OBJECTIVES: To test the hypothesis that the endometrial stromal cells from patients with endometriosis responds differently to the insulin-like growth factor (IGF) compared with those from patients without endometriosis. METHODS: IGFs in peritoneal fluid (PF) from patients with endometriosis(n=18) and without endometriosis(n=12;control patients) were measured by radioimmunoassay. Endometrial stromal cells from patients with endometriosis and control patients were cultured in serum free media(SFM) in the presence or absence of PF or IGF-I(0.25-25 ng/ml) or IGF-II(5-50 ng/ml) and the proliferation of endometrial stromal cells were evaluated by [3H] thymidine incorporation test. All statistics were performed by ANOVA test and student's t-test. RESULTS: When added to SFM, IGF-I(1-25 ng/ml) increased thymidine incorporation in both endometrial stromal cells from patients with endometriosis and control patients in dose dependent manner and IGF-II(5-25 ng/ml) gave similar response in latter cells but not in former cells. Within low IGF-I(less than 100 ng/ml) PF group or high IGF-I(more than 100ng/ml) PF group, the type of endometrial stromal cells did not result in any difference in thymidine incorporation. However, regardless of the source of stromal cells, high IGF-I PF group produced a greater extent of thymidine incorporation than low IGF-I PF group in patients with endometriosis but not in control patients. Also, thymidine incorporation was higher in high IGF-I PF group of former patients than in the same group of latter patients. PF induced higher thymidine incorporation in endometrial stromal cells than the same levels(0.25-2.5 ng/ml) of IGF-I directly added to SFM. CONCLUSIONS: The effects of IGF-I in PF on endometrial stromal cells are similar regardless of their source and IGF-I is one of several growth factors that may participate in the growth of endometrial stromal cells in pelvic endometriosis.
Ascitic Fluid ; DNA ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Humans ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Radioimmunoassay ; Somatomedins* ; Stromal Cells* ; Thymidine

No Abstract Available.
Adipose Tissue* ; Glomus Tumor*

PURPOSE: The role of spinal alpha1 adrenoceptors in normal micturition reflex of rat has not been known clearly yet. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the role of alpha1 adrenoceptor both at the spinal and peripheral level in mediating the micturition reflex which is induced by bladder distension in normal anesthetized rat and to compare the effects of different alpha1 adrenoceptor antagonists against the micturition reflex. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wtih eighty female Sprague-Dawley rats(200-250gm) anesthetized with urethane, continuous cystometry was done by infusion of saline at a rate of 0.5ml/min. The following drugs were injected into femoral artery(intraarterial, i.a.) and subarachnoid space(intrathecal, i.t.) at the level of L6-S1 spinal cord segment; phentolamine, prazosin, doxazosin and tamsulosin. Cystometric parameters were analyzed before and after the drug injections; basal pressure(BP), micturition pressure(MP), bladder capacity(BC), micturition volume(MV), frequency and residual volume(RV). RESULTS: After i.a. injections of prazosin, doxazosin and tamsulosin, MP was significantly decreased. Doxazosin(i.a.), markedly increased MV, BC and RV. MP was more inhibited by doxazosin than prazosin or tamsulosin injection intraarterially. After i.a. injection of phentolamine, decrease in MP and frequency but increase in MV and BC were noted. Phentolamine(i.t.) raised BP and abolished MR followed by overflow incontinence. Prazosin(i.t.) induced marked increases in MV. Tamsulosin(i.t.) caused significant decreases in frequency but increases in BC. CONCLUSIONS: At spinal level, antagonism of micturition reflex evoked by bladder distension was more prominent by phentolamine. Inhibition of micturition reflex with alpha1 adrenoceptor blockers were greater peripherally. With these results, it could be suggested that micturition reflex evoked by volume-induced bladder distension could be modulated through alpha1 adrenoceptors at both the spinal and peripheral level. In some selected cases, alpha1 adrenoceptor agonist or antagonist can be useful for the management of lower urinary tract dysfunction
Animals ; Doxazosin ; Female ; Humans ; Negotiating ; Phentolamine ; Prazosin ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Adrenergic* ; Reflex* ; Spinal Cord ; Urethane ; Urinary Bladder ; Urinary Tract ; Urination*

PURPOSE: Prostate volume has been known to be poorly correlated with various parameters used to assess the severity of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, recently there were reports that the ratio between transition zone(TZ) volume and prostate volume, which termed the TZ index might served as a useful proxy for evaluating worsening obstruction. The purpose of this study was to determine if transrectal ultrasound(TRUS) measurement of RI(resistive index), PCAR (presumed circle area ratio) correlate with the parameters of prostate volume(total prostate volume, TZ volume, TZ index), Qmax, international prostate symptom score(IPSS) or age. This study was conducted to reveal the relative effects of ultrasonic appearance of BPH on urinary symptoms. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 81 men aged 50 to 89 years with moderate symptom of BPH(IPSS> or =8) underwent measurement of RI, PCAR, total prostate and TZ volume at transrectal ultrasonography. All men were requested to undergo uroflowmetry and complete the IPSS. The IPSS was compared to age, Qmax, prostatic volume, RI and PCAR using simple and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Simple regression analysis demonstrated that IPSS correlated with age(r=0.050, p<0.05), Qmax(r=0.253, p<0.05), TV(r=0.096, p<0.05) and PCAR(r=0.266, p<0.05). However, multiple regression analysis showed that age, Qmax and PCAR were significant independent determinants of the IPSS. CONCLUSIONS: As a parameter representing the degree of BPH in terms of the severity of lower urinary symptoms, simple and multiple regression analysis confirmed that the IPSS was influenced considerably by age, peak flow rate and PCAR.
Humans ; Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms* ; Male ; Prostate* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia* ; Proxy ; Ultrasonics ; Ultrasonography

Endometriosis in the abdominal wall following Cesarean section is one of the very rare condition among the extrapelvic endometriosis. Although benign, endometriosis possesses the unique ability to invade tissue and to disseminate or metastasize by hematogeneous, lymphatic route, or direct implantation. We reported the case with brief review of the literature.
Abdominal Wall* ; Cesarean Section* ; Endometriosis* ; Female ; Pregnancy

BACKGROUND: Good documentation of electrical injuries at the time of presentation is very important to emergency management, so this study was designed to investigate the clinical characteristics and the outcomes of patients with electrical injury. METHODS: A review of 75 cases of electrical injuries admitted to our hospital via the emergency department over a 4 year period from 1996 to 1999 was conducted. RESULTS: There were 49 patients with high-voltage injuries and 19 patients with low-voltage injuries. All but 4 patients were males, with a mean age of 29.5 years. The most common type of injury was 14.5% TBSA in the high-voltage group and 2.5% in the low-voltage group. Forty-nine(72.1%) of the injuries were work related. The number of patient with compartment syndrome was 19, and fasciotomies were performed in all but one patient. Myoglobinuria was noted in 22 patients, but no patient developed acute renal failure due to myoglobinuria. In the high-voltage group, 10 limb amputations were performed. Complication were observed in 12 patients. The most common complication was neurological injury. The average length of hospital stay was 50.7 days in the high-voltage group and 13.8 days in the low-voltage group. The overall mortality rate was 4.3%. CONCLUSION: Prevention of electrical injuries is very important. Education and compliance with safety measures, as well as basic knowledge and precaution in dealing with electricity, are essential to avoid these injuries.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Amputation ; Burns* ; Compartment Syndromes ; Compliance ; Education ; Electricity ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Extremities ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Mortality ; Myoglobinuria

To difine the relation between plasma atrial natriuertic peptide (ANP) levels and hemodynamic changes, we measured plasma concentration of atrial natriuertic peptide in 19 patients with heart disease undergoing cardiac catherization and in 15 normal subjects. The following results were obtained; 1) There were significantly increased plasma levels of atrial natriuertic peptide in patients with elevated mean pulmonary arterial wedge pressure. 2) A significant step-up in atrial natriuertic peptide concentration was seen between the femoral venous and right atrial plasma (P<0.01) and between the right atrial and pulmonary arterial plasma (P<0.05). 3) Peripheral venous atrial natriuretic peptide levels were significantly correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure and pulmonary wedge pressure (r=0.05, r=0.65, P<0.05). 4) Plasma atrial natriuretic peptide levels in pulmonary artery were significantly correlated with mean pulmonary arterial pressure (P<0.05).
Arterial Pressure ; Heart Diseases* ; Heart* ; Hemodynamics* ; Humans ; Plasma* ; Pulmonary Artery ; Pulmonary Wedge Pressure

Pyelitis and ureteritis cystica which is characterized by cyst formations mucosa or submucosa of the ureter and renal pelvis caused by inflammation. We are reporting a case of ureteritis cystica with review of the literatures.
Inflammation ; Kidney Pelvis ; Mucous Membrane ; Pyelitis* ; Ureter*

The flow of tears was measured by means of the Schirmer's test using a 35 x 5 mm strip of Whatman No.41 filter paper. The filter strip was folded and the end, 5mm long, was inserted into unanesthetized lateral one-third of lower cul-de-sac. And then the amounts of wetting was measured after 5 minutes. The 334 eyes(199 male eyes, 135 female eyes) were examined to determine the values of the normal Korean's tear secretion with using of Schirmer's first method. The normal value of Schirmer's test in the total population is 16.4 mm/5 min. (male 15.2 mm/ 5 min., female 18.3 mm/5 min.) In males of 20~29 years of age, normal flow of tears is 17.1 mm/5 min., 30~39 years of age, l3.0 mm/5 min., and 40~49 years of age, 13.7 mm/5 min. In females of 20~29 years of age, normal flow of tears is 22.0 mm in 5 minutes, 30~39 years of age, 16.4 mm/5 min., and 40~49 years of age, 14.6 mm/5 min. Age seems to be an influencing factor on secretion of tears, as was indicated when values for patients of successive decades were compared. In general, the decrease in flow of tears was rouohly parallel to the increase in age.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Reference Values* ; Tears

PURPOSE: Acute urinary retention(AUR) is a serious outcome of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH). Although Foley indwelling catheterization is a standard treatment for the conservative management of AUR, we studied the success rate of in-and-out catheterization and the factors that favor a positive outcome of a trial treatment without using a catheter(TWOC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical record of all 127 patients who admitted as emergency cases with primary AUR caused by BPH(from January 2002 to August 2005), and these patients underwent in-and-out catheterization or Foley indwelling catheterization and then they underwent TWOC 1 week later after the first treatment. The patients were divided into four groups: the success group(group I) or failure group(group II) that underwent in-and-out catheterization and the success group(group III) or failure group(group IV) that underwent TWOC. The factors that might influence the outcomes were assessed using logistic regression analysis and Student's t-test. RESULTS: Of the 62 patients who underwent in-and-out catheterization, 30 had no further episodes of AUR during 1-year follow up(group I) and the other patients had repeated episodes(group II). For the clinical parameters, only the retained urine volume was significantly difference between the two groups. The multivariate analysis revealed that the statistically significant influencing factor was urinary retention volume(p<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: For patients younger than 58 years old or the patients with a urinary retention volume less than 580ml, in-and-out catheterization may be considered as the first-line conservative management in preference to bothersome Foley indwelling catheterization.
Catheterization ; Catheters ; Catheters, Indwelling ; Emergencies ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Medical Records ; Multivariate Analysis ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; Retrospective Studies ; Urinary Catheterization ; Urinary Retention