Cortex mori (Morus alba L.: Sangbaikpi), the root bark of mulberry tree, has been used as an antiphlogistic, diuretic, and expectorant in herbal medicine. Previous studies have demonstrated that the phenolic extract of Cortex mori have hypotensive, hypoglycemic, antifungal, antiviral, antiinflammatory, and anticancer effects, and the hot water extract from Cortex mori has inhibitory effects on compound 48/80- induced mast cell degranulation and histamine release from rat peritoneal mast cells (RPMCs). This study was perforrned to investigate the effects of polysaccharide fraction from Cortex mori (PFCM) on compound 48/80-induced degranulation, histamine release, calcium influx, changes of intracellular cAMP and cGMP level, and morphological changes of RPMCs. The results were summarized as follows. 1) Compound 48/80-induced cytomorphological changes such as swelling, degranulation, intracellular vacuoles, and interrupted cell boundary were significantly inhibited by pretreatment with either hot water or polysaccaride fractions frorn Cortex mori (PFCM), 2) the compound 48/80-induced histamine release from RPMCs pretreated with PFCM was significantly inhibited, compared to that of control without PFCM pretreatment, 3) the PFCM inhibited remarkably the compound 48/80-induced calcium influx into the RPMCs, 4) the PFCM increased significantly the intracellular cAMP levels and decreased the intracellular cGMP levels of RPMCs, compared to those of normal control, and 5) the compound 48/80-induced cAMP levels of RPMCs pretreated with PFCM were significantly increased, compared to those of positive control without PFCM, and the compound 48/80-induced cGMP levels of RPMCs pretreated with PFCM were remarkably decreased, compared to those of positive control without PFCM. From the above results, it is suggested that PFCM have an activity to inhibit the compound 48/80-induced mast cell activation.
Animals ; Calcium ; Herbal Medicine ; Histamine Release ; Mast Cells* ; Morus ; Phenol ; Rats ; Trees ; Vacuoles ; Water

XO/XY mosaicism is frequently observed in the most patients with mixed gonadal dysgenesis. Mixed gonadal dysgenesis is a condition of Intersexuality characterized by asymmetric gonads or ambiguous genitalia or both. The external genitalia are always masculinized to some extent, on occasion represent a hypospadias as a common genetic form of a mixed gonadal dysgenesis. The disorder probably results from a cytogenic error that occurs early in embryogenesis. Phenotypic males with mixed gonadal dysgenesis have a high risk of developing gonadal tumors. We describe a case of hypospadias with a unilateral testis and XO/XY chromosome complement that is considered as a mixed gonadal dysgenesis.
Chromosome Aberrations* ; Complement System Proteins ; Disorders of Sex Development ; Embryonic Development ; Female ; Genitalia ; Gonadal Dysgenesis, Mixed ; Gonads ; Humans ; Hypospadias* ; Male ; Mosaicism ; Pregnancy ; Testis

The incidence of colorectal cancer has been increased gradually and it was about 6.9% of all malignancies in Korea. Early diagnosis was recognized as the most important factor influencing the prognosis of colorectal cancer and the incidence of early colorectal cancer was increasing. Thus great change was observed in the treatment of early colorectal cancer, endoscopic therapy as well as curative surgical resection is being accepted. We report a case of effective and safe endoscopic therapy for early rectal cancer in 5S-year-old male patient. He presented with rectal prolapse and bleeding of a year's duration. A large polypoid mass with fine nodular surface and thick, short stalk was seen in the rectum at 4cm above the anal verge during flexible sigmoidoscopy. After the histologic examination of specimen obtained by bite biopsy, CT scan of pelvic cavity and ultrasonogram of abdomen, the tumor was removed safe and completely by 2 sessions of piecemeal polypectomies and strip biopsy. He has been well without symptoms and signs of recurrence of rectal cancer for 20 months.
Abdomen ; Biopsy* ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; Early Diagnosis ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Prognosis ; Rectal Neoplasms* ; Rectal Prolapse ; Rectum ; Recurrence ; Sigmoidoscopy ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Ultrasonography

As the number of long-term survivors is increasing with recent advances of anticancer chemotherapeutics, the late toxic effects of anticancer agents are assuming increased importance. Many young men who have been successfully treated with antineoplastic agents develop azoospermia which persist long after cessation of treatment. Post-pubertal sexual development and spermatogenesis are often unaffected in males who have received chemotherapy before puberty. On the basis of this observation and from animal studies it has been suggested that chemotherapy-induced damage to spermatogenesis can be avoided or at least reduced by the induction of a "resting state" of the testes. This can be achieved by analogues of LH-RH or medroxyprogesterone acetate. The aim of present study was to evaluate protective effect from doxorubicin-induced testicular damage with medroxyprogesterone acetate in rats. 1. Comparing with control group, body weight was not changed in medroxyprogesterone acetate treated group. The rats which received doxorubicin displayed significant weight loss. Body weight was decreased more significantly in group III (doxorubicin only administration) than in group IV (medroxyprogesterone acetate and doxorubicin administrational(p <0.001) 2. Testicular weight was markedly decreased by medroxyprogesterone acetate injection but the weight was increased gradually after cessation of administration. In group III and group IV, testicular weights were also decreased markedly, but there was no difference between two groups(p <0.5 ). 3. Sperm head count was reduced with medroxyprogesterone acetate administration but the count was increased gradually after cessation of administration. In group III and group IV sperm head counts were also decreased but more significantly reduced in group III.( <0.005). 4. Repopulation index was diminished with medroxyprogesterone acetate administration up to medical castration level but repopulation index was returned to nearly normal after cessation of administration. In group III and group IV, repopulation indices were also diminished but more significantly diminished in group III.( p <0.005) With above results we can suggest that temporary interruption of the pituitary gonadal axis with medroxyprogesterone acetate may ameliorate the gonadal toxicity of doxorubicin therapy.
Adolescent ; Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; Axis, Cervical Vertebra ; Azoospermia ; Body Weight ; Castration ; Doxorubicin* ; Drug Therapy ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; Gonads ; Humans ; Male ; Medroxyprogesterone Acetate* ; Medroxyprogesterone* ; Puberty ; Rats* ; Sexual Development ; Sperm Head ; Spermatogenesis ; Survivors ; Testis ; Weight Loss ; Weights and Measures ; Withholding Treatment

This study was carried out in order to examine the urinary excretion of electrolytes (Na, K) and their relationship with blood pressure, and to estimate the amount of daily salt intake in a rural community. From January to March in 1987, a mobile screening team visited 40 villages, and carried out health screening of 537 adult volunteers whose age were over 30 years and collected 12-hours overnight urine. To determine the completeness of collection, the urinary creatinine was measured. If the creatinine excretion was beyond the range given to the age group, the sample was excluded from the analysis as an imcomplete collection; 345 samples were remained for analysis. This study revealed the following results. 1. The mean excretion amounts of urinary electrolytes for 12 hours were Na 193.5 mEq, K 20.8 mEq, creatinine 1.0 g. The mean ratio of electrolytes were Na/K 9.84, Na/creatinine 0.44, K/creatinine 0.046. 2. Both the mean excretion amount of K and the mean ratio of K/creatinine were less in hypertensives than in normotensives. K excretion also showed a tendency towards a decrease in inverse proportion to systolic blood pressure when it exceeded 120 mmHg. There was no significant difference between the hypertensives and normotensives in Na excretion. The sodium to potassium ratio increased in proportion to systolic blood pressure. 3. The meand daily salt excretion amount was 22.4 g. Assuming that 90% of the intake was excreted, the estimated amount of daily salt intake was 24.9 g.
Adult ; Blood Pressure ; Creatinine ; Electrolytes ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Mass Screening ; Potassium ; Rural Population ; Sodium ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND: Residual and recurrent bile duct stones after biliary surgery cause many difficult problems. and reoperation on biliary tract has limitation due to its high morbidity and mortality. In recent years, various non-operative modalities for management in residual and recurrent stone have been developed. METHODS: We analyzed 69 cases of residual and recurrent bile duct stones which were managed with non-operative modalities at the Department of surgery, Dae Dong Hospital from Jan. 1994 to Dec. 1997, and evaluated the efficacy of these modalities. RESULTS: Female exceeded male with a ratio 1.76:1. and the peak incidence of age group was 6th decade. The most common diagnostic procedure was T-tube cholangiography (53.6%). Interval between previous operation and second procedure for residual or recurrent stones was within 6 months in most cases (82%). Cholecystectomy with T-tube choledochostomy was performed most frequently in previous operation. Residual and recurrent stones were found only at common bile duct in 34 cases (49.3%) most commonly. Common bile duct stones were managed most frequently with endoscopic sphincterotomy (39.5%), but the complete removal rate was heighest in choledochoscopic stone removal (100%). Complete removal rate of intrahepatic duct stone was heighest with interventional radiologic stone removal as well as choledochoscopic stone removal (43.6%), but average number of session was smaller in choledochoscopic stone removal (2.5) than interventional radiologic stone removal (3.5). Associated complication with non-operative management modalities were very low, except three cases of hepaticocutaneous jejunostomy. The latter required reoperation due to continuous bile fistula in two cases, and long jejunal loop in one case. CONCLUSIONS: Choledochoscopic stone removal is most effective method in the management of residual and recurrent bile duct stones.
Bile Ducts* ; Bile* ; Biliary Tract ; Cholangiography ; Cholecystectomy ; Choledochostomy ; Common Bile Duct ; Female ; Fistula ; Humans ; Incidence ; Jejunostomy ; Male ; Methods ; Mortality ; Reoperation ; Sphincterotomy, Endoscopic

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to investigate direct care stress and job satisfaction in home care nurses. METHOD: Subjects were 139 home care nurses of hospitals in urban cities. Data was collected by a self report questionnaire. Direct care stress was measured by Community Health Nurses Perceptions of Work-Related Stressors Questionnaire. Job satisfaction was measured by a visual analogue scale. RESULTS: The average score of direct care stress was 60.4. There were significantly high direct care stress in those who had less than that 3 years experience than in their counterparts. The average score of job satisfaction was 79.5. There were significant high job satisfaction in those who willingly chose to work. Direct care stress negatively correlated with the length of office experience of the home care nurse. CONCLUSION: A direct care educational program should be developed for those who have less than 3 years experience to decrease their stress level.
Home Care Services* ; Job Satisfaction* ; Nurses, Community Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self Report

Bacillus anthracis is a soil pathogen capable of causing anthrax in animals and humans. To establish a method for specifically detecting B. anthracis, we used nested polymerase chain reaction. Outer and inner sets of oligonucleotide primers were designed from the protective antigen (pag) gene and from the cya gene of the plasmid pXO1. Ainplification of 482 bp or 208 bp DNA fragment obtained from a nested PCR method provided the basis for rapid and reliable assay for the detection and identification of B. anthracis.
Animals ; Anthrax ; Bacillus anthracis* ; Bacillus* ; DNA ; DNA Primers ; Humans ; Plasmids ; Polymerase Chain Reaction* ; Soil

A retrospective analysis of 9 patients of bladder tumor who underwent total cystectomy in the Department of Urology. Kyung Hee University Hospital, during the period from May, 1977 to April, 1981. The results were as follows: 1. The age of the patients ranged from 52 to 65 years, the average age 59.8 years, and male to female ratio was 7 to 2. 2. Hematuria was the most commonly found in 9 patients, frequency in 5 patients, and dysuria in 3 patients. 3. Errors in clinical staging were also common-1 case was overstaged, 3 cases understaged, 3 cases corresponded and 2 casts inadequate for the clinical staging, but the pathologic grade proved to be equal that estimated from the 2 cases of transurethral biopsy. 4. There were 8 cases of total cystectomy and 1 case of radical cystectomy, the methods of urinary diversion and remodeling of urinary tract were ileal conduit in 6 cases, bilateral cutaneous ureterostomy in 3 cases. 5. Operative death was none but the complications were followed by total cystectomy and urinary diversion in 8 cases as wound disruption, pneumonia, atelectasis, irritation dermatitis, vaginal vault bleeding, pyelonephritis, stromal stricture, stricture of ureteroileal anastomosis site and delayed wound healing.
Biopsy ; Constriction, Pathologic ; Cystectomy* ; Dermatitis ; Dysuria ; Female ; Hematuria ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Pneumonia ; Pulmonary Atelectasis ; Pyelonephritis ; Retrospective Studies ; Ureterostomy ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urinary Diversion ; Urinary Tract ; Urology ; Wound Healing ; Wounds and Injuries

Recurrence in patients with superficial bladder tumor is a serious problem. In one series, the recurrence rate was 73%, and invasive cancer developed in 10% of patients with recurrences. To eliminate or reduce the rate of recurrence, topical chemotherapy has been tried and showed adjunct effects. We studied to evaluate prophylactic effects of topical chemotherapy in 51 patients with superficial bladder tumor admitted to the Department of Urology, Kyung Hee University Hospital during the period from April, 1979 to April, 1984. Patients were divided into 2 groups. Group A comprised 19 patients (Adriamycin; 8, Thio-TEPA; 11) treated with topical chemotherapy following initial TUR and 27 patients treated by TUR only. Group B comprised 5 patients treated with topical chemotherapy (Adriamycin) after repeated TUR and 7 patients among 27 patients who had repeated TUR for recurrence. Patients treated by TUR only were defined as control group. Recurrence rate was analyzed in each group. Following results were obtained. 1. In group A, recurrence rate was 2.54 in patients with chemotherapy comparing to 3.35 in control patients. Average interval of recurrence was 39.3 months in chemotherapy patients and 29.8 months in control patients. 2. In group B, recurrence rate was higher in chemotherapy patients than in control patients with rate of 6.6 and 5.3, respectively. But recurrence rate was diminished to 6.6 after chemotherapy comparing to pre-chemotherapy period (10.3). 3. There was no difference in recurrence rate relating to multiplicity of tumor as a whole.
Drug Therapy* ; Humans ; Recurrence ; Thiotepa ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms* ; Urinary Bladder* ; Urology