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.
Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fertilization*

No abstract available.
Depression, Postpartum* ; Female ; Postpartum Period*

The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of chromosomal or genetic causes of primary amenorrhea, and was made to assess the etiology of disorders in those patients whose chromosome appeared normal. Sixty eight patients with primary amenorrhea were evaluated clinically and cytogenetically, which were refered to our Cytogenetic Laboratory in Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University Hospital, from Aug. 1988 to Dec. 1996. The results were as follows. l. Out of 68 cases with primary amenorrhea, 40 cases (58.9%) had the normal chromosome constitutions and 28 cases (41.1%) had the abnormal chromosome constitutions including 46, XY. 2. Turner's syndrome was found in 25 cases (36.7%), consisting of 11 cases (16.1%) of 45, X, 3 cases (4.3%) of 46, X, i (Xq), 1 case (1.5%) of 46, X, inv (X), 1 case (1.5%) of 46, X, del (Xq), 1 case (1.5%) of 46, X, del (Xp), 1 case (1.5%) of 46, X, tel (Xq), 1 case (1.5%) of 45, X/46, XX, 1 case (1.5%) of 45, X/46, XY, 1 case (1.5%) of 45, X/47, XXX, 2 cases (2.9%) of 45, X/46, X, del (Xq), I case (1.5%) of 45, X/46, X, del (Xq), 1 case (1.5%) of 45, X/46, X, r (X). 3. 3 cases (4.3%) had the 46, XY chromosome constitution consisting of 2 cases (2.9%) of testicular feminization syndrome and 1 case (1.5%) of pure gonadal dysgenesis. 4. Among 40 patients whose chromosome are normal, the etiologies of amenorrhea were assumed to be caused by 11 cases (27.5%) of hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (idiopathic), 10 cases (25.0%) of congenital absence of vagina, 5 cases (12.5%) of pure gonadal dysgenesis in order of frequency.
Amenorrhea* ; Androgen-Insensitivity Syndrome ; Busan ; Constitution and Bylaws ; Cytogenetics* ; Female ; Gonadal Dysgenesis ; Gynecology ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Male ; Obstetrics ; Turner Syndrome ; Vagina

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of the cytologic smear of the endocervical canal immediately after cervical conization on the rate of residual cervical lesions. METHOD: A retrospective review of 229 patients who underwent cervical conization for high grade cervical intraepithelial neoplasia or microinvasive cancer followed by hysterectomy. Endocervical Papanicolaou smear with a cytologic brush performed immediately after cervical conization in all 229 patients. RESULTS: Fifty-four of 229 patients undergoing cervical conization followed by hysterectomy had residual lesion in the hysterectomy specimen. The prevalence rate of residual lesion according to the margin status of conization specimen as well as the results of the postconization Papanicolaou smear of the endocervical canal was compared. Forty-one of 78 patients (52.6 %) with positive margins had residual lesion compared with thirteen of 151 patients (8.6 %) with negative margins. Twenty-six of 34 patients (76.5 %) with positive postcone cytology had residual lesion compared with twenty-eight of 195 patients (14.4 %) with negative postcone cytology. CONCLUSIONS: Postcone cytologic smear of the endocervical canal as well as margin status are useful in predicting residual lesion after conization.
Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri ; Conization* ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Papanicolaou Test ; Prevalence ; Retrospective Studies

To provide current information on sex chromosome abnormalities to obstetricians andgynecologists who encounter such diagnoses and who counsel prospective parents faced withthe prenatal diagnosis of a sex chromosome abnormalities. I reviewed 116 patients' clinical data and results of karyotype which proven sexchromosome abnormalities in cytogenetic unit of Department of Ob. and Gyn., PNUH during theperiod of 1993. Aug.~1996. Dec.The results of the analysis of karyotyping in sex chromosome abnormalities in these 116cases are like following.1. Peak age group when diagnosed abnormal sex chromosome is 26~35 years old inmen(46 among 56 cases) and 16~30 years old in women(40 among 60 cases).2. The most common primary reason of abnormal sex chromosome is sterility inmen(48 among 56 cases) and amenorrhea in women(36 among 60 cases).3. The most common referred primary reason in Klinefelters syndrome issterility(44 among 49 cases) and in Turners syndrome is primary amenorrhea(27 among55 cases).4. The most common type of abnormal sex chromosome is Klinefelters syndrome inmen(49 among 56 cases) and Turners syndrome in women(55 among 60 cases).5. In my 116 cases of abnormal sex chromosome, numerical abnormalities are 67 cases,mosaicisms 28 cases, structural abnormalities 13 cases, XY female 6 cases, and XX male2 cases. So the most common abnormal sex chromosome is numerical abnormality.6. In my 55 cases of Turners syndrome, XO karyotypes are 26 cases, X, abnormal X are11 cases, and mosaic pattern are 18 cases. So the most common karyotype in Turnerssyndrome is standard pattern(45,X).In conclusion, abnormal sex chromosome were very important causes of infertility,amenorrhea, abnormal pubertal development, ambiguous genitalia, and stature. Therefore,these patients must taken cytogenetic study, and obstetrics and gynecologists provideaccurate and comprehensive genetic counseling.
Amenorrhea ; Chromosome Aberrations* ; Cytogenetics ; Diagnosis ; Disorders of Sex Development ; Female ; Genetic Counseling ; Humans ; Infertility ; Karyotype ; Karyotyping ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; Obstetrics ; Parents ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; Sex Chromosome Aberrations ; Sex Chromosomes ; Turner Syndrome

The authors observed a case of malignant mixed germ cell-sex cord stromal tumor occuring in a 43-year-old woman. A laparotomy perfomed on August 3, 1994, revealed a large roughly round, partially ruptured tumor in the right ovary. The tumor mass weighed 330 gm and its dimensions were 11X9X8 cm. Tumors composed of germ cells and sex cord stroma intimately associated togther are very rare. Interest in these gonadal tumors that are distinct from gonadoblastoma has mouted in recent years. The tumor behaves in a benign clinical course and occurs predominantly in female infats and children with normal 46.XX karyoytype. This tumor differs from gonadobalstoma in its histologic pattern, absence of regresive changes, lack of association with other neoplastic germ cell elements, and occurrence in normal gonads.Histologically, the mass was characterized by an intimate admixutr of germ cells and sex cord stromal cells. The lesion had many predominant setoli tuble formations and lipid cell changes. But it lacked Call-Exner like bodies, calcification and byalinization that charaterize gonadoblastomas. Typical areas of dysgemonoma and endodermal sinus tumor were also present the patient subsequelty received chemotherapy(blemycin,etoposied, and cisplatin administered in 5cycles), The patient was symptom free two yares after surgery and chemotherapy.
Adult* ; Child ; Cisplatin ; Drug Therapy ; Endodermal Sinus Tumor ; Female ; Female* ; Germ Cells ; Gonadoblastoma ; Gonads ; Humans ; Laparotomy ; Ovary* ; Stromal Cells

No abstract available.
Echocardiography* ; Endocarditis*

OBJECTIVE: Embryonic stem cells (ES cells) are pluripotential, and are therefore used to construct gene knock-out mice and to study cell differentiation and early developmental processes in mice. This study was designated to examine apoptotic processes in ES cells according to culture conditions and to study roles of extracellular matrix on the process. METHODS: Apoptosis was determined by DNA fragmentation and kinase activity during apoptotic process was measured. RESULTS: The apoptosis of mouse ES cells was induced when the cells were dispersed as single cells, whereas this process was suppressed when they proliferated in aggregates. Single cell suspension culture did not affect expression of bcl-2 and bax mRNA. Single cell suspension culture activated stress-activated protein kinase/c-jun-N-terminal kinase (SAPK/JNK), but not p38 kinase. The apoptosis of ES cells was repressed when the cells were cultured on feeders prepared from mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEF), or on the petri dishes coated with fibronectin or laminin, but not with collagen or poly-L-lysine. Culture supernatants from MEF cells did not block the apoptosis of ES cells, which suggests that a direct interaction between ES cells and MEF cells is required for the suppression of apoptosis. Activation of SAPK/JNK by single cell suspension was protected by interaction of cells with laminin or fibronectin, but not with collagen or poly-L-lysine. CONCLUSION: The suspension of ES cells as single cells causes serious damage and induces apoptosis, and the apoptotic process is mediated by the activation of SAPK/JNK and is inhibited by the interaction of ES cells with extracellular matrix.
Animals ; Apoptosis* ; Cell Differentiation ; Collagen ; DNA Fragmentation ; Embryonic Stem Cells* ; Extracellular Matrix ; Fibroblasts ; Fibronectins ; Laminin ; Mice* ; Mice, Knockout ; Phosphotransferases ; RNA, Messenger

In this 21st century which is considered as the era of biotechnology, the regenerative medicine emerging as an important medical science has been expected to provide hope to patients of incurable diseases, such as myriad of degenerative disease or terminal organ failure which can not be solved until recently. Because It is also thought to be a epochal alternative therapy in every medical part including cardiovascular disease, neurological disorder, hereditary disease, liver disease, endocrine disorder, bone or cartilage disease, and skin disease, many stem cell researches are conducted and many results are reported. Stem cells are at the center of this regenerative medicine. Although there is public debate because it is inevitably associated with ethical problems like destruction of embryo or risk of reproductive cloning, stem cell research generated much interest because the expected therapeutic effect and the derived economic value would be enormous. This review will describe the characteristics of stem cell and summarize the published research results recently.
Adult Stem Cells ; Biotechnology ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Cartilage Diseases ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Embryonic Structures ; Genetic Diseases, Inborn ; Hope ; Humans ; Liver Diseases ; Nervous System Diseases ; Regenerative Medicine ; Skin Diseases ; Stem Cell Research ; Stem Cells*