No abstract available.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1* ; Hypothyroidism*

OBJECTIVE: We examined the vasoconstricting poperties of endothelin (ET) on isolated arteries from pregnant as well as non-pregnant uterus. METHODS: Arteries of the uterus were obtained from both hysterectomized uterus and during pregnany hysterectomy for control group and cesarean section for pregnant group. Rings of uterine artery were suspended on muscle chambers at their optimal length for generating tension and contractile properties were examined. RESULTS: ET-1 and ET-2 induced concentration-dependent constriction of both isolated arterial strips from non-pregnant and pregnant uterus. The contraction to ET-1 and ET-2 were more enhanced in full-term pregnancy. Furthermore, in pregnant group, sarafotoxin S6c and IRL 1620, ET. agonists, induced a dose-dependent contraction, which was not shown in those from non-pregnant human. Pretreatment of human uterine arterial strips from pregnant uterus with BQ610, an ET. antagonist, for 10 min resulted in a dose-related rightward shift of ET-1 response curve with diminution of maximal response. Schild plot analysis yielded a pA value of 7.29 with a slope of 0.98. However, BQ788, an ET antagonist, did not produce any rightward shift. The contraction to lower concentration (10-8~3*10-7 M) of sarafotoxin S6c was not affected by BQ788, whereas that to higher concentration (10-s-8*10-7 M) was marked diminished. However, BQ610 did not exnt any efFect on sarafotoxin S6c-induced contraction in arterial staips from pregnant uterus. When the bath solution was replaced with Ca-free physiological salt solution (PSS) containing 1 mM EGTA for 10 min prior to adding sarafotoxin S6c, sarafotoxin S6c-induced contraction was completely abolished. Sarafotoxin S6c (10 nM)-induced contraction was prefetentially blocked by a protein kinase C antagonist, H-7, whereas it was less sensitive to a calmodulin antagonist, calmidazolium, CONCLUSION: Based on above results, we concluded that ET plays an important role in regulating uterine blood flow through the activation of ETa and ETB receptors. Furthermote, ETB receptors may predominantly contribute to the modulation of human uterine circulation in full-term pregnancy.
1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine ; Arteries* ; Baths ; Calmodulin ; Cesarean Section ; Constriction ; Egtazic Acid ; Endothelin-2 ; Endothelins* ; Female ; Humans* ; Hysterectomy ; Pregnancy ; Protein Kinase C ; Receptors, Endothelin ; Uterine Artery ; Uterus*

No abstract available.
Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Hysterectomy*

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of the isolation methods of inner cell mass from mouse blastocyst, types of feeder cells and treatment time of mitomycin C on the formation rate of ICM colony. METHODS: The inner cells were isolated by conventional immunosurgery, partial trophoblast dissection with syringe needles and whole blastocyst co-culture method. Commercially available STO and primary cultured mouse embryonic fibroblast (pMEF) feeder cells were used, and mitomycin C was treated for 1, 2 or 3 hours, respectively. The formation rate of ICM colony was observed after isolation of ICM and culture of ICM on the feeder cells for 7 days. RESULT: The ICM colony formation rate on STO were significantly higher in partial trophoblast dissection group (58%) than that in immunosurgery (12%) or whole blastocyst culture (16%) group (p<0.05). The formation rate on pMEF feeder layer was higher in partial trophoblast dissection (88%) and whole blastocyst culture (82%) group than that in immunosurgery (16%) group (p<0.05). When mitomycin C treated to pMEF for 2 hours, the formation rate of 88% was significantly higher than those of other conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Above results showed that the efficient isolation method of ICM from blastocyst was the partial trophoblast dissection and the appropriate treatment time of mitomycin C was 2 hours. However, the subculture of ICM colony and characterization of stem cells should be carried out to confirm the efficacy of the partial trophoblast dissection method.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Coculture Techniques ; Feeder Cells* ; Fibroblasts ; Mice* ; Mitomycin* ; Needles ; Stem Cells ; Syringes ; Trophoblasts

Hemodialysis(HD)-associated hypotension is a frequent complication, but it is difficult to manage. Until now, several maneuvers have been tried to prevent the HD-associated hypotension. Of these, the sodium content of dialysate was regarded as an important factor for maintaining blood pressure during HD. In this study, we evaluated the effect of hypertonic dialysate on blood pressure, interdialytic weight gain and the incidence of thirst. The study was done for 6 weeks successively with 3 different groups. Each patient was dialysed with 3 different dialysates for 2 weeks: Group I(Conventional HD: sodium concentration: 137 mEq/L), Group II(Hypertonic HD: 147 mEq/L) and Group III (Sequential HD: from 147 to 140 mEq/L). Hemodynamic parameters(blood pressure, pulse rate and ultrafiltration rate), biochemical parameters(hematocrits, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, osmolality, sodium, potassium, chloride, fasting blood sugar) and complications (interdialytic weight gain &thirsty sensation) were compared among 3 groups. The results were as follows: 1. Decline of systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure at the time of a 3 hour check during hemodialysis was lower in the Group II than Group I and III (p=0.002; p=0.012). and decline of diastolic blood pressure at the time of a 4 hour check during hemodialysis was lower in the Group II and III than Group I(p=0.04). 2. ncidence of hypotensive episodes during dialysis was significantly lower in Group II than group I (p=0.0287). 3. The ultrafiltration in Group III at the time of 1 hour, 2 hour and 3 hour check during hemodialysis was higher than that in Group I and II at the time of 1 hour, 2 hour and 3 hour check during emodialysis respectively (p=0.0001; p=0.0001; p=0.0004). 4. Interdialytic weight gain was higher in Group II(3.1+/-0.8) than GroupI(2.8+/-0.8) and III (2.9+/-0.9) (p=0.0422). 5. Hematologic and biochemical results were not significantly different among 3 Groups. 6. Frequency of thirst was different in Group I, II and III, 0.05+/-0.12, 0.41+/-0.24 and 0.22+/-0.29 respectively (p=0.0259). The results suggest that hypertonic HD was effective in preventing HD-associated hypotension but interdialytic weight gain and thirst sensations were increased as compared with a conventional method. In this situation, sequential HD seems to be an alternative method to minimizes the side effect of hypertonic HD.
Blood Pressure* ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Creatinine ; Dialysis ; Dialysis Solutions ; Fasting ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Hypotension ; Incidence* ; Osmolar Concentration ; Potassium ; Renal Dialysis* ; Sensation ; Sodium ; Thirst* ; Ultrafiltration* ; Weight Gain*

Pituitary stalk interruption syndrome (PSIS) involves the occurrence of a thin or absent pituitary stalk, hypoplasia of the adenohypophysis, and ectopic neurohypophysis. Diagnosis is confirmed using magnetic resonance imaging. Patients with PSIS have a variable degree of pituitary hormone deficiency and a wide spectrum of clinical manifestations. The clinical course of the disease in our patient is similar to that of a syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion. This is thought to be caused by failure in the suppression of vasopressin secretion due to hypocortisolism. To the best of our knowledge, there is no case report of a patient with PSIS presenting with hyponatremia as the first symptom in Korean children. Herein, we report a patient with PSIS presenting severe recurrent hyponatremia as the first symptom, during adolescence and explain the pathophysiology of hyponatremia with secondary adrenal insufficiency.
Adolescent ; Adrenal Insufficiency* ; Child ; Delayed Diagnosis* ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Hyponatremia* ; Hypopituitarism ; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Pituitary Gland* ; Pituitary Gland, Anterior ; Pituitary Gland, Posterior ; Vasopressins

PURPOSE: To evaluate the US findings of soft tissue hemangiomas in extremities and to correlate the echo-pattern with MR signal characteristics of hemangiomas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively studied forty-two patients either with pathologically proven cases or with characteristic features of hemangiomas on MRI, US and plain film. Hemangiomas were divided into two types according to the locations;subcutaneous and intramuscular. Analytic points on US and MR findings were gross morphology of the mass, internal echo-pattern or signal characteristics. We correlated the echo-pattern with MR signal characteristics in hemangiomas. RESULTS: Subcutaneous hemangiomas revealed homogeneously anechoic mass on US, which were well correlated with MR signal characteristics' homogeneous low singnal intensity(SI) on Tl-weighted image(WI) and high SI on T2-WI. Intramuscular hemangiomas showed heterogeneously mixed echoic masses on US. An anechoic component on US corresponded to dilated vascular channels on MRI. The signal intensity of intramuscular hemangioma was less than that of subcutaneous fat on T1-WI and greater than that of fat on T2-WI. Both types of hemangiomas had tubular or lace-like appearance with interspersed fibrofatty septa. CONCLUSION: The echo-patterns in US were well associated with MR signal characteristics on MRI. Regarding US and MR features, intramuscular hemangiomas were different to subcutaneous hemangiomas.
Extremities* ; Hemangioma* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Retrospective Studies ; Subcutaneous Fat

Glutathione S-Transferase (GST) is a conjugation enzyme in the metabolism of exogenous and endogenous lipophilic compounds for their excretion and detoxification. Acidic isozyme of GST, GST-Pi, has been recognized as a preneoplastic marker in the experimental hyperplastic nodules of liver in rats, and GST-Pi is abundant in the squamous cells of the skin, also. This histochemical study was carried out to evaluate the distribution and the relationship between the differentiation status of squamous cells in dysplastic or neoplastic epithelium in various organs. The human placental form of glutathione S-transferase (GST-Pi) were stained immunohistochemically with specific anti GST-Pi rabbit antibody in 23 cases of human squamous cell carcinomas. The patients consisted of 14 cases from the uterine cervix, 3 cases from the esopahgus, 3 cases from the lung and 3 cases from the larynx. The results obtained were as follows; 1. Basal cells in normal mucosa were stained negative for GST-Pi while superficial keratinocytes were stained moderately positive. Basal dysplastic cells were stained negatively or weakly positive. Carcinoma cells especially large cells either keratinizing or nonkeratinizing were stained moderately to strongly. Carcinoma cells surrounding keratin pearl were strongly reacted with GST-Pi than other carcinoma cells. 2. Differentiated cells of squamous cell carcinoma showed moderate to strong positive reaction to GST-Pi staining irrespective of its site of origin. 3. Therefore, Immunohistochemical staining pattern of GST-Pi in various squamous carcinoma cells showed similar immunohistochemical reaction to the GST-pi, which is closely correlated to the degree of differentiation, keratinigation and also suggested that squamous carcinoma cells had abundant GST-Pi related detoxifying system.
Humans ; Rabbits ; Animals

This study was accompolished to analyze and compare the number and area of the occlusal contact points in healthy volunteers and athletes with normal occlusion. For this study, 15 athletes(13 amles and 2 females with average age 20) and 21 healthy volunteers(14 mles and 7 females with average age 20.09) were selected. The visual display acquired by scanning of occlusal record in maximal intercuspation was converted into 16 gray value image. Then, using computer program (J &Lee Occlusal Analyser), the pixel which was in definite range of the gray value was recognized, and the numbers of recognized pixel were claculated to area. The results were as follows ; 1. The average numbers of total occlusal contact points were 31.05 in control group, and 34.67 in athlete group. The average area of total occlusal contacts was 100.25mm2in control group, and 127.78mm2in athlete group. 2. In control group, the average numbers of occlusal contact points were revealed in order as follows ; the first molar(8.48), the second molar(8.24), the second premolar(4.71), the lateral incisor(2.90), the first premor(2.43), the central incisor(2.19), and the canine(2.1). The least average in canine(2.1) was similar to the average(2.19) in central incisor and (2.09) in lateral incisor. In athlete group, the average numbers of occlusal contact points were revealed in order as follows ; the first molar(8.87), the second molar(8.47), the second premolar(5.60), the canine(3.80), the lateral incisor(3.33), the first premolar(2.67), and the central insicor(1.93). 3. In control group, the average areas of occlusal contact surface were revealed in order as follows ; the first molar(39.47mm2), the second molar(37.54mm2), the second premolar(9.54mm2) the first premolar(6.18mm2), canine(3.49mm2), the central incisor(3.7mm2), and the central incisor(2.25mm2). 4. With aging in both control and athlete group, there was a decreasing tendancy in average number of occlusal contact point, and was an increasing tendancy in average area of occlusal contact surface. In comparison at each age, both the numbers and area of occlusal contact were greater in athlete group than in control group. It was not significant in the numbers of occlusal contact points beween athlete and control group(p>0.1), but significant in the area of occlusal contact surface(p<0.05). 5. In comparision as to the kind of sports(Gymnastics : 2, Rugby : 3, Soccor : 5, Ice hocky : 5), the numbers of occlusal contact points were the most in ice hocky, and the area of occlusal contact surface was the greatest in gymnastics. With increasing a career in athlete group, there was a decreasing tendancy in average numbers of occiusal contact points and was an increasing tendancy in average area of occlusal contact surface. 6. By T-scan analyzing, the contact numbers on the anterior teeth were greater in control group than in athlete group, and on the posterior teeth were greater in athlete group than in control group. And the results acquired by T-scan were lesser than that caquired by the silicone bite records. It was not significant in the posterior teeth, but significant in the anterior teeth. In T-scan records, the numbers of occlusal contact points on second molar were the greatest, but in the silicone records, the numbers on first molar were the greatest.
Aging ; Athletes* ; Female ; Football ; Gymnastics ; Healthy Volunteers ; Humans ; Ice ; Incisor ; Molar ; Silicones ; Tooth ; Volunteers*

The purpose of this study was to identify the determinants of nutrition service utilization in health centers. Utilization of nutrition services for chronic discase were also investigated. Interview survey using questionnaire was conducted to collect the data required for analysis. The study subjects were 300 residents over 40 years of age, and 15 health workers representing health center service personnel in Kypnggi province. A wilcoxon 2-sample test and Kruskal-Wallis test were used to compare the distribution of health centers by health center characteristics and nutrition services. A chi-square test was used to test the association between service utilization and personal variables of the population. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to measure the relative importance between the variables on service utilization. The results showed that only 10.0% of the study subjects used nutrition services provided by the health centers. Pilot project implementation and location of health centers, as well as educational level of the residents were significant factors influencing the utilization of the nutrition services provided by the health centers. Among the variables, pilot project implementation was the most important factor that influenced the nutrition service utilization in health centers.
Chronic Disease ; Chymopapain ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Pilot Projects ; Surveys and Questionnaires