OBJECTIVE: to determine whether ovarian steroids directly regulate FSH release and B subunit synthesis at the pituitary level METHODS: In vitro study. After applying ovarian steroids in cultured rat anterior pituitary cells, we evaluate the amount of relesed FSH and FSH B subunit using dot-blot hybridization. RESULTS: Estradiol alone or GnRH-induced did not modulate FSH release and B ubunit synthesis. Although progesterone alone did not alter FSH release, GnRH-induced FSH release was significantly augmented by the treatment of progesterone. Progesterone alone stimulated FSH B mRNA level. Significant increase in FSH B mRNA level was also observed by the combined treatment of progesterone and GnRH. The effects of progesterone on GnRH-induced FSH release was significantly reduced by the treatment of progesterone antagonist, RU 486. The treatment with progesterone antagonist, RU 486 also abolished progesterone-induced FSH B subunit mRNA biosynthesis. CONCLUSION: From these results, it is, therefore, concluded that estradiol does not seem to be a major regulator for FSH synthesis but progesterone may exert its action at the pituitary level for the synthesis and release of FSH.
Animals ; Estradiol ; Estrogens ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Mifepristone ; Progesterone ; Rats* ; RNA, Messenger ; Steroids

No abstract available.
Child* ; Colon* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Stria Vascularis*

BACKGROUND: The detection of specific autoantibodies in the sera of patients with systemic rheumatic diseases plays a key role in the differential diagnosis. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA) is known as sensitive and semiquantitative method to detect autoantibodies and ELISA kits using a recombinant fusion protein as antigen have been developed. So, various commercial ELISA have recently become available in a diagnostic laboratory. We investigated the clinical value of antinuclear autoantibodies using commercial ELISA kits. METHODS: The serum of 90 patients were tested for autoantibodies to SSA/Ro, SSB/La, nRNP/Sm and Sm antigens by ELISA using four commercial kits, EL-ANA(TM) (TheraTest, IL, USA), DIASTAT(TM)(SHIELD, DUNDEE, UK), QUANTALit(TM) (INOVA, CA, USA), Varelisa(TM) (elias, WI, USA). We evaluated the clinical usefulness of panel test of Varelisa(TM) in the diagnosis of systemic rheumatic diseases. RESULTS: The concordance rates of four ELISA kits for autoantibodies to SSA/Ro, SSB/La, RNP/Sm and Sm antigens were 83.6%, 74.5%, 87.5% and 80.0%, respectively. Using panel test of Varelisa(TM), positive rates of autoantibodies to Ul-snRNP, nRNP/Sm, Sm, SSA/Ro, SSB/La, Scl-70, CENP and Jo-1 antigens in SLE were 30.0, 40.0, 33.3, 46.7, 20.0, 20.0, 10.0, and 0%, respectively. Of 30 patients with SLE, 16 (53.3%) were positive for 2 or more antibodies. CONCLUSIONS: EL-ANA(TM), QUANTALite(TM) and Varelisa(TM) show more positive rates than DIASTAT(TM). The difference in the positive rates among four commercial ELISA kits may come from the different antigen sources. The panel test of 8 autoantibodies using Varelisa(TM) ELISA kit offers discriminative power and enhances the specificity of the assay in patients who lack clear evidence of clinically definite autoimmune disease.
Antibodies ; Autoantibodies* ; Autoimmune Diseases ; Diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay* ; Histidine-tRNA Ligase ; Humans ; Rheumatic Diseases ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Staphylococcal Protein A

No abstract available.
Accidents, Traffic* ; Fistula*

No abstract available.
Rhinomanometry*

No abstract available.
Mastoid* ; Transverse Sinuses*

Testicular carcinoid tumor is uncommon and most of these tumors occur in fourth decade' of life. A 33-year-old man presented with intrascrotal painless mass, which was initially misdiagnosed as epididymal tumor. Epididymectomy including the mass was performed and pathologic examination revealed a carcinoid tumor confined to the rete testis. There was no evidence of carcinoid syndrome. The 24 hour urinary 5-HIAA level was normal. Abdominal CT scan and GI contrast study showed no evidence of carcinoid in other organ including the gut. Radical orchiectomy and hemiscrotectomy were undergone as a curative therapy. He has been well for 40 months without recurrence.
Adult ; Carcinoid Tumor* ; Humans ; Hydroxyindoleacetic Acid ; Orchiectomy ; Recurrence ; Rete Testis* ; Testis ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to assess the morbidity and mortality of 311 patients implanted with at least one Omniscience prosthetic valve between January 1992 and January 2000. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Following valve implantation all patients were followed up with routine interviews, physical examination and echocardiography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 5.8+/-0.9 (standard error, SE) years with a mean follow-up interval of 8.5+/-0.7 (SE) months. The 311 patients received the following type (s) of valve: mitral, aortic, both or tricuspid valve, in 166 (47.9%), 99 (32.0%), 44 (19.5%) and 2 (0.6%) of cases, respectively. The cumulative follow up was 1143.4 patient-years (pt-yr). Death occurred in eight patients (0.7%/ pt-yr at linearized rate), and redo-operations were required in 27 patients (2.4%/pt-yr) due to valve failure. Actuarial freedom from all complication was 72.5%+/-8.2% (SE). Freedom from pannus formation, paravalvular leak, or thromboembolism plus anticoagulant related bleeding were 83.1%+/-3.5% (MVR/AVR 92.7%+/-4.7%/73.4%+/-2.8%), 95.2%+/-2.1% (MVR/AVR 96.8%+/-4.2%/93.6%+/-3.2%), and 96.1%+/-2.5% (MVR/AVR 95.6%+/-5.6%/96.7%+/-4.7%) respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results with this prosthesis demonstrate relatively high incidences of valve related complication especially due to pannus formations and paravalvular leaks. We could reduce the incidences of mortality by earlier detection of complications, redo-operations and routine checks.
Echocardiography ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Freedom ; Heart Valve Prosthesis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Mortality ; Physical Examination ; Prostheses and Implants ; Prosthesis Failure ; Thromboembolism ; Tricuspid Valve

No abstract available.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections* ; Respiratory Syncytial Viruses*