OBJECTIVE: Immunofluorescence microscopy including confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy were used to study the production of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin in the cumulus-corona (CC) cells surrounding mature, unfertilized oocytes after ovulation in view of their presumptive importance in the coordination of the processes leading to fertilization and early embryo cleavage, including the final maturation of the ovum, the sperm-egg interaction, and the complex biochemical mechanism between the ovum and the oviduct. METHODS: Mature oocyte-cumulus complex (OCC) was cultured for 24 and 48 hour and fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde. Specimens were incubated with a mixture of primary monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin, and then with a mixture of secondary antibodies containing FITC, TRITC, and Cy-5 conjugated antibodies. Observation was made by confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with epifluorescece optics. Transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the OCC at 24 and 48 hours after cultrue. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical date demonstrated that CC masses are capable of producing fibronectin and tenascin but their production is heterogeneous in the CC population. Immunoreactivity to fibronectin and tenascin was shown mostly by inner corona cells, and the intensity of immunofluorescence decreased from the central corona cells to the peripheral cumulus cells. Colocalization of fibronectin and tenascin was evident in most CC cells. Moreover, fibronectin and tenascin immunoreactive material was observed in the intracytoplasmic areas, at the plasma membrane level as well as in the extracellular matrix. Whereas, laminin immunofluorescence was found around plasma membrane and extracellular area, but a intracytoplasmic reaction was rarely observed. The distribution of laminin immunofluorescence was similar to that of fibronectin and tenascin, but in some cumulus cells, colocalization between them was not found. Ultrastructurally, cumulus cells projected numerous long, thin microvilli into the intercellular area and some micovilli penetrated into zona pellucida. The inner layer of the cumulus mass was loose arrangement of relatively uniform, small cells with widened intercellular spaces, whereas in the outer layer, cumulus cells are rather larger in size and compact arrangement by narrow, irregular spaces. A small and large linear gap junctions were easily found at cell contacts. The cytoplasm of most cells had abundant organelles typical of steroidogenesis: numerous mitochondrias, a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, electron dense lipid droplets, and bundles of microtubules and microfilaments. Rudimentary disrupted basal lamina along the cytoplasmic border was rarely seen in a few inner conora cells. CONCLUSION: Even though the functional role of these extracellular matrix proteins remains still unclear, it is reasonable to suggest that they are necessary in various steps of the reproductive process. Cumulus cells appears to be a heterogeneous and dynamic system for suitable microenviroment of fertilization. And functional differences between corona and cumulus cells during the oocyte denudation may be accounted for particular distribution of these adhesive proteins and steroidogenesis-related organelles.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Adhesives ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Basement Membrane ; Cell Membrane ; Cumulus Cells ; Cytoplasm ; Embryonic Structures ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Epitopes ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fibronectins* ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Formaldehyde ; Gap Junctions ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubules ; Microvilli ; Mitochondria ; Oocytes ; Organelles ; Oviducts ; Ovulation ; Ovum ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Tenascin* ; Zona Pellucida

The relationship between respiratory infections and exacerbations of wheezing in patients with wheezy bronchitis or asthma has been described. Most respiratory infections were viral or Mycoplasma pneumoniae. This study was performed to evaluate the effect of Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection on bronchial reactivity and atopic background. 106 patients with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia who were admitted to the department of pediatrics, Fatima Hospital, Taegu during the period of two years from January 1989 to December 1990 were involved in this study. The results were as follows 1) Out of 106 cases, 69 were male,37 were female and 34.9% of the cases were between 5~6 years of age. 35 cases(33.0%) had wheezing and the incidence of wheezing were higher in male than in female. 2) The incidence of wheezing was high in the patients with serum IgE level higher than 200IU/ml, patients with past and family history of allergy and the patients fed with formula feeding in infancy. 3) Eosinophils and the associated maxillary sinusitis had no effect on the incidence of wheezing. 4) The recurrence of wheezing was higher in Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia with wheezing(26.8%) than in patients without wheezing(3.8%).
Asthma ; Bronchitis ; Child* ; Daegu ; Eosinophils ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Immunoglobulin E ; Incidence ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Mycoplasma pneumoniae* ; Mycoplasma* ; Pediatrics ; Pneumonia* ; Pneumonia, Mycoplasma* ; Recurrence ; Respiratory Sounds* ; Respiratory Tract Infections

Venous hemangioma is a vascular tumor that has been reported by such diverse names as; "cirsoid aneurysm", "arteriovenous hemangioma", "acral arteriovenous tumor" according to the author's opinions of its origin and histopathologic classification. It is benign and rarely biopsied, and it is also rarely reported in dermatology literature. We present two cases of venous hemangioma. The first case was a 64-year-old man who was presented with an elliptical dark-red plaque with overlying several grouped papules on the left periorbital area which had been present for 7 years. The second case was a 56-year-old man who was presented with a single red papule on the right postauricular area which had been present for 4 months. Histopathologically, there were a well-circumscribed proliferation of thick-walled muscle-containing blood vessels in the dermis. Intermingled with the thick-walled blood vessels, there were also thin-walled dilated blood vessels. In both cases, the thick-walled blood vessels resembled arteries, but they lacked elastic fibers on the Verhoeff van Gieson stain.
Arteries ; Blood Vessels ; Classification ; Dermatology ; Dermis ; Elastic Tissue ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Middle Aged

Bartter's syndrome is a rare tubular disorder characterized by hypokalemic, hypochloremic metabolic alkalosis, hyperreninemic hyperaldosteronism, hyporesponsiveness to pressor agents, and juxtaglomerular apparatus hyperplasia. We report here a case of Bartter's syndrome in a 5 month-old male infant who improved with potassium supplements. In addition to a case report, brief review of related literatures was done.
Alkalosis ; Bartter Syndrome* ; Humans ; Hyperaldosteronism ; Hyperplasia ; Infant ; Juxtaglomerular Apparatus ; Male ; Potassium

PURPOSE: Magnetization transfer imaging(MTI) is a new imaging contrast technique. Our MT pulse sequence is designed as fixed time interval between echo and MT pulse. This study was peformed to evaluate the influence of variations in TR/TE on MTR in T1 weighted image of normal brain tissue on this kind of MT pulse sequence. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seven healthy volunteers in twenties of age as the objectives, MRI was taken under various TR/TE(TR/TE ;700/14, 650/14, 750/14, 700/20 and 1500/20 msec). MTR was calculated from signal intensities measured at the same point in both pre and post MT images and statisticslly analyzed. The MR imager used in this study was 1.0T Magnetom 42SP(Siemens, Erlangen, Germany) and the parameters of additional MT pulse sequence were offset 1000Hz and bandwidth 250Hz, and posteriorly located to echo with 7.7 msec fixed interval. Offset of this MT pulse was variable. RESULT: In white matter of brain tissue from a normal person, MTR was 34-39%(average 37%) for TR and TE of 700/14 in T1WI and 33-36%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 650/14, and 34-38%(average 35%) for TR/TE of 750/14 which showed no statistical difference. However, in case of 1500/20 of TR/TE, MTR was 26-28%(average 26%) which is statistically significant. With TR/TE of 700/14 as the standrd value, the MTR of gray and white matter were 37% and 29% respectively, showing a definite difference of statistical means. Signal from CSF in ventricles is rarely influenced by MT pulse. CONCLUSION: Conclusively, a subtle variation in TR/TE in T1WI has little influence on MTR but wide range of variation in TR/TE as in proton density image induces significant difference in MTR on this kind of MT pulse sequence. Therefore, the exchangeable usage of MTR data would be possible in narrow range of TR/TE change but difficult in wide range of variation.
Brain* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Protons ; Reference Values*

Congenital lobar emphysema (CLE) is a rare entity of unknown incidence. The main signs and symptoms are tachypnea, tachycardia, cyanosis, retractions, wheezing, tympanic chest percussion, asymetric breath sounds, or displaced cardiac tones within the first month of life. Occasionally a superimposed pulmonary infection exacerbates the condition, prompting hospital admission and medical treatment of the pneumonia followed by surgical treatment of the CLE. We now report a case of left upper CLE in a 15-day-old infant. Anesthesia was induced with thiopental sodium and maintained with intravenous fentanyl and midazolam. Endotracheal intubation was uneventful. Muscle relaxation was done with rocuronium. Gentle manual ventilation with a Mapleson D circuit was begun and changed to intermittent mandatory ventilation with an infant ventilator. During the left upper lobe resection, we used high frequency oscillation ventilation (HFOV) at FIO2 1.0, 12 Hz frequency, 12 cmH2O amplitude for 25 minutes. The minimal lung movement during HFOV was found to provide excellent operating conditions for the surgeons and adequate oxygenation without cardiovascular compromise. The PaCO2 was increased to 71 mmHg 25 minutes after the start of HFOV, and returned to normal value with intermittent mandatory ventilation. The remainder of the operation and anesthesia were uneventful. The patient was transferred to the neonatal intensive care unit.
Anesthesia ; Cyanosis ; Emphysema* ; Fentanyl ; High-Frequency Ventilation* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care, Neonatal ; Intubation, Intratracheal ; Lung ; Midazolam ; Muscle Relaxation ; Oxygen ; Percussion ; Pneumonia ; Reference Values ; Respiratory Sounds ; Tachycardia ; Tachypnea ; Thiopental ; Thorax ; Ventilation ; Ventilators, Mechanical

No abstract available.

Objectives: The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders of upper extremities mons watch assembly workers in small-scaled industry was studied. Methods: In 83 workers at five watch assembly factories, symptoms and psychosocial questionnaire, ergonomic Interview, physical examination were conducted. Results: Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2% and neck 34.9%, wrist/hand 31.3%, shoulder 30.1%, elbow/arm 18.0% by anatomical site. Prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8%. Most common disease was myofascial pain syndrome (31.3%). The other diseases were De Quervain disease (9.6%), tenosynovitis/tendinitis at wrist/hand (9.6%), bicipital tendinitis(6.0%), fat. epicondylitis(4.8%), meIn. epicondylitis(2.4%), and cervical disc disease(2.4%). As result of ergonomic interview, repetitiveness was 79(98.8%). There were no differences in the prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders for age, sex, marital status, duration of work In the study, The significant factors of cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress in the study. The prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders in high strain group was hlgher (68.4%) than other three groups. The prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulative trauma disorders in assembly task was higher (70.0%, 64.0%) than other two tasks. Conclusions: Prevalence of self-reported symptoms was 54.2%, prevalence of cumulative trauma disorders was 45.8% in watch assembly workers. In this study, factor related to self-reported symptoms was occupational task and factors relaxed to cumulative trauma disorders were occupational task and psychosocial stress. This results suggest that differences of ergonomics and environment in occupational task cause differences of prevalence of self-reported symptoms and cumulatlve trauma disorders.
Cumulative Trauma Disorders* ; De Quervain Disease ; Human Engineering ; Marital Status ; Myofascial Pain Syndromes ; Neck ; Physical Examination ; Prevalence* ; Questionnaires ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity*

BACKGROUND: Establishing effective communication between doctor and patient help doctors treat their patients easily and influence patient's compliance with medical regimen and treatment outcome. The objective of this study was to evaluate common characteristic of third-year medical student's behavior in their patient interview and apply these results to medical education of communication. METHODS: Ninety-one third-year medical students in Hanyang University College of Medicine through their clerkship in family medicine had been instructed to perform medical interviews of patients who visited the Department of Family Medicine of Hanyang University Hospital. Video-taped records of the interviews using CCTV were done. The evaluation was done with a rating scale table consisting of 20 items. The rating scale was categorized in to 5 areas: beginning the interviews, collection of information, doctor-patient relationship, structure of interview and ending the interview. RESULTS: Among the 62 students who were enrolled in the study, 55 students were males(84%). In the process of collecting information 33 students(53%) applied open-ended question at least once. Eighteen students(29%) used leading question. In the doctor-patient relationship, 3 students gave empathic verbal response among 58 records which were applicable. In the structure of interview, 25 students(40%) appropriately avoided to shift abruptly the focus of discussion. When ending their interviews, 6 students(10%) clarified the interview in whole. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that there are several deficiencies in medical students' communication skills during their process of interviews that might influence information gathering and doctor-patient relation ship.
Compliance ; Education, Medical ; Humans ; Physician-Patient Relations ; Ships ; Students, Medical* ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: It is reported that approximately 10.7% of Korean reproductive women use rhythm method to avoid pregnancy, which is higher in comparison to other countries. However, few surveys on practicing natural family planning methods have been done and awareness of it is also very(low). Our study examined women's interest and related factors in using natural family planning either to become pregnant or to avoid it. METHODS: A questionnaire was given to 1,700 women, ages 18 to 50, who visited general hospitals in Seoul and Kyounggido for health examination from the months beginning July and ending September in 1998. RESULTS: Of the 604 answered questionnaires, 361 were from women who were potentially fertile. Of these women 45.4% indicated that they would likely use natural family planning in the future to avoid pregnancy, and 30.5% indicated that they would likely use natural family planning in the future to become pregnant. Past use of any method of natural family planning to avoid pregnancy was associated with interest in future use of modern methods of natural family planning to avoid pregnancy. Age under 30, past use of natural family planning to become pregnant and the possible desire for future pregnancy were associated with interest in future use of natural family planning to conceive. CONCLUSION: Interest in future use of natural family planning is associated with past use of natural family planning including other factors. Many women who have not used natural family planning showed interest in using natural family planning, either to avoid pregnancy or to conceive. Therefore, clinicians should include modern natural family planning method in all of their discussions with women about family planning options.
Family Planning Services ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Natural Family Planning Methods* ; Pregnancy ; Seoul ; Surveys and Questionnaires