No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Anemia, Hemolytic* ; Korea*

The purpose of this study is to introduce a new method for fingertip coverage for cases of soft tissue only defects and finger tip amputations including bone. 86 lingers in 67 patients haute undergone coverage with a large rotation flap based on digital artery and nerve and Z-plashy after fingertip amputation or finger pulp avulsion from October 1991 to December 1995. There were 53 thumbs, 12 index fingers, 5 long fingers, 3 ring fingers and 13 little fingers. All injured fingers had exposure of the distal phalanx bone. A large volar flap based on either the radial or ulnar aspect including both digital neurovascular bundles was elevated just abode the pulleys and flexor tendon sheath after longitudinal incision along the lateral border of the digit. Then a large Z-plasty was performed at the MP joint crease to release the tension. The volar flap was easily rotated to cover the fingertip and was sutured with slight flexion of the interphalangeal joints. All fingertip defects healed completely. These flaps successfully covered the fingertip, and up 2/3 of the distal phalanx on the volar or lateral aspect. Sensation returned to normal and fingers could be fully extended within 3 months of surgery. All patients only required a single operation for complete fingertip coverage and did not require bony shortening. We conclude that this large rotation, axial pattern, neurovascular flap and Z-plasty provided a durable, completely sensate, well vascularized coverage fort the fingertip with minimal discomfort for the patient.
Amputation ; Arteries ; Fingers ; Humans ; Joints ; Sensation ; Tendons ; Thumb

No abstract available.
Funnel Chest*

OBJECTIVE: Melatonin, which is secreted by pineal gland play an important role in the regulation of ovarian function via seasonal rhythm and sleep in most mammals. It also has a role in the protection of cells by removing toxic oxygen free radicals brought about by metabolism. In the present study, effects of melatonin on the mouse oocyte maturation were examined using two different culture conditions provided with 5% or 21% oxygen concentration. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Immature mouse oocytes were obtained from the ovarian follicles of 3~4 weeks old ICR strain mice intraperitoneally injected with 5 I.U. PMSG 44 hour before. Under stereomicroscope, morphologically healthy oocytes with distinct germinal vesicle (GV) were liberated from the graafian follicles and collected using mouth-controlled micropipette. They were then cultured for 17 hour at 37degrees C, 5% CO2 and 21% O2 (95% air) or 5% CO2, 5% O2 and 90% N2. New modified Hank's balanced salt solution (New MHBS) was used as a culture medium throughout the experiments. Effects of melatonin were examined at a concentration of 0.0001 micrometer, 0.01 micrometer or 1.0 micrometer. For the prevention of spontaneous maturation of immature oocytes during culture, dibutyryl cyclic AMP (dbcAMP) and/or hypoxanthine were included in the medium. RESULTS: Under 21% oxygen condition, oocytes cultured in the presence of 0.01 micrometer melatonin showed a significantly higher maturation rates, in terms of germinal vesicle breakdown (95.0% vs 89.0%) and polar body formation (88.1% vs 75.4%), compared to those cultured with 0.0001 micrometer or 1.0 micrometer melatonin. However, no difference was observed in oocytes cultured under 5% oxygen whether they were treated with melatonin or not. In the presence of 0.01 micrometer melatonin, oocytes either cultured under 21% or 5% oxygen exhibited no difference in the polar body formation (85.6% vs 86.7%). However, in the absence of melatonin, oocytes cultured under 21% oxygen exhibited lower polar body formation (74.7%). When oocytes were cultured in the presence of dbcAMP alone or with varying concentrations of melatonin, those treated with both compounds always showed better maturation, i.e., germinal vesicle breakdown and polar body formation, compared to those cultured with dbcAMP alone. At the same concentration of melatonin, however, oocytes exposed to 21% oxygen showed poor maturation than those to 5% oxygen. Similar results were obtained from the experiments using hypoxanthine instead of dbcAMP. CONCLUSION: Based upon these results, it is suggested that melatonin could enhance the meiotic maturation of mouse oocytes under 21% oxygen concentration, and release oocytes from the meiotic arrest by dbcAMP or hypoxanthine regardless of the concentration of oxygen, probably via the removal of oxygen free radicals.
Animals ; Bucladesine ; Female ; Free Radicals ; Hypoxanthine ; Mammals ; Melatonin* ; Metabolism ; Mice* ; Oocytes* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Oxygen ; Pineal Gland ; Polar Bodies ; Seasons

No abstract available.
Ebstein Anomaly*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Germinal Center* ; Lymph Nodes* ; Mice*

The area overlying the ischium is the most frequent site for the development and recurrence of pressure sores in the paraplegic patient. This report describes a newly-designed inferior gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap that is useful for the repair of ischial pressure sores in paraplegic patients. Sacral sore develops a wide and flat ulcer crater. However, ischial sore seems to develop large and deep bursa with relatively small openings. We have used a newly-designed gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap according to the specific characteristics of ischial sore. The flap is designed in the fashion of a small skin island with a large muscle flap. This flap with its abundant and constant blood supply had proved very reliable in the surgical management of ischial pressure sore. There is also the possible advantage of cushioning with the bulk of muscle for greater long-term durability. Incision could be extended for a complete bursetomy and partial ischiectomy. The reliability, versatility and low morbidity of the inferior gluteus maximus island flap has been demonstrated by its use in our consecutive series of 7 patients with 8 ischial pressure sores. We conclude that this newly-designed inferior gluteus maximus myocutaneous island flap can be applied in deep, infected ischial sore according to the specific characteristics of ischial sore, and it is a very useful method in comparison to other flaps.
Humans ; Ischium ; Pressure Ulcer ; Recurrence ; Skin ; Ulcer

During evaluation of follow-up curettage of endometrial hyperplasia after progesterone treatment, we have noticed that the foci of squamous or morular metaplasia are persistent or even markedly increased after the hyperplastic glands have all disappeared. These observations have led us to study the histological changes of squamous or morular metaplasia in the hyperplastic endometrium after progesterone treatment and to examine the changes of estrogen receptors(ER) and progesterone receptors(PR) to find out, if there is any pathogenetic role of progesterone administration on the squamous or morular metaplasia. Squamous or morular metaplasia was associated in 21 cases (13.5 %) out of 156 endometrial hyperplasia during the study periods and all of them were associated with complex hyperplasia, but not associated with simple hyperplasia. At follow-up curettage after progesterone treatment, squamous metaplasia newly appeared in 3 cases(20 %), markedly increased in 4 cases(26.7%), persisted in 4 cases(26.7%) and decreased in 4 cases(26.7%), even after hyperplastic glands have all disappeared or were markedly decreased. On immunohistochemical staining, metaplastic foci showed ER- and PR- in 13 cases (87 %) in contrast to the surrounding endometrium and the remaining 2 cases showed minimal ER+ and PR+ confined to several nuclei. Intensity or staining pattern of ER and PR in metaplastic foci were not changed with progesterone treatment. In the background endometrium, intensity of glandular ER+ and PR + was higher than that of the stroma at the initial curettage, however, progesterone treatment predominantly down-regulated glandular ER+ more than stromal ER+. Increment or persistence of squamous metaplasia along the progesterone treatment seemingly would implicate hormonal influences as playing a significant role in the formation of squamous or morular metaplasia and the absence of cellular receptors for these hormones in the metaplastic foci may suggest qualitative changes in the receptors.

No abstract available.
Drug Therapy* ; Neuroectodermal Tumors, Primitive*