No abstract available.
Lower Extremity* ; Melanoma*

The aim of present study was to determine the efficacy of immunotherapy with paternal lymphocytes for unexplained infertility. It has been apparent that reproductive success may be affected by the presence of abnormal autoantibodies. Unexplained infertility and repeated pregnancy wastage has been reported in the presence of abnormal autoantibodies. These data suffest that abnormal immune function may be an important pathologic entity contributing subfertility in patients with unexplained infertility. Therefore, immunotherapy may be a possible treatment modality for patients with unexplained infertility. Some investigators have reported that a proportion of infertile couples with repeatedly unsuccessful ET showed close histocompatibility similar to those of spontaneous recurrent abortion. Recently, it has been noted that immunotherapy with paternal lymphocytes achieves a high efficacy in preventing subsequent abortion in women with primary recurrent abortion of unknown cause, which was mediated by immune reaction including blocking antibody. To substantiate the hypothesis, we applied immunotherapy preceding Peritoneal Oocyte and Sperme transfer (POST) to 43 patients, 47 cycles of 82 patients, 89 cycles with at least three previous IUI failure from April, 1993 to February, 1995. There were no significant differences between treatment and control group in clinical response and hormonal response to controlled hyperstimulation. there was no significant difference between treatment and control group in pregnant rates per cycles (42.6% versus 28.6%), but a significantly lower abortion rate per pregnancy in treatment group, with 10.0% (2/20) compared with 50.03% (6/12) in control group. This study may suggest that immune therapy for patients with unexplained infertility with paternal lymphocytes might be beneficial.
Abortion, Habitual ; Abortion, Induced ; Autoantibodies ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Histocompatibility ; Humans ; Immunotherapy* ; Infertility* ; Lymphocytes* ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Research Personnel ; Spermatozoa

No abstract available.
Forearm* ; Free Tissue Flaps*

The recent development of microsurgical tissue transfer has enabled any defect in any area to be reconstructed with free flaps. However, the need for a more functional and thinner flap has been raised due to bullkiness of the flap and donorsite morbidity. For better functional and aesthetic results, various perforator flaps excluding muscles or adjacent subcutaneous tissue have been recently reported. We report 44 cases of perforating artery pedicled flaps from April 1995 to August 1998, including 21 cases of anterolateral thigh flap, 12 cases of gluteal artery perforator flap, 4 cases of posterior interosseous flap, and 7 cases of paraumbilical perforator flap for various soft tissue defects. Even though marginal necrosis of flap occurred in 9 cases, complete healing without significant problem was possible. The advantages of perforator flaps are as follows: 1. It is possible to obtain a relatively thin fasciocutaneous flap, but still with sufficient volume 2. Donor site morbidity was reduced without damage of main artery. 3. In spite of diverse vascular pattern of the perforator, the location of perforating arteries can be Detected with relative ease and mapped preoperatively with an ultrasound Doppler. The need of meticulous and tedious dissection could be a sole disadvantage of these flaps. This report describes the clinical experience with a perforator-based flap, anticpating applications of many other types of perforator flap in the future.
Arteries* ; Free Tissue Flaps ; Humans ; Muscles ; Necrosis ; Perforator Flap ; Subcutaneous Tissue ; Surgical Flaps* ; Thigh ; Tissue Donors ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to compare the clinical response to controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) according to the size of baseline ovarian cyst. METHOD: From February 1992 to March 1999, a retrospective analysis was done of 272 cases who underwent COH using mid-luteal phase long protocol of gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRH-a) for IVF-ET. These cases were divided into four group; group 1 (n=63) had cysts with mean diameters between 20.2 and 29.0 mm on their baseline ultrasound on cycle day 3, group 2 (n=57, 30.0~49.0mm), group 3 (n=68, >50.0mm) and control group (n=84). Cases were excluded according to the following criteria; pure male factor infertility, the presence of only one ovary, high CA-125 level and previous endometriosis. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences between cases with baseline ovarian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter and control group in any of the parameters. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst>50.0 mm in mean diameter needed more amount of human menopausal gonadotropin (hMG), showed significantly lower estradiol (E2) level, the number of follicle >15.0 mm on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) administration, the number of oocytes retrieved, the number of mature oocytes, and pregnancy rate compared with control group. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that cases with baseline overian cyst <50.0 mm in diameter do not adversely impact on IVF-ET outcome. However, cases with baseline ovarian cyst >50.0 mm in diameter had adverse effects on various parameters. Therefore, to improve the outcome of IVF-ET in these cases, ovarian cyst aspiration prior to initiating COH may be required.
Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Endometriosis ; Estradiol ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonadotropins ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Oocytes ; Ovarian Cysts* ; Ovary ; Pregnancy Rate ; Retrospective Studies ; Ultrasonography

PURPOSE: Tetanus is difficult for emergency physician to diagnosis at an early stage because of its low incidence and atypical initial clinical features. Therefore, we reviewed the clinical features of 54 tetanus cases and attempted to identify factors associated with prognosis in order to improve early diagnosis and treatment. METHODS: We carried out a retrospective chart review of 54 adult tetanus patients who presented to the ED of Chonnam National University Hospital between January 1996 and December 2005. We collected information on demographics, SAPS II score, clinical feature, course of infection and prognosis. We divided the patients to two groups according to the survival and compared their data statistically. RESULTS: Fifty four patients, 33 men and 21 women, were included in the study. The mean age was 50.97+/-15.95. The most common initial diagnosis in ED were electrolyte imbalance (n=15), neck and facial dystonia (n=9). The mean incubation period was 10.27+/-6.47 days. The initial SPAS II score 17.29+/-8.45 and the Wood score was 3.12 +/-1.47. Most commonly symptom was dyspnea and dysarthria. Twenty one patients were supported by mechanical ventilation, and the duration of mechanical ventilation was 5.92+/-4.52 days. On multivariate logistic regression analysis, four variables were found to be associated with the prognosis: incubation period, Wood score, Time interval from initial symptom to mechanical ventilation, initial SAPS II. CONCLUSION: Four variables correlated well with the prognosis: Incubation period, Wood score, Time interval from initial symptom to mechanical ventilation, initial SAPS II score.
Adult ; Demography ; Diagnosis ; Dysarthria ; Dyspnea ; Dystonia ; Early Diagnosis ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital* ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollanam-do ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Neck ; Prognosis ; Respiration, Artificial ; Retrospective Studies ; Tetanus* ; Wood

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate whether 1) estrogen induces the change of vascular tone in endothelium-denuded human uterine artery, and 2) endothelium-independent vascular reactivity may be mediated by intracellular calcium ion modulation. METHODS: The uterine arteries from 34 premenopausal women were obtained at the time of hysterectomy due to various indications and endothelium was denuded. Vascular reactivity was monitored by using Isometric force transducer and recorded by physiograph. Endothelial integrity was assessed by sequential administration of 1micrometer norepinephrine(alpha-adrenergic stimulant) and 10 micrometer acetylcholine (endothelium -dependent vasorelaxant). Integrity of smooth muscle was measured by administration of 10 micrometer sodium nitroprusside (endothelium - independent vasorelaxant) and 10 micrometer tamsulosin(alpha-adrenergic blocker). A dose-dependent action of estrogen was measured on denuded uterine arteries, pretreated with norepinephrine and potassium chloride. In media contained denuded uterine arteries pretreated with 70mM potassium chloride and estradiol(3X10-5M), nitric oxide and its inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME) was administered, respectively, in order to verify the vasodilation effect. Statistical tests were performed at the 5% level of significance using the SPSS PC+ package. RESULTS: Acethylcholine has little effect but sodium nitroprusside & talmsulosin showed marked relaxation, which suggested loss of endothelial function and adequacy of smooth muscle function. The contraction by norephinephrine(1 M) revealed estrogen induced relaxation which was concentration-dependent from 3 10-8M to 3 10-5M in concentration of 17 -estradiol. The contraction by high potassium solution 70mM was also inhibited by estrogen in concentration-dependent manner. This vasorelaxant effect of estrogen on endothelium-denuded uterine artery was not affected by addition of nitric oxide(NO) precursor, L-arginine and nitric oxide synthase(NOS) inhibitor, L-NAME. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that estrogen has vasorelaxant effect on endothelium endothelium-denuded uterine artery by calcium antagonistic property through direct inhibitory effect on receptor- and voltage dependent calcium ion channels of smooth muscles. This vasorelaxant effect of estrogen on endothelium-denuded uterine artery was NO independent.
Acetylcholine ; Arginine ; Calcium ; Calcium Channels ; Endothelium* ; Estrogens* ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Muscle, Smooth ; NG-Nitroarginine Methyl Ester ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitroprusside ; Norepinephrine ; Potassium ; Potassium Chloride ; Relaxation ; Transducers ; Uterine Artery* ; Vasoconstriction* ; Vasodilation

Zygomatic arch fracture is one of the most commonly seen facial bone fractures and there have been many methods of reduction designed so far. However, for a simple fracture, the Gillies temporal approach is most commonly used because of the easy reducibility, and also because the depressed fracture can be approached without a facial incision. The Gillies temporal approach starts in the temporal area, between the temporalis muscle and deep temporal fascia. We have developed a new route which starts in the postauricular hair margin area and then reaches to the periosteum of the temporal bone. An elevator is then inserted to penetrate the periosteum and subperiosteal dissection is performed toward the zygomatic process of the temporal bone. At the origin of the zygomatic process, the route of dissection changes to the posterior aspect of the zygomatic arch using a curved palate elevator or the authors' modified Langenbeck elevator. This method of approach has been used in 6 cases of zygomatic arch fracture with good results and we report this method along with written reports.
Elevators and Escalators ; Facial Bones ; Fascia ; Hair ; Palate ; Periosteum ; Temporal Bone ; Zygoma*

The authors tried to evaluate the effect of the growth factors on cell proliferation in the human retina astrocyte culture. Each growth factor, EGF, bFGF, GGF, IGF-1 or PDGF, together with BrdU was added to astrocytes-enriched cultures in the serum-free media. The proliferating effect of each growth factor was evaluated by a double immunofluo- rescenece labelling for GFAP and BrdU. By and addition of each growth factor, the number of retinal astrocytes at the synthetic stage significantly increased than those of control group (p<0.01). In comparision, PDGF was more potent than IGF-1 (p<0.01). Above data extended the concept of astrocytic proliferation caused by several growth factors in human retinal injury.
Astrocytes ; Bromodeoxyuridine ; Cell Proliferation ; Culture Media, Serum-Free ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins* ; Neuroglia* ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde*

BACKGROUND: The incidence and etiology of facial bone fracture differ widely according to time and geographic setting. Because of this, prevention and management of facial bone fracture requires ongoing research. This study examines the relationship between socioeconomic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures in patients who had been admitted for facial bone fractures. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed for all patients admitted for facial bone fracture at the National Medical Center (Seoul, Korea) from 2010 to 2014. We sought correlations amongst age, gender, fracture type, injury mechanism, alcohol consumption, and type of medical insurance. RESULTS: Out of the 303 patients meeting inclusion criteria, 214 (70.6%) patients were enrolled in National Health Insurance (NHI), 46 (15.2%) patients had Medical Aid, and 43 (14.2%) patients were homeless. The main causes of facial bone fractures were accidental trauma (51.4%), physical altercation (23.1%), and traffic accident (14.2%). On Pearson's chi-square test, alcohol consumption was correlated significantly with accidental trauma (p<0.05). And, the ratio of alcohol consumption leading to facial bone fractures differed significantly in the homeless group compared to the NHI group and the Medical Aid group (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We found a significant inverse correlation between economic status and the incidence of facial bone fractures caused by alcohol consumption. Our findings indicate that more elaborate guidelines and prevention programs are needed for socioeconomically marginalized populations.
Accidents, Traffic ; Alcohol Drinking ; Facial Bones* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Insurance ; National Health Programs ; Retrospective Studies* ; Social Class*