Expression of cubilin in mouse testes and Leydig cells

Cubilin (cubn) is a receptor for vitamins and various protein ligands. Cubn lacks a transmembrane domain but anchors to apical membranes by forming complexes with Amnionless or Megalin. In an effort to better understand the uptake of nutrients in testis, we analysed cubn expression in the developing mice testes. In testes, cubn mRNA increased from birth to adulthood. In the inter‐stitium and isolated seminiferous tubules, neonatal increase in cubn mRNA until 14 days post‐partum (pp) was followed by a marked increase at puberty (28 days pp). Cubn was found in the gonocytes, spermatogonia, spermatocytes and spermatids in the developing testes. In adult testes, strong Cubn immunoreactivity was found in the elongating spermatids, suggesting the role of Cubn in endocytosis during early spermiogenesis. In Sertoli cells and peritubular cells, Cubn immunoreactivity was weak throughout the testis development. In the inter‐stitium, Cubn immunoreactivity was found in foetal Leydig cells, was weak to negligible in the stem cells and progenitor Leydig cells and was strong in immature and adult Leydig cells, demonstrating a positive association between Cubn and steroidogenic activity of Leydig cells. Collectively, these results suggest that Cubn may participate in the endocytotic uptake of nutrients in germ cells and somatic cells, supporting the spermatogenesis and steroidogenesis in mouse testes.     

The effects of human keratinocyte coculture on human adipose‐derived stem cells

The potential for adipose‐derived stem cells to differentiate into keratinocyte‐like cells has recently been receiving attention, stemming from the hypothesis that a bioengineered skin may be manufactured from these readily available mesenchymal stem cells. This study was conducted to evaluate the influence of human keratinocyte non‐contact coculture on hADSCs. Human epidermal keratinocytes and hADSCs obtained by lipoaspiration were cultured in keratinogenic growth media, which were divided into the following groups: human adipose‐derived stem cell (hADSC) monoculture, non‐contact coculture of hADSCs and human keratinocytes and keratinocyte monoculture. Cell proliferation was assessed, and keratogenicity was analysed through immunocytochemistry and polymerase chain reaction of early, intermediate and late keratogenic markers. hADSCs cocultured with keratinocytes displayed enhanced proliferation compared with the monoculture group. After a 7‐day coculture period, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction findings revealed the presence of specific keratinocyte markers in the coculture group. This study demonstrates that hADSCs cocultured with keratinocytes have the capacity to transdifferentiate into keratinocyte lineage cells, and suggests that adipose tissue may be a source of keratinocytes that may further be used in structuring the bioengineered skin.     

Use of the airway scope for difficult airway

The Airway Scope (AWS) is a new videolaryngoscope which consists of an optical system and a single-use blade. The blade of the device is designed according with the pharyngeal anatomy, and thus the AWS is expected to have a role in the management of difficult airway. We here report 15 patients with difficult airway in whom the AWS provided in successful intubation. The AWS provides a view of the glottis with Cormack-Lehane grade 1 and resulted in successful intubation in the 15 patients. The AWS is useful for the management of difficult airway.     

The effect of overactive bladder syndrome on the sexual quality of life in Korean young and middle aged women

Some reports showed that urinary incontinence (UI) or female lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) affect life quality and sexual activity. In clinical practice, it is commonly found that not only the symptoms of UI but also overactive bladder (OAB) syndrome affect daily lifestyle and sexual activity, especially in women in the most active era in their social and personal life. However, there is lack of data proving the effect of OAB syndrome on sexual activity or sexual life quality in sexually active age group. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of OAB syndrome and UI on the sexual activity and on the sexual quality of life (QoL) of Korean women age from 20s to 40s. We investigated 3372 women aged between 20 and 49 y, enrolled via a multicenter internet survey. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data about their LUTS and sexual activities. The prevalence of OAB syndrome and UI in 3372 women was 12.7 and 21.0%, respectively. Mean subject age was 26.4+/-4.8 y and 79.5% of subjects were 20-29 y old. Having OAB syndrome or UI were found to be significant predictors of sexual life problems (OAB syndrome: OR=5.08, 95% CI=3.68-7.01; UI: OR=4.16, 95% CI=3.06-5.67). Sexual activity was significantly reduced in OAB syndrome and UI versus the asymptomatic group (OAB syndrome: OR=4.8, 95% CI=3.14-6.83; UI: OR=3.9, 95% CI=2.81-5.27). This study is the first internet-based study concerning the sexual QoL in UI and OAB syndrome. In this study, OAB syndrome was found to cause a greater deterioration in the sexual QoL than UI. These results suggest that these symptoms have a significant impact upon women's personal and social lives and markedly affect the QoL.     

Post-marketing surveillance study of the safety and efficacy of sildenafil prescribed in primary care to erectile dysfunction patients

In order to investigate the safety and efficacy of sildenafil prescribed in primary care, a post-marketing surveillance study was undertaken. A total of 651 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) were enrolled from 31 family physicians in Korea from December 1999 to July 2002. Patients were regularly followed up to ascertain the safety and efficacy of sildenafil. Of the 651 patients enrolled, 572 (87.9%) returned for safety evaluation and efficacy assessment. In all, 458 (80.1%) of 572 patients reported improved erectile function with sildenafil. Hypertension, diabetes and low-dose sildenafil were associated with poor efficacy. A total of 71 adverse events were reported among 56 patients (8.6%), with the most frequent being hot flushes (5.6%), followed by headache (2.6%), palpitation (1.0%), anxiety (0.5%) and elevated ALT (0.5%). Only six patients (1.0%) discontinued sildenafil as a direct result of adverse events. These results suggest that sildenafil prescribed by primary care physicians was well tolerated and improved erectile function in patients with ED.     

Combined spinal epidural anesthesia for emergency cesarean section

BACKGROUND: We performed a retrospective analysis to evaluate the usefulness of combined spinal epidural anesthesia (CSEA) in emergency cesarean section compared with conventional spinal anesthesia. METHODS: A retrospective chart analysis of patients who had undergone emergency cesarean section over a 7 year period was performed. We extracted at random 150 patients planned by spinal anesthesia, and 150 patients planned by separate-needle CSEA. Patient's data were gathered and analyzed according to the anesthetic technique used. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in age, weight, and BMI. Although the time to incision and the time to delivery were significantly faster in spinal anesthesia group than in CSEA group, there was no significant difference in Apgar score between the groups. Moreover, failure of anesthesia and post-dural puncture headache were higher in spinal group than in CSEA group. CONCLUSIONS: CSEA is useful as anesthesia for an emergency cesarean section.     

Comparison of discographic findings in asymptomatic subject discs and the negative discs of chronic LBP patients: can discography distinguish asymptomatic discs among morphologically abnormal discs?

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Lumbar discography has been widely used for evaluating discogenic low back pain (LBP). Comparison of pain responses from suspected symptomatic discs with pain responses from asymptomatic negative discs is routine. However, the ability of discography to distinguish asymptomatic morphologically abnormal discs from those that are symptomatic has been understudied. In addition, the discographic characteristics of negative discs in patients with chronic discogenic LBP have not been reported. Criteria for negative morphologically abnormal discs may be valuable for excluding discs from further treatment and examination. PURPOSE: To determine if discography can distinguish asymptomatic discs among morphologically abnormal discs in patients with suspected chronic discogenic LBP and establish the standard characteristics of negative discs. STUDY DESIGN/SETTING: Prospective, experimental with control group. PATIENT SAMPLE: Fifty-five discs from a control group of 16 healthy volunteers without current back pain (11 men, 5 women, 32-61 years of age, mean age: 47 years) and 282 discs from a patient group of 90 LBP patients (59 men, 31 women, 20-70 years of age, mean age: 44.7 years) were recruited. METHODS: Discography was performed using a pressure-controlled manometric technique with an injection rate of 0.05 mL/s and a 3.5 mL restricted total volume. Concordance was rated as none/unfamiliar, or familiar. Pain was rated via a 0-10 numerical rating scale (NRS). The pressure and volume at which pain was evoked and NRS pain responses at 15, 30, and 50 psi were recorded. Annular disruption grade was rated during the procedure by computed tomography discography and fluoroscopic imaging. Negative discogram required no pain described by the participant as "familiar," with no pain responses >or=6/10 NRS at pressures 相似文献   

Experimental transplantation gliomas in the adult cat brain

Summary In adult cats experimental brain tumours were produced by stereotactical xenotransplantation of the rat glioma clone F 98 into the internal capsule of the left hemisphere. Two to four weeks after transplantation tumours and peritumoural oedema were investigated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electrophysiological recording and analysis of tissue content of water, electrolytes and extravasated serum proteins.Spherical tumours with a diameter of about 10 mm developed at the injection site and were surrounded by massive white matter oedema. Water content in peritumoural white matter increased from 2.63 ± 0.17 to 3.65 ± 0.19 ml/g d.w. (means ± SD), sodium from 187±11 to 351±55 eq/g d.w. and calcium from 7.4±1.1 to 13.3 ± 1.3 ± 1.3 eq/g d.w. Potassium and magnesium did not change. Oedema development was associated with the extravasation of 18.0 ± 16.8mg/g d.w. albumin and 15.8 ± 12.2 mg/g d.w. immunoglobulin. The calculated electrolyte content of oedema fluid approximated that of plasma but the serum protein content was about 40% lower. The ratio of low (albumin) to high (immunoglobulin) molecular weight proteins was the same in blood and oedema fluid. It is, therefore, concluded that peritumoural oedema consist of two components,a whole plasma extravasate and a protein-free ultra-filtrate.Peritumoural oedema could be clearly detected by MRI but differentiation between tumour and oedema was only possible after contrast enhancement with gadolinium-DTPA. The ratios of the intensities of the MR signal correlated linearly with the water content within white matter. MRI, in consequence, allows quantification of oedema provided a reference area with normal water content is present.