Chang Hee Han

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the prevalence and epidemiological changes of major sexually transmitted infections (STIs) in Korea over the past decade. Methods: From 2010 to 2021, patients diagnosed with STIs based on ICD-10 codes were analyzed using Korean Health insurance data. The analysis included the number of patients, prevalence, and age-specific prevalence (in 5-year intervals) over this period. We examined changes in disease patterns over time by analyzing the annual trends and age-specific prevalence of bacterial STIs such as chlamydia, mycoplasma, gonorrhea, and syphilis; viral STIs such as genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); and other infections including scabies, pubic lice, and trichomoniasis. Results: In 2010, the STI with the highest prevalence due to an infectious pathogen was trichomoniasis (256.65/100,000), while latent syphilis had the lowest prevalence (5.29/100,000). In 2021, the STI with the highest prevalence was genital herpes (254.54 per 100,000 persons), and latent syphilis continued to have the lowest prevalence. Bacterial STIs showed a decreasing trend. Viral STIs showed a continuous increase throughout the study period, with anogenital warts (AGW) having the highest rate of increase. Other infections showed a decreasing trend. HIV and AGW in men showed a rapid increase. Gender differences varied depending on the disease. Conclusions: While bacterial STIs have gradually declined, viral STIs have continued to increase during last decade. The characteristics of each pathogen vary according to age and gender, necessitating the establishment of risk groups for each pathogen and the development of prevention policies accordingly.

We investigated the effects of a berry mixture formula (modified Ojayeonjonghwan (Wuzi Yanzong Wan, MO formula) on detrusor overactivity (DO). The MO formula consisted of 5 seeds obtained from 5 types of berry plants. Twenty-four Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated (control), partial urethral obstruction-induced DO (DO group), 0.03 mg/kg solifenacin-treated DO (solifenacin group) and 200 mg/kg MO formula -treated DO (berry mixture). The control and overactive groups were administered distilled water for 4 weeks, and the solifenacin and MO formula groups were treated with the respective medication for 4 weeks. After treatment, cystometrography was performed. At the endo of cystometrography, their bladder tissues were used for identifying the muscarinic receptors, endothelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS), RhoA, Rock-I & II, 8-hydroxy-2′ –deoxyguanosine(8-OHdG), superoxide dismutase(SOD), interleukin-6 &-8(IL-6, IL-8), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-a). The tissues were stained and the muscle-to-collagen ratio was identified. The presence of the muscarinic receptors were not significantly different between the solifenacin and MO formula groups. However, significant differences were found between the solifenacin and MO formula groups in terms of eNOS, RhoA, Rock-I and -II levels. The muscle-to-collagen ratio was statistically lower in the DO and solifenacin groups; however, no significant difference was observed between the control and MO formula groups. Under oxidative stress, SOD showed a similar result as 8-OHgG. The MO formula group exhibited anti-inflammatory effects, showing that no significant difference was found between the control and MO formula groups regarding values of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a. However, the DO and solifenacin groups showed increased IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-a levels. Cystometrography showed that the OAB and solifenacin groups having a significantly lower value than the control and MO formula groups. The mean contraction interval was shorter in the DO, MO formula, and solifenacin groups and the highest in the control group. The MO formula exhibited a similar pharmacologic effect to that of solifenacin, with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Enhancement of the MO formula by the nitric oxide pathway affected DO including BPH-related DO. The MO formula may be one of the alternative choices of anticholinergics, a treatment for DO.

Objectives: To evaluate the outcomes of laparoendoscopic single-site nephrolithotomy(LESS-NL) for symptomatic calyceal diverticular calculi. Materials and Methods: From November 2009 to March 2014, 11 cases of LESS-NL with a homemade single-port device for calyceal diverticular calculi were performed by a single experienced laparoscopic surgeon. All patients were assessed at postoperative 1 month, 1 year, and 3 years for symptom-free status and by computed tomography for stone-free and calyceal diverticular obliteration status. All complications were categorized by Clavien-Dindo classification. Demographic parameters and postoperative outcomes were retrospectively analyzed. Results: All procedures were successfully performed without conversion to open or conventional laparoscopic surgery. Median patient age was 53 years(range 22-73), and median diverticular size was 26 mm(range 15-58). Six patients(54.5%) had multiple stones, and five patients(45.5%) had a single stone; median stone size was 20.6 mm(range 12.1-66.4). The transperitoneal approach was used in seven patients(63.6%) and retroperitoneal approach in four patients(36.4%). Median operative time was 161 minutes(range 110-250), median estimated blood loss was 50 mL(range 20-400), and median hospital stay was 4 days(range 3-6). An additional needlescopic instrument was used in five cases(45.5%). There were three cases(27.3%) of grade I complications(two postoperative fever, one ileus), and no intraoperative or major complications. Median visual analogue scale score significantly improved by discharge day(from 4.9 preoperatively to 1.4; p=0.003). After a median follow-up of 38 months(range 36-41), all patients were symptom-free with no evidence of stone or calyceal diverticulum on imaging. Conclusion: LESS-NL is a safe, feasible, and definitive treatment option for symptomatic calyceal diverticular calculi.

Objective: To investigate the usefulness of the ellipsoid formula for assessing compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral kidney on pre-operative and post-operative CT in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) patients. Methods: We retrospectively identified 389 patients who had radical nephrectomy for RCC between 2011 and 2015. Contrast-enhanced CT was performed within 3 months pre-operative and at 1 year post-operative. The kidney volumes were calculated from CT using the ellipsoid formula. We subdivided patients into three groups based on tumour size (I: <= 4 cm, II: 4-7 cm, III: > 7 cm). Volumetric renal parameters were compared and multivariate analyses were performed to determine predictors associated with pre-operative and post-operative compensatory hypertrophy. Results: Kidney volume calculation using the ellipsoid method took a median of 51 s. Group III had a significantly larger median pre-operative contralateral renal volume than Groups I and II (I: 140.4, II: 141.6, III: 166.7 ml, p < 0.05). However, the median ratio of post-operative contralateral renal volume change was significantly higher in Groups I and II than Group III (I: 0.36, II: 0.23, III: 0.12, p < 0.001). On multivariate analysis, tumour size revealed the strongest positive association with pre-operative contralateral kidney volume (partial regression coefficient: beta = 30.8, > 7 cm) and ratio of post-operative contralateral kidney volume change (beta = 0.214, I vs III; beta = 0.168, II vs III). Conclusion: Kidney volume calculation for assessing pre- and post-operative compensatory hypertrophy of the contralateral kidney in RCC patients can be easily and rapidly performed from CT images using the ellipsoid formula.

Jung YS, et al. Korean J Urogenit Tract Infect Inflamm. 2014 Oct;9(2):86-92. http://dx.doi.org/10.14777/kjutii.2014.9.2.86

Seoritae is a type of black soybean that is known to have health‐promoting effects due to its high isoflavone and anthocyanin contents. We evaluated whether Seoritae extract (SE) had beneficial effects on the reduction of prostate weight in a rat model of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). BPH was induced by intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate once a week for 5 weeks in Sprague‐Dawley rats, and rats were treated with or without daily oral doses of SE during BPH induction. After 5 weeks, the oxidative stress (superoxide dismutase and 8‐hydroxy‐2‐deoxyguanosine), apoptosis (caspase‐3), and activity of 5‐alpha reductase were evaluated in the serum and prostate. The SE treatment group showed a significant decrease in prostate weight, oxidative stress, apoptosis, and 5‐alpha reductase activity compared to the nontreated BPH group. These results show that SE is effective in decreasing the weight and proliferation of the prostate, and suggest that SE may be an effective treatment for BPH.

Jung YS, et al. Korean J Androl. 2011 Dec;29(3):251-253. http://dx.doi.org/10.5534/kja.2011.29.3.251

Kim SW, et al. Korean J Urol. 2008 Oct;49(10):937-944. http://dx.doi.org/10.4111/kju.2008.49.10.937