Protective Effect of Arabinoxylan against Scopolamine-Induced Learning and Memory Impairment

The purpose of this study is to investigate the memory enhancing effect and underlying molecular mechanism of arabinoxylan (AX), a major component of dietary fiber in wheat against scopolamine (SCO)-induced amnesia in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats. Diverse behavior tests including Y-maze, Morris water maze, and passive avoidance tests were performed to measure cognitive functions. SCO significantly decreased the spontaneous alterations in Y-maze test and step-through latency in passive avoidance test, whereas increased time spent to find the hidden platform in Morris water maze test compared with the sham control group. In contrast, oral administration of AX (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) effectively reversed the SCO-induced cognitive impairments in SD rats. Furthermore, AX treatment up-regulated the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the cortex and hippo-campus via promoting activation of cAMP response element binding protein (CREB). Therefore, our findings suggest that AX can improve SCO-induced learning and memory impairment possibly through activation of CREB and up-regulation of BDNF levels, thereby exhibiting a cognition-enhancing potential.

Preoperative constipation is associated with poor prognosis of rectal cancer: a prospective cohort study / 대한외과학회지

PURPOSE: It is unknown whether patients with advanced rectal cancer develop severe constipation. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess whether constipation severity is associated with pathologic progression of rectal cancer. METHODS: We analyzed 472 patients with rectal cancer who underwent elective surgical resection between January 2005 and December 2010. Constipation severity was prospectively evaluated in 407 patients (86.2%) using the Cleveland Clinic Constipation Score System. Linear regression analysis was performed to identify clinicopathologic variables associated with constipation. Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the prognostic value of constipation severity on disease-free and overall survival. RESULTS: Multivariable analysis showed that sex (regression coefficient [B] = 1.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.79 to 2.60; P or = 8) was independently associated with 3-year disease-free survival (vs. scores of 0-3; hazard ratio [HR], 2.39; 95% CI, 1.15 to 4.98; P = 0.020) and 5-year overall survival (HR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.23 to 4.30; P = 0.009) in multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that preoperative constipation severity is associated with advanced pathologic stage and poor oncologic outcomes in patients with rectal cancer.

Clinical Characteristics of Pelvic Mass / 대한비뇨기과학회지

PURPOSE: Reports on the clinical findings and treatments for pelvic masses are rare. Here, the clinical characteristics of pelvic masses are retrospectively evaluated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 patients, 5 men and 5 women, with a mean age of 47.1 years (range 16 to 65), were retrospectively reviewed through their histories, clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, pathological classifications and treatment methods. RESULTS: The most common symptoms were related to the lower urinary tract (LUTS), such as the frequency, dysuria, urinary retention and hesitancy. The mean lag time, from the initial symptoms to diagnosis, was 11 months (2-60 months). The mass mean size was 13.3cm (3.5-21cm). Of the 10 pelvic masses, 7 were benign (fibromatosis in 2, leiomyoma in 2, neurilemoma in 1, chronic inflammation in 1, and cyst in 1) and 3 were malignant (liposarcoma in 2 and leiomyosarcoma in 1). Complete and partial resections of the mass were performed as the treatments in 6 and 3 cases, respectively; with the other case being inoperable due to distant metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the presenting symptoms of a pelvic mass are LUTS and slow progression, thus an early diagnosis is difficult. A pelvic mass tends to be benign rather than malignant.

Primary Amyloidosis of the Bladder / 대한비뇨기과학회지

Amyloidosis is a systemic disease characterized by the deposition of homogenous, eosinophilic and hyaline protein. Most cases of amyloidosis occur as a systemic disease, with a poor prognosis. Conversely, primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder has an excellent prognosis in most cases, it is, therefore, important to distinguish primary localized from systemic amyloidosis. Primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder is a rare disease, causing hematuria, which is often confused with bladder cancer. The diagnosis is usually made from a biopsy and subsequent pathological examination. We report a case of primary localized amyloidosis of the bladder, occurring in a 73 year old man, treated with a transurethral resection.