The measurement of tumor cell proliferation is becoming inueasingly recognized in defining prognostic groups. Boliferatirg cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) imrnunolocalimtion can be used as an index of cell proliferation and rnay define the extent of deppature from norrmil gmwth control. PCNA is eonsidered to be maker of cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evnlunte the expreeion of PCNA in epithelial ocarian cancer as well as the possible correlation with degree of differentiation, tumor etage and overall survival. The material consisted of 35 epithehal ovarian cancer. The PCNA labelling index (Ll) ranged from 7.5% to 92.5% with a median value of 46.7%. PCNA labelling index (LI) is 30% in grade 1, 63% in grade 2, and 100% in grade 3 in epithelial ovarian cancer(p>0.05). Also, a positive correlation was found between PCNA labelling index (LI) and clinical stage (P<0.05) The estimated 3 year survival in patients with a tumor LI below the median (low proliferative group) was higher than those with a tumor LI greater than the median(high proliferation group) (87.5% VS 50%, P<0.05).
Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prognosis* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen*

The measurement of tumor cell proliferation is becoming inueasingly recognized in defining prognostic groups. Boliferatirg cell nuclear antigen(PCNA) imrnunolocalimtion can be used as an index of cell proliferation and rnay define the extent of deppature from norrmil gmwth control. PCNA is eonsidered to be maker of cell proliferation. The aim of this study was to evnlunte the expreeion of PCNA in epithelial ocarian cancer as well as the possible correlation with degree of differentiation, tumor etage and overall survival. The material consisted of 35 epithehal ovarian cancer. The PCNA labelling index (Ll) ranged from 7.5% to 92.5% with a median value of 46.7%. PCNA labelling index (LI) is 30% in grade 1, 63% in grade 2, and 100% in grade 3 in epithelial ovarian cancer(p>0.05). Also, a positive correlation was found between PCNA labelling index (LI) and clinical stage (P<0.05) The estimated 3 year survival in patients with a tumor LI below the median (low proliferative group) was higher than those with a tumor LI greater than the median(high proliferation group) (87.5% VS 50%, P<0.05).
Cell Proliferation ; Humans ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; Prognosis* ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen*

Successful percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) of an internal mammary artery graft was performed in a 40 year old male patient who had recurrent angina soon after bypass surgery. Coronary angiography showed total occlusion of proximal portion of the left anterior descending artery and normal right coronary artery. Angiography of the left internal mammary artery graft revealed a tight stenosis (90% diameter narrowing) in the mammary artery at its insection into the left anterior descending artery.Angiography after the angioplasty demonstrated a widely patent graft (residual stenosis 10%) and translesional pressure gradient was 10 mmHg.
Adult ; Angiography ; Angioplasty* ; Arteries ; Constriction, Pathologic* ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessels ; Humans ; Insects ; Male ; Mammary Arteries* ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Diabetic Neuropathies*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the safety and efficacy of intravaginal misoprostol versus intracervical dinoprostone (prostaglandin E2 gel) for cervical ripening and labor induction. METHODS: 60 patients with indication for labor induction and unfavorable cervices were randomly assigned to receive either intravaginal misoprostol or intracervical dinoprostone. 50 microgram tablets of misoprostol were placed in the posterior vaginal fornix every 4 hours for a maximum of 3 doses or dinoprostone 0.5mg was placed into the endocervix every 6 hours for a maximum of 2doses. No more medication was given after either spontaneous rupture of membranes or beginning of active labor. RESULTS: Among 60 patients enrolled, 30 received misoprostol and 30 received dinoprostone. The average interval from start of induction to active labor was shorter in misoprostol group (6.5+/-3.2 hours) than in the dinoprostone group (10.7+/-7.3 hours) (p<0.05). Oxytocin augmentation of labor occurred more often in the dinoprostone group (36.7%) than in the misoprostol group (10.0%) (p<0.05). There was a higher prevalence of fetal distress (23.3% versus 3.3%) and tachysystole (16.6% versus 6.6%) in the misorprostol group than in the dinoprostone group(p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vaginally administered misoprostol is an effective agent for cervical ripening and induction of labor. Furthermore, the cost of misoprostol ( 360/200microgram) is much less than that of dinoprostone ( 42,000/0.5mg). Cost benefits from administration of misoprostol are evident, especially in clinics under system of diagnosis-related group (DRG) : however when given at this dosage, it is associated with a higher prevalence of fetal distress and tachysystole than dinoprostone. Further studies to compare the safety of misoprostole to that of dinoprostone and to delineate an optimal dosing regimen for misoprostol are needed.
Cervical Ripening* ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Dinoprostone* ; Female ; Fetal Distress ; Humans ; Membranes ; Misoprostol* ; Oxytocin ; Pregnancy ; Prevalence ; Prospective Studies* ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; Tablets

Normal human B cells produce autocrine growth factor in response to Staphylococcus aureus Cowan I strain (SAC). However, the functional role and molecular nature of the B cell derived-B cell growth factor (B-BCGF) are largely unknown. We have tried to investigate the nature of B-BCGF using mAb for several years. We report here that B- BCGF is capable of binding to hemoglobin (Hb). The concentrated culture supernatant from tonsillar B cells stimulated with SAC for 24 h was loaded into the fast protein liquid chromatography and ion-exchange chromatography. The peak with BCGF activity was shown to have a M.W. of 16-18 Kda in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by silver stain. Amino acid sequence of the fraction was found to identical to human hemoglobin (Hb) by more than 85%. However, Hb itself had no BCGF activity. The presence of Hb in culture supernatant was due to the contamination of SRBC during B cell purification. SRSC were completely removed from B cells by percoll-gradient centrifugation and B cells were stimulated with SAC and exogenous Hb was added to the cultures. The Hb fraction from FPLC again showed a BCGF activity. These data strongly suggested that BCGF binds to Hb. We confirmed this in dot blot as well as Western blot. The M.W of Hb-binding BCGF was 20 Kda. This information may provide a rapid progress in research of BCGF.
Amino Acid Sequence ; B-Lymphocytes ; Blotting, Western ; Centrifugation ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Humans ; Silver ; Staphylococcus aureus

BACKGROUND: Doppler echocardiography is a non-invasive technique that has been used to evaluate LV diastolic dysfunction. Impaired left ventricular diastolic filling is known to occur in patients with coronary artery disease. Compared with those in normal subjects, Doppler-derived transmitral blood flow velocities have been reported to be reduced during early diastolic filling and to be compensatory elevated subsequent to atrial systole in patinets with coronary artery disease. But stiffness of myocardium normalize the E/A ratio, and normal E/A ratio may reveal increased ventricular filling pressure. We tried to investigate left ventricular filling parameters by Doppler echocardiography in patients with early myocardial infarction, and to compare left ventricular diastolic function regarding infarct location on EKG, one or multivessel disease on coronary angiography, and treatment modality. METHODS: From September 1993 to August 1995, Pulsed wave Doppler echocardiography was performed in patients with early acute myocardial infarction(N=95) and control group(N=20) within 5 days after admission, and parameters of diastolic function was evaluated. RESULTS: Echocardiographic data showed significant differences in mean ejection fraction, mean left ventricular mass, and mean left ventricular mass index between two groups. There was no significant difference in E/A ratio, deceleration time, and isovolumetric relaxation time between two groups. Neither, there was significant difference in each diastolic parameter for infarct related wall on EKG. And there was no significant difference in deceleration time for one or multi vessel disease on coronary angiography, treatment modality(conservative treatment, thrombolytic therapy, or primary PTCA). CONCLUSION: In patients with early acute myocardial infarction, left ventricular diastolic dysfunction was absent. And there was no significant correlation between the presence of diastolic dysfunction and the location of infarct related wall on EKG, or one or multi vessel disease, or treatment modality.
Blood Flow Velocity ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Artery Disease ; Deceleration ; Echocardiography ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Myocardial Infarction* ; Myocardium ; Relaxation ; Systole ; Thrombolytic Therapy

No abstract available.
Colon*

Achilles tendon is the most powerful and the biggest tendon of the body and its rupture is frequently sports-related. Many authors reported the effects of mobilization, electricity, ultrasound and various drugs as factors influencing the injured tendon. We studied the effects of early passive mobilization after firm suture using plantaris tendon as tension suture material and reinforcing membrane on the repair of a ruptured Achilles tendon. From March 1992 to December 1995, twenty-two operations on the Achilles tendon were carried out in our hospital. 1. Fourteen patients were male and eight patients were female. The mean patient age was 38 years, ranging from 13 to 68 years. Average follow-up periods was 2 years and 7 months, ranging from 12 months to 3 years and 8 months. 2. The rupture site was 4.7cm proximal to the tendon insertion into the calcaneus on average. 3. We performed the operations with end to end suture technique. After approximation of the ruptured ends of the tendon with a No. 5 Ethibond tension suture using a modified Kessler stitch, placed plantaris tendon in a fascial needle and pass it circumferentially and distal plantaris tendon is fanned out and tacked over the repair. 4. Postoperative treatment was done as following protocol Short leg cast was done with equinus position for initial 3 weeks, and then cast was removed, hydrotherapy and passive exercises was employed. About 6 weeks after operation when the foot can be brought to right angle, a reverse 90degrees ankle stop short leg brace was applied for additional 6 weeks and partial weight bearing was aUowed. 5. Follow-up results were classified according to the Arner-Lindholm scale. We had 16 excellent results and 6 satisfactory results. After rigid suture it may be possible to introduce a regimen of progressive isometric stimulation and protected loading and streching combined with removable orthosis. Such early exercises are likely to improve the rate of rehabilitation over plaster immobilization.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Braces ; Calcaneus ; Electricity ; Exercise ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Humans ; Hydrotherapy ; Immobilization ; Leg ; Male ; Membranes ; Needles ; Orthotic Devices ; Rehabilitation ; Rupture* ; Suture Techniques ; Sutures ; Tendons ; Ultrasonography ; Weight-Bearing

Clinical observation was performed on 23 children with Guillain-Barre syndrome which were hospitalized at the Pediatric ward of Han Yang University Hospital, from July 1975 through May 1991.@ES The results were as follows: 1) The ratio of male patient to female was 2.8:1 and 47.8% of total GBS patients were between the ages 1 to 5 years. 2) The highest seasonal incidence of GBS was seen in summer and there was no significant variation of GBS annually.3) Preceding illness of GBS was found in 60% of the total patients, and upper respiratory infection was the most common (65%). 4) Muscular paralysis or weakness in extremities was the most common chief complaints on admission, and repiratory difficulty, vomiting, diarrhea, swallowing difficulty and myalgia were followed. 5) The sites of paralysis on admission were upper and lower extremities in 14 GBS patients (60.8%), lower extremities in 7 GBS patints (34.8%) and respiratory muscle in 4 GBS patints (17.3%), respectively. 6) The protein content of cerebrospinal fluid was elevated in 18 GBS patients of total (78.3%) on admission and remnant 5 GBS patients showed increased protein later. 7) There was a tendency that recovery time in 5 GBS patients with muscular fibrillation on E.M.G. was longer than in 4 GBS patients without muscular fibrillation. We thought further studies on critical evaluation and better treatment for GBS were needed.
Cerebrospinal Fluid ; Child* ; Deglutition ; Diarrhea ; Extremities ; Female ; Guillain-Barre Syndrome* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Lower Extremity ; Male ; Myalgia ; Paralysis ; Respiratory Muscles ; Seasons ; Vomiting