No abstract available.
Pyelonephritis*

No abstract available.
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration* ; Osmolar Concentration* ; Sperm Motility* ; Spermatozoa*

A 'circadian rhythm' is a self-sustained biological rhythm (cycle) that repeats itself approximately every 24 hours. Circadian rhythms are generated by an internal clock, or pacemaker, and persist even in the absence of environmental time cues, collectively termed 'zeitgebers.' Although organisms generate circadian rhythms internally, they are entrained by environmental stimuli, particularly the light-dark cycle. Measurement of the endogenous melatonin rhythm provides relatively reliable surrogate way of assessing the timing of the internal circadian clock. Also, core body temperature and cortisol can be used as markers of circadian rhythms. The sleep-wake cycle, body temperature, and melatonin rhythm have a stable internal phase relationship in humans and other diurnal species. They play an important role in controlling daily behavioral rhythms including task performance, blood pressure, and synthesis and secretion of several hormones. In this review, we address not only the properties, methods of measurement, and markers of circadian rhythms, but also the physiological and psychological importance of human circadian rhythms.
Blood Pressure ; Body Temperature ; Circadian Clocks ; Circadian Rhythm* ; Cues ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Melatonin ; Photoperiod ; Task Performance and Analysis

No abstract available.
Congenital Abnormalities* ; Fingers* ; Plastics*

No abstract available.
Calcium Carbonate* ; Calcium* ; Humans ; Renal Dialysis*

No abstract available.
Low Back Pain* ; Prevalence* ; Risk Factors*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the silicone ring pessary in the management of pelvic organ prolapse. METHODS: This study was evaluated for the clinical analysis of 58 pelvic organ prolapse patients who visited our hospital and weared silicone ring pessary from January 1997, to December 1998. RESULTS: Among 58 patients, failure rate was 13.7%(8/58) and complication rate was 50%(29/58). Main causes of failure were vaginal ulcer(4 cases) and recurrent falling out of pessary(3 cases). Most common problems were recurrent falling out of pessary(10 cases) and vaginal erosion with or without ulcer(9 cases), vaginitis(6 cases). There was no significant difference of failure rates and complication rates between hysterectomized patients and the non-hysterectomized patients. CONCLUSION: In management of pelvic organ prolapse which unsuitable for operation, pessary is noninvasive, simple and effective alternative method.
Humans ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse* ; Pessaries* ; Silicones*

The giant cell tumor is a primary. neoplasm of bone characterized histollogically by a vascularized network of plumpish or ovoid stromal cells heavily interposed with multinucleated giant cells. The majority of cases occur in patients between 20 and 40 years old and in the long tubular bones, particuarly in proximity to the epiphysis. A rare case of giant cell tumor involving the patella was recently experienced by authors. Case summary with brief review of reference is presented.
Epiphyses ; Giant Cell Tumors ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Patella ; Stromal Cells

We investigated the distribution of S-100 protein positive dendritic cells in the skin lesions with tuberculoid sturcture. For this study, we selected the paraffin blocks of biopsied specimens with the characteristic histopathology of lupus vulgaris (5cases), tubereulosis verrucosa cutis (1 case), lupus milaris disseminatus faciei (4 cases), and erythema induratum (7 cases). The cells were identified by immunohistochemical demonstration in paraffin sections. The results were as follows: 1. S-100 protein positive dendritic cells were regularly visualized in all lesions examined. 2. S-100 protein positive dendritic cells appeared usually between the lymphohistiocytic infiltrates around the tuberculoid granulomas in contrast to the cells of monocyte-macrophage system which were within the granulomas. And they appeared occasionally (e.g. in a case of lupus vulgaris) between epitheloid cells in the granulomas. 3. S-100 protein positive dendritic cells were more numerous in the granulomatous lesions which showed the well-formed tuberculoid sturcture. From these results, we suggested the S-100 protein positive dendritic cells act as accessory cells in the pathogenesis of the granulomatous lesions by the delayed type hypersensitivity.
Dendritic Cells* ; Erythema Induratum ; Granuloma ; Hypersensitivity ; Lupus Vulgaris ; Paraffin ; S100 Proteins ; Skin*

This study was carried out to investigate the ultrastructural findings of rats after administration of 0.5% lead acetate with drinking water. The Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into control and experimental groups. The control group was composed of 12 rats and was orally administered with 0.5% sodium acetate. The experimental group was composed of 36 rats and orally administered with 0.5% lead acetate. Two rats in the control group and four rats in the experimental group were sacrificed on day 2, and week 1, 2, 4, 6 and 8 after administration. The kidney was extirpated and examined by electron microscopy. The results obtained were as follows: The blood lead concentration in the experimental group began to increase from the second day after administration and it increased gradually until the 6th week and it decreased at the 8 week. The urinary excretion of delta-ALA also increased from the secondary and gradually increased up to the 8th week. On electron microscopic examination, the proximal tubular cells showed fat droplets, dilatation of the endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondrial swelling, increased numbers of secondary lysosomes and myelin figure-like residual bodies and intranuclear inclusion bodies. All these findings peaked at the eighth week after administration. Ultrastructural findings after Timm sulphide silver reaction revealed the lead granules in the proximal tubular lumen and between the microvilli of the proximal tubular cells without membrane-bounded. It can be concluded that most of the changes of micro-organelles are compatible with degenerative changes of lead exposure and passive diffusion of lead granules are involved in the proximal tubular cells.
Rats ; Animals