Acoustic stimulation test(AST), is currently being used as an alternative tool of nonstress test (NST). However, there are no standard guideline for analysis of AST. Computerized numerical analysis of AST would be helpful for development of diagnostic criteria of AST. Fifty-one normal pre-term pregnancies entered to this study after conventional 20-minutes NST and 10-minutes AST. Acoustic stimulations were performed using Fetal Acoustic Stimulator (Model 146, Corometrics, US). We analyzed the FHR response after acoustic stimulation using our on-line computerized FHR analysis system, HYFM-I & II software. The changes of loss of signal, baseline FHR, variability, number of fetal movements, and number of FHR accelerations were analyzed numerically. The loss of signal was increased about 2 fold(122.61%). The baseline FHR was increased from 144.57bpm to 156.81bpm(8.5%) after acoustic stimulation. Number of fetal movements was increased about 2 fold(from 2.1 to 4.12/10 minutes). FHR variability was also increased from 17.81 bpm to 26.37 bpm. After AST, number of FHR accelaration was increased 55.47%(10sec 10bpm) and 68.42%(15sec 15bpm), respectively. In this study, we acrumulated elemental FHR data using computerized system after AST. These data would be helpful in the accurate analysis of AST and also enable us to develop the objective interpretation system for AST.
Acceleration ; Acoustic Stimulation* ; Acoustics* ; Female ; Fetal Heart* ; Fetal Movement ; Heart Rate, Fetal* ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy*

No abstract available.
Graft Survival* ; Humans ; Living Donors* ; Risk Factors* ; Transplants*

No abstract available.
Spine*

PURPOSE: Neuroendocrine (NE) cells of the prostate are considered to be involved in the pathogenesis of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). By a comparative analysis of NE cell density in BPH tissue of men who were either exposed to or not exposed to 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, we investigated the relationship between NE cells and BPH, and the effect of androgen deprivation on NE cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prostate tissue specimens, obtained from 30 men by transurethral resection of the prostate or radical cystoprostatectomy, were used. Of the 30 patients, 10 had a prostate smaller than 25 ml (normal control), the other 20 had a prostate larger than 40ml, 10 of who had taken 5alpha-reductase inhibitor (finasteride) for 3 months before surgery (androgen blockade group), and 10 who had not (BPH group). The distribution of NE cells in the prostate was examined using the anti-chromogranin A (CgA) antibody, and the density of the CgA-positive cells was compared by an optical dissector method. Immunoblotting was performed using the neuron specific enolase (NSE) antibody. A Mann-Whitney U test was used in a statistical analysis. RESULTS: Most of the CgA-positive NE cells were localized between the acinar epithelial cells. The mean numbers of CgA-positive NE cells per acinus in the normal controls and the BPH groups were 1.67+/-0.78 and 4.45+/-2.54, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, the mean number of CgA-positive NE cells in the androgen blockade group, was 4.93+/-2.17, which was similar to the BPH group. In a NSE immunoblotting study, a distinct band was observed in the BPH and androgen blockade groups, but the density of the band was higher in the androgen blockade group. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that NE cells may be involved in the hyperplastic process of BPH. Inhibition of dihydrotestosterone, caused by the oral administration of the 5alpha-reductase inhibitor, failed to induce any significant change in the NE cells, probably due to the incomplete androgen blockade.
Administration, Oral ; Cell Count ; Dihydrotestosterone* ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; Immunoblotting ; Male ; Neuroendocrine Cells* ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; Prostate ; Prostatic Hyperplasia*

No abstract available.
Cryptorchidism* ; Incidence* ; Male ; Parturition*

No abstract available.
Decompression* ; Ossification of Posterior Longitudinal Ligament*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of interleukin (IL)-1beta on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 expression in cochlea and regulation of IL-1beta-mediated MMP-9 expression by dexamethasone and the molecular and signaling mechanisms involved. METHODS: House ear institute-organ of Corti 1 (HEI-OC1) cells were used and exposed to IL-1beta with/without dexamethasone. Glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, RU486, was used to see the role of dexamethasone. PD98059 (an extracellular signal-regulated kinases [ERKs] inhibitor), SB203580 (a p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases [MAPK] inhibitor), SP600125 (a c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK] inhibitor) were also used to see the role of MAPKs signaling pathway(s) in IL-1beta-induced MMP-9 expression in HEI-OC1 cells. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and gelatin zymography were used to measure mRNA expression level of MMP-9 and activity of MMP-9, respectively. RESULTS: Treatment with IL-1beta-induced the expression of MMP-9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. IL-1beta (1 ng/mL)-induced MMP-9 expression was inhibited by dexamethasone. Interestingly, p38 MAPK inhibitor, SB203580, significantly inhibited IL-1beta-induced MMP-9 mRNA and MMP-9 activity. However, inhibition of JNKs and ERKs had no effect on the IL-1beta-induced MMP-9 expression. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1beta strongly induces MMP-9 expression via activation of p38 MAPK signaling pathway in HEI-OC1 cells and the induction was inhibited by dexamethasone.
Cochlea ; Dexamethasone* ; Ear ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; Gelatin ; Interleukin-1beta ; Interleukins ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9* ; Mifepristone ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; Receptors, Glucocorticoid ; RNA, Messenger

No abstract available.
Cardiomyopathies* ; Peripartum Period*

PURPOSE: Vitamin B12 (VB12) deficiency is an inevitable sequela of a total gastrectom, which results in general symptoms, including easy fatigue, and hematological, neurological, and gastrointestinal complications. Especially in cases of neurological injury, it may be irreVersible if the timely treatment is delayed. Therefore the early diagnosis and treatment is essential. However, no guidelines exist for the incidence or treatments. METHODS: We investigated the symptoms and serum VB12 concentrations of 296 patients who underwent a total gastrectomy for a gastric malignancy. We defined 200~300 pg/ml as the mild decrease group, under 200 pg/ml as the severe decrease group, and over 300 pg/ml as the normal limit. RESULTS: The cumulative incidence of VB12 deficiency were 5.1, 11.2, 29.9, 44.7, 64.5% at 6 month, 1, 2 and 3 years, and at 4 or more years, respectively. The 90% of patients reported at least 1 symptom. The group under 200 pg/ml was supplemented at 1 month intervals; 10 of the 16 patients (63%) had their VB12 elevated to above 300 pg/ml. The group between 200~300 pg/ml was supplemented at 1 or 3 month intervals; 21 out of 23 (91%), and 12 out of 15 patients (80%) had their B12 elevated to above 300 pg/ml at the 1 and 3 month intervals, respectively, but with no statistical significance. CONCLUSION: The group with a V12 under 200 pg/ml should be supplemented 6 times, at 1 month intervals, regardless of the symptom presentation, and when the rechecked serum VB12 level has been increased above 300 pg/ml, it should be supplemented at 3 month intervals. In the group with a VB12 between 200 and 300 pg/ml, the VB12 should be supplemented at 3 month intervals if the symptom is present, and the asymptomatic group should be observed.
Early Diagnosis ; Fatigue ; Gastrectomy* ; Humans ; Incidence* ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency* ; Vitamin B 12* ; Vitamins*

Transient hyperkalemia is well known to occur in man following intravenous administration of succinylcholine chloride. We studied the change of the serum potassium concentration after injection of succinylcholine in nonburn patients and electricburn patients, physical status 1 or 2 adopted by the American Society of Anesthesiologists. We compared two groups: Non-burn patient group(Group 1) as control, Electric burn patient group (Group 2) as experimental. The following results were obtained: 1) In non-burn patient group(Group 1) serum potassium concentration was slightly decreased in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th and 10th minute after succinylcholine injection compared with control, but nostatistical significance was noticed in this group. 2) In electric burn patient group (Group 2) serum potassium concentration was maximally increased compared with the controls. Statistical significance was noticed at the 2nd and 3rd minute after succinylcholine injection in this group.
Administration, Intravenous ; Burns, Electric* ; Humans ; Hyperkalemia ; Potassium ; Succinylcholine*