Autogenous costal cartilage graft has been commonly used for reconstruction of auricular deformity. However, the risk of complication and discomfort at the donor site, as well as distortion of the graft due to morphological change in the cartilage have been serious drawbacks to this procedure. Previous studies examining the chondrogenic potential of perichondrium have suggested that perichondrium may be used as graft for cartilage reconstruction. When a perichondrial flap or a free perichondrium was used as graft, new cartilage formed appositional to the grafted perichondrium. However, the neocartilage was often irregular in shape and varied considerably in quantity. In this study, the feasibility of controlling the shape and the mass of neocartilage was investigated using coral, a porous biomaterial, as a template. A coral a template was wrapped with perichondrial flap from the ears of New Zealand white rabbits and placed into a subcutaneous pocket in the rabbits and placed into a subcutaneous pocket in the rabbit's back by incision. A total of 12 animals were used. Formation of new cartilage was later evaluated by gross and histological examination of the perichondrial flap and the coral template. New cartilage was formed in 11 animals. Immature chondrocytes were visible by 3 weeks after the surgery, and by 8 weeks the immature chondrocytes had formed a cartilage. New cartilage was formed only on the surface of the coral template. These results indicated that the shape and the mass of new cartilage may be controlled by using coral template. Therefore, the desired shape of cartilage may be achieved using a coral template of corresponding shape, and this may help in correcting subtle auricular contour defect and in correcting other structural defects that also require new cartilage formation.
Animals ; Anthozoa* ; Cartilage ; Chondrocytes ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Ear ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Tissue Donors ; Transplants

No abstract available.
Arteries*

Hypertriglyceridemia is an important cause of acute pancreatitis, and its symptoms are similar to those of pancreatitis of other causes. Moreover, the possibility of recurrence renders accurate diagnosis critical, and treatment, lifestyle modifications, and education should be performed simultaneously. For treatment during the acute phase of the disease, insulin or plasmapheresis can be combined with modalities used for acute pancreatitis of other causes; fibrate administration is recommended. In addition, hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis requires daily management, such as continuous administration of lipid-lowering agents, and lifestyle modifications are needed even after completion of acute-phase treatment.

Hypertriglyceridemia is an important cause of acute pancreatitis, and its symptoms are similar to those of pancreatitis of other causes. Moreover, the possibility of recurrence renders accurate diagnosis critical, and treatment, lifestyle modifications, and education should be performed simultaneously. For treatment during the acute phase of the disease, insulin or plasmapheresis can be combined with modalities used for acute pancreatitis of other causes; fibrate administration is recommended. In addition, hypertriglyceridemia-induced acute pancreatitis requires daily management, such as continuous administration of lipid-lowering agents, and lifestyle modifications are needed even after completion of acute-phase treatment.

No abstract available.
Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia*

No abstract available.
46, XY Disorders of Sex Development* ; Humans ; Male*

No abstract available.
Humans ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Calcium ; Glucose ; Insulin ; Magnesium ; Pancreas ; Rats

PURPOSE: Regarding for erectile dysfunction(ED), Sildenafil has produced satisfactory clinical results. However, Some patient discontinue sildenafil treatment for a variety of reasons after successful restoration of erectile function. We investigated the reasons for such discontinuations of sildenafil after restoration of erectile function by sildenafil medication. MATERIALS AND METHODS: After sildenafil medication, one hundred fifty six patients whose score of erectile function domain of the 15-item International Index of Erectile Function(IIEF) increased to 26 or more, were included in this study. Six-months after the first sildenafil prescription, compliance to medication and the reason for discontinuity were reviewed by chart or surveyed by telephone. RESULTS: In 156 successfully treated patients, 54(34.6%) discontinued sildenafil medication. The 2 most common reasons for discontinuation were trouble in the partners' or patients' emotional readiness for restoration of sexual activity after long-term abstinence and fear of possible side effects. CONCLUSIONS: After restoration of erectile function, many patients discontinued the use of sildenafil medication. The reasons for discontinuing the medication were primarily emotional or relationship-oriented issues. The counseling of both partners and education about the effects and side effects of the drugs are recommended to promote the successful recovery of sexual activity.
Compliance* ; Counseling ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Prescriptions ; Sexual Behavior ; Telephone ; Sildenafil Citrate

PURPOSE: In evaluation of patients, laboratory results are crucial in determination of a treatment plan. Obtaining venous blood from infants and children is a difficult procedure. Substitution of a capillary blood sample for a venous blood sample has been suggested. However, there are few studies showing mutual correlation between C-reactive protein (CRP) results in capillary and venous blood. This study was designed to determine whether the result of the capillary sample is the same as the result of the venous blood sample. METHODS: After informed consent, a pair of venous and fingertip capillary blood samples were simultaneously collected from 100 children. The LC-178CRPTM was used for analysis of capillary blood and the Hitachi 7180 automatic hematology analyzer was used for analysis of venous blood. We compared CRP of both venous and capillary blood samples. Results were analyzed by crosstabulation analysis, simple regression analysis and the Bland Altman Plot method. RESULTS: A close correlation (90.63%) was observed between capillary and venous blood analyzed by crosstabulation analysis. CRP results were similar between the two groups and showed a high coefficient correlation (beta=1.3434, R2=0.9888, P<0.0001) when analyzed by a simple regression model. The average value in venous blood was also higher compared to capillary blood. According to Bland Altman Plot analysis, lab results were measured at a 95% confidence interval. CONCLUSION: CRP results from capillary blood showed close correlation with venous blood sampling. At present, venous blood sampling is the preferred method. However, due to difficulty in venous blood sampling, capillary sampling could be considered as an alternative technique for use with children.
Blood Vessels ; C-Reactive Protein ; Capillaries ; Child ; Hematology ; Humans ; Infant ; Informed Consent ; Punctures ; Pyridines ; Thiazoles