OBJETIVE: To assess the effects of progesterone and acetyl-L-carnitine used after treated with IsolateR gradient before semen cryopreservation-thawing on sperm parameters and membrane integrity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From April 2001 to July 2001, ten normal male partner of couples who were visited in vitro fertilization (IVF) clinics. the semens were treated with IsolateR gradient before cryopreservation, spermatozoa was incubated with progesterone (1, 5 and 10 micrometer), acetyl-L-carnitine (2.5, 5 and 10 micrometer), or both (progesterone, 1 micrometer; and acetyl-L-carnitine, 5 micrometer) for 30 min. RESULTS: There were no differences in sperm parameters and vital stain among isolate only treated group, progesterone (1, 5 and 10 micrometer), acetyl-L-carnitine (2.5, 5 and 10 micrometer) and both (progesterone, 1 micrometer; and acetyl-L-carnitine, 5 micrometer). But, in high concentration of acetyl-L-carnitine (10 micrometer) treated group, sperm parameters and vital stain were decreased. The statistical method was used ANOVA (Kruskal-Wallis test) and p value was <0.01. CONCLUSIONS: Neither progesterone nor acetyl-L-carnitine show to be protective effect on the cryodamage assessed by sperm parameters and vital stain (eosin-Y stain) in normal sperm. High concentration of acetyl-L-carnitine (10 micrometer), however, was harmful effect on cryoprevention.
Acetylcarnitine* ; Cryopreservation ; Family Characteristics ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Membranes* ; Progesterone ; Semen ; Spermatozoa*

It is well known that the murine T helper cell clones are divided by their lymphokine secretory activities. One is the Th-1 cell, producing IL-2 and IFN after stimulation and the other is the Th-2 cell, producing the IL-4 and IL-5. This study was undertaken to evaluate the immunomodulatory properties of the bacterial lipopolysaccharide(LPS) on the lymphokine production in vivo and in vitro. The results were as follows: There were no effects on the lymphokine secretion by the in vitro treatment of the LPS. The in vivo treatment of the LPS decreases the capability of the production of IL-2 and IFN , whereas it increases the capability of IL-4 production. The altered capacity of the lymphokine production was recovered about 2 weeks after the treatment of the LPS. There were no differences on the lymphokine production between E-coli LPS and salmonella LPS. The capacity of the lymphokine production was the same in the treatment of a non-heated LPS or heated-LPS. The lymphokine production of the mice which were desensitized by the long term treatment of the LPS was not different from the control mice. The in vitro treatment of RU486 can block the alterations of the lymphokine production after the treatment of the LPS. In summary, one can tell that the LPS increases the secretion of the IL-4 through the endogenous secretion of the glucocorticoids.
Animals ; Clone Cells ; Glucocorticoids ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-4 ; Interleukin-5 ; Mice ; Mifepristone ; Salmonella ; T-Lymphocytes* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer

We have expressed GFP in Sf9 and Bm5 cells or Bombyx by larvae by using Ac-Bm hybrid virus capable of replicating in both Bm5 and Sf9 cells. Genomic DNA of Ac-Bm hybrid virus expressing P-galactosidase was cotransfected with baculovirus transfer vector containing GFP gene, pBacPAK-GFP in Sf9 cells. The Ac-Bm hybrid virus harboring GFP was named as Ac-Bm hybrid virus-GFP. The Ac-Bm hybrid virus-GFP-infected insect cells were easily selected by detecting the emission of GFP from each well of cell culture dish on the UV illuminator. GFP produced by Ac-Bm hybrid virus-GFP in Sf9 and Bm5 cells or B. mori larvae was confirmed by SDS-PAGE and Western blot analysis using GFP antibody. In addition, B. mori larvae infected with Ac-Bm hybrid virus-GFP was apparently appeared fluorescence from the whole body at 5 days postinoculation. The fluorescence of GFP from the hemolymph and fat body of B. mori larvae infected with Ac-Bm hybrid virus-GFP was also observed by fluorescence microscope. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that in baculovirus expression vector system, use of Ac-Bm hybrid virus have an additional advantage of expanded host range for producing recombinant proteins.
Animals ; Baculoviridae ; Blotting, Western ; Bombyx* ; Cell Culture Techniques ; DNA ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Fat Body ; Fluorescence ; Hemolymph ; Host Specificity ; Insects ; Larva* ; Recombinant Proteins ; Sf9 Cells ; Spodoptera*

PURPOSE: Central pancreatectomy (CP) may be indicated for the treatment of benign or low-grade malignant tumor in the neck and proximal body of the pancreas. Pancreatic fistula is one of the most common complications after CP. In this study, we suggested an inverted mattress pancreaticojejunostomy (IM-PJ) technique to decrease the risk of pancreatic fistula. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, CP was performed with IM-PJ for 10 consecutive patients with a benign or low-grade malignant tumor in the neck and proximal body of the pancreas. All clinical and pathological data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Median age was 56.4 years (range, 17–75 years). Median surgery duration was 286 minutes (range, 205–410 minutes). In all cases, the distal stump was reconstructed using the IM-PJ method. Median duration of hospital stay was 23.8 days (range, 9–53 days). No patient mortality occurred. Pancreatic fistula developed in 9 cases (90%); however, all fistulas were grade A and resolved without surgical or radiological intervention. Nine patients remain well with no recurrence or new endocrine or exocrine dysfunction. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate that the outcomes of CP with IM-PJ are reasonable for prevention of pancreatic fistula following CP.
Fistula ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Methods ; Mortality ; Neck ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy* ; Pancreatic Fistula* ; Pancreaticojejunostomy* ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

Purpose: To determine the usefulness of measuring the tortuosity of retinal arteries using smartphone fundus photographs to quantify plus disease in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) patients. Methods: Digital fundus photographs were taken with a smartphone of 116 eyes involving 58 premature infants. The tortuosity of retinal arteries named as the tortuosity index (TI) was measured with Image J software. Patients were classified into the treated and control groups and the TIs of the two groups were compared. A receiver operating characteristic curve was constructed and areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated to quantify the diagnostic utility of TI. Results: Fundus photographs of 98 eyes of 50 premature infants were analyzed; 38 eyes of 20 infants were the treated group and 60 eyes of 30 infants were the control group. The TI was 1.231 ± 0.156 in the treated group before treatment, which was significantly larger than 1.062 ± 0.019 in the control group. After treatment of the treated group, the TI was 1.100 ± 0.093, which was significantly smaller than before treatment. The AUC was 0.926, and using a cut-off value of 1.095, the sensitivity and specificity of TIs for requiring treatment were 85.1% and 95.5%, respectively. Conclusions The tortuosity of retinal arteries was measured by analyzing smartphone fundus photographs to quantify plus disease in ROP patients. This method may be helpful for screening, follow-up, and treatment decisions for ROP patients.

Emergent abdominal surgery in cirrhotic patients with ascites can result in dismal postoperative outcomes such as sepsis and hepatic failure. In the present case, small bowel resection followed by anastomosis by the hand-sewn method was performed for small bowel strangulation caused by an umbilical hernia; deceased donor liver transplantation was performed one week after the bowel resection because of deterioration of hepatic function. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of liver transplantation performed at only one week after small bowel resection; and although we obtained a good result, the optimal time to perform liver transplantation in this situation requires further evaluation.
Ascites ; Hernia, Umbilical* ; Humans ; Liver Failure ; Liver Transplantation* ; Sepsis ; Tissue Donors*

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD)-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) and fracture risk are both closely related to declining renal function. Controlling hyperphosphatemia with phosphate binders is a basic principle of CKD-MBD treatment. The aim of this study was to identify differences in fracture risk between pre-dialysis CKD patients and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) on dialysis, and to evaluate the effects of phosphate binders on fracture risk in ESRD patients. METHODS: Data from a total of 89,533 CKD patients comprising CKD diagnosis, dialysis, fracture history, and phosphate binder prescription history from 2012 to 2016 were retrieved from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service Database. Multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to identify whether dialysis or phosphate binders were associated with an increased fracture risk. RESULTS: Overall, the rate of fractures in pre-dialysis CKD patients was 74 per 1,000 patient-years, while that in dialysis patients was 84 per 1,000 patient-years. The risk of fracture in ESRD patients was higher than pre-dialysis CKD patients (hazard ratio, 1.16; 95% confidence interval, 1.12–1.21; P < 0.001) after adjusting for confounding variables. In addition, the fracture risk in patients who were not taking phosphate binders was 20.0% higher compared to ESRD patients taking phosphate binders. CONCLUSION: Fractures were more prevalent in ESRD patients on dialysis than pre-dialysis CKD patients. Use of phosphate binders was associated with a lower fracture risk in ESRD patients.
Cohort Studies ; Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Diagnosis ; Dialysis ; Humans ; Hyperphosphatemia ; Insurance, Health ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Prescriptions ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic

PURPOSE: Althoughpancreas injury is rare in abdominal trauma,it posesa challengeto the surgeon because its clinicalfeaturesare not prominentand the presence of main duct injurycannot be easily identified by imaging studies. Furthermore, severe pancreas injuries require a distal pancreatectomy or a pancreaticoduodnectomy which are associated considerable morbidity and mortality. We reviewed the clinical features of and outcomes for patients with pancreas injury. METHODS: For 10 years from Jan. 2001 to Dec. 2010, thirty-four patients were diagnosedas having pancreas injury by using an explo-laparotomy. Patients successfully treated bynon-operative management were excluded. Patients were divided into early (n=18) and delayed surgery groups (n=11) based on an interval of 24hours between injury and surgery. The clinical features of and the outcomes for the patients in both groups were compared. RESULTS: Males were more commonly injured (82.4% vs.17.6%). The mean age was 37.2 years. The injury mechanisms included vehicle accidents (62.9%, 22/34), assaults (20%, 7/34), and falls (11.4%, 3/34)). The head and neck of the pancreas was most commonly injured, followed by the body and the tail (16, 12, and 6 cases). Of the 34 patients, 26 (76.5%) patients had accompanying injuries. Grade 1 and 2 occurred in 14 (5 and 9) patients, and grade 3, 4, and 5 occurred in 20 (16, 3, and 1) patients. The early and delayed surgery groups showed no difference in surgical outcomes. Two patients with grade 3 in the early surgery group died after surgery,one due tomassive hemorrhage and the other due to septic shock. Of the five patients initially managed non-operatively,three developed peripancreatic necrosis and two developed pseudocyst. All five patients were successfully cured by surgery. CONCLUSION: All cases of pancreas injury in this study involved blunt injury, and accompanying injury to major vessels or the bowel was the major cause of mortality. Surgery delayed for longer than 24 hours after was not associated with adverseoutcomes.
Head ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Male ; Neck ; Necrosis ; Pancreas ; Pancreatectomy ; Shock, Septic ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating

No abstract available.
Karyotyping* ; Pregnancy*

PURPOSE: We hypothesize that bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) may act through the regulation of various isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) [inducible (iNOS), endothelial (eNOS), and neuronal (nNOS)] genes and proteins expressions in rat bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult female Sprague Dawley rats (200-250g) were injected into the urinary bladder transurethrally with BCG (22 rats) or saline (22 control rats) and after 2, 4, 6, and 12 hrs, and 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 days, the bladders were harvested. Normal and BCG-treated rat bladders were analyzed for mRNA expressions for iNOS, eNOS, and nNOS by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT- PCR). Protein expressions were determined by Western blotting analysis and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: mRNA expression for iNOS was induced after 2 hrs of BCG injection in the rat bladder. Gene expression for iNOS was highest at 6 hrs and followed by decreased expression from 1 day, reaching its lowest level at 5 days. eNOS mRNA expression was detected in control bladders but its level was higher in the BCG-treated animals. nNOS mRNA expression was present in all the samples but did not change after BCG treatment. Western blotting analysis confirmed these findings. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that eNOS was present mainly in endothelium, while iNOS was detected in stroma and inflammatory cells, and nNOS in epithelium and smooth muscle of rat bladder. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrates that BCG treatment up-regulates gene and protein expressions of iNOS and eNOS in rat bladders, suggesting that BCG action may be mediated through NOS pathways.
Adult ; Animals ; Bacillus* ; Blotting, Western ; Endothelium ; Epithelium ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Muscle, Smooth ; Mycobacterium bovis ; Neurons ; Nitric Oxide Synthase* ; Nitric Oxide* ; Protein Isoforms ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA, Messenger ; Urinary Bladder*