Machine learning-based comparison of factors influencing estimated glomerular filtration rate in Chinese women with or without non-alcoholic fatty liver.

Background: The prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) has increased recently. Subjects with NAFLD are known to have higher chance for renal function impairment. Many past studies used traditional multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify risk factors for decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Ethnic differences in the age-related distribution of serum prostate-specific antigen values: A study in a Taiwanese male population.

This study investigates age-specific prostate-specific antigen (PSA) distributions in Taiwanese men and recommends reference ranges for this population after comparison with other studies. From January 1999 to December 2016, a total of 213,986 Taiwanese men aged above 19 years old without history of prostate cancer, urinary tract infection, or prostate infection were recruited from the Taiwan MJ cohort, an ongoing prospective cohort of health examinations conducted by the MJ Health Screening Center in Taiwan. Participants were divided into seven age groups.

Maximum Urine Flow Rate of Less than 15ml/Sec Increasing Risk of Urine Retention and Prostate Surgery among Patients with Alpha-1 Blockers: A 10-Year Follow Up Study.

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the subsequent risk of acute urine retention and prostate surgery in patients receiving alpha-1 blockers treatment and having a maximum urinary flow rate of less than 15ml/sec.

Methods: We identified patients who were diagnosed with benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and had a maximum uroflow rate of less than 15ml/sec between 1 January, 2002 to 31 December, 2011 from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database into study group (n = 303). The control cohort included four BPH/LUTS patients without 5ARI used for each study group, randomly selected from the same dataset (n = 1,212).

CHADS2 scores as a predictor of ischemic stroke after radical prostatectomy.

Patients with prostate cancer have an increased risk of stroke, but their absolute rate of stroke depends on age and comorbid conditions. The Charlson Comorbidity Index Score (CCIS) is a widely accepted measure for risk adjustment in administrative claims data sets. This study assesses the predictive value of CHADS2 scores and CCIS for stroke among patients with prostate cancer.

5-alpha-reductase inhibitors and the risk of diabetes mellitus: A nationwide population-based study.

Background: This nationwide population-based study investigated the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) after 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor (5ARI) therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan.

Methods: In total, 1,298 adult patients newly diagnosed with BPH and who used more than 28 cumulative defined daily doses (cDDD) of 5ARI were recruited as the therapy group cohort, along with 1,2887 subjects who did not use more than 28 cDDD of 5ARI as a control group from 2002 to 2009. Each patient was monitored for 5 years (from 2003 to 2008) to identify those who subsequently developed type 2 DM.

Use of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors did not increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients with benign prostate hyperplasia: a five-year follow-up study.

Background: This nationwide population-based study investigated the risk of cardiovascular diseases after 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor therapy for benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) in Taiwan.

Methods: In total, 1,486 adult patients newly diagnosed with BPH and who used 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors were recruited as the study cohort, along with 9,995 subjects who did not use 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors as a comparison cohort from 2003 to 2008. Each patient was monitored for 5 years, and those who subsequently had cardiovascular diseases were identified.

Potential therapeutic roles of tanshinone IIA in human bladder cancer cells.

Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA), one of the major lipophilic components isolated from the root of Salviae Miltiorrhizae, has been found to exhibit anticancer activity in various cancer cells. We have demonstrated that Tan-IIA induces apoptosis in several human cancer cells through caspase- and mitochondria-dependent pathways. Here we explored the anticancer effect of Tan-IIA in human bladder cancer cell lines.

CCL2 increases αvβ3 integrin expression and subsequently promotes prostate cancer migration.

Background: Chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2), also known as monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), belongs to the CC chemokine family which is associated with the disease status and outcomes of cancers. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and shows a predilection for metastasis to the bone. However, the effect of CCL2 on human prostate cancer cells is largely unknown.

D-pinitol inhibits prostate cancer metastasis through inhibition of αVβ3 integrin by modulating FAK, c-Src and NF-κB pathways.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed malignancy in men and shows a predilection for metastasis to the bone. D-pinitol, a 3-methoxy analogue of d-chiro-inositol, was identified as an active principle in soy foods and legumes, and it has been proven to induce tumor apoptosis and metastasis of cancer cells. In this study, we investigated the anti-metastasis effects of D-pinitol in human prostate cancer cells.

Testicular microlithiasis in Taiwanese men.

Testicular microlithiasis (TM) is an unusual ultrasonographic manifestation in testicular parenchyma. Limited information is available about TM in Taiwanese men. We performed a retrospective analysis to investigate the characteristics of TM and its association with testicular cancer and infertility in Taiwan.

Apoptosis-related phenotype of ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with varicocele.

Objective: To determine the integrity of the sperm plasma membrane, mitochondria, and DNA, which are essential for accurate transmission of genetic material to offspring, and to quantify possible apoptosis and investigate any relationship between these parameters in ejaculated sperm from men with or without varicoceles.

Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: University teaching hospital.

Comparison of prevalence between self-reported erectile dysfunction and erectile dysfunction as defined by five-item International Index of Erectile Function in Taiwanese men older than 40 years.

Objectives: To conduct a cohort study in men older than 40 years in Taiwan to evaluate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) by self-report and the use of the abridged, five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5).

Methods: From July to August 2003, 990 Taiwanese men older than 40 years of age completed a telephone survey designed to assess ED prevalence and sexual functioning. ED was identified through respondent self-report and investigator assessment using the IIEF-5 instrument.

Insulin resistance & secretion in subjects with normal fasting plasma glucose.

Background & Objectives: Lowering the diagnostic threshold of normal fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from 6.1 to 5.56 mmol/l has been proposed by American Diabetes Association.

Limited Wegener's granulomatosis of the epididymis and testis.

A case is presented of Wegener's granulomatosis limited to the testis and epididymis, simultaneously, in a 69-year-old man. Orchiectomy was carried out through an inguinal incision under the presumptive diagnosis of a right testicular tumor. A hard, irregular mass occupied the upper testicle and a portion of the epididymal head was visualized.

Botryoid-type pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma of the renal pelvis in an adult. A rare case report and review of the literature.

Rhabdomyosarcoma of the renal pelvis is an extremely rare lesion for which only two reports are available. Here, we report another case of botryoid-type pleomorphic rhabdomyosarcoma in the renal pelvis. The tumor produced mild hydroureteronephrosis and right nephrectomy was performed after the needle aspiration cytology revealed abnormal epithelial clusters.

Efficacy and safety of on-demand oral tadalafil in the treatment of men with erectile dysfunction in Taiwan: a randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled clinical study.

Introduction: Tadalafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor for the treatment of erectile dysfunction (ED). Past clinical trials have assessed its efficacy and safety in western populations. Tadalafil has not been investigated in a large clinical trial with a South-east Asian population.

Apoptosis and kinematics of ejaculated spermatozoa in patients with varicocele.

Increased DNA fragmentation is found in sperm from infertile men. Varicocele is an important cause of male infertility, even though it is present in 15% of men who father children. Semen analysis does not always identify infertility in these patients.