We meniscectomized 27 knees with meniscal lesions for disabling symptoms after the diagnosis by clinical evaluation and arthrography from January, 1970 to May,1979. Statistical analyses were as follows: 1. Male was affected 2 times more than female. The most meniscal lesions occurred in the age group between 10 and 29 years old (67%). 2. The lateral menisci were affected 2 times than the medial. In the former, the middle segments were affected most frequently and in the latter, the posterior horns. 3. The general diagnosis of torn meniscus for the 27 knees was correct by clinical evaluation for 19(71%), by arthrography for 20 (74%) and by two methods for 24 (88%). 4. In the follow-up study, satisfactory results were obtained in. 79%.
Animals ; Arthrography ; Clinical Study ; Diagnosis ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Horns ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Menisci, Tibial

No abstract available.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn* ; Leukocytes*

Syndromal acanthosis nigricans is associated with cellular resistance to the action of insulin and other endocrinopathies. In the insulin resistant state, increased insulin binds to the receptors of insulin-like growth factors (IGFs). IGFs are growth prompting peptides, which act as direct mitogens on cells containing the receptors. Through these actions, increased cellular growth and metabolism cause the skin lesions of acanthosis nigricans. Hyperandrogenism is also found in syndromal acanthosis nigricans patients. When associated with insulin resistance, these states are proportionally related. Increased insulin prompts the synthesis of androgen and conversely, increased androgen elevates the insulin resistance. We present three cases of syndromal acanthosis nigricans with hyperpigmented skin lesions and obesity. Laboratory findings demonstrated normal fasting blood suga levels with increased insulin and C-peptide levels and decreased insulin receptors. The oral glucose tolerance test was normal. We suggest that these patients were in an insulin resistant state. Skin biopsies from the axilla in all three cases showed hyperkeratosis, irregular acanthosis and upward projection of dermal papillae as finger like fashion. Thus all three cases represent syndromal acanthosis nigricans associated with an insulin resistant state based on clinical, histopathological, and laboratory findings. The three patients were treated with dietary control.
Acanthosis Nigricans* ; Axilla ; Biopsy ; C-Peptide ; Fasting ; Fingers ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Hyperandrogenism ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Metabolism ; Mitogens ; Obesity ; Peptides ; Receptor, Insulin ; Skin ; Somatomedins

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A subfamily is estimated to participate in the biotransformation of 50% of the currently prescribed drugs. Four members of the CYP3A subfamily have been identified in humans: CYP3A4, CYP3A5, CYP3A7, and CYP3A43. Initial data suggested that CYP3A5 accounts for only a small proportion of the total hepatic CYP3A in about 20% of samples, but it was later revealed that CYP3A5 represents more than 50% of the total CYP3A amount in some individuals. Several genetic variants have been described for the CYP3A5 gene, of which the CYP3A5*3 allele (gA6986G), the most common form and leading to the loss of CYP3A5 activity, has been extensively investigated in the aspect of pharmacokinetics and disease risk. This review summarized the molecular characteristics of the CYP3A5 gene, and discusses the association of the CYP3A5*3 polymorphism with disease risks such as cancer and hypertension, along with its role in the pharmacokinetics of CYP3A substrates.
Alleles ; Biotransformation ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Pharmacogenetics ; Pharmacokinetics

No abstract available.

BACKGROUND: Laser resurfacing of cutaneous scars, rhytides, and photodamaged skin has become very popular. Pulsed erbium:YAG laser resurfacing has recently come into favor for the treatment of pitted acne scars. OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to investigate the efficacy and safety of pulsed erbium:YAG laser in cutaneous resurfacing of pitted acne scars. METHODS: 100 patients with pitted acne scars were enrolled in this study. All patients were treated by means of a pulsed erbium:YAG laser with a 2 mm handpiece at the setting of 500 to 1000mJ/pulse and fluences used varied between 5-15J/cm2. Photographs of the face were obtained at baseline and 2 week postoperatively. Two weeks after treatment, postoperative care such as applying hydroquinone 4% and tretinoin 0.05% was recommended for 2 to 4 weeks. RESULTS: Out of 100 patients, 20% of patients showed an excellent response, 50% a good response, 21% a fair response and 9% a poor response. After 6 months, erythema had developed in two patients and and three patients had developed postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, hypopigmentation and delayed contact dermatitis. CONCLUSION: Treatment with pulsed erbium:YAG laser shows high efficacy and low morbidity in pitted acne scar resurfacing.
Acne Vulgaris* ; Cicatrix* ; Dermatitis, Contact ; Erythema ; Humans ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hypopigmentation ; Postoperative Care ; Skin ; Tretinoin

The rectal prolapse syndome is a disease entity includes rectocele and rectal prolapse, presenting prolapse(procidentia) of rectum. In rectocele, rectum is prolapsed anteriorly into the vagina, whereas in procidentia, inferiorly out of the anus. This study was aimed at analyzing pathogenesis and adequacy of surgical treatment in rectocele and rectal prolapse. Twenty-one patients with rectocele and 18 patients with rectal prolapse were assessed pre- and post-operatively in respect to symptoms and signs, pathogenesis, defecography, and manometry. In analysis of symptoms and sings, constipation was the commonest in both diseases(86% of rectocele and 67% of rectal prolapse) and incontinence was not infrequently found in both diseases as well(14% of rectocele and 33% of rectal prolapse). In analysis of the underlying causes, two patients with rectal prolapse had prolapse from childhood. Defecography showed anorectal angle of rectal prolapse in rest and push period. They were significantly wider than those of rectocele(p<0.05). The perineal descent of rectal prolapse was longer than that of rectocele. In analysis of the associated factors, average number of delivery was more than three times in both diseases(3.5 of rectocele and 5.1 of rectal prolapse). We could easily find previous operation history in both diseases. Among them, hysterectomy was the most frequent, especially in patients with rectocele. The hemorrhoids was associated more common in rectocele than in rectal prolapse(p<0.05). Preoperative maximal resting pressure of rectal prolapse was more significantly decreased than that of rectocele(p<0.05). The sensation of fullness was significantly decreased in patients with rectal prolapse postoperatively(p<0.05). Patients with rectocele underwent levator plication by transrectal or vaginal approach. Patients with rectal prolapse underwent posterior rectopexy in 11 patients, resection and rectopexy in 3 patients, Delorme's operation and Thiersch operation in 2 patients each. Constipation was significantly improved in patients with rectocele postoperatively(p<0.05). Incontinence was markedly improved in patients with rectal prolapse postoperatively(p<0.05). At the interview about subjective improvement of symptom, 95% of patients with rectocele and 89% of patients with rectal prolapse were satisfied with surgery. In conclusion, rectocele and rectal prolapse can be categorized as rectal prolapse syndrome because both diseases have anatomical derangements caused by similar pathogenesis such as altered bowel habits, anatomical factor, delivery, past history of hysterectomy, and hemorrhoids. Levator plication and posterior rectopexy seem to be useful surgical methods of anatomical repair for the respective disease.
Anal Canal ; Constipation ; Defecography ; Hemorrhoids ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; Manometry ; Prolapse ; Rectal Prolapse* ; Rectocele ; Rectum ; Sensation ; Vagina

OBJECTIVE: Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP), a novel hypothalamic neuropeptide, has been suggested to play a role in ovarian folliculogenesis. The present study evaluated the effect of PACAP on the growth of preantral follicles. METHODS: Preantral follicles were mechanically isolated from ovaries of 21-day-old rats and cultured in groups for 3 days in serum-free medium in the absence or presence of PACAP-38 (10-6 M). RESULTS: Treatment with PACAP-38 resulted in an increase in follicle diameter by 75% whereas treatment with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) increased follicle diameter by 65%. PACAP-38 treatment enhanced the granulosa cell proliferation as measured by thymidine incorporation analysis. Furthermore, the production of progesterone by cultured granulosa cells and GFSHR-17 cell line was stimulated by PACAP-38. Interestingly, PACAP enhanced FSH action on stimulation of SF-1 and aromatase gene expression. CONCLUSION: The present results demonstrate that PACAP stimulated preantral follicle growth by potentiating proliferation and by stimulating steroidogenesis.
Animals ; Aromatase ; Cell Line ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone* ; Gene Expression ; Granulosa Cells ; Neuropeptides ; Ovarian Follicle* ; Ovary ; Pituitary Adenylate Cyclase-Activating Polypeptide* ; Progesterone ; Rats ; Thymidine

OBJECTIVE: Nitric oxide (NO) produced in ovary may contribute to follicle maturation, ovulation, oocyte maturation and luteinization. In this study, the effect of nitric oxide on the spontaneous maturation of mouse oocyte was observed. Method: The index of oocyte maturation was checked by the germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) and appearance of polar body (PB) under microscope in the denuded oocytes and oocyte-cumulus complexes (OCCs) from mouse ovarian follicles after 24 hours pregnant-mare serum gonadotropin treatment. RESULTS: The GVBD appeared 50 %, 1 hour and 80 %, 2 hrs after changes of oocytes from dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP, 0.5 mM) contained media into dbcAMP-free media. dbcAMP (0.5 mM) completely blocked the GVBD until 24 hrs but dbcGMP (5 mM) delayed the GVBD by 1 hr. Sodium nitroprusside, the NO generator, inhibited the GVBD dose-dependently at 2 hr incubation in denuded and OCCs. The appearance of GVBD was not different between control and dbcGMP or SNP in denuded oocytes and OCCs at 24 hrs incubation. The guanylate cyclase activity in denuded oocyte cytosol was not detected whereas the guanylate cyclase activity in OCCs cytosol was 1.3 nmole/min/mg protein which was increased about 3 times by SNP (100 micrometer). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the NO in ovary may delay the spontaneous oocyte maturation in early stage by acting on the maturation signaling protein as well as guanylate cyclase.
Animals ; Bucladesine ; Cytosol ; Female ; Gonadotropins ; Guanylate Cyclase ; Lutein ; Luteinization ; Mice* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Nitroprusside ; Oocytes* ; Ovarian Follicle ; Ovary ; Ovulation ; Polar Bodies ; Staphylococcal Protein A

No abstract available.
Hypothermia* ; Vena Cava, Inferior*