OBJECTIVE: The effects on spermatogenesis by expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and endothelin-1 (ET-1) were investigated. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Testicular specimens were obtained from 40 infertile males due to primary testicular failure and from 10 fertile males with other urologic problems. The specimens of infertile males were devided into 4 groups according to histologic findings; Sertoli cell only syndrome (A), maturation arrest (B), hypospermatogenesis (C) and sloughing and disorganization (D). VEGF and ET-1 expression were detected with immunohistochemical stain. RESULTS: VEGF expression on Leydig cell was detected in all cases. But, VEGF expression rates on germ cell were significantly higher in infertile group B, C, D compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). ET-1 expression rates on Leydig cell was significantly lower in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p<0.05). But, ET-1 expression rates on Sertoli cell was significantly higher in all infertile group compared to that of the control group (p>0.05). In germ cell of infertile group, LH, FSH and prolactin were significantly decreased, and estradiol is increased in positive stain group on ET-1 immunohistochemical stain (p<0.05). VEGF and ET-1 expression were not correlated mean seminiferous tubule diameter (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Abnormal spermatogenesis would be reflected in VEGF expression in germ cell.
Endothelin-1* ; Estradiol ; Germ Cells ; Humans ; Male ; Oligospermia ; Prolactin ; Seminiferous Tubules ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome ; Spermatogenesis ; Testis* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Esophageal Atresia* ; Fistula* ; Humans

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Doppler study by examining obstruction at the site of anastomosis in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous return(TAPVR). METHODS: Retrograde analysis of the postoperative echocardiography results was done in 14 patients with simple TAPVR, who were operated at Dong-A University Hospital from January 1993 to July 1998. The peak systolic velocities, peak diastolic velocities and flow patterns of the 14 patients were compared with those of 9 control cases. Among the 14 patients, 2 cases showed evidence of obstruction at the anastomosis site. RESULTS: Pulmonary venous flow patterns of normal infants were biphasic, varying with the cardiac cycle. The peak velocities during systole and diastole were 40 to 60cm/sec(mean 51+/-9cm/sec) and 45 to 78cm/sec(mean 59+/-9cm/sec), respectively. The flow patterns of patients without postoperative stenosis were also biphasic. The peak velocities during systole and diastole was 38 to 115cm/sec(mean 71+/-27cm/sec) and 55 to 140cm/sec(mean 111+/-28cm/sec), respectively. The diastole peak velocity was significantly higher than normal(P=0.0002). The flow patterns of patients with postoperative stenosis was continuous, non-phasic or increased peak velocity even though it was phasic. CONCLUSION: Postoperative Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary venous return in patients with TAPVR is useful in examining obstruction at the site of anastomosis. But a study on the Doppler echocardiographic normal range of postoperative patients will be needed.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diastole ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Infant ; Reference Values ; Scimitar Syndrome* ; Systole

PURPOSE: We conducted this study to evaluate the efficacy of Doppler study by examining obstruction at the site of anastomosis in patients with total anomalous pulmonary venous return(TAPVR). METHODS: Retrograde analysis of the postoperative echocardiography results was done in 14 patients with simple TAPVR, who were operated at Dong-A University Hospital from January 1993 to July 1998. The peak systolic velocities, peak diastolic velocities and flow patterns of the 14 patients were compared with those of 9 control cases. Among the 14 patients, 2 cases showed evidence of obstruction at the anastomosis site. RESULTS: Pulmonary venous flow patterns of normal infants were biphasic, varying with the cardiac cycle. The peak velocities during systole and diastole were 40 to 60cm/sec(mean 51+/-9cm/sec) and 45 to 78cm/sec(mean 59+/-9cm/sec), respectively. The flow patterns of patients without postoperative stenosis were also biphasic. The peak velocities during systole and diastole was 38 to 115cm/sec(mean 71+/-27cm/sec) and 55 to 140cm/sec(mean 111+/-28cm/sec), respectively. The diastole peak velocity was significantly higher than normal(P=0.0002). The flow patterns of patients with postoperative stenosis was continuous, non-phasic or increased peak velocity even though it was phasic. CONCLUSION: Postoperative Doppler echocardiographic evaluation of pulmonary venous return in patients with TAPVR is useful in examining obstruction at the site of anastomosis. But a study on the Doppler echocardiographic normal range of postoperative patients will be needed.
Constriction, Pathologic ; Diastole ; Echocardiography* ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Humans ; Infant ; Reference Values ; Scimitar Syndrome* ; Systole

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Catecholamines* ; Female ; Labor Stage, Second* ; Parturition* ; Plasma* ; Pregnancy ; Supine Position*

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the long-term effect of concept formation training on the performance of the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test(WCST) in schizophrenic patients. METHODS: The subjects were 22 schizophrenic patients, who performed poorly on WCST(completing less than 4 categories). The subjects were divided into two groups. The training group(N=11) underwent 3 days of concept formation training after baseline WCST and had post-training test 1 week later. The concept formation training is a stepwise training designed to teach the sorting principles of WCST, using cards different from WCST. Control group(N=11) did not undergo concept formation training and repeated test 1 week after baseline test. Both groups were retested for the 3rd time after almost a year(61.4+/-7.6 weeks later in training group; 35.2+/-12.0 weeks later in control group) RESULTS: The training group made significant improvements in total number correct, total number of errors, perseverative responses, perseverative errors, conceptual level responses, number of categories completed, and trials to complete first category after training. However, only the perseverative response and perseverative errors improved in the follow-up test. In control group, there were no significant differences among 3 testings. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that schizophrenic patients with poor performance in WCST may be able to improve their performance by stepwise concept formation training not only in short-term but also in long-term performance.
Concept Formation* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Schizophrenia ; Wisconsin*

PURPOSE: We investigated the prevalence of premature ejaculation and knowledge of the disease in young and middle-aged men in Busan. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subjects were 500 men aged from 21 to 49 years(average 37.7 years) who had no history of erectile dysfunction and had a stable sexual partner. The numbers of responders in their third, fourth, and fifth decades were 36, 299, and 165, respectively. All interviews were performed by the same urologic resident. The questionnaire consisted of 10 questions in three domains covering the prevalence and severity of premature ejaculation, its influence on sexual life, and therapy. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of premature ejaculation was 41.0% (205/500), being highest in younger men (50.0% in the third decade [18/36], 45.8% in the fourth decade [137/299], and 30.3% in the fifth decade [50/165]). Men saying they "always or almost always" or "usually" had the condition accounted for 2.0% (10 men) of the total study population, being 0 in the third decade, 2.0% (6 men) in fourth decade and 2.4% (4 men) in fifth decade. The man himself and his sexual partner complained of more than moderate discomfort in 29 cases (14.1%) and 22 cases (10.7%), respectively. Only three men (1.4%) had received treatment for premature ejaculation, but the numbers of men who wished to try medical or surgical treatment were 32 (66.7%) and 16 (33.3%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the prevalence of premature ejaculation is high in young and middle aged men in Busan, it has not been regarded as sexual dysfunction for the most part, and the treatment rate is low. We suggest that public education about the pathophysiology and management of premature ejaculation is required.
Busan* ; Education ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premature Ejaculation* ; Prevalence* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Sexual Partners

Forty five patients (46 kidneys) who were admitted to the Department of Urology, Pusan National University Hospital between Jan. 1971 and July 1989 and confirmed histopathologically as renal cell carcinoma were analyzed for 11 host and 5 tumor factors relating to prognosis. The results were as follows. 1. Overall 1 and 2 to 5 year survival rates were 66.6 % and 56.3%, respectively. 2. There was no relationship between survival rates and sex, laterality or age of patients. 3. As host factors, palpable mass, fever, weight loss, Hgb, ESR, alpha2-globulin and CRP were clinically significant parameters for survival, whereas hematuria, pain, ALP and LDH were insignificant. 4. As tumor factors, stage, grade, cell type, infiltration, and vessel invasion were clinically significant parameters for survival. Therefore, aforementioned host and tumor factors suggest to be significant parameters for the selection of appropriate therapy and prognosis for renal cell carcinoma.
Busan ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell* ; Fever ; Hematuria ; Humans ; Pathology ; Prognosis ; Survival Rate ; Urology ; Weight Loss

BACKGROUND/AIMS: As a tumor marker, alpha-etoprotein is widely used. Diagnositic cut-ff value is known as 400 ng/mL in sera. This study is aimed to determine the clinical features of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with reference to serum AFP levels in Korean patients. METHODS: From May 1990 to March 1998, 367 patients diagnosed as HCC, hospitalized and followed-p at Hanyang University Hospital, have been retrospectively analyzed with special reference on serum AFP level at time of diagnosis. The differences in clinical, hematological, and radiological features of HCC, as well as the survival rate in the two groups have been compared. Group 1 (N=182) was defined as an AFP level lower than 400 ng/mL, group 2 (N=185) was defined as an AFP level greater than 400 ng/mL. Comparisons were made by student's t test or chi-quare test. Survival rate was calculated from the time of diagnosis by Kaplan-eier method. Survival curves were also compared using log-ank test. P values less than 0.05 were considered significant. RESULTS: The patients with serum AFP levels above 400 ng/mL showed (1) a lower mean age; (2) a higher level of AST; (3) a higher level of AST/ALT ratio; (4) a high incidence of liver cirrhosis; (5) a high incidence of portal vein thrombosis; (6) a high incidence of positive HBsAg; (7) a low incidence of anti-CV; (8) a low incidence of small HCC but high incidence of large HCC; (9) a high incidence of more advanced TNM stage; (10) a low incidence of single nodular type and high incidence of diffuse type. CONCLUSIONS: Depending on the value of AFP, HCC has some clinical features. In hepatocellular carcinoma, high levels of AFP represent young age, HBV infection more than HCV infection and advanced disease state.
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular* ; Diagnosis ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; Humans ; Incidence ; Liver Cirrhosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Venous Thrombosis