Anatomical Correlates of the “Closing-In” Phenomenon

권세윤,이익성,홍윤정,임성철,안국진,윤보라,심용수,양동원 대한치매학회 2015 Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders Vol.14 No.1

Background and PurposeThe “closing-in” phenomenon refers to the tendency to copy near or overlap a model while performing figure-copying tasks. The mechanisms underlying the closing-in phenomenon have not been fully elucidated, and previous studies only investigated the mechanisms through neuropsychological tests. We investigated the neuroanatomical correlates of the closing-in phenomenon using voxel-based morphometry (VBM). MethodsThirty-eight patients diagnosed with probable Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and 21 normal controls were included. All subjects underwent neuropsychological testing to diagnose dementia and magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo brain magnetic resonance imaging for the voxel-based statistical analysis. The subjects were asked to copy the modified Luria’s alternating squares and triangles to quantify the closing-in phenomenon. We applied SPM8 for the VBM analysis to detect gray matter loss associated with the closing-in phenomenon. ResultsThe patients with probable AD showed a higher closing-in score than that of the normal control subjects (p<0.0001). The VBM analysis revealed more parietal and temporal atrophy in the patients with AD than that in the normal control group. Moreover, atrophy of the orbito-frontal area was associated with the closing-in phenomenon. ConclusionsThe closing-in phenomenon is dysfunction while performing figure-copying tasks and is more common in patients with AD. The analysis of the orbito-frontal area, which is associated with inhibiting primitive reflexes, revealed that the closing-in phenomenon is an imitation behavior commonly observed in patients with frontal lobe damage.

Laparoscopic versus Open Radical Nephrectomy in T2 Renal Cell Carcinoma: Long-Term Oncologic Outcomes

권세윤,정재욱,김범수,김태환,유은상,권태균 대한비뇨의학회 2011 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.52 No.7

Purpose: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) has become the standard technique for radical nephrectomies for T1 renal tumors (7 cm or less). We extended our experience with LRN to T2 renal tumors (greater than 7 cm) and compared the efficacy and long-term oncologic outcomes with those of open radical nephrectomy (ORN) for T2 clear renal cell carcinoma (RCC) in the same period. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 33 patients who underwent LRN and 35 patients who underwent ORN in our institution from January 2003 to June 2006 for T2N0M0 RCC. We compared long-term oncologic outcomes between the two groups. Results: The median follow-up periods were 60.0 months (range, 48.0-77.0 months) and 65.6 months (range, 56.0-77.0 months) in the LRN and ORN groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the patients’ demographic data. There were no significant differences in the 5-year overall survival rate, the cancer-specific survival rate, or the recurrence-free survival rate. Conclusions: Our results suggest that LRN for the management of T2 RCC is feasible and efficacious and that the long-term oncologic outcomes of LRN are comparable to those of ORN.

Initial Experiences with Robot-Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Cystectomy

권세윤,김범수,김태환,유은상,권태균 대한비뇨의학회 2010 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.51 No.3

Purpose: Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical cystectomy (RLRC) is a new option for the treatment of muscle-invasive bladder cancer, and case series for RLRC have been increasing recently. We report our operative technique and initial experiences with RLRC with extracorporeal urinary diversion. Materials and Methods: Between October 2008 and November 2009, 17 consecutive patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer underwent RLRC, pelvic lymph node dissection, and extracorporeal urinary diversion. Urinary diversion included 13 ileal conduits and 4 orthotopic neobladders (Studer method). Data were collected prospectively on patient demographics, intraoperative parameters, pathologic staging, and postoperative outcomes. Results: The mean patient age was 63.7 years. The mean body mass index was 22.6 kg/m2. No patients had a history of previous abdominal surgery. The mean operative time was 379.1 minutes, including 32.6 minutes for pelvic lymph node dissection, 185.2 minutes for RLRC, and 159.4 minutes for urinary diversion. The mean estimated blood loss was 210.5 ml. The mean hospital stay was 20.7 days and the mean time to oral intake and ambulation was 5.0 and 1.3 days, respectively. There were no major perioperative complications. The pathologic reports showed urothelial cell carcinomas in all cases. Conclusions: Our initial clinical experiences indicate that RLRC with pelvic lymph node dissection and extracorporeal urinary diversion is a safe and feasible procedure with minimal blood loss and rapid recovery. Long-term follow up in a larger patient population is needed to determine the true oncological and functional benefit of this procedure.

Efficacy of adding mirabegron to alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia with persistent overactive bladder symptoms: A prospective study

권세윤,박동진,서영진,이경섭 대한비뇨의학회 2020 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.61 No.4

Purpose: To compare the efficacies of mirabegron 50 mg addition after alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker in terms of reducing storage symptoms in patients with BPH. Materials and Methods: Fifty-eight patients that had been taking alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker for more than 8 weeks, but had an OABSS of greater than 3 points, were initially enrolled. One group added any alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker with mirabegron 50 mg (n=39; the mirabegron group) and the other group received alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker only (n=19; the control group) for 8 weeks. Results: In the control group, mean total IPSS decreased from 15.7 to 13.1 (p=0.298) and in mirabegron group, mean total IPSS decreased from 19.4 to 16.5 (p=0.024). Mean storage symptom scores reduced in the control and mirabegron groups from 8.5 to 7.9 (p=0.584) and from 9.1 to 7.6 (p=0.015), respectively, and mean QoL scores from 3.7 to 3.1 (p=0.052) and 3.6 to 3.2 (p=0.027), respectively. Mean overall OABSS in the control and mirabegron groups reduced from 8.4 to 7.2 (p=0.173) and from 8.8 to 7.3, respectively (p=0.005); mean OABSS Q3 from 3.6 to 2.9 (p=0.073) and from 3.5 to 2.7 (p=0.002), respectively; and mean OABSS Q4 from 2.4 to 2.0 (p=0.306) and from 2.7 to 2.0 (p=0.016), respectively. The change of mean Qmax and PVR was insignificant in 2 groups. Conclusions: IPSS total scores, storage symptom scores, QoL, overall OABSS, OABSS Q3 and Q4 were more improved significantly by alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker with mirabegron 50 mg in BPH patients with persistent overactive symptoms. Mirabegron 50 mg addition is considered to patients with persistent storage symptoms after alpha-adrenoreceptor blocker.

Visible Angle on Magnetic Resonance Imaging Can Be Considered Indicator of Postoperative Outcome in Retropubic Radical Prostatectomy

권세윤,이준녕,하윤석,최석환,김현태,김태환,권태균 대한비뇨기종양학회 2017 대한비뇨기종양학회지 Vol.15 No.1

Purpose: We aimed to measure the visible angle (VA) outside the surgical field of view using preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and to relate structural data to clinical outcome. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data obtained from 322 consecutive patients who underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy (RALP) or radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) for prostate cancer from January 2011 to June 2013, with at least 1 year of follow-up. Patients were divided into 4 groups, according to median VA values and surgical approach. VA was defined as the angle between the horizontal line on view, rotated to 90º from the midsagittal T2-weighted sequence image, and the tangent line of the highest protruding surface of the symphysis pubis. Results: The larger VA was, the shorter mean operative time (213.2 minutes vs. 174.2 minutes, p=0.002) was significantly and the smaller VA was, the higher complication rate (10.8% vs. 1.6%, p=0.043) was in RRP patients. There were no significant differences in operative outcomes in RALP patients. Conclusions: VA in midsagittal T2-weighted sequence predict operative time and complication rates in retropubic radical prostatectomy, and thus, the value may be used as surgical indications for retropubic radical prostatectomy.

Application of mercury isotopes in environmental forensics

권세윤,김영광 한국환경준설학회 2021 한국환경준설학회 학술대회논문집 Vol.2021 No.11

Erectile Function and Long-term Oncologic Outcomes of Nerve-Sparing Robot-Assisted Radical Cystectomy: Comparison With Open Radical Cystectomy

권세윤,하윤석,김태환,권태균 대한비뇨기종양학회 2018 대한비뇨기종양학회지 Vol.16 No.1

Purpose: We performed nerve-sparing robot-assisted radical cystectomy (nsRARC) and compared the operative outcomes of nsRARC and open radical cystectomy (ORC). Materials and Methods: The data of 38 patients that underwent ORC or nsRARC for bladder cancer between July 2009 and April 2014 (23 ORC and 15 RARC) were retrospectively analyzed. Data were collected on patient demographics, pathologic stages, perioperative outcomes, and oncologic outcomes as well as on erectile function. Five-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Erection function recovery was defined as the ability to achieve penetration ≥50% of the time and to maintain an erection sufficient enough for penetration ≥50% of the time at 12 months after surgery. Results: No significant differences were found between the nsRARC and ORC groups in terms of age, sex, body mass index, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status, or clinical stage. Mean estimated blood loss was significantly less in the nsRARC group (205.3 mL vs. 394 mL, p=0.011), but mean operative time was significantly greater (520.3 minutes vs. 415.0 minutes, p=0.004). Five-year overall survival and cancer-specific survival were 86.7% and 86.7%, respectively, for nsRARC, and 77.7% and 86.7% for ORC. With respect to erectile function, the overall postoperative potency rate at 12 months was 40.0% in the RARC group and 9.5% in the ORC group, and this difference was significant (p=0.021). Conclusions: Our clinical experiences indicate nsRARC in selected patients is a feasible procedure in terms of oncologic outcome and that it preserves erectile function relatively effectively.

Obesity Is an Adverse Factor on Laparoscopic Radical Nephrectomy for T2 but Not T1 Renal Cell Carcinoma

권세윤,배재준,이정곤,최석환,김범수,유은상,권태균,김태환 대한비뇨의학회 2011 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.52 No.8

Purpose: Laparoscopic radical nephrectomy (LRN) is more challenging with increases in body mass index (BMI). Several recent studies have shown, however, that LRN can be safely performed even in obese patients. The influence of obesity on the perioperative outcomes of LRN has not been well elucidated for large renal tumors (>7 cm), however. We estimated the impact of obesity on LRN for stage T1 and T2 renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and Methods: From January 2004 to March 2011, 266 patients underwent LRN (T1: 195, T2: 71). These patients were subdivided into the following two groups according to BMI: the nonobese group (BMI less than 25 kg/m^2) and the obese group (BMI greater than 25 kg/m^2). Perioperative outcomes were retrospectively compared between these two groups in T1 and T2 RCC patients. Results: There were no significant differences in perioperative outcomes between the obese and nonobese groups of T1 RCC patients. However, in T2 RCC patients, operative time and complication rate were significantly increased in the obese group. Conclusions: Our results suggest that LRN can be safely performed in Korean patients with T1 RCC regardless of obesity. In T2 RCC patients, however, LRN may become more difficult with increasing BMI considering a longer operation time as well as a higher complication rate. We suggest that LRN for obese patients with T2 RCC be carefully considered.

Solitary Testicular Metastasis of Prostate Cancer Mimicking Primary Testicular Cancer

권세윤,정현수,이정국,최석환,권태균,김태환 대한비뇨의학회 2011 Investigative and Clinical Urology Vol.52 No.10

We report a rare case of testicular metastasis from prostate cancer. A 68-year-old patient presented with a right testicular mass with discomfort. He had a history of robot-assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and had received adjuvant radiation therapy and had been treated with androgen deprivation therapy continuously at another institution. We performed a right inguinal orchiectomy. The testicular mass was diagnosed as a metastasis from prostate carcinoma.

Hypoxia Enhances Cell Properties of Human Mesenchymal Stem Cells

권세윤,전소영,하윤석,김대환,김정식,송필현,김현태,유은상,김범수,권태균 한국조직공학과 재생의학회 2017 조직공학과 재생의학 Vol.14 No.5

Atmospheric (in vitro) oxygen pressure is around 150 mm Hg (20% O2), whereas physiologic (in vivo) oxygen pressure ranges between 5 and 50 mm Hg (0.7–7% O2). The normoxic environment in cell culture does not refer to a physiological stem cell niche. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of oxygen concentration on cell properties of human mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We analyzed cell proliferation rate, senescence, immunophenotype, stemness gene expression and differentiation potency with human urine stem cells (USCs), dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs), amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs), and bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs). USCs, DPSCs, AFSCs and BMSCs were cultured under either 5% O2 hypoxic or 20% O2 normoxic conditions for 5 days. MSCs cultured under hypoxia showed significantly increased proliferation rate and high percentage of S-phase cells, compared to normoxic condition. In real-time PCR assay, the cells cultured under hypoxia expressed higher level of Oct4, C-Myc, Nanog, Nestin and HIF-1a. In immunophenotype analysis, MSCs cultured under hypoxia maintained higher level of the MSC surface markers, and lower hematopoietic markers. Senescence was inhibited under hypoxia. Hypoxia enhances osteogenic differentiation efficiency compared to normoxia. Hypoxia showed enhanced cell proliferation rate, retention of stem cell properties, inhibition of senescence, and increased differentiation ability compared to normoxia.