Comparison of α-blocker monotherapy and α-blocker plus 5α-reductase inhibitor combination therapy based on prostate volume for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

OBJECTIVE: This study compared α-blocker monotherapy with combination therapy involving an α-blocker and a 5-α reductase inhibitor for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), according to baseline prostate volume. METHODS: Korean men diagnosed with BPH were randomized to 12 months' treatment with 0.2 mg tamsulosin or 0.2 mg tamsulosin plus 0.5 mg dutasteride. Prostate specific antigen (PSA), prostate volume, transition zone volume (TZV), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), maximal urinary flow rate (Q(max)), postvoid residual urine volume and sexual function were assessed at baseline and after 12 months' treatment. Variables were analysed based on baseline prostate volumes of ≤ 35 ml or > 35 ml. RESULTS: In total, 216 men with BPH were included. Combination therapy resulted in significant improvements in prostate volume, TZV, PSA, IPSS and Q(max), which were most pronounced in men with a prostate volume > 35 ml. CONCLUSIONS: Tamsulosin monotherapy was sufficient treatment for BPH in Korean men with a prostate volume ≤ 35 ml. Combination tamsulosin and dutasteride therapy provided greater benefits than tamsulosin monotherapy in men with BPH whose prostate volume was > 35 ml.

The effects of smoking and alcohol intake on sperm quality: light and transmission electron microscopy findings.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking on sperm quality using transmission electron microscopy and light microscopy. METHODS: Semen samples were collected from 62 healthy men. The subjects were classified according to alcohol consumption and smoking status. Semen analysis was performed according to World Health Organization criteria. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine sperm ultrastructure. RESULTS: Heavy smoking (> 20 cigarettes/day) was associated with a decreased sperm count. Moderate/high alcohol consumption (≥ 15.4 g/day) was associated with an increase in morphologically abnormal sperm. Transmission electron microscopy revealed no effect of smoking on sperm ultrastructure. Alcohol consumption resulted in significant increases in morphologically abnormal nuclei and plasma membranes. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy smoking was associated with decreased sperm counts and alcohol consumption was associated with increased numbers of morphologically abnormal sperm.

Accessory polar renal artery encountered in transperitoneal systemic laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy.

OBJECTIVE: To increase vigilance among gynecological surgeons for the presence of accessory polar renal artery (APRA) encountered with transperitoneal systemic laparoscopic paraaortic lymphadenectomy (LPAL). METHODS: A retrospective review was conducted on 156 women who underwent LPAL for various gynecologic malignancies between November 2003 and December 2009. RESULTS: The median age, parity, body mass index, and number of previous abdominal surgeries, respectively, of the women were 52 years (range, 23-82 years), two (range, 0-7), 24.1 kg/m2 (range, 17.4-35.0 kg/m2), and 0 (range, 0-3). During the study period, we found four women with APRA. There were three cases of right lower APRAs arising from the abdominal aorta, caudal to the inferior mesenteric artery (IMA), terminating at the parenchyma of the lower pole of the right kidney. In the other case, the APRA arose from the abdominal aorta superior to the IMA. There were no vascular complications, such as transection or ligation of the APRA. CONCLUSION: It is important for the gynecological oncologic surgeon to have knowledge of retroperitoneal vascular anatomy, experience in laparoscopic surgery, and an accurate surgical technique to avoid vascular injury during LPAL.

BCL6 gene mutations in transitional cell carcinomas.

The B-cell lymphoma-6 (BCL6) gene was initially identified at a translocation site observed frequently in diffuse large B-cell lymphomas. In the present study, BCL6 mutations at the 5' non-coding region in 47 cases of transitional call carcinoma (TCC) were analysed using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism. The results were compared with data obtained previously by immunohistochemical staining for the BCL6 protein. Overall, BCL6 mutations were observed in 44.7% of cases. Mutation of the 5' non-coding region was not correlated with histological grade of the tumour; however, the better the histological grade, the greater the mutation rate of the E1.12 fragment. The BCL6 mutation occurred independently of over-expression of the protein. The BCL6 gene mutation and the protein expression were detectable in a large proportion of TCCs. BCL6 protein over-expression as well as BCL6 gene mutation of the E1.12 fragment may play an important role in the morphological differentiation of TCC.