Recent studies have revealed that IGF- I produced in kidney are of two fractions; GH dependent and GH nondependent IGF-I. The role of GH nondependent IGF-I is interesting in renal hypertrophy and glomerulosclerosis because GH is clearly related with hypertrophy accompanying glomerulosclerosis is not seen in GH deficient animal. The relationship of the high protein diet and the IGF- I production under the deprivation of GH was studied. In hypophysectomized Sprague-Dawley rat, the level of serum IGF-I was measured using radioimmunoassay, and renal IGF- I production evaluated by immunohistochemistry during both normal and high protein diet. Serum IGF-I of rats on high protein diet was significantly higher than that fed normal protein diet. After unilateral nephrectomy, the level of serum IGF-I was significantly increased in both normal and high protein diet groups. Henle's loop, distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct were weakly stained with normal protein diet. With high protein diet, the staining intensities increased at these portion , and distal part of proximal convoluted tubule and straight tubule were weakly stained. After unilateral nephrectomy, distal convoluted tubule and collecting duct were densely stained with normal protein diet. With high protein diet, the staining intensities increased in distal part of proximal convoluted tubule and Henle's loop. Regardless of the types of protein diet, the specific difference between unilateral nephrectomized rats and sham- operated rats was immunoreactivity of the distal convoluted tubule.. In conclusion, it is suggested that GH non-dependent IGF-I is mainly produced in distal convoluted tubule during compensatory renal hypertrophy, and protein diet mainly affect IGF- I production of distal part of proximal convoluted tubule and Henle's loop.
Animals ; Diet ; Growth Hormone* ; Hypertrophy ; Hypophysectomy ; Immunohistochemistry ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I ; Kidney* ; Nephrectomy ; Radioimmunoassay ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the diametral tensile strength of polymer-based temporary crown and fixed partial denture (FPD) materials, and the change of the diametral tensile strength with time. MATERIAL AND METHODS: One monomethacrylate-based temporary crown and FPD material (Trim) and three dimethacrylate-based ones (Protemp 3 Garant, Temphase, Luxtemp) were investigated. 20 specimens (the empty set 4 mm x 6 mm) were fabricated and randomly divided into two groups (Group I: Immediately, Group II: 1 hour) according to the measurement time after completion of mixing. Universal Testing Machine was used to load the specimens at a cross-head speed of 0.5 mm/min. The data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA, the multiple comparison Scheffe test and independent sample t test (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: Trim showed severe permanent deformation without an obvious fracture during loading at both times. There were statistically significant differences among the dimethacrylate-based materials. The dimethacrylate-based materials presented an increase in strength from 5 minutes to 1 hour and were as follows: Protemp 3 Garant (23.16 - 37.6 MPa), Temphase (22.27 - 28.08 MPa), Luxatemp (14.46 - 20.59 MPa). Protemp 3 Garant showed the highest value. CONCLUSION: The dimethacrylate-based temporary materials tested were stronger in diametral tensile strength than the monomethacrylate-based one. The diametral tensile strength of the materials investigated increased with time.
Acrylic Resins ; Bisphenol A-Glycidyl Methacrylate ; Collodion ; Composite Resins ; Crowns ; Denture, Partial, Fixed ; Methacrylates ; Polymethacrylic Acids ; Tensile Strength

No abstract available.
Gastroenteritis* ; Humans* ; Rotavirus*

Persistent ectopic pregnancy (PEP) is defined as persisting pregnancy after conservative surgical treatment of ectopic pregnancy. PEP usually occurs in the original implantation site after incomplete removal of the trophoblast, but rarely may occur in other sites within the abdominal cavity, i.e., extratubal secondary trophoblastic implantation (ESTI). A 35-year old patient visited our clinic 40 days after laparoscopic surgery for ectopic pregnancy. She was diagnosed with hemoperitoneum and had then undergone a laparotomy procedure. Her operative findings revealed secondary implantation of the trophoblast in her greater omentum, which presented acute bleeding from the ruptured implanted trophoblast. In order to prevent the occurrence of ESTI, management must include minimizing any possible remnant trophoblast during the operative procedure, close and regular follow up of postoperative hCG, and consideration of postoperative prophylactic methotrexate. The patient must be well informed about all possible complications after treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
Abdominal Cavity ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemoperitoneum ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Methotrexate ; Oligopeptides ; Omentum ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Ectopic ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Trophoblasts

In order to develop antitumor agent which indicates weak side effects and strong antitumor activity, cytotoxicity and antitumor effects of MG was evaluated by MTT assay and SRB assay of colorimetric assay methods on the cultured NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human oral epithelioid carcinoma cells (KB cells). KB cells were cultured in EMEM and RPMI 1640 media containing 10% fetal bovine serum, antibiotics and fungizone. After incubation for 24 hrs, the cells were treated with MG by dose dependent manner for 48 hrs under the same condition. The MTT and SRB quantity were measured by ELISA reader (Spectra Max 250, USA). The microscopic study was carried out to observed morphological change, Ag-NORs (argyrophylic nucleolar organizer region) number and PAS positive reacton of cultured KB cells. The results were as follows; 1. The MTT50 were 16677 micrometer in NIH 3T3 cell and 65.55 micrometer in KB cells treated with MG. 2. The SRB50 were 8701.23 micrometer in NIH 3T3 cell and 168.81 micrometer in KB cells treated with MG. 3. The number of Ag-NORs was not significant in cultured NIH 3T3 cells, but the number of Ag-NORs was significantly decreased in cultured KB cells treated with MG. 4. PAS reaction of cultured NIH 3T3 cells was not changed, but PAS reaction of cultured KB cells was changed to negative reaction. 5. Morphological changes of cultured NIH 3T3 cells treated with MG was weak, but KB cell treated with MG was severe. These results indicate that MG have noncytoxicity on NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and high cytotoxicity on KB cells.
Amphotericin B ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; KB Cells ; NIH 3T3 Cells ; Nucleolus Organizer Region ; Periodic Acid-Schiff Reaction

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to compare the film thicknesses of several resin cements as a function of time after mixing and to examine the effect of working time on the film thicknesses. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The film thickness (microm) of 4 resin cements (n=10), 1 composite resin (Panavia F 2.0), 3 self-adhesive resin (Clearfil SA luting, Zirconite, RelyX U200) cements was measured at 20-second intervals after mixing of the cements up to 200 seconds under a load of 50 N. Linear regression was fitted to verify the effect of working time on the film thickness of each cement. Data were compared to the working time recommended by manufacturers using Wilcoxon test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: All of the materials showed a positive linear correlation between the film thickness and working time. There was no statistically significant difference between the working time based on our results and the values recommended by the manufacturers even though there was a discrepancy between those two values. CONCLUSION: The film thickness of resin cements could increase with the increase of working time. Working time to meet the ISO standard of 50-microm maximum film thickness could be different from the manufacturer's recommended value.
Linear Models ; Resin Cements ; Resins, Synthetic*

BACKGROUND: To the emergency physician, issuing a death certificate is becoming a burden as the DOAs(Deaths on Arrival) have increased in recent years. We analyzed the agreement on the causes of death issued by emergency physicians and attempted to find out whether emergency physicians complied with the guidelines for issuing death certificates. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A survey questionnaire containing twelve pre-selected DOA cases which were supplemented with relevant past medical history and physical examination was used. The cases, with varying causes of death, were chosen from the medical records of DOA patients who presented to the emergency department at Severance Hospital, Yonsei University College of Medicine, from January 1997 to December 2000. The questionnaires were sent to 60 emergency physicians(22 specialists and 38 residents) at 22 university-affiliated teaching hospitals and 2 general hospitals across the nation. They were asked to identify the most probable direct cause of death for each of the 12 cases. The same questionnaire was sent to medical examiners at the National Institute of Scientific Investigation and to a Korean emergency physician at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA. We also included an open question about the optimal age for the use of 'senility' as a cause of death. RESULTS: All 60 emergency physicians responded to the survey. The average number of causes of death per case was 9.7(7~14). The range of concordance of causes of death was 23.3% to 66.6%. Out of a total of 720 causes of death given by the emergency physicians, 35(4.9%) failed to adhere to the death certification guidelines. Also, 210 causes of death were not listed in the Korean classification of standard causes of death. Interestingly, the medical examiner answered 'unknown etiology' and the emergency physician in the USA answered 'cardiopulmonary arrest' or 'respiratory arrest' in most cases. Regarding 'senility' as a cause of death, 22 physicians(36.7%) thought the optimal age was over 80 years. CONCLUSION: A significant lack of agreement exists in determining the cause of death for the DOA patients arriving at emergency departments. Therefore, an all-out effort is essential to find ways to improve and resolve this situation. As the death certificate is a legal document and a basis for vital statistics, emergency physician should seek a rational consensus to improve and resolve these inconsistencies.
Cause of Death* ; Certification ; Classification ; Consensus ; Coroners and Medical Examiners ; Death Certificates* ; Emergencies ; Emergency Service, Hospital ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, Teaching ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Physical Examination ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Specialization ; Vital Statistics

OBJECTIVE: Decidualization of endometrial stromal cells is essential for a successful implantation of the embryo. The process of decidualization can be modulated by sex steroids, growth factors and cytokines. Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a pleiotropic cytokine of the interleukin-6 family and has different biological actions in various tissue systems. Recently, LIF has been reported as an important factor for adequate decidualization of endometrium. However, the effect on production of prolactin (PRL), known as the decidualization marker, are not clearly understood. The objective of this study was to determine whether LIF is capable of modulating prolactin production during 8-bromo (Br)-cAMP induced decidualization in vitro. METHODS: Human endometrial stromal cells were cultured and decidualization was induced by 0.5 mM 8-Br-cAMP. Phase contrast microscopy was used to verify morphological changes associated with differentiation in vitro in response to 8-Br-cAMP. Both stromal cells exposed to 8-Br-cAMP and cells not exposed to 8-Br-cAMP were also incubated with LIF (10 ng/mL). PRL levels in each supernatant were measured by a commercial PRL ELISA kit. Immunostaining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for PRL were performed. RESULTS: The concentration of PRL in the supernatant increased significantly in the cells treated with 8-Br-cAMP plus LIF (10 ng/mL) at culture day 6 compared with the others. The results of immunohistochemical staining reflected that of immunoassay. The PRL genes are expressed in the decidualized stromal cells treated with 8-Br-cAMP. No PRL mRNA was detectable in the absence of the 8-Br-cAMP. The intensity of the PCR band measured by densitometry is stronger in the cells treated with 8-Br-cAMP plus LIF than that with the others. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that LIF increased the production of PRL in decidualizing human endometrial stromal cells and may play a role in preparing the human endometrium for implantation through the promotion of PRL production.
Cytokines ; Densitometry ; Embryonic Structures ; Endometrium ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans* ; Immunoassay ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Interleukin-6 ; Leukemia Inhibitory Factor* ; Leukemia* ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prolactin ; RNA, Messenger ; Steroids ; Stromal Cells*

OBJECTIVE: Recently, laparoscopic operations are widely used for the resection of uterine myomas and the method for extraction of resected tissue leiomyoma is chiefly used with the morcellator or minilaparotomy. We investigated the feasiblity of colpotomy for the extraction of myoma tissue in the laparoscopic myomectomy. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed from May 2004 to July 2007 after a review of the medical records of 75 patients who have undergone myomectomy utilizing colpotomy. The patients profiles characteristics included myoma size, operation time, amount of blood loss, and complications in the Hanyang University Guri Hospital. RESULTS: Seventy-five patients were involved. The mean age of the patients was 40.5 (27-53) years, multiparity was found in 55 (73%) patients, the mean weight of the myomas was 204.3 (30-890) gm, the mean operation time was 2.47 (1.1-5.8) hours, the mean decrement of hemoglobin was 2.98 (0.2-5.9) gm/dL, the number of patients that needed transfusion was 8 (10.6%) and the number of the cases experiencing complications was one (0.01%). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that colpotomy for the extraction of myoma tissue in laparoscopic myomectomy is a safe procedure in aspects of risk and cosmetic outcome and on an individual basis, can be used as an alternative to the usage of morcellator or minilaparotomy.
Colpotomy ; Cosmetics ; Female ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Laparotomy ; Leiomyoma ; Medical Records ; Myoma ; Parity ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: This study investigated the effect of amount of thickness reduction on color and translucency of dental monolithic zirconia ceramics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: One-hundred sixty-five monolithic zirconia specimens (16.3 mm x 16.3 mm x 2.0 mm) were divided into 5 groups (Group I to V) according to the number of A2-coloring liquid applications. Each group was then divided into 11 subgroups by reducing the thickness up to 1.0 mm in 0.1-mm increments (Subgroup 0 to 10, n=3). Colors and spectral distributions were measured according to CIELAB on a reflection spectrophotometer. All measurements were performed on five different areas of each specimen. Color difference (DeltaE*(ab)) and translucency parameter (TP) were calculated. Data were analyzed using one-way ANOVA and multiple comparison Scheffe test (alpha=.05). RESULTS: There were significant differences in CIE L* between Subgroup 0 and other subgroups in all groups. CIE a* increased (0.523.7) were obtained between Subgroup 0 and other subgroups. TP values generally increased as the thickness reduction increased in all groups (R2>0.89, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Increasing thickness reduction reduces lightness and increases a reddish, bluish appearance, and translucency of monolithic zirconia ceramics.
Ceramics* ; Prosthesis Coloring