Search

Post-vasectomy pain syndrome (PVPS) is difficult to treat. Direct damage to the vas deferens, inflammation, compression of nerves through fibrotic adhesions, and congestion of the epididymis are known to cause PVPS. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether the application of anti-adhesion agents after vasectomy can reduce the degree of adhesion and fibrosis in a rat model.In the study, 11 Sprague-Dawley rats (22 vas deferens) from each group were evaluated. In the experimental group, surgery was terminated after applying the anti-adhesion agent; this was not applied in the control group. After 14 days of vasectomy, the scrotum was dissected to evaluate the degree of gross adhesion at the vasectomy site. Histological examination of the surrounding tissues, including the vas deferens and the spermatic cord, was also performed.Adhesions were not observed in 72.73% (16/22) rats from the experimental group, in which the anti-adhesion agent was applied; in contrast, the incidence of adhesions in the control group was 100%. There was a statistically significant relationship between the distribution of grades for adhesion and anti-adhesion agent (chi-square, P0.001). On classification of fibrosis and inflammation, application of the anti-adhesion agent was significantly associated with lower grade inflammation and fibrosis compared to that of the control group (chi-square, P=0.001). The rate of intact muscle structure was 90.91% (20/22) in the experimental group, and 36.36% (8/22) in the control group, and the application of the anti-adhesion agent demonstrated significant association with preservation of intact muscle structure (chi-square, P0.001).The application of an anti-adhesion agent after vasectomy prevented the development of adhesion, fibrosis, and inflammation reaction and further reduced structural destruction.

Macrophages play a key role in chronic inflammation, and are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. We investigated whether an interaction between inflamed prostate cancer cells stimulated with Trichomonas vaginalis and macrophages stimulates the proliferation of the cancer cells. Conditioned medium was prepared from T. vaginalis-infected (TCM) and uninfected (CM) mouse prostate cancer (PCa) cell line (TRAMP-C2 cells). Thereafter conditioned medium was prepared from macrophages (J774A.1 cell line) after incubation with CM (MCM) or TCM (MTCM). When TRAMP-C2 cells were stimulated with T. vaginalis, protein and mRNA levels of CXCL1 and CCL2 increased, and migration of macrophages toward TCM was more extensive than towards CM. Macrophages stimulated with TCM produced higher levels of CCL2, IL-6, TNF-α, their mRNAs than macrophages stimulated with CM. MTCM stimulated the proliferation and invasiveness of TRAMP-C2 cells as well as the expression of cytokine receptors (CCR2, GP130, CXCR2). Importantly, blocking of each cytokine receptors with anti-cytokine receptor antibody significantly reduced the proliferation and invasiveness of TRAMP-C2 cells. We conclude that inflammatory mediators released by TRAMP-C2 cells in response to infection by T. vaginalis stimulate the migration and activation of macrophages and the activated macrophages stimulate the proliferation and invasiveness of the TRAMP-C2 cells via cytokine-cytokine receptor binding. Our results therefore suggested that macrophages contribute to the exacerbation of PCa due to inflammation of prostate cancer cells reacted with T. vaginalis.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE:DA8010 is a novel muscarinic M3 receptor antagonist. Prior preclinical studies have verified that DA8010 has high binding affinity for human muscarinic M3 receptor and si...

Purpose To identify the association between nocturia and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), we compared results of polysomnography (PSG) with the presence or absence of nocturia in patients with suspected OSA. Methods Patients underwent PSG for suspected OSA. The International Prostate Symptom Score and quality of life (IPSS/QoL) questionnaire was evaluated to assess voiding symptoms that may affect sleep quality. The results of PSG were compared between patient groups with or without nocturia. Results In logistic regression analysis, age (odds ratio [OR], 1.052; P=0.004), diabetes mellitus (OR, 6.675; P

Purpose To evaluate the relationships between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and lifestyle factors (physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, and stress) in Korean men. Methods We analyzed the survey results of South Korean men (n=64,439) who were 40 years of age or older among whom interviews were conducted using questionnaires. Trained interviewers performed face-to-face surveys using computer-assisted personal interviewing, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and standard questions. We assessed the relationships of lifestyle factors (physical activity, cigarette smoking, alcohol intake, height, weight, and stress) with LUTS. Results We observed higher IPSS scores in participants who engaged in no exercise (n=46,008 [71.7%], IPSS=3.19±5.36) than in those who engaged in vigorous physical activity (n=10,657 [17.6%], IPSS=2.28±4.15). Former smokers showed higher total, storage, and voiding symptom IPSS scores than current smokers and nonsmokers. Nondrinkers had higher IPSS scores than current alcohol drinkers. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, we detected no relationship between LUTS and current alcohol drinking in the moderate and severe LUTS groups, using the mild LUTS group as a reference (moderate: 0.91; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.91–0.91; P

PCR is known to be the most sensitive method for diagnosing Trichomonas vaginalis infections. This study aimed to compare the sensitivity of a PCR assay for trichomoniasis (HY-PCR) developed in Hanyang University with the use of a Seeplex Ace Detection Kit®, using urine collected from four Korean men with prostatic disease. Overall, HY-PCR was more sensitive than the Seeplex Kit. The use of Chelex 100 is recommended for DNA isolation in order to increase the sensitivity of the PCR test.

Indwelling urinary catheters (IUCs) are used in clinical settings to assist detrusor contraction in hospitalized patients. However, an inserted IUC often causes catheter‐related bladder discomfort. To resolve this, we propose an IUC coupled with local, sustained release of an anesthetic drug, lidocaine. For this, a thin strand composed of poly (lactic‐co‐glycolic acid) and lidocaine was separately prepared as a drug delivery carrier, which was then wound around the surface of the IUC to produce the drug‐delivery IUC. Our results revealed that the drug‐delivery IUC could exert the pain‐relief effects for up to 7 days when placed in the bladder of living rats. Cystometrogram tests indicated that the drug‐delivery IUC could significantly relieve bladder discomfort compared with the IUC without lidocaine. Furthermore, the expression of pain‐related inflammatory markers, such as nerve growth factor, cyclooxygenase‐2, and interleukin‐6 in the biopsied bladder tissues was significantly lower when the drug‐delivery IUC was used. Therefore, we conclude that an IUC simply assembled with a drug‐loaded polymer strand can continuously release lidocaine to allow for the relief of bladder discomfort during the period of IUC insertion.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) and depression are closely related. We sought to determine ED and depression were improved by tadalafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 (PDE5) inhibitor, at 5 mg daily, in this case–control study. Participants were men aged 20 to 65 years with ED for >3 months, International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF) score 50 points who were willing to participate. On first visit (V1) and after 1 (V2) and 2 months (V3), clinical features were examined using IIEF-5 for diagnosing and evaluating ED, SDS for evaluating depression, and International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life (IPSS/QoL) survey for examining lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Tadalafil 5 mg was administered daily for 2 months. A total of 60 participants were an average age of 58.68 ± 6.71 years. Patient overall average IIEF was 8.76 ± 5.98, showing mild ED symptoms, and total average IPSS 13.74 ± 7.55 showed moderate LUTS. Average overall SDS index was 58.93 ± 9.21, indicating moderate-to-severe findings. Average change in IIEF among all patients revealed significant improvement from V1 to V2 (−2.69 ± 1.22, P = .03) and V1 to V3 (−4.38 ± 1.20, P

Background and objectiveDespite the awareness of the important roles of physical activity (PA), the majority of cancer survivors fail to meet PA guidelines due to a lack of access to facilities or motivation. The purpose of this study is to examine the effectiveness of lifestyle intervention in prostate cancer (PC) patients receiving androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Material and methodsA total of 23 PC patients (aged 75.26 ± 6.9 years) receiving ADT at least 3 months were randomized into an intervention group (n=12) and a control group (n=11). The intervention group received lifestyle intervention in the form of education program. Levels of PA, body composition, physical function, disease-specific quality of life (QoL), and fatigue were assessed before and after the 12-week intervention. ResultsThe intervention group showed improvements in the level of PA (step count: p=0.028, moderate to vig-orous PA: p=0.013) compared with the control group. Thigh circumference (p=0.002), physical function (grip strength: p=0.034; knee extensor: p=0.004, up and go: p=0.001; 2-min step: p=0.001), QoL (p

To investigate the relationship between irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and overactive bladder (OAB) in men and women using questionnaires.This research survey was based on multicenter data (men and women older than 20 years). The Korean version of the Rome III criteria was used for the diagnosis of IBS, Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) was used for screening OAB, Self-Rating Depression Scale was used for depressive symptoms, and International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life were used to determine the degrees of lower urinary tract symptoms.A total of 609 (men: 257, women: 352) people answered the questionnaire. The prevalence of IBS and OAB was 31.9% (men vs women: 27.3% vs 39.2%) and 19.2% (men vs women: 25.3% vs 18.5%), respectively. The OABSS values of patients with IBS and non-IBS patients were 1.70 ± 2.48 and 2.48 ± 2.79 (P .001). On the Self-Rating Depression Scale, individuals with IBS had a higher score than non-IBS individuals (n = 201) (44.92 ± 13.71 vs 39.19 ± 10.39, P .001). In men, non-IBS (n = 56) had higher OABSS and OABSS question number 3 responses than patients with IBS (OABSS: 2.56 ± 2.69 vs 1.57 ± 2.43, P = .01, OABSS Q3: 0.92 ± 1.26 vs 0.66 ± 1.13, P = .17). Also, in women, non-IBS (n = 214) had higher OABSS and OABSS question number 3 responses than patients with IBS (n = 138) (OABSS: 2.40 ± 2.87 vs 1.76 ± 2.52, P = .03, OABSS Q3: 0.83 ± 1.25 vs 0.70 ± 1.18, P = .32).IBS in adults had no relationship with OAB in our study. These data suggest that more studies are needed to determine the relationship between IBS and OAB.

Aim To evaluate the association between lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and incidental falls and fear of falling. Methods We used data obtained from the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS) conducted between August and October 2011 in South Korea. The survey was carried out to estimate patterns of disease prevalence and morbidity in men >40 years old. The trained interviewers performed face-to-face sociodemographic questionnaires using computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) software, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), the Quality of Life score (EQ-5D), and a questionnaire about past falls and fear of falling. Results Data from 67 457 men were collected and analyzed. The subjects who had previously experienced a fall had slightly higher scores for IPSS, severity of LUTS, voiding LUTS, and storage LUTS than subjects with no prior fall history. A multivariate model of the relationship between falls and LUTS severity indicated that the relationship between the IPSS components and fall history was significant (mild, moderate, severe: OR = 1.00, 2.53, 3.91, respectively, P

PURPOSE This study estimated the prevalence of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean men and the conditions for being diagnosed with or treated for LUTS/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). METHODS We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 69,851 Korean men who were 40 years of age or older and had participated in the Korean Community Health Survey performed in 2011. Interviewers performed face-to-face surveys that included sociodemographic questions, the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), and questions regarding whether the subjects had been diagnosed with or treated for LUTS/BPH. We estimated the prevalence of LUTS and assessed whether the subjects had been diagnosed with or treated for LUTS/BPH. RESULTS Moderate to severe LUTS, storage symptoms, and voiding symptoms increased with age. The IPSS quality of life score was 1.5±0.004 in the mild LUTS group (n=57,701), 3.3±0.01 in the moderate LUTS group (n=9,203), and 4.3±0.02 in the severe LUTS group (n=2,947) (P

// Jung Ku Jo 1, * , Jong Jin Oh 2, * , Yong Tae Kim 1 , Hong Sang Moon 3 , Hong Yong Choi 3 , Seunghyun Park 4 , Jin-Nyoung Ho 5 , Sungroh Yoon 4 , Hae Young Park 1 and Seok-Soo Byun 2 1 Department of Urology, Hanyang University Hospital, Seoul, Korea 2 Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea 3 Department of Urology, Hanyang University Guri Hospital, Guri-si, Korea 4 Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea 5 Biomedical Research Institute, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea * These authors contributed equally to this work Correspondence to: Seok-Soo Byun, email: ssbyun@snubh.org Hae Young Park, email: nopcme@hanyang.ac.kr Keywords: metastasis, prostate cancer, castration, genetic variation Received: December 14, 2016 Accepted: May 01, 2017 Published: May 30, 2017 ABSTRACT Background: Genetic variation which related with progression to castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) during androgen-deprivation therapy (ADT) has not been elucidated in patients with metastatic prostate cancer (mPCa). Therefore, we assessed the association between genetic variats in mPCa and progession to CRPC. Results: Analysis of exome genotypes revealed that 42 SNPs were significantly associated with mPCa. The top five polymorphisms were statistically significantly associated with metastatic disease. In addition, one of these SNPs, rs56350726, was significantly associated with time to CRPC in Kaplan-Meier analysis (Log-rank test, p = 0.011). In multivariable Cox regression, rs56350726 was strongly associated with progression to CRPC (HR = 4.172 95% CI = 1.223-14.239, p = 0.023). Materials and Methods: We assessed genetic variation among 1000 patients with PCa with or without metastasis, using 242,221 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on the custom HumanExome BeadChip v1.0 (Illuminam Inc.). We analyzed the time to CRPC in 110 of the 1000 patients who were treated with ADT. Genetic data were analyzed using unconditional logistic regression and odds ratios calculated as estimates of relative risk of metastasis. We identified SNPs associated with metastasis and analyzed the relationship between these SNPs and time to CRPC in mPCa. Conclusions: Based on a genetic variation, the five top SNPs were observed to associate with mPCa. And one (SLC28A3, rs56350726) of five SNP was found the association with the progression to CRPC in patients with mPCa.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES:Antimuscarnic agents is the first-line of pharmacological drug for OAB.However, these drugs act on central nervous system (CNS) muscarinic receptors and this action affe...

Trichomoniasis is the most common curable sexually-transmitted infection. Most Trichomonas vaginalis-infected men are asymptomatic and can remain undiagnosed and untreated, and this has been thought to result in chronic persistent prostatic infection. Chronic inflammation is regarded as the major factor in the pathogenesis and progression of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatic cancer (PCa). The aim of this study is to identify seropositivity to T. vaginalis in men with prostate tumors (BPH or PCa) visited to Hanyang University Hospital. A total of 183 men were enrolled between October 2013 and November 2014. They consisted of 139 with BPH (mean age: 64.0 ± 0.07) and 44 with prostate cancer (mean age: 73.3±0.18). We carried out ELISA to identify the seropositivity to T. vaginalis. Mixed lysate antigen extracted from 8 strains of T. vaginalis was used in the ELISA. Also 58 male outpatients visited to Health Promotion Center in Hanyang University Hospital were evaluated for comparing group. As a results, seropositivity to T. vaginalis in patients with prostatic diseases was 19.7% (BPH: 18.7%, PCa: 22.7%) and it was significantly higher than the 1.7% of the comparing healthy group (P = 0.001). Therefore, prostatic tumor showed higher seropositivity against T. vaginalis than normal men. As far as we know, this is the first report about seroprevalence in prostatic tumor in Korea.

Objectives To investigate polypharmacy and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) in elderly patients visiting the urology department for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). Methods We retrospectively analyzed digital medical records of individuals over the age of 65 who visited the urology department for LUTS. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 10 hospitals located in South Korea, between September 2017 and December 2017. All prescribed medications were analyzed using electronic medical records. The updated 2015 Beers criteria were used to identify and assess the appropriateness of the prescribed drugs in elderly patients. Results We analyzed a total of 2143 patients aged over 65 years from 10 institutions. The mean age was 74.2 ± 6.26 years (65–97), 1634 (76.2%) were men. Patients took a mean of 6.48 ± 2.46 medications (range 0–18), and polypharmacy was found in 1762 patients (82.2%). The number of patients who received PIMs at least once was 1579 (73.7%). The average number of PIMs used per patient was 1.31 ± 1.25 (0–7). PIM use ratio was 18.9 ± 0.15% (0–67%). The number of chronic diseases, and concurrent medication and polypharmacy were predictive factors associated with PIM use. Conclusion Our multi-institutional results show that a substantial proportion of elderly patients took PIMs when visiting the urology department. Factors associated with PIMs were the number of chronic diseases and polypharmacy. Medication use in elderly patients, especially in urology, should be monitored carefully.

To investigate the effect of tamsulosin on LUTS and depressive symptoms among depressed and nondepressed individuals previously diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia.The study conducted from July 2013 to June 2014 included outpatient participants with benign prostatic hyperplasia presenting with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS). One tablet of tamsulosin (0.2 mg) was administered to patients daily. We divided participants with geriatric depression scale (GDS) scores of 0-17 into the nondepressive symptom group (group 1) and those with GDS scores of 18-30 into the depressive symptom group (group 2). At the first visit (V1), 4th week (V2), and 12th week (V3), the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL), patient perception of bladder condition, overactive bladder syndrome symptom score, and GDS questionnaires were administered.IPSS (17.35 ± 7.11 vs 14.61 ± 6.04, P = .10) as well as GDS scores (20.97 ± 3.07 vs 8.84 ± 4.50, P .01) were higher among those with depressive symptoms than those without, and difference between the two groups was not represented. After taking tamsulosin, on the V2 and V3, both groups had improved overactive bladder syndrome symptom scores, patient perception of bladder condition, IPSS, QoL, and GDS. Comparing the first visit with the V2 and V3, group 2 showed significant changes in GDS, but group 1 did not.Treatment with tamsulosin is associated with improved LUTS and decreased depressive symptoms, which could enhance QoL.

Purpose: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) comprise a set of common, bothersome symptoms in middle-aged and elderly men. Recent research suggests that depressive symptoms may influence the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). We performed a community-based cross-sectional study to evaluate the correlation between LUTS and depression. Methods: The survey was conducted in a rural community during four periods in August 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Two validated questionnaires were used to examine LUTS and depressive symptoms. These included the International Prostate Symptom Score/quality of life (IPSS/QoL) and the Korean version of the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D-K). Patients were categorized in the depressive symptom group if their CES-D-K score was >16 points. Results: A total of 711 men were included in this study. Thirty-five participants (4.92%) were found to have depressive symptoms. There was a positive correlation between depressive symptoms and LUTS severity (P

This study comprises a systematic review and meta-analysis of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy outcomes in epididymal obstructive azoospermia. A comprehensive literature search was performed using Medline, Embase, and the Cochrane library that included all studies related to microsurgical vasoepididymostomy. Keywords included “vasoepididymostomy,” “epididymovasostomy,” “epididymal obstruction,” and “epididymis obstruction.” Event rate and risk ratio (RR) were estimated. Patency rate and pregnancy rate were investigated. The analysis comprised 1422 articles, including 42 observational studies with 2298 enrolled patients performed from November 1978 to January 2017. The overall mean patency rate was 64.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 58.5%–69.3%; I2=83.0%), and the overall mean pregnancy rate was 31.1% (95% CI: 26.9%–35.7%; I2=73.0%). We performed a meta-analysis comparing the patency rate of bilateral microsurgical vasoepididymostomy and unilateral microsurgical vasoepididymostomy and found an RR of 1.38% (95% CI: 1.21%–1.57%; P < 0.00001). A comparison of the site of microsurgical vasoepididymostomy showed that caudal or corpus area was favorable for patency rate (RR = 1.17%; 95% CI: 1.01%–1.35%; P = 0.04). Patients with motile sperm in epididymal fluid exhibited an RR of 1.53% (95% CI: 1.11%–2.13%; P = 0.01) with respect to patency rate. Microsurgical vasoepididymostomy is an effective treatment for epididymal obstructive azoospermia that can improve male fertility. We find that performing microsurgical vasoepididymostomy bilaterally, anastomosing a larger caudal area, and containing motile sperm in epididymis fluid can potentially achieve a superior patency rate.

OBJECTIVES To evaluate the efficacy and safety of three dosing schemes of GV1001 in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). PATIENTS AND METHODS Eligible patients were men aged ≥50 years, with an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) of ≥13, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax ) of 5-15 mL/s, post-void residual urine volume (PVR) of ≤200 mL, and prostate volume of ≥30 mL. After a 4 week run-in period, patients were randomly assigned to one of three treatment schedules: Group 1, GV1001 0.4 mg, 2-week interval; Group 2, GV1001 0.56 mg, 2-week interval; Group 3, GV1001 0.56 mg, 4-week interval) or placebo (Group 4). The eligible patients were administered GV1001 or placebo, for a total of seven intradermal injections that were administered at 2-week intervals at weeks 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Treatment continued for 12 weeks, and efficacy was evaluated at weeks 4, 8, 12, 13, and 16. Safety was evaluated throughout the 16-week period. The primary efficacy variable was change from baseline (CFB) in total IPSS. Secondary endpoints were CFB in Qmax , PVR, prostate volume, International Index of Erectile Function score, plasma testosterone level, dihydrotestosterone level, and prostate-specific antigen level. RESULTS A total of 161 patients were included (Group 1, n = 41; Groups 2-4, n = 40). Most patients (88.8%) received all planned doses of the study treatment. At week 13, a statistically significant difference in the mean CFB in IPSS was seen in GV1001 treatment Groups 1 and 2 vs the control group for the full analysis population (-3.5 [control] vs -7.2 and -6.8 in Groups 1 and 2, respectively; both P < 0.05). There were also statistically significant differences in CFB at weeks 8, 12, 13, and 16 in treatment Groups 1 and 2 vs control in the per-protocol population. There was a statistically significant reduction in prostate gland volume at week 16 vs control in all treatment groups (0.8 [control] vs -4.6, -2.5, and -4.2 mL in Groups 1-3, respectively; all P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences found in other secondary outcome measures. Adverse event (AE) reporting was similar across all four groups. No treatment-emergent AEs were considered to be related to the study drug. CONCLUSIONS The results indicate that GV1001 was effective and well tolerated, and may provide potential beneficial effects in patients with BPH. Compared with medical therapies that require daily dosing, the convenient dosing regimen of GV1001 may provide greater patient adherence. Further investigation of these observations will require large-scale clinical evaluation.