No abstract available.
Organization and Administration* ; Psychotherapy*

No abstract available.
Movement Disorders* ; Prevalence*

No abstract available.
Alloxan* ; Animals ; Rats*

No abstract available.
Humans*

OBJECTIVE: Immunofluorescence microscopy including confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron microscopy were used to study the production of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin in the cumulus-corona (CC) cells surrounding mature, unfertilized oocytes after ovulation in view of their presumptive importance in the coordination of the processes leading to fertilization and early embryo cleavage, including the final maturation of the ovum, the sperm-egg interaction, and the complex biochemical mechanism between the ovum and the oviduct. METHODS: Mature oocyte-cumulus complex (OCC) was cultured for 24 and 48 hour and fixed in 3.7% formaldehyde. Specimens were incubated with a mixture of primary monoclonal antibodies recognizing different epitopes of fibronectin, tenascin, and laminin, and then with a mixture of secondary antibodies containing FITC, TRITC, and Cy-5 conjugated antibodies. Observation was made by confocal laser scanning microscope equipped with epifluorescece optics. Transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the OCC at 24 and 48 hours after cultrue. RESULTS: The immunocytochemical date demonstrated that CC masses are capable of producing fibronectin and tenascin but their production is heterogeneous in the CC population. Immunoreactivity to fibronectin and tenascin was shown mostly by inner corona cells, and the intensity of immunofluorescence decreased from the central corona cells to the peripheral cumulus cells. Colocalization of fibronectin and tenascin was evident in most CC cells. Moreover, fibronectin and tenascin immunoreactive material was observed in the intracytoplasmic areas, at the plasma membrane level as well as in the extracellular matrix. Whereas, laminin immunofluorescence was found around plasma membrane and extracellular area, but a intracytoplasmic reaction was rarely observed. The distribution of laminin immunofluorescence was similar to that of fibronectin and tenascin, but in some cumulus cells, colocalization between them was not found. Ultrastructurally, cumulus cells projected numerous long, thin microvilli into the intercellular area and some micovilli penetrated into zona pellucida. The inner layer of the cumulus mass was loose arrangement of relatively uniform, small cells with widened intercellular spaces, whereas in the outer layer, cumulus cells are rather larger in size and compact arrangement by narrow, irregular spaces. A small and large linear gap junctions were easily found at cell contacts. The cytoplasm of most cells had abundant organelles typical of steroidogenesis: numerous mitochondrias, a well-developed smooth endoplasmic reticulum, electron dense lipid droplets, and bundles of microtubules and microfilaments. Rudimentary disrupted basal lamina along the cytoplasmic border was rarely seen in a few inner conora cells. CONCLUSION: Even though the functional role of these extracellular matrix proteins remains still unclear, it is reasonable to suggest that they are necessary in various steps of the reproductive process. Cumulus cells appears to be a heterogeneous and dynamic system for suitable microenviroment of fertilization. And functional differences between corona and cumulus cells during the oocyte denudation may be accounted for particular distribution of these adhesive proteins and steroidogenesis-related organelles.
Actin Cytoskeleton ; Adhesives ; Animals ; Antibodies ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; Basement Membrane ; Cell Membrane ; Cumulus Cells ; Cytoplasm ; Embryonic Structures ; Endoplasmic Reticulum, Smooth ; Epitopes ; Extracellular Matrix ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Extracellular Space ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fibronectins* ; Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Formaldehyde ; Gap Junctions ; Immunohistochemistry ; Laminin* ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Microscopy, Electron* ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Microtubules ; Microvilli ; Mitochondria ; Oocytes ; Organelles ; Oviducts ; Ovulation ; Ovum ; Sperm-Ovum Interactions ; Tenascin* ; Zona Pellucida

Fourteen cases of double chambered right ventricle were diagnosed angiographically and of these nine caseswere confirmed after operation and autopsy at Seoul National University Hospital in recent four years since 1979.The clinical and radiological findings with the emphasis on the cinecardiographic findings were analysed. Thesummaries of the analysis are as follows; 1. Among 14 cases, 6 cases were male and 8 cases were female. Agedistribution was from 4 years to 36 years. 2. In chest X-ray findings, pulmonary vascularity was increased in 8cases, decreased in 4 cases, and nomral in 2 cases. Cardiomegaly was observed in 8 cases and other showed normalheart size. 3. In cinecardiography, 11 cases had interventricular septal defect. Among these 11 cases, VSD locatedin proximal high pressusre chamber was in 2 cases and located in distal low presssure chamber was in 9 cases. 4.The location of aberrant muscle bundle in sinus portion of right ventricule was in 8 cases. In the rest cases, andaberrant muscle bundle was located below the infundibulum of right ventricle. 5. For accurate diagnosis anddifferential diagnosis with other congenital cardiac anomalies such as Tetralogy of Fallot or isolated pulmonicstenosis, biplane cineangiography and catheterization is an essential procedure.
Autopsy ; Cardiomegaly ; Catheterization ; Catheters ; Cineangiography ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Pituitary Gland ; Seoul ; Tetralogy of Fallot ; Thorax

Erythema nodosum is a reactive dermatosis that occurs in response to various stimuli, such as bacterial, fungal and viral infections, drugs and malignancies. Lesions of erythema nodosum usually appear symmetrically on the extensor aspects of the legs with occasional involvement of the thighs or forearms. Unilateral or plantar involvement uncommonly occurs. A 26-year-old man presented with bilateral, painful, multiple, confluent, erythematous, firm nodules confined to the both plantar skin for 7 days. Histopathologic examination revealed fibrosis of and a lymphohistiocytic infiltrate within the septae of fat lobules, consistent with erythema nodosum. We, herein, report an unusual case of plantar erythema nodosum, which was successfully treated with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs for 2 weeks.
Adult ; Erythema Nodosum* ; Erythema* ; Fibrosis ; Forearm ; Humans ; Leg ; Skin ; Skin Diseases ; Thigh

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of 0.4 mg of tamsulosin in patients with nocturia not responding to 0.2 mg.METHODS: Patients with intractable nocturia after treatment with 0.2 mg of tamsulosin for>1 month were included in a multicenter, prospective, observational, single-arm study. Patients were prescribed 0.4 mg of tamsulosin and followed up for 2 months to assess nocturnal voiding and nocturia-related bother. Changes in the mean number of nocturnal voids, the proportion of 50% responders, 3-day frequency-volume chart parameters, and questionnaire scores were assessed.RESULTS: Sixty-two patients were prescribed 0.2 mg of tamsulosin, of whom 56 were prescribed 0.4 mg of tamsulosin. Ten patients dropped out. A single case of orthostatic hypotension was reported. The mean age was 68 years. After 1 and 2 months of taking 0.4 mg of tamsulosin, 23.9% and 22.7% of patients demonstrated a>50% reduction of nocturia, and 16.1% and 19.4% of patients rated the treatment as “very effective,” respectively. Dose escalation to 0.4 mg of tamsulosin, compared to 0.2 mg, did not show an additional effect on reducing nocturnal urine volume. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that lower serum sodium levels (odds ratio [OR], 0.41, P=0.037) and the presence of urge incontinence (OR, 7.08, P=0.036) were predictors of a significant improvement of nocturia in response to 0.4 mg of tamsulosin.CONCLUSIONS: Dose escalation may yield a significant improvement of nocturia in>20% of patients, and may be especially helpful in patients with lower sodium levels and urge incontinence.
Adrenergic alpha-Antagonists ; Humans ; Hypotension, Orthostatic ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Nocturia ; Prospective Studies ; Sodium ; Urinary Incontinence, Urge

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Ceramic and composite resin have been used to fulfill the demand for esthetic prosthesis. However, ceramic is easy to break and wears off the opposite natural teeth. Conventional composite resin also has low abrasive resistance and color stability. Ceramic Optimized Polymer (ceromer) was developed in mid-1990s to overcome the shortfalls of ceramic and composite resin. Ceromer has similar abrasiveness with the natural tooth and has relatively high strength. Color stability affects esthetics and long-term prognosis of the prosthesis. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare color stability of ceromers(2 types : Artglass., Targis.) with ceramics(Vintage.-polishing, Vintage.-glazing). MATERIAL AND METHOD: The color difference(E*) was measured by spectrophotometer with different immersion time. Twenty disks, 3mm in thickness and 10mm in diameter, were fabricated for each specimen in shade A2(Vita Lumin shade guide). Specimens(5 samples in each group) were immersed in the food colorants(Red no.3, Yellow no.4, Blue no.1, Distilled water) for 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours respectively. L*, a* and b* value were measured with spectrophotometer (CM 503i : Minolta Co., Japan) and mean E* value was calculated for statistical analysis. RESULTS: The results of this study were obtained as follows. 1. The E* values of all test samples increased with the time of immersion. 2. The E* values of all materials increased in order of Distilled Water, Yellow no.4, Blue no.1 and Red no.3. There was significant difference between Red no.3 and the other food colorants(p<0.05). 3. The E* values increased in order of Vintage-glazing, Vintage-polishing, Artglass and Targis. There was significant difference between Vintage.-glazing and the other materials (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: By means of the above results, immersion time was found to be a critical factor for color stability of ceromer. For the long-term color stability of prosthesis it is recommended patients having ceromer prosthesis(Artglass., Targis.) to reduce the habitual intake of Red no.3 colorants con taining foods.
Ceramics ; Esthetics ; Food Coloring Agents* ; Humans ; Immersion ; Polymers ; Prognosis ; Prostheses and Implants ; Tooth ; Water

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of Kawasaki myocarditis in the acute phase is thought to be nearly 100%, and its detection may be helpful to the early diagnosis of Kawasaki disease. This study was performed to survey echocardiographic functional study items, effective for the differentiation of Kawasaki myocarditis patients from normal children. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: We studied 18 children treated at our hospital between Feb 2001 and Jul 2001. Nine typical Kawasaki patients (patient group) and 9 normal children (control group) are included. RESULTS: The male to female ratio of the respective groups were 6:3 (patients group), and 4:5 (control group). The mean ages (2.4+/-1.3 years vs. 3.4+/-2.1 years) and mean body weights (14.4+/-3.7 kg vs. 15.7+/-6.6 kg) did not differ significantly between two groups. The mean values of propagation velocity (Vp) via left ventricular inflow Color M-mode Doppler were significantly different between the two groups (51.8+/-14.6 cm/sec in patients group vs. 66.4+/-9.1 cm/sec in control group, p=0.0304). No other echocardiographic functional values were significantly different across the two groups. In the patients group, seven children (77.8%) had carditis-suggesting 2D-echocardiographic findings (dilated left ventricle, pericardial effusion, mitral regurgitation) and/or abnormally decreased Vp (<55 cm/sec). CONCLUSION: We verified the mean difference of Vp between Kawasaki patients and normal children. Additionally, the detection rate of Kawasaki myocarditis in the acute phase appears to be increased through the adding of Vp values to 2D-echocardiogram results.
Body Weight ; Child ; Early Diagnosis ; Echocardiography* ; Female ; Heart Ventricles ; Humans ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; Myocarditis* ; Pericardial Effusion ; Prevalence