No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 are expressed differentially during the whole gestational period in the pregnant human uterine cervix and if they are involved in the process of labor. METHODS: Nine patients were matched for obstetrical history and maternal age were divided into an abortion group who aborted between 13 and 16 weeks(n=3), a preterm group who delivered between 20 and 37 weeks(n=3), and a term group who delivered between 37 and 42 weeks of gestation(n=3). Immediately after vaginal delivery cervical biopsy samples were obtained and immunohistochemically stained for COX-1 and COX-2 and the degree of staining was evaluated by H-scoring system. RESULTS: Expression of COX-1 and COX-2 was found in epithelial and stromal cells of uterine cervical tissues of preterm and term group. The immunohistochemical expression of COX-1 and COX-2 was strongest in the term group compared to the preterm group in stromal cells(HSCORE : 2.0 vs. 4.0 ; 2.0 vs. 3.0), and in epithelial cells(HSCORE : 1.0 vs. 3.0 ; 1.0 vs. 3.0). CONCLUSION: Although small amount of the groups were investigated, in the pregnant human uterine cervix, COX-1 and COX-2 are found to be expressed, and both shows the strongest expression in term cervical tissue. It is suggested that the uterine cervix, under the control of prostaglandins, is actively involved in the process of labor, and it is thought that the role of COX-1 and COX-2 is more important in parturition process with advancing gestational age.
Biopsy ; Cervix Uteri* ; Cyclooxygenase 1* ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans* ; Maternal Age ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Prostaglandins ; Stromal Cells

Vasoactive intestinal polypeptide(VIP), 28-amino acid peptide extracted from porcine duodenum first, has been known as a potent vasodilator. And, VIP is also one of the important neurotransmitters in autonomic pathways affecting secretion and vascular tone of the airway. The purpose of present study is to localize the VIP-containing nerve endings in the nasal gland of the guinea pig at ultrastructural level. For immunoelectron microscopy, adult guinea pigs(300-400g B.W.) were perfused with Zamboni fixative through the aorta and the nasal septum were removed. 20nm cryosections were made for immunocytochemistry using rabbit anti-VIP and ABC methods. After DAB reaction, sections were processed for pre-embedding method, and 70nm ultrathin sections were cut. Routine uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining were employed, and immunoreactivity was observed under transmission electron microscope. VIP-containing nerve endings were located in cytoplasmic interdigitation between acinar cells, and also found along the basal surface of the acini, excretory ducts, and myoepithelial cells as well. These findings imply that VIP might be involved in secretory activity of the nasal gland of the guinea pig.
Acinar Cells ; Adult ; Animals ; Aorta ; Autonomic Pathways ; Citric Acid ; Cytoplasm ; Duodenum ; Guinea Pigs* ; Guinea* ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission* ; Microscopy, Immunoelectron ; Nasal Septum ; Nerve Endings* ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Acute laryngeal trauma is a very rare injury. Controversy still exists in regards to its proper management. The aim of this study was to present clinical findings and management of acute laryngeal trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS:We analyzed medical records of 15 patients with acute laryngeal trauma from 1987 to 1997 retrospectively. RESULTS: The most common cause of injury was traffic accident. Hoarseness (93.3 %), odynophagia (86.7 %), subcutaneous emphysema (60.0 %) were the common presenting symptoms and thyroid cartilage was the most common site of fracture. The correlation between dyspnea (p=0.03) and subcutaneous emphysema (p=0.08) and major injury was high. Esophageal examination was performed on 11 patients and revealed no injury. All four patients with vocal cord palsy and minor injury findings improved. Patients with major injury showed bad results of airway and voice, and result of voice was worse that of airway. CONCLUSION: If presenting symptoms are emphysema and dyspnea, major injury should be considered. Routine esophageal examination may be skipped in blunt minor injury. Vocal cord palsy with minor injury finding may not be an operative indication in blunt injury.
Accidents, Traffic ; Dyspnea ; Emphysema ; Hoarseness ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Retrospective Studies* ; Subcutaneous Emphysema ; Thyroid Cartilage ; Vocal Cord Paralysis ; Voice ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

No abstract available.
Aneurysm* ; Angiography* ; Circle of Willis*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Mothers*

No abstract available.
Moyamoya Disease* ; Seizures*

No abstract available.
Twins, Conjoined*

No abstract available.
Twins, Conjoined*