No abstract available.
Silver*

No abstract available.
Laparoscopy* ; Pelvic Pain*

No abstract available.
Pregnancy*

The present study was performed to compare maternal and perinatal outcomes in triplet and twin pregnancies with the result of ART(Assisted Reproductive Technology). Each pregnancy of 18 triplet pregnancies with 18 weeks or more was matched for maternal age, EDC(estimated date of confinement), parity, history of preterm delivery, indication of ART with two sets of twin pregnancies. Triplet pregnancies had a significantly shorter gestational age at delivery than twin pregnancies(30.4 versus 34.6 weeks), and a significantly lower mean birth weight(1,514 versus 2,286g). The mean hospital stay was significantly longer in triplets(22.3 versus 10.1 days). The incidences of 5 min Apgar score less than 7, neonatal deaths were significantly more often in triplets than twins; 18(33.3%) vs 6(8.3%), 15(27.8%) vs 7(9.72%), respectively. There were significant differences in the incidence of neonatal complications such as respiratory distress syndrome; 14(25.9%) vs 7(9.72%), ventilatory support; 18(33.3%) vs 5(6.9%), neonatal seizure; 9(16.7%) vs 0, btween the two groups. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in maternal complications or neonatal morbidity such as congenital malformations or hyperbilirubinemia, intraventricular hemorrhage, or bronchopulmonary dysplasia. We suggest that counseling patient regarding the anticipated perinatal outcomes of triplet pregnancies with the result of ART should be conducted with our data.
Apgar Score ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Counseling ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Length of Stay ; Maternal Age ; Parity ; Parturition ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Triplet ; Pregnancy, Twin* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted* ; Seizures ; Triplets*

PURPOSE: Acute febrile illness in children frequently accompanies with abdominal symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain, even if its etiology is not occured from the gastrointestinal tract. If the etiology of fever was unknown and the fever was accompanied with abdominal symptoms, we should be concerned about whether the etiology of fever was originated from the gastrointestinal tract or interpretated from the abnormality in the gastrointestinal tract. This study was performed to evaluate the diagnostic value of abdominal ultrasonography in patients with fever and abdominal symptoms. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively the medical records of abdominal ultrasonographic (US) findings of 60 cases of acute febrile illness with abdominal symptoms at department of Pediatrics, Ulsan Dongang General RESULTS: (100%), splenomegaly in 4 cases (66.7%), ileocecitis in 1 case (16.7%), enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and splenomegaly in 4 cases (66.7%), enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, splenomegaly and ileocecitis in 1 cases (16.7%). 6) The enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and the abnormalities around the appendix were seen in 7 cases (11.7%), which were confirmed as appendicitis all. 7) The thickening of wall in urinary bladder was seen in 2 cases (3.3%) of acute cystitis and acute hemorrhagic cystitis. 8) The subtle thickening of wall in colon was seen in 1 cases (1.7%) of shigellosis. CONCLUSIONS: The enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes, splenomegaly and ileocolitis on the abdominal ultrasonography in patients with fever and abdominal symptoms aree suggestive findings of typhoid fever. The enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes and the abnormalities around the appendix on abdominal ultrasonography make the rapid diagnosis of acute appendicitis and its complications, when physical examination is difficult in small children and diagnosis of their illnesses is obscure in patients with fever and abdominal pain.
Abdominal Pain ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Child ; Colon ; Crohn Disease ; Cystitis ; Diagnosis ; Diarrhea ; Dysentery, Bacillary ; Fever* ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Physical Examination ; Retrospective Studies ; Splenomegaly ; Typhoid Fever ; Ulsan ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Bladder ; Vomiting

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships between temperament and character dimensions and family environments, and to investigate the influences of those factors on the antisocial personality traits in delinquent adolescents. METHODS: The subjects consisted of 160 male adolescents detained at the public prosecutor's office on the suspicion of crimes. To assess personality dimensions and family environmental factors, the Temperament and Character Inventory(TCI) and the Family Environment Scale(FES) were completed. Antisocial personality traits were assessed by the number of antisocial personality disorder symptoms of the Personality Disorder Questionnaire-Revised. RESULTS: Most of the TCI dimensions except Reward Dependence(RD) were highly correlated with the subscales of FES. Among temperament dimensions, Novelty Seeking(NS) and Persistence(P) were significantly affected by Organization, and Harm Avoidance(HA) was influenced by Expressiveness of FES. Self-Directednss(SD) was best predicted by Organization and Achievement-Orientation. While the Independence had significant effect on Cooperativeness, Expressiveness and Achievement-Orientation best predicted the level of Self-Transcendence(ST). On factor analysis, NS, HA, SD and ST were allocated to the same factors with subscales of FES. The level of antisocial personality trait was best predicted by NS, P and SD scores of TCI, and conflict subscale scores of FES. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that not only the character dimensions but also the temperament dimensions have close relationships with family environmental factors, and that the antisocial personality traits of delinquent adolescents may developed by the interaction between temperament/character dimensions and family environments.
Adolescent* ; Antisocial Personality Disorder* ; Crime ; Humans ; Personality Disorders ; Reward ; Temperament*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: beta-catenin has an essential role in intercellular adhesion and signal transduction. The Adenomatous poliposis coli (APC) protein interacts with beta-catenin in a multi-protein complex to regulate the level of expression of beta-catenin. Mutations in beta-catenin or APC gene can lead to the accumulation of beta-catenin in the cytosol and the nucleus. This study was designed to investigate the expression of APC and beta-catenin in laryngeal cancer. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Immunohistochemical methods were used to determine the beta-catenin and APC protein expression in 15 laryngeal cancers. Results were correlated with clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: beta-catenin expression to the plasma membrane was reduced or absent in 11 of 15 cases (73%) of the laryngeal cancers. Cytoplasmic expression of the beta-catenin was seen in 6 out of 15 cases (40%). APC immunoactivity was negative in 5 of 15 (33%) of the laryngeal cancers. One of the six cytoplasmic expressions of the beta-catenin was negative for APC immunoactivity, and one of the five negative for APC immunoactivity was cytoplasmic expression of the beta-catenin. CONCLUSION: There was no correlation between beta-catenin and APC protein in the analysis. This finding suggests that cytoplasmic expression of the beta-catenin resulted not from the APC mutation but from the beta-catenin mutation and abnormal Wnt signal. Only the expression of the beta-catenin in cytoplasm was associated with lymph node metastasis.
beta Catenin* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cell Membrane ; Cytoplasm ; Cytosol ; Genes, APC ; Laryngeal Neoplasms* ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVES: The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles has resulted in their widespread use in many consumer products. Yet, despite their many advantages, it is also important to determine whether silver nanoparticles may represent a hazard to the environment and human health. METHODS: Thus, to evaluate the genotoxic potential of silver nanoparticles, in vivo genotoxicity testing (OECD 474, in vivo micronuclei test) was conducted after exposing male and female Sprague-Dawley rats to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days according to OECD test guideline 413 (Subchronic Inhalation Toxicity: 90 Day Study) with a good laboratory practice system. The rats were exposed to silver nanoparticles (18 nm diameter) at concentrations of 0.7 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (low dose), 1.4 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (middle dose), and 2.9 x 10(6) particles/cm3 (high dose) for 6 hr/day in an inhalation chamber for 90 days. The rats were killed 24 hr after the last administration, then the femurs were removed and the bone marrow collected and evaluated for micronucleus induction. RESULTS: There were no statistically significant differences in the micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes or in the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes among the total erythrocytes after silver nanoparticle exposure when compared with the control. CONCLUSION: The present results suggest that exposure to silver nanoparticles by inhalation for 90 days does not induce genetic toxicity in male and female rat bone marrow in vivo.
Animals ; Bone Marrow ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Femur ; Humans ; Inhalation ; Inhalation Exposure ; Male ; Mutagenicity Tests ; Nanoparticles ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Silver

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), given in vivo, modulates opossum esophageal motor functions by inducing the inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), which increases nitric oxide (NO) production. Superoxide, a NO scavenger, is generated during this endotoxemia. Superoxide is cleared by superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) to protect the physiological function of NO. This study examined whether lower esophageal sphincter (LES) motility, NO release, and iNOS and nitrotyrosine accumulation in the LES are affected by LPS in vitro. Muscle strips from the opossum LES were placed in tissue baths containing oxygenated Krebs buffer. NO release was measured with a chemiluminescence NOx analyzer, and Western blots were performed to analyze iNOS and nitrotyrosine production. The percent change in resting LES tone after a 6-hour exposure to LPS was significantly increased compared to pretreatment values. The percent LES relaxation upon electrical stimulation was significantly decreased in the control group at 6 hours, indicating that the LPS treatment had an effect. The NO concentration in the tissue bath of LPS-treated muscle without nerve stimulation was significantly less than that of LPS treatment combined with SOD/CAT or SOD/CAT alone. iNOS and nitrotyrosine were detectable and increased over time in the LES muscle of both the control and LPS-treated groups. Antioxidant enzymes may play a role in regulating NO-mediated neuromuscular functions in the LES.
Tyrosine/analogs & derivatives/chemistry ; Time Factors ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism ; Opossums ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism ; Nitric Oxide/*chemistry/metabolism ; Muscles/metabolism ; Male ; Luminescence ; Lipopolysaccharides/chemistry/metabolism ; Female ; Esophageal Sphincter, Upper/*anatomy & histology/metabolism ; Esophageal Sphincter, Lower/*anatomy & histology/metabolism ; Catalase/metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Antioxidants/chemistry/metabolism ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: Allelic losses or loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at many chromosomal loci have been found in the cells of meningiomas. The objective of this study was to evaluate LOH at several loci of different chromosomes (1p32, 17p13, 7q21, 7q31, and 22q13) in different grades of meningiomas. METHODS: Forty surgical specimens were obtained and classified as benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas. After DNA extraction, ten polymorphic microsatellite markers were used to detect LOH. Medical and surgical records, as well as pathologic findings, were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS: LOH at 1p32 was detected in 24%, 60%, and 60% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. Whereas LOH at 7q21 was found in only one atypical meningioma. LOH at 7q31 was found in one benign meningioma and one atypical meningioma. LOH at 17p13 was detected in 4%, 40%, and 80% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. LOH at 22q13 was seen in 48%, 60%, and 60% in benign, atypical, and anaplastic meningiomas, respectively. LOH results at 1p32 and 17p13 showed statistically significant differences between benign and non-benign meningiomas. CONCLUSION: LOH at 1p32 and 17p13 showed a strong correlation with tumor progression. On the other hand, LOH at 7q21 and 7q31 may not contribute to the development of the meningiomas.
DNA ; Hand ; Loss of Heterozygosity ; Meningioma ; Microsatellite Repeats ; Retrospective Studies