Vitamin A and its metabolite, retinoic acid, have been recommended for the treatment of psoriasis, ichthyosis, acne vulgaris and Darier's disease which resulted from abaormal regulatory function of keratinocytes. In recent years retinoic acid analogs (retinoids) have been synthesized and shown to be more potent and less toxic than retinoic acid. Since these drugs are therapeutically effective for skin diseases, only with longterm adminiatration of large doses, their toxicities must be seriously considered. The liver is the main site for both storage and excretion of vitamin A and ita derivatives, which may produce injury to the liver and other organs as a result of excess of lysosomal enzyme control. Fatty vacuoles, infiltration of inflammatory cells, focal necrosis, increase in lysosomal enzymes, distension of the RER, decrease in the ribosomes, swelling of the mitochondria, and proliferation of the SER within the hepatocytes have been observed in livers of vitamin A- as well as retinoic acid-treated rats. Its excess may also cause mucous metaplasia of secretory cells of the pancreas. (countinued...)
Acne Vulgaris ; Amphotericin B* ; Animals ; Darier Disease ; Hepatocytes ; Ichthyosis ; Keratinocytes ; Liver ; Metaplasia ; Mitochondria ; Necrosis ; Pancreas ; Psoriasis ; Rats ; Ribosomes ; Skin Diseases ; Tretinoin ; Vacuoles ; Vitamin A ; Vitamins

PURPOSE: A varicocele is the most common correctable cause of infertility in men. Conventional techniques of varicocele repair are associated with substantial risks of hydrocele formation, varicoele persistence and recurrence. The inguinal approach with classic Palomo technique was used to be simplified the procedure and to get the same good results with the Palomo technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From March 1990 to March 1997, we experienced surgical corrections of 54 patients with varicocele(A mean age 20.3 years) The most of patients were left-sided(96.3%). Until March 1996, surgical correction with Palomo(6 patients) and modified Palomo(13 patients) technique by retroperitoneal approach and Ivanissevich techrique(20 patients) by inguinal approach have been performed, and since April 1996, Palomo technique(15 patients) with inguinal approach has been performed, in which the entire vascular pedicle is ligated superior to the entrance of the was deferens through the inguinal incision. RESULTS: The postoperative recurrences in the modified Palomo technique occurred In two of the 13 patients(15%) and in the Ivanissevich technique in three of the 20 patients(15%). But there were no recurrences In the retroperitoneal Palomo and modified inguinal Palomo techniques. The modified inguinal Palomo technique was completed within 45.3minutes in mean duration, but the standard retroperitoneal Palomo technique within 55.2minutes, modified Palomo technique within 57.2minutes and Ivanissevich technique within 51.4minutes. There was no varicocele recurrence, hydrocele and atrophy of testis in modified inguinal Palomo techniques. CONCLUSIONS: The modified inguinal Palomo technique was easily approachable and relatively fast in our experience and had no recurrence.
Atrophy ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Recurrence ; Testis ; Varicocele*

Primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate is extremely rare and about 18 cases have been reported in the literature. We report two cases of primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate, arising in 79-year-old and 65-year-old men. Both cases were the poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate with many signet ring cells. Signet ring cells were positive for prostatic specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase but negative for neutral and acid mucins. In summary, the signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare variant of poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma of the prostate. The orgin of the prostate should be considered in cases of metastatic signet ring cell carcinoma, particularly when the signet ring cells are negative for neutral and acid mucins. Prostatic specific antigen and prostatic acid phosphatase should also be performed to confirm the primary signet ring cell carcinoma of the prostate.
Acid Phosphatase ; Adenocarcinoma ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Signet Ring Cell* ; Humans ; Male ; Mucins ; Prostate*

Granulosa cell tumor of the testis is extremly rare in adult males and granulosa cell tumor occurring in the paratesticular area has not been reported. We report a paratesticular granulosa cell tumor in a 34-year-old man who presented with a 5.5 cm sized scrotal mass. The tumor was present in the paratesticular area near the head of epididymis. It was located in the tunica and completely separated from the testis by thick fibrous tissue. Microscopically, the tumor exhibited solid, microfollicular, and trabecular patterns. The tumor cells had ovoid to elongated nuclei with longitudinal intranuclear grooves and one or two nucleoli and scanty cytoplasm. Mitoses were relatively frequent with an average number of 9/10 HPFs. The tumor extended into the visceral tunica vaginalis and showed multiple lymphatic tumor emboli. Immunohisto chemical stains revealed diffuse strong positivity for inhibin, vimentin, and keratin and diffuse weak positivity for estrogen and progesteron receptor. Placental alkaline phosphatase (PLAP) and epithelial membrane antigen (EMA) were negative. On electron microscopic examination, tumor cells were polygonal and had large indented nuclei. The cytoplasm contained a moderate number of small round mitochondria, abundant rough and smooth endoplasmic reticula, and a few lipid droplets. Small aggregates of intermediate filaments and intercellular junctions were observed. The patient was alive and well 5 months after orchiectomy. This is the first case of adult granulosa cell tumor arising in the paratesticular area.
Adult ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Coloring Agents ; Cytoplasm ; Epididymis ; Estrogens ; Female ; Granulosa Cell Tumor* ; Granulosa Cells* ; Head ; Humans ; Inhibins ; Intercellular Junctions ; Intermediate Filaments ; Male ; Mitochondria ; Mitosis ; Mucin-1 ; Orchiectomy ; Testis ; Vimentin

The association between occupational asbestos exposure and the subsequent development of malignant mesothelioma of pleura is well recognized. We analyzed an asbestos body by energy dispersive X-ray analyser in a case of malignant mesothelioma of pleura who had a history of asbestos exposure 30 years ago. In transmission electron microscope, the asbestos body was composed of a core of refractile thin asbestos fiber bundle and beaded masses of electron-dense iron and protein complex. The core fibers were analyzed as an amphibole type crocidolite fiber [(Na2Fe3Fe2(Si8O22)(OH)2] which composed of high content of silicon, iron and sodium.
Asbestos* ; Asbestos, Crocidolite ; Iron ; Mesothelioma* ; Pleura ; Silicon ; Sodium

In this report, a case of a 70-year-old man with a large ganglion cyst formed after anterior transposition of the left ulnar nerve is presented. Three months after the index surgery, the patient presented with a painless superficial ovoid, soft mass measuring 5x4x2 cm in size located at the posteromedial aspect of the left elbow, the previously operated site. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a well demarcated cystic mass with a stalk connecting to the elbow joint. Excisional biopsy was performed and pathologic findings showed that the cystic wall had no definite lining cells with myxoid degeneration compatible with findings of ganglion cyst.
Aged ; Biopsy ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Ganglion Cysts* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Ulnar Nerve*

Posterior root tears of the medial meniscus are radial tears, usually found in patients older than 50 years with degenerative articular cartilage. Partial menisectomy has been the conventional treatment for this condition. However, growing dissatisfaction with partial menisectomy for medial meniscus root tears has led to an increasing interest in meniscal repair. One method for medial meniscus root repairs involves suturing around the region of the tear where the sutures are pulled-out and fixed around the tibia. In another approach, a suture anchor was used for fixation of the medial meniscus root tear. Both methods improved functional outcome scores at least during a short-term follow-up period. However, complete healing of the repaired root seemed to be less predictable. Strict patient selection, good surgical skills and proper postoperative rehabilitation are the key factors for successful repairs of medial meniscus root tears.
Cartilage, Articular ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Knee ; Menisci, Tibial* ; Patient Selection ; Rehabilitation ; Suture Anchors ; Sutures ; Tears ; Tibia

This study is to develop a system which offers the auto-response and the auto-call about the patient monitoring information of the heart rate, NIBP, SpO2 and overall status from a patient monitor to registered users. After detecting a dial tone by a developed ARS and confirming a registered user, this system offers the information of a required patient by ARS voice. If a user registered to an auto-calling service, this system can offer a patient monitoring information automatically and periodically for a user' s setting to a user' s hand-phone or beeper by the voice or the number. Additionally, when the patient' s emergency situation to happen, this system calls the emergency state to an registered user' s hand-phone or beeper by the voice or the number. All of the information of patient monitoring is managed by the SQL database system for easy to the data extraction and the service of the statistical information effectively.
Emergencies ; Heart Rate ; Humans ; Monitoring, Physiologic* ; Voice

Verrucous malignant melanoma is a rare variant of melanoma, characterized by a hyperkeratotic verrucous surface, a rather uniform color, and a moderately irregular outline. Histologically, discrepancy exists between tumor thickness according to Breslow and Clark's level due to the marked epidermal hyperplasia. Herein, we report an unusual case of verrucous malignant melanoma which developed on the right leg in a 32-year-old man.
Adult ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Leg ; Melanoma*

No abstract available.
Child* ; Humans ; Nevus, Spindle Cell*