Male genital tract inflammatory conditions may be associated with unexplained infertility. The presence of cytokine such as tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was reported in the semen of infertile men. However, the effect of these cytokines on human sperm function is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the in-vitro effects of TNF-alpha on human sperm motility with computer assisted sperm analysis. Washed sperm from 16 normal men were incubated without and with TNF-alpha(0.1, 10, 1000 ng/ml). The changes of parameters of sperm motility were recorded at different time intervals (0, 5, 24 hour). There was no significant change of parameters of sperm motility in the incubation with TNF-alpha. It is suggested that TNF-alpha alone does not interfere with the sperm motility and more studies are needed.
Cytokines ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Semen ; Sperm Motility* ; Spermatozoa* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha*

Sparganosis is a tissue-invading disease caused hy plerocercoid of Spirometra mansoni91. Usually, uncooked snakes or flogs and infected water are primary sources of sparganosis. Sparganosis found in the lower extremities, abdominal wall, breast, inguinal region and scrotum. Simple radiographs show linear or elongated calcification. Serodiagnostic tests have also heen used widely. Confirmative diagnosis of sparganosis is made by surgical removal of the worm. We experienced a case of sparganosis in a 48-year old male in the calf. We report a case and review related articles hriefly.
Abdominal Wall ; Breast ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Scrotum ; Snakes ; Sparganosis* ; Spirometra

Hypertension is a risk factor for developing fatal aortic dissection. Aortic dissection occurs 2~3 times as often in men than in women between ages of 50~70 years old. Among other risk factors, aortic dissection occurs especially in women below the age of 40 years old in pregnancy-related cases. In pregnancy-related cases, aortic dissection occurs in the third trimester and in puerperium, as well as in multiparous women. The writers experienced an aortic dissection related pregnancy. The patient was 32 years old, diagnosis of dissection occurred in the postpartum period. Although, aortic dissection is a rare complication of pregnancy, the knowledge of this may assist the emergency physician save the lives of patients.
Adult ; Diagnosis ; Emergencies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Male ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Risk Factors

No abstract available.
Bacteria, Anaerobic*

Although the introduction of oral phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors has revolutionized the treatment of erectile dysfunction, there is still a need for new effective therapies for patients who fail to respond or who have severe cardiovascular disease. Stem cell therapy may restore physiological erections following normal endogenous signals. Treatments based on stem cells have the advantages of no inflammation and less immune rejection. Immunohistochemical evidence for nerve preservation and improved erectile function in rats after administration of neural embryonic stem cells intracavernosally has been reported. Potential differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells after injection into the corpus cavernosum in rats was confirmed. Mesenchymal stem cells alone or mesenchymal stem cells altered by gene therapy with endothelial nitric oxide synthase or calcitonin-related peptide restored damaged erectile physiology and improved erectile capacity in rats. Injection of skeletal muscle-derived cells into the corpus cavernosum improved erectile function. Fetal and cord blood stem cells also can be used as the source of stem cells. Recently, multipotent amniotic fluid-derived stem cells have been isolated. Advances in the research of amniotic fluid-derived stem cells are expected to further raise the hope for stem cell therapy. Stem cell therapy to restore erectile function may represent a fascinating new therapeutic strategy for future treatment.
Animals ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5 ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Endothelial Cells ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Fetal Blood ; Genetic Therapy ; Hope ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; Penis ; Physiology ; Rats ; Stem Cells*

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether radial rigidity measured using RigiScan(R) represents the intracorporeal pressure effectively. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From January 1998 to May 1999, total of 23 patients with erectile dysfunction were evaluated by RigiScan(R) and duplex ultrasonography after the intracorporeal injection of prostaglandin E1. Peak systolic velocity and end diastolic velocity were measured by duplex ultrasonography and then the resistance index was calculated as (peak systolic velocity-end diastolic velocity)/(peak systolic velocity). Radial rigidity of penile tip and base was measured by RigiScanR . The results were analyzed statistically by PC-SPSS version 7.5. RESULTS: There were statistically significant correlations between radial rigidity of penile tip and base and the resistance index by Spearman's correlation analysis, respectively (r=0.680, p<0.001)(r=0.703, p<0.001). When radial rigidity of penile tip and base exceeded 60% of maximum, radial rigidity of penile tip and base again correlated well with the resistance index, respectively (r=0.659, p=0.020)(r=0.759, p=0.011). Based on clinically determined degree of erection, radial rigidity of penile tip and base represented the intracorporeal pressure effectively. CONCLUSIONS: Radial rigidity measured by RigiScan(R) represents the intracorporeal pressure effectively.
Alprostadil* ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Ultrasonography

No abstract available.
Animals ; Flowmeters* ; Magnets* ; Male ; Models, Animal* ; Penile Erection* ; Rats*

Evidence-based medicine is a medical movement combining professional experience with the best scientific research results. Treatment of Kawasaki disease in the acute phase is directed at reducing inflammation in the coronary artery wall and preventing coronary thrombosis, whereas long-term therapy in individuals who develop coronary aneurysms is aimed at preventing myocardial ischemia or infarction. I attempt to summarize the current state of knowledge of the medical management of patients with Kawasaki disease. The recommendations are evidence-based and derived from published data wherever possible.
Coronary Aneurysm ; Coronary Thrombosis ; Coronary Vessels ; Evidence-Based Medicine ; Humans ; Infarction ; Inflammation ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome* ; Myocardial Ischemia

The clinical observation on diagnosis and treatment was made in 84 patients of renal injury during the period from 1983 to 1989. The results were as follows. 1. The sex ratio of male to female was 3.4:1 and the most favorable age was from 20 to 39 years for 46.4%. 2. The main cause of injury was nonpenetrating injury of which traffic accidents was the most common cause. 3. The associated injuries were seen in 100% of penetrating injury and 55.1% of nonpenetrating injury. The most common associated injury was diaphragmatic injury in penetrating injury and head injury in nonpenetrating injury. 4. Flank pain and hematuria were found in 91.7% and 84.5% in the patients with renal injury, respectively.5. IVP. CT scan, ultrasonography and retrograde pyelography were taken in 63. 50.5 and 2 patients. respectively for the diagnosis of renal injury. The frequency of minor. major and pedicle renal injury were 63.1%. 33.3% and 3.6%, respectively. 6. In minor injury. conservative treatment and renorrhaphy were performed in 98.1% and 1.9% and complication occurred in 3.8%. In major injury. conservative treatment. nephrectomy. partial nephrectomy and renorrhaphy were performed in 46.4%, 32.1%. .14.2% and 7.1%. respectively and complication occurred in 21.4%. In pedicle injury. nephrectomy was performed in 100% and complication was happened in 33.3%. From the viewpoint of the cause of injury, conservative treatment was performed in 16.7% in penetrating injury and 82.1% in nonpenetrating injury. In conclusion. the accurate diagnosis and treatment plan of renal injury with computed tomography are important. When the selection between conservative treatment and operative treatment is difficult, aggressive operative treatment is effective for the preservation of the injured kidney and the prevention of complications.
Accidents, Traffic ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Diagnosis* ; Female ; Flank Pain ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Kidney ; Male ; Nephrectomy ; Sex Ratio ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography ; Urography ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

No abstract available.
Angiocardiography* ; Contrast Media* ; Electrolytes* ; Osmolar Concentration* ; Plasma* ; Renin*