No abstract available.
Female ; Menstrual Cycle* ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy*

BACKGROUND: The vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is known as a potent mediator of brain tumor angio-genesis, vascular permeablity, and glioma growth. This study was designed to study the balance between growth and death signals in different grades of astrocytic tumors. METHODS: Using immunohistochemistry, the relationship between the expression of VEGF and microvessel count and density were evaluated in 62 cases of astrocytic tumors including 33 low grade astrocytomas, 6 anaplastic astrocytomas, and 23 glioblastomas. In order to determine the apoptotic index (AI), the in situ end-labeling method was applied. RESULTS: VEGF was expressed on the tumor cell cytoplasm. Of 62 tumors, 44 (77%) were weak to strong postive for VEGF, but 18 cases were not reactive. VEGF positivity was correlat-ed with WHO grades of the astrocytic tumors; low grade astrocytomas (52%), anaplastic astrocytomas (83%), and glioblastomas (96%). Mean microvessel count and density were significantly higher in VEGF-positive tumors (75.7 and 4.1%) than in VEGF-negative tumors (43.9 and 2.5%). Apoptotic cells were readily found in the astrocytic tumors; the highest value of AI was observed in glioblastomas (8.6%) and the lowest in anaplastic astrocytomas (1.9%). It seemed that the grade of malignancy was not related with AI values. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that VEGF promotes angiogenesis with tumor cell growth against apoptotic cell death in the human astrocytomas.
Apoptosis* ; Astrocytoma ; Brain Neoplasms ; Cell Death ; Cytoplasm ; Glioblastoma ; Glioma ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Microvessels ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: For evaluation of the growth hormone and cortisol responses to insulin stimuli in children with short stature, the human growth hormone secretion and cortisol level was monitored 30 and 60 minutes after insulin infusion by intravenousely. METHODS: The inclusion criteria of children for this study were that the height was below 3 percentile compare with the same sex and age children, bone age was younger more than one year of chronologic age, and insulin and L-dopa induced growth hormone secretion was below 10ng/mL. There were 10 children compatible with this criteria(group A) and 11 children was selected for control group(group B). Serum concentration of growth hormone was determined just before intravenous infusion of 0.1U/kg insulin and then 30 and 60 minutes after insulin infusion. Serum level of cortisol was determined simultaneously with the growth hormone but skip the level of the 30 minutes after insulin infusion. Serum glucose level was monitored on every time sampling the blood for determined growth hormone and cortisol level. Serum level of growth hormone and cortisol were determined by radioimmunoassay. RESULTS :The serum glucose concentration were decrease to under 50% of baseline level on 30 minutes after insulin infusion in A and B group. The serum growth hormone level before insulin infusion was 2.5+/-1.78ng/mL and changed to 2.2+/-1.69 ng/mL on 60 minutes after insulin infusion in group A. In group B, the serum growth hormone level alteration before and on 60 minutes after insulin infusion was from 5.5+/-6.67ng/mL to 12.6+/-7.91ng/mL. The serum concentration of cortisol was changed from baseline level 10.7+/-7.10, 7.9+/-3.98microg/dL to 16.7+/-11.47, 26.1+/-3.59microg/ dL on 60 minutes after insulin infusion in group A and B respectively, but some cases in group A show a little increase in cortisol level. CONCLUSION: On the basis of this study, it is suggested that the deficiency of growth hormone secretion is related to cortisol concentration in peripheral blood. But for more detailed assessment of this association, follow up studies will be needed in more cases.
Blood Glucose ; Child* ; Growth Hormone* ; Human Growth Hormone ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone* ; Infusions, Intravenous ; Insulin* ; Levodopa ; Radioimmunoassay

Various neurotransmitters have been proposed as possible mediators of penile erection. Especially, norepinephrine and serotonin might have a important role in sexual arousal and penile erection. And it could be hypothesized that the psychogenic impotence is associated with the depletion or imbalance of norepinephrine and serotonin from evidences such as the symptomatic manifestation of depression and the antidepressant-induced sexual dysfunction. The authors investigates the association of norepienphrine and serotonin with psychogenic impotence. The psychogenic impotent group(PIG) consisted of twenty-three patients with psychogenic impotence and the controlled group(CG) consisted of twenty-seven patients without psychogenic impotence. PIG had no organic cause accounting for their erectile dysfunction. The Beck Depression Inventory(BDI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory(STAI) were applied to each subject to assess mood, state anxiety(SA) and trait anxiety(TA). Plasma norepinephrine level from systemic blood and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid(HIAA) levels from 24-hours urine were measured in each subject. The mean score of BDI of PIG was significantly higher than that of CG(p=0.015). PIG had a tendency of higher TA compared with CG(p=0.054). And also SA was higher in PIG, bud did not show significant difference(p=0.193). The level of norepinephrine was significantly lower in patient with psychogenic impotence(p=0.000). And the level of 24-hours urine 5-HIAA was lower in PIG but did not show significant difference(p=0.494). Although the authors did not exclude depressive disorders in PIG, the present findings suggest that psychogenic impotence might have higher depressive mood and trait anxiety, and be associated with the depletion of norepinephrine in systemic blood.
Anxiety ; Arousal ; Depression ; Depressive Disorder ; Erectile Dysfunction* ; Humans ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; Male ; Neurotransmitter Agents ; Norepinephrine* ; Penile Erection ; Plasma ; Serotonin*

PURPOSE: Infants undergo critical and rapid stages of growth. Optimal nutrition during this period is therefore essential. Iron deficiency is especially impotant and common. The aim of this study was to determine the present status and problems of milk feeding methods in infants with iron deficiency anemia and, futhermore, to develop appropriate feeding guidelines for adequate iron nutrition. Latate is the end product of the anaerobic metabolism of glucose. Also we studied the changes of serum lactate level in this patients and calculated correlations between serum lactate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia. METHODS: We studied 42 children with iron deficiency anemia who visited Wonkwang university hospital from February 1995 to July 1996. We analyzed the type and duration of milk feeding method. And we measured serum lacate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia. RESULTS: The mean age was 17.0 months and male to female ratio was 7:1. On the analysis of milk feeding methods the breast feeding, the cow's milk, the mixed feeding were 73.8%, 11.9%, 14.3% respectively. The breast feeding group distributed mainly from 6 month to 18 month and 1 patient showed prolonged breast feeding until 48 month. We checked serum lactate level in 22 subjects. The mean serum lactate level was increased than normal adult level but there were no significant correlation between serum lactate level and diagnostic parameters of iron deficiency anemia (Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, serum iron, TIBC, ferritin). CONCLUSION: The most common problem of milk feeding method in infants with iron deficiency anemia was prolonged breast feeding and some infants fed excessive cow's milk. We need correct and proper education about merits and disadvantages of breast and cow's milk feeding to mothers. The mean serum lactate level in children with iron deficiency anemia was increased but serum lacate level can't use a diagnostic parameter of iron deficiency anemia.
Adult ; Anemia, Iron-Deficiency* ; Breast ; Breast Feeding ; Child ; Education ; Feeding Methods* ; Female ; Glucose ; Humans ; Infant* ; Iron* ; Lactic Acid* ; Male ; Metabolism ; Milk* ; Mothers

The phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors (PDE5-Is) sildenafil, vardenafil and tadalafil are widely used as first-line therapy for erectile dysfunction (ED). Since the approval of sildenafil in 1998, more than 40 million men worldwide have been successfully treated with PDE5-Is. Pharmacologically, the proven safety and high tolerance of PDE5-Is is an attractive tool to investigate further physiological functions of PDE5, for example the modulation of intracellular cyclic GMP (cGMP) pools. As cGMP is a key component of intracellular signaling this may provide novel therapeutic opportunities beyond ED even for indications in which chronic administration is necessary. The approval of sildenafil for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension in 2005 was a notable success in this area of research. A number of other potential new indications are currently in various phases of preclinical research and development. In recent years, extensive but very heterogeneous information has been published in this field. The aim of this review is to summarize existing preclinical and clinical knowledge and critically discuss the evidence to support potential future indications for PDE5 inhibitors.
Carbolines ; Cyclic GMP ; Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 5 ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary ; Imidazoles ; Male ; Piperazines ; Purines ; Sulfones ; Triazines ; Sildenafil Citrate ; Tadalafil ; Vardenafil Dihydrochloride

We investigated the acute effect of recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) on the activity of polymorphoneuclear leukocyte (PMN). We selected 6 patients of growth hormone deficient and 5 normal control children. In both groups, 0.15 IU/kg of rhGH was administered subcutaneously. The plasma growth hormone level were measured by radioimmunoassay on 0, 2, and 6 hours after administration of rhGH. To determined PMN activity, peripheral blood PMN were separated by discontinuous density-gradient centrifigation. Isolated PMN were stimulated hy fMLP and PMA and then respiratory burst activity of PMN was determined. The average growth hormone level of growth horrnone deficient and normal group were increased to the level of 41.6+/-23.7 and 96.3+/-46.5 ng/ml respectively, 2 hours after rhGH injection and decreased to the level of 18.5+/-10.6 and 42.2+/-5.5 ng/ml respectively, 6 hours after rhGH injection. Superoxide (O ) production by PMN which was stimulated by PMA was increased from 9.98+/-5.18 to 38.67+/-19.19 (x 10'cpm) after 6 hours of rhGH injection in control group children. It seemed that administration of the rhGH do not made a any effects acutely on PMN activity in growth hormone deficient group. But in a normal control children, extemal administration of rhGH acutely increased activity of PMN.
Child* ; Growth Hormone ; Human Growth Hormone* ; Humans* ; Leukocytes ; Neutrophils* ; Plasma ; Radioimmunoassay ; Respiratory Burst ; Superoxides

Androgen deficiency in aging male has become a topic of increasing interest and debate throughout the world. The past decade has brought evidence that androgen treatment of hypogonadal men has benefits for multiple target organs. It is recognized that significant alterations in many endocrine systems occur in association with aging, but the significance of these changes is not well understood. In addition to its role in specific organ systems, testosterone has been found to play a role in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome and endothelial dysfunction. Based on data from the last 20 years, the syndrome previously called PADAM(partial androgen deficiency in aging male) is now referred to as LOH(late-onset hypogonadism), as recommended by the ISA(International Society of Andrology) at the 4th ISSAM Congress in 2004. LOH is a clinical and biochemical syndrome associated with advancing age and characterized by a set of typical symptoms accompanied by a deficiency in serum testosterone. Diagnostic tools for LOH, long-term data on the effects of testosterone replacement in aging men, and specific risk data for the prostate and cardiovascular systems are still limited. However, we have seen the recent development of a more effective and safe formulation of testosterone, e.g., Testogel 1% and a long-acting testosterone undecanoate injectable. Until better methods for caring LOH are refined, the urologists should be alert and stay current with the updates from the academic societies.
Aging ; Cardiovascular System ; Endocrine System ; Hormone Replacement Therapy ; Humans ; Hypogonadism* ; Male* ; Prostate ; Testosterone

No abstract available.
Dinoprost* ; Female ; Laparoscopes* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Tubal*

This study was performed to investigate the effect of kimchi intake on free radical and oxidative substance production in young adults and the elderly. Daily kimchi intake by people in their twenties (n = 93, 20 to 29 years old) and over sixty-five (n = 143, over 65 years old) in M city were surveyed and blood was drawn to analyze the free radicals in their plasma. The average amount of kimchi intake by the subjects was 115.8 +/- 91.7 g. The amount of kimchi intake of those in their twenties (106.1 +/- 80.6 g) was significantly lower than that of those over sixty-five (125.5 +/- 102.9 g, p<0.05). Concentrations of total free radicals and OH radicals were 27 and 33% greater respectively, in those over sixty-five than in those in their twenties, indicating that more free radicals were produced by the older group. The concentration of GSH was not signiacantly different in the two groups, but that of GSSG in the over sixty-five age group was 53% greater than in the twenties group, which resulted in a 35% reduction in GSH/GSSG in the elderly group. TBARS concentration in the over sixty-five group was 26% greater than that of the twenties group. In order to see the effect of kimchi intake on free radical production, subjects in same age group were divided into two sub groups-the mean over and the mean under groups-according to the average amount of kimchi intake, which was 115.8 g. The total free radicals, the OH radicals, the GSH, the GSSG, and the GSH/GSSG in the twenties group were not significantly different in the two kimchi intake groups. However, those in the over sixty-five group were significantly different. The concentration of total free radicals and OH radicals of the mean over group were 21 and 26% lower respectively, than those of the mean ova. group (p<0.05). The GSH and GSH/GSSG of the mean ova. groups were higher by 8 and 12%, respectively. The correlation coefficient between the kimchi intake and the total free radicals was -0.1862 (p<0.05) and that for GSH/GSSG was 0.1861 (p<0.05). In conclusion, the production of free radicals and oxidative substances increased with age, and kimchi seemed to retard this phenomena.
Aged* ; Free Radicals ; Glutathione ; Glutathione Disulfide ; Humans ; Ovum ; Plasma ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Young Adult*