Type I and type II collagens are considered the major collagens of bone and cartilage respectively. Monitoring the patterns of those gene and protein expressions during development will provide a basis for the understanding of the normal and abnormal growths. This study was undertaken to investigate the expression of collagen genes and proteins involved in the developing human mandible. Fifty embryos and fetuses were studied with Alcian blue-PAS, Masson's Trichrome, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), Western blot analysis, and Southern blot analysis. Our results showed that pro-alpha1(II) collagen gene expression begins in the 5th week. Type II collagen is synthesized in mesenchymal cells in advance of overt chondrogenesis. The gene expression for type II collagen was highest during the appearance of Meckel's cartilage. There was a switch in collagen protein expression from type I to type II during the appearance stage of Meckel's cartilage. The distribution of the mRNA for type II collagen corresponded well with the pattern of type II collagen protein. The endochondral ossification was observed where there was direct replacement of cartilage by bone.
Blotting, Southern ; Blotting, Western ; Cartilage ; Chondrogenesis ; Collagen ; Collagen Type II* ; Embryonic Structures ; Fetus ; Gene Expression ; Humans* ; Mandible* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger

We have examined the in vitro stage-related chondrogenic potential of human mandibular and limb bud mesenchyme cells using micromass culture, Our results indicate that limb bud mesenchyme cells as early as stage 16 by Carnegie system (37 days), well before the initiation of in vivo chondrogenesis, have chondrogenic potential which is expressed in micromass culture, These results are correlated with stage-related chondrogenic potential of human limb bud in vivo as a result of Alcian blue staining. The proliferation of chondrogenic cells increased in the first 3 days after culture and then decreased. These results were correlated with the cell cycle analysis of which the number of G degrees/G1 phase increased markedly after 3 days of culture, while the percentage of cells in S phase was decreased, On the other hand, it was rarely differentiated in the mandible. We examined the effects of two PKC modulators such as phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), a potent activator of PKC, and staurosporine (STSN), an inhibitor of PKC. PMA inhibited the chondrogenesis, whereas STSN promoted the chondrogenesis in a dose dependent manner. In addition, PMA exerted no inhibitory effect when the cells were pretreated for 24 h with STSN, implying that the chondrogenic events might be settled at an early step in vitro and PKC may act as a negative modulator, Collectively, these results demonstrate, for the first time, the stage-related chondrogenic potential of human mandibular and limb bud mesenchyme cells and the role of PKC during chondrogenesis in vitro & in vivo.
Alcian Blue ; Cell Cycle ; Chondrogenesis ; Embryonic Structures* ; Extremities* ; Hand ; Humans* ; Limb Buds* ; Mandible ; Mesoderm ; Protein Kinase C* ; Protein Kinases* ; S Phase ; Staurosporine

The clinicopathological study was performed on 80 patients with urinary bladder tumor between 1973 and 1983. The histopathological survey was carried out using preserved tumor specimen slide on the retrospective fashion, that included the growth pattern and vessel invasion. The results were as follows : 1. The tumor histology were papillary and nonpapillary in 70 %, and 30 %, respectively in growth pattern and 74 transitional cell carcinoma(TCC), 3 squamous cell carcinoma(SCC), 2 adenocarcinoma (AC) and 1 mucoepithermoid carcinoma in cell type. 2. The Fade of TCC, Go, G1. G2 and G3 were 1.4%, 36.5%, 39.2% and 22.9% respectively, and the stage of those, in which superficial tumors(pTis-pT1) and invasive tumors( pT2-pT4) were 57.0% and 30.8% respectively. The histopathological mode of local spread was to have strands, nests and individual cells in about one sixth, lymphatic invasion in about one third and venous invasion in about one fifth. 3. The intramural hispathological mode of local spread (INF alpha,beta, and alpha), lymphatic invasion ( lyo, 1 and 2) and venous invasion were highly significant with respect to the hispathological grade and stage, and also within mutual relationship on the other hand.
Adenocarcinoma ; Hand ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; Urinary Bladder*

PURPOSE: We evaluated if VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor)-immunoreactivity is associated with tumor stage or grade in RCC (renal cell carcinoma), and specifically, if it could serve as a prognostic i ndicator in terms of survival. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Histologic samples of 54 patients in whom radical nephrectomy due to RCC (clear cell type exclusively) from January 1995 to July 1999 were included in this study. VEGF-immunoreactivity was classified as 0 to 3+ according to the ratio of VEGF-positive cells in randomly selected multiple tumor areas. Histologic differentiation was classified according to Fuhrmann's classification and staging was made with TNM classification. RESULTS: The correlation between grade and VEGF-positivity was statistically significant using chi-square analysis. Among the 3 patients with grade I, showed 2, 1, 0 for VEGF 1+, 2+, 3+ respectively. In grade II the cases were 11, 7, 3 respectively. In grade III the cases were 3, 10, 11, and in grade IV the cases were 1, 2, 3 respectively. The correlation between stage and VEGF-positivity didn't show statistical significance. The survival rate for VEGF during the period was 100%, 90%, 76.5% for VEGF 1+, 2+, 3+ respectively. The survival rate for grade was 100%, 100%, 83.3%, 66.7% for grade I, II, III, IV respectively. The survival rate for stage was 95.2%, 85.7%, 87.5%, 66.7% FOR STAGE I, II, III, IV respectively. In the same grade, survival rate decreased apparently according to the increase of VEGF-positivity. For example, in the same grade III, the survival rae was 100%, 90%, 72.7% for VEGF 1+, 2+, 3+ respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study is that VEGF is correlated with tumor grade and the higher VEGF expression, the lower the survival rate, so we can predict the prognosis by VEGF immunohistochemical staining for supplement of grading system. VEGF alone can be a good predictor for survival, and importantly in the same grade, we can differentiate patient's prognosis with VEGF.
Carcinoma, Renal Cell ; Classification ; Humans ; Nephrectomy ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

OBJECTIVE: Acute inflammatory lesions in the placenta is one of the most common histopathologic lesions of women with preterm premature rupture of membrane. But there is a few scientific evidence to support the association between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammation in preterm premature rupture of membrane. To evaluate the relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and the presence and severity of acute placental inflammatory lesions in preterm premature rupture of membrane. METHODS: The relationship between amniotic fluid white blood cell count and placental histologic finding was examined in 89 consecutive patients who were admitted with the diagnosis of preterm premature rupture of membrane and who delivered singleton gestation within 3 days. RESULTS: The prevalence of acute histologic chorioamnionitis was 68.5%(61/89) and that of positive amniotic fluid culture was 32.6%(29/89). The prevalence of positive amniotic fluid culture increased according to the higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.05 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the presence and higher severity of inflammation in each type of placental section(p<0.01 for each). The median amniotic fluid white blood cell count increased significantly according to the higher total grade of inflammation in placental histologic examination(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: Both the presence and higher severity of acute histologic chorioamnionitis are associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. The total grade of acute histologic chorioamnionitis is associated with an elevated amniotic fluid white blood cell count. Amniotic fluid white blood cell count is a reliable prenatal marker of histologic chorioamnionitis."
Amniotic Fluid* ; Chorioamnionitis ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Leukocyte Count* ; Leukocytes* ; Membranes* ; Placenta ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Rupture*

PURPOSE:Insulin-like growth factors, IGF- I and IGF-II, are proteins that promote cellular growth and differentiation of the various organs including the kidney. These peptides circulate in serum bound to specific carrier proteins, called IGF binding proteins(IGFBPs). The IGFs are produced in most organs but liver is believed to be the principal source of circulating IGF-I. We studied the correlation of serum IGF-I and IGFBP-2 pattern with aging. METHODS:Sera were collected from 320 healthy population who were grouped according to age. IGF-I was seperated from IGFBPs by Sephadex G-50 acid chromatography. We measured serum IGF-I and IGFBP-2 by using radioimmuno-assay (RIA) and immunoradiometric assay (IRMA) respectively. RESULTS:Serum IGF-I levels were quite low in early childhood, rising slowly and reaching a peak during puberty and a significant decline(P<00.01) during adulthood. The age-dependent pattern of serum IGFBP-2 levels shows a pattern opposite to that of IGF-I which are high at birth, decline by late puberty and increase again with aging. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the alteration of serum IGF-I and IGFBP- 2 pattern with aging. These data suggests that when these tests are performed in the clinic, their interpretation should be based upon age specific criteria.
Adolescent ; Aging* ; Carrier Proteins ; Chromatography ; Humans ; Immunoradiometric Assay ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Protein 2 ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor Binding Proteins ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Kidney ; Liver ; Parturition ; Peptides ; Puberty

No abstract available.
Quality of Life*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of parity & delivery method on female fecal incontinence. METHOD: Based on 213 cases of 4 different delivery method and 40 cases of one non-delivery group, a retrospective analysis of the prevalence of female fecal incontinence, between January 1996 and December 1998, was done. With delivery mode, 4 different groups were: first vaginal delivery group , two or more vaginal deliveries group, first cesarean section group, and first vaginal delivery followed by cesarean section group. All subjects were examined by questionaire or phone about the experience of fecal incontinence after delivery. In cases of fecal incontinence , we reviewed the obstetric complications with medical records. RESULT: There was no fecal incontinence in the non-delivery group. The incidence of fecal incontinence in the two or more vaginal delivery group(11.7%, 9/77) and the first vaginal delivery followed by cesarean section group(18.1%, 8/44) was higher than the first vaginal delivery group(6.8%, 3/44), and the first cesarean section group(2.1%, 1/48)(P<0.05). The obstetric complications in fecal incontinence cases were: a prolonged second stage, anal sphincter laceration, vacuum extraction, a large baby etc. CONCLUSION: Fecal incontinence was significantly correlated with the number of vaginal deliveries and obstetric complications during delivery. Fecal incontinence after the first vaginal delivery or vaginal delivery followed by cesarean section are very important factors in choosing the next delivery method.
Cesarean Section ; Fecal Incontinence* ; Female* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lacerations ; Medical Records ; Parity* ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Psychosexual Development ; Retrospective Studies ; Vacuum

Chondroblastoma is a rare primary bone tumor and that of sacrum was reported only 4 cases in the literatures. We report the case of 16 year old female with chondroblastoma of sacrum. The lesion was treated by partial excision of sacrum and coccyx as a block at 2nd sacral segment level. The excised tumor was round lobulated mass with diameter of 6 cm, and was consisited by yellowish cartilagenous tissue with scattered focus of calcification. Histological structure showed the proliferation of chondroblasts in chondroid ground substance with scattered multinucleasted giant cells. The ground substance showed the areas of calcification. During 22 months of follow up period, neither evidence of local recurrence nor metastasis could be boserved.
Chondroblastoma ; Chondrocytes ; Coccyx ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Giant Cells ; Humans ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Recurrence ; Sacrum

No abstract available.