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Purpose: To investigate the role of α3 and α7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subunits (nAChRs) in the bladder, using a rat model with detrusor overactivity induced by partial bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Methods: Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were used: 10 were sham-operated (control group) and 30 were observed for 3 weeks after partial BOO. BOO-induced rats were further divided into 3 groups: Two groups of 10 rats each received intravesicular infusions with hexamethonium (HM group; n=10) or methyllycaconitine (MLC group; n=10), which are antagonists for α3 and α7 nAChRs, respectively. The remaining BOO-induced rats received only saline infusion (BOO group; n=10). Based on the contraction interval measurements using cystometrogram, the contraction pressure and nonvoiding bladder contractions were compared between the control and the three BOO-induced groups. Immunoluorescent staining and Western blotting were used to analyze α3 and α7 nAChRs levels. Results: he contraction interval of the MLC group was higher than that of the BOO group (P<0.05). Nonvoiding bladder contraction almost disappeared in the HM and MLC groups. Contraction pressure increased in the BOO group (P<0.05) compared with the control group and decreased in the HM and MLC groups compared with the BOO group (P<0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the α3 nAChR signals increased in the urothelium, and the a7 nAChR signals increased in the urothelium and detrusor muscle of the BOO group compared with the control group. Western blot analysis showed that both α3 and α7 nAChR levels increased in the BOO group (P<0.05). Conclusions: Alpha3 and α7 nAChRs are associated with detrusor overactivity induced by BOO. Furthermore, nAChR antagonists could help in clinically improving detrusor overactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) are usually at greater risk for acquiring urinary tract infections (UTIs). Few studies have focused on UTIs specifically acquired within the ICU. We studied the change in bacterial species causing UTIs in ICU admitted patients in 2001 and 2011. Materials and Methods: We reviewed the medical records of a total of 2,890 ICU patients who had undergone urine culture in 2001 and 2011 at the Yeouido and Bucheon St. Mary's hospitals. Changes in causative organisms and their antibiotic sensitivity between the years 2001 and 2011 were analyzed. Results: Escherichia coli (E. coli) was the most common organism in ICU-acquired UTIs in 2001 and 2011 in our study. The pathogens that significantly increased in 2011 compared to 2001 were Pseudomonas, and Klebsiella species (P < .05). In 2011gram-negative organisms showed relatively higher sensitivities to amikacin, imipenem, and tazocin (72.0%, 77.5% and 76.1%, respectively), whereas they showed relatively lower sensitivities to third-generation cephalosporins and ciprofloxacin (55.2% and 45.0%, respectively). In 2011 gram-positive organisms showed high sensitivities to teicoplanin and vancomycin (91.1% and 87.9%, respectively), whereas they showed low sensitivities to ampicillin and ciprofloxacin (24.1% and 25.5%, respectively). The antibiotic resistance rate of Pseudomonas species was nearly doubles that of E. coli. Conclusion: Infections caused by Pseudomonas and Klebsiella species were found to have increased significantly in 2011. Pseudomonas species had a significantly lower susceptibility to antibiotic sensitivity than other identified organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the preoperative factors related to early quality of life (QoL) in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) during the surgeon's learning curve. Methods: The medical records of 82 patients with a follow-up period of at least 3 months who were treated with HoLEP during the time of a surgeon's learning curve were analyzed retrospectively. We divided the patients into two groups on the basis of the QoL component of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) 3 months after HoLEP: the high QoL group (IPSS/QoL≤3) and the low QoL group (IPSS/QoL≥4). Preoperative factors in each group were compared, including prostate volume, prostate-specific antigen, history of acute urinary retention (AUR), urgency incontinence, IPSS, and urodynamic parameters. Detrusor underactivity was defined as a bladder contractility index less than 100 on urodynamic study. Results: A total of 61 patients (74.3%) had a high QoL, whereas 21 (25.7%) had a low QoL. A history of AUR, detrusor pressure on maximal flow (PdetQmax), bladder outlet obstruction grade, bladder contractility index, and detrusor underactivity were associated with postoperative QoL in the univariate analysis. In the multivariate analysis, a history of AUR and PdetQmax were independent factors affecting postoperative QoL. Conclusions: A history of AUR and bladder contractility affect early QoL, and preoperative urodynamic study plays an important role in the proper selection of patients during the HoLEP learning curve. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the change in urinary urgency and predictors of urgency improvement after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of patients who were treated with HoLEP for BPH and had preoperative urgency measuring ≥3 on a 5-point urinary sensation scale. Those with prostate cancer diagnosed prior to or after HoLEP, a history of other prostatic and/or urethral surgery, moderate to severe postoperative complications, and neurogenic causes were excluded. Patients who had improved urgency with antimuscarinic medication after HoLEP were excluded. We divided the patients into 2 groups based on urgency symptoms 3 months after HoLEP: improved and unimproved urgency. Improved urgency was defined as a reduction of 2 or more points on the 5-point urinary sensation scale. Preoperative clinical and urodynamic factors as well as perioperative factors were compared between groups. Results: In total, 139 patients were included in this study. Voiding parameters in all patients improved significantly after HoLEP. Seventy-one patients (51.1%) had improved urgency, while 68 (48.9%) did not show any improvement. A history of acute urinary retention (AUR) and postvoid residual were associated with postoperative urgency improvement in univariate analysis. In multi-variate analysis, a history of AUR was an independent factor affecting urgency improvement. Conclusions: A preoperative history of AUR could influence the change in urgency after HoLEP surgery in patients with BPH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and hypothesis: To determine the effects of alpha-blocker, extracorporeal magnetic innervations (ExMI) alone and combination treatment on female bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). Methods: Sixty women with BOO were divided into three groups according to the treatment. After 3 months, the clinical outcomes were evaluated by clinical examination, international prostatic symptom score (IPSS), quality of life (QOL), 3-day voiding diary, uroflowmetry and post-void residual. Results: At 3 months, symptom improvement was 52.6% in alpha-blocker monotherapy (group I), 50.0% in ExMI monotherapy (group II), and 57.1% in combination therapy (group III). Maximum flow rate increased and total IPSS decreased significantly in all groups ( p < 0.05). Storage symptom subscore was more reduced in groups II and III and QOL improved significantly in group III ( p < 0.05) Conclusions: This study demonstrates that both alpha-blocker and ExMI were effective in female BOO, and ExMI may be more effective for improving storage symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the effects of preoperative Valsalva leak point pressure (VLPP) on the outcomes of the single-incision midurethral sling procedure (Needleless® System) in female stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials and Methods: We evaluated 112 patients who underwent midurethral sling placement for SUI using the Needleless® System. Patients were divided into two groups according to their preoperative VLPP values: VLPP > 90 cmH2O (group 1) and VLPP 60-90 cmH2O (group 2). After the postoperative period, SUI status and satisfaction were compared between the two groups. Subjective cure was defined as the absence of any episodes of urinary incontinence associated with conditions that increase intra-abdominal pressure in daily life. Treatment satisfaction was analyzed according to patient responses as 'satisfied', 'neutral', and 'dissatisfied'. Postoperative other lower urinary tract symptoms except SUI were compared between the two groups too. Results: There were no significant differences in age, body weight, and urodynamic parameters (except VLPP) between the two groups. The mean VLPPs were 105.9 ± 12.3 cmH2O (range, 93.6-118.2 cmH2O) in group 1 and 75.4 ± 10.5 cmH2O (range, 65-85.9 cmH2O) in group 2. The overall subjective cure rates were 65.0% in group 1 and 62.5% in group 2 (P = .744). The overall satisfaction rates were 58.8% in group 1 and 68.8% in group 2 (P = .600). Complication rates did not differ between the two groups. Conclusion: When stratified as > 90 cmH2O or ≤ 90 cmH2O, preoperative VLPP did not affect Needleless® System outcomes in female SUI patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effects of a new herbal formula (WSY-1075) in a nonbacterial prostatitis rat model. Materials and Methods: Prostatitis was induced in male Wistar rats (n=32) by treatment with 17 beta-estradiol and dihydrotestosterone for 4 weeks. After the induction of prostatitis, the rats were randomly divided into one of four treatment groups: control (n=8), ciprofloxacin (n=8), WSY-1075 (100 mg/kg) (n=8), and WSY-1075 (400 mg/kg) (n=8). After 4 weeks of treatment, the prostatic proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-6, and IL-8) levels and histological findings were noted. Results: The ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075 treatment groups showed significantly decreased proinflammatory cytokine levels compared with the control group. Histologically, treatment with ciprofloxacin and WSY-1075 significantly suppressed the severity of prostatitis lesions compared with those in the control group. No differences in the proinflammatory cytokine levels or histologic findings were observed with the dose dependent treatment of WSY-1075. Conclusions: The new herbal formula, WSY-1075, showed effective anti-inflammatory activities in the prostate and may be useful for the clinical treatment of nonbacterial prostatitis. Our findings suggest that WSY-1075 has a beneficial effect on the prevention and treatment of nonbacterial prostatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]