The use of hormonal stimulation in human in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET) leads to increased production of embryos for ET. So to avoid high pregnancies and to allow conception in future, unstimulated cycles, cryopreservation of spare embryos is desirable. One of the improvement of cryopreservation methods is vitrification. We cryopreserved mouse day 3 embryos by vitrification using the three different vitrification solution (EFS40, VSll and VS3a). EFS40 solution is consisted of 40% (v/v) ethylene glycol, Ficol170 30% (w/v) and 0.5M sucrose and VSll is 6.0M ethylene glycol and 1.8M glycerol. And VS3a is 6.5M glycerol and 6% (w/v) BSA (bovine serum albumin). First we tested the toxicity of three vitrification solution by exposure to these solution during 3 min. After washing by thawing solution, the survival rates of each groups are 95.5%, 90.9% and 84.4% (EFS40, VS11 and VS3a). High percentages of them developed to expanded blastocyst and hatching embryos in culture 48hrs 94.2%, 97.7%, 100% and 97.4% (no treatment group, EFS40, VS11 and VS3a). So there is no significant differences among the each group. Second, after thawing of vitirfied embryos, the survival rates of each groups are 96.8% (slow freeze), 94.1% (EFS40), 85.5% (VS11) and 80.0% (VS3a, P vs. no freeze or EFS40 is 0.01). Vitrified embryos exhibited a high rate of development in vitro after 48hrs culture. The percentages of each group to blastocyst and hatching embryos are 88.7% (no freeze), 91.8% (slow freeze), 93.4% (EFS40), 87.7% (VS11) and 73.0% (VS3a, P vs. other group is 0.01). The results suggest that there is no significant differences in exposure of various vitrification solution and day 3 mouse embryos can be vitrified in solution EFS40 and VS11 by simple procedure.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Cryopreservation* ; Embryo Transfer ; Embryonic Structures* ; Ethylene Glycol ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Glycerol ; Humans ; Mice* ; Pregnancy ; Sucrose ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification*

Two hundred and eighty six cases of the fracture of the tibial shaft treated at Orthopedic Department of the Chosun University Hospital during the period from January 1974 to December, 1978. The following results were obtained. 1. Most common cases of the tibial shaft fractures were traffic accidents (66.1%). 2. The incidence of trauma was high in the young man, most frequent in the 2nd and 3rd decade (43.0%). 3. The evaluation was done according to the classification of Ellis. Among 286 cases of the fractures of tibial shaft, 139 being mild severity, 70 moderate severity and 77 major severity. 4. The group of mild severity at the fracture of upper 1/3 of tibial shaft was shown the best prognosis and the average healing period was 9.3 weeks. 5. The wound infections in the open fractures of tibial shaft were revealed 37 cases (35%) and 8 cases of chronic osteomyelitis (8%). 6. Of 54 cases, we experienced 38 cases of delayed union (13.3%), 16 cases of non-union (5.6%) and the highest rate of delayed or non-union was shown in the group of major severity at the fracture of lower 1/3 of tibiai shaft. 7. The open reduction by the compression plating reduced the time of healing period and delayed the time of healing period by the intramedullary nailing.
Accidents, Traffic ; Classification ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Fractures, Open ; Incidence ; Orthopedics ; Osteomyelitis ; Prognosis ; Wound Infection

Calcaneus was the most commonly involved bone among the tarsal bone fracture. Many different methods have been tried for the treatment of fractures of the calcaneus in order to search for better results. But there is no general agreement on the treatment of the fracture of the calcaneus, especially involving the subtalar joint. From Jan. 1986 to Jan. 1990, 25 feet in 20 patients of calcaneal fractures involving the subtalar joint were treated by closed reduction & percutaneous pinning at the Dept. of Orthopedic Surgery, Chosun University Hospital and the results were as follows; 1. Of these intra-articular fractures, 15 fractures were tongue type and 10 fractures were joint depression type by Essex-Lopresti classification. 2. According to the Salama unit system, the results of treatment were excellent or good in 11 cases of 15 tongue types and 6 cases of 10 joint depression types. 3. The results were excellent in which reduction is achieved near anatomical reduction. 4. Even if the joint depression type fracture which is not severely comminuted, the treatment with closed reduction & percutaneous pinning is thought to be good method.
Calcaneus ; Classification ; Depression ; Foot ; Humans ; Intra-Articular Fractures ; Joints ; Methods ; Orthopedics ; Subtalar Joint ; Tarsal Bones ; Tongue

Accelerated atherosclerosis is not only a frequent complication but also the most common cause of death in patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Although mechanisms are unclear, disorder of lipid metabolism may be a major factor. Since apolipo-protein (apo) E is known to play a major regulatory role in lipid metabolism, we evaluated apo E genotype in 72 male patients with CRF and compared with that in 194 rnale normal controls. In addition, we measured plasma lipid and apolipoprotein concentrations and evaluated them according to apo E genotype in patients and controls. Apo E genotype was determined with the INNO-LiPA Apo E kit (Innogenetics, Belgium), which is based on reverse hybridization. The results are as follows ; 1) The distribution of the three major apo E alleles in patients with CRF ( e 2: 6.2%, e 3: 80.6%, e 4: 13.2%) was not different from that in controls ( e 2: 4.1%, e 3: 87.6%, e 4: 8.3%). 2) In patients with CRF, total cholesterol, lowdensity lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels were significantly lower and the triglyceride and lipoprotein (a) levels were significantly higher than those in controls. 3) In controls, E 4/3 group had significantly lower levels of HDL than E 3/3 and E 3/2 groups. In patients with CRF, E 4/3 group had significantly higher levels of total cholesterol and apo B lipoprotein than E3/2 group. In conclusion, although there was no significant difference in the apo E genotype frequencies between male patients with CRF and controls, apo E polymorphism may play an important role in the determination of individual differences in plasma lipids in male patients with CRF.
Alleles ; Apolipoproteins B ; Apolipoproteins E ; Apolipoproteins* ; Atherosclerosis ; Cause of Death ; Cholesterol ; Genotype ; Humans ; Individuality ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Lipoprotein(a) ; Lipoproteins ; Male* ; Plasma* ; Triglycerides

The simultaneous occurrence of primary glomerulonephritis in identical twins has been rarely reported previously. It has suggested that genetic factors may play an important role in the pathogenesis of primary glomerulonephritis. We describe a pair of 17-year-old identical twin brothers with asymptomatic proteinuria, one with histologically proven minimal change disease and the other with focal segmental glomerulosclerosis. HLA typing in twin brothers revealed an identical phenotype consisting of A25, A33, B44, B54, Cwl, Cw7, DR7 and DRB1. To our knowledge, this is the first case of glomerulonephritis in identical twins in Korea.
Adolescent ; Glomerulonephritis ; Glomerulosclerosis, Focal Segmental* ; Histocompatibility Testing ; Humans ; Korea ; Nephrosis, Lipoid* ; Phenotype ; Proteinuria ; Siblings* ; Twins, Monozygotic*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the perinatal prognosis of fetuses with a single umbilical artery. METHODS: From 1992 to 1998, nineteen cases with single umbilical artery(SUA) was observed in 8,704 deliveries at Chonnam University Hospital. RESULTS: Out of nineteen fetuses, thirteen fetuses with single umbilical artery were detected by antenatal ultrasonographic examination and six fetuses were detected after birth. The male to female ratio was 0.9: 1. Congenital malformations were observed in 8 babies(42.1%) and included leg deformity, esophageal atresia, imperforated anus, ventriculomegaly, meningocele, hydronephrosis, ventricular septal defect, joint contracture, cleft lip and palate, toe anomaly, imperforated anus, kyphosis, no urethra and testis, clubfoot, patent ductus arteriosus and rnild mitral regurgitation. Among 10 cases of karyotyping analysis three cases were diagnosed as trisomy 18. Fourteen fetuses(77.8%) showed growth restriction at delivery. Antenatal obstetric complications were hydramnios(n = 3), oligohydramnios(n =2), and severe preeclampsia(n = 3). CONCLUSION: Careful ultrasonographic evaluation for the identification of a SUA is necessary because of its frequent association with congenital anomaly, growth restriction and cytogenetic abnormality.
Anal Canal ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Cleft Lip ; Clubfoot ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Contracture ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Esophageal Atresia ; Female ; Fetus ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; Humans ; Hydronephrosis ; Jeollanam-do ; Joints ; Karyotyping ; Kyphosis ; Leg ; Male ; Meningocele ; Mitral Valve Insufficiency ; Palate ; Parturition ; Prognosis* ; Single Umbilical Artery* ; Testis ; Toes ; Trisomy ; Urethra

Essential palmar hyperhidrosis is a disease characterized by excessive sweating on palms and hands due to hyperaction of sympathetic nervous discharge. It develops severe hypothermia on both hands because of loss of surface heat by evaporation of the sweating. Numerous tests including starch-iodine test were used to detect sweating status. But they were complicated and unpleasant to patients. Digital infrared Thermographic Imaging(DITI) can show a thermal difference very clearly. We have used DITI not only for the diagnosis, but for planning of the operation and operative follow up of the disease since 1990. 343 cases of bilateral upper thoracic(T2 & T3) sympathetic ganglionectomy were performed from Mar. 1989 to Dec. 1996 in our spine center. Among them, open surgery with posterior midline approach were initially carried out in 54 cases and recently percutaneous endoscopic sympathectomy were carried out in 289 additional cases. Digital Infrared Thermographic Imaging has been taken pre and postoperatively in 339 cases. Preoperatively, severe hypothermia is noted in 96.2% in both hands and feet. Immediately after operation, the sweating ceased in all cases and marked hyperthermia was noted in both hands compared to preoperative status due to sympathetic denervation. DITI is more accurate and easier than any other method for diagnosis and evaluation of treatment effect in hyperhidrosis. DITI is simple, accurate, comfortable and objective diagnostic tool for hyperhidrosis patient.
Diagnosis ; Fever ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Ganglionectomy ; Hand ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hyperhidrosis* ; Hypothermia ; Spine ; Sweat ; Sweating ; Sympathectomy

Diarrea-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) is very rare in adults. Few reports are available on clinical features and plasma exchange in adult patients with diarrhea-associated HUS in Korea. We retrospectively examined the records of five adult patients with diarrhea-associated HUS admitted to Samsung Seoul Hospital between January 1995 and December 1997. If the patient had neurologic abnormalities, or there was rapid clinical deterioration, with the hematocrit decreasing below 20%, the platelet count falling below 10,000/mm3, the creatinine concentration increasing above 5.0 mg/dl, plasma exchange was begun. There were 4 females and 1 male. Patients ranged in age from 16 to 61 years. All patients presented with diarrhea and abdominal pain, and 3 patients had bloody diarrhea. The mean time between the onset of diarrhea and thrombocytopenia was 4.4+/-1.9 days (range, 1 to 6). All patients received 7 to 24 plasma exchanges. The mean exchanged plasma volume was 1.1+/-0.2 times of patients own plasma volume. The pattern of clinical response to plasma exchange was initial normalization of platelet count (8.0+/-3.8 days), followed by normalization of LDH level (20.2+/-14.5 days) and creatinine concentration (25.8+/-13.8 days). Metabolic alkalosis developed in two patients undergoing daily plasma exchange. We successfully managed the metabolic alkalosis with continuous venovenous hemofiltration. The mean duration of hospitalization was 28.8+/-11.2days (range, 20 to 42). All patients successfully recovered without any sequale. Although this study is based on small case series, we suggested that plasma exchange may improve the outcome in adult diarrhea-associated HUS.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult* ; Alkalosis ; Creatinine ; Diarrhea ; Female ; Hematocrit ; Hemofiltration ; Hemolytic-Uremic Syndrome* ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Plasma Exchange* ; Plasma Volume ; Plasma* ; Platelet Count ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Thrombocytopenia

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) in patient with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using high-resolution ultrasound. Methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers (17 wrists) and 31 patients with CTS (41 wrists) were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound. All patients were classified into three groups based on the electrophysiologic CTS impairment severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Using high-resolution ultrasound, the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the PCBMN were measured at the proximal wrist crease, bistyloid line, and distal wrist crease, and the largest CSA was defined as the maximal CSA. Results: The maximal CSA of the PCBMN of the control, mild, moderate, and severe CTS groups were 0.27±0.08, 0.30±0.07, 0.35±0.10, and 0.47±0.13 mm2, respectively. The maximal CSA of the PCBMN was significantly larger in the severe CTS group than in the other groups. Conclusion The PCBMN could be concomitantly affected in patients with severe CTS.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of the palmar cutaneous branch of the median nerve (PCBMN) in patient with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) using high-resolution ultrasound. Methods: Fourteen healthy volunteers (17 wrists) and 31 patients with CTS (41 wrists) were evaluated by high-resolution ultrasound. All patients were classified into three groups based on the electrophysiologic CTS impairment severity: mild, moderate, and severe. Using high-resolution ultrasound, the cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the PCBMN were measured at the proximal wrist crease, bistyloid line, and distal wrist crease, and the largest CSA was defined as the maximal CSA. Results: The maximal CSA of the PCBMN of the control, mild, moderate, and severe CTS groups were 0.27±0.08, 0.30±0.07, 0.35±0.10, and 0.47±0.13 mm2, respectively. The maximal CSA of the PCBMN was significantly larger in the severe CTS group than in the other groups. Conclusion The PCBMN could be concomitantly affected in patients with severe CTS.