No abstract available.
Diptera*

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether embryonic stem (ES) cells can be established from isolated blastomeres of mouse embryos. METHODS: Blastomeres were separated from mouse (C57Bl/6J) 2- or 4-cell embryos. Isolated blastomeres or whole 4-cell embryos were co-cultured with mitosis-arrested STO feeder cells in DMEM supplemented with recombinant murine leukemia inhibitory factor and ES-qualified fetal bovine serum. After the tentative ES cell lines were maintained from isolated blastomeres or whole embryos, some of them were frozen and the others were sub-cultured continually. Characteristics of tentative ES cell lines as were evaluated for specific gene expressions with immunocytochemistry and RT-PCR. RESULTS: One ES cell line (3.0%) was established from isolated blastomere of 2-cell embryo and one cell line (4.0%) from isolated two blastomeres of 4-cell embryo. And five cell lines (16.7%) were established from whole 4-cell embryos. Both cell lines from isolated blastomere and whole embryo expressed mouse ES cells specific markers such as SSEA-1, Oct-4 and alkaline phosphatase. Marker genes of three germ layers were expressed from embryoid bodies of both cell lines. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that mouse ES cells could be established from isolated blastomeres, although the efficiency is lower than whole embryos. This animal model could be applied to establishment of autologous human ES cells from biopsied blastomeres of preimplantation embryos in human IVF-ET program.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Animals ; Antigens, CD15 ; Blastocyst* ; Blastomeres* ; Cell Line ; Embryoid Bodies ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Embryonic Structures ; Feeder Cells ; Gene Expression ; Germ Layers ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor ; Mice* ; Models, Animal

No abstract available.
Dysgerminoma* ; Female ; Ovary* ; Pregnancy*

No abstract available.
Humans

Congenital absence of nails usually occur as a rare isolated anomaly or combined with other ectodermal defects. This anomaly is regarded as an inherited disorder either dominantly or recessively but quite a few cases were reported as sporadically developed. The patient was a 2-month-old girl who had no nails on both her 2nd, 3rd toes but had rudimentary nails on her left big toe and both 4th toes at birth. We could not find any other congenital deformity, any family history of inherited diseases related to anonychia. Radiological findings revealed no visualization of both 4th distal phalanges, only. We report this case as congenital anonychia of a sporadic type which may have developed independently from an underlying bone abnormality. We also review other reported cases in the literature.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Ectoderm ; Female ; Hallux ; Humans ; Infant ; Parturition ; Toes*

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Advanced Cardiac Life Support*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to develop a protocol that would help prevent accidents, apply physical restraints properly, and reduce the use of physical restraints in nursing homes. METHOD: A review of the literature and analysis of existing statutes and regulations were used to develop the preliminary protocol. To test the validity of this preliminary protocol, ten experts were selected from academia and clinical practice to review the protocol. The initial protocol was finalized after it had been reviewed by experts and tested for clinical validity in five different nursing homes. RESULT: The protocol consists of objectives, definitions and accident probability assessment, principle of using physical restraints, monitoring and documentation of physical restraints. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study can be used as guidelines to focus on preventing accidents arising out of use of physical restraints, assessing the probability of accidents, and reducing the use of physical restraints through preventive interventions. This will be helpful to prevent ethical, physical, or psychological problems arising from use of physical restraints and to protect the rights of elderly people in nursing homes.
Aged ; Human Rights ; Humans ; Nursing Homes* ; Nursing* ; Restraint, Physical* ; Social Control, Formal

Purpose: Despite advances in neonatal care, extrauterine growth restriction (EUGR) remains common in preterm infants. This retrospective single-center study aimed to determine the incidence and risk factors of EUGR in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants. Methods: Data were collected concerning VLBW infants with gestational age (GA) <32 weeks between 2011 and 2020. EUGR was defined as a decline in weight z-score >1.2 from birth to discharge, using Fenton growth charts. Results: Among 331 eligible preterm infants, the prevalence of EUGR at discharge was 71.6%. Infants with EUGR had lower GA and birth weight than those without EUGR. They also underwent prolonged durations of parenteral nutrition, invasive ventilation, and hospitalization. Neonatal morbidities, such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia, patent ductus arteriosus, necrotizing enterocolitis, gastrointestinal surgery, sepsis, and parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis were more prevalent in the EUGR group. Multivariate analysis identified lower GA and longer time to reach full enteral feeding as independent risk factors, whereas maternal use of antenatal steroids and history of gestational diabetes mellitus were independent protective factors for EUGR. Conclusion As VLBW infants are at a high risk of EUGR, continuous attention and efforts to achieve early full enteral nutrition are required to decrease the incidence of EUGR.

PURPOSE: Renal scar or reflux nephropathy, known as a major cause of end-stage renal failure and hypertension in children and young adults, is frequently detected in pediatric urinary tract infection(UTI) patients at their first infections. So early and accurate diagnosis, and follow up of renal scar are very important. We performed this study to recognize the importance of radiologic examinations for detection of renal scar and vesicoureteral reflux(VUR) in pediatric UTI patients at their first attacks, and to compare the accuracy and usefulness of DMSA renal scan with renal ultrasonography and IVP in early detection and follow up of renal scar. We also wanted to find the association of renal scar with VUR detected by VCUG, and increased C-reactive protein(CRP) level. METHODS: We studied on 41 pediatric UTI patients without past medical history of UTI, who were admitted to the Department of Pediatics, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital from May 1993 to August 1995. On admission a blood sample was taken for the determination of CRP. Renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan were performed within five days after admission. Eight weeks later, with repeated studies of renal ultrasonography and DMSA renal scan, IVP and VCUG were also performed for all patients. RESULTS: 1) The incidence of UTI was most prevalent in infancy grou(56%). The ratio of male to female patients was 4.8:1 under the age of one year, and 1:2 over the age of one year. 2) At admission, 21 of 41 patients(51%) showed renal scars in the DMSA renal scans. At follow up of DMSA renal scans, 8 weaks later, 7 of 21 initially abnormal cases(33%) became normal while 14 cases(67%) continued to show renal scars. Twenty initially normal cases continued to show normal DMSA renal scans at follow up. 3) Renal ultrasonography showed 10 abnormal cases among 41 cases(24%) at admission, and 7 abnormal cases(17%) at follow up. IVP showed 13 abnormal cases among 41 cases(32%). 4) For detection of renal scar, sensitivity and specificity of DMSA renal scan were 95% and 100%, sensitivity and specificity of renal ultrasonography were 45% and 90%, and sensitivity and specificity of IVP were 59% and 100% retrospectively. 5) VCUG showed reflux in 13 patients among 41 patients(32%). Among 20 patients with normal DMSA renal scan, only two patients(10%) showed VUR in VCUG, and they were classified as grade I and II VUR by International Reflux Study Committee classifications. Among 21 patients with abnormal by DMSA renal scan, 11 patients(52%) showed VUR in VCUG, of whom 9 patients were classified as severe reflux above grade III. 6) The mean CRP level in the patients with normal DMSA renal scan was 9.6mg/L, significantly lower than mean CRP level of patients with abnormal DMSA renal scan which was 60.57mg/L(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For early detection of renal scars and reflux nephropathy, appropriate radiologic investigations including DMSA renal scan and VCUG should be done to all pediatric UTI patients at their first attacks. DMSA renal scan seemed to be better radiologic method than renal ultrasonography and IVP in early detection of renal scar and have association with VUR. We also found that blood CRP level is easy and useful test for early suspection of upper UTI.
C-Reactive Protein* ; Child ; Cicatrix ; Classification ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Incidence ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Succimer* ; Ultrasonography ; Urinary Tract Infections* ; Urinary Tract* ; Young Adult