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Objectives: In order to compare the clinical efficacy of naftopidil (Naf) and tamsulosin hydrochloride (Tam), which differ in their selectivity to alpha receptor subtypes, we performed a multi-center prospective randomized controlled study. Methods: Men complaining of lower urinary tract symptoms due to benign prostatic hypertrophy, were randomized into two treatment groups: one receiving 50 mg Naftopidil daily (Naf group, n = 31 pts), and one receiving 0.2 mg Tam once daily (Tam group, n = 28 pts). Baseline symptom scores were compared to those at 2 weeks and at the end of the observation period (6-8 weeks). Results: In the Naf group at 2 weeks, the score of the daytime frequency significantly improved from 3.5 to 2.2 (P = 0.03), and the score of nocturia improved significantly from 3.5 to 2.2 (P = 0.0004), respectively. In the Tam group at 2 weeks, however, no significant improvement was noted in the increased score of daytime frequency (P = 0.1) or nocturia (P = 0.2). At 2 weeks, the storage symptom score of the frequency to the combined score of daytime frequencies and the score of nocturia was better in the Naf group (improved from 7.0 to 4.4, P = 0.0017) than in the Tam group (from 6.8 to 4.9, P = 0.08) (P < 0.05). At 6-8 weeks, the effects of the two drugs on lower urinary tract symptoms were comparable. Conclusions: Naf demonstrated a significant early response to improve storage symptoms at 2 weeks, including daytime frequency and nocturia, compared with Tam.

Various natural carotenoids, besides beta-carotene, were proven to have anticarcinogenic activity, and some of them showed more potent activity than beta-carotene. Thus, these carotenoids (alpha-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, beta-cryptoxanthin, fucoxanthin, astaxanthin, capsanthin, crocetin and phytoene), as well as beta-carotene, may be useful for cancer prevention. In the case of phytoene, the concept of 'bio-chemoprevention', which means biotechnology-assisted method for cancerchemoprevention, may be applicable. In fact, establishment of mammalian cells producing phytoene was succeeded by the introduction of crtB gene, which encodes phytoene synthase, and these cells were proven to acquire the resistance against carcinogenesis. Antioxidative phytoene-containing animal foods may be classified as a novel type of functional food, which has the preventive activity against carcinogenesis, as well as the ability to reduce the accumulation of oxidative damages, which are hazardous for human health.

The 3D-documented biopsy-mapping technology achieved an encouraging re-sampling accuracy of 86% from the known prostate cancer foci, allowing the serial analysis of biopsy-derived CCP signatures.