No abstract available.
Cesarean Section* ; Female ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Using c-fos expression one of the immediate early gene, as a marker of altered neuronal response, we investigated the effect of superior cervical ganglion block (SCGB) exhibiting the same effect of SGB of human on the activity of several brain regions which are considered as located on autonomic neural pathway and neuroendocrine axis in rat. METHOD: The 48 Sprague-Dawley strain rats were divided into 4 groups, as saline/stress (control) group, SCGB/stress (tested) group, saline group, SCGB group. Superior cervical ganglion block was conducted in the SCGB/stress group and SCGB group while saline/stress and saline group were sham operated. After then restraint stress was imposed on the animals of SCGB/stress group and saline/stress group. And 2 hour after injection (saline, SCGB group) or restraint stress (saline/stress, SCGB/stress group), c-fos protein (Fos) was localized by immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Much stronger Fos immunoreactivity was induced in the several brain region of control group rats compared to other three groups and the numbers of Fos positive cell count of tested group were significantly decreased in paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus (p<0.01), A5 (p<0.01), raphe pallidus (p<0.05), nucleus tractus solitaius (p<0.01) compared to control group. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrate that superior cervical ganglion block attenuates stress induced neuronal activities of paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, A5, raphe pallidus, nucleus tractus solitarius.
Animals ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Brain* ; Cell Count ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Neural Pathways ; Neurons ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Solitary Nucleus ; Superior Cervical Ganglion*

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness and safety of the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for fixation of displaced proximal humeral fractures by analyzing the surgical outcomes. METHODS: Twenty-three patients who could be followed-up for at least 8 months after the treatment of displaced proximal humeral fractures through the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach were enrolled. We evaluated the reduction of the fractures and surgery-related complications at the last follow-up using X-ray results and clinical outcomes comprising the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) scoring system and the Korean Shoulder Society (KSS) score. RESULTS: At the last follow-up of patients treated using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach for internal fixation of proximal humeral fractures, we found 22 cases (95.6%) of bone union, a mean UCLA score of 28.3 (range, 15 to 34) and a mean KSS score of 82.1 (range, 67 to 95). Various surgery-related complications were noted; a case of varus malunion after fracture displacement, a case of nonunion, a case of delayed union, two cases of impingement, and a case of partial axillary nerve injury, which recovered completely through the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Plate fixation using the anterosuperior deltoid splitting approach could be another reliable option for treating displaced proximal humeral fractures.
California ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Humerus ; Shoulder ; Shoulder Fractures*

We investigated HBV markers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of 50 subjects with neurologic disorders or other disorders, who visited Dept. of neurology, college of medicine, Yeungnam University, from April-1 to August-31 1994 and were performed cerebrospinal fluid analysis to investigate the detection rate of HBV markers in cerebrospinal fluid and the possibility of neurologic disorders associated with HBV infection. The results were as follows. The positivity of HBsAg and. HBV prevalence rate in serum were 6(12.04) and 37(74.0%). Thf, number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(12.0%), 31(62.0%) and 13(26.0%), respectively. The positivity of HBsAg and HBV prevalence rate in cerebrospinal fluid were 3(6%) and 18(36.0%). The number of patient with HBsAg, only anti-HBV and no markers were 6(100.0%), 12(38.7%) and 0(0.0%) respectively. The number of patient with virus associated diseases(VAD) and non virus associated diseases(NVAD) were 26(52%) and 24(48%). The HBV prevalence rate in serum of VAD and NVAD groups were 88.5% and 58.3% (p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 53.8% and 16.7%(p<0.05). The HBV prevalence rate in serum and CSF of VAD and NVAD groups were 60.9% and 28.6%
Cerebrospinal Fluid* ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Herpesvirus 1, Cercopithecine* ; Humans ; Nervous System Diseases ; Neurology ; Prevalence

PURPOSE: Acute diverticulitis of the right colon is not rare in Korea and the clinical presentation is indistin guishable from acute appendicitis. Cecal diverticulitis has led to a controversy in the management of disease. METHODS: Thirty-one cases of acute cecal diverticulitis who underwent operation for suspected acute appendicitis were reviewed retrospectively from January 1995 to December 1998. RESULTS: There were 17 men & 14 women. Ages ranged from 9 to 69 (mean: 37.5) years. All patients presented with signs and symptoms as acute appendicitis. All patients were explored through a transverse incision in the right lower quadrant under the impression of acute appendicitis. An appendectomy and drainage was performed in 13 patients, and resection of the lesion was performed in 18 patients (12 ileocecal resection, one partial cecectomy including appendix, one partial cecectomy and an appendectomy, 4 diverticulectomy and appendectomy), depending on the location of diverticulitis, severity of inflammation, and surgeon. Staples (TA(R), GIA(R)) were used in all cecal resection cases except for diverticulectomy. Five complications were observed, 3 in cecal resection cases (one wound seroma, one wound infection and one bleeding), and 2 in appendectomy and drainage cases (two wound infections). There was no postoperative mortality. The average length of the postoperative stay was 10.2 days in the drainage group and 8.8 days in the cecal resection group. Two recurrences were observed. One was the patient who had diverticulectomy performed. The other was a patient who had had appendectomy and drainage. CONCLUSION: We concluded that the preferred surgical management of an acute cecal diverticulitis operated for a presumed acute appendicitis is cecectomy using staples depending on its location and severity of inflammation. It was safe, relatively easy to do through the same incision, and could be a definitive treatment.
Appendectomy* ; Appendicitis ; Appendix ; Colon ; Diverticulitis* ; Drainage ; Female ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Seroma ; Wound Infection ; Wounds and Injuries

OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the biodurability of the covering material in retrievable metallic stents covered with polycarbonate polyurethane. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Using a peristaltic pump at a constant rate of 1ml/min, bile was recirculated from a reservoir through a long tube containing four stents. Each of these was removed from the system every two weeks and a radial tensile strength test and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were performed. Each stent, removed at 2, 4, 6 and 8 weeks, was compared with a control stent not exposed to bile juice. RESULTS: Gross examination showed that stents were intact at 2 weeks, but at 4, 6 and 8 weeks cracks were observed. The size of these increased gradually in accordance with the duration of exposure, and at 8 weeks several large holes in the polyurethane membrane were evident. With regard to radial tensile strength, extension and peak load at break were 84.47% and 10.030 N/mm, 54.90% and 6.769 N/mm, 16.55% and 2.452 N/mm, 11.21% and 1.373 N/mm at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy at 2 weeks revealed intermittent pitting and cracking, and examination at 4, 6 and 8 weeks showed that the size of these defects was gradually increasing. CONCLUSION: When the polyurethane membrane was exposed to bile, biodegradation was first observed at week two and increased gradually according to the duration of exposure.
Bile Acids and Salts/physiology ; Biodegradation ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning/*instrumentation ; Phantoms, Imaging ; *Polyurethanes ; *Stents ; Support, Non-U.S. Gov't ; Tensile Strength ; Time Factors

This study was carried to determine the possibility of finding motile spermatozoa and fertilization, pregnancy rate after testicular sperm extraction(TESE) with ICSI in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients. In 154 cases(132 patients), obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases and non-obstructive azoospermia was 77 cases. In obstructive azoospermia, patients generally showed normal spermatogenesis and included vas agenesis(n=8), multiple vas obstruction(n=7), epididymal obstruction (n=54). Total of 982 retrieved oocytes were obtained and 84.4% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 72.5% and 62.3%, .respectively. 30 pregnancies(38.9%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 22 cases (28.6%). In non-obstructive azoospermia, patients showed hypospermatogenesis(n=49), maturation arrest(n=4), Sertoli cell only syndrome (n=24). The various stages of spermatogenic cell could be retrieved by TESE and could be reached normal fertilization and embryo development with ICSI. Total of 1072 retrieved oocytes obtained and 80.2% were injected. The fertilization rates with 2 PN and cleavage rate were 52.8% and 68.9%, respectively. 22 pregnancies(30.1%) were achieved and the ongoing pregnancies were 19 cases(26.0%). Conclusively, the combination of TESE with ICSI using testicular spermatozoa can achieve normal fertilization and pregnancy rate and effective method in obstructive and non-obstructive azoospermic patients.
Azoospermia ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization* ; Humans ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy Rate* ; Pregnancy* ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa*

Eaton Lambert Syndrome (ELS) is a disorder of neuromuscular transmission. The defect of neuromuscular transmission is due to decrease in the release of acetylcholine quanta from nerve terminal. This syndrome is frequently associated with bronchogenic carcinoma. The diagnosis is established by electromyography, which characteristically shows 1) low amplitude of evoked compound muscle potential to a single supramaximal stimulus on nerve, 2) significant decremental response at low rates of stimulation 3) marked incremental response at high rates of stimulation. Our patient is 52year old man with dyspnea, coughing and muscle weakness of proximal lower limbs. He has small cell lung cancer and associated with ELS, Superior vena cava syndrome and has metastatic lesion on right supraclavicular lymph node confirmed by pathology. Metastatic mass and SVC syndrome are marked improved following chemotherapy and radiotherapy, however follow up EMG finding does not improved. We are here reporting one case which considered compatible for ELS, with a few elementary reviewed literatures.
Acetylcholine ; Carcinoma, Bronchogenic ; Cough ; Diagnosis ; Drug Therapy ; Dyspnea ; Electromyography ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome* ; Lower Extremity ; Lymph Nodes ; Muscle Weakness ; Pathology ; Radiotherapy ; Small Cell Lung Carcinoma* ; Superior Vena Cava Syndrome

Cytogenetic observations of loss of the distal portion of the Y chromosome long arm were found to be associated with disrupted spermatogenesis. The existence of a gene involved in the regulation of spermatogenesis, the azoospermia factor (AZF), was postulated. In this study, we screened the AZF region including DAZ and DAZH genes and observed the expression pattern of DAZ and DAZH transcript in infertile men with azoospermia and oligospermia by using a sequence-tagged site (STS)-based PCR method. PCR primers were synthesized for 11 STSs that span Yq interval 6, SRY, DAZ, and DAZH, functional DAZ homologue on chromosome 3. Microdeletions were detected in 4/32 (12.5%) azoospermic men and 1/11 (9%) severe oligospermic men. Only 2 of 5 patients had microdeletions of Yq that contained the 342 gene, whereas the other 3 patients had deletions extending from intervals 5L-6F proximal to the DAZ gene on Yq. Testis biopsies of the azoospermic patients revealed a variety from Sertoli cell-only syndrome to testicular maturation arrest. Of 4 men with clinical data available, average testis size was R: 13.8 co, L: 13.8 co, serum T was 4.0+/-1.25 ng/ml, LH was 3.63+/-1.90 mIU/ml, and FSH was 8.85 +/- 5.13 mIU/ml. These values did not differ significantly from the remainder of the patients tested. We could not observed the DAZ transcript in 2 patients, who have no mature spermatozoa. In 11,6% of patients microdeletions of the AZF could be detected. These deletions in the AZF region seem to be involved causing spermatogenic failure. But the frequency of microdeletions proximal to DAZ suggests that DAZ is not the only gene associated with spermatogenic failure.
Arm ; Azoospermia* ; Biopsy ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 3 ; Cytogenetics ; Genes, vif ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Tagged Sites ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa ; Testis ; Y Chromosome*

Recent studies of molecular biology have suggested that infection with human papillomavirus(HPV) is implicated in the pathogenesis of cervical carinoma. HPV infection alone, however, does not appear to be sufficient for the process of maliganant transformation, suggesting the requirement of additional cellular events. The mutation of p53, which is involved in negative control of cell proliferation, may play a role in the carcinogenesis of cervical carcinoma. The present study was designed to clarify the association between infection with HPV and p53 alteration in primary carcinoma of human uterine cervix. We investigated 46 prim-ary cervical carcinomas for the presence of HPV DNA by in situ hybridization(ISH) with probe specific for HPV 16/18, and examined the accumulation of p53 protein by immunohis-tochemistry(IHC) and the p53 alteration by polymerase chain reaction-single strand confor-mation polymorphism(PCR-SSCP) using formalin fixed, paraffin -embedded tissue. HPV DNA 16/18 was detected in 18 cases(39.1%) of 46 cervical carcinomas. The accumulation of p53 was identified in tumor cells: low level 43.5%(20/46) and high level 32.6% difference of positive reaction by IHC method. But there was no statistical significant between the infection of HPV and the accumulation of p53(p=0.847). Mutations in exons 4 through 9, where the vast majority of point mutations were reported in human neoplasms, were screened by PCR-SSCP analysis. Altered mobilities of the PCR product of p53 were also found in 9 cases(26.5%) of 34 cervical carcinoma: one in exon 4, four in exon 5/6, two in exon 7, and two in exon 8/9. The mutation of p53 was observed in 41.1%(19/46) respective of the result of IHC and PCR-SSCP, and there was slightly higher p53 alteration in HPV negative cases(23.8%, 11/46) than in HPV positive cases(17.4%, 8/46) without statistical significance(p=0.729). The conclusion of these observations suggests that HPV infection and alteration of p53 may play a critical role in tumorigenesis of carcinoma of the human uterine cervix independently, ant there is important difference in the tumorigenic pathway between two factors.
Ants ; Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cell Proliferation ; Cervix Uteri ; DNA ; Exons ; Female ; Formaldehyde ; Genes, p53* ; Humans ; Molecular Biology ; Paraffin ; Point Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction