OBJECTIVES: Cell adhesion molecules may play a role in integrating amnionic membrane. The objective of this study was to prove E-cadherin mRNA and proteins in cultured human amnionic cells. METHODS: We cultured amnionic cells from 4 women undergoing cesarean section without labor. E-cadherin was determined by immunohistochemistry and Western ligend blotting. To demonstrate E-cadherin mRNA, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was performed. RESULTS: On immunohistochemistry, E-cadherin was abundantly showed on the cytoplasm of the cells. Western ligend blotting showed clear 120 kDa bands on four specimens, and relatively weak band on one specimen. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction showed 432 BP bands. CONCLUSION: We proved E-cadherin and its mRNA by immunohistochemistry, Western ligend blotting and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction in cultured human amnionic cells.
Amnion* ; Cadherins* ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; Cesarean Section ; Cytoplasm ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Membranes ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Extraembryonic Membranes* ; Placenta*

OBJECTIVE: Hysterectomy is one of the most common gynecological operations. The objective of this study is to compare the efficacy of suturing methods of vaginal cuff between laparoscopic and vaginal approach. METHODS: One hundred and sixty one cases of laparoscopic hysterectomy were devided into two groups. In group A(n=67), vaginal cuff was sutured by laparoscopic suture technique and in group B(n=94), vaginal cuff was repaired by vaginal approach. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in uterine weight, hospital stay, pre-and postoperative hemoglobin level and complications including febrile morbidity in two groups. Operation time was significantly shorter in group B(p=0.05). CONCLUSION: Transvaginal repair of vaginal cuff showed shorter duration of operation time than laparoscopic suture technique in total laparoscopichy sterectomy.
Hysterectomy* ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Suture Techniques

No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Knee* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

No abstract available.
Klippel-Trenaunay-Weber Syndrome*

The compartment syndrome was first described by Von Volkmann in 1872 and then many reports have been published. The anterior tibial compartment syndrome and the volar compartment syndrome of the forearm are well known, but the thenar compartment syndrome is very rare. A case of the thenar compartment syndrome developed with the CO poisoning was experienced and treated satisfactorily by the fasciotomy and secondary repair.
Compartment Syndromes ; Forearm ; Poisoning

Cardiac rupture following blunt thoracic trauma is rarely encountered, since it commonly causes death at the scene. With advances in critical care, blunt cardiac rupture has been successfully treated with well-organized team approach including an emergency physician, anesthesiologist, and cardiac surgeon. We encountered a patient with blunt cardiac rupture of the junction of the superior vena cava and right atrium that extended 7 cm to the right ventricular junction. The patient was successfully resuscitated after a closed thoracostomy and pericardiocentesis with fluid loading. Cardiac injury was repaired via mid-sternotomy without cardiopulmonary bypass. The patient recovered without complications and was discharged on the 7th day after surgery.
Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Critical Care ; Emergencies ; Heart Atria* ; Heart Injuries ; Heart Rupture* ; Humans ; Pericardiocentesis ; Thoracostomy ; Vena Cava, Superior*

We present a case of angiographically-confirmed transverse and sigmoid sinus thrombosis, image with MR, in a 20 year old male with a history of otitis media and maxillary sinusitis. T1-weighted image demonstrated an isosignal intensity mass with tubular-shaped low signal intensity in right transverse and sigmoid sinus. The thrombus had high signal intensity on T2-weighted image. The signal intensity of the thrombus on Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted image was unusually high similar to that of transverse sinus. Although dural sinus thrombosis has a non-specific MR signal intensity, findings of MRI in this case may serve as an aid in future evaluation of venous thrombosis.
Colon, Sigmoid ; Gadolinium DTPA ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Otitis Media ; Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial* ; Thrombosis ; Venous Thrombosis

BACKGROUND: Low birth weight and high birth weight are closely related to perinatal complications. The purpose of this study is to estimate the association of prepregnancy weight, maternal weight gain and infant birth weight. METHODS: The effect on birth weight in 724 live births after 38~42 weeks gestation was studied at Taegu Medical Center, between January, 1997, and August, 1998. Pregnant women with hypertension, diabetes mellitus, multiple pregnancy and drug abuse were excluded because of their possible influence on birth weight. To study the effect on infant birth weight, multiple regression analysis was carried out. RESULTS: We evaluated 724 pregnant women and their babies. Mean prepregnancy weight was 52.2+/-.9kg, mean maternal weight gain was 13.0+/-.6kg, and mean BMI(Body Mass Index) was 20.5+/-2.5kg/m(2). Mean gestational age was 278+/-7.3days and mean birth weight was 3,320.5+/-405.2gm. Correlation coefficient between birth weight and prepregnancy weight was 0.347(p<0.01), and maternal weight gain was 0.248(p<0.01), and BMI(Body Mass Index) was 0.261(p<0.01). Birth weight was significantly correlated with prepregnancy weight(p<0.01) and maternal weight gain(p<0.01), but prepregnancy weight was not significantly correlated with maternal weight gain(p<0.05). Prepregnancy weight had most apparent influence on birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Prepregnancy weight and maternal weight gain was positively related to birth weight. These results suggest that there are good effects of properly controlling prepregnancy weight and maternal weight gain in pregnant women and their babies.
Birth Weight* ; Daegu ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Live Birth ; Parturition* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Pregnant Women ; Substance-Related Disorders ; Weight Gain*