No abstract available.
Fertilization in Vitro* ; Fertilization* ; Humans*

A patient was admitted for catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation. Cardiac computed tomography and transesophageal echocardiography revealed the absence of the left atrial appendage. However, the right atrial appendage looked normal and the level of pro B-natriuretic peptide was within normal limits. Successful catheter ablation was performed without any procedural complications and the sinus rhythm was appropriately maintained for 10 months with an antiarrhythmic drug.
Atrial Appendage* ; Atrial Fibrillation ; Catheter Ablation ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Humans

BACKGROUND: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common type of hair loss and is believed to be influenced by family history and genetic factors. However, the exact mode of inheritance has not been well characterized. Although there are some reports on the AGA prevalence in the male family members of paternal side, those of maternal side are rare. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the familial influences in AGA. METHODS: We investigated the AGA prevalence in paternal and maternal male family members (grandfathers and uncles) of 421 Korean male adults with AGA (patients group) and 412 without AGA (control group). Hair loss and family history were assessed by an independent investigator according to Hamilton's classification. RESULTS: The AGA prevalence in male family members of the patients group (30.3%) was higher than those of control groups (8.5%) (p<0.05), and AGA prevalence of paternal side was higher than those of maternal side. However, no difference was found between paternal and maternal AGA prevalence, analysed according to the age of onset and severity of AGA. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the AGA expression is influenced by familial AGA prevalence and, particularly, paternal AGA prevalence has more effect on AGA expression than maternal AGA prevalence.
Adult ; Age of Onset ; Alopecia* ; Classification ; Hair ; Humans ; Male* ; Prevalence* ; Research Personnel ; Wills

No abstract available.
Female ; Humans ; Infertility* ; Pregnancy*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Humans* ; Oocytes*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of the reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated with a xanthine(X) and xanthine oxidase (XO) system on sperm function, the change of sperm characteristics, lipid peroxidation, and DNA fragmentation in bovine spermatozoa. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ROS were produced using a combination of 100 micrometer X and 50 mU/ml XO. The ROS scavengers: superoxide dismutase (SOD)(200mu/ml) and catalase (500mu/ml) were also tested. Spermatozoa were incubated for 2 hours in BWW medium with a combination of X-XO supplemented with or without ROS scavengers at 37degrees C under 5% CO2 incubator. Sperm movement characteristics by CASA (computer-aided sperm analysis), HOST (hypoosmotic swelling test), Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction, malondialdehyde formation for the analysis of lipid peroxidation, the percentage of DNA fragmentation using the method of TdT-mediated nick end labelling (TUNEL) by flow cytometry were determined after 2 hours incubation. RESULTS: The action of ROS on bovine spermatozoa resulted in a decreased in capacity for sperm motility, Ca-ionophore induced acrosome reaction and membrane integrity, an increased in malondialdehyde formation and the percentage of sperm with DNA fragmentation. In the effects of antioxidant, catalase completely alleviated the toxic effects induced by the ROS in terms of sperm function and characteristics, however SOD exhibited no capacity to reduce the toxic effects. CONCLUSION: The ROS can induce significant damages to sperm functions and characteristics. The useful ROS scavengers can minimized the defects of sperm function and various damages of spermatozoa.
Acrosome Reaction ; Catalase ; DNA Fragmentation* ; DNA* ; Flow Cytometry ; Incubators ; Lipid Peroxidation* ; Malondialdehyde ; Membranes ; Reactive Oxygen Species* ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Xanthine Oxidase

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Cryopreservation* ; Oocytes*

No abstract available.
Animals ; Cricetinae* ; Humans ; Male* ; Ovum* ; Spermatozoa*

No abstract available.
Sperm-Ovum Interactions* ; Spermatozoa*

PURPOSE: This study was undertaken to evaluate the long term survival of pelvic chondrosarcomas, optimal reconstructive procedures and functional results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 14 primary and 3 secondary cases of pelvic chondrosarcomas. All patients had an internal pelvectomy. Resection types were the iliac wing in 4, periacetabular in 9, and there were 4 in the pubic area. Reconstructive types were: no reconstruction in 6, spacer and bone graft in 2, heat treated autogenous bone-total hip replacement arthroplasty (THRA) composite in 4, limited fusion in 2 and the remaining 3 patients had a saddle prosthesis. RESULTS: An actual and continuous disease free survival rate was 93/87% at 130 months. The overall functional score was 22.4. The score for four cases of iliac resection was 27.7, in nine cases of periacetabular it was 18.6, and in four cases of pubic lesion it was 25.5. Associated complications were dislocation of THRA in one case, two cases of infection, sciatic nerve palsy in one and one case of skin necrosis that was secondary to radiation. CONCLUSION: Chondrosarcoma of pelvis shows an excellent long term survival rate. Attempts at pseudoarthrosis rather than anatomical reconstruction in periacetabular resections with massive soft tissue damage may reduce complications and their functional results are acceptable.
Arthroplasty, Replacement, Hip ; Chondrosarcoma* ; Disease-Free Survival ; Dislocations ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Necrosis ; Pelvis* ; Prostheses and Implants ; Pseudarthrosis ; Sciatic Neuropathy ; Skin ; Survival Rate ; Transplants