OBJECTIVE: Lectins are cell-agglutinating and sugar specific proteins or glycoproteins of non-immune origin that precipitate glycoconjugates having saccharides of appropriate complementarity. Because of these properties, plant lectins have been used to help characterize the carbohydrate moieties of glycoproteins in the zona pellucida (ZP) of several mammalian species including pigs. Treatment of oocytes with various lectins blocks sperm binding to the ZP in various mammalian species. This study was undertaken to examine the distribution of sugar residues in the ZP of pig oocytes matured in vitro and the ability of spermatozoa to bind to ZP and in vitro penetration in oocytes treated with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labelled lectins. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The lectins of Banderiaea simplicifolia (BS-II, bind to beta-D-Nacetylglucosamine), Canavalin ensiformis (Con A, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Lens culinaris (LCA, bind to alpha-D-Mannose), Ricinus communis (RCA-I, bind to beta-D-Galactose) and Ulex europaeus (UEA-I, bind to alpha-L-Fucose) were examined for spermatozoa penetration, binding capacity to ZP and distribution of lectins. RESULTS: The penetration rates were significantry (p<0.05) higher in control oocytes (63%) than those treated with all lectins, but penetration rates (40~49%) were simililar in group treated with lectins. The incidence of monospermy was similar in oocytes untreated and UEA-I, but it was higher in oocytes treated with BS-II, Con A, RCA-I and LCA. The porcine oocytes cultured for 48 h in TC-199 medium were freed from cumulus cells and treated for 30 min with fluorescein isothiocyanate-labelled lectins. When examined under fluorescein illumination, higher (p<0.001) proportions of oocytes showed fluorescein of zona pellucida after treatment with Con A (93%), LCA (93%) and RCA-I (100%) than BS-II (37%) and UEA-I (50%). All of the oocytes treated with RCA-I exhibited strong fluorescein in the outer region of the zona pellucida while those treated with LCA exhibited strong fluorescein throughout the zona pellucida. BS-II bounded mainly to the outer region and UEA-I bounded mainly to the inner region of the zona pellucida, with either strong or weak fluorescein. At 120 min after insemination in vitro, fewer spermatozoa were bound to the zona pellucida of the oocytes treated with BS-II, Con-A and RCA-I. Of the lectins, Con A most inhibited sperm binding. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that beta-D-Galactose residues in the porcine zona pellucida may act as primary sperm receptors and inducers of the sperm acrosome reaction and these sugar residues may be involved in the block to polyspermy.
Acrosome Reaction ; Cumulus Cells ; Fluorescein ; Glycoconjugates ; Glycoproteins ; Herpes Zoster* ; Incidence ; Insemination ; Lectins* ; Lens Plant ; Lighting ; Oocytes ; Plant Lectins ; Ricinus ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Spermatozoa ; Swine ; Ulex ; Zona Pellucida*

PURPOSE: We mapped the location of prostate cancer in Korean men, and investigated the volume and tumor distribution in relation to clinicopathological variables. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The volume of cancer and the anatomic location of each tumor foci were determined from 186 radical prostatectomy specimens, which were digitized to fit into a prototype prostate model. Using the computer-based digital images, the zonal cancer volume and distributional frequency were analyzed with respect to the clinical and pathological parameters, which were demonstrated in gray scales. RESULTS: The preoperative serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level ranged from 2.0 to 38.9ng/ml. The mean cancer volume of the 186 specimens was 4.5ml (median 1.9ml, range 0.01-37.7). The impalpable cancers were located more anteriorly and in the transition zone, and were also were smaller in volume (2.7ml vs. 5.5ml, p=0.004) than the palpable cancers. Cancers with seminal vesicle invasion were located more medially in the peripheral zone, and were larger in volume than organ-confined cancers or cancers with extracapsular extension (13.2ml vs. 3.0ml, p<0.001). For Gleason scores of 2-6, 7, and 8-10, the mean cancer volumes were 2.2, 3.7 and 8.2ml, respectively (p<0.001). High grade cancers were located more medially in the peripheral zone, especially when approaching the apex. CONCLUSIONS: T1c cancers are located more anteriorly and in the transition zone; therefore, inclusion of these areas for targeted biopsy may help to improve the detection of cancer in patients with elevated PSA levels and impalpable prostate cancer. A medial location of seminal vesicle invasive cancers may imply an ejaculatory ducts route of invasion rather than a direct extracapsular extension.
Biopsy ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; Fluconazole ; Humans ; Male ; Prostate* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen ; Prostatectomy ; Prostatic Neoplasms* ; Seminal Vesicles ; Tumor Burden ; Weights and Measures

A 35-year old male developed epigastric pain and hematemesis one week before admission. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed and a communication between the esophagus and another opening was discovered. On a follow-up CT and barium esophagogram, a tubular duplication was suspected and the patient was referred to the department of cardio-thoracic surgery. A pathological diagnosis of esophageal duplication (tubular type) was established. The patient was discharged and is currently being followed up. Esophageal duplication is a rare congenital malformation. Moreover, it has not heen reported in Korea that esophageal duplication presents with hematemesis.
Adult ; Barium ; Diagnosis ; Endoscopy, Digestive System ; Esophagus ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hematemesis* ; Humans ; Korea ; Male

Meckel's diverticulum is an embryonic derivative of the omphalomesenteric duct and the most commonly encountered congenital anomaly of the gastrointestinal tract. Its incidence records about 2%. Among them, only 5% are symptomatic with complications-bleeding, intestinal obstruction, inflammation, and perforation. In particular, bleeding is a common complication and has always been caused by an ulceration of the ileal mucosa adjacent to the acid-producing ectopic mucosa in a Meckel's diverticulum. Wireless capsule endoscopy is a new method enabling non-invasive diagnostic endoscopy of the entire small intestine. We experienced a case of Meckel's diverticulum detected by wireless capsule endoscopy in a 34 year-old man who presented with chronic obscure gastrointestinal bleeding.
Adult ; Chronic Disease ; *Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; English Abstract ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/*diagnosis/*etiology ; Humans ; Male ; Meckel Diverticulum/*complications/diagnosis