PURPOSE: The goal of this study was to estimate development of secondary sex characters and genitalia including testicular volume, penile length and girth, and prevalence of varicocele. In addition, we evalua ted the relationship between testicular volume and presence of varicocele. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted on 893 school boys between the ages of 14 to 15 years, 3rd grade middle school in Chonju city during the period september to October, 1999. The testicular volume was measured in the upright posture using Prader's orchidometer and penile length and girth were estimated with a ruler. Varicocele was evaluated by dubin's method. RESULTS: The testis volume (mean+/-SD) was 10.20+/-2.6ml on right and 9.93+/-2.6 on left and penile length (mean+/-SD) was 10.9+/-1.6cm and penile girth (mean+/-SD) was 8.0+/-0.8cm. The prevalence of varicocele was 38.2% (342/893) in left side, 16%(146/893) in right side. The difference in testicular volume between right and left testis was statistically significant in students with unilateral varicocele than the students without varicocele (0.78+/-1.06ml v/s, 0.54+/-1.01ml, p=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: In this study, we obtained mean testicular volume, penile length and girth and higher incidence rate of varicocele on adolescent school age group in Chonju area. The difference in testicular varicocele. The reduction of the testicular volume with varicocele correlated with the severity of grade of varicocele need following up to disclose the effect of the varicocele on the testicular growth and fertility potential.
Adolescent ; Fertility ; Genitalia* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jeollabuk-do* ; Posture ; Prevalence* ; Testis ; Varicocele*

No abstract available.
Seminal Vesicles* ; Ureter*

Fractures at the lateral end of the clavicle inevitably require surgical treatment as there is high potential for delayed union or nonunion. Acromioclavicular dislocation also requires stable and solid fixation for healing, and surgical treatment is recommended for the maintenance of joint function. The hook plate maintains the biomechanics of the acromioclavicular joint, enabling early range of motion. Therefore, for the past 10 years, the hook plate has been widely used in distal clavicle fractures and acromioclavicular joint injuries. However, the hook plate is associated with several complications, such as proximal clavicle fractures, widening of the hook hole, rotator cuff tear, subacromial impingement, and often acromial fractures. We report on two unusual cases of acromion fracture after hook plate fixation in patients with distal clavicle fracture and acromioclavicular dislocation alongside a literature review.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; Acromion* ; Clavicle* ; Dislocations ; Humans ; Joints ; Osteolysis ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Rotator Cuff ; Tears

The 213 first ribs Koreans were measured and morphologically studied. The results were as follows. 1. On average, the internal straight length of the first rib was 53.7mm (male), 49.9mm (female) ; the external straight length was 79.7mm (male), 75.4mm (female), the maximum straight length was 87.4mm (male), 81.2mm (female) ; the breadth was 15.2mm (male), 14.4mm (female) ; and the thickness was 5.5mm (male), 5.4mm (female). 2. The proportion of the scalene tubercle to the costal breadth was 0% to 90% (average 37%). 3. The incidence of the presence of the groove for the first thoracic nerve was 7.5%. 4. The common shapes of the articular surface of the head were ball-shape(41%), cylinder-shape (25%) and plane-shape (25%) ; and those of the tubercle were cylinder-shape (44%), saddle-shape (31%) and socket-shape (14%).
Head ; Incidence ; Ribs* ; Thoracic Nerves

No abstract available.
Orchiectomy* ; Testis*

No abstract available.
Basal Ganglia ; Hypocalcemia*

No abstract available.
Muscle Strength*

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is histologically characterized by marked cellular pleomorphism of lipid-laden neoplastic astrocytes and bizarre giant cells showing mitotic figures and high cellularity. Inspite of its ominous-looking microscopic features, howerver, the prognosis is usually favorable. This tumor develops mainly in the supratentorial area of young people and frequently involves the leptomeninges. We experienced a case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma in 18 year-old-male. In addition to the cellular pleomophism, the prominent reticulin fibers surround the individual tumor cells or the tumor cells nests. Immunohistochemical staining and electron microscopy revealed glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) expression and pericytoplasmic basal lamina in the tumor cells.

Caffeine has been known to induce the contraction of rabbit aortic ring resulting from Ca2+ release from the intracellular stores. But in contrast, contraction of aortic ring induced by depolarizing agents or agonist was reported to be suppressed by caffeine. The present study was intended to examine the effect of caffeine on Ca2+ movement across the plasma membrane and actomyosin ATPase activity of vascular smooth muscle to elucidate the modes of action of caffeine on the vascular smooth muscle. Aortic ring preparation were made from the rabbit thoracic aorta and the endothelial cells were removed from the ring by gentle rubbing. The contractilty of the aortic ring was measured under varying conditions, and Ca2+ influx across the membranes of the aortic ring was measured with Ca2+ sensitive electrode with and without caffeine and the effect of caffeine on actomyosin ATPase activity were measured by modified Hartshrone's method. 45Ca wash out curves with and without caffeine were studied by Richard's method. The results were summarized as follows: 1) Caffeine inhibited the contractilty induced by norepinephrine. high K+, and histamine. but caffeine alone induced a transient contraction of vascular smooth muscle. The caffeine induced contraction was demonstrable even in the absence of external Ca2+. 2) Caffeine increased 45Ca efflux from vascular smooth muscle. 3) In the presence of propranolol, the inhibitory effect of caffeine on epinephrine induced contraction still persisted. 4) Caffeine decreased norepinephrine induced Ca2+ influx through the plasma membranes of aortic ring. 5) Caffeine decreased the actomyosin ATPase activity of vascular smooth muscle. From the above results, it is suggested that caffeine induces the contraction of vascular smooth muscle by release of Ca2+ from intracellular Ca2+ stone, but inhibits drug-induced contraction by decrease of Ca2+ influx across the plasma membranes and a decreased Ca2+ sensitivity of contractile protein in vascular smooth muscle.
Actomyosin* ; Aorta, Thoracic ; Caffeine* ; Cell Membrane ; Electrodes ; Endothelial Cells ; Epinephrine ; Histamine ; Membranes ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular* ; Myosins* ; Norepinephrine ; Propranolol

PURPOSE: Chronic dorsal wrist pain limits hand function and is related to several diseases. Especially, pain and tenderness over the fourth extensor compartment with repetitive wrist dorsiflexion was described as distal posterior interosseous nerve syndrome. This article details the history, symptoms, physical findings, and treatment of this syndrome. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study includes six patients seen between 1996 and 1998. Five men and one woman (ages 17 to 57 years) presented with localized, nonradiating, dull dorsal wrist pain, ulnar and distal to Lister's tubercle. Presumptive diagnostic test was an injection of selective lido cane 2 cm proximal to the wrist joint. RESULTS: Six patients were diagnosed of having distal posterior interosseous nerve syndrome. The five patients who recurred symptoms after injection underwent surgical exploration. Histologic evaluations revealed abnormal perineural fibrosis and edema. Patients were reexamined at least 12 months after surgery and have returned to full asymptomatic activity. CONCLUSIONS: Initially, non-operative treatment seems to be effective. If conservative treatment fails, operative excision of distal posterior interosseous nerve may be required
Canes ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Edema ; Female ; Fibrosis ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Wrist ; Wrist Joint