Seung Tae Lee

Prediction of Gleason score upgrading in low-risk prostate cancers diagnosed via multi (≥12)-core prostate biopsy

ObjectivesA paucity of data exists on actual pathology of the contemporary patients strictly categorized as having low-risk prostate cancer. We tried to identify useful preoperative predictors of Gleason score upgrading in patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for low-risk prostate cancer diagnosed via multi-core prostate biopsy.MethodsA total of 203 patients who underwent radical RRP for low-risk prostate cancer, as defined by D’Amico et al.s classification (clinical stage ≤T2a, biopsy Gleason sum ≤6, and PSA ≤10xa0ng/ml), detected via multi (≥12)-core prostate biopsy were enrolled. We reviewed patients preoperative and pathological data.ResultsAmong all subjects, 81 (39.9%) were upgraded to Gleason score ≥7 after RRP, whereas no downgrading was observed. In multivariate analysis, only preoperative PSA level (Pxa0=xa00.024) and number of positive cores (Pxa0=xa00.027) were observed to be independent predictors of Gleason score upgrading following RRP. Also, Gleason core upgrading was observed to be significantly associated with extraprostatic extension of tumor (Pxa0<xa00.001) and positive surgical margin (Pxa0=xa00.002).ConclusionsA significant proportion of patients with low-risk prostate cancer as defined by D’Amico et al.’s classification diagnosed via multi-core prostate biopsy in contemporary period may have Gleason score upgrading following RRP. For patients with low-risk prostate cancer, preoperative PSA level and number of positive cores may be useful predictors of Gleason score upgrading, which was observed to significantly associated with other adverse pathologic features.

Significance of preoperative HbA1c level in patients with diabetes mellitus and clinically localized prostate cancer

We investigated potential relationships of history of diabetes mellitus (DM) and glycemic control, represented by hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, with characteristics of tumor among patients who received radical prostatectomy (RP) for clinically localized prostate cancer.

Chronic kidney disease among men with lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hyperplasia

Study Type – Diagnosis (case series)u2028Level of Evidenceu20034

Effect of bony pelvic dimensions measured by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging on performing robot-assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy

To evaluate the effect of bony pelvic dimensions measured by preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) on performing robot‐assisted laparoscopic prostatectomy (RALP).

Use of NTrap® during Ureteroscopic Lithotripsy for Upper Ureteral Stones

Purpose This study aimed to determine the value of the NTrap® (Cook Urological INC, USA), which was designed to block the upward movement of stones during ureteroscopic lithotripsy. Materials and Methods We reviewed the data of 144 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy for an upper ureteral stone from June 2006 to May 2010. Sixty-eight patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy without the use of the NTrap® were assigned to Group I and 76 patients who underwent ureteroscopic lithotripsy with the NTrap® were assigned to Group II. The size of the stones, operation time, success rate, and pre- and postoperative complications were compared retrospectively between the two groups. Results The mean age of the patients (Group I: 35.8 years; Group II: 32.6 years) and the sex ratios were not significantly different between the two groups. The mean size of the stones was 6.9 mm and 7.4 mm, which also was not significantly different between the two groups. The mean operation time was 82.7 minutes and 78.7 minutes. The operation time was shorter in Group II, but the difference was not significant. The success rate of stone removal was 89.7% and 98.7% in Groups I and II, respectively; Group II showed a significantly higher success rate. Two cases of ureteral perforation and one case of ureteral avulsion occurred in Group I, and one case of ureteral perforation occurred in Group II. Conclusions NTrap®, which is an instrument used to assist during ureteroscopic lithotripsy, can be considered to be an effective tool that blocks the upward movement of the stone and aids in safe stone removal.

Associations of Ultrasonographic Features with Scrotal Pain after Vasectomy

Purpose Scrotal discomfort is a recognized complication of vasectomy, but the natural history and incidence of this problem are uncertain. The typical ultrasonographic changes after a vasectomy primarily include epididymal thickening and epididymal tubular ectasia with diminished blood flow in the epididymis. We prospectively studied the differences in the ultrasonographic features of the testis and epididymis between patients with and those without scrotal discomfort after vasectomy. Materials and Methods We prospectively assessed pain scores in 178 men who underwent outpatient bilateral no-scalpel vasectomy at our institution between January 2009 and December 2010. At 2 months after vasectomy, we evaluated the postoperative scrotal pain questionnaire and scrotal ultrasonographic features for patients who returned for semen analysis. On the basis of the scrotal information, we investigated the potential relationships between scrotal pain or discomfort and scrotal ultrasonographic features of both testes and epididymides. Results The average age of the 114 men was 36.3 years (range, 29 to 53 years). group 1 (n=23), which reported scrotal pain or discomfort, showed no significant mean differences in the maximal diameter of the head of the epididymis when compared with group 2 (n=91), who had no scrotal pain or discomfort. Also, the width of the body of the epididymis between the two groups showed no significant differences. Conclusions There were no significant differences in ultrasonographic features according to the presence of chronic scrotal discomfort after vasectomy. Therefore, causes of scrotal pain other than obstruction may need to be considered after vasectomy.

Mitigating effect of chloride ions on sulfate attack of cement mortars with or without silica fume

This paper presents a detailed experimental study on the sulfate attack of mortar specimens with or without silica fume exposed to sulfate and sulfate–chloride solutions (with the same concentration of SO42– ions) up to 510xa0d. The overall aim of the study is to investigate the beneficial effect of chloride ions on sulfate attack. In addition, the role of silica fume and water–binder ratio (w/b) in resisting sulfate attack is also reported. To qualitatively assess the performance of mortar specimens exposed to test solutions, visual examination and compressive strength and expansion tests were carried out. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) techniques were also used to evaluate the products formed by hydration and chemical reaction and the change of porosity for paste samples. Results indicated that the presence of chloride ions in sulfate environments mitigated the deterioration of ordinary Portland cement mortar specimens, especially with a higher w/b, due to sulfate attack. ...

Properties on the Freeze-Thaw of Concrete Subjected to Seawater Attack

공용중인 콘크리트 구조물의 내구성 연구는 한 가지 원인에 대한 단독열화 연구를 주로 연구하였지만 실제 구조물의 공용시기에는 두 가지 이상의 환경에 노출되어 있어 이러한 복합열화에 대한 관심이 최근 증가하고 있는 실정이다. 복합열화에 대해 일반적으로 염해와 동결융해에 대해서는 일부 연구가 진행되어 있지만 ...In this study, deterioration degrees of concrete were investigated at laboratory under seawater attack and cycling freeze-thaw, which are major durability performance deterioration factors of concrete. Deteriorations of mixed concrete using Portland & blended cement were examined by instrumental analysis of changes in relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and compressive strength. After 520 cycles of freeze-thaw, relative dynamic modulus of elasticity and compressive strength of concrete mixed with normal Portland and LHC over 75% showed relatively low resistance of approximately 44% of those values of SRC. Concrete replaced with 50% fine powder of blast furnace slag showed the most excellent freeze-thaw resistance among the tested blended cement concrete.

Experimental Approach on Sulfate Attack Mechanism of Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix: Part I. Sodium Sulfate Attack

This paper introduces a study carried out to investigate sodium sulfate attack caused by various reactive products. Experiments were performed on mortar and paste specimens made with ordinary Portland cement (OPC) conforming to KS L 5201 Type I. The water-cement ratios were varied from 0.35 to 0.55. It was found from the laboratory study that the water-cement ratio may be a key to control the deterioration of OPC matrix during sodium sulfate attack. Furthermore, X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed that ettringite, gypsum and thaumasite were the main products formed by sodium sulfate attack. These findings were well supported by thermal analysis through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and confirmed the long-term understanding that deterioration mechanism by sodium sulfate attack is a complicated process. Most importantly, deterioration due to sodium sulfate attack is characterized as the drastic reduction in compressive strength as well as the expansion (especially in cement matrix with a higher water-cement ratio).

Sulfate Resistance of Cement Matrix Containing Limestone Powder

In order to improve the performance of concrete, generally, modern cements often incorporate several mineral admixtures. In this study, the experimental included the flow value, air content of mortar containing limestone powder and length change and compressive strength of mortar specimen immersed in sulfate solutions. From the experimental results, the limestone powder cement matrices improved the physical properties and sulfate resistance of cement matrices at replacement ratio of limestone powder. The replacement ratio of limestone powder was significantly deteriorated in sodium sulfate solution. Irrespective of fineness levels of limestone powder, length change and SDF of mortar specimens with only replacement was much superior to the other replacements.