No abstract available.
Diabetes Insipidus, Nephrogenic* ; Urinary Bladder*

Subepidermal calcified nodule, a form of idiopathic calcinosis cutis, typically present as a hard, 3 to 11 mm, solitary lesion on the exposed area of the head and the extremities. Here we re-port an unusual case of subepidermal calcified nodule occurring on the buttock. A 15-year-old girl presented with a 6-month history of a 12 × 6 mm, oval, hard, erythematous nodule on the right buttock. Histopathologic examination of an excision biopsy specimen revealed extensive deposition of calcium in the whole dermis as large multilobulated masses.
Adolescent ; Biopsy ; Buttocks* ; Calcinosis ; Calcium ; Dermis ; Extremities ; Female ; Head ; Humans

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)-2/4 during eary tooth development after irradiation and calcium-deficient diet. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The pregnant three-week-old Sprague-Dawley rats were used for the study. The control group was non-irradiation/normal diet group(Group 1), and the experimental groups were irradiation/normal diet group(Group 2) and irradiation/calcium-diet group(Group 3). The abdomen of the rats at the 9th day of pregnancy were irradiated with single dose of 350 cGy. The rat pups were sacrificed at embryonic 18 days, 3 days and 14 days after delivery and the maxillae tooth germs were taken. The tissue sections of specimen were stained immunohistochemically with anti-BMP-2/4 antibody. RESULTS: At embryo-18 days, immunoreacivity for BMP-2/4 of the Group 1 was modetate in stratum intermedium of dental organ and weak in dental papilla and dental follicle, but that of Group 2 was weak in cell layer of dental organ, and no immunoreacivity was shown in dental papilla and dental follice of Group 2 and in all tissue components of the Group 3. At postnatal-3 days, immunoreacivity for BMP-2/4 of the Group 1 was strong in cell layer of dental organ, odontoblasts and developing alveolar bone, but that of Group of 2 and Group 3 was weak in odontoblasts and developing alveolar bone. At postnatal-14 days, immunoreacivity for BMP-2/4 of the Group 1 was strong in newly formed cementum, alveolar bone and odontoblasts, but that of Group 2 was weaker than that of Group 1. In the Group 3, tooth forming cell layer showed weak immunoreactivity, but other cell layers showed no immunoreactivity. CONCLUSION: The expression of bone morphogenetic protein(BMP)-2/4 during early tooth development was disturbed after irradiation and calcium-deficient diet.
Abdomen ; Animals ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins ; Dental Cementum ; Dental Papilla ; Dental Sac ; Diet* ; Maxilla ; Odontoblasts ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tooth Germ ; Tooth*

BACKGROUND: Isolated coronary ostial stenosis presumed to be atherosclerosis in origin is a rare condition reported to have peculiar characteristics-that occurs primarily in premenopausal women, low incidence of risk factors, severe symptoms of short duration with absence of collaterals suggesting rapid development. METHODS: From Feb. 1979 to May. 1991, 11 patients with isolated left coronary ostial stenosis were identified among 2520 coronary angiographies and they were presumed to be athreosclerosis in origin by excluding other alleged causes. RESULTS: There were 5 males and 6 females with mean ages of 47.8+/-9.5 and 51.5+/-7.9 respectively. Clinical presentations were stable angina in 4, unstable angina in 6 patients, and unstable angina after myocardial infarction in 1 patient.Number of risk factors per patient was 0.82+/-0.98. Majority showed a relatively short history of angina(mean 3.6+/-2.8 months). Coronary angiographic findings showed collateral circulation in 7 patients-grade III in 5 of them. There was 1 death related to coronary angiography. Coronary artery bypass surgeries were performed in 7 patients and 5 of them were followed for mean 22+/-8 months without coronary events. CONCLUSIONS: In contrast to the previous reports, isolated left coronary ostial stenosis presumed to be atherosclerosis in orign did not showed female predelication and although their symptom durations were relatively short coronary angiographies showed well developed collaterals in the majority of patients.We experienced one coronary angiography related death in this group of patients. Coronary artery bypass surgery is to be recommended in these patients otherwise contraindicated.
Angina, Stable ; Angina, Unstable ; Atherosclerosis* ; Collateral Circulation ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Bypass ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the survival rate of vitrified blastocyst according to the freezing vessels, equilibration time in cryoprotectant and artificial dehydration method. METHODS: Human blastocysts were vitrified after loading onto the plastic straw, open-pulled straw (OPS), electron microscopy grid (EM grid) for 1.5 min or 3 min. They also were directly plunged into LN2 within 30sec. For artificial shrinkage of blastocysts, 36 gauge fine needle was pushed at the cellular junction of the trophectoderm into the blstocoele cavity until it shrank without damage of inner cell mass. RESULTS: The survival rate of vitrified blastocysts on plastic straw, OPS, EM grid as freezing vessels were 26.7, 13.0 and 60.5%, respectively. The survival rate of EM grid was significantly higher than that of plastic straw and OPS (p<0.05). For 1.5 min equilibrium, the survival rates of early blastocyst (EB), middle blastocyst (MB) and late blastocyst (LB) were 64.4, 81.0, and 20.0% respectively. For 3 min equilibrium, the survival rates of EB, MB, and LB were 69.9, 50.0 and 57.5% respectively. The survival rates of EB and MB were significantly higher than that of LB in 1.5 min equilibrium group (p<0.05), however, the significance was not observed in 3 min equilibrium groups. In cytoplasmic shrinkage before vitrification, the survival rates of EB, MB and LB were 92.9, 100 and 75.9% respectively. The survival rate of MB was significantly higher than that of LB (p<0.05). The survival rates of vitrified blastocysts by artificial dehydration and slow-frozen blastocysts were not significantly different as 88.9 and 66.7%, respectively. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the vitrification of human blastocysts using EM grid and artificial dehydration is an effective method. Therefore, these methods would be an useful techniques for blastocyst cryopreservation.
Blastocyst* ; Cryopreservation ; Cytoplasm ; Dehydration ; Freezing ; Humans* ; Microscopy, Electron ; Needles ; Plastics ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification*

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to develop the Korean version of the Stage of Change Readiness and Treatment Eagerness Scale for Smoking Cessation (K-SOCRATES-S) based on the Korean version of the Stages of Readiness for Change and Eagerness for Treatment scale (K-SOCRATES). This paper also demonstrates its reliability and validity among patients with nicotine dependence in South Korea. METHODS: At seven healthcare promotion centers in Gyeonggi-do, 333 male smokers aged 20 to 70 who visited smoking cessation clinic were recruited for this study and the K-SOCRATES-S was administered. After three months, the number of respondents who successfully stopped smoking was assessed by testing their urine cotinine level. Subsequently, exploratory factor analysis was performed to verify the reliability and validity of the K-SOCRATES-S. Also, a logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the variables that can predict the successful cessation of smoking on subscales of the K-SOCRATES-S. RESULTS: Exploratory factor analysis of the K-SOCRATES-S showed that the scale consisted of three factors: Taking Steps, Recognition, and Ambivalence. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition in this scale had a significantly positive correlation with the scores observed on Kim's smoking cessation motivation scale. The scales measuring Taking Steps and Recognition had a significantly negative correlation with Ambivalence. Overall, the results indicate that the K-SOCRATES-K scale showed high validity. CONCLUSION: The K-SOCRATES-S developed in the present study is highly reliable and valid for predicting a patient's likelihood of success in quitting smoking among patients who want to cease smoking.
Aged ; Cotinine ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Motivation ; Reproducibility of Results ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation ; Tobacco Use Disorder ; Weights and Measures

OBJECTIVE: Correlations between semen parameters and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI) were investigated to identify characteristics of sperm without DNA damage that could be used in selecting sperm for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Pregnancy outcomes were compared to determine whether in vitro fertilization (IVF) or ICSI is a better choice for patients who have sperm with a high-DFI. METHODS: Semen analysis was carried out in 388 patients who visited our IVF center for the first time to investigate correlations between sperm DFI and semen parameters. In addition, 1,102 IVF cycles in 867 patients were carried out in the present study; 921 cycles in the low-DFI group (DFI <30%) and 181 cycles in the high-DFI group (DFI ≥30%). Both the low- and high-DFI groups were subdivided into IVF and ICSI cycle groups. RESULTS: Sperm DFI showed significant inverse correlations with sperm motility (r=−0.435, p<0.001) and morphology (r=−0.153, p<0.05). Sperm DFI also showed significant correlations with rapid motility (r=−0.436, p<0.001), and the kinetic parameters of average-path velocity (r=−0.403) and linearity (r=−0.412). Although there was no significant difference in the pregnancy rates between IVF (48.6%) and ICSI (44.8%) in the low-DFI group, the pregnancy rate of ICSI cycles (44.8%, p<0.05) was significantly higher than IVF cycles (25.0%) in the high-DFI group. No significant difference was observed in the abortion rates between the low-DFI (52 of 921, 5.6%) and high-DFI groups (7 of 181, 3.8%). CONCLUSION: ICSI is a better choice than IVF for improving the pregnancy outcomes of patients who have sperm with a high DFI.
Abortion, Induced ; DNA Damage ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa*

The coexistence of polymyositis and primary biliary cirrhosis is rare. Both are characterized by chronic inflammation and immunological abnormalities. We report a case of 54-year-old female patient presenting with these two autoimmune diseases. She exhibited symmetrical proximal muscle weakness and elevated serum levels of muscle enzymes. Polymyositis was confirmed by electromyography and muscle biopsy. The diagnosis of primary biliary cirrhosis was based on increased serum levels of alkaline phosphatase, IgM immunoglobulin, presence of antimitochodrial antibody and characteristic liver biopy findings. This is the first case who manifest polymyositis and primary biliary cirrhosis simultaneously in Korea.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin M ; Immunoglobulins ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Liver ; Liver Cirrhosis, Biliary* ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Weakness ; Polymyositis*

The use of graft materials in bladder mucosa has been examined in animal models, but debate exists over which materials are effective. Intestine has been used as a substitute in augmentation cystoplasty for patients with neuropathic bladder, but serious adverse effects of the operation have occurred in some instances. We report a case of a successful repair of an enterovesical fistula by use of bovine pericardium. The patient has remained well for 2.5 years. We suggest that bovine pericardium may be a suitable option as a bladder substitute.
Fistula ; Humans ; Intestines ; Models, Animal ; Mucous Membrane ; Pericardium ; Radiation Injuries ; Transplants ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Bladder Fistula ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a typical autoimmune disease that's characterized by various autoantibodies to nuclear and cytoplasmic antigens. The presence of antinuclear antibodies (ANA) in serum is generally considered a decisive diagnostic sign of SLE. However, a small subset of SLE patients who had the typical clinical features of SLE was reported to show persistently negative ANA tests. Our report describes a 16-yr-old female who presented with the clinical manifestations of SLE such as malar rash, photosensitivity, arthritis, lymphopenia, pericarditis and proteinuria. The serum autoantibodies were all negative and renal biopsy showed that the histopathological changes of immune complex mediated the focal segmental necrotizing glomerulonephritis with crescent formation. She was treated with monthly pulse cyclophosphamide along with corticosteroids. During the 2-yr follow-up period, the proteinuria was markedly decreased and all of the ANA and anti-double stranded DNA antibody tests were negative. This case suggests that ANA may not be required in the pathogenesis of lupus nephritis.
Adolescent ; Antibodies, Antinuclear/*immunology ; Biopsy ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lupus Nephritis/diagnosis/*immunology ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed