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

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

No abstract available.
Breast Neoplasms* ; Breast* ; Drug Therapy ; Neoadjuvant Therapy

Herpes simplex esophagitis has been recognized with increased frequency as an opportunistic infection in immunosuppressed or debilitated patients. However, it is also documented as self-limited esophagitis in apparently healthy patients. We report two cases of herpetic esophagitis diagnosed by biopsies. One case was noted in an immunocompetent patient having gastric peptic ulcer who had clinical improvement with symptomatic treatment. And the other was noted in an immunosuppressed patient having chemotherapy for gastric carcinoma who had resolution of symptoms with acyclovir therapy. Histologically, esophageal mucosa exhibited erosion and inflammatory cellular exudate with intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions in the epithelial cells. These were confirmed by the PCR and immunohistochemical stain for herpes simplex virus using a biopsy material.
Acyclovir ; Biopsy ; Drug Therapy ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells ; Esophagitis* ; Exudates and Transudates ; Herpes Simplex* ; Humans ; Mucous Membrane ; Opportunistic Infections ; Peptic Ulcer ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Simplexvirus

The treatment of acutely torn anterior cruciate ligament(A.C.L) remains a controversial subject. The purpose of this paper is to show the arthroscopic technique of A.C.L. primary repair with or without augmentation with semitendinosus tendon. Twenty-one patients with acute A.C.L. tear were treated with repair or augmented repair under arthroscopic control from April 1989 to August 1993. Five A.C.L. torn at femoral attachment with intact distal stump were treated with arthoscopic repair alone & 16 A.C.L. torn at substance near the femoral attachment with arthroscopic repair & augmentation with semitendinosus tendon. The patient population included of 16 males and 5 females with an average age 28.3 years. Fifteen patients injuried during sports activity. Postoperative results were evaluated by Lysholm knee score & Hospital for Special Surgery knee scale in average 26 months (range from 12 months to 64 months). All patients were rated as good or excellent result except one patient who had fair result. At follow-up study, testing with KT1000 arthrometer revealed 17 patients had less than 3mm of side to side difference. Second look arthroscopy was performed in 15 patients from 4 to 29 months after repair or augmented repair. Eleven out of these 15 A.C.L. were well healed with good tension 8r. revascularization of graft. Remaining 4 A.C.L. were healed with scar tissue. On the based of this study, arthroscopic repair or augmented repair is very effective treatment for acutely torn A.C.L. near the femoral attachment.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Arthroscopy ; Cicatrix ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Lysholm Knee Score ; Male ; Sports ; Tears ; Tendons ; Transplants

We reviewed 24 patients who had performed arthroscopic meniscal repair for the treatment off discoid lateral meniscal tear between january 1989 and December 1992. The follow up ranged from 1 year 6 month to 4 year 6 month(average 32month). The mean age was 17.9(range,8-50)years, the patients under 20 years old were 17(cases,71%).Common preoperative clinical symptom was pain on the knee joint(21 cases,87.5%) and click(19 cases,79%).Positive McMurry test was the most common physical examination finding(19 cases, 79%). All the lateral discoid meniscal tears were confirmed by arthroscopy. The mean interval between symptom onset and operation was 18.7 months(range 1 month to 10 year). The types of tear were peripheral (14cases, 58%), complex tear(4cases), longitudinal tear(2cases), transverse tear(2cases), horizontal tear(2cases)and the most common location of tear was posterior horn(1 1cases, 45%). The mean number of suture was four. In operative method, Scases(33%) were performed only meniscorrhaphy and meniscorrhaphy combined with partial meniscectomy was done in 16 cases(67%). According to Ikeuchi's grading system, the result was satisfactory in 21cases, fair in three cases. Second look arthroscopy was done in eleven cases(46%) between post operative 4 months to 2 years(mean, 8.3 months). The arthroscopic examination revealed complete healing of repaired meniscus in eight cases(73%). The remained three cases which were not completely healed was fair result.
Arthroscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Methods ; Physical Examination ; Sutures ; Tears

No abstract available.
Follow-Up Studies* ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Vesico-Ureteral Reflux*

A female newborn had the following characteristics; a congenital localized absence of skin over the lower extremities; blistering of the skin or mucous membrane, incited by trauma, which heals without scarring; and congenital absence or deformity of the nails. In respect to the characteristic manifestation, clinical course and electron microscopic features, our patient seems to fit well into Bart's syndrome. The inheritance pattern appears to be autosomal dominant but, as in this report, isolated cases have been recognized. As the review of the literatures, congenital localized absence of skin has been observed in various subsets of inherited E.B. But, we believe that the term Bart's syndrome should be used to identify patients with good prognosis as the Bart's initial description To the best of our knowedge, this is the first reported case of Bart's syndrome in the korean literature.
Blister ; Cicatrix ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Inheritance Patterns ; Lower Extremity ; Mucous Membrane ; Prognosis ; Skin

No abstract available.
Panniculitis*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn*