Primary ovarian transitional cell carcinoma is extremely rare tumor. The histologic subtype was divided from malignant Brenner tumor due to it's own histologic characteristics and chemosensitive nature. Most of recent studies revealed that transitional cell carcinoma has a good response to chemotherapy and long-term survival. Recent histopathologic reports show that transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and of the ovary are immunophenotypically different. We experienced a case of primary ovarian transitional cell carcinoma, and report this case with a brief review of the concerned literatures.
Brenner Tumor ; Carcinoma, Transitional Cell* ; Drug Therapy ; Female ; Ovary ; Urinary Bladder

Incarceration of the gravid uterus is a rare but serious complication of pregnancy. Reported is the case of a gravid 2, para 0, abortus 1 with known uterine subserosal myoma(5.3 x5.5cm sized) 26-year-old woman presented with acute dysuria and urinary retention. The patient was 14 weeks and 3 days pregnant and presented several week history of urinary frequency and sensation of incomplete bladder emptying. Examination revealed a retroflexed uterus with cervical opening pointing toward the anterior abdominal wall. An ultrasound revealed a thin, elongated maternal bladder and a uterus incarcerated between the sacral promontary and the pubis. The incarceration was successfully reduced by tenaculum traction of the cervical posterior lip without surgical intervention and had a normal infant of appropriate weight at term.
Abdominal Wall ; Adult ; Dysuria ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Leiomyoma ; Lip ; Myoma* ; Pregnancy ; Sensation ; Traction ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Retention ; Uterine Retroversion ; Uterus*

OBJECTIVE: Tumor angiogenesis is essential for the progression and metastases of solid tumors. Microvessel density(MVD), a measure of tumor angiogenesis, has a prognostic significance in many types of tumors for predicting metastasis and survival. This study had two primary goals: 1. To determine how MVD correlates with tumor invasion in early squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) of the uterine cervix, and 2. To compare p53 protein expression in normal tissue with squamous cell lesions of the uterine cervix. METHODS: Quantification of MVD was performed on 59 specimens of cervical squamous cell lesions by immunohistochemical staining for factor VIII-related antigen. MVD was counted in a x200 field in the most active area of neovascularization. The same tumor sections were also immunohistochemically stains for p53 protein. RESULTS: 1. Compared with nonneoplastic areas, the degree of MVD was significantly increased in low- grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion, and squamous cell carcinomas(p=0.045). Microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma showed the highest MVD value. 2. p53 protein expression was increased in greater severity cases compared with mild cases(p=0.000). CONCLUSION: In the uterine cervix, MVD was significantly increased in microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma. p53 protein expression was well correlated with progression of squamous cell lesions.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervix Uteri* ; Coloring Agents ; Factor VIII ; Female ; Microvessels ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; von Willebrand Factor

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the potential role of erythropoietin (EPO) in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation. METHOD: Anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, 33 cases from Yonsei Medical Center from September, 1993 to August, 1995 were compared with uncomplicated iron deficiency anemia (IDA) 32 cases with analyzing serum EPO levels. RESULTS: 1) Mean hemoglobin was higher in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (10.6+/-0.9g/dL) than IDA (9.8+/-0.7g/dL) (P<0.05). 2) MCV value was higher in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (88.6+/-7.6fL) than IDA (73.8+/-7.1fL) (P<0.05). 3) In anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, serum iron was 54.3+/-18.3microgram/dL, TIBC 282. 6+/-64.9 microgram/dL, iron saturation 15.9+/-4.6% and serum ferritin 403.4+/-179.5ng/mL. TIBC and serum ferritin were significantly different (P=0.0001 each) comparing with IDA (serum iron 44.8+/-28.7microgram/dL, TIBC 421.1+/-70.3microgram/dL, iron saturation 11.9+/-6.5%, serum ferritin 7.9+/-7.2ng/mL). 4) ESR was increased in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation (54.1+/-17.3mm/hr) than IDA (17.1+/-6.5mm/hr) with significance (P<0.05). 5) Serum EPO level was 18.9+/-9.0mU/mL in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation but 47.2+/-33.1mU/mL in IDA with significant difference (P<0.05). 6) The increments of serum EPO according to hemoglobin levels in anemia of chronic infection or inflammation was less than that of IDA and there was no correlation (r=-0.25). CONCLUSION: In anemia of chronic infection or inflammation, the responses of serum EPO are inappropriately low and recombinant human EPO administration may be helpful to improve this type of anemia.
Anemia* ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; Erythropoietin* ; Ferritins ; Humans ; Inflammation* ; Iron

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to examine the effect on development of mouse preimplantation embryos in culture media with different composition of energy sources in vitro culture. METHODS: Two hundred and seventy one two-cell embryos were cultured in four different culture system for 96 hours. Group I (n=61) was cultured in DMEM-G (DMEM with glutamine) only, groupII (n=64) was cultured in DMEM-GGP (DMEM with glutamine, glucose and pyruvate) only, group III (n=72) was cultured for 48 hours in DMEM-G and then transferred to DMEM-GGP and group IV (n=74) was cultured for 48 hours in DMEM-GGP and then transferred to DMEM-G. Development of embryos in each group was observed every 24 hours. RESULTS: After 24 hours, the rate of development > or = 3-cell was significantly higher in groupII (87.5%) and IV (86.5%) compared with group I (59.0%) and III (62.5%). After 48 hours, the rate of development into > or = morula stage was significantly higher in GroupII (79.7%) and IV (86.5%) compared with group I (34.4%) and III (37.5%). After 72 hours, the rate of development into blastocyst was significantly higher in group IV (74.3%) compared with group I (49.2%) and III (45.8%). After 96 hours, the rate of development into > or = expanded blastocyst was significantly higher in group IV (70.3%) compared with group I (32.8%),II (53.1%), and group III (40.3%). CONCLUSION: Mouse preimplantation embryos development was the most effective in culture system with DMEM-GGP for 48 hours and then transferred to DMEM-G.
Animals ; Blastocyst* ; Culture Media* ; Embryonic Structures ; Glucose ; Glutamine ; Mice* ; Morula ; Pyruvic Acid

This study was designed to evaluate the pharmacological effects of Vaccinium bracteatum Thunb. methanol extract (VBME) on microglial activation and to identify the underlying mechanisms of action of these effects. The anti-inflammatory properties of VBME were studied using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated BV-2 microglial cells. We measured the production of nitric oxide (NO), inducible NO synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, prostaglandin E₂ (PGE₂), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as inflammatory parameters. We also examined the effect of VBME on intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and the activity of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65). VBME significantly inhibited LPS-induced production of NO and PGE₂ and LPS-mediated upregulation of iNOS and COX-2 expression in a dose-dependent manner; importantly, VBME was not cytotoxic. VBME also significantly reduced the generation of the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6. In addition, VBME significantly dampened intracellular ROS production and suppressed NF-κB p65 translocation by blocking IκB-α phosphorylation and degradation in LPS-stimulated BV2 cells. Our findings indicate that VBME inhibits the production of inflammatory mediators in BV-2 microglial cells by suppressing NF-κB signaling. Thus, VBME may be useful in the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases due to its ability to inhibit inflammatory mediator production in activated BV-2 microglial cells.
Cytokines ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukin-6 ; Methanol ; Neurodegenerative Diseases ; Nitric Oxide ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Phosphorylation ; Prostaglandin-Endoperoxide Synthases ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation ; Vaccinium*

OBJECTIVE: The study was designed to find out current state of conservative treatment modalities for cervical pregnancies in korean. METHOD: 64 cases of cervical pregnancies reported by the joining of The Korean Society of Obstetrics & Gynecology from 1960 to 2000 and the 10 cases at Chungnam National University Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: The average age of the 74 cases was 31.7+/-6.6 years, and the average gestational age at the time of diagnosis was 8.3+/-3.4 weeks. The average duration of hospitalization was 8.2+/-4.8 days. Most (67/74) of the patients had previously experienced delivery or abortion. Out of the 74 cases, 36 had total hysterectomy; 4 cases had curettage; 12 were used only methotrexate; 11 had combined curettage and methotrexate; 10 cases had Foley catheter ballooning after curettage. From the 1960's to the end of 1980's, 33 (84.6%) cases out of 39 were performed hysterectomy. Whereas mainly conservative methods, in particular methotrexate treatment, were performed in the 1990's. Among the conservative modalities, Foley catheter ballooning after curettage had the shortest length of hospitalization with 4.3 days. CONCLUSION: After comparing the conservative methods for treating cervical pregnancies, it was found that methotrexate treatment was performed the most; however, Foley catheter ballooning after curettage seems to be an excellent treatment option.
Catheters ; Chungcheongnam-do ; Curettage ; Diagnosis ; Gestational Age ; Gynecology ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Methotrexate ; Obstetrics ; Pregnancy* ; Retrospective Studies

Sleep, which is an essential part of human life, is modulated by neurotransmitter systems, including gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and dopamine signaling. However, the mechanisms that initiate and maintain sleep remain obscure. In this study, we investigated the relationship between melatonin (MT) and dopamine D2-like receptor signaling in pentobarbital-induced sleep and the intracellular mechanisms of sleep maintenance in the cerebral cortex. In mice, pentobarbital-induced sleep was augmented by intraperitoneal administration of 30 mg/kg MT. To investigate the relationship between MT and D2-like receptors, we administered quinpirole, a D2-like receptor agonist, to MT- and pentobarbital-treated mice. Quinpirole (1 mg/kg, i.p.) increased the duration of MT-augmented sleep in mice. In addition, locomotor activity analysis showed that neither MT nor quinpirole produced sedative effects when administered alone. In order to understand the mechanisms underlying quinpirole-augmented sleep, we measured protein levels of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and cortical protein kinases related to MT signaling. Treatment with quinpirole or MT activated extracellular-signal-regulated kinase 1 and 2 (ERK1/2), p38 MAPK, and protein kinase C (PKC) in the cerebral cortex, while protein kinase A (PKA) activation was not altered significantly. Taken together, our results show that quinpirole increases the duration of MT-augmented sleep through ERK1/2, p38 MAPK, and PKC signaling. These findings suggest that modulation of D2-like receptors might enhance the effect of MT on sleep.
Animals ; Cerebral Cortex ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; Dopamine ; gamma-Aminobutyric Acid ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives ; Melatonin ; Mice* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Motor Activity ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases* ; Pentobarbital* ; Phosphotransferases ; Protein Kinase C ; Protein Kinases ; Quinpirole*

BACKGROUND: Menstrual irregularity is an indicator of endocrine disorders and reproductive health status. It is associated with various diseases and medical conditions, including obesity and underweight. We aimed to assess the association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity in Korean women. METHODS: A total of 4,621 women 19 to 54 years of age who participated in the 2010 to 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. Self-reported questionnaires were used to collect medical information assessing menstrual health status and body weight changes. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to evaluate the association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity. RESULTS: Significantly higher ORs (95% CI) were observed in the association between menstrual irregularity and both weight loss (OR, 1.74; 95% CI, 1.22 to 2.48) and weight gain (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.13 to 1.86) after adjusting for age, body mass index, current smoking, heavy alcohol drinking, regular exercise, calorie intake, education, income, metabolic syndrome, age of menarche, parity, and stress perception. Of note, significant associations were only observed in subjects with obesity and abdominal obesity, but not in non-obese or non-abdominally obese subjects. U-shaped patterns were demonstrated in both obese and abdominally obese subjects, indicating that greater changes in body weight are associated with higher odds of menstrual irregularity. CONCLUSION: We found a U-shaped pattern of association between body weight changes and menstrual irregularity among obese women in the general Korean population. This result indicates that not only proper weight management but also changes in body weight may influence the regulation of the menstrual cycle.
Alcohol Drinking ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight Changes* ; Body Weight* ; Education ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Menarche ; Menstrual Cycle ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Obesity ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Parity ; Reproductive Health ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Thinness ; Weight Gain ; Weight Loss

Patients with Crowned dens syndrome typically present with severe neck pain and have calcification around the axial odontoid process on radiographs. To our knowledge, Crowned dens syndrome is unreported in the Korean literature and the clinical features remain unclear. We present Crowned dens syndrome as a cause of acute cervical pain and review the literature.
Crowns ; Humans ; Neck Pain ; Odontoid Process