Correlation between internal pudendal artery stenosis and erectile dysfunction in patients with suspected coronary artery disease.

Background: Stenoses of internal pudendal arteries (IPAs) appear to be related to erectile dysfunction (ED). Nevertheless, the correlation between the severity of ED and stenosis of the IPAs is not well established.

Objectives: To evaluate angiographic findings of IPAs in patients with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and to assess the correlation between the severity of ED and IPA stenosis.

A Novel Endoluminal Ultrasound Imaging Technique to Determine Urethral Luminal Cross-Sectional Area.

Introduction And Objectives: Retrograde urethrogram (RUG) and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG) are currently the gold standard imaging technique for diagnosis of urethral stricture and determination of stricture location. However, RUG and VCUG have multiple limitations. These techniques require exposure to ionizing radiation, the quality is operator and patient dependent, there is a moderate degree of invasiveness with urethral catheterization, can have artifacts because of patient positioning that underestimates stricture length.

The herbal formula KH-204 is protective against erectile dysfunction by minimizing oxidative stress and improving lipid profiles in a rat model of erectile dysfunction induced by hypercholesterolaemia.

Background: Hypercholesterolaemia (HC) is a major risk factor for ischemic heart disease and is also known to be a risk factor for erectile dysfunction (ED). ED caused by HC is thought to be related to HC-induced oxidative stress damage in the vascular endothelium and erectile tissue. KH-204 is an herbal formula with a strong antioxidant effect.

Novel method of laparoendoscopic single-site and natural orifice specimen extraction for live donor nephrectomy: single-port laparoscopic donor nephrectomy and transvaginal graft extraction.

Laparoscopic live donor nephrectomy (DN) has been established as a useful alternative to the traditional open methods of procuring kidneys. To maximize the advantages of the laparoendoscopic single-site (LESS) method, we applied natural orifice specimen extraction to LESS-DN. A 46-year-old woman with no previous abdominal surgery history volunteered to donate her left kidney to her husband and underwent single-port laparoscopic DN with transvaginal extraction.

Primary mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis misdiagnosed as ureteropelvic junction stenosis with renal pelvis stone: a case report and literature review.

Background: Primary mucinous adenocarcinoma of the renal pelvis is extremely rare, with only ~100 cases reported till now. Its presumed pathogenesis includes glandular metaplasia of the urothelium of the calyces and the pelvis and malignant transformation of the metaplasia. Unfortunately, it has no characteristic symptoms or radiological features.

Transumbilical pure single-port laparoscopic donor nephrectomy.

Transumbilical single-port laparoscopic donor nephrectomy (SPLDN) is a novel, rapidly evolving, minimally invasive treatment modality for kidney transplantation. This method causes minimal parietal injury, has cosmetic advantages, and allows rapid recovery because of low postoperative pain and short hospital stay. Like other abdominal surgeries, when conducted by experienced laparoscopic surgeons, it can meet the same graft requirements as conventional laparoscopic surgery.

A new surgical technique for concealed penis using an advanced musculocutaneous scrotal flap.

Background: Until recently, no single, universally accepted surgical method has existed for all types of concealed penis repairs. We describe a new surgical technique for repairing concealed penis by using an advanced musculocutaneous scrotal flap.

Methods: From January 2010 to June 2014, we evaluated 12 patients (12-40 years old) with concealed penises who were surgically treated with an advanced musculocutaneous scrotal flap technique after degloving through a ventral approach.

Expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor and granulocyte-colony stimulating factor in the urothelium: relation with voiding function.

Background: We designed this experiment to elucidate the relationship between the expression of brain derived-neurotrophic factor (BDNF), the expression of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and the development of overactive bladder (OAB). In our previous study, the urothelium was observed to be more than a simple mechanosensory receptor and was found to be a potential therapeutic target for OAB. Moreover, neuregulin-1 and BDNF were found to be potential new biomarkers of OAB.

Seoritae extract reduces prostate weight and suppresses prostate cell proliferation in a rat model of benign prostate hyperplasia.

Seoritae is a type of black soybean that is known to have health-promoting effects due to its high isoflavone and anthocyanin contents. We evaluated whether Seoritae extract (SE) had beneficial effects on the reduction of prostate weight in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH was induced by intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate once a week for 5 weeks in Sprague-Dawley rats, and rats were treated with or without daily oral doses of SE during BPH induction.

Changes of neuregulin-1 (NRG-1) expression in a rat model of overactive bladder induced by partial urethral obstruction: is NRG-1 a new biomarker of overactive bladder?

Background: To determine whether neuregulin-1(NRG-1) is a potential new biomarker of overactive bladder (OAB) induced by partial urethral obstruction in a rat model of OAB and to evaluate the urothelium as a therapeutic target of OAB.

Methods: Female Sprague-Dawley rats were separated into three 20-animal groups: normal, OAB, and 5-hydroxymethyl tolterodine (5-HMT)-treated OAB. In the OAB and OAB + 5-HMT groups, the urethra of each animal was partially obstructed; the OAB + 5-HMT group received intravenous 5-HMT for 3 weeks.

A rare case of primary malignant small cell carcinoma combined with urothelial cell carcinoma in the ureter.

Background: Extrapulmonary small cell carcinomas have been reported in a variety of organs, and their incidence in the genitourinary tract is second only to that in the gastrointestinal tract. To date, however, only a few cases of small cell carcinoma of the ureter have been reported. Because the extreme rarity of this type of carcinoma, its clinical behaviour, diagnostic methods, and effective treatment modalities have not yet been determined.

Transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT) as an optional treatment method on pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder.

Pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder is rare. We have experienced a case of unexpected pheochromocytoma of the urinary bladder in a 45-year-old female. An ultrasonographic, computed tomography scan and cystoscopic examination showed a submucosal bladder mass.

Effects of anthocyanin extracted from black soybean seed coat on spermatogenesis in a rat varicocele-induced model.

Varicocele is the most common cause of primary male infertility and is associated with oxidative stress. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of anthocyanin on a rat model of varicocele. Twenty-four male rats were divided into four experimental groups: a normal control group, a varicocele-induced control group and two varicocele-induced groups treated with either 40 or 80mgkg(-1), p.

Anthocyanin extracted from black soybean reduces prostate weight and promotes apoptosis in the prostatic hyperplasia-induced rat model.

Anthocyanin is a natural plant pigment and potent antioxidant. This study was designed to investigate the effects of anthocyanin extracted from black soybeans on a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a disease associated with the geriatric population. Thirty male rats were divided into five experimental groups: a control group, a BPH-induced group, and three BPH-induced groups that received oral doses of anthocyanin (40, 80, and 160 mg/kg).

Factors that predict spontaneous passage of a small distal ureteral stone <5 mm.

Purpose: We assessed the role of the unenhanced helical computed tomography (UHCT) for prediction of concurrent ureteral lesions associated with small impacted stones presenting in distal ureter.

Materials And Methods: From May 2004 to June 2009, we evaluated 30 cases with impacted distal ureteral stones <5 mm. All of the patients were evaluated with unenhancing UHCT, and the secondary signs on UHCT were graded on a scale of 0 to 3.