Seol Kim

Preliminary Report on the Safety of a New Herbal Formula and Its Effect on Sperm Quality

Purpose Male infertility is a serious problem, and its prevalence has been increasing. Therefore, we investigated the safety of a new herbal formula and its effects on sperm quality. Materials and Methods An in vitro cytotoxicity test in TM3 Leydig cells was performed to evaluate cell viability after administration of five types of herbs separately and of a new herbal formula containing these five. An in vivo test in male mice was performed to evaluate the influence of the new herbal formula on the reproductive organs and sperm quality. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration of the new herbal formula, the weights of the reproductive organs were measured and the sperm count and motility were evaluated. Results In the in vitro cytotoxicity test, less than 80% cell viability at concentrations of 500 mg/L and 1,000 mg/L of Rubus coreanus Miquel and Cuscuta chinensis Lam was observed. However, more than 80% cell viability was observed at all the tested concentrations of the new herbal formula. After the 8- and 28-day oral administration, there were no considerable changes in body weight. The weights of the testes, epididymis, and seminal vesicles after the 8- and 28-day oral administration were similar to those of the control. The sperm count and activity were significantly improved compared with those of the control group at 8 and 28 days after 100, 200, and 400 mg of oral administration. Conclusions The safety of the new formula and its positive effect on the sperm quality were observed after the oral administration of the formula.

Microbiological etiology of bacterial prostatitis in general hospital and primary care clinic in Korea

Purpose: The National Institutes of Health classification of prostatitis reported the proportion of chronic bacterial prostatitis, especially category II, at 3% to 10%. Because of the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) diagnosis technique, chronic prostatitis syndrome (CPS) with a known bacterial origin has increased recently. In this study, we evaluated the proportion of chronic bacterial prostatitis in a general hospital and a primary care clinic (PCC) in addition to the distribution of the microorganism in chronic bacterial prostatitis in Korea. Methods: Two hundred and ninety-three patients were enrolled in this study. One hundred and five patients in the general hospital and 188 patients in the PCC were enrolled in the study. Using a questionnaire, all patients were checked for symptoms of urinalysis, expressed prostate secretion (EPS), EPS or V3 culture and PCR of EPS or VB3 for Chlamydia trachomatis, Ureaplasma urealyticum, Mycoplasma hominis, Mycoplasma genetalia, and Trichomatis vaginalis. Results: In routine EPS or VB3 culture, 12 of 105 patients (11.4%) in the general hospital showed positive culture, but 77 of 188 patients (40.9%) in the PCC showed a positive culture. Escherichia coli, Streptococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus hemolyticus, Staphylococcus aureus, and Pseudomonas were isolated in routine culture. In the PCR diagnosis, 37 of 105 patients (35.2%) in the general hospital were PCR positive, and 65 of 188 patients (34.5%) in the PCC were PCR positive. In the general hospital, C. trachomatis was the most common (49%), followed by U. urealyticum (24%), M. genetalia (16%), M. hominis (10%), and T. vaginalis (2%). In the PCC, U. urealyticum was the most common (45%), followed by C. trachomatis (34%), M. hominis (13%), M. genetalia (7%) and T. vaginalis (1%). The proportions of chronic bacterial prostatitis were 46.6% (49/105) and 67.5% (127/188) in the general hospital and PCC, respectively. Conclusions: The total portion of chronic bacterial prostatitis was 59.3% (174/293). Culture-positive patients in the PCC were significantly higher than in the general hospital, but the number of PCR positive patients in the PCC was the same as in the general hospital.

Reduction of oxidative stress may play a role in the anti-inflammatory effect of the novel herbal formulation in a rat model of hydrochloric acid-induced cystitis

We investigated the effect of the multi‐herbal medicine, WSY‐1075 in an animal model of hydrochloric acid (HCl)‐induced cystitis.

Tape Shortening for Recurrent Stress Urinary Incontinence After Transobturator Tape Sling: 3-Year Follow-up Results

PURPOSE Recently, as the number of transobturator tape (TOT) procedures has increased, recurrence after this procedure has been frequently reported. However, there are no standard guidelines for treatment. We describe our experience with shortening the previously implanted tape in patients with recurrent stress urinary incontinence after the TOT procedure. MATERIALS AND METHODS We enrolled 10 women who underwent shortening of the previously implanted tape and were followed up for 3 years. Shortening of the previously implanted tape was done by a figure-eight suture with 1-0 Prolene. One year after TOT shortening, we investigated continence status, patient satisfaction by means of a questionnaire, maximal flow rate (Qmax), and postvoid residual urine volume. Three years after TOT shortening, we evaluated continence status and patient satisfaction. RESULTS The mean period of TOT shortening was 4.2 months (range, 1-12 months) after the TOT procedure. One year after TOT shortening, 7 patients showed complete dryness, 2 patients showed improvement, and 1 patient reported failure. Eight patients were very satisfied or satisfied with the 1-year result after TOT shortening. The mean preoperative and postoperative Qmax were 23.8 and 26.7ml/s, respectively, and there was no significant difference. Three years after TOT shortening, 6 patients showed complete dryness, 2 patients showed improvement, and 2 patients reported failure. Among them,1 had failed from 1 year after TOT shortening and the other had shown 1 year of complete dryness. Eight patients were very satisfied or satisfied and 2 patients were dissatisfied with the 3-year result after TOT shortening. CONCLUSION Most of the patients who underwent TOT shortening reported satisfaction as well as improvement of incontinence after a 3-year follow up. Therefore, we suggest that TOT shortening may be recommended primarily in patients with recurrent stress urinary incontinence after the TOT sling procedure.

Hand‐assisted and pure laparoscopic living donor nephrectomy: a matched‐cohort comparison over 10 yr at a single institute

To compare outcomes between matched patients who underwent hand‐assisted laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (HALDN) and pure laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (PLDN) from living donors.

Functional and Molecular Changes of the Bladder in Rats with Crushing Injury of Nerve Bundles from Major Pelvic Ganglion to the Bladder: Role of RhoA/Rho Kinase Pathway

Voiding dysfunction is a common complication after radical pelvic surgery. To reduce this complication, nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery was introduced. However, several patients experienced voiding difficulty despite nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Thus, we investigated the functional and molecular changes of the bladder in rats, which demonstrated voiding dysfunction induced by nerve damage during nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. Male rats were used and assigned to normal, sham-operated, and bilateral crushing nerve bundles from major pelvic ganglion (MPG) to bladder group. After one, two, and four-week crushing injury, significantly decreased contractile response and increased connective tissue of the detrusor were observed and these results were reliable findings with voiding difficulty following nerve-sparing radical pelvic surgery. After crushing injury, significantly increased M2 muscarinic receptor expression was observed and this might be regarded as the compensatory response. However, M3 muscarinic receptor expression was not significantly changed. The expression of RhoA, ROCK-α, and ROCK-β was significantly increased after one, two, and four-week crushing injury. From these results, the down-regulation of RhoA/Rho kinase pathway might lead to the decreased bladder contractility after crushing injury of nerve bundles from MPG to the bladder despite of the compensated up-regulation of M2 muscarinic receptor.

A modified uvulopalatal flap with lateral pharyngoplasty for treatment in 92 adults with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome

Fam. Pract. 22, 227–233 9 Institute for innovation and improvement. (2008) Reducing length of stay. URL http://www.institute.nhs.uk/quality_and_service_ improvement_tools/quality_and_service_ improvement_tools/ length_of_stay.html [accessed on 1 April 2013] 10 Centor R.M., Witherspoon J.M., Dalton H.P. et al. (1981) The diagnosis of strep throat in adults in the emergency room. Med. Decis. Making 1, 239–246

Effect of Oral Administration of Acetaminophen and Topical Application of EMLA on Pain during Transrectal Ultrasound-Guided Prostate Biopsy.

Purpose Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy is the procedure of choice for diagnosing prostate cancer. We compared with pain-relieving effect of acetaminophen, a known drug for enhancing the pain-relieving effect of tramadol, and eutectic mixture of local anesthetics (EMLA), a local anesthetic agent, with that of the conventional periprostatic nerve block method. Materials and Methods This was a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study. A total of 430 patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group 1 received a periprostatic nerve block with 1% lidocaine, group 2 received acetaminophen 650 mg, and group 3 received EMLA cream for pain control. All patients were given 50 mg of tramadol intravenously 30 minutes before the procedure. At 3 hours after completion of the procedure, the patients were asked to grade their pain on a horizontal visual analogue scale (VAS). The patients were also asked whether they were willing to undergo future biopsy if required. Results There were no significant differences between the three groups in terms of age, prostate-specific antigen, prostate size, or numbers of biopsy cores. The pain scores for groups 2 and group 3, which were 3.47±1.92 and 3.50±1.36, respectively, were similar and were significantly lower than that of group 1, which was 5.24±2.07. Conclusions Acetaminophen and EMLA cream with intravenous injection of tramadol are safe, easy, and effective methods of controlling pain during the procedure. These methods were more effective for pain relief than was the conventional periprostatic nerve block method.

Ureteral Substitution Using Appendix for a Ureteral Defect Caused by a Retroperitoneal Rhabdomyosarcoma in a Child

A 7-year-old boy was diagnosed with a recurrent embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in the retroperitoneum. After resection of the mass, direct end-to-end anastomosis of the ureter was not possible owing to the length of the resected segment. Accordingly, we performed ureteral substitution by using the appendix to repair the ureteral defect.

Role of the superior turbinate when performing endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach

BACKGROUND This study examined the relationship between the superior turbinate and natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus, as seen during the endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach (EETSA) for sellar lesions and described how to enter the sphenoethmoid cell safely for complete exposure of the sellar floor, including adjacent vital structures such as the prominence of the optic nerve and carotid artery. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study retrospectively reviewed the medical records and operative findings of 154 patients, who underwent EETSA between February 2009 and February 2011. We evaluated the location of the natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus relative to the superior turbinate and revealed the clinical significance of the superior turbinate as a surgical guide to enter into the sphenoethmoid cell during EETSA. RESULTS The natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus was located medially to the posteroinferior end of the superior turbinate in 151 (98%) patients. In 1 patient, the natural ostia of the sphenoid sinus were located lateral to the superior turbinate bilaterally. Sphenoethmoid cell was encountered in 53 (34%) patients. We could easily enter the sphenoethmoid cell at the point where the superior turbinate was attached to the anterior wall of the sphenoid sinus. CONCLUSIONS The superior turbinate is a good surgical landmark for identifying the natural ostium of the sphenoid sinus and as a guide for the surgical entrance to the sphenoethmoid cell extending to the sphenoid sinus during EETSA.