The correlation between the expression of ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme 2C and prostate cancer prognosis.

PURPOSE: Ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 C (UBE2C) is known to show a causal relationship with cancer development and advancement. The role of UBE2C is to control the mitotic spindle checkpoint. Excess UBE2C has been identified in patients with advanced prostate cancer. The objective of the present study was to examine positive connections between the expression of UBE2C and prognostic factors for prostate cancer. METHODS: Prostate cancer patients' clinical data were analysed. Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were also performed for human prostate cancer tissues (n = 335) and adjacent non-neoplastic tissues (n = 22). TMA slides were incubated with antibodies against UBE2C. Cores were scored by a pathologist who was blind to cancer results. RESULTS: Of 335 prostate cancer patients, 200 could be assessed for biochemical recurrence, clinical recurrence, and overall survival. Human prostate cancer tissues showed higher expression of UBE2C than adjacent non-neoplastic tissues. High expression level of UBE2C showed a strong positive relationship with a high prostate-specific antigen (PSA), Gleason's score, and pathological stage of prostate cancer. Patients with a higher UBE2C grade demonstrated greater lymphatic engagement of prostate cancer than those with a lower UBE2C grade. CONCLUSION: The expression of UBE2C has positive correlations with several prognostic factors for prostate cancer. Thus, investigating the expression level of UBE2C staining is a promising tool for predicting prostate cancer prognosis.

Improvement of damaged cavernosa followed by neuron-like differentiation at injured cavernous nerve after transplantation of stem cells seeded on the PLA nanofiber in rats with cavernous nerve injury.

This study investigated the differentiation of transplanted transplanted mesenchymal stem cells MSCs into neuron-like cells, repair of erectile dysfunction (ED), and synergy of MSCs seeded to nanofibrous scaffolds with after transplantation around the injured cavernous nerve (CN) of rats. The synthesized polymer was electrospun in a rotating drum to prepare nanofiber meshes (NMs). Human MSCs were prepared and confirmed. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into five groups of six each: group 1-sham operation; group 2-CN injury; group 3-MSCs treatment after CN injury; group 4-nanofibrous scaffold treatment after CN injury; and group 5-post-CN injury treatment combining a nanofibrous scaffold and MSCs (nano-MSCs). In the latter group, the damaged CN was instantly surrounded by an MSC-containing a nanofibrous scaffold in the aftermath of injury. Morphological analysis and immuno-histochemical staining in relation to nerves (Tuj1, NF, MAP2, MBP and peripherin), endothelium (vWF), smooth muscle (SMA), neurofilament (NF), and apoptosis (TUNEL) were performed. We evaluated the mean proportion expressed as a percentage of the ratio of muscle to collagen of penile cavernous smooth-muscle cells as well as the expression of cavernous SMA, NF, vWF, and TUNEL makers. Compared to the group free of CN injury, erectile function was markedly reduced in the group with CN injury at 2 and 4 weeks (p < 0.05). By contrast, compared to the sham operation group, erectile function was better in the group with MSC transplantation (p < 0.05). Similarly, by comparison to the group solely with hMSCs, erectile function was better in the group with nano-MSC transplantation (p < 0.05). Transplantation of MSCs demonstrated the neuronal differentiation. By contrast to MSCs on their own, neuronal differentiation was more significantly expressed in nano-MSCs. The mean proportion expressed as a percentage of the ratio of muscle to collagen of penile cavernous smooth-muscle cells, the expression of cavernous SMA, NF, vWF, and apoptosis improved in the cavernosum after transplantation. NMs showed synergy with MSCs for the repair of erectile dysfunction. Transplanted MSCs differentiated into neuron-like cells and repaired erectile dysfunction in the rats with CN injury. Transplanted MSCs increased the mean percentage of the collagen area of the caversnosum as well as the expression levels of cavernous neuronal, endothelial, smooth-muscle markers, and apoptosis.

Incidence and risk factors of recurrence of overactive bladder symptoms after discontinuation of successful medical treatment.

PURPOSE: To identify incidence and risk factors of recurrence after discontinuation of successful antimuscarinic therapy in patients with overactive bladder (OAB). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a prospective, multicenter trial. Patients who had antimuscarinic agents for more than 12 weeks and showed successful response were enrolled. Successful response was defined as answering 'benefit' for patient perception of treatment benefit and answer lesser than 3 points in patient's perception of bladder condition (PPBC). The enrolled patients discontinued the antimuscarinics, and we evaluated their recurrence with PPBC and OAB symptom score (OABSS) at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Primary purpose was to identify the recurrence rate and secondary purpose was to reveal risk factors. RESULTS: Four hundred forty-one patients enrolled and 371 patients completed 6-month follow-up. The enrolled patients showed 1.6 points in PPBC, 2.9 points in OABSS and 1.4 points in IPSS (quality of life) which represented successful response after using antimuscarinics. The cumulative rates of recurrence were 25.6%, 42.3%, and 52.2% at 1, 3, 6 months, respectively. Among 177 patients who did not show recurrence at 6 months, 41 patients were followed up and 4 patients of the 41 patients (9.7%) showed recurrence at 12 months. On univariate and multivariate analyses of recurrence, OAB wet was the risk factor for recurrence after 6 months of discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS: Discontinuation of antimuscarinic therapy after successful treatment resulted in high recurrence rate with time and OAB wet was the independent risk factor for recurrence.

Changes in the Q-tip angle in relation to the patient position and bladder filling.

BACKGROUND: It is hypothesized that patient position, supine or recline, and bladder filling status, empty or full, could change the Q-tip test result. This study evaluated the effect of the patient position and bladder filling status on the Q-tip angle for urethral hypermobility (UH). METHODS: There was a measurement of the Q-tip angle in the supine position and at a 45° angle in a reclining position during bladder emptying; and then the measurements were repeated while filling the bladder. We defined urethral hypermobility as the urethral angle straining or coughing minus that at rest ≥ 30°. RESULTS: All 63 female patients (mean age: 61.6 years, range: 36-81) who complained of urinary incontinence were assessed using the Q-tip angle test. The pelvic organ prolapse quantification stages of all patients were ≤ stage 1. The mean Q-tip angle with an empty bladder was 14.1 ± 9.1° in the supine position and 16.4 ± 11.1° in the reclining position (p = 0.001). Then mean Q-tip angle during the filling bladder state was 15.4 ± 9.7° in the supine position and 15.9 ± 11.0° in the reclining position (p = 0.771). The UH rate during the bladder emptying state was 11.1 % (7/63) in the supine position and 19.1 % (12/63) in the reclining position. The UH rate during the bladder filling state was 15.0 % (9/60) in the supine position and 15.3 % (9/59) in the 45° reclining position. The odds ratio (OR) was 7.03 in the reclining position for a positive Q-tip angle. The positive rate was higher in the 45° reclining position during bladder emptying than that in the other position during bladder filling. CONCLUSION: The outcome of the Q-tip angle and the rate of UH changed in relation to patient position. The reclining position during bladder emptying increased the Q-tip angle, thereby resulting in a positive UH.

Can we decide the optimal initial treatment for male lower urinary tract symptoms patients with overactive bladder by the most bothersome symptom? A randomized, prospective, open-label study.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the treatment outcome of tamsulosin 0.4 mg (TAM) with or without solifenacin 5 mg (SOL) for the most bothersome symptom in male lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) with overactive bladder (OAB). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Male LUTS/OAB (≥50 years) patients who had a total International Prostate Symptom Score (I-PSS) of ≥12, I-PSS urgency-related question of ≥2, and quality of life (QoL) of ≥3 points were enrolled. Patients who complained of storage symptoms as the most bothersome were included in the 'storage' group. Patients who complained of voiding symptoms as the most bothersome were included in the 'voiding' group. The change in the I-PSS was compared between the two groups 4 weeks after commencing treatment. RESULTS: In the storage group, 172 were able to finish this study (TAM: 88, TAM + SOL: 84). The improvement of I-PSS and QoL with TAM + SOL was significantly greater than with TAM alone (p < 0.001). In the voiding group, 108 were able to finish the study (TAM: 54, TAM + SOL: 54). The improvement of I-PSS and QoL with TAM alone was significantly greater than with TAM + SOL (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The most bothersome symptom in male LUTS/OAB should be considered when choosing the appropriate medical treatment.

Lower likelihood of having moderate-to-severe lower urinary tract symptoms in middle-aged healthy Korean men with metabolic syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of metabolic syndrome (MS) on lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in middle-aged men. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 4256 ostensibly healthy native Korean men aged between 40 and 65 years who voluntarily underwent medical checkup were enrolled. Participants' demographics were collected including International Prostate Symptom Score, various metabolic risk factors, and prostate volume (PV). All participants were stratified into 2 groups based on the presence or absence of MS. The PV was used for subgroup analysis. RESULTS: Data from 4076 men were retrospectively analyzed. The mean age was 52.2 ± 7.4 years and 18.5% of patients were included in the MS group. The MS group had lower frequency score (P <.01) compared with the non-MS group. In the larger PV group (≥ 28 mL), the age-adjusted odds ratio (OR) for having moderate-to-severe LUTS was significantly lower in subjects with MS having 3 metabolic risk factors (hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia included; OR, 0.666; P <.01) and in subjects with MS having 4 or 5 risk factors (OR, 0.612; P <.05) compared with the non-MS group. CONCLUSION: We confirmed that MS with increasing number of MS risk factors (especially hypertension and hypertriglyceridemia) had favorable effects on the likelihood of having moderate-to-severe LUTS in middle-aged men with larger PV.

Strong impact of nocturia on sleep quality in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms.

PURPOSE: Nocturia is a bothersome symptom that impacts sleep quality in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS)/benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). This study was performed to evaluate the impact of nocturia on sleep quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 58 male patients with LUTS/BPH were enrolled. LUTS/BPH patients without nocturia were included in the control group. The inclusion criteria were eight or more points on the International Prostate System Score (IPSS) including more than one episode of nocturia and a prostate volume larger than 20 ml. IPSS, prostate volume, uroflowmetry, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) from each patient were recorded. RESULTS: Patients with nocturia showed a higher mean global PSQI (8.5±0.4) than patients without nocturia (4.82±0.4) (p<0.01). Patients with nocturia showed a higher percentage of severe sleep disorders (74.1%) than patients without nocturia (35.3%) (p<0.01). The regression coefficient between the number of episodes of nocturia and mean global PSQI was 0.42 (p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with nocturia showed poor sleep quality, and this was related to the number of episodes of nocturia. This suggests that nocturia has a strong impact on sleep quality in patients with LUTS/BPH.

Oriental medicine Jangwonhwan reduces Abeta(1-42) level and beta-amyloid deposition in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mouse model of Alzheimer disease.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Jangwonhwan, a boiled extract of 12 medicinal plants/mushroom including Korean red ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer), has been prescribed for patients with cognitive dysfunction and are believed to induce brain activity enhancement, provide light sedation, and facilitate sound sleep. AIM OF THE STUDY: The present study was carried out to investigate whether Jangwonhwan has a beneficial effect on the brain of Alzheimer disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The transgenic mice of Alzheimer disease, Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9, were fed a modified recipe of Jangwonhwan consisting of a boiled extract of 7 herbs/mushroom (called LMK02-Jangwonhwan) at 400mg/kg/day of dose for 3 months from 4.5 months of age. Immunohistological and ELISA analyses were used to assess the Abeta accumulation and plaque deposition in the brain. Other in vitro and in vivo works were performed to understand the underlying mechanism. RESULTS: LMK02-Jangwonhwan notably reduced Abeta(1-42) and Abeta(1-40) levels, concomitantly with a reduction of plaque deposition, in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mice. LMK02-Jangwonhwan partially suppressed oxidative stress accumulation, and prevented the down-regulation of phospho-CREB and calbindin typically seen in the hippocampus of AD-like brains. In vitro study with SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells showed that LMK02-Jangwonhwan inhibited oxidative stress and Abeta-induced neurotoxicity. CONCLUSION: The present study suggests that LMK02-Jangwonhwan confers a therapeutic potential to ameliorate AD-like pathology in the brain of Tg-APPswe/PS1dE9 mice.