RESUMEN

Recently, metabolic syndrome (MetS) has become an important public health problem, and its prevalence is increasing. MetS is associated with multifactorial diseases. No reports have suggested a relationship between bladder cancer and high blood pressure, and hyperlipidemia has been reported as a possible risk factor. In the present study, we investigated the relationships between the stage and degree of malignancy of bladder cancer and MetS. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of the components of MetS on the results. We retrospectively analyzed the data of 169 patients who underwent transurethral resection of a bladder tumor in our department between Janurary 2005 and March 2011. MetS was significantly associated with a high histological grade (p < 0.05). MetS and low high-density lipo-protein were found to be significantly associated with the T stage; no other components of MetS were associated with a high stage or grade. Our results demonstrated that a lack of therapy for patients with low high-density lipoprotein levels could be riskier than was previously thought.

RESUMEN

Molecular investigations were performed in order to determine the major characteristics of voltage-gated Na+ channel ß-subunits in mouse vas deferens. The use of real-time quantitative PCR showed that the expression of Scn1b was significantly higher than that of other ß-subunit genes (Scn2b - Scn4b). Immunoreactivity of Scn1b proteins was also detected in the inner circular and outer longitudinal smooth muscle of mouse vas deferens. In whole-cell recordings, the actions of 4,9-anhydroTTX on voltage-gated Na+ current peak amplitude in myocytes (i.e., native INa) were compared with its inhibitory potency on recombinant NaV1.6 channels (expressed in HEK293 cells). A depolarizing rectangular voltage-pulse elicited a fast and transient inward native INa and recombinant NaV1.6 expressed in HEK293 cells (i.e., recombinant INa). The current decay of native INa was similar to the recombinant NaV1.6 current co-expressed with ß1-subunits. The current-voltage (I-V) relationships of native INa were similar to those of recombinant NaV1.6 currents co-expressed with ß1-subunits. Application of 4,9-anhydroTTX inhibited the peak amplitude of native INa (K i = 510 nM), recombinant INa (K i = 112 nM), and recombinant INa co-expressed with ß1-subunits (K i = 92 nM). The half-maximal (Vhalf) activation and inactivation of native INa values were similar to those observed in recombinant INa co-expressed with ß1-subunits. These results suggest that ß1-subunit proteins are likely to be expressed mainly in the smooth muscle layers of murine vas deferens and that 4,9-anhydroTTX inhibited not only native INa but also recombinant INa and recombinant INa co-expressed with ß1-subunits in a concentration-dependent manner.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

In order to identify functional sulphonylurea receptor (SUR.x) subunits of native ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP channels) in mouse portal vein, the effects of ZD0947, a SUR.x modulator, were investigated on spontaneous portal vein contractions, macroscopic membrane currents and unitary currents recorded (using patch-clamp techniques) in freshly dispersed mouse portal vein myocytes. Spontaneous contractions in mouse portal vein were reversibly reduced by ZD0947 in a concentration-dependent manner (Ki =293nM). The relaxation elicited by 3µM ZD0947 was antagonized by the additional application of glibenclamide (300nM), but not gliclazide (100-300nM). In the conventional whole-cell configuration, 100µM ZD0947 elicited inward glibenclamide-sensitive currents at a holding potential of -60mV that demonstrated selectivity for K+(i.e. KATP currents). The peak amplitude of the membrane current elicited by 30µM or 100µM ZD0947 was smaller than that elicited by 100µM pinacidil at -60mV. In the cell-attached mode, 100µM ZD0947 activated glibenclamide-sensitive K+ channels with a conductance (35 pS) similar to that of recombinant Kir6.1/SUR2B channels that were expressed in HEK293 cells and activated by 100µM ZD0947. These results demonstrate that ZD0947 caused a significant vascular relaxation through the activation of KATP channels and that SUR2B may be the major functional subunit of SUR.x in mouse portal vein KATP channels, based on its pharmacological selectivity.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

INTRODUCTION: In this study, we investigated the effects of treatment with a transurethral incision (TUI) for congenital urethral stenosis, which was accompanied by diurnal and nocturnal enuresis. METHODS: We recruited 21 young males who presented to our department for the treatment of diurnal and nocturnal enuresis from January 2010 to March 2014. All patients underwent TUI due to urethral stricture found by a close investigation. We surveyed each case to evaluate the improvement of diurnal and/or nocturnal enuresis after TUI. RESULTS: One and a half years after TUI, an improvement in diurnal enuresis was observed in 17 of 21 cases (80.9%), whereas that of nocturnal enuresis was observe in only 7 of 21 cases (33.3%), showing the significant contribution of TUI to the improvement of diurnal enuresis (p = 0.001). In the case of diurnal enuresis, continual improvement was observed more than a year after surgery, whereas no improvement was observed in nocturnal enuresis at more than 6 months after surgery. CONCLUSION: TUI is more effective for diurnal enuresis than nocturnal enuresis. At postoperative 6 months, clinicians should thus consider other etiologies for unresponsive cases and start other treatment options.

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Several combinations of inwardly rectifying K(+) channel 6.x family pore-forming (KIR6.x) subunits associated with sulphonylurea receptor (SUR.x) subunits have been detected among ATP-sensitive K(+) (KATP) channels. It remains to be established which of these is expressed in native vascular smooth muscle. METHODS: Pharmacological and electrophysiological properties of KATP channels in mouse portal vein were investigated using tension measurements and patch-clamp techniques. Molecular biological analyses were also performed to investigate the structural properties of these channels. RESULTS: Spontaneous contractions in mouse portal vein were reversibly reduced by pinacidil and MCC-134, and the pinacidil-induced relaxation was antagonized by glibenclamide and U-37883A. In cell-attached mode, pinacidil activated glibenclamide-sensitive K(+) channels with a conductance (35 pS) similar to that of KIR6.1. RT-PCR analysis revealed the expression of KIR6.1, KIR6.2 and SUR2B transcripts. Using real-time PCR methods, the quantitative expression of KIR6.1 was much greater than that of KIR6.2. Immunohistochemical studies indicated the presence of KIR6.1 and SUR2B proteins in the smooth muscle layers of mouse portal vein and in single smooth muscle cells dispersed from mouse portal vein. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that native KATP channels in mouse portal vein are likely to be composed of a heterocomplex of KIR6.1 and SUR2B subunits.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: Recently, laparoscopic surgery is the standard procedure in urological field. We report the experience of laparoscopic renal biopsy for 4 patients who have contraindication of ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the patients who underwent laparoscopic renal biopsy (LRB) from March 2010 to June 2013 in our hospital. Four female with mean age of 54.5 years old underwent LRB. Two patients had solitary kidney and the other 2 patients had bleeding tendency. All the biopsy was performed retroperitoneal approach. We used 18-gauge biopsy needle to take renal cortical tissue in all cases. In addition, one patient underwent small wedge biopsy with a cold knife. RESULTS: Mean operative time, pneumoperitoneal time, and estimated blood loss was 63.0 min (range 48-92 min), 37.5 min (range 22-75), and 11.25 ml (range 0-30 ml), respectively. No perioperative complication was observed. In all cases, we can diagnose pathologically by LRB. CONCLUSIONS: LRB is safe, effective, and feasible procedure for the patients in whom ultrasound-guided percutaneous renal biopsy is contraindication.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

BACKGROUND: Accurate evaluation of renal function is required before cancer chemotherapy. Various kinds of formula have been developed for estimating creatinine clearance (Ccr) or glomerular filtration rate (GFR) conveniently. We retrospectively examined the reliability of the GFR estimating formula using the renal function data in cancer chemotherapy. METHODS: Clinical data of 12 patients with urogenital cancer from 1998 to 2013 in Saga University Hospital were reviewed. Patients were treated with 6-21 (median 10.5) courses of chemotherapy and those patients underwent 9-29 (median 14.5) times of 24hrCcr tests before and during chemotherapy. We compared estimated GFR (eGFR) with 24hrCcr. In addition, we developed a novel method to estimate the Ccr using the patient-inherent 24hrCcr/eGFR ratio, which is calculated from initial 3 or 4 determinations of 24hrCcr and the corresponding eGFR. Those estimated Ccrs were also compared with 24hrCcr. RESULTS: The dissociation between 24hrCcr and eGFR was not constant, and a large dissociation was observed in some cases. The newly devised estimated Ccr demonstrated less dissociation from 24hrCcr compared with eGFR. CONCLUSIONS: The eGFR formula is not adequate for the clinical use in cancer chemotherapy. The absolute value of eGFR is not reliable, but clinical use of eGFR as relative value seems to be acceptable. To avoid troublesome 24hrCcr measurement in long-term cancer chemotherapy, eGFR formula can be used for estimating Ccr in combination with the specific inherent 24hrCcr/eGFR ratio, which is obtained from 3 or 4 times of actual 24hrCcr measurements.

Asunto(s)

RESUMEN

We report a case of a 33-year-old male with a mixed germ-cell testicular tumor. Postoperative follow-up FDG-PET revealed concentration of FDG in the left inguinal area which is not tumor metastasis or local recurrence but suture reactivity granuloma. In this paper, we reviewed suture granulomas associated with false-positive findings on FDG-PET after surgery. If FDG-PET will be used more frequently in the future, it will be necessary to refrain from using silk thread in order to prevent any unnecessary surgery.