The present study was designed to define the role of prostaglandin in the development and hatching of mouse embryo. The effects of indomethacin, an inhibitor of prostaglandin synthesis, on the development and hatching of morula and blastocyst were examined. In early morula stage, embryos were degenerated significantly at 100 muM and 200 muM indomethacin. However, :he viability of embryos was not influenced by concentration in any other embryonic stages. In all embryonic stages, the hatching was suppressed with concentration dependent manner, but expansion was not suppressed. Particularly, in 84h embryos post hCG injection, the hatching was suppressed significantly compared with post hCG 72h or 96h embryos. When embryos were treated with 100 muM indomethacin for a specific time (12h) in according to the development stage, the hatching was suppressed all groups. These suppressional effect was decreased as embryonic development stage was progressed. However, the expansion was not affected in all treatment group. This study suggests that hatching-related metabolic substances are synthesized from morula stage and intraembryonic signaling mediated prostaglandin was important for development and hatching of mouse embryo.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Embryonic Development ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Indomethacin* ; Mice* ; Morula ; Pregnancy

We present a case of medial malleolus and deltoid ligament loss with extensive overlying soft tissue defect from crushing injury. The resultant gross medial ankle instability necessitated deltoid ligament reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon graft.
Ankle ; Child ; Humans ; Ligaments ; Patella ; Patellar Ligament ; Tendons ; Transplants

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) on expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2, 9 (MMP-2, 9) mRNA in mouse embryos. Materials and METHOD: From October 1997 to December 1998, morula stage mouse embryos were cultured for 48 hours with G-CSF and GM-CSF at concentrations of 0.1 pg/ml, 1 pg/ml, 10 pg/ml, 100 pg/ml, 1 ng/ml and 10 ng/ml, respectively. Embryos not treated with G-CSF or GM-CSF were served as control. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) has been used to examine the expression of MMP-2, 9 mRNA in developed blastocysts. Following reverse transcription, strategically designed nested primers, optimized for specificity, were used for amplification from the cDNA equivalent of a single embryo. The products were then verified by restriction enzyme digestion and sequence analysis. Results were analyzed with Kolmogorov-Smirnov test and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The statistical significance was defined as p< 0.05. RESULTS: The relative quantities (relative volume x intensity) of MMP-2 mRNA expressed in embryos of all G-CSF treatment groups were significantly increased than in the control, especially in 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment groups. The relative quantities of MMP-2 mRNA in all GM-CSF treatment groups were also significantly increased than in the control, especially in 100 pg/ml treatment group. The relative quantities of MMP-9 mRNA of all GM-CSF treatment groups except 10 ng/ml group were significantly increased than in the control, especially 10, 100 pg/ml and 1 ng/ml treatment group. However, the relative quantity of MMP-9 mRNA was significantly increased in only 10 ng/ml G-CSF treatment group than in the control and other treatment groups. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that G-CSF and GM-CSF may increase the m-RNA expression of MMP-2 or 9 in mouse blastocysts with the concentration-specific manner.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Colony-Stimulating Factors* ; Digestion ; DNA, Complementary ; Embryonic Structures* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor* ; Granulocytes* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2* ; Mice* ; Morula ; Reverse Transcription ; RNA, Messenger ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sequence Analysis

By implementing epoch-making policies of industrial promotion, the national economy has made a remarkable development. As a result of such economic growth, industrial accidents and occupational diseases have become a serious problem in Korean society. In the presidential order for the execution of the Korean labor standard law, neuritis and other diseases stemming from health impairments due to vibration in industrial processes are designated to be dealt with as vibration diseases. In the case of vibration disease, industrial accident compensation is not effectively paid. In order to investigate vibration hazards of rock-drill operators, the author studied subjective symptoms and did physical function tests on a total of 208 persons (vibration exposed group), who used rock-drills, and 115 persons (control group) who are not using rock-drills at anthracite mines. The results of physical function test are as follows. 1. There is no difference in smoking habits between the vibration exposure group and the control group. 2. In the use of their ear plugs, both the vibration exposed group and the control group showed a low tendency in using the ear plugs. 3. In the prevalence rate of white finger, the vibration exposed group reached 12.5 percent, but only 0.9 percent in the control group. Thus, both groups showed different rates in the initiation of their illness (p < 0.01). 4. The prevalence rate of finger numbness for the vibration exposed group was 23.1 percent, but only 9.6 percent in control group (p < 0.05). 5. In the prevalence rate of insomnia, the vibration exposed group had 22.6 percent and the control group 9.6 percent. Thus, the vibration exposure group showed a higher rate than the control group (p < 0.05). 6. In the vibration sense threshold, the vibration exposed group showed a statistically higher level than the control group (p < 0.01). 7. In the mean value of skin temperature, the control group was higher than the vibration exposed group (p < 0.05). 8. In the amount of perspiration, the exposed group measured higher than the control group (p < 0.01).
Adult ; Coal Mining* ; Human ; Middle Age ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology* ; Occupational Diseases/physiopathology ; Raynaud's Disease/epidemiology ; Sensory Thresholds ; Smoking ; Vibration/adverse effects*

One of the key factors of early development is the specification of competence between the oocyte and the sperm, which occurs during gametogenesis. However, the starting point, growth, and maturation for acquiring competence during spermatogenesis and oogenesis in mammals are very different. Spermatogenesis includes spermiogenesis, but such a metamorphosis is not observed during oogenesis. Glycosylation, a ubiquitous modification, is a preliminary requisite for distribution of the structural and functional components of spermatids for metamorphosis. In addition, glycosylation using epididymal or female genital secretory glycans is an important process for the sperm maturation, the acquisition of the potential for fertilization, and the acceleration of early embryo development. However, nonemzymatic unexpected covalent bonding of a carbohydrate and malglycosylation can result in falling fertility rates as shown in the diabetic male. So far, glycosylation during spermatogenesis and the dynamics of the plasma membrane in the process of capacitation and fertilization have been evaluated, and a powerful role of glycosylation in spermatogenesis and early development is also suggested by structural bioinformatics, functional genomics, and functional proteomics. Further understanding of glycosylation is needed to provide a better understanding of fertilization and embryo development and for the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic tools for infertility.
Acceleration ; Birth Rate ; Cell Membrane ; Computational Biology ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Fertilization ; Gametogenesis ; Genomics ; Glycosylation* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Male ; Mammals ; Mental Competency ; Oocytes ; Oogenesis ; Polysaccharides ; Pregnancy ; Proteomics ; Sperm Maturation ; Spermatids ; Spermatogenesis ; Spermatozoa*

OBJECTIVES: To examine the in vitro interactions of blastocyst attachment using type I collagen. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ICR mice were used and follicular growth was stimulated by pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin. On day 4 of pregnancy, the uteri were removed and blastocysts were flushed. Mixtures of 1mL sterile water, 0.5mL DMEM, 2mL type collagen solution and 0.5mL 0.1M NaOH were prepared and transferred to an incubator where the collagen solution polymerized. Blastocysts were transferred to dishes previously coated with type I collagen. CMRL 1066 was used as the basic culture medium. It was supplemented with 1mM glutamine and 1mM sodium pyruvate plus 50 IU/ml penicillin and 50 mg/ml streptomycin. During the first 4 days the culture medium was supplemented with 20% fetal calf serum and thereafter with 20% heat inactivated human cord serum. All blastocysts were initially cultured for 2 days without media change. After 2 days, fresh medium was renewed daily. The stages of embryo growth were examined and recorded everyday under a dissecting microscope and classified according to the standard in vivo criteria set forth by Witschi. RESULTS: By 48h, nearly all blastocysts had attached to the surface of collagen pad. Following adhesion to the collagen pad, the blastocysts maintained their 3-dimensional integrity in contrast to control. The embryos in collagen pad were not flattening and kept polarity and spherical shape during culture. The polar trophoblast invaded the type I collagen downward unlike the horizontal growth in control. In the developmental stage of mouse blastocyst, there were significant differences between control and type I collagen group during day 4 and 5 culture. CONCLUSION: Blastocyst development was better in type I collagen group than control. Therefore, in vitro culture study using type I collagen could provide improved model for the establishment of blastocyst implantation study.
Animals ; Blastocyst ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; Collagen ; Collagen Type I* ; Embryo Implantation ; Embryonic Structures* ; Female ; Glutamine ; Gonadotropins ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Incubators ; Mice* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Penicillins ; Polymers ; Pregnancy ; Pyruvic Acid ; Sodium ; Streptomycin ; Trophoblasts ; Uterus ; Water

There are many methods in reconstruction for skin defect in hand and forearm. Among them, reverse ulnar artery forearm flap has several advantages which are versatile, safe and convenient flap. We report 6 cases of our experiences.
Forearm Injuries ; Forearm ; Hand ; Skin ; Ulnar Artery

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Despite aggressive medical therapy and previous endoscopic sinus surgery, there are a subset of patients suffering from recalcitrant, persistent chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis which results from impaired mucocilliary clearance caused by long-standing inflammation. The corresponding patients underwent our newly devised Modified Inferior Meatal Mega-Antrostomy (Modified IMMA). The objective of this study was to review the clinical efficacy and complication after Modified IMMA in patients who had suffered from intractable maxillary sinusitis after endoscopic sinus surgery. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Fourteen patients suffering from recalcitrant chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis underwent Modified IMMA between May 2010 and April 2013. The mean follow-up period was an average of about 13 months and regular intervals of postoperative 3-, 6-, 9-, 12-months were set. A retrospective review was performed to analyze the preoperative & postoperative Visual Analogue Scale score (VAS score) and Lund-Kennedy endoscopy score at each interval. VAS scores and endoscopic findings were processed statistically at the time of third postoperative month. The exclusion criteria were an obstructed ostiums, osteitis, systemic disease such as Ig A/G immunodeficiency, primary ciliary dyskinesia. RESULTS: The postoperative VAS scores and Lund-Kennedy scores, when compared with those prior to Modified IMMA, decreased from 16.5 to 2.5 and 5.0 to 1.0, respectively. Also, there was no serious complication or recurrence associated with the procedures. CONCLUSION: Our newly devised Modified IMMA could be a much effective option for surgical treatments in patients with recalcitrant chronic isolated maxillary sinusitis.
Endoscopy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Inflammation ; Maxillary Sinus ; Maxillary Sinusitis ; Osteitis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Stress, Psychological

BACKGROUND: Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1AT) deficiency is the only established genetic resk factor for emphysema. This study was undertaken to investigate the prevalence of the genotypes of A1AT genotypes in healthy Koreans. METHOD: The study population consisted of 380 healthy Koreans enrolled at the Health Promotion Center in Kyungpook National University Hospital. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphim (RFLP) for detecting the A1AT variants M1(Ala), M1(Val), M2, S and Z were used. RESULTS: The genotypes of subjects were as follows : M1(Val)/M1(Val), 254(66.8%) ; M1(Val)/M2, 105(27.6%) ; M2/M2, 19 (5.0%) ; and M1(Val)/M1(Ala), 2 (0.5%). There was no case with 'deficiency' alleles such as S and Z found in this study. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that A1AT deficient alleles are either extremely rare or not present in Koreans.
Alleles ; Emphysema ; Genotype* ; Gyeongsangbuk-do ; Health Promotion ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether frozen-thawed testicular sperm obtained from men with azoospermia could serve as an efficacious sperm source for intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) by comparing to the results of ICSI using fresh testicular sperm. METHODS: From January 1997 to March 1999, 41 patients with azoospermia who underwent ICSIs using fresh and/or frozen-thawed testicular sperm were included in the study. In 23 patients of 41, fresh testicular sperm was left after ICSI and therefore remaining testicular sperm was frozen and frozen testicular sperm was used in next ICSI cycles. The results of ICSI were compared in frozen-thawed testicular sperm (frozen-thawed group, 30 cycles) versus fresh testicular sperm (fresh group, 39 cycles). RESULTS: The number of fertilized oocytes, grade I/II embryos, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate were comparable in the frozen-thawed and fresh groups. There were also no differences in the miscarriage rate and multiple pregnancy rate between the two groups. In patient group with obstructive azoospermia, there were no significant differences in the number of fertilized oocytes, grade I/II embryos, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate between the two groups. In patient group with non-obstructive azoospermia, all parameters of results of ICSI were comparable in both groups. In each non-obstructive azoospermic patient group with mixed motile/immotile sperm and patient group with only immotile sperm, there were also no significant differences in the number of fertilized oocytes, grade I/II embryos, fertilization rate, clinical pregnancy rate between the frozen-thawed and fresh groups. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that using frozen-thawed and fresh testicular sperm gives rise to comparable results after ICSI irrespective of the status of sperm in patients with obstructive or non-obstructive azoospermia.
Abortion, Spontaneous ; Azoospermia* ; Embryonic Structures ; Female ; Fertilization ; Humans ; Male ; Oocytes ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Pregnancy, Multiple ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic* ; Spermatozoa*