OBJECTIVE: To understand the regulatory mechanism of apoptosis by pro- and anti-apoptotic genes in the cyclic human endometrium. METHODS: Each case of endometrial status was classified by Noyes criteria, and grouped into early proliferative(n=13), late proliferative(n=14), early secretory(n=15), and late secretory phases(n=15). Expression of bcl-2, and bax were assessed by Northern blot and immunohistochemistry in relation to apoptotic index by TUNEL. Results: Apoptotic index showed increasing tendency as progressing to the late secretory phase, which phase showed significantly higher apoptotic index compared to the other phases(p<0.05). The intensity of bcl-2 8.5kb transcript by Northern blot was highest in the late proliferative phase significantly(p<0.05), decreasing to nadir in the late secretory phase. In contrast to bcl-2 expression, bax mRNA expression was highest in the late secretory phase significantly(p<0.05). Both the relative ratio of bcl-2 8.5kb transcript and bcl-2 5.5kb trascript to bax showed that the ratio was higher in the early, and late proliferative phase, but, reversed in the late secretory phase. Both the immunoreactivity of bcl-2 and bax proteins could be detected in the basal, functional, and stromal layers of endometrium. The immunoreactivity of bcl-2 protein was more prominent in the proliferative phase, however, bax protein was more prominent in the secretory phase. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that apoptosis could be regulated by the relative dominance of bcl-2 or bax expression in the human endometrium. Thus, bcl-2 and bax expressions might be one of the possible mechanism in the regulation of normal menstruation.
Apoptosis* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; Blotting, Northern ; Endometrium* ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunohistochemistry ; In Situ Nick-End Labeling ; Menstruation ; RNA, Messenger

Inhibin is a glycoprotein usually produced by granulosa cell of ovary and is known as regulator of FSH secretion. Inhibin is consisted of two heterodimeric subunit of a, B . There are two distinct molecular forms of the B subunit that exist (BA and BB) and when combined with an a subunit, form inhibin A, and inhibin B, respectively. Ovarian reserve describes women's reproductive potential, which usually decreased according to chronological age. Because useful markers claimed for the prediction of ovarian response during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET have not been always successful, new biomarker has been investigated. The purpose of this study was to observe the changes in serum and ovarian follicular inhibin A concentration during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation for IVF-ET program and to evaluate the clinical significance of inhibin A as a prognostic marker for assisted reproductive technology outcomes. From Jan 1996 to Dec 1996, 48 patients who underwent IVF-ET were included. In each patient, the Day 3 FSH, LH, E2q were measured in the first month of cycle before commencing GnRH agonist administration, In the stimulation period after pituitary down regulation, blood samples for inhibin A were collected at the day 3, day 7, day of hCG injection, day of oocytes aspiration, and day of embryo transfer. Ovarian follicular inhibin A was collected at the day of oocyte aspiration. Inhibin A concentration was measured using test kit for inhibin A (INHIBIN-EASIA (code 40.134.00), Belgium Medgenix). The changes in serum inhibin A, E2 concentration during IVF-ET program showed increasing pattern throughout controlled ovarian hyperstimulation periods. If the cut-off value of day 3 serum inhibin A determined to 0.28 U/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 80.0%, 75.0% respectively in predicting the number of oocytes retrieved being more than five. If the cut-off value of peak serum E determined to 1316 pg/ml, the sensitivity and specificity were 89.0%, 100.0% respectively in predicting the number of oocytes retrieved being more than five. In conclusion, measurement of serum inhibin A concentration on the day of starting stimulation (day 3) could be used as a useful marker for predicting the ovarian response in IVF-ET program.
Belgium ; Down-Regulation ; Embryo Transfer ; Female ; Glycoproteins ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Granulosa Cells ; Humans ; Inhibins* ; Oocyte Retrieval ; Oocytes ; Ovary ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Serum

No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcium ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder*

A retrospective analysis on the MRI findings of 24 pathologically contirmed craniopharyngiomas was performed with emphasis on signal intensity of cystic portion and its chemical components. Axial, coronal MR scans were ontained, and in six patients, post-contrast study was done with Gadopentetate Dimeglumine(Gd-DTPA). In 14 cystic portions were aspirated to correlate the amount of chemical components such as calcium, glucose, protein, cholesterol, lipid, and iron with the signal intensity GT scans were also performed in 20 patients. In eight cases, tumors extended to subfrontal, third ventricle, and retrosellar area the extensions were well demonstrated in sagittal and coronal images. The signal intensity of cystic lesions on T2WI were variable but tended to be higher in high protein and iron contents. Calcifications were present in 20 cases and out of these, MRI detected calcification as very low signal intensity or signal void on T1WI and T2WI in 12 cases. Multiplanar imaging of MRI was very useful for the evaluation of tumor extension and the signal intensity of the cystic lesion tended to be higher on T1WI when the contents had high protein or iron components.
Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Craniopharyngioma* ; Glucose ; Humans ; Iron ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Third Ventricle

No abstract available.
Hepatitis E virus* ; Hepatitis E* ; Hepatitis* ; Korea* ; Prevalence*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical and electrodiagnostic findings of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. METHOD: Sixty-two patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow were reviewed retrospectively to establish causes, severity and type of neuropathy, symptom, sign, operation name and operative findings. RESULTS: 1) Of total 62 cases, 41 were male and 21 were female and the most often were in their forties and fifties. 2) The main cause of the neuropathy is bone deformity caused by previous fracture or dislocation (43.6%). 3) The symptoms observed were motor weakness (66.1%), sensory change (79%) and muscle atrophy (35.5%). 4) Forty-nine cases showed abnormality in nerve conduction study and needle electromyography study, and 9 cases showed abnormality only in the needle electromyography study. 5) On needle electromyography, sparing of flexor carpi ulnaris was shown in 50 cases (80.6%). 6) Operative treatment was performed in 15 cases. Among them, electrodiagnostic and operative diagnosis coincided in only 12 cases (80%). CONCLUSION: We conclude that above clinical and electrodiagnostic findings are useful for the diagonosis ulnar neuropathy at the elbow with consideration of etiology, localization and for the selection of operative treatment.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Diagnosis ; Dislocations ; Elbow* ; Electrodiagnosis ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscular Atrophy ; Needles ; Neural Conduction ; Retrospective Studies ; Ulnar Neuropathies*

No abstract available.
Embryo Transfer* ; Embryonic Structures* ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: To evaluate the usefulness of automated biopsy guns in image-guided biopsy of lung, liver. pancreas and other organs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using automated biopsy devices, 160 biopsies of variable anatomic sites were performed:Biopsies were performed under ultrasonographic(US) guidance in 95 and computed tomographic (CT) guidance in 65. We retrospectively analyzed histologic results and complications. RESULTS: Specimens were adequate for histopathologic diagnosis in 143 of the 160 patients(89.4%)-Diagnostic tissue was obtained in 130 (81.3%), suggestive tissue obtained in 13(8.1%), and non-diagnostic tissue was obtained in 14(8.7%). Inadequate tissue was obtained in only 3(1.9%). There was no statistically significant difference between US-guided and CT-guided percutaneous biopsy. There was no occurrence of significant complication. We have experienced mild complications in only 5 patients-2 hematuria & 2 hematochezia in transrectal prostatic biopsy, and 1 minimal pneumothorax in CT-guided percutaneous lung biopsy. All of them were resolved spontaneously. CONCLUSION: The image-guided biopsy using the automated biopsy gun was a simple, safe and accurate method of obtaining adequate specimen for the histopathologic diagnosis.
Biopsy* ; Diagnosis ; Firearms* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Hematuria ; Image-Guided Biopsy* ; Liver ; Lung ; Pancreas ; Pneumothorax ; Retrospective Studies

No abstract available.
Hepacivirus* ; Hepatitis C* ; Hepatitis* ; Korea* ; Prevalence*

The objective of this retrospective study was to evaluate whether the transvaginal ultrasonographic analysis of endometrial pattern and thickness could predict the stage of menstrual cycle. Endometrial pattern and thickness were observed in those patients receiving infertility work up from April, 1 f94 to July, 1998 at Seoul National University Hospital. The study group was 185 patients with normal regular menstrual cycles. Among them, 44 patients received endometrial biopsy, and the date of endometrium was compared with the observed endometrial pattern and thickness. The observed endometrial pattern was presence or absence of central cavity echogenicity, triple line sign, endometrial hypoechogenicity, ring sign, endometrial hyperechogenicity and posterior acoustic sonic enhancement. The results were as follows; Central cavity echogenicity was seen throughout menstrual cycle. Triple line sign was observed in 81.1% of patients during early secretory phase. However, in mid to late secretory phase, triple line sign was appeared in only 6.8%. The percentage of positive endometrial hypoechogenicity was highest in early secretory phase. In contrast to hypoechogenicity, positive endometrial hyperechogenicty was highest in mid to late secretory phase. Ring sign was observed in 73.5% of the patients during early secretory phase with peak incidence. Posterior acoustic enhancement was seen in 72.7% of the patients during late secretory phase The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed hyperechogenic endometrium, were 84.2%, 83.3% respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of being a secretory phase if the patients showed posterior acoustic enhancement were 93.8%, 58.3% respectively. Endometrial thickness was not correlated with endometrial dating. In conclusion, transvaginal ultrasonographical delineation of the endometrial pattern might to useful tool in predicting endometrial status during normal menstrual cycle. But, endometrial thickness could not predict the endometrial dating.
Acoustics ; Biopsy ; Endometrium ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infertility ; Menstrual Cycle* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Seoul