During the past two decades, silicone (polydimethylsiloxane) has become one of the most extensively applied biomaterials. Although pure silicone is relatively inert and usually causes only minimal tissue reactions, it has been reported to evoke a definite foreign body reaction. We studied five cases of silicone-induced granulomas in various sites; two in the breast, one in the breast and axillary lymph nodes, one in the subcutis of the abdomen, back and extremities and one in the eyeball, to illustrate the salient histopathologic features of reactions to silicone with particular emphasis to its differences from paraffin granuloma. For this, 17 paraffinomas were also studied. Tissue reaction to silicone liquid and gel was characterized by numerous round to oval empty cystic vacuoles, mild to moderate fat necrosis, foreign body reaction, a variable degree of mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration and mild focal fibrosis. The cystic spaces were relatively uniform and showed a snow-man like appearance. In contrast to the silicone granulomas, the paraffinomas, also refered to as sclerosing lipogranulomas showed diffuse sclerosis and frequent calcification around the cystic vacuoles. The cystic spaces in paraffinomas were swiss cheese-like configuration, and the content of the cystic spaces was dirty and frequently calcified. However, there were certain similarities between these two types of granulomas particularly in the early phases of the reaction, therefore, the history of silicone injection or implant, is sometimes critical to the diagnosis of silicone granuloma. Despite great technologic advances in the manufacturing of prostheses and medical equipment, droplets and/or particles of silicone still escape into the body tissues in a variety of ways; therefores, the pathologist should always wonder whether the histologic reaction observed is due to silicone or to some other foreign material including paraffin.

Stress has been regrarded as one of the causes of central serous chorioretinopathy. We studied the effect of Hexamethonium (ganglionic blocking agent) on experimentaI serous chorioretinopathy following epinephrine injection in rabbits. In group 1, we injected the 0.1 % epinephrine into the rabbits through IV route for 10 days and in group 2, we addited Hexamethonium subcutaneously prior to injection of the epinephrine same term of gorup 1. We could find slight histological changes in gorup 2 as com paired with group 1, which produced serous chorioretinopathy, under the electronmicroscopic study so we would expect the preventive effect of Hexamethonium on the stress-induced serous chorioretinopathy.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ; Epinephrine ; Hexamethonium* ; Rabbits*

Stress has been regrarded as one of the causes of central serous chorioretinopathy. We studied the effect of Hexamethonium (ganglionic blocking agent) on experimentaI serous chorioretinopathy following epinephrine injection in rabbits. In group 1, we injected the 0.1 % epinephrine into the rabbits through IV route for 10 days and in group 2, we addited Hexamethonium subcutaneously prior to injection of the epinephrine same term of gorup 1. We could find slight histological changes in gorup 2 as com paired with group 1, which produced serous chorioretinopathy, under the electronmicroscopic study so we would expect the preventive effect of Hexamethonium on the stress-induced serous chorioretinopathy.
Central Serous Chorioretinopathy ; Epinephrine ; Hexamethonium* ; Rabbits*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changing pattern of serum leptin level and the correlation between estradiol level during the clomiphene citrate challenge test(CCCT) or controlled ovarian hyperstimulation(COH) cycle. METHODS: Twenty-seven women who underwent CCCT and fourteen women who underwent controlled ovarian hyperstimulation were recruited to measure the serum leptin level. After correction of serum concentration with body mass index(BMI), changes of leptin level and correlation with serum estradiol level during CCCT and COH cycle were analyzed. RESULTS: Circulating leptin levels were significantly correlated with BMI at each time point in CCCT cycle(P<0.01). In CCCT cycle, leptin/BMI level was significantly increased at midluteal phase compared to that of menstrual cycle day 3 and 10(p<0.05). In women with regular menstruation, leptin/BMI level at midluteal phase was significantly higher than that of menstrual day 3 and 10, but this difference was not seen in women with irregular menstruation. The leptin/BMI level in COH cycle showed increasing tendency throughout ovarian stimulation. But there was no significant correlation between leptin/BMI and estradiol level in CCCT and COH cycle. CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between BMI and circulating leptin level. Midluteal leptin level is significantly higher than that of follicular phase in CCCT cycle, and there is an increasing tendency in leptin level after ovarian stimulation in CCCT and COH cycle without statistical significance. These findings suggest that circulating estradiol concentration has no major influence on circulating leptin level.
Clomiphene* ; Estradiol ; Female ; Follicular Phase ; Humans ; Leptin* ; Menstrual Cycle ; Menstruation ; Ovulation Induction

No abstract available.
Humans ; Twins*

Prenatal chromosome analysis of amniotic cells at 18 weeks of gestation showed a male fetus to carry a large 15p+ derivative chromosome inherited from his mother. Extra genetic material on the short arm of chromosome IS was silver-negative with Ag-NOR (nucleolus organizer regions) stain, but stained darkly with C-banding method like the distal heterochromatic segment of the Y long arm. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) using two DNA probes (DYZ1 and D15Zl) showed a red fluorescent signal on 15p+ In addition to a green chromosome 15 centromere signal, confirming 15p to be from the distal Yq heterochromatin.
Arm ; Centromere ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 15 ; DNA Probes ; Fetus ; Fluorescence ; Heterochromatin ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization ; Male ; Mothers ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: The clinical significance of mean platelet volume (MPV), platelet distribution width (PDW) and megathrombocyte index (MTI) is not clear. METHODS: We examined platelet indices in 900 cases of patients with hematologic disorders and compared them with those of the control to predict thrombopoiesis in the bone marrow. MPV and PDW were measured by Coulter Counter STKS (U.S.A). We calculated megathrombocyte index (MTI, the percentage of megathrombocytes) in the peripheral blood film using ocular micrometer, and examined megakaryocyte number in the bone marrow aspirates. RESULTS: In patients with acute leukemia, and aplastic anemia, MPV and MTI were lower than the control but PDW was higher. In myeloproliferative disorders, all platelet indices were higher, and in ITP (idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura), MPV and MTI were higher but PDW was not significantly different. MTI was higher in complete remission than initial acute leukemia. All platelet indices were not significantly different between pre- and post-BMT in AML. But in aplastic anemia, MPV and MTI were higher in post-BMT than pre-BMT. MTI was a better index to screen than MPV in the decreased megakaryocyte group, but in increased megakaryocyte group, there was no difference in screening ability between MPV and MTI. CONCLUSIONS: The platelet indices in peripheral blood may be good markers for predicting thrombopoiesis in hematologic disorders and in post chemotherapy of acute leukemia. In addition, after BMT of aplastic anemia, these indices could be used as valuable markers of engraftment.
Anemia, Aplastic ; Blood Platelets* ; Bone Marrow ; Drug Therapy ; Humans ; Leukemia ; Mass Screening ; Mean Platelet Volume ; Megakaryocytes ; Myeloproliferative Disorders ; Thrombopoiesis

This study was designed to examine the effect of polyP on the periodontal ligament fibroblasts. The cells were incubated for 24 and 48 hours with various concentrations (0.001%, 0.002%, 0.005%, 0.010%, 0.020%, 0.040%) of polyP. Cell activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and protein synthesis activity of the cells were examined. The results were as follows: 1. Twenty four hours after incubation with polyP, the cell activity of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was increased. Forty eight hours after polyP application, the activity of the cells was similar to that of control group. 2. Twenty four or forty eight hours after incubation with polyP, the alkaline phosphatase activity of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was increased. 3. The protein synthesis of the periodontal ligament fibroblasts was not changed after polyP application. These results suggest that, polyP may increase the cell activity and alkaline phosphatase activity of periodotal ligament fibroblasts and polyP may not affect the protein synthesis of the cells.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Fibroblasts ; Ligaments ; Periodontal Ligament* ; Polyps

Cutaneous horn is a clinical term for a circumscribed concial hyperkeratotic mass amounts to at least half of its largest diameter. The number of lesion may be single or multiple. We report herein a cases of penile cutaneous horn in a 22-year-old male. He had dark brownish colored conical shaped protruded mass on the penile shaft for about 2 months. We performed excisional biopsy and curettage. Histopathologic findings showed verruca vulgaris.
Animals ; Biopsy ; Curettage ; Horns* ; Humans ; Male ; Warts ; Young Adult

No abstract available.
Autopsy* ; Down Syndrome* ; Leukemia* ; Megakaryocyte Progenitor Cells*