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

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.
Funnel Chest*

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

Chorioangioma is the most common primary tumor of the placenta. It is widely accepted to be formed from hamartomatous proliferation of angioblastic cells in early placenta. According to groups who systematically examined the placentas with the greatest scrutiny, the incidence of chorioangioma is 1~1.2% of all placentas examined. The clinical implication of chorioangioma has been emphasized due to its high association with hydramnios, antepartum and postpartum hemorrhage, premature onset of labor, or intrauterine fetal distress or death. The authors experienced a case of a 38-year old multigravida who had undergone 4 consecutive spontaneous abortions. The fifth pregnancy was carried to 35 weeks whereupon a dead fetus was delivered. The placenta was enlarged(950 gm) with multiple protruding nodules into the fetal surface. Microscopically, the nodule was composed of many vilous structures lined by chorionic epithelium. Within these structures was proliferation of endothelial lined capillaries some of which demonstrated ectatic change.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence

No abstract available.
Postal Service* ; Surveys and Questionnaires*

A congenital salivary gland tumor, sialoblastoma, is extremely rare. A sialoblastoma of the parotid gland, occurring in a 28-week old fetus, is described. The histologic, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural features of this tumor were studied. The tumor was characterized by solid nests or sheets of tumor cells intermingled with ductal structures lined by a columnar cells. Some of the tumor cells showed squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemically, these epidermoid cells reacted positively with anti-cytokeratin. But anti-S-100, anti- vimentin, anti-smooth muscle actin, anti-GFAP positive cells were not found. The ultrastructure was characterized by primitive epithelial cells. Although various names have been proposed, we favored the term "sialoblastoma". The histogenesis of this tumor is also discussed.
Actins ; Epithelial Cells ; Fetus ; Parotid Gland ; Salivary Glands ; Vimentin