetic patients with increased number of voids.</p></div

Patient characteristics according to the presence of global polyuria.

<p>Patient characteristics according to the presence of global polyuria.</p

Relationship between each question in the I-PSS questionnaire and components of frequency volume chart.

<p>(1) Question 1 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.950, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.379, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.205, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.475, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.080). (2) Question 2 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.537, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.518, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.001, Daytime voids; <i>p</i><0.001, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.001). (3) Question 3 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.210, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.644, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.109, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.250, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.467). (4) Question 4 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.227, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.282, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.032, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.010, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.055). (5) Question 5(24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.556, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.488, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.141, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.423, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.323). (6) Question 6 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.265, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.377, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.471, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.417, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.418). (7) Question 7 (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.629, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.041, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.132, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.133, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i><0.001). (8) Quality of life (24-hour UO; <i>p</i> = 0.374, Nocturnal UO; <i>p</i> = 0.390, MVV; <i>p</i> = 0.006, Daytime voids; <i>p</i> = 0.021, Nocturnal voids; <i>p</i> = 0.003).</p

ROC curves of the prediction model for the presence of global polyuria.

<p>ROC curves of the prediction model for the presence of global polyuria.</p

Variables predicting global polyuria: Univariate and multivariable analysis.

<p>Variables predicting global polyuria: Univariate and multivariable analysis.</p

The relationship between each question in the I-PSS questionnaire with 24-hr Urine output / body weight.

<p>The relationship between each question in the I-PSS questionnaire with 24-hr Urine output / body weight.</p

Chronic administration of atorvastatin could partially ameliorate erectile function in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

<div><p>The efficacy of statins is related to the ‘common soil’ hypothesis, which proposes oxidative stress and inflammation as main pathophysiologic processes in the disease group of diabetes and endothelial dysfunction. This study evaluated the recovery of erectile function after administration of chronic statin alone in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus (DM) rats, focusing on the anti-oxidative effects and consequentially recuperated endothelial function. A total of 45 male Sprague-Dawley rats (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups (n = 15 each): an age-matched normal control group (Control group), an uncontrolled DM group (DM group), and a statin-treated group (Statin group). The rats in the DM and Statin group received an injection of STZ (60 mg/kg). Beginning 10 weeks after the establishment of DM, the Statin group received daily treatment with atorvastatin (10 mg/kg) via oral gavage for four weeks. After 14 weeks, the results of the experiment were evaluated. The ratios of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) to mean arterial pressure (MAP) were recorded with cavernosometry (20 Hz, 3 V, 0.2 msec for 30 seconds) before and after the intravenous administration of udenafil (1 mg/kg). Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was evaluated using cavernosal tissue. In addition, changes in RhoA translocation ratio and myosin phosphatase target subunit 1 (MYPT1) phosphorylation were evaluated with western blot. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were also analyzed as measurements of oxidative stress levels. The ICP/MAP and area under the curve (AUC)/MAP ratios of the Statin group were obviously superior to the DM group, but were not comparable to the Control group (<i>P</i><0.001). The level of oxidative stress, namely SOD activity, was also significantly lower in the Statin group than in the DM group (<i>P</i> = 0.015), and was comparable to the Control group. In contrast, MDA levels were not considerably different among the groups (<i>P</i> = 0.217). The RhoA translocation ratio was not significantly different among the groups (<i>P</i> = 0.668), whereas MYPT1 phosphorylation in the Statin group was significantly lower than in the DM group (<i>P</i> = 0.030), and similar to the Control group. Expression of α-SMA in the Statin group was higher than in the DM group (<i>P</i><0.001), and comparable to the Control group. Chronic statin treatment alone showed anti-oxidative effects and helped to restore the erectile mechanism, but did not lead to the full recovery of erectile function in STZ-induced DM rats. Therefore, combination therapy rather than a single agent should be the preferred treatment strategy for DM-associated erectile dysfunction, especially in the setting of severe diabetes.</p></div