No abstract available.
Animals ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Macrophages* ; Neutrophils* ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1* ; Macrophages* ; Neutrophils* ; Rats* ; Urinary Bladder*

No abstract available.
Tissue Expansion Devices*

11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 (11β-HSD1) catalyzes the conversion of inactive cortisone into active cortisol, which has pleiotropic roles in various biological conditions, such as immunological and metabolic homeostasis. Cortisol is mainly produced in the adrenal gland, but can be locally regenerated in the liver, fat, and muscle. Its diverse actions are primarily mediated by binding to the glucocorticoid receptor. SW982, a human synovial cell line, expresses 11β-HSD type 1, but not type 2, that catalyzes the conversion of cortisone to cortisol. In this study, therefore, we investigated the control of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory responses by prereceptor regulation-mediated maintenance of cortisol levels. Preliminarily, cell seeding density and incubation period were optimized for analyzing the catalytic activity of SW982. Additionally, cellular 11β-HSD1 still remained active irrespective of monolayer or spheroid culture conditions. Inflammatory stimulants, such as interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)α, and LPS, did not affect the catalytic activity of 11β-HSD1, although a high dose of LPS significantly decreased its activity. Additionally, autocrine effects of cortisol on inflammatory responses were investigated in LPS-stimulated SW982 cells. LPS upregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines, including IL-6 and IL-1β, in SW982 cells, while cortisol production, catalyzed by cellular 11β-HSD1, downregulated LPS-stimulated cytokines. Furthermore, suppression of NFκB activation-mediated pro-inflammatory responses by cortisol was revealed. In conclusion, the activity of cellular 11β-HSD1 was closely correlated with suppression of LPS-induced inflammation. Therefore, these results partly support the notion that prereceptor regulation of locally regenerated cortisol could be taken into consideration for treatment of inflammation-associated diseases, including arthritis.
Adrenal Glands ; Arthritis ; Cell Line* ; Cortisone ; Cytokines ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-6 ; Interleukins ; Liver ; Oxidoreductases* ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha

PURPOSE: The renal histological and hemodynamic changes and the expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were evaluated according to the differential renal function (DRF) during total ureteral obstruction (TUO) in a rabbit model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In forty-nine control (5) and 16 experimental rabbits (16 in TUO 3 days, 13 in TUO 7 days and 15 in TUO 14 days), the renal blood flow (RBF) and 99mTc-DTPA renal scan were measured both before and after TUO. The cut-off of the DRF group was 40%. The histological changes and expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were evaluated using H&E and immunohistochemical stain, respectively. RESULTS: The entire control group demonstrated more than 40% DRF. Contrary to the control group, the DRF was less than 40% in 4 (25%), 7 (53%) and 6 rabbits (40%) in TUO 3, 7 and 14 day groups, respectively. The postobstructive compared to preobstructive RBF was decreased in each group. The RBF was more decreased in the lower than the higher DRF group (more than 40%) in all of the experimental groups. Abnormal histological changes were more prominent in the experimental groups, and increased with the obstruction time. However, there was no difference in relation to the DRF. The expressions of HIF-1alpha and VEGF were more prominent in the experimental and lower DRF groups. CONCLUSIONS: During acute TUO, the decreased RBF and hypoxia may play a role in preservation of the DRF.
Anoxia* ; Hemodynamics ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; Rabbits ; Renal Circulation ; Ureter* ; Ureteral Obstruction* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A*

PURPOSE: Intrinsic milieu of seminal plasma is important in maintaining the survival and fertilizing capacity of normal sperm. Nevertheless, there are still debates concerning the addition of seminal plasma during sperm preparation and cryopreservation. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of autogenous seminal plasma on the recovery of frozen fertile and infertile human sperm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Semen from 10 fertile volunteers and 10 infertile patients was used. Sperm pellet from each group was resuspended and cryopreserved with 0.5ml cryoprotectant. Cryoprotectant was added with 100% (group I), 75% (group II), 50% (group III), 25% (group IV) and 0% (group V) seminal plasma according to each group. After 3 days, each vial was thawed and examined about sperm concentration, motility and morphology by CASA and Makler chamber. Sperm vitality was examined by eosin-nigrosin stain. RESULTS: The recovery rates of sperm motility and vitality after thawing in normal volunteers were higher in group I and II than other groups with statistical significance (p<0.05). However there was no difference between groups in sperm concentration and morphology (p>0.05). In the infertile patients all factors had no difference between groups. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that the sperm quality following the addition of autogenous seminal plasma in cryoprotectant was improved in normal fertile men. This results may give a theoretical basis to support the clinical use and application for the seminal plasma to enhance the sperm quailty.
Cryopreservation* ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans* ; Male ; Semen* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Volunteers

Gout is a metabolic disorder manifested by hyperuricemia due to genetic or acquired diseases. The pathognomic lesion is the tophus which fine crystals of monosodium urate are deposited in articular carti- lage, synovia, tendon sheaths and other periarticular structures, epiphyseal bone, subcutaneous layers of the skin, and interstitial areas of the kidney. Frequent sites of tophaceous deposit are the external ear and subcutaneous deposits in the finger tips, palms and soles. Tophaceous gout involving the space of bipartite patella is very unusual and has not been reported before in Korea. So, we report a case of 38 year old male patient who presented with tophaceous gout involving the space of bipartite patella with review of literatures.
Adult ; Ear, External ; Fingers ; Gout* ; Humans ; Hyperuricemia ; Kidney ; Korea ; Male ; Patella* ; Skin ; Synovial Fluid ; Tendons ; Uric Acid

BACKGROUND: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus, using the Rashkind double umbrella occluder system, had been attempted in mulitcenter since non-surgical closure of patent ductus arteriosus by Rashkind. METHODS: Between July 1991 and June 1993, transcatheter closure of patent ductus arterious was attempted in 20 adult patients(21 trials). RESULTS: Seventeen female and 3 male patients was consisted of the study. The patient age ranged from 17 to 54 years(mean 30+/-9 years). Mean pulmonary artery pressure before closure was 18.5+/-6.0mmHg(range from 10mmHg to 30mmHg). The diameter of ductus ranged from 3.5mm to 8.0mm(mean 5.2+/-1.5mm), as determined by contrast injection through 11F Mullin sheath or 7F catheter. There was significant decrease of Qp/Qs from 2.6+/-1.1 to 1.5+/-0.4 immediately after transcatheter closure of ductus(p<0.01). There was significant decrease of left ventricular end-diastolic dimension by echocardiogram from 58.7+/-7.6mm to 53.6+/-6.5mm after transcatheter closure of ductus(p<0.01). Among the 21 cases, 16 cases(76.2%) had the clinical improvement without the support of surgical closure. One 17mm Rashkind umbrella was retrieved because of position and problem of deployment. There was no device embolic experience in 21 cases. There were 2 cases of hemolytic anemia during the follow-up period ; one case was surgically ligated and another 17mm device was implanted in the other case. CONCLUSIONS: Transcatheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus in adult patients can replace the surgical correction in selected patients.
Adult* ; Anemia, Hemolytic ; Catheters ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Artery

Primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH) is a rare disease of the pulmonary vasculature which largely affects young women and usually runs a rapidly fatal course. Therapeutic trial has continued to reduce the vascular obstruction, lowering the pulmonary vascular pressure and resistance. However, because the etiology is still unknown, therapy is empiric and most patients are clinically fragile, many physicians refrain from intervening. We analyzed clinical and hemodynamic features of 11 PPH patients, confirmed by echocardiogram and cardiac catheterization, and reviewed the literature. The results were followings: 1) Among 11 patients, 5 were male and 6 female, male to female ratio was 1:1.2. Age ranged from 16 and to 52 years, the mean age was 30.4 years. 2) One patient was associated with scleroderma, the other one case was combined with systemic lupus erythematosus and in two patients, including the latter case, the ANA titer was more than 1:80. 3) Clinical features comprised dyspnea in all, chest pain in 54.5%, palpitation in 45.5%, cyanosis and orthostatic dyspnea in 27.3%, and syncope in 18.2%, respectively. 4) Pulmonic second heart sound was accentuated in all patients. Ejection systolic murmur was heard at pulmonic area in 72.7% and diastolic murmur in 45.5%. Pretibial pitting edema in 36.4%, hepatomegaly and superficial neck vein distension in 27.3% were noted. 5) Right ventricular hypertrophy, right axis deviation, right atrial enlargement and right bundle branch block were common EKG findings. In the chest roentgenogram, prominent pulmonary conus was noted in all and cardiomegaly 9 cases. 6) Echocardiogram showed right ventricular dilatation in all, and the ratio of the thickeness of the interventricular septum and left ventricular posterior wall was 0.88-1.50. Midsystolic notching was demonstrated in 6 patients and abnormal interventricular wall motion in 5. 7) hemodynamic data revealed normal pulmonary wedge pressure or left atriae pressure (ranged 4-14: mean; 8.5+/-3.9mmHg). Meanwhile, pulmonary artery pressure highly elevated: systolic pressure ranged between 60-180 (mean; 107.5+/-30mmHg, diastolic pressure 25-90 (mean; 47.9+/-19.6)mmHg and mean pulmonary artery pressure 40-120(mean; 66.5+/-24.7)mmHg. Pulmonary vascular resistance also elevated between 465-3167 (mean; 1209+/-797) and Rp/Rs was elevated in all. Arterial oxygen desaturation was noted 3 patients.
Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Blood Pressure ; Bundle-Branch Block ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Cardiac Catheters ; Cardiomegaly ; Chest Pain ; Conus Snail ; Cyanosis ; Dilatation ; Dyspnea ; Edema ; Electrocardiography ; Female ; Heart Murmurs ; Heart Sounds ; Hemodynamics ; Hepatomegaly ; Humans ; Hypertension, Pulmonary* ; Hypertrophy, Right Ventricular ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; Male ; Neck ; Oxygen ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure ; Rare Diseases ; Syncope ; Systolic Murmurs ; Thorax ; Vascular Resistance ; Veins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the changes in penile sensitivity during the erectile response and their role in premature ejaculation, We investigated the penile sensitivity of patients with premature ejaculation or impotence and normal volunteers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Penile sensitivity was evaluated by vibratory threshold in 19 men with premature ejaculation (PE group; average age 37.8 years), 14 men with impotence (Impo group; 41.8 years), and 13 normally potent male volunteers (control group; 30.0 years). Vibratory thresholds were recorded three times at the glans and shaft during the flaccid, tumescence, and rigid phases of penile erection using a biothesiometer (Model PVD; Bio-medical Instruments Co., USA). Artificial penile erection was induced by intracavernosal injection of prostaglandin E1 5-20 micro gram. RESULTS: Penile sensitivity revealed no significant difference among the three groups during the flaccid phase but was significantly lower in the Impo and control groups than in the PE group during the tumescence and rigid phases (p<0.05). Thus, the PE group had penile hyperesthesia in comparison with the other groups during erection. The penile sensitivity values in the three groups showed no significant differences according to location of the penis during the flaccid, tumescence and rigid phases. CONCLUSION: The pathogenesis of premature ejaculation seems to involve peripheral nerve sensitivity rather than being a reaction to the hypoxic state on full erection.
Alprostadil ; Drug Therapy* ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Hyperesthesia ; Male ; Penile Erection ; Penis ; Peripheral Nerves ; Premature Ejaculation* ; Volunteers