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

OBJECTIVE: SCC-Ag(Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen) is a tumor marker for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix. It has shown that the SCC-Ag was well related with the response of cancer therapy and course of cervical cancer. The aim of this study is to investigate whether the presence of pelvic lymph node metstasis can be predicted by the measurement of the preoperative SCC-Ag levels in the patients with early staged squamous cell carcinoma of cervix. METHODS: The preoperative serum SCC-Ag levels were measured in 45 patients with stage I-II squamous cell carcinoma of cervix undergoing radical hysterectomy from September 1995 to December 1997. The serum SCC-Ag levels were analyzed for the clinicopathologic characteristics and other prognostic factors using univariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: The serum SCC-Ag levels of the patients exhibited pelvic lymph node metastasis were above 4.8ng/ml. An elevated preoperative serum SCC-Ag level, and tumor size were independent predictors for the presence of lymph node metastasis(p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The determination of the preoperative serum SCC-Ag levels provides a new prognostic factor in early staged cervical cancer.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri ; Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Lymph Nodes ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neoplasm Metastasis* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms

No abstract available.
Diazepam* ; Humans ; Hypnotics and Sedatives* ; Midazolam* ; Surgery, Plastic*

No abstract available.
Craniocerebral Trauma* ; Head*

No abstract available.
Adult* ; Hernia* ; Humans

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

No abstract available.
Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2* ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin*

The purpose of this study is to verify severity of asthma in asthmatic patients through through the arterial blood gas analysis. Subjects were consisted of 103 patients (74 boys and 29 girls), between 2~13 years of ages. Clinically, asthmatic patients were classified into 6 groups, i, e., group 0(no rhonchi), group 1(rhonchi only), group 2(mild attack), group 3(moderate attack), group 4(severe attack), group 5(respiratory failure with disturbance of consciousness). PH kept normal range in the group 0, group 1, group 1 and group 3,but began decrease in the group 4.There was linear fall in Po2 and began decrease in the group 3. HCO3- maintained normal level through the whole range. BE showed acidemia on the whole, and began distinctive decrease in the group 4 and group 5, especially. Hypoxemia, hypercapnia and acidemia were common in patients in severe attacks with disturbance of consciousness.
Anoxia ; Asthma ; Blood Gas Analysis* ; Child* ; Consciousness ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hypercapnia ; Reference Values

A mucogingival grafting procedure has been developed to cover denuded root surface. The subepithelial connective tissue graft technique is very predictable and allows for a good esthetic results and minimum patient discomfort on the palate. However, in areas where there is a lack of vestibular depth and keratinized attached tissue, the presence of frena or heavy muscle attachment, covering the connective tissue graft with a mucosal flap is very difficult. The purpose of this study is to evaluate an alternative technique of root coverage using the free connective tissue graft. The results were as follows: 1. Probing depths didn't seem to vary significantly from the preoperative to postoperative period. 2. The amount of keratinized tissue showed an increase of 5.9+/-0.97mm from the preoperative level. 3. Total clinical exposed root coverage increase 72.2% compare with preoperative level. 4. The shrinkage from gingival margin is 4.2+/-1.15mm and the mean shrinkage rate is 40.1%. 5. The depth of the vestibule increased with the average distance from cementoenamel junction to mucogingival junction being 7.4+/-1.65mm.
Connective Tissue* ; Humans ; Palate ; Postoperative Period ; Tooth Cervix ; Transplants*

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: There are common clinical cases in which the mandibular first and second molars are missing unilaterally. PURPOSE: This study was designed to compare and evaluate the magnitude and distribution of stress produced by four kinds of mandibular unilateral free-end removable partial dentures that could be applied clinically in Kennedy class II cases. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Four unilateral free-end removable partial dentures using clasp, Konus crown, resilient attachment, and flexible resin were fabricated on the photoelastic models of the Kennedy class II cases. The vertical load of 6kg was applied on the central fossa of the first molar of every removable partial denture in the stress freezing furnace and the photoelastic models were frozen according to the stress freezing cycle. After these models were sliced mesio-distally to a thickness of 6mm, the photoelastic isochromatic white and black lines of the sliced specimens were examined with the transparent photoelastic experiment device and photographs were taken with a digital camera. The fringe order numbers at eight measuring points in the photograph were measured with the naked eye. RESULTS: The maximum fringe order number of each sliced specimen and the fringe order number at the residual ridge just below the loading point were in the decreasing order of the unilateral removable partial dentures using flexible resin followed by clasp, resilient attachment, and Konus crown. The fringe order number at the root apex of the second premolar was in the decreasing order of the unilateral removable partial dentures using clasp followed by flexible resin, Konus crown, and resilient attachment. CONCLUSION: The removable partial denture using Konus crown showed the most equalized stress distribution to the supporting alveolar bone of abutment teeth and residual ridge under the vertical loads. The removable partial denture using flexible resin can be applied to the case that has a better state of residual ridge than abutment teeth.
Bicuspid ; Crowns ; Denture, Partial, Removable ; Eye ; Freezing ; Humans ; Molar ; Tooth