No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Adolescent* ; Humans ; Male*

We report a family suffering from Marie Unnas hypotrichosis (8 members affected in 4 generations). At birth they had normal hairs, subsequently loss of hair on the scalp, eyebrow and eyelash. At about 3rd years, coarse twisted scalp hair regrow until puberty when progressive loss from vertex and scalp margin was noticed. On physical examination and lsboratory studies, there was no associated abnormality in the patients. The scanning electron microscopic examination of the affected hair showed cuticular peeling and twisting or angulation of hair shaft.
Adolescent ; Eyebrows ; Hair ; Humans ; Hypotrichosis* ; Parturition ; Physical Examination ; Puberty ; Scalp

We report a case of papillary eccrine adenoma occurring in a 39-year-old male who had a walnut sized, firm nodule on the right knee without subjective symptoms. Histopathologic exammination revealed a well circumscribed, non-capsulated dermal nodule consisting of multiple ducts with various sizes. These ducts were composed of double layered epithelial cells in most areas, but in some areas severe intraluminal papillation snd pseudostratification into the lumen were seen and the lumina were filled with a homogenous eosinophilic substance and partially with calcium deposition. Immunohistochemical studies with S-100 antigen and csrcinoembryonic sntigen (CEA) were also performed. Positivity for these sntigens strongly supports the hypothesis that this unusual neoplasm differentiates toward the eccrine secretory coil.
Adenoma* ; Adult ; Calcium ; Eosinophils ; Epithelial Cells ; Humans ; Juglans ; Knee ; Male

No abstract available.
Common Variable Immunodeficiency* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To compare the outcomes of a method of assigning patients to a vaginal or laparoscopically assisted vaginal approach to hysterectomy. METHOD: Hysterectomy is the most common gynecologic operation. A clinical evaluation was attempted to analyze 100 cases of LAVH which was performed at St. Paul hospital from May 1997 to March 2000, and to compare them with 100 cases of vaginal hysterectomy at the same hospital. we used simple electrosurgical technique without using the disposable staples and other instruments. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients for LAVH was 46.18 years and that of VTH was 50.23 years. The most common indication for LAVH and VTH was Myoma uteri. The mean Hb change in LAVH was 2.15 and the Hb change of VTH was 2.17. The mean operative time of LAVH was 142.96 minutes and that of VTH was 77.06 minutes. The mean weight of uterus for LAVH was 221g and the mean weight of VTH was 182 g. The total percentage of urinary tract injury for LAVH was 3 % and that for VTH was 2 %. CONCLUSION: VTH, if possible, must be considered as a primary choice since it is were efficient than LAVH in cost, cosmetic aspects and complications. Further LAVH may be replaced with a laparotomy for hysterectomy in case of an insufficient operational experience, a previous abdominal operation hystory and the incapability of being indicated for VTH.
Female ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Hysterectomy, Vaginal* ; Laparotomy ; Myoma ; Operative Time ; Urinary Tract ; Uterus

It is highly desirable to achieve optimal reproductive performance, reliable morphological and physiological basic data of the reproductive organs. Therefore, seasonal changes in serum testosterone, LH, and FSH concentrations, and morphological changes in testicular epithelial cells were studied in the Korean native pheasant throughout the annual cycle. Mature male pheasants[14-16 months after hatching] were used in this study. The general morphological changes of the epithelia of the seminiferous tubules were observed by dibasic stain, and semithin section from Epon blocks with a phase contrast microscopy. The ultrastructural changes of the the epithelia of the seminiferous tubules were investigated by ultrathin section with transmission electron microscope. The changes in the profiles of the serum FSH, LH, and testosterone concentratioins were measured by RIA[radioimmunoassay]. The results obtained are summarized as follows : 1. There was little variation in the average diameter of the seminiferous tubules from autumn[67.13+/-5.95micrometer] to winter[68.59+/-6.07micrometer], but the highest levels were reached in spring[192.78+/-41.58micrometer]. Thereafter, the diameter decreased slowly in summer[146.57+/-43.68micrometer], then decreased significantly in autumn[67.13+/-5.95micrometer]. 2. Serum testosterne concentration was low from autumn[13.+/-7.21ng/100ml] to winter[17.39+/-13.75ng/100ml], but the highest levels were reached in spring[127.72+/-66.47 ng/100ml]. Thereafter, the concentration was lowest in autumn[13.+/-7.21ng/100ml]. 3. Serum LH concentration increased slowly and linealy from autumn[5.04+/-1.04ng/100ml] to winter[6.23+/-1.08ng/100ml], but the highest levels were reached in spring[11.3+/-3.6 ng/100ml]. Thereafter, the concentration reached the lowest level in autumn[5.04+/-1.04 ng/100ml]. 4. Serum FSH concentration was low from autumn[4.65+/-0.63ng/100ml] to winter[4.2+/-0.98ng/100ml], but the highest levels were reached in spring[17.41+/-8.35ng/100ml]. Thereafter, concentration was the lowest in autumn[4.65+/-0.63ng/100ml]. 5. The seminiferous tubules showed the onset of the spermatongenic cycle in spring but the seminiferous tubules collected in summer exhibited partially degenerative changes. 6. The cytoplasmic process of Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules of the pheasant were collected in summer. Many vesicles and degeneratiye changes were included but many number of spermatozoa were embedded partially in the multivesicular bodies in these processes. 7. The diameter of the seminiferous tubules of the pheasant narrowed markedly in autumn, and atrophied in winter. The spermatogonia and Sertoli cells were arranged in monolayer. 8. The myelin figures in the cytoplasmic process of Sertoli cells of the seminiferous tubules of the pheasant in autumn. The nucleus of the Sertoli cells were of a round configuration elongated and oriented perpendicularly to the basement membrane. The results obtained provide basic data for reproductive physiology and are useful for studying the male genital organs of the Korean native pheasant. Structural changes of the seminiferous epithelial cells significantly and postively correlated with serum FSH, LH. The correlation of changes in the hormonal status with alterations of Sertoli cell organells precedes the breeding season.
Basement Membrane ; Breeding ; Cytoplasm ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelium* ; Genitalia, Male ; Humans ; Male ; Microscopy, Phase-Contrast ; Multivesicular Bodies ; Myelin Sheath ; Physiology ; Seasons* ; Seminiferous Tubules* ; Sertoli Cells ; Spermatogonia ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone*

Nocodazole is an anticancer agent that acts on microtubules or filaments. HeLa, Hep G2, A549, L929 and NIH/3T3 cell lines were cultivated in alpha-MEM with 3micrometer or 30micrometer nocodazole. To elucidate the associations between nocodazole`s antitumor actions and these effects, the influences of nocodazole on the cellular morphology and the organelles involving synthesis, secretion and destruction of proteins were investigated under light and electron microscopes. The changes of intermediate filaments such as pancytokeratins and vimentins that maybe suggest antimetastatic action of nocodazole were observed using immunocytochemical technique, PAP at light microscopic level. Rounded or micronucleate cells were induced by treatment with 3micrometer and 30micrometer nocodazole for 2 hours to 4 days. Multimicronucleate cells appeared in experimental groups of all cell lines. Nuclear foldings occurred in cells of experimental groups treated with nocodazole for 2-3 days. The numerical increases of rough endoplasmic reticulum were observed in HeLa cells treated with nocodazole for 3 days and the dilatation or numerical increases in L929 cells treated with nofodazole for 1-3 days. The fragmentations or dispersion of Golgi complex were observed in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The amount of filaments increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The number of lysosomes increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. The number of liposomes also increased in Hep G2 cells treated with 30micrometer nocodazole for 3 days and in 3micrometer & 30micrometer, 3 days group of 3T3 cells. The amount of pancytokeratins and vimentins increased in cells treated with nocodazole for 1-3 days. Taken together, depolymerization of microlubules was induced by nocodazole, and then the organization of cells was disintegrated. As a result, the rounded cells, the cells having multimicronuclei, and the changes of golgi complexes occurred. But there were relatively no great changes of rough endoplasmic reticulum. The amount of intermediate filaments that maintain the differentiated states of cells increased by nocodazole treatment. It was suggested that morphological changes of cells could be used in evaluation of actions of nocodazole. Especially, the increase of amount of intermediate filaments by nocodazole changed cells of each cell line from undifferentiated state to differentiated, and therefore the author hope that the changes in amount of intermediate filaments provide an important clue in anticancer and antimetastatic actions of nocodazole.
3T3 Cells ; Animals ; Cell Line ; Dilatation ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Rough ; Golgi Apparatus ; HeLa Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hope ; Humans ; Intermediate Filaments ; Liposomes ; Lysosomes ; Mice ; Microtubules ; Nocodazole* ; Organelles ; Vimentin

No abstract available.
Hearing*

OBJECTIVE: Microvascular decompression(MVD) at root exit zone(REZ) of the facial nerve has been largely popularized and it has become the standard treatment for patients with hemifacial spasm(HFS). This sturdy is performed to evaluate the efficacy of MVD over the course of time. METHODS: From 1994 to 2003, 50 patients with HFS who underwent MVD were followed up for more than 6 months. We retrospectively analyzed results with medical records and telephone researches. RESULTS: The mean age of patients at the time operation was 57.6 years and 84% of the patients were female. The mean duration of follow-up after operation was 3.4 years (range 0.5~7.8 years). One day after MVD, 54% of patients had complete relief of spasm immediately. Continuous improvements of HFS were observed during the follow-up period and these improvements were statistically significant with time (P<0.05). Until 6 months after operation, complete relief of spasm was observed in 84% of patients. The delayed relief of spasm was observed in 35.7% of our patients who experienced complete relief. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of MVD in HFS is improves with time. Continuous follow-up evaluations for the duration of more than at least 6 months after MVD are important for the decision of its clinical results because delayed relief of spasms occurs.
Facial Nerve ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemifacial Spasm* ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Microvascular Decompression Surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Spasm ; Telephone