OBJECTIVE: In the previous study, we compiled the differentially expressed genes during early folliculogenesis.1 Objective of the present study was to identify downstream target genes of transcription factors (TFs) using bioinformatics for selecting the target TFs among the gene lists for further functional analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: By using bioinformatics tools, constituent domains were identified from database searches using Gene Ontology, MGI, and Entrez Gene. Downstream target proteins/genes of each TF were identified from database searches using TF database (TRANSFAC(R) 6.0) and eukaryotic promoter database (EPD). RESULTS: DNA binding and trans-activation domains of all TFs listed previously were identified, and the list of downstream target proteins/genes was obtained from searche of TF database and promoter database. Based on the known function of identified downstream genes and the domains, 3 (HNF4, PPARg, and TBX2) out of 26 TFs were selected for further functional analysis. The genes of wee1-like protein kinase and p21WAF1 (cdk inhibitor) were identified as potential downstream target genes of HNF4 and TBX2, respectively. PPARg, through protein-protein interaction with other protein partners, acts as a transcription regulator of genes of EGFR, p21WAF1, cycD1, p53, and VEGF. Among the selected 3 TFs, further study is in progress for HNF4 and TBX2, since wee1-like protein kinase and cdk inhibitor may involved in regulating maturation promoting factor (MPF) activity during early folliculogenesis. CONCLUSIONS: Approach used in the present study, in silico analysis of downstream target genes, was useful for analyzing list of TFs obtained from high-throughput cDNA microarray study. To verify its binding and functions of the selected TFs in early folliculogenesis, EMSA and further relevant characterizations are under investigation.
Computational Biology ; Computer Simulation* ; DNA ; Gene Ontology ; Maturation-Promoting Factor ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Protein Kinases ; Transcription Factors* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A

No abstract available.

No abstract available.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the relationship between MR changes of the nucleus pulposus and the time interval after traumatic disc herniation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: T2-weighted MR images of 132 patients with back pain and/or sciatica were reviewed. The changes of signal intensity, central cleft and height of the nucleus pulposus were used as criteria of disc degeneration and they were graded as normal, mild, moderate and severe degrees of degeneration. Putting these criteria together we provided integrated grade of degeneration of the nucleus pulposus(grade 0-3). To get the preliminary data for normal and age-related disc degeneration, we measured the disc height by age groups and disc levels and analyzed the realtionship between the age of the patients and the signal intensity, cleft and height in normal disc levels of the 132 patients. In 68 patients of 88 levels disc herniation, we analyzed the relationship between symptom duration and the degree of degeneration. Among these 68 patients we selected 14 patients(16 levels) who were under 30 years of age and had history of recent trauma to minimize data distortion from age related degeneration and ambiguity of initiation point of degeneration. In this group we analyzed the relationship between the time period after traumatic disc herniation and the degree of degeneration. RESULTS: The age of the patient had close relationship with the grade of signal intensity, central cleft, and disc height and grade of degeneration of the nucleus pulposus in normal discs. in 88 levels of herniated discs, the duration of symptom and degree of degeneration showed moderate correlation. In 14 patients of disc herniation who were under 30 years old and had trauma history in recent 2 years, grade 1 disc degeneration occured in average 3.7 months after trauma. CONCLUSION: Although it was difficult to proceed statistical analysis in the last group because of small patients number, the degree of degeneration of nucleus pulposus had close relationship with the duration after traumas or duration of symtoms.
Adult ; Back Pain ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; Sciatica

No abstract available.
Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic*

It has been known that osseous stability of the hip is dependent upon the inclination, anteversion and depth of acetabulum and also upon neck-shaft angle and anteversion of femur. Acetabulum enlarges from two different growth centers; one from the concave articular surface cartilage and the other from the triradiate cartilage. The former contributes primarily to the thickness of acetabular wall, where as, the latter to the central enlargement of the acetabular socket. Additionally the shape of acetabulum can be changed by deformity of the femoral head and neck, which can be explained by Wolff's and Hueter-Volkmann's laws. Yet there are still many factors to be clarified by clinical researchers in the future Authors in this experiment tried to clarify the role of triradiate cartilage and greater trochanteric growth plate upon the development of acetabulum. The material used for this study consiated of 30 rabbits of both sexes, aged 8 weeks. Animals were divided into 3 groups, and each group consisted of 10 rabbits In group I. hip was not injured and used as a Control: in group II, right greater trochanter with its growth plate was destructed completely; in group III, triradiate cartilage of right side was destructed. Subsequent to injury of Y cartilage ot greater trochanter with its growth plate, radiographs of the pelvis including hips were obtained weekly on each rabbit over 6 weeks period. and to evaluate the effect of injury upon the hip development acetatular angle, C-E angle, and acetabular depth and width were measured. The following results were obtained; 1. The shape of acetabulum of rabbits have showe remarable developmental changes until the 10 weeks of age after birth, but the changes became less remarkable by age of the 14 weeks. Thereafter it remained unchanged. 2. In group II, at the age of 14 weeks, compared with the values of the normal hip, the acetabular angle showed an increase of 1.9 degrees, and the center dege angle and acetabular depth showed a decrease of 3.21 degrees and 0.43mm respectirely. 3. In group III, at the age of 14 weeks, compared with the values of the normal hip, the acetabular angle increased by 18.9 degress while the center-edge angle decreased by 22.8 degrees. The acetabular depth showed a decrease of 1.81mm and the acetabular width showed an increase of 0.73mm. These observations suggest that the development of acetabulum depends largely upon the growth of triradiate cartilage, and also is affected secondarily by valgalization of femoral neck which is resulted by destruction of greater trochanteric growth cartilage.
Acetabulum ; Animals ; Cartilage ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Femur Neck ; Femur ; Growth Plate ; Head ; Hip ; Jurisprudence ; Neck ; Parturition ; Pelvis ; Rabbits

No abstract available.
Hyperthyroidism*

BACKGROUND: High dose fentanyl for cardiac surgery in neonates, infants and children can cause severe bradycardia and chest wall rigidity that result in decreased cardiac output and oxygen desaturation due to fixed stroke volume in pediatric patients. To ameliorate the effects of fentanyl, it is common to administer neuromuscular blocking drugs with wanted cardiovascular side effects. This study was designed to compare the cardiovascular variables and oxygen saturation among different muscular relaxants in high dose fentanyl anesthesia. METHODS: Thirty pediatric cardiac patients were allocated randomly into three muscle relaxant groups treated with 0.2 mg/kg pancuronium (n=10), 0.2 mg/kg vecuronium (n=10) or 0.2 mg/kg pipecuronium (n=10) after receiving an initial bolus dose of 25 g/kg of fentanyl. Changes of heart rate (HR), mean arterial blood pressure (MAP), rate-pressure-product (RPP) and oxygen saturation (SpO2) were observed. The same cardiovascular variables were also observed 1 and 2 minutes after the second bolus dose of 25 g/kg fentanyl and compared to the results among muscle relaxants. RESULTS: HR, MAP and RPP decreased significantly (p<0.05) 1 and 2 minutes after injection of the 1st fentanyl, which returned to levels above the control value after administration of pancuronium, vecuronium or pipecuronium. Among muscle relaxants, pancuronium caused the most rapid and significantly high level compared to the control value in HR and MAP. Next was pipecuronium and then vecuronium. In clinical setting, SpO2 was decreased after the 1st fentanyl injection and increased after the injection of muscle relaxants, but not significant statistically. CONCLUSION: In view of hemodynamic changes, pancuronium is most efficient and rapid in returning the hemodynamic variables that was decreased after high dose fentanyl anesthesia in neonates, infants and children whose cardiac output was dependent on HR due to relatively fixed stroke volume.
Anesthesia* ; Arterial Pressure ; Bradycardia ; Cardiac Output ; Child* ; Fentanyl* ; Heart Rate ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Infant* ; Infant, Newborn* ; Neuromuscular Blockade ; Oxygen ; Pancuronium* ; Pipecuronium* ; Stroke Volume ; Thoracic Surgery ; Thoracic Wall ; Vecuronium Bromide*

No abstract available.
Abscess* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging*

No abstract available.
DNA Topoisomerases* ; DNA*