The distribution of transforming growth factor -alpha (TGF -alpha ) and epidermal growth factor (EGF) on the cardiovascular system of developing mouse embryos of gestational age 7 to 12 days were immunohistochemically (ABC method) studies to investigate the differential expression of these growth factors. Paraffin embedded sections were immunostained with antibodies for TGF -alpha and EGF. In the 8 -day -old mouse embryos, the endocardial tissue, myocardial tissue and cardiac jelly were all TGF -alpha stained. EGF stain was observed in the cardiac jelly and myocardial tissue but was not observed in the endocardial tissue. This suggests that in the initial phase of the cardiovascular system development, TGF -alpha function as earlier growth factor than EGF. The 9, 10 and 11 -day -old embryos showed TGF -alpha stain in the broad spectrum of developing cardiovascular tissues such as, the bulbus cordis, primitive atrium, sinus venosus, aortic sac, dorsal aorta, vitelline artery, endocardial cushion tissue, and myocardium of primitive ventricle. However, EGF stain was observed only in the bulbus cordis, primitive atrium and endocardial tissue. This finding indicates that TGF -alpha function as a more extensive growth factor than EGF. The 12 -day -old embryos showed stronger EGF stain than TGF -alpha in the primitive ventricle, bulbus cordis, and endocardial tissue. This suggests that EGF function as a more growth factor than TGF -alpha at this particular developmental stage and plays important role at the end stage of the primitive heart development.
Animals ; Antibodies ; Aorta ; Arteries ; Cardiovascular System ; Embryonic Structures* ; Endocardial Cushions ; Epidermal Growth Factor* ; Gestational Age ; Heart ; Immunohistochemistry ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; Mice* ; Myocardium ; Paraffin ; Transforming Growth Factors* ; Vitellins

No abstract available.
De Lange Syndrome*

No abstract available.
Female ; Hydronephrosis* ; Ovarian Cysts*

Retinoic acid plays an important role in embryogenesis, by regulating morphogenesis, cell proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix production. Also retinoic acid is a potent teratogen and induces a variety of limb and craniofacial malformations including cleft palate, that is the most common congenital malformation. Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) and fibroblast growth factor receptor 2 (FGFR2) are an important role in the secondary induction for the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation during development. Mutations in them, produce a congenital malformation in the skeletal system and the craniofacial tissue. It was of interest to explore the hypothesis of an inhibitory effect exerted by retinoic acid on the cell proliferating activity and the expression of FGF2 and FGFR2 in the developing palate in vivo. In the present study, author observed the expression of PCNA as a marker for the cell proliferating activity, FGF2 and FGFR2 to compare with developmental stages and locations in normal and retinoic acid-induced cleft palate. Retinoic acid was administered orally at gestational day (GD) 10 to ICR mice. The pregnant mice were sacrificed on GD 12, 13, 14, 15 to obtain the fetuses. Scanning electron microscope and immunohistochemistry was performed. In the retinoic acid-treated fetuses, palatal shelves did not elevate and cleft palate was induced. On GD 12, 13 in the palatal mesenchyme of the retinoic acid treated-fetuses, expression of the PCNA decreased. On GD 12 in the palatal epithelium of the retinoic acid-treated fetuses, expression of FGFR2 decreased, but after GD 13, the patterns of expression of FGFR2 were not affected. On GD 12, 13 in the palatal epithelium and mesenchyme of the retinoic acid-treated fetuses, expression of FGF2 decreased dramatically, but after GD 14, it was similar to that in the normal fetal palate. These results suggest that retinoic acid inhibits the cell proliferating activity and the expression of FGF2, FGFR2 in the palatal mesenchyme on GD 12, 13, which is critical in the developing palate, and elevation of palatal shelves is delayed and impaired. Moreover, it seems that retinoic acid inhibits the epithelial-mesenchymal transformation of epithelium. Finally, cleft palate is induced.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cleft Palate ; Embryonic Development ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extremities ; Female ; Fetus ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors* ; Fibroblasts* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mesoderm ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Morphogenesis ; Palate ; Pregnancy ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 2 ; Tretinoin*

No abstract available.
Epidermolysis Bullosa* ; Epidermolysis Bullosa, Junctional*

Sacrococcygeal teratoma is a rare tumor, it occurs once in every 40,000 live births. Most of the reported cases appear in female infant (M:F=1:4). They deserve clinical attention because they are potentially malignant and are curable if diagnosed and treated early. The patients may have associated congenital anomalies. This patient has spina bifida cystica in lower sacrum. Brief review of related literature is included in the report.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn* ; Live Birth ; Sacrum ; Spina Bifida Cystica* ; Spinal Dysraphism* ; Teratoma*

PURPOSE: To investigate the early results of limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures, and to describe the surgical technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 2004 to February 2005, a total of 10 patients with Achilles tendon rupture underwent limited open repair. The average age of the patients was 39.3 years, and the average follow-up period was 9 months. The causes of injury were sports injuries in 8 cases, and slip down in 2. The mean interval between the injury and the operation was 9 days. The clinical results were assessed by patient's satisfaction, incision length, hospitalization, the ankle-hindfoot scale of American Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS), and complications. RESULTS: Of 10 patients, 8 were very satisfied, and the remaining 2 were satisfied. The mean incision length was 2.0 cm, and the mean hospitalization was 2 days. The mean AOFAS score was 97 points, and there was no complications such as infection, rerupture, or nerve injury. All patients returned to work at approximately 2 months, and resumed light exercise such as jogging at approximately 3 months. CONCLUSION: Limited open repair technique of Achilles tendon ruptures is provided for better cosmetic results, high patient's satisfaction, and functionally successful results without postoperative complications.
Achilles Tendon* ; Ankle ; Athletic Injuries ; Follow-Up Studies ; Foot ; Hospitalization ; Humans ; Jogging ; Postoperative Complications ; Rupture*

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To measure the amount of type II collagen with western blotting method and to verify its relations with the clinical, radiological and second look arthroscopic findings in patients who were treated with microfracture surgery. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From October 1997 to December 2000, second look arthroscopies and biopsies were performed in 21 knees of 20 patients at 1 year after surgery. Their mean age at the time of operation was 62.7 years(range, 44-77years) and mean follow-up period were 1 year 3months(range, 10-30 months). 21 cases were classified into 3 groups (Group I >70%, Group II 20-70%, Group III < 20% of normal control) according to the result of western blotting of type II collagen. We analyzed the relationship of western blotting of type II collagen with clinical, radiological, extent of regenerated articular cartilage, patient's age, weight and preoperative varus deformity. RESULTS: Average amounts of type II collagen were 44% of those in control group. The amounts of type II collagen formation had positive correlation with extent of regenerated cartilage and preoperative varus deformity but no correlation with clinical score, joint space widening, patient's weight and age. CONCLUSION: The results of this study provide the rationale to select the osteoarthritic patients indicated for microfracture surgery.
Arthroscopy ; Biopsy ; Blotting, Western* ; Cartilage ; Cartilage, Articular ; Collagen Type II* ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Joints ; Knee ; Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE: To evaluate the clinical results of radical necrotic bone resection and distraction osteogenesis for the treatment of infected nonunion of tibia using the Ilizarov technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 32 patients who were followed up at least 1 year after the treatment of infected nonunion of tibia from March 1995 to March 2001 were evaluated. Their mean age was 43 years and mean duration of follow-up was 37 months. The results were divided into bone results and functional results and analyzed by grading to excellent, good, fair, and poor. RESULTS: The average amount of bone lengthening was 5.3 cm (range, 2~10 cm) and the average healing index was 61.5 days/cm (range, 52.7~70.4 days/cm). Bony union was obtained at average 10.3 months in all cases. The bone result was excellent in 9 cases, good 18, and fair 5. The functional result was excellent in 8 cases, good 16, fair 7, and poor 1 case. CONCLUSION: Ilizarov technique is an effective method in the treatment of infected nonunion of tibia for early range of motion exercise, weight bearing and correction of limb shortening.
Bone Lengthening ; Extremities ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Tibia* ; Weight-Bearing