Use of nanoparticles to monitor human mesenchymal stem cells transplanted into penile cavernosum of rats with erectile dysfunction.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the treatment of erectile dysfunction by use of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells (SPION-MSCs) transplanted into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa of rats as monitored by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials And Methods: Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into three groups of 10 rats each: group 1, sham operation; group 2, cavernous nerve injury; group 3, SPION-MSC treatment after cavernous nerve injury. Immediately after the cavernous nerve injury in group 3, SPION-MSCs were injected into the cavernous nerve injured cavernosa.

Efficacy and tolerability of combined medication of two different antimuscarinics for treatment of adults with idiopathic overactive bladder in whom a single agent antimuscarinic therapy failed.

Objective: Recent studies have investigated a combination of two antimuscarinics for adult neurogenic bladder managed with clean intermittent catheterization or pediatric refractory overactive bladder (OAB). We assessed the efficacy and tolerability of this strategy in adults with idiopathic OAB.

Methods: We reviewed 49 patients with idiopathic OAB who received combined antimuscarinic medication.

Mesenchymal stem cells overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) inhibit collagen deposit and improve bladder function in rat model of bladder outlet obstruction.

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) caused by collagen deposit is one of the most common problems in elderly male. This study was performed to examine the capability of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) overexpressing hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) to inhibit collagen deposition in rat model of bladder outlet obstruction (BOO). HGF is known for its antifibrotic effect and the most promising agent for treating bladder fibrosis.

Inhibition of collagen deposit in obstructed rat bladder outlet by transplantation of superparamagnetic iron oxide-labeled human mesenchymal stem cells as monitored by molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) caused by collagen deposit is one of the most common problems in elderly males. The present study is to investigate if human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are capable of inhibiting collagen deposition and improve cystometric parameters in bladder outlet obstruction in rats. Human MSCs were labeled with nanoparticles containing superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPION), and transplanted in rat BOO lesion site.

A Case of Bladder Cancer Found during a Workup for Urge Incontinence.

Irritative urinary symptoms may suggest the possibility of bladder cancer. We report a case of metastatic bladder cancer that was discovered during a workup for urge incontinence in a 65-year-old woman with a history of stomach cancer. She had a medical history of gastrectomy due to stomach cancer 4 years previously.

The 5-year functional outcomes after radical prostatectomy: a real-life experience in Korea.

We investigated the functional outcomes regarding erectile function and urinary continence up to 5 years following radical prostatectomy (RP) in a cohort of Korean men. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathologic data of 85 Korean men who received open uni- or bilateral nerve-sparing RP for clinically localized prostate cancer and were followed up for at least 5 years postoperatively. From medical records, patients' status regarding urinary and erectile function at baseline and postoperative followups after RP was assessed.

Prognostic significance of undetectable ultrasensitive prostate-specific antigen nadir after radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: To investigate the prognostic significance of undetectable ultrasensitive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) nadir in patients who received radical prostatectomy (RP) for prostate cancer.

Methods: We reviewed records of 384 patients who received RP for prostate cancer and were followed for at least 2 years with ultrasensitive PSA testing. Undetectable ultrasensitive PSA level was defined as <0.

Alteration of Antithrombin III and D-dimer Levels in Clinically Localized Prostate Cancer.

Purpose: We performed a comparative analysis of the plasma levels of antithrombin (AT) III, plasminogen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer among patients with and without clinically localized prostate cancer to investigate the clinical significance of the coagulation profile in prostate cancer.

Materials And Methods: A prospective study was performed in which plasma levels of AT III, plasminogen, fibrinogen, and D-dimer were assessed in patients before they underwent prostate biopsy. According to the results of the biopsy, the patients were categorized into the cancer group or the control group.

Efficacy of adjuvant gemcitabine-cisplatin chemotherapy: a comparative study between locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and upper urinary tract.

Objective: To evaluate the comparative efficacy of adjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) chemotherapy between patients with locally advanced transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder and upper urinary tract.

Patients And Methods: From 2001 to 2005, we retrospectively selected a total of 64 patients with locally advanced TCC of the bladder and upper urinary tract who received at least 3 cycles of adjuvant GC chemotherapy. We compared disease-free and overall survival between the 2 groups.

Comparison of radiographic and pathologic sizes of renal tumors.

Purpose: We investigated the difference between tumor sizes measured via preoperative computed tomography (CT) images and in surgical specimens during pathologic examinations in a contemporary cohort of patients who received extirpative surgery for renal tumors.

Methods: We reviewed records of 467 patients who received radical or partial nephrectomy for renal lesions suspicious for malignancy. For our study, only patients who underwent preoperative CT within 4 weeks of surgery were included.

Significance of postbiopsy hemorrhage observed on preoperative magnetic resonance imaging in performing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy.

Objectives: Due to lack of tactile feedback, dissection of surgical planes during delicate procedures of nerve-sparing robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALRP) can be hampered more by postbiopsy hematomas or adhesions compared with open surgery. Thus, we investigated association between extent of postbiopsy hemorrhage observed via preoperative magnetic resonance (MR) imaging with surgical difficulty of RALRP.

Methods: We reviewed records of 154 men who received prostate biopsy, MR imaging, and subsequently, nerve-sparing RALRP for clinically localized prostate cancer within 2 weeks of MR imaging.

Effect of the dual 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, dutasteride, on serum testosterone and body mass index in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Objective: To investigate the effects of dutasteride on serum testosterone level and body mass index (BMI) in men who received medical therapy for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Patients And Methods: In all, 120 patients with BPH were randomized to three treatment groups: tamsulosin 0.2 mg/day (alpha-blocker group), dutasteride 0.