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.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy

Teratomas of the fallopian tube are extremely rare, and only about 50 cases have reported in the world literature. Most cases of mature cystic tubal teratoma are asymptomatic and are discovered as an incidental finding on physical or radiologic examination, or at the time of laparatomy. We report a case of mature cystic teratoma of the right fallopian tube which was discovered during pelvic ultrasonogram for antenatal care in a 28 year old woman. Right salpingectomy was performed during cesarean section for cephalo-pelvic distortion at IUP 39 weeks. Gross examination of the right fallopian tube reveals a distended fallopian tube, measuring 8cm in length and 2cm in diameter. On section, it is filled with several small pedunculated nodules and cysts containing sebaceous materials. Microscopically the tumor was seen in continuity with the lining epithelium of mucosal folds. The majority of the tumor was composed of well differentiated mature elements of three germ layers with skin and skin appendages, mature brain tissue, bone, breast tissue, intestinal mucosa and bronchial epithelium.
Female ; Humans ; Cysts

No abstract available.
Depression*

In glaucoma patients, optic nerve head analysis is very useful in early detection and progression during follow-up. Among optic nerve head analysis methods, the confocal laser tomographic scanner(Heidelberg Retina Tomograph: HRT) is actively studied for accurate and highly reproducible analysis.We analyzed the optic nerve head of 62 normal eyes(male 40 eyes, female 22 eyes) in third decade of Korean with HRT, and calculated the mean value of each parameters in HRT and evaluated the difference between men and women. We also studied the distribution fo the value of each parameter in normal third decade of Korean. In addition, for the parameters of Rim/Disc area ratio, we calculated the mean value in 6 divisions of optic nerve head.The mean value of Disc area was 2.039mm3, Cup area 0.593mm3, rim area 1.716mm3 and Cup/Disc area ratio 0.237. Rim volume, Maximal cup depth, Height variation contour, Mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and Retinal nerve fiber layer cross sectional area were statistically different between men and women. For Rim/Disc area ratio, the maximal value was noted in nasal inferior(0.873) region, and the minimal value was in temporal(0.579) region. There was no statistically difference between men and women in Rim/Disc area ratio.
Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glaucoma ; Humans ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; Optic Disk* ; Optic Nerve* ; Retina ; Retinaldehyde

PURPOSE: A wide variety of surgical materials have been used for blepharoptosis such as catgut, silicone, 4-0 nylon polyfilament cable-type ophthalmic suture (Supramid(R)), autogenous tendon (palmaris longus),banked sclera, dura mater, fascia lata, and temporalis fascia. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of frontalis suspensory surgery with temporalis fascia. METHODS: The authors studied 91 frontalis slings (71 patients) performed from 1993 to 1999 at our hospital for repair of blepharoptosis. Results with temporalis fascia (group A) as the suspensory material were compared to those with autogenous (group B) and preserved (group C) fascia lata. RESULTS: The success rates of group A (31 lids 21 patients), group B (28 lids 24 patients), group C (32lids 26 patients) were 80.6%, 75%, 78.1% respectively. But there was no statistically significant difference in each groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that temporalis fascia for frontalis sling could be used as suspensory material successfully. Moreover, long term and further evaluations must be considered.
Blepharoptosis ; Catgut ; Dura Mater ; Fascia Lata ; Fascia* ; Nylons ; Sclera ; Silicones ; Sutures ; Tendons

PURPOSE: The morphological changes of the eyelids according to gender among different age groups in Korea were analyzed. METHODS: Six-hundred adults without any ocular disease were selected, and sorted by age (ranging from 20 to 79 years), and gender. Each group consisted of 50 adults. Interpalpebral fissure (IPF), marginal reflex distance 1 (MRD1), amount of the upper lid, degree of browptosis, lateral hood width of the eyelid, and protrusion of the eyelid fat were measured. The measured values were analyzed to determine changes related to the aging process. Other age groups were analyzed and compared with the subjects between 20 and 30 years old, using the Student's t-test with SPSS. RESULTS: MRD 1 and IPF slightly decreased with age, but there was no statistical significance. The upper lid amount showed a statistically significant increase at the 7th and 8th decade. The degree of browptosis showed a statistically significant increase from the 7th decade of age in men, and from the 6th decade in women. In particular, the lateral browptosis was more drooped than the center browptosis. The lateral hood width of the eyelid showed a statistically significant increase from the 7th decade of age in men, and from the 6th decade in women. Eyelid fat was most protruded at the central lower part, but there was no statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: It is important to understand the change related to aging in the study of eyelid morphology and eyelid operation. The results from present study may be used to determine standard for the safe amount of skin resection in Korean eyelid operations.
Adult ; Aging ; Eyelids ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Reflex ; Skin

PURPOSE: In this study we analyzed and compared the orbital anatomy in Korean and Caucasian subjects using computed tomography (CT) measurements. METHODS: Two observers performed a cross-sectional, retrospective analysis of 44 CT scans of subjects (22 Koreans, 22 Caucasians) with no appreciable orbital or globe disease. Ten length measurements and 3 angle measurements of various orbital aspects were obtained. Analysis was performed to determine if changes in these parameters were associated with race. RESULTS: Anterior medial interorbital length was 24.05 +/- 2.00 mm in Korean and 21.96 +/- 1.96 mm in Caucasian subjects. Anterior vertical orbital length was 34.19 +/- 1.67 mm in Korean and 35.03 +/- 1.18 mm in Caucasian subjects. The anterior medial interorbital length and anterior vertical orbital length (p < 0.05) were significantly different. Interorbital angle was 47.69degrees +/- 1.49degrees in Korean and 46.15degrees +/- 2.19degrees in Caucasian subjects; the difference was statistically significant (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with Caucasians, the orbit of Korean subjects has a narrower orbital opening and longer interorbital distance. The present study regarding the anatomy of Korean and Caucasian orbits will assist physicians with the evaluation and treatment of orbital diseases.
Continental Population Groups ; Humans ; Orbit* ; Orbital Diseases ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

PURPOSE: To report a case of retrobulbar hematoma within the lateral rectus muscle which resulted in sight-threatening complication. METHODS: A 40-year-old male presented with a chief complaint of painless mass and exophthalmos. Exicional biopsy via lateral orbitotomy and direct decompression of the muscle were performed to the diagnosis and treatment. RESULTS: After decompression, improvement of the exophthalmos was achieved. This case illustrated a potentially serious complication of retrobulbar hematoma following minor periorbital trauma. The successful outcome may be achieved by rapid diagnosis and intervention.
Adult ; Biopsy ; Decompression ; Diagnosis ; Exophthalmos ; Hematoma* ; Humans ; Male ; Retrobulbar Hemorrhage

No abstract available.
Para-Aortic Bodies* ; Paraganglioma*