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.
Lung Neoplasms* ; Lung*

No abstract available.
Catheters* ; Renal Dialysis*

No abstract available.
Critical Illness* ; Hemofiltration* ; Humans

Vimentin is an intermediate filament protein normally expressed in mesenchymal cells, but the evidence of the aberrant expression of vimentin in epithelial cancer cells suggests that the vimentin expression might be related to local invasiveness and metastatic potential. There have been a few previous studies on the vimentin expression in human cervical carcinogenesis using in vivo and in vitro models. We examined the immunohistochemical vimentin expression in various squamous epithelial neoplasms of the uterine cervix, including the cervical intraepithelial neoplasia group (n=25), the microinvasive squamous cell carcinoma group (n=15), the invasive squamous cell carcinoma group (n=15) and the metastatic squamous cell carcinoma group (n=8). Vimentin positivity was significantly higher in the invasive than in the intraepithelial group, and in the cases with lymph node metastasis than in those without metastasis, suggesting a relationship between the vimentin expression and progression of the uterine cervical epithelial tumors.
Carcinogenesis ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Intermediate Filaments ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial* ; Vimentin*

Cranocsynostosis is the term that designates premature fusion of one or more sutures in either the cranial vault or cranial base. Especially scaphocephaly, brachycephaly and trigonocephaly are included in simple symmetric craniosynostosis. In simple symmetric craniosynostosis, the functional deformity is rare, but deformity in external appearance is always a serious problem. The purpose of forehead reshaping in simple symmetric craniosynostosis is recovery of normal cerebral growth and improvement of cranial cosmetic problem by restoration of normal calvarial anatomic structure. Various surgical methods have Bbeen developed in an effort to correct craniosynostosis. Cranial vault remodeling with or without supraorbital band advancement is a widely accpeted method of correcting simple symmetric craniosynostosis. However, the standardized surgical method has not yet been estabilished in reshaping the forehead during cranial vault remodeling of simple symmetric craniosynostosis. The authors developed a new osteotomy method, the bull's osteotomy, which is a limited osteotomy for cranial vault remodeling. It produces posterior tilting of a prominant forehead as well as increased biparietotemporal distance for effective forehead reshaping. We applied this techriaue in 8 scaphocephaly and 2 brachycephaly patients under 5 years of age who have not yet reached bony consolidation. All patinets obtained satisfactory results with properly corrected deformity and no relapse was observed during the follow-up period. This new osteotomy method is simple and effective and a consistant surgical outcome is expected. particularly the contour of the forehead on the frontotemporal area is corrected to have a smooth and natural curvature. Based on our experience using bull's osteotomy, we offer this new surgical technique for managing simple symmetric cranoisynostosis patients.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Craniosynostoses* ; Follow-Up Studies ; Forehead* ; Humans ; Osteotomy* ; Recurrence ; Skull Base ; Sutures

No abstract available.
Gallstones* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

No abstract available.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices* ; Hypertension, Portal*

No abstract available.
Esophageal and Gastric Varices*

This study was performed to evaluate the clinical significance of SCC as a tumor marker in patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix. We measured the serum levels of SCC by radioimmunoassay in patient with invasive squamous cell carcinoma of cervix to determine the prognostic value, correlation with the presence of lymph node metastasis, response to treatment, and those value in the early detection of recurrence after treatment. The result was: 1) In 117 of 174 patients with cervical cancer, the pretreatment positive rate of SCC was 47.0%(57/117). In each stage, the stage Ia was 25.0%, Ib 26.3%, IIa 56.0%, 62.6%, III 57.1%, IV 100%, and the recurrent case was 37.5%. 2) In 79 of 174 patients with cervical cancer, the pretreatment positive rate of SCC was 44,0%(30/69) in no evidence of malignancy patients, but 60.0%(6/10) in recurrent or permanent patients(p>0.05), 3) In 133 of 174 patients with cervical cancer, the posttreatment positive rate of SCC was 2.6%(3/117) in no evidence of malignancy patients, but 50.0%(8/16) in recurrent or permanent patients(p<0.05). 4) In 48 patients of 174 with cervical cancer who underwent radical hystrectomy, the positive rate of SCC was 71.4%(5/7) in pelvic lymph node positive patients but 19,5%(8/41) in pelvic lymph node negative patients(p<0.05). We concluded that the pretreatment SCC level was not effective as a prognostic value, but well correlated with pelvic lymph node metastasis, and serial measurements of serum levels of SCC provided a reliable clue for early detection of recurrence or progression of disease, so it may be useful for monitoring cervical carcinoma patient.
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell* ; Cervix Uteri* ; Female ; Humans ; Lymph Nodes ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Radioimmunoassay ; Recurrence ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms