OBJECTIVE: This study was to determine the effect of different concentration of calcium in medium on the preimplantational development of zygotes and early 2-cell embryos. METHODS: Female mice of ICR strain (5~8 weeks old) were superovulated and mated with fertile males. Zygotes or early 2-cell embryos were collected by flushing the oviducts 31~32 hours after hCG injection. The embryos were cultured in various concentrations of Ca2+ in medium or with EDTA, EGTA and Ni2+. RESULT AND CONCLUSION: Treatment of high concentration of Ca2+ (3.42 mM (2X)~17.1 mM (10X) in medium didn't develop well compared to the control Low concentrations of Ca2+ (0.214 mM (1/8X)~0.855 mM (1/2X)) were deterimental to development beyond 2-cell stage. EDTA, Ca2+ chelating agent was treated with ranged concentrations of eDTA (0.014 mM~0.107 mM) to medium contaning 1.71 mM Ca2+ showed beneficial effect to development to blastocyst compared to the control. EGTA, extracellular Ca2+ chelator, was treated with ranged concentrations of EGTA (0.014~0.107 mM) to the medium contaning 1.71 mM Ca2+. There is no significant difference with the control. Ni2+ (50 micrometer), T-type Ca2+-channel blocker was treated to medium contaning low concentration of Ca2+. It overcame 2-cell block significantly. Rate of degenerated embryos decreased and developmental rate to morula and blastocyst increased more than low Ca2+ concentration alone. Further studies are needed for the overcoming effect of 2-cell block by Ni2+.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Calcium ; Edetic Acid ; Egtazic Acid ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Flushing ; Humans ; Male ; Mice* ; Morula ; Oviducts ; Zygote

OBJECTIVE: The study was performed to compare the survival rate and the development of day 2 mouse embryos which had freezing procedures done. METHODS: We used three different vitrification solutions (EFS, VS14, DPS) and a ultrarapid freezing solution (UFS) for cryopreservation of day 2 mouse embryo. RESULTS: We tested toxicity by exposing embryos to vitrification solutions and a ultrarapid freezing solution. The survival rates are 100%, 97.8%, 95.6% and 100% (EFS, VS14, DPS and UFS). After cultured for 96 hours, hatching rates of each group are 93.5% (no freezing), 95.6% (EFS), 86.4% (VS14), 93.0% (DPS), and 93.0% (UFS). There is no significant differences among groups. The survival rates after thawing cryopreserved embryos are 80.2%, 91.7%, 69.5%, 0% and 91.8% (slow freezing, EFS, VS14, DPS and UFS). Also cultured for 96 hours, the hatching rates are 93.5% (no freezing), 84.1% (slow freezing), 93.9%) (EFS), 48.5% (VS14) and 70.1% (UFS). CONCLUSION:The survival rates of vitrification in EFS solution and ultrarapid freezing are higher than slow freezing (p<0.05). The hatching rate of vitrification in EFS solution cultured for 96 hours is highest, so vitrification of day 2 mouse embryos in EFS solution considered as more effective for cryopreservation.
Animals ; Cryopreservation ; Embryonic Structures* ; Freezing* ; Mice* ; Survival Rate ; Vitrification*

An analytic study on 431 cases of cardiac conduction disturbance has been made by review of the clinical records and electrocardiograms taken from the adult patients registered at Kyung Hee University Hospital for 3 years from May, 1973 to April, 1976. 1. The total incidence of conduction disturbance was 6.50%, the atrioventricular block 3.14% and the intraventricular block was 3.36% of total 6,616 cases of E.C.G. reviewed. Among of these, the first degree atrioventricular block was 3.02% which was the most common occurred one, the incomplete right bundle branch block was 2.25% and the complete right bundle branch block was 0.57%. 2. The ratio of male to female was 1.6:1 for the first degree atrioventricular block, and 1.6:1 for the incomplete right bundle branch block, 2.5:1 for the complete atrioventricular block, 2:1 for the left bundle branch block, and 1.7:1 for the complete right bundle branch block. The first degree atrioventricular block was seen most frequently in the fifth and sixth decade of age group, and the third degree block was over 40 years. The incomplete right bundle branch block in order was forth decade, third decade and fifth decade. The complete right bundle branch block and left posterior hemiblock were common in the sixth decade. The left bundle block and the posterior hemiblock were common in fifty years of age group. 3. The cardinal underlying diseases of the first degree atrioventricular block among cardiac diseases group in order of frequency were: hypertensive heart disease (25.0%) arteriosclerotic heart disease (8.0%) and rheumatic valvular heart disease (5.0%). The most common etiology of those non-cardiac disease group was neuropsychiatry disorder (11.5%) and the next was infection (11.0%). 4. All of the complete atrioventricular block were associated with the cardiac disease, that is, 57.0% with arteriosclerotic heart disease, 28.5% with pericarditis and 14.3% with hypertensive heart disease, respectively. 5. The cardinal underlying disease of the incomplete right bundle branch block in order of frequency were: hypertensive heart disease (10.7%), arteriosclerotic heart disease (8.1%) among the cardiac disease group, and infections (15.4%) among the non-cardiac disease group. The incidence of healthy persons was 14.1%. 6. Those of complete right bundle branch block in order of frequency were: arteriosclerotic heart disease (13.2%), and hypertensive heart disease (10.1%) among the cardiac disease group, and infection(13.2%) and neurosis (10.1%), respectively among the non-cardiac disease group. 7. The major etiologies of the left bundle branch block was hypertensive heart disease and arteriosclerotic heart disease (33.3% each), and that of left posterior hemiblock was showed arteriosolerotic heart disease and cor-pulmonale. The most common etiological disease of the left anterior hemiblock was hypertensive heart disease in cardiac disease group, and infection and gatrointestinal disease in non-cariac disease group. 8. The abnormal electrocardiographic findings with the first degree atrioventricular block were left ventricular hypertrophy (24.8%), sinus tachycardia (11.0) and sinus bradycardia (5.8%). Those with the complete atrioventricular block were right ventricular hypertrophy (15.8%) and left bundle branch block (15.8%). In complete right bundle branch block, the majority (52.5%) showed single sign without other abnormality on E.C.G. In the left bundle branch block, there were 18.9% of left ventricular hypertrophy and 15.7% of first degree atrioventricular block. In the left anterior hemiblock, there were 28.5% of right bundle branch block, and 19.0% of right ventricular hypertrophy. In the left posterior hemiblock, there were 40.0% of atrial fibrillation and 20.0% of left atrial hypertrophy.
Adult ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence

Mandibular implant overdenture is a good treatment option for complete edentulous patients with restoring removable prosthesis. Mandibular implant overdenture with two implants and locator attachments is widely used. It is tissue-supported overdenture that is made with the concept of conventional complete denture fabrication. There are two patients who provided impressions by open mouth technique and closed mouth technique in each case. In both cases, mandibular implant overdentures were restored with functionally and aesthetically satisfying results.

PURPOSE: Conventional laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is a widely used treatment for appendicitis. Nowadays, single incision laparoscopic appendectomy (SILA) is increasingly used as an alternative treatment for appendicitis. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical significance and differences between LA and SILA. METHODS: A total of 519 patients undergoing LA or SILA between January 2011 and December 2012 were identified in a retrospectively collected database. Patients' characteristics and peri-operative variables were analyzed. RESULTS: LA was performed in 485 patients and SILA was performed in 34 patients. Mean operation time for the LA group was 62.7 minutes (range 23.3~68.1) and that for the SILA group was 62.7 minutes (range 50.9~74.5). This difference of operation time was statistically significant. In the learning curve of SILA, operation time was gradually decreased. No significant differences in hospital stay and peri-operative complications were observed between groups. CONCLUSION: Although operation time for SILA was longer than that for LA, SILA was safe. Therefore, a prospective study should be conducted in order to confirm the possibility of application to most appendicitis patients.
Appendectomy ; Appendicitis ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Learning Curve ; Length of Stay ; Retrospective Studies

A lymphangioma is comparatively rare in the elimentary tract, and is a benign tumor of the lymphatic system. A duodenal lymphangioma is especially rare, and has an obscure etiology. Clinically, and in the laboratory the are non-specific, and are incidentally found by endoscopy, and their treatment is total excision. Recently, the authors experienced a 45 year-old woman, who had a duodenal lymphangioma, but with no symptom. An endoscopic examination revealed a single, about 2 cm, polypoid lesion below the ampulla. The lesion was successfully excised after a duodenotomy.
Duodenum ; Endoscopy ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphangioma* ; Lymphatic System ; Middle Aged

An intussusception was first reported by Barbette in 1674, but an intussusception of the appendix was first reported in London, in 1858. Of all intussusceptions, 5% occur in adults, and of these 90% are as a result of a primary cause. Therefore, treatment is usually based on the primary cause. An intussusception of the appendix can be treated by barium or air reduction, or by an appendectomy, with manual reduction in pediatrics, but these are very uncommon in adult, and can be treated by various methods, according to the underlying cause. A 74 years old woman was preoperatively diagnosed, by radiological examination, to have an intussusception of the appendix. An exploratory laparotomy was performed, and the lesion confirmed as an intussusception caused by an appendix mass, which was cystic and filled with mucin. Therefore, a right hemicolectomy was performed, with the pathological results confirming a mucinous cystadenocarcinoma of the appendix. Here, we report a case of an adult intussusception of the appendix in a 74 years old woman.
Adult ; Aged ; Appendectomy ; Appendix ; Barium ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous* ; Female ; Humans ; Intussusception* ; Laparotomy ; Mucins* ; Pediatrics

An epigastric hernia is a protrusion of the extra-peritoneal fat to the linea alba, between the xiphoid process and the umbilicus. About 3~5% of people develop epigastric hernias. The authors have experienced a case of a 79 year-old woman who had an asymptomatic epigastric hernia, where an abdomen CT is helpful in its diagnosis. The size of the defect was large, and a hernia sac existed. The case of an epigastric hernia, which was treated by a primary repair, is reported, with a brief review of the literature.
Abdomen ; Aged ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Umbilicus

PURPOSE: Due to its size and locatin, the liver is frequently injured in abdominal trauma. Recently, nonoperative management for liver injuries has been extended due to the development CT imaging, intensive care units, and their equipment and techniques. Herein, patients with traumatic liver injury were analyzed to evaluate its treatment and prognostic factors. METHODS: From 2001, January to 2003, July, 65 patients at our facility were confirmed to have traumatic liver injury. The operative or nonoperative managements were decided on the basis of the systolic blood pressure if no peritoneal irritation sign was noted. If the systolic blood pressure was stable, or recovered to within the normal range following hydration and transfusion at the emergency room, patients were managed nonoperatively. Hemodynamically unstable patients were managed operatively. The data were analysed using the SPSS program (Chi-squared tests and logistic regression analyses). RESULTS: 48 patients were treated nonoperatively, with 3 mortalities. The overall mortality rate was 15.8%, but only 6.4% in the nonoperative management group, compared to 67% in operative management group. In a Multivariate analysis the systolic blood pressure was found to be a reliable factor in traumatic liver injury and the mentality and ISS (injury severity score) reliable in finding complications in the nonoperative management group. The mentality was found statistically reliable for determining mortality in the operative management group, with the exception for the systolic blood pressure. CONCLUSION: The systolic blood pressure was an important indicator when considering the treatment plan in traumatic liver injury. An extensive study will be required that incorporates both nonoperative and operative management groups.
Blood Pressure ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Humans ; Intensive Care Units ; Liver* ; Logistic Models ; Mortality ; Multivariate Analysis ; Reference Values

Patients who have undergone peritoneal dialysis can frequently experience abdominal wall complications, such as hernia due to increased intraabdominal pressure and peritoneal leakage. However, no case of incarcerated abdominal wall hernia through catheter insertion site of CAPD has yet been reported Recently the authors experienced a case of intestinal obstruction due to an incarcerated hernia at the catheter insertion site of CAPD. We report this case and present a literature review.
Abdominal Wall ; Catheters* ; Hernia* ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory*