OBJECTIVE: Several water channels (aquapoins; AQP) that belong to the MIP (major intrinsic protein) family have identified. In the selected tissues including red blood cells or renal tubules, water movements are abundant and/or physiologically important. Unexpectedly, a high water permeability of human and ram sperm has been reported. Recent studies showed that AQP7 and AQP8 are present in testes so that the high water permeability of human sperm suggested to be mediated by AQPs. METHOD: To identify the identity of aquaporins expressed in testes, RT-PCR was performed using degenerative primers, which were designed to correspond to highly conserved sequences surrounding the Asn-Pro-Ala (NPA) motifs in the aquaporins. New expressed AQP series were reconfirmed by immunohistochemical study using rabbit polyclonal antibodies. RESULTS: DNA sequencing of PCR products revealed that AQP2 and AQP3 mRNA as well as AQP7 and AQP8 are expressed in human and rat testes, AQP2 are expressed in spermatozoa, interstitial cells and myofibroblasts and AQP3 are expressed in myofibroblasts of semineferous tubules on immunocytochemical stain. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that multiple aquaporins are expressed in testes, and that they may have important roles in the spermatogenesis and the germ cell function of testis.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Aquaporins* ; Conserved Sequence ; Erythrocytes ; Germ Cells ; Humans* ; Myofibroblasts ; Permeability ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Testis* ; Water Movements

A key factor in successful application of PBL is creation of good problems. Unfortunately, published collections of problems do not exist for many subjects. Consequently, instructors usually write their own problems and case studies if they want to use problem-based instruction. In this study we proposed principles for creation of PBL problems and presented its example. If effective problems suitable to educational goals are engaged, PBL can be introduced to the first grade medical students who do not have any knowlege about medicine. However, additional factors such as number of faculties and students, budget, availability of learning materials also affect successful implementation of PBL.
Budgets ; Humans ; Learning ; Students, Medical

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of curriculum revision on student performance in tests of the medical knowledge of students at Pusan National University. METHODS: Test scores of the Basic Medicine Comprehensive Examination (BMCE), conducted by the Medical Education Assessment Corporation, and internal clinical knowledge tests of the three integrated courses of the Pusan National University School of Medicine, during the last 3 years (2015–2017) were compared with an unpaired Student t-test and the results were considered to be significant at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Curriculum revision in 2017 introduced the integration of basic and clinical courses at the organ level of medical education. Scores of BMCE and internal clinical knowledge tests in three integrated courses after curriculum revision showed a statistically significant increase after curriculum revision. CONCLUSION: Curriculum revisions that integrated the basic and clinical courses in organ-level education improved student's academic performance significantly.
Busan ; Clinical Medicine* ; Curriculum ; Education ; Education, Medical* ; Education, Medical, Undergraduate ; Humans

BACKGROUND: A and B transferase are glycosyltransferase that transfer N-acetylgalactosamine and D- galactose to H antigen, respectively and lead to the expression of A and B phenotypes in ABO blood group system. Reduced or no activities of serum A and B transferase were observed in some A and B subgroup individuals. Determining the activities of serum A and B transferase can be useful in discriminating rare A and B subgroups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ABO typing, saliva test, adsorption elution test and serum transferase assay were performed on samples from 12 individuals showing ABO discrepancy or weakened cell typing reactions which were referred to the Seoul National University Hospital to confirm their ABO blood types. Serum transferase activity was assayed by determining the ability of serum to convert group 0 RBCs into A or B cells. RESULTS: Determination of serum ABO transferase activity was useful in the identification of Ael (3 cases), B. (2 cases), Bm (1 case), Am (1 case), Bx (1 case), 0 with weakened anti-A or anti-B (3 cases), and A without anti-B due to hypogammaglobulinemia (1 case). CONCLUSION: Determining serum A and B glycosyltransferase activity was proven to be a simple and useful tool for the classification of several ABO subgroups.(Korean J Blood Transfusion 10(1): 27-33, 1999)
ABO Blood-Group System ; Adsorption ; Agammaglobulinemia ; B-Lymphocytes ; Blood Transfusion ; Classification* ; Galactose ; Phenotype ; Saliva ; Seoul ; Transferases

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells that proliferate in vitro as plastic-adherent cells, have fibroblast-like morphology, form colonies in vitro and can differentiate into bone, cartilage and fat cells. Recent studies have shown that MSCs can be differentiated into nonmesordermal lineages. Although MSCs can be isolated from every type of connective tissues, the abundance, the easy and repeatable access to subcutaneous adipose tissue and the simple isolation procedures indicate that adipose tissue can be a preferable candidate in MSC isolation for clinical application. Therefore, in this review, the isolation, characterization, preclinical and clinical application, and the mechanisms and future roles of ADSC in cell therapy are discussed.
Adipocytes ; Adipose Tissue ; Cartilage ; Connective Tissue ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; Subcutaneous Fat ; Tissue Therapy

Most ectopic pregnancies occur in the fallopian tubes. There have been numerous theories to explain the occurrence of ectopic pregnancy in fallopian tubes. The most commonly held view is that the passage of the fertilized ovum through the fallopian tube is delayed or hindered by chronic inflammation and its sequelae. We designed a study to evaluate the details of histopathologic changes and the location of implantation and how they relate to the clinical history. 182 fallopian tube specimens from patients who had undergone total or partial salpingectomy were examined. A high incidence of non-specific inflammation of plicae and wall of tube (31.9%) and salpingitis isthmica nodosa (12.6%) were observed. Other associated findings included acute salpingitis, complex plicae or complex hyperplasia of tubal epithelium, fibrous adhesion with ovary, endometriosis, and calcification. History of previous ectopic tubal pregnancy was found in 8 cases. The cases with serum beta-HCG value above 2,500 I.U./L (group I, n=97) were more frequently noted in those exhibiting myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast (67 cases) than in those without invasion (30 cases). Of the 182 tubal pregnancies, 117 (64.3%) cases were found in the ampulla and 47 (25.8%) cases in isthmic location. In 117 ampullary pregnancies, the products of conception were found intraluminally in 71 cases (60.7%), and extraluminally in 34 (29.1%) cases, of which the products of conception were found entirely extraluminal. The products of conception, found both within and outside the tubal lumen, were found in 12 cases (10.2%). Of 47 tubes with isthmic pregnancies, 33 cases were intraluminal (70.2%), 12 cases were extraluminal (25.5%), and two cases were mixed (4.3%). In conclusion, significant histopathologic abnormalities accompany a majority of ectopic tubal pregnancy, and myosalpingeal invasion of trophoblast is correlated with high serum beta-HCG. Thus, it is necessary to confirm not only the ectopic placental tissue but also the accompanying details of the other histopathologic findings or the pathologic evaluation of ectopic tubal pregnancy.
Endometriosis ; Epithelium ; Fallopian Tubes ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Incidence ; Inflammation ; Ovary ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Pregnancy, Tubal* ; Salpingectomy ; Salpingitis ; Trophoblasts ; Zygote

Schwannomas are soft tissue sarcomas arising from neurilemma of Schwann cells in peripheral nerves, and is the most frequent type of benign tumor found in these nerves. We report a case of a Schwannoma of the ulnar nerve in the elbow joint, and along this report, give a review of the literature. A 46-year-old male patient was hospitalized with complaints of swelling and pain in the left elbow and a tingling sensation and hypoesthesia of the fourth and fifth fingers. Physical examination of the patient showed he was positive for Tinel's sign, and magnetic resonance imaging results demonstrated the presence of a Schwannoma. Subsequent biopsy and excision of the Schwannoma was carried out. The suspected mass, which had a clear margin separating it from the healthy nerve of the medial left elbow, was removed along with its 2 x 2 x 3 cm capsule after a histological diagnosis of a Schwannoma was made. Pathophysiological results confirmed the excised mass as a Schwannoma. Schwannoma of the ulnar nerve within the elbow joint is rare and differential diagnosis is difficult. Therefore, treatment can only proceed after the presence of Schwannoma has been confirmed by physical and radiological examinations.
Biopsy ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Elbow Joint ; Elbow* ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neurilemma ; Neurilemmoma* ; Peripheral Nerves ; Physical Examination ; Sarcoma ; Schwann Cells ; Sensation ; Ulnar Nerve*

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), including deep learning, has led to the development of technologies that may assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, prediction of disease risk and prognosis, health index monitoring, drug development, and healthcare management and administration. However, in order for AI technology to improve the quality of medical care, technical problems and the efficacy of algorithms should be evaluated in real clinical environments rather than the environment in which algorithms are developed. Further consideration should be given to whether these models can improve the quality of medical care and clinical outcomes of patients. In addition, the development of regulatory systems to secure the safety of AI medical technology, the ethical and legal issues related to the proliferation of AI technology, and the impacts on the relationship with patients also need to be addressed. Systematic training of healthcare personnel is needed to enable adaption to the rapid changes in the healthcare environment. An overall review and revision of undergraduate medical curriculum is required to enable extraction of significant information from rapidly expanding medical information, data science literacy, empathy/compassion for patients, and communication among various healthcare providers. Specialized postgraduate AI education programs for each medical specialty are needed to develop proper utilization of AI models in clinical practice.

Prospective study of gallbladder wall thickness by utrasonography was performed in 38 patients of acute viral hepatitis and 50 normal subjects as a control group from June 1983 to April 1984. The results were as follows; 1.In normal population, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 1mm to 3mm with peak incidence in 2mm(66%,33 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 1.9±0.6mm. 2. In acute viral hepatitis, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 2mm to 8mm with peak incidence in 3mm(34%, 13 case), second peak in 4mm (29%,11 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 3.6±1.6mm, which is thicker than normal with statistical signifiance. (p<0.005) 3, In acute viral hepatitis , the mean thickness of glabladder wall is about 4.4±1.8mm in the group of SGOT/ SGPT level above 400 IU, and 2.8±0.8mm in the group of SGOT/SGPT level below 400 IU. This difference is significant statistically. (p<0.05).
Alanine Transaminase ; Gallbladder ; Hepatitis ; Humans ; Incidence ; Prospective Studies

No Abstract Available.
Arthroplasty* ; Knee*